How Do the Writings of Pope Benedict XVI on "Transformation" Apply to a Couple's Growth in Holiness in Sacramental Marriage?

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

How Do the Writings of Pope Benedict XVI on The University of Notre Dame Australia ResearchOnline@ND Theses 2018 How do the writings of Pope Benedict XVI on "transformation" apply to a couple's growth in holiness in sacramental marriage? Houda Jilwan The University of Notre Dame Australia Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses Part of the Religion Commons COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969 WARNING The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice. Publication Details Jilwan, H. (2018). How do the writings of Pope Benedict XVI on "transformation" apply to a couple's growth in holiness in sacramental marriage? (Master of Philosophy (School of Philosophy and Theology)). University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/194 This dissertation/thesis is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HOW DO THE WRITINGS OF POPE BENEDICT XVI ON “TRANSFORMATION” APPLY TO A COUPLE’S GROWTH IN HOLINESS IN SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE? Houda Jilwan A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy School of Philosophy and Theology The University of Notre Dame Australia 2018 Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 1: The universal call to holiness .................................................................................. 11 1.1 Meaning of holiness ..................................................................................................... 11 1.2 A quick overview of the universal call to holiness in Scripture and Tradition ................... 12 1.2.1 Vatican II and the universal call to holiness ............................................................ 14 1.2.2 Holiness and grace................................................................................................ 18 1.2.3 Holiness and the sacrament of reconciliation .......................................................... 19 1.2.4 Holiness and the Eucharist .................................................................................... 21 1.2.5 Holiness and prayer .............................................................................................. 23 1.2.6 Holiness and suffering .......................................................................................... 24 1.2.7 Holiness and work ................................................................................................ 25 1.2.8 Holiness and virtues.............................................................................................. 26 1.3 The universal call to holiness in practice........................................................................ 28 1.3.1 Opus Dei and the universal call to holiness ............................................................. 28 1.3.2 Catholic Action and the universal call to holiness ................................................... 30 1.3.3 Saints who lived the universal call to holiness ........................................................ 33 1.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 36 Chapter 2: Sacramental marriage............................................................................................. 38 2.1 The three goods of marriage ......................................................................................... 38 2.2 An overview of marriage based on Gaudium et Spes ...................................................... 40 2.3 Marriage as a sacrament ............................................................................................... 42 2.4 The participation of Christian marriage in the spousal relationship of Christ and the ........ Church ....................................................................................................................... 46 2.5 Grace in sacramental marriage ...................................................................................... 49 2.5.1 The Holy Spirit and marriage ................................................................................ 50 2.5.2 The Eucharist and marriage ................................................................................... 52 2.5.3 The sacrament of reconciliation and marriage ......................................................... 53 2.5.4 Prayer and the power of the Cross in marriage ........................................................ 54 2.5.5 The importance of cooperation with grace .............................................................. 55 2.6 Chastity in marriage ..................................................................................................... 56 2.7 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 58 Chapter 3: Transformation in the writings of Pope Benedict XVI ............................................ 60 3.1 The theme of “transformation” in the writings of Pope Benedict XVI ............................. 60 3.2 Transformation, faith and conversion ............................................................................ 64 3.3 Following Christ in order to be transformed by him ....................................................... 68 3.4 Transformation and the mystery of the Cross ................................................................. 71 3.5 The effect of transformation on relationships ................................................................. 