To face "the negative aspects of the entertainment industry, the exploitation of tourism, the plague of drugs and arms trafficking, that undermine the values of the family and affect the local politics", one must "stand as the heralds of hope, be the daring witnesses of the light of Christ. I am sure your testimony will encourage your people to reject the destructive social trends and look for ‘faith in action’". It was said today by Benedict XVI to the Bishops of the Antilles, who have come to the Vatican on their visit ad limina. The Pope exhorted the prelates "to ceaselessly promote the calls, guidance and training of priests", to "carefully support the seminary of San Giovanni Maria Vianney and the Ugandan martyrs, and take care of young priests. The establishment of a French-speaking seminary he added is a sign of hope". Mentioning the decline in the number of calls to priesthood, which is quite worrying for the bishops, the Pontiff asked them to "offer to the young the ideal of consecration and mission". Finally, he did not forget to advise them to "promote marriage and family life as a primary source of social cohesion and important therefore for the civilian authorities. The Catholic churches can do a lot" in this sphere, he concluded.
