Subject: VISnews 111114
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 196
ENGLISH
MONDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2011
SUMMARY: 12 - 14 NOVEMBER
- Saving One Life Cannot Justify Destroying Another
- Holy Father Meets with President of European Council
- The Parable of the Talents and the Goal of Existence
- Respect for the Earth and Reconciliation in Africa
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
SAVING ONE LIFE CANNOT JUSTIFY DESTROYING ANOTHER
VATICAN CITY, 12 NOV 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Holy
Father received a group of 250 participants in an international conference
entitled "Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture",
promoted by the Pontifical Council for Culture in collaboration with the
U.S. Stem for Life Foundation. The three-day meeting examined the use of
adult stem cells in medicine, both from the perspective of science, and from
that of its cultural, ethical and anthropological implications.
Extracts of Benedict XVI's English-language remarks are given below:
"Since human beings are endowed with immortal souls and are created in the
image and likeness of God, there are dimensions of human existence that lie
beyond the limits of what the natural sciences are competent to determine.
If these limits are transgressed, there is a serious risk that the unique
dignity and inviolability of human life could be subordinated to purely
utilitarian considerations. But if instead these limits are duly respected,
science can make a truly remarkable contribution to promoting and
safeguarding the dignity of man".
"In this sense, the potential benefits of adult stem cell research are
very considerable, since it opens up possibilities for healing chronic
degenerative illnesses by repairing damaged tissue. ... The improvement that
such therapies promise would constitute a significant step forward in
medical science, bringing fresh hope to sufferers and their families alike.
For this reason, the Church naturally offers her encouragement to those who
are engaged in conducting and supporting research of this kind, always with
the proviso that it be carried out with due regard for the integral good of
the human person and the common good of society.
"This proviso is most important. The pragmatic mentality that so often
influences decision-making in the world today is all too ready to sanction
whatever means are available in order to attain the desired end, despite
ample evidence of the disastrous consequences of such thinking. When the end
in view is one so eminently desirable as the discovery of a cure for
degenerative illnesses, it is tempting for scientists and policy-makers to
brush aside ethical objections and to press ahead with whatever research
seems to offer the prospect of a breakthrough. Those who advocate research
on embryonic stem cells in the hope of achieving such a result make the
grave mistake of denying the inalienable right to life of all human beings
from the moment of conception to natural death. The destruction of even one
human life can never be justified in terms of the benefit that it might
conceivably bring to another.
"Yet, in general, no such ethical problems arise when stem cells are taken
from the tissues of an adult organism, from the blood of the umbilical cord
at the moment of birth".
"Dialogue between science and ethics is of the greatest importance in
order to ensure that medical advances are never made at unacceptable human
cost. The Church contributes to this dialogue by helping to form consciences
in accordance with right reason and in the light of revealed truth. In so
doing she seeks, not to impede scientific progress, but on the contrary to
guide it in a direction that is truly fruitful and beneficial to humanity,
... with a particular regard for the weakest and most vulnerable.
"In drawing attention to the needs of the defenceless, the Church thinks
not only of the unborn but also of those without easy access to expensive
medical treatment. ... Justice demands that every effort be made to place
the fruits of scientific research at the disposal of all who stand to
benefit from them, irrespective of their means. ... Here the Church is able
to offer concrete assistance through her extensive healthcare apostolate,
active in so many countries across the globe and directed with particular
solicitude to the needs of the world's poor".
"I pray that your commitment to adult stem cell research will bring great
blessings for the future of man".
AC/ VIS
20111114 (670)
HOLY FATHER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL
VATICAN CITY, 12 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the
following communique at midday today:
"This morning His Holiness Benedict XVI received in audience Herman Van
Rompuy, president of the European Council. 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.
"The discussions, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality,
provided an opportunity for a fruitful exchange of opinions on the
international situation, and on the contribution the Catholic Church wishes
to make to the European Union.
"In the course of the meeting, attention also turned to the promotion of
human rights and, in particular, of religious freedom".
OP/ VIS
20111114 (130)
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS AND THE GOAL OF EXISTENCE
VATICAN CITY, 13 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The provisional nature of earthly life and
the call to experience it as "a pilgrimage" towards God, Who "represents our
final destination and gives meaning to our lives", were the central themes
of the remarks Benedict XVI addressed to faithful gathered in St. Peter's
Square before praying the Angelus today.
