Pope says Christians must share how charity, God changed their lives

Published: 2004-08-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians must share their experiences of how charity and God's grace have changed their lives, said Pope John Paul II. "This becomes possible if the lay faithful learn to overcome the gap within themselves that divides their lives from the Gospel," he said in a written message to Catholic Action, a worldwide lay association. The pope's message, dated Aug. 10, was released by the Vatican Aug. 31 at the start of the International Congress on Catholic Action. Participants from 34 countries gathered in Rome Aug. 31 for the congress, which was scheduled to continue in Rome through Sept. 2. On Sept. 3, conference participants were to move to the eastern city of Loreto to attend the Sept. 5 beatification of three Catholic Action members. "Catholic Action has always been and still today must be a source of the formation of faithful" who are dedicated to defending church teaching in their lives, the pope's message said.

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