Subject: VISnews 110516
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 91
ENGLISH
MONDAY, 16 MAY 2011
SUMMARY, 14-16 MAY:
- The Church Must Not Renounce her Missionary Role
- Activities and Trips of the Holy Father: May - September
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Promoting and Nurturing Vocations and Consecrated Life
- Call for an End to Violence in Libya and Syria
- Bishops of India: Liberty of Freedom and Worship
- Humanist Cultural Synthesis Open to Transcendance
- Circular Letter: Guidelines in Cases of Sexual Abuse
- Note on the Circular Letter from the CDF
- Audiences
___________________________________________________________
THE CHURCH MUST NOT RENOUNCE HER MISSIONARY ROLE
VATICAN CITY, 14 MAY 2011 (VIS).- At midday today the Holy Father =
received
the participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Missionary =
Works,
which reports to the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
The Pope highlighted in his address that "the Church must constantly =
renew
her commitment to bringing Christ to the people, to continue her =
messianic
mission for the coming of the Kingdom of God ... It is therefore =
necessary
to continue the work of evangelisation with renewed enthusiasm ... to =
lead
humankind to the true freedom of the sons of God, against all forms of
slavery. It is necessary to cast the net of the Gospel into the waters =
of
history to lead mankind toward the land of God".
"But in order that there be a decisive commitment to evangelisation, =
it is
necessary that all Christians and communities truly believe that the =
'Word
of God is the saving truth needed by all men in all times'. If this
conviction of faith is not deeply rooted in our life, we are not able to
feel the passion and the beauty of announcing it".
After highlighting that "everyone must be involved in this 'missio ad
gentes': bishops, priests, religious and laity", Benedict XVI remarked =
that
"it is necessary, therefore, to devote special attention to ensuring =
that
all sectors of pastoral care, of the catechesis, of charity, are
characterised by a missionary element: the Church is a mission".
"A fundamental condition for announcing the faith is to allow oneself =
to
be completely encompassed by Christ, Word of God incarnate", he =
continued,
"as only by being deeply rooted in Christ and his Word may one be able =
to
resist the temptation to reduce evangelisation to a merely human, social
project, neglecting the transcendental dimension of the salvation =
offered by
God in Christ. It is a Word that must be testified to and proclaimed
explicitly, as without coherent testimony it is less comprehensible and
credible".
The Pope stressed that "the ministry of evangelisation is fascinating =
and
demanding: it requires love for proclamation and bearing testimony, a =
love
so complete that it may lead even to martyrdom. The Church must not =
forsake
its mission to reveal the light of Christ, to proclaim the good news of =
the
Gospel, even if this may lead to persecution. It is a part of her very =
life
itself, as it was for Jesus. Christians must not be afraid, even if they =
are
'the religious group which suffers most from persecution on account of =
its
faith'".
The Holy Father concluded by expressing his gratitude for "the work in
missionary promotion and formation" of the Pontifical Missionary Works,
which he described as "a privileged tool for missionary co-operation and =
for
the effective sharing of personnel and financial resources between
Churches".=20
AC/ VIS
20110516 (470)
ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS OF THE HOLY FATHER: MAY - SEPTEMBER
VATICAN CITY, 20 APR 2010 (VIS) - Below are highlights of the activities =
and
trips to be undertaken by Pope Benedict XVI between the months of May =
and
September.
MAY
- Thursday, 26: In the Basilica of St. Mary Major, at 5.30 pm, Rosary =
with
the bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference and consecration of =
Italy to
the Virgin Mary on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of political =
union.
JUNE
- Saturday 4 to Sunday 5: Apostolic trip to Croatia.
- Sunday 12: Solemnity of Pentecost: Mass at 9.30 a.m. in the Vatican
Basilica.
- Sunday 19: Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. Pastoral visit to the =
Republic
of San Marino.
- Thursday 23: Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Mass at 7.30 p.m. in the
basilica of St. John Lateran, procession to the basilica of St. Mary =
Major
and Eucharistic blessing.
