SUMMARY:
-
HOLY FATHER RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA
-
THE UNITY OF PENTECOST OVERCOMES DIVISION AND ENMITY
-
ST. JOHN OF AVILA AND ST. HILDEGARD OF BINGEN TO BE PROCLAIMED
DOCTORS OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
-
THE POPE: "WE MUST RENEW THE SOUL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS"
-
POPE DONATES 100,000 EURO TO VICTIMS OF ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE
-
MESSAGE TO CATHOLICOS PATRIARCH OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST
-
SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS OF UKRAINE
-
INVESTIGATION INTO LEAKING OF RESERVED DOCUMENTS
-
AUDIENCES
-
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
______________________________________
HOLY
FATHER RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA
Vatican
City, 28 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the
following communique at midday today:
"This
morning the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Laura
Chinchilla Miranda, president of Costa Rica. The president
subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State
Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
"During
their cordial discussions the parties highlighted the good relations
that exist between the Holy See, the local Church and the State,
expressing the hope that they may be strengthened by an Agreement
respectful of the identity of the country and of the healthy autonomy
and collaboration between civil and ecclesiastical authorities.
Mention was then made of the special contribution the Church makes
through her educational, social and charitable institutions. Finally
attention turned to the importance of continuing to protect the
fundamental dignity of human beings, from the moment of conception".
THE UNITY
OF PENTECOST OVERCOMES DIVISION AND ENMITY
Vatican
City, 27 May 2012 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father presided at
Mass in the Vatican Basilica for the Solemnity of Pentecost, the
liturgy was concelebrated by cardinals, archbishops and bishops
present in Rome.
Benedict
XVI focused his homily on an essential aspect of the mystery of
Pentecost which, he said, is particularly important in our own times.
"Pentecost is the feast of union, of human understanding and
communion. Yet it is evident to everyone that in our world, although
are closer to one another than ever before thanks to the development
of the communications media, ... understanding and communion among
people is often superficial and difficult. Imbalances remain and not
infrequently lead to conflict; dialogue among generations is
problematic; ... we daily witness events which seem to show that
mankind is becoming more aggressive and quarrelsome; understanding
one another seems too arduous an undertaking, and we prefer to remain
within ourselves and focus on our own our interests".
"Thanks
to scientific and technological progress we have acquired the power
to dominate the forces of nature, to manipulate the elements, to
fabricate living beings, almost going so far as to fabricate human
beings. In such a situation praying to God seems outmoded and
useless, because we ourselves can construct and achieve anything we
want". Yet "men are nursing a sense of diffidence,
suspicion and reciprocal fear, to the extent that they have even
become a danger to one another". We have greater power to
communicate but, paradoxically, we understand one another less.
Harmony
and unity "can only come with the gift of God's Spirit, which
will give us a new heart and a new voice, a new ability to
communicate. This is what happened at Pentecost. That morning ... the
Holy Spirit descended on the gathering of the disciples. It rested
upon each of them and set the divine fire alight within them, a fire
of love with the power to transform. Their fear disappeared, in their
hearts they felt a new strength, their tongues were loosened and they
began to speak frankly so that everyone could understand the
announcement of Jesus Christ, Who died and rose again. At Pentecost
division and estrangement gave way to unity and understanding".
In
today's Gospel Jesus, "speaking of the Holy Spirit, tells us
what the Church is and how she must live in order to be ... a place
of unity and communion in the Truth. He tells us that acting as
Christians means not remaining closed in one's own self but being
open to all things; it means welcoming the entire Church into our own
lives or, better still, allowing her to welcome us in our hearts. ...
Thus the Holt Spirit, the Spirit of unity and truth, can continue to
resound in the hearts and minds of men, encouraging them to meet and
accept one another".
The Holy
Spirit leads us to understand the truth, which is Jesus,"but
only if we are able to listen and to share, only in the 'us' of the
Church and with an attitude of profound inner humility. ... When men
wish to set themselves up as God, they only succeed in setting
themselves against one other. On the other hand, when they abide in
the truth of the Lord, they open themselves to the action of His
spirit which sustains and unites them".
St. Paul
tells us that the life of man is marked by an inner conflict between
the impulses of the flesh and those of the spirit. The former are
"the sins of selfishness and violence, such as enmity, discord,
jealousy and dissension. ... They can lead us to lose our lives.
However, the Holy Spirit guides us to the pinnacle of God so that,
already in this life, we may experience the seed of divine live which
is within us. St. Paul says, in fact, that 'the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy and peace'".
In
conclusion, the Pope exhorted the faithful to live "according to
the Spirit of unity and truth. To this end we must pray that the
Spirit may illuminate us, guiding us to overcome the lure of our own
truths and to accept the truth of Christ, as transmitted by the
Church".
