PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 4 September 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Andrea Palmieri, official of Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as under secretary of the same council.
IN MEMORIAM
Vatican City, 4 September 2012 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:
- Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini S.J., archbishop emeritus of Milan, Italy, on 31 August at the age of 85.
- Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi S.J., bishop emeritus of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 22 August at the age of 88.
- Bishop Paul Bassim O.C.D., former apostolic vicar of Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 August at the age of 89.
- Bishop Paul Ch'eng Shih-kuang, emeritus of Tainan, Taiwan, on 23 August at the age of 96.
- Bishop Maffeo Giovanni Ducoli. emeritus of Belluno-Feltre, Italy, on 28 August at the age of 93.
- Bishop Aurelio Granada Escudeiro, emeritus of Angra, Portugal, on 25 August at the age of 92.
- Bishop William Pascal Kikoti of Mpanda, Tanzania, on 28 August at the age of 55.
- Bishop Eduardo Koaik, emeritus of Piracicaba, Brazil, on 25 August at the age of 86.
- Bishop Herve.Marie Le Cleac'h SS.CC., emeritus of Taiohae or Tefenuaenata, Marquises Islands, French Polynesia, on 14 August at the age of 97.
- Bishop Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu O.S.M. of Manzini, Swaziland, on 27 August at the age of 67.
- Bishop Riccardo Ruotolo, former auxiliary of the archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, on 1 August at the age of 83.
- Bishop Stefan Siczek, auxiliary of Radom, Poland, on 31 July at the age of 74.
- Bishop Manuel Eguiguren Galarraga O.F.M., former auxiliary of El Beni, Bolivia, on 15 July at the age of 82.
Vatican City, 4 September 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Andrea Palmieri, official of Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as under secretary of the same council.
IN MEMORIAM
Vatican City, 4 September 2012 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:
- Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini S.J., archbishop emeritus of Milan, Italy, on 31 August at the age of 85.
- Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi S.J., bishop emeritus of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 22 August at the age of 88.
- Bishop Paul Bassim O.C.D., former apostolic vicar of Beirut, Lebanon, on 21 August at the age of 89.
- Bishop Paul Ch'eng Shih-kuang, emeritus of Tainan, Taiwan, on 23 August at the age of 96.
- Bishop Maffeo Giovanni Ducoli. emeritus of Belluno-Feltre, Italy, on 28 August at the age of 93.
- Bishop Aurelio Granada Escudeiro, emeritus of Angra, Portugal, on 25 August at the age of 92.
- Bishop William Pascal Kikoti of Mpanda, Tanzania, on 28 August at the age of 55.
- Bishop Eduardo Koaik, emeritus of Piracicaba, Brazil, on 25 August at the age of 86.
- Bishop Herve.Marie Le Cleac'h SS.CC., emeritus of Taiohae or Tefenuaenata, Marquises Islands, French Polynesia, on 14 August at the age of 97.
- Bishop Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu O.S.M. of Manzini, Swaziland, on 27 August at the age of 67.
- Bishop Riccardo Ruotolo, former auxiliary of the archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, on 1 August at the age of 83.
- Bishop Stefan Siczek, auxiliary of Radom, Poland, on 31 July at the age of 74.
- Bishop Manuel Eguiguren Galarraga O.F.M., former auxiliary of El Beni, Bolivia, on 15 July at the age of 82.
- Bishop
Vinzenz Guggenberger, former auxiliary of Regensburg, Germany, on 4 July at the
age of 83.
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : TUESDAY SEPT. 4, 2012
| Luke
4: 31 - 37
| |
| 31 | And he went down to Caper'na-um, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath; |
| 32 | and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. |
| 33 | And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, |
| 34 | "Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." |
| 35 | But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. |
| 36 | And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." |
| 37 | And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region. |
NOVENA FOR BIRTH OF VIRGIN MARY - DAY 6 - PLENARY INDULGENCE
To all faithful
Christians who, in private or public, in church or in their own houses, shall
keep any of the following Novenas, in preparation for the principal feasts of
most holy Mary, Pope Pius VII., at the prayer of several holy persons, granted,
by Rescripts issued through his Eminence the Cardinal-Vicar, Aug. 4 and Nov. 24,
1808, and Jan. 11, 1800 (all of which are kept in the Segretaria of the
Vicariate) -i. An indulgence of 300 days, daily.ii. A plenary indulgence to all who shall assist at these Novenas every day, and who shall afterwards, either on the Feast-day itself, to which each Novena respectively has reference, or on some one day in its Octave, after Confession and Communion, pray to our Lord and to the Blessed Virgin ac cording to the pious intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY’S NATIVITY.
