SUMMARY:
-
THE FOUR PILLARS OF FUTURE PRIESTS: INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, HUMAN
AND PASTORAL FORMATION
-
THE POPE TO NEW SWISS GUARDS: IT IS NOT THE UNIFORM THAT SETS AN
EXAMPLE, BUT THE MAN WHO WEARS IT
-
THE HOLY SEE AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
-
BE RESURRECTED WAYFARERS, LET THE WORD OF GOD WARM YOUR HEARTS
-
FRANCIS: REIGNITE HOPE IN OUR HEARTS
-
CATHOLIC ACTION: REACH OUT TO THE BOUNDARIES WITH THE JOY OF BEING
WITH CHRIST
-
TO THE BISHOPS OF SRI LANKA: CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL RECONCILIATION
AND FOSTER INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AGAINST EXTREMISM
-
PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS: THE BEST
INTERESTS OF A CHILD OR VULNERABLE ADULT ARE PRIMARY IN ANY DECISION
-
INFORMATIVE NOTE ON THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY
-
90TH DAY FOR THE CATHOLIC SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY
-
AUDIENCES
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
______________________________________
THE
FOUR PILLARS OF FUTURE PRIESTS: INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, HUMAN AND
PASTORAL FORMATION
Vatican
City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) – Collaboration with civil society, the
evangelisation of a divided society and the formation of future
clergy were the central themes of the written discourse that the Pope
handed to the bishops of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of
Burundi, whom he received today at the end of their “ad limina”
visit.
The
Holy Father mentions the collaboration between the Holy See and the
Republic of Burundi, formalised in the framework Agreement signed in
November 2012, which came into effect last February, and which
promises “a rich future for the proclamation of the Gospel”. He
encourages the bishops to take their place, as they have already
done, in social and political dialogue, and to meet with political
figures without hesitation. “Persons in positions of authority are
the first to be in need of your witness of faith and your courageous
proclamation of Christian values, to know better the social doctrine
of the Church, appreciate its value and to be inspired by it in the
administration of public affairs”.
Burundi
in its recent past, has experienced terrible conflicts that continue
to influence the unity of the people, causing deep wounds that are
yet to heal. “Only an authentic conversion of hearts to the Gospel
can turn men to fraternal love and forgiveness, as to the extent that
He reigns within us, the life of society will be a setting for
universal fraternity, justice, peace and dignity for all. The
profound evangelisation of your people remains your first concern for
ensuring true reconciliation”.
If
the first witnesses called upon to live the authenticity of this
conversion are naturally priests, it is necessary for future clergy
to receive, “as well as the necessary intellectual formation, a
solid spiritual, human and pastoral formation. These are the four
pillars of formation. Because it is through their lives, through
their daily relations, that they bring the Gospel to all. An
administrative approach should not prevail over a pastoral approach,
and neither should concentration on administering the sacraments
apart from other forms of evangelisation”.
Pope
Francis notes the admirable work of religious congregations in
education, hospitals and assistance to refugees, and reminded the
prelates that many new communities that are formed require “careful
and prudent discernment to guarantee a sound formation for their
members, and to accompany the evolution they are called upon to live
for the good of all the Church”.
“The
recent history of your country has been difficult”, he concludes,
“marked by division and violence in a context of extreme poverty,
which unfortunately continues. In spite of this, the courageous
efforts of evangelisation in your pastoral ministry bear fruit in the
form of conversion and reconciliation. I invite you to not falter in
hope, but to go forward boldly with a renewed missionary spirit, to
bring the Good News to all those who are still waiting or who most
need to finally know the Lord's mercy”.
THE
POPE TO NEW SWISS GUARDS: IT IS NOT THE UNIFORM THAT SETS AN EXAMPLE,
BUT THE MAN WHO WEARS IT
Vatican
City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) – Today in the Sala Clementina of the
Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father received in audience the new
recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard who will swear their
allegiance to the Pope tomorrow, accompanied by their families and
friends. “It is a special day, as it commemorates the Sack of Rome
and the heroic act of your predecessors who, in 1527, offered their
lives to defend the Church and the Pope. Your dedication confirms
that their courage and loyalty have borne fruit”.
