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May 21

Extraordinary consistory gathers Cardinals from all over the world

Rome, 21 (NE) Gathered with Cardinals from all over the world, Pope John Paul II opened today the extraordinary consistory of the College of Cardinals, which will meet in the Vatican from May 21 to 24. During the consistory, the Pope with the College of Cardinals will reflect "on the perspectives for the life of the Church and her mission in the world", as the Holy Father highlighted yesterday during the Regina Caeli prayer.

Addressing pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled during his brief message the "Council of Jerusalem", the first council, which encouraged the Church "to take the Gospel to all peoples and cultures". "At all moments, but specially in decisive times, the Church hears the Spirit. That took place in the cenacle in Jerusalem, in the first council that opened the doors to pagans, and will also take place during this consistory," he said.

During the consistory, Cardinals will reflect on the theme "Prospects of the Church for the Third Millennium, in the light of 'Novo millennio ineunte'." It is the sixth time in his pontificate that Pope John Paul II has summoned the College of Cardinals to an extraordinary consistory.

The cardinals will meet for three days in both morning and afternoon sessions. On Thursday, May 24, feast of the Ascension, they will concelebrate Mass with Pope John Paul in St. Peter's Basilica. Afterwards they will have lunch with him in the Vatican's Domus Sanctae Marthae residence. Cardinals Bernardin Gantin, dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, and Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will act as moderators during the three-day consistory.

Spain: Bishop rejects distribution of "morning after" pill

Madrid, 21 (NE) The Archbishop of Madrid and President of the Spanish Bishop's Conference, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, insisted in the Church's rejection of the sale of the "morning after" pill and stressed that it is in no way licit for a Catholic to use that pill. "We have the duty," added the Cardinal during a recent interview, "to reflect on the ineludible demands of what is stated in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we say: a chemical product that doesn't aim to heal any illness and whose immediate effects are those of impeding that the fecundated ovule nests in the maternal womb cannot be used."

On the other hand, the Archbishop commented during the interview on the situation of religion classes in Spain. On this matter, he stated that in spite of some advances, "the main problem in achieving a proper academic framework for the course of religion is still that which developed since the treatise of 1979 was signed and put into effect until 1991, the year of the decree of modification of the Academic Statutes for religion classes. It still exists and hasn't been resolved yet". "We hope", he added, "to find a stable solution, so that it stops being a matter of permanent and constant debate. We specially hope to achieve through this solution a new foundation for the religious and moral education of our youth. The Spanish educational system in its first phase, in primary education, and also high school, needs a moral and religious renewal."

More scientific results concerning the Holy Shroud revealed

Rome, 21 (NE) Cardinal Severino Poletto, Archbishop of Turin and Pontifical Custodian of the Holy Shroud, recently revealed the results of the new scientific investigations that supports the authenticity of the image in the shroud, which according to tradition and several scientific evidence was the shroud that covered the Lord Jesus after his death.

The results were published on the occasion of the Liturgical Feast of the Holy Shroud, celebrated last May 4. That day, Cardinal Poletto presided over a Eucharistic celebration in the Duomo of Turin where the shroud is kept. One of the most important scientific results were the ones made upon the two thousand year old fabric when a sensitive scanner was adapted to make a reading on the back of the shroud.

The investigation, done last November, discarded the presence of any kind of sketch or line, upon which the fabric could have been painted or "burned" with some kind of process of "engraving by fire". At the same time, the reading of the scanner makes evident the traces of blood among the threads of the fabric. "The shroud," pointed out Cardinal Poletto during the Eucharistic celebration, "given in custody to our Church in Turin is a sign that must help our faith to follow the path of all the faithful, that path that leads us to 'see Jesus'."

