CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: THURS. MARCH 18, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: CURRENT CRISIS CALLS FOR WORLD FINANCIAL REORGANISATION-
AMERICA: BRAZIL: FATHER ALMEIDA, AGE 32, DIES AFTER ATTACK-
ASIA: PALESTINE: GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN ONLY CHRISTIAN TV STATION-
AFRICA: EGYPT: CHRISTIANS ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULT-
AMERICA: BRAZIL: FATHER ALMEIDA, AGE 32, DIES AFTER ATTACK-
ASIA: PALESTINE: GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN ONLY CHRISTIAN TV STATION-
AFRICA: EGYPT: CHRISTIANS ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULT-
EUROPE: IRELAND: CARDINAL RELEASES STATEMENT ON ALLEGATIONS-
AUSTRALIA: GOVERNMENT PUTS FORTH PROPOSAL TO BUY HOSPITAL-
VATICAN
CURRENT CRISIS CALLS FOR WORLD FINANCIAL REORGANISATION
(VIS) - At midday today in the Vatican's Clementine Hall the Holy Father received members of the Union of Industrialists and Businesses of Rome. Opening his remarks to them with a reference to the current economic crisis, the Pope noted how it has "sorely tried the economic and productive systems of various countries. Nonetheless, it should be faced with trust because it can be considered as an opportunity for the revision of development models and the reorganisation of global finance, a 'new time' - as it has been described - of profound reflection". Benedict XVI then went on to recall how in his own social Encyclical "Caritas in veritate" he had encouraged the world of "economics and finance to focus on the person, whom Christ revealed in his profoundest dignity. Moreover, while recommending that politics not be subordinate to financial mechanisms, I encouraged the reform and creation of an international juridical and political order (adapted to global structures of economy and finance) in order more effectively to achieve the common good of the human family. Following in the footsteps of my predecessors, I underlined that the increase in unemployment, especially among young people, the economic impoverishment of many workers and the emergence of new forms of slavery require that access to dignified work for everyone be a priority objective". "No-one is unaware of the sacrifices that have to be made in order to open a business, or keep it on the market, as a 'community of persons' which produces goods and services and which, hence, does not have the exclusive aim of making a profit, though it is necessary to do so", said the Pope. In this context he also highlighted the importance of "defeating the individualist and materialist mentality which holds that investments must be detracted from the real economy in order to favour the use of capital on financial markets, with a view to easier and quicker returns. "I would like to recall", he added, "that the most sure way to contrast the decline of the entrepreneurial system in a particular territory consists in establishing a network of contacts with other social actors, investing in research and innovation, not using unjust competition between firms, not overlooking social obligations, and ensuring a quality productivity that responds to the real needs of people". "A business can ... produce 'social wealth' if business people and managers are guided by a far-sighted vision, one that prefers long-term investment to speculative profit, and that promotes innovation rather than thinking only to accumulate wealth". The Holy Father went on: "Business people attentive to the common good are always called to see their activity in the framework of a pluralistic whole. Such an approach generates - through personal dedication and a fraternity expressed in concrete economic and financial decisions - a market that is more competitive and, at the same time, more civil, animated by a spirit of service". Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by saying that "development, in whatever sector of human existence, also means openness to the transcendent, to the spiritual dimension of life, to trust in God, to love, to fraternity, to acceptance, to justice and to peace".AC/BUSINESS WORK/... VIS 100318 (540)
