” “"The different countries and the different social and religious settings in which your congregations have their place have quite a few repercussions on their Christian life". It was said this morning by Benedict XVI as he received the bishops of the International Bishops Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius (bishops of FYROM, Montenegro and Serbia). The actual issues that are affected by this, according to the Pope, include "the marriage of people of different confessions or religions", "the religious education of the new generations", the "training of the holy ministers" and "their spiritual assistance in the multi-confessional setting" in which they live. Then giving his support to the plan for a high seminary in Subotica, the Holy Father stated that "the priest is entirely at the service of the Church, a lively and spiritual organism that draws energy not from nationalistic, ethnic or political components, but from the action of Christ who is present in its ministers". "The reality of our dioceses", added the Pope, "often consists of a small flock set in different contexts of ethnic, cultural and religious multiplicity" and "therefore your mission is by no means easy!", but it is just because of this that one must "be the evangelical leaven that ferments society". (continued)” “
