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DECEMBER 25

With traditional Midnight Mass, Pope John Paul II celebrated the birth of the Lord Jesus

Vatican, 25 (NE) «Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy. ... For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord». With these words taken from the Gospel according to Luke, Pope John Paul II expressed to all Catholics throughout the world the joy for the great event of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. «Praise becomes a prayer which rises from the hearts of the throngs who on Christmas Night continue to welcome the Son of God», said Peter´s Succesor during his hommmily in the tradtional Christmas Midnight Mass.

To all the pilgrims gathered together with the Vicar of Christ in Saint Peter´s Basilica to celebrate the coming of the Lord, the Holy Father said that «in the Word who becomes man the miracle of the Incarnate God is made manifest. The mystery sheds light on the event of the birth: A baby is adored by the shepherds in the lowly stable, at Bethlehem. He is ``the Savior of the world,'' ``Christ the Lord,'' (cf Luke 2:11). Their eyes see a newborn child, wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in a manger, and in that ``sign,'' thanks to the inner light of faith, they recognize the Messiah proclaimed by the Prophets».

«This is Emmanuel, God-with-us, who comes to fill the Earth with grace. He comes into the world in order to transform creation. He becomes a man among men, so that in him and through him every human being can be profoundly renewed. By his birth, he draws us all into the sphere of the divine, granting to those who in faith open themselves to receiving his gift the possibility of sharing in his divine life».

«The coming of Christ among us is the center of history, which thereafter takes on a new dimension. In a way, it is God himself who writes history by entering into it. The event of the Incarnation thus broadens to embrace the whole of human history, from creation until the Second Coming. This is why in the Liturgy all creation sings, voicing its own joy: The floods clap their hands, all the trees of the world sing for joy, and the many coastlands are glad».

«Christ is born for us. Come let us adore him. My thoughts already turn to Christmas next year when, God willing, I shall inaugurate the great jubilee with the opening of the holy door. It will be a truly great holy year, for in a completely unique way it will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the event and mystery of the incarnation in which humanity reached the apex of its calling. God became man in order to give man a share in his own divinity». «This is the good news of salvation. This is the message of Christmas! The Church proclaims it tonight by means of my words too, for the peoples and nations of the whole Earth to hear. Christu natus est nobis. Christ is born for us. Venite adoremum. Come, let us adore him».

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urges to peace during solemn celebration of Christmas Mid Night Mass

Rome, 25 (NE) During Christmas Mid Night Mass in Bethlehem, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, urged again to peace and reconciliation for the people of the Middle East and of all the world. In his homily, made public by «Al-Bushra», the Latin Patriarch prayed as well for «the weak and those who suffer throughout the world, and for all peoples torn by war, bloodshed and hatred». In his prayers were present the people of Iraq and all faithful in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus. The Patriarch renewed as well his call to peace in Nazareth between Christians and Moslems, expressing his hope that they «may be strong enough to overcome all difficulties».

Patriarch Sabbah recalled in his words the birth of the Lord Jesus, underlining the message of peace brought by his coming. «The news of the birth of Jesus and his mystery was not sent to the powerful of this world, but to the meek and simple, to the shepherds. Because of their humility, they received the news. They saw and they welcomed the mystery of God». «Today the great Roman Empire, which governed the entire known world at that time, has disappeared. Many others succeeded it, but these too have disappeared, one after the other, while the event revealed to the shepherds in the small city of Bethlehem remains until today. The shepherds who received the news of Christ's birth hold a far greater importance to the faith of all believers than the great emperor of the time».

«Next year, the world will celebrate with joy and hope the great event of Bethlehem», he continued, saying that nevertheless «Bethlehem is still unable to enjoy the message that has been given to the world through it». «Glory will be given to God when all, the small and the great, the weak and the strong, see that every human being is part of the glory of God, and all are equal before Him. Glory will be given to God when the brother does not make war against his brother». May peace «be present in the hearts of the people, and when peace is in the hearts it will be possible to establish it in the land», he said.

DECEMBER 24

Pope John Paul II highlights «message of love and reconciliation» in reflections about Christmas

Vatican, 24 (NE) During the last general audience of 1998, Pope John Paul II offered some reflections about Christmas celebration. In his weekly cathecheses, the Holy Father said that «through the incarnation of the Word, the Creator sealed a pact of eternal covenant with all people». «In the silence of the Holy Night, the mystery of the divine motherhood of Mary reveals the luminous and welcoming face of the Father. His tender concern for the poor and sinners is already present in the defenseless child who lies in the arms of the Virgin Mary in the cave», he said. The Holy Father also recalled the words of the Gospel that narrate the birth of the Lord Jesus, saying that «they speak to us not only of God's unbounded love for man, but also of the greatness and dignity of man».