AUDIENCES VATICAN CITY, 18 MAR 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences: - Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, apostolic nuncio to Nigeria. - Five prelates of the Conference of Bishops of Burkina Faso and Niger, on their "ad limina" visit: - Archbishop Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, accompanied by Archbishop emeritus Jean-Marie Untaani Compaore. - Bishop Justin Kientega of Ouahigouya. - Bishop Judes Bicaba of Dedougou. - Bishop Der Raphael Dabire Kusiele of Diebougou.AP:AL/.../... VIS 100318 (80)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS VATICAN CITY, 18 MAR 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father: - Appointed Bishop Francesco Panfilo S.D.B. of Alotau-Sideia, Papua New Guinea, as coadjutor archbishop of Rabaul (area 15,500, population 275,000, Catholics 145,320, priests 50, religious 208), Papua New Guinea. The archbishop-elect was born in Schilpario, Italy in 1942, he was ordained a priest in 1974 and consecrated a bishop in 2001. - Appointed Fr. Jacques Benoit-Gonnin of the clergy of Paris, France, pastor of the parish of the Blessed Trinity, as bishop of Beauvais (area 5,855, population 784,087, Catholics 698,000, priests 153, permanent deacons 22, religious 243), France. The bishop-elect was born in Thoiry, France in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1985. - Appointed Fr. Ralph Heskett C.Ss.R. delegate for vocations for the Redemptorist province of Great Britain, as bishop of Gibraltar (area 6, population 27,497, Catholics 21,470, priests 14, religious 10). The bishop-elect was born in Sunderland, England in 1953 and ordained a priest in 1976. He succeeds Bishop Charles Caruana, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. - Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, presented by Bishop Faustin Ngabu, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka.NEC:NER:RE/.../... VIS 100318 (230)
AMERICA
BRAZIL: FATHER ALMEIDA, AGE 32, DIES AFTER ATTACK
(Agenzia Fides) – Father Dejair Gonçalves de Almeida, age 32, died Tuesday, March 16th at 7 in the morning, at St. John the Baptist Hospital in Volta Redonda, about 80 km from Rio de Janeiro, after having been attacked. His body is now in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Barra do Pirai Volta, Church of Our Lady of Grace, in the Jardim Paraíba area of Volta Redonda. The funeral will be celebrated today. Sunday, March 14, the priest was attacked while returning from Church Community in Volta Redonda "Good Lord Jesus," in the neighborhood of Agua Limpa. With him was a former seminarian Epaminondas Marques da Silva, 26, who died from a blow to the head. According to information sent to Fides by the Diocese of Barra do Pirai in Volta Redonda, Father Dejair and Epaminondas were kidnapped and taken to the rectory in the early hours of Sunday. "The kidnappers wanted money and as they found nothing, they struck both in the head. The former seminarian died instantly and the priest underwent surgery, however did not survive," said the spokesman of the Diocese, Vagner Mattos. The former seminarian had been coordinator of the ecclesial community of Santa Cruz. "He will be sorely missed in the Church and even more in his family. We stand in solidarity now and we insist that people change this attitude of violence," said Father Samuel Camargo. Father Dejair Gonçalves de Almeida was born in Arantina (MG), and was ordained priest on 20 April 2007. He was Chancellor of the Diocese of Barra do Pirai Volta Redonda and Director of the Diocesan Apostleship of Prayer. He worked as a priest in the Our Lady of Grace area, where he served eight Ecclesial Communities. The Bishop of Volta Redonda, Bishop João Maria Messi, said that the diocese is suffering from this violence and called for an attitude of peace: "We must be ambassadors of peace and promote peace in all directions. We should try to be like Christ and not seek revenge." The Bishop also stressed the need for more timely intervention of security forces, along with a labor-intensive drug prevention. Violence is also fought with intelligent measures in sports, education, and culture. "We cannot repay evil with evil, but justice must be done. Let us be like Christ, ambassadors of peace." "We cannot give up. We need to raise our voices and encourage people to seek practical solutions for peace," said the coordinator of the Movement "Resgia da Paz" in Volta Redonda, Father Juarez Sampaio. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 17/03/2010)http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=26286&lan=eng
ASIA
PALESTINE: GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN ONLY CHRISTIAN TV STATION
Asia News report: After 14 years on the air, the government shuts down the only Palestinian Christian TV station. Located about 350 metres from Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, the station broadcast shows with social, religious, economic and cultural content. Its general manager tells AsiaNews the order is unfair, stressing the high regard in which viewers held the station. Bethlehem (AsiaNews) – The Palestinian National Authority has shut down Al-Mahed “Nativity” TV for operating without a licence. Samir Qumsieh, owner and general manager of the Christian broadcaster, slammed the decision. After 14 years on the air and despite a long list of “thank you letters” by grateful viewers, Palestinian police raided the broadcaster’s offices yesterday at 2 pm. Waving an order by the Interior Ministry, they put the station off the air.
