A daily news service

MARCH 16

Cardinal Ratzinger stresses importance of "fatherhood" for society

Rome, 16 (NE) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stressed the importance of understanding the meaning of "fatherhood", expressing his concern for the dramatic consequences that follow when the significance of this concept is forgotten in society. The Vatican Cardinal addressed faithful gathered in Palermo, Italy, where he was attending a diocesan event of reflection on faith. During his conference on "The Holy Trinity, model and goal of the Church", the Cardinal Prefect reflected over the relationship between God and man, saying the "God himself wished to reveal himself as Father." Today's "dissolution of fatherhood and motherhood are related to the dissolution of our own filiation" to God, Cardinal Ratzinger further stressed. He also recalled that human being can not be reduced "to a function, since God calls him by his name." Man cannot be treated "as a number or a piece of machinery", the Cardinal said, and human beings must let themselves be called by God, "who has a name… who is personal and who seeks the person."

Patriarch Sabbah stresses spiritual character or Pope's pilgrimage

Rome, 16 (NE) The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, stressed this week the spiritual character of Pope John Paul II' visit to Holy Land. During a press conference held in Jerusalem, Patriarch Sabbah stated that "the Pope will bring to everyone a message of love and peace", warning as well against possible political interpretations of the visit. The Pope's pilgrimage will begin in Jordan on March 20, and will continue in Israel, finishing March 26.

"In a few days we will welcome the Holy Father, and together with the community of faithful living in the Holy Places since the beginning of Christianity, keeping the memory of the divine mystery of salvation, he will fulfill his pilgrimage, he will pray and confirm the Church both local and universal in her spiritual renewal on occasion of the Great Jubilee", the Patriarch affirmed.

Patriarch Sabbah expressed as well his hope that the people in Holy Land will welcome the Pope's message. "We hope", he further said, "that political leaders hear him so that they may foster with more courage justice and peace in this land and in all the region". He also expressed his wish that the pilgrimage may become the beginning of "new times in which Jerusalem will be what God wants, a city of prayer and peace in which all believers may gather to construct peace in the region and in the world".

Chaldean and Syro-Malabar Catholics to celebrate Jubilee with Pope

Vatican City, 16 (NE) On March 18 and 19 the Chaldean and Syro-Malabar Catholic churches will celebrate in Rome their Jubilee Days. Celebrations will begin on Saturday March 18 with an audience with the Holy Father in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. During Saturday's evening and on Sunday, a Divine Liturgy in the Roman basilica of St. Mary of the Angels will be celebrated. Saturday's liturgy will be celebrated in Chaldean rite, while Sunday's will be celebrated in Syro-Malabar rite.

Both the Chaldean and the Syro-Malabar rite have their root in the once called Syro-oriental rite, which flourished in the ancient Persian Sassanian empire. Through the centuries, several missionaries from Mesopotamia would take their own ritual heritage to Central Asia, China an India.

The origins of the Chaldean Catholic Church date back to the XIII century, when Franciscan and Dominican missionaries carried an intense work of evangelization among the faithful of the Assyrian church. In 1552, a group of faithful from this church expressed their will to unite with the Apostolic See. This was achieved in 1553, when Pope Julius III named a Patriarch "of the Chaldeans", giving him the task to encourage unity. Problems aroused with the Assyrian church, and the situation would not become stable until the XIX century. From 1950, the see of the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans is Baghdad. Almost 500.000 faithful belong to this rite.

Members of the Syro-Malabar rite date their roots back to the evangelization carried by the Apostle Thomas. Portuguese sailors discovered groups of "Christians of St. Thomas," which by the year 1662 had established full communion with the Bishop of Rome. In 1896, the Pope established three Apostolic vicariates under the pastoral care of a Syro-Malabar Bishop. Pope Pius XI began a reform in their liturgy, aiming to recover their original richness after centuries of latinization. An Eucharistic Liturgy was approved by Pope Pius XII, and finally introduced in 1962. Currently, almost 3.3 million faithful belong to the Syro-Malabar rite.

