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	Lucas: Diocese in Line with Pope's Message By Dave Bakke Springfield Journal-Register April 18, 2008 http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/28894.asp Bishop George Lucas of the Springfield diocese left Washington, D.C., on Thursday satisfied that programs in the diocese are in line with the message Pope Benedict XVI brought to the United States. Both Pope Benedict's homily Thursday and his remarks to American bishops on Wednesday touched on several issues of particular importance in the Springfield diocese — Hispanic ministry, family life, teaching the faith and dealing with the sexual abuse scandal. "It's given me encouragement to come back and give new emphasis to some things we have already been doing," Lucas said before leaving Washington, A large number of Hispanic Catholics have immigrated to the Beardstown area in the last decade, already resulting in numerous changes to the ministry in St. Alexius Church in Beardstown. The pope said many American parishes have undergone similar transformations. He encouraged continuation of that trend. At each stop in Washington, the pope expressed his regret and even "shame" in response to the sexual abuse scandal among the American priesthood, and the mistakes he said were made by the church in dealing with the issue. Lucas said it was not surprising to hear the pope speak so directly to the issue. "It was important for him to let everyone know that he is aware of the hurt, that the hurt is real and very deep," Lucas said. "He spoke about it again at the Mass (Thursday). He wants people of this country, Catholics particularly, to know he understands that we've gone through a period that's been very trying." Lucas said the bishop used that issue as a springboard to discuss the importance of protecting American children from other threats — including easy access to pornography and other objectionable material, and an erosion of morals in society. "He also talked very emphatically about the importance of family life," said Lucas, one of about 1,000 clergy members who concelebrated Mass with the pope at Nationals Park in Washington Thursday morning, "that for the sake of young people we do what we can to support the lives of families where young people are nurtured and where they learn Catholic values." The subject of more effectively teaching the Catholic faith was already on the agenda for the Springfield diocese, Lucas said, but hearing the pope emphasize that issue as well was encouraging. Not many Americans are familiar with Pope Benedict, who is making his first trip to the United States as pope. His visit is an opportunity for Americans to get a sense of the man who leads 65 million American Catholics, the bishop said. "He comes across as a very intelligent and warm pastor," Lucas said. "That's what we were all hoping to see." Dave Bakke can be reached at 788-1541 or at dave.bakke@sj-r.com.
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