A daily news service

DECEMBER 8
Cardinal Carlos Oviedo Cavada called to the Father's presence

Santiago, 8 (NE) Cardinal Carlos Oviedo Cavada, Archbishop emeritus of Santiago, was called yesterday to the Father's presence. The transit of the Chilean Cardinal happened after five days in the Catholic's University clinic, where he was being treated because of problems in the respiratory system. This illness made him renounce to his post of service as Archbishop of Santiago last year, being succeeded by Bishop Francisco Javier Errázuriz. Cardinal Oviedo was born in Santiago en 1927. After being ordained as a priest in 1949, he was consecrated as bishop in 1964. From 1970 to 1974 he was the General Secretary of the Chilean Conference of Bishops. Participating in the Second Vatican Council, he was named Archbishop of Santiago in 1990, during which he received the Pope John Paul II in his visit to Chile. In 1994 the Holy Father created him Cardinal.

Archbishop of Caracas asks new president to promote unity between Venezuelans

Caracas, 7 (NE) In a message directed to the new president of Venezuela, Archbishop Ignacio Velasco, of Caracas, asked the new head of state to promote unity between the Venezuelan people, in order to build a country «with a great sense of human quality, of human dignity for all its inhabitants and also of attention to everyone without neglecting anybody». «I congratulate you Mr. President -manifested Archbishop Velasco-, and I remind to you that you have spoken of humility, you have spoken of God, you have invoked the Lord so that he helps you in your new work».

In his words, the Archbishop of Caracas manifested the necessity of «creating communion» among the Venezuelan people. «Communion means communication, union among all the Venezuelans, we need that very much, beyond all the discussions and the promises, which are sometimes made without thinking too much in order to attract the auditory. We have to create that unity of the country», manifested the Archbishop.

Cardinal López Rodríguez makes a warning on dangerous sexual education opposed to life

Santo Domingo, 7 (NE) Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, rushed yesterday an strong call to the Dominican people against a sexual education which is opposed to life. In the same way, the Cardinal warned against the work «of institutions, mainly international ones which have a great participation in this», they have «been actively working in all that is, not only the so-called family planning, promotion of the abortion, but rather now they come with sexual education».

In relation to the debate which has emerged around the sexual education in schools of the Caribbean country, the Archbishop of Santo Domingo insisted in the fact that sexual education should begin at home. «If you begin to pervert, to indiscriminately inform all these boys -he affirmed later on - please let us not be irresponsible, all these organisms should accept that they are the guilty ones for all the proliferation that there is, of the atrocities in the world». In the same way, Cardinal López Rodríguez warned about the use of «a series of euphemisms that are also used a lot, promoting laws that favor all this».

DECEMBER 7
Pope John Paul II affirms that search for truth is an ineludible exigency of human being

Vatican, 7 (NE) During his allocution before the Angelus prayer, Pope John Paul II said yesterday that the search for truth constitutes and «ineludible exigency» of human being. In a similar way, reminding the pilgrims that we live in times in which «the quantity and velocity for information multiplies extraordinarily», the Pope urged not to be taken away by the great amount of information, underlining the importance of not forgetting the questions about the fundamental themes of existence: «Who am I? Where do I come from and where do I go? Why the presence of evil? What will happen after this life?» Concluding his allocution, the Holy Father highlighted the Virgin Mary as a sublime model of the search for truth, inviting as well to not evade those decisive questions of existence.

Traditional pilgrimage of Mexican news vendors to the Basilica de Guadalupe

Mexico City, 6 (NE) With great devotion and great happiness was carried out the LIII Annual Pilgrimage of the «Mexican news vendors» to the Basilica of «Our Lady of Guadalupe». At the end of the day, the news vendors lit their candles, which were protected of the wind by paper cones printed with the Virgin's image. When arriving at the Basilica they were welcomed by an enormous image of the Our Lady formed by multicolored lights. At the end of the pilgrimage, Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, presided an Eucharistic celebration, in which he urged the news vendors to continue working for a fair and objective transmission of truth. Also, recognizing the sacrificed work that these journalists and newspaper sellers carried out day by day at dawn, he invited them to get ready to receive Pope John Paul II and to put themselves in the hands on the Virgin of Guadalupe, asking Her to be the one who helps them to welcome Peter's Successor with a converted heart.

