| VATICAN : POPE : SOLID ROCK OF FRIENDSHIP WITH CHRIST AND OTHER NEWS AMERICA : USA : NOVENA AND MASS FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY AUSTRALIA : ARCHBISHOP - INQUIRY TO ABUSE - FACING THE TRUTH ASIA : INDONESIA : CATHOLIC SCHOOLS THREATENED WITH CLOSURE AFRICA : KENYA : STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR AIDS ORPHANS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO EUROPE : WOMEN'S ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : THURS. SEPT. 20, 2012 TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 20: ST. ANDREW TAEGON, KOREA EVANGELISATION IS NOT THE WORK OF SPECIALISTS BUT OF THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF GOD RADIO VATICANA IMAGE/VIS REPORTS: Vatican City, 20 September 2012 (VIS) - "As members of the college of bishops, you must always have particular care for the universal Church, especially by promoting and defending the unity of the faith. ... This is a particularly important in our own times, which call on you courageously to invite mankind of all degrees to meet Christ and to strengthen the faith". These words were addressed by the Pope to bishops participating in a congress currently being promoted by the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. The bishops' pilgrimage to the Tomb of St. Peter is or particular importance this year, the Holy Father noted, in light of the forthcoming Year of Faith marking the fiftieth anniversary of Vatican Council II and the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith". The bishops' first concern, then, must be "to promote and support 'stronger ecclesial commitment to new evangelisation in order to rediscover the joy of believing and the enthusiasm for communicating the faith'. You are called", the Pope told his audience, "to support and nourish communion and collaboration between all parts of you dioceses. Evangelisation is not the work of a small number of specialists but of the entire People of God under the guidance of their pastors. Each member of the faithful, with and within ecclesial communion, must feel the responsibility to announce and bear witness to the Gospel". Benedict XVI then went on to recall how, during the opening of Vatican Council II, Blessed John XXIII had affirmed the need for "'this certain and unchanging doctrine, which must be faithfully respected, to be developed and presented in a way that responds to the necessities of our time'. We could say that new evangelisation began with the Council, which Blessed John XXIII saw as a new Pentecost that would make the Church flourish in her interior richness and here maternal outreach towards all areas of human activity. The effects of that new Pentecost, despite the difficulties, have extended to every expression of Church life: from the institutional to the spiritual, from the participation of the lay faithful, to the growth of charisms and sanctity". This heritage has been entrusted to the pastoral care of bishops, the Pope explained, and he encouraged his hearers "to draw from this patrimony of doctrine, spirituality and sanctity in order to educate your flock in the faith, that their witness may become increasingly credible. At the same time your episcopal office requires you 'to give reasons for the hope that is in you' to everyone seeking the faith or the ultimate meaning of life. In them too 'grace works in an unseen way, for Christ died for all men, and the ultimate vocation of man is one, and divine'. I encourage you, then, to work to ensure that everyone, in keeping with their age and condition, be presented with the central contents of the faith, systematically and completely, in order to respond to the questions raised by our technological and globalised world. ... The Catechism of the Catholic Church is vital to this end, a sure norm for teaching faith and communion in the one Creed. The world in which we live requires Christians to have a solid formation". The faith calls for "credible witnesses, people who trust in the Lord and entrust themselves to Him 'to become a living sign of the presence of the Risen Lord in the world'. The bishop, who is the first witness to the faith, accompanies believers on their journey offering them the example of a life lived in faithful abandonment to God. ... It is not, in fact, possible to serve mankind without first being servants of God", the Holy Father said. He concluded by reminding the prelates that "your personal commitment to sanctity must involve daily assimilation of the Word of God in Prayer and in the Eucharist. ... Charity must impel you to remain close to your priests. ... They are your first and most important collaborators in bringing God to mankind and mankind to God. The charity of the Good Shepherd will also make you attentive to the poor and suffering, bringing them consolation and support, and guiding those who have lost touch with the meaning of life. Remain particularly close to families, ... that they may build their lives on the solid rock of friendship with Christ. And have particular care for seminarians, ... so the community may continue to have mature and joyful pastors, sure guides in the faith". |
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| POPE SENDS
