CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: MON. OCT. 12, 2009: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE: ANGELUS: SUN. OCT. 11, 2009
EUROPE: ENGLAND: FAITH & CULTURE SYMPOSIUM-
EUROPE: ENGLAND: FAITH & CULTURE SYMPOSIUM-
AMERICA: WASHINGTON: CARDINAL MCCARRICK SPEAKS TO SENATE COMMITTEE-
ASIA: PHILIPPINES: KIDNAPPED PRIEST: FR. SINNOTT -
AFRICA: KENYA: ACCUSATIONS OF THREATS-
AFRICA: KENYA: ACCUSATIONS OF THREATS-
AUSTRALIA: SISTERS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP-
VATICAN
ANGELUS: SUN. OCT. 11, 2009
CNA reports that presiding over the Sunday Angelus following the canonization Mass for five new saints, Pope Benedict XVI stressed that "the Virgin Mary is the star that guides" us in every "area of holiness."
The Pope thanked the faithful from all around the world who traveled to Rome for the canonization Mass and remarked that Mary’s fiat, her "yes," makes her a "model of perfect adherence to the divine will."
In his words to the English-speaking pilgrims, the Holy Father said, "May these new saints accompany you with their prayers and inspire you by the example of their holy lives."
He also addressed "a group of survivors of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki," and prayed "that the world may never again witness such mass destruction of innocent human life."
"May God bless all of you, as well as your families and loved ones at home," he continued.Finally, the Pope encouraged everyone present to look at "the Mother of Christ with filial trust, asking for her intercession and that of the new saints" for the Church to bring "peace and salvation."
(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17361
The Pope thanked the faithful from all around the world who traveled to Rome for the canonization Mass and remarked that Mary’s fiat, her "yes," makes her a "model of perfect adherence to the divine will."
In his words to the English-speaking pilgrims, the Holy Father said, "May these new saints accompany you with their prayers and inspire you by the example of their holy lives."
He also addressed "a group of survivors of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki," and prayed "that the world may never again witness such mass destruction of innocent human life."
"May God bless all of you, as well as your families and loved ones at home," he continued.Finally, the Pope encouraged everyone present to look at "the Mother of Christ with filial trust, asking for her intercession and that of the new saints" for the Church to bring "peace and salvation."
(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17361
EUROPE
ENGLAND: FAITH & CULTURE SYMPOSIUM
The Catholic Church of England & Wales released the following:
Faith and Culture Symposium explores relationship between Sacramental Tradition and Evangelisation
Around 35 delegates came together for a unique gathering in London this week to explore the relationship between Evangelisation and the
Catholic Sacramental Tradition.
Organised by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE), the Faith and Culture Symposium was introduced by Bishop Paul Hendricks, Auxiliary Bishop – Southwark; he provided an introduction to the theme of the day. This was followed by two papers. Dr Clare Watkins, a Catholic theologian, teacher and writer, presented a paper titled ‘Sacraments and Mission: gift, burden, risk and calling.’ The final paper was ‘Sacramentality and Culture. God’s response to His people’s cry’ delivered by Fr David Evans, a consultor to the Bishops’ Conference Department for Dialogue and Unity.
Bishop Hendricks said: ‘Every Christian is called to be an apostle, to go out into the world and to lead people to Christ. In the Acts of the Apostles we see how the early preachers showed the people of their time that Jesus answered the deepest desires of their heart – but in a way that they had never expected. We need to understand more deeply the hopes, the fears and the longings of people in our own time, including ourselves. In that way we can show people how Jesus is still the answer for each one of us. That, basically, is what today’s Symposium on faith and culture is all about.’
The Symposium brought together academics, representatives of New Movements and ecumenical partners. The aim was to facilitate a space where those involved in intellectual reflection and those working in missionary outreach could share insights. The programme allowed time for personal reflection, response groups and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Stratford Caldecott is Director of the Centre for Faith and Culture, Oxford and attended the day. He said: ‘It was a study day that showed what could and perhaps should be done in every diocese. If the essence of the Church is to evangelise, there should be more opportunities like this for people to come together to compare notes and experiences of mission. It was a wonderful chance to hear useful talks and reflect on the challenge of communicating the Gospel in modern life.’
