SUMMARY:
-
POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS BISHOP NUNZIO GALANTINO AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF
THE ITALIAN EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE
-
POPE FRANCIS' PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2014
-
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ASSAD TO THE HOLY FATHER
-
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: CHRIST CHOSE TO BELONG TO A FAMILY THAT
EXPERIENCED EXILE SO THAT NO-ONE IS EXCLUDED FROM GOD'S LOVING
CLOSENESS
-
TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TAIZE: EUROPE NEEDS YOUR FAITH
-
POPES FRANCIS AND BENEDICT XVI MEET AT CHRISTMAS
-
THE FAITHFUL OF THE PARISHES OF ROME MAY PARTICIPATE IN MASS WITH THE
POPE AT SANCTAE MARTAE
-
THE POPE ASKS FOR PRAYERS FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
-
URBI ET ORBI MESSAGE: PEACE IS A DAILY COMMITMENT
-
MIDNIGHT MASS: JESUS, MEANING OF LIFE AND HISTORY, PITCHED HIS TENT
IN OUR MIDST
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
-
NOTICE
______________________________________
POPE
FRANCIS APPOINTS BISHOP NUNZIO GALANTINO AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE
ITALIAN EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE
Vatican
City, 30 December 2013 (VIS) - A letter was published today, dated 28
December, by which the Holy Father Francis appointed Bishop Nunzio
Galantino of Cassano all'Jonio, Italy, as secretary general "ad
interim" of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
In
relation to this appointment, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director
of the Holy See Press Office, published the following communique:
"The
appointment of the new secretary general of the Italian Episcopal
Conference has become urgent to the ordinary functioning of the
General Secretariat, and for a series of duties that require his
presence.
The
appointment is on an 'ad interim' basis: Bishop Galantino will have
all the faculties of the secretary general, but the duration of his
mandate has not yet been established.
Bishop
Galantino will transfer to Rome for a good part of the week, but for
the time being will remain Bishop of Cassano all'Jonio".
Pope
Francis addressed a letter to the priests, consecrated persons and
faithful of the diocese, explaining that, for a period of time at
least, it will be necessary for Bishop Galantino to work in Rome for
an important mission for the Church in Italy. In his letter, Pope
Francis gives his assurance that Bishop Galantino will travel
regularly to his diocese to accompany them "on the path of
faith".
POPE
FRANCIS' PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2014
Vatican
City, 30 December 2013 (VIS) - The Pope's universal prayer intention
for January 2014 is "that all may promote authentic economic
development that respects the dignity of all peoples".
His
prayer intention for evangelization is "that Christians of
diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ".
MESSAGE
FROM PRESIDENT ASSAD TO THE HOLY FATHER
Vatican
City, 28 December 2013 (VIS) - This morning the director of the Holy
See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., issued the following
declaration:
"This
morning the secretary of State of the Holy See, Archbishop Pietro
Parolin, and the secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop
Dominique Mamberti, have received a delegation from the Syrian
government, composed of Joseph Sweid, minister of State, accompanied
by Hussam Eddin Aala, assistant minister and director for Europe from
the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and current Syrian ambassador
to the Holy See.
"The
delegation brought a message from President Assad for the Holy Father
and explained the position of the Syrian government".
FEAST
OF THE HOLY FAMILY: CHRIST CHOSE TO BELONG TO A FAMILY THAT
EXPERIENCED EXILE SO THAT NO-ONE IS EXCLUDED FROM GOD'S LOVING
CLOSENESS
Vatican
City, 29 December 2013 (VIS) - The Feast of the Holy Family is
celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas; during the Angelus
prayer at midday Pope Francis recalled that Jesus had wanted to be
born into "a human family, and he wanted to have a mother and a
father".
"Today's
Gospel tells the story of the Holy Family's painful flight to Egypt
in search of exile", said Pope Francis to the thousands of
faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. "Joseph, Mary and Jesus
experience the dramatic condition of life as refugees, full of fear,
uncertainty, and discomfort. Unfortunately, in our times, millions of
families can identify with this sad reality. Nearly every day,
television and newspapers provide news about refugees fleeing hunger,
war, and other serious dangers in search of security and a decent
life for themselves and their families. In distant lands, even when
they find work, refugees and immigrants are not always welcomed, nor
do they find respect and appreciation for the values they bring.
