A daily news service

February 9

Denver Archbishop stresses value of true freedom in business

Denver, 9 (NE) "Real freedom is rooted in self-mastery, self-discipline, and talents that are turned outward for others. We need to give to receive", stressed recently Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, during a meeting with Denver business leaders. "Where does God belong in the marketplace? He belongs in the hearts and the actions of the people who make the market succeed… Each of us becomes 'powerful' by becoming free, and we become free by mastering ourselves and living for others," he said.

During the meeting, the Archbishop highlighted as well the importance of considering first the individual and respect the human being in economic issues. "Power, including economic power, can become a kind of addiction. The language of appetite begins to subvert the language of ideals", Archbishop Chaput stressed.

"There's a wonderful dignity in financial success rightly earned. But we never lose responsibility for those around us", he said. "When we do lose sight of that responsibility -when we reduce others to statistics or stereotypes or impersonal social problems- the bonds that hold a nation together begin to unravel."

Stressing the importance of freedom, Archbishop Chaput recalled that "if we associate the idea of freedom with cars or cell phones or computers, as we relentlessly do in our advertising, pretty soon we lose the real vocabulary of freedom". "More importantly, we can't be free until we live, in some sense, for others", he further emphasized.

Sri Lanka: historic Marian pilgrimage for peace and reconciliation

Rome, 9 (NE) The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka will begin in the following days an historic Marian pilgrimage which will cross the country for peace and reconciliation. The image of Our Lady of Madhu, from the national shrine in Madhu, about 220 kilometers north of Colombo, will travel from the northern war zone to the south for the first time in its 450-year history.

"This is not just a program of prayer, it is also education for peace," announced Bishop Malcolm Ranjith of Ratnapura, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops' Conference in Sri Lanka. The prayer campaign, to be organized by the Catholic National Commission for Justice, Peace and Human Development, will include a national prayer rally at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Tewatte, in Colombo archdiocese.

As it was informed, each area will hold a triduum in preparation for the arrival of the image of Our Lady of Madhu, and all collections during the image's pilgrimage will be channeled to refugees of the war between Tamil rebels and the Sinhalese-led government army in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. The bishops will also issue a pastoral letter explaining the meaning and objectives of the program, according to Bishop Ranjith.

February 8

Pope reflects on the Church, "bride of the Lamb"

Rome, 8 (NE) "The Church, bride of the Lamb, adorned for her husband" was the theme of Pope John Paul II' catechesis yesterday, during the general audience held in the Paul VI Hall. The Pope recalled that in the Book of Apocalypse St. John speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem as "'a bride adorned for her husband'. The feminine symbol portrays the face of the Church in her various aspects of betrothed, bride, and mother, thus emphasizing a dimension of love and fruitfulness."

"To be loved by Christ and to love Him with spousal love is integral to the mystery of the Church. ... The Church must let this supreme love shine through, reminding humanity - which often feels alone and abandoned in the wastelands of history - that it will never be forgotten and deprived of the warmth of divine tenderness. ... Precisely because she has been born of love, the Church pours out love."

The Holy Father further affirmed that "another fundamental dimension of the spousal nature of the Church is fruitfulness." "Distinction and reciprocity in the human couple are a sign of the love of God not only as the basis of a vocation to communion, but also in its purpose of productive fruitfulness", he said. "It is thus understood how also the Church, in the Spirit which animates and unites her to Christ her Spouse, is endowed with an intimate fruitfulness, thanks to which she continually brings new children to birth in the waters of baptism and raises them up to fullness in Christ."

Future Spanish Cardinal stresses role of laity in evangelization

Madrid, 8 (NE) Faithful "must assume the task of giving witness of their faith with a more committed activity", said Archbishop Francisco Alvarez Martinez of Toledo, recently designated to be created Cardinal in the next Consistory of February 21. In declarations to a Spanish weekly magazine, the Archbishop stressed that his designation was an honor for al the people of Toledo, "who are very grateful to the Pope". The Archbishop also encouraged Spanish faithful, especially lay people, to live their faith "with coherence" and fulfill a more committed apostolic work considering their possibilities. Archbishop Martinez stressed that families are a privileged area where lay Catholics must commit themselves. "We cannot forget", he said, "what the II Vatican Council tells us: the laity in the Church mark a lifestyle of their own, and in the pastoral work of the diocese they can achieve a remarkable work".