73 3.6 Theological context of Pope Benedict XVI’s thought on ‘transformation’........................ 75 3.6.1 The continuity of his thought ................................................................................. 75 3.6.2 The contribution of Pope Benedict XVI’s writings on transformation to sacramental marriage............................................................................................................... 79 3.7 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 81 Chapter 4: “Transformation” as applied to a couple’s growth in holiness in sacramental marriage ................................................................................................................ 83 4.1 The unused talent hidden in the field ............................................................................. 83 4.2 The writings of Pope Benedict XVI on “transformation”: a precious treasure for Christian spouses .......................................................................................................................... 85 4.3 Christian spouses encounter Christ by following him ..................................................... 88 4.4 The significance of the spiritual provisions. ................................................................... 90 4.4.1 The power of prayer in the life of Christian spouses ................................................ 91 4.4.2 Meditation on the word of God: a natural accompaniment to prayer for married ........... couples ................................................................................................................ 92 4.4.3 The sacrament of reconciliation: an indispensable source of holiness in marriage ...... 93 4.4.4 The Eucharist: the source of Christian marriage ...................................................... 95 4.5 Commitment to prayer and the sacraments: a key to following Christ wholeheartedly ...... 97 4.6 The effects of following Christ to be transformed by him on the holiness and lives of Christian spouses ............................................................................................................ 99 4.6.1 Growing in virtue ................................................................................................. 99 4.6.2 Growing in friendship and affection for each other.................................................102 4.6.3 Growing in unity and fidelity................................................................................103 4.6.4 Growing in sexual intimacy ..................................................................................105 4.6.5 Sanctifying work .................................................................................................106 4.6.6 Embracing the mystery of the Cross......................................................................107 4.6.7 Bearing fruit through a true apostolate ..................................................................108 4.7 When only one spouse is open to the transforming encounter with Christ .......................109 4.8 The relevance of Pope Benedict XVI’s contribution on transformation to some other types of couples who are married sacramentally. ..........................................................................111 4.9 Mary: a great guide and intercessor for married couples who seek transformation in ............ Christ .........................................................................................................................112 4.10 Conclusion .................................................................................................................113
Recommended publications
  • Bulletin Dei Verbum 2013, N
    digital BDV English Edition 2013, n. 1-4 digital BDV Bulletin Dei Verbum English Edition 2013, n. 1-4 Contents Editorial Thomas P. Osborne “… The ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat” (Gen 8:4) 2 Forum Father Mark Sheridan, osb The Bible as read by the Fathers of the Church 3 Prof. Dr. Thomas Söding Exegesis as Theology, Doing Theology as Exegesis: A Difficult but Necessary Alliance 15 Prof. Dr. Florian Wilk Hermeneutics of the Bible from a Protestant Perspective 23 Projects and Experiences Sr. Anna Damas SSpS Experiences with Bibliodrama in Papua-New Guinea 34 Federation News CBF Message to the Holy Father on the Occasion of His Election to the Papacy 36 Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, N. 174-175 37 Message of the Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation 38 The CBF welcomes a new associate member from Peru! 48 New Subregional Coordinators for Central Europe and Southern and Western Europe 48 Father Jan Jacek Stefanów, SVD appointed new CBF General Secretary 49 Biblical Pastoral Publications 50 BDV digital is an electronic publication of the Catholic Biblical Federation, General Secretariat, D-86941 Sankt Ottilien, [email protected], www.c-b-f.org. Editorial Board: Thomas P. Osborne and Gérard Billon Liga Bank BIC GENODEF1M05 IBAN DE28 7509 0300 0006 4598 20 -- 1 -- digital BDV English Edition 2013, n. 1-4 Editorial can congress in Peru in August, the BICAM trien- nial plenary assembly in Malawi in September, the subregional meetings in Warsaw in Septem- ber and in Maynooth near Dublin, with the active “… The ark came to rest on the moun- presence of a delegate of the General Secretariat, tains of Ararat” (Gen 8:4) witness to the renewed spirit of communication and solidarity within the Federation.
