VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) -- In an address to papal representatives to Latin America, Benedict XVI mentioned a list of challenges facing the Church in that region.The Pope mentioned seven principle difficulties: the need for recognition of religious liberty, growing hedonist secularism, proselytism from sects, legislation opposed to the family, migration, education and the formation of public opinion.
These challenges will be the focus of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin American and the Caribbean, which the Holy Father will open in Brazil on May 13.
In preparation for the conference, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, convoked a meeting in the Vatican of the 20 papal representatives of the region's countries.
The Pontiff addressed them on Saturday, summarizing the challenges for what Pope John Paul II dubbed the "continent of hope."
Issues Benedict XVI mentioned that in their constitutions, some of the countries "limit themselves to 'granting' liberty of creed and worship, but still do not 'recognize' religious liberty." This area of the globe, in which a high percentage of Catholics live -- some 480 million out of a total of 600 million -- is also subject to "the proselytism of sects and the growing influence of postmodern hedonist secularism," noted the Holy Father.
Moreover, "priority attention must be given to the family, which shows signs of collapse under the pressure 'lobbies' capable of exerting negative influence in legislative processes," he added.
Hence the need to "stress that marriage and the family have their foundation in the deepest core of the truth about man and his destiny … only on the rock of faithful and stable conjugal love between a man and a woman can a community be built worthy of the human being," the Pope continued.
Among the continent's key religious and social issues, the Pontiff also pointed out to the nuncios the phenomenon of migration -- "closely linked to the family" -- and the importance of education and attention to the values of communication "to respond to the challenge of sects."
Movements Benedict XVI also mentioned the valid apostolic role of ecclesial movements. He stressed the need to assist them in being "always faithful to the Gospel and the teaching of the Church, also when acting in the social and political field."
In particular, the Holy Father emphasized that it is not "up to ecclesiastics to head social or political groups." Rather, that should be left "to mature and professionally prepared lay people," he said.
The conference will try to define the main priorities and give new impetus to the Church's service to the people of Latin America, explained the Pope.
Benedict XVI encouraged his representatives, whose ministry is to foster ecclesial communion and "service of peace and concord in the Church and among peoples," to be conscious of the importance of their mission and "to carry it out with generous dedication."
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