CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: TUES. APRIL 6, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: TUES. APRIL 6, 2010: HEADLINES-

VATICAN: POPE: NAMES ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ FOR LOS ANGELES

EUROPE: ITALY: HUSBAND OF ST. GIANNA MOLLA DIES AGE 97

ASIA: IRAQ: EXPLOSIONS CAUSE 35 DEATHS AND 140 WOUNDED
AMERICA: CHILE: SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS CHILE TO SURVEY DAMAGE
AFRICA: SOUTH AFRICA: CHRISTIAN LEADERS CONDEMN MURDER OF RIGHTWINGER

AUSTRALIA: BISHOPS ASK FOR BETTER AID FOR ABORIGINALS

VATICAN

POPE: NAMES ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ FOR LOS ANGELES

USCCB report: Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop José H. Gomez of San Antonio, 58, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles. The appointment was made public in Washington, April 6, by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. As coadjutor bishop, Archbishop Gomez is in line to succeed the current diocesan archbishop, Cardinal Roger Mahony, 74, upon his retirement.José Horacio Gomez was born in Monterrey, Mexico, December 26, 1951. He attended the National University of Mexico where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. In college he joined Opus Dei, an institution founded by Saint Josemaria Escrivá to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, serving other and improving society. Opus Dei became a personal prelature in 1982. Archbishop Gomez studied theology in Rome and at the University of Navarre in Spain, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology and a doctorate in moral theology. He was ordained a priest of Opus Dei, August 15, 1978, in Torreciudad, Spain.After ordination he pursued pastoral work with college and high school students in Spain and Mexico. In 1987, he was sent to what was then the Diocese of Galveston-Houston to minister for Opus Dei in several capacities in Texas. He became a U.S. citizen in 1995. As a priest, Father Gomez held positions with several U.S. Catholic organizations. Between 1995-1999, he was president of the National Association of Hispanic Priests (ANSH) and its executive director, 1999-2001. He was treasurer of the National Catholic Council of Hispanic Ministry, 1998-2001.In 1999, he became the Vicar of Opus Dei for the State of Texas. Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, January 23, 2001. On December 29, 2004 the pope appointed him Archbishop of San Antonio.As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Archbishop Gomez was first chairman of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church, and now chairs the Committee on National Collections’ Subcommittee for the Church in Latin America and the Task Force on the Spanish-language Bible. He is chair-elect of the Committee on Migration and a member of the Committee on Doctrine. Cardinal Roger M. Mahony was appointed Archbishop of Los Angeles July 15, 1985. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals, June 28, 1991. Prior to this appointment he served as Auxiliary Bishop of Fresno, California, 1975-1980, and Bishop of Stockton, California, 1980-1985.The Los Angeles Archdiocese, the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the United States, includes 8,762 square miles. It has a population of 11,606,889 with 4,176,296, or 36 percent, of them Catholic. http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-061.shtml

EUROPE

ITALY: HUSBAND OF ST. GIANNA MOLLA DIES AGE 97

CNA report: The husband of St. Gianna Beretta Molla passed away at the age of 97 last weekend on Holy Saturday, a day that carries special significance for the Molla family. “Pietro Molla was a pillar and rock – a man of extraordinary faith, simplicity and holiness,” wrote Fr. Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light TV, on his blog. “He lived a remarkable, saintly life and like his beloved wife, Gianna, made holiness something attainable for all of us.”
Pietro spent much of his life as a widower after his wife died in 1962, having chosen to give birth to her daughter instead of having an abortion, despite the dangers it presented to her own life. Gianna, a physician herself, died a week after their baby was born. Her husband was left with four children to raise and never remarried. Nevertheless, “I am convinced,” wrote Fr. Rosica, “that the story of holiness did not end with St. Gianna Beretta Molla.
“I am certain that the cause for Pietro Molla’s beatification and canonization will be opened soon,” he continued. “What a powerful witness this would be to the dignity and sacredness of marriage and family life!”
Fr. Rosica added that the Molla family “is somehow linked to the mystery of Holy Saturday.” Pietro and St. Gianna's daughter Laura, explained to Fr. Rosica that “It was on Holy Saturday 1962 that Gianna Beretta Molla gave birth to her daughter, Gianna Emanuela. One week later, on Easter Saturday, St. Gianna died from the serious medical condition that resulted from bringing her child to term. St. Gianna gave her life so that the child in her womb would live. And now Pietro returns to the house of the Father on Holy Saturday morning 2010.”
“St. Gianna and her husband are now reunited in heaven and celebrate the mystery of Christ’s dying and rising in the company of the Lord and his saints,” Fr. Rosica wrote. "I can only imagine the scene in heaven on Holy Saturday morning as this wonderful couple was reunited after forty-eight years of being apart. They would embrace their daughter Mariolina, who died as a child, and be welcomed by the Venerable Pope John Paul II who enrolled Gianna in the book of the Saints. May St. Gianna, Pietro and Mariolina intercede for us now from heaven, and watch over all married couples and families on earth."
Pietro Molla’s funeral Mass will be celebrated in Mesero, Italy on Tuesday. He will then be buried in the town cemetery, next to his wife.http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/husband_of_st._gianna_dies/