GREETINGS TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ROME Vatican City, 20 September 2012 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent by the Holy Father to Riccardo Di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome, for the Jewish festivities of Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), which all fall in this period. The Pope expresses his best wishes for "peace and goodness to you and to the entire Jewish community of Rome, asking the Almighty for copious blessings for the New Year and hoping that Jews and Christians, as they grow in mutual respect and friendship, many bear witness in the world to the values that arise from adoration of the One God". |
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| HOLY FATHER TO
MAKE A PASTORAL VISIT TO THE SHRINE OF LORETO Vatican City, 20 September 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father is to make a pastoral visit to Loreto, Italy, on 4 October, marking the fiftieth anniversary of Blessed Pope John XXIII's visit to that Marian shrine. Benedict XVI will depart from the Vatican by helicopter at 9 a.m., arriving at the John Paul II Centre at Montorso an hour later. At 10.20 a.m. he is due to visit the Holy House contained inside the shrine, where he will adore the Blessed Sacrament and pray to Our Lady of Loreto. At 10.30 a.m. he will celebrate Mass and pronounce a homily on the Piazza della Madonna di Loreto. Having had lunch at the John Paul II Centre, we is due to depart at 5 p.m. and to arrive back in the Vatican at 6 p.m. |
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| GLOBAL SECURITY
MUST NOT RELY ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS Vatican City, 20 September 2012 (VIS) - Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States and head of the Holy See delegation to the fifty-sixth General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), yesterday addressed that gathering, which is meeting in the Austrian capital Vienna from 17 to 21 September. "Global security must not rely on nuclear weapons", the archbishop said in his English-language remarks. "The Holy See considers the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) an important tool to achieve this aim, without mentioning its potential civil and scientific application through its International Monitoring System. ... The Holy See is convinced that, in working together, the signature, ratification and entry into force of the Treaty will represent a great leap forward for the future of humanity, as well as for the protection of the earth and environment entrusted to our care by the Creator. "Also in this regard", he added, "the ratification on the part of all States, in particular nuclear-weapon States, of the respective Protocols to the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones Treaties is of paramount importance. The Holy See restates its strong support for the efforts to establish such a zone in the Middle East and remains hopeful for the discussions that will take place on this topic in Finland. Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones are the best example of trust, confidence and affirmation that peace and security are possible without possessing nuclear weapons". "An important issue affecting not only the IAEA family, but the human family at large, is the topic of nuclear safety. ... What transpired at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station quickly revealed that a local nuclear crisis is indeed a global problem. It also revealed that the world is exposed to real and systemic risks, and not just hypothetical ones, with incalculable costs, and the necessity of developing international political coordination the likes of which have never been seen, thus raising many questions". "The Technical Cooperation Programme of the Agency is one of the principal instruments for transferring nuclear science and technology to member States in order to promote social, economic and integral development. Its initiatives, when tailored to the needs of the recipient States and their partners in the context of national priorities, help to combat poverty and can thus contribute to a more peaceful solution of the serious problems facing humanity". In this context Archbishop Mamberti mentioned the role of radiation therapy in cancer treatment, at the same time noting that "in the developing world, more than half of the number of patients suffering from cancer will not have access to radiotherapy due to the lack of appropriate equipment and sufficiently trained staff. ... The Holy See appreciates the work and efforts of the IAEA and its partners in the planning and furthering of cancer-control programmes and encourages the IAEA to continue to pursue and strengthen these eminently important activities". |
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| AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 20 September 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience six prelates of the Conference of Bishops of France on their "ad limina" visit: - Archbishop Jean-Charles Descubes of Rouen. - Bishop Jean-Claude Boulanger of Bayeux. - Bishop Stanislas Lalanne of Coutances. - Bishop Christian Nourrichard of Evreux. - Bishop Jean-Luc Brunin of Le Havre. - Bishop Jacques Habert of Sees. |
AMERICA : USA : NOVENA AND MASS FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY
USCCB REPORT:
WASHINGTON—A Mass and Pilgrimage
for Life and Liberty at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington is slated for Sunday, Oct. 14 at 12 noon EDT.
Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc
Committee for Religious Liberty, will celebrate the liturgy and pilgrimage as
part of the U.S. bishops’ annual Respect Life prayer campaign. His homily will
focus on the noted quote from Thomas Jefferson: “The god who gave us life gave
us liberty.”
