VATICAN CITY, MARCH 25, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The richness of the traditions of a particular rite or Church come to full spiritual fruition when lived in communion with the universal Church, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today upon receiving in audience a group of bishops of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, who have just completed their five-yearly «ad limina» visit.
Catholics in India belong to one of three rites: Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara. Led by Mar Ivanios, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, which traces its roots back to St. Thomas the Apostle, split from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in 1930, and then entered into communion with Rome.
«The apostolic traditions which you maintain,» the Holy Father noted, «enjoy their full spiritual fruitfulness when they are lived in union with the Church universal. In this sense, you rightly follow in the footsteps of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios, who led your predecessors and their faithful into full communion with the Catholic Church.»
«Like your forefathers,» he continued, «you too are called, within the one household of God, to continue in firm fidelity to that which has been passed down to you.»
Benedict XVI affirmed the concern of all bishops for faithfulness and unity, but at the same time the desire of individual churches to preserve «their legitimate diversity.»
«So it is,» the Pope said, quoting «Orientalium Ecclesiarum,» «that the Catholic Church wishes the traditions of each particular Church or rite to remain whole and entire, and she likewise wishes to adapt her own way of life to the various needs of time and place.»
«I encourage you, therefore, to foster an affection among your priests and people for the liturgical and spiritual heritage that has come down to you, while steadfastly building upon your communion with the See of Peter,» the Holy Father stated.
Precious gift
The Pontiff affirmed that the «deposit of faith handed down from the Apostles and faithfully transmitted to our times is a precious gift from the Lord.»
«It is that message of salvation which has been revealed in the person of Jesus whose Spirit unites believers of every time and place,» he said, «giving us fellowship with the Father and with his Son so that our joy may be complete.»
«You and your priests are called to promote this fellowship through word and sacrament, and to strengthen it by a sound catechesis, so that the Word of Life, Jesus Christ, and the gift of divine life — communion with him — may be known throughout the world,» the Pope said.
Benedict XVI acknowledged the «ancient roots and distinguished history» of Christianity in India, and that it «has long made its proper contribution to culture and society, and to its religious and spiritual expressions.»
«It is through a determination to live the Gospel […] that those whom you serve will make a more effective contribution to the entire body of Christ and to Indian society, to the benefit of all,» he said. «May your people continue to flourish by the preaching of God’s word and by the promotion of a fellowship based on the love of God.»
In 2005, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was elevated to a major archiepiscopal Church. It is currently led by Major Archbishop Baselios Cleemis, and has two archeparchies, six eparchies, one exarchate in the United States, and some 500,000 faithful.
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Full text: www.zenit.org/article-32123?l=english
