Pope Benedict XVI

Friday, June 23, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 06/23/2006

SUMMARY:

- Gospel Renovates Society with the Law of Love
- Cardinal Bertone: Pastoral Care and Doctrinal Wisdom
- Consistory for the Canonization of Four Blesseds
- Audiences

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GOSPEL RENOVATES SOCIETY WITH THE LAW OF LOVE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received prelates from the episcopal conferences of the Baltic States - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

At the beginning of his address to them, the Pope referred to the subject of the family, pointing our how "alongside exemplary family groups there are, unfortunately, those marked by the fragility of conjugal ties, by the scourge of abortion and the demographic crisis, by the scant care with which they transmit authentic values to children, by job insecurity, by social mobility weakening ties between the generations and by a growing sense of disorientation among young people.

"Modernity," he added, "when not rooted in real values is destined to be dominated by the tyranny of instability and confusion. For this reason, each ecclesial community ... is called to be a point of reference and to maintain a dialogue with the surrounding society."

The Holy Father encouraged the bishops never to tire "of being courageous defenders of life and the family," and to continue in "the human and religious formation of engaged couples and of young families. This is a most worthy undertaking which, I trust, is also appreciated and supported by the institutions of civil society."

After calling on the prelates to live in communion with one another and with Peter's Successor, the Pope encouraged them to give spiritual "and if necessary material" support to priests. He also urged them to turn their attention to priests' "constant formation, thanks also to courses of aggiornamento that help them to acquire a more profound understanding of the teachings of Vatican Council II and to evaluate the wealth contained in liturgical texts and in Church documents, translated into your respective languages."

In order to face the difficulties young people encounter in answering the call of Christ - the consequence, said Benedict XVI, of a "secularized mentality" - careful "youth and vocational pastoral care must be promoted. ... As for seminaries, ensure the presence of formators gifted with real humanity and profound piety, open to dialogue and collaboration; professors faithful to the teaching of the Magisterium and credible witnesses of the Gospel."

"While the wounds communism inflicted on your people are not yet completely healed, secularism is exercising a growing influence, exalting the illusion of consumerism and rendering human beings the measure of themselves. All this makes your pastoral work even more difficult. But, without losing faith, continue tirelessly in announcing the Gospel of Christ, the word of salvation for mankind of all times and cultures."

The Pope concluded his address by highlighting how the Gospel "does not hinder man's freedom and true social progress; on the contrary, it helps human beings to full self-realization and renovates society through the sweet and demanding law of love."
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CARDINAL BERTONE: PASTORAL CARE AND DOCTRINAL WISDOM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has written a letter to the faithful of the archdiocese of Genoa, Italy, concerning the appointment of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., archbishop of that city, as secretary of State.

During the three years Cardinal Bertone has led the diocese, the Holy Father tells the faithful in his letter, "you have learned to appreciate those gifts and qualities that make him a faithful pastor, especially capable of combining pastoral care and doctrinal wisdom.

"It is precisely these characteristics, together with the mutual understanding and trust we developed over our years of shared service at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that have induced me to choose him for this exalted and delicate task in the service of the Universal Church at the Holy See.

"I know that I have asked a great sacrifice of Cardinal Bertone; and I know that the sacrifice of the faithful entrusted to his care in Genoa is no less, but I am certain that his affection and his prayers for your community will be brought 'ad Petri sedem.' The history of your diocese demonstrates your generous fidelity to the Vicar of Christ, to which I appeal also by virtue of the name I chose for my own Petrine ministry: the name of the last Genovese Pope, so devoted to the 'Madonna della Guardia.' To her I entrust you all in this moment of change, delicate but full of grace, because 'in everything God works for good with those who love Him.'

"For the sake of your faithful and obedient generosity towards the Holy See, I will undertake as soon as possible to appoint a new successor to the 'See of St. Syrus.'

