cry and see the desperate faces of many men and women who experience grave
human and material difficulties, who live amid powerful tensions in fear and
uncertainty, who desire to follow Christ - the One Who gives meaning to their
existence - yet often
find themselves prevented from doing so".
"At the same time, the Church was able to admire all that is beautiful and
noble in the Churches in these lands. How can we fail to thank God at every
moment for all of you, dear Christians of the Middle East! How can we fail to
praise Him for your
courage and faith? How can we fail to thank Him for the flame of His infinite
love which you continue to keep alive and burning in these places which were
the first to welcome His incarnate Son? How can we fail to praise and thank
Him for your efforts
to build ecclesial and fraternal communion, and for the human solidarity which
you constantly show to all God’s children?
"'Ecclesia in Medio Oriente' makes it possible to rethink the present in
order to look to the future with the eyes of Christ. By its biblical and
pastoral orientation, its invitation to deeper spiritual and ecclesiological
reflection, its call for
Subject: VISnews120915
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
liturgical and catechetical renewal, and its summons to dialogue, the
Exhortation points out a path for rediscovering what is essential: being a
follower of Christ even in difficult and sometimes painful situations which
may lead to the temptation to
ignore or to forget the exaltation of the cross. It is here and now that we
are called to celebrate the victory of love over hate, forgiveness over
revenge, service over domination, humility over pride, and unity over
division. In the light of
today’s Feast, and in view of a fruitful application of the Exhortation,
I urge all of you to fear not, to stand firm in truth and in purity of faith.
This is the language of the cross, exalted and glorious ... capable of
changing our sufferings into a declaration of love for God and mercy for our
neighbour, ... of transforming those who suffer because of their faith and
identity into vessels of clay ready to be filled to overflowing by divine
gifts more precious than
gold. This is more than simply picturesque language: it is a pressing appeal
to act concretely in a way which configures us ever more fully to Christ, in a
way which helps the different Churches to reflect the beauty of the first
community of
believers".
"'Ecclesia in Medio Oriente' provides some elements that are helpful for a
personal and communal examination of conscience, and an objective evaluation
of the commitment and desire for holiness of each one of Christ’s
disciples. The Exhortation
shows openness to authentic inter-religious dialogue based on faith in the one
God, the Creator. It also seeks to contribute to an ecumenism full of human,
spiritual and charitable fervour, in evangelical truth and love".
"The Exhortation as a whole is meant to help each of the Lord’s
disciples to live fully and to pass on faithfully to others what he or she has
become by Baptism: a child of light, sharing in God’s own light, a lamp
newly lit amid the
troubled darkness of this world, so that the light may shine in the darkness.
The document seeks to help purify the faith from all that disfigures it, from
everything that can obscure the splendour of Christ’s light. For
communion is true fidelity
to Christ, and Christian witness is the radiance of the paschal mystery which
gives full meaning to the cross, exalted and glorious".
"'Fear not, little flock', and remember the promise made to Constantine:
'In this sign you will conquer!” Churches of the Middle East, fear not,
for the Lord is truly with you, to the close of the age! Fear not, because the
universal Church
walks at your side and is humanly and spiritually close to you! It is with
this hope and this word of encouragement to be active heralds of the faith by
your communion and witness. ... God grant that all the peoples of the Middle
East may live in peace,
fraternity and religious freedom! May God bless all of you!"
___________________________________________________________
SUMMARY OF THE POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION "ECCLESIA IN MEDIO
ORIENTE"
Vatican City, 15 September 2012 (VIS) - Given below is a brief summary of
the main points contained in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia
in Medio Oriente".
The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortion "Ecclesia in Medio Oriente" is the
document elaborated by Benedict XVI based on the forty-four final propositions
of the special Synod for the Middle East, which was held in Vatican City from
10 to 26 October 2010
on the theme: "The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and witness.
'The company of those who believed were of one heart and soul'". The text is
subdivided into three parts, plus an introduction and a conclusion.
