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Skriven 2006-02-18 19:28:40 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

CIVILTA CATTOLICA: FAITHFULLY DIVULGE CHURCH TEACHING

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI received
journalists and editors from the Italian magazine "Civilta Cattolica," which is
run by the Jesuits, recalling that Blessed Pius IX had "perpetually instituted"
the publication in 1850, "giving it a particular statue that established a
special link with the Holy See."

In order for the magazine to remain "faithful to its character and its duty,"
said the Pope, it must "continually renew itself, correctly interpreting 'the
signs of the times'." Faced with the spread of "individualistic relativism and
positivistic science, ... closed to God and His moral law though not always
prejudiced against Christianity, ... Catholics are called to develop dialogue
with modern culture, opening it up to the perennial values of transcendence."

The Holy Father also indicated the "many signs of hope" in today's world, such
as "a new sensitivity to religious values, ... renewed interest in Sacred
Scripture, greater respect for human rights, and the desire to establish
dialogue with other religions. In particular, faith in Jesus can help many to
grasp the meaning of life and of the human adventure, giving them the points of
reference that are often lacking in so frenetic and disoriented a world."

In this context, Benedict XVI identified the mission of a magazine like
"Civilta Cattolica" as being "to participate in the modern cultural debate,
both to propose - seriously but also in a way accessible to all - the truths of
Christian faith with clarity and faithfulness to the Church's Magisterium, and
to defend, with no desire for controversy, the truth which is sometimes
distorted by baseless accusations leveled against the ecclesial community."

The Pope indicated Vatican Council II as a "beacon" to guide the magazine. "The
doctrinal and pastoral wealth it contains," he said, "have not yet been fully
assimilated by the Christian community, even though 40 years have passed since
its conclusion."

He concluded by saying that "Civilta Cattolica" must "divulge and support the
action of the Church in all areas of her mission. The magazine must give
particular emphasis to spreading the Church's social doctrine, one of the
themes it has covered most fully in its 155 years of life."
AC/CIVILTA CATTOLICA/... VIS 060217 (380)

SUMMARY

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