F
fnr
Guest
On these forums, as in life everywhere else, there is much that can divide us. “Culture wars” are called wars, and a war is something that can end in the eradication of an enemy.
Yet Christ told us to pray for our enemies.
The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudiam et Spes, contains an absolutely beautiful line of text that I heard last night for the first time at a speech by the theologian Richard Gaillardetz. I think it’s totally beautiful thing, and wanted to share it with everyone on this forum. I’m pasting the whole “lead up” to it, which I’m underlining, to give everyone context for it:
*By virtue of her mission to shed on the whole world the radiance of the Gospel message, and to unify under one Spirit all men of whatever nation, race or culture, the Church stands forth as a sign of that brotherhood which allows honest dialogue and gives it vigor.
Such a mission requires in the first place that we foster within the Church herself mutual esteem, reverence and harmony, through the full recognition of lawful diversity. Thus all those who compose the one People of God, both pastors and the general faithful, can engage in dialogue with ever abounding fruitfulness. For the bonds which unite the faithful are mightier than anything dividing them. Hence, let there be unity in what is necessary; freedom in what is unsettled, and charity in any case.*
On these forums, we discuss disagreements among Catholics, between Catholics and other Christians, and between Christians and those of other faith (or none). To me, this is a beautiful reminder that catholicity means unity in diversity, and that there is room in our Church for all God’s people!
God bless each and every one of you!
Yet Christ told us to pray for our enemies.
The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudiam et Spes, contains an absolutely beautiful line of text that I heard last night for the first time at a speech by the theologian Richard Gaillardetz. I think it’s totally beautiful thing, and wanted to share it with everyone on this forum. I’m pasting the whole “lead up” to it, which I’m underlining, to give everyone context for it:
*By virtue of her mission to shed on the whole world the radiance of the Gospel message, and to unify under one Spirit all men of whatever nation, race or culture, the Church stands forth as a sign of that brotherhood which allows honest dialogue and gives it vigor.
Such a mission requires in the first place that we foster within the Church herself mutual esteem, reverence and harmony, through the full recognition of lawful diversity. Thus all those who compose the one People of God, both pastors and the general faithful, can engage in dialogue with ever abounding fruitfulness. For the bonds which unite the faithful are mightier than anything dividing them. Hence, let there be unity in what is necessary; freedom in what is unsettled, and charity in any case.*
On these forums, we discuss disagreements among Catholics, between Catholics and other Christians, and between Christians and those of other faith (or none). To me, this is a beautiful reminder that catholicity means unity in diversity, and that there is room in our Church for all God’s people!
God bless each and every one of you!
