A new invitation to "promote the good of the families and defend their rights with the institutions concerned, and to develop a pastoral care that will protect them and will directly help them in their difficulties": it was made today by the Pope to the bishops of Costa Rica on their visit ad limina, to whom he expressed his concern for "an increasing deterioration of the family as an institution, with serious repercussions on both the social fabric and the life of the Church". Benedict XVI highlights the importance of "an appropriate marriage catechesis and daily attention", self-help groups for married couples and families, "special services that will reduce the burden of painful situations, the result of the abandonment of cohabitation, economic instability or domestic abuse, mostly suffered by women". The Pope exhorted the Bishops to "find new ways to announce Christ in a situation of fast, often deep, change", because "the Costa Rican population too needs to deeply revive its ancient and deep Christian roots, the vigorous religiosity of its population". While praising the high number of seminarians, however, he invited the Bishops to "rigorous discernment" in such callings. (continued)” “
