杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis met Friday with participants in the Plenary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, thanking members of the dicastery for their 鈥渄elicate service鈥� to the Church, and noting the 鈥減articular bond鈥� between the Congregation and the 鈥渟uccessor of Peter, who is called to confirm the brethren in the faith, and the Church in unity.鈥�

In defence of the Faith and the Sacraments

The Holy Father thanked them, too, for their commitment to supporting the magisterium of the Bishops 鈥渋n defence of the faith and of the sanctity of the Sacraments鈥� with regard to current questions requiring great 鈥減astoral discernment.鈥� In particular, the 杏MAP导航 mentioned the work of examining cases concerning 鈥済raviora delicta鈥� (more serious crimes, such as clerical sexual abuse or grave abuses of the Sacraments), and questions of the dissolution of marriages 鈥渋n favour of the faith鈥� (the so-called 鈥淧etrine privilege鈥�).

In this sense, the 杏MAP导航 said, the work of the Congregation 鈥渋n recalling the transcendent vocation of man鈥� and the relationship between man鈥檚 reason and the values of truth and goodness, realized through faith in Jesus Christ, 鈥渁ppears decisive.鈥� He continued, 鈥淣othing can help man recognize himself and God鈥檚 plan for the world than opening himself to the light that comes from God.鈥�

Work of the Congregation

杏MAP导航 Francis also expressed his appreciation for the work the Congregation has undertaken during its two-year Plenary Session, including: studying Christian salvation in reference to modern tendencies to 鈥渘eo-pelagianism鈥� and 鈥渘eo-gnosticism鈥�; reflecting on the importance of an adequate anthropology in the field of economics and finance; and addressing 鈥渄elicate questions concerning the accompaniment of the terminally ill.鈥�

With regard to the latter, the 杏MAP导航 noted the growth, in many countries, of requests for euthanasia 鈥渁s an ideological affirmation of the will of power of man over life.鈥� This becomes possible, he said, wherever 鈥渓ife is not valued for its dignity, but for its efficiency and productivity.鈥� In response, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋t is necessary to repeat that human life, from conception to its natural end, possesses a dignity that renders it untouchable.鈥�

Contemporary man, the 杏MAP导航 said, often finds it difficult to reflect on the realities of pain and suffering, of life and death, with 鈥渁 gaze of hope.鈥� One of the services the Congregation can render to the men and women of today, he said, is to offer to them 鈥渁 trusting hope鈥� that can allow them 鈥渢o live well, and maintain a confident prospective toward the future.鈥�

An eminently pastoral visage

This the 杏MAP导航 said, gives the mission of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 鈥渁n eminently pastoral visage.鈥� Authentic pastors, he said in conclusion, are those 鈥渨ho do not abandon man to himself, nor leave him as the prey of his disorientation and his errors, but with truth and mercy bring him back to rediscover his authentic face in the good."