Subject: VISnews 110704
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 123
ENGLISH
MONDAY, 4 JULY 2011
SUMMARY: 2 - 4 JULY
- Benedict XVI: Sixty Years of Memories, Gratitude and Hope
- The Church: People of God, Body of Christ, Communion
- Holy See Financial Statements for 2010
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Christ's Gaze Rests on the Oppressed Multitudes of Today
- Pope Inaugurates Art Exhibition in Paul VI Hall
- Declaration Concerning Episcopal Ordinations in China
- Audiences
___________________________________________________________
BENEDICT XVI: SIXTY YEARS OF MEMORIES, GRATITUDE AND HOPE
VATICAN CITY, 2 JUL 2011 (VIS) - At the end of a luncheon today, offered by
the College of Cardinals to the Pope to mark the sixtieth anniversary of his
ordination as a priest, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College,
congratulated the Holy Father and, in the name of all those present, gave
him an offering for the poor of Rome, the Pope's own diocese, "in view", he
said, "of the urgent needs of so many Romans, as well as of numerous
immigrants and refugees".
The Holy Father, having thanked the cardinals for their gift, made some
remarks. "This is a moment of gratitude for the Lord's guidance; for
everything He has given me and forgiven me over these years", he said. "Yet
it is also a moment to remember. In 1951 the world was completely different:
there was no television, there was no internet, there were no computers,
there were no mobile phones. The world from which we come truly seems
prehistoric. Above all, our cities were in ruins, the economy destroyed,
there was great material and spiritual poverty. Yet there was also a great
energy and a will to rebuild this country and to renew ... the community on
the foundation of our faith".
"Then came Vatican Council II where all the hopes we had seemed to come
true. This was followed by the cultural revolution of 1968, difficult years
during which the ship of the Lord appeared to be taking on water, almost
about to sink. Nonetheless the Lord, Who seemed then to be sleeping, was
present and He led us forward. Those were the unforgettable years in which I
worked alongside Blessed Pope John Paul II. Finally, came the unexpected day
of 19 April 2005 when the Lord called me to a new task and, only by virtue
of His strength, abandoning myself to Him, was I able at that moment to say
'yes'.
"Over these sixty years nearly everything has changed; but the Lord's
faithfulness has remained", the Holy Father added in conclusion. "He is the
same, yesterday, today and forever. This is our certainty, which shows us
the way to the future. The time to remember, the time of gratitude, is also
the time of hope".
.../ VIS
20110704 (390)
THE CHURCH: PEOPLE OF GOD, BODY OF CHRIST, COMMUNION
VATICAN CITY, 2 JUL 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Holy
Father greeted faithful from the Italian diocese of
Altamura-Gravina-Acquaviva delle Fonti, which is currently celebrating its
diocesan synod. The group was accompanied by their bishop, Msgr. Mario
Paciello.
"A synod is an event which gives us concrete experience of being the
'People of God', of being Church, a pilgrim community travelling in history
towards its eschatological fulfilment in God", said the Pope. "This means we
must recognise that the Church does not of herself possess the vital
principle: she depends on Christ, of Whom she is the effective sign and
instrument. In her relationship with the Lord Jesus lies her deepest
identity: that of being a gift of God to humankind, which prolongs the
presence and salvific work of the Son through the Holy Spirit. In this
perspective we can see that the Church is essentially a mystery of love at
the service of humanity, with a view to its sanctification. ... Being Church
has its source and its true meaning in the communion of love of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit: the Blessed Trinity is not only the model, but
generates and moulds the Church as a mystery of communion".
The Holy Father continued: "We must begin from this truth, always and
anew, in order to achieve a more intense understanding and experience of
being Church: 'People of God. 'Body of Christ', 'Communion'. Otherwise we
run the risk of reducing things to a horizontal dimension which perverts the
identity of the Church and the announcement of the faith. The Church is not
a social or philanthropic organisation, like many others that exist: she is
the Community of God, she is a community which believes and loves, which
adores the Lord Jesus and opens her 'veils' at the breath of the Holy
Spirit; thus she is a community capable of evangelisation".
"Many men and women of our time need to encounter the Lord, or to
rediscover the beauty of the God Who is close, the God Who in Jesus Christ
reveals His face as Father and calls us to recognise the meaning and value
of life. The current moment of history is marked by lights and shadows. We
are witnessing complex forms of behaviour: closure, narcissism, desire to
possess and consume, sentiments and affections divorced from responsibility.
There are many reasons for this disorientation which finds expression in
profound existential unease, but underlying everything is the negation of
the transcendent dimension of man and of the basic relationship with God.
For this reason its is vital for Christian communities to promote valid and
compelling itineraries of faith".
