Catholic World News: Thurs. Aug. 20, 2009

Catholic world news Thurs. Aug. 20, 2009-headlines:
VATICAN- PAPAL APPOINTMENTS:
ASIA-NEPAL: DEATH OF JESUIT FR. DONNELLY:
AFRICA-PLEDGE FOR PEACE:
AMERICA-CANANDA: MOST REVEREND GILES OUELLET DIES:
AUSTRALIA-SUGGESTED TRAINING STANDARD FOR SCHOOLS:
EUROPE-SPAIN: SOME DOCTORS CHOOSE JAIL BEFORE ABORTION:
TODAY'S SAINT: ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX


VATICAN
PAPAL APPOINTMENTS

WAIVER of the Archbishop of UDINE (Italy) and name of the successor the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI accepted the surrender of the pastoral Government of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Udine (Italy), presented by h.e. Mons. Peter Brollo, in accordance with the can. 401 § 1 of the code of Canon law.The Pope has appointed Archbishop of Udine (Italy) Mons. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato, from the seat of Treviso.H.e. Mons. Andrea Bruno MazzocatoH.e. Mons. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato was born in San Trovaso Preganziol (Roman Catholic and province of Treviso) on 1 September 1948.Preparations for the priesthood, he attended the Bishop's seminar of Treviso studies and was ordained a priest on 3 September 1972.The priesthood as Cooperatore parish in San Martino di Lupari played from 1972 to 1977. Simultaneously has achieved the license in liturgy pastoral care at the Institute of liturgy pastoral Justina Santa Padua and subsequently the license in dogmatic theology at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy in Milan.From 1977 to 2001 was Professor of dogmatic theology at the theology of the seminar of Treviso, taking courses at studying theological "Maximus' of the friars con. Padua and at the Istituto Superiore di Scienze religious study. The task of spiritual father in the Diocesan greater seminar played from 1977 to 1986. The training of young clergy as Executive Officer Episcopal followed from 1987 to 1994. In 1990 the minor seminary of Treviso Pro-Rettore was appointed and then, in 1994, Director of the seminar greater and lesser.Appointed Bishop of Adria-Rovigo diocese on 11 October 2000, has received episcopal consecration 9 December the same year.On 3 December 2003 was transferred to the headquarters of Treviso.




APPOINTMENT OF THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN SPAIN

The Pope has appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Spain and the Principality of Andorra and Permanent Observer of the Holy See at the world Organization of tourism Mons. Renzo Fratini, Archbishop holder so far Botriana, Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria.


ASIA
NEPAL: DEATH OF JESUIT FR. DONNELLY




UCAN reports that Catholics bade farewell to American Jesuit Father James J. Donnelly who died here on Aug. 17. The priest, who had dedicated his life to education in his adopted homeland, was 80 and suffering from various ailments.
Portrait of Father James Donnelly at his funeral
“Father Donnelly was a warm-hearted person and an astounding teacher,” Jesuit Father Augustine Thomas Amakkatt told the crowd at the funeral held at the Church of our Lady of Assumption on Aug. 17.
The late priest was also a “walking encyclopedia of chronology of Nepal,” an expert on the Himalayan mountain peaks and a lover of Nepal’s natural beauty, Father Amakkatt said.
Father Donnelly was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and celebrated his 80th birthday on Aug. 5 this year. He came to Nepal as a young priest just after his ordination in 1961.
He was assigned to teach English at Godavari St Xavier’s School, one of two Jesuit-run schools in Nepal. Over the years, he taught students who went on to become doctors, engineers and businessmen.
Father Donnelly remained at the school till 1968 when he moved to St Xavier’s School at Jawalakhel, staying there until 1980. He then returned to Godavari St Xavier’s where he was principal until 1990.
He began writing textbooks for schools in 1991. He wrote three English language textbooks -– “The Writing Handbook,” “The Workbook I for the Writing Handbook” and “The Teachers’ Key.”
The priest was among four Jesuits to receive the highest award given by the state to the public. Former King Gyanendra Shah gave him the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu III for his dedication to teaching young people in the country.
The other Jesuit recipients of the award were Father Marshal Moran, Father Casper Miller and Father Lawrence Maniyar, the current regional superior of the Jesuits in Nepal.
Father Maniyar told UCA News that Father Donnelly was also renowned for his trips abroad to raise funds, mainly for the construction of school buildings and houses for Jesuits in Nepal.
Various people shared their recollections of Father Donnelly with UCA News.
“His English was great and he taught the boys very well. He was strict but loving and caring as well,” said Rama Parajuli, a Catholic whose son was taught by the priest.
Catholics paying their last respects to Father Donnelly at the Church of Our Lady of Assumption on Aug. 17.
“He had this special gift of spirituality that touched everyone he met and had this amazing knack of remembering the names of all his former students.”
Maggie Fetch, who knew Father Donnelly from her early childhood, “deeply regretted” his death.
“Priests like him are rare and very few exist in the country,” she said. “No one can forget how friendly he was, his ability to recognize people and talk to them even if he had met them only once.”
According to Father Amakkatt, Fr Donnelly’s most popular activity was showing his large collection of slides which featured the development of Nepal and the growth of the Jesuits among others.
Father Maniyar said the priest had died with one regret -- he failed in his attempts to become a Nepali citizen. Father Maniyar said Father Donnelly had always remarked: “Nepal is my home; Nepalis my people.”


