SUMMARY:
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Pope Francis' message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “A
Church without frontiers, mother to all”
-
The challenge of migration: indifference must not prevail
-
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Cardinal Muller meets the
superior general of the Society of St. Pius X
-
International Theological Commission at the end of its eighth term:
appointments and new website
-
The Holy See at the 58th Conference of the IAEA: nuclear disarmament
is a realistic objective
-
Audiences
-
Other Pontifical Acts
______________________________________
Pope
Francis' message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “A Church
without frontiers, mother to all”
Vatican
City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – The full text of the Holy Father's
Message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2015 is published
below:
“Dear
brothers and sisters,
Jesus
is 'the evangeliser par excellence and the Gospel in person'. His
solicitude, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalised,
invites all of us to care for the frailest and to recognise his
suffering countenance, especially in the victims of new forms of
poverty and slavery. The Lord says: 'I was hungry and you gave me
food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you
welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you
visited me, I was in prison and you came to me'. The mission of the
Church, herself a pilgrim in the world and the Mother of all, is thus
to love Jesus Christ, to adore and love him, particularly in the
poorest and most abandoned; among these are certainly migrants and
refugees, who are trying to escape difficult living conditions and
dangers of every kind. For this reason, the theme for this year’s
World Day of Migrants and Refugees is: Church without frontiers,
Mother to all.
“The
Church opens her arms to welcome all people, without distinction or
limits, in order to proclaim that 'God is love'. After his death and
resurrection, Jesus entrusted to the disciples the mission of being
his witnesses and proclaiming the Gospel of joy and mercy. On the day
of Pentecost, the disciples left the Upper Room with courage and
enthusiasm; the strength of the Holy Spirit overcame their doubts and
uncertainties and enabled all to understand the disciples’
preaching in their own language. From the beginning, the Church has
been a mother with a heart open to the whole world, and has been
without borders. This mission has continued for two thousand years.
But even in the first centuries, the missionary proclamation spoke of
the universal motherhood of the Church, which was then developed in
the writings of the Fathers and taken up by the Second Vatican
Council. The Council Fathers spoke of Ecclesia Mater to explain the
Church’s nature. She begets sons and daughters and 'takes them in
and embraces them with her love and in her heart'.
“The
Church without frontiers, Mother to all, spreads throughout the world
a culture of acceptance and solidarity, in which no one is seen as
useless, out of place or disposable. When living out this motherhood
effectively, the Christian community nourishes, guides and indicates
the way, accompanying all with patience, and drawing close to them
through prayer and works of mercy.
“Today
this takes on a particular significance. In fact, in an age of such
vast movements of migration, large numbers of people are leaving
their homelands, with a suitcase full of fears and desires, to
undertake a hopeful and dangerous trip in search of more humane
living conditions. Often, however, such migration gives rise to
suspicion and hostility, even in ecclesial communities,prior to any
knowledge of the migrants’ lives or their stories of persecution
and destitution. In such cases, suspicion and prejudice conflict with
the biblical commandment of welcoming with respect and solidarity the
stranger in need.
On
the other hand, we sense in our conscience the call to touch human
misery, and to put into practice the commandment of love that Jesus
left us when he identified himself with the stranger, with the one
who suffers, with all the innocent victims of violence and
exploitation. Because of the weakness of our nature, however, 'we are
tempted to be that kind of Christian who keeps the Lord’s wounds at
arm’s length'.
“The
courage born of faith, hope and love enables us to reduce the
distances that separate us from human misery. Jesus Christ is always
waiting to be recognised in migrants and refugees, in displaced
persons and in exiles, and through them he calls us to share our
resources, and occasionally to give up something of our acquired
riches. Pope Paul VI spoke of this when he said that 'the more
fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their
goods more generously at the service of others'.
