” “"The walk of peace is long and tough, but it is by no means impossible": this was said by Benedict XVI as he spoke, this morning, to the bishops of the Ivory Coast in their visita ad limina, who described to him the difficult state of crisis of the African country. A crisis, commented the Pope, which brought to light "a deep wound in the relations existing among the different components of society". "The ensuing violence he noticed has seriously threatened people’s mutual trust and the country’s stability, leaving behind much suffering, which can hardly be healed". "The reinstatement of a true peace highlighted the Holy Father will not be possible but by granting generous forgiveness and through the actual reconciliation between the persons and the groups involved". But in order to get to this, said the Pope, "all the parties involved must accept to bravely pursue dialogue", finding a way to "achieve a solution that is acceptable to everyone, in justice and in truth". In this scenario, he recalled, "Catholics have their role, since the building of a reconciled world can never be alien to them. They are responsible for helping reinstate harmonious and fraternal relations between people and communities". Christians must therefore act as "models of fraternity and love", he specified, then invited the bishops to take care of the spiritual education of the clergy, the laymen and the work of inculturation of faith, to "help Christians better understand and live the evangelical message in their culture".” “
