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Events Today in Church History

     For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on TIME CAPSULES: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

THIS DAY IN CHURCH HISTORY

Historical Events in Church Annals for July 21:

1542 A.D.


Pope Paul III establishes the Inquisition in Rome. It had already been tested in Spain and France. Now, with the Protestant Reformation it was decided to set it up in Rome under the guidance of the Jesuits which he had given official approval as an Order in 1534.

1571 A.D.


Pope Saint Pius V decrees that the Inquisition be extended to the Portuguese Navy where dissension forced this move.

1619 A.D.


Death of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi. For more on this saint, see TODAY'S LITURGY.

1900 A.D.


Pope Leo XIII issues his 75th encyclical - Omnibus compertum aimed at the Patriarch and bishops of the Greek-Melkite rite on unity among Greek Melkites with Rome.

Those trying to capitalize on Mother Teresa had better think twice

     Mother Teresa's hand-picked successor Sister Nirmala has spoken out strongly for the founder of the Missionaries of Charity in asserting that no one has the right to use Mother's name or image to further any other cause simply because Mother would not allow it when she lived. The most recent flap is over plans to erect a statue and rename a street as well as an annual award. Regardless of the intent, the Missionaries of Charity remain adamantly opposed. For more, click on Missionaries of Charity

      CALCUTTA, India (CWN) - Mother Teresa's religious order on Friday was told to mind its own business by the head of an Indian memorial committee after the order protested plans to erect a monument establish a "Mother Teresa Award" in her honor.

      Sister Nirmala, Mother Teresa's successor as head of the Missionaries of Charity, sent a letter to the memorial committee asking them to cease their plans. "... the Missionaries of Charity, abiding by Mother's spirit, asks that the plans for the erection of the statue, the renaming of Park Street, and the institution (of the award) be dropped; and that the Mother Teresa Memorial Committee, with its office and proposed bank account be dissolved immediately," Sister Nirmala's letter said.

      "I completely disapprove of setting up this committee and of its having its own office and bank account ... Mother did not allow any fundraising whatsoever to be conducted using her name," she said in the letter.

      Shyam Sundar Gupta, chairman of the committee, told reporters that he plans to go on despite the objections. "We have the government's permission," he said. The committee plans to erect a bronze statue at a cost of 800,000 rupees ($19,000) and wants to confer a "Mother Teresa Award" and rechristen Calcutta's Park Street "Mother Teresa Street." Gupta said in a written reply to Sister Nirmala, "Your uncalled-for interference is not only beyond your authority but also undermines the very dignity of Mother Teresa .... We would request you henceforth to please mind your own business."

      Mother Teresa, who won the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize and was considered by many to be a living saint for her worldwide work for the poor and downtrodden, died on September 6, 1997 after nearly 50 years of service in India.

Vatican to release special document regulating Bishops' Conferences on Thursday

     Nothing like starting off with a bang. No sooner will the Holy Father return from his vacation in the Dolomite Mountains than he will usher a pivotal document on theological and canonical status of bishops' conferences that could greatly affect the NCCB and other organizations. It is another opportunity for the Pope to reign in the liberal bishops who have struck out on their own agendas, infiltrating the body of bishops with their liberal platforms. For more, click on Bishops' Conferences.

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- In a new apostolic letter which will be published next week, Pope John Paul II discusses the theological and canonical status of episcopal conferences.

      The new document, which will be known as Apostolos Suos, will be presented to the press on July 23 at a news conference in Rome, with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presiding.

      Meanwhile during his brief vacation, Pope John Paul II visited the town of Borno, Italy, for his Sunday Angelus audience and issued a message to people who are "far from the Church, or non-believers."

      Surrounded by a dense crowd-- estimated by some observers at 30,000-- in the small town at the foot of the Alps, the Holy Father urged the non-believers who might hear his words: "Don't be afraid to search for God."