    [Show full text]
  • Spe Salvi: Assessing the Aerodynamic Soundness of Our Civilizational Flying Machine
    Journal of Religion and Business Ethics Volume 1 Article 3 January 2010 Spe Salvi: Assessing the Aerodynamic Soundness of Our Civilizational Flying Machine Jim Wishloff University of Lethbridge, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/jrbe Recommended Citation Wishloff, Jim (2010) "Spe Salvi: Assessing the Aerodynamic Soundness of Our Civilizational Flying Machine," Journal of Religion and Business Ethics: Vol. 1 , Article 3. Available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/jrbe/vol1/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the LAS Proceedings, Projects and Publications at Via Sapientiae. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Religion and Business Ethics by an authorized editor of Via Sapientiae. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Wishloff: Spe Salvi INTRODUCTION In his very popular book Ishmael, author Daniel Quinn questions the sustainability of our civilization in a thought-provoking way. Quinn does this by asking the reader to consider the early attempts to achieve powered flight, and, more specifically, to imagine someone jumping off in “one of those wonderful pedal-driven contraptions with flapping wings.”1 At first, all seems well for the would-be flyer but, of course, in time he crashes. This is his inevitable fate since the laws of aerodynamics have not been observed. Quinn uses this picture to get us to assess whether or not we have built “a civilization that flies.”2 The symptoms of environmental distress are evident, so much so that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon puts us on a path to “oblivion.”3 Add to this the economic and cultural instability in the world and it is hard not to acknowledge that the ground is rushing up at us.
    [Show full text]
  • Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation Joseph Mele
    Duquesne University Duquesne Scholarship Collection Electronic Theses and Dissertations Summer 2008 Homiletics at the Threshold: Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation Joseph Mele Follow this and additional works at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd Recommended Citation Mele, J. (2008). Homiletics at the Threshold: Pope Benedict XVI's Invitation (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/919 This Immediate Access is brought to you for free and open access by Duquesne Scholarship Collection. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Duquesne Scholarship Collection. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HOMILETICS AT THE THRESHOLD: POPE BENEDICT XVI‘S INVITATION A Dissertation Submitted to The McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts Duquesne University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for The degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Joseph M. Mele May 2008 Copyright by Joseph M. Mele 2008 HOMILETICS AT THE THRESHOLD: POPE BENEDICT XVI‘S INVITATION By Joseph M. Mele Approved Month Day, 2008 ____________________________ ____________________________ Name of Professor Name of Professor Professor of Professor of (Dissertation Director) (Committee Member) ____________________________ ____________________________ Name of Professor Name of Professor Professor of Professor of (Committee Member) (Committee Member) ___________________________ ____________________________ Name of Dean Name of External Reviewer Dean, The McAnulty
    [Show full text]
  • Word of God, Baptism, Eucharist in the Mission of the Church
    WORD OF GOD, BAPTISM, EUCHARIST IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH “In calling upon all the faithful to proclaim God’s word, the Synod Fa- thers [of the 2008 General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops] restated the need in our day too for a decisive commitment to the missio ad gentes. In no way can the Church restrict her pastoral work to the ‘ordinary maintenance’ of those who already know the Gospel of Christ. Missionary outreach is a clear sign of the maturity of an ecclesial community. The Fathers also insisted that the word of God is the saving truth which men and women in every age need to hear. For this reason, it must be explicitly proclaimed. The Church must go out to meet each person in the strength of the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 2:5) and continue her prophetic defense of people’s right and freedom to hear the word of God, while constantly seeking out the most effective ways of proclaiming that word, even at the risk of persecution. The Church feels duty-bound to proclaim to every man and woman the word that saves (cf. Rom 1:14)” (Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, 95). In the Old Testament, the Word prepares the way for the event of the Word becoming flesh. The New Testament’s Letter to the Hebrews be- gins precisely underlining this extreme dynamism of the Word: “In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe” (Heb 1: 1-2).
