HOLY FATHER: “DUE TO OUR COMMON ROOTS, A CHRISTIAN CANNOT BE
ANTI-SEMITIC!”
Vatican City, 24 June 2013 (VIS) – At noon today, the Holy Father
received 30 members of the delegation of the International Jewish Committee on
Interreligious Consultations. The Pope recalled that 21 previous meetings have
helped to strengthen
the mutual understanding and ties of friendship between Jews and Catholics.
This is Pope Francis' first official meeting with a group of
epresentatives of Jewish organizations and communities since his election. The
pontiff said that the “Nostra Aetate” Declaration of the Second
Vatican Council represents
“a key point of reference for relations with the Jewish people”
for the Catholic Church.
“In that Council text, the Church recognizes that 'the beginnings of
its faith and election are to be found in the patriarchs, Moses, and
prophets'. And, with regard to the Jews, the Council recalls the teaching of
Saint Paul, who wrote 'the
gifts and the call of God are irrevocable' and who also firmly condemned
hatred, persecution, and all forms of anti-Semitism. Due to our common roots,
a Christian cannot be anti-Semitic!”
The Holy Father noted that “the fundamental principles expressed by
the Declaration have marked the path of greater awareness and mutual
understanding trodden these last decades by Jews and Catholics, a path which
my predecessors have strongly
encouraged, both by very significant gestures and by the publication of a
series of documents to deepen the thinking about the theological roots of the
relations between Jews and Christians.”
Nevertheless, this represents “only the most visible element of a
vast movement that takes place on the local level a bit throughout the world,
as I know from personal experience. During my ministry as Archbishop of Buenos
Aires, I had the joy
of maintaining relations of sincere friendship with leaders of the Jewish
world. We talked often of our respective religious identities, the image of
the human person found in the Scriptures, and how to keep an awareness of God
alive in a world now
secularized in many ways. I met with them on various occasions to discuss the
common challenges faced by both Jews and Christians. But above all, as
friends, we enjoyed each other’s company, we were mutually enriched
through encounter and
dialogue, with an attitude of reciprocal welcome, and this helped all of us
grow as persons and as believers.”
“These friendly relations are, in a way, the basis for the
development of a more official dialogue,” the Pope said, encouraging
those present to follow their path, “trying, as you do so, to involve
younger generations. Humanity
needs our joint witness in favour of respect for the dignity of man and woman
created in the image and likeness of God and in favour of the peace that is,
above all, God’s gift.”
Pope Francis concluded his address by recalling the words of the prophet
Jeremiah: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for yo
—affirms the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to
give you a future of
hope.”
___________________________________________________________
POPE RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER OF MALTA
Vatican City, 24 June 2013 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican Apostolic Palace,
the Holy Father Francis received His Excellency Dr. Joseph Muscat, Prime
Minister of the Republic of Malta, in audience. Prime Minister Muscat then met
with the Secretary of
State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., accompanied by Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial talks, the apostolic origins of the Maltese Church were
recalled, along with the decisive impression that Christianity has made upon
the history and culture of the people of the archipelago. Also remembered were
the pastoral visits
to Malta made by Blessed Pope John Paul II and His Holiness Benedict XVI,
which left profound memories in the life of the Church and on the people.
The need of maintaining Christian values steadfast was reaffirmed and the
important role—protected thanks to the many agreements concluded between
the Holy See and Malta—carried out by the Catholic Church with her
educational and
charitable institutions was mentioned, including teaching the Catholic
religion in state schools, Catholic schools, and on Church properties.
Particular note was made of the Agreement on the civil effects of religious
marriages, which will be the object
of further discussions between the Parties.
While mentioning the important challenges and critical situations affecting
the Mediterranean region and the country’s role in the European Union,
special emphasis was given to the deep commitment, on the part of both the
Church and the
Government of Malta, to dealing with the phenomenon of migration to Europe.
___________________________________________________________
POPE'S AUDIENCE WITH ADOLFO PEREZ ESQUIVEL AND FELIX DIAZ
Vatican City, 24 June 2013 (VIS) – The Director of the Holy See Press
Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., released the following communique.
“This morning the Holy Father received in audience Mr. Adolfo Perez
Esquivel, recipient of the 1980 Nobel Peace Prize, accompanying Mr. Felix
Diaz, leader of the Qom ethnic tribe's “La Primavera” Community,
with his wife Mrs. Amanda
Asijak, and Fr. Francisco Nazar, vicar for the indigenous populations of the
Diocese of Formosa, Argentina.”
