VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 081
DATE 30-04-2015

Summary:
- The Pope receives the president of the Republic of the Seychelles
- To the Anglican-Catholic Commission: the cause of unity is not an optional
undertaking
- To the Community of Christian Life: reach out to the neediest frontiers of
humanity
- Telegram for the death of Cardinal Giovanni Canestri: a wise pastor,
attentive
to the needs of others
- Pope Francis' prayer intentions for May
- Presentation of the concert for Papal works of charity
- New commission for Vatican communications
- The international community must not resign itself to the tragedy of
Christians in the Middle East
- Audiences
- Notice

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 The Pope receives the president of the Republic of the Seychelles
 Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican Apostolic
Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the
Republic of the Seychelles, James Alix Michel, who subsequently met with
Cardinal secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr. Antoine
Camilleri, under secretary for Relations with States.
 During the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the good
relations existing between the Holy See and the Republic of the Seychelles.
Mention was made of the Catholic Church's contribution to the service of
society, especially in the fields of welfare and education, and themes of
common
interest were considered, such as the dignity and full development of the human
person and the protection of the environment.
 Finally, there was an exchange of opinions on the socio-political situation in
the country and in the region.

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 To the Anglican-Catholic Commission: the cause of unity is not an optional
undertaking
 Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning Pope Francis received in
audience twenty members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International
Commission,
meeting in these days in order to study the relationship between the universal
Church and the local Church, with particular reference to processes for
discussions and decision making regarding moral and ethical questions. The
Commission was created as a result of the historic meeting in 1966 between Pope
Paul VI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Arthur Michael Ramsey, who signed a
joint declaration to establish dialogue based on the Gospel and the common
tradition in the hope of leading to the unity in truth for which Christ prayed.
 Although that goal has not yet been reached, the Commission's visit to the
Pope
shows how "the shared tradition of faith and history between Anglicans and
Catholics can inspire and sustain our efforts to overcome the obstacles to full
communion". Furthermore, the commission will shortly publish five jointly
agreed
statements from the second phase of the Anglican-Catholic dialogue, a reminder
that ecumenical relations and dialogue are not secondary elements of the life
of
the Churches. "The cause of unity is not an optional undertaking and the
differences which divide us must not be seen as inevitable", said the Holy
Father.
 "There is a strong bond that already unites us which goes beyond all
divisions", underlined Francis. "It is the testimony of Christians from
different Churches and traditions, victims of persecution and violence simply
because of the faith they profess. And not only now, that there are many of
them; I think also of the martyrs of Uganda, half Catholics and half Anglicans.
The blood of these martyrs will nourish a new era of ecumenical commitment, a
fervent desire to fulfil the last will and testament of the Lord: that all may
be one. The witness by these our brothers and sisters demands that we live in
harmony with the Gospel and that we strive with determination to fulfil the
Lord's will for his Church. Today the world urgently needs the common, joyful
witness of Christians, from the defence of life and human dignity to the
promotion of justice and peace. Together let us invoke the gifts of the Holy
Spirit in order to be able to respond courageously to the 'signs of the times'
which are calling all Christians to unity and common witness".

