Following are news briefs from Catholic News Service for June 1, 2017.
Medieval traditions used by Luther to form his stance on justification
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Martin Luther used two medieval traditions to form his position on justification — a stance that nearly 500 years later ultimately found acceptance among Catholics, according to a German Lutheran theologian and pastor. In theological terms, justification is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Luther absorbed the work of 15th-century philosopher Gabriel Biel but ultimately rejected it, according to the Rev. Theodor Dieter, director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Germany. Luther, though, accepted the ideas of an author whose name was never made known but whose work Luther himself published in 1516 and again in 1518. Rev. Dieter made his remarks May 31 during the May 30-June 1 conference “Luther and the Shaping of the Catholic Tradition,” marking the 500th anniversary of Luther posting his 95 theses. It was held at The Catholic University of America in Washington. Luther’s “Disputation Against Scholastic Theology” “has at its core a short text of Gabriel Biel,” Rev. Dieter said. “Nearly two-thirds of the 95 theses of this early disputation deal directly or indirectly with this.”
Defending sacredness of life offers service to everyone, Pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Upholding the sacredness of human life becomes concrete when generations work together to serve everyone: the poor, disabled, orphans, migrants, the unborn and the elderly, Pope Francis said. Such work is demanding and complicated, but “only by strengthening your association and inviting other families to join with you, will the task become less arduous, since union makes for strength,” he told members of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe June 1. The group was holding a meeting in Rome to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The various crises facing Europe — in demographics, immigration, employment, education — “might find positive outcomes precisely in the culture of encounter, if different social, economic and political actors were to join in shaping policies supportive of families,” he said. Pope Francis encouraged the Catholic family groups to stimulate constructive dialogue with these various leaders “without hiding” their Catholic identity.”
Defending sacredness of life offers service to everyone, Pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Upholding the sacredness of human life becomes concrete when generations work together to serve everyone: the poor, disabled, orphans, migrants, the unborn and the elderly, Pope Francis said. Such work is demanding and complicated, but “only by strengthening your association and inviting other families to join with you, will the task become less arduous, since union makes for strength,” he told members of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe June 1. The group was holding a meeting in Rome to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The various crises facing Europe — in demographics, immigration, employment, education — “might find positive outcomes precisely in the culture of encounter, if different social, economic and political actors were to join in shaping policies supportive of families,” he said. Pope Francis encouraged the Catholic family groups to stimulate constructive dialogue with these various leaders “without hiding” their Catholic identity.
Don’t be overly harsh on youth; they have much to give, Pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Young people often are judged too easily, even though with their limitations they are still a much needed and valuable part of the world, Pope Francis said. Do not forget how God often chose the smallest, because proclaiming the Gospel “is not based on the greatness of human strength, but rather on the willingness to let oneself be guided by the gift of the Spirit,” he said June 1. The Pope was speaking to members, consultants and others who took part in the Congregation for Clergy’s plenary assembly, which was held at the Vatican May 30-June 1. The assembly discussed the importance of priests who are the living presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who dwells among his people and possesses a welcoming and compassionate heart, Cardinal Beniamino Stella, congregation prefect, told the Pope in his opening remarks.