The Holy Spirit Inspires the
human quest for truth
H. H.
John Paul II
General Audience
September 9, 1998
1. In Nostra aetate,
the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian
Religions, the Second Vatican Council teaches that “the Catholic
Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions.
She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the
precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from
her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth
which enlightens all men” (Nostra aetate, n. 2).
Taking up the Council’s teaching from the first Encyclical Letter of
my Pontificate, I have wished to recall the ancient doctrine
formulated by the Fathers of the Church, which says that we must
recognize “the seeds of the Word” present and active in the various
religions (Ad gentes, n. 11; Lumen gentium, n. 17). This doctrine
leads us to affirm that, though the routes taken may be different,
“there is but a single goal to which is directed the deepest
aspiration of the human spirit as expressed in its quest for God and
also in its quest, through its tending towards God, for the full
dimension of its humanity, or in other words, for the full meaning
of human life” (Redemptor hominis, n. 11).
The “seeds of truth” present and active in the various religious
traditions are a reflection of the unique Word of God, who
“enlightens every man coming into world” (cf. Jn 1:9) and who became
flesh in Christ Jesus (cf. Jn 1:14). They are together an “effect of
the Spirit of truth operating outside the visible confines of the
Mystical Body” and which “blows where it wills” (Jn 3:8; cf.
Redemptor hominis, nn. 6, 12). Keeping this doctrine in mind, the
celebration of the Jubilee of the Year 2000 “will provide a great
opportunity, especially in view of the events of recent decades, for
interreligious dialogue” (Tertio millennio adveniente, n. 53). Even
now, during this pneumatological year, it is fitting to pause and
consider in what sense and in what ways the Holy Spirit is present
in humanity’s religious quest and in the various experiences and
traditions that express it.
2. It must first be kept in mind that every quest of the human
spirit for truth and goodness, and in the last analysis for God, is
inspired by the Holy Spirit. The various religions arose precisely
from this primordial human openness to God. At their origins we
often find founders who, with the help of God’s Spirit, achieved a
deeper religious experience. Handed on to others, this experience
took form in the doctrines, rites and precepts of the various
religions.
In every authentic religious experience, the most characteristic
expression is prayer. Because of the human spirit’s constitutive
openness to God’s action of urging it to self-transcendence, we can
hold that “every authentic prayer is called forth by the Holy
Spirit, who is mysteriously present in the heart of every person”
(Address to the Members of the Roman Curia, 22 Dec. 1986, n. 11;
L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 5 Jan. 1987, p. 7).
We experienced an eloquent manifestation of this truth at the World
Day of Prayer for Peace on 27 October 1986 in Assisi, and on other
similar occasions of great spiritual intensity.
3. The Holy Spirit is not only present in other religions through
authentic expressions of prayer. “The Spirit’s presence and
activity”, as I wrote in the Encyclical Letter Redemptoris missio,
“affect not only individuals but also society and history, peoples,
cultures and religions” (n. 28).
Normally, “it will be in the sincere practice of what is good in
their own religious traditions and by following the dictates of
their own conscience that the members of other religions respond
positively to God’s invitation and receive salvation in Jesus
Christ, even while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their
Saviour (cf. Ad gentes, nn. 3, 9, 11)” (Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue – Congregation for the Evangelization of
Peoples, Instruction Dialogue and Proclamation, 19 May 1991, n. 29;
L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 1 July 1991, p. III).
Indeed, as the Second Vatican Council teaches, “since Christ died
for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same
destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers
to all the possibility of coming into contact, in a way known to
God, with the paschal mystery” (Gaudium et spes, n. 22).
This possibility is achieved through sincere, inward adherence to
the Truth, generous self-giving to one’s neighbour and the search
for the Absolute inspired by the Spirit of God. A ray of the divine
Wisdom is also shown through the fulfilment of the precepts and
practices that conform to the moral law and to authentic religious
sense. Precisely by virtue of the Spirit’s presence and action, the
good elements found in the various religions mysteriously prepare
hearts to receive the full revelation of God in Christ.
4. For the reasons mentioned here, the attitude of the Church and of
individual Christians towards other religions is marked by sincere
respect, profound sympathy and, when possible and appropriate,
cordial collaboration. This does not mean forgetting that Jesus
Christ is the one Mediator and Saviour of the human race. Nor does
it mean lessening our missionary efforts, to which we are bound in
obedience to the risen Lord’s command: “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). The attitude of
respect and dialogue is instead the proper recognition of the “seeds
of the Word” and the “groanings of the Spirit”. In this sense, far
from opposing the proclamation of the Gospel, our attitude prepares
it, as we await the times appointed by the Lord’s mercy. “By
dialogue we let God be present in our midst; for as we open
ourselves in dialogue to one another, we also open ourselves to God”
(Address to Members of Other Religions, Madras, 5 Feb. 1986, n. 4;
L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 10 Feb. 1986, p. 14).
May the Spirit of truth and love, in view of the third millennium
now close at hand, guide us on the paths of the proclamation of
Jesus Christ and of the dialogue of peace and brotherhood with the
followers of all religions!
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To the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors the Holy Father said:
I extend a special welcome to the members of the International
Federation of Pharmaceutical Workers, as well as to the participants
in the Colloquium on Pope Innocent III, on the eighth centenary of
his election as Pope. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and
visitors, especially those from England, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden,
South Africa, Japan and the United States of America, I cordially
invoke the abundant blessings of almighty God.
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