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From the Zenit News Service
Next, the Pope analyzes the most unique novelties of the jubilee of the
third millennium, among which is found, first, the "purification of
memory." Living at the end of two thousand years since the coming of Christ,
the Pope asks each and all Christians to make a "profound examination of
conscience," as it is "one of the most decisive moments of a person's
existence. In fact, this exercise places man before the truth of his own
life, thus realizing the distance which separates his actions from his
proposed ideal."
Although the history of the Church is a history of holiness, "because of the
link which unites each and all in the Mystical Body, though not personally
responsible or avoiding God's judgement -- who alone understands the human
heart --, we are carriers of the weight of the errors and guilt of those who
have preceded us. Moreover, we -- children of the Church --, have also
sinned, impeding the face of the Spouse of Christ to shine in all its
beauty." Consequently, Peter's successor asks "that in this year of mercy
the Church, convinced of the holiness she receives from the Lord, prostrate
herself before God and implore pardon for the past and present sins of her
children."
The Pope's words are clear: he requests Christians to do this "without
asking anything in return" and he is convinced that there will not be a lack
of fair-minded persons who will acknowledge that in the history of the past
and of the present there have been, and there continue to be, cases of
isolation, injustice and persecution involving the children of the Church."
Charity and Social Justice
Another aspect of the Jubilee, on which John Paul II will leave his mark, is
the social dimension, akin to that found in biblical tradition. "Humankind
is faced with new and more subtle forms of slavery than those known in the
past, and liberty continues to be a word empty of meaning for too many
persons. Many nations, especially the poorest, are oppressed by a debt which
is so large that payment is virtually impossible. It is also clear that no
real progress can be made without the effective cooperation among peoples of
different languages, races, nationalities and religions. There must be no
more trampling of the weak by the strong: such actions are sinful and
unjust." In effect, the bull invites each person of good will to revise his
commitment and responsibility to others at all levels.