Monsignor Musto points out importance of the Social Doctrine of the Church in the New Evangelization works

Buenos Aires, 6 (NE) Monsignor Osvaldo Musto, Parish priest of Our Lady of Balvanera in Buenos Aires, highlighted recently the importance of the Church's Social Doctrine as an essential part of the New Evangelization. Affirming that «the Church's Social Doctrine is as old as the Church itself but it has been systematized since the "Rerum Novarum" Monsignor Musto pointed out the necessity of integrating it in the works of the New Evangelización, affirming that the Church should impel Catholics to put it into practice, rejecting a «wild capitalism» as well as «Marxist collectivism».

In the same way, Monsignor Musto manifested that the Church «looks forward to make the human person the center, the subject, the aim and the foundation of all activity». Noticing around the effects of a «wild capitalism», he affirmed the importance that politicians assume their function «with honesty and transparency», highlighting the necessity of ethics in economic politics.

DECEMBER 6
Bishop in Panama urges government to respect national religious identity

Panama, 6 (NE) Bishop Oscar Brown of Santiago de Veraguas in Panama, recently stated that the decree by which the so called «bridge-days» are established obeys to an excessive preoccupation for material wealth against religious and cultural values of the Panamanian people. Affirming that the decree does not consider the fundamental characteristics of national identity, the Prelate insisted on the necessity of modifying the law in respect for the religious identity of the people in Panama. A similar request was done some days ago by Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeño Delgado of Panama, who presented a solicitude to the Legislative Assembly in order to modify the law.

The law in discussion establishes that religious holidays which celebration «would interrupt» the works during the week are not to be celebrated in the date that traditinally corresponds. One of the reasons adduced is that in this way the government expects to help promote tourism. In this respect, Bishop Brown highlighted that «the promotion of tourism is positive, but when doing so there must not be a lack of respect for the social and religious sensitivity of the people».

Conference on the encyclical «Fides et ratio» by Archbishop Giraldo Jaramillo

Medellin, 5 (NE) Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin delivered yesterday a conference on the recent encyclical of Pope John Paul II «Fides et ratio». Giving a global vision of the papal text, Archbishop Giraldo stated that «the encyclical wants to be a testimony of truth, it wants to show how when God reveals himself, he gives us certainties; how when God reveals himself then we are able to make a good philosophy». The conference was given in the context of the «Cathedral Dialogues», a combined initiative of the Archdiocese of Medellin and the Bolivariana Pontifical University, which looks forward to generate spaces of dialogue and reflection with representatives of the world of culture, science, politics as well as economy, among others.

Insisting in the fact that «the Revelation generates thought», Archbishop Giraldo began his intervention -which was followed by a dialogue- denouncing the problem of relativism. Making reference to humanity's big questionings, he highlighted the necessity of Revelation to be like the star that guides the natural philosophical effort of men. In this way, standing out the close relationship between faith and reason, he insisted in the horizon of being «deacons of truth», as that eclesial service that should be assumed with courage by believers in all the spheres of culture.

Faith and culture: Cardinal Ruini announces the realization of a Jubilee of University Teachers

Rome, 5 (NE) «I am deeply convinced that Christian faith can only live and express its value, its wealth and its missionary dynamism, in a narrow dialogue with culture», affirmed recently Cardinal Camillo Ruini, General Vicar of the Holy Father for the diocese of Rome and President of the Italian Conference of Bishops. In a visit to «La Sapienza» University of Rome, Cardinal Ruini highlighted the narrow relationship between Christian faith and culture, pointing out that in that context «is important the encounter with the vital centers of culture like, as for example universities».