      The Pope arrived in the town by helicopter, and was greeted by Bishop Bruno Foresti of the local Brescia diocese. He noted that this was the birthplace of Archbishop Giovanni Re, the Vatican official whom he praised as "my very near and dear collaborator." It is also a town where Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini-- later to be Pope Paul VI-- often spent vacations with his parents, and where that pope celebrated his first Mass after his priestly ordination in 1920.

      The Pope urged the residents of the region to pray for their young people, that they might follow the example of the pontiff who arose from their midst, and that many might follow "the example of his firm adherence to the Lord on the road of priesthood or consecrated life."

      Several times during his visit, the Pope stopped to admire the view of the mountains that surround the village.

If Russia has its way missionaries will go the way of the dinosaur

     There is an advertising slogan that we've been pummeled with over the past few years that goes: "Bring your Visa, because they don't accept American Express." Well, it would seem that Russia wants to add to that with "Bring your visa because we don't accept Americans or any other foreign priests." That is what could happen if new rules are implemented in Russia that would greatly hinder the Catholic Church in the country which Our Lady asked for conversion for at Fatima. For more, click on Russia.

      MOSCOW (CWNews.com/KNS) - The Russian government is ready to implement a new visa system that could prevent the Catholic Church from bringing foreign priests into the country to provide for its parishes, according to Moscow's Institute of Religion and Law.

      In the rules already distributed to Russian consulates worldwide, visa applicants must specify the reason for their visit. The categories numbered 54, 55 and 56 -- "'religious affairs," "charitable," and "humanitarian" -- allow visas only for three-month periods. Unlike foreign athletes or businessmen, foreigners in those three categories are not given the right to extend their stays in Russia or to apply for multiple-entry visas.

      Catholic parishes in Russia are dependent on foreign-born priests and will likely remain so for at least another generation because the first post-Communist seminary was only opened in 1990. Father Antoni Gei of the apostolic administration in Moscow told Keston on July 14 that two nuns, one from Poland and one from Slovakia, have already been denied visa renewals on the basis of the new regulations.

Congress trying to right wrongs heaped on pro-lifers

     Claiming free speech is at the heart of public demonstration, a group of Republican congressman are launching a bill that will protect pro-life groups against the charges of racketeering and uphold their right to assemble in front of abortuaries. The bill is being introduced to right the wrongs done from the interpretation by a Chicago judge of accusing the pro-lifers of racketeering. For more, click on Pro-Life bill.

      WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - Congressional Republicans introduced a new bill last week that would change racketeering laws to protect the freedom of speech for grassroots organizations, such as pro-life groups.

      The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Shadegg, R-Arizona, was prompted by an April court victory by the National Organization for Women against the Pro-Life Action Network using the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Supporters said the legislation would protect protesters' rights to free speech from opponents using the law to shut them down.

      "It was never the intention that (the law) be used against advocacy groups," said Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Florida, chairman of the crime subcommittee. "I am committed to preventing a statute created to punish true criminal wrongdoing from being used to chill the expression of a viewpoint with which some people may disagree," he said. The Justice Department registered its opposition to the measure, saying it "would grievously impair the United States' ability to combat organized crime's corrupt influence over labor unions and labor-management relations."

For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site. CWN is not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

     Today is the Sixteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time and the feast of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi while tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Disciple of the Lord. For the readings, liturgy and meditations for both days, click on LITURGY FOR THE DAY.

Tuesday July 21:
Sixteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time and
Feast of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest, Religious and Docstor of the Church

Green or White vestments

First Reading: Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20
Psalms: Psalm 85: 2-8
Gospel Reading: Matthew 12: 46-50

