"Solving the pastoral problems
that present themselves in your dioceses must never limit itself to
organizational questions, however important these may be. This [approach] risks
placing an emphasis on seeking efficiency through a sort of 'bureaucratization
of pastoral care,' focused on structures, organizations and programs, ones
which can become 'self-referential,' at
the exclusive use of the members of those structures. These would have scarce impact on the life
of Christians who are distanced from regular practice [of the faith].
Instead, evangelization requires starting from the encounter with the Lord,
within a dialogue rooted in prayer, which then concentrates on the witness of
giving itself toward the end of helping the people of our time to recognize and
discover anew the signs of the presence of God.” -- Pope Benedict XVI (Ad
Limina Address to the Bishops of Western France, Castel
Gandolfo, 21 September 2012)
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