Pope Benedict XVI gave a short yet limpid address to members of the College of Cardinals at a lunch yesterday, reminding them that both he and they are engaged in a fight together for good against evil.
In a kind of pep-talk to his closest advisors, he referred to ecclesia militans – the Church Militant – which means all living Christians who struggle against sin, the devil, or as St. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12: "..the rulers of the darkness of this world" and "spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Although the Holy Father says the term is “a bit out of fashion” (“Church Militant” and the other two, “Church Triumphant” and “Church Suffering”, are not explicitly mentioned in the 1994 Catechism), he nevertheless stresses that as Christians it’s necessary to enter this struggle.
The Holy Father's words, published in full below, naturally offer encouragement to all Christians engaged in the battle of good against evil, not only for the Princes of the Church.
Yesterday’s lunch at the Vatican was held so the Pope could thank members of the College of Cardinals, led by its Dean, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, for their good wishes on reaching his 7th anniversary as Pope and 85th birthday, both of which took place in mid April.
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“Dear Brothers,
At this moment my words can only be ones of thanks. First, I thank the Lord for giving me so many years; years with many days of joy, wonderful moments, but also dark nights. But in retrospect one realizes that the nights were necessary and good, a reason for thanksgiving.
Today the word ecclesia militans [Church Militant] is a bit out of fashion, but in reality we can always better understand that which is true, that which encapsulates truth. We see how evil wants to rule the world and that it’s necessary to enter the struggle against evil. We see how it does this in so many very violent ways, with different forms of violence, but also posing as a force for good while destroying the moral foundations of society.
St. Augustine said that all history is a struggle between two loves: love of oneself even to the extent of defying God, and love of God, to the extent of defying oneself, in martyrdom. We are in this fight and in this fight it is very important to have friends. And as for me, I'm surrounded by friends of the College of Cardinals: they are my friends and I feel at home, I feel confident in this company of great friends who are with me, all together with the Lord.
Thank you for this friendship. Thank you, Your Eminence, for all you have done for this moment today, and for everything you always do. Thank you for the communion of joys and sorrows. Let us go forward, as the Lord said: "Courage, I have overcome the world." We are on the Lord's team, therefore we’re on the winning side. Thank you to each one of you. May the Lord bless you all. Let us raise our glasses.”
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How touching are the Holy Father’s words to his brothers. May God bless them.
If we keep company with people of strong faith in God, we could just change a few words in this piece by Pope Benedict and apply it to ourselves (e.g., Your eminence => Brothers & Sisters in Christ)!
Lord Jesus, protect and sustain our beloved Pope Benedict XVI and the Cardinals of the Catholic church.
It seems that the sentiment of the Holy Father is somewhat in contradiction to the sentiment of Pope John XXIII when he rebuked those who saw condemnations everywhere, or words to that effect. I think the Holy Father sees the dangers and problems as real and intends to face them. Let us hope so for the good of the Church.
Pope Benedict is a beacon of peace, of joy, and of wisdom. I have read several of his books, and they are most edifying. I am also increasingly convinced of his nearly central role in Vatican II when I read in his brother’s book, “My Brother, the Pope,” about his influence on Cardinal Josef Frings, who in turn was central to Vatican II. Then, later, as indispensable Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for a quarter century.
My other postings to National Catholic Register online have trended towards the pessimistic. Pope Benedict is a great “Sign of Contradiction” to my own pessimism. May God grant us the blessing of his presence on Earth for some years yet. Under the radar, he has been paying close attention to the all-important matter of who gets appointed to the Episcopacy around the world—one of his predecessor’s weak spots.
At a time of great crisis in the Church, I see so much he should do, but hasn’t. I also see some of what he has done, that I don’t think he should have done! Perhaps, having been the Prefect of The Congregation of Faith and Morals for such a long time, he has become a bit overly conservative and cautious? For example, the Church has reached agreements with the Communist Government of Vietnam. Why not China? China has so many people waiting to hear the Good News! He needs to “break the Ice” and go to Beijing to speak directly to the Government!
ED: I suppose I’d never looked that word up, before. Indeed, limpid the address was, and limpid are all of B16’s speeches!
I loved the term “Church Militant”, and it means we need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, to help us to reach fellow Catholics, and those that are not Christian, with the truth of the Gospel, and the morals Scripture teaches us. Thank you for this report, and I too, will have to look up the meaning of the word “limpid”. Sounds good!
Has anybody “googled” how many times our Holy Father has mentioned the words “martyrdom,” and “blood” during his papacy?
We should all deeply internalize “the” message that is being conveyed loudly and clearly.
The Pope didn’t mention the holy rosary. The Holy Father suggests that it is possible to fight evil without the one weapon that would guarantee a victory. That is why evil has gone from victory to victory since the Council.
I’m proud that our holy father Benedict is speaking out and he must continue to do so. I was somewhat disappointed a couple years ago when he retracted his statement and I believe, apologized for his comment on the Muslim religion that he originally had made which was something about the Muslim religion always has conquered w/the sword. We must never apologize for speaking the truth! Whether it be for our faith or politics. We now must “fight the good fight” the future is looking bleak but in the end, we know that Our Mother church, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Christ rein overcomes all evil.
I’ve heard of “limpid pools” when describing eyes, but this is best use of the word I’ve heard so far in describing Pope Benedict’s words. I appreciated his last exhortation as well: “Let us raise our glasses.”
Additionally, the term “Church Militant” is one which should be vigorously revived! I suppose it will when we all come to realize this truth about ourselves as baptized believers.
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