AC/ VIS
20110704 (460)
HOLY SEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2010
VATICAN CITY, 2 JUL 2011 (VIS) - The Council of Cardinals for the Study of
Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See met in the Vatican from
30 June to 1 July, under the presidency of Cardinal Secretary of State
Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
A communique published today explains that the Holy See consolidated
financial statements for 2010, presented to the cardinals during the meeting
by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis C.S., president of the Prefecture for the
Economic Affairs of the Holy See, closed with a surplus of 9,848,124 euro,
the difference between an income of 245,195,561 euro and outgoings of
235,347,437 euro.
"The 2010 statement", reads the communique, "notwithstanding elements of
uncertainty and instability due to the world economic-financial situation,
would appear to reinforce the positive tendency that emerged in the
financial year 2009 which, moreover, had already absorbed the negative
effects deriving from the great financial crisis of 2008".
The outgoings are due above all to the ordinary and extraordinary expenses
of the dicasteries and offices of the Holy See, which in 2010 employed 2,806
people, as compared with the 2,762 employees in 2009.
The meeting also examined the consolidated financial statements of the
Governorate of Vatican City State for 2010, which show a surplus of
21,043,000 euro, the difference between an income of 255,890,112 euro and
outgoings of 234,847,011 euro. "This result has been achieved", the
communique explains, "thanks to the excellent performance of the Vatican
Museums (in particular the increased number of visitors, a countertendency
with respect to the crisis in the world tourism sector) and the recovery of
the financial markets". A total of 1,876 people work under the jurisdiction
of the Governorate.
As usual the financial statements have been submitted for verification and
certification.
The communique highlights how "the Governorate, the administration of
which is independent from the Holy See and from other institutions,
supervises the economic requirements and territorial administration of the
State, supplying the necessary support structures to the Apostolic See and
its activities. In particular, the Governorate is responsible for the
maintenance and conservation of what can rightly be considered as one of
humanity's most important historical and artistic treasures".
Finally the consolidated financial statements of Peter's Pence were also
presented. This fund consists of offers made to the Holy Father by the
particular Churches, especially for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul,
and contributions by institutes of consecrated life, societies of apostolic
life, foundations and various members of the faithful. In 2010 a total of
67,704,416 U.S. dollars was raised, a decrease with respect to last year.
"The largest contributions came from Catholics in the United States, Italy
and France. Particularly significant, considering the number of Catholics,
were the contributions from Korea and Japan".
Bishops, depending on their resources and in keeping with canon 1271 of
the Code of Canon Law, donated 27,362,258 U.S. dollars, which also
represents a decrease with respect to last year.
The communique concludes by noting that the Institute for Works of
Religion (IOR) donated some 55 million euros for the activities of the Holy
Father.
OP/ VIS
20110704 (520)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 2 JUL 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Oppido
Mamertina-Palmi, Italy, presented by Bishop Luciano Bux, upon having reached
the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Rainer Maria Woelki, auxiliary of Cologne, Germany, as
metropolitan archbishop of Berlin (area 31,200, population 5,811,175,
Catholics 393,079, priests 402, permanent deacons 30, religious 738),
Germany.
- Appointed Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president emeritus of the
Pontifical council for Justice and Peace, as his special envoy to
celebrations marking the millennium of the abbey of Santissima Trinita di
Cava, Italy, due to take place on 4 September.
- Appointed Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect emeritus of the
Congregation for Bishops, as his special envoy to the twenty-fifth Italian
National Eucharistic Congress, due to take place in the city of Ancona from
3 to 11 September.
- Appointed Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for
the Evangelisation of Peoples, as his special envoy to the closing
celebrations of the Jubilee year marking the 600th anniversary of the
"Eucharistic miracle of Ludbreg", due to take place at the shrine of Ludbreg
in the diocese of Varazdin, Croatia, on 4 September.
RE:NER:NA/ VIS
20110704 (210)
CHRIST'S GAZE RESTS ON THE OPPRESSED MULTITUDES OF TODAY
VATICAN CITY, 3 JUL 2011 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI appeared at
the window of his study to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered below in
St. Peter's Square.
"In today's Gospel the Lord Jesus repeats these words, which we know so
well but which never fail to move us: 'Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest'. ... When Jesus
travelled the roads of Galilee announcing the Kingdom of God and healing
many sick people, He felt compassion for the crowds because they were tired
and exhausted, like sheep without a shepherd", the Pope said.
"Jesus' gaze seems to rest upon us today, upon our world", he explained.
"Today too it rests upon so many people who are oppressed by difficult
living conditions, people without valid signposts to help them find a
meaning and a goal in life. Exhausted multitudes in the poorest countries
are tried by want; and even in richer nations there are many men and women
who are dissatisfied, even sick with depression. We think of the many
displaced people and refugees, of those who migrate at risk of their lives.
Christ's gaze rests upon all these people; or rather it rests on each single
child of the Father Who is in heaven, and says: 'Come to me, all of you'.
