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January 11

Pope reflects on "commitment to freedom and justice"

Vatican City, 11 (NE) Pope John Paul II gathered yesterday with pilgrims from all over the wolrd and reflected during his weekly catechesis on the "Commitment to freedom and justice." The prophets, said the Pope, remind us "that we must commit ourselves to free the oppressed and bring justice to reign."

The service of charity coherently associated with faith and the liturgy, the commitment to justice, the struggle against all forms of oppression and the protection of individual dignity are not, for Christians, expressions of philanthropy motivated purely by the fact of belonging to the human family. Rather, they are choices and actions of a profoundly religious nature, they are true sacrifices and pleasing to God."

Church commitment to reflection on this matter, he continued, "should receive a special impulse from the experience of the Jubilee. In its biblical roots, such commitment is a celebration of solidarity" that "could be expressed, as I have repeatedly suggested, in the total eradication or at least reduction of the international debt of poor countries."

Armenia celebrates 1700 years of evangelization

Rome, 11 (NE) Armenia will celebrate this year the 1700th anniversary of its conversion to Christianity, which took place in the year 301, recalled this week the Patriarch of the Armenian Catholics Nerses Bedros XIX. In a message sent to Armenian faithful in Lebanon and in other parts of the world, the Patriarch stressed that the celebration must be an occasion of deep inner renewal, both in the spiritual and daily life. Meanwhile, it was announced that the Holy See will prepare a series of special medals to commemorate the event. Also, as part of the celebrations, Pope John Paul II will preside a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on February 18, attended by Armenian Catholics from all over the world headed by Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX. Armenia became in the year 301 the first kingdom to convert to the Catholic faith, with the baptism of the king. Much of the evangelization was encouraged by St. Gregory the Illuminator, and it became a base for the evangelization of several regions in the Caucasus.

January 10

Cardinal Sodano highlights blessings of Jubilee year

Rome, 10 (NE) Pope John Paul II' new apostolic letter, "Novo millennio ineunte" marks a "long term program for the Church, so that she may continue with confidence her mission in the third millennium". With these words Cardinal Angelo Sodano, State Secretary, commented the Pope's latest document, signed last January 6 after closing the Jubilee Year 2000.

In declarations to the Italian daily "Corriere della sera", Cardinal Sodano highlighted as well the importance that the Jubilee has meant for the Church. "Throughout this Holy Year", he stressed, "we have witnessed the flowing of divine grace". "Everything comes and goes, only Christ lives forever: this is the message. We need to turn our eyes to Christ to continue building a world that is better for everybody. This is the Christian proposal", he commented.

Recalling several Jubilee activities, Cardinal Sodano said that among the events that had impressed him most was the World Youth Day. It was "a pacific invasion of Rome by youth, witnesses of hope", the Cardinal remarked.

Catholic Church encourages reconciliation in East Timor

Rome, 10 (NE) Bishops in East Timor and in neighboring west Timor, Indonesia, expressed their desire of reconciliation among the two peoples in a recent joint message. The statement was read by Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, Apostolic Administrator of Dili, after a celebration held last January 6 in Dili. In it the Prelates also expressed their concern for the situation of refugees and called the authorities to help thousands of east Timor refugees to return to their country.

In the communique the Bishops expressed their "concern and awareness of the difficult situation of East Timorese people still suffering in the provisional shelters for refugees" in west Timor. The Catholic Church in East Timor has "promoted the process of reconciliation through the resources in place and will continue to support all efforts for the welcoming back", further said the message. The Bishops also called for the formation of a national commission for truth and reconciliation in East Timor.

In August 1999, more than 80% voted in East Timor for independence from Indonesia, an event that was followed by the violent opposition of militias backed by Indonesian military. It is esteemed that approximately 300.000 people fled to west Timor or were forced to go there by the militias during the process on independence from Indonesia.

