COMMUNICATE THE GOSPEL CLEARLY AND COURAGEOUSLY

VATICAN CITY, 13 NOV 2010 (VIS) - At midday today the Holy Father received participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Culture, who have dedicated their gathering this year to the theme: "The Culture of Communication and New Languages".

  The Pope began by expressing his appreciation for the "original idea" of inaugurating the plenary in Rome's Town Hall "with a round table discussion on the theme of 'In the city, listening to the languages of the soul'. In this way", he said, "the dicastery aimed to give expression to one of its essential tasks, that of listening to the men and women of our time, in order to promote new opportunities for announcing the Gospel".

  In this context the Holy Father also referred to the problems that pastors and faithful encounter "in communicating the evangelical message and transmitting the faith within the ecclesial community itself", especially "when the Church addresses men and women removed from or indifferent to an experience of faith, whom the evangelical message reaches in a way that is ineffective and unattractive. In a world that lays so much emphasis on communications strategy, the Church ... is not indifferent or isolated; quite the contrary, she seeks to use - with renewed creativity, critical sense and careful discernment - the new languages and channels of communication.

  "The incapacity of language to communicate the profound meaning and beauty of the experience of faith can contribute to the indifference of many, especially the young, and can become a reason for abandonment", the Pope added. "The Church wishes to establish dialogue with everyone, in the search for truth. But in order for dialogue and communication to be effective and fruitful it is necessary for people to be on the same wavelength, in places for friendly and sincere encounter, in that ideal 'Court of the Gentiles' which I suggested ... a year ago and which the dicastery is putting into effect in various emblematic fields of European culture".

  Benedict XVI went on: "Today many young people, bemused by the infinite possibilities offered by information networks and other technologies, establish forms of communication that do not contribute to human growth; rather, they risk increasing the sense of solitude and bewilderment. Faced with such phenomena I have spoken on a number of occasions of the educational emergency, a challenge which can and must be answered with creative intelligence, committing ourselves to promote forms of communication which humanise, stimulating the capacity to evaluate and discern".

  Going on then to consider "the rich and intense symbolism of the liturgy, which must shine forth in all its power as an element of communication", the Pope spoke of last Sunday's liturgy at the basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. That building, he said, is the masterpiece of the architect Antoni Gaudi "who brilliantly melded sacred and liturgical meaning into artistic forms that are both modern and in harmony with the finest architectural traditions. Nonetheless, the beauty of Christian life is even more incisive than art and image in communicating the evangelical message", he said.

  The Holy Father concluded by highlighting the need for "men and women who speak through their lives, who can communicate the Gospel clearly and courageously with the transparency of their actions and the joyful passion of their charity".
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, 13 NOV 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Appointed Bishop Paul Yembuado Ouedraogo of Fada N'Gourma, Burkina Faso, as metropolitan archbishop of Bobo-Dioulasso (area 24,415, population 1,167,715, Catholics 130,193, priests 83, religious 263), Burkina Faso. The archbishop-elect was born in Bobo-Dioulasso in 1948, he was ordained a priest in 1974 and consecrated a bishop in 1997. He succeeds Archbishop Anselme Titianma Sanon, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

 - Appointed Bishop Luis Antonio Nova Rocha, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Barranquilla, Colombia, as bishop of Facatativa (area 2,311, population 494,000, Catholics 488,000, priests 93, permanent deacons 3, religious 254), Colombia. He succeeds Bishop Luis Gabriel Romero Franco, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Appointed Bishop Jairo Jaramillo Monsalve of Santa Rosa de Osos, Colombia, as metropolitan archbishop of Barranquilla (area 3,319, population 2,670,000, Catholics 2,165,000, priests 159, religious 386), Colombia. The archbishop-elect was born in Rionegro, Colombia in 1940, he was ordained a priest in 1966 and consecrated a bishop in 1988.

 - Appointed Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, apostolic nuncio to India, also as apostolic nuncio to Nepal.

 - Appointed Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, perfect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as a member of the congregation for the Causes of Saints.
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ANGELUS: POPE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE

VATICAN CITY, 14 NOV 2010 (VIS) - In his remarks prior to praying the Angelus this Sunday, the Holy Father spoke of the importance that work, especially agricultural work, has for human life.

  Addressing the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled how this question is highlighted in today's reading from St. Paul, and that in Italy the second Sunday of November is dedicated to thanking God for the end of the harvest. "Although I know that in other areas the farming seasons are different, I would like to draw from St. Paul's words to reflect particularly on agricultural work", he said.

