Archbishop Cordes Addresses Seminary
by Jeremy Meuser

President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Archbishop Paul Cordes, chats with seminarians after his talk on Pope Benedict's first encyclical.

The Sacred Heart community was graced "with a gift from the Holy See," in the words of our new rector, Msgr. Jeffrey Monforton. Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of Cor Unum, the Pontifical Council for Human and Christian Development, visited the seminary community on September 21 to speak on concrete applications of Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical letter, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love). The seminary is one of three locations in the U.S. scheduled for visit by the archbishop.

Archbishop Cordes is uniquely qualified to speak on the theology and practical implications of the Pope Benedict's encyclical. He participated in the composition of Deus Caritas Est, a draft began under John Paul II but heavily edited by the current Holy Father.

While the archbishop spends much of his time in Rome directing the Christian charity work of Cor Unum, as well as many duties on other Vatican congregations, councils and commissions, he does not limit himself to a worldview from his office in Rome. On the contrary, he was the papal envoy to New Orleans during the Katrina recovery effort, and he visited Southeast Asia after the devastating tsunami. He also has visited Africa, Iraq, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and other areas affected by poverty, disease or disaster.

The archbishop commented especially on the tension and necessary relationship between Church and State and reiterated the Church's position that "the two spheres are distinct, yet always interrelated" (Deus Caritas Est, no. 28). Also of note was the stress he placed on being present in "heart and prayer" in the gift we make, always centered in the love of Christ, which compels us forward in proclamation of the Gospel and service to the needy of the world.

Pope Benedict placed the central theme of the New Testament at the forefront of his encyclical. Emphasizing "the absolute precedence of the Divine and stable, fundamental nature of God's love," the encyclical begins with the words, "God is love." This love "given freely, should give pause to all Christians, especially those involved in charitable work or institutions," reflected Archbishop Cordes.

"In this encyclical, God, Christ, and love are fused together in the central guide for the Christian faith."

After the talk, the seminary offered a reception in honor of Archbishop Cordes, which allowed the community to share private words. He encouraged seminarians to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church, especially after ordination. In the archbishop's experience, "faithful, energetic priests have faithful, energetic parishes."