VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) - We remind our readers that the Vatican Information Service will remain closed during the entire month of August. Service will resume on Wednesday 1 September.
.../ VIS 20100730 (40)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
HOLY FATHER ATTENDS FILM SCREENING AT CASTELGANDOLFO
VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Yesterday evening in the Swiss Hall of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, Benedict XVI attended the screening of a film entitled "Five years of Pope Benedict XVI", directed by the German Michael Mandlik and produced by Bayerischer Rundfunk.
At the end of the film, the Pope expressed his thanks to everyone who had participated in the realisation of "this extraordinary spiritual journey", which recounts certain key moments in the life of the Holy Father and of the Church.
"Today too the Church - though as we know she suffers much - is nonetheless a joyful Church", he said, "not an aged Church", but "a young Church" where "the faith generates joy. ... In this film we have seen the richness of the Church's life, the multiplicity of cultures, charisms and different gifts that live in the Church; and we have seen how the one Church continues to live in this multiplicity and great diversity".
"Personally I found it very moving to see certain moments, especially the moment in which the Lord placed the Petrine service on my shoulders, a burden no-one can bear with his own strength alone, but is able to carry only because the Lord carries us and carries me". The Pope also noted how the film shows that Petrine service involves the duty "to express the unity of this historical diversity, and make it visible, concrete".
BXVI-FILM/ VIS 20100730 (250)
At the end of the film, the Pope expressed his thanks to everyone who had participated in the realisation of "this extraordinary spiritual journey", which recounts certain key moments in the life of the Holy Father and of the Church.
"Today too the Church - though as we know she suffers much - is nonetheless a joyful Church", he said, "not an aged Church", but "a young Church" where "the faith generates joy. ... In this film we have seen the richness of the Church's life, the multiplicity of cultures, charisms and different gifts that live in the Church; and we have seen how the one Church continues to live in this multiplicity and great diversity".
"Personally I found it very moving to see certain moments, especially the moment in which the Lord placed the Petrine service on my shoulders, a burden no-one can bear with his own strength alone, but is able to carry only because the Lord carries us and carries me". The Pope also noted how the film shows that Petrine service involves the duty "to express the unity of this historical diversity, and make it visible, concrete".
BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST
VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for August is: "That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties".
His mission intention is: "That the Church may be a 'home' for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries".
BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/ VIS 20100730 (90)
His mission intention is: "That the Church may be a 'home' for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries".
BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/ VIS 20100730 (90)
PAPAL, HOLY SEE HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL - JULY 2010
VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Following are highlights of the activities of Pope Benedict XVI and of the Holy See for the months of April to July 2010.
APRIL
9: The Vatican Information Service (VIS), apart from its daily news bulletin, acquires its own blog which includes news items from the last few years in Spanish, English, French and Italian. The blog also allows access to the Vatican's Twitter account and YouTube portal. The website is: www.visnews.org.
12: The Vatican website, under the section "Focus", publishes a guide to understanding the procedures of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on sexual abuse allegations towards minors.
15: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Northern Region II), at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
15: Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, presides at Mass for Polish President Lech Kaczynski and other victims of the air accident that occurred on 10 April in Smolensk, Russia.
16: Czech Cardinal Tomas Spidlik S.J. dies at the age of 90.
17-18: Benedict XVI makes an apostolic trip to Malta.
18: Beatification of Servant of God Bernardo Francisco de Hoyos, priest of the order of the Society of Jesus, at the cathedral of Valladolid, Spain.
19: Fifth anniversary of Benedict XVI's election as Pope. On 19 April 2005 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, succeeding Pope John Paul II, became the 264th successor of St. Peter.
24: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Charles Ghislain, the new ambassador of Belgium to the Holy See.
25: Beatification of Servant of God Angelo Paoli, priest of the order of Carmelites of the Strict Observance, at the papal basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
25: Beatification of Servant of God Jose Tous y Soler, priest of the order of Capuchin Friars Minor and founder of the Institute of the Capuchin sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd, at the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, Spain.
25: Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
29: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Jean-Pierre Hamuli Mupenda, the new ambassador to the Holy See of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
29: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
30: Cardinal Paul Augustin Mayer O.S.B., president emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, dies at the age of 98.
MAY
2: Holy Father makes a pastoral visit to the Italian city of Turin, for the exposition of the Holy Shroud.
4: Cardinal Luigi Poggi, archivist and librarian emeritus of Holy Roman Church, dies at the age of 92.
6: The Pope receives in audience Doris Leuthard, president of the Swiss Confederation.
6: The Pope receives in audience His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait.
7: The Pope receives in audience Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia.
8: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Belgium, at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
10: Announcement that the definitive text of the second volume of the book 'Jesus of Nazareth' by His Holiness Benedict XVI was recently consigned to the publishers. The second volume is dedicated to the Passion and the Resurrection, and starts where the first volume finished.
11-14: Benedict XVI makes an apostolic trip to Portugal.
17: The Pope receives in audience Evo Morales Ayma, president of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
20: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Hissa Abdulla Ahmed Al-Otaiba, the first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Holy See.
20: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Luvsantseren Orgil, the new ambassador of Mongolia to the Holy See.
20: The Pope receives in audience Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele, prime minister of Tonga.
21: The Pope receives in audience Leonel Antonio Fernandez Reyna, president of the Dominican Republic.
22: Beatification of Servant of God Teresa Manganiello, virgin and Franciscan tertiary, at the basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Benevento, Italy.
24: The Pope receives in audience Denis Sassou N'guesso, president of the Republic of Congo.
24: The Pope receives in audience Mihai Ghimpu, speaker of parliament and acting president of the Republic of Moldova.
28: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Theodore Loko, the first resident ambassador of Benin to the Holy See.
30: Beatification of Servant of God Maria Pierina De Micheli, virgin and sister of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception in Buenos Aires, at the papal basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
JUNE
4-6: Benedict XVI makes an apostolic trip to Cyprus.
6: Beatification of Servant of God Jerzy Popieluszko, priest and martyr, at Marshal J. Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland.
9-11: International meeting of clergy to mark the end of the Year for Priests, called by Benedict XVI for the 150th anniversary of the death of the holy "Cure of Ars".
10: The Pope receives in audience Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, prime minister of Spain.
12: Beatification of Servant of God Manuel Lozano Garrido, layman, in Linares, Spain.
13: Beatification of Servant of God Lojze Grozde, Slovenian layman and martyr, in Celje, Slovenia.
19: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Eastern Region II), at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
27: Beatification of Servant of God Stephen Nehme (ne Joseph), Lebanese professed religious of the Order of Maronites, in Kfifan, Lebanon.
28: The Pope creates a new organisation, in the form of a Pontifical Council, with the fundamental task of promoting renewed evangelisation in countries undergoing a progressive secularisation of society.
30: Publication of the Message for World Tourism Day by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. The Day, which is due to be celebrated on 27 December, has as its theme: "Tourism and Biodiversity".
JULY
2: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Habbeb Mohammed Hadi Ali Al-Sadr, the new ambassador of Iraq to the Holy See.
4: The Pope makes a pastoral visit to the town of Sulmona, in the Italian region of Abruzzo.
7: Benedict XVI moves to his summer residence at Castelgandolfo for a period of rest.
13: Announcement of the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the 2011 World Day of Peace: "Religious freedom, the path to peace".
15: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith publishes its new "Norms concerning the most serious crimes".
22: Publication of "The Friends of Jesus", a new book for children by Benedict XVI in which he recounts the story of the twelve Apostles and St. Paul.
.../ VIS 20100730 (1130)
APRIL
9: The Vatican Information Service (VIS), apart from its daily news bulletin, acquires its own blog which includes news items from the last few years in Spanish, English, French and Italian. The blog also allows access to the Vatican's Twitter account and YouTube portal. The website is: www.visnews.org.
12: The Vatican website, under the section "Focus", publishes a guide to understanding the procedures of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on sexual abuse allegations towards minors.
15: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Northern Region II), at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
15: Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, presides at Mass for Polish President Lech Kaczynski and other victims of the air accident that occurred on 10 April in Smolensk, Russia.
16: Czech Cardinal Tomas Spidlik S.J. dies at the age of 90.
17-18: Benedict XVI makes an apostolic trip to Malta.
18: Beatification of Servant of God Bernardo Francisco de Hoyos, priest of the order of the Society of Jesus, at the cathedral of Valladolid, Spain.
19: Fifth anniversary of Benedict XVI's election as Pope. On 19 April 2005 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, succeeding Pope John Paul II, became the 264th successor of St. Peter.
24: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Charles Ghislain, the new ambassador of Belgium to the Holy See.
25: Beatification of Servant of God Angelo Paoli, priest of the order of Carmelites of the Strict Observance, at the papal basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
25: Beatification of Servant of God Jose Tous y Soler, priest of the order of Capuchin Friars Minor and founder of the Institute of the Capuchin sisters of the Mother of the Divine Shepherd, at the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, Spain.
25: Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
29: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Jean-Pierre Hamuli Mupenda, the new ambassador to the Holy See of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
29: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
30: Cardinal Paul Augustin Mayer O.S.B., president emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, dies at the age of 98.
MAY
2: Holy Father makes a pastoral visit to the Italian city of Turin, for the exposition of the Holy Shroud.
4: Cardinal Luigi Poggi, archivist and librarian emeritus of Holy Roman Church, dies at the age of 92.
6: The Pope receives in audience Doris Leuthard, president of the Swiss Confederation.
6: The Pope receives in audience His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait.
7: The Pope receives in audience Mikheil Saakashvili, president of Georgia.
8: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Belgium, at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
10: Announcement that the definitive text of the second volume of the book 'Jesus of Nazareth' by His Holiness Benedict XVI was recently consigned to the publishers. The second volume is dedicated to the Passion and the Resurrection, and starts where the first volume finished.
11-14: Benedict XVI makes an apostolic trip to Portugal.
17: The Pope receives in audience Evo Morales Ayma, president of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
20: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Hissa Abdulla Ahmed Al-Otaiba, the first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Holy See.
20: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Luvsantseren Orgil, the new ambassador of Mongolia to the Holy See.
20: The Pope receives in audience Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele, prime minister of Tonga.
21: The Pope receives in audience Leonel Antonio Fernandez Reyna, president of the Dominican Republic.
22: Beatification of Servant of God Teresa Manganiello, virgin and Franciscan tertiary, at the basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Benevento, Italy.
24: The Pope receives in audience Denis Sassou N'guesso, president of the Republic of Congo.
24: The Pope receives in audience Mihai Ghimpu, speaker of parliament and acting president of the Republic of Moldova.
28: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Theodore Loko, the first resident ambassador of Benin to the Holy See.
30: Beatification of Servant of God Maria Pierina De Micheli, virgin and sister of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception in Buenos Aires, at the papal basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
JUNE
4-6: Benedict XVI makes an apostolic trip to Cyprus.
6: Beatification of Servant of God Jerzy Popieluszko, priest and martyr, at Marshal J. Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland.
9-11: International meeting of clergy to mark the end of the Year for Priests, called by Benedict XVI for the 150th anniversary of the death of the holy "Cure of Ars".
10: The Pope receives in audience Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, prime minister of Spain.
12: Beatification of Servant of God Manuel Lozano Garrido, layman, in Linares, Spain.
13: Beatification of Servant of God Lojze Grozde, Slovenian layman and martyr, in Celje, Slovenia.
19: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Eastern Region II), at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
27: Beatification of Servant of God Stephen Nehme (ne Joseph), Lebanese professed religious of the Order of Maronites, in Kfifan, Lebanon.
28: The Pope creates a new organisation, in the form of a Pontifical Council, with the fundamental task of promoting renewed evangelisation in countries undergoing a progressive secularisation of society.
30: Publication of the Message for World Tourism Day by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. The Day, which is due to be celebrated on 27 December, has as its theme: "Tourism and Biodiversity".
JULY
2: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Habbeb Mohammed Hadi Ali Al-Sadr, the new ambassador of Iraq to the Holy See.
4: The Pope makes a pastoral visit to the town of Sulmona, in the Italian region of Abruzzo.
7: Benedict XVI moves to his summer residence at Castelgandolfo for a period of rest.
13: Announcement of the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the 2011 World Day of Peace: "Religious freedom, the path to peace".
15: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith publishes its new "Norms concerning the most serious crimes".
22: Publication of "The Friends of Jesus", a new book for children by Benedict XVI in which he recounts the story of the twelve Apostles and St. Paul.
.../ VIS 20100730 (1130)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Mexico, Mexico presented by Bishop Felipe Tejeda Garcia M.Sp.S., upon having reached the age limit.
RE/ VIS 20100730 (40)
RE/ VIS 20100730 (40)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
LETTER FROM CARDINAL DIAS TO CHINESE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS
VATICAN CITY, 29 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Fides, the news agency of the Pontifical Missionary Works, today published a Letter to the Catholic Bishops and Priests of mainland China. The letter bears the signatures of Cardinal Ivan Dias and Archbishop Robert Sarah, respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
"Inspired by celebrations during the Year for Priests, recently concluded, I send to you cordial and brotherly greetings and a word of encouragement for your arduous pastoral duties as shepherds of the flock entrusted to you by the Lord in your noble nation", reads the English-language version of the text. "Your testimony and your messages received here at the missionary congregation fill us with consolation and spur us to pray fervently that the Lord may render you ever stronger in the faith and sustain your activity to propagate the Good News of Jesus Christ in your beloved country".
"Precisely because the priest is 'Alter Christus' - indeed, 'Ipse Christus' - he must be a Man of God and a Man for others. ... Firstly, a Man of God: that is, a man who leads men and women to God and carries God to men and women. Therefore he must distinguish himself as a man of prayer and an austere style of life, profoundly in love with Christ and, like John the Baptist, proud to proclaim His presence amongst us, especially in the Most Holy Eucharist.
"Secondly a priest must be a Man for others: a man entirely dedicated to the faithful, youth and adults entrusted to his pastoral care and to all those with whom the Lord Jesus chose to identify Himself or those towards whom He showed special kindness. ... An ecclesiastic will therefore resist any temptation to enrich himself with material goods or seek favours for his family or ethnic group, or nurture unwholesome ambitions of making a career for himself in society or in politics. These things are entirely foreign to the priestly vocation and would be a serious distraction from his mission".
The text goes on to refer to "the important role of a bishop or priest as an operator of unity within the Church", noting how "this task has a twofold dimension" entailing "communion with the Pope, the 'rock' upon which Jesus chose to build His Church, and union with all the members of the Church.
"Firstly: communion with the Holy Father. We are all too aware of how some of you suffered in the recent past because of loyalty to the Holy See. We pay homage to each and all. ... The exemplary and courageous loyalty towards the See of Peter demonstrated by Catholics in China, is a precious gift of the Lord.
"The other dimension of unity among Christians is union among individual members of the ecclesial community. This important challenge you are already tackling, as you seek to strengthen unity within the Church herself".
Quoting from the homily delivered by the Holy Father on 29 June, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the letter notes how the Church "is subjected to the greatest danger by that which pollutes the faith and Christian life of her members and communities, corroding the integrity of the Mystical Body, weakening her capacity for prophecy and witness, and marring the beauty of her face. ... One of the typical effects of the action of the Evil One is, precisely, the internal division of the ecclesial Community. ... The unity of the Church is rooted in her union with Christ and the cause of full Christian unity - that must ever be sought and renewed from generation to generation - is also sustained by His prayer and His promise".
The letter concludes: "Let us praise the Lord for your efforts, accomplished and ongoing, for unity within the Church, in faithful response to the indications given by the Holy Father in the Letter he addressed to you on 27 May 2007, and for the results already obtained. May God bless your initiatives so that unity of ministers among themselves and between them and their flock may be ever stronger in Christ and in His Church 'ad maiorem Dei gloriam'".
Cardinal Dias also gives assurances "of the closeness of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI; with paternal affection he blesses you and all those entrusted to your pastoral care and urges you to continue without fear on the path of holiness, unity and communion, as did the generations which have gone before you".
CEP/ VIS 20100729 (760)
"Inspired by celebrations during the Year for Priests, recently concluded, I send to you cordial and brotherly greetings and a word of encouragement for your arduous pastoral duties as shepherds of the flock entrusted to you by the Lord in your noble nation", reads the English-language version of the text. "Your testimony and your messages received here at the missionary congregation fill us with consolation and spur us to pray fervently that the Lord may render you ever stronger in the faith and sustain your activity to propagate the Good News of Jesus Christ in your beloved country".
"Precisely because the priest is 'Alter Christus' - indeed, 'Ipse Christus' - he must be a Man of God and a Man for others. ... Firstly, a Man of God: that is, a man who leads men and women to God and carries God to men and women. Therefore he must distinguish himself as a man of prayer and an austere style of life, profoundly in love with Christ and, like John the Baptist, proud to proclaim His presence amongst us, especially in the Most Holy Eucharist.
