Tuesday, September 27, 2005

News From the Vatican Information Services 09/24-26/2005




The following is news from V.I.S., the Vatican Information Services, for 09/24-26/2005 , reproduced by permission from V.I.S.

SUMMARY: SEPTEMBER 24 - 26

- Calendar Liturgical Celebrations for October-December
- Solidarity and Promotion of the Common Good
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Eucharist Increases Love for God and Service to Others
- Generosity towards Victims of Natural Disasters
- In Brief
- Audiences
___________________________________________________________
CALENDAR LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER

VATICAN CITY, SEP 24, 2005 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff made public today the calendar of celebrations to be presided over by the Holy Father from October to December 2005:

OCTOBER

- Sunday, 2: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 9.30 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, opening of the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

- Saturday, 15: At 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Square, meeting and moment of prayer with children receiving First Communion.

- Sunday, 23: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, conclusion of the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and conclusion of the Year of the Eucharist. World Mission Day. Canonization of Blesseds Jozef Bilczewski, Gaetano Catanoso, Zygmunt Gorazdowski, Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga, and Felice da Nicosia.

RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER

- Sunday, 9: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, beatification of Servant of God Cardinal Clemens August von Galen.

- Saturday, 29: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, beatification of Servants of God Josep Tapies and six companions martyrs, and Maria de los Angeles Ginard Marti.

NOVEMBER

- Friday, 11: At 11.30 a.m. at the altar of the Cathedra in the Vatican Basilica, Mass for the repose of the souls of cardinals and bishops who died during the course of year.

- Saturday, 26: At 5 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, first vespers.

RITES OF BEATIFICATION APPROVED BY THE HOLY FATHER

- Sunday, 6: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 4 p.m. in the Cathedral of Vincenza, Italy, beatification of Servant of God Eurosia Fabris.

- Sunday, 13: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. At 10 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, beatification of Servants of God Charles de Foucauld, Maria Pia Mastena, and Maria Crocifissa Curcio.

- Sunday, 20: 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Solemnity of Christ the King. In the Cathedral of Guadalajara, Mexico, beatification of Servants of God Anacleto Gonzalez Flores and seven companions, Jose Trinidad Rangel, Andres Sola Molist, Leonardo Perez, Dario Acosta Zurita, and Jose Sanchez del Rio.

DECEMBER

- Thursday, 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 10 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, Mass for the 40th anniversary of the closing of Vatican Council II. At 4 p.m. in Rome's Piazza di Spagna, homage to Mary Immaculate.

- Sunday, 18: 4th Sunday of Advent. Pastoral visit to a Roman parish.

- Saturday, 24: Vigil of the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. Midnight Mass in the Vatican Basilica.

- Sunday, 25: Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord. At midday from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica, "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

- Saturday, 31: At 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, first vespers of thanksgiving for the past year.

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SOLIDARITY AND PROMOTION OF THE COMMON GOOD

VATICAN CITY, SEP 24, 2005 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, participated yesterday in the general debate of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, being held in New York.

Speaking in English, Archbishop Migliore indicated that, although the Holy See approves much of what is proposed in the summit's final document, "the lack of consensus on arms control and non-proliferation issues is regrettable."

He also stressed that "the Holy See understands the references to both the Cairo and Beijing International Conferences and to reproductive health ... in the sense that it set out in its reservations and statements of interpretation at those Conferences, that is, as applying to a holistic concept of health that does not consider abortion or access to abortion as a dimension of those terms."

We are living, he said, "in an interdependent but fragile society and, in many places, peoples' best interests are not served well. I should like to mention here but three specific areas of ethical challenge in this regard: solidarity with the poor; the promotion of the common good; and a sustainable environment."

On the subject of human rights and cultural diversity, the permanent observer pointed out that "international law and its institutions are vital for the application and enforcement of human rights. Likewise, we should not lose sight of the importance that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights attaches to the incorporation of its principles into national law, and to education in fostering a rights-respecting culture."