INTRODUCTION
The Exhortation invites the Catholic Church in the Middle East to revive
communion within the Church, looking to the "native faithful" who belong to
the Eastern Catholic Churches "sui iuris", and opening up to dialogue with
Jews and Muslims. This is
a communion, a unity to be reached within the context of geographical,
religious, cultural and socio-political diversity in the Middle East. Benedict
XVI renews his call to conserve and promote the rites of the Eastern Churches,
heritage of all Christ's
Church.
PART ONE
The Context: Firstly, the Pope exhorts us not to forget the Christians who
live in the Middle East and who bring a "noble and authentic" contribution to
the construction of the Body of Christ. Then, in describing the situation of
the region and the
peoples who live there, Benedict XVI dramatically emphasises the deaths, the
victims of "human blindness", fear and humiliation. Without entering into
detail, the Exhortation briefly recalls that the position of the Holy See on
the various conflicts in
the region and on the status of Jerusalem and the Holy Places is well known.
Finally, a call is made for conversion to peace - understood not only as the
simple absence of conflict, but rather as interior peace and linked to justice
- overriding all
distinctions of race, sex and class, and to practice forgiveness in the realms
of both private and community life.
The Christian and ecumenical life: This chapter is a call in favour of
ecumenical unity which "does not mean uniformity of tradition and
celebrations". In a difficult, unstable political context inclined towards
violence such as the Middle East, in
fact, the Church has developed in a truly multi-form fashion, encompassing
Churches of ancient tradition and more recent ecclesiastical communities. It
is a form of mosaic which requires significant effort in the reinforcement of
Christian witness. In
line with Vatican Council II the Pope encourages spiritual ecumenism, and a
communion understood not as confusion, but rather as recognition and respect
for others. At the same time, the Exhortation reasserts the importance of the
work of theology and
the various ecumenical commissions and ecclesial communities, in order that -
in line with the doctrine of the Church - they speak with one voice on the
most important moral questions (family, sexuality, bioethics, freedom,
justice and peace). Diaconal ecumenism is also important, in both charitable
and educational fields. Several concrete proposals for an ecumenical pastoral
outreach are then listed: among these, the application of conciliary openness
towards a certain
"communicatio in sacris" (i.e., the possibility for Christians to access the
Sacraments in a Church other than their own) for the Sacraments of Penance,
the Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick. The Pope states his certainty of
the possibility of
reaching agreement on a common translation of the Lord's Prayer in the local
languages of the region.
Inter-religious dialogue: Recalling the historical and spiritual links that
Christians have with Jews and Muslims, the Exhortation reaffirms that
inter-religious dialogue is not dictated by pragmatic considerations of a
political or social order, but
is based primarily upon the theological foundations of faith: Jews, Christians
and Muslims believe in a single God and for this reason it is hoped that they
may recognise in "the other believer" a brother to love and respect, avoiding
the exploitation
of religion for conflicts which are "unjustifiable for authentic believers".
With particular regard to Christian-Jewish dialogue, the Pope recalls the
common spiritual heritage, based on the Bible, which leads back to the "Jewish
roots of Christianity";
at the same time he invites Christians to be aware of the mystery of the
Incarnation of God and to condemn the unjustifiable persecutions of the
past.
With regard to Muslims, Benedict XVI uses the word "esteem", "in fidelity
to the teachings of Vatican Council II"; however, is is regrettable that
doctrinal differences have been used as a pretext by both Christians and
Muslims to justify, in the
name of religion, acts of intolerance, discrimination, marginalisation and
persecution. The Exhortation then shows how the presence of Christians in the
Middle East is neither new, nor casual, but historical. An integral part of
the region, they have
given rise to "a particular form of symbiosis" with the surrounding culture,
specific to the Middle East, and they have the right and the duty to
participate fully in civil life, and should not be considered as second class
citizens. The Pope affirms
that religious liberty - the pinnacle of all freedoms, sacred and inalienable
- includes the freedom to choose the religion one considers true and to
publicly manifest one's belief and its symbols,
without putting one's own life or personal freedom in danger. Force and
constriction are not admissible in religious matters. The Pope calls for the
step to be taken from tolerance to religious freedom, which does not imply an
open door to syncretism,
but rather "a reconsideration of the relationship between man, religion and
God".
