God is not indifferent to human suffering, says Pope John Paul II

Rome, 14 (NE) Psalm 141, "You are my refuge," was the theme of the Pope's catechesis during last Wednesday's general audience celebrated in St. Peter's Square. Addressing the crowd of 12,000 people, Pope John Paul II recalled that this psalm was the last prayer recited by St. Francis of Assisi on the night of his death in 1226.

"It is an intense supplication, marked by a series of invocations to the Lord: 'I cry to you O Lord, give heed to my cry'. . The central part of the psalm is dominated by faith in God who is not indifferent to the suffering of the faithful." The psalmist, he continued, invokes God with insistence "in the face of anguish" and begs Him to intervene by "breaking the chains of his prison of solitude and hostility and saving him from the abyss of trial and tribulation."

"As in other psalms of petition, the final perspective is one of thanksgiving that will be offered to God after He has heard the supplicant's prayer. When he is saved, the faithful will approach the Lord to give thanks in the liturgical assembly." The Holy Father concluded by indicating that "the Christian tradition sees this psalm as a reference to the persecuted and suffering Christ. In this way, the hopeful goal of the psalm's petition becomes a paschal sign on the foundation of the glory of the life of Christ and of our destiny of resurrection with Him."

Latin-American founder calls English Catholics to reflect on their identity and mission in the Church

London, 14 (NE - eclesiales.org) "The Lay Faithful and Christian Life" was the title of a lecture given this week by Luis Fernando Figari, founder of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, at St. Mary's College in London. The conference was part of a lecture series on "Mission and Evangelisation" sponsored by the Catholic College, founded in 1850.

In his address, Figari stressed the need to avoid confusions in relation to the mission of laypeople in the life of the Church. "In our time -he said-, Catholic identity is suffering in many a corrosion tending to undermine it and replace it with a vague selection of usually self chosen Christian values and beliefs." The lack of identity, which could also be called "lack of conscience", has weakened the laity, he said.

Recalling the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, as well as other documents of the Magisterium, he also reflected about the identity of the lay people and clergy in the Church. In relation to this, he said that on many occasions there is confusion in the role of the laity and the clergy, with the danger of a "clericalization" of the lay faithful, as well as the "danger of laicizing the clergy"

"The rich communion ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council, the perspective of the People of God, as well as the Pauline image of the Church as the Body of Christ" have encouraged a deepening "in the Mystery of the Church, as well as in the identity of lay faithful and cleric faithful, all called to be real Christifideles", he stressed.

The founder of several ecclesial associations also reflected about the mission of lay faithful, specially the mission of catholic families. Regarding this, he stressed that "marriage is a vocation to holiness". "Our world cries for the witness of catholic couples and families", he said. Christian life was also a theme addressed by L.F. Figari in his conference. "Life in Christian terms is not a latent life, some type of vegetative existence, but rather it is a qualitatively intense life, an authentic experience of fullness".

He also reflected about the presence of Blessed Mary, whom he called "paradigmatic Christifidelis laica". "We can see -he affirmed- that in the union of life in Mary there is no divorce nor opposition of any kind between announcing and testifying to the Word and serving in the human solidarity and human promotion". "We should open ourselves to the reality Mary shows us as paradigm of Christian life, of layperson"

At the end of his conference, he stressed that the lay faithful "is called to holiness". "That teleological horizon should permeate the whole Christian life of the layperson". "The world needs witnesses. People that do not fall in the trap of functional agnosticism, putting a parenthesis to their Christian life while acting different roles in the world. We cannot be absent. We must be conscious of our identity as lay faithful and act with coherence in the different responsibilities we have in life".

Chile: bishops to reflect on liturgy

Santiago de Chile, 14 (NE - eclesiales.org) From November 17-21 will take place in Chile the 86th Assembly of the Bishops Conference. According to the information given, the main theme of the meeting will be the Liturgy. Recalling the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Constitution "Sacrosanctum Concilium", about Sacred Liturgy, the Bishops will evaluate the application of this important document in the country.

In this opportunity, the Bishops will also continue the pastoral study about the role of Catholics as builders of the society and their contribution to cultural, economic, and social development of the country, looking forward to offering them their support and inspiring criteria. They will also analyze the national reality, as is usual in these assemblies, and share a pastoral view before the most important themes of the country, in the purpose to evangelize society.

