LUMEN FIDEI" "
France: a luminous encyclical “The encyclical ‘Lumen Fidei’ is providential. It’s a luminous ‘jointly authored’ document, made even more precious by the two successors of Peter, respectively comforting their brothers in faith”. Monsignor Bernard Podvin spokesperson of the bishops of France said commenting on the publication. “The specific feature of Faith – added Msgr. Podvin -is that of enlightening the entire existence of mankind. It is “the light that shines from the future”. In four beautiful chapters readers follow the avenues of faith, which they master once finished reading. Led by Pope Francis, it enshrines the treasures of memory. Everything that the Church is, and that she believes, is reconstructed in a harmonious manner: Confession of faith, celebration of the sacraments, Decalogue and prayer. Step after step, enables to delve into and to explore all the horizons enlightened by faith”. The spokesperson of the French bishops added: “it is evident that the document has not been conceived in an ivory tower. It doesn’t exclude human suffering. The service of faith for the common good is always a service of hope. It makes us understand why – far from being an individualistic concept – faith enables us to reach out to the very essence of human existence. Through the act of faith, we engage in an original relationship with Christ and with our brothers and sisters”. Italy: as in a mirror “In its four chapters the encyclical ‘Lumen Fidei’ enables us to observe faith from four distinct, convergent and inseparable prospects”, said Monsignor Marcello Semeraro, bishop of Albano, president of the CEI Commission for the Doctrine of the faith, proclamation and catechesis. First of all, “the prospect that in theological terms is called ‘fides qua’: a vital dynamism whereby to believe means to walk towards God”. The second aspect “is the veritable aspect of faith, namely, its intimate relationship with truth – repeatedly referred to by Benedict XVI”. The third aspect “regards the transmission of the faith, and for now, I will limit myself to draw attention to the implicit reference to the opening remarks contained in the constitution ‘Lumen Gentium'”. In the encyclical Francis writes: “The light of Christ shines, as in a mirror, upon the face of Christians; as it spreads, it comes down to us, so that we too can share in that vision and reflect that light onto others. Faith is passed on, we might say, by contact, from one person to another, just as one candle is lighted from another…” For Msgr. Semeraro “it is truly beautiful. The last chapter opens with a very suggestive theme: ‘The God of fidelity’. The Pope writes: ‘The God who is himself reliable gives us a city which is reliable.’ “The fourth chapter identifies a set of sites for a truly reliable city of men: the common good, the family, life in society, consolation and strength amid suffering”. Germany: under the banner of Benedict XVI”It’s a sign that highlights the fact that Pope Francis, despite personal and charismatic differences, has generously incorporated the concrete elements contained in the document from his predecessor, which is very telling of the continuity of Church doctrine and of her close unity. In this way the two pontificates are strictly bound together”, wrote archbishop Robert Zollitsch, President of the German Bishops’ Conference, welcoming the publication of the encyclical Lumen Fidei by Pope Francis. “The encyclical completes a cycle closely bound to Pope Benedict XVI”, who published the encyclical ” “Deus caritas est” in 2005, “Spe salvi” in 2007, “Caritas in veritate” in 2009. Msgr. Zollitsch wrote: “It is evident that the new letter to the world, now under the authority of Pope Francis, completes with the theme of faith the series of three fundamental theological virtues: faith, hope and Christian love”. “All of these documents to a certain extent encompass the core of the reflections on faith”. Msgr. Zollitsch pointed out that Pope Francis has inserted the encyclical in the Year of Faith placing it in a close relationship with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. “In the German text the contribution of Pope Benedict XVI is unmistakable, while the language and the spirituality of Pope Francis equally stand out”, declared the archbishop. Before delving into the details of the document, Msgr. Zollitsch added: “This encyclical, with its intellectual and spiritual force, which encompasses contemplation and silence, lead us to a vigil and placid faith in the framework of opposing anxieties pertaining to the ongoing crisis. We wish to thank Pope Francis for his first encyclical, which gives us the possibility to express, once more, our heartfelt ‘God Bless you’ to Pope Benedict XVI”.
