Pope Francis has called for a renewed study of Church history and has emphasized collective memory, reconciliation, and deep engagement with primary sources to navigate the present with knowledge and faith.
Vatican News
In a letter published Thursday, Nov. 21, Pope Francis called for a profound renewal of the study of Church history and urged seminarians, clergy and faithful to accept history for the vital role it plays in our daily lives. .
History as collective memory.
In the letter, the Pope reflected on the importance of history as a community heritage and stressed that the study of the Church goes far beyond remembering dates and events.
It is about “keeping alive the flame of conscience,” he stated, adding that in this way the faithful can approach the present with a clear perspective, based on the experience lived by the Church throughout the centuries. Pope Francis spoke of “deconstructionism,” which he described as a growing trend in today’s culture.
He wrote that something deconstructionism can leave behind is “a tendency toward limitless consumption and the expression of hollow individualism.” The Pope warned that these tendencies often manifest themselves as “a blindness that leads us to waste our energies in a world that does not exist, that creates false problems and leads to inadequate solutions.”
The church with all its imperfections
Pope Francis warned against idealizing the Church in a way that detracts from its human and flawed path.
The Pope stressed that true love for the Church lies in its authenticity, not in an imaginary perfection.
He stressed the importance of loving the Church as it is and the power of learning from its failures.
He said: “A Church that remains conscious of its identity even in its darkest moments can better understand the imperfect and wounded world in which it lives.” “use the same means with which she tries to heal and renew herself, even if sometimes she doesn’t succeed.”
memory and coherence
Speaking about the importance of preserving history in the Church and society, Pope Francis warned against “cancel culture” and biased historical narratives that distort the past to justify current ideologies.
Instead, he added, we need a balanced engagement with history, recognizing humanity’s darkest chapters and moments of extraordinary grace.
Memory, he stressed, “is not an obstacle to progress, but rather the foundation of justice and fraternity.”
Reforms in historical studies.
At the end of his letter, Pope Francis addressed several areas of renewal in the study of Church history.
He criticized approaches that reduce church history to mere chronological facts and stressed the need for a zealous and committed study of history.
He urged seminarians to engage more deeply with early Christian writings, calling for greater emphasis on primary sources.
“What is needed is personal and collective passion,” the Pope stated, highlighting the importance of giving voice to the voices of those who are marginalized, neutral or have not chosen a sterile situation.
martyrdom
Finally, the Pope reflected on the importance of martyrdom in the history of the Church, reminding the faithful that the Church has often found its greatest beauty in moments of persecution and suffering, when its witness to Christ shines brightest.
The Pope explained that “the Church itself recognizes that it has benefited and continues to benefit from the opposition of its enemies and persecutors.”
At the end of his letter, the Pope highlighted the importance of the study of history and reminded the faithful that “study is not gossip.”
He concludes that true study requires the courage to ask deep questions and resist the distractions of cultural consumerism.
