Chicago, Ill., Nov 18, 2012 / 01:04 pm (CNA).- In mid-October, Teresa Widman did not know where she was going to sleep, or what she was going to eat. Her diabetes was out of control, and her blood sugar was sky high.
Things looked bleak, and she didn’t see how they would get any better.
Homeless since 2008, she had stayed in shelters in Chicago and other cities before finding her way to the House of Mary and Joseph, a homeless shelter on West Harrison Street operated by Franciscan Outreach. There, she can get dinner in the evening, breakfast in the morning and a bed in between.
Since she can sign up to come back when she leaves in the morning, she has a plastic bin to leave clothing and other possessions in during the day. And with the case management help of Darlene Bell, she has been able to see a doctor, get insulin to regulate her blood sugar and make a plan for dealing with her other health issues.
“I love it to death here,” she said. “Everybody’s friendly. They’ve already really helped me. I’ve been in a lot of homeless shelters, and I can tell this is a good place.”
Now Bell is talking about the next step for Widman: maybe getting her into Franciscan Outreach’s interim housing program, where she wouldn’t have to sign up every day for a bed and would be able to stay in the shelter during the day, doing volunteer work and preparing herself to be successful with a job; or maybe going back to Texas, where she has family.
“One thing I know I want,” Widman said in an interview in Bell’s office. “I want a key of my own, to my own place.”
Franciscan Outreach has been offering direct services to poor people since Franciscan Father Philip Marquard established it in 1963, said Diana Faust, the current executive director. He thought it would be an outlet for secular Franciscans — lay men and women like Faust — to offer service.
The non-profit organization maintains many Franciscan ties, including offering case management services out of St. Peter’s in the Loop and having several Franciscan volunteers, but it welcomes help from anybody, and is open to serving all.
When it was founded its main service was a halfway house for men coming out of prison; now it has the House of Mary and Joseph, a shelter that offers 209 beds for men and 37 beds for women 365 nights a year; a soup kitchen, shower and laundry and the Marquard Center; and case management services that have helped nearly 500 people find permanent housing since 2007, according to case management coordinator Nick Benedetto.
The most recent addition is a new shelter for 65 men that the city of Chicago asked Franciscan Outreach to take over last summer when the previous operator was unable to maintain services. That shelter is paid for by the city, Faust said.
Case managers meet thousands of clients a year, helping them set goals and figure out how to meet them once they are ready — which is usually after they have spent some time connected with the agency, with a bed to sleep in or a regular source of food.
“If you are hungry,” Faust said, “you don’t care about tomorrow. You care about today.”
One thing that makes it unique, Faust said, is its commitment to the gritty work of providing food and shelter on a daily basis to people who otherwise wouldn’t have anywhere to turn.
Other nonprofits have turned more toward transitional housing, for people who are ready to make the leap to permanent housing, because there is more funding available for that, she said. Franciscan Outreach stands ready to take people as they are, even if they aren’t ready to take that kind of a step toward stability, and even if they sometimes make mistakes and wander off the path. The only time people are barred from returning is if they have harmed or threatened someone else.
“We’re not judging them, no matter where they are,” Faust said. “St. Francis accepted people where they were, because everyone is a child of God. These are people with hopes and dreams and goals.”
While it is not a religious organization per se, Faust said, it has two slots for Franciscan friars on its board, and money dropped in the “poor box” at St. Peter’s in the Loop funds Franciscan Outreach’s efforts.
The shelters, she said, are actually busier in the summer, because so many other shelters shut their doors in the warm-weather months. But even if it’s not cold, Faust said, “It’s not safe to sleep under a bridge. It’s not safe to sleep in an abandoned building. There are a lot of people out there who are there to rob and hurt others. People come to the shelter for safety.”
While there, they can also get access to clothing if they need it, showers with toiletries provided, even medical care from staff at Rush Presbyterian Hospital, which has provided volunteer doctors and other staff for a clinic one night a week for 20 years.
Franciscan Outreach operates with a shoestring paid staff and the help of 12 full-time volunteers, who commit a year to the project and live at the Marquard Center, and 2,500 part-time volunteers.
But the work is never easy or well-funded. Faust and the other staff are trying to raise more money this year, putting them in some ways in the same position their clients are, begging for money. This year, she said, the shelter will need to raise about $300,000 more than the $1.8 million that came in last year.
“We’re on the edge,” Faust acknowledged, “just like a lot of them are.”
Shelter client Carroll Holloway stopped for an interview on Nov. 1, the day she was to move into a new apartment. It was the first place she could call home since being evicted from an Edgewater condo in March.
With turquoise nail polish and a jaunty leather cap on long, curly hair — with an upbeat, bubbly attitude to match — many wouldn’t guess how she has struggled.
She was homeless years ago, and Franciscan Outreach helped her then. When she moved into her last apartment, Catholic Charities helped find her a bed. When she got evicted — she believes illegally — she was right back where she started.
For six months, she put her possessions in a shopping cart and spent nights in various hospital waiting rooms or anywhere else she could find that felt safe. When her Social Security check came, she would splurge for a night or two at a hotel — “I wanted that luxury,” she said — but soon would be back on the street.
Someone reminded her of how Franciscan Outreach helped before, and she returned. She was able to save up some money and get some help finding a place to live. She can’t work — she gets disability payments from Social Security — but she plans to resume volunteer work as soon as she can. She also plans to keep in touch with Bell and others at Franciscan Outreach, to help her keep setting goals and taking the steps she needs to meet them.
The worst part about being homeless, she said, is the rainy days.
“Rainy days are bad for us,” she said, momentarily downcast. “You’re standing outside, and you’re soaking wet, and you can’t go home. What do you do?” Bell reminded her that she was going home that day, and she smiled again.
Posted with permission from Catholic New World, official newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Hurricane Sandy efforts move from relief to recovery
Camden, N.J., Nov 18, 2012 / 04:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Dioceses in the mid-Atlantic are starting to move their Hurricane Sandy relief efforts to a focus on recovery, 18 days after the storm first touched American soil.
“This weekend, we're going to make the pivot from relief to recovery...relief is a shorter term proposition,” said Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities of Camden.
“Its length really depends on the scale of any given disaster...recovery is, first of all, long term.”
In a Nov. 16 interview with CNA, he said relief efforts in Camden, N.J. involved the setting up of “two disaster distribution points to handle relief supplies, to get them out and into communities as fast as possible.” Those relief distribution points will be closed on Sunday, Nov. 18.
Efforts now turn to long-term recovery, which Hickey said will be “at least a six month process,” though he had heard a disaster specialist saying that for the state of New Jersey in general, it could last as long as 24 months.
“Our own recovery operations will be long term case management. We're structuring our response...which would include things like rental assistance, security deposits, helping people clean up their homes, replacing furniture and bedding.”
Catholic Charities of Camden has a “preferential option to serve poor and vulnerable people,” and those in need will be assisted with replacing their goods.
While “it's hard to predict the exact range of needs that will be presented to us,” Hickey said he anticipates a particular need to purchase refrigerators and bus passes.
While the relief distribution sites in Camden are being closed, a donation distribution site in the disaster zone itself, on the coast, is being kept open, and Catholic Charities of Camden will be expanding their storage capability in the disaster zones.
Hickey noted gratefully that the papal nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Vigano, had recently contributed $2500 to the Camden diocese's recovery operations, and he had heard that similar contributions were being made to all 12 affected American dioceses.
Patti Phillips, development director at Catholic Charities West Virginia, echoed the move from relief to recovery.
“We know that as the immediate needs are met, long term recovery and repair to homes will be significant,” she told CNA Nov. 16.
Catholic Charities West Virginia will “begin to assess the damage and start working to make those repairs,” as they've seen “roofs collapsed, power outages causing damage to appliances and so forth.”
Phillips said that the recovery process “can take up to six to eight months,” and is exasperated this year because of the multiple storms which have pummeled West Virginia. Heavy storms in the spring caused power problems and storm damage to homes, and another storm hit in the summer.
“Many of those repairs were in process when the snow from Sandy fell; some of the homes were still tarped and beginning those repairs, trying to get them done before the winter.”
West Virginia has distribution centers for food and supplies throughout the state, and Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston has asked all his parishes to take up a second collection the weekend of Nov. 18.
Kim Burgo, senior director of disaster operations at Catholic Charities USA, told CNA/EWTN News Nov. 15 that there has been an outpouring of generosity to help people “begin the recovery process.”
Both supplies and crisis counseling are being offered, and she reported that displaced persons will be placed in a disaster case management process to help them in their long term needs.
The Knights of Columbus announced Nov. 15 that their donations to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in the United States have totaled more than $500,000.
“Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, “and in a disaster such as this, we are grateful to the many people who have made donations in support of our relief efforts and are pleased to be able to directly aid those most in need.”
And in the Caribbean, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas America Latina y el Caribe have been responding to Hurricane Sandy's effects in Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.
According a Nov. 6 press release from Caritas, some 85 percent of housing in Santiago de Cuba has suffered some damage, and many people have been displaced from their homes.
“In light of this situation, the response of Caritas Cuba has been to concentrate on basic necessities like food and water which remain priorities to this day. Also, Caritas Cuba has distributed to affected persons articles of personal hygiene and household needs.”
Caritas Cuba is focusing on the most needy families, in particular single mothers of young children and elderly people without children to help them.
“We are only able to do a little bit,” said Maritza Sanchez, director of Caritas Cuba. “But that little thing, alleviates some of the anguish and uplifts the hope of persons and families who are going through such difficult times.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“This weekend, we're going to make the pivot from relief to recovery...relief is a shorter term proposition,” said Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities of Camden.
“Its length really depends on the scale of any given disaster...recovery is, first of all, long term.”
In a Nov. 16 interview with CNA, he said relief efforts in Camden, N.J. involved the setting up of “two disaster distribution points to handle relief supplies, to get them out and into communities as fast as possible.” Those relief distribution points will be closed on Sunday, Nov. 18.
Efforts now turn to long-term recovery, which Hickey said will be “at least a six month process,” though he had heard a disaster specialist saying that for the state of New Jersey in general, it could last as long as 24 months.
“Our own recovery operations will be long term case management. We're structuring our response...which would include things like rental assistance, security deposits, helping people clean up their homes, replacing furniture and bedding.”
Catholic Charities of Camden has a “preferential option to serve poor and vulnerable people,” and those in need will be assisted with replacing their goods.
While “it's hard to predict the exact range of needs that will be presented to us,” Hickey said he anticipates a particular need to purchase refrigerators and bus passes.
While the relief distribution sites in Camden are being closed, a donation distribution site in the disaster zone itself, on the coast, is being kept open, and Catholic Charities of Camden will be expanding their storage capability in the disaster zones.
Hickey noted gratefully that the papal nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Vigano, had recently contributed $2500 to the Camden diocese's recovery operations, and he had heard that similar contributions were being made to all 12 affected American dioceses.
Patti Phillips, development director at Catholic Charities West Virginia, echoed the move from relief to recovery.
“We know that as the immediate needs are met, long term recovery and repair to homes will be significant,” she told CNA Nov. 16.
Catholic Charities West Virginia will “begin to assess the damage and start working to make those repairs,” as they've seen “roofs collapsed, power outages causing damage to appliances and so forth.”
Phillips said that the recovery process “can take up to six to eight months,” and is exasperated this year because of the multiple storms which have pummeled West Virginia. Heavy storms in the spring caused power problems and storm damage to homes, and another storm hit in the summer.
“Many of those repairs were in process when the snow from Sandy fell; some of the homes were still tarped and beginning those repairs, trying to get them done before the winter.”
West Virginia has distribution centers for food and supplies throughout the state, and Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston has asked all his parishes to take up a second collection the weekend of Nov. 18.
Kim Burgo, senior director of disaster operations at Catholic Charities USA, told CNA/EWTN News Nov. 15 that there has been an outpouring of generosity to help people “begin the recovery process.”
Both supplies and crisis counseling are being offered, and she reported that displaced persons will be placed in a disaster case management process to help them in their long term needs.
The Knights of Columbus announced Nov. 15 that their donations to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in the United States have totaled more than $500,000.
“Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, “and in a disaster such as this, we are grateful to the many people who have made donations in support of our relief efforts and are pleased to be able to directly aid those most in need.”
And in the Caribbean, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas America Latina y el Caribe have been responding to Hurricane Sandy's effects in Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.
According a Nov. 6 press release from Caritas, some 85 percent of housing in Santiago de Cuba has suffered some damage, and many people have been displaced from their homes.
“In light of this situation, the response of Caritas Cuba has been to concentrate on basic necessities like food and water which remain priorities to this day. Also, Caritas Cuba has distributed to affected persons articles of personal hygiene and household needs.”
Caritas Cuba is focusing on the most needy families, in particular single mothers of young children and elderly people without children to help them.
“We are only able to do a little bit,” said Maritza Sanchez, director of Caritas Cuba. “But that little thing, alleviates some of the anguish and uplifts the hope of persons and families who are going through such difficult times.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Jesus Christ is constant in transient world, Pope says
Vatican City, Nov 18, 2012 / 04:27 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- At the Sunday Angelus prayers at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said that the Sunday gospel about the passing of the world is a reminder that Jesus Christ is the focus and source of all creation.