Venezuela: Nuncio stressed importance of religious education in schools

Caracas, 10 (NE) The Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela, Archbishop Andre Dupuy, highlighted this week the need for religious education in schools, during his address to Venezuelan Bishops gathered for their general assembly. In his opening address, Archbishop Dupuy stressed that the "Church is not asking for privileges, but for a place and means to exercise her mission". In past days, government authorities have threatened to take control of schools maintained by the Church, as well as of other private schools. Regarding this issue, the Apostolic Nuncio highlighted the need for a constructive dialogue with the government. "The Church has no interest at all in a confrontation with the state, and I don't think the state is interested in a confrontation with the Church", he said. "As encouragers of unity, we are called to build reconciliation and solidarity". Archbishop Dupuy also insisted that the Holy See wanted good Church-state relations, in which the necessary autonomy and duties of both bodies are respected.

January 9

Pope awarded US Congressional Gold Medal

Vatican City, 9 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday morning the US Congressional Gold Medal, during an audience to a delegation of US congressmen. The medal recognizes the Holy Father's commitment in favor of the defense of human dignity. "It is not for the Successor of the Apostle Peter to seek honors, but I gladly accept the Congressional Gold Medal as a recognition that in my ministry there has echoed a word that can touch every human heart", the Pope said during the audience.

"It has been my endeavor to proclaim the word of God, which on the very first page of the Bible tells us that man and woman have been created in his very image and likeness." "From this great truth", he continued, "there flows all that the Church says and does to defend human dignity and to promote human life. This is a truth which we contemplate in the glory of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, crucified and risen from the dead. In the years of my ministry, but especially in the Jubilee Year just ended, I have invited all to turn to Jesus in order to discover in new and deeper ways the truth of man".

"I accept this award" said the Pope in closing, "as a sign that you, as legislators, recognize the importance of defending human dignity without compromise, so that your nation may not fail to live up to its high responsibilities in a world where human rights are so often disregarded."

New Papal document highlights call to holiness, says Italian Archbishop

Tettamanzi, stressed this week that Pope John Paul II' new apostolic letter highlights the call to holiness. Commenting the document, the Italian Cardinal affirmed that regarding a program set out by the Holy Father, "the first word to be spoken is holiness". According to Cardinal Tettamanzi, Pope John Paul II' letter centers the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, and the perspectives that from this event open to the future, in the encounter with the Lord Jesus. "The encounter with Christ", he stressed, "radically marks the being and action of Christians". Genoa's Archbishop also said that the members of the Church that in any way have lived that experience of encountering the Lord must become "'witnesses', 'transparence of Christ', that fascinates and invites, making possible for others to also 'see' Christ".

Dominican Republic: Archbishop highlights blessings during Holy Year

Santo Domingo, 9 (NE) "We can say that this year of the Jubilee was full of emotions and unforgettable experiences, a true Holy Year, in which the Lord blessed his people abundantly. We are happy and thank Him." With these words Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, synthesized the Holy Year, highlighting the various fruits that the Great Jubilee has given to the Church in the Dominican Republic. The Cardinal affirmed that during the year of the Jubilee thousands of Dominican people have been benefited with the gift of indulgence, and highlighted the grace and power of the ceremonies in which the youth have taken part, as well as the celebrations in schools and universities. He also gave special importance to the Jubilee of Life, held on February 2, which according to the Cardinal was a celebration marked by the fervor of the participants. Finally, the Archbishop of Santo Domingo recalled with special relevance the ordination of 25 new priests, that took place last 24th of June.

Pontifical Council president condemns use of "morning-after pill"

Rome, 9 (NE) In recent declarations to the Italian daily La Repubblica, the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral, Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, confirmed again the opposition of the Church to the so-called "morning-after pill". This pill "causes abortion, and thus the Church must immediately condemn it… the Church is always against everything that denies life from the very first moment of its conception", affirmed the President. "The Church always affirms her truth, which comes from evangelic truth: it can be accepted or rejected, but concerning the truth, although it may cause discomfort to some, the Church will never compromise it. This is because the Church must always be a guide for the faithful," pointed out the Mexican Prelate. He also qualified as arbitrary the declarations of the Italian Prime Minister, Giuliano Amato, who affirmed that the so-called "morning-after pill" is not abortive.

