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MONDAY February 7, 2000 vol. 11, no. 26 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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While Bill Clinton demonized everyone but himself and his Democratic cronies at the 50th annual Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. late last week, the Holy Father pulled no punches in asserting through a special message carried in today's VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS that every politician, regardless of party, nationality or creed has a moral responsibility by the office they hold to uphold the sanctity of life and human values that preserve God-given rights. continued inside
VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- In a message to the United States, released on
February 5 to coincide with the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington,
Pope John Paul II has challenged Americans to live up to their
responsibilities in defending human life.
The Pope's message, addressed to the US Congress, was conveyed to the
participants in the National Prayer Breakfast-- including President Bill
Clinton-- by the papal nuncio in Washington, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo.
"We are confronting the burning question of the protection of the inalienable
right to life of every human being, from conception to natural death," the
Pope wrote. Although his message does not mention specific threats to that
right-- such as abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty-- the Pontiff
urges American leaders to provide "legal protection to all the members of
the human community, in particular the weakest and most vulnerable."
The Pope also emphasized the "moral responsibility" of American political
leaders. He said that key moral questions cannot be considered as "purely
private" affairs, observing that the entire world looks to the United States for
leadership, especially on matters involving human rights.
President Bill Clinton told
the 50th annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday that
the politics of demonization had poisoned Washington, DC,
and was making inroads throughout society.
Speaking to an audience of members of Congress,
administration officials, religious leaders, and other
visitors, including former Independent Counsel Kenneth
Starr, Clinton said he was troubled at the "resurgence of
society's oldest demon, the inability to love our closest
neighbors as ourselves if they look or worship differently
from the rest of us."
The president pointed to Northern Ireland where continued
fighting between Catholic republicans and Protestant
unionists threatened the fragile peace accords and joint
government; discord in peace talks between Israel,
Palestinians, and Syria; border skirmishes between India
and Pakistan; and fighting between Christians and Muslims
in the Balkans and Indonesia. He then turned his focus to
the US where he said ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and
religious groups, including Jews, are subject to attacks
"because of who they are."
"And here in Washington, we are not blameless for we often,
too, forget in the heat of political battle our common
humanity," he said. "We slip from honest difference, which
is healthy, into dishonest demonization," Clinton said. "We
ignore when we're all tight and in a fight all those
biblical admonitions we profess to believe, that we all see
through a glass darkly, that with St. Paul we all do what we
would not, and we do not do what we would."
Clinton did not mention specific instances of demonization,
but in recent months the president, members of his own
party, and campaign workers for Democratic campaigners have
used demonization to attack their Republican opponents. In
January, Donna Brazile, campaign manager for Vice President
Al Gore's presidential campaign, said Republicans would
rather take pictures with black children than feed them. In
December, other administration officials and Democrat
senators called Republican senators racist for voting
against confirming a black nominee to a federal judgeship.
It was an interesting meeting between the Holy Father and President Abdurrahman Wahid, Indonesia's Muslim leader ever since B.J. Habibe was forced to stepped down after the East Timor trajedy. The two, meeting at the Vatican at the conclusion of Wahid's European tour, dealt with sensitive but necessary topics including how to stem the violence and build on respect and trust between Muslims and Christians. continued inside.
VATICAN CITY, FEB 6 (ZENIT).- The touchiest issues of Indonesia's
explosive situation were dealt with yesterday by John Paul II and the
country's president, Abdurraman Wahid, who came to the Vatican
accompanied by a party of ten.
In the development of the encounters that have taken place in the Holy
See between the Indonesian leader and the Bishop of Rome, along with the
Secretary of State of the Vatican Cardinal Sodano, opinions about the
situation of Indonesia were exchanged, "giving particular attention to
interreligious dialogue and to peaceful coexistence between the various
communities of the country," explained an official note from the Vatican
Press Office at the end of the meetings. Also mentioned were "the
situation of the two parts of the island of Timor, and that of the Asian
Continent in general."
