A daily news service

September 9

National Eucharistic Congress begins in Argentina

Buenos Aires, 9 (NE) The Catholic Church in Argentina began yesterday her National Eucharistic Congress, the most important Jubilee activity during the Holy Year. The three-day Congress, taking place in the city of Cordoba, has gathered faithful from all over the country. Cardinal Rosalio Castillo Lara, Papal envoy for the celebration, presided the opening Mass.

Also present were Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference, and Archbishop Carlos Nanez of Cordoba, together with several members of the Bishop's Conference. During the opening ceremony, the Papal envoy transmitted the Holy Father's greeting to the Argentinean people.

"This event must be a profession of faith in Jesus, a commitment with Him", said Archbishop Nanez, during a press conference held hours before the opening Mass. "In Jesus Christ and with Him a different Argentina is possible, more humane, more united, more fraternal", the Prelate emphasized.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Castillo Lara expressed his joy for the celebration, saying that the National Eucharistic Congress must be "an expression of love to Jesus in the Sacrament, a public manifestation that includes and commits all the inhabitants of the country."

Madrid could host World Youth Meeting on year 2004, states Archbishop

Madrid, 9 (NE) "Most of, not to say the totality of the young people that were in Rome, where driven by a need of God and an extraordinarily alive longing, that had as final aim faith in Christ," said Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, recalling the recent World Youth Meeting held in Rome last August. In declarations to the weekly magazine "Alfa y Omega", the Spanish Cardinal remembered the experience of renovation in faith for many young people that the participation in the Jubilee event meant. This event gathered hundreds of thousands of young people from the whole world around the Pope.

"For some it was an experience of renewed 'yes' to Christ, of a reestablished 'yes' after a long time of doubts, or crisis. For others, it was the "yes" of consolidation of their Christian vocation, of the common or the specific vocations. In the homily for the final Mass of the Meeting, the Pope, quoting the texts of the Liturgy of the Word, made an explicit calling to renew the 'yes' to the Christian vocation, the vocation to priesthood, to consecrated life and matrimony," emphasized the Archbishop.

Cardinal Rouco also stressed the responsibility that the searching desire of so many young people implies. "What it is demanded from us is explicitly said here, what it is asked from us," he said, stating that "it is a fundamental commitment, specially for the Church, a commitment of service to help in the formative and educative responsibilities of the new generations, so that this encounter of the youth with Christ, becomes more extended."

The Archbishop of Madrid also informed the possibility of holding the World Youth Meeting of 2004 in the Spanish capital. "The Holy Father knows the proposal, those responsible at the Pontifical Council for the Laity also. This will be analyzed in the following months. It is not impossible for it to take place," he said.

Cardinal Biffi emphasizes relation between faith and reason

Rome, 9 (NE) "True Christians are far from thinking that for a new 'launch' of faith a despise of reason is necessary or at least useful," recently recalled Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, Archbishop of Bologna, in a preparatory congress for the Jubilee of the University Faculty that will take place in Rome. The theme of the congress held in Bologna was: "Science and knowledge: towards which rationality?"

In his lecture, Cardinal Biffi insisted on the point that "in Christian faith and therefore in Catholic theology there cannot be lack of esteem or suspicion of the man who thinks with his own mind, who holds to the laws of logic, who respects the methodology of each particular discipline… No truth, therefore, that is truly such, can be stated as being incompatible with the patrimony of Revelation," he concluded.

Cardinal Biffi also denounced the lamentable "species of metaphysical arrogance," present in numerous scholars, who suppose that "a truth different from that obtained by the sole forces of reason doesn't exist, is impossible, or those that deny 'a priori' the possibility of divine Revelation."

Paraguay: Jubilee of Youth calls to peace in the country

Asuncion, 9 (NE) The Jubilee of Youth, to be held in two weeks in the Archdiocese of Asuncion, Paraguay, "will be a call to establish the culture of peace in our country", said members of the Archdiocesan Youth Movement, during the presentation of the event. The Jubilee of Youth expects to gather young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Asuncion to reflect on the mission of youth in the Church. It will begin on Sunday September 24, in the Metropolitan Seminary. Activities include conferences, group discussions and a pilgrimage to the Cathedral, where Archbishop Felipe Santiago Benitez will preside the closing Mass. Event organizers informed that youth from all ages could participate in the event, since "the commitment to establish a culture of peace is a commitment of every one".

September 8

Pope highlights Marian devotion of Pope Pius VII

Vatican City, 8 (NE) Commemorating the bicentenary of Pope Pius VII's election to the See of Peter, Pope John Paul II sent a message to Dom Isidoro Catanesi and Dom Innocenzo Negrato, respectively president of the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Cassino, Italy, and visitor to the Benedictine Congregation's Italian province of Subiaco. In his message, the Pope recalled his predecessor, who "displayed constancy in defending the Church and tenacious courage in enduring affronts and suffering," highlighting as well his devotion to the Mother of God.