"Feast" of reconciliation to precede World Youth Day in Rome

Rome, 16 (NE) Thousands of young people from the whole world will live a true "feast" of reconciliation in the days previous to World Youth Day, to take place in the city of Rome in August this year. The Circus Maximus, one of the most imposing constructions of the Roman Empire, which had a capacity for 350,000 people and where thousands of Christians were martyred because of their faith, will be now the meeting point for thousands of young people who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One of the members of the organizing committee of this Jubilee event informed that nearly 2,000 priests will be concentrated in the Circus Maximus to offer the sacrament of Reconciliation to the young pilgrims, in an event that will take place from August 17 to 19. This activity, for which 300 hundred confessionals will be arranged in the historic site, forms part of the intense preparation program for World Youth Day. The following day, Sunday, young people from all parts of the world will meet the Holy Father at Tor Vergata, a large field in the outskirts of the city.

Archbishop Errazuriz urges reconciliation in Chile

Santiago de Chile, 16 (NE) Urging to unity and reconciliation, Archbishop Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Santiago de Chile, presided over a Te Deum Mass on occasion of the inauguration of the government of Ricardo Lagos Escobar, new Chilean president. The celebration took place in the Metropolitan Cathedral, where important civil and military authorities, and Presidents from other countries, were also present.

"Let's hope that many in our country give way to respect and justice, truth and confidence, faith and hope, service and mercy, generosity, reconciliation and peace," prayed the Archbishop, recalling the situation of rupture that the country is enduring. He also encouraged "a dialogue that leads towards unity and reconciliation" and to "look to the past with sincerity."

The Archbishop prayed as well for the elected president and his collaborators so that they may receive the necessary grace to be able to "foster the participation of all Chileans in the construction of a truly just country, respectful of people and institutions, generous and lover of peace, that keeps and enriches its identity, its cultural and democratic traditions and faces the challenges and adversities with fraternal and reconciled heart."

Mexico: teaching of Christian values encouraged in schools

Mexico City, 16 (NE) The Committee for Education of the Archdiocese of Mexico recently gathered teachers from different public and religious schools of the city and urged them to assume their responsibility in the formation of young people according to Christian values. "Teachers must wake up to their vocation and fully live it within the Christian values," stated the head of the commission, who emphasized that a good formation must be attained, passing from "egotistical to evangelical criteria." He also stated that in the educative field a change is required "that takes into account that persons are more important than things and that workers are more important than capital." This change must also regard the central role of family, but not as an isolated institution, because "if family is the center of society, from which the change must start, it is necessary that parents and teachers join their efforts." Even more, not only "parents and teachers must join, but also the Church must be present, to animate, foster and stimulate a better education," he further stressed.

MARCH 14

Pope recalls Cardinal Kung's "heroic fidelity to Christ"

Vatican City, 14 (NE) Pope John Paul II expressed yesterday his spiritual closeness and offered his prayers to relatives of Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei, Bishop of Shanghai and Apostolic administrator of Soochow, who died on Sunday in Stanford, Connecticut. "I join all of you in giving thanks to almighty God for the late Cardinal's priestly and episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Shanghai, his heroic fidelity to Christ amid persecution and imprisonment and his outstanding witness of communion with the universal Church and the Successor of Peter," the Pope wrote in a telegram sent to Bishop Edward Michael Egan of Bridgeport.

"Commending the soul of this noble son of China and of the Church to the infinite mercy of our heavenly Father," the Pope's telegram continued, "I pray that having shared so deeply in Christ's sufferings he may now receive the unfading crown of glory which the Chief Shepherd reserves for those who have followed him faithfully to the end." "At the same time I renew my fervent prayer for the intentions of the Church in China so close to the late Cardinal's heart. To all I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ." Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, Prefect of the Congregation for the Laity, will preside in the name of the Holy Father the funeral Mass.

Ten Commandments are note "man made inventions", stresses Denver Archbishop

Denver, 14 (NE) "Are the Ten Commandments merely a summarizing of human wisdom on how to get along? Were they created by men to give order to a society wandering in the desert?" These questions were addressed early this month by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, during the sixth of a nine-part series of talks on Jubilee reflections at the John Paul II Center in Denver.

Focusing his reflection on the meaning and content of the Ten Commandments, the Prelate stressed that they are not "man-made inventions", but they come from God, and they express the way in which we should live, since we come from God. "We do believe the Ten Commandments make 'common sense'... but they make common sense because they're rooted in God's common law, the Natural Law, which guides and governs all peoples, in all times," the Archbishop said.

