Pope: History helps us reflect on
the past and shows us the way forward
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| Pope Francis greets members of the Italian Academic Association of Chuch History. (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis on Saturday addressed Professors of Church
History inviting them to continue to contribute to the contemplation of Christ:
“the cornerstone, who works in the history and memory of humanity and of all
cultures”.
By Linda Bordoni
Thanking Italian Professors of Church History for their
service to the Magisterium of the Church, Pope Francis reflected on how history
is a teacher of life, but regretfully also has very few students!
He was receiving in audience members of the Italian Academic
Association of Church History that has just wrapped up a Conference marking the
its 50th anniversary.
Reflecting on the lessons of history
“History” the Pope said, “if studied with passion” would
have a lot to teach today’s society which is so “disjointed and thirsty for
truth, peace and justice”.
“It would suffice”, he continued, “if, through it, we
learned to reflect with wisdom and courage on the dramatic and evil effects of
war: of the many wars that have troubled man's path on this earth. And we
continue not to learn!”.
He commended the work of history scholars in seminaries,
Pontifical Universities, Conferences and Seminars for their precious
contribution and testimony which result from the study of Church history and its
Magisterium.
Wealth of Italian Church history
He pointed out that in particular “the Italian Church is so
rich in testimonies of the past” and said that it is a wealth that “must not
only be a treasure to be jealously guarded, but must help us to walk in the
present towards the future”.
Reflecting on how the history of the Italian Church
represents an essential point of reference for all those who want to
understand, deepen and “enjoy” the past, he urged historians not to transform
it into a museum or into “a cemetery of nostalgia”, but to present it in a way
that it is alive and relevant to us today.
God’s Word at the heart of history
At the core of the Pope’s message was the reminder that
God’s Word is at the heart and at the root of history.
“A Word that is not born in writing, that does not come to
us from human research, but is given to us by God and is witnessed above all
through life and within life” he said.
This Word, he said, acts in history and transforms it from
within: “this Word is Jesus Christ, who so deeply marked and redeemed human
history” that the chronology of history is defined by his birth.
The Pope went on to note that faith should make the
historian or scholar even more respectful of facts and truth.
“He should distance himself from all the worldliness linked
to the presumption of knowledge, such as the longing for a career or academic
recognition, or the conviction that he can judge facts and people for himself”
he said.
In fact, he continued, the ability to see the presence of
Christ and the Church's journey through history “makes us humble, and removes
us from the temptation to seek refuge in the past in order to avoid the
present”.
Pope Francis concluded his address inviting those present to
continue to contribute to the contemplation of Christ: “the cornerstone, who
works in the history and memory of humanity and of all cultures”.
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