LONDON, SEPT. 17, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is cautioning Christians about conforming to a mentality promoted by «the spirit of the age,» saying that fidelity to the word of God demands obedience that is free of such accommodation.
The Pope suggested this today at Westminster Abbey when he gathered with Archbishop Rowan Williams, the leader of the Anglican Communion, and other Christian leaders for evening prayer.
His address at Westminster Abbey was the last stop of the day after a taxing schedule that included one speech after another on education, civil society, interreligious dialogue, ecumenical relations, and a formal meeting with Archbishop Williams. The 83-year-old Pontiff is on the second day of a four-day journey to the United Kingdom.
At the evening prayer service he noted this year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the modern ecumenical movement. The Holy Father said «we must give thanks for the remarkable progress made towards this noble goal» while also «we remain conscious of how much yet remains to be done.»
He said Christian proclamation and witness is ever more important in a world marked by growing interdependence, but also one that is «increasingly indifferent or even hostile to the Christian message.»
The Pontiff spoke of fidelity as key to engaging this society.
«Fidelity to the word of God, precisely because it is a true word, demands of us an obedience which leads us together to a deeper understanding of the Lord’s will, an obedience which must be free of intellectual conformism or facile accommodation to the spirit of the age,» he said. «This is the word of encouragement which I wish to leave with you this evening, and I do so in fidelity to my ministry as the Bishop of Rome and the Successor of Saint Peter, charged with a particular care for the unity of Christ’s flock.»
Faithful and open
The Pontiff pointed to the example of an English saint, Bede the Venerable, as offering guidance in this balance.
«At the dawn of a new age in the life of society and of the Church, Bede understood both the importance of fidelity to the word of God as transmitted by the apostolic tradition, and the need for creative openness to new developments and to the demands of a sound implantation of the Gospel in contemporary language and culture,» he said.
The nation and continent are once again «at the threshold of a new age,» the Pope reflected. «May Saint Bede’s example inspire the Christians of these lands to rediscover their shared legacy, to strengthen what they have in common, and to continue their efforts to grow in friendship.»
The Holy Father said that the Church’s unity «can never be other than a unity in the apostolic faith, in the faith entrusted to each new member of the Body of Christ during the rite of baptism.»
«Dear friends,» he said, «we are all aware of the challenges, the blessings, the disappointments and the signs of hope which have marked our ecumenical journey. Tonight we entrust all of these to the Lord, confident in his providence and the power of his grace.»
— — —
On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: http://www.zenit.org/article-30389?l=english
