CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: WED. SEPT. 23, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: WED. SEPT. 23, 2010: HEADLINES-

VATICAN: LETTER FROM HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE -
EUROPE: ITALY: FOCALARE TEENAGER TO BE BEATIFIED -
AUSTRALIA: NEW STAMP IN HONOUR OF BLESSED MACKILLOP -
AMERICA: CANADA: SEMINARIANS FOR LIFE CONGRESS -
ASIA: VIETNAM: ARCHBISHOP CELEBRATES WITH POOR CHILDREN -

AFRICA: EGYPT: CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS FIGHT BLINDNESS -

TODAY'S SAINT: ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA -
TODAY'S GOSPEL: SEPT. 23: Luke 9: 7 - 9 -

VATICAN: LETTER FROM HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE

LETTER FROM HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR CONCERNING IOR VATICAN CITY, 23 SEP 2010 (VIS REPORT) - Given below is the text of a letter written by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. The letter concerns recent events involving the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) and appeared in today's edition of the British newspaper, Financial Times. "Yesterday the IOR (Institute of Religious Works) returned to international media attention in the wake of a surprise investigation by the Procurator's Office in Rome. "Given that the activities of the IOR take place at an international level, and that its President is a well respected figure, well-known in the world of international finance, it is appropriate that I, as the head of the Holy See's Press Office, should seek to clarify matters in order to avoid the spread of inaccurate information and to ensure that no damage is caused to the activities of the Institute or the good name of its managers. "The IOR is not a bank in the normal definition of the term. It is an Institute that administers the assets of Catholic institutions; institutions whose goal is to further a religious and charitable apostolate at an international level. The IOR is located within the territory of Vatican City State; in other words, beyond the jurisdiction and surveillance of the various national banks. "Its particular status means that its position in the system and the regulations of international finance requires a series of agreements in order to establish the procedures necessary for the Holy See to be included in the White List - this is especially true in light of the new norms laid down by the European Union to combat terrorism and money laundering. "From the day of his appointment, and in accordance with the specific mandate he received from the highest Vatican authorities and from the IOR Inspection Committee, President Gotti Tedeschi has been working with great commitment to ensure the absolute transparency of the IOR's activities, and their compliance for the norms and procedures which will allow the Holy See to be included in the White List. To this end, intense and fruitful contacts are ongoing with the Bank of Italy, the European Union and with the competent international bodies: OECD and GAFI. "It is for this reason that the Vatican Secretariat of State, in the official communiqué it released on Tuesday, expressed its perplexity and amazement at this investigation by the Procurator's Office in Rome, which has come at a time in which this commitment is being clearly shown and these contacts are being made in order to reach lasting solutions as soon as possible. "The nature and aims of the transactions under investigation could have been clarified with great simplicity, being cash transactions the beneficiary of which is the Institute itself, on accounts it holds at other credit institutions. The current problem was caused by a misunderstanding (now being examined) between the IOR and the bank which received the transfer order. "Thus the Holy See reiterates its complete confidence in the managers of the IOR, and its desire for complete transparency in the financial operations the Institute undertakes, in accordance with the procedures and norms required today to ensure the security and transparency of transactions in the field of international finance"..../ VIS 20100923 (550)

AUDIENCES VATICAN CITY, 23 SEP 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Stefan Mappus, minister-president of Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany, accompanied by an entourage. - Bishop Konrad Zdarsa of Augsburg, Germany. - Six prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, on their "ad limina" visit: - Archbishop Alano Maria Pena O.P. of Niteroi, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Roberto Francisco Ferreria Paz. - Bishop Roberto Gomes Guimaraes of Campos. - Bishop Edney Gouvea Mattoso of Nova Friburgo, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Rafael Llano Cifuentes. - Bishop Filippo Santoro of Petropolis.
