ASIA: CHINA: POPE EXCOMMUNICATES BISHOP OF LESHAN
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 7: ST. ETHELBURGA
POPE TO TRAVEL TO CASTELGANDOLFO THIS EVENING
VATICAN CITY, 7 JUL 2011 (VIS) - In a note published today, the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household announced that this evening the Holy Father will travel to the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, where he will spend the summer.
Over the summer months private and special audiences will be suspended, as will the Wednesday general audiences of 13, 20 and 27 July. On Sundays and Solemnities during this period, the Pope will pray the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo. General audiences will resume again from Wednesday 3 August. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
PD/
NOTE CONCERNING CARDINAL NICORA'S RESIGNATION FROM APSA
VATICAN CITY, 7 JUL 2011 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office has released the following note:
"The Holy Father Benedict XVI today accepted the request presented by Cardinal Attilio Nicora to be relieved of his duties as president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) so as to be able to dedicate all his energies to the new Financial Information Authority, which the Pope brought into being with his 'Motu Proprio' of 30 December 2010. Having begun the initial phase of establishing the new structure and taken the first steps to implement measures to counter money laundering, attention must now be given to interchange and dialogue with international institutions so that, by means of the necessary evaluations, the Holy See and Vatican City State may obtain recognition as 'a non-EU equivalent State'".
OP/
VATICAN CITY, 7 JUL 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the office of president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) presented by Cardinal Attilio Nicora, president of the Financial Information Authority.
- Appointed Archbishop-Bishop Domenico Calcagno, secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), as president of that body.
- Appointed Msgr. Luigi Misto, director of the higher institute for religious studies of the Paul VI Ambrosian Foundation of Villa Cagnola in Gazzada Schianno, Italy, and head of the archdiocese ofMilan's office for the promotion and economic support of the Church, as secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA).
AMERICA: USA: CHURCH MUSIC ASSOCIATION COLLOQUIUM SUCCESS
The primary focus of the Colloquium is instruction and experience in chant and the Catholic sacred music tradition, participation in chant and polyphonic choirs, nightly lectures and performances and daily celebrations of liturgies in both English and Latin. You are there not merely as an attendee but as a singer in some of the greatest choirs you will ever experience, singing music that will touch your heart and thrill your artistic imagination — music that is integral to the Catholic faith. This is some video excerpts from the Colloquium:
EUROPE: IRELAND: 8,000 ATTEND RALLY FOR LIFE IN DUBLIN
- Thousands of people attended a large pro-life rally in Dublin to oppose attempts to force abortion on Ireland by changing its laws.
Organizers said the July 2 “All Ireland Rally for Life” was “hugely successful” and serves as a warning to the political party Fine Gael that the Labour Party’s plans to legalize abortion in Ireland are “unacceptable to the majority of Irish people.”
The European Court of Human Rights in December ruled that Ireland’s abortion ban breached the rights of a woman who had to leave the country in order to procure an abortion. Fine Gael has set up an expert group to examine the judgment.
The “rush” by Ireland’s Labour Party to call for abortion legislation after the ruling hurt their performance in the 2011 elections, Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute told the crowd.
She said that pro-lifers will not accept a review committee that is “stacked against the unborn child” or ignores “the evidence that clearly shows that abortion is never medically necessary.”
Carolyn Johnston of Youth Defence said Irish pro-lifers demand that the government “listen to the pro-life majority who say ‘Yes to Life’ and ‘No to abortion.’”
“Enda Kenny needs to tell the European Court not to interfere in the right of the sovereign people to decide Ireland's pro-life laws,” Johnston said.
Bernadette Smyth, the director of rally co-host Precious Life, said that Ireland’s protection of life was a light to the world and that pro-life people had united to ensure that politicians opposed the legalization of abortion.
Dana Rosemary Scallon, the singer and former MEP, also addressed the crowd.
“Our Constitution belongs to the people. It does not belong to the Dáil – the majority of people in this country do not want legalized abortion in Ireland,” she said, according to the Irish Times
“Europe has no right to force abortion on the people of this country.”
Participants in the rally, including Bishop Séamus Hegarty of Derry, began their march from the Garden of Remembrance and ended at the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament. They carried signs saying “Keep Ireland abortion free” and “Protect Life.” Some signs of babies were captioned “Abortion? We can live without it.”
