A daily news service

DECEMBER 31

Youth to celebrate with Pope coming of year 2000

Vatican City, 31 (NE) Thousands of young pilgrims from Italy and other parts of the world will receive tonight the arrival of the year 2000 at St. Peter's Square. At midnight, Pope John Paul II will address pilgrims gathered there and give them the solemn "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. The event, organized by the Italian episcopate and the diocese of Rome, will begin on the afternoon of the 31st.

Previous to the celebration at St. Peter's Square, there will be a Eucharist at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. At 6 p.m. the liturgy of the Te Deum and solemn Vespers will take place, presided by the Holy Father at St. Peter's Basilica. One hour before midnight, different religious personalities, as well as renowned artists, will be present on a stage specially prepared for the occasion at St. Peter's Square. There will be moments of prayer, songs and a concert of religious music.

A chorus of approximately 5000 young people's voices from different countries will sing Christmas carols. Sister Nirmala, the successor of Mother Theresa of Calcutta as head of the Missionaries of Charity will also be present, sharing some words with the young people present.

Some minutes before the beginning of the year 2000, Pope John Paul II will show up from his window. From there he will address the multitude and impart the Urbi et Orbi blessing. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica, as well as of the different churches of Rome will sing at the arrival of the new year, while fireworks fired from the Gianicolo hill nearby will illuminate the Roman sky over St. Peter's Square.

Cardinal Ratzinger calls to encourage Church's musical patrimony

Buenos Aires, 31 (NE) The "musical patrimony of the Christian tradition must be permanently cultivated with love and must become a point of reference and inspiration for new creations, artistically valuable and fully appropiate for liturgical use," stated Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, in a letter sent to the Coadjutor Arcbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata, Argentina. The letter was sent on occasion of the publication of the book "The musical patrimony of the Church," published by the Argentinean Bishop's Conference. Archbishop Aguer is one of the book's authors.

AICA news agency informed that Cardinal Ratzinger highlighted in his letter the effort to spread sacred music and the promotion of the beauty and dignity of liturgy. "The liturgy is founded," stated the Cardinal, "on the gestures of Christ. It has been forged during the centuries as the ripe fruit of the theological life of the People of God". "The introduction of non-authorized innovations reflects, in the majority of cases, not only a simple violation of the liturgical laws, but an erroneous interpretation of the Church's faith, and it is gravely pernicious for the faithful," stated Cardinal Ratzinger.

"In fact," he continued, "only the aware and humble contemplation of the mysteries of the Incarnation of the Word, the Eucharistic sacrifice, the real presence of the Lord and the consideration of the cult as the privileged place for mercy, grace and praise, can lead to a full liturgical manifestation, incompatible with improvisations or arbitrary constructions."

Archbishop Aguer explained, as he presented the book, that this volume collects the conferences given at the National Encounter on the Musical Patrimony of the Church, that took place in June 1997 in Argentina. The event emphasized the "sense and urgency of the Church's pastoral concern to promote a more adequate valuation and transmission of the cultural patrimony that is the precious fruit of two thousand years of Christian history."

Florida Bishops urge legislators to reject death penalty

Miami, 31 (NE) The bishops of Florida, among them Archbishop John Favalora of Miami, have recently exhorted the legislators from this state to oppose the proposals of legal changes that search to accelerate the process previous to the capital punishment. The governor of Florida and other legislative leaders will present these changes in the first days of January, at a special session of the Senate to handle the theme of death penalty. The bishops of Florida sent their letters to each of the senators and representatives, explaining their objections to these proposals and reiterating their opposition to death penalty itself. "It is a frightening prospect that we would wrongfully kill an innocent person because an expedited appeal precluded critical information from being considered," stated the Bishops regarding the proposal of the acceleration of the process.

Eleventh century door Byzantine restored at St. Paul Outside-the-Walls Basilica

Rome, 31 (NE) After a delicate process of restoration, one of the doors of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, in the city of Rome, that dates back to the eleventh century, will be now admired by thousands of pilgrims that with occasion of the Holy Year will visit this Basilica.

Five months of careful work of a restoration team headed by Sergio Angelucci and Sante Guido have concluded showing the renewed beauty of a Byzantine Door that goes back to the year 1070. Made at Constantinople, it was then donated to the Roman Basilica. The impressive Byzantine door is 5 meters high and 3.5 wide and is elaborated fundamentally in brass and silver. It is composed by 54 sections depicting several scenes of the life of the Lord Jesus, the prophets and the apostles.

