SUMMARY:
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The Pope arrives in Turkey, a land able to promote an encounter of
civilisations and identify viable paths of peace and authentic
progress
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Indulgences for the Year of Consecrated Life
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Notice
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The
Pope arrives in Turkey, a land able to promote an encounter of
civilisations and identify viable paths of peace and authentic
progress
Vatican
City, 28 November 2014 (VIS) – This morning Pope Francis began the
sixth apostolic trip of his pontificate. His visit to Turkey is
essentially of an ecumenical nature, like those of his predecessors;
the country has occupied a privileged position in the geography of
papal trips ever since the visit of the Apostolic Delegate Angelo
Roncalli, referred to by the Turkish authorities as “the first
Turkish pope in history” following his election as Pope John XXIII.
Turkey was also the destination of Paul VI's fifth apostolic trip in
1967, a corollary of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and his historic
embrace with the Ecumenical Patriarch Atenagoras in Jerusalem. John
Paul II continued the tradition with his fourth trip (1979) as did
Benedict XVI with his fifth apostolic trip, in 2006.
The
Holy Father departed from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9 a.m., and
reached the Turkish capital Ankara at 1 pm (local time) where he was
received by the civil and religious authorities. He transferred by
car to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder and first
president of the Turkish Republic, the “Father of the Turks” who
guided Turkey's radical rupture with its Ottoman past, laying down
the foundations of the modern secular state in its 1937 Constitution.
Upon arrival the Pope was received by the Commander of the Guard,
ascended the Steps of Honour, left a floral tribute and prayed for a
moment. He was then accompanied to the nearby “Tower of National
Pact”, where he signed the guest book.
He
then paid a visit to the Presidential Palace or “Ak Saray” (White
Palace), inaugurated just two months ago by President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and substituting the historic Cankaya Palace. The Holy Father
was received by the president, and the two spoke in private for a few
minutes, after which Pope Francis gave his first public address on
Turkish soil, addressed to the authorities gathered in the Ak Saray.
“I
am pleased to visit your country so rich in natural beauty and
history, and filled with vestiges of ancient civilisations. It is a
natural bridge between two continents and diverse cultures”, the
Pope began. “This land is precious to every Christian for being the
birthplace of Saint Paul, who founded various Christian communities
here, and for hosting the first seven Councils of the Church. It is
also renowned for the site near Ephesus which a venerable tradition
holds to be the 'Home of Mary',the place where the Mother of Jesus
lived for some years. It is now a place of devotion for innumerable
pilgrims from all over the world, not only for Christians, but also
for Muslims.
“Yet,
the reasons why Turkey is held with such regard and appreciation are
not only linked to its past and ancient monuments, but also have to
do with the vitality of its present, the hard work and generosity of
its people, and its role in the concert of nations. It brings me
great joy to have this opportunity to pursue with you a dialogue of
friendship, esteem and respect, in the footsteps of my predecessors
Blessed Paul VI, Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI. This dialogue
was prepared for and supported by the work of the then apostolic
delegate, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who went on to become Saint John
XXIII, and by the Second Vatican Council”.
The
Pope reiterated the need for a dialogue to “deepen the
understanding and appreciation of the many things which we hold in
common. Such a dialogue will allow us to reflect sensibly and
serenely on our differences,and to learn from them. There is a need
to move forward patiently in the task of building a lasting peace,
one founded on respect for the fundamental rights and duties rooted
in the dignity of each person. In this way, we can overcome
prejudices and unwarranted fears, leaving room for respect,
encounter, and the release of more positive energies for the good of
all”.
Therefore,
“it is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian
– both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same
rights and respect the same duties. They will then find it easier to
see each other as brothers and sisters who are travelling the same
path, seeking always to reject misunderstandings while promoting
cooperation and concord. Freedom of religion and freedom of
expression, when truly guaranteed to each person, will help
friendship to flourish and thus become an eloquent sign of peace.
“The
Middle East, Europe and the world all await this maturing of
friendship. The Middle East, in particular, has for too long been a
theatre of fratricidal wars, one born of the other, as if the only
possible response to war and violence must be new wars and further
acts of violence. How much longer must the Middle East suffer the
consequences of this lack of peace? We must not resign ourselves to
ongoing conflicts as if the situation can never change for the
better! With the help of God, we can and we must renew the courage of
peace! Such courage will lead to a just, patient and determined use
of all available means of negotiation, and in this way achieve the
concrete goals of peace and sustainable development”.
