Vatican News

You will note that the RCC keeps strong control over its extended branches & archdiocese

Cardinal Medina Estevez... Confirms Curial Meeting About Traditionalist Roman Catholic Concerns

May 1, 2006 - The Classical Roman rite of Holy Mass “was never abrogated” and “is consequently legitimate,” Jorge Cardinal Medina Estevez, former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, told the Italian I Media news agency late last week in the first interview granted by any of the cardinal participants of the April 7 dicastery and March 23 meetings of the College of Cardinals.

Cardinal Medina Estevez reconfirmed similar statements made previously by Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos in interviews from the Italian print and broadcast media in late summer and autumn last year. Cardinal Medina confirmed that restoring normal ties with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) was also one of the primary topics discussed during the March 23 meeting with the Pope and cardinals.

This recent interview is certain to continue speculation about an upcoming document allegedly in the works that would free the Classical Roman rite of the liturgy. In this recent interview, Cardinal Medina outlined three connected, but separate discussions that have been the topic of many news articles and online media speculation over the past weeks.

Full Story Here

Friday, August 5, 2005

POPE RETURNS TO GERMANY FOR ROMAN CATHOLIC "WORLD YOUTH DAY": HOW DO PROTESTANTS REACT?

One Million Catholics Gather in Cologne (Germany) for the World Youth Day

By Wolfgang Polzer
Special to ASSIST News Service

COLOGNE (ANS) - Aug 5/05 - Germany is preparing for a major Roman Catholic event, in which Pope Benedict XVI will participate. It will be the pontiff’s first official visit to his home country. Up to one million Catholics from 160 countries, among them 600 bishops, are expected to gather in Cologne for the World Youth Day, August 15 – 21.

The meetings will end in an open air mass with the German Pope. The late Pope John Paul II initiated the World Youth Day. Ten events have taken place since 1984; the last one was held in Toronto, Canada, three years ago with 1.2 million participants.

The Youth Day is meant to inspire young Catholics to strengthen their Roman Catholic faith. “Benedict, make us fit for Jesus”, reads a headline on the German web site. The Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, hopes that the task of re-evangelizing Europe will gain momentum as a result of the mass event.

Evangelicals in Cologne are using the event to spread the Gospel. They are displaying posters with Bible verses in 93 trams and 50 underground stations. As Gerhard Perteck, director of the Christian Alliance Poster Mission, explained to the evangelical news agency idea, the mission is concentrating on words by Jesus, such as in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“

According to Perteck, the posters are also meant to counter the Catholic Mariology: “There are only two persons a Christian should turn to – our father in heaven and Jesus Christ.” The posters also display a telephone hotline through which New Testaments can be ordered free of charge. In the past it was frequently used by young Turkish immigrants, says Perteck.

During his visit to Cologne Pope Benedict XVI will pay a visit to the local synagogue. He will also meet with Muslim representatives as well as leaders from Protestant and Orthodox churches. The Catholic German Bishops Conference has invited ten representatives from the mainline Protestant Churches, eight Orthodox leaders as well as a Baptist and a Methodist.

Some Protestant leaders have misgivings about the invitation. The minority Orthodox Churches seem to be overrepresented. The Roman Catholic Church has 26.2 million members in Germany, the mainline Protestant churches 25.8 million and the Orthodox churches 1.4 million. In addition there are also approximately 500,000 members of evangelical churches such as Baptists, Pentecostals and Methodists.

The lay element is also underrepresented; the President of the central church office, Valentin Schmidt, is the only lay guest at the ecumenical meeting.

Meanwhile the Protestant Bishop for Foreign Affairs, Rolf Koppe, has advised young Protestants to stay away from the World Youth Day. Koppe told the news agency idea that he regards a participation of young Protestants as “unsuitable”. It was merely an opportunity for young Catholics to meet their Pope.

Vatican Debates Whether Next Pope Should Be Media 'Superstar'
By Roger Wilkison
Rome
13 April 2005

Pope John Paul II
VOA News - Ap 13/05 - The late Pope John Paul II's skills as a communicator were bolstered by what became, during his pontificate, one of the world's best-run media machines. As Roman Catholic cardinals ponder whom they should choose as his successor, they recognize that John Paul II will be a tough act to follow and are wondering just how important it is for the pope to cultivate the media.

John Paul's early love of the theater contributed to his remarkable ability to communicate with crowds and exploit the enormous media interest that his activities aroused all over the world.

The late pope's sense of showmanship and a fondness for symbolism led him to use gestures to make statements, such as when he left a note at Jerusalem's western wall in the year 2000 expressing sorrow for the suffering of Jews at Christian hands.

Even in the final days of his life, John Paul allowed Vatican television crews to capture him trying but failing to speak to the faithful on Easter Sunday.

Vatican-watcher James Walston, a professor at the American University in Rome, says John Paul II broke with the traditional way the Vatican had always looked at the media.

"John Paul II undoubtedly revolutionized the use of media in the Vatican," he said. "Before his reign, the Vatican was much closer to the Kremlin in its news management techniques."

Pope John Paul II
Whether he was kissing the soil of a country he visited for the first time, hiking in Italy's mountains during the first years of his papacy, or struggling publicly against the physical ailments that befell him in old age, John Paul II knew what moved hearts and minds.

