A daily news service

September 23

First Chinese matyrs to be canonized on October 1

Rome, 23 (NE) Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls highlighted yesterday the importance of the canonizations of several Chinese faithful to be held on October 1, stressing the strickly religious nature of the event. For the first time, the Vatican spokesman said, 87 Chinese martyrs will be raised to the honors of the altars. A total of 120 martyrs will be canonized, including 33 non-Chinese missionaries.

Navarrro-Valls explained that the Gospel was preached for the first time in China in the fifth century. At the start of the seventh century the first church was erected. "But it was above all the following centuries which saw an important development of Catholic missions in China and many Chinese asked to be instructed in the Catholic religion and to be able to receive baptism."

The Holy See Press Office Director recalled as well that during the history of evangelization of China, many faithful have been persecuted and martyred. "The 120 martyrs who will be canonized on Sunday, October 1, belong to a multitude of thousands of Catholics who, over the past three and a half centuries, have undergone the same fate", he said. "It is enough to remember that in the complex historical period of the Boxers alone, more than 30,000 Chinese Catholics were killed." He also explained that these canonizations are the culmination of a long process, recalling that the first causes began in 1893. The 120 martyrs of this canonization cover a period of time which goes from 1648 to 1930.

Navarro-Valls stressed that "strictly religious parameters must be applied for a correct interpretation of this canonization." "This canonization expresses the great evangelizing vigor of the local Churches from which the missionaries come, as well as the vigorous adhesion of the Chinese." "At the same time," he added, "Chinese faithful are, for the first time, raised to the glory of the altars and presented to Christians of the whole world as an example of human coherence and of faith. In the Church's view, martyrdom expresses the supreme synthesis of humanity and sanctity. For this reason, the upcoming canonizations are considered a great honor both for the Church and for the Chinese people."

Archbishop of Cali calls faithful to coherence in Christian life

Cali, 23 (NE) Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino of Cali called Colombian Catholics to coherence in Christian life, which -he affirmed- must be based in a "face to face encounter with Jesus." Writing a column in "El Pais" newspaper, the Prelate stressed that "Jesus Christ must live inside of us, must renew and strengthen us in our conscience, that our faith may be truly active and efficient." "In a world that fears God, that escapes from the commitment with truth and justice, we need to give reason of our hope, committing ourselves with Jesus, with no excuses in following him. The experience of Jesus Christ in our lives must guide us to a confession of faith, a critical and coherent one, not only with the reality that surrounds us but also with the true magistracy of the Church," he further emphasized. "If we say we follow Jesus and trust in his Word, we must assume the same attitudes He had", Archbishop Duarte stressed.

September 22

Pope blesses image of Marcelino Champagnat donated by Costa Rica

Rome, 22 (NE) On Wednesday morning, Pope John Paul II blessed an image of St. Marcelino Champagnat, founder of the Brothers of Mary, whom he canonized on April 18, 1999. The image is a work of a Costa Rican sculptor and has been given to the Pope by the people of Costa Rica for the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between this country and the Holy See. The Holy Father blessed the image at the end of Wednesday's General Audience. St. Marcelino Champagnat was born in a town near Lyon, France, in 1789, at the start of the French revolution. He founded the Brothers of Mary or "Marists of Teaching" in 1817, who grew admirably and spread their evangelizing and educative work throughout the whole world. Pope Pius XII beatified Champagnat in 1955. The Pope, recalling Saint Marcelino during the ceremony of canonization last year, emphasized his unbreakable faith, as well as his faithfulness to Christ "even during difficult times, amidst a world that had frequently lost its sense of God." "Saint Marcelino," he further said, "announced the Gospel with an ardent heart. He showed his sensitiveness towards the spiritual and educational needs of his time, specially the religious ignorance and the abandonment suffered particularly by the young."

