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VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - N° 185
DATE 15-10-2012
Summary:
- ANGELUS: THE RICH MUST ENTER INTO THE LOGIC OF GOD
- RELIGION REMINDS SOCIETY OF OBJECTIVE MORAL NORMS
- DURING THE SYNOD WE AND OUR CONTEMPORARIES JOURNEY TOGETHER
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
___________________________________________________________
ANGELUS: THE RICH MUST ENTER INTO THE LOGIC OF GOD
Vatican City, 14 October 2012 (VIS) - "God can conquer the heart of a person
with many possessions and lead him towards solidarity and sharing with the
poor and needy, so that he can enter into the logic of giving", said the Pope
commenting on today's
Gospel reading which narrates Jesus' meeting with a rich young man.
"Jesus teaches that it is very difficult but not impossible for a rich person
to enter the kingdom of God", said the Holy Father in his remarks before
praying the Angelus. "Indeed, through the 'the logic of giving', a person may
follow the path of Jesus
Christ Who, as the Apostle Paul wrote, 'for your sake ... became poor although
he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich'".
Benedict XVI went on to remind faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square that
the young man in question had scrupulously observed all the commandments of
God's Law, but "had not found true happiness. For this reason, he asked Jesus
'what must I do to
inherit eternal life?' On the one hand he was attracted, like everyone else,
to the fullness of life; on the other, being used to his wealth, he thought he
could somehow 'buy' eternal life, perhaps by observing some special
commandment".
Christ was aware of the man's desires but also of his weakness, "his sense of
attachment to his great riches". Therefore He suggested giving everything to
the poor so that "his treasure - and therefore his heart - should be in heaven
and not on earth.
Jesus told the man: 'Come, follow me!' However, instead of welcoming Jesus'
invitation with joy, he went away sadly because he could not give up his
possessions, which could never give him happiness and eternal life".
It was at this point that Jesus pronounced the famous phrase: "It is easier
for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to
enter the kingdom of God". However, seeing His disciples' perplexity he added:
"For human beings it
is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God". Commenting
on this parable, St. Clement of Alexandria wrote: "Let it teach the prosperous
that they are not to neglect their own salvation, as if they had been already
condemned, nor, on
the other hand, to cast wealth into the sea, or condemn it as a traitor and an
enemy to life, but learn in what way and how to use wealth and obtain life".
"The history of the Church", the Pope concluded, "is full of examples of rich
people who have used their wealth evangelically, even attaining sainthood.
Suffice to mention St. Francis, St. Elisabeth of Hungary and St. Charles
Borromeo".
After praying the Angelus the Pope mentioned yesterday's beatification in
Prague, Czech Republic, of Frederic Bachstein and thirteen companions of the
Order of Friars Minor, who died for their faith in 1611. "They are the first
blesseds of the Year of
Faith, and martyrs", he said. "They remind us that believing in Christ also
means being ready to suffer with Him and for Him".
Finally, the Holy Father concluded by noting that "today Poland and Polish
parishes throughout the world are celebrating the 'Day of the Pope', with the
theme: 'John Paul II - the Pope of the Family'. ... It is my hope that all
Polish families may burn
with the living flame of faith, goodness and evangelical love".
___________________________________________________________
RELIGION REMINDS SOCIETY OF OBJECTIVE MORAL NORMS
Vatican City, 15 October 2012 (VIS) - On 14 October, Fr. Miguel Angel Ayuso
Guixot M.C.C.J., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious
Dialogue, addressed the Istanbul World Forum, dedicated to the theme: "Justice
and the Construction of a
New Global Order". In his remarks during the meeting, which took place from 13
to 14 October, Fr. Ayuso examined the essential contribution that social
justice and religious freedom make to peace, and the indispensable role
religions have in promoting
peace and justice in global society.
"Religion", said Fr. Ayuso speaking English, "has a role in contributing to
the national conversation of any given society. That conversation needs to
engage with all the complexities that societies face in the modem world.
Concepts such as 'justice'
and 'social justice' are an integral part of that conversation. Thus, we ask
ourselves, what is the contribution of religion to the national conversation
about 'justice' and 'social justice'? Justice is a divine attribute, and
religious teaching
certainly contributes to the reflection on the right ordering of
relationships, in other words, social justice. Catholic tradition, however,
maintains that justice is accessible by means of human reason, to all men and
women of goodwill, both religious
and non religious".
