VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2003 (VIS) - The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is hosting a study seminar at the Pontifical College of St. Paul in Rome for English-speaking bishops who have been ordained in the last five years and who are assigned to mission territories.
Participants include 169 bishops (63 from 15 African countries, 88 from 15 nations in Asia, 5 from 5 countries in America and 13 from Papua New Guinea in Oceania) and numerous members of the Roman Curia. The seminar, which began yesterday with a talk by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the congregation, is scheduled to conclude on September 20.
The cardinal spoke of the origin, development and duties of the missionary activity of the Church in general and of the congregation in particular.
The program for coming days includes two conferences daily, and periods set aside for questions, discussions and workshops. Throughout the seminar, special attention will be given to the triple "munus" of a bishop: teaching, sanctifying and governing, focussing on the specific situations of mission territories. Some of the other topics the participants will reflect on include seminary formation, relations with the Roman Curia and with episcopal conferences, social doctrine, ecumenism, charitable work and interreligious dialogue.
The schedule also includes a trip to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii on September 14, feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. On September 20, following a concelebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, the bishops will have a private audience with Pope John Paul.
CEP;SEMINAR BISHOPS; MISSIONS;...;SEPE ;VIS;20030909;Word: 250;
Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Monday, September 8, 2003
POPE WELCOMES BISHOPS OF INDIA ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT
VATICAN CITY, SEP 6, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul welcomed the bishops of the ecclesiastical provinces of Agra, Delhi and Bhopal to Castelgandolfo this morning as they conclude their quinquennial "ad limina" visit.
Noting the millennia-old presence of the Church in India, he said that "the Apostle Thomas, St. Francis Xavier and Mother Teresa of Calcutta are but a few of the outstanding examples of the missionary zeal which has always been present in India." Even when there are hardships, he added, there has always been the great desire to evangelize and to proclaim Jesus Christ.
The Holy Father noted the "serious manner" in which the bishops prepare the laity to assist them and the clergy, especially given the lack of priests in many regions of India. He spoke of the lay faithful's "impressive involvement in catechesis, pastoral councils, small Christian communities, prayer groups and many programs of social outreach and human development." Such activities, he stated, "are not to be understood as an expansion of the clerical role but as a reality shared by every Christian in the grace received at Baptism and Confirmation."
"From the very earliest days of her presence on Indian soil," noted John Paul II, "the Catholic Church has demonstrated a deep social resolve in the fields of healthcare, development, welfare and especially education," which is "a key factor in preparing young Catholics to become faithful adults."
"Many of your schools have large percentages of teachers who are not Catholic. Their presence in our institutions could help to increase mutual understanding between Catholics and those of other religions at a time in which misunderstanding between Catholics and those of other religions can be a source of suffering to any."
The Pope emphasized that the greatest contribution of Catholic schools to their society "is their uncompromising Catholicity. ... For this reason it is essential that your educational institutes maintain a strong Catholic identity. This calls for a curriculum marked by participation in prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist and requires that all teachers are well-versed not only in their fields of study but also in the Catholic faith."
He then highlighted the importance of the presence of priests in Catholic institutions, saying this is "a time-proven way of fostering vocations." Young people considering religious life are attracted to "the example of a zealous priest who not only loves the priesthood but exercises his ministry with joy and dedication."
The Holy Father remarked that today "more than ever, priests are called to be signs of contradiction in societies which are daily becoming more secular and materialistic." He said that "the lure of a consumer society" and an "individualistic, materialist and hedonistic interpretation of human existence ... can at times creep into the lives of our seminarians and priests, tempting them not to live 'according to the logic of giving and generosity'." Thus, bishops have a special task to fill to ensure this does not occur in seminaries and in the lives of their clergy.
"Preparing today's priests (also) requires that seminarians be educated in the many different traditions of our Catholic faith," he said in closing. "This is especially true in India which is fortunate to have Oriental and Latin Catholics in such close proximity. The numbers of Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholics present in your region challenges all the faithful to respect the needs and desires of those who celebrate the same faith in different ways."
