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International Congress of Catholic Communicators begins in Guadalajara
December 16

Cardinal Obando expresses concern for the use of the help to the damaged countries
December 16

New Pastoral Instruction highlights man's need of God
December 15

In Florence Cardinal Ruini explains «Cultural Project» impelled by the Church in Italy
December 15

The Virgin of Guadalupe was an instrument of love and reconciliation in the formation of Mexico, points out Cardinal Rivera
December 15

As from today «Church News» by e-mail
December 14

«We are called to be the salt of the earth, not sugar or artificial sweetening», says Australian Archbishop
December 14

The life of Father Pio of Pietrelcina on «cd-rom»
December 14

Millions express their faith in the day of our Lady of Guadalupe
December 14

Pope John Paul II concludes Special Assembly for Oceania of the Synod of Bishops
December 13

Archbishop Arrieta highlights the necessity of greater respect for human dignity in Costa Rica
December 13

Scholarships financed in Mexico for the formation of catechists against growth of sects
December 13

Patriarch of Lisbon states that mass media must involve ethics
December 12

Archbishop Claudio Hummes calls to reflection on eternal life
December 12

It's necessary to correctly understand human rights, affirms Cardinal Ortega
December 12

Pope John Paul II highlights that certain fundamental principles must be observed in human rights
December 11

Message of reconciliation is the spiritual legacy of Cardinal Oviedo
December 11

Pope John Paul II highlights Mary´s cooperation with the Holy Spirit during weekly catechesest
December 10

Thousands of members of the Sodalite Family celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 10

Congregation for the Clergy launches new site in Internet
December 10

Pope John Paul II affirms that preparation for the Great Jubilee must be a «time of reconciliation and joy»
December 9

Russian delegation threatens to abandon the World Council of Churches meeting
December 9

Project looks forward to reconstruct Nazareth like it was in Jesus' times
December 9

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DECEMBER 16
Pope John Paul II highlights need to promote human dignity to build peace in the world

Pope John Paul IIVatican, 16 (NE) Made public yesterday was Pope John Paul II´ message for the 32nd World Day of Peace that will take place on January 1, 1999. The Pope's message recalls that «the dignity of the human person is a transcendent value, always recognized as such by those who sincerely search for the truth». On the contrary, when it is not recognized and human rights are ignored, «then the seeds of instability, rebellion and violence are planted», says the recent message.

Remembering that the first of these rights is the basic right to life, the Pope's message states that «human life is sacred and inviolable from conception to its natural end». This implies a «positive option for life», clearly stating that the «direct and voluntary elimination of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral».

Among the many points that the message speaks, the theme of religious freedom is an important one, affirming that it «constitutes the very heart of human rights», since religion offers «the answer to the question about the true sense of existence». Referring to God's love for man, Pope John Paul II urges people to accept God's invitation to share that love, since «in it lies the secret of the respect for the rights of each women and man. The dawn of a new millennium will thus find us better prepared to construct peace together».

 


International Congress of Catholic Communicators begins in Guadalajara

Guadalajara, 15 (NE) The International Congress for Catholic Communicators began yesterday in the city of Guadalajara in Mexico. Promoted by the Archdiocese of Guadalajara and the Social Communication's Commission of the Mexican Conference of Bishops, attended to the congress people in charge of diocesan communications, journalists as well as students of journalism and communications. The Congress began with an Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Cardinal Juan Sandoval, Archbishop of Guadalajara. During his homily, the Mexican Cardinal pointed out that «all Christian communication should be referred to this supreme communication of God and, therefore, should be related to the salvation manifested by Jesus Christ».

Bishop Onésimo Cepeda, President of the Bishop's Commission for the Social Communications, gave the first conference, affirming that to speak of communication in the Church is not only to speak of media of the Church, but of Catholics that make possible communication. The communication agents in the Church should be propagators of unity. In the same way, he highlighted the apostolic sense that should have the Catholic communication agent, underlining the necessity that they have a solid Catholic identity. Also, during the press conference that preceded the beginning of the activities, Archbishop John Foley, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, manifested the necessity that journalists shouldn't have just a good professional formation, but also moral, ethical, philosophical as well as theological.

