To the Collaborators of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (31 October 1982)

On Sunday, 31 October 1982, the Holy Father greeted the collaborators and employees of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, to whom he spoke of their specialization in various pastoral fields which is “a help so that the Bishops can effectively carry out their mission of teaching, governance and sanctification in the local Churches.”

Dear collaborators and employees of the Episcopal Conference.

1. After meeting with the Spanish Bishops, in the new "House of the Church" which has just been inaugurated, I feel great joy in now finding myself with all of you, priests, men and women religious, members of Secular Institutes and lay people, who collaborate on work of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.

2. Your task must truly be carried out in the service of the Church. This is an often difficult, hidden, humble role, lacking in satisfaction and personal contacts. It has, however, great pastoral value, because it offers an indispensable contribution to the evangelizing work of the Church in Spain.

Your specialization in the various pastoral fields must be a help so that the Bishops can effectively carry out their mission of teaching, governance and sanctification in the local Churches. On the other hand, it is a precious collaboration, which helps the Bishops to illuminate, with greater coordination and competence, the various religious and apostolic aspects of the Spanish Church.

3. The work you carry out must be inspired by a testimony of donation and fidelity to the Church . The Bishops, calling you to carry out this delicate mission, have placed their trust in you, and have made you participants in their pastoral concerns. This trust demands from you a generous response, constant availability , an exemplary life that reflects your ecclesial responsibility.

The character of your work must be characterized by a willingness to serve people and pastoral institutions, as well as all those who approach you waiting for a response that reflects the feelings of the Church.

It is your duty to always seek unity among yourselves and among the various Episcopal Commissions, so that the results of the work are more useful and effective. Your work, differentiated in the different fields of ecclesial life, must configure a harmonious whole, imbued with a spirit of authentic brotherhood.

4. The local communities expect prompt and generous help from you, which will begin the implementation of the pastoral action programs established by the decisions that your Bishops adopt collegially. This is why you must strive to carry out your work with seriousness, competence and with ecclesial sense.

A continuous effort is necessary to surpass yourselves, so that the work that is placed in your hands grows every day in quality, and responds adequately to the needs and demands of the Church's action in the new Spanish society.

5. I know that your Bishops appreciate the service you provide to the Episcopal Conference. I too want to thank you for your dedication, and encourage you to continue your collaboration with the Church in this concrete mission that has been entrusted to you.

My gratitude is also directed to those lay people who, with their work, contribute significantly to the good progress of the work that takes place in this house. Be convinced that your contribution is very useful to the organization and good functioning of this ecclesial body. This is why I urge you to continue your work with human enthusiasm, with a professional and Christian attitude, aware that you are in the same center that supports the pastoral action of the Church in Spain.

6. The new organization of the "House of the Church", the new tools that are placed in the hands of all of you, will make your work easier and will constitute a stimulus for your activities.

In inaugurating this house, I am convinced that you will find in it splendid help to intensify the pastoral life of the Spanish Church.

I return to show you my joy in being with you today; At the same time, I want a word of affection and gratitude to reach your families. To them and to you I willingly impart my apostolic blessing.

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Copyright © Dicastery for Communication - Libreria Editrice Vaticana