31 October 2007
Vatican Update 31 October 2007
| 10.31.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 186 |
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SUMMARY: - Maximus of Turin: Faith and Earthly Responsibility - Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for November - Notice ___________________________________________________________ MAXIMUS OF TURIN: FAITH AND EARTHLY RESPONSIBILITY VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2007 (VIS) - During his general audience, held this morning in a rainy St. Peter's Square in the presence of 30,000 faithful, Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis to the figure of St. Maximus of Turin. Maximus became bishop of that Italian city in the year 398 just as it was being threatened by various barbarian tribes which had entered Italy through the eastern passes and pushed as far as the western Alps. Turin was protected by a military garrison and served as a safe haven for people fleeing rural areas. Faced with such a situation the activities of Maximus, author of around 90 sermons, "bear witness to his commitment to react to the degradation and break-up" of civil society, said the Pope. The bishop censured the faithful when they sought to turn another's disadvantage to their own benefit, thus highlighting "the profound relationship between a person's duties as a Christian and as a citizen." And Maximus was concerned "not only with people's traditional love for their hometown" but also proclaimed "the specific duty of paying taxes." A historical and literary analysis of the figure of St. Maximus, said the Pope, "demonstrates his growing awareness of the political responsibility of the ecclesiastical authorities at a time in which they were, in effect, substituting civil authority." "It is clear that today's historical, cultural and social context is completely different," the Holy Father went on, "but in any case, ... the duties of believers towards their city and their homeland remain the same. The link between the obligations of the 'honest citizen' and those of the 'good Christian' has not changed in the least." In this context, Pope Benedict then went on to refer to the Vatican Council II Pastoral Constitution "Gaudium et spes" which had the aim "of illuminating one of the most important aspects of the unity of Christian life: coherence between faith and life, between Gospel and culture." Vatican Council II, he concluded, "exhorts Christians, as citizens of two cities, to strive to discharge their earthly duties conscientiously and in response to the Gospel spirit. They are mistaken who, knowing that we have here no abiding city but seek one which is to come, think that they may therefore shirk their earthly responsibilities. For they are forgetting that by the faith itself they are more obliged than ever to measure up to these duties, each according to his proper vocation." AG/MAXIMUS OF TURIN/... VIS 071031 (420) BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2007 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for November is: "That those dedicated to medical research and all those engaged in legislative activity may always have deep respect for human life, from its beginning to its natural conclusion." His mission intention is: "That in the Korean peninsula the spirit of reconciliation and peace may grow." BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/ NOVEMBER/... VIS 071031 (70) VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Breda, Netherlands presented by Bishop Martinus Petrus Maria Muskens, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Johannes Harmannes Jozefus Van den Hende. - Appointed Bishop Mauro Aparecido dos Santos of Campo Mourao, Brazil, as metropolitan archbishop of Cascavel (area 8,103, population 390,000, Catholics 292,000, priests 60, religious 179), Brazil. The archbishop-elect was born in Fartura, Brazil in 1954, he was ordained a priest in 1984 and consecrated a bishop in 1998. He succeeds Archbishop Lucio Ignacio Baumgaertner, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. - Appointed Msgr. Hector Eduardo Vera Colona, vicar general of Chiclayo, Peru, and pastor of "San Pedro" in Lambayeque, as bishop of Ica (area 21,305, population 745,000, Catholics 735,000, priests 49, religious 132), Peru. The bishop-elect was born in Chiclayo in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1987. He succeeds Bishop Guido Brena Lopez O.P., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. - Appointed Bishop Miguel Angelo Freitas Ribeiro of Tocantinopolis, Brazil, as bishop of Oliveira (area 7,738, population 307,000, Catholics 290,000, priests 40, religious 43), Brazil. - Msgr. Angelo Pirovano, official in the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, as bureau chief in the same section. - Vincenzo Buonomo, assistant in the Holy See permanent mission to the United Nations Organizations for Food and Agriculture (FAO, IFAD, and PAM), as bureau chief in the same permanent mission. RE:NER:NA/.../... VIS 071031 (290) VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2007 (VIS) - We would like to remind our readers that there will be no VIS bulletin on Thursday, November 1 or Friday, November 2, respectively All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and holidays in the Vatican. Service will resume on Monday, November 5. .../NOTICE/... VIS 071031 (50) |
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30 October 2007
Vatican Update 30 October 2007
| 10.30.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 185 |
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SUMMARY: - In Brief ___________________________________________________________ ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MAGGIORE, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, spoke yesterday in New York before the second committee of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the theme of sustainable development. Speaking English, Archbishop Migliore highlighted the "underlying moral imperative that all, without exception, have a grave responsibility to protect the environment." This, he said, means we must "examine how we use and share the goods of the earth and what we pass on to future generations. It exhorts us to live in harmony with our environment." AT THE ALTAR OF THE CATHEDRA in St., Peter's Basilica at 11.30 a.m. on Monday, November 5, the Holy Father will preside at a Mass concelebrated with members of the College of Cardinals for the souls of cardinals and bishops who died during the course of the year. "THE MEDIA: AT THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN ACTIVISM AND SERVICE. Seeking the Truth in order to share it with others" is the theme chosen by Benedict XVI for the 42nd World Communications Day, due to be celebrated on May 4, 2008. In a communique released today Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, writes that such a theme "calls on us to reflect on the role played by the media and especially the increasing risk of their becoming self-absorbed and no longer tools at the service of truth - something which is meant to be sought and shared." .../IN BRIEF/... VIS 071030 (250) VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Bishop Pierre Burcher, auxiliary of Lausanne, Geneve et Fribourg, Switzerland, as bishop of Reykjavik (area 103,000, population 299,407, Catholics 6,451, priests 15, religious 48), Iceland. He succeeds Joannes Baptist Matthijs Gijsen, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. - Appointed Fr. Hermenegildo Torres Asanza of the clergy of the diocese of Machala, Ecuador, episcopal vicar for the "Zona Alta," as auxiliary of the same diocese (area 5,819, population 527,000, Catholics 499,000, priests 38, religious 94). The bishop-elect was born in San Roque, Ecuador in 1966 and ordained a priest in 1992. - Appointed Fr. William Patrick Callahan O.F.M. Conv., spiritual director of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Milwaukee (area 12,323, population 2,271,840, Catholics 707,688, priests 703, permanent deacons 167, religious 2,856), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Chicago, U.S.A. in 1950 and ordained a priest in 1977. - Appointed Fr. Herve Gaschignard of the clergy of the diocese of Nantes, France, pastor of Notre-Dame la Blanche in Guerande, as auxiliary of Toulouse (area 6,372, population 1,126,000, Catholics 743,160, priests 384, permanent deacons 18, religious 768), France. The bishop-elect was born in Saint-Nazaire, France in 1959 and ordained a priest in 1989. NER:NEA/.../... VIS 071030 (230) |
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26 October 2007
Vatican Update 26 October 2007
| 10.26.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 183 |
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SUMMARY: - Masters of Faith and Heralds of the Gospel - Gabon: Christian Life Founded on Clear Principles - Pope Receives Prime Minister of Iceland ___________________________________________________________ MASTERS OF FAITH AND HERALDS OF THE GOSPEL VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2007 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, following a Eucharistic concelebration presided by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, to mark the beginning of the academic year at Roman Pontifical Universities, the Holy Father entered St. Peter's Basilica to greet the students gathered there. "Seek to create," the Pope told them, "a climate in which commitment to study and fraternal cooperation enable you to enrich one another, not only as concerns cultural, academic and doctrinal aspects, but also on a human and spiritual level." The Holy Father also reminded the students that Rome is a city "rich in historical memories, in masterpieces of art and culture, and above all in eloquent Christian testimony. "Over time," he added, "universities and ecclesiastical faculties came into being, now centuries old. There, entire generations of priests and pastoral workers were formed, including many great saints and illustrious men of the Church." Referring then to John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution "Sapientia christiana," which refers to the need to consider "new problems" in the light of Christian revelation and to present truth "in a manner adapted to various cultures," Benedict XVI reaffirmed that such a commitment "is more pressing than ever in our post-modern age, in which the need is felt for a new evangelization, and which needs masters of faith and appropriately-trained heralds and witnesses of the Gospel." "The time you spend in Rome can and must serve to prepare you to undertake ... the task that awaits you in the various fields of apostolic activity. In our own time, the Church's evangelizing mission requires, not only that the Gospel message be spread everywhere, but that it penetrate deeply into the way people think, into their criteria of judgement and their behavior. In a word," he concluded, "all the culture of modern man must be permeated by the Gospel." AC/PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITIES/GROCHOLEWSKI VIS 071026 (320) GABON: CHRISTIAN LIFE FOUNDED ON CLEAR PRINCIPLES VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, the Holy Father received prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Gabon, who have just completed their five-yearly "ad limina" visit to Rome. At the beginning of his address to them, the Pope noted how the people of Gabon "sometimes let themselves be attracted by the consumerist permissive society, paying less attention to the poorest people of their country. I encourage them to increase fraternal sentiment and solidarity. Furthermore, a certain relaxation has been noted in the lives of Christians, taken in by the attractions of the world. It is my hope that their conduct become ever more exemplary in terms of spiritual and moral values." Benedict XVI identified one of the most vital tasks of the Church in Gabon as "transmitting the faith and acquiring a deeper knowledge of the Christian mystery. In order to meet the challenges they face, the faithful need a thorough formation that enables them to found their Christian life upon clear principles." In this way "ecclesial communities will be more vibrant and the faithful will draw strength from the liturgy and from individual, family and community prayer, so that, in all fields of social life, they become witnesses of the Good News and workers for reconciliation, justice and peace in this world of ours which needs these things more than ever." The Pope emphasized the need to pay particular attention to the youth of Gabon. In this context, he expressed the hope that the young may become "the first evangelizers of their peers. Many times, through friendship and sharing, people come to discover the person of Christ and to join themselves to Him." After then dwelling on the bishop's concern over the low numbers of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, the Holy Father noted that "the seminary in Libreville must be watched over with particular care because the future of evangelization and of the Church are at stake." This, he said, " will not cease to be a stimulus so that, in each diocese, pastoral care of vocations develops and intensifies." The Holy Father encouraged priests and religious, and their families, to "mobilize themselves through prayer, attention to the youngest and a concern for transmitting the call of Christ, so that the vocations your country needs may arise and spread." Nor can we forget," he continued, "the role of Catholic education, in which teachers and educators have the mission of the integral education of the young. This task requires witness to and transmission of the faith, as well as attention to vocations." With reference to priests, the Pope stressed that, "living in constant intimacy with Christ, they will have a sharper awareness of the need to remain faithful to the commitments made before God and the Church, especially ... chastity and celibacy. In this way, they will experience their priestly ministry ever more as a service to the faithful." "They will find spiritual support in the brotherhood of priests, comforted by you who are father and brother to them," he told the bishops. "Thus, together, you will be able to implement joint pastoral projects that give fresh impetus to the mission. I encourage each priest to seek ... the good of the Church and not personal advantage, conforming his life and mission to the gesture of the washing of the feet. From such love, lived as disinterested service, profound joy will arise." AL/.../GABON VIS 071026 (580) POPE RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER OF ICELAND VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the following communique today: "This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Geir H. Haarde, prime minister of Iceland. The prime minister subsequently went on to meet Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. "In the course of the cordial discussions, the mutual respect and esteem marking relations between Iceland and the Catholic Church were noted, as was the contribution the Church makes to society, especially in the educational and social fields. Certain international questions of joint interest were also examined, highlighting the need for an ever greater commitment on the part of the international community to promote peace, fight against poverty, and favor environmental protection." OP/ICELAND PRIME MINISTER/HAARDE VIS 071026 (140) VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, India. - Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Gabon, on their "ad limina" visit: - Bishop Jean-Vincent Ondo Eyene of Oyem. - Bishop Mathieu Madega of Port-Gentil. - Fr. Joseph Koerber C.S.Sp., apostolic prefect of Makokou. AP:AL/.../... VIS 071026 (70) |
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25 October 2007
Vatican Update 25 October 2007
| 10.25.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 182 |
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SUMMARY: - Benedict XVI Receives President of Bosnia Herzegovina - Holy See and Bosnia Herzegovina: Agreement Ratified - Presentation of "Processus Contra Templarios" - In Brief ___________________________________________________________ BENEDICT XVI RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday today: "This morning the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Zeljko Komsic, president of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The president subsequently went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, for the exchange of the instruments of ratification of the Basic Agreement and the Additional Protocol between the Holy See and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also present was Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Vrhbosna. "During the cordial discussions consideration was given to questions concerning the implementation of the Agreement itself, and in particular to the Church's commitment in the fields of education, social and charitable activities, and pastoral assistance to the Catholic faithful. The Catholic community's contribution in favor of the peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic and religious groups in the country was also underlined. "President Komsic invited the Holy Father to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina." OP/AUDIENCE/KOMSIC VIS 071025 (180) HOLY SEE AND BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA: AGREEMENT RATIFIED VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2007 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., and Zeljko Komsic, president of the rotating Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, exchanged the instruments of ratification of the Basic Agreement between the Holy See and Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed in Sarajevo on April 19, 2006, and its Additional Protocol, signed on September 29 of the same year. Both documents come into effect today. According to a communique made public today, among those present at the ceremony were, for the Holy See, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Vrhbosna and president of the Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti and Msgr. Pietro Parolin, respectively secretary and under-secretary for Relations with States. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, those present included Sven Alkalaj, minister for foreign affairs, and Miroslav Palameta, ambassador to the Holy See. In his address, Cardinal Bertone affirmed that with the signing ceremony "the norms approved in the Basic Agreement come into force, ... by which certain provisions of joint interest concerning the life and activity of the Catholic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been defined. They particularly refer to the recognition of the juridical status of the Catholic Church and her institutions in ... civil society, of her independence to worship and practice the apostolate, and of the specific contribution she makes in the cultural, educational, pastoral, military, ... and charitable fields, as well as in the country's mass media." SS/AGREEMENT HOLY SEE: BOSNIA/BERTONE VIS 071025 (260) PRESENTATION OF "PROCESSUS CONTRA TEMPLARIOS" VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2007 (VIS) - At 11.30 a.m. this morning in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall, the presentation took place of the book "Processus Contra Templarios," the third volume of the Vatican Secret Archives' "Exemplaria Praetiosa" series, which is being issued in collaboration with the Scrinium publishing house. The book contains facsimile copies of the original acts of the hearing against the Knights Templar (1308-1311) which are kept in the Vatican Secret Archives, while an accompanying volume contains a critical edition of the transcription of the acts (from Schottmuller's transcription of 1877). The new book has a print run of just 799 copies and has already been ordered by collectors, scholars and libraries from all over the world. "Processus Contra Templarios" was presented by Archbishop Raffaele Farina S.D.B., archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church; Bishop Sergio Pagano, prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives; Barbara Frale and Marco Maiorino, officials of the Vatican Secret Archives; Franco Cardini, a professor of mediaeval history; Valerio Massimo Manfredi, an author and archaeologist; and Ferdinando Santoro, president of Scrinium." ARCH/PROCESSUS CONTRA TEMPLARIOS/... VIS 071025 (190) MSGR. FRANCESCO FOLLO, HOLY SEE permanent observer to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), delivered an address on October 22 during the 34th UNESCO general conference, being held in Paris, France, from October 16 to November 3. In his talk, which was made public yesterday afternoon, Msgr. Follo highlighted such factors as the integral education of people, recognition of the religious dimension in the public sphere, urban development and the protection of the environment. ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, HOLY SEE permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, made a speech on October 19 before the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly concerning the role of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) in this its seventh year of existence. NEPAD was founded by the heads of State of South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria and Egypt, and one of its primary objectives, noted Archbishop Migliore, "is to halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy." .../IN BRIEF/... VIS 071025 (180) VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. - Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, archbishop emeritus of Kampala, Uganda, accompanied by an entourage. - Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Gabon, on their "ad limina" visit: - Archbishop Basile Mve Engone S.D.B. of Libreville. - Bishop Timothee Modibo-Nzockena of Franceville. - Dominique Bonnet C.S.Sp. of Mouila. AP:AL/.../... VIS 071025 (80) |
