Francis had invited Bartholomew to present his
encyclical on ecology. Zizoulas, one of the greatest Orthodox
theologians, will do it in his place. “Mary is much more important than
the apostles.” Forcing migrants back in Asia is not an attitude inherent
to a continent that “has a mystical treasure-trove”. Similarly, “the
fundamentalism found in some parts of Pakistan where Christians were
burnt alive for bearing the Gospel is not inherent”.
Rome (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis today
proposed that all Christians celebrate Easter at the same time. He did
so, noting that “The Catholic Church has been willing since Paul VI to
set a date and give up the first solstice after the full moon in March"
by which Easter is established.
He must the proposal to find an agreement during a highly ecumenical
meditation pronounced in Spanish during the third world retreat for
priests, which brought together in the Basilica of St John Lateran about
a thousand priest from 90 countries and 5 continents.
With ecumenical goals in mind, the pope said that he had invited the
Orthodox ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to present his encyclical on
ecology. "We are friends,” he said, “ but he had a commitment, and so
sent the Archbishop of Pergamum Zizoulas. This way, the encyclical will
be presented by one of the greatest Orthodox theologians.
“Ex oriente lux, former occidente luxsus,” said the pope in
relation to Orthodox Christians. "From the Orthodox East and its Asian
part comes the light" of spirituality, while the West exports "luxury,
hedonism, consumerism," all things that are causing "decadence," said
the pontiff. Indeed, he emphasised Asia’s “spiritual reserves,” noting
the cultural and pastoral contributions from the Churches in Japan,
Korea, Thailand, and others
Citing the fate of migrants in the Indian Ocean faced with
refoulement, he warned that forcing back migrants is a “sin”. What is
more, this “kind of attitude in a continent that has a mystical
treasure-trove is not inherent, it comes from another part. [. . .]
Likewise, the fundamentalism found in some parts of Pakistan where
Christians were burnt alive for bearing the Gospel is not inherent. [. .
.] There are problems, but Asia is a promise, a future, full of
spiritual reserves."
The long meeting gave the pope an opportunity to announce that he
would travel to Uganda and the Central African Republic in November.
Kenya could be added but it is an idea that is only a possibility. In
response to a question from an African priest, Francis said that “Africa
is generous with the world, but the world is not generous with Africa,
because it uses and treats it as a land to be exploited.”
The pope spoke again about the homily. “In homilies,” he said, "have
pity on the people of God. [. . .] People cannot bear more than eight
minutes, then they turn off. They want you to speak to the heart. An
idea, an image, a feeling is what a homily must have”. Thus, "it is not a
lecture or a lesson in catechesis;" it is "positive, not restrictive
language..." (continued)
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