AL;...;...;INDIA;VIS;20030908;Word: 580;
Noting the millennia-old presence of the Church in India, he said that "the Apostle Thomas, St. Francis Xavier and Mother Teresa of Calcutta are but a few of the outstanding examples of the missionary zeal which has always been present in India." Even when there are hardships, he added, there has always been the great desire to evangelize and to proclaim Jesus Christ.
The Holy Father noted the "serious manner" in which the bishops prepare the laity to assist them and the clergy, especially given the lack of priests in many regions of India. He spoke of the lay faithful's "impressive involvement in catechesis, pastoral councils, small Christian communities, prayer groups and many programs of social outreach and human development." Such activities, he stated, "are not to be understood as an expansion of the clerical role but as a reality shared by every Christian in the grace received at Baptism and Confirmation."
"From the very earliest days of her presence on Indian soil," noted John Paul II, "the Catholic Church has demonstrated a deep social resolve in the fields of healthcare, development, welfare and especially education," which is "a key factor in preparing young Catholics to become faithful adults."
"Many of your schools have large percentages of teachers who are not Catholic. Their presence in our institutions could help to increase mutual understanding between Catholics and those of other religions at a time in which misunderstanding between Catholics and those of other religions can be a source of suffering to any."
The Pope emphasized that the greatest contribution of Catholic schools to their society "is their uncompromising Catholicity. ... For this reason it is essential that your educational institutes maintain a strong Catholic identity. This calls for a curriculum marked by participation in prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist and requires that all teachers are well-versed not only in their fields of study but also in the Catholic faith."
He then highlighted the importance of the presence of priests in Catholic institutions, saying this is "a time-proven way of fostering vocations." Young people considering religious life are attracted to "the example of a zealous priest who not only loves the priesthood but exercises his ministry with joy and dedication."
The Holy Father remarked that today "more than ever, priests are called to be signs of contradiction in societies which are daily becoming more secular and materialistic." He said that "the lure of a consumer society" and an "individualistic, materialist and hedonistic interpretation of human existence ... can at times creep into the lives of our seminarians and priests, tempting them not to live 'according to the logic of giving and generosity'." Thus, bishops have a special task to fill to ensure this does not occur in seminaries and in the lives of their clergy.
"Preparing today's priests (also) requires that seminarians be educated in the many different traditions of our Catholic faith," he said in closing. "This is especially true in India which is fortunate to have Oriental and Latin Catholics in such close proximity. The numbers of Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholics present in your region challenges all the faithful to respect the needs and desires of those who celebrate the same faith in different ways."
AL;...;...;INDIA;VIS;20030908;Word: 580;
HOLY FATHER STARTS "SPIRITUAL JOURNEY" TO SHRINE OF POMPEII
VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2003 (VIS) - Numerous faithful joined Pope John Paul II today in the inner courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castelgandolfo where they prayed the Angelus together and the Pope meditated on the rosary.
He noted that "in exactly one month, God willing, I will go to the shrine of Pompeii. That will be an especially meaningful moment in the Year of the Rosary, inaugurated last October 16 with the signing, in St. Peter's Square, of the Apostolic Letter 'Rosarium Virginis Mariae'. I wish today to begin a spiritual pilgrimage to that famous Marian temple, center of spirituality of the rosary, contemplating with Mary the face of Christ in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries."
"The liturgical feast of the Birth of Our Lady, which is tomorrow, September 8," remarked the Holy Father, "is a more than ever propitious occasion to undertake this spiritual itinerary. Her birth, in fact, was a sort of 'prologue' to the Incarnation: Mary as the dawn, precedes the sun of the 'new day', preannouncing the joy of the Redeemer."
The Pope said that "the Virgin Mary helps the Christian people to rediscover the rosary as a simple prayer but one of great profundity. Said well, it introduces us to the living experience of the divine mystery and gives hearts, families and the entire community that peace that we need so very much."
