Pope tells Canadian bishops sinfulness can lead to culture of blame

Published: 2006-10-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When individuals lose sight of their own sinfulness, it is impossible to promote real reconciliation and establish true justice in society, Pope Benedict XVI told bishops from Western Canada. In fact, he said, when people cannot see their own need for forgiveness, they cannot forgive others, so they create a culture where people turn immediately to a court to assign blame. The fact that people sin against God and against each other "is part of the truth about the human person," the pope said in an Oct. 9 speech to bishops from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The church leaders were in Rome for their "ad limina" visits, which bishops make to the Vatican every five years to report on the status of their dioceses. Pope Benedict said he was pleased by the bishops' reports on efforts to promote the sacrament of reconciliation within their dioceses. "While this sacrament is often considered with indifference, what it effects is precisely the fullness of healing for which we long," the pope said.

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