“The
multicultural character of society today, for that matter, encourages
the Church to take on new commitments of solidarity, communion and
evangelisation. Migration movements, in fact, call us to deepen and
strengthen the values needed to guarantee peaceful coexistence
between persons and cultures. Achieving mere tolerance that respects
diversity and ways of sharing between different backgrounds and
cultures is not sufficient. This is precisely where the Church
contributes to overcoming frontiers and encouraging the 'moving away
from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and
marginalisation … towards attitudes based on a culture of
encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just
and fraternal world'.
“Migration
movements, however,are on such a scale that only a systematic and
active cooperation between States and international organisations can
be capable of regulating and managing such movements effectively. For
migration affects everyone, not only because of the extent of the
phenomenon, but also because of 'the social, economic, political,
cultural and religious problems it raises, and the dramatic
challenges it poses to nations and the international community'.
“At
the international level, frequent debates take place regarding the
appropriateness, methods and required norms to deal with the
phenomenon of migration. There are agencies and organizations on the
international, national and local level which work strenuously to
serve those seeking a better life through migration. Notwithstanding
their generous and laudable efforts, a more decisive and constructive
action is required, one which relies on a universal network of
cooperation, based on safeguarding the dignity and centrality of
every human person. This will lead to greater effectiveness in the
fight against the shameful and criminal trafficking of human beings,
the violation of fundamental rights, and all forms of violence,
oppression and enslavement. Working together, however, requires
reciprocity,joint-action, openness and trust, in the knowledge that
'no country can singlehandedly face the difficulties associated with
this phenomenon, which is now so widespread that it affects every
continent in the twofold movement of immigration and emigration'.
“It
is necessary to respond to the globalisation of migration with the
globalisation of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make
the conditions of migrants more humane. At the same time, greater
efforts are needed to guarantee the easing of conditions, often
brought about by war or famine,which compel whole peoples to leave
their native countries.
“Solidarity
with migrants and refugees must be accompanied by the courage and
creativity necessary to develop, on a world-wide level, a more just
and equitable financial and economic order, as well as an increasing
commitment to peace, the indispensable condition for all authentic
progress.
“Dear
migrants and refugees! You have a special place in the heart of the
Church, and you help her to enlarge her heart and to manifest her
motherhood towards the entire human family. Do not lose your faith
and hope! Let us think of the Holy Family during the flight in Egypt:
Just as the maternal heart of the Blessed Virgin and the kind heart
of Saint Joseph kept alive the confidence that God would never
abandon them, so in you may the same hope in the Lord never be
wanting. I entrust you to their protection and I cordially impart to
all of you my Apostolic Blessing”.
The
challenge of migration: indifference must not prevail
Vatican
City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – A press conference was held in the
Holy See Press Office this morning, in which Cardinal Antonio Maria
Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, along with Archbishop Joseph
Kalathiparambil, secretary of the same dicastery, presented the Holy
Father's message for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will
be held on Sunday 18 January 2015 on the theme, “A Church without
frontiers, Mother to all”.
Cardinal
Veglio explained that the Message is dated 3 September, the date of
the centenary of the election of Pope Benedict XV, and highlighted
the importance Pope Francis has attached to establishing an annual
day for increasing awareness of the phenomenon of migration. He also
emphasised that the Church has faced ever new and challenging
situations during her millennial history, and that migration poses
fresh challenges not only on account of its magnitude but also for
the various social, economic, political, cultural and religious
problems it gives rise to.
“The
biblical commandment to love one's neighbour, to open the door to him
as though welcoming God, may come into conflict with certain
problematic situations, for instance when immigrants are linked to
irregular or delinquent behaviour”. Cardinal Veglio posed the
question, “How should the Church respond?”, when faced with such
a complex situation, and went on to outline the three recommendations
offered by the Pope. These are: the renouncement of oneself,
collaboration between the different entities and institutions that
work for immigrants, and the humanisation of conditions for
immigrants, intensifying efforts to promote a gradual reduction in
the root causes of immigration, that cause entire peoples to abandon
their homelands.
