CHRISTIAN MARRIED
COUPLES: MESSENGERS OF THE BEAUTY OF LOVE
Vatican City, 23 July 2012 (VIS) - Benedict XVI invites Christian married couples to be "the sweet and smiling face of the Church" in a message sent to the eleventh international meeting of the "Equipes Notre Dame" Movement, currently being held in Brasilia, Brazil, on the theme: "Daring with the Gospel". The "Equipes Notre Dame" Movement, which promotes conjugal spirituality, was founded in 1939 by the French priest Fr. Henri Caffarel.
In the message, sent through Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., the Pope expresses the view that Christian married couples must be "the best and most convincing messengers of the beauty of a love supported and nourished by the faith, a gift of God which is given to everyone abundantly and generously, so that day after day they can discover the meaning of their lives". The Holy Father also notes that the "Equipes Notre Dame" encourage members to avail themselves of the Sacraments, and to make simple concrete commitments such as the "duty to sit down together"; that is, to dedicate time to interpersonal dialogue between the spouses.
"In our world, which is so deeply marked by individualism, activism, haste and distraction, sincere and constant dialogue between spouses is essential to avoid the emerge, development and degeneration of misunderstandings which, unfortunately, often lead to irreparable breaks which no one can then mend", the message concludes
CONCERNING THE PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES ON "VATILEAKS"
Vatican City, 23 July 2012 (VIS) - "Newspaper articles have been published in recent days in Italy and Germany on the subject of investigations into the leaking of reserved Vatican documents, articles which hint at serious suspicions of complicity on the part of certain persons close to the Holy Father. The Secretariat of State expresses its firm and total disapproval of those publications, which are not based on objective criteria and seriously damage the honour of the people concerned, who have served the Holy Father faithfully for many years".
These words are contained in a note issued this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., who adds: "The fact that the results of the investigations have not yet been made known by the authorities concerned, in no way legitimises the publication of unfounded and false interpretations and theories. It is not this kind of information that the public has the right to know".
At the same time, in a statement transmitted by Vatican Radio, Fr. Lombardi notes that he has "often repeated that being called before a commission in the course of its investigations in no way means that a person is a suspect. It is evident that the three people mentioned in the article [Ingrid Stampa, Cardinal Paolo Sardi and Bishop Joseph Clemens] many have been called to appear, but this says nothing about their being suspected of shared responsibility or 'complicity'".
"As regards their having been 'dismissed' from office, Cardinal Sardi completed his service at the Secretariat of State when he reached the age of seventy-five, and Ingrid Stampa continues to work in the Secretariat of State. As for Bishop Clemens, he has been secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity for a number of years, and it is not true that he received a letter from the Pope such as the one described in the article in 'Die Welt' (a letter to which the Italian newspaper 'La Repubblica' makes only indirect reference)".
THE POPE SPEAKS ABOUT MARY MAGDALENE ON HER FEAST DAY
Vatican City, 22 July 2012 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus at midday today, Benedict XVI dedicated some remarks to what he described as "a fundamental and ever enthralling theme of the Bible": the fact that "God is the Pastor of humankind".
Addressing faithful gathered in the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, the Pope explained how this phrase means that "God wants life for us, He wants to guide us to good pastures where we can find nourishment and rest. He does not want us to lose our way and die, but to reach the goal of our journey, which is fullness of life. This is what any mother or father wants for their children: goodness, happiness, fulfilment. In the Gospel Jesus presents Himself as the Pastor of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. His gaze over His people is a 'pastoral' gaze".
"Among the 'lost sheep' whom Jesus saved there was a woman by the name Mary from the village of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, for which reason she is known as Mary Magdalene. Her feast day falls today. Luke the Evangelist tells us that Jesus freed her from seven demons; in other words, He saved her from utter servitude to the Evil One. And ,in what does this profound healing that God achieves through Jesus consist? It consists in true and complete peace, which is the result of the reconciliation of people in themselves and in all their relations: with God, with others and with the world.
"In fact", the Pope added, "the Evil One always seeks to destroy the work of God by sowing strife in the human heart, between body and soul, between man and God, in interpersonal, social and international relations, even between man and the creation. The Evil One spreads war; God creates peace".
