Pope decries ‘fratricide’ conflict in Ukraine and appeals for dialogue 4 14 Print 2015-02-04 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has decried the 'fratricide' conflict in Ukraine and issued an urgent appeal for dialogue, “the only possible path to peace”. Speaking at the end of the weekly General Audience, the Pope said his thoughts go to the beloved Ukrainian people. “Unfortunately the situation is worsening” as is the clash between the parties he said. And asking for prayers for the victims, many of whom are civilians, and for the families, the Pope said “let us pray the Lord so that this horrible fratricide violence may cease as soon as possible”. And Pope Francis renewed his heartfelt appeal “so that every possible effort – even at an international level – may be made for the resumption of dialogue, the only possible path for peace and harmony in that tormented land”. And speaking off-the-cuff, Pope Francis said that when he hears the words ‘victory’ or ‘defeat’ he feels great pain, great sadness in his heart: “they are not the right words. The only right word is peace. This is the only right word” he said. “I think of you, Ukrainian brothers and sisters, this is a war between Christians” he said. And calling the conflict a scandal, he pointed out that all those involved in the conflict have the same baptism. Pope Francis concluded his appeal urging all to pray, because – he said – “prayer is our protest before God in times of war”. (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-decries-fratricide-conflict-in-ukraine-and-ap
Pope Francis to fathers: Helicopter parenting stops children from growing 2015-02-04 As promised, the Pope returned to the role of fathers in family life during his catechesis. He said that every family needs a father and that the role is irreplaceable. POPE FRANCIS "Every family needs a father. Not a father who wants his son to be exactly like him, but is instead happy when his son learns to be honest and wise. That is what counts in life." Francis said that good fathers should spend time with their wife and children. However, he added that being present isn't the same as being overbearing. POPE FRANCIS "Being around doesn't mean being overly controlling. Parents who override their children too often do not let them grow.” According to the Pope, a father should be close to his children and, above all, patient. POPE FRANCIS "Fathers need to have patience. Often all you can do is wait. Pray and wait." Present, patient, and also firm. He said a father should help when a child fails at a difficult task without humiliating him. POPE FRANCIS "Today's children, when they come home after failing at something, need a father who longs to protect and encourage them. He must also teach them how to follow the right path. Sometimes fathers must punish their children, but they shouldn't slap their child in the face.” Lucia Annibali, a woman who suffered through one Italy's worst domestic violence incidents ever, was present. In April 2013, men sent by her ex-boyfriend deformed her face with acid. At the end of the audience the Pope made a strong appeal for peace in Ukraine. He asked to pray for the victims and said that the conflict is a scandal because the two warring parties are Christians. http://www.romereports.com/pg160211...pter-parenting-stops-children-from-growing-en
Pope Francis: There is no room in the Church for priests who abuse children 2015-02-05 Pope Francis insisted on zero tolerance against abuse and explained how bishops should investigate complaints. The key, he said, is to be close to the victims. In a letter sent to the presidents of episcopal conferences and superiors of religious orders, Francis wrote, "Pastors and those in charge of religious communities should be available to meet with victims and their loved ones; such meetings are valuable opportunities for listening to those who have greatly suffered and for asking their forgiveness.” Francis said that families have the right to communicate their concerns to the Church "because it is quote a safe place.” He added that they must not hide complaints. "Consequently, priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors,” wrote the Pope. He asked them for "generosity and rigor,” and said it they had a"duty to humbly acknowledge and repair past injustices.” The letter notes that the episcopal conferences must submit to the Vatican guidelines for action against abuse, and asks them to cooperate with the Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors. http://www.romereports.com/pg160226...-the-church-for-priests-who-abuse-children-en
Pope at Santa Marta: Servants of the Kingdom 41 61 Print 2015-02-05 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) The Church must proclaim the Gospel "in poverty" and the people proclaiming it must have the sole aim of alleviating the miseries of the poor, never forgetting that this service is the work of the Holy Spirit and not of human hands. At Mass on Thursday morning in Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis returned to one of his favorite images for the Church – that of a field hospital- inspired by the Gospel of the day, in which Jesus sends his disciples out, two by two, to the villages to preach, heal the sick and drive out "unclean spirits". Pope Francis said that there are many “wounded” waiting in the aisles of the Church for a minister of Christ to heal, raise and liberate them from the demons that plague them. He added that Christ’s ministers must always remember, however, that they are simple “servants of