"Both believer and non believer can subscribe to the innate dignity of the
human person, and agree that such dignity is the reason for the inalienable
rights of each individual, the protection of which is the objective of
justice. ... These rights are
antecedent and independent of the State, and the measure of the justice of the
State is the extent by which it respects and vindicates these antecedent
rights, for justice requires that all persons should be left in the free
enjoyment of their rights.
... When the State fails to administer justice or, indeed, acts unjustly, it
no longer has any moral authority or legitimacy. This implies that the State
is subject to judgement, that it does not have absolute power, that it can,
and indeed, must be
held to account. Our question is, therefore, who or what can hold the State to
account, to ensure that it acts justly? The question is not political but
moral, although the answer will require political choices".
"Since the ultimate question is moral in nature then it follows that the
hallmark of a civil and just society is the proper and due space afforded to
religion, which has a unique contribution in being the voice for the
voiceless, a voice for the
downtrodden, a voice for the oppressed, a voice for the persecuted, a
prophetic voice calling all to act in peace and justice. Religion calls forth
the conscience of society to act genuinely in favour of the common good.
Religion, therefore, has a role
in political debate, not in providing concrete political solutions, which lies
outside the competence of religion, but to recall to society the objective
moral norms at the basis of justice and the just society".
___________________________________________________________
DURING THE SYNOD WE AND OUR CONTEMPORARIES JOURNEY TOGETHER
Vatican City, 13 October 2012 (VIS) - Before lunching yesterday with Synod
Fathers, the Council Fathers of Vatican II and presidents of the world's
episcopal conferences, Benedict XVI greeted those present with some brief
remarks.
"It was a fine tradition begun by Blessed Pope John Paul II to include a
communal luncheon as part of the Synod. And it is a great honour for me to be
sitting between His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and
Archbishop Rowan Williams
from the Anglican Communion", the Holy Father said.
He continued: "For me this communion is a sign that we are on the journey
towards unity and that we are progressing in our hearts; the Lord will help is
to progress externally too. This joy, I believe, also gives us strength in the
mandate to
evangelise. 'Synodos' means 'shared journey', 'journeying together', and thus
the word 'synodus' makes me think of the famous journey the Lord made with the
two disciples of Emmaus who, to some extent, represent today's agnostic world.
Jesus, their
hope, had died; the world was empty; it truly seemed either that God did not
exist or that He was not interested in us. With this desperation in their
hearts and, nonetheless, with a small flame of faith, they walked on. The Lord
walked mysteriously
with them, and helped them to a better understanding of the mystery of God, of
His presence in history, of his silent presence at our side. In the end, at
dinner, when the words of the Lord had inflamed their hearts and illuminated
their minds, the
y
recognised Him and finally their hearts began to see.
"In the same way, during the Synod we and our contemporaries journey
together", the Pope added. "We pray to the Lord to enlighten us, to inflame
our hearts that they might see, to illuminate our minds. And we pray that, at
dinner, at Eucharistic
communion, we may truly be opened and see Him, and thus inflame our world with
His light".
___________________________________________________________
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Vatican City, 13 October 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See and the Republic of
Equatorial Guinea today signed an agreement regulating relations between the
Catholic Church and the State. The signing ceremony took place in the city of
Mongomo in the presence of
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, and many other
leading government figures.
The Agreement was signed on the part of the Holy See by Archbishop Piero
Pioppo, apostolic nuncio to the country and, on the part of Equatorial Guinea,
by Agapito Mba Mokuy, foreign minister.
The Agreement, which is made up of nineteen articles and an additional
protocol, will come into effect with the exchange of the instruments of
ratification.
"Within the context of the independence and autonomy of Church and State, and
in order to further their shared desire to collaborate", reads an explanatory
note released today, the Agreement "establishes a juridical framework for
reciprocal relations
recognising, in particular, the juridical status of the Church and her
institutions. The Agreement also covers canonical marriage, places of worship,
educational institutions, and spiritual assistance to Catholic faithful in
hospitals and prisons".
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 15 October 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation
from the pastoral care of the diocese of Duitama-Sogamoso, Colombia, presented
by Bishop Carlos Prada Sanmiguel, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the
Code of Canon Law.
On Saturday 13 October it was made public that the Pope appointed Cardinal
Gaudencio B. Rosales, archbishop emeritus of Manila, Philippines, as his
special envoy to the tenth plenary assembly of FABC (Federation of Asian
Bishops' Conferences). The event
is to be held at the Xuan Loc Diocese Pastoral Centre from 19 to 25 November,
and the concluding ceremony will take place in the cathedral of Ho Chi Minh
City, Vietnam.