"God is the first communicator", recalls Archbishop Foley

Rome, 8 (NE) "I would like to recall the dignity of your vocation, because of you, to a great extent, depends the transmission of truth, the perception of the dignity of the human person, and the wellbeing of society". With these words Archbishop John Foley, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications addressed yesterday a group of journalists in Germany. During his intervention, the Archbishop stressed that "God Himself is the first communicator". "God", he said, "is in a continuos communication with us, even when we are not conscious of this". Archbishop Foley also highlighted that "communication has a very high origin and constitutes a vocation: the responsibility to transmit truth and therefore love. Everything else follows this, and must be founded over a profound respect for the human person and for society". "Communication" he stressed to journalists, "is between persons, and it makes people be nearer one to each other. It is an essential element in society and should be only be used for good".

February 7

Pope to visit Malta and Syria in May

Rome, 7 (NE) Pope John Paul II will visit Syria and the island of Malta, following the path of the Apostle St. Paul, during the first days of May. As the Italian daily Avvenire informed yesterday, the Pope would stay one day in Malta on his way to Syria. Regarding this trip, Archbishop Isidore Battikha, of the greek-melchite patriarchate of Antioch (Syria), announced yesterday in Damascus that the Holy Father will visit Syria on May 5. Father Roberto Tucci, to be created Cardinal on the Consistory of February 21, is currently in Malta to prepare the Pope's trip. According to declarations to Vatican Radio, Pope John Paul II' trip to Malta and Syria will be his last trips prepared by Father Tucci. The Pope is also scheduled to visit Ukraine from the 23rd to the 27th of June this year.

Mexico: Cardinal Rivera encourages youth to give witness of their faith

Mexico City, 7 (NE) A call to hope and to build a better world were the center of Cardinal Norberto Rivera's message to youth gathered this weekend in Mexico City to celebrate the feast of St. Felipe de Jesus. During his meeting with the youth, the Archbishop of Mexico expressed his concern for the "culture of death" and the many other problems in today´s society which makes young people "fall into a spiral of hoplessness. Before this reality, Cardinal Rivera stressed the need to build a better world, working for a culture of life and the creation of a civilization of love. The Archbishop specially encouraged the youth to help those most in need not only with material things, but aboce all transmitting their faith. Recalling the witness of the Apostle St. Paul, Cardinal Rivera told those present to announce and teach their faith, being models to other believers through their conduct and their life of charity, faith and purity.

February 6

Everything ready for IXth World Day of the Sick 2001

Madrid, 6 (NE) The Cathedral of Sydney, Australia, will host this weekend the IXth World Day of the Sick 2001, to take place this year with the theme "New Evangelization and the dignity of the suffering man". The event, organized by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, will be held on February 11. As the pontifical council explained, the World Day of the Sick is taking place in Australia as a sign of "the close union in eclesial communion, that overcomes distances, favoring the encounter of diverse cultural identities". Present in the meeting will be Archbishop Javier Lozano Barragan, President of this Vatican dicastery.

In his message for the World Day of the Sick, Pope John Paul II stressed the "need to evangelize in a new way this area of human experience", to orient it to "the integral wellbeing of the person and the progress of all the people in the different parts of the world". The Pope also expressed his wish that "the many potentialities of modern medicine be placed at the effective service of man and be applied with full respect of his dignity".

The first World Day of the sick took place in 1993, in the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (France). In 1994 the event was held in Czestochova (Poland), in 1995 in Yamoussoukro (Ivory Coast); in 1996 in the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico); in 1997 in Fatima (Portugal); in 1998 in Loreto (Italy); in 1999 in the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon Harissa (Lebanon); and in the year 2000 in the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome.

Relics of Blessed Pope Pius IX "visit" hometown

Rome, 6 (NE) Faithful in Senigallia, the Italian town where Giovanni Mastai-Ferretti, the future Pope Pius IX, was born, have received this week with great joy relics of the Blessed Pope. Throughout the week several commemorative activities will take place in this town in homage of the Pope, raised to the altars by Pope John Paul II in September, 2000.

The relics were brought from Rome to the church of Porto, and were then taken in procession to the church of the Magdalene, where the activities will take place. Bishop Giuseppe Orlandoni of Senigallia stressed that the arrival of the relics is "an event strongly desired by us", and highlighted the life of the Blessed Pope and his pontificate, which took place in very difficult times for the Church.

