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October 10

Pope encourages Hungarians to promote culture of life

Vatican City, 10 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday more than 4.000 participants in a national pilgrimage from Hungary. The Hungarian faithful celebrated with their pilgrimage not only the Great Jubilee of Christendom, but also Hungary's own millennium, commemorating one thousand years since Pope Sylvester II sent a crown to King Stephen of Hungary.

During his address, read by an Hungarian priest, the Holy Father said that the "solemn celebration of the Great Jubilee of Incarnation and of Hungary's millennium encourage you to give thanks to the Lord for the wonders worked in your people". "Both celebrations", he emphasized, "represent a precious occasion for conversion and for commitment to building a future worthy of your faith and of your glorious past - of which the family is one of the most fundamental elements".

Speaking about family, the Pope called Hungarias to "to promote, at all levels, the culture of life that calls for defense of the human being from conception to natural death, promotion of the value of paternity and maternity and recognition for the fundamental role of women in domestic work and the education of children".

In closing, the Holy Father referred to the presence of a large number of Hungarian young people in Rome in August for World Youth Day. "The witness of these young people," he concluded, "their enthusiasm and their joyful faith, represent a sign of hope for all, one that instills courage and exhorts us not to be afraid of the future."

Cardinal Ratzinger regrets neglect in the reading of "Dominus Iesus"

Rome, 10(NE) With the declaration "Dominus Iesus", the Pope, "who has carefully followed each phase of its writing… wanted to offer the world a great and solemn recognition of Jesus Christ as Lord, in the summit of the Holy Year, specially focusing on the essential in this occasion," stated Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in declarations to the German newspaper "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". This declarations were partly reproduced in L'Osservatore Romano on Sunday.

The Cardinal Prefect stated that the polemics risen after the presentation of the document have not treated the contents of the text, whose deep sense has not been understood. Many of these critiques, he stated, "are constantly repeated, independently of the argument that is discussed. I wonder why they never think about something different."

During the interview, the Cardinal also recalled that the Church is never an addition of fragments. "It if were so, this would consecrate subjectivism: everyone should construct his own Christianity, and at the end, the determining factor would be the personal liking." On the other hand, he stressed the unity between the II Vatican Council and the Declaration "Dominus Iesus". "The Declaration has just repeated the texts of the Council and the post Council documents, without adding or taking away anything," he stated.

"The harshness of certain reactions," noted Cardinal Ratzinger, as he analyzed the opposition of certain sectors, may also be explained "by the fact that theologians feel threatened in their academic freedom and want to intervene in defense of their intellectual mission". "Truth usually bothers and is never comfortable. Christ's words are frequently terribly hard and formulated undiplomatically," stressed the Prefect of the Congregation.

"Today, in common speeches, faith in Christ tends to be flattened and lost in dialogues." Faced with this reality, Cardinal Ratzinger stated that the document "wants to urge all Christians to be open again to the recognition of Christ as Lord and to give thus the Holy Year a deep sense."

Procession gathers 1.7 million faithful in Brazil

Sao Paulo, 10 (NE) The city of Belém do Pará, in Brazil, was hosted this weekend a great celebration of faith, during Brazil's largest procession called "Candle of Nazareth" in the honor of Holy Mary of Nazareth. The procession -which left at 7 a.m. from the "Catedral da Sé"- walked through many districts of the city in a total path of five kilometers, that took almost eight hours to complete. According to the Military Police, the procession gathered over 1,7 million people. The Archbishop of Belém, Vicente Zico, accompanied the procession until the end, in the "Square of the Sanctuary", where the Basilica of Nazareth is placed. There, the Bishop expressed his joy for the great response of the Catholic people in Brazil to the procession. The strong heat -that reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit- was not an obstacle to the Catholic to accompany the Virgin to Her Sanctuary, requiring an exigent labor by part of the officials of the Red Cross, who assisted over 800 hundred people along the day.

"Shrine of Martyrs" to be built in Mexico for Eucharistic congress

Guadalajara, 10 (NE) On October 25, the first stone of the "Shrine of Martyrs" will be placed in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, in Mexico. The act will be presided by the Archbishop Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, in a place donated to the Archdiocese. As it was informed, it is expected that the shrine will by finished by the year 2004, when Guadalajara will host the International Eucharistic Congress, to take place in October of that year. The shrine will consist of a great cupola, similar to the one in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome although five or six meters lower. As part of the building, a great hall capable of seating 20 thousand people will also be built at a lower level, together with other halls and several rooms to allow congresses and other similar types of activities to take place.

October 9

Pope entrusts to Mary the future of humanity

Vatican City, 9 (NE) Together with Bishops from all over the world, Pope John Paul II presided yesterday the closing ceremony of the Jubilee of Bishops and solemnly entrusted the world to Blessed Mary, at the beginning of the new millennium. The entrustment took place before the image of the Virgin of Fatima, specially brought from Fatima for this occasion.

