The consecrated life: a gift to the Church
3. Its universal presence and the evangelical nature of its
witness are clear evidence — if any were needed — that the consecrated life is
not something isolated and marginal, but a reality which affects the whole
Church. The Bishops at the Synod frequently reaffirmed this: "de re nostra
agitur", "this is something which concerns us all".In effect, the
consecrated life is at the very heart of the Church as a decisive element
for her mission, since it "manifests the inner nature of the Christian
calling"and the striving of the whole Church as Bride towards union with
her one Spouse.At the Synod it was stated on several occasions that the
consecrated life has not only proved a help and support for the Church in the
past, but is also a precious and necessary gift for the present and future of
the People of God, since it is an intimate part of her life, her holiness and
her mission.
The present difficulties which a number of Institutes are
encountering in some parts of the world must not lead to a questioning of the
fact that the profession of the evangelical counsels is an integral part
of the Church's life and a much needed incentive towards ever greater
fidelity to the Gospel.The consecrated life may experience further changes in
its historical forms, but there will be no change in the substance of a choice
which finds expression in a radical gift of self for love of the Lord Jesus
and, in him, of every member of the human family. This certainty, which
has inspired countless individuals in the course of the centuries, continues
to reassure the Christian people, for they know that they can draw from
the contribution of these generous souls powerful support on their journey
towards the heavenly home.
Gathering the fruits of the Synod
4. In response to the desire expressed by the Ordinary
General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which met to discuss the theme
"The Consecrated Life and its Mission in the Church and in the
World", I intend to set forth in this Apostolic Exhortation the results of
the Synod processand to point out to all the faithful — Bishops, priests,
deacons, consecrated persons and laity, and to any others who might be
interested — the wondrous things which today too the Lord wishes to accomplish
through the consecrated life.
This Synod, coming after the ones dedicated to the lay
faithful and to priests, completes the treatment of the distinctive features of
the states of life willed by the Lord Jesus for his Church. Whereas the Second
Vatican Council emphasized the profound reality of ecclesial communion, in
which all gifts converge for the building up of the Body of Christ and for the
Church's mission in the world, in recent years there has been felt the need to
clarify the specific identity of the various states of life, their
vocation and their particular mission in the Church.Communion in the Church is
not uniformity, but a gift of the Spirit who is present in the variety of
charisms and states of life. These will be all the more helpful to the Church
and her mission the more their specific identity is respected. For every gift
of the Spirit is granted in order to bear fruit for the Lordin the growth of
fraternity and mission.
No comments:
Post a Comment