Rejoice at the good in other faiths, Pope tells at Sunday 'Angelus'

(October 01, 2012) Catholics should rejoice at the good works done by non-Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI said on Sunday. Addressing pilgrims and visitors at the summer papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, southeast of Rome, during the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ Marian prayer, the Pope reflected on Sunday’s Gospel of St. Mark, where Jesus tells John not to interfere when people other than Christ’s disciples cast out demons in Jesus’ name. He said that “one can have difficulty in appreciating and recognizing—in a spirit of profound communion—the good things done” by those of other faiths. Citing St. Augustine, the Holy Father said: "Just as one can find that which is not Catholic in the Catholic Church - that is, in the Church - one can also find something that may be Catholic outside of the Catholic Church.” Hence, the Pope said, members of the Church must not be jealous, but rather should rejoice if someone outside the community does good works in the name of Christ, provided that he does it with correct intention and with respect. He pointed out that within the Church itself at times one finds it difficult to appreciate good works in a spirit of profound communion. Instead all must be able to appreciate and esteem one another, praising the Lord for the infinite wisdom with which he works in the Church and in the world. The Holy Father pointed to the Apostle James who in his letter denounced the dishonest rich who place their trust in accumulated wealth obtained through oppression. While the apostle puts us on guard against the vain desire for material goods, the Pope said, his words are a strong call to use our earthly goods for works of solidarity and common good, striving always with justice and morality at all levels.
Before concluding Sunday’s ‘Angelus’ the Holy Father pleaded for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The eastern region of the African nation has been torn by fighting between government troops, rebels, and independent militia groups. The Pope expressed his closeness with thousands of refugees, “the women and children, who because of persistent armed clashes, are subjected to suffering, violence and profound hardship.” He hoped a high level United Nations meeting on a resolution of the conflict would bear tangible fruits. He prayed that peaceful means of dialogue and protection of innocent people may be found, and that peace based on justice may return soon, and that brotherly coexistence return among the severely tried population and in the entire region.
The Pope’s Sunday’s ‘Angelus’ was the last in Castel Gandolfo, where he spent his summer. He returned to the Vatican on Monday.