VATICAN - “Pope Pius XII anticipated and prepared the Council” says Rev Nicola Bux, Vice Rector of the Ecumenical Institute of Bari in an interview with Fides

Wednesday, 6 June 2007

Vatican City (Fides Service)- “The recent recognition of the heroic virtues of Pope Pius XII, in my opinion, is an eloquent sign with regard to the correct application of the Second Vatican Council” said Rev Nicola Bux, vice rector of the Ecumenical Institute of Bari in an interview with Fides on the occasion of the presentation in Rome yesterday of a book “Pio XII. Eugenio Pacelli, un uomo sul trono di Pietro” by Andrea Tornielli.
“In fact according to certain interpretations there exists a line of discontinuity between the pre-Council Church and the post-Council Church. Those who support this interpretation tend to counter-pose Pius XII and John XXIII forgetting among other things the great act of recognition made by the future Pope in the address at the funeral of Pope Pacelli” said Rev. Bux. “In fact, as Pope Benedict XVI recently recalled, there is no discontinuity in the history of the Church, only a linear process. Pope Pius XII anticipated and prepared the Council, it suffices to think of the liturgical reform he started with the encyclical Mediator Dei or his encyclical Divino afflante Spiritu on the study of Sacred Scripture. The Council brought to conclusion what was started in his pontificate. There is no “counter-position” between Pius XII and John XXIII, affirmed Pope Paul VI who initiated at the same time causes of beatification for both of his predecessors”.
“It is opportune therefore to study the figure of Pope Pius XII” said Rev. Bux. “We must remember he fought the dictatorships of his time, remaining in Rome when all the other authorities were in flight. The people recognised his heroic life immediately and this is one of the conditions for starting a cause of beatification”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/6/2007 righe 26 parole 296)


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