Activities throughout the week will include several conferences on the Blessed' life and Pontificate. Among the speakers will be Auxiliary Bishop Armando Brambilla of Rome and the postulator of Pope Pius IX' cause, Burrero Gherardini. On Wednesday, Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of saints, will inaugurate a monument in honor of Pius IX. The relics will afterwards be taken to Tolentino, Loreto, Volterra, Asís and Pontecorvo.

Brazil: Archdiocese begins course for Bishops

Rio de Janeiro, 6 (NE) The Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) began yesterday the XIth Course for Bishops that annually gathers Prelates from all over Brazil. The opening ceremony was presided by Cardinal Eugenio Araujo Sales, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, in the Center for Studies and Formation in Sumare.

The event has gathered more than 130 Archbishops and Bishops from different parts of Brazil. "As in previous occasions, it is a strictly personal initiative of Cardinal Eugenio Sales, as a gesture of fraternity and collaboration to his brother Bishops", said Bishop Karl Josef Romer, Auxiliary Bishop of Rio and coordinator of the event.

These already well-known annual courses began in 1990 as a means of formation and unity for Brazilian Bishops. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine of Faith, participated at the first course that took place in the Brazilian archdiocese. This year, among the speakers will be present Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Genoa.

Pittsburgh's Bishop TV program wins award

Pittsburgh, 6 (NE) A program from Bishop Donald W. Wuerl's "The Teaching of Christ" television series won an "Award of Distinction" in The Communicator Awards 2000 Video Competition. The particular program winning was "The Meaning of Christian Marriage," in which the Bishop of Pittsburgh explores the many characteristics of a true marriage, such as its enduring commitment, the love that makes it possible, the sharing of God's love and spiritual support for one another that raises marriage to the level of becoming a sacrament.

The Communicator Awards is a national program created by communications professionals to honor outstanding accomplishments in video production. More than 3300 entries from 47 states, the District of Columbia and eight other countries were submitted in this year's competition. The award was for excellence in exceeding industry standards in production or communication. The "Teaching of Christ" program is a continuing series broadcast on KDKA-TV Pittsburgh every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. It also is shown on numerous cable systems in the diocese in the week following the KDKA telecast and is nationally syndicated.

February 5

Pope calls to new evangelizing effort after Great Jubilee

Rome, 5 (NE) During his traditional meeting with pilgrims to pray the Angelus, Pope John Paul II recalled yesterday his latest apostolic letter and called faithful to foster evangelization encouraged by the recent celebration of the Great Jubilee. "Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and always, encourages every eclesial community to… head towards the new millennium that opens before us", he said.

"In fact, the great treasure of grace received throughout the Jubilee needs to be now translated into vigorous proposals and concrete operative lines", the Pope stressed. "This is the moment for a new spiritual and pastoral impulse, that is not ephemeral, based in the intense and profound experience of grace lived in the Jubilee". The Church, he said, "is called to row deep into the sea so that Christ may reach the people of every continent".

During his brief address before the Angelus prayer, the Pope also recalled the celebration of the Day for Life. Highlighting the theme chosen by the Italian Bishops for the event "Every child is a word", he said the "every child is a word pronounced to the fathers, called to welcome it". Children, he emphasized, "are also a word addressed to society, to which it offers its own contribution, and from which is expected help for its own development".

Archbishop Aguer emphasizes Marian presence in Church's life

Buenos Aires, 5 (NE) In a message on occasion of the patronal feasts of Our Lady of Lourdes, Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata emphasized the importance of Marian devotion in the Church's life. "The apparitions of Lourdes and the message of the Immaculate Conception to St. Bernardette", states the Prelate, "have been specially blessed, esteemed and recommended by the Church and the Popes, since Blessed Pius IX, who lived at that time, until John Paul II, who personally visited Lourdes… ¿How not to see in those facts at the grotto of Massabielle, in its quiet but luminous symbolism, the same style of the Gospel and the seal of Mary, the way that Christ wished 'the Lady' to be present in his Church?"

"We all know that Blessed Mary appeared to faithful many times in the long history of the Church, and more frequently during those centuries that were more difficult for the practice of our religion. God thus wanted to console His children and to call them to conversion, permitting that the Mother of God, through her maternity, may recall to men the eternal message of Jesus Christ, only Mediator, only Savior."