Following the Angelus, John Paul II greeted the faithful present in French, English, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, with special words for the citizens of Castelgandolfo who today celebrate the feast of their patron, St. Sebastian.
ANG;ROSARY;...;...;VIS;20030908;Word: 270;
He noted that "in exactly one month, God willing, I will go to the shrine of Pompeii. That will be an especially meaningful moment in the Year of the Rosary, inaugurated last October 16 with the signing, in St. Peter's Square, of the Apostolic Letter 'Rosarium Virginis Mariae'. I wish today to begin a spiritual pilgrimage to that famous Marian temple, center of spirituality of the rosary, contemplating with Mary the face of Christ in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries."
"The liturgical feast of the Birth of Our Lady, which is tomorrow, September 8," remarked the Holy Father, "is a more than ever propitious occasion to undertake this spiritual itinerary. Her birth, in fact, was a sort of 'prologue' to the Incarnation: Mary as the dawn, precedes the sun of the 'new day', preannouncing the joy of the Redeemer."
The Pope said that "the Virgin Mary helps the Christian people to rediscover the rosary as a simple prayer but one of great profundity. Said well, it introduces us to the living experience of the divine mystery and gives hearts, families and the entire community that peace that we need so very much."
Following the Angelus, John Paul II greeted the faithful present in French, English, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, with special words for the citizens of Castelgandolfo who today celebrate the feast of their patron, St. Sebastian.
ANG;ROSARY;...;...;VIS;20030908;Word: 270;
CARDINAL OTUNGA DIES AT 80
VATICAN CITY, SEP 6, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father sent a telegram to Archbishop Raphael S. Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki of Nairobi, Kenya upon the death of Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, archbishop emeritus of the same archdiocese, at age 80. Following is the complete text:
"It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, and I wish to assure you and all the faithful of the archdiocese of Nairobi of my prayers to the Good Shepherd that, in His tender love, He will bring this dedicated servant speedily to the place prepared for him at the heavenly banquet. I join you in giving thanks to Almighty God for the many graces bestowed on the Church through Cardinal Otunga's long years of generous service as priest and bishop. With heartfelt condolences to all who mourn the loss of this devoted pastor, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of comfort and peace in the risen Savior."
TGR;DEATH OTUNGA;...;NZEKI;VIS;20030908;Word: 170;
"It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, and I wish to assure you and all the faithful of the archdiocese of Nairobi of my prayers to the Good Shepherd that, in His tender love, He will bring this dedicated servant speedily to the place prepared for him at the heavenly banquet. I join you in giving thanks to Almighty God for the many graces bestowed on the Church through Cardinal Otunga's long years of generous service as priest and bishop. With heartfelt condolences to all who mourn the loss of this devoted pastor, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of comfort and peace in the risen Savior."
TGR;DEATH OTUNGA;...;NZEKI;VIS;20030908;Word: 170;
YOUNG PEOPLE OF CATHOLIC ACTION PARTICIPATE IN PRAYER VIGIL
VATICAN CITY, SEP 6, 2003 (VIS) - Approximately 2,000 young people from different Italian dioceses, accompanied by leaders and members of Catholic Action, participated yesterday afternoon in a prayer vigil in the Vatican Basilica. As a sign of his spiritual closeness, the Pope arranged for a candle to be lit at 8 p.m. in the window of his private apartment in the Apostolic Palace.
The vigil, organized by the youth of Italian Catholic Action, followed a procession which started in the gardens of Castel Sant'Angelo and proceeded along Via della Conciliazione, ending in St. Peter's Basilica at 8:45 p.m.
...;PRAYER VIGIL;...;ITALIAN CATHOLIC ACTION;VIS;20030908;Word: 110;
The vigil, organized by the youth of Italian Catholic Action, followed a procession which started in the gardens of Castel Sant'Angelo and proceeded along Via della Conciliazione, ending in St. Peter's Basilica at 8:45 p.m.
...;PRAYER VIGIL;...;ITALIAN CATHOLIC ACTION;VIS;20030908;Word: 110;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
