CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: MON. SEPT. 20, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: MON. SEPT. 20, 2010: HEADLINES-

VATICAN: PAPAL TRIP TO UK SUMMARY SEPT. 19-20 -
ASIA: CHINA: 30,000-60,000 CHILDREN SOLD TO TRAFFICKING YEARLY -

AUSTRALIA: BABY BORN IN DETENTION BAPTISED -

AMERICA: HAITI: NUNCIO SAYS HAITI NEEDS AID FOR 1 MILLION REFUGEES -

AFRICA: ANGOLA: YOUTH MEETING TAUGHT MARIAN VALUES -

EUROPE: BRITAIN PRO-LIFERS ARRESTED FOR DISPLAYING IMAGE OF BABY -

TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 20: ST. ANDREW TAEGON, KOREA -

TODAY'S GOSPEL: Luke 8: 16 - 18 -

VATICAN: PAPAL TRIP TO UK SUMMARY SEPT. 19-20
MEETING WITH BISHOPS OF ENGLAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND VATICAN CITY, 19 SEP 2010 (VIS REPORT) - Today at 4.45 p.m. the Holy Father met with the Catholic bishops of England, Wales and Scotland in the chapel of Oscott College in Birmingham. In his address to the group the Pope recalled how, during the recent "ad limina" visit of their respective episcopal conferences, particular attention had been given to "the urgent need to proclaim the Gospel afresh in a highly secularised environment. In the course of my visit it has become clear to me how deep a thirst there is among the British people for the Good News of Jesus Christ", he said. "You have been chosen by God to offer them the living water of the Gospel, encouraging them to place their hopes, not in the vain enticements of this world, but in the firm assurances of the next. "As you proclaim the coming of the Kingdom, with its promise of hope for the poor and the needy, the sick and the elderly, the unborn and the neglected", he added, "be sure to present in its fullness the life-giving message of the Gospel, including those elements which call into question the widespread assumptions of today's culture". In this context he encouraged the prelates to avail themselves of the recently-established Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation of countries of long-standing Christian tradition. Turning his attention then to the financial crisis, Benedict XVI expressed the certainty that the bishops would call on British Catholics to show their "characteristic generosity" towards people in need. "Today's circumstances", he said, "provide a good opportunity to reinforce that message, and indeed to encourage people to aspire to higher moral values in every area of their lives, against a background of growing cynicism regarding even the possibility of virtuous living". The Holy Father went on: "Another matter which has received much attention in recent months, and which seriously undermines the moral credibility of Church leaders, is the shameful abuse of children and young people by priests and religious. ... I know that you have taken serious steps to remedy this situation, to ensure that children are effectively protected from harm and to deal properly and transparently with allegations as they arise. You have publicly acknowledged your deep regret over what has happened, and the often inadequate ways it was addressed in the past. Your growing awareness of the extent of child abuse in society, its devastating effects, and the need to provide proper victim support should serve as an incentive to share the lessons you have learned with the wider community. Indeed, what better way could there be of making reparation for these sins than by reaching out, in a humble spirit of compassion, towards children who continue to suffer abuse elsewhere? Our duty of care towards the young demands nothing less". "If we are to be effective Christian leaders, we must live lives of the utmost integrity, humility and holiness", said the Pope. "I pray that among the graces of this visit will be a renewed dedication on the part of Christian leaders to the prophetic vocation they have received, and a new appreciation on the part of the people for the great gift of the ordained ministry. Prayer for vocations will then arise spontaneously, and we may be confident that the Lord will respond by sending labourers to bring in the plentiful harvest that He has prepared throughout the United Kingdom". The Holy Father concluded by referring to "two specific matters that affect your episcopal ministry at this time. One is the imminent publication of the new translation of the Roman Missal. ... I encourage you now to seize the opportunity that the new translation offers for in-depth catechesis on the Eucharist and renewed devotion in the manner of its celebration". The second matter to which the Pope referred concerned generosity "in implementing the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus'. This should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute positively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics", he said. "It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all. "Let us continue to pray and work unceasingly in order to hasten the joyful day when that goal can be accomplished". Before leaving Oscott College for Birmingham airport, the Holy Father greeted and blessed 130 British seminarians who were gathered there to see him.PV-UNITED KINGDOM/ VIS 20100920 (770) IMAGES SOURCE : http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/