«We'll never understand fully this mystery of the greatest humiliation. In this event, God entered human history and will remain with him until the end. From Bethlehem, 2000 years ago started spreading this message of love and reconciliation». The Holy Father reminded also that «the birth of the Son of God shows us as well the profound truth about man. In Christ, precisely in Him, man discovers his great vocation. If God so loved the world to give his only Son, He did it so that we could have "eternal life", so that we could cease to walk in shadows».

Latin Patriarch highlights difficult situation in the Mid East in Christmas message

Rome, 24 (NE) In his traditional Christmas message, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, highlighted yesterday the difficult situation in the Mid East. The Christmas message of love «includes all the other messages», he said, explaining that «sadly in these days love is going through a deep crisis in the Mid East, and in our own land and in our own life as well».

In his words, Patriarch Sabbah spoke about some of the difficulties imposed by the Muslim people to the Christian minority. For example, the situation has grown particularly tense in Nazareth, where Muslim authorities are making plans to build a new mosque with a minaret that would rise higher than the steeple of the Basilica of the Annunciation. Patriarch Sabbah expressed as well that Israel is in some way responsible because of its negligence, since it has «done nothing to avoid injustice (…) in the conflict between Christians and Muslims in Nazareth and in a great part of Galilee». In relation to this, he stated that «in a violent fight nobody can become the winner», inviting «wise men, Christians and Muslims, to assume their responsibilities in this respect before it is too late». The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem focused his attention as well on the recent attack over Iraq, saying that «an entire people are being held hostage in a global political conflict».

Against these difficult situations in the Mid East, he urged Catholics to be messengers of peace, specially in this time of Christmas. «All the world, on the eve of the Third Millennium, turns back to the Holy Land and its cities with the hope of finding in them the grace of God which can renew persons and societies». The Patriarch expressed his hope that «the grace of Christmas illuminates the minds and hearts of the politically responsibles», in order to secure peace in this region. The Christmas message «is a message of adoration and profound silence before the divine mystery, the mystery of God's love for us which transcends reason». «Christmas -he said- reminds us each year the great event of the birth of Our Lord Jesus», as well as «the mystery of Incarnation which human reason is incapable of understanding».

Archbishop of Miami urges Catholics to discovers God's action in daily life

Miami, 24 (NE) Archbishop John Favalora, of Miami, highlighted recently in a Christmas reflection the importance to discover God's intervention in our daily life. «He is intervening in our lives every day in simple ways» he said. Archbishop Favalora recalled as well that the birth of the Lord Jesus «is the most significative action of God in the history of humanity». «Two thousand years ago the Jew people had problems believing that God could act in such a silent and marvelous way», said the Archbishop. «Today many people express a similar incredulity. We expect God to announce his presence with lighting and thunder… and we do not discover Him when he presents to us as a gentle breeze or as a small child… God speaks in a low voice and lets his love echo in our hearts». «Accepting God's intervention in our life is not always easy. His actions force us to change, to move in unexpected directions, to leave aside what we thought was true and search it again in another place». Before this reality, Archbishop Favalora recalled the answer of faith: «Faith that allowed Mary to say "May it be done" according to God's will… which allowed Mary and Joseph to see God in a dream and follow his commandments… which allowed shepherds and kings to see the Son of God in a humble child». Only with such a sincere answer to God may we make possible «that our hearts open to see God's eternal work in our lives».

180 years of «Silent Night»: A Christmas carol that has united millions of people throughout the world who celebrate the birth of the Son of God

Rome, 24 (NE) «Silent Night, Holy Night». These are the first verses of a simple but fascinating song repeated throughout the years in the different places where Christmas is celebrated. Translated to many languages, they are words that have accompanied these celebrations uniting different races and languages in a common worship to God. Words whose melody has evoked in the hearts of those who listen to them the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God in the virginal womb of Holy Mary.

Nevertheless, only a few actually know the origin of one of the most traditional Christmas carols. The finding of an original script dated 1816 allowed to clarify the story of the song and its author, and Austrian priest born in December 1792. His name was Joseph Mohr, and was born in a humble family. As a child, he lost his father. His natural inclination to music was soon discovered by the cathedral choirmaster, who helped him to receive an education. By 1810 the young Joseph was studying and preparing himself for priesthood, being ordained five years after.

He was moved to Mariapfarr, his father's village, a place surrounded by woods and fresh air, where it is believed he wrote the poem that would later be famous as a Christmas carol. Because of his health, he was moved again to another town, Oberndorf, 13 miles of Salzburg, where he met Franz Xaver Gruber, a musician who would become his friend. As the Christmas of 1818 came closer, Joseph searched for the verses of his Christmas poem, and together with Gruber made some arrangements to the poem and thus was born the traditional Christmas carol.