 


Cardinal Obando expresses concern for the use of the help to the damaged countries

Managua, 14 (NE) Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo declared recently to the media its deep desire that the economic help provided by the international community to the Central American countries -nearly 3.600 million dollars - be managed with transparence and that the intentions of the donors be respected in its distribution. In this sense, the Cardinal supported the announcements made by the government on naming a commission so that it supervised the appropriate distribution of the donations. «I hope that what was achieved will be well distributed», manifested Cardinal Obando, highlighting the necessity that the donated funds were appropriately used to the service of the Central American nations.

 


DECEMBER 15
New Pastoral Instruction highlights man's need of God

Madrid, 15 (NE) Under the title «God is Love» was recently presented in Spain the new Pastoral Instruction of the Spanish Bishops after their LXX General Assembly. During the presentation of the document, Archbishop Elias Yanes, President of the Spanish Conference of Bishops, explained that the new document affirms that «the human being is religious by nature, and he is in a constant pilgrimage to the Absolute, in search of good, truth and beauty». Nevertheless, he added, today's «culture and society want to ban the figure of God from public life».

The document «God is Love», directed specially to Spanish Catholics, states that man in his search for the meaning of the world and of history, «can rightfully reach the conclusion that it is reasonable to believe». «Man cannot not believe», stated the President of the Spanish Conference of Bishops, the thing is «believing in the living God and not in idols».

 


In Florence Cardinal Ruini explains «Cultural Project» impelled by the Church in Italy

Rome, 14 (NE) «It's a process guided to make emerge the cultural content of the evangelization and therefore of the proposal of faith». With these words, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, General Vicar of the Holy Father for the diocese of Rome and President of the Italian Conference of Bishops, explained some days ago in Florence the orientations of the «Cultural Project» that the Church has been promoting in this country. In his words, the Cardinal indicated that in Italy there are favorable conditions for this project «because while it's true that in Italy there is a "dechristianization" process, which impacts deeply, it is also true that in Italy the Church has a special vitality and proximity with the people». Nevertheless he complained that along the development of the process of implementation of the «Cultural Project» «many difficulties of understanding» had emerged.

Another reason to be hopeful about this Project -pointed out the Italian Cardinal - «is that in Italy, and also outside it, the recognition of the main role that the Church has in the sphere of solidarity is widely known ». In this way she can «aspire, with humility and courage, to have a similarly significant role in the aspects of freedom and of intelligence, because these two dimensions grow up together».

On the other hand, Cardinal Ruini referred to the so called «de facto couples», expressing in this respect that «they are not a family». He pointed out that it wasn't just a defense of the Catholic position, «but because where the family is weakened the quality of life gets worse».

 


The Virgin of Guadalupe was an instrument of love and reconciliation in the formation of Mexico, points out Cardinal Rivera

Mexico City, 14 (NE) We should make an effort so that the commandment of love becomes reality among men, «showing a merciful love and opening the way to reconciliation», affirmed Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, during the Mass which took place for the celebration of the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. In the same way, the Mexican Cardinal pointed out that the peace that the Lord brought to us is truly at our reach, provided that we assume the law of love as guide of all our actions.

«Wherever we take a look -he added- there are wars, ferocious hates, assaults, robberies and slaughters and even though we've nearly completed 2,000 years of that announcement of peace that the angels brought to us, we could think that we have taken very little advantage of it. Our mixed-raced homeland is not exempt of those phenomenon, but fortunately we have the glory of having as mother the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe». Also, the Archbishop of Mexico asked the Virgin, who «knew how to be an instrument of love and reconciliation for our Indian and Spaniards parents», to intercede for their children so that they knew how to live in peace and place Christ at the center of their lives and at the center of society.

