Ecclesia in Medio Oriente: Keys to understanding the new papal document





September 14, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Medio Oriente” was signed by Benedict XVI in Lebanon. It's meant to be a key document for Christians in the region. It addresses issues such as the situation of women, secularism and religious extremism.

The document is divided into three parts.

The first part examines how to live in coexistence while respecting and defending diverse cultures and religions. Benedict XVI goes on to defend respect for the diversity of rites and customs, a richness that comes from the early Christians. At the same time, he promotes dialogue with different faiths, discussing moral issues such as family, sexuality, bioethics and peace.

The pope chooses to tackle the topic of secularism in the document, saying it seeks to exclude all manifestations of religiosity and defends the “healthy secularism” that distinguishes between civil and religious authority, protecting the people from religious fundamentalism.

Benedict also called on the patriarchs of the Eastern Churches to attend the Christian emigrants from Africa, India, and other parts of Asia for their work are in the area.

In the second part, the Pope addresses people and provides recommendations to revitalize faith. He devotes considerable time to the family and makes a strong defense for the rights of women to be treated equally under the law. In this section, he also recommends that young children not to be afraid or ashamed to show that they are Christian. He then asked to be respectful of Jews and Muslims and not be seduced by materialism.

In the third part the Pope refers to the Word of God. He talks about the Middle East as a biblical place of encounters with God for pilgrims. He proposes to make an effort to publicize the Bible in media, celebrate a year of the Bible, and a special week on the Bible. He also request the freedom to go to the holy places. He makes calls to different churches in the Middle East to present an ecumenical effort to recognize the baptism, confession and anointing of the sick and facilitate the attention of Christians who come to the region.

Benedict XVI concludes the document encouraging Christians in the Middle East to be strong given the difficulties and praises the richness of diversity in worship that comes from the first generations of Christians.
-

Comments

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.

Blog Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

Image
August 11 is the memorial of St. Clare, one of my favorite saints. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. I have also learned a great deal from reading about her over the years. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Clare is the patron saint of television. She is also the patron of eye disorders, embroiderers, good weather, and telephones. The Contemplative Life The Lady Clare was born into a noble family in Assisi in 1193 and was admired for her great beauty. When she heard Francis of Assisi preach his Lenten homilies at the Church of San Giorgio, she was captivated by his words. At age eighteen, she heard him say: "When the
Read more

Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Image
Today is the feast of Saint Michael de Sanctis, also known as St. Michael of the Saints, a Spanish Discalced Trinitarian priest, the patron of cancer patients. Michael Argemir was born on September 29, 1591 at Vic, Catalonia, Spain. At age 6, he told his parents that he planned to become a monk and began modeling his life after Saint Francis of Assisi. Michael’s parents died when he was about ten years old. He then served as an apprentice with a local merchant. During this apprenticeship, he continued his fervent devotion to the Lord, especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the age of 12, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at St. Lambert’s monastery in Saragosa four years later.  Shortly afterwards, Michael expressed a desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a priest. Twice he served as Superior of the hou
Read more

Saint Gerard of Brogne: Patron of Abbots

Image
St. Gerard was born to a noble family in Staves, Belgium, in 895. He descended from a royal line of military men and at first felt a share in this call to arms. He trained for the army and, as a page of the count of Namur, he was sent on a special mission to the French court. There, Gerard realized that he was being called to the monastic life. He stayed in France and joined the Benedictines of St. Denis, abandoning his noble birthright and all his worldly possessions. He spent eleven years in France as a monk before becoming a priest. Following his ordination, he left for Belgium in order to found a new abbey on his own estate of Brogne. He was its abbot for twenty-two years and during that period was instrumental in introducing St. Benedict's Rule into numerous houses in Flanders, Lorraine and Champagne.He became known for his engaging sweetness of temper, his strict observance of the Rule of St. Benedict and for the replacement of lukewarm religious practice with true piety.
Read more