[ZE120117] The World Seen From Rome
ZENIT
The World Seen From Rome
Daily dispatch - January 17, 2012
VATICAN DOSSIER
WORLD FEATURES
- Hundreds Gather to Give Thanks for Ordinariate's 1st Year
- Day for Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Marked in Italy
- India Missionaries Serving in 166 Countries
- Church in Congo Begins Non-Violence Program
NEWS BRIEFS
INTERVIEW
LITURGY
VATICAN DOSSIER
Catholics, Protestants Set to Begin Unity Week
Annual Initiative Will Provide Reflection on What It Means to Win
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Wednesday and will conclude on Jan. 25, the feast of the conversion of St. Paul. The texts for this year's celebration were prepared by groups in Poland.
This year's theme is "We will all be changed by the victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ."
A statement from the Vatican Information Service noted that the week is promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC), a worldwide fellowship of 349 churches seeking unity, common witness and Christian service. The Catholic Church participates in this ecumenical initiative, despite not being a member of the WCC.
This year's theme comes from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, which promises the transformation of human life -- with all its apparent dimensions of "triumph" and "defeat" -- through the victory of Christ's resurrection.
After leading the Angelus on Sunday, Benedict XVI invited the faithful, "as individuals and in communities, to participate spiritually, and where possible practically, in the Week of Prayer, to ask God for the gift of full unity among the disciples of Christ."
Materials
A working group composed of representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and Old Catholic and Protestant Churches active in Poland prepared the texts this year.
The materials for the Week of Prayer explain the choice of the theme: "The history of Poland has been marked by a series of defeats and victories. We can mention the many times that Poland was invaded, the partitions, oppression by foreign powers and hostile systems. (...) And yet where there is victory there are also losers who do not share the joy and triumph of the winners. This particular history of the Polish nation has led the ecumenical group who have written this year's material to reflect more deeply on what it means to 'win' and to 'lose,' especially given the way in which the language of 'victory' is so often understood in triumphalist terms. Yet Christ shows us a very different way!"
The text goes on to note that the 2012 European Football Championship will be held in Poland and Ukraine. "Thinking of this example might lead us to consider the plight of those who do not win -- not only in sport but in their lives and communities: who will spare a thought for the losers, those who constantly suffer defeats because they are denied victory due to various conditions and circumstances? Rivalry is a permanent feature not only in sport but also in political, business, cultural and, even, church life."
But Jesus' teaching on victory is simple, the text continues: "'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all' (Mark 9:35). These words speak of victory through mutual service, helping, boosting the self-esteem of those who are 'last,' forgotten, excluded. For all Christians, the best expression of such humble service is Jesus Christ, his victory through death and his resurrection. (...)
"The point is to achieve a victory which integrates all Christians around the service of God and one's neighbor. (...) The unity for which we pray is not merely a 'comfortable' notion of friendliness and co-operation. It requires a willingness to dispense with competition between us. We need to open ourselves to each other, to offer gifts to and receive gifts from one another, so that we might truly enter into the new life in Christ, which is the only true victory."
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On the Net:
Materials for the week: www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/weeks-prayer-doc/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20110414_week-prayer-2012_en.html
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WORLD FEATURES
Hundreds Gather to Give Thanks for Ordinariate's 1st Year
Ordinary Calls for Personal Responsibility to Make Pope's Vision a Reality
LONDON, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The first year of the first ordinariate established for Anglican communities who sought full communion with Rome was marked by "much to be joyful and thankful for," according to the group's leader. There were also misunderstandings to be addresses, he acknowledged.
Last Sunday marked the first anniversary of the establishment of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. On Jan. 15, 2011, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published a decree which formally established a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales for groups of Anglicans and their clergy who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
According to the ordinariate's Web site, around 500 Catholics and Anglicans gathered to mark the anniversary with solemn evensong, and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by benediction at St. James, Spanish Place, London.
It was offered up in thanksgiving for the Pope's decision to allow Anglicans who wish to enter the Catholic Church to retain the use of some of their traditional prayers and liturgy.
During his sermon, the ordinary, Monsignor Keith Newton said, "This evening we have much to be joyful and thankful for. For the gifts and spiritual riches of Anglicanism which nurtured our faith; for the warmth of welcome and support we have received from so many Catholics; for the vision, love and faith of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict."
Monsignor Newton also issued a pastoral letter to mark the anniversary. "A year is not a long time in the life of any institution particularly that of the Catholic Church, but as it was such an historic moment we should not let it pass without reflection," he said.
