SUMMARY:
-
THE POPE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF CROATIA: COLLABORATION BETWEEN
CHURCH AND STATE TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY AND YOUTH
-
TO THE BISHOPS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: PASTORS OF THE CHURCH
CANNOT BE INDIFFERENT TO IMMIGRANTS
-
AUDIENCES
______________________________________
THE
POPE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF CROATIA: COLLABORATION BETWEEN CHURCH
AND STATE TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY AND YOUTH
Vatican
City, 28 May 2015 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father Francis
received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the president
of the Republic of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi?, who subsequently
met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with
States.
During
the cordial discussions, the good relations between the Holy See and
the Republic of Croatia, further reinforced by the recent Agreements
stipulated between the Parties, were affirmed. Furthermore, themes of
common interest were considered, such as the collaboration between
the Church and the State for the common good of Croatian society,
especially the support of families and the young.
Attention
then turned to the social consequences of the global economic crisis,
and the main challenges at a regional level, with particular
attention to the situation of Croatians in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
TO
THE BISHOPS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: PASTORS OF THE CHURCH CANNOT
BE INDIFFERENT TO IMMIGRANTS
Vatican
City, 28 May 2015 (VIS) – Fraternity with nearby Haiti, attention
to marriage and the family, the battle against drug trafficking and
the exploitation of minors, the continuing formation of priests and
the laity, and the defence of the environment are the central themes
of the written discourse the Pope handed this morning to the bishops
of the Conference of the Dominican Episcopate, where the
evangelisation of the American continent began. “Today the Church,
which continues her progress in these beloved lands with her children
in search of a happy and prosperous future, encounters the great
challenges of our time which affect social and ecclesial life, and
families in particular”, writes the Pontiff. “Therefore, I would
like to make an appeal to you to accompany the faithful, to reinforce
the faith and identity of all members of the Church”.
Francis
begins with marriage and the family, that is experiencing a “serious
cultural crisis”. However, this does not mean it has lost its
importance, but rather that the need for it is felt more than ever.
He urged the prelates to pay special attention, in this upcoming
Jubilee of Mercy, to matrimonial and family reconciliation, as keys
to peaceful coexistence: “A broad-ranging catechetical effort
regarding the Christian ideal of conjugal communion and family life,
and the spirituality of fatherhood and motherhood, is necessary.
Greater pastoral attention needs to be paid to the role of men as
husbands and fathers, as well as the responsibility they share with
their wives with respect to marriage, the family and the upbringing
of children”.
The
Pope goes on to invite the prelates to dedicate time to and to look
after their priests, and remarks that the Dominican clergy is
distinguished by its fidelity and coherence to Christian life. “May
its commitment to the weakest and neediest help it to overcome the
worldly tendency towards mediocrity”, he writes. “The seminaries
must not neglect human, intellectual and spiritual formation,
ensuring a true encounter with the Lord, while cultivating pastoral
commitment and emotional maturity so as to prepare seminarians able
to embrace priestly celibacy and to live and work in communion”.
“Pastoral
and charitable attention to immigrants, especially those from
neighbouring Haiti, who seek better conditions of life in the
Dominican territory, cannot allow indifference on the part of pastors
of the Church”, he underlines. “It is necessary to continue to
collaborate with the civil authorities to find fraternal solutions to
the problems of those who are without documents or deprived of their
basic rights. It is inexcusable to fail to promote initiatives of
fraternity and peace between the two nations that form this beautiful
Caribbean island. It is important to know how to integrate immigrants
into society and to welcome them into the ecclesial community. I
thank those who are close to them and to all who suffer as a gesture
of loving care towards the brother who feels alone and helpless, with
whom Christ identified”.
The
Pope assures the bishops that he is aware of their efforts and
concerns in appropriately facing “the serious problems that affect
our people, such as trafficking in drugs and persons, corruption,
domestic violence, abuse and exploitation of minors and social
insecurity. The intimate connection between evangelisation and human
development means that every action of the Mother Church must be
directed towards the care of the most disadvantaged. Everything that
is achieved in this respect will increase the presence of the Kingdom
of God that gave us Jesus Christ, while enhancing the credibility of
the Church and the relevance of the voice of her pastors”.
With
regard to the Dominican laity, which has an important presence in
works of evangelisation, Francis emphasised the need for “constant
support, so that it is able to bear witness to Christ, penetrating
those environments that frequently the bishops, priests and religious
cannot reach. … Those engaged in this service and this educational
mission must not lack a vigilant and courageous attitude, so as to
provide in schools an education that conforms to the moral and
religious principals of families”.
The
final part of the discourse is dedicated to the protection of the
environment. The Pope, considering “the beauty and the colourful
landscapes of the Dominican Republic” urged the prelates to “renew
commitment to the conservation and care of the environment. Man's
relationship with nature must not be governed by greed, manipulation
or unfettered exploitation, but should instead conserve the divine
harmony between creatures and creation to place it at the service of
all, and of future generations”.
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 28 May 2015 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
-
sixteen prelates of the Conference of the Dominican Episcopate, on
their “ad Limina” visit:
-
Archbishop Freddy Antonio de Jesus Breton Martínez of Santiago de
los Caballeros, with his auxiliary, Bishop Valentín Reynoso Hidalgo,
and Archbishop emeritus Ramon Benito de la Rosa y Carpio;
-
Bishop Hector Rafael Rodriguez Rodriguez of La Vega, with Bishop
emeritus Antonio Camilo Gonzalez;
-
Bishop Diomedes Espinal de Leon of Mao-Monte Cristi;
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Bishop Julio Cesar Corniel Amaro of Puerto Plata;
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Bishop Fausto Ramon Mejia Vallejo of San Francisco de Macoris;
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Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez of Santo Domingo, with his
auxiliaries, Bishop Arnancio Escapa Aparicio and Bishop Victor Emilio
Masalles Pere;
-
Bishop Andres Napoleon Romero Cardenas of Barahona, with Bishop
emeritus Rafael Leonidas Felipe y Nunez;
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Bishop Gregorio Nicanor Pena Rodríguez of Nuestra Señora de la
Altagracia en Higuey;
-
Bishop Jose Dolores Grullon Estrella of San Juan de la Maguana;
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Bishop Francisco Ozoria Acosta of San Pedro de Macoris;
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Bishop Pablo Cedano Cedano, former auxiliary of Santo Domingo.
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Prince Alexander von Sachsen, Margrave of Meissen, and family;
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Senator Jose Mujica Cordano, with his wife.
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