TEN REASONS TO BE AT ST. PETER'S TODAY
TOGETHER AT ST. PETER'S
FOR THE POPE AND WITH THE POPE
by RENATO FARINA
Here are ten reasons to be at the Angelus with the Pope this Sunday. Some reasons may be very personal, some may apply to atheists, and for those who rejoice. Some very noble, others less so. Everyone will find his own reason. And we shall all see each other - preferably before 11.
1) Reparation for a wrong.
To place Benedict XVI in the position where he may not express himself was to deny him a fundamental human right. The Pope is a man, not a German shepherd!
The offense has direct culprits (those who accused him of having re-condemned Galileo and indirect ones (the political authorities of our nation who did not lift a finger in his defense). Whether it pleases us or not, they are an eminent and/or deficient part of our national community. An act of public amends is called for.
And we would invite President Napolitano to join us. In some cases, a head of state would do better to derive popular support, strong and simple, rather than simply through diplomacy or similar exercises.
2) Affection and acknowledgment
How can one not love this Pope? At a time of Islamic 'invasion' and fear of every kind, he re-proposes Christianity, through his own person and his teaching, with all the simplicity of tradition.
3) Western identity
As Oriana Fallaci taught us, our civilization, which was founded on individual freedom as well as responsibility towards freedom and the common good, is the daughter of Christianity, and In Italy, in particular, of Catholicism.
Even those who declare themselves atheist have a veneer of the values and sentiments that have come to us from a bimillenial history under the sign of the Cross.
4) Reason vs. infantilism
Our friend Marco Pannella (head of the Radical Party) rattled off figures for 10 minutes on Porta a Porta [popular current affairs talk show on RAI state TV that featured Cardinal Ratzinger a number of times].
His argument: That the Pope is always on TV, so if he is not made to speak in some places, that's not to say he is being prevented from speaking out. It's like those who would not allow Jews or Negroes into their bars- they would list all the other bars, restaurants, streets and parks where Jews and Negroes are welcome, the trams which they could freely take - many more than those reserved only for Aryans. A mad scientist's reasoning.
For liberals, freedom is usually indivisible. To censor one page out of a thousand pages is still censorship - that was my page, in it I put myself, all of me; If you cut off one of my arms, then I am still left with one with which I could cut off my head.
La Stampa also was on the same wavelength as Pannella, complaining that Ratzinger is more often seen on TV than Napolitano or any cabinet minister.!
5) Spite
It is not a good sentiment, but it gives some satisfaction. According to the sempiternal masters of public opinion, to go to the Bernini colonnades tomorrow would mean restoring the 'historic fence' between Catholics and seculars. At the same time, it would mean mixing religion and politics and aiming for a show of force against non=-believers.
What nonsense! What will be demonstrated here - not a show of force, but of kindness - is to distinguish us from the academic hooligans. Those who have made a mockery of the freedom of expression are not 'secular' - they belong to the family of cretins. It is OK if one is being a cretin on one's own account, but to use it in order to muzzle others, then you get intolerant cretins. And also, even if this is being uncharitable - a fence to keep violent asses from kicking others is a legitimate defense of democracy.
6) Atheist pride
My friend Feltri (the book publisher) is resigning from being an atheist for at least this day. Others like him, who will be with us beneath the windows of the Apostolic Palace, will help prevent the intentions of those who would characterize the assembly as the makings of a Catholic party. Politics has nothing to do with it.
And one can esteem and show affection for the pope even without being a pious mob. This won't be a Catholic event, but simply catholic, which means universal.
7) Unity
Whoever has already experienced a gathering when the Pope is present can testify to this. An atmosphere just builds around that tiny dot of white, without the neurasthenic tension of a faceless crowd that would be capable of any ribaldry. But everyone is mysteriously united.
We are not gathering to make noise or overturn a government or a regime. Very simply, it makes us leave behind our burden of hopes and desires, of sorrows and anxieties. It is inevitable, and it seems to happen to everyone who is there. More modestly, it is the one place where one can bring the family without fear of scuffles and punches, without having to hear any grandstanding slogans.
8) Sheer pleasure
Rome is always worth a trip. Sunday mornings particularly have a special enchantment. And going to see the Pope for Angelus does not require fasting. One can load up with energy - maybe even mystical - with a good breakfast, which insures one's good humor. That's before the Angelus. Afterwards, one has a choice of trattorias and restaurants. If you want to interrupt Giuliano Ferrara at lunch, then go greet him at Campana in the alley with the same name. And President Cossiga goes to the buffet at the Hotel de Russie near Piazza del Popolo.
9) Joseph Ratzinger
Him. The words he says. The way he explains the Gospel. With the clarity of a country parish priest and the finesse of a cherubim. All this is well worth going there - to refresh a tired mind and the desolate heart of believing sinners and incorruptible atheists.
10) The Angelus for itself
It is a very beautiful prayer. It is the essence of Christianity. It recalls the time, place and contemporaneity of Jesus who incarnated in the womb of Our Lady.
First, there are the bells - their concert brings joy. Then the benediction. And perhaps there may even be some miracle. Indeed, it is not irrational to expect one. After all, the supreme category of reason is possibility.
So off to Rome and St. Peter's we shall go.
Libero, 19 gennaio 2008
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 20/01/2008 12:04]