"The reference to duties in the Universal Declaration reminds us that rights usually entail responsibilities; and that if we expect our own rights to be respected, we must respect the rights of others. ... A greater sense of universal human duties would benefit the cause of peace, because awareness of our mutual responsibility acknowledges duties as essential to a social order which does not depend upon the will or power of any individual or group."

In closing, Archbishop Migliore turned to the question of religions, cultures and civilizations, affirming that "The Holy See supports the initiatives in the field of inter-faith cooperation and dialogue between civilizations especially where ... they form consciences, foster common moral values, and promote inter-cultural understanding and proactive commitments."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 24, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Juan-Antonio Reig Pla of Segorbe - Castellon de la Plana, Spain, as bishop of Caragena (area 11,319, population 1,226,993, Catholics 1,127,469, priests 488, religious 1,046), Spain.

- Approved as "audiutores Secretarii specialis" (or experts) for the forthcoming Eleventh General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the following individuals appointed by the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops:

- Mauro Agosto, professor of Latin at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.

- Fr. Benezet Bujo, professor in the department of moral and ethical theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

- Fr. Nicola Bux, vice president of the St. Nicholas Institute of Ecumenical Theology, Bari, Italy.

- Msgr. Mariano Crociata, vicar general of Mazara del Vallo, and professor of fundamental theology at the Faculty of Theology of Sicily, Palermo, Italy.

- Msgr. Joseph Dinh Duc Dao, professor of missionary studies at the Pontifical Urban University, and vice director of the International Center of Missionary Animation (C.I.A.M.), Rome.

- Fr. Juan Javier Flores Arcas, O.S.B., president of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute, faculty of liturgy of the St. Anselm Pontifical Athenaeum, Rome.

- Fr. Ivan Fucek, S.J., theologian of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Rome.

- Roberto Fusco, official of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Vatican City.

- Fr. Cesare Giraudo, S.J., professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome.

- Fr. Manuel Gonzalez, professor of anthropological theology at the Faculty of Theology of Mexico.

- Fr. Stephan Haering, O.S.B., monk of the abbey of Metten and professor of canon law at the University of Munich, Germany.

- Fr. Joannes Leonardus Hermans, professor at the seminary of Roermond and Haarlem, Netherlands.

- Fr. Juvenal Ilunga Muya, professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome.

- Fr. David Maria A. Jaeger, O.F.M., professor of canon law at the at the Antonianum Pontifical Athenaeum, Rome.

- Fr. Michael Kunzler, professor of liturgy at the "Theologische Fakultat," Paderborn, Germany, and member of the liturgical commission of the German Episcopal Conference.

- Msgr. Ermenegildo Manicardi, dean of the Faculty of Theology of Emilia Romagna, Bologna, and rector of the "Almo Collegio Capranica," Rome.

- Fr. Paolo Martinelli, O.F.M. Cap., president of the Franciscan institute of spirituality at the Antonianum Pontifical Athenaeum, and professor of dogmatic and spiritual theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

- Fr. Alain Mattheeuws, S.J., professor of theology at the "Institut d'Etudes Theologiques," Belgium.

- Fr. Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology at the "Regina Apostolorum" Pontifical Athenaeum, Rome.

- Msgr. Antonio Miralles, professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome.

- Fr. Francis Moloney, S.D.B., of the department of biblical studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, U.S.A.

- Fr. Roberto Nardin, O.S.B. Oliv., professor at the faculty of theology of the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.

- Fr. Godfrey I. Onah, professor of theology at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome.

- Msgr. Gabriel Richi y Alberti, professor of theology at the St. Damasus Faculty of Theology, Madrid, Spain, and director of the International Study and Research Center (DASTS), Venice, Italy.

- Fr. Fidelis Ruppert, O.S.B., abbot of Munsterschwarzach, Germany.

- Fr. Ivan Sasko, professor of liturgy at the faculty of Catholic theology of the University of Zagreb, Croatia.

- Thomas Soeding, professor of biblical theology at the "Bergische Universitat," Wuppertal, Germany.

- Fr. Antonio Stagliano, professor of systematic theology at the St. Pius X Theological Institute, Catanzaro, Italy.

