VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE YEAR XXII - N° 161DATE 29-07-2013
/>Summary: - THE EXPERIENCE OF WYD MUST NOT STAY “LOCKED
UP” - KRAKOW TO HOST WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016 - FRANCIS TO
CELAM: STRUCTURAL CHANGE IS PART OF THE DYNAMIC OF MISSION - FRANCIS TO
WYD VOLUNTEERS: HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE HAPPY - POPE FRANCIS “I
SHALL MISS BRAZIL” - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ITALIAN FINANCIAL UNIT (UIF) -
TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL ERSILIO TONINI - OTHER PONTIFICAL
ACTS
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – At 10.00 a.m. yesterday, Sunday
(3.00 p.m. Rome time) the Pope celebrated Holy Mass for the 28th World Youth
Day on the beach at Copacabana. The celebration was scheduled to take place at
the “Campus
Fidei” of Guaratiba, which holds up to two million people, but due to
poor weather conditions it was held instead at the carioco beach. Three
million pilgrims participated; a further million joined the two million young
people who had spent the
night on the beach after the Saturday's prayer vigil. The event was attended
by 1500 bishops and 15,000 priests, as well as the presidents of Brazil,
Argentina, Bolivia and Suriname. The Eucharistic liturgy began with the
official hymn of World Youth
Day, sung by a choir made up of priests from all over Brazil, including those
who evangelise through the medium of religious music. The songs for the Holy
Mass were selected by means of a national competition in which young
Brazilians participated with their own original compositions.
The Pope based his homily on the theme of the 28th World Youth Day:
“Go and make disciples of all nations”, and after reflecting on
the excitement of these days, of living faith with people from all four
corners of the world, he said that
the moment had come to transmit this experience to others. “Three simple
ideas”, he said. “Go, do not be afraid, and serve”.
To explain the meaning of the first, Pope Francis spoke to the young about
the beauty of meeting Jesus in the company of others during these days, and
sensing the joy of faith, but added, “the experience of this encounter
must not remain locked
up in your life or in the small group of your parish, your movement, or your
community. That would be like withholding oxygen from a flame that was burning
strongly. Faith is a flame that grows stronger the more it is shared ... so
that everyone may
know … Jesus Christ, the Lord of life and history”.
“Sharing the experience of faith ... proclaiming the Gospel: this is
a command that the Lord entrusts to the whole Church, and that includes
you”, he continued, “but it is a command that is born not from a
desire for domination,
from a desire for power, but from the force of love, from the fact that Jesus
first came into our midst and gave us, not a part of Himself, but the whole of
Himself, and He gave His life in order to save us and to show us the love and
mercy of God.
Jesus … accompanies us … in our mission of love”.
“Where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: He sends
us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only
for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. … Do
not be afraid to go
and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even
to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks all, He
wants everyone to feel the warmth of His mercy and His love”.
The Holy Father emphasised that he wished for Christ’s command,
“Go”, to resonate in the young of the Church in Latin America, as
“this continent has received the proclamation of the Gospel which has
marked its history and
borne much fruit. Now … the Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your
creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you”.
“Some people might think: 'I have no particular preparation, how can
I go and proclaim the Gospel?'” he continued, turning to the second
idea, “do not be afraid”. He explained that their fear is not very
different from that of
Jeremiah, who was also young when he was called by God to be a prophet.
“In today's reading he exclaims: 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know
how to speak, for I am only a youth'. God says the same thing to you as He
said to Jeremiah: 'Be not
afraid ... for I am with you to deliver you'. He is with us! Jesus …
never leaves anyone alone. ... And then, Jesus did not say: “One of you
go”, but “All of you go”: we are sent together. Dear young
friends, be aware of
the companionship of the whole Church and also the communion of the saints on
this mission. When we face challenges together, then we are strong, we
discover resources we did not know we had. Jesus
did not call the Apostles to live in isolation. He called them to form a
group, a community”.
Finally, service, explained the Pope, means “allowing our life to be
identified with that of Jesus, it is sharing His sentiments, His thoughts, His
actions. And the life of Jesus is a life for others. It is a life of service
…
Evangelizing means bearing personal witness to the love of God, it is
overcoming our selfishness, it is serving by bending down to wash the feet of
our brethren, as Jesus did”.
