SUMMARY:
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Pope Francis receives the Conference of European Rabbis
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The Holy Father remembers Chief Rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff
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Buddhists and Christians, together to counter modern slavery
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Regina Coeli: the content of Christian witness is not an ideology
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Men and women like us, seeking a better life
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State Visit of the President of the Italian Republic
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Italy and the Holy See: promoting and protecting religious freedom
and human dignity at bilateral and international levels
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To the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences: raise awareness of new
forms of slavery
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The Pope receives the A.C.I.S.J.F.: let young women know they are
called to happiness
-
Telegram for the death of Cardinal Francis Eugene George
-
The Pope to receive Catholic Charismatic Renewal in audience on 3
July
-
Symposium on Friar Junipero Serra, to be canonised 23 September
-
Audiences
-
Other Pontifical Acts
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Pope
Francis receives the Conference of European Rabbis
Vatican
City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) – For the first time a delegation of the
Conference of European Rabbis, presided by Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt,
has met with the Successsor of Peter in the Vatican. Pope Francis,
who received them this morning, expressed his joy at this event, and
at the same time offered his condolences, which he extended to the
Jewish community of Rome, for the death yesterday of the ex Grand
Rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff, a “man of peace and dialogue”, who
received Pope John Paul II during his historical visit to the Great
Synagogue of Rome in April 1986. For this reason, the current Chief
Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, was not present at the meeting.
In
his address to the delegation, the Pope emphasised that the dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the Jewish communities continues to
progress as it has for half a century; 28 October will mark the
fiftieth anniversary of the conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate,
which is still the reference point for efforts in this regard. “With
gratitude to the Lord, may we recall these years, rejoicing in our
progress and in the friendship which has grown between us”, he
said.
“Today,
in Europe, it is more important than ever to emphasise the spiritual
and religious dimension of human life”, he continued. “In a
society increasingly marked by secularism and threatened by atheism,
we run the risk of living as if God did not exist. People are often
tempted to take the place of God, to consider themselves the
criterion of all things, to control them, to use everything according
to their own will. It is so important to remember, however, that our
life is a gift from God, and that we must depend on him, confide in
him, and turn towards him always. Jews and Christians have the
blessing but also the responsibility to help preserve the religious
sense of the men and women of today, and that of our society, by our
witness to the sanctity of God and human life. God is holy, and the
life he has given is holy and inviolable”.
Francis
voiced his concerns regarding increasing anti-Semitism and acts of
hatred and violence in Europe, and affirmed that “every Christian
must be firm in deploring all forms of anti-Semitism, and in showing
their solidarity with the Jewish people”. He also referred to the
recent seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the
concentration camp which has come to be synonymous with the great
tragedy of the Shoah. The memory of what took place there, in the
heart of Europe, is a warning to present and future generations. Acts
of hatred and violence against Christians and the faithful of other
religions must likewise be condemned everywhere”.
“Dear
friends”, he concluded, “I heartily thank you for this very
significant visit. I extend my best wishes to your communities, with
the assurance of my closeness and prayers. And, please, do not forget
to pray for me. Shalom alechem!”.
The
Holy Father remembers Chief Rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff
Vatican
City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) – Pope Francis has sent a letter of
condolences to the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community of Rome,
Riccardo Di Segni, for the death yesterday of his predecessor in this
role, Rabbi Elio Toaff, at the age of 99. The following is the full
text of the letter.
“I
wish to express my heartfelt participation in the mourning of the
family and the entire Jewish community of the capital following the
departure of the Rabbi Professor Elio Toaff, the long-time spiritual
guide of the Jews of Rome.
A
key figure in Italian Jewish and civil history during recent decades,
he knew how to earn esteem and appreciation through his moral
authority, linked to a profound humanity.
I
recall with gratitude his generous efforts and sincere willingness to
promote dialogue and fraternal relations between Jews and Catholics,
which experienced a significant moment in his memorable encounter
with St. John Paul II at the Synagogue of Rome.
I
raise prayers that the Almighty, rich in love and faithfulness,
welcome him in His Kingdom of peace”.