It was Pope Pius VII who on September 18, 1814 chose to extend the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Sorrows to the whole Church "in recollection of the suffering inflicted on the Church during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic domination". Similarly, "in order to perpetuate the memory of his triumphant return to Rome of May 24, 1814", Pope Pius VII "decreed that every year the diocese of Rome would celebrate, on May 24, the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians."

Pope John Paul II requested that following Pius VII's example, "the people of our time might draw precious guidance in order to face the challenges of the modern age with similar missionary ardor. Today, as in his time, we must know how to bear life's difficulties while remaining steadfast in listening to and obeying the Gospel."

Pope Pius VII, Luigi Barnaba Chiaramonte, was born in 1742, the youngest of six children. 14 years later he became a Benedictine monk, and was ordained a priest in 1765, a Bishop in 1782 and elected Pope in 1800. In 1809 he was arrested and imprisoned in France and later in Savona, Italy. In 1814 he was freed and a year later forced into exile in Genoa following the invasion of Rome and the Papal States. He would return afterwards to Rome and continue his Pontificate until his death, in 1823.

Cardinal Rivera calls to live Charity toward the poor

Mexico City, 8 (NE) Besides a strong call to the civil authorities to assume their responsibility in the face of the preoccupying growth of poverty in the country, Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, reflected on the authentic role of the Church before the poor and the relation between the Church's social action and the institutions of the State.

"Many of our brothers are not in a poverty state, but rather in misery or in an extreme poverty," said Cardinal Rivera, stressing that in spite of the favorable macroeconomic numbers, "the impoverishment continues even when the conditions of a growth in the economy are real".

The Mexican Cardinal also exhorted people to manifest love for the poor through concrete works and acts, but clarified that "the service of the Catholic Church is not to be perceived as a substitution of the government's action." Nor people "should think that the Church doesn't recognize the autonomy and independence of the organizations of civil society that have arisen many times from Christian inspiration and that look for the construction of fairer social structures", he emphasized.

Panama begins celebrations for National Eucharistic Congress

Panama, 8 (NE) With deep devotion and spirit of prayer, the Church in Panama began this week her National Eucharistic Congress. The Congress will end on Saturday. This important Church meeting was opened by Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeño of Panama and Archbishop Carlos Amigo Vallejo of Seville (Spain). The Congress' title is: "Jesus Christ, Bread of Life, Way and Hope of Panama."

As Archbishop Dimas Cedeño stated, the aim of Eucharistic Congress is to help the Christian people to know Jesus Christ better, to "love Him and follow Him, so that He gives the Panamanian people hope and helps it become the leaven of peace in this society, apart from bringing it justice and work."

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Seville emphasized the importance of the event, "because this Congress will deepen into the fundamental values of Panamanian people's faith, with profound projects, but with a dimension of future for people who want to go out of the churches to look for people and talk to them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

One of the most important moments of the Eucharistic Congress will be celebrated on Saturday, when "Santa Maria La Antigua" will be proclaimed Patroness of Panama. "This represents for Panama the people's love to the Virgin and her protection," stated the Archbishop of Panama.

Jubilee week of Education to take place in Argentina

Buenos Aires, 8 (NE) "The Jubilee week of Education will be a special moment to reflect, grow in communion and renew our hearts so that the mission Jesus Christ entrusted to us becomes purer and stronger in every child and family", said Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires (Argentina), in his invitation to teachers to participate in the Jubilee Week of Education, to be held in this archdiocese on September 11 to 17.

Throughout the week, different activities such as conferences and interdisciplinary activities in schools will take place, as well as activities of reflection for pastoral agents involved in education. An important part of the Jubilee Week will be the First Archdiocesan Education Congress, to take place from September 13 to 15 in the National Library.

"I am sure", said Archbishop Bergoglio, "that through our participation in the different acts and events we will be able to illuminate the vocation to teaching with the light of faith in Christ, who taught us with his words and actions the value of inner life and fraternal love".

September 7

Holy Father stresses need of conversion "of heart and mind"

Vatican City, 7 (NE) "The Christian, disciple of Christ", was the theme of Pope John Paul II' catechesis yesterday, held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 40.000 pilgrims from different parts of the world. "The meeting with Christ," the Pope said, "radically changes people's lives, encouraging them to 'metanoia,' or profound conversion of heart and mind; it also establishes a communion of life that develops into following Christ."

During his catechesis, the Pope stated several "conditions" to follow the Lord, which appear in the Gospel and "are few but fundamental". "The way indicated by Christ is narrow, it calls for sacrifice and the total giving of self. ... It is a way that knows the thorns of tribulations and persecution. ... It is a way that creates missionaries and witnesses of Christ's word". "To follow Christ is not, then, an easy journey along a level road. It also involves moments of discomfort to the point that, on one occasion, 'many of His disciples drew back and no longer went about with Him'."

