A daily news service

MARCH 8

Holy Father proclaimed 10 new Blessed

Vatican City, 8 (NE) Yesterday at Saint Peter's Basilica Pope John Paul II beatified 8 Spanish civil war martyrs, a French consecrated layman and a German laywoman. The celebration couldn't take place in Saint Peter's Square due to bad weather. During the homily the Pope said that "saints are the ´true adorers of the Father´: people that, as the Samaritan woman, have encountered Christ and have discovered, thanks to Him, the meaning of life".

He referred as well to the martyrs of the Spanish civil war, Manuel Martin, diocesan priest, Vicente Soler and his six Agostinian companions. The Pope manifested that they reached "the glory of the children of God" for their "heroic witness of faith". He also said that such martyrs "didn't die for an ideology, but gave their life freely for Somebody that had died before for them" "You are blessed, martyrs of Christ! May everybody rejoice for the honor given to these witnesses of faith. God helped you in your tribulations and gave you the crown of victory. May them help those who work today in Spain and in the world in favor of reconciliation and peace!"

The other two new Blessed are Nicola Barré, consecrated layman who committed himself to the apostolate in schools in the XVII century and Anna Schäffer, who developed a fruitful epistolary apostolate as she laid in her bed because of a long-lasting disease. The Holy Father also manifested in before the Angelus prayer that the example of these new Blessed "encourage us to direct our steps with decision towards the sanctity we all are called for in our Baptism".

With yesterday's celebration, the number of the beatifications proclaimed by Pope John Paul II raises to 819. That is, more than half of the total 1611 beatified since canonic procedure was codified in 1605. The current Successor of Saint Peter has also proclaimed 276 saints.

Rosary presided by Pope united university students from different continents

Vatican City, 8 (NE) University students from diverse places of the world participated, with live connections from Buenos Aires, New York, Czestochowa and Santiago of Compostela, of the rosary presided by Pope John Paul II last Saturday. Upon concluding the Marian prayer, the Holy Father commenced the pilgrimage of the cross of the World Youth Days through different academic centers in Rome.

"On this afternoon I am proud to present to you the beginning of the pilgrimage of the university youth Cross", the Pope said, greeting in different languages the youth of diverse parts of the world "connected with us through Vatican Radio".

In his message, the Holy Father summoned the gift of reconciliation in favor of university youth. "We have meditated on the mystery of God our Father, of whom Mary is the first witness, and we have summoned for the university students of the whole world the gift of reconciliation and of mercy", he said. He also asked youth to "recognize in the cross the most eloquent sign of the mercy of the Lord, capable of provoking in every academic community a renovated impulse toward He who is the foundation and certainty of every itinerary of intellectual search".

Laws must adjust to defense of life, highlights Cardinal O'Connor

Washington, 8 (NE) "To claim the right to kill the innocent is to claim the right to be God", said recently Cardinal John O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, at the inauguration of the National Conference on "Culture of Life" at Catholic University's Columbus School of Law. In his speech, Cardinal O´Connor urged continued legislative work to defend life and the dignity of all human persons.

The Archbishop of New York said that "in our society, law has become the great teacher. What we do as gods is change our laws to fit our determination of good and evil". He also urged Catholics to persevere despite legal setbacks, promoting "nonviolence, adoptions and street marches while denouncing attacks on [abortion practitioners]".

Senegal: Bishops invite to "reconciliation in truth"

Rome, 8 (NE) Live "reconciliation in truth" on occasion of Lent. That has been the invitation made by the bishops in Senegal to Catholics of the country for this liturgical time of preparation for Easter celebrations. "This last period of preparation for the Jubilee- the bishops point out- could be an occasion of reciprocal pardon and allow, once and for all, the reconciliation in truth and in spirit of humility".

"Sins against love" concern the family, working places, and also the relationships between the states, indicated the bishops, reminding that only a behavior of welcoming favors reconciliation and allows to establish it in society.

Be coherent with faith all year round, urges Spanish Archbishop

Madrid, 8 (NE) On occasion of the Eucharistic celebration that closed the first "Javierada" of 1999, the Archbishop of Pamplona, Fernando Sebastian, made a calling to have a coherent life with faith all the year round. He also singled out the necessity of "ending the comical figure of the false pilgrim, that wastes energies to come here today and doesn't remember anything else about his Christian vocation in the 364 remaining days of the year".