Vatican officials say that, among the cardinals' concerns when they meet in conclave next Monday to choose the next pope, is how important effectiveness as a communicator should be when measured against all the other qualities they will be seeking in a new leader.

Given John Paul's lengthy pontificate, the cardinals may be inclined to choose a slightly older pope, in his middle to late 70s, in order to avoid another long reign. And personal charisma, says Professor Walston, is not necessarily a job requirement.

"Possibly, they might be looking for someone who doesn't have it, because if they are, as seems to be the present wisdom, looking for somebody who will have a relatively short reign, they don't want a mega-star who might take the church in a direction in which they're not sure they want to go," he said.

The new pope will face a multimedia world that hardly existed when John Paul was elected in 1978. Not only has the Vatican adapted to the times with its massive television coverage of the pope's activities. It has also set up its own website. But professor Walston says many of the more traditional prelates in the Vatican are still leery of television and cyberspace.

"Genies which have been let out of the bottle - they have been reasonably well controlled so far," said James Walston. "I cannot see how anyone, even if they want to control the media, can do so."

John Paul II was a charismatic, globe-trotting pastor who paid little attention to the church bureaucracy. Some conservatives are now arguing that the church needs an administrator as leader. But others say that, after John Paul II, the pontiff cannot just be a chief executive officer of the Roman Curia. They say the church, and the world, expect something more of the pope.

PAPAL AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 1, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

- Members of the executive council of the Papal Foundation: Cardinals William Henry Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore, U.S.A., Theodore Edgar McCarrick, archbishop of Washington, U.S.A., Justin Francis Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, U.S.A.

- Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, accompanied by his wife and by Bishop William Edward Lori of Bridgeport, U.S.A., supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Archbishop William Joseph Levada, archbishop emeritus of San Francisco, U.S.A., and prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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BENEDICT XVI MEETS DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO HOLY SEE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 12, 2005 (VIS) - At 11 this morning, in the Regia Hall, Pope Benedict addressed members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, in his first meeting with them as a group since his April 19 election to the papacy. In his speech in French, The Pope thanked the ambassadors and authorities of the countries they represent for their participation in the funeral of John Paul II and the celebrations for his election and the start of his pontificate.

The Holy Father said his thoughts also go "to the nations with whom the Holy See does not yet have diplomatic relations," pointing to their participation as well in the ceremonies for the funeral of John Paul and his own election to the Chair of Peter. "Appreciative of such gestures, I wish today to express my gratitude and to send greetings to the civil authorities of these countries, hoping to see them represented very soon to the Holy See. Messages that I especially appreciated arrived from these countries, notably from those whose Catholic communities are numerous. I would like to say how dear these communities and their people are to me, and I assure them they are present in my prayers."

Benedict XVI underscored "the long and fruitful ministry of the beloved John Paul II," as a "tireless missionary of the Gospel to the many countries he visited, rendering a unique service to the cause of unity of the human family." John Paul, he added, "invited all people of good will ... to build a society of justice, peace, and solidarity in charity and mutual pardon."

"For my part," remarked the Pope, "I come from a country where peace and fraternity are dear to the hearts of the people, notably those who, like me, have known war and the separation among brothers belonging to the same nation because of devastating and inhuman ideologies which, masked by dreams and illusions, brought down the yoke of oppression upon men and women. You will therefore understand that I am especially sensitive to dialogue between people in order to overcome all forms of conflicts and tensions and to make our earth a land of peace and fraternity."

Everyone, he went on, "is called to realize a peaceful society in order to vanquish the temptation of clashes between cultures, ethnic groups and different worlds. Thus, each people must draw from its spiritual and cultural patrimony the best values of which it is a bearer."

"To pursue in this direction," stated Pope Benedict, "the Church never ceases to proclaim and to defend basic human rights, unfortunately still violated in different parts of the earth, and she works towards assuring respect for every person's right to life, food, a home, work, health care, protection of the family and the promotion of social development, in respect for the dignity of men and women, created in the image of God."

He added that the Catholic Church will continue to help safeguard "the dignity of every human person and service to the common good ... without seeking any privilege for herself, but only the legitimate conditions of freedom and action for her mission."

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 1, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, apostolic nuncio to Spain.

Ap 4/05 - BBC - Even if he wants to, the next Pope is unlikely to exert such a global influence as did Pope John Paul II.

Right from the start, when he was elected in 1978, he set out his ambitions.

And despite attracting criticism, for example by opposing contraception even in an Africa ravaged with Aids, he maintained his views with a humanity which was visible to all through vivid communication.

He was a political figure who had views on issues not just of eternity, but of the day.

The range of his interests demonstrates how hard it will be for anyone else to come close to matching his interventions.

On his first visit abroad in January 1979, he told Latin American bishops in Mexico not to regard Jesus as a political activist.

"This conception of Christ as a political figure, a revolutionary, as the subversive of Nazareth, does not tally with the Church's teachings."

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION IN SUPPORT OF HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2005 (VIS) - The Congregation for Oriental Churches has sent a letter to bishops throughout the world inviting them to support the Christian community in the Holy Land by means of the annual Good Friday collection. The letter bears the signature of Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud and Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, respectively prefect and secretary of the congregation.

