(Vatican Radio) At a public Consistory held on Tuesday, Pope Francis gave his approval for the canonization of five new saints. Christopher Wells reports:
The Public Ordinary Consistory for the Canonisation of Blesseds began with the celebration of Terce (Midmorning Prayer), presided over by Pope Francis in the Consistory Hall at the Apostolic Palace. Following the liturgical prayer, the Holy Father announced the upcoming canonization of five new saints, including Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata (née Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu), whose work among the “poorest of the poor” won her worldwide acclaim. Hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, members of the religious order founded by Mother Teresa, are expected to be in Rome for her canonization, set for 4 September 2016. From Poland, Blessed Stanisłaus of Jesus and Mary (né Jan Papczynski) was a member of the Piarist Order. After leaving the Piarists, Bd Stanisłaus founded the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. Blessed Maria Elizabeth Hesselblad of Sweden , a convert from Lutheranism, founded a new branch of Bridgettine sisters, dedicated to working and praying for the unity of Scandinavian Christians with the Church. She will be the first Swedish saint in more than 600 years. The two northern Europeans will be canonized together on Sunday, 5 June, of this year. The Holy Father also announced the canonization of Blessed José Gabriel del Rosario , from Pope Francis’ native Argentina, known as the “gaucho priest.” Like the famous Argentinian cattlemen, he travelled on a mule throughout the vast territory of his parish in order to be close to the members of his flock. He will be canonized on 16 October 2016, along with Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río of Mexico. Blessed José was just fourteen-years-old when he was martyred by the Mexican government during the Cristeros War, after refusing to deny his Faith. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican on Tuesday said it is “urgent” to begin immediately the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population of Syria. Monsignor Richard Gyhra, the Chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, was speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council. “Recent developments coming from Syria seem to reinforce the feeling of helplessness in front of an endless human tragedy caused by the continuation of the conflict and its procession of refugees, disrespect of human rights and international humanitarian law,” – Msgr. Gyhra said – “Crimes against humanity are frequent and unpunished; intentional attacks against the civilian population are daily.” The Vatican diplomat said “all parties” should be involved in the peace process. “A crucial dimension for reaching a sustainable solution in the peace building process is respect for a pluralistic society where ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities have their place as full members of society and the Syrian State,” said Msgr. Gyhra. “The survival and the well-being of the aforesaid minorities is the guarantee of a democratic State, respectful of differences,” – he continued – “In fact, the recognition of their rights does not weaken in any way the State, on the contrary, it enriches and strengthens it. In this sense, the return of refugees and IDPs is an essential condition for reconciliation, reconstruction and sustainability of any solution of the conflict.” The full text of the Holy See’s intervention at the UN Human Rights Council is below Intervention by Msgr. Richard Gyhra, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva at the 31 st Session of the Human Rights Council Item 4 – Interactive Dialogue on Syria Geneva, 15 March 2016 Mr. President, Recent developments coming from Syria seem to reinforce the feeling of helplessness in front of an endless human tragedy caused by the continuation of the conflict and its procession of refugees, disrespect of human rights and international humanitarian law. Crimes against humanity are frequent and unpunished; intentional attacks against the civilian population are daily. The findings of the International Commission are more than alarming. On the other hand, some bright spots, in particular the negotiations that started this week, should push all people of goodwill not to give up in the search to minimize this human, humanitarian and political tragedy, and, above all, to continue to work towards a peaceful and negotiated solution that takes into account the best interests of Syria and all components of the Syrian nation. The Holy See, as it was stated by Pope Francis at the Sunday Angelus Prayer on February 28th last, would like to give its support to regional and international efforts underway to consolidate the recently negotiated ceasefire accepted by the majority of parties involved in the conflict. Regional and international contributions are indispensable and they should be thoroughly devoted to the interests of the Syrian people. Any approach attempting to defend in the first place regional or international interests, using the different parties to the conflict without considering the future of the country and without taking into account the unbearable human suffering, are unethical. These would not meet the requirements for peace and stability in Syria and in the region. Any policy that ignores the true interests of Syria will be counterproductive, prolong the conflict with its miseries and will have serious consequences for the region and the world. In the process of reconciliation and peace building the inclusion of all parties is necessary. All parties involved in the conflict and the International community have a role to play. They are called to look at the long-term interests of the entire region and primarily the real interests of Syria. Obviously the war and the instability do not favor any player but impact negatively all countries involved, directly or indirectly, in this ongoing conflict. The United Nations, in the first place, has an encouraging and facilitating role. Any solution must be based on the rule of law, justice, freedom and respect for human rights. Donor countries also have an interest in investing in peace and reconstruction. Indeed, the continuation of the conflict is a blatant failure of all stakeholders and will only bring grief and instability for all. A crucial dimension for reaching a sustainable solution in the peace building process is respect for a pluralistic society where ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities have their place as full members of society and the Syrian State. The survival and the well-being of the aforesaid minorities is the guarantee of a democratic State, respectful of differences. In fact, the recognition of their rights does not weaken in any way the State, on the contrary, it enriches and strengthens it. In this sense, the return of refugees and IDPs is an essential condition for reconciliation, reconstruction and sustainability of any solution of the conflict. As the Holy See has previously stated it is urgent to begin immediately the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population in need and to remove all obstacles so that humanitarian organizations can have access to all areas. Without the protection of civilians and their human rights there cannot be a just political solution. Special care should be given to the weakest groups of society. Mr. President, In conclusion, I would like to recall what Pope Francis recently stated: “I have received with hope the news of the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and I invite everyone to pray that this break may bring relief to the suffering population and open the path to dialogue and to the peace that is so desired.” 1 Thank you, Mr. President. 1 Pope Francis, Angelus, February 28, 2016. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message expressing his condolences and his spiritual closeness to the people of Ivory Coast after gunmen opened fire on holiday-goers at a popular beach resort in Grand-Bassam east of the commercial capital Abidjan.