Buddhists
and Christians, together to counter modern slavery
Vatican
City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) – “Buddhists and Christians, together
to counter modern slavery” is the title of the message from the
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to Buddhists, to
celebrate the month of Vesakh, the commemoration of the three most
significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha – his birth,
enlightenment and death. This occasion, according to the president of
the dicastery, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, also provides an
opportunity “to think of the unfortunate and all who suffer, and to
rededicate ourselves to bringing them comfort and happiness through
acts of love and compassion”.
This
year's text is inspired by Pope Francis’s “Message for the 2015
World Day of Peace”, entitled No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and
Sisters, in which the Holy Father observes that, historically, the
institution of slavery was once generally accepted and resulted in
the “rejection of others, their mistreatment, violations of their
dignity and fundamental rights, and institutionalised inequality”.
Accordingly, “a slave could be bought and sold, given away or
acquired, as if he or she were a commercial product” and although
slavery has been formally abolished throughout the world, there are
still “millions of people today – children, women and men of all
ages – deprived of freedom and forced to live in conditions akin to
slavery”.
Pope
Francis gives examples of modern day slavery: men, women and child
labourers; migrants who undergo physical, emotional and sexual abuse
while working in shameful working conditions; persons forced into
prostitution, many of whom are minors, as well as male and female sex
slaves; those kidnapped by terrorists and forced to be combatants,
and those who are tortured, mutilated or killed. Human hearts
deformed by corruption and ignorance are, according to the Holy
Father, the cause of these terrible evils against humanity. When
hearts are corrupted, human beings no longer see others as “beings
of equal dignity, as brothers or sisters sharing a common humanity,
but rather as objects”.
“Dear
friends, we share the conviction that modern slavery and human
trafficking are grave crimes, open wounds on the body of contemporary
society”, states the message for Vesakh. In one section of the
“Eightfold Path” – namely “Right Livelihood” – the Buddha
declares that trading in live beings, including slaves and
prostitutes, is one of five occupations that are not to be engaged
in. He instructs that possessions are to be acquired peacefully,
honestly and by legal means, without coercion, violence or deceit,
and by means that do not cause harm or suffering. In this way,
Buddhism promotes respect for the life and freedom of each person”.
“As
Buddhists and Christians committed to respect for human life, we must
cooperate together to end this social plague. Pope Francis invites us
to overcome indifference and ignorance by offering assistance to
victims, in working for their psychological and educational
rehabilitation, and in efforts to reintegrate them into society where
they live or from which they come”.
The
text concludes, “We pray that your celebration of Vesakh, which
includes making special efforts to bring happiness to those less
fortunate in our midst, may be a time of deepened consideration of
the various ways in which we can work together so that there will no
longer be slaves, but brothers and sisters living in fraternity,
loving kindness and compassion for all”.
Regina
Coeli: the content of Christian witness is not an ideology
Vatican
City, 19 April 2015 (VIS) – At midday today the Pope appeared at
the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the
Regina Coeli with the faithful present in the square. Before the
Marian prayer, Francis spoke about the meaning of witness in the life
of Christians. “A witness is one who has seen, who recalls, and
recounts”, he said. “To see, to remember and to tell are the
three verbs that describe identity and mission. The witness is one
who has seen, but not with indifferent eyes; he has seen and allowed
himself to be involved in the event. Therefore, he also remembers,
not only because he is able to precisely reconstruct the facts, but
because these facts have spoken to him and he has grasped their deep
meaning. And so the witness recounts, not in a cold or detached way,
but as one who has allowed himself to be questioned, and has from
that day forth changed his life”.
“The
content of Christian witness is not a theory, and ideology, or a
complex system of precepts and prohibitions”, he added, “but
rather a message of salvation, a concrete event, or rather a Person:
it is the risen Christ, the sole and living Saviour of all”.
The
Pontiff went on to emphasise that the Christian may be a witness of
the risen Christ “by way of a path that has its foundation in
Baptism and its nourishment in the Eucharist, its seal in
Confirmation and its continual conversion in Penance. … If,
however, a Christian allows himself to be rapt by comforts and
vanity, if he becomes deaf and blind to the question of
'resurrection' of so many of his brothers, how will he be able to
communicate the living Jesus, with his liberating power and infinite
tenderness?”.
Men
and women like us, seeking a better life
Vatican
City, 19 April 2015 (VIS) – Following the Marian prayer, the Pope
launched an appeal to the international community to react as soon as
possible to tragedies like Saturday's shipwreck in Sicilian waters,
causing the deaths of hundreds of immigrants travelling towards the
Italian coast.