Mass will be preceded by time for
confessions starting at 10 a.m. Following Mass, there will be Eucharistic
Adoration. Shortly thereafter, attendees will recite the rosary as part of the
first day of the Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty. At the conclusion of the
rosary, Archbishop Lori will offer a 10-minute reflection. The event will
conclude with benediction at 2:30 p.m. EWTN television will carry the Mass and
Pilgrimage live.
Further details about the October
prayer campaign can be found at www.usccb.org/freedom. Resources include
the downloadable Rosary Novena for Life and Liberty, recommended for use by
individuals or groups from October 14-22, and a Holy Hour for Life and Liberty.
The resources provide assistance during the Year of Faith which begins October
11. Among materials are those to help people learn more about courageous
forebears in the faith and to follow their example. Particular emphasis will be
given to two saints to be canonized October 21: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a
young Mohawk woman to become the first Native American saint, and Blessed
Marianne Cope, a German nun from the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse, N.Y.,
who aided St. Damien of Molokai in ministering to lepers in Hawaii.
---
SHARED FROM CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS USA
AUSTRALIA : ARCHBISHOP - INQUIRY TO ABUSE - FACING THE TRUTH
ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE RELEASE:
Friday 21 September
2012
THE Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, announced on behalf of the leaders of the Catholic Church in Victoria that today they would lodge the Church’s submission, Facing the Truth, to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations.
The Archbishop said that the Church will co-operate fully with the Inquiry, and that “in Facing the Truth we have been open about the horrific abuse that has occurred in Victoria and elsewhere.”
“The submission shows how the Church of today is committed to facing up to the truth,” the Archbishop said, “and to not disguising, diminishing or avoiding the actions of those who have betrayed a sacred trust.”
“We acknowledge the suffering and trauma endured by children who have been in the Church’s care, and the effect on their families. We renew our apology to them.
“In the submission we provide details of the structure and governance of the Church, and of the many layers of authority and responsibility in dioceses, parishes, and religious orders and institutes.”
The Archbishop said that the submission shows how the Church has learned from past failures and changed the way it deals with victims and offenders.
“This includes the changes in approach since the 1980s, when the Church began to develop policies and procedures that would give direction and support to dioceses and religious institutes in dealing with child sexual abuse,”he said.
“This led to the Archdiocese of Melbourne introducing the Melbourne Response and Towards Healing being adopted elsewhere, to protect children and vulnerable persons against sexual abuse, and take action against abusers.
In the past 16 years, about 620 cases of criminal child abuse have been upheld by the Church in Victoria. Most claims relate to incidents from 30 and up to 80 years ago. The Church has received very few complaints of abuse that has taken place since 1990.
The Archbishop said victims are strongly encouraged to go to the police, victims and their families are supported, and abusers are dealt with while being afforded natural justice.
“When police commence an investigation, the Church takes no further steps until the investigation and any resulting proceedings are completed,” the Archbishop explained.
“We look to this Inquiry to assist the healing of those who have been abused, to examine the broad context of the Church’s response, especially over the last 16 years, and to make recommendations to enhance the care for victims and preventative measures that are now in place,” Archbishop Hart said.
The Inquiry has stated that it will publish submissions on its website. Once the Church submission is published it will be available in full.Read in full the Archbishop’s announcement on behalf of the leaders of the Catholic Church in Victoria
THE Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, announced on behalf of the leaders of the Catholic Church in Victoria that today they would lodge the Church’s submission, Facing the Truth, to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations.
The Archbishop said that the Church will co-operate fully with the Inquiry, and that “in Facing the Truth we have been open about the horrific abuse that has occurred in Victoria and elsewhere.”
“The submission shows how the Church of today is committed to facing up to the truth,” the Archbishop said, “and to not disguising, diminishing or avoiding the actions of those who have betrayed a sacred trust.”
“We acknowledge the suffering and trauma endured by children who have been in the Church’s care, and the effect on their families. We renew our apology to them.
“In the submission we provide details of the structure and governance of the Church, and of the many layers of authority and responsibility in dioceses, parishes, and religious orders and institutes.”
The Archbishop said that the submission shows how the Church has learned from past failures and changed the way it deals with victims and offenders.