Meanwhile Diane Ward, Evangelisation Team Leader, Seekers’ Centre, Pantasaph (North Wales), said: ‘It was a humbling privilege to attend the CASE study day. As someone who works with and leads an evangelisation team the day provided stimulating and moving insights and reflections on our role as evangelists. For me it affirmed our place as bridges between our vast variety of cultures and our sacramental home. The words that speakers shared were “heart speaks to heart” and “deeps calls to deep”; these helped me to understand our beautiful role of being the speaker and caller.’
The papers delivered are available online alongside audio mp3 recordings of them. Delegates will continue their discussion online and a paper bringing together their combined insights will be published early 2010.
For editors
CASE is an Agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and was set up to enthuse, engage and equip the Catholic Community for Evangelisation. See: caseresources.org.uk
Biographies of the speakers are available on request as is a delegates’ list and photographs.
A web page on our site dedicated to the Symposium can be found by clicking here.
Around 35 delegates came together for a unique gathering in London this week to explore the relationship between Evangelisation and the
Catholic Sacramental Tradition.Organised by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE), the Faith and Culture Symposium was introduced by Bishop Paul Hendricks, Auxiliary Bishop – Southwark; he provided an introduction to the theme of the day. This was followed by two papers. Dr Clare Watkins, a Catholic theologian, teacher and writer, presented a paper titled ‘Sacraments and Mission: gift, burden, risk and calling.’ The final paper was ‘Sacramentality and Culture. God’s response to His people’s cry’ delivered by Fr David Evans, a consultor to the Bishops’ Conference Department for Dialogue and Unity.
Bishop Hendricks said: ‘Every Christian is called to be an apostle, to go out into the world and to lead people to Christ. In the Acts of the Apostles we see how the early preachers showed the people of their time that Jesus answered the deepest desires of their heart – but in a way that they had never expected. We need to understand more deeply the hopes, the fears and the longings of people in our own time, including ourselves. In that way we can show people how Jesus is still the answer for each one of us. That, basically, is what today’s Symposium on faith and culture is all about.’
The Symposium brought together academics, representatives of New Movements and ecumenical partners. The aim was to facilitate a space where those involved in intellectual reflection and those working in missionary outreach could share insights. The programme allowed time for personal reflection, response groups and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Stratford Caldecott is Director of the Centre for Faith and Culture, Oxford and attended the day. He said: ‘It was a study day that showed what could and perhaps should be done in every diocese. If the essence of the Church is to evangelise, there should be more opportunities like this for people to come together to compare notes and experiences of mission. It was a wonderful chance to hear useful talks and reflect on the challenge of communicating the Gospel in modern life.’
Meanwhile Diane Ward, Evangelisation Team Leader, Seekers’ Centre, Pantasaph (North Wales), said: ‘It was a humbling privilege to attend the CASE study day. As someone who works with and leads an evangelisation team the day provided stimulating and moving insights and reflections on our role as evangelists. For me it affirmed our place as bridges between our vast variety of cultures and our sacramental home. The words that speakers shared were “heart speaks to heart” and “deeps calls to deep”; these helped me to understand our beautiful role of being the speaker and caller.’
The papers delivered are available online alongside audio mp3 recordings of them. Delegates will continue their discussion online and a paper bringing together their combined insights will be published early 2010.
For editors
CASE is an Agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and was set up to enthuse, engage and equip the Catholic Community for Evangelisation. See: caseresources.org.uk
Biographies of the speakers are available on request as is a delegates’ list and photographs.
A web page on our site dedicated to the Symposium can be found by clicking here.
AMERICA
WASHINGTON: CARDINAL MCCARRICK SPEAKS TO SENATE COMMITTEE
CNA reports that Comprehensive immigration reform is needed to help bring undocumented immigrants “out of the shadows” and to reunite them with their families, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick told a Senate subcommittee on Thursday.
Addressing the Se
nate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the cardinal said the United States requires an immigration system that links legal immigration with the country’s long-term economic needs, with family unity and with basic human rights.
“Now, our immigration system accomplishes none of these goals,” commented Cardinal McCarrick, who is a consultant to the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration.
He added that immigration reform would restore the rule of law and would provide order and legality to “an otherwise chaotic system,” a press release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reports.
The cardinal urged that any immigration reform legislation help bring undocumented immigrants “out of the shadows” and give them the opportunity to achieve permanent residency and citizenship. He recommended that family-based immigration be strengthened in order to preserve family unity and that legal avenues be created to help migrant workers enter the country legally and safely.
