A daily news service

MARCH 23

Pope sends letter for "Unborn Child's Day" to be held Argentina

Buenos Aires, 23 (NE) Pope John Paul II sent Argentinean President Carlos Menem a letter expressing his hope that the celebration of the "Unborn Child's Day" supports "the positive option in favor of life and a culture oriented in this direction, assuring the promotion of human dignity in all situations".

The Holy Father expressed his joy for this celebration, which will take place each 25th of March, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The creation of this feast has also the intention to urge "all presidents of Latin America to unite their efforts for the defense of life".

The Pontiff also mentioned the new initiatives that are arising to "face the different menaces that threaten so many human beings who are at risk of loosing their basic right". "The Church, said the Pope, sees in attacks against human life a grave offense to the Creator. In this sense it hasn't spared efforts to proclaim the value and inviolable character of human life".

Finally, the Pope asks the Mother of God her intercession to obtain for the Argentinean people "the gift of receiving each human life in the same way as the Holy Family of Nazareth received the Word of God, sign of the infinite love of the Father for humanity".

Spanish Cardinal denounces "Christian and vocational feebleness" in today's society

Madrid, 23 (NE) "It is time to proclaim with courage the grace of vocation to apostolic ministry, and its necessity for the life of the Church". With these words Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, underlined the necessity to value the vocation to priesthood in our days. Also, in his pastoral letter on occasion of the "Seminary Day" celebrated in Spain, he denounced "the Christian and vocational feebleness" that influences "certain environments and peoples that call themselves Christians".

"What happens in Christian families that take as a failure that a son goes to the Seminary? How not to question educational processes in faith that are not able to promote a total delivery to the Lord in answering His call?", the Cardinal asked. He also pointed out in his letter the fear to "offer priesthood to the youth as a road of joyous and hopeful fulfillment of one's own existence".

Considering the vocational crisis that many countries endure, the Spanish Cardinal pointed out the existence of "a true crisis of faith and Christian meaning of life". "A secularized vision of man and of his destiny - he added- prevents man from recognizing his more radical vocation of son and creation of God and, consequently, makes the perception of one's calling difficult".

He finally invited Spanish Catholics to "propose in an explicit and firm manner vocation to priesthood as a real possibility for the youth". He also made a calling to value the vocation to priesthood as a "gift of God, a living expression of the Father's Love, of Christ's reconciliation, and of the Gift of the Spirit".

Archbishop urges to educate in sound reasoning guided towards action

Lima, 23 (NE) Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima, Great Chancellor of the Pontifical and Civil Faculty of Theology of Lima, presided yesterday the Eucharistic celebration inaugurating the academic year of this institution. In his homily, Archbishop Cipriani pointed out the importance that philosophical and theological studies be guided toward the search for truth.

Recalling the recent encyclical "Fides et ratio" of Pope John Paul II, he highlighted the importance of promoting the teaching of a sound reasoning that is not subjected to one system of thought. He stated as well the necessity that the knowledge acquired in a Pontifical Faculty should not remain in a speculative level, but rather aim to be made concrete in works of salvation.

The Archbishop of Lima concluded pointing out that fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church and adhesion to the Holy Father should be distinguishing characteristics of that educational institution that counts with almost 450 years of existence, being the oldest in America.

Portugal donates historic Crosses to Brazilian Catholics

Lisbon, 23 (NE) As part of celebrations for the 500 anniversary of the beginning of the evangelization of Brazilian lands, the Portuguese Bishops' Conference will offer to the Church in Brazil 16 images of the Cross present in the first Mass celebrated in Brazilian territory. The historic Mass was celebrated on the 26th of April of 1500.

On March 25, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the President and Secretary of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference will meet in Braga, Portugal, with the President of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference in order to carry out the ceremony of the delivery of the crosses. Before sending each cross to the corresponding 16 Episcopal regions of Brazil, they will be taken to the Vatican where they will be blessed by the Pope John Paul II.

Conversion from the heart, foundation for all structural changes

Mexico City, 23 (NE) In his recent Sunday homily, Bishop Felipe Arizmendi of Tapachula, Mexico, stated that all authentic change of structures must be based and preceded by a change of heart.

"People responsible for economic structure and political reform should let themselves be touched by the love of Jesus, so that they untie the knots and bandages that impede Mexico to rise up and develop", he said.

He also insisted on the necessity to be coherent with the gift of Baptism, through which we "pass from death to life, from sin to grace, from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom". Only in this way, he continued, we will be able to reach out for our brethren.