      Born in Brindisi in the Kingdom of Naples shortly after the Protestant Reformation in 1559, Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was born as Caesare de Rossi. He is one of the few saints who was born and died on the same day - July 22nd. He was educated by the Conventual Franciscans in Naples and also sent for further studies under his uncle at St. Mark's in Venice. At 16 he joined the Capuchin order in Verona and was given the name Lawrence. His keen mind and tremendous zeal earned him the honor of studying at the University of Padua where he mastered several languages from Latin and Greek to Hebrew and Aramaic, not to mention French and German. After his ordination as a Capuchin priest, he became known far and wide as an astute preacher. However his administrative prowess led to his election as Provincial for the Order in Genoa, Tuscany and Venice, in addition to Switzerland where the Reformation had dug in deeply. At the turn of the seventeenth century Lawrence was sent to the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II to seek his military support for Naples and join the Catholic League against the Turks. He was successful and joined the troops on the front line as head chaplain with only the Crucifix as his weapon. It was enough as he led the men valiantly into battle at Szekesfehervar where they were victorious for the cause of Christ. A year later he returned to Naples where he was unanimously elected Superior General of the Capuchins. While holding this position of Vicar General he not only established the Order in Austria, Moravia and Tyrol but traveled into the heart of Germany to counter the fall-out effects of Luther's campaign. Rudolph was so impressed with Lawrence that he solicited the saint to recruit the various German rulers to join the Catholic League in their on-going battles with the Turks. In 1605 the Capuchins overwhelmingly chose Lawrence to serve another term but he gratefully declined, to concentrate more on evangelization to other countries. One of these countries included Spain where he convinced the Spanish King Philip III to join the Catholic League and received imperial permission to found a Capuchin house in Madrid. His success prompted the Holy Father Pope Paul V to appoint Lawrence Papal Nuncio. In 1618 he resigned his position and retreated to his beloved homeland of Brindisi in Naples to live out the rest of his life, but God had other plans. At the persistence of the Neapolitan rulers, he was sent to Spain to seek military support against the duke of Osuna, a Spanish subject. Again his mission was successful and the duke was recalled to Spain for a harsh chastising by the king. However, the trip took its toll on Lawrence who had struggled with the sweltering summer heat and became seriously dehydrated. Shortly after his mission had been accomplished he fell into a coma and died in Lisbon on his sixtieth birthday - July 22, 1619. Two hundred and sixty two years later Pope Leo XIII canonized Lawrence and that was topped by Pope John XXIII on July 21, 1959 when he proclaimed Lawrence of Brindisi the distinguished title of Doctor of the Church.

Wednesday July 22:
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, Disciple of the Lord

White vestments

First Reading: Jeremiah 1: 1, 4-10
Psalms: Psalm 71: 1-6, 15, 17
Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-2, 11-18

      One of the greatest examples of Jesus' claim that He came for sinners was hid dear, loyal disciple Saint Mary Magdalene from Magdala near the Sea of Galilee. This beautiful Jewish woman was caught up in the world, the flesh and the devil until she met Jesus. He saw right into her soul and she knew instantly in her heart she needed to totally repent of her life of sin as a prostitute by following Our Lord into the house of a rich man, and, oblivious to the taunts and jeers from others, knelt at His feet and washed His precious feet with her tears and expensive ointment. Jesus was moved at her repentance and cast out seven devils (cf Mark 16: 9, Luke 8: 2) from her body. From that time on The Magdalen was one of the most loyal followers of Jesus. Aside from His Own Blessed Mother, no one stuck by Our Lord through thick and thin more than Mary Magdalene throughout His ministry and at the foot of the Cross. Christ Himself rewarded her for her devotion and persistence by being the first one He appeared to after His Resurrection (cf. John 20: 1-18). After the Ascension, there are some reports that Mary Magdalene retreated to the desert to live out her life in prayer and penance, while Eastern tradition claims Mary Magdalene accompanied the Blessed Mother and Saint John to Ephesus after Pentecost where The Magdalen died peacefully and was buried there. The latter bears believability since her relics were found in Ephesus, transfered to the Monastery of St. Lazarus in Constantinople in 899. Her feast was first celebrated in the 10th Century and spread to the entire Church in the 11th Century.

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July 21, 1998 volume 9, no. 141   DAILY CATHOLIC