Argentina: Catholic Book exposition on September

Buenos Aires, 21 (NE) The traditional Exposition of the Catholic Book, held annually in Argentina, will take place next September 3 to 16, according to information from the AICA news agency. The exposition, in its XXIII edition this year, will have as its motto "The good book, food for the soul." The inauguration will be presided over by Archbishop of La Plata, Héctor Aguer. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, will preside over the event's closing Mass. According to the announcement, during the inauguration will take place the presentation of the Our Lady of the Book statuette as well as of the corresponding prizes for the VII National Catholic Literary Event Cardinal Antonio Quarracino and the Father Leonardo Castellani Girdle of Honor. The exposition of the book will be open Monday to Saturday from 9 to 21 and on Sundays from 15 to 21, with free admission.

May 9

Pope closes apostolic pilgrimage with beatification ceremony

Rome, 9 (NE) In the last day of his Apostolic pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II presided today the beatification ceremony of three Servants of God: George Preca, (1880-1962) Ignazio Falzon, (1813-1865) and Maria Adeodata Pisani (1806-1855). In the island of Malta, in the presence of thousands of faithful gathered at the Floriana Granaries, the Pope recalled the example of the three new Blessed and encouraged Catholics in the island to follow their path.

"Gathered at the Floriana Granaries, around the Altar of the Lord's Sacrifice", said the Pope during his homily, "the Bishop of Rome joins you in praising the Most Holy Trinity for your witness to the Gospel down the centuries. True to your father in faith, the Apostle Paul, you are known throughout the Church for your devotion and missionary zeal. Malta has a magnificent Christian heritage of which you are rightly proud, but that heritage is also a gift which implies great responsibility". "At the dawn of a new millennium" said the Pope moments afterwards, "the Church looks to you, Malta, to be still more ardent in living your apostolic and missionary vocation! The whole Church looks to you!"

Recalling the life of Blessed Goerge Preca, the Pope said that he "has been renowned for his holiness both in Malta and wherever the Maltese have settled." "Dun Gorg was a pioneer in the field of catechetics and in promoting the role of the laity in the apostolate, which the Council was to stress in a particular way...The Society of Christian Doctrine which he founded continues his work of witness and evangelization in these islands and elsewhere."

"The Servant of God Ignatius Falzon", recalled the Pope, "also had a great passion for preaching the Gospel and teaching the Catholic faith. He too put his many talents and his intellectual training at the service of catechetical work... Blessed Nazju was one who gave abundantly and cheerfully; and people saw in him not only boundless energy but also deep peace and joy." "Ignatius Falzon drew his strength and inspiration from the Eucharist, prayer before the Tabernacle, devotion to Mary and the Rosary, and imitation of Saint Joseph. These are fountains of grace from which all Christians may drink. Holiness and zeal for God's Kingdom flourish especially where parishes and communities encourage prayer and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament."

Finally, the Pope recalled Sister Maria Adeodata Pisani, born in Italy of a Maltese father, and who spent "most of her life as a splendid figure of Benedictine religious consecration in the Monastery of Saint Peter." "Prayer, obedience, service of her Sisters and maturity in performing her assigned tasks: these were the elements of Maria Adeodata's silent, holy life. Hidden in the heart of the Church, she sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching, savouring the things that last for ever. Through her prayer, work and love, she became a well-spring of that spiritual and missionary fruitfulness without which the Church cannot preach the Gospel as Christ commands, for mission and contemplation require each other absolutely".

"Malta, Malta! You have received so much through the ministry of Saint Paul and the witness of Blessed Dun Gorg, Blessed Nazju Falzon and Blessed Adeodata". "As you move into the future", said the Pope in closing, "be faithful to the legacy they have left! Follow Christ with undivided heart, and never be afraid to speak up for the truth that saves and the values that lead to life! May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, accompany and protect you always, so that you will never fail to "give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds".

May 8

Syria: Pope renews call for peace at farewell ceremony

Rome, 8 (NE) Pope John Paul II renewed today his call for peace in the Middle East, during the farewell ceremony held at Damascus international airport. Moments before his departure, the Pope thanked the people of Syria, who "during these days have made a pilgrim feel at home". Attending the ceremony was the Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad. "My pilgrim prayer is that Syria will move confidently and serenely into a new and promising future, and that your country will flourish in an era of well-being and tranquillity for all its people", said the Pope in his brief farewell speech.

