Troubled families need extra care , Pope reminds Roman parish

March 21, 2011

Pope Benedict XVI underlined the importance of pastoral support for young families, during a March 20 visit to a parish on the outskirts of Rome.

The Holy Father told the people of St. Corbinian’s parish, that their community should be “a pastoral family that is open and friendly to new families, so that the parish is increasingly a 'family of families.’” Noting the difficulties that afflict young families in the surrounding Infernetto district, he stressed that “particular care and attention to families in difficulty or irregularity."

“Do not leave them alone,” the Pope said, referring to troubled families; “but be close to them with love.”

The Pope reminded the parish that St. Corbinian founded the Diocese of Freising in Germany, which later became the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, where the future Pontiff was Archbishop from 1977 to 1982. Pope Benedict’s unusual coat of arms includes a stylized depiction of “Corbinian’s bear.”

 

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Further information:

• Visit to Roman Parish of St. Corbinian (VIS)
• Pope: Don't Ignore Families in Difficulty or Irregularity (ANSA)
• The bear and the scallop-shell-- a unique papal coat of arms (CWN 4/27/05)