To the thousands of pilgrims gathered for the event in the esplanade that surrounds the Castle of Javier, the Spanish archbishop urged especially the youth to have "the courage and the liberty enough to live as Christians throughout the whole year, in order to faithfully respond to the invitation of every Sunday to attend with the Christian community, to listen to the word of Jesus".

On the other hand, he invited those present not to spare any efforts in the purpose of achieving a fair and peaceful society, pointing out the necessity of a personal commitment with faith, living all year in a spiritual climate of pilgrimage.

MARCH 6

Spanish Cardinal criticizes government to banalize human sexuality

Madrid, 6 (NE) Cardinal Ricard Maria Carles, Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain, made an strong critic to campaigns in favor of the use of condoms as a mean to avoid AIDS. Reaffirming the contents of his last Pastoral Letter, he pointed out that from a correct anthropology sex couldn't be seen as an object. «Divorce between the integral formation of a person and the exercise of his sexuality is a grave problem», he affirmed, reminding that «the profound sense of human sexuality resides in guiding itself toward love».

In the same way, he affirmed that when something is repeated frequently it shows a reality, but not necessarily the truth. «Reality is one thing and goodness is another. For example, if 90 percent of all mothers aborted, this would be a reality, but their behavior wouldn't be good. When something is repeated, it is presenting a part of reality, but it is necessary to make an effort to discern where the truth is».

On the other hand, in view of the critics made toward the Cardinal accusing him of getting himself involved in political matters, the Cardinal manifested that «if what I have done is intrusion, then it would be necessary to admit that it is also intrusion when in families the sexuality of the youth is guided by those campaigns inviting them to use condoms».

Church in Detroit starts program to help needy students

Detroit, 6 (NE) «For many of these children, options are limited. How can something be done to make a difference for them? I have long prayed and even cried over these questions», said recently Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit. The answer has come in the form of a scholarship program to help needy students afford private school in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

The program will be administered by a catholic foundation. It currently counts with a 10 million-dollar fund that will be fully destined for the education of children. Students with a grant can choose from 170 Catholic schools in the area or other private schools. This effort is part of the archdiocese's effort to give priority to catholic education, which has been amply promoted by the Cardinal Maida.

Rosary of Pope with youth to be transmitted via internet

Vatican, 6 (NE) Today Pope John Paul II will pray the rosary with numerous youth from Roman universities. The encounter will be held in the Paul VI Hall, and will be followed for the first time live by university students in Europe and America. According to the Vicariate of Rome, the activity will be transmitted through Sat2000 in Italy and all over the world through Vatican Radio and Internet.

The event is organized by the office for university pastoral ministry for the diocese of Rome. Upon concluding the rosary, the students will take the cross of the World Youth Day to a private university near the Vatican, where the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place until midnight.

Pontifical Commission sends message for Hispanic America

Vatican City, 6 (NE) The Pontifical Commission for Latin America (CAL) made public a message for the Day for Hispanic America. The annual celebration will take place on March 7 in dioceses in Spain. The message is signed by Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves and by Bishop Cipriano Calderón Polo, President and Vice-president of the Pontifical Commission.

The Hispanic American Day will be celebrated focusing its «attention in Christ, in order to give fecundity to the task of the New Evangelization», says the message of the CAL. It also recalls that from the beginnings of the first evangelization «Spain has always been very generous in apostolic help with those brother nations, to which it has sent thousands of missionaries in the past five centuries».

The message also states that the New Evangelization «needs the presence of saintly and generous evangelizers», and that «together with a "preferential option of the Church for the poor and margined", our concern for the Church and our pastoral zeal must also face with priority the great challenges that the mission of evangelization presents today in Latin America».

Among others, the following challenges are mentioned: «the currents of counter-evangelization which are spreading through all countries, particularly through the media and consumerism; growing secularism; and the culture of death».

MARCH 5

Holy Father urges to study «ethical dimension» of media culture

Vatican City, 5 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday the members, consultors, experts and staff of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, on the occasion of their plenary assembly taking place these days. In his speech to them he highlighted that «a vital aspect of cooperation between the Church and media is the ethical reflection which the Church proposes, without which the world of social communications, potentially so creative, can harbor and spread destructive counter-values».