"Syria is a vital presence in the life of this whole region, whose peoples have long suffered the tragedy of war and conflict. But for the door of peace to open, fundamental issues of truth and justice, of rights and responsibilities must be resolved. The world looks to the Middle East with hope and concern, expectantly awaiting every sign of constructive dialogue".

"I appeal once more to all the peoples involved, and to their political leaders, to recognize that confrontation has failed and will always fail. Only a just peace can bring the conditions needed for the economic, cultural and social development to which the peoples of the region have a right".

Pope visits Quneitra on the Golan Heights

Rome, 8 (NE) In the fourth day of his apostolic pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II prayed yesterday for peace in the Middle East, during his visit to Quneitra, a city on the Golan Heights 35 kilometers from the Israeli border. Quneitra was occupied by the Israeli forces during the 1967 "six-day war" and then evacuated under a United Nations-sponsored accord. Before their withdrawal, Israeli forces destroyed all buildings which had not already been destroyed and the city today purposely remains as it was when turned over to U.N. forces.

In his prayer, recited in the original English, the Pope prayed for the peoples of the Middle East, the civil leaders of the region, for all who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the followers of all religions. "From this place, so disfigured by war, I wish to raise my heart and voice in prayer for peace in the Holy Land and in the world. Genuine peace is a gift from God. Our openness to that gift requires a conversion of heart and a conscience obedient to His Law."

"Lord, ... we pray to you for the peoples of the Middle East. Help them, to break down the walls of hostility and division and to build together a world of justice and solidarity." "We pray for the civil leaders of this region, that they may strive to satisfy their peoples' rightful aspirations, and educate the young in ways of justice and peace. Inspire in them to work generously for the common good, to respect the inalienable dignity of every person and the fundamental rights which have their origin in the image and likeness of the Creator impressed upon each and every human being."

Following a period of recollection and the reading of the prayer for peace which he personally composed, the Pope blessed and watered an olive tree which will be planted in the Quneitra Friendship Garden, three kilometers from the city. He was warmly welcomed by descendants of the original residents of Quneitra and received gifts from them and from local children.

Chinese Catholics continue religious celebrations after destruction of church

Rome, 8 (NE) A great number of Catholics not affiliated to the Chinese "patriotic church" continued participating in liturgical celebrations with renewed strength after officials from the Communist government destroyed a local church. The UCAN agency informed that the faithful of the town of Lupu have continued worship after the destruction of a temple where they gathered.

The church had been destroyed previously on Easter Sunday of the year 2000, but it had been reconstructed by the same faithful in June of the same year. Presently, next to the pile of ruins where the church lay, they have placed a cross. According to local sources, the Chinese Catholics faithful to the Pope have continued celebrating liturgies in the open field, and they are growing in number after the demolition of the church, a neighboring chapel and the priests residence. There are around 300 Catholic families in the town. From the beginning of the year to mid April, 42 adults and 16 children have been baptized.

The church was destroyed on December 8, solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Officials of the Communist party and members of the police arrived during the celebration and forced the faithful to leave the temple, which they achieved only after strong resistance. Two days after, the Chinese faithful gathered again in an open field for the celebration of the Sunday liturgy. The Asian Catholic agency informed that several other churches of the region were also destroyed or damaged.

Thanksgiving Mass celebrated for the beatification of 233 Spanish martyrs

Madrid, 8 (NE) Archbishop Agustin Garcia Gasco of Valencia, Spain, presided over a Solemn Mass in thanksgiving for the recent beatification of the 233 martyrs of the religious persecution in Spain, many of whom were from Valencia. At the end of the Eucharist, which took place in the Cathedral, relics of the 233 martyrs of the religious persecution raised to the altars on March 11 by Pope John Paul II were placed in a small urn made by a famous local goldsmith. During the Eucharistic celebration the Archbishop of Valencia used the chalice that the martyr priest from Enguera, José Aparicio Sanz, used for his first Mass. The chalice had been a gift from his mother and had been given to the Seminary of Moncada after his martyrdom.