MARCH 22

Pope highlights St. Joseph in year dedicated to God the Father

Vatican City, 22 (NE) Upon commencing his address before the Angelus Sunday prayer, Pope John Paul talked yesterday about Saint Joseph, to whom Christian popular tradition dedicates the month of March. The Holy Father underlined the special veneration that the People of God have toward the Patron Saint of the Universal Church.

"Toward his figure and his mission as the Guardian of the Redeemer -he affirmed- I have dedicated, 10 years ago, an Apostolic Exhortation, that I wish to put under everyone's attention in the context of this last year of preparation for the Great Jubilee, dedicated to God the Father". The Pope also manifested that "by means of the exercise of his paternity, Joseph cooperates, in the completion of times, with the great mystery of redemption".

On the other hand, the Pope remembered the celebration of the World Youth Day, which this year will be carried out in each diocese on the 28th of March. The Holy Father invited all the youth of Rome to an encounter "of celebration and prayer" that will take place this Thursday in preparation for the World Youth Day.

Bishops of Massachusetts oppose death penalty

Denver, 22 (NE) A bill filed to institute capital punishment has originated a strong movement of opposition in Massachusetts. If it were approved, Massachusetts would become the 38th State to employ death penalty since it was recognized as constitutional in 1976.

The Bishops of Massachusetts, Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, among them, have issued a statement affirming that "death penalty is simply wrong… It solves no problem". "We live in a violent culture…. To counter this violence, all of us and especially our political leaders, should be concerned with fostering and strengthening the support of human life". "This extends to every aspect of our civil life, even to the just punishment of serious criminals".

Recalling the message of life given by Pope John Paul II in Saint Louis, the bishops qualified death penalty as "cruel and unnecessary", for "the dignity of human life must never be taken away". "Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform".

Rome: Mass in favor of peace for Colombia

Rome, 22 (NE) A Mass in favor of peace and reconciliation in Colombia was celebrated on Friday in the church of St. Prisca in Rome. The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Colombian Cardinals Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. Also present was Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

Colombian President Andres Pastrana also attended the celebration. "Peace is a spiritual conquest built upon truth" said President Pastrana in a ceremony held in the Colombian embassy after the Mass. On Saturday President Pastrana was received in a private audience by Pope John Paul II.

During the homily, Cardinal Dario Castrillon pointed out the necessity of the defense of life in Colombia, as well as the urgency of protecting human rights. He stressed the difficult situation of conflict the country is enduring.

"Week for the family" starts in Mexico

Mexico City, 22 (NE) During the Mass that initiated the "Week for the Family" Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, urged society not to yield to the multiple dangers that threaten Christian family, "which is menaced by the possibility to loose its children to the culture of death".

The Cardinal recalled that "it is important for parents to instil their wisdom and inspire in their children the meaning of life and an understanding generous heart that forgives, that lives in solidarity, specially with those who are most in need… Parents must face the challenges of modern society and not be satisfied with just transmitting their children information dominated by the culture of technology and science".

The Archbishop of Mexico also urged to "work for the family so that we save our world". He asked Mexican families to search for Christ in order to recover the traditions, the union and the prayers at home, so that the family values become present at work, in daily life and in solidarity.

San Salvador's Cathedral reopens after thirteen years

San Salvador, 22 (NE) After thirteen years of being closed, the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador received on Friday faithful from different places of the country. Diverse civilian authorities were present at the Eucharistic celebration, greatly attended by Salvadoran Catholics. The Mass was presided by Archbishop Francisco Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador, being held on the 19th of March, celebration of Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of the Universal Church

The cathedral, founded in 1956, was greatly damaged due to an earthquake in 1986. No funds for its reconstruction were available until October 1995. At its reopening it received almost 3000 Salvadorian faithful. Although the reconstruction work is not yet finished, it is expected to be completed by the year 2000.

MARCH 20

New book by Cardinal Ratzinger for Jubilee of year 2000

Rome, 20 (NE) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has recently published a book offering different meditations that will serve as guide for pilgrims to Rome throughout the Holy Year. "Images of Hope. A walk around the times and places of the Jubilee", is the title of the new publication.

The book writthen by the Cardinal Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of faith offers Catholics from the whole world, but specially those who will peregrinate to Rome during the Great Jubilee of year 2000, diverse reflections on the places of peregrination and encounter with the Lord Jesus in the Eternal City.

