Subject: VISnews 111107
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 191
ENGLISH
MONDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2011
SUMMARY: 5 - 7 NOVEMBER
- Letters of Credence of New German Ambassador
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Angelus: Learning to Live and Die in Hope
- Appeal for an End to Violence in Nigeria
- Priests: Commitment to God, Service, Exemplary Life
- Special Envoy to Celebrations for St. Agnes of Bohemia
___________________________________________________________
LETTERS OF CREDENCE OF NEW GERMAN AMBASSADOR
VATICAN CITY, 7 NOV 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican the Holy
Father
received the Letters of Credence of Reinhard Schweppe, the new German
ambassador to the Holy See. In his remarks to the diplomat he recalled
his
own recent visit to the country of his birth which, he said, provided an
opportunity "to reflect upon the service the Catholic Church and the
Holy
See can make in a pluralistic society".
"Many of our contemporaries see the influence of Christianity, and of
other religions as a way of imposing a specific culture and lifestyle
upon
society", the Pope observed. "This view is not incorrect, but it is not
a
complete understanding of the Catholic Church, ... which has not only
formed
different kinds of cultural community in different countries, but has
herself been moulded by the traditions of individual nations".
"The Church is aware - thanks to her faith - that she knows the truth
about man, and thus that she is obliged to protect those values which
are
valid for mankind as such, over and above individual cultures", the Holy
Father went on. "Fortunately, a fundamental part of shared human values
became law in the German Constitution of 1949 and in the Declaration of
Human Rights after World War II. ... Today, however, certain basic
values of
human life are again been put into question, values which defend the
dignity
man possesses simply by virtue of being a man. It is here that the
Church
sees she has a duty, over and above her faith, to defend truths and
values
that are under threat".
Pope Benedict went on: "We are not qualified to judge - to speak of
one
particularly important topic - whether an individual is 'already a
person'
or 'still a person'; even less so do we have the right to manipulate
and, so
to say, 'to create' man. Only a society which unconditionally respects
and
defends the dignity of each human being, from conception to natural end,
can
call itself a human society. ... If the Holy See enters into the field
of
lawmaking on fundamental questions that involve man's dignity - such as
those that arise today concerning the prenatal existence of man - she
does
so not as a way of indirectly imposing her faith upon others, but of
defending values which are evident to everyone because they concern the
truth about human beings".
Benedict XVI then went on refer to gender discrimination against
women,
describing it as "a critical problem which, due to materialistic and
hedonistic tendencies, seems to be on the increase, above all in the
Western
world". The Pope highlighted how "a relationship which fails to take
account
of the fact that man and woman have equal dignity represents a grave
affront
to humankind. The time has come to take an energetic stance against
prostitution and the widespread availability of erotic and pornographic
material, also on the Internet. The Holy See will ensure that the
Catholic
Church in Germany takes clear and decisive initiatives against this form
of
abuse".
In conclusion, the Pope thanked the German federal government and the
governments of the Lander for supporting the Catholic Church "which
enjoys
excellent openings in Germany", both to announce the Gospel and to help
people in need through her social and charitable institutions "the work
of
which, in the final analysis, is of benefit to all citizens".
CD/ VIS
20111107 (580)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 7 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in
audience:
- Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States
of
America.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, apostolic nuncio to the Czech Republic.
- Archbishop Richard William Smith of Edmonton, Canada, president of
the
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Metropolitan Archbishop-elect
Paul-Andre Durocher of Gatineau (currently bishop of
Alexandria-Cornwall),
vice president, and Msgr. Patrick Powers, secretary general.
- Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki of Lviv of the Latins, Ukraine.
On Saturday 5 November he received in audience:
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for
Bishops.
- Six prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on
their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Henry Joseph Mansell of Hartford, accompanied by
Auxiliary
Bishop emeritus Peter Anthony Rosazza.
- Bishop WillECam Edward Lori of Bridgeport.
- Bishop Michael Richard Cote of Norwich.
- Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence, accompanied by Auxiliary
Bishop
Robert C. Evans.