- Msgr. Waldemar Turek of the Secretariat of State, Vatican City.

- Fr. Cyril Vasil, S.J., dean of the faculty of eastern canon law, and vice rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome.

- Msgr. Timothy Verdon, professor of sacred art at the Faculty of Theology of Central Italy, Florence, Italy.

- Fr. Boutros Yousif, professor of patrology and oriental liturgy at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome.

- Approved as "auditores" (auditors) for the forthcoming Eleventh General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the following individuals appointed by the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops:

- Carl Albert Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Order of the Knights of Columbus, U.S.A.

- Sr. Rita Burley, A.C.I., superior general of the Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, United Kingdom.

- Leonardo Casco, president of the "Alianza para la Familia," Honduras.

- Martha Lorena Casco, president of the "Comite por la Vida," Honduras.

- Sr. Maria Regina Cesarato, superior general of the Sisters, Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, Italy.

- Yvonne Coly, educator at the "Mater Christi" center, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

- Moyses Lauro De Azevedo Filho, founder and moderator general of the Shalom Catholic community, Brazil.

- Msgr. Peter John Elliott, director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family in Melbourne, and member of the International Council for Catechesis, Australia.

- Luis Fernando Figari, founder of "Sodalitium Vitae Christianae", Peru.

- Francisco Jose Gomez Arguello Wirtz, co-founder of the Neo-Catechumenal Way, Spain.

- Fr. Ignacio Gramsch Labra, parish vicar of San Luis Beltran de Pudahuel in Santiago de Chile; archdiocesan assessor for the pastoral care of acolytes, Chile.

- Br. Marc Hayet, general director of the Little Brothers of Jesus, France.

- Alexei V. Judin, professor of Church history and of inter-faith dialogue in the Russian Federation, Russian State University for the Humanities, St. Thomas College, Moscow, Russia.

- Sr. Hermenegild Makoro, C.P.S., Missionary Sister of the Most Precious Blood, animator of the Christian community in Mthatha, South Africa.

- Marie-Helene Mathieu, international coordinator of the "Foi Et Lumiere" movement, France.

- Zbigniew Nosowski, director of the Catholic monthly "Wiez" of Warsaw, member of the national council of lay people, Poland.

- Sr. Elvira Petrozzi, founder of the "Community of the Cenacle," Italy.

- Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, Italy.

- Fr. Paul Rouhana, member of the central commission and of the secretariat general of the Patriarchal Maronite Synod, Lebanon.

- Fr. Athanasius Schneider. O.R.S., secretary of the liturgical commission of the Episcopal Conference of Kazakhstan.

- Sr. Renu Rita Silvano, member of the executive committee of the International Catholic Biblical Federation, director of the Catholic Bible Institute of Bombay, India.

- Henrietta Tambunting ee Villa, former ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Philippines.

- Sr. Vittoria Tomarelli, A.S.C., of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Rome.

- Bruna Tomasi, member of the executive board of the Focolari Movement, Italy.

- Gioacchino Toscano, secretary general of the Confraternities of Italian Dioceses, Italy.

- Sr. Margaret Wong, F.D.C.C., of the Canossian Sisters of Charity, promoter of centers of Eucharistic adoration, Hong Kong, China.

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EUCHARIST INCREASES LOVE FOR GOD AND SERVICE TO OTHERS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2005 (VIS) - In this his last Sunday at Castelgandolfo before returning to the Vatican later this week, the Holy Father continued his reflections on the Eucharistic mystery, highlighting the link between the Eucharist and charity.

Addressing pilgrims who had gathered to pray the Angelus in the internal courtyard of the pontifical residence of Castelgandolfo, the Pope pointed out that charity "does not primarily mean the beneficial act or sentiment, but the spiritual gift, the love of God that the Holy Spirit pours into the human heart, moving it to give itself in turn to God and to others."

After affirming that "Jesus' entire earthly existence, from conception to death on the cross, was a single act of love, to the point that we can sum up our faith in these words: 'Jesus Caritas,' Jesus Love," Benedict XVI recalled how during the Last Supper, the Lord entrusted the disciples with "His precious legacy, the Eucharist."

