(Vatican Radio) The word “solidarity” maintains it “prophetic force” today, even though some people may have thought the term had seen its day, said Pope Francis on Saturday, during his message to members of the John Paul II Foundation.
Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci:
The foundation was established by papal decree in 1981 and carries out charitable work in the fields of education, science, culture and religion. It is based in the Vatican.
In his message, Pope Francis said the canonization of the late pontiff gave the foundation’s mission “a new impulse,” making it even “more universal.”
The foundation offers “a precious contribution” to the promotion of the “spiritual legacy” of Saint John Paul II, he added.
He thanked foundation members for their educational initiatives among youth – noting Saint John Paul II’s “great love for young people and special pastoral care for them” – allowing the late pontiff’s “charism and paternity (to) continue to bear fruit.”
The foundation’s formation opportunities also help to prepare priests and laity to “accompany communities faced with the cultural and pastoral challenges today,” the pope said.
“To this, you can also add the rich magisterium of social doctrine that Saint John Paul II left us, which is always actual,” he said.
One of the “key words” of social doctrine is “solidarity,” which is a word that perhaps some people thought had seen its day, said the pope. “But in reality, it retains today its prophetic force,” he said.
He urged the foundation’s members to “live this solidarity” among themselves and to nurture it with Christian fellowship, animated continually by prayer and the obedience to the Word of God.”
Learn more about the foundation at: http://www.fjp2.com/
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is praying for the victims of a major earthquake in Nepal. The major earthquake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale, shook Nepal just before noon on Saturday, causing major damage to the densely-populated Kathmandu Valley. Officials fear hundreds of people have died. The quake’s epicenter was 80 km northwest of the country’s capital, Kathmandu. The quake toppled a 100-year -old temple, split roads, and razed houses and buildings. Among the damages is the Dharahara Tower, a national monument, built by Nepal’s royal rulers in the 1800’s. Officials estimate that at least 50 people are trapped inside the collapsed structure. The quake is reported to have caused avalanches in the Mount Everest region of the Himalayas and Tremors could be felt as far away in New Delhi in neighbouring India . Vatican Radio spoke with Fr Pius Perumana, an aid worker from Caritas Nepal in Kathmandu, who said many of the houses in the tightly packed city have collapsed and survivors need emergency medical care and shelter. “I managed to reach Kathmandu, though the roads were blocked…they are still searching for survivors. The reports are still coming in…The picture is not very clear,” he said. This is Nepal’s second-worst earthquake since 1934, when an 8.0-magnitude quake destroyed three cities: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. Listen to the report by Andrew Summerson:
(from Vatican Radio)…
In Padua, Cardinal Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, gave an insight into the current thougts of the Holy Father. Speaking at the inauguration of the academic year for the Theological Faculty of Triveneto in Padua, the Cardinal commented on recent issues and the Holy Father’s thoughts and plans, particularly on terrorism, Africa, the Middle East, Cuba, the Armenian genocide, as well as on the dangers of fundamentalism.
Terrorism and the Vatican
On the recent revelation that the Vatican was an intended target of terrorists recently arrested in Italy, Cardinal Parolin commented that the “Pope is calm”, but for authorities “there is fear and it is proper, but there is not an exaggerated preoccupation with the issue and that certainly we need to be alert.” As a precaution all Vatican buildings are being guarded.
Africa
On Africa Cardinal Parolin said “after visiting Korea, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, late last year and early this year, the Pope would like to dedicate more attention to Africa,” and continued “plans are already underway to visit the continent, especially the countries that are currently faced with conflict and difficulty.”
Middle East
“The Pope has asked that the forces of the so-called Islamic State be stopped,” Cardinal Parolin went on to continue, saying that the Pope “suffers to see the walls that have arisen between the communities in the Middle East,” and that the “ongoing conflicts run the risk of fragmenting the whole region.” The Cardinal also mentioned that “for this reason, the Holy See is working to guarantee constant communication and collaboration between the different communities and also to denounce the violence that is now a daily occurrence in the region.”
Cuba
On the topic of Cuba the Cardinal said that “The Pope will go to Cuba during his planned visit to South America, especially because of the warming of relations after a long period of coldness and misunderstanding and conflict. However this process has just started and things are still fragile. It is not easy that after many years of non-communication and imcomprehension, to build a climate of mutual confidence.” Cardinal Parolin said that the Pope’s visit to the country will be an “encouragement of the process.”
Fundamentalism
With regards to the current issue of fundamentalism, the Cardinal commented that “Pope Francis speaks constantly on the dangers of fundamentalism, whether it is cultural, relgious or theological. With fundamentalism there is a grave threat to the political order because of the indefinite violence that it produces.” The Cardinal concluded that “It is up to religious people to question themselves and to participate in the construction of peace.”
The Armenia Genocide
Concerning the anniversary of the genocide in Armenia and the Pope’s comments, Cardinal Parolin said “the Pope spoke clearly and always in terms f reconciliation. When the Pope recalled the incident, it was not to elicit any animosity, but rather to approach the issues fairly, and attempt to find new ways of understanding and cooperation.”
