WE reproduce below the full text of the address delivered by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Mr Alain Butler-Payette, the Secretary of State in the office of the President when he presented his credentials on Thursday 13th of December, 2007 to His Holiness on his accreditation as Seychelles Ambassador to the Holy See.
VATICAN, Dec.14, 2007 – Benedict XVI lauded the social harmony and strong commitme
nt to the common good in Seychelles, affirming that one of the nation's greatest resources is strong family life based on the mutual love of husband and wife.
The Pope declared this Thursday in an address given to Alain Butler-Payette, the new Ambassador to the Holy See from the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean. Payette was in Rome to present his letters of credence to the Pontiff. Some 82% of the nation is Catholic.
“Seychelles has been blessed by providence not only with great natural beauty and a sound economic life, but also with the social harmony and cohesiveness born of shared values and a strong commitment to solidarity in the pursuit of the common good,” the Holy Father wrote in the address. “Your nation can indeed be grateful for its high standard of living, the fruit of the vision and sacrifice of many generations of citizens.
“Within the broader context of the African continent, Seychelles is well known for the quality and extent of its educational system and the breadth of its network of health services, available to all citizens. This impressive infrastructure offers great promise for the future of the nation, since it provides a firm foundation for continued economic growth and also, even more importantly, for the realization of the deepest hopes and aspirations of the younger generation.”
Christian roots
Benedict XVI expressed his appreciation of the importance give to “acknowledging and fostering those spiritual values, born of your nation's Christian roots, which have been decisive in shaping the present of Seychelles and which offer a sure foundation for its future.”
He said the Church “is rightly proud of its contribution to the life of the nation, particularly through its historic commitment to the education of the young and to the training of the faithful in the virtues essential for integral human development and the building of a free, just and prosperous society.”
“The Catholic community wishes to persevere in this commitment,” the Pope affirmed, and […] to work for the promotion of the common good through the preaching of the Gospel, the wok of forming consciences in sound religious and moral principles, and the provision of charitable assistance to all, without regard to race and religion.”
Youth
The Holy Father mentioned his appreciation that the nation has “made the needs of the young and their sound formation a notable priority.”
“This will surely bear rich fruit as the young men and women of today gradually take their place as the responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow,” he added. “I have great confidence in the youth of Seychelles, and through you I send all of them my affectionate greetings and my hearty encouragement to persevere in cultivating the virtues of honesty, fidelity and generous service to others which not only bring personal happiness and deep fulfillment, but also create a society of ever greater fraternity, freedom, justice and peace.”
Benedict XVI particularly noted the “strong family life” on the island nation, “grounded in the mutual love of husband and wife and strengthened by the gift of children.”
“As the first cell of society, the family rightly looks to society for the encouragement it needs in its irreplaceable mission,” the Pope said. “I can only encourage the efforts being made by all people of good will [..] to 'guarantee and foster the genuine identity of family life' by promoting and defending this fundamental institution, acknowledging and meeting the challenges faced by young families, and supporting parents in their responsibilities as the first educators of their children. The future of the state depends in large part on families that are strong in their communion and stable in their commitment.”
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