Pope Francis

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-we-need-bridges-not-walls

Pope Angelus: We need bridges not walls
2014-11-09 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) “Where there is a wall, there is closure of the heart. We need bridges, not walls!” Those were the Pope’s words on Sunday from the window of the Papal studio above St Peter’s Square where he recalled the Fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th 1989.

Following the recitation of the Angelus prayer and on the 25th anniversary of this momentous event in history, Pope Francis described the wall as a symbol of the ideological division of Europe and the world which for so long had cut the city of Berlin in two.

The Holy Father went on to say that “the fall happened suddenly, but it was made possible by the long and arduous efforts of many people who had fought for this, prayed and suffered, some even sacrificing their lives. “These include”, he added, “ a leading role  played by Saint Pope John Paul II.

Pope Francis then prayed that, with God's help, all men and women of good will would continue to spread a culture of encounter, with the aim of  bringing down all the walls that still divide the world. He also prayed that there would be no more killing and persecution of the innocent and of those killed because of religious beliefs.

Before the Angelus the Pope remembered the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, saying, “it is the cathedral of Rome, the one that  tradition calls "the mother of all the churches of the city and the world."
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-scandal-forgiveness-and-faith

Pope at Santa Marta: Scandal, forgiveness and faith
2014-11-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Every Christian, whatever his or her vocation, must be able to always forgive and never cause scandal, because "scandal destroys the faith", said Pope Francis at Monday morning Mass in Casa Santa Marta.

Emer McCarthy reports listen:

The Pope was commenting on the Gospel of the Day in which Christ says to the Apostles “It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin”.  Pope Francis said that Jesus chose to be blunt rather than polite to get the message through to the Apostles.

The Pope then divided his homily into three key words: scandal, forgiveness, faith. "Woe to those who scandalize," says Christ, while in the passage from his letter to Titus, St. Paul gives precise directions on how a priest should conduct his life – he should not be violent, but sober - in a word "irreprehensible", the antithesis of the scandal.

Pope Francis continued that this is also the case for every Christian. Scandal, he adds, "is to proclaim and profess a way of life - 'I am a Christian' - and then live like a pagan, who does not believe in anything". This gives scandal "because there is no witness," while "the faith is professed - Pope Francis reiterated – by the way you live your life”.

"When a Christian man or a Christian woman, who goes to church, is part of the parish, does not live in this way, they cause scandal. How often have we heard men and women say: ' I do not go to church because it is better to be honest at home and not go to church like that man or woman who then do this, this, this ...'. Scandal destroys, it destroys the faith! And that is why Jesus is so strong: 'Beware! Watch out! '. It would do us good to repeat this today: ‘Be on your guard!'. All of us are capable of causing scandal".
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/archbishop-gallagher-a-priest-and-a-diplomat

Archbishop Gallagher: A priest and a diplomat
2014-11-10 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) On Saturday Pope Francis appointed Liverpool native Archbishop Paul Gallagher to the post of Secretary for Relations with States, thus making him the first native English speaker to hold the position that is to all intents and purposes the Vatican’s Foreign Minister.

In an interview with Emer McCarthy, Archbishop Gallagher says he is “honored and humbled” that the Holy Father chose him, but at the same time “inevitably a little fearful” at taking on such major responsibilities.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-receives-president-of-ghana

Pope Francis receives President of Ghana
2014-11-10 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, in audience Monday. The President subsequently met with the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the Parties noted the good relations between the Holy See and Ghana and underlined the positive contribution offered by the Catholic Church in the social, educational and healthcare spheres, as well as in relation to the promotion of dialogue between the different members of society. Furthermore, mention was made of the promotion of the good of the family.
 

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o/t    Came across this article, with video, about the Museum of the Bible...enjoy.

http://www.romereports.com/pg159009-museum-of-the-bible-it-s-a-combination-of-scholarly-research-and-a-disney-theme-park-en

Museum of the Bible: It's a combination of scholarly research and a Disney theme park
2014-11-10

It will be the first museum of its kind. A state of the art facility in Washington D.C, dedicated specifically to the Bible. Everything from its history, to its impact and current relevance.

CARY SUMMERS

Museum of the Bible

"We really have only one goal: It’s for people to engage with the Bible.” "It has had impacts on governments, on education, on family, crime and justice, science. It has had impact on the time that we tell.”

Carry Summers is the Chief Operating Officer of the Museum of the Bible. The building spans over 400,000 square feet and it will include a vast and private collection of more than 40,000 biblical antiquities, rare texts and relics. People can expect a lot more than just a regular museum visit.
 
