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VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIII - N° 32
DATE 14-02-2013
Summary:
- POPE TO ROMAN CLERGY: I WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU IN PRAYER
- BENEDICT XVI: LIVING LENT IN ECCLESIAL COMMUNION OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS AND
RIVALRIES
- ARCHBISHOP GÄNSWEIN WILL CONTINUE AS BENEDICT XVI'S SECRETARY
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND STATE OF ITALY ON USAGE OF 'PASSETTO'
- NUMBER OF ELECTORS DOES NOT DEPEND ON DATE OF CONCLAVE
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
___________________________________________________________
POPE TO ROMAN CLERGY: I WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU IN PRAYER
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – This morning in the Paul VI
Audience Hall, the Pope met with pastors and clergy of the Diocese of Rome,
accompanied by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar general, and the auxiliary
bishops of the diocese.
Before entering the hall, they had processed into St. Peter's Basilica to make
a profession of faith at the altar of the Chair.
Benedict XVI was greeted with the hymn "Tu es Petrus". "Thank you all for your
affection, for your love for the Church and the Pope. Thank you!" the Pope
said, before being greeted by Cardinal Vallini.
"For me, it is a special gift of Providence," he continued afterwards, "that,
before leaving the Petrine ministry, I am able to see my clergy, the clergy of
Rome, one more time. It is always a great joy to see how the Church lives, how
it is alive in
Rome. We have pastors who, in the spirit of the Supreme Pastor, guide the
Lord's flock. It is a truly catholic clergy, that is to say, a universal
clergy, and this is the same essence of the Church in Rome: to bring
universality, catholicity, to all
peoples, all races, and all cultures."
"Today you have professed the Creed at the tomb of St. Peter. In the Year of
Faith this seems to me a very appropriate, and perhaps necessary, gesture that
the clergy of Rome gather around the tomb of the Apostle to whom the Lord
said: 'I entrust my
Church to you. On you I will build my Church'. Before the Lord, together with
Peter, you have professed: 'You are Christ, the Son of the living God.' Thus
the Church grows, together with Peter, professing Christ, following Christ. It
is what we always
do. I am very grateful for your prayers, which I have felt, as I said on
Wednesday, almost physically. Even though I am now retiring, I will always be
near to all of you in prayer and I am also sure that all of you will be near
to me, even if I am
hidden from the world."
Then the Pope spoke to those present in the Paul VI Hall about his personal
experience during Vatican Council II, as the priests had requested of him.
___________________________________________________________
BENEDICT XVI: LIVING LENT IN ECCLESIAL COMMUNION OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS AND
RIVALRIES
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – Yesterday at 5:00pm, the Holy
Father presided over the rite of blessing and imposition of ashes.
Traditionally, the celebration is held in the Roman Basilica of Santa Sabina
but, given the large influx of
persons and the desire of the cardinals and bishops of the Roman Curia to
accompany the Pope in the final acts of his pontificate, it was moved to St.
Peter's Basilica. Before the ceremony, Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio
Bertone, S.D.B., address a
brief greeting to the pontiff, expressing the "emotion and respect not only of
the Church, but of the entire world" for Benedict XVI on the news of his
decision to renounce the Petrine ministry. Following are ample excerpts from
the Holy Father's homily.
"Today, Ash Wednesday, … we have gathered to celebrate the Eucharist
following the ancient Roman tradition of Lenten station Masses. This tradition
calls for the first 'statio' Mass to take place in the Basilica of Santa
Sabina on the Aventine
Hill. Circumstances, however, have suggested that we gather in the Vatican
Basilica. We are great in number around the tomb of the Apostle Peter, also to
ask for his intercession for the Church's journey in this particular moment,
renewing our faith in
the Supreme Pastor, Christ the Lord. For me, this is a opportune occasion to
thank everyone, especially the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, as I prepare
to conclude my Petrine ministry, and to ask for special remembrance in your
prayers."
"The readings that have been proclaimed give us the idea that, with God's
grace, we are called to make our attitudes and behaviours take concrete form
this Lent. Above all, the Church proposes to us once again, the strong appeal
that the prophet Joel
addresses to the Israelites: Thus says the Lord: 'return to me with your whole
heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning'. Note the expression 'with your
whole heart', which means from the centre of our thoughts and feelings, from
the roots of our
decisions, choices, and actions, with a gesture of total and radical freedom.
But is this return to God possible? Yes, because there is a strength that
doesn't reside in our hearts but that springs from God's own heart. It is the
power of His mercy.