The presence of so many Bishops, said the Pope during the celebration, makes St. Peter's Square look like "a great cenacle". The image of the Virgin of Fatima, "which we have the joy to welcome among us, helps us to relive the experience of the first Apostolic college, united in prayer in the cenacle, with Mary the Mother of Jesus."

After the Mass and before the Angelus prayer, the act of entrustment took place, during which the Pope entrusted the destiny of humanity to the Virgin Mary. "The Church today, through the voice of the Successor of Peter, in union with so many Pastors assembled here from every corner of the world, seeks refuge in your motherly protection and trustingly begs your intercession as she faces the challenges which lie hidden in the future."

During his prayer addressed to Blessed Mary, the Pope said that "today as never before in the past, humanity stands at a crossroads." "And once again, O Virgin Most Holy, salvation lies fully and uniquely in Jesus, your Son. Therefore, O Mother, like the Apostle John, we wish to take you into our home, that we may learn from you to become like your Son."

"To you, Dawn of Salvation, we commit our journey through the new Millennium, so that with you as guide all people may know Christ, the light of the world and its only Saviour, who reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen".

Faithful from all the world unite in prayer of Rosary

Vatican City, 9 (NE) With the presence of the image of the Virgin of Fatima, Pope John Paul II presided on Saturday the prayer of the Rosary, which united in prayer faithful from 150 countries. In St. Peter's Square, people from all over the world gathered to pray in communion with the Pope and the entire Church. Each mystery of the Rosary was presided by a group representing a continent. The last mystery, representing Europe, was presided by Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three children witnesses of the apparition of Fatima, and sisters from her monastery in Coimbra, Portugal, through a satellite link-up. "There is no century", said the Pope in his brief address after the prayer, "in which Mary has not made her presence be felt, giving to faithful… light, hope and comfort".

Documents of miracle of St. Januarius exhibited in Naples

Rome, 9 (NE) A series of documents concerning the famous miracle of Saint Januarius are presently being exhibited in Naples. The documents date back to the 14th century, when the first liquefaction was historically documented. The exhibition contains the meticulous observations that, through the centuries, the priests who have witnessed the miracle have preserved in writing. These documents, the oldest one tells of the first liquefaction registered in August 17, 1389, have been kept in the Chapel of the Treasure in Naples.

Every year, on the same dates, the dry blood of Saint Januarys, kept in a little crystal flask, turns into liquid for some hours. Scientists agree that the fact can not be scientifically explained.

Among the documents which reconstruct with admirable detail the circumstances in which the miracle of the liquefaction has occurred through the centuries, there is a short treatise which contains hymns in Saint Januarius' honor written in ten languages: Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Spanish, English, German, French, Arabian and Chinese.

In addition, a document of 1527 can be seen in which the inhabitants of Naples, after an epidemic of the plague, commit themselves to build a worthy church to protect the miraculous relic. At the same time, since the chroniclers of the miracle told also of the political, social and natural events that occurred in Naples, the documents are considered by experts as an invaluable source of historical information.

"Christ is the true root of missions", recalls Cardinal Ruini

Rome, 9 (NE) "Christ is the only savior of the world and the true root of the mission," highlighted Cardinal Camillo Ruini, General Vicar of the Pope for the Diocese of Rome, while presiding over the Vigil of missionary prayer of the Diocese. Missions, pointed out the Italian Cardinal, "cannot be limited only to cooperation for development: this, together with the human promotion of persons, of families, of the people, is a fruit, but the root is only the Lord."

During the celebration, which took place at the beginning of this week in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Cardinal Ruini warned, as well, that "in the last fifty years, in a cultural environment in which everything is relative, the risk of a misunderstanding is possible; in other words, to say that Christ is not the only Savior".

"Faith," he further emphasized, "is a gift from God, received with no merit, that is to be offered respectfully to everybody." Concerning this, he affirmed that this doesn't mean that "those who believe in the Savior Jesus disdain other religions," recalling at the same time that nevertheless dialogue with other religions "cannot mean rejection of the very essence of the Christian faith."

October 7

Jubilee of Bishops begins in Rome

Vatican City, 7 (NE) With a celebration presided by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, began the activities for the Jubilee of Bishops, which has gathered hundreds of Prelates from all over the world. The celebration took place yesterday afternoon in St. John Lateran's Basilica. During his homily, Archbishop Re highlighted the need for a "vibrant magisterium that is able to touch hearts and transmit a lively experience of mystery". Before the hundreds of Bishops present in the Basilica, Archbishop Re stressed the Christ, the Good Shepherd, is the "supreme model", to whom all Bishops must conform to be faithful to their vocation. As part of the activities for the Jubilee of Bishops, Pope John Paul II will preside today the prayer of a world Rosary in St. Peter's Square. Together with the Bishops, the image of the Virgin of Fatima, present in Rome especially for this occasion, will be also placed in St. Peter's Square. The Jubilee of Bishops will close tomorrow with a Mass presided by the Pope, during which he will entrust the world to Blessed Mary.