- Wednesday 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul Apostles. Mass at 9.30
a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica and imposition of the pallium on new
metropolitan archbishops.
AUGUST
- Monday 15: Solemnity of the Assumption. Mass at 8.00 am in the parish
church of St. Thomas of Villanova (Castelgandolfo).
- Thursday 18 to Sunday 21: Apostolic trip to Madrid (Spain) on the
occasion of the XXVI World Youth Day.
SEPTEMBER
- Sunday 11: Pastoral visit to Ancona (Italy).=20
- Thursday 22 to Sunday 25: Apostolic trip to Germany.
OCL/ VIS
20110516 (240)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 14 MAY 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Guzman
Carriquiry, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, as
Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
NA/ VIS
20110516 (30)
PROMOTING AND NURTURING VOCATIONS AND CONSECRATED LIFE
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2011 (VIS) - Benedict XVI appeared at the window of =
his
study in the Apostolic Palace to recite the Regina Coeli with the =
faithful
in St. Peter's Square.
Commenting on the Gospel of this Fourth Sunday of Easter, which =
"presents
us with one of the most beautiful icons that, since the first centuries =
of
the Church, represents Jesus Christ: that of the Good Shepherd", the =
Holy
Father said that "the attitude of the flock toward the Good Shepherd,
Christ, is presented by the evangelist with two specific verbs: to =
listen
and to follow. These terms designate the fundamental characteristics of
those who live as followers of the Lord. Above all, in listening to His
Word, from which the faith is born and nurtured. Only those who are
attentive to the voice of the Lord are able to evaluate by their own
conscience the correct decision to act according to God. From listening
derives, therefore, the decision to follow Christ: we act as disciples =
after
listening to and internalising the teachings of the Master in order to =
live
by them from day to day".
"This Sunday", he continued, "it is natural to remember the Shepherds =
of
the Church of God, and those who are being formed to become Shepherds. I
therefore invite you to say a special prayer for bishops - including the
Bishop of Rome! - for parish priests, for all those who have a
responsibility in leading the flock of Christ, that they might be =
faithful
and wise in carrying out their office. In particular, let us pray for
vocations to the priesthood on this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, =
that
authentic workers for the Lord's harvest never be lacking".
The Holy Father went on to recall that "seventy years ago Venerable =
Pius
XII instituted the Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations. The happy
intuition of my predecessor was founded on the conviction that vocations
grow and mature in the particular Churches, facilitated by healthy =
family
contexts and strengthened by the spirit of faith, charity and piety. In =
my
message for this day I emphasised that a vocation is followed when we =
leave
behind 'our will that is closed in itself and our idea of
self-actualisation, to immerse ourselves in another will, God's, letting
ourselves be guided by it.'"
He concluded, "also, in this time when the Lord's voice risks being
submerged by so many other voices, every ecclesial community is called =
to
promote and safeguard vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated =
life.
Men, in fact, always need God, even in our technological world, and =
there
will always be a need for Shepherds who announce the Word and help us to
meet the Lord in the Sacraments".
ANG/ VIS
20110516 (460)
CALL FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE IN LIBYA AND SYRIA
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2011 (VIS) - After praying the Regina Coeli, the =
Holy
Father remarked that he continued "to follow with great apprehension the
dramatic armed conflict in Libya, which has caused a great number of =
victims
and suffering above all among the civil population. I renew a pressing =
call
that the path of negotiation and dialogue prevail over that of violence,
with the help of the international organisations that are seeking a =
solution
to the crisis. I assure, furthermore, my prayerful and heartfelt
participation in the local Church's undertaking to help the population, =
in
particular through consecrated persons present in the hospitals".
The Pope went on to speak about the events in Syria, "where it is =
urgent
that a co-existence marked by concord and unity be restored. I ask God =
that
there be no more bloodshed in that homeland of great religions and
civilisation, and I invite the authorities and all citizens to do all =
they
can in seeking the common good and in accepting the legitimate =
aspirations
for a future of peace and stability".
