Catholic World News News Feature
Bishops must sacrifice for their people, Pope says June 01, 2006
Diocesan bishops must care for their people with "a ministry of watchful love that calls for total dedication, complete commitment of energy and, if necessary, the sacrifice of life." That was the message of Pope Benedict XVI to the 11th ordinary council of the Synod of Bishops.
The Pope spoke on June 1 to a group of bishops meeting in Rome to organize the proposals approved by the Synod on the Eucharist last October. The group's discussions were chaired by Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, the secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops.
The bishop, Pope Benedict remarked, "represents the image of Christ, who nourishes us with his Flesh and Blood." As head of the diocese the bishop has a duty to "dispense the food of truth" to his people, he continued.
"The truth of love cannot be silenced," the Holy Father said, and each bishop should "proclaim it without fear or reticence."
