(Vatican Radio) The Moderator of the Church of Scotland on Monday invited Pope Francis to visit the country which, he says, has overcome sectarian strife to become a place where ecumenical relations “have never been more cordial and productive”.
During a meeting with the Right Reverend John Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Pope said all Christians are called to seek ever more effective ways of overcoming old prejudices and to find new forms of understanding and cooperation.
Speaking in Italian, Pope Francis said our Churches “are presently confronted by such great challenges that only by working together will we be able effectively to serve the human family and enable the light of Christ to reach every dark corner of our hearts and of our world”.
The Kirk, as it’s is known, is the national Church of Scotland, founded in the wake of the Scottish Reformation of 1560. Over the centuries since then, the country has been plagued by bitter sectarian divisions between Catholics and Protestants. But as Philippa Hitchen discovered when she spoke to Rev John Chalmers, those conflicts have been replaced by a common Christian witness at the service of those most in need ….
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Below please find the English translation of Pope Francis’ words to the Right Reverend John Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Dear Moderator,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am happy to have this opportunity to meet this delegation from the Church of Scotland, and to reaffirm our common commitment to the Gospel and to the cause of Christian unity.
Scotland’s rich cultural and historical traditions have been shaped by outstanding saintly witnesses to Christ from various confessions. The present state of ecumenical relations in Scotland clearly shows that what we, as Christians, hold in common is greater than all that divides us. On this basis the Lord is calling us to seek ever more effective ways to overcome old prejudices and to find new forms of understanding and cooperation.
It is heartening for me to see that the good relations between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church have borne fruit in shared reflection on the challenges posed by contemporary society, and that in many cases we are able to speak with one voice on issues which deeply affect the lives of all Christians. In our globalized and often confused world, a common Christian witness is a necessary requisite for the effectiveness of our efforts to evangelize.
We are pilgrims and we journey alongside one another. We need to learn to have “sincere trust in our fellow pilgrims, putting aside all suspicion or mistrust, and turn our gaze to what we are all seeking: the radiant peace of God’s face” (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 244).
Faith and Christian witness are presently confronted by such great challenges that only by working together will we be able effectively to serve the human family and enable the light of Christ to reach every dark corner of our hearts and of our world. May the journey of reconciliation and peace between our communities continue to draw us closer, so that, prompted by the Holy Spirit, we may bring life to all, and bring it in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10).
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Moderator of the Church of Scotland on Monday invited Pope Francis to visit the country which, he says, has overcome sectarian strife to become a place where ecumenical relations “have never been more cordial and productive”. During a meeting with the Right Reverend John Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly of the…
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“The blood of our
Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out”. Pope Francis
recalled the barbaric killing of a group of Egyptian Coptic Christians by
jihadists in Sirte. The Pope spoke about the situation – improvising a few
phrases in Spanish – in his address to the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, whom he received
on Monday morning, 16 February. Today, the Pontiff
said, “I read about the execution of those twenty-one or twenty-two Coptic
Christians. Their only words were: ‘Jesus, help me!’. They were killed simply
for the fact that they were Christians. You, my brother, in your words referred
to what is happening in the land of Jesus. The blood of our Christian brothers
and sisters is a testimony which cries out to be heard. It makes no difference
whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants. They are Christians!
Their blood is one and the same. Their blood confesses Christ. As we recall
these brothers and sisters who died only because they confessed Christ, I ask
that we encourage each another to go forward with this ecumenism which is
giving us strength, the ecumenism of blood. The martyrs belong to all
Christians”. The full text of the Holy Father’s address…
“The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out”. Pope Francis recalled the barbaric killing of a group of Egyptian Coptic Christians by jihadists in Sirte. The Pope spoke about the situation – improvising a few phrases in Spanish – in his address to the Moderator of the Church of…
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(Vatican Radio) On Monday, Pope Francis received members of the “Pro Petri Sede” Association from the countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, which annually offers economic assistance for the needs of the Holy See.
In his address, the Holy Father said “The growing number of people who are marginalized or who live in great insecurity challenges us and demands a burst of solidarity to give them the material and spiritual support they need.” At the same time, he said, “we have much to receive from the poor whom we approach and whom we help.” The poor “are often witnesses of what is essential, of family values; they are able to share with those who are even poorer than they, and they know how to rejoice,” the Pope said, remarking that he had seen this himself in his recent Apostolic Voyage to Asia.
Pope Francis thanked the members of the Association for their generous donation to assist the poor, and called on them to pray earnestly for peace.
Below, please find the English translation of Pope Francis’ remarks, which were delivered in Italian:
Dear friends,
With joy I welcome you, members of the Association “Pro Petri Sede”, on the occasion of your pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles, by which you nourish your faith and manifest your fidelity to the Successor of Peter.
I express my gratitude for your commitment to the service of the poor. The growing number of people who are marginalized or who live in great insecurity challenges us and demands a burst of solidarity to give them the material and spiritual support they need. And at the same time we have much to receive from the poor whom we approach and whom we help. Struggling with their difficulties, they are often witnesses of what is essential, of family values; they are able to share with those who are even poorer than they, and they know to rejoice, as I was able to note in my recent Apostolic Voyage to Asia. Indifference and selfishness are always lurking. Care for the poor enriches us, placing us on the path of humility and of truth. Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “What do you possess that you have not received?” (1 Cor 4:7). Their presence is a reminder of our common humanity, of the fragility of life, of the dependence on God and on our brothers and sisters. I invite you, therefore, especially on the occasion of Lent, which is about to begin, to ask the Lord to give you a merciful and poor heart, [a heart] that recognises its poverty and that spends itself for others (cf. Message for Lent 2015).
With the precious gift you give today to the Successor of Peter, you come in aid of populations sorely tried in different parts of the world. With this solidarity you offer them also the spiritual comfort of not feeling forgotten in their trials, and of preserving hope. I warmly thank you on their behalf. I invite you to pray earnestly for peace, so that political leaders might find paths of dialogue and of peace.
Dear friends, I hope that your pilgrimage will increase in each of you the sense of belonging to the Church, which is a great family, and the joy of announcing the Gospel to all; that fraternity among yourselves might be so reinforced that you will be able to carry on your mission of service to the poor and the small, for whom Jesus has a special love. I entrust you to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Saint Peter, and to the Saints of your countries, from the heart imparting the Apostolic Blessing upon you, your families, and all the members of your Association. And please, don’t forget to pray for me!
Thank you.
(from Vatican Radio)…