(Vatican Radio) Catholics and Pentecostals have concluded a sixth phase of their International Dialogue which has been working to promote better relations between the two communities for over four decades. The theme of this sixth phase has been focused on “Charisms in the Church: Their Spiritual Significance, Discernment, and Pastoral Implications”, with sessions dedicated to Common Ground, Discernment, Healing and Prophesy.
The final session, which took place in Rome from July 10th to 17th, was dedicated to drafting a final report, due for publication early next year. Daily prayer services, led alternately by Catholics and Pentecostals, have been an important feature of the meeting and participants on Sunday attended Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
The two co-chairs of the dialogue are Bishop Michael Burbidge, head of the U.S. diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina and Rev. Cecil (Mel) Robeck representing the Assemblies of God, a professor of Church history and ecumenics at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Philippa Hitchen sat down with them both to find out more about their achievements and about the impact of the first Latin American pope on relations between the two communities….
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Please see below the full press release from the meeting:
CATHOLICS AND PENTECOSTALS: SIXTH ROUND OF CONVERSATIONS
Rome, 10-17 July 2015
The Fifth Session of the Sixth Phase of the International Catholic – Pentecostal Dialogue took place in Rome, Italy, from 10 to 17 July 2015. Participants in the Dialogue include Catholics appointed by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and some Classical Pentecostal churches and leaders. The general theme for the present phase of Dialogue is “Charisms in the Church: Their Spiritual Significance, Discernment, and Pastoral Implications”. The topics discussed during the past four sessions were Charisms – Our Common Ground (2011), Discernment (2012), Healing (2013) and Prophecy (2014). The 2015 session was devoted to writing the Final Report, which is expected to be published early in 2016.
The goal of this Dialogue, begun in 1972, is to promote mutual respect and understanding in matters of faith and practice. Genuine exchange and frank discussion concerning the positions and practices of the two traditions have been guiding principles of these conversations, which include daily prayer services that are led alternately by Catholics and Pentecostals.
The Catholic Co-Chair of the Dialogue is Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, NC, USA. The Pentecostal Co-Chair of the Dialogue is Rev. Cecil M. Robeck (Assemblies of God), Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, USA.
During their working sessions in Rome, Cardinal Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, met with the group to engage in conversation, gather perspectives and respond to questions. The participants also had an informal meeting with Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council.
On Sunday, remembering the missionary journeys of Paul and his trip to Rome, participants attended Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where it is believed that the Apostle to the Gentiles is buried. They enjoyed the hospitality of the Benedictine community.
According to Bishop Burbidge, “It has been a privilege to serve as Co-Chair of this phase of the International Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue and a real honor to work with such dedicated colleagues on both teams as we focused our attention on charisms in the Church and their spiritual significance. Through the scholarly papers that were presented, honest and respectful discussion throughout the Dialogue, and our prayer time together we grew to a deeper understanding of areas of agreement as related to charisms, healing, prophecy, and discernment, as well as points of divergence. We also identified together pastoral challenges and opportunities as we go forth to invite others to a deeper reliance on the gifts of the Spirit who is always at work within us.”