Spain: Archdiocese will celebrate act of consecration to Mary

Madrid, 7 (NE) The Church in Madrid will be entrusted to the care of the Mother of God, similar to the way that Pope John Paul II will make, this weekend, an act of consecration of the whole world to Holy Mary. Welcoming a proposal of the Archdiocese's Counsel of Laity, on Sunday, October 15, there will be an act of consecration of the Archdiocese of Madrid to the protection of the Holy Virgin. The act will be presided over by Cardinal Antonio María Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, in the Cathedral of Almudena.

During the ceremony, also as a symbol of unity with the act to take place in Rome, a Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima will be present. It is one of the six images blessed and proclaimed pilgrims of the world by Pope Paul VI on the 13th of May, 1967, during his visit to Fatima on the Fiftieth anniversary of the appearances. One of those images, given to the custody of the World Apostolate of Fatima, in Spain, has traveled through all the dioceses of the country and will be present on October 15 in Madrid.

The meeting, which will take place with the motto "With Mary to the Third Millennium", will include various activities, among which are a Eucharistic celebration in the Abbey of the Incarnation, the adoration of the Holy Sacrament and a public Rosary escorting the Image from the Abbey to the Cathedral of Almudena. Cardinal Rouco will preside over the Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral, where the act of consecration will take place.

Puerto Rico: Archbishop condemns approval of abortion pill

San Juan, 7 (NE) "Who has the power, the authority to decide who will be born or not?". This was the question raised by Archbishop Roberto González Nieves of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who described as "tragic" the recent approval of the abortion pill in the United States. The Prelate affirmed that the Archdiocese will help pregnant women to avoid the recourse of abortion.

"We will do everything possible so that they may take their pregnancy to the end and, if they don't want to raise their children, we can find foster parents," affirmed the Archbishop. On the other hand, Archbishop Gonzalez called attention to the risks for a woman's health that the use of the abortion pill can be. "It's not a pill; it's poison," -he pointed out, recalling that cases have been registered of women whose lives have been in danger after having taken the RU-486.

The Archbishop of San Juan emphasized the necessity to continue education about what abortion is and about the dignity of the human being. He highlighted that in the "abortionist and anti-birth" mind which prevails nowadays, "it is a big challenge to touch the hearts and the consciences" of the people.

Planned Parenthood admits illegal use of funds to promote abortion

Washington, 7 (NE) International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has publicly admitted that it used taxpayers money to practice and encourage abortion in India and Uganda, reported this week the Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute (C-FAM). In doing this, IPPF has admitted it violated US guidelines in using US taxpayer money to perform or promote abortions in foreign countries.

Groups receiving US population money have to "certify" they would comply with the ruling that prevents US money from going to any group that performs or promotes abortion overseas. As C-FAM reports, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the agency responsible for US population control policies and the funding agency for overseas groups, said that up to ten groups have refused to "certify" yet USAID will not identify any of them.

IPPF, a $5 million recipient, and the World Health Organization, a $2 million recipient, admitted publicly they refused to "certify." In relation to this, Senate Foreign Relations Committee spokesman Marc Thiessen told the Washington Times "there have been serious concerns for many years about IPPF and its affiliates using USAID funds for abortion-related activities, and there is now proof that IPPF violated their own agreement with the US government."

October 6

Religious freedom of Catholics is menaced, warns canonist

Rome, 6 (NE) There are people who want to deny Catholics their freedom of religion, warned David Jäger, Catholic canonist of Hebrew origin and Israeli passport, in recent declarations to the Italian newspaper "Tempi" in relation to the opposition aroused in some sectors to the declaration "Dominus Iesus". "Truly, there is no reason for scandal," stated Jäger. "The 'Dominus Iesus' just repeats the same Christian and Catholic faith; that is, that Jesus Christ is the true, complete, definitive and redeeming revelation of God. That the way God wants all men to participate in this salvation is precisely through incorporation in Christ through the Church, his Mystical Body, and this through faith and the sacrament of Baptism."

Answering voices of those such as Hans Kung who affirmed that the declaration "betrays" the spirit of the Vatican II Council (some days ago Kung pointed out that "the audacious intuitions of the Vatican II Council have now been set aside"), Jäger emphasized that "only a crass ignorance of the documents of the Council justified the present complaints about Dominus Iesus." In these documents he stressed, "you will find precisely all that the Holy See has always emphasized." The canonist also stated that the disposition to dialogue "has been interpreted as if the Church had abandoned her own certainty, faith and mission, thus accepting certain double religious relativism." He also stated that to say that certain relativism is necessary to make it possible to live together with other religions and peoples is "illogical." The Dominus Iesus has been issued "for Catholics in the first place, to teach them what the Church believes and teaches, and the practical consequences that derive from this teaching," he recalled.

