(Vatican Radio) The President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Turkson, delivered an address on Tuesday, to the participants in a major international conference sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on climate change and stewardship of creation. Below, please find the full text of Cardinal Turkson’s prepared remarks in English.…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has encouraged Bishops from Benin to support families, to pursue the formation of young people and to promote inter religious dialogue. The Pope was receiving a group of Bishops from the West African Nation who are in the Vatican for their ad limina visit. In his message to them, Pope Francis thanked the Bishops for the successful exercise of their ministry which shines through in the great enthusiasm and in the visible expression of the faith of God’s people in Benin. “Parish life – he pointed out – is animated, the faithful participate in large numbers in the celebrations, conversions to Christ are many and priestly and religious vocations”. However, acknowledging the bishops’ concern for a series of problematic issues, the Pope said he thinks “particularly of the major challenges related to family, to which the next Synod in Rome will attempt to answer”. And he encouraged them to “continue with determination efforts to support families, both in their faith in their daily lives”. Although the marriage ministry is a difficult one – Pope Francis said – “given the concrete situation, social and cultural life” of the people, he told them to persevere constantly because the family is a reality desired by God: “it is a gift from God that brings, for people and communities, joy, peace, stability, happiness”. The family, the Pope said, is the basic unit of society. The Pope acknowledged that another important challenge faced by the Bishops of Benin is youth and education, and he thanked them for the many Catholic schools they have opened in their Dioceses. He spoke of the importance of the encounter between cultures and dialogue between religions, especially with Islam. “It is known that Benin is an example of harmony between religions on its territory. It is necessary to be vigilant, given the current global climate, in order to preserve this fragile heritage” he said. So: “In promoting harmony and justice in your local Churches, dear Brothers, gives you a major role to play in the onward march of your country” he said. And speaking of the global economic crisis which is affecting many countries, Pope Francis said “it is necessary to go courageously against the current, struggling against the culture of ‘waste’ spread everywhere, (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, n.53) and disseminating Gospel values of hospitality and encounter”. The Pope reminded the bishops that the service of charity is a constitutive dimension of the mission of the Church, and is “an expression of its essence” and he invited all religious to live intensely this Year of Consecrated Life and acknowledged the generous commitment of the priests in the service of the Gospel. And remarking on the many priestly vocations in Benin, he said that bishops must be fathers to their priests, fostering communion and fraternity within the priestly family and caring for those in need. Moreover – he said – since vocations are not lacking, he encouraged them to generously share their resources with other regions which lack churches. Pope Francis concluded his address noting that the Church in Benin has a good relationship with the civil authorities. “The voice of the Church is heard – he said – and action is appreciated”. And he invited them to continue to take their place in the public life of the country, encouraging relationships between different components of society. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday met with Queen Silvia of Sweden, who personally led her delegation to a one-day seminar on human trafficking and the exploitation of women which was being held at the Vatican.
Although a Swedish interpreter was present, the two spoke mostly in Spanish, which the Queen speaks fluently. In fact, Queen Silvia at one time worked at the Argentine Consulate in Munich.
The Queen spoke with the Holy Father about various activities she has promoted in Sweden, especially in favour of children. Pope Francis took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the welcome Sweden has extended to refugees and displaced persons.
Queen Silvia, the wife of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, was accompanied by her youngest daughter, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, her husband, Christopher O’Neill, and their young daughter, 14-month-old Princess Leonore.
The Queen gave the Pope a set of prayer books used by the Royal Family, along with a photographic portrait and a vase with the Royal Coat of Arms.
Pope Francis gave the Queen a Pontifical Medal, along with a copy of “Evangelii gaudium” in the Queen’s native German.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father has named Bishop John C. Wester as the new Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Bishop Wester has been serving as Bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah.
At the same time, the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michael Sheehan from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, in conformity with canon 401, paragraph 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
Biography of Archbishop-elect John Charles Wester
Bishop John Charles Wester was born 5 November 1950 in San Francisco, California. After attending Our Lady of Mercy elementary school in Daly City and Saint Joseph High School Seminary (1964-1968), and Saint Joseph College Seminary (1968-1972) in Mountain View, he undertook his theological studies at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park (1972-1976). Later, he obtained a Master’s degree in Spiritual Theology at the University of San Francisco (1984) and a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling at Holy Names College in Oakland (1993).
He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on 15 March 1976.
Following his priestly ordination, Bishop Wester had the following assignments: Parochial Vicar of Saint Raphael Parish in San Rafael (1976-1979); teacher (1979-1984), Chaplain (1982-1984) and President (1984-1986) at Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield; Assistant Superintendent of Catholic High Schools (1986-1988); personal secretary and master of ceremonies for Archbishop John Quinn (1988-1993); Pastor of Saint Stephen Parish in San Francisco (1993-1997); and Vicar for Clergy (1997-1998).
He was named titular Bishop of Lamiggia and Auxiliary Bishop for San Francisco on 30 June 1998, and received episcopal consecration the following 18 September. As Auxiliary Bishop he served as Vicar General and, from August 2005 to February 2006, as Apostolic Administrator while the see was vacant ( sede vacante ).
Bishop Wester was named Bishop of Salt Lake City on 8 January 2007.
In the Episcopal Conference Bishop Wester serves as the chair of the Committee on Communications and is a member of the Administrative Committee and the Committee on Migration.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has encouraged Bishops from Benin to support families, to pursue the formation of young people and to promote inter religious dialogue. The Pope was receiving a group of Bishops from the West African Nation who are in the Vatican for their ad limina visit. In his message to them, Pope Francis…
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