In the same way, Cardinal Ruini announced the realization of a Jubilee of University Teachers, which will gather in September of the year 2000 professors of important university centers from all over the world. «This initiative -pointed out the Cardinal - expresses, besides the Pope's attention for the world of investigation and teaching, a deep intention of encounter between Christians and culture». The first preparatory event for this Jubilee was carried out last Thursday at «La Sapienza», with a debate directed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and by professor Paolo Blasi, rector of the University of Florencia, on the topic: «The God of Jesus Christ ».

DECEMBER 5
Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers launches new site in Internet

Rome, 5 (NE) The Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, presided by Bishop Javier Lozano Barragan, recently launched its new site on the web. Their new site offers information about the Council, as well as documents and texts in four languages: English, Spanish, Italian and French. The Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers was instituted by Pope John Paul II with the Motu Proprio «Dolentium Hominum» in 1985. With the Apostolic Constitution «Pastor Bonus» in 1988, it became the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, acting as the coordinating organism for all the Catholic institutions, religious and lay, committed to the apostolate of the sick. The Council seeks as well to spread, explain and defend the teachings of the Church on health issues and favors its involvement in health care practice. It also maintains contacts with the local Churches and especially with bishops' commissions for the health world. The home site of the Pontifical Council can be visited at www.healthpastoral.org

Cardinal Vargas Alzamora affirms importance of recovering the value of life

Lima, 4 (NE) Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, Archbishop of Lima, urged recently the people of Lima, especially youths, to recover the principles of Christian life. Taking into consideration the different attempted suicides registered in the last days in the city of Lima, the Peruvian Cardinal said that it evidenced the little conscience of life as a gift of God, urging also to recover the values «with which we have been well educated since childhood, leaving aside the mundane and selfish interests that lead to an atmosphere of violence». «One of the central problems of our society is that many times the families have been constituted homes which have been built based on fleeting commitments and not based on love», affirmed Cardinal Vargas, highlighting the importance of «learning about the value of life». In a same way, the Archbishop of Lima invited the Peruvian Catholics to recover in this Christmas the Christian sense of being sons of God who has given to each of us the invaluable Gift of life.

«Dictionary of Popes and Councils» responds to the lack of easily accessible information on the history of Saint Peter's Successors

Madrid, 4 (NE) Along history, the Church has received, conserved and transmitted «the words of Christ in relation to Peter and his duty between the group of the Twelve». In this way it was recently reminded by the document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presided over by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, in relation to the Primate of Saint Peter's Successor in the mystery of the Church. «He is the rock on which Christ will build his Church; he is the one who, once converted, will remain strong in the faith and will confirm the others; he is, in short, the Shepherd that will guide to the whole community of the disciples of the Lord», pointed out the document of the Vatican Congregation.

The fidelity of the Church to Peter's Successor has found along the years numerous ways of expression. The modern world has also seen diverse initiatives in the propagation of Saint Peter's teaching, as well as highlighting his importance in the life of the Church. «The Popes of the XX century» was one of the first pages in Internet dedicated to the Catholic memory on the Pontiffs. (It can be visited in www.newevang.org/pontifices).

The historical information on Saint Peter and his successors is difficult to find with easiness. Therefore, looking forward to contribute to the memory of Saint Peter's Successors, «Ariel» editions has recently published the «Dictionary of the Popes and Councils», prefaced by Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid. The new Dictionary wants to be an answer to the serious ignorance in relation to the history of the Church and in particular, of the Papacy. Originally in Spanish, the dictionary will be soon translated to English.