The Museum of the Bible is currently under construction. It's scheduled to open in the year 2017.

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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/briefing-at-the-usccb-the-real-synod-stands-up/

Briefing at the USCCB: The ‘Real Synod’ Stands Up
11/10/2014

BALTIMORE — The U.S. Catholic bishops received first-hand accounts of last month’s Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome from participating American bishops, who said it differed greatly from the media’s presentation of those two weeks.

Speaking during the first day of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore, USCCB president Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., along with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, and Archbishop William Skurla of the Eparchy of Pittsburgh, gave the bishops their report from the synod.
 

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/fidelity-to-bishop-of-rome-crucial-to-evangelization-us-bishops-say-42073/

Fidelity to Bishop of Rome crucial to evangelization, US bishops say

Baltimore, Md., Nov 10, 2014 / 12:29 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a message to Pope Francis on Monday, the U.S. bishops vowed fidelity to the Holy See and voiced hope that Pope Francis will attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-unprofitable-servants

Pope at Santa Marta: Unprofitable servants
2014-11-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) We must resist temptations that distance us from our service to others. Instead, like Jesus, we must serve without asking for anything in return and avoid transforming our service "into a power structure". This was the focus of Pope Francis’s reflections at Mass Tuesday morning in Casa Santa Marta.

The Pope based his homily on the Gospel of the Day from St Luke which recounts Jess parable of the "unprofitable servant". Pope Francis said it teaches us what service means for a Christian.   Jesus speaks of a servant who, after working all day, comes home and instead of resting still has to serve his master:

"Some of us would advise this servant to go to his trade union for some advice, on how to deal with a boss like that. But Jesus said, 'No, service is total', because His path was this attitude of service; He is a servant. He presents himself as a servant, the one who came to serve and not to be served: He says so clearly. And so, the Lord shows the Apostles the path of those who have received the faith, that faith which works miracles. Yes, this faith will do wonders on the path of service".

The Pope added, a Christian who receives this gift of faith in Baptism, but who does not carry forward this gift on the path of service, becomes a Christian without strength, without fertility". In the end, he warned, he becomes "a Christian out for himself, to serve himself." His is a "sad life", "the many great things of the Lord" are "wasted".
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-writes-to-australian-pm-ahead-of-g20-summit-l

Pope writes to Australian PM ahead of G20 summit: Lives are at stake
2014-11-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has written to the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbot ahead of the Group of 20 summit that opens this weekend in Brisbane. In the letter, he asks the leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies “not to forget that many lives are at stake behind these political and technical discussions”.

The Pope writes  “it would indeed be regrettable if such discussions were to remain purely on the level of declarations of principle.” He identifies key areas such as  malnutrition, unemployment (especially among the young), an increase in exclusion, and attacks on the environment.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/the-pope-to-the-italian-episcopal-conference-no-to

The Pope to the Italian Episcopal Conference: no to “clerical” or “functionary” priests

Vatican City, 11 November 2014 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, archbishop of Genoa, Italy, read the message sent by Pope Francis to the participants in the 67th General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference, of which Cardinal Bagnasco is president. The meeting, which will finish next Thursday, is being held at the Domus Pacis of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, and is dedicated to the life and formation of priests.

In his message, the Holy Father writes that convening in Assisi recalls “the great love and veneration that St. Francis nurtured for the hierarchical Holy Mother Church, and in particular for priests … through whom the maternity of the Church reaches the entire People of God. How many of them we have known!” he exclaims. “We have seen them spending their lives amongst the people of our parishes, educating the young, accompanying families, visiting the sick at home and in hospital, and taking care of the poor”, in the knowledge that the gravest error is to separate oneself from others.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/holy-see-creates-new-judicial-body-for-abuse-cases

Holy See creates new judicial body for abuse cases
2014-11-11 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Holy See announced the creation of a new judicial body within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on Tuesday, for the specific purpose of dealing with the most serious crimes (delicta graviora), specifically: the sexual abuse of minors, and certain serious abuses associated with the Sacrament of Penance. The new body is to be a College composed of seven Cardinals or Bishops (who may be members of the Congregation, but are not required to be members thereof), chosen by the Holy Father.
 