“The
social and ecclesial context has changed greatly since then”, he
continued. “Society is different with respect to those times. But
man's heart, his capacity to be loyal and courageous – acriter et
fideliter, as your motto says, - has remained the same. … Serving
in the Swiss Guard means living an experience that involves a meeting
of time and space in a very particular way. … With your special
service, you are called upon to offer serene and joyful Christian
witness to whoever arrives in the Vatican to visit St. Peter's
Basilica and to meet the Pope. Live your days intensely! Be firm in
your faith and generous in your charity towards the people you meet”.
He
commented that the celebrated uniform of the Swiss Guard will
celebrate one hundred years this year. “Its colours and shape are
known throughout the world, and stand for dedication, seriousness and
security. They are identified with singular service and a glorious
past. However, behind every uniform there is a real person: with a
family and a homeland, with a personality and sensibility, with
wishes and plans in life. Your uniform is an evocative trait of the
Swiss Guard and attracts the attention of the people. But remember
that it is not the uniform, but rather he who wears it, who must be
noted for his kindness, his spirit of welcome, for his charitable
attitude towards all. Consider this also in your relations between
yourselves, according importance, also in your community life, to
sharing both joyful moments and those that are more difficult,
without ignoring those among you who are in difficulty and who are at
times in need of a smile and a gesture of encouragement and
friendship. Avoid that negative distance that divides companions and,
in the lives of all people in the world, can give rise to disdain,
marginalisation and racism”.
THE
HOLY SEE AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
Vatican
City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) – Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, head of the the
Holy See delegation before the United Nations in Geneva, presented
his initial periodical report to the Committee on the Convention
against Torture (CAT), which is currently holding its 52nd session.
In
his comprehensive report, the prelate remarks that “the Holy See
acceded to the Convention against Torture (CAT) on 22 June 2002. It
did so with the very clear and direct intention that this Convention
applied to Vatican City State (VCS). In its capacity as the sovereign
of Vatican City State, the Holy See provided an important
'Interpretative Declaration' that shows its approach to the CAT”.
“In
the first place, the Interpretative Declaration lauds the Convention
as a worthy instrument for the defence against acts of torture when
it says: 'The Holy See considers the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment a valid and
suitable instrument for fighting against acts that constitute a
serious offence against the dignity of the human person'. In this
sense indeed, the Holy See wished to express the harmony of its own
principles and vision of the human person with those ideals and
practices set forth in the Convention against Torture”.
“The
Interpretative Declaration insists that 'The Holy See, in becoming a
party to the Convention on behalf of the Vatican City State,
undertakes to apply it insofar as it is compatible, in practice, with
the peculiar nature of that State'. As such, in regard to the
application of the Convention and any examination, questions or
criticisms, or implementation thereof, the Holy See intends to focus
exclusively on Vatican City State, respecting the international
sovereignty of this State and the legitimate and specific authority
of the Convention and of the Committee competent to examine State
reports”.
“The
Holy See, as a member of the international Community, is related but
separate and distinct from the territory of Vatican City State, over
which it exercises sovereignty. Its international personality has
never been confused with the territories over which it has exercised
State sovereignty. In its present form, Vatican City State was
established in 1929 to more effectively guarantee the spiritual and
moral mission of the Holy See. Therefore, colloquial references to
the Holy See as the 'Vatican' can be misleading. In this sense, the
Holy See, as mentioned, globally encourages basic principles and
authentic human rights recognized in the CAT, while implementing it
within the territory of Vatican City State in harmony with the
Interpretative Declaration.
After
presenting some of the essential points to guide and assist
discussion, the archbishop goes on to give an overview of the Holy
See’s Initial Report, submitted to the Committee in December 2012.
