ZE070928
ZENIT
The World Seen From Rome
Daily dispatch - September 28, 2007
VATICAN DOSSIER
Benedict XVI Bids Farewell to Castel Gandolfo
United Catholics Seen as Key for Ecumenism
Pope Mourns Death of Prelate Who Served Zambia
Vatican Encourages Muslims to Build Peace
WORLD FEATURES
Hundreds of Missionaries Descend on Rome
Mexico to Make Paul VI Hall Nativity Scene
NEWS BRIEFS
Priest Killed in Sri Lanka
New Bishop Named for Crookston
SPIRITUALITY
Father Cantalamessa on the First World and Lazarus
DOCUMENTS
Vatican Message to Muslims for Ramadan
Benedict XVI Bids Farewell to Castel Gandolfo
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI bid farewell to the community of Castel Gandolfo as he prepares to return to the Vatican next week.The Pope received in audience today Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, the diocese in which Castel Gandolfo is located, as well as local religious communities, the civil authorities and the personnel in charge of security during his stay in the summer residence south of Rome.
The Holy Father arrived to Castel Gandolfo on July 27, after a two-week vacation in the Italian Dolomites mountain range. He will leave the summer residence Oct. 3.
"I would like to be able to pause and speak to each of you," said the Pontiff, "to thank you personally for the willingness and generosity with which you have contributed to the smooth functioning of the Pope's activities here in Castel Gandolfo."
"It is often the case," he added, "that such contributions remain unseen and compel you to work tiring hours, remaining away from your homes for long periods. Thus, your families are also involved in the sacrifices you have to face. For this reason, I would like to assure you once again of my most heartfelt appreciation, which I also extend to your relatives."
United Catholics Seen as Key for Ecumenism
Pope Urges Ukrainian Bishops to Show CommunionVATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The unity of the Catholic Church is decisive for the promotion of unity among Christians of various confessions, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this Thursday when he received in audience the Latin-rite bishops of Ukraine, at Castel Gandolfo for the end of their five-yearly visit.
The bishops had an earlier meeting with the Holy Father on Monday, accompanied by the Catholic bishops of the Greek-Catholic rite.
The Pontiff told them Thursday, "Your pastoral work, venerated brothers, is carried out in a place where Catholics of the Latin and Greek rites live together with other believers who find the reason for their lives in the one and only Lord Jesus Christ."
Ukraine has more than 46 million citizens, mostly Orthodox. There is a strong Eastern-rite Catholic community, which endured severe persecution under communist rule. There are also Latin-rite Catholic communities.
The Holy Father acknowledged: "Even collaboration between Catholics is not always easy; it is normal for different sensitivities to emerge, given the diversity of the respective traditions.
"But how can we not consider it a providential opportunity the fact that two communities with distinct traditions yet fully Catholic coexist together, both serving the only 'Kyrios' and proclaiming the Gospel?
"The unity of Catholics, in the diversity of rites, and the effort to show it in every area, shows the true face of the Catholic Church and constitutes an eloquent sign for other Christians and for all of society."
Synergy
Benedict XVI mentioned the analysis presented by the prelates, showing "a series of problems, the solutions to which require an indispensable synergy of forces, for a renewed proclamation of the Gospel."
He noted that the "long years of atheistic and communist domination" left "visible traces in today’s generations. They are just as much a challenge for you today, dear brothers, and are rightly at the center of your pastoral concerns and plans."
But, the Pope encouraged unity despite difficulties: "'Ut unum sint!' Christ’s prayer in the Upper Room constantly resounds in the Church as an invitation to the untiring search for unity.
"If communion within the Catholic communities is strengthened it will be easier to carry out a profitable dialogue between the Catholic Church and the other Churches and ecclesiastical communities.
"May the difficulties, the obstacles and even failures not dampen your enthusiasm in going in this direction."
"With patience and humility, with charity, truth and openness, the journey you must take becomes less arduous," the Holy Father concluded, "above all if the fundamental perspective is not lost: the conviction that all Christ’s disciples are called to follow in his footsteps, letting themselves be humbly guided by his Spirit, who is always at work in the Church."