Originally placed as the central door of the Basilica, after the fire of 1823, -that destroyed most of the temple and considerably damaged the door- it was afterwards placed in its current place, in the right side of the temple. The Byzantine door is part of a series of eight similar doors, distributed in different places of Italy, donated between the years 1065 and 1077 by a noble family in order to foster relations between the Church in the West and in the East.

Build a world of peace, asks Brazilian Archbishop

Rio do Janeiro, 31 (NE) Recalling that "peace is a profound human aspiration," Cardinal Eugenio do Araujo Sales, Archbishop of Rio do Janeiro, Brazil, called faithful to commit themselves in the search for peace, for "even though humanity is wounded by original sin, God grants him with the call to form one great family."

"Looking at the century that finishes -the Cardinal affirmed- we can see that it was gravely threatened by a sequence of long and horrible wars, conflicts, genocides, 'ethnic cleansing', with indescribable sufferings for million and millions of victims, families, destroyed countries, waves of refuges, misery, hunger. This constitutes a very sad legacy for the century that starts."

In the face of a new millennium, the Brazilian Cardinal stressed that the task of building a world of peace is "difficult but possible, with divine grace. The great obstacle is the rebellion of man against the teachings of the Lord. He is merciful. He waits for us so that, converted, we may approach to Him."

DECEMBER 30

Holy Father urges families to be conscious of their mission

Vatican City, 30 (NE) Pope John Paul II urged to rediscover family as "communion of love between individuals, founded on truth, on charity, on the unbreakable faithfulness of husband and wife, on the welcoming of life," during the first General Audience of this Holy Year. Emphasizing the fundamental role of families in society, the Pope encouraged them to find light in the example of the Holy Family, "that faith presents to us as the principle and model of families illuminated by Christ."

"May the light of Word Incarnate," continued the Holy Father, "help them to better understand and carry out their original vocation," the project that God "has reserved for them, in order that they become the living image of His love." He also said: "May all Christian families become ever more aware of their exalted mission in the Church and in the world!"

The Pontiff underlined as well the urgent need of "individual protection" for each family, "especially the poorest and most problematic." He explained that "life must be promoted and welcomed, for each child who comes into the world is a gift and a hope for all". The Pope also wished that, for all families, the Great Jubilee be "a time to courageously open their doors to Christ, man's only Redeemer."

Pope to meet thousands of children on Sunday

Rome, 30 (NE) Approximately fifty thousand children, between 7 and 14 years old, will live next Sunday a great feast of faith, together with Pope John Paul II, who has always expressed a special attention for children. The celebration of the Jubilee of Children this 2nd of January will be one of the first important events of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000.

The event will gather children from different parts of the world, such as France, Germany, Indonesia, Colombia, Peru, Burundi, among others countries. They will meet in St. Peter's Square this Sunday for their encounter with the Holy Father and for a day of faith and celebration. The largest delegation is that of Italy, with some 40,000 children. The delegations from other countries that will arrive to Rome in these days will participate in different acts previous to Sunday's gathering.

On January 1, the children will participate at different parishes of Rome in an afternoon full of different games and activities, which will recall the history of the Jubilees. The next day, at St. Peter's Square, with songs, dances and prayers they will give witness of their being true "apostles of joy." The encounter with the Holy Father will take place around noon, and it will consist of the Angelus prayer, after which the Pope will have a moment of dialogue with the children.

Missouri: Studies question consensus on death penalty

Saint Louis, 30 (NE) Recent statistics in Missouri have shown that the number of people that support death penalty, which usually has had great approval in other polls, is less than 50%, when other alternatives that respect the life of the condemned person are presented. The group "Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty" promoted this study, undertaken by a sociologist of the Missouri State University. It is hoped that this study may support new legal proposals in favor of life in this state. "Pope John Paul II has called upon us to build a consensus to end the death penalty. These survey findings form the basis from which to begin," stated a member of the Catholic Conference of Missouri regarding the study's conclusions.

Hundreds in pilgrimage for peace in Honduras

Tegucigalpa, 30 (NE) Hundreds of Honduran faithful will pilgrim next week to a Marian shrine, praying for a peaceful solution to the conflict affecting Honduras and Nicaragua. Together with groups of faithful from Nicaragua, the pilgrimage will travel to the Marian shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, in Honduras, where a Mass will be held with Bishops and priests from both nations. The aim of the pilgrimage, as a local Catholic radio reported, is to "pray for a common end, peace, union and love among both nations. Over the years, stronger are the bonds that unite us than any conflict". The event will take place on January 2, and has been encourage by the Bishop's Conferences of Nicaragua and Honduras, aiming at a peaceful solution to a border conflict affecting both countries through diplomatic dialogue.