"The Ten Commandments not only reveal God. They're also part of God's revelation of who man is - a revelation which comes to full fruition in the person of Jesus Christ," Archbishop Chaput further explained. During his conference, he recalled every one of the Commandments, explaining their significance and importance in Catholic's every day life. Finally, the Archbishop summed up his reflection by pointing out that Jesus summarized the commandments in this way: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself."

Brazil: Care center for poor children dedicated to Cardinal Lucas Moreira

Rome, 14 (NE) A care center for abandoned children financed by an aid group of Florence, Italy, will open in the Archdiocese of San Salvador of Bahia, Brazil, on July 9. This care center will be called "Dom Lucas Moreira Neves", in homage to the actual Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, who was Archbishop of San Salvador of Bahia from 1987 to 1998. During those years he gave special attention to the grave social problems of population, in particular abandoned children living in the streets.

The Brazilian Cardinal, who also fostered a similar initiative encouraging adoption of abandoned children, expressed his joy for the project. Its inauguration will coincide with the 50th anniversary of his sacerdotal ordination. "This is the meaning of the initiative: one drop of water adds to another, and many of them together form the ocean," stated the Cardinal.

The center is constructed in the "favella" (shantytown) Alto do Peru, where almost 150 thousand people live in inhuman conditions of poverty and abandonment. It is a four-story building that will give first aid services such as obstetrics, ophthalmology and general medicine. It will also be a formation center oriented to young people that cannot continue their studies for economic reasons, so they may receive a title certified by the State.

New Nuncio praises "deep Catholic faith" of Mexican people

City of Mexico, 14 (NE) In a recent interview, the new Apostolic Nuncio in Mexico, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, expressed his joy for serving the Church in a "nation of deep Catholic faith". The Argentinean Prelate gave his opinion on different issues related to the Church in Mexico. Asked about the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the existence of Blessed Juan Diego, the Indian who saw her, Archbishop Sandri stressed that "there is no doubt about the existence of the Virgin of Guadalupe." "She left us her image," the Nuncio further emphasized, recalling as well that "Juan Diego also left testimony of his existence." Regarding the challenges of the Church in this third millenium, he emphasized that "they are the eternal challenges that the Church has always had, that is, the announcement of Christ and of salvation in Christ, and keeping fidelity to the deposit of the faith we have received form the Lord through the Apostles." "In the XXI century," he continued, "we must make faith illuminate the life of man, so that he may give his life a meaning and a reason… When God is lacking, man is unhappy."

Archdiocese of Chicago launches "Operation Rice Bowl" to feed the poor

Chicago, 14 (NE) Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, invited faithful in the Windy City to live solidarity during the Lenten season "with all members of our human family who seek nourishment throughout the world." In his first statement during Lent, the Cardinal presented "Operation Rice Bowl", taking place from March 8 through April 23. Operation Rice Bowl is a six-week Lenten program of prayer, fasting, education and almsgiving designed by Catholic Relief Services that seeks to make Catholics aware of the needs of the poor around the world. The theme for Operation Rice Bowl this year, Cardinal George explained, is "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice for they shall have their fill". "Operation Rice Bowl and the Great Jubilee opens our hearts so that we continue to hunger and thirst for justice in all parts of our world as we come to understand that we all are one human family." Twenty-five percent of funds raised during Operation Rice Bowl will remain in the Chicago area to fund local projects, while 75% of donations will be used to fund programs overseas.

MARCH 13

Pope calls to forgiveness and reconciliation for new millennium

Vatican City, 13 (NE) "From pardon will flourish reconciliation", said Pope John Paul II yesterday, as he explained before the Sunday Angelus prayer the act of pardon that took place during the first Sunday of Lent in several places in the world. The Holy Father recalled during his brief addresses to pilgrims the ceremony held in St. Peter's Basilica, affirming that the Holy Year is a "time of purification." The Pope stressed as well that the Church's request for pardon "is not a judging over the subjective responsibility of those brothers that have preceded us", but aims to encourage Catholics to "enter the third millennium more open to God and his Plan of Love."

"From pardon flourishes reconciliation. This is what we wish for all every ecclesial community, for every believer in Christ, and for all the world," the Pope further said, stating that "pardoned and ready to pardon, Christians will enter the third millennium as more credible witnesses of hope." "The Church presents to humanity as it crossed the threshold of the third millennium the Gospel of pardon and reconciliation, as foundations to build and authentic peace."