POPE'S SADNESS AT ATTACKS IN U.S.A. AND FERRY DISASTER IN ZANZIBAR
Vatican City, 22 July 2012 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today, the Holy Father spoke of his profound shock at "the senseless violence which took place in Aurora, Denver", and at "the loss of life in the recent ferry disaster near Zanzibar. I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children. Assuring all of you of my closeness in prayer, I impart my blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord".
The Holy Father then went on to note that in a few days time the thirtieth Olympic Games are due to begin in London, England. "The Olympics", he said, "are the greatest sporting event in the world, in which athletes from many different nations participate, and thus they have great symbolic value. For this reason the Catholic Church looks to the to Olympics with particular sympathy and interest. Let us pray that, according to God’s will, the London Olympics may be a true experience of brotherhood among the peoples of the Earth".
DECLARATION CONCERNING THE GRANTING OF HOUSE ARREST TO PAOLO GABRIELE
Vatican City, 21 July 2012 (VIS) - Late this afternoon, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. made the following declaration:
"Judge Piero Antonio Bonnet, Examining Magistrate of the Tribunal of Vatican City State, in the wake of today's interrogation of Paolo Gabriele, has decided it is no longer necessary to keep him in custody. He has therefore granted Mr Gabriele parole, meaning that, having provided the necessary guarantees, he will remain under house arrest.
"Mr Gabriele will, then, reside with his family in his own home inside the Vatican, and will follow the norms laid down by the Judge vis-a-vis his contacts and dealings with others.
"The next stage of the procedure, which is expected within a few days, will be the indictment of the Promoter of Justice regarding Mr Gabriele's responsibility for aggravated theft, and the subsequent decision of the Examining Magistrate to send the accused for trial or acquit him.
"As regards the Commission of Cardinals, it submitted its final report to the Holy Father a few days ago".
HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE COMMUNIQUE
Vatican City, 21 July 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today issued the following communique:
"The Holy See, by Decree of the secretary of State acting on a specific pontifical mandate, has decided, in conformity with canonical legislation, to withdraw the right of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru to use the titles of 'Pontifical' and 'Catholic'.
"Since 1967 the University - which was founded in 1917 and canonically erected by Decree of the Holy See in 1942 - has on various occasions unilaterally modified its Statues, seriously prejudicing the interests of the Church.
"Beginning in 1990, the University has been repeatedly requested by the Holy See to bring its Statutes into line with the Apostolic Constitution 'Ex Corde Ecclesiae' (15 August 1990), but has failed to respond to this legal requirement.
"Following the canonical visit of December 2011 and the meeting of the rector with the cardinal secretary of State in February this year, a further attempt at dialogue was made, with a view to adapting the Statutes to Church law.
"Recently, via two letters addressed to the secretary of State, the rector stated that it was impossible to carry out the requirements imposed upon him, and he made the modification of the Statutes conditional on the archdiocese of Lima renouncing its administration of the University's property.
"The participation of the archdiocese of Lima in administering the patrimony of the University has been confirmed on various occasions by the civil courts of Peru.
"In the face of this position taken by the University, which has been confirmed by other initiatives, the Holy See has been obliged to adopt the aforementioned measures. At the same time it reiterates the fact that the University still has a duty to continue to observe canonical legislation.
"The Holy See will carefully follow the evolution of the situation of the University, hoping that in the near future the competent academic authorities may reconsider their position, making it possible to revise the present measures. The renewal requested by the Holy See will make the University better able to respond to its mission of carrying the message of Christ to mankind, society and different cultures, in keeping with the mission of the Church in the world".
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 23 July 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata as vice chamberlain of Holy Roman Church.
On Saturday 21 July it was made public that the Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Vigevano, Italy, presented by Archbishop-Bishop Vincenzo Di Mauro, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Bishop Edward Janiak, auxiliary of Wroclaw, Poland, as bishop of Kalisz (area 10,800, population 756,400, Catholics 746,400, priests 573, religious 807), Poland. He succeeds Bishop Stanislaw Napierala, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Erected the new eparchy of Notre-Dame du Liban de Paris of the Maronites, based in Paris, France. He appointed Fr, Nasser Gemayel, pastor of the parish of "Sainte Tekla" in Masqua, Lebanon, as first eparchal bishop of the new eparchy and apostolic vicar to Maronite faithful in Western and Northern Europe. The bishop-elect was born in Ain Kharroube, Lebanon in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1981. He studied in Lebanon and France, has been active in pastoral care and education and is the author of several books on the Maronite Church.