POPE THANKS BRITISH FOR WARM WELCOME AND HOSPITALITY VATICAN CITY, 19 SEP 2010 (VIS) - At 6.15 p.m. today Benedict XVI arrived at Birmingham airport where the departure ceremony took place at the end of his apostolic trip to the UK. Following some words from David Cameron, prime minister of the United Kingdom, the Holy Father arose to address some remarks to those present. "Thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for the hospitality that I have enjoyed", said the Pope, who also expressed his gratitude "for all the hard work of preparation, on the part of both the present and the previous government, the civil service, local authorities and police, and the many volunteers". "During my time with you", he went on, "I have been able to meet representatives of the many communities, cultures, languages and religions that make up British society. The very diversity of modern Britain is a challenge to its government and people, but it also represents a great opportunity to further inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue for the enrichment of the entire community". The Pope mentioned his meetings with Queen Elizabeth II and with political leaders, and his address to both Houses of Parliament, expressing the hope "that these occasions will contribute to confirming and strengthening the excellent relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom, especially in co-operation for international development, in care for the natural environment, and in the building of a civil society with a renewed sense of shared values and common purpose". On the subject of the joint celebrations with the Archbishop of Canterbury and bishops of the Church of England in Westminster Abbey - "a place which speaks so eloquently of our shared traditions and culture" - the Holy Father said: "As Britain is home to so many religious traditions, I was grateful to have the opportunity to meet their representatives and to share some thoughts with them about the contribution that the religions can offer to the development of a healthy pluralistic society. "Naturally", he added in conclusion, "my visit was directed in a special way to the Catholics of the United Kingdom. I treasure the time spent with the bishops, clergy, religious and laity, and with teachers, pupils and older people. It was especially moving to celebrate with them, here in Birmingham, the beatification of a great son of England, Cardinal John Henry Newman. With his vast legacy of scholarly and spiritual writings, I am certain that he still has much to teach us about Christian living and witness amid the challenges of today's world, challenges which he foresaw with such remarkable clarity". At 6.45 p.m. the Pope boarded his flight to Rome. The plane landed at 10 p.m. local time in Rome's Ciampino airport whence he travelled by car to the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo.PV-UNITED KINGDOM/ VIS 20100920 (480)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS VATICAN CITY, 20 SEP 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Brooklyn, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Ignatius A. Catanello, in accordance with canons 411 and 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
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ASIA: CHINA: 30,000-60,000 CHILDREN SOLD TO TRAFFICKING YEARLY
Asia News report: Since April 2009, more than 2,000 criminal gangs have been broken up, with 15,000 alleged modern-day slavers arrested. Public Security Ministry boasts great success against human trafficking, but does not explain its operations. Each year, some 30,000 to 60,000 children disappear. Migrant workers face a tragic situation. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Chinese police freed as of 6 September 10,621 women and 5,896 children abducted for human trafficking since the Public Security Ministry launched a crackdown in April last year. Nationwide, police broke up 2,398 human trafficking gangs and arrested 15.673 suspects, state news agency Xinhua reported.In order to make it easier to find victims and reunite them with their family, police also set up a database that collects DNA samples of victims and their parents. So far, the database has helped 813 children find their biological parents through DNA matching, the Ministry said.China’s zero tolerance policy has led to a heavy crackdown on traffickers. Between January and July, 1,238 people were sentenced to either death, life in prison or at least five years in prison, a spokesperson for the Supreme People's Court said. This is 75 per cent more than last year. However, media reports have not indicated how the crackdown has affected the overall problem.In recent years, media have reported cases involving the abduction of children and the mentally disabled, eventually forced to work, especially in the brick making industry, after being abducted. Police have freed hundreds of such slaves and determined that their captivity was the result of collusion between businesses and local authorities.Another widespread form of human trafficking is the buying and selling of newborn children, especially for young couples or childless older couples.In August, Yang Dong, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, told that the China Daily that between 30,000 to 60,000 children are reported missing every year, but that it is hard to estimate how many of them are trafficking cases.The situation is especially troubling for the children of migrant workers, who are often handed over to relatives when parents work far from home or even forced to live alone.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Human-trafficking:-Chinese-police-frees-17,000-children-and-women-19505.html
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AUSTRALIA: BABY BORN IN DETENTION BAPTISED
Cath News report: Risen, a baby born in detention to refugee parents, was baptised this month in Sydney's St Canice's parish by the Director of Jesuit Refugee Service."Risen has been invited to be a part of this community of faith to which he now belongs," said Fr Sacha Bermudez-Goldman SJ. The baby's name marks the fact that he was born just after Easter Sunday this year, reports Province Express.Risen's Sri Lankan parents were granted permanent residency after a year spent in detention on both Christmas Island and in Villawood Immigration Residential Housing in Sydney, the report said.And as guests crowded into the JRS offices to enjoy lunch and a baptism cake, Fr Bermudez-Goldman thanked them for being a part of the small family's journey in their new homeland. Risen's godparents, Matilda and Tarcisius Matthias, were grateful for the opportunity to play such an important role in the baby's life."I consider it as a gift from God. It's an honour," said Tarcisius, who volunteers with St Vincent de Paul and works with migrant and refugee groups. "You can help people with zero dollars. You just need to give your time."His wife compared their own journey from Sri Lanka 27 years ago to the perilous boat trip undertaken by Risen's parents last year."We came on a plane, Tarcisius' uncle fetched us at the airport," said Matilda. "But these people came on a boat. You have to really suffer to take that kind of risk."
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23387
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AMERICA: HAITI: NUNCIO SAYS HAITI NEEDS AID FOR 1 MILLION REFUGEES
Agenzia Fides report - Nuncio to Haiti tells Fides: “The humanitarian situation is still in an emergency phase. Over 1 million refugees are living in tents and the number is on the rise.”Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) – "The humanitarian situation is still in an emergency phase. Over 1 million refugees are living in tents and, instead of diminishing, the number is on the rise. Even the poor who come from other provinces in search of help and work make the camps swell.” These are the words of the Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, Archbishop Bernard Auza, in telling Fides about the situation in the country more than nine months after the earthquake on January 12, 2010. “Many new makeshift camps are appearing on the hills of northern Port-au-Prince,” says the Nuncio. “It is probably for fear of the flooding which, thank God, has not yet arrived. In fact, no hurricane has hit the country and there have been no torrential rains, so there has been no flooding.”Archbishop Auza says that "a solution to solve the problem of the IDPs has seemed impossible thus far. The first camp set up by the transitional government and the international community in the area of Corail, north/northeast of the capital, seems to have failed due to lack of services and other things. It is said that half of the approximately 10,000 people in that camp have already returned to the city. In my opinion, the best solution is that of Catholic Relief Services (CSR), which implies taking families back to their communities of origin, to their neighborhoods, to where their houses were. CRS builds temporary homes for them where they had their own homes. Building permanent homes is not even on the agenda, as it would be too costly and would not be within the duty of the government and the international community, at least in this period when there are other important needs. However, there are some NGOs who are trying to build permanent homes."With regard to presidential, parliamentary, and local elections to be held November 28, 2010 (first round), the Archbishop says that they have been the focus of the people's attention: "The political problems (such as the opposition boycott) and the logistics (for example voter registration and issuing of identity cards) are vast, but Haiti and the international community believe that nevertheless elections should be held in order to consolidate political stability. There are 19 candidates vying for the seat of President of the Republic."Finally, the Nuncio focuses on the reconstruction phase. "The reconstruction itself has not yet begun. The state has already settled on downtown Port-au-Prince, almost completely destroyed by the earthquake, and the future new government center, which is where the new government buildings, ministries, etc. will be built. However, the projects have not yet been defined. Within the defined area is also the site of the Cathedral, which was destroyed. The Church, for its part, has many projects, but construction has not yet begun. We hope that by the first anniversary of the earthquake we can launch the first projects, such as the reconstruction of the national seminary. For now, the seminarians are housed in large semi-permanent tents that could be there for years. We hope that within three years we will be able to inaugurate a new Major Seminary.”http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27454&lan=eng
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AFRICA: ANGOLA: YOUTH MEETING TAUGHT MARIAN VALUES
All Africa report: First National Meeting of Catholic Youths EndsSumbe — The national meeting of the Catholic church that started on Thursday, in Sumbe City, central Kwanza Sul Province, closed on Sunday, ANGOP witnessed.The meeting took place under the motto "Awakening young people on Marian Values" and had the participation of legionary young people, accompanied by bishops, nuns and friars from the dioceses of Angola and Sao Tomé and Principe.During the meeting that aimed at strengthening the faith, participants were briefed on the need for more and more acceptance of Jesus Christ as their redeemer.Created on September 21, 1921, in Ireland, Maria Legion is a Catholic association. http://allafrica.com/stories/201009200906.html
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EUROPE: BRITAIN PRO-LIFERS ARRESTED FOR DISPLAYING IMAGE OF BABY