"This dicastery," the letter reads, "remains attentive to the plight of the Christian community, a community which continually diminishes because of the absence of peace and of stability. Given the ongoing needs of this community, it must appeal again and again for help from each of our dioceses and from all of our ecclesiastical institutions."

The Good Friday collection, the letter explains, "aims to promote among the Christian faithful a love for the Land of the Lord. For the Church to survive there it must rely upon a loving and nurturing solidarity on the part of each Christian; a solidarity which bears witness to faith in Him Who was born in that land, Who preached the Gospel there and Who also died and was resurrected there."

After highlighting how the Holy Father "continually manifests his paternal closeness to the Christians of the Holy Land," Cardinal Daoud writes that "peace in the world passes through Jerusalem, the City of Peace, that Holy City and Capital of Monotheism, as Pope Paul VI referred to it in his message of March 25, 1974, 'Nobis in animo.' With this in mind, what is anticipated is that each Christian strive on behalf of this desired peace, the special gift of God which must imbue our prayer, our efforts and our solidarity."

Paul V was the first Pope to formally state his wish that the Universal Church observe Good Friday as a day of prayer and almsgiving on behalf of the Catholic community in the Holy Land and for the maintenance of the sacred sites linked to the Redemption. With the Apostolic Breve "Coelestis Regis" on January 22, 1618, Pope Paul V specifically set forth this objective, also known as the "pro terra sancta" collection, for Good Friday. Benedict XIV confirmed this in 1746. The most recent papal document on this annual appeal for the Holy Land was Paul VI's Apostolic Exhortation "Nobis in animo" of March 25, 1974.

VATICAN CITY, FEB 13, 2005 (VIS) - The annual spiritual exercises for the Holy Father and the Roman Curia began this evening at 6 p.m. in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel with Eucharistic exposition, the celebration of Vespers, an introductory meditation, adoration and Eucharistic benediction. Bishop Renato Corti of Novara, Italy, is preaching the retreat on the theme "The Church at the service of the new and eternal covenant."

On the occasion of the Year of the Eucharist, the conclusion of the spiritual exercises will take place in the Vatican Basilica at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 19 with a Eucharistic concelebration, followed by a period of adoration. Members of the Roman Curia, the vicariate of Rome and employees of the Holy See are all invited to attend.

As is customary during the retreat for the curia, all audiences, including the Wednesday general audience, are suspended.
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VATICAN CITY, JAN 12, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Frs. Josafa Menezes da Silva, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Sao Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, rector of the minor seminary, and Joao Carlos Petrini of the clergy of the archdiocese of Fermo, Italy, fidei donum priest to Sao Salvador da Bahia and director of the "Joao Paolo II" Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, as auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Sao Salvador da Bahia (area 6,334, population 3,373,098, Catholics 2,292,694, priests 255, permanent deacons 48, religious 960), Brazil. Bishop-elect Menezes da Silva was born in Salinas da Margarida, Brazil, in 1959 and ordained a priest in 1989. Bishop-elect Petrini was born in Fermo, Italy, in 1945 and ordained a priest in 1975.

- Frs. Edney Gouvea Mattoso, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pastor of the "Imaculada Conceicao" parish, and Antonio Augusto Dias Duarte, vicar-secretary of the delegation of the prelature of Opus Dei in Rio de Janeiro, as auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro (area 1,261, population 5,857,904, Catholics 4,059,527, priests 582, permanent deacons 34, religious 1,575), Brazil. Bishop-elect Mattoso was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1957 and ordained a priest in 1987. Bishop-elect Dias Duarte was born in Santo Andre, brazil, in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1978.

TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL JAN SCHOTTE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 11, 2005 (VIS) - Following the death in Rome yesterday at the age of 76 of Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, C.I.C.M., the Holy Father sent the following telegram of condolence to Hubert Schotte. The Belgian cardinal was secretary general emeritus of the Synod of Bishops and president of the Central Labor Office of the Holy See:

"It was with great sadness that I learned the news of the sudden demise of the dear Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte, and I wish to express my deepest sympathy to you and to your relatives, as well as to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to all those who knew and respected him. With a grateful soul I recall his many years of industrious collaboration with the Holy See, and especially his generous service as secretary general of the Synod of Bishops. He leaves the example of a life spent for Christ in coherent devotion to his own priestly and religious vocation and ever attentive to social questions in complete faithfulness to the Gospel and the teaching of the Church. I raise fervent prayers appealing to the Lord to welcome this dearly beloved brother cardinal in joy and eternal peace, and I send to you and to others mourning his demise a comforting apostolic blessing as a sign of my sincere participation in your pain".

The Holy Father will preside at the cardinal's funeral on Friday January 14 at 11 a.m. at the altar of the Confession in the Vatican Basilica. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, will celebrate Mass along with other cardinals.

VATICAN CITY, JAN 11, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany.

- Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, apostolic nuncio to Chile.

- Archbishop Fernando Filoni, apostolic nuncio to Jordan and Iraq.

WITNESSING TO UNITY OF THE FAITH IN DIVERSE SOCIAL CONTEXTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 11, 2005 (VIS) -

The Holy Father pointed to the beauty of the Byzantine rite, the Eucharistic prayers and celebration of the sacraments, adding that "the entire liturgy and divine worship, so rich in hymns, is a strong vehicle of catechesis for the entire Christian people.