"Secondly a priest must be a Man for others: a man entirely dedicated to the faithful, youth and adults entrusted to his pastoral care and to all those with whom the Lord Jesus chose to identify Himself or those towards whom He showed special kindness. ... An ecclesiastic will therefore resist any temptation to enrich himself with material goods or seek favours for his family or ethnic group, or nurture unwholesome ambitions of making a career for himself in society or in politics. These things are entirely foreign to the priestly vocation and would be a serious distraction from his mission".
The text goes on to refer to "the important role of a bishop or priest as an operator of unity within the Church", noting how "this task has a twofold dimension" entailing "communion with the Pope, the 'rock' upon which Jesus chose to build His Church, and union with all the members of the Church.
"Firstly: communion with the Holy Father. We are all too aware of how some of you suffered in the recent past because of loyalty to the Holy See. We pay homage to each and all. ... The exemplary and courageous loyalty towards the See of Peter demonstrated by Catholics in China, is a precious gift of the Lord.
"The other dimension of unity among Christians is union among individual members of the ecclesial community. This important challenge you are already tackling, as you seek to strengthen unity within the Church herself".
Quoting from the homily delivered by the Holy Father on 29 June, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, the letter notes how the Church "is subjected to the greatest danger by that which pollutes the faith and Christian life of her members and communities, corroding the integrity of the Mystical Body, weakening her capacity for prophecy and witness, and marring the beauty of her face. ... One of the typical effects of the action of the Evil One is, precisely, the internal division of the ecclesial Community. ... The unity of the Church is rooted in her union with Christ and the cause of full Christian unity - that must ever be sought and renewed from generation to generation - is also sustained by His prayer and His promise".
The letter concludes: "Let us praise the Lord for your efforts, accomplished and ongoing, for unity within the Church, in faithful response to the indications given by the Holy Father in the Letter he addressed to you on 27 May 2007, and for the results already obtained. May God bless your initiatives so that unity of ministers among themselves and between them and their flock may be ever stronger in Christ and in His Church 'ad maiorem Dei gloriam'".
Cardinal Dias also gives assurances "of the closeness of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI; with paternal affection he blesses you and all those entrusted to your pastoral care and urges you to continue without fear on the path of holiness, unity and communion, as did the generations which have gone before you".
PAPAL, HOLY SEE HIGHLIGHTS FOR JANUARY - MARCH 2010
VATICAN CITY, 29 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Following are highlights of the activities of Pope Benedict XVI and of the Holy See for the months of January to March 2010. Another summary, covering the period from April to July, will be published tomorrow.
JANUARY
1: Benedict XVI presides at a Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, and for the forty-third World Day of Peace which has as its theme this year: "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation".
7: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Kenan Gursoy, the new ambassador of Turkey to the Holy See.
9: Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop emeritus of Antananarivo, Madagascar, dies at the age of 84.
17: Benedict XVI visits the synagogue of Rome.
19: Presentation of the "Lineamenta" of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. The synodal meeting is due to be held in the Vatican from 10 to 24 October on the theme: "The Catholic Church in the Middle East. Communion and Witness. Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul".
21: Appointment of Flaminia Giovanelli as under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
22: Publication of a Letter from the Holy Father, dated 15 January, in which he reiterates his confidence in Cardinal Tariciso Bertone S.D.B. as secretary of State. On 2 December 2009 Cardinal Bertone reached the age of 75 and presented his resignation from office, in accordance with the norms of Canon Law.
23: Beatification of Servant of God Josep Samso i Elias, priest and martyr, at the parochial basilica of Santa Maria en Mataro in the archdiocese of Barcelona, Spain.
23: Presentation of the Holy Father's Message for the forty-fourth World Day of Social Communications, on the theme: "The priest and pastoral ministry in a digital world: new media at the service of the Word".
FEBRUARY
1: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
4: Publication of Benedict XVI's Message for Lent 2010. The text, dated 30 October 2009, has as its title a passage from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans: "The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ".
5: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
6: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Alfonso Roberto Matta Fahsen, the new ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See.
9-11: Celebrations marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Healthcare Workers, and the eighteenth World Day of the Sick, on the them: "The Church at the loving service of those who suffer".
12: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Romania at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
14: Benedict XVI visits a shelter run by Roman diocesan Caritas at the city's main railway station, Termini.
15: Holy Father meets with prelates of the Irish Episcopal Conference.
16: Publication of the Pope's message for the forty-seventh World Day of Prayer for Vocations (to be celebrated on 25 April, the Fourth Sunday of Easter) on the theme: "Witness Awakens Vocations".
19: Holy Father presides at an ordinary public consistory for the canonisation of the following Blesseds: Stanislao Soltys, called Kazimierczyk (1433-1489); Andre Bessette, ne Alfred (1845-1937); Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola, nee Juana Josefa (1845-1912); Mary of the Cross MacKillop, nee Mary Helen (1842-1909); Giulia Salzano (1846-1929); Battista da Varano, nee Camilla (1458-1524). The canonisation ceremony will take place on 17 October.
20: The Pope receives in audience Saad Hariri, prime minister of Lebanon.
MARCH
5: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Uganda Episcopal Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
7: Benedict XVI visits the parish of St. John of the Cross in the northern sector of the diocese of Rome, where he celebrates Mass at 9.30 a.m.
13: The Pope receives in audience Jadranka Kosor, prime minister of the Republic of Croatia.
13: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
14: Benedict XVI visits the Evangelical-Lutheran community of Rome at the "Christuskirche" in the city's Via Sicilia.
16: Publication of the Message of the Holy Father for twenty-fifth World Youth Day, celebrated this year at a diocesan level on Palm Sunday 28 March, with the theme: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
20: Publication of Pope's Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland.
20: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Conference of Bishops of Burkina Faso and Niger at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
25: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Scandinavian Episcopal Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
25: The official acts of the Holy See and of the collection of documents from the period of World War II become available online on the Vatican website.
26: Publication of Pope's Message for the eighty-fourth World Mission Day, on the theme: "Building Ecclesial Communion is the Key to the Mission".
26: The Pope receives in audience Alvaro Colom Caballeros, president of the Republic of Guatemala.
29: Benedict XVI presides at Mass in the Vatican Basilica to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Venerable Servant of God John Paul II, who passed away on 2 April 2005.
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JANUARY
1: Benedict XVI presides at a Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, and for the forty-third World Day of Peace which has as its theme this year: "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation".
7: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Kenan Gursoy, the new ambassador of Turkey to the Holy See.
9: Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop emeritus of Antananarivo, Madagascar, dies at the age of 84.
17: Benedict XVI visits the synagogue of Rome.
19: Presentation of the "Lineamenta" of the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. The synodal meeting is due to be held in the Vatican from 10 to 24 October on the theme: "The Catholic Church in the Middle East. Communion and Witness. Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul".
21: Appointment of Flaminia Giovanelli as under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
22: Publication of a Letter from the Holy Father, dated 15 January, in which he reiterates his confidence in Cardinal Tariciso Bertone S.D.B. as secretary of State. On 2 December 2009 Cardinal Bertone reached the age of 75 and presented his resignation from office, in accordance with the norms of Canon Law.
23: Beatification of Servant of God Josep Samso i Elias, priest and martyr, at the parochial basilica of Santa Maria en Mataro in the archdiocese of Barcelona, Spain.
23: Presentation of the Holy Father's Message for the forty-fourth World Day of Social Communications, on the theme: "The priest and pastoral ministry in a digital world: new media at the service of the Word".
FEBRUARY
1: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
4: Publication of Benedict XVI's Message for Lent 2010. The text, dated 30 October 2009, has as its title a passage from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans: "The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ".
5: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
6: Holy Father receives the Letters of Credence of Alfonso Roberto Matta Fahsen, the new ambassador of Guatemala to the Holy See.
9-11: Celebrations marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Healthcare Workers, and the eighteenth World Day of the Sick, on the them: "The Church at the loving service of those who suffer".
12: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Romania at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
14: Benedict XVI visits a shelter run by Roman diocesan Caritas at the city's main railway station, Termini.
15: Holy Father meets with prelates of the Irish Episcopal Conference.
16: Publication of the Pope's message for the forty-seventh World Day of Prayer for Vocations (to be celebrated on 25 April, the Fourth Sunday of Easter) on the theme: "Witness Awakens Vocations".
19: Holy Father presides at an ordinary public consistory for the canonisation of the following Blesseds: Stanislao Soltys, called Kazimierczyk (1433-1489); Andre Bessette, ne Alfred (1845-1937); Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola, nee Juana Josefa (1845-1912); Mary of the Cross MacKillop, nee Mary Helen (1842-1909); Giulia Salzano (1846-1929); Battista da Varano, nee Camilla (1458-1524). The canonisation ceremony will take place on 17 October.
20: The Pope receives in audience Saad Hariri, prime minister of Lebanon.
MARCH
5: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Uganda Episcopal Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
7: Benedict XVI visits the parish of St. John of the Cross in the northern sector of the diocese of Rome, where he celebrates Mass at 9.30 a.m.
13: The Pope receives in audience Jadranka Kosor, prime minister of the Republic of Croatia.
13: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
14: Benedict XVI visits the Evangelical-Lutheran community of Rome at the "Christuskirche" in the city's Via Sicilia.
16: Publication of the Message of the Holy Father for twenty-fifth World Youth Day, celebrated this year at a diocesan level on Palm Sunday 28 March, with the theme: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
20: Publication of Pope's Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland.
20: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Conference of Bishops of Burkina Faso and Niger at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
25: Holy Father receives in audience prelates from the Scandinavian Episcopal Conference at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
25: The official acts of the Holy See and of the collection of documents from the period of World War II become available online on the Vatican website.
26: Publication of Pope's Message for the eighty-fourth World Mission Day, on the theme: "Building Ecclesial Communion is the Key to the Mission".
26: The Pope receives in audience Alvaro Colom Caballeros, president of the Republic of Guatemala.
29: Benedict XVI presides at Mass in the Vatican Basilica to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Venerable Servant of God John Paul II, who passed away on 2 April 2005.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
PLENARY OF EPISCOPAL CONFERENCES OF AFRICA, MADAGASCAR
VATICAN CITY, 28 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The plenary assembly of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) will be held in Accra, Ghana, from 27 July to 1 August. The event is due to be attended by 250 people including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful from Africa and other parts of the world.
SECAM, the president of which is Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, archbishop of Dal-es-Salaam, Tanzania, is celebrating its fortieth year of activity with a week of reflection on the theme: "Self-Reliance and the Way Forward for the Church in Africa". Within the context of plenary assembly, Archbishop Leon Kalenga Badikebele, apostolic nuncio to Ghana, will deliver a Message from Benedict XVI to the participants.
The plenary assembly, the highest administrative body in SECAM, meets every three years. This year's agenda includes a meeting of bishops on the central theme of the plenary and a round table discussion, as well as a renewal of their joint commitment to achieve the ideals of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
The national and regional episcopal conferences of Africa and other bodies affiliated to SECAM will present their evaluations on the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which was held in the Vatican last October on the theme: "The Church in Africa, at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace".
.../ VIS 20100728 (240)
SECAM, the president of which is Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, archbishop of Dal-es-Salaam, Tanzania, is celebrating its fortieth year of activity with a week of reflection on the theme: "Self-Reliance and the Way Forward for the Church in Africa". Within the context of plenary assembly, Archbishop Leon Kalenga Badikebele, apostolic nuncio to Ghana, will deliver a Message from Benedict XVI to the participants.
The plenary assembly, the highest administrative body in SECAM, meets every three years. This year's agenda includes a meeting of bishops on the central theme of the plenary and a round table discussion, as well as a renewal of their joint commitment to achieve the ideals of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
The national and regional episcopal conferences of Africa and other bodies affiliated to SECAM will present their evaluations on the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which was held in the Vatican last October on the theme: "The Church in Africa, at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace".
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 28 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to the additional role of ordinary for Catholic faithful of Eastern rite resident in Brazil who do not have their own ordinary. In his new role, Archbishop Oliveira de Azevedo replaces Cardinal Eusebio Oscar Scheid S.C.I., archbishop emeritus of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
NA/ VIS 20100728 (70)
NA/ VIS 20100728 (70)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 27 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Jacques Blaquart, auxiliary of Bordeaux, France, as bishop of Orleans (area 6,811, population 648,000, Catholics 445,000, priests 168, permanent deacons 40, religious 238), France. He succeeds Bishop Andre Fort, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
NER:RE/ VIS 20100727 (70)
NER:RE/ VIS 20100727 (70)
Monday, July 26, 2010
CARDINAL OUELLET, ENVOY TO CENTENARY MEMBERTOU BAPTISM
VATICAN CITY, 24 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the Holy Father, written in Latin and dated 30 June, in which he appoints Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the fourth centenary of the baptism of Grand Chief Henri Membertou of the Mikmaq People, due to be held on Chapel Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 1 August.
Cardinal Ouellet, who when news of the appointment was made public was still archbishop of Quebec, Canada, will be accompanied on his mission by Fr. Robert McNeil, episcopal vicar to the Mikmaq, and by Fr. Douglas J. Murphy of Holy Rosary parish. Msgr. Luca Lorusso, nunciature counsellor, will also form part of the mission.
BXVI-LETTER/ VIS 20100726 (140)
Cardinal Ouellet, who when news of the appointment was made public was still archbishop of Quebec, Canada, will be accompanied on his mission by Fr. Robert McNeil, episcopal vicar to the Mikmaq, and by Fr. Douglas J. Murphy of Holy Rosary parish. Msgr. Luca Lorusso, nunciature counsellor, will also form part of the mission.
BXVI-LETTER/ VIS 20100726 (140)
ANGELUS: THOSE WHO PRAY ARE NEVER ALONE
VATICAN CITY, 25 JUL 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, Benedict XVI appeared at the balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered there.
The Pope commented on today's Gospel reading in which the disciples ask Christ to teach them how to pray. "Jesus raised no objections, He used no strange or esoteric formulae but with great simplicity said: 'When you pray, say: Father ... And he taught them the Our Father".
"These are the first words of Sacred Scripture we learn as children. They are impressed in the memory, they mould our lives, they accompany us unto our last breath", said Benedict XVI. "This prayer also comprehends and expresses the material and spiritual requirements of human beings. ... And precisely because of our everyday needs and difficulties, Jesus exhorts us forcefully: ... 'Ask and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you'.
"This is not a request for our own desires to be satisfied, but for our friendship with God to be kept alive", the Pope added. "This was the experience of the ancient Desert Fathers, and of contemplative people in all times who, through prayer, became friends of God". In this context he quoted words of St. Teresa of Avila who encouraged her nuns to "beseech God to deliver us from these perils for ever and to keep us from all evil! And although our desire for this may not be perfect, let us strive to make the petition. What does it cost us to ask it, since we ask it of One Who is so powerful?"
"Each time we pray the Our Father", the Pope concluded, "our voice mingles with the voice of the Church, because one who prays is never alone. ... May the Virgin Mary help us rediscover the beauty and profundity of Christian prayer".
ANG/ VIS 20100726 (330)
The Pope commented on today's Gospel reading in which the disciples ask Christ to teach them how to pray. "Jesus raised no objections, He used no strange or esoteric formulae but with great simplicity said: 'When you pray, say: Father ... And he taught them the Our Father".
"These are the first words of Sacred Scripture we learn as children. They are impressed in the memory, they mould our lives, they accompany us unto our last breath", said Benedict XVI. "This prayer also comprehends and expresses the material and spiritual requirements of human beings. ... And precisely because of our everyday needs and difficulties, Jesus exhorts us forcefully: ... 'Ask and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you'.
"This is not a request for our own desires to be satisfied, but for our friendship with God to be kept alive", the Pope added. "This was the experience of the ancient Desert Fathers, and of contemplative people in all times who, through prayer, became friends of God". In this context he quoted words of St. Teresa of Avila who encouraged her nuns to "beseech God to deliver us from these perils for ever and to keep us from all evil! And although our desire for this may not be perfect, let us strive to make the petition. What does it cost us to ask it, since we ask it of One Who is so powerful?"
"Each time we pray the Our Father", the Pope concluded, "our voice mingles with the voice of the Church, because one who prays is never alone. ... May the Virgin Mary help us rediscover the beauty and profundity of Christian prayer".
PRAYERS FOR DUISBURG VICTIMS, VISIT TO SANTIAGO
VATICAN CITY, 25 JUL 2010 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today, the Pope expressed his sorrow over "the tragedy of Duisburg, Germany, where many young people were among the victims. I commend the dead, the injured and their relatives to the Lord in my prayers", he said.
Turning then to address Spanish-speaking faithful, Benedict XVI mentioned the Feast of James the Apostle, who has been "venerated since time immemorial at Compostela" and whose cult is "so deeply rooted in your countries. In this Compostela Holy Year", the Pope went on, "I too hope to go there to join pilgrims in the month of November, on a trip during which I will also visit Barcelona. Following the footsteps of St. James, let us continue the journey of our lives while bearing constant witness of faith, hope and charity".