“Apart
from presenting the essential distinctions and relations between the
Holy See, Vatican City State and the Catholic Church, I wish to
highlight several important elements presented within the section of
“General Information”. In particular, the first point of
reference is the legal system of Vatican City State, that is
autonomous in respect to the legal system of the Catholic Church. In
fact, not all canonical norms are relevant for the governance of this
territory. In relation to the topic of crime and punishment there are
specific laws that criminalise illicit activities and provide for
proportionate penalties in Vatican City State”.
“As
noted in the section on Statistics, the small population of Vatican
City State, while receiving roughly 18 million pilgrims and tourists
annually, has a relatively tiny number of criminal and penal matters
registered”.
“Turning
now to the third part of the Initial Report, which addresses
systematically each of the sixteen substantive articles of the CAT,
my Delegation wishes to highlight several significant steps and
improvements in Vatican City State to comply with the Convention,
even since the consigning of the Initial Report in December 2012. In
the first place, there is the modification of Vatican City State
legislation with the promulgation of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter
on 11 July 2013, 'On the Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of
Vatican City State in Criminal Matters', particularly article 3, of
Law N. VIII, which deals specifically with the crime of torture.
While the implementation of this basic law into the criminal and
penal law of Vatican City State in some fashion touches upon
different articles of the Convention, it is worth mentioning a few
directly. In relation to Article 1 of the Convention, the new Vatican
City State legislation integrates, practically verbatim, the
definition of torture and cruel and inhuman punishment as supplied
therein and, therefore, de facto, fulfils Article 4 of the Convention
by its integration into the penal code and the establishment of
appropriate penalties for such offences. Paragraph 6 of the same
article 3 of the amended Law VIII effectively restates article 15 of
the Convention, prohibiting the use of any statement made as a result
of torture to be considered as evidence”.
“Also
modified in July 2013, the amendments of Law IX address with greater
specificity and clarity the questions of crimes, whether within or
outside the territory of the State, of jurisdiction, of extradition,
and of terms of sentencing. The procedural and legislative changes
seek to implement the principles contained in the Convention against
Torture under articles 3, 5, and 8. In particular, one should note
the development on the question of extradition and also the denial
thereof on the part of the Holy See if the requesting State practices
torture or uses capital punishment”.
“The
fourth part of the Initial Report, regarding the 'Affirmation of the
prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment in the teachings and activities of the Holy
See', references the wide array of documents, proclamations,
publications, radio and television programs by which the Holy See
actively addresses not only followers of the Catholic Faith, but also
the international Community and all people of good will”.
“It
should be stressed, particularly in light of much confusion, that the
Holy See has no jurisdiction – as that term is understood also
under article 2.1 of the Convention – over every member of the
Catholic Church. The Holy See wishes to reiterate that the persons
who live in a particular country are under the jurisdiction of the
legitimate authorities of that country and are thus subject to the
domestic law and the consequences contained therein. State
authorities are obligated to protect, and when necessary, prosecute
persons under their jurisdiction. The Holy See exercises the same
authority upon those who live in Vatican City State in accordance
with its laws. Hence, the Holy See, in respecting the principles of
autonomy and sovereignty of States, insists that the State authority,
which has legitimate competency, act as the responsible agent of
justice in regard to crimes and abuses committed by persons under
their jurisdiction. My Delegation wishes to emphasize that this
includes not only acts of torture and other acts of cruel and inhuman
punishments, but also all other acts considered as crimes committed
by any individual who, notwithstanding affiliation with a Catholic
institution, is subject to a particular State authority. The
obligation and responsibility of promoting justice in these cases
resides with the competent domestic jurisdiction”.
“To
recapitulate this fourth part of the Report, it might be said that
the measures employed by the Holy See to take effective legislative,
administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and to prohibit
torture and to address its root causes to avoid future acts in this
area are abundant. This manifests the Holy See’s desire 'to lend
its moral support and collaboration to the international Community,
so as to contribute to the elimination of recourse to torture, which
is inadmissible and inhuman'”.