That same Christmas, precisely 180 years ago, the organ of the temple broke down, which forced the priest to use alternative songs for the Mid Night celebration. At the time, it would have been very difficult for a song in German, accompanied by a guitar, to be sung at the temple, at least in such a solemn ceremony. The situation allowed the song to be heard publicly for the first time. It happened on Christmas of 1818, in a Church dedicated to St. Nikolas in Oberndorf. Father Mohr would be called to the Father's presence on 1848, dying in poverty after a life consecrated to his priesthood, and leaving behind to the world a song that has illuminated with joy and hope millions of homes which celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus.

DECEMBER 23

Pope John Paul II highlights his visit to Cuba as one of the major events of the year

Vatican, 23 (NE) Since Pope John Paul II´ peregrination to Cuba in January this year, the Church in the Island has been strengthened in order to meet the challenges of the Third Millennium. It becomes evident that the Holy Father's pilgrimage to Cuba has been a fundamental point in Cuban history. Nevertheless, the Pope's visit was not just important for the Church in Cuba. Yesterday, during his meeting with members of the Roman Curia for the traditional Christmas Greetings, the Holy Father recalled his visit to the Island as one of the major events of the year. Recalling the most important events of 1998, Pope John Paul II remembered his pilgrimage to Cuba, «so vividly awaited, where the presence of the Successor of Peter stirred up so much enthusiasm and enkindled an encouraging elan of spiritual renewal».

The Holy Father also recalled his visits to Nigeria, Austria and Croatia, where he beatified Cardinal Aloizije Stepinac, Archbishop of Zagreb. He also spoke about the canonization of Edith Stein, who «invites us to pass through the narrow gate of discernment and acceptance of the Cross, without ever separating the love of truth so as not to expose us to the risk of destructive lies». In a similar way, he recalled also the publication of his last encyclical «Fides et ratio», highlighting that it seeks to express confidence in the effort of human thought, inviting to rediscover the role of reason and, seeing in faith a precious ally in its path towards truth».

Church in Cuba remembers the authentic meaning of Christmas

Miami, 23 (NE) 30 years after Christmas was abolished as an official holiday, the Church in Cuba strives to teach again the authentic meaning of this celebration. Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, said yesterday in a press conference that many forget the real and sacred meaning of Christmas. Falling in to consumerism, or reducing the holiday to a mere occasion to be in family and rest from work since «the people accept with enthusiasm any day off». «There is great work that the Church must undertake», continued the Cardinal. «It is a job that I think will take many years».

Cardinal Ortega manifested as well that the government's decision to celebrate Christmas had been a "rectification of errors" from the past. He had asked authorization to the Castro regime in order to explain the meaning of Christmas in a message through the state mass media. But, with only a few days left, the Cardinal explained he had still not received any permission.

On the other hand, the editorial of the last number of the Cuban magazine "Vida Cristiana," (Christian Life) highlighted the importance of rediscovering the meaning of the Christian celebration: "On this day, when we contemplate the sparkling lights of the Christmas trees and the still few cribs, let the Lord permit us to discover the real spirit of Christmas."

Spanish Cardinal affirms that the recent attack on Iraq is a rejection to «the peace of Bethlehem»

Madrid, 23 (NE) "It is difficult to imagine a stronger rejection to the peace of Bethlehem, that the one which is produced when weapons are made to speak in the relationship between men and people." Cardinal Antonio María Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, used these words referring to the recent aggression suffered by Iraq from the combined forces of the United States and Great Britain. In a new pastoral letter for Christmas, the Archbishop of Madrid manifested that the rejection of peace "is what we have been living these past few days with the attack which the Iraqi people have been suffering by the terribly harsh and cruel Anglo-American surprise military action."

"Is it possible that nations and men of government, of Christian roots, still don't know of other arguments to resolve international problems which are not those of bombs and missiles?" questioned the Cardinal. He answered that "we can not be induced to believe over and over again, that the resources of dialog and noble diplomacy to solve this conflict have been exhausted and that precisely the most powerful countries in the world are the ones who say there is no other alternative to resolve it than the use of arms."

In a similar way, after stating that with force and violent actions only bad solutions are imposed which seed hatred and violence, giving rise to suffering and death, the Spanish Archbishop asked the international community to "cease its impassible attitude towards the tragedy of a group of people who need to recover the possibility to live free of threats".

What will happen in Bethlehem?

Rome, 23 (NE) In these days, the Church throughout the world is preparing with hope and joy for the coming of the Lord Jesus. And in the place where the Lord was born, in Bethlehem, the celebration has a special meaning for the many faithful in those lands as well as for the many who pilgrimage to the city where Jesus Christ was born. Celebrations there start the eve of Christmas, with the solemn entry of His Beatitude the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is welcomed by the Franciscans friars as well as by the many pilgrims at the Main Square.