ANG/ VIS 20100726 (150)
Turning then to address Spanish-speaking faithful, Benedict XVI mentioned the Feast of James the Apostle, who has been "venerated since time immemorial at Compostela" and whose cult is "so deeply rooted in your countries. In this Compostela Holy Year", the Pope went on, "I too hope to go there to join pilgrims in the month of November, on a trip during which I will also visit Barcelona. Following the footsteps of St. James, let us continue the journey of our lives while bearing constant witness of faith, hope and charity".
ANG/ VIS 20100726 (150)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 24 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed as members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints: Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli, penitentiary major of the Apostolic Penitentiary; Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and Bishop Antoni Stankiewicz, dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
NA/ VIS 20100726 (60)
NA/ VIS 20100726 (60)
Friday, July 23, 2010
THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN ALTAR SERVERS TO MEET THE POPE
VATICAN CITY, 23 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Thousands of young altar servers are due to travel to Rome on 3 and 4 August for the tenth European pilgrimage promoted by the "Coetus internationalis ministrantium" movement (CIM). The theme of this year's pilgrimage is "Drinking Waters from the True Well".
On the afternoon of Tuesday 3 August, altar servers from twelve European nations (including 44,000 from Germany and 8,000 from Hungary, France, Romania and Switzerland) will attend a concert in St. Peter's Square. The event, involving interviews and guest appearances, will culminate in the praying of Vespers. At the end of the event, participants will be invited to exchange their national pilgrim shawls with participants from other countries.
On Wednesday 4 August, the young altar servers will attend the Holy Father's general audience. Bishop Martin Gachter, auxiliary of Basel, Switzerland, and president of CIM, will greet the national groups then present the Pope with a white pilgrim shawl. Following the Holy Father's address and blessing, a band and choir from Hamburg will play in honour of the German Pope.
.../ VIS 20100723 (200)
On the afternoon of Tuesday 3 August, altar servers from twelve European nations (including 44,000 from Germany and 8,000 from Hungary, France, Romania and Switzerland) will attend a concert in St. Peter's Square. The event, involving interviews and guest appearances, will culminate in the praying of Vespers. At the end of the event, participants will be invited to exchange their national pilgrim shawls with participants from other countries.
On Wednesday 4 August, the young altar servers will attend the Holy Father's general audience. Bishop Martin Gachter, auxiliary of Basel, Switzerland, and president of CIM, will greet the national groups then present the Pope with a white pilgrim shawl. Following the Holy Father's address and blessing, a band and choir from Hamburg will play in honour of the German Pope.
.../ VIS 20100723 (200)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
THE FRIENDS OF JESUS: A NEW BOOK FOR CHILDREN BY THE POPE
VATICAN CITY, 22 JUL 2010 (VIS) - "The Friends of Jesus" is the title of a new book for children by Benedict XVI in which he recounts the story of the twelve Apostles and St. Paul.
The book, forty-eight pages long and illustrated by the Italian artist Franco Vignazia, has been published by the publishing house "Piccola Casa Editrice". It brings together a number of passages from the Pope's catecheses in his Wednesday general audiences, according to the "Osservatore Romano" newspaper.
The prologue is by the Spanish priest Fr. Julian Carron, president of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation.
"One upon a time there was a small group of men who, one day two thousand years ago, met a young man who walked the roads of Galilee. Each had his own job and family but, in an instant, their lives changed. They were called Andrew and John, Peter, Matthew, Thomas, etc. They were twelve and we know them today as the 'Apostles'. ... In Jerusalem at that time everyone knew that they were Jesus' 'friends'. ... Later they were joined by St. Paul ... who from being a persecutor of Christians became the greatest witness to Jesus", writes Fr. Carron.
Fr. Carron likewise explains that in this work Benedict XVI "takes us by the hand and accompanies us as we discover who Jesus' first companions were, how they met Him and were conquered by Him to the point that they never abandoned Him".
.../ VIS 20100722 (260)
The book, forty-eight pages long and illustrated by the Italian artist Franco Vignazia, has been published by the publishing house "Piccola Casa Editrice". It brings together a number of passages from the Pope's catecheses in his Wednesday general audiences, according to the "Osservatore Romano" newspaper.
The prologue is by the Spanish priest Fr. Julian Carron, president of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation.
"One upon a time there was a small group of men who, one day two thousand years ago, met a young man who walked the roads of Galilee. Each had his own job and family but, in an instant, their lives changed. They were called Andrew and John, Peter, Matthew, Thomas, etc. They were twelve and we know them today as the 'Apostles'. ... In Jerusalem at that time everyone knew that they were Jesus' 'friends'. ... Later they were joined by St. Paul ... who from being a persecutor of Christians became the greatest witness to Jesus", writes Fr. Carron.
Fr. Carron likewise explains that in this work Benedict XVI "takes us by the hand and accompanies us as we discover who Jesus' first companions were, how they met Him and were conquered by Him to the point that they never abandoned Him".
.../ VIS 20100722 (260)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 21 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father erected the new diocese of Karonga (area 14,000, population 400,000, Catholics 61,000, priests 15, religious 45) Malawi, with territory taken from the diocese of Mzuzu, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan church of Blantyre. He appointed Fr. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka of the clergy of Mzuzu, vice chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi, as first bishop of the new diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Majimbula Village, Malawi in 1957 and ordained a priest in 1988.
ECE:NER/ VIS 20100721 (90)
ECE:NER/ VIS 20100721 (90)
IN MEMORIAM
VATICAN CITY, 21 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:
- Bishop Francisco F. Claver S.J., emeritus of Malaybaly, Philippines, on 1 July at the age of 81.
- Bishop Clement Guillon C.I.M., emeritus of Quimper, France, on 9 July at the age of 78.
- Bishop Stanisalus Tobias Magombo, auxiliary of Lilongwe, Malawi, on 6 July at the age of 42.
- Bishop Bernardino Rivera Alvarez, former auxiliary of Potosi, Bolivia, on 11 July at the age of 85.
.../ VIS 20100721 (90)
- Bishop Francisco F. Claver S.J., emeritus of Malaybaly, Philippines, on 1 July at the age of 81.
- Bishop Clement Guillon C.I.M., emeritus of Quimper, France, on 9 July at the age of 78.
- Bishop Stanisalus Tobias Magombo, auxiliary of Lilongwe, Malawi, on 6 July at the age of 42.
- Bishop Bernardino Rivera Alvarez, former auxiliary of Potosi, Bolivia, on 11 July at the age of 85.
.../ VIS 20100721 (90)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 20 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Carlos Manuel Escribano Subias, pastor and episcopal vicar in Zaragoza, Spain, as bishop of Teruel y Albarracin (area 11,867, population 94,150, Catholics 90,375, priests 128, religious 146), Spain. The bishop-elect was born in Carballo, Spain in 1964 and ordained a priest in 1996.
NER/ VIS 20100720 (60)
NER/ VIS 20100720 (60)
Monday, July 19, 2010
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 17 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, apostolic nuncio to Iraq and Jordan, as Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York.
NA/ VIS 20100719 (40)
NA/ VIS 20100719 (40)
THE WORD OF GOD GIVES MEANING TO DAILY ACTIVITY
VATICAN CITY, 18 JUL 2010 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI appeared at the balcony overlooking the central courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered there.
Before the Marian prayer, the Pope reflected on this Sunday's Gospel reading which recounts Jesus' visit to the house of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus. Martha busies herself with domestic chores and reproaches Mary for not lending a hand but sitting rapt at the Master's feet.
The Holy Father quoted Jesus' words in Luke's Gospel: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her", and he explained: "The words of Christ are very clear: they show no disdain for an active life, or for generous hospitality, but contain an evident reference to the fact that what is truly necessary is something else: to listen to the Word of the Lord. And in that moment the Lord is there, present in the Person of Jesus. All the rest will pass and be taken away from us, but the Word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily activities".
"This Gospel episode is highly appropriate for the holiday season because it recalls the fact that, although human beings must work and dedicate themselves to domestic and professional duties, above all they need God, Who is the inner light of Love and Truth. Without love, even the most important activities become valueless and bring no joy. Without profound meaning, all our actions are reduced to sterile and disordered activism.
"And who gives Love and Truth if not Jesus Christ?" the Holy Father asked. "Let us learn then, brothers and sisters, to help one another, to collaborate, but first and foremost together to chose the 'better part', which is and will always be our greatest good".
ANG/ VIS 20100719 (340)
Before the Marian prayer, the Pope reflected on this Sunday's Gospel reading which recounts Jesus' visit to the house of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus. Martha busies herself with domestic chores and reproaches Mary for not lending a hand but sitting rapt at the Master's feet.
The Holy Father quoted Jesus' words in Luke's Gospel: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her", and he explained: "The words of Christ are very clear: they show no disdain for an active life, or for generous hospitality, but contain an evident reference to the fact that what is truly necessary is something else: to listen to the Word of the Lord. And in that moment the Lord is there, present in the Person of Jesus. All the rest will pass and be taken away from us, but the Word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily activities".
"This Gospel episode is highly appropriate for the holiday season because it recalls the fact that, although human beings must work and dedicate themselves to domestic and professional duties, above all they need God, Who is the inner light of Love and Truth. Without love, even the most important activities become valueless and bring no joy. Without profound meaning, all our actions are reduced to sterile and disordered activism.
"And who gives Love and Truth if not Jesus Christ?" the Holy Father asked. "Let us learn then, brothers and sisters, to help one another, to collaborate, but first and foremost together to chose the 'better part', which is and will always be our greatest good".
Friday, July 16, 2010
POPULORUM PROGRESSIO STUDIES 230 PROJECTS IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
VATICAN CITY, 16 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Administrative Council of the Populorum Progressio Foundation will meet from 20 - 23 July to deliberate on the financing of projects in support of poor indigenous, mixed race, African-American, and rural communities of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The administrative council is composed of the following members: Cardinal Paul J. Cordes, president of the foundation and of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"; Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez, archbishop of Guadalajara, Mexico and president of the council; Archbishop Edmundo Luis Abastoflor Montero of La Paz, Bolivia; Archbishop Alberto Taveira Correa of Belem do Para, Brazil; Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza of Guayaquil, Ecuador; Bishop Jose Luis Astigarraga Lizarralde C.P., apostolic vicar of Yurimaguas, Peru; and Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, representative of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”. Also present at the meeting will be Msgr. Giovanni Battista Gandolfo, the new president of the Italian Episcopal Conference’s committee for charitable initiatives in favour of the Third World, which is the main supporter of the Foundation.
According to a communique made public today, it is emphasized that "this is the first time that the annual meeting of the Administrative Council is being held in a Caribbean country, a geographical area with significant cores of African-American and rural communities".
A trip to Haiti on 22 July was planned before the earthquake that stuck the nation this past January. Each year, the Foundation finances a large number of projects in that country. The delegation will visit the refugee camps organized there by the Catholic Church and will celebrate Mass, together with a local church, in one of them. In the afternoon, a meeting with representatives of the humanitarian organizations present in Haiti will take place at the Apostolic Nunciature as well as a visit to the national Caritas organization. During the visit, Cardinal Cordes will deliver $250,000 in the name of the Holy Father, the first instalment of funds for the project of rebuilding the Saint Francois de Sales School in Port-au-Prince, which was destroyed during the earthquake. He will also deliver, always in the name of the Holy Father, an offering to Caritas Haiti.
The communique notes that this year, 230 projects pertaining to 20 countries have been presented. They are oriented on tending to needs in various areas of: production (agricultural, artisanal, and microbusiness); communal infrastructure (potable water, latrines, community centres); education (training, school resources, publications); health (preventative campaigns, clinic resources); and construction (educational and health centres).
The number of projects presented by country are: Brazil (57), Colombia (41), Peru (21), Haiti (20), Ecuador (19), El Salvador (13), Bolivia (8), Guatemala (8), Chile (7), Argentina (6), Dominican Republic (6), Costa Rica (4), Mexico (4), Paraguay (4), Uruguay (3), Venezuela (3), Cuba (2), Panama (2), Antilles (1), and Nicaragua (1).
CON-CU/ VIS 20100716 (450)
The administrative council is composed of the following members: Cardinal Paul J. Cordes, president of the foundation and of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"; Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez, archbishop of Guadalajara, Mexico and president of the council; Archbishop Edmundo Luis Abastoflor Montero of La Paz, Bolivia; Archbishop Alberto Taveira Correa of Belem do Para, Brazil; Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza of Guayaquil, Ecuador; Bishop Jose Luis Astigarraga Lizarralde C.P., apostolic vicar of Yurimaguas, Peru; and Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, representative of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”. Also present at the meeting will be Msgr. Giovanni Battista Gandolfo, the new president of the Italian Episcopal Conference’s committee for charitable initiatives in favour of the Third World, which is the main supporter of the Foundation.
According to a communique made public today, it is emphasized that "this is the first time that the annual meeting of the Administrative Council is being held in a Caribbean country, a geographical area with significant cores of African-American and rural communities".
A trip to Haiti on 22 July was planned before the earthquake that stuck the nation this past January. Each year, the Foundation finances a large number of projects in that country. The delegation will visit the refugee camps organized there by the Catholic Church and will celebrate Mass, together with a local church, in one of them. In the afternoon, a meeting with representatives of the humanitarian organizations present in Haiti will take place at the Apostolic Nunciature as well as a visit to the national Caritas organization. During the visit, Cardinal Cordes will deliver $250,000 in the name of the Holy Father, the first instalment of funds for the project of rebuilding the Saint Francois de Sales School in Port-au-Prince, which was destroyed during the earthquake. He will also deliver, always in the name of the Holy Father, an offering to Caritas Haiti.
The communique notes that this year, 230 projects pertaining to 20 countries have been presented. They are oriented on tending to needs in various areas of: production (agricultural, artisanal, and microbusiness); communal infrastructure (potable water, latrines, community centres); education (training, school resources, publications); health (preventative campaigns, clinic resources); and construction (educational and health centres).
The number of projects presented by country are: Brazil (57), Colombia (41), Peru (21), Haiti (20), Ecuador (19), El Salvador (13), Bolivia (8), Guatemala (8), Chile (7), Argentina (6), Dominican Republic (6), Costa Rica (4), Mexico (4), Paraguay (4), Uruguay (3), Venezuela (3), Cuba (2), Panama (2), Antilles (1), and Nicaragua (1).
CON-CU/ VIS 20100716 (450)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 16 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Fr. Jose Chittooparambil, C.M.I., as Bishop of the eparchy of Rajkot of the Syro-Malabars (area 109,950, population 15,805,000, Catholics 13,500, priests 149, religious 606), in India. The bishop-elect was born in 1954 in Neeleswaram, India, was ordained to the priesthood in 1985, and is currently Prior General of St. Xavier's Province in Rajkot. He succeeds Bishop Gregory Karotemprel, C.M.I., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese the Holy Father accepted on having reached the age limit.
- Accepted the resignation as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Pyay, Myanmar, presented by Bishop Gregory Taik Maung, titular bishop of Bocconia, in accordance with canons 411 and 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Fr. Camillus Raymond Umoh as Bishop of the diocese of Ikot Ekpene (area 2,263, population 986,032, Catholics 109,812, priests 93, religious 119), Nigeria. The bishop-elect was born in 1956 in Nto Iblam, Nigeria, was ordained to the priesthood in 1984, and is currently a professor at the Catholic Institute of West Africa in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
- Appointed Fr. Francis Xavier Yu Soo-il, O.F.M., as Military Ordinary for Korea (Catholics 100,862, priests 96, religious 47). The bishop-elect was born in 1945 in Nonsan, South Korea, took his perpetual vows in 1979, was ordained to the priesthood in 1980, and is currently vicar in the Franciscan house of formation in Seoul, South Korea.
NER:RE:NA/ VIS 20100716 (230)
- Appointed Fr. Jose Chittooparambil, C.M.I., as Bishop of the eparchy of Rajkot of the Syro-Malabars (area 109,950, population 15,805,000, Catholics 13,500, priests 149, religious 606), in India. The bishop-elect was born in 1954 in Neeleswaram, India, was ordained to the priesthood in 1985, and is currently Prior General of St. Xavier's Province in Rajkot. He succeeds Bishop Gregory Karotemprel, C.M.I., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese the Holy Father accepted on having reached the age limit.
- Accepted the resignation as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Pyay, Myanmar, presented by Bishop Gregory Taik Maung, titular bishop of Bocconia, in accordance with canons 411 and 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Fr. Camillus Raymond Umoh as Bishop of the diocese of Ikot Ekpene (area 2,263, population 986,032, Catholics 109,812, priests 93, religious 119), Nigeria. The bishop-elect was born in 1956 in Nto Iblam, Nigeria, was ordained to the priesthood in 1984, and is currently a professor at the Catholic Institute of West Africa in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
- Appointed Fr. Francis Xavier Yu Soo-il, O.F.M., as Military Ordinary for Korea (Catholics 100,862, priests 96, religious 47). The bishop-elect was born in 1945 in Nonsan, South Korea, took his perpetual vows in 1979, was ordained to the priesthood in 1980, and is currently vicar in the Franciscan house of formation in Seoul, South Korea.