“They
are men and women like us”, he said. “Our brothers who seek a
better life; hungry, persecuted, wounded, exploited, victims of wars,
seeking a better life. They were looking for happiness. I invite you
to pray for them”.
State
Visit of the President of the Italian Republic
Vatican
City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father received a
State visit from the president of the Italian Republic, Sergio
Mattarella. The visit takes place just two months after his election,
and as the Pontiff remarked, “shows the excellent relations between
the Holy See and Italy”. There is a long-standing tradition of
regular meetings between the Italian authorities and the Universal
Church, reinforced following Vatican Council II.
In
his address to the president, the Pope referred first to the Lateran
Pacts, incorporated into the Republican Constitution, which
constitute “a solid framework for reference, within which the
relations between Italy and the Holy See have been peacefully
developed and strengthened, guaranteeing mutual sovereignty and
independence and at the same time ensuring mutual orientation towards
active collaboration, on the basis of shared values and in view of
the common good”. For this, it is fundamental for collaboration to
be constantly renewed, “distinguishing roles and competences and
with full respect for reciprocal functions”, with the aim of
“uniting forces for the good of all citizens, who have the right to
such harmony, from which they derive innumerable benefits. …
Reciprocal autonomy does not diminish, but indeed enhances common
responsibility for human beings and for the spiritual and material
needs of the community, which we all have the task of serving with
humility and dedication”.
“A
healthy pluralism does not reject the specific contribution offered
by the various ideal and religious members that make up our society,
provided that, of course, they accept the fundamental principals that
guide civil life, and do not exploit or distort their beliefs to
violent and abusive ends. In other words, the orderly development of
a pluralistic civil society presupposes that it does not claim to
confine the true religious spirit solely to the intimacy of the
conscience, but that it also recognises its significant role in the
building of society, legitimating the the valuable contribute that it
may offer”. In this respect, the history of Italy clearly
demonstrates both the great contribution of Christianity to her
culture and the character of her population, and the extent to which
Christian faith has permeated the art, architecture and customs of
the country”.
The
Pope did not fail to mention, among the fundamental goods for the
development of each community, the importance of work, “distinguished
by its bond with the very dignity of the person, with the possibility
of building a dignified and free existence”, and he emphasised that
“the lack of work for the young becomes a cry of pain that must
impel those in public office, intermediary organisations, private
businesspeople and the ecclesial community to make every effort to
remedy the situation, according the suitable priority to the problem.
Indeed, the possibility of dignity and of the future resides in the
availability of work”.
Another
theme of the Pope's address was the protection of the environment,
and in this regard he spoke about the Milan Universal Exposition, the
theme of which is “Feeding the planet: energy for life”. “The
event of the Expo will be an important occasion in which the most
modern technologies necessary for guaranteeing healthy, safe and
sufficient food for all peoples, respecting the environment, will be
presented”, he said. “This may also contribute to deeper study of
the causes of environmental degradation, in order to provide the
competent authorities with a framework of knowledge and experience
indispensable for making effective decisions and for preserving the
health of the planet that God has entrusted to the care of
humankind”.
Finally,
the Holy Father expressed his gratitude for Italy's efforts in
receiving the many immigrants who, risking their lives, seek
acceptance. “It is clear that the proportions of the phenomenon
require a much broader involvement. We must never tire of soliciting
more extensive efforts at European and international levels”.
Francis
concluded by expressing his hope that Italy, “treasuring her noble
traditions and culture, largely inspired by Christian faith, may
progress and prosper in harmony, offering her valuable contribution
to peace and justice in the world”.
Italy
and the Holy See: promoting and protecting religious freedom and
human dignity at bilateral and international levels
Vatican
City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning the president of the Italian
Republic, Sergio Mattarella, paid a visit to the Holy Father Francis.
The Head of the Italian State, accompanied by Paolo Gentiloni,
minister for foreign affairs and international cooperation,
subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin,
accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for
Relations with States.
