Vatican
City, 11 October 2012 (VIS) - During the course of this morning's ceremony in
St. Peter's Square for the opening of the Year of Faith, Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew I pronounced an address, extracts of which are given below.
"Fifty
years ago in this very square, a powerful and pivotal celebration captured the
heart and mind of the Roman Catholic Church, transporting it across the
centuries into the contemporary world. This transforming milestone, the opening
of Vatican Council II, was inspired by the fundamental reality that the Son and
incarnate Logos of God is 'where two or three are gathered in his name' and
that the Spirit, Who proceeds from the Father, 'will guide us into the whole
truth'.
"Over
the last five decades, the achievements of this assembly have been diverse as
evidenced through the series of important and influential constitutions,
declarations, and decrees. We have contemplated the renewal of the spirit and
the 'return to the sources' through liturgical study, biblical research, and
patristic scholarship. We have appreciated the struggle toward gradual
liberation from the limitation of rigid scholasticism to the openness of
ecumenical encounter, which has led to the mutual rescinding of the excommunications
of the year 1054, the exchange of greetings, returning of relics, entering into
important dialogues, and visiting each other in our respective Sees.
"Our
journey has not always been easy or without pain and challenge. ... The
essential theology and principal themes of Vatican Council II - the mystery of
the Church, the sacredness of the liturgy, and the authority of the bishop -
are difficult to apply in earnest practice, and constitute a life-long and
Church-wide labour to assimilate".
"As
we move forward together, we offer thanks and glory to the living God - Father,
Son and Holy Spirit - that the same assembly of bishops has recognised the
importance of reflection and sincere dialogue between our 'sister Churches'. We
join in the 'hope that the barrier dividing the Eastern Church and the Western
Church will be removed, and that - at last - there may be but the one dwelling,
firmly established on Christ Jesus, the Cornerstone, Who will make both
one'".
"Our
presence here signifies and seals our commitment to witness together to the
Gospel message of salvation and healing for the least of our brethren: the
poor, the oppressed, the forgotten in God’s world. Let us begin with prayers
for peace and healing for our Christian brothers and sisters living in the
Middle East. In the current turmoil of violence, separation, and brokenness
that is escalating between peoples and nations, may the love and desire for harmony
we profess here, and the understanding we seek through dialogue and mutual
respect, serve as a model for our world. Indeed, may all humanity reach out to
‘the other’ and work together to overcome the suffering of people everywhere,
particularly in the face of famine, natural disasters, disease, and war that
ultimately touches all of our lives.
"In light of all that has yet to be
accomplished by the Church on earth, and with great appreciation for all the
progress we have shared, we are, therefore, honoured to be invited to attend -
and humbled to be called to address - this solemn and festive commemoration of
Vatican Council II. It is fitting that this occasion also marks for your Church
the formal inauguration of the 'Year of Faith', as it is faith that provides a
visible sign of the journey we have travelled together along the path of
reconciliation and visible unity".
