Message on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the International Symposium ‘Towards Healing and Renewal’ in Rome
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State has sent the following message on behalf of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the Very Reverend François-Xavier Dumortier, S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University where the International Symposium ‘Towards Healing and Renewal’ is taking place. His Eminence Seán Cardinal Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland is attending the symposium at the Jesuit-run Gregorian University. The Symposium will conclude on Thursday 9 February.
Message of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on behalf of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the International Symposium “Towards Healing And Renewal” (Rome, Pontifical Gregorian University, 6-9 February 2012)
From the Vatican, 30 January 2012
Dear Father Dumortier,
The Holy Father sends cordial greetings to all the participants in the Symposium “Towards Healing and Renewal”, taking place from 6 to 9 February 2012 under the auspices of the Pontifical Gregorian University, and he assures you of his prayers for this important initiative. He asks the Lord that, through your deliberations, many bishops and religious superiors throughout the world may be helped to respond in a truly Christ-like manner to the tragedy of child abuse.
As His Holiness has often observed, healing for victims must be of paramount concern in the Christian community, and it must go hand in hand with a profound renewal of the Church at every level. Our Lord reminds us that every act of charity towards even the least of our brethren is an act of charity towards him (cf. Mt 25:40). The Holy Father therefore supports and encourages every effort to respond with evangelical charity to the challenge of providing children and vulnerable adults with an ecclesial environment conducive to their human and spiritual growth. He urges the participants in the Symposium to continue drawing on a wide range of expertise in order to promote throughout the Church a vigorous culture of effective safeguarding and victim support.
Commending the work of the Symposium to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, he gladly imparts his Apostolic Blessing to all the participants, as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Card. Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B.
Secretary of State
The Very Reverend François-Xavier Dumortier, SJ
Rector
Pontifical Gregorian University
Piazza della Pilotta, 4
00187 Roma
Ends
Notes to Editors:
- Father Timothy Bartlett is the media contact for Cardinal Brady in Rome and can be contacted on 0044 787 941 6685.
Further information:
Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
