Archbishop Eamon Martin welcomes Pope Francis’ publication Gaudete et exsultate

09 Apr 2018

Archbishop Eamon Martin has welcomed the publication today of Gaudete et exsultate, On the call to holiness in today’s world, an Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis.

Archbishop Martin said, “I welcome the publication today by Pope Francis of Gaudete et exsultate (“Rejoice and Be Glad”) , an Apostolic Exhortation on the call to holiness in today’s world.  One of the great insights of the Second Vatican Council was its teaching on the universal call to holiness, something that is particularly evident in chapter 5 of Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church.  In his new publication Pope Francis has reinforced this essential teaching of Vatican II and reinterpreted it for the contemporary world.  ‘My modest goal’ says Pope Francis in the Exhortation, ‘is to repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time.’  In emphasising the centrality of holiness being found in following Jesus, the Holy Father also highlights the hallmarks associated with this following of the Lord.”

Archbishop Martin concluded, “The publication of today’s Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis is a great opportunity for all of us, lay, ordained and consecrated, to refocus our lives on what is the central point of our faith in Jesus.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

  • Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
  • This is third Apostolic Exhortation published by Pope Francis, following Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel, published in November 2013) andAmoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love, published in March 2016).

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