Pope Benedict XVI

Monday, June 19, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 06/17-19/2006

SUMMARY: JUNE 17 - 19

- Bread and the Word in Order to Transmit the Love of God
- Overcome Contrasts of Globalization
- Eucharist: Source of Love that Conquers Death
- Respect the Rights of Refugees
- Cardinal Caffarra to Take Possession of Titular Church
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

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BREAD AND THE WORD IN ORDER TO TRANSMIT THE LOVE OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today in the Hall of Blessings, the Pope received members of the Association of Sts. Peter and Paul, to whom he expressed his gratitude for their many years of service to Peter's Successor.

After stressing its "dedicated voluntary service to the Holy See," Benedict XVI recalled how the association is divided into three sections, liturgical charitable and cultural, "reflecting the three complementary aspects of the life and activity of ecclesial communities."

The Holy Father called on members of the association to ensure that "an intense life of prayer and assiduous participation in the liturgy continue to be your primary commitment, both as individuals and as an association. ... Only if we allow ourselves to be constantly formed by listening to the Word of God, and assiduously nourish ourselves on the Body and Blood of Christ, can we transmit to others the love of God, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit."

"You seek," he went on, "to be witnesses of this love for the poor in the 'Dono di Maria' shelter," which is near the Vatican and run by the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "and in the pediatric dispensary of 'Santa Marta'," within the Vatican, "as well as through social initiatives promoted in your own parishes. May charity animate all your activities."

The Pope concluded his address to the group by referring to the need "for adequate cultural formation in order to be able to mature in the faith. Evangelization today requires a responsible knowledge of modern cultural needs and a constant immersion in sound Catholic doctrine."
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OVERCOME CONTRASTS OF GLOBALIZATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2006 (VIS) - Late this morning, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration to journalists:

"This morning, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Jan Eliasson, president of the 60th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and foreign minister of Sweden.

"The central theme of the discussions was the process of globalization, of which some of the shortcomings - particularly due to the scant recognition of the religious dimension - were highlighted. Without the contribution of religious values, even human rights could lose consistency.

"Particular emphasis was laid upon the need to overcome contrasts and build bridges so that all aspects of globalization can come together for the common good and the peaceful coexistence of all peoples.

"Attention was also given to the contribution that the meeting between religions can make towards peace and solidarity among all inhabitants of the planet."
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EUCHARIST: SOURCE OF LOVE THAT CONQUERS DEATH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today, before praying the Angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI recalled that today, "in Italy and in other countries, marks the Solemnity of Corpus Christi."

Corpus Christi, the Pope explained, "is the solemn public feast of the Eucharist, Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, ... which on this day is shown to everyone, amid the fervor of faith and devotion of the ecclesial community.

"The Eucharist," he added, "constitutes the 'treasure' of the Church, the precious heritage that her Lord left her. ... But this treasure, which is intended for the baptized, does not limit its field of action to the environment of the Church. The Eucharist is the Lord Jesus Who gives Himself 'for the life of the world.' In all times and places, He wishes to encounter men and women and bring them the life of God."

"The Eucharist also has a cosmic significance," the Pope went on. "Indeed, the transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ constitutes the beginning of the divinization of creation itself. For this reason, the Feast of Corpus Christi is particularly characterized by the tradition of carrying the Most Holy Sacrament in procession: a gesture rich in significance.

"In carrying the Eucharist through the streets and squares," the Holy Father concluded, "we want to immerse the bread of heaven in our daily lives. ... On this feast day, Christians as a community proclaim that the Eucharist represents everything for them, it is their very life, the source of love that conquers death."
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RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2006 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today, the Pope recalled that Tuesday, June 20, marks World Refugee Day, an initiative promoted by the United Nations.

World Refugee Day, said the Holy Father, "seeks to draw the attention of the international community to the plight of so many people who are forced, because of grave forms of violence, to flee their own lands."

"These our brothers and sisters seek refuge in other countries, animated by the hope of returning to their own homeland or, at least, of finding hospitality in the places where they have sought shelter."

