The Holy Spirit, Source of Communion

30 July 1998 08:05

GENERAL AUDIENCE: THE HOLY SPIRIT, SOURCE OF COMMUNION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 29, 1998 (VIS) – In today’s general audience which

took place at 9:30 a.m. in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke on

the theme of “The Holy Spirit, Source of Communion.”

“The specific work of the Holy Spirit in the Most Holy Trinity is

communion”, explained the Pope. “The Holy Spirit is also love and the

personal gift which is in every created gift. … The mystery of this

communion shines forth in the Church.”

John Paul II said that the action of the Holy Spirit is sometimes

“direct, of a more unforeseeable and charismatic character, and

sometimes mediated, of a more permanent and institutional character”;

and between these two “there can be no real contrast.”

He highlighted that the Holy Spirit “is the first common gift to divided Christians. ‘As principle of unity of the Church’ he moves us to rebuild it through the conversion of the heart, collective prayer, reciprocal knowledge, ecumenical formation, theological dialogue, and cooperation in the different spheres of the social service inspired by charity.”

The celebration of the Jubilee will have to represent “a new phase to

overcome the divisions of the second millennium.” Precisely in reference to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, “significant steps have been taken towards unity between the various Churches, particularly between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.”

“In particular” he continued, “with regard to the specific problem of

the ‘Filioque’, concerning the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Word proceeding from the Father, it can be considered that the

diversity between the Latin and Oriental Churches does not affect the

identify of the faith … but its expression, constituting a ‘legitimate complementarity’ which does not compromise, but rather can enrich communion in the one faith.”

Lastly, the Holy Father said that “it is necessary that the next Jubilee witness the growth of fraternal charity also within the Catholic Church.” AG/HOLY SPIRIT/… VIS 980729 (320)