Church and state can respect each other, says Pope

08-10-2008

Points to Italy as Example of Coexistence

 

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Italy's presidential palace and the Vatican are two symbols of mutual respect for the sovereignty of the state and the Church, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope affirmed this Saturday when he visited the Quirinal Palace, Italy's official presidential residence. He was returning the visit President Giorgio Napolitano made to the Vatican in late 2006.

Responding to the president's greeting, the Holy Father recalled how "at a certain moment in history, this palace became almost a sign of contradiction as, on the one hand, Italy longed to become a unified state and, on the other, the Holy See was concerned with maintaining its own independence as a guarantee of its universal mission. [...] I am referring to the 'Roman question,' which came to an end with the signing of the Lateran Pacts on Feb. 11, 1929."

The Bishop of Rome said his visit served "to confirm the fact that the Quirinal and the Vatican are not two hills that ignore one another or face one another acrimoniously; rather that they are places symbolizing mutual respect for the sovereignty of the state and of the Church, ready to cooperate to promote and serve the integral good of human beings and the peaceful continuance of social coexistence."

He affirmed that "the Church does not aim to acquire power nor does she seek privileges or positions of economic and social advantage. Her only aim is to serve mankind, drawing inspiration, as the supreme norm, from the words and example of Jesus Christ, who 'went about doing good and healing all.'"

Benedict XVI stated that in order for the Church to do its mission, however, it must be able to count on the right to religious freedom.

"The full guarantee of religious liberty cannot be limited to the free exercise of worship, but has to give due consideration to the public dimension of religion, and hence to the possibility of believers playing their part in building the social order," he explained.

"I also hope," the Pope continued, "that the contribution of the Catholic community will be welcomed by everyone with the same ready spirit as that in which it is offered. There is no reason to fear prevarication by the Church and her members detrimental to freedom, indeed they hope that their own freedom not to betray their consciences enlightened by the Gospel will also be recognized."

"This will be easier," he concluded, "if it is never forgotten that all elements of society must, with mutual respect, undertake to create [...] the true good of mankind, something that the hearts and minds of Italians, nourished by 20 centuries of culture imbued with Christianity, well understand."

http://www.zenit.org/article-23831?l=english