Pope Benedict XVI

Thursday, July 06, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 07/6/2006

SUMMARY:

- Croatian Bishops: Workers for Reconciliation and Peace
- Presentation of Consolidated Financial Statements
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

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CROATIAN BISHOPS: WORKERS FOR RECONCILIATION AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received prelates from the Croatian Bishops' Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

In his address to them, the Holy Father expressed his contentment for the bishops' pastoral initiatives aimed at "solid preparation for the Sacraments and appropriate participation in the liturgy." He also mentioned their "commitment to religious formation and to high quality catechesis," and their concern "for traditional forms of devotion and frequent pilgrimages, especially to Marian shrines."

After mentioning Croatia's desire to join the European Union, Benedict XVI pointed out how the nation could bring "the contribution of its own culture and its own traditions to a shared search for the full truth about man. ... It is essential that the construction of the common European home" rests upon that truth, and upon every individual's right to life, respect and religious freedom. "Upon these values it is possible to reach a consensus even with those people who, while not belonging to the Catholic Church, accept the voice of reason and are sensitive to the dictates of natural law."

The Pope also highlighted that in order to counteract secularization and relativism "tireless announcement of evangelical values is necessary." In this context, he encouraged the prelates not to be afraid "to show the faithful what the Gospel teaches, putting them on their guard against values that run counter to it, so that your communities can stimulate all of society to pursue the common good and care for the needy."

"Unfortunately," Pope Benedict went on, "your country is still feeling the consequences of the recent conflict, the negative effects of which are visible not only in the economy but also in the souls of the inhabitants. ... Always be announcers of reconciliation and workers for peace among the citizens of your country, encouraging them to follow the path of Christian reconciliation. Forgiveness frees, in the first place, those who have the courage to grant it."

Benedict XVI called on the Croatian bishops to be "generous in serving the Church and your people, persevering in prayer and full of zeal in announcement. Pay particular attention to the formation of priests; ... promote priestly vocations and take watchful care of your seminarians. I exhort you to guide, with love and a spirit of mutual collaboration, religious communities and movements of both consecrated and lay life."

The Pope told the prelates to continue to promote "faithful love, harmony, and daily prayer" in families, "encouraging them to a generous openness to life," then emphasized the importance of the presence of Catholics "in public life, and in the communications media." It is up to them, he concluded, "to ensure that a voice of truth is heard on the problems of the day."
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PRESENTATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2006 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, will present the consolidated financial statements of the Holy See for the year 2005. Accompanying the cardinal will be Bishop Franco Croci and Paolo Trombetta, respectively secretary and accountant general of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

- Nine prelates from the Croatian Bishops' Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Josip Mrzljak, Vlado Kosic, and Valentin Pozaic S.J.

- Bishop Slavomir Miklovs of Krizevci for Catholics of the Byzantine Rite.

- Bishop Marin Srakic of Djakovo i Srijem, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Djuro Gasparovic and Djuro Hranic.

- Archbishop Marin Barisic of Split-Makarska.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience three prelates from the Croatian Bishops' Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Mile Bogovic of Gospic-Senj.

- Bishop Valter Zupan of Krk.

- Bishop Zelimir Puljic of Dubrovnik.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, presented by Bishop Ivan Tilak Jayasundera, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Fr. Gregory O'Kelly S.J., headmaster of the St. Ignatius College in Athelstone, Australia, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Adelaide (area 103,600, population 1,290,786, Catholics 275,174, priests 156, permanent deacons 3, religious 445), Australia. The bishop-elect was born in Adelaide in 1941 and ordained a priest in 1972.

- Appointed Fr. Markus Buchel of the clergy of the diocese of Sankt Gallen, Switzerland, dean of the cathedral chapter, as bishop of the same diocese (area 2,429, population 461,180, Catholics 268,555, priests 229, permanent deacons 19, religious 670). The bishop-elect was born in Ruthi, Switzerland in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1976.
RE:NEA:NER/.../JAYASUNDERA:O'KELLY:BUCHEL VIS 060706 (160)

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.

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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