Rev. Robeck noted, “This current round of dialogue has revealed that the teaching of Pentecostals and Catholics on the charisms or gifts of the Holy Spirit have many points of agreement. Both traditions recognize that every believer has been given one or more gifts by the Holy Spirit to be used to build up the Church and to minister to the world. These gifts have been present in the Church since the time of the New Testament. Given the problems posed by society in the current culture, we acknowledge that we face common challenges in which our people must rely upon the help of the Holy Spirit to exercise these charisms in thoughtful and creative ways as they seek to extend the message of love and forgiveness that Jesus Christ brought to the world.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
Vatican City, 17 July 2015 (VIS) – Pope Francis has sent a message to Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace”, to be communicated to the representatives of communities affected by mining activities participating in the meeting “United with God, we hear a cry”, organised by the same dicastery in collaboration with the Latin American “Churches and Mining” network. “You come from difficult situations and in various ways you experience the repercussions of mining activities, whether they be conducted by large industrial companies, small enterprises or informal operators. You have chosen to gather in Rome on this day of reflection that recalls a passage from the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Evangelii gaudium’, to echo the cry of the many people, families and communities who suffer directly and indirectly as a result of the consequences, too often negative, of mining activities. A cry for lost land; a cry for the extraction of wealth from land that paradoxically does not produce wealth for the local populations who remain poor; a cry of pain in reaction to violence, threats and corruption; a cry of indignation and for help for the violations of human rights, blatantly or discreetly trampled with regard to the health of populations, working conditions, and at times the slavery and human trafficking that feeds the tragic phenomenon of prostitution; a cry of sadness and impotence for the contamination of the water, the air and the land; a cry of incomprehension for the absence for inclusive processes or support from the civil, local and national authorities, which have the fundamental duty to promote the common good. “Minerals and, in general the wealth of the earth, of the soil and underground, constitute a precious gift from God that humanity has used for thousands of years. Indeed, minerals are fundamental to many sectors of human life and activity. In the Encyclical ‘Laudati si” I wished to make an urgent appeal for collaboration in the care of our common home, countering the dramatic consequences of environmental degradation in the life of the poorest and the excluded, advancing towards an integral, inclusive and sustainable development. The entire mining sector is undoubtedly required to effect a radical paradigm change to improve the situation in many countries. A contribution can be made by the governments of the countries of origin of multinational companies and those in which they operate, businesses and investors, the local authorities who supervise mining operations, workers and their representatives, the international supply chains with their various intermediaries and those who work in the markets of these materials, and the consumers of goods for whose production the minerals are required. All these people are called upon to adopt behaviour inspired by the fact that we constitute a single human family, “that everything is interconnected, and that genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and faithfulness to others. “I encourage the communities represented in this meeting to reflect on how they can interact constructively with all the other actors involved, in a sincere and respectful dialogue. I hope that this occasion may contribute to a greater awareness of and responsibility towards these themes: and that, based on human dignity, the culture necessary for facing the current crisis may be created. I pray to the Lord that your work in these days be fruitful, and that these fruits can be shared with all those in need. I ask you, please, to pray for me and with affection I bless you, your communities and your families”….
Vatican City, 17 July 2015 (VIS) – This morning in the Holy See Press Office Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council “Justice and Peace”, presented the dicastery’s initiative “A day of Reflection: united with God, we hear a cry”, to be attended by various representatives of communities affected by mining activity in Africa, Asia and America who will gather in the Salesianum Congress Centre in Rome from 17 to 19 July. Cardinal Turkson explained that the aim of the meeting was to take stock of the situation of these communities, recalling that in 2013 Justice and Peace organised a day of reflection entitled “Mining for the common good”, upon request of the directors of various mining companies, in order to evaluate the human, economic and environmental implications of this activity. A report of the event was distributed to the Episcopal Conferences of the countries involved. A second day of reflection will be held in September, entitled “Creating a new future, Reimaging the future of mining” and so the current initiative, aimed at giving a voice to the communities affected by the mining industry, is intended as preparation for this second meeting. “There is no lack of reasons and motives for the decision of the Pontifical dicastery”, said the Cardinal. “With the Encyclical ‘Laudato si” the Holy Father urges us to ‘hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’. We cannot remain indifferent to this cry, as the need to her it is ‘born of the liberating action of grace within each of us, and thus it is not a mission reserved only to a few: the Church, guided by the Gospel of mercy and by love for mankind, hears the cry for justice and intends to respond to it with all her might’”. “Many of us are aware of this harrowing