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Spanish Bishops' Letters of Thanks

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To Holy Father and Archbishop García-Gasco

MADRID, Spain, JULY 15, 2006 (Zenit) - The executive committee of the Spanish episcopal conference sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI in which it expresses "its profound gratitude for having come to Spain to close the 5th World Meeting of Families."

In addition, the seven members of the executive committee signed a letter of gratitude sent to Archbishop Agustin García-Gasco of Valencia -- host prelate of the meeting that gathered 1.5 million people around the Pontiff -- in which they express "the most sincere thanks for the work carried out, which was crowned by the success of this unforgettable event."

Here is the full text of both letters, made public on Thursday by the Spanish episcopal conference.

* * *
Benedict XVI

Holy Father:

The Executive Committee of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, meeting for the first time after the visit Your Holiness made to Valencia the past days of 8 and 9 of this month of July, wishes to express to the Pope its profound gratitude for having come to Spain to close the 5th World Meeting of Families.

We echo the feelings of the bishops and all the faithful in assuring Your Holiness that Valencia's two days with the Pope have confirmed us in the faith and filled us with joy. The bishops are thankful, in particular, for the words of encouragement contained in the message that you saw fit to address to us. All, pastors and laity, in a special way Catholic families, will proclaim with new vigor the good news of the family based on marriage.

We ask you, humbly, to help.

In filial communion with Your Holiness,

Ricardo Blázquez Pérez, Bishop of Bilbao, President of the SEC

Antonio Cańizares Llovera, Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo, Vice-President of the SEC

Antonio Ma. Rouco Varela, Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid

Carlos Amigo Vallejo, Cardinal Archbishop of Seville

Luis Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona

Carlos Osoro Sierra, Archbishop of Oviedo

Juan A. Martínez Camino, Secretary General of the SEC

* * *

D. Agustin García-Gasco
Archbishop of Valencia

Lord Archbishop, Dear Brother:

The Executive Committee of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, meeting today in Madrid, a few days after the closing of the 5th World Meeting of Families in Valencia, presided over by the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, wishes to express to Your Excellency the most sincere thanks for the work carried out, which was crowned by the success of this unforgettable event.

Congratulations! We beg you to transmit these sentiments of gratitude to all those who gave their collaboration: from the authorities to the ecclesial, state, autonomous and municipal authorities to the innumerable persons who contributed generously with their volunteer work.

The fruit of the Meeting with the Pope will be great, in order to proclaim ever more joyously and clearly the Gospel of the family based on marriage.