SUMMARY:
-
BENEDICT XVI HAS LUNCH WITH CARDINALS
-
THE ASCENSION: THE LAST ACT OF LIBERATION FROM THE YOKE OF SIN
-
THE POPE RECALLS ATTACK AT AN ITALIAN SCHOOL AND EARTHQUAKE IN EMILIA
ROMAGNA
-
THERE CAN BE NO JUSTICE TODAY WITHOUT SOLIDARITY
-
PUBLICATION OF RESERVED HOLY SEE AND PAPAL DOCUMENTS IS CRIMINAL
-
AUDIENCES
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
______________________________________
BENEDICT
XVI HAS LUNCH WITH CARDINALS
Vatican
City, 21 May 2012 (VIS) - At 1 p.m. today in the Sala Ducale of the
Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father had lunch with members of
the College of Cardinals, as a sign of his thanks to them for their
felicitations for his eighty-fifth birthday, on 16 April, and for the
seventh anniversary of his election to the pontificate, on 19 April.
THE
ASCENSION: THE LAST ACT OF LIBERATION FROM THE YOKE OF SIN
Vatican
City, 20 May 2012 (VIS) - Benedict XVI dedicated his remarks before
praying the Regina Coeli this morning to the Ascension of the Lord,
which in many countries is celebrated today, the Sunday following the
feast.
"The
Ascension of the Lord", the Pope explained to faithful gathered
in St. Peter's Square, "marks the fulfilment of the salvation
which began with the Incarnation. Having instructed His disciples for
the last time, Jesus ascended into heaven. Nevertheless, He 'did not
separate Himself from our condition' because, in His humanity, he
drew mankind into intimacy with the Father and thus revealed the
final destination of our earthly pilgrimage. Just as, for us, He
descended from heaven and suffered death on the cross, so too, for
us, He arose and returned to God, Who is thus no longer distant, but
is 'our God', 'our Father'. The Ascension is the last act of our
liberation from the yoke of sin".
The Holy
Father recalled St. Leo the Great's explanation that "this
mystery proclaims not only the immortality of the soul, but also that
of the flesh. ... For this reason, when the disciples saw the Master
arise from the earth and ascend towards heaven, they were not
discouraged but experienced great joy and felt impelled to proclaim
Christ's victory over death".
"The
Ascension", the Holy Father concluded, "tells us that in
Christ our humanity is raised to the heights of God and so, each time
we pray, earth unites with heaven".
THE
POPE RECALLS ATTACK AT AN ITALIAN SCHOOL AND EARTHQUAKE IN EMILIA
ROMAGNA
Vatican
City, 20 May 2012 (VIS) - After praying the Regina Coeli this
morning, the Pope expressed his outrage at the "cowardly attack"
against a school in the Italian town of Brindisi on Saturday morning,
which killed a sixteen-year-old girl and wounded six others.
"Let
us pray together for the wounded, some very seriously, and especially
for young Melissa, an innocent victim of brutal violence and for her
family, who are suffering", he said.
The Holy
Father then turned his attention to the earthquake which struck the
Italian region of Emilia Romagna early this morning leaving seven
dead, around fifty injured and more than 4,000 people homeless. "I
am spiritually close to those who are suffering from this calamity.
We implore God's mercy for those who are dead and relief from
suffering for the wounded".
The Pope
also mentioned the World Day of Social Communications, which is being
celebrated today on the theme of "Silence and Word: Path of
Evangelisation". He said: "Silence is an integral part of
communication, it is a privileged place of encounter with the Word of
God and our brothers and sisters. I invite everyone to pray that
communications, in all its forms, may always serve to establish a
genuine dialogue with others, founded on mutual respect, listening
and sharing".
Benedict
XVI went on: "Thursday 24 May is a day dedicated to the
liturgical memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians,
venerated with great devotion at the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai.
We join in prayer with all Catholics who are in China, that they may
announce with humility and joy the Risen Christ, remain faithful to
His Church and the Successor of Peter, and live their daily lives in
a manner consistent with the faith we profess. May Mary, Virgin most
faithful, support the path of Chinese Catholics, render their prayer
ever more intense and precious in the eyes of the Lord, and advance
the affection and the participation of the universal Church in the
journey of the Church in China".
The Pope
also had greetings for members of the Italian Movement for Life who
are meeting today in the Paul VI Hall. "Your movement", he
told them, "has always been committed to defending human life
according to the teachings of the Church. In this context you have
announced a new initiative entitled "One of us," to uphold
the dignity and rights of every human being from conception. I
encourage and urge you always to be witnesses and builders of a
culture of life".
THERE
CAN BE NO JUSTICE TODAY WITHOUT SOLIDARITY
Vatican
City, 19 May 2010 (VIS) - "'Solidarity is first and foremost a
sense of responsibility on the part of everyone with regard to
everyone, and it cannot therefore be merely delegated to the State.
While in the past it was possible to argue that justice had to come
first and gratuitousness could follow afterwards, as a complement,
today it is clear that without gratuitousness, there can be no
justice in the first place'. Gratuitousness cannot be bought on the
market, or established by law. Nonetheless, both economics and
politics need gratuitousness and individuals who are open to
reciprocal giving". With these words, taken from his Encyclical
"Caritas in veritate", Benedict XVI addressed more than
8,000 members of three Catholic associations whom he received this
morning in the Paul VI Hall.
The
associations present were the Federation of Christian Organisations
for International Volunteer Service (FOCSIV) which brings together
sixty-five Italian groups; the Ecclesial Movement for Cultural
Commitment which operates in the world of Italian culture, and the
Christian Workers Movement, a social organisation dedicated to
solidarity and volunteer work which promotes Christian principles in
life, culture and legislation.