DECEMBER 4
«The God of Jesus Christ»: Conference of Cardinal Stafford at «La Sapienza»

Rome, 4 (NE) Under the title «The God of Jesus Christ», Cardinal James Francis Stafford, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, delivered yesterday a speech at the university «La Sapienza» in Rome. Before a numerous audience of students, Cardinal Stafford centered his reflection on the Lord Jesus as being sent by the Father. God who is One and Trine reveals himself to men in Jesus Christ, who communicates to us the intimate life of God, remarked Cardinal Stafford during his speech. In another moment, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity developed the second article of the Creed, recalling then the importance of Jesus dying of the Cross. «It is not possible to understand the Life of God without the mystery of Kenosis», he affirmed, saying that the «Cross is crucial to understand the plenitude of life in the Trinity».

Cardinal Ortega affirms that the Church in Cuba is growing

Rome, 3 (NE) Concluding his visit to Germany, Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana, had an interview yesterday with the President of the German Conference of Bishops, Bishop Karl Lehman. In the interview, the Cuban Cardinal highlighted the remarkable growth of the Church in the Island, as well as some points of the situation of the Church in Cuba which continue to be matter of concern for Catholics. Among them he pointed out the necessity of the state to allow the building of more temples for the growing Catholic community, the reestablishment of the religious education to school level and a bigger freedom for work in the media. Taking into consideration the growth that the Church is experiencing in the Caribbean country, Cardinal Ortega indicated that «last year there was in the island 33 thousand baptisms, comparing it to a previous statistic from 15 years ago which counted only 6 thousands, and in the last years seven new dioceses have been created to respond to the necessities of a Catholic population which is considered to be conformed by 65% of the population».

Anti-life policies reduce the average of fecundity in Mexico

Mexico City, 3 (NE) Due to the countless birth control campaigns promoted by the government, with the support of international entities, Mexico is sadly «very close» to reach the goal proposed by the present decree of reduction of the average rate of fecundity from 2.9 to 2.4 children for woman. This result was made public by the general secretary of Population's National Council (Conapo), Rodolfo Tuirán, during his participation in the inaugural session of the «V National Encounter of the Council of Population».

Before this situation, the Church in Mexico has always taught to recognize a moral order that comes from the human being's own nature illuminated and risen in its dignity by Jesus who doesn't alienate or enslave the person, but on the contrary, takes it to fulfill its vocation as being called to the Communion with God. The shepherds as well as diverse ecclesiastic associations have been denouncing the systematic violations to the person's basic rights carried out by these programs that instead of aiming to reduce poverty, concentrate their efforts and considerable sums of money on reducing population.

DECEMBER 3
Pope John Paul II urges to transform the world according to God’s Plan

Vatican, 3 (NE) «The Holy Spirit is the source of hope which does not disappoint» said yesterday Pope John Paul II at the beginning of his weekly cathecheses. Before numerous pilgrims from different parts of the world, the Holy Father reminded that Christians «are called to be witnesses of Christ’s resurrection in the world and also builders of a new society». Speaking about hope, the Pope said that it «encourages the Christian not to lose sight of the final goal which gives meaning and value to life, and on the other offers solid and profound reasons for a daily commitment to transform reality in order to make it correspond to God's plan».

The Vicar of Christ reminded as well that «the sacramental sign par excellence of the ultimate realities already anticipated and realized in the Church is the Eucharist», stating that in the Eucharist there is «a foretaste of the definitive realities and the world begins to be what it will be at the final coming of the Lord». During his cathecheses, the Holy Father urged Catholics throughout the world not to conform their minds to the mentality of the world, affirming that Christian spirituality is neither «a spirituality of evasion or of rejection of the world, but neither can be reduced to a simple activity of temporal order». Full of the Spirit which surges from the Resurrected, «it is spirituality of transfiguration of the world, and of hope in the coming of the Kingdom of God».

«Our biggest dignity is revealed to us in Christ», recalled Archbishop Errázuriz of Chile

Santiago, 2 (NE) The Archdiocese of Santiago in Chile commemorated yesterday the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of human rights. With this motive Archbishop Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa of Santiago, President of the Chilean Conference of Bishops, delivered a speech in which he recalled that «the XX century is characterized for massive violations to human rights as well as for the progress that the collective conscience of those rights of people have made».