There are many people, he noted, "that state that the condition for dialogue is that they dictate to the Catholic Church what she must believe in order to dialogue with them. Isn't this absurd? It is completely reasonable that the Catholic Church presents herself to dialogue stating, 'I believe this. I believe in Dominus Iesus, the only mediator between God and man. I believe in the necessity of Baptism and incorporation into the Church for salvation." Jäger also emphasized that in dialogue, Catholics shouldn't forget the need to announce the Lord and to seek the conversion of others. "This is the mission of the Church. This is Christianity: an invitation to all men to acknowledge Jesus as our Savior and to make themselves members of his Body, the Church. If this hope bothers them, to the point that they don't want to dialogue with me, that is their own decision, which I will respect. But they cannot say that I don't want to dialogue."

"Besides," he commented, "hasn't Christianity been a scandal since the first moment? The persecutions against Christians in the Roman-Greek world are partly explained by this. Differing from other religions, Christians not only didn't accept the annexation of the God who become man to the polytheistic Pantheon, but also they insisted, in the same manner as the Dominus Iesus insists today, that the Lord Jesus is the only savior… This is precisely what originated all the persecutions, bloody in the past, bloodless today as are these criticisms, of Christianity and the Church. This is because we dare to believe that God has become man and has entered the history of men in person."

Peru: first procession of Lord of the Miracles this Saturday

Lima, 6 (NE) Last Saturday September 30, celebrations in honor of "El Señor de los Milagros", the Lord of the Miracles, began in the city of Lima (Peru). Year after year, during October, the image is take in procession through the streets of downtown Lima, attracting thousands of faithful and becoming one of the largest processions in the world. During this Holy Year, the first procession will take place tomorrow, Saturday October 7.

As it was informed, the image -as it did for the first time last year- will pass one night in the Cathedral of Lima, from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8. There, in the city's main Basilica, Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani will preside a Eucharist celebration. The procession of the image of the Lord of the Miracles will also take place on October 18, 19, and 28, as well as on November 1.

This traditional and widely spread Peruvian devotion dates back to the 17th century, when a slave painted the image of the Lord on a wall. Soon, the image gathered people who came to pray and pay homage to the Lord. The devotion spread, and it greatly increased over the years, especially when an earthquake destructed much of the city, except the wall, which was undamaged. Afterwards, a copy was made and taken in procession every October. A church was built over the original painting and the wall, and is now known as the Shrine of Las Nazarenas, visited by pilgrims all year round.

Because of the procession, October is considered in Peru a month of conversion. On October 28, when the main celebration takes place, more than one million faithful gather to follow the procession. The Lord of the Miracles is also celebrated in other countries, including several cities in the United States and Europe. Celebrations in Peru include different activities throughout October, and many people dress this month in a traditional purple habit and wear a badge depicting the Lord of the Miracle's image.

US Diocese begins "Respect Life Month"

Peoria, 6 (NE) Last Sunday, October 1, the Diocese of Peoria, IL., began celebrating "Respect Life Month". In his annual message, Bishop John J. Myers, calling all human life "a sign of God's love," asked clergy, religious and laity in the Diocese of Peoria to "promote and protect" that gift from conception through natural death. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has chosen the theme, "Every human life is a sign of God's love, a trace of His glory," to highlight the 29th annual observance of Respect Life Month. In his message, Bishop Myers spoke of "the unique and inalienable dignity" that all human beings possess through their relationship with the Holy Trinity. "We, too, know that human life is a sign of God's love," Bishop Myers wrote in a letter to parishes and missions in the diocese. "The world around us, our talents, our families, everything we have, are truly gifts from the Lord." "It is my hope that all individuals, especially those who will lead our nation, will promote and protect the gift of human life from the first moment of conception until natural death," he added.

Colombia: Archbishop warns against pressures to legalize abortion

Bogota, 6 (NE) Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, President of the Colombian Bishop's Conference, recently denounced pressures to legalize abortion in his country, urging Colombian Catholics to defend life. In a communique entitled "The Eclipse of Life" the prelate regretted the approval of the abortive pill RU-486 in the United States, warning that "associated to this terrible fact, and of the same nature, an ample and aggressive campaign to promote an anti life method has been announced in our country."

Archbishop Giraldo also denounced article 124 of the new Penal Code, which opens the way to removing punishment for abortion in this country. The communique expressed the "most firm rejection and protest against these grave attempts against human life," also referring to the campaign to remove punishment for abortion.

"We decidedly assume a courageous defense of the principle that the Political Constitution of Colombia consecrates for each Colombian. The 'right to life is unalienable'. This right begins at the moment of conception and ceases with natural death. The State has the obligation to defend and protect the life of each human being, specially of the most defenseless and needy," stated the Prelate.

In the face of this reality, Archbishop Giraldo called for a "movement for life" that begins with "the formation of the conscience based on ethical and moral values founded on the family, the school and the public and private institutions." He also urged the Colombian faithful to "make massive demonstrations in favor of human life, which is the first and fundamental of all Human Rights."

Porto Alegre organizes pilgrimage of Church movements

Rio de Janeiro, 6 (NE) The Archdiocesan Commission of Lay Apostolic Movements of Porto Alegre (Brazil) is organizing a pilgrimage to the recently inaugurated "Sanctuary of the Mother of God" at the top of the Hill of the Glory. This public expression of faith, to which all lay apostolic movements of the Church are invited, will take place on Sunday, October 22. The pilgrims will meet at 2 p.m. and an hour and a half later, already at the Sanctuary, there will be a catechesis about the plenary indulgence. After this the faithful will pray the Rosary. The day will close with a Eucharist celebration.

