There’s been a rumor for some time that B16 has been working on a new encyclical on social issues . . . perhaps globalization.
However the Holy See has confirmed that a new and different encyclical will be signed–and apparently released–this Friday.
The new encyclical–Spe Salvi ("Saved by Hope" or "Saved in Hope"; from St. Paul’s phrase)–is a theological meditation on hope and a companion to B16’s first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est, which was a meditation on love.
This signals that the pontiff means to do an encyclical on each of the theological virtues, so in a year or two we should look for one on the virtue of faith to complete the trilogy.
I especially look forward to what the Pope will have to say in the third one!
It is also notable that he is doing the theological virtues in the reverse order that they are normally given in. This may be a deliberate strategy on his part to play against the stereotype of him as a stern doctrinal enforcer.
What I’m particularly struck by, though, is the claim that the new encyclical will be signed and released the same day. To my mind, that’s the way it ought to be, though so often the Holy See will sign something and then not release it for a long time. I haven’t followed lately how often they’ve been doing that, but if there’s a move to sign and release the same day, that’s a good thing.
I was at an event last night at our seminary here, and one of our Auxiliary Bishops told the Cardinal he read the document the night before, and that it was on ‘the Bishop’s site’. He called it ‘very heavy’.
It wouldn’t be on the usccb site yet (not publically anyway), so there must be some ‘bishop-only’ site out there (maybe a private page of the usccb) for communicating these things.
So, what are the odds that the third one will be on Faith? 🙂
I wonder if the reverse order isn’t a diliberate teaching effort. Each piece being put firmly in place before the next one is laid down.
Although we could argue about another’s motives ’till the cows come home.
Perhaps, due to his age, he wanted to issue an encyclical on God’s love first. The rest might be icing on the cake.
I agree with releasing encyclicals after signing. Although, if a particular pope feels he needs to pray more about something before it is made public, more power to him.
Perhaps, due to his age, he wanted to issue an encyclical on God’s love first.
The Greatest of these is: Love; I think that is why.
The Greatest of these is: Love; I think that is why.
That’s what I was thinking too, though Jimmy’s reason also probably played a part too. Certainly B16 has made love the central theme of his pontificate so far, and people are suggesting one of the reasons for his picking his name is the “peacemaker” aspect of it could refer to the various divides in the Church, in a sort of “only Nixon could go to China” thing.
From what I’ve heard the third encyclical will be on social justice, which disappointed me since I too had hoped he was going to go through the theological virtues like that. Perhaps he still will, but it is probably unwise to assume he will until we hear something from a reliable sourse in the Vatican.
If he does not, or if he dies before the one on faith comes out, we will have had encyclicals by him on love, hope, and social justice. Not what people would have expected when he was elected, to say the least.
I pray to God this encyclical isn’t more of the same fluff we’ve been given so far.
J.R. Stoodley,
Actually, before having read the “Deus Caritas Est” encyclical, I myself used to think of Ratzinger as the ‘Doberman’ type as well; although I did look up to his works as Cardinal.
That encyclical revealed to me aspects of BXVI that I didn’t initially expect.
I hope he does live long as Pontiff; of course, this will be in God’s hands.
I pray to God this encyclical isn’t more of the same fluff we’ve been given so far.
Eric G again — with his usual anti-BXVI/Ratzinger comments.
Perhaps if you were to provide something more substantive other than the typical ‘playground’ insult, you would be taken more seriously.
Eric G – I’d complain to the Holy Spirit, since it’s the one doing the inspiring. 🙂
“This signals that the pontiff means to do an encyclical on each of the theological virtues,”
I’m glad I share this view with somebody more attuned to these things.
JaAnna, papal encyclicals are not inspired by the Holy Spirit — that would make them canonical scripture.
As for encyclicals being signed and released the same day, that’s what the Pope did with his wonderful Motu Proprio on 7 July 2007.
Sorry, “JoAnna,” not “JaAnna.” It’s late . . . .
Jordan Potter,
JoAnna is right to the extent that it is the Holy Spirit that guides the Church and her members such as our beloved BXVI.
True, and I suppose she meant “guides,” not “inspires” — but no Pope claims divine inspiration for his writings, no matter how authoritative.
“I pray to God this encyclical isn’t more of the same fluff we’ve been given so far.”
If this is referring to the previous encyclical, I could spend an entire semester, even a full year, teaching on it and not exhaust it. No fluff there!
“I wonder if the reverse order isn’t a diliberate teaching effort. Each piece being put firmly in place before the next one is laid down.”
It’s anyone’s guess, but that would “make sense” as it speaks to the human experience. All humans are wired to love and to be loved. However, when one sees evil in the world, without a grounding point such as Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the result is despair. The virtue of hope counters this, but hope in what? In Whom? When one ponders the possibility of answers, he will discover the reason for faith and is properly disposed to receive this gift from God.
I think this is the situation in wich the majority of human beings do no profess a faith in Jesus Christ, and even less beleive in the Church He established, headed by the one who started with the ultimate of answers – God is Love. Pope Benecit might be working towards the reasons for beliving what he teaches in his first encyclical.
Please forgive the typos – I need to proof more carefully before posting.
I did mean “inspired” in the sense of “guides” — sorry for my poor choice of words.
If this is referring to the previous encyclical, I could spend an entire semester, even a full year, teaching on it and not exhaust it. No fluff there!
VERY, VERY TRUE!
Mary,
Don’t mean to draw yet another tangent, but are you a Professor by any chance?
I wonder if this is the 2nd installment of a trilogy based on the theological Virtues. First, “Deus CARITAS Est”, now, “SPE Salvi”; will one about Faith be the next? Any takers? 🙂
It’s here it’s here! I’m sure Jimmy will have links…
Thanks be to God that we have this amazing Pope…