“This includes the changes in approach since the 1980s, when the Church began to develop policies and procedures that would give direction and support to dioceses and religious institutes in dealing with child sexual abuse,”he said.
“This led to the Archdiocese of Melbourne introducing the Melbourne Response and Towards Healing being adopted elsewhere, to protect children and vulnerable persons against sexual abuse, and take action against abusers.
In the past 16 years, about 620 cases of criminal child abuse have been upheld by the Church in Victoria. Most claims relate to incidents from 30 and up to 80 years ago. The Church has received very few complaints of abuse that has taken place since 1990.
The Archbishop said victims are strongly encouraged to go to the police, victims and their families are supported, and abusers are dealt with while being afforded natural justice.
“When police commence an investigation, the Church takes no further steps until the investigation and any resulting proceedings are completed,” the Archbishop explained.
“We look to this Inquiry to assist the healing of those who have been abused, to examine the broad context of the Church’s response, especially over the last 16 years, and to make recommendations to enhance the care for victims and preventative measures that are now in place,” Archbishop Hart said.
The Inquiry has stated that it will publish submissions on its website. Once the Church submission is published it will be available in full.Read in full the Archbishop’s announcement on behalf of the leaders of the Catholic Church in Victoria
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE
OF MELBOURNE
ASIA : INDONESIA : CATHOLIC SCHOOLS THREATENED WITH CLOSURE
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Mathias Hariyadi
Tegal District leaders and Catholic representatives hold special meeting. Sister Madeleine rejects accusations and reiterates her schools' policy, from kindergarten to high school. Muslim parents with children in Catholic schools agree, defending the latter's independence.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The demand to include Islamic teaching in Catholic schools is proving controversial again. A few months ago, the Education Department in Tegal District (Central Java) warned St Pius Catholic Schools to include Islamic courses for Muslim students.
Local authorities summoned Sister Madeleine, of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, to meet the district council to discuss the issue. The woman religious runs the Asti Dharma Foundation, which manages various St Pius schools, from primary to secondary as well as vocational training.
In yesterday's meeting with Tegal administration, the nun used all her eloquence and power of persuasion, backed by the moral and political support of Catholic lawyers and Fr Frans Widyanatardi Pr, who is in charge of Sacred Heart parish.
The row over Islamic education for Muslim students goes back a while, first raised by the Education Department and then the Religious Affairs Bureau, until local media, radio and TV, picked up the story and made it public.
The situation is critical because the sisters of the St Pius Catholic Schools have received threats and warnings, including the threat of having their schools shut down if they do not comply with the requests.
In response to critics, Sister Madeleine said that only two Muslim kids attend the St Pius Catholic Kindergarten, nine are in primary school, 12 in junior high and nine in high school, this out of a total school population of around 1,400 pupils, Fr Frans told AsiaNews.
Muslim parents have come out to defend the Catholic schools, saying they do not believe the schools would be closed for the lack of Islamic courses.
"Who are these people" who asked the Tegal Education Department to impose Islamic teaching for Muslim students, said Mr Charles Sinaga, a Muslim, who has a son in junior high, especially since the requests that were made remain anonymous or vague. For him, "only parents are morally entitled to make such requests."
Unlike other nations, religious education is compulsory in Indonesia. However, in Christian schools, Christianity, not other religions, has been taught.
The goal in any event is not to proselytise or "convert" non-Christian students. Even when pupils ask to be baptised, they still need their parents' consent.
In addition, those who do convert tend to be Sino-Indonesians who leave their ancestral religion, not Islam, for Christianity.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
by Mathias Hariyadi
Tegal District leaders and Catholic representatives hold special meeting. Sister Madeleine rejects accusations and reiterates her schools' policy, from kindergarten to high school. Muslim parents with children in Catholic schools agree, defending the latter's independence.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The demand to include Islamic teaching in Catholic schools is proving controversial again. A few months ago, the Education Department in Tegal District (Central Java) warned St Pius Catholic Schools to include Islamic courses for Muslim students.
Local authorities summoned Sister Madeleine, of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, to meet the district council to discuss the issue. The woman religious runs the Asti Dharma Foundation, which manages various St Pius schools, from primary to secondary as well as vocational training.
