BISHOPS OF BRAZIL: SECTS, EVANGELIZATION, INCULTURATION, LITURGY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 23, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul met this morning with prelates from Brazil's Southern Region I, who have just completed their quinquennial "ad limina" visit. He framed his remarks on popular devotions, the Eucharist, authentic liturgy and inculturation in Brazil's multi-ethnic society in the context of today's modern society which is both "dramatic and fascinating," and marked by materialism and secularism, yet also by a longing for spiritual values.

The Pope noted that the people of Brazil "are traditionally anchored in the perennial principles of Christianity but have submitted to negative influences of various types," including sects, which are widespread throughout the country and stronger in some areas. He asked: "Is this not perhaps a concrete sign of an unsatisfied aspiration to the supernatural?" He said that this is "an authentic challenge" for pastors who must "renew the style of welcome within ecclesial communities and revitalize the stimulus to a new and courageous evangelization."

"Many times," the Holy Father added, "there is a great lack of religious formation with a consequent indecision about the need for faith in Christ and in adherence to the Church He instituted. There is a tendency to represent religions and various spiritual experiences as levelled down to a minimum common denominator, so that they seem almost equivalent, with the result that every person feels free to pursue indifferently one of the many paths proposed for salvation." This too requires a new, courageous and far-reaching evangelization.

John Paul II turned his attention to the 14th National Eucharistic Congress that had taken place in Brazil and he highlighted the importance of the Eucharist in the life of all Christians. "It is the supreme spiritual good of the Church," he said, "and must be at the center of the pastoral ministry to spread its supernatural strength in all Christian spheres such as evangelization, catechesis and multiple charitable activities as well as a commitment to social renewal and justice in favor of everyone, starting with respect for life and the rights of each person and a commitment in favor of the family."

However, explained the Pope, "to give its full efficacy to the Eucharistic sacrifice, it must always be marked by the worthy and genuine celebration of the mystery, according to the doctrine and directives of the Church, as I have recalled on diverse occasions." Speaking of the Eucharistic celebration - the proclamation of the Word, prayers, rites and all ecclesial symbolism of liturgy - he said that "any manipulation of these elements negatively effects the pedagogy of faith" whereas a correct and authentic liturgy "builds the faith and life of the faithful."

Pope John Paul went on to emphasize the need to observe the Lord's Day, the importance of both collective but especially personal prayer and that liturgy be "a dialogue between God and His people."
Liturgy, stressed the Pope, "must be disciplined only by competent authorities, demanding of everyone a great and respectful fidelity to the authentic rites and texts. An erroneous application of the value of creativity and spontaneity in the celebrations, even if typical of the many manifestations of life of your people, must never alter rites and texts and, above all, the feeling of the mystery being celebrated in the liturgy."

The Holy Father said he recognized that Brazil was a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society and that each ethnic group, each culture, had an important role to play and contribution to make to the nation as well as to the Church and its "ad gentes" mission. Focussing on the afro-Brazilian culture, he said this brings us "to the delicate question of inculturation, especially in liturgical rites, terminology and in the musical and bodily expressions typical of the afro-Brazilian culture." Whether inculturation involves vestments, songs, language, ceremonies or liturgical objects, there must be "a rigorous application of a serious and profound discernment about its compatibility with the Truth revealed by Jesus Christ."

Authentic Catholic liturgy, he stated, must not be transformed by or confused with "the pantheon of spirit and divinities of African cults. ... The Church views these cults with interest but considers harmful the concrete relativism of a common practice of both (rites) or of a mixture between them as if they had the same value, and (sees it) a danger to the identity of the Catholic faith."

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