CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: WED. JULY 14, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: CONSECRATION OF A BISHOP IN CHINA-
EUROPE: ROME: VATICAN REPORTER DE CARLI DIES OF CANCER AGE 58-
EUROPE: WYD: 500 YEAR OLD MONSTRANCE TO BE USED BY POPE IN SPAIN-
ASIA: SRI LANKA: OBLATE PRIEST FR. DE SILVA DIES AGE 87-
AFRICA: NIGERIA: 7 PEOPLE KILLED IN CHRISTIAN VILLAGE BY ISAM MILITANTS-
AMERICA: USA: BISHOP OF ARIZONA TESTIFIES TO CONGRESS ON IMMIGRATION-
AUSTRALIA: NEW ONLINE CATHOLIC RADIO STATION CALLED CRADIO-
CONSECRATION OF A BISHOP IN CHINA
VATICAN CITY, 14 JUL 2010 (VIS REPORT) - On Saturday 10 July, Msgr. Antonio Xu Jiwei, aged 75 and a priest for the last 25 years, was consecrated as bishop of Taizhou in the province of Zhejiang, China, according to a note released by the Holy See Press Office.
The bishop had guided the diocese as diocesan administrator since 1999, and was approved by the Holy See as bishop of Taizhou. The government authorities also approved his episcopal ordination.
The liturgical celebration was presided by Bishop Giuseppe Li Mingsu of Qingdao, Giuseppe Zhao Fengchang of Liaocheng, Giuseppe Xu Honggen of Suzhou and Giuseppe Han Yingjin of Sanyuan. These prelates are all in communion with the Holy See and recognised by the government.
About a thousand faithful, who had also come from Shanghai and Ningbo, participated in the consecration of the new bishop, who is the second ordinary of the diocese which has been vacant since 1962. The ecclesiastical circumscription currently has some six thousand faithful, around fifteen priests and ten nuns. There are about twenty-five churches and other places of worship.
Bishop Xu noted that his diocese is facing various challenges, but he is optimistic about a revival of evangelisation and a growth of the Catholic community.
OP/ VIS 20100714 (220)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 14 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Fr. Pedro Carlos Cipolini of the clergy of the archdiocese of Campinas, Brazil, pastor of the basilica cathedral "Nossa Senhora do Carmo", episcopal vicar and professor of theology at the Pontifical Catholic University, as bishop of Amparo (area 2,084, population 363,570, Catholics 296,770, priests 33, religious 168), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Caconde, Brazil in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Bishop Francisco Jose Zugliani, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Erected the apostolic exarchate for Syro-Malankar faithful in the United States of America (priests 15, religious 35), appointing Fr. Thomas Naickamparampil, secretary general of the major archiepiscopate of the Syro-Malankar Church, as first apostolic exarch of the new exarchate, at the same time appointing him also as apostolic visitor for Syro-Malankar faithful in Canada and Europe The bishop-elect was born in Mylapra, India in 1961 and ordained a priest in 1986.
EUROPE
ROME: VATICAN REPORTER DE CARLI DIES OF CANCER AGE 58
Radio Vaticana report: July 13, 2010. RAI's Vatican reporter Giuseppe De Carli has died. He was undergoing radiation therapy. De Carli was 58.
“I told John Paul II: Holy Father, we love what we do because we love you. I think we loved John Paul II because everybody loved him.”
De Carli did no fewer than 4,000 broadcasts about John Paul II during his career. When asked which image would remain with him, De Carli showed no hesitation.
Giuseppe De Carli
RAI Vaticanist
“The image from March 26, 2000 when he entered the Holy Sepulcher. This pope, who is already in poor health, bends down. He enters and collapses before the empty tomb. I think that sums up who this Wojtyla is and the meaning of his pontificate very well.”
De Carli organized the initiative “The Bible Day and Night,” a marathon Bible reading that was attended by Benedict XVI, actor Roberto Benini and by Muslims and atheists.
De Carli accompanied Benedict XVI on all his trips. Until recently, he also worked on Sundays and public holidays to share images of the pope on television.
Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's spokesman, was charged with publicly announcing De Carli's death.
SOURCE http://www.romereports.com/palio/Giuseppe-De-Carli-RAI-Vaticanist-passes-away-english-2449.html
EUROPE
WYD: 500 YEAR OLD MONSTRANCE TO BE USED BY POPE IN SPAIN
According to a press release, the monstrance “is popularly known for being used during the Corpus Christi procession each year in Toledo. It measures almost 9 feet tall and is made of gold and silver.”