October 5

Pope continues reflections about Eucharist

Vatican City, 5 (NE) Pope John Paul II dedicated yesterday's catechesis to reflect about the theme "The Eucharist, memorial of the 'mirabilia Dei' (mighty works of God)". In St. Peter's Square, where approximately 36.000 faithful had gathered, the Pope recalled that "among the many aspects of the Eucharist, the one that particularly stands out is that of 'memorial'". This memorial, the Pope emphasized, "is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men. In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real." The Holy Father indicated that the Eucharist is "a memorial of Christ's death, but it is also the presence of His sacrifice and the anticipation of His future glorious coming. It is the sacrament of the continuous salvific closeness of the Risen Lord in history." "'Remembering' is consequently 'bringing to heart' in memory and in affection, but it is also the celebration of a presence", he emphasized. "In the Eucharist, the Christian feeds the hope of the definitive meeting with his Lord."

Jerusalem must be the "city of reconciliation", says Patriarch Sabbah

Rome, 5 (NE) "The only way of coming back to quite times is to go back to the peace talks, and to see how to go back to the situation which was prevailing before 1967", said Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, in a letter dated October 2, commenting the violent events that have taken place in Holy Land. In his letter, the Catholic Patriarch stated that "the way of quieting the situation is to understand that Holy Places cannot be touched, and cannot be subject of any bargaining".

"Violence", Patriarch Sabbah said, "cannot be the guide of life in this Holy Land. Justice is the only guide and symbol". "The Holy City should be the city of reconciliation, after installing justice in it". In relation to the peace process in Holy Land, the Patriarch stressed that the way of justice was already open in the peace talks, and was on the point to reach its aim. Therefore, he pointed out, this way "should be resumed".

Raising his prayers so that God, may "enlighten the minds of those who are responsible of our government in this land", Patriarch Sabbah wrote in closing his letter that Jerusalem "should remain the 'Holy City', and its holiness protected and respected by its own governors, and by the requirements which its sanctity imposes on the entire international community." "We call upon our political leaders Palestinians and Israelis to continue their search of a just peace, and we call upon the international community to help both parties to reach what is just and right according to the international legitimacy".

Philippines: missionary congress encourages evangelization in Asia

Rome, 5 (NE) "Firmly convinced that Christ is the One, universal Saviour of the human race, you will be able to offer a strong core of missionaries for mission at home and abroad", called Archbishop Charles Schleck, Secretary Adjunct of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, during his address at the Philippines' National Mission Congress. During the event, held in Cebu, central Philippines, from September 27 to October 1, Archbishop Schleck invited participants to the evangelization of the Asian continent, "so in need of the message of God's love"

Pointing out that the Philippines has the largest number of Catholics in Asia, continent that homes 60% of the world's population and where 125 million Catholics live (of whom 70 million live in the Philippines), the Archbishop stressed that for this mission to be effective, evangelizers must be convinced of two important major truths: "Christ as the only Saviour of the human race and the Church as, in some way, necessary for salvation."

The success of Congress, the Archbishop said, depended "on proper convictions on this matter and on the enthusiasms which these convictions can and should provide". "One cannot admit, next to Christ, other sources or ways of autonomous salvation", he further emphasized, highlighting that in missionary work, dialogue is a "step in the process of evangelization…not the fullness of evangelization, which is proclamation of Christ".

Bishops gather in Rome to celebrate Jubilee celebration

Vatican City, 5 (NE) This weekend, Rome will become the place of encounter of hundreds of Bishops from all over the world, gathering in the Eternal City to celebrate, together with Pope John Paul II, their Jubilee celebration. In the frame of the Holy Year, the Jubilee of Bishops will take place from October 6 to 8 on the theme "The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World." As it was informed, of the approximately 4,200 bishops in the world, an estimated 1,300 will be in Rome for their Jubilee. Also present during the event will be the image of Our Lady of Fatima in Rome.

Activities will start At 5 p.m. on Friday, October 6, with a penitential celebration in St. John Lateran Basilica. During this rite a collection will be taken up for the poorest churches in the world. On Saturday, October 7, at 9:30 in the morning there will be a missionary celebration in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls. This will be followed at noon by an audience with Pope John Paul II in the Paul VI Hall.

That same afternoon there will be the recitation of the rosary with the Holy Father before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. The procession will start at 5:45 p.m. inside St. Peter's Basilica, with the statue of Our Lady, accompanied by the Holy Father, and proceed to St. Peter's Square where, at 6 p.m., the Pope will lead the meditations on the mysteries of the rosary. At the end of this celebration the statue of Mary will cross St. Peter's Square and be brought in procession to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.

On Sunday, October 8, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration during which he will read the Act of Entrustment to Mary in front of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima. All bishops present will join the Holy Father in the Act of Entrustment.