"I give thanks to God for your courage and faith sometimes at great personal cost," the monsignor commented, reflecting on the transition during the past year.
He also thanked the Catholic congregations and individuals who had given their support during the first year of the ordinariate's existence.
"There have, of course, been disappointments and setbacks on the way but these have been outweighed by the warmth of the welcome and the knowledge of being in communion with the See of Peter and countless millions across the world," he continued.
Prophetic
Monsignor Newton acknowledged that there had been some misunderstandings, in part because many Catholics have had no firsthand contact with the ordinariate or the members of it. "It is up to all of us to help people understand and to make a reality the vision that Pope Benedict has set before us, that the ordinariate should be 'a prophetic gesture' to contribute to the wider goal of visible unity between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion," he urged.
The ordinary also announced that more people will be joining the ordinariate in the coming year. He said several groups will enter this Easter and there will also be ordinations to the priesthood around the time of Pentecost.
"We are part of an historic moment in the Church," Monsignor Newton concluded. "We each have an important part to play in realizing the possibilities and opportunities this year has set before us, remembering that nothing will be achieved without prayer and holiness of life."
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Day for Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Marked in Italy
Reflect on Commandment 'Thou Shalt Not Kill'
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Today in Italy marks the Day for Dialogue Between Catholics and Jews, and the reflection continued with a 10-year program on the Ten Commandments, this year focused on "Thou shalt not kill."
The annual dialogue day was established by the Italian bishops' conference in 1990.
In an interview with Vatican Radio, Rabbi Giuseppe Laras, retired president of the Italian Rabbinic Assembly, explained that the aim of the day "is to simplify and intensify Jewish-Christian dialogue."
"To this end," he said, "Jews and Catholics meet to reflect especially on those themes we can confront together, such as the search for peace and mutual understanding after 2,000 years of misinterpretation and distressing events. Thus, both the Catholic and Jewish worlds await this day with high expectations, because the more dialogue is consolidated the more the risk of anti-Semitism diminishes."
Following their program on the Ten Commandments, the theme for this year led the group to reflect on the command not to kill.
"The command not to kill is vital for men and women, irrespective of their membership of one religion or the other," the rabbi noted. "It is vital to respect and honor human life in all its sacredness and uniqueness. This is an important theme for our own times, in which throughout the world respect for human life is often ignored and violated."
Father Gino Battaglia, director of the National Office for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue, observed that "the rich Jewish tradition, developed through millennia of studying the Law, makes a fundamental contribution. Yet the validity of this Commandment is evident, and not only in the literal sense of murder being a crime. I am thinking, for example, of the battle to abolish the death penalty, the problem of widespread violence ... and of respect for life. In this sense, Jewish-Christian dialogue takes concrete form in its commitment to society and to the world."
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India Missionaries Serving in 166 Countries
'Mission Territory' Sending Faithful to Evangelize the Globe
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- India, regarded for a long time as mission territory, has become one of the countries that sends most missionaries abroad.
This was confirmed at a conference earlier this month in Bangalore, organized by the nation's bishops and panel of religious superiors.
Eglises d'Asie, the news agency of the Foreign Missions of Paris, reported that according to Indian Father Balthazar Castelino of the Foreign Missions of Paris, himself currently on mission in Madagascar, India's missionaries today are present in 166 countries.
The missionary, who is also administrative secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar, believes the number of Indian missionaries at present is about 15,000. A figure that "far from being exaggerated" looks like it will increase in the near future, said Father Castelino, who pointed out that today more than 214 religious congregations send members of Indian nationality to missions abroad.
The testimonies of participants and the statistics established at the congress also showed that the great majority of these missionaries are working primarily in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific area.
At the end of this first consultation, the participants published a statement stressing the need to create an official structure within the Church in India, which will make possible the formation and preparation of future missionaries, and also give logistical and financial support to evangelization ad extra.
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Church in Congo Begins Non-Violence Program
Angelus Bell Taken as Symbol of Peaceful Protest
By Nieves San Martin
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Last Saturday all the bells of the parishes of the Democratic Republic of Congo rang to invite people to the Marian prayer of the Angelus. The bells also were intended to symbolize a cry of non-violent protest by the Congolese people.
This bell-ringing will be repeated every Saturday of this month, as part of a program of formation in peace-building announced by the bishops at the end of their recently concluded plenary assembly.