January 8

Holy Father closes Holy Door and finishes Jubilee Year

Vatican City, 8 (NE) Pope John Paul II presided last Saturday the closing ceremony of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, closing as well the Great Jubilee 2000. During a solemn ceremony, the Pope finally closed the Holy Door, which has been crossed by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world throughout the Jubilee Year.

During his homily, the Pope said that "by coming here to Rome or by going on pilgrimage elsewhere in the many Jubilee churches, countless individuals in a sense set out in the footsteps of the Wise Men in search of Jesus." "The Holy Door", he further stressed, "is simply the symbol of the meeting with Him. It is Christ who is the true 'Holy Door'; it is He who makes it possible for us to enter the Father's house and who introduces us into the intimacy of the divine life."

"The Church has sought in this Jubilee year to be more resolute in fulfilling the role which the star fulfilled in guiding the Wise Men on their journey. The Church lives not for herself, but for Christ. She wants to be the 'star', the point of reference which helps people find the path which leads to him."

"May the Lord grant that, in the new millennium, the Church will grow ever more in holiness, that she may become in history a true epiphany of the merciful and glorious face of Christ the Lord", said the Pope in closing.

Pope signs new apostolic letter "Novo millennio ineunde"

Vatican City, 8 (NE) Last January 6, after closing the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and concluding the Jubilee Year, Pope John Paul II signed his new apostolic letter "Novo millennio ineunde". In this document, as the Pope said during his homily, he offers "some reflections which can help the whole Christian community to 'set out' with fresh enthusiasm after the Jubilee event."

"Of course, it is not a question of organizing, in the short term, other major initiatives. We return to our normal activities, but this is something quite different from taking a rest. Rather, we need to draw from the experience of the Jubilee useful lessons which can give inspiration and effective direction to our new commitment." "I offer these reflections to the particular Churches, as a sort of 'legacy' of the Great Jubilee, so that the Churches can incorporate them in their pastoral planning," he further emphasized. "There is an urgent need first of all to build on the desire to contemplate Jesus Christ which the experience of this year has given us."

"We need to 'set out anew from Christ', with the zeal of Pentecost, with renewed enthusiasm. To set out from him above all in a daily commitment to holiness, with an attitude of prayer and of listening to His word. To set out from him in order to testify to his Love by living a Christian life marked by communion, charity, and witness before the world. This is the programme which I suggest in the present Apostolic Letter. It can all be reduced to one word: 'Jesus Christ!'".

US Archbishop urges renewal of spiritual life at his diocese

Philadelphia, 8 (NE) "What will you do to improve your relationship with God this year?" Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia asked the faithful of his Archdiocese in his last radio message. In it Cardinal Bevilacqua specially emphasized that this change of year means a "time for renewal" for all of us: "this particular year is an opportune time to review the direction your life is taking," stated Philadelphia's Archbishop. He also insisted on the growth of each Christian's spiritual life. This should be a task of this new year, through personal prayer and also through liturgy and prayer in common, he stressed.

Argentinean president renews commitment with defense of life

Buenos Aires, 8 (NE) Argentinean president Fernando De la Rua expressed his commitment to defend life "from conception to its natural end" in a letter recently sent to Pope John Paul II. The Argentinean president will be received by the Holy Father at the Vatican on April 5. "We reaffirm our commitment with life, and we join the voices of those who want life to be respected from conception until its natural end. We reiterate our denial of cloning, genetic manipulation, euthanasia and capital punishment," wrote president De la Rua to Pope John Paul II.

Thus the Argentinean president renewed before the Holy Father his firm commitment with defense of life. In his letter to the Pope, president De la Rua also mentioned the Argentinean Eucharistic Encounter which took place in Cordoba on occasion of the Holy Year. It was "an example for our country of how an authentic reconciliation and encounter is forged among men."