Mexico: government warns against sects

Mexico city, 30 (NE) The Mexican government, through the Foundation for religious and worship affairs in this country, has warned against the "highly dangerous" character of several sects developing in the region of Morelos, in the state of Cuernavaca. Sociologists, lawyers and social workers have been carrying out for some time a study on these pseudo-religious groups. Their conclusions show that at least 60% of these sects are classified as "highly dangerous" because of their use of drugs, their promotion of suicides, prostitution and other felonies. Also, the study has noted the presence among these sects of religious-political groups that aim at social change through violence.

DECEMBER 29

Pope's visit will strengthen faithful, says Nuncio in Holy Land

Vatican City, 29 (NE) The celebration of the Great Jubilee in Holy Land and the papal visit will be of great help to strengthen the faith of the local Christian community, said the Apostolic Nuncio in Holy Land, Archbishop Pietro Sambi. "I'm convinced," stated the Prelate, "that the celebration of the Jubilee in Holy Land will help to create an environment of peace in the entire region."

In a recent interview published by the Italian Catholic daily Avvenire, Archbishop Sambi recalled that he had "lived with great emotion the opening of the Great Jubilee in Rome". "A great intuition of faith and pastoral sensitiveness led Pope John Paul II to wish the Jubilee to have, for the first time in the life of the Church, to poles: the center of Christianity and the places linked to salvation".

He also informed that Christians are a decreasing 2% of the Holy Land's population. This phenomenon has occurred due to the "nationalistic Hebrew and Islamic pressure," explained the Nuncio. But he nevertheless stated that "the pilgrims will not only visit this land's sacred rocks. They will also meet the 'living rocks', that is, the Christian community at Holy Land."

The Apostolic Nuncio stressed the need to give to the city of Jerusalem a special status, "internationally guaranteed, that permits the communities belonging to the three monotheistic religions to have equal freedom of conscience and religious practice, equal access to the Holy Places, equal opportunities of development."

About the future visit of Pope John Paul II to Holy Land, Archbishop Sambi declared that the schedule will be made known once the Pope has revised and approved it. The pilgrimage will probably take place between the 21st and the 26th of March of year 2000.

Rome: chapel at airport to gain indulgences

Rome, 29 (NE) During the Holy Year, not only those pilgrims that visit the Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome will attain indulgences, but also those who fly to this city and remain some minutes at the airport. A recent diocesan decree established that passengers in transit at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport may attain an indulgence if they visit the airport's chapel, as part of the initiatives for the Jubilee of year 2000. The chapel at terminal C in the international sector has been designated as a place to visit for pilgrims who wish to gain indulgences in the spirit of the Holy Year. "Pilgrims in transit at the airport, coming from all parts of the world, may receive a plenary indulgence during their time here," stated the parish priest of the airport Leonardo da Vinci.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen's cause of beatification receives preliminary approval

New York, 29 (NE) Cardinal John J. O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, has recently given his preliminary approval to initiate the cause of sainthood of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Archbishop Sheen is known for his great participation in the life of the Church in United States during the 40s and the 50s. Born in 1895 at El Paso, Illinois, Archbishop Sheen was director of Propagation of the Faith, wrote newspaper columns and conducted a successful convert ministry. Since 1930, when he conducted the radio program "The Catholic Hour," the charismatic Prelate committed great amount of his time to evangelization through mass media. In 1952 he began his program "Life is Worth Living," that after two years reached 25 million people in the United States. His sainthood cause is being promoted by the Archbishop Sheen Foundation, based in the archbishop's home town of El Paso, Ill.

Nicaraguan and Honduran Bishops pray for peace among both nations

Tegucigalpa, 29 (NE) On the next 2nd of January, bishops from Nicaragua and Honduras will unite in mutual prayer for peace among both nations. This was made known by Bishop Oscar Andres Rodriguez of Tegucigalpa (Honduras), during a press conference held yesterday. The Honduran Prelate informed that he will be meeting next week with Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, Archbishop of Managua, "together with the bishops of both countries, with the purpose of praying for peace." "Nicaragua and Honduras -he affirmed- are two brother nations and are united by deep historical bonds of fraternity and should not think of a warlike conflicts." "Both the Cardinal and I coincide in the opinion that peace should prevail in our nations. In our meeting, we shall request the presidents of Nicaragua, Arnoldo Aleman and of Honduras Carlos Facusse Flores, to go to international instances to end the differences among both nations'', the Bishop added.