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EUROPE: ITALY: FOCALARE TEENAGER TO BE BEATIFIED
Cath News report: A Italian teenager whose life "exuded a love for God", despite suffering bone cancer and succumbing to the disease, will be beatified this weekend in Rome.Chiara "Luce" Badano, who was born in the town of Sassello, Italy in 1971, was brought up Catholic, and was a member of the Focolare movement.She is remembered for her repeated prayer amidst the cancer that paralysed her legs and later killed her: "If you will it, Jesus, so do I", said the Catholic News Agency.The report does not mention her age when she died.The beatification rite will be celebrated by Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, at Rome's Sanctuary of Divine Love. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to join in the celebration, many being members of the Focolare movement who are now arriving from as far away as Hong Kong.The president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli will concelebrate along with bishops from several countries and over 100 priests. Chiara's parents and her bishop, who first provided the impetus for her cause for canonization, will also be present for the ceremony.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23424
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AUSTRALIA: NEW STAMP IN HONOUR OF BLESSED MACKILLOP
Cath News report; Australia Post has announced the release of a new commemorative stamp series on October 18 to mark of the canonisation of Mary MacKillop.“The canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop will be celebrated around the world with services, vigils and pilgrimages. Australia Post will mark the occasion and recognise the selfless acts of this inspirational heroine in its own way with a special stamp issue," said Noel Leahy, Australia Post Philatelic Group Manager, in a media release."This is truly history in the making and we’re certain that these stamps will be treasured by Australians for years to come."The new stamps will feature a photograph of Mary MacKillop taken during the 1890s, used with the permission of the Trustees of the Sisters of St Joseph.The Mary MacKillop stamp series has been designed by Adam Crapp from Australia Post Design Studio. Mr Crapp also designed the Mary MacKillop prepaid envelope released in April 2010.The stamps will be available for purchase from October 18 at all participating Australia Post retail outlets while stocks last, and also from the online shop.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23405
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AMERICA: CANADA: SEMINARIANS FOR LIFE CONGRESS
LIFESITENEWS.COM REPORT- Earlier this month Priests for Life Canada sponsored the first ever Seminarians' Pro-Life Congress, at the Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre, nestled in the beauty and quietness of Ancaster, Ontario. Twenty-five seminarians from all across Canada gathered for an intensive five-day learning experience about life issues from Aug. 30, to Sept. 3.Fr. Tom Lynch, National Director of Priests for Life Canada called the event “historic,” saying that it was “the first time ever, that I’m aware of, that seminarians from across Canada were brought together just to hear the pro-life message and to plan their future strategy as priests to deal with this issue in a parish setting.”“Loving Life through Life” was the broad theme that united the days of prayer, learning, reflection, and integration. From early in the morning to late in the evening, the days were filled with enriching and challenging presentations dealing with a myriad of life issues.Each day was dedicated to different “Patrons of the Day” who reflected the themes discussed that day: St. John Vianney, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Blessed André Bessette. The three main days of the Congress focused on “The Priest as Loving Life in Infancy,” “The Priest as Loving Life in Adulthood, and “The Priest as Loving Life in Old Age.”An impressive line up of speakers from Canada and the United States included Dr. Stephen Genuis: "The Sexual Revolution"; Dr. Mary Anne Layden: "Internet Pornography and Addictions"; Dr. Julia Cataudella: "Natural Family Planning"; Mother Agnes Mary Donavan (Sisters of Life): "How Can the Priest Love Life in Infancy”; and Dr. Deborah Zeni: “Why Women Choose Abortion.” Many of these talks will be made available on CD, DVD, and on the Priests for Life website. (or telephone 1-888-300-2007).Various bishops from across Southern Ontario (Bishop Ronald Fabbro – London, Archbishop Brendan O’Brien - Kingston, Bishop Gerard Bergie – Hamilton, and Archbishop Thomas Collins – Toronto) presided and preached at the daily Eucharistic celebrations. They affirmed and challenged the seminarians to grow in holiness so that they could build a culture of life in their parishes and dioceses.