He concluded, "the beatification of John Paul II has had a global
resonance. There are other exemplary witnesses of Christ, much less =
known,
that the Church proposes with joy for the veneration of the faithful. =
Today
in W=FCrzburg, Germany, Georg H=E4fner, a diocesan priest who died in =
the
concentration camp at Dachau is being proclaimed blessed. And last =
Saturday
at Pozzuoli another priest was beatified, Giustino Maria Russolillo, the
founder of the Society of the Divine Vocation. We thank the Lord that He
ensures the Church does not lack holy priests!"
ANG/ VIS
20110516 (270)
BISHOPS OF INDIA: LIBERTY OF FREEDOM AND WORSHIP
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2011 (VIS) - The Pope today received prelates from =
the
Conference of Catholic Bishops of India on their "ad limina" visit.
In his English-language discourse, the Holy Father affirmed that "the
definitive revelation of God which comes to us in Jesus Christ and which
believers throughout the world joyfully proclaim is expressed in a
particular way in the sacred Scriptures and in the sacramental life of =
the
Church. ... Christ's saving power is also proclaimed in the lives of the
saints who have wholeheartedly taken up the Gospel message and lived it
faithfully among their brothers and sisters. Christian revelation, when
accepted in freedom and by the working of God's grace, transforms men =
and
women from within and establishes a wonderful, redemptive relationship =
with
God, our heavenly Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit. This is =
the
heart of the message we teach, this is the great gift we offer in =
charity to
our neighbour: a share in the very life of God".
"Within the Church, believers' first steps along the way of Christ =
must
always be accompanied by a sound catechesis that will allow them to =
flourish
in faith, love and service. ... Recognizing that catechesis is distinct =
from
theological speculation, priests, religious and lay catechists need to =
know
how to communicate with clarity and loving devotion the =
life-transforming
beauty of Christian living and teaching, which will enable and enrich =
the
encounter with Christ himself. This is especially true of the =
preparation of
the faithful to meet our Lord in the sacraments".
With reference to the particular situation in India, "which is home to
various ancient religions, including Christianity", Benedict XVI =
emphasised
that "the Christian life in such societies always demands honesty and
sincerity about one's own beliefs, and respect for those of one's =
neighbour.
The presentation of the Gospel in such circumstances, therefore, =
involves
the delicate process of inculturation. ... The process of inculturation
requires that priests, religious and lay catechists carefully employ the
languages and appropriate customs of the people they serve in presenting =
the
Good News". To this end, he encouraged the bishops to "oversee this =
process
with a fidelity to the deposit of faith which has been handed down to us =
to
maintain and transmit".
With regard to interreligious dialogue, the Pope remarked upon the
"challenging circumstances many of you face as you develop a dialogue =
with
those of other religious beliefs, all the while encouraging an =
atmosphere of
tolerant interaction". He continued, "Your dialogue should be =
characterized
by a constant regard for that which is true, in order to foster mutual
respect while avoiding semblances of syncretism".
He added, "moreover, as Indian Christians strive to live in peace and
harmony with their neighbours of other beliefs, your prudent leadership =
will
be crucial in the civil and moral task of working to safeguard the
fundamental human rights of freedom of religion and freedom of worship. =
As
you know, these rights are based upon the common dignity of all human =
beings
and are recognized throughout the concert of nations".
He emphasised that "the Catholic Church strives to promote these =
rights
for all religions throughout the world" and concluded by encouraging the
prelates "to work patiently to establish the common ground necessary for =
the
harmonious enjoyment of these basic rights in your communities. Even if =
he
encounters opposition, the Christian's own charity and forbearance =
should
serve to convince others of the rightness of religious tolerance, from =
which
the followers of all religions stand to gain".
AL/ VIS 20110516
(590)
HUMANIST CULTURAL SYNTHESIS OPEN TO TRANSCENDANCE
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2011 (VIS) - At midday today, Benedict XVI received =
the
participants in the World Conference promoted by the Pontifical Council
"Justice and Peace" on the 50th anniversary of Blessed John XXIII's
Encyclical "Mater at magistra".