Their legitimate expectations clash with complex situations and
problems that at times appear insurmountable".
The
Holy Father urged those present to contemplate the Holy Family of
Nazareth when forced to seek refuge, and to consider "the
tragedy of migrants and refugees who are victims of rejection and
exploitation ... of human trafficking and forced labour", as
well as "those who are exiled within families: the elderly, for
example, who are sometimes treated as a cumbersome presence".
"Jesus
wanted to belong to a family that experienced these difficulties, so
that no one may be excluded from God's loving closeness. The flight
into Egypt due to Herod's threats shows us that God is present
wherever man is in danger, where man suffers, where he flees, where
he experiences rejection and neglect. But he is also present where
man dreams, hopes to return to his homeland in freedom, makes plans
for his life and dignity and for that of his family".
Before
the Marian prayer, the Pontiff noted, "Today our gaze on the
Holy Family is also drawn by the simplicity of its life in Nazareth.
It is an example that does a lot of good to our families, helping
them to become a community of love and reconciliation, in which we
experience tenderness, mutual help, and mutual forgiveness".
Pope
Francis reminded those present of the "three key words for peace
and joy in family life: 'excuse me, thank you, sorry'",
explaining that "when we do not want to be intrusive in our
family and say 'excuse me!', when we are not selfish and say 'thank
you', and when we make mistakes and apologise, then there is peace
and joy within a family".
Finally
he encouraged families to "become aware of their importance in
the Church and in society", because "the Gospel is
proclaimed first within the family, and then in the different spheres
of everyday life". He invoked Mary, Joseph and Jesus, to
"enlighten, comfort, and guide every family in the world, so
that they may fulfil with dignity and serenity the mission God has
entrusted to them."
Following
the Angelus prayer Pope Francis commented that the next Consistory
and the next Synod of Bishops will address the theme of the family
and therefore recited the prayer to the Holy Family he had composed,
inviting all to join with him spiritually, especially those linked to
St. Peter's Square from the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth,
the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and the shrine of
Loreto:
"Jesus,
Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love, to
you we turn with trust. Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that our
families too may be places of communion and prayer, authentic schools
of the Gospel and small domestic Churches. Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience violence, rejection and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized find ready comfort and
healing. Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of
Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability
of the family, and its beauty in God's plan. Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer. Amen".
TO
THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TAIZE: EUROPE NEEDS YOUR FAITH
Vatican
City, 28 December 2013 (VIS) - Archbishop Pietro Parolin, secretary
of State, has sent a message on behalf of the Holy Father to the
participants in the 36th European Meeting organised by the Taize
community, which will take place in Strasbourg, France from 28
December to 1 January 2014.
The
archbishop reminds the young of the need for commitment, faith and
courage in this difficult moment that Europe is currently
experiencing. "You are aware that the division among Christians
is a formidable obstacle to the accomplishment of the mission
entrusted to the Church, and that the credibility of the Christian
proclamation would be much greater if Christians were to overcome
their divisions. The Pope shares with you the conviction that we can
learn so much from each other, because the realities that unite us
are many.
"The
Pope counts on you so that, by means of your faith and your witness,
the spirit of peace and reconciliation of the Gospel may shine forth
among your contemporaries".
The
message concludes with the Holy Father's blessing to the young
participants in the meeting and the brothers of Taize, along with the
pastors and all those who welcome them in Alsace and Ortenau.
POPES
FRANCIS AND BENEDICT XVI MEET AT CHRISTMAS
Vatican
City, 27 December 2013 (VIS) - This morning Pope emeritus Benedict
XVI visited the Sanctae Martae guesthouse, where he lunched with Pope
Francis. They were accompanied by their respective secretaries, and
by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with
States, and Msgr. Peter Brian Wells, assessor for General Affairs of
the Secretariat of State.
At
around 5 p.m. yesterday afternoon the Holy Father Francis visited
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI to wish him a happy Christmas.