"In the Eucharist the Lord gives Himself to us with His body, His soul and His divinity, and we become one with Him and among ourselves. Our response to His love must, therefore, be a concrete response; it must be expressed in a true conversion to love, in forgiveness, in mutual acceptance and in attention to everyone's needs. Many and varied are the forms of service we can offer others in everyday life. The Eucharist thus becomes the source of spiritual energy that renews the world in the love of Christ."

The Pope presented the example of the saints "who from the Eucharist drew the strength for active and not infrequently heroic charity. My thoughts go to St. Vincent de Paul ... who used to affirm: 'What joy to serve the person of Christ in His poor limbs!' I think of Blessed Mother Teresa, founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity, who in the poorest of the poor loved Christ, received and contemplated each day in the consecrated Host."

"Before and more than all the saints, divine love filled the heart of the Virgin Mary. ... Let us pray that all Christians, nourishing themselves in the Body and Blood of the Lord, grow ever more in love for God and in generous service to their brothers and sisters."

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GENEROSITY TOWARDS VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2005 (VIS) - At midday today, following the Angelus, Benedict XVI greeted pilgrims in various languages then addressed them briefly on a number of subjects.

The Pope spoke first of the forthcoming celebration of World Tourism Day, describing it as "a social phenomenon of great importance in the world today." He went on: "I again express the hope that tourism always be accompanied by respect for people and cultures, and that it may favor dialogue and understanding." He also recalled that Thursday, September 29, is World Maritime Day, greeting and giving assurances of his prayers to all those who work at sea.

The Pope then addressed some words to English-speaking pilgrims. "Our thoughts go especially to those who are affected by the natural disasters in the United States and other parts of the world. I invite you to join me in prayer to the Lord for all who suffer, for the victims and their loved ones, and for the rescue workers."

Benedict then called on Spanish-speaking faithful to help those afflicted by natural disasters "collaborating effectively, with a generous spirit and Christian charity, to mitigate pain and overcome adversity."

The Pope concluded by greeting participants in an international meeting of Benedictine Oblates. "With the example and the intercession of St. Benedict, may you always be able to experience a profound friendship with Christ, and bear witness of it to everyone."

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IN BRIEF

ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL L. FITZGERALD M. Afr., president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, on the afternoon of Sunday, September 25, inaugurated "Nostra Aetate Today," an international congress being held in the Pontifical Gregorian University to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Vatican Council II declaration on inter-religious relations. Over the three days of the congress, attention will be given to the question of Jewish-Christian relations, of Christian relations with the religious traditions of Asia, and of Muslim-Christian relations. Round table discussions will analyze progress made since the promulgation of "Nostra Aetate," and seek to propose future objectives.

THE CONGREGATION FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE has organized a symposium to mark the 40th anniversary of the Vatican Council II decree "Perfectae caritatis." The aim of the gathering, being held in the Vatican's Synod Hall from September 26 - 27, is to consider developments in consecrated life over the last four decades, and to analyze the challenges of the current situation.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 26, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences nine prelates from the Conference of the Mexican Episcopate, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Felipe Aguirre Franco of Acapulco, apostolic administrator of Chilpancingo-Chilapa, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Juan Navarro Castellanos.

- Bishop Salvador Flores Huerta of Ciudad Lazaro Cardenas.

- Bishop Alejo Zavala Castro of Tlapa.

- Archbishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello of Antequera, Oaxaca.

- Bishop Hermenegildo Ramirez Sanchez M.J., prelate of Huautla.

- Bishop Luis Felipe Gallardo Martin del Campo S.D.B., prelate of Mixes.

- Bishop Eduardo Cirilo Carmona Ortega of Puerto Escondido.

- Bishop Rogelio Cabrera Lopez of Tuxtla Gutierrez.

On Saturday, September 24, he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini S.J., archbishop emeritus of Milan, Italy.