"I ask you to join me in praying to the Spirit to help us in this discernment and, from this moment, I assure you of my recollection and apostolic blessing in prayer for all elements of the Church in Genoa: pastors, consecrated people, families, young people, and the sick."
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CONSISTORY FOR THE CANONIZATION OF FOUR BLESSEDS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2006 (VIS) - In a communique published today, the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced that in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace on Saturday, July 1, an Ordinary Public Consistory will be held for the canonization of four Blesseds:

The Blesseds are: Rafael Guizar Valencia, bishop; Filippo Smaldone, priest, founder of the Institute of the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart; Rosa Venerini, virgin, foundress of the Congregation of the "Maestre Pie Venerini;" Teodora Guerin, nee Anne-Therese, virgin, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary "ad Nemus" (Saint Mary of the Woods).
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Fra' Andrew Bertie, prince and grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

- Cardinal Jorge Liberato Urosa Savino, archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela.

- Bishop Philippe Jourdan, apostolic administrator of Estonia, on his "ad limina" visit.
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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.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 06/22/2006

SUMMARY:

- The Pope: Serene and Peaceful Coexistence in Middle East
- Pope to Impose Pallium on New Metropolitan Archbishops
- Cardinal Bertone Will Be New Secretary of State
- Solidarity and Respect between Muslims and Christians
- Audiences

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THE POPE: SERENE AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received 100 participants in the annual Meeting of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO), thanking them for the service they have been carrying out since 1968, "supporting the pastoral, educational and charitable activities and meeting the urgent needs" of those Churches.

Referring to the community of Eastern Catholic Churches in the Holy Land, the Pope recalled how "the serious difficulties it is going though because of profound insecurity, lack of work, innumerable restrictions and consequent growing poverty, are a cause of pain for us all.

"It is a situation," he added, "that makes the educational, professional and family future of young generations extremely uncertain, unfortunately tempting them to leave forever the beloved land of their birth. This also happens in other areas of the Middle East, such as Iraq and Iran, which also benefit providentially from your generous kindness."

In order to face these serious problems, Pope Benedict went on, "our prime and fundamental duty is that of persistent and faithful prayer to the Lord, Who never abandons his children in times of trial. This should be associated with activities of fraternal solicitude, in order to find new and at times unexpected ways to meet the needs of those people."

"I invite pastors, faithful, and everyone in positions of responsibility in the civil community, to favor mutual respect between cultures and religions, and to create as soon as possible the conditions for serene and peaceful coexistence throughout the Middle East."
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POPE TO IMPOSE PALLIUM ON NEW METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2006 (VIS) - At 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, Benedict XVI will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration in the Vatican Basilica, with a number of metropolitan archbishops, upon whom he will impose the pallium, according to a note made public today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. The pallium is a band of white wool embroidered with six black crosses, symbolizing the authority of metropolitan archbishops.
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CARDINAL BERTONE WILL BE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father, in accordance with Canon 354 of the Code of Canon Law, has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, requesting him, nonetheless, to remain in office until September 15, 2006, with all the faculties inherent to that role.

On the same date - September 15 - the Holy Father will appoint Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., archbishop of Genova, Italy, as the new secretary of State.

On that occasion, His Holiness will receive in audience the superiors and officials of the Secretariat of State in order to render public thanks to Cardinal Angelo Sodano for his long and generous service to the Holy See, and to present them to the new secretary of State.

The Pope, in accordance with Canon 354 of the Code of Canon Law, has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State, requesting him, nonetheless, to remain in office until September 15, 2006, with all the faculties inherent to that role.

On the same date - September 15 - the Holy Father will appoint Archbishop Giovanni Ljolo, secretary of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
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SOLIDARITY AND RESPECT BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was the final document of the twelfth plenary session of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which was held in the Vatican from May 15 to 17 on the theme: "Migration and Itinerancy from and towards Islamic majority Countries."

The text has been published in various languages, extracts from the English-language version are given below:

"The phenomenon of human mobility," the text begins, "raises a number of problems, religious and spiritual, besides social, economic and political ones. When discussing 'migration and itinerancy from and towards Islamic majority countries,' the complexity, timeliness and importance of the topic are evident."

