Anyone who lives and proclaims the faith of the Church is on many points out
of step with the prevalent way of thinking, even in our own day. Today’s
regnant agnosticism has its own dogmas and is extremely intolerant regarding
anything that would
question it and the criteria it employs. Therefore the courage to contradict
the prevailing mindset is particularly urgent for a Bishop today. He must be
courageous. And this courage or forcefulness does not consist in striking out
or in acting
aggressively, but rather in allowing oneself to be struck and to be steadfast
before the principles of the prevalent way of thinking. The courage to stand
firm in the truth is unavoidably demanded of those whom the Lord sends like
Subject: VISnews130107
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
sheep amo
ng
wolves. “Those who fear the Lord will not be timid”, says the Book
of Sirach (34:16). The fear of God frees us from the fear of men. It liberates.
Here I am reminded of an episode at the very beginning of Christianity which
Saint Luke recounts in the Acts of the Apostles. After the speech of Gamaliel,
who advised against violence in dealing with the earliest community of
believers in Jesus, the
Sanhedrin summoned the Apostles and had them flogged. It then forbade them
from preaching in the name of Jesus and set them free. Saint Luke continues:
“As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered
worthy to suffer dishonour
for the name of Jesus. And every day… they did not cease to teach and
proclaim Jesus as the Messiah” (Acts 5:40ff.). The successors of the
Apostles must also expect to be repeatedly beaten, by contemporary methods, if
they continue to
proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that can be heard and understood.
Then they can rejoice that they have been considered worthy of suffering for
him. Like the Apostles, we naturally want to convince people and in this sense
to o
btain
their approval. Naturally, we are not provocative; on the contrary we invite
all to enter into the joy of that truth which shows us the way. The approval
of the prevailing wisdom, however, is not the criterion to which we submit.
Our criterion is the
Lord himself. If we defend his cause, we will constantly gain others to the
way of the Gospel. But, inevitably, we will also be beaten by those who live
lives opposed to the Gospel, and then we can be grateful for having been
judged worthy to share in
the passion of Christ.
The Wise Men followed the star, and thus came to Jesus, to the great Light
which enlightens everyone coming into this world (cf. Jn 1:9). As pilgrims of
faith, the Wise Men themselves became stars shining in the firmament of
history and they show us the
way. The saints are God’s true constellations, which light up the nights
of this world, serving as our guides. Saint Paul, in his Letter to the
Philippians, told his faithful that they must shine like stars in the world
(cf. 2:15).
Dear friends, this holds true for us too. It holds true above all for you who
are now to be ordained Bishops of the Church of Jesus Christ. If you live with
Christ, bound to him anew in this sacrament, then you too will become wise
men. Then you will
become stars which go before men and women, pointing out to them the right
path in life. All of us here are now praying for you, that the Lord may fill
you with the light of faith and love. That that restlessness of God for man
may seize you, so that
all may experience his closeness and receive the gift of his joy. We are
praying for you, that the Lord may always grant you the courage and humility
of faith. We ask Mary, who showed to the Wise Men the new King of the world
(cf. Mt 2:11), as a loving
mother, to show Jesus Christ also to you and to help you to be guides along
the way which leads to him. Amen.
___________________________________________________________
ANGELUS: MAY CHRIST'S LIGHT SHINE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Vatican City, 6 January 2013 (VIS) - At midday today, Solemnity of the Lord's
Epiphany, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his study to pray the
Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. The event had been
slightly delayed because
of the length of the morning's Mass during which the Pope had consecrated four
new archbishops, including Msgr. Georg Ganswein, his private secretary.
The Pope began by apologizing to the faithful for the delay: "I ordained four
new bishops in St. Peter's Basilica today and the ceremony lasted a little
longer than normal. Above all, however, today we celebrate the Lord's
Epiphany, his manifestation to
the peoples, when many Oriental Churches celebrate His Nativity according to
the Julian calendar. This small difference, which superimposes these two
events, highlights the fact that the Child, born in a humble grotto in
Bethlehem, is the light of the
world that guides the paths of all peoples. It is a combination that also
makes us think from the perspective of faith: on the one hand, on Christmas,
in the presence of Jesus, we see the faith of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds;
on the other, at
Epiphany, we see the faith of the Three Wise Men who have come from the East
to adore the King of the Jews".