(SOURCE:
http://www.ucanews.com/2009/08/19/catholics-bid-farewell-to-jesuit-educator/


AMERICAS
CANANDA: MOST REVEREND GILES OUELLET DIES


CCCB reports that Most Reverend Gilles Ouellet, P.M.É., died on 13 August 2009 at the age of 87.
Born on 14 August 1922, in Bromptonville, Quebec, he was ordained to the priesthood on 30 June 1946 as a member of the Société des Missions-Étrangères. On 5 October 1968, he was named Bishop of the Diocese of Gaspé, Quebec, by Pope Paul VI. On 27 April 1973, he was entrusted with the Episcopal See of Rimouski, a position he held until his retirement on 16 October 1992.
After serving as a missionary in the Philippines from 1950 to 1957, Archbishop Ouellet was elected the Superior General of the Société des Missions-Étrangères de Québec and served in that position from 1958 to 1967.During his ministry, he also served as National Director of the Pontifical Society of the Missionary Childhood from 1965 to 1977, the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1967 to 1977, and the Society of St. Peter the Apostle from 1967 to 1977.
Archbishop Ouellet also held several positions within the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), serving as President from 1977 to 1979.
Visitation will take place at the Bishop’s Residence on Wednesday August 19, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and again in the Cathedral on the day of his funeral , from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The funeral mass will be presided over by the Most Reverend Pierre-André Fournier, Thursday August 20, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Cathedral of Rimouski. (SOURCE: http://www.cccb.ca/site/content/view/2705/1214/lang,eng/



AFRICA
PLEDGE FOR PEACE


CISA reports the Accra Communiqué
We, 60 Christian and Muslim religious leaders from ten West African States that include Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Togo met in Accra, Ghana under the auspices of the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) on the theme: “Religion and Prevention of Confl ict, Peace Building and Reconciliation” at the M-Plaza Hotel, from July 20-24, 2009.HAVING deliberated on such issues as: Religious Leaders as Agents of Peace, peace between the religions as a prerequisite for religious leaders to promote peace within the wider society, negative religious expansionist policies, the politicization of religion, globalization / internationalization of conflicts, negative solidarity, the challenge of translating good precepts in religion into good practice in everyday life, causes of conflicts, and advocacy for peace by example;HAVING received Case Studies on Christians and Muslims Collaboration for Peace from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte D’Ivoire, and Nigeria;AWARE that religion and religious differences have always been exploited for political, economic, communal and personal interest which have caused the deaths of thousands of our brothers and sisters and the destruction of properties;VERY CONCERNED at the violent confrontations in our individual countries carried out by some of our followers;RECOGNIZING that there are some positive improvements in Christian and Muslim Collaboration for Justice, Peace and Reconciliation;UNDERSTANDING and ACCEPTING that as Religious Leaders we must at all times be Agents of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation and must live by example;Reconciliation in the West African region in Particular and Africa in general;ACCORDINGLY, as Religious Leaders coming from the two major Religions in the West African region, and representing millions of persons of faith,DO HEREBY RESOLVE and reaffirm our willingness and determination to continue to remain in solidarity with each other in the furtherance and sustainability of Peace, Justice, Healing and RESOLVE as follows:• That we would lead by example and take responsibility to Promote Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in our region;• That we would embark on a campaign to create awareness and sensitization within the religious communities to promote positive religious tolerance for peace and peaceful co-existence;• That we would respect and appreciate each other’s religious values, beliefs and practices;• That we would collectively engage national governments, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and along with our counterparts in the various regions of Africa, the African Union (AU) to urge for responsible governance and democracy CALL ON RELIGIOUS LEADERS• We call on all Religious Leaders to continue to be Prophetic and proactive at all times without fear or favour;• We call on religious leaders to be politically impartial and refrain from partisan politics so as to ensure that we play effective roles as Agents of Peace Justice and Reconciliation;• We call on the followers of our respective religions to complement each others efforts for peace in society and peaceful co-existence among themselves and avoid negative tendencies which has the propensity for conflicts;• As both Holy Books (the Bible and Qur’an) place emphasis on Peace, that as religious leaders we practice Peace in fulfi llment of the tenets of our respective religions.CALL ON GOVERNMENT• We call on Governments and Political leaders in the Sub-Region to practice good and responsible governance and guarantee peaceful transitions from one duly elected government to the other;• We appreciate and thank those governments that have created an enabling environment for dialogue with religious leaders, and call on others to create the same;• We call on Governments to ensure that Child and Drug traffi cking be eradicated within the Sub-Region;We as Religious Leaders have adopted the above and have resolved to continue to work together to promote positive religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence, addressing Peace, Justice, Healing and Reconciliation.Done in ACCRA, Ghana this 24th Day of July 2009.Signed by all Participants from: Burkina Faso, Cote D’ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, The Republic of Benin, and TogoAttested by: Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA), All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), Fellowship of Councils and Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA), World Council of Churches (WCC) (SOURCE: http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4075