As has been informed by the Christian Information Centre in Holy Land, this 24th of December, at 13:30 h., the Solemn entry of His Beatitude into the Basilica of the Nativity and St. Catherine Church will take place. The prayer of Vespers will follow. At 16.00, at St. Catherine Church, will take place the Procession to the Nativity Grotto. At 22.00, St. Catherine Church will be opened to public. The Pontifical Eucharistic Concelebration will take place at this Church in Midnight, after which will follow the Solemn traditional Procession, taking the Infant Jesus to the Grotto, followed by the reading of the Gospel of Luke and the singing of Christmas Carols. On all these day Eucharist celebrations will also take place in the different Catholic rites for the pilgrims who visit the place of birth of the Lord Jesus.

The actual Basilica of the Nativity was constructed on the VI century. Before, existed the one constructed by the emperor Constantine in the IV century. In times of the crusaders, the walls of the VI century Church were enriched with mosaics picturing passages of the New Testament and symbolic representation of ecumenical councils. The Church has survived to the present despite damage form earthquake and fire.

DECEMBER 22

Archbishop of New York highlights centrality of reconciliation for celebration of Great Jubilee

New York, 22 (NE) Cardinal John O´Connor, Archbishop of New York, recently highlighted in his Christmas Pastoral Letter the centrality of reconciliation in the celebrations of the Great Jubilee. «Why do we rejoice in celebrating Christ's coming as a man? We rejoice, we are jubilant because of his reason for coming: to reconcile us. He reconciled us by becoming not simply one of us. He made us one with himself», said the Cardinal. The Lord Jesus «made possible our purification, our renewal, our reconciliation with his Father. He began that process by being conceived in the womb of a woman, by being born into the world on the first Christmas Day, by being crucified unto death, by rising to restore us to life… That's what the great jubilee will commemorate. That's why we will be jubilant».

Expressing his hope «that a year, a millennium, of reconciliation will see an end to the culture of death», the Archbishop of New York invited Catholics of his archdiocese to actively work for the reconciliation of mankind, so that we could see «an end to killing; to the destruction of infants in or leaving their mothers' wombs; the killing of men and women on endless battlefields; the destruction of the poor by oppression and greed and indifference; the killing of minds by the poisons of pornography; the self-destruction of human lives by suicide». «We prepare for a year -for a thousand years- of great reconciliation: reconciliation of the whole world with itself, with God», said Cardinal O´Connor.

Church in Iraq thanks God after air bombing ends

Rome, 22 (NE) After the ceasing of the recent anglo-american air bombing over Iraq, the catholic community in the Mid East country thanked God for listening to their insistent prayers. «We have prayed everyday so that the attacks end. Now we pray to God and we thank him for the end of the air bombings… Now we can celebrate Christmas», said Father Bassel Marrougi, from the parish Sacred Heart, in Al Wadha, a neighborhood in Northwest Baghdad. Ceasing the attacks five days before the celebration of Christmas has filled with joy the hearts of the catholic Iraqis. The possibility of a new attack and the difficult economic situation that Iraq is going though due to the blockade and the sanctions that the UN has imposed for more than 8 years generate an atmosphere of great suffering and tension in the Iraqi people.

The catholic community in Iraq is trying to confront this fact with hope in the Lord and with fervent prayers. The catholic Church in Iraq, say official sources, has 621,000 members, which represents 3.04% of its population. The bordering countries to Iraq have considerably less: Syria has 295,000 Catholics (2.08%), Kuwait has 152,00 (9.14%), Jordan has 66,000 (1,21%), Turkey has 30,000 (0.05%) and Iran has 13,000 (0,02%). Therefore, within the countries of the region, Iraq is the one that has, by far, the greatest number of Catholics and is the second in percentage compared to its total population. Furthermore, it is one of the Muslim countries where Catholics are best treated.

Father Pio will be beatified on the 2nd of May next year

Vatican, 22 (NE) The Congregation for the Causes of Saints officially announced yesterday the approval of the miracle attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, Holy See Press Office Director, announced as well that the date for the beatification of the Italian capuchin father is the 2nd of May 1999. It is expected that a great number of Catholics from different parts of the world will attend the ceremony on May next year.

DECEMBER 21

Pope John Paul II expresses his sadness for suffering in Iraq

Vatican, 21 (NE) During his allocution before the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope John Paul II expressed yesterday his pain for the difficult situation of the people in Iraq caused by the recent air bombings. Stating that against this situation «nobody can remain indifferent», the Holy Father affirmed once again that «war is not and will never be an adequate way to solve the problems between nations».

In his words, the Pope expressed with sadness «the frequency with which the hopes placed in justice, in the strength of international right and in the organizations called to guarantee its application, are disillusioned». He invited as well to solidarity and respect for international order.

