Despite heavy snowfall, which partially paralyzed the life in the Eternal City, the meeting was attended by many Poles who are interested in learning about the truths of faith. The “Power and Beauty of Faith” series is based on John Paul II’s Catechesis on the Creed, and is aimed to assist in preparing for the Year of Faith, which will commence on 11th October, the 50th anniversary of the commencement of the Second Vatican Council.
The lecture entitled “God – the Creator and merciful Father” was delivered by Fr. Dariusz Kowalczyk from the Society of Jesus, who is a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Having undertaken such a broad topic, the lecturer began with the issues related to the creation of the world. He referred to the catechesis John Paul II delivered on this subject in the 80s. He noted that the teaching of the Church does not exclude that the world was created through evolution if the causality of God is maintained. Speaking about the creation of man in God’s image as man and woman, he stressed that this truth is among those most challenged by modern ideologies, but it is very up-to-date and we need to be reminded of it. Man’s dominion over creation is expressed in the moral responsibility for the world, which should comprise the basis for ecology.
Fr. Kowalczyk then drew attention to the meaning of Divine Fatherhood. In the Encyclical “Dives in Misericordia”, John Paul II emphasized that the fatherhood of God appears as merciful love. God created the world and sustains its existence because of his selfless love. God’s fatherhood and mercy are revealed at their fullest in the mystery of the cross of Christ. Through the redemption we have become adopted children of God.
After the lecture, a discussion began during which the speaker answered several questions, including how to reconcile the goodness of creation and the experience of suffering and natural disasters. Why was the freedom of man and angels important to God? Can the concept of “mother” also be used to address God? Fr. Kowalczyk stated that these are the questions that we will certainly ask God in heaven, though on earth we strenuously attempt to find the answers. He added that Revelation does not authorize calling God “mother”, because the fatherhood of God is rooted in the Holy Trinity. This concept is not about biological and psychological aspects of God himself, but about the essence of God.
The Centre for Research and Documentation of the Pontificate and the Pastoral at St. Stanislaus’ church in Rome cordially invite you to attend the next meeting on Sunday, 4th March at 19.00. The lecture will be dedicated to the topic “I believe in the Holy Spirit” and will be delivered by Fr. Zdzislaw Kijas, relator of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican and Professor of UPJPII in Krakow.
Fr Andrzej Dobrzyński