A moderate Muslim and "layman," Wahid, 59 years old, visited the Pope at
the end of his tour of the European capitals.
Indonesia was described by the international news report of "Radio
Vatican" as "a country in search of a stable democracy, menaced by the
risk of a coup d'état at the hands of the military." This nation
experiences violent, historical separatist currents, some of which "have
been partially resolved -- such as the case of East Timor -- while
others have reached a worrying point of crisis, as is the case in the
province of Aceh. The economical and social imbalance between the Muslim
majority and the Christian minority has provoked conflicts that in the
Molucan archipelago have taken the lives of 1,700 since the end of last
year," indicated the report.
With 200 million inhabitants, Indonesia is the country with the largest
Islamic population. The future of the nation now rests in the hands of
Wahid, who the radio report described as "a man capable of establishing
democratic ideals, a statesman more inclined to dialog than to exercise
power in an authoritarian way -- political characteristics that have won
him international recognition."
Upon taking power Wahid proposed two objectives: to preserve the
territorial integrity of Indonesia, and to put its economic regeneration
into motion. These are two tremendous challenges for a country that has
been humiliated by the events in East Timor, and which is undergoing a
delicate phase of transition from an autocratic regime, based on
military power, to democracy. But President Wahid has moved decisively,
maintaining united all the pieces which form the complex Indonesian
mosaic of diverse ethnic groups, religions, social situations, and
economic realities.
The referendum that gave East Timor its independence has undoubtedly
enkindled the secessionist hopes of other provinces such as Aceh and
Rianjaya, whose battle against the capital Jakarta has lasted years,
embittered by the brutal repression unleashed in the past by the army
against the civilian population. Until now, Wahid has attempted to offer
ample autonomy on the one hand, and, on the other, to deter those who
wish to impose martial law so as to prevent new manifestations of those
seeking independence.
Wahid's success is not guaranteed, but he is using every chance
available to demonstrate that things have indeed changed in Jakarta, and
that the international community can trust the new government,
especially when it comes to respect for human rights.
In this regard, his confrontation with General Wiranto, whom the
investigating Commission created by Wahid singled out as one of the
Generals responsible for the crimes committed in East Timor, is of
particular interest. The future of Wahid could depend on the outcome of
this battle, given that the most severe threats to his plans stem from
military circles close to the ex-dictator Suharto, who withdrew in May
1998.
It is precisely for this reason that Wahid toured the old Continent:
with his visit to Europe and the Vatican, Wahid seeks the West's support
of his political project.
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All Catholics in Glasgow, Scotland are going to hear personally from their shepherd Cardinal Thomas Winning, Archbishop of Glasgow, who is featured in today's COLLEGE OF CARDINALS for he is reaching out to each and every person who professes to be Catholic - both practicing and lapsed in an effort to reunify them and bring back many prodigals to the Church and "build up communities formed by the Gospel." continued inside.
GLASGOW (CWNews.com) - Every Catholic family in Glasgow
Archdiocese is to receive a personal letter from Scotland's
Cardinal Thomas Winning inviting them to rediscover the
power of God.
The letter, which will be delivered to 100,000 homes over
the next few weeks, as part of the archdiocese's Jubilee
Year Project to reach those Catholics who do not come to
church.
"Our priority is to reach out to all the baptized, not just
those who attend Mass," Father Paul Conroy told the February
edition of Flourish. "The Church is a place where people are
entitled to be welcome and belong even if they do not
exercise that experience. We want to make sure that message
reaches every Catholic family."
Father Conroy, who is Glasgow's Episcopal Vicar for
Pastoral Action, continued: "The Jubilee Project aims to
give the maximum number of people an experience of the kind
of neighborhood group which could be a central and permanent
part of our diocesan programme of renewal."