 


DECEMBER 14
As from today «Church News» by e-mail

As we had announced some weeks ago, as from today the readers of «Church News» can receive our daily news service in English by e-mail. The daily news service in Spanish is already delivered by e-mail, and the successful response we had has encouraged us to start a similar service for our English edition. In this way, «Church News» takes an important step in its service for the Church. To subscribe just e-mail us to churchnews@eclesiales.org, or subscribe from our site in http://www.eclesiales.org/english/suscrib.htm

Grateful for the continuous support of our readers, «Church News» renews itself in its commitment to collaborate in the tasks of the New Evangelization called for by the Holy Father and our Bishops, using the new technologies to the service of the Church's mission facing the Third Millennium of the Faith.

 


«We are called to be the salt of the earth, not sugar or artificial sweetening», says Australian Archbishop

Rome, 14 (NE) In a recent interview published by the vatican agency «Fides», Archbishop George Pell of Melbourne (Australia), stated the «the need to vigorously and tirelessly proclaim the person of Jesus Christ, his teaching, his sacraments» in the Evangelization of Oceania. The Archbishop of Melbourne affirmed as well the position of the Church regarding celibacy. «Personally I think that our testimony in the western world would be weakened terribly if we were to abandon the obligation of celibacy for diocesan priests» he said. «As Cardinal Ratzinger said during a session, we are called to be the salt of the earth, not sugar or artificial sweetening! Our duty is to comprehend ever more fully the teaching of Christ, not to reduce or "improve" it to suit ourselves».

During the interview, Archbishop Pell affirmed that the Lord is «truly the answer to everything that people seek». In a similar way, he highlighted the importance of the unity of the Church in Oceania with Rome and the Universal Church. The Archbishop of Melbourne noted as well the importance of the role of lay people in the mission of the Church.

 


The life of Father Pio of Pietrelcina on «cd-rom»

Padre PioRome, 13 (NE) Under the name «Padre Pio», a cd-rom about the life and works of Father Pio of Pietrelcina was recently put to sale in Italy. The compact disc is the first one carried out in Italy about the capuchin friar, and it narrates the Venerable friar's life with numerous interviews and inedited pictures. Father Pio´s life is a testimony of sacrifice taken with happiness, of prodigies carried out with detachment and with humility, of intense prayer, of the apostolate of the reconciliation of thousands of penitents who made long lines to be confessed by him, as well as of virtuous life already proclaimed by the Church.

The great example of Christian life manifested along the life of the capuchin friar attracts every year thousands of devotes to the Sanctuary of San Giovanni Rotondo where the religious man is buried. In view to the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, it is expected that an unprecedented number of devotes pilgrim to this sanctuary in the region of Foggia, Italy. On December last year, nearly 30 years after God had called him to His presence, the Holy See recognized the heroic virtues of who had received in his body the stigmas of Our Lord.

 


Millions express their faith in the day of our Lady of Guadalupe

Mexico City, 13 (NE) Along Friday and Saturday, more than three million pilgrims arrived at the Basilica of Guadalupe to pray before the image of the Virgin of the Tepeyac on the 467 anniversary of her appearances to the Blessed Juan Diego. As every year, a few minutes before the 12th, the pilgrims sang the "mañanitas" to the Virgin -a typical mexican song which is used to receive a special day-, greeting her in this way for her new anniversary and also expressing their gratefulness for her constant intercession.

The traditional story of the appearances of the Virgin of Guadalupe goes back to the year 1531, when the Indian Juan Diego was in his way to participate of the Holy Mass. On his way he listened a voice that called him in his native language: «Juanito, Juan Diego ...I much desire that here they build me my sacred house». The Lady who appeared to Juan Diego then sent him to see the Bishop of Mexico to complete her desire. Two days after when he was looking for a priest that could aid his uncle who was badly sick, Juan Diego was called again by the Virgin. The Virgin said to Juan Diego not to worry, for his uncle would not die, as he had already been cured. Then the Indian requested her for the sign that he should take to the Bishop. Mary told him to go to the top of the hill, where he found some roses. Juan Diego cut as many roses as he could and took them to the Bishop. When opening his cloak in front of Bishop Fray Juan of Zumarraga it was discovered that the Virgin of the Tepeyac had formed her image on it.