May 4

NCCB Official Supports Human Cloning Prohibition Act

Washington, 4 (NE) "The sanctity and dignity of human life is a cornerstone of Catholic moral and social teaching", said Richard M. Doerflinger, official of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB), in the testimony expressed to the Senate in support for the "Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001." "We believe society can be judged by the respect it shows for human life, especially in its most vulnerable stages and conditions," Doerflinger stressed, testifying in support of the proposed legislation to put a federal ban on the practice of human cloning.

The NCCB official said "at first glance, human cloning may not seem to threaten respect for life because it is presented as a means for creating life, not destroying it". "Yet it shows disrespect for life in the very act of generating it. Here human life does not arise from an act of love, but is manufactured in the laboratory to preset specifications determined by the desires of others. Developing human beings are treated as objects, not as individuals with their own identity and rights."

Mr. Doerflinger said that attempts to produce a liveborn child by cloning would require taking a callous attitude toward human life, since animal trials show that 95 to 99% of cloned embryos die.

Argentina: Archbishop encourages commitment of lay in evangelization

Buenos Aires, 4 (NE) The Archdiocese of La Plata, Argentina, will celebrate on May 14-19 a Social Week to discuss a strategy to apply the Social Doctrine of the Church in the archdiocese's life. During a press conference to present the event, Archbishop Héctor Aguer of La Plata pointed out that social pastoral is to be seen "as the intention and the actions of the Church to make herself present in society, to illuminate human and temporal things with the light of the Gospel, to help and accompany everyone, so we can build a better society."

"My purpose -he further emphasized- is to give an organic form to this presence of the Church in society. Regarding the Second Social Week -the first one took place in 1959-, Archbishop Aguer anticipated that there will be other works in the future and that the proposed themes for these meetings "try to show how the Social Doctrine of the Church is capable today of illuminating the big problems that we have to face." One of the main issues to be reflected and encouraged during the event is the role of lay people in the application of the Church's Social Doctrine.

Concerning this theme, the Archbishop of La Plata affirmed that social doctrine "has to progressively descend to the reality through the action of lay people that are inserted in daily life, in all the structures of the society." "I also give a very important role to the universities, concretely the Catholic University, that should be the place where the principles of social doctrine are applied," he further said.

Catholic universities must oppose relativism, state Italian Bishops

Rome, 4 (NE) The Italian Bishop's Conference recently published a message in preparation for the 77th Encounter of Catholic Universities, celebrated last week with the theme "Audacity of reason, freedom of faith." The document states that "the relationship between freedom and faith is a decisive matter today more than ever: for if it is well interpreted and focused it is capable of offering answers to the deepest demands of men and generating a true and authentic culture." The message also notes that the present culture operates with a kind of reason that is "exposed to relativism and nihilism," which impede the new generations from obtaining "solid certainties for their formation." Before this panorama, the Pastors of the Church in Italy indicated that the task of the Catholic University is to "make everybody experience fascination for the search for truth, saying 'no' to the different forms of relativism."

US Archbishop encourages faithful to promote vocations to priesthood

St. Louis, 4 (NE) The Archbishop of Saint Louis, Justin Rigali, asked for the cooperation of all the faithful in his archdiocese to encourage among youth vocations to priesthood. "We need vocations. My hope is that everyone will realize that he or she has to make a contribution, that is not something that is left for others or something left only for the priests," affirmed the Prelate, who exhorted everybody to pray so that the Lord send more laborers into his harvest. Archbishop Rigali also recalled the desire of happiness that every human being experiments. "And we know whatever God's will is, it has to bring us happiness. It's not happiness without effort. We are talking about a happiness that brings a deep human fulfillment, deep joy and satisfaction," pointed out the Archbishop, adding that in many young people is present this "willingness to make sacrifices, a willingness to make an effort to serve the others."