"I encourage you," he said, "to pursue your contacts, thanks to common liturgical tradition, with the Orthodox Churches, who are also anxious to give glory to the One God and Savior. May the Almighty Lord ... grant all believers in Christ to fully live unity in the same faith. For this I pray and ask the Lord that your synod will contribute to favoring a renewed proclamation of the Gospel in your communities as well as a vigorous ecumenical thrust."
AC/INTEREPARCHIAL SYNOD/DAOUD VIS 050111

VATICAN: BAPTISM IS THE START OF A CHRISTIAN'S MISSION (???)

VATICAN CITY, JAN 9, 2005 (VIS) - The Pope's Angelus reflections today, the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, highlighted this sacrament which he said the Evangelists considered as the start of Jesus' messianic ministry. "Christ's mission, thus begun, was fulfilled in the paschal mystery in which, having died and risen, He took away the sin of the world."

"The mission of every Christian also begins with Baptism," said the Holy Father. "The rediscovery of Baptism, through appropriate itineraries of adult catechesis, is thus an important aspect of the new evangelization. Renewing in a more mature fashion one's own adherence to the faith is the condition for a true and full participation in the Eucharistic celebration that is the summit of ecclesial life."

After praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope said "my thoughts turn this Sunday of the Lord's Baptism to all the children who were baptized in the course of the year. I embrace and bless them. I also bless their godfathers and godmothers and, in a special way, the parents of the newly baptized, asking everyone to cultivate in them, through word and example, the seeds of divine life born in the sacrament of Baptism."

VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Bishop Javier Echevarria Rodriguez, prelate of the personal prelature of Opus Dei.

- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by Archbishop Luigi Moretti, vice gerent of Rome.

VATICAN CITY, JAN 4, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Msgr. Faustino Armendariz Jimenez, vicar general of the archdiocese of Hermosillo, Mexico, as bishop of Matamoros (area 19,457, population 3,070,306, Catholics 2,844,000, priests 123, permanent deacons 4, religious 91), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Magdalena de Kino, Mexico, in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1982.

- Fr. Rafael Sandoval Sandoval M.N.M., pastor at Monterrey and former superior general of the Missionaries of the Nativity of Mary, as bishop of Tarahumara (area 31,354, population 227,450, Catholics 216,070, priests 32, religious 137), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Guascaro Michoacan, Mexico, in 1947 and ordained a priest in 1974.

VATICAN CITY, JAN 3, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, as president of the same pontifical academy.

- Msgr. Ignacio Carrasco de Paula of the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei, professor of bioethics in the faculty of medicine and surgery at the Catholic University of Rome, as a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

VATICAN CITY, DEC 30, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, superior general of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 30, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Freddy Jesus Fuenmayor Suarez of Cabimas, Venezuela, as bishop of Los Teques (area 2,295, population 1,261,000, Catholics 1,061,000, priests 61, permanent deacons 15, religious 245), Venezuela. He succeeds Bishop Ramon Ovidio Perez Morales whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese was accepted in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

RATIFYING CONCORDAT (Treaty) BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND PORTUGAL

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 2004 (VIS) - This morning in Lisbon, in Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for Relations with States, and Antonio Victor Monteiro Martins, the minister of Foreign Affairs and of the Portuguese Communities, exchanged documents of ratification of the Concordat between the Holy See and the Portuguese Republic, signed in the Vatican on May 18, 2004. The agreement regulates matters of common interest between the Church and State.

"The Accord," says a communique, "which renews the original concordat signed on May 7, 1940, regulates the juridical position of the Catholic Church and its institutions. The State guarantees the Church the public and free exercise of its activities, especially with regard to worship, Magisterium and ministry, as well as jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters. It also recognizes religious freedom, especially with regard to personal beliefs, the right to assemble, public _expression, teaching and charitable activity."

In a declaration following the exchange of the documents of ratification, Archbishop Lajolo underscored the "great principles that inspire the Concordat: the Church's freedom" and "cooperation which allows the Church, with respect for the State's competence, to be associated with other private and public institutions in the service of society, for the good of man; and it does this above all through its educational and charitable works in line with two foundations of its activity: truth and love."

He continued: "Also very important are the clauses on the teaching of religion and Catholic morality in public schools, the possibility to build new Catholic schools and the official recognition of the Portuguese Catholic University. How can we not see the importance of an accord in the field of the formation of young people who represent the future of the Church and society?"

The secretary for Relations with States also cited, "as one of the typical dispositions of modern concordats, the stipulation to safeguard cultural heritage, which is extremely rich in Portugal and which has been greatly shaped by the religious values that make up the foundation on which the noble traditions of the Portuguese people have developed. Putting aside space for religious purposes ... indicates the desire to continue to make these spiritual values a point of reference also for the future."

HOLY FATHER WELCOMES FIVE NEW AMBASSADORS TO THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 2004 (VIS) - John Paul II welcomed five new ambassadors to the Holy See this morning and, after accepting their Letters of Credence, he addressed them as a group in French. At the end of his speech the Pope greeted each one individually and gave them a personal written message of welcome that made reference to the specific situations in their countries.

The new ambassadors are: Gilton Bazilio Chiwaula of Malawi, Pradap Pibulsonggram of Thailand, Georges Santer of Luxembourg, Raychelle Awour Omamo of Kenya and Lars Petter Forberg of Norway.

