ASIA: CAMBODIA: TERRORIST ATTACK IN CATHOLIC AREA
AMERICA: MEXICO: NEW DAY AGAINST POVERTY
EUROPE: POLAND: EFFORTS TO MAKE ST. FAUSTINA A DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
AUSTRALIA: CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY RECEIVES TOP AWARD
AFRICA: KENYA: NEW BISHOP INSTALLED IN MALINDI
TODAY'S SAINT: OCT. 7: OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
TODAY'S GOSPEL: OCT. 7: LUKE 1: 26-38
TO INDONESIAN BISHOPS: PATIENTLY UPHOLD RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
VATICAN CITY, 7 OCT 2011 (VIS) - "Christ's message of salvation, forgiveness and love has been preached in your country for centuries. Indeed, the missionary impulse remains essential to the Church's life, and finds expression not only in the preaching of the Gospel, but also in the witness of Christian charity", said the Pope today to prelates from the Indonesian Episcopal Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
Continuing his English-language remarks, the Holy Father said: "This is the hallmark of every movement, action and expression of the Church, in all of her sacramental, charitable, educational and social endeavours, so that in everything her members may strive to make the Triune God known and loved through Jesus Christ.
"This", he added, "will not only contribute to the spiritual vitality of the Church as she grows in confidence through humble yet courageous witness; it will also strengthen Indonesian society by promoting those values that your fellow citizens hold dear: tolerance, unity and justice for all. Appropriately, Indonesia's Constitution guarantees the fundamental human right of freedom to practice one's religion. The freedom to live and preach the Gospel can never be taken for granted and must always be justly and patiently upheld. Nor is religious freedom merely a right to be free from outside constraints. It is also a right to be authentically and fully Catholic, to practice the faith, to build up the Church and to contribute to the common good, proclaiming the Gospel as Good News for all, and inviting everyone to intimacy with the God of mercy and compassion made manifest in Jesus Christ".
Pope Benedict encouraged the bishops to promote and support inter-religious dialogue in Indonesia. "Your country, so rich in its cultural diversity and possessed of a large population, is home to significant numbers of followers of various religious traditions", he told them. Thus, Indonesians "are well-placed to make important contributions to the quest for peace and understanding among the peoples of the world. Your participation in this great enterprise is decisive, and so I urge you .. to ensure that those whom you shepherd know that they, as Christians, are to be agents of peace, perseverance and charity".
"Believers in Christ, rooted in charity, ought to be committed to dialogue with other religions, respecting mutual differences. Common endeavours for the building up of society will be of great value when they strengthen friendships and overcome misunderstanding or distrust".
The Holy Father concluded: "I have confidence that you and the priests, religious and laity of your dioceses will continue to bear witness to the image and likeness of God in each man, woman and child, regardless of their faith, by encouraging everyone to be open to dialogue in the service of peace and harmony. By doing everything possible to ensure that the rights of minorities in your country are respected, you further the cause of tolerance and mutual harmony in your country and beyond".
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CHURCH'S RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY IN THE HORN OF AFRICA
VATICAN CITY, 7 OCT 2011 (VIS) - "The Catholic Church will continue to do her part and to seek collaboration with other Christian communities in order to play an active role in resolving the current humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa". These words were pronounced by Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", during the course of a press conference held this morning in the Holy See Press Office. The cardinal went on to explain that today's meeting "is a response to the Pope's desire to bear witness to the charity of Christ and of the Church towards those who suffer. Wherever man suffers, God is close by", he said.
The press conference served to present a number of initiatives being implemented by the Catholic Church to alleviate the catastrophic consequences of drought, hunger and armed conflict in the Horn of Africa. Cardinal Sarah recalled how the situation is one of the main concerns of Benedict XVI who has made various appeals to the international community to help suffering people, most recently during his general audience on Wednesday. Moreover, the Holy Father is supporting efforts made by local Churches inSomalia, Kenya, Ethiopia andDjibouti, donating 400,000 dollars for preliminary assistance to victims, while special collections have been made at parishes in Italy, Germany, Switzerland,France and Ireland.
The Catholic Church is also collaborating with the Anglican Church to face the emergency. This, said the president of "Cor Unum", is "significant testimony of the charity which unites us. ... Our efforts speak of the vitality which the faith can produce and which finds expression in these fruits of sharing, love, compassion, concern for others, and help and promotion of human beings of whatever race or religion. These actions are a consequence of our faith which becomes operative in love".