“This is one of the best events we’ve had in our fifteen year history,” said Michael Vande Wiel, Operations Manager of Priests for Life Canada. “To have twenty-five seminarians from across Canada dedicate an entire week of their summer vacation to take part in such a Congress shows their concerns on how far our society has moved into the 'culture of death' mentality.”In the end of week evaluation, seminarians said they would recommend that all seminarians attend a similar event.Priests for Life Canada said in a press release that it is sincerely grateful to many supporters who joined in prayer and sponsorship of seminarians. They especially thanked the Knights of Columbus "Culture of Life Fund," to which all Canadian Knights contribute on an annual basis, for providing $15,000 to assist in funding.The pro-life organization said that they plan to follow up the event by having an on-going presence at seminaries by visits and short pro-life overviews a few times during the academic year. “We have an eager group of seminarians that want us to keep them informed,” said Fr. John Lemire, Chairman of Priests for Life Canada. “That’s what our organization is all about so we intend to do exactly that. In the meantime, we’re here to support all seminarians and Catholic clergy in the pro-life ministry. We can be contacted anytime at 1-888-300-2007”.For more details on the Congress and the works of Priests for Life Canada, visit http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/sep/10092302.html
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ASIA: VIETNAM: ARCHBISHOP CELEBRATES WITH POOR CHILDREN
Asia News report; The parish of Muong Riec, 120 km from Hanoi, is made up of the Hmong ethnic group, evangelized since the sixteenth century. Gifts for all of the children of the village. The statistics of poverty and the Churches request to be allowed engage with freedom to educate and care for millions of poor, disabled or orphaned children,.Hanoi (AsiaNews) - The new archbishop of Hanoi, Mgr. Peter Nguyen Van Nhon, visited a parish of Hmong ethnicity, bringing gifts for thousands of poor children, for the mid-Autumn Festival.This festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the year, with the full moon. This year it fell on September 22. The day before the archbishop of Hanoi and 40 members of Caritas visited the parish of Muong Riec, in Hoa Binh Province.Muong Riec is 120 km from Hanoi, the parish community is entirely composed of thousands of Hmong ethnicity, whose ancestors were evangelized by foreign missionaries in the sixteenth century.The Hmong, an often persecuted ethnic group, have a specific culture and live in deep poverty. For this Fr Nguyen Van Han, parish priest, organized the celebration of the mid-Autumn festival for the poorest children.Hundreds of children attended the mass celebrated by Mgr. Van Nhon. "This evening - said the bishop - you greet the moon, which is more beautiful because the moon is the moon of the mid-Autumn Festival. God has prepared this moon so perfectly for children because He loves you and he prepares heaven for his children. You too are loved, defended and protected by Him. God does not discriminate between rich and poor, weak or powerful. He created the moon so that it may shine all over the world. " After the Mass, priests and members of Caritas distributed gifts to all children of the village.According to government statistics, in Vietnam there are at least 2.5 million children (under 16 years) living in difficult conditions. There are a million poor, 126 thousand orphans, 1.2 million children with disabilities; 20 thousand street children, 56 thousand children forced to work, thousands of children sexually abused, and tens of thousands involved in drug cases. Each year, because of the death of parents from AIDS, 70 thousand children become orphans.The Catholic Church has long called on the government to allow it the freedom to be of assistance in social work, health and education.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-archbishop-of-Hanoi-celebrates-mid-Autumn-festival-with-poor-Hmong-children-19539.html
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AFRICA: EGYPT: CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS FIGHT BLINDNESS
ALL AFRICA REPORT: On Wednesday the 15th of September 2010, the Most Rev Dr Mouneer Anis, Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt, and Dr Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt, celebrated together the Love Campaign at Harpur Memorial Hospital in Menouf. The aim of the campaign is to help those suffering from blindness in Egypt.Harpur Memorial Hospital is an institution of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt. A co-operation agreement relating to the hospital was signed on Wednesday by the Diocese, Masr El Kheir, and the FEBI project.Masr El Kheir is a non-profit organisation striving to eradicate poverty in Egypt. Dr Ali Gomaa is the chairman of this organisation. As part of the Love Campaign, Masr El Kheir donated equipment for cataract surgery to the hospital, which cost 200,000 Egyptian pounds.The Love Campaign is also supported by the FEBI project, a project that was started by American ophthalmologist Dr Nabil Jabbour. The FEBI project is a co-operative effort between international health institutions, and seeks to support Egyptian ophthalmologists with upgraded facilities and equipment, and training. As part of the Love Campaign, forty operations were done in Menouf by doctors from the FEBI project.The Love Campaign is the fruit of many years of co-operation between these organisations. It provides a role model of working together to address the needs of the community. http://allafrica.com/stories/201009231031.html
