‘A teaching moment’
Papal pundits urge people to keep their ears
open to the pope’s message.
The pope is on U.S. soil with a message of friendship and hope. He is not a political
figure to be analyzed nor is he a disciplinarian to be feared, but a loving good
shepherd encouraging and guiding his flock, according to Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete.
The theologian, author and columnist moderated a panel discussion last Friday
at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington.
Just days before the pontiff’s arrival in the U.S., experts spoke of what
to expect from the papal visit. The forum was co-sponsored by Crossroads Cultural
Center.
The pope will not only address Catholics, but people of good will and also the
whole world, said John Allen Jr., senior correspondent for the National Catholic
Reporter and CNN senior Vatican analyst.
“He’s not coming as a super delegate to deliver an endorsement,” Allen
said, who was to travel with the Holy Father on “Shepherd One,” the
papal plane. “He has a deep appreciation of the religious vitality of this
culture,” and a “great understanding of the United States.”
It will be a teaching moment, said Allen, who warned the audience not to simply
rely on the media to ascertain the pope’s message, but to read the texts
and to watch the live programming. He won’t be speaking in sound-bites
so his audience should pay close attention, Allen said.
Although Pope Benedict is often associated with his previous position as the
head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, Allen said Benedict is “unfailingly
gracious, infinitely humble, with a surprisingly sharp sense of humor.” Calling
the pontiff a “charming, warm, life-affirming person,” Allen said. “I
hope that America will see that.”
According to Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro Sambi, hope will be the core
of the papal message.
“The pope considers that we need hope. … There is a sickness in
the world today. We suffer from emptiness,” the archbishop said. Christ
is that hope, he said.
“The danger is to see all this under political eyes,” Archbishop
Sambi said. His visit is pastoral and must be seen from a religious point of
view. The pope will direct his flock to Jesus. The words “turn yourself
to the Lord and lift up your hearts” will be the message of Pope Benedict,
the archbishop said.
Prayer is the best preparation for the papal visit. “Without the power
of prayer our human endeavors would achieve very little,” he said.
David Schindler, dean of the John Paul II Institute in Washington and editor
of Communio, reminded the audience that the Holy Father will “keep
the world awake to God.” All human beings have a desire to love God, whether
they know it or not. It is written on their hearts, Schindler said. “It
arises naturally. It is not just a function of grace, though revealed in grace.”
People have a natural “restlessness for God and love.” While that
message will be at the core of the pontiff’s visit, he will likely address
the necessity for an openness to suffer.
Sheilding young people from difficulties, said Schindler, will render brittle,
ungenerous adults.
“Cultural transformation will never be realized without suffering. The
cross is revelation,” he said. “It reveals who God is. It’s
reasonable to expect to suffer the crucifixion.” Pope Benedict insists,
said Schindler, that the work of cultural transformation is possible only when
the members of the Church respond in holiness not administration.
Henrietta Gomes can be reached at hgomes@catholicherald.com.