«The Church's moral teaching is the fruit of a long tradition of ethical wisdom reaching back to the Lord Jesus Himself», the Holy Father said. «I therefore encourage you to pursue your study of the ethical dimension of media culture and of the power of the media over people's lives and over society in general».

«I urge you to continue to promote effective training of Catholics involved in the media on every continent», said as well the Pope, who congratulated the Pontifical Council for its efforts toward a global broadcasting of Jubilee celebrations.

People must recover conscience of sin, say Spanish bishops

Madrid, 5 (NE) Unconsciousness regarding sin within today's culture is one of the main themes highlighted in the message sent to Spanish Catholics by the bishops of the ecclesiastic province of Merida-Badajoz. The bishop's Lenten message also points out the effects that sin has on the Church, affirming that «he who isn't faithful to his baptismal commitments, contributes in darkening the face of the Church before all men».

The recent document entitled «The sacrament of forgiveness» highlights that much has been written since the Magisterium of Pope Paul VI on this subject. In spite of this, unfortunately «inadequate ways of understanding sin are abundant». Many people understand sin just «as a psychological experience of guilt, as a mere infraction of a norm, as a pure ethical rupture or as a resultant of an environmental conditioning, that reduces one's freedom and responsibility».

In view of this, the difficulty of «awakening in the conscience of men and women feelings of aversion toward sin» is clearly recognized. Nevertheless, the Spanish bishops recognize the longing for God that all humans experience and the «yearning for purity and goodness, as well as the longing for the paternal house, as the prodigal son in the parable».

Popular Marian prayer book published for first time in English

Miami, 5 (NE) Our Sunday Visitor Books has recently published the first English edition of Luis Fernando Figari´s «With Mary in Prayer». It was first published in Spanish in 1993, in Peru. Several editions of the prayer book have sold thousands of copies throughout Latin America. For the first time this popular Marian prayer book will now be available to English speaking Catholics.

The book includes traditional Marian prayers with ones newly composed by the author. The intense prayers express devotion, expectations, and daily needs of Catholics by providing a contemporary, yet timeless handbook of prayers to Mary. «With Mary in Prayer» has also been recently published in Quito, Ecuador. A Colombian edition is currently being prepared, as well as a first edition in Portuguese.

This English edition comes with a new foreword written by the author, briefly explaining the catholic foundations of filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin. Written in fresh, simple, devout style, this edition is small enough to be easily carried everywhere. It can be bought through e-mail writing to osvbooks@osv.com

Luis Fernando Figari is a Peruvian consecrated layman. He has written different books about the Virgin Mary. He has also published articles and books on different theological and spiritual issues. Figari is founder of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Society of Apostolic Life approved by Pope John Paul II in July 1997. He also began the Christian Life Movement, that now has been approved by the Pontifical Council for the Laity as an international catholic association. Figari is also the founder of a feminine consecrated lay association called Fraternal Marian Association for Reconciliation. All these organizations are currently extending throughout different countries in America and Europe.

Nigerian Bishops request urgent fight against corruption

Rome, 5 (NE) In a recent communique, the Nigeria Bishop's Conference urged leaders of society to fight against growing corruption in the country. «We request the new civil administrators, at all levels, to make fighting against corruption the primary objective in their programs» the bishops point out.

The given document, informed the Vatican agency «Fides», published in the eve of the presidential elections, expressed the pain of the Nigerian bishops for the difficult situation. «The situation is so serious - they pointed out- that corruption has been institutionalized to the point of appearing as an official policy in the private and public sectors of our national life».

They also mentioned the presence of foreign associations and groups with an agenda that seriously affects Nigerian society. «Many find serious difficulties in distinguishing good from evil», the bishops affirm, to the point of accepting «money from foreign agencies in order to promote campaigns of legalization of abortion and contraception».