the Kingdom”. Healing wounded hearts The Pope contemplated Jesus’ description of the attitude his disciples must have as he sends them out among the people. They must be people with no frills attached - “no food, no sack, no money in their belts" he tells them - because the Gospel, "must be proclaimed in poverty" as "salvation is not a theology of prosperity". It is purely and simply the "good news" of liberation brought to all who are oppressed: "This is the mission of the Church: the Church that heals, that cares [for people]. I sometimes describe the Church as a field hospital. True, there are many wounded, how many wounded! How many people who need their wounds to be healed! This is the mission of the Church: to heal the wounded hearts, to open doors, to free [people], to say that God is good, God forgives all, that God is our Father, God is tender, that God is always waiting for us ... ". Apostolic zeal, not NGO activism Pope Francis warned that distracting attention from the essential nature of this proclamation creates the risk of misrepresenting the Church's mission and losing sight of the only thing that matters: bringing Christ to the poor, the blind, the prisoners: "It’s true, we have to help and create organizations that help in this: yes, because the Lord gives us the gifts for this. But when we forget this mission, forget poverty, forget the apostolic zeal and instead, place our hope in these [human] means, the Church slowly slips into becoming an NGO, it becomes a beautiful organization: Powerful, but not evangelical, because it lacks that spirit, that poverty, that power to heal". Disciples "Workers of the Kingdom" Pope Francis concluded that the disciples return "happy" from their mission and so Jesus took them with him "to rest for a while". However, Pope Francis stresses ... "... He does not say to them: ‘How great you are great, now on your next mission you should be better organized ...'. Only: 'When you have done all you have to do, say to yourself:' We are useless servants'. This is the apostle. And what would be the most beautiful praise for an apostle? 'He was a worker of the Kingdom, a worker of the Kingdom'. This is the greatest praise, because it means he has chosen Jesus’ path of proclamation: He goes to heal, to safeguard, to proclaim this good news and this year of grace. So that people rediscover the Father, to foster peace in the hearts of the people". (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-servants-of-the-kingdom
Pope Francis to address Congress WASHINGTON — Pope Francis will make an unprecedented address to Congress on Sept. 24 during his first visit to the USA. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced Thursday that the pope formally accepted an invitation the speaker extended last year. See story & video : http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/05/pope-francis-congress-boehner/22923081/
Pope Francis' Homily: The Church should be like a field hospital 2015-02-05 During his homily at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope spoke about the mission of the Church. He said it must be like a field hospital that cleans and heals wounds. POPE FRANCIS "So many people need their wounds healed! This is the mission of the Church: to heal the wounds of the heart, to open doors, to free people, to say that God is good, God forgives all, God is the Father, God is affectionate, God always waits for us.” The Pope explained that Christians should spread the Gospel with simplicity. He also said that the Church has the mission of promoting Christ and is not an NGO. COMPLETE POPE HOMILY (Source: Vatican Radio) "This is the mission of the Church: the Church heals, it cures. Sometimes, I speak of the Church as if it were a field hospital. It's true: there are many, many wounded! So many people need their wounds healed! This is the mission of the Church: to heal the wounds of the heart, to open doors, to free people, to say that God is good, God forgives all, God is the Father, God is affectionate, God always waits for us.” "It’s true, we have to help and create organizations that help in this: yes, because the Lord gives us the gifts for this. But when we forget this mission, forget poverty, forget the apostolic zeal and instead, place our hope in these human means, the Church slowly slips into becoming an NGO, it becomes a beautiful organization: Powerful, but not evangelical, because it lacks that spirit, that poverty, that power to heal". "He does not say to them: ‘How great you are great, now on your next mission you should be better organized ...'. Only: 'When you have done all you have to do, say to yourself:' We are useless servants'. This is the apostle. And what would be the most beautiful praise for an apostle? 'He was a worker of the Kingdom, a worker of the Kingdom'. This is the greatest praise, because it means he has chosen Jesus’ path of proclamation: He goes to heal, to safeguard, to proclaim this good news and this year of grace. So that people rediscover the Father, to foster peace in the hearts of the people.” http://www.romereports.com/pg160232...the-church-should-be-like-a-field-hospital-en