During
the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the good
relations between the Holy See and Italy, further consolidated by the
recent signing of the Convention on fiscal matters. Themes relevant
to the Italian social situation were then considered, with particular
reference to the family, education, work and migration. Appreciation
was affirmed for the cooperation of the Catholic Church in
alleviating the situations of hardship that characterise some sectors
of society. Mention was also made, within the framework of the
current international situation, of the worrying spread of violence
that continues to affect the eastern Mediterranean and North African
areas.
The
Parties confirmed their willingness to pursue their active
collaboration on a bilateral level in the context of the
international community, especially with regard to the promotion and
protection of religious freedom and the dignity of human beings.
To
the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences: raise awareness of new
forms of slavery
Vatican
City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) – The Pontifical Academy of Social
Sciences, chaired by Margaret Archer, dedicated its plenary session
to human trafficking. This morning the Pope received in audience the
members of this institution and thanked them for their work in
deepening knowledge of new forms of slavery and in endeavouring to
eradicate human trafficking, noting that this scourge afflicts those
who suffer as a result of forced labour, prostitution, and
trafficking in organs and drugs.
“St.
Peter Claver, in an historical moment at which slavery was widespread
and socially acceptable, unfortunately – and scandalously – also
in the Christian world, as it was a large-scale business, felt
himself to be called by the words of the Lord, and consecrated
himself as 'a slave of slaves'. And many other saints, such as St.
John of Matha, went on to fight slavery, following the mandate of
Paul: slaves no more, but brothers and sisters in Christ”.
“We
know that the historical abolition of slavery as a social structure
is a direct consequence of the message of freedom brought to the
world by Christ with its fullness of grace, truth and love, with His
programme of the Beatitudes. The progressive awareness of this
message throughout history is the work of the Spirit of Christ and of
His gifts, in which there participate the saints and many men and
women of good will, who do not identify with a religious faith but
who are committed to improving the human condition”.
“Unfortunately,
in a global economic system dominated by profit, new forms of slavery
have developed, in a certain way worse and more inhuman than those of
the past. Therefore, following the Lord's message of redemption, we
are called upon even more today to denounce and combat them. Firstly,
we must raise awareness of this new evil that, in the globalised
world, seeks to conceal itself as it is scandalous and 'politically
incorrect'. No-one likes to acknowledge that in their own city,
region or nation, there are new forms of slavery, yet we know that
this wound afflicts almost all countries. We must then denounce this
terrible scourge in all its gravity. Pope Benedict XVI has already
categorically denounced every violation of the principle of equal
dignity among human beings. I too have declared several times that
these new forms of slavery – human trafficking, forced labour,
prostitution, the trade in organs – are serious crimes and 'an open
wound on the body of contemporary society'”.
Francis
launched a final appeal to all of society to become more aware,
“especially with regard to national and international legislation,
in order to be able to bring traffickers to justice and to redirect
their unjust earnings for the rehabilitation of victims. The most
suitable methods must be sought to penalise those who are complicit
in this inhuman market. We are required to improve the methods of
rescuing victims, and their social inclusion, also bringing up to
date the legislation on the right of asylum. The civil authorities
must be more cognizant of the seriousness of this tragedy, which
constitutes a regression for humanity”.
The
Pope receives the A.C.I.S.J.F.: let young women know they are called
to happiness
Vatican
City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) - “I wish to express my gratitude to you
for your generous efforts in the service of young women who live in
situations of precariousness and suffering”, said the Pope this
morning as he received, in the Sala Clementina, seventy members of
the International Catholic Association for the Service of Young Women
(A.C.I.S.J.F.), founded in Fribourg, Switzerland, by Louise de
Reynold in response to the needs of young women who, due to social
changes, lived far from their family environment.
The
number of these women, as the Pope observed in his address, is
increasing, and the many forms of poverty that affect them “call
out to us and should inspire a new creativity, to offer them the
material and spiritual aid they need. … Through your ongoing
activities to welcome them, and through reflection to face the new
challenges generated by today's world, such as the phenomenon of
migration, your work seeks to be at the service of the life and
dignity of the person, demonstrating that 'true faith in the
incarnate Son of God is inseparable from self-giving … from
service”.