One of the aspects that have always attracted the attention is that the «tilma» doesn't seem colored, but impregnated of color. Doctor Ricardo Kuhn in 1936, being manager of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Heidelberg, in Germany, wanted to determine the nature of the pigments reaching the conclusion that there are no vegetable colorings, animals, or minerals that could give place to those combinations. Another characteristic that a surprise is that it doesn't present paintbrush prints. From 1531, Juan Diego's cloak was placed in a hermitage, to be transferred two years later to the first sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe. In 1709 the building of the «old Basilica» was finished which welcomed the cloak up to 1976, year in which the current Basilica was consecrated.

 


DECEMBER 13
Pope John Paul II concludes Special Assembly for Oceania of the Synod of Bishops

Vatican, 13 (NE) «Jesus Christ is the way to follow, the truth to proclaim, the life to live». This was affirmed yesterday by Pope John Paul II during the Eucharist celebration at the conclusion of the Special Assembly for Oceania of the Synod of Bishops. In his final words, the Holy Father said to all Catholics of this continent that the «New Evangelization follows this program in the entire world and is achieved through generous collaboration with the Holy Spirit, which renews the face of the earth». Recalling the history of the announcement of the Gospel in these lands, the Holy Father reminded some of the actual challenges of the evangelization, urging to continue the announcement of the Lord Jesus towards the Third Millennium of the Faith.

 


Archbishop Arrieta highlights the necessity of greater respect for human dignity in Costa Rica

San José, 12 (NE) Archbishop Román Arrieta of San José (Costa Rica), will issue a new Pastoral Letter to the Costa Rican people on December the18th under the title «Human Rights: a passage towards dignity and freedom». As it was announced, Archbishop Arrieta indicates in this document the necessity for human rights to be more respected in Costa Rica, affirming that «thousands of Costa Ricans will enter to the new millennium in situations of social, economic and political disadvantage that are not human or Christian and which evidence serious violations to their natural dignity».

In a same way, the Archbishop advises about the manifestations of certain violations to man's rights, like abortions, the rejection of unwanted pregnancies, drug addiction, sterilization of women, family disintegration, as well as some television programs «that damage the moral and strike the noblest principles in human coexistence». «Most -affirms also Archbishop Arrieta - suffer the embattle of the loss of values, the enslavement of cultural patterns and the loss of the alimentary sovereignty».

 


Scholarships financed in Mexico for the formation of catechists against growth of sects

Mexico City, 12 (NE) A group of Mexican businessmen agreed recently, in collaboration with the Church in this country, to begin a program to finance scholarships orientated to the formation of catechists. The program which will support 1000 annual scholarships up to the year 2005, will be guided to form catechists and to fight in this way the aggressive advance of sects. Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, affirmed in this respect that with this initiative they also want to achieve a bigger and more active participation of the laity in the evangelization works of the Church.

 


DECEMBER 12
Patriarch of Lisbon states that mass media must involve ethics

Lisbon, 12 (NE) The Patriarch of Lisbon, Jose Cruz Policarpo, recently reminded people involved in mass media the necessity to consider ethics in their respective works. On the occasion of the I Congress of mass media of Christian inspiration and in Portuguese language, the Patriarch asked to live a spirit of service, as well as to have «a greater zeal for objectivity» and «respect for culture». In a similar way, he highlighted the importance of mass media in the evangelization, reminding the participants of the congress that they can be «protagonists of hope, defenders of the dignity of man and constructors of a new world and a new humanity».