Archbishop of San Jose intercedes for workers in Costa Rica

San Jose, 5 (NE) Archbishop Roman Arrieta, of San Jose, Costa Rica, interceded recently before President Rodríguez in favor of numerous workers of this country. The Costa Rican Archbishop requested the President to guarantee the right of workers to form unions. He also denounced the existence of serious defects that impede the freedom of association, requesting workers and managers for a greater support for these groups. «I tell the rich of my country that without social peace they could not posses nor enjoy the wealth they have and I also tell them that their possession should be accompanied by a just distribution, through a fair remuneration to workers», he pointed out.

MARCH 4

Holy Father recalls Jesus unique relationship with God the Father

Vatican City, 4 (NE) «The experience of the Father of Jesus in Nazareth» was the theme of the Holy Father's catechesis held yesterday in Saint Peter's Square where thousands of pilgrims had gathered to meet the Pope. «In his trinitarian mystery, God is Father through essence, the eternal Father, in that He generates the Word who is consubstantial with Him, and united to Him in the Holy Spirit», the Holy Father affirmed.

«The relationship between Jesus and the Father is unique», the Pope recalled, stating that «Jesus can present himself as He who reveals the Father, with knowledge which is the fruit of an intimate and mysterious reciprocity». The Pontiff highlighted as well that Jesus uses the word «Abba» to address God, which shows the extraordinary closeness between Jesus and God the Father, an unprecedented intimacy in the religious biblical context or outside the biblical context».

Pope urges to greater commitment in pro-life activities

Vatican, 4 (NE) «At the end of the 20th century we are witnessing a strange paradox: the sanctity of life is being denied by an appeal to freedom, democracy, pluralism, even reason and compassion». With these words Pope John Paul II addressed Cardinal William Henry Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore and chairman of the Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, on occasion of the February meeting in Washington, jointly organized by this committee and by the Pontifical Council for the Family.

«Words have become unmoored from their meaning, and we are left with a rhetoric in which the language of life is used to promote the culture of death». «Freedom is sundered from truth and democracy from the moral values required for its survival (...) The language of human rights is constantly invoked while the most basic of them - the right to life - is repeatedly disregarded», stated the Pontiff.

Highlighting that so great is the confusion at times that for many people the difference between good and evil is determined by the opinion of the majority, the Holy Father called to a greater commitment in favor of life. «This is not easy in a situation where there is at times deliberate falsification of the Church's teaching and scorn for those who promote it», the Pope said. «The choice in favor of life is not a private option but a basic demand of a just and moral society».

Italian Cardinal highlights 20th anniversary of encyclical «Redemptor hominis»

Rome, 4 (NE) Recalling the XXth anniversary of Pope John Paul II's first encyclical «Redemptor hominis», published March 4th of 1979, Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, Archbishop of Bologna, highlighted the document's «great prevalence for the present times».

«In this first solemn document the Pope introduces Christianity and the whole world in the perspective of the year 2000», the Cardinal said. In it «the Pope also underlined that this proximity to Christ's second millennium, to the great Jubilee, placed Christianity in kind of new Advent. That is, in an attitude of expectation, of hope, in view of a deep renovation».

Pointing out the fundamental topics of the encyclical -Christ, man and the Church-, Cardinal Biffi highlighted their «strong Christ-centered» character, according to which Jesus is «presented as the only savior» of all men and therefore cannot be compared «with the founders of other religions, prophets, and all the others big personalities of history. No. Christ is unique and his reality is significant also for the non Christians, that can't avoid recognizing the novelty introduced in the history with his coming».

Conference on «Acedia»: an illness present in the culture of today's world

Lima, 4 (NE) Yesterday held in the city from Lima the third of the conferences of spiritual reflection that are being given by the founder of the Christian Life Movement (MVC), Luis Fernando Figari. On this occasion the reflection was centered on developing the significance of the term «Acedia». Figari approached the topic from the viewpoint of the word used in the version of the LXX of the Old Testament, which was extensively used by the Church in the first centuries.

After making a brief review on the meaning of the term «Acedia» in Latin, Spanish, French and English, he centered the reflection on an exhaustive analysis of the use given to this word and concept in the «Shepherd», of Hermas, a well known text of the first century that, along with the Old Testament of the LXX, seems to be an important source for the development of the presentation of the term «acedia» as will be seen later in Origen, the Desert Fathers, Evagrius of Pontus and John Casian: a sort of sadness and despair that leads to inactivity and lack of zeal. Figari concluded noting the importance of the topic, given the numerous manifestations of «acedia» in today's world and culture, pointing it out as a serious challenge in view of the evangelization of the culture.

