June 16, 2010. During this morning's general audience in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI  focused his catechesis on the figure of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The pope discussed the saint's distinction between philosophy and theology. St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron of Catholic schools and universities.

He said although faith and reason use different cognitive processes, they are compatible and that faith consolidates, integrates and illuminates truth acquired by human reason.

Benedict XVI
“The complementary relationship between faith and reason reflects the truth that God's grace builds on, elevates and perfects human nature, which is thus enabled to pursue the felicity which is its deepest desire.”

He added that faith protects reason from “any temptation to mistrust in its own capacities and stimulates it to open itself to ever broader horizons”.

The pope continued by saying St. Thomas Aquinas presents a broad and trusting view of human reason and his theology affirms that religious language has meaning.

Benedict XVI
“Thomas's conviction that we are naturally able to acknowledge the principles of the natural moral law remains timely, since that law, grounded in the truth of man's nature, is the basis of respect for human dignity and  universal human rights.”

Benedict XVI also said Christian theology is the exercise of intellect, which shows the intelligibility of the faith, its inner structure of harmony, its reasonableness and its capacity to promote the good of man.

IS
CTV-JM
BN