Convening this week in Assisi is the sixtieth general assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference. In a statement Tuesday that was addressed to Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, president of the conference, Pope Benedict XVI called for a presentation and reunion with God in referring to a world that has forgotten him.
In addressing the bishops the pontiff first talked about the presence of God and the crisis in education. He reiterated his sermon from the cathedral in Aosta, Italy this summer, a theme that tells the faithful that a fundamental relationship with God must be lived in order to assure other human relationships are in a correct form. Pope Benedict mentioned the challenge and decision laying before the educational process today, concluding the essential and permanent need for education in the life of the church, and that it concerns all aspects of church life.
The pope called for the bishops to make the enrichment and education of future generations a priority, not only for laity, but especially for priests and clergy. He said this was an extraordinary opportunity during the Year for Priests to go to the heart of their ministry to understand and redefine their mission. In directing priests to be an adoration of God, to change the world and restore it to God, he was also calling on the people of the universal church as well.
Pope Benedict recalled the Catholic history of Italy. He revered the priests who were slaves and martyrs to their cause, offering themselves for others. He did not make a direct reference to the recent European Court of Human Rights’ decision to ban crucifixes in Italian schools, but clearly that is a matter of concern at the time the pope is asking for a new revelation of God’s presence among us. http://www.examiner.com/x-4101-Albuquerque-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Crucifix-banned-in-Italian-schools
The campaign to increase harmony between cultural and religious dimensions in education actually began on Sunday, November 8, when the pope spoke in Brescia, Italy on the occasion of the dedication of the new premises of the Pope Paul VI Institute. He reminded his audience that there was a real educational crisis and that it was obvious. He stressed the need to restore to future generations solid values and rules with lofty objectives and to restore the order of human life. Young people have a need for witness in life and faith. Pope Benedict even used some of Paul VI’s own words from a time before he became pope, 1933, which stressed the absence of Christ in secular, intellectual pursuits.
Benedict spoke of his predecessor prior to World War II, as keenly aware of the need to equip young people to face the modern world, and his words ring even more true today. He referred to a mature Christian consciousness based on doctrinal formation and witness, a unifying principle of life in Christ. Both papal statements are declarations clarifying that religion and culture must move together for an education that provides understanding and knowledge for proper decision making, a literal ‘What would Jesus do.’
Recently a priest in sermon mentioned the assertion that ‘God is dead,’ saying that belief came from a lack of joy in the words and actions of the people. For some it is a failure to use and demonstrate the fruits given by God through the Holy Spirit and exemplified in Christ. It is these characteristics implemented and built upon that direct Christian and cultural education and choices.
http://www.examiner.com/x-4101-Albuquerque-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m11d7-Fruits-of-the-Holy-Spirit
In speaking of the Spirit alive in humanity, St. Paul told the Romans that all creation was groaning from labor pains, and so too is the groan from those early Christians, who he declared had the firstfruits of the Spirit and yet waited in hope for God’s adoption and salvation. Hope allows the faithful to wait and grow with endurance. The Spirit is an aid to human weakness and comes to us in being educated in God. (Romans 8:22-26)
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