Pope Benedict XVI

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 07/5/2006

SUMMARY:

- John Reveals a Mysterious Access to God
- May Humanity Experience the Power of Christ's Blood
- Other Pontifical Acts

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JOHN REVEALS A MYSTERIOUS ACCESS TO GOD

VATICAN CITY, JUL 5, 2006 (VIS) - The Apostle John was the subject of Benedict XVI's catechesis during today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 25,000 people.

"John was always part of the small group which Jesus took with Him on certain occasions," the Pope explained. Within the Church of Jerusalem, he added, the Apostle "occupied an important position. ... In fact, Paul numbers him among those he called the 'pillars' of that community." Before the Sanhedrin, John affirmed that "'we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.' This frankness in confessing his faith is an example ... for us all to be ready to declare decisively our unshakeable adherence to Christ, putting our faith before all calculation or human interest."

"According to tradition, John is the 'beloved disciple' who rested his head on the Master's chest during the Last Supper; he was at the foot of the Cross together with Jesus' Mother, and was a witness ... to the presence of the Risen One." Various scholars see in him "the prototype of the disciple of Jesus" Who wishes "to make each of us a disciple living in personal friendship with Him. To do this, it is not enough to follow and listen to Him on the outside, it is necessary to live with Him and like Him. This is only possible in the context of a relationship of great familiarity, pervaded by the warmth of complete trust."

"In the apocryphal Acts of John," the Holy Father went on, "the Apostle is presented ... as one who communicates the faith in meeting 'souls capable of hope and of being saved.' Everything is inspired by the paradoxical intent of making the invisible visible. Indeed, the Oriental Church calls him 'the Theologian,' in other words, one capable of speaking of divine things in accessible terms, revealing a mysterious access to God through adherence to Christ."

In the East John, who according to tradition lived in Ephesus, "enjoyed and continues to enjoy great veneration; in Byzantine iconography he is often depicted as a very old man in an attitude of intense contemplation, almost as if calling for silence."

"Without adequate prayer it is not possible to approach the supreme mystery of God and His revelation," said the Pope, and he concluded by quoting the words of the Patriarch Atenagoras: "John is at the origin of our most exalted spirituality. Like him, the 'silent' experience the mysterious exchange of hearts; they invoke the presence of John and their hearts are aflame."
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MAY HUMANITY EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF CHRIST'S BLOOD

VATICAN CITY, JUL 5, 2006 (VIS) - In the greetings he addressed to participants in today's general audience, the Holy Father reminded Polish pilgrims that July is "a month in which we traditionally venerate the Most Precious Blood of Christ."

He went on: "In the world innocent human blood is continually being spilt. The hearts of men are often full of hate rather than evangelical love, they often contain disdain and arrogance rather than care for mankind,. I ask you to pray that modern humanity may experience the power of the Blood of Christ, spilt on the Cross for our salvation."

Benedict XVI also greeted participants in a symposium on the defense of creation, shortly to be held in Brazil. "I hope," he said, "that this important initiative, promoted by the Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, may contribute to promoting an ever greater respect for nature, entrusted by God to the ... responsible hands of man."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 5, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Manoel Delson Pedreira da Cruz O.F.M. Cap., definitor general of his order for Latin America, as bishop of Caico (area 9,372, population 266,000, Catholics 253,000, priests 36, permanent deacons 17, religious 76), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Biritinga, Brazil in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1980.
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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.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 07/4/2006

SUMMARY:

- Pope's Sadness at Accident on Valencia Underground
- Theological Pastoral Congress on the Family
- Holy Father to Take Alpine Holiday in Valle d'Aosta
- In Memoriam

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POPE'S SADNESS AT ACCIDENT ON VALENCIA UNDERGROUND

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Agustin Garcia-Gasco of Valencia, Spain, for the death of more than 40 people in an accident on the city's underground railway system at midday yesterday.

"As I learn, with profound regret, the sad news of the accident on the Valencia underground which has filled so many families with grief, I offer up prayers for the eternal repose of the dead and request the Lord to concede consolation and serenity to those weeping the loss of their loved ones. I ask you to transmit my most heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the victims and to express my feelings of paternal spiritual closeness to the many injured; at the same time, I affectionately impart to everyone my consoling apostolic blessing as a sign of faith and hope in the Risen Christ."

The accident took place five days before the Pope's own arrival in Valencia where, on Saturday and Sunday next, he is due to close the Fifth World Meeting of Families, currently being held in that city.
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THEOLOGICAL PASTORAL CONGRESS ON THE FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2006 (VIS) - This evening in Valencia, Spain, Agustin Garcia-Gasco, archbishop of that city, will inaugurate the International Theological Pastoral Congress on the Family. Cardinals, bishops, theologians, and experts in education, pastoral care of families and the communications media are all due to attend the event, as are various ecclesial movements from some 30 countries.

The congress - which is taking place as part of the Fifth World Meeting of Families and is due to last from July 4 to 7 - will consider various themes associated with the family and reflect upon how best to transmit the faith within families. It will involve talks, reports, testimonies and round table discussions.

Following a contribution from Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, archbishop of Bologna, Italy, on "the family and laicism," the inaugural address will be delivered by Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Over the remaining days of the congress - July 5 to 7 - experts will analyze the question of the family in its social, educational, legislative, demographic, economic, juridical and bioethical aspects. Representatives from different Christian confessions, including Orthodox and Evangelical, will also offer reflections on the family from an ecumenical standpoint.

On Friday evening, the International Theological Pastoral Congress will close with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Between July 4 and 7 a youth congress is also due to be held, in which young people between the ages of 16 and 25 will participate. Its aim is to analyze the problems facing the young and to offer Christian alternatives to the culture of leisure. Finally, a third congress will also be held over the same period, directed at the elderly and focussing on their irreplaceable role within their families.
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HOLY FATHER TO TAKE ALPINE HOLIDAY IN VALLE D'AOSTA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI is due to spend a period of rest at the alpine resort of Les Combes in the Italian region of Valle d'Aosta, from July 11 to 28.

During this period, the Wednesday general audiences will be suspended. On Sunday July 16 and Sunday July 23, the Pope will pray the Angelus from his residence in Les Combes.

Upon the conclusion of his stay in Valle d'Aosta, the Pope will travel to his summer residence at Castelgandolfo south of Rome, where he will remain until the end of September.

Over the summer period, all private and special audiences are suspended. The general audiences will resume regularly from Wednesday, August 2.
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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2006 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Leonard Petion Laroche, emeritus of Hinche, Haiti, on June 14 at the age of 87.

- Bishop Mykhajlo Sabryha C.SS.R., of Ternopil-Zboriv of the Ukrainians, Ukraine, on June 29 at the age of 65.

- Bishop Salvatore Sorrentino, emeritus of Pozzuoli, Italy, on June 19 at the age of 89.
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