Mexicans urged to reflect in meaning of Year-2000 celebrations

Mexico City, 4 (NE) A communique recently release by the Archdiocese of Mexico has invited Mexican Catholics to reflect in depth on the meaning of Year-2000 celebrations. These, the communique affirms, «are, in essence, acts of faith and hope, to which Pope John Paul II has invited all Catholics and people of honest judgement to participate of in order to receive the Third Millennium of Christianity».

The preparation, to which the Church calls us, is not other than interior conversion, from which a coherent evangelizing action is born. «This way -it continues- the Universal Church, wise and loving, prepares itself, to teach us that these two virtues prevail over contemporary pessimism and apparent agony of this times characterized through violence, hedonism and loss of values».

Later on the communique pronounces itself on the several tendencies that identify the year 2000 with the end of the world, stating that «numerous sects and esoteric and millennium groups» have already spread. In view of this and many other manifestations of the crisis of the world that «pound on the fragile human condition, the Church offers its message of faith and hope through the biblical teaching: "No one knows the day nor the hour"».

MARCH 3

Catholic Press must be at the service of Evangelization

Vatican City, 3 (NE) The Vatican Information Service published yesterday excerpts from the conferences given by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls at the national assembly of the Latin American Catholic Press Union. The meeting took place last week in Havana, Cuba, and gathered representatives of the Catholic press in the country to reflect on the role that Catholic press plays today in Cuba.

Navarro-Valls highlighted in his conferences the Church's interest in the media, considering this activity as «an element of the culture of our age and as a means of transmitting values, that is, evangelization». Speaking about «The Media at the Service of Evangelization and Human Advancement», he recalled that «Christians see this as an attractive field of professional activity, with specific techniques which must be known and managed, and as a task in which the spiritual and human potential of the person can be developed».

In the second talk entitled «Discernment and Prophecy in Church Publications», Navarro-Valls stated that «the raison d'etre of the Catholic press is to serve, putting their ideas, means and space at the disposition of others». Church publications «would case to be press, but would especially cease being Catholic press if they were to cultivate in any way a lack of attention to the historical framework in which the salvation of the human being is involved».

«Form disciples for the third millennium», urges Archbishop of Denver

Denver, 3 (NE) «Either we form society, or society will form us», stated Archbishop Charles Chaput, of Denver, in his conference on occasion of the «Mile High Congress - 1999» that took place in this city. The Archbishop also pointed out in his talk that «we need to form disciples in the decades ahead who are prepared for a world drastically different from anything in American memory». For this, he added, «we need to be people rooted in the Church and faithful to her teachings».

«We can not be leaven in society if we remove ourselves from the recipe», the Archbishop affirmed, highlighting the importance of forming well the new generations. «It's our job to form them in the truth which will make them genuinely free». «The future depends on God. But God acts through us to touch the souls of our young people and the soul of the next century. That is what's at stake in our lifetimes».

Finally, recalling the Holy Father's Apostolic Exhortation «Ecclesia in America», he pointed out that «the vital core of the new evangelization must be the clear and unequivocal proclamation of the person of Jesus Christ». «Whatever lies ahead, the world doesn't need more anger, more fear and more enclaves. It needs seeds of renewal, and the leaven of Christian hope». «Forming disciples for the third millennium -he concluded- boils down, finally, to preaching, teaching and building the culture of life which flows from the cross of Jesus Christ».

New phase of evangelization in Archdiocese of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, 3 (NE) Renewed by the presence of the Holy Father after his recent pastoral pilgrimage and attending to the diverse challenges the Pope has encouraged, Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis prepare to begin a new phase of apostolic work.

In order to carry out this work in a more effective way, a three-year strategic plan for 1999 and 2002 is being prepared. The plan sets out the main goals for this period that crosses the threshold of the third millennium. According to the Vicar of Pastoral Planning, the plan enables the archdiocese «to make the best use of all available resources».

The evangelization and youth ministry are two of the key areas to which a special attention will be given throughout this three-year period. A new and renewed effort will be also given to other areas such as Catholic education, vocations, pro-life efforts and Eucharistic adoration.

