SUMMARY:
- PAPAL
MESSAGE CLOSES FIFTIETH INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN DUBLIN
- THE
KINGDOM OF GOD IS A GIFT, BUT IT REQUIRES OUR COLLABORATION
- POPE
CALLS FOR REFUGEES' RIGHTS TO BE RESPECTED
-
INTERNATIONAL THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION RENEWS ITS WEBPAGE
-
AUDIENCES
- ACTS
CONCERNING THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES
______________________________________
PAPAL
MESSAGE CLOSES FIFTIETH INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN DUBLIN
Vatican
City, 18 June 2012 (VIS) - A video message from Benedict XVI,
transmitted at the end of a Mass attended by thousands of people in
Dublin yesterday evening, brought to a close the fiftieth
International Eucharistic Congress. The Congress - which was held in
the Irish capital over the course of last week on the theme: "The
Eucharist. Communion with Christ and with One Another" -
coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Vatican
Council II, and the choice of theme was associated with that
anniversary, as the Holy Father explained in his message, extracts of
which are given below.
"From
the earliest times the notion of 'koinonia' or 'communio' has been at
the core of the Church’s understanding of herself, her relationship
to Christ her founder, and the Sacraments she celebrates, above all
the Eucharist. Through our Baptism, we are incorporated into Christ’s
death, reborn into the great family of the brothers and sisters of
Jesus Christ; through Confirmation we receive the seal of the Holy
Spirit; and by our sharing in the Eucharist, we come into communion
with Christ and each other visibly here on earth. We also receive the
pledge of eternal life to come.
"The
Congress also occurs at a time when the Church throughout the world
is preparing to celebrate the Year of Faith to mark the fiftieth
anniversary of the start of the Vatican Council II, an event which
launched the most extensive renewal of the Roman Rite ever known.
Based upon a deepening appreciation of the sources of the liturgy,
the Council promoted the full and active participation of the
faithful in the Eucharistic sacrifice. At our distance today from the
Council Fathers’ expressed desires regarding liturgical renewal,
and in the light of the universal Church’s experience in the
intervening period, it is clear that a great deal has been achieved;
but it is equally clear that there have been many misunderstandings
and irregularities. The renewal of external forms, desired by the
Council Fathers, was intended to make it easier to enter into the
inner depth of the mystery. Its true purpose was to lead people to a
personal encounter with the Lord, present in the Eucharist, and thus
with the living God, so that through this contact with Christ’s
love, the love of His brothers and sisters for one another might also
grow. Yet not infrequently, the revision of liturgical forms has
remained at an external level, and “active participation” has
been confused with external activity. Hence much still remains to be
done on the path of real liturgical renewal. In a changed world,
increasingly fixated on material things, we must learn to recognise
anew the mysterious presence of the Risen Lord, which alone can give
breadth and depth to our life.
"The
Eucharist is the worship of the whole Church, but it also requires
the full engagement of each individual Christian in the Church’s
mission; it contains a call to be the holy people of God, but also
one to individual holiness; it is to be celebrated with great joy and
simplicity, but also as worthily and reverently as possible; it
invites us to repent of our sins, but also to forgive our brothers
and sisters; it binds us together in the Spirit, but it also commands
us in the same Spirit to bring the good news of salvation to others.
"Moreover,
the Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross,
His body and blood given in the new and eternal covenant for the
forgiveness of sins and the transformation of the world. Ireland has
been shaped by the Mass at the deepest level for centuries, and by
its power and grace generations of monks, martyrs and missionaries
have heroically lived the faith at home and spread the Good News of
God’s love and forgiveness well beyond your shores. You are the
heirs to a Church that has been a mighty force for good in the world,
and which has given a profound and enduring love of Christ and His
blessed Mother to many, many others. Your forebears in the Church in
Ireland knew how to strive for holiness and constancy in their
personal lives, how to preach the joy that comes from the Gospel, how
to promote the importance of belonging to the universal Church in
communion with the See of Peter, and how to pass on a love of the
faith and Christian virtue to other generations. Our Catholic faith,
imbued with a radical sense of God’s presence, caught up in the
beauty of His creation all around us, and purified through personal
penance and awareness of God’s forgiveness, is a legacy that is
surely perfected and nourished when regularly placed on the Lord’s
altar at the sacrifice of the Mass.
