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November 7

Pope calls Venezuela to build society on Christian values

Vatican City, 7 (NE) Make "the Christian ethical values" which have configured your nation "a factor of social cohesion, of progress and peace" was the request made yesterday by Pope John Paul II, during the audience to receive the Letters of Credence from the new ambassador of the Republic of Venezuela. During his address, the Pope reflected about Church-state relations, highlighting the importance of dialogue and collaboration.

The Pope affirmed as well that just as in the past, "also under present circumstances, the Venezuelan people will benefit from the firm commitment of the Church and her pastors in support of the fundamental rights of people; in their firm defense of life from the moment of its conception to its natural end; in their intense and constant educational activity; in their promotion of the family as a natural institution and primary cell of society, and in their concern to save so many citizens from the burden of poverty, hunger, moral corruption and so many other forms of social marginalization."

John Paul II highlighted that "there must be no reticence or, even less so, rivalry, in matters concerning the common good and the dignified future of a people. These include categorical defence for human dignity in all its integrity and for an education open to the transcendental dimension of the person - something that cannot disregard the religious dimension - as well as the fundamental civil and social rights of every human being."

Holy See confirms Papal trip to Ukraine

Vatican City, 7 (NE) Continuing with his apostolic visits all over the world, Pope John Paul II will travel next year to Ukraine. The Papal trip, to take place in June 2001, was confirmed yesterday by the Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. In an official declaration responding to information made public by the German newspaper Bild Zeitung, which informed that Pope John Paul II was planning to renounce, Navarro-Valls clearly stated that this information "had no foundations". In fact, the Holy See spokesman said he could "confirm that the Holy Father will visit Ukraine on June" next year.

St. Louis archdiocese fights misinformation over abortion

St. Louis, 7 (NE) "I am amazed, even after the veto override in Missouri and all the related publicity, the large number of people who still remain uninformed about partial-birth abortion and the extreme permissiveness of our nation's public policy regarding abortion", recently wrote Archbishop Justin Rigali of St. Louis to priests of his archdiocese, in a new effort to encourage a pro-life culture. Responding to this reality, the archdiocese has published a brochure for faithful, detailing the partial-birth abortion. The brochure also contains statistics on abortion, as well as quotes from the U.S. bishops and the American Medical Association opposing the procedure. This is "our final educational initiative for this year's observance of Respect Life Month," stressed in relation to the brochure Archbishop Rigali, who has often decried toleration "of the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion". "We must surely be mindful of our untiring efforts with respect to partial-birth abortion till now as we prepare for the Tuesday elections. We must not allow the victory of these past years to be lost," he further emphasized.

Cardinal Rouco recalls urgency of evangelizing commitment

Madrid, 7 (NE) In a recent weekly speech, the Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, recalled to this city's faithful the urgency and need to transmit Faith as the pastoral goal of the years of 2000/2001 for the Archdiocese of Madrid. He also pointed out that the "transmission of Faith has acquired an urgency that cannot be postponed for European countries."

In his words, Cardinal Rouco expressed his concern for the lack of communication of the faith to the new generations, pointing out that "the more intense and powerful messages in their communicative capacity, that youth receives nowadays (…) are those of a lack of faith. Not only," he advised, "has the transmission of faith to children and to young people been abandoned, but also it is hard for the faithful to remain loyal to their faith and appreciate the inestimable value that it brings to their own lives."

In the face of this reality, Cardinal Rouco pointed out that "our Archdiocese is called on to give now and decidedly the step from 'a strengthened faith' to 'a transmitted faith'," a mission to which we all are called "according to our specific vocation, ministries and charisma." "Nobody can feel free from a duty born of the deepest demands of Christian charity. An apostolic commitment of the whole diocesan community to the transmission of faith would constitute the best fruit of the Year of the Great Jubilee," he further emphasized.

Archbishop of Lima stressed need for reconciliation in Peru

Lima, 7 (NE) "Reconciliation will not come from outside to inside, but rather it begins in the inside of the heart," pointed out Archbishop of Lima (Peru), Juan Luis Cipriani, stressing the need for reconciliation in this country. In radio declarations, Archbishop Cipriani fostered the initiatives - to apply in the political and social areas, of reconciliation in Peru, but recalled that "the basis of reconciliation is to recognize one's own sin."