In his discourse, the Pope stressed that "truth, love, justice, =
indicated
by Mater et magistra, along with the principal of the universal =
destination
of goods, as fundamental criteria for overcoming social and cultural
imbalances, remain the pillars for interpreting and resolving the =
imbalances
caused by today's globalisation. In the face of such imbalances there is =
a
need to re-establish a 'whole reason' able to give rise to a rebirth of
thought and ethics. ... It is necessary to develop 'humanistic cultural
syntheses' open to transcendence through a 'new evangelisation'".
"The various examples of imbalance worldwide, characteristic of this =
age,
feed other ills such as disparity, differences in wealth, inequality, =
which
create problems in terms of justice and the equitable distribution of
resources and opportunities, especially in relation to the world's =
poorest".
The Pope remarked that "no less worrying are the phenomena linked to =
the
financial system which, after the most acute phase of the recent crisis, =
has
returned to the frenzied issue of credit contracts which frequently give
rise to limitless speculation... similarly, the increase in price of =
primary
energy resources... have negative consequences on the environment as =
well as
on humans".
"The current social question", he added, "is without doubt that of =
world
social justice... the equitable distribution of material and =
non-material
resources, and the globalisation of substantial, social and =
participatory
democracy". This justice, he continued, "cannot be achieved solely on =
the
basis of mere social consensus, without recognising that this, in order =
to
be long-lasting, must be rooted in universal human good".
Referring to the media for the diffusion of the Social Doctrine of the
Church, the Pope remarked that the Church is important "also in the
activities of its cultural associations, its programs of religious
instruction and social catechesis in the parishes, in the mass media and =
the
work of announcement and testimony on the part of lay persons, who must =
be
spiritually, professionally and ethically prepared".
The Holy Father concluded by recalling that "there exist important
institutions at the service of the new evangelisation, such as voluntary
associations, Christian or Christian-inspired non-governmental
organisations, the Commission "Justice and Peace", the offices for =
social
and work problems and the Centres and Institutes for Social Doctrine".
AC/ VIS
20110516 (420)
CIRCULAR LETTER: GUIDELINES IN CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE
VATICAN CITY, 16 MAY 2011 (VIS) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of =
the
Faith today published a circular letter intended to assist Episcopal
Conferences in developing Guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual =
abuse
of minors by clerics.
"Among the important responsibilities of the Diocesan Bishop in his =
task
of assuring the common good of the faithful and, especially, the =
protection
of children and of the young, is the duty he has to give an appropriate
response to the cases of sexual abuse of minors by clerics in his =
diocese.
Such a response entails the development of procedures suitable for =
assisting
the victims of such abuse, and also for educating the ecclesial =
community
concerning the protection of minors. A response will also make provision =
for
the implementation of the appropriate canon law, and, at the same time,
allow for the requirements of civil law.
I. General considerations:
a) The victims of sexual abuse
The Church, in the person of the Bishop or his delegate, should be
prepared to listen to the victims and their families, and to be =
committed to
their spiritual and psychological assistance. In the course of his =
Apostolic
trips our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has given an eminent model of this =
with
his availability to meet with and listen to the victims of sexual abuse. =
In
these encounters the Holy Father has focused his attention on the =
victims
with words of compassion and support, as we read in his 'Pastoral Letter =
to
the Catholics of Ireland' (n.6): 'You have suffered grievously and I am
truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. =
Your
trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated'.
b) The protection of minors
In some countries programs of education and prevention have been begun
within the Church in order to ensure 'safe environments' for minors. =
Such
programs seek to help parents as well as those engaged in pastoral work =
and
schools to recognize the signs of abuse and to take appropriate =
measures.
