VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIV - # 81
DATE 05-05-2014

Summary:
- THE FOUR PILLARS OF FUTURE PRIESTS: INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, HUMAN AND
PASTORAL FORMATION
- THE POPE TO NEW SWISS GUARDS: IT IS NOT THE UNIFORM THAT SETS AN EXAMPLE,
BUT THE MAN WHO WEARS IT
- THE HOLY SEE AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
- BE RESURRECTED WAYFARERS, LET THE WORD OF GOD WARM YOUR HEARTS
- FRANCIS: REIGNITE HOPE IN OUR HEARTS
- CATHOLIC ACTION: REACH OUT TO THE BOUNDARIES WITH THE JOY OF BEING WITH
CHRIST
- TO THE BISHOPS OF SRI LANKA: CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND
FOSTER INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AGAINST EXTREMISM
- PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS: THE BEST INTERESTS OF A
CHILD OR VULNERABLE ADULT ARE PRIMARY IN ANY DECISION
- INFORMATIVE NOTE ON THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY
- 90TH DAY FOR THE CATHOLIC SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY
- AUDIENCES
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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 THE FOUR PILLARS OF FUTURE PRIESTS: INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, HUMAN AND
PASTORAL FORMATION
 Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) - Collaboration with civil society, the
evangelisation of a divided society and the formation of future clergy were
the central themes of the written discourse that the Pope handed to the
bishops of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, whom he received
today at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
 The Holy Father mentions the collaboration between the Holy See and the
Republic of Burundi, formalised in the framework Agreement signed in November
2012, which came into effect last February, and which promises "a rich future
for the proclamation of the Gospel". He encourages the bishops to take their
place, as they have already done, in social and political dialogue, and to
meet with political figures without hesitation. "Persons in positions of
authority are the first to be in need of your witness of faith and your
courageous proclamation of Christian values, to know better the social
doctrine of the Church, appreciate its value and to be inspired by it in the
administration of public affairs".
 Burundi in its recent past, has experienced terrible conflicts that continue
to influence the unity of the people, causing deep wounds that are yet to
heal. "Only an authentic conversion of hearts to the Gospel can turn men to
fraternal love and forgiveness, as to the extent that He reigns within us, the
life of society will be a setting for universal fraternity, justice, peace and
dignity for all. The profound evangelisation of your people remains your first
concern for ensuring true reconciliation".
 If the first witnesses called upon to live the authenticity of this
conversion are naturally priests, it is necessary for future clergy to
receive, "as well as the necessary intellectual formation, a solid spiritual,
human and pastoral formation. These are the four pillars of formation. Because
it is through their lives, through their daily relations, that they bring the
Gospel to all. An administrative approach should not prevail over a pastoral
approach, and neither should concentration on administering the sacraments
apart from other forms of evangelisation".
 Pope Francis notes the admirable work of religious congregations in
education, hospitals and assistance to refugees, and reminded the prelates
that many new communities that are formed require "careful and prudent
discernment to guarantee a sound formation for their members, and to accompany
the evolution they are called upon to live for the good of all the Church".
 "The recent history of your country has been difficult", he concludes,
"marked by division and violence in a context of extreme poverty, which
unfortunately continues. In spite of this, the courageous efforts of
evangelisation in your pastoral ministry bear fruit in the form of conversion
and reconciliation. I invite you to not falter in hope, but to go forward
boldly with a renewed missionary spirit, to bring the Good News to all those
who are still waiting or who most need to finally know the Lord's mercy".

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 THE POPE TO NEW SWISS GUARDS: IT IS NOT THE UNIFORM THAT SETS AN EXAMPLE, BUT
THE MAN WHO WEARS IT
 Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) - Today in the Sala Clementina of the Vatican
Apostolic Palace the Holy Father received in audience the new recruits to the
Pontifical Swiss Guard who will swear their allegiance to the Pope tomorrow,
accompanied by their families and friends. "It is a special day, as it
commemorates the Sack of Rome and the heroic act of your predecessors who, in
1527, offered their lives to defend the Church and the Pope. Your dedication
confirms that their courage and loyalty have borne fruit".
 "The social and ecclesial context has changed greatly since then", he
continued. "Society is different with respect to those times. But man's heart,
his capacity to be loyal and courageous - acriter et fideliter, as your motto
says, - has remained the same. ... Serving in the Swiss Guard means living an
experience that involves a meeting of time and space in a very particular way.
... With your special service, you are called upon to offer serene and joyful
Christian witness to whoever arrives in the Vatican to visit St. Peter's
Basilica and to meet the Pope. Live your days intensely! Be firm in your faith
and generous in your charity towards the people you meet".
 He commented that the celebrated uniform of the Swiss Guard will celebrate
one hundred years this year. "Its colours and shape are known throughout the
world, and stand for dedication, seriousness and security. They are identified
with singular service and a glorious past. However, behind every uniform there
is a real person: with a family and a homeland, with a personality and
sensibility, with wishes and plans in life. Your uniform is an evocative trait
of the Swiss Guard and attracts the attention of the people. But remember that
it is not the uniform, but rather he who wears it, who must be noted for his
kindness, his spirit of welcome, for his charitable attitude towards all.
Consider this also in your relations between yourselves, according importance,
also in your community life, to sharing both joyful moments and those that are
more difficult, without ignoring those among you who are in difficulty and who
are at times in need of a smile and a gesture of encouragement and friendship.
Avoid that negative distance that divides companions and, in the lives of all
people in the world, can give rise to disdain, marginalisation and racism".