IMAGE http://www.gesuiti.it/moscati/Img/Gianna_PP.jpg

ASIA

IRAQ: EXPLOSIONS CAUSE 35 DEATHS AND 140 WOUNDED

Asia News report: A series of explosions targeted several parts of the capital, causing the collapse of some buildings. A suicide bomber blew himself up in a downtown restaurant. In Kirkuk, government leaders and Muslim religious leaders attended the Easter vigil. The faithful pray for national reconciliation. Archbishop Sako: the risen Christ reminds us of the value of forgiveness.
Baghdad (AsiaNews) – The provisional death toll from coordinated attacks in Baghdad is 5 dead and 140 wounded. A series of explosions - at least six - targeted three different areas of the capital. A suicide bomber destroyed a restaurant in the centre. Meanwhile, across Iraq, Christian leaders celebrated Easter calling for "peace and reconciliation". In northern Kirkuk, a delegation of local government official and Muslim religious leaders attended the Catholic religious services.
According to preliminary reports six coordinated attacks took place at 10 am local time, striking the Shiite majority areas of the capital. Many of the victims are civilians, buried in the collapse of two buildings in the residential district of Shula, northwest of the capital. A suicide bomber blew himself up in the downtown Alawi restaurant, near the Ministry for Culture and the Iranian Embassy. Several areas hit by the bombers are strongholds of the Mahdi Army, the militia connected to Shiite leader Moqtada al Sadr.
The attacks today in Baghdad follow the series of bombings on April 4, some near embassies, in which 40 people died and another 200 were injured. Among the targets the embassies of Iran, Egypt, Germany, Syria and Spain. The victims are mostly civilians, since the bombers blew themselves up among people unable to reach the diplomatic offices.
The violence did not however prevent the Iraqi Christians from celebrating Easter. In Kirkuk, a delegation of government officials and local Muslim leaders attended the Easter vigil and mass. A witness of solidarity with the Christian community, the victim in recent weeks a series of targeted attacks that have forced thousands to flee to safer areas or abroad.
Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, has told AsiaNews that the church was packed and women coloured thousands of eggs "to distribute to the faithful and government representatives. A Muslim family prepared a huge loaf of bread to be distributed to those present. About 500 children who attend catechism classes, instead, offered money saved during Lent for the poor of the city, including Muslims. "The child who brought the money to the altar – underlined Msgr. Sako - said 'prayer' defeats evil and terrorism. "
During his homily, the archbishop of Kirkuk said that "the resurrection of Christ reminds us of the values of forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and life." The sacrifice and love of Jesus, the prelate added, are "the magna carta for a dignified human life." He also explained that "emigration is exile ... We must remain in our land and give witness of our Christian faith."
"In the Christian church and mosques - said Mgr. Sako - you learn love, tolerance and cooperation, to be closer to God”. For this reason Iraqis, abiding by the rules of law and spiritual values, should "work for reconciliation and overcome the divisions that are" signs of death: unity is the symbol of life. " With this in mind, according to the prelate, "the formation of the new parliament and new government capable of imposing order and ensure stability" is of great importance. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Baghdad-under-attack,-35-dead-and-140-wounded.-Easter-for-Christians-of-peace-in-Iraq-18066.html