As Cardinal Ratzinger says, the book has its origin in his own experience of life in Rome and in the necessity to offer meditations on the most important periods of the liturgical year. "Slowly a path has developed along the different periods of the liturgical year and along the places of the Jubilee. They are proposed to the reader as a little guide to follow during this event of grace".

Argentinean archdiocese reorders Christian initiation

Buenos Aires, 20 (NE) Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana finished the second course on reordering Christian Initiation, in which circa a thousand catechists participated. In this way the archdiocese aims to achieve one of its main objectives of the Pastoral Plan drawn at the beginning of the current year.

The conferences and dialogs were intended to explain the change in the order of the Sacraments belonging to Christian Initiation. As from this year, the archdiocese of Parana will introduce sacraments in the life of Catholics following the order Baptism-Eucharist-Confirmation. This change is allowed in the Code of Canon Law. During the last years the usual order has been Baptism-Confirmation-Eucharist. The aim is to put "Eucharist as the summit and source of the path of initiation", stated Archbishop Karlic.

The archdiocese of Parana issued some months ago a communique on Christian initiation. It explained that "the fact that Confirmation is received before First Communion, which is the culminating sacrament, is logical, for Communion is the consecration to the life of the Church, so it cannot be a period, but the end of the process of Christian initiation".

Archbishop urges to peace in view of possible political crisis

Managua, 20 (NE) "They must stop tossing more firewood to the fire", recently said Cardinal Miguel Obando in view of the frustrated dialogues expected between Nicaraguan president Arnoldo Aleman and controller Agustin Jarquin. Manifesting his concern, the Archbishop of Managua expressed the necessity of "betting for peace".

The encounter was encouraged after a report on the increase of the President's personal wealth, which led to suspicions about possible corruption. In previous declarations to the press, Cardinal Obando had been favorable to the dialogues between the controller and the President.

In view of this situation, he requested that a "climate of serenity" be maintained. "We must be respectful of the law", he pointed out days ago. He also stressed on the necessity of dialoguing in order to analyze the problems and establish if there is or not corruption to be denounced, because in that case "we would require proof".

Archbishop of Rio presents project for the Jubilee of the year 2000

Rio do Janeiro, 20 (NE) In view of the commencing of preparations for the celebration of the Jubilee of the year 2000, the Cardinal Archbishop of Rio do Janeiro, Dom Eugênio of Araujo Sales, presented to 320 priests recently gathered in the Cathedral the project devised in view of the event. He expressed his intention of involving the whole city of Rio.

The cardinal highlighted the centrality of the evangelizing effort of the project. He also told the clergy his intention to specially promote the sacrament of confession and a life of charity. "The aim is to create a new heart for the Rio de Janeiro of year 2000", he affirmed.

Mexico City holds Study Seminar on Synod for America

Mexico City, 20 (NE) "The Synod for America's proposal and the ecclesial commitment with the reality of Mexico", was the topic of the Study Seminar carried out this week in the Archdioceses of Mexico. Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, affirmed that the document "Ecclesia in America" helps us to have "an encounter with the living Christ".

Starting from this point, the Mexican Cardinal requested to look for answers for the specific reality of this continent. Afterwards the meditation was centered on how these answers should be, according to challenges of society and the different paths that the recent Apostolic Exhortation of the Pope John Paul II points out.

Upon concluding the Seminar, Cardinal Rivera commented in an interview that next Sunday the Archdioceses of Mexico will make the announcement of a social program to be carried out during the next months. In this way the Church in Mexico joins to the spirit of preparation for the year 2000, considered a "year of charity".

MARCH 19

Latin-American thinker points out existence of "culture of acedia"

Lima, 19 (NE) "We can say that today's world is subject to a culture of acedia", Luis Fernando Figari said yesterday in the last conference of a serial given in Lima before hundreds of assistants on occasion of Lent. In this opportunity, he continued to approach different thinkers in relation to acedia. He reviewed William Peraldus, Petrarch, Dante Alighieri, and Aldous Huxley, among others. He pointed out that the life of Huxley, which ended subjected to hallucinogenic drugs, constitutes a tragic symbol of the acedia that impregnates wide sectors of today's culture.