(Beginning Aug. 30.)
Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur.
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.
Oremus.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
TRANSLATION.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Most holy Mary, Elect One, predestined from all eternity by the Most Holy Trinity to be Mother of the only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, foretold by the Prophets, expected by the Patriarchs, desired by all nations, Sanctuary and living Temple of the Holy Ghost, Sun without stain, conceived free from original sin, Mistress of Heaven and of Earth, Queen of angels:- humbly prostrate at thy feet we give thee our homage, rejoicing that the year has brought round again the memory of thy most happy Nativity; and we pray thee with all our hearts to vouchsafe in thy goodness now to come down again and be reborn spiritually in our souls, that, led captive by thy loveliness and sweetness, they may ever live united to thy most sweet and loving heart.
i. So now whilst we say nine angelic salutations, we will direct our thoughts to the nine months which thou didst pass enclosed in thy mother’s womb; celebrating at the same time thy descent from the royal house of David, and how thou didst come forth to the light of heaven with high honour from the womb of holy Anna, thy most happy mother.
Ave Maria.
ii. We hail thee, heavenly Babe, white Dove of purity; who in spite of the serpent wast conceived free from original sin.
Ave Maria.
iii. We hail thee, bright Morn; who, forerunner of the Heavenly Sun of Justice, didst bring the first light to earth.
Ave Maria.
iv. We hail thee, Elect; who, like the untarnished Sun, didst burst forth in the dark night of sin.
Ave Maria.
v. We hail thee, beauteous Moon; who didst shed light upon a world wrapt in the darkness of idolatry.
Ave Maria.
vi. We hail thee, dread Warrior-Queen; who, in thyself a host, didst put to flight all hell.
Ave Maria.
vii. We hail thee, fair Soul of Mary; who from eternity wast possessed by God and God alone.
Ave Maria.
viii. We hail thee, dear Child, and we humbly venerate thy most holy infant body, the sacred swaddling-clothes wherewith they bound thee, the sacred crib wherein they laid thee, and we bless the hour and the day when thou wast born.
Ave Maria.
ix. We hail thee, much-loved Infant, adorned with every virtue immeasurably above all saints, and therefore worthy Mother of the Saviour of the world; who, having been made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, didst bring forth the Word Incarnate.
Ave Maria.
PRAYER
O most lovely Infant, who by thy holy birth hast comforted the world, made glad the heavens, struck terror into hell, brought help to the fallen, consolation to the sad, salvation to the weak, joy to all men living; we entreat thee, with the most fervent love and gratitude, to be spiritually reborn in our souls by means of thy most holy love; renew our spirits to thy service, rekindle in our hearts the fire of charity, bid all the virtues blossom there, that so we may find more and more favour in thy gracious eyes. Mary! be thou our Mary, and may we feel the saving power of thy sweetest name; may it ever be our comfort to call on that name in all our troubles; may it be our hope in dangers, our shield in temptation, and our last utterance in death. Sit nomen Mariae mel in ore, melos in aure, et jubilus in corde. Amen. Let the name of Mary be honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, joy in the heart. Amen.
V. Nativitas tua, Dei Genitrix Virgo.
R. Gaudium annuntiavit universo mundo.
Oremus.
Famulis tuis, quaesumus Domine, coelestis gratiae munus impertire: ut quibus Beata Virginis partus extitit salutis exordium, nativitatis ejus votiva solemnitas pacis tribuat incrementum.
Oremus.
Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.
TRANSLATION.
V. Thy Nativity, O Virgin Mother of God.
R. Hath brought joy to the whole world.
Let us pray.
Grant to us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace; that to all those for whom the delivery of the Blessed Virgin was the beginning of salvation, this her votive festival may give increase of peace. Through, &c.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful people by the light of the Holy Spirit; grant us in the same Spirit to relish what is right, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
AFRICA : CAMEROON : CONGRESS OF CATHOLIC LAITY
CISA NEWS REPORT:
YAOUNDE, September 4, 2012 (CISA) -The
Pan–African Congress of Catholic Laity organized by the Pontifical Council for
the Laity began on 4th September 2012. The September 4th to 9th, 2012 gathering
is being held under the theme: “Being Witnesses of Jesus Christ in Africa
Today: Salt of the earth …light of the world (Mt. 5:13-14)”.This
continental Congress is being held at the Catholic University of Central Africa
in Yaoundé.
