Subject: VISnews 111104
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 190
ENGLISH
FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2011
SUMMARY:
- New Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire to Holy See
- Note Concerning Closure of Irish Embassy to the Holy See
- Evangelisation and Inter-Religious Dialogue in America
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
NEW AMBASSADOR OF COTE D'IVOIRE TO HOLY SEE
VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI
received the Letters of Credence of Joseph Tebah-Klah, the new ambassador of
Cote d'Ivoire to the Holy See. Their meeting coincided with the fortieth
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
States.
In his address to the diplomat, the Holy Father spoke of the great concern
with which he had followed the recent post-electoral crisis, which created
the divisions currently affecting Cote d'Ivoire. He also expressed his hope
that the recently created Dialogue, Truth, and Reconciliation Commission
would carry out its duties diligently and impartially.
"The serious crisis affecting Cote d'Ivoire", said the Pope, "has given
rise to equally serious violations of human rights, and much loss of life.
For this reason, I encourage your country to promote any initiatives that
may lead to peace and justice. You must not be afraid to discover the truth
behind all the crimes and violations committed against the rights of the
people. It will only be possible to live together harmoniously by striving
after truth and justice, ... and by recognising and respecting the sacred
nature of all human life. Each life comes from God and is sacred by virtue
of its divine origin. Thus the loss of a human life - whether great or
small, rich or poor - is always a tragedy, and especially when man is
responsible".
The Holy Father described the diversity of religions and ethnicities in
Cote d'Ivoire as "a great treasure. Coexistence must always be ardently
supported and encouraged", he said, going on to encourage political leaders
to work to ensure that the country's resources benefit all citizens equally.
The Church for her part "makes her own specific contribution to
reconstruction efforts. She has no desire to replace the State but she can,
through her many institutions in the fields of education and health, bring
comfort and care to the soul. Indeed, such aid is often more necessary than
material support, especially when both wounds of the body and wounds of the
soul are in need of attention".
In closing the Holy Father called for the Virgin Mary to intercede, that
the Lord might pour His abundant blessings upon the people of Cote d'Ivoire.
CD/ VIS
20111104 (390)
NOTE CONCERNING CLOSURE OF IRISH EMBASSY TO THE HOLY SEE
VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2011 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a declaration
made yesterday by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J.
in response to a note issued by the Irish Foreign Ministry announcing the
decision of the government of Ireland to close, for economic reasons, its
embassies in the Holy See and Iran, and its office of representation in East
Timor.
"The Holy See takes note of the decision by Ireland to close its embassy
in Rome to the Holy See. Of course, any State which has diplomatic relations
with the Holy See is free to decide, according to its possibilities and its
interests, whether to have an ambassador to the Holy See resident in Rome,
or resident in another country. What is important are diplomatic relations
between the Holy See and the States, and these are not at issue with regard
to Ireland".
OP/ VIS
20111104 (160)
EVANGELISATION AND INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN AMERICA
VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Special Council for America of the
General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops celebrated its sixteenth meeting
from 27 to 28 October. According to a note published today, the meeting
reflected upon such themes as the new evangelisation, inter-religious
dialogue and the situation of the Church and society in various parts of the
continent, in the light of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia
in America".
"'Ecclesia in America' reformulates for the continent of America the
criteria used to evaluate non-Christian religions, as expressed by Vatican
Council II Declaration 'Nostra Aetate'", the note reads. According to those
criteria "the Catholic Church, while affirming the specific originality of
Christianity, does not reject anything that is true and holy in
non-Christian religions".
"In the field of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, there is
sometimes a certain level of interference by States which, while proclaiming
themselves as secular, to all intents and purposes tend to consider the
Catholic Church as just one among many other religious denominations. In
this way they ignore her true nature and the incontestable historical role
she played in the first evangelisation of the continent, and in the
formation of the identity of individual nations. This strategy followed by
the civil authorities means that ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue
comes to be replaced by the generic concept of 'inter-religious relations'.
Thus, not only are all religions considered as spiritual phenomena of equal
status, but there is a tendency to see religion as a tool at the service of
political life. Nonetheless, the Church in America is determined to continue
her ecumenical and inter-religious activities, following the pastoral
guidelines laid down by Vatican Council II and subsequent Magisterium".
The note also highlights the good relations that exist with other
Christian confessions, and with non-Christians, especially Jews and Muslims.
On the subject of the indigenous religions which existed before the arrival
of Christianity, the note explains how "the Catholic Church seeks to
discover elements which are compatible with the Gospel, to purify them and
integrate them appropriately into the life of local ecclesial communities".
The sects, however, represent "the true challenge for the Church in the
process of new evangelisation", because, "through energetic proselytisation
they spread rapidly in the big cities and wherever the Church's presence is
weak".
Poverty, violence and the spread of values that fail to respect human life
remain a concern. They are seen as being "the negative outcome of the
process of secularisation which is extending from north to south". The
effects of the earthquake in Haiti still persist, made worse by illness and
difficult social conditions. It is to be hoped that concrete solidarity will
be forthcoming from governments, international institutions and Church
organisations.
Another phenomenon of vast proportions which affects the entire continent
is migration. "In this field", the note explains, "the Church is involved in
promoting social programmes and religious assistance to migrants, with the
aim of favouring cultural integration and social peace. Although it is true
that illegal migrants face serious difficulties, there are positive aspects
to the phenomenon of migration, which can favour greater integration among
different peoples and the unity of the continent".
The note expresses satisfaction at the increased number of vocations to
the priesthood and consecrated life among men, but highlights that in some
areas female religious life is diminishing. However, "there is great
readiness to welcome the faith on the part of the new generations".
The note concludes by referring to the positive results of the Fifth
General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean,
which took place in the Brazilian city of Aparecida in 2007, "raising
awareness that the entire Church on the continent must be in a state of
mission". It also mentions the positive reception accorded to the
"Lineamenta" of the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops, which is due to be held in the Vatican in October 2012 on the
theme: "The new evangelisation for the transmission of the Christian faith".
SE/ VIS
20111104 (680)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience
thirteen prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on
their "ad limina" visit:
- Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley O.F.M. Cap. of Boston accompanied, by
Auxiliary Bishops Walter James Edyvean, John Anthony Dooher, Robert Francis
Hennessey, Arthur L. Kennedy, and Peter J. Uglietto.
- Bishop Salvatore Ronald Matano of Burlington.
- Bishop George William Coleman of Fall River.
- Bishop Richard Joseph Malone of Portland.
- Bishop Timothy Anthony McDonnell of Springfield in Massachusetts.
- Bishop Robert Joseph McManus of Worcester.
- Bishop Francis J. Christian, auxiliary of Manchester, accompanied by
Bishop emeritus John B. McCormack.
AL/ VIS
20111104 (120)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Joachim
Ouedraogo of Dori, Burkina Faso, apostolic administrator of Koudougou,
Burkina Faso, as bishop of the diocese of Koudougou (area 26,354, population
1,649,000, Catholics 278,000, priests 80, religious 180).
NER/ VIS
20111104 (50)
_____________________________________________
For further information and research of documents visit:
www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va
VIS english (text format) sends its news service only to those who have
requested it. If you no longer wish to receive the service, visit the
following link and click on calcel. Don't forget to select language and text
format:
http://press.catholica.va/news_services/press/vis/englinde.php
COPYRIGHT: The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service
may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service
--- NetMgr/2 1.0y+
* Origin: NetMgr+ @ Sursum Corda! BBS Meridian MS USA (1:396/45)
|