Benedict
XVI received Francis at the door of his residence, the Mater
Ecclesiae monastery, and after praying together in the chapel, the
two popes retired to a room in the residence where they spoke
together in private for half an hour. At the end of the meeting, Pope
Francis, accompanied by his personal secretaries, also greeted the
other members of the Pope emeritus' "family", Archbishop
Georg Ganswein and the "Memores Domini", before leaving at
around 5.45 p.m.
THE
FAITHFUL OF THE PARISHES OF ROME MAY PARTICIPATE IN MASS WITH THE
POPE AT SANCTAE MARTAE
Vatican
City, 27 December 2013 (VIS) - From January 2014, the priests and 25
faithful from the various parishes in the diocese of Rome will be
able to attend the Mass celebrated every day by Pope Francis in the
Sanctae Martae Chapel, according to an announcement today by the
director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J.
The
parishes will be informed on how to apply by Cardinal Agostino
Vallini, vicar of Rome. Since the Holy Father cannot visit all the
parishes in his diocese at the moment, this initiative will ensure
that at least some of the faithful of Rome will be able to
participate in Mass celebrated by their bishop.
THE
POPE ASKS FOR PRAYERS FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
Vatican
City, 26 December 2013 (VIS) - At midday today, the feast of St.
Stephen, protomartyr, the Holy Father prayed the Angelus with the
faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square despite the rain. After
commending their courage in facing the bad weather, he narrated the
story of the martyrdom of St. Stephen, the deacon who was stoned to
death after a speech which provoked the enmity of members of the
Sanhedrin, and who died asking forgiveness for his executioners.
"In
the joyous Christmas season, this commemoration may seem out of
place. Christmas in fact is the feast of life and infuses us with
feelings of serenity and peace; why break the spell with the memory
of such atrocious violence? In fact, in the eyes of faith, the Feast
of St. Stephen is in full harmony with the profound significance of
Christmas. Indeed, in martyrdom, violence is conquered by love, death
by life. The Church sees, in the sacrifice of the martyrs, their
'birth in heaven'. Therefore, today we celebrate the 'nativity' of
St. Stephen, which springs fundamentally from the Nativity of Christ.
Jesus transforms the death of those who live Him into the dawn of a
new life!"
In
the martyrdom of St. Stephen we see the reproduction of "the
same confrontation between good and evil, between hate and
forgiveness, between meekness and violence, that culminated in the
Cross of Christ. The memory of the first martyr immediately dispels
the false image of Christmas: the mawkish fairytale image that does
not exist in the Gospel! The liturgy restores to us the authentic
meaning of the Incarnation, connecting Bethlehem to Calvary and
reminding us that divine salvation implies the struggle against sin,
passing through the narrow door of the Cross. This is the path that
Jesus clearly showed to His disciples".
"Therefore,
today we pray in particular for Christians who suffer discrimination
for their witness to Christ and the Gospel. We are close to those
brothers and sisters who, like St. Stephen are unjustly accused and
subjected to violence in various forms. I am certain that,
unfortunately, there are more of them now today than in the early
days of the Church. This occurs above all where religious freedom is
not yet guaranteed or fully developed. However, it also takes place
in countries and regions where, although freedom and human rights are
formally protected, in practice believers, and especially Christians,
encounter limitations and discrimination. I would like to ask you all
to pray for a moment in silence for these brothers and sisters. รข€¦
And let us entrust them to Our Lady".
Following
the recitation of the Marian prayer, Pope Francis commented, "This
is not surprising for a Christian, as Jesus foretold it as an
opportunity to give witness. However, on a civil level, injustice
must be denounced and eliminated".
URBI
ET ORBI MESSAGE: PEACE IS A DAILY COMMITMENT
Vatican
City, 25 December 2013 (VIS) - "Dear brothers and sisters in
Rome and throughout the whole world, greetings and happy Christmas!"
said Pope Francis, who appeared at the central balcony of St. Peter's
Basilica to impart to all Christianity his first "Urbi et Orbi"
blessing.
"Glory
to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he
favours. I take up the song of the angels who appeared to the
shepherds in Bethlehem on the night when Jesus was born. It is a song
which unites heaven and earth, giving praise and glory to heaven, and
the promise of peace to earth and all its people", continued
the Holy Father, asking all to "share in this song: it is a song
for every man or woman who keeps watch through the night, who hopes
for a better world, who cares for others while humbly seeking to do
his or her duty".
