Vatican City, 15 June 2015 (VIS) –
This morning Pope Francis received in audience the representatives of
the Czech Hussite Church and the Evangelical Church of Czech
Brethren, in Rome to celebrate a liturgy of reconciliation on the
occasion of the 600 th anniversary of the reformer Jan Hus,
distinguished preacher and rector of the University of Prague, whose
execution was lamented by St. John Paul II in 1999, who included him
among the reformers of the Church.
“In the light of this consideration”,
said Francis, “it is necessary to continue our studies of the
figure and work of Jan Hus, which has long been a matter of
controversy between Christians, but which has today become a reason
for dialogue. This research, conducted without any form of
ideological conditioning, will be an important service to historical
truth, to all Christians and to society as a whole, even beyond your
national borders”.
“Today's meeting gives us the
opportunity to renew and deepen the relations between our
communities”, he added. “Many disputes of the past ask to be
revisited in the light of the new context in which we live, and
agreements and convergences will be reached if we face the
traditional conflictual questions with a new outlook. Above all, we
cannot forget that the shared profession of faith in God the Father,
in the Son and in the Holy Spirit, in which we have been baptised,
already unites us in bonds of authentic fraternity”.
“Vatican Council II affirmed that
'every renewal of the Church is essentially grounded in an increase
of fidelity to her own calling. Undoubtedly this is the basis of the
movement toward unity. … Church renewal has therefore notable
ecumenical importance'. Nowadays, in particular, the need for a new
evangelisation of many men and women who seem indifferent to the
joyful news of the Gospel makes it urgent to renovate every ecclesial
structure so as to promote a positive response from all those to whom
Jesus offers His friendship. And visible communion between Christians
will certainly make this announcement more credible”.
“Responding to the call of Christ to
continual conversion, of which we are all in need, we can progress
together on the path of reconciliation and peace. Along this road let
us learn, by God's grace, to recognise each other as friends and to
consider the motivations of others in the best light possible. In
this sense I hope that bonds of friendship may develop also at the
level of local and parish communities. With these sentiments, I join
spiritually in the penitential liturgy you will celebrate here in
Rome”, concluded the Holy Father. “May God, rich in mercy, grant
us the grace to recognise ourselves all as sinners and to know how to
forgive each other”.
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