CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SAT. JUNE 12, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE: RECEIVES DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE-
ASIA: INDONESIA: PRIEST GIVEN MUSLIM AWARD FOR WORK TOWARDS PEACE-
AFRICA: ANGOLA: PRIEST RELEASES 3 BOOKS ON RELIGION-
EUROPE: IRELAND: PRO-LIFE GROUP LAUNCHES ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN-
AMERICA: USA: BOY SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL FOR WEARING A ROSARY-
AUSTRALIA: BETTER DEAL FOR MEMBERS OF CATHOLIC RETIREMENT FUND-
VATICAN
POPE: RECEIVES DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Vatican Channel report: Pope Benedict XVI today received the participants in the 45th meeting of the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, telling them that the present economic crisis must serve to strengthen social cohesion, the development of adequate public infrastructure, and reaffirm the primacy of ethics over merely economic concerns.
The Pope said Christianity is the source of spiritual and moral values that form the common heritage of European peoples and the European Development Bank, in line with the original indications of the Council of Europe, must be a used to build solidarity and fraternity, and to put people and families at the center of the economy. http://www.youtube.com/vatican
ASIA
INDONESIA: PRIEST GIVEN MUSLIM AWARD FOR WORK TOWARDS PEACE
Asia News report: Fr Vincentius Kirjito’s mission focuses on dialogue between Christianity and Islam and the preservation of the ecosystem of the Mount Merapi volcano. He and a Muslim involved in finances were selected for this year Ma’arif Award. “Faith is performed through deeds,” he said.
Yesterday, in Jakarta, he and Habib Ali al-Habsy, head of the Consortium of Shariah Economy Societies and founder of four Sharia-based micro-finance companies, received the award, which is named after a Muslim leader, Ahmad Syafii Ma’arif, a former chairman of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s second largest Muslim organisation.
Fr Vincentius Kirjito Pr (pictured with Card Jean-Louis Tauran) was born on 18 November 1953 in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta province. He was ordained on 25 January 1984 and began his mission as a parish priest in a farming region. For five years now, he has promoted basic education about the environment and culture of Mount Merapi, one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in Central Java.
In Javanese society, Mount Merapi is seen both as a curse and a blessing. From the top of its 2,698 metres, the volcano has wiped out hundreds of lives and dozens of villages. In the past century, it has erupted on several occasions with devastating consequences, most notably in 1930, 1994, 1998, 2001 and 2003. At the same time, the volcano has been a source of popular legends and myths, and one of the island’s best-known tourist attractions, as well as a source of a valuable material, volcanic sand.
For ages, locals have dug its slopes using traditional methods. However, in the last decade multinationals have tried to muscle their way in, changing the traditional balance with increasingly big sand-mining projects.
In the past 12 years, Fr Kirjito’s presence has been a blessing for the residents of the mountain slopes, Muslim and Christians alike. He has helped them better defend their rights and taught them how to adopt a sustainable development strategy for their territory. He has done all this whilst promoting evangelisation, inter-faith dialogue and peace.
His work is appreciated by Muslims as well. Last year, when he celebrated 25 years of priesthood, leaders of other religious groups took part in the festivities, held in the diocese of Semaramng. On that occasion, Muslim Rebana songs and music were played by Asyiqin Nasyid under the direction of Sodiq Asnawi.
“Truth be told, I never thought I would get the Ma’arif Prize,” Fr Kirjito told AsiaNews. “Still, I thank everyone” for the award.
“Being a churchman with a mission in rural areas,” he said, means, “becoming an effective communicator with everyone.” Indeed, “Faith is performed through deeds and not just only through words or speeches.”
Hermawan Kertajaya, a marketing expert and president of World Marketing Associations, said that after he met Fr Kirjito he found ways to launch initiatives in cooperation with locals.
For him, the priest has done excellent pastoral work, promoting peace, a sense of tolerance and compassion, regardless of religious affiliation.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Muslim-award-goes-to-Catholic-priest-for-his-work-in-favour-of-peace-and-the-environment-18662.html
AFRICA
ANGOLA: PRIEST RELEASES 3 BOOKS ON RELIGION
All Africa report: Luanda — Priest César Viana is to present on Wednesday, in Luanda, a set of three literary works, at the premises of the Angolan Writers Association (UEA), ANGOP has learnt.
