Pope Francis

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-general-audience-idolatry-christ-crucified.html

Pope at Audience: Christians turn our gaze to Christ crucified
08 August 2018, 10:05

Pope Francis greets the faithful at the General Audience in the Paul VI Hall  (Vatican Media )
At his General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the Ten Commandments, this week once again reflecting on the topic of idolatry.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis continued his meditation on the Ten Commandments at Wednesday’s General Audience, focusing on the theme of idolatry. He took his cue from the episode of the golden calf, the idol par excellence.

The story of the golden calf, found in the book of Exodus, takes place in the desert, “a place where instability and insecurity reign, where water, food, and shelter are lacking.” The desert, the Pope said, “is an image of human life,” which is filled with uncertainty that can lead to idolatry. Like the Jewish people in the desert, men and women of every age seek security in visible “gods,” gods of their own making, “a do-it-yourself religion.” “When God does not show Himself,” the Pope said, “we fashion a god to suit us.”
 
https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-the-commandments-iv/
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On the Commandments (IV) 
August 08, 2018 13:32

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[Bearlyhere]

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/08/02/pope-francis-changes-teaching-on-death-penalty-its-inadmissible/

Pope Francis changes teaching on death penalty, it’s ‘inadmissible’
Inés San Martín   Aug 2, 2018

ROME - According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the death penalty now is no longer admissible under any circumstances.

The Vatican announced on Thursday Pope Francis approved changes to the compendium of Catholic teaching published under Pope John Paul II.

“The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” reads the Catechism of the Catholic Church now on the death penalty, with the addition that the Church “works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”

This is a departure from what the document, approved under Pope John Paul II in 1992, says on the matter: “Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.”

The former formula does stipulate that if non-lethal means are sufficient to protect people’s safety from the aggressor, then authority must limit itself to it, as these “are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.”

In 1997, the Catechism was changed to reflect John Paul’s 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae.
 

I thought that was always the rule.  Isn't "Thou shalt not kill," the commandment that was to be followed?  I must have missed it when the rule was changed to reflect it is okay to kill under certain circumstances.  I was sure the death penalty was against the Catholic Church's teachings.  When did things change?

Bearlyhere!  Good to see you! 

I always thought that the traditional teaching of the Church permitted the death penalty under specific circumstances--and rarely.  Pope Francis seems to have made a revision to the doctrine as expresses in 2267 in the Catechism.  I'll post some articles that may explain the pope's action and provide some clarification.

Thanks, grace-land.  It is good to see you, too.

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-franccis-meets-chilean-abuse-prevention-council.html

Pope Francis Meets with Chilean Abuse Prevention Council
10 August 2018, 21:06

Pope Francis received on Friday morning at his residence at the Domus Santa Marta Bishop Juan Ignacio González of San Bernardo (Chile), and Ana Maria Celis Brunet, President of the Chilean National Council for Abuse Prevention and the Care for Victims.

The purpose of the meeting was to update each other and exchange opinions on the steps being taken in Chile to address the cases of abuse and ensure they never happen again.

According to a statement by a spokesperson for the Vatican, a key part of their discussions focused on the suffering of the victims and their need to find consolation and redress.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-knights-of-columbus.html

Pope commends Knights of Columbus for charity, Gospel of family, aid to persecuted Christians
10 August 2018, 13:40

136th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Baltimore, MD, USA, August 7-9, 2018. 
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a message on behalf of Pope Francis to the 136th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus in Baltimore, USA.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis has encouraged the Knights of Columbus in practical charity and thanked them for their commitment to the Gospel of the family and their outreach to persecuted Christians.

The Pope’s sentiments were expressed in a message sent by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the 136th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, which took place in Baltimore, Maryland, August 7-9.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-08/pakistan-visa-refusal-ireland-world-meeting-families.html

Pakistanis refused visas for World Meeting of Families in Ireland
09 August 2018, 16:25

9th World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland, August 21-26, 2018. 
The Irish consulate in Pakistan explained that their decision was based on applicants' family circumstances, economic situation and social conditions.

Ireland has decided not to grant visas to thousands of Pakistani Christians planning to travel to the country for the upcoming 9th World Meeting of Families of the Catholic Church, UCANEWS.com has reported.

The consulates in Karachi and Islamabad have turned down applications by families for visa to attend the World Meeting of Families (WMF) in Dublin from 21 to 26 August.  Pope Francis is expected to join the last two days of the meeting.

10,000 visa applications

About 10,000 families from around Pakistan had applied; 600 from the Archdiocese of Karachi alone. All requests were rejected, including by clergymen.

