COLLABORATE IN DISSEMINATING DOCTRINAL DOCUMENTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which took place this week in the Vatican.

In his address the Pope made reference to some of the themes that were considered during the meeting. On the subject of the doctrinal documents published by the congregation, he highlighted the problem "of assimilating their contents and of collaborating in disseminating them and in applying the practical consequences that arise therefrom. This affects all the dicasteries of the Roman Curia."

As to the problem of transmitting fundamental truths to all the faithful, "the question is more difficult and calls for attention and profound consideration. To what extent do the communications media have a bearing upon this difficulty of reception? ... Or, again, how much depends upon the difficulty in accepting the strict criteria of evangelical language, language that has, nonetheless, the power to liberate?" In order to reply to these questions, he added, it is important that we listen to one another and that there be a greater involvement of episcopal conferences, of individual bishops and of all those who announce the Gospel. "Finally, there is also a problem of style, of coherence in life."

The Holy Father went on to discuss the question of the loss of relevance of natural law. "Here," he said, "we are confronted by a doctrine that belongs to the great heritage of human knowledge, purified and brought to fullness in the light of Revelation." Natural law "also allows for a broad base of dialogue with people who have different orientations and backgrounds, with a view to seeking the common good. At such an anxious moment for the destiny of so many nations, communities and individuals, ... I can only be happy at studies undertaken with the aim of rediscovering the value of such a doctrine, in view also of the challenges that await Christian legislators in their duty to defend man's dignity and rights."

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