Cardinal Sarah reiterated the Holy Father's appeal to the international community. "Unfortunately", he said, "it is often clear that the mechanisms governing international activities are dictated by pursuit of the interests of individual nations. Selfish considerations prevail even in international politics. We must allow ourselves to be inspired, implementing policies which are truly aimed at the common good. Only the search for the common good can ensure that there are no winners or losers, murderers or victims, exploiters or exploited. What must prevail is a vision of man and society in which economic value is granted the recognition it deserves, but not given the final word on good and evil".
A school in each village
Cardinal Sarah explained that in the current crisis "the millions of displaced persons who are currently wandering in an attempt to survive, will become tomorrow's refugees, illegal migrants, stateless persons, people without a home, job or community. An entire generation risks being lost". For this reason, he said, "once this emergency has passed we must seek to provide formation" because education is the motor of development. "Where there is a school, where there is education, there is the possibility of a future where tomorrow there will be work, and families can be created. ... I would like to make an appeal for a school in each village".
Sharing the podium with Cardinal Sarah at today's press conference were Bishop Giorgio Bertin O.F.M., apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Mogadishu, Somalia; Michel Roy, secretary general of Caritas Internationalis; Kenneth Hackett, executive director of Catholic Relief Services; David Pain, director of Christian Aid's Africa Division, and representatives of Catholic Charity organisations.
David Pain, as envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, read out a message from the primate of the Anglican Communion. "In the face of those who hunger and thirst we discover the face of Christ", the text reads. "It must be with renewed passion and commitment that we seek effective and enduring responses to end the intolerable scandal of recurring famine in our world". The Archbishop of Canterbury likewise expresses the hope that the meeting will serve to create new opportunities for ecumenical collaboration.
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VATICAN CITY, 7 OCT 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Archbishop Alberto Bottari de Castello, apostolic nuncio to Hungary.
- Archbishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of Tlalnepantla, Mexico, president of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), accompanied by Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez of Bogota, Colombia, first vice president; Archbishop Dimas Lara Barbosa of Campo Grande Brazil, second vice president; Bishop Santiago Jaime Silva Retamales, auxiliary of Valparaiso, Chile, secretary general; Bishop CarlosMaria Collazzi Irazabal S.D.B. of Mercedes, Uruguay, president of the economic council, and Fr. Leonidas Ortiz Losada, adjunct secretary general.
- Walter Jurgen Schmid, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
AP/
VATICAN CITY, 7 OCT 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Porto, Portugal, presented by Bishop Joao Miranda Teixeira, upon having reached the age limit.
ASIA: CAMBODIA: TERRORIST ATTACK IN CATHOLIC AREA
The target was the headquarters of a bank, the BIS ATM, in the central Gejayan area also home to several universities, including two Catholic ones. The early morning explosion did not cause casualties or injuries. Police have arrested a suspected terrorist, and seized leaflets claiming responsability.
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Yogyakarta (AsiaNews) - An explosion occurred last night in front of a bank in Yogyakarta (Central Java), in Affendi street in the central Gejayan district, the commercial heart of the city. The police found leaflets that accused the police and the army of being "real terrorists" and inciting to rebellion against the power, on the spot of the attack. "The state finance corporations, the police, the military are the real terrorists. There will be a popular revolt as long as the sun shines, " the leaflets found at the explosion read:" We declare that what we have done here is the culmination of our long major concern and our hatred against the running system exercised in the country. "A resident of Yogaykarta, interviewed by AsiaNews, said that the police have arrested a potential "terrorist", but gave no further details on the arrest or the identity of the accused. The blast, which damaged the outside of the BRI ATM bank, occurred shortly after 2 am local time (9pm Italian time) did not cause casualties or injuries. Gejayan is one of the busiest districts in the center of Yogyakarta, and in particular with students. Several universities are located in the area, including the University of the Holy Dharma, run by the Jesuits, the University of Yogyakarta, the oldest and most famous of the universities the Gadjah Mada and the Catholic University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.
The police are interrogating the suspect author of the explosion, and have seized various types of material found on the site of the attack. According to investigators these unknown terrorists are targeting a system they perceive as "evil" and identify with the liberal economy, a society influenced by television, hedonism and consumerism.