Archbishop of Miami denounces loss of sense of sin

Miami, 22 (NE) Archbishop John C. Favalora of Miami, writing his column in "The Catholic Voice", made a call to consider the immense value of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation in the life of the Christian. The Archbishop recalled some of the lectures given during the International Eucharistic Congress celebrated in Rome this year, and emphasized the importance of good preparation to receive the Eucharist which he closely related to confession. "If sin separates and draws us away from God and our neighbors, then we must reconcile ourselves with God and our brethren before participating in the meal of the Lord," stated the Archbishop, quoting Cardinal Schonborn, Archbishop of Vienna. He also warned against the loss of the sense of sin in our days. "The secular society tells us, 'I am fine; you are fine.' It tells us that good and evil are relative and that morals are decided by opinion polls. People believe today that if everybody is doing something, then it is acceptable," he stated, urging everyone "to recall that Communion and Confession are great privileges and sacraments integral to Christian life."

Cardinal Medina highlights Blessed Mary's role in project of salvation

Rome, 22 (NE) During the inauguration of the International Marian and Mariologic Congress, in the city of Rome, Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez -Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments- highlighted the Virgin Mary's essential role in the History of Salvation. During his intervention, the Pope's Legate for the meeting recalled that Mary's role in the project of salvation "is not a secondary, marginal or supplementary one." Reflecting as well on the Mosaic that adorns the ceiling of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore -where the celebration took place and the first Marian Shrine built in the Eternal City-, Cardinal Medina pointed out that "the Virgin receives the crown form the Son… She, in fact, has been chosen to be the Mother of He who defined Himself as a King." It is a very special royalty "which will take her until the Calvary to fulfill the Divine Plan," he said. The meeting of the International Marian and Mariologic Congress takes place in the Shrine of the Divine Love of Rome. The central theme of the Congress -which will be finished on September 24 with a celebration presided over by the Pope himself- is the mystery of the Holy Trinity and Blessed Mary.

Italy: Cardinal Ruini emphasizes need to foster youth pastoral

Rome, 22 (NE) Cardinal Camilo Ruini, Vicar of the Holy Father for the Diocese of Rome and President of the Italian Bishop's Conference inaugurated this week the work of the Permanent Council of the Italian bishops. During his opening address, the Cardinal evaluated the recent World Youth Meeting, calling it one of the most "appealing" events of the Jubilee. At this point of the conference, the Cardinal emphasized that the value of the Meeting is not only marked by the great number of young people that participated in it. He stated that now the event demands a serious "pastoral of intelligence" that "takes seriously the young people's questions (…) to help them find the pertinent Christian answers and to take that decisive answer that is the Lord Jesus." The Cardinal also referred to the Italian environment. He stated that the growth of the birth rate is our "first national problem, which conditions any reasonable opinion about the future perspectives". He also urged the Italian authorities "to assure the conditions that favor births, instead of penalizing family." The Cardinal also commented on the recent declaration that the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith has issued, "Dominus Iesus." He said that it is "a strong help and a solid path to face that relativistic and indifferent mentality according to which all religions are the same, mentality which is dangerously spread even among our people."

September 20

Pope thanks Cardinal Sodano for years of service to the Church

Vatican City, 20 (NE) The letter sent by Pope John Paul II to Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano on the occasion of the golden anniversary of the Cardinal's ordination as a priest was made public yesterday by the Holy See Press Office. In the letter, written in Latin and dated September14, the Pope highlights Cardinal Sodano's "long time serving God and the Church". The Pope praised as well the "profound sensibility" of the Cardinal Secretary of State "to promote pastoral projects and initiatives regarding the works of the Church in the world", and thanked him for his help in the duty of being the Successor of Peter.

On September 23 at 10 a.m, Cardinal Sodano will celebrate Mass in the cathedral of Asti, Italy, where he was born, together with seven companions who, like him, were ordained there. At 5 p.m. on October 2, his saint's day, Cardinal Sodano will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving in the Vatican Basilica. On Saturday, October 7 he will celebrate Mass in the cathedral of Albano. Ordained fifty years ago, the Vatican Cardinal was called in 1959 to work at the Holy See. In 1977, Pope Paul VI named him Apostolic Nuncio in Chile, and in 1991, once created Cardinal in the Consistory of that year, he was named by Pope John Paul II Secretary of State.