The Holy Father spoke also about Christmas, urging people not to stay «with the "exterior" aspect of Christmas, reducing it to a traditional feast, but to discover its deep truth, that of the Son of God who came to us in the humanity of our flesh».

New Basilica for the Virgin of Fatima

Lisbon, 21 (NE) The devotion to the Virgin of Fatima in Portugal has lead to plans for a new Basilica for the Mother of God. Before this year ends, 14 experts in different fields will gather together in Fatima to analyze three projects that have been chosen in order to build the new Basilica, which will welcome the thousands of pilgrims that each year visit this sanctuary in Portugal. It is expected that the Basilica will finally be ready in the year 2005. As it has been informed, the new temple will be able to receive 10.000 persons seated.

Archbishop proposes new funding system for catholic education in Chicago

Chicago, 20 (NE) «So much of our energy has gone into maintaining the present system that we have not imagined something quite different. The work of imagining has begun in earnest now», said recently Cardinal Francis E. George, Archbishop of Chicago, facing the difficult situation in relation to the funding of catholic schools of the archdiocese. The funds obtained by the Archdiocese, which maintain the catholic educative system, are becoming insufficient to sustain the education of the 131.000 students that actually benefit from this system.

Seeking to solve this difficult situation, Cardinal George has presented to the archdiocese a 1-year program in order to investigate all the possible means to raise funding -private, governmental or other- that will allow catholic schools in the archdiocese to continue running. «The ongoing education of the 131,000 students now in Catholic schools in Cook and Lake counties, as well as the other students in Catholic schools statewide, is a public concern», said Cardinal George. According to recent statistics received by the archdiocese, if the Catholic school system ceased to exist in Cook and Lake counties, government would be forced to absorb the education of 131,000 students at a cost to taxpayers of slightly under $1 billion.

DECEMBER 20

Pope John Paul II returns to his normal activities after slight case of flu

Vatican, 20 (NE) After a day's rest to recover from a slight case of flu, Pope John Paul II was feeling better yesterday and went ahead with his private meetings and activities as normal. Joaquin Navarro-Valls, Vatican Spokesman, said that the Pope was feeling better now. On Friday, the Pope's activities were cancelled for one day because of a flu that gave the Holy Father a small rise in temperature. Today it is expected that the Pope will pray the Angelus as usual from his window over Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican.

Cardinal Sodano confirms possible trip of Pope John Paul II to Iraq

Rome, 20 (NE) Cardinal Sodano, Vatican State Secretary, confirmed yesterday the Holy Father's hope to pilgrim to Iraq on the year 2000. «We hope so… It's in our prayers» answered Cardinal Sodano when asked if Pope John Paul II would make the trip as part of the activities for the Great Jubilee. Some time ago, the Cardinal Secretary of State had already expressed the Holy Father's wish to pilgrim to Holy Land «following Abraham's route». «There is this great project of the Pope's pilgrimage following the footsteps of Abraham», said in that occasion. «It would be nice to start the trip from the birthplace of the Patriarch… today in Iraq, and from there continue following his footsteps through the Mid East, Israel and Egypt».

The Catholic Chaldean-rite Patriarch of Iraq, Raphael I Bidawid, expressed as well his confidence that Pope John Paul II would visit the Iraqui people. As was informed by the newspaper Avvenire, Patriarch Bidawid recently confirmed the Holy Father's wished to visit Iraq as soon as the situation permits it, to carry out «a spiritual walk through Abraham's route before the Jubilee». «We are all praying so that it can happen», he said.

Archbishop of Havana expresses concern for the difficult situation in the Mid East

Miami, 19 (NE) In what is one of the largest celebrations of the faith of Catholic Cubans, thousands pilgrimaged last week to the sanctuary of «El Rincon», about 20 miles from the Cuban capital of Havana, to venerate Saint Lazarus. One day before the celebration, large groups of people came from different parts of the Island to the sanctuary taking flowers and candles to the saint, grateful for his intercession. Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana, presided the main Mass in the sanctuary, during which he recalled the Holy Father's visit to Cuba, urging Catholic Cubans to «pilgrim through life».

Cardinal Ortega expressed as well his sadness and concern for the difficult situation in the Mid East. «How painful -he said- that in the world, when we are finishing the 20th century, we live again war, attacks, and air bombing… let's ask for peace and love for all human beings. May all who suffer, the poor and abandoned of this world, have what is necessary to live», said the Cuban Cardinal.

DECEMBER 19

The Holy See approves miracle attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio while thousands await his future beatification

Rome, 19 (NE) Thousands of Catholics in Italy and around the world expressed their joy as the Holy See approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. That development opens the way for the beatification of the famous capuchin father. The formal recognition of the miracle will be made public by the Holy See next Monday. As Father Di Flumeri said, vice-postulator of the cause for beatification of Padre Pio, «we still cannot know the exact date when the canonization will take place, it can be any month next year».

