Subject: VISnews 120105
Organization: VIS
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY SECOND YEAR - N. 4
ENGLISH
THURSDAY, 5 JANUARY 2012
SUMMARY:
- Pastoral Recommendations for the Year of Faith
- Papal Masses for Epiphany and Feast of the Lord's Baptism
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Notice
___________________________________________________________
PASTORAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH
VATICAN CITY, 5 JAN 2012 (VIS) - A communique was published today containing
information about a "Note with pastoral recommendations for the Year of
Faith" which, by order of the Holy Father, has been prepared by the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in consultation with other
dicasteries of the Holy See, and with the help of the Committee for the
Preparation of the Year of Faith. The Note is dated 6 January, Solemnity of
the Epiphany of the Lord, and will be made public on Saturday 7 January.
Today's communique explains that, with his Apostolic Letter "Porta fidei"
of 11 October 2011, Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith, due to begin on
11 October, fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II, and
to conclude on 24 November 2013, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Universal King. The introduction to the Note states that "the Year of Faith
is intended to contribute to a renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus and to
the rediscovery of faith, so that the members of the Church will be credible
and joy-filled witnesses to the Risen Lord, capable of leading those many
people who are seeking it to the door of faith".
The beginning of the Year of Faith coincides with the fiftieth anniversary
of the opening of Vatican Council II, and the twentieth of the promulgation
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "two great events which have marked
the life of the Church in our days", the communique says. "The Year of Faith
will be a propitious occasion to make Vatican Council II and the Catechism
of the Catholic Church more widely and deeply known".
The pastoral recommendations contained in the Note aim "to aid both the
encounter with Christ through authentic witnesses to faith, and the
ever-greater understanding of its contents". All members of the Church are
invited to work to ensure that, during the Year of Faith, we may rediscover
and "share that which is most dear to us: Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of
mankind". The communique further explains that those pastoral
recommendations do not intend to preclude "other initiatives which the Holy
Spirit will inspire among Pastors and faithful in various parts of the
world".
The Note divides its recommendations into four groups: (1) Universal
Church, (2) episcopal conferences, (3) dioceses and (4) parishes,
communities, associations and movements. Some of the specific suggestions it
contains are outlined in the communique.
"Along with the solemn opening celebration for the Year of Faith and other
events in which the Holy Father will participate (Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops, WYD 2013), various ecumenical initiatives are being planned 'aimed
at the restoration of unity among all Christians'. Moreover 'there will be a
solemn ecumenical celebration in which all of the baptised will reaffirm
their faith in Christ'.
"On the level of episcopal conferences, attention will be given to the
quality of catechesis, and efforts will be made to examine 'local catechisms
and various catechetical supplements in use in the particular Churches ...
to ensure their complete conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic
Church'. It is also hoped that use will be made of the language of the mass
media and art, with 'television and radio transmissions, films and
publications focusing on the faith, its principles and content, as well as
on the ecclesial significance of Vatican Council II'.
"At the diocesan level, the Year of Faith is considered, among other
things, as an occasion for 'renewed creative dialogue between faith and
reason in the academic and artistic communities, through symposia, meetings
and days of study, especially at Catholic universities', and as a favourable
time for 'penitential celebrations ... in which all can ask for God's
forgiveness, especially for sins against faith'.
"At the parish level the focus remains on the celebration of the faith in
the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, because 'in the Eucharist, mystery
of faith and source of the new evangelisation, the faith of the Church is
proclaimed, celebrated and strengthened'. It is on this foundation that
other initiatives will come into being, develop and spread, particularly
those undertaken by Institutes, new Communities and Ecclesial Movements.
"'A Secretariat to coordinate all of the different initiatives promoted by
various dicasteries of the Holy See, or other events relevant to the
Universal Church, will be established within the Pontifical Council for the
Promotion of the New Evangelisation'. The Secretariat 'can also suggest
appropriate initiatives' for the Year of Faith, and 'will open a dedicated
website with the goal of making available useful information' on the
subject".
CDF/ VIS
20120105 (770)
PAPAL MASSES FOR EPIPHANY AND FEAST OF THE LORD'S BAPTISM
VATICAN CITY, 5 JAN 2012 (VIS) - At 9.30 a.m. tomorrow, Solemnity of the
Epiphany of the Lord, Benedict XVI will preside at Mass in the Vatican
Basilica. During the ceremony he will confer episcopal ordination upon
archbishops-elect Msgr. Charles John Brown, apostolic nuncio to Ireland, and
Msgr. Marek Solczynski, apostolic nuncio to Georgia and Armenia. Following
Mass the Pope will pray the Angelus from the window of his study in the
Vatican Apostolic Palace.
On Sunday 8 January, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Benedict XVI will
celebrate Mass in the Sistine Chapel and administer the Sacrament of Baptism
to a number of children. At midday he will pray the Angelus with faithful
gathered in St. Peter's Square.
OCL/ VIS
20120105 (130)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 5 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig, apostolic nuncio to Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, as apostolic nuncio to Argentina.
- Appointed Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, secretary of the
Congregation for Bishops, as penitentiary major of the Apostolic
Penitentiary. He succeeds Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli, whose resignation
from the same office the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age
limit.
NN:NA/ VIS 20120105
(80)
NOTICE
VATICAN CITY, 5 JAN 2012 (VIS) - No VIS bulletin will be issued tomorrow
Friday 6 January, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the next service
will be transmitted on Saturday 7 January.
.../ VIS
20120105 (40)
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