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States. A statement released by the Holy See Press Office called the meeting “cordial”, and noted the meeting took place on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the then-Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, which took place on 19 April 1990. The statement said the two men spoke of their mutual willingness to strengthen the good bilateral relations, along with their hope of concluding negotiations with a view to stipulating a bilateral Agreement. The Parties expressed their wish to further develop cooperation between Church and State in sectors of mutual interest, especially in culture, education and social welfare, for the benefit of the entire nation. Attention then turned to the current international context, with special attention to the situation of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East. (from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with the bishops of Namibia and Lesotho, who are in Rome on their ad limina visit. “I give thanks, with you, to Almighty God for the continued witness and service of so many communities of religious brothers and sisters who are vital to the praying heart of the Church, along with the many committed sodalities and other lay associations in the Church in Lesotho and Namibia,” Pope Francis said. “For just as we have relied on them in building up the Church, both materially and spiritually, so now their role becomes ever more indispensable.” The full text of Pope Francis’ speech to the Bishops of Namibia and Lesotho Dear Brother Bishops, I greet you, the pastors of Lesotho and Namibia, in the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, on your visit to pray at the threshold of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul. By this visit you express your desire to deepen the bonds of communion with the Successor of Peter and the See of Rome. I thank Archbishop Lerotholi and Archbishop Nashenda for their kind words offered on your behalf and in the name of all entrusted to your care. You have come to Rome from the cities, towns and villages of Lesotho and Namibia, lands known for their flourishing Christian faith. The Holy Spirit planted the seeds of faith through the labours and sacrifices of many missionaries, who were sustained equally by generations of indigenous coworkers in the vineyards of the Lord. Your lands often presented great challenges, both environmental and social, but your Christian forebears persevered so that green shoots should spring up “like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams” (Is 44:4). From the deserts of Namibia to the high peaks of Lesotho, the tall tree of faith grew, giving God’s protection and shelter to many souls, nourished as it is by the waters of grace. Your countries are rightly known for their churches and chapels, parishes, mission stations and outstations, which draw many to a community life centered on prayer and work. Renowned too are your numerous schools at every level, your clinics and hospitals, built with love and faithfulness from the materials of Namibia’s soil and Lesotho’s mountains. I encourage you to continue supporting and nurturing these great blessings, even when resources are sparse, for the Lord promises that he will not fail to bless us: “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring” (Is 44:3). I know that your communities face many challenges daily, and I am sure that this weighs heavily on your hearts. Strengthen them in love to overcome selfishness in private or public life; be generous in bringing them the tenderness of Christ where threats to human life occur, from the womb to old age – and I think particularly of those suffering with HIV and AIDS. In all of this, “for their formation in Christian virtues and their growth in holiness” (Africae Munus, 109) the faithful entrusted to your care will look to you and your priest coworkers. By your devotion to them, in turn, you will “not only win them to the cause of Christ but also make them protagonists of a renewed African society” (ibid.). I think too of Christian families fragmented due to employment far away from home, or because of separation or divorce. I urge you to continue offering them help and guidance. Be of fresh resolve in preparing couples for Christian matrimony, and in constantly sustaining families by offering generously the Church’s Sacraments – ensuring in a particular way that the Sacrament of mercy is widely available. I thank you for your efforts in promoting healthy family life in the face of distorted views that emerge in contemporary society. May we all help to form families who can be purveyors of peace in the world; for “the family is the best setting for learning and applying the culture of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation” (ibid., 43). From healthy families will come numerous priestly vocations, families where men have learned “to love inasmuch as they [have been] unconditionally loved… [having learned] respect… justice… the role of authority expressed by parents [and] loving concern for the members who are weaker” (ibid., 42-43). The children of such families will more readily be open to a life of unconditional service to the family of the Church. In a time of an apparent decrease in vocations to the priesthood and to religious life, it is important to speak openly about the fulfilling and joyful experience of offering one’s life to Christ. For when your Christian communities are built up by your own continued example of “living in truth and joy your priestly commitments, celibacy in chastity and detachment from material possessions” (ibid., 111), then vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life will most certainly abound. Continue, too, the demanding work of guiding, with personal and paternal care, every vocation properly discerned as well as all your priests already ordained, so that with the nourishment of ongoing formation these coworkers in the Lord’s fields may be nurtured and sustained throughout their priestly lives. I ask you to convey to them my spiritual closeness and prayerful support. Careful spiritual attention in developing pastoral plans needs to be offered to the poorest in your societies (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 33); I have found that “whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, then there will be no more place for the poor” (ibid., 2). I ask you to be particularly mindful of those most in need in your Churches, entrusting all your initiatives to God’s care, for he is “able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work” (2 Cor 9:7). In living this way, you will help all the faithful discover the greatest richness: the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I give thanks, with you, to Almighty God for the continued witness and service of so many communities of religious brothers and sisters who are vital to the praying heart of the Church, along with the many committed sodalities and other lay associations in the Church in Lesotho and Namibia. For just as we have relied on them in building up the Church, both materially and spiritually, so now their role becomes ever more indispensable. I urge you, finally, to persevere as men of deep and constant prayer, in the way of Blessed Joseph Gerard, who listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in all matters. Prayer precedes and leads to authentic evangelization. As you know from experience, when the Church summons all Christians to constantly take up anew the task of evangelizing the world, “she is simply pointing to the source of authentic personal fulfilment” (Evangelii Gaudium, 10); that is, she is showing us the path to our deepest happiness. Dear Brothers, on returning home may you be like the tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in due season, whose leaves do not wither; may you prosper in all that you do (cf. Ps 1). May your visit here lead you to bring Christ’s healing mercy ever more abundantly to all for whom you have care. Commending you and the faithful whom you serve in Lesotho and Namibia to the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, who rekindles our hearts in service of her Son, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and joy in the Risen Lord. To him be glory for ever and ever. From the Vatican, 24 April 2015 (from Vatican Radio)…