The first one tells on the presence of the Catholic Church in Angola and the colonisation period until the 1980s.
The second book is a series of notes for the subject of moral and civic education which he teaches.
Born in Kwanza-Sul, Priest César Viana, is a 68 year-old man and a teacher at the Oil High Institute and the High Seminary.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201006100112.html
EUROPE
IRELAND: PRO-LIFE GROUP LAUNCHES ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
CNA report: The Irish pro-life group Youth Defence has launched a newspaper ad campaign to counter implications by pro-abortion groups that there is no moral difference between the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy and direct abortion.
According to Lifesitenews.com, the group has taken out ads in all of the country’s major newspapers that read in part, “Abortion never saves a mother’s life – it just kills a baby.” “The ad quotes from “Rene” who describes the loss of her unborn child, who implanted in her fallopian tube, as “heartbreaking.”
“Now I hear pro-abortion campaigners claiming that treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is abortion," she says. "That’s absolutely untrue – and it’s so wrong to scare women by claiming that necessary medical treatments are abortions. I didn’t want my baby to die. And it hurts to see his death used to push for abortion.”
“In Ireland abortion is illegal and, according to the UN, we are the safest country in the world for a woman to have a baby. Therefore, in cases such as an ectopic pregnancy or cancer of the uterus, doctors always try to treat the mothers—even if the treatment has as a consequence the un-intentional death of their babies,” the ad says.
The ads also feature comments from Prof. John Bonner, a former head of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, who told a Dáil Committee in 2000: “It would never cross an obstetrician’s mind that intervening in a case of pre-eclampsia, cancer of the cervix or ectopic pregnancy is abortion.”
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ad-campaign-demolishes-myth-of-therapeutic-abortion-in-ireland/
AMERICA
USA: BOY SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL FOR WEARING A ROSARY
LIFESITENEWS.COM report: A federal judge ordered a New York school district to cease preventing a seventh grade student from wearing his rosary for the rest of the school year, giving time for lawyers to settle the conflict over the summer and sparing the boy from further disciplinary measures over his Catholic prayer beads.
U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn in Albany slapped a temporary restraining order on Schenectady school officials, preventing them from applying any sort of discipline on Raymond Hosier, 13, with respect to the rosary beads he wears outside his shirt. Hosier had been subjected to 2 days in detention after his return to school, for reasons still unclear.
Kahn had ordered Hosier readmitted to Oneida Middle School, where school officials had last month indefinitely suspended him for wearing rosary beads around his neck, outside his shirt. The school says that rosary beads are considered a gang-related symbol, and therefore violate the dress code.
However, after Hosier was readmitted, he was thrown into lunchtime detention for two days, according to his lawyer. Attorney Raymond Dague told the Syracuse Post-Standard that school officials asserted that Hosier was put in detention for some reason, but failed to specify what offense it would have been, if not the rosary.
Hosier is suing the Schenectady school district and Oneida Middle School, and their respective officials, for preventing him from wearing the rosary, which he displays to express his faith in God and honor the memory of a deceased uncle and brother. Hosier’s older brother died with the same rosary in his hand after suffering a bicycle accident 5 years ago.
Hosier is also represented in his suit by the American Center for Law and Justice, which is arguing that his constitutionally-protected rights of free speech and free exercise of religion have been violated by the school’s actions against him.
Kahn’s restraining order lasts until September 10, and gives attorneys for both sides the summer to work out a settlement. Both parties will return to court on September 8.
Dague told the Post-Dispatch that the July 1 inauguration of a new school board and the hiring of a new lawyer to represent the school district could positively affect the prospects for a settlement.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10061118.html
AUSTRALIA
BETTER DEAL FOR MEMBERS OF CATHOLIC RETIREMENT FUND
Cath News report: After revising its insurance products, the Australian Catholic Superannuation & Retirement Fund (ACSRF) is claiming that it now offers a better deal for members without increasing premiums.
