 |
MONDAY February 14, 2000 vol. 11, no. 31 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
e-mail: webmaster@dailycatholic.org |
|
| ||||
Truly moved by the display of faith, hope, and love that translated to joy among the thousands of sick who flocked to the Vatican for World Day for the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes this past Friday, the Holy Father emphasized the tremendous graces gained for the entire Church through their suffering and thanked them despite their pain and illnesses during his homily of an outdoor Papal Mass in St. Peter's Square. continued inside
VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The Jubilee celebration for the sick reached its
culmination at the Vatican on February 11-- the feast of Our Lady of
Lourdes-- as Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Square for a
congregation of thousands of people suffering from various forms of illness.
"My dear suffering brothers and sisters, we owe you a debt. The Church
owes you this debt, and the Pope as well. Pray for us!" the Pope said in his
remarks at the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration. The Holy Father was
doing his best to emphasize a message that he has delivered frequently
during his pontificate: that the sufferings of the sick, along with their
prayers, are a powerful source of grace for the universal Church. On the day
after his election to Peter's throne, the Pope visited the Gemelli Hospital in
Rome, to ask a friend (Cardinal Andrej Deskur) to offer up his sufferings for
the success of the pontificate.
More than 1,200 volunteers were on hand to assist the members of the
unusual congregation for this papal Mass. There were at least 2,400
wheelchairs in use in St. Peter's Square, and 280 specially equipped buses
were used to shuttle the faithful from their hotels to the Vatican and back.
Special first-aid stations had been set up for the occasion, and portable
heaters were installed around the altars in case of cold weather. (As it
happens, the weather was mild throughout the day, and the heaters were
not needed.)
"You are welcome here," the Pope said in his homily during the Mass. "You
are close to the heart of Peter's successor, who feels your worries and your
pains as his own." He continued, in a firm voice: "Some of you have been
confined on a bed of suffering for years. I pray to God that this meeting and
this day will be a source of physical and spiritual comfort for such people."
He added that even healthy people should recognize and contemplate on "the
redemptive value of suffering."
The Pope pointed out that the Church, "following the example of Christ," pays
particular attention to those who suffer from physical illness, and that one of
the seven sacraments is dedicated specifically to their pastoral needs. During
the day's ceremony he anointed 10 people with Sacrament of the Sick.
The day's celebration was a logistical tour-de-force for organizers who were
led by the Italian group UNITALSI, which arranged transportation for
15,000 people in special trains and buses from around Italy and France.
Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the head diplomat for the Holy See and Secretary for Relations with States pulled no punches in lambasting the UN for its continuing disregard for human life in all its stages and pointed out the various programs that openly promote abortion and contraception that cater to the culture of death. continued inside.
VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- The Vatican's chief foreign-policy representative
has condemned UN programs that seek to promote contraception and
abortion.
Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the Secretary for Relations with States, issued
a somber warning against "threats to human life" in his February 11
remarks to the Pontifical Academy for Life. The Academy was meeting in
Rome to discuss Pope John Paul's encyclical Evangelium Vitae, which was
published in March 1995.
Archbishop Tauran lamented that many offenses against the dignity of
human life are now treated as if they were fundamental rights. He pointed
out that the drive to promote contraception and abortion began several
years ago, amid fears that the earth's population would outstrip the
availability of food and other basic necessities. "Those fears are now
recognized as unfounded," he observed. But now the proponents of abortion
and contraception have shifted their rhetorical strategy, saying that these
measures are necessary in order to give 'individuals freedom over their own
bodies."
The archbishop said that UN conferences-- such as the Cairo conference on
population in 1994, and the Beijing conference on women in 1995-- had seen
important battles between proponents and foes of abortion and
contraception. He explained to his audience that some groups use these
conferences to introduce new theories in international law-- theories that
will later be invoked to justify changes in international policies or in the
laws of smaller nations. He pointed out that many international bodies--
such as the World Health Organization and the Red Cross-- have now been
enlisted in efforts to promote "emergency contraception" in places such as
Rwanda and Kosovo.
As if the plight of the Sudanese Catholics wasn't bad enough, the military of Sudan launched an air assault last week peppering two villages with bombs. Several of those missiles hit the Catholic school of Holy Cross in Kauda, Sudan killing 14 first-graders studying English outside. The Bishop of the Diocese of Kauda called it truly a "slaughter of the innocents." continued inside.