With reference to "Muslim migrants in countries of Christian majority," the document affirms that "Catholics, in particular, are called to practice solidarity with Muslim immigrants, to be open to sharing with them and to know more about their culture and religion. At the same time they are to bear witness to their own Christian values, also in view of a new evangelization which of course respects freedom of conscience and religion."

"In any case, while it is necessary to welcome Muslim immigrants with respect for their religious freedom, it is likewise indispensable for them to respect the cultural and religious identity of the host societies.

"It was also deemed vital to distinguish between what the receiving societies can and cannot tolerate in Islamic culture, what can be respected or shared with regard to followers of other religions, and to have the possibility of giving indications in this regard also to policymakers, towards a proper formulation of civil legislation, with due respect for each one's competence."

"Given the reaffirmed importance of the principle of reciprocity, confirmed by the Holy Father in his talk to the participants in the plenary session, it is thus necessary to move towards a distinction between the civil and the religious spheres also in Islamic countries. In any case, it is fundamental, in this context, to distinguish between the West and Christianity, because often Christian values no longer inspire the attitude, position or actions (also with regard to public opinion) in the so-called western world."

Going on to consider the situation in some Islamic-majority countries, the text notes how "Christians and immigrant workers, in general, who are poor and without real contractual power, have great difficulty in having their human rights recognized. The latter, moreover, have very little possibility of having their cause respected before justice, because they can easily be punished or deported.

"The Church is therefore called to help Christian migrants in those countries, as well as in the whole world, in a context of due respect for legality and an interest in the formulation of just legislations concerning human mobility and the legal protection of all those involved."

Addressing the topic of the "solicitude of the Church in the various sectors of human mobility," the document stresses the need "to create bonds of friendship, in an atmosphere of respect for cultural and religious differences, also with people who think of going back to their place of origin, like migrants, or with foreign (international) students who will be the future leaders of their countries;" and the need to make a renewed commitment "to involve women in decision making, especially in issues affecting them, as well as in the work of convincing parents to provide girls with an education equivalent to that given to boys, which should obviously include ethical formation."

The section on "schools and education" underlines how "it is important to assure education to the new generations, also because the school has a fundamental role to play in overcoming the conflict of ignorance and prejudices, and to have a correct and objective knowledge of the other's religion, with special attention to the freedom of conscience and religion."

It is also "indispensable to work for a verification of textbooks, also regarding the presentation of history in relation to religions, which shapes one's own identity, and transmits an image of the other's religious identity."

"Muslim parents and religious leaders must be helped to understand the righteous intentions of the western educational systems and the concrete consequences of their refusal of the education imparted in the schools of these systems within which their children live."

The last section of the document is dedicated to "States and religious freedom:"

"Since, very often, it is the State that gives 'form' to Islam in certain countries of Islamic majority, organizes its worship, interprets its spirit, transmits its heritage, thus giving the whole of society a globally Islamic character, the non-Muslims very often feel that they are second-class citizens. For Christian immigrants therefore the difficulty is even greater. It is therefore necessary to work hard everywhere so that what prevails would be a culture of 'living together' between host and immigrant populations, in a spirit of mutual civic understanding and respect for everyone's human rights. It is also necessary to search ways for reconciliation and of purifying memories. We must also become advocates in defense of religious freedom - our constant imperative - and of common good, and procure respect for minorities, which is an unquestionable sign of true civilization."

Finally, consideration was given to "some causes of tension and conflict, ... with the hope that these situations would be resolved justly and quickly, also to prevent war, violence and terrorism.

"It is in any case necessary," the text concludes, "to avoid the abusive use of religion to inculcate hatred for believers of other religions or for ideological and political reasons. It is therefore hoped that Muslim and Christian intellectuals, in the name of a common humanism and of their respective beliefs, would pose to themselves the dramatic questions linked to the use of violence, often still perpetrated in the name of their religion."
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Lithuania, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Audrys Juozas Backis, archbishop of Vilnius, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Juozas Tuanitis.

- Bishop Juozas Matulaitis of Kaisiadorys.

- Bishop Jonas Kauneckas of Panevezys.

- Bishop Rimantas Norvila of Vilkaviskis.

- Helmut Turk, ambassador of Austria, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome.
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