Scottish Catholic Observer

Reflecting on the day’s reading from the Gospel of St Mark, the Holy Father reminded the faithful that Jesus told St John not to interfere when people other than Christ’s disciples cast out demons in Jesus’ name.

The Pope observed that ‘one can have difficulty in appreciating and recognising—in a spirit of profound communion—the good things done’ by those of other faiths. Citing St Augustine, the Holy Father said: “Just as one can find that which is not Catholic in the Catholic Church—that is, in the Church_one can also find something that may be Catholic outside of the Catholic Church.” In any case the faithful should applaud the good that is done, the Pope said.

“Church members should not feel jealous, but rejoice if someone from outside the community do good in the name of Christ, provided this is done with right intention and with respect,” he added. “Even within the Church itself, he added, it can sometimes happen that one can have difficulty in appreciating and recognising, in a spirit of profound communion, the good things done by the various ecclesial realities. Instead we should all be able to always appreciate and respect each other, praising the Lord for the infinite ‘fantasy’ with which he acts in the Church and in the world.”

The Pope held his Sunday audience in the courtyard of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo before returning to the Vatican.