Archbishop Aguer also warns against the fact that "many people presently manifest an excessive anxiety in their search for marvelous events and celestial messages. They want to see, to listen to, to touch the supernatural realities, and to subjectively experiment the work of the Spirit." To face this reality, the Archbishop states that "a call to discretion is necessary; a call to serenity, to humble acceptation of the faith's logic, which treats invisible realities. We have the doctrine of the Church, the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, the grace of charity, the solicitude of Pastors, the spiritual style that belongs to Catholicism; let that suffice us."

"I wish," he continued, "our parish of Lourdes to become a living echo of everything that the Blessed Virgin brought us during the time of her apparitions: her heavenly presence, that with a brief sentence confirmed the dogmatic declaration of her immaculate conception, thus teaching us to love and obey the Church and her Magistery; the water of purification, that reminds us of the practice of penance and the Sacrament of forgiveness; the call to a new life in Christ; continuous prayer and the pure and coherent example in the virtues of Bernardette Soubirous; the miraculous sequel of spirituality that the original shrine of Lourdes exhibits, and its treasure of compassion."

Rome: Diocese begins courses of bio-ethics for youth

Rome, 5 (NE) "Education and bio-ethics" is the name of the Course for Youth and Educators that the Diocesan Service for Youth Pastoral in Rome and the Center of Formation and Education on Sexuality have organized. The course will start on February 6 in Rome. Many different lecturers will participate. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar general of Pope John Paul II for the Diocese of Rome, recently stated that a capital task of today is "to answer the challenges that arise from the development of biotechnology." These challenges must be faced starting from ethical foundations. Therefore, he manifested that "it is part of our mission as members of the Church to help people, specially young people, culture and institutions. We must help them be free from the prejudice or fear that the universe -including their own life and destiny- are abandoned to blind necessity or chance." "This fear consumes hope and reduces the force of ethical effort," he warned.

US Bishop encourages role of laity in evangelization

Kansas City, 5 (NE) "Never underestimate the power of God" stressed recently Bishop Monseñor Raymond J. Boland of Kansas City-St. Joseph, to a group of lay prayer leaders from across the diocese, members of the Lay Leaders of Prayer Formation Program began in 1997. The Bishop, expressing his satisfaction for the important duty the lay leaders are fulfilling working with people in need, inmates, people in hospital, stressed that "prayer is a conversation with God, and a conversation is not a one-way street."

"You listen also, and probably that listening is more important. And as you listen, you will become more confident and you will grow spiritually," he said. "That is the meaning of prayer - to reach across the divide and touch the eternal," the bishop said. "Whether or not you look for it, God is constantly touching your soul."

During the event, Bishop Boland also stressed that the ministry of priests is strengthened when lay people take up their own ministry. Recalling Pope John Paul II' apostolic exhortation "Christifidelis Laici", Bishop Boland stressed that all members share in the church's mission, noting "the infinite number of ways through which all members of the Church are employed as laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, building up the Mystical Body of Christ," and urging that "no talent, no matter how small, is to be hidden or left unused."

February 2

Pope highlights holiness and indissolubility of marriage

Rome, 2 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday the dean, prelate auditors, officials, and lawyers of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, on the occasion of the inauguration of the judicial year. During the annual meeting, the Pope thanked the members of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota for protecting the "holiness and indissolubility of marriage" and of the "sacred rights of the human person".

Pope John Paul II made reference to "the numerous ambiguities which have accumulated regarding the very notion of the 'nature'" of marriage. "Above all its metaphysical concept has been forgotten. ... In this view, the nature would be pure physical, biological and sociological data, to be manipulated through techniques according to one's own interests." "Marriage", he said, "is not simply any union between human persons, able to be formed according to a variety of cultural models."

"Looking at the historic and current reality of the family, not infrequently there is a tendency to emphasize the differences, in order to relativize the very existence of a natural design for union between man and woman."

The Pope affirmed that "reference to the natural dimension of their masculinity and femininity is crucial for understanding the essence of marriage. ... An ordering to the natural ends of marriage - the good of the married couple and the procreation and education of children - is intrinsically present in masculinity and femininity. This theological character is vital for understanding the natural dimension of the union."

New constitution of Vatican City State made public

Rome, 2 (NE) The text of the New Basic Law of Vatican City, promulgated by Pope John Paul on November 26, 2000, was made public yesterday. The text was promulgated after an ad hoc commission the Pope had appointed had completed its work to revise the text of the 1929 Basic Law. This earlier law was the first of six laws promulgated by Pope Pius XI following the signing of the Lateran Treaty on February 11, 1929 between the Holy See and Italy, which ended the "Roman Question" and also led to the creation of Vatican City State. Considered Vatican City's "constitution," the current Basic Law will enter into force on February 22, 2001, feast of the Chair of Peter.

