Cyril and Methodius Models of Inculturating the Faith
(24 May 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI received delegations from two countries today
who are in Rome to mark the annual celebrations in honor of Sts Cyril and Methodius. To
the President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, government officials,
and a group of distinguished representatives of the clergy and lay faithful from both
the Orthodox Church and Catholic Church in Macedonia, the pope extended warm greetings.
The pope encouraged the delegates to follow the example of the saintly brothers
from Thessalonica in a generous service to promote the values and social projects
that promote the good of the human person and protect the dignity of all human persons.
Recalling
that the Patrons of Europe are a “bridge” that continues to unite the East and West
– and thus the Orthodox and Catholic Churches – the pope challenged the delegates
to find in the incessant apostolic activity and the tireless missionary zeal of Sts
Cyril and Methodius a “brilliant” spiritual witness to be discovered anew.
In
conclusion the pope thanked them for their visit, as a sign of the bonds of friendship
that exist between Macedonia and the Catholic Church and he imparted his apostolic
blessing.
To the Vice Prime Minister of Bulgaria, government officials, and
a group of distinguished representatives of the clergy and lay faithful from both
the Orthodox Church and Catholic Church in Bulgaria, the pope recalled with the joy
the annual pilgrimage undertaken to Rome to venerate the relics of the two brother
saints.
The pope recalled how the annual celebration of the memorial of Sts
Cyril and Methodius offers to all of the faithful in Bulgaria – be they Orthodox or
Catholic – a push to more deeply appreciate the rich Christian patrimony of their
country and their native culture.
Pope Benedict XVI held up the two saints
as models in the postmodern era of a true paradigm of the “inculturation” of the Christian
Faith without confusing or obscuring its essential elements. The brother saints show
us how values and ideals which promote an incessant union with God – the pope said
– promote cordial relationships of mutual understanding between peoples of diverse
cultures, and different ecclesial traditions.
The pope concluded by imparting
his apostolic blessing on the delegation from Bulgaria and all of the citizens of
their country.