NER:RE:NA/ VIS 20100716 (230)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
PUBLICATION OF CDF NORMS ON MOST SERIOUS CRIMES
VATICAN CITY, 15 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith today published its new "Norms concerning the most serious crimes". Given below is the text of an explanatory note on the new measures, issued by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J.
In 2001 the Holy Father John Paul II promulgated a very important document, the Motu Proprio "Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela", which gave the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responsibility to deal with and judge a series of particularly serious crimes within the ambit of canon law. This responsibility had previously been attributed also to other dicasteries, or was not completely clear.
The Motu Proprio (the "law" in the strict sense) was accompanied by a series of practical and procedural Norms, known as "Normae de gravioribus delictis". Over the nine years since then, experience has naturally suggested that these Norms be integrated and updated, so as to streamline and simplify the procedures and make them more effective, and to take account of new problems. This has been achieved principally by the Pope attributing new "faculties" to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; faculties which, however, were not organically integrated into the initial Norms. This has now come about, within the context of a systematic revision of those Norms.
The serious crimes to which the regulations referred concerned vital aspects of Church life: the Sacraments of the Eucharist and of Penance, but also sexual abuse committed by a priest against a minor under the age of eighteen.
The vast public echo this latter kind of crime has had over recent years has attracted great attention and generated intense debate on the norms and procedures applied by the Church to judge and punish such acts.
It is right, then, that there should be complete clarity concerning the regulations currently in force in this field, and that these regulations be presented organically so as to facilitate the work of the people who deal with these matters.
An initial clarification - especially for use by the media - was provided recently with the publication on the Holy See website of a brief "Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations". The publication of the new Norms is, however, quite a different thing, providing us with an official and updated legal text which is valid for the whole Church.
In order to facilitate the reading of the Norms by a non-specialist public, particularly interested in the problems of sexual abuse, we will seek to highlight a number of important aspects:
Among the novelties introduced with respect to the earlier Norms, mention must be made, above all, of measures intended to accelerate procedures, such as the possibility of not following the "judicial process" but proceeding by "extrajudicial decree", or that of presenting (in particular circumstances) the most serious cases to the Holy Father with a view to dismissing the offender from the clerical state.
Another Norm intended to simplify earlier problems and to take account of the evolution of the situation in the Church concerns the possibility of having not only priests but also lay persons as members of the tribunal staff, or as lawyers or prosecutors. Likewise, in order to undertake these functions it is no longer strictly necessary to have a doctorate in canon law, but the required competency can also be proved in another way; for example, with a licentiate.
Another aspect worthy of note is the increase of the statue of limitations from ten years to twenty years, with the possibility of extension even beyond that period.
Another significant aspect is establishing parity between the abuse of mentally disabled people and that of minors, and the introduction of a new category: paedophile pornography. This is defined as: "the acquisition, possession or disclosure" by a member of the clergy, "in any way and by any means, of pornographic images of minors under the age of fourteen".
Regulations concerning the secrecy of trials are maintained, in order to safeguard the dignity of all the people involved.
One point that remains untouched, though it has often been the subject of discussion in recent times, concerns collaboration with the civil authorities. It must be borne in mind that the Norms being published today are part of the penal code of canon law, which is complete in itself and entirely distinct from the law of States.
On this subject, however, it is important to take note of the "Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations", as published on the Holy See website. In that Guide, the phrase "Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed" is contained in the section dedicated to "Preliminary Procedures". This means that in the practice suggested by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith it is necessary to comply with the requirements of law in the various countries, and to do so in good time, not during or subsequent to the canonical trial.
Today's publication of the Norms makes a great contribution to the clarity and certainty of law in this field; a field in which the Church is today strongly committed to proceeding with rigour and transparency so as to respond fully to the just expectations of moral coherence and evangelical sanctity nourished by the faithful and by public opinion, and which the Holy Father has constantly reiterated.
Of course, many other measures and initiatives are required from the various ecclesiastical bodies. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is currently examining how to help the bishops of the world formulate and develop, coherently and effectively, the indications and guidelines necessary to face the problems of the sexual abuse of minors, either by members of the clergy or within the environment of activities and institutions connected with the Church, bearing in mind the situation and the problems of the societies in which they operate.
This will be another crucial step on the Church's journey as she translates into permanent practice and continuous awareness the fruits of the teachings and ideas that have matured over the course of the painful events of the "crisis" engendered by sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
In order to complete this brief overview of the principal novelties contained in the "Norms", mention must also be made of those that refer to crimes of a different nature. In this case too it is not so much a case of introducing new substance as of integrating rules that are already in force so as to obtain a better ordered and more organic set of regulations on the "most serious crimes" reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
These include crimes against the faith (heresy, apostasy and schism) for which competency normally falls to ordinaries, although the Congregation becomes competent in the case of an appeal; the malicious recording and disclosure of sacramental Confession about which a decree of condemnation was published in 1988; and the attempted ordination of women, about which a decree was published in 2007.
OP/ VIS 20100715 (1190)
In 2001 the Holy Father John Paul II promulgated a very important document, the Motu Proprio "Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela", which gave the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith responsibility to deal with and judge a series of particularly serious crimes within the ambit of canon law. This responsibility had previously been attributed also to other dicasteries, or was not completely clear.
The Motu Proprio (the "law" in the strict sense) was accompanied by a series of practical and procedural Norms, known as "Normae de gravioribus delictis". Over the nine years since then, experience has naturally suggested that these Norms be integrated and updated, so as to streamline and simplify the procedures and make them more effective, and to take account of new problems. This has been achieved principally by the Pope attributing new "faculties" to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; faculties which, however, were not organically integrated into the initial Norms. This has now come about, within the context of a systematic revision of those Norms.
The serious crimes to which the regulations referred concerned vital aspects of Church life: the Sacraments of the Eucharist and of Penance, but also sexual abuse committed by a priest against a minor under the age of eighteen.
The vast public echo this latter kind of crime has had over recent years has attracted great attention and generated intense debate on the norms and procedures applied by the Church to judge and punish such acts.
It is right, then, that there should be complete clarity concerning the regulations currently in force in this field, and that these regulations be presented organically so as to facilitate the work of the people who deal with these matters.
An initial clarification - especially for use by the media - was provided recently with the publication on the Holy See website of a brief "Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations". The publication of the new Norms is, however, quite a different thing, providing us with an official and updated legal text which is valid for the whole Church.
In order to facilitate the reading of the Norms by a non-specialist public, particularly interested in the problems of sexual abuse, we will seek to highlight a number of important aspects:
Among the novelties introduced with respect to the earlier Norms, mention must be made, above all, of measures intended to accelerate procedures, such as the possibility of not following the "judicial process" but proceeding by "extrajudicial decree", or that of presenting (in particular circumstances) the most serious cases to the Holy Father with a view to dismissing the offender from the clerical state.
Another Norm intended to simplify earlier problems and to take account of the evolution of the situation in the Church concerns the possibility of having not only priests but also lay persons as members of the tribunal staff, or as lawyers or prosecutors. Likewise, in order to undertake these functions it is no longer strictly necessary to have a doctorate in canon law, but the required competency can also be proved in another way; for example, with a licentiate.
Another aspect worthy of note is the increase of the statue of limitations from ten years to twenty years, with the possibility of extension even beyond that period.
Another significant aspect is establishing parity between the abuse of mentally disabled people and that of minors, and the introduction of a new category: paedophile pornography. This is defined as: "the acquisition, possession or disclosure" by a member of the clergy, "in any way and by any means, of pornographic images of minors under the age of fourteen".
Regulations concerning the secrecy of trials are maintained, in order to safeguard the dignity of all the people involved.
One point that remains untouched, though it has often been the subject of discussion in recent times, concerns collaboration with the civil authorities. It must be borne in mind that the Norms being published today are part of the penal code of canon law, which is complete in itself and entirely distinct from the law of States.
On this subject, however, it is important to take note of the "Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations", as published on the Holy See website. In that Guide, the phrase "Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed" is contained in the section dedicated to "Preliminary Procedures". This means that in the practice suggested by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith it is necessary to comply with the requirements of law in the various countries, and to do so in good time, not during or subsequent to the canonical trial.
Today's publication of the Norms makes a great contribution to the clarity and certainty of law in this field; a field in which the Church is today strongly committed to proceeding with rigour and transparency so as to respond fully to the just expectations of moral coherence and evangelical sanctity nourished by the faithful and by public opinion, and which the Holy Father has constantly reiterated.
Of course, many other measures and initiatives are required from the various ecclesiastical bodies. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is currently examining how to help the bishops of the world formulate and develop, coherently and effectively, the indications and guidelines necessary to face the problems of the sexual abuse of minors, either by members of the clergy or within the environment of activities and institutions connected with the Church, bearing in mind the situation and the problems of the societies in which they operate.
This will be another crucial step on the Church's journey as she translates into permanent practice and continuous awareness the fruits of the teachings and ideas that have matured over the course of the painful events of the "crisis" engendered by sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
In order to complete this brief overview of the principal novelties contained in the "Norms", mention must also be made of those that refer to crimes of a different nature. In this case too it is not so much a case of introducing new substance as of integrating rules that are already in force so as to obtain a better ordered and more organic set of regulations on the "most serious crimes" reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
These include crimes against the faith (heresy, apostasy and schism) for which competency normally falls to ordinaries, although the Congregation becomes competent in the case of an appeal; the malicious recording and disclosure of sacramental Confession about which a decree of condemnation was published in 1988; and the attempted ordination of women, about which a decree was published in 2007.
MODIFICATIONS MADE IN THE NORMAE DE GRAVIORIBUS DELICTIS
Part One
SUBSTANTIVE NORMS
Art. 1
§ 1. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, according to art. 52 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus[1], judges delicts against the faith, as well as the more grave delicts committed against morals and in the celebration of the sacraments and, whenever necessary, proceeds to declare or impose canonical sanctions according to the norm of both common and proper law, with due regard for the competence of the Apostolic Penitentiary[2] and in keeping with Agendi ratio in doctrinarum examine.[3]
§ 2. With regard to the delicts mentioned above in § 1, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, by mandate of the Roman Pontiff, may judge Cardinals, Patriarchs, Legates of the Apostolic See, Bishops as well as other physical persons mentioned in can. 1405 § 3 of the Code of Canon Law[4], and in can. 1061 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.[5]
§ 3. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith judges the reserved delicts mentioned in § 1 according to the following norms.
Art. 2
§ 1. The delicts against the faith referred to in art. 1 are heresy, apostasy and schism according to the norm of can. 751[6] and 1364[7] of the Code of Canon Law, and can. 1436[8] and 1437[9] of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
§ 2. In the abovementioned cases referred to in § 1, it pertains to the Ordinary or Hierarch to remit, by norm of law, if it be the case, the latae sententiae excommunication and likewise to undertake a judicial trial in the first instance or issue an extrajudicial decree, with due regard for the right of appeal or of recourse to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Art. 3
§ 1. The more grave delicts against the sanctity of the most Holy Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Eucharist reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for judgment are:
1° the taking or retaining for a sacrilegious purpose or the throwing away of the consecrated species[10], as mentioned in can. 1367 of the Code of Canon Law[11], and in can. 1442 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[12];
2° attempting the liturgical action of the Eucharistic Sacrifice spoken of in can. 1378 § 2, n. 1, of the Code of Canon Law[13];
3° the simulation of the same, spoken of in can. 1379 of the Code of Canon Law[14] and in can. 1443 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[15];
4° the concelebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice prohibited in can. 908 of the Code of Canon Law[16], and in can. 702 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[17], spoken of in can. 1365 of the Code of Canon Law[18], and in can. 1440 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[19], with ministers of ecclesial communities which do not have apostolic succession and do not acknowledge the sacramental dignity of priestly ordination.
§ 2. Also reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the delict which consists in the consecration for a sacrilegious purpose of one matter without the other or even of both, either within or outside of the eucharistic celebration[20]. One who has perpetrated this delict is to be punished according to the gravity of the crime, not excluding dismissal or deposition.
Art. 4
§ 1. The more grave delicts against the sanctity of the Sacrament of Penance reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are:
1° the absolution of an accomplice in a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue, mentioned in can. 1378 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law[21], and in can. 1457 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[22];
2° attempted sacramental absolution or the prohibited hearing of confession, mentioned in can. 1378 § 2, 2° of the Code of Canon Law[23];
3° simulated sacramental absolution, mentioned in can. 1379 of the Code of Canon Law[24],and in can. 1443 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[25];
4° the solicitation to a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue in the act, on the occasion, or under the pretext of confession, as mentioned in can. 1387 of the Code of Canon Law[26], and in can. 1458 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[27], if it is directed to sinning with the confessor himself;
5° the direct and indirect violation of the sacramental seal, mentioned in can. 1388 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law[28],and in can. 1456 §1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[29];
§ 2. With due regard for § 1, n. 5, also reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the more grave delict which consists in the recording, by whatever technical means, or in the malicious diffusion through communications media, of what is said in sacramental confession, whether true or false, by the confessor or the penitent. Anyone who commits such a delict is to punished according to the gravity of the crime, not excluding, if he be a cleric, dismissal or deposition[30].
Art. 5
The more grave delict of the attempted sacred ordination of a woman is also reserved to the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:
1° With due regard for can. 1378 of the Code of Canon Law, both the one who attempts to confer sacred ordination on a woman, and she who attempts to receive sacred ordination, incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
2° If the one attempting to confer sacred ordination, or the woman who attempts to receive sacred ordination, is a member of the Christian faithful subject to the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, with due regard for can. 1443 of that Code, he or she is to be punished by major excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
3° If the guilty party is a cleric he may be punished by dismissal or deposition[31].
Art. 6
§ 1. The more grave delicts against morals which are reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are:
1° the delict against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue committed by a cleric with a minor below the age of eighteen years; in this case, a person who habitually lacks the use of reason is to be considered equivalent to a minor.
2° the acquisition, possession, or distribution by a cleric of pornographic images of minors under the age of fourteen, for purposes of sexual gratification, by whatever means or using whatever technology;
§ 2. A cleric who commits the delicts mentioned above in § 1 is to be punished according to the gravity of his crime, not excluding dismissal or deposition.
Art. 7
§ 1. A criminal action for delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is extinguished by prescription after twenty years, with due regard to the right of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to derogate from prescription in individual cases.
§ 2. Prescription runs according to the norm of can. 1362 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law[32], and can. 1152 § 3 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[33]. However, in the delict mentioned in art. 6 §1 n. 1, prescription begins to run from the day on which a minor completes his eighteenth year of age.
Part Two
PROCEDURAL NORMS
Title I
The Constitution and Competence of the Tribunal
Art. 8
§ 1. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the Supreme Apostolic Tribunal for the Latin Church as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches, for the judgment of the delicts defined in the preceding articles.
§ 2. This Supreme Tribunal also judges other delicts of which a defendant is accused by the Promotor of Justice, by reason of connection of person and complicity.
§ 3. The sentences of this Supreme Tribunal, rendered within the limits of its proper competence, do not need to be submitted for the approval of the Supreme Pontiff.
Art. 9
§ 1. The Members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are ipso iure the judges of this Supreme Tribunal.
§ 2. The Prefect of the Congregation presides as first among equals over the college of the Members, and if the office of Prefect is vacant or if the Prefect himself is impeded, the Secretary of the Congregation carries out his duties.
§ 3. It is the responsibility of the Prefect of the Congregation to nominate additional stable or deputed judges.
Art. 10
It is necessary that such appointed judges be priests, of mature age, possessing a doctorate in canon law, outstanding in good morals, prudence and expertise in the law. Such priests may at the same time exercise a judicial or consultative function before another Dicastery of the Roman Curia.
Art. 11
To present and sustain an accusation a Promotor of Justice is to be appointed, who is to be a priest, possessing a doctorate in canon law, outstanding in good morals, prudence, and expertise in the law. He is to carry out his office in all grades of judgment.
Art. 12
For the functions of Notary and Chancellor, priests are appointed, whether or not they are officials of this Congregation.
Art. 13
The role of Advocate or Procurator is carried out by a priest possessing a doctorate in canon law. He is to be approved by the presiding judge of the college.
Art. 14
Indeed, in the other tribunals dealing with cases under these norms, only priests can validly carry out the functions of Judge, Promotor of Justice, Notary, and Patron [Procurator and Advocate].
Art 15
With regard to the provisions of can. 1421 of the Code of Canon Law[34],and can. 1087 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[35], the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may dispense from the requirements of the priesthood and of a doctorate in Canon Law.
Art. 16
Whenever the Ordinary or Hierarch receives a report of a more grave delict, which has at least the semblance of truth, once the preliminary investigation has been completed, he is to communicate the matter to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which, unless it calls the case to itself due to particular circumstances, will direct the Ordinary or Hierarch how to proceed further, with due regard, however, for the right to appeal, if the case warrents, against a sentence of the first instance only to the Supreme Tribunal of this same Congregation.
