In a "society marked by quite a few contradictions, that even undermines the consistency of the Catholics and even of the clergy", in meeting the bishops in Washington the Pope encouraged them to "make their voices be heard on the current moral and social issues and to educate the lay devotees, so that they will act as good leaven in the social community, starting from the basic cell that is the family". One of the priorities, said Benedict XVI as, during today’s audience, he went over the key steps of his apostolic journey in the USA, is to "re-propose the Sacrament of marriage as a gift and as an indissoluble commitment between a man and a woman, which is the natural sphere for having and raising children". "The Church and the family, along with the school, especially Christian schools this was the Pontiff’s appeal , must join forces to offer young people a sound moral education, but the media and entertainment operators also have great responsibility in this task". With the bishops, the Pope also mentioned "the painful affair of the sexual abuse committed on children by ordained ministers", encouraging them "in their commitment to dressing the wounds and strengthening relations with their priests". Other subjects he addressed included "the inherent relation between the Gospel and the "natural law", and the "healthy concept of freedom".” ” ” “
