Roman Catholic News

Volume One, Issue Fourteen A

Tuesday, 2 October, 2001

Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

"Feast of the Holy Angels"

* * *
THIRD GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 2, 2001 (VIS) - The Third General Congregation of the
10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops began at 9 a.m. in
the Synod Hall, in the presence of John Paul II and 247 synod fathers. The
president delegate on duty was Cardinal Bernard Agre, archbishop of
Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.

?Following are excerpts from some of the talks given this morning:

ARCHBISHOP JOSE MARIO RUIZ NAVAS OF PORTOVIEJO, ECUADOR, PRESIDENT OF THE
EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. "Vatican Council II proposed episcopal collegiality
as an authentic form of the exercise of the episcopal ministry together
with the Successor of Peter. Great steps forward have been made.
Nevertheless, it is possible to improve the way of putting collegiality
into practice and of living the collegial spirit or love. ... It seems to
me that the central point of reflection regarding Episcopal Conferences in
'Apostolos suos' and in the Instrumentum laboris is the theme of their
power. ... The point is that the Episcopal Conferences must be 'the home
and school of communion'. ... It is necessary, above all, that these same
potentials are manifested in the regular relations between the Episcopal
Conferences and the See of Peter and not only in relations with each
bishop. The central point of the interpretation of the Episcopal
Conferences must be shifted from power - yet without negating or minimizing
it - to communion. ... I submit to the attention of the Pope, if he deems
appropriate, that the synodal assembly itself expresses its conclusions in
a final text, remembering that the Pope can pronounce a directing word at
any time during the deliberations. The text would be less organized and
less complete, but it would represent the clearest fruit of the
collegiality of the bishops with the Pope. Waiting for the document
diminishes enthusiasm. ... As already done many times, it seems opportune
that the Episcopal Conference organizes meetings collegially with the
dicastery in order to better analyze the challenges in different fields of
pastoral care and draw already from this dialogue on directives."

BISHOP NIKOL JOSEPH CAUCHI OF GOZO, MALTA. "It is known that the Church in
every time and in every situation has a triple role in society which
consists in: (1) announcing the truth about the dignity and the rights of
man, (2) denouncing the existing unjust situations and (3) contributing to
the realization of positive changes to society. The Encyclical 'Sollecitudo
Rei Socialis', number 41, says that 'The condemnation of evils and
injustices is also part of that ministry of evangelization in the social
field which is an aspect of the Church's prophetic role. But it should be
made clear that proclamation is always more important than condemnation'.
The Encyclical continues saying that 'The teaching and spreading of her
social doctrine are part of the Church's evangelizing mission', and
therefore is also one of the Bishops'. If it is true that with their
teaching the bishops should guide the moral conduct of the individuals
entrusted to them, it follows that they must also support them in favor of
'the commitment to justice'."

BISHOP CARLOS AGUIAR RETES OF TEXCOCO, MEXICO. "It is necessary to
recognize that we Bishops need each other, we cannot achieve our mission in
an isolated way. However, we need each other not only to share our projects
and pastoral plans but also to recreate a spirit of the Apostolic College
in a human and spiritual dimension. We must humbly accept that bishops need
permanent formation in order to revive the gift of God which was entrusted
to us in Episcopal Ordination. If all the members of the Church require
this, there is even more reason for us bishops to take care of our
permanent formation with special commitment."

CARDINAL ZENON GROCHOLEWSKI, PREFECT OF THE CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC
EDUCATION. "It would be useful to underline the bishops' responsibility in
having the right formators in seminaries, who can be distinguished by their
excellent priestly and human virtues, for their faithfulness to the
Magisterium of the Church, for their pastoral fervor and for their
continuous updating. We should also recall the necessity of safekeeping the
specific configuration of the seminary, as an institution that truly forms
priests, that acknowledges their identity, their own spirituality, their
own responsibility, their high and irreplaceable mission. Closely linked to
the preparation of priests and inserted in the 'munus docendi' of the
bishop is, without a doubt, the obligation to promote priestly vocations.
Success depends on various factors connected between each other. However, I
do think that in the first place one must place the emphasis on teaching
the identity of the ministerial priesthood, his specific irreplaceable and
important role in the Church."

CARDINAL WILLIAM HENRY KEELER, ARCHBISHOP OF BALTIMORE, U.S.A. "The
national and regional conferences of bishops are indispensable as servants
of communion between the bishops of the particular churches and the
Universal Church. ... "All of these activities imply a teaching dimension
of the ministry of the bishops involved in the communion of the Bishops'
Conference. Therefore, I propose that the propositions we present to the
Holy Father include a request that, continuing the reflections begun by
'Apostolos suos,' there be a more profound study of the role of Episcopal
Conferences in support of the ?ommunion of the Church, a study which would
also deepen our understanding of the specific task of the Conferences in
teaching the Catholic faith to God's people in our day."

FR. FRANCOIS EID, O.M.M., SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE MARIAMITE MARONITE ORDER.
"The worsening of the religious situation in the world makes the life of
Christians in the land of Islam particularly dramatic. ... In this context,
an urgent mission is entrusted to the bishop - being a promoter of
dialogue. ... The bishop thus has the commitment to be visible and help the
faithful to free themselves from ignorance and prejudice towards others, to
clear religious discourse from any tension generating aggression, to
encourage the faithful to attach themselves to their land, to their country
and to accede to state institutions for the safeguarding of the rights of
individuals and the community. In this way Christians and Muslims can ease
tensions and conflicts for a life of cooperation at the service of humanity."

CARDINAL WILLIAM WAKEFIELD BAUM, MAJOR PENITENTIARY, VATICAN CITY. "For
many reasons and because of the pressures put on him, a bishop may hesitate
or become faint-hearted in exercising the office of teaching and in
correcting error. If he is faithful to his responsibilities he will
inevitably become the target of much criticism and, even at times, ridicule
from people both within and outside the Church. We must be prepared to
follow in the footsteps of Peter, Paul, the Apostles, and the great bishops
who have preceded us. ... How often, because of sloth or timidity, have we
failed to proclaim the truth about Christ and the truth about the human
condition. This synodal assembly is, in itself, a God-given opportunity - a
moment of grace - to examine ourselves anew. For us bishops, as well as for
those we serve, confession is good for the soul."

* * *

JOHN PAUL II INAUGURATES SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 30, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 this morning, in St.
Peter's Basilica, the Pope presided over the solemn Eucharistic
celebration with the synodal fathers, for the inauguration of the
10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which
will be held from September 30 to October 27, on the theme:
"The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope
of the World."

At the beginning of his homily, John Paul II recalled the "very
symbolic gesture" with which he inaugurated the Great Jubilee:
crossing the threshold of the Holy Door with the Book of Gospels
in his hands. "In it," he said, "in some way, we can find the entire
content of the synod we are inaugurating today."

John Paul II emphasized that the evangelical beatitude of poverty
proposed in today's liturgy "is a precious message for the
synodal assembly. ... We are asked to verify to what point in the
Church the personal and community conversion has achieved
an effective evangelical poverty."

As bishops, the Pope continued, we are called to be "prophets
that underline with courage the social sins tied to consumerism,
to hedonism, to an economy that produces an unacceptable gap
between luxury and misery. ... In every age, the Church has
shown solidarity with the least, and has had Shepherd saints
who sided, like intrepid apostles of charity, with the poor.

"But for the Shepherds' Word to be credible," the Pope added,
"they must give proof of a conduct detached from private
interests and attentive towards the weaker ones. They must give
an example to the community entrusted to them, teaching and
supporting that ensemble of principles of solidarity and social
justice that make up the social doctrine of the Church."

The Pope concluded his homily encouraging the bishops with
the words "'Duc in altum - Put out into the deep'. ... As arduous
and tiring a mission as this may be, we must not become
discouraged. With Peter and with the first disciples we too
trustingly renew our sincere profession of faith: Lord, 'at Your
Word I will let down the nets!' At Your Word, O Christ, we wish to
serve Your Gospel for the hope of the world!"

* * *

POPE CALLS FOR PRAYER OF THE ROSARY FOR PEACE

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2001 (VIS) - After this morning's Mass
which was celebrated to signal the opening of the Synod of
Bishops, the Pope appeared at his study window to pray the
Angelus and ask everyone to pray the rosary for peace in the
world.

After reminding the audience that "October is the month in which
Mary Most Holy, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is venerated," he said,
"Within the current international context, I invite all - individuals,
families, communities - to pray this Marian prayer, possibly every
day, for peace, so that the world can be preserved from the
wicked scourge of terrorism.

"The terrible tragedy of September 11th," he said,"will be
remembered as a dark day in the history of humanity. In the face
of this, the Church tries to be faithful to her prophetic charism
and remind all men about their duty to build a future of peace for
the human family. Certainly, peace is not separated from justice,
but it must be nourished by mercy and love.

"We cannot forget that Jews, Christians and Muslims adore God
as the only God. The three religions, therefore, have the vocation
of unity and peace. May God allow the Church's faithful to be
agents of peace, in the front line of the search for justice, and the
prohibition of violence. May the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace,
intercede for all humanity, so that hate and death never have the
last word!"

* * *

FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2001 (VIS) - Before the opening of the
First General Congregation of the 10th Ordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place this
morning, John Paul II blessed the new Chapel of the Synod. After
the singing of Psalm 26, the Holy Father lit a lamp with a light
from the Well of St. Gregory the Illuminator, given to him by the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, Karekin II,
at the conclusion of his trip to Armenia on September 27. The
Assembly then began at 9 a.m. with the singing of "Veni Creator
Spiritus" and a brief discourse by John Paul II.

After a brief greeting by President Delegate Cardinal Giovanni
Battista Re, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops,
Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte, C.I.C.M., reviewed the activity of the
Council of the Secretary General since the preceding assembly.

Relator General Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, archbishop of
New York, U.S.A., then gave an overview of the responsibilities of
the bishop, excerpts of which we offer below:

"In seeking to decide how best to address the subject assigned
to us in this Assembly, one cannot help but notice how frequently
the classic munera of the bishop as teacher, sanctifier and
shepherd are mentioned both in the Apostolic Exhortations of the
Holy Father that followed previous Assemblies and in the
Lineamenta and Instrumentum Laboris of this one. Accordingly,
it seems quite fitting to adopt this division of duties as the basic
outline of our Relatio Ante Disceptationem, beginning with the
bishop as teacher of his flock."

"The responsibilities of the bishop as a doctor veritatis in the
Church, however, reach far beyond his own individual efforts. ...
Each successor of the Apostles must also associate with
himself as many fellow preachers, evangelizers, instructors and
catechists as he can possibly assemble. ... His guidance in this
regard is especially needed by teachers of Religion in Catholic
elementary and secondary schools; by catechists in work with
converts and in diocesan and parish programs for children,
youth and adults; and by professors of Theology on the university
level.

"This can be a daunting task, one that calls for both prudence,
tact and a fortitude that comes from the Holy Spirit. ... As teachers
of the faith, however, it is imperative that we not neglect another
crucially important ally in our announcing of the Gospel, namely,
parents. They are the first teachers of the faith. No one can instill
it, no one can nourish it as effectively as they. A bishop should
therefore seize every opportunity to assist parents, particularly on
the parish level, to learn their faith in depth and to pass it on with
zest."

"Finally, to be truly powerful teachers of the faith, the bishop
needs most importantly to work with the priests and deacons of
his diocese. ... The essential pre-requisite for this is, of course,
excellent seminary education for his priests and excellent
programs of theological and spiritual training for his permanent
deacons. ... He needs to know who is intellectually and spiritually
forming his future clergy, what they are teaching, and whether
they are performing their assigned tasks."

"All of which brings us to another essential duty in our ministry
as sanctifiers of the faithful fi that, namely, of seeing to it that the
liturgies in our churches and chapels are in harmony with the
norms and practice of the Church and carried out in a spirit of
true devotion. ... The munus regendi of a bishop is unique
among all of the expressions of leadership in the world. ... To
measure up to all of this, the bishop needs, above all else,
holiness of life. ... He must avail himself of the many powerful
means of sanctification which the Church provides to all of her
children, among them, the Mass ... the Sacrament of Penance or
Reconciliation ... meditation on Sacred Scripture and the writings
of the Fathers, Doctors and great theologians of the Church."

"As shepherd of his people, the bishop must also be a supporter
and coordinator of the works of his clergy, those of his diocese in
consecrated life and the committed laity as well. ... Accordingly,
to the extent possible, there should be in our dioceses a
well-trained curia to advise and assist parishes and diocesan
agencies."

"Likewise, in carrying out this munus regendi, the bishop has to
be deeply concerned about the condition and initiatives of his
parishes. ... It is essential that the bishop be present to his
parishes as a loving father, priest and friend. ... The bishop who
is truly a shepherd-servant in his diocese must also give to
consecrated men and women in their parishes and institutions
sincere respect and genuine support. ... Finally, authentic
episcopal leadership in our day necessitates as well that the
bishop be open to and supportive of the new ecclesial
communities and groups which are springing up throughout the
Church with immense promise for spiritual good. ... When
guided with fairness and understanding, they can provide great
benefit to the local Church, alerting it to new insights into the
Gospel message and reminding it of ideals and values that may
need to be revived or strengthened."

"The bishop in our time must likewise lead in the twin areas of
poverty and peace. The two go hand-in-hand. For where misery
caused by injustice and hardness of heart prevails, conflict is to
be expected. ... Furthermore, in those regions of the world where
a measure of prosperity is to be found, the bishop is additionally
required to remind his people in clearest terms of their
obligations to the poor and destitute beyond the boundaries of
their diocese or nation."

"In this context, the issue of globalization immediately comes to
mind. ... (It) can be an opportunity for the bishop to evangelize,
proclaiming the Gospel message of justice and compassion.
Borrowing the formula of our Holy Father, we must continually
and urgently strive for a 'globalization in solidarity,' one that
responds to the needs of all peoples fi rich and poor alike fi
honorably, generously and nobly. Intimately bound up with
poverty, peace and globalization is another critically important
matter begging for episcopal leadership in our day fi the mass
movements of men, women and children seeking to escape
wars, civil strife, misery and disease. This phenomenon can
easily evoke attitudes ... in opposition to the basic human rights
of immigrants and refugees ... which are altogether incompatible
with the Gospel of compassion preached by the Son of God. ...
Against all such, the successors of the Apostles may not
hesitate even for a moment. Our hopes here and hereafter
reside with a God Who warned us in the plainest of language
that He is often hidden behind the mask of a 'stranger' who cries
out to be fed, clothed and welcomed.

"All of these issues of social justice render us ever more
sensitive to certain evil and growing practices in our time which
violate the most elementary of human rights, the right to life. ...
We spoke and struggled against abortion, euthanasia and
capital punishment. ... Now ... we renew our resolve to defend life
in its every phase as a blessing from God."

"One last challenge to the leadership of bishops ... is dialogue.
... Dialogue with adherents of other world religions has become
a key factor in the current life of the Church. It presumes
knowledge of and sympathy for their values and beliefs, a
willingness to share insights and understandings and a sincere
desire to cooperate in worthy causes of all kinds. ... Always,
however, the bishop must keep in mind that no cloaking or
compromising of the essentials of the Catholic faith may ever be
countenanced."

* * *

Embrace Poverty, Pope Urges as Synod of Bishops Opens

An Indispensable Requirement for Proclaiming Gospel, He Says

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II today
inaugurated the 10th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
with an urgent call to poverty, so that the bishops become
heralds of the salvation of Christ.

"Indeed, poverty is an essential feature of Jesus« person and of
his mystery of salvation, and it represents one of the
indispensable requirements so that the proclamation of the
Gospel will be heard and accepted by humanity today," the Pope
said.

He concelebrated Mass in St. Peter«s Basilica with the synod«s
participants, including 55 cardinals, seven patriarchs, 70
archbishops, 106 bishops and 10 priests. All the world«s 112
bishops« conferences are represented at the synod.

The synod, which ends Oct. 27, will focus on the role of the
bishop. It is the culmination of a series of synods since the
Second Vatican Council analyzing ministries and states of life in
the Church.

During the homily, the Pontiff asked the bishops to make an
examination of conscience "on our attitude toward earthly goods,
especially the use made of them."

"We are asked to verify to what degree there is personal and
communal conversion in the Church connected to effective
evangelical poverty," John Paul II said.

"The way of poverty will help us transmit the fruits of salvation to
our contemporaries," he stressed. "Therefore, as bishops, we
are called to be poor in the service of the Gospel."

Bishops must be "servants of the revealed Word who,
denouncing abuses, raise their voice when necessary in
defense of the last," the Pontiff said.

Today, bishops must be "prophets who courageously manifest
social sins connected to consumerism, hedonism, an economy
that produces an unacceptable division between luxury and
misery," John Paul II emphasized.

The key to accomplish the above is that bishops teach and
support "that ensemble of principles of solidarity and social
justice that make up the social doctrine of the Church," the Holy
Father explained.

However, poverty in the bishop«s life only has meaning if he is a
"man of God," if his life and ministry are totally under divine
lordship, and if they draw light and vigor from the unfathomable
mystery of God," the Pope added.

He added: "Episcopal ordination does not infuse the perfection
of virtues: The bishop is called to follow his way of sanctification
with greater intensity, in order to reach the stature of Christ, the
perfect Man."

John Paul II said that the bishop«s mission to teach, sanctify and
govern is a "difficult and wearisome mission" and, because of
this, might lead to discouragement.

He reminded the world«s prelates, however, that their vocation is
a call from Christ. The Pope concluded: "[We] want to serve his
Gospel for the hope of the world!"

* * *

Religious Illiteracy Seen as a Key Challenge for Bishops

Episcopal Office Is Foremost at Service of Gospel, Not Society,
Says Cardinal

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Transmitting the faith
in a religiously illiterate culture is the challenge facing the Synod
of Bishops, says the assembly«s secretary-general.

Belgian Cardinal Jan Schotte told reporters Saturday, "The
assembly«s question will be, What kind of bishop does the
Church need in the third millennium?"

"The role of the bishop must be seen in relation to Jesus Christ,"
he said. "To be his servant does not mean to be at the service of
society, but at the service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in
this way, by definition, the bishop becomes an evangelizer -- all
this for the hope of the world."

To illustrate this message, Cardinal Schotte mentioned the case
of Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, archbishop of New York, who,
10 minutes after the Sept. 11 attacks on the Twin Towers, went
to the scene of the tragedy to administer the sacraments and be
with the people.

Cardinal Schotte emphasized that it is important that in the
synod, which opened today, every bishop "express himself and
speak about the work of his diocese." He said that 213 of the
247 bishops present head dioceses.

According to the Belgian cardinal, the answers to a pre-synod
questionnaire sent by the assembly«s secretariat reveal "the
importance for the bishop of the spiritual journey and formation."
The questionnaire was sent to dioceses, episcopal conferences
and religious congregations.

"The bishops« primary concern is to see how it is possible to
transmit the faith in today«s culture, and how it is possible to
overcome the religious illiteracy of the members of the Church,"
Cardinal Schotte added.

He explained that special attention is being given to the
regulation of the sessions, so that all bishops have the same
opportunity to speak. All will have eight minutes to express their
point of view, he said.

"All the bishops are equal; the procedure does not leave room
for «prime donne,« to use an expression borrowed from the
opera," the cardinal confirmed.

He noted that the synod, which opened today and runs until Oct.
27, concludes the cycle of assemblies on ministries and states
of life in the Church. Previous assemblies focused on the family
(1980), the laity (1987), priests (1990) and consecrated life
(1994).

* * *

Synods Since Vatican II

Established in 1965 by Paul VI

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The term "synod"
stems from two Greek words: "syn," which means "together,"
and "hodos," which means "way," in other words, to "come
together," to "walk together."

The institution of the synod of bishops was established by Paul
VI on Sept. 15, 1965, in keeping with the request of the Fathers of
the Second Vatican Council, to maintain the collegial spirit
fostered by the council.

In synod assemblies, the Holy Father and the bishops generally
discuss questions relating to the universal Church, although
they can also address issues of local Churches. Usually the
participants are representatives of the episcopate.

The synod exercises its function primarily as a consultative body
under the direct authority of the Pope. He convokes the synod;
chooses the topic; designates its members; in general,
presides over the assembly; and decides how to implement
suggestions made by the bishops.

There are three types of synod sessions: 1) ordinary general
assemblies, which attend to matters concerning the whole
Church; 2) extraordinary general assemblies, which address
issues that need rapid resolution; 3) special assemblies, which
focus on problems relating directly to specific Churches or
regions.

The Holy Father is the president of the synod. There is also a
secretary-general, assisted by an ordinary Council of the
General Secretariat, composed of bishops.

There have been 19 synods: nine ordinary, two extraordinary and
eight special. The following is a list of all the synods held to date,
and the documents stemming from them.

Ordinary synods

1. Revision of the Code of Canon Law (Sept. 29-Oct. 29, 1967).
Documents: Institution of the International Theological
Commission, and "Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis
Sacerdotalis."

2. Ministerial Priesthood; Justice in the World (Sept. 30-Nov. 6,
1971). Documents on Justice in the World and on the Ministerial
Priesthood.

3. Evangelization of the Contemporary World (Sept. 27-Oct. 26,
1974). Documents: Declaration of Synodal Fathers, and Paul
VI«s apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Nuntiandi."

4. Catechesis in Our Time, Especially of Children and Youth
(Sept. 30-Oct. 29, 1977). Document: John Paul II«s apostolic
exhortation "Catechesi Tradendae."

5. The Christian Family (Sept. 26-Oct. 25, 1980). Document:
John Paul II«s apostolic exhortation "Familiaris Consortio."

6. Reconciliation and Penance in the Pastoral Mission of the
Church (Sept. 29-Oct. 20, 1983). Document: John Paul II«s
apostolic exhortation "Reconciliatio et Paenitentia."

7. Vocation and Mission of the Laity in the Church and in the
World 20 Years after Vatican Council II (Oct. 1-30, 1987).
Document: John Paul II«s apostolic exhortation "Christifedeles
Laici."

8. Formation of Priests in Contemporary Society (Oct. 1-28,
1990). Document: John Paul II«s apostolic exhortation "Pastores
Dabo Vobis."

9. Consecrated Life and Its Function in the Church and in the
World (Oct. 2-29, 1995). Document: John Paul II«s apostolic
exhortation "Vita Consecrata."

Extraordinary synods

1. Cooperation of Episcopal Conferences with the Holy See and
Among Themselves (Sept. 11-Oct. 28, 1968). Documents:
Message to Priests and Final Declaration.

2. Commemoration, Evaluation and Promotion of Vatican
Council II on the 20th Anniversary of Its Conclusion (Nov. 25-Dec.
8, 1985). Documents: Message to Christians and Final Report of
the Synod.

Special synods

1. Special Synod of the Bishops of the Low Countries: The
Church«s Pastoral Care in Holland in the Present Situation (Jan.
14-31, 1980). Final document of the special synod.

2. Special Assembly for Europe: We Are Witnesses of Christ
Who Has Delivered Us (Nov. 28-Dec. 14, 1991).

3. Synod of Bishops Special Assembly for Africa: Africa and Its
Mission of Evangelization Toward the Year 2000: You Will Be My
Witnesses (April 10-May 8, 1994). Document: apostolic
exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa" (Sept. 14, 1995).

4. Synod of Bishops Special Assembly for Lebanon: Christ Is
Our Hope: Renewed by His Spirit, in Solidarity, We Witness to
His Love (Nov. 26-Dec. 14, 1995). Document: apostolic
exhortation "A New Hope for Lebanon (May 10, 1997).

5. Synod of Bishops Special Assembly for America: Encounter
with the Living Jesus Christ, the Way to Conversion, Communion
and Solidarity in America (Nov. 16 to Dec. 12, 1997). Document:
apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in America" (Jan. 22, 1999).

6. Synod of Bishops Special Assembly for Asia: Jesus Christ the
Savior and His Mission of Love and Service in Asia: "That They
May Have Life, and that They May Have It in Abundance" (April
19-May 14, 1998). Document: apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in
Asia" (Nov. 6, 1999).

7. Synod of Bishop Special Assembly for Oceania: Jesus Christ
and the Peoples of Oceania: To Walk His Way, Tell His Truth,
Live His Life (Nov. 22-Feb. 12, 1998).

8. Synod of Bishops 2nd Special Assembly for Europe: Jesus
Christ Living in His Church, Source of Hope for Europe (Oct.
1-23, 1999).

* * *

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Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE?ROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by
approval and courtesy of these two news agencies.  We
encourage our readers to send financial support to Zenit, a
private news organization in Rome.  Zenit (http://www.zenit.org),
and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own the original
copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.  All
copyright materials copied in any form must include the
appropriate copyright owner; in the case of Roman Catholic
News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com

Roman Catholic News

Volume One, Issue Fourteen C

Tuesday, 2 October, 2001

Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

"Feast of the Holy Angels"

* * *
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
By John N. Lupia

In the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey lived a woman
affectionately known as Mama Gili.  She was an Italian
immigrant who lived in the city of Orange, Essex County, New
Jersey.  Countless thousands travelled from all over the world to
visit her including the last king of Italy, hundreds of priests and
bishops.  Mama Gili was renown for her heroic virtues, holiness,
and simplicity.  Most of all she is best known for her devotion to
the Holy Shroud of Turin, its promotion, and the Shrine to the
Holy Face she built next to her home in Orange, NJ.

She lived at 424 Minton Place a two-story brick four family
dwelling that had been built by her late husband Joseph Gili, a
builder.  She had five children, two boys and three girls.  Their
names by their rank in age are Claudia, Helen, Florida, Caesar,
and Joseph.  They were raised mainly by Dolores who was left a
widow by the untimely death of her husband Joseph in 1931.
When he died the children ranged from seventeen to six years of
age.  Dolores worked two jobs to support her children, yet she
found time to give each one her personal care and attention as a
devoted and tender loving mother.  She was a very strong and
energetic woman who enjoyed being a mother and would spend
quality time with them doing things they liked doing, like playing
basketball.  Although she worked at various jobs she always
kept her home clean, dishes washed, beds made, and a meal
cooked.  As all mothers she worried about them and would hurry
home exhausted from work to check to see if they were all right.
This lifestyle went on for many years until she saw her children
grow into adults and marry.

	 All of her children lived good clean lives and made their new
homes.  As I have said they all married, all, that is, except her
son Caesar.  He remained a bachelor nearly his entire life,
marrying late shortly before his death.  He had lived with his
mother and helped maintain the house.  He was sickly suffering
from pericarditis and Lupus disease.  He married a friend he
and his mother knew for many years, Matilda Chiappanelli.  His
marriage was based on Christian charity and friendship, an
ideal marriage in accordance to the finest Christian philosphy.
This truth is particularly pellucid since he was physically
debilitated at the time and could offer a woman nothing outside
of companionship rooted in the love of God.  God took him out
from Dolores' care because she was very sick and bedridden,
as he was, and I'm sure she was concerned about him.  She
knew that she could no longer care for him beyond her prayers
and loving glances.

When I first met Mama Gili she was about to celebrate her
seventy-eighth birthday in three more days, it was May 4th of
1970.  I was just about to celebrate my eighteen birthday in two
weeks.  I had recently begun a deep and personal religious
experience, and my parish priest at St. John's Church, Fr. Dante
DiGirolamo, suggested that I go visit his mother.  He gave me
her address and on that day in May I stopped in out of curiosity.  I
had no idea it was the Feast of the Holy Shroud of Turin, I didn't
even know what that was.  Finding her house I approached it.

It was a well kept dark-red brick home with a medium height
hedge across the front.  I walked up the sidewalk at the end of
that hedge and up the front steps only to find a small handmade
sign in the front door glass panel that said "Please come around
the back".  I walked down the concrete paved alley toward the
yard.  As I entered the rear yard I could see statues placed in a
rose garden.  The garden was enclosed with a low hedge and
had shrubery and a nice green lawn.  There stood a large white
statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the right of its center or the
viewer's left.  Also to the right was a smaller white statue of St.
Francis of Assisi.  To the left of the Virgin was a medium sized
white statue of St. Joseph.

Attached to the rear of her house was a two-story gray painted
wooden porch.  I climbed the three steps to get to her door which
was on the right side of the first floor at the rear.  I knocked on the
kitchen door and was greeted by a short robust woman with
silvery white hair.  She was about five feet tall with clear beaming
blue eyes wearing a simple plain house dress.  She greeted me
with enthusiasm, warmth, and cordiality.  I told her that her son
Fr. Dante sent me to see her.  She smiled.  She welcomed me
into her home.  I entered her kitchen.  It was a medium sized
room with a white tiled wainscot with black trim.  The upper walls
had a cheerful pattern of baskets of various colored flowers.
Behind the entry door was a china cabinet.  The floor was
linoleum.  To the right of the room was a white stove with oven, to
the left was the light gray marble patterned Formica topped
metal-frame kitchen table with matching chairs.  At the end of the
room to the left was a doorway, on the right a counter top, sink
and cabinets.  There was a window to the right of this that
splashed light into the room.  There was another window on that
wall on the other side of the stove next to the wall that had the
back door.

	 She led me through the doorway of the kitchen and showed me
a room that had an upright life-sized rectangular picture frame
containing a photographic reproduction of the negative of the
Shroud of Turin.  At the foot of the picture was a white statue
about three feet long of the dead Christ laid out for burial.  That
picture and statue were catty-cornered to the right of the entry.  To
the left of this was the short span of wall of the entry with a small
wooden cabinet with a lock next to the door jamb.  In that room
was an amber timbered pine bench which was placed along the
wall as soon as you entered.  Above that bench hung a long
horizontal picture of Jesus carrying his cross followed by dozens
of people carrying crosses.  At the bottom of the picture a caption
read "If you wish to be my disciple you must pick up your cross
daily and follow me."  At the end of the room was a large double
bed with a beautiful bedcover.  Across from the bench was a
bureau with a glass reliquary cabinet containing a relic of a large
spike-like thorn supposed to be one of the actual thorns from the
mock-crown used in Jesus' crucifixion.  Above the glass
reliquary case hung a very large photographic reproduction of the
negative of the Holy Face of Jesus from the Shroud.  In front of
that glass case cabinet was a light oak prie-dieu with a dark
maroon padded knee cushion for those wishing to reverence the
relics or Holy Face.  I sat down on the bench marveling at the
photographic reproduction of the negative of the Shroud when
she suggested that I pray.

	 After a few minutes we got up and walked back into the room
parallel to it next door, the kitchen.  We sat at the kitchen table
and she talked to me about Jesus.  Mama said Jesus was God
in the flesh and he suffered and died for our salvation.  The
Shroud she said was his actual burial cloth and reveals to us the
suffering he underwent.  I smiled and shrugged, I was skeptical.
She saw my hesitation.  She said that some people believe and
some don't.  What is more important is what is in their heart,
namely, the love they have for Jesus and others.  The Shroud,
she said, makes love for Jesus easier to instill into our heart.  At
the end of that brief visit she enthusiastically invited me back to
visit her again.  She said that every Friday was a prayer meeting
at her house and I was invited.

	 Those who knew Dolores never called her by her first name.
She preferred to be called Mama.  I soon realized that Fr. Dante
was not her natural-born son but her spiritually adopted son.
Those who formed her close circle of intimate friends knew the
depth of the meaning of calling her Mama.  She was blessed by
God with a special grace to become just that, your spiritual
mother.  One of Mama's special charisms was to be like a
mother to many priests and bishops.

	 I was very fortunate to be one of those who was very close and
special to her.  She always called me (Gianni) Johnny.  Nobody
else ever called me Johnny.  If they did they could never say it the
way she did.  When Mama called you by name it touched your
heart so that you responded quickly, eagerly and
enthusiastically.  God gave her a warmth and charm that spoke
of nothing else but "motherhood".  Being with her calmed you
down when you felt uneasy.  She always knew what was on your
mind and in your heart.  She had a way of talking to you about
your cares without your even knowing.  She always ended
conversations with a warm smile saying that Jesus loves you
very much and is going to bless you.

For additional information about Mama Gili, or to  due to favors
granted by the intercession of Mama Gili contact the
priest in charge of gathering information for her investigation by
the Archdiocese of Newark as a Servant of God, call or write to:

Cause of Mama Gili
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

About ten days ago Debbie in SE Wisconsin wrote asking about
flags in Church.  This past week the US Bishops wrote about
that which is posted here below.

WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- American flags
displayed in Catholic churches should be outside the sanctuary,
a
U.S. bishops' committee suggests. But the ultimate decision on
placement of flags rests with the local bishop, or, if he chooses,
the pastors.

So says the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, which
published
this statement about the display of flags.

The Display of Flags
in Roman Catholic Churches
in the United States of America

Surprisingly to many, there are no regulations of any kind
governing
the display of flags in Roman Catholic Churches. Neither the
Code of
Canon law, nor the liturgical books of the Roman rite comment
on this
practice. As a result, the question of whether and how to display
the American flag in a Catholic Church is left up to the judgment
of
the diocesan bishop, who in turn often delegates this to the
discretion of the pastor.

The origin of the display of the American flag in many parishes in
the United States appears [to]have its origins in the offering of
prayers for those who served during the Second World
War(1941-1945).
At that time, many bishops and pastors provided a book of
remembrance
near the American flag, requesting prayers for loved ones
-- especially those serving their country in the armed forces -- as
a
way of keeping before the attention of the faithful the needs of
military families. This practice has since been confirmed in
many
places during the Korean, Viet Nam and Iraqi conflicts.

The Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy has in the past
encouraged
pastors not to place the flag within the sanctuary itself, in order
to reserve that space for the altar, the ambo, the presidential
chair
and the tabernacle. Instead, the suggestion has been made that
the
American flag be placed outside the sanctuary, or in the
vestibule of
the Church together with a book of prayer requests. It remains,
however, for the diocesan bishop to determine regulations in
this
matter.

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

QUESTIONS ABOUT THOMAS MERTON
I would be interested to know if Thomas Merton has been
considered
for sainthood?
 A number of his followers are from different religions and seem
to
veiw him as a rebel Catholic.  I would like to believe that he was
a
faithful Catholic and a contemplative that just "cast a wide net".  
This may not be the place to ask this question, but if Thomas
Merton
had strayed from Catholic teaching I need to know.

Pax, Greg



In Bangkok on 10 December, 1968, in an accidental
electrocution, Thomas Merton died.  It was the twenty-seventh
anniversary of his entrance into the Trappists' monastery
Gethsemani.  I have never heard of a Defender of God having
approached the Congregation for the Causes of Saints for his
cause of canonization.  The first stage is called the Servant of
God, where the candidate for sainthood is acknowledge for
having exemplary Christian virtues.

http://www.mertonfoundation.org

---The Catholic Reference Desk

* * *
CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

QUESTIONS ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER

Question: Is there a "transcript" of the excommunication event of
Martin Luther?

It is my understanding that he (Martin Luther) had many
opportunities
to recant his positions, and that the excommunication procedure
is a
very prayerful event.  It seems that if the truth was known it might
go a long way to dispel the idea of the "bully" Catholic Church
picking on someone that just had a different opinion.
Pax, Greg


Dear Greg:

There were two papal bulls of excommunication of Martin Luther.
The first,  "Exsurge Domine", was drawn up 15 July, 1520, and
burned by Luther on 10 December, 1520.  The second, "Decet
Romanum Pontificem", 3 January 1521, as far as I know still
exists, but I have never seen it, a facsimile, or transcription.

  The "95 Theses" nailed to the door of Wittenberg chapel of the
Emperor Maximilian 31October, 1517 was the initial record of
Martin Luther's academic disputes against the Roman Catholic
Church.  On 13 March, 1518 Luther wrote: "I am at a loss to know
whether the pope be antichrist or his apostle".  Knowing he
would be excommunicated for not recanting, on 16 May, 1518
Luther's  "Sermon on the Power of Excommunication" purports
that visible union with the Church is not broken by
excommunication.

In the summer of 1520 Martin Luther wrote three controversial
books: "An Appeal to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation"
(An den christlichen Adel deutscher Nation); "A Prelude
concerning the Babylonian Captivity of the Church" (De captivitate
Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium); "Of the Liberty of a Christian
Man" ( Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen), that attacked
the papacy, the councils, tradition, the sacraments, and the
denial of the authenticity and canonical nature of the Epistle to
the Hebrews.  The Bull of excommunication, "Exsurge Domine",
was accordingly drawn up 15 July, 1520.  It condemned forty-one
propositions of his writings, ordered the destruction of the books
containing the errors, and summoned Luther himself to recant
within sixty days or receive the full penalty of ecclesiastical
punishment.  At this time Luther wrote: "As for me, the die is cast:
I despise alike the favour and fury of Rome; I do not wish to be
reconciled with her, or ever to hold any communion with her.  Let
her condemn and burn my books; I, in turn, unless I can find no
fire, will condemn and publicly burn the whole pontifical law, that
swamp of heresies".  Late July, 1520, Leo X (Giovanni
de'Medici), sent Luther the Bull of excommunication ordering him
to appear at Rome within 60 days to recant.  Luther ignored this
and on 10 December, 1520, outside the gates of Wittenberg, he
burnt the Papal Bull, the Decretals of Clement VI., the Summa
Angelica, the Chrysposus of Dr. Eck, and other Catholic writings.

Leo X published the final Bull of excommunication, Decet
Romanum Pontificem, 3 January 1521.  During the Diet of
Worms held 16 April, 1521, following this Bull, Luther defended
his writings before the Emperor Charles and his court.  He was
asked two questions.  Did he admit to writing: "An Appeal to the
Christian Nobility of the German Nation"; "A Prelude concerning
the Babylonian Captivity of the Church"; "Of the Liberty of a
Christian Man"?  Would he recant?  In reply Luther said: "I cannot
submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it
is clear as day they have frequently erred and contradicted each
other.  Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of
Scripture . . . I can and will not retract . . . Here I stand . . . I can d=
o
no other. So help me God, Amen!!"  At Worms, the Spanish
soldiers of Emperor Charles were especially interested in
finding and destroying all copies of Luther's book: A Prelude
concerning the Babylonian Captivity of the Church.  So, Martin
Luther was given every chance to retract his heresy from
November 1517 until his final excommunication 3 January 1521.
He had 4 years and 2 months or 50 months to straighten out his
relationship with Rome.  The Edict of Worms was a
condemnation of Luther, now an outlaw to be killed on sight.  It
was signed by the emperor and issued.  It formally condemns
Luther's teachings and placed him under the ban of the Empire.
Luther was now condemned by both the pope and the Church
but also by the emperor.  At the Diet of Wolmar in 1522, protests
were made against the Edict of Worms and the papal Bull of
excommincation of Luther, sounding the toll of the birth of
Protestanism.

See H. G. Ganss, "Martin Luther" in The Catholic Encyclopedia,
Volume IX (1910) at the URL:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09438b.htm

---The Catholic Reference Desk

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by
approval and courtesy of these two news agencies.  We
encourage our readers to send financial support to Zenit, a
private news organization in Rome.  Zenit (http://www.zenit.org),
and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own the original
copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.  All
copyright materials copied in any form must include the
appropriate copyright owner; in the case of Roman Catholic
News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com

Roman Catholic News

Volume One, Issue Fourteen B

Tuesday, 2 October, 2001

Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

"Feast of the Holy Angels"


* * *

In Times of Terrorism, Bishop Is Crucial Witness of Hope

Interview with Cardinal Re, a Synod President

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 1, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- Cardinal
Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for
Bishops, has a key role in the 10th Synod of Bishops. John Paul
II appointed him a president-delegate, together with Cardinal
Bernard Agre, archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Cardinal
Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay, India.

In the following interview, Cardinal Re explains the importance
and timeliness of this episcopal assembly.

--Q: Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the synod´s choice of hope
as the topic might have to be seen in another light. How should
this key virtue be interpreted today?

--Cardinal Re: The theologically rooted virtue of hope helps to
overcome difficulties and to find the necessary courage in the
most tragic moments. Today there is a special, very intense
thirst for hope among those who reflect on what happened.

Among other things, the synod will lead to questioning the paths
humanity is following and the objectives to which it is directed.
We must help to construct history with the force of the Gospel.
The challenge to hope today is great, because people need
reasons for living and for looking ahead with confidence.

Mere scientific or technological progress does not give reason
for hope. The synod´s working document ("Instrumentum
Laboris"), the track that will direct our thinking, states that the
bishop must be a witness of hope. And the source of a bishop´s
hope is God himself who, in Christ, has come close to the world.
God works in the heart of men and women, guiding their way. It
is up to the bishop, when necessary, to kindle hope and keep it
alive.

--Q: At present, the bishop is also and frequently a point of social
reference.

--Cardinal Re: Even if he is not eventually heeded, his figure is a
sign and a call to perennial values and eternal truths. There is a
restlessness in man that stems from his need for God, and the
bishop is a sign of this reality that the eyes cannot see and the
hands cannot touch.

Therefore, the bishops, in communion with the Pope, are called
to be the first witnesses of the Gospel in the world. It is their
responsibility to proclaim the reasons for hope and to announce
to our contemporaries, often attracted by illusory myths or
threatened by the pessimism of evanescent dreams, that Christ
is our hope and that, in Christ, the expectations of the human
heart are fulfilled.

--Q: What role does the bishop have for nonbelievers?

--Cardinal Re: Whether or not he is aware of it, man is always in
search of God´s face. However, there are still those who have
not known or heard the Lord; therefore, they have not felt the joy
of those who entrust their own lives to him.

The bishop´s house is also open to these people and, making
an effort to follow the Good Shepherd, he wishes to propose the
"good news" to each man and each woman, pilgrims toward
truth, toward the full meaning of life and, therefore, toward the
Savior. Thus, the bishop can become a point of reference for
every person who wants to live in hope.

--Q: Will collegiality also be among the topics of the synod?

--Cardinal Re: Of course, the synod itself is a collegial
instrument of work and favors the growth of cordiality among all
bishops. It is the task of the synod to help the Pope with advice,
suggestions and proposals in the service of the universal
Church.

Over these years, John Paul II has tried to foster the growth of an
authentic collegial spirit. Among bishops there is a conviction
about the importance of collegiality, one of the strong points of
Vatican II, but at the same time, they are very much aware of the
meaning and need of the Petrine ministry.

As some cardinals and bishops have stated in recent months,
today more than ever before the Church needs a strong
collegiality but also a strong exercise of the Pope´s ministry.

What is more, I would say that in the era of globalization, there is
more awareness, than in the past, of the usefulness of the
"primacy" conferred by Christ on Peter and his successors. Just
as in order to walk, one foot is not enough but two are
necessary, the Church also needs the Pope´s ministry as well
as the exercise of collegiality.

--Q: There are those who feel that bishops should only be
concerned with Church matters.

--Cardinal Re: It is also the pastor´s task to be concerned with
this world, namely, to be in touch with its problems, which today
are terribly complex and serious. The Church wishes to be in the
midst of the world to take Christ to all and to illuminate the
questions of our time with the wisdom of the Gospel.

--Q: What should be the bishop´s primary concern?

--Cardinal Re: To be faithful to his Lord, who one day will ask
him to render an account of how he has been a teacher of faith, a
guide and pastor of his faithful; how he has sanctified the people
of God. It is his responsibility, which he cannot abdicate.

--Q: Will the synod have consequences for ordinary Christians?

--Cardinal Re: Reflection on the figure of the bishop will not be
limited to his life and ministry but will necessarily lead to
analyzing the relation with the faithful. One of the central topics
that this synod will study is, precisely, the bishop´s spiritual
identity and his mission as pastor of the Christian community.

On some occasions, bishops have had to give witness to the
Gospel with the sacrifice of their life, but also in the most
common circumstances, the pastor is called to dedicate his life
to the faithful, giving every day all his mind, heart and energies.

--Q: What should the profile of today´s bishop be like?

--Cardinal Re: The Council has underlined three fundamental
tasks of his mission: to be a teacher of the faith, that is, to
proclaim the truths that lead to salvation and illuminate the
problems of our time with the wisdom of the Gospel; to sanctify
souls with the celebration of the sacraments; [and,] as a
shepherd, to lead the flock.

These have always been the tasks; what must change is the way
they are carried out, but that is not enough.

In the last decades, the lifestyle of bishops has become simpler,
closer to the people, more attentive to the needs of the faithful.
Above all, today the pastor is a solicitous father for his priests
and faithful: He comforts, encourages, corrects and bends over
the none-too-few wounds of humanity.

Therefore, the bishop´s mission has become more of a
commitment due to the new social phenomena. Today, the
bishop must be aware of the present challenges and have the
courage to address them with all his resources.

* * *

Words of Solidarity After Attack on New York

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 1, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of
the words by the president-delegate on duty today at the Synod of
Bishops regarding the Sept. 11 attack on New York.

In giving the floor to Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, I
would like to reassure him, in the names of all present, that we
are close to those in these days of terrible tragedy.

We still have before us the pictures of the Twin towers that fell
after the gigantic terrorist attack and we know that the Archbishop
of New York ran immediately to the two Towers to give comfort
and to participate, also risking to be hit when they fell.

To him and his Archdiocese we assure all of our closeness and
solidarity.
[Original text: Italian]

* * *

The Questionnaire That Helped Set the Stage for Synod

Answers Included in Working Document

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2001 (Zenit.org).- In preparation for the
Synod of Bishops that opened today, the questionnaire below
was included in the "lineamenta," or outline, sent to all episcopal
conferences, dioceses and religious congregations worldwide
in 1998.

The answers were included in the working document that
constitutes the basis for the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of
the synod, which runs through Oct. 27. The topic for reflection is
"The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope
of the World."

QUESTIONS

Chapter I

1. What importance does the bishop give to his duty of
proclaiming the Gospel? Is such a duty seen as a priority? Do
other duties distract from it? Which factors create difficulty in the
bishops´ mission of evangelization? Which assist it?

2. What prevailing idea do the people have of the mission of the
bishop? Does the people´s idea of the bishop´s mission
coincide with that which the bishop has?

3. How do the people react to the teaching of the bishop
concerning questions of faith and morals? Is there a distinction
made between the teaching of the bishop and that of the Pope?

4. Describe the relationship between the bishops and
theologians: one of mutual respect? of collaboration in
proclaiming the Gospel? of mistrust? of disagreement? In what
areas?

5. What challenges do the socio-cultural elements in society
pose to the ministry of the Bishop, in particular concerning the
proclamation of the Gospel? How does the Bishop respond to
these challenges? What circumstances favour this
proclamation? What circumstances create obstacles?

Chapter II

6. How is the Bishop´s relationship with the presbyterate and
with individual priests, especially in relation to the proclamation
of the faith? What should be the bishop´s primary concerns in
this matter?

7. How is the Bishop´s relationship with institutes of
consecrated life, particularly with regard to proclaiming the faith:
catechetics, the teachings of the Magisterium, etc.?

8. Does the Bishop support the laity in their proclamation of the
Gospel in the secular order? How does the bishop understand
the contribution to evangelization provided by the laity, by
associations of the faithful, by ecclesial movements?

9. How does the Bishop express his communion with the
Roman Pontiff? Does the Bishop feel supported by the Holy
See? In what ways does the Bishop collaborate in the ministry of
the Successor of St. Peter through upholding the true faith,
Church discipline and the new evangelization?

10. How is the Bishop´s relationship with other bishops: in the
Universal Church? in the Episcopal Conference? with
neighboring bishops? Does the Bishop feel supported by his
brothers in the episcopate?

Chapters III and IV

11. With what attention, what spirit of faith and love does the
Bishop proclaim the Word of God in the context of present-day
socio-cultural situations?

12. In what ways does the Bishop take advantage and adopt the
means of social communication, so that they might truly be a
vehicle in service to spreading the Word of God?

13.How does the Bishop consider his sacramental office as a
proclamation of the Gospel of Hope? What are the priorities?

14. How does the Bishop consider his office of governing as a
proclamation of the Gospel of hope? What are the concrete
difficulties in this area?

15. Does the Bishop feel himself responsible for the mission ad
gentes to all the world? In what way? Does he involve his
diocese in this?

16. In what concrete ways does the bishop commit himself to
ecumenical dialogue, inter-religious dialogue and dialogue with
civil society, in keeping with the proclamation of the Gospel?

17. Does the bishop feel that human promotion and the
promotion of a person´s dignity and rights is a proclamation of
Gospel hope? How?

18. Does the bishop have the proclamation of the Person of
Christ at the center of all his ministry?

Chapter IV

19. What is the unifying point in the spirituality of the Bishop,
serving in a concrete way as the basis for his relationship with
God and the realities around him?

20. What concrete initiatives favour the Bishop´s spiritual union,
first with his priests and deacons, and then with women and
men in consecrated life and the laity, especially those in Church
associations and ecclesial foundations?

21. What possible suggestions can be given to help the Bishop
grow in his spiritual life? At the beginning of his ministry? Over
the years?

22. What Bishop-Saints can be taken as models by the Bishop
to nourish his own spirituality?

General

23. What other important points related to the designated topic
might merit attention and reflection at the Synod?

* * *

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

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EWTN
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IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

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Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
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* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
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Roman Catholic News

Volume 1, Issue 15 A

Saturday, 6 October, 2001


SIXTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2001 (VIS) - At 9 a.m. this morning, Feast
of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of Italy, the Sixth General
Congregation of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops began in the presence of John Paul II. The
president delegate on duty was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
There were 238 synod fathers present at the meeting.

  Before the discourses were presented, Cardinal Jan P. Schotte,
C.I.C.M., secretary general of the synod, noted that this October
11th marks one month since the terrorist attacks in the United
States. Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, archbishop of New York
and relator general of the synod, will travel to New York to
preside over a Eucharistic celebration at the city's Cathedral.

  Since the "Relatio post disceptationem" is scheduled for
October 12, the Holy Father, after consultation with the
presidency of the Assembly, has nominated Cardinal Jorge
Mario Bergoglio, S.J., archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as
adjunct relator general.

  Following are excerpts from several of this morning's
speeches:

CARDINAL EDUARDO MARTINEZ SOMALO, PREFECT OF THE
CONGREGATION FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE
AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE. "The Church needs
consecrated life to be truly itself. ... One may well affirm that
religious are members of a 'diocesan family'. ... It is also
interesting to recall the significance of 'a true autonomy of life,
especially of governance, recognized for each institute. This
autonomy means that each institute has its own discipline in the
Church and can preserve whole and entire the patrimony
described in can. 578'. However, autonomy may not be invoked
'to justify choices which actually conflict with the demands of
organic communion called for by a healthy ecclesial life. Instead,
the pastoral initiatives of consecrated persons should be
determined and carried out in cordial and open dialogue
between bishops and superiors of the different Institutes.
Special attention by bishops to the vocation and mission of
Institutes, and respect by the latter for the ministry of bishops,
with ready acceptance of their concrete pastoral directives for the
life of the diocese, are two intimately linked expressions of that
one ecclesial charity by which all work to build up the organic
communion - charismatic and at the same time hierarchically
structured - of the entire people of God'."

ARCHBISHOP COSMO FRANCESCO RUPPI OF LECCE, ITALY.
"The bishop has the task of proclaiming the Gospel of hope to
the poor, the ailing, refugees, prisoners, to all the oppressed
and persecuted of the world. The bishop must be the prophet of
justice, the apostle of charity, pointing out with courage the social
sins tied to consumerism, hedonism, and market economy,
which produce an unacceptable gap between luxury and misery,
refuting the idea that profit should be the springboard of
development. For this reason, the indications the Holy Father
gave us in 'Sollecitudo Rei Socialis' and 'Centesimus Annus'
must continuously be rediscovered and realized. As to the great
themes of social justice, solidarity and socio-economic
re-equilibrium, the Church is not and cannot remain neutral, just
as it is not neutral on themes of peace, liberty, and dialogue. The
men of today, believers and non-believers, leaders and
followers, must know that the Church is prudent and patient, but
not silent when the rights of life, of health, of survival, the
fundamental rights recognized for each and every man are in
play."

BISHOP LOUIS PELATRE, A.A., APOSTOLIC VICAR IN
ISTANBUL, TURKEY. "I would like to call your attention on the fact
that the episcopacy does not belong exclusively to the Roman
Catholic Church. The decree on ecumenism of Vatican Council II
is very clear on this subject. Speaking about the Eastern
Christians, it says: 'by apostolic succession... they are still joined
to us'. Because of this, they 'have the power to govern
themselves according to their own disciplines'. If the Eastern
discipline is legitimate with regard to the exercise of the
episcopal ministry, notably the organization of collegiality, why
not take into consideration this tradition recommended by such
antiquity, resting often upon the first ecumenical Councils? To
me, this is a source of admiring wonder, seeing that with poor
means, through the vicissitudes of history from the apostolic
times, to what extent the Eastern Churches have maintained
intact up through today the repository of faith and the divine
structure of the Church. Most of the time and during long periods,
it was neither brilliant theologians, nor a humanly powerful and
organized structure that ensured this unfailing continuity.
Transmission was accomplished by humble shepherds and by
an ecclesiastic hierarchy faithful to the teaching of the Apostles
and of the Fathers of the Church. This should urge us to sweep
away all fear and not place too much trust in the wisdom of the
world."

FR. DAVID A FLEMING, S.M., SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE
SOCIETY OF MARY, UNION OF SUPERIORS GENERAL. "Since
Vatican II, most religious institutes have tried to implement a
participatory style of leadership that emphasizes closeness and
fraternal communion among all members and accentuates
listening, dialogue, subsidiarity, and accountability. This is a way
of exercising genuine authority, but in a collegial mode. Before
decisions of some importance are made, normally all whose
lives will be affected by the decision are consulted. Councils,
national and continental associations of members, and
chapters, heighten our sense of communion. Perhaps our
experience with such meetings could be helpful in rethinking the
style of episcopal conferences and synods in the life of the
Church. We find this style of leadership helpful in inculturation,
leading to a decentralization in collaboration. It allows us to
honor and prize varying local expressions, while maintaining the
unity of the entire institute."

ARCHBISHOP ANGELO MASSAFRA, O.F.M., OF SHKODRE,
ALBANIA, PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE. "In
Albania the Church is a missionary Church, living in a
multi-religious society that includes the four traditional faiths:
Christian (Orthodox and Catholic), Islamic (the majority of the
Albanians), Bektashi, and other faiths arriving in recent years.
The bishop may be solely a missionary bishop: being among
people and proclaiming the Word of God, a firm point of
reference not only on the ecclesial but also on the civil level. ...
The fall of the communist regime in 1991 was not only the
collapse of a political, economic and social system, but also the
collapse of values and a concept of life. The 'old' failed; the 'new'
does not yet have exact outlines and sometimes has the sad
face of intimidation, corruption, fast profit at any cost. ... In this
social context the bishop has the duty to form consciences and
communities, to heal existing divisions, to foster reciprocal trust
and the sense of collaboration and the common good, starting
with children and youth. Furthermore, the building of churches
and chapels, which are a sign of the return of the Lord among
the people after half a century of the communist regime which
destroyed them, is a highly social and socializing sign. ... The
Church in Albania serenely faces and undertakes ecumenical
and interreligious dialogue. Relationships with Muslims and
Orthodox are based on respect, acceptance and collaboration in
fundamental ideals, as we have done in these very difficult years
due to the internal situation and the war in Kosovo. In Albania the
religions play an irreplaceable role in social peace, and could be
said to act as 'social buffers'."

BISHOP DONALD JAMES REECE OF SAINT
JOHN'S-BASSETERRE, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA. "Not only
should a sabbatical offer bishops refresher courses in the area
of doctrine, but it should also expose them to those scientific and
technological developments that either impinge on the nature
and dignity of the human person, or affect the progress of
peoples in their struggle for justice and peace in the world. Thus,
bishops will be better able to evangelize more effectively with
'new methodology, new expressions and new fervor'. Connected
with this proposal of continual updating is the need to revisit the
notion of ministries in the Church, a development advanced by
the Second Vatican Council. Expressions of this development
are diocesan synods, diocesan and parish finance councils, and
diocesan and parish pastoral councils. Might a further devolution
of ministries give bishops more opportunity to concentrate on
those things that are essentially associated with their three-fold
task? One can cite the development of the diaconate as
presented to us in the Acts of the Apostles. Philip, ordained to
serve at tables, is seen evangelizing most effectively in Samaria
and in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch. These modern times
with their challenges call for 'new methodology, new
expressions, and new fervor' if Christ is to be presented in a
convincing manner to a world yearning for genuine hope."

BISHOP ANTHONY LEOPOLD RAYMOND PEIRIS OF
KURUNEGALA, SRI LANKA. "From the beginning of his
pontificate, Pope John Paul II has been exhorting the bishops to
launch programs of deep renewal at the level of the local
churches, in the light of the Second Vatican Council. The
objective of this renewal was in order that the Church be able to
'take up her evangelizing ministry with fresh enthusiasm'. ... This
calls for a participatory church, in which the gifts of the Holy Spirit
given to all the faithful are recognized and activated, and the
members become men and women with a strong experience of
God. This involves on our part, as bishops, an atmosphere of
trust in the faith and initiative of the laity. The bishop must
demonstrate in his own life the new spirit of communion, a
leadership which is shepherding, not dominating. The small
Christian communities are the training ground for participation in
both the life and mission of the Church. We must be liberally
open to the voice of the laity."

ARCHBISHOP ELIAS YANES ALVAREZ OF ZARAGOZA, SPAIN.
"One of the primary tasks of the bishops is to promote the
holiness of the laity and their apostolic activity. 'The apostolate of
the laity is a sharing in the Church's saving mission. ... Every
opportunity should therefore be given them to share zealously in
the salvific mission of the Church'. Besides the individual
apostolate in the service of all, which is irreplaceable,
community is of particular importance, not only for
anthropological and social reasons but for ecclesiological
reasons. ... Among the various forms of lay community
apostolate, associations and the Catholic Action movement,
especially recommended by the Council of Bishops, have had a
special place in the appreciation of the Church. This form of
social apostolate with the four notes made by the Council is still
necessary, even if under different names."

  At the conclusion of this morning's General Congregation, John
Paul II addressed the following words to the synod fathers:

  "This morning I received in audience George Bush, former
President of the United States of America, father of the current
President. I wished to assure him that our Assembly profoundly
feels this tragedy, which has shaken all of humanity. October
11th will be for all of us a day of prayer. We also will pray from
here for the victims and for peace in the world."

* * *

New "Roman Martyrology" Published
First Updating Since 1956
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The first new "Roman
Martyrology" in four decades was presented today, listing more
than 6,500 names of officially recognized saints and blessed.

The new martyrology was presented at the Vatican Press Office
by Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez, prefect of the Vatican
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments.