Art. 17
If a case is referred directly to the Congregation without a preliminary investigation having been undertaken, the steps preliminary to the process, which fall by common law to the Ordinary or Hierarch, may be carried out by the Congregation itself.
Art. 18
With full respect for the right of defense, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may sanate acts in cases lawfully presented to it if merely procedural laws have been violated by lower Tribunals acting by mandate of the same Congregation or according to art. 16.
Art. 19
With due regard for the right of the Ordinary to impose from the outset of the preliminary investigation those measures which are established in can. 1722 of the Code of Canon Law[36], or in can. 1473 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[37], the respective presiding judge may, at the request of the Promotor of Justice, exercise the same power under the same conditions determined in the canons themselves.
Art. 20
The Supreme Tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith judges in second instance:
1° cases adjudicated in first instance by lower tribunals;
2° cases decided by this same Supreme Apostolic Tribunal in first instance.
Title II
The Procedure to be followed in the Judicial Trial
Art. 21
§ 1. The more grave delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are to be tried in a judicial process.
§ 2. However, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may:
1° decide, in individual cases, ex officio or when requested by the Ordinary or Hierarch, to proceed by extrajudicial decree, as provided in can. 1720 of the Code of Canon Law[38] and can. 1486 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[39]. However, perpetual expiatory penalties may only be imposed by mandate of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
2° present the most grave cases to the decision of the Roman Pontiff with regard to dismissal from the clerical state or deposition, together with dispensation from the law of celibacy, when it is manifestly evident that the delict was committed and after having given the guilty party the possibility of defending himself.
Art. 22
The Prefect is to constitute a turnus of three or five judges to try the case.
Art. 23
If in the appellate stage the Promotor of Justice brings forward a specifically different accusation, this Supreme Tribunal can admit it and judge it as if at first instance.
Art. 24
§ 1. In cases concerning the delicts mentioned of in art. 4 §1, the Tribunal cannot indicate the name of the accuser to either the accused or his patron unless the accuser has expressly consented.
§ 2. This same Tribunal must consider the particular importance of the question concerning the credibility of the accuser.
§ 3. Nevertheless, it must always be observed that any danger of violating the sacramental seal be altogether avoided.
Art 25
If an incidental question arises, the college is to decide the matter by decree most expeditiously [expeditissime, cf. cann. 1629, n.5˚ CIC; 1310, n. 5˚ CCEO].
Art. 26
§ 1. With due regard for the right to appeal to this Supreme Tribunal, once an instance has been finished in any manner before another tribunal, all of the acts of the case are to be transmitted ex officio to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as soon as possible.
§ 2 The right of the Promotor of Justice of the Congregation to challenge a sentence runs from the day on which the sentence of first instance is made known to this same Promotor.
Art. 27
Recourse may be had against singular administrative acts which have been decreed or approved by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in cases of reserved delicts. Such recourse must be presented within the preemptory period of sixty canonical days to the Ordinary Session of the Congregation (the Feria IV) which will judge on the merits of the case and the lawfulness of the Decree. Any further recourse as mentioned in art. 123 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor bonus is excluded[40].
Art. 28
A res iudicata occurs:
1° if a sentence has been rendered in second instance;
2° if an appeal against a sentence has not been proposed within a month;
3° if, in the appellate grade, the instance is abated or is renounced;
4° if the sentence has been rendered in accord with the norm of art.20.
Art. 29
§ 1. Judicial expenses are to be paid as the sentence has determined.
§ 2. If the defendant is not able to pay the expenses, they are to be paid by the Ordinary or Hierarch of the case.
Art. 30
§ 1. Cases of this nature are subject to the pontifical secret.[41]
§ 2. Whoever has violated the secret, whether deliberately (ex dolo) or through grave negligence, and has caused some harm to the accused or to the witnesses, is to be punished with an appropriate penalty by the higher turnus at the insistence of the injured party or even ex officio.
Art. 31
In these cases, together with the prescripts of these norms, by which all Tribunals of the Latin Church and Eastern Catholic Churches are bound, the canons concerning delicts and penalties as well as the canons concerning the penal process of each Code also must be applied.
[1] Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Constitutio apostolica Pastor bonus, De Romana Curia, 28 iunii 1988, art. 52, in AAS 80 (1988) 874: «Delicta contra fidem necnon graviora delicta, tum contra mores tum in sacramentorum celebratione commissa, quae ipsi delata fuerint, cognoscit atque, ubi opus fuerit, ad canonicas sanctiones declarandas aut irrogandas ad normam iuris, sive communis sive proprii, procedit».
[2] Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Constitutio apostolica Pastor bonus, De Romana Curia, 28 iunii 1988, art. 118, in AAS 80 (1988) 890: «Pro foro interno, tum sacramentali tum non sacramentali, absolutiones, dispensationes, commutationes, sanationes, condonationes aliasque gratias eadem largitur».
[3] Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Agendi ratio in doctrinarum examine, 29 iunii 1997, in AAS 89 (1997) 830-835.
[4] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1405 - § 3. Rotae Romanae reservatur iudicare:
1° Episcopos in contentiosis, firmo praescripto can. 1419 § 2;
2° Abbatem primatem, vel Abbatem superiorem congregationis monasticae, et supremum Moderatorem institutorum religiosorum iuris pontificii;
3° dioeceses aliasve personas ecclesiasticas, sive physicas sive iuridicas, quae Superiorem infra Romanum Pontificem non habent.
[5] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1061 – Coram tribunalibus Sedis Apostolicae conveniri debent personae, quae auctoritatem superiorem infra Romanum pontificem non habent, sive sunt personae physicae in ordine episcopatus non constitutae sive sunt personae iuridicae salvo can. 1063 § 4 nn. 3 et 4.
[6] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 751 - Dicitur haeresis, pertinax, post receptum baptismum, alicuius veritatis fide divina et catholica credendae denegatio, aut de eadem pertinax dubitatio; apostasia, fidei christianae ex toto repudiatio; schisma, subiectionis Summo Pontifici aut communionis cum Ecclesiae membris eidem subditis detrectatio.
[7] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1364 - § 1. Apostata a fide, haereticus vel schismaticus in excommunicationem latae sententiae incurrit, firmo praescripto can. 194, § 1, n. 2; clericus praeterea potest poenis, de quibus in can. 1336, § 1, nn. 1, 2 et 3, puniri. - § 2. Si diuturna contumacia vel scandali gravitas postulet, aliae poenae addi possunt, non excepta dimissione e statu clericali.
[8] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1436 - § 1. Qui aliquam veritatem fide divina et catholica credendam denegat vel eam in dubium ponit aut fidem christianam ex toto repudiat et legitime monitus non resipiscit, ut haereticus aut apostata excommunicatione maiore puniatur, clericus praeterea aliis poenis puniri potest non exclusa depositione.
[9] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1437 - Qui subiectionem supremae Ecclesiae auctoritati aut communionem cum christifidelibus eidem subiectis detrectat et legitime monitus oboedientiam non praestat, ut schismaticus excommunicatione maiore puniatur.
[10] Pontificium Consilium de Legum Textibus Interpretandis, Responsio ad propositum dubium, 4 iunii 1999 in AAS 91 (1999) 918.
D. Utrum in can. 1367 CIC et 1442 CCEO verbum «abicere» intellegatur tantum ut actus proiciendi necne.
R. Negative et ad mentem.
Mens est quamlibet actionem Sacras Species voluntarie et graviter despicientem censendam esse inclusam in verbo «abicere».
[11] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1367 - Qui species consecratas abicit aut in sacrilegum finem abducit vel retinet, in excommunicationem latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatam incurrit; clericus praeterea alia poena, non exclusa dimissione e statu clericali, puniri potest.
[12] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1442 - Qui Divinam Eucharistiam abiecit aut in sacrilegum finem abduxit vel retinuit, excommunicatione maiore puniatur et, si clericus est, etiam aliis poenis non exclusa depositione.
[13] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1378 - § 2. In poenam latae sententiae interdicti vel, si sit clericus, suspensionis incurrit:
1° qui ad ordinem sacerdotalem non promotus liturgicam eucharistici Sacrificii actionem attentat ...
[14] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1379 - Qui, praeter casus de quibus in can. 1378, sacramentum se administrare simulat, iusta poena puniatur.
[15] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1443 - Qui Divinae Liturgiae vel aliorum sacramentorum celebrationem simulavit, congrua poena puniatur non exclusa excommunicatione maiore.
[16] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 908 - Sacerdotibus catholicis vetitum est una cum sacerdotibus vel ministris Ecclesiarum communitatumve ecclesialium plenam communionem cum Ecclesia catholica non habentium, Eucharistiam concelebrare.
[17] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 702 - Sacerdotes catholici vetiti sunt una cum sacerdotibus vel ministris acatholicis Divinam Liturgiam concelebrare.
[18] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1365 - Reus vetitae communicationis in sacris iusta poena puniatur.
[19] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1440 - Qui normas iuris de communicatione in sacris violat, congrua poena puniri potest.
[20] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 927 - Nefas est, urgente etiam extrema necessitate, alteram materiam sine altera, aut etiam utramque extra eucharisticam celebrationem, consecrare.
[21] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1378 - § 1. Sacerdos qui contra praescriptum can. 977 agit, in excommunicationem latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatam incurrit.
[22] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1457 - Sacerdos, qui complicem in peccato contra castitatem absolvit, excommunicatione maiore puniatur firmo can. 728 § 1, n. 2.
[23] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1378 - § 2. In poenam latae sententiae interdicti vel, si sit clericus, suspensionis incurrit: ... 2° qui, praeter casum de quo in § 1, cum sacramentalem absolutionem dare valide nequeat, eam impertire attentat, vel sacramentalem confessionem audit.
[24] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1379 - Qui, praeter casus de quibus in can. 1378, sacramentum se administrare simulat, iusta poena puniatur.
[25] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1443 - Qui Divinae Liturgiae vel aliorum sacramentorum celebrationem simulavit, congrua poena puniatur non exclusa excommunicatione maiore.
[26] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1387 - Sacerdos, qui in actu vel occasione vel praetextu confessionis paenitentem ad peccatum contra sextum Decalogi praeceptum sollicitat, pro delicti gravitate, suspensione, prohibitionibus, privationibus puniatur, et in casibus gravioribus dimittatur e statu clericali.
[27] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1458 - Sacerdos, qui in actu vel occasione vel praetextu confessionis paenitentem ad peccatum contra castitatem sollicitavit, congrua poena puniatur non exclusa depositione.
[28] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1388 - § 1. Confessarius, qui sacramentale sigillum directe violat, in excommunicationem latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatam incurrit; qui vero indirecte tantum, pro delicti gravitate puniatur.
[29] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1456 - § 1. Confessarius, qui sacramentale sigillum directe violavit, excommunicatione maiore puniatur firmo can. 728, § 1, n. 1; si vero alio modo hoc sigillum fregit, congrua poena puniatur.
[30] Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Decretum de sacramenti Paenitentiae dignitate tuenda, 23 septembris 1988, in AAS 80 (1988) 1367.
[31] Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Decretum generale de delicto attentatae sacrae ordinationis mulieris, 19 decembris 2007, in AAS 100 (2008) 403.
[32] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1362 - § 2. Praescriptio decurrit ex die quo delictum patratum est, vel, si delictum sit permanens vel habituale, ex die quo cessavit.
[33] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1152 - § 3. Praescriptio decurrit ex die, quo delictum patratum est, vel, si delictum est permanens vel habituale, ex die, quo cessavit.
[34] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1421 - § 1. In dioecesi constituantur ab Episcopo iudices dioecesani, qui sint clerici.
§ 2. Episcoporum conferentia permittere potest ut etiam laici iudices constituantur, e quibus, suadente necessitate, unus assumi potest ad collegium efformandum.
§ 3. Iudices sint integrae famae et in iure canonico doctores vel saltem licentiati.
[35] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1087 - § 1. In eparchia nominentur ab Episcopo eparchiali iudices eparchiales, qui sint clerici.
§ 2. Patriarcha consulta Synodo permanenti vel Metropolita, qui Ecclesiae metropolitanae sui iuris praeest, consultis duobus Episcopis eparchialibus ordinatione episcopali senioribus permittere potest, ut etiam alii christifideles iudices nominentur, ex quibus suadente necessitate unus assumi potest ad collegium efformandum; in ceteris casibus hac in re adeatur Sedes Apostolica.
§ 3. Iudices sint integrae famae, in iure canonico doctores vel saltem licentiati, prudentia et iustitiae zelo probati.
[36] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1722 - Ad scandala praevenienda, ad testium libertatem protegendam et ad iustitiae cursum tutandum, potest Ordinarius, audito promotore iustitiae et citato ipso accusato, in quolibet processus stadio accusatum a sacro ministerio vel ab aliquo officio et munere ecclesiastico arcere, ei imponere vel interdicere commorationem in aliquo loco vel territorio, vel etiam publicam sanctissimae Eucharistiae participationem prohibere; quae omnia, causa cessante, sunt revocanda, eaque ipso iure finem habent, cessante processu poenali.
[37] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1473 - Ad scandala praevenienda, ad testium libertatem protegendam et ad iustitiae cursum tuendum potest Hierarcha audito promotore iustitiae et citato ipso accusato in quolibet statu et grado iudicii poenalis accusatum ab exercitio ordinis sacri, officii, ministerii vel alterius muneris arcere, ei imponere vel prohibere commorationem in aliquo loco vel territorio, vel etiam publicam Divinae Eucharistiae susceptione prohibere; quae omnia causa cessante sunt revocanda et ipso iure finem habent cessante iudicio poenali.
[38] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1720 - Si Ordinarius censuerit per decretum extra iudicium esse procedendum:
1° reo accusationem atque probationes, data facultate sese defendendi, significet, nisi reus, rite vocatus, comparere neglexerit;
2° probationes et argumenta omnia cum duobus assessoribus accurate perpendat;
3° si de delicto certo constet neque actio criminalis sit extincta, decretum ferat ad normam cann. 1342-1350, expositis, breviter saltem, rationibus in iure et in facto.
[39] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1486 - § 1. Ad validitatem decreti, quo poena irrogatur, requiritur, ut: 1° accusatus de accusatione atque probationibus certior fiat data sibi opportunitate ius ad sui defensionem plene exercendi, nisi ad normam iuris citatus comparere neglexit;
2° discussio oralis inter Hierarcham vel eius delegatum et accusatum habeatur praesentibus promotore iustitiae et notario;
3° in ipso decreto exponatur, quibus rationibus in facto et in iure punitio innitatur.
§ 2. Poenae autem, de quibus in can. 1426, § 1, sine hac procedura imponi possunt, dummodo de earum acceptatione ex parte rei scripto constet.
[40] Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Constitutio apostolica Pastor bonus, De Romana Curia, 28 iunii 1988, art. 52, in AAS 80 (1988) 891: «§ 1. Praeterea [Supremum Tribunal Signaturae Apostolicae] cognoscit de recursibus, intra terminum peremptorium triginta dierum utilium interpositis, adversus actus administrativos singulares sive a Dicasteriis Curiae Romanae latos sive ab ipsis probatos, quoties contendatur num actus impugnatus legem aliquam in decernendo vel in procedendo violaverit. § 2. In his casibus, praeter iudicium de illegitimitate, cognoscere etiam potest, si recurrens id postulet, de reparatione damnorum actu illegitimo illatorum. § 3. Cognoscit etiam de aliis controversiis administrativis, quae a Romano Pontifice vel a Romanae Curiae Dicasteriis ipsi deferantur necnon de conflictibus competentiae inter eadem Dicasteria».
[41] Secretaria Status, Rescriptum ex Audientia SS.mi Il 4 febbraio, quo Ordinatio generalis Romanae Curiae foras datur, 30 aprilis 1999, Regolamento generale della Curia Romana, 30 aprile 1999, art. 36 § 2, in AAS 91 (1999) 646: «Con particolare cura sarà osservato il segreto pontificio, a norma dell'Istruzione Secreta continere del 4 febbraio 1974».
Secretaria Status seu Papalis, Rescriptum ex Audientia, instructio Secreta continere, De secreto pontificio, 4 februarii 1974, in AAS 66 (1974) 89-92:
«Art. 1.- Secreto pontificio comprehenduntur: …
4) Denuntiationes extra iudicium acceptae circa delicta contra fidem et contra mores, et circa delicta contra Paenitentiae sacramentum patrata, nec non processus et decisio, quae ad hasce denuntiationes pertinent, salvo semper iure eius, qui ad auctoritatem delatus est, cognoscendae denuntiationis, si id necessarium ad propriam defensionem fuerit. Denuntiantis autem nomen tunc tantum patefieri licebit, cum auctoritati opportunum videatur ut denuntiatus et is, qui eum denuntiaverit, simul compareant; …» (p. 90).