During his address to pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's Square, the Pope also recalled that the spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia were beginning that same day. The Holy Father invited faithful to pray during those days, asking as well the Blessed Virgin's intercession, "Mother of Divine Mercy", so that she may help faithful to live the spirit of Lent.

Cardinal Kung called to the Father's presence

New York, 13 (NE) Cardinal Ignatius Kung (Gong) Pinmei, who was imprisoned during 30 years by the Chinese communists because of his firm rejection to the attempts of the government to control the Catholic Church, was called to the Father's presence early on Sunday. The Chinese Cardinal died yesterday at his nephew's house in Connecticut, affected by a stomach cancer.

Ordained priest in 1930, Pope Pius XII named him Bishop of Shanghai in 1949, being the first native Chinese Bishop of Shanghai. Pope John Paul II created him Cardinal "in pectore" in 1979, and made it public in 1991, only after Cardinal Kung had been released from prison by the communist authorities.

His witness of fidelity to the Church and to Peter's Successor, renouncing to flee from the country during the persecution which the Catholic Church endured, and strongly rejecting any adherence to the Chinese catholic Patriotic Association managed by the communist government, were a great example and encouragement for thousands of faithful in China. Among other things, during his five years as Bishop before being arrested, the Cardinal specially encouraged devotion to the Blessed Virgin, declaring in 1952 a Marian Year in his diocese.

The Chinese Bishop was arrested in September 8, 1955. After some months, he was carried to a local stadium to "confess his crimes", before thousands of people, many of them Catholics. In defiance of the communist regime, and firmly expressing his adherence to the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Kung shouted bravely his confession: "Long live Christ the King! Long live the Pope!"

In 1960 he was sentenced to life imprisonment. On several occasions, he was offered his freedom in exchange for his adherence to the Chinese Catholics' Patriotic Association. "I am a Roman Catholic Bishop. If I denounce the Pope, not only would I not be a Bishop, but I would not even be a Catholic. You can cut off my head, but you can never take away my responsibilities", was his answer. In 1985, he was released from prison to serve another ten years under house arrest. After two and a half years, he was officially released. In 1991, in a moving ceremony in the Vatican, Cardinal Kung received from Pope John Paul II the red hat of Cardinals.

Beatification process of Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi begins

Barcelona, 13 (NE) The Holy See has authorized the beginning of the beatification process of the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi y Cornet, as the Archdiocese of Barcelona, Spain, announced last week. Gaudi was born in 1852, in the Catalan City of Rues. During his life, he gave his different designs a rich theological background. He died in 1926 at the age of 74, in the city of Barcelona. One of his most famous works is still unconcluded: the Cathedral of the Holy Family, in Barcelona.

Cardinal Archbishop of Barcelona Ricard M. Carles attributed the quickness with which the Vatican has given the "nihil obstat" to the beginning of Gaudi's process of canonization to his condition of layman and his universality. "For Catalan people, Gaudi was a great architect and a great man, who had a completely committed life, who lived the Christian virtues in heroic degree, with soberness and generosity and who was worried for the most unprotected and for those in problems", stated the Cardinal. He also stressed the synthesis of artistic talent and faith in the architect's life.

The beatification cause will begin with a diocesan phase. A tribunal will be constituted to prove if Gaudi "exercised the theological virtues (faith, hope and charity) in heroic degree, and also the cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance). The jury will work under oath and will guard secrecy. They will probably finish their work in a year, before the documentation is sent to Rome. It is expected that the process will conclude in the year 2002, year of the celebration of the architect's 150 years of birth.

To donate an organ is a "service to life' and love, recalls Archbishop Lozano

Mexico City, 13 (NE) Donation of organs cannot be obligatory, because it is an "action of human love that gives life in favor of others," recalled the President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care workers, Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan. Both the meaning of donation and the "service to life" are fundamental aspects that cannot be put aside when this theme is discussed. He stated that the donation and transplant of human organs have a moral value that legitimates the medical practice only when they assume the "service for life." He then stated that "medical intervention in transplants is inseparable from the human action of donation. Either alive or dead, the person to whom the resection is made must be acknowledged as a donator, that is, as somebody who freely accepts the extraction of an organ from his body." "Transplantation," he continued, "presupposes a previous decision, free and aware, of the person himself or somebody that legitimately represents him, usually his closest relatives. It is the decision to offer a part of one's body for the health and wellbeing of another person, regardless of reward".