The Pope highlighted that "the final destination of those who follow Christ is glory. The path is that of 'imitating Christ,' who lived in love and died on the Cross for love. The disciple 'must, so to speak, enter into Him with all his own self, he must appropriate and assimilate the whole of the reality of the Incarnation and Redemption in order to find himself.' Christ must enter into the disciple's self to liberate it from selfishness and pride." "The cross, sign of love and total donation, is, then, the emblem of the disciple called to associate himself with the glorious Christ."

Congress on Anthropology in Rome as part of Jubilee of the University

Rome, 7 (NE) The International Congress on Theological and philosophical anthropology, taking place in Rome in the frame of the Jubilee of the University, begun yesterday in the Pontifical Lateran University. The event to be held this week in different Pontifical universities in Rome is taking place with the theme "Man: image, path, destiny". Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Genoa, and Msgr. Angelo Scola, Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, addressed teachers and students gathered in Rome for the Jubilee during yesterday's opening session. During the presentation of the congress, Msgr. Scola stressed the need to reflect about humanity and its nature. "There is a crucial question in the heart of man, expressing the nature of anthropology and at the same time being its base", he said, highlighting that "no one who wants to be conscious of himself can cease to answer the question 'Who am I to God'". Cardinal Tettamanzi gave the opening conference on the theme: "Man and the mystery of time. At the beginning of a new millennium of Redemption".

Pro-Life coordinators celebrate annual meeting in Peoria

Peoria, 7 (NE) The guidelines issued by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) on embryo research were among several current issues discussed by about 100 parish pro-life coordinators at their annual meeting last week at St. Martin de Porres Parish, Peoria. During the event, keynote speaker Loretta Fleming, assistant director of field coordination for the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA), stressed the illegality of these guidelines, recalling that since 1996 Congress has forbidden federal funding of any research in which human embryos are harmed or destroyed. The NIH specified that only "excess" frozen embryos created in fertility treatments and later donated for research purposes should be used, which is "their sneaky way of getting around" the law, Fleming said. During the address, Fleming urged education on pro-life issues, encouraging a legal reform to defend human life.

Chicago faithful walk for peace in neighborhoods

Chicago, 7 (NE) As an answer to the violent situation found nowadays in American society, Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, joined this week in a symbolic walk through West Humboldt Park to support "Covenant for Peace in Action" and "CeaseFire," two clergy-supported programs to stop the shooting in Chicago neighborhoods. The walk was a response to a neighborhood shooting that took place a few days ago and the increasing violence in the city. West Humboldt Park is one of seven Chicago neighborhoods participating in CeaseFire, based on a successful Boston initiative to reduce teen shootings. The Covenant for Peace in Action, initiated in September 1999, now includes more than 125 members of the clergy actively working to stop the shooting in Chicago neighborhoods.

September 6

Pope recalls witness of charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Vatican City, 6 (NE) Commemorating the third anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II received yesterday 7,000 Missionaries of Charity, parents and children of adoptive families and friends and collaborators of Mother Teresa's work, who are in Rome celebrating the Jubilee. In recalling this "singular daughter of the Church, who spent herself entirely for charity," the Pope stressed that Mother Teresa "was filled with Christ and thus looked at everyone with the eyes and heart of Christ... She never tired of 'adopting' her poor as children. Her love was concrete, diligent; it pushed her to go where few had the courage to go, where misery was so great that it filled people with fear." During his address, the Holy Father, highlighting Mother Teresa's "spiritual maternity," spoke of her movement for adoptions, adding that "adopting a child is a great work of love." In closing, Pope John Paul said that "Mother Teresa echoed, in a certain sense, Christ's words, 'Allow the children to come unto me,' when she told mothers who were tempted by abortion: 'Bring your children to me'."

World religions are not complementary to Revelation, says Cardinal Ratzinger

Vatican City, 6 (NE) The document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "Declaration 'Dominus Iesus' on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church," was presented yesterday morning by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., Msgr. Fernando Ocariz and Fr. Angelo Amato S.D.B., respectively Prefect, Secretary and Consultors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

During his intervention, Cardinal Ratzinger stated that in today's world the "erroneous idea is introduced that the world's religions are complementary to Christian revelation." Similarly, he warned about relativism, which "leads to the further marginalization of those who are determined to defend Christian identity and its claim to spread the universal and salvific truth of the revelation of Jesus Christ." The "principle of tolerance and respect for liberty" he continued, "is manipulated and unduly exceeded when it extends to an appreciation of contents, almost as if all the contents of the various religions as well as of non-religious concepts of life, could be placed on the same level; and as if universal and objective truth no longer existed… This false idea of tolerance is connected with the loss and rejection of the problem of the truth that, indeed, is felt to be irrelevant or of secondary importance by many people today."