Archbishop
Kalathiparambil went on to consider the theme of multiculturalism in
contemporary society, which is in constant evolution. He raised key
issues related to forced immigration, explaining that this takes the
form of fleeing for salvation, often involving dangerous or
life-threatening journeys which may nonetheless offer the only option
for reaching a country where protection and the possibility of a
dignified life can be found. The prelate highlighted that since many
people in these conditions cannot meet the stringent requirements for
international travel as they often do not possess, and have no means
of obtaining valid documents, they become “vulnerable and
defenceless, in search of protection, and easy prey to smugglers and
traffickers”.
He
remarked that “to respond effectively to the recognition of the
need for protection, to restore human dignity to refugees and treat
the causes of forced mobility”, States are required to cooperate in
a spirit of international solidarity, and added that the Church must
make efforts to ensure that “the dignity and the centrality of the
human person is protected, promoting solidarity and dialogue between
peoples”. He concluded by emphasising that today's challenge is to
resist becoming “used to the human tragedy experienced by forcibly
displaced persons, and not to allow indifference, 'the weakness of
our human nature', to prevail or to give rise to the temptation to be
Christians who keep a safe distance from the wounds of the Lord”.
Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith: Cardinal Muller meets the superior
general of the Society of St. Pius X
Vatican
City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office has
issued a statement to confirm that this morning from 11 a.m. to 1
p.m., a cordial meeting took place at the premises of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith between Cardinal Gerhard
Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, and Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of
St. Pius X. The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Luis Ladaria
Ferrer, S.J., secretary of the same Congregation, Archbishop Joseph
Augustine Di Noia, O.P., adjunct secretary and Archbishop Guido
Pozzo, secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, along
with two assistants from the Society of St. Pius X, Rev. Niklaus
Pfluger and Rev. Alain-Marc Nély.
During
the meeting, various problems of a doctrinal and canonical nature
were examined, and it was decided to proceed gradually and over a
reasonable period of time in order to overcome difficulties and with
a view to the envisioned full reconciliation.
International
Theological Commission at the end of its eighth term: appointments
and new website
Vatican
City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – This year the International
Theological Commission concludes its eighth five-year term, which
began with the pontifical appointment of its members on 19 June 2009.
As
is known, the International Theological Commission, instituted by the
Servant of God Paul VI on 11 April 1969, has the task of assisting
the Holy See, and in particular the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, in examining the most important and current doctrinal
questions. The Commission is composed of theologians from various
schools and nations, eminent for their scientific excellence and
fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church. The Members – no more
than thirty in number – are appointed by the Holy Father “ad
quinquennium” upon proposal by the Cardinal Prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and following consultation
with the Episcopal Conferences. During the course of its history the
Commission has published 27 documents, with the approval of its
President.
The
Holy See wishes to express special gratitude for the competent and
conscientious theological service provided by the Members of the
Commission during the term that is about to draw to an end. Three
documents have been published during this term: Theology today.
Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (approved in 2011 and published
in 2012); God the Trinity and the Unity of Humanity: Christian
monotheism and its opposition to violence (approved in 2013 and
published in 2014) and the more recent Sensus fidei in the life of
the Church (approved and published in the current year 2014). In
reality, the work of the Commission has been more extensive, as it
has also offered valuable contributions on other issues on behalf of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the primary
task of the Commission.
On
26 July 2014, with the appointment by the Holy Father Francis of
thirty new Members, the Commission began its ninth term. This will
continue until 2019, which will also be a jubilee period for the
Commission, which celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its
institution on 11 April 2019.
As
usual, in view of the aforementioned appointments, during this last
year extensive consultations have been carried out with Episcopal
Conferences throughout the world, as well as the Synods of the
oriental Eparchies. On the basis of the responses received, Cardinal
Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, presented to the Holy Father a preferential list of
candidates. Taking these proposals into consideration, the Pope
appointed the theologians who are to form the Commission, at the same
time renewing the appointment of Fr. Serge-Thomas Bonino, O.P.
(France) as secretary general.
