Vatican
City, 21 November 2013 (VIS) - “The memorable Vatican Council II
also had the merit of explicitly mentioning that in the ancient
liturgies of the Oriental Churches, in their theology, spirituality
and canonical discipline 'there remains conspicuous the tradition
that has been handed down from the Apostles through the Fathers and
that forms part of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of
the universal Church'”, said Pope Francis this morning, as he
received in audience the patriarchs and major archbishops of the
Oriental Churches, along with the cardinals, metropolitan archbishops
and bishops of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. The
Congregation, whose prefect is Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, is holding
its plenary assembly in these days, on the theme of the magisterium
of Vatican Council II with regard to the Christian East.
“From
an evaluation of the path taken so far, guidelines will emerge
intended to support the mission entrusted by the Council to our
brothers and sisters in the East: that of 'promoting the unity of all
Christians, especially Eastern Christians'. The Holy Spirit has
guided them in this task on paths through history that have not
always been easy, nurturing their faith in Christ, in the universal
Church and in Peter's Successor, even at great cost, not infrequently
unto martyrdom. The entire Church is truly grateful to you for this!”
exclaimed the Pope. Then, following the example of his predecessors,
he reaffirmed that “within the ecclesiastical community, there
exist legitimate particular Churches, with their own traditions,
which however fully retain the primacy of the Chair of Peter, which
presides over the universal communion of charity, protects the
legitimate differences between them and ensures that the
particularity of these Churches not only does not damage the unity of
the whole, but instead serves it; the Council tells us that this
variety is necessary for unity”.
Pope
Francis commented that the patriarchs and major archbishops had
spoken to him this morning about the situation faced by the various
Oriental Churches, in particular “the renewed vitality of those
long oppressed under communist regimes, the missionary dynamism of
those who refer to the preachings of the apostle Thomas, and the
perseverance of those who live in the Middle East, not infrequently
as a 'little flock' in environments riven by hostility and conflict,
as well as hidden persecutions”. A further problem is that of the
diaspora, one of the key points of the plenary assembly, and which is
growing in every continent. The Holy Father reiterated the importance
of doing everything possible to facilitate “pastoral care both in
the original territories and where the oriental communities are long
established, favouring at the same time communion and brotherhood
with communities of the Latin rite. To this effect, it would be
useful to promote renewed vitality in existing entities of
consultation between the single Churches and the Holy See”.
“My
thoughts turn especially to the blessed land where Christ lived, died
and rose again … and where the light of faith has not been
extinguished, but instead burns brightly. It is the 'light of the
East' that 'has illumined that universal Church, from the moment when
a rising sun appeared above us: Jesus Christ, our Lord'. As a
consequence, each Catholic has a debt of gratitude towards the
Churches that live in the region. From these we may learn, among
other things, the patience and perseverance of the daily exercise, at
times wearisome, of the ecumenical spirit and interreligious
dialogue. The geographical, historical and cultural context in which
they have lived for centuries has indeed made them natural
interlocutors with numerous other Christian confessions and with
other religions”.
“Considerable
worry is caused by the conditions of life faced by Christians who in
many parts of the Middle East suffer gravely as a consequence of
current tensions and conflicts. Tears often still flow in Syria,
Iraq, Egypt and other areas in the Holy Land. The Bishop of Rome will
not rest while there are still men and women, of any religion, whose
dignity is undermined, who are deprived of the basic requirements for
survival, robbed of their future, or forced to live as fugitives or
refugees”.
“Today,
along with the pastors of the Oriental Churches, we make an appeal
for the respect of the right to a dignified life and to freely
profess one's own faith. We must not resign ourselves to thinking of
a Middle East without Christians, who for two thousand years have
proclaimed Christ's name, integrated as citizens to all effects in
the social, cultural and religious life of the nations to which they
belong. The suffering of the youngest and the weakest, with the
silence of victims, poses the insistent question, 'What is left of
the night?' … I therefore turn to the entire Church to exhort her
support in prayer, that may obtain reconciliation and peace from the
merciful heart of God. Prayer disarms ignorance and generates
dialogue where there is open conflict. If it is sincere and
persistent, it will make our voice humble and firm, capable of being
heard by the leaders of nations”.
The
Pope concluded by speaking about Jerusalem, “our spiritual
birthplace. I hope for every consolation, so that it may truly be a
prophesy of that definitive convocation, from east to west, promised
by God”.
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