SUBSTANTIVE NORMS
Art. 1
§ 1. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, according to art. 52 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus[1], judges delicts against the faith, as well as the more grave delicts committed against morals and in the celebration of the sacraments and, whenever necessary, proceeds to declare or impose canonical sanctions according to the norm of both common and proper law, with due regard for the competence of the Apostolic Penitentiary[2] and in keeping with Agendi ratio in doctrinarum examine.[3]
§ 2. With regard to the delicts mentioned above in § 1, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, by mandate of the Roman Pontiff, may judge Cardinals, Patriarchs, Legates of the Apostolic See, Bishops as well as other physical persons mentioned in can. 1405 § 3 of the Code of Canon Law[4], and in can. 1061 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.[5]
§ 3. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith judges the reserved delicts mentioned in § 1 according to the following norms.
Art. 2
§ 1. The delicts against the faith referred to in art. 1 are heresy, apostasy and schism according to the norm of can. 751[6] and 1364[7] of the Code of Canon Law, and can. 1436[8] and 1437[9] of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
§ 2. In the abovementioned cases referred to in § 1, it pertains to the Ordinary or Hierarch to remit, by norm of law, if it be the case, the latae sententiae excommunication and likewise to undertake a judicial trial in the first instance or issue an extrajudicial decree, with due regard for the right of appeal or of recourse to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Art. 3
§ 1. The more grave delicts against the sanctity of the most Holy Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Eucharist reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for judgment are:
1° the taking or retaining for a sacrilegious purpose or the throwing away of the consecrated species[10], as mentioned in can. 1367 of the Code of Canon Law[11], and in can. 1442 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[12];
2° attempting the liturgical action of the Eucharistic Sacrifice spoken of in can. 1378 § 2, n. 1, of the Code of Canon Law[13];
3° the simulation of the same, spoken of in can. 1379 of the Code of Canon Law[14] and in can. 1443 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[15];
4° the concelebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice prohibited in can. 908 of the Code of Canon Law[16], and in can. 702 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[17], spoken of in can. 1365 of the Code of Canon Law[18], and in can. 1440 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[19], with ministers of ecclesial communities which do not have apostolic succession and do not acknowledge the sacramental dignity of priestly ordination.
§ 2. Also reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the delict which consists in the consecration for a sacrilegious purpose of one matter without the other or even of both, either within or outside of the eucharistic celebration[20]. One who has perpetrated this delict is to be punished according to the gravity of the crime, not excluding dismissal or deposition.
Art. 4
§ 1. The more grave delicts against the sanctity of the Sacrament of Penance reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are:
1° the absolution of an accomplice in a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue, mentioned in can. 1378 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law[21], and in can. 1457 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[22];
2° attempted sacramental absolution or the prohibited hearing of confession, mentioned in can. 1378 § 2, 2° of the Code of Canon Law[23];
3° simulated sacramental absolution, mentioned in can. 1379 of the Code of Canon Law[24],and in can. 1443 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[25];
4° the solicitation to a sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue in the act, on the occasion, or under the pretext of confession, as mentioned in can. 1387 of the Code of Canon Law[26], and in can. 1458 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[27], if it is directed to sinning with the confessor himself;
5° the direct and indirect violation of the sacramental seal, mentioned in can. 1388 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law[28],and in can. 1456 §1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[29];
§ 2. With due regard for § 1, n. 5, also reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the more grave delict which consists in the recording, by whatever technical means, or in the malicious diffusion through communications media, of what is said in sacramental confession, whether true or false, by the confessor or the penitent. Anyone who commits such a delict is to punished according to the gravity of the crime, not excluding, if he be a cleric, dismissal or deposition[30].
Art. 5
The more grave delict of the attempted sacred ordination of a woman is also reserved to the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:
1° With due regard for can. 1378 of the Code of Canon Law, both the one who attempts to confer sacred ordination on a woman, and she who attempts to receive sacred ordination, incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
2° If the one attempting to confer sacred ordination, or the woman who attempts to receive sacred ordination, is a member of the Christian faithful subject to the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, with due regard for can. 1443 of that Code, he or she is to be punished by major excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See.
3° If the guilty party is a cleric he may be punished by dismissal or deposition[31].
Art. 6
§ 1. The more grave delicts against morals which are reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are:
1° the delict against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue committed by a cleric with a minor below the age of eighteen years; in this case, a person who habitually lacks the use of reason is to be considered equivalent to a minor.
2° the acquisition, possession, or distribution by a cleric of pornographic images of minors under the age of fourteen, for purposes of sexual gratification, by whatever means or using whatever technology;
§ 2. A cleric who commits the delicts mentioned above in § 1 is to be punished according to the gravity of his crime, not excluding dismissal or deposition.
Art. 7
§ 1. A criminal action for delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is extinguished by prescription after twenty years, with due regard to the right of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to derogate from prescription in individual cases.
§ 2. Prescription runs according to the norm of can. 1362 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law[32], and can. 1152 § 3 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[33]. However, in the delict mentioned in art. 6 §1 n. 1, prescription begins to run from the day on which a minor completes his eighteenth year of age.
Part Two
PROCEDURAL NORMS
Title I
The Constitution and Competence of the Tribunal
Art. 8
§ 1. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the Supreme Apostolic Tribunal for the Latin Church as well as the Eastern Catholic Churches, for the judgment of the delicts defined in the preceding articles.
§ 2. This Supreme Tribunal also judges other delicts of which a defendant is accused by the Promotor of Justice, by reason of connection of person and complicity.
§ 3. The sentences of this Supreme Tribunal, rendered within the limits of its proper competence, do not need to be submitted for the approval of the Supreme Pontiff.
Art. 9
§ 1. The Members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are ipso iure the judges of this Supreme Tribunal.
§ 2. The Prefect of the Congregation presides as first among equals over the college of the Members, and if the office of Prefect is vacant or if the Prefect himself is impeded, the Secretary of the Congregation carries out his duties.
§ 3. It is the responsibility of the Prefect of the Congregation to nominate additional stable or deputed judges.
Art. 10
It is necessary that such appointed judges be priests, of mature age, possessing a doctorate in canon law, outstanding in good morals, prudence and expertise in the law. Such priests may at the same time exercise a judicial or consultative function before another Dicastery of the Roman Curia.
Art. 11
To present and sustain an accusation a Promotor of Justice is to be appointed, who is to be a priest, possessing a doctorate in canon law, outstanding in good morals, prudence, and expertise in the law. He is to carry out his office in all grades of judgment.
Art. 12
For the functions of Notary and Chancellor, priests are appointed, whether or not they are officials of this Congregation.
Art. 13
The role of Advocate or Procurator is carried out by a priest possessing a doctorate in canon law. He is to be approved by the presiding judge of the college.
Art. 14
Indeed, in the other tribunals dealing with cases under these norms, only priests can validly carry out the functions of Judge, Promotor of Justice, Notary, and Patron [Procurator and Advocate].
Art 15
With regard to the provisions of can. 1421 of the Code of Canon Law[34],and can. 1087 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[35], the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may dispense from the requirements of the priesthood and of a doctorate in Canon Law.
Art. 16
Whenever the Ordinary or Hierarch receives a report of a more grave delict, which has at least the semblance of truth, once the preliminary investigation has been completed, he is to communicate the matter to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which, unless it calls the case to itself due to particular circumstances, will direct the Ordinary or Hierarch how to proceed further, with due regard, however, for the right to appeal, if the case warrents, against a sentence of the first instance only to the Supreme Tribunal of this same Congregation.
Art. 17
If a case is referred directly to the Congregation without a preliminary investigation having been undertaken, the steps preliminary to the process, which fall by common law to the Ordinary or Hierarch, may be carried out by the Congregation itself.
Art. 18
With full respect for the right of defense, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may sanate acts in cases lawfully presented to it if merely procedural laws have been violated by lower Tribunals acting by mandate of the same Congregation or according to art. 16.
Art. 19
With due regard for the right of the Ordinary to impose from the outset of the preliminary investigation those measures which are established in can. 1722 of the Code of Canon Law[36], or in can. 1473 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[37], the respective presiding judge may, at the request of the Promotor of Justice, exercise the same power under the same conditions determined in the canons themselves.
Art. 20
The Supreme Tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith judges in second instance:
1° cases adjudicated in first instance by lower tribunals;
2° cases decided by this same Supreme Apostolic Tribunal in first instance.
Title II
The Procedure to be followed in the Judicial Trial
Art. 21
§ 1. The more grave delicts reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are to be tried in a judicial process.
§ 2. However, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may:
1° decide, in individual cases, ex officio or when requested by the Ordinary or Hierarch, to proceed by extrajudicial decree, as provided in can. 1720 of the Code of Canon Law[38] and can. 1486 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches[39]. However, perpetual expiatory penalties may only be imposed by mandate of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
2° present the most grave cases to the decision of the Roman Pontiff with regard to dismissal from the clerical state or deposition, together with dispensation from the law of celibacy, when it is manifestly evident that the delict was committed and after having given the guilty party the possibility of defending himself.
Art. 22
The Prefect is to constitute a turnus of three or five judges to try the case.
Art. 23
If in the appellate stage the Promotor of Justice brings forward a specifically different accusation, this Supreme Tribunal can admit it and judge it as if at first instance.
Art. 24
§ 1. In cases concerning the delicts mentioned of in art. 4 §1, the Tribunal cannot indicate the name of the accuser to either the accused or his patron unless the accuser has expressly consented.
§ 2. This same Tribunal must consider the particular importance of the question concerning the credibility of the accuser.
§ 3. Nevertheless, it must always be observed that any danger of violating the sacramental seal be altogether avoided.
Art 25
If an incidental question arises, the college is to decide the matter by decree most expeditiously [expeditissime, cf. cann. 1629, n.5˚ CIC; 1310, n. 5˚ CCEO].
Art. 26
§ 1. With due regard for the right to appeal to this Supreme Tribunal, once an instance has been finished in any manner before another tribunal, all of the acts of the case are to be transmitted ex officio to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as soon as possible.
§ 2 The right of the Promotor of Justice of the Congregation to challenge a sentence runs from the day on which the sentence of first instance is made known to this same Promotor.
Art. 27
Recourse may be had against singular administrative acts which have been decreed or approved by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in cases of reserved delicts. Such recourse must be presented within the preemptory period of sixty canonical days to the Ordinary Session of the Congregation (the Feria IV) which will judge on the merits of the case and the lawfulness of the Decree. Any further recourse as mentioned in art. 123 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor bonus is excluded[40].
Art. 28
A res iudicata occurs:
1° if a sentence has been rendered in second instance;
2° if an appeal against a sentence has not been proposed within a month;
3° if, in the appellate grade, the instance is abated or is renounced;
4° if the sentence has been rendered in accord with the norm of art.20.
Art. 29
§ 1. Judicial expenses are to be paid as the sentence has determined.
§ 2. If the defendant is not able to pay the expenses, they are to be paid by the Ordinary or Hierarch of the case.
Art. 30
§ 1. Cases of this nature are subject to the pontifical secret.[41]
§ 2. Whoever has violated the secret, whether deliberately (ex dolo) or through grave negligence, and has caused some harm to the accused or to the witnesses, is to be punished with an appropriate penalty by the higher turnus at the insistence of the injured party or even ex officio.
Art. 31
In these cases, together with the prescripts of these norms, by which all Tribunals of the Latin Church and Eastern Catholic Churches are bound, the canons concerning delicts and penalties as well as the canons concerning the penal process of each Code also must be applied.
[1] Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Constitutio apostolica Pastor bonus, De Romana Curia, 28 iunii 1988, art. 52, in AAS 80 (1988) 874: «Delicta contra fidem necnon graviora delicta, tum contra mores tum in sacramentorum celebratione commissa, quae ipsi delata fuerint, cognoscit atque, ubi opus fuerit, ad canonicas sanctiones declarandas aut irrogandas ad normam iuris, sive communis sive proprii, procedit».
[2] Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Constitutio apostolica Pastor bonus, De Romana Curia, 28 iunii 1988, art. 118, in AAS 80 (1988) 890: «Pro foro interno, tum sacramentali tum non sacramentali, absolutiones, dispensationes, commutationes, sanationes, condonationes aliasque gratias eadem largitur».
[3] Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Agendi ratio in doctrinarum examine, 29 iunii 1997, in AAS 89 (1997) 830-835.
[4] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1405 - § 3. Rotae Romanae reservatur iudicare:
1° Episcopos in contentiosis, firmo praescripto can. 1419 § 2;
2° Abbatem primatem, vel Abbatem superiorem congregationis monasticae, et supremum Moderatorem institutorum religiosorum iuris pontificii;
3° dioeceses aliasve personas ecclesiasticas, sive physicas sive iuridicas, quae Superiorem infra Romanum Pontificem non habent.
[5] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1061 – Coram tribunalibus Sedis Apostolicae conveniri debent personae, quae auctoritatem superiorem infra Romanum pontificem non habent, sive sunt personae physicae in ordine episcopatus non constitutae sive sunt personae iuridicae salvo can. 1063 § 4 nn. 3 et 4.
[6] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 751 - Dicitur haeresis, pertinax, post receptum baptismum, alicuius veritatis fide divina et catholica credendae denegatio, aut de eadem pertinax dubitatio; apostasia, fidei christianae ex toto repudiatio; schisma, subiectionis Summo Pontifici aut communionis cum Ecclesiae membris eidem subditis detrectatio.
[7] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1364 - § 1. Apostata a fide, haereticus vel schismaticus in excommunicationem latae sententiae incurrit, firmo praescripto can. 194, § 1, n. 2; clericus praeterea potest poenis, de quibus in can. 1336, § 1, nn. 1, 2 et 3, puniri. - § 2. Si diuturna contumacia vel scandali gravitas postulet, aliae poenae addi possunt, non excepta dimissione e statu clericali.
[8] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1436 - § 1. Qui aliquam veritatem fide divina et catholica credendam denegat vel eam in dubium ponit aut fidem christianam ex toto repudiat et legitime monitus non resipiscit, ut haereticus aut apostata excommunicatione maiore puniatur, clericus praeterea aliis poenis puniri potest non exclusa depositione.
[9] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1437 - Qui subiectionem supremae Ecclesiae auctoritati aut communionem cum christifidelibus eidem subiectis detrectat et legitime monitus oboedientiam non praestat, ut schismaticus excommunicatione maiore puniatur.
[10] Pontificium Consilium de Legum Textibus Interpretandis, Responsio ad propositum dubium, 4 iunii 1999 in AAS 91 (1999) 918.
D. Utrum in can. 1367 CIC et 1442 CCEO verbum «abicere» intellegatur tantum ut actus proiciendi necne.
R. Negative et ad mentem.
Mens est quamlibet actionem Sacras Species voluntarie et graviter despicientem censendam esse inclusam in verbo «abicere».
[11] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1367 - Qui species consecratas abicit aut in sacrilegum finem abducit vel retinet, in excommunicationem latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatam incurrit; clericus praeterea alia poena, non exclusa dimissione e statu clericali, puniri potest.
[12] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1442 - Qui Divinam Eucharistiam abiecit aut in sacrilegum finem abduxit vel retinuit, excommunicatione maiore puniatur et, si clericus est, etiam aliis poenis non exclusa depositione.
[13] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1378 - § 2. In poenam latae sententiae interdicti vel, si sit clericus, suspensionis incurrit:
1° qui ad ordinem sacerdotalem non promotus liturgicam eucharistici Sacrificii actionem attentat ...
[14] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1379 - Qui, praeter casus de quibus in can. 1378, sacramentum se administrare simulat, iusta poena puniatur.
[15] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1443 - Qui Divinae Liturgiae vel aliorum sacramentorum celebrationem simulavit, congrua poena puniatur non exclusa excommunicatione maiore.
[16] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 908 - Sacerdotibus catholicis vetitum est una cum sacerdotibus vel ministris Ecclesiarum communitatumve ecclesialium plenam communionem cum Ecclesia catholica non habentium, Eucharistiam concelebrare.
[17] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 702 - Sacerdotes catholici vetiti sunt una cum sacerdotibus vel ministris acatholicis Divinam Liturgiam concelebrare.
[18] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1365 - Reus vetitae communicationis in sacris iusta poena puniatur.
[19] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1440 - Qui normas iuris de communicatione in sacris violat, congrua poena puniri potest.
[20] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 927 - Nefas est, urgente etiam extrema necessitate, alteram materiam sine altera, aut etiam utramque extra eucharisticam celebrationem, consecrare.
[21] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1378 - § 1. Sacerdos qui contra praescriptum can. 977 agit, in excommunicationem latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatam incurrit.
[22] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1457 - Sacerdos, qui complicem in peccato contra castitatem absolvit, excommunicatione maiore puniatur firmo can. 728 § 1, n. 2.
[23] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1378 - § 2. In poenam latae sententiae interdicti vel, si sit clericus, suspensionis incurrit: ... 2° qui, praeter casum de quo in § 1, cum sacramentalem absolutionem dare valide nequeat, eam impertire attentat, vel sacramentalem confessionem audit.