AMERICA

CHILE: SECRETARY OF STATE, BERTONE, VISITS CHILE TO SURVEY DAMAGE

Radio Vaticana report; The Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone begins a 9-day trip to Chile today. Cardinal Bertone is visiting the country in order to survey the damage resulting from the powerful earthquake that struck the country this past February 27th, and to deliver a gift from Pope Benedict XVI to the people of Chile: a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in honour of the 200th anniversary of Chile’s independence.Pope Benedict XVI presented the wooden statue of Chile’s Patroness to a delegation of Chilean political and religious leaders, including Cardinal Francisco Errazuriz Ossa of Santiago, at the March 24th General Audience in Rome.“To have this benediction from the Holy Father as well as the image as a gift from the Holy See to the people of Chile, is a sort of relief to all those Chileans who have suffered because of the earthquake”The Chilean ambassador to the Vatican, Pablo Cabrera, told us the visit of Cardinal Bertone and the gift of Pope Benedict are concrete expressions of much-needed spiritual support for the Chilean people:“I am sure that spiritual support is necessary in this moment because it encourages a spirit of unity that our republic needs in the year 2010, as we commemorate 200 years of independence”.Cardinal Bertone is scheduled to present the statue during Mass on Sunday, April 11th. http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=370121

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA: CHRISTIAN LEADERS CONDEMN MURDER OF RIGHTWINGER

All Africa report: Christian leaders in South Africa have condemned the slaying of an extreme rightwing leader in the country, Eugene Terre'Blanche, and have called on political leaders to urge restraint at a time of rising racial tension.
A song promoted by the leader of the youth wing of the ruling African National Congress that encourages the killing of white people, and that one court ruling has banned, has been blamed for fanning some of the tensions that the followers of Terre'Blanche say caused the killing.
The Web-based news outlet Legalbrief reported that the 3 April slaying of Terre'Blanche, who was the leader of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbewging (AWB - Afrikaner Resistance Movement), has increased fears of growing racial tension following the legal battle over racial hate speech.
Legalbrief reported that racial tensions between majority blacks and minority white South Africans have been at their highest level since the 1993 assassination of South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani, which threatened to derail the country's first democratic elections.
The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, the Rev. Thabo Makgoba, was quick to respond to the killing of Terre'Blanche, who once served a prison sentence after beating a black petrol pump attendant to a pulp, and who bitterly fought against the end of apartheid.
"I heard the shocking news of his killing as I was leaving Cape Town Cathedral in the early hours of Easter Sunday, having just celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," said the archbishop, who like many church leaders was involved in the struggle against apartheid in the 1980s.
"I condemn the murder of Mr Terre'Blanche, and extend my deepest condolences to his family, whom I hold in my prayers," said Makgoba. "No child of God, no matter who they are, no matter what their views, should end their lives in this way. Let Easter break the cycle of death."
The South African Council of Churches, which has the backing of Orthodox and Protestant churches, as well as Roman Catholic bishops, on 5 April called for political parties to show strong leadership following the killing of Terre'Blanche, who died aged 69.
"We call upon other political leaders to step forward and provide the reconciling leadership that is necessary for the country at this time," said SA Council of Churches general secretary, Eddie Makue. "Such leadership will exclude inflammatory speeches or songs, which have potential to plunge the country into a cycle of violence."
Makue sent his organization's condolences to the relatives and friends of Terre'Blanche, and noted that his killing has the potential to create divisions and conflict that might divide South Africa, and destroy the gain from reconciliation made since the 1990s.
"We are shocked by the murder of Mr Terre'Blanche, and we condemn it and reject any and all attempts to justify this act," said Makue.
Two of Terre'Blanche's farm workers, aged 15 and 28, have been arrested in connection with his death, which they allegedly confessed to and said was motivated by a salary dispute, the South African Press Association reported.
The incident prompted a nervous call for calm from President Jacob Zuma.

In the town of Ventersdorp, near to where Terre'Blanche lived, many residents were said to be angry at what they say is a climate in which violence against Afrikaners is encouraged.
Members of Terre'Blanche's AWB have blamed his death on African National Congress youth leader Julius Malema, who they say is allowed by his own party leaders to spread hate speech that led to the killing.
During March, Malema was in the headlines for leading university students in a song that has the lyric, "kill the Boer".
While boer means farmer in Afrikaans, the language of the descendants of the first Dutch and Huguenot settlers, it is also a pejorative word for whites. Agricultural lobby groups say that more than 3000 white farmers in South Africa have been slain since the first universal suffrage elections in 1994.http://allafrica.com/stories/201004070003.html

AUSTRALIA

BISHOPS ASK FOR BETTER AID FOR ABORIGINALS

Cath News report: Wasteful inquries and studies aren't solving the problems faced by Australia's Aboriginal communities, say the country's Catholic bishops, who have called on the government to act.
In a submission to a Federal parliamentary inquiry into high rates of indigenous imprisonment, the bishops say that turf wars across every level of government are a major inhibitor to the proper delivery of services to indigenous people, according to The West Australian.
"Until these obstacles can be overcome money will continue to be wasted and indigenous people will continue to be disadvantaged," their submission says. "More committees and more inquiries are not the answer.
"The current bureaucratic models are a disaster for indigenous people.