October 4

Families prepare for great Jubilee celebration

Vatican City, 4 (NE) The Jubilee of Families, to take place in Rome from October 14 to 15, was presented yesterday in the Holy See Press Office. The first meeting of families with the Pope took place also in Rome in 1994, and the second one in Rio de Janeiro, in 1997. During yesterday's presentation, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, informed that the theme of the Third World Meeting of Families with the Holy Father, the Jubilee of Families, is: "Children, Springtime of the Family and of Society."

The meeting will be preceded by an International Theological-Pastoral Congress, where different issues regarding family and defense of life will be reflected, to take place October 11-13. On Thursday, October 12, the Stations of the Cross will be celebrated for families in St. Peter's Square. At 7 p.m. the following day, the celebrated Pueri Cantores of Vienna, a choir of young boys between the ages of 10 and 14, will perform in the Paul VI Hall.

Two events are scheduled for Saturday, October 14: Masses will be celebrated at 9:30 in the morning for language groups in nine basilicas and churches of Rome in preparation for the 5.p.m. encounter between families and Pope John Paul in St. Peter's Square. The culminating moment of the Jubilee for Families will be the Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, October 15 at 9:30 in the morning. During Mass the Sacrament of Matrimony will be celebrated. Cardinal Lopez Trujillo stressed that this Jubilee must be a "true message of faith and hope". During his intervention, the Cardinal said "the families of the world await the words plenty of truth of Peter's Successor. It is the truth of Christ that appeals, touches the heart and liberates it; it is the proclamation of the truth about family, about man. Without it humanity walks in shadows."

Commenting the theme of the Jubilee of Families, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo said that instead of a springtime of family and children, the world presents a winter. "The winter of outrage for the lack of respect given to nascent human life, for the crime of abortion". Nevertheless, he said, we have to fight to achieve a springtime, and this is not a utopia, but something that must be urgently done. "We can speak of springtime, concluded the Cardinal, "when peoples, governments and legislators decide to believe in the truth of man, to defend him, respect him; and when iniquitous and deadly laws are substituted by others at the service of children and the family."

"The blood of martyrs is the seed of faith," state Chinese bishops

Rome, 4 (NE) Chinese Catholics from the whole world, and especially from China, welcomed with great joy the recent canonization of 120 martyrs who gave their lives in this Asiatic country for love of the Gospel. This is a historic event, because 87 were Chinese: They are the first Catholic martyrs from China to be canonized.

According to Father Giovanni Qui, chaplain of the Chinese community in Rome, some bishops in China wrote to the Holy See asking for the biographies of the new saints, the program of the canonization, and also the text of the Mass with the Pope, in order to celebrate the canonization of the Chinese martyrs in communion with the Holy Father and the whole Church.

"We cannot participate in this canonization," said the Bishops in the letter, "but we look to the Holy City. In this moment our feelings are joined with you, a great joy stirs our hearts. We confirm that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of faith. The Catholic Church in China has suffered three centuries of persecution, which still continue."

Mexican Cardinals reject introduction of abortion pill into their country

Mexico City, 4 (NE) The possible introduction of the abortion pill RU-486 (mifepristone) to the country has provoked an energetic rejection from the whole Catholic Church in Mexico. Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, stated that any method to kill would always be rejected. In a world where "it is considered antiquated and retrograde to speak with the words of Jesus" it is of great importance not to fall into relativity or euphemisms. During Hitler's time, he added, the methods used to kill prisoners were also called very scientific. Cardinal Juan Sandoval, Archbishop of Guadalajara, also rejected the introduction of this abortive pill. He stated that "truth is not a matter of the opinion of the majority, or the result of surveys or elections." Even if the majority said that to rob is allowed, it would still be an illicit act. The same happens with abortion, he explained. This matter is not subject to any voting since here we are dealing with every human being's right to life.

UNFPA's report on "State of the World" is ideological, claims Catholic institute

Washington, 4 (NE) "The ideological nature of UNFPA's annual report comes through in a nearly incessant promotion of reproductive health and rights", denounced the Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute (C-FAM), in relation to the annual "State of the World Population," recently released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA and other UN related agencies like the World Health Organization, recalls C-FAM in a recent bulletin, "define reproductive health and rights as including abortion-on-demand from conception to delivery."

In denouncing the ideological nature of UNFPA's annual report on "State of the World Population", C-FAM states that in seven short chapters, UNFPA's report mentions reproductive health, reproductive rights or abortion 186 times, while "safe sanitation," another pressing problem for poor women, is mentioned eleven times and Malaria, perhaps the leading killer of African women, gets only a single mention.

The report has also "a dim view of marriage and the family, and believes the only way for women to achieve freedom and equality is through the broadest acceptance of reproductive rights including unfettered access to abortion". Marriage is mentioned few times, and almost always in a negative light such as being coerced or promoting violations of women's rights. "Marriage is never mentioned as a way to happiness or fulfillment, which is the experience of most married women".