Official police figures said about 8,000 people attended the rally, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children reports. Several hundred counter-demonstrators who support abortion protested the event.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/successful-dublin-pro-life-rally-draws-thousands/
ASIA: CHINA: POPE EXCOMMUNICATES BISHOP OF LESHAN
The Holy See has pronounced latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication on Father Paul Lei Shiyin of Leshan, who was ordained a bishop without papal mandate last week.
A priest and Church observer outside China who asked not to be named said the move was taken for the good of the Church and followed a stern warning by the Holy See in a statement issued on July 4.
This is the best way of handling an illegitimate ordination, as the Holy See did what it should do, the observer said, adding that he hoped the clear message will prompt the other bishop candidates who may also receive episcopal ordination without papal mandate to reconsider.
Rumors are already circulating about another illicit ordination in Shantou diocese, southern Guangdong province, on July 14.
After thorough investigation and a clear warning to Father Lei, as well as informing the Chinese government, the Holy See has determined that Father Lei has violated canon law deliberately, the observer added.
Father Lei, a leading figure in the Sichuan “open” Church community for many years, helped the local Church to restore its properties and expand its social influence, the observer said; thus, some priests and parishioners tend to think they need such capable leaders for the good of the Church from a secular perspective.
“In fact, they do not know what is genuinely good for the Church and overlook the spiritual aspect of choosing a bishop, Christ’s local representative. Do they think it is unimportant if the ordination damages the Church’s unity?” he said.
A canonist who also declined to be named agreed that a declared excommunication was necessary. If illicit episcopal ordinations were to continue, the Catholic Church in China “would not be only with ‘Chinese characteristics’ but would become a state church established by the government.”
It is clear to everyone “who the main actors are,” the canonist said, as the bishops and the so-called bishops’ conference are not free to act in such purely religious matters, the canonist said.
The Catholic bishops and priests are exposed to excessive coercion, with only a few daring to oppose the political pressure or even to challenge it.
He added that this kind of religious policy was not acceptable any longer in light of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s recent address to the nation about corruption within the Communist regime in political and other spheres.
Kwun Ping-hung, a Church observer in Hong Kong, said he believed China and the Vatican know clearly that they hold fast to their own bottom lines, and have no ground for retreat after a series of events that included the illicit ordination in Chengde in November last year, China’s National Congress of Catholic Representatives in December and the Vatican’s document on excommunication this June.
The ordination in Leshan, and the Vatican’s declared punishment of an individual cleric further showed both sides have psychologically “prepared for the worsening of relations,” Kwun said, adding that the situation of the China Church would only become more difficult.
Kwun further noted that two points in the Vatican statement issued last week were worth noting; namely that it said the consecrating bishops “have exposed themselves” to punishment, leaving room, he said, for them to repent.
He added that the statement’s call for unity among Chinese Catholics also suggested that the Vatican does not wish to see relations between the China Church and the universal Church damaged by the punishment of an individual cleric.
http://www.ucanews.com/2011/07/07/vatican-excommunicates-leshan-bishop/
AUSTRALIA: ABORIGINAL CONVENTION- NAIDOC ON JULY 8
Sydney Archdiocese REPORT:
7 Jul 2011
NAIDOC Week Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony
On Friday night, 8 July more than 1500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will join community leaders, politicians and dignitaries at a Gala Ball at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of NAIDOC Week.
Each year, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday, which is observed on the first Sunday in July, NAIDOC begins a week where Australia's Indigenous people raise awareness about their history, culture and traditions. It is also an opportunity to recognise the ongoing contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have made to Australia, and a chance to celebrate their achievements.
The week began with various ceremonies and events across Australia. In NSW there have been art exhibitions, traditional morning teas, flag raising, a Night of Indigenous Sounds, a remarkable showing of works by three leading Aboriginal photographers, Aboriginal art workshops and screenings of internationally-acclaimed Australian-made films about the Aboriginal people, such as Samson and Delilah, and Rolf de Heeer's Ten Canoes.