- Appointed Fr. Borys Gudziak, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, as apostolic exarch for Ukrainian faithful of Byzantine rite resident in France. The bishop-elect was born in Syracuse, U.S.A. in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1998. He is the author of more than fifty works on the Church, theological formation and various cultural themes. He succeeds Bishop Michel Hrynchyshyn, whose resignation from the same office the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 210 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
Vatican City, 23 July 2012 (VIS) - Benedict XVI invites Christian married couples to be "the sweet and smiling face of the Church" in a message sent to the eleventh international meeting of the "Equipes Notre Dame" Movement, currently being held in Brasilia, Brazil, on the theme: "Daring with the Gospel". The "Equipes Notre Dame" Movement, which promotes conjugal spirituality, was founded in 1939 by the French priest Fr. Henri Caffarel.
In the message, sent through Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., the Pope expresses the view that Christian married couples must be "the best and most convincing messengers of the beauty of a love supported and nourished by the faith, a gift of God which is given to everyone abundantly and generously, so that day after day they can discover the meaning of their lives". The Holy Father also notes that the "Equipes Notre Dame" encourage members to avail themselves of the Sacraments, and to make simple concrete commitments such as the "duty to sit down together"; that is, to dedicate time to interpersonal dialogue between the spouses.
"In our world, which is so deeply marked by individualism, activism, haste and distraction, sincere and constant dialogue between spouses is essential to avoid the emerge, development and degeneration of misunderstandings which, unfortunately, often lead to irreparable breaks which no one can then mend", the message concludes
CONCERNING THE PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES ON "VATILEAKS"
Vatican City, 23 July 2012 (VIS) - "Newspaper articles have been published in recent days in Italy and Germany on the subject of investigations into the leaking of reserved Vatican documents, articles which hint at serious suspicions of complicity on the part of certain persons close to the Holy Father. The Secretariat of State expresses its firm and total disapproval of those publications, which are not based on objective criteria and seriously damage the honour of the people concerned, who have served the Holy Father faithfully for many years".
These words are contained in a note issued this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., who adds: "The fact that the results of the investigations have not yet been made known by the authorities concerned, in no way legitimises the publication of unfounded and false interpretations and theories. It is not this kind of information that the public has the right to know".
At the same time, in a statement transmitted by Vatican Radio, Fr. Lombardi notes that he has "often repeated that being called before a commission in the course of its investigations in no way means that a person is a suspect. It is evident that the three people mentioned in the article [Ingrid Stampa, Cardinal Paolo Sardi and Bishop Joseph Clemens] many have been called to appear, but this says nothing about their being suspected of shared responsibility or 'complicity'".
"As regards their having been 'dismissed' from office, Cardinal Sardi completed his service at the Secretariat of State when he reached the age of seventy-five, and Ingrid Stampa continues to work in the Secretariat of State. As for Bishop Clemens, he has been secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity for a number of years, and it is not true that he received a letter from the Pope such as the one described in the article in 'Die Welt' (a letter to which the Italian newspaper 'La Repubblica' makes only indirect reference)".
THE POPE SPEAKS ABOUT MARY MAGDALENE ON HER FEAST DAY
Vatican City, 22 July 2012 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus at midday today, Benedict XVI dedicated some remarks to what he described as "a fundamental and ever enthralling theme of the Bible": the fact that "God is the Pastor of humankind".
Addressing faithful gathered in the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, the Pope explained how this phrase means that "God wants life for us, He wants to guide us to good pastures where we can find nourishment and rest. He does not want us to lose our way and die, but to reach the goal of our journey, which is fullness of life. This is what any mother or father wants for their children: goodness, happiness, fulfilment. In the Gospel Jesus presents Himself as the Pastor of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. His gaze over His people is a 'pastoral' gaze".
