LONDON, FEB. 15, 2011 (Zenit.org).- As a way of perpetuating the legacy of Benedict XVI’s visit to the United Kingdom, Bishop Kieran Conry is encouraging a prayer campaign for the Pope and all prelates.
The bishop of Arundel and Brighton, who serves as chair of the Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, encouraged this prayer in a special way on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Feb. 22.
In a letter written for the occasion of this feast, the prelate recalled the Pontiff’s visit last September, affirming, “In prayer we give thanks to God for those joy-filled days of grace.”
“Today, now or later on, you are invited to pause for a moment to bring to mind your memories,” he stated.
The bishop explained: “Today it is appropriate to remember the Holy Father’s visit and to pray for him in a special way because in the life of the universal Church we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St Peter. This is the chair from which Pope Benedict presides in Rome as the Apostle’s successor.”
He added, “We are also invited to pray for our Pope and for our bishops who teach with the authority of Christ.”
“Today’s feast does not mean that we are being invited to celebrate and encourage a blind and unquestioning following of teaching imposed by others,” Bishop Conry clarified. “This is a misunderstanding of the role of the Pope and bishops.”
The prelate affirmed that “the magisterium is a gift to each one of us as instituted by Jesus Christ.”
“He conferred on St. Peter and the other Apostles the authority to teach and interpret the truth of faith,” the bishop noted.
He continued: “So too do his successors, the Popes and bishops. They judge authoritatively what is in accord with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what is not.” <br>
Bishop Conry asked, “In light of the Holy Father’s recent visit it might be timely to reflect when the last time was that you read or studied one of his works?”
Seeking direction
“Few would argue with the truth that we all need direction in our lives,” he asserted. “That is why it is so important for every Catholic to read and study their faith, guided by the Church’s teaching authority.”
The bishop explained, “Jesus knew we would struggle in the Christian life and so gave us the magisterium as a guide for daily life, enlightened also by the Scriptures and Tradition of the Church.”
He noted, “Another key truth that today’s feast invites us to reflect upon is the Church’s call to witness to our faith, to evangelize.”
The prelate recalled, “During the Pope’s visit to the United Kingdom he witnessed through his words, prayers and actions.”
He asked, “Inspired by the example of St. Peter today it might be timely to reflect on what visible signs you wear or have on display in your homes to witness to your faith?”
Bishop Conry announced that to support this task, the bishops’ conference Home Mission Desk is offering a free leaflet called “Everyday Evangelizing” on its Web site.
“Today, on this special feast day,” the prelate concluded, “we pray to respond ever more generously to the invitation that our present Holy Father gave to us during his visit.”
The bishop recalled the Pontiff’s words on Sept. 19 in Oscott Seminary: “In the course of my visit it has become clear to me how deep a thirst there is among the British people for the Good News of Jesus Christ. You have been chosen by God to offer them the living water of the Gospel […] be sure to present in its fullness the life-giving message of the Gospel.”
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