In a telegram to Bishop Raymond Ahoua F. D. P. of Grand Bassam, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said “Upon hearing the news of the heinous attack in Grand-Bassam, His Holiness Pope Francis presents condolences to the bereaved and assures the injured his spiritual closeness.”
15 civilians and three members of the country’s special forces were killed and 33 people wounded in the attack by alleged Islamist extremists. Three of the attackers were also killed.
The message further states that the Holy Father “entrusts the victims to the mercy of God to welcome them into his peace and light.”
Expressing his sadness for the suffering of the Ivorian people, the message continues, “the Holy Father again condemns violence and hatred in all forms. In a sign of consolation, he invokes an abundance of divine blessings on the Ivory Coast and all the families affected by this tragedy.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message expressing his closeness to the people of Turkey following a suicide car bombing Sunday evening in Ankara. At least 37 people died and more than 120 were injured after a car loaded with explosives was detonated near bus stops in the Turkish capital.
In a telegram to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote on behalf of the Holy Father that the Pope was “deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the bombing in Ankara.”
“His Holiness Pope Francis assures the Turkish people of his spiritual closeness and solidarity. He prays for the eternal rest of those who have died and for all who mourn their loss, as well as for the recovery of those affected by this heinous act of violence. Mindful of the generous service being rendered by security and emergency personnel, His Holiness invokes the divine blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Each year, Bishops from around the world travel to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage to support the Christian community in the land of Jesus’ birth.
Organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the annual Holy Land Coordination brings together Bishops from different countries, especially countries that have historically had an influence in the Holy Land. This year’s visit included Bishops from the Europe, North America, and South Africa.
Vatican Radio’s Christopher Wells was with the Bishops during the week long pilgrimage. In the day’s leading up to Easter, we’re publishing Christopher’s stories about the Holy Land Coordination visit.
In our first story, Christopher spoke with the Director of the Holy Land Coordination, Father Mark Madden of Liverpool, England, about the visit to the Holy Land.
Listen:
The priorities for the Coordination are quite specific, Fr Madden said, “in that the purpose of the Coordination is not to look at one particular theme and then go on to the next one. But we always act in solidarity with the people we meet every single year. And so, I suppose in some ways, in this year it’s a follow up from last year and previous years.”
Father Madden mentioned in particular the pastoral visit to Gaza ahead of the official opening of the Coordination, as the fulfilment of a promise “that we would always stay in solidarity with the people there.” The Bishops also visited the Cremisan Valley, where Christians are facing the confiscation of their land, and even destruction of their property as the Israeli government attempts to build a security wall. The Coordination returned as well to the Christian community in Beit Jala “again to show them that it’s not, we don’t just look at issues from one year, and go on to the next one, that we will always stay with those people, that we will always stay with those issues.”
The Holy Land Coordination, though, does not simply focus on Israel and the Paletinian territories. “We often, when we look at the Holy Land, we often look at only the Palestinians and the issues and the struggles that they are facing,” said Fr Madden. “But the Jordanians are also facing their own struggles; they’re also facing difficulties as well.” In Jordan, he said, the visit focused on the local Christian community and how they are “coping with the influx of refugees, but also to see the difficulties that the Jordanian Christians are facing.”
Father Madden also spoke about the objectives for the Holy Land Coordination. “I think our goal is primarily to fully see if we can inform the Bishops so that they can go home, because really the work of the Coordination takes place once we go home.” Although the visit is primarily a pastoral one, he said, it also aims at providing the Bishops with the tools they need to advocate in favour of the Christians of the Holy Land. “That’s our main goal: to fully equip the Bishops so they can be great advocates for the Church in the Holy Land, when they get back home and to their own environments.”
(from Vatican Radio)…