VATICAN CITY, 1 MAR 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the archdiocese of Los Angeles, U.S.A., presented by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.
- Appointed Bishop Peter Joseph Hundt, auxiliary of Toronto, Canada, as bishop of Corner Brook and Labrador (area 154,258, population 119,000, Catholics 41,800, priests 40, religious 18), Canada.
- Appointed Bishop Robert Anthony Daniels, auxiliary of London, Canada, as bishop of Grand Falls (area 42,368, population 186,700, Catholics 38,300, priests 30, religious 20), Canada. He succeeds Bishop Martin William Currie, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Bishop Antoine Vu Huy Chuong of Hung Hoa, Vietnam, as bishop of Da Lat (area 9,764, population 1,205,000, Catholics 326,120, priests 181, religious 1,093), Vietnam.
- Appointed Bishop Jean Marie Vu Tat, auxiliary of Hung Hoa, Vietnam, as bishop of the same diocese (area 54,352, population 9,963,632, Catholics 222,647, priests 54, religious 191).
- Appointed Fr. Hikmat Beylouni, "protosincellus" (vicar general) of the apostolic exarchate for Syrian faithful resident in Venezuela, as apostolic exarch of the same exarchate (Catholics 5,000, priests 5, permanent deacons 1). The bishop-elect was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1945 and ordained a priest in 1992. He succeeds Bishop Iwannis Louis Awad, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same apostolic exarchate the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with canon 210 paras. 1 and 2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
RE:NER/ VIS 20110301 (280)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
LAW ON CITIZENSHIP, RESIDENCY AND ACCESS TO THE VATICAN
VATICAN CITY, 1 MAR 2011 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has promulgated a new "Law concerning citizenship, residency and access" to Vatican City. The document is dated 22 February, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, and comes into effect today 1 March.
This new norm replaces the old "Law concerning citizenship and residence" which dated from 1929, the year in which the Lateran Pacts were signed.
Chapter one of the new law defines who is a citizen of Vatican City State. Chapter two lays down the conditions for residency and the authorisation necessary to reside in the State. Chapter three deals with the authorisation non-citizens and non-residents need in order to access Vatican City State. Chapter four concerns lodgings within the State and the sanctions to be inflicted in case of violation of the norms.
SCV/ VIS 20110301 (150)
This new norm replaces the old "Law concerning citizenship and residence" which dated from 1929, the year in which the Lateran Pacts were signed.
Chapter one of the new law defines who is a citizen of Vatican City State. Chapter two lays down the conditions for residency and the authorisation necessary to reside in the State. Chapter three deals with the authorisation non-citizens and non-residents need in order to access Vatican City State. Chapter four concerns lodgings within the State and the sanctions to be inflicted in case of violation of the norms.
SCV/ VIS 20110301 (150)
ACTS CONCERNING THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES
VATICAN CITY, 1 MAR 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father gave his consent to the following canonical elections made by the Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Syrian-Catholic Church:
- Fr. Bouros Moshe, "protosincellus" (vicar general) of the archieparchy of Mossul of the Syrians, Iraq, as archbishop of Mossul of the Syrians (Catholics 35,000, priests 36, religious 55). The archbishop-elect was born in Qaraqosh, Iraq in 1943 and ordained a priest in 1968. He succeeds Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa, who has been transferred to the Syrian-Catholic Patriarchal Curia in accordance with canon 85 paras. 3 and 4 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
- Fr. Yousif Abba, chancellor of the Syrian-Catholic eparchy of the United States of America and Canada, as archbishop of Baghdad of the Syrians (Catholics 18,000, priests 7) Iraq. The bishop-elect was born in Qaraqosh, Iraq in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka, who resigned from the pastoral care of the same archieparchy, in accordance with canon 210 paras. 1 and2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
- Fr. Jihad Battah, "protosincellus" (vicar general) of the archieparchy of Damascus of the Syrians, Syria, as bishop of the Syrian-Catholic Patriarchal Curia. The bishop-elect was born in Damascus in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1991.
NER:RE:NA/ VIS 20110301 (230)
- Fr. Bouros Moshe, "protosincellus" (vicar general) of the archieparchy of Mossul of the Syrians, Iraq, as archbishop of Mossul of the Syrians (Catholics 35,000, priests 36, religious 55). The archbishop-elect was born in Qaraqosh, Iraq in 1943 and ordained a priest in 1968. He succeeds Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa, who has been transferred to the Syrian-Catholic Patriarchal Curia in accordance with canon 85 paras. 3 and 4 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
- Fr. Yousif Abba, chancellor of the Syrian-Catholic eparchy of the United States of America and Canada, as archbishop of Baghdad of the Syrians (Catholics 18,000, priests 7) Iraq. The bishop-elect was born in Qaraqosh, Iraq in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka, who resigned from the pastoral care of the same archieparchy, in accordance with canon 210 paras. 1 and2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
- Fr. Jihad Battah, "protosincellus" (vicar general) of the archieparchy of Damascus of the Syrians, Syria, as bishop of the Syrian-Catholic Patriarchal Curia. The bishop-elect was born in Damascus in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1991.