Father Anthony Abraz, parish priest at the Good Shepherd church in Karachi was denied a visa because he had not participated in such events in the past.  The priest said that families were denied visas because the visa officer found “insufficient evidence of strong family, social, economic or other obligations to return” home the event.

The Irish consulate in Karachi said that it analyzed the reasons for going to Ireland and other criteria, including family circumstances, financial situation, employment details, travel reasons and accommodation in Ireland

However, according to Father Abraz "all applications should have been assessed on a case-by-case basis”, noting that two groups of lay people received identical letters.

Church authorities had screened potential pilgrims, and Cardinal Joseph Coutts of Karachi only granted letters of recommendation to those who were not interested in seeking asylum.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-08/pakistan-general-election-christians.html
Mixed feelings among Pakistan's Christians after Imran Khan’s election victory
01 August 2018, 15:44

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/cardinal-omalley-calls-for-investigation-at-boston-seminary.cfm

Cardinal O'Malley calls for investigation at Boston seminary
By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service
8.10.2018 4:27 PM ET

CNS photo/Vatican Media
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Archbishop of Boston said in an Aug. 10 statement that he has asked the rector of its main archdiocesan St. John Seminary to go on sabbatical leave immediately and is asking for an investigation of allegations made on social media about activities there "directly contrary to the moral standards and requirements of formation for the Catholic priesthood."

"At this time, I am not able to verify or disprove these allegations," said Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley in a statement sent to media via email. He does not say in the statement what the allegations are about.
 
Cardinal O'Malley is one of Pope Francis' chief advisers on clerical sexual abuse and heads the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Boston was the epicenter of the abuse scandal that erupted in the church in 2002. The Boston Archdiocese was then headed by Cardinal Bernard F. Law.

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/canon-lawyers-explain-how-vatican-abuse-trials-function.cfm

Updated: Canon lawyers explain how Vatican abuse trials function
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
8.10.2018 5:27 PM ET

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Any member of the clergy accused of the sexual abuse of a minor is tried according to procedures outlined in the Code of Canon Law and specific norms spelled out in "Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela" ("Safeguarding the Sanctity of the Sacraments").

Normally those trials take place in the diocese where the crime occurred, but under the direction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. However, when the accused is a bishop, it is up to the pope to determine the way to proceed.

When the Vatican press office announced July 28 that Pope Francis had accepted Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick's resignation from the College of Cardinals, it also said the pope "ordered his suspension from the exercise of any public ministry, together with the obligation to remain in a house yet to be indicated to him, for a life of prayer and penance until the accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial."

The "regular canonical trial" for an accused bishop, canon law experts said, usually would be a trial conducted by the apostolic tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. However, the phrase in the original Italian announcement referred to the "regolare processo canonico," which could be translated as "regular canonical process."

The regular process described in "Safeguarding the Sanctity of the Sacraments" includes the option of an "extrajudicial decree," an administrative process by which the accused is presented with the evidence and given an opportunity for self-defense, but there is no trial.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-08/italy-church-youth-pope-circus-maximus.html

Pope joining young Italians at prayer vigil in Rome
11 August 2018, 11:29

A walking pilgrimage youth group from Italy's Lombardy region. 
More than 70 thousand young people from Italian dioceses are holding an evening prayer vigil at Rome’s Circus Maximus grounds on August 11.

More than 70,000 young people from various dioceses of Italy have begun converging on Rome for two major events with Pope Francis on Saturday and Sunday.  The events are  the culmination of a weeklong walking pilgrimage that some 40,000 young people began on August 3 through the territories of their dioceses, called  “Per Mille Strade”, the Italian for “Across Thousand Roads”.   

“We are Here”

The meetings with the Pope in the Eternal City,  has been dubbed “Siamo Qui”, or “We are Here” by the National Service for Youth Ministry of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), the organizer of the entire initiative.

The Youth Ministry explained that the pilgrimage and the Rome programmes are in preparation for two important international events in the Catholic Church – the Synod of Bishops on young people in October in the Vatican, and the World Youth Day in Panama in January.

The Saturday evening prayer vigil at Rome’s Circus Maximus ground that Pope Francis is joining, will be marked by prayers, talks, scripture reflections, testimonies, dance, songs and other performances including by some of Italy’s top singers.   The Pope is scheduled to speak to the young and deliver a reflection.

All-night vigil

After the celebration at Circus Maximus, the participants will visit some of the churches of Rome that will be kept open for them throughout the night.  They will spend time at the confessionals, in individual or group prayer, reflections, and contemplate on the experiences and encounters of the past days.

