On the occasion of the imminent 25th jubilee of John Paul II’s pontificate, on 16 October, the Swiss Episcopal Conference (SEC) expresses “recognition” to the Holy Father “for the service he has rendered to the Church and to the community of nations over the last twenty-five years, renews “its affection for the Pope” and declares that the pontificate of John Paul II is “a blessing of God for the whole world”. Among the other distinctive features of his pontificate the bishops identify “the relation of love and reciprocal respect between John Paul II and the young” and look forward to welcoming him to Bern on 5-6 June 2004, on the occasion of the first national meeting of Catholic youth. The SEC also underlines the Pope’s activity as “defender of the poor, of families and of life” and his “courage” in “recognising and asking forgiveness for the injustices and errors committed by the Church in the past”. Ecumenism, a theme “close to the heart” of the Swiss bishops, “the fundamental right of freedom of religion”, the “renewal of the Church”, and the “conversion of the faithful” are other central points of the pontificate indicated by the Swiss bishops. Finally they thank the Pope “for his personal witness, his love of the Church and his courage”; the latter is also evident they declare “in the strength of spirit with which he supports the illness that is consuming his energies”.