[24] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1379 - Qui, praeter casus de quibus in can. 1378, sacramentum se administrare simulat, iusta poena puniatur.
[25] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1443 - Qui Divinae Liturgiae vel aliorum sacramentorum celebrationem simulavit, congrua poena puniatur non exclusa excommunicatione maiore.
[26] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1387 - Sacerdos, qui in actu vel occasione vel praetextu confessionis paenitentem ad peccatum contra sextum Decalogi praeceptum sollicitat, pro delicti gravitate, suspensione, prohibitionibus, privationibus puniatur, et in casibus gravioribus dimittatur e statu clericali.
[27] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1458 - Sacerdos, qui in actu vel occasione vel praetextu confessionis paenitentem ad peccatum contra castitatem sollicitavit, congrua poena puniatur non exclusa depositione.
[28] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1388 - § 1. Confessarius, qui sacramentale sigillum directe violat, in excommunicationem latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatam incurrit; qui vero indirecte tantum, pro delicti gravitate puniatur.
[29] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1456 - § 1. Confessarius, qui sacramentale sigillum directe violavit, excommunicatione maiore puniatur firmo can. 728, § 1, n. 1; si vero alio modo hoc sigillum fregit, congrua poena puniatur.
[30] Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Decretum de sacramenti Paenitentiae dignitate tuenda, 23 septembris 1988, in AAS 80 (1988) 1367.
[31] Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei, Decretum generale de delicto attentatae sacrae ordinationis mulieris, 19 decembris 2007, in AAS 100 (2008) 403.
[32] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1362 - § 2. Praescriptio decurrit ex die quo delictum patratum est, vel, si delictum sit permanens vel habituale, ex die quo cessavit.
[33] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1152 - § 3. Praescriptio decurrit ex die, quo delictum patratum est, vel, si delictum est permanens vel habituale, ex die, quo cessavit.
[34] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1421 - § 1. In dioecesi constituantur ab Episcopo iudices dioecesani, qui sint clerici.
§ 2. Episcoporum conferentia permittere potest ut etiam laici iudices constituantur, e quibus, suadente necessitate, unus assumi potest ad collegium efformandum.
§ 3. Iudices sint integrae famae et in iure canonico doctores vel saltem licentiati.
[35] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1087 - § 1. In eparchia nominentur ab Episcopo eparchiali iudices eparchiales, qui sint clerici.
§ 2. Patriarcha consulta Synodo permanenti vel Metropolita, qui Ecclesiae metropolitanae sui iuris praeest, consultis duobus Episcopis eparchialibus ordinatione episcopali senioribus permittere potest, ut etiam alii christifideles iudices nominentur, ex quibus suadente necessitate unus assumi potest ad collegium efformandum; in ceteris casibus hac in re adeatur Sedes Apostolica.
§ 3. Iudices sint integrae famae, in iure canonico doctores vel saltem licentiati, prudentia et iustitiae zelo probati.
[36] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1722 - Ad scandala praevenienda, ad testium libertatem protegendam et ad iustitiae cursum tutandum, potest Ordinarius, audito promotore iustitiae et citato ipso accusato, in quolibet processus stadio accusatum a sacro ministerio vel ab aliquo officio et munere ecclesiastico arcere, ei imponere vel interdicere commorationem in aliquo loco vel territorio, vel etiam publicam sanctissimae Eucharistiae participationem prohibere; quae omnia, causa cessante, sunt revocanda, eaque ipso iure finem habent, cessante processu poenali.
[37] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1473 - Ad scandala praevenienda, ad testium libertatem protegendam et ad iustitiae cursum tuendum potest Hierarcha audito promotore iustitiae et citato ipso accusato in quolibet statu et grado iudicii poenalis accusatum ab exercitio ordinis sacri, officii, ministerii vel alterius muneris arcere, ei imponere vel prohibere commorationem in aliquo loco vel territorio, vel etiam publicam Divinae Eucharistiae susceptione prohibere; quae omnia causa cessante sunt revocanda et ipso iure finem habent cessante iudicio poenali.
[38] Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1720 - Si Ordinarius censuerit per decretum extra iudicium esse procedendum:
1° reo accusationem atque probationes, data facultate sese defendendi, significet, nisi reus, rite vocatus, comparere neglexerit;
2° probationes et argumenta omnia cum duobus assessoribus accurate perpendat;
3° si de delicto certo constet neque actio criminalis sit extincta, decretum ferat ad normam cann. 1342-1350, expositis, breviter saltem, rationibus in iure et in facto.
[39] Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 1486 - § 1. Ad validitatem decreti, quo poena irrogatur, requiritur, ut: 1° accusatus de accusatione atque probationibus certior fiat data sibi opportunitate ius ad sui defensionem plene exercendi, nisi ad normam iuris citatus comparere neglexit;
2° discussio oralis inter Hierarcham vel eius delegatum et accusatum habeatur praesentibus promotore iustitiae et notario;
3° in ipso decreto exponatur, quibus rationibus in facto et in iure punitio innitatur.
§ 2. Poenae autem, de quibus in can. 1426, § 1, sine hac procedura imponi possunt, dummodo de earum acceptatione ex parte rei scripto constet.
[40] Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Constitutio apostolica Pastor bonus, De Romana Curia, 28 iunii 1988, art. 52, in AAS 80 (1988) 891: «§ 1. Praeterea [Supremum Tribunal Signaturae Apostolicae] cognoscit de recursibus, intra terminum peremptorium triginta dierum utilium interpositis, adversus actus administrativos singulares sive a Dicasteriis Curiae Romanae latos sive ab ipsis probatos, quoties contendatur num actus impugnatus legem aliquam in decernendo vel in procedendo violaverit. § 2. In his casibus, praeter iudicium de illegitimitate, cognoscere etiam potest, si recurrens id postulet, de reparatione damnorum actu illegitimo illatorum. § 3. Cognoscit etiam de aliis controversiis administrativis, quae a Romano Pontifice vel a Romanae Curiae Dicasteriis ipsi deferantur necnon de conflictibus competentiae inter eadem Dicasteria».
[41] Secretaria Status, Rescriptum ex Audientia SS.mi Il 4 febbraio, quo Ordinatio generalis Romanae Curiae foras datur, 30 aprilis 1999, Regolamento generale della Curia Romana, 30 aprile 1999, art. 36 § 2, in AAS 91 (1999) 646: «Con particolare cura sarà osservato il segreto pontificio, a norma dell'Istruzione Secreta continere del 4 febbraio 1974».
Secretaria Status seu Papalis, Rescriptum ex Audientia, instructio Secreta continere, De secreto pontificio, 4 februarii 1974, in AAS 66 (1974) 89-92:
«Art. 1.- Secreto pontificio comprehenduntur: …
4) Denuntiationes extra iudicium acceptae circa delicta contra fidem et contra mores, et circa delicta contra Paenitentiae sacramentum patrata, nec non processus et decisio, quae ad hasce denuntiationes pertinent, salvo semper iure eius, qui ad auctoritatem delatus est, cognoscendae denuntiationis, si id necessarium ad propriam defensionem fuerit. Denuntiantis autem nomen tunc tantum patefieri licebit, cum auctoritati opportunum videatur ut denuntiatus et is, qui eum denuntiaverit, simul compareant; …» (p. 90).
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 15 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Fr. Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Lisen of the clergy of Roermond, Netherlands, professor of biblical exegesis and theology at the major seminary of Roermond in Rolduc, and a member of the International Theological Commision, and Fr. Robertus Gerardus Leonia Maria Mutsaerts of the clergy of 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, pastor at Heeze and president of the diocesan commission for appointments, as auxiliaries of the diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch (area 3,826, population 2,058,000, Catholics 1,157,000, priests 845, permanent deacons 83, religious 3,341). Bishop-elect Lisen was born in Oosterhout, Netherlands in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1984. Bishop-elect Mutsaerts was born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1993.
- Fr. Fernando Bascope Muller S.D.B., master of novices of the Salesian inspectorate of Bolivia and director of that formative community, and Fr. Eugenio Scarpellini of the clergy of the diocese of Bergamo, Italy, adjunct secretary general of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, as auxiliaries of El Alto (area 23,000, population 1,266,000, Catholics 950,000, priests 61, permanent deacons 19, religious 191), Bolivia. Bishop-elect Bascope Muller was born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1991. Bishop-elect Scarpellini was born in Verdellino, Italy in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1978.
- Msgr. Joaquin Gimeno Lahoz, vicar general of Comodoro-Rivadavia, Argentina, as bishop of the same diocese (area 146,752, population 521,391, Catholics 400,060, priests 32, permanent deacons 1, religious 87). The bishop-elect was born in La Mata de Olmos, Spain in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1973.
- Fr. Marko Semren O.F.M., guardian of the Franciscan convent of Gorica-Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and professor of the Franciscan Theological Institute of Sarajevo, as auxiliary of the diocese of Banja Luka (area 16,457, population 550,000, Catholics 37,797, priests 68, religious 136), Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bishop-elect was born in Bila, Bosnia Herzegovina in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1981.
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- Fr. Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Lisen of the clergy of Roermond, Netherlands, professor of biblical exegesis and theology at the major seminary of Roermond in Rolduc, and a member of the International Theological Commision, and Fr. Robertus Gerardus Leonia Maria Mutsaerts of the clergy of 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, pastor at Heeze and president of the diocesan commission for appointments, as auxiliaries of the diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch (area 3,826, population 2,058,000, Catholics 1,157,000, priests 845, permanent deacons 83, religious 3,341). Bishop-elect Lisen was born in Oosterhout, Netherlands in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1984. Bishop-elect Mutsaerts was born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1993.
- Fr. Fernando Bascope Muller S.D.B., master of novices of the Salesian inspectorate of Bolivia and director of that formative community, and Fr. Eugenio Scarpellini of the clergy of the diocese of Bergamo, Italy, adjunct secretary general of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, as auxiliaries of El Alto (area 23,000, population 1,266,000, Catholics 950,000, priests 61, permanent deacons 19, religious 191), Bolivia. Bishop-elect Bascope Muller was born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1991. Bishop-elect Scarpellini was born in Verdellino, Italy in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1978.
- Msgr. Joaquin Gimeno Lahoz, vicar general of Comodoro-Rivadavia, Argentina, as bishop of the same diocese (area 146,752, population 521,391, Catholics 400,060, priests 32, permanent deacons 1, religious 87). The bishop-elect was born in La Mata de Olmos, Spain in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1973.
- Fr. Marko Semren O.F.M., guardian of the Franciscan convent of Gorica-Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and professor of the Franciscan Theological Institute of Sarajevo, as auxiliary of the diocese of Banja Luka (area 16,457, population 550,000, Catholics 37,797, priests 68, religious 136), Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bishop-elect was born in Bila, Bosnia Herzegovina in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1981.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 15 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Fr. Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Lisen of the clergy of Roermond, Netherlands, professor of biblical exegesis and theology at the major seminary of Roermond in Rolduc, and a member of the International Theological Commision, and Fr. Robertus Gerardus Leonia Maria Mutsaerts of the clergy of 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, pastor at Heeze and president of the diocesan commission for appointments, as auxiliaries of the diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch (area 3,826, population 2,058,000, Catholics 1,157,000, priests 845, permanent deacons 83, religious 3,341). Bishop-elect Lisen was born in Oosterhout, Netherlands in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1984. Bishop-elect Mutsaerts was born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1993.
- Fr. Fernando Bascope Muller S.D.B., master of novices of the Salesian inspectorate of Bolivia and director of that formative community, and Fr. Eugenio Scarpellini of the clergy of the diocese of Bergamo, Italy, adjunct secretary general of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, as auxiliaries of El Alto (area 23,000, population 1,266,000, Catholics 950,000, priests 61, permanent deacons 19, religious 191), Bolivia. Bishop-elect Bascope Muller was born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1991. Bishop-elect Scarpellini was born in Verdellino, Italy in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1978.
- Msgr. Joaquin Gimeno Lahoz, vicar general of Comodoro-Rivadavia, Argentina, as bishop of the same diocese (area 146,752, population 521,391, Catholics 400,060, priests 32, permanent deacons 1, religious 87). The bishop-elect was born in La Mata de Olmos, Spain in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1973.
- Fr. Marko Semren O.F.M., guardian of the Franciscan convent of Gorica-Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and professor of the Franciscan Theological Institute of Sarajevo, as auxiliary of the diocese of Banja Luka (area 16,457, population 550,000, Catholics 37,797, priests 68, religious 136), Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bishop-elect was born in Bila, Bosnia Herzegovina in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1981.
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- Fr. Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Lisen of the clergy of Roermond, Netherlands, professor of biblical exegesis and theology at the major seminary of Roermond in Rolduc, and a member of the International Theological Commision, and Fr. Robertus Gerardus Leonia Maria Mutsaerts of the clergy of 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, pastor at Heeze and president of the diocesan commission for appointments, as auxiliaries of the diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch (area 3,826, population 2,058,000, Catholics 1,157,000, priests 845, permanent deacons 83, religious 3,341). Bishop-elect Lisen was born in Oosterhout, Netherlands in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1984. Bishop-elect Mutsaerts was born in Tilburg, Netherlands in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1993.
- Fr. Fernando Bascope Muller S.D.B., master of novices of the Salesian inspectorate of Bolivia and director of that formative community, and Fr. Eugenio Scarpellini of the clergy of the diocese of Bergamo, Italy, adjunct secretary general of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, as auxiliaries of El Alto (area 23,000, population 1,266,000, Catholics 950,000, priests 61, permanent deacons 19, religious 191), Bolivia. Bishop-elect Bascope Muller was born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1991. Bishop-elect Scarpellini was born in Verdellino, Italy in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1978.
- Msgr. Joaquin Gimeno Lahoz, vicar general of Comodoro-Rivadavia, Argentina, as bishop of the same diocese (area 146,752, population 521,391, Catholics 400,060, priests 32, permanent deacons 1, religious 87). The bishop-elect was born in La Mata de Olmos, Spain in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1973.
- Fr. Marko Semren O.F.M., guardian of the Franciscan convent of Gorica-Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and professor of the Franciscan Theological Institute of Sarajevo, as auxiliary of the diocese of Banja Luka (area 16,457, population 550,000, Catholics 37,797, priests 68, religious 136), Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bishop-elect was born in Bila, Bosnia Herzegovina in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1981.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
CONSECRATION OF A BISHOP IN CHINA
VATICAN CITY, 14 JUL 2010 (VIS) - On Saturday 10 July, Msgr. Antonio Xu Jiwei, aged 75 and a priest for the last 25 years, was consecrated as bishop of Taizhou in the province of Zhejiang, China, according to a note released by the Holy See Press Office.
The bishop had guided the diocese as diocesan administrator since 1999, and was approved by the Holy See as bishop of Taizhou. The government authorities also approved his episcopal ordination.
The liturgical celebration was presided by Bishop Giuseppe Li Mingsu of Qingdao, Giuseppe Zhao Fengchang of Liaocheng, Giuseppe Xu Honggen of Suzhou and Giuseppe Han Yingjin of Sanyuan. These prelates are all in communion with the Holy See and recognised by the government.
About a thousand faithful, who had also come from Shanghai and Ningbo, participated in the consecration of the new bishop, who is the second ordinary of the diocese which has been vacant since 1962. The ecclesiastical circumscription currently has some six thousand faithful, around fifteen priests and ten nuns. There are about twenty-five churches and other places of worship.
Bishop Xu noted that his diocese is facing various challenges, but he is optimistic about a revival of evangelisation and a growth of the Catholic community.
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The bishop had guided the diocese as diocesan administrator since 1999, and was approved by the Holy See as bishop of Taizhou. The government authorities also approved his episcopal ordination.
The liturgical celebration was presided by Bishop Giuseppe Li Mingsu of Qingdao, Giuseppe Zhao Fengchang of Liaocheng, Giuseppe Xu Honggen of Suzhou and Giuseppe Han Yingjin of Sanyuan. These prelates are all in communion with the Holy See and recognised by the government.
About a thousand faithful, who had also come from Shanghai and Ningbo, participated in the consecration of the new bishop, who is the second ordinary of the diocese which has been vacant since 1962. The ecclesiastical circumscription currently has some six thousand faithful, around fifteen priests and ten nuns. There are about twenty-five churches and other places of worship.
Bishop Xu noted that his diocese is facing various challenges, but he is optimistic about a revival of evangelisation and a growth of the Catholic community.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 14 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Fr. Pedro Carlos Cipolini of the clergy of the archdiocese of Campinas, Brazil, pastor of the basilica cathedral "Nossa Senhora do Carmo", episcopal vicar and professor of theology at the Pontifical Catholic University, as bishop of Amparo (area 2,084, population 363,570, Catholics 296,770, priests 33, religious 168), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Caconde, Brazil in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Bishop Francisco Jose Zugliani, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Erected the apostolic exarchate for Syro-Malankar faithful in the United States of America (priests 15, religious 35), appointing Fr. Thomas Naickamparampil, secretary general of the major archiepiscopate of the Syro-Malankar Church, as first apostolic exarch of the new exarchate, at the same time appointing him also as apostolic visitor for Syro-Malankar faithful in Canada and Europe The bishop-elect was born in Mylapra, India in 1961 and ordained a priest in 1986.