"Thankfulness
and joy at such a great history of faith and love have recently been
shaken in an appalling way by the revelation of sins committed by
priests and consecrated persons against people entrusted to their
care. Instead of showing them the path towards Christ, towards God,
instead of bearing witness to His goodness, they abused people and
undermined the credibility of the Church’s message. How are we to
explain the fact that people who regularly received the Lord’s body
and confessed their sins in the Sacrament of Penance have offended in
this way? It remains a mystery. Yet evidently, their Christianity was
no longer nourished by joyful encounter with Jesus Christ: it had
become merely a matter of habit. The work of the Council was really
meant to overcome this form of Christianity and to rediscover the
faith as a deep personal friendship with the goodness of Jesus
Christ. The Eucharistic Congress has a similar aim. Here we wish to
encounter the Risen Lord. We ask Him to touch us deeply. May He who
breathed on the Apostles at Easter, communicating his Spirit to them,
likewise bestow upon us His breath, the power of the Holy Spirit, and
so help us to become true witnesses to His love, witnesses to the
truth. His truth is love. Christ’s love is truth.
"My
dear brothers and sisters, I pray that the Congress will be for each
of you a spiritually fruitful experience of communion with Christ and
his Church. At the same time, I would like to invite you to join me
in praying for God’s blessing upon the next International
Eucharistic Congress, which will take place in 2016 in the city of
Cebu! To the people of the Philippines I send warm greetings and an
assurance of my closeness in prayer during the period of preparation
for this great ecclesial gathering".
THE
KINGDOM OF GOD IS A GIFT, BUT IT REQUIRES OUR COLLABORATION
Vatican
City, 17 June 2012 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI appeared at
the window of his study to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered
below in St. Peter's Square. The Pope commented on the two brief
parables in today's Gospel reading: that of the seed which grows
while the farmer sleeps, and that of the mustard seed. "Through
these images taken from the world of agriculture", he explained,
"the Lord presents the mystery of the Word and the Kingdom of
God, and indicates the reasons for our hope and our commitment.
"In
the first parable, the focus is on the dynamism of the seed which,
scattered on the ground, sprouts and grows by itself, whether the
farmer sleeps or is awake. ... What supports the farmer in his daily
efforts is his trust in the power of the seed and in the goodness of
the earth. This parable recalls the mystery ... of God's fruitful
work in history. He is Lord of the Kingdom, and man is His humble
collaborator who contemplates and is gladdened by the divine creative
act, and patiently awaits its fruits. ... Now is the time to sow, and
the growth of the seed is guaranteed by the Lord. All Christians,
then, know that they must do everything they can, but that the final
result depends upon God: this knowledge sustains them in their daily
trials, especially in moments of difficulty".
The Holy
Father went on to note that the second parable mentions a specific
plant, "the mustard seed, which is considered to be the smallest
of all seeds". Nonetheless, "despite its diminutive size it
is full of life and, when it splits, a shoot is born which is capable
of breaking the earth ... and growing until it 'becomes the greatest
of all shrubs'. ... Such is the Kingdom of God: small in human terms,
... being made up of those who do not trust in their own strength but
in that of God's love, of those who are unimportant in the eyes of
the world, yet through them the power of Christ breaks forth and
transforms that which is apparently insignificant.
"The
image of the seed was particularly dear to Jesus", the Pope
added in conclusion, "because it well express the mystery of the
Kingdom of God. In today's two parables it represents 'growth' and
'contrast': the growth that comes about thanks to the dynamism
intrinsic to the seed itself, and the contrast that exists between
the smallness of the seed and the greatness it produces. The message
is clear: the Kingdom of God, though it requires our collaboration,
is above all a gift of God, a grace which precedes man and his works.
Our weak strength, apparently impotent before the problems of the
world, if united to that of God fears no obstacles, because the
victory of the Lord is certain".
POPE
CALLS FOR REFUGEES' RIGHTS TO BE RESPECTED
Vatican
City, 17 June 2012 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today, the Pope
made some remarks about World Refugee Day, an initiative promoted by
the United Nations which is celebrated on 20 June. "It seeks to
draw the attention of the international community to the situation of
so many people, especially families, who are forced to flee their own
lands because threatened by armed conflict and serious forms of
violence", the Holy Father said. "I assure these severely
tried brothers and sisters of the Holy See's prayers and constant
solicitude, at the same time expressing the hope that their rights
may always be respected and that they may soon be able to be reunited
with their loved ones".