Pope at Santa Marta: Martyrdom is not a thing of the past 4 12 Print 2015-02-06 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) At Mass on Friday Pope Francis called for people to remember the Martyrs of 2015, the men, women and children who are being massacred right now in hatred of the faith. The martyrdom of Christians is not a thing of the past, today too there are many victims of "people who hate Jesus Christ", said Pope Francis. The Pope was reflecting on the life and death of John the Baptist, inspired by the Gospel of St. Mark. Referring to him as “John the Great”, the Pope said his life is a parable for the many, many Christians whose blood is spilled today because they proclaim a God whom many people hate. Pope Francis noted that John the Baptist "never betrayed his vocation", he was "conscious that his duty was only to proclaim" that the Messiah “was close at hand". John the Baptist was aware that he was "only a voice," because "the Word was Someone else" and he "ends his life like the Lord, with martyrdom”. John victim of a corrupt king Pope Francis went on to say that when he ends up in prison at the hands of Herod Antipas, "the greatest man born of woman" becomes "small, so very small”. Firstly he is struck by a dark night of the soul, when he doubts that Jesus is the One for whom he prepared the way. Then again, when he meets his end, ordered by a king both fascinated and puzzled by John. An end that gave the Pope pause for thought: "In the end, after this purification, after this ongoing slide into nothingness, this path towards the total annihilation of Jesus, his life ends. That perplexed king becomes capable of making a decision, but not because his heart was converted, but because the wine gave him courage. And so John ends his life under the authority of a mediocre, drunk and corrupt king, at the whim of a dancer and the vindictive hatred of an adulteress. That's how the the Great Man ends his life, the greatest man born of woman”. Christians hated today The Pope said : "When I read this passage I confess I get emotional" and I always think of "two things": "First, I think of our martyrs, the martyrs of our times, men, women, children who are being persecuted, hated, driven out of their homes, tortured, massacred. And this is not a thing of the past: this is happening right now. Our martyrs, who are meeting their end under the authority of corrupt people who hate Jesus Christ. It would do us good to think of our martyrs. Today we remember Paolo Miki but that happened in 1600. Think of our present-day ones! Of 2015 ". No one can "buy" their life The Pope said “this abasement of John the Great, this ongoing slide into nothingness makes me think that all of us are on this road and we are travelling towards the land, where we will all end up. This makes me think of myself: I too will meet my end. We all will. No one can "buy" their life. All of us, willingly or unwillingly, are travelling on the road of the existential annihilation of life, and this, at least to me, makes me pray that this annihilation is as similar as possible to that of Jesus Christ, to his annihilation". (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-martyrdom-is-not-a-thing-of-th
Pope Encourages Lay Faithful to Be a “Leaven of Christian Life” for Big Cities 6 34Print 2015-02-07 Vatican Radio Big cities are “fertile grounds” of evangelization that allows the Church to become a “leaven of Christian life” for citizens. This was the reflection given by Pope Francis during today’s address to the participants of the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. The Pontifical Council reflected on the theme: “Encountering God in the heart of the city: scenes of the evangelization for the third millennium.” Listen to Junno Arocho's report: (from Vatican Radio)
Vatican gets ready to announce ideas to reform the Roman Curia 2015-02-11 The Pope is getting ready to announce a list of proposals to reform the Roman Curia. It's something he has been discussing with his closest advisers and it's something he will share with Cardinals starting on Thursday. FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI Vatican Spokesperson "The meetings will be relatively short, considering you have a large group of cardinals coming from all over the world. But this factor will reflect the global relationship of the Church.” The reforms are based on simplifying the structure of the Roman Curia, which includes re-locating Vatican departments and consolidating others. Everything from its Communication Department to the Finance Department. It's an attempt to improve logistics, efficiency and even saving money. FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI Vatican Spokesperson "The Council also looked at the Secretariat for the Economy and the Council of the Economy and the financing of institutes within these new departments.” On Thursday, the Pope and his advisers are planning on sharing these ideas. From Boston, Archbishop Sean O'Malley could also address the College of Cardinals and share the latest details discussed by the Vatican's Commission for the Protection of Minors. The Council of Cardinals will meet again in April from the 13th to the 15th. http://www.romereports.com/pg160321...o-announce-ideas-to-reform-the-roman-curia-en