Mozambique: President thanks Pope's help

Rome, 13 (NE) President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique thanked last week the help Pope John Paul II sent through Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. Archbishop Cordes, who was specially sent by the Pope to take the aid offered by the Pontiff to victims of floods in Mozambique, was received by President Chissano. During the meeting, the President expressed his gratefulness towards the Holy Father and the Catholic Church for the closeness that they showed during the dramatic times that the country is suffering. Fides agency reported that the President stressed the fact that priests and missionaries did not abandon their posts, and immediately began to organize rescue operations that saved thousands of human lives. He also wished that the Church continued having a decisive role in the reconstruction of the country, especially in areas such as education and healthcare. The meeting between Archbishop Cordes and President Chissano took place in Maputo, to where the Prelate arrived last Thursday in the afternoon, leading a mission sent by Pope John Paul II to coordinate the aid to those afflicted by the floods that have caused grave damages to the country.

MARCH 11

New canonizations to take place during Holy Year

Vatican City, 11 (NE) Yesterday morning at the Consistory Hall in the Apostolic Palace, Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presented to Pope John Paul II several causes of Blessed to be canonized during the Holy Year. Among them are 120 martyrs from China, killed during the XVII and XX centuries, to be canonized on October 1. Many of these martyrs were murdered during the persecution to Catholics encouraged by the communist regime. That same day, Blessed Katherine Drexel, the American founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament -noted for her work to educate American Indians and blacks- will be also canonized, together with Sister Maria Giuseppa del Cuore di Gesu Sanchez de Guerra, the founder of the Institute of the Servants of Jesus. Blessed Cristobal Magallanes and his 24 companions, martyrs, will be canonized on May 21, as will Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres, priest and founder of the Congregation of Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor. Meanwhile, Blessed Maria Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun who initiated the Divine Mercy devotion, will be canonized on April 30, feast of Divine Mercy.

Colombian Archbishop asks guerilla to release kidnapped children

Cali, 11 (NE) Expressing his concern for the increasing cases of kidnappings taking place in Cali, Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino called local Catholics to pray and do whatever they can to stop this situation. Several children have been kidnapped in the last week by guerrilla groups, as part of the war currently taking place in this country between the government and the guerilla. "I wish to invite all good will persons to denounce these situations taking place in our country, because we cannot stand still before these acts, specially now that children are becoming victims of the violence," Archbishop Duarte of Cali said this week, during a prayer gathering at a local school. Last week, four kids where kidnapped by the guerilla, three of them belonging to the "Colegio Bolivar", where the prayer gathering took place. Teachers and relatives of the children kidnapped, together with many of their schoolmates, attended the event and raised their prayers for their liberation.

Philadelphia: Pro-life meeting denounces myth of overpopulation

Philadelphia, 11 (NE) "The myth of overpopulation is one of the driving forces of the abortion movement here and abroad", said recently Stephen Mosher, president of the Virginia-based Population Research Institute, during a dinner of Pennsylvanians for Human Life (PHL), a group that promotes the protection of human life from conception through natural death through educational programs schools, community groups and the media. During his address, Mosher recalled as well the decline in population in Europe. This year the continent, taken as a whole, he said, will show a decline in population. While countries or groups of European countries have had previous population declines, mostly because of war, emigration or crop failure, this decline will be the first for the entire continent "since the black death of the Middle Ages." He also denounced the presence of other interests to promote control population in third world countries, asserting as well that the United States sends "hundreds of millions of dollars overseas to promote population control in these countries." "The United Nations Population Fund also tells us too many people are being born to poor children in developing counties," Mosher further emphasized. "This is tantamount to saying only wealthy people should be allowed to have children; it's a new global form of racism."

Germany: Cellular phones used to encourage Lenten spirit

Rome, 11 (NE) As part of a program to encourage the spirit of Lent among faithful, the Catholic Church in Germany has decided to use one of man's latest and widely used inventions: cellular telephones. During the Lenten season, which started this week with Ash Wednesday, a team of Catholics will be sending daily messages referring to Lent to the cellular phones of those who have previously inscribed to receive them. The messages include daily readings from the Gospel which will help faithful to reflect over the meaning of Lent and encourage meditation, charity, penance and fasting. Messages will be transmitted over the forty days of Lent, and are available upon request, which can easily be done through a site in the Internet.

