Subject: VISnews 110303
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 42
ENGLISH
THURSDAY, 3 MARCH 2011
SUMMARY:
- Pope Receives Chilean President
- Philippines: Ongoing Support and Assistance for Priests
- Declaration by Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee
- Other Pontifical Acts
- In Memoriam
___________________________________________________________
POPE RECEIVES CHILEAN PRESIDENT
VATICAN CITY, 3 MAR 2011 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the
following communique at midday today:
"This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Benedict XVI
received in audience Sebastian Pinera Echenique, president of the Republic
of Chile. The president subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary
of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
"During the cordial discussions attention focused on questions of mutual
interest, such as the protection of human life and the family, aid for
integral development, the fight against poverty, respect for human rights,
social justice and peace. In this context, the positive role played by
Catholic institutions in Chilean society was reiterated, especially in human
promotion and education.
"The discussions then turned to consider the general situation in Latin
America, it being noted that the views of the Holy See and the Chilean
government converge on the fundamental values of human coexistence".
OP/ VIS
20110303 (170)
PHILIPPINES: ONGOING SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE FOR PRIESTS
VATICAN CITY, 3 MAR 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican Benedict XVI
received a group of prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the
Philippines, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.
Addressing them in English, the Pope mentioned the pastoral challenges
confronting the country. "Among them, one of the most important is the task
of ongoing catechetical formation. The deep personal piety of your people
needs to be nourished and supported by a profound understanding of and
appreciation for the teachings of the Church in matters of faith and morals.
Indeed, these elements are required in order for the human heart to give its
full and proper response to God", he said.
The Holy Father likewise called on the bishops not to fail to include
"outreach to families" in their catechesis, "with particular care for
parents in their role as the first educators of their children in the
faith".
"As diocesan bishops you never face any challenge alone, being assisted
first and foremost by your clergy", Pope Benedict XVI remarked, going on to
highlight the prelates' "particular duty to know your priests well and to
guide them with sincere concern, while priests are always to be prepared to
fulfil humbly and faithfully the tasks entrusted to them".
"Many of your dioceses already have in place programmes of continuing
formation for young priests", he said, noting how "older priests who have
proven themselves to be faithful servants of the Lord ... can guide their
younger confreres along the path towards a mature and well-balanced way of
priestly living.
"Moreover", the Pope added, "priests of all ages require ongoing care.
Regular days of recollection, yearly retreats and convocations, as well as
programmes for continuing education and assistance for priests who may be
facing difficulties, are to be promoted. I am confident that you will also
find ways to support those priests whose assignments leave them isolated".
"In accordance with their solemn promises at ordination, remind your
priests of their commitment to celibacy, obedience, and an ever greater
dedication to pastoral service. In living out their promises, these men will
become true spiritual fathers with a personal and psychological maturity
that will grow to mirror the paternity of God".
The Holy Father then went on to emphasise that "dialogue with other
religions remains a high priority, especially in the southern areas of your
country. While the Church proclaims without fail that Christ is the way, the
truth, and the life, nevertheless she respects all that is true and good in
other religions, and she seeks, with prudence and charity, to enter into an
honest and amicable dialogue with the followers of those religions whenever
possible. In doing so, the Church works toward mutual understanding and the
advancement of the common good of humanity. I commend you for the work you
have already done and I encourage you, by means of the dialogue that has
been established, to continue to promote the path to true and lasting peace
with all of your neighbours, never failing to treat each person, no matter
his or her beliefs, as created in the image of God".
And the Pope concluded: "The greatest good that we can offer those whom we
serve is given to us in the Eucharist. In the Holy Mass, the faithful
receive the grace needed to be transformed in Jesus Christ. It is heartening
that many Filipinos attend Sunday Mass, but this does not leave room for
complacency on your part as shepherds. It is your task, and that of your
priests, never to grow weary in pursuing the lost sheep, making sure that
all the faithful draw life from the great gift given to us in the sacred
Mysteries".
AL/ VIS
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DECLARATION BY CATHOLIC-JEWISH LIAISON COMMITTEE
VATICAN CITY, 3 MAR 2011 (VIS) - A joint declaration of the twenty-first
International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee Meeting was published at
midday today. The meeting was held in Paris, France from 27 February to 2
March.
"The conference, titled 'Forty Years of Dialogue - Reflections and Future
Perspectives' addressed the past, present and future of Catholic-Jewish
dialogue in its international settings", reads the English-language
declaration.
"The conference highlighted the positive relationship that began with
Vatican Council II and the promulgation of 'Nostra Aetate' (the declaration
on the relationship of the Church to non-Christian Religions) in 1965".
"A principal outcome of the conference was the deepening of personal
relationships and of a shared desire to confront together the enormous
challenges facing Catholics and Jews in a world in rapid and unpredictable
transformation".
"The conference acknowledged contemporaneous events taking place in parts
of Northern Africa and the Middle East where millions of human beings are
expressing their thirst for dignity and freedom. In many parts of the world,
minorities, especially religious minorities, are discriminated against,
threatened by unjust restrictions of their religious liberty, and even
subjected to persecution and murder. Speakers expressed a profound sadness
at repeated instances of violence or terrorism 'in the name of God',
including the increased attacks against Christians, and calls for the
destruction of the State of Israel".
OP/ VIS
20110303 (230)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 3 MAR 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Jan Vokal
of the clergy of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, official of the Secretariat
of State, as bishop of Hradec Kralove (area 11,650, population 1,266,000,
Catholics 452,000, priests 225, permanent deacons 26, religious 306). The
bishop-elect was born in Hlinsko, Czech Republic in 1958 and ordained a
priest in 1989.
NER/ VIS
20110303 (70)
IN MEMORIAM
VATICAN CITY, 3 MAR 2011 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent
weeks:
- Bishop Hernan Alvarado Solano, apostolic vicar of Guapi, Colombia, on 31
January at the age of 65.
- Bishop Jesus Maria Coronado Caro S.D.B., emeritus of Duitama-Sogamoso,
Colombia, on 1 January at the age of 92.
- Bishop Eduardo Davino, emeritus of Palestrina, Italy, on 20 January at
the age of 81.
- Archbishop Emanuele Gerada, apostolic nuncio, on 21 January at the age of
90.
- Bishop Francis Anthony Gomes, emeritus of Mymensingh, Bangladesh, on 17
February at the age of 79.
- His Beatitude Jean Pierre XVIII Kasparian, patriarch emeritus of Cilicia
of the Armenians, Lebanon, on 16 January at the age of 83.
- Archbishop Emilio Ognenovich, emeritus of Mercedes-Lujan, Argentina, on
29 January at the age of 88.
- Bishop Gustave Olombe Atelumbu Musilamu, emeritus of Wamba, Democratic
Republic of Congo, on 17 February at the age of 83.
- Bishop Manoel Pestana Filho, emeritus of Anapolis, Brazil, on 8 January
at the age of 82.
- Bishop Reinaldo Ernst Punder of Coroata, Brazil, on 16 January at the age
of 72.
- Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia, emeritus of San Cristobal de Las Casas,
Mexico, on 24 January at the age of 86.
- Bishop Eugenio Salessu, emeritus of Malanje, Angola, on 20 January at the
age of 87.
- Bishop Jacques Sarr of Thies, Senegal, on 18 January at the age of 76.
- Bishop John James Ward, former auxiliary of Los Angeles, U.S.A., on 10
January at the age of 90.
- Archbishop Jozef Miroslaw Zycinski of Lublin, Poland, on 10 February at
the age of 62.
.../ VIS
20110303 (280)
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