The Valley Catholic
IN THE CHURCH
August 27, 2013
9
New encyclical ‘Lumen Fidei’ by two popes…
By Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis’ first encyclical, “Lumen Fidei” (“The Light of Faith”), is a celebration of Christian faith as the guiding light of a “successful and fruitful life,” inspiring social action as well as devotion to God, and illuminating “every aspect of human existence,” including philosophy and the natural sciences. The document, released July 5, completes a papal trilogy on the three “theological virtues,” following Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals “Deus Caritas Est” (2005) on charity and “Spe Salvi” (2007) on hope. Pope Benedict “had almost completed a first draft of an encyclical on faith” before his retirement in February 2013, Pope Francis writes, adding that “I have taken up his fine work and added a few contributions of my own.” The document recalls the writings of Pope Benedict in its extensive treatment of the dialogue between faith and reason and its many citations of St. Augustine, not to mention references to Friedrich Nietzsche and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. On the other hand, warnings of the dangers of idolatry, Gnosticism and Pharisaism, a closing prayer to Mary as the “perfect icon of faith,” and an entire section on the relevance of faith to earthly justice and peace echo themes that Pope Francis has already made signatures of his pontificate. Here are some main points of the
Pope Francis, right, embraces retired Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony in the Vatican gardens July 5, the day “Lumen Fidei” was released. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters)
encyclical “Lumen Fidei” (“The Light of Faith”), released July 5: • Salvation is impossible through our own good works but requires faith, as acknowledgement of the “primacy of God’s gift.” • By virtue of his humanity, Jesus Christ is not only the object of faith but the ultimate model and mediator for all
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