"We Argentineans want to answer this message's calling to become witnesses and missionaries of forgiveness and reconciliation," wrote the Argentinean president. In his final words "with filial devotion and respect," De la Rua asked the Pope's comforting "apostolic blessing for the Argentinean people and for those who have the responsibility of government."

January 5

Holy Doors of three Major Basilicas in Rome to be closed today

Rome, 5 (NE) The Holy Doors of three Major Basilicas in Rome will be closed today afternoon, during the celebration of vespers for the solemnity of the Epiphany. The Holy Doors of St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Mary Maggiore, crossed by thousands of faithful during the Holy Year, will be closed approximately at the same time during parallel ceremonies presided each by a Cardinal Legate.

The closing ceremony for the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica will take place on Saturday, presided by Pope John Paul II himself. During the celebration the Pope will also officially close the Jubilee Year and sign a new pastoral letter "Novo millennio ineunte". As part of the Holy Year's closing activities, the Pope will gather today with children from all over the world.

The number of pilgrims waiting in St. Peter's Square to cross the Holy Door has increased over the last days. Yesterday, as it will probably be done today as well, the doors of the Basilica remained open till later in the afternoon to allow more pilgrims to gain the Jubilee indulgence by crossing the Holy Door.

New Holy Door for St. John Lateran's Basilica

Rome, 5 (NE) Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Pope John Paul II' Vicar for the diocese of Rome, will close today afternoon the new Holy Door of St. John Lateran's Basilica. During the celebration of vespers, Cardinal Ruini will close the new Holy Door made of bronze and measuring 3.6 meters high and 1.9 meters wide. Made by an Italian artist, the door was finished after almost two and a half years of work. Among the several images that the author sculpted in the door, the images of the Blessed Virgin with the Child and of Christ Crucified stand out. The author said that several details now present in the door were inspired from the Basilica's central door, while in others he followed the original design. Among other details, the new Holy Door bears the inscription "Iubilaeum A.D.2000" and the theme of the Holy Year 2000: "Christus Heri Hodie Semper".

January 4

"Christ, the one and universal way that leads to God", recalls Pope

Vatican City, 4 (NE) During the year's first general audience, Pope John Paul II dedicated yesterday his weekly catechesis to reflect on the birth of the Lord Jesus and his work of salvation. "Before the manger, the Church adores the glorious mystery of the Incarnation," the Pope said. "The Child that rests in the arms of Mary is the Word incarnate who has entered time and has assumed the human nature hurt by sin, to incorporate to Himself and redeem it."

Addressing faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled that "in the grotto of Bethlehem, the infinite love that God has for all human beings is expressed with disarming simplicity. In the manger, we contemplate God Who became man for our sake." "The nativity scene celebrates the alliance between God and man, between earth and heaven." As from this time, the Pope further said "every human reality, every temporal viscitude assumes an eternal resonance".

"Comforted by the gift of the birth of the Savior", the Holy Father said in closing, "let us intensify our efforts in these last days of the Holy Year. Let us open our hearts to Christ, the one and universal way that leads to God. Thus we will be able to advance into the new year with solid confidence."

Holy Father to sign new pastoral letter on January 6

Rome, 4 (NE) The Holy See Press Office officially announced yesterday the publication of a new document written by Pope John Paul II. The document, a pastoral letter with the title "Novo millennio ineunte" (At the start of the new millennium), will be signed by the Pope on January 6. As it was announced, the Pope's new pastoral letter will be signed after the Eucharistic celebration of Saturday, January 6, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord and the final day of the Great Jubilee 2000. The new document, to be presented during a press conference on Monday, January 8, will be first available in Italian, English, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese.