“Everything passes, but the Word of God does not change, and each of us is responsible for his behavior before it,” Pope Benedict said from his window in St. Peter’s Square Nov. 18. “It is upon this that we shall be judged.”
Jesus does not act as a visionary who gives forecasts and dates, the Pope explained. Rather, he wants to show his disciples “the right path to walk on, today and tomorrow, to enter into eternal life.”
The Pope emphasized the centrality of Jesus in his comments to English-speaking pilgrims.
“Jesus tells us that although heaven and earth will pass away, His words will remain,” he said. “Let us pledge ourselves to build our lives more and more on the solid foundation of His holy word, the true source of life and joy.”
The Pope’s general comments focused on the Sunday gospel reading from St. Mark, a reading he said is “probably the most difficult text of the Gospels.”
The reading “speaks of a future beyond our categories” and uses images and words taken from the Old Testament.
But above all, the Pope said, the reading “integrates a new center”: Jesus Christ himself and “the mystery of his person, and of his death and resurrection.”
The Word of God is “the source of all creation” and its creative power is “focused in Jesus Christ, the word made flesh.”
Jesus’ words are the “true firmament” that directs the thoughts and the path of mankind.
Even though Jesus uses the apocalyptic images of a darkened sun and moon, falling stars and the shaking of the heavens, these images are relativized by the statement that the Son of Man, Jesus himself, is coming “with power and great glory.”
“He is the true event that, in the midst of the turmoil of the world, remains the firm and stable center,” Pope Benedict said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Everything passes, but the Word of God does not change, and each of us is responsible for his behavior before it,” Pope Benedict said from his window in St. Peter’s Square Nov. 18. “It is upon this that we shall be judged.”
Jesus does not act as a visionary who gives forecasts and dates, the Pope explained. Rather, he wants to show his disciples “the right path to walk on, today and tomorrow, to enter into eternal life.”
The Pope emphasized the centrality of Jesus in his comments to English-speaking pilgrims.
“Jesus tells us that although heaven and earth will pass away, His words will remain,” he said. “Let us pledge ourselves to build our lives more and more on the solid foundation of His holy word, the true source of life and joy.”
The Pope’s general comments focused on the Sunday gospel reading from St. Mark, a reading he said is “probably the most difficult text of the Gospels.”
The reading “speaks of a future beyond our categories” and uses images and words taken from the Old Testament.
But above all, the Pope said, the reading “integrates a new center”: Jesus Christ himself and “the mystery of his person, and of his death and resurrection.”
The Word of God is “the source of all creation” and its creative power is “focused in Jesus Christ, the word made flesh.”
Jesus’ words are the “true firmament” that directs the thoughts and the path of mankind.
Even though Jesus uses the apocalyptic images of a darkened sun and moon, falling stars and the shaking of the heavens, these images are relativized by the statement that the Son of Man, Jesus himself, is coming “with power and great glory.”
“He is the true event that, in the midst of the turmoil of the world, remains the firm and stable center,” Pope Benedict said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Pope: World's spiritual poverty heightens need for Christian unity
Vatican City, Nov 15, 2012 / 12:38 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Christians must not allow their divisions to keep them from working together to evangelize a world enduring a “crisis of faith,” Pope Benedict XVI told the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
The failure to do so, he said, “goes against the will of Christ, and is a scandal in the world.”
The council, which is meeting Nov. 15 –19, will address the theme of “The Importance of Ecumenism for New Evangelization.” The theme dovetails with the topic of overcoming Christian divisions, which was widely-discussed topic at last month’s synod of bishops on the New Evangelization.
Speaking in the Clementine Room of the Apostolic Palace on Nov. 15, the Pope stressed the necessity of having theological dialogue with Christians who do not hold the Catholic faith, in order to give a credible witness to Christ in a world suffering a crisis of faith and spiritual poverty.
“Even if we do not see the possibility of the restoration of full communion in the near future, (other faiths) enable us to understand the wealth of experience, spiritual life and theological reflections that become a stimulus for a deeper testimony,” the Pope said.
The aim of ecumenism is a “visible unity between divided Christians,” he told the assembly, and the Lord must be invoked to make even an imperfect unity possible.
And even if Christians’ unity is imperfect, it is still needed to evangelize a culture gone awry, especially in the Western world.
“We cannot follow a truly ecumenical path while ignoring the crisis of faith affecting vast areas of the world, including those where the proclamation of the Gospel was first accepted and where Christian life has flourished for centuries,” he told council members.
The situation has grown so bad that many people no longer regard the absence of God in their lives as a vacuum to be filled. This presents a situation all Christians must address, discovering common ground that overcomes their denominational divisions.
The essential unity of Christians needs to be emphasized in order to bear witness to God before the world. This, he said, consists in faith in the Trinity – a faith received at baptism which all Christians can profess together “in hope and charity.”
A truly ecumenical spirit, the Pope noted toward the end of his remarks, demands abandonment to the will of God in order to bring others to belief in him.
“In the final analysis,” Pope Benedict concluded, “ecumenism and new evangelization both require the dynamism of conversion, understood as the sincere desire to follow Christ and to fully adhere to the will of the Father.”
Starting on the afternoon of Nov. 17, council participants will deliberate on the work of last month’s synod and explore the progress of ecumenical work in different parts of the world.
Council president Cardinal Kurt Koch will give the opening address.
In a Nov. 13 interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Koch said he hopes the council meeting will foster Christian unity and aid evangelization efforts.
“The credibility of the message of the Gospel depends on unity,” he said. “The division of the Church in the world is the biggest obstacle to the missionary activity in the world.”
The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity was founded by Pope John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
The failure to do so, he said, “goes against the will of Christ, and is a scandal in the world.”
The council, which is meeting Nov. 15 –19, will address the theme of “The Importance of Ecumenism for New Evangelization.” The theme dovetails with the topic of overcoming Christian divisions, which was widely-discussed topic at last month’s synod of bishops on the New Evangelization.
Speaking in the Clementine Room of the Apostolic Palace on Nov. 15, the Pope stressed the necessity of having theological dialogue with Christians who do not hold the Catholic faith, in order to give a credible witness to Christ in a world suffering a crisis of faith and spiritual poverty.
“Even if we do not see the possibility of the restoration of full communion in the near future, (other faiths) enable us to understand the wealth of experience, spiritual life and theological reflections that become a stimulus for a deeper testimony,” the Pope said.
The aim of ecumenism is a “visible unity between divided Christians,” he told the assembly, and the Lord must be invoked to make even an imperfect unity possible.
And even if Christians’ unity is imperfect, it is still needed to evangelize a culture gone awry, especially in the Western world.
“We cannot follow a truly ecumenical path while ignoring the crisis of faith affecting vast areas of the world, including those where the proclamation of the Gospel was first accepted and where Christian life has flourished for centuries,” he told council members.
The situation has grown so bad that many people no longer regard the absence of God in their lives as a vacuum to be filled. This presents a situation all Christians must address, discovering common ground that overcomes their denominational divisions.
The essential unity of Christians needs to be emphasized in order to bear witness to God before the world. This, he said, consists in faith in the Trinity – a faith received at baptism which all Christians can profess together “in hope and charity.”
A truly ecumenical spirit, the Pope noted toward the end of his remarks, demands abandonment to the will of God in order to bring others to belief in him.
“In the final analysis,” Pope Benedict concluded, “ecumenism and new evangelization both require the dynamism of conversion, understood as the sincere desire to follow Christ and to fully adhere to the will of the Father.”
Starting on the afternoon of Nov. 17, council participants will deliberate on the work of last month’s synod and explore the progress of ecumenical work in different parts of the world.
Council president Cardinal Kurt Koch will give the opening address.
In a Nov. 13 interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Koch said he hopes the council meeting will foster Christian unity and aid evangelization efforts.
“The credibility of the message of the Gospel depends on unity,” he said. “The division of the Church in the world is the biggest obstacle to the missionary activity in the world.”
The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity was founded by Pope John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Vatican office unveils Faith Scroll for pilgrims
Rome, Italy, Nov 15, 2012 / 03:50 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In honor of the Year of Faith, pilgrims to Rome can now share their thoughts about the gift of faith by writing them on a special scroll at the Vatican’s Pilgrim Office.
“Since it's the Year of Faith people are going to live intense experiences of faith,” said the office’s director, Father Cesare Atuire, after the scroll’s Nov. 15 debut. “So we've decided to create this initiative whereby people can actually leave something written down – their thoughts, their emotions, concerning what their faith really means for them.”
Those entries that the Pilgrim Office deems the most inspiring will be posted on a blog associated with it, www.jospers.travel. Fr. Atuire hopes this will “create a mini community whereby we really share our experience of faith.”
Designed by New York architect Isabella Mancini, the Faith Scroll can be found in the pilgrim office, which is located just west of St. Peter’s Square.
The box-like structure with the scroll on top also features a slot for pilgrims’ prayer intentions. These will be collected, read and prayed over at a Mass each month in St. Peter's Basilica during the Year of Faith.
The office will feature clips on YouTube so that people can see the moment when Mass is being celebrated for their intentions.
“This is a new experience in order to communicate our faith,” said Archbishop Rino Fisichella of the Pontical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.
He hopes it will assist pilgrims in developing a truly “universal Catholic experience of the faith.”
One of the first to sign the scroll, Archbishop Fisichella wrote, “faith is the answer, not one of the answers” to the meaning of life, allowing for “a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the son of God.”
Another signatory, who signed the scroll as Rosamaria Mancini of New York, simply wrote that “Faith is hope, and it’s what helps me move forward each day.”
A source of information for visitors to Rome, the Vatican’s Pilgrim Office also promotes and facilitates pilgrimages to Rome, Marian shrines in Europe and the Holy Land.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Since it's the Year of Faith people are going to live intense experiences of faith,” said the office’s director, Father Cesare Atuire, after the scroll’s Nov. 15 debut. “So we've decided to create this initiative whereby people can actually leave something written down – their thoughts, their emotions, concerning what their faith really means for them.”
Those entries that the Pilgrim Office deems the most inspiring will be posted on a blog associated with it, www.jospers.travel. Fr. Atuire hopes this will “create a mini community whereby we really share our experience of faith.”
Designed by New York architect Isabella Mancini, the Faith Scroll can be found in the pilgrim office, which is located just west of St. Peter’s Square.
The box-like structure with the scroll on top also features a slot for pilgrims’ prayer intentions. These will be collected, read and prayed over at a Mass each month in St. Peter's Basilica during the Year of Faith.
The office will feature clips on YouTube so that people can see the moment when Mass is being celebrated for their intentions.
“This is a new experience in order to communicate our faith,” said Archbishop Rino Fisichella of the Pontical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.
He hopes it will assist pilgrims in developing a truly “universal Catholic experience of the faith.”
One of the first to sign the scroll, Archbishop Fisichella wrote, “faith is the answer, not one of the answers” to the meaning of life, allowing for “a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the son of God.”
Another signatory, who signed the scroll as Rosamaria Mancini of New York, simply wrote that “Faith is hope, and it’s what helps me move forward each day.”
A source of information for visitors to Rome, the Vatican’s Pilgrim Office also promotes and facilitates pilgrimages to Rome, Marian shrines in Europe and the Holy Land.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Vatican to address abortions in Catholic hospitals
Vatican City, Nov 15, 2012 / 04:05 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During its upcoming conference, the Pontifical Council for Health Care will address the problem of abortion and other practices against Church teaching at some Catholic hospitals around the world.
The president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, said the Nov. 15-17 gathering in Rome will discuss “the serious challenge of preserving the identity of Catholic hospitals.”
He criticized the “political pressure” levied against Catholic hospitals in some countries to force them to provide abortions in violation of Church teaching.
Jose Maria Simon Castellvi, a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, told CNA on Nov. 14 that the issue is especially troubling, given that from the Church's perspective, “human life is inviolable from conception to natural death.”
“If the head obstetrician is not pro-life and family care is not offered, either abortions are performed there or patients are referred to other places to obtain them,” he said.
“This is terrible, but it happens. I think mothers should always be given the best care, so that nobody manipulates them into abortion.”
On abortions allegedly taking place at hospitals linked to the Catholic Church in Catalonia in Spain, Simon Castellvi said the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach “tells me that there are no abortions at the San Pablo Hospital. So right now, I can’t do anything more.”
On Oct. 5, Catholic News Agency's South American affiliate ACI Prensa posted a video that showed that abortions are taking place at the hospital despite the repeated denials by Cardinal Martinez Sistach.
The video featured a doctor recommending a pregnant woman be tested to see if her unborn child had Down’s Syndrome, which she could use to justify obtaining an abortion.
Asked if an abortion could be obtained at the hospital, the doctor told the woman that while “at this hospital we don’t terminate pregnancies unless it is an extremely grave problem,” she could obtain an abortion “if it was somewhere else besides here.”
Fr. Custodio Ballester, the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Barcelona and one of the first to denounce the Catholic hospitals in Catalonia that are providing or recommending abortions, said, “The Church’s credibility is on the line” with the conference on Catholic hospitals.
“We’ll see if they just stick to the principles, which are sufficiently clear, or if they apply them, especially here in Barcelona,” he said.
