By Junno Arocho
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- During his intervention yesterday at the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, announced that the Holy Father convoke a meeting of Apostolic Nuncios to Rome next year. The Apostolic Nuncios serve as the diplomatic pontifical representatives across the globe.
Underling the contribution of the nuncios to the new evangelization, Cardinal Bertone stated that their service in protecting the “libertas Ecclesiae” is necessary for the mission of the Church. Citing Pope Benedict XVI’s address to members of the Diplomatic Corp, the cardinal said that the papal representatives are essential where “the legal or social order is inspired by philosophical and political systems which call for strict control, if not monopoly, of the state over society.”
In these contexts, the action of the Pontifical Representatives, through the instruments of diplomatic dialogue with civic authorities and in accord with the episcopacy, aims not to seek anachronistic privileges, but to guarantee to the Church, in the best way possible, that freedom in the internal government and practice of one’s mission that is legitimately claimed, and that, when present, is reflected in benefits to others and other religious traditions, and nurtures the harmony of all society,” he said.
Cardinal Bertone also spoke of the role of Observers and Representatives of the Holy See at International Organizations, such as the United Nations. The Italian prelate said that they, along with defending fundamental human rights, defend as well the Christian vision of the human person which is “today endangered by certain basic elements of the so-called dominant culture.”
The Vatican Secretary of State emphasized that the Pontifical Representatives are aware of their responsibilities to the proclamation of the Gospel and the new evangelization. Saying that their ministry always needs to renew and perfect itself for the needs of this age, Cardinal Bertone announced the Holy Father’s call to all Nuncios, apostolic delegates, and observers to Rome for a “meeting for reflection” in June of next year.
“It will be an opportunity for an exchange of experiences and to deepen the feeling of mission for the Pontifical Representatives in today’s circumstances. I am certain that I can count on your prayers for this,” Cardinal Bertone said.