"Jesus promises that He will give 'rest' to everyone", the Pope added,
"but He imposes a condition: 'Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for
I am gentle and humble in heart'. What is this 'yoke', which is light rather
than burdensome, which lifts up rather than weighing down? The 'yoke' of
Christ is the law of love, it is His commandment which He left to His
disciples".
The Holy Father continued: "The true remedy for humanity's wounds - both
material wounds such as hunger and injustice, and mental and moral wounds
caused by a false wellbeing - is a life rule based on brotherly love, which
has its source in the love of God. For this reason we must abandon the paths
of arrogance, of violence used to attain positions of ever greater power, to
ensure success at all costs.
"We must also abandon that aggressive approach towards the environment
which dominated past centuries, and adopt a reasonable 'mildness'. Above
all, in human, interpersonal and social relationships, what can ensure a
future worthy of man is the rule of respect and non-violence; that is, the
power of truth against all abuse".
After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father recalled today's beatification
of Janos Scheffler, bishop of the Romanian diocese of Satu Mare, who died a
martyr's death in 1952. "May his witness always support the faith of those
who remember him with affection and of the new generations", he said.
Finally, he announced that within the next few days he will travel to
Castelgandolfo, where he will spend the summer.
ANG/ VIS
20110704 (500)
POPE INAUGURATES ART EXHIBITION IN PAUL VI HALL
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUL 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall,
the Holy Father inaugurated an exhibition entitled: "The splendour of truth,
the beauty of charity: Homage of sixty artists to Benedict XVI for the
sixtieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood".
The idea to hold the exhibition arose from the Pope's meeting with artists
in the Sistine Chapel on 21 November 2009. The artists participating in this
initiative, most of them Italian, represent different categories: painting,
sculpture, architecture, photography, literature, poetry, music, cinema and
jewellery design.
In his address the Holy Father noted that "the Church and artists are
meeting and speaking together again, underlining the need for a discussion
which wishes to become, and must become, increasingly intense and intricate.
The aim of this is to offer the culture (or rather the cultures) of our time
an eloquent example of fruitful and effective dialogue aimed at making this
world of ours more human and more beautiful".
"I would like to renew a friendly and impassioned appeal to all artists",
he said. "Never separate artistic creativity from truth and charity, never
seek beauty distant from truth and charity, but with your genius and
creative drive always seek courageously after truth and bear witness to
charity. Make the truth shine forth in your works, ensuring that their
beauty arouses in the eyes and hearts of the people who admire them the
desire and the need to make life, each individual life, more beautiful and
true, enriching it with that treasure which never runs out, which makes life
a masterpiece and each man an extraordinary artist: charity, love. May the
Holy Spirit, architect of all that is beautiful in the world, illuminate you
and guide you towards the definitive and ultimate Beauty".
The Holy Father concluded his remarks by thanking the artists for
"bringing into the world a ray of that Beauty which is God".
.../ VIS
20110704 (330)
DECLARATION CONCERNING EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS IN CHINA
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUL 2011 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released
the following English-language communique concerning the episcopal
ordination of Fr. Paul Lei Shiyin, which took place on Wednesday 29 June and
was conferred without the apostolic mandate.
"Fr. Lei Shiyin, ordained without the papal mandate and hence
illegitimately, has no authority to govern the diocesan Catholic community,
and the Holy See does not recognise him as the bishop of the diocese of
Leshan. The effects of the sanction which he has incurred through violation
of the norm of canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law remain in place.
"Fr. Lei Shiyin had been informed, for some time, that he was unacceptable
to the Holy See as an episcopal candidate for proven and very grave reasons.
"The consecrating bishops have exposed themselves to the grave canonical
sanctions laid down by the law of the Church (in particular, canon 1382 of
the Code of Canon Law; cf. Declaration of the Pontifical Council for
Legislative Texts of 6 June 2011).
"An episcopal ordination without papal mandate is directly opposed to the
spiritual role of the Supreme Pontiff and damages the unity of the Church.
The Leshan ordination was a unilateral act which sows division and
unfortunately produces rifts and tensions in the Catholic community in
China. The survival and development of the Church can only take place in
union with him to whom the Church herself is entrusted in the first place,
and not without his consent as, however, occurred in Leshan. If it is
desired that the Church in China be Catholic, the Church's doctrine and
discipline must be respected.
"The Leshan episcopal ordination has deeply saddened the Holy Father, who
wishes to send to the beloved faithful in China a word of encouragement and
hope, inviting them to prayer and unity".
OP/ VIS
20110704 (320)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUL 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate
audiences:
- Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, perfect of the Congregation for
Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
- Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.
On Saturday 2 July, he received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli, penitentiary major of the Apostolic
Penitentiary, accompanied by Bishop Gianfranco Girotti O.F.M. Conv., regent
of the penitentiary.
On the afternoon of Friday 1 July he received in audience Cardinal
Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany.
AP/ VIS
20110704 (110)
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