One of the greatest concerns, recalls C-FAM, is the degree of acceptance that these reports receive, since they are usually used to develop UN programs and activities.

October 3

Pope stresses witness of holiness of new saints

Vatican City, 3 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday pilgrims who had participated on Sunday in the canonization ceremony of 123 Blesseds from Asia, Europe, America and Africa: Augustin Zhao Rong and 119 companions, martyrs; Maria Josefa del Corazon de Jesus Sancho de Guerra; Katharine Drexel and Josephine Bakhita. During the audience in St. Peter's Square, the Pope highlighted the devotion to the new saints, and thanked God for these witnesses of holiness in the Church.

Addressing pilgrims visiting Rome on occasion of the canonization of the Chinese martyrs, the Pope said he shared "their profound joy for these sons and daughters of the Chinese people, that for the first time, have been pointed out to the Church and to the entire world because of their heroic fidelity to Christ the Lord and their greatness of spirit". The Pope stressed as well that with the canonization of these martyrs, the Church wished to highlight "the heroic fidelity of these children of China, which didn't allow themselves be intimidated by the threat of a brutal persecution".

The Holy Father also recalled the 33 missionary martyrs who died in China. With respect to them and their evangelizing work, he said that "there are always those who, with a partial and subjective historical view, see in their missionary activity only limits and errors." Nevertheless, he further said, it cannot be forgotten that those missionaries "announced, even offering their own life, the Word that saves, and they started important initiatives of human promotion".

Approval of abortion pill is morally wrong, says Philadelphia Archbishop

Philadelphia, 3 (NE) "With the approval of RU 486-Mifeprex, another assault begins on unborn babies and possibly the mothers", stated Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, who in a recent statement expressed his dismay after the decision taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "Not only are we looking at another method of taking innocent human life, but these drugs have the potential to be harmful to the health of the mother", the Cardinal warned, highlighting the risks that this drug has. "The use of RU486-Mifeprex has been debated for the last nine years and has created an enormous amount of controversy among drug companies and physicians. It is morally wrong to take the life of an unborn child and it is ethically wrong for controversial and harmful drugs to be administered to women who are pregnant." "Life is a gift from God and we must as a nation protect and respect this life from conception to a natural death," Cardinal Bevilacqua stressed.

Archbishop of Lima publishes new pastoral letter calling for conversion

Lima, 3 (NE) "We need to grow a true desire for holiness, a strong desire for conversion and personal renovation in an always more intense environment of prayer and welcome in solidarity of our neighbor, specially those most needy," recently stated Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima, in his new Pastoral Letter entitled "Path to Conversion". The Letter is published in October, that in Peru is traditionally a "month of penance to which the Lord of the Miracles calls us."

In the document, Archbishop Cipriani also states that "in the year of the Jubilee 2000, the sense of a road towards the Father must lead us all, in a very concrete and deep way, to personal adherence to Christ the Redeemer of man, for an authentic conversion." He also affirms that this Holy Year "means a new call to conversion of heart through a change of life. We all must commit ourselves to the task of walking and teaching the path of conversion, in our family, at work, in all our public and private activities."

Archbishop Cipriani also insists on the "deep and reflective meditation of the Lord's Prayer" as a means to "reach God the Father with the vision of Christ, in a constant return of the repented sinner to the house of his Father through the path of conversion." Part of the document is an analysis of the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught us.

Towards the end, the Archbishop proposes some concrete means that will be stressed in the Archdiocese of Lima during this time. Among them are the intense promotion of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the weekly exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the pastoral encouragement of vocations and the prayer of the Holy Rosary.

Argentina: massive pilgrimage to shrine of Our Lady of Lujan

Buenos Aires, 3 (NE) An astonishing number of Argentinean faithful, the great majority young people, walked this weekend the path that joins Liniers and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lujan in a spirit of prayer and pilgrimage. Hundreds of thousands of people, sometimes under difficult weather, walked the path of over 70 kilometers and took part in the Eucharistic celebration presided over in the Marian Basilica by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Official numbers reported that one million faithful visited during the weekend the shrine of Our Lady of Lujan. This year, the pilgrimage took place with the motto: "Mother, that we may see Jesus in each brother."

"Our visit to the Virgin's house in this year has a special meaning. We have asked her that we may find her Son in each brother," pointed out the Archbishop during his homily, in which he invited the young people not to "pass indifferently in front of their brothers. We don't want to destroy each other among brothers. We want to find each other, to work so that this fraternal culture of encounter may become a reality. And, in this way, we make efforts to change in our hearts what impedes us to be more fraternal.

Recalling the Marian devotion that year after year attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country, Archbishop Bergoglio affirmed that "we came to look at her and to rest in her. She knows that we walk because we need this encounter. She also went a long way and brought us Jesus. She, with her life, shows us the path to find Him, and it is the path of brotherhood."

