(Death, Heaven, Purgatory, Hell)
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
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Benedict XVI's Farewell Address at Airport
"I Hope That This Event Will Remain Impressed on the Life of Germany's Catholics"
COLOGNE,
Germany, AUG. 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).-
Here is a translation Benedict XVI's farewell address to Germany, which he
delivered today in the Cologne-Bonn airport.
* * *
At the conclusion of this, my first visit to Germany as the Bishop of Rome and
the Successor of Peter, I must express once again my heartfelt gratitude for the
welcome given to me, to my collaborators and especially to the many young people
who came to Cologne from every continent for this World Youth Day. The Lord has
called me to succeed our beloved Pope John Paul II, whose inspired idea it was
to initiate the series of World Youth Days. I have taken up this legacy with
joy, and I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to experience in the
company of so many young people this further step along their spiritual
pilgrimage from continent to continent, following the Cross of Christ.
I am grateful to all those who have so effectively ensured that every phase of
this extraordinary gathering could take place in an orderly and serene fashion.
These days spent together have given many young men and women from the whole
world the opportunity to become better acquainted with Germany. We are all well
aware of the evil that emerged from our homeland during the 20th century, and we
acknowledge it with shame and suffering. During these days, thanks be to God, it
has become quite evident that there was and is another Germany, a land of
singular human, cultural and spiritual resources. I hope and pray that these
resources, thanks, not least, to the events of recent days, may once more spread
throughout the world!
Now young people from all over the world can return home enriched by their
contacts and their experiences of dialogue and fellowship in the different
regions of our homeland. I am certain that their stay, marked by their youthful
enthusiasm, will remain as a pleasant memory with the people who have offered
them such generous hospitality, and that it will also be a sign of hope for
Germany. Indeed one can say that during these days Germany has been the center
of the Catholic world. Young people from every continent and culture, gathered
in faith around their pastors and the Successor of Peter, have shown us a young
Church, one that seeks with imagination and courage to shape the face of a more
just and generous humanity. Following the example of the Magi, these young men
and women set out to encounter Christ, in accordance with the theme of this
World Youth Day. Now they are returning to their own regions and cities to
testify to the light, the beauty and the power of the Gospel which they have
experienced anew.
I must also express thanks to all who have opened their hearts and their homes
to the countless young pilgrims. I am grateful to the government authorities, to
the political leaders and the various civil and military departments, as well as
the security services and the many volunteer organizations which have put so
much effort into the preparation and realization of each of the initiatives and
events of this World Youth Day. A special word of thanks goes to all who planned
the moments of prayer and reflection, as well as the liturgical celebrations,
eloquent examples of the joyful vitality of the faith that animates the
generation in our time. I would also like to express my gratitude to the leaders
of other churches and ecclesial communities, and to the representatives of other
religions who wished to be present at this important meeting. I express my hope
that we can strengthen our common commitment to train the younger generation in
the human and spiritual values which are indispensable for building a future of
true freedom and peace.
My deep gratitude goes to Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, the
diocese that hosted this international meeting, to the bishops of Germany, led
by the president of the bishops' conference, Cardinal Karl Lehmann, to the
priests, to men and women religious, and to the parish communities, lay
associations and movements who have devoted such energy to helping the young
people present to reap the spiritual fruits of their stay. I offer a special
word of thanks to the young people from Germany, who in a variety of ways have
helped to welcome other young people and to share with them moments of faith
that have been truly memorable. I hope that this event will remain impressed on
the life of Germany's Catholics and will be an incentive for a renewed spiritual
and apostolic outreach! May the Gospel be received in its integrity and
witnessed with profound conviction by all Christ's disciples, so that it becomes
a source of authentic renewal for all of German society, thanks also to dialogue
with the different Christian communities and the followers of other religions.
Finally, my respectful and cordial greetings go to the political, civil and
diplomatic authorities present at this departure ceremony. In particular I thank
you, Mr. Chancellor, and I ask you kindly to convey my deep gratitude to the
president of the republic, the members of the government and all the German
people. Filled with the emotions and memories of these days, I now return to
Rome. Upon all of you I invoke God's abundant blessings for a future of serene
prosperity, harmony and peace.
[Translation of German original issued by the Vatican press office]