Recently Pope Leo, in speaking on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Vatican II document, Nostradamus Aetate, said a few things that I consider very positive in showing us the possible way in which he will lead the Church over the coming years. It shows a breadth of understanding, and an openness that is encouraging.
I also love the way he uses the expression ‘the Divine’ on some occasions when he is referring to God, and that ‘mystery’ is never far from his speech — both words that mean a lot to me in my efforts to make sense of the realities of life and death.
Below are a few of the quotes I picked out from his recent speech:
This luminous Document teaches us to meet the followers of other religions not as outsiders, but as travelling companions on the path of truth; to honour differences affirming our common humanity; and to discern, in every sincere religious search, a reflection of the one divine Mystery that embraces all creation,”
The spirit of Nostra Aetate continues to illuminate the path of the Church. She recognizes that all religions can reflect “a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men” (NA, 2) and seek answers to the great mysteries of human existence, so that dialogue must never be solely intellectual, but profoundly spiritual.
“The Declaration invites all Catholics – bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and lay faithful – to involve themselves sincerely in dialogue and in collaboration with the followers of other religions, recognising and promoting all that is good, true and holy in their traditions (cf. ibid.). This is necessary today in practically every city where, due to human mobility, our spiritual and cultural differences are called to encounter one another and to live together fraternally.”
“More than ever, our world needs our unity, our friendship and our collaboration. Each of our religions can contribute to alleviating human suffering and to caring for our common home, our planet Earth. Our respective traditions teach truth, compassion, reconciliation, justice and peace.