ST. JOHN
OF AVILA AND ST. HILDEGARD OF BINGEN TO BE PROCLAIMED DOCTORS OF THE
UNIVERSAL CHURCH
Vatican
City, 27 May 2012 (VIS) - After celebrating Mass this morning in the
Vatican Basilica for the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Holy Father
appeared at the window of his study to pray the Regina Coeli with
pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Before
the Marian prayer the Pope announced that on 7 October, at the start
of the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, he will proclaim
St. John of Avila and St. Hildegard of Bingen as Doctors of the
Universal Church. "These two great witnesses of the faith lived
in very different historical periods and cultural environments",
he said. "Hildegard was a Benedictine nun during the height of
the German Middle Ages, a true master of theology and a great scholar
of the natural sciences and of music. John was a young diocesan
priest of the Spanish Renaissance, who participated in the travails
of the cultural and spiritual renewal of the Church and society at
the dawn of the Modern Age".
The
sanctity of their lives and the profundity of their doctrine mean
that these two saints "retain all their importance. The grace of
the Holy Spirit enabled them to experience profound understanding of
divine revelation and intelligent dialogue with the world, two
factors which represent the perennial goal of the life and activity
of the Church".
St. John
and St. Hildegard are particularly significant on the eve of the
forthcoming Year of Faith, and in light of the new evangelisation to
which the Synod of Bishops will be dedicating its attention. "Also
in our own day, and through their teaching, the Spirit of the risen
Lord continues to make His voice heard and to illuminate the path
which leads to the Truth, which is the only thing that can make us
free and give full meaning to our lives", the Pope said.
After
praying the Regina Coeli he recalled that Mother Saint Louis (nee
Marie-Louise Elisabeth de Lamoignon, widow of Mole de Champlatreux),
foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis who lived between
the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, was today proclaimed a
blessed in France. She was "an exemplary witness of love for God
and for neighbour", the Holy Father said. He also recalled the
fact that he is due to travel to Milan on Friday to participate in
the seventh World Meeting of Families, and he asked the faithful to
pray for the success of that event.
THE POPE:
"WE MUST RENEW THE SOUL OF OUR INSTITUTIONS"
Vatican
City, 26 May 2012 (VIS) - "We must form people's consciences in
the light of the Word of God, whence all plans of the Church and of
men draw meaning and strength, also as regards the construction of
the earthly city. We must renew the soul of our institutions and make
history fertile with the seeds of new life". Benedict XVI
pronounced these words this morning in St. Peter's Square where he
received thousands of members of the Renewal in the Holy Spirit
Association,which is celebrating the fortieth anniversary of its
foundation in Italy.
The Pope
expressed the view that "in modern society we are experiencing a
situation which is in some ways precarious, characterised by
insecurity and the fragmentary nature of decisions. Often there is a
lack of points of reference from which to draw inspiration for our
lives. It is, then, increasingly important to construct the edifice
of life and social relationships on the stable rock of the Word of
God".
Today,
the Holy Father said, believers are called to show a "convincing,
sincere and credible witness of faith, one closely united to
charitable commitment, It is, in fact, through charity, that people
far removed from and indifferent to the the message of the Gospel are
able to approach the truth and to become converted to the merciful
love of the heavenly Father".
Pope
Benedict also dedicated his attention to the work of the Renewal in
the Holy Spirit Association over recent decades. "Your apostolic
efforts have contributed to the development of spiritual life in the
Italian ecclesial and social fabric through paths of conversion which
have helped many people to be profoundly healed by the love of God,
and many families to overcome moments of crisis", he said. "Your
groups have not been lacking in young people ready to respond
generously to the vocation of special consecration to God in the
priesthood and in the religious life". The Holy Father also
underlined the movement’s support for people in situations of need
and marginalisation, especially in the field of the spiritual and
material rebirth of prisoners.
The Pope
concluded by exhorting those present: "Never cease to look to
heaven; the world has need of prayer. We need men and women who feel
the draw of heaven in their lives, who make praising the Lord the
basis of a new lifestyle. Be joyous Christians! I entrust you all to
Mary Most Holy, who was present in the Upper Room at the moment of
Pentecost".
POPE
DONATES 100,000 EURO TO VICTIMS OF ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE
Vatican
City, 26 May 2012 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"
today released a communique announcing that, "following the
earthquake of recent days, which wrought destruction particularly in
the territory of the ecclesiastical circumscriptions of Carpi,
Mantua, Modena-Nonantola and Ferrara-Comacchio, the Holy Father,
through the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum', has decided to send a
special contribution of 100,000 euro, to be shared among the dioceses
affected by the calamity, to aid the Catholic Church's assistance
activities in favour of the victims. That sum is intended to be a
concrete expression of the Supreme Pontiff's sentiments of spiritual
closeness and paternal solicitude towards the people affected by the
earthquake".
MESSAGE
TO CATHOLICOS PATRIARCH OF THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST
Vatican
City, 27 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a message to His
Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church
of the East, for the fiftieth anniversary of his consecration as
bishop. In the letter, written in English, Benedict XVI recalls the
patriarch’s visit to Rome in 1994 for the signing of a Common
Declaration on Christology, his presence at the funeral of John Paul
II, and his visit to Rome in 2007 during which the Pope had expressed
his hope that they would continue their "common journey towards
the re-establishment of full communion".
"I
thank the Lord for the many blessings he has bestowed on the Assyrian
Church of the East through your ministry, and I am grateful for your
commitment to promoting constructive dialogue, fruitful cooperation
and growing friendship between our Churches".
