CONTEMPLATE CHRIST'S FACE, EFFECTIVE KEY TO CATECHESIS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a Message to Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, on the occasion of the Sixth Annual International Congress of the International Institute of Research on the Face of Christ.

"While zealously and intelligently encouraging the contribution of so many illustrious experts, researchers, theologians, writers and artists in studying Christ's countenance," writes the Pope, "the International Institute of Research makes a significant contribution to the presentation of Christ's human and divine character which facilitates knowledge in terms of theological reflection as well as pastoral action."

The Holy Father goes on to explain that the first point, "the study of the Face of Christ, delineated in the Psalms and in the Prophets and described with rich expression in the New Testament, becomes a path and introduction to an even deeper Christological and anthropological knowledge." Referring to pastoral action, John Paul II emphasizes that "the Church, teacher of humanity, recognizes in the face of Christ Who suffers and rises from the dead, the face ... of man to whom Christ offers redemption and salvation." Contemplating Christ in this way is a means of proposing once again "the theology lived by the saints which is the brightest witness of truly following Jesus and the most valid help in our time for an effective Christian catechesis."

At the end of the Message, the Pope recalls the "ecumenical content" of this reflection since "in the search ... for these virtues, the East and the West meet and integrate."

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