Verbum Domini – a new papal letter on the Word of God

 — Nov. 20, 201020 nov. 2010

The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church was the theme of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome in October 2008. In the Catholic Church, synods are a consultative process developed after Vatican II in order to assist in the collegial process of implementing the council. The 2008 synod looked back towards the great Vatican II document Dei Verbum. This landmark document addressed issues of scriptural interpretation; the role of scripture in liturgy, catechesis, and theological reflection; and the relationship between scripture and tradition. Set within the broader context of Catholic reflection on these issues since the late 19th century, and in dialogue with other Christian churches in the ecumenical movement, the Vatican II dogmatic constitution on sacred scripture has been a key point of reference for the church for nearly 50 years.

Last week, the Vatican published a new papal letter from Benedict XVI entitled Verbum Domini, the Word of the Lord. Technically called an “apostolic exhortation,” this letter is the final contribution from the 2008 synod. At over 190 pages in the English text, the new letter is a fitting successor to Dei Verbum. Like the earlier conciliar text, Verbum Domini understands the word of God in incarnational terms, focusing its discussion on the life and mission of the church. This text is a “must read” for all ecumenists.

• Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church, September 30, 2010 (HTML or PDF 1 Mb)
Summary of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini, produced by the Commission for Doctrine, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Posted: Nov. 20, 2010 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=1611
Categories: DocumentsIn this article: Benedict XVI, pope, Scripture
Transmis : 20 nov. 2010 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=1611
Catégorie : DocumentsDans cet article : Benedict XVI, pope, Scripture


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