Pope defends Mexican Catholics' rights to be involved in politics

Published: 2005-09-23

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- In a democratic society the leaders and faithful of the Catholic Church have an obligation to promote ethical laws and behavior, but despite signs of sin in the world, they must speak with hope, Pope Benedict XVI said. In separate speeches Sept. 23 to Mexico's new ambassador to the Vatican and to a group of Mexican bishops' making their "ad limina" visits to Rome, the pope defended the right of Mexican Catholics to be involved in their country's political debates. Addressing the bishops, who make "ad limina" visits to Rome every five years to report on their dioceses, the pope said, "The design and realization of pastoral programs must reflect ... trust in the loving presence of God in the world. This will help lay Catholics be able to face the growth of secularism and to participate responsibly in temporal matters enlightened by the social teaching of the church."

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