 


Archbishop Claudio Hummes calls to reflection on eternal life

São Paulo, 11 (NE) In a recent message titled «I Believe in Eternal Life», Dom Cláudio Hummes, Archbishop of São Paulo, made a call to Brazilian Catholics to follow the meditation of the Church along the liturgical time of Advent. In his message, Archbishop Hummes made a reflection around the end times, as well as on the second coming of Christ, the universal judgment and eternal life. «I am talking about the eternal life which includes our immortality after the resurrection of the dead and which is at the base of Christian hope, giving sense to our earthly life», he stated, affirming that «we don't have a permanent life in this world», where we are «merely pilgrims, who walk towards the heavenly homeland which God reserves for us». In a same way Archbishop Hummes recalled that the Church teaches that there exists two definitive situations after death and that «to be worthy of seeing God face to face, in heaven, we need to be completely purified».

 


It's necessary to correctly understand human rights, affirms Cardinal Ortega

Miami, 11 (NE) To end up understanding the centrality that the theme of human rights has, as well as its correct sense, «it's necessary to look at men and women in their essence as the masterpiece of God amid creation», affirms Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of La Habana, in the last archdiocesan bulletin «Here the Church». In his words, the Cardinal stands out that already in the Old Testament, in the first three chapters of the Genesis, the first letter of the human person's rights is present, taken to its fullness in the New Testament.

The Cardinal sustains also that the Declaration of 1948 was an important and necessary landmark, pointing out however that «this gigantic effort is still on its beginnings because few countries of the world respect man's rights entirely». On the other hand, he continues explaining how instead of conceiving integrally the rights of human beings, there still exists a serious confusion and overlapping among those «social rights» and the «wrongly called individual rights», since, depending on the leading ideology, be it liberal or of Marxist inspiration, the «social» ones are imposed over the «singular» or vice versa. Finally he concludes his article wishing «that this anniversary raises the reflection of men of state, political parties, jurists, scientists and of the biggest number of residents of our planet», so that they work for one authentic promotion of the human rights.

 


DECEMBER 11
Pope John Paul II highlights that certain fundamental principles must be observed in human rights

Vatican, 11 (NE) In a message for the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pope John Paul II remembered the importance of that declaration, stating as well that there were still many «serious and continuous violations» to basic rights. In the message to the president of the LIII session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Holy Father stated that «fifty years ago, the political context of the postwar period did not allow the authors of the declaration to give it an anthropological basis and explicit moral references». In a similar way, he remembered that «doubting the universality, that is, the existence, of certain fundamental principles, is equivalent to mining the entire structure of human rights».

 


Message of reconciliation is the spiritual legacy of Cardinal Oviedo

Santiago, 10 (NE) Yesterday, amid the national duel decreed by the government, the people of Chile gave their last farewell to Cardinal Carlos Oviedo Cavada, whose transit occurred on Monday. After a Holy Mass that took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Chilean Cardinal was finally buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Santiago. During the service, the Archbishop of Santiago, Archbishop Javier Errazuriz, stated that the Cardinal's mission in favor of the reconciliation of Chileans does not lose is actuality these days. «It takes a lot to live reconciled because we are easily divided, being unjust and selfish… we have to work to make Chile a country of brothers».

The expressions of gratitude towards the Pastoral duties exercised by Cardinal Oviedo have been numerous. One of them came from President Frei, who said that the former Archbishop of Santiago always worked in fervor of the reconciliation, affirming that «our best homage is to work for the reconciliation». Archbishop Errazuriz urged the Chilean people to welcome the «spiritual legacy of a Shepherd who really wanted to help us to reach sanctity and to a personal encounter with God».

On the 8th of December, while in every church the Immaculate Conception was being celebrated as well as services in memory of the late Cardinal, Archbishop Errazuriz presided a significant celebration in the «Cerro San Cristobal», a small mountain in Chile which has a chapel on the top and the image of the Immaculate Conception. In this traditional site for pilgrimage, the Archbishop of Santiago recalled that his predecessor went there every year because of his love to the Immaculate Mary. Archbishop Errazuriz said that Cardinal Oviedo offered his sufferings «for many intentions. Specially for the most afflicted and poor, those in jail and for Chile, so that it may reach the path to encounter and unity».