“Mr. Diaz expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for the audience
and for what it means as an expression of interest and support. He related to
Pope Francis the difficulties faced by the indigenous peoples of Argentina and
Latin America, as
well as his concerns for the protection of their rights, especially in regard
to their territory and cultural identity.”
___________________________________________________________
STS. PETER AND PAUL ASSOCIATION: “FREELY SERVE ALL AS JESUS
DID”
Vatican City, 23 June 2013 (VIS) – At 11:15 this morning in the Hall
of Blessings of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received
members of the Association of Sts. Peter and Paul. He thanked them for the
charitable activities
they undertake and for their collaboration in the smooth operations of the
celebrations that take place in the Vatican.
The association came into being at the wish of Paul VI, who in 1970
disbanded various groups of pontifical guards including the Palatine Guard of
Honour created by Pius IX in 1850. His intention was to bring together a group
of the faithful of Rome
who wished to express their unconditional fidelity to the Apostolic See.
Former members of the guard were thus invited to join a new group called the
Association of Sts. Peter and Paul, the statutes of which were approved by
Paul VI in 1971.
The Association is divided into three sections: liturgy, culture, and
charity, and has a general secretariat. It undertakes various initiatives with
the aim of bearing witness to Christian life, the apostolate, and faithfulness
to the Apostolic
See.
“I know,” the Pope commented, “that there is a lot of
'behind the scenes' work. I also know that your service of welcoming [pilgrims
and tourists] to St. Peter's Basilica, your service for the liturgical
celebrations, your
apostolate, also extends to cultural and charitable activities. Above all
charity, your concrete attention towards others, towards the poorest, weakest,
and most needy is the hallmark of the Christian.”
Serving the Church and one's brothers and sisters without asking anything
in return, the pontiff said, “is beautiful. Serving without asking
anything in exchange, like Jesus. Jesus served us all and never asked for
anything in return. Jesus did
things freely and you do things freely. Your reward is precisely this: the joy
of serving the Lord and of doing it together!” This service is a great
Christian virtue of ”magnanimity, having a large heart, always expanding
your hearts with
patience; expanding it, loving all and not those insignificant things that do
us such harm.”
Finally, the Pope blessed those present and asked them to think of everyone
they love: “your family and your friends, so that the Blessing may go
out to them. But also think of some of those persons you don't like so well,
those who do you
evil, those you are a little angry with. Think of them too so that the
Blessing might also go out to them.”
___________________________________________________________
ANGELUS: BE PROUD TO GO AGAINST THE CURRENT
Vatican City, 23 June 2013 (VIS) – At noon today, the Holy Father
Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to
pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. Before the
Marian prayer he
recalled Jesus' most incisive words: “whoever wishes to save his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” He
then asked: “but what does it mean 'to lose one's life for Jesus'
cause'? This can happen in
two ways: by explicitly confessing the faith or implicitly defending truth.
The martyrs are the best example of losing one's life for Christ. In two
thousand years an immense host of men and women have sacrificed their lives to
remain faithful to Jesus
Christ and his Gospel. And today, in many parts of the world, there are
… so many martyrs who give their lives for Christ, who are brought to
death for not denying Jesus Christ. This is our
Church.”
“Today we have more martyrs than in the first centuries! But there is
also the daily martyrdom, which doesn't result in death but is also a 'losing
of one's life' for Christ: doing one's duty with love, according to the logic
of Jesus, the
logic of giving and sacrifice. Think how many fathers and mothers put their
faith into practice every day, offering their lives for the good of the
family! … How many priests, brothers, and sisters generously carry out
their service for the
Kingdom of God. How many young people give up their own interests to dedicate
themselves to children, the disabled, the elderly... These too are martyrs!
Everyday martyrs, martyrs of everyday life! And there are many people,
Christians and
non-Christians, who 'lose their own life' for the truth. Christ said 'I am the
truth', so those who serve the truth serve Christ.”
The Holy Father recalled how St. John the Baptist devoted himself entirely
to God and, in the end, died for the truth. “How many people pay dearly
for their commitment to the truth! How many righteous men and women prefer to
go against the
current so as to not deny the voice of their conscience, the voice of truth!
Righteous people, who are unafraid of going against the current! And we must
not be afraid!”
Before concluding, the Pope addressed the young persons present, telling
them: “Don't be afraid to go against the current, when they want to
steal our hope, when they propose rotten values to us, values like food that
has gone bad—and
when food has gone bad it makes us sick, these values make us sick. We have to
go against the current! And you, young people, be the first: Go against the
grain and be proud of going against the grain. Go on, be brave and go against
the current! And be
proud of doing it!”