Two new realities: The Exhortation considers at length the matter of
secularisation, including its extreme forms, and the violent fundamentalism
that claims to have a religious origin. A healthy secularity means distinction
and collaboration between
politics and religion, characterised by mutual respect. It requires the
political sphere to operate without manipulating religion, and guarantees that
religion may live without the encumbrance of political interests. Religious
fundamentalism - which
grows in a climate of socio-political uncertainty - seeks to take power for
political ends, at times using violence, over the individual conscience and
over religion. For this reason, the Pope issues a heartfelt appeal to all the
religious leaders of
the Middle East to endeavour, by their example and their teaching, to do
everything possible to uproot this threat which indiscriminately and fatally
affects believers of all religions.
Migrants: The Pope faces a crucial question, the exodus - indeed, a
haemorrhage - of Christians who find themselves in a delicate position, at
times without hope, and are subject to the negative consequences of conflicts,
often feeling humiliated,
despite having participated throughout the centuries in the construction of
their respective countries. A Middle East without, or with few Christians,
would no longer be the Middle East. The Pope therefore asks political and
religious leaders to avoid
policies and strategies tending towards a monochromatic Middle East which does
not reflect its human and historical reality. Benedict XVI also invites the
pastors of the Eastern Catholic Churches to help their priests and their
faithful in exodus to
remain in contact with their families and their Churches, and encourages the
Pastors of the ecclesiastical circumscriptions who welcome the Eastern
Catholics to allow them the possibility of worshipping according to their own
traditions.
This chapter also considers the question of immigrant workers - often
Catholics of Latin rite - from Africa, the Far East and the Indian
sub-continent, who too often experience situations of discrimination and
injustice.
PART TWO
Patriarchs: Leaders of the "sui iuris" Churches, in perfect union with the
Bishop of Rome, render tangible the universality and unity of the Church and,
as a sign of communion, are able to reinforce this union and solidarity within
the framework of
the Council of Catholic Patriarchs of the Middle East and the patriarchal
Synods, always favouring consultation and collegial action on questions
fundamental to the Church.
Bishops: A visible sign of the unity in diversity of the Church understood
as a Body, of whom Christ is the head, the bishops are the first to be sent
forth into all nations to make disciples. They must proclaim God's Word with
courage and firmly
defend the integrity and unity of the faith, in those difficult situations
which are unfortunately common in the Middle East. The bishops are also
required to ensure a wise, honest and transparent management of the temporal
goods of the Church and to
this end, the Pope recalls that the Synod Fathers have requested serious
revision of finances and assets, to avoid confusion between personal property
and that of the Church. The bishops, furthermore, must be vigilant in ensuring
that priests receive
appropriate remuneration, in order that they do not become distracted by
material matters. The alienation of the goods of the Church must adhere
strictly to canonical norms and the current papal legislation. Finally, the
Pope exhorts
bishops to ensure the pastoral care of all Christian faithful, regardless of
their nationality or ecclesial provenance.
Priests and seminarians: The Exhortation underlines that priests must
educate the People of God in the construction of a civilisation of evangelical
love and unity, and this requires an in-depth transmission of the Word of God,
and of the tradition
and the Doctrine of the Church, along with intellectual and spiritual renewal
of the priests themselves. To this end, celibacy is important - a priceless
gift of God to the Church - as is the ministry of married priests, an ancient
component of the
Eastern tradition. As servants of the communion, priests and seminarians must
offer courageous and unambiguous testimony, must conduct themselves
irreproachably, and must be open to the cultural diversity of their Churches
(learning, for instance, their
languages and cultures), along with ecclesial diversity and ecumenical and
inter-religious dialogue.