___________________________________________________________
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VISnews121015
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE YEAR XXII - N° 185DATE 15-10-2012
Summary: - ANGELUS: THE RICH MUST ENTER
INTO THE LOGIC OF GOD -
RELIGION REMINDS SOCIETY OF OBJECTIVE MORAL NORMS - DURING THE SYNOD WE
AND OUR CONTEMPORARIES JOURNEY TOGETHER - AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE
AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA - OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS ___________________________________________________________
ANGELUS: THE RICH MUST ENTER INTO THE LOGIC OF GOD
Vatican City, 14 October 2012 (VIS) - "God can conquer the heart of a
person with many possessions and lead him towards solidarity and sharing with
the poor and needy, so that he can enter into the logic of giving", said the
Pope commenting on
today's Gospel reading which narrates Jesus' meeting with a rich young man.
"Jesus teaches that it is very difficult but not impossible for a rich
person to enter the kingdom of God", said the Holy Father in his remarks
before praying the Angelus. "Indeed, through the 'the logic of giving', a
person may follow the path of
Jesus Christ Who, as the Apostle Paul wrote, 'for your sake ... became poor
although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich'".
Benedict XVI went on to remind faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square that
the young man in question had scrupulously observed all the commandments of
God's Law, but "had not found true happiness. For this reason, he asked Jesus
'what must I do to
inherit eternal life?' On the one hand he was attracted, like everyone else,
to the fullness of life; on the other, being used to his wealth, he thought he
could somehow 'buy' eternal life, perhaps by observing some special
commandment".
Christ was aware of the man's desires but also of his weakness, "his sense
of attachment to his great riches". Therefore He suggested giving everything
to the poor so that "his treasure - and therefore his heart - should be in
heaven and not on
earth. Jesus told the man: 'Come, follow me!' However, instead of welcoming
Jesus' invitation with joy, he went away sadly because he could not give up
his possessions, which could never give him happiness and eternal life".
It was at this point that Jesus pronounced the famous phrase: "It is easier
for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to
enter the kingdom of God". However, seeing His disciples' perplexity he added:
"For human beings
it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God".
Commenting on this parable, St. Clement of Alexandria wrote: "Let it teach the
prosperous that they are not to neglect their own salvation, as if they had
been already condemned, nor,
on the other hand, to cast wealth into the sea, or condemn it as a traitor and
an enemy to life, but learn in what way and how to use wealth and obtain
life".
"The history of the Church", the Pope concluded, "is full of examples of
rich people who have used their wealth evangelically, even attaining
sainthood. Suffice to mention St. Francis, St. Elisabeth of Hungary and St.
Charles Borromeo".
After praying the Angelus the Pope mentioned yesterday's beatification in
Prague, Czech Republic, of Frederic Bachstein and thirteen companions of the
Order of Friars Minor, who died for their faith in 1611. "They are the first
blesseds of the Year
of Faith, and martyrs", he said. "They remind us that believing in Christ also
means being ready to suffer with Him and for Him".
Finally, the Holy Father concluded by noting that "today Poland and Polish
parishes throughout the world are celebrating the 'Day of the Pope', with the
theme: 'John Paul II - the Pope of the Family'. ... It is my hope that all
Polish families may
burn with the living flame of faith, goodness and evangelical love".
Vatican City, 15 October 2012 (VIS) - On 14 October, Fr. Miguel Angel Ayuso
Guixot M.C.C.J., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious
Dialogue, addressed the Istanbul World Forum, dedicated to the theme: "Justice
and the Construction
of a New Global Order". In his remarks during the meeting, which took place
from 13 to 14 October, Fr. Ayuso examined the essential contribution that
social justice and religious freedom make to peace, and the indispensable role
religions have in
promoting peace and justice in global society.
"Religion", said Fr. Ayuso speaking English, "has a role in contributing to
the national conversation of any given society. That conversation needs to
engage with all the complexities that societies face in the modem world.
Concepts such as 'justice'
and 'social justice' are an integral part of that conversation. Thus, we ask
ourselves, what is the contribution of religion to the national conversation
about 'justice' and 'social justice'? Justice is a divine attribute, and
religious teaching
certainly contributes to the reflection on the right ordering of
relationships, in other words, social justice. Catholic tradition, however,
maintains that justice is accessible by means of human reason, to all men and
women of goodwill, both religious
and non religious".