  "The current economic crisis, which was also examined during the recent meeting of the G20, must be faced in all its seriousness. It has many causes, and sends out a strong call for a profound revision in the model of global economic development. It is an acute symptom which must be added to other even more serious and already well-known symptoms such as the enduring imbalance between wealth and poverty, the scandal of hunger, the ecological emergency, and the now-widespread problem of unemployment. Faced with such a panorama, a strategic relaunch of agriculture is clearly vital. Indeed, the process of industrialisation has sometimes overshadowed the agricultural sector which, though it too has drawn benefit from modern technology, has nonetheless lost importance, bringing significant consequences also at a cultural level. I believe it is the moment to call for a re-evaluation of agriculture, not in nostalgic terms but as a vital resource for the future.

  "In the current economic situation", the Pope added, "the temptation for the most dynamic economies is to seek advantageous agreements. However, this can turn out to be harmful to poorer States, prolonging the situation of extreme poverty suffered by vast numbers of men and women and using up the natural resources of the earth, which was - as Genesis says - entrusted by God the Creator to man for him to cultivate and protect".

  He went on: "For this reason it is vital to cultivate and spread a clear ethical awareness, one capable of meeting the most complex challenges of the present time, educating people in wiser and more responsible consumption patterns, promoting personal responsibility and the social dimension of rural activities founded on such perennial values as welcome, solidarity, and sharing the fatigue of work".

  The Holy Father concluded: "Many young people have already chosen this path, and even a number of university graduates have chosen to dedicate themselves to agricultural business feeling that in this way they are responding, not only to a personal and family need, but also to a sign of the times, a concrete awareness of the common good".
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AID FOR PEOPLE OF HAITI, PRAYER FOR NASCENT LIFE

VATICAN CITY, 14 NOV 2010 (VIS) - Following today's Angelus the Pope again expressed his "closeness to the dear people of Haiti who, because of last January's terrible earthquake, are now suffering a serious cholera epidemic. I support everyone striving to cope with this latest emergency and, while giving assurances of a special mention in my prayers, appeal to the international community to give generous aid to these people".

  Benedict XVI then went on to recall that, on Saturday 27 November, he will preside "at first Vespers for the first Sunday of Advent and at a prayer vigil for nascent life. This is a joint initiative with particular Churches all over the world", he said, "and I have recommended that it also be held in parishes, religious communities, associations and movements. The period in which we prepare for Christmas is an appropriate time to invoke divine protection on every human being called into existence, and to thank God for the gift of life we received from our parents".
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BRAZIL: FUNCTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE

VATICAN CITY, 15 NOV 2010 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI received prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Region centre west), who have just completed their "ad limina" visit. This was the last in a series of meetings with Brazilian bishops which began more than a year ago.

  The Pope remarked upon the coincidence between the date of his meeting with the first group of prelates from Brazil (which coincided with the country's Independence Day) and his meeting today with the last (coinciding with Republic Day). In this context he highlighted once again "the importance of the Church's evangelising work in the construction of Brazilian identity".

  For nearly sixty years the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil "has been a landmark for Brazilian society, where it increasingly and especially presents itself as a place in which to live the experience of charity", said the Holy Father. "Your episcopal conference, like all others, came into being as a concrete expression of the collegial affection of bishops in hierarchical communion with Peter's Successor, in order to be an instrument of effective and affective communion between all its members and of efficient collaboration with the pastor of each particular Church, in his triple function to teach, sanctify and govern the sheep of his flock".

  The episcopal conference, he went on, "is one of the forms of organisation which, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, enable the joint and harmonious exercise of certain pastoral functions, for the good of the faithful and of all the citizens of a particular territory. Indeed, ever closer co-operation with their brothers in the ministry helps bishops to accomplish their mandate more effectively, without abdicating their primary responsibility to feed ... the flock of their particular Church".

  Thus the episcopal conference "promotes unity of effort and intention among the bishops, becoming an instrument that enables them to share the fatigue of their labours. Yet it must avoid becoming a parallel reality or substituting the ministry of each individual bishop; in other words, it must not change his relationship with his particular Church and with the college of bishops, nor become the intermediary between the bishop and the See of Peter".

  "When you come together in your meetings, in the faithful exercise of your doctrinal function", said Benedict XVI, "you must study above all the most effective and appropriate means to present the universal Magisterium to the people entrusted to your care. ... You must also consider emerging questions, in order then to guide people's consciences to find adequate solutions to the new problems posed by social and cultural transformations".

  The Pope also noted how some of today's problems "require the joint action of bishops: the promotion and protection of faith and morals, the translation of liturgical books, the promotion and formation of vocations of special consecration, assistance in catechesis, ecumenical commitment, relations with civil authorities, the defence of human life from conception to natural end, the sanctity of the family and of marriage between a man and a woman, the right of parents to educate their children, religious freedom, human rights, peace and social justice".

  Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by remarking that "the counsellors and structures of the episcopal conference exist to serve the bishops, not to replace them. In the final analysis, it is important to ensure that the episcopal conference, in all its offices, works as a single body propelling the pastoral solicitude of bishops, whose principal concern must be the salvations of souls, which is also the fundamental mission of the Church".
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SPORT, A SCHOOL OF HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN VALUES

VATICAN CITY, 15 NOV 2010 (VIS) - At midday today the Pope received a group of Italian ski instructors accompanied by Franco Frattini, minister for Foreign Affairs whom he thanked for his efforts to ensure that many Catholics, injured in recent attacks in Iraq, have been brought to Italy to receive medical attention.

  On the subject of sport the Holy Father affirmed that, "if practiced passionately and ethically, apart from fomenting a healthy spirit of competition, it becomes a school in which to learn and develop human and Christian values. ... Through sporting activity people gain a better understanding that the body cannot be considered as an object but that, though corporeity, it expresses itself and comes into relation with others. Thus, a balance between the physical and the spiritual dimensions ensures we do not idolise the body but respect it; not making it an instrument to be improved at all costs, perhaps even using illicit means".

  Skiing in the mountains, "contemplating creation, man recognises the greatness of God, the ultimate source of his own being and of the universe", said the Pope. "It must not be forgotten that the relationship with creation represents an important element in the development of human identity, and not even man's sin eliminated his duty to be the custodian of the world. Sporting activity can also be considered and lived as part of this responsibility. Scientific and technological progress give man the possibility to intervene and manipulate nature, but the ever-present risk is that of wishing to replace the Creator and reduce creation almost to the status of a product to be used and consumed.

  "What", the Holy Father added, "is the right attitude to take? Certainly, it is that of a feeling of profound gratitude and recognition, but also of responsibility to conserve and cultivate the work of God. Sporting activity helps to achieve this goal, by influencing lifestyle which is thus oriented towards balance, self-discipline and respect. For you in particular, the contact with nature is a reason to cultivate a profound love towards God's creation".

  Benedict XVI expressed the view that the role of ski instructors "is important both for healthy sports training and for education in environmental respect. It is, then, a task not to be carried out in isolation but in understanding with families, especially when your pupils are children, and in collaboration with schools and other educational institutions. Another important aspect is your witness as lay faithful who, in the context of sporting activities, can give a correct focus to certain fundamental moments for the life of the faith, especially the sanctification of Sunday, the day of the Lord".
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HEALTHCARE IN THE LIGHT OF "CARITAS IN VERITATE"

VATICAN CITY, 15 NOV 2010 (VIS) - A press conference was held this morning in the Holy See Press Office to present the twenty-fifth international conference promoted by the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care. The conference is due to take place on 18 and 19 November and its theme this year is: "Towards egalitarian and human healthcare in the light of 'Caritas in veritate'".

  Participating in today's press conference were Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski and Msgr. Jean-Marie Mpendawatu, respectively president and under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care; Fr. Maurizio Faggioni O.F.M., professor of bioethics at the "Academia Alfonisana" in Rome; Mario Benotti, director general of RAI International, and Domenico Arduini, professor of gynaecology and obstetrics and director of the gynaecological and obstetric clinic at Rome's University of Tor Vergata.

  The forthcoming meeting, Archbishop Zimowski explained, "will examine the current question of parity of access to basic healthcare services, not only in general terms, but in harmony with man's dignity and vocation. ... The initiative coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Healthcare Workers, providing an opportunity to evaluate results and to plan for the future", he said.

  In the light of the Encyclical "Caritas in veritate", the conference "will also examine, among other things, the fundamental requirements for an egalitarian and human promotion of health, the mission of the Church in favour of the sick, and the promotion of anthropocentric healthcare, as well as the role of civil society, the Church and other private institutions and organisations in promoting justice, equity and solidarity in the healthcare sector".
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 15 NOV 2010 (VIS) - Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

  On Saturday 13 November he received in separate audiences:

 - Ten prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Washington Cruz C.P. of Goiania, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Waldemar Passini Dalbello.

    - Bishop Joao Wilk O.F.M. Conv. of Anapolis.

    - Bishop Eugene Lambert Adrian Rixen of Goias.

    - Bishop Guilherme Antonio Werlang M.S.F. of Ipameri.

    - Bishop Jose Luiz Majella Delgado C.SS.R. of Jatai, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Aloisio Hilario de Pinho F.D.P.

    - Bishop Adair Jose Guimaraes of Rubiataba-Mozarlandia.

    - Archbishop Osvino Jose Both, military ordinary.

    - Bishop Carmelo Scampa of Sao Luis de Monte Belos.

 - Francisco Arguello, founder of the Neo-Catechumenal Way, accompanied by an entourage.

 - Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

 - Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples
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