The Prelate indicated that "for some people, focusing on the situation like this is a utopia," "because people only want to see the concrete problems." However, following Pope John Paul II´s teachings, he recalled that "although these wounds could seem very impressive, only by observing deeply are we able to find what the root is. The root is found in a wound in the inner side of men. We, the Catholic Church, in the light of faith, call this wound: sin."

On the other hand, the Archbishop of Lima also indicated that what is needed is "first of all to be reconciled to God, admitting that there is a norm of conduct, a law that is above me, above a nation, above a judicial earthly order," and that is reflected in the "conscience that we all have." A fruit of not listening to one's own conscience is " the mistreatment of others" in the different social environments.

He also manifested that "people's rights were never talked about as much as nowadays and violence was never seen like this, as well as the prejudices against human life, above all against the unborn children." To face this, quoting the Holy Father, he pointed out that "the Church identifies reconciliation with conversion. It is impossible to separate these two realities or to talk about one silencing the other." "This way," Archbishop Cipriani further emphasized, "changing man's heart, that is God's action and grace, if His work is allowed, leads to be a reconciliatory agent."

November 6

Pope calls politicians to live politics as a service to society

Vatican City, 6 (NE) Pope John Paul II invited yesterday politicians and legislators to consider their involvement in politics as a service to society, during the Eucharist celebration held in St. Peter's Square. Government leaders, members of parliament, politicians and public administrators from over 90 countries were present in the Jubilee celebration. During his homily, the Pope called politicians all over the world to "create just laws" and seek "to have them accepted and applied".

"Love your neighbour as yourself… how, in your delicate and demanding service to the State and to its citizens, can you carry out this commandment? The answer is clear: by living your involvement in politics as a service to others," the Pope stressed during his homily, addressing approximately 40 thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square. "Political service is lived in a precise and daily commitment which calls for great competence in the fulfillment of one's duties and unswerving morality in the selfless and accountable exercise of power."

"On the other hand, the personal integrity of the politician also needs to find expression in a correct conception of the social and political life which he or she is called to serve." "From this standpoint", the Pope continued, "Christian politicians need to make constant reference to those principles which the Church's social doctrine has developed in the course of time."

"These principles, as we know, do not constitute an 'ideology' and even less a 'political programme'; rather, they offer a fundamental approach to understanding the human person and society in the light of the universal ethical law present in the heart of every human being, a law which is clarified by the revelation of the Gospel", the Pope further stressed.

More than 120 Spanish martyrs to be beatified on March, 2001

Rome, 6 (NE) On March 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II will beatify 123 martyrs from Valencia, Spain, and several other Spanish martyrs whose names are still to be defined. According to the Archdiocese of Valencia, there are many causes still to be approved which may be ready before the celebration. All of the causes are related to men and women from different orders and congregations martyred during the last religious persecution in Spain, between 1931 and 1939. In the last months several martyrs of the Spanish Civil War and the religious persecution related to it have been raised to the altars. Regarding the celebration taking place in March, sources from the Archdiocese of Valencia informed that the number of faithful to be beatified may possibly reach 200, since at least 74 other causes are still pending approval by the Holy See. The celebration will take place in St. Peter's Square.

Calcutta Archbishop stresses need to humanize education

Rome, 6 (NE) During a recent meeting of high education teachers held in India, Archbishop Henry D'Souza of Calcutta stressed the need to encourage an humanistic approach in education. In his address to members of the Xavier Board for Higher Education in India, Archbishop D'Souza called educators in this country to humanize education in the face of eroding human values, making an effort "to make the human person the focus of all our endeavor." Speaking on "Christian Higher Education in the Third Millennium", the Archbishop warned that specialization in education has led to an imbalance in human development. The human person, he stressed, should be "the focus of all progress." The Xavier Board for Higher Education in India, founded in 1951, gathers more than 170 Catholic Schools of the 240 currently in activity throughout the country.

Spain: International congress to reflect about St. John of Avila

Madrid, 6 (NE) Preparations for an international congress to reflect on the life of St. John of Avila are advancing in Madrid, Spain. The event, to take place in the frame of celebrations for the commemoration of the fifth centenary of the Spanish saint's birth, will be held in Madrid on November 27-30. As it was informed, the meeting will reflect on St. John of Avila from three different perspectives. The first will take place with the theme "St. John of Avila and his time", the second "St. John of Avila, Theologian", and the third "St. John of Avila, Pastor". Attending the congress will be Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, who will offer a conference to participants. Also present will be Archbishop Carlos Amigo Vallejo of Seville, and Archbishop Antonio Montero of Merida-Badajoz. Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid and President of the Spanish Bishop's Conference, will preside the closing ceremony of the Congress on November 30.