Cardinal Ratzinger then recalled John Paul II's teaching in the encyclical "'Redemptoris Missio:' What the Spirit brings about in human hearts and in the history of peoples, in cultures and religions, serves as a preparation for the Gospel." On this subject, he highlighted that "'preparation for the Gospel' must be considered not as what is to be found in religions but only 'what the Spirit brings about' therein. From this, a most important consequence arises: the path to salvation is the good present in religions - as the work of Christ's Spirit - it is not the religions in themselves."

In his intervention, the Cardinal warned as well about the "ideology of dialogue", which "substitutes the mission and the urgency of the call to conversion", stating that "for relativism dialogue means placing at the same level one's own position or faith and the convictions of others, so that everything is reduced to an exchange of positions that are fundamentally the same and therefore relative between them, aiming for a maximum of collaboration and integration between the different religious concepts".

Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone then explained the nature of the document. The term "declaration" indicates that the document "does not teach new doctrines ... rather, it reaffirms and summarizes the doctrine of Catholic faith defined and taught in earlier documents on the Church's Magisterium; and it indicates the correct interpretation thereof in the face of doctrinal errors and ambiguities that have become widespread in modern theological and ecclesial circles." "Given that this is a doctrinal document of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith," the Archbishop continued, "expressly approved by the Supreme Pontiff, it has the status of universal Magisterium." The ratification formula that appears at the end of the document "is of exceptional and elevated authority: 'certa scienta et apostolica Sua auctoritate.' This reflects the importance and essentiality of the doctrine presented in the declaration: What it contains are truths of divine and Catholic faith or truths of Catholic doctrine that must be firmly held. ... Consequently, the assent required from the faithful is definitive and irrevocable."

Declaration on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church made public

Vatican City, 6 (NE) The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's "Declaration 'Dominus Iesus' on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church" was made public yesterday in the Holy See Press Office. The 36-page document was published in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish and Latin. The Declaration is structured in six sections, which summarize the essential elements of the doctrine of the Catholic faith on the meaning and salvific value of the other religions. The document, ordered by Pope John Paul II on June 16 to be published, denounces that "the perennial missionary proclamation of the Church is today endangered by relativist theories, which try to justify religious pluralism".

"In the lively contemporary debate on the relationship between Christianity and the other religions, some Catholic theologians have argued that all religions may be equally valid ways of salvation." "Such theories are based on philosophical and theological presuppositions which have become quite common." The Declaration highlights some of these; for example, the conviction of the total elusiveness and inexpressibility of divine truth, even by Christian revelation; relativistic attitudes toward truth itself, which would hold that what is true for some would not be true for others; the radical opposition posited between the logical mentality of the West and the symbolic mentality of the East; the subjectivism which regards reason as the only source of knowledge; the metaphysical emptying of the mystery of the incarnation; the eclecticism of those who, in theological research, uncritically absorb ideas from a variety of philosophical and religious contexts without regard for consistency, systematic connection, or compatibility with Christian truth; finally, the tendency to read and to interpret Sacred Scripture outside the Tradition and Magisterium of the Church."

Given, the rapid spread of the relativistic and pluralistic mentality, "the Declaration reiterates the teaching of the Catholic faith regarding the full and complete revelation of the salvific mystery of God in Jesus Christ". The Declaration also states that the distinction must be firmly held between 'theological faith, which is adherence to the truth revealed by the One and Triune God, and 'belief' in the other religions, which is religious experience still in search of the absolute truth and still lacking assent to God who reveals himself." The Declaration also reasserts the unicity of the of the salvific economy of the one incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father. "Jesus is the mediator and the universal redeemer. Thus, the theory of a salvific economy of the Holy Spirit with a more universal character than that of the incarnate Word, crucified and risen, is erroneous. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the risen Christ, and his action cannot be placed outside or alongside that of Christ."

"The Lord Jesus continues His presence and His work of salvation in the Church and by means of the Church, which is His body", the Declarations continues. Therefore, "the unicity of the Church founded by Him must be firmly believed as a truth of Catholic faith. The Catholic faithful are required to profess that there is an historical continuity between the Church founded by Christ and the Catholic Church."

"Above all, it must be firmly believed that 'the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; He is present to us in His body which is the Church.' This doctrine must not be set against the universal salvific will of God; rather, 'it is necessary to keep these two truths together, namely, the real possibility of salvation in Christ for all mankind and the necessity of the Church for this salvation.' For those who are not formally members of the Church, 'salvation in Christ is accessible by virtue of a grace which, while having a mysterious relationship to the Church, does not make them formally part of the Church, but enlightens them in a way which is accommodated to their spiritual and material situation. This grace comes from Christ; it is the result of His sacrifice and is communicated by the Holy Spirit'."

In closing, the document recalls that "in treating the question of the true religion, the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught: 'We believe that this one true religion continues to exist in the Catholic and Apostolic Church, to which the Lord Jesus entrusted the task of spreading it among all people. Thus, He said to the Apostles: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you'."