Francisco Portela, professor of Art History at the Compultense University of Madrid, said the monstrance “is the finest example of Spanish silverwork of all time” and underscored that WYD would be a worthy occasion to bring the masterpiece to Madrid.
Juan Sanchez, the dean of the Cathedral of Toledo, where the monstrance is kept, said, “We were pleased to allow the monstrance to be used for WYD, knowing that it will be used for such a great purpose.”
The origin of Eucharistic monstrances dates back to the 13th century with the establishment of the feast of Corpus Christi. They were developed primarily in Flanders and Germany, where the Arfe family had its origins.
The famous Monstrance of Arfe is the masterpiece of German silversmith Henry of Arfe, who finished it in 1524 after nine years of work.
The Eucharistic adoration led by the Holy Father will take place on August 20 at the Cuatro Vientos Airfield, where the vigil will be held on Saturday night. Young people will be able to “contemplate and admire a work of art that is unique in the world and is being used as its creators imagined, and they will rediscover the value of art in the liturgy,” organizers said.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/500-year-old-monstrance-to-be-used-at-2011-world-youth-day/
ASIA
SRI LANKA: OBLATE PRIEST FR. DE SILVA DIES AGE 87
Father de Silva was based at Kala Oya parish and served Anuradhapura diocese for 45 years. He was the first Sinhalese priest to work in the predominantly Buddhist North Central province, which only has around 10,000 Catholics among a population of 1.1 million.
“He was a model for interreligious dialogue and often used to come to our temple,” said Madampe Sumanatissa Thero, Chief Buddhist monk at Siri Wijaya Bodhirajaramaya in Kala Oya. “He respected all religions.”
Bishop Norbert Andradi of Anuradhapura recalled Father de Silva’s excellent, lifelong service to the Church.
“He was a committed priest who worked hard to help people, especially during calamities such as floods,” said the bishop. “He put up homes for the elderly and children in the diocese and he planted many mango trees to bring in income for the homes.”
Father Damian Perera, who worked with him in the diocese, recalled Father de Silva as “a priest with a mission and vision.”
“He maintained a diary of his day-to-day activities and wrote a history of the parish of Kala Oya.” http://www.ucanews.com/2010/07/14/religions-join-to-mourn-oblate-priest/
AFRICA
NIGERIA: 7 PEOPLE KILLED IN CHRISTIAN VILLAGE BY ISAM MILITANTS
All Africa report: At least seven people, including a mother of six, have been killed by Islamic militants in Nigeria's Kaduna state just four months after attacks left more than 500 dead in neighbouring Plateau.
The charity Release International, which serves persecuted Christians around the world, is calling on the new Nigerian president to ensure greater protection for vulnerable Christians of all denominations in the country.
Partners of Release say that armed men in military uniform shot dead seven Christians in Kizachi Dawai Chawai, Kaduna state, on July 3.
The gunmen surrounded the village at about 8.30pm and began shooting indiscriminately. The dead included a primary school teacher and a mother of six. Five others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.
The following day, assailants wielding guns and machetes attacked Ganawuri, a village near Jos, in neighbouring Plateau state.
Release sources say that the gunmen in both these latest raids were suspected Fulani militants from Kaduna.
The Jos area was the scene of brutal violence against Christians in March which left 520 people dead, including many women and children.
These same sources now accuse the Nigerian military of not doing enough to protect vulnerable Christian communities. One source reports that police had withdrawn from Kizachi Dawai Chawai the day before the attack, because the government had allegedly failed to pay their salaries.
Release CEO Andy Dipper, who is currently on a fact-finding trip in Nigeria, said: "We're appalled to hear of yet more violence against Christians, who have been warning for some time now that they feared further attacks.
"We appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration to take firm action now to ensure that the military and police carry out their full responsibilities and protect Christians properly. We acknowledge it is a huge task but enough is enough."