In relation to the violations perpetrated to human dignity, the Archbishop of Santiago pointed out that «if we want to be realistic and give a significant contribution to the respect of human rights, we cannot forget that our existence develops in a humanity whose nature is harmed by sin». In that sense, he highlighted that in order to build a more respectful society for the human person it’s necessary the «mobilization of all the spiritual and moral forces of society, in a permanent desire of formation, and animation of the noblest values in culture».

In the same way, relating the topic with the recent beginning of the year dedicated to God-Father in preparation of the Great Jubilee, he pointed out that «the respects for human rights, in a wide and universal way, depends in a good measure of the coherence with which one lives his faith in the divine paternity, origin of life and man's dignity, and foundation of fraternity». With regard to the topic of human dignity, Archbishop Errázuriz affirmed that «our biggest dignity is revealed in Jesus Christ» who being God «loved us until the extent of giving his life for us, so that our sins were forgiven, we participated of the divine life, and we lived an alliance of peace and reconciliation with our God and Lord, an alliance that really makes us brothers among us».

Archdiocese of Bogota invites Colombian Catholics to make of Christmas time a time of reconciliation

Bogota, 2 (NE) In the context of the preparation for Christmas which the Church is living around the world, and in the context of the difficult situation of violence which Colombia is going through, the Archdiocese of Bogota, through its office of communications, has invited all the Catholics of the archdiocese to live in this Christmas «the reconciliation with the others, without which we cannot reach the peace that we want so much». «The peace -points out the document - is, at the same time, a gift and a responsibility. On behalf of Jesus Child, it’s a gift that only He, as Prince of Peace can give us. For us it’s an urgent responsibility that each one of us should carry out, in first place in our heart, to take away from it all hate and bitterness, all envy and all resentment».

DECEMBER 2
Christmas Holiday will be recognized again in Cuba

Miami, 2 (NE) After almost three decades of being suspended, the celebration of Christmas holiday was accepted yesterday by the Cuban government. The Communist regime had put an end to the celebration of December 25 as a holiday in 1969, saying the extra day of work was need for the crucial sugar harvest. A few weeks ago, at the end of its General Assembly, the Cuban Bishops had asked the government to restore Christmas as a holiday, as it had been celebrated the year before as a welcoming gesture to Pope John Paul II who visited the country in January.

As «The New Herald» informed, the Church in Cuba has expressed «its great joy» for this recognition. Archbishop Meurice of Santiago de Cuba said that «it is a sign which brings us some hope to resolve some of the many things the people need and can be achieved through understanding, dialogue and communication». In a similar way, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of Pope John Paul II, expressed his satisfaction for the decision, «which welcomes the legitimate expectation of the catholic community en Cuba, which waited many years for this gesture».

Pastoral letter from Archbishop of New York highlights figure of Saint Joseph

New York, 1 (NE) Cardinal John O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, presented recently a pastoral letter for the time of Advent. In the pastoral document, Cardinal O´Connor highlights in a special way Saint Joseph's figure, proposing it as a model of simplicity and of daily effort to meditate along Advent. Meditating also about Saint Joseph's humility, «a carpenter, working with his hands, presumably teaching Jesus the trade (…) An ordinary man, doing the best he could each day», the Cardinal invited Catholics of the North American archdiocese to live their own Christian life in the simplicity of daily things, especially in this time of preparation for Christmas.

Million and a half people sign letter to the Mexican president in favor of life

Mexico City, 1 (NE) The National Committee Pro-life gave the Mexican president a million and a half signatures demanding life to be respected since its conception. The main objective of this campaign is to encourage the executive to send a law initiative to modify the Constitution in this respect. It is expected that article 14, stating the inviolable right of life for all human beings, will recognize that it begins in the moment of conception and finds its end in a natural death.

