News Vatican Information Services 05/19/2006

SUMMARY:

- Genuine Solidarity, the Challenge Facing the Lay Faithful
- Communique Concerning Founder of Legionaries of Christ
- Audiences
- In Memoriam

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GENUINE SOLIDARITY, THE CHALLENGE FACING THE LAY FAITHFUL

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2006 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received members of the "Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice" Foundation, marking the occasion of an international congress currently being promoted by that organization on the theme: "Democracy, Institutions and Social Justice."

The Holy Father mentioned the fact that the foundation's name recalls that of the "the last great social Encyclical of John Paul II," which drew together 100 years of history of the Church's social doctrine and "projected the Church forwards, stimulating her to an evaluation of the 'res novae' of the third millennium." The description "Pro Pontifice," he added, highlights a will "to cultivate a special closeness with the pastoral duties of the Bishop of Rome."

The Holy Father expressed his pleasure because the organization, which began its activities above all in the Italian sphere, "is progressively spreading to other areas of Europe and America." He then went on to consider the specific theme of the current conference.

You are discussing, he told the delegates, "problems of great topical significance. At times we decry the slowness with which true democracy progresses, however it remains the most valid historical instrument ... for guaranteeing the future in a way worthy of man."

Democracy needs "appropriate institutions, credible and authoritative, not aimed at merely managing public power but capable of promoting various levels of popular participation, while respecting the traditions of all nations and with constant concern to protect the identity of each."

Benedict XVI went on: "Equally, there is an urgent need for tenacious, lasting and shared efforts to promote social justice. Democracy will be fully implemented only when all individuals and all peoples have access to primary needs (life, food, water, health, education, work, certainty of their rights), through an ordering of internal and external relations that guarantees everyone a chance to participate. There can be no true social justice if not in the light of genuine solidarity. ... The great challenge facing Christian lay people is how to bring this about in today's world."

"The Church - as I wrote in the Encyclical 'Deus caritas est' - aims 'to contribute to the purification of reason and to the reawakening of those moral forces without which just structures are neither established nor prove effective in the long run.' May each of you, as members of the lay faithful, perform your 'direct duty to work for a just ordering of society,' because 'charity must animate the entire lives of the lay faithful and therefore also their political activity, lived as social charity'."
AC/DEMOCRACY:SOLIDARITY/CENTESIMUS ANNUS VIS 060519 (440)

COMMUNIQUE CONCERNING FOUNDER OF LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2006 (VIS) - With reference to recent news concerning the person of Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, the Holy See Press Office released the following communique:

"Beginning in 1998, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith received accusations, already partly made public, against Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, for crimes that fall under the exclusive competence of the congregation. In 2002, Fr. Maciel published a declaration denying the accusations and expressing his displeasure at the offence done him by certain former Legionaries of Christ. In 2005, by reason of his advanced age, Fr. Maciel retired from the office of superior general of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.

"All these elements have been subject to a mature examination by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and - in accordance with the Motu Proprio 'Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela,' promulgated on April 30 2001 by Servant of God John Paul II - the then prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, authorized an investigation into the accusations. In the meantime, Pope John II died and Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as the new Pontiff.

"After having attentively studied the results of the investigation, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under the guidance of the new prefect, Cardinal William Joseph Levada, decided - bearing in mind Fr. Maciel's advanced age and his delicate health - to forgo a canonical hearing and to invite the father to a reserved life of penitence and prayer, relinquishing any form of public ministry. The Holy Father approved these decisions.

"Independently of the person of the Founder, the worthy apostolate of the Legionaries of Christ and of the Association 'Regnum Christi' is gratefully recognized."
OP/LEGIONARIES CHRIST/MACIEL VIS 060519 (320)

AUDIENCES

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

- Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, accompanied by an entourage.

- Four prelates from the Canadian (Atlantic) Conference of Catholic Bishops on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Andre Ricahrd C.S.C., of Moncton.

- Archbishop Brendan Michael O'Brien of Saint John's Newfoundland.

- Bishop Martin William Currie of Grand Falls.

- Bishop Douglas Crosby O.M.I., of Saint George's.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
AP:AL/.../... VIS 060519 (100)

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2006 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Charles Garrett Maloney, former auxiliary of Louisville, U.S.A., on April 30, at the age of 93.

- Archbishop Metodi Dimitrov Stratiev A.A., apostolic exarch emeritus for Catholics of Byzantine-Slav rite resident in Bulgaria, on May 12, at the age of 90.

- Bishop Cirilo Polidoro Van Vlierberghe O.F.M., prelate emeritus of Illapel, Chile, on May 9, at the age of 97.
.../IN MEMORIAM/... VIS 060519 (80)

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News Vatican Information Services 05/18/2006

SUMMARY:

- We Are All Our Brother's Keepers
- Promoting Common Good without Violating Lay State
- Pope to Receive Metropolitan Kirill
- Audiences

___________________________________________________________

WE ARE ALL OUR BROTHER'S KEEPERS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2006 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received the Letters of Credence of five new ambassadors to the Holy See: Moukhtar Wawa Dahab from Chad; Amitava Tripathi from India; Domingos Dias Pereira Mascarenhas from Cape Verde; Valeriu Bobutac from Moldova; and Anne Maree Plunkett from Australia.

"You belong," said the Pope in French addressing the five new ambassadors together, "to the great family of diplomats who, throughout the world, strive to build bridges between countries with the aim of creating and reaffirming relations between peoples, both in the area of fraternal solidarity and in that of economic and cultural exchanges. ... This ... presupposes firm will and breadth of vision, in order not to reduce the decisions that must be taken to mere responses to the urgent needs of the moment."