Pope Francis: A society that considers children a problem has no future 2015-02-11 (-ONLY VIDEO-) After devoting two catechesis to the role of the father, Pope Francis reflected on children. He said that every child is unique and that the unrepeatable experience of childhood helps one to understand God. He stressed that a society without children is weakened because it does not consider the future. SUMMARY OF THE OF THE POPE'S CATECHISM IN ENGLISH Dear Brothers and Sisters, In our continuing catechesis on the family, we now reflect on the importance and role of children. The prophecy of Isaiah which we listened to at the beginning of this Audience speaks of the joy and hope which children bring to their parents. Children are the fruit of their parents’ love and a gift of God, whose own infinite love bestows inviolable dignity and worth upon each person who comes into the world. The Fourth Commandment, which enjoins respect for parents, invites us to see in the relationship between the generations a sacred bond which affects every other relationship and ensures a sound future for society as a whole. The Church’s concern for the responsible and generous transmission of God’s gift of life is thus linked to the health of society, which is strengthened, renewed and enriched by the presence of the young. May Jesus, Son of God and son of a human family, help us, and society as a whole, to value the gift of life, the dignity of the family, and our responsibility to help young people look to the future with joy, hope and courage. I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States of America. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all! http://www.romereports.com/pg160309...considers-children-a-problem-has-no-future-en
Pope Francis: Make time to care for the sick 19 121 Print 2015-02-11 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is asking people to take time out of their frenzied lives to visit the sick, spend time with them and learn from their suffering. Marking the World Day of the Sick this Wednesday, communities, parishes, dioceses and bishops' conferences around the world will gather in prayer with Pope Francis for the suffering and their careers. Instituted on May 13, 1992 by Saint John Paul II and celebrated every year on February 11, the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Day is a special time of sharing and pastoral outreach to people living with illness. In his message this year- titled “I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame” (Job 29:15) - Pope Francis calls on Christians and all people of good will to have ‘wisdom of heart’, to go beyond themselves and reach out the sick. He writes that in the rush of today’s world we can often forget the value of ‘time spent at the bedside of the sick’. He says ‘we forget about giving ourselves freely, taking care of others, being responsible for others’ adding that this masks a ‘lukewarm faith’ Pope Francis also warns against what he describes as ‘a lie’ that lurks behind certain phrases that insist on the importance of “quality of life” and which make people think that lives affected by grave illness are not worth living. Instead, “the experience of suffering can become a privileged means of transmitting grace and a source for gaining and growing in wisdom of the heart”. This means showing solidarity without judging. “Charity takes time” concludes Pope Francis, “time to care for the sick and time to visit them. Time to be at their side http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-make-time-to-care-for-the-sick
Pope Francis opens Consistory with call to unity Print 2015-02-12 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says the end goal of the reform of the Roman Curia is to harmonize work among the Vatican offices, to achieve a more effective collaboration and promote collegiality. The Holy Father was speaking Thursday morning to the College of Cardinals at the opening session of the Extraordinary Consistory for the creation of new cardinals on Saturday. The College of Cardinals gathers together the Pope’s closest collaborators in the governance of the Universal Church. Currently there are 207 members in the College, 110 of whom are Cardinal electors, that is, eligible to vote in conclave for a papal election. The College is meeting in two closed sessions Thursday and Friday at the Synod Hall, where they will be briefed on progress in the reform of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, in the governance of the Church. Opening the working session – which included the 20 prelates who will be created Cardinals on Saturday – Pope Francis spoke of the recently concluded Council of Nine, thanking the Council members for their work in overseeing the reform process. He said that “the reform is not an end in itself, but a means to give a strong Christian witness; to promote a more effective evangelization; to promote a more fruitful ecumenical spirit; to encourage a more constructive dialogue with all”. Pope Francis also pointed out that the reform of the Curia was strongly advocated by the majority of the Cardinals in the context of the general congregations before the conclave in which he was elected Pope. The Holy Father warned the Cardinals that the goal of reform “it is not easy to achieve”, that it “requires time, determination and above all everyone’s cooperation”. He concluded that above all it demands prayer and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Below please find a Vatican Radio Translation of the Holy Fathers address to the College of Cardinals. Dear brothers, "How good, how delightful it is to live as brothers all together!" (Ps 133,1). In the words of the Psalm we give praise to the Lord who has called us together and gives us the grace to welcome the 20 new cardinals in this session. To them and to all, I give my cordial greetings. Welcome to this communion, which is expressed in collegiality. Thanks to all those who have prepared this event, especially to His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. I thank the Commission of nine Cardinals and the coordinator, His Eminence Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga. I also thank His Excellency Marcello Semeraro, Secretary