SUMMARY:
-
THE POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT HOLLANDE: CONSTRUCTIVE COLLABORATION IN
MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST
-
THE POPE TO THE ROMAN ROTA: BEHIND EVERY PLEA THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO
SEEK JUSTICE
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AUDIENCES
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
______________________________________
THE
POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT HOLLANDE: CONSTRUCTIVE COLLABORATION IN
MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST
Vatican
City, 24 January 2014 (VIS) – This morning, in the Vatican
Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father received in audience the president
of the French Republic, Francois Hollande, who subsequently went on
to meet with Archbishop Pietro Parolin, secretary of State,
accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations
with States.
The
colloquial discussions focused on the contribution of religion to the
common good. Emphasising the good existing relations between France
and the Holy See, the Parties made mention of their mutual commitment
to maintaining a regular dialogue between the State and the Catholic
Church and to collaborating constructively in questions of common
interest. In the context of the defence and the promotion of the
dignity of the human person, various matters of current relevance
were discussed, such as the family, bioethics, respect for religious
communities and the protection of places of worship.
Attention
then turned to matters of an international nature, such as poverty
and development, migration and the environment, and in particular to
the issue of conflicts in the Middle East and in some regions of
Africa, and hope was expressed that peaceful social co-existence may
be re-established in the countries affected, respecting the rights of
all, especially ethnic and religious minorities.
THE
POPE TO THE ROMAN ROTA: BEHIND EVERY PLEA THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SEEK
JUSTICE
Vatican
City, 24 January 2014 (VIS) – “Your ministry, dear judges and
employees of the Roman Rota Tribunal … is a service peculiar to the
God of Love, who is close to every person. While you perform your
judicial duties, do not forget that you are pastors! Behind every
plea, every position, every case, there are people who seek justice”.
With
these words the Pope addressed the prelate auditors, employees and
collaborators of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, whom he encountered
today for the first time during his pontificate for the opening of
the judicial year, recalling that “the legal dimension and the
pastoral dimension of ecclesial ministry are not opposed to one
another, as both contribute to the aims and the unity of action
proper to the Church”.
“Ecclesial
judicial activity, which takes the form of service to the truth in
justice, has indeed a profoundly pastoral meaning, as it aspires to
the pursuit of the good of the faithful and the edification of the
Christian community. … Furthermore, dear judges, through your
specific ministry you offer a competent contribution to facing
emerging pastoral issues”.
Pope
Francis went on to briefly outline the profile of the ecclesiastical
judge from human, judicial and pastoral perspectives. With regard to
the first, the judge is required to demonstrate “a mature humanity,
expressed in serenity of judgement and detachment from personal
views. Human maturity also includes the capacity to identify with the
mentality and legitimate aspirations of the community in which the
judge serves. In this way he becomes an interpreter of the animus
communitatis which characterises the part of the People of God that
is the subject of his work, and is able to practice a form of justice
that is not legalistic or abstract, but instead adapted to real
needs”.
With
regard to the judicial aspect, aside from the juridical and
theological prerequisites, in the exercise of his ministry the judge
must display “expertise in law, the objectivity of judgement and
equity, judging with imperturbable and impartial neutrality.
Furthermore, in his work he must be guided by the aim of protecting
the truth, with respect for the law, without neglecting the tact and
humanity appropriate to a pastor of souls”.
Finally,
considering the pastoral profile, “as an expression of the pastoral
care of the Pope and the bishops, the judge is required to show not
only confirmed competence, but also a genuine spirit of service. He
is a servant of justice, called to handle and judge the condition of
the faithful who turn to him with trust, in imitation of the Good
Shepherd who tends to his injured sheep. For this, he is inspired by
pastoral charity; that charity that God has poured into our hearts …
and which also constitutes the soul of the role of the ecclesiastical
judge”, concluded the Holy Father.
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 24 January 2014 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
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Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith.
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Bishop Pio Vito Pinto, dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 24 January 2014 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father:
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appointed Bishop Ronald William Gainer, bishop of Lexington, U.S.A.,
as bishop of Harrisburg (area 19,839, population 2,224,542, Catholics
249,238, priests 169, permanent deacons 69, religious 369), U.S.A.
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appointed Rev. Herwig Gossl as auxiliary of the archdiocese of
Bamberg (area 10,290, population 2,163,801, Catholics 713,781,
priests 475, permanent deacons 49, religious 778), Germany. The
bishop-elect was born in Munich, Germany in 1967 and was ordained a
priest in 1993. He studied philosophy and theology at the
universities of Bamberg and Innsbruck, and has served in a number of
pastoral roles in various parishes in Bayreuth, Hannberg and
Weisendorf. In 2006 he was appointed as priest of the parish group of
Erlangen North-West. In 2007 he was appointed vice-rector of the
major seminary of Bamberg and member of the diocesan liturgical
commission, and in 2008 was appointed vice-rector of the seminary of
Wurzburg and head of vocational pastoral care.
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appointed Msgr. Myron Joseph Cotta of the clergy of Fresno, U.S.A.,
as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Sacramento (area 110,325,
population 3,589,000, Catholics 997,000, priests 291, permanent
deacons 143, religious 316), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Dos
Palos, U.S.A. in 1953, and was ordained a priest in 1987. He has
served in a number of roles, including vicar of the Saint Anthony
parish in Adwater, administrator of the Our Lady of Fatima shrine in
Laton, priest of the Our Lady of Miracles parish in Gustine, parish
administrator of the Holy Rosary parish in Hilmar, director of the
office for the permanent formation of the clergy, director of
Pastoral Support of Priests, director of the Sensitive Claim Board,
member of the diocesan finance council, diocesan administrator,
member of the diocesan personnel board, diocesan consultor, vicar
general and moderator of the Curia. In 2002 he was appointed Chaplain
of His Holiness and, in 2008, Prelate of Honour.
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