BE
RESURRECTED WAYFARERS, LET THE WORD OF GOD WARM YOUR HEARTS
Vatican
City, 4 May 2014 (VIS) – “Peter is a witness to the hope there is
in Christ … and is the firm point of reference for the community,
since he is based on the rock that is Christ. … Thus was John Paul
II, a true stone anchored to the great Rock”. With these words, the
Pope began his homily in the Roman Church of St. Stanislaw in Rome
this Sunday, in which he joined with the Polish community to give
thanks for the canonisation of John Paul II. Francis mentioned that,
during his pontificate, Pope Wojtyla visited this church on more than
eighty occasions and said that “in moments of sadness or dejection,
when all appeared to be lost, he never lost hope, as his faith and
hope were rooted in God. And therefore he was an anchor stone, a rock
for this community”.
The
Holy Father commented that the Polish population is well aware that,
to enter into glory, one must pass through passion and the cross,
“and they know this not because they have studied it, but because
they have experienced it. St. John Paul II, as a worthy son of his
earthly homeland, followed this route. He followed it in an exemplary
fashion, being thoroughly despoiled by God. For this reason, his
flesh reposes in hope”.
The
Pope asked those present if they were willing to follow this route
and mentioned that St. Peter, with the voice of St. John Paul II,
asks us to conduct ourselves in fear of God during our time on earth.
“We are wayfarers”, he emphasised, “but not errants. We walk,
but we know where we are going. Errants do not. We are pilgrims but
not vagabonds, as St. John Paul II used to say”.
He
concluded, “We too can become 'resurrected wayfarers', if His Word
warms our heart, and His Eucharist opens our eyes to faith and
nourishes us with hope and charity. We too can walk alongside our
brothers and sisters who are sad and desperate, warm our hearts with
the Gospel, and break the bread of fraternity with them”.
FRANCIS:
REIGNITE HOPE IN OUR HEARTS
Vatican
City, 4 May 2014 (VIS) – As is usual on Sunday, the Holy Father
appeared at the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the
Regina Coeli with the faithful gathered in the square. He spoke about
the disciples who encountered Jesus on the path to Emmaus but did not
recognise Him. “Seeing how sad they were, He first helped them to
understand that the passion and the death of the Messiah were
foreseen in God's plan and foretold in the Sacred Scriptures; and in
this way He reignited the flame of hope in their hearts”.
“The
road to Emmaus has thus become a symbol of our path of faith”, he
continued. “The Scriptures and the Eucharist are the indispensable
elements for the encounter with the Lord. Often we too arrive at
Sunday Mass with our worries, our difficulties and our
disappointments. Life at times wounds us and we proceed sadly towards
our 'Emmaus', turning away from God's plan. We drift away from God.
But the Liturgy of the Word accommodates us: Jesus explains the
Scriptures to us and reignites in our hearts the warmth of faith and
hope, and in Communion He gives us strength”.
Before
concluding, the Pope also commented that the Word of God and the
Eucharist always fill us with joy. “Do not forget! When you are
sad, take the Word of God. When you are down, take the Word of God
and go to Mass on Sunday to receive Communion, to participate in the
mystery of Jesus. The Word of God, the Eucharist: they fill us with
joy. .. There is always a Word of God that guides us when we are
disorientated; and through our weariness and disappointments, there
is always the broken Bread that helps us along the path”.
CATHOLIC
ACTION: REACH OUT TO THE BOUNDARIES WITH THE JOY OF BEING WITH CHRIST
Vatican
City, 3 May 2014 (VIS) – “New people in Christ Jesus, sharing
responsibility for the joy of living” is the theme chosen for the
national assembly of Italian Catholic Action, whose members were
received in audience by Pope Francis this morning. He emphasised to
them that this joy is that of the disciples who encounter the risen
Christ and that it is necessary for it to be interiorised as part of
an evangelical style able to influence life.