… This return to God becomes a concrete reality in our lives only when
the Lord's grace penetrates to our innermost being, shaking it and giving us
the strength to 'rend our hearts'. Again the prophet makes God's words ring
out: 'Ren
d your
hearts, not your garments'. Indeed, even in our days, many are ready to 'rend
their garments' in the face of scandals and injustice?naturally moved by
others' situations?but few seem willing to act on their own 'heart', on their
own conscience, and
their own intentions, to let the Lord transform, renew, and convert them."
"That 'return to me with your whole heart' then is a reminder that involves
not just the individual but the community. In the first reading we have heard:
'Blow the horn in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly!' … The
dimension of community is
an essential element in faith and the Christian life. … This is
important to remember and to live in this Lenten period: each of us must be
aware that the path of penitence is not to be faced alone, but together with
our many brothers and sisters
in the Church."
"Finally, the prophet focuses on the prayers of the priests who, with tears in
their eyes, turn to God saying: 'do not let your heritage become a disgrace, a
byword among the nations! Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is
their God?"' This
prayer makes us reflect on the importance of the witness of faith and the
Christian life on the part of each of us and our communities to reveal the
face of the Church as well as how this face, at times is disfigured. I'm
thinking in particular of the
blows to Church unity and the divisions in the ecclesial body. Living Lent in
a more intense and evident ecclesial communion, overcoming selfishness and
rivalries, is a humble and precious sign for those who are far from the faith
or indifferent to it."
"'Behold, now is the time of favour; behold, now is the day of salvation', The
Apostle Paul's words to the Christians of Corinth resound for us too, with an
urgency that allows for no omissions or inactivity. The word 'now', repeated
again and again,
says that we cannot let this moment pass us by, it is offered to us as a
unique and unrepeatable opportunity. The Apostle's gaze focuses on the sharing
that Christ wanted to characterize his existence, taking on everything human
even to the point of
bearing the very burden of humanity's sin. … The reconciliation offered
to us has had a high price, that of the cross raised on Golgotha, on which was
hung the Son of God made man. God's immersion in human suffering and in the
abyss of evil lies
at the root of our justification. 'Returning to God with our whole heart'
during our Lenten journey passes through the Cross, following Christ on the
road to Calvary, to the total gift of our self. …"
"In the Gospel of Matthew, part of the so-called Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
refers to three fundamental practices required by Mosaic Law: almsgiving,
prayer, and fasting. They are also traditional directives on the Lenten
journey to respond to the
invitation to 'return to God with our whole heart'. But Jesus emphasizes that
it is both the quality and the truth of the relationship with God that
determine the authenticity of every religious gesture. This is why He
denounces religious hypocrisy, the
behaviour that wants to appear a certain way, the attitudes seeking applause
and approval. The true disciple doesn't serve himself or the 'public', but
serves the Lord in simplicity and generosity. … Our witness, then, will
always be more
effective the less we seek our own glory and we will know that the reward of
the just person is God himself, being united to Him, here, on the path of
faith and at the end of our lives, in the peace and light of meeting Him face
to face forev
er."
___________________________________________________________
ARCHBISHOP GÄNSWEIN WILL CONTINUE AS BENEDICT XVI'S SECRETARY
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – Archbishop Georg Gänswein,
Prefect of the Prefecture of the Papal Household and secretary to Benedict
XVI, will continue to carry out both roles and will thus accompany the Pope
during his stay at Castel
Gandolfo and at the monastery that he will retire to after his resignation
from the papacy. The papal household, or "memores", which has served the Holy
Father during these past eight years will also move to the same monastery.
This was among the
information given by Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See
Press Office in today's press briefing.
Fr. Lombardi also clarified that the cardinals arriving in Rome before 1
March, the official start of the Sede vacante, will not reside in the Casa
Santa Marta residence until that date. At the same time he commented that the
pontiff's fall during the
trip to Mexico last year was not a determining factor in his decision to
renounce the Petrine ministry, nor was the report of the commission of three
cardinals (Julian Herranz, Jozef Tomko, and Salvatore De Giorgi), which the
Pope instituted last April
to carry out an internal investigation on the leak of documents.
___________________________________________________________
AGREEMENT BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND STATE OF ITALY ON USAGE OF 'PASSETTO'
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – The Governorate of Vatican City
State and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Italy have signed, at the
ministry's offices, a memorandum of understanding regarding use of the
"Passetto di Borgo", that
is, the covered corridor atop the walls joining the Vatican to Castel
Sant'Angleo, and the Watchtower of that monument.
Signing for the Holy See was Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the
Governorate of Vatican City State, and, on behalf of the Italian Republic,
Lorenzo Ornaghi, Italy's Minister of Culture.