In the Parable of the Talents, as related in today's reading from the
Gospel according to St. Matthew, "Jesus speaks of the three servants whose
master departed on a long journey and entrusted them with his money. Two of
them behaved correctly and redoubled the wealth they had received, but the
third hid the money in a hole. When the master returned he asked what had
become of his riches and, while he was pleased with the first two servants,
he was disappointed with the third, ... because he had behaved as if his
master would never return, as if the day of reckoning would never come.
"With this parable", the Holy Father added, "Jesus wished to teach His
disciples to make good use of His gifts. God calls each one of us to life
and gives us talents, at the same time entrusting us with a mission to
accomplish. It would be foolish to think that these gifts are our due, just
as refusing to employ them would be to fail in the goal of our lives.
Commenting on this Gospel episode, St. Gregory the Great notes that the Lord
does not stint His gift of charity and love to anyone".
"Let us accept the invitation to be watchful, as reiterated in the
Scriptures. This is the attitude of those who know that the Lord will return
and will wish to see in us the fruits of His love. Charity is the
fundamental good which no one should fail to practise and without which all
other gifts are in vain".
ANG/ VIS
20111114 (330)
RESPECT FOR THE EARTH AND RECONCILIATION IN AFRICA
VATICAN CITY, 13 NOV 2011 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus this morning,
the Pope mentioned that today marks World Diabetes Day, "a chronic illness
which affects many people, including the young", he said. "I pray for all
those brothers and sisters, for those who share their daily fatigue, and for
the healthcare workers and volunteers who assist them".
Speaking French, he also referred to his forthcoming trip to Benin during
which he will sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Second
Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. The Pope highlighted
how his visit will seek "to reaffirm the faith and hope of Christians in
Africa. ... To your prayers I entrust this journey and the inhabitants of
the dear continent of Africa, especially those who are experiencing
insecurity and violence. May Our Lady of Africa accompany and sustain the
efforts of everyone who works for reconciliation, justice and peace".
Continuing his remarks in German, he sent greetings "to the faithful who
today will participate in the beatification of the martyr priest Karl
Lampert in Dornbirn. In the dark days of National Socialism, he clearly
understood the words of St. Paul 'we are not of the night or of darkness'.
During an interrogation which could have given him his freedom, he declared:
'I love my Church. I remain faithful to my Church and to the priesthood. I
am with Christ and love His Church'".
He then recalled how, at the initiative of the "Aid to the Church in Need"
association, Poland is currently celebrating a Day of Solidarity with the
persecuted Church. "This year", he said, "with your prayers and your
offerings you are giving particular support to the Church in Sudan. My hope
is that the Day may raise people's awareness to poverty and persecutions,
and to the need to respect human dignity and the right to religious
freedom".
He also noted that the Italian Church is today celebrating the Day of
Thanksgiving. "Looking at the fruits of the earth, which this year too the
Lord has given us, we recognise that the work of man would be in vain if He
did not make it fruitful. ... Let us give thanks and undertake to respect
the earth, which the Lord has entrusted to our care".
ANG/ VIS
20111114 (390)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 14 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in
audience:
- Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental
Churches.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Pontifical Commission for
Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
- Alfonso Rivero Monsalve, ambassador of Peru, accompanied by his wife, on
a farewell visit.
On Saturday 12 November he received in audience Cardinal Marc Ouellet
P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
AP/ VIS
20111114 (90)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 14 NOV 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of
Brisbane, Australia, presented by Archbishop John A. Bathersby, upon having
reached the age limit.
- Appointed Msgr. Francesco Cavina of the clergy of the diocese of Imola,
Italy, official of the Secretariat of State, as bishop of Carpi (area 415,
population 127,808, Catholics 117,785, priests 56, permanent deacons 13,
religious 62), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Faenza, Italy in 1955 and
ordained a priest in 1980. He has worked as vice rector of the regional
seminary of Bologna, defender of the bond and later judge in the Tribunal of
the same archdiocese, and canon of the cathedral of Imola. He succeeds
Bishop Elio Tinti, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same
diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
RE:NER/ VIS 20111114
(150)
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