(Vatican Radio) The service of charity, Pope Benedict said today, is at the heart
of the Church’s identity and mission.
In a new Apostolic Letter – issued “motu
proprio,” that is, on his own initiative – the Holy Father spoke about the work
of charity in and by the Church, and issued new regulations to better organise the
Church’s charitable activity. “With the present Motu proprio, I intend to provide
an organic legislative framework for the better overall ordering of the various organised
ecclesial forms of the service of charity, which are closely related to the diaconal
[ministerial] nature of the Church and the Episcopal ministry.
The Church’s
concern for those in need is expressed in many different charitable initiatives around
the world. These works, the Pope said, should always be welcomed by the Church’s Pastors,
“as a sign of the sharing of all the faithful in the mission of the Church.” The diversity
of those initiatives is a “manifestation of the freedom of the baptised,” who use
their own unique gifts to respond to call of charity.
But, he said, insofar
as those charitable works are promoted and supported by the Church, they must conform
to the teachings of the Church and the intentions of the faithful, and must respect
legitimate civil regulation. It is the responsibility of the Bishops, in the first
place, to ensure that they do so.
Above all, Pope Benedict said, it is important
to remember that practical actions are never enough; charity must express a genuine
love for people, a love animated by a personal encounter with Christ. “In carrying
out their charitable works, therefore, the Catholic organisations should not limit
themselves merely to collecting and distributing funds, but should show special concern
for individuals in need and exercise a valuable educational function within the Christian
community, helping people to appreciate the importance of sharing, respect and love
in the spirit of the Gospel of Christ.”