On Papal Suffering and God's Power
Interview With Archbishop of Granada
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 9, 2005 (Zenit) - John Paul II by his suffering is demonstrating that a hospital bed can be a place of sacrifice, not unlike an altar, says a Spanish prelate.
Archbishop Francisco Javier Martínez Fernandez, the president of the ecclesiastical region of Granada, has been in Rome participating in a pilgrimage. He spoke with us about the Pope's health and other topics.
Q: What thoughts do you have on the Pope in his present situation of sickness?
Archbishop Martínez: For me, it is impossible not to link what the Pope is going through with the Year of the Eucharist. I see the testimony of an offering that prolongs the life of Jesus Christ and invites us all to give witness.
The Pope is the living witness that a hospital bed can perfectly be an altar on which one continues to offer oneself.
The Pope is not doing anything he hasn't always done: to give his life so that men will know Jesus Christ. He will do so while he is here and he will express it while he is able.
This moment of the Church is no less fruitful than others. It is a moment of frailty in which the power of God shines all the more.
Q: Does the world understand this situation of frailty in which the power of God shines all the more?
Archbishop Martínez: The world understands what it understands -- above all, events that involve its interests and calculations. But men of simple hearts understand this message perfectly.
In the Pope's case, his ministry so coincides with his humanity that even the most fallen away from the Church can recognize in that humanity the grace of God.
You can find Catholics who live only for the politics of calculations, and, instead, pagans who understand it. Something similar happened to the Lord: At times he was understood more by those who were far off than by those who were near.
Q: What aspect of Don Luigi Giussani -- founder of Communion and Liberation, whom you met -- has affected you most profoundly?
Archbishop Martínez: I cannot separate Pope John Paul II from Don Giussani. They are very parallel figures in my life. They have taught me that the key and consistency of all that is human is Jesus Christ.
I met Don Giussani in Avila in a course organized by a group of priests. The course was called "Truth of God; Truth of Man." When he saw the sign he said: "This is the motto of my whole life."
There is nothing human that is not done for Christ, and to be configured with Christ. He came to make relationship possible, to truly live this life. For the life beyond to have meaning it is necessary to live this life 101%; it is what makes conceivable to hope for eternal life.
Q: Islam has formed part of Granada in the past, and now. How are relations articulated between Christians and Muslims?
Archbishop Martínez: Granada is a frontier not only between Islam and the Western world, but also between tradition and postmodernity. A frontier can be a place that divides or that unifies; it allows for listening to one another, for appreciation of what is different.
As a Christian, I would like all men to be able to live as brothers. In that sense, I wish the good of Muslims in Granada. I don't want them to be worse or less Muslim, but that they come close to God. In the measure that we men draw near to God we also draw near to one another.
I pray to God that neither Christians or Muslims ever put God at the service of our political or class interests. God is to be adored, to be thanked, and to be loved.
The object of hope is God. God works on men's hearts; he asks us to give witness of his love, and the Church has done so in different circumstances.
Contact
Catholic Online
http://www.catholic.org
CA, US
Catholic Online - Publisher, 661 869-1000
info@yourcatholicvoice.org
Keywords
Pope, Hospital, Granada, Fernandez, Health, Vatican
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,718
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
the FEED
by Catholic Online
- St. Helena: Saint of the Day for Friday, August 18, 2017
- Sen. Bob Corker joins ranks of seditious who want to overthrow a ...
- Daily Reading for Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 HD Video
- Pope Francis asks for prayers following terror attacks in Spain HD Video
- Pope Francis calls for prayers following terror attacks in Spain, Finland
- Mother shares heartbreaking photo of her dying daughter as she pulls ...
- Daily Readings for Friday, August 18, 2017
Latest Videos
on YouTube
Daily Readings
Daily Reading for Friday August 18, 2017
Reading 1, Joshua 24:1-13
Psalm, Psalms 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24
Gospel, Matthew 19:3-12
Saint of the Day
St. Helena
August 18: Empress mother of Constantine the Great. She was ... Read More
