OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 12 February 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:

- appointed Fr. Antonio Carlos Cruz Santos, M.S.C. as bishop of Caico (area 9,372, population 301,000, Catholics 288,000, priests 89, permanent deacons 9, religious 104), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1992. He studied philosophy at the “Paulo VI” seminary in Nova Iguacu and theology at the Jesuit faculty in Belo Horizonte, and holds a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais. He has held a number of pastoral roles, including vicar of the “Pai Eterno e Sao Jose” parish in Rio de Janeiro, formator of “Juniores” in Contagem, Belo Horizonte, formator of postulants in Belford Roxo, Nova Iguacu, and master of novices in Pirassununga, Limeira. He is currently pro-provincial superior of the Society of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Niteroi.

- appointed Bishop Nelson Francelino Ferreira as bishop of Valenca (area 3,996, population 380,000, Catholics 275,000, priests 31, religious 91), Brazil. Bishop Ferreira was previously auxiliary of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. He succeeds Bishop Elias James Manning, O.F.M. Conv., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

On Tuesday, 11 February the Holy Father:

- appointed Bishop Daniel Fernando Sturla Berhouet, S.D.B., as archbishop of Montevideo

(area 540, population 1,404,000, Catholics 889,000, priests 258, permanent deacons 40, religious 631), Uruguay. Bishop Sturla Berhouet was previously auxiliary of the same archdiocese.

- appointed Msgr. Edward Bernard Scharfenberger as bishop of Albany (area 26,975, population 1,374,000, Catholics 337,200, priests 248, permanent deacons 105, religious 774) U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Brooklyn, U.S.A. in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1973. He holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the “Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception” in Douglaston, a bachelor's degree in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, a licentiate in moral theology from the Alphonsianum Academy, Rome, a licentiate in canon law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a “Juris Doctor” in civil law from the Fordham University in the Bronx. He has served in the following pastoral roles: vicar in the parish of “St. Stanislaus Kostka” in Maspeth and the “St. Ephrem” parish in Brooklyn; judicial vicar; priest in the “St. Matthias” parish, Ridgewood; promoter of justice and episcopal vicar for strategic planning. He is currently episcopal vicar for the territory of Queens. He succeeds Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- appointed Fr. John Joale Tlhomola, S.C.P., as bishop of Mohale's Hoek (area 5,799, population 691,000, Catholics 416,200, priests 16, religious 94) Lesotho. The bishop-elect was born in Pulane Ha Mosiuoa, Lesotho in 1966, gave his solemn vows in 1995 and was ordained a priest in 1998. He has served in the following pastoral roles: parish vicar and subsequently priest-in-charge in the cathedral of Maseru; priest of the Christ the Priest Mission, Motsekuoa; and bursar of the St. Augustine major seminary and lecturer in liturgy and spirituality in the preparatory seminary, Lesotho. He is currently director general of the Servants of Christ the Priest in Hammanskraal, Pretoria, South Africa. He succeeds Bishop Sebastian Koto Khoarai, 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. Andrzej Jerzy Zglejszewski as auxiliary of the diocese of Rockville Centre (area 3,164, population 3,529,000, Catholics 1,738,000, priests 463, permanent deacons 276, religious 1,250), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Bialystok, Poland in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1990. He holds a master's degree in theology from the seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntingdon. He has served in a number of pastoral roles, including deputy priest of the “St. Christopher” parish, Baldwin, the “St. Thomas the Apostle” parish in West Hempstead, and the “St. Rose of Lima” parish, Massapequa, and adjunct professor at the seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntingdon. He has been director of the diocesan office of worship since 2007 and co-chancellor of the diocese of Rockville Centre since 2012. He was named Chaplain of His Holiness in 2010.

ANGELUS: THE CHRISTIAN VOCATION IS TO BE A LAMP SHINING WITH THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

Vatican City, 9 February 2014 (VIS) – At midday today Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and, before the Marian prayer, he commented on this Sunday's Gospel reading in which Jesus says to his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world”.

“It is rather surprising, if we consider to whom Jesus addressed these words. Who were those disciples? They were fishermen, simple people. But Jesus saw them through God's eyes, and his statement may be understood precisely as a consequence of the Beatitudes. He meant to say, if you are poor in spirit, if you are meek, if you are pure of heart, if you are merciful .. you will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world!”

And to better understand the meaning of Christ's phrase, the Holy Father explained that Jewish law prescribed the addition of a little salt to every offering presented to God, as a sign of alliance, and light was for Israel the symbol of the messianic revelation, triumphant over the darkness of paganism. “Christians, the new Israel, therefore received a mission in relation to all mankind: with faith and charity they were able to guide, consecrate and make fruitful all humanity. We all, as baptised persons, are missionary disciples, and are called to become a living gospel in the world: by a holy life we bring 'flavour' to many contexts, and defend them against corruption, like salt; and we will bring the light of Christ with our witness of true charity”.