Fr. Ballester said the hospitals in question are under fire as well for “genetic experimentation, embryo selection for eugenics, abortion pills that some Church leaders think are safe.”
“In Rome there is an excess of guidance and a lack of concrete decisions on what do” about this problem at Catholic hospitals, he added.
Nearly 600 experts from around the world are expected to attend the international conference. According to data from the Holy See, there are some 120,000 Catholic health care institutions in the world.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
The president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, said the Nov. 15-17 gathering in Rome will discuss “the serious challenge of preserving the identity of Catholic hospitals.”
He criticized the “political pressure” levied against Catholic hospitals in some countries to force them to provide abortions in violation of Church teaching.
Jose Maria Simon Castellvi, a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care, told CNA on Nov. 14 that the issue is especially troubling, given that from the Church's perspective, “human life is inviolable from conception to natural death.”
“If the head obstetrician is not pro-life and family care is not offered, either abortions are performed there or patients are referred to other places to obtain them,” he said.
“This is terrible, but it happens. I think mothers should always be given the best care, so that nobody manipulates them into abortion.”
On abortions allegedly taking place at hospitals linked to the Catholic Church in Catalonia in Spain, Simon Castellvi said the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach “tells me that there are no abortions at the San Pablo Hospital. So right now, I can’t do anything more.”
On Oct. 5, Catholic News Agency's South American affiliate ACI Prensa posted a video that showed that abortions are taking place at the hospital despite the repeated denials by Cardinal Martinez Sistach.
The video featured a doctor recommending a pregnant woman be tested to see if her unborn child had Down’s Syndrome, which she could use to justify obtaining an abortion.
Asked if an abortion could be obtained at the hospital, the doctor told the woman that while “at this hospital we don’t terminate pregnancies unless it is an extremely grave problem,” she could obtain an abortion “if it was somewhere else besides here.”
Fr. Custodio Ballester, the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Barcelona and one of the first to denounce the Catholic hospitals in Catalonia that are providing or recommending abortions, said, “The Church’s credibility is on the line” with the conference on Catholic hospitals.
“We’ll see if they just stick to the principles, which are sufficiently clear, or if they apply them, especially here in Barcelona,” he said.
Fr. Ballester said the hospitals in question are under fire as well for “genetic experimentation, embryo selection for eugenics, abortion pills that some Church leaders think are safe.”
“In Rome there is an excess of guidance and a lack of concrete decisions on what do” about this problem at Catholic hospitals, he added.
Nearly 600 experts from around the world are expected to attend the international conference. According to data from the Holy See, there are some 120,000 Catholic health care institutions in the world.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Jesus expressed the faith in small 'tweets,' cardinal says
Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2012 / 12:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Vatican official urged Catholics to share the Gospel in a concise and eloquent way like Jesus, “who used only 78 Greek characters to express the faith, barely half of the amount used for a message on Twitter today.”
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, made his remarks Nov. 9, as he received a “Honoris Causa” Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran Pontifical University of Rome for his pastoral work.
“The proclamation needs to be made with the same essence as Christ,” the cardinal said, “who in his first public intervention used a sort of essential 'tweet:' 'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.'”
“A phrase in Greek that has a total of eight words, and that without articles and conjugations would include a total of fifteen terms in 78 characters.”
During the event, Cardinal Ravasi also delivered a speech titled, “Education and Communication: How to Grow in Faith at the University,” in which he analyzed education from the point of view of communication and content.
“Communication should be an atmosphere, and because of it, the message of Jesus Christ has reached our days two thousand years later,” he said.
Cardinal Ravasi, who often writes posts short scripture quotes on his Twitter account, said the sharing of the faith should be eloquent, clear and concise, and ever deeper.
He also stressed the importance of silence, recalling that the Bible calls us to silence and meditation in order to hear the call of the faith through words, “Shema Israel,” which means “listen Israel.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, made his remarks Nov. 9, as he received a “Honoris Causa” Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran Pontifical University of Rome for his pastoral work.
“The proclamation needs to be made with the same essence as Christ,” the cardinal said, “who in his first public intervention used a sort of essential 'tweet:' 'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.'”
“A phrase in Greek that has a total of eight words, and that without articles and conjugations would include a total of fifteen terms in 78 characters.”
During the event, Cardinal Ravasi also delivered a speech titled, “Education and Communication: How to Grow in Faith at the University,” in which he analyzed education from the point of view of communication and content.
“Communication should be an atmosphere, and because of it, the message of Jesus Christ has reached our days two thousand years later,” he said.
Cardinal Ravasi, who often writes posts short scripture quotes on his Twitter account, said the sharing of the faith should be eloquent, clear and concise, and ever deeper.
He also stressed the importance of silence, recalling that the Bible calls us to silence and meditation in order to hear the call of the faith through words, “Shema Israel,” which means “listen Israel.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Vatican congregation to emphasize liturgical music, art
Vatican City, Nov 14, 2012 / 02:45 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- With the Vatican's approval on Nov. 14 of its restructuring, the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will shift its focus more intensely on art and liturgical music.
The restructuring is in accord with a Sept. 2011 apostolic letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI, where he noted that the changes will help the congregation in “giving a fresh impetus to promoting the sacred liturgy in the Church.”
This will be achieved mainly through a new office dedicated to sacred music and liturgical art – including architecture – which will become operational next year.
Its charges will include issuing guidelines on liturgical music and the structure of new churches so that they reflect the mysterious encounter with the divine, as well as follow the dictates and instructions of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
In his letter, the Pope wrote that these all must be in accord with the Second Vatican Council's “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” Overlooking that 1963 document has allowed for the post-conciliar trend of building unedifying churches and filling them pop-influenced music.
Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the congregation, is entrusted with overseeing that these future guidelines and existing ones on liturgical celebration are followed throughout the world.
He is a long-time ally of the Pope, back to the pontiff's days as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Canizares is sometimes referred as “Little Ratzinger” for his similar beliefs and opinions.
Overseeing the many facets of worship in the worldwide Church is a significant task, especially in light of last December's implementation of the new Roman Missal in English, which is truer to the original Latin and more elevated in its language.
To help the congregation focus on issues related to worship, the new restructuring removes two responsibilities that proved time consuming: processes of dispensation from ratified and non-consummated marriage and cases concerning the nullity of sacred ordination.
Those duties have been shifted to the Roman Rota, the Church’s highest appellate tribunal.
“The Holy See has always sought to adapt its structures of governance to the pastoral needs that arise in the life of the Church in every period of history, thereby modifying the structure and competence of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia,” wrote the Pope in his Sept. 2011 letter.
That letter was issued motu proprio, meaning that he wrote it for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
The restructuring is in accord with a Sept. 2011 apostolic letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI, where he noted that the changes will help the congregation in “giving a fresh impetus to promoting the sacred liturgy in the Church.”
This will be achieved mainly through a new office dedicated to sacred music and liturgical art – including architecture – which will become operational next year.
Its charges will include issuing guidelines on liturgical music and the structure of new churches so that they reflect the mysterious encounter with the divine, as well as follow the dictates and instructions of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
In his letter, the Pope wrote that these all must be in accord with the Second Vatican Council's “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” Overlooking that 1963 document has allowed for the post-conciliar trend of building unedifying churches and filling them pop-influenced music.
Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the congregation, is entrusted with overseeing that these future guidelines and existing ones on liturgical celebration are followed throughout the world.
He is a long-time ally of the Pope, back to the pontiff's days as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Canizares is sometimes referred as “Little Ratzinger” for his similar beliefs and opinions.
Overseeing the many facets of worship in the worldwide Church is a significant task, especially in light of last December's implementation of the new Roman Missal in English, which is truer to the original Latin and more elevated in its language.
To help the congregation focus on issues related to worship, the new restructuring removes two responsibilities that proved time consuming: processes of dispensation from ratified and non-consummated marriage and cases concerning the nullity of sacred ordination.
Those duties have been shifted to the Roman Rota, the Church’s highest appellate tribunal.
“The Holy See has always sought to adapt its structures of governance to the pastoral needs that arise in the life of the Church in every period of history, thereby modifying the structure and competence of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia,” wrote the Pope in his Sept. 2011 letter.
That letter was issued motu proprio, meaning that he wrote it for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Jesus expressed the faith in small 'tweets,' cardinal says
Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2012 / 12:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Vatican official urged Catholics to share the Gospel in a concise and eloquent way like Jesus, “who used only 78 Greek characters to express the faith, barely half of the amount used for a message on Twitter today.”
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, made his remarks Nov. 9, as he received a “Honoris Causa” Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran Pontifical University of Rome for his pastoral work.
“The proclamation needs to be made with the same essence as Christ,” the cardinal said, “who in his first public intervention used a sort of essential 'tweet:' 'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.'”
“A phrase in Greek that has a total of eight words, and that without articles and conjugations would include a total of fifteen terms in 78 characters.”
During the event, Cardinal Ravasi also delivered a speech titled, “Education and Communication: How to Grow in Faith at the University,” in which he analyzed education from the point of view of communication and content.
“Communication should be an atmosphere, and because of it, the message of Jesus Christ has reached our days two thousand years later,” he said.
Cardinal Ravasi, who often writes posts short scripture quotes on his Twitter account, said the sharing of the faith should be eloquent, clear and concise, and ever deeper.
He also stressed the importance of silence, recalling that the Bible calls us to silence and meditation in order to hear the call of the faith through words, “Shema Israel,” which means “listen Israel.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, made his remarks Nov. 9, as he received a “Honoris Causa” Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran Pontifical University of Rome for his pastoral work.
“The proclamation needs to be made with the same essence as Christ,” the cardinal said, “who in his first public intervention used a sort of essential 'tweet:' 'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.'”
“A phrase in Greek that has a total of eight words, and that without articles and conjugations would include a total of fifteen terms in 78 characters.”
During the event, Cardinal Ravasi also delivered a speech titled, “Education and Communication: How to Grow in Faith at the University,” in which he analyzed education from the point of view of communication and content.
“Communication should be an atmosphere, and because of it, the message of Jesus Christ has reached our days two thousand years later,” he said.
Cardinal Ravasi, who often writes posts short scripture quotes on his Twitter account, said the sharing of the faith should be eloquent, clear and concise, and ever deeper.
He also stressed the importance of silence, recalling that the Bible calls us to silence and meditation in order to hear the call of the faith through words, “Shema Israel,” which means “listen Israel.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Bishops renew call for comprehensive immigration reform
Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 04:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The U.S. bishops are reiterating their appeal to President Obama and the newly elected members of Congress to enact just and humane immigration reform within the coming year.
“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.
“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.
In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”
“It’s an absolute need,” he said.
Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.
The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.
He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”
“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.
“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.
In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”
“It’s an absolute need,” he said.
Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.
The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.
He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”
“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Vatican congregation to emphasize liturgical music, art
Vatican City, Nov 14, 2012 / 02:45 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- With the Vatican's approval on Nov. 14 of its restructuring, the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will shift its focus more intensely on art and liturgical music.
The restructuring is in accord with a Sept. 2011 apostolic letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI, where he noted that the changes will help the congregation in “giving a fresh impetus to promoting the sacred liturgy in the Church.”
This will be achieved mainly through a new office dedicated to sacred music and liturgical art – including architecture – which will become operational next year.
Its charges will include issuing guidelines on liturgical music and the structure of new churches so that they reflect the mysterious encounter with the divine, as well as follow the dictates and instructions of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
In his letter, the Pope wrote that these all must be in accord with the Second Vatican Council's “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” Overlooking that 1963 document has allowed for the post-conciliar trend of building unedifying churches and filling them pop-influenced music.
Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the congregation, is entrusted with overseeing that these future guidelines and existing ones on liturgical celebration are followed throughout the world.
He is a long-time ally of the Pope, back to the pontiff's days as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Canizares is sometimes referred as “Little Ratzinger” for his similar beliefs and opinions.
Overseeing the many facets of worship in the worldwide Church is a significant task, especially in light of last December's implementation of the new Roman Missal in English, which is truer to the original Latin and more elevated in its language.
To help the congregation focus on issues related to worship, the new restructuring removes two responsibilities that proved time consuming: processes of dispensation from ratified and non-consummated marriage and cases concerning the nullity of sacred ordination.
Those duties have been shifted to the Roman Rota, the Church’s highest appellate tribunal.
“The Holy See has always sought to adapt its structures of governance to the pastoral needs that arise in the life of the Church in every period of history, thereby modifying the structure and competence of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia,” wrote the Pope in his Sept. 2011 letter.
That letter was issued motu proprio, meaning that he wrote it for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
The restructuring is in accord with a Sept. 2011 apostolic letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI, where he noted that the changes will help the congregation in “giving a fresh impetus to promoting the sacred liturgy in the Church.”
This will be achieved mainly through a new office dedicated to sacred music and liturgical art – including architecture – which will become operational next year.
Its charges will include issuing guidelines on liturgical music and the structure of new churches so that they reflect the mysterious encounter with the divine, as well as follow the dictates and instructions of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
In his letter, the Pope wrote that these all must be in accord with the Second Vatican Council's “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” Overlooking that 1963 document has allowed for the post-conciliar trend of building unedifying churches and filling them pop-influenced music.
Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the congregation, is entrusted with overseeing that these future guidelines and existing ones on liturgical celebration are followed throughout the world.
He is a long-time ally of the Pope, back to the pontiff's days as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Canizares is sometimes referred as “Little Ratzinger” for his similar beliefs and opinions.
Overseeing the many facets of worship in the worldwide Church is a significant task, especially in light of last December's implementation of the new Roman Missal in English, which is truer to the original Latin and more elevated in its language.
To help the congregation focus on issues related to worship, the new restructuring removes two responsibilities that proved time consuming: processes of dispensation from ratified and non-consummated marriage and cases concerning the nullity of sacred ordination.
Those duties have been shifted to the Roman Rota, the Church’s highest appellate tribunal.
“The Holy See has always sought to adapt its structures of governance to the pastoral needs that arise in the life of the Church in every period of history, thereby modifying the structure and competence of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia,” wrote the Pope in his Sept. 2011 letter.
That letter was issued motu proprio, meaning that he wrote it for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Divorced should be embraced with kindness, priest underscores
Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2012 / 04:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An Italian priest who serves as a spiritual director for dozens of divorced Catholics in Rome said that the Church needs to lovingly embrace its members who have suffered from separation.
“Through Baptism everyone is a child of God, God liberates us all, and in a particular way, this Pope, many times, has affirmed the importance of embracing everyone,” said Father Paolo Bachelet.
At 90 years-old, Fr. Bachelet helps families in difficult situations by working as an adviser for the Association of Separated Christians of Rome as well as a spiritual director for the divorced in the Italian capital.
In an interview with CNA, the priest noted that separation “certainly entails suffering, as Benedict XVI has said various times.”
However, “this suffering is a treasure for the Church,” he said.
“If one does not understand that each suffering is offered together with the sufferings of Jesus and offered to the Father for the salvation of the world, one cannot draw close to Jesus.”
“And the suffering of separation, when in certain circumstances the suffering of not being able to receive Communion is offered, becomes a treasure for the good of the Church and is another source of comfort.”
The priest then reflected on Jesus' words when said he whoever wants to follow him should be willing take up his or her cross.
“So all Christians have a cross, including those who are married,” he said. “With separation this cross becomes heavier, but it is always the cross of Jesus that Jesus knows we are carrying, and he helps us to carry it, whether it is light or heavy.”
Fr. Bachelet also underscored the importance of understanding that when separation occurs, one is not a failure, but rather the marriage is what has failed.
Given this truth, one has “to know how to move forward, move on and accept and overcome this mistake in order to remain stable, work and have faith.”
In his experience with broken families, Fr. Bachelet said providing them spiritual direction is not easy.
“I must say that I have learned many things precisely from living among those who are separated, and I assure you that for many, separation has been an experience in which only the faith has sustained them,” he explained.
“Some have strayed from the faith for a time, but many others found the need to deepen in their faith and they were helped,” he said.
“Experience teaches us first of all that in a separation, if one has the mission to be a father, he can also take on the mission of mother, and vice versa. Consequently, God sends double the help in order to carry out this new mission.”
“Likewise,” the priest said, “when one is alone, one is forced by circumstance to confront many problems and difficulties, and therefore many qualities and gifts come out that perhaps one did not know that one had.”
By following God after the breakup of a marriage, “instead of being destroyed, one's personality can be enriched by all of the activities that one does.”
“Afterwards, especially if the children are grown, one way of overcoming loneliness is to devote oneself to activities such as study, politics, helping others, sports…and one acquires new skills,” Fr. Bachelet said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Through Baptism everyone is a child of God, God liberates us all, and in a particular way, this Pope, many times, has affirmed the importance of embracing everyone,” said Father Paolo Bachelet.
At 90 years-old, Fr. Bachelet helps families in difficult situations by working as an adviser for the Association of Separated Christians of Rome as well as a spiritual director for the divorced in the Italian capital.
In an interview with CNA, the priest noted that separation “certainly entails suffering, as Benedict XVI has said various times.”
However, “this suffering is a treasure for the Church,” he said.
“If one does not understand that each suffering is offered together with the sufferings of Jesus and offered to the Father for the salvation of the world, one cannot draw close to Jesus.”
“And the suffering of separation, when in certain circumstances the suffering of not being able to receive Communion is offered, becomes a treasure for the good of the Church and is another source of comfort.”
The priest then reflected on Jesus' words when said he whoever wants to follow him should be willing take up his or her cross.
“So all Christians have a cross, including those who are married,” he said. “With separation this cross becomes heavier, but it is always the cross of Jesus that Jesus knows we are carrying, and he helps us to carry it, whether it is light or heavy.”
Fr. Bachelet also underscored the importance of understanding that when separation occurs, one is not a failure, but rather the marriage is what has failed.
Given this truth, one has “to know how to move forward, move on and accept and overcome this mistake in order to remain stable, work and have faith.”
In his experience with broken families, Fr. Bachelet said providing them spiritual direction is not easy.
“I must say that I have learned many things precisely from living among those who are separated, and I assure you that for many, separation has been an experience in which only the faith has sustained them,” he explained.
“Some have strayed from the faith for a time, but many others found the need to deepen in their faith and they were helped,” he said.
“Experience teaches us first of all that in a separation, if one has the mission to be a father, he can also take on the mission of mother, and vice versa. Consequently, God sends double the help in order to carry out this new mission.”
“Likewise,” the priest said, “when one is alone, one is forced by circumstance to confront many problems and difficulties, and therefore many qualities and gifts come out that perhaps one did not know that one had.”
By following God after the breakup of a marriage, “instead of being destroyed, one's personality can be enriched by all of the activities that one does.”
“Afterwards, especially if the children are grown, one way of overcoming loneliness is to devote oneself to activities such as study, politics, helping others, sports…and one acquires new skills,” Fr. Bachelet said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Bishops renew call for comprehensive immigration reform
Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 04:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The U.S. bishops are reiterating their appeal to President Obama and the newly elected members of Congress to enact just and humane immigration reform within the coming year.
“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.
“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.
In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”
“It’s an absolute need,” he said.
Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.
The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.
He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”
“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.
“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.
In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”
“It’s an absolute need,” he said.
Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.
The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.
He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”
“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
US bishops say homilies should invite Catholics to conversion
Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 06:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday homilies should promote repentance, instill a sense of mission and lead Catholics to grow in understanding their faith, the U.S. bishops said in a new document on preaching.
“The ultimate goal of proclaiming the Gospel is to lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, a relationship that forms the character of their persons and guides them in living out their faith,” the bishops emphasized.
In “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: the Sunday Homily,” the bishops offered a reflection on preaching for priests, deacons and those who are responsible for forming them.
Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve the document – which will also be translated into Spanish – on Nov. 13 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore. The vote tally was 227 in favor, 11 against and four abstaining.
The bishops noted that Catholics have asked for “more powerful and inspiring preaching” in surveys, and that the laity can become discouraged by a “steady diet of tepid or poorly prepared homilies.”
Homilists should respond to this desire by preaching with a “sense of urgency and freshness,” connecting Scripture, the Eucharist and the Creed, they advised.
As an “intrinsic part of the Sunday Eucharist,” the bishops said in the document, every homily must be centered on the person of Christ, whose death and resurrection are at the heart of our salvation.
“If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel,” they stated.
And while “every effective homily is a summons to conversion,” the bishops also said this does not mean that a homilist should “simply berate the people for their failures.”
Instead, the clergy should emphasize the “offer of grace” and do so with “pastoral sensitivity.”
This invitation and “promise of grace” is an important context, particularly when addressing those who do not regularly attend Mass or discussing the moral challenges presented by Church teaching on delicate issues such as sexuality and marriage, they added.
The bishops also acknowledged that many Catholics seem to lack knowledge of Church teaching and be in need of stronger catechesis.
Since “the Sunday liturgy remains the basic setting in which most adult Catholics encounter Christ and their Catholic faith,” they counseled homilists to use the opportunity to present Church doctrine.
Over time, the homilist should cover the entire scope of the Church’s rich catechetical teaching, including its stance on critical issues such as the respect for human life, the importance of religious freedom and justice for the poor and migrants.
“Homilies are inspirational when they touch the deepest levels of the human heart and address the real questions of human experience,” the bishops said, noting the importance of incorporating both ordinary experiences and the deeper hopes and longings that give meaning to them.
“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission,” they noted, adding that homilies are incomplete if they do not inspire a sense of mission that translates love of Christ into love for others.
Building on the New Evangelization, the Year of Faith and the call for a renewal of preaching by Pope Benedict XVI at the 2008 Synod on the Word, the bishops explained that preaching is a participation in the apostolic continuation of Jesus’ ministry.
They pointed to Mary as an example of hearing and proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.
In their personal lives, homilists should work towards ongoing spiritual renewal, seeking to lead lives of holiness with a deep love of Scripture and respect for Tradition, they said.
The effectiveness of preaching can also be improved through an understanding of contemporary culture, including the music, movies and websites that are a part of the people’s lives.
The bishops offered several factors to consider when preparing homilies, including the growing individualism in modern culture, the need to speak respectfully about other religious traditions and the cultural diversity of Church communities.
“Once he has come to know the customs, mores, practices, history, and religiosity of a people, a homilist can draw on that richness in order to make his presentation of the faith fresh and enlivening,” they said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“The ultimate goal of proclaiming the Gospel is to lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, a relationship that forms the character of their persons and guides them in living out their faith,” the bishops emphasized.
In “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: the Sunday Homily,” the bishops offered a reflection on preaching for priests, deacons and those who are responsible for forming them.
Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve the document – which will also be translated into Spanish – on Nov. 13 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore. The vote tally was 227 in favor, 11 against and four abstaining.
The bishops noted that Catholics have asked for “more powerful and inspiring preaching” in surveys, and that the laity can become discouraged by a “steady diet of tepid or poorly prepared homilies.”
Homilists should respond to this desire by preaching with a “sense of urgency and freshness,” connecting Scripture, the Eucharist and the Creed, they advised.
As an “intrinsic part of the Sunday Eucharist,” the bishops said in the document, every homily must be centered on the person of Christ, whose death and resurrection are at the heart of our salvation.
“If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel,” they stated.
And while “every effective homily is a summons to conversion,” the bishops also said this does not mean that a homilist should “simply berate the people for their failures.”
Instead, the clergy should emphasize the “offer of grace” and do so with “pastoral sensitivity.”
This invitation and “promise of grace” is an important context, particularly when addressing those who do not regularly attend Mass or discussing the moral challenges presented by Church teaching on delicate issues such as sexuality and marriage, they added.
The bishops also acknowledged that many Catholics seem to lack knowledge of Church teaching and be in need of stronger catechesis.
Since “the Sunday liturgy remains the basic setting in which most adult Catholics encounter Christ and their Catholic faith,” they counseled homilists to use the opportunity to present Church doctrine.
Over time, the homilist should cover the entire scope of the Church’s rich catechetical teaching, including its stance on critical issues such as the respect for human life, the importance of religious freedom and justice for the poor and migrants.
“Homilies are inspirational when they touch the deepest levels of the human heart and address the real questions of human experience,” the bishops said, noting the importance of incorporating both ordinary experiences and the deeper hopes and longings that give meaning to them.
“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission,” they noted, adding that homilies are incomplete if they do not inspire a sense of mission that translates love of Christ into love for others.
Building on the New Evangelization, the Year of Faith and the call for a renewal of preaching by Pope Benedict XVI at the 2008 Synod on the Word, the bishops explained that preaching is a participation in the apostolic continuation of Jesus’ ministry.
They pointed to Mary as an example of hearing and proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.
In their personal lives, homilists should work towards ongoing spiritual renewal, seeking to lead lives of holiness with a deep love of Scripture and respect for Tradition, they said.
The effectiveness of preaching can also be improved through an understanding of contemporary culture, including the music, movies and websites that are a part of the people’s lives.
The bishops offered several factors to consider when preparing homilies, including the growing individualism in modern culture, the need to speak respectfully about other religious traditions and the cultural diversity of Church communities.
“Once he has come to know the customs, mores, practices, history, and religiosity of a people, a homilist can draw on that richness in order to make his presentation of the faith fresh and enlivening,” they said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Divorced should be embraced with kindness, priest underscores
Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2012 / 04:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An Italian priest who serves as a spiritual director for dozens of divorced Catholics in Rome said that the Church needs to lovingly embrace its members who have suffered from separation.
“Through Baptism everyone is a child of God, God liberates us all, and in a particular way, this Pope, many times, has affirmed the importance of embracing everyone,” said Father Paolo Bachelet.
At 90 years-old, Fr. Bachelet helps families in difficult situations by working as an adviser for the Association of Separated Christians of Rome as well as a spiritual director for the divorced in the Italian capital.
In an interview with CNA, the priest noted that separation “certainly entails suffering, as Benedict XVI has said various times.”
However, “this suffering is a treasure for the Church,” he said.
“If one does not understand that each suffering is offered together with the sufferings of Jesus and offered to the Father for the salvation of the world, one cannot draw close to Jesus.”
“And the suffering of separation, when in certain circumstances the suffering of not being able to receive Communion is offered, becomes a treasure for the good of the Church and is another source of comfort.”