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http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/1377/0/pope-creates-seven-member-body-to-get-through-backlog-of-abuse-cases-by-priests

Pope creates seven-member body to get through 'backlog' of abuse cases by priests
11 November 2014 14:02

 
The college will consist of seven cardinals or bishops who can come from within or outside the CDF and will be chosen by the Pope.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi the group would tackle a “backlog” of appeals from clergy against whom allegations of abuse had been made.

He said that ordinary members of the congregation only meet once a month and with four to five new appeals a month, each with a lot of paperwork, "a huge number" of cases was waiting to be heard.

He said: "Hearing the appeals is a very important job, especially those on abuse of minors, and the backlog of cases is at risk of absorbing all the time of the Congregation.”

The document announcing the new body outlines a special procedure for any bishop accused of grave crimes. He “shall have his case examined by the whole body of members of the Congregation – the Ordinary Session – which may also examine other specific cases upon papal request, and/or examine cases referred to it by the newly created College.”

The college will need to periodically inform the ordinary session of the CDF about its decisions.

The new rules come into effect today and were printed in L’Osservatore Romano, the newspaper of the Holy See.

A papal rescript or ‘Rescriptum', signed by Secretary of State cardinal Pietro Parolin, said: “The College shall provide itself for greater efficiency in the processing of appeals of clergy for 'delicta graviora' [grave crimes], without diminishing its expertise in the subject.”

Last December Pope Francis announced the creation of a commission of lay and ordained Catholics that would be devoted to child protection and the pastoral care of victims of sexual abuse by priests.

The commission was an initiative proposed by the group of eight (now nine) cardinals Pope Francis appointed shortly after his election to advise him on church reform.

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/top-vatican-jobs-the-francis-effect-on-the-roman-curia-53574/

Top Vatican jobs: The 'Francis effect' on the Roman Curia

Rome, Italy, Nov 10, 2014 / 05:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The latest round of major appointments to top positions in the Vatican hierarchy shows that change is afoot as Pope Francis puts his stamp on the Roman Curia.

But the transitions are clearly designed to bring about a change of mentality more than a simple restructuring of Vatican departments.

On Nov. 8, Pope Francis carried out a series of appointments that look to be a prelude to the complete reshaping of the curia.

The Pope has named British Archbishop Paul Gallagher at the Vatican's secretary for Relations with States, replacing French Moroccan Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.

Archbishop Mamberti, in turn, moves to the Church’s highest court, the Apostolic Signatura, where American Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke is outgoing to the Order of Malta.

Each move reveals more about Pope Francis' vision for the Church.

A change in diplomacy
 

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The U.S. bishops gathered in Baltimore for their annual fall general assembly...

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20141111.htm#head6

NEWS BRIEFS Nov-11-2014
By Catholic News Service
U.S.

USCCB president aims to meet with Obama, congressional leaders
 
Religious liberty 'continues to be great concern,' Archbishop Lori says
 
Redefinition of marriage poses 'complex challenges,' says archbishop
 
Encourage more Latino students to attend Catholic schools, bishops told
 
All Catholics called heirs to 'precious legacy' of first U.S. diocese
 

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The U.S. bishops gathered in Baltimore for their annual fall general assembly...

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20141111.htm#head6

NEWS BRIEFS Nov-11-2014
By Catholic News Service
U.S.

 
U.S. bishops choose new secretary-elect, committee chairmen-elect

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops Nov. 11 chose a new secretary-elect and chairmen-elect for several committees, all of whom will begin their service in November 2015. The bishops also selected from among their number to serve on the boards of Catholic Relief Services, the bishops' international aid and development agency, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans won the secretary-elect job, defeating Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, 100-94. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, who was president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010 to 2013, was voted in as chairman-elect of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, over Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, 127-102. In other committee elections: Communications: Auxiliary Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Indianapolis defeated Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, 114-102. Bishop Coyne was a late replacement candidate for Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York. Bishop Murphy had said he expects to retire before the end of the three-year chairmanship term in 2018. Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, general secretary of the USCCB, said a recent Vatican "rescript" clarifies that a bishop who retires also must retire from any committee chairmanship. Bishop Murphy turns 75 in May 2015, the age at which canon law requires a bishop to turn in his resignation.
 

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http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/index.cfm

USCCB General Assembly - 2014 November
November 2014 USCCB General Assembly

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) 2014 Fall General Assembly will take place in Baltimore November 10-13.  You can access links to live video of the public sessions, related USCCB news releases and coverage from Catholic News Service on this page. Links to the agenda, speeches, votes and other material  will be posted in the right hand column of this page.