With
regard to the provenance of the Members, there is an increased number
of extra-European appointees in the new composition of the
Commission. As well as the 14 representatives of Europe (compared to
14 in the previous term) there are 5 from South America (previously
3), 4 from Asia (previously 4), 3 from Africa (previously 2), 3 from
North America (previously 2) and 1 from Australia (previously 1).
Furthermore,
there is a notable increase in the contribution of female
theologians. In the two previous terms, the Commission benefited from
the presence of two renowned theologians, Sister Sara Butler,
M.S.B.T., (U.S.A.), and Professor Barbara Hallensleben (Switzerland,
of German nationality). Five other female theologians have been
appointed for the new term: Sister Prudence Allen, R.S.M., (U.S.A.),
Sister Alenka Arko, Com. Loyola (Slovenia-Russia), Moira Mary McQuenn
(G.B. – Canada), Tracey Rowland (Australia), Marianne Schlosser
(Germany – Austria). Women now constitute 16% of the Commission’s
members, a sign of growing female involvement in theological
research. In 2014 it was also decided to further diversify the
ecclesial provenance of the members, in relation to their religious
status and the particular charisms they represent.
The
first meeting of the new members, which will take place in plenary
session at the premises of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, is traditionally held in the first week of Advent – from 1
to 5 December. The three themes to be considered by the Commission
over the coming years will be selected.
The
International Theological Commission has renovated and enriched its
page on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va),
which offers all its documents in various languages, among the
section of Commissions linked to the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith. All the documents published by the Comission are available
for consultation, usually in ten or more languages. The Commission
has now taken a further step to facilitate consultation while
conserving all its documentation on the official site of the Holy See
(www.vatican.va), by
establishing a new link ( www.cti.va).
Referring
to the initials of its Latin name, “Commissio Theologica
Internationalis”, the new link has the advantage of being identical
for various languages, such as Italian, Spanish, French and
Portuguese. Aside from offering a page dedicated to the Commission,
the new link also offers the reader the possibility of selecting the
language without returning to the Vatican homepage. It is hoped that
this new and easier to use page will be a useful tool for stimulating
dialogue by enabling an increasingly effective communication of the
Commission's theological patrimony both within and beyond the Church.
The
Holy See at the 58th Conference of the IAEA: nuclear disarmament is a
realistic objective
Vatican
City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) – Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, under
secretary for Relations with States, attended the 58th General
Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in
Vienna yesterday. He began his address by emphasising that the Holy
See commends and supports all the activities of the IAEA, which
contribute to “authentic human development and foster peace and
prosperity throughout the world”, and remarked that, in relation to
the Agency's significant achievements, “the Holy See believes that
improved public awareness and recognition ... would come about
through a greater use of the modern means of communication and a
deeper cooperation with civic and political authorities”. Moreover,
he added, “we believe that these activities … are compatible with
Pope Francis' call for fraternity, articulated in his 2014 Message
for the World Day of Peace”.
He
went on to stress that the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear
weapons is “paramount for all humankind. Yet the attainment of this
objective cannot be the final word with regard to peace: special
emphasis must be given to worldwide nuclear disarmament. This must be
a goal for all states, especially for those who possess nuclear
weapons or who want to develop or acquire them. Furthermore it is a
goal which ought not to be considered unrealistic. The reality of
peace unquestionably requires a change of course which can be
accomplished by decision-making which is clear and firm, and by a
willingness to seek and achieve nuclear disarmament. As in years
past, the Holy See urges governments and scientific experts engaged
in the field of military defence to work strenuously towards such
disarmament”. He commented that this year is the centenary of the
outbreak of the First World War, and the seventy-fifth of the Second
World War, conflicts whose terrible consequences we still experience
to this day.