Before successive failures of horizontal projects and dreams, many people show signs of deep boredom, lack of meaning in their lives and the desire to flee from reality. He linked the so-called "Age of the Melancholy", recently mentioned in an American magazine due to dramatic increase in the number of people suffering depression, with the loss of the human being's identity and spiritual horizon. He highlighted the connection between such situation and the falling in acedia driving people to despair. One cannot ignore, he said, that as Saint Jerome had pointed out that certain environmental conditions helped generate melancholy, today's culture characterized by functional agnosticism has a strong influence on people, favoring that depressive wave affecting so many millions.

The crisis of truth is a consequence of this perspective that has led many victims of the "culture of acedia" to give up the search for truth and the gifts it brings, he pointed out. Relativism, subjectivism, as well as skepticism prevailing today are all expressions of a spiritual problem, that of the indifference towards God and the failure to recognize God's given possibilities in the human being. Many human beings have surrendered victim of ideologies. Many live on the surface of their existence without seeking the deepest truths, substituting them for the pursue of enjoyment or the avoidance of annoyance based on the craving for power, possessions, and pleasure. Figari linked the "culture of death", that he described with convincing realism, with the "culture of acedia", to which it is closely bound.

In the presence of this temptation of acedia in a personal as well as in a cultural reality, the well known Latin-American thinker presented "the horizon of hope that grows in our hearts as God's love is poured in them". With vibrant words he outlined the deep sense that faith gives to life. He placed as example to follow the Virgin Mary, whose hope encompassed the "Let it be done", with which she answered God, and His Divine Plan. He placed the recovery of people's interior vision and interior dynamism placed by God in all human beings as a horizon for humanity in face of the third millennium. As conclusion of the series of five Lenten conferences, Figari invited everyone present to have the hope that moves humankind to answer with fidelity to God's Plan through personal commitment in face of the call to the New Evangelization.

"Reconciliation Weekend" starts today in Philadelphia

Denver, 19 (NE) Beginning today, Friday 19, faithful of the archdiocese of Philadelphia may participate of the "Reconciliation Weekend" taking place in different churches of the archdiocese. Throughout Friday March 19 and Saturday March 20, this weekend will mean two days of renewal and a special time for confession. Approximately 1,100 priests will hear confessions during the event in more than 80 different churches of the archdiocese.

The initiative is part of the archdiocese's efforts on the way to the third Millennium, and aims to fight the loss of a sense of sin and relativism existing in today's culture. "Many people are confused today as to just what is right and what is wrong", says the archdiocesan newspaper. "Through the sacrament of confession, we are empowered to live as He did, to love as He loved, to reconcile as He reconciled. This means throwing off all vestiges of sin and forming that right relationship with self, others and God".

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will also be hearing confessions. "I'm asking everyone to pray that others who have been away from the Church for whatever reason may receive the grace that God is definitely giving to them and be filled with courage" said the Cardinal. "If other people will pray, we're going to see a wonderful weekend of reconciliation - which is not just for that weekend, it's always".

Diocesan process for Pope Paul VI´s canonization closed

Vatican City, 19 (NE) During a ceremony at the Lateran Palace, the closing session for the diocesan process of canonization of Pope Paul VI was held yesterday presided by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Holy Father's Vicar for the diocese of Rome. "We feel closer the time when Pope Paul VI´s heroic virtues will be proclaimed", said Cardinal Ruini. The canonization process will now be continued by the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The Italian Cardinal recalled the Pontiff as a "living example of humility". He also emphasized Pope Paul VI´s intense life of charity. Among other things, he underlined the richness of the Pope's magisterium, as well as many of his actions such as beginning apostolic trips and his work towards a "Civilization of Love". Nevertheless, said Cardinal Ruini, during his pontificate "he had to face many hostilities from the press". In spite of this, "his great spiritual personality" is now evident to everybody.

Cardinal Sodano thanks Argentinean Bishops for adhesion to Pope

Buenos Aires, 18 (NE) Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican State Secretary, thanked Argentinean Bishops for their expression of filial adhesion to Pope John Paul II in response to an offensive letter sent to the Pope by the mothers of the "Plaza de Mayo". The Secretary of State thanked in name of the Holy Father the "noble feelings expressed, that once again give testimony of the deep bonds of communion that unite the Argentinean Episcopate and the Successor of Peter".

In late February, in response to the offensive letter to the Holy Father by the mentioned group, the bishops sent a letter to the Pope in name of the "faithful of the Catholic Church of the country", expressing their "profound affection, thankfulness and filial adhesion" to the Holy Father. Afterwards, Argentinean president Carlos Menem also expressed his solidarity with the Holy Father, regretting that "such insults come from persons born in our country". The President qualified the fact as an act of "uncommon lack of reverence".