The Pope
went on: "Today in Ireland marks the closing celebration of the
International Eucharistic Congress which, over the last week, has
made Dublin the city of the Eucharist, as many people gathered in
prayer in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus
chose to remain among us in the mystery of the Eucharist, to bring us
into communion with Him and with one another", he said.
Finally
the Holy Father mentioned Cecilia Eusepi, who will be beatified this
afternoon in the Italian town of Nepi. "She wanted to become a
missionary, but was forced to abandon her convent due to illness"
and died at the age of eighteen. "Her faith was unshakeable, and
she showed a great capacity to sacrifice herself for the salvation of
souls".
INTERNATIONAL
THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION RENEWS ITS WEBPAGE
Vatican
City, 16 June 2012 (VIS) - In a communique made public today the
International Theological Commission announces that it has updated
its webpage. The page is to be found on the Vatican website
(www.vatican.va) under the section dedicated to the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith.
The
International Theological Commission, established by Paul VI in 1969,
assists the Holy See, and in particular the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith, in examining the most important and pressing
doctrinal issues. It is made up of theologians from various schools
and nations, who stand out for their depth of knowledge and their
fidelity to Church Magisterium. The members of the Commission - who
number no more than thirty - are appointed by the Holy Father for a
period of five years, at the suggestion of the cardinal prefect of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and after consulting
episcopal conferences. Over the course of its history the Commission
has, with the approval of its president, published twenty-five
documents.
The new
webpage opens with a brief historical overview of the institution
(Profile), followed by the provisional Statutes of 12 July 1969 and
the definitive Statues of 6 August 1982 (Statutes). The page also
contains a listing of members of the Commission (List of the
Members).
The most
important part of the page is the collection of the twenty-five
documents published by the Commission. Most of them are in seven
languages - French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Latin and
Polish - although some are also available in Portuguese, Dutch,
Hungarian, Russian and Czech. This collection is due to expand as new
language versions of the texts are produced (Published Documents).
The
webpage contains information about collected editions of the
documents in various languages, as well as a list of papal addresses
made to the members of the Commission (Pontifical Speeches). A
further section (Documents) includes various contributions relative
to the work and publications of the Commission, especially comments
and clarifications.
The
Commission hopes that the renewed webpage may help and stimulate
consultation of documents, first and foremost by pastors,
theologians, priests and consecrated persons, as well as students and
other faithful throughout the world, particularly in places where it
is not easy to access publications of those texts.
AUDIENCES
Vatican
City, 18 June 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in
audience:
- Eduardo
Gutierrez Saenz de Buruaga, the new Spanish ambassador to the Holy
See, for the presentation of his Letters of Credence.
-
Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, archbishop of San Cristobal de
la Habana, Cuba.
- Ten
prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, on their "ad
limina" visit:
-
Archbishop Oscar Urbina Ortega of Villavicencio.
- Bishop
Jose Figueroa Gomez of Granada en Colombia.
- Bishop
Francisco Antonio Nieto Sua of San Jose del Guaviare.
- Bishop
Antonio Bayter Abud M.X.Y., apostolic vicar of Inirida.
- Msgr.
Damian E. Chavarria Carvajal, pro apostolic vicar of Mitu.
- Bishop
Jose de Jesus Quintero Diaz, apostolic vicar of Leticia.
- Bishop
Francisco Antonio Ceballos Escobar, apostolic vicar of Puerto
Carreno.
- Msgr.
Oswaldo Jaramillo Osorio, pro apostolic vicar of Puerto Gaitan.
- Bishop
Eulises Gonzalez Sanchez, apostolic vicar of San Andres y
Providencia.
- Bishop
Edgar Hernando Tirado Mazo M.X.Y., apostolic vicar of Tierradentro.
On
Saturday 16 June the Holy Father received in audience:
-
Cardinal Fernado Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the
Evangelisation of Peoples.
-
Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary of the Congregation for
Bishops.
- Six
prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, on their "ad
limina" visit:
-
Archbishop Flavio Calle Zapata of Ibague.
- Bishop
Pablo Emiro Sales Anteliz of Espinal.
