VATICAN CITY
Zenit
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 10, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address prepared by John Paul II when he received in audience today the U.S. bishops of the ecclesiastical provinces of Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. The prelates were on their five-yearly visit to Rome.
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Dear Brother Bishops,
1. In this, the last of my meetings with the pastors of the Church in the United States making their quinquennial visits "ad limina Apostolorum," I offer a warm greeting to you, the bishops of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
In the course of this year, I have engaged with you and your fellow bishops in a series of reflections on the threefold office of teaching, sanctifying and governing entrusted to the successors of the apostles. Through a consideration of the spiritual gifts and the apostolic mission received at episcopal ordination, whereby each bishop is sacramentally configured to Jesus Christ, the Head and chief Shepherd of his Church (cf. 1 Peter 5:4), we have sought to deepen our appreciation of the mystery of the Church, the mystical Body of Christ, enlivened by the Holy Spirit and constantly built up in unity through a rich diversity of gifts, ministries and works (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; "Lumen Gentium," No. 7).