“In
the current social and ecclesial context, the lay members of Catholic
Action are required to renew your missionary choice, open to the
horizons that the Spirit indicates to the Church and the expression
of a new youth of the lay apostolate. First and foremost, the
parishes, especially those that are weary and closed, need your
apostolic enthusiasm, your full willingness and your creative
service. This means taking on the missionary dynamism to reach out to
everyone, especially those who feel they are distant, and the
weakest, most forgotten parts of the population. It means opening the
doors and letting Jesus out to them”.
Staying,
going and rejoicing were the three key words that the Pope indicated
to Catholic Action as beacons for their path.
“As
proclaimers and witnesses of Christ, it is necessary, first of all,
to stay near to Him”, he began. “It is from the encounter with
Him, He Who is our life and our joy, that our witness gains new
meaning and new strength every day”.
He
then spoke of the need to “go and proclaim that God is the Father
and that Jesus Christ has let you know Him, and therefore your life
has changed: it is possible to live as brothers, carrying within a
hope that does not disappoint. … [Go] where humankind suffers and
hopes, loves and believes; where there are our deepest dreams, our
truest questions, the desires of the heart. There, Jesus awaits you”.
To
rejoice, finally, means “being people who sing life, who sing
faith; people able to recognise their own talents and their own
limits, who are able to see in all their days, even the darkest, the
signs of the Lord's presence. Rejoice because the Lord has called you
to share in the responsibility of the mission of His Church”.
“With
these three attitudes, staying in Jesus, going out to the boundaries
and living the joy of Christian belonging, you can carry forward your
vocation and avoid the temptation of 'quiescence', which has nothing
to do with staying with Jesus; the temptation of closure and
'intimism'; and the temptation of formal seriousness. Avoid living a
life that bears more resemblance to that of a statue in a museum
rather than those of people called upon by Christ to live and spread
the joy of the Gospel”.
TO
THE BISHOPS OF SRI LANKA: CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND
FOSTER INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AGAINST EXTREMISM
Vatican
City, 3 May 2014 (VIS) – The contribution of the Catholic Church to
national reconciliation and the reconstruction of civil society, the
importance of interreligious dialogue as a bulwark against an
extremism that promotes a false sense of national unity based on a
single religious identity, and the protection of the family were the
central themes of Pope Francis' address to the bishops of Sri Lanka
at the end of their five-yearly “ad limina” visit.
After
many years of conflict and bloodshed, the war in Sri Lanka has
finally come to an end and its inhabitants now hope to rebuild their
lives and communities. The bishops have dedicated themselves to this
task, as may be seen by their pastoral letter “Towards
Reconciliation and Rebuilding of our Nation” in which, as well as
sharing in the tribulations of the people, they note that much work
remains to be done to ensure respect for human rights and to overcome
ethnic tensions. The Pope joins with them in offering a word of
consolation to “all those who lost loved ones during the war and
remain uncertain as to their fate”, and invites communities,
“steadfast in the faith, to remain close to those who still mourn
and suffer the lasting effects of war”.
The
Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, which has both Sinhalese and Tamil
among her members, is therefore in a unique position to be able to
promote unity between these groups, and also knows intimately “the
concerns and fears of the people, particularly how they can be
marginalised and distrust one another. The faithful, knowledgeable of
the issues that cause tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil, can
provide an atmosphere of dialogue that seeks to construct a more just
and equitable society”.