The consecrated life: Monasticism in its various forms was born in the
Middle East and gave rise to several "sui iuris" Churches. Men and women
religious must collaborate with the bishop in pastoral and missionary
activities. They are invited to
meditate upon at length and observe the evangelical counsels (chastity,
poverty and obedience), as there cannot be spiritual regeneration - of the
faithful, the community and the Church as a whole - without a clear and
unequivocal return to the search
for God.
The laity: Members of the Body of Christ through Baptism, and thus fully
associated with the mission of the universal Church, to lay people the Pope
entrusts the task of promoting - in temporal matters, their proper domain -
the sound administration
of public goods, religious freedom and respect for the dignity of each person.
They are invited to be bold in the cause of Christ. In order that their
witness be fruitful, however, lay people must overcome the divisions and all
subjective
interpretations of Christian life.
Family: A divine institution founded on the indissoluble Sacrament of
Marriage between a man and a woman, today the family is exposed to many
dangers. The Christian family must be supported in the problems and
difficulties it faces, and must look to
its own deepest identity, in order to become first and foremost a domestic
Church which educates in prayer and in faith, a seedbed of vocations, the
natural school of virtue and ethical values, and the primary cell of society.
The Exhortation gives
considerable consideration to the question of women in the Middle East and to
the need for equality with men, in the face of the discriminations they suffer
which gravely offend not only women themselves, but also and above all, God.
The Pope emphasises
that women must play a greater role in public and ecclesial life. With regard
to judicial disputes in matrimonial matters, the voice of the woman must be
heard with equal respect to that of the man, without injustice. To this end,
the
Pope encourages a sound and just application of the law, in order that the
judicial differences regarding matrimonial matters do not lead to apostasy.
Finally, the Christians of the Middle East must be able to apply their own
law, both in marriage and
elsewhere, without restrictions.
Young people and children: The Pope exhorts them not to be afraid or
ashamed of being Christians, to respect other believers, Jews and Muslims, and
to always cultivate, through prayer, a true friendship with Jesus, loving
Christ and the Church. In
this way, they may discern wisely the values of modern life that may be useful
to their fulfilment, without allowing themselves to be seduced by materialism
or certain social networks, the indiscriminate use of which may distort the
true nature of human
relations. With regard to children, in particular, the Exhortation calls upon
parents, teachers, guides and public institutions to recognise the rights of
minors from the moment of their conception.
PART THREE
The Word of God, soul and source of communion and witness: After expressing
recognition of the exegetical schools (of Alexandria, Antioch, etc.) which
have contributed to the dogmatic formulation of Christian mystery in the
fourth and fifth
centuries, the Exhortation recommends a genuine biblical apostolate, to help
dissipate prejudice or mistaken ideas which may be the cause of needless and
humiliating controversies. This leads to the suggestion of proclaiming a Year
of the Bible, in
accordance with the pastoral conditions of each country in the region, and to
follow it, if appropriate, with an annual Bible Week. The Christian presence
in the biblical countries of the Middle East - which is far more than a
question of sociological
belonging or simple economic and cultural success - by rediscovering its
original inspiration and in following Christ's disciples, will take on new
vitality.
Liturgy and sacramental life: For the faithful in the Middle East, the
liturgy is an essential element of spiritual unity and communion. The renewal
of celebrations and liturgical texts, where necessary, must be based on the
Word of God and
undertaken in collaboration with the Churches who share the same traditions.
The importance of Baptism is a key issue, which enables those who receive this
sacrament to live in communion and to develop true solidarity with other
members of humankind,
without discrimination on the grounds of race or religion. From this point of
view, the Pope hopes for an ecumenical agreement between the Catholic Church
and the Churches with whom it is in theological dialogue on the mutual
recognition of Baptism, in
order to restore full communion in apostolic faith. The Exhortation also
expresses hope for more frequent practice of the Sacrament of Penance and
Reconciliation, and exhorts pastors and the faithful to promote initiatives
for peace, even
amid persecution.