MARCH 10

Catholics in Egypt renewed after Pope John Paul II' pilgrimage

Rome, 10 (NE) Two weeks after Pope John Paul II's visit to their country, Egyptians of all walks of life draw positive conclusions. Observers, political leaders, the Catholic community, local press and the man and woman in the street all agree that the Papal visit was a success. With these words, Fides Vatican agency stressed the importance of the Holy Father's last pilgrimage, highlighting the great impact that the Pope's trip has had for the Catholic community in Egypt.

As Fides reported, local press gave space to every event and speech, highlighting the marked spiritual impact of this first-ever visit of a Bishop of Rome to Egypt. Local authorities made every effort to give the best possible image of relations between the state, essentially Muslim, and the Catholic Church. Egyptian political leaders were enthusiastic with the outcome of encounters between political leaders and Pope John Paul II and his delegation.

"For the local Catholic Church, the Pope's visit made it better known in Egypt and in the world, local religious and lay Catholics say. It filled with pride this double minority Church, because it allowed the largest public gathering for prayer in the country's history, with almost 25,000 people in Cairo stadium, where even a great crucifix had been erected," Fides last weekly bulleting highlighted. "All the ceremonies were broadcast and followed by hundreds of thousands of spectators."

The Holy Father's pilgrimage has left for Catholics in Egypt many moments of intense and particular spirituality which "will give new impulse to everyone both at the level of faith and of commitment at the service of the Church and the nation", a leader of a youth movement said. The visit has also evidenced -a Catholic Bishop pointed out- "the diversity and multiplicity of the Catholic Church in Egypt, a micro-cosmos of the world and a proof that this is a richness…an event like this confirms the authentic Egyptian identity of Catholics, as well as their attachment to the Universal Church."

Italian Bishops encourage use of the Internet for evangelization

Rome, 10 (NE) The Italian Bishops' Conference emphasized yesterday the many opportunities that the Internet offers for Evangelization. "I don't know if Jesus had the Internet in mind when he told his doubting disciples to throw out their nets. But what is clear is that today, like then, it's all about not betraying his word, which invites us to go to men wherever they may be. There's no doubt that today many of them are on the electronic net," said a spokesman to the Bishop's Conference, during a meeting being held this week in Assisi. The event, which began yesterday, will discuss how to proclaim the Gospel in the world of mass media, specially in what has become to known as "cyberspace." Priests, religious and lay persons involved in the world of information technology are attending the event, organized by the Office of Communications and the Information Service of the Italian Bishop's Conference. Under the theme "Pastoral and new technologies," the congress aims to encourage an adequate reflection on the theme to foster a correct use and development of new technologies in Catholic's everyday life, and specially, in parishes and dioceses across Italy.

Cardinal Araujo highlights heroism of Brazilian martyrs

Rio de Janeiro, 10 (NE) Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, emphasized to Brazilian Catholics the great importance of having 30 martyrs raised to the altars by Pope John Paul II last Sunday. Those martyrs, "victims of the hatred to God and His Church," the Cardinal pointed out, "will be, together with Christ, efficacious factors in favor of the growth of Christian faith and adhesion to His Church in our country."

In a recent statement on occasion of the beatification of the martyrs, the Brazilian Archbishop explained the meaning of martyrdom. "It supposes a gift of oneself to a personal God, and not only to an ideal, however noble this ideal may be", the Cardinal stressed. "Martyrdom is more than any heroism: it is conscious love before all… The martyr is he who goes against the praised values of this world: power, pleasure, money, prestige… and who killed for love to Christ assumes all His options."

"The beatification of those sacrificed by the hatred to Catholic faith in Cunhau and Oruaçu, Rio Grande del Norte, in the Archdiocese of Natal, is admirably inserted in the great calvary of the Church. Blood and death, but always resurrection and fertile life," wrote the Archbishop. Cardinal Araujo stated as well that martyrdom "speaks to us of fidelity to the Church and courage to face an adverse situation." Calling Brazilians to be faithful to historical truth, the Archbishop concluded saying that "truth must be restored, even though it irritates some people. The world ignores the reason why they gave their life and suffered martyrdom."