He
continues, “Sri Lanka is a country not only of rich ethnic
diversity, but also of various religious traditions; this highlights
the importance of interreligious and ecumenical dialogue for
fostering mutual knowledge and enrichment. Your efforts in this
regard are commendable and bearing fruit. They allow the Church to
collaborate more easily with others in securing a lasting peace, and
ensure the Church’s freedom in pursuing her proper ends, especially
in educating young people in the faith and in witnessing freely to
Christian life. Sri Lanka has also seen, however, the rise of
religious extremists who, in promoting a false sense of national
unity based on a single religious identity, have created tensions
through various acts of intimidation and violence. Though these
tensions may threaten interreligious and ecumenical relations, the
Church in Sri Lanka must remain steadfast in seeking partners in
peace and interlocutors in dialogue”.
Francis
comments on the important work of priests and consecrated persons in
transmitting faith and promoting reconciliation and dialogue, and
dedicates the final part of his discourse to the family, noting that
the war in Sri Lanka has left many families displaced or mourning the
death of their members. “Many have lost their employment and so
families have been separated as spouses leave their homes to find
work. There is also the great challenge and increasing reality of
mixed marriages, which require greater attention to preparation and
assistance to couples in providing for the faith formation of their
children. When we are attentive to our families and their needs, when
we understand their difficulties and hopes, we strengthen the
Church's witness and proclamation of the Gospel. … Your efforts in
support of the family assist not only the Church, but aid Sri Lankan
society as a whole, especially in its efforts for reconciliation and
unity”.
PONTIFICAL
COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS: THE BEST INTERESTS OF A
CHILD OR VULNERABLE ADULT ARE PRIMARY IN ANY DECISION
Vatican
City, 3 May 2014 (VIS) – The members of the Pontifical Commission
for the Protection of Minors held their inaugural meeting from 1-3
May at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. As was previously announced, the
purpose of the meeting was to make recommendations to the Holy Father
regarding the Commission’s functions and to propose additional
members from different parts of the world. The members who took part
in the meeting are Catherine Bonnet, France; Marie Collins, Ireland;
Sheila Baroness Hollins, United Kingdom; Cardinal Sean Patrick
O'Malley O.F.M. Cap., United States; Claudio Papale, Italy; Hanna
Suchocka, Poland; Humberto Miguel Yanez, S.J., Argentina; and Hans
Zollner, S.J., Germany.
At
the end of the meeting, during a briefing at the Holy See Press
Office, the following statement was issued on behalf of the
Commission:
“As
we begin our service together, we wish to express our heartfelt
solidarity with all victims/survivors of sexual abuse as children and
vulnerable adults and to share that, from the very beginning of our
work, we have adopted the principle that the best interests of a
child or vulnerable adult are primary when any decision is made.
During
our meetings, each of us has been able to share our thoughts,
experiences, and our aspirations for this Pontifical Commission.
Responding to our Holy Father’s requests, these discussions focused
on the Commission’s nature and purpose and on expanding the
membership to include people from other geographical areas and other
areas of expertise. Our conversations included many proposals for
ways in which the Commission might collaborate with experts from
different areas related to safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults.
We also met with some people from the Roman Curia regarding areas for
future cooperation, including representatives from the Secretariat of
State, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the
Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican Press Office, and the
Vatican Gendarmerie.
As
an advisory commission to the Holy Father, the fruit of our work will
be communicated to Pope Francis. In time, we will propose initiatives
to encourage local responsibility around the world and the mutual
sharing of “best practices” for the protection of all minors,
including programs for training, education, formation, and responses
to abuse. We have also shared with Pope Francis how important certain
areas are to us in our future work. We see ensuring accountability in
the Church as especially important, including developing means for
effective and transparent protocols and processes.
We
will propose Statutes to the Holy Father to express more precisely
the Commission’s nature, structure, activity, and the goals. It is
clear, for example, that the Commission will not deal with individual
cases of abuse, but we can make recommendations regarding policies
for assuring accountability and best practice. In the Statutes, we
plan to make specific proposals regarding the importance of
emphasizing ways for raising the awareness of all people regarding
the tragic consequences of sexual abuse and of the devastating
consequences of not listening, not reporting suspicion of abuse, and
failing to support victims/survivors and their families.
