” “The process of secularisation as a "providential challenge" to be faced with a brave face: this was stated today by Benedict XVI during his meeting with the German Bishops, who have come to Rome for their visit ad limina. After insisting that the Pontiff has at heart the Catholics and, broadly speaking, all the Christians living in Germany, Benedict XVI outlined a picture of the German scenario, marked by "a culture imbued with secularisation, in which God is disappearing more and more in the public conscience, in which the uniqueness of the figure of Christ is fading away and the values accomplished by the ecclesiastic tradition become weaker and weaker", making it harder to believe. For the individual, "faith becomes hard: projects and forms of life become more and more haphazard. Both pastors and devotees have to face this situation", and many of them "have been stricken with fear and resignation, attitudes that hinder the liberating and salvific Gospel of Christ". "Some people noticed the Pope wonder whether Christianity is just one of the many offerings that give meaning to life. But, at the same time, due to the fragility and uncertainty of these offerings, many look, hesitating and hopeful, to the Christian message and expect convincing answers from us".” “