AUSTRALIA
SUGGESTED TRAINING STANDARD FOR SCHOOLS

CathNews Australia reports existing professional development programs for school principals aren't nationally cohesive, and a national body to coordinate and accredit professional development programs is called for, school principals groups said.
The call comes in a submission from secondary and primary school principals representing public, independent and Catholic sectors, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The submission, from authors including Andrew Blair, the head of the Australian Principals Association, and Allan Shaw, the chief executive of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, says that state based initiatives at present "lack the critical mass" for effective results.
"Efforts are piecemeal, lack national cohesion, and often duplicate unnecessarily the work of other jurisdictions," the submission says. "Smaller jurisdictions are unable to support an appropriate level of investment (nor are) the Catholic and independent sectors."
It suggests a national institute would be informed by its own research and that of international experts to provide consistent guidance to all states, the news report said.
A spokeswoman for federal Education Minister Julia Gillard said the proposal had been referred to the Ministerial Council for Education Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs.(SOURCE: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15895


EUROPE
SPAIN: SOME DOCTORS CHOOSE JAIL BEFORE ABORTION

CNA reports that Gynecologists in Spain plan to choose jail before performing an abortion).- Dr. Esteban Rodriguez, spokesman for the organization Right to Life (Derecho a Vivir) in Spain, responded yesterday to comments by the country’s Minister of Justice, Francisco Caamano, who said there was no room for a conscience clause in the new law on abortion.
“We are willing to go to jail rather than following a criminal law, Rodriguez said, “and we are willing to commit the supposed crime of disobedience before the crime of abortion.” “We will not kill our patients, nor will we commit a crime against the public health deliberately harming the heath of women, no matter how much the Minister of Justice threatens us and abuses his power,” the doctor said. “We doctors are not soldiers, nor policemen, nor executioners. There is no civil disobedience in the refusal to kill a human being, but rather the fulfilling of our professional obligation,” he added. If the government carries out the threat by the Minister of Justice to penalize conscientious objectors as disobedient, Rodriguez said that a “new category of victims of the laws on abortion and the regulation of conscience will be created in the gynecologists who wish to carry out their moral obligations in the face of an imposed ideology.” After recalling that the statute in the Spanish constitution allowing conscientious objection must be respected, Rodriguez expressed his surprise that the law would shield from prison some doctors who have been convicted of performing illegal abortions, while punishing with prison those doctors who have fought to defend the lives of their patients and the health of women. “We recommend they think about creating a new level of officials at the ministries of Justice and Equality: fetal executioners,” Dr. Rodriguez remarked. “We find the totalitarian intentions of the Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with those of Equality, to be highly troubling. If the former Minister of Justice stirred things up with officials in the judiciary, this one is going to accomplish the same thing with medical professionals,” he warned. (SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16894

TODAY'S SAINT
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
ABBOT, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Feast Day:
August 20
Born:
1090, Fontaines, France
Died:
August 20, 1153, Clairvaux, France
Canonized:
January 18, 1174, Rome by Pope Alexander III
Major Shrine:
Ville-sous-la-Ferté
Patron of:
Cistercians, Burgundy, beekeepers, candlemakers, climbers

Born in 1090, at Fontaines, near Dijon. France; died at Clairvaux, 21 August, 1153. His parents were Tescelin, lord of Fontaines, and Aleth of Montbard, both belonging to the highest nobility of Burgundy. Bernard, the third of a family of seven children, six of whom were sons, was educated with particular care, because, while yet unborn, a devout man had foretold his great destiny.
He became a Cistercian at age 22. His father, the aged Tescelin, and all his brothers entered Clairvaux as religious, leaving only Humbeline, his sister, in the world and she, with the consent of her husband, soon took the veil in the Benedictine Convent of Jully.
Bernard died in the sixty-third year of his age, after forty years spent in the cloister. He founded one hundred and sixty-three monasteries in different parts of Europe; at his death they numbered three hundred and forty-three. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him the title of Doctor of the Church. (Edited from http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbernardofclairvaux.asp


SAINTLY QUOTE

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. St. Francis of Assis



TODAY'S GOSPEL

Matthew 22: 1 - 14
1
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,
2
"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son,
3
and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come.
4
Again he sent other servants, saying, `Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.'
5
But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,
6
while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
7
The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8
Then he said to his servants, `The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
9
Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.'
10
And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11
"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment;
12
and he said to him, `Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
13
Then the king said to the attendants, `Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'
14
For many are called, but few are chosen."