Pope Mourns Death of Prelate Who Served Zambia
Polish Missionary Was First Archbishop of LusakaVATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI expressed his condolences at the death of the first metropolitan archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia, through a telegram sent to his successor and religious community.
The Pope sent the telegram after hearing of the death this morning of Jesuit Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki, 96.
The Holy Father's telegram is addressed to Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, and said, "Having learned with sorrow of the death of Cardinal Adam Kozlowiecki, S.J., I offer heartfelt condolences to you and all the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, together with the members of the Society of Jesus."
It continued: "Recalling with gratitude the first archbishop of Lusaka's selfless years of zealous episcopal and missionary service, unwavering commitment to the spread of the Gospel and service to the universal Church, I join you in praying that God our merciful father will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble soul in to the joy and peace of his eternal kingdom.
"To all assembled for the solemn Mass of Christian burial, I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord."
Adam Kozlowiecki was born in Poland in 1911. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1929, and during the Second World War was arrested with 24 of his Jesuit brothers and sent to Auschwitz and Dachau.
When he was liberated at the end of the war, he was sent to the missions, and was made the first archbishop of Lusaka in 1959.
After Zambia received independence, Archbishop Kozlowiecki appealed various times to the Holy See to name a prelate of African origin. Pope Paul VI granted his wish in 1969 and allowed the archbishop to retire. He stayed in Zambia working as a simple missionary.
In 1998, Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal, in recognition of his life spent at the service of the Church.
Vatican Encourages Muslims to Build Peace
Sends Message to Mark End of RamadanVATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican sent a message congratulating Muslims for the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and encouraging them to unite with Christians in promoting a culture of peace.
In a message published today and signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, respectively, the Vatican encouraged working together for the common good.
"It matters that all of us witness to our religious beliefs with a life increasingly integrated and in conformity with the Creator’s plan," the message said, "a life concerned with serving our brothers and sisters in ever increasing solidarity and fraternity with members of other religions and all men of good will, in the desire to work together for the common good."
The statement said that all religious believers have "a duty above all to work in favor of peace, by showing respect for the convictions of individuals and communities everywhere through freedom of religious practice."
It continued: "Religious freedom, which must not be reduced to mere freedom of worship, is one of the essential aspects of freedom of conscience, which is the right of every individual and a cornerstone of human rights.
"It takes into account the requirement that a culture of peace and solidarity between men can be built […] doing everything one can to reject, denounce and refuse every recourse to violence which can never be motivated by religion, since it wounds the very image of God in man.
"We know that violence, especially terrorism which strikes blindly and claims countless innocent victims, is incapable of resolving conflicts and leads only to a deadly chain of destructive hatred, to the detriment of mankind and of societies."
Education
The message from the pontifical council urged Christians and Muslims to unite in educating children in a culture of peace.
"Together, as members of different religious traditions, we are called to spread a teaching which honors all human creatures, a message of love between individuals and peoples," the statement said. "We are particularly responsible for ensuring that our young people, who will be in charge of tomorrow’s world, are formed in this spirit.
"It is thus more urgent than ever to teach to the younger generations, those fundamental human, moral and civic values which are necessary to both personal and community life. All instances of incivility must be made use of to remind the young of what is waiting for them in social life.
"It is the common good of every society and of the entire world which is at stake."
Hundreds of Missionaries Descend on Rome
Eucharist at Heart of ActivitiesROME, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Five hundred missionaries are planning to put "Jesus in the Center" of Rome and invite people to experience the joy of Christianity.
From today till Oct. 7, missionaries ranging in age from 16 to 35 will be visiting schools, retirement centers, hospitals and Churches, "to try to communicate Jesus’ love," Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani told ZENIT.
Monsignor Parmeggiani is the secretary-general of the Vicariate of Rome and director of the youth pastoral service. On Thursday, he presented this year's plans for "Jesus in the Center."