of the Commission of Nine Cardinals: Today he will present a summary of the work done in recent months to develop the new Apostolic Constitution for the reform of the Curia. As we know, this summary has been prepared on the basis of many suggestions, even those made by the heads of the Dicasteries, as well as experts in the field. The goal to be reached is always that of promoting greater harmony in the work of the various Dicasteries and Offices, in order to achieve a more effective collaboration in that absolute transparency which builds authentic sinodality and collegiality. The reform is not an end in itself, but a means to give a strong Christian witness; to promote a more effective evangelization; to promote a more fruitful ecumenical spirit; to encourage a more constructive dialogue with all. The reform, strongly advocated by the majority of the Cardinals in the context of the general congregations before the conclave, will further perfect the identity of the same Roman Curia, which is to assist the Successor of Peter in the exercise of his supreme pastoral office for the good of and in the service of the universal Church and the particular Churches. This exercise serves to strengthen the unity of faith and communion of the people of God and promote the mission of the Church in the world. Certainly, it is not easy to achieve such a goal: it requires time, determination and above all everyone’s cooperation. But to achieve this we must first entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit, the true guide of the Church, imploring the gift of authentic discernment in prayer. It is in this spirit of collaboration that our meeting begins, which will be fruitful thanks to the contribution which each of us can express with parrhesía, fidelity to the Magisterium and the knowledge that all of this contributes to the supreme law, that being the salus animarum. Thank You. (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-opens-consistory-with-call-to-unity
Pope Benedict has no regret, doubt about decision to retire, aide says By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI has never doubted or regretted his decision to resign, knowing it was the right thing to do for the good of the church, said Archbishop Georg Ganswein, prefect of the papal household and personal secretary to the retired pope. "The church needs a strong helmsman," and Pope Benedict was keenly aware of his own waning strength while faced with such a demanding ministry, the archbishop said in an interview published Feb. 12 in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera. Two years after Pope Benedict's historic announcement Feb. 11 to step down as supreme pontiff, Archbishop Ganswein said the retired pope "is convinced that the decision he made and announced was the right one. He has no doubt." "He is very serene and certain in this: His decision was necessary and made 'after having repeatedly examined my conscience before God,'" he said, citing words from the pope's Feb. 11, 2013, announcement. Pope Benedict had told a stunned audience of cardinals assembled for an ordinary public consistory that "I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry." Archbishop Ganswein said in the interview that Pope Benedict was aware of his "duty not to look out for his own self but for the good of the church." The pope spelled out the precise reasons for his decision, the archbishop said, and "all the other considerations and hypotheses are wrong," including assumptions that the pope's resignation was not valid or had not been done in full freedom. "Hypotheses cannot be based on things that are not true and totally absurd," Archbishop Ganswein said. "Benedict himself said he made his decision with freedom, without any pressure, and he assured his 'reverence and obedience' to the new pope.'" The archbishop said doubts about the validity of the resignation and subsequent election of Pope Francis stem from a lack of understanding of the church. Also, the option for a pope to resign is explicitly written in the Code of Canon Law, which says a pope may step down as long as the decision is made freely and is "duly manifested." Archbishop Ganswein said Pope Benedict, who will turn 88 in April, is still following the prayerful, quiet life he wanted to dedicate himself to upon his retirement. Like his namesake, St. Benedict -- the father of Western monasticism -- the retired pope "has chosen a monastic life. He goes out (in public) only when Pope Francis asks him to; as for the rest, he does not accept other invitations," said the archbishop, who lives with retired Pope Benedict in a renovated monastery and has been his personal secretary since 2003. Archbishop Ganswein told the newspaper that in addition to the pope's usual routine of prayer, reading, keeping up with correspondence, receiving visitors, watching the evening news and walking in the Vatican Gardens, he has been playing the piano much more often: "Mozart especially, but also other compositions that come to mind at the moment; he plays from memory." The only health issues, the archbishop said, are "every now and then his legs give him some problems, that's all." The pope, who has had a pacemaker for several years and uses a cane, still has an incredibly sharp mind, the archbishop added. When asked what Popes Benedict and Francis might have in common, Archbishop Ganswein said that while their ways of expression are very different, the one thing they share is "the substance, the content, the deposit of faith to be proclaimed, promoted and defended."