The congress, which opened with a keynote address by Cardinal Stanslaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, brings together the laity and bishops from different geographical and cultural areas in Africa to reflect on various challenges and share their experiences of being witnesses of Jesus Christ. Several lectures, open and panel discussions programmed during the congress will inspire the reflections and sharing of experiences of the delegates.
In the wake of the apostolic exhortations Ecclesia in Africa of Blessed John Paul II and Africae Munus of Benedict XVI, this Congress intends to be an event of hope in the evangelizing mission and to help rediscover the beauty of being Christians in the African continent, in the midst of several challenges the lay faithful face in the witness of Christ in the various fields of society.
Among the important topics to be covered by the relators during the congress are: African lay faithful: salt of the earth and light of a new world according to the Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus by Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson, Africa today: social, geopolitical, economic and cultural dimensions by Professor Marie Thérése Megue, Jesus Christ on African soil: priorities, problems and challenges for the Church in Africa by Bishop Barthélemy Adoukonou.
Other lectures will discuss the vocation and mission of lay faithful addressed by Bishop Joseph Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and the education and training of the lay faithful in Africa that will be discussed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. These and other topics are intended to promote active membership of the laity in local and universal Church, and to strengthen their relationship with the local pastors and the Successor of St. Peter.
After the two general assemblies of the Synod of Bishops on Africa, the Congress intends to strengthen the identity of the Catholic laity of the continent and to help them live their co-responsibility in the mission of building up the Church in various fields of apostolate such as Christian education and formation; pastoral care of the family; the role of women and youths in building up the Christian community and society in Africa; the participation of the Catholic lay faithful in the work place and in politics. Thus, in this way giving witness to their Christian faith.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
The congress, which opened with a keynote address by Cardinal Stanslaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, brings together the laity and bishops from different geographical and cultural areas in Africa to reflect on various challenges and share their experiences of being witnesses of Jesus Christ. Several lectures, open and panel discussions programmed during the congress will inspire the reflections and sharing of experiences of the delegates.
In the wake of the apostolic exhortations Ecclesia in Africa of Blessed John Paul II and Africae Munus of Benedict XVI, this Congress intends to be an event of hope in the evangelizing mission and to help rediscover the beauty of being Christians in the African continent, in the midst of several challenges the lay faithful face in the witness of Christ in the various fields of society.
Among the important topics to be covered by the relators during the congress are: African lay faithful: salt of the earth and light of a new world according to the Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus by Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson, Africa today: social, geopolitical, economic and cultural dimensions by Professor Marie Thérése Megue, Jesus Christ on African soil: priorities, problems and challenges for the Church in Africa by Bishop Barthélemy Adoukonou.
Other lectures will discuss the vocation and mission of lay faithful addressed by Bishop Joseph Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and the education and training of the lay faithful in Africa that will be discussed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. These and other topics are intended to promote active membership of the laity in local and universal Church, and to strengthen their relationship with the local pastors and the Successor of St. Peter.
After the two general assemblies of the Synod of Bishops on Africa, the Congress intends to strengthen the identity of the Catholic laity of the continent and to help them live their co-responsibility in the mission of building up the Church in various fields of apostolate such as Christian education and formation; pastoral care of the family; the role of women and youths in building up the Christian community and society in Africa; the participation of the Catholic lay faithful in the work place and in politics. Thus, in this way giving witness to their Christian faith.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
EUROPE : AUSTRIA : CARDINAL STRESSES ECUMENISM
CATHOLIC HERALD REPORT:
By Cindy
Wooden
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of
Vienna (Reuters/Leonhard Foeger)
Benedict XVI’s decision to meet his former students for
a discussion about ecumenical relations, especially Catholic relations with
Anglicans and Lutherans, demonstrates the importance he gives to the search for
Christian unity, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna has said.
The Austrian cardinal, one of the former doctoral students of the former Professor Joseph Ratzinger, spoke to Vatican Radio on the eve of the annual three-day meeting of the Ratzinger Schülerkreis – literally, the Ratzinger student circle.
“The fact that the Holy Father chose this theme for this year’s meeting is a sign that for him the ecumenical question is of primary importance”, especially as the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which formally set out the Church’s ecumenical agenda, the cardinal said.