After giving assurances of his "recollection in prayer" and "the constant solicitude of the Holy See," Benedict XVI asked that "the rights of these people always be respected," and encouraged ecclesial communities "to respond to their needs."
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CARDINAL CAFFARRA TO TAKE POSSESSION OF TITULAR CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2006 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced today that at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, archbishop of Bologna, Italy, will take possession of the title of St. John the Baptist of the Florentines in Via Acciaoli 2, Rome.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Eight prelates from the Episcopal Conferences of Latvia and of Lithuania, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Janis Pujats, archbishop of Riga, Latvia.

- Bishop Antons Justs of Jelgava, Latvia.

- Bishop Vilhelms Lapelis O.P., of Liepaja, Latvia.

- Bishop Janis Bulis of Rezekne-Aglona, Latvia.

- Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius S.J., of Kaunas, Lithuania, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Jonas Ivanauskas.

- Bishop Eugenijus Bartulis of Siauliai, Lithuania.

- Bishop Jonas Boruta S.J., of Telsiai, Lithuania.

- Cardinal Gilberto Agustoni, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

On Sunday, June 18, he received in audience Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany.

On Saturday, June 17, he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Mark Benedict Coleridge, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia, as archbishop of Canberra (area 88,000, population 560,000, Catholics 159,000, priests 120, religious 218), Australia. The archbishop-elect was born in Melbourne in 1948, he was ordained a priest in 1974 and consecrated a bishop in 2002. He succeeds Archbishop Francis Patrick Carroll, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

On Saturday, June 17, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Carlos Enrique Garcia Camader, auxiliary of Lima, Peru, as bishop of Lurin (area 185, population 2,753,000, Catholics 2,340,000, priests 67, permanent deacons 3, religious 259), Peru. He succeeds Bishop Jose Ramon Gurruchaga Ezama S.D.B., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
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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.

Friday, June 16, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 06/15-16/2006

SUMMARY: JUNE 15 - 16

- The Consecrated Host Truly Is the Bread of Heaven
- Audiences

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THE CONSECRATED HOST TRULY IS THE BREAD OF HEAVEN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2006 (VIS) - At 7 p.m. today, Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on the square in front of Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran, then presided at the Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

In his homily, the Pope affirmed that the consecrated Host is the "food of the poor," and the "fruit of the earth and of the labor of mankind." And yet, he added, "bread is not simply our own product, something made by us; it is a fruit of the earth and, hence, a gift. ... It requires the synergy of the forces of the earth and of the gifts of the heavens: sun and rain."

"At a time in which we hear of desertification, and there is ever more talk of the danger of men and beasts dying of thirst in those regions without water, at such a time, we gain a renewed awareness of the greatness of the gift of water, and of how incapable we are of producing it alone. Then, looking closer, this little piece of white Host, this bread of the poor, appears as a synthesis of creation."

"When, in adoration, we contemplate the consecrated Host, the mark of creation is speaking to us. Then we discover the greatness of this gift, but we also discover the Passion, the Cross of Jesus and His resurrection."

The Holy Father went on: "In the feast of Corpus Christi we contemplate above all the sign of the bread. This also reminds us of the pilgrimage of Israel during the 40 years in the wilderness. The Host is our manna with which the Lord nourishes us; it truly is the bread of heaven, by which He gives Himself. In the procession, we follow this sign, and thus we follow Him."

Benedict XVI then raised an appeal to the Lord: "Guide us along the roads of our history! Always show the Church and her pastors the right path! Look at suffering humanity, anxiously wandering among so many uncertainties; look at the physical and mental hunger afflicting them! Give men bread for the body and the soul! Give them work! Give them light! Give them Yourself! Purify and sanctify us all!

"Bring us to understand" the Pope concluded, "that only by participating in Your Passion, by saying 'yes' to the cross, to sacrifice, to the purification you impose upon us, can our lives mature and reach their true fulfillment. Gather us from all the corners of the earth. Unite Your Church, unite lacerated humanity. Give us Your salvation!"

Following Mass, the Pope presided at a Eucharistic procession that passed along Rome's Via Merulana to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Along the way, thousands of faithful prayed and sang, accompanying the Blessed Sacrament. An open vehicle transported the Sacrament in a mostrance, before which the Holy Father knelt in prayer.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Oscar Arias Sanchez, president of the Republic of Costa Rica, accompanied by an entourage.

- Cardinal Julian Herranz, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.

- Archbishop Robert Sarah, emeritus of Conakry, Guinea, and secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

- Fr. Alvaro Corcuera Martinez del Rio, superior general of the Legionaries of Christ.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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