The closing Mass of the assembly of the National Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (NECCO) took place in the cathedral of Kinshasa last Thursday. During it, NECCO's general secretary, Father Leonard Santedi, read a statement of the Congolese bishops , titled "Courage of the Truth," in which they addressed the situation of their country.
Following the general elections, disputed by international observers and the Church, there has been tension between the Church and the government of President Joseph Kabila. Some of the media have published defamatory remarks about the cardinal archbishop of Kinshasa, Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya.
"A state of law is not built on a culture of cheating, lies and terror," state the bishops in their declaration. "What has happened on computing the results of the legislative elections is unacceptable. It is a disgrace for our country."
They lament the "disquieting irregularities and weaknesses," as well as the "climate of terror maintained and exploited," to alter the ballot boxes that make questionable "the credibility of the published results."
The bishops also condemn the campaign of disparagement orchestrated publicly against Cardinal Monsengwo, who in a press conference expressed his opinion that the result of the presidential election was not "in keeping with the truth or justice."
The bishops request that the international community favor "the interest of the Congolese people, that it support the Congolese people in their quest for justice and peace, and that it respect their self-determination."
They ask the people not to give in to pessimism, despair, violence, tribalism or xenophobia; they request politicians to give proof of maturity and responsibility, and Parliament to revise the composition of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which does not enjoy the trust of the people.
New impulse
Those present in the cathedral applauded the statement. One of those present told ZENIT that it was "as if it were a new impulse that drew the people out of their disappointment and humiliation."
At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Monsengwo announced a series of actions inspired by non-violence. To implement the program a meeting was held with all the country's pastoral agents in the parish of St. Joseph of Matonge, Kinshasa.
Jacinthe, a Congolese Catholic teacher who attended the meeting, told ZENIT that the pastoral agents are very much in tune with the Catholic Church at this time, because it "is playing a good role in this critical situation. The people are most grateful."
Jacinthe expressed her emotion when participating in the Mass in the cathedral on Thursday, during which the faithful felt that the Church is on their side. "You can't imagine how complete and important it is. We received it with cries, tears of joy. A real resurrection," added Jacinthe.
At the end of the Mass, the cardinal invited and encouraged those present to take part in formation and peaceful manifestations and, above all, to try to live non-violence every day.
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On the Net:
The text of the declaration in French is available on NECCO's Web page: http://www.cenco.cd/
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NEWS BRIEFS
St. Anthony Abbot: An Italian Tradition
Animals Blessed in St. Peter's Square to Mark Today's Feast
By Pietro Barbini
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Today is the feast day of St. Anthony, Abbot. Even though he was an Egyptian hermit, his day has been marked in a special way in Italy for many centuries.
The feast of St. Anthony, considered to be the founder of monastic life, is celebrated not only by the Catholic Church, but also by the Lutheran and Coptic Churches. His life was handed down to us by St. Athanasius of Alexandria, who was his faithful disciple and companion in the fight against Arianism.
Italians mark his memory with a variety of vigils, processions, special blessings, parades and gigantic bonfires, along with open air celebrations involving songs, music and historical re-evocations that recount the life and miracles of the saint. This takes place generally between Jan. 16 and 17.
The celebrations usually start with a vigil, which is followed by the opening of the stands filled with the food typical of the local region. The following morning, after Mass, bonfires are lit, after being blessed by the parish priest. During the day and into the evening there is dancing, singing and food-tasting, accompanied by folkloric music and dramatic performances of several kinds, such as the reading of poetry and folk tales.
In addition to the bonfire, there is also a the custom of having the parish priest bless the fields, cattle and harvest. St. Anthony is the patron of butchers, peasants, breeders and domestic animals.
Many entrust themselves to his intercession, asking for healing of illnesses, but also praying for release from the devil. In religious art, St. Anthony is known as "the saint of the demonic temptations"; in fact, he was continually attacked during his life, tempted and tormented by the devil, at times even physically.
Meanwhile, in Rome, Jan. 17 was marked by a blessing of animals in St. Peter's Square. Presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, the animals included chickens, sheep, goats and horses.
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INTERVIEW
A Wish for Jewish-Catholic Dialogue in 2012
Founder of Pave the Way Foundation Speaks on Steps for the Future
By Anita Bourdin
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's invitation to promote peace by working with the youth is right on target, according to the Jewish founder of a New York-based organization that aims to reconcile religions.