The priest then reflected on Jesus' words when said he whoever wants to follow him should be willing take up his or her cross.
“So all Christians have a cross, including those who are married,” he said. “With separation this cross becomes heavier, but it is always the cross of Jesus that Jesus knows we are carrying, and he helps us to carry it, whether it is light or heavy.”
Fr. Bachelet also underscored the importance of understanding that when separation occurs, one is not a failure, but rather the marriage is what has failed.
Given this truth, one has “to know how to move forward, move on and accept and overcome this mistake in order to remain stable, work and have faith.”
In his experience with broken families, Fr. Bachelet said providing them spiritual direction is not easy.
“I must say that I have learned many things precisely from living among those who are separated, and I assure you that for many, separation has been an experience in which only the faith has sustained them,” he explained.
“Some have strayed from the faith for a time, but many others found the need to deepen in their faith and they were helped,” he said.
“Experience teaches us first of all that in a separation, if one has the mission to be a father, he can also take on the mission of mother, and vice versa. Consequently, God sends double the help in order to carry out this new mission.”
“Likewise,” the priest said, “when one is alone, one is forced by circumstance to confront many problems and difficulties, and therefore many qualities and gifts come out that perhaps one did not know that one had.”
By following God after the breakup of a marriage, “instead of being destroyed, one's personality can be enriched by all of the activities that one does.”
“Afterwards, especially if the children are grown, one way of overcoming loneliness is to devote oneself to activities such as study, politics, helping others, sports…and one acquires new skills,” Fr. Bachelet said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Through Baptism everyone is a child of God, God liberates us all, and in a particular way, this Pope, many times, has affirmed the importance of embracing everyone,” said Father Paolo Bachelet.
At 90 years-old, Fr. Bachelet helps families in difficult situations by working as an adviser for the Association of Separated Christians of Rome as well as a spiritual director for the divorced in the Italian capital.
In an interview with CNA, the priest noted that separation “certainly entails suffering, as Benedict XVI has said various times.”
However, “this suffering is a treasure for the Church,” he said.
“If one does not understand that each suffering is offered together with the sufferings of Jesus and offered to the Father for the salvation of the world, one cannot draw close to Jesus.”
“And the suffering of separation, when in certain circumstances the suffering of not being able to receive Communion is offered, becomes a treasure for the good of the Church and is another source of comfort.”
The priest then reflected on Jesus' words when said he whoever wants to follow him should be willing take up his or her cross.
“So all Christians have a cross, including those who are married,” he said. “With separation this cross becomes heavier, but it is always the cross of Jesus that Jesus knows we are carrying, and he helps us to carry it, whether it is light or heavy.”
Fr. Bachelet also underscored the importance of understanding that when separation occurs, one is not a failure, but rather the marriage is what has failed.
Given this truth, one has “to know how to move forward, move on and accept and overcome this mistake in order to remain stable, work and have faith.”
In his experience with broken families, Fr. Bachelet said providing them spiritual direction is not easy.
“I must say that I have learned many things precisely from living among those who are separated, and I assure you that for many, separation has been an experience in which only the faith has sustained them,” he explained.
“Some have strayed from the faith for a time, but many others found the need to deepen in their faith and they were helped,” he said.
“Experience teaches us first of all that in a separation, if one has the mission to be a father, he can also take on the mission of mother, and vice versa. Consequently, God sends double the help in order to carry out this new mission.”
“Likewise,” the priest said, “when one is alone, one is forced by circumstance to confront many problems and difficulties, and therefore many qualities and gifts come out that perhaps one did not know that one had.”
By following God after the breakup of a marriage, “instead of being destroyed, one's personality can be enriched by all of the activities that one does.”
“Afterwards, especially if the children are grown, one way of overcoming loneliness is to devote oneself to activities such as study, politics, helping others, sports…and one acquires new skills,” Fr. Bachelet said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
US bishops say homilies should invite Catholics to conversion
Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 06:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday homilies should promote repentance, instill a sense of mission and lead Catholics to grow in understanding their faith, the U.S. bishops said in a new document on preaching.
“The ultimate goal of proclaiming the Gospel is to lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, a relationship that forms the character of their persons and guides them in living out their faith,” the bishops emphasized.
In “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: the Sunday Homily,” the bishops offered a reflection on preaching for priests, deacons and those who are responsible for forming them.
Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve the document – which will also be translated into Spanish – on Nov. 13 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore. The vote tally was 227 in favor, 11 against and four abstaining.
The bishops noted that Catholics have asked for “more powerful and inspiring preaching” in surveys, and that the laity can become discouraged by a “steady diet of tepid or poorly prepared homilies.”
Homilists should respond to this desire by preaching with a “sense of urgency and freshness,” connecting Scripture, the Eucharist and the Creed, they advised.
As an “intrinsic part of the Sunday Eucharist,” the bishops said in the document, every homily must be centered on the person of Christ, whose death and resurrection are at the heart of our salvation.
“If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel,” they stated.
And while “every effective homily is a summons to conversion,” the bishops also said this does not mean that a homilist should “simply berate the people for their failures.”
Instead, the clergy should emphasize the “offer of grace” and do so with “pastoral sensitivity.”
This invitation and “promise of grace” is an important context, particularly when addressing those who do not regularly attend Mass or discussing the moral challenges presented by Church teaching on delicate issues such as sexuality and marriage, they added.
The bishops also acknowledged that many Catholics seem to lack knowledge of Church teaching and be in need of stronger catechesis.
Since “the Sunday liturgy remains the basic setting in which most adult Catholics encounter Christ and their Catholic faith,” they counseled homilists to use the opportunity to present Church doctrine.
Over time, the homilist should cover the entire scope of the Church’s rich catechetical teaching, including its stance on critical issues such as the respect for human life, the importance of religious freedom and justice for the poor and migrants.
“Homilies are inspirational when they touch the deepest levels of the human heart and address the real questions of human experience,” the bishops said, noting the importance of incorporating both ordinary experiences and the deeper hopes and longings that give meaning to them.
“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission,” they noted, adding that homilies are incomplete if they do not inspire a sense of mission that translates love of Christ into love for others.
Building on the New Evangelization, the Year of Faith and the call for a renewal of preaching by Pope Benedict XVI at the 2008 Synod on the Word, the bishops explained that preaching is a participation in the apostolic continuation of Jesus’ ministry.
They pointed to Mary as an example of hearing and proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.
In their personal lives, homilists should work towards ongoing spiritual renewal, seeking to lead lives of holiness with a deep love of Scripture and respect for Tradition, they said.
The effectiveness of preaching can also be improved through an understanding of contemporary culture, including the music, movies and websites that are a part of the people’s lives.
The bishops offered several factors to consider when preparing homilies, including the growing individualism in modern culture, the need to speak respectfully about other religious traditions and the cultural diversity of Church communities.
“Once he has come to know the customs, mores, practices, history, and religiosity of a people, a homilist can draw on that richness in order to make his presentation of the faith fresh and enlivening,” they said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“The ultimate goal of proclaiming the Gospel is to lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, a relationship that forms the character of their persons and guides them in living out their faith,” the bishops emphasized.
In “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: the Sunday Homily,” the bishops offered a reflection on preaching for priests, deacons and those who are responsible for forming them.
Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve the document – which will also be translated into Spanish – on Nov. 13 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore. The vote tally was 227 in favor, 11 against and four abstaining.
The bishops noted that Catholics have asked for “more powerful and inspiring preaching” in surveys, and that the laity can become discouraged by a “steady diet of tepid or poorly prepared homilies.”
Homilists should respond to this desire by preaching with a “sense of urgency and freshness,” connecting Scripture, the Eucharist and the Creed, they advised.
As an “intrinsic part of the Sunday Eucharist,” the bishops said in the document, every homily must be centered on the person of Christ, whose death and resurrection are at the heart of our salvation.
“If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel,” they stated.
And while “every effective homily is a summons to conversion,” the bishops also said this does not mean that a homilist should “simply berate the people for their failures.”
Instead, the clergy should emphasize the “offer of grace” and do so with “pastoral sensitivity.”
This invitation and “promise of grace” is an important context, particularly when addressing those who do not regularly attend Mass or discussing the moral challenges presented by Church teaching on delicate issues such as sexuality and marriage, they added.
The bishops also acknowledged that many Catholics seem to lack knowledge of Church teaching and be in need of stronger catechesis.
Since “the Sunday liturgy remains the basic setting in which most adult Catholics encounter Christ and their Catholic faith,” they counseled homilists to use the opportunity to present Church doctrine.
Over time, the homilist should cover the entire scope of the Church’s rich catechetical teaching, including its stance on critical issues such as the respect for human life, the importance of religious freedom and justice for the poor and migrants.
“Homilies are inspirational when they touch the deepest levels of the human heart and address the real questions of human experience,” the bishops said, noting the importance of incorporating both ordinary experiences and the deeper hopes and longings that give meaning to them.
“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission,” they noted, adding that homilies are incomplete if they do not inspire a sense of mission that translates love of Christ into love for others.
Building on the New Evangelization, the Year of Faith and the call for a renewal of preaching by Pope Benedict XVI at the 2008 Synod on the Word, the bishops explained that preaching is a participation in the apostolic continuation of Jesus’ ministry.
They pointed to Mary as an example of hearing and proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.
In their personal lives, homilists should work towards ongoing spiritual renewal, seeking to lead lives of holiness with a deep love of Scripture and respect for Tradition, they said.
The effectiveness of preaching can also be improved through an understanding of contemporary culture, including the music, movies and websites that are a part of the people’s lives.
The bishops offered several factors to consider when preparing homilies, including the growing individualism in modern culture, the need to speak respectfully about other religious traditions and the cultural diversity of Church communities.
“Once he has come to know the customs, mores, practices, history, and religiosity of a people, a homilist can draw on that richness in order to make his presentation of the faith fresh and enlivening,” they said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Jesus expressed the faith in small 'tweets,' cardinal says
Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2012 / 12:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Vatican official urged Catholics to share the Gospel in a concise and eloquent way like Jesus, “who used only 78 Greek characters to express the faith, barely half of the amount used for a message on Twitter today.”
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, made his remarks Nov. 9, as he received a “Honoris Causa” Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran Pontifical University of Rome for his pastoral work.
“The proclamation needs to be made with the same essence as Christ,” the cardinal said, “who in his first public intervention used a sort of essential 'tweet:' 'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.'”
“A phrase in Greek that has a total of eight words, and that without articles and conjugations would include a total of fifteen terms in 78 characters.”
During the event, Cardinal Ravasi also delivered a speech titled, “Education and Communication: How to Grow in Faith at the University,” in which he analyzed education from the point of view of communication and content.
“Communication should be an atmosphere, and because of it, the message of Jesus Christ has reached our days two thousand years later,” he said.
Cardinal Ravasi, who often writes posts short scripture quotes on his Twitter account, said the sharing of the faith should be eloquent, clear and concise, and ever deeper.
He also stressed the importance of silence, recalling that the Bible calls us to silence and meditation in order to hear the call of the faith through words, “Shema Israel,” which means “listen Israel.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, made his remarks Nov. 9, as he received a “Honoris Causa” Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Lateran Pontifical University of Rome for his pastoral work.
“The proclamation needs to be made with the same essence as Christ,” the cardinal said, “who in his first public intervention used a sort of essential 'tweet:' 'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.'”
“A phrase in Greek that has a total of eight words, and that without articles and conjugations would include a total of fifteen terms in 78 characters.”
During the event, Cardinal Ravasi also delivered a speech titled, “Education and Communication: How to Grow in Faith at the University,” in which he analyzed education from the point of view of communication and content.
“Communication should be an atmosphere, and because of it, the message of Jesus Christ has reached our days two thousand years later,” he said.
Cardinal Ravasi, who often writes posts short scripture quotes on his Twitter account, said the sharing of the faith should be eloquent, clear and concise, and ever deeper.
He also stressed the importance of silence, recalling that the Bible calls us to silence and meditation in order to hear the call of the faith through words, “Shema Israel,” which means “listen Israel.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Vatican congregation to emphasize liturgical music, art
Vatican City, Nov 14, 2012 / 02:45 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- With the Vatican's approval on Nov. 14 of its restructuring, the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will shift its focus more intensely on art and liturgical music.
The restructuring is in accord with a Sept. 2011 apostolic letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI, where he noted that the changes will help the congregation in “giving a fresh impetus to promoting the sacred liturgy in the Church.”
This will be achieved mainly through a new office dedicated to sacred music and liturgical art – including architecture – which will become operational next year.
Its charges will include issuing guidelines on liturgical music and the structure of new churches so that they reflect the mysterious encounter with the divine, as well as follow the dictates and instructions of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
In his letter, the Pope wrote that these all must be in accord with the Second Vatican Council's “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” Overlooking that 1963 document has allowed for the post-conciliar trend of building unedifying churches and filling them pop-influenced music.
Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the congregation, is entrusted with overseeing that these future guidelines and existing ones on liturgical celebration are followed throughout the world.
He is a long-time ally of the Pope, back to the pontiff's days as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Canizares is sometimes referred as “Little Ratzinger” for his similar beliefs and opinions.