Mexican city declared "Cathedral of life"

Mexico City, 6 (NE) Answering the numerous claims of Mexican citizens, Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral, has declared the city of Mexicali, in Baja California, as the "Cathedral of Life" for its strong opposition to abortion. A paradigmatic case of the strength with which this city defends life is one of a raped teenager, who precisely this week turned 15 years old. Instead of aborting the new life in her womb, the young lady was encouraged by the state government to value the life of the unborn child, avoiding the death of the fetus. Archbishop Lozano also urged faithful in Mexicali to "be always defenders of the culture of life, with the confidence that it will never be defeated by the culture of death". He assured that when he arrives back in Rome he will set a document to formalize the declaration of Mexicali as "Cathedral of Life".

September 5

Pope highlights witness of holiness of new Blessed

Vatican City, 5 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday in St. Peter's Square pilgrims who had participated in the beatification ceremony held on Sunday. During the meeting, held after a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, State Secretary, in memory of the 5 new Blessed, the Pope stressed that "the Jubilee Year invites us all to a pilgrimage towards Christ".

After greeting the pilgrims, the Pope referred first to Pope Pius IX, recalling that the "spirit of poverty, faith in God and abandoning himself to Providence, together with a marked sense of humor, helped him to overcome even the most difficult moments". Although not always well understood, the Pope stressed that for Pius IX "God was the guide to his decisions in life and in the Church's government", recalling finally that he was the Pontiff who defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

"Pope John XXIII," he then continued, "united Christian virtue with a profound knowledge of humanity in its lights and shadows." "He remained undisturbed in the face of tribulation, and knew how to look on the vicissitudes of life with optimism." "May the example of Pope John -he said- give you the courage to always trust the Lord, who guides His children through the roads of history".

Speaking of Bishop Tommaso Reggio, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha, the Pope highlighted his "profound communion with God" and the ideal of sanctity he proposed "to all categories of faithful: lay people, priests and consecrated persons, especially to sisters." "The personality and activity of the new Blessed Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade," he then said, referring to the priest and founder of the Society of Mary, "who always sought to do God's work, calls all faithful to serious catechistic formation in order to develop and consolidate religious life and enter more profoundly into the meeting with Christ."

The Holy Father concluded expressing the hope that Blessed Columba Marmion, Benedictine abbot, "may help us all to live the Christian life ever more intensely and to have an ever deeper understanding of our membership in the Church, the mystical Body of Christ."

Cardinal Vargas Alzamora called to the Father's presence

Lima, 5 (NE) Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, Archbishop Emeritus of Lima, died early in the morning yesterday, after being several months in coma after suffering a stroke. Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani, current Archbishop of Lima, confirmed that the mortal remains of the 77 year-old Cardinal will be brought today to the Cathedral, where he will be buried under the main altar tomorrow afternoon.

Cardinal Vargas Alzamora was born in Lima on November 9, 1922 and studied at the Jesuit School of La Inmaculada. At 17, on March 1940, he entered the Society of Jesus, and was ordained a priest on July 15, 1955. He was named spiritual director and afterwards rector of the Jesuit school in Lima, post he held until 1969. Pope Paul VI named him Titular Bishop of Cissi and Apostolic Vicar of Jaen, a missionary area in the northern Peruvian jungle, on June 1978.

On December 1989, Pope John Paul II named him Archbishop of Lima, succeeding Cardinal Juan Landazuri Ricketts. He was created Cardinal at the Consistory of November 26, 1994. That same year he was elected President of the Peruvian Bishop's Conference. Cardinal Vargas Alzamora served the Church in Peru as Archbishop of Lima until January 1999, when he was succeeded by Archbishop Cipriani after reaching the age limit set by Canon Law.

Exposition of Catholic Books begins in Argentinean capital

Buenos Aires, 5 (NE) Hundreds of volumes from more than 20 different publishing houses are on exhibit as from yesterday at the XIIth Exposition of the Catholic Book, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event was inaugurated yesterday by Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata and will be held with the theme "Open the doors to Christ, Redeemer of man". Together with the exposition, during the event several conferences and concerts will take place. Also, as it was informed, the prizes corresponding to the VIth National Catholic Literature Award "Cardinal Antonio Quarracino" will be given. The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, will preside the closing Mass of the XIIth Exposition of the Catholic Book on September 17.

