杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

Thanking Italian Professors of Church History for their service to the Magisterium of the Church, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on how history is a teacher of life, but regretfully also has very few students!

He was receiving in audience members of the Italian Academic Association of Church History that has just wrapped up a Conference marking the its 50^th anniversary.     

Reflecting on the lessons of history

鈥淗istory鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渋f studied with passion鈥� would have a lot to teach today鈥檚 society which is so 鈥渄isjointed and thirsty for truth, peace and justice鈥�.

鈥淚t would suffice鈥�, he continued, 鈥渋f, through it, we learned to reflect with wisdom and courage on the dramatic and evil effects of war: of the many wars that have troubled man's path on this earth. And we continue not to learn!鈥�.

He commended the work of history scholars in seminaries, Pontifical Universities, Conferences and Seminars for their precious contribution and testimony which result from the study of Church history and its Magisterium.

Wealth of Italian Church history

He pointed out that in particular 鈥渢he Italian Church is so rich in testimonies of the past鈥� and said that it is a wealth that 鈥渕ust not only be a treasure to be jealously guarded, but must help us to walk in the present towards the future鈥�.

Reflecting on how the history of the Italian Church represents an essential point of reference for all those who want to understand, deepen and 鈥渆njoy鈥� the past, he urged historians not to transform it into a museum or into 鈥渁 cemetery of nostalgia鈥�, but to present it in a way that it is alive and relevant to us today.

God鈥檚 Word at the heart of history

At the core of the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 message was the reminder that God鈥檚 Word is at the heart and at the root of history.

鈥淎 Word that is not born in writing, that does not come to us from human research, but is given to us by God and is witnessed above all through life and within life鈥� he said.

This Word, he said, acts in history and transforms it from within: 鈥渢his Word is Jesus Christ, who so deeply marked and redeemed human history鈥� that the chronology of history is defined by his birth.

The 杏MAP导航 went on to note that faith should make the historian or scholar even more respectful of facts and truth.

鈥淗e should distance himself from all the worldliness linked to the presumption of knowledge, such as the longing for a career or academic recognition, or the conviction that he can judge facts and people for himself鈥� he said.

In fact, he continued, the ability to see the presence of Christ and the Church's journey through history 鈥渕akes us humble, and removes us from the temptation to seek refuge in the past in order to avoid the present鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address inviting those present to continue to contribute to the contemplation of Christ: 鈥渢he cornerstone, who works in the history and memory of humanity and of all cultures鈥�.