USCCB News Releases
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-bishops-and-priests-must-listen-humbly-and-le

Pope: bishops and priests must listen humbly and learn
2014-11-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis today urged bishops, priests and deacons always to be humble and to recognize that their ministry is an unmerited gift of God’s mercy.

Speaking at the weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said the Lord continues to shepherd his flock with love through the ordained ministry of bishops, priests and deacons.

Recalling the Pastoral Epistles the Apostle Paul sent to his disciples Timothy and Titus in which he highlights human qualities such as the capacity to be welcoming, sober, patient, meek, reliable and good of heart as absolute necessities as well, of course, as the gifts of faith and holiness for those who receive the gift of vocation.

No bishop, priest or deacon – the Pope said – must assume an authoritarian attitude, and behave as if his community were his own property and personal reign.
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-prays-for-persecuted-christians-and-calls-for

Pope prays for persecuted Christians and calls for dialogue
2014-11-12 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appealed to international and local leaders to take action to protect and support persecuted Christians in various parts of the world; he expressed his closeness to the people of Mexico for the disappearance of a group of students who have allegedly been killed by drug traffickers; and he recalled the 30th anniversary of the peace treaty between Argentina and Chile invoking dialogue and peacemaking for all peoples locked in conflict.   
 

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http://www.news.va/en/news/irish-ambassador-to-holy-see-developing-long-stand

Irish Ambassador to Holy See: Developing long standing relations
2014-11-12 Vatican Radio



(Vatican Radio) “It was a very special day for me being the representative of Ireland here at the Holy See”, says Ambassador Emma Madigan, who presented her credentials to Pope Francis in a private meeting Tuesday morning at the Vatican.

In doing so, Ambassador Madigan becomes the first woman to hold the position and re-establishes the resident embassy to the Holy See from Ireland in Rome. The Irish government closed the embassy in November 2011 citing economic reasons.  In the intervening years relations were maintained by a non-resident Ambassador.
 

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http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/11/12/us_bishops_vote_on_liturgical_items,_ethical_guidelines/1110922

US Bishops vote on liturgical items, ethical guidelines
12/11/2014 11:33

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved several liturgical items, including revisions to the liturgy of the hours and a revision of guidelines for the celebration of the sacraments with persons with disabilities during their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 11. The bishops also approved to pursue a revision of the section of the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health care Services” on collaboration with non-Catholic health entities, and advanced a cause for canonization.

The bishops voted on the following five liturgical items presented by the Committee on Divine Worship:
 

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http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/agree-to-disagree-how-young-catholics-pose-a-unique-challenge-for-the-church-65138/

Agree to disagree: Why young Catholics pose a unique challenge for the Church

Baltimore, Md., Nov 12, 2014 / 02:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While a failure to understand doctrine is present in many segments of the Catholic population, young adults are exhibiting an alarmingly casual attitude towards accepting Church teaching, a study commissioned by the U.S. bishops has found.

“They feel completely Catholic even while disagreeing with the Church. We often heard ‘the Pope is entitled to his opinion’,” Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami stated, summarizing responses given by young people to a survey conducted on behalf of the U.S. bishops.

Archbishop Wenski reported on the findings of the survey at the annual fall assembly of the U.S. Bishops Conference in Baltimore Nov. 11.

For more than three years, a working group at the bishops’ conference has conducted research aimed at finding ways to more effectively communicate the Catholic faith. 

The research examined “Catholics in the pew,” looking at why they accept or disregard Church teaching on various subjects. 

Surveying different segments of the Catholic population offered a portrait of the Catholic landscape, and some of the different motivations, challenges and desire facing people in the Church.

Diocesan directors pointed to a perception of conflict between pro-life and social justice issues, saying that they should instead be seen as cooperative. Parish priests voiced a fear that involvement in politics – or any divisive issue – could contaminate their mission.

Many engaged parishioners, regular Mass attendees involved in parish life, demonstrate great pride in their faith and are deeply tied to their community, the study showed. However, they have a tendency to set aside rules that they do not understand, complain about the Church being involved in politics, and avoid causes that they see as “judgmental.”

Fervent Catholics – frequent Mass attendees who are committed to evangelization, faithful to Church teaching, and see the real presence of the Eucharist as central – tend to view Catholic doctrine as beautiful and freeing rather than as restrictive rules. This group, however, struggles with its own frustrations, including a belief that there is sometimes a lack of support within the parish, priests who are failing to teach and inspire, and an emphasis on activities over faith.