Overseeing the many facets of worship in the worldwide Church is a significant task, especially in light of last December's implementation of the new Roman Missal in English, which is truer to the original Latin and more elevated in its language.
To help the congregation focus on issues related to worship, the new restructuring removes two responsibilities that proved time consuming: processes of dispensation from ratified and non-consummated marriage and cases concerning the nullity of sacred ordination.
Those duties have been shifted to the Roman Rota, the Church’s highest appellate tribunal.
“The Holy See has always sought to adapt its structures of governance to the pastoral needs that arise in the life of the Church in every period of history, thereby modifying the structure and competence of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia,” wrote the Pope in his Sept. 2011 letter.
That letter was issued motu proprio, meaning that he wrote it for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
The restructuring is in accord with a Sept. 2011 apostolic letter issued by Pope Benedict XVI, where he noted that the changes will help the congregation in “giving a fresh impetus to promoting the sacred liturgy in the Church.”
This will be achieved mainly through a new office dedicated to sacred music and liturgical art – including architecture – which will become operational next year.
Its charges will include issuing guidelines on liturgical music and the structure of new churches so that they reflect the mysterious encounter with the divine, as well as follow the dictates and instructions of the new English translation of the Roman Missal.
In his letter, the Pope wrote that these all must be in accord with the Second Vatican Council's “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.” Overlooking that 1963 document has allowed for the post-conciliar trend of building unedifying churches and filling them pop-influenced music.
Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the congregation, is entrusted with overseeing that these future guidelines and existing ones on liturgical celebration are followed throughout the world.
He is a long-time ally of the Pope, back to the pontiff's days as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Cardinal Canizares is sometimes referred as “Little Ratzinger” for his similar beliefs and opinions.
Overseeing the many facets of worship in the worldwide Church is a significant task, especially in light of last December's implementation of the new Roman Missal in English, which is truer to the original Latin and more elevated in its language.
To help the congregation focus on issues related to worship, the new restructuring removes two responsibilities that proved time consuming: processes of dispensation from ratified and non-consummated marriage and cases concerning the nullity of sacred ordination.
Those duties have been shifted to the Roman Rota, the Church’s highest appellate tribunal.
“The Holy See has always sought to adapt its structures of governance to the pastoral needs that arise in the life of the Church in every period of history, thereby modifying the structure and competence of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia,” wrote the Pope in his Sept. 2011 letter.
That letter was issued motu proprio, meaning that he wrote it for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Bishops renew call for comprehensive immigration reform
Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 04:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The U.S. bishops are reiterating their appeal to President Obama and the newly elected members of Congress to enact just and humane immigration reform within the coming year.
“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.
“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.
In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”
“It’s an absolute need,” he said.
Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.
The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.
He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”
“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“I am heartened by the recent public statements of the leaders of both political parties supporting the consideration of comprehensive immigration reform in the new Congress,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ migration committee.
“I urge the President and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” he said in a statement released on Nov. 13, during the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Observing the “family separation, exploitation, and the loss of life caused by the current system,” the archbishop called for work towards a system “which upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of the person.”
“Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society,” he said. “As a moral matter, this suffering must end.”
Noting “the unprecedented bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform expressed during the last week,” he also encouraged Catholics to speak out in support of addressing the issue in a timely manner.
In a press conference shortly after the statement’s release, Archbishop Gomez explained that “we are urging the President Obama administration and also the congressional leadership to act on this obvious need in our country.”
“It’s an absolute need,” he said.
Bishops at the press conference highlighted the plight of immigrant communities who are living peacefully and seeking to become full members of society.
The U.S. bishops “have been consistent and firm and very much united with many of the immigrant communities” in calling for a serious discussion on the issue, said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.
He explained that just and humane reform is necessary “not only for the sake of the immigrant communities but also, I believe, for the sake of American society.”
Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City pointed out that the bishops have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform for decades.
He stressed that “this would be a great time for bipartisan support for something that’s really a human issue and a moral issue and transcends just simply being a political issue.”
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., said that he has witnessed a growing interest in addressing immigration among the business community, which recognizes the timeliness of the issue. This is encouraging, he explained, because “we need more voices at the table.”
“We need political leadership,” he said. “We need community leadership.”
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Divorced should be embraced with kindness, priest underscores
Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2012 / 04:06 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An Italian priest who serves as a spiritual director for dozens of divorced Catholics in Rome said that the Church needs to lovingly embrace its members who have suffered from separation.
“Through Baptism everyone is a child of God, God liberates us all, and in a particular way, this Pope, many times, has affirmed the importance of embracing everyone,” said Father Paolo Bachelet.
At 90 years-old, Fr. Bachelet helps families in difficult situations by working as an adviser for the Association of Separated Christians of Rome as well as a spiritual director for the divorced in the Italian capital.
In an interview with CNA, the priest noted that separation “certainly entails suffering, as Benedict XVI has said various times.”
However, “this suffering is a treasure for the Church,” he said.
“If one does not understand that each suffering is offered together with the sufferings of Jesus and offered to the Father for the salvation of the world, one cannot draw close to Jesus.”
“And the suffering of separation, when in certain circumstances the suffering of not being able to receive Communion is offered, becomes a treasure for the good of the Church and is another source of comfort.”
The priest then reflected on Jesus' words when said he whoever wants to follow him should be willing take up his or her cross.
“So all Christians have a cross, including those who are married,” he said. “With separation this cross becomes heavier, but it is always the cross of Jesus that Jesus knows we are carrying, and he helps us to carry it, whether it is light or heavy.”
Fr. Bachelet also underscored the importance of understanding that when separation occurs, one is not a failure, but rather the marriage is what has failed.
Given this truth, one has “to know how to move forward, move on and accept and overcome this mistake in order to remain stable, work and have faith.”
In his experience with broken families, Fr. Bachelet said providing them spiritual direction is not easy.
“I must say that I have learned many things precisely from living among those who are separated, and I assure you that for many, separation has been an experience in which only the faith has sustained them,” he explained.
“Some have strayed from the faith for a time, but many others found the need to deepen in their faith and they were helped,” he said.
“Experience teaches us first of all that in a separation, if one has the mission to be a father, he can also take on the mission of mother, and vice versa. Consequently, God sends double the help in order to carry out this new mission.”
“Likewise,” the priest said, “when one is alone, one is forced by circumstance to confront many problems and difficulties, and therefore many qualities and gifts come out that perhaps one did not know that one had.”
By following God after the breakup of a marriage, “instead of being destroyed, one's personality can be enriched by all of the activities that one does.”
“Afterwards, especially if the children are grown, one way of overcoming loneliness is to devote oneself to activities such as study, politics, helping others, sports…and one acquires new skills,” Fr. Bachelet said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Through Baptism everyone is a child of God, God liberates us all, and in a particular way, this Pope, many times, has affirmed the importance of embracing everyone,” said Father Paolo Bachelet.
At 90 years-old, Fr. Bachelet helps families in difficult situations by working as an adviser for the Association of Separated Christians of Rome as well as a spiritual director for the divorced in the Italian capital.
In an interview with CNA, the priest noted that separation “certainly entails suffering, as Benedict XVI has said various times.”
However, “this suffering is a treasure for the Church,” he said.
“If one does not understand that each suffering is offered together with the sufferings of Jesus and offered to the Father for the salvation of the world, one cannot draw close to Jesus.”
“And the suffering of separation, when in certain circumstances the suffering of not being able to receive Communion is offered, becomes a treasure for the good of the Church and is another source of comfort.”
The priest then reflected on Jesus' words when said he whoever wants to follow him should be willing take up his or her cross.
“So all Christians have a cross, including those who are married,” he said. “With separation this cross becomes heavier, but it is always the cross of Jesus that Jesus knows we are carrying, and he helps us to carry it, whether it is light or heavy.”
Fr. Bachelet also underscored the importance of understanding that when separation occurs, one is not a failure, but rather the marriage is what has failed.
Given this truth, one has “to know how to move forward, move on and accept and overcome this mistake in order to remain stable, work and have faith.”
In his experience with broken families, Fr. Bachelet said providing them spiritual direction is not easy.
“I must say that I have learned many things precisely from living among those who are separated, and I assure you that for many, separation has been an experience in which only the faith has sustained them,” he explained.
“Some have strayed from the faith for a time, but many others found the need to deepen in their faith and they were helped,” he said.
“Experience teaches us first of all that in a separation, if one has the mission to be a father, he can also take on the mission of mother, and vice versa. Consequently, God sends double the help in order to carry out this new mission.”
“Likewise,” the priest said, “when one is alone, one is forced by circumstance to confront many problems and difficulties, and therefore many qualities and gifts come out that perhaps one did not know that one had.”
By following God after the breakup of a marriage, “instead of being destroyed, one's personality can be enriched by all of the activities that one does.”
“Afterwards, especially if the children are grown, one way of overcoming loneliness is to devote oneself to activities such as study, politics, helping others, sports…and one acquires new skills,” Fr. Bachelet said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
US bishops say homilies should invite Catholics to conversion
Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2012 / 06:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday homilies should promote repentance, instill a sense of mission and lead Catholics to grow in understanding their faith, the U.S. bishops said in a new document on preaching.
“The ultimate goal of proclaiming the Gospel is to lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, a relationship that forms the character of their persons and guides them in living out their faith,” the bishops emphasized.
In “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: the Sunday Homily,” the bishops offered a reflection on preaching for priests, deacons and those who are responsible for forming them.
Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve the document – which will also be translated into Spanish – on Nov. 13 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore. The vote tally was 227 in favor, 11 against and four abstaining.
The bishops noted that Catholics have asked for “more powerful and inspiring preaching” in surveys, and that the laity can become discouraged by a “steady diet of tepid or poorly prepared homilies.”
Homilists should respond to this desire by preaching with a “sense of urgency and freshness,” connecting Scripture, the Eucharist and the Creed, they advised.
As an “intrinsic part of the Sunday Eucharist,” the bishops said in the document, every homily must be centered on the person of Christ, whose death and resurrection are at the heart of our salvation.
“If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel,” they stated.
And while “every effective homily is a summons to conversion,” the bishops also said this does not mean that a homilist should “simply berate the people for their failures.”
Instead, the clergy should emphasize the “offer of grace” and do so with “pastoral sensitivity.”
This invitation and “promise of grace” is an important context, particularly when addressing those who do not regularly attend Mass or discussing the moral challenges presented by Church teaching on delicate issues such as sexuality and marriage, they added.
The bishops also acknowledged that many Catholics seem to lack knowledge of Church teaching and be in need of stronger catechesis.
Since “the Sunday liturgy remains the basic setting in which most adult Catholics encounter Christ and their Catholic faith,” they counseled homilists to use the opportunity to present Church doctrine.
Over time, the homilist should cover the entire scope of the Church’s rich catechetical teaching, including its stance on critical issues such as the respect for human life, the importance of religious freedom and justice for the poor and migrants.
“Homilies are inspirational when they touch the deepest levels of the human heart and address the real questions of human experience,” the bishops said, noting the importance of incorporating both ordinary experiences and the deeper hopes and longings that give meaning to them.
“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission,” they noted, adding that homilies are incomplete if they do not inspire a sense of mission that translates love of Christ into love for others.
Building on the New Evangelization, the Year of Faith and the call for a renewal of preaching by Pope Benedict XVI at the 2008 Synod on the Word, the bishops explained that preaching is a participation in the apostolic continuation of Jesus’ ministry.
They pointed to Mary as an example of hearing and proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.
In their personal lives, homilists should work towards ongoing spiritual renewal, seeking to lead lives of holiness with a deep love of Scripture and respect for Tradition, they said.
The effectiveness of preaching can also be improved through an understanding of contemporary culture, including the music, movies and websites that are a part of the people’s lives.
The bishops offered several factors to consider when preparing homilies, including the growing individualism in modern culture, the need to speak respectfully about other religious traditions and the cultural diversity of Church communities.
“Once he has come to know the customs, mores, practices, history, and religiosity of a people, a homilist can draw on that richness in order to make his presentation of the faith fresh and enlivening,” they said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“The ultimate goal of proclaiming the Gospel is to lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, a relationship that forms the character of their persons and guides them in living out their faith,” the bishops emphasized.
In “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: the Sunday Homily,” the bishops offered a reflection on preaching for priests, deacons and those who are responsible for forming them.
Members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to approve the document – which will also be translated into Spanish – on Nov. 13 at their fall general assembly in Baltimore. The vote tally was 227 in favor, 11 against and four abstaining.
The bishops noted that Catholics have asked for “more powerful and inspiring preaching” in surveys, and that the laity can become discouraged by a “steady diet of tepid or poorly prepared homilies.”
Homilists should respond to this desire by preaching with a “sense of urgency and freshness,” connecting Scripture, the Eucharist and the Creed, they advised.
As an “intrinsic part of the Sunday Eucharist,” the bishops said in the document, every homily must be centered on the person of Christ, whose death and resurrection are at the heart of our salvation.
“If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel,” they stated.
And while “every effective homily is a summons to conversion,” the bishops also said this does not mean that a homilist should “simply berate the people for their failures.”
Instead, the clergy should emphasize the “offer of grace” and do so with “pastoral sensitivity.”