Cardinal McCarrick also called for legislation that would give immigrants “their day in court” by restoring due process protections he said were removed in 1996. In addition, he encouraged international cooperation that would address the “root causes of migration” and help immigrants and their families remain in their home countries to “support their families in dignity.”
Though immigration has economic, social and legal aspects, the cardinal explained that from the perspective of Catholic teaching immigration is ultimately a humanitarian issue.
“In our view, our immigration laws ultimately must be judged by how they impact the basic dignity and God-given human rights of the human person.”
He exhorted the Senators to keep the discourse “civil” and to refrain from both de-humanizing immigrants and “scapegoating” them for unrelated economic or social challenges.
Cardinal McCarrick pledged the Catholic Church’s assistance for the legislators who “lead the nation toward a humane and just immigration system which both restores the rule of law and respects the inherent human dignity of the person.”(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17355
Addressing the Se
nate Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the cardinal said the United States requires an immigration system that links legal immigration with the country’s long-term economic needs, with family unity and with basic human rights.“Now, our immigration system accomplishes none of these goals,” commented Cardinal McCarrick, who is a consultant to the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration.
He added that immigration reform would restore the rule of law and would provide order and legality to “an otherwise chaotic system,” a press release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reports.
The cardinal urged that any immigration reform legislation help bring undocumented immigrants “out of the shadows” and give them the opportunity to achieve permanent residency and citizenship. He recommended that family-based immigration be strengthened in order to preserve family unity and that legal avenues be created to help migrant workers enter the country legally and safely.
Cardinal McCarrick also called for legislation that would give immigrants “their day in court” by restoring due process protections he said were removed in 1996. In addition, he encouraged international cooperation that would address the “root causes of migration” and help immigrants and their families remain in their home countries to “support their families in dignity.”
Though immigration has economic, social and legal aspects, the cardinal explained that from the perspective of Catholic teaching immigration is ultimately a humanitarian issue.
“In our view, our immigration laws ultimately must be judged by how they impact the basic dignity and God-given human rights of the human person.”
He exhorted the Senators to keep the discourse “civil” and to refrain from both de-humanizing immigrants and “scapegoating” them for unrelated economic or social challenges.
Cardinal McCarrick pledged the Catholic Church’s assistance for the legislators who “lead the nation toward a humane and just immigration system which both restores the rule of law and respects the inherent human dignity of the person.”(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17355
ASIA
PHILIPPINES: KIDNAPPED PRIEST: FR. SINNOTT
UCAN reports that Christian and Muslim leaders in southern Philippines have appealed to kidnappers to release Irish priest Father Michael Sinnott who was kidnapped on Oct. 11.
Father Michael Sinnott
"As we urge the people to pray for his safety, we also appeal to his abductors to treat him with respect and release him as soon as possible," Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of Pagadian said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the Oct. 11 kidnapping of the priest from his home in Pagadian City. However, police have told media they suspect the gunmen came either from the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group or from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, both of which are active in the area.
In his Oct. 12 statement, Bishop Cabajar said that Columban Father Sinnott "has worked for a long time in the diocese and is giving an invaluable service to the people, especially the children."
The prelate had earlier told Church-run Veritas 846 radio that the Church had not received any letter of demand from the kidnappers. He also said that Father Sinnott has a medical condition and needs daily medication. The priest had only one day's supply with him when he was taken.
A Columban lay missionary has revealed that Father Sinnott underwent a heart bypass surgery in 2007.
Father Sinnott, 79, was taking a customary walk after dinner on the lawn of the Columban Fathers' house in the city when armed men burst through the gate. They snatched the priest and bundled him into a vehicle that was later found burnt in the suburb of Santa Lucia near the sea, the Columban Fathers' incident report says.
Father Michael McGuire, the Columbans' Philippines Vice-Regional Director wrote that at Santa Lucia, Father Sinnott was put in a small boat that headed out into Pagadian Bay.
Western Mindanao police Commander Angel Sunglao told reporters a special task force has been formed to work for the release of the priest.
The Muslim community in Pagadian City also criticized the kidnapping, calling it an "act against the morality of Islam."