October 2

Pope highlights "example of courage and coherence" of Chinese martyrs

Vatican City, 2 (NE) During a celebration held in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II canonized yesterday Agostino Zhao Rong and 119 martyr companions, martyred in China throughout the years 1648 to 1930, together with three religious: Katherine Drexel, Giuseppina Bakhita and María Josefa del Corazón de Jesús Sancho de Guerra. In spite of the bad weather, thousands of pilgrims gathered to honor the newly proclaimed saints, especially the first canonized saints from China.

"The Church is today grateful to his Lord, that blesses her and fills her with the light of the holiness of these children from China", the Pope said during his homily, stressing the importance of the 87 martyrs born in China. "With this solemn proclamation of holiness, the Church only wants to recognize that those martyrs are example of courage and coherence for all of us, and they give honor to the noble Chinese people", the Pope further said.

Pope John Paul II also recalled that witness of faith of the Basque nun Santa María Josefa del Corazón de Jesús Sancho Guerra (1842-1912), stressing the she lived her vocation as an "authentic apostle in the area of health care", joining "medical attention with spiritual attention". The holiness of Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947), a Sudanese who lived many years as a slave and who, once free, became Catholic and entered a religious community was also highlighted by the Pope. Recalling her testimony, the Holy Father called faithful to ask the intercession of Bakhita to attain "peace and reconciliation in Africa, and specially in Sudan".

During his homily, the Holy Father also recalled the witness of Mother Katherine Drexel, who "learned that her family's possessions were not for them alone but were meant to be shared with the less fortunate." "With great courage and confidence in God's grace, she chose to give not just her fortune but her whole life totally to the Lord", the Pope further said. "Katherine Drexel", the Pope stressed, "is an excellent example of that practical charity and generous solidarity with the less fortunate which has long been the distinguishing mark of American Catholics." "May her example help young people in particular to appreciate that no greater treasure can be found in this world than in following Christ with an undivided heart and in using generously the gifts we have received for the service of others and for the building of a more just and fraternal world."

Declaration Dominus Iesus must renew adhesion to Christ, says Pope

Vatican Ciy, 2 (NE) Addressing faithful before the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope John Paul II stressed the importance of the declaration "Dominus Iesus", from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith. "In the summit of the Jubilee Year, with the declaration 'Dominus Iesus' (Jesus is the Lord), that I have approved in a special way, I wanted to invite Christians to renew their adhesion to Him in the joy of faith, giving unanimous witness that He is, today and tomorrow, 'the path, the truth and the life'".

"Our confession of Christ, as the only Son of God… is not an act of arrogance" the Pope emphasized, "but a joyful recognition, since Christ has shown Himself to us without us doing nothing to deserve it. At the same time, He has committed us to continue giving witness of what we have received and to communicate to others what has been given to us", the Holy Father stressed.

Before the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square the Pope recalled as well that following the teachings of the II Vatican Council, the declaration Dominus Iesus does not deny salvation to non Christians, "but shows its ultimate source in Christ", and places the foundations for dialogue, "since a dialogue without foundations would degenerate into empty words".

Finally, the Holy Father explained that when the document stresses, as does the Vatican Council, that "the only Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church", this does not express little consideration for other Churches and eclesial communities. "I have the hope that this declaration, which I appreciate very much, can finally fulfill its function of clarification and at the same time of openness, after so many erroneous interpretations", the Pope said.

Archbishop Rigali urges responsibility in face of elections

St. Louis, 2 (NE) In a recent letter to parish priests to explain guidelines on political activity and the upcoming elections Archbishop Justin Rigali of St. Louis stressed that Priests, as all Americans, have a right as individual citizens to support the candidates and parties of their choice, but "it is not appropriate for a priest to endorse a political candidate or political party".

Before the upcoming elections, the Prelate recalled as well that nevertheless priest do have a responsibility to remind their parishioners to exercise their citizenship by becoming knowledgeable about public policy issues, being informed about the positions of candidates and voting, he added. "Priests also have a responsibility as religious teachers to sensitize their parishioners to the moral dimensions of public policy issues," he wrote.

Referring to the statement "Faithful Citizenship" issued by the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archcbishop Rigali emphasized that "our Catholic faith challenges us to be concerned about a broad range of issues, including the protection of human life, the promotion and empowerment of the family, the pursuit of social justice and the practice of global solidarity".

There must be "a paramount importance placed on the protection of human life, since this is the most fundamental of our inalienable rights," Archbishop Rigali wrote. Catholics cannot be complacent with a status quo that results in the killing of 1.3 million unborn children each year, he stated.

Argentina: Archdiocese laments US approval of abortion pill

Buenos Aires, 2 (NE) After the recent approval of the abortion pill RU-486 in the United States, the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, Argentina, expressed its "permanent support to the right to life from conception". In a communique released last week, the archdiocese stressed that "it is not an issue of creed, but of human rights, that aims to protect the innocent life that has no voice to defend itself". "While a million Argentineans prepare ourselves to pilgrim to our Shrine of Our Lady of Lujan, we cannot cease to implore to Her for those mothers that face the decision of a possible use of this pill, asking God to accompany them and give them strength to choose for life".

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