"I
wish also to reiterate my solidarity with the Christian communities
in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, praying that effective forms
of common witness to the Gospel and pastoral collaboration in the
service of peace, reconciliation and unity may be deepened between
the Catholic and Assyrian faithful".
The Holy
Father concludes his letter by invoking the blessings of the Blessed
Trinity upon the Patriarch.
SPECIAL
ENVOY TO THE EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS OF UKRAINE
Vatican
City, 26 May 2012 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter, written in
Latin and dated 17 April, in which the Holy Father appoints Cardinal
Angelo Comastri, vicar general of His Holiness for Vatican City, as
his special envoy to the closing celebrations of the National
Eucharistic Congress of Ukraine, due to be held in Lviv on 3 June,
sixth centenary of the establishment of the archiepiscopal and
metropolitan see of Lviv of the Latins.
INVESTIGATION
INTO LEAKING OF RESERVED DOCUMENTS
Vatican
City, 26 May 2012 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico
Lombardi S.J. today made the following declaration concerning
investigations taking place in the Vatican on the leaking of reserved
documents.
"I
can confirm that the individual arrested on Wednesday evening for
illegal possession of reserved documents, which were found in his
domicile located within Vatican territory, is Mr. Paolo Gabriele, who
is still being held in detention.
"The
first phase of the 'summary investigation' under the direction of
Nicola Picardi, promoter of justice, has come to an end and given way
to the phase of 'formal investigation', which is being conducted by
Piero Antonio Bonnet, investigating magistrate.
"The
accused has appointed two lawyers to represent him who are authorised
to act before the Vatican Tribunal, and he has had the opportunity to
meet with them. They will be able to help him in successive stages of
the proceedings. He benefits from all the juridical guarantees laid
down by the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure in force
in Vatican City State.
"The
investigatory phase will continue until an adequate picture of the
situation being investigated has emerged, after which the
investigating magistrate will either acquit the suspect or send him
for trial".
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 28 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
-
Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. of Malta, Malta, accompanied by
Archbishop emeritus Joseph Mercieca, on their "ad limina"
visit.
- Bishop
Mario Grech of Gozo, Malta, on his "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop
Ralph Heskett C.SS.R. of Gibraltar, Gibraltar, on his "ad
limina" visit.
On
Saturday 26 May he received in audience Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski,
prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican
City, 28 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Fr.
Leopold Ouedraogo, vicar general of the archdiocese of Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (area 9,600,
population 2,337,000, Catholics 810,310, priests 188, religious 905).
The bishop-elect was born in Ouagadougou in 1958 and ordained a
priest in 1979. He has worked as a pastor and as professor then
rector of the major seminary of "Saint Pierre et Paul".
- Fr.
Elkin Fernando Alvarez Botero of the clergy of Sonson - Rionegro,
Colombia, director of the Department for Hierarchical Ministries of
the Colombian Episcopal Conference, as auxiliary of the archdiocese
of Medellin (area 687, population 3,456,000, Catholics 3,004,000,
priests 1,027, permanent deacons 50, religious 3,664), Colombia. The
bishop-elect was born in El Retiro, Colombia in 1968 and ordained a
priest in 1993. He studied in Colombia and in Rome and has worked in
pastoral care, education and as a local collaborator of the apostolic
nunciature to Colombia.
- Bishop
Philippe Rukamba of Butare, Rwanda, as apostolic administrator "sede
vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the diocese of Gikongoro,
Rwanda.
On
Saturday 26 May it was made public that the Holy Father
-
Appointed Fr. Dieudonne Espoir Atangana of the clergy of Obala,
Cameroon, former rector of the the major seminaries of "Notre
Dame de l'Immaculee Conception" of Yaounde and "Notre Dame
de l'Esperance" of Bertoua, as bishop of Nkongsamba (area
10,952, population 751,000, Catholics 350,000, priests 131, religious
74), Cameroon. The bishop-elect was born in Ngongo, Cameroon in 1958
and ordained a priest in 1986. He studied in Rome and has worked in
the field of education in a number of seminaries. He is currently on
a sabbatical year, during which he is serving in various parishes in
the diocese of Obala.
- Erected
the new diocese of Bafang (area 7,229, population 252,284, Catholics
131,475, priests 31, religious 11) Cameroon, with territory taken
from the diocese of Nkongsamba, making it a suffragan of the
metropolitan church of Douala. He appointed Fr. Abraham Kome,
apostolic administrator of Nkongsamba, as first bishop of the new
diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Loum-ville, Cameroon in 1969
and ordained a priest in 1999. Among other roles, he has worked as
vicar of the diocesan cathedral, master of ceremonies and pastor of
the parish of St. Francis Xavier in Kekem.
-
Appointed Bishop Jurij Bizjak, auxiliary of Koper, Slovenia, as
bishop of the same diocese (area 4,306, population 267,300, Catholics
194,800, priests 161, religious 91). He succeeds Bishop Metod Pirih,
whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy
Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
You
can find more information at: www.visnews.org
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.
Copyright
© Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City
