The Pope And Church News: News Vatican Information Service February 23-24, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

News Vatican Information Service February 23-24, 2014

SUMMARY:

- MOTU PROPRIO “FIDELIS ET DISPENSATOR PRUDENS” FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ECONOMIC ASSETS OF THE HOLY SEE

- NEW COORDINATION STRUCTURE FOR THE ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS OF THE HOLY SEE AND VATICAN CITY STATE

- RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION: KEY THEMES OF THE AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT OF HAITI

- THE POPE TO NEW CARDINALS: BE BRINGERS OF CHARITY, YOU ARE ENTERING THE CHURCH OF ROME, NOT A COURT

- POPE FRANCIS: PRAY FOR THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH TO BE GOOD SERVANTS, NOT GOOD MASTERS

- AUDIENCES

- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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MOTU PROPRIO “FIDELIS ET DISPENSATOR PRUDENS” FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ECONOMIC ASSETS OF THE HOLY SEE

Vatican City, 24 February 2014 (VIS) – We publish below the full text of Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter issued Motu proprio, “Fidelis et dispensator Prudens”, and dated today, 24 February.

“Like a faithful and prudent manager who has the task of carefully looking after what has been entrusted to him, the Church is aware of her responsibility to protect and manage her assets, in the light of her mission of evangelisation and with particular care for those in need. In a special way, the management of the economic and financial sectors of the Holy See is intimately linked to its specific mission, not only in the service of the universal ministry of the Holy Father, but also in relation to the common good, with a view to the full development of the human person.

After having carefully consulted the results of the work of the Commission for Reference on the the Organisation of the Economic-Administrative Structure of the Holy See (cf. Chirograph of 18 July 2013), and after consultation with the Council of Cardinals for the reform of the Apostolic Constitution 'Pastor Bonus' and with the Council of Cardinals for the study of economic and administrative problems of the Holy See, by this Apostolic Letter issued Motu proprio, I adopt the following measures:

COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY

1. The Council for the Economy is hereby instituted, with the task of offering guidance on economic management and supervising the structures and the administrative and financial activities of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, of the Institutions connected to the Holy See, and of Vatican City State.

2. The Council for the Economy is composed of fifteen members, eight of whom are nominated from among the Cardinals and Bishops in order to reflect the universality of the Church, and seven of whom are lay experts of various nationalities, with recognised professional financial competences.

3. The Council for the Economy shall be presided over by a Cardinal coordinator.

SECRETARIAT FOR THE ECONOMY

4. The Secretariat for the Economy is hereby instituted, as a Dicastery of the Roman Curia in accordance with the Apostolic Constitution 'Pastor Bonus'.

5. Notwithstanding the provisions for the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat will report directly to the Holy Father and will undertake the economic audit and supervision of the Bodies indicated in point 1 above, along with the policies and procedures regarding procurement and the allocation of human resources, respecting the competences of each Body. The competence of the Secretariat will extend to all matters that in any way fall within this area.

6. The Secretariat for the Economy shall be presided over by a Cardinal Prefect, who shall collaborate with the Secretary of State. A Prelate Secretary General will assist the Cardinal Prefect.

AUDITOR GENERAL

7. The Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Holy Father and shall prepare the audit of the accounts of the Bodies referred to in point 1.

THE STATUTES

8. The Cardinal Prefect shall be responsible for drawing up the definitive Statues of the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat for the Economy, and the Office of the Auditor-General. The Statutes shall be presented quam primum for approval by the Holy Father.

I dispose that all that is established herein have immediate, full and permanent value, abrogating any incompatible measures, and that the present Apostolic Letter issued Motu proprio be published in the Osservatore Romano of 24 February 2014 and subsequently in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.

Given in Rome, St. Peter's, on 24 February of the year 2014, the first of my Pontificate.”

NEW COORDINATION STRUCTURE FOR THE ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS OF THE HOLY SEE AND VATICAN CITY STATE

Vatican City, 24 February 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has decided to establish a new structure for the coordination of the economic and administrative matters of the Holy See and Vatican City State, according to a communique issued today by the Holy See Press Office, the full text of which is published below:

“The Holy Father today announced a new coordination structure for economic and administrative affairs of the Holy See and the Vatican State.

Today's announcement comes after the recommendations of the rigorous review conducted by the Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organization of the Economic- Administrative Structure of the Holy See (COSEA) were considered and endorsed by both the Council of 8 Cardinals established to advise the Holy Father on governance and the Committee of 15 Cardinals which oversees the financial affairs of the Holy See.

COSEA recommended changes to simplify and consolidate existing management structures and improve coordination and oversight across the Holy See and Vatican City State. COSEA also recommended more formal commitment to adopting accounting standards and generally accepted financial management and reporting practices as well as enhanced internal controls, transparency and governance.