Argentina: Teachers must be witnesses of Christ, says Archbishop

Buenos Aires, 20 (NE) Teachers must teach their students to "discover" Jesus Christ, recalled last week Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, during a Mass on occasion of the Jubilee Week for Teachers that took place in the Argentinean capital.

During his homily, the Archbishop urged teachers to "find each day in the person of their students someone who waits; a heart that wants to be loved and learn to love." "You who have been found by Jesus Christ -pointed out Archbishop Bergoglio-, who received His grace… you are transmitters of truth, of a lived life". "That is why a teacher teaches from his heart, he is not a salesman", he further stressed.

The duty of teaching "transcends the guidelines of a merely remunerative work. It goes beyond. It is to listen the questions of this life and not to impose a way to students, but rather, taking them by the hand, to propose them a way. And this duty can only be done from the heart. If an educational community doesn't put its heart in this, it has failed from the beginning, failed in this mission of transmitting the future."

Feast of St. Januarius: Miracle takes place once again in Naples

Rome, 20 (NE) The city of Naples, Italy, witnessed yesterday once again a miracle that takes place every year: the liquefaction of the blood of the Patron saint St. Januarius. On Setpember 19, feast-day of St. Janauarius, approximatedly 3.000 faithful, including the major of the city, gathered for a celebration presided by the Archbishop of Naples, during which the blood of the martyred saint, kept dry in a special reiquary, became liquid. The liquefaction of the blood took place yesterday little after 9.00 in the morning. Devotion to St. Januarius, a Bishop martyred in the IVth century, dates back to the Vth century. The first reports of the licuefaction of the saint's blood date back to the year 1389. This was the second time of the year in which the blood became liquid, since this took place as well on May, as it is usual.

St. Louis celebrates "Day for the Sanctification of Priests"

St. Louis, 20 (NE) The Archdiocese of St. Louis celebrated last Friday the Day for the Sanctification of Priests, following an indication made to Diocesan Bishops by Pope John Paul II in his 1995 Holy Thursday Letter to Priests. "This gathering provides a unique opportunity for all of us to express our unity in the one Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ and to celebrate this unity together"said Archbishop Justin Rigali of St. Louis, to priests of the archdiocese regarding the celebration. "It is an occasion for spiritual renewal, an experience of priestly solidarity, and a time for the fraternal encouragement and support so necessary for deepening our priestly identity and sustaining our pastoral effectiveness." Archbishop Rigali specially called faithful in St. Louis to pray for the Church, for priests, and specially for vocations to priestly life, so "that young men - inspired by the Holy Spirit - will be generous in responding wholeheartedly to God's call to the priesthood".

September 19

Pope stresses need of special status for Jerusalem

Vatican City, 19 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday Israel's new ambassador to the Holy See, expressing his wish for peace in the Mid-East. In accepting the Letters of Credence, the Pope remarked as well on "the vivid experience" of his Jubilee year pilgrimage to the Holy Land, calling it "an extraordinary grace of God."

Referring to the current situation in the Mid-East, the Pope recalled that "today, as always, it is not genuine religious faith and practice which give rise to the tragedy of discrimination and persecution, but a loss of faith and the rise of a selfish and materialistic outlook bereft of true values, a culture of emptiness". Then, remarking on "the elusive character of a definitive peace in the Middle East,"the Pope stated that "the continuation of dialogue and negotiation is itself a significant development."

Speaking on the "delicate question of Jerusalem", the Holy Father stressed that "what is of special concern to the Holy See is that the unique religious character of the Holy City be preserved by a special, internationally guaranteed statute. The history and present reality of interreligious relations in the Holy Land is such that no just and everlasting peace is foreseeable without some form of support from the international community" in order to "conserve the cultural and religious patrimony of the Holy City". "The end result must be ... a Jerusalem that will truly be a City of Peace for all peoples", the Pope said in closing.

September 18

Elderly people must witness "culture of life", says Pope

Vatican City, 18 (NE) "Old age is a time of grace, that invites to unite oneself with more love to the salvific mystery of Christ and participate more deeply in His project of salvation". With these words, Pope John Paul II stressed the important role of elderly people in society, during the Mass he presided during the celebration of the Jubilee of the Elderly. During his homily to elderly pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope addressed elderly people from all over the world, inviting them to be witnesses of a "culture of life".