Spanish Cardinal stressed that catholic universities must promote a Christian humanism

Barcelona, 14 (NE - eclesiales.org) Cardinal Archbishop Ricard M. Carles of Barcelona, stressed the need that Catholic universities become real diffusion centers of Christian humanism. Commenting some of the ideas mentioned in the inauguration of the new course in the School of Theology and Philosophy at Ramon Llull University, the Archbishop pointed that "fragmentation, the class of dominant knowledge almost exclusively instrumental and the closed horizon to the Transcendence, at least in some, can put and indeed put in a risky situation the demands derived from man's dignity". Before this he recalled that "recently, John Paul II asked the intellectual faithful to be capable to harmonize the 'parrhesia' of faith and the boldness of the intelligence to manifest in an increasingly broad way the plan of God for the world and above all for mankind".

Pope beatified five Servants of God

Rome, 12 (NE) Pope John Paul II beatified last Sunday, Feast of the Dedication of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. John Lateran, five Servants of God: Juan Nepomuceno Zegri y Moreno (1831-1905), Valentin Paquay (1828-1905), Luigi Maria Monti (1825-1900), Bonifacia Rodriguez Castro (1837-1905), and Rosalie Rendu (1756-1856).

In his homily while speaking about the new blesseds, the Pope said, "Juan Nepomuceno Zegri y Moreno, priest of deep Eucharistic piety, understood well how the proclamation of the Gospel must be converted into a dynamic reality, capable of transforming the apostle's life"

Fr. Valentin Paquay, of the Order of the Friars Minor, was "a disciple of Christ and a priest according to the heart of God. Apostle of mercy, he spent many hours in the confessional with a particular gift for setting sinners on the right track, reminding human beings of the grandeur of divine forgiveness. Putting the celebration of the Eucharistic mystery at the center of his priestly life, he invites the faithful to join frequently in the communion of the Bread of Life."

The Pope indicated that Blessed Luigi Maria Monti, founder of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, "is an example of fidelity to God's call and the proclamation of the Gospel of charity for his spiritual sons and for all believers; he is a model of solidarity with the needy and tender abandonment to the Immaculate Virgin."

"Jesus' words in the Gospel proclaimed today, 'Do no make my Father's house a house of trade,' speak to modern society which is often tempted to turn everything into a commodity, leaving aside values and dignity which are priceless. Since the person is the image and likeness of God, purification is necessary in order to defend him or her, regardless of social condition or occupation. This is what Blessed Bonifacia Rodriguez de Castro consecrated herself completely to, as she was a hard worker and understood the risks of this social condition of her time. She found a model of the spirituality of work . in the simple and hidden life of the Holy Family of Nazareth."

The Pope concluded by speaking about Blessed Rosalie Rendu, of the Society of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul: "In a time troubled by social conflicts, she became a happy servant to the poor, in order to give back to each person his or her dignity, through material help, education and the teaching of Christian mystery." The secret to doing so many things, he concluded, "is in an intense life of prayer and incessant recitation of the Rosary which she never left out."

Stem cells for research cannot come from human embryo tissue, says Pope

Rome, 12 (NE) Stem cells for purposes of experimentation or treatment cannot come from human embryo tissue. This was stressed by Pope John Paul II, during his audience to members of the Pontifical Academy of the Sciences which is celebrating their 400th anniversary with a meeting.

Referring to one of the meeting's topic, "Stem Cell Technology and Other Innovative Therapies," the Pope recalled that "research in this field has understandably grown in importance in recent years because of the hope it offers for the cure of ills affecting many people."

"I have on other occasions stated that stem cells for purposes of experimentation or treatment cannot come from human embryo tissue", said the Pope. "I have instead encouraged research on adult human tissue or tissue superfluous to normal fetal development. Any treatment which claims to save human lives, yet is based upon the destruction of human life in its embryonic state, is logically and morally contradictory, as is any production of human embryos for the direct or indirect purpose of experimentation or eventual destruction."

