ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SILESIA

Thursday, 13 January 2005
 

A warm welcome to you! I thank the Archbishop and the Rector for their words. I am delighted to offer hospitality to such distinguished representatives of the University of Silesia, accompanied by the Ordinary of Katowice and the Mayor of the City.

According to the classical concept, a university without a theological faculty could not exist; it would have been considered incomplete. Today, this has changed. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the presence of the theological sciences, among the other branches of learning at the university, creates the possibility of a valid exchange of ideas. Fides et ratio converge in the quest for wisdom. They use different tools and methods but enrich each other on the way to the discovery of the many facets of the truth.

I hope that the University of Silesia in Katowice may reap a rich harvest from this collaboration that began four years ago. I ask the Rector and all of you, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, to convey my greeting and my Blessing to all the teachers and students of your Athenaeum. God bless you!

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