Various groups, associations, movements and dioceses have taken care to organize programmes in these churches on a variety of themes and topics to help the youth prepare for the concluding Mass in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, Sunday morning.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-italy-pilgrimage-hope-oppression.html

Pope to young Italians: ‘Hope overcomes misery, oppression’
11 August 2018, 20:30

Pope Francis with young Italian pilgrims in Rome's Circus Maximus  (Vatican Media)
In a reflection at a Saturday evening prayer vigil for over 70,000 pilgrims from all over Italy, Pope Francis invites young people to be daring in their journey of faith and to help those mired in darkness.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis greeted a 70,000-plus crowd of young Italian pilgrims in Rome’s Circus Maximus on Saturday evening.

The Pope encouraged them “to run towards Jesus” and their brothers and sisters “with hearts full of love, faith, and joy.

Run, don’t walk

He told them a slow pace would not do on life’s journey of faith, only “a quick step and daring leaps”.

Pope Francis told the young pilgrims that courage is needed “to dream and make present the Kingdom of God, just like Jesus.”

He said Christians are not called to shy away from suffering, defeat, and death. “God,” he said, “gave us the greatest power over all injustices and human weaknesses: Jesus conquered death by giving his life for us.”

Flame of hope in darkness

This power, said Pope Francis, impels us to seek out our brothers and sisters, no matter the darkness in which they find themselves.

“At the moment when death appears to triumph,” he said, “in reality that moment is revealed as death’s defeat.”

The Pope said the power of Jesus’ Resurrection is so contagious that history cannot resist its advance.
 

Video at the ink below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-young-people-pilgrimage-circus-maximus-questions-answers.html#.W2_-BKXCEYg.twitter

Pope to young people: 'Take the risk and love!'
11 August 2018, 14:19

Pope Francis joins 70,000 Italian young people at Circus Maximus for an evening prayer service  (Vatican Media)
Pope Francis responds to the heartfelt questions of 4 young Italians at a gathering of 70,000 pilgrims in Rome’s Circus Maximus on Saturday evening.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

Part of a pilgrimage of more than 70,000 young Italians included an evening prayer vigil in Rome on Saturday. The week-long pilgrimage was organized by the National Service for Youth Ministry of the Italian Bishops’ Conference in view of the Synod for Young People in October and World Youth Day in January.

During the prayer vigil at the Circus Maximus, Pope Francis responded to 4 questions presented by a few of the young people present.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-angelus-italy-pilgrims.html#.W3AW-vjLrfY.twitter

Pope Francis at Angelus: ‘It’s evil not to do good!’
12 August 2018, 12:15

Pope Francis speaks ahead of the Angelus prayer  (Vatican Media)
Ahead of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis said being a good Christian is more than merely not doing evil: A good Christian does good and actively opposes evil.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis prayed the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday with tens of thousands of pilgrims, including a large group of young Italians to whom the Pope spoke on Saturday evening.

In his address ahead of the Angelus, the Holy Father said it is not enough simply not to do evil. But to be a good Christian, he said, “we must also adhere to goodness and do good.”

The Pope was reflecting on the day’s Second Reading, in which St. Paul tells the faithful not to sadden the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30-5:2).
 
https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-not-grieving-the-holy-spirit-whom-we-received-in-baptism/
Angelus Address: On Not Grieving the Holy Spirit Whom We Received in Baptism 
The Promises of Baptism Have Two Aspects: The Giving up of Evil and Adherence to the Good
August 12, 2018 14:16

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-06/pope-francis-ireland-world-meeting-families-schedule.html

Pope Francis' programme for Apostolic Visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families
11 June 2018, 15:15

The Holy See's Press Office announces Pope Francis' schedule for his upcoming Apostolic Visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, August 25-26.

Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families begins on Saturday morning, 25 August, when he departs from Rome and arrives in Dublin at 10:30.

Official Welcome and Visit with Civil Authorities

The official welcome ceremony will take place at the Presidential Residence in Áras an Uachtaráin at 11:15, followed by a courtesy visit to the President. At Dublin Castle, Pope Francis will meet with Civil Authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corp at 12:10.

Visit to the Cathedral and Homeless Centre

In the early afternoon, Pope Francis will visit Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral and greet those gathered. He will then go to the Capuchin Fathers’ Reception Centre and will visit a number of homeless families in private.