"Among the 'lost sheep' whom Jesus saved there was a woman by the name Mary from the village of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, for which reason she is known as Mary Magdalene. Her feast day falls today. Luke the Evangelist tells us that Jesus freed her from seven demons; in other words, He saved her from utter servitude to the Evil One. And ,in what does this profound healing that God achieves through Jesus consist? It consists in true and complete peace, which is the result of the reconciliation of people in themselves and in all their relations: with God, with others and with the world.
"In fact", the Pope added, "the Evil One always seeks to destroy the work of God by sowing strife in the human heart, between body and soul, between man and God, in interpersonal, social and international relations, even between man and the creation. The Evil One spreads war; God creates peace".
POPE'S SADNESS AT ATTACKS IN U.S.A. AND FERRY DISASTER IN ZANZIBAR
Vatican City, 22 July 2012 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today, the Holy Father spoke of his profound shock at "the senseless violence which took place in Aurora, Denver", and at "the loss of life in the recent ferry disaster near Zanzibar. I share the distress of the families and friends of the victims and the injured, especially the children. Assuring all of you of my closeness in prayer, I impart my blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord".
The Holy Father then went on to note that in a few days time the thirtieth Olympic Games are due to begin in London, England. "The Olympics", he said, "are the greatest sporting event in the world, in which athletes from many different nations participate, and thus they have great symbolic value. For this reason the Catholic Church looks to the to Olympics with particular sympathy and interest. Let us pray that, according to God’s will, the London Olympics may be a true experience of brotherhood among the peoples of the Earth".
DECLARATION CONCERNING THE GRANTING OF HOUSE ARREST TO PAOLO GABRIELE
Vatican City, 21 July 2012 (VIS) - Late this afternoon, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. made the following declaration:
"Judge Piero Antonio Bonnet, Examining Magistrate of the Tribunal of Vatican City State, in the wake of today's interrogation of Paolo Gabriele, has decided it is no longer necessary to keep him in custody. He has therefore granted Mr Gabriele parole, meaning that, having provided the necessary guarantees, he will remain under house arrest.
"Mr Gabriele will, then, reside with his family in his own home inside the Vatican, and will follow the norms laid down by the Judge vis-a-vis his contacts and dealings with others.
"The next stage of the procedure, which is expected within a few days, will be the indictment of the Promoter of Justice regarding Mr Gabriele's responsibility for aggravated theft, and the subsequent decision of the Examining Magistrate to send the accused for trial or acquit him.
"As regards the Commission of Cardinals, it submitted its final report to the Holy Father a few days ago".
HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE COMMUNIQUE
Vatican City, 21 July 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today issued the following communique:
"The Holy See, by Decree of the secretary of State acting on a specific pontifical mandate, has decided, in conformity with canonical legislation, to withdraw the right of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru to use the titles of 'Pontifical' and 'Catholic'.
"Since 1967 the University - which was founded in 1917 and canonically erected by Decree of the Holy See in 1942 - has on various occasions unilaterally modified its Statues, seriously prejudicing the interests of the Church.
"Beginning in 1990, the University has been repeatedly requested by the Holy See to bring its Statutes into line with the Apostolic Constitution 'Ex Corde Ecclesiae' (15 August 1990), but has failed to respond to this legal requirement.
"Following the canonical visit of December 2011 and the meeting of the rector with the cardinal secretary of State in February this year, a further attempt at dialogue was made, with a view to adapting the Statutes to Church law.
"Recently, via two letters addressed to the secretary of State, the rector stated that it was impossible to carry out the requirements imposed upon him, and he made the modification of the Statutes conditional on the archdiocese of Lima renouncing its administration of the University's property.
"The participation of the archdiocese of Lima in administering the patrimony of the University has been confirmed on various occasions by the civil courts of Peru.
"In the face of this position taken by the University, which has been confirmed by other initiatives, the Holy See has been obliged to adopt the aforementioned measures. At the same time it reiterates the fact that the University still has a duty to continue to observe canonical legislation.
"The Holy See will carefully follow the evolution of the situation of the University, hoping that in the near future the competent academic authorities may reconsider their position, making it possible to revise the present measures. The renewal requested by the Holy See will make the University better able to respond to its mission of carrying the message of Christ to mankind, society and different cultures, in keeping with the mission of the Church in the world".