This invitation and “promise of grace” is an important context, particularly when addressing those who do not regularly attend Mass or discussing the moral challenges presented by Church teaching on delicate issues such as sexuality and marriage, they added.
The bishops also acknowledged that many Catholics seem to lack knowledge of Church teaching and be in need of stronger catechesis.
Since “the Sunday liturgy remains the basic setting in which most adult Catholics encounter Christ and their Catholic faith,” they counseled homilists to use the opportunity to present Church doctrine.
Over time, the homilist should cover the entire scope of the Church’s rich catechetical teaching, including its stance on critical issues such as the respect for human life, the importance of religious freedom and justice for the poor and migrants.
“Homilies are inspirational when they touch the deepest levels of the human heart and address the real questions of human experience,” the bishops said, noting the importance of incorporating both ordinary experiences and the deeper hopes and longings that give meaning to them.
“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission,” they noted, adding that homilies are incomplete if they do not inspire a sense of mission that translates love of Christ into love for others.
Building on the New Evangelization, the Year of Faith and the call for a renewal of preaching by Pope Benedict XVI at the 2008 Synod on the Word, the bishops explained that preaching is a participation in the apostolic continuation of Jesus’ ministry.
They pointed to Mary as an example of hearing and proclaiming the Word of God without hesitation.
In their personal lives, homilists should work towards ongoing spiritual renewal, seeking to lead lives of holiness with a deep love of Scripture and respect for Tradition, they said.
The effectiveness of preaching can also be improved through an understanding of contemporary culture, including the music, movies and websites that are a part of the people’s lives.
The bishops offered several factors to consider when preparing homilies, including the growing individualism in modern culture, the need to speak respectfully about other religious traditions and the cultural diversity of Church communities.
“Once he has come to know the customs, mores, practices, history, and religiosity of a people, a homilist can draw on that richness in order to make his presentation of the faith fresh and enlivening,” they said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Media group encourages pregnant women to consider adoption
Austin, Texas, Nov 13, 2012 / 11:50 am (CNA).- The Austin-based pro-life media group Heroic Media has released a new video for National Adoption Month to encourage women with unexpected pregnancies to consider adoption.
“Most women don't understand the feeling of empowerment adoption brings,” Marissa Cope, Heroic Media’s Director of Marketing, Communications and Research, said Nov. 12. “We believe this video will alert women to a possibility they may not have yet considered and ultimately save the lives of unborn children.”
Cope said fewer than one percent of women with unplanned pregnancies choose adoption, even though there are 30 to 40 couples desiring to adopt for every adoptive baby.
The ad is a result of Heroic Media’s partnership with Bethany Christian Services to publicize resources for pregnant women.
The commercial, titled “The Adoption Option,” is available on YouTube. It will be exclusively broadcast on the Oxygen Network beginning Nov. 12. It will air during the reality TV program “I’m Having Their Baby,” about pregnant women going through the adoption process.
The ad features a pregnant woman who tells the viewer why she plans to put her unborn child up for adoption.
“I’m pregnant, but I’m not in a position to care for this child,” the woman says, placing her hand over her womb. “I want him to be with a family who will love him and give him the things that I can’t.”
“I’ve learned that through adoption, I can choose the family who will raise him. And I can receive help through the rest of my pregnancy,” she continues.
“Adoption just seems like the best option. For him, and for me,” she says.
About half of the more than six million pregnancies in the U.S. each year are not planned. The ad intends to target these pregnant women, especially those in their twenties who account for more than half of all abortions.
The ad can be seen at the Heroic Media website at www.heroicmedia.org/adoption.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Most women don't understand the feeling of empowerment adoption brings,” Marissa Cope, Heroic Media’s Director of Marketing, Communications and Research, said Nov. 12. “We believe this video will alert women to a possibility they may not have yet considered and ultimately save the lives of unborn children.”
Cope said fewer than one percent of women with unplanned pregnancies choose adoption, even though there are 30 to 40 couples desiring to adopt for every adoptive baby.
The ad is a result of Heroic Media’s partnership with Bethany Christian Services to publicize resources for pregnant women.
The commercial, titled “The Adoption Option,” is available on YouTube. It will be exclusively broadcast on the Oxygen Network beginning Nov. 12. It will air during the reality TV program “I’m Having Their Baby,” about pregnant women going through the adoption process.
The ad features a pregnant woman who tells the viewer why she plans to put her unborn child up for adoption.
“I’m pregnant, but I’m not in a position to care for this child,” the woman says, placing her hand over her womb. “I want him to be with a family who will love him and give him the things that I can’t.”
“I’ve learned that through adoption, I can choose the family who will raise him. And I can receive help through the rest of my pregnancy,” she continues.
“Adoption just seems like the best option. For him, and for me,” she says.
About half of the more than six million pregnancies in the U.S. each year are not planned. The ad intends to target these pregnant women, especially those in their twenties who account for more than half of all abortions.
The ad can be seen at the Heroic Media website at www.heroicmedia.org/adoption.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Guatemala president cancels Pope meeting after second quake
Guatemala City, Guatemala, Nov 13, 2012 / 12:03 pm (CNA).- President Otto Perez of Guatemala canceled his visit with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican set for Nov.15 after a second earthquake rocked the Central American country.
“Fortunately no human life was lost,” Perez told reporters during a press conference on the latest tremors.
Sources at the Guatemalan embassy at the Holy See told CNA of the president’s decision to also cancel his attendance at the Nov. 16-17 Latin American Summit in Cadiz, Spain.
The second earthquake, which occurred on Nov. 11, registered 6.2 on the Richter scale and took place in the city of Champerico located southwest of the capital.
Perez explained that Sunday's quake set off landslides that were particularly severe in the area of Barranca Grande in the San Marcos province, which was hit hard by the initial earthquake last week.
The first disaster – a 7.4 magnitude earthquake – ravaged Guatemala on Nov. 7, leaving 42 people dead, 155 wounded and 1.2 million displaced.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Fortunately no human life was lost,” Perez told reporters during a press conference on the latest tremors.
Sources at the Guatemalan embassy at the Holy See told CNA of the president’s decision to also cancel his attendance at the Nov. 16-17 Latin American Summit in Cadiz, Spain.
The second earthquake, which occurred on Nov. 11, registered 6.2 on the Richter scale and took place in the city of Champerico located southwest of the capital.
Perez explained that Sunday's quake set off landslides that were particularly severe in the area of Barranca Grande in the San Marcos province, which was hit hard by the initial earthquake last week.
The first disaster – a 7.4 magnitude earthquake – ravaged Guatemala on Nov. 7, leaving 42 people dead, 155 wounded and 1.2 million displaced.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Monday, November 12, 2012
Pope Benedict brings joy to 'peers' at elderly home
Rome, Italy, Nov 12, 2012 / 06:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict visited fellow seniors at a home for the aged in Rome on Nov. 12, speaking to their needs and reminding all of them of the special role they play in this “time of sunset.”
“I come among you as the Bishop of Rome, but also as an elder on a visit to his peers,” the Pope told residents of the Long Live the Elderly Home, a project of the charitable Community of Sant'Egidio.
“I understand the difficulties, problems, and limitations of this age,” he said during his remarks to the seniors' assisted-living home located on the Gianicolo Hill near the Vatican.
Looking back on his own life, the Pope called it a natural tendency in one's old age to envy the “fresh energy” of youth and all of those plans for the future. The past can become “veiled with sadness” if considered with remorse, he told the group of seniors, but this is not what God wants.
“It is nice to be elders!” Pope Benedict said emphatically.
“In every age, we must be able to detect the presence and blessing of the Lord and the treasures it contains. Do not ever be imprisoned by sadness! We have received the gift of a long life. In our face there is always the joy of feeling loved by God and never sadness.”
He directed the seniors' attention to the Bible – in which longevity is considered a blessing from God – noting that elders were rightly honored in the past.
But in a modern world “dominated by the logic of efficiency and profit,” the elderly are often pushed to the wayside, considered useless and left to loneliness.
This is the mark of a deteriorating civilization, the Pope asserted, since a community is defined by how it treats its elderly members.
“He who makes room the elderly makes room for life! Whoever receives the elderly welcomes life!” declared the 85-year-old pontiff.
Entrusting the group to the love and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Pope encouraged his fellow octogenarians and upward with these words: “The Pope loves you and is counting on all of you!...God will always be with you and with those who support you with their love and their support.”
He also reminded them that the elderly have a special vocation to prayer, shattering the illusion that the elderly are non-productive members of society.
At the end of his remarks, the Pope called on all people to heed the “wisdom of life” the elderly bear and to support them with love and friendship. The alternative is loneliness, which is so devastating because people are relational beings.
The Pope's visit coincides with the European Year of Ageing and Solidarity. The European continent grows ever older as people live longer and the young fail to reproduce at a rate to sustain current population levels.
Life expectancy in Italy is 79.2 years for men and 84.6 years for women. But the Italian birth rate is the second lowest in the Western world, averaging just over one child per woman.
The result is a dwindling number of younger working people supporting an ever larger number of retirees, which can cause the sort of inter-generational friction, the Pope observed.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“I come among you as the Bishop of Rome, but also as an elder on a visit to his peers,” the Pope told residents of the Long Live the Elderly Home, a project of the charitable Community of Sant'Egidio.
“I understand the difficulties, problems, and limitations of this age,” he said during his remarks to the seniors' assisted-living home located on the Gianicolo Hill near the Vatican.
Looking back on his own life, the Pope called it a natural tendency in one's old age to envy the “fresh energy” of youth and all of those plans for the future. The past can become “veiled with sadness” if considered with remorse, he told the group of seniors, but this is not what God wants.
“It is nice to be elders!” Pope Benedict said emphatically.
“In every age, we must be able to detect the presence and blessing of the Lord and the treasures it contains. Do not ever be imprisoned by sadness! We have received the gift of a long life. In our face there is always the joy of feeling loved by God and never sadness.”
He directed the seniors' attention to the Bible – in which longevity is considered a blessing from God – noting that elders were rightly honored in the past.
But in a modern world “dominated by the logic of efficiency and profit,” the elderly are often pushed to the wayside, considered useless and left to loneliness.
This is the mark of a deteriorating civilization, the Pope asserted, since a community is defined by how it treats its elderly members.
“He who makes room the elderly makes room for life! Whoever receives the elderly welcomes life!” declared the 85-year-old pontiff.
Entrusting the group to the love and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Pope encouraged his fellow octogenarians and upward with these words: “The Pope loves you and is counting on all of you!...God will always be with you and with those who support you with their love and their support.”
He also reminded them that the elderly have a special vocation to prayer, shattering the illusion that the elderly are non-productive members of society.
At the end of his remarks, the Pope called on all people to heed the “wisdom of life” the elderly bear and to support them with love and friendship. The alternative is loneliness, which is so devastating because people are relational beings.
The Pope's visit coincides with the European Year of Ageing and Solidarity. The European continent grows ever older as people live longer and the young fail to reproduce at a rate to sustain current population levels.
Life expectancy in Italy is 79.2 years for men and 84.6 years for women. But the Italian birth rate is the second lowest in the Western world, averaging just over one child per woman.
The result is a dwindling number of younger working people supporting an ever larger number of retirees, which can cause the sort of inter-generational friction, the Pope observed.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Papal nuncio: Catholic division undermines religious freedom
South Bend, Ind., Nov 12, 2012 / 07:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano has told the University of Notre Dame that there is a concrete “menace” to religious liberty in the U.S. that is advancing in part because some influential Catholic public figures and university professors are allied with those opposed to Church teaching.
“Evidence is emerging which demonstrates that the threat to religious freedom is not solely a concern for non-democratic and totalitarian regimes,” he said. “Unfortunately it is surfacing with greater regularity in what many consider the great democracies of the world.”
The apostolic nuncio, who serves as the Pope’s diplomatic representative to the U.S., said this is a “tragedy” for both the believer and for democratic society.
Archbishop Vigano’s Nov. 4 speech keynoted the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life conference. He discussed martyrdom, persecution, and religious freedom, with a particular focus on the United States.
He cited Catholics’ duties to be disciples of Christ, not elements of a political or secular ideology. He lamented the fact that many Catholics are publicly supporting “a major political party” that has “intrinsic evils among its basic principles.”
“There is a divisive strategy at work here, an intentional dividing of the Church; through this strategy, the body of the Church is weakened, and thus the Church can be more easily persecuted,” the nuncio said.
Archbishop Vigano observed that some influential Catholic public officials and university professors are allied with forces opposed to the Church’s fundamental moral teachings on “critical issues” like abortion, population control, the redefinition of marriage, embryonic stem cell research and “problematic adoptions.”
He said it is a “grave and major problem” when self-professed Catholic faculty at Catholic institutions are the sources of teachings that conflict with Church teaching on important policy issues rather than defend it.
While Archbishop Vigano noted that most Americans believe they are “essentially a religious people” and still give some importance to religion, he also saw reasons this could change.
He said that the problem of persecution begins with “reluctance to accept the public role of religion,” especially where protecting religious freedom “involves beliefs that the powerful of the political society do not share.”
The nuncio said it is “essential” to pray for a just resolution to religious freedom controversies, including the controversy over the new federal mandate requiring many Catholic employers to provide morally objectionable insurance coverage for sterilization and contraception, including some abortion-causing drugs.