As
the Catholic people make our parishes, schools, and institutions safe
for all children, we join with people of good will in our endeavour
to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected from
abuse. We request the prayers of all who wish to support the work of
the Commission”.
INFORMATIVE
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY
Vatican
City, 3 May 2014 (VIS) – The Council for the Economy, established
by the Holy Father by the Motu proprio "Fidelis et dispensator
prudens" of 24 February, held its first meeting on Friday, 2
May. It took place in the Sala Bologna of the Apostolic Palace,
during the morning and afternoon, and finished at 6 p.m. The sessions
were chaired by Cardinal Coordinator of the Council, Reinhard Marx,
and in addition to the fifteen members, were also attended by
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Cardinal George Pell,
President of the Secretariat for the Economy, and the Prelate
Secretary of the Council, Msgr. Brian Ferme.
The
Holy Father received the Council and addressed a brief but important
discourse to its members on Friday morning. The text of his discourse
and a summary in Italian of Cardinal Marx's address to the Pope have
already been published (Osservatore Romano, 2-3 May, p.8).
As
both the Holy Father and the Cardinal Coordinator were keen to
emphasise in their discourses, the clerical and lay members of the
Council are on the same level, with equal rights and
responsibilities. This was made clear during the meeting itself by
the fact that clergy and laypersons were seated in alternate
positions at the table, rather than in two separate groups.
The
work of the Council, which took place in a positive and constructive
context, focused first on the draft Statutes of the Council itself,
an examination of which will be continued at the next meeting so that
they can be submitted for approval by the Holy Father. The work
carried out by the Commission for the organisation of the
economic-administrative structure of the Holy See (COSEA, instituted
by the Holy Father on 18 July 2013) was presented to the Council. The
information and continuity of the work are guaranteed by the fact
that the President and two other members of COSEA are now members of
the Council for the Economy.
The
next meeting has been scheduled for 5 July. Two more meetings are
planned to take place during the course of this year, one in
September and one in December.
90TH
DAY FOR THE CATHOLIC SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY
Vatican
City, 3 May 2014 (VIS) – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin
has sent a letter to Cardinal Angelo Scola, president of the G.
Toniolo Institute of Higher Education to commemorate the 90 th day of
the Catholic Sacred Heart University which was celebrated on 4 May,
with the theme “with the young, protagonists of the future”.
In
his letter, Parolin emphasises that this year's theme “expresses
well the closeness of the Athenaeum to the world of youth, and its
commitment to offering students the necessary tools for answering to
their vocation and to the demands of a qualifed professional
formation”. On behalf of the Holy Father, the cardinal encouraged
the Catholic Sacred Heart University to continue to be a living and
effective witness to the Church's commitment towards the new
generations”, and urges its members to “collaborate for the
growth and strengthening” of this university. The Pope entrusted
the Athenaeum to the celestial protection of the Mother of God “Sedes
Sapientiae”, and asked for prayers for him and for his service to
the Church.
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) – Today the Holy Father received in
audience:
-
Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, archbishop of Lima, Peru.
-
Archbishop Marek Solczynski, apostolic nuncio in Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
-
Ten prelates of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, on
their “ad limina” visit:
Archbishop
Simon Ntamwana of Gitenga;
Bishop
Joachim Ntahondereye of Muyinga;
Bishop
Gervais Banshimiyubusa of Ngozi, with Bishop emeritus Stanislas
Kaburungu;
Bishop
Bonaventure Nahimana of Rutana;
Bishop
Blaise Nzeyimana of Ruyigi;
Archbishop
Evariste Ngoyagoye of Bujumbura;
Bishop
Jean Ntagwarara of Bubanza, with his coadjutor Bishop Georges
Bizimana;
Bishop
Vanant Bacinoni of Bururi.
-
Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, archbishop of San Cristobal de
La Habana, Cuba.