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24 October 2007
Vatican Update 24 October 2007
| 10.24.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 181 |
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SUMMARY: - Ambrose: Catechesis Inseparable from Life Witness ___________________________________________________________ AMBROSE: CATECHESIS INSEPARABLE FROM LIFE WITNESS VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2007 (VIS) - During today's general audience, Benedict XVI continued his series of catecheses dedicated to Fathers of the Church, turning his attention to the figure of St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan. The audience, held in St. Peter's Square, was attended by more than 30,000 people. It was from Origen that Ambrose (ca. 340-397), considered to be one of the four greatest Doctors of the Church, learnt to know and comment the Bible. It was Ambrose, the Pope explained, who "brought meditation upon the Scriptures into the Latin world, ... introducing the practice of 'lectio divina' to the West." This practice "guided all his own preaching and writing which flow, in fact, from his listening ... to the Word of God." With him catechumens "learnt first the art of correct living" in order "to be prepared for the great Mysteries of Christ." His preaching was founded on "the reading of Sacred Scripture" with the aim of "living in conformity with divine Revelation. "It is evident," the Pope added, "that the preacher's personal witness and the exemplary nature of the Christian community influence the effectiveness of preaching. ... From this point of view, one decisive factor is life context, the reality of how the Word is lived." Benedict XVI recalled the fact that St. Augustine in his Confessions recounts how his own conversion was not due "chiefly to the beautiful homilies" of Ambrose, whom he knew in Milan, but above all "to the witness of the bishop and of his Milanese Church, who sang and prayed together like one single body." Augustine also tells of his surprise at seeing how Ambrose, when he was alone, would read the Scriptures without moving his lips, because at that time reading was considered as something to be proclaimed out loud in order to facilitate its comprehension. It is "in such reading, ... when the heart seeks to achieve an understanding of the Word of God, that we catch a glimpse of Ambrosian catechesis," said the Holy Father. "Scripture intimately assimilated suggests what must be announced to convert people's hearts. ... Thus catechesis is inseparable from life witness." "Who educates in the faith," he continued, "cannot run to the risk of appearing like a clown who plays a role, ... rather he must be like the beloved disciple who rested his head on the Master's heart and there learnt how to think, speak and act." St. Ambrose died on Good Friday, his arms open in the form of the cross. "Thus," the Pope concluded, "he expressed his mystical participation in the death and resurrection of the Lord. This was his final catechesis. In the silence of words, he spoke still with the testimony of his life." AG/AMBROSE/... VIS 071024 (470) VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Pablo Emiro Salas Anteliz of the clergy of Valledupar, Colombia, diocesan vicar for pastoral care, as bishop of Espinal (area 14,000, population 439,000, Catholics 331,000, priests 98, religious 39), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Valledupar in 1957 and ordained a priest in 1984. NER/.../SALAS VIS 071024 (60) |
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23 October 2007
Vatican Update 23 October 2007
| 10.23.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 180 |
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SUMMARY: - Commitment Needed to Eliminate Unexploded Ordnance ___________________________________________________________ COMMITMENT NEEDED TO ELIMINATE UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2007 (VIS) - Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, has issued a call for the elimination of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in countries that have been involved in armed conflicts. According to a communique issued by the pontifical council, on October 18 Cardinal Martino met with Heidi Kuhn, founder of the international Roots of Peace organization, which is based in the U.S. and concerns itself with the "Mines for Vines" campaign, an undertaking that aims to transform minefields into farmland. "Every 30 minutes," the communique reads, "a person is killed or maimed by UXO in countries that have been theaters of war. Every year 20,000 civilians are killed or injured because of the explosion of mines or cluster munitions. This cruel type of weaponry does not discriminate between civilians and combatants; it is designed to inflict maximum suffering and not always to kill." UXO, the communique goes on, "prolongs fear among the civilian population and often accentuates their dependence on aid from the international community. According to estimates, planting a mine costs 3 dollars, while removing it costs 1,000 dollars. There are some 70 million mines in areas of some 70 countries of the world." In the meeting, Cardinal Martino underlined the need "to increase commitment, particularly at the local level, to free the world from the dangers of UXO, which causes so much suffering and death in countries that seek to reestablish an order of justice and peace following the atrocities of a conflict." CON-IP/MUNITIONS/MARTINO VIS 071023 (260) VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2007 (VIS) - Yesterday, the Holy Father received in audience Archbishop Piero Marini, president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. AP/.../... VIS 071023 (30) |
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22 October 2007
Vatican Update 22 October 2007
| 10.22.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 179 |
| SUMMARY OF THE HOLY FATHER'S TRIP TO NAPLES: OCTOBER 21 - Naples Needs Profound Spiritual Renewal - Angelus: Spiritual and Material Support for Missions - Religions Can Never Be Vehicles of Hatred OTHER NEWS: OCTOBER 20 - 22 - Pope Receives President of Central African Republic ___________________________________________________________ NAPLES NEEDS PROFOUND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2007 (VIS) - Today the Pope made a pastoral visit to Naples, Italy, celebrating Mass at 10 a.m. in the city's central square of Piazza del Plebisicito where, despite the cold and rain, more than 20,000 people gathered to hear him. He subsequently went on to inaugurate an International Meeting for Peace, organized by the Sant'Egidio Community. In his homily, commenting today's Bible reading on the "need to pray always and not to lose heart," the Holy Father told the citizens of Naples that "faced with difficult and complex social situations such as your own, it is necessary to reinforce hope, which is founded on faith and expressed in tireless prayer." "Faith," he went on, "assures us that God always listens to our prayers and answers them at the right moment, even if daily experience seems to contradict this certainty. "In fact," he added, "in the face of certain criminal acts, or of the many problems of daily life which the newspapers do not even mention, the entreaty of the ancient prophet arises spontaneously in the heart: 'O Lord, how long shall I cry for help and you will not listen? Or cry to you 'Violence!' and you will not save?' There is just one reply to this urgent invocation: God cannot change things without our conversion, and our conversion begins with the 'cry' of the soul imploring forgiveness and salvation." Turning to consider the daily reality of life in Naples, the Holy Father mentioned "poverty and the lack of housing, unemployment and underemployment, and the lack of prospects for the future. Then there is the sad phenomenon of violence," he added, which concerns not only "the deplorable number of crimes of the Camorra, but also the fact that violence tends, unfortunately, to become a widespread mentality insinuating itself into the fiber of social life - in both the historic neighborhoods of the city center and in the modern and anonymous outskirts - with the particular risk of attracting young people who grow up in environments in which illegality and the black market ... flourish." In this context, Pope Benedict called for an "intensification of efforts towards a serious prevention strategy, aimed at school, work and helping young people to manage their free time. What is needed is an intervention that involves everyone in combating all forms of violence, starting with the formation of consciences and transforming mentalities, attitudes and everyday behavior." Benedict XVI concluded by asking God "to make the Christian community grow in true faith and firm hope, capable of effectively contrasting despair and violence. "Naples needs appropriate political interventions but, even more so, a profound spiritual renewal. It needs believers who put their full faith in God and, with His help, commit themselves to spreading the values of the Gospel in society. For this we ask the help of Mary and of your patron saints, in particular St. Gennaro." PV-ITALY/MASS/NAPLES VIS 071022 (500) ANGELUS: SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR MISSIONS VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2007 (VIS) - At the end of today's Mass in Naples' Piazza del Plebisicito, and before praying the Angelus, Benedict XVI made some brief remarks to the faithful. The Pope greeted a number of delegations from various countries, in Naples for the International Meeting for Peace promoted by the Sant'Egidio Community on the theme: "A world without violence, faiths and cultures in dialogue." The Pope expressed the hope that "this important cultural and religious initiative may contribute to consolidating peace in the world." He then recalled the fact that today is World Mission Day which, he said, "has a highly significant theme: 'All the Churches for all the world.' Each particular Church is jointly responsible for the evangelization of all humanity and this cooperation between Churches was increased by Pope Pius XII with the Encyclical 'Fidei donum' published 50 years ago. "Let us ensure that our spiritual and material support to those working on the frontiers of the mission is not lacking: priests, religious and lay people who not infrequently encounter serious difficulties in their work, and sometimes even persecutions." Finally, Benedict XVI referred to the 45th Social Week of Italian Catholics which is currently being celebrated in the Italian cities of Pistoia and Pisa. "Many are the problems and challenges facing us today," he said. "What is required is strong commitment on everyone's part, especially the lay faithful who operate in the social and political fields, in order to ensure that all individuals, and particularly the young, enjoy the vital conditions for developing their natural talents and for making generous life choices at the service of their families and of the entire community." After praying the Angelus, the Pope travelled by car to the archiepiscopal seminary of Capodimonte to meet the heads of the delegations participating in the International Meeting for Peace. PV-ITALY/ANGELUS/NAPLES VIS 071022 (320) RELIGIONS CAN NEVER BE VEHICLES OF HATRED VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2007 (VIS) - At 1 p.m. today, in the great hall of the archiepiscopal seminary of Capodimonte in Naples, Benedict XVI met with the heads of the delegations participating in the 21st International Meeting for Peace, an annual initiative promoted by the Sant'Egidio Community which has as its theme this year: "A world without violence, faiths and cultures in dialogue." "What you represent," said the Pope in his address, "in a certain sense expresses the different worlds and religious heritages of humanity, to which the Catholic Church looks with sincere respect and cordial attention." "The current meeting takes us back in our minds to 1986 when ... John Paul II invited high-level religious representatives to the town of St. Francis in order to pray for peace, underlining on that occasion the intrinsic link uniting authentic religious attitudes with this fundamental good for humanity," said the Holy Father. He also recalled how in 2002, following the attack against the World Trade Center in New York of September 11, 2001, John Paul II again invited religious leaders to Assisi "to ask God to put an end to the grave perils threatening humanity, especially because of terrorism. "While respecting the differences of the various religions," Benedict XVI added, "we are called to work for peace, and to an effective commitment to promote reconciliation between peoples. This is the true 'spirit of Assisi' which is opposed to all forms of violence and to all abuses of religion as a pretext for violence. Faced with a world riven by conflict, where sometime violence is justified in the name of God, it is important to reiterate that religions can never become vehicles of hatred, that never by invoking the name of God can evil and violence be justified. "Quite the contrary, religions can and must offer valuable resources for the creation of a peaceful humanity, because they speak to man's heart of peace. The Catholic Church intends to continue down the path of dialogue in order to favor understanding between religious cultures, traditions and wisdom. It is my heartfelt hope that this spirit may become ever more widespread, especially where tensions are strongest, where freedom and respect for others are denied, and men and women suffer the consequences of intolerance and incomprehension." After the meeting, the Holy Father had lunch with cardinals and bishops of the Campania region of Italy, who are participating in the International Meeting for Peace, and, at 4 p.m., travelled to the cathedral of Naples where he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and venerated the relics of Naples' patron saint, St Gennaro. At 5.30 p.m. Benedict XVI boarded his helicopter bound for the Vatican, where he arrived at 6.30 p.m. PV-ITALY/INTERNATIONAL MEETING/ NAPLES VIS 071022 (470) POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released the following communique: "This morning, Francois Bozize, president of the Central African Republic, visited His Holiness Benedict XVI, subsequently going on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. "During the cordial discussions consideration was given to questions concerning the situation in the Central African Republic, with particular reference to the peace process and the role played by the Church in the fields of national dialogue, healthcare and education. Mention was also made of the need for the international community's support to help the country overcome poverty and the other difficulties it currently faces." OP/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC/BOZIZE VIS 071022 (140) VATICAN CITY, OCT 20, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. - Archbishop Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano of Managua, Nicaragua. AP/.../... VIS 071022 (40) VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Valentin Reynoso Hidalgo M.S.C., pastor of the parish of "Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia," as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Santiago de los Caballeros (area 3,691, population 1,187,000, Catholics 969,000, priests 99, permanent deacons 116, religious 241), Dominican Republic. The bishop-elect was born in Nagua, Dominican Republic in 1942 and ordained a priest in 1975. On Saturday, October 20, it was made public that he appointed Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, professor of the Center for Globalization and Democracy of the Technological Institute of Monterrey in Mexico City, Mexico, as an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. NEA:NA/.../REYNOSO:DERBEZ VIS 071022 (120) |
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19 October 2007
Vatican Update 19 October 2007
| 10.19.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 178 |