Contacted by AsiaNews, Mr Qumsieh said he was baffled by the order, which for him was “unjustified”.
Located on high ground at about 350 metres from the Church of Nativity, in Bethlehem, Al-Mahed “Nativity” TV was for years the “only Christian voice” among Palestinian media.
It broadcast programmes in all sorts of domains, from education to the environment, from politics to local culture and society, as well as programmes with a religious content: masses, prayers and the most important celebrations on the liturgical calendar. Its audience was not limited to Christians but included Muslims as well.
According to unconfirmed reports that reached AsiaNews, the closure appears to be financially motivated. Palestinian authorities demanded money, a “licence” that was not paid.
In a letter addressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Mr Qumsieh slammed the unjustified closure of the Christian TV station because of the “lack of a licence”.
He said that 14 years of broadcasting earned the station the gratitude of viewers as demonstrated by the many thank you letters and e-mails, worthy of a “Guinness world record”.
In his letter to the authorities, he said that he “would not beg” to have the station re-opened. The “ingratitude” shown to him is “unacceptable by any religion, logic or conscience”.http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Palestinian-Authority-shuts-down-the-only-Christian-TV-broadcaster-in-the-Territories-17912.html
Contacted by AsiaNews, Mr Qumsieh said he was baffled by the order, which for him was “unjustified”.
Located on high ground at about 350 metres from the Church of Nativity, in Bethlehem, Al-Mahed “Nativity” TV was for years the “only Christian voice” among Palestinian media.
It broadcast programmes in all sorts of domains, from education to the environment, from politics to local culture and society, as well as programmes with a religious content: masses, prayers and the most important celebrations on the liturgical calendar. Its audience was not limited to Christians but included Muslims as well.
According to unconfirmed reports that reached AsiaNews, the closure appears to be financially motivated. Palestinian authorities demanded money, a “licence” that was not paid.
In a letter addressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Mr Qumsieh slammed the unjustified closure of the Christian TV station because of the “lack of a licence”.
He said that 14 years of broadcasting earned the station the gratitude of viewers as demonstrated by the many thank you letters and e-mails, worthy of a “Guinness world record”.
In his letter to the authorities, he said that he “would not beg” to have the station re-opened. The “ingratitude” shown to him is “unacceptable by any religion, logic or conscience”.http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Palestinian-Authority-shuts-down-the-only-Christian-TV-broadcaster-in-the-Territories-17912.html
AFRICA
EGYPT: CHRISTIANS ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULT
Asia News report: Four minors between 13 and 17, also stopped but later released. A detention order of 15 days issued for Christians and Muslims. Charged with damaging public property, arson and assault. Association for Human Rights promotes an international conference.
Cairo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Egyptian security forces have arrested 13 Coptic Christians - including four minors, subsequently released - victims of the attack on 12 March. They are being charged with illegal religious assembly, damage to public property, arson and assault. About a dozen Muslims, from a total of 2000 perpetrators, have been detained over the assault against 400 Coptic faithful at the Church of St. Michael in Mersa Matrouh in the north-west of Egypt.
The violence was sparked by extremists, incited by the local Imam, Mohamad Khamis Khamis, during Friday prayers. From the microphones of the mosque of Al-Ansar, located near the church of Saint Micheal, near the building that housed the Copts, the Islamist leader urged the faithful to "holy war" against the Christian place of worship, ordering its destruction, and calling for the expulsion of the "infidels."
The crowd was trapped inside the church and the Copts attacked them, raiding the homes before setting them on fire. The raid resulted in the wounding of 23 Christians, including two seriously, so who have been sent to Victoria Hospital in Alexandria, 200 km away. Sources of the local church denounced the complete devastation of 18 houses, four shops and 18 cars (pictured). "These people are completely ruined," says the activist Wagih Yacoub.
The attack on the Coptic Christian community lasted over 14 hours. The - delayed – intervention of the security forces prevented carnage. The police transported the parishioners from the church, located in the suburb of Rifiyah, to their homes, which they are patrolling to prevent new attacks by extremists.