LIFESITENEWS.COM report – Two pro-life activists were arrested this month in Brighton for displaying an allegedly “distressing” graphic sign of abortion outside a publicly-funded abortion facility.The two were held for 15 hours by police after staff in the British Pregnancy Advisory Service facility claimed patients were “traumatised and upset” by the pictures. The 7ft by 5ft banner showed an aborted eight-week-old embryo. The group has previously demonstrated without incident in Brixton, south London.Andy Stephenson and Kathryn Sloane are the leading members of Abort '67, an organisation, named after Britain’s 1967 Abortion Act, affiliated with the Center for Bioethical Reform in the U.S. and the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform (CCBR), based in Calgary. These groups maintain that the use of graphic images of abortion, even if they are deemed offensive or frightening, are essential to bring the realities of abortion into the debate.Stephenson told British media, “We went to the clinic because we know what women are going in there for and it seems the obvious place to hold a protest."The two were arrested about noon and were taken to the local police station and held until being interviewed at midnight. “They took our fingerprints and put us in cells – they didn’t interview us until midnight and we weren’t let out until three in the morning,” Stephenson said.“It seems very arbitrary what is allowed and what is not allowed,” he added. “All we are doing is campaigning to make abortion unthinkable. Most pro-life groups are working to change the abortion laws - we’re working to change public opinion.”Stephenson also said that, "The women who go to these clinics are simply not told the full story as to what abortion involves and the damage that it causes women. We always stand in complete silence and let the pictures do the talking.”Ann Furedi, the head of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which runs the Wistons facility, said she supports the right of pro-life activists to demonstrate against abortion facilities, up to a point. Furedi also told the Daily Telegraph, “There is a distinction between freedom of expression and actions that are designed to distress people who are accessing legal, medical services.”But Stephanie Gray, the founder of CCBR told LifeSiteNews.com that although the arrests are upsetting, they may serve to bring the issue into the public debate in Britain, which has earned the nickname “abortion capital of Europe” after reporting upwards of 200,000 abortions last year.“As disheartening as their arrest is, it is forcing the abortion debate – and the free-speech debate – into the public square,” she said.Gray, who has had legal battles of her own at the University of British Columbia, continued, “Now, people are talking and thinking about what abortion looks like in a way they haven't before, thanks to the courage of Andy and Kathryn. And it's interesting that an abortion advocate responded to their protest by calling it distressing. If abortion is such a good idea, why would a picture of it be distressing?”The Crown Prosecution Service has said it will decide next month whether to press charges under the Public Order Act. The photo of aborted children were alleged to have caused “harassment, alarm or distress,” according to complainants.Andrea Williams, director of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the case, said: "This is a test case for their democratic right to reveal what abortion really is like. This case raises important questions about whether our society will allow robust and rigorous debate about what remains a highly controversial issue.”“Many people in the UK remain horrified at the nature and scale of abortion in this country,” she continued. “There have been 7 million abortions in England and Wales since abortion was legalised in 1967. Obviously there are a range of ways in which people will choose to engage in this important debate depending on what they judge to be the most effective in each situation. However, the freedom to engage and provoke public debate on this matter of life and death must be safeguarded."
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/sep/10092108.html
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TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 20: ST. ANDREW TAEGON, KOREA