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SUMMARY: - Lack of Job Security Affects Development of Society - Catholics and Mennonites: Called to Be Peacemakers - Promote the Dignity of Christian Marriage - Pope Receives President of the United Republic of Tanzania ___________________________________________________________ LACK OF JOB SECURITY AFFECTS DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2007 (VIS) - The Pope has sent a Message to Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference for the occasion of the 45th Social Week of Italian Catholics, which is being held in the Italian cities of Pistoia and Pisa from October 18 to 21 on the theme: "The common good today: a commitment that comes from afar." After recalling the fact that this year marks the centenary of the first Social Week, the Pope affirms that the theme "still maintains all its importance" and that "it must be considered and promoted also in the context of international relations. ... Precisely because of the social foundations of human life, the good of each individual is naturally interconnected with the good of all humanity." The task of lay men and women, writes Pope Benedict, is "to work for a correct ordering of society ... and to cooperate in the just organization of social life together with all other citizens, each according to their skills and under their own autonomous responsibility." The Pope also highlights the importance of anthropological questions including "respect for life and the attention that must be given to the needs of the family based on marriage between a man and a woman." "These are not just 'Catholic' values and principles, but shared human values to be protected and safeguarded, like justice, peace and the defense of creation." The Message then goes on to consider the effect of work-related problems on families and young people saying, "when lack of job-security does not allow young people to build their own family, the authentic and complete development of society is seriously compromised." The Pope also invites Italian Catholics to respond to these challenges "not by giving up and withdrawing into themselves but, on the contrary, with renewed dynamism, opening themselves trustingly to new relationships and not neglecting any of the energies capable of contributing to cultural and moral growth." Finally, Benedict XVI turns his attention to "a specific area" which "stimulates Catholics to question themselves: that of the relationship between religion and politics. The absolute novelty brought by Jesus is that He opened to way to a freer and more human world, with full respect for the distinction and autonomy that exists between what is of Caesar and what is of God." "The Church, then, if on the one hand she recognizes she is not a political player, on the other she cannot but concern herself with the good of the entire civil community, in which she lives and operates. To that community she offers her particular contribution, forming the political and business classes to a genuine spirit of truth and honesty, with the aim of searching for the common good and not for individual profit." MESS/CATHOLIC SOCIAL WEEK/BAGNASCO VIS 071019 (460) CATHOLICS AND MENNONITES: CALLED TO BE PEACEMAKERS VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, the Pope received a delegation from the Mennonite World Conference, a group which has recently expressed the desire to meet the Pope and to visit some of the dicasteries of the Holy See. This is the Mennonite Conference's first visit to Rome. "The Mennonites are part of the Anabaptist tradition of the Reformation," explains a communique issued by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. "To use a modern term, the Mennonites could be described today as pacifists. For their views on Baptism which, they feel, should be administered only to people capable of making autonomous decisions, they were subject ... to persecution in both Protestant and Catholic countries." In 1986 and 2002, the leaders of the Mennonite World Conference accepted John Paul II's invitation to participate in the meetings for peace in Assisi. "In the ecumenical spirit of recent times, we have begun to have contacts with each other after centuries of isolation," the Pope told the Mennonite leaders in his English-language talk. "Since it is Christ Himself who calls us to seek Christian unity, it is entirely right and fitting that Mennonites and Catholics have entered into dialogue in order to understand the reasons for the conflict that arose between us in the sixteenth century. To understand is to take the first step towards healing." "Mennonites are well known for their strong Christian witness to peace in the name of the Gospel, and here, despite centuries of division, the dialogue report 'Called Together to be Peacemakers' has shown that we hold many convictions in common. We both emphasize that our work for peace is rooted in Jesus Christ." Catholics and Mennonites "both understand that 'reconciliation, non violence, and active peacemaking belong to the heart of the Gospel.' Our continuing search for the unity of the Lord's disciples is of the utmost importance. Our witness will remain impaired as long as the world sees our divisions." The Pope concluded his address by expressing the hope that the visit "will be another step towards mutual understanding and reconciliation." AG/UNITY:PEACE/MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE VIS 071019 (350) PROMOTE THE DIGNITY OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father received eight prelates from the Episcopal Conference of the Congo who have just completed their "ad limina" visit. In his address to them the Holy Father highlighted "the specific and concrete contribution of bishops in establishing peace and reconciliation in the country," and made a call "to Christians and to the population entire to open the way to reconciliation so that ethnic and social differences, experienced with mutual respect and love, become a shared wealth and not a cause for division." Referring then to the bishops' reports in which they identify "the urgent need to create real dynamism in the local Churches," Benedict XVI pointed out how evangelizing activity depends upon "living ecclesial communities. Places in which the Gospel is lived and charity (especially with the poor) is practiced, demonstrate a form of pastoral care based on the idea of proximity, and also constitute a strong bulwark against the sects," he said. The Pope invited the prelates to concern themselves "with the initial and permanent Christian formation of the faithful, ensuring they understand the Christian mystery, and base themselves on the reading of Scripture and sacramental life." In this context, he thanked the people involved in the formation of the laity, in particular catechists and their families. The Holy Father asked the bishops to support and help priests to lead "an ever more dignified and holy existence, rooted in a profound spiritual life and an emotional maturity lived in celibacy." "By remaining close to priests," he continued, "you will be for them models of priestly life and help them to a greater awareness of the sacramental fraternity that comes into being with ordination. I call upon the many Congolese priests who live outside their country to give serious consideration to the pastoral needs of their dioceses, and to take the necessary decisions in response to the urgent appeals of their diocesan Churches." Benedict XVI warned that "the noticeable reduction in the number of canonical marriages is a real challenge facing the family. ... Civil legislation, the weakening of the family structure, and the weight of certain traditional practices, especially the exorbitant cost of dowries, are a real brake on young people's commitment to marriage." "What is needed," the Holy Father concluded, "is a profound pastoral reflection in order to promote the dignity of Christian marriage, the reflection and realization of Christ's love for His Church. It is important to help couples to achieve the human and spiritual maturity necessary to undertake ... their mission as Christian spouses and parents, reminding them that their love is unique, indissoluble, and that marriage contributes to the full realization of their human and Christian vocation." AL/.../REPUBLIC OF CONGO VIS 071019 (454) POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy See Press Office released the following communique: "This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, president of the United Republic of Tanzania. Immediately afterwards, the illustrious guest met with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.; also present at the meeting were Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, Bernard Kamillius Membe, Tanzanian minister for foreign affairs, and Ali Siwa, ad interim charge d'affaires at the Tanzanian embassy to the Holy See. "In the course of the discussions, having recalled the role that for many years Tanzania has played in the pacification of the Great Lakes region of Africa, attention turned to relations between State and Church, ever marked by mutual respect and esteem, and to the contribution Catholics make to the progress of the Tanzanian people, especially in the fields of education, healthcare and other forms of social work. "Other areas of common interest were examined, such as the importance of peaceful coexistence and collaboration between believers in all religions, in particular between Christians and Muslims, For its part, the Holy See reiterated the commitment of the Catholic Church and her institutions to work for an integral and harmonious development of all the Tanzanian people." OP/AUDIENCE PRESIDENT TANZANIA/KIKWETE VIS 071019 (219) VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences Cardinal Ricardo Maria Carles Gordo, archbishop emeritus of Barcelona, Spain. This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. AP/.../... VIS 071019 (40) VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Franco Croci, vice-president of the Central Labor Office of the Holy See, as consultor of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. NA/.../CROCI VIS 071019 (25) |
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18 October 2007
Vatican Update 18 October 2007
| 10.18.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 177 |
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SUMMARY: - Benedict XVI Receives Chilean President - Vatican Museums: Exhibition on Apocalypse Inaugurated - Need for Politicians Inspired by Ideals ___________________________________________________________ BENEDICT XVI RECEIVES CHILEAN PRESIDENT VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released the following communique: "This morning the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Michelle Bachelet, president of the Republic of Chile. The president subsequently went on the meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. "The cordial discussions provided an opportunity for an exchange of information and ideas on the socio-political situation of the country and its role in Latin America. Themes of common interest were considered, such as human life and the family, education, human rights, justice and peace and other important questions on the international agenda. Attention also turned to the positive contribution made by the Catholic Church to Chilean society, especially in the social and educational fields." OP/AUDIENCE PRESIDENT CHILE/BACHELET VIS 071018 (140) VATICAN MUSEUMS: EXHIBITION ON APOCALYPSE INAUGURATED VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2007 (VIS) - "Apocalypse: the Final Revelation" is the title of an exhibition inaugurated today in the Sistine Hall of the Vatican Museums. The event, which will run until December 7, has been organized at the initiative of the St. Florian Committee of the archdiocese of Udine, Italy. Its aim is to invite people "to reconsider the last book of the New Testament through a selection of masterworks, outstanding among them a series of ancient icons." The exhibition is made up of around 100 pieces (codices, paintings on wood panel, canvases, sculptures, jewelry, engravings and drawings) dating from the 4th to the 20th century. They come from some of the most important museums in Europe and the United States: the Vatican Museums, the Louvre, the Pompidou Center, the Musee de Cluny, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, the national museums of Budapest and of Warsaw, and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Among the artists whose works are on display are: Beatus of Liebana, Pedro Berruguete, Guido Reni, Alonso Cano, Albrecht Durer, El Greco, Francisco Zurbaran, Salvador Dali, Giorgio de Chirico, and many others. One large section of the exhibition is made up of Byzantine and Russian icons, including one of the vision of the Apocalypse from the Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Patmos, the Greek island where the Apostle wrote the last book of the Bible. The centerpiece of the exhibition is composed of important works that record the history of the artistic representation of the Apocalypse, these include: a series of 16 engravings by Durer from the "Apocalypsis in figuris;" Guido Reni's "St. Michael Defeating Satan;" El Greco's "Immaculate Conception" inspirited by the apocalyptic vision of the woman clothed with the sun; the "Savior Enthroned" by the School of Novgorod; Catalan Romanesque and French Gothic sculptures; and the book "Apocalypse" containing works by seven 20th century artists, published by Josef Foret in 1961 and blessed by Pope John XXIII. .../APOCALYPSE EXHIBITION/VATICAN MUSEUMS VIS 071018 (340) NEED FOR POLITICIANS INSPIRED BY IDEALS VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of an address delivered by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland, at the United Nations headquarters in New York for the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's Encyclical "Populorum Progressio." Archbishop Martin began his English-language talk by recalling how "it was the challenge of addressing the needs of the poorest nations and their peoples which led the Pope to write his Encyclical." "Populorum Progressio," said the archbishop, was "the first social Encyclical to be written after Vatican Council II, an event which had among its aims that of establishing a new way of looking at the relationship between the Church and the world." "Authentic development is one of the key concepts of 'Populorum Progressio'," he continued, indicating that such a concept "also touches on the very nature of the human person and the response we need to make to his or her needs." "Were Pope Paul here with us today he would certainly be saying thanks to all those who have given themselves in the service of humanity within the U.N. system. He would surely also certainly be making remarks on the slow progress of U.N. reform. We need a well-functioning U.N. Today's possibilities for inter-connectivity among peoples offer new and innovative ways of cooperation, also within the U.N. system." "In talking about responsibility for development and of international cooperation," said Archbishop Martin, "the Encyclical "consistently stresses the role of public authorities. This recalls today's debate about both good governance and the important role of politics." "Politics," he concluded, "is an essential dimension of the construction of society. We need around the world a new revival of politics. Around the world we need a new generation of politicians inspired by ideals, but also capable of taking the risks involved in transmitting those ideals into the 'possible,' through the optimum use of resources and talents to foster the good of all." .../POPULORUM PROGRESSION/UN:MARTIN VIS 071018 (340) VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum." - Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. - Bishop William Stephen Skylstad of Spokane, U.S.A., Cardinal Francis Eugene George O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., and Msgr. David John Malloy, respectively president, vice-president and secretary general of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. - Msgr. Guido Marini, master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. AP/.../... VIS 071018 (100) VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed: - Bishop Anthony Mancini, auxiliary of Montreal, Canada, as metropolitan archbishop of Halifax (area 21,770, population 564,583, Catholics 161,125, priests 80, permanent deacons 28, religious 260), Canada, and apostolic administrator of Yarmouth (area, 32,150 population 145,265, Catholics 37,105, priests 26, religious 20), Canada. The archbishop-elect was born in Mignano Monte Lugano, Italy in 1945, he was ordained a priest in 1970 and consecrated a bishop in 1999. - Bishop Martin William Currie of Grand Falls, Canada, as metropolitan archbishop of Saint John's, Newfoundland (area 16,641, population 215,000, Catholics 112,000, priests 49, religious 225), Canada. Bishop Currie will remain as bishop of Grand Falls, governing the two circumscriptions united "in persona Episcopi." The archbishop-elect was born in Marinette, Canada, in 1943 he was ordained a priest in 1968 and consecrated a bishop in 2001. - Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci, apostolic nuncio to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, as prelate of Loreto and pontifical delegate for the Shrine of Loreto (area 17, population 11,785, Catholics 11,400, priests 52, religious 264), Italy. - Msgr. Simone Giusti of the clergy of Pisa, Italy, pastor of "Cascine di Buti" and director of the diocesan center for evangelization and catechesis, as bishop of Livorno (area 250, population 201,149, Catholics 193,632, priests 110, permanent deacons 22, religious 385), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Cascine di Buti in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1983. NER/.../... VIS 071018 (250) |
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Vatican Update 17 October 2007
| 10.17.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 176 |
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SUMMARY: - Eusebius of Vercelli: in the World But Not of the World - Eradicate the Causes and the Consequences of Poverty - Benedict XVI Names 23 New Cardinals - Telegram for the Death of Cardinal Castillo Lara ___________________________________________________________ EUSEBIUS OF VERCELLI: IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2007 (VIS) - St. Eusebius of Vercelli was the subject of Benedict XVI's catechesis during his general audience, held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 30,000 people. The saint, born in Sardinia at the beginning of the 4th century and educated in Rome, was elected as bishop of Vercelli in the year 345. He showed great commitment and dedication in evangelizing largely-pagan rural areas and founded a priestly community - inspired by the model of the early monastic communities - from which many bishops and saints arose. The Pope explained how St. Eusebius was "solidly formed in the Nicene Creed, in the faith in the Trinitarian God." He defended the "full divinity of Jesus Christ" against the pro-Arian politics of the Emperor Constantius for whom Arianism "was more politically useful." This led to the saint being exiled, first in Palestine and later in Cappodocia and Thebaid. Despite his exile, the bishop maintained a correspondence with his own community of faithful, said the Holy Father, "asking them in his letters also to greet those who are outside the Church yet who nonetheless ... nourish sentiments of love for us." The Pope added: "It is evident that the bishop's relationship with his city was not limited to the Christians but that it also extended to the people who, ... in some way, recognized his spiritual authority and loved this exemplary man." When Constantius was succeeded as emperor by Julian the Apostate, Eusebius was able to return home. There he educated the clergy of his diocese in "the observance of monastic rules even though they lived in the city" because he felt that "the bishop and clergy had to share the problems of citizens in a credible way" at the same time cultivating "a different citizenship, that of heaven." In this manner, said Benedict XVI, they created "a shared solidarity." "The pastor and the faithful of the Church are in the world but they are not of the world," said the Pope. "For this reason pastors must exhort the faithful not to consider the cities of the world as their stable home, but to seek the ... definitive celestial Jerusalem. ... This decision enables pastors and faithful to safeguard a correct scale of values without bowing before the fashions of the moment and the unjust impositions of political power." "The authentic scale of values," the Holy Father concluded, "does not come from yesterday's emperor, or from today's, but from Jesus Christ, the perfect man, equal to the Father in divinity and a man like us. For this reason, Eusebius recommends the faithful always 'to protect the faith with care, to maintain harmony and to be assiduous in prayer.' From the bottom of my heart, I also recommend these perennial values to you." AG/EUSEBIUS OF VERCELLI/... VIS 071017 (480) ERADICATE THE CAUSES AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF POVERTY VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2007 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience which was celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled the fact that today marks the "International Day for the Eradication of Poverty," an annual event recognized by the United Nations. Certain peoples, said the Holy Father, "still live in conditions of extreme poverty. The disparity between rich and poor has become more evident and more disturbing, even within the most economically advanced nations. This worrying situation appeals to the conscience of mankind because the conditions being suffered by such a large number of people are such as to offend the dignity of human beings and, as a consequence, to compromise the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community. I encourage, then, an increase in efforts to eliminate the causes of poverty and the tragic consequences deriving from it." AG/APPEAL ERADICATION POVERTY/... VIS 071017 (160) BENEDICT XVI NAMES 23 NEW CARDINALS VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2007 (VIS) - Following today's general audience, the Holy Father announced the names of 23 prelates who will be created cardinals in a consistory due to be held on November 24, the eve of the Feast of Christ the King. The consistory will be the second of his pontificate. Following the November 24 concistory, the College of Cardinals will number 202 members of whom 121, under the age of 80, will be electors. Given below is a list of the new cardinal electors: - Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. - Archbishop John Patrick Foley, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. - Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State. - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum." - Archbishop Angelo Comastri, archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Peter's in the Vatican, vicar general of His Holiness for Vatican City and president of the Fabric of St. Peter's. - Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. - Archbishop Raffaele Farina S.D.B., archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church. - Archbishop Agustin Garcia-Gasco Vicente of Valencia, Spain. - Archbishop Sean Baptist Brady of Armagh, Ireland. - Archbishop Lluis Martinez Sistach of Barcelona, Spain. - Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris, France. - Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, Italy. - Archbishop Theodore-Adrien Sarr of Dakar, Senegal. - Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Bombay, India. - Archbishop Francisco Robles Ortega of Monterrey, Mexico. - Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, U.S.A. - Archbishop Odilio Pedro Scherer of Sao Paulo, Brazil. - Archbishop John Njue of Nairobi, Kenya. Having pronounced the names of the new cardinal electors, the Pope then indicated that he had also decided to elevate to the dignity of cardinal "three venerable prelates and two worthy priests," all over the age of 80 and hence non-electors, for their "commitment and service to the Church." Their names are: - His Beatitude Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Iraq. - Archbishop Giovanni Coppa, apostolic nuncio. - Archbishop Estanislao Esteban Karlic, emeritus of Parana, Argentina. - Fr. Urbano Navarrete S.J., former rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University. - Fr. Umberto Betti O.F.M., former rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. He added: "Among these, I had also intended to confer the dignity of cardinal upon the elderly Bishop Ignacy Jez of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg, Poland, a worthy prelate who died suddenly yesterday. We offer a prayer for the repose of his soul." "The new cardinals come from various parts of the world," said the Holy Father. "And the universality of the Church, with the multiplicity of her ministries, is clearly reflected in them. Alongside deserving prelates who work for the Holy See are pastors who dedicate their energies to direct contact with the faithful." He went on: "There are other persons, very dear to me who, for their dedication to the service of the Church, well deserve promotion to the dignity of cardinal. In the future I hope to have the opportunity to express, also in this way, my esteem and affection to them and to their countries of origin." Benedict entrusted the future cardinals "to the protection of Mary Most Holy asking her to help each of them in their new tasks, that they may know how to bear courageous witness in all circumstances to their love for Christ and for the Church." AG/CONSISTORY CARDINALS/... VIS 071017 (600) TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL CASTILLO LARA VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2007 (VIS) - The Pope has sent a telegram of condolence to Cardinal Jorge Liberato Urosa Savino, archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela, for the death yesterday at the age of 85 of the Venezuelan Cardinal Rosalio Jose Castillo Lara S.D.B., president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State. In the telegram, the Holy Father expresses his "heartfelt condolences" to Cardinal Urosa Savino, to the relatives of the deceased and to all the Venezuelan people, entrusting to the mercy of God "this zealous pastor who served the Church with such charity." The Pope's telegram continues: "Cardinal Castillo Lara's generous and intense ministry, first as coadjutor bishop of Trujillo" and later in the various posts he occupied in the Roman Curia, last of which was that of the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, "testifies to his great dedication to the cause of the Gospel, at the same time demonstrating his profound love for the Church." TGR/DEATH CASTILLO LARA/UROSA VIS 071017 (180) VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Joao Carlos Seneme C.S.S., provincial superior for the province of "Santa Cruz" of the Stigmatine Fathers, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Curitiba (area 5,528, population 2,262,347, Catholics 1,480,046, priests 426, permanent deacons 67, religious 1,746), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Gerturdes, Brazil in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1985. NEA/.../SENEME VIS 071017 (70) VATICAN CITY, OCT 17, 2007 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks: - Archbishop Gianni Danzi, prelate of Loreto and pontifical delegate to Loreto, Italy, on October 2 at the age of 67. - Archbishop Ignatius D'Cunha, emeritus of Aurangabad, India, on October 11 at the age of 83. - Archbishop Ambrose B. De Paoli, apostolic nuncio to Australia, on October 10 at the age of 73. .../DEATHS/... VIS 071017 (80) |
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16 October 2007
Vatican Update 16 October 2007
| 10.16.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 175 |
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SUMMARY: - Pressing Commitment to the Right to Food - Program of Benedict XVI's Pastoral Visit to Naples - Meeting of the Special Council for America ___________________________________________________________ PRESSING COMMITMENT TO THE RIGHT TO FOOD VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2007 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has written a Message to Jacques Diouf, director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the occasion of World Food Day, an annual event organized by the FAO every October 16. With the theme chosen for this year's Day, "the right to food," writes the Holy Father in his message, the FAO "is inviting the international community to face up to one of the most serious challenges of our time: freeing from hunger millions of human beings, whose lives are in danger because of a lack of daily bread." "We must realize that the efforts made thus far do not seem to have significantly diminished the number of hungry people in the world," the Pope observes, "despite the fact that everyone recognizes that food is a primary right. ... The available data shows that the lack of fulfillment of the right to food is due not only to natural causes but, above all, to situations provoked by human behavior which lead to a generalized social, economic and human deterioration." The Pope goes on to recall how "an ever greater number of people - because of poverty or bloody conflicts - find themselves obliged to abandon their homes and their loved ones in order to seek sustenance outside their own lands, Despite international agreements, many of them are rejected" he adds, highlighting the "pressing" need for a concrete undertaking in which "all members of society, both in the individual and the international spheres, feel committed to cooperating in order to make the right to food possible." The lack of fulfillment of this right, he says, "constitutes an evident violation of human dignity and of the rights deriving therefrom." The Holy Father then goes on to praise the FAO's expert understanding of "the problems of the agricultural world and of food insecurity, and its proven capacity to present plans and programs for their solution" as well as the organization's "acute sensitivity to the aspirations of those calling for more human living conditions." "The Catholic Church," he concludes, "feels closely involved ... in this task and, through her various institutions, wishes to continue collaboration in order to support the desires and hopes of those individuals and peoples towards whom the activity of the FAO is directed." MESS/WORLD FOOD DAY/FAO:DIOUF VIS 071016 (400) PROGRAM OF BENEDICT XVI'S PASTORAL VISIT TO NAPLES VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2007 (VIS) - On Sunday, October 21, Benedict XVI will make a pastoral visit to the Italian city of Naples where he will meet with the heads of delegations participating in the International Meeting for Peace, an annual initiative promoted by the Sant'Egidio Community, being held this year from October 21 to 23. The Pope will depart from the Vatican by helicopter at 8.15 a.m., landing at 9.15 a.m. on an esplanade in the port area of the city. From there he will travel by popemobile to Piazza del Plebiscito. At 10 a.m. he will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration in Piazza del Plebiscito, then pray the Angelus. At 12.15 p.m. he is due to travel to the archiepiscopal seminary of Capodimonte where he will meet with the heads of delegations participating in the International Meeting for Peace. After lunching with cardinals and bishops of the Campania region of Italy, and with participants in the International Meeting for Peace, at 4 p.m. the Holy Father will travel by popemobile to the cathedral of Naples where, at 4.30 p.m., he will pray before the Blessed Sacrament and venerate the relics of Naples' patron saint, St Gennaro, in the chapel dedicated to him. At 5.30 p.m. Benedict XVI will board his helicopter in the port area of Naples for the return flight to the Vatican, where he is due to arrive at 6.30 p.m. BXVI-PROGRAM/PASTORAL VISIT/NAPLES VIS 071016 (250) MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL FOR AMERICA VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2007 (VIS) - A communique was made public today concerning the 12th meeting of the special council for America of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. The council was held from October 12 to 13. Under the presidency of Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, the meeting was attended by four cardinals and by eight archbishops and bishops. The participants reflected upon the current social and ecclesial situation in the various countries of the American continent, bearing in mind John Paul II's 1999 post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in America." According to the communique, released by the secretariat of the Synod, "migratory movements are one of the aspects of greatest concern," with the situation of immigrants who are deported back to their countries of origin being "particularly delicate." Participants in the meeting particularly highlighted questions such as "the production and trafficking of drugs, violence and political corruption, and the promotion of a series of laws contrary to ethical norms (concerning abortion and euthanasia)." They also noted how, from a social point of view, "a current of thought continues to develop, often of neo-Marxist inspiration, which creates imbalances in international relations and in the internal affairs of States, and seeks to ignore the Catholic Church and to ignore her as a partner in social dialogue." In the ecclesial field, says the communique, "the increase in vocations to the priesthood is a cause of consolation." Moreover, "the Fifth General Assembly of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean, celebrated in Brazil from May 13 to 31, gave rise to considerable hope." On the subject of Benedict XVI's 2007 post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Sacramentum caritatis," the communique noted the "positive repercussions" on the American continent of the document "which has given renewed energy to the celebration and adoration of the Eucharistic Mystery." The next meeting of the special council for America is due to take place on November 18 and 19, 2008. SE/SPECIAL COUNCIL AMERICA/ETEROVIC VIS 071016 (340) VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed: - As members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity: Cardinals Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and Leonardo Sandri, president of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. - As consultors of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum:" Archbishop Douglas Young S.V.D. of Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea; Fr. Manfred Ertl, Germany; Silverio Agea Rodriguez, Spain and Henrietta Tambunting de Villa, Philippines. NA/.../... VIS 071016 (80) |
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15 October 2007
Vatican Update 15 October 2007
| 10.15.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 174 |
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SUMMARY: OCTOBER 13 - 15 - Sacred Music: An Integral Part of Liturgy - Faith Is Expressed through Gratitude - Appeal for Liberation of Two Priests Kidnapped in Iraq - Conclusion of Plenary of Catholic-Orthodox Commission ___________________________________________________________ SACRED MUSIC: AN INTEGRAL PART OF LITURGY VATICAN CITY, OCT 13, 2007 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI visited the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, the headquarters of which has recently been completely refurbished, at the initiative of the Holy See and thanks to the support of various benefactors including the "Fondazione pro Musica Sacra e Arte Sacra." At his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education and chancellor of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, and by Msgr. Valentin Miserachs Grau, president of the institute. The Holy Father paused a few moments before the Blessed Sacrament in the institute's church before moving on to the library, which has also been restored recently. In his brief address Benedict XVI highlighted the fact that sacred music, as Vatican Council II had made clear, "is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy." John Paul II, said Pope Benedict, "observed that today, as always, three characteristics distinguish sacred music: its 'sanctity,' its 'true art,' and its 'universality,' in other words the fact that it can be presented to any people or assembly. "Precisely for this reason," he added, "the ecclesial authorities must undertake to guide ... the development of such an important form of music, not by 'freezing' its heritage but by seeking to combine the legacy of the past with the worthwhile novelties of the present, so as to achieve a synthesis worthy of the exalted mission [sacred music] has in the service of God. "I am certain, "Benedict XVI concluded, "that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmony with Congregation for Divine Worship, will not fail to contribute to an 'aggiornamento' ... of the precious traditions of which sacred music is so rich." BXVI-VISIT/SACRED MUSIC/GROCHOLEWSKI VIS 071015 (330) FAITH IS EXPRESSED THROUGH GRATITUDE VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2007 (VIS) - Today at midday, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with thousands of pilgrims gathered below in St. Peter's Square. The Pope commented on today's Gospel reading of the cleansing of ten lepers, of whom just one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus for having cured him. "Complete and radical healing is 'salvation'," said the Holy Father. "Everyday language itself, by distinguishing between 'health' and 'salvation,' helps us to understand that salvation is much more than health: it is, in fact, new, full and definitive life. Furthermore, here, as in other circumstances, Jesus uses the expression: 'your faith has made you well.' "It is faith that saves man," he added, "re-establishing him in his profound relationship with God, with himself and with others; and faith is expressed through gratitude. People who, like the healed Samaritan, know how to give thanks, show that they do not consider everything their due, but as a gift which, even when it reaches them through man or through nature, comes in the final instance from God." Benedict XVI went on: "The leprosy that truly defaces mankind and society is sin; it is pride and egoism that generate indifference, hatred and violence in the human soul. This leprosy of the spirit which disfigures the face of humanity can only be healed by God, Who is Love. By opening their hearts to God, people who convert are internally healed from evil." The Holy Father then went on to recall the apparitions of the Virgin Mary from May 13 to October 13, 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, where Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. today presided at a celebration in the Pope's name marking that anniversary. "We ask the Virgin Mary," said Benedict XVI, "that all Christians may receive the gift of true conversion, so as to announce and bear witness coherently and faithfully to the perennial evangelical message, which shows humanity the path of authentic peace." ANG/SALVATION:FATIMA/... VIS 071015 (340) APPEAL FOR LIBERATION OF TWO PRIESTS KIDNAPPED IN IRAQ VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2007 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope made an appeal for the liberation of two Catholic priests kidnapped in Iraq. "Serious news of attacks and violence continues to arrive daily from Iraq," he said, "shaking the conscience of all people who have the good of that country and the peace of the region to heart. Among this news, I learned today of the kidnapping of two good priests of the Syrian Catholic archdiocese of Mosul, who have been threatened with death. "I appeal to the kidnappers to release the two religious immediately and, in underlining once again that violence does not resolve tensions, I raise to the Lord a heartfelt prayer for their liberation, for all those suffering from violence, and for peace." ANG/KIDNAP PRIESTS IRAQ/... VIS 071015 (150) CONCLUSION OF PLENARY OF CATHOLIC-ORTHODOX COMMISSION VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2007 (VIS) - The 10th plenary assembly of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox, held in the Italian city of Ravenna last week, came to an end yesterday. During the gathering, the Catholic and Orthodox members of the commission turned their attention to the theme of "the ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church - conciliarity and sinodality in the Church," and approved a joint document. A communique made public at the end of the plenary assembly affirmed that "the delegate of the Patriarchate of Moscow presented the decision of his Church to withdraw from the meeting of the commission because of the presence thereon of delegates from the Church of Estonia, which has been declared 