Gary Krupp, founder of the Pave the Way Foundation, spoke with ZENIT on the occasion of the annual day of Jewish-Catholic dialogue, celebrated in Italy today.
ZENIT: On the occasion of the annual day of dialogue with Judaism organized by the Catholic Church in Italy today, could you explain the aim of the Pave the Way Foundation, which you founded?
Krupp: The Pave the Way Foundation (PTWF) is a non-sectarian organization that seeks to remove obstacles between the world's religions. Jewish-Catholic dialogue has been an important part of understanding one another's faith traditions and that clears away prejudices and hatred. PTWF, however, concentrates our efforts on identifying concrete obstacles and seeks to remove them. First, through our historic gestures we establish a level of trust and then we can move to accomplish our core mission. Religion must be removed as a tool to justify private agendas. Removal of this abuse makes dialogue easier.
ZENIT: The message of Pope Benedict for the World Day of Peace 2012 is focussed on educating the youth in justice and peace: How can we put into practice this invitation for peace between religions?
Krupp: The message of Pope Benedict XVI is exactly right on. It is the youth who must learn the truth about the problems of today if we ever hope to solve them. The hidden problem in learning, however, is the international media and its abuse of its awesome power to control ideas and thinking. News reports today intentionally editorialize and push private agendas, which muddies the truth and in turn creates hostility, hatred and in some cases death. Along with the Pope's remarks, I would add a statement of caution to the youth of today. Take care to weigh what you learn from news reports and mass media. Question the report; go to original local sources in order to seek the true story. Then try to find solutions based on the facts, not unbalanced and biased reporting.
ZENIT: You have come several times to Rome and you have been received by John Paul II and Benedict XVI: Do you remember one of these meetings as especially important for you?
Krupp: Our fantastic meetings with both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have been life changing. One was July 29, 2000, I received a telephone call from then Archbishop Renato Martino, that the Pope invested me as a Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great. It was this action that changed the course of my life's work, prompting my wife Meredith and I to form Pave the Way Foundation (Merry came up with the name).
Specifically, two of the most important recollections in meeting with both Holy Fathers are, first: Jan. 18, 2005, when PTWF organized the Jewish audience to simply thank Pope John Paul II for all he had done in religious reconciliation with Jewish people. Watching three rabbis bless the Pope in Hebrew in the Clementine Hall and seeing tears in the eyes of the Pope will forever be etched in my memory.
The second most memorable meeting was when we presented the Bodmer Papyrus to Pope Benedict XVI with our wonderful friend and donor, Mr. Frank Hanna III, on Jan. 22, 2007. After our presentation ceremony, I gave the Pope a little framed photo of the rainbow that appeared in the sky when he blessed the memorial at Auschwitz. I took this photo when we accompanied the Pope with Jerzy Kluger to Poland, May 27, 2006. Pope Benedict was emotionally moved with this seemingly insignificant gift. The Pope asked me, "Was this Auschwitz?" I said, "Yes, Holy Father, I took this picture myself." He seemed almost as excited about this little photo of the rainbow and God's sign of approval in Poland, as he was in accepting the most important Christian manuscript in existence today.
ZENIT: How important is the Yad Vashem research on the Righteous Among the Nations for the dialogue between Jews and Catholics?
Krupp: Yad Vashem's research is precise and exacting and I believe extremely important in Jewish-Catholic relations. PTWF submission of the evidence in the case for Eugenio Pacelli as "Righteous Among the Nations" should be given immediate attention so that the black legend regarding Pope Pius XII is corrected by truth and facts. This is Jewish responsibility since we have amassed a huge amount of evidence that Eugenio Pacelli was indeed one of the great heroes to the Jewish people during the Holocaust.
Ingratitude is one of the worst character flaws in Judaism; the acceptance of the truth of Pacelli's personal heroism, I believe, is essential to bring my Jewish brothers and sisters to redemption. Eugenio Pacelli's reputation must be restored to where it was before the KGB intentionally began the greatest character assassination of the 20th century. This KGB Operation called "Seat Twelve" successfully accomplished its mission to isolate the Jews from the Catholics at the very moment of religious reconciliation with "Nostra Aetate."
ZENIT: How can a media organization such as ZENIT participate in changing mentalities and promoting peace?