"The Virgin Mary, along with her husband, represent the 'lineage' of Israel,
the 'remnant' foretold by the prophets, from which the Messiah will spring
forth. The Three Wise Men, on the other hand, represent the peoples?and we can
also say the
civilizations, cultures, and religions?that are, so to speak, on the path to
God, in search of His reign of peace, justice, truth, and freedom. There is
first a nucleus embodied, above all, by Mary, the 'daughter of Zion': a
nucleus of Israel, the
people that knew and had faith in that God who had revealed himself to the
patriarchs and in the course of history. This faith reaches its fulfilment in
Mary, in the fullness of time. In her, who was 'blessed because she believed',
the Word was made
flesh, God 'appeared' in the world. Mary's faith becomes the first fruits and
the model of faith of the Church, the People of the New Covenant. Bur, from
the beginning, this people is universal and we see this today in the figures
of the Three Wise
Men
who come to Bethlehem following the light of a star and the indications given
in the Sacred Scriptures".
In conclusion, the Pope referred to the episcopal ordinations conferred that
morning: "two of the new bishops will remain here in their service of the Holy
See and the other two will depart to become papal representatives to two
nations. Let us pray for
each of them, for their ministry, and that the light of Christ may shine forth
throughout the world".
___________________________________________________________
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 7 January 2013 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father addressed
members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See to express his
traditional greetings on the new year.
This evening he is scheduled to meet with archbishops Angelo Vincenzo Zani,
titular archbishop of Volturno and secretary of the Congregation for Catholic
Education (of Seminaries and Institutes of Studies) and Georg Ganswein,
titular archbishop of
Urbisaglia and prefect of the pontifical household, along with members of
their families.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 7 January 2013 (VIS) - On Saturday, 5 January, the Holy Father
appointed:
- Bishop Jean-Paul Gobel, apostolic nuncio to Iran, as apostolic nuncio to the
Arab Republic of Egypt and apostolic delegate to the League of Arab States.
- Archbishop-elect Nicolas Henry Marie Denis Thevenin as apostolic nuncio to
Guatemala.
- Antonio Chiminello, vice-director of the State Accounting Administration, as
director of the same department for a five-year period.
___________________________________________________________
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VISnews130107
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE YEAR XXIII - N° 4DATE 07-01-2013
Summary: - BENEDICT XVI: DO NOT BE RESIGNED
TO "SPREAD" IN SOCIAL
WELL-BEING WHILE FIGHTING ONE IN FINANCIAL SECTOR - POPE PAYS HOMAGE TO
THE MARTYR CHURCH OF CAMBODIA - THE THREE WISE MEN WERE SEEKERS AFTER
GOD - ANGELUS: MAY CHRIST'S LIGHT SHINE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD -
AUDIENCES - OTHER
PONTIFICAL ACTS
BENEDICT XVI: DO NOT BE RESIGNED TO "SPREAD" IN SOCIAL WELL-BEING WHILE
FIGHTING ONE IN FINANCIAL SECTOR
Vatican City, 7 January 2013 (VIS) - This morning in the Sala Regia of the
Vatican Apostolic Palace, Pope Benedict pronounced his traditional annual
address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. Before
making his remarks, the
Pope was greeted by Ambassador Alejandro Emilio Valladares Lanza of Honduras,
dean of the diplomatic corps, then received the greetings of the ambassadors
as a whole formulated in a speech delivered by Ambassador Jean-Claude Michel
of the Principality
of Monaco, vice dean.
The Holy See currently maintains full diplomatic relations with 179 States,
as well as the European Union and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It
also has relations of a special nature with the Palestine Liberation
Organisation.
Furthermore, the Holy See has observer-State status at the United Nations,
as well as being a member of seven organisations and agencies of the UN
system, observer in eight others, and member or observer in five regional
organisations.
Ample extracts of the Holy Father's address follow below:
... "Civil and political authorities before all others have a grave
responsibility to work for peace. They are the first called to resolve the
numerous conflicts causing bloodshed in our human family, beginning with that
privileged region in
God’s plan, the Middle East. I think first and foremost of Syria, torn
apart by endless slaughter and the scene of dreadful suffering among its
civilian population. I renew my appeal for a ceasefire and the inauguration as
quickly as possible of a
constructive dialogue aimed at putting an end to a conflict which will know no
victors but only vanquished if it continues, leaving behind it nothing but a
field of ruins. Your Excellencies, allow me to ask you to continue to make
your Governments aware
of this, so that essential aid will urgently be made available to face this
grave humanitarian situation. I now turn with deep concern towards the Holy
Land. Following Palestine’s recognition as a Non-Member Observer State of
the United Nations, I again express the hope that, with the support of the
international community, Israelis and Palestinians will commit themselves to
peaceful coexistence within the framework of two sovereign states, where
respect for justice and the
legitimate aspirations of the two peoples will be preserved and guaranteed.
