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CONCLUSION
The
mission that the Church, with great hope, entrusts to Catholic Universities
holds a cultural and religious meaning of vital importance because it concerns
the very future of humanity. The renewal requested of Catholic Universities
will make them better able to respond to the task of bringing the message of
Christ to man, to society, to the various cultures: "Every human reality,
both individual and social has been liberated by Christ: persons, as well as
the activities of men and women, of which culture is the highest and incarnate
expression. The salvific action of the Church on cultures is achieved, first of
all, by means of persons, families and educators... Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
offers his light and his hope to all those who promote the sciences, the arts,
letters and the numerous fields developed by modem culture. Therefore, all the
sons and daughters of the Church should become aware of their mission and
discover how the strength of the Gospel can penetrate and regenerate the
mentalities and dominant values that inspire individual cultures, as well as
the opinions and mental attitudes that are derived from it"(54).
It is
with fervent hope that I address this Document to all the men and women engaged
in various ways in the significant mission of Catholic higher education.
Beloved
Brothers and Sisters, my encouragement and my trust go with you in your weighty
daily task that becomes ever more important, more urgent and necessary on
behalf of Evangelization for the future of culture and of all cultures. The
Church and the world have great need of your witness and of your capable, free,
and responsible contribution.
Given
in Rome, at Saint Peter's, on 15 August, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, in the year 1990, the twelfth of the
Pontificate.
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