Mystici Corporis Christi
The Mystici corporis ( Mystical Body of Christ ) was on 29 June 1943 by Pope Pius XII. published. It includes the teaching of the Catholic Church, which at the same time sees itself as the mystical body of Christ.
Description
The essence of that " faith encyclical " is that the Mystical Body of Christ and the Roman Catholic Church actually " one and the same " are. The encyclical takes the idea of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. Moreover, it overcomes some spiritual narrowness and culminates in her statement and conclusion is that it is not a lump sum damn new developments, but also recognizes the good in them.
The encyclical addresses both against " rationalism and naturalism " and against "false mysticism " in the exposition of the doctrine of the Church. In a statement essence of this true Church of Christ which is the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church, nothing more noble and more excellent, nothing more divine can be found as that expression with which it is referred to as " the mystical body of Jesus Christ." (MC 13) This idea is carried out based on the Bible and the Church Fathers. From the combination of the individual Christian with Christ results - as Pius XII. - An assurance of salvation (MC 24). Christ is the founder and author of holiness. (MC 51) The work of the Body of Christ is reflected in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist (MC 51 et seq, 82 et passim ), but is also expressed in prayer (MC 89) and Charity (MC 98). The needs of the world must move the Christians: As we write this, standing in front of our eyes an almost infinite multitude of distressed whose pain we sympathize deeply. There are the sick, the poor, the maimed, the widows and orphans, and many who often wear yours on your own suffering or to the to exhaustion. (MC 107) The encyclical concludes with remarks on the " apostolate of prayer " and the value of suffering as well as in the traditional manner with an invocation of Mary.
Since " Mystici corporis " should strengthen the faith of Christians in difficult times, the text is to long distances " meditative " written ( of course by the flowery style of that " statement language" of asterisks). " Mystici corporis " still includes the " spiritual " content numerous references to the current events and politics, even in the guise of a Bible quotation a surprisingly clear criticism: Questions is the Most High, after euern works, and your thoughts, He will interrogate because her as Walter his power unfairly judged, not observed the statutes of justice have, do not be changed by God's will. Horrible and surprising He will stand before you; because the hardest court was made on the authorities. The little man is bestowed mercy, those who have authority, however, be beaten powerful. God spares not whether his rank, he is afraid of any size. The small and the great, He has done both, and equally to all extends his concern; but the stronger threatens greater punishment. You, her ruler, this is true my word, that ye may learn wisdom, and she never ignored! (Wis 6.4 to 10 ) (MC 105)
Importance
Overall Mystici provides corporis the most important point in the development of the " doctrine of the Church " since 1800 dar. Note also the fact that the Council Fathers took up the thoughts and teachings of this faith encyclical in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium of 1964 and confirmed that the origin result of the testimony of the mystical body of Christ to Saint Paul 's.
Clearly the Reich and superman ideology of totalitarian systems is blamed ( by the time context of Fascism and National Socialism ) in the encyclical: With great pain we experience it as physically misshapen, mentally ill and those with hereditary illnesses are sometimes stripped as the load of the society of her life; yes as this is hailed by some as a new invention of human progress and exceedingly charitable deed. But which legally Thinking does not see that such a view is no less the natural and the divine, every heart inscribed Act ( S. Decret. officii, 2 Dec 1940:. . AAS 1940, p 553 ), as the perception of any higher humanity mockery? The blood of those who are just because of our Savior more expensive because they earn greater compassion, " cries from earth to heaven" (Gen 4,10 EU). (...) Unfortunately, there are now more than ever, people who boast haughtily with enmity, hatred and ill-will, as if it were a huge increase human honor and human power. We note with sorrow the disastrous fruits of such principles before us. Let us therefore follow our Prince of Peace, who taught us to love not only those who come from other people, and blood as we (Luke 10.33-37 ), but even our enemies ( Lk 6.27 to 35; Matthew 5: 44-48 ). (Q: MC 94 96 )