The
young are most in need of “attention and to be listened to”, and
the A.C.I.S.J.F. must help them “to grow in confidence, to find
points of reference and to progress in human and spiritual maturity,
nourished by Gospel values”, he added. “Be credible witnesses for
them, so that they experience the joy of knowing they are loved by
God, their Father, and called to happiness. And, at the same time,
let yourselves be instructed by these young people whom you accompany
and assist. Even amid their difficulties. They often bear witness to
those essential virtues of fraternity and solidarity. They also
remind us that we are frail and depend on God and on others. May the
Lord's merciful gaze touch us and help us to welcome our poverty in
order to go ahead trustfully, and to make efforts together in that
'revolution of tenderness' to which Jesus opened the way through his
Incarnation”.
He
concluded, “I hope that the sense of belonging to the Church, who
is a great family, may grow in you. I invite you to continue to
announce to all the joy of the Gospel, bear in mind the diversity of
cultures, of religious traditions, and of the origins of the young
women you wish to serve, as well as their richness that demands to be
received with respect”.
Telegram
for the death of Cardinal Francis Eugene George
Vatican
City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) – The Holy Father has sent a telegram of
condolences to the Archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., Blase J. Cupich,
for the death yesterday, Friday 17 April, of Cardinal Francis Eugene
George, O.M.I., emeritus of the same archdiocese, at the age of 78.
In
the text the Pope recalls with gratitude Cardinal George's witness of
consecrated life as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, his service to the
Church's educational apostolate, and his years of episcopal ministry
in the Churches of Yakima, Portland and Chicago, and commends the
soul of “this wise and gentle pastor” to the merciful love of the
Father.
The
Pope to receive Catholic Charismatic Renewal in audience on 3 July
Vatican
City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office has stated
that the Holy Father will receive in audience the Movement of
Catholic Charismatic Renewal at 10 a.m. on 3 July, in St. Peter's
Square.
Symposium
on Friar Junipero Serra, to be canonised 23 September
Vatican
City, 18 April 2015 (VIS) – This morning in the Holy See Press
office, the Day of Reflection dedicated to “Friar Junipero Serra,
apostle of California, witness of holiness”, to be held on Saturday
2 May at the Pontifical North American College of Rome, Italy. At the
beginning of the press conference, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J.,
announced that the Pope will canonise Blessed Junipero Serra on 23
September during his apostolic trip to the United States, outside the
National Shrine in Washington, D.C.
The
event on 2 May, convoked by the Pontifical North American College and
the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and funded by the
archdiocese of Los Angeles, will aim to inform on the life, mission
and witness of holiness of Friar Junipero Serra, O.F.M. (1713-1784).
Speakers
at the conference were Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., president of
the Pontifical Council for Latin America; Guzman Carriquiry Lecour,
secretary of the vice-presidency of the same dicastery; Fr. Vincenzo
Criscuolo, O.F.M. Cap., general rapporteur of the Congregation for
the Causes of Saints; and Msgr. James Francis Checcio, rector of the
Pontifical North American College.
The
activities to take place on the Day of Reflection include the Pope's
visit to the Pontifical North American College, during which he will
officiate at Holy Mass.
Audiences
Vatican
City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
-
Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the
Evangelisation of Peoples;
-
Signor Tomaz Kunstelj, new ambassador of Slovenia to the Holy See,
presenting his letters of credence;
-
Archbishop Santo Gangemi, apostolic nuncio in Guinea and Mali;
-
Bishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vazquez of Solola-Chimaltenango, Guatemala;
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Six prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Gabon, on their “ad
Limina” visit:
-
Archbishop Basile Mve Engone of Libreville;
-
Bishop Timothee Mobido-Nzockena of Franceville;
-
Bishop Mathieu Madega Lebouakehan of Mouila, apostolic administrator
“sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” of Port-Gentil with
Bishop emeritus Dominique Bonnet, C.S.Sp.;
-
Bishop Jean-Vincent Ondo Eyene of Oyem;
-
Bishop Joseph Koerber, C.S.Sp., apostolic vicar of Makokou.
On
Saturday, 18 April, the Holy Father received in audience:
-
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for
Bishops.
Other
Pontifical Acts
Vatican
City, 20 April 2015 (VIS) – On Saturday, 18 April, the Holy Father
appointed Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez of Yopal, Colombia, as bishop
of Duitama-Sogamoso (area 4,928, population 437,000, Catholics
423,000, priests 115, permanent deacons 13, religious 155), Colombia.
You
can find more information at: www.visnews.org
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