Navigators of Goodness, Truth and Beauty

(12 May 10 – RV) Striking modern architecture close to the waterfront was the backdrop for Pope Benedict’s encounter with the World of Culture on the second morning of his Apostolic visit to Portugal . The Belem Cultural Centre , built to host Portugal's presidency of the European Union in 1992 is also an arts complex with the city's largest auditorium. And in this auditorium Pope Benedict XVI was greeted by all present with unusual cheering from this kind of high brow audience An audience which included representatives from the entire diplomatic corps on Portuguese soil. Also present were representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu community as well as , members of the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance, and of the Ishmaelite Community.

The Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Commission for Culture of the Portuguese Bishop’s conference , Bishop Manuel de Clemente who’ll also be acting as his host as Bishop of Porto on the final day of this four day apostolic journey . A Bishop recently presented with the prestigious Pessoa award for his contribution to culture in Portugal, a significant gesture given the Church in Portugal was once distant from culture because of past anticlericalism.

But another Manuel was there to greet him, acting as dean for the cultural world in Portugal. A famous film director whose surname is de Oliveira , as a matter of interest he’ll be presenting his latest masterpiece at the forthcoming Cannes festival. For once perhaps the pope could enjoy the wise words of someone older than he . At the venerable age of 102 de Oliveira is a Jesuit educated Catholic. And while religion takes centre stage in his films he admits to never having read anything the Holy Father has written. And when he spoke he highlighted how from the beginning arts and religion have been linked to Christianity; “The roots of Europe and Portugal, whether we like it or not, are Christian - he mentioned -and have inspired a wealth of artistic masterpieces”.

And at the end of his brief speech Benedict XVI got up from his chair to shake his hands and the film director bowed as he presented a gift from the world of culture, a silver box in the shape of an egg with a porcelain dove inside, symbolic of peace and of the holy spirit.

The Pope responded giving his address in Portuguese , thanking him personally for his kind words , for having given him a glimpse of the concerns and mood of the soul of Portugal in this turbulent period of the life of society

Today’s culture Benedict XVI went on to say “is in fact permeated by a tension which at times takes the form of a conflict between present and tradition” . He went on to say that the emphasis on the present clashes with the powerful cultural tradition of the Portuguese people deeply marked by Christianity and by a sense of global responsibility which came to the fore in the adventure of the Discoveries. A conflict which finds expression in the crisis of truth , highlighting how the Church has a mission of truth to accomplish, something it can never renounce .

Then quoting from Paul VI, the Pope focused on the importance of the dialogue of the Church with the society in which she lives, “a priority” he said in today’s world. Given the reality of cultural diversity , people need not only accept the existence of the culture of others , but also to aspire to be enriched by it and to offer to it whatever they possess that is good, true and beautiful And addressing himself to those present, he asked that they in turn be not afraid to enter into dialogue with believers “with those who like yourselves” he added, “consider that they are pilgrims in this world and in history towards infinite beauty !”

Benedict XVI’s final words were of encouragement: “Produce beautiful things” he asked , “but above all make your lives places of beauty . May Our Lady of Belem intercede for you she who has been venerated down through the centuries by navigators and is venerated today by the navigators of goodness, truth and beauty” .