VATICAN CITY, MARCH 17, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says he hopes Europe will rediscover the values the continent inherited from Hellenistic culture.
The Pope affirmed this Saturday in the Vatican, when he received the letters of credence of Miltiadis Hiskakis, the new ambassador of Greece to the Holy See.
In his English-language address to the diplomat, the Holy Father first considered the path of Christian unity, and progress in relations between Catholics and Orthodox.
He recalled the "valiant efforts" made by the recently deceased Christodoulos, archbishop of Athens and all Greece, "to mend the breach between Christians in the East and West." He also gave assurances of his constant prayers for the "fruitful ministry and good health" of Christodoulos' successor, Archbishop Ieronymos.
After reiterating his "eagerness to work together as we travel the road towards Christian unity," the Holy Father recalled that "honesty and trust will be required from all parties if the important questions raised by this dialogue are to continue to be addressed effectively."
St. Paul
Referring to the forthcoming jubilee year marking the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul, the Pope indicated that it "will be a particularly auspicious occasion to intensify our ecumenical endeavors. [...] This brilliant 'Apostle to the Gentiles' dedicated his energies to preaching the wisdom of the cross of Christ amid the people of Greece, who were formed by the highly sophisticated Hellenistic culture.
"The vibrant exchange between Hellenistic culture and Christianity allowed the former to be transformed by Christian teaching and the latter to be enriched by Greek language and philosophy. [...] Even today, visitors to Athens can contemplate Paul's words -- now etched on the monument overlooking the Areopagus -- which he proclaimed to the learned citizens of the 'polis.' He spoke of the one God in whom 'we live and move and have our being.'"
St. Paul's words, the Holy Father said, "still resound in the hearts of men and women today. They can help our contemporaries to appreciate more deeply their human dignity, and thus promote the good of the entire human family. It is my hope that the Pauline Year will become a catalyst that will spark reflection upon the history of Europe and stir its inhabitants to rediscover the inestimable treasure of values they have inherited from the integral wisdom of Hellenistic culture and the Gospel."
Benedict XVI went on to thank the ambassador "for the assurance of your government's resolve to address administrative issues concerning the Catholic Church in your nation. Among these, the question of its juridical status is of particular significance."
"The Catholic faithful, though few in number, look forward to the favorable results of these deliberations," the Pope affirmed. "Indeed, when religious leaders and civil authorities work together to formulate fair legislation in regard to the life of local ecclesial communities, the spiritual welfare of the faithful and the good of all society are enhanced."
Turning to consider the international arena, the Pope commended "Greece's efforts to promote peace and reconciliation, especially in the surrounding area of the Mediterranean basin."
Finally, he recalled "the devastation caused by the wildfires that raged through Greece last summer." He said he continues "to remember in my prayers those who were affected by this disaster."
ZE08031703 - 2008-03-17
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-22085?l=english
Pontiff Sees Hellenistic Roots as Key for Europe
Tells Greek Envoy of Hopes for Renewal During Pauline Year
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