New President of Spanish Bishop's Conference elected

Madrid, 3 (NE) Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, was elected yesterday new President of the Spanish Bishop's Conference. Also, Cardinal Ricard María Carles, Archbishop of Barcelona, was named vice-president of the Spanish episcopate. Both Cardinals, as well as the rest elected for the different directive offices, will carry out their service for a three-year term, ending year 2002.

In a press conference after the election, Cardinal Rouco pointed out that his duties in the Archdioceses of Madrid on one hand, and those of the Episcopal Conference on the other, convey no small amount of difficulties. Nevertheless he affirmed that he was prepared to adopt the responsibility «with a supernatural and serving spirit». He highlighted as well that a key challenge for the Church in Spain throughout the next years would be to fight secularism in society.

MARCH 2

Holy Father calls lay people to a greater commitment

Vatican City, 2 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday the participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, presided by Cardinal J. Francis Stafford. The assembly, whose theme is «The Lay Faithful, Confessors of the Faith in Today's World» began February 27 and will end the 2nd of March.

The Holy Father emphasized that among the many signs of hope from the Second Vatican Council we find «the promotion of lay people, their participation and shared responsibility in the life of the Christian community, in its apostolate and service to society». «Unfortunately, said the Pontiff, many Christians are indifferent». Some that let «themselves be swept along by the relativism typical of today's culture, have difficulty accepting the doctrinal and moral teaching of the Church», said the Pope.

Recalling the closeness of year 2000, the Holy Father highlighted that the Jubilee «moves each lay Christian to ask fundamental questions: What have I done with my Baptism? How do I answer my vocation? What have I done with my Confirmation? Have I used the gifts of the Spirit to bear fruit?»

Finally, the Pope expressed his hope in a renewed commitment of the lay people and that they «do not avoid this examination of conscience, so as to be able to cross the threshold of the Holy Door of the third millennium full of the truth and holiness of true disciples of Jesus Christ». «The world needs the witness of "new men" and "new women" that with their words and deeds make Christ present with increasing intensity», he said.

Spanish Bishop's Conference begins Plenary Assembly

Madrid, 2 (NE) Yesterday began the Plenary Assembly of the Spanish Episcopal Conference. During the Assembly, all directive positions of the Bishop's Conference, with the exception of that of General Secretary, will be elected for a new three-year term. The Spanish bishop's meeting will end the 5th of March.

The directive offices include president and vice-president of the Bishop's Conference and presidents of all Episcopal Commissions. These changes take place every three years. The final elections for these offices will be held today.

Yesterday Archbishop Elias Yanes, current president of the episcopate, inaugurated the assembly with a speech talking on conversion. He insisted in the social dimension of sin. «Social sin -he pointed out during his speech- is any act against human rights, against the right to live». He later affirmed that «all sin against the common good and its exigencies» may also be understood as social sin.

Youth and children also called to proclaim the Gospel

Mexico City, 2 (NE) A colorful parade of youth and children filled a main avenue of the city's center last Sunday. More than 2500 youth and children, together with musical bands, balloons and banners, gathered to celebrate the World Childhood and Adolescent Missionary Day. Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, waited for them in front of the Cathedral, to welcome them at their arrival and celebrate the Holy Mass.

During his homily, the Mexican Cardinal urged the youth and the children to «proclaim the Gospel» without fatigue, even when this implies sacrifice. He also reminded that the announcement of the Gospel couldn't remain only in words and good intentions, «escaping from ourselves and from the invitation that Christ makes to us in order to be missionaries and proclaim the Gospel». For this reason the evangelization must be effective, beginning from an authentic «encounter with the living Jesus Christ, the way for conversion, communion and solidarity».

Finally he reminded that «today many voices are heard, many invitations are made, many projects are presented, and it is good to listen to all those who have something to teach us for our own human progress: historians, sociologists, philosophers, writers, artists, technocrats, economists, politicians... But above all, we must listen to Jesus».

Press communique on Diocesan Beatification process for Mother Teresa

Vatican, 2 (NE) The Holy See released yesterday a press communique concerning the dispensing from the norm of the time to be waited before opening the beatification process of Mother Teresa, granted by Pope John Paul II in order to begin the process of beatification of the beloved nun.