Monday, February 28, 2011
HOLY FATHER RECEIVES THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE
VATICAN CITY, 26 FEB 2011 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI received participants in the annual meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life, led by their new president, Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula.
The question of post-abortion syndrome, which is being examined by the assembly, reveals, said the Pope "the irrepressible voice of moral conscience and the terrible wound it suffers each time a human action betrays the human being's innate vocation to good".
"In your reflections it would also be helpful to focus attention on the sometimes-clouded conscience of the children's fathers, who often abandon pregnant women", he explained. "Moral conscience has the duty to discern good from evil in the various situations of life so that, on the basis of this judgement, human beings can freely orient themselves towards what is good. To people who would deny the existence of moral conscience in man, reducing its voice to the result of external conditioning or to a purely emotive phenomenon, it is important to highlight that the moral nature of human action is not an extrinsic or optional value, nor is a prerogative only of Christians and believers; rather, it unites all mankind. Through moral conscience God speaks to each of us, inviting us to defend human life at all times, and in this personal bond with the Creator lies the profound dignity of moral conscience and the reason for its inviolability".
"Doctors", the Holy Father went on, "must not fail in their serious duty to ensure that women's consciences are not tricked into believing that abortion will resolve family, economic and social difficulties, or the health problems of their child. In this latter situation in particular, women are often convinced, at times by the doctors themselves, that abortion represents not only a morally acceptable choice but even a 'therapeutic' act necessary to avoid suffering for the child and its family, and to remove an 'unjust' burden from society. In a cultural context characterised by an eclipse of the meaning of life, in which the shared perception of the moral gravity of abortion and others forms of attacks against human life has been attenuated, doctors are called to show particular fortitude in continuing to affirm that abortion resolves nothing; rather it kills the child, destroys the woman and blinds the conscience of the child's father, often devastating family life.
"However", the Pope added, "this duty concerns not only the medical profession and healthcare workers; society as a whole must defend the conceived child's right to life and the true good of the woman who can never, in any circumstances, find fulfilment in the decision to abort. In the same way it is important ... to ensure that the necessary help is not lacking for women who, having unfortunately already chosen the path of abortion, are now experiencing all its moral and existential consequences. There are initiatives, at a diocesan level or by individual volunteer organisations, which offer psychological and spiritual support for a full recovery. The solidarity of the Christian community must not abandon this kind of shared responsibility".
The Pope then turned his attention to the second question being examined by the annual meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life: the use of stem cells from the umbilical cord.
"This has important clinical applications", he said, "and is a promising form of scientific research; however its realisation depends to a large extent on the generosity of donating cord blood at the moment of childbirth, and on adapting structures in order to make the mothers' desire to donate viable. I invite you, then, to promote genuine and well-informed human and Christian solidarity", he said.
In closing Benedict XVI referred to the concern of many researchers regarding the increasing number of private cord blood banks for autologous use. "This option", he said, "apart from having no greater scientific merit than the donation of cord blood, weakens that genuine spirit of solidarity which must constantly animate the search for that common good, towards which, in the final analysis, science and medical research are striving".
AC/ VIS 20110228 (690)
The question of post-abortion syndrome, which is being examined by the assembly, reveals, said the Pope "the irrepressible voice of moral conscience and the terrible wound it suffers each time a human action betrays the human being's innate vocation to good".
"In your reflections it would also be helpful to focus attention on the sometimes-clouded conscience of the children's fathers, who often abandon pregnant women", he explained. "Moral conscience has the duty to discern good from evil in the various situations of life so that, on the basis of this judgement, human beings can freely orient themselves towards what is good. To people who would deny the existence of moral conscience in man, reducing its voice to the result of external conditioning or to a purely emotive phenomenon, it is important to highlight that the moral nature of human action is not an extrinsic or optional value, nor is a prerogative only of Christians and believers; rather, it unites all mankind. Through moral conscience God speaks to each of us, inviting us to defend human life at all times, and in this personal bond with the Creator lies the profound dignity of moral conscience and the reason for its inviolability".