In yesterday's meeting with Tegal administration, the nun used all her eloquence and power of persuasion, backed by the moral and political support of Catholic lawyers and Fr Frans Widyanatardi Pr, who is in charge of Sacred Heart parish.
The row over Islamic education for Muslim students goes back a while, first raised by the Education Department and then the Religious Affairs Bureau, until local media, radio and TV, picked up the story and made it public.
The situation is critical because the sisters of the St Pius Catholic Schools have received threats and warnings, including the threat of having their schools shut down if they do not comply with the requests.
In response to critics, Sister Madeleine said that only two Muslim kids attend the St Pius Catholic Kindergarten, nine are in primary school, 12 in junior high and nine in high school, this out of a total school population of around 1,400 pupils, Fr Frans told AsiaNews.
Muslim parents have come out to defend the Catholic schools, saying they do not believe the schools would be closed for the lack of Islamic courses.
"Who are these people" who asked the Tegal Education Department to impose Islamic teaching for Muslim students, said Mr Charles Sinaga, a Muslim, who has a son in junior high, especially since the requests that were made remain anonymous or vague. For him, "only parents are morally entitled to make such requests."
Unlike other nations, religious education is compulsory in Indonesia. However, in Christian schools, Christianity, not other religions, has been taught.
The goal in any event is not to proselytise or "convert" non-Christian students. Even when pupils ask to be baptised, they still need their parents' consent.
In addition, those who do convert tend to be Sino-Indonesians who leave their ancestral religion, not Islam, for Christianity.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
AFRICA : KENYA : STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR AIDS ORPHANS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
CISA REPORT:
NAIROBI, September 18,
2012 (CISA) -Students of Strathmore University, who are members of the
AIESEC club, have come up with a charity campaign to raise funds for HIV/AIDS
orphaned children in Nyeri and Kibera slums. They have teamed up with University
of Maastritch (Netherlands) for the initiative dubbed ‘Kilimanjaro Aid to
AIDS’.
“The initiative involves raising funds and thereafter climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our main aim is to climb the highest mountain in Africa to show that anything is possible. We can do anything no matter how big it is,” says Fahad Adil, the Vice President of the Global Community Development Programme.
Fahad and his team are looking for sponsors to help fund the project. Among those offering to support the project is Twins Catering Company.
“Twins Catering is a fully owned Kenyan company involved in corporate catering and runs a bakery in Uchumi and Chandarana supermarkets. One of our branches is located on the first floor of the student centre of Strathmore University,” explains Brian Kimbui of Twins Catering.
According to Brian, one of the aims of the Strathmore branch is to engage in student activity. “Between September 24 and October 12, 5% of all our sales at the snack bar go towards the AIESEC project. We’re happy to help. But as much as we are supporting them, there’s only so much we can do, so we are trying our best to bring other people on board.”
The students plan to raise at least a million Kenya shillings to go towards the project and are open to any willing sponsors.
The climb to Mt. Kilimanjaro takes place for six days, from October 28 to November 2. Anyone can take part. The cost will be Ksh 40,000 that caters for food, transport, accommodation and part of the climbing gear required. All proceeds go to Masterpiece where HIV+ orphans are housed.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
“The initiative involves raising funds and thereafter climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our main aim is to climb the highest mountain in Africa to show that anything is possible. We can do anything no matter how big it is,” says Fahad Adil, the Vice President of the Global Community Development Programme.
Fahad and his team are looking for sponsors to help fund the project. Among those offering to support the project is Twins Catering Company.
“Twins Catering is a fully owned Kenyan company involved in corporate catering and runs a bakery in Uchumi and Chandarana supermarkets. One of our branches is located on the first floor of the student centre of Strathmore University,” explains Brian Kimbui of Twins Catering.
According to Brian, one of the aims of the Strathmore branch is to engage in student activity. “Between September 24 and October 12, 5% of all our sales at the snack bar go towards the AIESEC project. We’re happy to help. But as much as we are supporting them, there’s only so much we can do, so we are trying our best to bring other people on board.”
The students plan to raise at least a million Kenya shillings to go towards the project and are open to any willing sponsors.