Pope Francis: We are simplifying the Curia so that we can collaborate with transparency 2015-02-12 This was the environment at the Vatican this morning, just before Pope Francis met with 160 cardinals. The Pope called the meeting to hear the cardinals' views on Roman Curia reform. He has made simplyfying the Vatican one of his top objectives. He mentioned that reforming the Curia was a top concern as the last Conclave began. Pope Francis then explained what changes he had planned. POPE FRANCIS "We want to achieve greater harmony between departments, so that we collaborate effectively with full transparency. That builds real synodality and collegiality." The Pope recalled that reform is not an end in itself. Rather, the changes are meant to "strengthen Christian testimony and encourage more effective evangelization.” The goal is improving the bureaucracy so that Vatican departments better help the papacy and also the Church as a whole. The cardinals have been asked to express their opinion freely. POPE FRANCIS "Our meeting begins with a spirital of collaboration. It will be fruitful because each contribution comes with courage, freedom and fidelity to the Magisterium." The meetings will conclude Friday afternoon. Cardinals who will be created the next day are also participating. http://www.romereports.com/pg160329...-that-we-can-collaborate-with-transparency-en
Merkel to discuss 'global crises' with Pope http://www.thelocal.it/20150213/merkel-to-discuss-global-crises-in-meeting-with-pope German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week is to visit France for talks with President Francois Hollande and the Vatican, where she will meet Pope Francis, Berlin said on Friday. In her lunch meeting with Hollande on February 20th, Merkel plans to discuss the crises in Ukraine, Syria and Iraq and the major themes of this year's G7 summit in Germany, her spokesman said. Merkel and Hollande this week attended marathon talks in Minsk with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. The negotiations yielded a plan to end the ten-month conflict in eastern Ukraine. From Paris she will travel to Rome for a private audience on February 21st with Pope Francis, said her spokesman Steffen Seibert. "The chancellor and Pope Francis will discuss inter-religious dialogue, globalization, international crises and conflicts, as well as Europe's role in the world," he said.
Consistory: three new canonisations approved 26 146Print 2015-02-14 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) The Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals, which took place on Saturday, February 14th, 2015, in St Peter’s Basilica, saw also the approval of the canonisations of three Blessed of the Church: Jeanne Emilie de Villeneuve; Mary of Jesus Crucified Baouardy; Marie Alphonsine Danil Ghattas. The Holy Father also announced that the date of the canonisations is May 17, 2015. Below, please find some brief biographical information on the soon-to-be canonised saints. ******************************** Blessed Jeanne Emilie de Villeneuve was born in France, in Toulouse in 1811. She founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception for the education of poor girls and children, for the sick and for missions in faraway lands. She died of cholera on October 2nd 1854. She was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Blessed Mary Alphonsine Danil Ghattas was born in Jerusalem in 1843. When she was 15 she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. She worked tirelessly to help young people and Christian mothers. She had a special mystic affinity with the Mother of God. She founded the Congregation of Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem, to which she belonged. She died in 1927 and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified Baouardy was born Maria Baouardy in Abellin, a village in Upper Galilee, near Nazareth, in 1846 of Arab parents. She was baptized in the Melchite Greek Catholic Church. From early youth she experienced many sufferings together with extraordinary mystic phenomena. In France, she entered the Carmel of Pau. She was sent to India to found new Carmels, and then to Bethlehem, where she died in 1878. She was beatified by St John Paul II in 1983. (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-three-new-canonisations-approved
Pope Francis to new Cardinals: presiding flows from charity 20 71Print 2015-02-14 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis presided over an ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals on Saturday morning, in St. Peter’s Basilica. 20 new members of the Clergy of Rome were created, the Pope’s closest partners in mission. Addressing the membership of the College of Cardinals gathered for the occasion, Pope Francis spoke of the nature of ecclesial service, explaining that the higher one is in honor, the more perfect and absolute must be his spirit and dedication to Christ and the upbuilding of His Kingdom. “In the Church,” said Pope Francis, “all ‘presiding’ flows from charity, must be exercised in charity, and is ordered towards charity.” Below, please find the full text, in English, of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks. ************************************* Dear Brother Cardinals, The cardinalate is certainly an honour, but it is not honorific. This we already know from its name – “cardinal” – from the word “cardo”, a hinge. As such it is not a kind of accessory, a decoration, like an honorary title. Rather, it is a pivot, a point of support and movement essential for the life of the community. You are “hinges” and are “incardinated” in the Church of Rome, which “presides over the entire assembly of charity” (Lumen Gentium, 13; cf. IGN. ANT., Ad Rom., Prologue). In the Church, all “presiding” flows from charity, must be exercised in charity, and is ordered towards charity. Here too the Church of Rome exercises an exemplary role. Just as she presides in charity, so too each particular Church is called, within its own sphere, to preside in charity. For