Bishops laud 'new mood' at the Vatican

Ontario prelates welcome the building of rapport

From Catholic News Service
Vatican City

Ontario's bishops are saying there is "a new mood in the Vatican" under the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

During their ad limina visits to the Vatican, which heads of dioceses are required to make every five years, each bishop, talked about his diocese with Pope Benedict in a brief, individual, private audience at Castel Gandolfo, as well as in longer talks with Vatican officials in Rome.

Archbishop Marcel Gervais of Ottawa, who has made innumerable visits to Rome during his 26 years as a bishop, told CNS he found the pope to be "the epitome of courtesy and fraternal affection."

Uplifting conversation

Though each bishop's private audience was brief - 10 to 20 minutes long - the archbishop said the conversation was "very good" and "uplifting."

Gervais said all the bishops noted a "new mood in the Vatican."

During their week of meetings with Vatican officials discussing issues important to their dioceses, "we were not getting preached at," the archbishop said. There was a real sense of "we're here to serve you."

Bishop Fred Colli of Thunder Bay, age 57, said even though he was nervous before meeting the pope the pontiff's warm and friendly manner immediately put him at ease.

Know your people

In a Sept. 6 interview with Catholic News Service, Colli said Pope Benedict encouraged him to be close to his people, saying it was important parishioners knew their bishop.

Colli said he found such encouragement important, since the Thunder Bay Diocese is so large and getting to the different parishes requires a lot of travel.

Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic of Toronto said the important thing about the meetings with Vatican officials was not so much taking care of administrative tasks but establishing or strengthening a personal rapport with members of the different congregations.

He said his faith is confirmed each time he visits the Vatican.

The cardinal said the pope was "very much abreast of what's going on in Canada" but wanted to know more about the same-sex marriage law and the teachings in Ontario's seminaries.

Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher of Alexandria-Cornwall said the pope asked him about immigration, vocations, Catholic education and the Church's social work.

"Basically I think he wants to know what's having a positive impact on the diocese and what challenges we have," he said.

Chance to network

Durocher agreed the opportunity to network with Vatican officials was key for the bishops.

He said when the bishops return to their dioceses they will know better to which Vatican official they should address their concerns.

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