CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: Vatican Radio reports that Pope Benedict's examination on his fractured wrist showed that it is healing as expected. Two Vatican doctors Patrizio Polisca and Doctor Franco Berti as well as orthopaedic Doctor Vincenzo Sessa accompany the Holy Father when he goes to Castlegandolfo and on his return to Rome. The Pontiff thanked all of the medical staff involved in the examination. He will recite the Angelus in a field at the locality of Colonia Salesiana on Sunday. (With files from: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=305213)
ASIA
EXECUTIONS SUSPECTED WITH DISCOVERY OF HUMAN REMAINS
UCAN-reports that - Phillipine Father Amado Picardal, chairman of the Coalition Against Summary Execution (CASE), believes the discovery of bones by crime scene investigators supports reports of a Davao Death Squad (DDS) vigilante killings.
A court in Manila in early July had authorized the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Philippine National Police to search a quarry and a firing range, identified by a witness as the burial site for victims of summary executions.
The discovery “proves the existence of the DDS” because “it was the testimony of a former DDS member that led to the discovery,” said Redemptorist Father Picardal.
CASE, an organization of more than a dozen non-government organizations in Southern Mindanao, has been documenting cases of alleged summary executions over the past 10 years.
Insiders believe the DDS executes people suspected of drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao has praised the efforts of CHR under de Lima. He said offering protection to witnesses had encouraged people to testify.
A former vigilante named “Ramon” submitted an affidavit to the human rights commission detailing the way DDS operates, Father Picardal had said during July 6 anniversary celebrations of CASE. He said executions have been going on since 1989 and estimated that more than 800 people have been killed. (With files from http://www.ucanews.com/2009/07/23/macabre-discovery-proves-death-squad-exists-says-priest/
A court in Manila in early July had authorized the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Philippine National Police to search a quarry and a firing range, identified by a witness as the burial site for victims of summary executions.
The discovery “proves the existence of the DDS” because “it was the testimony of a former DDS member that led to the discovery,” said Redemptorist Father Picardal.
CASE, an organization of more than a dozen non-government organizations in Southern Mindanao, has been documenting cases of alleged summary executions over the past 10 years.
Insiders believe the DDS executes people suspected of drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao has praised the efforts of CHR under de Lima. He said offering protection to witnesses had encouraged people to testify.
A former vigilante named “Ramon” submitted an affidavit to the human rights commission detailing the way DDS operates, Father Picardal had said during July 6 anniversary celebrations of CASE. He said executions have been going on since 1989 and estimated that more than 800 people have been killed. (With files from http://www.ucanews.com/2009/07/23/macabre-discovery-proves-death-squad-exists-says-priest/
AMERICA
FR. FESSIO DISMISSED BY AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY
FR. FESSIO DISMISSED BY AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY
Catholic Online reports that Father Joseph Fessio, was dismissed from his position with Ave Maria University this week. Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., Founder and Editor of Ignatius Press: “This morning, (Monday, July 20th) Dr. Jack Sites, Academic Vice President of Ave Maria University, flew from Houston, where he was attending a meeting of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, to San Francisco, to inform me personally that I was being dismissed from Ave Maria University. Our meeting was amicable and Dr. Sites, as always, acted as a Christian gentleman. “He said that the reason for my dismissal stemmed from a conversation I had in November of 2008 with Jack Donahue, then chairman of the board of AMU. At that time I felt it an obligation to speak to the board chairman before the upcoming board meeting, to make sure he was aware of the urgency of the university’s financial situation. After I had informed him, using projections based on publicly available documents and statements, he asked me what I thought was the solution. I told him that there were policies being followed that were at the root of the problem, that the present administration was irrevocably wedded to those policies, and that without a change of administration the university was at great risk. “Dr. Sites said that Jack Donahue related this conversation to Tom Monaghan, and it was decided (I don’t know specifically by whom) that the university could not have a faculty member making these criticisms of the administration and thus undermining the university. “Dr. Sites told me that there were unspecified others who had similar substantive concerns that I was undermining the university. “I continue to support the university. I pray for its success. I have great admiration for the faculty, students, and many of the staff. I do disagree with some of the policies of the administration. This seems to be the reason I was fired the first time, in March 2007, since the official explanation was “irreconcilable administrative differences”. “Nevertheless, I think it is an accurate summary to say that I am being dismissed as a faculty member because of a private conversation with the chairman of the board in which I made known my criticisms of the university administration; and because of allegations which have not been made known to me and to which I have not been given an opportunity to respond. “I will continue to recommend AMU to students and parents. And I will continue to think my dismissal is another mistake in a long series of unwise decisions.” Finally, we offer a statement which we obtained from a source at Ave Maria which is all they intend to say concerning the matter: “As previously stated, Ave Maria University (AMU) is grateful to Fr. Fessio, S.J. for his past contributions to the university. We also recognize the strong personal convictions he holds and the respect he has earned in the Church. “Nevertheless, and despite the likely controversy it would occasion, the university administration concluded that Father Fessio should no longer hold a position with the university. This was discussed with the university’s Board of Trustees, which supported the decision. It is the university’s policy to refrain from going into details regarding personnel matters. “That the issues were not related to the university’s commitment to its mission should be obvious from Father Fessio’s own statement that he “will continue to recommend AMU to students and parents”. Furthermore, the already distinguished Board of Trustees was recently strengthened by the addition of the local ordinary, Bishop Frank Dewane, and Cardinal Adam Maida to the three existing clerics on the university’s Board of Trustees: Msgr. Laurence Higgins, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. and Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. Ave Maria University"