“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”, he concluded. “If you
follow these three ideas, you will experience that the one who evangelizes is
evangelized, the one who transmits the joy of faith receives more joy. Dear
young friends, as you
return to your homes, do not be afraid to be generous with Christ, to bear
witness to His Gospel. ... Bringing the Gospel is bringing God’s power
to pluck up and break down evil and violence, to destroy and overthrow the
barriers of selfishness,
intolerance and hatred, so as to build a new world. Jesus Christ is counting
on you! The Church is counting on you! The Pope is counting on you!”
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – Following Holy Mass, the Pope
thanked the young people present “for all the joy you have given me in
these days”, and spoke briefly to them before praying the Angelus.
“The Immaculate Virgin intercedes for us in heaven as a good mother
who watches over her children. May Mary teach us by her life what it means to
be a missionary disciple. Every time we pray the Angelus, we recall the event
that changed the
history of mankind for ever. When the Angel Gabriel proclaimed to Mary that
she would become the Mother of Jesus the Saviour, even without understanding
the full significance of that call, she trusted God and replied: 'Behold, I am
the handmaid of the
Lord; let it be to me according to Your word'. But what did she do immediately
afterwards? On receiving the grace of being the Mother of the Incarnate Word,
she did not keep that gift to herself; she felt responsible and so she set
off, she left her
home and went in haste to help her kinswoman Elizabeth, who was in need of
assistance; she carried out an act of love, of charity, of practical service,
bringing Jesus Who was in her womb. And she did all this in
haste!”
“There, my dear friends, we have our model. She who received the most
precious gift from God, as her immediate response sets off to be of service
and to bring Jesus. Let us ask Our Lady to help us too to give Christ’s
joy to our families,
our companions, our friends, to everyone. Never be afraid to be generous with
Christ. It is worth it! Go out and set off with courage and generosity, so
that every man and every woman may meet the Lord”.
“Dear young friends”, he concluded, “we have an
appointment for the next World Youth Day in 2016 in Krakow, Poland. Through
Our Lady’s maternal intercession, let us ask for the light of the Holy
Spirit upon the journey that
will lead us to this next stage in our joyful celebration of faith and the
love of Christ”.
FRANCIS TO CELAM: STRUCTURAL CHANGE IS PART OF THE DYNAMIC OF MISSION
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – During the afternoon of Sunday, 28
July, Pope Francis met with the forty-five bishops who form the Coordinating
Committee of the Latin American Episcopal Conference (CELAM). He focused on
the legacy of the
meeting of the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and
the Caribbean, held in Aparecida in May 2007.
He began his address by mentioning four hallmarks or pillars of the
Aparecida conference. First, the participation of the Particular Churches as a
process of preparation culminating in a document of synthesis, which while
serving as a point of
reference throughout the Fifth General Conference, was not taken as a starting
point; the prayerful setting and the accompaniment in the form of the songs
and prayers of the faithful; that Aparecida did not end with a document but
instead continued in
the Continental Mission; and finally, that it was the first conference of the
bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean to be held in a Marian shrine.
The Pope spoke of the two dimensions of the Continental Mission: the
programmatic, consisting in a series of missionary activities, and the
paradigmatic, setting in a missionary key all the day-to-day activities of the
Particular Churches. The Pope
explained that “this entails a whole process of reforming ecclesial
structures. The 'change of structures' (from obsolete ones to new ones)
… will result from the very dynamics of mission. What makes obsolete
structures pass away, what
leads to a change of heart in Christians, is precisely missionary
spirit”. Francis mentioned two of the current challenges of missionary
discipleship: “the Church’s inner renewal and dialogue with the
world around us”.
The Holy Father went on to outline some “temptations against
missionary discipleship”, such as the transformation of the Gospel
message into an ideology: “the attempt to interpret the Gospel apart
from the Gospel itself and apart
from the Church”; functionalism, which “reduces the reality of the
Church to the structure of an NGO” and “applies a sort of
'theology of prosperity' to the organization of pastoral work”; and
finally, clericalism, “a
temptation very present in Latin America” which “explains, in
great part, the lack of maturity and Christian freedom in a good part of the
Latin American laity”.
The Pope then suggested some ecclesiastical guidelines: first, “the
missionary discipleship which Aparecida proposed to the Churches of Latin
America and the Caribbean is the journey which God desires for the present
'today' … It is
given in the 'today', but also 'in tension'. There is no such thing as static
missionary discipleship”, linked neither to the past nor the future.