The changes will enable more formal involvement of senior and experienced experts in financial administration, planning and reporting and will ensure better use of resources, improving the support available for various programs, particularly our works with the poor and marginalized.

The changes announced by the Holy Father include:

1. Establishment of a new Secretariat for the Economy which will have authority over all economic and administrative activities within the Holy See and the Vatican City State. The Secretariat will be responsible, among other things, for preparing an annual budget for the Holy See and Vatican City State as well as financial planning and various support functions such as human resources and procurement. The Secretariat will also be required to prepare detailed financial statements of the Holy See and Vatican State.

2. The Secretariat for the Economy will implement policies determined by a new Council for the Economy - a 15 member Council composed of 8 Cardinals or Bishops, reflecting various parts of the world and seven lay experts of different nationalities with strong professional financial experience. The Council will meet on a regular basis and to consider policies and practices and to prepare and analyse reports on the economic-administrative activities of the Holy See.

3. The Secretariat for the Economy will be headed by a Cardinal Prefect reporting to the Council for the Economy. He will be supported by a Secretary-General in the management of day to day activities.

4. The Holy Father has appointed Cardinal Pell, the current archbishop of Sydney, Australia, to the role of Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy. Details of Cardinal Pell are attached.

5. New arrangements also include the appointment of an Auditor-General, appointed by the Holy Father who will be empowered to conduct audits of any agency of the Holy See and Vatican City State at any time.

6. The changes will confirm the role of APSA as the central bank of the Vatican with all the obligations and responsibilities of similar institutions around the world.

7. The AIF will continue to undertake its current and critical role of prudential supervision and regulation of activities within the Holy See and Vatican City State.

The Prefect of the new Secretariat for the Economy has been asked to start work as soon as possible. He will prepare the final statutes and other related matters with the assistance of any necessary advisers and will work with COSEA to complete the implementation of these changes approved by the Holy Father.”

RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION: KEY THEMES OF THE AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT OF HAITI

Vatican City, 24 February 2014 (VIS) – This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the president of the Republic of Haiti, Michael Joseph Martelly, was received in audience by Pope Francis. He subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the good relations between Haiti and the Holy See, and the Parties focused in particular on the precious contribution made by the Church in the country, especially in the fields of education and healthcare, as well as in charitable sectors.

Mention was also made of the importance of continuing efforts for the rebuilding of the country, and for promoting sincere dialogue between various institutions for reconciliation and the common good, both domestically and at an international level.

THE POPE TO NEW CARDINALS: BE BRINGERS OF CHARITY, YOU ARE ENTERING THE CHURCH OF ROME, NOT A COURT

Vatican City, 23 February 2014 (VIS) – “By his creative and renewing power, the Spirit always sustains the hope of God’s People as we make our pilgrim way through history, and ... he always supports the witness of Christians”, said Pope Francis to the cardinals created in yesterday's consistory, who concelebrated Holy Mass with him in St. Peter's Basilica this morning.

The Holy Father commented in his homily that this Sunday's readings in which Jesus calls for holiness are addressed to all of us, but in particular to the new cardinals: “Imitating the holiness and perfection of God might seem an unattainable goal. Yet, the first reading and the Gospel offer us concrete examples which enable God’s way of acting to become the norm for our own. … In the Gospel Jesus also speaks to us of holiness, and explains to us the new law, his law. He does this by contrasting the imperfect justice of the scribes and Pharisees with the higher justice of the Kingdom of God. The first contrast of today’s passage refers to revenge. 'You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. But I say to you … if anyone should strike you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also'. We are required not only to avoid repaying others the evil they have done to us, but also to seek generously to do good to them”.

“The second contrast refers to our enemies: 'You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy”. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'. Jesus asks those who would follow him to love those who do not deserve it, without expecting anything in return, and in this way to fill the emptiness present in human hearts, relationships, families, communities and in the entire world. My brother Cardinals, Jesus did not come to teach us good manners, how to behave well at the table! To do that, he would not have had to come down from heaven and die on the Cross. Christ came to save us, to show us the way, the only way out of the quicksand of sin, and this way of holiness is mercy, that mercy which he has shown, and daily continues to show, to us. To be a saint is not a luxury. It is necessary for the salvation of the world. This is what the Lord is asking of us”.