Prayer and pilgrimages: The Middle East is a privileged land of pilgrimage
for many Christians who come to consolidate their faith and to seek a
profoundly spiritual experience. The Pope asks that the faithful have free
access, without restriction,
to holy places. It is also essential that contemporary biblical pilgrimage
returns to its original motivations of penitence and the search for God.
Evangelisation and charity; the Church's mission: The Exhortation
underlines that the transmission of faith is an essential mission of the
Church. The Pope therefore encourages the new evangelisation which, in a
contemporary context, marked by
change, makes the faithful aware of the testimony of their lives: this
reinforces their word when they speak of God courageously and openly, to
announce the Good News of salvation. In particular, in the Middle East,
deepening of the theological and
pastoral meaning of evangelisation should look to both the ecumenical and
inter-religious dimensions. With regard to ecclesial movements and
communities, the Pope encourages them to act in union with the bishop of the
place and according to his pastoral
directives, with due regard for the local history, liturgy, spirituality and
culture, without confusion and proselytism. The Catholic Churches of the
Middle East are therefore invited to renew their missionary spirit, a
challenge more
urgent than ever in a multicultural and pluri-religious context. A strong
stimulus for this may be given by the Year of Faith. With regard to charity,
the Exhortation recalls that the Church must follow the example of Christ Who
drew close to those most
in need: orphans, the poor, the disabled, the sick, etc. Finally, the Pope
praises and and encourages all those who carry out impressive work in the
educational centres, schools, higher institutes and Catholic universities of
the Middle East. These
tools for cultural formation, that should be supported by political
authorities, demonstrate that it is possible to live in a spirit of respect
and collaboration in the Middle East, through education in tolerance.
Catechesis and Christian formation: The papal document encourages the
reading and teaching of the catechism of the Catholic Church and a solid
initiation in the social doctrine of the Church. At the same time, the Pope
invites the Synods and other
episcopal organisms to enable the faithful to have access to the spiritual
wealth of the Fathers of the Church, and to focus on patristic teaching, as a
complement to scriptural formation.
CONCLUSION
Benedict XVI solemnly asks, in the name of God, that political and
religious authorities not only alleviate the suffering of all those who live
in the Middle East, but also eliminate the causes of this suffering, and do
all in their power to enable
peace to prevail. At the same time, the Catholic faithful are exhorted to
consolidate and live together in communion, giving life to pastoral dynamism.
"A lukewarm spirit is displeasing to God", and therefore the Christians of the
Middle East, Catholics
and others, are encouraged bear witness to Christ, courageously and as one - a
difficult witness, but exhilarating.
___________________________________________________________
NEW FRATERNITY BASED ON A SHARED SENSE OF THE GREATNESS OF EACH PERSON
Vatican City, 15 September 2012 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI began the
second day of his apostolic trip to Lebanon by paying a courtesy visit to
Michel Sleiman, president of the Lebanese Republic, at the presidential palace
in Baabda. There he
also met with Nabih Berri, speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, and Naguib
Miqati, prime minister of Lebanon, before going on to encounter the heads of
the Sunni, Shia, Druze and Alawite religious communities.
Accompanied by the President, the Holy Father then planted a cedar of
Lebanon in the palace gardens. Having completed this symbolic act, he moved on
to the palace's 25 May Hall where he pronounced an address before the
authorities, the diplomatic
corps, religious leaders and representative from the world of culture.
Extensive excerpts from the Holy Father's words are given below.
"I have asked God to bless you, to bless Lebanon and all who dwell in these
lands which saw the birth of great religions and noble cultures. Why did God
choose these lands? Why is their life so turbulent? God chose these lands, I
think, to be an
example, to bear witness before the world that every man and woman has the
possibility of concretely realising his or her longing for peace and
reconciliation!".
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