    [Show full text]
  • Beauty As a Transcendental in the Thought of Joseph Ratzinger
    The University of Notre Dame Australia ResearchOnline@ND Theses 2015 Beauty as a transcendental in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger John Jang University of Notre Dame Australia Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses Part of the Philosophy Commons COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969 WARNING The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice. Publication Details Jang, J. (2015). Beauty as a transcendental in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger (Master of Philosophy (School of Philosophy and Theology)). University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/112 This dissertation/thesis is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. For more information, please contact [email protected]. School of Philosophy and Theology Sydney Beauty as a Transcendental in the Thought of Joseph Ratzinger Submitted by John Jang A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy Supervised by Dr. Renée Köhler-Ryan July 2015 © John Jang 2015 Table of Contents Abstract v Declaration of Authorship vi Acknowledgements vii Introduction 1 Structure 3 Method 5 PART I - Metaphysical Beauty 7 1.1.1 The Integration of Philosophy and Theology 8 1.1.2 Ratzinger’s Response 11 1.2.1 Transcendental Participation 14 1.2.2 Transcendental Convertibility 18 1.2.3 Analogy of Being 25 PART II - Reason and Experience 28 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Rejoice in the Lord by Cardinal Joseph W
    Rejoice in the Lord By Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. Archbishop of Newark June 18, 2021 / Vol. 2, No. 19 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, On April 21 of this year, I offered reflections on the topic “Synodality: the long game of Pope Francis” during a webinar offering of the annual Cardinal Bernardin Common Cause lecture sponsored by Loyola University Chicago’s Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage. Because the full “script” for this lecture is very long—probably too long for an online presentation, but certainly for this newsletter—I summarize it below. I hope that my reflections offer some helpful insights into the importance of the term “synodality,” which literally means “walking together,” both for the teaching of our Holy Father Pope Francis and for the life and ministry of the Church at all times but, perhaps especially today. Christians are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, but we never do this alone. We are fellow travelers, sojourners, with each other and with Christ Himself. We walk together in good times and in hard times, in rough weather and on clear, sunny days. We support and encourage each other, especially when one of us stumbles and falls. Synodality is, or should be, the way our Church journeys through time with open hearts, attentively listening to the needs of God’s people as they are expressed in gestures (often more than words) and in longing to see the face of God revealed in Jesus and in all of us, His missionary disciples. I invite you to reflect prayerfully on the understanding of synodality that Pope Francis has proposed (in continuity with his predecessors in the Petrine ministry).
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish
    Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish September 27, 2020 ! """ # ! $ $ -. / "" -0 1(22 ""! 1(02 ""3 /(22 "" -4 & 52(46 "" ) * " & ( " % 52(46 "" ! $ " & * 7 & & % & & &*" % 8 % " ! "# $ % ! & % '( % ! & ! & ' & ' ) ) ) ' * + , & % !" Adoration Chapel The Sanctuary Candle in the Adoration Chapel is burning for The Intentions of All Adorers Our deepest sympathy to the family of Lucille Come closer to Him during this time Find Taylor Saverick. The funeral Mass for Lucille ONE HOUR in the week when you can share was held on Friday, September 18th. Collection Weekend in the peace and quiet of His abiding love. If Our deepest sympathy to the family of of September 13th you would like to become an Adorer call the Thomas Moore. The funeral Mass for Parish Office at 663-5316. $9,844.00 Thomas was held on Saturday, September Funds needed each week - $9,238.00 19th. Variance (+$606.00) Our deepest sympathy to the family of Thank you to all who donated to our Parish. Timothy Rondeau. The graveside service for Timothy was held on Friday, September 18th. Readings for the week of Weekly Donations September 27, 2020 May they rest in peace For those of you who are interested in an in the arms of our Lord. Sunday: Ez 18:25-28/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [6a]/ easy, convenient way to support our Parish: Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5/Mt 21:28-32 WeShare Online Giving is NOW OPEN for Monday: Jb 1:6-22/Ps 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7 [6]/Lk The Saints Speak enrollment! With everything moving online, 9:46-50 we suggest that you consider enrolling in our Tuesday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a/Ps online giving program with WeShare.
    [Show full text]
  • The Holy See
    The Holy See Coat of Arms of His Holiness Benedict XVI Armour bearings have been in common use by soldiers and the nobility since the Middle Ages. This has given rise to a very specific heraldic language to regulate and describe civic heraldry. At the same time, an ecclesiastical heraldry for clergy also developed. This heraldic usage follows exactly the same rules as civic heraldry with regard to the composition and definition of the shield, but surrounds it with religious or Church symbols and emblems according to one's ecclesiastical rank in Holy Orders, jurisdiction and dignity. There is an at least 800-year-old tradition for Popes to have their own personal coat of arms, in addition to the symbols proper to the Apostolic See. Particularly during the Renaissance and the centuries that followed, it was customary to mark with the arms of the reigning Supreme Pontiff all his principal works. Indeed, Papal coats of arms appear on buildings and in various publications, 2 decrees and documents. Popes often used their family shield or composed their own with symbols indicating their ideal of life or referring to past events or experiences, or even elements connected with specific Pontifical programmes. At times, they even added a variant to a shield that they had adopted on becoming a Bishop. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, elected Pope and taking the name Benedict XVI, has chosen a coat of arms rich in symbolism and meaning that transmits to history his personality and Pontificate. A coat of arms consists of a shield bearing several important symbols and surrounded by elements that indicate the person's dignity, rank, title, jurisdiction and more.