Danger in Holy Land "is to lose hope", says Apostolic Delegate

Rome, 4 (NE) In the framework of the closing activities of the Holy Year in Holy Land, Archbishop Pietro Sambi highlighted the Holy Father's desire to be close to faithful in this region. In declarations to Fides news agency, the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine said that "the Pope wanted Christians in Holy Land to feel his closeness, and Christians have felt it strongly".

"The Pope wanted to repeat his strong encouragement for dialogue to reach peace among the people of the region", added the Archbishop, who also expressed his concern for the situation of violence that affects the region in these days. "The danger at this moment is that the Christians, Jews and Muslims lose hope", he said in his declarations. "This hope is recovered by praying for peace and working for peace, a fair and durable peace".

The closing of Holy Year in Holy Land took place during an Eucharistic celebration carried out at Saint Catherine's Church, in Bethlehem, next to the Nativity Basilica.

Argentina: Catholic doctors request law amplification to protect unborn

Buenos Aires, 4 (NE) The Catholic Doctors Consortium in Argentina requested the Public Health minister not to authorize in Argentina the selling of the RU-486 pill and other similar drugs of abortive effects. In their petition, the Catholic doctors also emphasized the need to modify a norm that allows the public consumption of drugs already authorized in other countries, such as the United States.

This law implies that once the American FDA authorized the selling of the abortive pill RU-486, it will automatically be possible to import and sell it in Argentina. In relation to this, the Consortium affirmed the necessity of excluding contraceptives from the automatic authorization for import and sale.

In their petition it was also advised that "many are the elements called contraceptives that actually are abortive because they cause the death of a human life acting in different ways: Killing the recently formed embryo -when the sperm has penetrated in the ovum- or in its first cellular divisions; Impeding the nesting of the embryo in the uterine mucous; or causing uterine contractions that eliminate the embryo already nested".

January 3

Russian Catholics renew life of faith after fall of communism

Rome, 3 (NE) After the fall of communism in Russia, the Catholic Church in this country is beginning an important time of growth, according to a report by the Catholic Italian daily Avvenire. Signals of a positive growth among Catholic faithful were analyzed during a recent meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference held in Irkutsk, Siberia. According to numbers made known during the assembly, the number of Catholic Russians living in Russia is 110 thousand.

Considering foreign Catholics living in Russia, the total number of Catholics living in the country reaches 400 thousand, distributed in five dioceses and 220 parishes. There are currently 114 priests and 127 religious. During the meeting it was also informed that the number of conversions to Catholicism is increasing.

Over the last months the Catholic Church in Russia has had several important achievements to encourage her growth, after so many years of persecution and difficulties. Last year Catholic faithful celebrated their first National Eucharistic Congress, gathering people from all over the country. On December 1999 the church of the Immaculate Conception, in Moscow, was dedicated after being 30 years confiscated by the communist authorities. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, State Secretary, participated in the celebration.

That same year, in May, three deacons where ordained in St. Petersburg. The three new priests became the first priests prepared and ordained in Russia since 1917.

Scotland Bishops oppose selling of morning-after pill

Glasgow, 3 (NE) Catholic Bishops in Scotland, led by Cardinal Thomas Winning, Archbishop of Glasgow, criticized the government for its decision to sell the morning-after pill, stressing that the government could be pushing up rates of "early chemically-induced abortion" and sexually transmitted disease. In a pastoral letter on occasion of the new year, the Bishops called on doctors, pharmacists, parents and teenagers to reflect on the "reality of what is being proposed and exercise their conscientious right of objection". "In this case it is a form of early abortion. The Church cannot remain silent on this issue, given the gravity of what is being proposed." In their message, the Bishops stressed that they shared the government's aim of tackling the problem of unwanted teenage pregnancy but warned the morning-after pill was not the best method. "If the 'solution' risks damaging human life, contributing to the breakdown in family life and violating consciences then we have to ask whether it is indeed a 'solution' at all," said the letter.

