Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of 23 new cardinals was preceded - on November 23 - by a meeting of prayer and reflection of the College of Cardinals, to take place in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall (see Agenzia Fides 23/11/2007).
According to the Holy See Press Office the meeting opened with the singing of the Terce Hour of Lauds. After a greeting by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Holy Father gave a brief introduction on the theme he had chosen for the meeting, ecumenical dialogue in the light of the Lord's prayer and mandate: Ut unum sint. The Pope then congratulated Cardinal Sodano who was celebrating his eightieth birthday thanking him for his faithful service.
The first conference was given by Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, who outlined to present day situation of ecumenical dialogue and relations, in three principal areas: 1. Relations with the ancient Churches of the east and the Orthodox Churches. 2. Relations with ecclesial Communities born from the Reform of the 16th century. 3. Relations with Charismatic and Pentecostal movements developed mainly in the last century. Cardinal Kasper presented the results obtained in each of these fields, the progress achieved and problems still to be solved.
This was followed by discussion, sharing of experience and opinions which reflected the variety of the situations. There were interventions by 17 cardinals on various issues including common ecumenical efforts in the field of charity work and social assistance and to defend moral values in the changing modern society. Catholic Social Doctrine and its implementation were indicated as one of the most promising fields for ecumenism. The Cardinals spoke of the necessity to continue the process of "purification of memory" and to use forms of communication which do hurt the sensitivity of other Christians. It was suggested that deeper ecumenical developments be studied. The participants recalled recent significant events such as the Ecumenical Meeting in Sibiu, and the ecumenical and interreligious meeting in Naples, the visit to Paris by Alexis II Patriarch of Moscow, great ecumenical meetings of ecclesial movements in Stockholm. In a broader context interreligious dialogue relations and with Judaism were also discussed.
The meeting continued in the afternoon with the recitation Vespers followed by 16 interventions. Ecumenical issues discussed included collaboration among Christians of different confessions to defend the family in society and in legislation, and the importance of spiritual ecumenism and personal relations with faithful and leading members of other Christian confessions. Some interventions dealt with relations with the Jews and with Islam. Mention was made of the encouraging letter addressed to the Pope by 138 Muslim leaders in view of the visit to the Pope by the King of Saudi Arabia. Other questions discussed included difficulty for the Christian faith in the secularised world, the duty and importance of new evangelisation to answer the longings of the post-modern man for freedom and happiness. In Latin America there is a new spirit of mission nurtured also by the recent 5th General Conference of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida.
Interventions also focused on the situation of the consecrated life in the world today and formation in seminaries. Mention was made of the Holy Father's important Letter to the Catholic Church in China and of its favourable reception by the bishops and the faithful. The urgency of the Church's commitment for peace, for the eradication poverty, for disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament. Information was given with regard to the next International Eucharistic Congress, the Year of St Paul, the diffusion of Catholic press in particular the Osservatore Romano.
At the end of the meeting Cardinal Walter Kasper answered a few questions and then the Holy Father concluded the event, thanking the participants for their contributions and announced the imminent publication of a new encyclical dedicated to Hope, to respond to the deepest longing of men and women today. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/11/2007; righe 52, parole 707)