AMERICA: MEXICO: NEW DAY AGAINST POVERTY
The most popular products to meet the food needs of the poorest are: beans, rice, cereals, tuna, powdered milk, pasta, cereals and other canned products. The Campaign, which is carried out in the context of World Food Day aims to promote the donation of food for the most needy and raise awareness of the work of food banks to help people living in extreme poverty. According to the statistics from the National Council of Social Development Policy Review (CENEVAL), 13 per cent of children in Mexico (5.1 million children) live in this situation and only 1.3 million people in the Federal District of Mexico are considered at risk of hunger. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/10/2011)
AFRICA: KENYA: NEW BISHOP INSTALLED IN MALINDI
The ceremony was presided over by his Eminence John Cardinal Njue, assisted by Bishop Martin Kivuva of Machakos Diocese who has been Malindi administrator after the death of the former Bishop Francis Baldacchino.
In attendance was the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paul Alain Lebeaupin.
During the ceremony, the cardinal thanked the people of Malindi for their unity and support to the administrator for the last two years. “Thank you my dear brothers and sisters in Christ for persevering, time now has come for you to get a new shepherd, support him, love him as you work together for the growth of the Church in Malindi.”
Cardinal Njue reminded the faithful that the diocese is young and it has a unique history of its Christianity. He asked them to take up the challenge to promote the growth of faith which was installed by Vasco Da Dama and the Augustinian priests who were the first to settle in the area.
The faithful were also asked to welcome the new bishop and let him guide them spiritually and in the development of the diocese.
In his inaugural homily, the new bishop thanked the cardinal for accepting to take up the responsibility of installing him and the Pope’s representative in Kenya, Archbishop Lebeaupin, for his reflective inspiration.
The new bishop also expressed his appreciation to the bishops whom he said had a lot to do but spared their time to be with him, and for accepting to work with them in the Episcopal responsibility. For those who were not able to attend he said, “He also received their apology with understanding.”
To the clergy, religious and faithful of Malindi, he promised that he will be ready to listen with deep respect to them, “I will do what I can to be a sign of God’s compassion, to heal the broken hearted, comfort those who are morning and to promote and protect the Kingdom of God among us.”
In his speech, the apostolic nuncio thanked the religious and clergy in the diocese for working together for two years adding that a time has come for them to have a shepherd.
He told the new bishop that “the Church requires him to lead as a good shepherd the groups entrusted to him by the Church.” He urged the clergy, religious and the faithful of Malindi to support their bishop for the growth of their diocese.
Currently Malindi Diocese has 17 parishes, 35 priests (11 diocesan and 24 religious), 30 religious brothers, 44 nuns and 8 major seminarians.
AUSTRALIA: CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY RECEIVES TOP AWARD
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
7 Oct 2011
Professor Sandy Middleton RN PhD from the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and St Vincent's & Mater Health, Sydney and her group of researchers have been honoured with a top international award for their groundbreaking study proving the benefits of specially trained stroke teams on patient recovery.
The announcement Professor Middleton and her fellow Australian had been chosen from more than 200 research submissions from around the world as winners of the prestigious Impact Award was made by Dr Andrew Demchuk, Co-Chair of the 2011 Canadian Stroke Congress held in Ottawa this week.
"The Impact Award goes to the study most likely to directly impact stroke care," Dr. Andrew Demchuk explained when he presented the award, and told the Congress the study by the Australian team of researchers had proved beyond doubt that those who suffered strokes should be admitted to stroke units with comprehensive approaches to staff education, multidisciplinary teams and treatment protocols.
Although a country of just 23 million, when it comes to science and medical breakthroughs, Australia punches well above its weight. Not only does this latest honour pay tribute to Professor Middleton and her team of researchers but yet again puts ACU and St Vincents & Mater Health, Sydney at the forefront of medical research.
A member of the Health Sciences Faculty at ACU, Professor Middleton is also Director of the National Centre for Clinical Outcomes Research (Nursing and Midwifery) as well as Professor of Nursing Research at St Vincents & Mater Health, Sydney. Working in the area of health services evaluation for more than 19 years, Professor Middleton is particularly interested in stroke research, which led to her work involving nurse led interventions to improve stroke patient outcomes.
The results of the five year study, which gathered information from 19 stroke units across Australia and involved 1,700 patients, will be published in the world's leading medical journal, The Lancet next week.
