Posted on 05/08/2008 1:51:25 PM PDT by NYer
Vatican City, May 8, 2008 / 11:14 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict received a large delegation of Melkite Greek Catholics this morning at the Vatican. The Pontiff called on the clergy to refrain from becoming involved in politics and exhorted the local Church to open the path to peace by proposing the light of the Gospel.
The 300 Melkite Greek Catholics were lead by Patriarch Gregorious III Laham on a pilgrimage to Rome. The Melkite Greek Church is in communion with the Pope.
Noting that the Church lives in an area that is a cultural and religious crossroads, Pope Benedict praised "the vitality of the Melkite Church, despite the difficulties of the region's social and political situation."
Indeed, Damascus, the site of St. Paul’s conversion, is located in the same area, the Pope observed. It was his conversion that “opened the doors of Christianity to all the nations," Benedict said. With the beginning of the Pauline Year approaching (June 28), the Holy Father asked the patriarch to carry out "an intense pastoral outreach" to awaken in the faithful "a new impetus to know ever more closely the person of Christ, thanks to a renewed reading of Paul's writings". This focus," he emphasized, "will also guarantee a thriving future for the Melkite Church".
The internal functioning of the Melkite Church was also addressed by the Pope, who said that "the role of the Bishops' Synod is of primary importance” and “every time the right allows for it” the Synod should be given “the standing it merits."
After emphasizing the “urgent obligation” of Christians to tear down divisions between themselves, the Holy Father also praised the Melkite Church’s “good relations with the Muslims.”
The Holy Father also addressed the Church’s interaction with the secular realm in the “troubled" and “at times dramatic context of the Middle East."
This places the Church in situations where politics affects its life and makes it important to maintain contact with the various political parties, Pope Benedict said. “Nevertheless, it does not fall to the clergy to dedicate themselves to a political life. That is the duty of the laity.”
Instead, the Church can best carry out its mission by proposing “the light of the Gospel to all so that all may dedicate themselves to serve the common good and so that justice may always prevail, so that the path to peace for all peoples in this much loved region may be opened," he concluded.
Receives Visit From Patriarch and Pilgrims
The Pope today received some 300 members of the Melkite Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate, headed by Patriarch Gregorios III Laham. The group is on pilgrimage in Rome.
The Holy Father praised “the vitality of the Melkite Church, despite the difficulties of the region’s social and political situation." He said that "on drawing near to the beginning of the year dedicated to St. Paul, I cannot forget that the see of your patriarchate is established in the city of Damascus, on the road to which the Apostle lived the event that transformed his existence and opened the doors of Christianity to all the nations."
Benedict XVI has declared a jubilee year marking the 2,000th anniversary of Paul's birth from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009.
The Pontiff used the occasion of the jubilee to invite the patriarch to carry out “an intense pastoral outreach” to awaken in the faithful “a new impetus to know ever more closely the person of Christ, thanks to a renewed reading of Paul’s writings."
This focus,” he emphasized, “will also guarantee a thriving future for the Melkite Church."
The Holy Father also promoted the role of the bishops' synod to "ensure the evangelical dynamism and unity of the communities, as well as the proper functioning of the ecclesial work in the patriarchal Churches."
He encouraged giving the bishops' synod -- and not just the permanent synod -- the "standing it merits," above all "when it has to do with questions related to those same bishops."
Gospel light
Referring to ecumenical outreach, the Pope recalled that “the commitment to the search for unity of all Jesus’ disciples is an urgent obligation” and therefore “everything possible must be done to tear down the walls of division and mistrust that prevent us from achieving it."
"Nevertheless," he said, "we cannot lose sight of the fact that the search for unity is a task that concerns not only a particular Church but the entire Church, in respect of its nature."
"I also appreciate your good relations with Muslims,” the Pontiff continued, “as well as your efforts to resolve, with a sincere and objective spirit of fraternal dialogue, problems that may arise."
"In line with the Second Vatican Council," he added, "the Melkite Church has sincerely sought mutual understanding and the promotion and a shared defense of social justice, moral values, peace and freedom with Muslims to the benefit of all."
Benedict XVI acknowledged that to achieve its mission "in the troubled and at times dramatic context of the Middle East" the Melkite Church "finds itself faced with situations where politics plays a role that is not indifferent to its life."
"That is why it is important to maintain contacts with the political authorities and institutions and the various political parties," he said. "Nevertheless, it does not fall to the clergy to dedicate themselves to a political life. That is the duty of the laity.
"The Church, however, should propose the light of the Gospel to all so that all may dedicate themselves to serve the common good and so that justice may always prevail, so that the path to peace for all peoples in this much loved region may be opened."
Melkites are often Misunderstood Even by their Fellow Catholics
He’s right. I hope this means that the bishop in Paraguay who got himself elected (radical leftist) president will be removed.
The Melkites do great work trying to cooperate with the Muslims wherever possible and not attack them on political grounds. The problem is that the Muslims don’t reciprocate, but that’s not something the Pope can control.
Agree with you, Livius, Bishops and Priests need to preach the Gospel, not get into politics.
§2 They are not to play an active role in political parties or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgement of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defence of the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.
Ah, but perhaps the Pope should define what he means by “political life”. He’s been known to meet with political leaders and make comments about political issues, so I’m not sure what he’s talking about.
Were they clerics?
Um, no, political leaders, like President Bush.
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