The priest recalled Benedict XVI's words, saying, “The Christian ethic is a consequence of the meeting with God’s love." The monsignor continued, "Mission is like a caress that God gives to the young people of the Church of Rome” in order to “know and understand Jesus” and to take into consideration “a proposal of life and faith."
Christ-centered
Though various initiatives and events will characterize the mission week, now in its fourth year, the primacy of the Eucharist is common to all of them.
Monsignor Parmeggiani affirmed, "Eucharistic adoration is key, and is at the center of the entire initiative."
There will be daily Masses and the chance to go to confession.
There are other events, too. In Rome’s Piazza Navona, various speakers will try to defend the use of reason. In several churches, there will be "villages of joy," characterized by young people singing and inviting others to hear the word of God.
On Oct. 6, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, will celebrate Mass in Piazza del Popolo. This will be followed by a Eucharistic procession to Piazza Navona.
The prayer intentions that will be gathered in the churches will be divided up between 36 cloistered convents of women religious around Rome.
Flowering
To show how the "Jesus in the Center" initiative has grown, Monsignor Parmeggiani said, "In the first few years, getting into the schools was very difficult. This year it was the teachers who were calling to ask us to come."
This kind of attention is very important because, the priest said, there is an educational crisis and "the Church has something to say in the field of education."
"We have Jesus," he said, "who reveals the new man, he who makes known his great dignity, he who gives meaning to man’s life and to the life choices that man makes.”
Mexico to Make Paul VI Hall Nativity Scene
Country Marks 15 Years of Relations With Holy SeeMEXICO CITY, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Mexico will design the Nativity scene planned for Paul VI Hall this year, as the country marks the 15th anniversary of its resumed diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
The Mexican ambassador to the Holy See, Luís Felipe Bravo Mena, said the baroque artwork that will characterize the Christmas scene is one way to help the country be known for its traditions and history.
"It strikes me as a gesture of kindness toward Mexico on the part of the Holy See," Bravo said, "and a very interesting way to show interest in the commemoration of the 15 years of resumed diplomatic relations."
The ambassador spoke of the improved relationship between Mexico and the Holy See, saying that it has grown to a "splendid" level.
"The recent visit of President Felipe Calderón to the Holy Father improved the relationship a great deal," Bravo said.
He also mentioned the upcoming visit to Mexico of Archbishop Fernando Filoni, the "sostituto" of the Vatican Secretariat of State, saying, "These are clear signals that we are in a moment of good relations."
The ambassador continued: "Mexico is, today, a country with which the Holy See can discuss anything. Moreover, I should say that the problems of Mexico are known, as are its history and tradition.
"In Mexico, we are working so that the country will not only be known for its problems, but above all for its traditions, its history and the democratic option made by our country."
According to the ambassador, the major point of convergence between the two states is found in "the defense of human rights and the dignity of the person of migrants. The Vatican’s posture is of great value and coincides entirely with that of Mexico in regards to emigrants, especially to the United States."
Archbishop Asks for an End to Violence
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A 40-year-old Catholic priest who was delivering aid to displaced refugees is the latest victim of Sri Lanka's two-decade civil war.
Jesuit Father Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service in the northeastern district of Mannar, was killed when a land mine exploded, reported Aid to the Church in Need.
The blast took place on Poonery Road in the Kilinochi district early Wednesday evening, killing Father Packiyaranjith. The priest was on his way to assist people in a refugee camp and an orphanage in Vidathalvu.
Archbishop Oswald Gomis of Colombo wrote in a message of condolence: "We are all deeply shocked by the tragic death of Father Nicholas. We condemn these acts of violence which inflict suffering and grief on innocent civilians.
"We express sincere sympathy to Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar Diocese, the clergy, the faithful and to Father Packiyaranjith's family.
"With gratitude for his work as a priest committed to assisting the people we offer fervent prayers to God the Father of Mercies that he may grant eternal rest to him and spiritual consolation to those who mourn for him."