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 23 July 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata as vice chamberlain of Holy Roman Church.
On Saturday 21 July it was made public that the Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Vigevano, Italy, presented by Archbishop-Bishop Vincenzo Di Mauro, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Bishop Edward Janiak, auxiliary of Wroclaw, Poland, as bishop of Kalisz (area 10,800, population 756,400, Catholics 746,400, priests 573, religious 807), Poland. He succeeds Bishop Stanislaw Napierala, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Erected the new eparchy of Notre-Dame du Liban de Paris of the Maronites, based in Paris, France. He appointed Fr, Nasser Gemayel, pastor of the parish of "Sainte Tekla" in Masqua, Lebanon, as first eparchal bishop of the new eparchy and apostolic vicar to Maronite faithful in Western and Northern Europe. The bishop-elect was born in Ain Kharroube, Lebanon in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1981. He studied in Lebanon and France, has been active in pastoral care and education and is the author of several books on the Maronite Church.
- Appointed Fr. Borys Gudziak, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, as apostolic exarch for Ukrainian faithful of Byzantine rite resident in France. The bishop-elect was born in Syracuse, U.S.A. in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1998. He is the author of more than fifty works on the Church, theological formation and various cultural themes. He succeeds Bishop Michel Hrynchyshyn, whose resignation from the same office the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 210 para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
ASIA : IRAQ : ATTACKS IN 13 CITIES - 91 KILLED
ASIA NEWS REPORT
This is the worst string of attacks since the start of the year. The worst-hit areas are north of Baghdad. Kirkuk is also attacked.
Baghdad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The toll so far from attacks in 13 Iraqi towns and cities stands at 91 dead and 172 wounded in what experts see as the worse string of attacks and shootings since the start of the year.
The worst-hit place was Taji, a Sunni neighbourhood some 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, where at least 24 people were killed.
A car bombing at a government building in the northern Baghdad district of Sadr City killed at least 12 officials and police.
Other attacks were reported in Kirkuk, Dhuluiya (70 km north of Baghdad), Saadiya (Dyala, northeast of the capital), Khan Beni-Saad (Dyala), Tuz Khurmatu (Salah ad-Din) and Dibis (Kirkuk). On Sunday, bombings south of the capital killed at least 17.
The attacks come days after Abu al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Bakr al-Baghdadi announced a new offensive to retake areas the organisation had retreated from before US soldiers left the country last December. "The majority of Sunnis in Iraq support al-Qaeda and are waiting for its return," he claimed in an audio message posted on militant websites.
Still, no one has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attacks.
Terrorists struck police stations, government buildings and checkpoints. In view of the pattern of the violence, Iraqi security forces were the intended targets, analysts say. In fact, in a single incident, 15 soldiers were reportedly killed on a base in Dhuluiya. Since the US pullout, security in the country has been ensured by Iraqi forces.
In the capital, police checkpoints were hit by car bombs, army bases were struck by mortar fire, and one policeman was even attacked in his home.
In Taji, where a string of explosions went off, another explosion struck when police arrived on the scene to help. In all, at least 41 people were killed, including at least 14 police.
Violence dipped in Iraq following an upsurge in 2006 and 2007. However, it has now returned after the US pullout in a country reeling from worsening political instability.
At least 237 people were killed during June alone.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
This is the worst string of attacks since the start of the year. The worst-hit areas are north of Baghdad. Kirkuk is also attacked.
_0723_-_Attentati.jpg)
Baghdad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The toll so far from attacks in 13 Iraqi towns and cities stands at 91 dead and 172 wounded in what experts see as the worse string of attacks and shootings since the start of the year.
The worst-hit place was Taji, a Sunni neighbourhood some 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, where at least 24 people were killed.
A car bombing at a government building in the northern Baghdad district of Sadr City killed at least 12 officials and police.
Other attacks were reported in Kirkuk, Dhuluiya (70 km north of Baghdad), Saadiya (Dyala, northeast of the capital), Khan Beni-Saad (Dyala), Tuz Khurmatu (Salah ad-Din) and Dibis (Kirkuk). On Sunday, bombings south of the capital killed at least 17.