In San Giovanni Rotondo, where the capuchin priest is buried, the people expressed their great joy and gratitude for the future beatification of the venerable father. Next week there will be a solemn Mass to celebrate the event. A great number of Catholics is expected to pilgrim to this sanctuary, which every year attracts thousands of people from different parts of the world.

The miracle approved by the Holy See is that of an Italian woman stricken with a ruptured lymphatic vessel, who before her operation prayed asking the intercession of Padre Pio. The night before the operation, she dreamt of the capuchin father, who told her she would be healed. The next day, to the surprise of everyone, the operation had to be suspended, since the woman was completely healed. This was regarded as «scientifically inexplicable» by a team of doctors studying the case earlier this year for the process of beatification.

Pontifical Council for the Family organizes congress on «Human rights and the rights of families»

Vatican, 18 (NE) Organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family, presided by Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, a meeting was held in Rome on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under the theme «Human Rights and the Rights of the Family». The meeting gathered experts in theology, moral, sociology and history from different parts of the world. During the meeting, the participants reflected on the reality of the family in light of the Magisterium of the Church relating to family, specially the «Letter to the families» and the Holy Father's recent messages on the occasion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1999 World Day of Peace.

The participantes highlighted during the Congress that right that each person has to a family, stating that families must «be founded on marriage», and that they are «communities of love and life», affirming as well the need to respect life and dignity of the person from the moment of its conception to his natural death. Following this meeting, the Pontifical Council for the Family will publish a document addressed to governments, parliaments, the United Nations, politicians, jurists and legislators all over the world, and to all those who have special responsibilities concerning the family, which seeks to be not just a useful tool for reflection, «but specially of operation» for all who work in the promotion of the rights of family and the right of life.

Cardinal Rivera urges catholic communicators to «not be afraid to announce the Gospel»

Guadalajara, 18 (NE) During the International Congress of Catholic Communicators which is being held at Guadalajara, Mexico, Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, delivered yesterday a conference on «Communication and Evangelization». During his speech, Cardinal Rivera highlighted the importance of an authentic communication of man with God, stating the necessity to develop a true «theology of communication», having as fundament the «intra Trinitarian communication which is the base for all communication».

Stating that the Church must use mass media in the process of evangelization, even in situations not favorable to her, the Archbishop of Mexico stated that «communicators and mass media cannot be afraid to proclaim the Gospel», nor can they «disguise» their message. In relation to this, he urged «not to fall to secularism and relativism, not be afraid to mention the Lord and the Church in your message».

DECEMBER 18

Pope expresses his sadness for military attack over Iraq and highlights the need for reconciliation in the Mid East

Vatican, 18 (NE) «Reconciliation, based on dialogue, justice and the right of every individual as well as every people to live in security and in the recognition of their specific nature is more urgent than ever» said yesterday Pope John Paul, referring to the difficult situation in the Mid East after the bomb attack on the city of Baghdad, Iraq. Expressing his grief for the suffering and violence caused by war, the Holy Father urged the international community to «assume its responsibilities in order to avoid decisions that will turn civilian people into innocent victims».

An official declaration concerning the bomb attack on the city of Baghdad was made yesterday by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, Holy See Press Office Director. «The Holy See fully shares in what was already expressed by the United Nations Secretary General that 'today is a sad day for the United Nations and for the world», said Navarro-Valls, stating as well that «the Holy See hopes for an end to this attack as soon as possible and for a reestablishment of international order».

At the end of his interview with the Pope, former Polish President Lech Walesa said the Pontiff was worried about bloodshed resulting from the air strikes: «The Pope has been informed about what is happening in Iraq and every drop of blood causes suffering for the Holy Father», he said.

Today, Friday, audiences might have been cancelled, since the Holy Father was said to have a slight fever. Navarro-Valls has declared that the Pontiff had a small rise in temperature, probably having influenza.

Church in Mexico criticizes law that allows the intervention of the government in philanthropic institutions

Mexico, 18 (NE) Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, recently criticized as inconvenient for democracy the PRD´s attempt to intervene the philanthropic works of social care in the Federal Capital. The PRD «cannot set aside the capacity of private initiatives to help those in need», said the Archbishop. «Some functions belong just to the government, and others belong to private initiative… it's not just the government which has rights», he added.

The President of the Mexican Conference of Bishops, Bishop Luis Morales Reyes, asked that the autonomy of all private beneficent institutions be respected. Bishop Genaro Alamilla, Emeritus of Papantla, criticized as well the law which increases official control over philanthropic institutions, stating that it was an «antidemocratic law» and expressing his grave concern by the possibility that the law affected the more than 400 institutions that help thousands of people in Mexico's capital city.