"It is not a history book to learn all the details of the life of a
saint," the Chilean cardinal explained. "It is a text that celebrates
holiness, that extraordinary gift which is the fruit of the Christian
vocation."

The last edition of the "Roman Martyrology" dates back to 1956.
The new edition follows the reform brought by the Second
Vatican Council, and takes into account the saints and blesseds
proclaimed by Paul VI and John Paul II.

John Paul II has beatified 1,265 individuals, including 1,016
martyrs, and canonized 452 people, including 401 martyrs. Next
Sunday he plans to beatify seven more people.

The first "Roman Martyrology" was published in the 16th century,
thanks to the strong sense of universality of Catholics at that
time, said Cardinal Medina Estévez. Pope Gregory XIII approved
the martyrology in 1586.

The new list includes 6,538 names, although the saints
corresponding to the names are far more numerous. Many
saints' names are unknown.

The work gives a list of saints and blesseds for each day of the
year. The name is accompanied by brief information on the place
of death, ecclesial status, activity and charism.

Excluded from the martyrology are names not recognized
officially by the Church. Very often, their hagiographies are
confused with legends. Cardinal Medina said he would soon
publish a comprehensive list of them.

The new martyrology also includes figures of the Old Testament
venerated as saints by the Church, such as the prophets Isaiah
and Jeremiah, and Joshua, Gideon and King David.

The voluminous work in Latin will be translated into other
languages.

* * *

How Should Pope, Bishops and Episcopal Conference Relate?
Synod Addresses Topic of Collegiality
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- What is the role of
episcopal conferences? Can the synod have a life of its own,
independent of the Pope? And what is the relation between the
local Churches and the Roman Curia?

These are among the questions addressed during the first two
days of the sessions of the Synod of Bishops.

On Monday afternoon and then this morning, three bishops gave
answers to these questions to an audience of 247 Synod
Fathers.

The importance of the synod

Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Moscow said, "Time
reveals that the train of the world community might go by without
the participation of the Church, if the joint action of the bishops
and works of the synod are not intensified."

The apostolic administrator of Northern European Russia of the
Latins requested the renewal of the synodal methodology.

"It is necessary to limit the personal interventions of the
participants in the auditorium debate, [and to] extend the time of
study of the working groups," Archbishop Kondrusiewicz said.

Likewise, he suggested that the bishops "learn from the
experience of the synods of the Eastern Churches, which make
concrete decisions, with greater cooperation and confidence
between the local Churches and the Roman Curia, as well as
increasing the competence of the episcopal conferences, in
agreement with the Vatican dicasteries and Peter's ministry."

More collegiality

The topic of collegiality was addressed today by Archbishop Ruiz
Navas of Portoviejo, president of the Ecuadorean bishops'
conference.

He stressed that "episcopal collegiality is the most authentic
form to administer the episcopal ministry, with the condition that
it is always with Peter's Successor."

"Significant steps have been taken in this connection with the
internationalization of the College of Cardinals, the Roman
Curia, the creation of the episcopal conferences, and of the Latin
American bishops' council (CELAM) itself," Archbishop Ruiz
Navas added. "However, there are also difficulties."

He explained that, although the power of episcopal conferences
is reduced in the doctrinal field, they should be given greater
weight, in response to the initiative launched by the Pope in
"Novo Millennio Ineunte," the programmatic letter which called for
more room for collegiality.

We must "always be next to Peter's ministry and in relation with
Peter," the Ecuadorean archbishop said. "However, much
remains to be done. Efforts are being made to change the
interpretation made of the episcopal conferences and their
power, without by so doing denying or minimizing communion."

For example, in connection with the synod, Archbishop Ruiz
Navas requested that the appointment of officers of the
episcopal conferences should not require further ratification by
the Holy Father.

The archbishop also requested that the assembly publish a final
document with the conclusions, and not just a simple message,
as is generally the case. The postsynodal exhortation, in fact, is
written by the Pope.

Recovering episcopal authority

Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, holds the
opposite point of view.

Addressing the assembly, he said: "The crisis of faith in the
Church is an expression of a wider crisis in culture, and also the
consequence of a sort of self-secularization, which is the
responsibility of members and bodies of the Church including,
for example, those who exercise the episcopal ministry.

"Not a few bishops, in fact, fail to realize the seriousness of the
situation. Others see the tendencies of separation in the faith as
fruitful tensions that could lead in the future to a new synthesis,
and they see their ministry as that of a moderator among various
opposing positions."

The German cardinal continued: "This understanding of the
episcopal ministry is so widespread that the episcopate suffers
from a loss of authority, which comes from the outside and
which, involuntarily, favors renunciation of authority from within.

"Consequently, the pastoral ministry of the bishop is minimized,
reduced to human concern for the faithful, polite understanding
and recognition of charisma present among the faithful. This
leads to misunderstanding of the essence of the ministry, which
implies clear and unequivocal duties to govern, including the
element of jurisdiction."

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Cardinal Meisner
stressed the need for "strong and authoritative witness from
bishops."

"The bishop," he insisted, "is not a pious private believer, he is a
public witness. He must face the problems of the day from the
Church's point of view, not only to save himself, but also to
defend the faith, correct errors, and deepen knowledge of the
truth. He cannot ignore the effective situation of the faith in
society, he must render witness to the faith, also taking into
consideration the risks and dangers."

Stressing the importance of the issues, and the original role of
the bishop in his diocese, who neither historically nor
canonically is subject to the episcopal conferences but only to
communion with the Pope, Cardinal Meisner said that the
"'potesta' of the bishop, who must be a 'witness to the faith,' lies
not in preaching."

"He must make doctrinal judgments, which come first of all from
the 'potesta' to govern and call for regulation, rectification and
judgment concerning the doctrine of the faith," the cardinal said.
"'Potesta testandi' reaches its fullness in 'potestas iudicandi.'

"This means that bishops are called not only to witness to the
faith, to nourish it and care for it; they must also judge it,
discipline it, and impose it in its correct form. This they must do
not autonomously or independently, but in unity with the
universal jurisdiction of the Supreme Pontiff."

Lastly, Cardinal Meisner said that in "this light, in the discussion
on the faith, the bishop must be able to judge, in the ambit of his
diocese and in keeping with the universal teaching of the faith,
what is true and what is not. On the basis of this ability of
judgment operated by the Spirit, the bishop may offer his Church
a service of judicial enlightenment regarding the faith. Hence the
statement: 'Where there is the bishop, there too is the Church.'"

Cardinal Meisner's address this morning was the only one that
elicited applause from much of the assembly.

* * *

Cardinal Meisner Tells Why He Thinks Bishops Lack Credibility
Warning About Reducing the Office to That of a Mere Moderator
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- German Cardinal
Joachim Meisner blamed the episcopal ministry's lack of
credibility on the fact that the bishops have withdrawn from the
world, often reducing their role to that of "moderator" among
differing opinions.

That view, outlined in a speech Monday at the Synod of Bishops,
received warm applause from the general assembly. Below is a
summary of the archbishop of Cologne's address.

The crisis of faith in the Church is an expression of a wider crisis
in culture, and also the consequence of a sort of
self-secularization which is the responsibility of members and
bodies of the church, including for example those who exercise
the Episcopal ministry. No few bishops in fact fail to realise the
seriousness of the situation, others see the tendencies of
separation in the faith as fruitful tensions which could in the
future lead to a new synthesis and they see their ministry as that
of a "moderator" among various opposing positions.

This understanding of the Episcopal ministry is so widespread
that the Episcopate suffers from a loss of authority which comes
from the outside and which -- involuntarily -- favours renunciation
of authority from within. Consequently the pastoral ministry of the
bishop is minimized, reduced to human concern for the faithful,
polite understanding and recognition of charisma present
among the lay faithful. This leads to a misunderstanding of the
essence of the ministry which implies clear and unequivocal
duties to govern, including the element of jurisdiction.

From this analysis stems the urgency for strong and authoritative
witness from bishops. The bishop is not a pious private believer,
he is a public witness. He must face the problems of the day
from the church's point of view, not only to save himself but also
to defend the faith, correct errors and deepen knowledge of the
truth. He cannot ignore the effective situation of the faith in
society, he must render witness to the faith taking into
consideration also the risks and dangers.

The potesta of the bishop who must be a "witness to the faith",
lies not only in preaching. He must make doctrinal judgements
which come first of all from the potesta to govern and call for
regulation, rectification and judgment concerning the doctrine of
the faith. Potesta testandi reaches its fullness in potestas
iudicandi. This means that bishops are called not only to
witness to the faith, to nourish it and care for it, they must also
judge it, discipline it and impose it in its correct form. This they
must do not autonomously or independently but in unity with the
universal jurisdiction of the Supreme Pontiff.

In this light, in the discussion on the faith, the bishop must be
able to judge, in the ambit of his diocese and in keeping with the
universal teaching of the faith, what is true and what is not. On
the basis of this ability of judgement operated by the Spirit, the
bishop may offer his Church a service of judicial enlightenment
regarding the faith. Hence the statement: "Where there is the
Bishop, there too is the Church".

* * *

Martyrdom on Home Turf a Possibility Today, Cardinal Warns
Urges Bishops to Be Ministers of Reconciliation and
Forgiveness
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Bishops in the 21st
century might be called to martyrdom, not only in places where
there is religious persecution, but in countries that are primarily
Catholic, such as Colombia, the archbishop of Bogota says.

Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Saenz, who is also primate of
Colombia, delivered that message Monday when he addressed
the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops under way in
Rome.

"The scourge of guerrilla warfare and drug trafficking has put the
Church in Colombia in a permanent situation of conflict, so that
for many the ministry has become so difficult that it seems to be
impracticable," he said as he began his address.

"Evangelization thus implies a vocation to martyrdom and, in fact,
we have a long list of martyrs: a bishop murdered by a guerrilla
group, another kidnapped twice; others have been threatened;
and priests, religious and pastoral agents have died in terrorist
attacks or in crimes that [remain] unpunished," the cardinal
continued.

He pointed to a May 30, 1999, attack by a group of guerrillas
against a parish church, The Sweet Name of Mary, in the
residential neighborhood of Pance, and kidnapped more than
140 Mass-goers.

The guerrillas hold two priests captive, the cardinal revealed.

In such a situation of conflict, "the bishop appears as a sign of
hope and reconciliation, and a witness of the Gospel in
accompanying the people entrusted to him," Cardinal Rubiano
Saenz explained.

The Bogota archbishop went further and asked bishops to be a
"brave and credible sign and witness who animates all those
whose hope is weakened by violence and kidnapping,
overcoming the traditional model of the episcopate to be
converted into a companion along the path."

He continued: "Massacres and destruction among defenseless
populations have multiplied, generating a massive exodus; in
these cases, the bishop must be near those affected and, as a
sign of hope, must make the voice of his community heard
before those responsible for these crimes.

"The bishop, as witness of hope, must proclaim the truth with
courage and clarity, defend life, promote human rights. He must
not use the weapons of the mercenary, but those of the Good
Shepherd; thus, in an area of conflict, he is the minister par
excellence of reconciliation and forgiveness, who perseveres in
Christian love, who loves his enemies, and forgives those who
persecute us."

In conclusion, the Colombian cardinal said: "We must be
witnesses to the merciful love of the Father who, in Christ, gives
us the absolute assurance of triumphing over evil; we must be
docile to the Holy Spirit, who transforms us into instruments of
peace and reconciliation."

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four
ways to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel
on the far left, and click on the word Messages just below the
word Home; (2) click on the articles posted by date; (3) click on
the blue arabic numerals in the box for the month in the yearly
calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4) type in a keyword
in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long rectanuglar
button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are
currently ranked 33rd of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and
growing steadily on a daily basis.  Your membership as a
subscriber is important to us and helps us grow in numbers and
improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available
that keeps you informed on all the activities of Pope John Paul II,
the Holy See, the Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world
news, biblical studies, and its Catholic Reference Desk answers
questions you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your
email "Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com, or to
jlupia2@....  Articles written by professional and
scholarly authors can also be sent to the email addresses
above for consideration in a future issue.  Authors should keep
in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit organization
and considers publishing articles without paying any monetary
compensation to authors.  All materials submitted and
published are copyright protected in accordance to the latest
ruling from the Office of Copyright, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is important to us.
Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by
approval and courtesy of these two news agencies.  We
encourage our readers to send financial support to Zenit, a
private news organization in Rome.  Zenit (http://www.zenit.org),
and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own the original
copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.  All
copyright materials copied in any form must include the
appropriate copyright owner; in the case of Roman Catholic
News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com

Roman Catholic News

Volume 1, Issue 15 B

Saturday, 6 October, 2001



Muslim-Christian Summit to Open in Rome

ROME, OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Community of Sant'Egidio
has called a Muslim-Christian summit in Rome, in the wake of
the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

According to a statement issued by this Rome-based
social-service community, the initiative responds to the urgent
need "to find ways of dialogue and cooperation among men of
religion, in order to dissipate any temptation to confrontation and
violence, which runs the risk of creating profound divisions and
endangering world stability."

The summit runs Wednesday and Thursday. Numerous figures
of the Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran and Methodist churches will
attend the summit, in addition to Muslim personalities from
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Arab Emirates, the United States,
Algeria, Qatar and Iran.

Among the Catholic Church's speakers are Cardinal Roger
Etchegaray, former president of the Pontifical Council for Justice
and Peace; Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical
Council for Christian Unity; Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, former
prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; Cardinal
William Henry Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore; and Cardinal
Miloslav Vlk, archbishop of Prague.

* * *

Islam-Catholic Relations Scrutinized in Web Texts

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Web page of
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops contains a number of
articles on Islam-Catholic relations (see
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/seia/islam.htm).

The topics and sites include:

--An Introduction: The Islamic Tradition, by John L. Esposito
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/seia/esposito.htm).

--Vatican Council and papal statements on Islam
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/comm/nationaltragedy/textsislam.htm).

--Catholic-Muslim Relations, by John Borelli, Ph.D.
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/seia/borelli.htm).

--What Dialogue Means for Catholics and Muslims, by
Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/seia/brunett.htm).

--How an Islamic Leader Views Dialogue, by Muzammil Siddiqi
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/seia/siddiqi.htm).

--How Mary Holds Christians and Muslims in Conversation, by
Cardinal William Keeler
(http://www.nccbuscc.org/seia/keeler.htm).

* * *

Cardinal Ratzinger on "Superiority" Among Cultures
Interview Follows Controversy Sparked by Italian Prime Minister
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, gave this interview to the newspaper La Repubblica in the
wake of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's contention that
Christian culture is superior to Islamic culture.

--Q: Eminence, do you agree with the Italian Prime Minister's
statement?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: I do not involve myself in political debates.
The topic is very complex. It must not be addressed in terms of
the superiority of one or the other, because at the empirical level,
the sociocultural value of societies varies in the course of history.

--Q: Does the evolution of cultures also apply to Islam?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: It is a changing value for all, for Christianity,
for Islam, for Judaism, and for any other religion. Given that
these days there is so much talk of Islam, sadly because of the
attacks on New York, let's say that at the empirical level Islamic
culture made its influence felt also in a great part of the West
until, approximately, the year 1000 A.D.

--Q: What Western cultural sectors have been affected by Muslim
culture in the centuries of greatest Islamic influence?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: Certainly, throughout the whole first
millennium, the Islamic civilization was superior in many fields:
in mathematics, medicine, the sciences, architecture, the arts
--cultural forms that even today have a great presence in the
West.

--Q: In the following centuries a certain decadence in Islamic
civilization was manifested. Perhaps this is why it is said that
Christian [culture] is superior?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: In such sociocultural analyses, it is better
to be careful when speaking about superiority, although it is true
that, from the historical point of view, the Islamic culture
experienced a degree of decadence in the second millennium,
while Western culture developed until it achieved higher levels.
Throughout the centuries, at the empirical level, cultural forms
change and are transformed; this is history.

--Q: And today, which has primacy, Islam or Christianity?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: It is difficult today to speak of primacy
between different sociocultural forms. It is not that easy. It is a
delicate, profound, complex topic, which must be addressed with
prudence and mutual respect.

--Q: In your latest book, "God and the World," you say that
Christians and Muslims have a different way of addressing
man's end as planned by God. Why?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: Yes, there is a real difference as regards
the divine end between Islam and Christianity, or, let's say, one
difference.

For Muslims, the end is predetermined by God and man lives in
a kind of net that greatly limits his movements. Christian faith, on
the contrary, has the element of freedom.

For the Christian this means, on one hand, that God embraces
everything, knows everything, directs the course of history; but he
has planned things in such a way that freedom has its place. In
a word, for me, a Christian, history is in God's hands, but he
gives me the freedom to give myself entirely to his love or to
reject it.

--Q: A freedom that can lead to mistakes, as seen in the present
winds of war. Will the Pope's appeals be heeded?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: Let's hope so. The Pope has been very
clear; he has said everything he should say, in other words, if
there is a desire to respect the innocent American victims, with
war everything will be lost; with peace everything is possible.
Let's pray to God that he will be heeded.

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK


Steps To Sainthood

Dear John,
In planning an All Saints party, we were discussing the steps to
sainthood:  Venerable, Blessed, and Saint.  But, I think
Monsignor Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, is considered a
Servant of God.  Is Servant of God an official step or where does
it fit in?  Are there any other titles?  Thanking you in advance.
Debbie 

Dear Tim & Debbie:

A summary of the steps to canonization were published by the
Vatican four years ago in the following publication.

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 1997 (VIS) - Today the Holy See Press
Office made public the following note on canonical procedure for
causes of beatification and canonization:

"1. Canon norms regarding the procedure to be followed for
causes of saints are contained in the Apostolic Constitution
'Divinus Perfectionis Magister,' promulgated by John Paul II on
January 25, 1983.

"2. To begin a cause it is necessary for at least 5 years to have
passed since the death of the candidate. This is to allow greater
balance and objectivity in evaluating the case and to let the
emotions of the moment dissipate.

"3. The bishop of the diocese in which the person whose
beatification is being requested died is responsible for
beginning the investigation. The promoter group ('Actor
Causae'): diocese, parish, religious congregation, association,
asks the bishop through the postulator for the opening of the
investigation. The bishop, once the 'nulla osta' of the Holy See is
obtained, forms a diocesan tribunal for this purpose. Witnesses
are called before the tribunal to recount concrete facts on the
exercise of Christian virtues considered heroic, that is, the
theological virtues: faith, hope and charity, and the cardinal
virtues: prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude, and others
specific to his state in life. In addition, all documents regarding
the candidate must be gathered. At this point he is entitled to the
title of Servant of God.

"4. Once the diocesan investigation is finished, the acts and
documentation are passed on to the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints. The public copy used for further work is put
together here. The postulator, resident in Rome, follows the
preparation of the 'Positio', or summary of the documentation
that proves the heroic exercise of virtue, under the direction of a
relator of the Congregation. The 'Positio' undergoes an
examination (theological) by nine theologians who give their
vote. If the majority of the theologians are in favour, the cause is
passed on for examination by cardinals and bishops who are
members of the congregation. They hold meetings twice a
month. If their judgment is favourable, the prefect of the
congregation presents the results of the entire course of the
cause to the Holy Father, who gives his approval and authorizes
the congregation to draft the relative decree. The public reading
and promulgation of the decree follows.

"5. For the beatification of a confessor a miracle attributed to the
Servant of God, verified after his death, is necessary. The
required miracle must be proven through the appropriate
canonical investigation, following a procedure analogous to that
for heroic virtues. This one too is concluded with the relative
decree. Once the two decrees are promulgated (regarding the
heroic virtues and the miracle) the Holy Father decides on
beatification, which is the concession of public worship, limited
to a particular sphere. With beatification the candidate receives
the title of Blessed.

"6. For canonization another miracle is needed, attributed to the
intercession of the Blessed and having occurred after his
beatification. The methods for ascertainment of the affirmed
miracle are the same as those followed for beatification.
Canonization is understood as the concession of public worship
in the Universal Church. Pontifical infallibility is involved. With
canonization, the Blessed acquires the title of Saint."

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four
ways to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel
on the far left, and click on the word Messages just below the
word Home; (2) click on the articles posted by date; (3) click on
the blue arabic numerals in the box for the month in the yearly
calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4) type in a keyword
in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long rectanuglar
button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are
currently ranked 33rd of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and
growing steadily on a daily basis.  Your membership as a
subscriber is important to us and helps us grow in numbers and
improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available
that keeps you informed on all the activities of Pope John Paul II,
the Holy See, the Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world
news, biblical studies, and its Catholic Reference Desk answers
questions you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your
email "Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com, or to
jlupia2@....  Articles written by professional and
scholarly authors can also be sent to the email addresses
above for consideration in a future issue.  Authors should keep
in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit organization
and considers publishing articles without paying any monetary
compensation to authors.  All materials submitted and
published are copyright protected in accordance to the latest
ruling from the Office of Copyright, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is important to us.
Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by
approval and courtesy of these two news agencies.  We
encourage our readers to send financial support to Zenit, a
private news organization in Rome.  Zenit (http://www.zenit.org),
and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own the original
copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.  All
copyright materials copied in any form must include the
appropriate copyright owner; in the case of Roman Catholic
News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 16

SUNDAY, 7 OCTOBER, 2001

RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY

'FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY'

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

VATICAN CITY, OCT 5, 2001 - Pope John Paul II has asked all people to pray
the rosary this week for world peace.  The Holy Father asked that all
Catholics say the fifteen decades of the rosary sometime this week.


EIGHTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 5, 2001 (VIS) - The Eighth General Congregation of the
10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops began at 9 this
morning in the presence of Pope John Paul and 247 synod fathers. The
president delegate on duty was Cardinal Bernard Agre, archbishop of Abidjan.


Following are exceprts from some of the talks given today:

CARDINAL RICARDO MARIA CARLES GORDO, ARCHBISHOP OF BARCELONA, SPAIN. "No
human person, much less a Christian, can resign himself to passively live or
to just bear the history which involves him, rather he must feel responsible
and called to better the culture in which he lives. That is to say, he must
work to raise the level of the values, attitudes, motives and political
lines of the culture of his country. He must promote a strong hope. For this
(to occur), we must show the people of God, in that which concerns their
behavior, not merely the sins they must avoid. That is to say, (we must show
them) how they must defend themselves from evil and above all, how they must
realize good. It can happen frequently that Catholics know more clearly what
they must not do, they do have a sense of sin - even if not everyone does
nor in every sphere - however they are not so clear on what is expected of
them. And here enters what society expects of them, the call to personal
holiness, what God hopes for in their lives."

BISHOP SERGE MIOT, COADJUTOR AND APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR "SEDE PLENA;" OF
PORT- AU-PRINCE, HAITI: "The Haitian people live a complex and agitated
life. It is a history of fighting for the liberation of the oppressed. It
is, perhaps, the inheritance of a class of massacred people, others torn
from their country and completely thrown into slavery with all its horrors.
Escaping slavery on a large scale, followed by the 1804 Independence
heroically won over the Spanish, the English and the French, noticeably
weakened for various reasons. And the escape from slavery is not dead yet:
the never-ending political crises have much to say on this. More so with
globalization. The Bishops of Haiti are obliged to chose holiness, to preach
the Gospel of Hope in a world of contradictions. It is evident to us that
we, the Bishops of Haiti, are called to a special discernment in the
particular context of today's socio-political life. But all this in an
intimacy with Christ who calls us friends. Therefore, our mission is to be
the light on the path of the Haitian people, to build the Body of Christ, to
promote men where deceived hopes are reborn."

CARDINAL CORMAC MURPHY-O'CONNOR, ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER, PRESIDENT OF THE
CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS OF GREAT BRITAIN. "The bishop has a three-fold
ministry of teaching, sanctifying and shepherding the people of his diocese.
I am increasingly aware that it is necessary not only to keep the faith, but
also to deepen it among priests and people. The consumerist culture
attenuates faith, making commitment to both teaching and practice more
difficult. One way to counter this consumerist culture is for the bishop to
initiate a plan aiming at the spiritual and pastoral renewal of his people.
I propose that the Synod consider such a program, which would have four
essential elements: 1. Prayer and liturgy, particularly the Eucharist, and
also renewed study of scripture. 2. Community: especially small communities
- groups of people meeting to pray, ref1ect on the Word of God and relate it
to their daily lives. These can transform a parish. 3. Formation: effective
catechesis in what we believe (the Creed), what we celebrate (sacraments),
and how we should live (commandments, beatitudes ). 4. Work for justice and
peace, to be a voice for the voiceless and to care for people in need. In
bringing such a plan about, the bishop is crucial. He alone can call and
animate such a venture, and so the formation of Bishops at both
international and local level is an integral element."

ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH POWATHIL OF CHANGANACHERRY OF THE SYRO-MALABARS, INDIA. "A
COLLEGIAL MINISTRY: The bishop has to teach and act in communion with the
college of bishops under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome. It is called
'synodality' in the East, a moving together of the whole Church with the
bishops who are closely united according to the model of the Triune God. In
the synodal process, the bishops used to verify their faith with each other.
The Petrine ministry in the Church is that of helping the individual
Churches to be faithful to their own faith traditions. The Petrine office
will have to encourage valid local initiatives and strengthen necessary
local structures. There need be no opposition between the two. THE
ECUMENICAL TASK: The Bishop has the obligation to promote ecumenism through
prayer, collaboration, faithfulness to tradition and theological dialogue.
Eastern Catholic Churches have a special role in promoting ecumenism. They
do this by being faithful to their own traditions of liturgy, theology and
spirituality. They shou1d have the courage to own up the whole Oriental
heritage and to live by it. The Western Church shou1d fully recognise this
role of the Orientals and their right to give pastoral care to their
migrants."

ARCHBISHOP HENRY SEBASTIAN D'SOUZA, ARCHBISHOP OF CALCUTTA, INDIA: "The
traditions of a dead language, Latin, which are part of a dead foreign
culture, Roman, even if seen as a vehicle of orthodoxy, do not respond in a
satisfactory way to the character and lifestyle of Indian life and tribal
languages. The Indians and tribal populations express themselves with
languages which are very picturesque, full of symbolism, poetry and emotion.
As a consequence, we neeed a free version, and one in the vernacular idiom,
of the original books of the Latin rite, both the missal and the book of
rites. There is no doubt that we must pay attention so that the purity of
doctrine is preserved and the sacred atmosphere is maintained. ... The Roman
Rite is direct, concise and compact, characteristics which are exactly the
opposite of the cultures and languages in India. 'Sacrosanctum concilium'
wished only to keep the substantial unity of the Roman Rite. There should be
space for the cultural dfferences of various peoples and races and for a
dynamic creativity within the new Churches. As we answer the call to 'cast
out into the deep', we bishops, servants of the Gospel, wish to be signs of
hope for our people."

ARCHBISHOP METRPOLITAN BERHANEYESUS DEMEREW SOURAPHIEL, C.C., OF ADDIS
ABEBAM ETHIOPIA. "One of the difficult times a bishop finds his leadership
role tested is in times of conflicts. Often, conflicts happen suddenly and
bishops are caught in the midst. Many persons and the media come to the
bishop for quick answers, for help, for understanding, for consolations,
etc. What can the bishop do? The Bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea faced such
a situation recently. There arose a border conflict between the two
countries which led to war. It was a war between two peoples who shared the
same history, religion and culture. ... Wars not only destroy and kill but
also divide and separate. Yet, by the grace of God, before, during, and
after the war, the Bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea remained united under the
Episcopal Conference. ... I think, by the grace of God, the Conference has
acted right during the conflict. It did not take sides. At present, its
credibility is high and is being invited to be an instrument of
rehabilitation, reconciliation, and peace-building."

CARDINAL BERNARDIN GANTIN, DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS, VATICAN CITY.
"The poor are legion in Africa, that is to say, the men and women who don't
have food, health, education, work, security, or even a country. In Africa,
because of our interminable wars, we hold a sad first place for refugees and
for all those who have neither land nor liberty. The poor are also our
young. We are struck by their incredible vitality. They are an absolute
majority. Women too, as they have always been, are poor. Their condition is
difficult and precarious but their capacity to love and to serve is always
appreciated. To evangelize them, according to the commitment of the Church,
means opening a huge source of hope. Blessed John XXIII wanted a Church that
was poor and one that served. Who better than the bishop to offer its image
and testify to it in the world? In Africa, we opted for a Church-family:
isn't this perhaps the place of solidarity, communion and sharing? If we can
give something of our poverty for missionary sharing, as has been hoped for
so often by our Latin American brothers, would this not be a guarantee of
our hope our survival?"

* * *

The History of the Feast of the Holy Rosary.
By John N. Lupia

	 In 1570 the Ottoman Turks, ruled by Ali Pasha, invaded the island of
Cyprus, then owned by Venice, initiating the Turkish-Cyprian War of
1570-1573.  They captured and destroyed the city of Famagusta, massacring
its inhabitants.  The Venetians were fearful of loosing control of Cyprus,
which was important to the them since it allowed them to dominate trade in
the Mediterranean.  However, the Ottomans posed an enormous threat to gain
this control for themselves.  These Turkish peoples had developed a fierce
reputation for moving into an area and taking over.  When they invaded
Cyprus,  they terrorized all of Europe.  Only the islands of Malta and Crete
remained in the eastern Mediterranean as European outposts.  The Ottomans
were in a strategic position to invade Europe.  When the Ottomans advanced
into the western Mediterranean they were immediately placed in check at the
battle of Lepanto.
	 Pope St. Pius V (1566-1572), organized the Holy League between Rome and the
Papal States, which included: Genoa, Venice and Spain.  This union brought
together Pius V, Sebastiano Veniero (1496-1578), the Doge of Venice, and
Philip of Spain (1527-1598), who together formed a Christian fleet.  This
navy consisting of 208 galleys and 6 galleasses (huge oar-driven ships with
44 guns), was placed under the command of Don Juan of Austria (1547-1578),
son of Charles V, and a half brother of Philip of Spain.  In the first week
of October 1571, the Christian armada sailed to engage the Turkish Ottoman
fleet of 273 galleys, and met them at the Bay of Lepanto.  The Christians
were completely outnumbered.  However, their skill in maneuvering, and in
battle tactics brought about a great victory nearly destroying the Ottoman
fleet on October 7, 1571.  The pitch of battle lasted only three hours.  The
Ottoman armada lost between 190-230 galleys.  At least 15 of these were
destroyed and the remainder were captured.  Turkish losses ranged about
20,000 and about another 10,000 wounded.  It is reported that about 13,000
Christian slaves, who served as rowers on the Ottoman Turkish galleys were
set free.  The Christian fleet celebrated a great victory losing only 12
galleys.  To assure safety to the land, Christian knights stood along the
banks of the shore to capture or fight any Ottoman Turkish sailor who
managed to escape.
	 This victorious day has been especially marked since Pope Pius V called for
all of Christendom to pray the rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The
victory at Lepanto occurred the very day the Roman Rosary confraternity
offered solemn prayers for the Holy League's success.  To commemorate the
victory in thanksgiving for Our Lady's assistance Pius V declared the first
Sunday of every October as the feast of Our Lady of Victory.  In 1573, Pope
Gregory XIII (1572-1585), changed the name of the feast to the Holy Rosary,
in honor of the prayer used to bring about the victory.  The feast date was
set as October 7th in commemoration of the victory at Lepanto.

* * *

THE CAUSE OF MAMA GILI (Part 2)
By John N. Lupia

The Biography of the Servant of God, Mrs. Dolores Immaculate Gili, a
proposed candidate for the Congregation of the Causes of Saints.

Prepared for Most Reverend John Jospeh Myers, Archbishop of Newark, New
Jersey for the investiagation in her cause as a Servant of God.

Vita di Snra. Addolorata Immacolata Gili/ Life of Mrs. Dolores Immaculate
Gili

Part One

Her Family and Birth To Age Seven

In the Atripalda village of Avellino, Italy, lived the illustrious Penza
family.  Avellino Province is in Campania, in central Italy.  The ancient
Roman name was Abellinum, a city that was built by the inhabitants of Lower
Italy called the Harpini and the Apulians.  Avellino lies about twenty-five
miles east of Naples.  The Penza family lived a few miles outside the
ancient Roman ruins of Avellinum and not far from the foot of the famous
abbey of Monte Virgine.

The Penza family had ten sons.  Aniello and two other brothers became
celebrated musicians and conductors who personally knew the musical genius
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (1813-1901).  Raffaelo, Stanislao, and
Serafino became Franciscan priests of the Order of the Friars Minor.  Two
sons became lawyers; one became an imperial procurator to the King of Italy.
Then there was Sabino who became the head of the family bank.

Sabino Penza and his wife Carmela had three sons, Umberto, Alfredo, and
Serafino.  They adopted a fourth boy Carmelo who became a Franciscan friar.
Several girls had been born including one named Felicia, but died in
infancy, an occurance quite common in the nineteenth century.  During the
Advent season of 1891 Carmela discovered she was going to have a child.
Since this child was believed to have been conceived on the Birth of Mary,
September 8th, it was to be named after the Blessed Virgin.  The popular
name chosen for girls was Maria Immacolata (Mary Immaculate) celebrated
since the dogma of the Immaculate Conception declared and defined
thirty-seven years earlier by Pius IX on December 8, 1854.  The cult of the
Immaculate Conception spread particularly through the miracles at Lourdes,
France from the miraculous spring wrought by the hand of the young peasant
girl Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) who died twelve years ealier
(canonized in 1933).  In fact, their friends of the Capaldo family had a
daughter Maria Immacolata, a nun, whom they chose as the child’s godmother.


	 On May 7, 1892 a baby girl was born to Sabino and Carmela.  Her godfather
was a newly ordained priest Rev. Nicolino Capaldo, and his sister, Sr.
Maria Immacolata, the director of an all girls school, was her godmother.
Since Carmela suffered a lot during her pregnancy with this child she did
not name her the popular name Maria Immacolata, but, rather, Addolorata
Immacolata (The Sorrowful Immaculate).  This inspiration to name the girl
after the Sorrowful Mother was from God.  No one at the time could have ever
imagined that she would grow into the mirror image of the Sorrowful and
Immaculate Heart of Mary.

When Dolores was four years old she saw the last child born to her parents,
her new sister Raffaela.  The childhood of Dolores was spent with her mother
and baby sister in the family home that was cared for by servants and a
live-in maid.

The hilltop monastery, not far from the Penza home, was dedicated to San
Pasquale (St. Paschal Baylon 1540-1592).  This famous Spanish Franciscan
lay-brother who served as the porter or doorkeeper won renown throughout the
Church for his holiness of life and was canonized two centuries before the
birth of Dolores, in 1690.  Just ten days after her fifth birthday, on May
17, 1897, Leo XIII made him the patron saint of the Eucharist, Eucharistic
confraternities and conferences.  Having that monastery so close to her home
and this news so close to her own birthday made this saint appealing to this
young girl at such a tender and impressionable age.  From that moment on in
1897 Dolores developed a closeness to San Pasquale that remained just as
pure and simple from childhood throughout her entire life.  Devotion to him
developed within her a desire for simplicity. Dolores always aspired for
being humble like that holy doorkeeper.  She also developed a sweet and
tender reverence for the Eucharistic Jesus who humbled himself to come and
remain in the form of bread.  This was particularly important since she
began her catechism studies in preparation for her first Holy Communion.
Her frienship with San Pasquale the patron saint of the Eucharist developed
within her a burning desire to receive Jesus.  It was at this time she was
sent to the girls school which her godmother, Sr. Maria Immacolata Capaldo,
directed.  Two years later she received her first Holy Communion.

	 After her first Holy Communion the sisters had been practicing a special
procession with the girls for a feast of Our Lady.  On that day the girls
were dressed in their white communion dresses and sang hymns to the Virgin
Mother of God as they crossed an old brige that spanned a large brook.  As
the girls walked on the brige their weight caused it to collapse plunging
them with a tumult into the water.  Dolores fell into the water but was
pulled out by her father who with the other parents attended the liturgy in
Mary’s honor.  That crash gave Dolores a shock which lasted her whole life.
This was the first episode in her life that called her to endure suffering.
Yet as all signs sent from God this event had a meaning that went deeper
than that.  Dolores was to share in the suffering, the shock that Our Lady
endured over seeing her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, suffer at the brutal
hands of sinful men.  Moreover, her entire life was to be spent as a bridge
builder, making peace between sinners and God.

The aftermath of this shock manifested itself to this young girl in a dream.
Dolores had fallen asleep and began to dream that the house was on fire.
She was terrified.  As the fire caused the ceiling to cave in she saw devils
run up to her in an effort to grab her and drag her down into hell.  As she
was screaming in terror St. Francis of Assisi appeared who with the mere
stroke of his arm dispelled the devils into the abyss of hell.  Shortly
afterwards the devils peered up again to see if they could grasp her in one
last desperate effort.  Dolores began to yell and scream once more.  St.
Francis appeared again and this time cast them away permanently.  Although
it was just a dream her screams were real.  Her parents hearing her screams
rushed to her room.  Her father held her in his arms.  She was shivering and
shaking, her face was covered in tears.  She told him the house was on fire
and she thought he was dead.  He calmed her down and showed her the room.
“See there is no fire.  It was only a dream.  You were having a nightmare.
Tell daddy all about it.”  She told her father about the dream with St.
Francis, a dream she recounted over and over again to numerous people the
rest of her life.  Dolores knew it was a vivid dream one that was given by
God.  She accepted it as a sign from God to become like her friend San
Pasquale and become a lay Franciscan.

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

BUDDHISM VS. CATHOLICISM

What are the main differences that prevent a practicing Catholic from
being a Buddhist?  Thank you for your help, as I try and dialogue
with very confused souls.
Pax, Greg

Dear Greg:

In Pope John Paul II's, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, he discusses
difference between Buddhism and Catholicism, on pages 84-90   The Holy
Father points out the central differences regarding salvation.  The Buddhist
attains salvation through detachment from the evil world, not to be one with
God, but to attain indifference to the world.  Buddhism is largely an
atheistic system.

See also Charles F. Aiken, "Buddhism" Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 3: 3028b
(1908)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03028b.htm

* * *
CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

ULTRAMONTANISM

What was ultramontanism and how did it affect the Vatican Councils?
Pax, Greg

Dear Greg:

See U. Benigni, "Ultramontanism", Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 15: 1512a
(1912)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15125a.htm

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
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otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by approval and
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Roman Catholic News

Volume I, Issue 17

Monday, 8 October, 2001

Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

* * *

John Paul II Appeals for Peace in Colombia

On Occasion of National Day of Prayer for Peace

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II today
appealed for peace in Colombia, on the occasion of the
country´s National Day of Prayer for Peace.

Addressing the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter´s Square to pray
the Angelus, the Holy Father noted that Colombia for years has
experienced "a situation of acute social unrest, with numerous
murders, kidnappings and other acts of violence."

John Paul II joined Colombians in their day of prayer, asking
"God´s help to overcome differences and confrontations."

The Pope also appealed to Colombians to work for "a stable
peace, by releasing hostages and establishing an honest
dialogue that will restore fraternity and solidarity among
Colombia´s beloved sons and daughters."

At midday in the South American country, politicians, artists,
employees, athletes, businessmen and industrialists observed
a minute of silence and prayer for peace. The initiative was
proposed by first lady Nohra Puyana de Pastrana.

From Rome, Colombian Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz joined
in the "Minute of Prayer for Peace," and appealed to all his
countrymen to make this initiative serve "to receive the gift of
peace and build it with our own heart."

The cardinal, who is attending the Synod of Bishops, made a
special appeal to Catholics to reject all forms of violence.

The Colombian government and the Colombian Revolutionary
Armed Forces agreed Saturday to study a document prepared by
a group of experts. The Commission of Notables proposed a
cease-fire and an end to hostilities. The armed group also
promised to halt its campaign of massive kidnappings on
highways.

Confrontations continue, however. At least eight guerrillas of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces and a military man died Saturday
during battles in the northeast, center and southwest of the
country, while rebels of the National Liberation Army dynamited
sections of the country´s main oil pipeline, the army reported.

In addition, two soldiers died when rebels assaulted a caravan
of trucks on a northern highway.

* * *
Synod Senses the World´s Desire for Hope

Most Common Topic During First Week of Assembly

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Participants at the
Synod of Bishops sense that the world is looking for new
reasons for hope, especially after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

This was the most common topic in the more than 100
speeches delivered in the synodal auditorium in the past week.
The theme of the four-week synod is "The Bishop: Servant of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of Caceres, Philippines, said
the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon meant that
"there lay in ruins, not only buildings and innocent lives, but also
the hopes and dreams of modern men and women for a
peaceful and orderly world."

"After Sept. 11, 2001, the world faces a threatening future, with its
potential for more chaos and insecurity," the archbishop said.
"Political, economic and technological formulas for a better world
have reached a dead end, leaving behind a black hole of
despair. Once more, the whole of creation groans in travail."

"Into this landscape of despair," the archbishop continued, the
synod must offer the hope of the salvation of Christ, of which the
bishop is a servant.

"Will the world listen and believe that it is so?" Archbishop
Legaspi asked. The "world awaits our message, our witness,
our evidence that we possess the formula of hope, credibly and
authentically."

Like several other prelates, Archbishop Legaspi believes that a
number of sectors of humanity intensely long for this hope,
specifically, the poor, the young, and women.

Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince gave
voice to the plight of violence-torn Haiti, one of the world´s
poorest countries.

In such a situation, Bishop Miot said, we must "choose holiness
preach the Gospel of hope in a world of contradiction."

"We are called to make a special discernment in the context of
present social and political life; however, always in intimacy with
Christ, who calls us to be his friends," the bishop added. Thus,
the bishop can be a "light on the way," he said.

Benin Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, prefect emeritus of the
Congregation for Bishops, spoke on behalf of African peoples,
and said that the bishops´ response might entail martyrdom.

Cardinal Gantin added that in Africa today, the death of
prominent pastors has become a sign of spiritual rebirth.

He mentioned the killing of Bishop Yves Plumey in Cameroon,
Bishop Pierre Claverie and seven Trappist monks in Algeria, and
Congolese Archbishops Christophe Munzihirwa and Emmanuel
Kataliko. The latter died in Rome a year ago, weakened by the
sufferings of persecution and civil war.

Bishop Pierre Morissette of Baie-Comeau, Quebec, said that a
bishop must be, above all, a man of faith -- he must have "faith in
the presence of God in our world" -- if he is to be a witness of
hope today.

* * *

Pope Prays for Victims of Russian Air Disaster

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II today said
he prayed for the 78 victims of the Russian plane that crashed
into the Black Sea on Thursday. The circumstances of the
tragedy are still unclear.

Following a Mass where he beatified seven people, the Pontiff
addressed some 30,000 pilgrims in St. Peter´s Square just
before praying the midday Angelus. He recalled the dead in the
"air disaster that took place three days ago in the Black Sea."

"I pray that the Lord will give them eternal rest and console all
those who weep over their tragic loss," John Paul II told the
faithful.

Speaking in English, the Pope reminded the faithful of his
request that they pray the rosary daily for peace in the world and
for an end to terrorist attacks.

* * *

Synod Senses the World´s Desire for Hope

Most Common Topic During First Week of Assembly

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Participants at the
Synod of Bishops sense that the world is looking for new
reasons for hope, especially after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

This was the most common topic in the more than 100
speeches delivered in the synodal auditorium in the past week.
The theme of the four-week synod is "The Bishop: Servant of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legaspi of Caceres, Philippines, said
the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon meant that
"there lay in ruins, not only buildings and innocent lives, but also
the hopes and dreams of modern men and women for a
peaceful and orderly world."

"After Sept. 11, 2001, the world faces a threatening future, with its
potential for more chaos and insecurity," the archbishop said.
"Political, economic and technological formulas for a better world
have reached a dead end, leaving behind a black hole of
despair. Once more, the whole of creation groans in travail."

"Into this landscape of despair," the archbishop continued, the
synod must offer the hope of the salvation of Christ, of which the
bishop is a servant.

"Will the world listen and believe that it is so?" Archbishop
Legaspi asked. The "world awaits our message, our witness,
our evidence that we possess the formula of hope, credibly and
authentically."

Like several other prelates, Archbishop Legaspi believes that a
number of sectors of humanity intensely long for this hope,
specifically, the poor, the young, and women.

Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Serge Miot of Port-au-Prince gave
voice to the plight of violence-torn Haiti, one of the world´s
poorest countries.

In such a situation, Bishop Miot said, we must "choose holiness
preach the Gospel of hope in a world of contradiction."

"We are called to make a special discernment in the context of
present social and political life; however, always in intimacy with
Christ, who calls us to be his friends," the bishop added. Thus,
the bishop can be a "light on the way," he said.

Benin Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, prefect emeritus of the
Congregation for Bishops, spoke on behalf of African peoples,
and said that the bishops´ response might entail martyrdom.

Cardinal Gantin added that in Africa today, the death of
prominent pastors has become a sign of spiritual rebirth.

He mentioned the killing of Bishop Yves Plumey in Cameroon,
Bishop Pierre Claverie and seven Trappist monks in Algeria, and
Congolese Archbishops Christophe Munzihirwa and Emmanuel
Kataliko. The latter died in Rome a year ago, weakened by the
sufferings of persecution and civil war.

Bishop Pierre Morissette of Baie-Comeau, Quebec, said that a
bishop must be, above all, a man of faith -- he must have "faith in
the presence of God in our world" -- if he is to be a witness of
hope today.

* * *

Mexico´s Fox Will Meet Pope on Oct. 18

MEXICO CITY, OCT. 5, 2001 (Zenit.org).- In the course of an
official tour through Europe, Mexican President Vicente Fox will
meet with John Paul II on Oct. 18.

Liliana Ferrer, spokeswoman for the executive, said that Marta
Sahagún Jiménez, the woman whom Fox married in a civil
ceremony a few months ago, following his divorce, will not
accompany him to the Vatican.

This will mark the first time that Fox, a Catholic, meets with the
Pope since the chief executive took office Dec. 1.

* * *

"New Humanism" Called For by John Paul II

Faith Must Express Itself in Culture, He Says

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 5, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Wary that scientific and
technological progress might be turned against the good of
mankind, John Paul II today called for a "new humanism" to keep
research on an ethical footing.

The Pope made his appeal in a message sent to the fourth
Italian Meeting of Catholic University Professors, held at Sacred
Heart University in Rome.

"Today, just as at the beginning of humanity, when man wishes
to dispose of the fruits of the tree of knowledge according to his
own will, he ends up by becoming the sad agent of fear,
confrontation and death," the Holy Father stated in the message.

He proposed a "new humanism" in response to research
without ethics. "Freedom of research, which is so important,
cannot mean indifferent neutrality before truth," the Pope
explained.

"The university is called to become increasingly a laboratory in
which a universal humanism is cultivated and developed, open
to the spiritual dimension of truth," John Paul II added.

He said that faith "is not at all like ideological rigidity." On the
contrary, he noted, "it is the clear light of truth, which does not
oppose the richness of creativity, but only the darkness of error."

"Christian faith illuminates and clarifies life in all its aspects.
Inspired by this inner richness, the Christian communicates it
courageously and witnesses to it consistently," he said.

This new humanism is expressed in the "synthesis between
faith and culture," which "is not only an imperative of culture but
of faith itself," John Paul II continued.

"A faith that does not become culture is a faith that has not been
accepted in its fullness, which has not been totally reflected
upon, or faithfully lived," the Pope concluded.

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four
ways to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel
on the far left, and click on the word Messages just below the
word Home; (2) click on the articles posted by date; (3) click on
the blue arabic numerals in the box for the month in the yearly
calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4) type in a keyword
in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long rectanuglar
button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either
November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
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Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 18

WEDNESDAY, 10 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

• ELEVENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION
• JOHN PAUL II: "GIVE TO US LORD PEACE IN OUR DAYS"
• THIRTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION
• ARCHBISHOP JOHN J. MYERS INSTALLED AT NEWARK
• LETTER TO THE EDITOR
• ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES
• HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION
• EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY
• PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN
• Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
• Closing Signature
• Copyright Notices

* * *

ELEVENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 2001 (VIS) - The Eleventh General
Chapter of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops began at 9 a.m. in the presence of the Holy Father and
231 synod fathers. The president delegate on duty was Cardinal
Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

Following are excerpts from several of the speeches given this
morning:

CARDINAL CRESCENZIO SEPE, PREFECT OF THE
CONGREGATION FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF PEOPLES.
"The 'mission' of the bishop, specifically today, is not one of
many duties, but rather the priority is pastoral action. ...
Conscious of the missionary nature of their own pastoral
ministry, the bishops need to act in such a way that the
missionary spirit vivifies all the ecclesiastical activity of their
dioceses in an effective missionary way, especially with the
invitation in certain missions of their priests, fidei donum duly
prepared spiritually and intellectually. The Moto Proprio
'Ecclesiae Sanctae', furthermore, reaffirms the inter-ecclesial
collaboration from an economic point of view as well, to be
considered not just as a charitable act, but as a duty to be
carried out for the neediest dioceses."

CARDINAL GODFRIED DANNEELS, ARCHBISHOP OF
MECHELEN-BRUSSELS, PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL
CONFERENCE, BELGIUM. "At a time when so many moral and
religious certainties are shaken, we need a strong Pope as well
as a strong episcopal college. We have nothing to gain from the
promotion of one to the detriment of another. The bishop is a
member of the episcopal college, a college cum Petro et sub
Petro. This implies the grace and duty of collegiality. The most
important instrument of this collegiality is the synod of bishops.
Its functioning is certainly to be improved: everything is to be
made more perfect. The concrete 'iter' of this reform is no doubt
to be entrusted to the Council of the elected secretariat at the
end of the synod or to the ad hoc group. However, any reforms
must let all bishops have the possibility to speak freely and be
sheltered from external pressures, to develop all the issues
which they deem important for the good of the Church. Even if
ordinary synods remain precious instruments of affective
collegiality, effective collegiality would be no doubt better served
by convening more frequently - with a more restricted number of
participants - more targeted synods consecrated to one or more
particular themes. These types of special synods have already
been envisaged. ... The bishop is responsible for proclaiming
the truth. He also has to make pass it on and communicate it. ...
In this sense and taking into account almost unavoidable
distortions practiced voluntarily or not by the large media, the
Roman dicasteries could communicate their texts earlier,
especially at the episcopal conferences who live in 'volcanic
territory' where media eruptions are frequent and where the
anti-authoritarian allergies take from time to time an epidemic
trend."

ARCHBISHOP JULIAN HERRANZ, PRESIDENT OF THE
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE TEXTS. "I would
like to refer to an aspect of justice in ecclesial society, concretely,
to the duty of the bishops to guarantee and to promote the rights
of the lay faithful in the life and mission of the Church. ... 'The
Christian faithful have the right to receive assistance from the
sacred pastors out of the spiritual goods of the Church,
especially the Word of God and the sacraments'(can. 213). Many
faithful, however, express complaint in this regard: they are
unable often or always unable to find confessors, even though
priests are not lacking in the parish; they note that the Sunday
Eucharistic celebration - center of the community of the faithful -
is not properly taken care of - contrary to the canonical norms
concerning public worship - the churches are always closed on
weekdays, and they cannot receive Communion of pray before
the Blessed Sacrament, etc. ... 'The Christian faithful can
legitimately vindicate and defend the rights which they enjoy in
the Church before a competent ecclesiastical court in accord
with the norm of law'(can. 221, para.1)."

ARCHBISHOP HENRYK MUSZYNSKI OF GNIEZNO, POLAND.
"The various episcopal conferences, following the example of
the synod of bishops, must seek to resolve the most important
pastoral and moral problems in communion among
themselves. The communal witness of the Churches, exercised
in the spirit of collegial unity and ecclesial communion, is a
concrete and credible sign of the Gospel of hope. An example of
the concrete realization of the Gospel of hope is the joint pastoral
letter of the episcopal conferences of Poland and Germany,
published in 1995, for the 50th anniversary of the end of the
Second World War. The principle of subsidiarity can help many
on a practical level as a social concept, but cannot define the
relation between collegiality and the hierarchical structure of the
Church because both are of divine institution. Speaking of the
Church one most adopt instead the theological principle of
auxiliarity, in which each member carries out a function entrusted
directly by God Himself: God has fashioned the members of the
body in the distinct way which He has desired, in order to form
one single body which is the Church."

CARDINAL DARIO CASTRILLON HOYOS, PREFECT OF THE
CONGREGATION FOR CLERGY. "Perhaps the aspect which
requires the most sacrifice from the bishop is, in governing, the
exercise of the 'potestas iurisdictionis' to preserve evangelical
coherence and order. It is not easy to unite prudence to
timeliness, strength to meekness, justice, the defence of the
individual and common good, to mercy. The bishop dominated
by fear will be neither a man of the Gospel nor a man of hope.
Fearful in the face of public opinion, he will not preserve the faith
with the appropriate correction. ... Perhaps we could present to
the Holy Father, among other respectful propositions, one which
permits the request, in the choice of candidates to the
episcopate, those gifts which assure the Church, placed in
confrontation with secularism, practical apostasy and the
degradation of customs, bishops who guide them with courage,
part of the spiritual make-up of Ignatius, Iraneaus, Athanasius,
Eusebius of Vercelli, Borromeo, Faulhaber, and those who,
beyond the iron curtain defended and maintained the faith."

BISHOP JAVIER ECHEVARRIA RODRIGUEZ, PRELATE OF THE
PERSONAL PRELATURE OF OPUS DEI, ITALY. "The
Instrumentum Laboris refers to the relation between bishops
when they are present in a territory of various 'sui iuris' Churches
or a personal prelature or a military ordinariate. Their relations
with these local Churches must necessarily express the unity of
the Church, which is a 'unity of communion'. Personal prelatures
are a part of this context of communio and cannot be considered
as 'alternative' structures to the particular Churches although at
their service, insofar as they carry out the particular pastoral
works for which they exist, which per se converge harmoniously
with the ordinary pastoral work of the local Churches in which
they are present and are therefore directed to the building up of
the one and same Church of Christ. Such convergence is a
reality intrinsic to the ecclesiological nature of these institutions,
also because the faithful of a personal prelature - such as those
of a military ordinariate - are at the same time the faithful of the
local Church in which they live. The complexity of the
contemporary world generates many situations of a
trans-regional character, which require particular pastoral
responses. When such situations present fitting characteristics,
an episcopal conference could propose to the Holy See, in
conformity with the hopes of Vatican Council II, the erection of a
personal prelature on a national level with the goal of integrating
the pastoral action of the dioceses concerned, as also noted in
the Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in America'."

CARDINAL DIONIGI TETTAMANZI, ARCHBISHOP OF GENOA,
ITALY. "In the context of a culture inebriated by current and earthly
values, the bishops are called to question the place which the
truth/reality of eternal life has in their ministry, with the knowledge
that it is not something secondary or optional, but essential and
irrefutable, because it touches all of the constitutive and specific
elements of the faith and the Christian experiences. In their
ministry of teaching, the bishops are called to urge priests to
announce eternal life, using in a delicate and courageous way
the event of death and the pastoral occasion of Christian
funerals. They are called, furthermore, in their ministry of
sanctification to ensure a celebration of the Eucharist and the
sacraments which emphasizes the value of awaiting and
anticipating eternal life, restoring in this way as well the sense of
the sacred and of mystery. ... It is necessary, however, to
remember that true Christian hope does not dissuade us from
our responsibilities in the face of the countless miseries and
injustices of history."

ARCHBISHOP SEAN B. BRADY OF ARMAGH, IRELAND. "One of
the great signs of hope today is the hunger for God and the
desire for prayer which so many people experience. ... The
willingness of the Church to promote justice and peace is a
tremendous sign of hope, especially for the poor and
oppressed. The consistent and courageous defence of the
dignity of every human person irrespective of health or wealth,
race or religion, is an example of how the Bishop offer reasons
for hope. When the Bishop clearly sets forth the teaching of the
Church in favor of life in opposition to the culture of death, in favor
of marriage and of the family, in favor of peace as opposed to
violence, he becomes a beacon of hope to those who suffer in
the darkness of despair and discouragement."

At the interval of this congregation, Cardinal Jan P. Schotte,
secretary general of the Synod, communicated the following:

"Bishop Anthony Theodore Lobo of Islamabad-Rawalpindi,
Pakistan, has had to leave our Assembly due to the situation of
recent events which occurred in his dioceses in order to be
close to his faithful. He takes with him the blessing of the Holy
Father for the local Church in Pakistan and for the whole of that
region. Our prayers and fraternal concern also accompany him
in pastoral charity and collegial affection."

* * *

JOHN PAUL II: "GIVE TO US LORD PEACE IN OUR DAYS"

VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II received pilgrims
this morning who had come for yesterday's beatification. He told
them: "Above all, I desire to share with you and entrust to the
Lord the anguish and concern aroused in us in this delicate
moment of the international life."

After giving thanks to God for "those luminous examples of
holiness offered by the new blesseds: Ignatius Maloyan,
Nikolaus Gross, Alfonso Maria Fusco, Tommaso Maria Fusco,
Emilie Tavernier Gamelin, Eugenia Picco and Maria Euthymia
Uffing," the Pope said, "Let us renew to Him the prayer for peace:
'Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris! - Give to us Lord peace in
our days!"

* * *

THIRTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 9, 2001 (VIS) - The Thirteenth General
Congregation of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops began today at 9 a.m. in the presence of the
Holy Father and 229 synod fathers. The president delegate on
duty was Cardinal Bernard Agre, archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory
Coast.

Following are extracts from several of this morning's speeches:

ARCHBISHOP NORBERT WENDELIN MTEGA OF SONGEA,
TANZANIA. "The pressing cry from developing countries today is
an appeal to 'alleviate poverty'. Let the cry of these poor people
be heard today by the international community and by the
Churches. They cry for a sign and gesture of hope because they
are in a hopeless and helpless situation. Poverty is the root
cause of much misery. ... It is the cause of many injustices.
Poverty can exist in different types and levels. For us in the third
world, the worst type of poverty is ignorance. ... The poor will
become poorer and the rich will become richer. ... As bishops we
must bring hope to the world of the poor and ignorant. Let us
invest in education and, where possible, let us coordinate our
efforts with those of our governments."

CARDINAL ANTONIO MARIA ROUCO VARELA, ARCHBISHOP
OF MADRID, PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE,
SPAIN. "The true reform of the Church and the authentically
Catholic reform of the episcopate have always been together in
the history of the Church. It is the same in our time, since Vatican
II. ... Thirty-six years later, there have been many fruits of
theoretical and practical development of collegiality within the
structural realities. One has to ask whether the same has
happened with the principle of sacramentality within living
realities: growth in sanctity of all the members of the Church, of
greater vigour and apostolic and missionary dedication, and
also growth in the evangelization and sanctification of temporal
realities. Answering this issue is the main challenge of this
Synod. The answer cannot neglect an essential element: the
widely spread crisis of faith in the old countries of Christian
tradition, which also does not stop at the door of Christian
communities which 'are also globalized'. The answer should
pass through the service of the bishop to the Gospel of Our Lord
Jesus Christ for the hope of the world, proclaiming it, teaching it,
and showing it as an 'authentic witness' to all: priests,
consecrated people, lay faithful, theologians and to public
opinion."

CARDINAL MILOSLAV VLK, ARCHBISHOP OF PRAGUE, CZECH
REPUBLIC. "The reality of the bishop- servant cannot be
understood in an individualistic way, as if the bishop was a kind
of 'private contractor'. In carrying out his duty, he is connected to
those he serves, and, even before this, to the Pope and the other
bishops by their collegiality. ... In the life of the bishop there are
therefore two closely related realities: his ministry and the
spirituality of communion. The personal attitude of being a
servant, and the primary duty to build communion through
ministry, walk hand in hand. ... This priority of communion is a
sign of the times recognized by the Popes and ecclesial
teaching, and confirmed by the Spirit through the flowering of
new movements. With their radically evangelical life, these
movements are committed to spreading a spirit of communion
on all levels in the Church and the society."

CARDINAL WALTER KASPER, PREFECT OF THE PONTIFICAL
COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY. "The
ecumenical question is not accessory; it is at the center of the
bishop's pastoral activity. The ecumenical commitment is one of
the great challenges of the beginning of the new millennium.
The most important fruit of the ecumenical dialogue of the last
35 years is the re-found fraternity of all Christians. But today we
find ourselves facing new challenges. We recognize that the
ecumenical journey will presumably still be long and difficult. We
must reflect upon the way in which we can structure the current
intermediate period. We cannot yet unite around the one table of
the Lord, but we can already do much more together than
previously: 1. Ecumenism of life. Not in the sense of something
that is added to ecumenical activity, but rather an ecumenism of
daily life. 2. Reception and formation. It would already be a great
deal if the valid results of ecumenical dialogue were received
everywhere. This requires an ecumenical formation for the laity,
for priests and for bishops. 3. Ecumenism ad intra. We must
practice spirituality of communion first of all in ourselves and
make our Church welcoming to the other Churches and
ecclesial communities. We must therefore create a better
balance in the communion between the particular Churches and
the universal Church. 4. Ecumenism as spiritual commitment."

ARCHBISHOP FRANCISCO VITI OF HUAMBO, ANGOLA. "Peace
is the communion of united hearts in the awareness of a sole
origin. ... I speak of complete peace, that of the sons of God. ...
And what could be more contrary to peace than to make war to
end wars? War is death, it is separation; it will never build a
building-together and less still an acting-together. Peace is
dialogue, it is reciprocal listening and patient renewal, as John
Paul II tells us in his Messages for the World Day of Peace. ...
Dialogue is a part of the wisdom of the nations and reveals the
meaning of history. ... For those who would like to make war
perpetual, there will always be a pretext against the adversary.
Nevertheless, entire countries will be condemned to
depopulation and fundamental freedoms will be placed in the
hands of the strongest, leaving great multitudes in the wake of
history."

BISHOP VICTOR ADIBE CHIKWE OF AHIARA, NIGERIA.
"Bishops in those areas that lack vocations should feel free to
approach their brother bishops with plenty of vocations for help,
while assisting them to train these priests. This will truly be an
application of communion and mission co-operation. ... One
should not be deterred by the fact that some cases exist of
priests who refuse to come back to their home dioceses after
their studies in Europe and North America, nor of some priests
that get into trouble. One should not lose sight of many priests
from the mission countries who are missionaries to other third
world countries of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean Islands under
difficult conditions. The media seems to have a tendency of
blowing problems involving priests of the mission territories out
of proportion and context, and often generalizing about them.
This does not do any good to the image of the Church, rather it is
a calculated attempt to ridicule the Church and her discipline of
celibacy. While not condoning the bad behavior of some priests
in Africa and elsewhere, it must be strongly noted that there are
very many priests who are living out the evangelical councils and
bearing witness to the faith."

ARCHBISHOP PAUL K. BAKYENGA OF MBARARA, UGANDA.
"Investment in youth, investment in young people, investment in
young Churches could be one the priorities of the whole Church
as Family of God, in the third millennium. There is however a
new phenomenon affecting the populations of these young
Churches and their young population. This is the menace of the
disease AIDS that has yet no medical cure. The young
populations of these young Churches are particularly hit by this
disease. There is a generation of orphans who are losing hope
in life after losing their parents to the AIDS pandemic. Like sheep
without a shepherd, a number of orphans, lacking parental
support, turn to millenarian sects which exploit their credulity
leading to terrible consequences, such as at Kanungu, in South
Western Uganda, in March of 2000. In the current situation, the
bishop, mindful of his title as Father and Defender of the Poor,
must be close to these orphans so that they may at least acquire
life skills for their future."

ARCHBISHOP JOHN OLORUNFEMI ONAIYEKAN OF ABUJA,
PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE, NIGERIA. "On
the level of the world Church, there has been appreciable
attention given to the world of Islam. The Holy Father, especially
during his pastoral visits to many parts of the world, supported
by the Roman dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue, has been
doing marvelous work in the promotion of Christian-Muslim
dialogue. However, these actions at the top level need to be
complimented, balanced and confirmed by appropriate action at
the local levels. In most countries, there is an Islamic presence
to some degree. In some nations it is dominant and dominating.
Countries which seem to have made religious intolerance and
fanaticism the basis of state policy should not be allowed to
continue to get away with gross violation of human rights in the
name of religion. Our country, Nigeria presents a privileged
situation of Christian-Muslim dialogue and collaboration. ...
There are however occasions every now and again when friction
and conflict flare up, at times violent and bloody. These
difficulties arise from two main reasons: the utterances and
activities of fanatics, sometimes on both sides, and the
manipulation of politicians who misuse religion for selfish
purposes. The attempt to impose the Sharia as state law is a
case in point. Our response to all these challenges includes
deepening the faith, patient dialogue and commitment to the
pursuit of the common good."

* * *

ARCHBISHOP JOHN J. MYERS INSTALLED AT NEWARK

NEWARK, NJ OCT 9, 2001 - In the Sacred Heart Basilica,
Newark, the Most Reverend John Josph Myers, J.C.D., D.D. was
installed as its fifth archbishop. Five cardinals were present
including: Anthony Cardinal Bevilaqua, Archbishop of
Philadelphia, James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop Emeritus of
Washington, DC, Bernard Cardinal Law, Archbishop of Boston,
Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, and
the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Most Rev. Gabriel
Montalvo. Fifty-eight archbishops and bishops were also in
attendance.

Official Press Release
http://www.rcan.org/news/100901pr.htm

For more information from the Archdiocese of Newark
http://www.rcan.org/archbish/jjm/jjm_diverse_archdio.htm

The Homily of Archbishop Myers
http://www.rcan.org/news/100901p6.htm

The Coat-of-Arms of the new Archbishop
http://www.rcan.org/archbish/jjm/jjm_coatofarms.htm

* * *

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sirs:

I enjoy your email publication. However I find I am not interested
in  all
the articles in an issue but just some. Currently I have to scroll
through
the entire document looking for the different title to see if I want to
read
it.  May I suggest that you also list all article titles right in the
beginning under a lead in such as: "The following articles are
contained in
this issue: .... then bulletize a list of titles.

Thank you and God bless,

Jack Lavery


Dear Jack:

I had used headline captions in a contents section after the
masthead in at least one of our earliest issues.  I have used it in
this issue for your convenience.  Another option is to separate
each article and post it as an individual posting with the title in
the subject line.  I was wondering if this might be a useful poll?
If there is any interest on choosong between a contents section
versus separate postings for each article then a poll will be
conducted.  If interested please send me email entitled RCN
POLL to jlupia2@....

Cordially in Christ,
John N. Lupia
Editor

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
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button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either
November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

__________________________________________________
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 19 A

FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• SIXTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION
• John Paul II Presents God as Hope Amid the Sufferings of Life
• Pope Reiterates Call for Prayers for World Peace
• Danger Seen in Fundamentalist Muslim States
• Oct. 11 Is Special Day of Prayer for Synod and Pope
• Caritas Implements New Projects to Help Afghan Refugees
• Papal Audience at General Audience
"God Wants to Make the Whole Man Happy"
• John Paul II Recalls "Inhuman Terrorist Attacks"
* * *
SIXTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 11, 2001 (VIS) - The Pope presided over a solemn ceremony
of prayer this morning in the Synod Hall, at the start of the 16th General
Congregation of the Synod of Bishops, for the victims of last month's
terrorist attack in the United States. After a prayer by the Holy Father, a
synod father and fraternal delegate pronounced a brief homily. Afterwards,
intentions were read in various languages.

"One month after the inhuman terrorist attacks in different parts of the
United States of America, let us entrust once more," said John Paul II, "the
countless innocent victims to the eternal mercy of the God of our fathers.
We ask for consolation and comfort for their families and relatives,
overcome with grief; we invoke strength and courage for those who continue
rendering help in the places affected by the terrible disaster; we implore
tenacity and perseverance for all men of good will in pursuing the ways of
justice and peace. May the Lord eradicate from the heart of man every trace
of resentment, enmity and hatred, and make him open to reconciliation,
solidarity and peace. We pray that a 'civilization of love' may be
established throughout the world."

There were 237 synod fathers present at this Congregation. The president
delegate on duty was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the
Congregation for Bishops.

Following are excerpts from the speeches of several fraternal delegates and
synod fathers:

METROPOLITAN AMBROSIUS OF OULU, FINLAND, FRATERNAL DELEGATE OF THE ORTHODOX
CHURCH OF FINLAND. "It is a privilege to be here as a fraternal delegate,
representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos of Constantinople. This synod
is of vital importance for the mission and witness of the Church in the 21st
century. ... The official dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Church
has a history of over twenty years. One of its most important achievements
so far has been the joint statement on 'The Sacrament of Order in the
Sacramental Structure of the Church'. ... From the time of the undivided
Church we equally in the East and the West, Orthodox and Catholics alike,
have fully understood that episcopacy belongs to the inherent nature of the
Church. ... As an Orthodox bishop I neither dare nor wish to touch the
question of the relationship between primacy and collegiality, which has
been raised here by several of you. But what I may be allowed to do, is to
express my fraternal solidarity to you. In spite of the regular work of
local and regional episcopal synods we in our Orthodox context today face
many difficult and unsolved problems concerning inter-Orthodox cooperation.
Already in the 1960's, the Orthodox Churches started the preparations for
the convening of a Great and Holy Synod, but until now rather little has
been achieved."

BISHOP PETER FORSTER OF CHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN, FRATERNAL DELEGATE OF THE
ANGLICAN COMMUNION. "Considerable recent work has been done in the Church of
England and the Anglican Communion on the place and work of the bishop in
the life of the Church. ... Apart from such issues as compulsory celibacy
and the potential eligibility of women to the episcopal office, remaining
differences are in two areas. The first concerns the relationship between
the personal, collegial and communal dimensions of the ministry of the
bishop. Anglicans maintain a model of bishop-in-synod, in which the personal
ministry of the bishop is inseparable from his leadership in the College of
Priests in his diocese. ... The second concerns the exercise of authority by
the universal Primate. Anglicans have come to accept the wisdom and need of
a universal primacy, exercised by the Bishop of Rome. ... Agreement remains
to be reached over the precise rights and responsibilities to be attached to
a renewed and fully ecumenical Primacy. Although much remains to be done,
Anglicans have a deep gratitude for the pastoral priority attached by Pope
John Paul II to the ecumenical task."

CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE ANGELO SODANO, VATICAN CITY STATE. "Each of us,
through episcopal ordination, has become a part, first of all, of the
College of Bishops and has, therefore, the duty to feel himself a member of
this body, wherever he is called to work. ... To all of the brothers in the
episcopate I would like to say that the 25 bishops who are the heads of the
respective dicasteries of the Roman Curia, are constantly committed to
inspiring this spirit of fraternal collaboration with all the bishops of the
entire world, following the directives which the Holy Father has given us in
the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, of June 28, 1988, with the
very significant title: 'Pastor Bonus'. ... To the brothers who work in the
dioceses, I permit myself to ask them not to ask impossible things of us,
who work in the Curia. We are all limited. ... I would like, finally, to
assure you that this is also the spirit with which the bishops work who are
sent by the Pope as his nuncios and apostolic delegates in the various
nations. Today they are more than one hundred, and some of them serve in
very difficult situations. ... And here I would like to honor the mourned
Apostolic Nuncio in Papua New Guinea, Archbishop Hans Schwemmer, of the
diocese of Regensburg, Germany, who died in service in recent days, as well
as honor all those who, with great sacrifice, are working in the most
difficult and distant places."

BISHOP ERKOLANO LODU TOMBE OF YEI, SUDAN. "Conflict and persecution: The
conflict and persecution in Sudan are a direct result of a systematic
campaign of 'Islamization' and 'Arabization' of non-Arabs and non-Muslims
who hold political and economic power in Sudan. Religious Persecution:
Religious persecution is the systematic denial of basic religious freedom. A
program of 'Islamization' continues to characterize the approach of the
fundamentalist regime of Khartoum towards the Christians and those Muslims
who do not profess that particular version of fundamentalist Islam."

BISHOP OSWALD THOMAS COLMAN GOMIS OF ANURADHAPURA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE
FEDERATION OF ASIAN BISHOPS' CONFERENCES, SRI LANKA. "My reference is to the
Biblical image of the washing of the feet, to the mystery of uniting the
bishop and his people, and to a Church with a human face. All this calls for
a new style of leadership. ... It is a leadership that makes leaders of
others. Leadership is a ministry at the service of the community. A
participatory Church calls for a participatory exercise of the bishop's
leadership to build co-responsibility. A participatory Church does not
simply have "helpers" but has "responsible co-workers" for the mission. They
are to be made to feel co- responsible for the Church's mission. This
participatory Church leadership is exercised by the bishop by 1) Offering a
vision to the people; 2 ) Creating a culture for empowering; and 3)
Re-adjusting the structures to allow participation. Vision gives the people
a sense of direction in all the pastoral plans. To create a culture of
empowerment, people must be made to feel that they are trusted and are being
encouraged to participate by giving their suggestions, listen to others and
work together for the decisions made. The readjustment of structures implies
that people are made to work as teams - all participate in decision-making.
... The ... point I wish to make is the need to have clearer guidelines to
promote a better relationship between the individual bishop and the
respective bishops' conference. Therefore we make a plea to this synod to
enunciate concrete guidelines for the relationship of all dioceses vis-a-vis
the bishops' conference, in the light of Vatican II."

CARDINAL IGNACE MOUSSA I DAOUD, PREFECT OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE ORIENTAL
CHURCHES. "The Synod of Bishops of the Eastern Patriarchates, with extended
jurisdictions, is understood as a way of practicing the collegiality of the
bishops, sanctioned from the first ecumenical councils ... and enriched by
the long and multiform experiences of the Eastern Churches. ... The Eastern
Catholic Churches, in particular those in the Near East, today face a
tragedy: emigration of their faithful, and risk facing it more in the
future. Certain Churches count more faithful in the diaspora than in the
traditional territories! This is a great loss for our Churches and for the
Christian presence in this part of the world. But this once again means that
the Eastern Catholic Churches must be capable of effectively organizing a
proper and apt pastoral ministry for their faithful living the situation of
the diaspora, evidently in deep communion and real agreement with the local
bishops of other 'sui iuris' Churches. ... The election of the bishop in the
Eastern tradition is not the fact or the work of an organ that prepares,
studies, and proposes names, but the work of a solidary and responsible
college which elects, creates, and makes the bishop. From this we can draw
that we should entrust the canonical research made by the Patriarch and the
bishops of the Synod and come back to the ancient and traditional practice
on the matter, for the patriarchal as well as the non-patriarchal
territories: in other words that the name of the bishop elected by the Synod
may be published immediately and that the elected bishop then ask the Pope
to accord ecclesial communion to him."

This afternoon, at the end of the 16th General Congregation, the Pope and
the synod fathers will pray the Rosary for peace in the world.

* * *

John Paul II Presents God as Hope Amid the Sufferings of Life
Focuses on Jeremiah 31 at General Audience

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Amid world tensions, John Paul II
used his general-audience address today to make a heartfelt appeal for hope
in God.

The Pontiff dedicated the audience to reflect on Chapter 31 of the Book of
Jeremiah, a passage full of hope and confidence in the future.

The "Book of Consolation," as the Jews called this passage, refers to
Israel's difficult years during the Assyrian occupation. In this context,
the saying becomes an invitation to unlimited joy, expressed in a future of
abundance in the precious goods of that period.

"The Bible is not about abstract spirituality," the Pope said. "The promised
joy does not just affect man's inner being, as the Lord looks after human
life in all its dimensions. Jesus himself did not fail to underline this
aspect, inviting his disciples to trust Providence also for material needs."


The canticle shows that "God wants to make the whole man happy," the Holy
Father said.

In spite of the Jews' exile in Babylon, God did not fail to keep his
promise, the Pope said. "Once again, because of their infidelity, the people
were to blame for this delusion," he said.

"Although the promise was not fulfilled then, because of the children's lack
of correspondence, the love of the Father remains in all its touching
tenderness," John Paul II said.

"This love is the golden thread that unifies the phases of the history of
Israel, in its joys and sorrows, its successes and failures," he continued.
"God does not lessen his love, and the punishment itself is but an
expression of it, assuming a pedagogic and salvific meaning."

Hence, God's promise of happiness is never betrayed -- if anything, it is
deferred, as it "will come sooner or later, despite all the frailties of
men," the Pope stressed.

The promise was fulfilled "with the death and resurrection of Christ and the
gift of the Spirit," and it will culminate with the Lord's return at the end
of time, he added.

"In the light of such certainties, Jeremiah's 'dream' continues to be a real
historical opportunity, conditioned by the faithfulness of men and, above
all, a final goal, guaranteed by the faithfulness of God and already
inaugurated by his love, in Christ," John Paul II concluded.

* * *

Pope Reiterates Call for Prayers for World Peace
During Address at General Audience

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Greeting the pilgrims gathered for
today's general audience, John Paul II again called for prayers for world
peace.

"I invite you all to pray for peace and to be committed to building a world
without violence, founded on respect for the dignity of every human being,"
the Holy Father said when directly addressing English-speaking pilgrims in
St. Peter's Square.

Several hundred U.S. pilgrims attended the general audience, the majority
from New York, Boston and California. The Pope made no direct reference to
the American military assault on Afghanistan, in response to the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks on the United States.

Just a few hours after the first bombing of Afghanistan, John Paul II
expressed his "anguish" and "concern" in this "delicate moment of
international life."

On Sept. 19, the Holy Father referred to the attack against the United
States as "a dark day for humanity." At all times the Pope has expressed his
closeness to the victims and their families, and to the sorrow of the
American people.

Speaking in Italian, the Holy Father prayed for peace in the Holy Land as he
blessed an artistic bronze gate, a gift of the Diocese of Verona, which will
be placed in St. Catherine's Church in Bethlehem.

* * *

Danger Seen in Fundamentalist Muslim States
Nigerian Archbishop Urges a Condemnation from Synod

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A champion of dialogue with Islam
urged the Synod of Bishops to condemn the human-rights violation that occur
in some Muslim states, especially those where fundamentalism holds sway.

Archbishop John Olorunferni Onaiyekan of Abuja, president of the Nigerian
episcopate, addressed the synod's 300 participants Tuesday saying, "Those
nations that have continued to make religious intolerance and fanaticism the
basis of state policy are naturally fertile breeding grounds for the kind of
terrorism that struck the world on Sept. 11."

"And this applies not only to the Taliban of Afghanistan, but also to many
nations, which have been and are enjoying political respectability in the
so-called international community," he added.

"When a nation denies some of its citizens the basic human right of freedom
of religion and equality before the law, is it not guilty of state
terrorism?" the archbishop asked. He cited Sudan as an example.

"Can this synod muster the courage to proclaim the truth, which the rest of
the world seems afraid to admit?" the archbishop queried. "For how long will
the world continue to allow some regimes to get away with gross violations
of human rights, in the name of religion?"

The Nigerian archbishop called his country of 120 million, which is half
Christian, half Muslim, a "privileged situation."

Despite the deadly upheavals in some Nigerian states because of the
imposition of Shariah, or Islamic law, the archbishop said that Muslims and
Christians live in harmony.

This is why he considers it "regrettable that it is only on such occasions
[of upheaval] that the world media, with its predilection for bad news,
shows interest in our country."

He blamed the recent clashes, which have left hundreds dead in Nigeria, on
two main reasons: "The utterances and activities of fanatics, sometimes on
both sides, which provoke crises and conflicts that later engulf everyone,"
and "the manipulation of politicians who misuse religion for selfish
purposes. The attempt to impose Shariah as state law is a case in point."

According to the archbishop, the Christian response to coexistence with
Islam implies three elements:

--"deepening the faith of our Christians, to be firm witnesses to their
faith while being respectful of others;

--"continuing to stretch out our hands for dialogue and collaboration with
the vast majority of our Muslim countrymen and women who are ready to live
in peace with everyone"; and,

--"for the sake of the common good, to resist and condemn injustice, even
and especially, when it is blasphemously claiming God's name."

Archbishop Onaiyekan ended his address with a Muslim greeting in Arabic and
Latin: "In-sha-Allahu," "Deo Volente. Amen."

* * *

Oct. 11 Is Special Day of Prayer for Synod and Pope

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II will dedicate the
one-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States to pray
for world peace and, in part, for the conversion of the terrorists.

Following his Oct. 4 meeting with former U.S. President George Bush, John
Paul II told the Synod of Bishops that the Holy See would join the United
States in this memorial day.

According to the Vatican Press Office, the synodal sessions will begin
Thursday with a moment of prayer. A Scripture reading and addresses by two
of the assembly's participants will follow.

Then will come prayers for these six intentions: the deceased, government
leaders, the conversion of the terrorists, the victims' relatives, rescue
workers, and the "children of Abraham," namely, Jews, Muslims and
Christians.

At the end of the sessions in the evening, the Pope will recite the rosary
with the synod fathers in the hall.

In addition, a Mass will be celebrated in St. John Lateran, the Pope's
cathedral. Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi are expected to attend.

* * *

Caritas Implements New Projects to Help Afghan Refugees

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Caritas' international network has
mobilized to set up sanitary facilities and provide potable water in six new
camps for Afghan refugees in northwest Pakistan.

The camps can accommodate 60,000 people, Vatican Radio reported today.

Before the U.S.-British attack on military sites in Afghanistan, Caritas
already worked in the refugee camps of Shanmshatoo, Akora Khatak and Jalozai
in Pakistan. Those camps can accommodate about 155,000 people.

Caritas provided food and health care for several thousand people, as well
as 1,700 temporary shelters with latrines and sanitary services. New camps
to handle another 330,000 people are in the works.

Caritas' directors said they are trying to offer psychological help, as well
as material goods, to the Afghans, who have lived for decades in dire
straits.

The work includes transmitting messages of peace and tolerance on
Baluchistan radio and in southwest Afghanistan.

* * *

Papal Audience at General Audience
"God Wants to Make the Whole Man Happy"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 10, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of John Paul
II's address at today's general audience in St. Peter's Square.


1. "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, proclaim it on distant coasts"
(Jeremiah 31:10). What kind of news is about to be given with these solemn
words of Jeremiah, which we heard in the Canticle just proclaimed? It is
consoling news, and it is no accident that the chapters that contain it (see
30-31) are described as the "Book of Consolation." The announcement refers
directly to ancient Israel; however, in some way, the evangelical message
can already be discerned.

The following is the heart of this announcement: "For the Lord has ransomed
Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him" (Jeremiah 31:11).
The historical background of these words is found in a moment of hope
experienced by the people of God, almost a century after the North of the
country was occupied by the Assyrian power, in 722. Now, at the time of the
prophet, the religious reform of King Josiah expresses a return of the
people to the covenant with God and hope arises that the time of punishment
is over. The possibility emerges that the North will be able to return to
liberty and Israel and Judah will be restructured in unity. All, even the
"distant coasts," must be witnesses to this wonderful event: God, the
shepherd of Israel, is about to intervene. He who permitted the scattering
of his people, now comes to gather them.

2. The invitation to joy is developed with images that are profoundly
moving. It is a saying that makes one dream! It delineates a future in which
the exiled "will see and sing," and will find again not only the temple of
the Lord, but also all goods: wheat, wine, oil, the young of flocks and
herds. The Bible is not about abstract spirituality. The promised joy does
not just affect man's inner being, as the Lord looks after human life in all
its dimensions. Jesus himself did not fail to underline this aspect,
inviting his disciples to trust Providence also for material needs (see
Matthew 6:25-34). Our Canticle emphasizes this point of view: God wants to
make the whole man happy. The condition that he prepares for his children is
expressed in the symbol of the "watered gardens" (Jeremiah 31:12), images of
freshness and fruitfulness. Mourning is turned into joy, being satiated with
delights (see verse 14) and abundant goods, so much so that dancing and
singing are spontaneous. It will be unlimited joy, the people's happiness.

3. History tells us that this dream is yet to come true. But certainly not
because God had failed to keep his promise: once again, because of their
infidelity, the people were to blame for this delusion. The Book of Jeremiah
itself demonstrates this with the unfolding of a prophecy that becomes
suffering and hardship, and leads progressively to some of the saddest
phases of the history of Israel. Not only the exiled of the North will not
return, but Judea itself will be occupied by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C.
Bitter days now began when, on the shores of Babylon the lyres were hung
from the willows (Psalm 136:2). There was no desire to sing for the
satisfaction of the captors. It is not possible to rejoice, if one is
uprooted by force from the homeland, the land where God had made his
dwelling.

4. And yet the invitation to joy that characterizes this saying does not
lose meaning. Indeed, the ultimate motivation on which it leans remains
firm, expressed especially in some intense verses, which precede those
proposed in the Liturgy of the Hours. It is important to keep them in mind,
while reading the expressions of joy of our Canticle. They describe in
vibrant terms the love of God for his people. They indicate an irrevocable
pact: "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:3). They sing
the paternal effusions of a God who calls Ephraim his firstborn and covers
him with tenderness: "They departed in tears, but I will console them and
guide them; I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that
non shall stumble. For I am a father to Israel" (Jeremiah 31:9). Although,
the promise was not fulfilled then, because of the children's lack of
correspondence, the love of the Father remains in all its touching
tenderness.

5. This love is the golden thread that unifies the phases of the history of
Israel, in its joys and sorrows, its successes and failures. God does not
lessen his love, and the punishment itself is but an expression of it,
assuming a pedagogic and salvific meaning.

On the solid rock of this love, the invitation to joy of our Canticle evokes
a future of God that, although deferred, will come sooner or later, despite
all the frailties of men. This future was fulfilled in the new covenant with
the death and resurrection of Christ and the gift of the Spirit. However, it
will have its complete fulfillment at the eschatological return of the Lord.
In light of such certainties, Jeremiah's "dream" continues to be a real
historical opportunity, conditioned by the faithfulness of men and, above
all, a final goal, guaranteed by the faithfulness of God and already
inaugurated by his love, in Christ.

Therefore, in reading this saying of Jeremiah, we must let the Gospel
resound in us, the wonderful news promulgated by Christ in the synagogue of
Nazareth (see Luke 4:16-21). Christian life is called to be a real
"jubilation," which only our sin can harm. In reciting these words of
Jeremiah, the Liturgy of the Hours invites us to anchor our life in Christ,
our redeemer (see Jeremiah 31:11) and, in our personal and communal life, to
seek the secret of true joy in him.

[original in Italian; translation by ZENIT]

* * *

[Here is an English-language summary of the address given by the Holy
Father.]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the Canticle of Jeremiah, the Prophet begins by summoning us to listen to
the good news of consolation in the midst of every desolation. The good news
is that God rescues us from every power that threatens us. He promises us a
happiness which extends to every aspect of human life. Jeremiah is calling
us to share a joy which nothing and no-one can take away. Clearly, God's
promise has not yet been completely fulfilled, but still we wait in faith
for that fulfilment. We trust because the promise depends not upon us in our
frailty, but upon the absolutely reliable love of God, which is guaranteed
by an everlasting covenant. This love has already triumphed in the Easter
mystery, in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus and the sending of the Holy
Spirit. Now, in the midst of all our sorrows and uncertainties, we look
confidently to the time when the victory of Easter will be complete. Then we
shall know the fullness of joy and happiness of which the Prophet sings.

I extend a special greeting to the groups of young people from various
countries present at this audience. I invite you all to pray for peace and
to be committed to building a world without violence, founded on respect for
the dignity of every human being. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and
visitors I invoke the blessings of which the Canticle of Jeremiah speaks.
God be with you all!

[Original text: English; distributed by Vatican Press Office]

* * *
John Paul II Recalls "Inhuman Terrorist Attacks"
Synod Marks a Day of Prayer, for Events of Sept. 11

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A month to the day since the
assault on the United States, John Paul II prayed especially for the victims
of the "inhuman terrorist attacks" and urged that all traces of hatred be
eliminated from hearts.

The Holy Father prayed at the start of the morning session of the Synod of
Bishops, which has gathered just under 300 prelates until Oct. 27.

"We again commend to the eternal mercy of the God of our fathers the
numerous innocent victims," the Pope prayed in Italian.

"We ask for consolation and comfort for their families and relatives,
prostrated by pain," he said. "We invoke strength and courage for however
many continue their work in the places hit by this terrible disaster; we
implore tenacity and perseverance for all the men of good will continuing on
the paths of justice and peace."

"May the Lord remove from the heart of man every trace of resentment,
hostility and hatred, and open him to reconciliation, solidarity and peace,"
the Pope said. "Let us pray so that the 'civilization of love' may be
established all over the world."

Following the papal prayer, Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja,
president of the Nigerian episcopal conference, and a Fraternal Delegate of
the Anglican Communion, Bishop Peter Forster of Chester, England, delivered
brief homilies.

The assembly then prayed in English that the Consoling Spirit inspire men
and women in works of life and peace. They prayed in French that the Spirit
illuminate leaders of peoples and nations with the gift of wisdom.

In Spanish, the participants prayed to the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of
the terrorists to the light of truth. A prayer in Arabic begged the Spirit
for the gift of wisdom of heart for all those who acknowledge Abraham as
father in faith (Jews, Muslims and Christians).

In Portuguese, participants prayed for the healing of wounds of innocent
peoples scourged by terrorism and violence.

In Russian, prelates prayed to the Spirit to infuse courage in men of good
will and a tireless will to work for reconciliation and peace.

Lastly, in German, participants prayed for eternal life for all the victims
of terrorism and war.

After praying the Our Father, John Paul II concluded with this prayer: "O
Almighty and Merciful God, he who sows discord cannot understand you, he who
loves violence cannot welcome you. Watch over our painful human condition
tried by brutal acts of terrorism and death, comfort your children, and open
our hearts to hope, that our time may again know days of serenity and
peace."

At the end of the day's synodal sessions, the Holy Father recited the rosary
with the assembly.

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.





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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 19 B

FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• 3 Plots Against John Paul II´s Life Foiled Since 1995
• Don´t Ask Curia for the Impossible, Cardinal Sodano Pleads
• Sudan´s Painful Plight Spelled Out for Synod
• A Voice from an Absent China
• Anglican Representative Speaks Up for Papal Primacy
• Cuban Musician Weeps as He Sings Pope´s Praises
• Christians Held by Taliban Maintain "Inner Strength"
• Taliban Due to Get Defense Petition for Detainees
• Rediscovering the Rosary in a Troubled World
• IN BRIEF
• CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK
FOLLOW UP ON BUDDHISM VS. CATHOLICISM
• ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES
• HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION
• EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY
• PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN
• Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
• Closing Signature
• Copyright Notices

* * *

3 Plots Against John Paul II´s Life Foiled Since 1995
Bill Clinton and Press Sources Point to Terrorists

ROME, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- In recent years, John Paul II has been the
object of at least three failed plots on his life by fundamentalist
terrorist groups, according to political and press sources.

On Wednesday, former U.S. President Bill Clinton confirmed that in January
1995 a plan was thwarted to assassinate the Pope during his trip to the
Philippines.

According to the CIA, the mastermind behind the plot was terrorist Ramzy
Youssef, who two years earlier organized the first attack on New York's Twin
Towers. Some say Youssef is Kuwaiti, others Iraqi.

The story of this attempt on the Pope's life has been referred to several
times by different sources, but it is the first time that a person of the
stature of a U.S. president has mentioned it.

Also on Wednesday, the Italian press agency AP.Biscom revealed that during
the Holy Father's recent visit to Syria, a Muslim fundamentalist group had
planned to have a kamikaze woman outfitted with explosives throw herself
against the "popemobile" in the old city of Damascus. After the explosion,
terrorists nearby were to open fire at will.

According to AP.Biscom, the attack was avoided because the CIA informed the
Vatican on the eve of the trip, and the latter sent the information to
Syria's secret service, which adopted very stringent security measures.

Today, the Italian daily Corriere della Sera revealed that a Pakistani
citizen was detained in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 4. According to U.S.
investigators and the FBI, he belonged to a terrorist network with
associates in Italy and other European countries which was planning to
attack the Vatican.

Last month, a NATO source told Corriere della Sera that al-Qaida extremists,
funded by Osama bin Laden, selected 30 possible targets, among which was one
"of high religious value."

* * *

Don´t Ask Curia for the Impossible, Cardinal Sodano Pleads
Vatican Secretary of State Urges a "Synod of Unity"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Members of the Roman Curia have
their virtues and limitations like everyone else, and should not be asked to
do the impossible, the Synod of Bishops was told today.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, made that observation as
he appealed for the assembly to be "the synod of unity."

Cardinal Sodano told participants: "Allow me to ask brothers who work in the
dioceses not to demand impossible things from those of us who work in the
Curia. We all have our limits."

"Clashes serve no purpose," he added, recalling in Latin the words of the
Apostle: "Alter alterius onera portate!" ("Bear one another's burdens").

"May this be the spirit of our common work, animated by the same flame of
charity that Christ infused in our hearts," Cardinal Sodano continued.

The secretary of state explained that the 25 bishops who head Curia
organizations come from all the continents and wish to work in this spirit.

"At the beginning of the third Christian millennium, the episcopal college
will appear before the world as the college of the apostles appeared in the
Cenacle, and will bear strong witness of being truly 'cor unum et anima
una.'"

* * *

Sudan´s Painful Plight Spelled Out for Synod
Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe of Yei Addresses Assembly

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Sudanese people's cry of
suffering resounded this morning in the Synod of Bishops, through the words
of Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe of Yei.

Following is an adapted résumé of his speech. The résumé was distributed by
the Synod of Bishops.

The conflict and persecution in Sudan are a direct result of a systematic
campaign of Islamization and Arabization of non-Arabs and non-Muslims, who
do not hold political and economic power in Sudan.

Religious persecution

Religious persecution is the systematic denial of basic religious freedom. A
program of Islamization continues to characterize the approach of the
fundamentalist regime of Khartoum toward the Christians and those Muslims
who do not profess that particular version of fundamentalist Islam.

Cultural persecution

Cultural persecution is the systematic undermining of the dignity of
non-Arab Sudanese citizens; the relegation of people to a status of
subservience continues to shape social institutions and fundamental
attitudes of people living in northern Sudan for which the government is
responsible.

Aerial bombardment

Frequent aerial bombardments of civilian targets are carried out by the
government. This is a systematic use of high-altitude Russian-made Antonov
bombers to terrorize the civilian population in contested areas. Other
tactics are also used to drive people out from oil rich regions of southern
Sudan; these are part of the military strategy of the government of Sudan.

Oil exploration

Oil exploration in southern Sudan by multinational oil companies from
Canada, China and Malaysia fuels the war.

Its development and sales contribute to an expansion of the war, deepen the
plight of the people of southern Sudan, harden the resolute decision of the
government to see a military solution to the conflict, and widen the gap
between the government and the armed liberation movement in southern Sudan,
which is contesting the government's practices and legitimacy.

Displaced people

The internally displaced people in the north and south of Sudan live in
desperate conditions of life, with little hope for immediate improvement.

Refugees in neighboring countries

Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries suffer in refugee camps with few
prospects for their future. Donor fatigue on the part of the international
community is due to the fact that the conflict is being protracted.

Urgent intervention

There is urgent need for intervention in southern Sudan, particularly in the
areas of education and technical training and for formation of individuals
and communities in the basic principles of responsible government and civil
administration.

[Original text: English]

* * *

A Voice from an Absent China
Wanxian Bishop Tells What´s Happening

WANXIAN, China, OCT. 11, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Fides).- As happened during the
Synod of Asia in 1998, there are no bishops from mainland China taking part
in the current Synod of Bishops in Rome.

Bishop Joseph Cheng of Tainan, Taiwan, is attending. But the closest the
mainland bishops came to the assembly may have been a Chinese version of the
synod's "instrumentum laboris," or working document, that they received.

To get an idea of what's going on in China today, the Vatican agency Fides
asked Bishop Joseph Xu Zhixuan, of the Diocese of Wanxian in central China,
to comment on his situation. Part of his response follows:

"The Wanxian Diocese has 13 parish churches. Five of them, including the
cathedral, will be submerged when the Three Gorges dam on the River Chang is
completed. The $200,000 compensation offered by the Chinese government is
insufficient: The diocese will need at least $3.4 million to rebuild the
churches. ...

"Since the death of Bishop Mathias Duan Yinming, I have tried to carry on
leading the diocesan mission along the lines traced by Bishop Duan, who was
for us a model and an example.

"I strive to carry out my ministry according to the principles of the
Church: to tend to the local community in communion with the Successor of
Peter. In China, as you know, the situation is unusual: Very often we are
unable to act as we would wish. So we try at least to do everything possible
to guarantee the fundamental elements of diocesan life: liturgy, catechesis,
pastoral activity.

"The duty of 'tending' the diocesan flock is full of concrete daily duties:
supporting diocesan structures; forming priests and religious; finding
financial help. We have guest priests and women religious from abroad
teaching in our seminary and novitiate houses.

"We organize regular periods of spiritual exercises -- I have just concluded
a diocesan retreat. With the limited funds received, we have begun
rebuilding our parishes.

"The most urgent problems are these in fact: formation of young priests and
religious [and] solving problems caused by the Three Gorges dam project that
has forced more than a million people out of their homes. ...

"But our most important ministry is 'to serve the truth.' We must bear
witness to the Gospel with courage, valuing our ecclesial traditions. To
serve the truth also means to support justice.

"For example: I am convinced that we must support the war against terrorism,
because it is a question of justice. At the same time, we must avoid
provoking acts of revenge, which would cause innocent victims."

* * *

Anglican Representative Speaks Up for Papal Primacy
Proposes Further Study on the Matter

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- An Anglican prelate attending the
Synod of Bishops announced that the communion he represents accepts the
primacy of the Pope, although its application must be subject to further
study.

Bishop Peter Forster of Chester, England, ecumenical delegate of the
Anglican Communion to the ongoing Synod of Bishops, addressed the assembly
this morning, as did representatives of the Orthodox and Armenian Churches
and the World Lutheran Federation.

"Anglicans have come to accept the wisdom and need of a universal primacy,
exercised by the Bishop of Rome," the Anglican said. "It is recognized that
such a need, for the mission of the Church, will grown discernibly as the
process of globalization progresses.

"Agreement remains to be reached over the precise rights and
responsibilities to be attached to a renewed and fully ecumenical primacy."

Recognition of the unique role of the Bishop of Rome in Christianity was
agreed by the Anglican Communion in a 1999 document entitled "The Gift of
Authority," of the Anglo-Roman Catholic International Commission.

"Although much remains to be done, Anglicans have a deep gratitude for the
pastoral priority attached by Pope John Paul II to the ecumenical task, as
set out in the encyclical letter 'Ut Unum Sint,'" Bishop Forster said.

"We are also greatly encouraged by other ecumenical advances, notably the
agreements between the Anglicans and Lutherans in Northern Europe, the
United States of America, and Canada, to achieve full communion," he added.

Representing the Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Ambrosius of Oulu, Finland,
addressed the synod for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

As "an Orthodox Bishop I neither dare nor wish to touch the question of the
relationship between primacy and collegiality, which has been raised here by
several of you," he said. "However, what I may be allowed to do is to
express my fraternal solidarity to you."

The metropolitan acknowledged that his Church, which has greater experience
with synods, also has problems in practicing collegiality.

"In spite of the regular work of local and regional episcopal synods, in our
Orthodox context today we face many difficult and unsolved problems
concerning inter-Orthodox cooperation," the metropolitan said.

"Already in the 1960s, the Orthodox Churches started the preparations for
the convening of a Great and Holy Synod, but until now rather little has
been achieved," he said.

Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan of Gyumry and Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic
Church analyzed the spiritual dimension of today's bishop.

"In our world of individualism and self-confidence, the bishops must find
the way toward people's needs, and be closer to and more concerned with the
daily problems of each member of their flock," the Armenian said.

"People should not see a bishop as a bureaucrat, who distances himself from
the problems of ordinary men and women, behind the walls of his episcopal
palace," the Armenian bishop said.

Lutheran Bishop Tore Furberg of Sweden also addressed the synod.

He began by referring to the 1999 Catholic-Lutheran agreement on the
doctrine of justification, which surmounted one of the critical issues of
Martin Luther's schism. He also asked that the Catholic Church recognize the
sacramental character of Anglican and Lutheran episcopal ordinations.

* * *

Cuban Musician Weeps as He Sings Pope´s Praises

ROME, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Legendary Cuban musician Compay Segundo
broke out in tears when he spoke about John Paul II during an interview on
Italian television.

The guitarist and inventor of musical instruments, who celebrates his 94th
birthday today, was taking part in a RAI entertainment program. He was
overwhelmed when he recalled his Jubilee Year meeting with the Pope.

"The Pope is the heart of humanity; if all men accepted his message, there
would no longer be any wars in the world," the Cuban musician said.

The recording of the transmission had to be interrupted several times
because Segundo was so overwhelmed.

Baptized Francisco Repilado, Segundo is a living legend, a crucial link
between Spanish and African influences on Cuban music.

* * *
Christians Held by Taliban Maintain "Inner Strength"
So Says Freed British Journalist

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).-
Yvonne Ridley, the British journalist released late Wednesday by the Taliban
after 10 days in captivity, confirmed that she shared a cell briefly last
week in Kabul with six detained Christian women relief workers.

"They'd been there for two months, and those women just had a tremendous
inner strength," Ridley said, in an article published by the Daily Express
in London.

Ridley, now in Pakistan, described the women's cell as "about 20 square
yards, not even that big," and noted that, although the Taliban had cleaned
it, "it was still squalid."

The journalist said one of the women was on hunger strike and had not eaten
for 20 days. All of the detainees have suffered from stomach problems,
according to sources close to their families.

Last week, prisoner Diana Thomas sent a handwritten fax to her pastor in
Australia, saying that the detainees have been moved to a location where
they are able to cook their own meals and even order food from a nearby
restaurant.

The German office of Shelter Now told the Compass news agency that its
received new faxes from some of the detainees Wednesday morning, but
declined to reveal any of the contents.

There are a total of eight Christian relief workers being held in
Afghanistan on charges of proselytism.

They are German citizens George Taubmann, 45; Katrin Jelinek, 29; Margrit
Stebner, 43; and Silke Durrkopf, 36; Australians Peter Bunch, 57, and Diana
Thomas, 50; and Americans Heather Mercer, 24, and Dayna Curry, 29.

* * *

Taliban Due to Get Defense Petition for Detainees

ISTANBUL, Turkey, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- While the British-American
military offensive against Afghanistan continued, the attorney for the
Western co-workers detained by the Taliban was returning to Kabul to
continue their defense, the Compass news agency reported Wednesday.

The co-workers belong to the Shelter Now, a Germany-based Christian
humanitarian organization. The group said Pakistani attorney Atif Ali Khan
was believed to be making the 10-hour overland trip to Kabul with a
companion.

Khan hoped that he would be able to submit his written defense to the
Taliban Supreme Court today, German Foreign Ministry sources told Shelter
Now.

The eight imprisoned Christians comprise four Germans, two Australians and
two Americans. They are accused of preaching Christianity among Afghan
Muslims, a capital offense under the strict Taliban interpretation of
Islamic law.

Last Saturday the Taliban offered to release the prisoners if the United
States stopped its "massive propaganda campaign of military action against
the Afghan people."

It was the first time that the Taliban had linked the Christian defendants
to the crisis over Osama bin Laden. U.S. officials dismissed the offer as a
stalling tactic.

* * *

Rediscovering the Rosary in a Troubled World
Interview with Founder of Youth Missionary Service

ROME, OCT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- For those who think the rosary has been
forgotten, the founder of the Youth Missionary Service has a very different
message.

Ernesto Olivero, 61, former banker and a married man with three children,
dedicates himself to the service of the poor and the marginalized. Mother
Teresa of Calcutta once recommended him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1964, Olivero founded the Youth Missionary Service, an association
characterized by its simple, fraternal, communal lifestyle, dedicated to
proclaiming the Gospel through initiatives of conciliation.

John Paul II appealed to Catholics to pray the rosary this month for world
peace and an end to terrorism. Here, Olivero talks about the timeliness of
this prayer.

--Q: What does the rosary mean to you?

--Olivero: It is something I carry within me. The rosary leads me to the
Word of God. Never before has the rosary been so invaluable. In such a mad
world, only one woman, Mary, can help man rediscover peace.

What is happening at present makes us understand that if man does not find
the wisdom that leads to God, chaos alone remains. We continue to choose
God, and I believe that the Virgin is a great intermediary.

--Q: And yet, there are those who say it is boring and repetitive. Do you
agree?

--Olivero: No. The rosary has a repetition that is full of meaning and love.
Love never regards anything as repetitive, including the simplest gesture to
the beloved. Sometimes, while I pray the rosary, I am tormented by the fact
that I don't understand what I am saying, that I am distracted, but I know I
am dedicating time to God through Mary. So it is not repetitive.

--Q: Do you think it is an appropriate prayer for young people?

--Olivero: I think so. It is the prayer of simplicity, and whoever is simple
has understood everything. And young people are simple. Anyway, before
advising a boy or girl to pray the rosary, I would suggest that they
encounter God, with the silence of God that leads to the rosary, to that
apparent repetition.

* * *
IN BRIEF

JOHN PAUL II HAS WRITTEN A MESSAGE TO THE AUGUSTINE MISSIONARY SISTERS, on
the occasion of the celebration, in Rome, of their 19th General Chapter. The
Pope expresses his "sincere appreciation" for the good that has been done by
the Congregation in its over 100 years of existence and urges the religious
sisters to "participate with generosity in the passionate task of opening,
with the witness of the life and announcement of Christ, new horizons of
hope for humanity." ARCHBISHOP GIORGIO ZUR, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOLY SEE
TO THE RUSSIAN

FEDERATION, intervened on October 4 at the Conference of European Ministers
of Justice, held in Moscow, October 4 to 5. In his speech, he reminded the
ministers that "without a courageous political will to resolve difficult
problems ... the perverse spiral of terrorism will not stop tempting and
attracting persons and groups who see in recourse to this wicked and
unacceptable practice, an effective, even legitimate, way to fight."

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

FOLLOW UP ON BUDDHISM VS. CATHOLICISM
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

For more on the comparison between Buddhism and Christianity in general a
new book is being released this month of October by the Oxford University
Press.

Jay L. Garfield, Empty Words. Buddhist Philosophy and Cross-Cultural
Interpretation. (Oxford University Press, 2001).

Next month in November Oxford University Press will release two new titles:

Donald W. Mitchell, The Story of Buddhism. Introducing the Buddhist
Experience (Oxford University Press, 2001).

John L. Esposito, Darrell Fasching, and Todd Lewis, World Religions Today
(Oxford University Press, 2001).

HarperSanFrancisco Publishers has released a paperback edition of Donald S.
Lopez, Jr., The Story of Buddhism. A Concise Guide to its History &
Teachings

SUNY Press released Sid Brown, The Journey of One Buddhist Nun (SUNY, 2001);
RanjiniObeyesekere, Portraits of Buddhist Women. Stories From the
Saddharmaratnavaliya (SUNY, 2001); David R. Loy, A Buddhist History of the
West (SUNY Press, February 2002)

John S. Strong, The Experience of Buddhism: Sources and Interpretations
(Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001)

---The Catholic Reference Desk

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

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(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 20

SUNDAY, 14 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME


* * *
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Franciscans Want to Go on a Mission of Peace to Afghanistan
• Papal Address at Midday Angelus
The Rediscovery of the Rosary
• Annan Thinks Coalition Against Terrorism Will Hold Up
Nobel Prize Winner Meets the Press
• Address by Cuba´s Bishop González Amador
• Cambodian Bishop Looks Toward December Ordinations
• Again, Pope Calls Faithful to Pray Rosary for Peace
"Who, Better Than Mary, Can Accompany Us"
• Nobel Prize "Well-Merited," Pope Tells U.N.´s Kofi Annan
• Beijing-Rome Relations Not Quite Right Yet, Says Vatican Aide
• JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA
• MESSAGE TO BROTHERS, SERVANTS OF MARY, FOR GENERAL CHAPTER

* * *

Franciscans Want to Go on a Mission of Peace to Afghanistan
Reminiscent of Francis´ Trek 800 Years Ago

ROME, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A group of Franciscan friars, members of
an itinerant fraternity, hope to go on a peace mission to Afghanistan.

The itinerant fraternity comprises friars from various continents, between
35 and 40 years of age. Among them is an American. The Franciscans wish to
emulate St. Francis who, 800 years ago, went to see Sultan Malek El-Kamil.

"However, in going to Afghanistan, we must think of the Franciscans of
Pakistan, who might suffer direct consequences of such a gesture," the
Minister General of the order, Father Giacomo Bini, told the Italian
newspaper Avvenire.

Yet, the Minister General sees the initiative as a prophetic gesture.

"Our peace is called Jesus Christ, and it is a peace that does not seek
immediate, effective results, but is made up of small gestures that open new
horizons," he said. "It is a peace that combats every form of vengeance and
hatred, choosing ways of reconciliation and communion. However, only God
knows the time and way."

The gesture is in keeping with the Franciscan charism, he said.

"We have a special methodology of peace and reconciliation," the Minister
General explained. "For us, the commitment to peace is expressed with our
presence in areas where there is opposition, divisions, tensions. We go
there and behave, simply, as Christians."

Francis himself sent his followers to Muslim countries. "Since then, we are
present in Morocco, where we are respected and work with youth," Father Bini
continued. "We have communities in Libya and Egypt, with Arab brothers who
direct schools attended by students who, in the majority, are Muslims."

The Franciscans are also present in Central Asia. "There are more than 40
brothers in Pakistan, all natives of the country, who live in a Muslim
environment with a great spirit of peace and respect for all," Father Bini
said.

Peace is built by working at "different levels," he said. He noted that
Mother Teresa "worked with the poor; the Community of Sant'Egidio calls
meetings of leaders; we, Franciscans, live in contact with Muslims."

"What is important is not to say that it is impossible," the Franciscan
leader said. "Today, the relation between Christians and Muslims is
contaminated by fundamentalism, but we must try to build, even in a modest
way, new relations."

* * *

Papal Address at Midday Angelus
The Rediscovery of the Rosary

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of John Paul
II's address before the midday Angelus.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters!

1. Last Sunday we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The whole
month of October is dedicated to this beautiful prayer, very dear to
Christian peoples. Given the present international situation, I have invited
individuals and communities to pray the rosary for peace. I also renew this
appeal today, underlining at the same time that the rosary is the
contemplation of Christ in his mysteries, in close union with Mary Most
Holy.

Contemporary spirituality feels the intense need, so to speak, to focus on
the essential. Because of this, there is at present a promising rediscovery
of the true nature of the rosary, as a prayer that helps to be in Christ's
company, to know him better, absorb his teachings, and live the mystery. And
who, better than Mary, can accompany us in this journey of the mind and
heart? This is the meaning of the repetition of the "Hail Mary," which
"constitutes the scheme on which the contemplation of the mysteries
develops" (apostolic exhortation "Marialis Cultus," 77).

May a constant invocation for peace rise in the Church with the praying of
the rosary, either individually or in community, keeping our gaze fixed on
Jesus Christ, our peace.

2. The recitation of the rosary used to be very much practiced in families,
especially at the end of the day. This is what the spouses Luigi and Maria
Beltrame Quattrocchi did daily, whom next Sunday I will have the joy of
proclaiming blessed.

On that occasion, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the apostolic
exhortation "Familiaris Consortio," the Italian Church has called a congress
on the topic "The Family: Social Subject." I express my appreciation for
this initiative and I hope that the family will once again be central to
Italian society.

Next Saturday afternoon, Christian families are invited to a gathering for
reflection and prayer in St. Peter's Square. The next day, Sunday,
coinciding with World Missions Day, the culminating moment will take place
with the solemn beatification of the two spouses. It will be an apt occasion
to highlight the role of families in the Church's mission of evangelization.


3. While we recite the Angelus prayer together, let us remember the assembly
of the Synod of Bishops, which is being held in the Vatican. We entrust to
the Virgin all missionaries of the Gospel and implore for them the strength
to be builders of justice and peace. Such prayer for peace is taking place
throughout the world, at this time burdened by grave concerns. Let us join
in fervent prayer to the Lord through the intercession of Mary, Queen of
Peace.

* * *

Annan Thinks Coalition Against Terrorism Will Hold Up
Nobel Prize Winner Meets the Press

NEW YORK, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Kofi Annan says his sharing in the
award of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize "is more of a stimulus than a
recognition."

The U.N. secretary-general took note of international tensions when he met
with the press after the announcement about the prize. The prize went to
Annan and the United Nations.

"It is precisely in difficult times when we have to work harder to construct
peace," Annan said Friday.

U.N. headquarters was buzzing with news from Afghanistan, while Annan,
accompanied by his Swedish wife, answered reporters' questions.

--Q: George W. Bush has announced that the United Nations will play a key
role when it comes to guaranteeing Afghanistan's future stability. Are you
ready to reconstruct the country?

--Annan: We cannot impose on Afghans a government they don't want or don't
feel is their own. Therefore, any solution will have to stem from dialogue
and collaboration with the different sections that make up the population.
We have been working with the inhabitants of Afghanistan for some time, and
we will continue to do so.

The events of recent weeks will probably accelerate the process and perhaps,
having arrived at this point, it will be the people themselves who will ask
for a change. A period of transition, to bring all parts closer, and much
international aid will be necessary in the process of reconstruction.

At this moment the U.N. does not have the material resources to reconstruct
the country. However, our strength comes from member states, and I am sure
that if they believe the United Nations must have a key role, they will
equip us for it.

--Q: Will the international coalition against terrorism hold until there is
victory?

--Annan: I think so. It is a coalition; therefore, the different countries
that compose it will play different roles, according to their capacity and
willingness. There will be tensions, but terrorism is a common problem
because it is a challenge to legitimate governments and can only be defeated
by a united front.

--Q: The United States has advised the Security Council that it reserves the
right to attack other countries and groups. You yourself have expressed your
concern in the face of this possibility.

--Annan: It's true, but we have not interpreted the declaration as a threat
to strike out at will, according to the disposition of the one leading the
military campaign.

These are very delicate decisions that must be pondered and approved with
great care. Moreover, military operations are one aspect of this campaign
against terrorism and, in the end, will not be the decisive one. Initiatives
are necessary in the economic and political field and in intelligence, which
will be far more important.

--Q: Bush has stated he is in favor of a Palestinian state. To date, the
U.N. has been very prudent when it comes to giving its opinion on the
solution to that conflict.

--Annan: Not everything that is done is published in the press, because
sometimes it's better that way. We are moving in several ways, and you will
understand what I am saying when the appropriate moment comes.

--Q: In recent years, the U.N. has had a difficult relation with the United
States. Have the Sept. 11 attacks changed that relation?

--Annan: The relation with the United States is excellent, and it was so
before the attacks, as demonstrated by the solution of the problem of
Washington's late payments. Without a doubt, however, Sept. 11 changed many
things: A new diplomatic attitude is required to address the threats posed
by terrorism.

--Q: Isn't the conferring of this Nobel Prize for peace to the U.N. a
contradiction, precisely while a war rages which might make the clash of
civilizations, ethnic groups and religions real ... ?

--Annan: On the contrary, it is an encouragement to work harder, precisely
because we have been unable to impede the conflict, which does not have a
religion as its objective.

* * *

Address by Cuba´s Bishop González Amador
"They Want to See Us Totally Free"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Bishop Marcelo Arturo González
Amador of Santa Clara is Cuba's sole representative at the Synod of Bishops.
On Friday, he addressed the synod. The Synod Secretariat published the
following résumé of his remarks.

I come from a small Church, which has had to keep its gaze on the One who
died, on the suffering and resurrected Christ, to encounter in him the
reason for its existence, the indispensable strength in the midst of trials
and the patience necessary for living in hope, interpreting each instant of
its history as a time of grace, the hour of God.

My reflection is based on No. 9 of the "instrumentum laboris": the new face
of the bishop. All this leads me to think of five aspects.

1. We are men of God and men want us to be like God: saints. They seek us to
encounter in us that which they cannot encounter in others, God; they want
us to speak about God, with our experience, and want us to speak to God
about them.

2. They want to see us totally free, without dependence or limitations,
without submission or affiliation to any power, to anyone; without
conditioning and manipulation of any type. In other words, they want us
totally distant from political and economic power, fully available to
Christ, the only source of salvation.

3. The faithful want us to be men capable of illuminating thought and
uniting will, in other words, to create an environment of consensus.

4. Daily life leads us to enter into relationships with all people. These
people expect from us sensitivity to all human misery and the courage to
defend human rights, by legitimate means and without wrong intentions,
without hoping for a reward in exchange. ...

5. The Church and, first of all, we pastors are called to take concrete
steps, to make definite gestures of support and accompaniment for everyone,
but in particular to the people who live in marginalized and difficult
situations.

Finally, I would like to express to the Holy Father the gratitude of the
Cuban Church for his person and his constant daily commitment. Thank you for
those five days in the month of January 1998 when he walked on the land of
Cuba as a "Message of Truth and Hope." I wish to take advantage of this
opportunity to thank all the sister Churches for the support which they have
offered to the Church that lives in Cuba.

* * *

Cambodian Bishop Looks Toward December Ordinations

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Bishop Emile Destombes, apostolic
vicar of Phnom-Penh, Cambodia, addressed the Synod of Bishops on Oct. 11,
expressing hope for the future, given the Church's rebirth in his country.
The Vatican Press Office distributed the following résumé of his address.

The communist revolution, which marked in a different way the nations of
Laos and Cambodia, constrained the Church to live in silence and
persecution. The mystery of the Cross passed through these two nations. But
hope enlivened these communities that had become invisible.

In Cambodia, especially, this seemed irreversible. Just as Christ on the
cross offered his life to his Father for the salvation of the world,
witnesses offered their life in conformity to their faith, at the service of
their brothers and sisters.

And today's reborn Church wishes to be the servant of the "excluded ones" of
society and a sign of hope. The ordination of the first four Cambodian
priests, on Dec. 9, 2001, after the death of all the bishops and priests of
the nation during the Pol Pot regime, is another sign of this hope.

* * *

Again, Pope Calls Faithful to Pray Rosary for Peace
"Who, Better Than Mary, Can Accompany Us"

ROME, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- For the fourth time in two weeks, John
Paul II appealed to the faithful to pray the rosary "for peace at this time
burdened by grave concerns."

He made his appeal today before 20,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's
Square for the midday Angelus. The Holy Father mentioned "peace" six times
before reciting the Marian prayer.

"Given the present international situation, I have invited individuals and
communities to pray the rosary for peace," he said. "I also renew this
appeal today, underlining at the same time that the rosary is the
contemplation of Christ in his mysteries, in close union with Mary Most
Holy."

"Contemporary spirituality feels the intense need, so to speak, to focus on
the essential," the Pope continued, from the window of his study. "Because
of this, there is at present a promising rediscovery of the true nature of
the rosary, as a prayer that helps to be in Christ's company, to know him
better, absorb his teachings and live the mystery.

"And who, better than Mary, can accompany us in this journey of the mind and
heart? This is the meaning of the repetition of the Hail Mary, which
constitutes the scheme on which the contemplation of the mysteries develops.


"May a constant invocation for peace rise in the Church with the praying of
the rosary, either individually or in community, keeping our gaze fixed on
Jesus Christ, our peace."

With only a week left before World Missions Day, the Pontiff also asked for
prayers for "the missionaries of the Gospel," so that they might be
"builders of justice and peace."

"Such prayer for peace is taking place throughout the world, at this time
burdened by grave concerns," the Pope concluded.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., the Pope has
called incessantly for peace.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, a senior Taliban leader, Deputy Prime Minister
Haji Abdul Kabir, said the Islamic militia would be willing to hand over
Osama bin Laden to a third country if the United States halts the bombing of
the country and provides evidence against him, the Associated Press reported
today.

U.S. President George W. Bush rejected the offer. Washington has repeatedly
rejected any talks or conditions on its demands that the Taliban surrender
bin Laden and his al-Qaida terror network.

* * *

Nobel Prize "Well-Merited," Pope Tells U.N.´s Kofi Annan

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Noting the award of the 2001 Nobel
Peace Prize to the United Nations and its secretary-general, John Paul II
called it a "well-merited recognition."

In a telegram given to Secretary-General Kofi Annan by Archbishop Renato
Martino, Vatican permanent observer at the United Nations, the Pope
encouraged the efforts of the Ghanaian diplomat to improve U.N. services.

The telegram's text, published by Vatican Radio, urges the United Nations
"to respond with increasing effectiveness to the difficult challenges that
arise in the world, marked by apparently insurmountable imbalances, tensions
and the lack of respect for human rights."

"In your case, the Nobel Prize crowns a life dedicated to the service of
peace and justice, and the well-being of the peoples of the world," the Pope
told Annan.

* * *

Beijing-Rome Relations Not Quite Right Yet, Says Vatican Aide
Denies Report in Far Eastern Economic Review

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 14, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Is there a thaw in relations
between China and the Vatican?

This is the question highlighted by the international press when reporting
on the conference being held today through Wednesday in Beijing on the
Jesuit missionary, Father Matteo Ricci, who took Western learning to that
country 400 years ago.

Numerous scholars from China, as well as the United States and Europe, are
attending the meeting, sponsored by the Ricci Institute of the University of
San Francisco in California.

Quoting Chinese government authorities, Hong Kong newspapers stated recently
that this initiative is an opportunity to re-establish contacts between
Beijing and Rome, following last year's difficulties.

At the start of the Jubilee Year, the Catholic Patriotic Association, the
state-controlled church, ordained bishops without the Holy See's authority.
The canonization of China martyrs, on Oct. 1, 2000, drew harsh protests from
Beijing.

Now, the Gregorian University is organizing an international congress on
Matteo Ricci, to be held in Rome from Oct. 24-25.

Father Giancarlo Politi, a former missionary in Hong Kong who was recently
appointed an official of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of
Peoples, said, "These two congresses must be regarded for what they are: a
significant event of a strictly cultural nature; however, they do not allow
for hasty conclusions."

Such conclusions were suggested by the Far Eastern Economic Review in an
article published Oct. 4. The article announced the imminent resolution of
the grave differences that separate Rome and Beijing.

Father Politi said the article in the Far Eastern Economic Review had come
to a forced conclusion.

Following China's entry into the World Trade Organization, "the last weighty
question at the international level which remains to the resolved by China
is its contention with Rome, and it is logical that the media should follow
the two contenders closely to decipher any little sign that might spell
something new," Father Politi told the Italian newspaper Avvenire on
Saturday.

What is more serious, Father Politi added, is that the Far Eastern Economic
Review article was then reported by important Western media but,
"unfortunately, the situation is not like this."

"We are on the eve of a political event that calls for great prudence," the
priest said. "Next spring the Chinese Communist Party will hold its National
Congress, from which the leaders will emerge who will direct the Republic of
China in the forthcoming years."

In this context, Father Politi believes that, given the recent difficulties,
the future of China-Vatican relations requires greater realism on both
sides.

"On one hand, I believe, the government of Beijing must rethink the terms on
which it hopes to dialogue with the Church," he said. "On the other, the
Church and the Vatican will probably have to make an effort to keep in mind
the history and apparatus that exists in China, which will continue to exist
in the immediate future."

* * *

JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin
Navarro-Valls released the following declaration this afternoon:

  "At 11 this morning, Friday, October 12, the Holy Father received in
audience Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, president of the Republic of Venezuela.
The president then visited Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and
Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs, accompanied by
Dr. Alfonso Davila, Venezuelan foreign minister, and Dr. Ignacio Quintana,
ambassador of Venezuela to the Holy See.

  "During the meetings, there was an exchange of opinions on the current
international situation, on the shared commitment to rejecting the scourge
of terrorism, and on the need for collaboration between peoples.

  "Then, the current relations between Church and State in Venezuela were
examined. The expectations of the Holy See regarding the life of the Church
in Venezuela were illustrated to our honored guest, in particular those
concerning laws on education and worship, while in general those concerning
cooperation between religious and civil authorities in the social milieux
as well, for the good of the Venezuelan people."

* * *

MESSAGE TO BROTHERS, SERVANTS OF MARY, FOR GENERAL CHAPTER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2001 (VIS) - Published today was a Message from Pope
John Paul to Fr. Hubert M. Moons, prior general of the Order of Brothers,
Servants of Mary, on the occasion of their General Chapter, meeting on the
theme "With Mary, From Listening to God to Serving Life." The Order is
meeting in Ariccia, Italy from October 8 to 30. The Message is dated
September 29.

  The Pope said that the Chapter "represents a propitious occasion to
better underscore a particular aspect of the participation of the Virgin
Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church, with the aim of drawing from
this the inspiration for the choices and operative decisions of the Order.
For the Brothers, Servants of Mary, from the start it has been the Virgin,
the Star, who illuminates their path and is a sure reference point for all
of their apostolic programs."

  He highlighted four aspects of Mary's presence in the lives of the
Servants of Mary: With Mary in the search for God; With Mary in listening
to God, With Mary in a life of service and With Mary in serving vocational
animation.

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

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This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
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articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
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* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 21

MONDAY, 15 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"FEAST OF ST. TERESA  D'AVILA, O. CARM. DISC. FOUNDER & DOCTOR OF THE
CHURCH"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Key Reports Due Tuesday as Synod Sharpens Its Focus
• Ethical Conditions Outlined for U.S. Military Operation
• ARCHBISHOP MARTINO ADDRESSES THE U.N. ON POVERTY
• ANGELUS: PRAY THE ROSARY FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD
• 150,000 Pilgrims in Fatima for Anniversary of 3rd Apparition
• POPE JOHN PAUL II: 7TH LONGEST PONTIFICATE IN HISTORY

* * *

Key Reports Due Tuesday as Synod Sharpens Its Focus

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 15, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Synod of Bishops is entering
the decisive phase as it focuses on the key topics addressed during its
early sessions.

The close to 300 participants, divided in 12 linguistic groups, spent today
discussing the most important conclusions from the many addresses delivered
at the synod. The synod ends Oct. 27.

Each group prepared a report, and all 12 will be presented Tuesday to the
general assembly.

In evaluating the synodal sessions, Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the
Pontifical Council for Culture, told Vatican Radio: "I have been taking part
in synods for the past 20 years, but I think this one is totally
extraordinary, following that dark day for humanity," Sept. 11.

"We have lived those days of anguish together, analyzing the main topic: the
bishop, servant of the Gospel of Christ in hope," the French cardinal said.

He added that the synod has shown many aspects of the bishop: "pastor,
fisherman, father, brother, friend, servant, teacher, man of faith, of hope
... but the most frequently repeated word has been communion."

* * *

Ethical Conditions Outlined for U.S. Military Operation
Statements by Vatican Secretary for Relations with States

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 15, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A top Vatican aide has spelled out
the conditions needed for the U.S. military operation against Afghanistan to
stay within ethical parameters.

In statements Friday to the Parisian newspaper La Croix, Archbishop
Jean-Louis Tauran, Vatican secretary for relations with states, illustrated
the Vatican's position.

"The response to the barbarous acts of Sept. 11 cannot be an act of
vengeance but of justice, in order to rectify the grave injustice
committed," he said.

"The intervention cannot be an occasion to display hatred, and the means
chosen for the reparation of such an injustice must be peaceful," Archbishop
Tauran added. "Only when all political, diplomatic and financial means have
been exhausted, can one think of taking recourse to force."

For this to happen, the archbishop listed three key conditions that must
characterize the response to the terrorist attacks:

--"the use of force must have clearly defined objectives."

--"[an] operation like this must respond to certain moral criteria: to
protect innocent lives, and not make civilians the object of direct
attacks."

--"use of force must be proportional to the harm that is combated, and not
simply a response to the means used by the adversaries. The use of weapons
of mass destruction must always be excluded, because of their power to
devastate entire areas."

Archbishop Tauran added: "We recognize that Operation Enduring Freedom is a
response to the terrorist aggression against innocent civilians, acts that
violated all international laws and humanitarian norms.

"Today we all recognize that the United States government, like any other
government, has the right to legitimate defense, because it has the mission
to guarantee the security of its citizens."

He observed that in the light of the Gospel, peace is not simply the absence
of war.

"It is something more than a principle," the Vatican aide said. "It is a
spirit, it involves the renewal of hearts, it requires the adoption of
spiritual principles. This is why the Church sees the need for a process of
education as well as prayers."

"There is no peace without truth, no peace without fraternity, no peace
without liberty," he added. "There is no peace without solidarity, no peace
without finding, with God's help, a way for men to live in harmony with him,
with others, and with the world the Creator gave us."

* * *

ARCHBISHOP MARTINO ADDRESSES THE U.N. ON POVERTY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 13, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See
permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday afternoon before
the Second Committee of the 56th session of the U.N. General Assembly on
the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty.

  He recalled that "the first principle of the (1992) Rio Conference states
that 'human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable
development'. ... We are not only dealing with numbers, but we are
discussing the lives and well-being of hundreds of millions of the world's
people living in poverty. This is, for my delegation, the most important
idea in each and every discussion ... within the United Nations system. Is
this not the raison d'etre of the United Nations? If, when we discuss the
eradication of poverty, we are not discussing the well-being of each and
every human person, our discussions are empty words."

  "In the eyes of the Holy See," Archbishop Martino underscored,
"consideration must be given to amending the understanding of the
foundation of sustainable development. Speaking of 'economic development,
social development and environmental protection' no longer seems to be
sufficient in the light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other diseases that
continue to take their devastating toll, armed conflict, the great numbers
of refugees and displaced persons, and the inability to close the gaps in
the provision of basic social services."

* * *

ANGELUS: PRAY THE ROSARY FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2001 (VIS) - Before praying the angelus today with
the pilgrims assembled in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul noted that the
month of October is dedicated to the rosary, a "prayer so dear to
Christians. Because of the current international situation, I have invited
people to recite the rosary for peace. Today I renew this invitation."

  Speaking from his study window overlooking the square, the Pope said,
"Once, reciting the rosary was widely practiced in families, especially at
the end of the day. The married couple, Luigi and Maria Beltrame
Quattrocchi, whom I will beatify next Sunday, did so daily.

  "On the occasion of this event," he continued, "which coincides with the
20th anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation 'Familiaris consortio', the
Italian Church has called a meeting on the theme 'The Family as a Social
Subject'. I appreciate this initiative and hope that families find in
Italian society, a renewed centrality."

  The Holy Father then noted that "next Saturday afternoon, Christian
families are invited to a meeting of reflection and prayer in St. Peter's
Square. On Sunday, there will be the culminating moment with the solemn
beatification of this husband and wife, coinciding with World Mission Day.
This will be a propitious occasion to underline the role of families in the
evangelizing mission of the Church."

* * *

150,000 Pilgrims in Fatima for Anniversary of 3rd Apparition

FATIMA, Portugal, OCT. 15, 2001 (Zenit.org).- More than 150,000 pilgrims
gathered in Fatima to celebrate the anniversary of the third apparition of
the Blessed Virgin Mary to the three little shepherds.

The pilgrimage Saturday was free of incidents. Levy Correia, the local
superintendent, said that police had implemented preventive measures
following the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

The number of pilgrims was higher this year than in previous years, as the
anniversary coincided with a weekend, and the pilgrims did not seem overly
preoccupied by a possible reprisal, in the wake of the U.S. attacks on
Afghanistan.

The Fatima apparitions took place in 1917. Millions of visitors come every
year to commemorate those events. John Paul II visited Fatima last year on
May 13 to beatify two of the children, who died shortly after the
apparitions.

Not long after the Pope's visit to Fatima, and at the Pope's request, the
Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith revealed the content of
the revelations received by Sister Lucia, the last surviving visionary.

* * *

POPE JOHN PAUL II: 7TH LONGEST PONTIFICATE IN HISTORY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2001 (VIS) - Tomorrow, October 16, marks the 23rd
anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul to the papacy. The white
smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicating the election of Cardinal Karol
Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow, to the See of Peter was seen at 6:18 p.m. on
October 16, 1978. At 6:45 p.m. Cardinal Pericle Felici announced that the
new Pope had chosen the name of John Paul II and at 7:15 p.m. the first
Polish Pope in Church history appeared at the central loggia of St. Peter's
Basilica.

  Only six Popes, including St. Peter, have reigned longer than Pope John
Paul. In ascending order, they are: Pius VII (23 years, 5 months, 6 days;
Adrian I (23 years, 10 months, 24 days); Pius VI (24 years, 6 months, 7
days); Leo XIII (25 years, 5 months); Pius IX (31 years, 7 months, 21 days)
and St. Peter (34 years, 2 months, 26 days).

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are currently ranked in
the top 27 of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily
basis.  Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps us grow
in numbers and improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available that keeps
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its Catholic Reference Desk answers questions you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your email
"Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
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Articles written by professional and scholarly authors can also be sent to
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should keep in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit
organization and considers publishing articles without paying any monetary
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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

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IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

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* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 22 A

WEDNESDAY, 17 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• TWENTIETH GENERAL CONGREGATION
• Sept. 11 Attacks Call for New Effort Against Poverty, Pope Says
• Applause for John Paul II on 23rd Anniversary of Pontificate
• Family Must Be the Measure for Political Action, John Paul II Says
• What This Pontificate Means to an Atheist
• Afghanistan Needs Hospitals More Than Bombs, Bishop Says
• 100,000 Afghan Children Face Starvation, UNICEF Warns
• 4,000 Slaves Reported Liberated in Sudan

* * *

TWENTIETH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 16, 2001 (VIS) - The Twentieth General Congregation of
the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops began at 5 p.m.
this evening in the presence of the Holy Father and 232 synod fathers. The
reading of the language group reports was concluded in this session. The
president delegate on duty was Cardinal Bernard Agre, archbishop of
Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

  Following are extracts from three of the five reports presented in the
Synod Hall:

SPANISH-PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE GROUP C: BISHOP CARLOS AGUIAR RETES OF TEXCOCO,
MEXICO. "The bishop must promote a priesthood very united with the bishop
for the realization of the diocesan pastoral plan. God calls when and where
He wishes. Prayer for vocations is of fundamental importance. The Church's
mission is to prepare the terrain for the flourishing of vocations,
favoring the encounter with the living Jesus Christ. The promotion of
vocations is closely related to certain contextual realities which cannot
be neglected: the general decrease in the number of children per family,
the crisis of the family as an institution; the secularization of large
cities, moral relativism, the current difficulties of youth in making
life-long commitments. ... In the face of the plurality of charisms and
spiritualities in the Church, the bishop must promote his diocesan priests
in the spirituality of communion. The curia must be the expression of the
pastoral charity of the bishop. Poverty experienced in the administration
of ecclesiastical property is shown in the consideration of the social (and
not personal) character of these goods. Celibacy and obedience are
expressions of poverty. We point out some criteria and orientations: 1.
Sharing goods is a way of bearing witness to poverty. 2. Social assistance
is still necessary, and cannot be replaced by promotion alone. 3. We should
affirm the effectiveness of working for social justice on the basis of the
social doctrine of the Church. 4. Recognize the new forms of poverty in its
new faces: marginalized women, the undocumented (workers) and migrants,
indigenous peoples, prisoners, the excluded. In the face of these a new
image of charity must be projected. 5. The question of foreign debt is a
factor and cause of poverty; efforts must continue for debt relief."

ITALIAN LANGUAGE GROUP B: ARCHBISHOP COSMO FRANCESCO RUPPI OF LECCE, ITALY.
"It was said that the bishop must be a 'doctor veritatis', and for this
reason must proclaim entirely the doctrine of Christ and of the Church,
aware that Jesus, sole Redeemer and Lord, leads us to the full knowledge of
God and to the life of grace. In treating the bishop's holiness and
spirituality, the Fathers greatly insisted on the need for him to always be
on the path of holiness and to become for everyone, first of all for the
priests, an authentic teacher of prayer and a spiritual guide. For this
reason, his humility and poverty, his faith, his hope and his charity must
be mirrored, offering his own life and his own apostolic service as a model
to the flock. ... The bishop's commitment to the pastoral vocational
ministry, however, must be constant, remembering that, without a solid
family and youth pastoral ministry, stable and durable results will not be
possible. His commitment to the formation of future priests must also be
assiduous and, for the seminary in particular, he must ensure qualified and
up-to-date educators. ... The Italian group paid notable attention to the
theme of apostolic collegiality and the unity of the Church: the unity of
the Church, whose supreme custodian is the Pope, is in the hearts of all
the Bishops. Therefore, gratitude to the Holy Father is unanimous for his
daily, heroic and appealing service for the unity and charity of all
Churches. Episcopal collegiality, cum Petro et sub Petro, is expressed in
the love of each bishop for the Universal Church and for each particular
Church, and is expressed through missionary solicitude towards the poorer
and more needy Churches."

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUP C: ARCHBISHOP JOHN OLORUNFEMI ONAIYEKAN OF ABUJA,
PRESIDENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE, NIGERIA. "In the area of Christian
morality, we need to stress the social doctrines of the Church, the
teachings on marriage and family and the ethics of responsible sexual
behavior. 2. The spiritual life of the bishop must be centered around his
ministry, especially in the liturgy, in prayer and in pastoral charity by
which he encounters God in the people he is serving. ... The promotion of
vocations to the priesthood and religious life should be a major concern of
the bishop, in the light of the general crisis in this area. We have to
clarify and affirm the identity of the priest, pray earnestly for
vocations, and put in place a definite pastoral program of vocation
promotion. ... The Roman Curia will serve collegiality better if
decentralized. The ongoing reflection on the nature of national conferences
of bishops should continue along the line of greater autonomy and freedom
of action on the pastoral level. The common voice of bishops in conference
can exert great positive influence in addressing civil authorities, both
national and international, for the good of the society. ... The bishop
should be a clear witness to the virtue of poverty, in simplicity of
life-style, and above all in his concern for and preferential attention to
the needs of the poor within his diocese. This concern should go beyond the
diocese to the world, caring for the needs of the poor victims of the
injustice of the present economic order."

  The following synod fathers delivered their interventions in writing
only, without presenting them in the hall: Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale,
O.M.I., of Bloemfontein, South Africa, and Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini,
S.J., archbishop of Milan, Italy.

  Below are extracts from the summaries of their interventions:

ARCHBISHOP BUTI JOSEPH TLHAGALE, O.M.I., OF BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA:
"The members of the SACBC (South African Catholic Bishops' Conference)
propose that collegiality of the bishops be made more effective. ... The
consultative status of the Synod of Bishops is not considered sufficient.
The present status often gives the impression that collegiality is not much
more than a verbal statement without a corresponding reality. The concrete
measures which could transform the Synod of Bishops into a deliberative
structure cannot be proposed here and it will also be impossible to
determine these during the synod itself. The SACBC therefore proposes that
such a structure be prepared through a world-wide process of study and
consultation. ... The members of the SACBC propose that episcopal
conferences should be given increased importance. ... Subsidiarity (should)
be recognized as a divinely instituted principle for designing the
cooperation between the various levels of the government of the Church. ...
A further time limitation should be established for the office of the
bishop."

CARDINAL CARLO MARIA MARTINI, S.J., ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN, ITALY. "1. During
the discussion in the hall, very little was said about the systematic
pastoral visit to all the parishes and ecclesiastic institutions of the
diocese, a visit which is one of the primary commitments of the bishop and
which is dealt with in the Instrumentum Laboris no. 121. This visit must be
well prepared and planned in an atmosphere of faith and must be done
personally by the bishop, along with the help of collaborators. It might be
opportune to look into the dioceses to see if and how this privileged form
of contact between the bishop and the faithful is carried out. 2. Various
interventions opportunely dealt with the relationship between the bishop
and the Word of God. I would like to recall a double aspect: that of the
bishop who personally cultivates that praying contact with the Scriptures
'which draws from the biblical text the living word which questions,
directs and shapes our lives'; and that of the bishop who guides and helps
the faithful, in particular the young, to pray starting with the
Scriptures. It is important that it is the bishop himself who explains the
Scriptures in the cathedral and invites the young to pray with him. 3.
Reflection on the bishop as an instrument of communion in the local Church,
and how he who represents and interprets it, asks himself how to ensure
that the local Church as well can be recognized as the expression of its
bishop, beginning with the procedures used in the search for appropriate
candidates."

* * *

Sept. 11 Attacks Call for New Effort Against Poverty, Pope Says
John Paul II´s Message for World Food Day
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II says the Sept. 11
attacks on the United States call for more urgent commitment to ending the
problem of poverty and particularly hunger in the world.

The Holy Father stressed this today in a message to the U.N. Food and
Agriculture Organization. The letter was read at FAO headquarters in Rome,
on the occasion of World Food Day.

"Those tragic events exhort us to look with special attention to a more
profound motivation for a common commitment to the poor," the Pontiff said
in his message, which was read by Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Vatican
permanent observer at FAO.

In the letter addressed to FAO Director General Jacques Diouf, the Bishop of
Rome said, "The problem of hunger, which affects more than 800 million
people, of whom 200 million are children, is one of the most acute of our
time."

The papal words resounded in FAO's plenary hall, crowded with delegates and
world personalities, to celebrate the day, whose motto is "Combat Hunger to
Reduce Poverty."

The Pope appealed for the commitment of all countries in addressing this
challenge at the next World Summit on Food. The summit has been postponed
until next year because of the terrorist attacks and anti-globalization
protests.

John Paul II encouraged the leaders of countries to commit themselves to
reduce by half the number of people who suffer hunger, in the period
2001-2016, as established five years ago at the Rome summit on hunger.

The struggle against hunger is not lost, FAO's director general said,
despite the group's failure to reduce the ranks of the malnourished by 20
million a year, as it hoped.

Diouf noted that poverty and hunger form a vicious circle. Hunger is one of
the principal causes of poverty and vice versa, as "a hungry nation cannot
grow or prosper," he said.

During World Food Day celebrations, the FAO conferred the Ceres medal on
Queen Fabiola of Belgium for her work to end world hunger.

* * *

Applause for John Paul II on 23rd Anniversary of Pontificate
He Awaits Next World Youth Day, and Maybe Other Trips in 2002
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Loud applause on the 23rd
anniversary of his election as Pope greeted John Paul II at the Synod of
Bishops today.

Despite the milestone day, the Holy Father kept to his usual tight schedule.
Nonetheless, he seemed deeply moved by the bishops' recognition.

Cardinal Bernard Agre of the Ivory Coast, acting president of the synod,
congratulated the Pope on behalf of the assembly. In Latin, he expressed the
wish that John Paul II would continue "ad multos annos," for many more
years.

At 81, despite the past attempt on his life and a number of operations --
extraction of a tumor in 1992, fractured femur in 1994, and appendicitis in
1996 -- John Paul II continues to make plans.

He is looking forward to World Youth Day in Toronto next July, and reporters
in the Vatican expect additional trips in 2002. In May, the Pope might go to
Bulgaria. He might also visit some former Soviet republics (Orthodox and
Muslim) and return to Poland.

John Paul II does not like to refer to records, but over these 23 years he
has achieved unprecedented feats. He has visited 128 countries, traveling
more than three times the distance between the earth and moon.

His major documents -- including encyclicals, exhortations, constitutions
and apostolic letters -- number more than 100. He oversaw the Catechism of
the Catholic Church and the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

John Paul II has convoked eight consistories and 15 synods, and proclaimed
452 saints and 1,172 blessed. He has presided over 1,000 general audiences,
attended by more than 16 million faithful.

In Italy, the Pope has made 138 pastoral visits, to over 720 parishes and
institutions.

* * *

Family Must Be the Measure for Political Action, John Paul II Says

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Italy must effect a real change in
its family policies, John Paul II said today, in a letter marking the 20th
anniversary of the publication of the apostolic exhortation "Familiaris
Consortio," his pontificate's most important text on the family.

In his message, addressed to Cardinal Camillo Ruini, president of the
Italian bishops' conference and the Pope's vicar for Rome, the Pontiff says
that the family is not "a sector" but rather "the measure of all political
action."

The Pope's message was written on the eve of the Italian Church's meeting on
"The Family as Social Subject," which will attract 100,000 people. The
meeting runs from Thursday until Sunday.

On Sunday, Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi will be beatified, the first
a married couple will be so honored at the same time.

* * *

What This Pontificate Means to an Atheist
Interview with Giuliano Ferrara, Director of Il Foglio Newspaper

ROME, OCT. 16, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- Giuliano Ferrara, director of the
Italian newspaper Il Foglio, was a Communist leader in his country when he
learned of John Paul II's election to the papacy. Now, 23 years later, he
analyzes the meaning of this pontificate.

"When I saw the announcement of the new Pope on television, I had the
feeling that my convictions were shaken," Ferrara recalled. "The fact that
he was a Pole was a thunderbolt. I understood that something had happened,
that it was a decision with the 'breath' of history or the Holy Spirit, I'm
not sure."

--Q: With hindsight, what is your judgment of this pontificate?

--Ferrara: For a secularist like myself, outside the faith but always a
papist in attitude, in part, perhaps, because I am a Roman, John Paul II's
pontificate must be judged at the vertex between doctrine and politics.

One must combine the Pope as defender of a faith and spokesman of an
extraordinary historical and moral culture, with the geopolitical element of
a Pontiff who has constructed an army of saints and blessed, of multicolored
cardinals, who has explored the whole world, who has redesigned the planet's
geography, helped, also, by the media, which has multiplied the
possibilities to hear his word.

--Q: Meanwhile, the world has not ceased in its secularization.

--Ferrara: In a certain sense, the Pope continues to be someone who speaks
in Latin. However, never as in these years has tradition been combined with
strong elements of modernization, introduced by John Paul II, which has
conferred on the pontificate an element of grandeur, which will remain as
Wojtyla's most striking imprint.

Today the Church is not a curial institution, a small conclave; it has seen
its voice amplified. It has inundated the world with the singular force of
an institution that has preserved some of the most valuable realities of
humanity.

--Q: How weighty are the Pope's words today?

--Ferrara: The ethical teachings, the magisterium on life, even the most
rigid positions on customs, the simple things it says -- all this is of
enormous value because the Pope has remained as the isolated witness of a
world whose length and breadth he has traveled.

John Paul II has exercised all his prerogatives, but he has done so within
the contradictions of our time. He has sullied his hands with the world, and
this moves me because it means that, not only is he "the Pope of the
Church," but of all: of the intellectuals and journalists, from whom he has
elicited both accurate and mistaken reactions, of communists and former
communists.

He is an important Pope for anyone who has tried to understand the closing
of the last century.

--Q: What word of the magisterium has had the greatest impact on
nonbelievers?

--Ferrara: The primacy of life, which in fact is in the origins of liberal
philosophy. The constitution and defense of the individual, stemming from
modernity, has the right to life at its roots.

Secular thought in our time has forgotten this dimension, transforming life
into a variable depending on demographic evolution, women's choice, changing
customs. That the Pope confirms life as an absolute is the strongest, most
scandalous and incomprehensible word, but, at the same time, it is the one
most listened to in the world of nonbelievers.

--Q: In dark days like the present, the Pope calls for prayer. What do you
think?

--Ferrara: The Pope cannot but be a peace fundamentalist, with prudence and
wisdom. I don't have a rosary, I don't know how to pray, but the appeal for
prayer at a moment like this has a specific place in the world. And who is
to say if the prayer of a great leader Pope does not succeed in playing even
a political role.

--Q: A leader Pope who does not hide his physical frailty. What do you
think?

--Ferrara: He is elderly, sick, but strong. He does everything in a very
human way and also a bit superhumanly. Physical decline, coupled with great
spiritual energy, inspires feelings of genuine love.

--Q: What is Pope Wojtyla's Church like today?

--Ferrara: It is a Church that triumphs by integrating itself into history
and not opposing it. It is neither provident nor proselytizing, it does not
crush our humanity, our civil piety, which has been built into thousands of
cultural streams.

He is not a Pope who asks for a personal act of submission to the divine in
order to be loved. His is a Church that triumphs in its secularism. That
Oct. 16, an energy was released that has never disappointed.

* * *

Afghanistan Needs Hospitals More Than Bombs, Bishop Says
President of Nigerian Episcopal Conference Has Advice for the West
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop John Onaiyekan of
Abuja, Nigeria, an expert in dialogue with the Muslim world, said
international terrorism is not combated with bombings, and he suggested that
U.S. President George W. Bush should instead be building hospitals in
Afghanistan.

The archbishop spoke with the Vatican agency Fides hours after
Christian-Muslim clashes in Kano, Nigeria, left at least 200 dead over the
weekend. The fighting followed protests over the British-U.S. attacks on
Afghanistan.

Archbishop Onaiyekan appealed to Western and Muslim countries not to let
extremism prevail.

"Extremists who speak of 'Christians' and 'Muslims' purposely use a
religious mask to increase tension," he said. "We are well aware that the
rich West is not led by a Christian spirit."

"This is not a matter of Christianity against Islam. Indeed, if we speak of
Christianity, perhaps we Christians should fight the Western world, which is
so unjust."

"The Holy Father himself has said that the division between rich and poor is
not the will of God," the Nigerian archbishop said. "For example, the
missiles used in this war cost millions of dollars. One of them would be
enough to build at least 20 hospitals in Nigeria.

"Isn't this insanity? We must ask ourselves, what type of person takes these
decisions? Wouldn't it be more effective to hunt out and capture bin Laden
by building dozens of hospitals in Afghanistan, rather than dropping
hundreds of bombs in the desert?"

He continued: "I would ask Mr. Bush to stop the bombs for a day and come and
build the hospitals needed all over Nigeria. But we have said this so often,
and they have never replied. The money we use in arms is wasted because we
will never use them."

Archbishop Onaiyekan hopes that the present events will serve for an
examination of conscience, which will lead to a "more just distribution of
world resources. While imbalance lasts, there can be no peace."

"This situation is in danger of justifying terrorism and makes suicide
killers appear as heroes," he added. "If we refuse to take steps to reach
for world justice, we must not be surprised to see children proudly
displaying photos of bin Laden."

With reference to the latest clashes in Nigeria, Archbishop Onaiyekan said:
"There are fanatics, and fanaticism has its international network."

"The groups in Nigeria are in contact with this network with video and audio
cassettes, Arab radio, messages repeated in the local languages; teaching in
mosques by mullahs who have studied in Egypt, Libya or Pakistan, or even
Afghanistan," he noted. "In these countries they fill their hearts with
fundamentalism. On the other hand, the authorities are not able to control
the faith in Islam, so no one is able to reduce their influence."

* * *

100,000 Afghan Children Face Starvation, UNICEF Warns

ROME, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- More than 100,000 Afghan children will die
of starvation if dwindling food reserves are not restocked, UNICEF warned
today.

Food reserves will be depleted in six weeks, the U.N. agency said as it
monitored the plight of refugees in the wake of Allied bombings of
Afghanistan. The bombings are in response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the
United States.

U.N. spokeswoman Jean Ziegler said the United States' food air-drops in
Afghanistan are being collected by Afghan militias, so the Americans in
effect "are feeding the Taliban."

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees continues to appeal for funds from
the international community. On Monday, the European Union donated $25
million, the remaining portion of an original allocation of $50 million.

The goal is that the international community share the expenses "of this
emergency with states bordering on Afghanistan, which have already made
enormous sacrifices," the U.N.'s refugees office explained.

* * *

4,000 Slaves Reported Liberated in Sudan

ROME, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A Switzerland-based human rights group
reported that it redeemed 4,041 slaves in Sudan, during a seven-day rescue
mission last month.

Christian Solidarity International (CSI) of Zurich said the liberated women
and children were enslaved as part of the Sudanese government's ongoing
jihad against the Christian citizens of the south.

Interviews with 500 of the freed slaves indicate that nearly all were
physically abused. Three-quarters of the slave women older than 12 reported
being raped.

"They killed many people, including my son," said Anguac Lual. "My master,
Bashir, stabbed me in the neck and arm when I tried to stop him from giving
away my three daughters. The blood was everywhere."

* * *

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by approval and
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 22 B

WEDNESDAY, 17 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Vatican Address at U.N. on Disarmament

* * *

Vatican Address at U.N. on Disarmament
"Unjust Status Quo Will Continue Fueling Conflicts"

NEW YORK, OCT. 16, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here's the text of an address on
disarmament given Monday at the U.N. General Assembly by Archbishop Renato
Martino, the Vatican's permanent observer at the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

My Delegation extends its congratulations on your election as Chairman of
this important committee and assures you of our cooperation.

We meet at a time of profound distress. The evil of terrorism has struck in
unimaginable ways.

The response of the world community to this act of terrorism demands
leadership of the highest order.

First, those responsible must be apprehended and brought to justice through
due process. This must be done in a way that does not expose even more
innocent civilians to death and destruction. Violence on top of violence
will only lead to more violence. This is a time for wisdom and perseverance.
Justice, not vengeance must be our goal.

"In facing the challenges of the future," Pope John Paul II, on 13
September, in accepting the Credentials of the new Ambassador of the United
States to the Holy See, said, "America is called to cherish and live out the
deepest values of her national heritage: solidarity and cooperation between
peoples; respect for human rights; the justice that is the indispensable
condition for authentic freedom and lasting peace." He thus expressed his
prayer "that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's
people a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything
that sows hatred and division within the human family."

We do a disservice to those who have died in this tragedy if we fail to
search out the causes. Here a broad canvas of political, economic, social,
religious, and cultural factors emerge. The common denominator of these
factors is hate. This is a hate that transcends any one people or region. It
is a hatred of humanity itself. This hatred kills even the one who hates.

Though poverty is not by itself the cause of terrorism, we cannot
successfully combat terrorism if we do not address the worsening disparities
between the rich and poor. We must recognize that global disparity is
fundamentally incompatible with global security.

Acts of revenge will not cure such hatred. We must rather remove the most
obvious elements that spawn the conditions for hatred and violence. Poverty
along with other situations of marginalization that engulf the lives of so
many of the world's people, including the denial of human dignity, the lack
of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, social exclusion,
intolerable refugee situations, internal and external displacement and
physical or psychological oppression are breeding grounds only waiting to be
exploited by terrorists.

In searching out the root causes of terrorism, we are in no way condoning
terrorism. But any serious crime reduction effort cannot be confined only to
intensified police work. Any serious campaign against terrorism needs to
address the social, economic and political conditions that nurture the
emergence of terrorism.

The most dramatic example of inequality is the growing gap between the rich
and poor. The North, containing a fifth of the world population, controls 80
percent of the wealth and resources; the south, with four-fifths of world
population, has only 20 percent of the wealth and resources. This is not
only unjust; it is a threat to the stability of the planet. It is the
determination of the strong to maintain their position by whatever means
necessary, whether military, financial, or political, that is the basis for
the systemic inequality in the world. A commitment to equity in the world is
the only secure foundation for a more humane world order. Nations must work
together to blunt current disparities and improve global stability. A
continuation of the unjust status quo will inevitably continue fueling
conflicts and will lead to even more conflicts in the decades ahead.

There are conflicts today in several regions that do not even receive world
attention. With their ease-of-use and ready availability, small arms are the
weapons of choice for today's combatants. The supply of almost limitless
quantities of small arms and light weapons through areas of high tension has
fuelled numerous civil wars and social chaos. Small arms kill upwards of
10,000 people per week. Most of these victims are civilians.

Even after armed conflict has subsided, small arms often leave a culture of
violence which continues to contribute to much of the human misery and
economic and social disruption in war-torn societies. As a result,
international relief missions are being suspended more frequently as aid
workers increasingly find themselves the targets of attacks. Consequently,
civilians often suffer increased pain and are deprived longer.

To date, efforts to respond to this situation have resembled a loose web of
initiatives with varying interests and objectives involving many countries
and organizations. Unlike the effort to ban anti-personnel mines, no country
has taken the lead on a comprehensive approach and many States have only
grudgingly engaged the issue. Given the international scope of the dilemma,
the United Nations sought to build upon its history of dealing with the
small arms issue in holding a major meeting in July, 2001 to discuss
concrete actions the international community could take.

The Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Lights Weapons in All
Its Aspects has been attributed various degrees of success and failure. In
terms of success, 189 countries were able to agree on a Program of Action
that urges governments to enact laws, regulations and administrative
procedures to prevent the illicit trafficking in small arms and to make the
illegal manufacture, possession, stockpiling and trade of these weapons a
criminal offense. It was also decided that a review Conference is to be held
no later than 2006 to examine progress in implementing the agreement,
thereby ensuring that this would be the first step in what is expected to be
a lengthy effort. The Conference has also been commended for placing a
spotlight on the issue of small arms and providing an important platform for
civil society and concerned governments to press for serious action.

However, the success of the Conference was limited from the beginning since
it only set out to discuss the illegal aspects of the small arms trade. This
focus has been criticized for ignoring the fact that most illicit weapons
originate in the legal export market before being diverted. Moreover, the
agreement that was reached is a non-binding voluntary declaration with no
enforcement mechanism, thereby raising the question of how seriously it will
be taken by its signatories. Unfortunately, the Conference's final document
did not include provisions that would have regulated civilian gun ownership
and restricted arms transfers to legitimate States.

This past year also saw efforts to strengthen the Biological Weapons
Convention. A protocol had been drawn up to enforce the 1972 Convention,
which would require signatory states to declare all industrial facilities
capable of manufacturing bio-weapons. The lack of full agreement to the
protocol was another setback for the international cooperation that is so
necessary to prevent terrorism. Combating the dangers of terrorist use of
deadly organisms requires more credible international institutions of arms
control than the present ones.

Mr. Chairman, the tragedy of 11 September must compel us to sharpen our
sense of urgency to respond effectively to the dangers we face. Let us
recall the words of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said during the recent
debate on terrorism in the General Assembly:

"It is hard to imagine how the tragedy of 11 September could have been
worse. Yet the truth is that a single attack involving a nuclear or
biological weapon could have killed millions. While the world was unable to
prevent the 11 September attacks, there is much we can do to help prevent
future terrorist acts carried out with weapons of mass destruction. The
greatest immediate danger arises from a non-state group -- or even an
individual -- acquiring and using a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon.
Such a weapon could be delivered without the need for any missile or any
other sophisticated delivery system."

The Holy See has frequently, in this Committee, urged implementation of the
obligations all States hold under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, obligations
reinforced by the International Court of Justice. That obligation was
expressed succinctly in the 2000 Review of the NPT, in which all 187
signatories pledged "an unequivocal undertaking to the total elimination of
nuclear weapons." We must now tackle the central problem of nuclear weapons;
especially the mentality of those who possess them and claim that they are
essential to security. Now is the time to dispel this claim and to declare
that the continued possession of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass
destruction is endangering all humanity and that they must be abolished.

With the Secretary-General, the Holy See calls to intensify efforts to
ensure the universality, verification and full implementation of key
treaties relating to weapons of mass destruction, including those outlawing
chemical and biological weapons, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Special attention must be given the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),
and the International Conference, postponed as a result of the 11 September
attacks, must go ahead to ensure the entry into force of the Treaty.

Having signed the CTBT on 24 September 1996, the Holy See deposited the
Instrument of Ratification on 18 July 2001. The Holy See, reiterating the
firm conviction that "nuclear weapons are incompatible with the peace we
seek for the Twenty-first Century," added: "The Holy See is convinced that,
in the sphere of nuclear weapons, the banning of tests and the further
development of these weapons, disarmament and non-proliferation are closely
linked and must be achieved as quickly as possible under effective
international controls." Today, the Holy See adds its voice to the appeal to
the States whose ratification is necessary for the entry into force of the
treaty.

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Preparatory Commission has done
commendable work in enabling the world community to have confidence that a
CTBT will produce positive results. The Independent Commission on the
verifiability of the CTBT provides assurance that the various scientific
instruments and networks will be able to detect, locate and identify with a
high probability any deviation from the demands of the Treaty.

The continued success of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) requires the
entry into force of the CTBT. If the world is to stop the proliferation of
nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, then the flow of development
of such weapons must be extinguished at the source. A weakened NPT and an
inoperable CTBT will force the world to continue wandering through a
dangerous morass of tensions and recriminations. The security of all States
will continue to be severely jeopardized.

Mr. Chairman, the present course -- more arms and more poverty -- is leading
us to human disasters even greater than what we endured on 11 September. The
basic requirements for the peace we seek is the elimination of weapons of
mass destruction, the curbing of the arms trade, and the eradication of
massive, endemic poverty. We have no choice if humanity is to survive.

This distressing time must teach us that violence and war are not
inevitable. An unavoidable clash of civilizations is not our fate. War and
mass violence usually result from deliberate political decisions. Rather
than intervening in violent conflicts after they have erupted and then
engaging in post-conflict peace-building, it is more humane and more
efficient to prevent such violence in the first place by addressing its
roots. This is the essence of a culture of peace approach.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[Original text: English; distributed by Holy See mission]

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are currently ranked in
the top 27 of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily
basis.  Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps us grow
in numbers and improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available that keeps
you informed on all the activities of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See, the
Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world news, biblical studies, and
its Catholic Reference Desk answers questions you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your email
"Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com, or to jlupia2@....
Articles written by professional and scholarly authors can also be sent to
the email addresses above for consideration in a future issue.  Authors
should keep in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit
organization and considers publishing articles without paying any monetary
compensation to authors.  All materials submitted and published are
copyright protected in accordance to the latest ruling from the Office of
Copyright, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is
important to us.  Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by approval and
courtesy of these two news agencies.  We encourage our readers to send
financial support to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
(http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own
the original copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.
All copyright materials copied in any form must include the appropriate
copyright owner; in the case of Roman Catholic News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com









_______________________________________________________
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 23 B

THURSDAY, 18 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Luke"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Bosnia Didn´t Have New York´s "Good Fortune," Says Bishop
Our War Was Not Understood, Laments Auxiliary of Sarajevo
• Serbian Government Accused of Campaigning Against Religion Classes
Catholic and Orthodox Churches Underline Unjust Treatment
• It Could Be St. Luke´s Body, After All
DNA Test Supports Ancient Claim in Padua
• A Day of Solidarity with the Homeless

* * *

Bosnia Didn´t Have New York´s "Good Fortune," Says Bishop
Our War Was Not Understood, Laments Auxiliary of Sarajevo

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina, OCT. 17, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- New York
and Sarajevo could be considered as examples of civilization, tolerance and
liberty -- in time of peace, as well as in time of war -- because of their
multiethnic fusion.

So says Auxiliary Bishop Pero Sudar of Sarajevo. "However," he adds, "there
are differences."

"The history of the Bosnian people, abandoned for five years to a long war,
did not have the 'good fortune' of the United States today, surrounded by
international solidarity," Bishop Sudar lamented. "Our war was not
understood because at that time there was no desire to understand."

The international community did not wish to understand that "if someone
tries to abuse others with violence, he must be stopped, as they are trying
to do now," the bishop added.

The future of world peace depends on achieving peaceful coexistence among
religions, the bishop believes. He explained that Islam, as practiced by the
inhabitants of Bosnia, "is based on convictions that cannot be compared to
those of some Muslim theocracies of the world."

"Fundamentalism has little in common with the Islamic faith," the bishop
emphasized.

However, there are cases of Muslims in Bosnia that are similar to Muslim
fundamentalists. "Suffice it to think of what has happened in recent weeks
in Zenica, where religious centers, churches, cemeteries have been the
objects of attacks on the part of a fringe of Muslim extremists," the bishop
revealed.

The real solution is to lessen social inequalities, he said.

"Following Sept. 11, no one can behave as before," the bishop insisted.
"Everyone's commitment should be to lessen the distance between the weak and
the strong; between those who are rich and those who are increasingly poor.
If this doesn't happen, it will be the strong who will not be at peace."

* * *

Serbian Government Accused of Campaigning Against Religion Classes
Catholic and Orthodox Churches Underline Unjust Treatment

ROME, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Serbian officials are dealing unfairly
with children and parents who are interested in new religious-education
classes, say Orthodox and Catholic Church leaders.

The Orthodox and Catholic leaders attacked the Ministry of Education and
Sport for what they complained was the "anti-democratic and illegal
behavior" by the Minister and a group of his close associates "against the
basic democratic principle of equal treatment of religious education and the
alternative subject, 'civic education,'" Keston News Service reported.

Preliminary results showed that few pupils have opted for religious classes,
and the Orthodox Synod complained that parents had not been offered a fair
choice.

Serbia's Education Minister Gaso Knezevic denied any accusations of bias,
insisting that school principals had been instructed to be "visibly
neutral."

This autumn the Serbian government introduced religious education in the
first grades of both primary and secondary schools for six religious
communities: the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Islamic
Faith Community, the Jewish Faith Community, the Lutheran and the Reformed
Churches.

Such classes were introduced despite opposition from many intellectuals,
university professors, nongovernmental organizations and human rights
groups.

For those not interested in the religious classes, another subject was
created, "civic education," although pupils could opt for no classes at all.


Only 36.2% of primary parents opted for religious education, while 22.4%
opted for civic education, according to the Education Ministry. The rest
chose no extra classes. Some 15% of primary schools failed to send in data.

No official data was given for secondary schools, but preliminary results
show that a large number of secondary pupils also opted for no classes at
all.

The Education Ministry estimated that fewer than 30% of secondary pupils had
chosen religious education, with the figure in Belgrade at less than 20%.
Serbia's Religion Ministry considers these low figures a disaster.

"The results of our survey are not completed yet ... but we accept the
position of 'scapegoat' and are prepared for any result," Knezevic declared
in a statement by the Education Ministry.

"The Ministry of Education and Sport -- identified in advance as the guilty
party for the eventual, expected weak response from pupils to religious
education -- has from the beginning withheld any statements taking sides,"
Knezevic's statement declared. "Our every instruction to school principals
contained the sentence: 'You are instructed to be visibly neutral (in
decision making),' which itself called for impartiality."

Several days before the official figures were made public, the Orthodox
Synod issued its strongly worded statement attacking the "injustice" done to
the Serbian Orthodox Church and other religious communities.

"The short informative bulletin [about the religion classes] was not
distributed evenly ... and prominence was given to the bulletins for the
alternative subject," the synod complained. "The period of time given to
parents and pupils was only two to three days."

Likewise, in a statement issued Oct. 1 through the Belgrade Catholic
Archdiocese, the bishops' conference complained that the Education Ministry
had failed to fulfill its obligations.

"Pupils and their parents did not receive the bulletins," the bishops said.
"Many school principals and teachers misused their positions to speak
against religious education."

They pointed to what they said was discrimination against Catholics in towns
such as Palic, Bogojevo and Senta.

"Injustice has been done to our Church by the false accusations,
non-objective statements, and a specific campaign against religious
education," the bishop added. "We support the Orthodox synodal statement in
full."

In the statement, signed by Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar of Belgrade,
Bishops Janos Penzes of Subotica, Laszlo Huzsvar of Zrenjanin, and Djuro
Gasparovic of Srem and by Archpriest Holosnjaj of the Greek Catholic Diocese
in Krizevci, the bishops' conference demanded a meeting with Prime Minister
Zoran Djindjic and an extension of the deadline for enrollment.

Sladjana Popovic, a spokeswoman of the Education Ministry, said: "We have to
see what the Cabinet will decide."

There are 1,239 primary schools in Serbia, of which 323 are in Kosovo,
mostly outside the control of the Belgrade government, with about 90,000
first-grade pupils.

* * *

It Could Be St. Luke´s Body, After All
DNA Test Supports Ancient Claim in Padua

PADUA, Italy, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The remains in an ancient lead
coffin may indeed be those of St. Luke, as long believed, according to a new
DNA analysis.

Dr. Guido Barbujani, a population geneticist at the University of Ferrara,
Italy, had extracted DNA from a tooth in the coffin, the New York Times
reported.

Barbujani concluded that the DNA was characteristic of people living near
the region of Antioch, on the eastern Mediterranean, where Luke is said to
have been born. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the tooth belonged to
someone who died between A.D. 72 and A.D. 416, the Times said.

A report by Barbujani and colleagues appeared Tuesday in the Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences of the United States.

The Evangelist, according to ancient sources, was a physician who was born
in Antioch and died at 84 in about A.D. 150 in the Greek city of Thebes. The
coffin with his remains was taken to Constantinople in 338 and later moved
to Padua, Italy.

Barbujani and his colleagues speculate that the coffin may have been sent
out of Constantinople for safekeeping, either during the reign of the pagan
Emperor Julian, or during the iconoclast period of the eighth century, when
many religious objects were destroyed.

The coffin is known to have been in Padua at least since 1177. It was placed
in a marble sarcophagus and kept in the Basilica of Santa Giustina.

It was last opened in 1562 and seems to have been somewhat ignored until
October 1992. At that time, the bishop of Padua, Antonio Mattiazzo, received
a letter from Hieronymos, the Orthodox metropolitan of Thebes, asking that
part of the relics to be donated to the site of Luke's tomb in Thebes.

Bishop Mattiazzo, according to an article in November 2000 in Traces, a
Catholic journal, decided to investigate the relics under the leadership of
Dr. Vito Terribile Viel Marin, a Univeristy of Padua pathologist. In 1998
the 400-year-old seals were removed from the lead coffin, and the study
began.

The dimensions of the coffin exactly fit the tomb in Thebes considered to be
Luke's. In the coffin was a skeleton, but not the skull.

Barbujani and his colleagues say the body seems to have decomposed in the
coffin because of matching insect marks on the lead and the pelvis, which
has fused to the lead.

The spread in the radiocarbon dating indicates at least two possibilities.
One is that the body is that of Luke or a man who died at the same time, the
other is that for some reason, a new body was put in the coffin in
Constantinople around 300.

To help distinguish between the two, Barbujani, an expert on the genetics of
European populations, analyzed fragments of DNA from the tooth, a canine,
found on the floor of the coffin, and sought to compare them with likely
living representatives of the ancient populations of Antioch and of
Constantinople. An Antioch match would suggest the body could be Luke's.

Since the population of Antioch now includes many Kurds, Barbujani sampled
the DNA of Syrians from nearby Aleppo. In place of the inhabitants of
ancient Constantinople, now Istanbul, he tested Greeks from Attica and
Crete.

The DNA from the Padua tooth, a type inherited only through the mother's
line, turned out to resemble Syrian DNA more than Greek DNA.

"Our data tell us the body is absolutely compatible with a Syrian origin,"
he said. "But I am aware of the limitations of the DNA data, and though a
broad spectrum of ages is possible, the most likely is 300 A.D." Hence both
possibilities should remain open, he said.

The head of the body was removed by the Emperor Charles IV in 1354 and taken
from Padua to Prague, where it rests in the Cathedral of St. Vitus, in the
Prague Castle.

"There were officially two heads of St. Luke, one at Prague and one in
Rome," Barbujani said. At Bishop Mattiazzo's request, the Prague skull was
brought to Padua and found to fit perfectly to the topmost neck bone. The
tooth, found on the floor of the coffin, also fit into the right socket in
the jawbone.

Though many relics turn out to be forgeries, the Padua body seems more
likely than most to be what it is claimed to be, although exact proof is
lacking.

* * *

A Day of Solidarity with the Homeless

ROME, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The ATD Fourth World Movement, founded in
1957 by Father Joseph Wresinski, today held a Day of Solidarity with the
Homeless.

On this date in 1987, the movement placed a commemorative plaque in Paris
"for the victims of poverty."

This Polish priest, whose process of beatification is under way, dedicated
his life to the disinherited. He was joined in Paris for the 1987 unveiling
of the plaque by 100,000 people.

Five years later, the United Nations made the observance of the Day of
Solidarity with the poor its own. In 1992, it sponsored the plan of Father
Wresinski's movement, present today in 25 countries.

Among other things, the event organizers suggested "spending a night as a
homeless person." Night concerts were held in European city squares and hot
meals were distributed.

Numerous associations joined this initiative, including Caritas, Catholic
Action, the Community of Sant'Egidio, the Focolare Movement, St. Vincent's,
and the Red Cross.

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are currently ranked in
the top 27 of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily
basis.  Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps us grow
in numbers and improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available that keeps
you informed on all the activities of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See, the
Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world news, biblical studies, and
its Catholic Reference Desk answers questions you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your email
"Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com, or to jlupia2@....
Articles written by professional and scholarly authors can also be sent to
the email addresses above for consideration in a future issue.  Authors
should keep in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit
organization and considers publishing articles without paying any monetary
compensation to authors.  All materials submitted and published are
copyright protected in accordance to the latest ruling from the Office of
Copyright, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is
important to us.  Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by approval and
courtesy of these two news agencies.  We encourage our readers to send
financial support to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
(http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own
the original copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 23 A

THURSDAY, 18 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Luke"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• "Evil Does Not Have the Last Word," John Paul II Asserts
• PRESENTATION OF POPE'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS
• Papal Audience with President Vicente Fox Quesada of Mexico
• DIRECTORY ON POPULAR PIETY IN PREPARATION
• Pope Condemns Christian-Muslim Clashes in Nigeria
Caused by Protests Against Attacks on Afghanistan
• Synod Emphasizing Bishop as Teacher of the Faith
First Conclusions of Working Groups
• Synod Emphasizing Bishop as Teacher of the Faith
First Conclusions of Working Groups
• Violence Won´t Cure Violence, Vatican Says at U.N.
Disparities Between Rich and Poor Must Be Addressed, Aide Insists

* * *

Evil Does Not Have the Last Word, John Paul II Says
Address at General Audience

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of John Paul
II's address at today's general audience in St. Peter's Square.

1. The Psalm just proclaimed is a hymn in honor of Zion, "the city of the
great king" (Psalm 47[48]:3), at that time the seat of the temple of the
Lord and the place of his presence in the midst of humanity. Christian faith
now applies it to the "Jerusalem above," which is "our mother" (Galatians
4:26).

The liturgical tone of this hymn, which evokes a festive procession (see
verses 13-14), the peaceful vision of Jerusalem that echoes divine
salvation, renders Psalm 47[48] a prayer to begin the day with a song of
praise, even if clouds gather on the horizon.

In order to appreciate the meaning of the Psalm, three helpful acclamations
are placed at the beginning, the center and the end, almost as though
offering the spiritual key of the composition and introducing us to its
interior atmosphere. The three invocations are: "Great is the Lord and
highly praised in the city of our God" (verse 2); "O God, within your temple
we ponder your steadfast love" (verse 9[10]); "so might is God, our God who
leads us always" (verse 14[15]).

2. These three acclamations, which exalt the Lord but also "the city of our
God" (verse 1), frame two great parts of the Psalm. The first is a joyous
celebration in the Holy City, Zion, victorious against the enemies'
assaults, serene under the mantle of divine protection (see verses 3-8).
There is a virtual litany of definitions of this city: It is a wondrous
height that is erected as a beacon of light, a source of joy for all peoples
of the earth, the only real "Olympus" where heaven and earth meet. It is --
to use the expression of the prophet Ezekiel -- the city-Emmanuel because
"the Lord is there," present in it (see Ezekiel 48:35). However, besieging
troops are thronging around Jerusalem, almost as a symbol of the evil that
attacks the splendor of the city of God. The battle has an obvious and
almost immediate result.

3. In fact, the powerful of the earth, assaulting the Holy City, also
provoked its King, the Lord. The Psalmist shows the dissolution of the pride
of a powerful army with the thought-provoking images of birth pangs:
"Trembling seized them there, anguish, like a woman's labor" (verse 7).
Arrogance is transformed into frailty and weakness, power into a fall and
defeat.

The same concept is expressed in another image: The attacking army is
compared to an invincible naval armada, on which a typhoon is unleashed
caused by a terrible east wind (see verse 8). What remains, then, is
certainty for the one who is in the shadow of divine protection: Good, not
evil, has the last word; God triumphs over the hostile powers, even when
they seem great and invincible.

4. Then the faithful celebrates his thanksgiving to the liberating God in
the temple itself. He raises a hymn to the merciful love of the Lord,
expressed with the Hebrew word "hésed," typical of the theology of the
Covenant. Thus we come to the second part of the Psalm (see verses 10-14).
Following the great hymn of praise to the faithful, just and saving God (see
verses 10-12), there is a sort of procession around the temple and the Holy
City (see verses 13-14). The towers are numbered, sign of the sure
protection of God, the citadels are considered, expressions of the stability
offered to Zion by its Founder. The walls of Jerusalem speak, and its stones
remember the events that must be transmitted [to] "future generations"
(verse 14) through the stories that fathers will tell their sons (see Psalm
77[78]:3-7). Zion is the place of an uninterrupted chain of saving actions
of the Lord, which are announced in the catechesis and celebrated in the
liturgy, so that believers will continue to hope in the liberating
intervention of God.

5. The concluding antiphon is most beautiful, one of the highest description
of the Lord as shepherd of his people: "Our God who leads us always" (verse
15). The God of Zion is the God of the Exodus, of liberty, of closeness to
the people enslaved in Egypt and of pilgrims in the desert. Now that Israel
is settled in the Promised Land, it knows that the Lord will not abandon it:
Jerusalem is the sign of his closeness, and the temple is the place of his
presence.

Rereading these expressions, the Christian rises to the contemplation of
Christ, the new and living temple of God (see John 2:21), and he turns to
the heavenly Jerusalem, which no longer needs a temple or an external light,
because "its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no
need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and
its lamp was the Lamb" (Revelation 21:22-23). St. Augustine invites us to
this "spiritual" rereading, convinced that in the books of the Bible, "there
is nothing that only affects the earthly city, because everything that is
said about it, or realized through it, symbolizes something that
allegorically could also be referred to the heavenly Jerusalem" ("City of
God," XVII, 3, 2). St. Paulinus of Nola echoes him, who precisely in
commenting on the words of our Psalm exhorts us to pray so that "we can be
found to be like living stones in the walls of the heavenly and free
Jerusalem" (Letter 28:2 to Severus). And contemplating the firmness and
compactness of this city, the same Father of the Church continues: "In fact,
he who inhabits this city reveals himself as the One in three persons.
Christ constitutes not only its foundation but also its tower and door.
Therefore, if the house of our soul is founded on him and a construction is
raised on him worthy of such a great foundation, then the door of entry to
his city will be, precisely, him, who will guide us for ever and will take
us to the place of his pasture.

[Translation by ZENIT]

* * *

PRESENTATION OF POPE'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2001 (VIS) - This morning at 11:30 in the Holy See
Press Office, Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao presented the Pope's Message
for the 2002 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, on the theme "Migrations
and Inter-religious Dialogue." Joining the president of the Pontifical
Council for the Pastoral Ministry for Migrants and Itinerant Peoples were
Fr. Angelo Negrini, an official at the council, and Msgr. Felix Anthony
Machado, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious
Dialogue.

  Archbishop Hamao said that "a little more than a month after the tragic
events in New York and Washington, one could ask if the theme chosen this
year is not a bit risky. To speak of migrations at a time when many nations
are reviewing their laws in this regard, perhaps evaluating the weight to
be given to religions professed by the potential migrants and refugees, and
are reinforcing measures at borders to deny terrorists the possibility to
arrive on their national soil, could seem like putting salt on a wound."

  He said he thought the theme, however, "is more current than ever,
precisely to answer the call for peace that is on the lips and in the
hearts of innocent people. ... In fact, there is need for dialogue and
reciprocal tolerance within every country among those who profess the
religion of the majority and those who belong to minorities, frequently
made up of migrants, who follow diverse religions."

  Fr. Negrini stated that "the great novelty" of the Message is "the
overcoming of an 'ideological' vision of faith, of a theological dialectic
to reach a dialogue seen above all as an external gift, practical and
operating in charity. This problem does not occur with regards to Jews ...
whom the Pope calls 'our elder brothers'. Rather it occurs more urgently
with regards to Muslims, ever more numerous in industrialized countries."

  "The problem with the encounter with Islam," he added, "as with all other
religions, thus becomes a personal problem, a problem of being formed to be
authentic Christians, not to undertake other crusades or holy wars, but to
set up a sincere meeting between adult believers in the faith who are
convinced that pluralism does not come from the homologation of different
truths of faith, much less of preconceived notions about others' beliefs
but from facing them."

  Graphs depicting the worldwide migrant and refugee numbers were
distributed during the press conference today. As of 1997, the last
available year for statistics, there were 130 million migrants,
representing 2.3 percent of the world population: 55 percent of these are
in developing countries and the remaining 45 percent in highly developed
countries. There are no reliable statistics about illegal immigrants.

  As of 1990, the last year in which official statistics were available,
the regions where the percentage of immigrants is higher in relation to the
resident populace are North America 8.6 percent) Western Europe (6.1) and
Oceania (18.4).

  Refugees are believed to number upwards of 50 million worldwide, and most
often are victims of internal exoduses such as wars and natural disasters.

* * *

Papal Audience with President Vicente Fox Quesada of Mexico

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2001 (VIS) - President Vicente Fox Quesada of Mexico
was received in the Vatican this morning by Pope John Paul and subsequently
by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, accompanied by Archbishops
Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs and Jean-Louis Tauran,
secretary for Relations with States, according to a communique released
about the visit.

  The communique added that "during the conversations an overview was made
of the complex current international situation. This was also an occasion
for recalling the special role played by the Catholic Church through her
work in Mexican society."

* * *

DIRECTORY ON POPULAR PIETY IN PREPARATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2001 (VIS) - Made public late yesterday was a Message
from the Pope to the participants in the plenary assembly of the
Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments, which was
celebrated at the Vatican from September 26 to 29. The theme of the
reflection was: "The relation between the liturgy and popular piety."

   John Paul II notes in his Message, dated September 21, that the
assembly, "in view of the preparation of a Directory, has chosen popular
piety as its central theme." This piety, "which is expressed in diversified
and widespread forms, when it is genuine has faith as its source and must
be, therefore, valued and encouraged. In its most authentic manifestations,
it is not in opposition to the centrality of Sacred Liturgy, but rather, in
encouraging the faith of the people who consider it part of their inherent
religious expression, favors the celebration of the sacred mysteries."

  "The expressions of popular piety," he writes, "sometimes appear polluted
by elements not coherent with Catholic doctrine. In such cases they should
be purified with prudence and patience, through contacts with those in
charge and an attentive and respectful catechesis, unless radical
inconsistencies make clear and immediate measures necessary. These
evaluations are carried out primarily by the diocesan bishop or the bishops
of the area concerned with such forms of piety."

  Then, referring to the congregation's publication since 1996 of the Third
Typical Edition of the Roman Missal, the Book of Exorcisms, the Roman
Martyrology and the Instructions on liturgical translations, the Holy
Father exhorted the bishops of the congregation "to take care that
liturgical translations remain faithful to the original of the respective
'typical' editions in the Latin language. A translation, in fact, does not
represent an exercise in creativity, but an accurate commitment to
conserving the sense of the original without changes, ommisions, or
additions. Lack of observance of this criteria sometimes makes the work of
revision of certain texts necessary or urgent."

* * *

Pope Condemns Christian-Muslim Clashes in Nigeria
Caused by Protests Against Attacks on Afghanistan

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II condemned the
confrontations between Christians and Muslims that broke out last Friday in
Nigeria.

"Another episode of cruel violence has been added to the tragic world
situation of these days: more than 200 dead and hundreds of wounded," the
Pontiff said today when he addressed thousands of pilgrims at the general
audience in St. Peter's Square.

The clashes began in Kano, the northern Nigerian city with the greatest
number of Muslims. Following prayers in the mosques, protests were organized
against the British-U.S. military attacks on Afghanistan.

"Whoever has occasioned these unjustifiable acts is responsible before God,"
the Pope said. He expressed his solidarity and spiritual closeness to the
bishop of Kano and "all those who weep over the loss of dear ones."

"I pray to God that he will help all to find the path of fraternity again,"
the Holy Father added. "Only in this way will it be possible to respond to
God's expectations, who wills to make of humanity one single human family."

Agence France-Presse reported that on Sept. 11 many Muslims in northern
Nigeria celebrated the attacks on the United States. On Oct. 7, more than
3,000 Muslims joined a demonstration in Kano to show support for Osama bin
Laden.

Half of Nigeria's 126 million inhabitants are Christians, and half are
Muslims. The country has endured several violent interreligious explosions
since its return to a democratic regime in May 1999.

Ten northern states with a Muslim majority have adopted Shariah, or Islamic
law. The moves, considered unconstitutional, have met with opposition from
federal authorities as well as Christians living in those states.

* * *

Synod Emphasizing Bishop as Teacher of the Faith
First Conclusions of Working Groups

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The bishop as "teacher of the
faith," and the concept of collegiality have been the two most debated
issues at the ongoing Synod of Bishops.

The topic of episcopal teaching of the faith was addressed Tuesday by the
relators of the 12 linguistic working groups. The general assembly also
heard the first conclusions of the ecclesial summit.

The "French-speaking A" group, whose relator is Bishop Jean-Claude Makaya
Loembe of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, explained: "Even if the
bishop must intervene in ethical questions to announce a certain number of
moral precepts, the living center of his proclamation must be the Word of
God.

"He must present the Son of God incarnated in the history of the world
--above all in the countries where Islam is present -- and the dramatic and
liberating aspect of faith in Jesus, in focusing on the dead and resurrected
Christ."

The "Hispanic C" group, whose relator is Bishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of
Texcoco, Mexico, said: "In his prophetic function, the bishop must take into
account the believer's personal following of the Person of Christ; [he] must
incite faith and the acceptance of its contents.

"In this sense, he must take into account the particular culture of his
flock, to proclaim the Gospel in current and accessible terms. Similarly, we
must proclaim a God who is not static, but who has promised salvation: Our
hope is rooted in that promise."

The Spanish-speaking team added: "In today's civilization, the prevailing
culture favors independence, relativism, immanentist views and
self-sufficiency. Faced with this situation, in communion with Peter, the
bishop must propose in his diocese the Christian kerygma with all the weight
of revealed truth of which he is the authentic teacher, by the authority
received from Christ."

The "Italian B" group, whose spokesman is Archbishop Cosmo Francesco Ruppi
of Lecce, Italy, explained that the bishop "must be a 'doctor veritatis,'
and for this reason must proclaim the doctrine of Christ and of the Church,
aware that Jesus, sole redeemer and Lord, leads us to the full knowledge of
God and to the life of grace."

This Italian group stressed "the need for [the bishop] to always continue on
the path of holiness" and become "an authentic teacher of prayer and
spiritual guide. For this reason, his humility and poverty, his faith, his
hope and his charity must be reflected, offering his own life and his own
apostolic service as a model to the flock."

Archbishop John Olorunferni Onaiyekan, president of the Nigerian episcopal
conference, who represented the "English C" group, said: "Among the truths
of the faith that need the special attention of the bishop, as he exercises
his teaching office, we identified the doctrine about Jesus as the only
Savior of the world, the Church as a necessary part of God's plan of
salvation, and ecumenism properly understood."

"In the area of Christian morality, we need to stress the social doctrine of
the Church, the teachings on marriage and the family, and the ethics of
responsible sexual behavior," the group added.

The afternoon's reports concluded with the "Hispanic A" group, whose relator
is Archbishop Héctor Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte of Trujillo, vice president of
the Peruvian episcopal conference.

He underlined that the "fundamental point on which the bishop should focus
in the exercise of his ministry is the Person of Jesus, his obedience to the
Father, and his salvific centrality."

The Peru prelate added: "The bishop should proclaim Christ, his cross and
his resurrection, as the first announcement, in the face of a secularized
and hedonistic world."

Hence, this group advocated the "permanent formation of the bishop in
spiritual, theological, pastoral and other fields of knowledge," including
"progress in the sciences" which so often leads "to doubts about Christian
morality."

* * *

Violence Won´t Cure Violence, Vatican Says at U.N.
Disparities Between Rich and Poor Must Be Addressed, Aide Insists

NEW YORK, OCT. 17, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The violence of terrorism will not be
solved by more violence, a Vatican aide told the U.N. General Assembly.

Terrorism can only be combated if its causes are eliminated, the aide said.

"Justice, not vengeance, must be our goal," Archbishop Renato Martino, the
Vatican's permanent observer at the United Nations, said when he addressed
the members of the 1st Committee of the U.N. General Assembly on Monday. The
committee met to discuss disarmament.

"First, those responsible must be apprehended and brought to justice through
due process," Archbishop Martino said. "This must be done in a way that does
not expose even more innocent civilians to death and destruction."

"Violence on top of violence will only lead to more violence," he warned.

In the second place, the archbishop said, "we do disservice to those who
have died in this tragedy, if we fail to search out the causes. Here, a
broad canvas of political, economic, social, religious and cultural factors
emerges."

"The common denominator of these factors is hate," he emphasized. "This is a
hate that transcends any one people or region. It is a hatred of humanity
itself. This hatred even kills the one who hates."

"Though poverty is not itself the cause of terrorism, we cannot combat
terrorism successfully if we do not address the worsening disparities
between the rich and poor," Archbishop Martino continued. "We must recognize
that global disparity is fundamentally incompatible with global security.

"Any serious crime reduction cannot be confined only to intensified police
work. Any serious campaign against terrorism needs to address the social,
economic and political conditions that nurture the emergence of terrorism."

Referring to disarmament, the question being addressed by the General
Assembly, the Vatican permanent observer emphasized that many present
conflicts are fought with light arms -- a fact often forgotten by the
public.

"With their ease of use and ready availability, small arms are weapons of
choice for today's combatants," Archbishop Martino said. "The supply of
almost limitless quantities of small arms and light weapons, through areas
of high tension, has fueled numerous civil wars and social chaos. Small arms
kill upwards of 10,000 people a week. Most of these victims are civilians."

Archbishop Martino criticized the international community for not taking
action to prohibit antipersonnel mines once and for all. He mentioned even
more serious inconsistencies as regards the question of biochemical weapons.


Noting that there is still no agreement on the protocol that seeks to
reinforce the Biological Weapons Convention, the archbishop called the
"another setback for the international cooperation that is so necessary to
prevent terrorism."

"Combating the dangers of terrorist use of deadly organisms requires more
credible international institutions of arms control than the present ones,"
he stressed.

Archbishop Martino renewed the appeal, expressed by the Vatican on several
occasions, for the global application of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
(CTBT).

"We must now tackle the central problem of nuclear weapons, especially the
mentality of those who possess them, and claim that they are essential to
security," he said.

"Now is the time to dispel this claim, and to declare that the continued
possession of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction is
endangering all humanity and that they must be abolished," the prelate
insisted.

"The basic requirements for the peace we seek is the elimination of weapons
of mass destruction, the curbing of the arms trade, and the eradication of
massive, endemic poverty. We have no choice if humanity is to survive," he
warned.

He added: "Rather than intervening in violent conflicts after they have
erupted, and then engaging in post-conflict peace building, it is more
humane and more efficient to prevent such violence in the first place by
addressing its roots."

* * *

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

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* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
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otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by approval and
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 24

FRIDAY, 19 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of SS. Isaac Jogues, John de Brèbeuf & Companions"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• TWENTY-FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION
• Papal Visit to Russia in 2002 a Possibility, Archbishop Says
Apostolic Administrator Says Alexy II Softening His Opposition
• Pope Urges Overcoming of Muslim-Christian Prejudices
• STATISTICS ON THE PAPACY OF JOHN PAUL II
• Religious Liberty Deemed "Indispensable" for Avoiding Clash of
Civilizations
Papal Message for 2002 World Day of Migrants and Refugees
• WOMEN 2000: GENDER EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
• Mexico´s Fox Talks Terrorism, Education and Indians with Pope
President Promises to Strengthen Relations with Church
• Church-State Relations in Mexico Under Vicente Fox
Interview with Jaime Septien, Director of El Observador
• "Around the World" Prayer for Missions Set for Sunday

* * *

TWENTY-FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, in the presence of the
Holy Father and 228 synod fathers, the Twenty-First General Congregation
was held during which there was the first vote on the post-synodal council
and the presentation of a draft of the final message of the Synod. The
president delegate on duty was Cardinal Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay,
India. A general discussion of the final message then took place during
which 27 synod fathers spoke.

  This afternoon there will be no general congregation. However the relator
general, the special secretary and the language group moderators will
compile the proposals made in the preceding days.

  No general congregations are scheduled for tomorrow, although the
compilation of proposals will continue.

* * *

Papal Visit to Russia in 2002 a Possibility, Archbishop Says
Apostolic Administrator Says Alexy II Softening His Opposition

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz,
apostolic administrator in European Russia, told the magazine Inside the
Vatican that he is certain John Paul II will travel to Russia next year.

The archbishop, whose see is in Moscow, said: "Even the Russian Orthodox
patriarch, Alexy II, does not exclude a meeting with the Pope, though the
patriarch sets some conditions which must be met beforehand."

A trip to Russia seems more likely, following John Paul II's pastoral visits
to Ukraine last June and to Kazakhstan and Armenia last month, according to
the English-language magazine.

Russian polls reveal that nearly 60% of all Russians favor a papal visit, up
10% since before the Pope's trip to Kazakhstan.

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz added: "I believe Alexy II's opposition to the
visit is softening more and more. One year ago, we did not believe the Pope
could even go to Ukraine or Kazakhstan. What has just happened is already a
sort of miracle in our times."

* * *

Pope Urges Overcoming of Muslim-Christian Prejudices

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II says that
immigration, especially of Muslims to Christian countries, constitutes an
opportunity for Christians to "respond with a life in conformity with the
Gospel."

That is what Father Angelo Negrini told the press today when presenting the
papal Message for the 2002 World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Father
Negrini is an official of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.


The priest said the Pope's words "encourage Christians and Muslims to put an
end to prejudices and to build a common life based on respect and
friendship, while pursuing the path of justice, peace and liberty."

To achieve this, "it is important that each one's life is transformed into
authentic coexistence," exhibiting attitudes of genuine Christian charity,
which at times might seem banal, but which make all the difference between
acceptance and rejection, Father Negrini added.

* * *

STATISTICS ON THE PAPACY OF JOHN PAUL II

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2001 (VIS) - Monday, October 22 marks the 23rd
anniversary of the solemn inauguration of Pope John Paul II's pontificate.
Statistics on his pontificate have been compiled by both Vatican Radio,
which helps to organize the papal trips abroad, and by the Holy See Press
Office.

  John Paul II has made 95 foreign apostolic trips and 140 trips within
Italy, travelling a total of 928 days and 1,205,312 kilometers (723,187
miles), over three times the distance to the moon. He has given 3,251
speeches during those 235 trips and has spent 11.21 percent of his
pontificate outside of Rome.

  As Bishop of Rome he has visited 297 of the diocese's 325 parishes.

  The Holy Father has written 13 encyclicals, 12 apostolic exhortations, 11
apostolic constitutions, 41 apostolic letters and 25 Motu proprio. He has
proclaimed 1,272 Blesseds in 129 beatification ceremonies, and 452 Saints
in 42 canonization ceremonies.

   John Paul II has held eight consistories for the creation of cardinals
and has named a total of 201 cardinals. The current College of Cardinals is
composed of 179 members (130 electors and 49 over the age of 80), 157 of
whom have been created by Pope John Paul.

  He has convened six plenary reunions of the College of Cardinals and
there have been 15 synods during his pontificate: 6 ordinary general
assemblies, 1 extraordinary general assembly, 7 special assemblies and 1
particular synod.

  Pope John Paul has held over 1,330 audiences and meetings with political
figures, including 38 official visits by heads of state, 641 other
audiences with heads of state and 210 audiences and encounters with prime
ministers.

  He has presided over 1,009 weekly general audiences (including October
17) in  23 years in the presence of 16,155,200 pilgrims.

* * *

Religious Liberty Deemed "Indispensable" for Avoiding Clash of Civilizations
Papal Message for 2002 World Day of Migrants and Refugees

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Absolute respect for religious
liberty is an "indispensable" condition to avoid clashes between
civilizations, John Paul II says in his Message for the 2002 World Day of
Migrants and Refugees.

Local Catholic dioceses will observe this day on different dates, with the
motto "Migration and Interreligious Dialogue."

It is "indispensable for each one," the Pope writes, "to take into account
the essential requirements of freedom of religion and of conscience, as
stated so well by the Ecumenical Council Vatican II."

"This is the only hope for warding off the dread specter of those wars of
religion that have so often bloodied human history, and which have often
forced many people to abandon their own countries," the message continues.

"It is urgent to work so that the name of the one and only God may become
what it is, ever more a name of peace and a summons to peace," the Pope
adds.

In the message, published today by the Vatican Press Office, the Pontiff
defends the dignity of the world's millions of immigrants and appeals, in
particular, for respect for religious liberty for Christians living in
majority-Muslim countries.

The Holy Father urges that prejudice among believers of various religions be
surmounted, in order to foster coexistence based on respect and friendship.

The papal message calls on parishes, communities and individual Christians
to go to the assistance of immigrants and refugees.

The Pope stresses, however, that this "cannot be limited to the mere
distribution of humanitarian aid," adding that a Christian must "share with
those who are welcomed the gift of the revelation of God who is Love."

In presenting the papal message to the press, Archbishop Stephen Fumio
Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, said
the Pontiff chose the topic before the Sept. 11 attacks.

The archbishop said: "I think that the papal message for the 2002 Day is
more timely than ever, precisely to respond to the invocation of peace that
today comes from the lips and hearts of innocent people, who want nothing
more than to live a life worthy of human persons, daughters of the one
Father, and brothers and sisters among themselves."

* * *

WOMEN 2000: GENDER EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2001 (VIS) - Joan McGrath-Triulzi, member of the Holy
See delegation, spoke yesterday afternoon before the Third Committee of the
56th session of the United Nations General Assembly on the advancement of
women and the follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and the
23rd special session  of the General Assembly "Women 2000: Gender Equality,
Development and Peace for the 21st Century."

   She remarked that "Six years have passed since the Fourth World
Conference on Women and one year since the Beijing +5. The Holy See would
like to reiterate its support for what it called 'the living heart' of the
Beijing Platform for Action: the recognition of the dignity of women, the
importance of strategies for development, ending violence against women,
access to employment, land and capital, and the provision of basic social
services. These objectives bear a close correspondence to the social
teaching of the Holy See" which, she added, "continues to be a major
provider of basic social services to girls and women, especially in
developing countries."

   Then, addressing the "phenomenon of globalization," Mrs. McGrath-Triulzi
said, "The question we must ask ourselves is, how can women attain the best
position to reap the benefits of globalization and avoid its negative
effects?"

  "Several conditions must be in place to achieve this," she answered.
"Recognition of the dignity of the human person, especially women and
girls, must be the starting point for fostering authentic human
development. ... Secondly, ... the human rights and fundamental freedoms of
women and girls must be protected so that they will benefit from
globalization. Respect for the right to freely enter into marriage and
raise a family, to seek employment and just wages and to be protected from
abuse and exploitation is a prerequisite to women's contribution to
economic development.

  "Lastly, investment in basic social services is the bedrock for women's
well-being and economic development. ... It is imperative then, that the
education and health of girls and women be a priority in development
programs."

* * *

Mexico´s Fox Talks Terrorism, Education and Indians with Pope
President Promises to Strengthen Relations with Church

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Mexican President Vicente Fox met
John Paul II in private audience today and discussed a wide range of topics,
from world tensions to the Church's role in the second largest Catholic
country.

Joaquín Navarro-Valls, director of the Vatican Press Office, said in a
statement that the Mexican chief executive, 49, met with Cardinal Angelo
Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, and his aides, after the papal audience.


At the end of the visit, Fox, the first Mexican president in 70 years to
acknowledge openly that he is a Catholic, stressed the need to rediscover
spiritual values at this time of fear, caused by the Sept. 11 attacks on the
United States.

He told the press that the Catholic Church in particular offers a decisive
contribution "which will be of enormous benefit to our country."

Fox, who took office last December, ending seven decades of rule by the
anti-clerical PRI, said that current relations with the Vatican are
"extraordinary," and that his government hopes to "increase and strengthen
them."

Of his 27-minute meeting with the Pope, the Mexican president said they
spoke about the Indians in Mexico; employment, "which was of great interest
to him"; and daily relations with the Church, particularly in the area of
education.

Mexico, which is 90% Catholic and numerically the largest Catholic nation
after Brazil, continues to prohibit the teaching of religion in educational
programs. It is a legacy of the early 20th-century constitution, which has
clear Masonic influences.

Regarding terrorism, Fox said the Holy Father listened with great concern.
"His Holiness expressed great concern about the world situation, and his
hope that the house will be repaired," Fox said.

Before their farewells, the Mexican leader suggested to the Pope that
another exhibition be held in Mexico City of "The Treasures of the Vatican,"
first displayed in 1992, to celebrate the re-establishment of diplomatic
relations between the Vatican and his country. Relations had been severed in
1867.

Fox said it would be a way of celebrating the first decade of new
Church-state collaboration.

He also invited the Holy Father to visit Mexico again. John Paul II's first
international trip in 1979 was to Mexico. He returned to that country in
1990, 1993 and 1999.

Following his meeting with the president, John Paul II greeted Marta Sahagun
privately. She and Fox were married under civil law a few months ago. Both
are divorced. Neither of their previous marriages in the Church has been
annulled.

* * *

Church-State Relations in Mexico Under Vicente Fox
Interview with Jaime Septien, Director of El Observador

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Ten months into his term of
office, Mexican President Vicente Fox visited John Paul II today at the
Vatican.

To get a sense of church-state relations under the Fox administration, ZENIT
interviewed Jaime Septien, director of El Observador, the Mexican Catholic
weekly newspaper.

--Q: What are the positive aspects of church-state relations since President
Fox came to power?

--Septien: There has been a change in Mexico. Let's say, the rules didn't
change, but respect for the rules. The Fox administration is seriously
committed to combating corruption, which implies being in favor of justice.

However, he has been in power a short time, and the dead weight carried for
the past seven decades is great.

--Q: What are the negative aspects?

--Septien: Church-state relations have remained somewhat suspended. The
bishops were very pleased with the change of regime; not because of the
promises they might have on Fox's part but because of the nation's -- of
society's -- awakening. July 2 [the day of Fox's electoral victory] was, in
fact, a democratic celebration.

However, something happened in the Government Secretariat; a force of the
past imposed itself. And the Government Secretary, Santiago Creel Miranda,
decided to opt for the conventional method of simulated understanding, which
the PRI practiced to perfection.

--Q: Are there unfulfilled promises? Will they be fulfilled?

--Septien: There was a decalogue of promises from Fox on religious freedom
and specific issues of recognition of the Church and churches, which haven't
begun to be fulfilled. It is as if he had forgotten them.

This does not go unnoticed by many Catholics and a good part of the
hierarchy. We thought that, at last, the Mexican government was going to
acknowledge the real contribution of the Catholic Church to the society of
our country. However, it all remained a promise and, what is worse, a
campaign promise.

--Q: Fox is, perhaps, the first president of Mexico who says he is a
Catholic, and practicing at that. Does Fox's religious dimension affect his
personality and political action?

--Septien: I think Vicente Fox is a good man, a clearly Catholic man, which
is not the same as being committed. He has the Jesuits' mark, namely, traces
of formation for social action. However, there is something about Mexico
that triggers ... panic in Catholics when they come to power.

That is, they align themselves immediately with the PRI's regime of
simulation and disconcert and with "Juarismo." There are clear signs that a
good Catholic can be a good politician, but in Mexico these signs are either
not perceived or they are perceived very diffusely.

We don't want Fox in the sacristy, but we do want him to define his action,
especially his social action, according to the doctrine of the Church.

--Q: Mexico became famous in the 20th century for being one of the countries
in which the constitution and the government were very hostile to religion
in general and the Catholic Church in particular. Indeed, for decades the
fundamental rights of freedom of worship were violated. ... With Fox's
advent, has the anti-clericalism of the PRI "dinosaurs" been left behind?
Could this mentality return to power?

--Septien: The Catholic Church in Mexico has an interesting future ahead of
it, not so much because of the accessibility that the present administration
will give it, but because following the document "On Encountering Jesus
Christ Alive in Solidarity With All" (published last year), it has realized
that it can influence Catholics, and men and women of good will in Mexico,
without having to pass through the filter of power.

In other words, [the Church] has become aware of its immense moral power and
of its independence of political power. It should be clarified, that the
atmosphere is more relaxed, far more relaxed. For example, Fox would never
frown on a liturgical celebration held outside chapel walls.

* * *

"Around the World" Prayer for Missions Set for Sunday

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 18, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Fides).- The first "around the world"
prayer for missions will be held this Sunday, World Mission Day.

On Oct. 21, parish and religious communities, movements and missionary
groups will gather from 8 to 9 a.m. in more than 20 countries, to pray for
the missions.

Given the different time zones, groups will be praying during the entire
day.

The initiative was proposed during the World Missionary Congress, held in
Rome in October of the Jubilee Year.

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are currently ranked in
the top 27 of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily
basis.  Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps us grow
in numbers and improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available that keeps
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Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world news, biblical studies, and
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	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your email
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copyright protected in accordance to the latest ruling from the Office of
Copyright, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is
important to us.  Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit are republished by approval and
courtesy of these two news agencies.  We encourage our readers to send
financial support to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
(http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service).own
the original copyright for their news releases and are credited as such.
All copyright materials copied in any form must include the appropriate
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All correspondence should be sent to:
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 25

SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Paul of the Cross"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Washington Post Story on Pope´s Health Hit as "a Big Lie"
Close Friend Denies That Pontiff Is Riding the Halls in a Cart
• Syrian Catholics and Orthodox to Mark Easter on Same Day
John Paul II Proposed This in Damascus
• Catholic Aid Groups Mobilizing to Help Afghanistan
Humanitarian Disaster Looms as Winter Approaches
• Corruption Eating Away at Latin America, Honduran Cardinal Says
• Family Fosters Real Freedom, George Weigel Says
Interview with American Expert in Social Doctrine

* * *

Washington Post Story on Pope´s Health Hit as "a Big Lie"
Close Friend Denies That Pontiff Is Riding the Halls in a Cart

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Vatican sources have denounced a
Washington Post article about concerns over John Paul II's health.

The article appeared Tuesday, on the 23rd anniversary of the Pope's
election.

"It's all a big lie," Monsignor Michael Dylag, a Polish-American who knows
the Pope well, told the online edition of the magazine Inside the Vatican.

"I was in the Pope's apartment last Saturday for a visit and what the
Washington Post said about the Pope 'riding around in a cart' is not true at
all," the monsignor said.

The Post reported that John Paul II "travels the long palatial halls not by
foot but by electric cart."

But Monsignor Dylag, creator of the Polish Heritage Room in the new John
Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., said that last Saturday the
Pope walked up to the roof above the papal apartments without even using a
cane.

"He walks everywhere, including daily when getting into the car to go to the
synod," the monsignor said.

Others have confirmed this as well. Several bishops, who had lunch with the
Pope on Thursday, reported that he was physically fine, jumping back and
forth between languages and "very engaged in the conversation."

The Post article focused on what would happen in the case of papal
incapacitation, saying there is no juridical mechanism in place to deal with
such a scenario.

Monsignor Dylag, a personal friend of the Pope who sees him several times a
year, responded: "The way they talk, it's like he's dying tomorrow. Knowing
the Pope and his current condition, I think he will live another five
years."

* * *

Syrian Catholics and Orthodox to Mark Easter on Same Day
John Paul II Proposed This in Damascus

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2001 (Zenit.org).- It's official: Catholics and
Orthodox will celebrate Easter together in Syria, beginning next year.

"I signed the decree at the beginning of September for Greek Catholic
faithful in Syria," Greek-Melkite Patriarch Gregory III told the online
edition of Inside the Vatican magazine.

On May 5, when he was visiting Damascus, John Paul II proposed that
Christians in the East and West celebrate Easter on the same day, as a
visible sign of the quest for full unity.

The difference in Easter dates was the result of Pope Gregory XIII's reform
of the liturgical calendar in 1582. Eastern Christians, most of them
Orthodox, continued to calculate the date of Easter according to the old
Julian calendar.

Now, the 350,000 Greek Catholics in Syria will return to celebrating Easter
according to the Julian calendar. From 1724 to 1857 their Church used the
Julian calendar and then changed to the Roman calendar.

The new move is an effort to build better relations with the Orthodox.
"Seeing the necessity of the local Church, I find it's better that we go
back to the other calendar," Gregory III explained.

The patriarch said he hopes that other rites will follow and that eventually
the whole Catholic Church will celebrate Easter together with the Orthodox.

* * *

Catholic Aid Groups Mobilizing to Help Afghanistan
Humanitarian Disaster Looms as Winter Approaches

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, OCT. 19, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Life at Central Asia's
ground zero is getting colder -- and leaner.

"We are afraid that people really do not grasp the magnitude of the crisis
unfolding inside of Afghanistan," reported Luc Picard, a Pakistan country
representative for Catholic Relief Services.

"Numbers are impossible to judge accurately, but millions are surely at
risk, and hundreds of thousands are facing life threatening food needs," he
said. "It really is a race against time to reach them before the snow cuts
them off for months."

The U.S.-led military strikes at the ruling Taliban and Osama bin Laden in
retaliation for the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington are only
part of the Afghan civilians' problems.

The advent of the Afghan winter, the difficulty of the terrain, the prospect
of a long war, and the great number of women and children in danger of
suffering hunger has resulted in unprecedented mobilization by Caritas
International, a confederation of Catholic aid organizations.

According to Caritas sources in Pakistan, about 2 million Afghan children
are either refugees or displaced. Many are already suffering from
malnutrition.

The best estimates of how many people may actually be in need come from the
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the U.N. World Food Program
(WFP).

UNHCR, which is coordinating the humanitarian response in Pakistan and
Afghanistan, has estimated that between 300,000 and 1.5 million people may
require immediate emergency assistance in Pakistan.

In Afghanistan, the WFP estimates that 5 million people are in need of food.
Catholic Relief Services has committed $2.35 million for emergency needs in
both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is preparing for two scenarios.

The first of these scenarios involves the opening of the Pakistani border,
an act that would involve an immediate influx of hundreds of thousands of
refugees into camps in northern Pakistan.

The member organizations of Caritas International in the Northwest Frontier
Province, where many of the camps would be situated, are working to identify
and rehabilitate water supplies in one of the campsites, a great need in
this arid region.

Caritas is also gearing up to provide blankets and basic household supplies
like cooking pots and jerrycans to 30,000 people.

In addition to assisting the needy in Pakistan, many humanitarian agencies
are directing their efforts toward displaced people within Afghanistan
itself. Caritas has a local Afghanistan partner for its planned relief
efforts within that country.

Specifically, Catholic Relief Services is seeking initially to provide
200,000 displaced Afghan people with food and items such as blankets.

In addition to the current acute situation, the people of Afghanistan are
also suffering from a 20-year civil war, and from earthquakes and droughts.

Catholic Relief Services has been assisting the people of Afghanistan for
the last 10 years and in 1997 became the lead agency of the newly formed
Caritas Organizations for Aid to Afghanistan.

This co-operative effort on the part of CRS, Caritas Germany, Caritas
France, and Caritas Denmark focused on humanitarian assistance, health,
education and infrastructure rehabilitation. Most recently, Caritas Germany,
through whom CRS has been providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan
people, took over the lead role.

Afghanistan's neighbor, Pakistan, is also being challenged by multiple
crises ranging from flooding, to drought, to sheltering Afghan refugees
fleeing drought, civil war and U.S. military strikes.

* * *

Corruption Eating Away at Latin America, Honduran Cardinal Says

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 19, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Corruption has become the cancer
of Latin America, a Honduran cardinal says.

Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, archbishop of Tegucigalpa, told Vatican
Radio that "sadly, corruption has become a culture that superimposes itself
on ethical and moral values."

The cardinal made these statements during a recent visit to Panama, to
attend a conference on job tenure and labor productivity, organized by the
national government. Vatican Radio broadcast his comments Thursday.

In his address, the Honduran cardinal stressed that the primary way to
attack the evil of corruption, which he described as "a specter of many
hues" found throughout society, is "education in the home."

During the conference he advocated the integration of the Central American
region, pointing out that the integration of countries is one of the
positive aspects of globalization.

"If we do not achieve integration, we will not triumph as a region," the
cardinal said.

* * *

Family Fosters Real Freedom, George Weigel Says
Interview with American Expert in Social Doctrine

ROME, OCT. 19, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- George Weigel, John Paul II's
biographer and an expert on topics of social justice, on Thursday addressed
a congress on "The Family as Social Subject."

Weigel believes that modern man's need for freedom has been given erroneous
answers. Those answers are based on pragmatic utilitarianism that regards
everything as a contract, or on "Islamic activism," which does not allow
religious freedom.

--Q: In this context, what is the role of the family?

--Weigel: In response to pragmatic utilitarianism, Catholic social doctrine
teaches that the family is not simply a contractual agreement geared to
satisfying individual needs. It is a covenant that consists of making
promises and keeping them.

The essence of family life is to understand how we can be a gift to others.
In school we learn to understand the meaning of freedom. We need the family
to generate men who are really free. Because of this, one can say that the
future of the family is closely related to the search for authentic human
freedom.

--Q: Is there some sign that this concept might be accepted in the modern
world?

--Weigel: Social science scholars are again beginning to recognize the
crucial role played by the family in human development.

Recent research in the United States, on the deforming effects of divorce on
the growth and education of children, is causing a revision in legislation
on divorce and people are beginning to think that what was contemptuously
dismissed as "traditional family," has many points in its favor.

However, this new awakening of the moral sense has yet to penetrate public
life in a constant way, so that it can lead to changes in legislation.

--Q: How was "Familiaris Consortio," John Paul II's most important document
on this topic, published 20 years ago, received in the United States?

--Weigel: The framework is complex. His moral message was accepted in some
sectors. However, we have not seen this new moral realism applied to the
law. We still have a terrible abortion law, and the tax system does not help
the family. There is much work to be done.

--Q: Has the world of youth changed at all?

--Weigel: Young people, who must deal with the harm caused by the sexual
revolution and the disintegration of the family over the past 40 years, are
far more open to the teaching of the Church than their parents. I have seen
this in universities, when I have spoken on the Holy Father's teaching on
the theology of the body.

--Q: How should the challenge of globalization be addressed?

--Weigel: Globalization is not an event that can be avoided. It is
happening. The problem is the way it is happening. Is it happening in a way
that allows families of poor countries to grow in conditions where they can
exercise their economic creativity? The critical issue is the corruption of
political institutions in the Third World, which impedes this.

Laws that place obstacles to the economic creativity of poor families must
be reformed. The social doctrine of the Church calls attention to the reform
of corrupt political institutions, which impede poor families of the Third
World from liberating themselves.

* * *
DOSSIERS OF ALL THE CARDINALS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

http://www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals_list.asp

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is a brand new Yahoo group.  We are currently ranked in
the top 25 of 479 Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily
basis.  Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps us grow
in numbers and improve our services.  Please spread the word that a Catholic
clergy run Catholic News group and Reference Desk is available that keeps
you informed on all the activities of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See, the
Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world news, biblical studies, and
its Catholic Reference Desk answers questions you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your email
"Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com, or to jlupia2@....
Articles written by professional and scholarly authors can also be sent to
the email addresses above for consideration in a future issue.  Authors
should keep in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit
organization and considers publishing articles without paying any monetary
compensation to authors.  All materials submitted and published are
copyright protected in accordance to the latest ruling from the Office of
Copyright, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is
important to us.  Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

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IRONDALE, AL 35210

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Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus clinging to
her robes while walking down a dusty and busy crowded street and you'll
always be safe."
_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS, Zenit and Noticias Eclesiales (NE) are
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 26

MONDAY, 22 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• FIRST BEATIFICATION IN HISTORY OF A MARRIED COUPLE
• For First Time, a Married Couple Is Beatified Together
Pope Fulfills a Personal Wish
• Son Tells How His Parents Raced Each Other to Sanctity
Memories of Father Paolino Beltrame Quattrocchi
• HOLY FATHER DECRIES VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST
• Death Has Even Reached Basilica of Bethlehem, Pope Laments
"Dishonors the Holiness of God and the Dignity of Man"
• Christian Patriarchs of Jerusalem Denounce Israeli Military Attacks
"Intolerable Situation" Seen in Bethlehem and Palestinian Territories
• JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES GREEK-ORTHODOX PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH
• Pope´s Angelus Address at End of Beatification
"The Hour of the Family Has Arrived"
• Jerusalem Religious Leaders´ Statement
• Roman Rabbi Gives His Take on World Tensions
Justice Doesn´t Necessarily Mean War, Says Elio Toaff
• LETTER TO THE EDITOR

* * *

FIRST BEATIFICATION IN HISTORY OF A MARRIED COUPLE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Basilica,
the Pope beatified the first married couple in the history of the Church,
Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi (1880-1951) and Maria Corsini (1884-1065),
Italians. Present at the ceremony were three of the beatified couple's four
children: two sons, Msgr. Tarcisio and Fr. Paolino, who concelebrated with
the Pope, and a daughter Enrichetta. Their second daughter, who became a
nun, has passed away.

  Due to the rain, the Mass was moved from St. Peter's Square to inside the
basilica, and half of the 40,000 pilgrims seated in the square were invited
to take their chairs and to enter the basilica. The remaining pilgrims
followed the Mass by means of large screens in the square.

  In his homily, John Paul II noted that the new Blesseds "assumed with
full responsibility the duty of collaborating with God in procreation,
dedicating themselves generously to their children in educating, guiding,
and directing them to the discovery of His design of love."

  Luigi and Maria, he continued, "lived an ordinary life in an
extraordinary way. Among the joys and worries of a normal family, they
lived an existence extraordinarily rich in spirituality. At the center, the
daily Eucharist, to which was added filial devotion to the Virgin Mary,
invoked with the recitation of the Rosary every evening, and reference to
wise spiritual advisers. In this way they knew how to accompany their
children in vocational discernment."

  Addressing the married couples present, many with their children, who
took part in the previous day's National Encounter of the Family with the
Pope, promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference, the Holy Father said:
"As with every journey towards sanctification, yours as well, dear married
people, is not easy. Every day you face difficulties and trials in being
faithful to your vocation, in cultivating conjugal and family harmony, in
accomplishing the mission of parents and participating in the social life.
May you know how to seek in the word of God the answer to the many
questions which daily life puts to you."

  John Paul II particularly recalled those who live "the drama of
separation," those who are sick and those who suffer the premature death of
a spouse or child, and affirmed that "even in these situations a great
testimony of faithfulness in love can be given."

* * *

For First Time, a Married Couple Is Beatified Together
Pope Fulfills a Personal Wish

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II fulfilled a long-held
desire today when he beatified a husband and wife together, highlighting the
fact that holiness is not restricted to religious and priests.

The new blessed are Luigi (1880-1951) and Maria (1884-1965) Beltrame
Quattrocchi of Rome, who were married for 50 years and had four children,
three of whom are still alive and attended today's ceremony in St. Peter's
Basilica.

Their two sons, Filippo and Cesare, were among the priests who concelebrated
the beatification Mass with the Pope. Their daughter Enrichetta was among
the faithful attending the Mass.

The Holy Father explained during the homily that the couple "lived an
ordinary life in an extraordinary way."

"Among the joys and concerns of a normal family, they had an extraordinarily
rich spiritual life," the Pope said. "Daily Communion was at the center, to
which was added filial devotion to the Virgin Mary, invoked by praying the
rosary every night, and reference to wise spiritual counsel."

"These spouses lived conjugal love and the service to life in the light of
the Gospel and with great human intensity," he said. "They assumed with full
responsibility the task of collaborating with God in procreation, dedicating
themselves generously to the education, guidance and direction of their
children in discovering his plan of love."

The Church has recognized officially the holiness of other spouses. But this
was the first time that spouses were beatified together.

The beatification was the high point of the weekend celebrations organized
by the Church in Italy to mark the 20th anniversary of the publication of
the "Familiaris Consortio." The apostolic exhortation is John Paul II's most
important document on marital life.

Saturday afternoon, 50,000 people met with the Pope in St. Peter's Square to
pray, celebrate and witness. The Holy Father took the opportunity to appeal
for marked improvement "in the planning of social policies" in favor of the
family, and reminded the faithful that the family cannot be equated with any
other form of living together.

Torrential rains and strong winds in Rome forced today's celebration into
St. Peter's Basilica at the last minute.

Thousands of drenched pilgrims, who at one point had used chairs as
umbrellas, crowded dripping wet into the basilica.

At the end of the ceremony, and before reciting the Angelus, John Paul II
condemned the recent violence in Bethlehem, and presented the family as a
sign of hope in a world gripped by the fear of attacks and violence.

"Indeed, the family proclaims the Gospel of hope by its very constitution,
because it is founded on mutual trust and faith in Providence," he said.
"The family proclaims hope, because it is the place where life springs and
grows, in the generous and responsible exercise of paternity and maternity."


"An authentic family, founded on marriage, is in itself good news for the
world," the Pope concluded.

* * *

Son Tells How His Parents Raced Each Other to Sanctity
Memories of Father Paolino Beltrame Quattrocchi

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Today, for the first time ever,
three siblings were present at the beatification of their parents, in St.
Peter's Basilica.

Cesare Beltrame Quattrocchi, 92, who took the name Paolino when he embraced
the religious life, is one of them. Here he recalls his parents, Luigi
(1880-1951) and Maria (1884-1965).

Although I never imagined that one day they would be proclaimed saints by
the Church, I can sincerely say that I always perceived my parents'
extraordinary spirituality.

There was always a supernatural, serene and happy atmosphere in our home,
but not excessively pious. No matter what the issue facing us, they always
resolved it by saying that it had to be appealed "to the heavens."

There was a kind of race between father and mother to grow in spirituality.
She began in the "pole position," as she already lived an intense faith
experience, while he was certainly a good man, just and honest, but not very
practicing.

Through their marital life, with the decisive help of his spiritual
director, he also began to run, and they both attained high levels of
spirituality.

To give an example: Mother would recount how, when they began to go to daily
morning Mass, Father would say "good morning" to her as they came out of the
church, as if the day only began then. The intensity of their love emerges
in the many letters they wrote one another, which we have been able to find
and put in order.

For example, when my father would go on a trip to Sicily, no sooner he
arrived in Naples he would send a message, in which he told his wife how
much he missed her. This love was transmitted as much within -- during their
first years of marriage the parents of both of them lived in our apartment,
as did her grandparents -- as it was without, by welcoming friends with all
kinds of ideas, and helping anyone in need.

Education, which led to the consecration of three of us, was our daily
bread. I still have an "Imitation of Christ" that my mother gave me when I
was 10 years old. The dedication still stuns me: "Remember that Christ must
be followed, if necessary, unto death."

* * *

HOLY FATHER DECRIES VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2001 (VIS) - In reflections made before praying the
Angelus with the faithful who came for the beatification this morning of a
married couple from Rome, Luigi and Maria Quattrocchi, Pope John Paul
decried the violence in the Holy Land and expressed his closeness to the
victims.

   He first recalled that "today we celebrate World Mission Day, instituted
75 years ago by Pope Pius XI" to remind us that the "mission entrusted by
Christ to His Church (is) to announce the Gospel to all nations. This
mandate has a special urgency today, at the start of the third millennium,
if we look at that immense part of mankind that does not yet know or
recognize Christ. Thus, the mission 'ad gentes', to all peoples, is more
valid than ever."

  Turning to the situation in the Middle East, John Paul II said: "At the
present time there is no lack of threatening situations which fill all of
mankind with anxiety. It is with deep sadness that I receive painful and
worrisome news from Bethlehem, as well as from the cities of Beit Jala and
Beit Sahour. War and death have even arrived at the square of the Basilica
of the Nativity of Our Lord. In the name of God I repeat once again:
violence is for everyone a path of death and destruction which dishonors
the holiness of God and the dignity of man.

  "I express to the families who are victims of violence my closeness in
their pain, in prayer and in hope. They have the gift of living in the Holy
Land, land which is holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims. It must be
everyone's commitment to make this finally a land of peace and fraternity."

  Last evening's meeting with families, and today's Mass and Angelus took
place in the presence of the statue of Our Lady of Loreto. This is the
first time since 1922 that the statue has left the shrine in Loreto, Italy.

* * *

Death Has Even Reached Basilica of Bethlehem, Pope Laments
"Dishonors the Holiness of God and the Dignity of Man"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II made an impassioned
appeal today for the rejection of violence, especially in the Holy Land.

The Pope made his appeal at the end of the beatification ceremony of a Roman
couple, Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini, in St. Peter's
Basilica, following a day of intense Israeli military operations in
Bethlehem and its surroundings. Two women and two youths died in the
clashes.

"Unfortunately, at this time there is no lack of menacing situations, which
make the whole of humanity anxious," the Pope said, before reciting the
Angelus.

"With great sadness, I received the painful and worrying news of Bethlehem,
as also that of the city of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour," he added. "War and
death even reached the square of the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lord."

"In the name of God I repeat once again: For all, violence is only a way of
death and destruction, which dishonors the holiness of God and the dignity
of man," John Paul II exhorted.

"To the families that are victims of violence, I express my closeness in
sorrow, prayer, and hope. They have the gift of living in the land that is
holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims. All must be determined to make it,
finally, a land of peace and fraternity," the Holy Father concluded.

Israeli military operations have been extended to all Palestinian
territories in response to last Wednesday's assassination of Israeli Tourism
Minister Rehavam Zeevi. Over the past five days, one Israeli and 21
Palestinians have been killed, including one this morning.

This past year, 647 Palestinians and 177 Israelis have been killed in
violence.

* * *

Christian Patriarchs of Jerusalem Denounce Israeli Military Attacks
"Intolerable Situation" Seen in Bethlehem and Palestinian Territories

JERUSALEM, OCT. 21, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The patriarchs and heads of Christian
Churches and communities here made an urgent appeal against what they called
the "intolerable situation" in Bethlehem and the Palestinian territories
occupied now by the Israeli army.

The statement of the religious leaders, published Friday, refers to
"targeted killings," as well as the occupation of cities belonging to the
Palestinian Authority.

"Tanks are everywhere, buildings have been [be]sieged, some areas are under
curfew, and there is extensive shooting," the religious leaders said. They
are particularly concerned about Bethlehem and the refugee camps. "Children
everywhere are being traumatized," they said.

"Whilst we deplore all acts of violence," the religious leaders said, "we
appeal to world church leaders and the international community to make
urgent representation to the Israeli government to bring this intolerable
situation to an immediate end and begin the process of negotiations in order
to work toward a peaceful and just solution."

Israeli troops are deployed in the principal Palestinian cities of the West
Bank, which they occupied in the past few days, following the greatest
offensives initiated by the Palestinian Authority in the past year.

According to the Italian newspaper Avvenire, two women died Saturday (ages
22 and 48), victims of the attacks, as well as two youths (ages 16 and 19).
On Saturday night, three missiles fired from helicopters fell on a
residential neighborhood of Bethlehem, wounding at least eight people.

Sources of the Israeli Council of Ministers explained that the operation
seeks to capture the killers of Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi, killed on
Wednesday, and to "dismantle" the Palestinian "terrorist structures."

According to these sources, Israel regards "the Palestinian Authority as an
entity that supports terrorism and, therefore, acts in consequence."

* * *

JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES GREEK-ORTHODOX PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH

VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II this morning welcomed
His Beatitude Ignace IV Hazim, Greek-Orthodox patriarch of Antioch and, in
his talk to the patriarch, called him one of the "avant garde artisans in
the efforts at rapprochement between the East and West."

  The Pope spoke of his trip to Syria in May of this year, recalling the
ecumenical celebration of the Word at Our Lady of the Dormition Cathedral
in Damascus. He also recalled Patriarch Hazim's visit to Rome in May of
1983 "so that we could advance resolutely together on the path of unity in
the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God."

  "We suffer," said the Holy Father, "for our pace is sometimes slowed
down. It happens that the love, sweet and peaceful, compassionate and
merciful, which animates us is tarnished en route by the habit of
confrontation, by the powerlessness to find a common expression, by
forgetting Christ's prayer: 'I ... pray also for those who believe in Me
through their word, that they may all be one'."

  The Pope told patriarch Hazim, "From the start you have supported the
theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches
in their ensemble. Today we implore the Lord to give us the grace and
strength to go beyond the marking of time of dialogue, due to fruitless
hesitating, for the Lord has already shown us the way, ... for He has
vanquished the world!"

* * *

Pope´s Angelus Address at End of Beatification
"The Hour of the Family Has Arrived"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of John Paul
II's address at the conclusion of a beatification Mass and before the midday
Angelus today.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

1. World Missions Day is being celebrated today, which was instituted some
75 years ago by Pope Pius XI. It reminds all the People of God about the
perennial timeliness of the mission entrusted by Christ to his Church to
proclaim the Gospel to all nations (see Matthew 28:19). This mandate
acquires particular urgency at the beginning of the third millennium, if we
think of that enormous part of humanity that still does not know or
recognize Christ. Therefore, today the "ad gentes" mission to all peoples is
more valid than ever.

Unfortunately, at this time there is no lack of menacing situations, which
make the whole of humanity anxious. With great sadness I received the
painful and worrying news of Bethlehem, as also that of the city of Beit
Jala and Beit Sahour. War and death even reached the square of the Basilica
of the Nativity of Our Lord. In the name of God I repeat once again: For
all, violence is only a way of death and destruction, which dishonors the
holiness of God and the dignity of man.

To the families that are victims of violence, I express my closeness in
sorrow, prayer and hope. They have the gift of living in the land that is
holy for Jews, Christians and Muslims. All must be determined to make it,
finally, a land of peace and fraternity.

2. The Church responds to the negative manifestations in the world by
reinforcing the commitment to proclaim Christ, hope of man and of the world!


In this mission of hope, a primary role is entrusted to families. Indeed,
the family proclaims the Gospel of hope by its very constitution, because it
is founded on mutual trust and faith in Providence. The family proclaims
hope, because it is the place where life springs and grows, in the generous
and responsible exercise of paternity and maternity. An authentic family,
founded on marriage, is in itself "good news" for the world.

Moreover, in our time the families that collaborate actively in
evangelization are ever more numerous, either in their own parish or
diocese, or by participating in the "ad gentes" mission itself. Yes, dear
families, the hour of the family has arrived in the Church, which is also
the hour of the missionary family. It is confirmed by today's beatification
of the spouses Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini. We especially
entrust the missionary commitment of Christian families to their
intercession, united to that of Mary Most Holy.

3. We do this before the image of Our Lady of Loreto, who yesterday and
today has been among us, helping us to perceive more concretely the maternal
presence of the Virgin and to relive the spirit of the Holy Family of
Nazareth. In this same spirit, we now recite the Angelus prayer.

[Translation by ZENIT]

* * *

Jerusalem Religious Leaders´ Statement

JERUSALEM, OCT. 21, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of an appeal from
Christian patriarchs and religious leaders in Jerusalem in regard to the
latest violence in the Holy Land.

APPEAL FROM JERUSALEM ON BEHALF OF BETHLEHEM

We, the Patriarchs and the Head of Churches in Jerusalem,

Appeal to our Brothers and Sisters around the world to help in a lime of
urgent need in the Holy Land.

Following the targeted killings, there has been a dramatic intervention,
within the last few hours, in the Autonomous Palestinian Territories by the
Israeli Armed Forces. Tanks are everywhere; buildings have been sieged; some
areas are under curlew and there is extensive shooting.

We are particularly concerned about Bethlehem (The place of our Savior’s
Birth) with Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, Aida Refuges Camp, AI-Bireh,
Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus and Gaza. The restrictions on movement preventing
people going to work. attending school and even university, mean that
Charitable Institutions, Hospital, etc.. are placed under great strain to
care for residents and patient. Children everywhere are being traumatized.

At a time when Western leaders arc concerned with fighting terrorism it
seems that Palestinian residents (both Moslem and Christian) are subjected
to similar acts for which the world takes little notice.

Whilst we deplore all acts of violence, we appeal to World Church Leaders
and the International Community to make urgent representation to the Israeli
Government lo bring this intolerable situation to an immediate end and begin
the process of negotiations in order to work towards a peaceful and a just
solution.

Jerusalem
October 19, 2001

* * *

Roman Rabbi Gives His Take on World Tensions
Justice Doesn´t Necessarily Mean War, Says Elio Toaff

ROME, OCT. 21, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- Elio Toaff gives pride of place
in his office to a photograph of the moment when he received John Paul II in
his synagogue.

The 86-year-old Toaff, who recently presented his resignation as chief rabbi
of the Jewish community in Rome, arrived in this city 50 years ago, having
just lived through the horrors of World War II. Now, he is leaving his post
with the specter of another war looming large.

--Q: Did you imagine there would be another war?

--Rabbi Toaff: I never thought something like this could happen. Of course,
every terrorist act must be answered with the determination to restore
justice and punish the culprits, and all this leads to unrest in society.

--Q: How can justice be carried out?

--Rabbi Toaff: Only by identifying those who are responsible and punishing
them severely because it implies the death of thousands of innocent people.

--Q: However, in a certain sense, when the culprits involve a nation,
justice might also mean war.

--Rabbi Toaff: Not necessarily, because if in that nation there are
individuals and authorities who can carry out justice by stopping the
terrorist movement, there is no need for war, but of police service for the
benefit of all, if they remove individuals from circulation who cause
serious damage to society.

Such a nation, if it is civilized and well organized, must be able to
isolate and punish those who go against moral laws and ideals born from
civilization and religion.

--Q: It has been said that there can be no peace in the world until there is
peace in Jerusalem but, according to the Arabs, it is precisely Israel that
doesn't want it.

--Rabbi Toaff: Everyone says what suits him. If you speak with the Israelis,
you will hear exactly the opposite. The issue must not be resolved with
terrorism or with a more or less open struggle, but by sitting at the same
table and discussing.

Every problem must be solved peacefully. While there are actions of war,
nothing positive will be achieved, because for every action there is a
reaction, often even greater.

--Q: Did John Paul II's visit to your synagogue, the first of a Pope since
the first century, also serve to surmount the barriers between the two
religions in other parts of the world?

--Rabbi Toaff: We can never speak absolutely. We dialogue in everyday life.
There can be great consensus, but there is always someone who is opposed.

This Pope has traveled to Jerusalem, he has stood before the Wailing Wall
and remained there in prayer. These are signs that have impressed, in a very
positive way, the whole Jewish community in the world.

Dialogue is incipient but we will never have total consensus, either on one
side or the other. From my point of view, this dialogue remains as a gesture
of civilization that enters the spirit of the Church and Judaism, which seek
a meeting, not disputation.

* * *

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I have searched your Website and cannot find any access to the title
you mention in your posting, "As The Bell Tolls".

Would very much appreciate it if you would explain further how to
access this.

Thank you very much.

MATass

Dear MATass:

The 5 part series "As the Bell Tolls" can be found by clicking the blue;ines
below or going to the Home Page of Roman Catholic News at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News  and then look for each
issue listed below in the Messages.


Volume 1, Number 7 C
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/12

Volume 1. Number 8 B
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/14

Volume 1, Number 9 C
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/18

Volume 1, Number 10 D
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/22

Volume 1, Number 11 D
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/26

The Editor

* * *
DOSSIERS OF ALL THE CARDINALS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

http://www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals_list.asp

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four ways
to access archive articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel on the far left,
and click on the word Messages just below the word Home; (2) click on the
articles posted by date; (3) click on the blue arabic numerals in the box
for the month in the yearly calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4)
type in a keyword in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long
rectanuglar button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus clinging to
her robes while walking down a dusty and busy crowded street and you'll
always be safe."
_____________________________________________________________
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 26

WEDNESDAY, 24 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Founder of the Claretian Fathers"

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• Osama bin Laden, in the Name of Allah ... or, Rather, of Oil
President of Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies
Speaks
• Whoever Invests in Man Never Loses, Pope Tells Foundation
• Holy See Statement at U.N. on Culture of Peace
What a Serious Campaign Against Terrorism Entails
• Indiscriminate Reprisals Won´t Defeat Terrorism, Vatican Aide
Warns
Holy See Reported Perplexed by U.S.-British Campaign Against
Afghanistan
• CARDINAL EGAN, SYNOD GENERAL RELATOR, TO RETURN
TO U.S.
• Synod Enters the Homestretch
Prepares Draft of the Proposals to Be Presented to Pope
• SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO CONCLUDE SATURDAY
• UNESCO Urged to Initiate "Dialogue Between Cultures"
Vatican Aide Calls for Reflection on Current Challenges
• Sinn Fein Leaders Urge IRA to Disarm
• 35,000 Already Registered for World Youth Day 2002
• Nicaraguan Cardinal Appeals for Calm as Elections Near
• Church in Ecuador Joins Deal to Acquire TV Channel

* * *

Osama bin Laden, in the Name of Allah ... or, Rather, of Oil
President of Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies
Speaks

ROME, OCT. 23, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- In no way is Islam
related to the terrorists who struck the Twin Towers -- it is an
excuse, says Father Justo Lacunza, president of the Pontifical
Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI).

"Osama bin Laden wanted to be a new Saladin [who expelled
the crusaders from Jerusalem] and the new manager of the
natural resources of the Arab world," said the priest, a leading
expert on Islam.

The purpose of PISAI, entrusted by the Holy See to the
Rome-based Missionaries of Africa, is to educate Christians
about Islam.

--Q: Five years ago, Osama bin Laden proclaimed a jihad, a
declaration of war against "crusaders" and Jews.

--Father Lacunza: Yes, in a text published on Aug. 23, 1996 -- a
declaration of war against the United States, "crusaders" and
Jews.

--Q: What was he saying?

--Father Lacunza: He said that Americans should leave Saudi
Arabia which, according to him, they had "occupied" since the
Gulf War. The word "Christian" was never used in this text. He
spoke of "crusaders," understood as "those who have led
crusades," namely, who have fought against Muslims.

Finally, he attacked the Jews because of the Palestinian issue
and the Middle East in general. However, there is also a
reference to oil, and bin Laden proposes the control of
resources in his declaration of war.

--Q: Less than a year later he had his religious investiture.

--Father Lacunza: In their view of Islam, the Taliban sought and
obtained the support of this already legendary man, who is a
great financial manager and able exploiter of his position as a
combatant, first against Russia and in favor of the United States,
and now against the United States on account of the Taliban.

In this connection, one of the crucial moments was in March
1997, when he changed from being a warrior to a Muslim chief.
He has been conferred a sort of religious "authority" by Mullah
Omar, the supreme Taliban chief, who invited him to lead the
"Salad," a public prayer rite.

--Q: What happened then?

--Father Lacunza: Mullah Omar remains as the spiritual head of
the Taliban but bin Laden is the one who carries forward the
political, religious, cultural and economic dimension.

--Q: Do you believe in bin Laden's religious motivations?

--Father Lacunza: He is yet to articulate them.

--Q: But do you think they are his motivation?

--Father Lacunza: I don't think so. He refers to religious
motivations because they allow him a wide field of action among
Muslims. If his [cause] were only the control of oil resources or
the expulsion of Americans, they would not serve him.

--Q: Do the Taliban need bin Laden, or does bin Laden need the
Taliban?

--Father Lacunza: They are two inseparable parts.

--Q: Are relations between the Muslim and Western world
deteriorating?

--Father Lacunza: The terror, destruction and death sowed after
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are a fact. These are realities we
must face. Let's clarify another fact: You, me, any Jew, Christian,
Muslim -- is less safe than before. This is the reality we must
address.

--Q: And yet, we know too well what is happening in Afghanistan,
Iran, Sudan, Algeria and other places.

--Father Lacunza: All religions must take stock of their own
history. However, it is true that certain Muslim groups use
violence for their own ends.

--Q: How is it possible to interpret the Koran in such diametrically
opposite ways?

--Father Lacunza: How is it possible that in Northern Ireland the
police must go so far as to protect 7- and 8-year-old children
going to school? How is it possible to interpret the Catholic and
Protestant faiths in this way? The situation must be analyzed.
The Taliban use the Koran and Islam, using God as a fortress
for their plans.

--Q: A cross cannot be worn around the neck in Arab countries.

--Father Lacunza: Religious liberty was sanctioned by the U.N.
Declaration of Human Rights. Its defense is the competence of
the United Nations, the European Union, parliamentary
assemblies and governments of countries, not of the Church or
citizens.

Can you recall any time when the European Parliament seriously
debated religious liberty? This problem, like that of violence, did
not begin on Sept. 11. Perhaps there is fear of becoming an
enemy of some Arab politician or some leader.

* * *

Whoever Invests in Man Never Loses, Pope Tells Foundation

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 23, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Pope today
encouraged the members of the John Paul II Foundation, which
he himself created 20 years ago, to invest in man and in human
development.

The foundation offers scholarships to students of Eastern
European countries and former Soviet Republics.

More than 170 students, who attended the foundation's center in
Lublin, Poland, have completed their studies and now promote
science and culture, "based on the solid foundation of perennial
values," the Pontiff said.

During the audience with 500 members of the foundation, the
Holy Father told them that he has personally met an additional
145 youths who are studying at the center.

"How important this initiative is!" John Paul II said. "Whoever
invests in man, in his total development, never loses. The fruits
of this investment never perish."

* * *

Holy See Statement at U.N. on Culture of Peace
What a Serious Campaign Against Terrorism Entails

NEW YORK, OCT. 23, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of a
statement given Monday by Archbishop Renato Martino,
permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations,
before the Plenary of the General Assembly on Item 28, Culture
of Peace.

Mr. President:

Today, it is indeed appropriate that the General Assembly
address the topic of the Culture of Peace. The imperfect peace in
which our world has dwelt has suddenly been shattered by
violent and senseless attacks against innocent human beings.
An initial reaction may come in words of war and not in a
language of peace, understanding and reconciliation. Yet,
institutions such as the United Nations are entrusted with the
most serious responsibilities to "Maintain international peace
and security and to that end: to take effective collective measures
for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace... (The
Charter of the United Nations, Chapter 1, Article 1, Paragraph 1).

Peace begins within hearts. It is not simply the absence of war,
nor is it sought only to avoid widespread conflict but rather it
helps to direct our reasoning and thus our actions toward the
good of all. It becomes a philosophy of action that makes us all
responsible for the common good and obliges us to dedicate all
our efforts to its cause. If, for these reasons, we are convinced
that peace is a 'good in itself', we must build a culture of peace.
Peace is first known, recognized, willed and loved in the heart.
Then, in order to establish a culture of peace, it must be
expressed and impressed on humanity, on its philosophy, its
sociology, its politics and its traditions.

There are a number of definitions for the word "culture" which my
Delegation believes provide us with a good starting point for our
discussion today. The first speaks of culture as "the art or
practice of cultivating", while another defines culture as: "the total
pattern of human behavior and its products embodied in thought,
speech, action, and artifacts and dependent upon man's
capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding
generations through the use of tools, language, and systems of
abstract thought".

Together, both of these definitions seem to provide a foundation
for a clearer understanding of culture ... and when placed into the
context of today's discussion, "a culture of peace" might be seen
as "that pattern of human behavior which must be cultivated and
transmitted to future generations".

Once we have come to an understanding of what a culture of
peace is, we begin to ponder upon ways in which to
communicate that understanding and fostering its place in the
minds and hearts of humanity.

Establishing a culture of peace and non-violence will
necessitate a new language and new gestures for peace. In this
search, we will not only educate a new generation but also will
educate ourselves for peace and awaken in ourselves firm
convictions and a new capacity for taking initiatives at the service
of the great cause of Peace.

Education for and a better understanding and realization of
peace can benefit from renewed interest in the everyday
examples of simple builders of peace at all levels. Our eyes and
those of the next generation need to be focused on the visions of
peace which will nurture the aspiration for peace and
non-violence that is an essential part of every human being.

All of this, of course, is the work that the United Nations, and the
peoples of the world have been engaged for many years. It is an
ongoing process that is hampered by too many obstacles that
continue to resist the movement toward a true and lasting peace
for all people.

Situations of conflict exist in today's world where a just solution
may have been refused over time, by both parties involved. This
has fostered feelings of frustration, hatred and temptations to
vengeance to which all must remain attentive. Those who
honour God must be in the first rank of those who fight against
all forms of terrorism. As mentioned by Pope John Paul II, when
he met with religious leaders, in Jerusalem, "If it is authentic,
devotion to God necessarily involves attention to our fellow
human beings. As members of the one human family and as
God's beloved children, we have duties towards one another
which, as believers we cannot ignore." (Pope John Paul II,
Interreligious meeting at the Notre Dame Pontifical Institute,
Jerusalem, 23 March 2000).

His Holiness touched upon that same idea last January, when
he said, "We all know how hard it is to settle differences between
parties when ancient hatreds and serious problems which admit
of no easy solution create an atmosphere of anger and
exasperation. But no less dangerous for the future of peace
would be the inability to confront intelligently the problems posed
by a new social configuration resulting in many countries from
accelerated migration and the unprecedented situation of people
of different cultures and civilizations living side by side." (Pope
John Paul II, Message for the Celebration of the World Day of
Peace, 1 January 2001).

Acts of revenge will not cure such hatred. Reprisals, which strike
indiscriminately at the innocent, continue the spiral of violence
and are illusionary solutions that prevent the moral isolation of
the terrorists. We must rather remove the most obvious
elements that spawn the conditions for hatred and violence and
which are contrary to any movement toward peace. Poverty along
with other situations of marginalization that engulf the lives of so
many of the world's people, including the denial of human
dignity, the lack of respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, social exclusion, intolerable refugee situations,
internal and external displacement and physical or psychological
oppression are breeding grounds only waiting to be exploited by
terrorists.

Any serious campaign against terrorism also needs to address
the social, economic and political conditions that nurture the
emergence of terrorism, violence and conflict.

In the midst of this current tragedy and threat to the Culture of
Peace, forms of systematic terrorism should not be forgotten. In
some cases it is almost institutionalized, possibly based on
systems which utterly destroy the freedom and rights of
individuals "guilty" of not bringing their thought into line with the
triumphant ideology. Today these persons are unable to attract
the attention and support of international public opinion and they
must not be forgotten or abandoned.

In this light, the world must recognize that there is hope. Building
a culture of peace is not preposterous, nor a utopian dream. It is,
rather, an attainable reality which, even though just beyond our
realization, is still a worthy and reachable goal.

Pope John Paul II has always used the idea of this search for
peace as a major theme. His exhortations have been repeated
especially often during the past two years, as part of the
celebration of the Great Jubilee. In a homily during his visit to
Jordan, His Holiness called upon all mothers to be, "Builders of
a new civilization of love. Love your families. Teach them the
dignity of all life; teach them the ways of harmony and peace."
(Pope John Paul II, Homily at Amman Stadium, 21 March 2000).

More recently, His Holiness reminded the young people of
Kazakhstan that they should, "Know that you are called to be the
builders of a better world. Be peace-makers, because a society
solidly based on peace is a society with a future". (Pope John
Paul II, Address at Eurasia University, Astana, Kazakhstan, 23
September 2001).

Finally, Mr. President, I would like to conclude with the words of
Pope John Paul II, spoken almost twenty years ago, which seem
so appropriate for our discussion today: "I present to you this
message on the theme Dialogue for Peace, a Challenge for our
Time. I am addressing it to all those who are, on the one hand,
people responsible for peace: those who preside over the
destiny of peoples, international officials, politicians, and
diplomats. But I am also addressing the citizens of each country.
All are in fact called by the need to prepare true peace, to
maintain it or to reestablish it, on solid and just foundations.
Now I am deeply convinced that dialogue -- true dialogue -- is an
essential condition for such peace. Yes, this dialogue is
necessary, not only opportune. It is difficult, but it is possible, in
spite of the obstacles that realism obliges us to consider. It
therefore represents a true challenge, which I invite you to take
up. And I do this without any other purpose than that of
contributing, myself and the Holy See, to peace, by taking very
much to heart the destiny of humanity, as the heir of the
message of Christ and as the first one responsible for that
message, which is above all a message of Peace for all men."
(Pope John Paul II, Message for the World Day of Peace, 1
January 1983).

Thank you, Mr. President.

[text distributed by Holy See mission]

* * *

Indiscriminate Reprisals Won´t Defeat Terrorism, Vatican Aide
Warns
Holy See Reported Perplexed by U.S.-British Campaign Against
Afghanistan

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 23, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Terrorism is not
defeated with "revenge" or "reprisals which strike
indiscriminately at the innocent," a Vatican aide told the U.N.
General Assembly.

The remarks Monday by the Vatican's permanent observer at the
United Nations, Archbishop Renato Martino, expressed the Holy
See's official position on the questions posed by the military
response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

"Acts of revenge will not cure such hatred. Reprisals, which
strike indiscriminately at the innocent, continue the spiral of
violence and are illusory solutions that prevent the moral
isolation of the terrorists," the archbishop said during the
Assembly's plenary session on the "Culture of Peace."

"Rather, we must remove the most obvious elements that spawn
the conditions for hatred and violence, which are contrary to any
movement toward peace," Archbishop Martino added. He
mentioned "poverty" as well as different forms of violations of
human rights.

The Vatican agency Fides, reporting on the speech, said,
"Archbishop Renato Martino voiced the Holy See's perplexity
regarding the military campaign against terrorism launched by
the Anglo-American alliance in Afghanistan."

The archbishop told the U.N. body during his 10-minute
address: "Situations of marginalization that engulf the lives of so
many of the world's people, including the denial of human
dignity, the lack of respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, social exclusion, intolerable refugee situations,
internal and external displacements, and physical and
psychological oppression are breeding grounds only waiting to
be exploited by terrorists."

Any "serious campaign against terrorism also needs to address
the social, economic and political conditions that nurture the
emergence of terrorism, violence and conflict," he added.

The prelate explained that the suicide attacks are not the only
forms of present-day terrorism.

"In some cases, it is almost institutionalized, possibly based on
systems that utterly destroy the freedom and rights of individuals
'guilty' of not bringing their thought into line with the triumphant
ideology," he said.

"Today these persons are unable to attract the attention and
support of international public opinion, but they must not be
forgotten or abandoned," the archbishop pleaded.

"Those who honor God must be in the first rank of those who
fight against all forms of terrorism," Archbishop Martino said.

He added a quote from the Pope: "As members of the one
human family and as God's beloved children, we have duties
towards one another that, as believers, we cannot ignore."

Archbishop Martino said that peace, including in the present
situation, depends on dialogue. To clarify his proposal, he
quoted that papal message for the 1983 Day of Peace: "I am
profoundly convinced that dialogue -- true dialogue -- is an
essential condition for such peace. Yes, this dialogue is
necessary, not only opportune."

"In this light," the archbishop continued, "the world must
recognize that there is hope. Building a culture of peace is not
preposterous, nor a utopian dream.

"If, for these reasons, we are convinced that peace is a 'good in
itself,' we must build a culture of peace. Peace is first known,
recognized, willed and loved in the heart."

* * *

CARDINAL EGAN, SYNOD GENERAL RELATOR, TO RETURN
TO U.S.

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2001 (VIS) - It was announced this
morning by
Cardinal Jan Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of
Bishops,
that "the General Relator of the Tenth Ordinary General
Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, archbishop of
New York,
after having presided last October 11th in his cathedral at a
commemoration
of the victims of the September 11 terrorist massacre, finds
himself in the
upsetting situation of having to leave the Synodal Assembly to
return to
his faithful, where his presence is required by necessity."

* * *

Synod Enters the Homestretch
Prepares Draft of the Proposals to Be Presented to Pope

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 22, 2001 (Zenit.org).- As the monthlong
Synod of Bishops entered its final week, a draft of final proposals
that will be presented to John Paul II was read in his presence
today.

The propositions, as they are technically called, are the final
objective of the synod, which is focused on the figure of the
bishop. The Holy Father will base his postsynodal apostolic
exhortation on the proposals.

The proposals read this morning combined all the propositions
written by the 12 linguistic working groups. They included the
contributions of the 280 participants.

The final summation of proposals was entrusted to Cardinal
Edward Egan, general relator; Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio,
assistant general relator; and Italian Bishop Marcello Semeraro.

The 285 proposals were reduced to 68, after repetitions were
edited out. The list was written in Latin.

This afternoon, and for the next two days, the bishops meet
again in working groups to make final changes in the draft.

On Friday, the reworked proposals will be presented to the
assembly. The bishops will vote yes or no -- "placet" or "non
placet" -- for each proposal.

On Saturday morning, John Paul II will close the synodal
assembly with a solemn Mass.

* * *

SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO CONCLUDE SATURDAY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2001 (VIS) - On Saturday, October 27, at
10:30 a.m.,
the Holy Father will preside in the Vatican Basilica over a
Eucharistic
concelebration with the synod fathers on the occasion of the
conclusion of
the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

* * *

UNESCO Urged to Initiate "Dialogue Between Cultures"
Vatican Aide Calls for Reflection on Current Challenges

PARIS, OCT. 22, 2001 (Zenit.org).- UNESCO must become a
"catalyst" for dialogue between cultures by more reflection on
issues such as life, poverty and globalization, a Vatican aide
says.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization is holding a meeting here from Oct. 15 to Nov. 3 to
reflect on the "problems, failures and tasks" it inherited after
World War II, in order to promote peace.

Addressing UNESCO's general conference last Friday, the
Vatican's permanent observer, Archbishop Lorenzo Frana,
emphasized the need to foster "dialogue between cultures."

Archbishop Frana urged UNESCO to make a qualitative leap and
become a "catalyst, through further ethical reflection on specific
issues: life, poverty, humanization of cities, economy, new
technologies and, especially, globalization."

He suggested that the U.N. agency reflect seriously on current
ethical questions.

Answering the question "What must be done to act well?" means
"keeping one's sights fixed on man, the dignity of every person,
and the relation between truth and freedom," the archbishop
said.

Regarding the Sept. 11 attack on the United States, the
archbishop said: "Although it is the right of states to struggle to
eliminate terrorism, our duty as a civil society, especially as
UNESCO, is to do everything possible so that the future will be a
dialogue of cultures."

In this way, he said, "'peace on earth' can be built -- the title of an
encyclical of Blessed Pope John XXIII, who was the Vatican's first
permanent observer at UNESCO."

* * *

Sinn Fein Leaders Urge IRA to Disarm

BELFAST, Northern Ireland, OCT. 22, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Leaders
of the Sinn Fein party urged their allies in the Irish Republican
Army to begin disarming to save the peace process in Northern
Ireland, the Associated Press reported.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams today said he and his deputy,
Martin McGuinness, both urged the step.

Leaders of the main Protestant party, the Ulster Unionists, have
resigned from Northern Ireland's government to protest the IRA's
failure to keep its promises to put its arms "beyond use," AP
said.

Northern Ireland's government, an experiment in
Catholic-Protestant power-sharing, could collapse within days. If
the IRA did begin to disarm, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble
said he and his party's three other Cabinet ministers would
resume their posts.

Sinn Fein's ultimate goal remains an end to British rule in
Northern Ireland and a union of the two parts of Ireland.

* * *

35,000 Already Registered for World Youth Day 2002

TORONTO, OCT. 22, 2001 (Zenit.org).- More than 35,000 young
people from 42 countries have registered for World Youth Day
2002 since Oct. 2 when online registration went live at
http://www.wyd2002.org/, organizers announced.

On the first day alone, 22,000 people registered. Registration is
available in four languages: English, French, Spanish and
Italian.

World Youth Day will take place across the country July 18-22
when pilgrims take part in the Days in the Dioceses Program,
and in Toronto July 23-28 when the international events,
including a Vigil and Mass with the Pope, will take place.

* * *

Nicaraguan Cardinal Appeals for Calm as Elections Near

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, OCT. 23, 2001 (Zenit.org).- With general
elections approaching, and a former Marxist trying to regain the
presidency, the archbishop of Managua announced he will
celebrate an open-air Mass on Nov. 1 to pray for peace.

Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo exhorted citizens "to express
themselves by voting" while maintaining "peace and tranquility."

The two presidential candidates for the Nov. 4 elections are
Daniel Ortega, the former Sandinista president, and Enrique
Bolanos, of the governing Constitutional Liberal Party. Both are
running neck and neck, polls indicate.

In statements to Aciprensa, Cardinal Obando Bravo said, "We
want the elections to be a civic celebration."

He added that every candidate who wins "must do all that he is
able to and be capable of implementing his plans."

* * *

Church in Ecuador Joins Deal to Acquire TV Channel

QUITO, Ecuador, OCT. 23, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Ecuadorean
bishops' conference has decided to join the group that will
acquire the "Sí TV" channel.

The bishops state that the initiative is an attempt to provide
television geared to families, which diffuses human and
Christian values. Programming will include news, education and
entertainment.

The TV channel will be independent of particular political and
economic interests, and will "respect the dignity of individuals
and institutions," the bishops' conference said in a statement.
Moreover, it said it will be "committed to the democratic system
and attentive to the needs of the majority, especially the poorest."

To carry out the initiative, the bishops' conference established a
nonprofit foundation, Communication for the Family, which has
seven lay people in charge of its management.

* * *
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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

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* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS, Zenit and Noticias Eclesiales
(NE) are republished by approval and courtesy of these news
agencies.  We encourage our readers to send financial support
to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
(http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information
Service).own the original copyright for their news releases and
are credited as such.  All copyright materials copied in any form
must include the appropriate copyright owner; in the case of
Roman Catholic News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 27 EVENING EDITION

WEDNESDAY, 24 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

"Feast of St. Anthony Mary Claret, Founder of Claretian Fathers"

* * *
LATE NEWS FROM THE VATICAN

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• GENERAL AUDIENCE: PSALM 50, SIN AND PERSONAL CONVERSION
• HOLY SEE ON PROMOTING, PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
• PREPARATION OF COLLECTIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSITIONS

* * *

GENERAL AUDIENCE: PSALM 50, SIN AND PERSONAL CONVERSION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2001 (VIS) - In today's general audience, celebrated
in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II spoke on "Psalm 50 - Have Mercy on me,
O God," in which the believer expresses his desire to do penance and his
hope in the mercy of God.

  "Psalm 50 outlines two aspects," the Pope said. "There is first of all
the dark region of sin, in which man lives from the first moment of his
life." Though not speaking explicitly of original sin, it states that there
is "a profound dimension of inborn moral weakness in man."

  The Holy Father affirmed that "if man, however, confesses his sin, the
salvific justice of God is ready to radically purify him. In this way one
passes into the second spiritual region of the Psalm, the luminous region
of grace. ... The Lord does not only act negatively, eliminating sin, but
rather recreates sinful humanity through His enlivening Spirit: he gives
man a new and pure 'heart', that is, a renewed conscience, and opens to him
the possibility of a pure faith and devotion pleasing to God."

  This Biblical supplication "reveals to us certain fundamental elements of
a spirituality which must reverberate in the daily life of the faithful.
Above all," he concluded, "there is a lively sense of sin" and "an equally
lively sense of the possibility of conversion: the sinner, sincerely
pentitent, presents himself in all of his misery and nakedness before God,
beseeching Him not to drive him from His presence."

* * *

HOLY SEE ON PROMOTING, PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See
permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday before the Third
Committee of the 56th session of the U.N. General Assembly on Item 115,
"The Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children."

  He began by noting that "Unfortunately, too many of the world's children
are affected by war and conflict every day of their lives. They all bear
the physical and psychological scars which might be the result of direct
involvement as combatants and child soldiers or through abduction, abuse,
separation from family, malnutrition, and lost educational opportunities.
The same might be said for those children who are victims of exploitation
or abuse. For these children unimaginable horrors are an everyday
occurrence. These also suffer physical and psychological trauma which
leaves scars that may never be healed."

  Archbishop Martino affirmed that "the Convention on the Rights of the
Child continues to guide governments in their actions regarding the
well-being of children through the recognition of their dignity and the
acknowledgment that 'the child, by reason of his physical and mental
immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including legal protection,
before as well as after birth'."

  He announced that, on the morning of October 24, "on behalf of the Holy
See, I will deposit the instruments of ratification of the two Optional
Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child ... The Holy See
does this ... because (it) has always recognized the fundamental importance
of protecting the human rights of children and promoting their well being.
This is most evident through the thousands of schools, hospitals and care
centres under the auspices of the Catholic Church, as well as in the work
of the Church among children who are refugees and displaced, those living
in poverty or who are separated from parents or their family." Another of
the ways this recognition is carried-out is certainly realized in
protecting children from the atrocities of armed conflict and exploitation."


  The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and
Child Pornography explicitly prohibits the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography, and calls for legal protection against
the sexual exploitation of children, the transfer of their organs, and
forced labor.

  The Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
expands the protection of children from recruitment for participation in
armed conflict to the age of 18, and reinforces the prohibition of the
recruitment of children under (that) age by armed forces distinct from the
State.

  "There are many challenges in the world," Archbishop Martino concluded.
"Each and every action that the United Nations system can take helps to
chip away at the problems that continue to hamper the realization of the
rights and assurance of the well-being of children."

* * *

PREPARATION OF COLLECTIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSITIONS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, while John Paul II held
the general audience in St. Peter's Square, the synod fathers met in the
twelve language groups to continue preparing the collective amendments to
the propositions.

  No General Congregation will be held this afternoon or tomorrow morning.
The synod fathers will meet again in the Synod Hall tomorrow afternoon for
the presentation and approval of the Final Message of the Synod of Bishops.

* * *

DOSSIERS OF ALL THE CARDINALS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

http://www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals_list.asp

* * *

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HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN
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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

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IRONDALE, AL 35210

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* * *

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* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus clinging to
her robes while walking down a dusty and busy crowded street and you'll
always be safe."
_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News, unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS, Zenit and Noticias Eclesiales (NE) are
republished by approval and courtesy of these news agencies.  We encourage
our readers to send financial support to Zenit, a private news organization
in Rome.  Zenit (http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican
Information Service) own the original copyright for their news releases as
credited.  All copyright materials copied in any form must include the
appropriate copyright owner; for Roman Catholic News use our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com








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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 28

THURSDAY, 25 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
• Patriarch Sees Glimmer of Hope After Sept. 11
Alliance for Life Is Possible, Says Gregory III
• What the Synod Has Been Talking About
Interview with Mexican Archbishop Morales Reyes
• 2 Million Afghan Refugees Need Help Now, Warns Caritas
• Russia to Restrict Foreign Religious Sects
• Memorial Ceremony Held in Moscow for Victims of Sept. 11
Presided Over by Metropolitan Sergius of Church of Christ the
Savior
• Cardinal Bevilacqua Defends U.S. Response to Sept. 11
"The Military Action ... Has Been Both Measured and
Discriminate"
• A Meditation on the Miserere
Papal Address at General Audience
* Achille Cardinal Silvestrini Celebrates 78th Birthday

* * *

Patriarch Sees Glimmer of Hope After Sept. 11
Alliance for Life Is Possible, Says Gregory III

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Following the Sept. 11
attacks on the United States, "the situation has changed" and it
is possible "to create a vast alliance for life and peace," a
Greek-Melkite patriarch says.

The opinion of Patriarch Gregory III Laham of Antioch is
important because his Church is highly integrated in the Middle
East. He was also patriarchal vicar in Jerusalem for 26 years.

"Now the situation is favorable for peace, because Tony Blair
and George W. Bush are in favor of the creation of the
Palestinian state," said the 68-year-old Eastern Catholic leader.

According to the patriarch of this Arab-rite Church of 1.5 million
faithful, "more development and work" must be planned "to
guarantee peace. Only in this way can fundamentalism,
radicalism and terrorism be combated."

"We must be conscious of the fact that the anger of
fundamentalists is also directed against moderate Arab
leaders," Gregory III added.

The patriarch addressed the press Tuesday during a break in
the sessions of the Synod of Bishops. He recalled that while he
was speaking "a peace march was being held in Palestine with
the leaders of the 13 Christian Churches."

The initiative was an act of prayer and peace, following Israel's
military occupation of several West Bank cities, in reprisal for the
assassination of far-right Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi. The
Greek-Melkite leader, who was born in Damascus and whose
see is in that city, said that three Christians died in the recent
clashes.

With regard to Israel's position, Gregory III said that "it is not
about fighting a war. Following the attacks on the Twin Towers,
the situation has changed and it is possible to create a vast
alliance for life and peace."

Regarding relations with the Muslim world, the patriarch said,
"Islam is not compact; it differs from one place to another."
Regarding Syria, he added: "Relations between Muslims and
Christians have improved since the attacks on the United States.
Dialogue is accelerating in response to terrorism."

* * *

What the Synod Has Been Talking About
Interview with Mexican Archbishop Morales Reyes

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Luis
Morales Reyes, archbishop of San Luis Potosi and president of
the Mexican episcopal conference, spoke this week with
reporters and ZENIT about the Synod of Bishops. The synod
ends Saturday. Following is a résumé of the interview.

--Q: Your Excellency, can you summarize the important topics of
the Synod of Bishops?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: I think there are five important
topics: the bishop and his spiritual life; the bishop and his
ministry; the bishop in his relation with the universal Church; the
bishop in his particular Church; and the bishop in face of the
great threats and challenges of today's world: peace,
reconciliation, poverty, justice, migrants, and, of course, the
media.

--Q: What was the principal theme of all the proposals made by
the bishops in this synod?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: The theme of hope -- how the
bishop can give hope to the world beginning with the
proclamation the Person and Gospel of Jesus Christ. There
were many details, but the issue of hope and the Gospel is a
résumé of this synod.

--Q: And the topic of communion?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: Indeed, there was quite a bit of talk
on the subject of intra-ecclesial communion as a source of hope
for the world and the Church.

--Q: There were topics repeatedly addressed by all of you, such
as collegiality.

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: We bishops must be able to live in
communion and collegiality, exchanging gifts, goods, caring for
the poor, and the poorest dioceses. There should be an
exchange of goods between Churches that are better off
economically and those that are poorer. Support should no
longer be a matter of words but a real exchange of goods.

--Q: Are such endeavors being implemented at this moment?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: It is already happening in Mexico
and the American continent, as it is in Europe and Africa.
Certainly between North America and South America, this
exchange is already taking place as patronage, through human
and economic resources, in support of poorer Churches. Latin
America is contributing human resources to the United States
with immigrants; they contribute economic goods to us. This is
the exchange.

--Q: Will this exchange make our Churches dependent?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: I don't see it like this. There is a
situation of respect in this exchange. We are in the framework of
what the Pope called the globalization of solidarity: The poor
Churches contribute spiritual goods, and the wealthy material
goods. Of course, we must overcome every form of dependence,
helping poor Churches to become self-sufficient.

--Q: Does the situation of the Church in Latin America continue to
make it the continent of hope?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: Yes, I think so. It is a dynamic and
creative Church. For example, in CELAM there are close to 30
areas of study and reflection; documents and activities that
reflect the inner nerve of the Latin American Church, which are
being taken into account by Europe in addressing the
challenges of the modern world.

--Q: Does economic poverty limit pastoral action very much?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: I think that economic poverty does
affect the development of particular Churches but, on the other
hand, poverty gives greater liberty, places one closer to the
Gospel, makes one go to the essence of the Gospel, to the
Person of Jesus.

Churches must not get distracted attending to material goods
but must promote their pastoral work, looking for ways to
proclaim Jesus Christ. I think poverty makes the particular
Churches of Latin America freer; they are freer in face of the
powers of this world, the goods of this world; and this is a
richness we have.

--Q: Returning to the Synod of Bishops, we are very surprised
that, in addition to the topic of poverty, attention was given to
topics that could have gone unnoticed, such as the preferential
treatment of bishops emeritus, for example.

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: I agree. The topic of bishops
emeritus is very important. Of the 4,500 bishops in the world,
1,500 are bishops emeritus.

They need human, economic, psychological and spiritual
attention that must be given to them. And, as a result of the
synod, the treatment of the emeritus is going to improve
substantially. Of course, there is no change either in the election
of the bishop or in the age of their retirement.

--Q: You dined with the Pope on Oct. 12. What is your
impression, humanly speaking?

--Archbishop Morales Reyes: That of a very lucid man, perfectly
balanced, very sharp, and with an enormous capacity to listen to
others. We spoke with him in Spanish and Italian. He speaks
Spanish very well. I sat on his left and he certainly ate well and
did not seem exhausted.

He is a man who admires us, who very much loves the bishops,
who is energized by his meeting with brother bishops. He wants
to give his all to encourage the Church and us, the bishops.

He is very concerned about the international situation, as we
bishops are. This is why, in our final message we appeal for
consensus, dialogue between countries, international
agreement, the search for the causes of terrorism. The Church's
position is very clear: pro peace and justice.

* * *

2 Million Afghan Refugees Need Help Now, Warns Caritas

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Caritas International
has made an appeal for $11 million in order to help the 2 million
Afghan refugees living in camps in Pakistan, Vatican Radio
reported today.

The confederation of Catholic charities has appealed to its
organizations in 154 countries to collect funds to counter the
humanitarian crisis.

Caritas emphasized the gravity of the emergency, especially with
winter approaching. It noted that the situation in Afghanistan was
already precarious even before the British-U.S. bombings.

Caritas will also use the funds to offer food and health care to
people in Afghanistan, in cooperation with aid agencies already
working in the country.

The primary objects of aid are the residents of Kabul, Kandahar
and Herat.

* * *

Russia to Restrict Foreign Religious Sects

MOSCOW, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Russian government
plans to restrict the activity of foreign religious sects and
religious extremists, Russian news agencies report.

Deputy Prime Minister Valentina Matviyenko said the Foreign,
Interior and Justice Ministries would be ordered to make
recommendations for legislative amendments tightening control
over foreign religious activists in Russia, the ITAR-Tass and
Interfax news agencies reported.

"Sometimes such people come to Russia for a year and no one
knows for sure what exactly they are doing in our country,"
Matviyenko was quoted as saying by Interfax.

She said that the legislation should not affect the representatives
of legitimate religious organizations, but that it should prevent
people from using religion as a disguise for extremist activities.

Matviyenko also said that police and visa authorities would be
asked to increase control over the foreign activists, ITAR-Tass
reported.

Many religious organizations, including foreign-based ones,
have protested legal restrictions in the current Russian law on
religion, which they say limits religious freedoms in Russia. The
law, championed by the dominant Russian Orthodox Church,
requires religious groups to register with Russian authorities.

Some groups have been unable to get their congregations
officially registered while the representatives of others have been
denied entry visas, the Associated Press said.

* * *

Memorial Ceremony Held in Moscow for Victims of Sept. 11
Presided Over by Metropolitan Sergius of Church of Christ the
Savior

MOSCOW, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).- With the blessing of
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II, the Divine Liturgy was
celebrated for the victims of terrorist attacks, including the Sept.
11 attacks on the United States.

The ceremony last Saturday was led by Metropolitan Sergius of
Solnechnogorsk, chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, at the
Church of Christ the Savior. U.S. Embassy personnel in Moscow
and relatives of victims attended the service.

"Thousands of innocent people were killed by the insanity of
those who want to rebuild the world after their own fashion,"
Metropolitan Sergius told the congregation. He recalled the
pre-revolutionary period in Russia when high-ranking
government officials and Russian emperors and members of
the imperial family were victims of terrorist actions.

"Terrorists tried to obtain democratic freedoms from the
authorities, but only weakened the state," he said. "As a result,
the country found itself under the Communist yoke for 70 long
years."

"Lying, the basis of terrorism, is always malicious, but nowadays
the face of terror has changed," he added. "Not only individuals
and groups are killed but multitudes. Terrorists want to horrify
and spread panic, and thus achieve their goals."

Asked by journalists, Metropolitan Sergius said that all victims of
terrorist acts were commemorated at the service, not only the
Orthodox killed in the Sept. 11 attacks on the Twin Towers.

"A person who leaves life suddenly deserves our special
attention and prayer," he said. "God is the judge of all, and he will
decide the fate of every one, but we ardently pray to him for all the
victims."

He added that the Orthodox Church did not pray for the terrorists
because they were suicides as well as murderers of thousands
of people.

* * *

Cardinal Bevilacqua Defends U.S. Response to Sept. 11
"The Military Action ... Has Been Both Measured and
Discriminate"

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).-
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua wrote this letter to President
George W. Bush regarding the U.S. military action under way in
Afghanistan. The text is also at
(http://www.archdiocese-phl.org/abo/archstat/acbltrpresbush.ht).

October 16, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
The President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Like all Americans, I have been reflecting a great deal on the evil
events of September 11, 2001, and about their immediate and
long-term consequences. I write to thank you for the strong and
wise leadership that you and your administration have been
providing, and to express my prayerful support for the
multidimensional response to the terrorist attacks that you have
been detailing for the American people.

Mr. President, you have rightly called these attacks acts of war.
They are the most catastrophic in a series of lethal assaults that
include the earlier attack on the World Trade Center and the
bombings of United States embassies, a military barracks and a
naval vessel. Undeniably, terrorists pose a threat to the lives and
security of all people, and a particular danger to Americans here
and overseas. Our government has the right and the duty to
defend its people against this modern plague upon mankind. It
is encouraging to see that other nations also recognize that
same moral obligation as they join us in protecting humanity
from the evils inherent in this latest form of tyranny.

Over the past few weeks, calls for retaliation motivated by anger
and vengeance have been replaced by careful reflection on the
need for self-defense. You and your chief advisors aver that the
responses by our government and the international coalition
currently underway -- political, financial, economic and military --
are directed toward defending the free world. The United States
and its partners in the coalition made clear their preference to
protect humanity by diplomatic means rather than military force.
Sadly, because past and recent diplomatic efforts and political
and economic sanctions failed, military action became
necessary. These facts, together with the well-founded hope that
we will ultimately succeed in the war against terrorism,
demonstrate that we are engaged in a just war.

You, your administration and the Congress are to be
commended for the manner in which this war has been
conducted so far. The formation of an international coalition, the
shared intelligence and coordinated efforts of national and
international law enforcement agencies and the steps
undertaken to cut off the terrorists' financial resources are all part
of a well-conceived and effective plan. By all reports, the military
action which began on October 7, 2001, has been both
measured and discriminate. I have every confidence that our
government will ensure that all future military action will continue
to be directed only against the terrorists and the regimes that
protect and support them.

You are to be commended also for the humanitarian assistance
currently being given to millions of innocent people in
Afghanistan who have suffered for more than a decade at the
hands of the Taliban. It is heartening to know that the leaders of
the coalition intend to continue this assistance in the
post-Taliban era, and to create the conditions needed for the
people of Afghanistan to establish a just and stable government.
It is also heartening to know that the United States and other
nations are prepared to support such a government in
addressing the conditions and causes of poverty and illness that
have brought so much suffering to the innocent people of that
land. Hopefully, the unique alliances forged by this war on
terrorism will foster new political and diplomatic attempts to
address the poverty, suffering and hopelessness from which so
many people in that region and elsewhere in the world continue
to suffer.

Mr. President, you have been realistic and forthright in stating
that the war against terrorism will take a long time. We, the
American people, must be equally realistic in recognizing that it
will involve sacrifice on our part. It will require patience in coping
with security measures that will cause inconvenience and may
seem overly intrusive. It will require a willingness to put the
common good above some individual civil liberties. It will require
unity, courage and steadfastness, especially at times when
there may be little tangible evidence that we are succeeding or
that a serious threat still remains. For the men and women of the
armed forces, the sacrifices will be great indeed. They must be
reassured that the cause they champion is just, and that this
nation supports every moral means they employ in our defense.

Many Americans believe that life in the United States was
changed forever by the terrorist attacks of September 11. To a
degree, this is unquestionably true. The unspeakable evil made
vivid in the horrific images of commercial aircraft commandeered
by suicidal murderers crashing into the Twin Towers of the
World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field are
now permanently etched in the national memory. Mercifully,
those images are offset by countless displays of the
fundamental goodness of the American people. They have
turned to God in this hour of need and prayed for guidance,
strength and healing. They have mourned the dead and prayed
for the repose of their souls. They have tended to the physical
and spiritual needs of their families and of all the injured. The
valor and dedication of the rescuers, medical personnel, clergy,
civil and religious leaders as well as the loving and tangible
concern of the entire nation prove that the American spirit was
not buried beneath the rubble. In its best instincts and highest
ideals, America remains unchanged by the barbaric attacks that
killed thousands of innocent men and women. I pray that, in
time, this nation will also recover its sense of security and return
to its way of life.

As we search for reasons for the attacks, we must be careful to
avoid two unsupportable conclusions: first, that they were God's
punishment for moral decay within our nation; second, that they
were an inevitable and deserved response to United States
foreign policy. These were the acts of men with evil in their
hearts, perpetrated against innocent human beings. No reason
can be given to explain them or the loathing which inspired them.
Still, as a nation victimized by acts of incomprehensible hatred
and violence, we must emerge from this experience with a more
profound respect for one another, for the world community and
for human life itself. A new world order without terrorism must
also be one of global solidarity in caring for the needs of every
human being.

The anxieties of these perilous times have reminded us all of
our utter dependence upon God. Let us continue to ask Him to
help all men and women to pursue justice and to live in peace.

With gratitude and with prayers for God's blessings upon you
and this great nation, I am

Sincerely yours,

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua
Archbishop of Philadelphia

* * *

A Meditation on the Miserere
Papal Address at General Audience

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 24, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation
of John Paul II's address at today's general audience.

1. We have heard the Miserere, one of the most famous prayers
of the Psalter, the most intense and repeated penitential Psalm,
the hymn of sin and forgiveness, the most profound meditation
on guilt and grace. The Liturgy of the Hours makes us repeat it at
lauds every Friday. It has risen for centuries from the hearts of
Jewish and Christian faithful as a sigh of repentance and hope
addressed to the merciful God.

The Jewish tradition places the Psalm on David's lips, who was
called to penance by the severe words of the prophet Nathan
(see verses 1-2; 2 Samuel 11-12), who reproached him for his
adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband Uriah.
However, the Psalm was enriched in subsequent centuries, with
the prayer of so many other sinners, who recover the themes of
the "new heart" and the "Spirit" of God infused in redeemed man,
according to the teachings of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel
(see verse 12; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 11:19; 36:24-28).

2. Psalm 50[51] outlines two horizons. First there is the dark
region of sin (see verses 3-11), in which man is situated since
the beginning of his existence. "True, I was born guilty, a sinner,
even as my mother conceived me" (verse 7). Although this
declaration cannot be considered as an explicit formulation of
the doctrine of original sin, which has been delineated by
Christian theology, it undoubtedly corresponds to it. In fact, it
expresses the profound dimension of the innate moral
weakness of man. The first part of the Psalm is presented as an
analysis of sin, made before God. There are three Hebrew
words used to describe this sad reality, which stem from the evil
use of human freedom.

3. Hattá, the first word, literally means to "miss the target": Sin is
an aberration that leads us far from God, fundamental end of our
relations, and, as a consequence, also from our neighbor.

The second Hebrew word is 'awôn, which recalls the image of
"twisting," or "curving." Sin, therefore, is a torturous deviation of
the right way; it is the inversion, distortion, deformation of good
and evil, in the sense expressed by Isaiah: "Woe to those who
call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light
for darkness" (Isaiah 5:20). Precisely because of this, the Bible
describes conversion as a "return" ("shûb" in Hebrew) to the
right way, correcting one's course.

The third word with which the Psalmist speaks of sin is "peshá."
It expresses the rebellion of the subject against the sovereign
and, therefore, an open defiance of God and his plan for human
history.

4. However, if man confesses his sin, God's salvific justice is
ready to purify him radically. And thus we come to the second
spiritual part of the Psalm, that of luminous grace (see verses
12-19). In fact, through confession of faults, for the man of prayer
a horizon of light opens, where God is at work. The Lord does
not just act negatively, eliminating sin, but re-creates sinful
humanity through his vivifying Spirit: He infuses a new and pure
"heart" in man, namely, a renewed conscience, and opens the
possibility of a limpid faith and worship that is pleasing to God.

In this connection, Origen speaks of a divine therapy that the
Lord carries out through his word and through the healing work
of Christ. "As God disposes for the body remedies of wisely
combined therapeutic herbs, so he also prepared medicines for
the soul with the words he infuses, scattering them in divine
Scripture. ... God gave yet another medical aid whose archetype
is the Savior who says about himself: 'It is not the healthy but the
sick who are in need of a doctor.' He is the doctor par excellence,
able to cure every weakness and infirmity" (Homilies on the
Psalms, Florence 1991, pp. 247-249).

5. The richness of Psalm 50[51] merits a careful exegesis
throughout. It is what we will do when it resounds again at lauds
on various Fridays. The overall view we have taken of this great
biblical supplication reveals to us already some of the
fundamental components of a spirituality that should reverberate
in the daily life of the faithful. There is, first of all, a lively sense o=
f
sin, seen as a free choice of negative connotation at the moral
and theological level. "Against you alone have I sinned; I have
done such evil in your sight" (verse 6).

Then there is also in the Psalm a lively sense of the possibility of
conversion: The sincerely repentant sinner (see verse 5) comes
before God in all his misery and nakedness, imploring him not
to dismiss him from his presence (see verse 13).

Lastly, there is in the Miserere a profound conviction of divine
forgiveness that "cancels, washes, cleanses" the sinner (see
verses 3-4) and finally is able to transform him into a new
creature, who has a transfigured spirit, tongue, lips and heart
(see verses 14-19). "Even if our sins were as black a night,
divine mercy is stronger than our misery. Only one thing is
necessary: that the sinner at least leave the door of his heart
ajar, the rest will be done by God. Everything begins and ends in
his mercy" (M. Winowska, "L'Icona dell'Amore Misericordioso. Il
Messaggio di Suor Faustina," Rome, 1981, p. 271).

* * *

Achille Cardinal Silvestrini Celebrates 78th Birthday

Born in Brisighella, Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana, Emilia
Romagna, on Thursday, 25 October, 1923. In 1942, Achille
Silvestrini entered the Seminary of Faenza at age 19. Four years
later he was ordained a priest on 13 July, 1946, and sent to
Rome to continue his studies.  He graduated six years later from
the Vatican Diplomatic Academy in 1952.  Since1953, he served
as an official in the Secretariat of State to the diplomatic service
in the section for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs,
concentrating on the problems of Southeast Asia.  Between
1958 and 1969 Silvestrini worked with Vatican Secretaries of
State Domenico Tardini and Amletto Cicognani, often serving as
head of the Holy See delegations to United Nations conferences
and for the drafting of international treaties.  He served as the
undersecretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church
from 1973-1979.  On 4 May, 1979, Silvestrini was appointed
Secretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church (now
called the section for Relations with States) and three weeks
later on 27 May was promoted to Archbishop of Novaliciana.
Along with 16 others he was made a Cardinal on Tuesday, 28
June, 1988 and, appointed as Cardinal Deacon of S Benedetto
fuori Porta S Paolo (Deaconry elevated pro hoc vice to a
Presbyteral Title), assigned as Prefect of Apostolic Signatura.
He has been the Prefect of the Congregation of Oriental
Churches and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Oriental
Institute since 24 May, 1991. On 26 November 1999 he
celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission in
Bethlehem.  He served as the editor for: A Pilgrim Pope :
Messages for the World by Pope John Paul II.  He is also a
member of the Advisory Council for the Ukrainian Catholic
Education Foundation.  In December 1998 he met with Bishop
Andrew Pataki to finalized the establishment of Canonical
Commission for the Byzantine Metropolitan Church sui iuris of
Pittsburgh.  In November 1999 he had a Meeting of all the
Eastern Churches to promote unity with Orthodox Churches.
This culminated in the papal visit to Ukraine 2001.

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
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This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four
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on the far left, and click on the word Messages just below the
word Home; (2) click on the articles posted by date; (3) click on
the blue arabic numerals in the box for the month in the yearly
calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4) type in a keyword
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(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either
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here.)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily basis.
Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps
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published are copyright protected in accordance to the latest
ruling from the Office of Copyright, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is important to us.
Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

https://www.ewtn.com/ewtn/ssl/donation/donation_ewtn.asp

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS, Zenit and Noticias Eclesiales
(NE) are republished by approval and courtesy of these news
agencies.  We encourage our readers to send financial support

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 28 EVENING EDITION

THURSDAY, 25 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *
LATE NEWS FROM THE VATICAN:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• POPE URGES NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN
HOLY SEE, CHINA
• ARCHBISHOP CORDES SENT TO PAKISTAN BY POPE JOHN
PAUL
• ADMISSION TO EUCHARIST BETWEEN CHALDEAN,
ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF EAST
• HOLY SEE RATIFIES PROTOCOLS ON THE RIGHTS OF THE
CHILD

* * *

POPE URGES NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN
HOLY SEE, CHINA

VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul has asked
pardon for
errors committed by missionaries and others in China in the
colonial
periods of that nation's history, and has urged the "normalization
of
relations between the People's Republic of China and the Holy
See," saying
this "would undoubtedly have positive repercussions for
humanity's progress."

  The Pope's thoughts were expressed in a Message to the
participants in
the October 24-25 international meeting in Rome on "Matteo
Ricci: For a
Dialogue between China and the West." The meeting was
organized by the
Jesuit-run Pontifical Gregorian University and by the
Italian-Chinese
Institute to mark the fourth centenary of the arrival of Jesuit
missionary
and scientist Matteo Ricci, S.J., in Beijing.

  In the Message, released late yesterday afternoon in Italian,
English and
Chinese, the Pope highlighted Fr. Ricci's 28 years in China, first
arriving
there in 1582. Only on January 24, 1601, "after 21 long years of
avid and
intense study of the language, history and culture of China," did
he reach
Beijing where he lived the rest of his life, dying on May 11, 1610
at the
age of 57.

  The Holy Father notes then when Fr. Ricci arrived at the
imperial court
"He introduced himself as a celibate religious who sought no
privilege at
court, asking only to be able to place at the service of His Majesty
his
own person and the expertise in the sciences which he had
acquired in the
'great West' from which he had come."

  He remarks that "Historically and culturally (Fr. Ricci) was a
pioneer, a
precious connecting link between West and East, between
European
Renaissance culture and Chinese culture, and between the
ancient and
magnificent Chinese civilization and the world of Europe."

  Calling Matteo Ricci's work "enduringly relevant," the Pope
states that
"Father Ricci based his entire scientific and apostolic
methodology upon
two pillars, to which he remained faithful until his death, despite
many
difficulties and misunderstandings, both internal and external:
first,
Chinese neophytes, in embracing Christianity, did not in any way
have to
renounce loyalty to their country; second, the Christian revelation
of the
mystery of God in no way destroyed but in fact enriched and
complemented
everything beautiful and good, just and holy, in what had been
produced and
handed down by the ancient Chinese tradition."

  "The Chinese people, especially in more recent times, have set
themselves
important objectives in the field of social progress. ... The
Church has
very much at heart the values and objectives which are of primary
importance also to modern China: solidarity, peace, social
justice, the
wise management of the phenomenon of globalization, and the
civil progress
of all peoples."

  The Pope continues: "As Father Ricci wrote precisely in Beijing,
... so
too today the Catholic Church seeks no privilege from China and
its
leaders, but solely the resumption of dialogue in order to build a
relationship based upon mutual respect and deeper
understanding."

  "Let it be known to China: the Catholic Church has a keen
desire to
offer, once more, her humble and selfless service for the good of
Chinese
Catholics and of all the people of the country."

  "However," John Paul II affirmed, "History reminds us of the
unfortunate
fact that the work of members of the Church in China was not
always without
error. ... Moreover, their action was often conditioned by difficult
situations connected with complex historical events and
conflicting
political interests. ... In certain periods of modern history, a kind
of
'protection' on the part of European political powers not
infrequently
resulted in limitations on the Church's very freedom of action and
had
negative repercussions for the Church in China."

  "I feel deep sadness for these errors and limits of the past, and
I
regret that in many people these failings may have given the
impression of
a lack of respect and esteem for the Chinese people on the part
of the
Catholic Church, making them feel that the Church was
motivated by feelings
of hostility towards China. For all of this I ask the forgiveness and
understanding of those who may have felt hurt in some way by
such actions
on the part of Christians."
   
  "The Church must not be afraid of historical truth and she is
ready C
with deeply-felt pain C to admit the responsibility of her children."

  The Holy Father writes that Fr. Ricci "defined a friend as 'the
other
half of myself, indeed another 'I''. And it is with this renewed and
deeply-felt friendship towards all the Chinese people that I
express the
hope that concrete forms of communication and cooperation
between the Holy
See and the People's Republic of China may soon be
established."

  "Historically, in ways that are certainly different but not in
opposition
to one another, China and the Catholic Church are two of the
most ancient
'institutions' in existence and operating on the world scene: both,
though
in different domains B one in the political and social, the other in
the
religious and spiritual B encompass more than a billion sons
and daughters.
It is no secret that the Holy See, in the name of the whole
Catholic Church
and, I believe, for the benefit of the whole human family, hopes
for the
opening of some form of dialogue with the Authorities of the
People's
Republic of China."

  Pope John Paul II concludes: "The present moment of profound
disquiet in
the international community calls for a fervent commitment on
the part of
everyone to creating and developing ties of understanding,
friendship and
solidarity among peoples. In this context, the normalization of
relations
between the People's Republic of China and the Holy See would
undoubtedly
have positive repercussions for humanity's progress."

* * *

ARCHBISHOP CORDES SENT TO PAKISTAN BY POPE JOHN
PAUL

VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef
Cordes, president
of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will travel to Pakistan from
October
25 to 30 at the wish of the Holy Father. "With this visit," a
communique
states, "John Paul II desires to confirm his closeness to all of the
people
suffering due to the war, in a special way to the refugees
massing in ever
greater numbers at the border between Afghanistan and
Pakistan."

  Archbishop Cordes will meet with the president of the Republic
of
Pakistan, speak with those in charge of Catholic humanitarian
organizations
and local Caritas groups, preside over a Eucharistic celebration
in the
cathedral of Rawalpindi, and visit the refugee camps in
Peshawar in order
to personally convey the consolation of the Holy Father.

* * *

ADMISSION TO EUCHARIST BETWEEN CHALDEAN, ASSYRIAN
CHURCH OF EAST

VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today were the
"Guidelines
for Admission to the Eucharist Between the Chaldean Church
and the Assyrian
Church of the East," prepared by the Pontifical Council for
Promoting
Christian Unity, in agreement with the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the
Faith and the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

  The document responds to the "great distress of many
Chaldean and
Assyrian faithful, in their motherland and in the diaspora, which
impedes
many of them (from leading) a normal sacramental life
according to their
own tradition, and in the ecumenical context of the bilateral
dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the
East, the
request has been made to provide for admission to the
Eucharist between the
Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East."

  "When necessity requires," the guidelines state, "Assyrian
faithful are
permitted to participate and to receive Holy Communion in a
Chaldean
celebration of the Holy Eucharist; in the same way, Chaldean
faithful for
whom it is physically and morally impossible to approach a
Catholic
minister, are permitted to participate and to receive Holy
Communion in an
Assyrian celebration of the Holy Eucharist."

  "In both cases, Assyrian and Chaldean ministers celebrate the
Holy
Eucharist according to the liturgical prescriptions of their own
tradition."

* * *

HOLY SEE RATIFIES PROTOCOLS ON THE RIGHTS OF THE
CHILD

VATICAN CITY, OCT 25, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato R.
Martino, Holy See
permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday at a
press
conference following the ratification of
Two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child at the
U.N. headquarters in New York.

  He noted that "According to the most recent UNICEF report, an
estimated
one million children, mainly girls, are forced into the multi-billion
dollar commercial sex trade every year. The Optional Protocol on
the Sale
of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography explicitly
prohibits
the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and
calls
for legal protection against the sexual exploitation of children, the
transfer of their organs, and forced labor."

  Archbishop Martino then underscored that "There are presently
an
estimated 300,000 children under the age of 18 acting as
soldiers in armed
conflict situations throughout the world. We also know that in the
last ten
years two million children have been killed, six million have been
hurt,
ten million have been traumatized, and a million children have
been left
orphaned because of armed conflict. The Optional Protocol on
the
Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict expands the protection
of
children from recruitment for participation in armed conflict to the
age of
18, and reinforces the prohibition of the recruitment of children
under the
age by armed forces distinct from the State."

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four
ways to access archived articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel
on the far left, and click on the word Messages just below the
word Home; (2) click on the articles posted by date; (3) click on
the blue arabic numerals in the box for the month in the yearly
calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4) type in a keyword
in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long rectanuglar
button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either
November or December.  Updated information will be posted
here.)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is currently ranked in the top 22 of 479
Catholic Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily basis.
Your membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps
us grow in numbers which prompts us to improve our services.
Please spread the word that a Catholic clergy run Catholic News
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on all the activities of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See, the
Roman Curia, Catholic doctrine, critical world news, biblical
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you post.
	 When posting questions please place in the subject field of your
email "Reference Desk".  Emails can be sent to either
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jlupia2@....  Articles written by professional and
scholarly authors can also be sent to the email addresses
above for consideration in a future issue.  Authors should keep
in mind that Roman Catholic News is a not-for-profit organization
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published are copyright protected in accordance to the latest
ruling from the Office of Copyright, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.  Your subscription is important to us.
Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

https://www.ewtn.com/ewtn/ssl/donation/donation_ewtn.asp

* * *

Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God
Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS, Zenit and Noticias Eclesiales
(NE) are republished by approval and courtesy of these news
agencies.  We encourage our readers to send financial support
to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 29

FRIDAY, 26 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• POST SYNODAL COUNCIL
• POPE WELCOMES CATHOLIC PATRIARCHS PARTICIPATING
IN SYNOD
• China Signals Its Conditions: No Taiwan and No Meddling
Initial Reaction to Pope´s Offer
• 2 Eastern Leaders Talk About Unity with Orthodox
Ukrainian Cardinal More Cautious About Prospects
• On Ecumenism, Islam and the U.S. Image Abroad
Interview with Patriarch Ignatius IV Haze of Antioch
• AUDIENCES
• NEED A MIRACLE?

* * *

POST SYNODAL COUNCIL

VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Twenty-fourth General
Congregation took place this morning, during which there was
the second vote on the Post-Synodal Council of the General
Secretariat and the presentation of the Final List of Propositions.
The president delegate on duty was Cardinal Bernard Agre.

At the end of the congregation, Cardinal Schotte announced that
the Holy Father has decided to give a gift to all the participants in
the synod. Those who are bishops will receive a  pectoral cross
and chain, inspired by the words "Duc in altum," taken from the
Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte." Other participants will
receive the official medal of the 23rd anniversary of John Paul II's
pontificate in either silver or bronze.

The Twenty-fifth and final General Congregation, for the vote on
the propositions and for the conclusion of the Synod work, will
take place this afternoon.

* * *

POPE WELCOMES CATHOLIC PATRIARCHS PARTICIPATING
IN SYNOD

VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning
welcomed the six Catholic patriarchs who are participating in the
Synod of Bishops and told them that their "presence at this
meeting ... expresses in an especially meaningful way the
catholicity of the Church."

  He received Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas, patriarch of
Alexandria of the Copts, Egypt; Ignace Pierre VIII Abdel-Ahad,
patriarch of Antioch of the Syrians, Lebanon; Gregoire III Laham,
patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, Syria; Cardinal
Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites,
Lebanon; Raphael I Bidawid, patriarch of Babylon of the
Chaldeans, Iraq and Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, patriarch of
Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon.

  "I happily welcome this occasion," said the Holy Father, "to
express once again my spiritual closeness to your trials and to
those of the populations entrusted to your pastoral care.
Together let us pray so that the serious problems that you must
face daily may find a ready and satisfying solution.  At this time,
my thoughts go to the land made holy by the presence and
preaching of the Redeemer. The land in which He shed His
blood for the salvation of the world and from which, when He
arose from the dead, He sent His apostles to the world.

  "I assure you," the Pope added, "that every day I follow with
close attention the events involving the peoples of the Middle
East and, in communion with the entire Church, I pray daily that
we might see the dawn of a lasting and honorable peace for
everyone. In this moment of intense fraternal communion, I ask
you to extend to the clergy, consecrated persons and all the
faithful an expression of my most cordial greetings."

* * *

China Signals Its Conditions: No Taiwan and No Meddling
Initial Reaction to Pope´s Offer

BEIJING, OCT. 25, 2001 (Zenit.org).- China signaled its
conditions for accepting John Paul II's request for forgiveness for
the Church's past errors and his proposal for renewal of
dialogue.

Government sources reported today that Beijing might restore
relations with Rome if the Vatican severs relations with Taiwan
and if religion is not used as a "pretext" to meddle in China's
internal affairs.

Sun Yuxi, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, commented that
China "has always said that it is prepared to improve its
relations with the Vatican."

But, he added, "the Vatican must sever its diplomatic relations
with Taiwan, [and] recognize the government of the People's
Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of the
whole of China, and Taiwan as an inalienable part of Chinese
territory."

In the second place, the Vatican "cannot interfere with China's
internal affairs using the pretext of religious issues," the Foreign
Ministry spokesman said.

If "they can accept this principle in the future, the two of us can be
like other states," he added. He noted that contact "through
diplomatic channels has been going on."

Although the Holy Father asked for forgiveness in a message
sent on Wednesday to the participants in the international
congress on missionary Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), the
spokesman replied that "there has been no change in the
principles I mentioned."

"At present we are making an in-depth examination of John Paul
II's message," the spokesman said. This could mean that
Beijing has not given a definitive answer to the Pope's call.

The Communist government severed diplomatic ties with the
Vatican in the 1950s, expelled Catholic missionaries, and forced
Chinese believers to register with the state-approved Patriotic
Association, which claims about 5 million members.

* * *

Holy See OKs Optional Protocols on Children´s Rights
Goes Further to Try to Guarantee Protections

NEW YORK, OCT. 25, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See further
signaled its concern for the world's young by ratifying two
optional protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The convention was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in
May 2000. On Wednesday, Archbishop Renato Martino,
permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations,
deposited the instruments of ratification of the two protocols at
U.N. headquarters.

An optional protocol to a treaty is an instrument that establishes
additional rights and obligations to a treaty. It is of an
independent character and subject to independent ratification.

Such protocols enable certain parties of the treaty to establish
among themselves a set of obligations which reach further than
the general treaty and to which not all parties of the general treaty
consent.

The first explicitly prohibits the sale of children, child prostitution,
and child pornography, and calls for legal protection against the
sexual exploitation of children, the transfer of their organs, and
forced labor.

The Vatican will be the 11th state to ratify this protocol, adding to
the required number of 10 ratifications, which allow the protocol
to enter into force.

The other protocol refers to the Involvement of Children in Armed
Conflict, an ongoing evil.

In his address at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Archbishop
Martino emphasized that "too many of the world's children are
affected by war and conflict every day of their lives. They all bear
the physical and psychological scars, which might be the result
of direct involvement as combatants and child soldiers, or
through abduction, abuse, separation from family, malnutrition
and lost educational opportunities."

The protocol on "Children in Armed Conflict" expands the
protection of children from recruitment for participation in armed
conflict to the age of 18, and reinforces the prohibition of the
recruitment of children by armed forces distinct from the state.

The Vatican will be the seventh state to ratify the protocol. Three
more states must ratify it before it, too, enters into force.

Archbishop Martino acknowledged that, "while codification is a
legal guarantee, it does not give certainty of protection."

"True protection comes from the genuine love, care and concern
that each person is called to give in recognizing all children as a
precious gift from God," he said.

* * *

2 Eastern Leaders Talk About Unity with Orthodox
Ukrainian Cardinal More Cautious About Prospects

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 25, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Two Eastern-rite
Catholic leaders hope their communities will be a bridge of unity
between the Roman and Orthodox Churches. But they showed
different degrees of optimism on how fast that will happen.

Gregory III Laham, patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, and
Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, archbishop major of Lviv, Ukraine, met
with journalists Tuesday to explain their Churches' situation and
eventual steps that might be taken after the Synod of Bishops.
They are attending the synod, which ends Saturday.

Patriarch Gregory, whose see is in Damascus, was pleased
with the welcome given by the synod to Eastern-rite Catholics
(who have the same origin as the Orthodox, but are in
communion with Rome), and noted a certain willingness "to
listen to the voice of this little Eastern flock."

The issue of the relations between the Catholic and Orthodox
Churches has been addressed at the synod. John Paul II has
promoted the ties.

Gregory III announced that he wrote a letter, which was
distributed to the synod participants, in which he proposed the
reinforcement of relations between Middle Eastern Catholic
Churches, and those of Eastern Europe and India, for the
purpose of full unity with Rome.

"The synod does not end in Rome; we wish to walk together in
the third millennium," the patriarch said.

Cardinal Husar, who must contend with Moscow's Orthodox
Patriarch Alexy II, was somewhat pessimistic. The "step from the
ear to the heart might take longer and be more difficult than
imagined," the Ukrainian cardinal cautioned.

The cardinal said he was disappointed "by the position of the
patriarch of Moscow, who continues to speak of the 'Uniates' -- a
pejorative term used by Orthodox, who refer to Eastern-rite
Catholics as a 'problem.'"

In fact, the Russian patriarch was categorically opposed to the
papal visit to Ukraine last June.

According to the Ukrainian cardinal, "the closer we get to a
solution of the problem between the Catholic Church and the
Orthodox, the more excuses are found not to come to an
agreement. Patriarch Alexy accuses Eastern-rite Catholics of
using violence against Orthodox, but we are not aware of any
such case."

"Because of this, we have asked him to point out at least one
such case, but he has not given us an answer," the cardinal
concluded.

Gregory III reported on progress in "the dialogue between
patriarchs and the Pope, which is developing very well," and
recalled that "in 1998 the Holy Father received all the patriarchs
of the Middle East in audience." On that occasion, the Pontiff
asked for support to have his Petrine ministry better understood.

The patriarchs responded by preparing a 20-page document,
including proposals to develop relations between patriarchal
Churches and the Apostolic See. The Holy Father said the
document would be "studied with special care."

As John Paul II states in his encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," the papal
ministry is a critical point for progress in the ecumenical
dialogue. The Pontiff himself initiated a debate with the other
Churches to find ways to apply his ministry, which might be
accepted by the Orthodox, but without undermining Christ's
mandate to his Apostle Peter.

Gregory III announced that a conference of Eastern Catholic
Churches will be held Nov. 19-23 in Rome, organized by the
Oriental Institute.

* * *

On Ecumenism, Islam and the U.S. Image Abroad
Interview with Patriarch Ignatius IV Haze of Antioch

BOSE, Italy, OCT. 25, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).-
Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim of Antioch stayed at
the ecumenical monastery of Bose, Italy, before meeting this
week with John Paul II, six months after the Pope's historic trip to
Syria.

"This visit is inserted in the context of contacts that the Church of
Antioch has been engaged in for a long time with the Catholic
world," the patriarch said.

"The Pope's visit to Syria, in addition to highlighting the Christian
dimension of that country, also opened new horizons for the
ecumenical dialogue," he added. "[Now is] the moment to
examine the ideas proposed on that occasion and to verify the
application of the decisions made over the last years, which
culminated in the 1993 Balamand Declaration."

--Q: Antioch occupies a very special place within Orthodoxy as
regards the dialogue with Rome.

--Patriarch Hazim: We believe that our first task as leaders is to
seek dialogue with the other Churches. I think it is absurd to
preach love if, then, we Christians don't practice it among
ourselves. We are not at all afraid to lose "privileges." Moreover,
no one will ever be able to deny the fact that Antioch represents
the cradle of Christianity.

--Q: Does direct dialogue with Rome not represent a sort of
"bridge" as regards the local Catholic Churches?

--Patriarch Hazim: Our dialogue with Catholics is carried out at
various levels.

It is unthinkable to conceive of dialogue with Catholics without
also talking with the Vatican. However, this does not mean giving
up dialogue at other levels.

Eastern Catholic patriarchs always invite me to their meetings,
and I hope to meet with Maronite Patriarch Sfeir during my stay in
Rome. We are convinced that no Christian religious community
can substitute for another.

--Q: Are Arab Christians anxious over the current world crisis?

--Patriarch Hazim: We share the fortune of our Muslim citizens. A
Christian cannot give his blessing to violence or terrorism. We try
to understand the reasons without justifying them. The image
that the U.S. government projects, perhaps unconsciously, gives
the impression that it seeks hegemony in the world.

We hear talk about U.S. interests, but almost never about the
United Nations. We think something must change. Peoples go
to war because there is an arms trade and poor distribution of
wealth.

Then there is the problem of dictatorships, often supported by
the West, which, even before being a world danger, terrorize their
own people.

Terrorism must be suppressed wherever it is found, but the way
of acting must change. For a long time there has been talk of the
terrorism of the Iraqi regime, and this might be true, attributing
responsibility to a specific individual.

However, we then see that the planes strike everything and
everyone except that individual. We fear that the same thing will
happen in other countries.

--Q: What do you think of those who place Islam and Christianity
in opposition?

--Patriarch Hazim: It is a forcing of religion in a political sense.
Needless to say, the West is not inspired in the Gospel in
defining its policies. We must be able to distinguish between
Islam and Muslim faithful, as well as between Christianity and
Christian faithful.

Perhaps the remedy is in mutual knowledge. Islam should not
be something foreign to Christians and vice versa. For example,
in my patriarchate, Muslims and Christians together form one
nation that is not, must not be, either a church or a mosque.

--Q: There is talk of a conflict that could last for years. Are you
afraid that this will have negative repercussions on Eastern
Christians, given that religious buildings have been attacked in
some Lebanese cities?

--Patriarch Hazim: Every prolonged conflict becomes dangerous.
If other Muslim countries are going to be attacked, it will be easy
to convince Muslims that it is a war against Islam.

Instead of thinking of the Muslims who set fire to our churches,
we think of those who ran to put it out. Violence is defeated by
justice and love.

* * *

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received
today in
separate audiences:

Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez, archbishop of Guadalajara,
Mexico.  His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem of
the Latins, Palestine.  - Archbishop Ambrose B. De Paoli,
apostolic nuncio in Japan.  Bishop Thomas Vose Daily of
Brooklyn, U.S.A.; with Dr. Carl Albert  Anderson, supreme knight
of the Knights of Columbus, accompanied by his wife; and Dr.
Virgil C. Dechant. His Beatitude Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas,
patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, Egypt; His Beatitude Ignace
Pierre VIII Abdel-Ahad, patriarch of Antioch of the Syrians,
Lebanon; His Beatitude Gregoire III Laham, patriarch of Antioch
of the Greek-Melkites, Syria; His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah
Pierre Sfeir, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, Lebanon; His
Beatitude Raphael I Bidawid, patriarch of Babylon of the
Chaldeans, Iraq; His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni,
patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, Lebanon.

* * *

NEED A MIRACLE?

By John N. Lupia

When a holy person of wide reputation dies and a cult forms in
their honor a required period of five years passes to see if the
cult remains or fades away before any diocese can begin
investigations into their cause.  In the case of Dolores
Immaculate Gili her cult has survived more than a decade after
her death, flourishing with hundreds of devotees from around the
world.  She is affectionately known worldwide as "Mama Gili".
She was a pioneer in establishing the cult of the Holy Shroud of
Turin in the United States.  She helped the Benedictine
Sylvestrine monks establish Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, New
Jersey, as a shrine devoted to the Face of Christ from the Shroud
of Turin.  As a member of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi,
she was responsible for bringing Italian Franciscan priests to
the United States to found an Italian Mission Church called Our
Lady of Mount Carmel, Orange, New Jersey.  She sent money to
priests and bishops around the world to aid in their missions.
She helped support financially and spiritually several groups of
nuns.  She founded the Shrine of the Holy Face, Orange, New
Jersey, on a large tract of land next to her own home.  She was
not rich or affluent.  She did all of these things as a widow
raising five children and working two jobs.  She always spent
time with her children and loved to play basketball with them.
She is the miracle worker of the Archdiocese of Newark, New
Jersey.  She was especially fond of priests and helped many
young men to enter the seminary and eventually to their
ordination.  She was visited by hundreds of priests annually who
all loved her and asked for her help, guidance and prayers.  She
was a true spirtual mother to many thousands of people who
traveled from all over the United States and the world to visit this
gentle, soft-spoken woman.

When God wishes to establish the cult of a person whom he has
chosen many prayer requests are granted as a sign to the local
ordinary of the diocese to approve their cult.  Now is the golden
opportunity to pray to this little saint in heaven who always did
great things.  If you are suffering physically, mentally, financially
or in need of some special grace go to the little saint "Mama Gili"
who will bring your prayers before the Holy Face of Jesus.  If you
have an urgent need and feel tense, desperate, sad or
depressed then go to her and you will experience her
miraculous intercession with Jesus, whom she perfectly adored
throughout her life.

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the
intercession of Dolores Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more
information about the cause of her investigation for canonization
to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message
/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message
/37

* * *

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HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
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IRONDALE, AL 35210

https://www.ewtn.com/ewtn/ssl/donation/donation_ewtn.asp

* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
__________________________________________________
___________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 30 A

SATURDAY, 27 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Synod´s Final Message on Figure of the Bishop (LONG)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Bishop Needs Holiness Above All, Final Message Says
Key Features Outlined by Synodal Assembly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * *

Synod´s Final Message on Figure of the Bishop

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the final
message approved Thursday by the fathers of the 10th Ordinary General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The English translation is by the
Commission for the Preparation of the Message.

I. Introduction

1. Assembled in Rome from September 30th to October 27th in the name of
Christ the Lord, we, Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the entire world,
have been invited by Pope John Paul II to evaluate our ministry in the
Church in the light of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Not unlike
the Apostles, who after the Resurrection gathered together in the Upper Room
with Mary the Mother of Jesus, we have been "united in heart and prayer,"
calling on the Spirit of the Father to enlighten us in our responsibility as
servants of Jesus Christ for the hope of the world (cf. Ac 1:14).

2. The constant presence of the successor of Peter during our work has been
a special source of encouragement. He has proclaimed the Good News to
everyone and has tirelessly travelled the whole world as a pilgrim for
peace. Together with him, we have listened to the Word of God and to one
another. In this way, we have heard the voices of local churches and of
different peoples, in a vivid experience of universal fraternity, which we
would like to share through this Message.

3. We missed the presence of some of our beloved brothers in the Lord who
were not able to come to Rome. We listened with deep emotion to the
testimonies of several bishops who had been sent into prison or exile during
recent decades, for Jesus’ sake. Others have died for their fidelity to the
Gospel. Their sufferings, and those of their local churches, have not dimmed
the light of Christian hope, but made it shine more brightly throughout the
whole world.

4. The Superiors General of some religious Congregations actively
participated in this Synod. We were also delighted to welcome fraternal
delegates from other Christian Churches, auditors, religious and lay, men
and women, as well as experts and interpreters. We sincerely thank them all,
as well as the members of the Synod Secretariat.

II. Jesus Christ our Hope

5. The Holy Spirit, granting us the grace of opening ourselves as a group to
the present-day situation of the Church in the world, made the risen Christ
shine in our hearts, taking from what is his and sharing it with us (cfr Jn
16:14). As a result, when we reviewed in turn the tragedies and wonders
throughout the world today, we did so in the light of Christ’s Paschal
Mystery, his Passion, Death and Resurrection. Using the words of St Paul, we
found ourselves face to face with the "mysterium iniquitatis" and the
"mysterium pietatis" (cfr 2 Thess 2:1 and 1 Tim 3:16).

6. While from a human point of view, the power of evil often seems to
triumph, in the eyes of faith the loving mercy of God immeasurably prevails:
"where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more" (Rom 5:20). We have
experienced the strength and the truth of this teaching of the Apostle as we
considered our present situation. "For in hope we were saved. Now hope that
sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope
for what we do not see, we wait with endurance" (Rom 8:24.25).

7. The first refusal to obey God, which Sacred Scripture reveals as the root
of sin, was the origin of the division between man and the Creator, between
man and woman, between humanity and the earth, between man and his brother.
From these divisions arises the question which never ceases to prick our
consciences: "Where is your brother?" (Gen 4:9). But we should never forget
that this account of sin is immediately followed by a promise of salvation,
and that this promise precedes the story of the murder of Abel, the innocent
one, prefiguration of Jesus. The Gospel, good news for all humanity, is
proclaimed at the very dawn of history (cfr Gen 3:15).

8. Today this Gospel is still preached throughout the whole world. Therefore
we should not allow ourselves to be intimidated by those doctrines which
deny the existence of the living God and which strive, in more or less
cunning ways, to undermine, parody or deride Christian hope. In the joy of
the Spirit we profess: "Christ is truly risen". In his glorified humanity,
he has opened the prospect of eternal life for all those who accept the
grace of conversion.

The horror of terrorism

9. Our assembly, together with the Holy Father, has expressed its deepest
sympathy for the victims of the outrages of September 11 and for their
families. We are praying for them and all the other victims of terrorism in
the world. We absolutely condemn terrorism, which nothing can justify.

Violent situations

10. During this Synod, we could not close our eyes to many other collective
tragedies. It is both urgent and necessary to keep also in mind what Pope
John Paul II has spoken of as "the structures of sin", if we want to point
new ways forward for the world. According to reliable economic experts, 80%
of the population of our planet survives on only 20% of its income and one
billion two hundred million people "live" on less than one dollar a day! A
drastic moral change is required. Today the social teaching of the Church
has a relevance which we cannot overemphasise. As bishops, we commit
ourselves to making this teaching better known in our local churches.

11. Some endemic evils, when they are too long ignored, can produce despair
in entire populations. How can we keep silent when confronted by the
enduring drama of hunger and extreme poverty, in an age where humanity, more
than ever, has the capacity for a just sharing of resources? We also must
express our solidarity with the flood of refugees and immigrants, who,
because of war, political oppression or economic discrimination, are forced
to flee their homeland, in search of employment or in the hope of finding
peace. The ravages of malaria, the spread of AIDS, illiteracy, the
hopelessness of so many children and youth abandoned to life on the streets,
the exploitation of women, pornography, intolerance, the scandalous
perversion of religion for violent purposes, drug trafficking and the sale
of arms ... the list is not exhaustive! Still, in the midst of all this
distress, the humble take new heart. The Lord looks at them and strengthens
them. "Because they rob the afflicted, and the needy sigh, now I will arise,
says the Lord" (Ps 12:6).

12. Perhaps what most upsets us as pastors is the contempt for human life,
from conception to death, as well as the breakdown of the family. The
Church’s "No" to abortion and euthanasia is a "Yes" to life, a "Yes" to the
fundamental goodness of creation, a "Yes" which can move every person in the
depths of his conscience, a "Yes" to the family, the most basic community of
hope which so pleases God that he calls it to become a "domestic Church".

Fashioning a civilisation of love

13. With our whole heart, we thank all priests, religious men and women and
missionaries. Inspired by the hope which comes from God, revealed in Jesus
of Nazareth, they dedicate themselves to the service of the weak and the
sick and proclaim the Gospel of life. We admire the generosity of those many
people who work for humanitarian goals, the persistence of those who lead
international organisations, the courage of journalists who work at
considerable risk for the truth and for the enlightenment of public opinion,
the dedication of scientists, doctors and nurses, the daring of businessmen
who create jobs in run-down areas, the devotion of parents, social workers
and teachers, the creativity of artists, and so many other peace-makers, who
seek to save lives, strengthen the family, promote the dignity of women,
bring up children and preserve or enrich the cultural patrimony of
humankind. We believe that, in all of these people, "grace is active
invisibly" (Gaudium et spes, 22).

III. The Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Hope

A Call to Holiness

14. The Second Vatican Council presented a universal call to holiness.
Bishops achieve this through the exercise of their apostolic ministry with
the "humility and strength" of the Good Shepherd. One form of holiness which
the world needs today is precisely the openness to all that is distinctive
of a bishop, through his patience and boldness in giving "reason for the
hope" which is in him (1P 3:15). In order to dialogue in truth with those
who do not share our faith, our communion within the Church must be simple
and authentic, so that all people, whatever their role within the Church,
"preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3).

Struggling against poverty in poverty of spirit

15. Just as we must struggle to free those oppressed by a poverty which is
destructive, so there can be a kind of poverty which frees our energies for
love and service. This is the gospel poverty which we want to practise. We
should be poor before the Father, like Jesus in his prayer, his teaching and
his deeds. We should be poor with Mary, remembering God’s mighty works. We
should be poor in the face of our brothers and sisters, marked by a style of
life which draws people to Jesus the Lord. The bishop is the father and the
brother of the poor. When it is necessary, he should not hesitate to raise
his voice for those who have no voice, so that their rights will be
recognised and respected. In particular, he "must do everything he can so
that in every Christian community, the poor feel ‘at home’" (Novo millennio
ineunte, 50). It is only then, as we face the world filled with missionary
dynamism, that we can speak credibly of the joy of the humble and pure of
heart, the power of forgiveness and the hope that those who hunger and
thirst for justice will finally be satisfied by God.

Communion and collegiality

16. The term "communion" (koinonia) belongs to the undivided Christian
tradition of both East and West. It takes its strength from our profession
of faith in God, Father, Son and Spirit. It is this relational mystery of
unity and love within the Holy Trinity which is the source of communion
within the Church. "Collegiality", which is at the service of communion,
characterises the college of the apostles and their successors the bishops,
united among themselves and with the Pope, the successor of Peter. Always
and everywhere, together they teach the same faith with the "sure charism of
truth" (St. Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses IV, 26, 2) and announce it to all
the peoples of the earth (Dei Verbum, 8). Communion and collegiality, when
lived out fully, work together to sustain the bishop’s sense of well-being,
humanly and spiritually. They help Christian communities radiate joyful hope
and missionary enthusiasm.

A spiritual struggle

17. The Second Vatican Council, that "wonderful grace for the Church in the
twentieth century", remains a "reliable compass to direct us along the right
road for the coming century" (Novo millennio ineunte, 57). By remaining
faithful to the Council’s teaching on the Church, the sacrament of unity, we
will everywhere be able to serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the hope of
the world. Love for unity in no way implies indifference to currents hostile
to that truth which shines so brightly on the face of Christ: Ecce homo (Jn
19:5). This love induces the shepherd, as guardian and prophet, to warn his
people against false teachings which threaten the purity of Christian hope.
This love leads him to oppose every slogan and stance which, claiming " to
reduce the Cross of Christ to nothing " (1 Cor 1:17), at the same time
obscures the true face of the human person and our sublime destiny as
creatures called to share the divine life.

"Go then ..." (Mt 28:19)

18. Celebrating the Eucharist for his people every day, the Bishop unites
himself to the crucified and risen Christ’s offering of himself to the
Father, renewing in himself Jesus’ action of "giving his flesh for the life
of the world" (Jn 6:51). During this Synod we were renewed in our own
ministry of proclaiming to all God’s plan of salvation, extolling his mercy,
sharing it through the sacraments of new life and teaching his law of love
by bearing witness to his presence "always and until the end of time" (Mt
28:20). "Go then ...": this missionary task is given to all the baptised, to
priests, to deacons, to those in consecrated life, to lay people. Through
them, it is extended to "every creature" (Mk 16:15).

Weavers of Unity

19. "The Church becomes the home and school of communion" (Novo millennio
ineunte, 43) by her openness to everyone, by lectio divina, liturgy, service
and witness: this is this spiritual and pastoral challenge which moves the
bishop to strengthen the faith of some, to reawaken the faith of others and
to preach confidently to all. He will not tire in sustaining the religious
fervour of parishes and developing missionary dynamism within them, in
collaboration with the parish priests. Movements, small communities, and
agencies of formation and charity, which constitute the tapestry of
Christian life will benefit from his vigilance and concern. As an expert
weaver of unity, the bishop with his priests and deacons, will discern and
sustain all these charisms in their marvellous diversity. He will bring them
all together to promote the one mission of the Church: to bear witness at
the heart of the world to the blessed hope which is in Jesus Christ, our
only Saviour. Mindful of the irrevocable commitment of the Council to
re-establish full communion among Christians, the bishop will lovingly
commit himself to ecumenical dialogue and to developing the ecumenical
understanding of his people.

Ministers of Mystery

20. "Even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, may they also be in us,
so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (Jn 17:21). This prayer
is "both an imperative that binds us and a strength that sustains us". With
Pope John Paul II, we express our hope for a "full return to that exchange
of gifts which enriched the Church of the first millennium" (Novo millennio
ineunte, 48). The irrevocable commitment of the Second Vatican Council to
the full unity of Christians draws the bishop to engage with love in
ecumenical dialogue and to form the faithful in its proper understanding. We
are convinced that at the start of the third millennium the Holy Spirit is
working in the heart of all the Christian faithful for this unity, a great
sign of hope for the world.

21. This Synod wishes to express the bishops’ heartfelt thanks to all
priests, their principal collaborators in the apostolic mission. Serving the
Gospel of hope means renewing our fervour so that God’s call to work in his
vineyard is heard. Through mutual trust and a warm friendship with his
priests, the bishop will enhance their esteem for their ministry, often
misunderstood in a society tempted by the worship of possessions, pleasure
and power. The apostolic ministry cannot be separated from the mystery of
hope. To give priority to this calling and to pray for "pastors after God’s
heart" is not to underestimate other vocations. On the contrary, by doing
so, we enable them to increase and be fruitful. We pray that permanent
deacons, who are a reminder to all Church members of the obligation to
imitate Christ the servant, will find in these words an expression of our
support and encouragement.

Consecrated life

22. We are also deeply grateful to all consecrated persons, devoted to
contemplation and the apostolate. Their presence and work give privileged
witness to hope for the coming of the Kingdom and they often enable our
apostolic ministry to reach people at the furthest reaches of our dioceses,
where, without them, Christ would not be preached. Through their radical
choice and the fidelity of their communities to the charism of their
founders, " they put into song the musical notation of the Gospel " (St.
Francis de Sales, Letter CCXXIX [6 October 1604]: Oeuvres XII, Annecy, Dom
Henry Benedict Mackey, o.s.b., 1892-1932, p. 299-325).

Mission of the laity

23. Today more than ever, lay people are again playing their proper part in
giving life to Christian communities, liturgical life, theological formation
and charitable works. We wish to thank and strongly encourage all
catechists, as well as those women and men, who through their different
talents and together with the priests, deacons, and religious men and women
have dedicated so much love and energy for these essential tasks. In a
special way, we must give thanks for the loving witness of all those who
join their sickness and suffering with that of Jesus and Mary at the foot of
the Cross for the salvation of the world.

24. The bishops, for their part, wish to promote the first task of lay
people, which is to bear witness to the Gospel in the world. Through their
commitment to family, social, cultural and political life, and through their
presence at the heart of what Pope John Paul II has called "the modern
areopagus", particularly through their work in the media or in encouraging
respect for God’s creation (Redemptoris missio, 37), may they continue to
bridge the gap between faith and culture. May they gather together in
organised apostolates in the important struggle for justice and solidarity
and so continue to bring hope and meaning to the world.

Theology and Inculturation

25. Vividly aware of the marvellous diversity present in this Synod, we
bishops have once again taken up the important theme of inculturation. We
wish to acknowledge "the seeds of the Word" which God has implanted in
different cultures, religions, works of art and in all the spiritual
richness of different peoples throughout history. Developments in science
and technology and the world-wide information revolution have forced us to
examine the mystery of faith anew, with the energy, audacity and insight
which characterised the Fathers of the Church, theologians, saints and
pastors, who often did their work in times of trouble and change, such as
ours.

26. The entirety of the life of our communities is involved in this steady
work of dialogue and growth. But in order to explain the purity of the
original Christian faith in a new and accessible language ever faithful to
tradition, we need the particular contribution of skilled theologians. Like
the great theologians who deepened our theological understanding in the
past, inspired by the desire to be of one mind with the Church, they will
help us be servants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the hope of the world.
May we continue in joy, prudence and loyalty, the dialogue between the great
religions, in the spirit of the encounter at Assisi in 1986.

IV. Conclusion

We now broaden our horizons to include you, all our brothers and sisters who
seek a world of justice, love, truth and peace. May this message encourage
you in your search!

An Appeal to Political and Economic Leaders

27. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, in their message to
governments, dared to say: " In your earthly and temporal city, God is
building his spiritual and eternal city ". That is why, recognising our own
limits and our role as bishops and making no pretence to any political
power, we still dare to speak to our political and economic leaders: May the
common good of all persons and peoples be your motive for action. It is not
beyond your mandate to join together as broadly as possible to work for
justice and peace. We ask you to remember those corners of the world which
receive no media coverage and where our brothers and sisters are dying from
famine and lack of medicine. The persistence of gross inequalities between
nations is a threat to peace. As the Pope has explicitly asked you, we ask
you again to lessen the burden of external debt on the developing countries,
to defend all human rights, especially the right to religious freedom.
Confidently and respectfully, we ask you to remember that all power finds
its meaning in service alone.

Call to Youth

28. And you, young people, you are "sentinels of the morning". It is Pope
John Paul II who gave you this name. How is the Lord of history asking you
to build a civilisation of love? You have a keen sense of what honesty and
sincerity require. You do not want to be caught up into divisive ethnic
struggles nor poisoned by the gangrene of corruption. How can we be
disciples of Jesus together and put into practice Christ’s teachings on the
Mount of the Beatitudes? The Ten Commandments written in your hearts are not
superseded by these teachings. These Beatitudes give the Commandments a
vitality and a radiant inspiration that can win hearts for the Truth that
frees us. They say to each one of you : " You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with
all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself " (Lk 10:27). Stay united with
your bishops and your priests who are public witnesses to the Truth that
Jesus is Our Lord.

29. Appeal for Jerusalem

Finally, we turn to you, Jerusalem,
City where God is revealed in history:
We pray for your well-being!
May all the children of Abraham meet once again in you
with genuine respect for one another’s rights.
May you remain, for all the peoples of the earth,
An everlasting symbol of hope and peace.

30. Spes nostra, salve!

Most Holy Mary, Mother of Christ, you are Mother of the Church,
Mother of the all the living. You are the Mother of Hope.
We know you accompany us always on the pathways of history. Intercede for
all the peoples of the earth, so that they may find, in justice, forgiveness
and peace, the strength to love one another as members of a single family!

* * *

Bishop Needs Holiness Above All, Final Message Says
Key Features Outlined by Synodal Assembly

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A bishop of the third millennium
should be characterized, above all, by holiness, the Synod of Bishops
emphasized in its final message.

The synod offered decisive features that a bishop should have: First, he
must be a saint. He also must be poor with the poor, live in communion with
the rest of the Church, be the custodian and prophet of truth, and the
promoter of unity, the synod said.

This portrait was drawn by the 280 episcopal participants in the assembly.
The Vatican Press Office presented the concluding text today with the
consensus of the participants. The synod ends Saturday.

The message begins by stating that, above all, the world expects holiness in
a bishop.

"Bishops achieve this through the exercise of their apostolic ministry with
the 'humility and strength' of the Good Shepherd," the message stresses.
"One form of holiness, which the world needs today, is precisely the
openness to all that is distinctive of a Bishop, through his patience and
boldness in giving 'reason for the hope' which is in him."

In the second place, the document invites the bishops to embrace poverty.

"Just as we must struggle to free those oppressed by a poverty that is
destructive, so there can be a kind of poverty that frees our energies for
love and service," the synod states.

"The Bishop is the father and brother of the poor. When it is necessary, he
should not hesitate to raise his voice for those who have no voice, so that
their rights will be recognized and respected," the prelates add.

The synod called on the bishops of the third millennium to live their
ministry in "communion and collegiality" with all other bishops, "united
among themselves and with the Pope, the Successor of Peter."

Another trait of the bishop, as defined by the assembly, is his mission as
"guardian and prophet" to "warn his people against false teachings that
threaten the purity of Christian hope."

"This love leads him to oppose every slogan and stance which, claiming to
reduce the Cross of Christ to nothing, at the same time obscures the true
face of the human person and our sublime destiny as creatures called to
share the divine life," the assembly stresses.

A further characteristic of bishops is that they be "weavers of unity." The
synod sees them as the leaders who must encourage, discern and pay attention
to the life of their priests, religious, parishes, movements, small
communities, formation and charity services.

Lastly, the synod asks bishops to become missionaries, "proclaiming to all
God's plan of salvation, extolling his mercy, sharing it through the
sacraments of new life, and teaching his law of love by bearing witness to
his presence 'always and until the end of time.'"

* * *

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the intercession of
Dolores Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more information about the cause of
her investigation for canonization to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

Volume 1, No. 29
Need a Miracle?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/55

* * *

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
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IRONDALE, AL 35210

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* * *

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus clinging to
her robes while walking down a dusty and busy crowded street and you'll
always be safe."
_____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 30 B

SATURDAY, 27 OCTOBER, 2001

TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Greek-Melkite Patriarch? Statement to Synod
"The Way to Go Together in the Third Millennium"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Papal Envoy to Meet with Pakistani President
"Cor Unum" President on a Mission of Peace
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Chaldean and Assyrian Churches Sign Pact on Eucharist
Access to Communion Approved in Special Cases
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Eastern Patriarchs Hear Plea for Mideast Peace
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Synod Proposes Christian Hope in Times of Terrorism
But Final Message Insists: "Drastic Moral Change Is Required"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Cardiff's New Archbishop Is Named
East Anglia Prelate Peter Smith
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Saudi Muslim Leader Condemns Killing of Christians and Jews
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Guidelines on Eucharist Between Chaldean and Assyrian Churches
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * *

Greek-Melkite Patriarch's Statement to Synod
"The Way to Go Together in the Third Millennium"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Greek-Melkite Patriarch Gregory III
Laham of Antioch sent a letter to participants in the Synod of Bishop, at the
conclusion of the assembly. Below is a translation of the letter.

Dear Brothers in the Lord!

It has been a great pleasure for me to meet with you, my brothers, in this
Synod, to know you, to collaborate with you, to dialogue, to hear news of the
different local Churches, in a word, to exchange points of view with you.


We Orientals are a particular group in the Synod, as you no doubt noted from our
different dress and head wear, but also in our way of thinking and in our
specific concerns. You must also have noted that we have a certain particular
position in the context of the universal Church, as regards the concept of
Church, ecclesiology, ecumenism, and relations between East and West.

My position is in line with that of my predecessors. In this context, I would
particularly like to name my predecessor of blessed memory, Maximos IV Saegh. He
was one of the greatest men at Vatican Council II who smoothed the way so that
Latin Christians could also pray in their mother tongues. He was also the one
who proposed the creation of Episcopal Conferences and promoted the idea of the
Synod of Bishops during the Council, which has contributed decisively to the
beginning of decentralization.

My predecessor of blessed memory, Gregory II, was also one of the great men at
Vatican Council I. Both always spoke on behalf of the great absent one, the
Orthodox Church. It is like this today, too. We Eastern Catholic Patriarchs and
Bishops, particularly those of the Byzantine rite, have tenaciously and
consistently preserved the great legacy of Orthodoxy and its meaning in the
heart of the Latin Church.

It is with great pleasure that I see that you, too, have discovered these
aspects. I think, however, that the Synod might only be the beginning. It is
because of this that I place the accent on the Greek word synodos at the
beginning of the letter: syn-odos, the way to go together in the Third
Millennium.

The reason why I wish to have contacts with you is, above all, because we are
brothers in the Lord. We are in community with you as pastors of the One Holy
Catholic and Apostolic Church, whether of Eastern or Western tradition.


In the second place, I also wish to give you some theological and
ecclesiological input, perhaps in the form of documents of the local Church, to
further the intra-ecclesial dialogue, an imperative today.

Third, we are always keen to have you inform us about the faithful of our
emigrant Church, who perhaps are in your diocese, so that we can take pastoral
measures to maintain their Eastern tradition or bring them back to it. With this
kind of help from you, perhaps we can send a priest for these faithful, who for
the time being would naturally be under your jurisdiction. In this context and
for the future, one could also think of the eventual constitution of a pastoral
unity of the Eastern Churches or -- if circumstances call for it -- the creation
of an exarchy or even of an eparchy, as has happened in some countries.

Lastly, I wish to assure you that my best wishes go with you, and that I always
remember you in my prayer. May this be the beginning or reinforcement of
continual contacts for many years, "eis polla eta!"

In this spirit I also wish to give you the various addresses of our different
houses and institutions in the East, where you are always welcome, alone or with
a group, privately or as a pilgrim.

Wherever possible, we readily offer you hospitality. But even if we do not have
the possibility to offer you hospitality, we will try to organize something. We
will willingly make the effort so that a trip to the roots of Christianity will
be possible for you.

The Holy Father has said that the Church must breathe again with two lungs; from
here stems the meaning and importance of our mission, we who are in full
communion with the Church of Rome, but who at the same time have remained and
remain faithful to the East and to Orthodoxy.

The Holy Father once coined a beautiful expression, that the words of the West
have need of the words of the East, so that the world will be able to receive
the Word of God. The West must take a step toward the East, because it is said:
"ex Oriente lux" (light from the East).

Our mission consists in contributing more maturity and thus smoothing the way to
full unity slowly and patiently, but also with perseverance, so that "we will
all be united, [...] so that the world will believe" (John 17:21) and I wish to
add: so that the world will have hope.

Here is the list of our addresses:

Holy Land:

Greek-Catholic Patriarchate
P.O. Box 14130
Jaffa Gate
91141 Jerusalem
Tel: 00972-2-6271968
Fax: 00972-26286652

Egypt:

Greek-Catholic Patriarchate
Daher Street 16
11271 Cairo

Tel: 0020-(0)2-5904697 / 5905790
Fax: 0020-(0)2-393946

Syria:

Greek-Melkite Catholic Patriarchate
Bab-Charqi-Damascus
P.O. Box 22249
Tel: 00963-11-5433129 / 5433130 / 5433131
Fax: 00963-11-5431266

Lebanon:

Greek-Melkite Catholic Patriarchate
Raboueh-Antelias
P.O. Box 70071 Antelias
Tel: 00961-4-413111 / 417566
Fax: 00961-4-525655
E-mail: gcp@...

[translation by ZENIT]

* * *

Papal Envoy to Meet with Pakistani President
"Cor Unum" President on a Mission of Peace

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A papal envoy plans to meet today,
Saturday,  with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the Minister of
Religious Minorities, as the Muslim country continues to grapple with fallout 
from the war in neighboring Afghanistan.

Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum,"
was sent by John Paul II on a mission of peace to Pakistan, a nation of 150
million that is 97% Muslim.

With this initiative, the Pope wishes to "confirm his closeness to all people
who are suffering because of the war, especially the refugees who are crowding
in ever greater numbers on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan," said a
press statement distributed by the Vatican Press Office.

Archbishop Cordes is also carrying a letter from the Pope to Pakistani bishops,
in which he says, "The sufferings of countless men, women and children cry out
for practical relief."

"In particular, the painful situation of the many refugees calls for immediate
efforts on the part of all those who are in a position to help," the Pope
continues.

"United as we are in the Church's universal solidarity with all the world's
peoples, we must ardently hope and pray that the bright star of peace may soon
shine again over your region," the Holy Father says.

For this reason, "Archbishop Cordes will examine with you the concrete
possibilities open to the Church in Pakistan for assisting our brothers and
sisters in need."

Caritas International launched a worldwide appeal for $11 million to assist
refugees in Pakistan and residents in Afghanistan.

The papal envoy will also meet with heads of Catholic humanitarian organizations
and the local Caritas in Pakistan.

On Sunday, Archbishop Cordes will preside over a Mass in Rawalpindi's cathedral.
The Mass will be attended by bishops and members of the country's Catholic
community, "to break the chains of hatred and injustice and implore for the gift
of peace," the Vatican note states.

The German prelate will also visit refugee camps in Peshawar, to offer them,
personally, the Holy Father's consolation.

"Now more than ever it is important to live the love of neighbor concretely,
either by helping refugees or with humanitarian assistance," the Vatican
statement concludes.

Despite border controls, some 60,000 refugees have crossed the border into
Pakistan since Sept. 11. Humanitarian workers estimate about 1.5 million hungry
and homeless people might leave Afghanistan.

Pakistan says it has already accepted 3 million refugees and cannot accept  any
more.

* * *

Chaldean and Assyrian Churches Sign Pact on Eucharist
Access to Communion Approved in Special Cases

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Chaldean Church and the Assyrian
Church of the East have taken a decisive step toward East-West unity by offering
access to the Eucharist to each other's faithful in special instances.

An agreement published Thursday by the Vatican Press Office states that, when
"necessity requires, Assyrian faithful are permitted to participate and to
receive Holy Communion in a Chaldean celebration of the Holy Eucharist."

The text was prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity,
in agreement with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the
Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

The guidelines permitting this change were signed July 20, but the Vatican has
only now made them public, thus accepting the proposals of Patriarch Mar Dinkha
IV of the Assyrian Church of the East, and Patriarch Mar Rapha l Bidawid of the
Chaldean Church. The Chaldean patriarch is attending the Synod of Bishops in
Rome.

The guidelines constitute notable progress in ecumenical relations. However, as
the document indicates, the measure "is not equal to full Eucharistic
communion," although it spells real progress "toward that blessed day when it
will be possible to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in peace."

This is a special decision from the pastoral point of view, as the faithful of
these Churches often live in minority situations, and sometimes have great
difficulty in gaining access to the Eucharist.

The majority of these faithful live in Iraq, Iran and Turkey. Assyrian
Christians number about 400,000. They are in Iraq, the Mideast, Northern Europe,
the United States and Australia.

The Chaldeans number 800,000 and they live primarily in Iraq.

Both communities suffer from great poverty. The Vatican note explains that for
many it is difficult to have a "normal sacramental life," hence the importance
of this decision.

The Assyrian Church of the East isolated itself from the rest of Christianity
after the Council of Ephesus in 431, which condemned the heresy of Patriarch
Nestorius, who believed that Jesus had only one nature.

In 1552, following a series of individual conversions of bishops, part of this
Church re-established communion with Rome, giving birth to the Chaldean Church.
Its see is in Baghdad.

Both the Chaldean and Assyrian Churches have continued to share the same
theological, liturgical and spiritual tradition.

A joint Christological declaration, signed by Mar Dinkha IV and John Paul II in
Rome in 1994, eliminated the error of attributing monophysitism to the
Assyrians, thus overcoming the cause of the schism.

* * *

Eastern Patriarchs Hear Plea for Mideast Peace

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II appealed for a "lasting
and honorable peace" this morning when he received in audience six Catholic
patriarchs of Eastern Churches.

Some of the leaders were from the Middle East, which gave the Pope the chance to
address the situation in the land "made holy by the preaching of the Redeemer."

"I can assure you that I personally follow daily all the vicissitudes in which
the peoples of the Middle East region are involved and, in communion with the
whole Church, I pray daily for the rising dawn of a lasting and honorable peace
for all," the Holy Father said.

In response to a 1998 papal request, the Eastern leaders gave John Paul II
proposals for the concrete living of relations between a patriarch and the
Bishop of Rome.

The patriarchs' proposals will be important in finding solutions to the issue of
papal ministry, which divides Catholics and Orthodox.

"The written proposals you gave me will be the object of careful reflection in
order to take advantage of any aspect that might contribute to a more effective
presence of the Church in today's world," the Holy Father told the patriarchs.

The patriarchs are attending the Synod of Bishops, which ends Saturday.

* * *

Synod Proposes Christian Hope in Times of Terrorism
But Final Message Insists: "Drastic Moral Change Is Required"

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Synod of Bishops, facing a world
convulsed by terrorism, violence and "the structures of sin," struck a note of
hope, insisting that evil does not have the last word.

The four-week-long synod, which ends Saturday, "reviewed in turn the tragedies
and wonders throughout the world today," the concluding message states. "We
found ourselves face to face with the 'mysterium iniquitatis' and the 'mysterium
pietatis.'"

The final message of the synodal assembly, distributed today by the Vatican
Press Office, was voted on and approved Thursday.

The opening lines of the text show how this synod, which reflected on the figure
of the bishop, was profoundly affected by the new international situation in the
wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"We absolutely condemn terrorism, which nothing can justify," the final message
states. It promises the prayers of the assembly and of John Paul II not only for
the victims of the attacks against the United States, but for "all the other
victims of terrorism in the world."

Along with terrorism, the synod denounces the existence of "structures of sin."
Specifically, the message states that "80% of the population of our planet
survives on only 20% of its income," while "1.2 billion people 'live' on less
than $1 a day!"

"Some endemic evils, when they are too long ignored, can produce despair in
entire populations," the message states.

"How can we keep silent when confronted by the enduring drama of hunger and
extreme poverty, in an age when humanity, more than ever, has the capacity  for
a just sharing of resources?" the document asks.

It continues: "Perhaps what most upsets us, as pastors, is the contempt for
human life, from conception to death, as well as the breakdown of the family.
The Church's 'No' to abortion and euthanasia is a 'Yes' to life, a 'Yes' to the
fundamental goodness of creation.

"A drastic moral change is required. Today the social teaching of the Church has
a relevance which we cannot overemphasize. As bishops, we commit ourselves to
making this teaching better known in our local churches."

In a word, the synod is a call to hope. "While from a human point of view, the
power of evil often seems to triumph, in the eyes of faith the loving mercy of
God immeasurably prevails," the bishops emphasize.

"Therefore we should not allow ourselves to be intimidated by those doctrines
which deny the existence of the living God and which strive, in more or less
cunning ways, to undermine, parody or deride Christian hope," they say. "In the
joy of the Spirit we profess: 'Christ is truly risen.' In his glorif=
ied humanity, he has opened the prospect of eternal life for all those who
accept the grace of conversion."

* * *

Cardiff's New Archbishop Is Named
East Anglia Prelate Peter Smith

LONDON, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II has appointed Bishop Peter
Smith to be the new archbishop of Cardiff, Wales. Bishop Smith has been head of
the Diocese of East Anglia, England, since 1995.

He will succeed Archbishop John Aloysius Ward, who led Cardiff since 1983.


Following a deep vein thrombosis in November 2000, Archbishop Ward was relieved
of the pastoral care of the archdiocese. Following a meeting with John Paul II
on Oct. 18, the archbishop's resignation was accepted.

Wrexham Bishop Edwin Regan has been apostolic administrator of Cardiff since
December. He will continue in this role until Bishop Smith's installation.


Peter Smith was born Oct. 21, 1943, in Battersea, London. He was educated by the
Xaverian Brothers at Clapham, and at Exeter University, where he gained a
bachelor of laws degree. He studied for the priesthood at St John's Seminary,
Wonersh, and was ordained July 15, 1972.

In Rome he earned a doctorate in canon law summa cum laude from the University
of St Thomas Aquinas in 1977. On returning to England, he was appointed
professor of canon law at St John's Seminary.

In 1984, he was appointed to St Andrew's, Thornton Heath, but returned to St
John's Seminary the following year as rector. On March 21, 1995, he was
appointed second bishop of East Anglia.

Bishop Smith was a member of the independent Review on Child Protection in the
Catholic Church which was chaired by Lord Nolan. The final report of the review,
"A Programme for Action," was published in September.

* * *

Saudi Muslim Leader Condemns Killing of Christians and Jews

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Saudi Arabia's top religious
leader denounced the slayings of Jews and Christians living in Muslim nations,
saying the killings are forbidden under Islam.

"He who kills those who signed the accords and those who received our guarantees
of safety will not smell the fragrance of paradise,'' Sheik Abdulaziz al-Sheik
said in an interview published Wednesday by the daily al-Riyadh newspaper and
monitored by the Associated Press.

The mufti was referring to peace agreements the Prophet Mohammed signed with
Jews and Christians living in Muslim territories, in the early days of Islam.

Al-Sheik said such killings would have "grave consequences, including
incitement, sedition and undermining security," and that they are "forbidden"
under Islam.

The mufti's comments appear to be a response to those of a spokesman for Osama
bin Laden's al-Qaida network, who earlier in October threatened the lives of
Americans and Britons living in the Persian Gulf.

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith said al-Qaida had ordered Americans and Britons to leave the
Arabian Peninsula because the "land will burn with fire under their feet, God
willing."

Al-Sheik, who is appointed by the king, angered many Muslims by standing
virtually alone, among prominent regional clerics, in issuing a religious order,
or fatwa, in April -- following several suicide bombings in Israel -- which said
that such attacks are contrary to Islamic teachings.

* * *

Guidelines on Eucharist Between Chaldean and Assyrian Churches

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 26, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Published Thursday were the
"Guidelines for Admission to the Eucharist Between the Chaldean Church and the
Assyrian Church of the East," prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity, in agreement with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith and the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION TO THE EUCHARIST BETWEEN
THE CHALDEAN CHURCH AND THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST

Given the great distress of many Chaldean and Assyrian faithful, in their
motherland and in the diaspora, impeding for many of them a normal sacramental
life according to their own tradition, and in the ecumenical context of the
bilateral dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the
East, the request has been made to provide for admission to the Eucharist
between the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. This request
has first been studied by the Joint Committee for Theological Dialogue between
the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. The present guidelines
subsequently have been elaborated by the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity, in agreement with the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith
and the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

1. Pastoral necessity

The request for admission to the Eucharist between the Chaldean Church and the
Assyrian Church of the East is connected with the particular geographical and
social situation in which their faithful are actually living. Due to various and
sometimes dramatic circumstances, many Assyrian and Chaldean faithful left their
motherlands and moved to the Middle East, Scandinavia, Western Europe, Australia
and Northern America. As there cannot be a priest for every local community in
such a widespread diaspora, numerous Chaldean and Assyrian faithful are
confronted with a situation of pastoral necessity with regard to the
administration of sacraments. Official documents of the Catholic Church provide
special regulations for such situations, namely the Code of Canons of the
Eastern Churches, can. 671, ?2-?3 and the Directory for the Application of
Principles and Norms of Ecumenism, n. 123.

2. Ecumenical rapprochement

The request is also connected with the ongoing process of ecumenical
rapprochement between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East.
With the 'Common Christological Declaration', signed in 1994 by Pope John Paul
II and Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV, the main dogmatic problem between the Catholic
Church and the Assyrian Church has been resolved. As a consequence, the
ecumenical rapprochement between the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of
the East also entered a further phase of development.

On 29 November 1996 Patriarch Mar Rapha l Bidawid and Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV
signed a list of common proposals with a view to the re-establishment of full
ecclesial unity among both historical heirs of the ancient Church of the East.
On 15 August 1997 this program was approved by their respective Synods and
confirmed in a 'Joint Synodal Decree'. Supported by their respective Synods,
both Patriarchs approved a further series of initiatives to foster the
progressive restoration of their ecclesial unity. Both the Congregation for the
Oriental Churches and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian
Unity support this process.

3. The Anaphora of Addai and Mari

The principal issue for the Catholic Church in agreeing to this request, related
to the question of the validity of the Eucharist celebrated with the Anaphora of
Addai and Mari, one of the three Anaphoras traditionally used by the Assyrian
Church of the East. The Anaphora of Addai and Mari is notable because, from time
immemorial, it has been used without a recitation of the Institution Narrative.
As the Catholic Church considers the words of the Eucharistic Institution a
constitutive and therefore indispensable part of the Anaphora or Eucharistic
Prayer, a long and careful study was undertaken of the Anaphora of Addai and
Mari, from a historical, liturgical and theological perspective, at the end of
which the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith on January 17th, 2001 concluded
that this Anaphora can be considered valid. H.H. Pope John Paul II has approved
this decision. This conclusion rests on three major arguments.

In the first place, the Anaphora of Addai and Mari is one of the most ancient
Anaphoras, dating back to the time of the very early Church; it was composed and
used with the clear intention of celebrating the Eucharist in full continuity
with the Last Supper and according to the intention of the Church; its validity
was never officially contested, neither in the Christian East nor in the
Christian West.

Secondly, the Catholic Church recognises the Assyrian Church of the East as a
true particular Church, built upon orthodox faith and apostolic succession. The
Assyrian Church of the East has also preserved full Eucharistic faith in the
presence of our Lord under the species of bread and wine and in the sacrificial
character of the Eucharist. In the Assyrian Church of the East, though not in
full communion with the Catholic Church, are thus to be found "true sacraments,
and above all, by apostolic succession, the priesthood and the Eucharist" (U.R.,
n. 15). Secondly, the Catholic Church recognises the Assyrian Church of the East
as a true particular Church, built upon orthodox faith and apostolic succession.
The Assyrian Church of the East has also preserved full Eucharistic faith in the
presence of our Lord under the species of bread and wine and in the sacrificial
character of the Eucharist. In the Assyrian Church of the East, though not in
full communion with the Catholic Church, are thus to be found "true sacraments,
and above all, by apostolic succession, the priesthood and the Eucharist" (U.R.,
n. 15).

Finally, the words of Eucharistic Institution are indeed present in the Anaphora
of Addai and Mari, not in a coherent narrative way and ad litteram, but rather
in a dispersed euchological way, that is, integrated in successive prayers of
thanksgiving, praise and intercession.

4. Guidelines for admission to the Eucharist

Considering the liturgical tradition of the Assyrian Church of the East, the
doctrinal clarification regarding the validity of the Anaphora of Addai and
Mari, the contemporary context in which both Assyrian and Chaldean faithful are
living, the appropriate regulations which are foreseen in official documents of
the Catholic Church, and the process of rapprochement between the Chaldean
Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, the following provision is made:

1. When necessity requires, Assyrian faithful are permitted to participate and
to receive Holy Communion in a Chaldean celebration of the Holy Eucharist; in
the same way, Chaldean faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible
to approach a Catholic minister, are permitted to participate and to receive
Holy Communion in an Assyrian celebration of the Holy Eucharist.


2. In both cases, Assyrian and Chaldean ministers celebrate the Holy Eucharist
according to the liturgical prescriptions and customs of their own tradition.

3. When Chaldean faithful are participating in an Assyrian celebration of the
Holy Eucharist, the Assyrian minister is warmly invited to insert the words of
the Institution in the Anaphora of Addai and Mari, as allowed by the Holy Synod
of the Assyrian Church of the East.

4. The above considerations on the use of the Anaphora of Addai and Mari and the
present guidelines for admission to the Eucharist, are intended exclusively in
relation to the Eucharistic celebration and admission to the Eucharist of the
faithful from the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, in view
of the pastoral necessity and ecumenical context mentioned above.

Rome, July 20th, 2001

[Original text: English; distributed by Vatican Press Office]

* * *

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the intercession of Dolores
Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more information about the cause of her
investigation for canonization to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

Volume 1, No. 29
Need a Miracle?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/55

* * *

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To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go to the URL:


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ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you
the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the sins
committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you
the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the sins
committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

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* * *

WEAR THE?ROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR
THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . . .
unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until they
reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus clinging to her
robes while walking down a dusty and busy crowded street and you'll always be
safe."
________________________

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 31

SUNDAY, 28 OCTOBER, 2001

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• After Sept. 11, a Return to Religion
Fuller Churches and Public Prayer -- Could a Renewal Be Near?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK
IS THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY STILL A HOLY DAY?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * *

After Sept. 11, a Return to Religion
Fuller Churches and Public Prayer -- Could a Renewal Be Near?

NEW YORK, OCT. 27, 2001 (Zenit.org).- In the wake of the terror
attacks in America, many people have found solace in prayer
and an expressed desire for traditional values. Media reports
testify to the increased numbers in churches and a
strengthening of family ties.

Even some atheists seem to have found God. According to a
report in the National Catholic Register on Sept. 30, one atheist
stood outside the doors of a New York church on Sept. 13
inviting people to come in.

The Wall Street Journal noted Oct. 10 that ratings for religious
programs on television have soared in the aftermath of the
attacks. Ratings doubled for James Robison's "Life Today" on
the Trinity Broadcasting Network during the two weeks beginning
Sept. 16, compared with the two weeks before the attack.
Viewership for a news program by "prophecy expert" Hal Lindsey
jumped 60% during the same period.

As for church attendance, numbers at the 36,000 Methodist
churches in the United States have more than doubled since the
attacks, the Journal reported Oct. 5. According to a CNN/USA
Today/Gallup Poll conducted Sept. 21-22, 47% of those surveyed
said they had attended church or synagogue during the previous
seven days, up 6% from the spring.

The upsurge in religious fervor has not been limited to the
United States. In Britain, the Guardian newspaper on Oct. 11
reported that a month after the tragedy St. Paul's Cathedral was
still printing 200 extra service sheets every Sunday. And the
American Church in London is at double attendance.

In England, demand for copies of both the Koran and the Bible
have outstripped supply. Oxford University Press is rushing
through a reprint of its "Introduction to the Koran" after copies
sold at four times their usual rate.

The Times on Oct. 13 also affirmed an increase in church
attendance. More than 800 people went to evensong at Exeter
Cathedral in the previous week, compared with the usual
congregation of 150. And Winchester Cathedral reported a 60%
rise in the number of faithful.

Church-state division

The renewed fervor for religion has sparked off conflicts in
America over the division between church and state. During the
first weeks, the long-running battle over prayer in schools and
public places ran overwhelmingly in favor of those who wanted
more space for prayer. But as the weeks go by, more protests
have been raised by groups who argue for a ban on all religious
expression in events taking place on government property.

The New York Times reported Oct. 23 on a prayer circle formed
by the players at a public school football game that appeared to
defy the most recent Supreme Court ruling banning prayer at
school events over a public address system.

And in South Carolina, according to the Times, state legislators
are proposing a bill to transform the moment of silence that
begins each school day into a moment of prayer, though such
moments of prayer were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme
Court in Wallace v. Jaffree in 1985.

Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for
Separation of Church and State, said he did not believe that
courts were about to reverse earlier decisions on prayer.
Moreover, he warned that the new practices pushing the limits of
Supreme Court rulings would prove costly to communities forced
to defend them in court. "The Constitution has not been
suspended since Sept. 11," Lynn said.

But Texas Governor Rick Perry said last Monday that he sees no
problem with ignoring the U.S. Supreme Court ban on organized
school prayer "at this very crisis moment in our history." Perry
defended a decision to have a Protestant minister open an East
Texas middle school assembly with prayer last week.

"Any time you have a crisis that faces you either in your personal
life or as we have now in our country, reaching out to a supreme
being is a very normal act," said the Republican governor,
according to the Dallas Morning News on Oct. 23.

Perry told reporters that he is ready to make school prayer a
campaign issue as he seeks election next year to a full four-year
term as governor.

The Christian Science Monitor on Oct. 25 observed that while
school-sponsored prayer has been struck down repeatedly by
the court, the issue is murkier within government, where there
has never been a clear ruling. In fact across the country, many
city councils, state legislatures -- and even the U.S. Congress --
open their meetings with a prayer.

And in many towns local officials are pushing the limits between
church and state. Ringgold, Georgia, for example, is one of the
many towns that have brought Christianity into city hall since
Sept. 11.

Three public buildings are now adorned with framed copies of
the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments. Another empty
frame hangs nearby, "for those who believe in nothing."

Cultural renewal

Legal battles aside, one of the consequences of Sept. 11 could
be a move toward a renewal of Western culture. This was the
hope expressed by Tomás Halík, a professor at Charles
University in Prague, Czech Republic.

In National Review Online on Oct. 5, Halík argued that the attacks
destroyed the hope that the ideals of an open democratic society
are so attractive that the whole world will sooner or later accept
them, just as it has embraced Western technology.

But he appealed for a response based "not on a spirit of revenge
which will prevent us from escaping a downward spiral of fear
and violence." Rather, Halík favors a "new moral ecology" that
fosters values.

This environment of values would reject the fantasy world
created by the entertainment industry in which the glorification of
violence "may well have become the most popular psychological
drug for suppressing the deeper anxieties of civilization."

Another value that needs to be promoted is life. A lack of a
respect for life, especially in its most fragile forms, and a
willingness to abuse medical inventions to manipulate human
beings and the essence of life itself for commercial purposes,
"render us less able to struggle with violence and death,"
commented Halík.

John Paul II also appealed for a renewal of faith. In his general
audience just a day after the attacks, the Pope observed that the
events constituted "a dark day in the history of humanity, a
terrible affront to human dignity."

But, he continued, "faith comes to our aid at these times when
words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a
response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the
forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God
know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope
is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws
strength from it." After Sept. 11, the West seems to be listening.

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

IS THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY STILL A HOLY DAY?

Dear John,

According to the decision of the U.S. National Council of Catholic
Bishops, January 1, 2001, the Solemnity of Mary, was not a
holyday.  Is that decision only for 2001 or from now on?  So, do
we celebrate six Holy Days of Obligation or is it now five? 
Thanking you in advance.
Debbie

Dear Debbie:

The rule became effective for the Latin  rite dioceses of the
United States on January 1, 1993.  Whenever January 1, the
solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of
the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls
on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is
abrogated.

In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of
obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of
America, in conformity with canon 1246, are as follows:

January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God;
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the
Ascension;
August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary;
November 1, the solemnity of All Saints;
December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception;
December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus
Christ.

It was a decision that will apply only when the feast falls on a
Saturday or a Monday.  The logic behind this concerns Sunday
which is always a holy day of obligation.  This is particularly clear
when Saturday evening Mass already satisfies Sunday
obligations.  So, having a holy day of obligation on a Saturday
would overlap with evening liturgies that celebrate Sunday.
Monday was also exempted since the Sunday liturgy anticipates
New Years when it falls on News Years Eve.  The two exmptions
only occur twice every seven years, about 28 times every century.
For complete details see the link below:

National Council of Catholic Bishops: "What are the Holy Days of
Obligation in the United States?: Decree of Promulgation"
http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/q&a/general/obligation.htm

* * *

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the
intercession of Dolores Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more
information about the cause of her investigation for canonization
to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

Volume 1, No. 29
Need a Miracle?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/55

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
to the URL:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News

This will give you the archive to all of the articles.  There are four
ways to access archived articles: (1) Go to the Home Page panel
on the far left, and click on the word Messages just below the
word Home; (2) click on the articles posted by date; (3) click on
the blue arabic numerals in the box for the month in the yearly
calendar window at the bottom of the page; (4) type in a keyword
in the long rectanuglar white box alongside the long rectanuglar
button that reads SEARCH ARCHIVE, and then click that button.
(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either
November or December.  Look here for future updated
information on its availability.)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

Roman Catholic News is currently ranked 21 of 479 Catholic
Yahoo groups, and growing steadily on a daily basis.  Your
membership as a subscriber is important to us and helps us
grow in numbers which prompts us to improve our services.
Please spread the word that a Catholic clergy run Catholic News
group and Reference Desk is available that keeps you informed
on all the activities of Pope John Paul II, the Holy See, the
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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

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IRONDALE, AL 35210

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------
WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
_________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
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ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 32

MONDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2001

THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• John Paul II´s Homily at Closing of Synod of Bishops
Weakness of the Church Lies in Division, He Says
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Statement of Asian Bishops´ Conferences Regarding Sept. 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Pope Condemns Killing of 16 at Pakistani Church
Not Known If Attack Is Related to War in Afghanistan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• A Plea for Innocent Lives in Afghanistan and Holy Land
Pope Asks International Community to Help Refugees
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• John Paul II Would Travel to China Tomorrow, Vatican Aide
Says
If Beijing Wishes to Normalize Ties, Archbishop Pittau Adds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Papal Address Before Midday Angelus
Pope Refers to Synod, and Situation in Afghanistan and Holy
Land
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• "We Christians in Pakistan Suffer the Consequences"
Interview with Priest at Church Where 16 Were Massacred
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * *

John Paul II´s Homily at Closing of Synod of Bishops
Weakness of the Church Lies in Division, He Says

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 28, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II gave the
following homily at the Mass on Saturday in St. Peter's Basilica
that closed the Synod of Bishops. The synod, which began Sept.
30, focused on the theme "The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."


HOMILY BY THE HOLY FATHER

1. "Proclaim His salvation to every people" (Responsorial
Psalm)

These words from the Responsorial Psalm express very well the
interior attitude common to us, Venerable Brothers, at the end of
the Tenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The prolonged and studied approach on the theme of the
episcopacy renewed in each of us the enfervored awareness of
the mission entrusted to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. With
apostolic fervor, on behalf of the entire Episcopal College that we
represent, united next to the tomb of the Apostle Peter, we would
like to re-emphasize our choral adhesion to the mandate of the
Risen One: "We shall proclaim the salvation of the Lord to the
peoples."

This is almost a new beginning, on the wave of the Great Jubilee
of the Year Two Thousand and at the beginning of the Third
Christian Millennium. The first Reading took us back to the
Jubilee atmosphere, the Messianic oracle of Isaiah echoed
many times during the Holy Year. It is an announcement full of
hope for all the poor and the afflicted. It is the beginning of the
"year of mercy of the Lord" (Is 61:2), which found its strong
expression in the Jubilee, yet transcends every calendar to
extend everywhere the salvific presence of Christ and His Spirit
reach.

Listening to this proclamation once again, we have confirmed
ourselves in the conviction expressed at the end of the Great
Jubilee: to leave more fully open the living door which is Christ
for the new generations of the new millennium (cf. Novo
millennio ineunte, 59). In fact, Christ is the hope of the world. The
task of the Church and, in a particular way, of the Apostles and
their successors, is to spread His Gospel to the ends of the
world.

2. The exhortation by the Apostle Peter to the "elders," heard
during the second Reading, like the evangelical pericope, now
being proclaimed, use the symbolism of the shepherd and the
flock, presenting the ministry of Christ and the Apostles in a
pastoral "key." "Give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is
entrusted to you," Peter wrote, in remembrance of the mandate
he received from Christ: "Feed my lambs ... Feed my sheep" (Jn
21:15,16,17). More significant yet, is the self-revelation of the Son
of God: "I am the Good Shepherd" (Jn 10:11), with the sacrificial
connotations: "I lay down my life for my sheep" (cf. Jn 10:15).

Because of this Peter defines himself as a "witness to the
sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to have a share in the
glory that is to be revealed" (1 Pet 5:1). The Shepherd is, in the
Church, first of all the bearer of this Paschal and eschatological
witness, which finds its acme in the celebration of the Eucharist,
the memorial to the death of the Lord and pre-announcing his
glorious return. The celebration of the Eucharist is, therefore, the
pastoral action par excellence: the "Do this in memory of me"
includes, not only the ritual repetition of the Last Supper, but
also, in consequence of this, the availability to offer oneself for
the flock, following the example He gave during His life and
above all in His death.

3. The image of the Good Shepherd has been evoked many
times during these weeks in the interventions in the Synodal
Hall. In effect, it is the "icon" that inspired many holy Bishops
throughout the centuries and which, better than any other,
depicts the duties and the lifestyle of the successors of the
Apostles. In this perspective, we can but observe how the
Synodal Assembly, which we are ending today, ideally goes back
to the entire Magisterium that the Church left us during its history.
For example, it should suffice to think back to the Council of
Trent, separated from us by approximately four and a half
centuries. Among the reasons that Council had such an
enormous innovating influence in the path of the People of God,
surely there was the re-proposal of the cura animarum as the
first and primary duty of the Bishops, committed to stable
residence with their flock and to form valid collaborators in the
pastoral ministry through the creation of seminaries.

Four hundred years later, Vatican Council II once again took up
and developed the lesson of the Tridentine, opening it towards
the horizons of new evangelization. At the dawn of the Third
Millennium, the ideal figure of the Bishop, the Church continues
to count upon, is that of the Shepherd who, configured to Christ
in the sanctity of life, spends himself generously for the Church
entrusted to him, at the same time bearing the solicitude for all
the Churches spread throughout the earth, in the heart (cf. 2 Cor
11:28).

4. The Bishop, the Good Shepherd, finds light and strength for
his ministry in the Word of God, interpreted in the communion of
the Church and proclaimed with "opportune and importune" (2
Tim 4:2) courageous faithfulness. Teacher of the faith, the
Bishop promotes all that is good and positive in the flock
entrusted to him, supporting and guiding the weak ones to the
faith (cf. Rom 14:1), intervenes to unmask the falsehoods and to
fight against abuses.

It is important that the Bishop be aware of the challenges that
faith in Christ encounters today, because of a mentality based on
human criteria that, at times, make the Law and the Plan of God
relative. Above all, he must have the courage to proclaim and
defend the healthy doctrine, even when this entails sufferings. In
fact, the Bishop, in communion with the Apostolic College and
with the Successor of Peter, have the duty of protecting the
faithful from any kind of temptation, showing through the sincere
return to the Gospel of Christ the true solution to the complex
problems that burden humanity. The service the Bishops are
called to render to their flock, will be the source of hope in the
measure that they mirror an ecclesiology of communion and of
mission. In the Synodal encounters during these days, the need
for a spirituality of communion was underlined many times.
Quoting the Instrumentum laboris, "the Church's strength is her
communion; her weakness is division and internal opposition"
was repeated many times (no. 63).

Only if the deep and convinced unity of the Shepherds among
themselves and with the Successor of Peter is clearly
perceptible, just as the Bishops with their priests, can a credible
answer be given to the challenges that come from today's social
and cultural context. Pertaining to this, dearest Brothers,
Members of the Synodal Assembly, I would like to express my
grateful appreciation for the witness of joyous communion in the
solicitude for today's humanity that you have given during these
days.

5. I would like to ask you to bring my greetings to your faithful
and, in a special way, to your priests, to whom you will devote
special attention, establishing with each one of them a direct,
trusting and cordial relationship. I also know that you already
make efforts to do this, convinced as you are that a diocese
functions well only if its clergy is joyously united, in fraternal
charity, around its Bishop.

I also ask you to greet the Bishops Emeriti, conveying to them
the expression of my recognition for the work done at the service
of the faithful. I wanted to have their representatives at this
Synodal Assembly, also to reflect on this topic, which is new in
the Church, since it originates in a resolution of the Vatican
Council II, for the good of the particular Churches. I trust that
each Episcopal Conference will study how to attribute value to
the Bishops Emeriti who are still in good health and rich in
energy, entrusting them with some ecclesial service and, above
all, the study of the problems for which they have experience and
competence, calling upon those who are available to take part in
one of the Episcopal Commissions, along with their younger
brethren, so that they will always feel like living members of the
Episcopal College.

I would also like to send particular greetings to the Bishops of
continental China, whose absence at the Synod has not
prevented us from feeling their spiritual closeness in memory
and in prayer.

6. "When the chief Shepherd appears, you will be given the
unfading crown of glory" (1 Pet 5:4). Upon the conclusion of this
first Synodal Assembly of the third millennium I fondly remember
the fifteen Bishops canonized during the Twentieth Century:
Alessandro Maria Sauli, Bishop of Pavia; Roberto Bellarmino,
Cardinal, Bishop of Capua, Doctor of the Church; Albert the
Great, Bishop of Ravensburg, Doctor of the Church; John Fisher,
Bishop of Rochester, Martyr; Antonio Maria Claret, Archbishop of
Santiago de Cuba; Vincenzo Maria Strambi, Bishop of Macerata
and Tolentino; Antonio Maria Gianelli, Bishop of Bobbio;
Gregorio Barbarigo, Bishop of Padua; Juan de Ribera,
Archbishop of Valencia; Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh,
Martyr; Giustino De Jacobis, Bishop of Nilopoli and Apostolic
Vicar of Abyssinia; John Nepomucenus Neumann, Bishop of
Philadelphia; Jeronimo Hermosilla, Valentino Berrio-Ochoa and
six other Bishops, martyrs in Vietnam; Ezechiel Moreno y Diaz,
Bishop of Pasto (Colombia); Charles Joseph Eugène de
Mazenod, Bishop of Marseilles. Furthermore, in less than a
month, I will have the joy of proclaiming Giuseppe Marello,
Bishop of Acqui, as a saint.

From this elite circle of holy Shepherds, which could be extended
to the numerous group of the beatified Bishops, there emerges,
as in a mosaic, the face of Christ the Good Shepherd and
Missionary of the Father. On this living icon we fix our gaze, at the
beginning of the new epoch which Providence opens up to us, to
be with ever growing commitment servants of the Gospel, hope
of the world.

May we always be assisted in our ministry by the Blessed Virgin
Mary, Queen of the Apostles. In all times, She shines, at the
horizon of the Church and of the world, as a sign of consolation
and of certain hope.

* * *

Statement of Asian Bishops´ Conferences Regarding Sept. 11

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 28, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Federation of
Asian Bishops' Conferences Secretariat for the Assembly of the
Synod of Bishops released this statement last week on the Sept.
11 attacks on the United States.

STATEMENT OF THE FEDERATION OF ASIAN BISHOPS'
CONFERENCES (FABC)

The September 11th event has awakened the world to the
inhuman and dehumanizing face of terrorist violence. The
Bishops of Asia have known for long years the brutal reality of
violence and the depths of inhumanity it can reach. At this
moment, we condemn in unambiguous terms the terrorist
violence of 11th September and all acts of violence that violate
human dignity, destroy life and people, especially the innocent
ones. We affirm our solidarity with all the victims of this incident
in the United States of America and with the victims of violence in
all parts of the world. The Federation of Asian Bishops'
Conferences calls for continued prayer for the victims and their
families. We invoke God for the wisdom of the Spirit to guide our
steps for a response worthy of our faith, hope and love.

In the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount, we say "no" to a
response of revenge in the sense of "a tooth for a tooth and eye
for an eye". As disciples of Jesus, we reject in equal terms both
violence and terrorism, that destroy life and people and
dehumanize humanity. We also note that the seeds of violence
and terrorism lie in the many injustices and the unjust systems
of our world. Violence cannot be overcome by revenge that traps
us in a spiral of violence. In the spirit of the Sermon on the
Mount, Mahatma Gandhi said "a response of eye for an eye
leaves everyone blind". Hatred is not quenched by hatred but by
compassion and love.

The Church is deeply committed to the summons of Jesus to
peace-making "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be
called children of God." We should put our efforts together to
build a "civilization of love" (Pope Paul VI). This is the time when
the world community must respond to the call of justice,
forgiveness, love and solidarity. In this, the Church joins all
people of good will in the noble enterprise of building a just,
non-violent and peaceful world worthy of our humanity and faith.

+ Most Rev. Oswald Gomis
Secretary General

* * *

Pope Condemns Killing of 16 at Pakistani Church
Not Known If Attack Is Related to War in Afghanistan

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 28, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II
condemned the attack by gunmen at a Catholic church in
Bahawalpur, Pakistan, which left 16 dead today.

As soon as he heard the news, the Holy Father sent a telegram
to Archbishop Alessandro D'Errico, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan,
to express his "absolute condemnation of this further tragic act of
intolerance."

In the message sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican
secretary of state, the Pope expresses his "heartfelt
condolences to the families of the victims whom he commends
to the Lord. He expresses his prayerful closeness to all affected
by this evil act and, as a pledge of comfort and strength, he
invokes upon the entire community the blessings of Almighty
God."

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf condemned this "terrorist
attack," which said aims "to create division in Pakistan, where
Christians and Muslims always lived in peace and mutual
respect."

"I am profoundly saddened and my sympathy goes to the victims
and their families," he said in a statement. He said the
perpetrators will be "pursued and brought to justice."

Six assailants arrived at the church on motorcycles and fired at
the congregation with AK47 assault rifles, the police reported.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Arif Ikram, chief
of police of Bahawalpur, said, "One of the hypotheses is that it is
in reprisal for the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan, but it could also
be simply a terrorist act."

The church, located in the residential neighborhood of Gulzar e
Sadiq, is Catholic, though it is also used by Protestants.

Many of the victims were Protestants. Recently there was a
change in the schedule of services, and it was the Protestants'
turn to use the building, explained Mother Anna Bajshi, the
superior of a convent in Bahawalpur.

Among the victims was the Protestant pastor and a policeman
stationed outside the church who, according to eyewitnesses,
was asleep. Some 150 faithful were about to leave the church
when the first shots were fired, a Church spokesman in Punjab,
Azhar Rashid, explained.

According to Rashid, the assailants all wore beards, which
leads to the belief that they belonged to a radical extremist
group.

Despite President Musharraf's comments about interreligious
relations, tension between the population and the small
Christian community of Bahawalpur is not new. In 1988, an
American nun was killed in the garden of her house.

Local Christians have felt especially vulnerable since the Sept.
11 attacks on the United States. Recently, they asked the
authorities for police protection for their church.

In response, a policeman was posted outside the church during
religious services -- a measure the faithful regarded as
insufficient.

Christians account for 2% of Pakistan's 150 million people.

* * *

A Plea for Innocent Lives in Afghanistan and Holy Land
Pope Asks International Community to Help Refugees

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 28, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II made a
special plea today for the peoples caught up in conflicts in
Afghanistan and the Holy Land.

Before praying the midday Angelus with the thousands of
pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father
entrusted the people of Afghanistan to "the maternal protection of
the Most Holy Virgin."

"May innocent lives be spared, and may the international
community give timely and effective help to so many refugees,
exposed to privations of all kinds as the inclement season
approaches," the Pope implored.

Caritas experts in Afghanistan estimate that the number of
people at risk and in dire need of food might have risen from 5.5
million to 7.5 million in recent weeks. Those especially at risk
are children and pregnant women.

John Paul II also remembered "those who continue to suffer
violence and death in the Holy Land, particularly in the Holy
Places, so dear to the Christian faith."

Violence escalated dramatically in the Middle East after the Oct.
17 assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi by
a radical commando of Palestine's Popular Liberation Front. In
response, the Israeli army occupied five autonomous
Palestinian cities in the West Bank.

"May Mary, Queen of Peace, help all to lay down their arms and
finally begin resolutely on the path toward a just and lasting
peace," the Pope concluded.

* * *

John Paul II Would Travel to China Tomorrow, Vatican Aide Says
If Beijing Wishes to Normalize Ties, Archbishop Pittau Adds

ROME, OCT. 28, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II would travel
immediately to China, if that country's authorities thought it was
an opportune moment to normalize relations, a high Vatican
representative said.

"The Pope would be ready to sign an agreement with China
tomorrow, if China so wished," said Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau,
secretary of the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, last
week. "The political problems could be resolved. Indeed, there
already are technical solutions."

The archbishop made his statements at the close of the two-day
congress held in Rome to commemorate the 400th anniversary
of Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci's arrival in China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has stipulated two conditions for
normalization of relations with the Vatican: the severance of
diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and no "meddling," under
religious pretext, in Chinese internal affairs. The latter might
imply rejection of papal appointment of Chinese Catholic
bishops.

Archbishop Pittau, who spent many years as a missionary in
Asia, said he does not think Taiwan is the problem.

In order to resolve existing problems, "John Paul II has already
thought of technical solutions, including for episcopal
appointments," the archbishop clarified.

These solutions will be proposed to Beijing, as soon as there is
an opportunity to do so. "There is no issue to separate us,"
Archbishop Pittau added.

"If a man of the Roman Curia says this, he is not speaking in a
personal capacity," former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti
said, during an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della
Sera. Andreotti is honorary president of the Italian-Chinese
Institute.

John Paul II proposed a new era of relations with China when he
asked for forgiveness for the errors committed in the past by
children of the Church.

The Pontiff made his request in a message sent Wednesday to
the participants in the congress on Father Matteo Ricci, whose
process of beatification is under way.

For a long time the Holy Father has wished to visit China. But it,
like Russia, has closed its doors to him.

* * *

Papal Address Before Midday Angelus
Pope Refers to Synod, and Situation in Afghanistan and Holy
Land

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 28, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation
of John Paul II's address to pilgrims gathered for the noon
Angelus today in St. Peter's Square.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters!

1. The 10th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops ended
yesterday with a solemn concelebrated Mass in St. Peter's
Basilica. For four weeks, numerous bishops from all over the
world met to discuss an essential aspect of the life of the
Church: the ministry of the bishop, "Servant of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

I participated personally in the synodal meetings, enjoying the
atmosphere of communion that characterized them and heard
with great interest the ideas proposed. In fact, the ecumenical
Vatican Council II had already given much space to the subject of
the bishop and his ecclesial service. However, such teaching
had to be studied further and adjusted opportunely to the
evolution of time and situations.

In this perspective, the synodal assembly, the first of the third
millennium, has looked to the future, analyzing the pastoral
challenges that the new times pose to the Church. The bishops
have confirmed their will to "throw the nets out," trusting in the
word of Christ who said to them, "Duc in altum! -- Go into the
deep!" (see Luke 5:4-5).

2. It is quite significant that this assembly took place in the
month of October, which is the missionary month. Highlighting
the pastoral nature of the episcopal service, it did not fail to
underscore the principal duty of the bishop to stimulate the
missionary spirit and action in the whole ecclesial community,
particularly in the laity. In fact, the mission of the Church calls for
the active and responsible participation of all, according to the
different gifts and states of life.

The abundant harvest in the fields of the world has a growing
need of laborers, of missionary vocations. The Lord invites us to
ask the Lord of the harvest for the gift with assiduous prayer (see
Matthew 9:37-38). The human family urgently needs missionary
men and women who, united to God and in solidarity with their
brothers, take the Gospel message everywhere, the
proclamation of salvation for all men, regardless of language,
ethnicity or culture.

3. The month of October is coming to an end, during which our
Marian devotion was expressed with particular intensity in the
recitation of the holy rosary, to implore the Lord for peace. At this
time we especially entrust to the maternal protection of the Virgin
Most Holy the peoples of Afghanistan: May innocent lives be
spared, and may the international community give timely and
effective help to so many refugees, exposed to privations of all
kinds as the inclement season approaches.

Neither can we forget all those who continue to suffer violence
and death in the Holy Land, particularly in the Holy Places, so
dear to the Christian faith. May Mary, Queen of Peace, help all to
lay down their arms and finally begin resolutely on the path
toward a just and lasting peace.

* * *

"We Christians in Pakistan Suffer the Consequences"
Interview with Priest at Church Where 16 Were Massacred

BAHAWALPUR, Pakistan, OCT. 28, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Fides).- The
pastor of St. Dominic's Church, where 16 Christian worshippers
were gunned down this morning, said he believes the attack
was linked to the war in neighboring Afghanistan.

Catholic Bishop of Multan Andrew Francis and other local
authorities were expected to attend a funeral service for the dead
tonight. The Vatican agency Fides put the number of dead at 17;
other news agencies reported 16 deaths.

Dominican Father Rocco Patras, 40, has been parish priest for
five years.

In an interview with Fides, he said: "We have always lived
peacefully with everyone. For at least 30 years we have hosted
non-Catholic services. For example, the Church of Pakistan
[composed of various denominations] holds a service at 8, and
this is followed by the Catholic Mass at 9."

Q: Do you think this attack is connected with the bombing in
Afghanistan?

Father Patras: I certainly do. In Pakistan there are many groups
of Muslim fundamentalists, connected with terrorist networks in
Kashmir and Afghanistan.

It is always the same story. When a Muslim country is attacked
by Western powers, we Christians in Pakistan suffer the
consequences: murder, torture, suffering. It happened during the
Gulf War 10 years ago. And four years ago one of our Christian
villages was totally destroyed.

Q: What reaction has there been among the local people, the
Muslims?

Father Patras: Everyone is very sympathetic. The local authorities
are distressed by what has happened. The Religious Minorities
Minister Ghalib Ranjha visited us to voice his sympathy. The
fundamentalists are only a small group. The majority show
sympathy and solidarity.

Q: Was the church sufficiently protected?

Father Patras: There were only two guards, not much. But the
situation in Pakistan is very disrupted by the present state of
tension and the attack was so sudden.

Q: Why would fundamentalist Muslims in Pakistan kill their fellow
citizens in protest against the Allied attacks in Afghanistan?

Father Patras: Because they say: The Christians of America and
Britain and France are bombing our Muslim brothers, so we will
kill their Christian brothers. It has always been like this in
Pakistan, but I fear things may get worse.

The government is ready to protect us, but there are so many
situations of tension in the country, anti-government
demonstrations. I am afraid there will be more victims among
the Christians.

* * *

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the
intercession of Dolores Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more
information about the cause of her investigation for canonization
to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

Volume 1, No. 29
Need a Miracle?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/55

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

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* * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------
WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
--------

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
_______________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specifiedotherwise.   All articles from VIS and Zenit  are republished by
approval and courtesy of these news agencies.  We encourage our readers to send
financial support to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
(http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information Service) own the
original copyright for their news releases as credited.  All copyright materials
copied in any form must include the appropriate copyright owner

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 32

MONDAY, 29 OCTOBER, 2001

THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Dialogue Between Civilizations Is an Antidote to Terrorism,
Pope Says
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• 15 on Postsynodal Council to Help Pope with Final Document
Archbishops of Chicago and Mexico City Among Those Chosen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Cardinal Ratzinger Evaluates Synod of Bishops
Serenity Let Assembly Focus More on Evangelization
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Russians Hear More About John Paul II´s Connection to Fatima
Papal Visit One Step Closer, Journalist Speculates
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• A Theologian Looks for the "Why" of Sept. 11
Bruno Forte Analyzes International Crisis
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Jewish Scholar to Lead D.C. Think Tank
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• CORRECTION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * *

Dialogue Between Civilizations Is an Antidote to Terrorism, Pope
Says

Address to New Japanese Ambassador at Vatican

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II again
condemned terrorism today and appealed for dialogue between
peoples and cultures as the indispensable condition for peace.

In a welcoming address to diplomat Mitsuhiro Nakamura, 62,
Emperor Akihito´s representative in Rome, the Pontiff expressed
his intense concern over "the events that in recent weeks have
threatened the critical balance of the world."

"Over these days, in which numerous points of tension persist
and develop, I strongly appeal to all men of good will to adopt,
through dialogue and collaboration, a renewed and ever more
intense commitment, so that all peoples will be able to have
land and each person will be able to live in peace," the Holy
Father stressed.

He said the absolute condemnation of terrorism is an imperative
because "the use of violence in its different forms does not make
possible either the solution of conflicts or the establishment of
the basis for a society that is respectful of all its members."

On the contrary, terrorist violence "impedes all peaceful social
life and reduces to nothing the most fundamental rights of
persons and peoples to peace and an integral and shared
development," John Paul II said.

According to the Pope, it is necessary to respond to terrorism by
proclaiming "the religious, spiritual, cultural and human values"
that are "essential to build the civilization of love and peace,"
such as "respect for creation and life, the spirit of ardor in work, a
profound sense of solidarity, the capacity to open to
transcendence."

For this reason, the "necessary condition for peace" at this time
is "the dialogue between civilizations," he told the Japanese
ambassador.

"In order that the conflicts and tensions affecting the Asian
continent be calmed and resolved, this dialogue must be carried
out in a special way through exchange between different
peoples, different cultures and different philosophical traditions,
in respect of the legitimate freedom of persons and peoples,"
John Paul II said.

This dialogue is especially important between believers, he
concluded, "so that religions will never be a pretext for acts that
are contrary to the respect owed to every human being and every
human community."

* * *

15 on Postsynodal Council to Help Pope with Final Document
Archbishops of Chicago and Mexico City Among Those Chosen

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The archbishops of
Chicago, Mexico City and Sydney, Australia, are among the 15
members of the council that will help the Pope write a
postsynodal exhortation on the figure of the bishop.

Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, secretary-general of the Synod of
Bishops, published the list of names of the 15 members of the
postsynodal council. Twelve were chosen by the synod fathers
and three were appointed by John Paul II.

To represent the American continent, the synod participants
chose three cardinals to carry out the tasks agreed by this
ecclesial summit: Francis George, archbishop of Chicago; Jorge
Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires; and Claudio
Hummes, archbishop of Sao Paulo.

The following cardinals were chosen to represent Europe:
Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium;
Dionigi Tettamanzi, archbishop of Genoa, Italy; and Walter
Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity.

The members chosen for Africa are Cardinal Francis Arinze,
president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue;
Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, president of the Nigerian
episcopal conference; and Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo
Pasinya of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The following archbishops were elected democratically to
represent Asia and Oceania: Orlando B. Quevedo of Cotabato,
president of the Philippine episcopal conference; Henry
Sebastian D'Souza of Calcutta, India; and George Pell of Sydney.

For his part, John Paul II named Cardinal Lubomyr Husar,
archbishop major of Lviv of the Ukrainians; Archbishop Henryk
Muszynski of Gniezno, Poland; and Cardinal Norberto Rivera
Carrera, archbishop of Mexico City.

Each one of the synod participants voted for 10 names as
possible members of the postsynodal council. The most-often
mentioned names in the written votes were chosen.

Among other things, the members will collaborate with John
Paul II in writing the final document, or postsynodal exhortation,
which will include the conclusions of the assembly on the figure
of the bishop. The synod officially closed with a Mass last
Saturday.

* * *

Cardinal Ratzinger Evaluates Synod of Bishops
Serenity Let Assembly Focus More on Evangelization

ROME, OCT. 29, 2001 (ZENIT.org-Fides).- Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, spoke with Father Bernardo Cervellera, director of the
Fides news agency, about the just-completed Synod of Bishops.

--Q: Your Eminence, how would you assess the synod that has
come to an end?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: This synod was a cordial and tranquil
meeting. Perhaps there were no great intuitions or surprises:
The ideas and problems are known -- nothing out of the ordinary.

However, it was a greatly anticipated event of profound
collegiality, which has been built up over the past 20 years. I
have participated in every synod meeting since 1977 and
experienced acute tension in some of them.

Comparing this synod with the early postconciliar ferment, this
serenity demonstrated that there is a new generation that has
assimilated the [Second Vatican] Council and is in search of
news ways of evangelization. The first evaluation, therefore, is
genuine cordiality and profound harmony. We no longer need to
discuss questions of organization, or even of interpretation. Now
is the time to show the world the face of Christ.

With no great surprises, the essential experience [of this synod]
has been for me this new profound unity of the College of
Bishops, proceeding together in the proclamation of the Gospel
to a world that needs to hear once again about God and Christ.

--Q: In your address, you spoke of the bishops'
self-secularization. You said bishops tend to be concerned with
internal problems "while the world longs for God."

--Cardinal Ratzinger: This, thank goodness, did not happen.
There could have been fear of dwelling on questions of relations
between the Roman Curia and the bishops, synodal powers, the
structures of national and intercontinental bishops' conferences.

This could really suffocate the life of the Church, constantly
discussing antecedent concerns while neglecting [matters of]
ultimate [importance]. This was the risk at a certain period of the
postconciliar era, with the major restructuring, which was useful
in itself but [kept] the Church busy thinking almost exclusively
about herself -- a situation that yields no fruits for the "rest of the
world," and concerns the Church only. This is futile.

I wish to speak out against this danger. If the Church is
concerned with herself, she forgets that she is only at the service
of something far greater: She must be a window through which
people can see God; she must be an open space in which the
Word of God appears and enters the world.

There is also a risk of another type of secularism: too great a
concern for the problems of the world, filled with suffering, which
could result in our being only social workers, forgetting that our
first service to the world, including the social world, is to make
God known.

Hence, self-preoccupation on the part of the Church and a
horizontalism which -- affected by the evils in the world -- thinks
only of doing material things, and God becomes secondary.

Thank goodness, in order to ward off these two dangers, great
attention is being given to the primary [imperative]: the world's
need to know God. If he is unknown, then all the rest comes to a
halt, as witnessed in the giant atheist systems of the last
century.

--Q: The bishops' proposals seemed like a long list of "duties,"
things the bishop must do, care for priests, religious, youth,
ecumenism, social justice, etc. Is there a danger that such a
multiplicity of duties cannot be fulfilled?

--Cardinal Ratzinger: This is always a danger for all synods in
their efforts to be comprehensive. They seem to want to be a sort
of handbook, instead of shedding light on a few important
imperatives.

Various indications coming from the synod fathers regarding a
change in synod methods are along this line: The aim is not to
produce a handbook, but to simply give a few instructions of real
importance. In any case, there is hope that the next postsynodal
document will not be a long handbook but, instead, the
presentation of a few essential elements, something like "Novo
Millennio Ineunte," which is a document that addresses the heart
of the matter.

--Q: The discussion and final documents seem to indicate that
the bishop is a master of the Church: He does this, he does that.
Is there ever a moment when the bishop realizes that he is a son
of the Church, not only a father and a master? Your Eminence,
you once said "the Church is female," that is, that the Church is
more important than all her ministries.

--Cardinal Ratzinger: Perhaps this danger is real. Underlining
the duties of the bishop and all the riches of the episcopal
sacramental function, we tend to forget that the bishop is a
believer and a servant.

He is a son of the Church and only in this way can he also be a
father. In our efforts to indicate everything that the bishop
receives in the sacrament, all his responsibilities, we might tend
to overlook this ultimate humility, which is also a great grace:
After all, our work does not depend on us; we can only entrust
everything to the Lord.

* * *

Russians Hear More About John Paul II´s Connection to Fatima
Papal Visit One Step Closer, Journalist Speculates

MOSCOW, OCT. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A new book describing
John Paul II´s deep connection with Fatima was presented in
Moscow last week, raising hopes that a papal visit to Russia is
one step closer, according to Inside the Vatican magazine.

On Oct. 16, the 23rd anniversary of John Paul II´s pontificate,
Aura Miguel, the most prominent Portuguese journalist in the
Vatican press corps, presented her book "The Secret That Leads
the Pope" in Moscow.

"Events like this one (the presentation of the book) make the visit
of the Pope to Russia even more likely," proclaimed Russian
journalist Alexej Bugalov, correspondent for Tass news agency
at the Vatican.

Opening the ceremony, Bugalov spoke with great emotion of the
Pope´s recent visit to Kazakhstan, warmly recalling one of the
banners at the papal Mass that proclaimed: "Holiness, we are
waiting for you in Russia."

"Even if these words have not yet been pronounced by the
Russian Orthodox Church, they are pronounced by the simple
faithful," Bugalov observed.

The thesis of Miguel´s book is that John Paul II´s papacy is
mysteriously sustained -- led, as the title says -- by the Secret of
Fatima.

Many, particularly in the Catholic world, know the story of the
apparitions of Mary in Cova da Iria, Fatima, Portugal, which
began May 13, 1917, and continued for six months, always on
the 13th of the month (except in August, when the three children
were imprisoned by the town´s mayor).

Scores of books in many languages have been written on
Fatima, but few have traced the connections between the Fatima
apparitions and the papacy of Karol Wojtyla.

By presenting her book in Russia, Miguel has revealed a link
between the life and work of John Paul II and the Secret of
Fatima that most Russian people had never heard of, until now.

The book begins with the Pope´s regaining consciousness in
the hospital after the assassination attempt in May 1981. One of
those close to the Holy Father reminded him that the date of the
assassination attempt was precisely the anniversary of the first
apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

Despite his precarious condition, John Paul II immediately
requested that all of the documents regarding the mystery of
Fatima be brought to him.

The author speaks of the "clamorous" experience of the Pope, of
his "entering into the mystery" by means of a bullet, of his
attempts to follow the instructions given by Mary in her later
apparitions of 1925, 1926 and 1929; of his correspondence with
Sister Lucia, the sole surviving visionary, who only after the
consecration carried out in 1984 confirmed the fulfillment, in her
view, of the Virgin´s requests.

The author did not know the contents of the third secret when
she published the first edition of the book and did not wait for the
Holy Father to make it public. The subsequent revelation of the
secret, however, only confirmed the thesis of the book, which
was then reissued, with the new information and explanatory
notes.

During her presentation, Aura Miguel made reference to Vittorio
Messori´s interview with the Holy Father in 1994, in which the
renowned Italian journalist wanted to attribute to John Paul II a
decisive role in world history over the last 10 years.

However, the Pope demurred, saying he did nothing but
proclaim the Gospel: "Proclaiming the Gospel brings, on its own,
the affirmation of human values and of respect for the human
person, and his freedom."

When Messori insisted, in a subsequent interview, on the Holy
Father´s role in the fall of Communism, John Paul II, somewhat
mysteriously, spoke of the message of Fatima, stressing that
three young girls could not have understood or interpreted what
they had heard. They were ignorant, did not know geography,
history or the social changes that were occurring at that time, he
said.

"Perhaps this is also why the Pope was called from a faraway
country," the Holy Father said, "and perhaps this is also why
there had to be the assassination attempt in St. Peter´s Square
on the very day of May 13, 1981... so that all would become more
transparent and understandable, so that the voice of God, which
speaks in the history of men through ´the signs of the times,´
could be more easily heard and understood."

Aura Miguel added, "If the Pope believes that the assassination
attempt was useful, this usefulness benefits all Christians, in
the East and the West. It is also, then, thanks to the protective
hand of the Virgin -- which deflected the bullet -- that we have had
a pontificate in which the constant desire has been a unified
Europe, which, even in its diversity, breathes with two lungs,
Rome and Byzantium."

Though it cannot be known in this world whether it is really
through this inexplicable connection between Fatima and the
papacy of John Paul II that Communism fell and that Russia has
opened itself to a more democratic and free regime, it is clear
that, through these events, the formerly persecuted Christians in
the East have benefited.

A brief address by Viktor Popkov, the director of the book´s
Russian publishing house, confirmed this benefit, saying many
Russian Christians look with hope to the mystery of Fatima,
which speaks of a Russia which must "free herself from her
errors."

This young Orthodox, who had firsthand experience of
Communist concentration camps, conveyed in a few simple
words something of what Christians during those dark years
experienced, when even carrying a religious book was
considered an act against the state, punishable by severe
penalties.

"The 1970s were years of desperation," Popkov said. "All
attempts to rebel or to construct something ended badly, so
much so that many asked themselves what was the point of
doing anything, of living the faith, spreading it, organizing
seminars, teaching the catechism."

The election of a Polish Pope in 1978 was a sign for many: "A
Slavic Pope, one of us, who knows well what Communism is ...,"
Popkov said. "At that moment the light of hope was lit that
something big was beginning."

Professor Yuri Karlov closed the evening´s presentations with
the following address: "Again a thought, without which, perhaps,
my attempt to understand the miracle of Fatima as a message
meant for all Christians would be incomplete.

"We have spoken of the concrete ways in which the prophecies
have been fulfilled on a political level; we have spoken of
Gorbachev, his contacts, important political documents. But we
must also keep in mind something else, which, allow me to
repeat again, is that this was a message much more complex,
addressed to all of us.

"Not only did Gorbachev visit the Vatican, but also the
Metropolitan Yudenarij; not only did Communist bureaucrats
establish contact with the Vatican, but there was also the great
Russian Orthodox Leader, Metropolitan Nikodim, the man who
personally converted me to the Orthodox faith.

"There were complex negotiations with Metropolitan Kirill and
finally a thought from Gorbachev himself, which at that time
would have been difficult to publicize. Already, then, when
speaking of the changes in our (Soviet Union) attitude toward
religion, towards Christianity, towards the Church, Gorbachev
said: ´We stand in front of a triangle: the state, the Russian
Orthodox Church and the Vatican.´ In this triangle, all must be
well-defined. It could be that Fatima will truly be of help in this."

* * *

A Theologian Looks for the "Why" of Sept. 11
Bruno Forte Analyzes International Crisis

ROME, OCT. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The planes that struck New
York´s Twin Towers also shook the theological realm.

Italian theologian Bruno Forte, rector of the Pontifical School of
Theology of Southern Italy and first author of the International
Theological Commission´s document "Memory and
Reconciliation: The Church and Faults of the Past" (March 7,
2000), reflected on last month´s dramatic manifestation of evil in
the world and the suffering of the innocent.

"Since Sept. 11, many of us have wondered why," the theologian
told the Italian newspaper Avvenire. "The immediate cause of
what has happened lies in the fanaticism of those who have
transformed religious faith into the mind-boggling dream of
violent domination that they wish to impose on the whole world
in the name of the one God."

"Religion transformed into an ideology is a very great danger
because in it the confusion between good and evil becomes
total, even the greatest barbarity can be justified in virtue of a
transcendent value," Forte explained. "Moreover, when this
religious ideology is joined to the use of the most advanced
technology, the result is unheard-of violence.

"However, God is not like this. He whom Islam itself invokes as
merciful and compassionate cannot be the executioner of his
children. And this is reflected with absolute clarity in the Gospel
revelation of God as father of all. It is this faithful God who
enables one to continue hoping, despite everything."

Bruno Forte responded to a fundamental question: Why does
this God allow such atrocities? Why didn´t he hold back the hand
of the assassins and enlighten their darkened hearts?

"Faith has only one answer: the omnipotent God cannot take
away from his children the liberty he has given them," the
theologian said. "This does not mean that he does not suffer
because of the evil that devastates the earth. The abyss of evil
we saw on Sept. 11, and the innocent suffering caused by
terrorism, and the violence of war that we are living, infinitely
wounds the divine heart more than our own.

"Because of this, the believer feels the need to keep God
company in his suffering with prayer and silence. It is not a
fleeing from responsibilities, but the most authentic and honest
stance for the heart of the believer. Only from this profound faith
can a ´No´ to all violence be born, cried out so many times by
John Paul II."

* * *

Jewish Scholar to Lead D.C. Think Tank

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The new head
of a Washington think tank specializing in religion and public
policy is a Jewish scholar who has specialized in Islamic history,
the Washington Times reported.

Hillel Fradkin, who becomes president of the Ethics and Public
Policy Center this week, said programs on Muslims in society
will be one of his priorities.

"My teachers were Muslims," Fradkin said of his academic
credentials. "The center wants to embrace some of these
Muslim issues."

Fradkin, who has been a fellow at the American Enterprise
Institute and a vice president at the Bradley Foundation, said he
envisions forums to let "fruitful" Muslim voices take on topics
such as Islam and American democracy.

The center, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, was
a pioneer think tank in "focusing primarily on religion and ethics
and public policy," Fradkin told the Times.

Past presidents include George Weigel, who later wrote the
authorized biography of John Paul II, "Witness to Hope."

Fradkin holds degrees in government and Islamic thought from
Cornell and the University of Chicago. He replaces Elliott
Abrams, center president since 1996. Abrams joined the White
House national security council as a human rights and religious
liberty analyst.

* * *

CORRECTION

Where Nestorius Went Wrong

ROME, OCT. 29, 2001 (Zenit.org).- An Oct. 26 article on the
Chaldean and Assyrian Churches misstated the error of
Nestorius. Part of his error was in suggesting that there were
two persons (one divine, one human) in Jesus Christ. ZENIT
regrets the error.

* * *

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the
intercession of Dolores Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more
information about the cause of her investigation for canonization
to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

Volume 1, No. 29
Need a Miracle?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/55

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

To gain access to all of the articles on Roman Catholic News go
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(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either
November or December.  Look here for future updated
information on its availability.)

* * *

HOW TO POST A QUESTION TO THE CATHOLIC REFERENCE
DESK AND HOW TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE FOR PUBLICATION

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Welcome to Roman Catholic News.  Tell a friend.

* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL
HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, I offer you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in
reparation for all the sins committed against you and for the
conversion and salvation of the world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

https://www.ewtn.com/ewtn/ssl/donation/donation_ewtn.asp

* * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
------

WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT
CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR THE
CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH
UNITY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
------

"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium
approaches . . . unity among all Christians of the various
confessions will increase until they reach full communion." John
Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus
clinging to her robes while walking down a dusty and busy
crowded street and you'll always be safe."
___________________________________________________
© Copyright 2001 John N. Lupia for Roman Catholic News at the
URL:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News,
unless specified
otherwise.   All articles from VIS, Zenit and Noticias Eclesiales
(NE) are republished by approval and courtesy of these news
agencies.  We encourage our readers to send financial support
to Zenit, a private news organization in Rome.  Zenit
(http://www.zenit.org), and VIS (V.I.S. - Vatican Information
Service) own the original copyright for their news releases as
credited.  All copyright materials copied in any form must include
the appropriate copyright owner; for Roman Catholic News use
our URL as follows:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News.
All correspondence should be sent to:
Roman-Catholic-News-owner@yahoogroups.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 33 LATE NIGHT EDITION

TUESDAY, 30 OCTOBER, 2001

THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

* * *

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
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• POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT ARAFAT OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
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• JOHN PAUL II TO BEATIFY EIGHT SERVANTS OF GOD SUNDAY
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• HOLY SEE NOTE ON WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN QATAR
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• NEWS EDITORIAL
War Profiteering
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• CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK
Prayers to Bl. Andre Bessette
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* * *

POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT ARAFAT OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin
Navarro-Valls released the following declaration this morning:

  "The Holy Father received today Yasser Arafat, president of the
Palestinian Authority, who came to report on the worrying situation in the
Palestinian territories, with particular reference to the recent tragic
events concerning the holy places of Christianity as well. The president
made known, furthermore, the desire for peace of the Palestinian people,
condemning also every form of terrorism.

  "His Holiness, in expressing his sorrow for the numerous victims of the
endless spiral of violence, renewed his appeal for everyone to abandon arms
and to renew negotiations. The Holy Father repeated the well-known position
of the Holy See which favors dialogue, the fulfillment of international
law, without forgetting the necessary duty of the international community
to ensure the peoples of the region reciprocal respect and safety for all."

* * *

JOHN PAUL II TO BEATIFY EIGHT SERVANTS OF GOD SUNDAY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II will beatify eight Servants
of God on Sunday, November 4, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square.

  The future blesseds are: Pavol Peter Gojdic (1888-1960), of the Basilian
Order of St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr; Metod Dominik Trcka (1886-1959),
priest, of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, martyr; Giovanni
Antonio Farina (1803-1888), bishop, founder of the Teaching Sisters of St.
Dorothy Daughters of the Sacred Hearts; Bartolomeu Fernandes Dos Martires
(1514-1590), of the Order of Preachers, bishop; Luigi Tezza (1841-1923),
priest, of the Order of Clerics Regular Ministers of the Sick, founder of
the Daughters of St. Camillus; Paolo Manna (1872-1952), priest, of the
Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions; Gaetana Sterni (1827-1889),
religious, foundress of the Sisters of the Divine Will; Maria Pilar
Izquierdo Albero (1906-1945), virgin, foundress of the Missionary Work of
Jesus and Mary.

* * *

HOLY SEE NOTE ON WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN QATAR

VATICAN CITY, OCT 30, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was "A Note of the
Holy See on the preparation for the Doha Ministerial Conference" of the
World Trade Organization (WTO) which will take place in Doha, Qatar, from
November 9 to 13.

  "In the current situation," says the Note, "the policies of the WTO
influence the possibilities of developing countries to guarantee their
populations, especially the poor, a lasting economic and human progress.
Diverse parties hope that this ministerial conference will place the
dimension of development at the center of the reflections of the WTO and
its members. In particular it is hoped that the ministerial conference will
offer a new impetus for developing a multilateral system of trade which is
more equitable and participatory.

  "The Holy See, desirous of offering its own specific contribution to the
debate underway concerning the project of the Final Declaration of the
ministerial conference, has distributed a Note on the "Development
Dimensions of the World Trade Organization."

  "Having as its starting point the important ethical principle enunciated
by His Holiness John Paul II in the Encyclical 'Centesimus Annus', in which
he affirms that 'the economy is only one aspect and one dimension of
complex human activity', (the Note) proposes several indications which urge
that the policies of liberalization of international trade be better placed
at the service of the dignity of the human person and the constitution of a
true family among nations, founded on solidarity."

  The Holy See note focusses on eight points: 1. Unsatisfactory progress
for the poorest countries; 2. The development framework of the WTO; 3.
Eliminating trade-distorting protections; 4. Developing countries should
adopt consistent development policies; 5. Implementation and technical
assistance; 6. Intellectual property; 7. Increased transparency, and 8.
Towards a broader development agenda.

  The Holy See Note was distributed to WTO authorities, to all Holy See
missions accredited to the U.N. in Geneva and to the diplomatic corps
accredited to the Holy See.

  * * *

NEWS EDITORIAL

War Profiteering

In this time of national crisis, amid calls for sacrifice, I'm truly
troubled by some of the choices of the Republican party leadership.
Here's their idea of an economic stimulus package:

   $1.4 billion for IBM
   $833 million for General Motors
   $671 million for General Electric
   $572 million for Chevron Texaco
   $254 million for Enron

This is war profiteering, and it's simply wrong.  Yet the House has
just approved it, on a virtual party line vote, ending the recent
spirit of bipartisan cooperation in Congress.

Will you please join me in speaking up, before the Senate acts?

While our nation was reeling from the Anthrax threat, the House voted
to repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax on corporations.  This law
normally requires hugely profitable companies to pay at least some tax,
no matter how many loopholes they can find.  Its repeal would allow
many companies to pay zero U.S. income tax in perpetuity - a loss of
more than $12 billion in revenue next year alone.

The repeal is retroactive, so companies would get rebates of all the
Alternative Minimum Tax they've paid for the last 15 years.  The
numbers above are a sampling of these rebates.

The House also voted to allow corporations to store their profits
overseas as a tax shelter.  That's right - this "stimulus" would
actually take money _out_ of the U.S. economy.  It's backwards.

The right approach to stimulus is to put more money in the hands of
everyday people who need it most - by expanding unemployment insurance,
for example.  People living marginally will spend it quickly on consumer
goods, so it circulates through the economy, benefiting everyone.

Helping people would make economic sense.  Giving billions in tax
breaks to America's biggest corporations doesn't.

The Senate is considering this issue now.  Please speak up with me at:

   http://www.moveon.org/warprofiteering/

The Editor

* * *

CATHOLIC REFERENCE DESK

Hi and Good Morning:
I am trying to find a prayer / novena in honor of Bl. Andre Bessette
I have been seaching the web with no luck..
I was very inspired by a show on EWTN,  on his life
Any and all help is appreciated    I enjoy reading your news each day     
Thank you in advance.

Peace, 

Anne from Pa

Dear Anne:

I found several prayers and did not know which one you wanted.  Here is what
I found:

Lord our God, friend of the lowly, you gave your servant, Brother Andre, a
great devotion to St. Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and
afflicted. Through his intercession help us to follow his example of prayer
and love and so come to share with him in your glory.

Jesus our Lord, Blessed Brother André made you the focus of his life.
Although frail and weak he possessed a heart of gold, a heart totally in
union with your own.
Through him, you proved that wonderful things can happen through Faith,
even from such small packages as Brother André.
Through him, you showed that the power of prayer can overcome all obstacles that
we might encounter; we only must forsake ourselves
and place our problems and our lives into your bosom.
Grant to us this Faith and the simplicity of Brother André,
that we might come unto you as little children to share in your Eternal
Life.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer for the Canonization of Brother André Bessette

Joseph, we come to pray for the canonization of your friend, Brother André.

You know how humble he was, how he turned away from honors and prestige. You
know that we cannot depend on him to help us in the process of his
canonization... He never wished to be recognized publicly as a
Saint...Therefore, with great confidence we turn to you.

Must we remind you how much this little Brother loved you, and how during his
whole life he talked about your powerful intercession? But, for him, words were
not sufficient. He realized the great dream of his life by
building this grand sanctuary: Saint Joseph's Oratory.

Come to our help. We have the certitude that the canonization of Blessed
Brother André will renew the faith of God's people, and thus, by honoring
your friend, his outstanding virtues will call us forth to become men and
women of God. Joseph, you who have always been known as the Just Man, into your
hands we place our request:

Pray the Father in our behalf,
so that in the near future He may grant us the favor
of the canonization of your dear friend,
our Blessed Brother André.

The Daily Prayer That Never Fails

Lord Jesus, I consecrate myself to you this day (or night); to Your Sacred
Heart and to Your Holy Wounds, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Help of all
Christians, through St. Joseph, Patron of Fathers and Workers, and all the
angels and saints, especially Brother Andre...(name your patron saints)...and my
guardian angel.

Let every beat of my heart and breath that I take be in reparation for my
sins, the sins of the whole world, the sins of those in Purgatory,
especially any family or friends and in seeking your Divine Mercy upon all
of us.

I offer myself in conjunction with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered
throughout the world, past, present and future.

Eternal Father, I offer you the wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to heal the
wounds of our souls.

My Jesus, pardon and mercy through the merits of Your Holy Wounds.

St. Joseph and Brother Andre, patrons of the sick and dying, have mercy on them
and the souls in Purgatory. (Name your special petition) Amen.

* * *

Call or write today regarding favors granted through the intercession of
Dolores Immaculate "Mama" Gili or for more information about the cause of
her investigation for canonization to:

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
(973) 412-1170

Rev. Dante DiGirolamo
P.O. Box 455
Kearny, New Jersey 07032

Volume 1, Issue 14 C
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 1)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/33

Volume 1, No. 16
Cause of Mama Gili as Servant of God (Part 2)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/37

Volume 1, No. 29
Need a Miracle?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Roman-Catholic-News/message/55

* * *

ROMAN CATHOLIC NEWS ARCHIVES

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(NOTE: SEARCH ARCHIVE is available beginning in either November or December.
Look here for future updated information on its availability.)

* * *

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* * *

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE SORROWFUL HEART OF MARY

When the Eucharistic host is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the crucified body of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

When the Eucharistic chalice is elevated at Mass say:

"Eternal Father, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
you the precious blood of your son Jesus Christ, in reparation for all the
sins committed against you and for the conversion and salvation of the
world."

* * *

PLEASE SUPPORT EWTN

Send donations to:

Mother Angelica
EWTN
5817 OLD LEEDS ROAD
IRONDALE, AL 35210

https://www.ewtn.com/ewtn/ssl/donation/donation_ewtn.asp

* * *
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WEAR THE BROWN SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL AND PRAY THE ROSARY
DAILY FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AND FOR CHURCH UNITY
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"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16

"Keep close to the Mother of God as if you were the child Jesus clinging to
her robes while walking down a dusty and busy crowded street and you'll
always be safe."
_____________________________________________________
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