"Glory
to God! Above all else, this is what Christmas bids us to do: give
glory to God, for he is good, he is faithful, he is merciful. Today I
voice my hope that everyone will come to know the true face of God,
the Father who has given us Jesus. My hope is that everyone will feel
God's closeness, live in his presence, love him and adore him. May
each of us give glory to God above all by our lives, by lives spent
for love of him and of all our brothers and sisters".
"Peace
to mankind. True peace - we know this well - is not a balance of
opposing forces. It is not a lovely 'facade' which conceals conflicts
and divisions. Peace calls for daily commitment, but making peace is
an art, starting from God's gift, from the grace which he has given
us in Jesus Christ".
"Looking
at the Child in the manger, Child of peace, our thoughts turn to
those children who are the most vulnerable victims of wars, but we
think too of the elderly, to battered women, to the sick. ... Wars
shatter and hurt so many lives!" exclaimed the Bishop of Rome,
who went on to recall those countries devastated by wars and
conflicts, as well as natural disasters, and to dedicate some special
words for refugees, asylum-seekers and victims of human trafficking.
Pope
Francis first mentioned Syria: "Let us continue to ask the Lord
to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering, and to enable
the parties in conflict to put an end to all violence and guarantee
access to humanitarian aid. We have seen how powerful prayer is! And
I am happy today too, that the followers of different religious
confessions are joining us in our prayer for peace in Syria. Let us
never lose the courage of prayer! The courage to say: Lord, grant
your peace to Syria and to the whole world. And I also invite
non-believers to desire peace with that yearning that makes the heart
grow: all united, either by prayer or by desire. But all of us, for
peace".
"Grant
peace, dear Child, to the Central African Republic, often forgotten
and overlooked. Yet you, Lord, forget no one! And you also want to
bring peace to that land, torn apart by a spiral of violence and
poverty, where so many people are homeless, lacking water, food and
the bare necessities of life. Foster social harmony in South Sudan,
where current tensions have already caused too many victims and are
threatening peaceful coexistence in that young state".
"Prince
of Peace, in every place turn hearts aside from violence and inspire
them to lay down arms and undertake the path of dialogue. Look upon
Nigeria, riven by constant attacks which do not spare the innocent
and defenceless. Bless the land where you chose to come into the
world, and grant a favourable outcome to the peace talks between
Israelis and Palestinians. Heal the wounds of the beloved country of
Iraq, once more struck by frequent acts of violence".
"Lord
of life, protect all who are persecuted for your name. Grant hope and
consolation to the displaced and refugees, especially in the Horn of
Africa and in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. Grant that migrants in search of a dignified life may find
acceptance and assistance. May tragedies like those we have witnessed
this year, with so many deaths at Lampedusa, never occur again!"
"Child
of Bethlehem, touch the hearts of all those engaged in human
trafficking, that they may realise the gravity of this crime against
humanity. Look upon the many children who are kidnapped, wounded and
killed in armed conflicts, and all those who are robbed of their
childhood and forced to become soldiers".
"Lord
of heaven and earth, look upon our planet, frequently exploited by
human greed and rapacity. Help and protect all the victims of natural
disasters, especially the beloved people of the Philippines, gravely
affected by the recent typhoon".
"Dear
brothers and sisters, today, in this world, in this humanity, is born
the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Let us pause before the Child of
Bethlehem. Let us allow our hearts to be touched, let us not fear
this. Let us not fear that our hearts be moved. We need this! Let us
allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God; we need his
caress. God's caresses do not harm us. They give us peace and
strength. We need his caresses. God is full of love: to him be praise
and glory forever! God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be
peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and
nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by
God's goodness".
Before
imparting his blessing, the Holy Father said: "To you, dear
brothers and sisters, gathered from throughout the world in this
Square, and to all those from different countries who join us through
the communications media, I offer my cordial best wishes for a merry
Christmas!"
"On
this day illumined by the Gospel hope which springs from the humble
stable of Bethlehem, I invoke the Christmas gift of joy and peace
upon all: upon children and the elderly, upon young people and
families, the poor and the marginalised. May Jesus, who was born for
us, console all those afflicted by illness and suffering; may he
sustain those who devote themselves to serving our brothers and
sisters who are most in need. Happy Christmas to all!"