Matta Zakaria, a local priest, reported to the agency AINA "the arrest of four children, aged between 13 and 17 years by the police." By "deception", the agents conducted the youths to the police station asking them to identify the Muslim assailants. Among young people there was also a young man who was not in church during the assault. The boys speak of "insults and beatings" by police, who ordered the release after the intervention of Copt several priests. The police have opened a file of investigation against those arrested - Christians and Muslims - on charges of illegal religious assembly, damage to public property, arson and assault. The pre-trial detention will last 15 days.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Union for Human Rights Organization (EUHRO) has called an international conference for 21 March. During the meeting the incidents of Mersa Matrouh will be discussed, caused by a "lack of a state authority," and an appeal will be made to the government to monitor the actions of the imams, the source of sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Egyptian-police-arrest-13-Copts,-victims-of-attack-by-Islamic-extremists-17922.html
Cairo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Egyptian security forces have arrested 13 Coptic Christians - including four minors, subsequently released - victims of the attack on 12 March. They are being charged with illegal religious assembly, damage to public property, arson and assault. About a dozen Muslims, from a total of 2000 perpetrators, have been detained over the assault against 400 Coptic faithful at the Church of St. Michael in Mersa Matrouh in the north-west of Egypt.
The violence was sparked by extremists, incited by the local Imam, Mohamad Khamis Khamis, during Friday prayers. From the microphones of the mosque of Al-Ansar, located near the church of Saint Micheal, near the building that housed the Copts, the Islamist leader urged the faithful to "holy war" against the Christian place of worship, ordering its destruction, and calling for the expulsion of the "infidels."
The crowd was trapped inside the church and the Copts attacked them, raiding the homes before setting them on fire. The raid resulted in the wounding of 23 Christians, including two seriously, so who have been sent to Victoria Hospital in Alexandria, 200 km away. Sources of the local church denounced the complete devastation of 18 houses, four shops and 18 cars (pictured). "These people are completely ruined," says the activist Wagih Yacoub.
The attack on the Coptic Christian community lasted over 14 hours. The - delayed – intervention of the security forces prevented carnage. The police transported the parishioners from the church, located in the suburb of Rifiyah, to their homes, which they are patrolling to prevent new attacks by extremists.
Matta Zakaria, a local priest, reported to the agency AINA "the arrest of four children, aged between 13 and 17 years by the police." By "deception", the agents conducted the youths to the police station asking them to identify the Muslim assailants. Among young people there was also a young man who was not in church during the assault. The boys speak of "insults and beatings" by police, who ordered the release after the intervention of Copt several priests. The police have opened a file of investigation against those arrested - Christians and Muslims - on charges of illegal religious assembly, damage to public property, arson and assault. The pre-trial detention will last 15 days.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Union for Human Rights Organization (EUHRO) has called an international conference for 21 March. During the meeting the incidents of Mersa Matrouh will be discussed, caused by a "lack of a state authority," and an appeal will be made to the government to monitor the actions of the imams, the source of sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Egyptian-police-arrest-13-Copts,-victims-of-attack-by-Islamic-extremists-17922.html
EUROPE
IRELAND: CARDINAL RELEASES STATEMENT ON ALLEGATIONS
Press release from Irish Conference of Catholic Bishops: In late 2001, the social services having previously been involved, grave allegations were made to the police by two young women against the same priest, Fr Joseph Quinn, of the Archdiocese of Armagh. The allegations concerned a time when they were seventeen to eighteen years of age. Fr Quinn was interviewed by the police regarding these allegations and denied them. The day following the police interview, Cardinal Brady suspended Fr Joseph Quinn from ministry as a priest, forbidding him to say Mass publicly, to hear confessions and to have unsupervised access to minors.Following the police investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions considered the evidence and directed that Fr Joseph Quinn be tried on only one of the allegations.The priest was tried in a public trial, before a Judge and Jury, at Omagh Crown Court and was acquitted.Following Fr Quinn’s acquittal, Cardinal Brady met him again and reinforced that Fr Quinn remained suspended on the same terms, in spite of having been acquitted by the Court.After that acquittal the complainant on behalf of whom no prosecution had been brought sought compensation for her injuries from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and, separately, from Fr Quinn and from Cardinal Brady.The complainant and Fr Quinn subsequently settled the case between themselves. The complainant withdrew her proceedings against Cardinal Brady and her proceedings before the Compensation Board.Cardinal Brady was not involved in the discussions between the complainant and Fr Quinn other than to make it clear that he would not be a party to any confidentiality agreement between Fr Quinn and the complainant, that he intended to commence a canonical process against Fr Quinn and to invite the complainant to assist as a witness by giving evidence in that canonical process.The complainant agreed to give evidence in the canonical process against Fr Quinn and has, in fact, done so.Father Quinn remains suspended from ministry as a priest.Cardinal Brady has forbidden Father Quinn from wearing clerical attire.Cardinal Brady met the father of the complainant in the early stages, following her original complaint to the police, and also arranged for his representative, Fr Bradley, to meet the complainant and her parents. Cardinal Brady also met her father recently.The complainant has been offered pastoral support and help, including independent counselling.Further information: Martin Long, Director of Communications (086 172 7678)http://www.catholicbishops.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1161:18-march-2010&catid=17:news
AUSTRALIA
GOVERNMENT PUTS FORTH PROPOSAL TO BUY HOSPITAL
Cath News report: The ACT Government has put forward a new proposal to buy Canberra's Calvary Public Hospital, saying it will allow the Little Company of Mary Health Care to continue operating it.