May 2

The future of society depends on family, stresses Vatican Cardinal

Madrid, 2 (NE) "Families are in such a way rooted to society, that those that ignore it will end loosing their identity and future", stressed this week Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. In an interview published today by Madrid's ABC daily, the Vatican Cardinal stressed that "we are rediscovering what family is". "It is important", he said, "to encourage reflection about issues such as education and family. This is the message that the Church sends to the world: family is an issue of such magnitude that people must care for it if they want to have a future".

The President of the Pontifical Council also discussed about "de facto" and same-sex couples, stressing that in these "the wellbeing of children, that is essential, is forgotten". "I think that politicians in Holland will have to reflect much more, and admit that they have gone against the sense of history and humanity", he commented. "There is no greater investment for a government than help family. And this is being forgotten."

In his declarations, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo also commented that there is "a conspiracy to forget" families. "If the peoples, politicians, presidents do not move to give family a greater strength they are forgetting and irreplaceable duty. It is not always the selfishness of parents that do not want to have children," he stressed.

Spain: Bishops invite faithful to "a more active message through social communications"

Madrid, 2 (NE) The Church "has to begin a better relation with social communication and has to manage to make this more according to the Gospel" -pointed out the Bishops of the Bishops Committee of Means of Social Communication of the Spanish Episcopate, in a message for the the XXXV World Meeting of Social Communications. In their letter, the Prelates highlighted the necessity of "working seriously and with efficacy so that the voice of the Church gets out of the marginality in which it is being left in the means of communication.

Recalling the document of the Holy See "Ethics in Social Communications", the Spanish Bishops affirmed that it's not enough to "simply pronounce a passing judgment" before the various happenings. "The Church needs to establish the proper means so that "her ancient tradition of moral wisdom" be offered "itself to the service of the means of social communication"."

Regretting how in many of the means of communication "elemental ethical and esthetic values are being sacrificed in view of economic benefit," the Bishops invited to "get social communication to the height of the dignity of the person and of the general welfare," that "is a responsibility of all." "The public," they also recalled, "has to assume a bigger responsibility in the use of the media, which they can achieve through a sane and mature critical sense that, for Catholics, has to be guided by the doctrine of the Church."

Catholic Universities must oppose relativism, state Bishops in Italy

Rome, 2 (NE) The Italian Bishop's Conference recently published a message in preparation for the 77th Encounter of Catholic Universities, celebrated last week with the theme "Audacity of reason, freedom of faith." The document states that "the relationship between freedom and faith is a decisive matter today more than ever: for if it is well interpreted and focused it is capable of offering answers to the deepest demands of men and generating a true and authentic culture." The message also notes that the present culture operates with a kind of reason that is "exposed to relativism and nihilism," which impede the new generations from obtaining "solid certainties for their formation." Before this panorama, the Pastors of the Church in Italy indicated that the task of the Catholic University is to "make everybody experience fascination for the search for truth, saying 'no' to the different forms of relativism."

Costa Rican faithful celebrate crowning of Our Lady of the Angels

San Jose, 2 (NE) The Patroness of Costa Rica celebrated 75 years since her pontifical crowning, amidst the region's typical cultural expressions and the interpretation of Marian hymns. A multitude of Costa Rican faithful celebrated this feast day at Our Lady of the Angels Basilica at Cartago. Mass was presided over by Archbishop Roman Arrieta Villalobos of San Jose.

During the Eucharist celebrated in this Marian sanctuary, those devoted to "La Negrita", as this Marian veneration is nicknamed, recalled October 20, 1924, when Pope Pius XI authorized that the Virgin be crowned with the crown She bears today. Rafael Otton Castro, Archbishop at that time, organized the whole event and took charge of this first ceremony of crowning on April 25, 1926.

The papal document stated that "according to the documents presented we are convinced that this image has all the necessary conditions for a solemn crowning." The Pontifical document added that "by unanimous consent we decree and order that this same famous and illustrious image of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Our Lady, be solemnly glorified with the Golden Crown and the title of Lady of Angels". The crowning took place at the celebration of the centenary of the proclamation of Our Lady of the Angels as Patroness of Costa Rica.

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