Pope in Naples: Dialogue and
welcome for Mediterranean of peace
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| Pope Francis in Naples (ANSA) |
Pope Francis makes a strong appeal for a theology of welcome
based on dialogue and proclamation, that contributes to building a fraternal
society among the peoples of the Mediterranean.
The Pope's speech concluded two-day conference in Naples on
the theme "Theology after Veritatis gaudium in the context of the
Mediterranean". With that Apostolic Constitution, Pope Francis provided
for a renewal of theological studies in the context of a Church that goes
forth.
Pope Francis began his reflection by recalling that
"the Mediterranean has always been a place of transit, exchange, and
sometimes even conflict" and today it is a place that "poses a series
of questions, often dramatic. To face them - he observes - we need "a
theology of welcoming", aimed "at developing an authentic and sincere
dialogue (...) for the construction of peace in an inclusive and fraternal
society and for the protection of creation".
Dialogue and kerygma
The Pope indicates two elements, kerygma, that is, the
proclamation of Christ who has died and risen, and dialogue, as
"criteria" for renewing studies for a Church that puts evangelization
at its centre. Dialogue is above all a "method of discernment" and of
proclamation, capable of relating to every human situation. It is Saint Francis
of Assisi who outlines how dialogue and proclamation can take place, by
witnessing to God's love for all men and women. It requires docility to the
Spirit, that is, "a style of life and proclamation without a spirit of
conquest, without a desire for proselytism and without an aggressive intent to
refute". It is a dialogue with people and their cultures that also includes
witnessing to the point of sacrificing life as did, among others, Charles de
Foucauld, the monks of Tibhirine, and the bishop of Oran, Pierre Claverie.
Dialogue with Muslims and Jews
This dialogue was established by encouraging courses in
Arabic and Hebrew language and culture in the theological faculties to foster
relations with Judaism and Islam in order to understand common roots and
differences. With Muslims, he says, "we are called to dialogue to build
the future of our societies and our cities", "to consider them
partners to build a peaceful coexistence, even when there are shocking episodes
by fanatical groups that are enemies of dialogue, such as the tragedy of last
Easter in Sri Lanka.
“Yesterday the Cardinal of Colombo told me this: "After
I did everything I had to do, I realized that a group of people, Christians,
wanted to go to the Muslim neighborhood to kill them. I invited the imam with
me, in the car, and we both went there to convince the Christians that we are
friends, that these are extremists, that they are not our own". This is an
attitude of closeness and dialogue.”
With Jews, we are called to "live our relationship
better on the religious level". The Mediterranean - the Pope observes - is
a "bridge" between Europe, Africa and Asia, a space in which to build
a "great tent of peace" where the different children of the common
father Abraham can live together.
Theology of Compassion
The Pope launches an appeal to theologians: "In this
continuous journey of going out of oneself and meeting with the other, it is
important that theologians be men and women of compassion, touched by the
oppressed life of many, by the slavery of today, by social wounds, by violence,
by wars and by the enormous injustices suffered by so many poor people who live
on the shores of this 'common sea'. Without communion and without compassion,
constantly nourished by prayer, theology not only loses its soul, but loses its
intelligence and ability to interpret reality in a Christian way".
Therefore, it deals with the complex events of
"aggressive and warlike attitudes", "colonial practices",
"justifications for wars" and "persecutions carried out in the
name of a religion or a claimed racial or doctrinal purity". The method of
dialogue, guided by mercy, can enrich a reinterpretation of this painful
history by promoting also "by contrast, the prophecies of peace that the
Spirit has never failed to arouse".
“Now that Western Christianity has learned from many errors
and criticisms of the past, it can return to its sources, hoping to be able to
bear witness to the Good News to the peoples of East and West, North and South.
Theology (...) can help the Church and civil society to get back on the road in
the company of many shipwrecked people, encouraging the people of the
Mediterranean to reject any temptation to reconquest and to identitarian
closure".
Theological Pentecost
The task of theology is to tune in to the Risen Jesus and
"reach the peripheries", "even those of thought". In this
sense theologians must "encourage an encounter of cultures with the
sources of Revelation and Tradition"; but the Pope warns, although
"the great theological syntheses of the past" are mines of
theological wisdom, they "cannot be applied mechanically to current
issues": "It is a matter of treasuring them to seek new ways. Thanks
be to God, the first sources of theology, that is, the Word of God and the Holy
Spirit, are inexhaustible and always fruitful; therefore, one can and must work
in the direction of a 'theological Pentecost', which allows the women and men
of our time to listen 'in their own language' to a Christian reflection that
responds to their search for meaning and full life".
To do this, it is necessary to "start again from the
Gospel of mercy" because theology is born in the midst of concrete human
beings, met with the gaze of God who goes in search of them with love:
"Practicing theology is also an act of mercy (...). Even good theologians,
like good shepherds, smell of the people and the streets and, with their
reflections, pour oil and wine on the wounds of men. Theology should be the
expression of a Church that is a 'field hospital', that lives its mission of
salvation and healing in the world!
The Pope emphasizes that "theological freedom" is
necessary because without the possibility of experimenting with new paths,
nothing new is created: "everything must be oriented" to
"encourage as much as possible the participation of those who wish to study
theology", such as lay men and women, in addition to seminarians and
religious. "I dream of theological faculties where one lives the
conviviality of differences, where one practices a theology of dialogue and
acceptance; where one experiences the model of the polyhedron of theological
knowledge in place of a static and disembodied sphere. Where theological
research is able to promote a challenging but compelling process of
enculturation.
The theology after Veritatis gaudium, concludes Pope
Francis, is therefore in dialogue with cultures and religions "for the
construction of the peaceful coexistence of individuals and peoples".
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