'autonomous' by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a status not recognized by the Patriarchate of Moscow." This happened "despite the fact that the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with the agreement of all the Orthodox members present, had offered a compromise solution, that of recording the non-recognition by the Patriarchate of Moscow of the autonomous Church of Estonia." The theme of the next plenary session, the date and location of which are shortly to be decided, is: "The role of the bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church in the first millennium." .../PLENARY THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION/RAVENNA VIS 071015 (230) VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences eight prelates from the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: - Archbishop Anatole Milandou of Brazzaville. - Bishop Louis Portella Mbuyu of Kinkala. - Bishop Daniel Mizonzo of Nkayi, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Bernard Nsayi. - Fr. Yves Marie Monot C.S.Sp., apostolic administrator of Ouesso, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Herve Itoua. - Bishop Jean-Claude Makaya Loemba of Pointe-Noire. - Fr. Jean Gardin C.S.Sp., apostolic prefect of Likouala. On Saturday, October 13, he received in audience Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. AL:AP/.../... VIS 071015 (110) VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Msgr. Jesus Gonzalez de Zarate of the clergy of the archdiocese of Caracas, Venezuela, vicar general, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (area 790, population 4,150,000, Catholics 3,528,000, priests 559, permanent deacons 13, religious 2,062). The bishop-elect was born in Cumana, Venezuela in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1986. - Accepted the resignation from the office of apostolic nuncio to Germany presented by Archbishop Erwin Josef Ender. - Appointed Archbishop Jean-Claude Perisset, apostolic nuncio to Romania and to Moldova, as apostolic nuncio to Germany. On Saturday, October 13, it was made public that he: - Accepted the resignation from the office of president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, presented by Archbishop Justo Mullor Garcia, upon having reached the age limit. - Appointed Archbishop Beniamino Stella, apostolic nuncio to Colombia, as president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. - Accepted the resignation from the office of vice-president of the Central Labor Office of the Holy See, presented by Archbishop Giovanni De Andrea. - Appointed Bishop Franco Croci, former secretary of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as vice-president of the Central Labor Office of the Holy See. - Appointed Msgr. Massimo Boarotto, bureau chief at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, as delegate of the Ordinary Section of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. - Appointed Msgr. Gianpietro Rampin, official of the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, as bureau chief for the archives of the contemporary period in the Vatican Secret Archives. NA/.../... VIS 071015 (270) |
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12 October 2007
Vatican Update 12 October 2007
| 10.12.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 173 |
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SUMMARY: - Pope Inaugurates Bronze Door Following Its Restoration - The Family, Educator in Human and Christian Values - Cardinal Tauran: Letter from Muslims Is Encouraging Sign ___________________________________________________________ POPE INAUGURATES BRONZE DOOR FOLLOWING ITS RESTORATION VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father inaugurated the "Portone di Bronzo" (Bronze Door), the principal entrance to the Vatican Apostolic Palace which is returning to service following almost two years of restoration work. In his remarks, the Holy Father recalled how the door "was built by Giovanni Battista Soria and Orazio Censore during the pontificate of Paul V who, between 1617 and 1619, ordered the complete refurbishment of the entire structure of the 'Porta Palatii.' In 1663, following the colossal architectural modifications ... of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the door was moved to its current position ... between the colonnade of St. Peter's Square and the Constantine Wing." The intention had been to restore the door for the Great Jubilee 2000, but work could only begin in the year 2006. "Now," said the Pope, "it has returned to its place and function, under the beautiful mosaic of the Madonna and Child with Sts. Peter and Paul." Benedict XVI went on: "Precisely because it marks the point of access to the house of the person called by the Lord to guide, as father and pastor, the entire People of God, this door assumes a symbolic and spiritual significance. Those who come to meet Peter's Successor pass through here. Pilgrims and visitors to the various offices of the Apostolic Palace cross this threshold." In this context, he voiced the hope that "those who enter through the Bronze Door may feel ... they are welcomed by the Pope's embrace. The house of the Pope is open to everyone." Benedict XVI then thanked the people who collaborated in the restoration work: "the technical services of the Governorate of Vatican City State and the restoration laboratories of the Vatican Museums." In closing, he also expressed his gratitude for "the generous financial support of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the 'Credito Artigiano' Bank." AC/RESTORATION BRONZE DOOR/... VIS 071012 (330) THE FAMILY, EDUCATOR IN HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN VALUES VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father has written a Letter to Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, for the occasion of the designation of the archdiocese of Mexico as the location of the 6th World Meeting of Families, which is due to take place from January 16 to 18, 2009. The theme of the gathering will be: "The family, educator in human and Christian values." "As the first school of life and of faith, and as a 'domestic church'," writes the Pope in his Letter, "the family is called to educate new generations in human and Christian values so as to forge in them - guiding their lives according to the model of Christ - a well-balanced personality. In such a vital task ... it is important to have the support of the school, of the parish and of the various ecclesial groups that favor the integral education of human beings." "At a time in which there is often an apparent disassociation between what people claim to believe and the way they live and behave, this forthcoming World Meeting of Families aims to encourage Christian homes in the formation of an upright moral conscience." "I ask the Lord that the period of preparation and the celebration of this event ... may be for families ... a special occasion joyfully to experience their vocation and mission." BXVI-LETTER/MEETING FAMILIES/LOPEZ VIS 071012 (250) CARDINAL TAURAN: LETTER FROM MUSLIMS IS ENCOURAGING SIGN VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2007 (VIS) - Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue today published a brief comment on a recent letter by 138 Muslim scholars to the Pope and other Christian leaders. "It is a very interesting letter," said the cardinal, indicating that it is "a new document because it comes from both Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims." It is also "a non-polemical document with numerous quotes from both the Old Testament and the New Testament," he added. Cardinal Tauran then considered what religious leaders must do to prevent the fusion of violence and religion underlining the need "to invite the followers [of religions] to share the three convictions contained in the letter: that God is One; that God loves us and we must love Him; that God calls us to love our neighbor. I would say that this represents a very encouraging sign because it shows that good will and dialogue are capable of overcoming prejudices, This is a spiritual approach to inter-religious dialogue which I would call dialogue of spirituality. Muslims and Christians must respond to one question: in your life, is God truly One?" .../LETTER MUSLIMS/TAURAN VIS 071012 (210) VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2007 (VIS) - This evening, the Holy Father is due to receive in audience Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. AP/.../... VIS 071012 (40) VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Bishop Donald James Reece, of Saint John's-Basseterre, Antigua and Barbuda, as coadjutor archbishop of Kingston in Jamaica (area 3,267, population 1,405,000, Catholics 56,200, priests 57, permanent deacons 19, religious 287), Jamaica. The archbishop-elect was born in Kingston in Jamaica in 1934, he was ordained a priest in 1971 and consecrated a bishop in 1981. - Appointed Fr. Joseph Dang Duc Ngan, vicar general of the archdiocese of Hanoi, Vietnam, and pastor of the cathedral, as bishop of Lang Son et Cao Bang (area 14,945, population 1,618,000, Catholics 6,135, priests 5, religious 10), Vietnam. The bishop-elect was born in Hanoi in 1957 and ordained a priest in 1987. NEC:NER/.../REECE:DUC VIS 071012 (130) |
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11 October 2007
Vatican Update 11 October 2007
| 10.11.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 172 |
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SUMMARY: - Holy See Praises Efforts towards Reconciliation In Korea - Archbishop Migliore: U.N. Peace-Building Commission ___________________________________________________________ HOLY SEE PRAISES EFFORTS TOWARDS RECONCILIATION IN KOREA VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the Letters of Credence of Francis Kim Ji-young, the new ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Holy See. In his English-language address to the diplomat, the Pope mentioned "the remarkable growth of the Catholic Church" in Korea which, he said, is "due in no small part to the heroic example of men and women whose faith led them to lay down their lives for Christ and for their brothers and sisters. "Their sacrifice," he added, "reminds us that no cost is too great for persevering in fidelity to the truth. Regrettably, in our contemporary pluralist world some people question or even deny the importance of truth. Yet objective truth remains the only sure basis for social cohesion. Truth is not dependent upon consensus but precedes it and makes it possible, generating authentic human solidarity. "The Church - always mindful of the truth's power to unite people, and ever attentive to mankind's irrepressible desire for peaceful coexistence - eagerly strives to strengthen concord and social harmony both in ecclesial life and civic life, proclaiming the truth about the human person as known by natural reason and fully manifested through divine revelation." Turning to consider the Korean people's desire for peace on the peninsula and in the region as a whole, Benedict XVI reiterated "the Holy See's support for every initiative that aims at a sincere and lasting reconciliation, putting an end to enmity and unresolved grievances." And he praised the country's efforts "to foster fruitful and open dialogue while simultaneously working to alleviate the pain of those suffering from the wounds of division and distrust." "Every nation shares in the responsibility of assuring a more stable and secure world. It is my ardent hope that the ongoing participation of various countries involved in the negotiation process will lead to a cessation of programs designed to develop and produce weapons with frightening potential for unspeakable destruction." The Pope noted how Korea "has achieved notable successes in scientific research and development," especially in biotechnology which has "the potential to treat and cure illnesses so as to improve the quality of life in your homeland and abroad." However, he added, "discoveries in this field invite man to a deeper awareness of the weighty responsibilities involved in their application," and "under no circumstances may a human being be manipulated or treated as a mere instrument for experimentation. "The destruction of human embryos, whether to acquire stem cells or for any other purpose, contradicts the purported intent of researchers, legislators and public health officials to promote human welfare. The Church does not hesitate to approve and encourage somatic stem-cell research: not only because of the favorable results obtained through these alternative methods, but more importantly because they harmonize with the aforementioned intent by respecting the life of the human being at every stage of his or her existence." Pope Benedict concluded his remarks by recalling how "the promotion of human dignity also summons public authorities to ensure that young people receive a sound education. ... It is incumbent upon governments to afford parents the opportunity to send their children to religious schools by facilitating the establishment and financing of such institutions. ... Catholic and other religious schools should enjoy the appropriate latitude of freedom to design and implement curricula that nurture the life of the spirit without which the life of the mind is so seriously distorted." CD/LETTERS OF CREDENCE/KOREA:KIM VIS 071011 (590) ARCHBISHOP MIGLIORE: U.N. PEACE-BUILDING COMMISSION VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2007 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, yesterday addressed the 62nd Session of the U.N. General Assembly which is deliberating upon the theme of the "Peace-building Commission (PBC)." "The Holy See," said the archbishop speaking English, "warmly welcomed the creation of the PBC, as a response to the need for greater coherence and coordination of international peace-building efforts in post-conflict situations." In closing, he encouraged the PBC to continue "in the pursuit of its challenging task of helping to rebuild individual lives and entire countries ravaged by war. It shall have fully achieved this task when development, peace and security and human rights will finally be interlinked and mutually re-enforcing in a country which has known the devastation of armed conflict." DESS/PEACE-BUILDING/UN:MIGLIORE VIS 071011 (140) VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Cardinal Franc Rode C.M., prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. - Bernard Lander, president of Touro College, New York, accompanied by an entourage. - Mario Agnes, director emeritus of "L'Osservatore Romano." AP/.../... VIS 071011 (60) VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Jaime Soto, auxiliary of the diocese of Orange in California, U.S.A., as coadjutor of Sacramento (area 110,284, population 3,381,449, Catholics 541,321, priests 260, permanent deacons 127, religious 284), U.S.A. NEC/.../SOTO VIS 071011 (50) |
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10 October 2007
[Fwd: VISnews 071010]
| 10.10.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 171 |
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SUMMARY: - Hilary of Poitiers: Path to Christ Open to Everyone - Call for Full Communion between Catholic and Orthodox - Celebrations to Be Presided by the Pope: October-January - Archbishop Cordes to Meet Patriarch Alexis II in Moscow - In Brief ___________________________________________________________ HILARY OF POITIERS: PATH TO CHRIST OPEN TO EVERYONE VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - St. Hilary of Poitiers, doctor of the Church, was the subject of Benedict XVI's catechesis during his general audience, which was held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 23,000 faithful. The saint was born in Poitiers around the year 310 and raised, probably as a pagan, in a family of local Roman aristocracy. After some time spent searching for truth, he converted to Christianity and was baptized. Elected as bishop of his hometown about 353, his opposition to Arianism - which denied the divinity of Christ - led to his being exiled to Phrygia by order of the emperor Constantius who had aligned himself with the decisions of a council held in Beziers at which the majority of the participating bishops were Arians. Following the emperor's death in 361 Hilary returned to Poitiers where he remained until his own demise six years later. In his most important work, "De Trinitate," Hilary "describes his personal journey to a knowledge of God and is concerned to show how Sacred Scripture clearly testifies to the divinity of the Son and His equality with the Father, not only in the New Testament but also in the Old where the mystery of Christ is already apparent," said the Pope. The bishop of Poitiers "develops all his Trinitarian theology on the basis of the formula of Baptism which the Lord Himself gives us, in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The Holy Father explained how St. Hilary presents "precise rules" for a correct reading of the Gospel when he indicates how "some pages of Scripture speak of Jesus as God, others underline His humanity, others still ... His pre-existence at the side of the Father ... His descent to death ... His resurrection." "Firm in his opposition to radical Arians, Hilary showed a more conciliatory spirit towards to those who were prepared to confess that the Son was like to the Father in essence, always seeking to lead them to a complete faith: ... not just likeness but equality ... in divinity." This is a "spirit of conciliation," said Pope Benedict, "which seeks to understand those people who have not yet arrived" at the truth and "helps them in a sprit of peace and with great theological intelligence to a full faith in the true divinity of Jesus Christ." "God the Father, being all love, is capable of fully communicating His divinity to the Son," the Holy Father concluded. "By taking on a human nature, the Son united all humankind to Himself. ... For this reason the path to Christ is open to everyone ... although it always requires individual conversion." AG/HILARY OF POITIERS/... VIS 071010 (470) CALL FOR FULL COMMUNION BETWEEN CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled how "the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox is currently holding its 10th plenary assembly in Ravenna, Italy, where it is deliberating upon a theological subject of particular ecumenical interest: the ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church - ecclesial communion, conciliarity and authority." "I ask you to join me in my prayer," said the Holy Father, "that this important gathering may help us to progress towards full communion between Catholics and Orthodox, and that we may soon be able to share the one chalice of the Lord." AG/APPEAL CHRISTIAN UNITY/... VIS 071010 (130) CELEBRATIONS TO BE PRESIDED BY THE POPE: OCTOBER-JANUARY VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff made public today the calendar of celebrations to be presided over by the Holy Father between the months of October 2007 and January 2008: OCTOBER - Sunday, 21: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Pastoral visit to Naples. RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER - Saturday, 20: At 4 p.m. in the cathedral square of Tubarao, Brazil, beatification of Servant of God Albertina Berkenbrock. - Sunday, 21: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 4 p.m. in the "Parque Municipal de Exposicoes" of Federico Westphalen, Brazil, beatification of Servants of God Manuel Gomez Gonzalez and Adilio Daronch. - Friday, 26: at 10 a.m. in the cathedral of Linz, Austria, beatification of Servant of God Franz Jagerstatter. - Saturday 27: at 4 p.m. in the Roman basilica of St. John Lateran, beatification of Servant of God Celina Chludzinska. - Sunday 28: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, beatification of 