The president of the Pro-life committee affirmed that it's not possible to understand a government that speaks of common wealth «when its laws don't guarantee the defense of the most important thing for citizens which is life itself. The president of the Republic should know that the most valuable of Mexico are Mexicans, and those who more protection require are the weakest and defenseless». Also, he noticed that «abortion is the biggest enemy of peace» and one cannot speak of a fight against drug traffic, corruption and delinquency, «if they don't put on the necessary juridical elements» to protect life.

DECEMBER 1
Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves urges Bishops to be faithful transmitters of truth

Vatican, 1 (NE) During the Ninth General Congregation of the Special Assembly of the Bishops for Oceania, Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, highlighted the important role of Bishops in the transmission of truth. « It is an indisputable right of the faithful to receive the truth which constitutes the life of their faith and, in consequence, its transmission is a strict duty of the bishop», he said. «This transmission -he added- demands that the bishop be firm, clear, pure and vigorous in teaching the truth». In a similar way, Cardinal Moreira Neves stated as well that Bishops should be merciful. «But the greatest mercy towards the faithful consists in not denying and not reducing or altering the whole truth», he affirmed.

Cardinal Ruini asks to invest in the «formation of human resources» in the world of mass media

Rome, 30 (NE) The world of the social communications «is a first priority challenge that the Church in Italy should confront with an always bigger tenacity», affirmed recently Cardinal Camillo Ruini, General Vicar of Pope John Paul II for the diocese of Rome. In words pronounced to the directors of the Italian Catholic weekly publications, Cardinal Ruini highlighted the necessity of facing this challenge not only investing in a technological development, but also in professionally competent people.

In this respect, the Italian Cardinal stated that of forming «professionally prepared people, with a solid Christian maturity: in the world of the social communications the fundamental problem is people, therefore it’s necessary to invest in the formation of human resources, which we have». In the same way, the President of the Italian Conference of Bishops also recalled the «complex scenarios» in the social, cultural, political and religious environment, highlighting the importance of not giving in to pessimism. «We have the conscience of the validity of the Christian message which is “salt” for man's life», he affirmed, urging the present directors to «be protagonists of the change».

Panamanian Catholics demand the government to respect religious holidays

Panama, 27 (NE) A group of Panamanian Catholics carried out recently a march of protest throughout the city of Panama complaining about the discussed Decree Law n. 8, by which the denominated «bridge- days» are created. By means of this ordinance it’s established that the religious holidays which celebration «would interrupt» the works during the week are not to be celebrated in the date that corresponds. The march was carried out with the purpose that the feast of December 8, day in which the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception, would stay in the corresponding day, that is to say, on Tuesday 8 of December.

In this respect, Archbishop José Dimas Cedeño Delgado of Panama has presented an application to the Legislative Assembly so that it modifies the ordinance law, proposal which different political groups have also supported. A similar situation was given in Peru in 1992. On that occasion, the protest of the Catholic people and of the ecclesiastical instances, together with other entities, prevailed over the government's policies. The law was finally revoked, allowing the Peruvian Catholics to celebrate the religious holidays on the corresponding day.

Beatification process of Mexican martyr begins

Mexico City, 30 (NE) Father Oscar Sanchez Barba, general postulator for the causes of canonization, recently announced the beginning of the beatification process of the Servant of God Dario Acosta Zurita, a Mexican martyr assassinated this century. Father Sanchez estimated that the process of beatification could last up to six years, while the process of canonization would take a while longer and the usual conditions in these cases. He also affirmed that there are actually nearly 200 cases of bishops, priests, religious and lay people that have been proposed for beatification and are being studied.

Father Dario Acosta Zurita is one of the many martyrs murdered by the Mexican regimes opposite to the Church which organized violent persecutions at the start of the century. The constitution of 1917 made legalized this attacks, since it banned monastic vows and religious orders, prohibiting the Church the right to own any property and declaring the places of cult as belonging to the nation. It also suppressed the press and catholic education, stating that only the state could decide on the number of priest necessary for each city.

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