By Carmen Elena Villa
ROME, MARCH 12, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The second part of Benedict XVI’s “Jesus of Nazareth,” expected to be published this spring, will reflect “Dominus Iesus,” said Cardinal Antonio Cañizares.
The prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments affirmed this Thursday in a congress organized by the Regina Apostolorum University.
The congress focused on the study of “Dominus Iesus.” The cardinal stated that “Jesus of Nazareth” will be the “full implementation” of this declaration, which speaks about the uniqueness and salvific universality of Jesus Christ and of the Church.
The declaration was published 10 years ago by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose prefect at that time was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
In his talk, titled “Dominus Iesus in the Life of the Church Today,” Cardinal Cañizares described this declaration of the Holy See as “a prophetic document.”
The document highlights how Jesus is the sole Redeemer, the prelate affirmed, and defines as “contrary to the Catholic faith” the idea that the revelation of Jesus Christ must be completed with the doctrines of other religions, as some relativistic ideologies indicate.
The cardinal noted that the critical question behind this declaration is the one Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do the people say that I am?” (Luke 9:18).
He asserted that Jesus Christ is not “what men say, which gives way to so many interpretations and different opinions.”
Renewed faith
Cardinal Cañizares pointed out how relativism too often obscures the real face of Jesus Christ and penetrates “new theologies of very widespread diffusion.”
“In many places there is no direct concern with this proclamation of Christ,” he warned, acknowledging that it “is the reflection of a situation that is not only cultural but of the Church itself, which needs a renewed faith in Jesus Christ.”
“Dominus Iesus” states that the Church considers the religions of the world with profound respect, but clarifies that this does not mean they must all be proclaimed equal, the prelate noted.
He also pointed out, as does the Pope in the first volume of “Jesus of Nazareth,” that it is contrary to the Christian faith to introduce any separation between the Word Made Flesh and the historical Jesus.
The first part of “Jesus of Nazareth” was published in 2007. In it Benedict XVI analyzes some biblical passages such as Jesus’ baptism, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the Our Father, the disciples, the parables and the great images in the Gospel of St. John. He also refers to Peter’s confession and the Transfiguration, and finally to the names with which Jesus calls himself.
Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said last September from the shrine in Fatima, Portugal, that the publication of the second part of Benedict XVI’s book is foreseen for “next spring.”
In it, the Pontiff will talk about the vital years of Christ, including his passion and death.