Jerusalem, become what your name signifies! A city of peace and not of
division; a prophecy of the Kingdom of God and not a byword for instability
and opposition!".
"As I turn my thoughts towards the beloved Iraqi people, I express my hope
that they will pursue the path of reconciliation in order to arrive at the
stability for which they long".
"In Lebanon, where last September I met the various groups which make up
society, may the many religious traditions there be cultivated by all as a
true treasure for the country and for the whole region, and may Christians
offer an effective witness
for the building of a future of peace, together with all men and women of good
will!".
"In North Africa too, cooperation between all the members of society is of
primary concern, and each must be guaranteed full citizenship, the liberty
publicly to profess their religion and the ability to contribute to the common
good. I assure all
Egyptians of my closeness and my prayers at this time when new institutions
are being set in place".
"Turning to sub-Saharan Africa, I encourage the efforts being made to build
peace, especially in those places where the wounds of war remain open and
where their grave humanitarian consequences are being felt. I think
particularly of the Horn of
Africa, and the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where new of
acts of violence have erupted, forcing many people to abandon their homes,
families and surroundings. Nor can I fail to mention other threats looming on
the horizon. Nigeria is
regularly the scene of terrorist attacks which reap victims above all among
the Christian faithful gathered in prayer, as if hatred intended to turn
temples of prayer and peace into places of fear and division. I was deeply
saddened to learn that, even
in the days when we celebrated Christmas, some Christians were barbarously put
to death. Mali is also torn by violence and marked by a profound institutional
and social crisis, one which calls for the effective attention of the
international community. In the Central African Republic, I hope that the
talks announced as taking place shortly will restore stability and spare the
people from reliving the throes of civil war".
"The building of peace always comes about by the protection of human beings
and their fundamental rights. This task, even if carried out in many ways and
with varying degrees of intensity, challenges all countries and must
constantly be inspired by
the transcendent dignity of the human person and the principles inscribed in
human nature. Foremost among these is respect for human life at every stage.
In this regard, I was gratified that a resolution of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of
Europe, in January of last year, called for the prohibition of euthanasia,
understood as the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human
being. At the same time, I must note with dismay that, in various countries,
even those of Christian
tradition, efforts are being made to introduce or expand legislation which
decriminalizes abortion. Direct abortion, that is to say willed as an end or
as a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law. In affirming this, the
Catholic Church is not lacking in understanding and mercy, also towards the
mother involved. Rather, it is a question of being vigilant lest the law
unjustly alter the balance between the right to life of the mother and that of
the unborn child, a right
belonging equally to both. In this area, the recent decision of the
Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding in vitro fertilization, which
arbitrarily redefines the moment of conception and weakens the defence of
unborn life, is also a source of
concern".
... "The European Union also requires far-sighted representatives capable
of making the difficult choices necessary to rectify its economy and to lay
solid foundations for growth. Alone, certain countries may perhaps advance
more quickly, but
together, all will certainly go further! If the differential index between
financial taxes represents a source of concern, the increasing differences
between those few who grow ever richer and the many who grow hopelessly
poorer, should be a cause for
dismay. In a word, it is a question of refusing to be resigned to a 'spread'
in social well-being, while at the same time fighting one in the financial
sector".
"Investment in education in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and
Latin America means helping them to overcome poverty and disease, and to
create legal systems which are equitable and respectful of human dignity.
Certainly, if justice is to be
achieved, good economic models, however necessary, are not sufficient. Justice
is achieved only when people are just! Consequently, building peace means
training individuals to fight corruption, criminal activity, the production
and trade in narcotics,
as well as abstaining from divisions and tensions which threaten to exhaust
society, hindering development and peaceful coexistence".
"Continuing our meeting today, I would like to add that peace in society is
also put at risk by certain threats to religious liberty: it is a question
sometimes of the marginalization of religion in social life; sometimes of
intolerance or even of
violence towards individuals, symbols of religious identity and religious
institutions. It even happens that believers, and Christians in particular,
are prevented from contributing to the common good by their educational and
charitable institutions. In
order effectively to safeguard the exercise of religious liberty it is
essential to respect the right of conscientious objection. This 'frontier' of
liberty touches upon principles of great importance of an ethical and
religious character, rooted in the
very dignity of the human person. They are, as it were, the 'bearing walls' of
any society that wishes to be truly free and democratic. Thus, outlawing
individual and institutional conscientious objection
in the name of liberty and pluralism paradoxically opens by contrast the door
to intolerance and forced uniformity".