"Our world today," said the Pope, "has been marked by the scourge of war. In the face of humanitarian dramas, the international community is called to initiate inventive actions on the levels of charity, the economy and politics. It is important that diplomacy, for its part, does all that it can to make peace triumph. I appeal once again to all men and women of good will to definitively lay down arms and to commit themselves to the path of a trusting and fraternal dialogue. Violence never serves the cause of peoples, nor their development."

John Paul II expressed the wish that "our contemporaries, especially those who guide the destinies of peoples, will always have at heart concern for serving man and the common good."

He asked each ambassador to transmit his greetings to the citizens and civil and religious authorities in their respective countries, "with a special thought for the Catholic communities" and offered his "best wishes for your new mission."

[Note to those not familiar: The vatican receives Ambassadors from other Nations and appoints Its own Ambassadors and Papal Nuncios to those nations. The Vatican has the diplomatic and legal status as its own sovereign nation, and it exercises influence around the world in that capacity]

Vatican: DISCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT MAN IN THE EUCHARISTIC MYSTERY

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2004 (VIS) - Thousands of students and faculty members from Roman universities, delegates from other European universities and civil and religious authorities were in St. Peter's Basilica last evening for their annual Mass with the Holy Father. The Pope thanked them for their presence saying, "as 'sentinels of the morning', you wish to be vigilant - today, during these weeks of Advent, and throughout life - to be ready to welcome the Lord Who comes."

"Dear university students," he said, "we are in the year of the Eucharist and, in preparation for World Youth Day, you have been reflecting on the theme 'Eucharist and the Truth about Man'. This is a demanding theme. In fact, before the Eucharistic mystery, we are moved to verify the truth about our faith, our hope and our love. We cannot remain indifferent when Christ says: 'I am the living bread, come down from heaven'. Into our minds comes the question He asked: 'Do you believe it is I? Do you really believe?' In light of His words: 'Whoever eats this bread will have eternal life', we cannot not ask ourselves about the meaning and value of our daily lives."

Noting that the greatest love was that of Christ "Who sacrificed Himself for the life of the world", the Holy Father said we must ask ourselves if we live our lives for others. "Is my humanity, my existence filled with the love of God and love for my neighbor? Or is it rather imprisoned in the oppressive cycle of selfishness?"

The Pope said that the search for "truth about man is not reached only by the means that science offers us," but also "thanks to Christ's gaze filled with love. It is He, the Lord, Who comes to us in the mystery of the Eucharist. Never stop looking for Him and you will discover in His eyes an attractive reflection of the goodness and beauty that He Himself has placed in our hearts with the gift of His Spirit."

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, delivered a homily this morning at a Mass for the meeting of SIGNIS International at the Paul VI International House in Rome.

SIGNIS is a non-governmental organization with members from 140 countries and, as the World Catholic Association for Communication, includes professionals in radio, television, cinema, video, media education and the Internet. Two Catholic organizations - UNDA for radio and television, and OCIC, for cinema and audiovisual - merged in 2001 to form SIGNIS.

"We are privileged to work in the field of communications." said the archbishop, "to have as our work of daily life the responsibility of making Christ known to others through the media. It is a privilege, but it is also a responsibility. It is the work on which we shall be judged. How well do we do it?"

He suggested how to be good communicators: "First, we should reaffirm our own faith in the word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Second, we should strive to live in our own lives the example of Jesus Christ - not only for our own salvation and sanctification, but so that the message we transmit might be received more readily because the messenger is more credible. Third, while we work in general for better programs in the media, for a higher moral tone in the media, for better media legislation to guarantee access to the media of messages of a religious and spiritual nature, the most important work we do in media is to transmit the message of the Word made flesh."

POPE RECEIVES BISHOP, PILGRIMS FROM DIOCESE OF LOURDES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 11, 2004 (VIS) - One-hundred pilgrims from the diocese of Tarbes et Lourdes, including Bishop Jacques Perrier, were received in the Vatican this morning by Pope John Paul who thanked them for their "warm welcome" during his pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in August to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

"I thank everyone who contributed to the fruitful realization of my trip. My thoughts go to those who are ill and to all the benefactors of shrines. I also unite myself to all pilgrims who come to entrust their intentions to Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, asking each one to place themselves as her disciple. Entrusting you to Our Lady and to St. Bernadette, I extend my apostolic blessing to you, to everyone in the diocese and to all who work at shrines."

ANGELUS REFLECTIONS ON DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CONCEPTION- VATICAN CITY, DEC 5, 2004 (VIS) - Pope John Paul dedicated today's Angelus reflections entirely to the upcoming feast of the Immaculate Conception, as this year marks the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of this dogma by Pope Pius IX.

"We prepare to celebrate with intimate joy," he said, "the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary which this year takes on special meaning. We will commemorate, in fact, the 150 years since the proclamation of this important Marian doctrine.

"We will remember this anniversary on December 8 with a solemn Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica where, in 1854 my venerated predecessor, Blessed Pius IX, proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, together with many bishops from every part of the world. Thus we will honor 'Tota pulchra', she whom God chose as the Mother of His only begotten Son."