The Pope’s former doctoral students will base their discussions on retired German Cardinal Walter Kasper’s book, Harvesting the Fruits, a comparative collection of the agreements reached in theological dialogues with the Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Reformed communities since Vatican II.
Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, who succeeded Cardinal Kasper as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will participate in the meeting of the Schülerkreis in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence about 15 miles south-east of Rome.
The Pope and his students have invited guest speakers to the closed-door meeting: retired Lutheran Bishop Ulrich Wilckens, a New Testament scholar, Theodor Dieter, director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, and Swiss Bishop Charles Morerod of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg.
The choice of focusing on relations with Anglicans and with Lutherans, Cardinal Schönborn said, reflects that the two communities came out of the Reformation and the churches are preparing commemorations of the Reformation’s 500th anniversary in 2017.
As Pope Benedict has taught, the theological discussions with other Christians must be “a dialogue in truth and charity”, the cardinal said, and one that “does not conceal the drama of division among Christians in Europe and, as a consequence, all over the world”.
Cardinal Schönborn also said he expected a discussion about what it really means to speak of the reform of the Church, which is “a theme of utmost importance to the Holy Father. We only have to think of all that he has said and taught about reform in continuity as a model of Catholic reform. Of course, as part of the jubilee of the Reformation there will be a lot of talk about what constitutes real reform, which we need even today.”
The cardinal said the students have been holding the annual meetings with their former professor since 1977 and real friendships had developed. But, he said, what really counts at the meetings is the scholarly validity and rigour of the arguments advanced, the reflection, discussions and search for truth.
SHARED FROM CATHOLIC HERALD
The Austrian cardinal, one of the former doctoral students of the former Professor Joseph Ratzinger, spoke to Vatican Radio on the eve of the annual three-day meeting of the Ratzinger Schülerkreis – literally, the Ratzinger student circle.
“The fact that the Holy Father chose this theme for this year’s meeting is a sign that for him the ecumenical question is of primary importance”, especially as the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which formally set out the Church’s ecumenical agenda, the cardinal said.
The Pope’s former doctoral students will base their discussions on retired German Cardinal Walter Kasper’s book, Harvesting the Fruits, a comparative collection of the agreements reached in theological dialogues with the Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Reformed communities since Vatican II.
Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, who succeeded Cardinal Kasper as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will participate in the meeting of the Schülerkreis in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s summer residence about 15 miles south-east of Rome.
The Pope and his students have invited guest speakers to the closed-door meeting: retired Lutheran Bishop Ulrich Wilckens, a New Testament scholar, Theodor Dieter, director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, and Swiss Bishop Charles Morerod of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg.
The choice of focusing on relations with Anglicans and with Lutherans, Cardinal Schönborn said, reflects that the two communities came out of the Reformation and the churches are preparing commemorations of the Reformation’s 500th anniversary in 2017.
As Pope Benedict has taught, the theological discussions with other Christians must be “a dialogue in truth and charity”, the cardinal said, and one that “does not conceal the drama of division among Christians in Europe and, as a consequence, all over the world”.
Cardinal Schönborn also said he expected a discussion about what it really means to speak of the reform of the Church, which is “a theme of utmost importance to the Holy Father. We only have to think of all that he has said and taught about reform in continuity as a model of Catholic reform. Of course, as part of the jubilee of the Reformation there will be a lot of talk about what constitutes real reform, which we need even today.”
The cardinal said the students have been holding the annual meetings with their former professor since 1977 and real friendships had developed. But, he said, what really counts at the meetings is the scholarly validity and rigour of the arguments advanced, the reflection, discussions and search for truth.
SHARED FROM CATHOLIC HERALD
ASIA : PAKISTAN : YOUNG CHRISTIAN GIRL RAPED
ASIA NEWS REPORT: by Shafique
Khokar
She was raped in the man's home, where had been taken with a ruse. After he sexually assaulted her, he left her on the floor, unconscious. After arrest, he is waiting for trial. The girl's father is already receiving threats and pressures but wants justice. Vicar general complains that the rich and powerful think they can get away with it.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - The wave of anti-Christian violence has not stopped in Pakistan. Abuses continue to be perpetrated in the name of the blasphemy law and acts of sexual violence are carried out against underage girls from religious minorities, treated as mere objects for personal pleasure.
