ECCLESIAL COMMUNION BRINGS LIFE TO THEOLOGY
On Saturday, 16 February, the Holy Father spoke to the 42
participants in the first International Forum of the Pontifical Academy
of Theology held since the publication of the Motu Proprio Inter
Munera Academiarum of 28 January 1999. With the Motu Proprio the
Holy Father intended to infuse new life into the 300 year old Academy.
The President is Mons. Marcello Bordoni; and the Secretary is Don Angelo
Amato, S.D.B. The Holy Father commented on the relationship between the
magisterium and theology. "In the Church, salt of the earth and
light of the world (cf. Mt 5,13-14), theological reflection
carries out its task to respond to the universal saving will of God, who
desires ‘all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth' (I Tm 2,4). In fact, far from being a limiting factor, ecclesial
communion is a source that breathes life into theological reflection;
it supports its creativity and appreciates its prophecy". Here is a
translation of the Pope's address.
Your Eminence,
Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. I am pleased to have this meeting, that you desired in order to
highlight the celebration of the first International Forum of the
Pontifical Academy of Theology. I cordially greet you all, with special
gratitude to Cardinal Paul Poupard who has expressed your sentiments and
illustrated the Forum's approach to the significant theme:
"Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. For a re-reading of
Dominus Iesus".
Encounter with Christ, truth about human life
The subject clearly falls within the purview of your Academy. The new
Statutes, which I approved with the Motu Proprio of 28 January
1999, point out the Academy's goal: "that of providing and
fostering theological studies and dialogue among the theological and
philosophical disciplines" (art. II). In short, every effort the
human person makes to grow in the knowledge of the truth is oriented to
the discovery of a new aspect of God's mystery, the "sovereign and
primary truth" (St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 1, q.
16, a. 5) and the source of truth: In fact, every
truth", the Angelic Doctor says, "is from God" (Quaestiones
disputatae, De Veritate, q. 1, a. 8).
If the human being can be defined "as the one who seeks the
truth" (Fides et ratio, n. 28), he knows that in his
encounter with Christ and with his divine Revelation he has found the
truth about life: "In Jesus Christ, who is the truth, faith
recognizes the ultimate appeal to humanity, an appeal made in order that
what we experience as desire and nostalgia may come to its fulfilment"
(ibid., n. 33).
2. The priority task of the Pontifical Academy of Theology is
meditation on the mystery of Jesus Christ, our Master and Lord, fullness
of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1,16). From this source of light originates
the mandate of preaching, of witness and of involvement in dialogue,
both ecumenical and interreligious.
In the Encyclical Fides et ratio I said: "There are many
paths which lead to the truth, but since Christian truth has a salvific
value, any one of these paths may be taken, as long as it leads to the
final goal, that is to the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (n. 38).
Academics, those who foster Christ's truth by witnessing to it in the
Church and in, the world, in their work of study and research, are
guided by Revelation, the "true lodestar" (ibid., n.
15) towards the truth to know, the good to do and the charity to live.
Dynamism and ecclesial sense
3. Today, two features characterize the apostolate and service of the
truth: its dynamism and ecclesial sense (ecclesialità).
The truth of Christian Revelation opens up new horizons in history
for understanding the mystery of God and man. The inner attraction of
the new does not lie in a relativism or historicism, but means a supreme
concentration on the truth, an understanding that is a
journey with and, above all, a following of Christ, the Way, the Truth
and the Life. Theology thus becomes a journey in communion with the
Person-Truth who is Jesus Christ, in a relationship of fidelity,
love and self-giving, under the guidance of the Spirit of truth (cf. Jn
16,13), who has the mission of recalling Jesus' words and of
helping Christians understand and live them in an interior lucidity
throughout the changing history of humanity.
Secondly, the description of your "Theological Academy" as
"Pontifical" means that its service to Christ the Truth is
characterized by its ecclesial sense (ecclesialità). In fact,
the theologian takes up his free research within the faith and
communion of the Church. In the Church, salt of the earth and light
of the world (cf. Mt 5,13-14), theological reflection carries out its
task to respond to the universal saving will of God, who desires
"all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth" (1 Tm 2,4). In fact, far from being a limiting factor,
ecclesial communion is a source that breathes life into theological
reflection; it supports its creativity and appreciates its prophecy.
In this way, theological knowledge, with its deeper understanding of
revealed truth, becomes a service to the entire People of God, supports
their hope and reinforces their communion.
Principle of harmony regulates the relationship between Magisterium
and theology
4. Loyalty to Christ the Truth, manifested by theologians in
obedience to the magisterium of the Church, is a powerful unifying and
edifying force. Catholic theologians are aware that the magisterium
is not a reality extrinsic to the truth and to the faith, but,
on the contrary, as a basic element of the Church, it is at the service
of the Word of truth and safeguards it from distortion. It also
guarantees that the People of God throughout time will always live
guided and sustained by Christ the Truth. The relationship between the
magisterium and theological work is regulated by the principle of
harmony. Since they are both at the service of divine Revelation,
both rediscover new aspects and depths of revealed truth.
Where there is a matter of communion in the faith, the principle of unity
in the truth prevails. On the other hand, where there is a
difference of opinion, the principle of unity in charity applies.
These guidelines are present in the direction you have set for this Forum,
and in the editorial policy of the new journal of the Academy, that
you have called PATH, an acronym of your Latin name "Pontificia
Academia Theologica". But "path" is also a word
that in today's globalized language means "Way",
"track", "route" or "road" . Theological
research is a demanding and gratifying journey with Christ the Way, the
Truth and the Life.
5. After more than three centuries of life, may the Pontifical
Theological Academy continue to receive from your reflection and witness
fresh zeal to announce the light of Christ in the millennium that has
just begun.
With this wish, as I invoke God's help in your work I cordially
impart my Blessing.
|