Archbishop of Denver urges Catholics to cultivate devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Denver, 17 (NE) Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver recently urged Catholics in his archdiocese to cultivate a regular devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Answering questions related to his new Pastoral Letter «River of Mercy», on conscience, reconciliation and the Great Jubilee, Archbishop Chaput highlighted as well that the authority of the Church comes from «the mandate of Jesus and from the Holy Spirit»

In relation to the sacrament of Penance, Archbishop Chaput highlighted the need to «actively cultivate a healthy, regular devotion to the Sacrament of Reconciliation». «It's important to prepare well for confession with a prayerful, thorough examination of conscience, because by remembering and acknowledging our sins, we conduct a kind of personal "reality check." We see honestly who we are; we understand our guilt and our need for forgiveness based on the objective evidence of our sins; and through this, God turns us toward repentance and His reconciling love». «Reconciliation is what the sacrament brings about. Its fruit is joy, not fear», he remarked.

Answering some questions about the authority of the Church, the Archbishop of Denver stated that her authority comes from the mandate of Jesus and from the Holy Spirit. «That's more than enough to warrant our trust when it comes to matters of faith and morals. We don't invent truth. It exists whether we find it convenient or not». He added as well that «a healthy conscience will seek the truth and receive it eagerly once found. But because we're sinners, our reason and will are wounded. Our ability to see the truth is often dimmed. We need help, which is why a right conscience is never autonomous. It grows and matures in community, educated by others who pass along the truth».

Archbishop of El Salvador urges to a greater respect for human rights

San Salvador, 17 (NE) «I think we must thank God for all the attention given to human rights, but there is too much hypocrisy and cynicism in fundamental points», said Archbishop Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador in some recent declarations to the press. Archbishop Saenz stated as well that the «great powers» that defend those rights on the other hand promote at the same time abortion and in doing so go against the right to life. The Archbishop of San Salvador called the attention also to the right to a family and the right to work. The Prelate expressed his hope that in El Salvador «respect for life was reaffirmed», in allusion to recent discussions about the possibility of ceasing to penalize abortion in some cases.

DECEMBER 17

Pope John Paul II starts cycle of catechesis on God the Father

Vatican, 17 (NE) During the general audience held in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II started yesterday a new cycle of catechesis which will focus on God the Father. «The starting point for our reflection are the words from the Gospel which tell us that Jesus is the Son and He who reveals the Father. His teaching, ministry, and His very lifestyle, everything in Him, lead us to the Father», said the Pope. He continued saying that «the most expressive manifestation of this relationship of Jesus with the Father is in his Resurrection, the summit of his mission and foundation of new and eternal life for those who believe in Him.

«However -he said- both the union between the Son and the Father and that between the Son and believers passes through the mystery of the 'raising up of Jesus' in his crucifixion and glorification». «The deep communion in which the Father, the Son and believers meet includes the Holy Spirit», highlighted the Holy Father, remembering as well that according to St. Paul, «it is a true sonship, which allows us to call God Father by the familiar name of 'Abba' used by Jesus».

Cardinal Ratzinger speaks critically about the «ideology of progress» and presents the Christian vision of Creation, Time and History during transcontinental conference

Rome, 16 (NE) In a special day dedicated to the reflection on «Saint Thomas and the Holy Spirit», Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of faith, gave yesterday a conference under the title «The end of time». In the Pontifical Lateran University, where the conference took place, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar of the Holy Father for the diocese of Rome, and Father Georges Cottier, Theologian of the Pontifical House, were present among other renown participants. Cardinal Ratzinger´s video conference was transmitted to students in Chile, Argentina and Spain, in what was really a transcontinental conference that united together Europe and South America.

Calling faith in the idea of progress an ideology, Cardinal Ratzinger stated during his conference that the idea of «infinite progress» dominated the world of thought until the great catastrophes of this century occurred, such as the bomb at Hiroshima. «I personally think that in contemporary conscience, although united to a recurrent fear to catastrophes, the dominant scheme of history is still today that of the idea of progress». He stated as well that «there is the belief that the middle ages was an obscure time, and that with the Enlightenment a greater freedom and liberation for men had developed».

Referring to technology, Cardinal Ratzinger said that today people could see the daily progress in technology «and also those who see it as a threat cannot cease to recognize the growing possibilities that it offers to humanity». He gave as a positive example of technical progress that fact that his conference was being viewed and listened simultaneously in Italy, Chile, Argentina and Spain.

Cardinal Ratzinger explained that the perspective of «unlimited progress» was nurtured by «an evolutionist conception of universe, thus the ascendant movement of nature and the progressive development of human spirit appear as a same thing. Hence, despite the many threats, progress appears as the fundamental law of reality».