    [Show full text]
  • Liturgical Calendar 2017-2018
    LITURGICAL CALENDAR 2017-2018 Sunday Lectionary: Year B Weekday Lectionary: Cycle II APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF SOUTHERN ARABIA (United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen) www.avosa.org PARISHES, INSTITUTES AND SOCIETIES Abu Dhabi St. Joseph, Abu MSP Mission Society of -SJ Dhabi the Philippines Al Ain St. Mary, Al Ain Ma’ala Immaculate CSJ Sisters of St. Joseph Conception, Aden of Chambery Musaffah St. Paul, Abu Dhabi CSST Carmelite Sisters of RAK St. Anthony of St. Teresa Padua, Ras Al Cap Order of Friars Khaimah Minor Capuchin Rosary Dominican Sisters CMS Comboni of the Rosary Missionary Sisters Ruwi Ss. Peter and Paul, Crater Holy Family, Aden Muscat Dubai-SM St. Mary, Dubai SPC Sisters of St. Paul of FMCK Franciscan Chartres Missionaries of Salalah St. Francis Xavier, Christ the King Salalah Fujairah Our Lady of SDB Salesians of Don Perpetual Help, Bosco Fujairah Sana’a Mary, Help of Ghala Holy Spirit, Muscat Christians, Sana’a Hodeidah Sacred Heart, Sharjah St. Michael, Sharjah Hodeidah Sohar St. Anthony, Sohar Jebel Ali St. Francis of Assisi, Taiz St. Therese of Child Dubai Jesus, Taiz MC Missionaries of Tawahi St. Francis of Assisi, Charity Aden ABBREVIATIONS B.V. Mary Blessed Virgin Mary OT Ordinary Time comm commemoration sol solemnity fst feast Ss./St. Saints/Saint Fil Filipino wkdy weekday mem obligatory memorial 2 NOTES 1. This Calendar provides a quick reference to the celebration of the day and should be consulted regarding celebrations proper to the Vicariate, especially on weekends. Fuller information can be found in the online Vicariate Ordo (avosa.org/ordo). 2. For the Vicariate Proper Calendar, and the readings for the celebrations on it, see pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Christ the King
    Christ the King THAT HE WOULD REIGN IN OUR HEARTS In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty King in his encyclical letter Quas Primas, in response to growing nationalism and secularism around the world. He O God our Creator, had the foresight to realize that secularism could soon wage from your provident hand we have received our right to life, awful wars against the Church. liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us the right and During the early twentieth century, in Mexico, Russia, and in the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, many parts of Europe, atheistic regimes threatened not just Jesus Christ. the Catholic Church and Through the power and working its faithful but civilization of your Holy Spirit, you call us to itself. Pope Pius XI’s live out our faith in the midst of encyclical gave Catholics the world, bringing the light and hope and—while the saving truth of the Gospel to governments of men every corner of society. We ask around them crumbled— you to bless us in our vigilance the assurance that Christ for the gift of religious liberty. the King shall reign Give us the strength of mind and forever. Pope Pius XI said heart to readily defend our that Christ “reign[s] ‘in the freedoms when they are hearts of men,’ both by threatened; give us courage in reason of the keenness of making our voices heard on his intellect and the extent behalf of the rights of your of his knowledge, and also Church and the freedom of because he is very truth, and it is from him that truth must conscience of all people of faith.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Bibliography Gloria Falcão Dodd University of Dayton, [email protected]
