Catholic unity in the American Church

The last round of U.S. Bishops made their ad limina visit this past week, and Pope Benedict XVI was pleased to greet bishops of the Eastern Churches of the United States. Their presence represented the rich diversity of the Church in America, the pontiff said, which is something that needs to be fostered and preserved. This Catholic unity should not be forgotten, especially when working with immigrants and consecrated women. He said:

...the Church in America has struggled to recognize and incorporate this diversity, and has succeeded, not without difficulty, in forging a communion in Christ and in the apostolic faith which mirrors the catholicity which is an indefectible mark of the Church.

We are one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church, and Pope Benedict XVI reminded U.S. Bishops that it must be kept this way in the American Church.

Check out the New Evangelization page of the Blessed John Paul II Shrine website for more messages from Pope Benedict XVI.