MIDNIGHT
MASS: JESUS, MEANING OF LIFE AND HISTORY, PITCHED HIS TENT IN OUR
MIDST
Vatican
City, 24 December 2013 (VIS) - "Our identity as believers has
been that of a people making its pilgrim way towards the promised
land", remarked Pope Francis during his homily during his
first midnight mass as Pope, in a crowded St. Peter's Basilica. The
celebration was proceeded by the ancient Christmas Proclamation which
announces the nativity of Christ, and the prayer of the faithful was
also recited in Aramaic and Chinese. The Pope began by quoting
Isaiah: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light", a prophecy that "never ceases to touch us,
especially when we hear it proclaimed in the liturgy of Christmas
Night".
"This
is not simply an emotional or sentimental matter. It moves us because
it states the deep reality of what we are: a people who walk, and all
around us ... and within us as well ... there is darkness and light.
In this night, as the spirit of darkness enfolds the world, there
takes place anew the event which always amazes and surprises us: the
people who walk see a great light. A light which makes us reflect on
this mystery: the mystery of walking and seeing".
"Walking",
he exclaimed: "this verb makes us reflect on the course of
history, that long journey which is the history of salvation,
starting with Abraham, our father in faith, whom the Lord called one
day to set out, to go forth from his country towards the land which
he would show him. From that time on, our identity as believers has
been that of a people making its pilgrim way towards the promised
land. This history has always been accompanied by the Lord! He is
ever faithful to his covenant and to his promises. Because he is
faithful, 'God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all'. Yet
on the part of the people there are times of both light and darkness,
fidelity and infidelity, obedience, and rebellion; times of being a
pilgrim people and times of being a people adrift".
Francis
emphasised that also in our personal history, "there are both
bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. If we love God and our
brothers and sisters, we walk in the light; but if our heart is
closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then
darkness falls within us and around us. 'Whoever hates his brother',
writes the Apostle John, 'is in the darkness; he walks in the
darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has
blinded his eyes'. A people who walk, but as a pilgrim people who do
not want to go astray".
On
this night, "like a burst of brilliant light, there rings out
the proclamation of the Apostle: 'God's grace has been revealed, and
it has made salvation possible for the whole human race'. The grace
which was revealed in our world is Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary,
true man and true God. He has entered our history; he has shared our
journey. He came to free us from darkness and to grant us light. In
him was revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of the
Father: Jesus is Love incarnate. He is not simply a teacher of
wisdom, he is not an ideal for which we strive while knowing that we
are hopelessly distant from it. He is the meaning of life and
history, who has pitched his tent in our midst".
"The
shepherds were the first to see this 'tent', to receive the news of
Jesus' birth ... because they were among the last, the outcast. And
they were the first because they were awake, keeping watch in the
night, guarding their flocks. The pilgrim is bound by duty to keep
watch and the shepherds did just that. Together with them, let us
pause before the Child, let us pause in silence. Together with them,
let us thank the Lord for having given Jesus to us, and with them let
us raise from the depths of our hearts the praises of his fidelity:
We bless you, Lord God most high, who lowered yourself for our sake.
You are immense, and you made yourself small; you are rich and you
made yourself poor; you are all-powerful and you made yourself
vulnerable".
"On
this night let us share the joy of the Gospel: God loves us, he so
loves us that he gave us his Son to be our brother, to be light in
our darkness. To us the Lord repeats: 'Do not be afraid!'. As the
angels said to the shepherds: 'Do not be afraid!'. And I also repeat
to all of you: Do not be afraid! Our Father is patient, he loves us,
he gives us Jesus to guide us on the way which leads to the promised
land. Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness. He is mercy: our
Father always forgives us. He is our peace. Amen".
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 30 December 2013 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father:
-
appointed Bishop Marlo M. Peralta of Alaminos as metropolitan
archbishop of Nueva Segovia (area 2,570, population 718,000,
Catholics 605,000, priests 73, religious 101), Philippines. Msgr.