These programs have often been seen as models in the commitment to =
eliminate
cases of sexual abuse of minors in society today.
c) The formation of future priests and religious
In 2002, Pope John Paul II stated, 'there is no place in the =
priesthood
and religious life for those who would harm the young' (n. 3, 'Address =
to
the American Cardinals', 23 April 2002). These words call to mind the
specific responsibility of Bishops and Major Superiors and all those
responsible for the formation of future priests and religious. The
directions given in the Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis as =
well as
the instructions of the competent Dicasteries of the Holy See take on an
even greater importance in assuring a proper discernment of vocations as
well as a healthy human and spiritual formation of candidates. In
particular, candidates should be formed in an appreciation of chastity =
and
celibacy, and the responsibility of the cleric for spiritual fatherhood.
Formation should also assure that the candidates have an appreciation of =
the
Church's discipline in these matters. More specific directions can be
integrated into the formation programs of seminaries and houses of =
formation
through the respective Ratio institutionis sacerdotalis of each nation,
Institute of Consecrated Life and Society of Apostolic Life.
Particular attention, moreover, is to be given to the necessary =
exchange
of information in regard to those candidates to priesthood or religious =
life
who transfer from one seminary to another, between different dioceses, =
or
between religious Institutes and dioceses.
d) Support of Priests
1. The bishop has the duty to treat all his priests as father and =
brother.
With special attention, moreover, the bishop should care for the =
continuing
formation of the clergy, especially in the first years after Ordination,
promoting the importance of prayer and the mutual support of priestly
fraternity. Priests are to be well informed of the damage done to =
victims of
clerical sexual abuse. They should also be aware of their own
responsibilities in this regard in both canon and civil law. They should =
as
well be helped to recognize the potential signs of abuse perpetrated by
anyone in relation to minors;
2. In dealing with cases of abuse which have been denounced to them the
bishops are to follow as thoroughly as possible the discipline of canon =
and
civil law, with respect for the rights of all parties;
3. The accused cleric is presumed innocent until the contrary is proven.
Nonetheless the bishop is always able to limit the exercise of the =
cleric's
ministry until the accusations are clarified. If the case so warrants,
whatever measures can be taken to rehabilitate the good name of a cleric
wrongly accused should be done.
e) Cooperation with Civil Authority
Sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical delict but also a crime
prosecuted by civil law. Although relations with civil authority will =
differ
in various countries, nevertheless it is important to cooperate with =
such
authority within their responsibilities. Specifically, without prejudice =
to
the sacramental internal forum, the prescriptions of civil law regarding =
the
reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be
followed. This collaboration, moreover, not only concerns cases of abuse
committed by clerics, but also those cases which involve religious or =
lay
persons who function in ecclesiastical structures.
II. A brief summary of the applicable canonical legislation concerning =
the
delict of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by a cleric:
On 30 April 2001, Pope John Paul II promulgated the Motu Proprio
Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela [SST], by which sexual abuse of a minor
under 18 years of age committed by a cleric was included in the list of =
more
grave crimes (delicta graviora) reserved to the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Prescription for this delict was fixed at =
10
years beginning at the completion of the 18th year of the victim. The =
norm
of the Motu Proprio applied both to Latin and Eastern clerics, as well =
as
for diocesan and religious clergy.
In 2003, Cardinal Ratzinger, then Prefect of the CDF, obtained from =
Pope
John Paul II the concession of some special faculties in order to =
provide
greater flexibility in conducting penal processes for these more grave
delicts. These measures included the use of the administrative penal
process, and, in more serious cases, a request for dismissal from the
clerical state ex officio. These faculties have now been incorporated in =
the
revision of the Motu Proprio approved by the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, =
on
21 May 2010. In the new norms prescription, in the case of abuse of =
minors,
is set for 20 years calculated from the completion of the 18th year of =
age
of the victim. In individual cases, the CDF is able to derogate from
prescription when indicated. The canonical delict of acquisition, =
possession
or distribution of pedopornography is also specified in this revised =
Motu
Proprio.
The responsibility for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors
belongs, in the first place, to Bishops or Major Superiors. If an =
accusation
seems true the Bishop or Major Superior, or a delegate, ought to carry =
out
the preliminary investigation in accord with CIC can. 1717, CCEO can. =
1468,
and SST art. 16.
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