“Dear brother Cardinals”, continued the Pope, “the Lord Jesus and mother Church ask us to witness with greater zeal and ardour to these ways of being holy. It is exactly in this greater self-gift, freely offered, that the holiness of a Cardinal consists. We love, therefore, those who are hostile to us; we bless those who speak ill of us ... We do not aim to assert ourselves; we oppose arrogance with meekness; we forget the humiliations that we have endured. May we always allow ourselves to be guided by the Spirit of Christ, who sacrificed himself on the Cross so that we could be 'channels' through which his charity might flow. This is the attitude of a Cardinal, this must be how he acts. A Cardinal – I say this especially to you – enters the Church of Rome, my brothers, not a royal court. May all of us avoid, and help others to avoid, habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favouritism and partiality. May our language be that of the Gospel: 'yes when we mean yes; no when we mean no'; may our attitudes be those of the Beatitudes, and our way be that of holiness. Let US pray once more: “Merciful Father, by your help, may we be ever attentive to the voice of the Spirit”.

“The Holy Spirit also speaks to us today through the words of Saint Paul: 'You are God’s temple … God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are'. ... This temple of ours is defiled if we neglect our duties towards our neighbour. Whenever the least of our brothers and sisters finds a place in our hearts, it is God himself who finds a place there. ... A heart without love is like a deconsecrated church, a building withdrawn from God’s service and given over to another use”.

Pope Francis concluded his homily by asking the cardinals to remain close to him “with your prayers, your advice and your help … in order to serve the Gospel and to help the Church radiate Christ’s love in our world”.

POPE FRANCIS: PRAY FOR THE PASTORS OF THE CHURCH TO BE GOOD SERVANTS, NOT GOOD MASTERS

Vatican City, 23 February 2014 (VIS) – At midday, after celebrating Holy Mass with the new cardinals in the Vatican basilica, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

The Bishop of Rome commented on the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, a community divided into various groups who referred to different preachers, whom they considered their chiefs. Paul explained that this way of thinking was mistaken, as the community did not belong to the apostles, but rather they, the apostles, belonged to the entire community of Christ.

“From this origin, derive all Christian communities”, continued Pope Francis:”dioceses, parishes, associations, movements ... the differences cannot contradict the fact that everyone, by Baptism, has the same dignity: in Jesus Christ we are all children of God. … Those who have received the ministry of guiding, of preaching, of administering the Sacraments, must not consider themselves as having special powers, as masters, but must place themselves at the service of the community, helping it to walk the path of holiness with joy”.

"The Church today entrusts the witness of this style of pastoral life to the new cardinals, with whom I have celebrated the Holy Mass this morning. Yesterday's consistory and today's Eucharistic celebration have given us a valuable opportunity to experience Catholicity, the Church's universality, well represented by the varied backgrounds of the members of the College of Cardinals gathered in close communion around Peter's Successor. May the Lord give us the grace to work for the unity of the Church, and to build this unity, for unity is more important than conflicts. Unity is Christ's; conflicts are problems that are not always Christ's”.

“I invite you to support these pastors and to help them with prayer … How in need of your prayers are the Pope, cardinals, and bishops, to help the People of God advance along their path. I say 'to help', or rather to serve the People, for this is the true vocation of the bishop, the cardinal and the Pope: to be servants, to serve in Christ's name. Pray for us, so that we might be good servants, not good masters. All together, bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful; we must all offer the witness of a Church faithful to Christ, inspired by the wish to serve our brothers and ready to meet with prophetic courage the expectations and the spiritual needs of the men and women of our time. May Our Lady accompany us and protect us in this journey”.

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 24 February 2014 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in audience ten prelates of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, on their “ad limina” visit:

- Archbishop Francisco Gil Hellin of Burgos;

- Bishop Mario Iceta Gavicagogeascoa of Bilbao;

- Bishop Gerardo Melgar Viciosa of Osma-Soria;

- Bishop Esteban Escudero Torres of Palencia;

- Bishop Miguel Jose Asurmendi Aramendia, S.D.B., of Vitoria;

- Archbishop Francisco Perez Gonzalez of Pamplona y Tudela, with his auxiliary, Bishop Juan Antonio Aznarez Cobo;

- Bishop Juan Jose Omella Omella of Calahorra y la Calzada-Logrono;

- Bishop Julian Ruiz Martorell of Jaca;

- Bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla Aguirre of San Sebastian.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 24 February 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed Fr. Reynaldo B. Getalado, M.S.P., as ecclesiastical Superior of the “Missio sui iuris” of Funafuti (area 26, population 9, 359, Catholics 117, priests 1, religious 1), Tuvalu. Fr. Getalado was born in Muntinlupa City, Philippines in 1959 and was ordained a priest in 1988. He has served as a missionary in Daru-Kiunga, Papua New Guinea, and Auckland, New Zealand, and as vicar of the parish of Mandaluyong City, in the Philippines. He is currently a missionary in the diocese of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.