Plateau is located in the centre of the country between the largely Muslim north and the south. Along with religious tensions, tribal and political differences have seen an increasing polarisation between different ethnic groups there. SOURCE http://allafrica.com/stories/201007140206.html
AMERICA
USA: BISHOP KICANAS OF ARIZONA TESTIFIES TO CONGRESS ON IMMIGRATION
USCCB report: Tucson Bishop Kicanas Testifies Before Congress, Urges Federal Action on Immigration Reform
Immigration, ultimately a humanitarian issue with moral consequences
SB 1070 reflects Arizonans and Americans’ frustration with Congress inaction
Bishop Kicanas, whose diocese runs along the whole of the Arizona-Mexico border, said he witnesses every day “the human consequences of our broken immigration system,” adding that “[t]his is a situation which from a humanitarian and ethical stand point, needs to be addressed in a humane and comprehensive manner.”
Though often dismissed by analyses that highlight the economic, social or legal aspects, “immigration is ultimately a humanitarian issue, since it impacts the basic rights and dignity of millions of persons and their families. “As such it has moral implications,” he said. “We cannot accept the toil and taxes of immigrants without providing them the protection of law.”
Bishop Kicanas recognized the rule of law as a flashpoint in the debate.
“The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wholeheartedly agrees that the rule of law is paramount, and that those who break the law should be held accountable,” he said. “As our testimony points out, comprehensive immigration reform would honor the rule of law and help restore it by requiring 11 million undocumented to pay a fine, pay back taxes, learn English, and get in the back of the line. We believe this a proportionate penalty for the offense.”
He also said the bishops believe immigration reform will make the nation more secure, “freeing up time and resources to concentrate on those coming who intend to do us harm.” He praised both the enforcement and life-saving efforts of border patrol agents, but pointed out that decades of enforcement-only policies have not solved the border or the larger immigration problem.
Bishop Kicanas also addressed the issue of the passage of controversial Arizona SB 1070.
“It is my belief that the passage of this law reflects the frustration of Arizonans and the American public with Congress for not addressing the issue of immigration reform. The message is to break the partisan paralysis and act now,” he said.
The bishop’s oral testimony was accompanied by a more in-depth written testimony in which Bishop Kicanas summarized the U.S. bishops longstanding recommendations on immigration reform:
Enact comprehensive immigration reform legislation that provides a legalization program (path to permanent residency) for undocumented workers in our nation; reforms the employment-based immigration system so that low-skilled workers can enter and work in a safe, legal, orderly, and humane manner; and reduces waiting times in the family preference system for families to be reunited.
Examine the “push” factors of migration such as international economic policies and enact policies which encourage sustainable economic development, especially in sending communities;
Enact in reform legislation the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2009 and the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM);
Adopt immigration enforcement policies that ensures our nation’s borders are secure at the same time that the abuse and deaths of migrants are prevented and their basic human rights and dignity are protected;
Include the necessary elements in any legislation to efficiently implement any new immigration program, including taking actions to prepare the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service to implement any new program and to properly fund such implementation.
The testimony also listed the many perceived benefits of an earned legalization program and reform aspects that the Church finds problematic.
Copies of both the oral and written testimonies by Bishop Kicanas can be obtained by contacting the Media Relations office at mmunoz-visoso@usccb.org .
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-134.shtml
IMAGE http://www.diocesetucson.org/bishop2.html
AUSTRALIA
NEW ONLINE CATHOLIC RADIO STATION CALLED CRADIO
Cath News report: A new online Catholic radio station, called Cradio, has been launched in Sydney.
It will also feature a question-and-answer program with Bishop Julian Porteous, according to a news brief on the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn's e-newsletter.