St. Andrew Kim TaegonMARTYRFeast: September 20Information:Feast Day:September 20Born:August 21, 1821Died:September 16, 1846Canonized:6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul IIMajor Shrine:Chŏltusan (Martyr's Mound), Seoul, South KoreaPatron of:Korean ClergyAndrew Kim Tae-gon was born on 21 August 1821, in Chungchong Province, Korea. His parents, being converts to Catholicism, were subject to persecution, to avoid which they moved to Kyonggi Province. At 15 years old, Kim Tae-gon was chosen by a visiting priest to be a seminarian, and was sent with two other seminarians to Macao. He arrived in 1873 and began his studies with the missionaries of the Far Eastern Procure of the Parish Foreign Mission Society. In 1842 Kim Tae-gon left Macao as an interpreter for a French admiral aboard a warship. When the admiral returned to France, Kim Tae-gon tried to return to his homeland through the strictly guarded norther frontier, but he failed. He was ordained a deacon in China in 1844 and managed to return to Korea the next year, arriving in Seoul early in 1845. He then led the French missionaries by sea to Shanghai, where Bishop Ferreol ordained him the first Korean priest in the Church’s 60-year history in Korea. He returned to Korea with Bishop Ferreol, reaching Chungchong Province in October of the same year. In his home town and vicinity, he catechized the faithful, until Bishop Ferreol summoned him to Seoul. At the Bishop's command, he tried to introduce French missionaries from China into Korea, enlisting the aid of Chinese fishermen. For this, Father Kim Tae-gon was arrested and sent to the central prison in Seoul, where was charged as the ringleader of a heretical sect and traitor to his country. He was sentenced to death and was beheaded on 16 September 1846. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and canonized by Pope John-Paul II on 6 May 1984.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/standrewkimtaegon.asp
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TODAY'S GOSPEL: Luke 8: 16 - 18
Luke 8: 16 - 1816"No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.17For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.18Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."
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