Holy See spokesman highlights development of Holy Year events

Rome, 3 (NE) The alarmisms "of a lay sector, most of them radical" in relation to the development of the Holy Year have been demonstrated as "absolutely groundless", recently said Joaquín Navarro-Valls, Holy See Press Office Director, in declarations to Vatican Radio. The Vatican spokesman also affirmed that at this moment "it is difficult to make a balance precisely because of the richness of this Holy Year."

In his declarations to the microphones of Vatican Radio, Navarro-Valls underlined that a balance can not only count the "exorbitant" number of pilgrims, because it is necessary to "meditate on the reasons that have taken these people to Rome", with motivations "exclusively religious" in an time that is called by many as post-Christian or post-metaphysical.

The Vatican spokesman also highlighted the accomplishment of the numerous activities of the Holy Year and the need to "thank in first place the people of Rome and their interior flexibility", as well as the authorities and volunteers who have collaborated for the successful development of the events.

Paraguay: faithful encouraged to take advantage of last days of Jubilee

Asuncion, 3 (NE) The Secretary of the Paraguayan Bishops Conference, Bishop Pastor Cuquejo, encouraged the faithful in this country to take advantage of the last days of the Great Jubilee to obtain the plenary indulgence. In declarations to a local newspaper, the Prelate also emphasized the fruits of conversion and reconciliation in many people and families along the Holy Year, which will be closed the next January 6. He also pointed out in his declarations that this conversion "must be a change of life, of mentality, of actuation". "That proceeding change must bring with it the reconciliation with all", he added. He said that along the Jubilee Year there have been many witnesses "of an individual, familiar and collective reconciliation" that should encourage a more fruitful social coexistence.

January 2

Pope entrusts to Blessed Mary humanity of the Third Millennium

Rome, 2 (NE) Pope John Paul II presided yesterday a solemn Mass on occasion of the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. The Eucharist was attended by tens of thousands of faithful that gathered in St. Peter's Square for the first Mass of the year presided by the Pope. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, State Secretary, concelebrated. Yesterday, January 1, the Church also celebrated the 34th World Day of Peace.

During his homily the Holy Father stressed the need for peace in the world, raising his prayers to Jesus Christ, "Prince of Peace", to bestow His peace over the world. The Pope also affirmed that in the context of globalization and the interrelation of different cultures in today's world, the achievement of peace demands as an indispensable premise "the urgency to defend life, fundamental good of humanity, since peace cannot be invoked while life is being despised".

The Pope also expressed his joy for the celebration of the feast of Holy Mary, Mother of God. "Mary is the Women of Faith, she has made a space for God in her heart, in her projects, in her body, in her experience as wife and mother", he said. "Faith leads the Most Holy Virgin to travel unknown and unexpected paths, maintaining all this in her heart, in the intimacy of her spirit, to answer God and His Plan of Love with renewed adhesion". "To you, in this first day of the year 2001, we entrust the illusions and hopes of all humanity", said the Pope.

More than 8.5 million gathered with Pope during year 2000

Rome, 2 (NE) More than 8.5 million faithful have attended throughout the year 2000 the different Jubilee events presided by Pope John Paul II. The estimated number was made public by the Holy See adding the tickets distributed for the different ceremonies and the general and special audiences, considering as well the number of people that attended the Sunday angelus prayer with the Pope.

Only in the 45 general audiences held last year participated 1.463.500 persons, a number that triples the mean of attendance to this audiences throughout the Pope's 22 years as Successor to St. Peter. 1.342.088 faithful attended special audiences, most of them to delegations of Jubilee pilgrims, and it is esteemed that approximately 1.057.000 persons attended the Angelus prayer meetings with the Pope.

A total of 4.652.500 faithful attended the different Jubilee celebrations held during the last year, from January 1, 2000. Thus, the total number of people which attended an event presided by the Pope raises to 8.515.088. The most attended event, as it was predicted, was the Mass presided by the Holy Father during the World Youth Meeting, held in August. The registered attendance to this event was of 2.000.500 faithful.

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