"Moreover, in an ever more open world, building peace through dialogue is
no longer a choice but a necessity! From this perspective, the joint
declaration between the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Poland
and the Patriarch of Moscow,
signed last August, is a strong signal given by believers for the improvement
of relations between the Russian and Polish peoples. I would also like to
mention the peace accord concluded recently in the Philippines and I would
like to underline the role
of dialogue between religions for a peaceful coexistence in the region of
Mindanao".
Benedict XVI concluded by affirming that "peace remains 'an empty word' if
it is not nourished and completed by charity" and that charity "is at the
heart of the diplomatic activity of the Holy See and, above all, of the
concern of the Successor of
Peter and of the whole Catholic Church. Charity cannot take the place of
justice that has been denied; nor can justice, on the other hand, replace
charity that has been refused. The Church daily practises charity in works of
social assistance such as
hospitals and clinics, her educational institutions such as orphanages,
schools, colleges and universities, and through help given to peoples in
distress, especially during and after conflicts. In the name of charity, the
Church wishes also to be near
all those who suffer due to natural disasters. I am thinking of the flood
victims in Southeast Asia and of those of the hurricane which struck the East
coast of the United States. I am also thinking of those
who experienced the earthquake that devastated some regions of Northern Italy.
As you know, I wanted to go there personally and see for myself the earnest
desire to rebuild what had been destroyed. In this moment of its history, I
hope that such a
spirit of tenacity and shared commitment will move the entire beloved Italian
nation".
"To conclude our encounter, I would like to recall that, at the end of the
Second Vatican Council – which started fifty years ago - the Servant of
God, Pope Paul VI, sent out messages which remain relevant, including one
addressed to world
leaders. He encouraged them in this way: 'Your task is to be in the world the
promoters of order and peace among men. But never forget this: It is God
[…] who is the great artisan of order and peace on earth'. Today, as I
make those sentiments my
own, I convey to you, the Ambassadors and other distinguished Members of the
Diplomatic Corps, as well as to your families and colleagues, my very best
wishes for the New Year. Thank you!".
Vatican City, 7 January 2013 (VIS) - For the national Congress on the
Church in Cambodia the Holy Father addressed a message recalling "the faith,
courage, and perseverance of your pastors and of your Christian brothers and
sisters" during the years
of the Khmer Rouge when many Christians were assassinated. The congress, which
is taking place in Phnom Penh from 5 to 7 January, has the theme of "Vatican
Council II and the Church".
Following is the complete text of Benedict XVI's message:
"Dear Brothers and Sisters in Cambodia,"
"It is with great pleasure that I join you in prayer these days and through
the heart, send you warm greetings while you gather around your pastors to
celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican
Council and the twentieth
anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I hope that the Cambodian
language translation of the conciliar documents and the Catechism that you
will receive on this occasion will allow you to better understand the teaching
of the Church and
grow in faith".
"In this Year of Faith, I invite you to keep your eyes fixed on the person
of Jesus Christ who is the origin and end of our faith and to reiterate the
Good News to the world today. In Him, the examples of faith that have marked
our history, find
their full light. Also, remembering the period of troubles that precipitated
your country in the darkness, I would like to emphasize the faith, courage and
perseverance of your pastors and of your Christian brothers and sisters, those
so many who have
died, is a noble testimony to the truth of the Gospel. And this testimony has
become a priceless spiritual strength to rebuild the church community in your
country. Today, many catechumens and adult baptisms show your dynamism and is
a happy sign of the
active presence of God in you".
"Dear brothers and sisters, after the Apostle Paul, I urge you to 'keep the
unity of the Spirit by the bond of peace'. Be assured of the prayers of your
brothers and sisters whose blood flowed in the rice field! Be a leaven in the
dough of your
society, witnessing to the love of Christ for all, building bonds of
brotherhood with members of other religious traditions, and walking on the
paths of justice and mercy".
"Dear young people, my friends who have been baptised in these recent
years, do not forget that the Church is your family; she is counting on you to
witness the life and the love that you have found in Jesus. I pray for you and
I invite you to be
generous disciples of Christ".
"Cambodian seminarians, priests and religious, you are a sign of the seeds
of the Church that is building up herself. You have offered your life and your
prayers are a source of hope. May they be also an invitation to other young
people to give their
lives as priests and religious in the heart of God".
"Missionaries, religious, consecrated laity from five continents, be the
beautiful sign of ecclesial communion around your pastors so that your
brotherhood in the diversity of your charismas may lead many people you serve
and love with zeal to meet
Jesus Christ".
"And all of you, who seek God, persevere and be sure that Christ loves you
and offers you His peace!".
--- NetMgr/2 1.0y+
* Origin: NetMgr+ @ Sursum Corda! BBS Meridian MS USA (1:396/45)