The attacks come days after Abu al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Bakr al-Baghdadi announced a new offensive to retake areas the organisation had retreated from before US soldiers left the country last December. "The majority of Sunnis in Iraq support al-Qaeda and are waiting for its return," he claimed in an audio message posted on militant websites.
Still, no one has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attacks.
Terrorists struck police stations, government buildings and checkpoints. In view of the pattern of the violence, Iraqi security forces were the intended targets, analysts say. In fact, in a single incident, 15 soldiers were reportedly killed on a base in Dhuluiya. Since the US pullout, security in the country has been ensured by Iraqi forces.
In the capital, police checkpoints were hit by car bombs, army bases were struck by mortar fire, and one policeman was even attacked in his home.
In Taji, where a string of explosions went off, another explosion struck when police arrived on the scene to help. In all, at least 41 people were killed, including at least 14 police.
Violence dipped in Iraq following an upsurge in 2006 and 2007. However, it has now returned after the US pullout in a country reeling from worsening political instability.
At least 237 people were killed during June alone.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
AFRICA : KENYA : BISHOPS REACT TO ARTICLE
CISA NEWS REPORT:
NAIROBI, July 20, 2012 (CISA) -The Catholic
Bishops of Kenya have strongly reacted to an article appearing on the Daily
Nation newspaper of Friday July 13 2012 titled Kenya Joins Global Birth Control
Push.
According to the newspaper, Kenya is among countries that have signed up to a new Sh356 billion global drive to promote family planning services targeting women and girls in poor countries.
In a statement signed by the chairman of the Kenya Episcopal conference His eminence John Cardinal Njue the bishops have termed the use of “contraceptives, especially as radically proposed in the article as both dehumanizing and goes against the teaching of the church especially in a country like Kenya where a majority of the people are Christians and God fearing. It already threatens the moral fabric of the society and is an insult to the dignity and integrity of the human person.”
According to the daily, Kenya’s planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya was among more than 150 leaders from donor and developing countries, international agencies, civil society, foundations and the private sector who attended a summit in London July, 11 2012, the World Population Day, on family planning. The summit has pledged funds to ensure 120 million women and girls in poor countries access contraceptives by 2020.
The bishops’ statement has termed this as “unimaginable, dangerous and could lead to destruction of the human society and by extension the human race,”
The bishops noted that the same foreign forces that are calling for the programme are dedicating billions of shillings promoting same sex unions while millions of women across are dying due to lack of proper maternal care facilities.
The bishops have reminded the Government of Kenya that many countries, which took such decisions, are now regretting with declining populations and nobody to consume or enjoy the much hyped development.
The bishops stated that any development must be for the common good of people, as their security and protection.
“It is not clear why such a large amount of money (Ksh 356 billion) is being used for contraceptives while many women are dying daily due to lack of proper medical care, food and housing” said the statement.
The bishops noted that if such money or a portion of it was used to develop the under-developed parts of Kenya, the so-called threatening population of 64 million people in the year 2040 would be too low.
At a time when our people are greatly affected by HIV/ AIDS and preventable road carnage, we cannot go further to condone efforts at reduction of life.
The bishops appealed to all Kenyans to reject this plan and to join forces in the liberation of women following the example of following the example of Christ’s own esteem for them. Nobody should be forced to abuse his/her dignity through contraceptives.
The said summit on family planning was co-hosted by the British Government’s Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The summit underscored the importance of access to contraceptives as both a right and a transformational health and development priority, calling it a “breakthrough for the world’s poorest girls and women, which will transform lives, now and for generations to come.”
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
According to the newspaper, Kenya is among countries that have signed up to a new Sh356 billion global drive to promote family planning services targeting women and girls in poor countries.
In a statement signed by the chairman of the Kenya Episcopal conference His eminence John Cardinal Njue the bishops have termed the use of “contraceptives, especially as radically proposed in the article as both dehumanizing and goes against the teaching of the church especially in a country like Kenya where a majority of the people are Christians and God fearing. It already threatens the moral fabric of the society and is an insult to the dignity and integrity of the human person.”
According to the daily, Kenya’s planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya was among more than 150 leaders from donor and developing countries, international agencies, civil society, foundations and the private sector who attended a summit in London July, 11 2012, the World Population Day, on family planning. The summit has pledged funds to ensure 120 million women and girls in poor countries access contraceptives by 2020.