 


DECEMBER 10
Pope John Paul II highlights Mary´s cooperation with the Holy Spirit during weekly catecheses

Vatican, 10 (NE) Concluding the series of cathecheses dedicated to the Holy Spirit, Pope John Paul II spoke yesterday during the General Audience on «Mary, mother animated by the Holy Spirit». «Mary's cooperation with the Holy Spirit, shown in the Annunciation and the Visitation -said the Pope- was expressed in a behavior of constant docility to the inspirations of the Paraclete». «With her consent given in the Annunciation two thousand years ago, it represents the beginning of the new history of humanity» stated as well the Pope.

Recalling the significant presence of the Virgin Mary in the origins of the Church, the Holy Father highlighted the participation of the Mother of God in the life of the first community and in its persistent and unanimous prayer. The Holy Spirit, the Pope concluded, «continually re-awakens in the memory of the Church Jesus' words to his beloved disciple: "Behold thy mother!", and he invites believers to love Mary as Christ loved her».

 


Thousands of members of the Sodalite Family celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Lima, 9 (NE) With great joy and immense gratitude, more than 2.200 members of the sodalite family celebrated yesterday in Lima with intense devotion the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, and a new anniversary of the foundation of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, from which the Christian Life Movement (MVC) was born. The main celebration took place in the Archdiocese of Lima and was headed by Bishop Fernando Vargas Ruiz de Somocurcio, Archbishop Emeritus of Arequipa. The temple of «Our Lady of the Reconciliation» was completely full. During his homily, Bishop Vargas thanked the Lord for the countless blessings shed over «this community of christian life» through the years. «Mary has gathered this multitude», he said, stating that the members of the Christian Life Movement are characterized by a «Marian spirit», highlighting as well that the «simplest way to Jesus is through Mary».

In a similar way, celebrations took place in the different cities and countries in which the Christian Life Movement is present. In the diocese of Callao, hundreds of members of the MVC participated in a Eucharist presided by Bishop Miguel Irizar of Callao. In Medellin, the temple became small for the great assistance to the Holy Mass presided by Archbishop Alberto Giraldo of Medellin. «This solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary makes us look to the Virgin, the chosen one -said Archbishop Giraldo during his homily-, a sign of mercy for us, symbol of our own pilgrimage». In Cali the members of the movement gathered with Archbishop Isaias Duarte, Archbishop of Cali, to celebrate the Marian solemnity. In Santo Amaro, the diocesan Shepherd wished to share the thanksgiving act with the members of the Christian Life Movement. In this way, thousands of members of the movement through out the american geography gathered to celebrate the Immaculate Conception and thank the Mother of the Lord Jesus for her intercession in the pilgrimage of the sodalite family.

 


Congregation for the Clergy launches new site in Internet

Vatican, 9 (NE) In the day of the Immaculate Conception, the Congregation for the Clergy, headed by Cardinal Dario Castrillon, inaugurated its new site in the net. A few days ago the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, headed by Bishop Javier Lozano, launched as well its new web site (http://www.healthpastoral.org/). The web site of the Congregation for the Clergy has been promoted by Cardinal Castrillon, who considers fundamental the use of new technologies for the evangelization.

«I consecrate to the Holy Mother of God, the Immaculate Virgin Mary this effort of the Congregation for the Clergy», wrote Cardinal Castrillon in an introductory letter, stating as well its aim to make more widely known the «sacred ministry of priests and deacons». The web site of the Vatican Congregation can be visited at http://www.clerus.org/ The site is still under construction, although it already offers official documents about the clergy, as well as articles about priestly formation and spirituality.

