VATICAN CITY, DEC 6, 2003 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father received
bishops from the French provinces of Rennes and Rouen at the end of their
“ad limina” visit.  In his speech, the Pope focussed on the crisis of
vocations in the regions and on the formation of seminarians.

  Referring to the first theme, the Holy Father said: “Thirty years ago,
there began a gradual drop in the number of priests which has worsened in
recent years. At the same time, many initiatives have been put into place in
the French dioceses in order to strengthen the pastoral care of vocations,
to stir up consciences in Christian communities, to speak to young people
and to remind all of the responsibility of priests in the call.”

  Afterward, the Pope invited the bishops never “to give into
 discouragement” and he reminded them that in their country “seminarians
have a long history and a rich experience” even if the current pastoral
conditions do not permit each diocese to have one seminarian for the
formation of future priests, according to Canon Law.  Nevertheless,
continues the Holy Father, “experience shows that a group effort is often
necessary and can turn into real dynamism.”

  “The seminary,” he emphasized, “must be a stable, visible and recognized
institution in the diocese … even if it accepts candidates from various
dioceses or is located in another diocese.  The bishop must make an effort
to be present in the life of the seminary, visiting it in person or through
a delegation and meeting regularly with those who provide formation and with
seminarians. In this context, an agreement between French bishops could be
of great utility in order to study along with seminary professors the
question of the distribution of seminaries so that they are not too far away
from the dioceses to which they entrust their candidates.”

  The Holy Father then spoke about the vocations of young people and
affirmed that among the “many difficulties that they encounter to respond to
the call” three stand out. “The first is the fear of a lifelong commitment …
in a world in which instantaneous satisfaction is the norm. It is certainly
an obstacle … that can be overcome only by giving them confidence in a
perspective rooted in Christian hope.”

  “The second difficulty concerns the proposition itself of the priestly
ministry, … often devalued by public opinion … and whose perimeters are
blurred, often difficult for young people to identity. Therefore, you must
support the ordained ministry, giving it the place that corresponds to it in
the Church in a spirit of communion that respects differences … and not in a
spirit of prejudicial competition with the laity. The third difficulty …
concerns the relationship of young people with the Lord. Their knowledge of
Christ is often superficial and relative.  It is clear that everything that
can promote … an authentic discovery of the person of Jesus and a
relationship with Him … will be beneficial in order to stir up vocations.”

  “Be vigilant,” he concluded, “so that the different specialized services
that contribute to your close collaboration in nourishing diocesan life, the
pastoral care of families and young people, catechesis, may be generously
open to the vocational perspective.”