The bishops’ statement has termed this as “unimaginable, dangerous and could lead to destruction of the human society and by extension the human race,”
The bishops noted that the same foreign forces that are calling for the programme are dedicating billions of shillings promoting same sex unions while millions of women across are dying due to lack of proper maternal care facilities.
The bishops have reminded the Government of Kenya that many countries, which took such decisions, are now regretting with declining populations and nobody to consume or enjoy the much hyped development.
The bishops stated that any development must be for the common good of people, as their security and protection.
“It is not clear why such a large amount of money (Ksh 356 billion) is being used for contraceptives while many women are dying daily due to lack of proper medical care, food and housing” said the statement.
The bishops noted that if such money or a portion of it was used to develop the under-developed parts of Kenya, the so-called threatening population of 64 million people in the year 2040 would be too low.
At a time when our people are greatly affected by HIV/ AIDS and preventable road carnage, we cannot go further to condone efforts at reduction of life.
The bishops appealed to all Kenyans to reject this plan and to join forces in the liberation of women following the example of following the example of Christ’s own esteem for them. Nobody should be forced to abuse his/her dignity through contraceptives.
The said summit on family planning was co-hosted by the British Government’s Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The summit underscored the importance of access to contraceptives as both a right and a transformational health and development priority, calling it a “breakthrough for the world’s poorest girls and women, which will transform lives, now and for generations to come.”
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
AUSTRALIA : PRIESTS CELEBRATE JUBILEE
Over
100 priests celebrate jubilee's of priesthood. They came together in St Monica’s
Church in Moonee Ponds during the Annual Reunion of the Corpus Christi Priests’
Association and the Jubilarians from Corpus Christi College, other seminaries
and religious orders. The 2012 Corpus Christi Jubilarians included:
70 Years
Gerald Sullivan
60 Years
Robin Sutherland
Robert Aitken
Des Byrne
James Kierce
Paul Kane
Joseph Conway
50 Years
Francis Jones
Graeme Howard
Patrick McAnany
Terrence Southerwood Hobart
John Williams
John Aldag
Kevin Arundell
Kevin Eaton
Peter Foley
Desmond Panton
Thomas Doyle
Brian Cosgriff
Joseph McMahon
Peter Carrucan
Robert Burtonclay
John White
John Finlayson
Peter Kenny
25 Years
Andrew Wise
Stuart Hall
Anthony Ireland
Thien Vo Duc
Other Seminaries Jubilarians 2012
60 Years
John Daly
Leo Long
50 Years
Patrick O’Sullivan SJ
Bernard O’Brien OMI
Kevin Casey OMI
Joseph Pulis SDB
Alistair MacLellan
Frank Marriott
Pat Baker SSC
Gerald Quinn CP
Joseph Dargan
Mario De Rosa
25 Years
Don Lourensz
Gary Jones
David Ryan SJ
EUROPE : OLYMPICS BISHOPS CALL CATHOLICS - CARE FOR YOUR BODY
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT:
|
AMERICA : EL SAVADOR BISHOPS CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER
Agenzia Fides REPORT - The Catholic Church in El Salvador
has asked Parliament to repeal the election of magistrates, as established by a
judgment, to restore the "altered constitutional order " and warned that the
settlement of Judges has taken the country to have two supreme courts of justice
and two Presidents of the judiciary, creating legal uncertainty and insecurity
in the country.
The Episcopal Conference of El Salvador stresses in its statement that the Legislative Assembly must obey the rulings issued by the Council of the Constitutional Court of Justice (CSJ), which on June 5, annulled the election of judges which took place in 2006 and on 24 April 2012, ordering new elections. The Bishops asked to choose as judges "people who meet the requirements specified by the Constitution of the Republic."