Krupp: ZENIT's work throughout the years has been exemplary in reporting the truth and always in a positive manner. I can only encourage that when reporting on issues as sensitive as the Holy Land that the news reports are fair and the story reflects both sides of the conflict. Often, too many reports of Palestinian suffering supersede any mention of Israeli suffering, with the constant rocket attacks against civilian populations. Since there are 1.1 million Israeli citizens who are Muslim Arabs, violence against Israelis is against all Israelis, Christians, and Muslims as well. It is these acts of violence that first prompted the necessity for sea blockades, security checkpoints and a security wall. If the violence ends, then these security measures, so often criticized, can be lifted. If one seeks peace, they must stand in everyone's shoes.
ZENIT: What is your wish for Jewish-Catholic dialogue in 2012?
Krupp: In 2012, my wish is that the intense work of posting 46,000 pages of documents and news articles and video recording of eyewitnesses of the actions of the Holy See during WWII, will be finally studied in a serious way, so that this 48-year-old obstacle between Jews and Catholics can be eradicated. Our wish is that God grants wisdom to the negotiators of the Fundamental Agreements between Israel and the Holy See. This diplomatic obstacle should be completely resolved soon after 17 years of negotiations. Pave the Way Foundation's goal recognizes that resolution of these two issues will "pave the way" to the wonderful positive relations between Jews and Catholics.
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LITURGY
"Cup" Instead of "Chalice"
And More on Crucifixes
ROME, JAN. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Q: Why does the second response to the celebrant's invitation, "The mystery of faith" retain the term "cup" instead of "chalice" as contained in the words of consecration? Is this an error in translation or is it correct? -- T.A., Makurdi, Nigeria
A: I was not involved in the translation so, to be quite honest, anything I say will be speculative at best.
The text says: "When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again."
It is unlikely to have been a simple oversight or a cut-and-paste job because the acclamation has been changed. The former translation said: "When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory."
The new translation of this text is generally more accurate even though in this case the Latin calicem is translated "cup" instead of "chalice" as is done elsewhere in the missal.
By keeping the word "cup," it is probable that the translator wanted to follow as close as possible the original inspiration for this acclamation in 1 Corinthians 11:23-28:
"For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup."
Practically all English-language Bibles translate the Greek poterion as "cup" rather than chalice, as current English attributes a technical meaning to this word which it did not have in the original. In a similar vein the word calicem in Latin can refer to many drinking and cooking vessels and not just those reserved for liturgical use.
These memorial acclamations constitute a novelty within the Latin rite, and they were only introduced with the liturgical reform. With the removal of the acclamation "Christ has died …," which was found only in the English missal, the remaining three are basically scriptural quotes.
For this reason I think the translator is justified in following here the commonly accepted biblical translation while translating the same word as "chalice" in the texts that manifest the Church's 2,000-year development of her liturgical traditions.
Although respecting the biblical text is probably the principal reason for retaining "cup," the translator may also have been influenced by a desire to allow continued use of melodies already well-known by the faithful who often sing this part of the Mass. The addition of an extra syllable would likely make this particular text a bit more difficult to manage.
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Follow-up: Covering the Crucifix
There were several inquiries regarding the crucifix (see Dec. 20). A reader from Zambia asked which direction the figure of Christ should face when the cross is placed upon the altar itself or when the processional cross is used as the altar cross. Answer: In both cases the figure of Christ should face toward the celebrant. This is the current practice for papal Masses in Rome.
When there is a large crucifix present behind or suspended above the altar, there is no need for other crosses to be placed upon or near the altar itself.
A figure of the Risen Lord or any other similar image of Christ does not substitute the crucifix.
The crucifix, however, may adopt any of several historical styles. As well as the more common form of a dying or deceased Christ, it is possible to use an image of the Regal Christ. This image has the Savior with arms outstretched on the cross but alive, fully robed and sometimes wearing a kingly crown as the one who reigns from the cross. According to art historians, this form of representing Christ crucified was quite common until the Middle Ages, when the more dramatic images of the dying Christ became more popular in art and devotion.
This question arose with the beginning of Mass facing the people. Beforehand, both people and celebrant always faced toward the crucifix. The source for the answer is a clarification published in Latin in the review Notitiae in 1966. Although Notitiae is hard to find, the website www.ipsissima-verba.org has performed an invaluable service in publishing the most important responses and clarifications issued by this review which is the official organ of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Not all of the replies have the same legal force, and some are outdated, but the fact that the material is available on the web saves a lot time in the library.
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Readers may send questions to liturgy@zenit.org. Please put the word "Liturgy" in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and your state, province or country. Father McNamara can only answer a small selection of the great number of questions that arrive.
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