    University of Dayton eCommons Marian Bibliographies Research and Resources 2013 2013 Bibliography Gloria Falcão Dodd University of Dayton, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://ecommons.udayton.edu/imri_bibliographies eCommons Citation Dodd, Gloria Falcão, "2013 Bibliography" (2013). Marian Bibliographies. Paper 3. http://ecommons.udayton.edu/imri_bibliographies/3 This Bibliography is brought to you for free and open access by the Research and Resources at eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Marian Bibliographies by an authorized administrator of eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Bibliography 2013 Arabic Devotion Lūriyūl.; Yūsuf Jirjis Abū Sulaymān Mutaynī. al-Kawkab al-shāriq fī Maryam Sulṭānat al-Mashāriq : yashtamilu ʻalá sīrat Maryam al-ʻAdhrāʼ wa-manāqibihā wa-ʻibādatihā wa-yaḥtawī namūdhajāt taqwiyah min tārīkh al-Sharq wa-yunāsibu istiʻmāl hādhā al-kitāb fī al-shahr al-Maryamī. Bayrūt: al-Maṭbaʻah al-Kāthūlīkīyah, 1902. Ebook. Music Jenkins, Karl. UWG Concert Choir and Carroll Symphony Orchestra performing Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins. Carrollton, Georgia: University of West Georgia, 2012. Cd. Aramaic Music Jenkins, Karl. UWG Concert Choir and Carroll Symphony Orchestra performing Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins. Carrollton, Georgia: University of West Georgia, 2012. Cd. Catalan Music Llibre Vermell: The Red Book of Montserrat. Classical music library. With Winsome Evans and Renaissance Players. [S.l.]: Celestial Harmonies, 2011. eMusic. Chinese Theology Tian, Chunbo. Sheng mu xue. Tian zhu jiao si xiang yan jiu., Shen xue xi lie. Xianggang: Yuan dao chu ban you xian gong si, 2013. English Apparitions Belli, Mériam N. Incurable Past: Nasser's Egypt Then and Now.
    [Show full text]
  • Africae Munus Benoît
    EXHORTATION APOSTOLIQUE POST-SYNODALE AFRICAE MUNUS DU PAPE BENOÎT XVI AUX ÉVÊQUES, AU CLERGÉ, AUX PERSONNES CONSACRÉES ET AUX FIDÈLES LAÏCS SUR L’ÉGLISE EN AFRIQUE AU SERVICE DE LA RÉCONCILIATION, DE LA JUSTICE ET DE LA PAIX : « Vous êtes le sel de la terre […] Vous êtes la lumière du monde » (Mt 5,13.14) LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA CITÉ DU VATICAN INTRODUCTION 1. ’ENGAGEMENT DE L’AFRIQUE pour le Sei- L gneur Jésus-Christ est un trésor pré- cieux que je confi e, en ce début de troisième millénaire, aux Évêques, aux prêtres, aux diacres permanents, aux personnes consacrées, aux caté- chistes et aux laïcs de ce cher continent et des îles voisines. Cette mission porte l’Afrique à appro- fondir la vocation chrétienne. Elle l’invite à vivre, au nom de Jésus, la réconciliation entre les per- sonnes et les communautés, et à promouvoir pour tous la paix et la justice dans la vérité. 2. J’ai désiré que la deuxième Assemblée spécia- le pour l’Afrique du Synode des Évêques qui s’est déroulée du 4 au 25 octobre 2009, se situe dans la continuité de l’Assemblée de 1994 qui s’est « voulue une manifestation d’espérance et de résurrection, au moment même où les événements semblaient pousser l’Afrique au découragement et au déses- poir ».1 L’Exhortation apostolique post-synodale Ecclesia in Africa de mon prédécesseur, le bienheu- reux Jean-Paul II, recueillait les orientations et les 1 JEAN-PAUL II, Exhort. apost. post-synodale Ecclesia in Africa (14 septembre 1995), n. 1 : AAS 88 (1996), p.
    [Show full text]