Festival of Families

The Holy Father will conclude his day with the Festival of Families at Croke Park Stadium set to begin at 7:30
 
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/06/11/180611e.html
Apostolic Trip of His Holiness Francis to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families in Dublin (25-26 August 2018) – Programme, 11.06.2018

Saturday 25 August 2018

ROME-DUBLIN
   
8:15    Departure by air from Rome-Fiumicino for Dublin
     
10:30  Arrival at Dublin International Airport
 

[grace-land]

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/abuse-in-ireland-pressure-mounts-for-pope-to-address-scandal.cfm

Abuse in Ireland: Pressure mounts for pope to address scandal
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
8.14.2018 9:10 AM ET

CNS photo/Paul Haring
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis is traveling to Ireland specifically for the World Meeting of Families, but the sex abuse crisis is dominating headlines before his Aug. 25-26 trip.

While coverage of clerical abuse in the United States, Chile and Australia continues, Irish news media have been filled with articles about how a top Vatican official allegedly tried to get Irish government officials to support deals that would protect church records of abuse allegations and limit the financial liability of the church.

Former Irish President Mary McAleese said Cardinal Angelo Sodano, then the Vatican secretary of state, approached her in November 2003 about an agreement or concordat to protect church records, and Dermot Ahern, Ireland's former foreign minister, said Cardinal Sodano asked him in November 2004 about the Irish government indemnifying the church against court-ordered compensation for victims. Many of the institutions where the abuse took place were supported by the state or subject to state inspection.

Cardinal Sodano, the now 90-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, has not responded to the claims, nor has the Vatican press office.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pennsylvania-grand-jury-report-details-decades-of-clerical-abuse-allegations-33047

Pennsylvania grand jury report details decades of clerical abuse allegations
By Christine Rousselle

Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug 14, 2018 / 02:27 pm (CNA).- A redacted grand jury report on clerical sexual abuse in six of Pennsylvania’s Catholic dioceses was released Tuesday, following an 18-month investigation into thousands of alleged instances of abuse spanning several decades. 

The report, detailing allegations made in the dioceses of Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton, was released Aug.14. It reported on evidence of systematic abuse and cover-ups going back seven decades within these dioceses.

About half of Pennsylvania’s nearly 3 million Catholics live within these six dioceses.

The 884-page report was written by 23 grand jurors, who spent some 18 months investigating the six dioceses, examining half a million pages of documents in the process. The FBI assisted with the investigative process.

The report claims to have identified more than 1,000 victims of 300 credibly accused priests and presents a devastating portrait of efforts by Church authorities to, ignore, obscure, or cover up allegations - either to protect accused priests or to spare the Church scandal.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-wuerl-named-in-pennsylvania-grand-jury-report-responds-to-criticism-54373
Cardinal Wuerl named in Pennsylvania grand jury report, responds to criticism

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pennsylvania-bishops-respond-to-sexual-abuse-grand-jury-report-31379
Pennsylvania bishops respond to sexual abuse grand jury report

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-08/usccb-pennsylvania-grand-jury-sexual-abuse.html

Official reactions to Pennsylvania report on clerical sex abuse
15 August 2018, 11:09

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (foreground), president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, with the Chairman of the USCCB's Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, has issued a statement following the report of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury on sexual abuse by individuals within the Church, and the sytematic cover-up of abuse.
By USCCB

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is hosting a series of meetings this week responding to the broader issue of safe environments within the Church. An update will be offered upon their conclusion.

In response to today's Pennsylvania grand jury report, Cardinal DiNardo joins Bishop Timothy L. Doherty of Lafayette in Indiana, in issuing the following joint statement. Bishop Doherty is Chairman for the USCCB's Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.

FULL STATEMENT

"The report of the Pennsylvania grand jury again illustrates the pain of those who have been victims of the crime of sexual abuse by individual members of our clergy, and by those who shielded abusers and so facilitated an evil that continued for years or even decades. We are grateful for the courage of the people who aided the investigation by sharing their personal stories of abuse. As a body of bishops, we are shamed by and sorry for the sins and omissions by Catholic priests and Catholic bishops.

"We are profoundly saddened each time we hear about the harm caused as a result of abuse, at the hands of a clergyman of any rank. The USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People and the office of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection will continue to offer avenues to healing for those who have been abused. We are committed to work in determined ways so that such abuse cannot happen.
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-angelus-15-august-2018-assumption-mary-body-soul.html

Pope on Assumption: God saves the whole person, body and soul
15 August 2018, 11:47

Pope Francis greets the faithful on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (AFP or licensors)
At the Angelus for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis focused on the truth that God wills to save the whole human person, body and soul.
By Christopher Wells

“The Church today invites us to contemplate” the mystery of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s bodily Assumption into heaven. That was the message of Pope Francis at the Angelus on Wednesday. This mystery, he said, “shows us that God wills to save the whole human person: body and soul.”