It aims to have a national focus and an international audience, the report said.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=22388
TODAY´S SAINTS
St. Camillus de Lellis
Information: Feast Day: July 14
Born: 1550 at Bocchiavico, Abruzzi, kingdom of Naples, Italy
Died: 14 July 1614 at Genoa, Italy
Canonized: 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV
Major Shrine: Church of Mary Magdalene, Rome, Italy
Patron of: against illness, hospitals, hospital workers, nurses, sick people
THE early years of Camillus gave no sign of sanctity. At the age of nineteen he took service with his father, an Italian noble, against the Turks, and after four years’ hard campaigning found himself, through his violent temper, reckless habits, and inveterate passion for gambling, a discharged soldier, and in such straitened circumstances that he was obliged to work as a laborer on a Capuchin convent which was then building. A few words from a Capuchin friar brought about his conversion, and he resolved to become a religious. Thrice he entered the Capuchin novitiate, but each time an obstinate wound in his leg forced him to leave. He repaired to Rome for medical treatment, and there took St. Philip as his confessor, and entered the hospital of St. Giacomo, of which he became in time the superintendent. The carelessness of the paid chaplains and nurses towards the suffering patients now inspired him with the thought of founding a congregation to minister to their wants. With this end he was ordained priest, and in 1586 his community of the Servants of the Sick was confirmed by the Pope. Its usefulness was soon felt, not only in hospitals, but in private houses. Summoned at every hour of the day and night, the devotion of Camillus never grew cold. With a woman's tenderness he attended to the needs of his patients. He wept with them, consoled them, and prayed with them. He knew miraculously the state of their souls; and St. Philip saw angels whispering to two Servants of the Sick who were consoling a dying person. One day a sick man said to the Saint, "Father, may I beg you to make up my bed? it is very hard." Camillus replied, "God forgive you, brother! You beg me! Don't you know yet that you are to command me, for I am your servant and slave." "Would to God," he would cry, "that in the hour of my death one sigh or one blessing of these poor creatures might fall upon me!" His prayer was heard. He was granted the same consolations in his last hour which he had so often procured for others. In the year 1614 he died with the full use of his faculties, after two weeks' saintly preparation, as the priest was reciting the words of the ritual, "May Jesus Christ appear to thee with a mild and joyful countenance!"
SOURCE
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/C/stcamillusdelellis.asp
Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha
Information: Feast Day: July 14
Born: 1656, Ossernenon, Iroquois Confederacy (Modern Auriesville, New York)
Died: 17 April 1680 at Caughnawaga, Canada
Beatified: 22 June 1980 by Pope John Paul II
Major Shrine: St Francis Xavier Church, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada
Patron of: ecology
Known as the "Lily of the Mohawks", and the "Genevieve of New France" an Indian virgin of the Mohawk tribe, born according to some authorities at the Turtle Castle of Ossernenon, according to others at the village of Gandaouge, in 1656; died at Caughnawaga, Canada, 17 April, 1680.
Her mother was a Christian Algonquin who had been captured by the Iroquois and saved from a captive's fate by the father of Tekakwitha, to whom she also bore a son. When Tekakwitha was about four years old, her parents and brother died of small-pox, and the child was adopted by her aunts and an uncle who had become chief of the Turtle clan. Although small-pox had marked her face and seriously impaired her eyesight and her manner was reserved and shrinking, her aunts began when she was yet very young to form marriage projects for her, from which, as she grew older, she shrank with great aversion.
In 1667 the Jesuit missionaries Fremin, Bruyas, and Pierron, accompanying the Mohawk deputies who had been to Quebec to conclude peace with the French, spent three days in the lodge of Tekakwitha's uncle. From them she received her first knowledge of Christianity, but although she forthwith eagerly accepted it in her heart she did not at that time ask to be baptized. Some time later the Turtle clan moved to the north bank of the Mohawk River, the "castle" being built above what is now the town of Fonda. Here in the midst of scenes of carnage, debauchery, and idolatrous frency Tekakwitha lived a life of remarkable virtue, at heart not only a Christian but a Christian virgin, for she firmly and often, with great risk to herself, resisted all efforts to induce her to marry.
When she was eighteen, Father Jacques de Lamberville arrived to take charge of the mission which included the Turtle clan, and from him, at her earnest request, Tekakwitha received baptism. Thenceforth she practised her religion unflinchingly in the face of almost unbearable opposition, till finally her uncle's lodge ceased to be a place of protection to her and she was assisted by some Christian Indians to escape to Caughnawaga on the St. Laurence. Here she lived in the cabin of Anastasia Tegonhatsihonga, a Christian Indian woman, her extraordinary sanctity impressing not only her own people but the French and the missionaries. Her mortifications were extreme, and Chauchtiere says that she had attained the most perfect union with God in prayer.
Upon her death devotion to her began immediately to be manifested by her people. Many pilgrims visit her grave in Caughnawaga where a monument to her memory was erected by the Rev. Clarence Walworth in 1884; and Councils of Baltimore and Quebec have petitioned for her canonization. On 22 June 1980, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II; her feast day is celebrated on 14 July.
SOURCE http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/K/blkateritekakwitha.asp
TODAY´S GOSPEL
Matthew 11: 25 - 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;
26 yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