In reference to the forced settlement of these people, the statement stresses that "the situation does nothing but intensify the conflict," "the highest court of justice is threatened by disorder inside, because of the settlement of the judges whose election was declared unconstitutional. "The Church had already expressed herself in this regard (see Fides 02/07/2012) recently. The Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes said he will call the six political parties to dialogue, to seek a permanent solution to the crisis. The opposition told the local press its agreement with Funes’ initiative. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2012
The Episcopal Conference of El Salvador stresses in its statement that the Legislative Assembly must obey the rulings issued by the Council of the Constitutional Court of Justice (CSJ), which on June 5, annulled the election of judges which took place in 2006 and on 24 April 2012, ordering new elections. The Bishops asked to choose as judges "people who meet the requirements specified by the Constitution of the Republic."
In reference to the forced settlement of these people, the statement stresses that "the situation does nothing but intensify the conflict," "the highest court of justice is threatened by disorder inside, because of the settlement of the judges whose election was declared unconstitutional. "The Church had already expressed herself in this regard (see Fides 02/07/2012) recently. The Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes said he will call the six political parties to dialogue, to seek a permanent solution to the crisis. The opposition told the local press its agreement with Funes’ initiative. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2012
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : MONDAY JULY 23, 2012
| Matthew
12: 38 - 42
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| 38 | Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." |
| 39 | But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. |
| 40 | For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. |
| 41 | The men of Nin'eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. |
| 42 | The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. |
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 23: ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN
St. Bridget of Sweden
WIFE AND FOUNDRESS
Feast: July 23
 Information:
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The
most celebrated saint of the Northern kingdoms, born about 1303; died 23 July,
1373.
She
was the daughter of Birger Persson, governor and provincial judge (Lagman) of
Uppland, and of Ingeborg Bengtsdotter. Her father was one of the wealthiest
landholders of the country, and, like her mother, distinguished by deep piety.
St. Ingrid, whose death had occurred about twenty years before Bridget's birth,
was a near relative of the family. Birger's daughter received a careful
religious training, and from her seventh year showed signs of extraordinary
religious impressions and illuminations. To her education, and particularly to
the influence of an aunt who took the place of Bridget's mother after the
latter's death (c. 1315), she owed that unswerving strength of will which later
distinguished her.
In
1316, at the age of thirteen, she was united in marriage to Ulf Gudmarsson, who
was then eighteen. She acquired great influence over her noble and pious
husband, and the happy marriage was blessed with eight children, among them St.
Catherine of Sweden. The saintly life and the great charity of Bridget soon made
her name known far and wide. She was acquainted with several learned and pious
theologians, among them Nicolaus Hermanni, later Bishop of Linköping, Matthias,
canon of Linköping, her confessor, Peter, Prior of Alvastrâ, and Peter Magister,
her confessor after Matthias. She was later at the court of King Magnus
Eriksson, over whom she gradually acquired great influence. Early in the forties
(1341-43) in company with her husband she made a pilgrimage to Santiago de
Compostella. On the return journey her husband was stricken with an attack of
illness, but recovered sufficiently to finish the journey. Shortly afterwards,
however, he died (1344) in the Cistercian monastery of Alvastrâ in East
Gothland.
Bridget
now devoted herself entirely to practices of religion and asceticism, and to
religious undertakings. The visions which she believed herself to have had from
her early childhood now became more frequent and definite. She believed that
Christ Himself appeared to her, and she wrote down the revelations she then
received, which were in great repute during the Middle Ages. They were
translated into Latin by Matthias Magister and Prior Peter.
St.
Bridget now founded a new religious congregation, the Brigittines, or Order of
St. Saviour, whose chief monastery, at Vadstena, was richly endowed by King
Magnus and his queen (1346). To obtain confirmation for her institute, and at
the same time to seek a larger sphere of activity for her mission, which was the
moral uplifting of the period, she journeyed to Rome in 1349, and remained there
until her death, except while absent on pilgrimages, among them one to the Holy
Land in 1373. In August, 1370, Pope Urban V confirmed the Rule of her
congregation. Bridget made earnest representations to Pope Urban, urging the
removal of the Holy See from Avignon back to Rome. She accomplished the greatest
good in Rome, however, by her pious and charitable life, and her earnest
admonitions to others to adopt a better life, following out the excellent
precedents she had set in her native land. The year following her death her
remains were conveyed to the monastery at Vadstena. She was canonized, 7
October, 1391, by Boniface IX.
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SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbridgetofsweden.asp#ixzz1Sw774HYj
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