杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

Entitled 鈥淛ohn XXIII. Vatican II a Council for the world鈥� by Fr. Ettore Malnati and Marco Roncalli, the book 鈥� in the words of 杏MAP导航 Francis who wrote the preface 鈥� reviews the history of the Council in light of the ecumenical developments it triggered and of the current synodal process.

The 杏MAP导航 says he is honoured to have been asked to present this book for a number of reasons.

鈥淭he main reason is the Holy Pontiff John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council - which were so decisive for the Church, for its development and its approach to the contemporary world, for its ecumenical journey,鈥� he writes.

The introduction to the book also features a reflection by Brother Alois, the Prior of the Ecumenical Community of Taizé, and 杏MAP导航 Francis says he is grateful for the work that is the fruit of sharing.

And he expresses admiration and gratitude to the theological and pastoral gifts of the authors, Father Ettore Malnati whom, he says, continues to live his priesthood in the service of the laity and of culture divulging "the teachings of the Pontiffs", and of Marco Roncalli, historian, journalist and great-nephew of 杏MAP导航 John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli).

Roncalli is the author amongst other works, of several books written in collaboration with late Cardinal Luis Capovilla, personal secretary of John XXIII.

鈥淢arco Roncalli was still a young boy when he came to Taizé for the first time, accompanying his grandfather Giuseppe,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 recalls.

At a time in which the world was turning away from Christianity 鈥渁nd manifesting, indifference rather than aversion,鈥� he continues, the Council was born from the question 鈥渉ow can we speak of Jesus to the men and women of today?鈥�

Since then, he notes, we have come a long way, which has not been without difficulties and disappointments. Even today, he warns, we risk falling into the temptation of discouragement and pessimism when we fix our gaze on the evils afflicting the world instead of looking at the world with the eyes of Jesus.

Reviewing the history of the Council, and especially living the present in the spirit of the Synod, with an open and free heart, the 杏MAP导航 says, is the way to avoid becoming discouraged and to make room for God.

"From the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council we have received much,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says, pointing to an increased awareness of the people of God, 鈥渁 central category in the Council texts, that is recalled no less than one hundred and eighty-four times.鈥�

This, he explains, helps us understand the fact that the Church is not an élite of priests and consecrated persons and that each baptised person is an active subject of evangelisation.

鈥淥ne would not understand the Council, nor the current synodal path, if evangelisation were not placed at the centre of everything," he writes.

The book, 鈥淕iovanni XXIII. Il Vaticano II un Concilio per il mondo鈥�, in Italian, published by Bolis Edizioni, is scheduled to be in bookshops on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council which took place on 11 October 1962.