498 Spanish martyrs (1936-1939). NOVEMBER - Monday, 5: At 11.30 a.m. at the altar of the Cathedra in the Vatican Basilica, Mass for the repose of the souls of cardinals and bishops who died during the course of year. RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER - Sunday 11: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in Chimpay, Argentina, beatification of Servant of God Ceferino Namuncura. - Sunday, 18: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 3 p.m. at the "Palazzetto dello Sport" of Novara, Italy, beatification of Servant of God Antonio Rosmini. DECEMBER - Saturday, 1: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, First Vespers for the first Sunday of Advent. - Saturday, 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 4 p.m. in Rome's Piazza di Spagna, homage to Mary Immaculate. - Sunday, 16: 3rd Sunday of Advent. At 9 a.m., pastoral visit and Mass at the Roman parish of "Santa Maria del Rosario ai Maritiri Portuensi." - Monday, 24: Vigil of the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. Midnight Mass in the Vatican Basilica. - Tuesday, 25: Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. At midday from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. - Monday, 31: At 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, First Vespers of thanksgiving for the past year. RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER - Sunday, 2: 1st Sunday of Advent. At 4 p.m. in the Barradao Stadium of Sao Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, beatification of Servant of God Lindalva Justo de Oliveira. JANUARY 2008 - Tuesday, 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and 41st World Day of Peace. Holy Father to preside at Mass in the Vatican Basilica at 10 a.m. - Sunday, 6: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Holy Father to preside at Mass in the Vatican Basilica at 10 a.m. - Sunday, 13: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Benedict XVI will preside at Mass in the Sistine Chapel at 10 a.m., during which he will impart the Sacrament of Baptism to a number of children. - Friday, 25: Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. At 5:30 p.m. in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, celebration of Vespers. OCL/CALENDAR OCTOBER:JANUARY/... VIS 071010 (560) ARCHBISHOP CORDES TO MEET PATRIARCH ALEXIS II IN MOSCOW VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - According to a communique made public at midday today, Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," is due to meet with Patriarch Alexis II in Moscow. "The visit comes in the context of a series of meetings that the president of 'Cor Unum' will make in the Russian Federation between October 15 and 21," reads the communique. "From October 15 to 17 he will be at Novosibirsk, the capital of the region of Siberia where, accompanied by Bishop Joseph Werth, he will visit Caritas, the Franciscan school and the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In this area the Catholic Church has distinguished itself in recent years for the increase of charitable initiatives throughout the territory. "From October 18 to 21, Archbishop Cordes - as a guest of Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz - will participate in the work of Caritas groups throughout the Russian Federation. In Russia, this sector is at the basis of much fruitful collaboration with the Orthodox Church. The meeting is particularly significant because it is taking place a year and a half after the publication of Pope Benedict XVI's first Encyclical, which was dedicated to charity. It will, then, be an opportunity to verify how 'Deus caritas est' has inspired charitable commitment in this vast country. "The talks with bishops and volunteers of Russian Caritas on the influence of 'Deus caritas est,' the visit to Siberia and the meeting with Alexis III, make this trip an important stage of the mission of the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum'." OP/MEETING MOSCOW PATRIARCH/CORDES VIS 071010 (280) ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, spoke on October 9 during the 62nd session of the U.N. General Assembly which is currently studying the secretary general's report on the work of the organization. "To meet this ever growing need for humanitarian assistance," said the archbishop in his English-language address, "the United Nations should continue to work to promote partnerships with civil society that create a predictable and reactive humanitarian response." In closing, he expressed the hope that "this 62nd session of the General Assembly be strongly marked by a renewed sense of commitment and action towards not only achieving the Millennium Goals, but also completely fulfilling the vision of hope of this institution." ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, on October 9, addressed the third committee of the U.N. General Assembly which is considering "the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development (1995) and of the 24th special session of the General Assembly." Speaking English, the archbishop used his speech to highlight how "the eradication of poverty and the full enjoyment of basic social rights by all individuals and their families is fundamentally a moral commitment." .../IN BRIEF/... VIS 071010 (210) VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father yesterday received in audience Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany. AP/.../... VIS 071010 (30) VATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Jean-Paul Gobel, apostolic nuncio to Nicaragua, as apostolic nuncio to Iran. NN/.../GOBEL VIS 071010 (30) |
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09 October 2007
Vatican Update 9 October 2007
| 10.09.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 170 |
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SUMMARY: - Vatican Has Not Bought Ancona Football Club ___________________________________________________________ VATICAN HAS NOT BOUGHT ANCONA FOOTBALL CLUB VATICAN CITY, OCT 9, 2007 (VIS) - In a declaration released yesterday afternoon, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. denied recent reports that the Vatican or the Italian Episcopal Conference have bought the Italian football team Ancona, which plays in the third division. Ancona football club and the "Centro Sportivo Italiano" have recently signed an agreement involving the application of an ethical code in the administration of the team, alongside a new model of economic management, the promotion of a sporting culture among the fans, and support for social initiatives in the Third World. For its part, the "Centro Sportivo Italiano" has undertaken to seek sponsors for the club. "The Vatican and the Italian Episcopal Conference have nothing to do with this project," declared Fr. Lombardi. "There are initiatives which have positive and commendable aims and, if the declared intentions can be effectively achieved, this is certainly a good thing," he said adding, however, that this does not mean that this is an initiative of the Vatican or of the Italian Episcopal Conference. The Holy See Press Office Director went on: "The Church must not be attributed with responsibilities she does not have, although she may view positively the commitment of lay Catholics in various fields, including that of sports." Members of the Ancona football club will participate in tomorrow's general audience in St. Peter's Square but this, Fr. Lombardi made clear, does not mean "that the Pope has sponsored or taken responsibility for the working of the team." .../ANCONA FOOTBALL TEAM/LOMBARDI VIS 071009 (270) VATICAN CITY, OCT 9, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed as ordinary members of the Pontifical Academy for Sciences: Klaus von Klitzing, professor of physics at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany, and Yuan-Tseh Lee, professor of chemistry and president of the "Academia Sinica" in Taipei, Taiwan. NA/.../KLITZING:YUAN VIS 071009 (60) |
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Vatican Update 8 October 2007
| 10.08.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 169 |
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SUMMARY: OCTOBER 6 - 8 - Sport Must Not Be Reduced to a Mere Search for Results - Defend the Full Exercise of the Right to Religious Freedom - Welcoming Refugees: a Vital Gesture of Human Solidarity - Maintaining the Missionary Spirit - Vatican Basilica: a Place of Prayer and Adoration - Ravenna: Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox ___________________________________________________________ SPORT MUST NOT BE REDUCED TO A MERE SEARCH FOR RESULTS VATICAN CITY, OCT 6, 2007 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received members of the Austrian alpine ski team. Speaking German, the Holy Father told them that "when sport is practiced in the right spirit, and with respect for dignity, it helps to promote the development of the person. "Sport," he added, "helps man to consider his own capacities as a talent and his life as a gift of God. Even when sport is practiced at high levels, it is important to maintain an inner harmony between body and spirit in order not to reduce it to a mere search for results." The Pope then went on to enumerate a series of virtues "which must always characterize sporting activity: tenacity, a spirit of sacrifice, interior and exterior discipline, ... as well as a sense of justice, awareness of one's own limits and a respect for others. All virtues," he said, "for which you must train yourselves in daily life." On the subject of sports men and women as a model for the young, Benedict XVI pointed out how, "in a period marked by a loss of values and a lack of orientation, athletes can provide powerful motivations to work in favor of good in the various areas of life, from the family to the workplace." AC/.../AUSTRIAN SKI TEAM VIS 071008 (240) DEFEND THE FULL EXERCISE OF THE RIGHT TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VATICAN CITY, OCT 6, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of a talk delivered yesterday by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, before the 62nd session of the U.N. General Assembly which is meeting to consider the question: "High-level Dialogue on Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace." In his English-language address, Archbishop Mamberti made it clear that "there cannot be peace without understanding and cooperation among religions. There cannot be understanding and cooperation among religions without religious liberty. The safeguarding and promotion of religious liberty for all requires both State action and religious responsibility." "The full exercise of the right to religious freedom," he went on, "ensures openness to transcendence as an indispensable guarantee of human dignity; it allows all religions to manifest their own identity publicly, free from any pressure to hide or disguise it. Religious freedom includes the right to disseminate one's own faith and the right to change it. Respect for religious liberty would unmask the pretense of some terrorists to justify their unjustifiable actions on religious grounds." "Fruitful high-level international gatherings of religious leaders aimed at praying for and promoting peace should be replicated at national and local levels. Indeed, prayer and good intentions are authentic only if they translate into practical gestures at all levels." The secretary for Relations with States concluded by highlighting the fact that "religious communities can also make a positive contribution to peace by educating their own members in ... peace and solidarity." SS/RELIGIOUS FREEDOM/UN:MAMBERTI VIS 071008 (260) WELCOMING REFUGEES: A VITAL GESTURE OF HUMAN SOLIDARITY VATICAN CITY, OCT 6, 2007 (VIS) - Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi C.S., Holy See permanent observer to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, delivered a talk on October 2 during the 58th session of the executive committee of the U.N. High Commission for Refugees. Speaking English, Archbishop Tomasi expressed regret that "the number of refugees has increased again to some ten million persons, and internally displaced people to well over 24 million. The statistical trend shows that uprooting people from their homes is a major injustice caused by persisting conflicts that trigger this dehumanizing condition. "Other forms of violence," he added, "force people to leave their homes and native countries: these include extreme misery, environment degradation, religious intolerance and persecution, lack of freedom, lack of respect for advocacy activity on behalf of human rights. Millions of normal, ordinary human beings are thrust into situations of incredible humiliation and suffering." "Public opinion tends to accept almost as normal the fact that millions of fellow human beings are so uprooted and relegated to miserable and painful conditions," the archbishop observed." But welcoming refugees and giving them hospitality is, for every one, a vital gesture of human solidarity in order to help them feel less isolated by intolerance and disinterest." "In conclusion, addressing the problem of uprooted people from their own perspective, and that of their dignity and rights, will lead the international community to search for more comprehensive and humane solutions and to find the motivation for undertaking bold steps for their implementation." DELSS/REFUGEES/GENEVA:TOMASI VIS 071008 (270) VATICAN CITY, OCT 6, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop John Njue, coadjutor archbishop of Nyeri, Kenya, as archbishop of Nairobi (area 3,271, population 4,137,000, Catholics 1,273,000, priests 496, religious 2,407), Kenya. He succeeds Archbishop Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. NER:RE/.../... VIS 071008 (70) MAINTAINING THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT VATICAN CITY, OCT 7, 2007 (VIS) - Shortly before midday today, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square. Prior to the Marian prayer, the Pope spoke of today's Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, and of missions to which this month of October is dedicated. "The Rosary," said the Holy Father, "is a means granted by the Virgin to contemplate Jesus and, by meditating upon His life, to love Him and follow Him ever more faithfully." He also recalled how Mary in her various apparitions, and especially in that of Fatima, had "insistently recommended the daily recitation of the Rosary in order to obtain an end to war. "We too," he added, "wish to accept the Virgin's maternal request, committing ourselves to the faithful recitation of the Rosary for peace in families, nations and the entire world. Yet we know that true peace is established where people and institutions open themselves to the Gospel, and the month of October helps us to recall this fundamental truth through [its] particular concern for maintaining the missionary spirit alive in all communities, and for supporting the efforts of those people ... who work on the frontiers of the Church's mission." The Pope recalled how the theme of this year's World Mission Day - to be celebrated on October 21 - is "all the Churches for all the world." He also highlighted the fact that "announcing the Gospel remains the Church's principal service to humanity, so as to offer the salvation of Christ to the men and women of our time, who suffer so many forms of humiliation and oppression, and to give a Christian orientation to the cultural, social and ethical changes that are taking place in the world. "This year," he added, "there is another reason that encourages us to renewed missionary commitment: the 50th anniversary of Servant of God Pius XII's Encyclical 'Fidei donum' which promoted and encouraged cooperation between Churches for the 'ad gentes' mission." Pope Benedict also recalled the 150th anniversary of the arrival in Sudan with five priests and a layman of St. Daniel Comboni, "the future bishop of Central Africa, and patron saint of those people." ANG/ROSARY:MISSIONS/... VIS 071008 (380) VATICAN BASILICA: A PLACE OF PRAYER AND ADORATION VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope received Archbishop Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, accompanied by the vicar, canons and coadjutors. The Holy Father recalled how the chapter of the papal basilica of St. Peter's dates back to 1053, "when Pope Leo IX confirmed on the archpriest and canons of St. Peter's, who had taken up residence in the monastery of Santo Stefano Maggiore, the possessions and privileges granted by his predecessors." "Under the guidance of the archpriest," said the Pope, "the activity of the Vatican chapter has, since its very origins, been directed towards various fields of activity," liturgical, administrative, pastoral, charitable. "From the 11th century until today 11 Popes have been part of the Vatican chapter, and among them I particularly wish to recall those of the 20th century, Pius XI and Pius XII." Benedict XVI then went on to tell his listeners of the "particular nature of the Vatican chapter, and the contribution the Pope expects from you: to recall with your prayerful presence at the tomb of Peter that nothing must be put before God; that the Church is entirely oriented towards Him, towards His glory; that the primacy of Peter is at the service of the unity of the Church, and that this unity is in its turn, at the service of the salvific plans of the Most Holy Trinity." "I put great trust in you and in your ministry, that St. Peter's Basilica may be a true place of prayer, adoration and praise for the Lord. In this sacred place, where every day thousands of pilgrims and tourists arrive from all over the world, more than elsewhere it is necessary that ... there should be a stable community of prayer guaranteeing a continuity with tradition and, at the same time, interceding for the intentions of the Pope in the Church and the world today." AC/.../VATICAN BASILICA CHAPTER VIS 071008 (330) RAVENNA: DIALOGUE BETWEEN CATHOLICS AND ORTHODOX VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 2007 (VIS) - From October 8 to 15, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox is holding its 10th plenary assembly in Ravenna, Italy, according to a communique issued by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. This session is the second to be held since the reactivation of dialogue during the 2006 plenary in Belgrade. The commission was established in 1979 by Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I, and held its first assembly in Patmos-Rhodes in 1980. The document to be analyzed by the commission at its current gathering is entitled "the ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church - conciliarity and sinodality in the Church." The study of this document, the communique reads, "was part of the program agreed at Patmos-Rhodes in 1980" but was "suspended to make way for questions concerning the relationship of Orthodoxy with the Oriental Catholic Churches following the collapse of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe. With the plenary of Belgrade, the commission reactivated its normal theological agenda." The commission is made up of 60 members, 30 Catholics and 30 Orthodox, and is jointly presided by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and His Excellency Ioannis (Zizioulas), metropolitan of Pergamo. The Catholic members are cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests and lay experts in various fields. The orthodox members represent - in the order indicated by Fanar - the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Moscow, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Serbia, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Romania, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Bulgaria, the Orthodox Church of Georgia, the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the Orthodox Church of Greece, the Orthodox Church of Poland, the Orthodox Church of Albania, the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and of Slovakia, the Orthodox Church of Finland, and the Orthodox Church of Estonia. CON-UC/THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE/... VIS 071008 (340) VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, Italy, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference. - Archbishop Geraldo Lyrio Rocha of Mariana, Archbishop Luiz Soares Vieira of Manaus, and Bishop Dimas Lara Barbosa, auxiliary of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, respectively president, vice-president and secretary general of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil. - Ronald S. Lauder, Michael Schneider and Maram Stern, respectively president, secretary general, and vice-secretary general of the World Jewish Congress. - Marcello Pera, senator of the Italian Republic. On Saturday, October 6, he received in separate audiences: - Vladimir Korolev, ambassador of Belarus, on his farewell visit. - Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. AP/.../... VIS 071008 (150) |
