“In the joy of the Risen Lord and with profound gratitude we have welcomed your election as Vicar of Christ and our Pope”. So begins the letter of congratulations that the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences (Ccee) has sent to Benedict XVI on the occasion of his election. The letter, signed by the president of the Ccee, Bishop Amédée Grab, says that “all the bishops of our continent thank you for having accepted in full trust the call of Jesus to follow him ‘in his vineyard’ as the successor of Peter. Our prayers and our filial communion will constantly accompany you in your ministry. You can count on this, especially in the moments when the cross will be heavier to bear. ‘Do not be afraid’! We fully accept your invitation to ‘go forward’ united with you, so that the inhabitants of our Europe may be ‘confirmed in the faith’ and grow in the communion of which you are the leading servant and guarantor”. “We wish to work with you to proceed towards the full and visible unity of all the disciples of the Lord. We are sure St. Benedict and your predecessors John Paul II will be particularly close to you. May the Risen Christ and Mary his Most Blessed Mother guard and protect you at every step with joy, radiance and love!”.
