UNIVERSITY'S' TASK IS TO ANNOUNCE, DEFEND AND PROPAGATE TRUTH

VATICAN CITY, SEP 10, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square for the occasion of the Jubilee of Universities. In his homily he sought to highlight that the vocation of professors and students is "to make of the university an environment where knowledge is cultivated and a place where people find method, knowledge and the encouragement to render qualified service to society."

Commenting today's liturgy of the Word, the Pope asked whether "the deaf-mute mentioned in the Gospel does not perhaps evoke the situation of those who do not manage to establish a communication that gives true meaning to existence? In a certain way, it leads us to think of the man who closes himself in a presumed autonomy, in which he ends up being isolated before God and often, also before his fellows. To this man, ... Jesus offers the extraordinary opportunity to encounter God who is love and who allows Himself to be known by those who love; He offers them salvation."

The Pope continued: "For you, dear brothers and sisters, who are committed to study and research, this word constitutes an appeal to open your spirit to the truth that makes you free. ... Every day, you are involved in announcing, defending and propagating truth. ... Even in research on aspects of life that seem completely removed from faith, there lies hidden a desire for truth and for meaning that goes beyond the specific and the contingent."
John Paul II highlighted that, "in the face of the challenge (to create) an authentic and integral new humanism, universities need people attentive to the Word of the one Master, they need qualified professionals and credible witnesses of Christ. Certainly not an easy mission, it requires constant commitment, it is nourished by prayer and study and is expressed in the normality of everyday life."

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