"They may provide careers for some policy-makers and social researchers but little is done to redress long standing disgraceful conditions for indigenous people."
The submission is signed by Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders and Bishop of Darwin Eugene Hurley.
The bishops are critical of the inquiry's terms of reference, labelling them convoluted, difficult to take seriously and, in one instance, so full of "bureaucratic jargon and vague terminology" that it is "almost unintelligible."
Among others, the submission says if any other sector of Australian society had an imprisonment rate 28 times the national average, it would be seen as a national disgrace, rather than merely an opportunity for an inquiry. http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=20487

TODAY'S SAINT

St. William of Eskilsoe

ABBOT OF ESKILLE, CONFESSOR

Feast: April 6 Information: Feast Day:April 6

Born:1125 at Paris, France

Died:6 April (Easter Sunday) 1203 in Denmark Canonized:21 January 1224 by Pope Honorius III He was born of an illustrious family in Paris, about the year 1105, and received his education in the abbey of St. Germain-des-Prez, under his uncle Hugh, the abbot. By the regularity of his conduct, and the sanctity of his manners, he was the admiration of the whole community. Having finished his studies, he was ordained sub-deacon, and installed canon in the church of St. Genevieve au-Mont. His assiduity in prayer, love of retirement and mortification, and exemplary life, seemed a troublesome censure of the slothful and worldly life of his colleagues; and what ought to have gained him their esteem and affection, served to provoke their envy and malice against him.Having in vain endeavored to prevail on this reformer of their chapter, as they called him, to resign his canonry, in order to remove him at a distance, they presented him to the curacy of Epinay, a church five leagues from Paris, depending on their chapter. But not long after, Pope Eugenius III. coming to Paris, in 1147, and being informed of the irregular conduct of these canons, he commissioned the celebrated Suger, abbot of St. Denys, and prime minister to King Louis the Young, to expel them, and introduce in their room regular canons from the abbey of St. Victor: which was happily carried into execution, Eudo of St. Victor's being made the first abbot. St. William with joy embraced this institute, and was by his fervor and devotion a pattern to the most perfect. He was in a short time chosen sub-prior.The perfect spirit of religion and regularity which he established in that community, was an illustrious proof of the incredible influence which the example of a prudent superior has over docile religious minds. His zeal for regular discipline he tempered with so much sweetness and modesty in his injunctions, that made all to love the precept itself, and to practice with cheerfulness whatever was prescribed them. The reputation of his wisdom and sanctity reached the ears of Absalon, bishop of Roschild, in Denmark, who, being one of the most holy prelates of his age, earnestly sought to allure him into his diocese. He sent the provost of his church, who seems to have been the learned historian Saxo the Grammarian, to Paris on this errand. A prospect of labors and dangers for the glory of God was a powerful motive with the saint, and he cheerfully undertook the voyage. The bishop appointed him abbot of Eskille, a monastery of regular canons which he had reformed. Here St. William sanctified himself by a life of prayer and austere mortification; but had much to suffer from the persecutions of powerful men, from the extreme poverty of his house in a severe climate, and, above all, from a long succession of interior trials: but the most perfect victory over himself was the fruit of his constancy, patience, and meekness. On prayer was his chief dependence, and it proved his constant support.During the thirty years of his abbacy, he had the comfort to see many walk with fervor in his steps. He never left off wearing his hair-shirt, lay on straw, and fasted every day. Penetrated with a deep sense of the greatness and sanctity of our mysteries, he never approached the altar without watering it with his tears, making himself a victim to God in the spirit of adoration and sacrifice, together with, and through the merits of the holy victim offered thereon: the dispositions in which every Christian ought to assist at it. He died on the 6th of April, 1203, and was canonized by Honorius III. in 1224.See his life by a disciple in Surius, and at large in Papebroke's Continuation of Bollandus, t. 1, Apr. p. 620. Also M. Gourdan in his MSS. Lives of Illustrious Men among the regular Canons at St. Victor's, in Paris, kept in the library of MSS. in that house, in fol. t. 2, pp. 324 and 814.SOURCE http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/W/stwilliamofeskilsoe.asp

TODAY'S GOSPEL

John 20: 11 - 18 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14 Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 18 Mary Mag'dalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.