The Gov
ernment initially wanted to buy the hospital from the Little Company of Mary Health Care (LCMHC) for $77 million and in turn sell the Clare Holland House hospice to LCMHC, ABC reports.
But the deal did not proceed after the Catholic healthcare provider pulled out of negotiations. Since then the Government has met with LCMHC and Canberra church leaders.
ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher says the deal is not perfect but will allow the Government to invest in the hospital and may be more appealing to the church. Clare Holland House is no longer part of the deal.
"The role of Catholic health is still very strong, it's unchanged," she said.
The Gov
ernment initially wanted to buy the hospital from the Little Company of Mary Health Care (LCMHC) for $77 million and in turn sell the Clare Holland House hospice to LCMHC, ABC reports.But the deal did not proceed after the Catholic healthcare provider pulled out of negotiations. Since then the Government has met with LCMHC and Canberra church leaders.
ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher says the deal is not perfect but will allow the Government to invest in the hospital and may be more appealing to the church. Clare Holland House is no longer part of the deal.
"The role of Catholic health is still very strong, it's unchanged," she said.
TODAY'S SAINT
St. Cyril of Jerusalem
BISHOP OF JERUSALEM, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Feast: March 18
Inform
ation:
Feast Day:
March 18
Born:
315
Died:
386
Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386. In the East his feast is observed on the 18th of March, in the West on the 18th or 20th. Little is known of his life. We gather information concerning him from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Rufinus, as well as from the fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret. Cyril himself gives us the date of his "Catecheses" as fully seventy years after the Emperor Probus, that is about 347, if he is exact. Constans (d. 350) was then still alive. Mader thinks Cyril was already bishop, but it is usually held that he was at this date only as a priest. St. Jerome relates (Chron. ad ann. 352) that Cyril had been ordained priest by St. Maximus, his predecessor, after whose death the episcopate was promised to Cyril by the metropolitan, Acacius of Caesarea, and the other Arian bishops, on condition that he should repudiate the ordination he had received from Maximus. He consented to minister as deacon only, and was rewarded for this impiety with the see. Maximus had consecrated Heraclius to succeed himself, but Cyril, by various frauds, degraded Heraclius to the priesthood. So says St. Jerome; but Socrates relates that Acacius drove out St. Maximus and substituted St. Cyril. A quarrel soon broke out between Cyril and Acacius, apparently on a question of precedence or jurisdiction. At Nicaea the metropolitan rights of Caesarea had been guarded, while a special dignity had been granted to Jerusalem. Yet St. Maximus had held a synod and had ordained bishops. This may have been as much as the cause of Acacius' enmity to him as his attachment to the Nicene formula. On the other hand, Cyril's correct Christology may have been the real though veiled ground of the hostility of Acacius to him. At all events, in 357 Acacius caused Cyril to be exiled on the charge of selling church furniture during a famine. Cyril took refuge with Silvanus, Bishop of Taraus. He appeared at the Council of Seleucia in 359, in which the Semi-Arian party was triumphant. Acacius was deposed and St. Cyril seems to have returned to his see. But the emperor was displeased at the turn of events, and, in 360, Cyril and other moderates were again driven out, and only returned at the accession of Julian in 361. In 367 a decree of Valens banished all the bishops who had been restored by Julian, and Cyril remained in exile until the death of the persecutor in 378. In 380, St. Gregory of Nyssa came to Jerusalem on the recommendation of a council held at Antioch in the preceding year. He found the Faith in accord with the truth, but the city a prey to parties and corrupt in morals. St. Cyril attended the great Council of Constantinople in 381, at which Theodosius had ordered the Nicene faith, now a law of the empire, to be promulgated. St. Cyril then formally accepted the homoousion; Socrates and Sozomen call this an act of repentance. Socrates gives 385 for St. Cyril's death, but St. Jerome tells us that St. Cyril lived eight years under Theodosius, that is, from January 379.
