Traveling to Prague, from where his apostolic visit to the country "the most atheistic of Europe," Benedict XVI, as usual, answered some questions from journalists. He was asked what contribution the Church can make in a situation that sees in the minority. "Normally - said - creative minorities determine the future. The Catholic Church must act as a creative minority. " Joseph
Zvěřina, probably the most Bohemian theologian of the last century, knew that the Christian minority is so indigestible to the different majorities, which have continued to be persecuted. I met him almost 25 years ago. I went to Prague to tell about my journal of a pilgrimage that Catholics had organized without the permission of the communist regime, to celebrate the Saints Cyril and Methodius, the fathers of Slavic Christianity. Of course, imagined as a normal tourist, I would never have been allowed to enter as an independent journalist in what was then still called Czechoslovakia, fully normalized after the "spring" of 1968 and the faithful ally of Moscow.
With the mediation of some friends I was fortunate enough to interview Zvěřina. He lived in a house by an anonymous anonymous district of the capital, and I stared an appointment for 6 in the morning. "At that time - he explained - is the changing of the guard that watches my house permanently, there is always some minute intervals, so she goes without problems." For many years the old theologian had honed various forms of "creativity" to escape the meshes of the scheme.
Born in 1913 and priest in 1937, seems poised to a brilliant academic career, but came the German invasion, the arrest of the Gestapo and the first months in prison. A brief period of peace after the war and then again stop, this time by new communist masters: 25 years in prison for espionage and other betrayal.
recalled: "The treason was in my work with youth groups. Espionage in the fact that, recognizing the authority of the Pope, was proclaimed "agent of a foreign power". " Released - in the context of its 'working class origin' - before the expiry of the deadline, had to resign themselves to doing menial jobs. He was one of the protagonists of "Spring" and, when it was suppressed, was sent to a parrocchietta country, then retired early and locked in the apartment where I interviewed.
His way of saying that the Church is a minority was to remember it is always a "sign of contradiction." Not for political reasons, but the nature of his message, which can not yield to no conformity, no minds. Is famous in this regard, the letter in the early 70's to the "Christians of the West," much inclined to go along with the fashions of the moment. With lucidity
observed: "You have the presumption to bring utilities to the kingdom of God taking as much as possible saeculum [world], his life, his words, his slogan, his way of thinking." And with prophetic zeal, taken from St. Paul, warned: "Do not conform!", Do not assume the patterns of the world. "We can not imitate the world because we judge it, not with pride and superiority, but with love, just as the Father has loved the world that is why it has given up on the court. "
Here is the perennial "creativity" of the "minority" Christian. Creativity fully aware that the world will not forgive. Zvěřina has spent half his life in prison and exile in order to remain faithful to the newness of Christianity. To us to perhaps a more subtle censorship, just look at the poor area that the newspapers have given the Pope's trip to face But whatever has the status of minority and how bad the persecution, creativity is not affected. Zvěřina In that interview he said, ironic and delighted: "One of my ways of doing catechism Jesus is talking about the phone: in addition to the other party, also teach sound doctrine to police spy who is listening to me. " (IlSussidiario)
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