DECEMBER 28

Pope to stay with pilgrims for firsts days of Jubilee

Rome, 28 (NE) Yesterday it was made known that Pope John Paul II will remain in Rome during these days, in order to "accompany" the great numbers of pilgrims currently visiting this city. A note from Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, informed that the Pope would not go to Castelgandolfo as he usually does this time of the year but remain in the Eternal City. "In these days of the Great Jubilee -said the note- Pope John Paul II has decided to stay in the Vatican, because of the presence of pilgrims. Therefore, he will not go, as usual, to Castelgandolfo for a brief period of rest."

Meanwhile, on Sunday at 7 p.m. the first afternoon prayer meeting took place at St. Peter's Square. It gathered more than fifteen thousand people. These meetings will take place daily during the entire Jubilee year, to close the day and thank the Lord for all His gifts. Each afternoon the prayer will be presided by different cardinals and bishops, and on special occasions by the Pope himself. Pilgrims that attend these meetings will receive the Holy Father's apostolic blessing, which will be given in the name of the Pope by the prelates that preside the afternoon prayer, which is said in several languages.

Archbishop urges families to special commitment before Third Millennium

Santiago de Chile, 28 (NE) On occasion of Christmas time and the beginning of a new millennium, Archbishop Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Santiago de Chile has urged families to welcome the Lord Jesus in order to enter the new millennium with renewed spirit. In his last Christmas message, the Prelate specially addressed families urging them to become "sanctuaries" of the Lord's peace and love. "Chile needs a new spirit to enter the Third Millennium. This spirit must spring from the families that constitute our country," said the Archbishop. "Dear families, the best way to celebrate the 2000 years of Jesus' birth is to welcome Him and make His spirit ours. You can give our country this Christmas present, and all those who want to live according to the Christian values that characterize our culture," he added.

Cardinal Biffi emphasizes Jubilee's call to conversion

Rome, 28 (NE) Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, Archbishop of Bologna, recently warned against the danger of reducing the Jubilee only to a "tourist trip", putting aside its strong call to conversion. In his Christmas Mass homily, the Italian Cardinal emphasized that the Jubilee is a "powerful call for each of us to convert ourselves, to change from within and, in consequence, to eradicate any incoherence and obstacle for the Gospel." The Cardinal also emphasized the need to "know and to recognize Christ in his full truth, without being distracted by superficial or interested ideological "pre-conceptions" of His mystery or by the empty speculations about Him and His life." The Cardinal also rejected different relativistic views. He said that "in the always changing history of a inconstant and ideologically voluble humanity there is the singular and incomparable phenomenon of a Church that for twenty centuries keeps a truth that does not change."

Bishop's document stresses role of elderly people

Madrid, 28 (NE) Upon concluding these days the International Year of the elderly, the Episcopal Committee of Lay Apostolate of the Spanish Bishops' Conference has made public a document highlighting the mission of the elderly in the life of the Church. Under the title "Our elderly are also part of the face of the Church," the document rejects the stereotype view of "elderly as people in their descending phase" in the life of man. The message continues several lines of reflection following Pope John Paul II' letter to the elderly, dated October 1, 1999.

Among other things, the document highlights the richness that comes with old age, inviting elderly people to "capture its significance in the course of the human existence and living it, not only with serenity and dignity, but as a period of life that presents new opportunities of development and zeal." The document of the Episcopal Committee also calls the elderly to a more intense life of prayer, especially those whose health is more fragile. On the other hand, it highlights the responsibility of old age people in the education of the rest, mainly of children, through their "affectionate advice, their prayer and testimony of the suffering welcomed with patience."

DECEMBER 27

Thousands cross Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican City, 27 (NE) In a manifestation of faith that has surpassed the expectations of many, thousands have crossed the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica since Pope John Paul II opened it during a Christmas' solemn celebration. Men and women, children, young people, entire families, from different nations and races have formed in the past two days queues stretching along St. Peter's Square, advancing towards the Holy Door with a spirit of prayer and conversion. Many kneel at the threshold of the Door, as Pope John Paul II did, and pray for a few seconds before raising again and entering the impressing Patriarchal Basilica.