The memorandum?following in line with the Exchange of (Diplomatic) Notes
between Italy and the Holy See in 1991 regarding the ownership and use of the
"Passetto di Borgo" and taking into account the common interest in cooperating
for the care and
appreciation of the historic and artistic patrimony?defines the usage of the
Watchtower for the purpose of authorizing the movement of the public within
and outside of the monument and of preparing the adequate infrastructures to
allow access for
persons with disabilities.
This agreement is part of the overall project for the restoration and
appreciation of the "Passetto di Borgo" on behalf of the Italian Ministry of
Culture, with the purpose of opening this historic corridor leading to the
Castel Sant'Angelo National
Museum to the public. The memorandum of understanding, which consists of a
preamble and eight articles, entered into effect upon its signing.
___________________________________________________________
NUMBER OF ELECTORS DOES NOT DEPEND ON DATE OF CONCLAVE
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – In a previous story about the
future conclave to elect Benedict XVI's successor it was erroneously stated
that the number of cardinal electors could vary according to the date that the
conclave commences.
In fact, this number is independent of the date that the conclave begins
because John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis",
which will regulate the conclave, establishes in no. 33 that cardinals who
have reached their eightieth
birthday before the day when the Apostolic See becomes vacant will not be
cardinal electors.
For that reason, for example, Cardinal Walter Kasper, who turns 80 on 5 March
will be an elector, as is also the case for Cardinal Severino Poletto, who
turns 80 on 18 March.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father appointed Msgr.
Laurent Percerou as Bishop of Moulins, (area 7,381, population 347,900,
Catholics 346,000, priests 102, permanent deacons 17, religious 273), France.
The bishop-elect was born
in Dreux, France in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1992. He has served in
several pastoral and administrative roles for the diocese of Chartres, France,
most recently as assistant for the Scouts et Guides de France, director of
diocesan catechetical
services, and vicar general of that diocese.
___________________________________________________________
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VISnews130214
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE YEAR XXIII - N° 32DATE 14-02-2013
Summary: - POPE TO ROMAN CLERGY: I WILL
ALWAYS BE WITH YOU IN PRAYER - BENEDICT XVI: LIVING LENT IN ECCLESIAL COMMUNION OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS
AND RIVALRIES - ARCHBISHOP GÄNSWEIN WILL CONTINUE AS BENEDICT XVI'S
SECRETARY - AGREEMENT BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND STATE OF ITALY ON USAGE OF
'PASSETTO' -
NUMBER OF ELECTORS DOES NOT DEPEND ON DATE OF CONCLAVE - OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
POPE TO ROMAN CLERGY: I WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU IN PRAYER
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – This morning in the Paul VI
Audience Hall, the Pope met with pastors and clergy of the Diocese of Rome,
accompanied by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar general, and the auxiliary
bishops of the diocese.
Before entering the hall, they had processed into St. Peter's Basilica to make
a profession of faith at the altar of the Chair.
Benedict XVI was greeted with the hymn "Tu es Petrus". "Thank you all for
your affection, for your love for the Church and the Pope. Thank you!" the
Pope said, before being greeted by Cardinal Vallini.
"For me, it is a special gift of Providence," he continued afterwards,
"that, before leaving the Petrine ministry, I am able to see my clergy, the
clergy of Rome, one more time. It is always a great joy to see how the Church
lives, how it is alive in
Rome. We have pastors who, in the spirit of the Supreme Pastor, guide the
Lord's flock. It is a truly catholic clergy, that is to say, a universal
clergy, and this is the same essence of the Church in Rome: to bring
universality, catholicity, to all
peoples, all races, and all cultures."
"Today you have professed the Creed at the tomb of St. Peter. In the Year
of Faith this seems to me a very appropriate, and perhaps necessary, gesture
that the clergy of Rome gather around the tomb of the Apostle to whom the Lord
said: 'I entrust my
Church to you. On you I will build my Church'. Before the Lord, together with
Peter, you have professed: 'You are Christ, the Son of the living God.' Thus
the Church grows, together with Peter, professing Christ, following Christ. It
is what we always
do. I am very grateful for your prayers, which I have felt, as I said on
Wednesday, almost physically. Even though I am now retiring, I will always be
near to all of you in prayer and I am also sure that all of you will be near
to me, even if I am
hidden from the world."
Then the Pope spoke to those present in the Paul VI Hall about his personal
experience during Vatican Council II, as the priests had requested of him.
BENEDICT XVI: LIVING LENT IN ECCLESIAL COMMUNION OVERCOMING SELFISHNESS AND
RIVALRIES
Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – Yesterday at 5:00pm, the Holy
Father presided over the rite of blessing and imposition of ashes.
Traditionally, the celebration is held in the Roman Basilica of Santa Sabina
but, given the large influx of
persons and the desire of the cardinals and bishops of the Roman Curia to
accompany the Pope in the final acts of his pontificate, it was moved to St.
