OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 12 December 2013 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father:

- appointed Rev. Joseph R. Kopacz of the clergy of Scranton, U.S.A., as bishop of Jackson (area 97,495, population 2,203,000, Catholics 52,500, priests 80, permanent deacons 4, religious 197), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Dunmore, U.S.A. in 1950 and was ordained a priest in 1977. He holds a degree in history from the University of Scranton, a masters degree in Latin from the Fordham University, New York, a masters degree in counselling and psychology and a doctorate in human development from the Marywood University in Scranton. He has served in a number of pastoral roles, including: vicar of parishes in Brodheadsville and Sayre; parish administrator of “St. Patrick Parish”, Nicholson; lecturer and subsequently director of formation at the Saint Pius X seminary, Dalton; priest in numerous parishes in Jessop and Scranton, and vicar general for the clergy. Since 2006 he has been priest of “Most Holy Trinity” parish, Mount Pocono, and is also a member of the diocesan council for finances and co-ordinator of the Hispanic apostolate for Monroe County. He succeeds Bishop Joseph N. Latino, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, upon having reached the age limit, was accepted by the Holy Father.

- appointed Msgr. Michael J. Sis of the clergy of Austin, U.S.A., as bishop of San Angelo (area 96,951, population 619,000, Catholics 85,500, priests 57, permanent deacons 81, religious 39), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Mount Holly, U.S.A. in 1960 and was ordained a priest in 1986. He studied theology at the Gregorian Pontifical University and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and holds a licentiate in moral theology from the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. He has served in the following pastoral roles: vicar of the “Cristo Rey” parish and St. Mary cathedral in Austin; vice-chaplain and subsequently university chaplain of the St. Mary's Centre of the Texas A & M University, College Station; director of vocations, and parish priest of “St. Thomas More” parish in Austin. Since 2010 he has served as vicar general and moderator of the Curia, and was named Chaplain of His Holiness in 2009. He succeeds Bishop Michael D. Pfeiffer O.M.I., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, upon having reached the age limit, was accepted by the Holy Father.

- appointed Msgr. Francis Bestion as bishop of Tulle (area 5,896, population 244,300, Catholics 221,400, priests 62, permanent deacons 10, religious 59), France. The bishop-elect was born in Fontans, France in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1990. He holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Montpelier, and following theological studies at the seminary of Avignon, he obtained a canonical licentiate in theology from the Institut Catholique of Toulouse. He has served in the following pastoral roles: vicar and subsequently parish priest in Langogne; teacher of philosophy and formator in the seminary of Avignon and teacher in the seminary of Toulouse. He has served as vicar general of Mende since 2009. He succeeds Bishop Bernard Charrier, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, upon having reached the age limit, was accepted by the Holy Father.

GENERAL AUDIENCE: WE WILL NOT BE ALONE AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT

Vatican City, 11 December 2013 (VIS) – The Pope dedicated his final catechesis on the Creed to its last article: “I believe in life everlasting”, focusing in particular on the final judgement.

“When we think of Christ's return and of His final judgement, which will show, up to the very last consequences, the good that each person will have done or omitted to do during his or her earthly life, we realise that we find ourselves before a mystery that overwhelms us, that we cannot even imagine. A mystery that almost instinctively arouses in us a sense of fear, and perhaps even trepidation. However, if we reflect closely on this fact, it cannot but enlarge the heart of a Christian, and constitutes a great reason for consolation and trust”.

Pope Francis explained that “in this respect, the witness of the first Christian communities is very interesting, since their celebrations and prayers were generally accompanied by the exclamation 'Maranatha', an acclamation made up of two Aramaic words which may be understood either as an entreaty: 'Come, Lord!', or as a certainty nurtured by faith: 'Yes, the Lord is coming, the Lord is near'. It is the exclamation in which all of Christian revelation culminates, at the end of the marvellous contemplation offered in the Apocalypse of St. John … in which the Church, bride in the name of all humanity, turns to Christ, her spouse, in the hope of receiving His embrace, full of life and love. If we think of the judgement in this way, all fear and hesitation makes way for expectation and profound joy. It will be the moment in which we will be judged as finally ready to be clothed in the glory of Christ”.

A second reason for trust is offered to us by “the realisation that, at the moment of judgement, we are not left alone. … How good it is to know that, in that situation, we can count on Christ, our advocate before the father, and upon the intercession and benevolence of many of our brothers and sisters who have preceded us on the path of faith ... and who continue to to love us in an indescribable way! The saints already live in the presence of God, in the splendour of His glory, praying for us, for those who still live on earth”.

A third element is offered to us by the Gospel of St. John, when he states that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. “This means, then, that the judgement is already in process, throughout our existence. This judgement is pronounced in every instant in our lives, as reflected in our acceptance in faith of salvation, present and through the work of Christ, or in our incredulity and our consequent self-centredness. Salvation means opening oneself to Jesus. If we are sinners, the Lord forgives us, but we must open ourselves to Jesus' love, which is greater than all things; and opening up means repenting”.

“The Lord Jesus gave Himself, and continues to give Himself for us”, concluded the Holy Father, “to fill us with the grace and the mercy of the Father. We can become in a certain sense our own judges, condemning ourselves to exclusion from communion with God and with our brethren. … therefore, let us never tire of keeping watch over our thoughts and attitudes, so that we might have right now a foretaste of the warmth and splendour of the face of God, which in eternal life we will contemplate in all its fullness”.

THE POPE SUPPORTS CARITAS' GLOBAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER

Vatican City, 11 December 2013 (VIS) – After today's catechesis, the Pope mentioned that yesterday Caritas launched a worldwide campaign against hunger and food wastage, with the motto: “One human family, food for all”. “The scandal that millions of people suffer from hunger should not paralyse us”, he said, “but rather should press us to act – all of us: individuals, families, communities, institutions, governments – to eradicate this injustice. The Gospel of Jesus shows us the way: trust in the providence of the Father and share our daily bread without wasting it. I encourage Caritas in their efforts, and invite all to join in this 'wave' of solidarity”.

POPE FRANCIS GREETS AMERICA, “A GENEROUS LAND”, ON THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Vatican City, 11 December 2013 (VIS) – Tomorrow is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of all America and therefore, in his greetings in Spanish during today's general audience, the Pope addressed all brothers and sisters from the Continent, considering the Virgin of Tepeyac.

“When Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego, her face was that of a woman of mixed blood, a mestiza, and her garments bore many symbols of the native culture. Like Jesus, Mary is close to all her sons and daughters; as a concerned mother, she accompanies them on their way through life. She shares all the joys and hopes, the sorrows and troubles of God’s People, which is made up of men and women of every race and nation.

“When the image of the Virgin appeared on the tilma of Juan Diego, it was the prophecy of an embrace: Mary’s embrace of all the peoples of the vast expanses of America – the peoples who already lived there, and those who were yet to come. Mary’s embrace showed what America – North and South – is called to be: a land where different peoples come together; a land prepared to accept human life at every stage, from the mother’s womb to old age; a land which welcomes immigrants, and the poor and the marginalized, in every age. A land of generosity.

“That is the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe”, concluded the Pope, “and it is also my message, the message of the Church. I ask all the people of the Americas to open wide their arms, like the Virgin, with love and tenderness. I pray for all of you, dear brothers and sisters, and I ask you to pray for me! May the joy of the Gospel always abide in your hearts. May the Lord bless you, and may Our Lady be ever at your side.

POPE FRANCIS SELECTED AS PERSON OF THE YEAR BY TIME MAGAZINE

Vatican City, 11 December 2013 (VIS) – The director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., has commented on the nomination of Pope Francis as “person of the year” by Time magazine.

“ This fact is unsurprising, considering the resonance and very widespread attention given to the election of Pope Francis and the beginning of his pontificate. It is a positive sign that one of the most prestigious acknowledgements in the field of the international press has been attributed to one who proclaims spiritual, religious and moral values in the world, and who speaks effectively in favour of peace and greater justice.

“With regard to the Pope, for his part, he does not seek fame and success, since he carries out his service for the proclamation of the Gospel and the love of God for all. If this attracts men and women and gives them hope, the Pope is content. If this nomination as “Person of the Year” means that many have understood this message, at least implicitly, he will certainly be glad”.