In a statement issued after their emergency meeting in Pagadian Oct. 12, the regional council of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society expressed "solidarity with our Christian brethren in strongly condemning this act." The society, a network of Moro Muslim civil society organizations in Mindanao, said it was praying for the priest's safety, and immediate and "unconditional" release.
Father Sinnott of Wexford County, southeast Ireland, was ordained in 1954 and assigned to Mindanao, southern Philippines in 1957 where he stayed until 1966. He returned to the Philippines in 1976.
In 1998, he established Hangop Kabataan (care for youth), a diocese-based rehabilitation program for children with special physical and other needs.
Pagadian diocese serves this city and 24 towns in the northern and eastern parts of Zamboanga del Sur. About 79 percent of its 861,184 people are Catholics.
Father Sinnott is not the first priest to be kidnapped in the south.
In 2001, rebels kidnapped Father Luciano Benedetti and Sacred Heart Father Giuseppe Pierantoni in separate incidents. Father Benedetti was released, reportedly after ransom was paid, while Father Pierantoni was later picked up by police.
In 2007, gunmen kidnapped Italian missioner Father Giancarlo Bossi, from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions. He was freed more than a month later, reportedly after ransom payment. Police blamed rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf extremists for the kidnap.
(SOURCE: http://www.ucanews.com/2009/10/12/christian-muslim-leaders-call-for-kidnapped-priests-release/
Father Michael Sinnott
"As we urge the people to pray for his safety, we also appeal to his abductors to treat him with respect and release him as soon as possible," Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar of Pagadian said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the Oct. 11 kidnapping of the priest from his home in Pagadian City. However, police have told media they suspect the gunmen came either from the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group or from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, both of which are active in the area.
In his Oct. 12 statement, Bishop Cabajar said that Columban Father Sinnott "has worked for a long time in the diocese and is giving an invaluable service to the people, especially the children."
The prelate had earlier told Church-run Veritas 846 radio that the Church had not received any letter of demand from the kidnappers. He also said that Father Sinnott has a medical condition and needs daily medication. The priest had only one day's supply with him when he was taken.
A Columban lay missionary has revealed that Father Sinnott underwent a heart bypass surgery in 2007.
Father Sinnott, 79, was taking a customary walk after dinner on the lawn of the Columban Fathers' house in the city when armed men burst through the gate. They snatched the priest and bundled him into a vehicle that was later found burnt in the suburb of Santa Lucia near the sea, the Columban Fathers' incident report says.
Father Michael McGuire, the Columbans' Philippines Vice-Regional Director wrote that at Santa Lucia, Father Sinnott was put in a small boat that headed out into Pagadian Bay.
Western Mindanao police Commander Angel Sunglao told reporters a special task force has been formed to work for the release of the priest.
The Muslim community in Pagadian City also criticized the kidnapping, calling it an "act against the morality of Islam."
In a statement issued after their emergency meeting in Pagadian Oct. 12, the regional council of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society expressed "solidarity with our Christian brethren in strongly condemning this act." The society, a network of Moro Muslim civil society organizations in Mindanao, said it was praying for the priest's safety, and immediate and "unconditional" release.
Father Sinnott of Wexford County, southeast Ireland, was ordained in 1954 and assigned to Mindanao, southern Philippines in 1957 where he stayed until 1966. He returned to the Philippines in 1976.
In 1998, he established Hangop Kabataan (care for youth), a diocese-based rehabilitation program for children with special physical and other needs.
Pagadian diocese serves this city and 24 towns in the northern and eastern parts of Zamboanga del Sur. About 79 percent of its 861,184 people are Catholics.
Father Sinnott is not the first priest to be kidnapped in the south.
In 2001, rebels kidnapped Father Luciano Benedetti and Sacred Heart Father Giuseppe Pierantoni in separate incidents. Father Benedetti was released, reportedly after ransom was paid, while Father Pierantoni was later picked up by police.
In 2007, gunmen kidnapped Italian missioner Father Giancarlo Bossi, from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions. He was freed more than a month later, reportedly after ransom payment. Police blamed rogue members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf extremists for the kidnap.