MARCH 18

Weekly Catechesis: Knowing Jesus, way to know the Father

Vatican City, 18 (NE) Pope John Paul II's weekly catechesis was held yesterday at Saint Peter's Square with the theme: "Knowing the Father". The Holy Father pointed out the Lord Jesus as the best way of knowing the Father. And knowing the Father, he higlighted, means "finding in Him the source of our being and our unity as members of one family", as well as "being immersed in a 'spiritual' life, the same life of God".

Reminding that "we can know God as Father on different levels, according to our perspective and the aspect of the mystery contemplated", and that "there is a natural knowledge of God from creation", the Pope also affirmed that "it is not possible to know the depths of divine fatherhood, but only as God himself shows it".

"In the events of the history of salvation -he added- what reveals itself more and more is the initiative of the Father who, with his interior action, opens the hearts of believers to welcome his Incarnate Son. Knowing Jesus, they will be able to know the Father also". "The proclamation of the Son continues to be the supreme way to know the Father and to make Him known", he affirmed.

Cardinal Sodano to preside Mass in Monte Cassino

Rome, 18 (NE) Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of Pope John Paul II, will preside a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the chapel of the monastery of Monte Cassino. The Holy Mass will be carried out next Sunday 21st of March, in the feast day of Saint Benedict, Patron of Europe. Different European ambassadors accredited before the Holy See and Italy will attend the celebration, as well as the President of the European Parliament and the Italian Minister of External affairs.

The Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino, located between Rome and Naples, was founded by St. Benedict of Nursia in the VI Century. Two chapels were built where a temple of Apollo once stood. Throughout the years, the monastery became a center of culture for centuries.

During its long history, the monastery has suffered damages on different occasions, such as in 883 by the Saracens, and in 1349 due to an earthquake. During the Second World War, the famous monastery was completely destroyed due to allied bombing, after which it was again reconstructed.

Cardinal Maida: No authentic freedom without truth and God

Detroit, 18 (NE) "I propose to discuss the way religion can help shape public policy and the world of law, especially in the current debate about the dignity of human life", said recently Cardinal Adam Maida on a lecture given March 16 at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. The Cardinal's conference highlighted "the voice of religion in shaping culture and law".

The Archbishop of Detroit emphasized interaction between law and culture: "Laws reflect society and culture", he stated, "but they form our values as well". Affirming that "laws alone cannot give us freedom, or preserve human rights and dignity", the Cardinal highlighted that "we need to go to the root of all culture… our very self transcendence itself, our ability to reach out to God and our undeniable need for God".

"The voice of religion", said Michigan's Archbishop, "helps all people realize that there will be no freedom without truth and no genuine human rights unless people acknowledge the origin and source of all human rights: God Himself".

Cardinal Maida urged to "first convert hearts, then you can change culture". "Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II himself has exemplified this very pattern in his writing and in his preaching: we best proclaim the Gospel of Life by committing our time and resources to all efforts that affirm and uphold the dignity of human life from the first moment of conception until last natural breath". "Consistency, clarity and conviction in the civil discourse will eventually win the day. Our voices may seem small but they can become powerful if joined together in prayer and action".

Seminary on Pope John Paul II being held in Argentina

Buenos Aires, 18 (NE) Being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, yesterday began the International Symposium on Pope John Paul. The event is organized by the Department of Worship of the nation on occasion of the XXth anniversary of the Pope's Pontificate. Different aspects of the magisterium of the Holy Father will be studied, among them his last encyclical "Fides et ratio".

President Carlos Menem, who highlighted the pontificate of the current Successor of Peter, inaugurated the event. During his speech, President Menem qualified the Holy Father as a "messenger of peace". On the other hand, the Secretary of Worship, Juan Jose Laprovitta, said that the event constitutes "a testimony of adhesion, of gratitude and of affection towards the Pope".

Attending the ceremony were Arcbishop Ubaldo Calabresi, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy Father, Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Buenos Aires, as well as many ecclesiastical and civil authorities of the country. Also, during the ceremony, the Polish ambassador gave a reproduction of a monument to Pope John Paul II that the Polish community will donate to Argentina.

