The gist of the Pope’s words to the bishops from Quebec:
The Quebec bishops were the first group of Canadians making "ad limina" visits in 2006, and Pope Benedict said he would use the visits to offer his "reflection on significant themes for the mission of the church in Canadian society, which is marked by pluralism, subjectivism and a growing secularism."
The bishops’ reports, he said, "underlined a notable decrease in religious practice in the last few years," particularly the diminishing number of young people who attend Mass.
"The faithful must be convinced of the vital character of regular participation in the Sunday assembly so that their faith may grow and express itself coherently," the pope said.
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Pope Benedict also praised Canadian members of religious orders for being examples of holiness, for their service to the poor and for their prayers.
The pope told the bishops they must consolidate relationships of trust with the religious orders in their dioceses to ensure that all people working for the church are working in harmony. He asked religious men and women in Canada "to work in an ever-closer relationship with the bishops, accepting and spreading the doctrine of the church."
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