In his message, the Pope explains that this annual exchange of delegations
"is testimony to the fraternal bonds which join us together. It is a profound
and genuine communion, if still imperfect, which is based not on human motives
of courtesy or
convenience but rather on our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. …
This solid foundation allows us to proceed together confidently on the path to
the re-establishment of full communion".
"In our times, the most urgent challenge, about which we have always been
in perfect agreement, … is how we must connect the proclamation of
God's merciful love for contemporary man, so often distracted and incapable of
reflection on the
Subject: VISnews121130
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
meaning of his own existence, and as such often misled by plans and utopias
that can lead only to disillusionment. The Church has only one message, 'God's
Gospel', and no method other than its apostolic proclamation, supported and
guaranteed by the
testimony and sanctity of the life of priests and the people of God. The Lord
Jesus told us that 'the harvest is rich', and we must not accept that it may
be lost as a result of our weaknesses and divisions", concluded the Holy
Father.
___________________________________________________________
HOLY SEE'S SATISFACTION AT THE UN RESOLUTION ON PALESTINE
Vatican City, 30 November 2012 (VIS) - Given below is the Holy See's
declaration on the majority approval by the General Assembly of the United
Nations to the Resolution by which Palestine has become a Non-member Observer
State of the UN
Organisation.
"The Holy See has followed actively the steps which have led to this
important decision, while striving to remain neutral between the Parties, and
to act in accordance with its particular religious nature and universal
mission, and in consideration
also of its specific attention to the ethical dimension of international
problems.
"The Holy See considers, moreover, that today’s vote should be placed
within the context of the efforts of giving a definitive solution, with the
support of the international community, to the question already dealt with by
Resolution 181 of
the General Assembly of the United Nations of 29 November 1947. That document
is the juridical basis for the existence of two States, one of which has not
been constituted in the successive sixty-five years, while the other has
already seen the
light.
"On 15 May 2009, while departing from 'Ben Gurion' International Airport,
Tel Aviv, at the conclusion of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict
XVI expressed the following: No more bloodshed! No more fighting! No more
terrorism! No more war!
Instead let us break the vicious circle of violence. Let there be lasting
peace based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing. Let
it be universally recognized that the State of Israel has the right to exist,
and to enjoy peace and
security within internationally agreed borders. Let it be likewise
acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign
independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely. Let the
two-state solution become a reality, not
remain a dream.
"In the wake of that appeal, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations
with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, speaking before the General
Assembly of the United Nations in 2011, expressed the hope that the competent
Bodies of the United
Nations would adopt a decision which would help give concrete implementation
to that goal.
"Today’s vote manifests the sentiment of the majority of the
international community and recognises a more significant presence to
Palestinians within the United Nations. At the same time, it is the conviction
of the Holy See that this result
does not constitute, per se, a sufficient solution to the existing problems in
the Region: which, in fact, can only find an adequate response through the
effective commitment to building peace and stability, in justice and in the
respect for legitimate
aspirations, both of the Israelis and of the Palestinians.
"Therefore, the Holy See, at various times, has invited the leaders of the
two Peoples to restart the negotiations in good faith and to avoid actions, or
the placing of conditions, which would contradict the declarations of goodwill
and the sincere
search for solutions which could become secure foundations for a lasting
peace. Moreover, the Holy See has made a pressing appeal to the International
Community to increase its commitment and to encourage its creativity, through
the adoption of suitable
initiatives which may help to achieve a lasting peace, that respects the
rights of Israelis and of Palestinians. Peace needs courageous decisions!
"Considering the outcome of today’s vote of the General Assembly of
the United Nations, and to encourage the International Community, and in
particular the Parties directly concerned, towards concrete action in view of
the aforementioned
objectives – the Holy See welcomes with favour the decision of the
General Assembly by which Palestine has become a non-member Observer State of
the United Nations. It is a propitious occasion to recall also the common
position that the Holy See
and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation expressed in the Basic Agreement
of 15 February 2000, intended to support the recognition of a internationally
guaranteed special statute for the City of Jerusalem, and aimed, in
particular, to safeguarding
the freedom of religion and of conscience, the identity and sacred character
of Jerusalem as a Holy City, respect for and freedom of access to its Holy
Places".
___________________________________________________________
MEETING OF THE SECRETARIAT GENERAL OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
Vatican City, (VIS) - The twenty-third Ordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops on the theme of "The New Evangelisation for the Transmission
of the Christian Faith" was held from 7 to 28 October. Continuing the theme of
the Synod, the topic
of new evangelisation for the transmission of Christian faith inspired the
work of the second meeting of the twenty-third Ordinary Council of the
Secretariat General of the Synod of Bishops, which took place on 26 November
2012.
At the beginning of the session, the general secretary of the Synod of
Bishops, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, spoke about Jesus' missionary mandate:
"Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation". This, he
said, was "the origin of the
proclamation of the Gospel, and retains its validity for the evangelising work
of the Church in all times".
"Following the day's agenda, the general secretary gave a full and detailed
analysis of the themes which emerged from the Propositions of the recent
twenty-third Synodal Assembly. This analysis was followed by a discussion
which gave rise to
suggestions to present to the Pope in view of the Post-Synodal E
hortation".
"The missionary mandate which the Lord entrusted to the Apostles is now
that of the Church in the new evangelisation, which she addresses to the
entire human race, involved in a constant process of transformation which
takes place in a context of
globalisation and a cultural and moral climate of secularisation and
agnosticism. This situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for
the proclamation of the Gospel.
"The Church carries out this work of proclaiming anew the Gospel through
priests and lay faithful. And the Gospel she proclaims involves all humankind
and is destined for every person: the baptised, believers who have drifted
away from the faith of
the Church, non-believers, the indifferent, believers of other Christian
confessions, and believers of other religions, in accordance with the mandate
of the Risen Lord".
The next meeting will take place on 23 and 24 January 2013.
___________________________________________________________
BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER
Vatican City, 30 November 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer
intention for December is: "That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed
with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities".
His mission intention is: "That Christ may reveal Himself to all humanity
with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face
of His Church".
___________________________________________________________
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 30 November 2012 (VIS) - This evening the Holy Father is
scheduled to receive in audience Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 30 November 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Bishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Jullundur, India, as
archbishop of Delhi (area 15,420, population 19,633,000, Catholics 110,300,
priests 262, religious 1,154), India. He succeeds Archbishop Vincent Michael
Concessao, whose resignation
from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon
having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Binay Kandulna, auxiliary of Ranchi and apostolic
administrator of the diocese of Khunti, as bishop of Khunti (area 3,765,
population 911,000, Catholics 90,672, priests 75, religious 196).
- Appointed Fr. Angel Francisco Caraballo Fermin of the clergy of the
diocese of Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, pastor of the Parish of "Santisimos
Pedro y Pablo" at Puerto Ordaz, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Maracaibo
(area 11,365, population
2,259,000, Catholics 2,096,000, priests 135, permanent deacons 16, religious
303), Venezuela. The bishop-elect was born in Puerto Ordaz in 1965 and
ordained a priest in 1991. He studied in Spain and in Rome and, among other
things, has served as
professor of Canon Law at the major seminary of "El Buen Pastor" in Ciudad
Bolivar, and as vicar general and judicial vicar of his diocese.
___________________________________________________________
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