Italian daily La Repubblica reported that some sources state that almost a million pilgrims have already crossed the Holy Door. Two "sanpietrini", guarding the door, said they were surprised by the number of pilgrims that have crossed, affirming that the number has no precedents. The General Secretary of the Committee for the Great Jubilee stated in La Repubblica that "these first two days of the Jubilee have been extraordinary." Regarding the numerous groups of pilgrims that cross the Holy Door, the Prelate expressed his satisfaction that "so many people cross the Door knowing that they are accomplishing not only a symbolic gesture, but a real one, that is, an encounter with Christ."

Holy Father imparts Urbi et Orbi blessing

Vatican City, 27 (NE) On Christmas day, the Holy Father gave the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing -to the city of Rome and to the world-, from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Thousands of pilgrims present at the plaza listened to him as he sent the Christmas greetings for all nations in 59 languages.

In the message that preceded the blessing, the Pope referred to the Lord Jesus as "the Door". Through Him we "enter a new dimension and we reach the fullness of the destiny of salvation." He also exclaimed: "Christ, You are the Door! Through you, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we wish to enter the Third Millennium!"

The Holy Father also thanked "Christ, Son of the ever Virgin Mary," for all the "good of the years, centuries and millennia, which have passed. We must however confess," he added, "that humanity has sometimes sought the Truth elsewhere, invented false certainties, and chased deceptive ideologies."

"At times this world neither respects nor loves life. But you never cease to love life," confirmed the Pope, and exclaimed, "indeed, in the mystery of Christmas, You come to give us the Gospel of Life."

Great Christmas celebration at Bethlehem

Rome, 27 (NE) With great joy and in communion with Pope John Paul II, the Church in Jerusalem celebrated the 2000th anniversary of the Lord's birth. The Christmas' night Eucharist was presided by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, with the presence of the Patriarchs from the different Catholic rites and the Franciscan custos of Holy Land, and more than a hundred priests. Chiefs of state and authorities from different countries were also present at the temple.

In the Church of Saint Catherine, next to the Basilica of Nativity in Bethlehem, Patriarch Sabbah remembered with emotion that "here the Prince of Peace was born." After the celebration, a procession lead by the Patriarch, who took in his arms an image of the Child Jesus, entered into the Grotto of the Nativity.

In the Church of Saint Catherine, faithful could see on four screens installed within the temple the ceremony of the opening of the Holy Door at the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, presided by Pope John Paul II. During his homily, Patriarch Sabbah urged to reconciliation, justice and freedom for the peoples of Holy Land. At the end of the celebration, he inaugurated the Jubilee of Year 2000 in Holy Land.

More than ten thousand Cubans publicly celebrated Christmas

Miami, 27 (NE) On December 25th, amid Christmas carols and religious banners, more than 10 thousand Cubans gathered in order to celebrate the 2000 years of the birth of the Lord Jesus. To celebrate the special occasion, a procession traveled through the streets of Old Havana, culminating in the Cathedral where Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana, celebrated a solemnd Mass. In his homily, the Cuban Cardinal called to encourage love and reconciliation in the new millennium, urging to "leave sin and mediocrity behind" in order to enter into a new life in Jesus Christ. Celebrating the beginning of the Holy Year, Cuban people enjoyed a special gift: on Christmas eve, faithful were able to see the transmission of the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, as well as listen to the Pope's Christmas message.

Archbishop highlights "privilege and commitment" of Jubilee celebrations

Lima, 27 (NE) With a pilgrimage and a solemn Eucharistic celebration the Archdiocese of Lima inaugurated this weekend the Jubilee of the year 2000, inaugurated by Pope John Paul II on Christmas Eve. The ceremony, presided by Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima, was celebrated in the Cathedral of Lima. Before Mass, a large group of faithful gathered with the Archbishop in a near temple, from where a pilgrimage was carried out ending in Lima's Cathedral. There, a symbolic act of entrance into the Holy Year was carried out.

The previous night, during Christmas Eve Mass, Archbishop Cipriani reminded that the Great Jubilee is a calling to conversion and reconciliation, inviting faithful in the archdiocese to a renewed commitment with the faith of the Church. "We enter into the third millennium with a new way of life. It is a privilege and a commitment having been chosen to witness the change of millennium. I pray so that during this Jubilee we may understand the consequences of turning our backs to the grace of God," the Archbishop pointed out.

«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