28
him to areas in greater need and in constantly
going forth to the outskirts of its own territory
or towards new sociocultural settings.
32
Wherev-
er the need for the light and the life of the Risen
Christ is greatest, it will want to be there.
33
To
make this missionary impulse ever more focused,
generous and fruitful, I encourage each particu-
lar Church to undertake a resolute process of
discernment, purification and reform.
31.âThe bishop must always foster this mis-
sionary communion in his diocesan Church, fol-
lowing the ideal of the first Christian communi-
ties, in which the believers were of one heart and
one soul (cf.
Acts
4:32). To do so, he will some-
times go before his people, pointing the way and
keeping their hope vibrant. At other times, he
will simply be in their midst with his unassuming
and merciful presence. At yet other times, he will
have to walk after them, helping those who lag
behind and â above all â allowing the flock to
strike out on new paths. In his mission of foster-
ing a dynamic, open and missionary communion,
he will have to encourage and develop the means
of participation proposed in the Code of Canon
Law,
34
and other forms of pastoral dialogue, out
of a desire to listen to everyone and not sim-
ply to those who would tell him what he would
32
âCf. B
enedict
XVI, Address for the Fortieth
Anniversary of the Decree
Ad Gentes
(11 March 2006): AAS 98
(2006), 337.
33
âCf.
Propositio
42.
34
âCf. Canons 460-468; 492-502; 511-514; 536-537.