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith explained as well in relation to the «myth of progress» that «the version of the liberal world as well as the marxist one, that is, the two biggest matrixes of modern conception, are ultimately both inspired in the ideology of progress». Cardinal Ratzinger explained later how this ideology of progress pretends to connect with an eschatological conscience, since «in the dialectic of human history a perfect situation of society must finally appear». With a critic view he presented the theses of Hegel, Marx and Teilhard de Chardin.

Criticizing the simplifying opinion that some people make about the Christian perspective, the Cardinal Prefect said: «Specially in Christian thought [Creation] is not a fall from the infinite… it is something totally positive, the free creative act of God who wants that in relation with Him a good created being could exist which can come towards Him in an answer in freedom and love. The created being is not in any sense, in itself, something negative. On the contrary, it is a positive fruit made by an act of the divine will. The human being is not the consequence of a descend, but a decision of God, who is good and creates good. The divine act that creates is an act of freedom, and in this sense in itself, from its fundament, the principle of freedom is present».

Immediately he added: «God's free creative act looks to the return, but in this the absorption of the created being is not pretended». Describing the return of the creature towards God he said that «when entering himself, autonomously, he freely answers God's Love. In this way he assumes creation as his commandment of love, and starts a dialogue of love, in a totally new unity that only love can create. In it the human being is not absorbed in God, dissolved, but properly in its donation it becomes totally himself». Through the path of love the human being looks to the origin and goes to its encounter in a fulfilling dialogue that does not dissolve what is created, «but on the contrary, gives it his full dignity».

Cardinal Ratzinger ended his conference saying that the questions that he had made in relation to the meaning of the end of time and about what time was, found their answer in the realities of freedom and love open towards the timeless transcendent infinite, according to God's design.

Cardinal Poupard invites the world of art to be part of «a project of reconciliation and renovation» for society

Rome, 16 (NE) To become «collaborators of the world's salvation, heralds of life and peace, messengers of hope, testimonies of faith». With these words Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, addressed painters, sculptors and agents of the world of arts in an encounter carried out in Rome in the context of the «city mission». As the newspaper «Avvenire» informed, Cardinal Poupard urged the participants «to leave man's reductive condition, diminished and altered by the artificial paradises of the society of consumption» in order to rediscover «man's full dimension created to the image and likeness of God».

During his conference that was delivered under the title «Art, from the garden of Eden to man's city», the French Cardinal said to the participants that «your artistic responsibility is the mature fruit of the interior search of each one of you which leads to creatively express your own conquests illuminated by truth». He pointed out also that this was not an easy path, highlighting that in today's society exists a disharmony in art, «weak in the conception, in the production and in the valoration, so that very often the value is established by games of power and not by the splendor of the work itself».

The President of the Pontifical Council for Culture noticed also that today «"massification" and bad education have taken the high level aesthetic reflection and artistic experience to give in to the advertising virulence of some aesthetics based on pleasure and to an empty ornamental low level production». Of this tendency, Cardinal Poupard lamented, «we also have many examples in the field of sacred art». Before this reality, he affirmed, «your role is beautiful, unique and decisive», inviting the representatives of the world of art «to be part of a project of reconciliation and renovation».

«The mass media can be extraordinary educators of the Civilization of Love», affirms Archbishop Foley

Guadalajara, 16 (NE) Yesterday, during the second day of the International Congress of Catholic Communicators, Archbishop John Foley, President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, spoke during his conference about the «Catholic thought in communications». In his words, Archbishop Foley highlighted that «the social media can be extraordinary educators of the Civilization of Love», affirming also that Catholics are called to achieve that the media contribute to the historical reconciliation and recovery of the own cultural identity of people. «The Church promotes that the media should be each time more human, more attentive to the human person», he stated, affirming that «they should be nurtured of a rigorous ethic, which comes from the ethics of the Christian culture».

Yesterday's event had also different "panels", the first of which was in charge of Father Pedro Freites, Director of Vatican Radio, Miguel Castellví, of the Vatican Information Service (VIS), and Fernando Lorenzo, Director of the Mexican edition of the L´Osservatore Romano. They spoke about the informative organisms of the Holy See. Father Freites pointed out during his intervention the importance of promoting a Catholic culture through the radio. On the other hand, Castellví underlined that the main objective of the VIS was the instantaneous and electronic transmission of news related to the Vatican, looking forward to inform the public and clarify doubts.

The day concluded with a "panel" about the new evangelization through Internet, with the participation of Alejandro Bermúdez, Director of ACI Prensa (ACI Press), Ricardo Cruz, of «Church Forum», as well as Eduardo Regal, Director of «VE Multimedios» who explained the different initiatives of «VE Multimedios» in the world of informatics, such as the Christian Electronic Library ("Biblioteca Electrónica Cristiana - www.multimedios.org), as well as the numerous computer programs this company has developed.

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