(SOURCE: http://www.ucanews.com/2009/10/12/christian-muslim-leaders-call-for-kidnapped-priests-release/
AFRICA
KENYA: ACCUSATIONS OF THREATS
CISA reports that the Kenyan civil society has accused some public officials opposed to various reforms prescribed under the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation framework of threats and intimation of human rights defenders.�We, members of the Kenyan civil society, take exception to the intimidation leveled against human rights defenders in the course of their duty,� they stated in a press statement.The civil societies which include: International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)-Kenya, Transparency International (TI) � Kenya and Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) affirmed their commitment towards the protection of the human rights of all Kenyan citizens, despite efforts to stifle the freedoms of assembly, association and expression and instill fear in the Kenyan civil society.�Their opposition has apparently now been extended to acts of intimidation and threats targeting individuals vocal in advocating for institutional, legal and constitutional reforms,� they said in a statement.�Our quest for reforms and rule of law shall not be deflected. We will continue to speak out against anything and any public official or institution that perpetuates human rights violations,� they said.The organizations demanded that all public officials, institutions and individual politicians apparently making illicit use of the same cease and desist from acts of intimidation against human rights defenders.They said, �The Grand Coalition Government assumed office on a reform platform. It is imperative that President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga expunge this attitude of intolerance and paranoia towards Kenyan civil society.�They reiterated that the people of Kenya will hold the government, in particular, the security services, responsible for continued intimidation, threats and, worse, actual harm, to those advocating for reforms.�In the recent past, several individuals have been threatened in attempts we believe are aimed at silencing voices that have exposed injustices committed by public officials,� they said.The statement stated the intimidation and threats included threatening telephone calls, exposing information about the individuals� previous conversations and movements that could only have come from public institutions charged with surveillance, and attempted carjackings clearly not of a criminal but a political nature.The civil society said that such intimidation and threats erode the gains registered in increasing citizens� involvement in the ongoing reform process adding that it is their core duty to monitor and report on the delivery of reforms to increase democracy, equality, accountability and transparency.(SOURCE: http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4175
AUSTRALIA
SISTERS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP
Cath News reports that Sr Anne Derwin, as the present day Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph will also take the reins as the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, it was announced last week.
The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a diocesan order under the Care of the Archbishop of Brisbane, with prayer and care of the aged and sick as their main purpose.
Due to aging and now having just 18 Sisters, at their last Chapter, the
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, made a decision to ask for the Leader of another Congregation to lead them.
In a letter to Sr Anne Derwin signed by each of the Sisters of the present day Community of Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the religious sisters highlighted the fact that 135 years ago, founder Fr Julian Tenison Woods sent aspiring Sisters of this new order of Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to stay with Sisters of St Joseph to learn about religious life.
The letter acknowledges that it is to the Congregation that the Sisters turn again for hospitality as their Congregation gets smaller and many of them live out their last years.
(SOURCE: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=16993
The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is a diocesan order under the Care of the Archbishop of Brisbane, with prayer and care of the aged and sick as their main purpose.
Due to aging and now having just 18 Sisters, at their last Chapter, the
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, made a decision to ask for the Leader of another Congregation to lead them.In a letter to Sr Anne Derwin signed by each of the Sisters of the present day Community of Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, the religious sisters highlighted the fact that 135 years ago, founder Fr Julian Tenison Woods sent aspiring Sisters of this new order of Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to stay with Sisters of St Joseph to learn about religious life.
The letter acknowledges that it is to the Congregation that the Sisters turn again for hospitality as their Congregation gets smaller and many of them live out their last years.
(SOURCE: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=16993
SAINTLY QUOTE
To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others. Pope John Paul II
TODAY'S SAINT
ST. Wilfrid
BISHOP
Feast: October 12
Information:
Feast Day:
October 12
Born:
634 in Northumbria, England
Died:
709 at Oundle, Northhamptonshire, England
Patron of:
Middlesbrough, England
Bishop of York, son of a Northumbrian thegn, born in 634; died at Oundle in Northamptonshire, 709. (EDITED FROM: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/W/stwilfrid.asp
BISHOP
Feast: October 12
Information:
Feast Day:
October 12
Born:
634 in Northumbria, England
Died:
709 at Oundle, Northhamptonshire, England
Patron of:
Middlesbrough, England
Bishop of York, son of a Northumbrian thegn, born in 634; died at Oundle in Northamptonshire, 709. (EDITED FROM: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/W/stwilfrid.asp
TODAY'S GOSPEL
Matthew 18: 1 - 5
1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them,
3
and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4
Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5
"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me;
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