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- Appointed Fr. Pedro Carlos Cipolini of the clergy of the archdiocese of Campinas, Brazil, pastor of the basilica cathedral "Nossa Senhora do Carmo", episcopal vicar and professor of theology at the Pontifical Catholic University, as bishop of Amparo (area 2,084, population 363,570, Catholics 296,770, priests 33, religious 168), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Caconde, Brazil in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Bishop Francisco Jose Zugliani, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Erected the apostolic exarchate for Syro-Malankar faithful in the United States of America (priests 15, religious 35), appointing Fr. Thomas Naickamparampil, secretary general of the major archiepiscopate of the Syro-Malankar Church, as first apostolic exarch of the new exarchate, at the same time appointing him also as apostolic visitor for Syro-Malankar faithful in Canada and Europe The bishop-elect was born in Mylapra, India in 1961 and ordained a priest in 1986.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, THE PATH TO PEACE
VATICAN CITY, 13 JUL 2010 (VIS) - "Religious freedom, the path to peace" is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the 2011 World Day of Peace.
"The World Day of Peace", reads a communique on the subject released today, "will therefore be dedicated to the theme of religious freedom. It is well known that in many parts of the world there are various forms of restriction or denial of religious freedom, from discrimination and marginalisation based on religion, to acts of violence against religious minorities".
"Religious freedom is authentically realised when it is experienced as the coherent search for truth and for the truth about man. This approach to religious freedom offers us a fundamental criterion for discerning the phenomenon of religion and its expressions. It necessarily rejects the 'religiosity' of fundamentalism, and the manipulation of truth and of the truth about man. Since such distortions are opposed to the dignity of man and to the search for truth, they cannot be considered as religious freedom".
The communique recalls words Benedict XVI's pronounced before the United Nations General Assembly in 2008: "Human rights, of course, must include the right to religious freedom, understood as the expression of a dimension that is at once individual and communitarian - a vision that brings out the unity of the person while clearly distinguishing between the dimension of the citizen and that of the believer".
The text continues: "Today there are many areas of the world in which forms of restrictions and limitations to religious freedom persist, both where communities of believers are a minority, and where communities of believers are not a minority, and where more sophisticated forms of discrimination and marginalisation exist, on the cultural level and in the spheres of public, civil and political activity. 'It is inconceivable', as Benedict XVI remarked, 'that believers should have to suppress a part of themselves - their faith - in order to be active citizens. It should never be necessary to deny God in order to enjoy one's rights. The rights associated with religion are all the more in need of protection if they are considered to clash with a prevailing secular ideology or with majority religious positions of an exclusive nature'".
The communique concludes by highlighting how "man cannot be fragmented, and separated from what he believes, because that in which he believes has an impact on his life and on his person. 'Refusal to recognise the contribution to society that is rooted in the religious dimension and in the quest for the Absolute - by its nature, expressing communion between persons - would effectively privilege an individualistic approach, and would fragment the unity of the person'. It is for this reason that: 'Religious Freedom is the Path to Peace'".
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"The World Day of Peace", reads a communique on the subject released today, "will therefore be dedicated to the theme of religious freedom. It is well known that in many parts of the world there are various forms of restriction or denial of religious freedom, from discrimination and marginalisation based on religion, to acts of violence against religious minorities".
"Religious freedom is authentically realised when it is experienced as the coherent search for truth and for the truth about man. This approach to religious freedom offers us a fundamental criterion for discerning the phenomenon of religion and its expressions. It necessarily rejects the 'religiosity' of fundamentalism, and the manipulation of truth and of the truth about man. Since such distortions are opposed to the dignity of man and to the search for truth, they cannot be considered as religious freedom".
The communique recalls words Benedict XVI's pronounced before the United Nations General Assembly in 2008: "Human rights, of course, must include the right to religious freedom, understood as the expression of a dimension that is at once individual and communitarian - a vision that brings out the unity of the person while clearly distinguishing between the dimension of the citizen and that of the believer".
The text continues: "Today there are many areas of the world in which forms of restrictions and limitations to religious freedom persist, both where communities of believers are a minority, and where communities of believers are not a minority, and where more sophisticated forms of discrimination and marginalisation exist, on the cultural level and in the spheres of public, civil and political activity. 'It is inconceivable', as Benedict XVI remarked, 'that believers should have to suppress a part of themselves - their faith - in order to be active citizens. It should never be necessary to deny God in order to enjoy one's rights. The rights associated with religion are all the more in need of protection if they are considered to clash with a prevailing secular ideology or with majority religious positions of an exclusive nature'".
The communique concludes by highlighting how "man cannot be fragmented, and separated from what he believes, because that in which he believes has an impact on his life and on his person. 'Refusal to recognise the contribution to society that is rooted in the religious dimension and in the quest for the Absolute - by its nature, expressing communion between persons - would effectively privilege an individualistic approach, and would fragment the unity of the person'. It is for this reason that: 'Religious Freedom is the Path to Peace'".
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Monday, July 12, 2010
HOLY SEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2009
VATICAN CITY, 10 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The forty-fifth meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See was held in the Vatican from 7 to 9 July, under the presidency of Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
A communique published this afternoon explains that the Holy See consolidated financial statements for 2009, presented to the cardinals during the meeting by Archbishop Velasio De Paolis C.S., president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, show a deficit of 4,102,156 euro, the difference between an income of 250,182,364 euro and outgoings of 254,284,520 euro.
The outgoings are due above all to the ordinary and extraordinary expenses of the dicasteries and offices of the Holy See, which employ 2,762 people of whom 766 are ecclesiastics, 344 religious and 1,652 lay people.
The meeting also examined the consolidated financial statements of the Governorate of Vatican City State for 2009, which show a deficit of 7,815,183 euro. This represents an improvement with respect to last year which showed a loss of more than 15 million euro. A total of 1,891 people work under the jurisdiction of the Governorate.
The communique highlights "the considerable economic and financial burden of protecting, evaluating and restoring the artistic heritage of the Holy See (major restoration work on the Colonnade of St. Peter's Square, and work on the papal basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and St. Mary Major). Equally high costs were sustained for the internal security of Vatican City State and for important restructuring work in the Vatican Apostolic Library, which is due to reopen this September".
Finally the consolidated financial statements of Peter's Pence were also presented. This fund consists of offers made to the Holy Father by the particular Churches, especially for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, and contributions by institutes of consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, foundations and various members of the faithful. In 2009 a total of 65,688,141 euro was raised, an increase with respect to last year. "The largest contributions in 2009 came from Catholics in the United States, Italy and France. Particularly significant, considering the number of Catholics, were the contributions from Korea and Japan".
Bishops, depending on their resources and in keeping with canon 1271 of the Code of Canon Law, donated 25,066,541 euro. The largest donations came from dioceses in the United States, followed by those of Germany.
The communique concludes by noting that the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR) donated some 50 million euros for the activities of the Holy Father.
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A communique published this afternoon explains that the Holy See consolidated financial statements for 2009, presented to the cardinals during the meeting by Archbishop Velasio De Paolis C.S., president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, show a deficit of 4,102,156 euro, the difference between an income of 250,182,364 euro and outgoings of 254,284,520 euro.
The outgoings are due above all to the ordinary and extraordinary expenses of the dicasteries and offices of the Holy See, which employ 2,762 people of whom 766 are ecclesiastics, 344 religious and 1,652 lay people.
The meeting also examined the consolidated financial statements of the Governorate of Vatican City State for 2009, which show a deficit of 7,815,183 euro. This represents an improvement with respect to last year which showed a loss of more than 15 million euro. A total of 1,891 people work under the jurisdiction of the Governorate.
The communique highlights "the considerable economic and financial burden of protecting, evaluating and restoring the artistic heritage of the Holy See (major restoration work on the Colonnade of St. Peter's Square, and work on the papal basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and St. Mary Major). Equally high costs were sustained for the internal security of Vatican City State and for important restructuring work in the Vatican Apostolic Library, which is due to reopen this September".
Finally the consolidated financial statements of Peter's Pence were also presented. This fund consists of offers made to the Holy Father by the particular Churches, especially for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, and contributions by institutes of consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, foundations and various members of the faithful. In 2009 a total of 65,688,141 euro was raised, an increase with respect to last year. "The largest contributions in 2009 came from Catholics in the United States, Italy and France. Particularly significant, considering the number of Catholics, were the contributions from Korea and Japan".
Bishops, depending on their resources and in keeping with canon 1271 of the Code of Canon Law, donated 25,066,541 euro. The largest donations came from dioceses in the United States, followed by those of Germany.
The communique concludes by noting that the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR) donated some 50 million euros for the activities of the Holy Father.
ANGELUS: THE LOGIC OF CHRIST IS THE LOGIC OF CHARITY
VATICAN CITY, 11 JUL 2010 (VIS) - At midday today the Holy Father appeared at the balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo to pray the Angelus with pilgrims gathered there. He is currently spending a period of rest at Castelgandolfo, his summer residence.
Commenting on today's Gospel reading, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Holy Father affirmed that "it is up to us to be close to whoever needs help. The Samaritan", he said, "takes responsibility for the needs of a stranger whom robbers had left half dead at the roadside, while a priest and a Levite pass by on the other side, afraid perhaps that - as the precept said - they would be contaminated by contact with blood.
"This parable must, then", the Pope added, "lead us to transform our logic in accordance with the logic of Christ, which is the logic of charity: God is love and to worship Him means to serve our brothers and sisters with sincere and generous love".
Benedict XVI went on: "This Gospel episode presents us a criterion to use as a measure; that of 'universal love towards the needy whom we encounter by chance, whoever they may be'. Along with this universal rule, there is also a specifically ecclesial requirement; that 'within the ecclesial family no member should suffer through being in need'. The rule Christians follow, as learned from the teaching of Jesus, is that of the 'heart which sees' where there is need of love and acts accordingly".
Finally, the Holy Father noted that today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Benedict of Norcia , patron of his own pontificate and "father and legislator of Western monasticism" whom Paul VI proclaimed as patron of Europe in 1964, "recognising his great efforts towards the formation of European civilisation.
"Let us entrust our journey of faith, and this holiday period in particular, to the Virgin, that our hearts may never lose sight of the Word of God and of our brothers and sisters in difficulty", he concluded.
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Commenting on today's Gospel reading, the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Holy Father affirmed that "it is up to us to be close to whoever needs help. The Samaritan", he said, "takes responsibility for the needs of a stranger whom robbers had left half dead at the roadside, while a priest and a Levite pass by on the other side, afraid perhaps that - as the precept said - they would be contaminated by contact with blood.
"This parable must, then", the Pope added, "lead us to transform our logic in accordance with the logic of Christ, which is the logic of charity: God is love and to worship Him means to serve our brothers and sisters with sincere and generous love".
Benedict XVI went on: "This Gospel episode presents us a criterion to use as a measure; that of 'universal love towards the needy whom we encounter by chance, whoever they may be'. Along with this universal rule, there is also a specifically ecclesial requirement; that 'within the ecclesial family no member should suffer through being in need'. The rule Christians follow, as learned from the teaching of Jesus, is that of the 'heart which sees' where there is need of love and acts accordingly".
Finally, the Holy Father noted that today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Benedict of Norcia , patron of his own pontificate and "father and legislator of Western monasticism" whom Paul VI proclaimed as patron of Europe in 1964, "recognising his great efforts towards the formation of European civilisation.
"Let us entrust our journey of faith, and this holiday period in particular, to the Virgin, that our hearts may never lose sight of the Word of God and of our brothers and sisters in difficulty", he concluded.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 12 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Antonios Chouweifaty as adjunct promoter of justice at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
On Saturday 10 July it was made public that he accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Carapegua, Paraguay, presented by Bishop Celso Yegros Estigarribia, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Joaquin Hermes Robledo Romero.
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On Saturday 10 July it was made public that he accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Carapegua, Paraguay, presented by Bishop Celso Yegros Estigarribia, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Joaquin Hermes Robledo Romero.
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Friday, July 9, 2010
INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION EXCHANGED WITH LOWER SAXONY
VATICAN CITY, 9 JUL 2010 (VIS) - On the afternoon of Monday 28 June at the apostolic nunciature in Berlin, Germany, Archbishop Jean-Claude Perisset, apostolic nuncio to Germany, and Christian Wulff, then minister-president of Lower Saxony now president of Germany, exchanged the instruments of ratification of an Agreement signed on 6 April this year.
According to a communique published today the new Agreement modifies article 6 of the addendum to the 1965 Accord between the Holy See and Lower Saxony, and regulates the juridical position of certain Catholic schools administered by the dioceses of Hildesheim, Osnabruck, and Munster in that Land.
A number of deputies from the Diet of Lower Saxony were present at the ceremony, along with a delegation of teachers and pupils from the schools involved in the agreement. Also present, apart from the staff of the nunciature, was Msgr. Felix Bernard, head of the Catholic office for Lower Saxony.
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According to a communique published today the new Agreement modifies article 6 of the addendum to the 1965 Accord between the Holy See and Lower Saxony, and regulates the juridical position of certain Catholic schools administered by the dioceses of Hildesheim, Osnabruck, and Munster in that Land.
A number of deputies from the Diet of Lower Saxony were present at the ceremony, along with a delegation of teachers and pupils from the schools involved in the agreement. Also present, apart from the staff of the nunciature, was Msgr. Felix Bernard, head of the Catholic office for Lower Saxony.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 9 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Msgr. Agidius Zsifkovics, secretary general of the Austrian Bishops' Conference and head of the section for Croat speakers in the diocesan Curia of Eisenstadt, as bishop of Eisenstadt (area 3,966, population 283,400, Catholics 217,000, priests 162, permanent deacons 21, religious 137), Austria. The bishop-elect was born in Gussing, Austria in 1963 and ordained a priest in 1987. He succeeds Bishop Paul Iby, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Esteban Escudero Torres, auxiliary of Valencia, Spain, as bishop of Palencia (area 8,028, population 173,454, Catholics 166,930, priests 288, permanent deacons 1, religious 620), Spain.
- Appointed Archbishop Velasio De Paolis C.S., president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as pontifical delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
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- Appointed Msgr. Agidius Zsifkovics, secretary general of the Austrian Bishops' Conference and head of the section for Croat speakers in the diocesan Curia of Eisenstadt, as bishop of Eisenstadt (area 3,966, population 283,400, Catholics 217,000, priests 162, permanent deacons 21, religious 137), Austria. The bishop-elect was born in Gussing, Austria in 1963 and ordained a priest in 1987. He succeeds Bishop Paul Iby, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Esteban Escudero Torres, auxiliary of Valencia, Spain, as bishop of Palencia (area 8,028, population 173,454, Catholics 166,930, priests 288, permanent deacons 1, religious 620), Spain.
- Appointed Archbishop Velasio De Paolis C.S., president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as pontifical delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
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Thursday, July 8, 2010
CARDINAL RE, SPECIAL ENVOY TO FOURTH CENTENARY AREQUIPA
VATICAN CITY, 8 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter, written in Latin and dated 14 May, in which the Holy Father appoints Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the fourth centenary of the archdiocese of Arequipa, Peru, due to take place from 14 to 18 July.
Also made public were the names of the members of the mission due to accompany the cardinal, they are: Fr. Edward Huillcen Baca, pastor of the parish of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal and director of the diocesan office for Catholic education, and Fr. Jose Leon Chang, rector of the "Redemptoris Mater" archdiocesan missionary seminary of Arequipa.
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Also made public were the names of the members of the mission due to accompany the cardinal, they are: Fr. Edward Huillcen Baca, pastor of the parish of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal and director of the diocesan office for Catholic education, and Fr. Jose Leon Chang, rector of the "Redemptoris Mater" archdiocesan missionary seminary of Arequipa.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 8 JUL 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez of Barranquilla, Colombia, current president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, as metropolitan archbishop of Bogota (area 4,019, population 4,370,000, Catholics 3,746,000, priests 759, permanent deacons 79, religious 2,238), Colombia. He succeeds Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Saenz, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Konrad Zdarsa of Gorlitz, Germany, as bishop of Augsburg (area 13,250, population 2,296,446, Catholics 1,389,446, priests 1,074, permanent deacons 147, religious 2,199), Germany.
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- Appointed Archbishop Ruben Salazar Gomez of Barranquilla, Colombia, current president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, as metropolitan archbishop of Bogota (area 4,019, population 4,370,000, Catholics 3,746,000, priests 759, permanent deacons 79, religious 2,238), Colombia. He succeeds Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Saenz, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Konrad Zdarsa of Gorlitz, Germany, as bishop of Augsburg (area 13,250, population 2,296,446, Catholics 1,389,446, priests 1,074, permanent deacons 147, religious 2,199), Germany.
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