Peralta was born in San Carlos, Philippines in 1950, was ordained a
priest in 1975, and received episcopal ordination in 2006. He
succeeds Archbishop Ernesto A. Salgado, whose resignation from the
pastoral care of the same archdiocese upon having reached the age
limit was accepted by the Holy Father.
-
appointed Rev. Timothy Yu Gyoung-Chon as auxiliary of the archdiocese
of Seoul (area 606, population 10,528,774, Catholics 1,434,874,
priests 32, religious 111), Korea. The bishop-elect was born in
Jung-gu, Korea in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1992. He holds a
licentiate in theology from the University of Wuerzburg, Germany and
has served in the following pastoral and academic roles: vicar of the
parish of Mok-Dong, professor at the Catholic University of Seoul,
and director of the Institute for Integral Pastoral Ministry in
Seoul. He is currently priest of the parish of Myeong-dong, Seoul.
-
appointed Fr. Peter Chung Soon-taek, O.C.D., as auxiliary of the
archdiocese of Seoul, Korea. The bishop-elect was born in Daegu,
Korea in 1961, and received priestly ordination in 1992. He studied
chemical engineering at the State University of Seoul, and philosophy
and theology at the Catholic University of Seoul. He took his
perpetual vows in 1992 and has served in the following roles within
the Order of Descalced Carmelites: master of novices, master of
students, provincial definitor of the Order of Descalced Carmelites
of Korea, and first definitor of the Order of Descalced Carmelites of
Korea. He is currently definitor general in Rome for the Far East and
Oceania.
On
Saturday, 28 December the Holy Father erected the new diocese of
Sultanpet (area 4,446, population 4,260,435, Catholics 30,975,
priests 32, religious 111) India, with territory taken from the
dioceses of Coimbatore and Calicut, making it a suffragan of the
metropolitan church of Verapoly.
He
appointed Rev. Peter Abir Antonisamy as first bishop of the new
diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Sathipattu, India in 1951, and
was ordained a priest in 1979. He holds a master's degree in biblical
theology from St. Peter's Pontifical Institute, Bangalore, India, a
master's degree in literature and history from the University of
Titrupathy, India, a licentiate in sacred scriptures from the
Biblicum in Rome, and a doctorate in sacred scriptures from the
Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome. He has served in a number of
pastoral and academic roles, including secretary to the archbishop of
Bangalore and the chancellor of the Curia, professor of sacred
scriptures at the Good Shepherd seminary, Coimbatore, parish priest
of Kurumbagaram, director of St. Paul's Bible Institute, Poonamelle,
deputy secretary of the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council, co-ordinator of
the Catholic Biblical Federation of South Asia, and director of the
Tamil Nadu Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre. Since 2004
he is the director of the Emmaus Spirituality Centre, Sithanagur,
which he founded in 2004.
On
Tuesday, 24 December the Holy Father appointed Fr. Gabriel Enrique
Montero Umana, O.F.M. as bishop of San Isidro de El General (area
10,346, population 380,000, Catholics 369,000, priests 60, permanent
deacons 1, religious 60), Costa Rica. The bishop-elect was born in
Moravia, Costa Rica in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1973. He
studied philosophy in the central major seminary of San Jose, Costa
Rica, and theology in the Higher Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies
in Mexico. He specialised in sacred scriptures in Mexico and obtained
a master's degree in Franciscan studies in New York, U.S.A. He has
served in a number of pastoral roles, including: deputy priest in the
parish of Golfito, San Jose, Costa Rica, master of novices and
postulants in Alajuela, Costa Rica, provincial custodian in Costa
Rica, head of formation of postulants in Costa Rica, director of St.
Francis College, Costa Rica, master of novices in Honduras, head of
formation of post-novices in Costa Rica, head of formation of
postulants in Africa, general assistant of the Order for Africa, Asia
and Australia in Rome, rector of the International College of
Conventual Franciscans in Rome, provincial guardian in the
Philippines, and rector of the Interafrican House of Formation in
Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2013 he has served as a member of the community
of Conventual Friars in Moravia, Costa Rica, and local collaborator
with the apostolic nunciature in Costa Rica.
NOTICE
Vatican
City, 30 December 2013 (VIS) - The staff of the Vatican Information
Service wishes all its readers a Happy New Year. The next VIS
bulletin will be transmitted on Thursday 2 January 2014.
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