- Three prelates from the Conference of the Mexican Episcopate, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Emilio Carlos Berlie Belaunzaran of Yucatan, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Ramon Castro Castro and Jose Rafael Palma Capetillo.

- Goyal Praveen Lal, ambassador of India, on his farewell visit.

- Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

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V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Friday, September 23, 2005

News From The Vatican Information Services 09/23/2005



The following is news from V.I.S., the Vatican Information Services, for 09/23/2005 , reproduced by permission from V.I.S.

SUMMARY:

- Christian Message Reinforces Basics of Coexistence

- To Mexican Bishops: Plan Pastoral Care with Enthusiasm

- Archbishop Migliore: Nuclear Deterrence Is Untenable

- Audiences
___________________________________________________________
CHRISTIAN MESSAGE REINFORCES BASICS OF COEXISTENCE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2005 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the Letters of Credence of Luis Felipe Bravo Mena, the new ambassador of Mexico to the Holy See. In greeting the diplomat, the Pope recalled that "since 1992, when diplomatic relations were established between Mexico and the Holy See, notable progress has been made, in a climate of mutual respect and collaboration that has benefited both parties. This encourages us to continue working, each with their own autonomy and respective competencies, bearing in mind the main objective: the integral promotion of people, who are children of the nation and, the great majority of them, children of the Catholic Church.

"In this sense," the Pope went on, "a democratic lay State is what safeguards the religious practices of its citizens, without preference or denial. In fact, the Church believes that in modern democratic societies full religious freedom can and must exist. In a lay State, it is the citizens who, in exercising their freedom, give a particular religious meaning to social life. Furthermore, a modern State must serve and protect the freedom of its citizens and the religious practices they chose, without restriction or coercion."

"Faced with growing laicism that seeks to reduce the religious life of citizens to the private sphere, with no social or public expression, the Church knows very well that the Christian message reinforces and illuminates the basic principles of all coexistence." In this context, the Pope pointed out how the institution of the family "needs special support, because in Mexico, as in other countries, its vitality and fundamental role are declining, not only because of cultural changes, but also because of the phenomenon of emigration, which brings serious difficulties of various kinds, especially for women, children and young people."

Going on to mention the problem of drug trafficking, Benedict XVI recognized "the continuous efforts made up to now by the State and by various social organizations" to combat it. "It must not be forgotten that one of the roots of the problem is great economic inequality, which prevents the just development of a large part of the population. ... It is urgent for everyone to unite their efforts to eradicate this evil through the spread of authentic human values and the construction of a real culture of life. The Church offers her full collaboration in this field."

The Pope also considered the question of the indigenous people of the country, "who for centuries have struggled to uphold their ancestral values and traditions." He recalled John Paul II's words on his trip to Mexico in 2002 to canonize the indigenous St. Juan Diego: "Mexico needs its indigenous peoples and these peoples need Mexico!"

He added: "In fact, today more than ever it is necessary to favor their integration, while respecting their customs and their ways of organizing their communities; this enables them to develop their own culture and to open themselves, without losing their identity, to the challenges of a globalized world."

Benedict XVI concluded his address by speaking of the forthcoming elections in 2006, "which represent an opportunity and a challenge to consolidate the significant progress made in democratizing the country. It is to be hoped that the electoral process contributes to a continued strengthening of the democratic order, firmly orienting it towards policies inspired by the common good and by the integral promotion of all citizens, with special care for the weakest and most unprotected. Mexican bishops referred to this in their message before the start of the electoral process. The title of that message, 'Strengthen democracy by rebuilding civic trust,' well indicates the needs of the present time."

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TO MEXICAN BISHOPS: PLAN PASTORAL CARE WITH ENTHUSIASM

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2005 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received prelates from the Mexican metropolitan sees of Jalapa, Mexico, Puebla and Tlalnepantla, and from their suffragan dioceses, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope affirmed that the central region of Mexico "is the area where the ancient indigenous people settled, and where the Church's missionary activity began, later extending to the other areas." After highlighting that "multiple cultures and traditions" coexist in the cities, he also indicated how life there is complicated "for the various social classes to whom diocesan pastoral activity must be directed without discrimination, giving priority to those who find themselves in situations of great poverty, solitude and marginalization."