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 To the Community of Christian Life: reach out to the neediest frontiers of
humanity
 Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning Pope Francis received in
audience the Community of Christian Life (CVX) and the Student Missionary
League, for the inauguration of the National Conference of the two Italian
groups, exponents of Ignatian spirituality, to be held in Frascati, Italy, from
today until 3 May, on the theme "Beyond Walls". The Holy Father handed them a
written discourse in which he indicates various priorities to be taken into
account on their spiritual and community path.
 First, he mentions the challenge of promoting a culture of justice and peace.
"Faced with a culture of illegality, corruption and confrontation, you are
called to devote yourselves to the common good, also through service to those
linked to politics. If Christians dissociate themselves from direct involvement
in politics, it would be a betrayal of the mission of the lay faithful, who are
called upon to be salt and light in the world, also through this form of
presence".
 He focuses on family pastoral ministry, following the last Synod of Bishops,
as
a second apostolic priority, and encouraged them to help diocesan communities
in
their care for families, the vital cell of society, an in accompanying couples
as they prepare for marriage. He also emphasises the importance of working with
those who have "drifted away" from the Church: among them there are many
separated couples, "who suffer as a result of the failure of their plans for
married life", and also other difficult family situations.
 Finally, he turns his attention to missionary life, and encourages them to
maintain their capacity to "go out towards the frontiers of humanity at its
neediest". The Pope mentions the members of communities present in Syria,
Lebanon and plans for the reception of immigrants in Sicily, and reminds them
that, "in this luminous and fruitful apostolic style, you too can be active in
inspiring the various educational institutions in Italy, Catholic and
state-managed, as in other parts of the world".

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 Telegram for the death of Cardinal Giovanni Canestri: a wise pastor, attentive
to the needs of others
 Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of
condolences to Cardinal Agostino Vallini, his vicar for the diocese of Rome,
for
the death at the age of 97 of Cardinal Giovanni Canestri, who was archbishop of
Genoa, Italy from 1987 to 1995. Originally from the diocese of Alessandria, the
late cardinal belonged to the clergy of Rome.
 "The passing of the venerated cardinal elicits in my heart profound emotion
and
sincere admiration for an esteemed man of the Church who lived with humility
and
devotion his long and fruitful priesthood and episcopate in the service of the
Gospel and of the souls entrusted to him. I recall with gratitude his fervent
ministry, first as a deputy priest during the difficult war years in the
outskirts of Rome, areas affected by suffering and poverty; then as a parish
priest in two populous suburbs, intent on educating the young in particular in
the joy of faith. Upon being appointed as auxiliary bishop of Rome, he devoted
himself with apostolic intensity to the spiritual and material needs of the
people, while participating diligently in the work of Vatican Council II. In
his
episcopal ministry in Tortona, then as vicegerent and subsequently archbishop
of
Cagliari, and finally Genoa-Bobbio, he demonstrated pastoral wisdom and
generous
attention to the needs of others, reaching out to all with goodness and
gentleness. I raise fervent prayers that the Lord receive the late cardinal in
eternal joy and peace, and I bestow upon you and those who share in sorrow the
comfort of my apostolic blessing, with a special thought for the Apostolic
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who lovingly cared for him especially in
these last years of his infirmity".

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 Pope Francis' prayer intentions for May
 Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father's universal prayer
intention for May is: "That, rejecting the culture of indifference, we may care
for our neighbours who suffer, especially the sick and the poor".
 His intention for evangelisation is: "That Mary's intercession may help
Christians in secularised cultures be open to proclaiming Jesus".

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 Presentation of the concert for Papal works of charity
 Vatican City, 30 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning a press conference was held
in
the Holy See Press Office to present the concert organised to support the
Pope's
charitable work, which will take place on 14 May, solemnity of the Ascension,
at
6 p.m. in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall. The concert, to be conducted by Maestro
Daniel Oren and performed by the Philarmonic Orchestra of Salerno, Italy and
the
choir of the diocese of Rome led by Msgr. Marco Frisina, is sponsored by the
Papal Almoner, the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Pontifical Council for
Promoting New Evangelisation, and the St. Matthew Foundation, in memory of
Cardinal Van-Thuan, and unites culture with charitable concerns. For the
occasion, the donations gathered will be entirely devolved to the office of the
Apostolic Almoner, the dicastery responsible for the Pope's charity.
 The protagonists of the event are the most needy, the poor and sick, who will
occupy the front rows and have been invited through charitable and voluntary
associations: the Great Priory of Rome and the Sovereign Military Order of
Malta, the Circle of St. Peter, diocesan Caritas, the Sant'Egidio Community and
the Centro Astalli, which assists migrants and refugees, the Daughters of

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