«The Holy Father - points out the communique- has granted permission, upon the request of the Archbishop Henry Sebastian D'Souza, of Calcutta, and of numerous Bishops, for the diocesan process of beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta to be able to start, dispensing from the norm which states that five years must have elapsed from the death of the Servant of God before beginning the process».

«Following this dispensation, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on December 12, 1998, issued the rescript authorizing the Archbishop of Calcutta to begin the process of beatification of Mother Teresa». The communication ends pointing out that «it is now up to the Archbishop of Calcutta to carry out the preliminary proceedings and then to constitute the tribunal which will examine texts and will gather documentation relating to the life and virtues of the Servant of God».

Archbishop warns on the presence of anti-values in mass media

Niteroi, 2 (NE) Dom Carlos Albert Etchandy Gimeno Navarro, Archbishop of Niteroi, Rio do Janeiro, designated as «fundamentally materialistic» and «contrary to the common sensibility of the Christian people» the «anti-values» that are imposed in our days through mass media

The Archbishop of Niteroi manifested as well his concern for the seriousness of some current problems, especially the «cultural globalization» process and its negative influences in today's men and women.

He also pointed out some of the current challenges for the New Evangelization, such as «the phenomenon of urbanization» and its consequent cultural detachment, corruption in governments, as well as moral relativity and crisis of faith. Remembering the recent papal visit to Mexico, the Brazilian Archbishop concluded affirming that «all these problems claim for an encounter with Jesus Christ, so that conversion may be obtained, as well as communion and solidarity in Brazil and in America».

MARCH 1

Live charity intensively during Lent, says Pope

Vatican City, 1 (NE) «Charity, in its double aspect of love toward God and toward ones brethren, is the synthesis of the spiritual and moral life of the faithful, and finds in God its source and end», Pope John Paul II affirmed yesterday in his traditional reflection before the Angelus prayer.

The Holy Father said to the pilgrims gathered that this virtue, «the greatest of the Christian virtues», has to be lived with special intensity during the time of Lent and through out the whole year in preparation for the Great Jubilee.

Pointing out «the areas in which the Church, along centuries, has testified, with its word and its works, the love of God», the Pope reminded that «today there are a widespread of situations in which the charity of God should be present through the works of Christians». _

Holy Father waives waiting period for Mother Teresa´s process of canonization to begin

Rome, 1 (NE) Pope John Paul II has waived the obligatory 5 year waiting period after death to begin the process of possible canonization for Mother Teresa. A letter from the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints was sent past December to Archbishop Henry D´Souza, of Calcutta, announcing the waiver, informed yesterday the «Associated Press». A Vatican spokesman confirmed the Holy Father's decision regarding the beloved nun. The process for a possible beatification and canonization can now be introduced in the Archdiocese of Calcutta, where Mother Teresa helped the needed until her death in 1997.

Bishops urge people to vote responsibly in El Salvador

San Salvador, 1 (NE) Salvadoran Bishops recently urged citizens to participate in the next electoral sessions with responsibility and without losing view of the common well being. In a message issued by the El Salvador Bishop's Conference, they requested as well to avoid absenteeism in the elections to be held this month.

«We see the elections as another step toward the construction of a country more according to the human dignity of its people: a country living true solidarity and that opts plainly in favor of life», the bishops affirmed in their message.

The document emitted by the Bishop's Conference sustains that activate participation in the elections is an opportunity to stop things continue as they are. They also urged the people in El Salvador to choose wisely their candidates, being coherent to their faith in their election.

Catholic International Fair being held in Guatemala

Guatemala, 1 (NE) With the participation of 15 countries the XII Catholic International Fair is being held these days in Guatemala. This year's event began February 27th and will continue until the 7th of March. An attendance of over 300.000 people is expected to the fair being organized by the Ministry of Catholic Events. Delegations from the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Chile among other countries are attending the event.

This year's fair counts with different pavilions and exhibitions on religious art, Marian devotion, apostolate, as well as religious bazaars. Also, a room «of social work» has been mounted, offering health aid and food and clothes for free to assist the needed.

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

All rights reserved (©) Noticias Eclesiales