Fides confirms arrest of Chinese Bishop

Rome, 5 (NE) Fides agency reported yesterday that a Bishop of the "underground" Catholic Church in China has been arrested and is still missing. According to Fides, Auxiliary Bishop Jiang Ming Yuan of Zhao Xian in Hebei province was arrested on August 26. Eyewitnesses confirmed his arrest to the news agency. The Prelate had been recently consecrated Bishop on August 8, despite opposition from the government which forces Christians to attend only state-controlled associations. The "underground" Catholic Church has endured much persecution due to its faithfulness to the Pope in Rome. "The kidnapping of Bishop Jiang", reports Fides, "is another chapter in the campaign launched by the Chinese government in the last six years to completely eliminate the underground Church", not sanctioned by the government and in communion with the Bishop of Rome. The disappearance of the Bishop adds to the recent arrest of 24 Catholic faithful, among them one priest, one seminarian and several nuns.

September 4

Catholics receive with great joy five new Blessed

Vatican City, 4 (NE) Faithful from all over the Church received yesterday with great joy the 5 new Blessed proclaimed by Pope John Paul II during a solemn ceremony held in St. Peter's Square. "During this Holy Year, and with profound joy", the Pope said durig the celebration, "I proceed to the beatification of two Pontiffs, Pius IX and John XXIII, and of three other servers of the Gospel in the ministry and in consecrated life: the Archbishop of Genoa, Tommaso Reggio; the diocesan priest Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade; and the benedictine monk Columbia Marmion".

Faithful completely filled St. Peter's Square, filling as well part of the Via della Conciliazione. Many of them also fulfilled the aim of a long pilgrimage. During his homily, the Holy Father stressed that the five new Blessed have "five different characters, each one with particular features and mission, all united in their longing for holiness. It is their holiness that we recognize today, holiness that is a deep and transforming relationship with God, constructed and experienced in the daily effort of adhesion to His will."

The Pope then spoke briefly about each one of the five new blessed. Pius IX, the Holy Father emphasized, "was an example of unconditional adhesion to the immutable deposit of revealed Truth, amid the difficult events of His time." "Of Pope John XXIII we have the memory of a smiling face and two arms wide open, embracing all Earth", the Holy Father said as well during his homily.

"To the new Blessed Pius IX, John XXIII, Tommaso Reggio, Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade and Columba Marmion", the Pope said in closing, "may we ask with faith that they help us to live increasingly in conformity with the Spirit of Christ." "Their Love to God and their brethren be light for our path at the beginning of the Third Millennia", the Pope finally stressed.

"A generic and confused religiosity is not enough", stresses Italian Cardinal

Rome, 4 (NE) Recently, during the Solemnity of the 'Madonna della Guardia', Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Genoa, exhorted people to be "pilgrims like Mary in their lives." During the Mass, celebrated in the Shrine of the 'Madonna della Guardia', Cardinal Tettamanzi observed that nowadays "we find ourselves in a historic, social and cultural situation in which people live as if God didn't exist."

He pointed out, as well, that young people often "experiment the emptiness of values and ideals leading to unbearable situations of violence, senselessness and true desperation, even when it all comes covered by the limitless and massive search for noise, pleasure or transgression." In relation to this, Cardinal Tettamanzi pointed out that "a generic and confused religiosity isn't enough: a live experience of personal encounter and communion with God in Jesus Christ is necessary."

In the vigil of the celebration, in closing the pilgrimage that took place in the summits of the Figogna Mountain, Cardinal Tettamanzi took advantage of the occasion to recall "the great and spectacular pilgrimage of the World Youth Meeting", making an invitation to "live the brave faith of the great martyrs and also the faith of the martyrs of daily existence, lived according to the logic of the Gospel."

Nicaragua: Cardinal Obando calls politicians to eliminate abortion

Managua, 4 (NE) Nicaragua has experienced a historical meeting in favor of life last week, when on Thursday thousands of people went to the streets to march against the legalization of therapeutic abortion. One of the central moments of the activity was when Cardinal Obando Bravo, Archbishop of Managua, handed a petition directed to the legislators asking that they eliminate the juridical framework for therapeutic abortion.

Cardinal Obando also directed a speech to the people present in front of the installations of the National Assembly, denouncing the atrocious crime that abortion signifies. He also exhorted the candidates for mayor in the whole country, political leaders and the institutions that take care of human rights, to pronounce whether they are in favor of life or death. "-A people that kills its children with the support of sinful laws, threatens its future and the basis of coexistence, justice and freedom," -he further emphasized.

The President of Nicaragua, Arnoldo Aleman, who also took part in the march, affirmed that "the ones who pronounce themselves in favor of abortion are obsolete and maladapted. They think that death reigns in this world when on the contrary the situation is different; love must win." The President was accompanied by his wife, who some days before had sent a message to the public institutions inviting the workers to take part in the march. "I made an invitation to all the members of the Government's cabinet, not as the First Lady, but as Maria Fernanda, a future mother, wife, Roman Apostolic Catholic," emphasized the Nicaraguan president's wife.