cry from those areas where mineral extraction is carried out”, he continued. “To give just a few examples: the ‘Africa Progress Report’ by the former secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, the OECD directives on the issue, the numerous reports on the rights of indigenous populations, the ‘Publish what you pay’ initiative, legislation on the traceability of minerals currently being developed by the European Parliament, in cinema with films such as ‘Blood Diamonds’ or ‘Avatar’, and so on”. “The Church, on various occasions and for many years, has closely followed mining activities. At national level, the documents of the Episcopal Conferences which denounce human rights violations, illegality, violence and the exploitation of deposits causing pollution and problems for the safety of local produce. … At regional level, it is considered by the Continental Episcopal Conferences, the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network, and so on, and at transnational level, by Franciscan networks, the CIDSE and Caritas. All these voices follow the same direction: faced with these situations, we cannot allow indifference, cynicism and impunity to continue to prevail. A radical paradigm change is needed in the interests of the common good, justice, sustainability and human dignity”. In these three days the representatives of the communities affected by mining operations in different ways will act as spokespeople for those who are unable to come to Rome and whose voice frequently goes unheard by experts and commentators. “I must emphasise that some people who are attending the meeting have experienced pressure and intimidation in recent days, for example after having requested a passport. The Pontifical Council has heard testimonies of threats, violence and murder; of retaliation, of compensation never received, and of unkept promises”. “Therefore”, he continued, “there are individuals who work without a truly human aim. There are denials of the primacy of the human being, insensitivity to the welfare of the social and natural environment and the full experience of fragility, abandonment and rejection. Those responsible are investors, businesspeople, politicians and governors of the countries where the deposits are found, or rather the countries where the headquarters of the mining multinationals reside”. “On the other hand, exploited and poor countries are above all in need of honest governments, educated people and investors with an acute sense of justice and the common good, as it is morally unacceptable, politically dangerous, environmentally unsustainable and economically unjustifiable for developing countries to ‘continue to fuel the development of richer countries at the cost of their own present and future’”, he concluded….
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday received in private audience His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. In the course of the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate the decrees regarding the heroic virtues:
– of the Servant of God Andrey Sheptytsky (given name: Roman Alexander Maria), of the Order of Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Lviv of the Ukrainians and Metropolitan of Halych; born 29 July 1865 in Prylbychi (Ukraine), died in Lviv (Ukraine) 1 November 1944;
– of the Servant of God Giuseepe Carraro, Bishop of Verona; born in Mira, Italy, on 26 June 1899 and died in Verona, Italy 30 December 1980;
– of the Servant of God Agostino Ramírez Barba, Diocesan Priest, Founder of the Congregation of Sister Servants of the Lord of Mercy; born 27 August 1881 in San Miguel in Alto (Mexico) and died in Tepatitlán (Mexico) 4 July 1967;
– of the Servant of God Simpliciano della Natività (given name: Aniello Francesco Saverio Maresco), Professed Priest of the Order of Friars Minor, Founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart; born in Meta di Sorrento (Italy) 11 May 1827 and died in Rome (Italy) 25 May 1898;
– of the Servant of God Maria del Rifugio Aguilar y Torres, the widow of Cancino, Foundress of the Congregation of Mercedarian Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament; born in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) 21 September 1866 and died in Mexico City (Mexico) 24 April 1937;
– of the Servant of God Maria Teresa Dupouy Bordes, Professed Relgious of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Foundress of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary; born in Saint Pierre d’Irube (France) 6 May 1873 and died in San Sebastán (Spain) 26 May 1953;
– of the Servant of God Elisa Miceli, Foundress of the Institute of the Rural Catechist Sisters of the Sacred heart; born in Longobardi (Italy) 12 April 1904 and died in Frascati (Italy) 19 April 1976;
– of the Servant of God Isabella Méndez Herrero (in religion: Isabella di Maria Immacolata), Professed Sister of the Congregation of the Servants of Saint Joseph; born in Castellanos de Moriscos (Spain) 30 August 1924 and died in Salamanca (Spain) 28 December 1953
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Holy See has reminded the international community many countries are still facing enormous challenges in order to fully participate in the global economy.
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said some countries have “fallen further behind and may continue to do so” unless the international community help them find solutions for what is constraining them.
Archbishop Auza is the Head of Delegation of the Holy See to the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“As Pope Francis said in his recent Encyclical Laudato Si’, development efforts cannot make significant progress if countries continue to emphasize their national interests to the detriment of the global common good,” said Archbishop Auza.
“The solutions to global poverty and hunger cannot be left to market forces alone,” he continued. “To eradicate poverty and hunger, in particular extreme poverty and chronic hunger, the sharing of science and technology, the acceptance of ethical values like solidarity and social justice to influence the market, and joint political will must all align themselves.”
