Pope clarifies role of bishops and development and peace

Canadian shepherds see the Holy Father's apostolic letter as 'timely reminder'

Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic letter on service and charity has been received
by the Canadian as a "timely reminder that the ministry of charity is essential to
the very nature of the Church." Photo by Paul Haring / CNS.

The B.C. Catholic has a story by Deborah Gyapong about the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' reaction to Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic letter, which clarifies how bishops and their charities follow Catholic teaching:

Pope Benedict XVI's apostolic letter on the "service of charity," issued motu proprio (on his own initiative) sets out clear rules for bishops regarding their responsibility for Catholic charities.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) welcomed the document Dec. 5. The Pope had said it was necessary to give "adequate expression in canonical legislation" to the Church's charitable mission.

"Pope Benedict has issued a timely reminder that the ministry of charity is essential to the very nature of the Church, just as he had earlier reminded us that 'charity demands justice' and 'transcends justice'" said the CCCB statement.

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.