The climb to Mt. Kilimanjaro takes place for six days, from October 28 to November 2. Anyone can take part. The cost will be Ksh 40,000 that caters for food, transport, accommodation and part of the climbing gear required. All proceeds go to Masterpiece where HIV+ orphans are housed.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
EUROPE : WOMEN'S ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE
| IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT: | ||||
|
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : THURS. SEPT. 20, 2012
| Luke
7: 36 - 50
| |
| 36 | One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. |
| 37 | And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, |
| 38 | and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. |
| 39 | Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." |
| 40 | And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" |
| 41 | "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. |
| 42 | When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" |
| 43 | Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." |
| 44 | Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. |
| 45 | You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. |
| 46 | You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. |
| 47 | Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." |
| 48 | And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." |
| 49 | Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" |
| 50 | And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." |
a
TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 20: ST. ANDREW TAEGON, KOREA
St. Andrew Kim Taegon
MARTYR
Feast: September 20
Information:
Feast Day:
September 20
Born:
August 21, 1821
Died:
September 16, 1846
Canonized:
6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II
Major Shrine:
Chŏltusan (Martyr's Mound), Seoul, South Korea
Patron of:
Korean Clergy
Andrew Kim Tae-gon was born on 21 August 1821, in Chungchong Province, Korea. His parents, being converts to Catholicism, were subject to persecution, to avoid which they moved to Kyonggi Province. At 15 years old, Kim Tae-gon was chosen by a visiting priest to be a seminarian, and was sent with two other seminarians to Macao. He arrived in 1873 and began his studies with the missionaries of the Far Eastern Procure of the Parish Foreign Mission Society. In 1842 Kim Tae-gon left Macao as an interpreter for a French admiral aboard a warship. When the admiral returned to France, Kim Tae-gon tried to return to his homeland through the strictly guarded norther frontier, but he failed. He was ordained a deacon in China in 1844 and managed to return to Korea the next year, arriving in Seoul early in 1845. He then led the French missionaries by sea to Shanghai, where Bishop Ferreol ordained him the first Korean priest in the Church’s 60-year history in Korea. He returned to Korea with Bishop Ferreol, reaching Chungchong Province in October of the same year. In his home town and vicinity, he catechized the faithful, until Bishop Ferreol summoned him to Seoul. At the Bishop's command, he tried to introduce French missionaries from China into Korea, enlisting the aid of Chinese fishermen. For this, Father Kim Tae-gon was arrested and sent to the central prison in Seoul, where was charged as the ringleader of a heretical sect and traitor to his country. He was sentenced to death and was beheaded on 16 September 1846. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and canonized by Pope John-Paul II on 6 May 1984.
MARTYR
Feast: September 20
Information:
Feast Day:
September 20
Born:
August 21, 1821
Died:
September 16, 1846
Canonized:
6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II
Major Shrine:
Chŏltusan (Martyr's Mound), Seoul, South Korea
Patron of:
Korean Clergy
Andrew Kim Tae-gon was born on 21 August 1821, in Chungchong Province, Korea. His parents, being converts to Catholicism, were subject to persecution, to avoid which they moved to Kyonggi Province. At 15 years old, Kim Tae-gon was chosen by a visiting priest to be a seminarian, and was sent with two other seminarians to Macao. He arrived in 1873 and began his studies with the missionaries of the Far Eastern Procure of the Parish Foreign Mission Society. In 1842 Kim Tae-gon left Macao as an interpreter for a French admiral aboard a warship. When the admiral returned to France, Kim Tae-gon tried to return to his homeland through the strictly guarded norther frontier, but he failed. He was ordained a deacon in China in 1844 and managed to return to Korea the next year, arriving in Seoul early in 1845. He then led the French missionaries by sea to Shanghai, where Bishop Ferreol ordained him the first Korean priest in the Church’s 60-year history in Korea. He returned to Korea with Bishop Ferreol, reaching Chungchong Province in October of the same year. In his home town and vicinity, he catechized the faithful, until Bishop Ferreol summoned him to Seoul. At the Bishop's command, he tried to introduce French missionaries from China into Korea, enlisting the aid of Chinese fishermen. For this, Father Kim Tae-gon was arrested and sent to the central prison in Seoul, where was charged as the ringleader of a heretical sect and traitor to his country. He was sentenced to death and was beheaded on 16 September 1846. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and canonized by Pope John-Paul II on 6 May 1984.
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