VATICAN CITY, 19 JAN 2009 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received an ecumenical delegation from Finland for the occasion of today's Feast of St. Henry, patron saint of that country.
Addressing the group in English, the Pope noted that "The Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue Commission in Finland and Sweden continues to consider the 'Joint Declaration on Justification'. This year we celebrate the tenth anniversary of this significant statement, and the commission is now studying its implications and the possibility of its reception. Under the theme 'Justification in the Life of the Church', the dialogue is taking ever fuller account of the nature of the Church as the sign and instrument of the salvation brought about in Jesus Christ, and not simply a mere assembly of believers or an institution with various functions".
Noting that the group's pilgrimage to Rome coincides with the Pauline Year, the Pope expressed the view that "St. Paul reminds us of the marvellous grace we have received by becoming members of Christ's Body through Baptism. The Church is this mystical Body of Christ, and is continuously guided by the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of the Father and the Son.
"It is only based on this incarnational reality", he added in conclusion, "that the sacramental character of the Church as communion in Christ can be understood. A consensus with regard to the profoundly Christological and pneumatological implications of the mystery of the Church would prove a most promising basis for the commission's work"
AC/.../FINNISH ECUMENICAL DELEGATION VIS 20090119 (260)
Addressing the group in English, the Pope noted that "The Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue Commission in Finland and Sweden continues to consider the 'Joint Declaration on Justification'. This year we celebrate the tenth anniversary of this significant statement, and the commission is now studying its implications and the possibility of its reception. Under the theme 'Justification in the Life of the Church', the dialogue is taking ever fuller account of the nature of the Church as the sign and instrument of the salvation brought about in Jesus Christ, and not simply a mere assembly of believers or an institution with various functions".
Noting that the group's pilgrimage to Rome coincides with the Pauline Year, the Pope expressed the view that "St. Paul reminds us of the marvellous grace we have received by becoming members of Christ's Body through Baptism. The Church is this mystical Body of Christ, and is continuously guided by the Holy Spirit; the Spirit of the Father and the Son.
"It is only based on this incarnational reality", he added in conclusion, "that the sacramental character of the Church as communion in Christ can be understood. A consensus with regard to the profoundly Christological and pneumatological implications of the mystery of the Church would prove a most promising basis for the commission's work"
AC/.../FINNISH ECUMENICAL DELEGATION VIS 20090119 (260)
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