As the case of Rimsha Masih, the young girl with mental disabilities falsely accused based on the 'black law,' continues to draw the attention of the international community, the case involving another Christian girl came to light yesterday. On 25 August, Allah Rakhi, 10, was sexually assaulted by a Muslim scrap dealer. The girl, who is from a poor family in Yousafabad, Madina Town, Faisalabad, was brutally raped and left bleeding on the ground.
Local sources report that police filed a case against the accused rapist and arrested him, but details about the incident surfaced only in the last few hours.
Early reports say that the girl went to a store to sell some old items along with her 8-year-old sister Suneha. The scrap dealer, Muhammad Nazir, 60, told her that he would buy the items but had no cash to pay her. He invited the two sisters to follow him to his home where he would pay them. Once they arrived, he let only the 10 year old into the house.
After a while, Suneha entered the house where she found her sister, naked and crying. She then ran home and told her father who came back to get his older daughter. The latter was still lying on the floor where she had been sexually assaulted, unconscious and in pain. In the room, a TV was still on showing a porno movie, a source said.
A medical examination confirmed the girl had been raped. Thanks to the cooperation of a Christian activist, a case was filed against Muhammad Nazir. Even though he threatened to make Christians pay if they reported the incident, he was subsequently arrested,.
"We are very poor and unable to fight with this kind of rich people," Sarfraz Masih, the girl's father, told AsiaNews. "We have been threatened," but "we will fight for justice and will not step back because of threats or blandishments. My daughter is in critical situation and I have sent her to an unknown place for security reasons."
For Fr Khalid Rashid Asi, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad, "the lack of justice in Pakistan means that the rich and powerful think that they can commit such acts and get away with it," which is what often happens.
Had such a terrible crime been done against a Muslim girl, "it is likely that all the Christian homes in the area would have been torched." The law must be the same for everyone, the priest said, "and offenders punished."
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
She was raped in the man's home, where had been taken with a ruse. After he sexually assaulted her, he left her on the floor, unconscious. After arrest, he is waiting for trial. The girl's father is already receiving threats and pressures but wants justice. Vicar general complains that the rich and powerful think they can get away with it.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) - The wave of anti-Christian violence has not stopped in Pakistan. Abuses continue to be perpetrated in the name of the blasphemy law and acts of sexual violence are carried out against underage girls from religious minorities, treated as mere objects for personal pleasure.
As the case of Rimsha Masih, the young girl with mental disabilities falsely accused based on the 'black law,' continues to draw the attention of the international community, the case involving another Christian girl came to light yesterday. On 25 August, Allah Rakhi, 10, was sexually assaulted by a Muslim scrap dealer. The girl, who is from a poor family in Yousafabad, Madina Town, Faisalabad, was brutally raped and left bleeding on the ground.
Local sources report that police filed a case against the accused rapist and arrested him, but details about the incident surfaced only in the last few hours.
Early reports say that the girl went to a store to sell some old items along with her 8-year-old sister Suneha. The scrap dealer, Muhammad Nazir, 60, told her that he would buy the items but had no cash to pay her. He invited the two sisters to follow him to his home where he would pay them. Once they arrived, he let only the 10 year old into the house.
After a while, Suneha entered the house where she found her sister, naked and crying. She then ran home and told her father who came back to get his older daughter. The latter was still lying on the floor where she had been sexually assaulted, unconscious and in pain. In the room, a TV was still on showing a porno movie, a source said.
A medical examination confirmed the girl had been raped. Thanks to the cooperation of a Christian activist, a case was filed against Muhammad Nazir. Even though he threatened to make Christians pay if they reported the incident, he was subsequently arrested,.
"We are very poor and unable to fight with this kind of rich people," Sarfraz Masih, the girl's father, told AsiaNews. "We have been threatened," but "we will fight for justice and will not step back because of threats or blandishments. My daughter is in critical situation and I have sent her to an unknown place for security reasons."
For Fr Khalid Rashid Asi, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad, "the lack of justice in Pakistan means that the rich and powerful think that they can commit such acts and get away with it," which is what often happens.
Had such a terrible crime been done against a Muslim girl, "it is likely that all the Christian homes in the area would have been torched." The law must be the same for everyone, the priest said, "and offenders punished."