But if we Christians “lose our flavour, and renounce our presence as salt and light, we lose our effectiveness. But our mission to bring light to the world is beautiful! … And it is also beautiful to preserve the light we have received from Jesus. … The Christian must be a luminous person, who brings light, who always gives light! … A light that is not his or hers, but rather a gift from God, and a gift from Jesus. And we bring this light. If the Christian allows this light to be extinguished, his life no longer has meaning; he is a Christian by name only”.

The Pope concluded by asking the faithful in the square if they wanted to live as shining lamps or as lights that had gone out; when they responded, “Shining lamps!”, he added, “It is God himself who gives us this light, and we offer it to others. Shining lamps! This is the Christian vocation”.

POPE FRANCIS: THE DIGNITY OF THE PERSON REMAINS INTACT EVEN IN THE WEAK AND NEEDY

Vatican City, 9 February 2014 (VIS) – Following today's Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled that next Tuesday, 11 February, the feast of the Virgin of Lourdes, will also be World Day of the Sick, “a propitious occasion for placing the sick at the centre of the community”, and he asked all those present to pray for them and with them, and to be close to those suffering ill-health. “In particular, let us imitate Jesus' attitude towards the sick, those who suffered from every type of malady: the Lord cares for all, shares in their suffering and opens hearts to hope”.

He also gave thanks to all healthcare professionals for their valuable work. “Every day they encounter in the sick not merely bodies marked by fragility, but also people, to whom appropriate attention and responses must be given. The dignity of the person is never reduced to his or her faculties or capacities, and is no less when that person is weak, disabled or in need of help. I also think of families, where it is normal to care for those who are sick; but at times the situation can become more difficult. ... Many people write to me, and today I would like to assure a prayer to all these families, and I say to them: do not be afraid of fragility! Help each other with love, and you will all be aware of God's consoling presence”.

The Bishop of Rome mentioned that in these days the Winter Olympics will begin in Sochi, Russia, and greeted all the organisers and athletes, expressing his hope that it will be “a true celebration of sport and friendship”.

Finally, Pope Francis offered some words to those affected by natural disasters in various countries, including those here in Rome. He assured them of his closeness and commented, “nature challenges us to be united and attentive in caring for his Creation, also to prevent, as far as possible, the most serious consequences”.

POPE FRANCIS ASKS FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION IN SRI LANKA

Vatican City, 8 February 2014 (VIS) – The Church in Sri Lanka was consecrated to the Virgin seventy-five years ago, and to mark this occasion, the faithful of the island have made a pilgrimage to Rome, where they were greeted this morning by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica. The Holy Father commented that shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, the archbishop of Colombo, Jean-Marie Masson, made a vow to build a shrine in honour of Our Lady if the island were preserved from foreign invasion. So it came about that after the end of the war the Shrine of Our Lady of Lanka at Tewatte was constructed.

“Our Lady is always close to us, she looks upon each one of us with maternal love and accompanies us always on our journey”, said the Pontiff. “Do not hesitate to turn to her for every need, especially when the burden of life with all its problems makes itself felt”.

“Your homeland is called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, on account of its natural beauty and its shape”, he continued. “They say that the pearl is formed from the tears of the oyster. Unfortunately, many tears have been shed in recent years, on account of the internal conflict which caused so many victims and so much damage. It is not easy, I know, to heal the wounds and cooperate with yesterday’s enemy to build tomorrow together, but it is the only path that gives hope for the future, for development and for peace. For this reason, I assure you that you have a particular place in my prayer. I ask the Lord to grant you the gift of peace and reconciliation, and to help you in your effort to ensure a better future for all who live in Sri Lanka”.

The Pope concluded by entrusting the faithful to the maternal intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Lanka, and asked them to pray for him.

DECREES OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS

Vatican City, 7 February 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the audience he authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:

MARTYRDOM

- Servant of God Francesco Zirano, Italian professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual killed in hatred of the faith in Algiers, Algeria, Czech Republic in 1603.

- Servants of God Paolo Yun Ji-chung, layperson, and 123 companions killed in hatred of the faith in Korea between 1791 and 1888.

HEROIC VIRTUES

- Servant of God Jesus Maria Echavarria y Aguirre, Mexican bishop of Saltillo and founder of the Guadalupan Catechist Sisters (1858-1954).

- Servant of God Faustino Ghilardi (ne Guglielmo Giacomo), Italian professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor (1858-1937)

- Servant of God Maria Rocio of Jesus Crucified (nee Maria Rafaela Rodriguez Xuarez de la Guardia), Spanish professed nun of the Congregation of Sisters of the Love of God (1923-1956).