The Holy Father closed by reminding everyone that in the afternoon, as he does every year, he will go to Rome's famed Piazza di Spagna for the traditional homage to Mary Immaculate. "I invite all of you, dear Romans and pilgrims, to join me in this act of filial veneration to our heavenly Mother."

21ST MARIAN MARIOLOGICAL INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 2, 2004 (VIS) - The 21st International Marian Mariological Congress will be held December 4-8 in the Pontifical Lateran University on the theme "Mary of Nazareth Welcomes the Son of God in History." Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will preside at the congress on behalf of the Holy Father.

The International Pontifical Marian Academy, which organized the conference, is made up of experts, including Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants, on mariology from all over the world.

The congress will be inaugurated tomorrow at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Major Basilica with a liturgy presided by Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, archpriest. At 3:30 p.m. in the Lateran University, Bishop Rino Fisichella, the rector, and Cardinal Poupard will address participants in an opening ceremony.

During the morning sessions, nine presentations are scheduled. Each afternoon, the participants, who are divided into 12 sections by language and geographic region (African, Asian, Croatian, English, Spanish, Italian, Latin American, Polish Portuguese, Slovenian and German), will listen to talks by various members of the National Mariological Societies.

The congress will close on Wednesday December 8 in the Vatican Basilica with a Eucharistic Celebration presided over by John Paul II on the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
.../MARIAN MARIOLOGICAL CONGRESS/POUPARD VIS

Aliev (Azerbaijan), visits [Vatican] Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

MEDIA: ARCHBISHOP ON COMMUNICATIONS, SILENCE, GLOBALIZATION

VATICAN CITY, NOV 7, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, spoke today at the International Media Conference 2004, organized in Castelgandolfo by the Focolare Movement on the theme "Silence, Word and Light: At the Source of Communication."

He said that "to be credible communicators of the most important message the world has ever received and can ever receive, we must be men and women of silence - of silent reflection, of quiet observation, of unobtrusive charity. Too many today think and speak superficially, from the surface alone. We must speak from the depths of our being, from the depths of our faith. Even of Jesus, it is written: 'The light shone in darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it'. ... We too speak in the darkness; it is important that we do not speak from the darkness. We seek to communicate to our own, and often our word is not received."

On Thursday, November 4, Archbishop Foley gave a round-table address during a theological study of St. Anthony, at the saint's shrine in Padua. He spoke on the "Catholic Mass Media in an Age of Globalization: What are the Challenges and Responsibilities?"
CON-CS/GLOBALIZATION/FOLEY

The cabinet chief said Bishop Antonio Baseotto's comments recalled the former military government, which dropped opponents from planes into the sea.

Technically only the Vatican can sack the prelate, who is bishop to Argentina's armed forces.

Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia recently said he was in favour of legalising abortion.

The bishop says his comments were taken out of context, but BBC Buenos Aires correspondent Elliott Gotkine says his position now appears untenable.

Bishop Baseotto holds his post because of a 2002 agreement between Argentina and the Vatican.

THERE IS NOT ONE CHRISTIAN NATION ON EARTH WHERE MUSLIMS ARE PERSECUTED.

Yet in most nations where the majority of the population are Muslims, there is systematic government persecution of Christians.

CI NON È UNA NAZIONE CRISTIANA SU TERRA DOVE I MUSULMANI PERSECUTED. Tuttavia nella maggior parte delle nazioni dove la maggior parte della popolazione è musulmani, ci è persecution sistematico di governo dei cristiani

ER IS NIET ÉÉN CHRISTELIJKE NATIE TER WERELD WAAR MOSLIMS WORDEN VERVOLGD. Maar toch in de meeste naties waar de meerderheid van de bevolking Moslims is, is er systematische overheidsvervolging van Christenen

ES GIBT NICHT EINE CHRISTLICHE NATION AUF MASSE, IN DER MOSLEMS VERFOLGT WERDEN. Dennoch in den meisten Nationen, in denen die Majorität der Bevölkerung Moslems sind, gibt es systematische Regierung Verfolgung der Christen.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

--Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--

Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.

Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.

That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.

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Las conversiones cristianas - según la biblia - pueden NUNCA ser forzadas. Nadie que son un cristiano verdadero forzarían o compell cualquier persona a hacer un cristiano contra sus el propios . La razón de esto es ésa que toma la acción contra la voluntad o contra la intención alguien sea una acción del desacato al dios. Ninguna conversión al cristianismo que sería "forzado" no sería reconocida por God. Está en su verdad y la naturaleza BUENA, esa los que vengan a él y elijan creer en él, debe venir a él DE SU PROPIA VOLUNTAD LIBRE. El dios cristiano es bastante grande entender cómo responder a los que decidan que no desean conocerle o entender. El trabajo de cristianos es continuar comunicando el amor del dios a cada uno que esté dispuesto a oír hablar él. Muchos pueblan incluso hoy, no desean oír hablar el dios cristiano. Más específicamente, qué esa gente no desea está para que USTED oiga hablar la amabilidad del dios cristiano. Esa gente está asustada que si usted descubre sobre la amabilidad y la calidad y el amor del dios cristiano, eso que usted puede desear para descubrir más sobre él. Y esa gente está asustada que opondrían a su descubrir la verdad sobre el dios del cristianismo que ofrece vida eterna por siempre a las que pidan ella y decide al dios a que ella sirve creer en él y descubrir más del libro llamado el "nuevo testamento". Ése es el miedo verdadero de los que opongan a dios cristiano. No deje cualquier persona decirle que la ayuda de los cristianos forzara conversiones. Eso es falso. El cristianismo verdadero NUNCA es forzado.

