Various Christian traditions come together to mark year of studies on St. Paul

Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – Pope Benedict XVI has designated a Pauline Year to commemorate the second millennium of the birth of St. Paul, whose writings are critical for understanding for all Christian traditions. This effort has been joined by the leaders of other major Christian denominations. The Pauline Year, will begin June 28 and end on June 29, 2009, and will bring together Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians in programs to revitalize faith and encourage prayer and work for Christian unity.

The archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is looking for initiatives that will carry the celebration of the Year of St. Paul throughout the world.

Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo addressed his letter to the dioceses, churches, shrines, places of worship and institutes for studies and assistance that carry St. Paul’s name, or are inspired by him and his teaching.

He invited "any initiative, idea, suggestion or information that could be important for spreading the work and mission of the ‘Apostle of the People.’”

The archpriest said the basilica “is committed to offering the best welcome to those who come to pray at the tomb of the Apostle,” but that the event wouldn't be lived only in Rome.

He recalled that the pope called on all religious institutions that carry St. Paul's name, or are inspired by him, to carry out initiatives “in their dioceses, sanctuaries and places of worship.”

Cardinal Montezemolo added, “It would be useful to employ the Web site, annopaolino.org, to communicate news of historic, cultural and religious value, as well as initiatives planned for the Jubilee Pauline Year.”

Local efforts underway

The Ecumenical Center for Pauline Studies, an initiative of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, The New England Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral, Springfield and the Massachusetts Bible Society, will coordinate Pauline Year activities in western Massachusetts.

The Ecumenical Center will be fashioning a yearlong series of programs and pilgrimages under the theme suggested by Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell: “Paul for the Twenty-first Century.”

In preparation for the Pauline Year, a day-long symposium titled “Living Christ in a Pluralistic World” will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield on Tuesday, April 8. The symposium begins at 8.30 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. With the assistance of three renowned biblical scholars, the symposium will uncover St. Paul’s own insights of living in the pluralistic world in which he himself was active.

The featured speakers at the April 8 symposium will include the Rev. Professor Karl P. Donfried, an ordained Lutheran minister and professor-emeritus from Smith College. Rev. Donfried is an internationally recognized New Testament scholar.

Rev. Donfried has also taught at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, as well as served as a visiting professor at Yale, Brown and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He will be joined by Jesuit priest and professor, Father Thomas Stegman, who is currently associate professor of New Testament studies at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass.

Father Stegman has done research into the interpretations of New Testament writings especially those of St. Paul. The final speaker for this symposium will be Episcopal rector, the Rev. Paul F. M. Zahl from Chevy Chase, Md. Rev. Zahl is rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase and has authored a number of books. His most recent is “Grace in Practice: A Theology for Everyday Life.”

In the spirit of St. Paul’s call for “an offering for the poor in Jerusalem” an offering will be collected for the Christians in Iraq and distributed by the International Orthodox Christian Charities www.iocc.org.

Until March 28, pre-registration including lunch is $15. Registration at the door is $20. Individuals may register by mail addressed to the Pauline Symposium, Massachusetts Bible Society, 14 Beacon St., Suite 510, Boston, MA 02108. Checks should be payable to The Ecumenical Center for Pauline Studies – RCB.

Another event planned is a 10-day ecumenical and educational trip to Malta, Sicily and Rome, in which local pastoral and academic leaders will direct an in-depth exploration of St. Paul’s final journey to Rome. Planned for Nov. 21-30, reservations and deposits are needed by April 10. More information is available by calling Father John McDonough at 413-452-0819 or Rev. Edwin Larson at 413-536-3369.

(Material from Zenit was also used in this report.)