U.S. bishops urged to remind world how to love with joy, forgiveness

Published: 2006-06-20

LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- To love "according to the truth" requires that Catholics be willing to embrace a spirit of joy, sacrifice and forgiveness with their family members as well as with unknown neighbors in need, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. During a special Mass for some 200 U.S. bishops at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles June 16, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., noted in his homily that the bishops had gathered for their annual spring meeting at a moment when they and the world's Catholics were continuing to reflect upon the guidance Pope Benedict XVI offered through his first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" ("God Is Love"). Pope Benedict "highlights one of the central tasks of our ministry as bishops -- to remind the world to love and to love authentically," said Bishop Skylstad, noting that Christian love is not just a sentiment, but requires people of faith to "love according to the truth." He urged the bishops not to become discouraged by the world's brokenness. "We must remain confident, and even joyful, as we continue to remind the world of how to love God and our fellow men and women," he said.

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