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The Italian experience of relations between Church and State, each in its distinct field and with fruitful mutual collaboration, could profitably be shared with other countries

by VIS | Source: VIS

VATICAN CITY, 28 SEP 2011

Archbishop GiovanniAngelo Becciu, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State,yesterday delivered an address at the Italian embassy to the Holy See in thecourse of a ceremony called to mark the 150th anniversary of Italianunification. The event was attended by the president of the Italian Senate, thepresident of the Constitutional Court, a number of ministers and other publicauthorities.

 

  Archbishop Becciu recalled how Benedict XVI hadsent a message for the anniversary of unification to Giorgio Napolitano,president of the Italian Republic, and had presided at a prayer for Italy at thepapal basilica of St. Mary Major. "The Church in Italy", said the archbishop, "hasdedicated her energies with great conviction to affirming ... the vitality ofthat spirit of loyal collaboration for the promotion of man and the good of thecountry which characterises relations between the Church and the politicalcommunity in Italy".

 

  In this context Archbishop Becciu referred tothe Lateran Pacts of 1929 and to their 1984 revision which, as the Pope wrotein his message to President Napolitano, "are clear indications of dialoguebetween the Holy See and Italy, ... and of the harmonious and supportivecollaboration between the Church and the political community, in support of theindividual and the common good".

 

  "The Italian experience of relationsbetween Church and State, each in its distinct field and with fruitful mutualcollaboration, could profitably be shared with other countries", thearchbishop concluded.