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05 October 2007
Vatican Update 5 October 2007
| 10.05.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 168 |
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SUMMARY: - Pope Underlines Importance of Natural Moral Law ___________________________________________________________ POPE UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL MORAL LAW VATICAN CITY, OCT 5, 2007 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received members of the International Theological Commission, who have just completed their annual plenary meeting, held in the Vatican from October 1 to 5 under the presidency of Cardinal William Joseph Levada. In his remarks to them, the Holy Father recalled the recent publication of a commission document on the subject of "the hope of salvation for children who die without receiving Baptism," and expressed the wish that it may "continue to be a useful point of reference for pastors of the Church and for theologians," as well as providing "assistance and consolation for the faithful who have suffered the sudden death of a child before receiving" the Sacrament. Turning to focus on "natural moral law," a question being examined by the commission, Benedict XVI indicated that the doctrine on natural law "achieves two essential aims: on the one hand, it makes it clear that the ethical content of Christian faith is not an imposition dictated from outside man's conscience, but a norm that has its basis in human nature itself; and on the other hand, by starting from the basis of natural law - which of itself is accessible to all rational creatures - it lays the foundations for dialogue with all men and women of good will, and with civil society more generally." The Pope then highlighted the fact that nowadays "the original evidence for the foundations of human beings and of their ethical behavior has been lost, and the doctrine of natural moral law clashes with other concepts which run directly contrary to it. All this has enormous consequences on civil and social order." What dominates today, he continued, "is a positivist conception of law" according to which "humanity, or society, or in effect the majority of citizens, become the ultimate source for civil legislation. The problem that arises is not, then, the search for good but the search for power, or rather the balance of power. At the root of this tendency is ethical relativism, in which some people even see one of the principal conditions for democracy because, they feel, relativism guarantees tolerance and mutual respect. ... But if this were true, the majority at any given moment would become the ultimate source for law, and history shows with great clarity that majorities can make mistakes." "When," the Holy Father proceeded, "the fundamental essentials are at stake: human dignity, human life, the institution of the family and the equity of the social order (in other words the fundamental rights of man), no law made by men and women can subvert the norm written by the Creator in man's heart without society itself being dramatically struck ... at its very core. Thus natural law is a true guarantee for everyone to live freely and with respect for their dignity, protected from all ideological manipulation and from all arbitrary abuses of the powerful. No one can disregard this appeal. "If," he added, "by reason of a tragic clouding of the collective conscience, skepticism and ethical relativism managed to annul the fundamental principles of natural moral law, the very democratic order itself would be profoundly undermined at its foundations. Against such clouding - which is a crisis for human, even more than for Christian, civilization - the consciences of all men and women of good will must be mobilized, both lay people and followers of religions other than Christianity, so that together they may make an effective commitment to creating ... the conditions necessary for a full awareness of the inalienable value of natural moral law." Benedict XVI concluded by stressing that "the advance of individuals and of society along the path of true progress" depends upon respect for natural moral law, "in conformity with right reason, which is participation in the eternal Reason of God." AC/NATURAL MORAL LAW/COM-TI VIS 071005 (650) VATICAN CITY, OCT 5, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Christian Wulff, minister-president of Lower Saxony, Germany. - Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. - Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto, almoner of His Holiness. AP/.../... VIS 071005 (60) The following prelates died in recent weeks: - Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki S.J., first archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia, on September 28 at the age of 96 - Bishop Benyamin Yosef Bria of Denpasar, Indonesia, on September 18 at the age of 51. .../DEATHS/... VIS 071005 (50) |
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04 October 2007
Vatican Update 4 October 2007
| 10.04.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 167 |
| SUMMARY: - Collaboration between Church and State for Good of Man - Vatican Secret Archives: "Processus contra Templarios" ___________________________________________________________ COLLABORATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE FOR GOOD OF MAN VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2007 (VIS) - In the Vatican today, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of Antonio Zanardi Landi, Italy's new ambassador to the Holy See. In his talk to the diplomat, the Pope referred to the "mutual collaboration" between Church and State "for the promotion of mankind and the good of the entire national community. In pursuing this goal," he added, "the Church does not aim to acquire power nor does she seek privileges or positions of economic and social advantage. "Her only aim," he went on, "is to serve mankind, drawing inspiration, as the supreme norm of behavior, from the words and example of Jesus Christ Who 'went about doing good and healing everyone.' Hence the Catholic Church asks to be considered for her specific nature, and to have the opportunity freely to carry out her special mission for the good, not only of her own faithful, but of all Italians." Benedict XVI expressed the hope that collaboration between all components of Italian society may contribute "not only to carefully guarding the cultural and spiritual heritage that distinguishes [Italy] and that is an integral part of its history," but even more so that it may be "a stimulus to seek new ways to face the great challenges that characterize the post-modern age." In this context the Pope mentioned "the defense of life, ... the protection of the rights of the individual and the family, the building of a united world, respect for creation and inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue." After recalling that the year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, the Pope pointed out that this date "could constitute a useful occasion for Italy to offer its own contribution to the creation of a just order in the international arena, at the center of which is ... respect for mankind, for his dignity and for his inalienable rights." Quoting from his own Message for World Peace Day 2007, the Holy Father then went on to say that the Declaration of Human Rights "is regarded as a sort of moral commitment assumed by all mankind. There is a profound truth to this, especially if the rights described in the Declaration are held to be based not simply on the decisions of the assembly that approved them, but on man's very nature and his inalienable dignity as a person created by God." "Italy," Pope Benedict concluded, "by virtue of its recent election as a member of the Council for Human Rights, and even more so for its own particular tradition of humanity and generosity, cannot but feel committed to the tireless construction of peace and the defense of the dignity of human beings and all their inalienable rights, including the right to religious freedom." CD/LETTERS OF CREDENCE/ITALY:ZANARDI VIS 071004 (490) VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVES: "PROCESSUS CONTRA TEMPLARIOS" VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2007 (VIS) - On October 25 in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall, the presentation will take place of the "Processus contra Templarios," a book published by the Vatican Secret Archives on the subject of the Knights Templar, the medieval military-religious order founded in Jerusalem in 1118 and suppressed by Pope Clement V (1305-1314). According to a communique made public yesterday afternoon, the new volume is "a previously unpublished and exclusive edition of the complete acts of the original hearing against the Knights Templar." The book, unique of its kind, will have a print run "rigorously limited to 799 copies" and contains the "faithful reproduction of the original parchments conserved in the Vatican Secret Archives." The project, the communique concludes, "is part of the series of 'Exemplaria Praetiosa,' ... the most elaborate and important publication yet undertaken by the Pontifical Archives." The new volume will be presented by Archbishop Raffaele Farina S.D.B., archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church; Bishop Sergio Pagano, prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, and experts such as the historian Franco Cardini and the archaeologist and author Valerio Massimo Manfredi." .../TEMPLARS/VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVES VIS 071004 (200) VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum." - Archbishop Oscar Rizzato, almoner emeritus of His Holiness. - Msgr. Walter Brandmuller, president of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences. AP/.../... VIS 071004 (50) VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Fr. Terence John Gerard Brady, pastor of Mosman and Neutral Bay in Sydney, Australia, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Sydney (area 1,264, population 2,228,000, Catholics 597,610, priests 477, permanent deacons 5, religious 1,693). The bishop-elect was born in Rose Bay, Australia in 1947 and ordained a priest in 1983. - Appointed Msgr. Antonio Di Donna of the clergy of the archdiocese of Naples, Italy, episcopal vicar and professor of pastoral theology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (area 274, population 1,724,000, Catholics 1,716,000, priests 1,012, permanent deacons 210, religious 3,030). The bishop-elect was born in Ercolano, Italy in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1976. - Appointed as consultors of the Congregation for Bishops: Archbishops Fernando Filoni, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, and Mauro Piacenza, secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy. NEA:NA/.../... VIS 071004 (160) |
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03 October 2007
Vatican Update 3 October 2007
| 10.03.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 166 |
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SUMMARY: - Cyril of Alexandria: Custodian of the True Faith ___________________________________________________________ CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: CUSTODIAN OF THE TRUE FAITH VATICAN CITY, OCT 3, 2007 (VIS) - This morning the Pope returned to the Vatican Apostolic Palace at the end of his period of summer residency at Castelgandolfo. Upon his arrival he went to St. Peter's Square where he held his weekly general audience, dedicating his catechesis today to the figure of St. Cyril of Alexandria. The audience was attended by around 40,000 people. Cyril, the Pope explained, was known in the ancient Church as "the 'custodian of accuracy,' in other words, custodian of the true faith," and always sought "to show the continuity of his theology with tradition. He deliberately and explicitly identified himself with Church tradition, which he recognized as a guarantee of continuity with the Apostles and with Christ Himself." Elected as bishop of Alexandria in the year 412, he governed that see for 30 years, combating the preaching of Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople who, separating Christ's human nature from His divine nature, considered Mary as "mother of Christ" and not "mother of God." In Nestorius' Antiochean Christology a concern for "safeguarding the importance of Christ's humanity led to the assertion that it was divided from His divinity, thus denying the true union between God and man in Christ." Cyril immediately rejected this idea reaffirming "the duty of pastors to protect the faith of the People of God." This criterion, the Pope explained, "remains valid today" because "the faith of the People of God is an expression of the tradition" of the Church. For this reason Cyril reminded Nestorius that "the teaching of the faith must be presented to people irreprehensibly ... and that whoever disturbs the smallest of those who believe in Christ will suffer unbearable punishment." St. Cyril defines his faith in Christ when he writes "the natures which came together into true unity are different, but from both there arose the One Christ and Son, not because by their unity the difference between human and divine nature has been eliminated, but because humanity and divinity, inexpressibly united, ... have produced the One Lord, Christ, the Son of God." "What Cyril especially teaches us," said Benedict XVI, "is that the Christian faith is, above all, the meeting with Christ, 'an event, a Person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.' And of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, St. Cyril was a tireless and staunch witness, highlighting above all His unity. ... One only is the Son, One only is the Lord Jesus Christ, both before and after His incarnation. ... We believe that what existed from the beginning, was born of woman ... and will, in keeping with His promises, remain ever present. "This is important," the Pope concluded, "the eternal God was born of a woman and remains with us always. We live with this trust and in it we find the direction of our lives." AG/CYRIL ALEXANDRIA/... VIS 071003 (490) VATICAN CITY, OCT 3, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Zanoni Demettino Castro of the clergy of the archdiocese of Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil, pastor of the parish of "Sao Jose" at Itapetinga and diocesan administrator "sede vacante" of the same archdiocese, as bishop of Sao Mateus (area 14,966, population 437,229, Catholics 315,000, priests 35, religious 50), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Vitoria da Conquista in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1986. He succeeds Bishop Aldo Gerna M.C.C.I., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. NER:RE/.../CASTRO:GERNA VIS 071003 (110) |
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02 October 2007
Vatican Update 2 October 2007
| 10.02.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 165 |
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SUMMARY: - Ensure That the Right to Life Is Respected Everywhere - International Theological Commission Holds Its Plenary - Pope Expresses His Profound Gratitude to Mario Agnes ___________________________________________________________ ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT TO LIFE IS RESPECTED EVERYWHERE VATICAN CITY, OCT 2, 2007 (VIS) - Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, yesterday participated in the general debate of the 62nd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which is currently being held in New York. At the beginning of his English-language talk, Archbishop Mamberti pointed out that "forgetting, or partially and selectively accepting," the principle of respect for human dignity "is what lies at the origin of conflicts, of environmental degradation and of social and economic injustices." He went on: "The Holy See welcomes the initiative to hold the High-Level Dialogue on Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace which, ... will take place here shortly. Indeed, dialogue among peoples of different cultures and religions is not an option; it is something indispensable for peace and for the renewal of international life." Referring to conflict prevention and to efforts aimed at achieving and maintaining peace, the secretary for Relations with States indicated that the Holy See looks forward "to the day that peacekeeping efforts in Darfur will finally be fully operational." Furthermore, "there is need for a renewed commitment, involving all member countries, in the pacification and reconstruction of long-suffering Iraq," and "in the search for a solution, through dialogue, of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians." "Renewed commitment is needed in assuring that Lebanon will continue to be a free and independent country," the archbishop added, while on the subject of Myanmar, he reiterated Benedict XVI's appeal of last Sunday: "Through dialogue, good will and a spirit of humanity, may a solution to the crisis be found quickly for the good of the country and a better future for all its inhabitants." Recalling that the year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Archbishop Mamberti said "the most important part of our work in this context is to ensure that the inherent right to life is respected everywhere." "We must work to stop and reverse the culture of death embraced by some social and legal structures that try to make the suppression of life acceptable by disguising it as a medical or social service. In this sense, the abolition of the death penalty should also be seen as a consequence of full respect for the right to life." SS/HUMAN RIGHTS/UN:MAMBERTI VIS 071002 (400) INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION HOLDS ITS PLENARY VATICAN CITY, OCT 2, 2007 (VIS) - The International Theological Commission is holding its annual plenary session in the Vatican's "Domus Sanctae Marthae" from October 1 to 5, under the presidency of Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The meeting, under the chairmanship of Fr. Luis Ladaria S.J., secretary general of the commission, will examine plans for a document on natural moral law which has, according to a communique, "the aim of ... advancing the search for the foundations of a universal system of ethics." Attention will also be given to a draft document concerning the "nature of theology, its meaning and methods." The Holy Father will meet the members of the International Theological Commission on October 5, at the conclusion of their plenary session. .../THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION/LEVADA VIS 071002 (140) POPE EXPRESSES HIS PROFOUND GRATITUDE TO MARIO AGNES VATICAN CITY, OCT 2, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Benedict XVI to Mario Agnes, director emeritus of "L'Osservatore Romano." Mario Agnes headed the Vatican newspaper from 1984 until his recent retirement. In the text of his Letter the Pope praises, as John Paul II had before him, "the coherent Christian commitment, love for the Church and exemplary faithfulness to the Magisterium" that have accompanied Agnes' "testimony as a believer." The Pope also recalls how the former director "had always showed particular interest for the written communication of the Christian message." As diocesan president of Catholic Action he strove "to give the Catholic lay presence a higher profile in the mass media forum." As president of the "Avvenire" publishing group he distinguished himself for his competence "in dealing with the various themes associated with Italian ecclesial, cultural and political life." The Holy Father concludes his Letter by expressing his "sincere respect and profound gratitude" to Mario Agnes, whom he has chosen to include among the Gentlemen of His Holiness "thus introducing you permanently into the Pontifical Family." BXVI-LETTER/THANKS/AGNES VIS 071002 (190) |