"You have the mission of witnessing the values that are truly important… and that are always present because they are inscribed in the heart of every human being and guaranteed by the Word of God", the Pope emphasized. "Precisely by being elderly people", he further emphasized, "you have a special contribution to offer for the development of an 'authentic culture of life', witnessing that every moment of existence is a gift from God and each station of human life has its specific riches to offer to everyone".

"Let us continue the pilgrimage of our daily existence, having the certainty that human history, and the personal events of every person, form part of a Divine Plan, over which the mystery of Christ's Resurrection throws its light".

Pope names new Prefect of Congregation for Bishops

Vatican City, 18 (NE) Pope John Paul II named this weekend Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, Substitute of General Affairs of the Secretary of State, as the new Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. The Prelate, who will also preside the Pontifical Council for Latin America, will substitute Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, who during the last 2 years has served the Church at this post. The Brazilian Cardinal resigned after reaching the age limit and also because of difficulties in his health. Also during the weekend, the Holy Father named the Argentinean Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, until now Apostolic Nuncio in Mexico, as the new Substitute of General Affairs of the Secretary of State.

St. Louis Archbishop encourages study of "Dominus Iesus"

St. Louis, 18 (NE) "I encourage all, especially those with a special interest or particular competence in this matter, to study the Declaration in its entirety." With these words, written in the weekly "St. Louis Review", Archbishop Justin Rigali of Saint Louis encouraged the study of the Declaration "Dominus Iesus", recently issued in the Vatican by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith.

In his article, Archbishop Rigali highlighted the testimony of the eternal faith of the Church that is present in the liturgy and, making reference to the "Exultet" chant, he pointed out that "there is one simple phrase in this Easter Proclamation which poses a profound question: 'What good would life have been to us, had Christ not come as our Redeemer?' All those gathered to keep the vigil of the Lord's Resurrection are certain that there is but one answer. There is no ambiguity. Except for Jesus Christ and His victory over the finality of sin and death, life would ultimately be meaningless". "However," continued Archbishop Rigali, "in recent times some confusion has arisen and erroneous ideas have developed with respect to the unique role of Jesus Christ as Savior, and the unique role of the Church for salvation."

Finally, after making a brief summary of the main points of the Declaration, the Archbishop of Saint Louis recalled that "the impetus for all that is set out in Dominus Iesus can be found in Vatican II's Nostra Aetate. There we read that, because of her love for all people, the Church 'proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail Christ who is 'the way, the truth, and the life.' In Him, in whom God reconciled all things to himself, men find the fullness of their religious life." "This new document helps us to be extremely sensitive to the beliefs of all, while reinforcing our own Christian and Catholic faith," he further emphasized.

Nazareth: Holy Land Custodians launch campaign against building of mosque

Rome, 18 (NE) The Custodians of the Holy Land will launch an international campaign to inform the nations of the world of the danger incurred by pilgrims visiting Nazareth since the Israeli government granted a request by fundamentalist Muslim extremists to build a mosque on the doorstep of the Christian shrine of the site of the Annunciation, Fides agency reported last week.

According to the Vatican news agency, with letters warning governments and bishops' conferences and urging them to take serious steps to guarantee the safety of their citizens and faithful, the Franciscan Custodians of the Holy Land hope to obtain some reaction since the state of Israel appears to be impassive to any appeal to desist from its insensitive decision. Christian pilgrims making their way alongside the site to reach the Annunciation Shrine are offended and showered with stones, dead rats and anti-Christian and anti-Pope leaflets by Muslim fanatics.

Several initiatives from the Franciscan Custodians have passed unheard by Israeli officials. On September 13 the Holy Land Custodian had a meeting with the new President of Israel Moshe Katsav, to whom he voiced his concern, urging the President's personal intervention to deal with the serious situation at Nazareth.

«Church News» authorizes the complete or partial reproduction of the information offered to our readers in this page, quoting the source (NE). Publication of the information in this page does not imply any compromise.

All rights reserved (©) Noticias Eclesiales