Spanish Bishops issue document promoting Eucharist adoration

Madrid, 18 (NE) The Spanish Bishop's Conference recently issued a Pastoral Instruction on the Eucharist as a preparatory document for the next Eucharistic National Congress. This Congress will take place in Santiago de Compostela from the 26th to the 29th of May of 1999. This recent document was approved during the LXXI Plenary Assembly of the Spanish Episcopate.

The document specially seeks to "encourage the renovation of the Sunday Eucharist celebration, the Eucharistic cult out of Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation". The collective document of the Spanish Episcopate shows as well its concern for the present evangelization of society. It is also oriented to the celebration of the Great Jubilee of the 2000, which will be "an intensely Eucharistic year" for the Catholic Church in Spain.

The episcopate's Pastoral Instruction, urges to "forge a new European society", placing this message especially in the hands of those "young persons that will assist to the European Pilgrimage and Meeting that will take place in August at Santiago de Compostela".

MARCH 17

Church will always oppose abortion, says Bogota Archbishop

Bogota, 17 (NE) In a letter sent to Colombian newspaper "El Tiempo", Archbishop Pedro Rubiano Saenz, of Bogota, answered a recent article published by the newspaper containing several misleading opinions about the Catholic Church. Such statements -wrote the Archbishop- "do not correspond to the historic truth, present an incomplete vision and are in open opposition to the doctrine of the Church".

The Colombian prelate emphasized among other themes the role of the Church in the defense of woman's dignity. To talk about discrimination of women by the Church, he stated, "is to forget that it was the Church who was first concerned with her academic formation, when civilian society was completely male chauvinistic". "To associate defense of abortion with defense of the woman is something very different", said the Archbishop. "The Church of today and of tomorrow, remaining faithful to the Gospel, will always condemn abortion".

After recalling the role of the Church in social reforms made under the light of its Social Doctrine, the Archbishop denounced as well the falsehood of a pretended "silence of the Church regarding violations of human rights" in Colombia.

VI-century Byzantine church discovered in Holy Land

Rome, 17 (NE) A Byzantine church belonging to the mid VI century has been recently discovered by archeologists in Gaza, Israel. Measuring 25 by 13 meters, foundations of the building were laid in 544, being completed by the year 550. This was affirmed by Ya´acov Huster, project archeologist, who began the search of the Christian temple based on testimony and photographs from the 1970s, when bits of mosaics were found during road work.

Although a large part of mosaics covering the floor and the more than 1.500-year-old foundations of the church have been uncovered, excavations cannot be completed because of an Israeli army emplacement located on top of the remains. "The army can move such a small position", says Huster, who has already asked army officials to move it. But nothing has been done yet.

According to the archeologist, the most impressive find until now is a mosaic found at the entrance to the church. The mosaic said the church was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, stating the year construction began and ended. The inscription also praised those who donated money for the mosaic. Huster believes the church served a small village. Evidence suggests that the church was abandoned 80 years after its construction with Arab conquest in 634.

Denver: New Theological Institute and Seminary to be opened

Denver, 17 (NE) Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, announced Monday this week the creation of the first archdiocesan seminary for northern Colorado, as well as the inauguration of the Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute. During a press conference, he expressed his joy for the initiatives that will collaborate in the renewal of pastoral life of the local Church as it faces the Third Millennium.

The new Seminary Saint John Mary Vianney will operate within the Our Lady of the New Advent Theological Institute. The rector of both Seminary and Theological Institute will be Father Sam Aquila, current Secretary for Catholic Education for the archdiocese. The institute will be affiliated with the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

"We need the best integration possible of the different vocations within the Church for the evangelization of today's world. With the new institute we hope to share new apostles, rooted in the heart of the Church", stated Archbishop Chaput during the conference. He also asked Catholics of the archdiocese "to thank God for his generosity and to ask His blessing for the new institute, new seminary and the many thousands of people that they will serve in the next years".

Traditional "Seminary Day" to be celebrated in Spain

Madrid, 17 (NE) "Making sensitive society in general and the Christian community in particular on the necessity of vocations to priesthood and priests' service", will be one of the aims of the upcoming celebration of the "Seminary Day" in Spain. The day will be celebrated in many Spanish dioceses, looking forward to promote as well "prayer in favor of vocations". This year's motto for the traditional celebration, "Priests, a gift from God", has been chosen according to the third year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of year 2000, dedicated to God the Father.

"Seminary Day" in Spain will also aim to fight the reductive and sometimes negative image of priesthood that mass media tend to present. In view of this, affirm the organizers, it is necessary to "transmit a good Catechesis on the meaning of priesthood", as well as "on the respect and help that parents should lend to their children in order to follow their vocation to priesthood".

