Benedict XVI: Remission of excommunication an act of mercy

During the homily of the solemn inauguration of my Pontificate, I said that the "explicit" work of the Shepherd is to call all to unity, commenting on the Gospel's words of the miraculous catch of fish, "although there were so many fish, the net was not torn." I continued, "Alas, beloved Lord, the net is now torn, we want to say sadly. But no- we must not be sad! Let us rejoice in Your promise that does not disappoint and do everything possible to pursue this path towards the unity that You have promised. Lord, do not let your net be torn, and help us to be servants of unity." It was in fulfillment of this service to unity that, qualified in a specific way by my ministry as the Successor of Peter, I d ...