The archbishop also said that all the more after this tragic event "peace is an urgent imperative."
"How long will this massacre continue? Episodes of this sort should make us aware of the gravity of the situation and the necessity to restore peace immediately," he added.
In the north of Sri Lanka, fighting between the army and separatist Tamil rebels continues. Since hostilities escalated in 2006, at least 5,000 people have been killed.
New Bishop Named for Crookston
CROOKSTON, Minnesota, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI appointed Monsignor Michael Hoeppner, vicar general of the Diocese of Winona, Minnesota, as bishop of Crookston.The Vatican also announced today that the Pope accepted the resignation, submitted for reasons of age, of Bishop Victor Herman Balke, 76, of Crookston.
Michael Hoeppner was born in Winona in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1975.
The 58-year-old bishop-designate will be installed Nov. 30.
The Diocese of Crookston has a population of 250,941. There are 35,780 Catholics, 45 priests, 13 permanent deacons and 123 religious.
Father Cantalamessa on the First World and Lazarus
Pontifical Household Preacher Comments on Sunday's ReadingsROME, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of a commentary by the Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, on the readings from this Sunday's liturgy.
* * *
A Rich Man who Dressed in Purple Garments and Fine Linen
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31
The principal thing to bring to light in regard to the parable of the rich man in this Sunday’s Gospel is his contemporary relevance. At the global level the two characters are the two hemispheres: The rich man represents the northern hemisphere (western Europe, America, Japan) and the poor man, Lazarus, with a few exceptions, represents the southern hemisphere. Two characters, two worlds: the first world and the Third World. Two demographically and geographically unequal worlds: The one that we call the Third World in fact represents two-thirds of the world. This is a usage that is beginning to take hold. The third world is beginning to be called the “two-thirds world.”
The same contrast between the rich man and Lazarus exists also within both worlds. The rich live side by side with the poor Lazaruses in the third world -- and the solitary luxury that exists in these countries stands out all the more in the midst of the miserable majority -- and there are the poor Lazaruses who live side by side with the rich in the first world. Some persons in the entertainment business, in sports, finance, industry, and commerce have contracts worth millions, and all of this is in the sight of millions of people who, with their meager wages or unemployment subsidy, do not know how they are going to be able to pay the rent or pay for medicine and education for their children.
The most detestable thing in the story that Jesus tells is the rich man’s ostentation, the way he makes a show of his wealth with no consideration for the poor man. His life of luxury is manifested in two areas, in dining and in clothing: The rich man feasted sumptuously and dressed in purple garments and fine linen, which in those days was the vesture of kings. The contrast is not only between a person who stuffs himself with food and a person who dies of hunger but also between one who changes his clothes every day and one who does not own a thread.
Here in Italy there was once a piece of clothing presented at a fashion show that was made of gold coins and cost over a billion lira. We have to say this without hesitation: The global success of Italian fashion and the business it has created have gone to our heads. We do not care about anything anymore. Everything that is done in the fashion sector, even the most obvious excesses, enjoys special treatment. Fashion shows that sometimes fill television news so much that other more important news is put aside, bring to mind the scenes in the parable of the rich man.
But so far we have not touched on anything new. What is novel and unique in this evangelical denouncement has to do with the perspective from which the events are seen. Everything in the parable is seen retrospectively from the epilogue to the story: “When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.” If we put this story on the screen we could very well begin with this ending beyond the grave and then return to the previous events in a kind of “flashback.”
Many similar denouncements of wealth and luxury have been made over the centuries but today they sound rhetorical and resentful or pietistic and anachronistic. But Jesus’ denouncement, after 2,000 years, retains intact its explosive power. Jesus does not belong to either party in this matter but is one who is above rich and poor and is concerned with both -- and perhaps more with the rich since the poor are less in danger!
The parable of the rich man is not motivated by any resentment toward the wealthy, by a desire to take their place, as are many human denouncements, but by a sincere concern for their salvation. God wants to save the rich from their wealth.