War and the proliferation of weapons, mayor enemy of peoples, says Archbishop Migliore

Washington, 12 (UN) Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, spoke before the 58th session of the General Assembly on agenda item 44: "Culture of peace." In his speech, the archbishop emphasized that "peace is built up on mutual trust, and trust can be achieved only with justice and fairness. Peace demands the correction of violations, the redress of abuses, the rehabilitation of victims and the reconciliation of the aggrieved parties. The strategy of building trust means overcoming all obstacles that impede works of justice with a view towards peace. Only in such a climate of peace can a culture of peace take root and flourish."

"If development is the new name for peace -said the Archbishop-, then war and the proliferation of weapons must be considered the major enemies of development of peoples. By putting an end to the arms race a true disarmament process can begin, with agreements based on authentic and workable safeguards. The reallocation of economic and other resources from arms race to humanitarian needs such as basic health care, education for all and strengthening of the family, will indeed promote and strengthen a culture of peace.

Pope stresses link "between prayer and daily life"

Rome, 6 (NE) Pope John Paul II continued yesterday his catechesis on the psalms of the Liturgy of Vespers, during the weekly general audience. In his meeting with pilgrims from all over the world, the Pope commented psalm 140, 1-9. "Today's psalm -said the Pope- speaks of our prayer rising to God like incense and like the evening oblation. It underlines the intimate link between prayer and daily life and reminds us that our prayer is in itself an act of sacrifice to God". "The psalmist recognizes that words and actions are an expression of moral choice. He pleads to the Lord to keep him safe from any complicity with evil. The psalm concludes with joy and faith knowing that we may take refuge in the Lord", the Pope said.

Lima: new priest in the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae

Lima, 6 (NE - eclesiales.org) A member of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a society of Apostolic Life originated in Peru, was ordained priest last Monday. The ordination Mass was celebrated in the church Our Lady of Reconciliation and was presided by Bishop José Antonio Eguren Anselmi, Auxiliary Bishop of Lima. Among the participants who crowded the church were several members of the Sodálite Family in Lima, as well as the new priest's relatives and friends.

During his homily, Bishop Eguren reminded the new priest, Enrique Granados Cueto, that "being each day in contact with the holiness of God, will demand you to work responsibly and ardently towards holiness". "Today's world demands holy priests. Only a holy priest can be a transparent witness of Christ and his Gospel in an increasingly secularized world ", emphasized the prelate, recalling a phrase of Pope John Paul's II book "Gift and Mystery".

Bishop Eguren also encouraged the new priest to grow daily in the filial piety to Blessed Mary. "Let yourself be conformed through Her with Her son, Ultimate and Eternal Priest. Your priesthood, daily offered to Blessed Mary, will be transformed into an authentic path of holiness. Be saint so you can be a good priest". At the end of the ceremony, the Bishop thanked the Sodalitium for Father Enrique's formation and also thanked his parents for their constant support to their son's vocation.

Members of the Christian life movement pilgrim to Saint Rose of Quives

Lima, 6 (NE) Last Saturday, Feast of All Saints, hundreds of members from the different associations of the Christian Life Movement, journeyed to the shrine of Saint Rose of Quives, in the mountain region of Lima. The pilgrimage was animated by religious songs and by the prayer of Rosary. Year after year CLM members pilgrim to the town where the St. Toribio of Mogrovejo, who was Archbishop of Lima, baptized Saint Rose. An Image of Holy Mary headed the journey of CLM members to the Shrine. At the end of the pilgrimage, participants took part in a Holy Mass, where they reflected on the universal call to holiness.

Pontifical Academies meet to reflect on martyrdom

Rome, 6 (NE) The Pontifical Council for Culture will meet today, Thursday, to reflect on martyrdom. According to the information received, on November 6th will be celebrated in the Vatican the VIII Public Session for Pontifical Academies that take part in the Coordination Council. The session will be dedicated to discuss the theme "The martyrs and their monumental remembrances, living stones in the construction of Europe". Likewise, along the encounter will take place the ceremony of the Pontifical Academies´ award.

«Church News» authorizes the complete or partial reproduction of the information offered to our readers in this page, quoting the source (CN). Publication of the information in this page does not imply any compromise.

All rights reserved (©) Church News