ACSRF chief executive Greg Cantor said Australia was one of the most underinsured countries in the developed world, reports Investor Daily. Changes are hoped to bring a positive effect in helping to reduce the size of the problem.
Under the changes, the dollar value for each unit of death and total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover will increase by 8 to 28 percent, depending on age, with the cost per unit remaining the same.
Members will also be able to increase their coverage without underwriting during a special offer period and be able to choose either age-based unitised or fixed rate cover.
Cover has also been extended from age 65 to 70.
ACSRF has also increased the income protection benefit from 75 percent to 85 percent of salary and claimants will receive the majority of their benefit in a lump-sum payment, with the remainder directed to their super account.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=21872
TODAY´S SAINTS
St. John of Sahagun
HERMIT
Feast: June 12
Information: Feast Day: June 12
Born: 1419, Sahagún, Province of Leon, Kingdom of Castile, Spain
Died: June 11, 1479, Salamanca, Province of Salamanca, Kingdom of Castile, Spain
Canonized: October 16, 1690, Rome by Pope Alexander VIII
Patron of: Salamanca, Spain
Hermit, b. 1419, at Sahagún (or San Fagondez) in the Kingdom of Leon, in Spain; d. 11 June, 1479, at Salamanca; feast 12 June. In art he is represented holding a chalice and host surrounded by rays of light. John, the oldest of seven children, was born of pious and respected parents, John Gonzalez de Castrillo and Sancia Martinez. He received his first education from the Benedictines of his native place. According to the custom of the times, his father procured for him the benefice of the neighbouring parish Dornillos, but this caused John many qualms of conscience. He was later introduced to Alfonso de Cartagena, Bishop of Burgos (1435-1456) who took a fancy to the bright, high-spirited boy, had him educated at his own residence, gave him several prebends, ordained him priest in 1445, and made him canon at the cathedral. Out of conscientious respect for the laws of the Church, John resigned all and retained only the chaplaincy of St. Agatha, where he laboured zealously for the salvation of souls.
Finding that a more thorough knowledge of theology would be beneficial, he obtained permission to enter the University of Salamanca, made a four years' course, and merited his degree in divinity. During this time he exercised the sacred ministry at the chapel of the College of St. Bartholomew (parish of St. Sebastian), and held the position for nine years. He was then obliged to undergo an operation for stone, and during his illness vowed that if his life were spared, he would become a religious. On his recovery in 1463, he applied for admission to the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, at the church of St. Peter, at Salamanca, and on 28 Aug., 1464, he made his profession.
He made such progress in religious perfection that he was soon appointed master of novices, and in 1471 prior of the community. Great was his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and at Mass he frequently saw the Sacred Host resplendent in glory. He was gifted with special power to penetrate the secrets of conscience, so that it was not easy to deceive him, and sinners were almost forced to make good confessions; he obtained wonderful results in doing away with enmities and feuds. In his sermons he, like another St. John the Baptist, fearlessly preached the word of God and scourged the crimes and vices of the day, though thereby the rich and noble were offended. He soon made many enemies, who even hired assassins, but these, awed by the serenity and angelic sweetness of his countenance, lost courage. Some women of Salamanca, embittered by the saint's strong sermon against extravagance in dress, openly insulted him in the streets and pelted him with stones until stopped by a patrol of guards. His scathing words on impurity produced salutary effects in a certain nobleman who had been living in open concubinage, but the woman swore vengeance, and it was popularly believed that she caused the saint's death by poison (this statement is found only in later biographies). Soon after death his veneration spread in Spain.
The process of beatification began in 1525, and in 1601 he was declared Blessed. New miracles were wrought at his intercession, and on 16 Oct., 1690, Alexander VIII entered his name in the list of canonized saints. Benedict XIII fixed his feast for 12 June. His relics are found in Spain, Belgium, and Peru. His life written by John of Seville towards the end of the fifteenth century with additions in 1605 and 1619, is used by the Bollandists in "Acta SS.", Jun., III, 112.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohnofsahagun.asp
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Saturday after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
source http://www.thesacredheart.com/feastmar.htm
TODAY´S GOSPEL
Matthew 5: 33 - 37
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33 "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'
34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
37 Let what you say be simply `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil
