POPE APPROVES ACADEMIES' NEW STATUES IN APOSTOLIC LETTER

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio "Inter Munera Academiarum," in which he defines the basis and mission of the Pontifical Academies of St. Thomas Aquinas and of Roman Theology, and approves the new statutes of both institutions.

The Latin-language letter is dated January 28, 1999, memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor of the Church. The Letter was accompanied by an explanatory note written by Fr. Bernard Ardura, O.Praem., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Fr. Ardura, calling the Letter "one of the first fruits of the Encyclical 'Fides et Ratio', published six months ago," adds: "On this occasion the Holy Father reiterates the importance and dignity of the mission of theologians, especially in the field of dialogue between theology and philosophy, and refers explicitly to the thought and work of St. Thomas Aquinas, rightly called 'the Apostle of Truth'."

"In the Apostolic Letter 'Inter Munera Academiarum', the Holy Father takes note of the profound cultural changes, especially in the field of anthropology, which have modified the perception that men have of the relationship between the human person and God, between human persons and between the human person and creation."

Fr. Ardura refers briefly to the history of each academy. He recalls that it was Pope Leo XIII who, three months after the publication of his Encyclical "Aeterni Patris," created the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas on October 15, 1879, "with the specific duty of enacting what he himself had established in his encyclical."

"The Pontifical Academy of Theology," the note continues, "was founded in Rome and received its first statutes from Clement XI, in 1718. Created as a seat of sacred sciences with the aim of forming well-prepared theologians, the Academy has the mission of promoting dialogue between faith and reason, as well as a deeper study of Christian doctrine following the indications of the Holy Father, ... to present the Christian message in such a way that it corresponds to the exigencies of our times."

Fr. Ardura observes that "the Holy Father ... reminds academicians and all theologians that faith does not fear reason and reason does not fear faith. Indeed, reason itself trusts in faith because faith elevates reason and advances it, just as grace elevates and perfects nature."

In concluding remarks, the council secretary writes: "Renewing his faith in the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas and in the Pontifical Academy of Theology, John Paul II ... wishes to communicate to us his passion for truth, his love for truth and his personal commitment to the study of truth."

LIT;PONTIFICAL ACADEMIES;...;...;VIS;19990324;Word: 420;