Cardinal: People of God Not Frightened by Gossip

Photo (Courtesy) http://www.cbc.ca/news/photogalleries/benedict/pages/14_benedict.html

ZE10040407 - 2010-04-04
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-28856?l=english

Cardinal: People of God Not Frightened by Gossip

Affirms Support, Prayer for Pope

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 4, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Angelo Sodano assured Benedict XVI today that the Church is particularly united to him even as the media continues its frenzy of attacks related to the scandal of sexual abuse.

The dean of the College of Cardinals made this affirmation when he presented the Pope with official Easter greetings.

At the beginning of the Mass that the Pope celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the former secretary of state assured: “We are rallying around you.”

“We are deeply grateful for the strength of soul and the apostolic courage with which you proclaim Christ’s Gospel,” he said.

“The People of God are with you,” the cardinal affirmed. “They do not let themselves be frightened by the ‘gossip’ of the moment, by the trials that sometimes befall the community of believers.

“The cardinals, your co-workers in the Roman Curia are with you. Your brother bishops throughout the world, who lead the planet’s 3,000 ecclesiastical districts, are with you. In these days the 400,000 priests, who generously serve the People of God in parishes, oratories, schools, hospitals and in many other contexts, and in the missions in the remotest parts of the world, are with you.”

Cardinal Sodano recalled that last Thursday in the Mass for the blessing of the holy oils, the Pope recalled that Peter described Christ’s attitude during the Passion in the following way: “Insulted, he did not respond with insults; mistreated, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to him who judges with justice.”

“On this Pascal Solemnity,” Cardinal Sodano concluded, “we pray for you that the Lord, the Good Shepherd, continues to support you in your mission of service to the Church and the world.”

.