Profound sorrow for the
death of Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, Archbishop emeritus of Montréal, was
expressed by the Pope in a telegram sent to the cardinal’s successor,
Archbishop Christian Lépine. “As we are celebrating the Resurrection of the
Lord”, the Pope writes, “I implore [Him] to welcome into the light of eternal
life this faithful Pastor who served the Church with dedication”. He served
“not only in his diocese but also on a national level as President of the
Episcopal Conference of Canada, and at the same time he was a member of various
dicasteries in Rome. A zealous pastor, attentive to the challenges of the
contemporary Church, he actively participated in the Synod of Bishops in 1994
on ‘Consecrated Life and its mission in the Church and in the world’ and was
one of the leaders at the Synod in 1997 on America”. Cardinal Jean-Claude
Turcotte, who had been seriously ill for some time, was a patient in Hôpital
Marie-Clarac in Montréal, where he died on Wednesday, 8 April. Turcotte was
born in Montréal on 26 June 1936 and was
ordained a priest on 24 May 1959. He was appointed to the titular see of Suas on 14 April 1982. He was appointed
Auxiliary Bishop of Montréal and received his episcopal ordination on 29 June
1982. On 17 March 1990 he was appointed Archbishop of Montréal. John Paul II
created him a cardinal at the Consistory of 26 November 1994 with the Title of
Nostra Signora del Santissimo Sacramento e dei Santi martiri Canadesi. On 20
March 2012 he resigned as Archbishop of
Montréal….
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which he continued his catechetical series on the family, concluding his reflections on the role of children in family life. Below, please find the English summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks.
***********************************
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today we continue our reflection on children, the greatest blessing which God has bestowed on man and woman. I wish to focus our attention on the suffering which many children are experiencing. From the first moments of their lives, some are rejected, abandoned, and robbed of their infancy and future. There are those who say it is a mistake to bring these children into the world, due to their fragility, and the hunger and poverty they suffer. But children are never a mistake, and their sufferings are only reasons for us to love them even more.
Every child who begs on the streets, who is denied an education or medical care, is a cry to God. Too often, these children become prey to criminals, who exploit them for commerce or violence. Even in wealthy countries, they suffer due to family crises and living conditions which are at times inhumane. In every case, their childhood is violated in body and soul. How did Jesus respond to the children and their parents who brought them to him: “Let the children come to me… for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” ( Mt 19:14). How beautiful the trust of these parents, and the response of Jesus! And there are many extraordinary parents who daily make sacrifices for their children.
The Church offers her maternal care to all children and their families, and she brings them the blessing of Jesus. May we always care for our children, not counting the cost, so that they may never believe themselves to be mistakes, but always know their infinite worth.
Greetings :
I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Ireland, Sweden, Nigeria, Japan, Thailand, Canada and the United States. May the Risen Lord confirm you in faith and make you witnesses of his love and mercy to all people. May God bless you!
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which he continued his catechetical series on the family, concluding his reflections on the role of children in family life. Below, please find the English summary of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks. *********************************** Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today we continue our reflection on…
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(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Péter Erdo, President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Anglican Bishop Christopher Hill, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) have released a joint message marking International Roma Day (8 April 2015)
Please find below the full text of the message in English:
Every human being is created in the image of God, whatever their language and culture may be. This conviction is shared by Christians and churches. Jesus Christ has called us to proclaim the good news to everyone, but especially to the poor and marginalised. We appeal to our communities to become more and more open toward the Roma people, who are often excluded and live in poverty at the margins of society.
Despite hardships throughout their history, Roma minorities have maintained a rich culture that includes values such as family life, love of children, faith in God, respect toward the dead, and enjoyment of music and dance. We regard this culture as a gift of the Creator, deserving respect and support.
The present situation of too many Roma people throughout Europe is deplorable. Major problems include racism against the Roma in speech and action across Europe, high unemployment, lack of professional training and, consequently, utter poverty.
At the same time some positive trends can be observed in European societies. More Roma youth study in high schools and universities. Awareness about and sensitivity towards the Roma population is growing.
Christian churches, priests, pastors and lay people have tried to help their Roma brothers and sisters in many ways for centuries. Our conviction is, that beside education and employment, the human heart is a third and important pillar in the development of relations with Roma people.
Our churches in many places help Roma communities improve their social integration—not to be misunderstood as assimilation—while preserving Roma culture. We do this with after-school teaching, medical services, food, juridical and other counselling, and so on. We summon our communities to stand by these initiatives, to become real brothers and sisters to the needy.
To move forward in justice is to work for reconciliation with this past. We must build new just relationships with Roma people and commit ourselves to the difficult and worthy task of healing and reconciliation.
Jesus told the scribes at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan: ‘Go, and do the same thing!’ Let us take up this Gospel challenge and become true brothers and sisters of the poor!
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Péter Erdo, President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Anglican Bishop Christopher Hill, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) have released a joint message marking International Roma Day (8 April 2015) Please find below the full text of the message in English: Every human being is…
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