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
AMERICA : URUGUAY : OVER 4000 YOUTH AT NATIONAL DAY
Agenzia Fides REPORT- A crowd of more than 4,200 young
people took part, in silence, in prayer and meditation, in the 34th National
Youth Day in Uruguay. According to information sent to Fides Agency, hundreds of
young people from all over the country in fact met in Maldonado, convened by the
Commission for the Pastoral Care of Youth of the Episcopal Conference of
Uruguay. The meeting, held on Saturday 1st and Sunday, September 2, allowed the
participants to better understand the Word of God, so important for their
Christian formation, and to deepen the meaning of the sacraments for a serious
commitment in the Christian community.
Commenting on the slogan of the event, "Find Christ, your life will change," the Bishop of the Diocese of Maldonado, His Exc. Mgr. Rodolfo Wirz, asked young people to engage more and more to becoming "disciples and missionaries ". The program of the 34th National Youth Day included moments of prayer, reflection, Bible readings and comments from the participants. At the end of the two days during the final celebration of the Eucharist, Mgr. Wirz, asked 4,200 young people to consider the encounter with Christ as the strength to assume a true Christian identity and respond courageously to the Church's call for the transformation of society, thus to have a better world. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 03/09/2012)
Commenting on the slogan of the event, "Find Christ, your life will change," the Bishop of the Diocese of Maldonado, His Exc. Mgr. Rodolfo Wirz, asked young people to engage more and more to becoming "disciples and missionaries ". The program of the 34th National Youth Day included moments of prayer, reflection, Bible readings and comments from the participants. At the end of the two days during the final celebration of the Eucharist, Mgr. Wirz, asked 4,200 young people to consider the encounter with Christ as the strength to assume a true Christian identity and respond courageously to the Church's call for the transformation of society, thus to have a better world. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 03/09/2012)
TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 4: POPE ST. BONIFACE I, DIED 422
St. Boniface IPOPE
Feast: September 4
Information: Feast Day: September 4
Died: September 4, 422
Elected 28 December, 418; d. at Rome, 4 September, 422. Little is known of his life antecedent to his election. The "Liber Pontificalis" calls him a Roman, and the son of the presbyter Jocundus. He is believed to have been ordained by Pope Damasus I (366-384) and to have served as representative of Innocent I at Constantinople (c. 405).
At he death of Pope Zosimus, the Roman Church entered into the fifth of the schisms, resulting from double papal elections, which so disturbed her peace during the early centuries. Just after Zosimus's obsequies, 27 December, 418, a faction of the Roman clergy consisting principally of deacons seized the Lateran basilica and elected as pope the Archdeacon Eulalius. The higher clergy tried to enter, but were violently repulsed by a mob of adherents of the Eulalian party. On the following day they met in the church of Theodora and elected as pope, much against his will, the aged Boniface, a priest highly esteemed for his charity, learning, and good character. On Sunday, 29 December, both were consecrated, Boniface in the Basilica of St. Marcellus, supported by nine provincial bishops and some seventy priests; Eulalius in the Lateran basilica in the presence of the deacons, a few priests and the Bishop of Ostia, who was summoned from his sickbed to assist at the ordination. Each claimant proceeded to act as pope, and Rome was thrown into tumultuous confusion by the clash of the rival factions. The Prefect of Rome, Symmachus, hostile to Boniface, reported the trouble to the Emperor Honorius at Ravenna, and secured the imperial confirmation of Eulalius's election. Boniface was expelled from the city. His adherents, however, secured a hearing from the emperor who called a synod of Italian bishops at Ravenna to meet the rival popes and discuss the situation (February, March, 419). Unable to reach a decision, the synod made a few practical provisions pending a general council of Italian, Gaulish, and African bishops to be convened in May to settle the difficulty. It ordered both claimants to leave Rome until a decision was reached and forbade return under penalty of condemnation. As Easter, 30 March, was approaching, Achilleus, Bishop of Spoleto, was deputed to conduct the paschal services in the vacant Roman See. Boniface was sent, it seems, to the cemetery of St. Felicitas on the Via Salaria, and Eulalius to Antium. On 18 March, Eulalius boldly returned to Rome, gathered his partisans, stirred up strife anew, and spurning the prefect's orders to leave the city, seized the Lateran basilica on Holy Saturday (29 March), determined to preside at the paschal ceremonies. The imperial troops were required to dispossess him and make it possible for Achilleus to conduct the services. The emperor was deeply indignant at these proceedings and refusing to consider again the claims of Eulalius, recognizedBoniface as legitimate pope (3 April, 418). The latter re-entered Rome 10 April and was acclaimed by the people. Eulalius was madeBishop either of Nepi in Tuscany or of some Campanian see, according to the conflicting data of the sources of the "Liber Pontificalis". The schism had lasted fifteen weeks. Early in 420, the pope's critical illness encouraged the artisans of Eulalius to make another effort. On his recovery Boniface requested the emperor (1 July, 420) to make some provision against possible renewal of the schism in the event of his death. Honorius enacted a law providing that, in contested Papal elections, neither claimant should be recognized and a new election should be held.
