Bishops from Western Canada inspired by pope's 'fatherly concern'

Published: 2006-10-11

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Bishops visiting the Vatican from Western Canada said they found inspiration in Pope Benedict XVI's "fatherly concern" for the challenges they face, such as ministering to native peoples and the lack of priestly vocations. Bishops from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba were in Rome Oct. 2-14 for their "ad limina" visits, which bishops make to the Vatican every five years to report on the situation in their dioceses. The bishops met with members of the Roman Curia and with the pope individually and as a group. Bishop Gerald Wiesner of Prince George, British Columbia, told Catholic News Service Oct. 10 that "the kind of fatherly concern (the pope) has shown, I think that has been a real inspiration, I would say, for all of us." Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, Manitoba, said the huge responsibility the pope must face "does not crush him or isolate him or make him preoccupied at all and that was, for me, the most important witness he gave me."

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