Archbishop
Camilleri turned his attention to the great worldwide interest in
ensuring the enhancement and improvement of nuclear safety since the
accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plants in March 2011. “This
is the path that must be pursued: doing everything humanly possible
to prevent accidents at nuclear facilities and minimising any
consequences should an accident occur”. He concluded by confirming
that the Holy See delegation “wishes to encourage and support the
efforts and innovative approaches tht concern the management and safe
disposal of radioactive waste”, and reiterated the great importance
attached by the Holy See to the successful cooperation of the IAEA
with other United Nations organisations such as the WHO and the FAO.
Audiences
Vatican
City, 23 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father received in
audience twenty-one bishops of the Ghana Bishops' Conference, on
their “ad limina” visit:
-
Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra;
-
Bishop Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu of Ho,
-
Bishop Gabriel Akwasi Abiabo Mante of Jasikan;
-
Bishop Anthony Kwami Adanuty of Keta-Akatsi;
-
Bishop Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum of Koforidua;
-
Archbishop Matthias Kobena Nketsiah of Cape Coast;
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Bishop John Bonaventure Kwofie, C.S.Sp. of Sekondi-Takoradi;
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Bishop Joseph Francis Kweku Essien of Wiawso;
-
Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye of Kumasi, apostolic
administrator of Obuasi, with Archbishops emeritus Peter Kwasi
Sarpong and Thomas Kwaku Mensah;
-
Bishop Peter Kwaku Atuahene of Goaso;
-
Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu of Konongo-Mampong;
-
Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of Sunyani;
-
Bishop Dominic Yeboah Nyarko of Techiman;
-
Archbishop Philip Naameh of Tamale;
-
Bishop Peter Paul Angkyier of Damongo;
-
Bishop Alfred Agyenta of Navrongo-Bolgatanga;
-
Bishop Paul Bemile of Wa;
-
Bishop Vincent Sowah Boi-nai, S.V.D., of Yendi;
-
Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, S.V.D., apostolic vicar of Donkorkrom.
On
the afternoon of Monday, 22 September, the Holy Father received in
audience:
-
Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy;
-
Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, archbishop of Valencia, Spain.
Other
Pontifical Acts
Vatican
City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed the
new members of the International Theological Commission and has
renewed the mandate of a number of members from its previous
five-year term. For the 2014-2019 term, the Commission will be
composed of the following members:
-
Fr. Serge Thomas Bonino, O.P., secretary general, France;
-
Rev. Terwase Henry Akaabiam, Nigeria;
-
Sister Prudence Allen, R.S.M., U.S.A.;
-
Sister Alenka Arko, Loyola Community, Russian Federation - Slovenia;
-
Msgr. Antonio Luiz Catelan Ferreira, Brazil;
-
Msgr. Piero Coda, Italy;
-
Rev. Lajos Dolhai, Hungary;
-
P. Peter Dubovsky, S.J., Slovakia;
-
Rev. Mario Angel Flores Ramos, Mexico;
-
Rev. Carlos Maria Galli, Argentina;
-
Rev. Krzysztof Gozdz, Poland;
-
Rev. Gaby Alfred Hachem, Lebanon;
-
Fr. Thomas Kollamparampil, C.M.I., India;
-
Rev. Koffi Messan Laurent Kpogo, Togo;
-
Rev. Oswaldo Martinez Mendoza, Colombia;
-
Professor Moira Mary McQueen, Canada – Great Britain;
-
Rev. Karl Heinz Menke, Germany;
-
Rev.do John Junyang PARK, Corea;
-
Fr. Bernard Pottier, S.J., Belgium;
-
Rev. Javier Prades Lopez, Spain;
-
Professor Tracey Rowland, Australia;
-
Professor Hector Gustavo Sanchez Rojas, S.C.V., Peru;
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Professor Marianne Schlosser, Austria – Germany;
-
Rev. Nicholaus Segeja M'Hela, Tanzania;
-
Rev. Pierangelo Sequeri, Italy;
-
Rev. Zeljko Tanjic, Croatia;
-
Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., Philippines;
-
Fr. Gabino Uribarri Bilbao, S.J., Spain;
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Rev. Philippe Vallin, France;
-
Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M.Cap., U.S.A.
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