Second: “The Church is an institution, but when she makes herself a
'centre', she becomes merely functional, and slowly but surely turns into a
kind of NGO. … From an 'institution' she becomes a 'enterprise'. She
stops being a bride and
ends up being an administrator; from being a servant, she becomes an
'inspector'. Aparecida wanted a Church which is bride, mother and servant, a
facilitator of faith and not an inspector of faith”.
Third: “In Aparecida, two pastoral categories stand out”,
Francis said. “They arise from the uniqueness of the Gospel, and we can
employ them as guidelines for assessing how we are living missionary
discipleship in the Church:
nearness and encounter. Neither of these two categories is new; rather, they
are the way God has revealed himself to us in history”, he continued,
recalling that the pastoral plans which do not take account of these
dimensions “can at best
provide a dimension of proselytism, but they can never inspire people to feel
part of or belong to the Church”, and added that “one touchstone
for measuring whether a pastoral plan embodies nearness and a capacity for
encounter is the
homily”.
The fourth and final aspect: the Pope commented that “Bishops must
lead, which is not the same thing as being authoritarian”, and offered
some guidelines: “Bishops must be pastors, close to people, fathers and
brothers, and gentle,
patient and merciful. Men who love poverty, both interior poverty, as freedom
before the Lord, and exterior poverty, as simplicity and austerity of life.
Men who do not think and behave like 'princes'. Men who are not ambitious, who
are married to one
church without having their eyes on another. Men capable of watching over the
flock entrusted to them and protecting everything that keeps it together:
guarding their people out of concern for the dangers which could threaten
them, but above all
instilling hope: so that light will shine in people’s hearts. Men
capable of supporting with love and patience God’s dealings with his
people. The Bishop has to be among his people in three ways: in front of them,
pointing the way; among them, keeping them together and preventing them from
being scattered; and behind them, ensuring that no one is left behind, but
also, and primarily, so that the flock itself can sniff out new paths”.
In conclusion, Francis
added “we are lagging somewhat as far as Pastoral Conversion is
concerned. We need to help one another a bit more in taking the steps that the
Lord asks of us in the 'today' of Latin America and the Caribbean. And this is
a good place to
start”.
FRANCIS TO WYD VOLUNTEERS: HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE HAPPY
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – On Sunday, 28 July, before the
closing ceremony of Word Youth Day, Pope Francis met with a group of young
volunteers. In the Congress Centre Pavilion he encountered 15,000 of the
60,000 volunteers who have
worked during the two years of preparation for the Brazilian World Youth Day.
The young welcomed him with songs and applause, and Pope Francis did not
greeted them warmly with hugs and kisses.
He thanked them for their work and “the countless little ways by
which you have made this World Youth Day an unforgettable experience of faith.
With your smiles, your acts of kindness and your willingness to serve, you
have shown that 'it is
more blessed to give than to receive'”.
He compared them to St. John the Baptist, “who prepared the way for
Jesus”, he said. “And this is the most beautiful service we can
give as missionary disciples: to prepare the way so that all people may know,
meet and love the
Lord. … May you always be generous with God and with others: one loses
nothing thereby, but gains great enrichment in life”.
He continued, “God … has a plan for each of you: to discover
that plan and to respond to your vocation is to move toward personal
fulfilment. … Some are called to holiness through family life in the
sacrament of Marriage”,
and he commented that in today's cultural of the ephemeral, many say that
marriage is out of fashion. “Many preach the importance of 'enjoying'
the moment”, he said; “they say that it is not worth making a
life-long commitment, making
a definitive decision, for ever, because we do not know what tomorrow will
bring”. He urged the young volunteers “to be revolutionaries, to
swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that
sees everything as
temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of
responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. ... Have the courage to
be happy”.
The Pope went on to say that the Lord calls some to the priesthood or to
the religious life, and shared with the young volunteers his experience at the
age of 17 of first hearing God's call. “Do not be afraid of what God
asks of you! It is
worth saying 'yes' to God. In Him we find joy!”
Finally, he addressed those who “may not yet know what you will do
with your lives”, and encouraged them to “ask the Lord, and He
will show you the way. … Do not forget what you have experienced here!
You can always count on
my prayers, and I know I can count on yours”.
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – “I depart with many happy
memories which I know will nourish my prayers. Already I am beginning to miss
Brazil, this great people showing so much affection and friendship. … I
shall miss the hope
filling the eyes of the young people in the Hospital of Saint Francis. I shall
miss the faith and joy shown by the residents of Varginha in the midst of
their hardship. … Thank you for the warm welcome and the friendship
that have been offered to
me. This too I shall miss”.