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01 October 2007
[Fwd: VISnews 071001]
| 10.01.2007 - Seventeenth Year - Num. 164 |
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SUMMARY: SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 1 - Telegram for the Death of Cardinal Kozlowiecki - Pope Confers Episcopal Ordination on Six Prelates - Pontifical Envoys to Fatima and Saint-Remi - God Does Not Forget Those Who Are Forgotten by Everyone - Holy Father Calls for a Peaceful Solution in Myanmar - Strengthening the Missionary Spirit of Christians - Message New Romanian Orthodox Patriarch - Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for October ___________________________________________________________ TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL KOZLOWIECKI VATICAN CITY, SEP 29, 2007 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Telesphore George Mpundu of Lusaka, Zambia, for the death yesterday at the age of 96 of Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki S.J., a missionary in Africa and the first metropolitan archbishop of Lusaka. "Having learned with sorrow of the death of Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki, S.J., I offer heartfelt condolences to you and all the clergy, religious and laity of the archdiocese of Lusaka, together with the members of the Society of Jesus. Recalling with gratitude the first archbishop of Lusaka's selfless years of zealous episcopal and missionary service, unwavering commitment to the spread of the Gospel and service to the Universal Church, I join you in praying that God our merciful Father will grant him the reward of his labours and welcome his noble soul into the joy and peace of His eternal Kingdom. To all assembled for the solemn Mass of Christian burial I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord." TGR/DEATH KOZLOWIECKI/MPUNDU VIS 071001 (190) POPE CONFERS EPISCOPAL ORDINATION ON SIX PRELATES VATICAN CITY, SEP 29, 2007 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica today, Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Benedict XVI conferred episcopal ordination upon Msgrs. Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, coadjutor archbishop-elect of Lviv of the Latins, Ukraine; Francesco Giovanni Brugnaro, archbishop-elect of Camerino-San Severino-Marche, Italy; Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church and of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology; Tommaso Caputo, apostolic nuncio-elect to Malta and Libya; Sergio Pagano, prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, and Vincenzo Di Mauro, secretary of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. At the beginning of his homily, the Holy Father addressed a special greeting to Msgr. Mokrzycki who had been secretary to John Paul II for a number of years, serving alongside the now-Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. "Following my own election as Successor of Peter," said Pope Benedict, "he also served as my secretary, showing great humility, competence and dedication." Referring to today's feast, Benedict XVI indicated how "the names of the three Archangels all end with the word 'El,' meaning 'God.' God is written into their names and into their nature." The angels "are messengers of God. ... And precisely because they are close to God, they can also be very close to man." "If the early Church called bishops 'angels' of their Church, what this meant was that bishops must be men of God, that they must live with their faces turned towards God," the Pope said. He then went on to identify the two functions of the Archangel Michael as defined by Holy Scripture, saying "he defends the cause of the oneness of God against the presumption of the dragon, of the 'old serpent'," and he is "the protector of the People of God. Dear friends," the Pope told the newly-ordained bishops," be true 'guardian angels' of the Churches entrusted to you. Help the People of God - whom you must precede on their pilgrimage - to find joy in the faith, to learn the discernment of spirits, ... and ever more to become, by virtue of hope in the faith, people who love in communion with God-Love." Gabriel is "the messenger of the incarnation of God. ... Through him God asks Mary ... to give her human flesh to the eternal Word of God." Even today God "needs people who, so to say, put their flesh at His disposal," said the Pope, reminding the new bishops that their task "is to knock in Christ's name at the hearts of men and women. ... [Thus] you will assume Gabriel's own function: that of bringing the call of Christ to humankind." Raphael "is presented to us ... in the Book of Tobit as the angel entrusted with the task of healing. ... To announce the Gospel ... means to heal because man has, above all, need of the truth and of love." The Book of Tobit, said the Pope, mentions "two emblematic episodes of healing" by the Archangel. "He heals the unstable communion between man and woman. He cures their love ... and gives them the chance to accept one another forever. ... In the New Testament the order of marriage ... is healed by the fact that Christ accepts it within His redeeming love. He makes marriage a Sacrament." "Secondly, the Book of Tobit speaks of the curing of blind eyes. ... How great is the danger - in the face of everything we know about the material world, and are capable of doing to it - that we become blind to the light of God! To cure this blindness through the message of faith and the witness of love is the service of Raphael, entrusted day after day to priests and, especially, to bishops. And thus we are spontaneously led to think of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of Penitence, which, in the most profound sense of the word, is a Sacrament of healing." AC/CONSECRATION BISHOPS/... VIS 071001 (670) PONTIFICAL ENVOYS TO FATIMA AND SAINT-REMI VATICAN CITY, SEP 29, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the Pope to Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., naming him as pontifical legate to the solemn closing celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal, due to be held on October 12 and 13. Cardinal Bertone will be accompanied on his mission by Fr. Jorge Manuel Faria Garda, vicar general of the diocese of Lerida-Fatima; Fr. Luciano Coelho Cristino, dean of the Chapter of Canons; Msgr. Luigi Roberto Cona, secretary of the apostolic nunciature to Portugal, and by Fr. Lech Piechota, official of the Secretariat of State. Also made public today was a Letter from the Pope to Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium, appointing him as special papal envoy to celebrations marking the millennium of the construction of the basilica of Saint-Remi, due to be held in Reims, France, on October 7. Cardinal Danneels will be accompanied on his mission by Msgr. Jules Massin, titular canon, archpriest emeritus of the basilica of Saint-Remi and former chancellor of the archbishopric, and by Fr. Andre Rousselle, archpriest emeritus of the basilica of Saint-Remi. BXVI-LETTER/.../BERTONE:DANNEELS VIS 071001 (210) GOD DOES NOT FORGET THOSE WHO ARE FORGOTTEN BY EVERYONE VATICAN CITY, SEP 30, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, during his last Angelus at Castelgandolfo before returning to the Vatican, Benedict XVI commented on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, as recounted in the Gospel according to Luke. "The rich man personifies the iniquitous use of wealth by one who uses his riches for unbridled and selfish luxury," the Pope explained, "while the poor man represents the individual whom only God cares for. ... God does not forget those who are forgotten by everyone. ... The story shows how earthly iniquity is overturned by divine justice. After death Lazarus is welcomed ... into eternal beatitude, while the rich man ends 'in agony in the flames'." The Holy Father also pointed out how the parable can "be given a social meaning," and he recalled the "memorable" interpretation which Pope Paul VI gave it in his Encyclical "Populorum Progressio." Quoting the Encyclical, Pope Benedict said that combating hunger "involves building a human community where men can live truly human lives, ... where the needy Lazarus can sit down with the rich man at the same banquet table." As for the causes of poverty, they are, on the one hand, "servitude to other men" and, on the other, "natural forces which are not yet satisfactorily controlled." Pope Benedict continued: "Unfortunately, some people suffer from both these factors together. At this moment, how can we not think especially of sub-Saharan Africa struck by grave flooding in recent days? And nor can we forget many other humanitarian emergencies in various parts of the earth, where conflicts for political and economic power make serious environmental problems even worse." "The appeal launched by Paul VI - 'The hungry nations of the world cry out to the peoples blessed with abundance' - still maintains all its validity today," the Holy Father added. "We cannot say that we do not know which path to follow. We have the Law and the Prophets, Jesus tells us in the Gospel. Those who do not wish to listen would not change even if someone returned from the dead to warn them." The Holy Father concluded his remarks by calling upon the Virgin Mary to help us "become more attentive to our brothers and sisters in need, to share with them the much or little we have and to contribute ... to spreading the logic and practice of true solidarity." ANG/WEALTH/CASTELGANDOLFO VIS 071001 (410) HOLY FATHER CALLS FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION IN MYANMAR VATICAN CITY, SEP 30, 2007 (VIS) - In his comments following today's Angelus at Castelgandolfo the Pope expressed the hope that a peaceful solution may be found to the problems currently afflicting Myanmar, and encouraged dialogue between North Korea and South Korea as a way to stability and peace in the entire region. "I am following the grave events of these days in Myanmar with great concern," he said, "and I wish to express my spiritual closeness to that dear people at this moment of painful trial. As I give assurances of my solidary and intense prayer and invite the entire Church to do the same, it is my heartfelt hope that a peaceful solution be found, for the good of the nation. "I also entrust to your prayers the situation on the Korean peninsula where a number of important developments in dialogue between the two Koreas are giving rise to hope that the current efforts towards reconciliation may be consolidated, to the advantage of the Korean people and to the benefit of stability and peace in the entire region." The Pope then went on to greet pilgrims in Polish, recalling that today at Nysa, in the Polish diocese of Opole, the beatification had taken place of Servant of God Mary Louise Merkert, Polish religious, co-foundress and first superior general of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth (1817-1872). "She," said the Holy Father, "stood out for her concern for the sick, the poor and the abandoned. May the witness of Mary Louise's life be an encouragement for us to see the face of Christ in the needy." ANG/MYANMAR:KOREA:BLESSED/... VIS 071001 (280) STRENGTHENING THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT OF CHRISTIANS VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2007 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Benedict XVI to Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, for the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, patron saint of missions, in which he recalls that "the 'Pilgrimage of Lisieux' and the 'Missionary Cooperation' of the French Episcopal Conference hope that the year 2007 will be a Year of Mission in Lisieux." In the text, which is dated September 12, the Pope affirms that with such a hope the faithful are encouraged "tirelessly to recognize the importance of mission, so that Christ may be known and loved everywhere." This is what Pius XII wrote 50 years ago in his Encyclical "Fidei donum" when he invited Christians "to pay renewed attention to missions at the confines of the earth, affirming the need for cooperation among the entire Church in order to spread the Gospel." "With this same spirit," writes Benedict XVI in his Letter, "and aware of the concern felt in France for the missions of the Church, it is my hope that missionary vocations may be forthcoming among priests consecrated people and laity, like those of missionaries of earlier centuries who traversed all the continents. May the Lord awaken in the hearts of many young people the desire to commit themselves completely to announcing the salvation of Christ, above all in Africa, South America, Asia and Oceania!" The Pope recalls how "Therese of Lisieux, without leaving her Carmelite convent, ... lived, in her own way, an authentic missionary spirit, ... presenting the entire world a with a new spiritual path, which earned her the title of Doctor of the Church. From Pius XI to our own times, Popes have never failed to reiterate the links between prayer, charity and action in the mission of the Church." "I hope, then," the Holy Father concludes, "that the celebrations in Lisieux for this Year of Mission may strengthen the baptized in their sense of mission, through prayer, the witness of life and Christian commitment in all its forms, so that all the faithful may become missionaries in the places where they live." BXVI-LETTER/MISSIONS/LISIEUX:DIAS VIS 071001 (370) MESSAGE NEW ROMANIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2007 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has written a Message to Metropolitan Daniel of Moldova and Bucovna for yesterday's enthronement ceremony in Bucharest, Romania, by which he became the new Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The election of Daniel as the new patriarch, to succeed His Beatitude Teoctist, took place on September 12. A delegation representing the Holy Father was Present at the coronation ceremony, led by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He presented the new patriarch both with the Holy Father's Message and with the gift of a chalice. In the Message, the Pope calls upon the Holy Spirit "to help the Romanian Orthodox Church in her development, that with renewed vitality she may face the challenges and the material and spiritual reorganization necessary for the period in which we are living, following the difficulties of the recent past, when there were numerous limitations to freedom and at times outright persecutions." "May the Lord accompany you," the Pope continues, "that your Church may respond to the expectations of the Romanian people and give them the hope they need to travel the road of life, transmitting to young generations the fundamental moral and spiritual values they need to face the various ideological currents that currently attract a large number of our contemporaries." The Holy Father expresses the hope that relations between Catholics and Orthodox "may grow stronger in order to respond to the current needs of Europe and the world, both in the religious and social fields. The joint witness of Christians is becoming ever more necessary in order to respond to our vocation and the urgent needs of our time." After highlighting Patriarch Daniel's own desire to intensify dialogue between Orthodox and Catholics so as to ponder "crucial questions in our relationship," the Pope concludes by stressing the need "to resolve, with patience, reciprocal charity and hope, themes which are less important but which, at a local level, continue to hinder fraternal communion between Catholics and Orthodox." MESS/ENTHRONEMENT/PATRIARCH DANIEL VIS 071001 (350) BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2007 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for October is: "That the Christians who are in minority situations may have the strength and courage to live their faith and persevere in bearing witness to it." His mission intention is: "That Missionary Day may be a propitious occasion for kindling an ever greater missionary awareness in every baptized person." BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/OCTOBER/... VIS 071001 (70) VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Archbishop Francesco Giovanni Brugnaro of Camerino-San Severino-Marche, Italy, accompanied by members of his family. - Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church and of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archeology, accompanied by members of his family. - Archbishop Tommaso Caputo, apostolic nuncio to Malta and Libya, accompanied by members of his family. - Bishop Sergio Pagano, prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, accompanied by members of his family. - Bishop Vincenzo Di Mauro, secretary of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, accompanied by members of his family. AP/.../... VIS 071001 (130) VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Bishop William D'Souza S.J. of Buxar, India, as archbishop of Patna (area 28,808, population 24,982,000, Catholics 54,718, priests 181, religious 684), India. The archbishop-elect was born in Madanthar, India in 1946, he was ordained a priest in 1976 and consecrated a bishop in 2006. He succeeds Archbishop Benedict John Osta S.J., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. - Appointed Msgr. Carlo Mazza of the clergy of the diocese Bergamo, Italy, director of the Italian Episcopal Conference's national office for the pastoral care of tourism and sport, as bishop of Fidenza (area 451, population 73,287, Catholics 72,431, priests 68, permanent deacons 11, religious 56), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Entratico, Italy 1942 and ordained a priest in 1968. - Appointed Archbishop Piero Marini, master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, as president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. - Appointed Fr. Guido Marini of the clergy of the archdiocese of Genoa, Italy, as master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations. On Saturday, September 29, it was made public that he: - Conferred upon Mario Agnes, director of the newspaper, "L'Osservatore Romano," the title of director emeritus. - Appointed Giovanni Maria Vian, journalist and professor of patristic philology at Rome's "La Sapienza" University, as director of "L'Osservatore Romano." - Appointed Carlo Di Cicco, author and journalist, as vice-director of "L'Osservatore Romano." - Appointed Fr. Marcel Chappin S.J., official at the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as vice-prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives. NA/.../... VIS 070929 (280) |
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