Pope Benedict XVI

Friday, July 07, 2006

News Vatican Information Services 07/7/2006

SUMMARY:

- Human Dignity and Development
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

___________________________________________________________

HUMAN DIGNITY AND DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2006 (VIS) - On July 5, Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi C.S., permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and International Institutions in Geneva, delivered an address before the 2006 Meeting of the High Level Segment of ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council).

The meeting is considering the theme of "creating an environment at the national and international levels conducive to generating full and productive employment and decent work for all, and its impact on sustainable development."

Archbishop Tomasi's own contribution focussed on the idea that "the dignity of the person is what gives work and development their true value." The Holy See delegation, he said speaking English, fully endorses "the goal of equitable development regularly pursued by the Economic and Social Council," because it "highlights the central place of the human person, the value of human work, and this indicates the way to overcome chronic poverty and marginality."

After recalling how the fact that so many people fail to find work risks frustrating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the archbishop observed that "this frustration may provoke disorderly behavior and, surely, a less secure world." In this context, he recalled the words of Pope Paul VI in 1967: "Development is the new name of peace."

"Local involvement can propel the economy forward," said the Holy See permanent observer. "Step by step poverty is reduced, emigration becomes an option instead of a necessity, social standards begin to develop, people are lifted out of a vicious circle of misery. ... Assistance for capacity building will have to be adapted to the level of development of each country. In this way, a waste of resources will be avoided. Donors will see their solidarity fruitful for the receiving countries and, in the long run, also for themselves."

He went on: "In our present interconnectedness, to the necessity of preparing products for the global market corresponds the responsibility to help the people of the least developed societies to have the training and the know-how that allow them a fair chance to compete."

"When the process of transformation of society takes hold, decent work contributes another important dimension, that of a sense of future ... and self-respect. ...Children are not forced to work and instead can accede to education , the values of organization and participation are learned."

"If the Doha trade round negotiations fail to conclude with some positive agreements," Archbishop Tomasi concluded, "the world's poor and hungry will pay most of the price and the chance for their growth, their development and for decent work will vanish for a long time. The courage and political imagination to make the necessary compromises can lead instead to a renewal of common action and show a concrete commitment to the elimination of global poverty which is still a scandal and a threat to peace and security."
DELSS/WORK/TOMASI VIS 060707 (490)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium.

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

- Bishop Slobodan Stambuk of Hvar.

- Bishop Ante Ivas of Sibenik.

- Bishop Antun Skvorcevic of Pozega.

- Bishop Juraj Jezerinac, military ordinary.

- Msgr. Ivan Godina, vicar general of Varazdin.
AP:AL/.../... VIS 060707 (70)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Maximino Martinez Miranda of the clergy of the diocese of Atlacomulco, Mexico, vicar general and pastor of the parish of "Santa Maria de Guadalupe," as bishop of Ciudad Altamirano (area 16,000, population 903,000, Catholics 876,000, priests 61, religious 86), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Palos Altos, Mexico in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1979.

- Fr. George Frendo O.P., vicar general, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Tirane-Durres (area 2,263, population 1,200,000, Catholics 105,800, priests 38, religious 152), Albania. The bishop-elect was born in Qormi, Malta in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1969.
NER:NEA/.../MARTINEZ:FRENDO VIS 060707 (120)

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, 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

___________________________________________________________

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."
AL/.../CROATIA VIS 060706 (470)

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.
OP/HOLY SEE FINANCES/SEBASTIANI VIS 060706 (90)

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.
AP:AL/.../... VIS 060706 (140)

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)