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 THE HOLY SEE AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
 Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) - Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, head of the the
Holy See delegation before the United Nations in Geneva, presented his initial
periodical report to the Committee on the Convention against Torture (CAT),
which is currently holding its 52nd session.
 In his comprehensive report, the prelate remarks that "the Holy See acceded
to the Convention against Torture (CAT) on 22 June 2002. It did so with the
very clear and direct intention that this Convention applied to Vatican City
State (VCS). In its capacity as the sovereign of Vatican City State, the Holy
See provided an important 'Interpretative Declaration' that shows its approach
to the CAT".
 "In the first place, the Interpretative Declaration lauds the Convention as a
worthy instrument for the defence against acts of torture when it says: 'The
Holy See considers the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment a valid and suitable instrument for fighting
against acts that constitute a serious offence against the dignity of the
human person'. In this sense indeed, the Holy See wished to express the
harmony of its own principles and vision of the human person with those ideals
and practices set forth in the Convention against Torture".
 "The Interpretative Declaration insists that 'The Holy See, in becoming a
party to the Convention on behalf of the Vatican City State, undertakes to
apply it insofar as it is compatible, in practice, with the peculiar nature of
that State'. As such, in regard to the application of the Convention and any
examination, questions or criticisms, or implementation thereof, the Holy See
intends to focus exclusively on Vatican City State, respecting the
international sovereignty of this State and the legitimate and specific
authority of the Convention and of the Committee competent to examine State
reports".
 "The Holy See, as a member of the international Community, is related but
separate and distinct from the territory of Vatican City State, over which it
exercises sovereignty. Its international personality has never been confused
with the territories over which it has exercised State sovereignty. In its
present form, Vatican City State was established in 1929 to more effectively
guarantee the spiritual and moral mission of the Holy See. Therefore,
colloquial references to the Holy See as the 'Vatican' can be misleading. In
this sense, the Holy See, as mentioned, globally encourages basic principles
and authentic human rights recognized in the CAT, while implementing it within
the territory of Vatican City State in harmony with the Interpretative
Declaration.
 After presenting some of the essential points to guide and assist discussion,
the archbishop goes on to give an overview of the Holy See's Initial Report,
submitted to the Committee in December 2012.
 "Apart from presenting the essential distinctions and relations between the
Holy See, Vatican City State and the Catholic Church, I wish to highlight
several important elements presented within the section of "General
Information". In particular, the first point of reference is the legal system
of Vatican City State, that is autonomous in respect to the legal system of
the Catholic Church. In fact, not all canonical norms are relevant for the
governance of this territory. In relation to the topic of crime and punishment
there are specific laws that criminalise illicit activities and provide for
proportionate penalties in Vatican City State".
 "As noted in the section on Statistics, the small population of Vatican City
State, while receiving roughly 18 million pilgrims and tourists annually, has
a relatively tiny number of criminal and penal matters registered".
 "Turning now to the third part of the Initial Report, which addresses
systematically each of the sixteen substantive articles of the CAT, my
Delegation wishes to highlight several significant steps and improvements in
Vatican City State to comply with the Convention, even since the consigning of
the Initial Report in December 2012. In the first place, there is the
modification of Vatican City State legislation with the promulgation of Pope
Francis' Apostolic Letter on 11 July 2013, 'On the Jurisdiction of Judicial
Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal Matters', particularly article
3, of Law N. VIII, which deals specifically with the crime of torture. While
the implementation of this basic law into the criminal and penal law of
Vatican City State in some fashion touches upon different articles of the
Convention, it is worth mentioning a few directly. In relation to Article 1 of
the Convention, the new Vatican City State legislation integrates, practically
verbatim, the definition of torture and cruel and inhuman punishment as
supplied therein and, therefore, de facto, fulfils Article 4 of the Convention
by its integration into the penal code and the establishment of appropriate
penalties for such offences. Paragraph 6 of the same article 3 of the amended
Law VIII effectively restates article 15 of the Convention, prohibiting the
use of any statement made as a result of torture to be considered as evidence".
 "Also modified in July 2013, the amendments of Law IX address with greater
specificity and clarity the questions of crimes, whether within or outside the
territory of the State, of jurisdiction, of extradition, and of terms of
sentencing. The procedural and legislative changes seek to implement the
principles contained in the Convention against Torture under articles 3, 5,
and 8. In particular, one should note the development on the question of
extradition and also the denial thereof on the part of the Holy See if the
requesting State practices torture or uses capital punishment".

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