"Both believer and non believer can subscribe to the innate dignity of the
human person, and agree that such dignity is the reason for the inalienable
rights of each individual, the protection of which is the objective of
justice. ... These rights
are antecedent and independent of the State, and the measure of the justice of
the State is the extent by which it respects and vindicates these antecedent
rights, for justice requires that all persons should be left in the free
enjoyment of their
rights. ... When the State fails to administer justice or, indeed, acts
unjustly, it no longer has any moral authority or legitimacy. This implies
that the State is subject to judgement, that it does not have absolute power,
that it can, and indeed,
must be held to account. Our question is, therefore, who or what can hold the
State to account, to ensure that it acts justly? The question is not political
but moral, although the answer will require political choices".
"Since the ultimate question is moral in nature then it follows that the
hallmark of a civil and just society is the proper and due space afforded to
religion, which has a unique contribution in being the voice for the
voiceless, a voice for the
downtrodden, a voice for the oppressed, a voice for the persecuted, a
prophetic voice calling all to act in peace and justice. Religion calls forth
the conscience of society to act genuinely in favour of the common good.
Religion, therefore, has a role
in political debate, not in providing concrete political solutions, which lies
outside the competence of religion, but to recall to society the objective
moral norms at the basis of justice and the just society".
DURING THE SYNOD WE AND OUR CONTEMPORARIES JOURNEY TOGETHER
Vatican City, 13 October 2012 (VIS) - Before lunching yesterday with Synod
Fathers, the Council Fathers of Vatican II and presidents of the world's
episcopal conferences, Benedict XVI greeted those present with some brief
remarks.
"It was a fine tradition begun by Blessed Pope John Paul II to include a
communal luncheon as part of the Synod. And it is a great honour for me to be
sitting between His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and
Archbishop Rowan
Williams from the Anglican Communion", the Holy Father said.
He continued: "For me this communion is a sign that we are on the journey
towards unity and that we are progressing in our hearts; the Lord will help is
to progress externally too. This joy, I believe, also gives us strength in the
mandate to
evangelise. 'Synodos' means 'shared journey', 'journeying together', and thus
the word 'synodus' makes me think of the famous journey the Lord made with the
two disciples of Emmaus who, to some extent, represent today's agnostic world.
Jesus, their
hope, had died; the world was empty; it truly seemed either that God did not
exist or that He was not interested in us. With this desperation in their
hearts and, nonetheless, with a small flame of faith, they walked on. The Lord
walked mysteriously
with them, and helped them to a better understanding of the mystery of God, of
His presence in history, of his silent presence at our side. In the end, at
dinner, when the words of the Lord had
inflamed their hearts and illuminated their minds, they recognised Him and
finally their hearts began to see.
"In the same way, during the Synod we and our contemporaries journey
together", the Pope added. "We pray to the Lord to enlighten us, to inflame
our hearts that they might see, to illuminate our minds. And we pray that, at
dinner, at Eucharistic
communion, we may truly be opened and see Him, and thus inflame our world with
His light".
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Vatican City, 13 October 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See and the Republic of
Equatorial Guinea today signed an agreement regulating relations between the
Catholic Church and the State. The signing ceremony took place in the city of
Mongomo in the presence
of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, and many
other leading government figures.
The Agreement was signed on the part of the Holy See by Archbishop Piero
Pioppo, apostolic nuncio to the country and, on the part of Equatorial Guinea,
by Agapito Mba Mokuy, foreign minister.
The Agreement, which is made up of nineteen articles and an additional
protocol, will come into effect with the exchange of the instruments of
ratification.
"Within the context of the independence and autonomy of Church and State,
and in order to further their shared desire to collaborate", reads an
explanatory note released today, the Agreement "establishes a juridical
framework for reciprocal relations
recognising, in particular, the juridical status of the Church and her
institutions. The Agreement also covers canonical marriage, places of worship,
educational institutions, and spiritual assistance to Catholic faithful in
hospitals and prisons".
Vatican City, 15 October 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the
resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Duitama-Sogamoso,
Colombia, presented by Bishop Carlos Prada Sanmiguel, in accordance with canon
401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon
Law.
On Saturday 13 October it was made public that the Pope appointed Cardinal
Gaudencio B. Rosales, archbishop emeritus of Manila, Philippines, as his
special envoy to the tenth plenary assembly of FABC (Federation of Asian
Bishops' Conferences). The
event is to be held at the Xuan Loc Diocese Pastoral Centre from 19 to 25
November, and the concluding ceremony will take place in the cathedral of Ho
Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
