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Maranatha
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Understanding the new Pope’s Plans
On the morning after his election, Pope Benedict celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who had chosen him. After the Mass, he delivered a statement in which he explained the vision that would guide his pontificate.
May 2005 (CWR) - Editor’s Notes: 1. The commentary (indented and in italics) below is adapted from a talk given by Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, on April 21, at Ave Maria University, where he serves as provost.
…He has introduced the dramatis personae. Now come the foundational principles. We’ve got two bombshells here. You’ve got to read Pope Benedict carefully, paying attention to every single word. If you don’t, you’re going to miss the fun. Before our eyes is, in particular, the witness of Pope John Paul II. He leaves us a Church that is more courageous, freer, younger. A Church that, according to his teaching and example, looks with serenity to the past and is not afraid of the future. With the great Jubilee the Church was introduced into the new millennium carrying in her hands the Gospel, applied to the world through the authoritative re-reading of Vatican Council II.*So what happened between the Second Vatican Council and the new millennium was that there was an authoritative re-reading. That is, even the Council has to be read and then proclaimed and implemented by the authentic magisterium.*Pope John Paul II justly indicated the Council as a “compass” with which to orient ourselves in the vast ocean of the third millennium. Also in his spiritual testament he noted: “I am convinced that for a very long time the new generations will draw upon the riches that this Council of the 20th century gave us.”*For a very long time future generations will draw from this council. Do you know what that means? There will be no Vatican III-not now. I have personally heard Cardinal Ratzinger say that it would be imprudent to have a Third Vatican Council at this time. What he’s saying here is: “Don’t talk about reconvening or convening the Council. We already have the Council.” And in the next paragraph he explains why that Council is enough.*We too, as we start in the service that is proper to the Successor of Peter, wish to affirm with force my decided will to pursue the commitment to enact Vatican Council II, in the wake of our predecessors and in faithful continuity with the millennia-old tradition of the Church.When the Pope says that he plans to “enact” Vatican II, that word in Latin is exsecutionem: to execute, to implement. Listen carefully! He’s saying, “I’m committed to pursuing the implementation of the Council.” What does that imply? That it has not yet been implemented! At least, it has not been implemented fully.
*And notice, too, that he plans to implement the Council “in faithful continuity with the millennia-old tradition of the Church.” He is giving an interpretation of Vatican II right there. He is saying this is not a break from tradition. This is not some opening of doors to new doctrines. No, this is a traditional council that must be interpreted in light of the whole 2,000 years of tradition that preceded it. *
***Here’s a blueprint. Vatican II contained the principles, but we’re now going to look to full implementation in the light of tradition. ***
much much more
On the morning after his election, Pope Benedict celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who had chosen him. After the Mass, he delivered a statement in which he explained the vision that would guide his pontificate.
May 2005 (CWR) - Editor’s Notes: 1. The commentary (indented and in italics) below is adapted from a talk given by Father Joseph Fessio, SJ, on April 21, at Ave Maria University, where he serves as provost.
…He has introduced the dramatis personae. Now come the foundational principles. We’ve got two bombshells here. You’ve got to read Pope Benedict carefully, paying attention to every single word. If you don’t, you’re going to miss the fun. Before our eyes is, in particular, the witness of Pope John Paul II. He leaves us a Church that is more courageous, freer, younger. A Church that, according to his teaching and example, looks with serenity to the past and is not afraid of the future. With the great Jubilee the Church was introduced into the new millennium carrying in her hands the Gospel, applied to the world through the authoritative re-reading of Vatican Council II.*So what happened between the Second Vatican Council and the new millennium was that there was an authoritative re-reading. That is, even the Council has to be read and then proclaimed and implemented by the authentic magisterium.*Pope John Paul II justly indicated the Council as a “compass” with which to orient ourselves in the vast ocean of the third millennium. Also in his spiritual testament he noted: “I am convinced that for a very long time the new generations will draw upon the riches that this Council of the 20th century gave us.”*For a very long time future generations will draw from this council. Do you know what that means? There will be no Vatican III-not now. I have personally heard Cardinal Ratzinger say that it would be imprudent to have a Third Vatican Council at this time. What he’s saying here is: “Don’t talk about reconvening or convening the Council. We already have the Council.” And in the next paragraph he explains why that Council is enough.*We too, as we start in the service that is proper to the Successor of Peter, wish to affirm with force my decided will to pursue the commitment to enact Vatican Council II, in the wake of our predecessors and in faithful continuity with the millennia-old tradition of the Church.When the Pope says that he plans to “enact” Vatican II, that word in Latin is exsecutionem: to execute, to implement. Listen carefully! He’s saying, “I’m committed to pursuing the implementation of the Council.” What does that imply? That it has not yet been implemented! At least, it has not been implemented fully.
*And notice, too, that he plans to implement the Council “in faithful continuity with the millennia-old tradition of the Church.” He is giving an interpretation of Vatican II right there. He is saying this is not a break from tradition. This is not some opening of doors to new doctrines. No, this is a traditional council that must be interpreted in light of the whole 2,000 years of tradition that preceded it. *
***Here’s a blueprint. Vatican II contained the principles, but we’re now going to look to full implementation in the light of tradition. ***
much much more