"Reconciliation week" to encourage conversion among US faithful

Peoria, 10 (NE) The Diocese of Peoria, IL., informed through its official weekly newspaper "The Catholic Post" that a "Reconciliation weekend" will take place at the end of this month, aiming to encourage practicing and non-practicing Catholics to experience God's mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation, specially in the framework of the Lenten season. Highlighting the weekend will be regional penance services on Friday evening, March 31, at the 14 designated Jubilee 2000 pilgrimage churches in the diocese. Opportunities for individual confession will follow each service. The following day, all parishes in the diocese will offer extended Saturday confession times. In addition, the diocese is establishing a toll-free "hot line" for persons with questions about the sacrament or about the Catholic faith in general to voice their concerns. Similar evangelization efforts have taken place as well in Philadelphia and St. Louis last year, encouraging reconciliation and conversion among faithful. In Philadelphia, an estimated 100,000 people received the sacrament of reconciliation during one weekend last March.

Costa Rica: Marian radio station celebrates first anniversary

San Jose, 10 (NE) "Radio Maria de Guadalupe", one of the most popular radio stations in Costa Rica, celebrated its first anniversary with a participated Eucharist celebrated in the Metropolitan Park "La Sabana" of San Jose. The event, dedicated to give thanks to God for His blessings over the Catholic radio station, was celebrated in the spirit of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 and began early in the morning with the prayer of the Rosary. After different activities and moments of prayer and reflection, the celebration of the Eucharist took place, presided over by Archbishop Roman Arrieta of San Jose. Faithful from different countries of the American continent attended the Mass, which gathered thousands of people. During the homily, the Archbishop emphasized the trust that Costa Ricans have in the Catholic Church, and invited faithful to be firm in their adhesion and love to the Church. Father Jesus Minor Calvo, founder and director of the Catholic radio station, was also present during the celebration. He emphasized the work of Radio Maria in the service of Catholics in Costa Rica.

MARCH 9

Pope presides traditional Ash Wednesday service in Santa Sabina Basilica

Rome, 9 (NE) Continuing an ancient tradition, Pope John Paul II presided yesterday evening an Ash Wednesday service in Santa Sabina Basilica on the Aventine, one of ancient Rome's seven hills. The ceremony began with a procession from St. Anselm Church heading to Santa Sabina Basilica, where the Pope joined participants and presided the liturgy of the word. The Pope himself imposed the ashes on the foreheads of several cardinals, priests, monks, nuns and lay people kneeling before him during the traditional ceremony. Cardinal Josef Tomko, Prefect of the Congregation for the evangelization of peoples, presided then the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

"'Convert and believe in the Gospel'. This invitation, which we find at the beginning of the Lords preaching, introduces us in the time of Lent, a time to dedicate ourselves specially to conversion and renewal, to prayer, fasting and charity", the Pope said during his homily. The Holy Father also raised his prayers so that "the Lord may help us to open our hearts to the gift of His grace, so that we may participate with new maturity in the paschal mystery of Christ, our only redeemer."

Following a tradition dating back to the Church's first centuries, churches considered as Roman stations or "churches of station" are those in which the Pope presided ceremonies on very special occasions. The liturgy used to start with a procession heading to the church, a tradition which over the centuries came to be specially associated with the time of Lent.

Holy Father stresses need of reconciliation during Lent

Vatican City, 9 (NE) Wednesday's traditional general audience took yesterday the form of a penitential liturgy. Starting the time of Lent with Ash Wednesday, the Pope imposed the ashes to several faithful during the audience. Moments after, during his catechesis to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled that Lent expresses the summit of conversion and reconciliation proposed by the Jubilee Year."

"In receiving ashes on our heads, we are today reminded that we are dust and to dust we will return." During this rite, he said, "an invitation resounds for believers not to let themselves be tied by material reality which, however significant it may be, is destined to perish. Rather, they must allow themselves to be transformed by the grace of conversion and penance in order to reach the challenging and peaceful heights of supernatural life."

"The imposition of ashes -the Pope continued- is accompanied by the traditional practice of abstinence and fasting. These are not mere external observances, ritual fulfillments of duty, but eloquent signs of a necessary change of life. ... Through fasting and penance, the believer is asked to renounce legitimate material goods and satisfactions in order to acquire greater interior liberty."

