The fisherman and the steward” “

In a brief essay on the concept of future in a theological perspective Karl Rahner wrote that the future is not something towards which we are heading, something that in the first place we can build with our plans or projects, but is something that comes towards us. We must relate to the future with trust and with hope. This thought acquires a particular sense at the present time. Thinking of the start of the pontificate of John Paul II, no one could have dared to predict what we were to experience until his death. However, it was possible to have trust and hope that the Lord, who guides the Church, would find in him the man of faith suited to our time. So, at the present time too, when a German bishop has been called to lead the Church after a Polish bishop, what pervades us is a sense of trust and hope that enables us to become witnesses and fellow-workers in the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise that his Spirit shall lead the Church to the fullness of truth. Even though many were thinking of a pontiff from Africa or Latin America, I believe that the transition represented by the election of the new pope is highly significant for the universal Church. The fact that a German pope has replaced a Polish pope is a source of trust and hope; first of all because with this election the Church has shown herself to be independent of geopolitical factors. The election of John Paul II and Benedict XVI represents a strong sign that the Church does not bow in the face of difficulties, but is ready to tackle the challenges they pose by supporting herself on the prophetic power of the Gospel. This pontificate will enable us to see that the bishop of Rome is not someone who mainly devotes his attention to the Church in Europe or North America, but a man who by focusing his attention on the Churches in Africa, in Latin America and in Asia will find ways of giving new impulses also to the Church of the “Old Continent”. In a report on the work of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith held at Zagreb in 2001, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Franjo Šeper, his predecessor at the helm of the Congregation (the proceedings have just been published in Croatian and Italian), the then Cardinal Ratzinger, speaking of the role of the successor of Peter in confirming his brothers in the faith, said: “According to the indications of Jesus, this role of confirming brothers has two fundamental modes: the fisherman of men and the steward or person responsible for the management of the estate. On the one hand, as fisherman, Peter must cast his nets wide, and take to the deep, to gather together all mankind around Christ; on the other, as steward, he must give to each his measure of food at the right time. If the first perspective demands a clear proposal of the Christian message as point of reference and attraction for everyone in the world, the second perspective demands that the needs of the community be addressed, to carefully discern the various circumstances and try to satisfy the needs of each, so that no one may lack the necessary nourishment”. This pope too will not fail to offer us the necessary nourishment “at the right time” by taking forward a clear proposal of the Christian message. I am trustful and full of hope for the future that comes towards us.