AP:AL/ VIS 20111107
(160)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 7 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Darwin
Rudy Andino Ramirez C.R.S., auxiliary of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, as
bishop of
Santa Rosa de Copan (area 17,360, population 1,289,000, Catholics
1,160,000,
priests 60, religious 63), Honduras. He succeeds Bishop Luis Alfonso
Santos
Villeda S.D.B., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same
diocese
the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
NER:RE/ VIS 20111107
(70)
ANGELUS: LEARNING TO LIVE AND DIE IN HOPE
VATICAN CITY, 6 NOV 2011 (VIS) - At midday today the Holy Father
appeared at
the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the
Angelus
with pilgrims and faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square. Before
the
Marian prayer, Benedict XVI made some brief comments on the readings
from
today's liturgy which, he said, "invite us to continue the reflections
on
eternal life we began with the commemoration of All Souls Day. On this
question there is a clear difference between those who believe and those
who
do not believe or, we could say, between those who hope and those who do
not".
"St. Paul reminded the Christians of Ephesus that, before they
accepted
the Good News, they had had 'no hope' and had been 'without God in the
world'. The religion of the Greeks, the pagan cults and myths were
unable to
throw light on the mystery of death. Indeed, one ancient inscription
read:
'How quickly we fall back from nothing to nothing'. If we eliminate God,
if
we eliminate Christ, the world falls into emptiness and darkness. This
also
emerges in contemporary forms of nihilism by which, alas, young people
are
so often unknowingly affected".
The Pope also referred to the reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew,
"the
famous parable of the ten bridesmaids invited to a wedding banquet,
symbol
of the kingdom of heaven, of eternal life", he said. "Of the ten, five
entered the banquet because, when the bridegroom arrived, they had oil
to
light their lamps, while the other five could not enter because they had
foolishly failed to bring oil with them. What does this 'oil'
represent?"
the Holy Father asked. "St. Augustine and other ancient writers saw it
as a
symbol of love: a love which we cannot buy but receive as a gift, which
we
keep in our hearts and practise in good works. True wisdom is to take
advantage of mortal life to do works of mercy, because this will not be
possible after death. When we reawaken for the final judgement, we will
be
assessed on the basis of the love we have shown during our earthly
lives.
This love is a gift of Christ, poured upon us by the Holy Spirit. Those
who
believe in God-Love carry an invincible hope, like a lamp with which to
cross the night after death and to reach the great feast of life".
In conclusion, the Pope invited the faithful to learn from the Virgin
Mary
"to live and die in the hope that does not disappoint".
ANG/ VIS
20111107 (440)
APPEAL FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
VATICAN CITY, 6 NOV 2011 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus this morning,
the
Pope expressed his concern at recent tragic events in Nigeria. He gave
assurances of his prayers for the victims, at the same time launching an
appeal "to end all violence, which does not resolve problems but
accentuates
them by sowing hatred and discord, also among believers".
Speaking then in Spanish and referring to this morning's liturgy he
said:
"The meeting with God cannot be improvised, it is something that must
last
our whole lives long. God is found by those who seek Him. I would also
like
to recall here that a year ago tomorrow, I had the joy of consecrating
the
basilica of the 'Sagrada Familia' in Barcelona, admirable compendium of
technology, beauty and faith designed by that architectural genius,
Servant
of God Antonio Gaudi".
"My thoughts today cannot but go to the city of Genoa, Italy, which
has
been seriously affected by floods. I give assurances of my prayers for
the
victims, their families and for everyone who has suffered serious
damage.
May the Madonna della Guardia support the dear people of Genoa as
together
they seek to overcome this trial".
ANG/ VIS
20111107 (210)
PRIESTS: COMMITMENT TO GOD, SERVICE, EXEMPLARY LIFE
VATICAN CITY, 5 NOV 2011 (VIS) - Yesterday evening in the Vatican
Basilica,
the Holy Father presided at Vespers for the opening of the academic year
in
pontifical universities. His homily focused on priestly ministry, in the
light of the current seventieth anniversary of the founding of the
Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations by Venerable Pius XII. The
reading
from the First Letter of Peter likewise "invites us to meditate upon the
mission of pastors in the Christian community", the Pope said.