November 2

Pope celebrates 50th anniversary of Dogma of Assumption

Vatican City, 2 (NE) In the frame of the solemnity of All Saints, Pope John Paul II presided yesterday a solemn Eucharist celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the dogmatic definition of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. During the Mass, held in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope stressed that All Saints Day recalls "not only those saints and blessed celebrated throughout the liturgical year, but also the anonymous saints, only known by Him".

The Holy Father also recalled that 50 years before, his predecessor, Pope Pius XII, had defined in St. Peter's Square the dogma of the Assumption of Mary to heaven. "Let us praise the Lord for glorifying His mother, associating her to His victory over sin and death", the Pope said. Reflecting afterwards about the Annunciation, the Pontiff stressed that "Mary shows what has constituted the fundament of his holiness: a profound humility". Because of her humility, "Mary sees with truth herself, the rest of the people, the world".

In closing, the Pope addressed the Blessed Virgin. "In you we see the goal of holiness to which God has called all the members of the Church. In your life of faith we see the clear indication of the door towards spiritual maturity and towards Christian holiness", he said.

"Morning-after" pill is an abortive drug, says Pontifical Academy

Vatican, 2 (NE) By means of a public communique issued this week, the Pontifical Academy for Life denounced that, even when its effects have been tried to be reduced, the so called "Morning-after" pill is an abortive drug. The pill, which is now sold in Italian drugstores, prevents the implantation of the fertilized embryo, resulting in the expel and lost of the embryo. "This", stresses the Pontifical Academy, " is nothing but an abortion by chemical means".

The communique also denounces the numerous attempts from those who promote the pill of minimizing and hiding its authentic effect through scientific distinctions between the egg, the embryo and the fetus. These terms, says the Academy, "distinguish different moments of a single process of growth, but it must never be allowed to decide arbitrarily that the human has a higher or lower value (with consequent fluctuations in the duty of defending it) according to the developing state in which it is found".

Facing this reality, the Pontifical Academy for Life strongly urges "people involved in health care to firmly make and objection of moral conscience" and not sell the pill. In closing, the communique stresses the need to "give a courageous witness of the inalienable value of human life, specially before the new disguised forms of aggression to the weakest and undefended individuals, which is the case of the human embryo".

Taiwan Catholics join in celebration for Chinese martyrs

Rome, 2 (NE) As did numerous Catholics on Sunday, some 2,600 Catholics from across Taiwan celebrated last weekend the recent canonization of the first Chinese Saints. The event that included a singing contest, drama, an exhibition, was closed with a Eucharist celebration that remembered the 120 Martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II on the Oct. 1 this year. According to a news report from UCANews agency, choirs from different dioceses and Church-run schools attended the event. The closing Mass was presided by Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi of Kaohsiung, president of the Taiwan Bishops' Conference, who urged lay Catholics to witness their faith. The Cardinal asked them not to be afraid to declare their religious identity, because "God is with us, Christ is with us and many saints are with us." "In the secular society of Taiwan where Catholics are a minority, the Church needs witnesses more than ever," the Cardinal stressed.

US Bishops urge to "fundamental changes" in approach to criminal justice

New York, 2 (NE) The Bishops from the different dioceses in the state of New York have issued a declaration calling to fundamental changes in the state's approach to crime and punishment. Titled "Restoring All to the Fullness of Life: A Pastoral Statement on Criminal Justice for the Jubilee Year," the document urges to encourage an approach to criminal justice that involves "healing for the victim, rehabilitation and re-integration for the offender, and safety and stability for society". That is, "a restorative approach to justice". The Bishops in the state of New York stress that the issue requires as well "attention to the root causes of crime" and efforts to rehabilitate offenders. The statement also reiterates the Bishops' opposition to capital punishment, which "undermines respect for human life, perpetuating and even intensifying the cycle of violence," and calls for a moratorium on executions "as a first step toward developing non-lethal means of protecting society."

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