Pope Leo XIV: Theology serves to move the Church's mission forward
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed this when meeting representatives of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria on Monday morning in the Vatican.
Offering reflections concerning the path of formation offered by the respective institutions, the Pope encouraged them to move forward and backward, and to do theology together.
Recalling that Puglia and Calabria lie along the sea, Pope Leo referred to when the late Pope Francis addressed the writers of La Civiltà Cattolica in 2017 and said, “Remain on the open sea. The Catholic must not be afraid of the open sea; he must not seek the shelter of safe harbors.”
Pope Leo said there is a great need for this attitude, especially in the contexts in which the faith must be proclaimed and inculturated today. "It is not a matter of acquiring notions in order to fulfill academic obligations," he said, "but of setting out on a courageous navigation, a crossing on the high seas."
Twofold direction
This journey, the Pope said, moves in a twofold direction.
“On the one hand,” he said, “it is a path of descending into the depths, probing the abysses of the mystery of God and the various dimensions of the Christian faith.”
“On the other hand,” Pope Leo continued, “it is a putting out into the deep in order to go beyond, to explore other horizons and thus to find new forms and new languages in which to proclaim the Gospel in the different situations of history.”
The Pope said he wished to reiterate an "important point," namely that “theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.”
Deepening the mystery of the faith
In this context, he reminded them that theological formation "is not a destiny for a few specialists," "but a call addressed to all," so that each one may deepen the mystery of the faith and receive the useful tools to carry forward with passion the persevering commitment of cultural and social mediation of the Gospel.
In this perspective, the Pope said he wished to recall the precious journey of unity that has begun in their regions, also by unifying realities, institutes and paths of formation that previously proceeded autonomously.
Pope Leo marveled that this is truly "an important synergy," marking "a genuine historical step of which they are becoming protagonists," one that promotes communion among the dioceses, encourages the overcoming of old local rivalries and, above all, fosters an ecclesial journey marked by unity and fraternity.
Going forward, not backward
Along this road, the Pope said, it is possible to build a common horizon of thought and a convergence regarding pastoral challenges and the demands of evangelization.
Thus, he invited the theologians “to do theology together.” He stressed that a formation that serves the proclamation of the Gospel is possible only together, navigating “on the open sea” but not as solitary navigators.
This effort, the Pope encouraged, requires "leaving one’s safe harbor and going beyond one’s own territorial and ecclesial boundaries, in encounter and exchange, in mutual listening and in dialogue, in that communion among the Churches which connects resources, competencies and charisms."
By doing theology together, he reflected, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral horizons are broadened and intermingled, generating common perspectives and a more incarnate ecclesial commitment in the territory, offering the possibility of renewing the styles and languages of the faith in the real context in which they find themselves.
Pursuing theology together
Moreover, in doing theology together, he told them they will discover that they are a laboratory that prepares future presbyters and pastoral workers to live ecclesial relationships in the synodal style, in which the various ecclesial subjects, ministries and charisms complement one another, overcoming every form of closure, and will be better able to welcome the questions and challenges of the social and cultural context.
The Pope acknowledged that the region’s rich history and religiosity unfortunately do not erase the numerous social problems, stressing that the crisis of employment, the phenomenon of emigration, and all those forms of oppression, slavery and injustice call for a new conscience and a bold commitment on the part of all.
Don’t be seduced by the temptation to turn back
Finally, the Holy Father stressed that theological formation contributes to generating a critical and prophetic thought, representing a cultural investment for the future capable of defusing the logic of resignation and indifference.
“I encourage you to carry forward this project with enthusiasm, with determination and without allowing yourselves to be seduced by the temptation to turn back.”
Pope Leo concluded by inviting those before him to dream of an academic community in which candidates for the ordained ministry, consecrated men and women, lay men and lay women are formed together, helping Christian communities become signs of the Gospel and workshops of hope.
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