___________________________________________________________
SMALL VIPS FOR THE DAY PULL IN TO VATICAN TRAIN STATION
Vatican City, 23 June 2013 (VIS) – Shortly after praying the Sunday
Angelus today, the Holy Father was at the Vatican train station to welcome the
250 children between the ages of 6 and 10 who were participating in the
“Children's Train:
A Journey through Beauty” initiative. Co-sponsored by the Pontifical
Council for Culture and the Italian Railway System, the project was dedicated
to children who have had problems with social inclusion and psycho-social
difficulties. The
children, accompanied by their families and teachers, were introduced to
visual communication and the language of images through works of
art—particularly in the cathedrals of the various cities—and
educational workshops.
The seven car train, which started from Milan, made stops in Bologna and
Florence before pulling into the Vatican stop shortly before 12:00pm. The
children's first strong impression was of the immense cupola of St. Peter's
Basilica and emotions were
running high in the short time it took for the gates of Vatican territory to
be opened and their train to be towed to its destination by a diesel engine.
Pope Francis arrived at 12:20pm and greeted them, chatting with them and
asking how the trip went
amid hugs and kisses. The Vatican train station was filled with the joy of the
little ones, seeking the Pope's attention, who treated them like royalty.
___________________________________________________________
FRANCIS: CHURCH IS TO SERVE, TO LOVE, AND TO BELIEVE IN HUMANITY
Vatican City, 22 June 2013 (VIS) – Shortly after noon today in the
Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father received 5,000 pilgrims from the Diocese of
Bresica, Italy, accompanied by their bishop, Luciano Monari. They had
travelled to Rome as part of
the Year of Faith to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the election of their
fellow Brescian, Paul VI, to the pontificate. The Pope focused on three
fundamental aspects in Paul VI's witness and teachings: love for Christ, love
for Church, and love for
humanity.
“Paul VI,” said the Pope, “knew how to witness, in
difficult years, to the faith in Jesus Christ. … The total love for
Christ emerges throughout Montini's life, even in his choice of name as Pope,
which he explained with
these words: He is the Apostle 'who loved Christ so supremely, that he wished
and tried in the highest degree to bring Christ's Gospel to all nations and
offered his life out of love of Christ.' [His was] a profound love for Christ,
not to possess, but
to proclaim him,” the pontiff continued. “These passionate words
are great words. Let me tell you something: this address in Manila, and also
the one in Nazareth, have been a spiritual strength for me. They have done me
good in my life. I go
back to this address, again and again, because it it does me good to hear
these words of Paul VI today. And do we have the same love for Christ? Is He
the centre of our lives? Do our everyday actions witness to
him?”
Francis then spoke of his second point, Paul VI's love for the Church. It
was “a passionate love, the love of a lifetime, joyful and painful,
expressed from his first encyclical, 'Ecclesiam suam'. … He loved the
Church and offered
himself for her without reservation. … This is the heart of a true
Shepherd, a true Christian, a man capable of loving!” Pope Francis then
stressed that, for him, “Evangelii Nuntiandi” is the
“greatest pastoral document
written to date.” “Paul VI had a very clear vision that the Church
is a Mother who bears Christ and who leads to Christ.” The Holy Father
then addressed the faithful again, asking them: “Are we truly a Church
united to Christ,
going out and proclaiming to all, even and especially those whom I call the
'existential periphery', or are we wrapped up in ourselves, in our groups, in
our little cliques? Do we love the great Church, the Mother
Church, the Church that sends us on mission and makes us go out of
ourselves?”
The pontiff then turned to his third point, love for humanity. This is also
tied to Christ. It is the passion for God that compels us to meet persons, to
respect them, recognize them, and serve them.” Francis recalled Paul
VI's words at the
last session of Vatican Council II: “The religion of the God who became
Man has met the religion of man who made himself God. What happened? A combat,
a fight, an anathema? This could have happened, but it didn't. The old story
of the Samaritan
was the paradigm for the Council's spirituality. … All this doctrinal
wealth was focused in a single direction: to serve humanity … in its
every condition, in its every sickness, in its every need. The Church has
almost declared herself
humanity's handmaid.”