"Doctors", the Holy Father went on, "must not fail in their serious duty to ensure that women's consciences are not tricked into believing that abortion will resolve family, economic and social difficulties, or the health problems of their child. In this latter situation in particular, women are often convinced, at times by the doctors themselves, that abortion represents not only a morally acceptable choice but even a 'therapeutic' act necessary to avoid suffering for the child and its family, and to remove an 'unjust' burden from society. In a cultural context characterised by an eclipse of the meaning of life, in which the shared perception of the moral gravity of abortion and others forms of attacks against human life has been attenuated, doctors are called to show particular fortitude in continuing to affirm that abortion resolves nothing; rather it kills the child, destroys the woman and blinds the conscience of the child's father, often devastating family life.
"However", the Pope added, "this duty concerns not only the medical profession and healthcare workers; society as a whole must defend the conceived child's right to life and the true good of the woman who can never, in any circumstances, find fulfilment in the decision to abort. In the same way it is important ... to ensure that the necessary help is not lacking for women who, having unfortunately already chosen the path of abortion, are now experiencing all its moral and existential consequences. There are initiatives, at a diocesan level or by individual volunteer organisations, which offer psychological and spiritual support for a full recovery. The solidarity of the Christian community must not abandon this kind of shared responsibility".
The Pope then turned his attention to the second question being examined by the annual meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life: the use of stem cells from the umbilical cord.
"This has important clinical applications", he said, "and is a promising form of scientific research; however its realisation depends to a large extent on the generosity of donating cord blood at the moment of childbirth, and on adapting structures in order to make the mothers' desire to donate viable. I invite you, then, to promote genuine and well-informed human and Christian solidarity", he said.
In closing Benedict XVI referred to the concern of many researchers regarding the increasing number of private cord blood banks for autologous use. "This option", he said, "apart from having no greater scientific merit than the donation of cord blood, weakens that genuine spirit of solidarity which must constantly animate the search for that common good, towards which, in the final analysis, science and medical research are striving".
AC/ VIS 20110228 (690)
POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF MARONITE PATRIARCH
VATICAN CITY, 26 FEB 2011 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from the Pope addressed to His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir for the occasion of his resignation from the office of patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, Lebanon.
The Holy Father notes how "the year consecrated to the 1600th anniversary of the death of St. Maron is drawing to a close. The Maronite Church has experienced a period of grace in this exceptional Jubilee Year, which has also been the coronation of your own service for the greater glory of God and for the good of all your faithful".
"For nearly twenty-five years", Benedict XVI writes, "you worked with your two predecessors in the See of Antioch before being elected by the Synod to succeed them on 19 April 1986. ... You began your noble ministry of patriarch of the Maronites amidst the torment of the war which bloodied the face of Lebanon for so many years. With the ardent desire for peace in your country, you led the Church and travelled the world to console those obliged to emigrate. Finally, peace returned, ever fragile but still extant".
The Holy Father recalls John Paul II's visit to Beirut in 1997 to sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "A new hope for Lebanon" which, Pope Benedict writes, "re-emphasised your Church's constant bond with Peter's Successor". The Letter also mentions Cardinal Sfeir's participation in the 2010 Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, as president delegate "ad honorem".
"You have chosen to resign from your office as patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites in this special circumstance, and I accept your free and magnanimous decision as an expression of great humility and profound detachment", says the Pope. "I am sure", he concludes, "that you will always accompany the journey of the Maronite Church with your prayers, your wise counsel and your sacrifice".
BXVI-LETTER/ VIS 20110228 (330)
The Holy Father notes how "the year consecrated to the 1600th anniversary of the death of St. Maron is drawing to a close. The Maronite Church has experienced a period of grace in this exceptional Jubilee Year, which has also been the coronation of your own service for the greater glory of God and for the good of all your faithful".
"For nearly twenty-five years", Benedict XVI writes, "you worked with your two predecessors in the See of Antioch before being elected by the Synod to succeed them on 19 April 1986. ... You began your noble ministry of patriarch of the Maronites amidst the torment of the war which bloodied the face of Lebanon for so many years. With the ardent desire for peace in your country, you led the Church and travelled the world to console those obliged to emigrate. Finally, peace returned, ever fragile but still extant".
The Holy Father recalls John Paul II's visit to Beirut in 1997 to sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "A new hope for Lebanon" which, Pope Benedict writes, "re-emphasised your Church's constant bond with Peter's Successor". The Letter also mentions Cardinal Sfeir's participation in the 2010 Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops, as president delegate "ad honorem".
"You have chosen to resign from your office as patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites in this special circumstance, and I accept your free and magnanimous decision as an expression of great humility and profound detachment", says the Pope. "I am sure", he concludes, "that you will always accompany the journey of the Maronite Church with your prayers, your wise counsel and your sacrifice".
BXVI-LETTER/ VIS 20110228 (330)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