(With files from http://www.catholic.org/collegiate/story.php?id=34140)
AFRICA
CHURCH GROUP VISITS AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE PEACE
CISA reports that - church representatives from Portugal, Switzerland and Brazil are paying a solidarity visit to churches, ecumenical organizations and civil society organizations in Angola and Mozambique July 18-28.Travelling as a "Living Letters" team on behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC). Efforts are being made to bring an end to violence. In Angola the visit is being hosted by the Council of Christian Churches in Angola (CICA). After gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, the country suffered a 27-year civil war which killed hundreds of thousands of people and devastated the economy and infrastructure. Despite the current post-war reconstruction boom the majority of the population still lives in poverty.The Christian Council of Mozambique (CCM) hosts the Living Letters team in the second leg of the visit. Shortly after its independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique was drawn into the struggle against white rule taking place in neighbouring South Africa and Rhodesia (today's Zimbabwe). Until a political settlement was reached in 1992, war and famine killed up to a million people.Living Letters are small ecumenical teams visiting a country to listen, learn, share approaches and help to confront challenges in order to overcome violence, promote and pray for peace. They are organized in the context of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence in order to prepare for the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in 2011.(With files from: http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4030)
AUSTRALIA
CATHEDRAL IN PERTH WILL RE-OPEN DEC. 8
CathNews Australia reports that Archbishop Barry Hickey said the official opening and re-dedication of St Mary's Cathedral, Perth, will take place on Tuesday December 8, 2009, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
"It is expected that many Bishops from throughout Australia will attend the opening which is a significant event for the Church in Australia," Archbishop Hickey said in a statement.
"The conservation and completion of the Cathedral has taken around five years in preparation and three years in construction.
"Four local architects were invited to offer sketches of how the two earlier partial cathedrals could be brought together so that the finished cathedral would appear as a complete building.
"It is a matter of great satisfaction and delight that the chosen architect, Mr Peter Quinn, has succeeded in doing so.
The first cathedral was opened in 1865, and in 1926 the foundation stone for a new cathedral to replace the old was laid.
"Finally, with the addition of a striking contemporary structure the two older cathedrals have been brought together to present a brilliant unity of diverse styles and textures," Archbishop Hickey said. "The new Cathedral is the product of three centuries of endeavour and is now on the verge of completion."
(With files from: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15324)
"It is expected that many Bishops from throughout Australia will attend the opening which is a significant event for the Church in Australia," Archbishop Hickey said in a statement.
"The conservation and completion of the Cathedral has taken around five years in preparation and three years in construction.
"Four local architects were invited to offer sketches of how the two earlier partial cathedrals could be brought together so that the finished cathedral would appear as a complete building.
"It is a matter of great satisfaction and delight that the chosen architect, Mr Peter Quinn, has succeeded in doing so.
The first cathedral was opened in 1865, and in 1926 the foundation stone for a new cathedral to replace the old was laid.
"Finally, with the addition of a striking contemporary structure the two older cathedrals have been brought together to present a brilliant unity of diverse styles and textures," Archbishop Hickey said. "The new Cathedral is the product of three centuries of endeavour and is now on the verge of completion."
(With files from: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15324)
TODAY'S SAINT
St. James the Greater
APOSTLE AND PATRON SAINT OF SPAIN
Born:1st century & Died:44, Judea
Shrine: Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia (Spain)
Patron of: Veterinarians, equestrians, furriers, tanners, pharmacistsnformation:
The son of Zebedee and Salome. James is styled "the Greater" to distinguish him from the Apostle James "the Less," who was probably shorter of stature. He was the brother of John, the beloved disciple, and probably the elder of the two. Zebedee was a fisherman of the Lake of Galilee. Salome was one of the pious women who afterwards followed Christ. Salome was a sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and James the Greater and John were first cousins of the Lord. Herod Agrippa I killed James, the brother of John, with the sword." (Acts, xii, 1-2).
According to this tradition St. James the Greater, having preached Christianity in Spain, returned to Judea and was put to death by order of Herod; his body was miraculously translated to Iria Flavia in the northwest of Spain, and later to Compostela.
St. James the Greater
APOSTLE AND PATRON SAINT OF SPAIN
Born:1st century & Died:44, Judea
Shrine: Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia (Spain)
Patron of: Veterinarians, equestrians, furriers, tanners, pharmacistsnformation:
The son of Zebedee and Salome. James is styled "the Greater" to distinguish him from the Apostle James "the Less," who was probably shorter of stature. He was the brother of John, the beloved disciple, and probably the elder of the two. Zebedee was a fisherman of the Lake of Galilee. Salome was one of the pious women who afterwards followed Christ. Salome was a sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and James the Greater and John were first cousins of the Lord. Herod Agrippa I killed James, the brother of John, with the sword." (Acts, xii, 1-2).
According to this tradition St. James the Greater, having preached Christianity in Spain, returned to Judea and was put to death by order of Herod; his body was miraculously translated to Iria Flavia in the northwest of Spain, and later to Compostela.
(With files from http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/J/stjamesthegreater.asp)
TODAY'S SAINTLY QUOTE
Every true prayer is a prayer of the Church; by means of that prayer the Church prays, since it is the Holy Spirit living in the Church, Who in every single soul ‘prays in us with unspeakable groanings’. St. Edith Stein
TODAY'S GOSPEL
Matthew 20: 20 - 28
Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."
But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able."
He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave;
even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."
But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able."
He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave;
even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