Boniface's reign was marked by great zeal and activity in disciplinary organization and control. He reversed his predecessor's policy of endowing certain Western bishops with extraordinary papal vicariate powers. Zosimus had given to Patroclus, Bishop of Arles, extensive jurisdiction in the provinces of Vienna and Narbonne, and had made him an intermediary between these provinces and the Apostolic See. Boniface diminished these primatial rights and restored the metropolitan powers of the chief bishops of provinces. Thus he sustained Hilary, Archbishop of Narbonne, in his choice of a bishop of the vacant See of Lodeve, against Patroclus, who tried to intrude another (422). So, too, he insisted that Maximus, Bishop of Valence, should be tried for his alleged crimes, not by a primate, but by a synod of the bishops of Gaul, and promised to sustain their decision (419). Boniface succeeded to Zosimus's difficulties with the African Church regarding appeals to Rome and, in particular, the case of Apiarius. The Council of Carthage, having heard the representations of Zosimus's legates, sent to Boniface on 31 May, 419, a letter in reply to the commonitorium of his predecessor. It stated that the council had been unable to verify the canons which the legates had quoted as Nicene, but which were later found to be Sardican. It agreed, however, to observe them until verification could be established. This letter is often cited in illustration of the defiant attitude of theAfrican Church to the Roman See. An unbiased study of it, however, must lead to no more extreme conclusion than that of Dom Chapman: "it was written in considerable irritation, yet in a studiously moderate tone" (Dublin Review. July, 1901, 109-119). TheAfricans were irritated at the insolence of Boniface's legates and incensed at being urged to obey laws which they thought were not consistently enforced at Rome. This they told Boniface in no uncertain language; yet, far from repudiating his authority, they promised to obey the suspected laws thus recognizing the pope's office as guardian of the Church's discipline. In 422 Boniface received the appeal of Anthony of Fussula who, through the efforts of St. Augustine, had been deposed by a provincial synod of Numidia, and decided that he should be restored if his innocence be established. Boniface ardently supported St. Augustine in combating Pelagianism. Having received two Pelagian letters calumniating Augustine, he sent them to him. In recognition of this solicitude Augustine dedicated to Boniface his rejoinder contained in "Contra duas Epistolas Pelagianoruin Libri quatuor".
In the East he zealously maintained his jurisdiction over the ecclesiastical provinces of Illyricurn, of which the Patriarch of Constantinople was trying to secure control on account of their becoming a part of the Eastern empire. The Bishop of Thessalonica had been constituted papal vicar in this territory, exercising jurisdiction over the metropolitans and bishops. By letters to Rufus, the contemporary incumbent of the see, Boniface watched closely over the interests of the Illyrian church and insisted on obedience to Rome. In 421 dissatisfaction expressed by certain malcontents among the bishops, on account of the pope's refusal to confirm the election of Perigines as Bishop of Corinth unless the candidate was recognized by Rufus, served as a pretext for the young emperor Theodosius II to grant the ecclesiastical dominion of Illyricurn to the Patriarch of Constantinople (14 July, 421). Boniface remonstrated with Honorius against the violation of the rights of his see, and prevailed upon him to urge Theodosius to rescind his enactment. The law was not enforced, but it remained in the Theodosian (439) and Justinian (534) codes and caused much trouble for succeeding popes. By a letter of 11 March, 422, Boniface forbade the consecration in Illyricum of any bishop whom Rufus would not recognize. Boniface renewed the legislation of Pope Soter, prohibiting women to touch the sacred linens or to minister at the burning of incense. He enforced the laws forbidding slaves to become clerics. He was buried in the cemetery of Maximus on the Via Salaria, near the tomb of his favorite, St. Felicitas, in whose honor and in gratitude for whose aid he had erected an oratory over the cemetery bearing her name.
source http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbonifacei.asp
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment