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Bishop Bernard Longley to be next Archbishop of Birmingham
Pope Benedict establishes structure to enable Anglicans to enter Roman Catholic Church
At joint press conferences held in Rome and London this morning, a canonical structure was announced that will provide for the establishment of Personal Ordinariates around the world, to allow former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of Anglican liturgy.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams at today's conference
At the press conference in Westminster, held by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark and Bishop Christopher Hill of Guildford the following joint statement was issued by the Catholic and Anglican church leaders:
Joint Statement from the Archbishop of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury:
Today’s announcement of the Apostolic Constitution is a response by Pope Benedict XVI to a number of requests over the past few years to the Holy See from groups of Anglicans who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and are willing to declare that they share a common Catholic faith and accept the Petrine ministry as willed by Christ for his Church.
Pope Benedict XVI has approved, within the Apostolic Constitution, a canonical structure that provides for Personal Ordinariates, which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spiritual patrimony.
The announcement of this Apostolic Constitution brings to an end a period of uncertainty for such groups who have nurtured hopes of new ways of embracing unity with the Catholic Church. It will now be up to those who have made requests to the Holy See to respond to the Apostolic Constitution.
The Apostolic Constitution is further recognition of the substantial overlap in faith, doctrine and spirituality between the Catholic Church and the Anglican tradition. Without the dialogues of the past forty years, this recognition would not have been possible, nor would hopes for full visible unity have been nurtured. In this sense, this Apostolic Constitution is one consequence of ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
The on-going official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion provides the basis for our continuing cooperation. The Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) agreements make clear the path we will follow together.
With God’s grace and prayer we are determined that our on-going mutual commitment and consultation on these and other matters should continue to be strengthened. Locally, in the spirit of IARCCUM, we look forward to building on the pattern of shared meetings between the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and the Church of England’s House of Bishops with a focus on our common mission. Joint days of reflection and prayer were begun in Leeds in 2006 and continued in Lambeth in 2008, and further meetings are in preparation. This close cooperation will continue as we grow together in unity and mission, in witness to the Gospel in our country, and in the Church at large.
+ Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury
+ Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome issued the following statement:
1. With the preparation of an Apostolic Constitution., the Catholic Church is responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion.
In this Apostolic Constitution the Holy Father has introduced a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates, which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony. Under the terms of the Apostolic Constitution, pastoral oversight and guidance will be provided for groups of former Anglicans through a Personal Ordinariate, whose Ordinary will usually be appointed from among former Anglican clergy.
The forthcoming Apostolic Constitution provides a reasonable and even necessary response to a world-wide phenomenon, by offering a single canonical model for the universal Church which is adaptable to various local situations and equitable to former
Anglicans in its universal application. It provides for the ordination as Catholic priests of married former Anglican clergy.
Historical and ecumenical reasons preclude the ordination of married men as bishops in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The Constitution therefore stipulates that the Ordinary can be either a priest or an unmarried bishop. The seminarians in the Ordinariate are to be prepared alongside other Catholic seminarians, though the Ordinariate may establish a house of formation to address the particular needs of formation in the Anglican patrimony. In this way, the Apostolic Constitution seeks to balance on the one hand the concern to preserve the worthy Anglican liturgical and spiritual patrimony and, on the other hand, the concern that these groups and their clergy will be integrated into the Catholic Church.
Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which has prepared this provision, said: “We have been trying to meet the requests for full communion that have come to us from Anglicans in different parts of the world in recent years in a uniform and equitable way. With this proposal the Church wants to respond to the legitimate aspirations of these Anglican groups for full and visible unity with the Bishop of Rome, successor of St Peter.”
These Personal Ordinariates will be formed, as needed, in consultation with local Conferences of Bishops, and their structure will be similar in some ways to that of the Military Ordinariates which have been established in most countries to provide pastoral
care for the members of the armed forces and their dependents throughout the world. “Those Anglicans who have approached the Holy See have made clear their desire for full, visible unity in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. At the same time, they have told us of the importance of their Anglican traditions of spirituality and worship for their faith journey,” Cardinal Levada said.
2. The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church, particularly through the efforts of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. “The initiative has come from a number of different groups of Anglicans,” Cardinal Levada went on to say: “They have declared that they share the common Catholic faith as it is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and accept the Petrine ministry as something Christ willed for the Church. For them, the time has come to express this implicit unity in the visible form of full communion.”
According to Levada: “It is the hope of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, that the Anglican clergy and faithful who desire union with the Catholic Church will find in this canonical structure the opportunity to preserve those Anglican traditions precious to them
and consistent with the Catholic faith. Insofar as these traditions express in a distinctive way the faith that is held in common, they are a gift to be shared in the wider Church. The unity of the Church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of Christianity shows. Moreover, the many diverse traditions present in the Catholic Church today are all rooted in the principle articulated by St Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (4:5). Our communion is therefore strengthened by such legitimate diversity, and so we are happy that these men and women bring with them their particular contributions to our common life of faith.”
At this morning's press conference both Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Dr Rowan Williams emphasised that the new arrangement would not damage relations between the two churches. "The symbolism of our presence together here today should not be lost" Archbishop Nichols said.
Dr Williams opened his comments saying: "The fact that we are able to do this together tells a story." He said: "I do not think this constitution will be seen as in any sense a commentary on Anglican problems offered by the Vatican. It is a response to this range of requests and inquiries from a very broad variety of people, either Anglican or of Anglican heritage. In that sense it has no negative impact on the relations of the communion as a whole to the Roman Catholic church as a whole. It is not an act of aggression, it is not a statement of no confidence. It is business as usual." A new round of meetings with ARCIC is due to begin soon, he said.
None of the clergy said they had idea how many people would be likely to seek admission to the Catholic Church under the new arrangements. Bishop Hill said he suspected there would be more clergy rather than laity. "I don't expect vast numbers" he said, "but that's not to say we don't have strong ecumenical relations in the diocese."
Pope Benedict has announced that Bishop Bernard Longley, currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Westminster, will be the next Archbishop of Birmingham.
Bishop Bernard Longley
Bishop Longley was named the ninth Archbishop of Birmingham today. He succeeds the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols (2000-2009).
On learning of the Papal announcement, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols said: “I welcome the news of the appointment of Bishop Bernard Longley as Archbishop of Birmingham. I am confident that he will be warmly welcomed, right across the Archdiocese: in Stoke on Trent, Stafford, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester and Oxford. The clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese will appreciate the qualities he brings: his gentleness and sensitivity; his firmness and intelligence; his profound and joyful faith; his willingness to listen.
“I am sure, too, that Bishop Bernard will grow to love this fine Archdiocese, just as I did.“
The Diocesan Administrator for the Birmingham Archdiocese, Bishop William Kenney, CP, said: “I am delighted to hear that Bishop Bernard Longley is to become the new Archbishop of Birmingham. I am sure that the Auxiliary Bishops, Priests, Deacons and the Lay people of the Archdiocese will make him feel very welcome in the Midlands. We look forward to Bishop Bernard becoming a follower in the footsteps of Bishop Ullathorne, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Birmingham and to his taking a lead in the preparations for the Beatification of Cardinal Newman.“
Bishop Longley was ordained as a priest and later as a bishop by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor. About the appointment, the Cardinal said: "I had the privilege of ordaining Bishop Bernard as a priest in 1981 and later as a bishop in 2003. Bishop Bernard has been an exceptionally good priest and bishop, exhibiting at all times those Christian qualities of kindness and compassion in his ministry. The priests and people of the Archdiocese of Birmingham should rejoice and be glad in welcoming their new Archbishop who will, I know, prove a most generous and caring shepherd.”
After receiving news of his appointment, Bishop Bernard Longley said: “I feel immensely honoured and very humbled that the Holy Father has appointed me to succeed Archbishop Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Birmingham. I look forward to serving the Priests and Deacons, the Religious and all the People of the Archdiocese and to working alongside my brother Bishops there. I also look forward to knowing and appreciating the life of the Diocese and the many ways in which it reaches out with the love and truth of Christ, in its parish and school communities and through ecumenical and inter-religious friendships. I am grateful to Bishop William Kenney for his faithful service as Diocesan Administrator over recent months and for the welcome that he has already shown to me.
“It won’t be easy to leave the Diocese of Westminster which has been my home for the past seven years. It will be sad to say goodbye, especially to the East and Central London parishes where the Priests, Parishioners and Religious have become good friends. It has been a privilege to work with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and my fellow Auxiliary Bishops and more recently with Archbishop Vincent, and I thank them for all that I have learnt from their insights and experience.”
Bishop Longley will be installed as Archbishop of Birmingham at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Chad on 8 December 2009, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and one of the patronal feasts of the Archdiocese (St Chad being the other).
Vatican: African Synod opens
The Second Special Assembly for Africa, due to be held in the Vatican from 4 to 25 October opens on Sunday.
The theme of the Assembly is related to that of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa", which brought together the results of the First Special Assembly for Africa held from 10 April to 8 May 1994 on the theme: "The Church in Africa and her evangelizing mission towards the Year 2000: 'You shall be my witnesses'".
At a press briefing on Friday Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, said: "The Church in Africa is very dynamic. From 1978 to 2007, the number of African Catholics rose from 55 million to 146 million. Vocations to the priesthood and the religious life also saw a notable growth in numbers".
However, he also recalled the fact that "521 pastoral workers were killed in Africa between 1994 and 2008. ... In the year 2008, for example, of twenty Catholic pastoral workers killed throughout the world, five were African: three priests, one religious and one lay volunteer, from Kenya, Guinea, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo".
This Second Special Assembly for Africa will be attended "by 244 Synod Fathers of whom 228 are bishops", said Archbishop Eterovic. Most of the Synod Fathers (197) are from Africa while the remaining 47 come from Europe (34), America (10), Asia (2) and Oceania (1).
The sessions of the Synod will also be attended by fraternal delegates: representatives of six other Churches and ecclesial communities with a significant presence in Africa and with whom the Catholic Church maintains close ties of dialogue and collaboration.
Also present will be "29 experts, 19 men and 10 women, and 49 observers, 29 men and 20 women", said the archbishop, noting that "three special guests will also participate in the event, at the invitation of the Pope": On Tuesday 6 October His Holiness Abuna Paulos, patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, will participate in the Third General Congregation; on Friday 9 October Mr Rudolf Adada, former head of the Joint United Nations/African Union Peacekeeping Mission for Darfur will be reporting on the efforts for peace in that region "which is of interest not only to African countries but to the whole world"; finally, on Monday 12 October the Synod Fathers will be addressed by Jacques Diouf, director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on efforts the FAO is making to ensure food security for Africa.
OXFORD - 11 December 2008
Christian words deleted from children's dictionary
The latest edition of the Oxford University Press Junior Dictionary has removed a number of words connected to Christianity. The lost words include: abbey, altar, bishop, chapel, christen, disciple, minister, monastery, monk, nun, nunnery, parish, pew, psalm, pulpit, saint, sin, devil, and vicar.
In a report by the Telegraph, editors have justified the changes by citing declining church attendance and multiculturalism.
The dictionary has also abandoned words related to the natural environment, plants and animals. New words have been inserted into the dictionary based on word frequency. These include: allergic, curriculum, celebrity, and MP3 player.
Vineeta Gupta, who is in charge of children's dictionaries at OUP told the Telegraph: "When you look back at older versions of dictionaries, there were lots of examples of flowers for instance," Gupta said. "That was because many children lived in semi-rural environments and saw the seasons. Nowadays, the environment has changed. We are also much more multicultural. People don't go to church as often as before. Our understanding of religion is within multiculturalism, which is why some words such as 'Pentecost' or 'Whitsun' would have been in 20 years ago but not now."
Here some views expressed by people concerning this matter:
I am appalled to read that Oxford Press dared to take out words from the Junior Dictionary. There is no such thing in taking out words that have existed for many many many years. It is acceptable to add any modern words that have come about due to the computer age and a society that is learning more about others, but to blame this stupidity on being multi-cultural is out of line. As an English speaking nation, we all embrace and accept others from around the world, but we do not 'exit' out what makes up the history of the very nation they are coming to.
Think again what you are doing!! Taking it out will change history when the job is to add to history, not change what has already existed or happened before this date and time. Shameful that we are becoming such a weak and broken society.
Sincerely,
JA
I am appalled by the actions of the OUP regarding Christian words being left out of their new dictionary.
No wonder that some of the young people can not string a good sentence together.
It makes the case for the Catholic schools programme all the stronger.
BW
Incredible! And it would be interesting to know whether the editor has omitted words relevant to other religions.
AAG
This does sound like censorship, doesn't. I don't believe it is the job of a dictionary editor to drop words.
PT London
The English language is growing and evolving all the time. A good dictionary should have as many of the words in daily use as possible. I can't see why they would want to drop any.
TW Bristol
BIRMINGHAM - 3 December 2008
Free Advent and Christmas podcasts from CJM
The popular band CJM Music in association with the Archdiocese of Birmingham have just released eight downloadable musical podcasts to guide worshippers through Advent and into the Christmas Season.
'Walk with Me' is a weekly series for Advent 2008, introduced by the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham and featuring music from Joanne Boyce and Mike Stanley of CJM Music. These eight podcasts, one for each of seven weeks from Advent through to Jesus' baptism along with an introduction, are designed to help people pray through Advent and Christmastime. They are free of charge and can be used alongside the 'Walk with Me' journey of prayer booklets for Advent 2008, which are published and available from Alive Publishing www.alivepublishing.co.uk telephone: 01782 745 600, or as a stand alone pause for prayer and reflection in this busy time of the year.
Each weekly podcast is intended to create a space for contemplation and prayer. Using Scripture, music and reflection, themes from the Sunday scripture are developed alongside the teaching given by Pope Benedict during World Youth Day earlier in the year. They also draw heavily on a Christmas retreat given by Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger back in 1977, whose style and the pattern of thought are very much the same as those of the Pope.
Archbishop Vincent said: "In choosing the overall theme of 'Building a house for the Lord' we introduce each week a consideration of the tasks which face us, we must be preparing ourselves and our world for the coming of Christ, that new creation that is seen is his resurrection from the dead."
To download the podcasts visit: www.cjmmusic.co.uk/liturgy/walkwithme
For further information please call Mike Stanley 07801 375138
WALSALL - 19 September 2008 -
Walsall: pioneering 'LIFE Help Station' opened
A pioneering LIFE Help Station has opened its doors in Walsall.
The Glebe St centre was opened by Auxiliary Roman Catholic Bishop of Birmingham David McGough who praised the work of those involved.
The new centre is based in premises owned by St Mary's the Mount RC Church, Walsall and brings under one roof the organisation's work in the West Midlands.
Trustee and Founder Member of LIFE, Nuala Scarisbrick explained, "We are very excited as Walsall LIFE has worked very hard over the last 10 years to help thousands of women and families, and now the Walsall group is pioneering a new style of LIFE Help Centre which will increase the amount of help they can give."
"From the new centre, LIFE's education work in Walsall is being organised, with a comprehensive display of LIFE literature available as a useful resource bank for students from Primary Schools up to and including University level." she added
"Developing its work in schools, the Education Team at LIFE will seek to inform students on the rights and dignity of all humans from conception to natural end and empower them to make decisions in their lives that will reflect this truth." said LIFE Midlands Education Officer Elly Petrutti.
She said: "There will be a Housing Advice Service linked to the Walsall LIFE house where pregnant girls are looked after. A lot of young mothers need baby equipment and clothing. The LIFE Station will help with that - something we are often asked by Social Services to provide support with."
"The normal LIFE counselling service, which helps people - women or men - who want to discuss whether to continue the pregnancy will take place at the LIFE station. All our counsellors are fully trained and qualified, and help people to come to a decision that is right for them. LIFE provides practical help during the pregnancy and after birth as long as needed."
"We are providing a truly multicultural service, and hope that people of all faiths and none will drop in and say "Hello". This is a drop-in centre for anyone who wants to come in and discuss life issues."
Chairman of Walsall Multi-Faith Forum Aftab Nawaz - who is a Muslim - said, "As people of Faith we believe in the sanctity of life, and we understand the difficulties that youngsters from all Faiths face when an unexpected pregnancy arises, and therefore we welcome organisations such as LIFE that will give good advice and help to the women during this difficult time."
"We also feel great compassion towards people who for whatever reason have difficulty conceiving, and we welcome Life's work in this area."
"We wish LIFE all the very best in their new project" he said.
The Care Manager for the new project, Liz Lloyd, explained, "We are not a Christian backed organisation, nor are we a pro-life group. Our counselling is non-directive. We simply try to ensure that all the facts are available so that the person undergoing counselling can make the decision that is most appropriate for them."
"Anyone wanting to contact us can telephone our National Helpline on Freephone 0800 915 4600, or contact the Walsall Help Station on 01922 611255/712046 or "text2talk" by sending a text message to 07786 200330."
OLONGAPO - 19 September 2008
Philippines: Fr Shay writes - 'back to the dark ages, still jailing children'
When I asked 13 year-old Jonathan to draw a picture of himself in jail he drew a stick like figure of a small boy hanging half way up the bars of a prison cell. Behind him a bigger figure was hitting him with a stick. That was his punishment every time he fell asleep when ordered by the cell boss to guard his cell phone and stash of drugs at night in the overcrowded cell. He was too ashamed to draw a picture of himself as a "girly-boy. He was sexually molested by the older prisoners.
That ended for many but not all children when Republic Act 9344 was passed in 2006 that forbade the jailing of children 15 and below and providing restorative justice and alternatives to prison. Enlightened judges released many children to the Preda children's homes while their cases were pending before the courts. Almost all the charges brought by the police against the children referred to the homes have been dismissed establishing that there was no crime committed in the first place and so their detention was unjustified and harmful to the child.
Congressmen Mauricio Domogan of Baguio and Salvador Escudero III of the 1st District of Sorsogon have filed bills to repeal RA 9344 and set the age of criminal liability at 9 years of age.
If Senator Chiz Escudero files his bill to support his father's bill in the congress then you can expect to see many more young malnourished wafts and orphans 9 years and older staring out from behind steel bars in fear of a beating by a guard or a cell boss, or being raped by older prisoners. New legislation ought to help children in conflict with the law and establish children's homes instead of prison cells. The proposed amendments to the law will, in effect, condemn thousands of children to a degrading and frightening experience behind bars filled with pain, hardship and life threatening diseases. They are mostly abandoned and poor and unable to pay bail.
Many street children are arrested on a pretext so the police can meet a weekly arrest quota. Other police claim that the children are used by criminal syndicates. Unfortunately the police are unable to catch and jail the real criminals just the innocent children and claim "Mission accomplished".
The children behind bars in filthy over-crowded, mosquito ridden cells are filled with bewilderment, pain and hunger. They are the throwaway children, lost lives, wasted human beings. They will be corrupted in the colleges of crime with other hardened criminals.
Besides they will be exposed to malnutrition, abandonment, abuse, torture and exploitation. The evidence of this is seen in the drawings and testimonies of the children rescued and released from jails and detention centers. It is damming evidence of abuse and torture and the daily violation of their human rights.
Congressmen and women senators all, please think of this when you come to deliberate and vote on these bills. I strongly suggest that make a surprise unannounced visit to the jails and detention centers especially the ones that bar visitors and social workers and see the subhuman conditions for yourselves, animals live better. Pass a law that mandates all youth detention centers be open to visits by social workers of accredited non-government child care agencies. At present they are barred there is so much to hide.
What we need is more rehabilitation homes, where the children can be given affirmation, care, food, education and values formation, play and friendship. These children will recover and lead a life of decency and respect for the law and society if they are treated with respect and given a sense of personal dignity.
It has been proven beyond doubt by the experience of the open homes there is no need for jail cells, fences, guards and punishment. We have shown that 90% will stay in the formation home if they are respected, supported supplied their basic needs and rights and treated well so that they feel they belong and are wanted. No need to change the present law just the medieval mentality that jails children.
Visit: www.preda.org for more related articles.
LONDON - 19 September 2008
London priest jailed after peace protest
A London priest began a short prison sentence yesterday, after he refused to pay a fine, following a peace protest.
Fr Martin Newell, who is a member of the London Catholic Worker, was sentenced to prison at Highbury and Islington Magistrates Court.
On 28 December last year, Catholic Workers Scott Albrecht, Sr Susan Clarkson and Fr Martin poured red paint on the sign at Northwood Military Headquarters. The three knelt in prayer with banners reading: 'We All Have Blood On Our Hands' and "War Shall Cease All Over The Earth". They were arrested, placed in jail and charged with £315 worth of criminal damage.
When called back to court for refusing to pay his fine, Fr Martin said that he was acting according to his conscience and that he hoped the judge would act according to his.
Fr Martin told the court that the war on Iraq was illegal. The judge said his position was a moral one, but he said: "the law must be upheld despite belief".
ROME - 19 September 2008
Christian-Jewish forum defends Pope Pius XII
An interfaith symposium organised by US Catholics and Jews has backed the record of Pope Pius XII with documents showing that he intervened publicly and privately to save Jews during World War Two.
The symposium, organised by the Pave the Way Foundation, to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Pope Pius XII, brought together Catholics and Jews in his defence.
The foundation claims the late Pope was the victim of a 'myth' which claimed he was insensitive to the fate of Jews terrorised by Germany's Nazi regime and the concentration camps.
The group has collected extensive documentation showing that Pius XII intervened publicly as well as in secret to save Jews and to encourage Catholic institutions to shelter them. The dossier includes diplomatic telegrams and testimony of people who survived the war, thanks to his intervention.
The foundation is asking the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, to withdraw from its permanent exhibition a text that the group considers defamatory towards Pius XII.
In February, the Vatican said it would not block steps under way for the beatification of Pius XII, despite criticism from historians and numerous Jewish associations about the former pontiff's attitude towards the Holocaust.
Gary Krupp, an American Jew who is president and founder of Pave the Way, told Pope Benedict the group's investigation "directly contradicts the negative perception of the pope's war time activities.".
In an address to the Pave the Way Foundation, Pope Benedict said: "when one draws close to this noble Pope, free from ideological prejudices", one must recognise the "courageous dedication" of Pope Pacelli to saving as many Jews as possible from the Nazi devastation during the Second World War.
Praising the symposium organisers, Pope Benedict noted that in November 1945, some six months after the end of the war, 80 delegates of German concentration camps came to the Vatican to thank Pius XII for saving them.
The symposium's documents also include many newspaper cuttings about Jewish leaders thanking Pius during and after the war, and former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir saying: "When fearful martyrdom came to our people in the decade of Nazi terror, the voice of the Pope was raised for the victims."
"Thanks to the vast quantity of documented material which you have gathered, supported by many authoritative testimonies, your symposium offers to the public forum the possibility of knowing more fully what Pius XII achieved for the Jews persecuted by the Nazi and fascist regimes", Pope Benedict saud
"It is my great hope", he concluded, "that this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of my venerated predecessor's death, will provide the opportunity to promote in depth studies of various aspects of his life and his works in order to come to know the historical truth, overcoming every remaining prejudice.
During his visit to Paris last week, Pope Benedict also reminded representatives from France's Jewish community that Pius XII had called Nazism a period of "darkness".
The Pope will celebrate a Mass on 5 October in Saint Peter's Basilica to mark the anniversary.
TV Ads Bringing Catholics Home
6,000 Respond to Phoenix Campaign
PHOENIX, Arizona, JULY 8, 2008 For many who have left the Catholic Church, there is often a great desire to come home. However, fear and guilt often lead many to put off the gnawing decision to return to the Church. Not knowing where to turn, many who were once faithful feel lost and ashamed.
Tom Peterson, founder of Catholicscomehome.org, has found television and the Internet to be just the place to reach out to those wishing to come back to the Church.
Earlier this year Peterson tested his methods and ideas using an advertising campaign geared toward the 3.5 million who live in the Diocese of Phoenix.
More than 6,000 people inquired and came back to the Church via the Catholicscomehome.org Web site, and many more came back to Catholicism by reporting directly to a parish near their home. One priest reported that 16 people came to him for confession after they saw the television ad.
“One of the biggest surprises for us was the amount of inquiries from those who are not Catholic," said Peterson. "About one quarter of those expressing an interest in the Catholic Church are from those who have seen our commercials or visited our Web site and want to better understand the Catholic Church, or have actually made the decision to become Catholic.”
Reasons
When sorting out what caused many to leave the Church, Peterson said “about 90% of those who left the Church can’t give a good reason."
He also explained that many can't express why they want to come back. Many simply say they felt something was missing.
"They often want to come home but don’t know how. They feel uncomfortable about coming back and don’t know what to do -- when to sit and when to stand, and what to pray. We try to ease those fears and remind them of God’s desire to see them come home,” the director said.
Once they come back to Church, he added, they feel renewed. “They experience the Eucharist again and the power of confession. They feel their hunger for the truth has been met and a feeling of joy overcomes them."
When asked why he thought his brief television commercials had such an impact, Peterson said: “Our commercials are a basic reminder of who we are, the Church Jesus founded, the Church that Jesus entrusted to Peter and every pope who followed him.
"We are the Church that gave the world the Bible. When we quickly explain these facts and use the Bible to do it, people really respond. They admit that either they never really knew this or simply forget."
Testimonies
Peterson said he is often greeted with surprise as to how well Catholicscomehome.org has done. Several testimonies sent to his site show the impact it has had on viewers.
After seeing the commercials on Phoenix television, a visitor named Michael wrote, “It is highly effective and so very much needed at this time.”
Another from an Angela said, “I’ve been away from the Church for over 35 years and over the past 20 years I have become agnostic. [...] For me to actually look this site up from a TV ad says a lot.”
For some the commercials brought a great sense of joy. David wrote, “I wanted to commend you on the commercial. Wow. That was really well done. I’m so proud to be Catholic!”
Even non-Catholics wrote into the Catholicscomehome.org Web site to praise their efforts. Jean said, “I am not Catholic, but I think your commercials are extremely well done, tasteful and persuading.”
Still another e-mailer, Deborah, was so impressed that she wrote, “I am interested in the Catholic Church. What do I have to do to convert?”
Beginning
The project has even caught the attention of the Holy See. Recently, Peterson said, he discussed the initiative with Cardinal John Foley, prefect of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Claudio Celli, prefect of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
While the results have surpassed his expectations, Peterson explains that this is only just the beginning. The group has plans to launch similar campaigns this winter in St. Louis, Lincoln, Colorado Springs, Sacramento, Atlanta and Fargo.
“We are ramping up to 2010," he added, "when we hope to start a national advertising campaign starting with the 2010 Super Bowl."
Peterson takes no credit for his success. He simply says: “The world needs Jesus. We need to remind others how much they are loved by Jesus and needed by our Church family.”
Latest Catholic Church statistics
For World Mission Sunday Fides News Service has sent the following statistics. Figures regarding members of the Church, church structures in the field of pastoral care, healthcare, education and assistance are taken from the latest edition of the Church's Book of Statistics (31 December 2005). Please note that variations, increase or decrease compared to last year are marked + or in brackets.