And so, yesterday afternoon, Pope Francis said goodbye to Brazil. During
the farewell ceremony at Galeao/Antonio Carlos Jobim airport, the Holy Father
thanked President Dilma Roussef “for expressing the sentiments of the
entire population of
Brazil towards the Successor of Peter”, the bishops and their
collaborators, the volunteers, the media workers and all those who in one way
or another participated in the organisation and hosting of the event, and
finally, “the many people
who prayed ... for this World Youth Day to be an authentic experience of
growth in faith”.
However, the young people were at the heart of the celebrations. “I
will always place my hopes in the young people of Brazil and in the young
around the world: through them, Christ is preparing a new springtime all over
the earth. I have seen
its first fruits and I know that others will joyfully reap the full harvest
… Many of you came here as disciples; I have no doubt that all of you
will leave as missionaries. Through your joyful witness and service, help to
build a civilization of
love. Show, by your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in
order to attain high ideals, it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human
person, and it is worth taking risks for Christ and His Gospel”.
Finally, before embarking the aircraft, Francis recalled his visit to the
shrine of Aparecida, where “I knelt to pray for the entire human family
and in particular for all Brazilians”, and implored Mary to strengthen
them in their
Christian faith, “which forms part of the noble soul of Brazil, as
indeed of many other countries; this faith is your culture’s treasure
and serves as encouragement and support in the task of building a renewed
humanity in harmony and
solidarity”.
“As he departs, the Pope says to all of you affectionately: 'see you
soon'. He asks you not to forget to pray for him. The Pope needs the prayers
of all of you. I offer you an affectionate embrace. May God bless
you!”
At 7.00 p.m. (local time) the aircraft carrying the Holy Father departed
from Rio de Janeiro and, after a flight lasting eleven and a half hours,
landed this morning at Rome's Ciampino military airport at 11.30. From there,
the Pope proceeded to the
Basilica of St. Mary Major to give thanks for the return journey, as he did
previously before departing for Rio de Janeiro, and after a moment of prayer
before the Marian image, he returned by car to the Vatican.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ITALIAN FINANCIAL UNIT (UIF)
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – On 26 July the Financial
Intelligence Authority (AIF) of the Holy See and Vatican City State signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with its Italian counterpart, the Unità di
Informazione Finanziaria
(UIF) of the Bank of Italy, according to a memorandum published today.
The Memorandum was signed in Rome by Cardinal Attilio Nicora, President of
AIF, and Dr. Claudio Clemente, director of UIF.
A Memorandum of Understanding is standard practice and formalizes the
cooperation and exchange of financial information to fight money laundering
and terrorist financing across borders between the competent authorities of
both countries. It is based
on the model Memorandum of Understanding prepared by the Egmont Group, the
global organisation of national Financial Intelligence Units, and contains
clauses on reciprocity, permitted uses of information and confidentiality.
“The Holy See and the Vatican City State take international
responsibilities concerning Anti-Money Laundering and the Financing of
Terrorism very seriously, and Italy is an especially important partner for
us,” said AIF director Rene
Bruelhart. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Italian
Authorities in a constructive and fruitful manner. The Memorandum of
Understanding is a clear commitment to strengthen our bilateral relationship
and will facilitate the our joint
efforts and fight against money laundering.”
AIF became a member of the Egmont Group in July of this year and over the
last several months signed MOUs with the Financial Intelligence Units of the
United States, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands. More are expected
to be signed in the
course of this year.
AIF is the competent authority of the Holy See/Vatican City State to fight
money laundering and financing of terrorism. It was established on Dec. 30,
2010.
Vatican City, 29 July 2013 (VIS) – The Holy Father has sent a
telegram of condolences to Archbishop Lorenzo Ghizzoni of Ravenna, Italy, for
the death of Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, former archbishop of that archdiocese
who died yesterday, Sunday,
at the age of 99.
In the text, the Holy Father joins the community of Ravenna in mourning,
and expresses his gratitude and admiration for his “fruitful and
varied” apostolic activity, recalling that he was a “zealous and
generous pastor …
committed and amiable … inspired by the wish to proclaim Christ in
simple and incisive language and to give authentic and coherent testimony to
men and women of our time”.
