” “"Promoting the vocational pastoral, locating the right approach in talks with the Catholic Bishops Conferences of the different confessions" and "with the Orthodox Church". These are some of the guidelines suggested by Benedict XVI to the Greek Bishops that he received this morning in the Vatican for their visit ad limina. The Pope mentioned some of the "pastoral problems" that worry the Hellenic bishops, such as "the substantial flow of Catholics from the surrounding countries that dictates new needs of ministerial service that are not easy to cope with. I think the development of effective talks with the other Bishops Conferences is more appropriate than ever, just in the light of the new situation". Then, Benedict XVI exhorted the Bishops to "promote the vocational pastoral" and organise, "with the other Catholic Bishops Conferences of the different confessions, appropriate pastoral offices for a fruitful testimony of the Gospel". As to the relations with the Orthodox Church, the Pontiff wished "for more and more prospects of effective talks and a multiplication of common initiatives in the spiritual, cultural and practical spheres". Finally, Benedict XVI sent "a thought" to the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Christodoulos, "asking the Lord to support his far-sightedness and prudence in the accomplishment of such demanding service".” “