Archbishop Rigali urges St. Louis youth to commit with the Gospel

St. Louis, 4 (NE) "As this new school year begins I wish speak personally here with our young people", wrote recently Archbishop Justin Rigali of St. Louis, in the latest issue of the "St. Louis Review", calling young people to "know Jesus Christ still more intimately, and commit yourself to living the Gospel still more fully." In his message to young people, the Archbishop stressed the importance for youth to live intensely their faith. "It is my prayer, as well, that you will come to appreciate more keenly how important you are to the Church. She values your high ideals and selfless generosity! She needs your buoyant energy and resilient enthusiasm!".

The Archbishop of St. Louis renewed the invitation made by Pope John Paul II during the recent World Youth Day. "It is Jesus", he said quoting the Pope, "who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and fraternal".

"The Pope was speaking to each of you as well!", Archbishop Rigali further stressed, calling youth in the Archdiocese to "learn from Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to say 'yes' to God with confidence and trust-even when He seems to ask of you what is difficult. You will never be disappointed."

September 2

Pope John Paul II returned to the Vatican

Vatican City, 2 (NE) After staying several weeks at the Pontifical residence in Castelgandolfo, Pope John Paul II returned yesterday afternoon to the Vatican. This year the Pope's stay at Castelgandolfo had been briefer than normal, due to the numerous Jubilee events he has to preside, as he recalled during his address to the mayor and members of the town council as well as to the forces of law and order, to medical personnel and to religious of Castelgandolfo.

"Nonetheless, I feel that the fresh climate and relaxing atmosphere of the Roman hills have done me good and I trust that the salutary effects of this period will accompany me over the coming months", the Pope said, thanking the efforts of the different people who have accompanied him during his stay.

"This summer too, I have had the opportunity of experiencing the friendly hospitality that your town extends to me, to my helpers and to my visitors. In particular, I would like to thank you for what you did for the numerous young people who also came to Castelgandolfo for World Youth Day. I am certain that for you, just as for the entire ecclesial community, the great meeting of youth will remain ingrained in your memories as a sign of hope and as a potent stimulus to a courageous spiritual and moral renewal."

Eucharistic Congress in Lima congregates 90,000 young people

Lima, 2 (NE) A great multitude gathered on Thursday at the Eucharistic Campus in the city of Lima. They were more than 90,000 young people who with enthusiasm, joy and piety responded to their deep thirst for God and accepted the invitation to gather for the VIII National Eucharistic Congress to manifest publicly the centrality of Eucharist in Christian life.

From early in the afternoon delegations from schools, institutes, universities, Church movements, parish groups and different associations arrived to the Eucharistic Campus with their signs, banners and multicolored balloons. Little by little the great multitude gathered, amidst Christian music and chants. At 6 p.m. the crowd welcomed Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston and Papal Legate for the VIII National Eucharistic Congress. The impressive entrance procession was answered by an enthusiastic assembly that warmly greeted their parish priests, chaplains and pastors.

In his homily, Cardinal Law expressed to the youth his deep joy at seeing so many young people gathered looking for the Lord. He also reflected on the need to seek Christ and live with Him, to look for Him in His Church and His Sacraments and to cooperate so that He gives meaning to our whole life. Only Christ offers the answers to fundamental questions of our existence, especially present during youth, he then commented.

The initial joy and fraternity grew as the celebration progressed and concentrated on the real presence of Christ, especially during communion. After the Eucharist, the youth gave a warm farewell to the Papal Legate. They expressed their adhesion to the Catholic Church and asked him to express to the Pope the deep love that Peruvian youth have for him.

President leads historic Pro-life march in Nicaragua

Managua, 2 (NE) A historic pro-life event took place this week in Nicaragua as thousands marched from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Seat of Parliament to reject the legalization of therapeutic abortion in this country. The march, organized by the Archdiocese of Managua and the ProLife Association of Nicaragua, filled the city's streets with people and Pro-Life chants and banners. Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, Archbishop of Managua and Arnoldo Aleman, the nation's president, were present, leading this great testimony in favor of life. With the motto "Yes to life, no to abortion," the historic march also gathered numerous members of the government's administration, political leaders, Catholic movements and students. The vice-president of the Republic and the vice- mayor of Managua also took part. During the event, Cardinal Miguel Obando gave the members of Parliament a document requesting the elimination of therapeutic abortion.

Brazil to celebrate IXth National Congress of Family Pastoral

Sao Paulo, 2 (NE) With the theme "Missionary family, hope of the new millennium", the Archdiocese of Curitiba, Brazil, will host this Jubilee year the IXth National Congress of Family Pastoral. The event, to take place September 8 and 9, will gather leaders involved in pastoral with families at a diocesan and national level, as well as several delegations from movements and parishes. As the theme of the congress indicates, the event aims to reflect about the fundamental role of the family in the evangelization of society, since family is responsible for the correct formation of children and youth with Christian and human values, organizers stated. Among the objectives of the congress is as well the drafting of several guidelines for pastoral work with families, so that Brazilian families may become "missionary families".