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TODAY'S SAINT: ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA
St. Pio of PietrelcinaCAPUCHIN FRANCISCAN MYSTIC AND STIGMATICFeast: September 23Information:Feast Day:September 23Born:May 25, 1887, Pietrelcina, ItalyDied:September 23, 1968, San Giovanni RotondoCanonized:June 16, 2002, Rome, Italy by Pope John Paul IIMajor Shrine:San Giovanni RotondoLike the Apostle Paul, Padre Pio of Pietrelcina placed at the centre of his life and apostolic work the Cross of his Lord as his strength, his wisdom and his glory. Inflamed by love of Jesus Christ, he became like him in the sacrifice of himself for the salvation of the world. In his following and imitation of the crucified Christ he was so generous and perfect that he could have said: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal 2:20). And the treasures of grace which God had granted him so lavishly he unceasingly passed on through his ministry, serving the men and women who came to him in ever greater numbers, and bringing to birth an immense host of spiritual sons and daughters.This worthy follower of St Francis of Assisi was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelcina in the Archdiocese of Benevento, the son of Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. He was baptized the next day and given the name Francesco. At the age 12 he received the sacrament of Confirmation and made his First Holy Communion.On 6 January 1903, at the age of 16, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, where on 22 January he took the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio. At the end of his novitiate year he took simple vows, and on 27 January 1907 made his solemn profession.After he was ordained a priest on 10 August 1910 at Benevento, he stayed at home with his family until 1916 for health reasons. In September of that year he was sent to the friary of San Giovanni Rotondo and remained there until his death.Filled with love of God and love of neighbour, Padre Pio lived to the full the vocation to work for the redemption of man, in accordance with the special mission which marked his entire life and which he exercised through the spiritual direction of the faithful, the sacramental reconciliation of penitents and the celebration of the Eucharist. The pinnacle of his apostolic activity was the celebration of Holy Mass. The faithful who took part witnessed the summit and fullness of his spirituality.On the level of social charity, he committed himself to relieving the pain and suffering of many families, chiefly through the foundation of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House for the Relief of Suffering), opened on 5 May 1956.For the servant of God, faith was life: he willed everything and did everything in the light of faith. He was assiduously devoted to prayer. He passed the day and a large part of the night in conversation with God. He would say: "in books we seek God, in prayer we find him. Prayer is the key which opens God's heart". Faith led him always to accept God's mysterious will.He was always immersed in supernatural realities. Not only was he himself a man of hope and total trust in God, but by word and example he communicated these virtues to all who approached him.The love of God filled him, and satisfied his every desire; charity was the chief inspiration of his day: to love God and to help others to love him. His special concern was to grow in charity and to lead others to do so.He demonstrated to the full his love of neighbour by welcoming, for more than 50 years, countless people who had recourse to his ministry and his confessional, his counsel and his consolation. He was almost besieged: they sought him in church, in the sacristy, in the friary. And he gave himself to everyone, rekindling faith, dispensing grace, bringing light. But especially in the poor, the suffering and the sick he saw the image of Christ, and he gave himself particularly to them.He exercised to an exemplary degree the virtue of prudence, acting and counseling in the light of God.His concern was the glory of God and the good of souls. He treated everyone with justice, frankness and great respect.The virtue of fortitude shone in him. He