As part of the study, staff at 10 of the nation's stroke units participated in team-building workshops and a staff education program for the treatment of patients with fever, high blood sugar levels and swallowing difficulties. Staff at the other nine stroke units involved in the study did not attend team building workshops or staff education programs but instead continued treatment following Australian stroke care guidelines.
The wide ranging study over the five year period produced remarkable results. Patients in the 10 stroke units where workshop trained staff teams implemented protocols to manage fever, sugar and swallowing were not only found to be healthier but were 16% less likely to die or to be dependent three months after their stroke than those in the other nine stroke units who received care based on current stroke care guidelines.
Professor Sandy Middleton RN PhD
"These results provide compelling evidence on how to change clinicians' behaviour and also evidence for effective team work and, in particular, good nursing care." Professor Middleton told the Ottawa Congress, adding that the positive effect on stroke patients was larger than any current drug or treatment. This included clot busting therapy she said and pointed out that unlike some drugs and other stroke treatments, the findings from nursing team intervention had relevance for all people who suffered a stroke.
The study also showed that patients who received this type of care in stroke units had fewer episodes of fever, lower mean temperatures, lower mean glucose levels and better swallowing screening practices.
This research has wide implications for stroke victims, which is one of the biggest killers worldwide and the major cause of disabilities.
In Australia stroke remains the second biggest killer after coronary heart disease and the overwhelming cause of disabilities with more than 250,000 Australians currently struggling to overcome paralysis, cognitive impairment and brain damage as the result of a stroke.
Each year 60,000 people across Australia suffer a stroke. Or one every 10 minutes with hospitalisation, rehabilitation and specialist care costs Australia around $2.4 billion each year.
Through nurse trained intervention teams these statistics may change as well as prevent many deaths or long term disabilities.
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/2011107_69.shtml
EUROPE: POLAND: EFFORTS TO MAKE ST. FAUSTINA A DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Romereports.com report: Sister Faustina Kowalska is already a Polish saint. A group of cardinals is hoping she'll also be a Doctor of the Church. Seven cardinals wrote to the pope and asked him to begin the process.Among the cardinals is one of the pope's former students, Vienna's Archbishop Christoph Schönborn. Also included is Hong Kong's former bishop, cardinal Joseph Zen and John Paul II's secretary, Stainslaw Dziwisz.
The entire process usually takes several decades. The honor is given to those who offered contributions to theology, that still remain relevant regardless of time.
The Church has 34 doctors of which only three are women. They include St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Therese of Lisieux.
The next Doctor of the Church is Spaniard San Juan de Avila. The pope made the announcement during World Youth Day in Madrid.
TODAY'S SAINT: OCT. 7: OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
Our Lady of the Rosary
Feast: October 7
Information:
Feast Day:
October 7
Apart from the signal defeat of the Albigensian heretics at the battle of Muret in 1213 which legend has attributed to the recitation of the Rosary by St. Dominic, it is believed that Heaven has on many occasions rewarded the faith of those who had recourse to this devotion in times of special danger. More particularly, the naval victory of Lepanto gained by Don John of Austria over the Turkish fleet on the first Sunday of October in 1571 responded wonderfully to the processions made at Rome on that same day by the members of the Rosary confraternity. St. Pius V thereupon ordered that a commemoration of the Rosary should be made upon that day, and at the request of the Dominican Order Gregory XIII in 1573 allowed this feast to be kept in all churches which possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary. In 1671 the observance of this festival was extended by Clement X to the whole of Spain, and somewhat later Clement XI after the important victory over the Turks gained by Prince Eugene on 6 August, 1716 (the feast of our Lady of the Snows), at Peterwardein in Hungary, commanded the feast of the Rosary to be celebrated by the universal Church. A set of "proper" lessons in the second nocturn were conceded by Benedict XIII. Leo XIII has since raised the feast to the rank of a double of the second class and has added to the Litany of Loreto the invocation "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary". On this feast, in every church in which the Rosary confraternity has been duly erected, a plenary indulgence toties quoties is granted upon certain conditions to all who visit therein the Rosary chapel or statue of Our Lady. This has been called the "Portiuncula" of the Rosary.
TODAY'S GOSPEL: OCT. 7: LUKE 1: 26-38
26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.28And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."34And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"35And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.36And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.37For with God nothing will be impossible."38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