this reason, I believe that the “hymn to charity” in Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians can be taken as a guiding theme for this celebration and for your ministry, especially for those of you who today enter the College of Cardinals. All of us, myself first and each of you with me, would do well to let ourselves be guided by the inspired words of the apostle Paul, especially in the passage where he lists the marks of charity. May our Mother Mary help us to listen. She gave the world Jesus, charity incarnate, who is “the more excellent Way” (cf. 1 Cor 12:31); may she help us to receive this Word and always to advance on this Way. May she assist us by her humility and maternal tenderness, because charity, as God’s gift, grows wherever humility and tenderness are found. Saint Paul tells us that charity is, above all, “patient” and “kind”. The greater our responsibility in serving the Church, the more our hearts must expand according to the measure of the heart of Christ. “Patience” – “forbearance” – is in some sense synonymous with catholicity. It means being able to love without limits, but also to be faithful in particular situations and with practical gestures. It means loving what is great without neglecting what is small; loving the little things within the horizon of the great things, since “non coerceri a maximo, contineri tamen a minimo divinum est”. To know how to love through acts of kindness. “Kindness” – benevolence –means the firm and persevering intention to always will the good of others, even those unfriendly to us. The Apostle goes on to say that charity “is not jealous or boastful, it is not puffed up with pride”. This is surely a miracle of love, since we humans – all of us, at every stage of our lives – are inclined to jealousy and pride, since our nature is wounded by sin. Nor are Church dignitaries immune from this temptation. But for this very reason, dear brothers, the divine power of love, which transforms hearts, can be all the more evident in us, so that it is no longer you who live, but rather Christ who lives in you. And Jesus is love to the fullest. Saint Paul then tells us that charity “is not arrogant or rude, it does not insist on its own way”. These two characteristics show that those who abide in charity are not self-centred. The self-centred inevitably become disrespectful; very often they do not even notice this, since “respect” is precisely the ability to acknowledge others, to acknowledge their dignity, their condition, their needs. The self-centred person inevitably seeks his own interests; he thinks this is normal, even necessary. Those “interests” can even be cloaked in noble appearances, but underlying them all is always “self-interest”. Charity, however, makes us draw back from the centre in order to set ourselves in the real centre, which is Christ alone. Then, and only then, can we be persons who are respectful and attentive to the good of others. Charity, Saint Paul says, “is not irritable, it is not resentful”. Pastors close to their people have plenty of opportunities to be irritable, to feel anger. Perhaps we risk being all the more irritable in relationships with our confreres, since in effect we have less excuses. Even here, charity, and charity alone, frees us. It frees us from the risk of reacting impulsively, of saying or doing the wrong thing; above all it frees us from the mortal danger of pent-up anger, of that smouldering anger which makes us brood over wrongs we have received. No. This is unacceptable in a man of the Church. Even if a momentary outburst is forgivable, this is not the case with rancour. God save us from that! Charity – Saint Paul adds – “does not rejoice at the wrong, but rejoices in the right”. Those called to the service of governance in the Church need to have a strong sense of justice, so that any form of injustice becomes unacceptable, even those which might bring gain to himself or to the Church. At the same time, he must “rejoice in the right”. What a beautiful phrase! The man of God is someone captivated by truth, one who encounters it fully in the word and flesh of Jesus Christ, the inexhaustible source of our joy. May the people of God always see in us a firm condemnation of injustice and joyful service to the truth. Finally, “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. Here, in four words, is a spiritual and pastoral programme of life. The love of Christ, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, enables us to live like this, to be like this: as persons always ready to forgive; always ready to trust, because we are full of faith in God; always ready to inspire hope, because we ourselves are full of hope in God; persons ready to bear patiently every situation and each of our brothers and sisters, in union with Christ, who bore with love the burden of our sins. Dear brothers, this comes to us not from ourselves, but from God. God is love and he accomplishes all this in us if only we prove docile to the working of his Holy Spirit. This, then, is how we are to be: “incardinated” and docile. The more we are “incardinated” in the Church of Rome, the more we should become docile to the Spirit, so that charity can give form and meaning to all that we are and all that we do. Incardinated in the Church which presides in charity, docile to the Holy Spirit who pours into our hearts the love of God (cf. Rom 5:5). Amen. (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-to-new-cardinals-presiding-flows-from
