To the Bishops of the U.S.A.: Ad Limina Conferences

To the Bishops of the U.S.A. (2004 Ad Limina Visits)

Pope John Paul II

Bishops' Conference of U.S.A. - 1
On 2 April 2004, the Holy Father met the first group of Bishops from the United States of America (the Provinces of Atlanta and Miami and of the Military Ordinariate) on their ad limina visit. The Pope told the Bishops that the "renewal of the Church", both in the United States and around the world, is "closely linked to the renewal of the episcopal office."

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On 29 April 2004, the Holy Father met the second group of Bishops from the United States of America (the Provinces of Baltimore and Washington) on their ad limina visit. He told the Bishops that the pursuit of "holiness must be central to the life and identity of every Bishop." It is on the evidence of his holiness that his episcopal authority must rest.

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On 6 May 2004, the Holy Father met with the third group of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Detroit and Cincinnati (Region VI) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope told the Bishops that they should constantly strive to relate to their priests "as a father and brother", doing everything in their power "to encourage them in fidelity to their vocation and to the demands of leading a life worthy of the calling they have received."

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On 14 May 2004, the Holy Father met with the fourth group of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Churches in California, Nevada and Hawaii (Region XI) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope told the Bishops that personal holiness was vital to the integrity of their episcopal ministry and their vocation to sanctify others. He also addressed the need for Bishops to promote a good use of the sacrament of Penance by all the faithful.

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On 22 May 2004, the Holy Father met with the fifth group of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Churches in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas (Region X) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope spoke to the Bishops about the holiness of family life and of the importance of placing "strong emphasis on marriage as a Christian vocation."

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On 28 May 2004, the Holy Father met with the sixth group of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Churches in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin (Region VII) for their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope spoke of the "responsibility for the truth", which demands of the Church a "forthright and credible witness to the deposit of faith". He said that an "effective proclamation of the Gospel in contemporary Western society will need to confront directly the widespread spirit of agnosticism and relativism which has cast doubt on reason's ability to know the truth".

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On 4 June 2004, the Holy Father met with members of a seventh group of the Bishops' Conference of the U.S.A. coming from the Churches in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. The Pope told the Bishops that "all your activities must be directed towards the proclamation of Christ. Indeed, your duty of personal integrity renders contradictory any separation between mission and life". The Pontiff also emphasized the "prophetic mission of the laity."

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On 24 June 2004, the Holy Father met with members of Region XII of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Provinces of Portand in Oregon, Seattle and Anchorage on the occasion of their ad limina visit to Rome. The Pope reminded the Bishops that the Church's "many religious, educational and charitable institutions exist for one reason only: to proclaim the Gospel", and that "it is of utmost importance, therefore, that the Church's institutions be genuinely Catholic."

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On 2 September 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Provinces of Boston and Hartford (Region I). Addressing the events of the past two years which have cast a shadow on the Church's life and ministry, the Holy Father asked the Bishops to continue "to encourage all the faithful... to persevere in their public witness of faith and hope, so that Christ's light... will continue to shine forth in and through the Church's entire life and ministry".

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On 11 September 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Ecclesiastical Region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Pope encouraged closer collaboration between the Bishops and laity, not as a concession to democracy, but to strengthen the pastoral relationship. He also expressed his hope that the self-examination provoked by "the events of the past two years" would lead to a "deeper understanding of the Church's authentic nature and mission."

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On 8 October 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the U.S. Bishops' Conference coming from the Ecclesiastical Province of New York. Speaking of episcopal collegiality, the Holy Father urged the Bishops to ensure the Conference is a means to strengthening ecclesial communion. He also invited their attention to issues that "directly affect the Church's mission and her spiritual integrity" in the United States, making specific reference to the "decline in Mass attendance and in recourse to the sacrament of Reconciliation".

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On 26 November 2004, the Holy Father met with members of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Dubuque, Kansas City in Kansas, Omaha and Saint Louis. In addressing the renewal of ecclesial life in America, the Pope said that it "should rightly begin with the revitalization of the parish community", and that "the entire Christian community needs to be encouraged to move 'from Mass to mission' in the pursuit of holiness and the service of the new evangelization ".

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On 4 December 2004, the Holy Father met in the Vatican with members of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America coming from the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Louisville, Mobile and New Orleans. The Pope spoke of the duty of Bishops to guide and support the laity "in their efforts to be a leaven of the Gospel in the world," and he said there is an "urgent need for a comprehensive catechesis on the lay apostolate which will necessarily highlight the importance of a properly formed conscience".

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On 10 December 2004, the Holy Father met with the 14th and final group of members of the Bishops' Conference of the United States of America, coming from the States of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. With this visit, the Pope concluded his "series of reflections on the threefold office of teaching, sanctifying and governing entrusted to the successors of the Apostles," with a twofold charge to persevere in the Catholic Faith and to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of humanity.