On Tuesday, Sydneysiders had a chance to discover Bush Food and ways to use plants. Offered free, the hour long lunchtime seminar at Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts not only had the Gadigal People explaining all about plants in the Sydney area, members of the Darug people explaining how to use plants in the Blue Mountains while the Darug people gave insights into the plants of Western Sydney. Also on hand was Clarence Slockee who spoke of the city's Royal Botanic Gardens' rich Aboriginal heritage and the plants used not only as food but as medicines, tools and weapons.
Elsie Heiss 2009 NAIDOC Elder of the Year
with gemma Benn, Youth of the Year
However of all the events, the highlight of the week is the annual NAIDOC Gala Ball. Among the 1500 attending this year will be 2009's NAIDOC's Elder of the Year and Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Sydney's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Elsie Heiss. Also there will be the Sydney's Aboriginal Catholic Ministry's co-executive and respected elder, Graeme Mundine, as well as other renowned community leaders including Lowitja O'Donoghue.
"The Ball is the biggest event of all, no matter in which state it is held, and tickets for this year's Ball in Sydney sold out almost as soon as this year's program was announced," says Anne Martin, co-chair of the NAIDOC Committee.
Politicians such as Jenny Macklin, Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello will also be in attendance. But there is no doubt the announcement and presentation of the annual NAIDOC awards will steal the show.
The 11 coveted awards include recognition of artists, scholars, youth leaders and apprentices. There is also a NAIDOC Caring for Country Award, Elder of the Year (male) and Elder of the year (female) awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as a Person of the Year.
The awards are decided by the NAIDOC committee after receiving submissions from members across Australia.
"This year we received 138 submissions that fitted our criteria and judging has taken place over the past two months," Anne says, explaining the judging is taken very seriously by the Committee and is a diligent meticulous process.
Graeme Mundine
"The awards are given to those people who have made real contributions either in their studies or their work, their art or in their support and involvement with the community, and have made a difference," she explains, adding that Person of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award are only given to outstanding Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders in recognition of their dedication and selfless work in fields such as health, education or the arts.
Last year Vince Coultard, director of South Australia's only Aboriginal Radio Station for more than 16 years, a long time mediator, elder and cultural mentor and champion of Indigenous landrights, voices and justice, received the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award with Dennis Eggington, CEO of Western Australia's Aboriginal Legal Services being named Person of the Year.
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/201177_1536.shtml
AFRICA: SUDAN: INDEPENDENCE FROM NORTH JULY 9
"Even in my diocese there is the return of migrants from the north", says His Exc. Mgr. Edward Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of Tombura-Yambio to Fides. "In May, according to the census conducted, only in my diocese, 7,000 people returned from the north, but the number is expected to grow in the coming months. Three days ago we had a meeting with the Governor, who confirmed that the Department of Social Services has started a program to assess the professional skills of migrants", continues Mgr. Kussala " Those who have acquired some technical expertise in the north will find skilled employment (teachers, engineers ...). Plots of land to cultivate and where to build their homes will be assigned to those who do not have special skills. The problem of food shortage remains, because people coming from the north are numerous. We are trying to see how we can help them".
Another problem that the new state of Southern Sudan will have to face is insecurity, which affects different areas of the country. In the diocese of Tombura-Yambio insecurity is caused primarily by the presence of the guerrillas of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). "A week ago the LRA rebels attacked a village, where they killed two people and kidnapped three others", notes Mgr. Kussala. Despite these problems, "in my diocese there is a festive atmosphere, streets and houses are being cleaned", says Mgr. Kussala. "Yesterday afternoon there was a moment of prayer to ask God's help for the new State. Everyone is talking about independence and, despite the problems, no one is afraid of the future and the hope is high", concludes the Bishop of Tombura- Yambio.
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 7: ST. ETHELBURGA
St. Ethelburga
ABBESS
Feast: July 7
| English abbess of a monastery in France, the daughter of Anna, king of the East Angles. Ethelburga accompanied her half sister, Sethrida, to France to become a nun under the direction of St. Burgundofara. They spent the remainder of thier lives in prayer. |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/E/stethelburga.asp#ixzz1RQDMmieu
TODAY'S GOSPEL: JULY 7: Matthew 10: 7- 15
7And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.9Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts,10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food.11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart.12As you enter the house, salute it.13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.14And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.15Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor'rah than for that town.
No comments:
Post a Comment