Peter's Basilica. Before the ceremony, Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio
Bertone, S.D.B., address a
brief greeting to the pontiff, expressing the "emotion and respect not only of
the Church, but of the entire world" for Benedict XVI on the news of his
decision to renounce the Petrine ministry. Following are ample excerpts from
the Holy Father's
homily.
"Today, Ash Wednesday, … we have gathered to celebrate the Eucharist
following the ancient Roman tradition of Lenten station Masses. This tradition
calls for the first 'statio' Mass to take place in the Basilica of Santa
Sabina on the Aventine
Hill. Circumstances, however, have suggested that we gather in the Vatican
Basilica. We are great in number around the tomb of the Apostle Peter, also to
ask for his intercession for the Church's journey in this particular moment,
renewing our faith in
the Supreme Pastor, Christ the Lord. For me, this is a opportune occasion to
thank everyone, especially the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, as I prepare
to conclude my Petrine ministry, and to ask for special remembrance in your
prayers."
"The readings that have been proclaimed give us the idea that, with God's
grace, we are called to make our attitudes and behaviours take concrete form
this Lent. Above all, the Church proposes to us once again, the strong appeal
that the prophet Joel
addresses to the Israelites: Thus says the Lord: 'return to me with your whole
heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning'. Note the expression 'with your
whole heart', which means from the centre of our thoughts and feelings, from
the roots of our
decisions, choices, and actions, with a gesture of total and radical freedom.
But is this return to God possible? Yes, because there is a strength that
doesn't reside in our hearts but that springs from God's own heart. It is the
power of His mercy.
… This return to God becomes a concrete reality in our lives only when
the Lord's grace penetrates to our innermost being, shaking it and giving us
the strength to 'rend our
hearts'. Again the prophet makes God's words ring out: 'Rend your hearts, not
your garments'. Indeed, even in our days, many are ready to 'rend their
garments' in the face of scandals and injustice?naturally moved by others'
situations?but few seem
willing to act on their own 'heart', on their own conscience, and their own
intentions, to let the Lord transform, renew, and convert them."
"That 'return to me with your whole heart' then is a reminder that involves
not just the individual but the community. In the first reading we have heard:
'Blow the horn in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly!' … The
dimension of community
is an essential element in faith and the Christian life. … This is
important to remember and to live in this Lenten period: each of us must be
aware that the path of penitence is not to be faced alone, but together with
our many brothers and
sisters in the Church."
"Finally, the prophet focuses on the prayers of the priests who, with tears
in their eyes, turn to God saying: 'do not let your heritage become a
disgrace, a byword among the nations! Why should they say among the peoples,
"Where is their God?"' This
prayer makes us reflect on the importance of the witness of faith and the
Christian life on the part of each of us and our communities to reveal the
face of the Church as well as how this face, at times is disfigured. I'm
thinking in particular of the
blows to Church unity and the divisions in the ecclesial body. Living Lent in
a more intense and evident ecclesial communion, overcoming selfishness and
rivalries, is a humble and precious sign for those who are far from the faith
or indifferent to
it."
"'Behold, now is the time of favour; behold, now is the day of salvation',
The Apostle Paul's words to the Christians of Corinth resound for us too, with
an urgency that allows for no omissions or inactivity. The word 'now',
repeated again and again,
says that we cannot let this moment pass us by, it is offered to us as a
unique and unrepeatable opportunity. The Apostle's gaze focuses on the sharing
that Christ wanted to characterize his existence, taking on everything human
even to the point of
bearing the very burden of humanity's sin. … The reconciliation offered
to us has had a high price, that of the cross raised on Golgotha, on which was
hung the Son of God made man. God's immersion in human suffering and in the
abyss of evil lies
at the root of our justification. 'Returning to God with our whole heart'
during our Lenten journey passes through the Cross, following Christ on the
road to Calvary, to the
total gift of our self. …"
"In the Gospel of Matthew, part of the so-called Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
refers to three fundamental practices required by Mosaic Law: almsgiving,
prayer, and fasting. They are also traditional directives on the Lenten
journey to respond to the
invitation to 'return to God with our whole heart'. But Jesus emphasizes that
it is both the quality and the truth of the relationship with God that
determine the authenticity of every religious gesture. This is why He
denounces religious hypocrisy, the
behaviour that wants to appear a certain way, the attitudes seeking applause
and approval. The true disciple doesn't serve himself or the 'public', but
serves the Lord in simplicity and generosity. … Our witness, then, will
always be more
effective the less we seek our own glory and we will know that the reward of
the just person is God himself, being united to Him, here, on the path of
faith and at the end of our lives, in the peace and light
of meeting Him face to face forever."