Pope John Paul II asked of God "that, in this Jubilee Lenten season, all Christians may deeply feel the obligation to seek reconciliation with God, with themselves and with their fellow man. This is the path that must be followed to achieve the longed for full communion between all Christ's disciples."

Catholic Church encourages relief campaign in Mozambique

Rome, 9 (NE) The Catholic Church is currently encouraging an important relief campaign to help spiritually and materially people affected by recent floods in Mozambique. Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," started today a visit to this country, to give assurance of Pope John Paul II's "spiritual closeness" to the people affected by the floods. During his trip, the Archbishop will meet members of foreign aid organizations who collaborate with Mozambique Caritas and also visit the areas affected by the disaster.

Caritas Italy has begun as well an intense relief campaign. As from March 1, a mission of Caritas Italy is working in Mozambique, collaborating with the local Caritas organization to provide assistance to those most in need. Expressing as well their closeness to people affected by the flood, Caritas Italy has already offered an important sum of money, and assured their help during the reconstruction of the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Fides agency reported this week that the Papal Nuncio in Mozambique, Archbishop Juliusz Janusz, assured that "the people of Mozambique are immensely grateful to Pope John Paul II. His constant appeals for help in their name and now this concrete aid are a great source of comfort and encouragement". This week, Fides also reported, the Mozambican Bishops issued a statement in which they publicly thanked the Pope for his constant attention and repeated appeals to the international community to send help.

Turin: Scientists conclude congress on Holy Shroud

Vatican City, 9 (NE) The international scientific congress dedicated to the study of the shroud that according to tradition and solid scientific studies covered the Lord Jesus after His crucifixion and death finished this week in Turin, Italy. The meeting, organized by the Diocesan Commission for the Exposition of the Holy Shroud, gathered approximately fifty scientists of different specialties and nationalities to compare the different discoveries that science has made in the last years to increase the knowledge of the shroud. Part of the effort of the scientists was also centered on the search for "non-invasive" methods of investigation that will not damage the fabric of the shroud. Specialists attending the congress also had the opportunity to debate on the history of the Holy Shroud and its journey from Palestine to Turin in these 20 centuries. With more time and research, considering new elements that question the objectivity of the test, the Carbon 14 test applied to the fabric in 1988 was once again discussed. Several scientists compared the Carbon 14 dating with recent discoveries and concluded that evidence supports that such test was far from being definitive.

Church in Argentina offers help to new government

Buenos Aires, 9 (NE) Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference, met Argentinean president Fernando de la Rua on Tuesday. During the meeting, Archbishop Karlic highlighted the will of the Church in Argentina to collaborate in the efforts to solve the crisis and encourage the "general consents in favor of the common good."

Archbishop Karlic declared after the meeting that the Church "wants to accompany" the efforts to better the national situation. "The correct attitude is to accompany that which has been the election of the people," he stated, and added that in his opinion "we should all do that, in an encounter of persons that want to construct a nation."

The Archbishop also urged the Argentinean people to have patience as they face the country's difficulties. "We must be conscious," he added, "that social changes always require time: they are cultural changes that also demand examples and much firmness of conduction, but not violence."

Among other themes, the President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference commented that he had talked with President de la Rua about the need of a special effort to help the poor, stating nevertheless that these actions "must not only come from the Government, but from all society."

Spanish Bishops condemn terrorist activities and call for peace

Madrid, 9 (NE) The Spanish Bishop's Conference (CEE) made an urgent call to peace and ceasing of terrorist activities after the attack perpetrated this week by ETA terrorist group in San Sebastian. This action, states the official statement of the CEE, adds up to similar attacks occurred in the last weeks. The Bishop's Conference "condemns and deplores this terrorist action and any other that has as an aim the aggression of other people's lives or the freedom and peace of our people." "As the Bishops have stated many times before," the statement continues, "terrorism in none of it manifestations is a way to satisfy demands, whatever they may be. Fortunately, they can be defended in our democratic society through pacific ways. The citizens of the Basque Country and of all Spain have the right to peace and to a ceasing of terrorist violence." The statement ends with a prayer for "peace for our people and the conversion of heart of those who have so little esteem for the life and the dignity of the human person."

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