The Church in Spain expects that through this celebration the path of "fulfillment and of happiness" that priesthood implies and that "allows to live in readiness for the Gospel, to make radical options and commitments, help other people, contribute to transform the world, in a word, follow Jesus' example", may be made visible to all.

New Nuncio requests help to Mexican Bishops for Church in Cuba

Mexico City, 17 (NE) Bishop Luis Robles Diaz, recently named Apostolic Nuncio in Cuba by Pope John Paul II, pointed out that he will request for help to the Mexican Bishops' Conference in order to support the Church in Cuba. He also manifested that he will arrive to the Island towards the end of April.

In an interview with the weekly publication "Proceso", Bishop Robles affirmed that the task of the Church in Cuba "is not easy at all", pointing out the lack of resources as one of the main obstacles for the evangelizing task. Regarding the situation in Cuba, he pointed out the importance of the formation of priests and vocations. "I will do all that is possible to improve the situation", he added.

Although he has never been in Cuba, the new Nuncio has exercised his labor to the service of the Holy See in Uganda for nine years, as well as in Sudan, Honduras, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Ecuador and Colombia. The Bishop of Mexican origin will substitute Nuncio Beniamino Stella, named by the Holy Father Nuncio in Colombia.

MARCH 16

Process of beatification of Pope Paul VI advances

Vatican City, 16 (NE) This week the cause of beatification of Pope Paul VI will take an important step. On Thursday 18th the closing session of the diocesan process for the cause of beatification and canonization of Servant of God Giovanni Battista Montini, Pope Paul VI, will take place at the Lateran Apostolic Palace. The ceremony will be presided by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar of Pope John Paul II for the diocese of Rome. The process will then pass to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Giovanni Battista Montini was born in Concesio, bear Brescia, the 26th of September of 1897. He entered the seminary of Brescia when he was 19 years old and was ordained priest with 23 years on May 29th, 1920. In 1954 Pope Pius XII named him Archbishop of Milan, and four years later he was created Cardinal by H.H. John XXIII. Cardinal Montini was 66 years old when he was chosen successor of Pope John XXIII, on the 21st of June of 1963. He chose the name of Paul VI.

During his pontificate he bore the responsibility of resuming and culminating the II Vatican Council convoked and inaugurated by his predecessor. The documents Populorum progressio, Ecclesiam suam and Evangelii nuntiandi, are a few examples of his rich Magisterium. The beloved Pontiff was called to the presence of the Eternal Father on the 6th of August of 1978.

Archbishop of Chicago urges to work for a Culture of Life

Chicago, 16 (NE) Talking to a crowd of 1700 people gathered for the sixth annual Bishop's Pro-Life Dinner, Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, emphasized the «inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-Life», as the only way to construct a culture of life.

The Cardinal explained the conflict that legislation generates in some places where it directly attacks human dignity. «When we live with such a clash of visions, with two normative systems at war in our hearts... faith must create culture». To accomplish that, Catholics must work towards bringing faith back to public life through «investing ourselves and our talents» in different environments, such as education, arts and other cultural environments.

He also called abortion a «kind of moral disaster that stalks our land» and invited to accomplish a truly evangelizing work about it, with unity and much charity. In the work toward change that must be done, said the Cardinal, the way of conversion «is the way the Church prefers, and I believe it is still possible, if we are always speaking from a loving heart».

«Something shameful is going on», says relator of cause of Pope Pius XII

Rome, 16 (NE) «The materials in my possession confirm that no one of whatever station or organization did as much to help the Jews as did Pius XII and, at his explicit instructions, the Roman Catholic Church». These were the words of Father Peter Gumpel, relator of the cause of beatification of Pope Pius XII, after having examined the voluminous amount of materials regarding the process of beatification of the Pope.

In an article published in the English newspaper «The Tablet», Father Gumpel underlines that in regard to the beatification cause of Pope Pius XII «something shameful is going on», due to the numerous and groundless critics that have risen presenting an distorted idea of the role the Pontiff carried out during World War II.

In his examination of the facts relative to this time, Father Gumpel highlights the many testimonies of gratitude shown to the Holy Father upon concluding the war, many of them coming personally from Jews and from their organizations in different parts of the world. «Nevertheless -he says- their witness is today largely ignored by many who were still children or not yet born at the time of the Holocaust».

