Benedict XVI in Fátima
‘We are called to serve the humanity of our own time’
On his visit to Portugal this month, Pope Benedict XVI explored the nature of the Church’s mission in the world. He pointed out the importance of dialogue, the lead given by the Second Vatican Council and the implications of the apparitions at Fátima. Here are edited highlights of his addresses
Faith and secularism
In [the] dialectic between enlightenment, secularism and faith, there were always indi- viduals who sought to build bridges and create a dialogue, but unfortunately the prevailing tendency was one of opposition and mutual exclusion. Today we see that this very dialectic represents an opportunity and that we need to develop a synthesis and a forward-looking and profound dialogue. In the multicultural situation in which we all find ourselves, we see that if European culture were merely ratio- nalist, it would lack a transcendent religious dimension, and not be able to enter into dia- logue with the great cultures of humanity all of which have this transcendent religious dimension – which is a dimension of man himself … So I would say that the presence of secularism is something normal, but the sep- aration and the opposition between secularism and a culture of faith is something anomalous and must be transcended. The great challenge of the present moment is for the two to come together, and in this way to discover their true identity. This, as I have said, is Europe’s mis- sion and mankind’s need in our history.
Papal flight, 11 May
Sin within the Church
In reply to a question on whether the third vision of Fátima can be interpreted as showing “the sufferings of the Church today for the sins involving the sexual abuse of minors”: For us, Fátima is a sign of the presence of faith, of the fact that it is precisely from the little ones that faith gains new strength, one which is not limited to the little ones but has a message for the entire world and touches history here and now, and sheds light on this history. … I would say that, beyond this great vision of the suffering of the Pope, which we can in the first place refer to Pope John Paul II, an indication is given of realities involving the future of the Church, which are gradually taking shape and becoming evident. So it is true that, in addition to the moment indicated in the vision, there is mention of, there is seen, the need for a passion of the Church, which naturally is reflected in the person of the Pope, yet the Pope stands for the Church and thus it is the sufferings of the Church that are announced … As for the new things which we can find in this message today, there is the fact that attacks on the Pope and the Church come not only from without, but the sufferings
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of the Church come precisely from within the Church, from the sin existing within the Church. This too is something that we have always known, but today we are seeing it in a really terrifying way: that the greatest per- secution of the Church comes not from her enemies without, but arises from sin within the Church, and that the Church thus has a deep need to relearn penance, to accept purifi- cation, to learn forgiveness on the one hand, but also the need for justice.
Papal flight, 11 May
The challenge of pluralism
Living amid a plurality of value systems and ethical outlooks requires a journey to the core of one’s being and to the nucleus of Christianity so as to reinforce the quality of one’s witness to the point of sanctity, and to find mission paths that lead even to the radical choice of martyrdom.
Lisbon Portela International Airport, 11 May
The proclamation of faith
Often we are anxiously preoccupied with the social, cultural and political consequences of the faith, taking for granted that faith is pres- ent, which unfortunately is less and less realistic. Perhaps we have placed an excessive trust in ecclesial structures and programmes, in the distribution of powers and functions; but what will happen if salt loses its flavour? … In order for this not to happen, it is nec- essary to proclaim anew with vigour and joy the event of the death and resurrection of Christ …
Mass in Lisbon’s Terreiro do Paço, 11 May
The Rosary
The recitation of the Rosary allows us to fix our gaze and our hearts upon Jesus, just like his Mother, the supreme model of contem- plation of the Son.
Chapel of Apparitions, Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, 12 May
Evangelism
In our time, in which the faith in many places seems like a light in danger of being snuffed out for ever, the highest priority is to make God visible in the world and to open to humanity a way to God. And not to any god, but to the God who had spoken on Sinai; the God whose face we recognise in the love borne
to the very end (cf. John 13:1) in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.
Chapel of Apparitions, Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, 12 May
Ecumenism
The Church, in her adherence to the eternal character of truth, is in the process of learning how to live with respect for other “truths” and for the truth of others. Through this respect, open to dialogue, new doors can be opened to the transmission of truth … Dialogue, with- out ambiguity and marked by respect for those taking part, is a priority in today’s world, and the Church does not intend to withdraw from it. Precisely so as “to place the modern world in contact with the life-giving and perennial energies of the Gospel” (John XXIII, Apostolic Constitution Humanae Salutis 3), the Second Vatican Council was convened. There the Church, on the basis of a renewed awareness of the Catholic tradition, took seriously and discerned, transformed and overcame the fundamental critiques that gave rise to the modern world, the Reformation and the Enlightenment. In this way the Church herself accepted and refashioned the best of the requirements of modernity by transcending them on the one hand, and on the other by avoiding their errors and dead ends. The Council laid the foundation for an authentic Catholic renewal and for a new civilisation – “the civilisation of love” – as an evangelical service to man and society.
Cultural Centre of Belém, Lisbon, 12 May
The message of Fátima
We would be mistaken to think that Fatima’s prophetic mission is complete. Here there takes on new life the plan of God which asks humanity from the beginning: “Where is your brother Abel […] Your brother’s blood is cry- ing out to me from the ground!” (Gen 4:9). Mankind has succeeded in unleashing a cycle of death and terror, but failed in bringing it to an end …
Esplanade of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, 13 May
Bearing witness to Christ
The times in which we live demand a new missionary vigour on the part of Christians, who are called to form a mature laity, identified with the Church and sensitive to the complex transformations taking place in our world.
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