The full text of Archbishop Auza’s intervention can be found below
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN,
Head of Delegation of the Holy See to the
Third International Conference on Financing for Development
Addis Ababa, July 15, 2015
Mr. President,
My delegation is pleased that the global community has joined hands and has come together for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development and the adoption of its Outcome Document, The Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
Since the adoption of the MDGs in 2000, the Monterrey Consensus in 2002 and the Doha Declaration in 2008, the global community has had opportunities to assess the progress made and the challenges that still remain in ending poverty and hunger. These collective efforts have helped shape the present Outcome Document, in support of a transformative post-2015 development agenda.
Mr. President,
Overall, the world has made significant economic progress. More and more countries are participating in the global economy than ever before. Global economic activity and financing flows have increased and advances in science, technology and innovation have enhanced the potential to achieve sustainable development for all.
However, a large portion of the world’s population continue to be excluded from the benefits of such progress and the gap between the haves and the have-nots has grown rapidly and never been greater. Many countries are still facing enormous challenges in order fully to participate in the global economy. Indeed, some have fallen further behind and may continue to do so unless the international community help them find solutions for what is constraining them.
While acknowledging that progress has been made, we must also recognize that developing countries, in particular the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), still need support. For that reason, both financial and non-financial development commitments should remain, be enhanced wherever necessary and be fulfilled. As Pope Francis said in his recent Encyclical Laudato Si’, development efforts cannot make significant progress if countries continue to emphasize their national interests to the detriment of the global common good (LS 169).
Mr. President,
Taking into account the progress made and the challenges that still lie ahead, the Holy See supports the overarching goal of this Outcome Document, namely, to end poverty and hunger and achieve sustainable development, while promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and an equitable global economic system that cares for the environment. My delegation is convinced that this multi-dimensional approach is indispensable. The solutions to global poverty and hunger cannot be left to market forces alone. To eradicate poverty and hunger, in particular extreme poverty and chronic hunger, the sharing of science and technology, the acceptance of ethical values like solidarity and social justice to influence the market, and joint political will must all align themselves.
Similarly, we welcome that the Outcome Document has a strong focus on people in vulnerable situations, especially women and girls, and stresses the importance of their participation, contributions, and leadership roles in the economy and in society at large.
My delegation would like to highlight three aspects of the Outcome Document that are closely linked to the achievement of sustainable development: first, financial resource mobilization; second, the creation of an enabling international economic environment; and third, an effective monitoring and follow-up mechanism to review implementation of the Outcome Document, especially in support of the post-2015 development agenda.
First, every effort should be made to mobilize financing for human integral development from all sources: domestic, international, private sector, and official development assistance. We would urge that particular attention be given to the financing needs of countries in special situations, particularly the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as countries in conflict or post-conflict situations. For their special or greater needs, the global community may have to mobilize new stakeholders and create new specific financing mechanisms to enhance the prospects that these countries will achieve sustainable development.
Second, while every country has the primary responsibility for its own economic and social development through nationally owned, coherent, and sustainable development strategies, a supportive international economic environment must undergird development strategies, in the spirit of global partnership, shared prosperity and intergenerational solidarity.
Third, my delegation welcomes the attention given to an effective monitoring and follow-up mechanism, which would provide the means to assess progress and identify obstacles to the implementation of the Financing for Development (FfD) Outcome Documents. In this regard, the global community must pay special attention to countries that may need assistance to review and assess their own progress.
Finally, Mr. President, as we embark upon this pivotal year, let us once again remind ourselves of our responsibility to ensure that the commitments made here in Addis Ababa meet our overarching goal to end poverty and hunger and to ensure sustainable, equitable, and integral development that leaves no country and no one behind. It is no longer enough for us to declare our desire to end poverty and hunger and to achieve sustainable development; we must embrace a transformative shift to translate declarations into actions, and commitments into achievements.
In closing, my delegation profoundly thanks the Government and the people of Ethiopia for hosting this Conference.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(from Vatican Radio)…