Give ‘clear instructions about doctrine and morals,’ Pope tells Slovakia’s bishops

November 12, 2015

In an address given to Slovakia’s bishops during their ad limina visit, Pope Francis called upon Slovaks to “maintain their cultural identity and heritage of ethical and spiritual values,” a heritage that is “closely linked to the Catholic tradition.”

The nation of 5.4 million is 74% Catholic.

“I very much appreciate how much you are doing on behalf of the family,” the Pontiff continued, nine months after the nation’s bishops urged voters to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman and to bar adoption by homosexual couples.

Noting that youth are tempted to “hedonism, mediocrity, and instant success,” the Pope told the bishops that young people “need to have from you clear instructions about doctrine and morals, to build, in the city of man, the city of God.”

“In our day, it is even more necessary to illuminate the path of people with Christian principles, seizing the opportunity the current situation offers to develop a new evangelization, which, with a new language, makes it easier to understand Christ’s message,” he added.

Pope Francis also called upon the bishops to welcome migrants “in a spirit of charity and respect for the human person, in the context of a necessary observance of legality.”

 

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Further information:

• Visita “ad Limina Apostolorum” dei Presuli della Conferenza Episcopale Slovacca, 12.11.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope Francis to Slovakia Church: Receive migrants in charity (Vatican Radio)
• Slovak bishops urge yes vote in referendum on marriage, sex education (CWN, 2/9)