Economic growth alone cannot satisfy man's yearning, Pope reminds Filipino bishops
February 18, 2011
Pope Benedict XVI told a group of bishops from the Philippines that their most important task is “keeping God at the center of the life of the faithful" during an audience on February 18.
While acknowledging that the Philippines still face serious challenges in the field of economic development, the Pope reminded the bishops—who were concluding their ad limina visits—that “these obstacles obstacles to a life of happiness and fulfilment are not the only stumbling blocks that must be addressed by the Church.” He continued:
Filipino culture is also confronted with the more subtle questions inherent to the secularism, materialism, and consumerism of our times. When self-sufficiency and freedom are severed from their dependence upon and completion in God, the human person creates for himself a false destiny and loses sight of the eternal joy for which he has been made. The path to rediscovering humanity’s true destiny can only be found in the re-establishment of the priority of God in the heart and mind of every person.The Holy Father urged the bishops to take special care in fostering strong Catholic family life, proper formation for the young, and healthy lay initiatives to reform society.
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Further information:
- Above all keep God in the life of the Philippines, says Pope (Vatican Radio)
- Challenges and Achievements of the Church in Philippines (VIS)
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