"Culture,
volunteering and work are three inseparable elements of the daily
commitment of Catholic lay people", said the Pope in his
address. "The lay faithful become involved when they touch one
or more of these aspects and, through cultural service, solidarity
with those in need and work, strive to promote human dignity. These
three aspects are linked by a common denominator: the giving of self.
... Your activity must be animated by charity. This means learning to
see with the eyes of Christ and giving others much more than what is
externally necessary; giving them ... the gesture of love they need.
This arises from the love that comes from God, Who first loved us; it
arises from intimate contact with Him".
The
activity of Catholic volunteers bears witness to "the logic of
giving", the Holy Father explained, "the giving of one's
time, abilities, knowledge, and professionalism; in a word, attention
to others without expecting a return in this world. By doing so, not
only do people do good for others, but they also discover profound
happiness, according the the logic of Christ Who gave all of
Himself".
Our first
experience of this gratuitous love is in the family and, when this
does not happen, the family enters into crisis. "Everything we
experience in the family, the unreserved giving of self for the good
of others, is a fundamental educational experience for us to live as
Christians in our relationship with culture, volunteering and work",
Benedict XVI said.
At this
point in his address he referred to his Encyclical "Caritas in
veritate" in which he argues for an extension of the family
model of gratuitousness to a universal dimension, because "justice
alone is insufficient. In order for there to be true justice we need
that 'extra' which only gratuitousness and solidarity can bring".
Concluding
his remarks, the Holy Father encouraged the volunteers "to
continue in their commitment towards their brother and sisters. Part
of this is the task of highlighting injustices and bearing witness to
the values which underpin human dignity, promoting forms of
solidarity which favour the common good".
PUBLICATION
OF RESERVED HOLY SEE AND PAPAL DOCUMENTS IS CRIMINAL
Vatican
City, 19 May 2010 (VIS) - "The fresh publication of Holy See
documents and of private documents of the Holy Father no longer
appears as a questionable - though obviously defamatory -
journalistic initiative, but clearly assumes the characteristics of a
criminal act", reads a communique released today by the Holy See
Press Office.
"The
Holy Father and a number of his collaborators, as well as the senders
of messages addressed to him, have had their individual rights to
privacy and freedom of correspondence violated.
"The
Holy See will continue to investigate the various aspects of these
violations of the privacy and dignity of the Holy Father - both as an
individual an as the supreme authority of the Church and of Vatican
City State - and will take the steps necessary to ensure that those
responsible for the theft, handling and release of secret
information, and the commercial use of private documentation,
illegitimately acquired and held, answer to justice for their acts.
To this end it will, if necessary, request international
collaboration".
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 19 May 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Fifteen
prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Eastern
Rite), on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop
Nicholas James Samra of Newton of the Greek-Melkites.
- Bishop
Barnaba Yousif Habash of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark of the
Syrians.
- Bishop
Mikael Mouradian of Our Lady of Nareg in New York of the Armenians.
- Bishop
John Michael Botean of St. George's in Canton of the Romanians.
- Bishop
Gregory John Mansour of Saint Maron of Brooklyn of the Maronites.
- Bishop
Bishop Paul Patrick Chomnycky, O.S.B.M. of Stamford of the
Ukrainians.
- Bishop
Ibrahim Namo Ibrahim of Saint Thomas the Apostle of Detroit of the
Chaldeans.
-
Archbishop William Charles Skurla of Pittsburgh of the Byzantines
- Bishop
Richard Stephen Seminack of Saint Nicholas of Chicago of the
Ukrainians.
- Bishop
Gerald Nicholas Dino of Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic
Eparchy of Phoenix.
- Bishop
John M. Kudrick of Parma of the Ruthenians.
-
Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia of the Ukrainians,
accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop John Bura, apostolic administrator
"sede vacante" of Saint Josephat in Parma of the
Ruthenians.
- Bishop
Sarhad Yawsip Jammo of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego of the
Chaldeans.
- Fr.
Edward G. Cimbala, apostolic administrator of Passiac of the
Ruthenians.
-
Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for
Bishops.
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 21 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
-
Appointed Archbishop Alessandro D'Errico, apostolic nuncio to Bosnia
and Herzegovina and to Montenegro, also as apostolic nuncio to
Croatia.
- Removed
Bishop Francesco Micciche from the pastoral care of the diocese of
Trapani, Italy, and appointed Archbishop emeritus Alessandro Plotti
of Pisa, Italy, as apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae
Sedis" of that diocese.
On
Saturday 19 May it was made public that he:
-
Appointed Fr. Zeferino Zeca Martins S.V.D., provincial superior of
the Divine Word Missionaries and professor of law at the Catholic
University of Luanda, Angola, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of
Luanda (area 342, population 3,486,000, Catholics 2,573,000, priests
120, religious 517). The bishop-elect was born in Cacolo, Angola in
1966 and ordained a priest in 1995. He studied in Angola and in Spain
and has worked in pastoral care in Madrid and as rector of the
central house of his congregation in Angola.
-
Appointed Bishop Benedito Roberto C.S.Sp. of Sumbe, Angola, as
archbishop of Malanje (area 107,000, population 1,187,000, Catholics
543,000, priests 36, religious 186), Angola. He succeeds Archbishop
Luis Maria Perez de Onraita Aguirre, whose resignation from the
pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon
having reached the age limit.
You
can find more information at: www.visnews.org
The
news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used,
in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S.
-Vatican Information Service.
Copyright
© Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City
No comments:
Post a Comment