Article I of the new law states, as did the old one, that "the Supreme Pontiff, Sovereign of Vatican City State, possesses the fullness of legislative, executive and judicial powers." Representation with other States is reserved to the Supreme Pontiff and is exercised through the Secretariat of State. The New Basic Law as it says in its introduction, responds to "the need to give systematic form and order to the changes introduced in the juridical order of the Vatican City State" during the last century. The main aim of the document is to guarantee "the freedom of the Apostolic See" and assure "the real and visible independence of the Roman Pontiff in the exercise of his mission in the world".

Burkina Faso: faithful celebrate centenary of evangelization with missionary commitment

Rome, 2 (NE) Catholics in Burkina Faso have celebrated, together with the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the first centenary of evangelization. Activities on occasion on the anniversary finished last January 21, with a Mass presided by Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Regarding the celebration, Bishop Wenceslas Compaore of Manga, stressed that the "arrival of the Gospel was a special grace for the whole country and a reason to celebrate, for, our parents in particular since they were the first to encounter the Gospel, meet Christ and embrace the faith".

In declarations to Fides news agency, the Bishop highlighted the coincidence between the Great Jubilee and the centennary of evangelization, stressing that "It was a twofold occasion to give thanks in unity with the universal Church for the Birth of the Saviour of the World, and for the arrival of the Gospel and the faith in our own land." This celebration, said the Bishop, will continued with a renewed evangelizing commitment. "Communities formed ten years ago are now beginning new evangelization", he said.

"Nevertheless in Burkina -the Bishop stressed- we must continue first evangelization, the announcing of the Gospel to those who have still to encounter Christ." In Burkina less than 15% of the people are baptized Christians, they are mostly followers of traditional religions and Islam. "The sending of priests on mission at the end of the closing centenary celebration was a sign that our Church, although still a mission Church is striving to become a missionary Church. We are not waiting until we can give of our plenty, we want to share the little we have with others who have even less".

Italian Cardinal calls journalists to encourage "love for truth"

Genoa, 2 (NE) In a recent meeting with Italian journalists, the Archbishop of Genoa, Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, highlighted the role of journalists, calling them to defend truth and encourage the defense of human rights. Celebrating the feast day of St. Francis of Sales, Patron saint of journalists, the Italian Cardinal said that one of the main characteristics that journalists must have is the commitment to encourage "love for truth". Archbishop Tettamanzi also said to faithful involved in the world of mass media that they must "respond to the need the people have of understanding", as well as avoid promoting conflict. The meeting of Cardinal Tettamanzi with journalists took place in a monastery founded by St. Francis of Sales.

February 1

Pope recalls need to permeate temporal reality with the evangelical spirit'

Rome, 1 (NE) "Towards New Heavens and a New Earth" was the theme of Pope John Paul II' Catechesis yesterday, during the General Audience held in the Pope Paul VI Hall. "In the midst of the weaknesses, miseries, violence, and injustices of the human story," the Holy Father said, "Christians look forward in hope to an ultimate future of freedom and peace."

The Pope stated that "this new creation, human and cosmic," of which the second letter of St. Peter speaks, "is begun with the Resurrection of Christ, first fruit of that transfiguration to which we are all destined." Certainly, he added, "it is a perspective of faith which can sometimes be tempted by doubt, in man who lives in history under the weight of evil, contradictions and death."

The Holy Father went on to affirm that there are some who are convinced "that every effort is destined to be thwarted, that God is absent and disinterested in this tiny speck of the universe which is the earth." In this way many men and women are "devoid of faith, indifferent to everything, incapable of fighting and hoping." "To those tempted to surmise apocalyptic scenarios of invasion of the Kingdom of God, and to close their eyes (which are) heavy with the slumber of indifference, Christ proposes the noiseless arrival of the new heavens and new earth. ... He respects the freedom of humanity, supports it when seized by despair, leads it step by step, and invites it to collaborate in the plan of truth, justice, and peace of the Kingdom."

The Pope ended his catechesis by affirming that "the Christian must also express his hope within the structure of secular life." The Holy Father, recalling the II Vatican Council, said "'The mission of the Church is not only bringing the message of Christ and His grace to men, but also permeating and perfecting the order of temporal reality with the evangelical spirit'."

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