Cardinal Bertone affirms: Church encourages love for art

February 07, 2013

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, formally opened “Peter’s Journey,” an exhibition at Castel Sant’Angelo featuring paintings and sculptures from the fourth century to the present.

“When it is a question of communicating the loftiest truths, it is necessary that they make a mark, with the best possible repertoire of means, materials, gestures and words that we have at our disposal,” Cardinal Bertone said. “The Church has always encouraged love for art.”

“The human and spiritual adventure of Simon Peter reminds us that faith is not the result of a rational process, nor merely some heritage that has been passed down to us, even though it was won with blood,” he continued. “Faith is a gift of God which, if it is lived to the full, does not leave man at the mercy of mediocrity.”

“Christian faith is not a cold and arrogant possession of truths to be grasped,” he added. “Rather, it is being won over by the revelation that God is the love on which we may depend, in spite of such reasons as effort, anxiety and concern which can sometimes overwhelm us.”

 

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Further information:

• Peter's Journey (L’Osservatore Romano)
• Exhibits: masterpieces on St. Peter, at Castel Sant'Angelo (ANSAmed)
• Vatican art exhibit is a challenge to secularism, archbishop explains (CWN, 2/5)