Le conversioni cristiane - secondo la bibbia - possono MAI essere forzate. Nessuno che fossero un cristiano allineare forzerebbero o compell chiunque da diventare un cristiano contro il loro propri. Il motivo per questo è quello che agisce contro la volontà o contro l'intenzione di qualcuno sia un'azione di disrespect al dio. Alcuna conversione a christianity che sarebbe "forzato" non sarebbe riconosciuta da God. È nel suo allineare e la natura GENTILE, quella coloro che viene a lui e sceglie credere in lui, deve venire a lui della LORO PROPRIA VOLONTÀ LIBERA. Il dio cristiano è abbastanza grande capire come rispondere a coloro che decide che non desiderano conoscerle o capire. Il lavoro dei cristiani deve continuare a comunicare l'amore del dio a tutto che sia disposto a sentire parlare di esso. Molti popolano persino oggi, non desiderano sentire parlare del dio cristiano. Più specificamente, che cosa quella gente non desidera è affinchè senta parlare della bontà del dio cristiano. Quella gente è impaurita che se scoprite circa la bontà e la qualità e l'amore del dio cristiano, quello che potete desiderare per scoprirgli più circa. E quella gente è impaurita che il dio che servono sarebbe opposto a vostro scoprire la verità circa il dio di christianity che offre per sempre la vita Eterna a coloro che chiede esso e decide credere in lui e scoprire più dal libro denominato "il nuovo Testamento". Quello è il timore reale di coloro che oppone il dio cristiano. Non lasci chiunque dirvi che il supporto dei cristiani abbia forzato le conversioni. Quello è falso. Il christianity allineare non è MAI forzato

Οι χριστιανικές μετατροπές - σύμφωνα με τη Βίβλο - δεν μπορούν ΠΟΤΕ να αναγκαστούν. Κανένας που είναι αληθινός Χριστιανός θα ανάγκαζε ή compell καθένας για να γίνει Χριστιανός ενάντια δικοί τους. Ο λόγος για αυτό είναι ότι η λήψη μέτρων ενάντια στη θέληση ή ενάντια στην πρόθεση κάποιου θα ήταν μια δράση της ασέβειας στο Θεό. Οποιαδήποτε μετατροπή στο χριστιανισμό που "θα αναγκαζόταν" δεν θα αναγνωριζόταν από το Θεό. Είναι στην αληθινή και ΚΑΛΗ φύση του, ότι εκείνοι που έρχονται σε τον και επιλέγουν να πιστεψουν σε τον, πρέπει να έρθουν σε τον ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΥ ΤΟΥΣ. Ο χριστιανικός Θεός είναι αρκετά μεγάλος να καταλάβει πώς να αποκριθεί σε εκείνοι που αποφασίζουν ότι δεν θέλουν να τον ξέρουν ή να καταλάβουν. Η εργασία των Χριστιανών είναι να συνεχίσει να διαβιβάζει την αγάπη του Θεού σε τον καθέναν που είναι πρόθυμος να ακούσει για την. Πολλοί άνθρωποι ακόμα και σήμερα, δεν θέλουν να ακούσουν για το χριστιανικό Θεό. Πιό συγκεκριμένα, τι εκείνοι οι άνθρωποι δεν θέλουν είναι για ΣΑΣ να ακούσει για την ευγένεια του χριστιανικού GOd. Εκείνοι οι άνθρωποι είναι φοβισμένοι ότι εάν ανακαλύπτετε για την ευγένεια και την καλοσύνη και την αγάπη του χριστιανικού Θεού, ότι μπορείτε να θελήσετε να ανακαλύψετε περισσότερων για τον. Και εκείνοι οι άνθρωποι είναι φοβισμένοι ότι ο Θεός που εξυπηρετούν θα αντιτασσόταν στην ανακάλυψή σας της αλήθειας για το Θεό του χριστιανισμού που προσφέρει την αιώνια ζωή για πάντα σε εκείνοι που ζητούν την και αποφασίζουν να πιστεψουν σε τον και να ανακαλύψουν περισσότερων από το βιβλίο αποκαλούμενο "νέα διαθήκη". Αυτός είναι ο πραγματικός φόβος εκείνοι που αντιτάσσουν το χριστιανικό Θεό. Μην αφήστε καθενός να σας πει ότι οι Χριστιανοί υποστηρίζουν τις αναγκασμένες μετατροπές. Αυτός είναι ψεύτικος. Ο αληθινός χριστιανισμός δεν αναγκάζεται ΠΟΤΕ.

