News From Vatican Information Services 03/09/2006

SUMMARY:

- Rural World and Its Values Not of Secondary Importance
- Meeting of Ecclesial Movements in Latin America

___________________________________________________________

RURAL WORLD AND ITS VALUES NOT OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 2006 (VIS) - On March 7, Archbishop Janusz Bolonek, apostolic nuncio to Uruguay, addressed the International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and being held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from March 7 to 10.

The themes of the Conference, said the nuncio in his address, "are of vital importance to the human family and, as such, they also appeal directly to the Catholic Church which ... feels called to support the cause of human beings in all circumstances."

The program of the current meeting, the archbishop went on, highlights "a need to give fresh impulse to international solidarity in order to face the challenge presented by the development of peoples, and ... a specific compromise in favor of the growth of the rural world in order to guarantee humanity effective food security." The nuncio also underlined the urgent need "to avoid the danger of the rural world being considered of secondary importance, or even forgotten altogether, which would be detrimental to those fruitful elements of social, economic and spiritual order that characterize it."

"The FAO's idea of once again associating agrarian reform with rural development shows that, despite various initiatives carried out in many countries and incessant appeals for collaboration launched by international institutions, millions of people continue to await results. ... It must be recognized that one of the limits on policies and interventions in support of the rural world is the lack of reference to traditional structures, to moral values, ... and to the capacity for autonomous action on the part of individuals and communities."

Archbishop Bolonek continued: "Because they often live in situations of poverty and exploitation, with limited access to markets, ... and no support for their fundamental rights and needs, landless peasants and small-holders must be the primary recipients of cooperation programs ... that are able to guarantee real development."

The nuncio recalled this generation's responsibilities in another fundamental aspect affecting the future of rural areas: "conservation and protection" of nature and respect for the "mutual balance" of its various ecosystems.

"The worldwide scope of agricultural activity, the use of modern technology and constant progress in research encourage us to hope ... in the rapid and imminent growth of the production and rate of human development. These elements must be evaluated positively," Archbishop Bolonek concluded, "on the condition that they are seen as being an extension of the creation, something given to the human family and not factors to disturb the natural order."
DELSS/RURAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE/BOLONEK VIS 060309 (440)

MEETING OF ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS IN LATIN AMERICA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 2006 (VIS) - The first meeting of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in Latin America is being held in Bogota, Colombia from March 9 to 12. The theme of the meeting is: "Disciples and missionaries today."

Promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), the event aims to reflect upon the experience of ecclesial movements and new communities in the formation of lay people at the service of the evangelization of culture and social solidarity.

Representatives from more than 40 movements and new communities in Latin America are due to attend, as are the bishops with responsibility for movements and new communities from the 22 Latin American episcopal conferences.

The meeting will end on the afternoon of March 12 with a Eucharistic celebration which all members of movements and new communities in Bogota are invited to attend.

The conclusions of this meeting will be used in preparation for the fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, called by the Holy Father Benedict XVI for May 2007 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Apparition in Brazil, on the theme: "Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ, that our Peoples May Have Life in Him - 'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life'."
.../ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS/BOGOTA VIS 060309 (230)

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

News From Vatican Information Services 03/08/2006

SUMMARY:

- Preparation for the Second African Synod
- Exhibition to Commemorate 500 Years of the Swiss Guard

___________________________________________________________

PREPARATION FOR THE SECOND AFRICAN SYNOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2006 (VIS) - The Special Council for Africa of the Synod of Bishops met in Rome on February 23 and 24 in order to prepare the second synodal assembly for that continent, which was called by John Paul II and confirmed by Benedict XVI.

According to a communique made public today, the meeting was attended by Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, two cardinals and seven archbishops and bishops.

During the meeting, the members discussed the preparation of the "Lineamenta," the preparatory document of the Synod, indicating that it needed to be "easy to understand and capable of favoring debate and reflection, especially on the themes of reconciliation, justice and peace in the context of a renewed evangelizing effort on the great African continent."

The members of the special council also discussed the second part of the "Lineamenta" which will be formed, as is traditionally the case, by a questionnaire, "of great importance in ensuring active participation at all levels in the local Churches of the continent and its islands."

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on February 15 and 16, 2007.
SE/SYNOD BISHOPS AFRICA/ETEROVIC VIS 060308 (200)

EXHIBITION TO COMMEMORATE 500 YEARS OF THE SWISS GUARD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2006 (VIS) - "The Pontifical Swiss Guard, 500 years of history, art and life" is the title of an exhibition due to be inaugurated on March 29 in the Charlemagne Wing at the left colonnade of St. Peter's Square. It will commemorate the five centuries of life of the world's oldest active military force.

The exhibition will present, together for the first time, a series of documents and objects from other museums and institutions reconstructing the history of the corps founded by Julius II. In 1505, that pontiff sent a Bull to the Swiss Confederation communicating the fact that he had entrusted the prelate of the papal court Peter von Hertenstein to recruit 200 Swiss soldiers and lead them to Rome to guard the person of the Pope and the pontifical palaces. The Bull itself forms part of the exhibition, as do the flags that the Holy Father gave to Switzerland in gratitude for the arrival of the soldiers. They, after crossing the Alps, reached Rome on January 22, 1506 and marched to St. Peter's Square where they were solemnly blessed by the Pope.

Other objects of great historical and artistic value include the helmet and breastplate of Emperor Charles V, a sword with the motto of Julius II, and a large number of miniatures representing the most important moments in the life of the Swiss Guard during their service to the Successors of Peter. These depictions include the "Feast on the Capitol for the 'Possesso' of Alexander VII" by Piranesi, "Bernini's machine for the Forty Hours in the Vatican," and "Pius IX in the 'sedia gestatoria'."

One of the most dramatic incidents in the history of the Swiss Guard and of the city of Rome is the famous "Sack of Rome," organized by the troops of Emperor Charles V to "punish" the people of the city and Pope Clement VII. The Pope saved himself by taking refuge in Castel Sant'Angelo, but 147 Swiss Guards perished while defending him. The exhibition recalls this episode with the work "The defense of the Swiss during the Sack of Rome," painted by Giuseppe Rivaroli in 1927. The painting is interesting for its historical "errors," such as the fact that the Swiss Guards are represented wearing their modern uniforms, designed in 1915, and not those in use in 1527.

The numismatic section of the exhibition includes two extraordinary commemorative medals by Benvenuto Cellini: one produced to commemorate the Peace of Cambrai, and the golden medal of Clement VII with "Ecce Homo."

The exhibition also includes a series of portraits, including that of Clement VII by Sebastiano del Piombo, property of the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna, Austria. Also in this section is the triptych kept by the Pope in his private apartments and stolen during the Sack. The work, which is currently kept in the cathedral of Cagliari, Italy, is being returned to Rome for the first time in five centuries.

From the Swiss Guard's own armory and archives, and here displayed for the first time, are portraits of all the commanders of the Guard over the last 500 years, uniforms, and arms and equipment for the parade ground and the field, both ancient and modern. Of particular interest and beauty are the two-handed swords from 1584, used to accompany the pontiff on his "sedia gestatoria" and last adopted during the pontificate of Paul VI.

The exhibition, promoted by Command of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, is being held under the patronage of Bishop Mauro Piacenza, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church, and of various Swiss cultural institutions. It will be open from March 29 to July 30, 2006.
.../SWISS GUARD EXHIBITION/... VIS 060308 (630)

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Catholic