"We have to bridge the gap between life and faith," he
continued. "Too often what we profess and how we live our
lives are at odds. By coming together and looking at our
lives in the light of the Gospel, then we can support and
encourage each other to more effectively witness to the
life of Christ."
Cardinal Winning's letter invites Catholics to "make a
journey of faith and discovery with me this year."
He writes: "This is the year to come back to God and the
Church. Let's find out together how alive and active the
Gospel is. Let's take the Good News into our families and
build up communities formed by the Gospel."
Meanwhile south of Glasgow in London, a parish priest has tweaked the consciences of not just his parishioners but of parishioners the world over by reminding them that when they leave Mass before the Final Blessing, they are emulating Judas Iscariot who left the Last Supper before it was finished. It's something to seriously think about in every parish where many make a mass exodus after Communion before the Holy Mass is completed. continued inside.
LONDON (CWNews.com) - A Worcestershire, England, priest has
admonished his parishioners who leave Sunday Mass before the
end by reminding them that the traitor Judas was the first
to leave the Last Supper.
Father Patrick Brannigan shocked some of the congregation
at St. Peter's Church, Bromsgrove, by telling them he knew
that people were disappearing from the back pews the moment
his back was turned.
"I know it was a bit naughty of me," he told today's
Universe newspaper, "but I am tired of people tripping out
while I am turned to face the altar during the final hymn.
The back pews are full when I do this and then by the time
I turn around they are empty."
"I reminded them that Judas was the only person to leave
the Last Supper early," he said.
Some of the escapees claimed they had no choice as they
risked missing the bus home but Father Brannigan said the
excuse didn't explain such an exodus. "I am sure that many
do have to catch a bus," he said. "But if everyone was
doing so the bus would be full before it set off."
An on-going feud between Puerto Rico and the Department of Defense and United States Navy seems to be intensifying as the U.S. Navy artillery at a firing range continues to disrupt the locals, so much so that Bishop Corrada del Rio, Bishop of Caguas has authorized a peaceful demonstration to protest the fact that the Navy will not cease for another three years which is much too long for the local citizens. The interesting aspect of all this is that Bishop del Rio is the former Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, D.C. continued inside.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CWNews.com) - The Apostolic
Administrator of Caguas, Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio, has
announced that the Diocese will establish a tent on the
island of Vieques, as a way to protest peacefully against
its use as a firing range by the US Navy.
Vieques island has been at the center of a tense debate
between Puerto Rico and Washington. Located in the past in
an unpopulated area of Puerto Rico, the island was used for
naval weapons training with live ammunition. Since the
population has grown in the region of Caguas, moving closer
to the island, Puerto Ricans have been asking the Navy to
stop using the island for the risk it represents to the
population and the environment. In a recent agreement,
President Bill Clinton has announced that maneuvers will
stop in the year 2003, but many in Caguas think the offer
is not satisfactory.
Bishop Corrada del Rio, a former Auxiliary Bishop of
Washington, DC, arrived on February 2 with a delegation of
Catholics, including Vieques' pastor, Father Nelson Lopez,
to establish the protest tent where a group of lay people
will remain for "several days."
"The tent, placed in the forbidden area under control of
the Navy, is a way to express peacefully our protest and
frustration at the way the Puerto Rican governor and the
President have decided the future of the area without even
taking into account the urgent needs of the people," said
Bishop Corrada. "Once again, only the Church seems to be
standing for them."
Bishop Corrada, a Spanish-born Jesuit, said that a priest
each day will join the group of protesters, and that he has
"strongly emphasized that this must be a peaceful protest,
and that no force must be used against" the eventual
enforcers.
Before departing for the protest area, Bishop Corrada
celebrated a Mass in honor of Our Lady of Candelaria and
exhorted all Catholics to pray for a solution to the
conflict.
"Wait and see! Watch and pray!" Those area the watchwords of Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano and Archbishop of Vienna and president of the Austrian Bishops' Conference Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn after the Freedom Party took power in Austria. The latter has expressed alarming signs that it could be a throwback to the fascist, Nazi parties of seventy years ago and the comments of its leader have already caused incendiary reactions with the EUC announcing sanctions and many citizens protesting. continued inside.
VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The Vatican is closely monitoring the political
situation in Austria, but not rushing to react to the installation of a new
government, according to Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
Cardinal Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State, cautioned that "we should
not move too fast" in reacting to the inclusion of the right-wing Freedom
Party in the Austrian cabinet. "The Holy See does not have the habit of
making premature judgments about individuals or programs," he said.
The European Union has already announced sanctions against Austria
because of the inclusion of the Freedom Party, whose leaders have made
(and later retracted) some statements indicating sympathies for the Nazi
regime.
If the new Austrian government does undertake any projects "contrary to
Christian morality," the cardinal continued, Catholic citizens of Austria should
be among the first to respond. The Austrian bishops would be next in line to
speak out against such policies, he added, "and then, after that, the Holy See."
He concluded by saying, "If the new government has anything to say, the
Holy See is always ready to talk."
The Austrian bishops' conference has taken a similar approach. Vienna's
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, the president of the bishops' conference,
issued a statement indicating that "the bishops will not intervene in the
formation of the government, but will examine its programs carefully." He
said that the bishops would be especially interested in how the government
handles "the important questions involving justice, tolerance, peace, human
rights, and respect for life in all its stages." Cardinal Schoenborn himself
celebrated Mass in the Vienna cathedral on Friday, February 4, offering the
Eucharistic sacrifice for "the political situation today" in Austria.
Like the Vatican has so far this year, they will provide some surprises during the three day tridium of February 10-13 when thousands of pilgrims will flock to Rome for healing and to celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sick sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. Some of the surprises will be velvet glove treatment of some patients who will be escorted by licensed medical professionals and taxied to the various venues during this special weekend. continued inside.
VATICAN CITY, FEB 6 (ZENIT). - From February 10-13, thousands of
pilgrims will witness to the fact that "suffering has a positive
meaning," when they come to celebrate the Jubilee of the Sick and Health
Care Workers. Yesterday, at the Holy See's press office, Archbishop
Javier Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for the
Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, presented the program and
objective of this project. Also, Pope John Paul II showed his deep
interest in this celebration today in his Angelus message, inviting all
those suffering from illness to unite themselves to this Jubilee
celebration.
Some 20 thousand pilgrims are expected to participate in this
celebration, 4,100 of them will be victims of various illnesses. The
Holy See has seen to it that the participants of this event will find
adequate lodging in hotels or private houses.
The sick will be accompanied by those dedicated to their service:
nurses, pharmacists, and, obviously, doctors. The most important events
will be the opening Mass, which will be held Thursday at St. Paul
Outside the Walls and the Jubilee Mass in St. Peter's Square, celebrated
by the Holy Father. During this Mass the Holy Father will personally
administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to ten pilgrims
stricken by illness. On Friday afternoon pilgrims will process with
candles in hand down the Via della Conciliazione to St. Peters Square,
where they will be treated to a festival of lights and sounds. The
organizers have not revealed the details of this event in order to keep
it a surprise.
On Saturday, at the Colosseum, a Way of the Cross will be held. A few
hours later the pilgrims will once again meet for a celebration in Paul
IV Hall. For this Jubilee celebration, during the most important
events, there will be a radio and television hook-up with some of the
most important Marian Shrines like Czestochowa, Guadalupe, Lourdes,
Yamossoukro (Ivory Coast), Sydney, and the U.S. National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception.
Archbishop Lozano says that the purpose of this Jubilee celebration is
"to tell the whole world that suffering has a positive meaning, and more
than this, that it can become a source of life for all of humanity when
it is lived with Christ. Any sick person can offer his suffering to
Christ in order to find meaning in it. In this way he unites his
afflictions to the Redeemer's, transforming them into a wellspring of
integral health, including physical."
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