Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope concerned over de-Christianization of West

Reuters - Tue Nov 7, 12:23 PM ET

Pope Benedict XVI looks on as Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom (L) leaves after a private audience at the Vatican November 6, 2006. The Pope said on Tuesday that Europe risked 'de-Christianisation' from the spread of divorce, abortion and same-sex marriages, and urged bishops to defend traditional Catholic practices. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

See also this article in USA Today:

Vatican decries waning influence of Christian values in Western society
Posted 11/7/2006 1:07 PM ET

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican says divorce, abortion and gay marriage are signs of the weakening influence of Christian values in Western societies, according to a draft of a speech directed at Swiss bishops released by the Vatican on Tuesday.

"Many of our contemporaries live as if God doesn't exist," said the draft, touching one of the most frequent themes of Pope Benedict XVI.
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And this one from Catholic News Agency:

Benedict confronts Swiss bishops on secularization, liturgy, and lay involvement

Vatican City, Nov. 07, 2006 (CNA) - Meeting with members of the Conference of Swiss Bishops today, Pope Benedict XVI urged a continued battle against the advance of secularization and relativism in the Church and noted a few key areas of concern for the Catholic Church in Switzerland.

"The advance of secularization and of relativism means not only that the Sacraments, especially participation in Sunday Mass, are reduced in frequency, but also that the moral values proposed by the Church are put in doubt," said the Pope.

The Pope, who said the meeting was, in some way, "the conclusion of their 'ad limina' visit of February 2005," which was cut short due to the failing health of Pope John Paul II, also wanted to take time for, "considering certain aspects of the current situation of the Church in Switzerland, identifying those elements worthy of being intensified and promoted, and those in need of correction and purification."

After highlighting the fact that many people live "as if God does not exist," the Pope called upon the prelates "to ensure that the Word of God and the Christian message are understood," and insisted they should adopt unanimous positions on theological and moral questions.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 2:22 PM