Vatican Message to Muslims for Ramadan
"A Culture of Peace and Solidarity Can Be Built"VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a text published today by the Vatican of a message sent to Muslims by the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The message was sent on the occasion of the end of Ramadan.
* * *
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT OF PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE TO MUSLIMS FOR THE END OF RAMADAN
Christians and Muslims:
called to promote a culture of peace
Dear Muslim Friends,
1. It gives me special pleasure to send you for the first time friendly and warmest greetings from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on the occasion of your joyful feast of ‘Id al-Fitr, with which the month-long fasting and prayer of Ramadan ends. This month is always an important time for the Muslim community and gives to each individual member a new strength for their personal, family and social existence. It matters that all of us witness to our religious beliefs with a life increasingly integrated and in conformity with the Creator’s plan, a life concerned with serving our brothers and sisters in ever increasing solidarity and fraternity with members of other religions and all men of good will, in the desire to work together for the common good.
2. In the troubled times we are passing through, religious believers have, as servants of the Almighty, a duty above all to work in favour of peace, by showing respect for the convictions of individuals and communities everywhere through freedom of religious practice. Religious freedom, which must not be reduced to mere freedom of worship, is one of the essential aspects of freedom of conscience, which is the right of every individual and a cornerstone of human rights. It takes into account the requirement that a culture of peace and solidarity between men can be built in which everybody can be firmly engaged in the construction of an increasingly fraternal society, doing everything one can to reject, denounce and refuse every recourse to violence which can never be motivated by religion, since it wounds the very image of God in man. We know that violence, especially terrorism which strikes blindly and claims countless innocent victims, is incapable of resolving conflicts and leads only to a deadly chain of destructive hatred, to the detriment of mankind and of societies.
3. As religious believers, it’s up to us all to be educators of peace, of human rights, of a freedom which respects each person, but also to ensure increasingly strong social bonds, because man must take care of his human brothers and sisters without discrimination. No individual in the national community should be excluded on the grounds of his or her race, religion, or any other personal characteristic. Together, as members of different religious traditions, we are called to spread a teaching which honours all human creatures, a message of love between individuals and peoples. We are particularly responsible for ensuring that our young people, who will be in charge of tomorrow’s world, are formed in this spirit. It is above all the responsibility of families and then of those involved in the educational world, and of civic and religious authorities, all of whom have a duty to pay attention to the spread of a just teaching. They must provide everyone an education appropriate to his or her particular circumstances, especially a civic education which invites each young person to respect those around him or her, and to consider them as brothers and sisters with whom he or she is daily called to live, not in indifference, but in fraternal care. It is thus more urgent than ever to teach to the younger generations, those fundamental human, moral and civic values which are necessary to both personal and community life. All instances of incivility must be made use of to remind the young of what is waiting for them in social life. It is the common good of every society and of the entire world which is at stake.
4. In this spirit, the pursuit and intensification of dialogue between Christians and Muslims must be considered important, in both educational and cultural dimensions. Thus all forces can be mobilised in the service of mankind and humanity so that the younger generations do not become cultural or religious blocs opposed to one another, but genuine brothers and sisters in humanity. Dialogue is the tool which can help us to escape from the endless spiral of conflict and multiple tensions which mark our societies, so that all peoples can live in serenity and peace and with mutual respect and harmony among their component groups.
To achieve this, I appeal to you with all my heart to heed my words, so that, by means of encounters and exchanges, Christians and Muslims will work together in mutual respect for peace and for a better future for all people; it will provide an example for the young people of today to follow and imitate. They will then have a renewed confidence in society and will see the advantage in belonging and taking part in its transformation. Education and example will also be a source of hope in the future for them.
5. This is the ardent hope I share with you: that Christians and Muslims continue to develop increasingly friendly and constructive relationships in order to share their specific riches, and that they will pay particular attention to the quality of the witness of their believers.
Dear Muslim Friends, once again I give you my warmest greetings on the occasion of your festival and I ask the God of Peace and Mercy to give you all, good health, serenity and prosperity.
Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
President
Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata
Secretary
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