Pope Francis to new cardinals: This is not just an honorary title 2015-02-14 This year's induction ceremony for new cardinals had some familiar moments. It began with the arrival of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The Emeritus Pope sat with the rest of Cardinals, and just like last year, Pope Francis stopped the procession to greet him. Afterward, soon-to-be Cardinal Dominique Mamberti greeted Pope Francis on behalf of all the new cardinals present. Only one was missing, 95-year-old José de Jesús Pimiento Rodríguez , retired archbishop of Manizales, Colombia. DOMINIQUE MAMBERTI Prefect, Apostolic Signatura "He has asked to receive the biretta in Colombia, because his old age prevented him from traveling.” For his part, Pope Francis told the entire College of Cardinals to remember that their position is not an honor but a responsibility. POPE FRANCIS "It is not a kind of accessory, a decoration, like an honorary title. Rather, it is a pivot, a point of support and movement essential for the life of the community.” He noted that as they gain more responsibility in the church, they should also become kinder and have bigger hearts. POPE FRANCIS "Be kind always and to everyone, especially those who do not love us. FLASH. Respect is the ability to understand others and their dignity.” He said there will be plenty of reasons to become angry, but a churchman should, above all, be magnanimous, just and merciful. POPE FRANCIS "Any form of injustice should be unacceptable, including those which might benefit the man or the Church.” Then came the highlight of the ceremony: the imposition of birretas, which was especially moving for the new cardinals. New cardinals came from throughout the world, including: John Atcherley Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand; Alberto Suárez Inda, Archbishop of Morelia, Mexico; Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, Archbishop of Hanoi, Vietnam; and Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga. Representatives from every country with new cardinals attended. http://www.romereports.com/pg160367...rdinals-this-is-not-just-an-honorary-title-en
Pope Francis at Angelus: spread goodness, compassion 22 103Print 2015-02-15 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis recited the Angelus on Sunday, with pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square. In remarks ahead of the prayer, the Holy Father offered a reflection on the Gospel reading of the day, in which St. Mark the Evangelist speaks of Christ’s battle against all manner of evil, especially in favor of those who are suffering in body and spirit, specifically telling of the Lord’s miraculous healing of a leper. “The mercy of God overcomes all barriers,” said Pope Francis. “The hand of Jesus touched the leper,” he continued, explaining that Christ does not act from a safe distance, nor does He act by proxy, but is exposed directly to the contagion of our evil. “So,” the Holy Father went on to say, “our own evil becomes the place of contact: He, Jesus, takes our sick humanity from us and we take from Him His healing – His healthy humanity. This happens every time we receive a sacrament with faith: the Lord Jesus ‘touches’ us and gives us His grace. In this case we think especially the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to heal us from the leprosy of sin.” Pope Francis concluded, saying that, if we would be imitators of Christ as St. Paul exhorts us to be in his 1st Letter to the Corinthians (cf. 1 Cor 11:1) before the poor or the sick, we should not be afraid to look the afflicted person in the eye, and be close to the suffering person with tenderness and compassion. “If evil is contagious,” he said, “so is good: therefore, we must allow good to abound in us, more and more; let us be infected by goodness, and let us spread the good contagion.” After offering the traditional noontide Marian devotion, the Holy Father offered special greetings to all those, who in various parts of the world are in these days marking the lunar new year. “These festivities offer the happy occasion to rediscover and live intensely that fraternity, which is the precious bond of family life and the foundation of social life,” he said, adding an expression of the hope that this annual return to the roots of the person and of the family might help all peoples marking the lunar new year to build a society in which interpersonal relations are woven with respect, justice and charity. (from Vatican Radio) http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-at-angelus-spread-goodness-compassion
Pope to Cardinals: Don't isolate yourselves in a caste that has nothing to do with the Church 2015-02-16 This wasn't your average Mass. Cardinals from all over the world, met in St. Peter's Basilica just a day after Pope Francis added 20 new cardinals to the Catholic Church. In his homily, the Pope reflected on the Gospel passage where Jesus heals a leper by simply touching him, without fear of being infected Himself. The Pope insinuated that even today, there are some who are scandalized when the Church lends a helping hand. POPE FRANCIS "This shocks some people. But Jesus is not afraid of this kind of scandal! He does not think of the closed-minded who are scandalized even by healings. Those who are scandalized before any kind of openness, by any action outside of their mental and spiritual boxes, by any caress or sign of tenderness which does not fit into their usual thinking and their ritual purity.” The Pope then called on Cardinals to not be afraid of caring for the sick of body and spirit. He highlighted that the Church shouldn't be afraid of offending those who have set ideas of who and how to help others. POPE FRANCIS "I encourage you to serve the Church in such a way, that Christians, who find strength in your testimony, are not tempted to be with Jesus while pushing aside the marginalized, isolating themselves in a caste that has no connection to the ecclesial authenticity of the Church.” Cardinals, he added, should make an effort to include the marginalized in society and above all else, in the Church. POPE FRANCIS "The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone for eternity. Rather to pour out the balm of God’s mercy on all those who ask for it with a sincere heart.” Towards the end of his homily, the Pope called on Cardinals to be strong before criticism and understanding before human frailty. The credibility of the Church, he said, depends on how Christians treat and serve the marginalized. http://www.romereports.com/pg160377...ste-that-has-nothing-to-do-with-the-church-en