"All these social groups," he continued, "present a continuous challenge for pastoral care, which must also be planned to accommodate those brothers and sisters who, in ever greater numbers, emigrate from the country to the city in search of a more dignified life."

Benedict XVI said that bishops' pastoral ministry "must be directed to everyone, both to the faithful who participate actively in the life of the diocesan community, and to people who have distanced themselves and are searching for the meaning of their own lives." On this matter, he encouraged the prelates to "propose the Word of God" in "a form and a language appropriate to our time."

"In modern society, which shows such visible signs of secularism, we must not fall prey to discouragement, or to a lack of enthusiasm in our pastoral projects. Remember that the Spirit will give you the strength necessary. Trust in Him Who is 'the Lord and Giver of life'."

The Pope called on the bishops to dedicate their "greatest attention and energy to priests," encouraging them to remain close to each of their pastors, maintaining relationships of "priestly friendship with them in the manner of the Good Shepherd." He continued: "Help them to be men of assiduous prayer, both in contemplative silence ... and in the devout daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours. ... A priest's prayer is a requirement of his pastoral ministry."

He added: "Concern yourselves with the particular situation of each priest, encouraging them to proceed with joy and hope along the road of priestly sanctity, offering them the help they need and fomenting fraternity among them. May none of them lack the means necessary to live their sublime vocation and ministry. Take also particular care over the formation of seminarians and enthusiastically promote vocational pastoral care."

The Holy Father affirmed that "faced with a changing and complex panorama such as the present one," they should not lose hope. "The planning and implementation of pastoral programs must reflect ... trust in the loving presence of God in the world. This will help lay Catholics to face growing secularism and to participate responsibly in temporal affairs, illuminated by the Church's Social Doctrine."

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ARCHBISHOP MIGLIORE: NUCLEAR DETERRENCE IS UNTENABLE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2005 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, yesterday participated in a conference on "Facilitating the Entry-into-Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)." The conference is being held in New York from September 21 to 23.

Speaking in English, the Archbishop began his address by pointing out how, at the last CTBT meeting in 2003, "168 States had signed and 104 States had ratified the treaty. Today ... 176 States have signed and 125 have ratified. It is clear that the treaty is growing in impact. The growth of the CTBT shows that the great majority of States wants to move toward a nuclear weapons-free world."

He continued: "The goal of the CTBT - to put an end forever to the testing of nuclear weapons - should be the aim of every State. ... Yet the movement to CTBT entry-into-force is impeded by the lack of universality. The Holy See adds its voice in appealing to the States whose ratification is necessary for the entry-into-force of the treaty."

After mentioning that next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the CTBT, the permanent observer recalled how the 2003 conference had reaffirmed the importance of implementing the treaty in order to favor systematic efforts toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. "However, the persisting blockage impedes progress of the world community."

"Nuclear deterrence, as an ongoing reality after the Cold War, becomes more and more untenable even if it were in the name of collective security. Indeed, it is threatening the existence of peoples in several parts of the world and it may end up being used as a convenient pretext in building up nuclear capacity."

The response to these "growing dangers," he said, is to increase "our resolve to build a body of international law to sustain a nuclear weapons-free world. The CTBT, once in effect, would be a pillar of international law."
He concluded: "Courage and vision are required to move forward. Although the century opened with a burst of global terrorism, this threat must not be allowed to dilute the precepts of international humanitarian law, which is founded on the key principles of limitation and proportionality."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Mohamed Sbihi, ambassador of Morocco, on his farewell visit.

- Five prelates from the Conference of the Mexican Episcopate, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Onesimo Cepeda Silva of Ecatepec.

- Bishop Carlos Garfias Merlos of Netzahualcoyotl.

- Bishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of Texcoco, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Juan Manuel Mancilla Sanchez.

- Msgr. Ramon Martinez Flores, diocesan administrator of Tehuacan.

This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience employees of the pontifical villas at Castelgandolfo, accompanied by members of their families.

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V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City
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