understood very early in life that his would be the way of the Cross, and he accepted it at once with courage and out of love. For many years, he experienced spiritual sufferings. For years he endured the pains of his wounds with admirable serenity. He accepted in silence the many interventions of his superiors, and in the face of calumnies he always remained silent.He habitually practised mortification in order to gain the virtue of temperance, in keeping with the Franciscan style. He was temperate in his attitude and in his way of life.Conscious of the commitments which he had undertaken when he entered the consecrated life, he observed with generosity the vows he had professed. He was obedient in all things to the commands of his superiors, even when they were burdensome. His obedience was supernatural in intention, universal in its scope and complete in its execution. He lived the spirit of poverty with total detachment from self, from earthly goods, from his own comfort and from honours. He always had a great love for the virtue of chastity. His behaviour was modest in all situations and with all people.He sincerely thought of himself as useless, unworthy of God's gifts, full of weakness and infirmity, and at the same time blessed with divine favours. Amid so much admiration around him, he would say: "I only want to be a poor friar who prays".From his youth, his health was not very robust, and especially in the last years of his life it declined rapidly. Sister Death took him well prepared and serene on 23 September 1968 at the age of 81. An extraordinary gathering of people attended his funeral.On 20 February 1971, barely three years after the death of the servant of God, Pope Paul VI, speaking to the superiors of the Capuchin Order, said of him: "Look what fame he had, what a worldwide following gathered around him! But why? Perhaps because he was a philosopher? Because he was wise? Because he had resources at his disposal? Because he said Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was—it is not easy to say it—one who bore the wounds of our Lord. He was a man of prayer and suffering".Even during his lifetime, he enjoyed a vast reputation for sanctity because of his virtues, his spirit of prayer, sacrifice and total dedication to the good of souls.In the years following his death, his reputation for sanctity and miracles grew steadily and became established in the Church, all over the world and among all kinds of people.God thus showed the Church his desire to glorify on earth his faithful servant. In a short time the Capuchin Order took the steps prescribed by canon law to begin the cause of beatification and canonization. After examining the case, the Holy See, in accordance with the norm of the Motu Proprio Sanctitas clarior, granted the nihil obstat on 29 November 1982. The Archbishop of Manfredonia was thus abled to introduce the cause and set up the informative process (1983-90). On 7 December 1990 the Congregation for the Causes of Saints recognized its juridical validity. When the Positio had been completed, there was the usual discussion on whether the servant of God had exercised the virtues to a heroic degree. On 13 June 1997 the special meeting of the theological consultors was held and gave a positive judgement. In the ordinary session on 21 October 1997, with Bishop Andrea Maria Erba of Velletri-Segni as the proposer of the cause, the Cardinals and Bishops recognized that Padre Pio of Pietrelcina had lived to a heroic degree the theological, cardinal and associated virtues.On 18 December 1997, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the decree on heroic virtues was promulgated.For the beatification of Padre Pio, the Postulation presented to the competent Congregation the healing of Mrs. Consiglia De Martino of Salerno. The regular canonical process concerning this case was held at the ecclesiastical tribunal of the Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno from July 1996 to June 1997, and the case was recognized as valid by a decree dated 26 September 1997. On 30 April 1998 at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Medical Board examined the miracle, and on 22 June 1998 the special meeting of theological consultors gave its judgement. On 20 October 1998 the ordinary congregation of the Cardinals and Bishops belonging to the Congregation, together with the proposer, Bishop Andrea M. Erba, was held in the Vatican.On 21 December 1998, in the presence of Pope John Paul II, the decree on the miracle was promulgated.
SOURCE http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpioofpietrelcina.asp
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TODAY'S GOSPEL: SEPT. 23: Luke 9: 7 - 9
Luke 9: 7 - 97Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,8by some that Eli'jah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen.9Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.
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