by Benigna Menezes*

More than 70 priests and nuns of Vijayawada participate in a day of reading and analysis of Pope Francis’ first encyclical. A "difficult reading", but crucial to "gain a common vision as part of the universal church, doing good for the local church."

Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - "A key resource for the new evangelization": this is how Fr. Gorantla Johannes OCD, president of the Conference of Religious India (CRI) for Andhra Pradesh and Carmelite provincial, describes Lumen Fidei, in a workshop with the clergy of the diocese of Vijayawada. The gathering took place on July 28 at Loyola College and was attended by 75 priests and nuns.

The entire day was devoted to reading and discussion of the first encyclical of Pope Francis, written by "four hands" with Benedict XVI, who had begun it for the Year of Faith. Published on July 5, Lumen Fidei "concludes," the study of the three theological virtues initiated by the Pope emeritus with the Deus Caritas Est (2005) and the Spe Salvi (2007).

In guiding the study of the encyclical, Fr. Johannes called it "a difficult read, hard to understand at first glance, but full of holy wisdom and knowledge." This, he added, "allows you to rediscover the faith of our fathers, which is based on memories of the past and is the result of an encounter with God. Faith illuminates memory, offers a new vision of life and urges us to have renewed courage for mission. "
Priests, nuns and religious, said Fr. Johannes, "must have a common vision of how the clergy is part of the Church [universal], and what we can do for the Church in Andhra Pradesh."

 

• * Mission of the Immaculate Conception
• female congregation linked to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).