- Bishop
Jose Miguel Gomez Rodriguez of Libano-Honda.
- Bishop
Froilan Tiberio Casas Ortiz of Neiva.
- Bishop
Francisco Javier Munera Correa I.M.C., apostolic vicar of San Vicente
- Puerto Leguizamo.
- Msgr.
Obed Ramirez Granada, diocesan administrator of Florencia.
-
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president emeritus of the Pontifical
Council "Cor Unum".
ACTS
CONCERNING THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES
Vatican
City, 16 June 2012 (VIS) - The Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites,
with the consent of the Synod of Bishops of the Maronite Church
meeting pursuant to canon 85 paragraph 2 (2) of the Code of Canons of
the Eastern Churches, has transferred:
- Bishop
Camille Zaidan, bishop of the Patriarchal Curia, to the office of
archbishop of Antelias of the Maronites (Catholics 156,028, priests
162, religious 353), Lebanon. He succeeds Archbishop Youssef Bechara,
who resigned from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese in
accordance with canon 210 para. 1-2 of the Code of Canons of the
Eastern Churches.
- Bishop
Francois Eid O.M.M., eparchal vicar of Cairo, Egypt, and of Sudan of
the Maronites, to the office of patriarchal procurator before the
Holy See, having received prior pontifical assent. Bishop Eid will
receive the tile of eparchal bishop emeritus of his former eparchy,
under the terms of canon 211 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the
Eastern Churches.
The Synod
of Bishops of the Maronite Church has elected the following
archbishops and bishops, all of whom have received prior assent from
the Holy Father:
- Fr.
Moussa El-Hage O.A.M., superior of the convent of Sts. Sarkis and
Bacchus in Edhen and Zghorta, as archbishop of Haifa and the Holy
Land of the Maronites (Catholics 7,000, priests 11, religious 9),
Israel, and as patriarchal exarch of Jerusalem and Palestine
(Catholics 504, permanent deacons 1) and Jordan (Catholics 1,500,
priests 2). The bishop-elect was born in Antoura, Lebanon in 1954 and
ordained a priest in 1980. He studied in Jerusalem and in Rome and
has held various offices in his religious order as well as being
active in pastoral work and education. He succeeds Archbishop Paul
Nabil El-Sayah, who had earlier resigned from the pastoral care of
those circumscriptions to take up the office of bishop of the
Patriarchal Curia.
- Fr.
Paul Rouhana O.L.M., secretary of the Middle East Council of
Churches, as bishop of the patriarchal vicariate of Sarba, Lebanon.
The bishop-elect was born in Amchit, Lebanon in 1954 and ordained a
priest in 1982. He studied in Belgium and in France and been active
in education at "Saint Esprit" University in Kaslik. He
succeeds Bishop Guy-Paul Noujaim, who resigned from the pastoral care
of the same archdiocese in accordance with canon 210 para. 1-2 of the
Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
- Fr.
Maroun Ammar, rector of the major seminary of Ghazir, as bishop of
the patriarchal vicariate of Joubbe, Lebanon. The bishop-elect was
born in Haje, Lebanon in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1983. He has
served as pastor in various parishes and is a judge at the Court of
Appeal of the Maronite Tribunal of Lebanon. He succeeds Bishop
Francis Baissari, who resigned from the pastoral care of the same
archdiocese in accordance with canon 210 para. 1-2 of the Code of
Canons of the Eastern Churches.
- Fr.
Joseph Mouawad, vicar general of the eparchy of Jbeil-Byblos,
Lebanon, as bishop of the Patriarchal Curia. The bishop-elect was
born in Mayfouq, Lebanon in 1970 and ordained a priest in 1995. He
studied in Rome and has been active in pastoral work, as well as
teaching theology at "La Sagesse" University in Beirut and
"Saint Esprit" University in Kaslik.
- Fr.
Georges Chihane, patriarchal administrator of Haifa and the Holy Land
of the Maronites, Israel, and patriarchal exarch of Jerusalem,
Palestine and Jordan, as eparchal vicar of Cairo, Egypt and Sudan of
the Maronites (Catholics 5,500, priests 6, religious 3). The
bishop-elect was born in Haret Sakhr, Lebanon in 1953 and ordained a
priest in 1979. He has served as pastor in various parishes in
Lebanon, France and Jordan.
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