Addressing
the president, the Pope reaffirmed that “interreligious and
intercultural dialogue can make an important contribution to
attaining this lofty and urgent goal, so that there will be an end to
all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism which gravely demean the
dignity of every man and woman and exploit religion. Fanaticism and
fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears which foster
misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the
solidarity of all believers. This solidarity must rest on the
following pillars: respect for human life and for religious freedom,
that is the freedom to worship and to live according to the moral
teachings of one’s religion; commitment to ensuring what each
person requires for a dignified life; and care for the natural
environment. The peoples and the states of the Middle East stand in
urgent need of such solidarity, so that they can 'reverse the trend'
and successfully advance a peace process, repudiating war and
violence and pursuing dialogue, the rule of law, and justice.
“Sadly,
to date, we are still witnessing grave conflicts. In Syria and Iraq,
particularly, terrorist violence shows no signs of abating. Prisoners
and entire ethnic populations are experiencing the violation of the
most basic humanitarian laws. Grave persecutions have taken place in
the past and still continue today to the detriment of minorities,
especially – though not only – Christians and Yazidis. Hundreds
of thousands of persons have been forced to abandon their homes and
countries in order to survive and remain faithful to their religious
beliefs.
Turkey,
which has generously welcomed a great number of refugees, is directly
affected by this tragic situation on its borders; the international
community has the moral obligation to assist Turkey in taking care of
these refugees. In addition to providing much needed assistance and
humanitarian aid, we cannot remain indifferent to the causes of these
tragedies. In reaffirming that it is licit, while always respecting
international law, to stop an unjust aggressor, I wish to reiterate,
moreover, that the problem cannot be resolved solely through a
military response. What is required is a concerted commitment on the
part of all, based on mutual trust, which can pave the way to lasting
peace, and enable resources to be directed, not to weaponry, but to
the other noble battles worthy of man: the fight against hunger and
sickness, the promotion of sustainable development and the protection
of creation, and the relief of the many forms of poverty and
marginalisation of which there is no shortage in the world today”.
The
Pope concluded, “Turkey, by virtue of its history, geographical
position and regional influence, has a great responsibility: the
choices which Turkey makes and its example are especially significant
and can be of considerable help in promoting an encounter of
civilisations and in identifying viable paths of peace and authentic
progress. May the Most High bless and protect Turkey, and help the
nation to be a strong and fervent peacemaker”.
Indulgences
for the Year of Consecrated Life
Vatican
City, 28 November 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father, on the occasion of
the Year of Consecrated Life, will concede plenary indulgences, with
the customary conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic
communion and prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Supreme
Pontiff) to all members of the institutes of consecrated life and
other truly repentant faithful moved by a spirit of charity, starting
from the first Sunday of Advent this year until 2 February 2016, the
day of the closure of the Year of Consecrated Life. The indulgence
may also be offered for departed souls in Purgatory.
Indulgence
may be obtained:
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In Rome, in participation in the international meetings and
celebrations established in the calendar of the Congregation for the
Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life,
and pious reflection on for a suitable period of time, concluding
with the Lord's Prayer, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate
approved form, and invocations of the Virgin Mary;
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In all the particular Churches, during the days devoted to
consecrated life in the diocese, and during diocesan celebrations
organised for the Year of Consecrated Life, by visiting the cathedral
or another sacred place designated with the consent of the Ordinary
of the place, or a convent church or oratory of a cloistered
monastery, and publicly reciting the Liturgy of the Hours or through
a suitable period of time of devout reflection, concluding with the
Lord's Prayer, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate approved
form, and pious invocations of the Virgin Mary.
Members
of the Institutes of Consecrated Life who, on account of ill health
or other serious reasons are prevented from visiting these sacred
places, may nonetheless receive Plenary Indulgence if, completely
detached from any type of sin and with the intention of being able to
fulfil the three usual conditions as soon as possible, devoutly carry
out the spiritual visit and offer their illness and the hardships of
their life to God the merciful through Mary, with the addition of the
prayers as above.
To
facilitate this access to divine grace by means of pastoral charity,
the Apostolic Penitentiary Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who signed the
decree, asks that the canons, members of the Chapter, the priests of
the Institutes of Consecrated Life and all others able to hear
confessions offer themselves willingly and generously to the
celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and regularly
administer Holy Communion to the sick.
Notice
Vatican
City, 28 November 2014 (VIS) – Special editions of the VIS bulletin
will be transmitted on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, on the
occasion of Pope Francis' apostolic trip to Turkey.
You
can find more information at: www.visnews.org
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