Pregledni rad
Obedience of st. Francis of Assisi to the Church as an institution
Andrej Šegula
; Teološka fakulteta Univerza v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sažetak
St Francis of Assisi did not leave any theological commentary on the Church;
nevertheless, we can say that he was an expert on the situation within it. He came into
contact with the Church in his everyday, practical life (sacraments, liturgy etc.). We
can say that he embodied the teaching of the Catholic Church. He lived in a time of
multiple heresies and divisions within the Church. Even though he did not agree with
its way of living he, paradoxically, remained resolutely under its wing, in a kind of
loyal opposition. He returned to the Church’s roots, to the Gospel and lived according
to these precepts in all their radicality. He especially emphasised his connection to the
Church in the Siena Testament (six months before his death), the substance of which had
already been prescribed and anticipated in the Rule of 1223: “Brother Francis promises
obedience and reverence to the Lord Pope Honorius and to his successors canonically
elected and to the Roman Church” (RegB 1,2). The consistency and strictness of St
Francis were also reflected in his attitude towards liturgy: “Let the clerics perform the
Divine Office according to the order of the holy Roman Church” (RegB 3,1). Finally we
mention Francis’ respect for all people, all servants of the Church, priests and clerics.
He saw his attachment to the Church as the safest way to avoid error and heresy. The
Church was for him a safe haven and a guarantor of true faith and authentic liturgy.
He may also have sought the support of the Church because it was for him a surrogate
father and mother. Francis was not only a man of emotion and inspiration but also a
great mystic. The Lord brought him into the arms of the Church through the Gospel.
In the Church and according to the sacraments of the Church he began to discover
the Lord Jesus, present in body and word. Mary and the Church have for him the same
calling, the same mission, and thus receive the same honour. For St Francis the mystery
of the Church may have been simply a steppingstone, while his faith and trust in the
Church were a test of his faith in Christ, the greatest mystery.
Ključne riječi
Church; St. Francis of Assisi; prayer; God; Jesus Christ; Christcenteredness; brotherhood; obedience.
Hrčak ID:
273446
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.6.2011.
Posjeta: 716 *