The publication of the pope's new encyclical, Charity in Truth (Caritas in Veritate) provides an opportunity to remark that some of the most important messages the Church issues are largely lost on the people of God because of their language and length. Even before the age of sound bytes and text messages, the vocabulary of Church documents has often been found to put off the average reader.
A lazy reluctance to plow through such texts afflicts across the board. Many pastors will read the encyclical (I'm working on it myself) and many will pay it little attention apart from reading about it in the MSM and religious journals - and blogs.
I thought that providing links to a couple of different reactions to the encyclical might tease some readers here into clicking on the link in the first line above and actually taking a look at the pope's letter to the Church and to the world. So, I invite you to take a look at George Weigel's right of center initial review of the document and E.J. Dionne's first take on the letter from the other side of the spectrum. The former will give you some insight into the writing of encyclical letters from within the ecclesial domain while the latter will offer a take on how such letters may or may not play in the political arena which includes but is wider than the Vatican's world.
Even these two essays will demand some time and thought on your part - but I believe you'll find it worthwhile.
Image: Examiner.com
-ConcordPastor
George Weigel is so pompous. It is painful to plow through his "erudite" lingo with its tortured contortions. He is so demeaning to those who don't agree with him including in this case members of the curia whose viewpoints he doesn't espouse. Notice he blames the curia writers, not Pope Benedict, for the parts of the encyclical he disagrees with. How he continues to be published with his bent for twisting the truth is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteWhat is MSM?
Rosemary
MSM = Main Stream Media
ReplyDeleteHarsh language is clearly not only Weigel's domain. Learning is always impeded when we lash out at the other side.
I was just reading a post at the Deacon's Bench about Sr. Mary McKillop- the Australian nun who was once communicated and now is on the road to sainthood.
ReplyDeleteSo what does this have to do with this post?
Well when I read Rosemary's words I think of Weigel and his manner of speaking.
One never knows who will end up the saint... That is why we have hope, we are all potentially redeemed. Listening to Weigel makes me think I am living in some Calvinist predetermined world where I can only hope not to burn, but probably will.
*sigh*
Fran
Seems like the Pope is taking an opportunity to learn about Catholic teaching:
ReplyDeleteVatican City, Jul 10, 2009 / 11:37 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI received President Barack Obama this afternoon in his private library, and after 36 minutes of private conversation, the pair emerged without providing any details about their topics of conversation. Nevertheless, the Holy See revealed that the Pope gave Obama an “unannounced gift”--a Vatican document on bioethics and the right to life.
Way to go, Holy Father!