In a previous post I noted that the large scale acceptance of the theological works of St Augustine of Hippo in the West presents a significant barrier to ecumenical dialogue with the East, where Augustine’s works exercise far less influence.
With this in mind it was with interest today that I saw a message from the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, addressed to Cardinal Walter Kasper (the president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity), written on the occassion of the 11th Inter-Christian Symposium. Unfortunately there is no English translation available (yet), so I have had to make a vague stab at the Italian:
Il tema scelto per il prossimo incontro: “Sant’Agostino nella tradizione occidentale e orientale” – argomento che si intende sviluppare in collaborazione con l’Istituto Patristico Augustinanum – [The theme selected for the next meeting: "St Augustine in Easter and Western tradition - a topic developed in conjunction with the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome] risulta quanto mai interessante per approfondire la teologia e la spiritualità cristiana in occidente e in oriente, e il loro sviluppo [will be most interesting in appreciating the theology and Christian spirituality of East and West, and its development]. Il Santo di Ippona, un grande Padre della Chiesa Latina, riveste in effetti una fondamentale importanza per la teologia e per la stessa cultura dell’occidente, [the Saint of Hippo, a great Latin Church Father, is in fact of great importance for both Western theology and culture] mentre la ricezione del suo pensiero nella teologia ortodossa si è rivelata piuttosto problematica [whilst the reception of his thought in Orthodox theology has been rather more problematic]. Conoscere pertanto con oggettività storica e cordialità fraterna le ricchezze dottrinali e spirituali che formano il patrimonio dell’oriente e dell’occidente cristiano, [Therefore, it is indispensible to understand - with historical objectivity and brotherly cordiality - the doctinal and spiritual wealth that forms the patrimony of Christian East and Christian West] diventa indispensabile non solo per valorizzarle, ma anche per promuovere un migliore reciproco apprezzamento fra tutti i cristiani. [not only for their mutual evaluation, but also to promote a great mutual appreciation between Christians.]
Before anyone pipes up, I know my Italian is crap.
As soon as there’s a translation, I’ll make it available.
Suffice to say that this symposium looks very interesting!