Later on, the Jesuit priest, that suffered himself the nazi persecution, recalled that it was Rolf Hochhuth and his anti-catholic work «The Vicar», who began the strange public attacks against Pope Pius XII. He also pointed out once more how this work clearly evidences Hochhuth's lack of historical knowledge and has been criticized by many personalities -included Jewish historians- for its distorted and tendentious presentation of the facts. The relator of the cause makes a brief reference to the great amount of facts and documents that show what the Church did under the orientation of Pope Pius XII.

On the other hand, showing the ignorance of many, Gumpel highlighted the publication -ordered by Pope Paul VI- of all the documents related to the Second World War, known as «Actes et Documents du Saint Siège relatifs à la Seconde Guerre Mondiale». «The 12 volumes contain 5,100 documents published according to high scientific standards». Trying not to judge the intentions of those who act in this manner, Gumpel simply points out: «People who demand that the Vatican publish the documents regarding this period are ill informed». There is even the existence since 1997 of a 336 page volume, elaborated by one of the investigators, Father Pierre Blet, «Pius XII and the Second World War, according to the archives of the Vatican». Blet is one of the most serious historians on that time, publishing his book to make accessible the immense amount of Vatican documentation accumulated in the twelve volumes that cover from 1939 to 1945.

Later on, responding to the strange critic of supposed silence by the Pontiff, Father Gumpel reminds that «the truth is that Pius XII repeatedly and publicly condemned the persecution of innocent people for the sole reason of their race». Accusations against the Pope from Nazi authorities were immediate and many facts confirm this. «Pius XII also avoided more vehement public declarations because experience had taught him not only that they did not save a single Jewish life, but, on the contrary, that they triggered even more violent persecutions of the Jews». The statement of the Dutch Catholic bishops, points out Gumpel, left this clear in the Pope's mind, who even decided not to publish a public protest already written given the consequences that it could have. After the Dutch Bishop's statement, Catholics of Jewish origin were sent to concentration camps, among them the religious Saint Theresa Benedicta, whose lay name was Edith Stein.

«The only effective way of helping the Jews -points out Father Gumpel- consisted in shielding them secretly from the Nazis. This was the strategy adopted by Pius XII. Pinchas Lapide, after many years of research in Jewish sources, came to the conclusion that the Catholic Church, at Pius XII's instructions, saved between 700,000 and 860,000 Jewish lives».

Vigorously responding to vain scandals and even absurd pressures, Father Gumpel concludes: «The cause of the beatification and canonization of Pope Pius XII, who is rightly venerated by many millions of Catholics, will not be stopped or delayed by the unjustifiable and calumnious attacks against this great and saintly man». The article of Father Gumpel once again evidences the coherence in the luminous life of charity of Pope Pius XII, during this chapter of indefatigable work undertaken by the Supreme Pontiff in the difficult years of World War II.

It is not possible to act differently as citizen or as Christian, states Archbishop

Mexico City, 16 (NE) Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, warned that no authority can force Catholics to hide their faith nor can impose them «to live in schizophrenia or in duality asking them to behave in one way as citizens and in another as believers».

The Mexican Cardinal urged Catholics to live a committed coherence with their faith in all circumstances of life. All this was stated in the context of the debate generated by the presentation of a bill that would eliminate penalization for abortion.

He insisted that Catholics can not reduce Christian life to the knowledge of the Creed, nor a mere moral or a series of rites. Faith, he continued, is not only a «party dress that one takes out of the wardrobe in order to go to Mass on Sundays», but it must be the light of our lives.

Argentina: No newspapers on Good Friday?

Buenos Aires, 16 (NE) Archbishop Estanislao Karlic, President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference, has appealed in name of all bishops that the «publication and distribution of newspapers throughout the country be suspended on Good Friday». The petition was made to the Argentinean Press Association during the last bishop's assembly.

As has been informed by a local newspaper, the President of the press association Guillermo Ignacio, has said that the bishop's appeal has already been transmitted to newspaper editors. Nevertheless, in his opinion, the final decision whether to publish editions on Good Friday or not will be made by each individual editor.

Non publication of newspapers during Good Friday was a tradition in Argentinean journalism until last year. As Archbishop Karlic said in the message sent to the newspapers' association, last year «a long tradition of Argentinean journalism was broken, and the people of God became surprised by the decision». The President of the Bishop's Conference affirmed that publication of newspapers on last year's Good Friday had upset many Christian journalists and workers.

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