Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in the spirit of ecumenism
In the afternoon the Pope will confer the pallium on 44 metropolitan bishops (6 from Asia)
Vatican City (AsiaNews) The presence in Rome of Bartholomew I, Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, has given the Pope the opportunity to affirm that the "petrine primacy" a very controversial issue in ecumenical dialogue simply means presiding over the "universal mission of the Church which is to bring to the world the Gospel of Christ, Redeemer of man and history." In essence, this is what the Pope had in mind when he spoke ahead of the Angelus in St. Peter's Square. For many Protestants and Orthodox the petrine primacy is an undue interference in the internal affairs of other Christian communities. But for Catholics the primacy (and the tie to Rome) represents an instrument of freedom for the Church and constitutes a support in her mission.
The Pope also said that today, during the celebration of the mass, he will confer the pallium (a white woollen circular band with embroidered crosses) to 44 metropolitan bishops who were appointed archbishop within the past year.
The pallium is the symbol of unity with the See of Peter. Among the 44 archbishops, six are from Asia: Ramon C. Arguelles of Lipa (Philippines); Joseph Augustine Charanakunnel of Raipur (India); Valerian Okeke of Onitsha (Japan); Gaudencio Borbon Rosales of Manila (Philippines); Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, PSS, of Nagasaki (Japan); Joseph Cheng Tsai-Fa of Taipei (Taiwan).
Five other prelates who, for varying reasons, could not be in Rome for the feast will receive the pallium from the papal delegate in their respective countries. They are: Anthony Anandarayar of Pondicherry and Cuddalore (India); Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam of Trivandrum (India); Evarist Pinto of Karachi (Pakistan); Nicolaus Adi Septura, MSC, of Merauke (Indonesia); Aloysius Sudarso, SSI, of Palembang (Indonesia).
Here are the words of the Pope as he introduces the Marian prayer:
"The Church is celebrating the feast of the Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul: the Galilean fisherman who first professes the faith in Christ and the teacher and doctor who proclaimed salvation to the people (See Prefazio). By the will of Divine Providence, both reached Rome and there they were martyred over the next few years. Since then the city, capital of a great Empire, was fated to a different kind of glory. It was called to be the Apostolic See that presides over the universal mission of the Church which is to bring to the world the Gospel of Christ, Redeemer of man and history.
This year, we can rejoice for the presence of His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, whom I have just welcomed and greeted. The welcome visit has a special meaning: 40 years ago, in January 1964 to be exact, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I met in Jerusalem where they exchanged a brotherly embrace. This embrace has become the symbol of the hoped for reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches as well as the prophecy of hope illuminating the path towards full unity among Christians.
I have invited Patriarch Bartholomew I to take part in the Holy Mass which I shall preside this afternoon at 6 PM in St. Peter's Square. Together, we shall give the homily and together we shall make the same profession of faith.
During the same ceremony, I shall have the joy of conferring the "pallium" on the Metropolitan Archbishops appointed this year. It is a traditional sign of the union between the See of Rome and local Churches and is normally associated with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
To the two eminent Patron Saints I entrust the beloved Diocese of Rome and the people of the capital city.
Let us appeal to them for intercession as well as that of the Holy Mother, Salus populi romani, and let us pray so that each man and each woman receive the message of love for which Sts. Peter and Paul were martyred."
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