French bishops face tough task educating a secular society, pope says

Published: 2003-12-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II told French bishops they face a tough task educating their faithful in a society increasingly marked by secular values and hostility to the Christian message. With fewer priests and strained resources, dioceses should consider uniting some programs of religious instruction or priestly formation, the pope said Nov. 28. The bishops were on their "ad limina" visit to the Vatican, a series of consultative sessions made every five years. The pope met briefly with individual bishops in late November before addressing the group. Sounding a message he has made with other groups of bishops in Western Europe, the pope said the church faces a real moment of challenge on the continent. "In the present world, your mission has become without a doubt more complex and more delicate," the pope said.

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