CONCLUSION

Especially in these times, the Church considers it to be one of her principal duties to proclaim the mystery of mercy, revealed in a supreme degree in the Person of Jesus Christ, and to bring mercy into life. ⁵⁴

The preeminent setting for proclaiming and realizing mercy is the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Precisely this first year of the triennium of preparation for the Third Millennium, dedicated to Christ Jesus, the only Saviour of the world, yesterday, today and for ever (cf. Heb. 13, 8), can offer a great opportunity for the work of pastoral renewal and catechetical deepening in the dioceses, and specifically in shrines visited by many pilgrims where the Sacrament of forgiveness is administered with an abundant availability of confessors.

May priests always be fully available for this ministry on which the eternal beatitude of married couples depends, and also upon which, in good part, their serenity and happiness in this present life rests. May priests truly be for them living witnesses of the Father's mercy!

Vatican City, February 12, 1997.

Alfonso Card. López Trujillo
President of the Pontifical Council
for the Family

+ Francisco Gil Hellín
Secretary