J
John_Lilburne
Guest
Benedict XVI to Brazilian bishops, 11 May 2007:
“3. … A particular problem which you face as Pastors is surely the issue of those Catholics who have abandoned the life of the Church. It seems clear that the principal cause of this problem is to be found in the lack of an evangelization completely centered on Christ and his Church. …
4. … Truth presupposes a clear understanding of Jesus’ message transmitted by means of an intelligible, inculturated language, which must nevertheless remain faithful to the Gospel’s intent. At this time, there is an urgent need for an adequate knowledge of the faith as it is presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its accompanying Compendium. Education in Christian personal and social virtues is also an essential part of catechesis, as is education in social responsibility. Precisely because faith, life, and the celebration of the sacred liturgy – the source of faith and life – are inseparable, there is need for a more correct implementation of the liturgical principles as indicated by the Second Vatican Council, as well as those contained in the Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops (cf. 145-151), so as to restore to the liturgy its sacred character. It was with this end in view that my Venerable Predecessor on the Chair of Peter, John Paul II, wished “to appeal urgently that the liturgical norms for the celebration of the Eucharist be observed with great fidelity … Liturgy is never anyone’s private property, be it of the celebrant or of the community in which the mysteries are celebrated” (Encyclical Letter “Ecclesia de Eucharistia,” 52). For Bishops, who are the “moderators of the Church’s liturgical life”, the rediscovery and appreciation of obedience to liturgical norms is a form of witness to the one, universal Church, that presides in charity.”
The full text is at zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=107485 .
The 2004 Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops is at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cbishops/documents/rc_con_cbishops_doc_20040222_apostolorum-successores_en.html .
“3. … A particular problem which you face as Pastors is surely the issue of those Catholics who have abandoned the life of the Church. It seems clear that the principal cause of this problem is to be found in the lack of an evangelization completely centered on Christ and his Church. …
4. … Truth presupposes a clear understanding of Jesus’ message transmitted by means of an intelligible, inculturated language, which must nevertheless remain faithful to the Gospel’s intent. At this time, there is an urgent need for an adequate knowledge of the faith as it is presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its accompanying Compendium. Education in Christian personal and social virtues is also an essential part of catechesis, as is education in social responsibility. Precisely because faith, life, and the celebration of the sacred liturgy – the source of faith and life – are inseparable, there is need for a more correct implementation of the liturgical principles as indicated by the Second Vatican Council, as well as those contained in the Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops (cf. 145-151), so as to restore to the liturgy its sacred character. It was with this end in view that my Venerable Predecessor on the Chair of Peter, John Paul II, wished “to appeal urgently that the liturgical norms for the celebration of the Eucharist be observed with great fidelity … Liturgy is never anyone’s private property, be it of the celebrant or of the community in which the mysteries are celebrated” (Encyclical Letter “Ecclesia de Eucharistia,” 52). For Bishops, who are the “moderators of the Church’s liturgical life”, the rediscovery and appreciation of obedience to liturgical norms is a form of witness to the one, universal Church, that presides in charity.”
The full text is at zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=107485 .
The 2004 Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops is at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cbishops/documents/rc_con_cbishops_doc_20040222_apostolorum-successores_en.html .