The issues that the Catholic bishops have identified in this mandate are “very real” and “pose grave threats to the vitality of Catholicism in the United States,” Archbishop Vigano said.
The nuncio also discussed other religious liberty threats.
He cited a Massachusetts public school curriculum that required young students to take courses that presented same-sex relations as “natural and wholesome.” Civil authorities rejected parents’ requests for a procedure to exempt their children from the “morally unacceptable” classes.
“If these children were to remain in public schools, they had to participate in the indoctrination of what the public schools thought was proper for young children,” the archbishop said. “Put simply, religious freedom was forcefully pushed aside once again.”
Catholic Charities agencies have also been kicked out of social service programs because they would not institute policies or practices that violate “fundamental moral principles of the Catholic faith.”
Archbishop Vigano cited several countries that have witnessed severe persecution like China, Pakistan, India and the Middle East. He praised the martyrs past and present who would not compromise on “the principles of faith.”
While some forms of persecution are violent and cruel, others aim to incapacitate the faith by encouraging people to renounce their beliefs or the public aspects of their faith, in the face of “great hardships.”
Fidelity to God and the Church has “hastened martyrdom and persecution for many believers of the past, and of today,” he said.
“In all of these instances, we see that the faithful persist in their fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Holy Church! For throughout her history, the Church has gained strength when persecuted,” the archbishop said.
Religious liberty is a human, civil and natural right that is not conferred by the state, he said, adding “religious freedom is the exercise of fidelity to God and his Holy Church without compromise.”
“What God has given, the servant state does not have the competence to remove,” Archbishop Vigano affirmed.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“Evidence is emerging which demonstrates that the threat to religious freedom is not solely a concern for non-democratic and totalitarian regimes,” he said. “Unfortunately it is surfacing with greater regularity in what many consider the great democracies of the world.”
The apostolic nuncio, who serves as the Pope’s diplomatic representative to the U.S., said this is a “tragedy” for both the believer and for democratic society.
Archbishop Vigano’s Nov. 4 speech keynoted the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life conference. He discussed martyrdom, persecution, and religious freedom, with a particular focus on the United States.
He cited Catholics’ duties to be disciples of Christ, not elements of a political or secular ideology. He lamented the fact that many Catholics are publicly supporting “a major political party” that has “intrinsic evils among its basic principles.”
“There is a divisive strategy at work here, an intentional dividing of the Church; through this strategy, the body of the Church is weakened, and thus the Church can be more easily persecuted,” the nuncio said.
Archbishop Vigano observed that some influential Catholic public officials and university professors are allied with forces opposed to the Church’s fundamental moral teachings on “critical issues” like abortion, population control, the redefinition of marriage, embryonic stem cell research and “problematic adoptions.”
He said it is a “grave and major problem” when self-professed Catholic faculty at Catholic institutions are the sources of teachings that conflict with Church teaching on important policy issues rather than defend it.
While Archbishop Vigano noted that most Americans believe they are “essentially a religious people” and still give some importance to religion, he also saw reasons this could change.
He said that the problem of persecution begins with “reluctance to accept the public role of religion,” especially where protecting religious freedom “involves beliefs that the powerful of the political society do not share.”
The nuncio said it is “essential” to pray for a just resolution to religious freedom controversies, including the controversy over the new federal mandate requiring many Catholic employers to provide morally objectionable insurance coverage for sterilization and contraception, including some abortion-causing drugs.
The issues that the Catholic bishops have identified in this mandate are “very real” and “pose grave threats to the vitality of Catholicism in the United States,” Archbishop Vigano said.
The nuncio also discussed other religious liberty threats.
He cited a Massachusetts public school curriculum that required young students to take courses that presented same-sex relations as “natural and wholesome.” Civil authorities rejected parents’ requests for a procedure to exempt their children from the “morally unacceptable” classes.
“If these children were to remain in public schools, they had to participate in the indoctrination of what the public schools thought was proper for young children,” the archbishop said. “Put simply, religious freedom was forcefully pushed aside once again.”
Catholic Charities agencies have also been kicked out of social service programs because they would not institute policies or practices that violate “fundamental moral principles of the Catholic faith.”
Archbishop Vigano cited several countries that have witnessed severe persecution like China, Pakistan, India and the Middle East. He praised the martyrs past and present who would not compromise on “the principles of faith.”
While some forms of persecution are violent and cruel, others aim to incapacitate the faith by encouraging people to renounce their beliefs or the public aspects of their faith, in the face of “great hardships.”
Fidelity to God and the Church has “hastened martyrdom and persecution for many believers of the past, and of today,” he said.
“In all of these instances, we see that the faithful persist in their fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Holy Church! For throughout her history, the Church has gained strength when persecuted,” the archbishop said.
Religious liberty is a human, civil and natural right that is not conferred by the state, he said, adding “religious freedom is the exercise of fidelity to God and his Holy Church without compromise.”
“What God has given, the servant state does not have the competence to remove,” Archbishop Vigano affirmed.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Cuban dissident calls on EU for human rights support
Havana, Cuba, Nov 12, 2012 / 12:07 pm (CNA).- A leading Cuban dissident says the European Union should be firmer in demanding the Castro regime respect human rights on the island, including free elections.
“I think that an attitude at odds with the demands of the Cuban people for freedom – free elections and recognition of their individual and collective rights – definitely isolates Spain and the EU from the Cuban people and puts them more in line with Communist regime,” said Regis Iglesias, spokesman for the Christian Liberation Movement in Cuba.
A former political prisoner himself who is currently in exile in Spain, Iglesias called on the EU to maintain the “common position” taken in 1996 that established that its economic relations with Cuba “would depend on improvements in the area of human right and fundamental freedoms.”
“To abandon the common position when human rights are still not respected in Cuba, when peaceful dissidents are imprisoned and even killed, is a very grave error,” he told CNA. “It would totally be the wrong message for the EU to send to Cuba.”
“Respect for human rights must be demanded, but also followed up with the holding of free elections, as more than 70 organizations in Cuba have requested in the declaration El Camino del Pueblo,” Iglesias added.
He noted that in addition to the more than 70 organizations that the support El Camino del Pueblo – which was started by the late dissident Oswaldo Paya – “There are more than 25,000 Cubans who have called for a referendum and the regime has simply ignored it.”
“The European Union should demand this of the Cuban regime every day: That rights such as freedom of expression be respected, that a referendum and free elections take place, instead of just lamenting the state of human rights in Cuba,” Iglesias said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
“I think that an attitude at odds with the demands of the Cuban people for freedom – free elections and recognition of their individual and collective rights – definitely isolates Spain and the EU from the Cuban people and puts them more in line with Communist regime,” said Regis Iglesias, spokesman for the Christian Liberation Movement in Cuba.
A former political prisoner himself who is currently in exile in Spain, Iglesias called on the EU to maintain the “common position” taken in 1996 that established that its economic relations with Cuba “would depend on improvements in the area of human right and fundamental freedoms.”
“To abandon the common position when human rights are still not respected in Cuba, when peaceful dissidents are imprisoned and even killed, is a very grave error,” he told CNA. “It would totally be the wrong message for the EU to send to Cuba.”
“Respect for human rights must be demanded, but also followed up with the holding of free elections, as more than 70 organizations in Cuba have requested in the declaration El Camino del Pueblo,” Iglesias added.
He noted that in addition to the more than 70 organizations that the support El Camino del Pueblo – which was started by the late dissident Oswaldo Paya – “There are more than 25,000 Cubans who have called for a referendum and the regime has simply ignored it.”
“The European Union should demand this of the Cuban regime every day: That rights such as freedom of expression be respected, that a referendum and free elections take place, instead of just lamenting the state of human rights in Cuba,” Iglesias said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
Cardinal Dolan calls bishops to conversion at annual meeting
Baltimore, Md., Nov 12, 2012 / 12:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The mission of evangelization, which is critical to the calling of every bishop, must begin with penance and interior renewal, said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. bishops' conference.
"We cannot engage culture unless we let Him first engage us; we cannot dialogue with others unless we first dialogue with Him; we cannot challenge unless we first let Him challenge us," the cardinal told his fellow bishops.
"Only those themselves first evangelized can then evangelize," he stressed, encouraging the U.S. bishops to adopt a "spirit of conversion born of our own interior renewal."
The cardinal delivered his remarks to the Nov. 12--15 fall assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which is being held in Baltimore.
He acknowledged numerous "urgent issues" that call for the bishops' "renewed and enthusiastic commitment," including the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the call to a New Evangelization and the challenge of engaging the culture on critical topics.
But it is important to keep "first things first," allowing Christ to remain the center of focus in all of the Church's work, Cardinal Dolan emphasized.
Amid the Church's many efforts to serve those who are in need, the task of evangelization remains a constant underlying calling, he explained.
Cardinal Dolan also touched on the current Year of Faith and the recent Synod of Bishops on evangelization.
Both of these events are aimed at "the effective transmission of the faith for the transformation of the world," he said, recalling Pope Benedict’s words that ‘we ourselves are the first to need re-evangelization."
The final message of the synod on the New Evangelization, he noted, acknowledged that the Church's ordained leaders "should never think that the new evangelization does not concern us personally."
"The invitation to evangelize becomes a call to conversion," the synod message said, noting that the bishops "can never really be equal to the Lord's calling and mandate to proclaim His Gospel to the nations."
Therefore, Cardinal Dolan said, the bishops of the United States must be open to being evangelized themselves, realizing that "the Sacrament of Reconciliation evangelizes the evangelizers, as it brings us sacramentally into contact with Jesus, who calls us to conversion of heart."
Unfortunately, the cardinal observed, while the Second Vatican Council called for a renewal of confession, the sacrament declined in the years following the council.
"We became very good in the years following the Council in calling for the reform of structures, systems, institutions and people other than ourselves," he said.
Cardinal Dolan acknowledged that those reforms have played an important and transformative role in the Church, but said it is also important to remember that "in no way can the New Evangelization be reduced to a program, a process, or a call to structural reform," because it is "first and foremost a deeply personal conversion within."
He encouraged his fellow bishops to "make the Year of Faith a time to renew the Sacrament of Penance," through efforts such as the Keep the Light On confession initiative during Advent and reflecting on a return to embracing all Fridays as particular days of penance.
A personal commitment to the sacrament is also crucial to effective transformation, he explained, so that the bishops may offer the "witness of a repentant heart."
"We work at giving our people good examples of humble, repentant pastors, aware of our own personal and corporate sins, constantly responding to the call of Jesus to interior conversion," he said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
"We cannot engage culture unless we let Him first engage us; we cannot dialogue with others unless we first dialogue with Him; we cannot challenge unless we first let Him challenge us," the cardinal told his fellow bishops.
"Only those themselves first evangelized can then evangelize," he stressed, encouraging the U.S. bishops to adopt a "spirit of conversion born of our own interior renewal."
The cardinal delivered his remarks to the Nov. 12--15 fall assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which is being held in Baltimore.
He acknowledged numerous "urgent issues" that call for the bishops' "renewed and enthusiastic commitment," including the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the call to a New Evangelization and the challenge of engaging the culture on critical topics.
But it is important to keep "first things first," allowing Christ to remain the center of focus in all of the Church's work, Cardinal Dolan emphasized.
Amid the Church's many efforts to serve those who are in need, the task of evangelization remains a constant underlying calling, he explained.
Cardinal Dolan also touched on the current Year of Faith and the recent Synod of Bishops on evangelization.
Both of these events are aimed at "the effective transmission of the faith for the transformation of the world," he said, recalling Pope Benedict’s words that ‘we ourselves are the first to need re-evangelization."
The final message of the synod on the New Evangelization, he noted, acknowledged that the Church's ordained leaders "should never think that the new evangelization does not concern us personally."
"The invitation to evangelize becomes a call to conversion," the synod message said, noting that the bishops "can never really be equal to the Lord's calling and mandate to proclaim His Gospel to the nations."
Therefore, Cardinal Dolan said, the bishops of the United States must be open to being evangelized themselves, realizing that "the Sacrament of Reconciliation evangelizes the evangelizers, as it brings us sacramentally into contact with Jesus, who calls us to conversion of heart."
Unfortunately, the cardinal observed, while the Second Vatican Council called for a renewal of confession, the sacrament declined in the years following the council.
"We became very good in the years following the Council in calling for the reform of structures, systems, institutions and people other than ourselves," he said.
Cardinal Dolan acknowledged that those reforms have played an important and transformative role in the Church, but said it is also important to remember that "in no way can the New Evangelization be reduced to a program, a process, or a call to structural reform," because it is "first and foremost a deeply personal conversion within."
He encouraged his fellow bishops to "make the Year of Faith a time to renew the Sacrament of Penance," through efforts such as the Keep the Light On confession initiative during Advent and reflecting on a return to embracing all Fridays as particular days of penance.
A personal commitment to the sacrament is also crucial to effective transformation, he explained, so that the bishops may offer the "witness of a repentant heart."
"We work at giving our people good examples of humble, repentant pastors, aware of our own personal and corporate sins, constantly responding to the call of Jesus to interior conversion," he said.
Courtesy: CNA Oringinal Post
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