For the Solemnity of the Assumption, the Holy Father explained that, at the end of her life, Mary was taken “body and soul” into heaven; her body “did not know the corruption of the grave.” This, he said, was a special privilege granted to the Mother of God on account of her unique corporal and spiritual union with her Son, Jesus.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-italy-genoa-bridge-prayers.html
Pope Francis prays for victims of bridge collapse in Italy
15 August 2018, 13:08

https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-on-the-feast-of-the-assumption-4/
ANGELUS: On the Feast of the Assumption 
August 15, 2018 13:29•

Video at the link below--
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-08/pope-francis-substitute-vatican-state.html

Pope appoints new Substitute at Vatican Secretariat of State
15 August 2018, 13:17

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra shakes hands with Pope Francis
Pope Francis appoints Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra as the new Substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.

On the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on Wednesday, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra as the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

He takes over on 15 October from Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who held the role from 10 May 2011 until 29 June 2018.

Archbishop Peña Parra is the titular archbishop of Telepte, and currently serves as the Apostolic Nuncio to Mozambique.

Brief biography:

Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra was born in Maracaibo (Venezuela) on March 6, 1960. At his priestly ordination, which took place on 23 August 1985, he was incardinated in the Diocese of Maracaibo.
 

[grace-land]

Papal emoji for Ireland visit

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/twitter-creates-papal-emoji-for-irish-visit.html

Twitter creates Papal emoji for Irish visit
15 August 2018, 10:08

Papal emoji for Ireland visit
To mark Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland Twitter has created a Papal emoji.

The emoji is a cartoon image of the Pope against a backdrop of the country’s national colours, green, white and gold.

This unique emoji can be triggered using a number of hashtags including #PápaInÉirinn,(Irish) #WMOF2018 and #FestivalOfFamilies.

According to Brenda Drumm, media & communications manager for the World Meeting of Families 2018, ““This pope emoji is a wonderful way to connect the conversation on Twitter about Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland for our global gathering of families at WMOF2018.”

Karen White, Twitters' Director of Public Policy for Europe, said: “The visit of Pope Francis is one of the biggest events happening in Ireland this year and naturally many people will be using Twitter to discuss his time here.
 

[grace-land]

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/why-john-paul-ii-created-the-world-meeting-of-families

Aug. 15, 2018
Why John Paul II Created the World Meeting of Families
COMMENTARY: The origins of the gathering are worth recalling.
Matthew E. Bunson

The year 1994 was a memorable one for the family — for negative reasons that ultimately catalyzed a great catechesis.

It began with the formal celebration by the United Nations General Assembly of the “International Year of the Family” under the theme, “Family: Resources and Responsibilities in a Changing World” with the motto: “Building the Smallest Democracy at the Heart of Society.”

The celebrations included various events to “express the diversity of individual preferences and societal conditions” in families and also set the table for the infamous International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo that brought together U.N. officials, first lady Hillary Clinton, radical environmentalists, feminists and abortion and population-control advocates to impose their vision of the culture of death on the world under the guise of reproductive rights, gender equity and sustainable population. The Vatican led the heroic and winning fight at the Cairo conference. But Pope St. John Paul II was not done. He welcomed the U.N. year, but he also shrewdly understood the opportunity that the occasion presented to offer the world a clearer vision of the authentic family as the foundation for civilization. Not by accident, then, 1994 also marked the birth of the World Meeting of Families that will be held for the ninth time this year in Dublin Aug. 21-26 with the theme “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World” (see story).

Given the controversy surrounding certain issues and themes taking place at the upcoming World Meeting of Families, the origins of the World Meeting are especially worth recalling.

 The Vision of John Paul II
 

[grace-land]

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-450-saint-stanislaus-kostka.html

Pope: St. Stanislaus teaches youth to run towards holiness
16 August 2018, 08:45

In a message for the 450th anniversary of the death of St. Stanislaus Kostka, Pope Francis invites young people to run the race towards holiness and to dream of finding true happiness in Jesus.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis sent a message on Wednesday to mark the 450th anniversary of the death of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

The Polish saint died on August 15, 1568 in Rome, while he was a novice (seminarian) of the Society of Jesus. St. Stanislaus died at the age of 17, and is a patron of Jesuit novices, students, and Poland.