On
Saturday, 3 May the Holy Father received in audience:
-
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munchen und Freising, Federal
Republic of Germany, coordinator of the Council for the Economy.
-
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
-
Fourteen prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka
on their “ad limina” visit:
Cardinal
Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, archbishop of Colombo, with
his auxiliaries, Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando and Bishop
Sampathawaduge Maxwell Grenville Silva;
Bishop
Norbert Marshall Andradi of Anuradhapura;
Bishop
Julian Winston Sebastian Fernando of Badulla;
Bishop
Joseph Ponniah of Batticaloa;
Bishop
Warnakulasurya Wadumestrige Devsritha Valence Mendis of Chilaw;
Bishop
Raymond Kingsley Wickramasinghe of Galle;
Bishop
Thomas Savundaranayagam Emmanuel of Jaffna;
Bishop
Joseph Vianney Fernando of Kandy;
Bishop
Harold Anthony Perera of Kurunegala;
Bishop
Rayappu Joseph of Mannar;
Bishop
Cletus Chandrasiri Perera of Ratnapura;
Bishop
Joseph Kingsley Swampillai of Trincomalee.
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) – Today the Holy Father appointed Msgr.
Francesco Oliva as bishop of Locri-Gerace (area 1,248, population
133,000, Catholics 122,000, priests 99, permanent deacons 7,
religious 144), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Avena di
Papasidero, Italy in 1951 and was ordained a priest in 1976. He holds
a doctorate in Utroque Jure from the Pontifical Lateran University,
as well as an archivist's diploma from the Vatican Secret Archive and
a degree in pedagogy from the LUMSA (Libera Universita Maria
Santissima Assunta), and is a lawyer of the Roman Rota. He has served
in a number of pastoral, administrative and academic roles, including
vicar in the parishes of Santa Gemma Galgani in Rome and Santa Maria
del Piano in Verbicaro, canon of the Cathedral chapter of Cassano
dell'Jonio; defender of the bond and subsequently ecclesiastical
judge at the regional ecclesiastical tribunal of Calabria; pro-rector
of the diocesan seminary; spiritual father of the diocesan seminary;
president of the diocesan institute for the support of the clergy;
priest of the parish of San Girolamo a Castrovillari; lecturer in
canon law at the Catanzaro theological institute; visiting lecturer
at the “Magna Grecia” University of Catanzaro; visiting lecturer
at the “Pastor Bonus” institute of Dipodi; judicial vicar of the
diocese of Cassano all'Jonio; vicar forane of Castrovillari; vicar
general of Cassano all'Jonio; and diocesan administrator of the same
diocese. He is currently vicar general of Cassano dell'Jonio. He was
named prelate of honour by his Holiness in 2008.
On
Saturday, 3 May, the Holy Father:
-
accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the eparchy of St.
Thomas the Apostle of Detroit of the Chaldeans, (Catholics 105,500,
priests 22, permanent deacons 150, religious 1), U.S.A., presented by
Bishop Ibrahim Namo Ibrahim. He is succeeded by Fr. Frank Kalabat,
who was born in Kuwait in 1970 and ordained a priest in 1995. The
bishop-elect has served as deputy priest in of the “Mother of God
in Southfield” church in Michigan, and is currently priest of the
parish of “St. Thomas” in Detroit and director of the Eparchial
Centre for Vocations.
-
accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the eparchy
of Mar Addai of Toronto of the Chaldeans (Catholics 18,668, priests
7, permanent deacons 40) presented by Bishop Hanna Zora, and
appointed Fr. Daoud Baffro as apostolic administrator “sede vacante
ed at nutum Sanctae Sedis” of the same eparchy.
-
appointed Archbishop Martin Krebs, apostolic nuncio in New Zealand,
Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Samoa, Federated States of
Micronesia, Tonga, Vanuatu, and apostolic delegate in the Pacific
Ocean, as apostolic nuncio in the Marshall Islands.
You
can find more information at: www.visnews.org
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news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used,
in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
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