De christelijke Omzettingen - volgens de Bijbel - kunnen NOOIT worden gedwongen. Niemand wie een ware Christen is zou dwingen of compell zal iedereen om een Christen te worden tegen hun. De reden voor dit is dat het Voeren van Actie tegen de Wil of tegen de bedoeling van iemand een actie van disrespect aan God zou zijn. Om het even welke Omzetting in Christendom dat "zou gedwongen worden" zou NIET erkend worden door God. Het is in Zijn Ware en VRIENDELIJKE aard, dat zij die aan hem komen en om in hem verkiezen te geloven, aan hem VAN HUN EIGEN VRIJ moeten komen ZULLEN. De Christelijke God is Groot genoeg begrijpen hoe te aan zij te antwoorden die besluiten dat zij niet hem kennen of willen begrijpen. De Baan van Christenen moet blijven de Liefde van God aan iedereen meedelen wie bereid om over het is te horen. Vele mensen zelfs vandaag, willen niet over de Christelijke God horen. Specifieker, moet wat niet die mensen willen voor U over de Vriendelijkheid van Christelijke GOd horen. Die mensen zijn bang dat als u over de vriendelijkheid en de goedheid en de liefde van de Christelijke God te weten komt, dat u meer over hem kunt willen te weten komen. En die mensen zijn bang dat de God die zij dienen zich aan uw het te weten komen van de waarheid over de God van Christendom verzetten die voor altijd het Eeuwige Leven aan zij aanbiedt die om het vragen en om in hem beslissen te geloven en meer van het boek te weten te komen genoemd het "Nieuwe Testament". Dat is de echte Vrees voor zij die zich de Christelijke God verzetten. Laat iedereen niet u vertellen dat de Christenen Gedwongen Omzettingen steunen. Dat is Vals. Het ware Christendom wordt NOOIT gedwongen.

Christliche Umwandlungen - entsprechend der Bibel - können Zwangs NIE sein. Niemand, die ein zutreffender Christ ist, würden oder compell jedermann zwingen, zum ein Christ gegen ihre Selbst zu werden werden. Der Grund für dieses ist der, der Maßnahmen gegen den Willen ergreift, oder gegen die Absicht von jemand seien Sie eine Tätigkeit der Respektlosigkeit zum Gott. Keine Umwandlung zum Christentum, das "Zwangs" sein würde, würde NICHT von God erkannt. Sie ist in seinem zutreffenden und die FREUNDLICHE Natur, diese die, die zu ihm kommen und beschließen, an ihn zu glauben, muß zu ihm IHRES EIGENEN FREIEN WILLEN kommen. Der christliche Gott ist genug groß, zu verstehen, wie man auf die reagiert, die entscheiden, daß sie nicht ihn kennen oder verstehen möchten. Der Job der Christen soll fortfahren, die Liebe des Gottes zu jeder mitzuteilen, das bereit ist, über sie zu hören. Viele bevölkeren sogar heute, möchten nicht über den christlichen Gott hören. Spezifischer, was jene Leute nicht wünschen, ist, damit SIE über die Freundlichkeit des christlichen Gottes hören. Jene Leute haben daß, wenn Sie über die Freundlichkeit und die Güte und die Liebe des christlichen Gottes herausfinden, das Angst, das Sie mehr über ihn herausfinden wünschen können. Und jene Leute haben Angst, daß der Gott, den sie dienen, Ihrem die Wahrheit über den Gott des Christentums herausfinden entgegengesetzt würde, das ewiges Leben für immer denen anbietet, die um sie bitten und, an ihn zu glauben entscheidet und mehr vom Buch herauszufinden, das das "neue Testament" genannt wurde. Die ist die reale Furcht vor denen, die dem christlichen Gott entgegensetzen. Lassen Sie nicht niemand Ihnen erklären, daß Christunterstützung Umwandlungen zwang. Das ist falsch. Zutreffendes Christentum ist NIE Zwangs.

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キリスト教の転換は- 聖書に従って- 決して強制である場合もない。本当のクリスチャンである誰もまたは彼らの専有物に対してクリスチャンになるcompell だれでも強制しない。これの理由は意志に対して処置をとるそれであるまたは誰かの意思に対して神へ無礼の行為でであつて下さい。 "強制" であるキリスト教へのどの転換でもGod によって確認されない。それは彼の本当にあり、彼に来、彼を信じることを選ぶ人々その親切な性質は彼らの自身の自由意志の彼に来なければならない。理解するにはキリスト教の彼を知るか、または言うことがわかりたいと思わないことを神は決定する神に答える方法を十分に大きい。クリスチャンの仕事はそれについて聞いて喜んでの皆に神の愛を伝え続けるべきである。多数は、キリスト教の神について聞きたいと思わない今日民を住まわせる。それらの人々はほしいと思わない何がとりわけ、であるキリスト教の神の親切さについて聞くべきあなたのため。それらの人々はキリスト教の神の親切さについておよび長所および愛見つければ恐れていること、あなたが彼についての詳細を見つけたいと思う場合もあるそれ。そしてそれらの人々は役立つ神があなたのそれを頼む反対され、彼を信じ、"新約聖書" と呼ばれた本からの多くを見つけることにするそれらに永遠の生命を永久に提供するキリスト教の神についての真実を見つけることにこと恐れている。それはキリスト教の神に反対するそれの実質の恐れである。クリスチャンサポートが転換を強制するようにだれでも言わないために注意してはいけない。それは偽である。本当のキリスト教は強制決してでない。

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief

Stand up for Human Rights. Help Support Freedom of Speech, Freedom of thought and Freedom of Conscience - for all.

Please Note: Nothing here should be construed as an agreement to the theology or teachings of the RCC.

This information is provided solely as a public service and NOT as an endorsement of teachings