BISHOP OF JERUSALEM, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Feast: March 18
Inform
ation:Feast Day:
March 18
Born:
315
Died:
386
Bishop of Jerusalem and Doctor of the Church, born about 315; died probably 18 March, 386. In the East his feast is observed on the 18th of March, in the West on the 18th or 20th. Little is known of his life. We gather information concerning him from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome, and Rufinus, as well as from the fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret. Cyril himself gives us the date of his "Catecheses" as fully seventy years after the Emperor Probus, that is about 347, if he is exact. Constans (d. 350) was then still alive. Mader thinks Cyril was already bishop, but it is usually held that he was at this date only as a priest. St. Jerome relates (Chron. ad ann. 352) that Cyril had been ordained priest by St. Maximus, his predecessor, after whose death the episcopate was promised to Cyril by the metropolitan, Acacius of Caesarea, and the other Arian bishops, on condition that he should repudiate the ordination he had received from Maximus. He consented to minister as deacon only, and was rewarded for this impiety with the see. Maximus had consecrated Heraclius to succeed himself, but Cyril, by various frauds, degraded Heraclius to the priesthood. So says St. Jerome; but Socrates relates that Acacius drove out St. Maximus and substituted St. Cyril. A quarrel soon broke out between Cyril and Acacius, apparently on a question of precedence or jurisdiction. At Nicaea the metropolitan rights of Caesarea had been guarded, while a special dignity had been granted to Jerusalem. Yet St. Maximus had held a synod and had ordained bishops. This may have been as much as the cause of Acacius' enmity to him as his attachment to the Nicene formula. On the other hand, Cyril's correct Christology may have been the real though veiled ground of the hostility of Acacius to him. At all events, in 357 Acacius caused Cyril to be exiled on the charge of selling church furniture during a famine. Cyril took refuge with Silvanus, Bishop of Taraus. He appeared at the Council of Seleucia in 359, in which the Semi-Arian party was triumphant. Acacius was deposed and St. Cyril seems to have returned to his see. But the emperor was displeased at the turn of events, and, in 360, Cyril and other moderates were again driven out, and only returned at the accession of Julian in 361. In 367 a decree of Valens banished all the bishops who had been restored by Julian, and Cyril remained in exile until the death of the persecutor in 378. In 380, St. Gregory of Nyssa came to Jerusalem on the recommendation of a council held at Antioch in the preceding year. He found the Faith in accord with the truth, but the city a prey to parties and corrupt in morals. St. Cyril attended the great Council of Constantinople in 381, at which Theodosius had ordered the Nicene faith, now a law of the empire, to be promulgated. St. Cyril then formally accepted the homoousion; Socrates and Sozomen call this an act of repentance. Socrates gives 385 for St. Cyril's death, but St. Jerome tells us that St. Cyril lived eight years under Theodosius, that is, from January 379.
TODAY'S GOSPEL
John 5: 31 - 47
31
If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true;
32
there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true.
33
You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
34
Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved.
35
He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36
But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me.
37
And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen;
38
and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent.
39
You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;
40
yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
41
I do not receive glory from men.
42
But I know that you have not the love of God within you.
43
I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
44
How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45
Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope.
46
If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.
47
But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"
