On "Memory and Reconciliation"
Beirdd
Beirdd@summerlands.com
Tue Mar  7 19:29:49 2000
Considering the amazingly spiritual nature of the upcoming Catholic document, "Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past," popularly known as the "Papal Apology," I thought it would be fitting to set aside some space in this holy place for a presentation and discussion of the *facts* of the document and the prayerful action of the Catholic Church it will implement.*p*Some facts about the document:*p*The document was published in Paris on March 3rd. This means that its printing was unveiled; there was no distribution of copies.*p*The complete document will be presented in Rome by Pope John Paul II on Ash Wednesday, March 8. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, and as such is the Catholic "Day of Atonement." The document is about 50 pages long. Concurrent with the presentation will be the distribution of copies worldwide in about 8 languages.*p*The document calls for a day of prayer to implement its plan for spiritual atonement and reconciliation. The day of prayer will be Sunday, March 12, the First Sunday of Lent, which is the Catholic season of atonement and reconciliation which culminates on Good Friday, April 21.*p*Currently, I plan to announce the presentation of the document here. I will provide links to Vatican news and curia sources regarding the document. Perhaps, if enough are interested, we will eventually find an online version that can be put in our archives in some format.*p*There is a whole gamut of feelings, opinions, and emotions about this document, its ideas and the desires expressed in it. I hope that the Sanctuary of the Summerlands will provide a place, as always, for the movement of spirit, whatever its good manifestation, in our lives and our community.*p*Please feel free to post any questions you may have about this subject or send them to me at the Summerlands.*p*--Beirdd