September 1

Peru: thousands attend opening Mass of Eucharistic Congress

Lima, 1 (NE) Thousands of Peruvian Catholics gathered at the Peruvian capital to begin the 8th National Eucharistic Congress on Wednesday, Feast of St. Rose of Lima in Peru. Thousands of people, from different parts of Peru, went to the "Campo de Marte", where the event is being held, for the opening Mass presided over by Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston and Special Legate of Pope John Paul II for this event.

Little before Mass the image of St. Rose of Lima made its entrance, amidst the applause of the many participants. During his homily, Cardinal Law read the Pope's message to Peruvian faithful, recalling the example of St. Rose of Lima, the first canonized saint of the American continent.

"The Holy Father urges us to renew our faith in the presence of Christ in the sacrament of truth. Saint Rose is a model for all of us of a deep faith in the real presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar," he stated. "May this Eucharistic Congress make the Peruvian people's faith in the real presence of the risen Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar more alive," Cardinal Law further said.

The first day of the 8th National Eucharistic Congress -which will finish on September 3-, finished late on Wednesday due to the different activities, including the presentation of folk dances. At the Museum of the Cathedral of Lima an exposition of Peruvian art and craftsmanship was inaugurated. Also in the Cathedral a concert took place. Mozart's Mass in C minor was played by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the University of Lima and the National Choir.

Jubilee of Universities to be held September 3 -10

Rome, 1 (NE) The Jubilee of Universities, to take place from September 3 to 10, was presented yesterday in the Holy See Press Office. The Jubilee, organizers affirmed during the press conference, will be a privileged opportunity of profound dialogue between Christianity and culture". The central theme will be "The University for a new humanism", a humanism "not enclosed in a monologue with man himself, but open to transcendence, open to Christ".

During these days a world meetings of rectors, of administrative managers and of chaplains, and the world forum of university students will also take place. The first world meeting of university rectors will be held on Friday September 8, in the 'Aula Magna' of Rome's 'La Sapienza' University. A total of 280 rectors and/or university presidents from all over the world will participate.

The world meeting of chaplains will bring together several hundred priests from 30 countries on all continents. Cardinal Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua, AArchbishop of Philadelphia, U.S.A., will talk on the theme: "The priestly mission in the world of the university and of culture."

Finally, the world forum of university students will gather 400 students from universities all over the world. The climax of the Jubilee of Universities will come on Sunday, September 10, when Pope John Paul II will preside at a solemn Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square. The day before, the university community will be received in audience by the Holy Father. There will then follow the Liturgy of the Word and the presentation of a summary of the congresses.

US Bishop urges new medical research guidelines

Arlington, 1 (NE) Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington urged new medical research guidelines, the Arlington Catholic Herald reported in a recent issue. Commenting the guidelines published by the National Institutes of Health concerning the use of human embryos in stem cell research, Bishop Loverde recalled that the guidelines "must be followed by all scientists wishing to receive federal funds to explore the therapeutic value of stem cells in treating various diseases." Explaining why it is not morally right to produce and/or use living human embryos for the preparation of stem cells, the Bishop of Arlington urged "members of Congress and people of good will everywhere to replace these guidelines with ones which will ensure that medical research will be guided by sound moral principles". "I applaud", Bishop Loverde wrote in closing, "the fact that scientists are looking for ways to ease and eliminate human suffering, and understand that stem cells are possibly capable of helping to do that. We cannot, however, sacrifice one segment or member of society for the sake of another."

Catholic inspired Law School begins in Michigan

Miami, 1 (NE) Last Monday classes began at the Ave Maria Law School, designed and built due to the contribution of Tom Monaghan, who gave approximately fifty million dollars to the school after selling his shares of the Domino's Pizza restaurant chain he had founded. The School started with 77 students chosen from 218 postulants from all over the United States, a number larger than was originally expected. The School aims to form legislators with a Catholic view of the world. "I've been very disappointed in general with Catholic education in the United States, particularly how it teaches the faith. I'm afraid that much of it has become secularized," Monaghan has said. In several occasions, he has also expressed his concern for "the lack of God in our society, the breakup of families, the low legitimacy rate, abortion". By the third year, Ave Maria officials hope the school will draw an entering class of 150 students, with goals of total enrollment of 450 students.

First Catholic Radio Station inaugurated in Hungary

Rome, 1 (NE) As from this week, Catholics in Hungary count with a radio station of their own. As it was informed by the Italian daily Avvenire, in the city of Eger, close to the border with Slovakia, the first Catholic radio station in the country was recently inaugurated. Archbishop Istvan Seregely of Eger was present in the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of counting with a massive communication medium at the service of evangelization. "The main mission of the new radio station," stated Archbishop Seregely, "coincides with the mission of the Church: to serve the salvation of each person." The new radio station will broadcast to a territory where approximately six hundred thousand Catholics live.

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