"In order for this to happen, it is not enough to decide on peace or collaboration among nations. What is required is a solid commitment that does not seek only the interest of ... a particular section of society, to the detriment of the general interest, but that aims above all at the common good of a whole country, and ... of humanity entire. In this age of globalization, it is important that the management of public life does not depend ... only upon economic considerations, the search for ever-increasing profit, and the inconsiderate use of the planet's resources to the detriment of peoples, especially the least favored, thus jeopardizing the long-term future of the world."

Peace, the Pope went on, "is rooted in respect for religious liberty, which is a fundamental and primordial aspect of the freedom of belief of individuals and of the freedom of peoples. It is important that, in whatever part of the world, everyone can follow the religion they choose, and practice it openly and without fear, because no one can base their existence only on material wellbeing. Accepting this individual and collective dimension will, without doubt, have beneficial effects on social life."

The Holy Father concluded his address by calling on the international community to show more concern for people than for mere economic questions. "It is our duty," he said, "to be responsible for one another and for the progress of the world, because no one can answer as Cain did to God: 'Am I my brother's keeper?'"

The Pope then gave each diplomat a written copy of a speech addressing the particular situation in his or her own country. To the ambassador from Chad the Holy Father expresses his hope that, "through dialogue between the parties concerned, violence may cease and a time of reconciliation arrive," and that "leaders of the region may act with determination in favor of justice and peace."

The Holy Father congratulates the Indian diplomat for his country's efforts to resolve, "with negotiations and peaceful methods, the long running controversy with Pakistan," and highlights how "increasing dialogue and cooperation is essential in order to face other challenges in the region, such as the violence associated with political and religious extremism." In his discourse to the Moldavian ambassador, Benedict XVI explains how "the Church naturally takes to heart the debate over the status of Transdnistria. While fully appreciating the complexity of the question, I urge your government to persevere in the search for a peaceful solution, and to work in harmony with the organs of the European Union and the Council of Europe."

Addressing the Australian representative, the Holy Father writes of his joy at the celebration of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, and highlights the "respect for transcendent order that has led Australians to recognize the fundamental importance of marriage and stable domestic life at the heart of society." In his speech to the Cape Verde ambassador, the Pope looks forward to "a new impulse of international solidarity with the African continent, subject to such harsh trials, that it may start down the path of integral development, reconciliation and peace."
CD/LETTERS CREDENCE/... VIS 060518 (670)

PROMOTING COMMON GOOD WITHOUT VIOLATING LAY STATE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2006 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican's Synod Hall, the Pope received participants in the 56th general assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference, the theme of which is the life and ministry of priests.

Benedict XVI opened his address by referring to one of the bishops' "essential tasks" as always remaining "close to our priests," watching over their formation, concerning themselves with their material and spiritual wellbeing, ensuring they do not face difficulties alone, and performing "a careful selection of candidates for the priesthood."

"I join you, dear Italian bishops, in addressing a great thank-you to our priests for their continual and often unseen dedication, and in asking them, in a fraternal spirit, to entrust themselves to the Lord and to walk with generosity and courage down the road that leads to sanctity, also bringing comfort and sustenance to us bishops as we travel the same road."

The Holy Father pointed out how during their general assembly the prelates had also discussed the fourth national ecclesial congress of Verona. The event is due to be held from October 16 to 20 on the theme: "Witnesses of the Risen Jesus, hope of the world" and, said the Pope, "I will have the joy of participating."

"In Verona," he continued, "we must concentrate above all on Christ and hence on the Church's priority mission to live in His presence, and to make that presence visible to everyone."

Going on to quote his recent Encyclical "Deus caritas est," Benedict XVI recalled how the Church is aware of the fundamental "distinction between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God, in other words, the distinction between Church and State, or the autonomy of the temporal sphere."

"At the same time," he added, "and precisely by virtue of her mission of salvation, the Church cannot rescind her task of purifying reason by the proposal of her own social doctrine based upon 'what is in accord with the nature of every human being,' and reawakening moral and spiritual forces by opening people's will to the authentic needs of what is good."

The Holy Father likewise underlined how, "without doubt, a healthy laicism of the State ensures that temporal matters are dealt with according to their own norms; to this, however, are associated ethical concerns that have their foundations in the very essence of man and that therefore, in the final analysis, can be traced back to the Creator."

He added: "In current circumstances, by recalling the value for public and private life of certain ethical principles rooted in the great Christian heritage of Europe, and in particular of Italy, we commit no violation of the laicism of the State, rather we contribute to guaranteeing and promoting the dignity of the person and the common good of society."

The Pope concluded by highlighting the need to offer "a clear testimony to all our brothers and sisters in humanity. By doing so we do not burden them with useless weight, but help them, to progress along the road of life and of true freedom."
AC/.../CEI GENERAL ASSEMBLY VIS 060518 (530)

POPE TO RECEIVE METROPOLITAN KIRILL

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2006 (VIS) - This evening in the Vatican, Benedict XVI will receive in audience Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, president of the Department for Foreign Ecclesiastical Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow.

Following the audience, due to take place at 6 p.m., the Orthodox representative will attend a concert given by the choir of Moscow's Sretenskiy Monastery in the Auditorium in Via della Conciliazione near the Vatican. The concert marks the consecration of the first Russian Orthodox church in Rome, dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, which is due to take place tomorrow.
.../AUDIENCE/METROPOLITAN KIRILL VIS 060518 (110)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, prime minister of Poland, accompanied by an entourage.
AC/.../... VIS 060518 (30)

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