"Ever since the beginning of the Church, it was clear that the guides
of
those early communities were given particular importance, instituted by
the
Apostles to announce the Word of God through preaching and celebrating
Christ's sacrifice. ... Peter also emphasises reciprocal solidarity
among
pastors, highlighting his own and their membership of the single
apostolic
order. ... Tending Christ's flock is the vocation and task they share;
it
binds them to one another because they are united by a special bond to
Christ. ... The apostolic vocation lives thanks to the personal
relationship
with Christ, it is nourished by assiduous prayer and animated by the
passionate desire to communicate the message received from the same
experience of faith as the Apostles".
The Pope then went on to identify three preconditions for a priest's
life
to ensure its conformity to Christ: "the aspiration to collaborate with
Jesus in spreading the Kingdom of God, the gratuitousness of pastoral
commitment, and an attitude of service".
"God the Father sent the eternal Son into the world to accomplish His
plan
of salvation", the Holy Father explained. "Christ Jesus founded the
Church
so that the beneficial effects of redemption would be extended over
time.
The vocation of priests has its roots in this action of the Father,
which
was accomplished by Christ through the Holy Spirit. The minister of the
Gospel, then, is a person who allows himself to be seized by Christ, who
knows how 'to abide' in Him, who enters into harmony and intimate
friendship
with Him, so that everything occurs 'as God would have it', according to
His
will of love, with great inner freedom and profound joy of heart".
Turning then to reflect on the gratuitousness of pastoral commitment,
Benedict XVI noted that "we must never forget that we enter the
priesthood
through the Sacrament of Ordination. This means opening ourselves to the
action of God by daily choosing to give ourselves for Him and for our
fellow
man. ... The Lord's call to the ministry is not the fruit of any
particular
merit, it is a gift we must accept and to which we must respond by
generously and disinterestedly dedicating ourselves, not to our own
project
but to that of God, that He may dispose of us according to His will,
even
though this may not correspond to our own desire for self-fulfilment.
... As
priests, we must never forget that the only legitimate ascension towards
the
ministry of pastor is not that of success but that of the Cross.
"From this point of view, to be a priest means to serve, also by
leading
an exemplary life", the Pope added. "Priests dispense the means of
salvation, the Sacraments, especially those of the Eucharist and
Penance.
They cannot dispose of them as they please, but humbly dispense them for
the
good of the People of God. Their lives are profoundly marked by this
service
- from tending the flock to faithfully celebrating the liturgy - and by
readiness to serve all their brothers and sisters, especially the
poorest
and those most in need. By implementing this 'pastoral charity', on the
model of Christ and with Christ, wherever the Lord may call, each priest
fulfils both himself and his vocation".
In closing the Pope invited the students of pontifical universities to
make good use of their education, "a precious gift God gives us", and to
experience it in intimate communion with Him.
HML/ VIS
20111107 (670)
SPECIAL ENVOY TO CELEBRATIONS FOR ST. AGNES OF BOHEMIA
VATICAN CITY, 5 NOV 2011 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the
Holy Father in which he appoints Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of
Cologne, Germany, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the
eighth
centenary of the birth of St. Agnes of Bohemia, due to take place in the
cathedral of Prague, Czech Republic, on 12 November.
In the Letter, written in Latin and dated 20 October, the Pope
mentions
the outstanding character of St. Agnes, who was a disciple of St. Clare
of
Assisi. He also expresses his satisfaction at the persistence of the
faith
among the Czech people, despite the difficulties the Catholic Church
faced
there over many years.
The names of the members of the mission accompanying Cardinal Meisner
have
also been made public, they are: Fr. Stanislav Pribyl C.Ss.R., former
provincial of the Redemptorist Fathers in the Czech Republic, and Fr.
Jan
Houkal, pastor of Brandys nad Labem-Stara Boleslav.
LIT/ VIS
20111107 (170)
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