world population
On 31 December 2005 the world population was 6,463,234,000 with an increase of 74,734,000 compared with the previous year. Increase in every continent except Europe and this confirms the trend registered in recent years: Africa +21,910;
Catholics
On the same date the number of Catholics was 1.114.966.000 with an increase of 16.600.000 more than the previous year, in every continent as follows: Africa +4.653.000;
The world percentage of Catholics decreased by 0.06 %, to 17.25% with a slight increase on all continents: Africa +0.11;
persons and Catholics per priest
The number of persons per priest in the world increased by 143 , (average 12,591). Distributed by continent as follows: increase in
The number of Catholics per priest in the world increased by 37 (average 2,743). Here too we have increases in
ecclesiastical circumscriptions and mission stations
The number of ecclesiastical circumscriptions increased by 12 to 2,915 with increases on every continent: Africa +2;
bishops
The number of bishops in the world increased by 57, to 4,841 on all continents. Increase in
priests and permanent deacons
The total number of priests in the world increased by 520, to 406,411. Increase registered in Africa (+1,111) and Asia (+1.831), but decreases on the other continents:
Permanent deacons increased by 1,067 to 33,391, the highest increase is again this year in
men and women religious
The number of Brothers decreased by 322 to 54,708. Situation: increase in Africa (+157) and Asia (+138); and a decrease in
secular institutes
Members of male secular institutes are 741 with an overall decrease of 69 compared with the previous year on all continents especially
lay missionaries and catechists
The number of lay missionaries in the world is a 200.022, with an overall increase of 13.555 and an increase in Africa (+166),
Catechists in the world increased by 33.905 to a total of 2.974.703. An increase was registered on all continents and again this year especially in Asia (+22.098), followed by Africa (+4.723), Europe (+3.553),
major seminarians
The overall number of major seminarians, diocesan and religious has increased by 1,395 to 114,439. An increase was registered in Africa (+789),
minor seminarians
The number of minor seminarians, diocesan and religious, and increased by 457 , to 102,042. The number increased only in Africa (+1,706), whereas it decreased in:
Catholic schools
In the field of education the Catholic Church runs 64,279 kindergartens (1,206 more than in the previous year) with 6,166,698 pupils; 91,480 primary schools (+390) with 28,084,076 pupils; 39,096 secondary schools (+819) with 16,232,070 pupils. It also follows 1,813,169 students in high schools and 2,789,840 university students.
Catholic charity and healthcare centres
The Church runs 5,246 hospitals (no change compared with the previous year) most of them in America (1,712) and Europe (1,257); 17,530 dispensaries (306 more than in the previous year) mainly in America (5,363), Africa (5,292) and Asia (3,626); 577 Homes for people with Leprosy (-71) mainly in Asia (315) and Africa (211); 15,208 Homes for the elderly, the chronically ill and people with a disability (+281) mainly in Europe (8,295) and America (3,868); 9,616 orphanages (-547) one third in Asia (3,212); 10,939 creches (+7); 13,485 marriage counselling centres (-381) mainly in Europe (5,620) and America (4,915); 31.312 social rehabilitation centres and 10,825 other kinds of institutions. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2007)
For more details statistics see: www.fides.org.
Events for the 2,000th Anniversary of the Apostle's Birth
Father Oliviero Plichon, the coordinator of the Pauline Year who works in close collaboration with Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, said this when speaking with ZENIT about the events planned for next year's jubilee.
"We don't know exactly which year St. Paul was born," explained Father Plichon, "but the experts say that they date is between A.D. 5 and 10."
Father Plichon said that when Cardinal Lanza di Montezemolo presented the idea to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Pope's secretary of state at the time, and then to Benedict XVI, the Holy Father welcomed the idea with interest and gave permission for the dates of the Pauline Year to be set.
The Pauline Year, beginning on June 28, 2008, and ending on June 29, 2009, will include a myriad of events in areas of ecumenism, liturgy, prayer, art, history, archaeology, pastoral initiatives and pilgrimages.
The Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, which welcomes between 2,500 and 4,000 pilgrims a day, will open its jubilee door and will host a special liturgy each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
Pilgrims will be able to pass through the Pauline Door, pray at
The left nave of the basilica will be reserved for exhibits, including depictions of
Two concerts will be performed for the event. Handel's "Messiah" will be performed and directed by Lorin Maazel for the opening of the Pauline Year.
For Easter Sunday, 2009, Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "The Resurrection," will be preformed and directed by Zubin Mehta.
For pilgrims visiting