 


DECEMBER 9
Pope John Paul II affirms that preparation for the Great Jubilee must be a «time of reconciliation and joy»

Rome, 9 (NE) During the traditional homage to the Mother of God on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, hundreds of flowers where placed at the Virgin's feet in the «Plaza España». Pope John Paul II attended as well to the Plaza, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary that «during this last year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, you teach us to walk in unity towards the House of the Father, to make of all humanity one great family».

In a similar way, during the Mass that the Holy Father presided for the solemnity, Peter's Successor highlighted Mary as a model in the preparation for the Great Jubilee. «Towards the Great Jubilee, time of reconciliation and joy -affirmed the Holy Father- the Immaculate Conception signals a stage full of strong indications for our life». «May Mary protect you. She the "full of grace", She who we today contemplate radiantly in the glory and in the sanctity of God», stated as well the Holy Father.

 


Russian delegation threatens to abandon the World Council of Churches meeting

Rome, 8 (NE) Diverse Christian confessions have been meeting along these days in Harare, Zimbabwe, in the World Council of Churches assembly, to which the Catholic Church doesn't belong. The meeting which will be taking place until December 14th , has passed through several moments of tension. The situation is such that a crisis of the Council of churches has already been spoken of. Today the crisis has been shown. Last Sunday, the Russian delegation warned about the possibility of the Orthodox Church delegates to abandon the assembly. The serious situation arises from the fact that several members of the orthodox churches criticize the Protestant churches of having adopted tendencies of the western society, affirming that the agenda of the WCC is dominated by a western Protestant " ethos ", which has made them permit a series of unacceptable norms for the Christian understanding of the orthodox.

In fact, the orthodox churches of Bulgaria and Georgia have already quit the council. The matter has become particularly complicated for the WCC, since the orthodox churches represent a significant percentage of the members. Already some months ago, in a meeting in Tesalónica, in Greece, orthodox leaders had manifested their dissatisfaction for the «general tendency of the Council whose orientation impelled the use of the «inclusive language» in the liturgy, the ordination of women, as well as «tendencies related to religious syncretism», between other things that the orthodox members of the Council observed with growing deception.

 


Project looks forward to reconstruct Nazareth like it was in Jesus' times

Rome, 8 (NE) At the thresholds of the Third Millennium of Faith, millions of people in the entire world look to the holy places which witnessed the birth of the Church. Countless numbers of people pilgrimage year after year to the diverse places in which the Lord Jesus lived, specially in Jerusalem, the Holy City, making memory of the mysteries of the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Mary's Son. Already having in mind those next celebrations in which the Church commemorates the 2000 years of Jesus' birth, a group of volunteers has intended to build a replica of Nazareth like it supposedly must have been in biblical times.

This way, the pilgrims will be able to walk along streets just as any inhabitant two thousand years ago, know the modest typical houses of the time and even dialogue with actors that will carry out the paper of Palestinians of the first century. Project organizers say they want to bring Jesus and his teachings to life in historical context, aspiring to recreate the atmosphere of Nazareth of those times, obviously, according to what they believe it to have been.

As it's believed Jesus had around two years when Saint Joseph and Saint Mary returned to settle down in Nazareth. From then on, until the start of his public life, they lapsed little more than 30 years, which have remained unknown for history. As Giuseppe Riccioti wrote more than 50 years ago in his «Life of Jesus Christ», «Jesus lived in Nazareth as an unknown, as if he didn't exist. Physically similar in everything to his contemporaries, at the beginning children, then boys, later young men, at first he jumped on his mother's lap, then he offered her his simple services, later he helped Joseph in the carpentry, then he began to read and to write, he recited the "Shema" and the other habitual prayers, he frequented the synagogue. As a young man he had to deal with the fields and vineyards, with the works that Joseph carried out in Nazareth and in his contours, with questions on the Jewish Law, of Pharisee and of saducees, of the political events of Palestine and of the exterior… apparently his days where simply this way». We hope that in the reconstruction the data of the biblical archaeology and of the related disciplines has a bigger presence than a «Hollywood type» building.

 


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