Pope Francis then added, “this also gives us light today, in this
world where humanity is denied, where it's preferred to travel the path of
gnosticism—either the 'no flesh' of a God who didn't take flesh, or the
'no God' of Promethean
man who can go forward [alone]. At this time we can say the same things as
Paul VI: the Church is the handmaid of humanity, the Church believes in Christ
who came in the flesh and therefore serves humanity, loves humanity, believes
in humanity. This is
the inspiration of the great Paul VI.”
“Dear friends,” the Pope concluded, “gathering in the
name of the Venerable Servant of God Paul VI does us good! His witness
nourishes the flame of love for Christ in us.”
___________________________________________________________
BEETHOVEN FOR YEAR OF FAITH
Vatican City, 24 June 2013 (VIS) – At 5:30pm Saturday afternoon in
the Paul VI Audience Hall, a concert sponsored by the Pontifical Council for
Promoting the New Evangelization as part of the Year of Faith was given. After
Archbishop Rino
Fisichella, president of that dicastery, greeted those present on behalf of
the Holy Father, who couldn't attend because of an “urgent task that
cannot be put off but must be dealt with at the present moment”, he read
the Pope's words of
thanks to the organizers, singers, choir, and orchestra. Then the Italian
Symphonic Orchestra of the RAI, conducted by Juraj Valcuha, performed
Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 in D minor op.125, accompanied by the Choir of the
National Academy of St
Cecilia.
___________________________________________________________
SPECIAL ENVOYS OF THE HOLY FATHER
Vatican City, 22 June 2013 (VIS) – Made public today was the letter
from the Pope, written in Latin and dated 10 May, in which he appoints
Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, Croatia, as his special envoy to
the 1150th anniversary of
the arrival of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Czech territory, which will take
place in Velehrad, Czech Republic, on 5 July 2013.
The mission that will accompany the cardinal is composed of Msgr. Tomas
Holub of the Diocese of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, secretary general of
the Czech Bishops' Conference, and Fr. Ladislao Nosek, S.J., vicar of the
Parish of St. Stephen in
Prague, Czech Republic, and chaplain of several Czech Catholic schools.
Also issued today was a letter, likewise written in Latin and dated 10 May,
appointing Cardinal Franc Rode, C.M., prefect emeritus of the Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as his special
envoy to the
1150th anniversary of the arrival of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Slovakian
territory, which will take place in Nitra, Slovak Republic, on 5 July 2013.
The mission that will accompany the cardinal is composed of Msgr. Vladimir
Stahovec of the Diocese of Roznava, Slovakia, currently rector of the
Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Rome, Italy, and Don Martin
Kramara, of the Diocese of
Zilina, Slovakia, chaplain of the Diocese of Rome for the Pastoral Care of
Resident Slovakians.
Finally, the letter of the Holy Father, dated 25 May, was also made public,
in which he appointed Cardinal Francesco Monterisi, archpriest emeritus of the
Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls Basilica, as special envoy to the closing
celebration of the sixth
centenary of the discovery of the statue of Santa Maria della Libera to be
held in the shrine of Cercemaggiore, Campobasso, Italy on 2 July of this year.
___________________________________________________________
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 24 June 2013 (VIS) – This morning, the Holy Father
received Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for
Bishops.
This afternoon he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith
Patabendige Don, archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
On Saturday, 22 June, the Holy Father received:
- His Most Eminent Highness Fra' Matthew Festing, prince and grand
master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, accompanied by an
entourage,
- Her excellency Mrs. Neda Rosandic Saric, former Croatian ambassador to
Argentina, and
- Fr. Francois-Xavier Dumortier, S.J., rector of the Pontifical
Gregorian University, Rome, Italy.
___________________________________________________________
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 24 June 2013 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father appointed
Fr. Mario Leon Dorado, O.M.I., as apostolic prefect of Western Sahara. Fr.
Leon Dorado is currently administrator of the same Apostolic Prefecture.
On Saturday, 22 June, the Holy Father:
- appointed Fr. Bernard Taiji Katsuya as bishop of Sapporo (area 83,452,
population 5,518,088, Catholics 17,619 , priests 56, religious 308), Japan.
The bishop-elect was born in Muroran-Hokkaido, Japan in 1955 and was ordained
a priest
for the Diocese of Sapporo in 1986. Since ordination he has served in several
pastoral and academic roles, most recently, since 2008, as director of the
District of Sapporo and, since 2012, as substitute pastor of Tsukisamu.
- accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the Diocese of
Rockville Centre, New York, USA, presented by Bishop John Charles Dunne, upon
having reached the age limit.
___________________________________________________________
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