KAUDA, SUDAN, FEB 13 (ZENIT).- On Tuesday, government bombs fell on Holy
Cross School in Kauda, Sudan, in the Nuba Mountains. Fourteen children
and one teacher were killed outright, and seventeen other students were
wounded, some critically.
Local eyewitnesses stated that the government plane dropped eight more
bombs on two villages close to the school and the whole attack lasted no
more than 15 minutes. A three-foot wide crater marks the spot where one
bomb fell near the classrooms. Most of the victims were part of a
first-grade class studying English outside under the shade of a tree.
According to a Feb. 11 Reuters report, Sudanese government officials
defended the attack, saying that schools are a legitimate target in the
country's long-running civil war. "The bombs landed where they were
supposed to land," Dirdiery Ahmed, an official in the Sudanese embassy
in Nairobi, told Reuters. Government officials claimed that the school
was part of a military camp.
Bishop Macram Max Gassis of El Obeid, whose jurisdiction includes the
Nuba Mountains, and who founded Holy Cross School, is presently in the
United States raising funds to help the people of his diocese. He made a
statement on the attack on February 11.
Bishop Gassis stated that Holy Cross is the only well-established school
in the area, with more than 300 students. "Truly, this is a 'slaughter
of the innocents,' an unbridled attempt to destroy the Nuba's hope, and,
indeed, their future by destroying their children," stated the Bishop,
recent recipient of the William Wilberforce Award for his work with his
people.
According to the Bishop, the Khartoum regime will not rest until the
Christian and animist population of Southern Sudan is wiped out. "I have
time and time again told the world that the National Islamic Front
regime in Khartoum has been, and is conducting a campaign of genocide
aimed at exterminating the Christian, African, and non-Arab populations
of Sudan in order to establish a uniform Arab-Islamic fundamentalist
state in the heart of Africa. This terrible, heart-breaking incident is
yet another piece of evidence, if more were still needed, that the war
in Sudan is a religious and ethnic war launched by Khartoum and aimed at
the destruction of my people."
The Bishop closed his statement with an appeal for help from the world.
The Peter's Voice web site has set up a home page for Bishop Gassis to
provide more information about Sudan:
http://www.petersvoice.com/bishop.htm .
ZE00021320
Outraged at the liberal, permissiveness permeating a sex education symposium in San Juan last week, Father Richard Welch, President of Human Life International, the foremost organization promoting the Sanctity of Life in the world founded by Father Paul Marx, OSB, has challenged the organizers, and any speakers they want to provide, to a debate so Fr. Welch can debunk the lies that threaten to cloud the minds and hearts of so many. He is especially concerned for the people of Puerto Rico where he served pastoral duty for a dozen years. continued inside.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, JAN 13 (ZENIT).- Fr. Richard Welch, President of
Human Life International, has challenged the leaders of a symposium
hosted by the University of Puerto Rico to a public debate. He claims
that the symposium is presenting a false and dangerous image of human
sexuality to the young people in attendence.
The forum was held from Februay 9-11. Speakers included prostitutes from
various countries speaking on the "criminalization" of sexuality, such
as pornography and prostitution, and affiliates of Planned Parenthood
explaining "services" in sexual matters. A government minister also
explained about the U.S. Territory's sex education programs.
Fr. Welch said that the University "has given a wide forum to
prostitution, pornography,
sexual experimentation, abortion and contraception. Is this what
education is about? What sex educators are really doing is raising a
generation without God, a generation taught too soon about the mechanics
of sex and not taught at all about God's Plan for love and intimacy."
According to the priest, this is ultimately a question of parents'
rights and responsibilities. "I am asking parents to say NO to sex
education. Parents have the primary and grave responsibility to teach
their children about human sexuality, and that means a teaching based on
moral principles and the tender ages of the children."
Fr. Welch, who served as a parish priest in Puerto Rico for 12 years,
concluded, "Let's see if the leaders of this symposium can stand up to
the truth. Let's bring this debate into the public forum and let people
hear and decide what is best for their children."
ZE00020823
Congolese rebels have taken Archbishop Kataliko Emmanuel of the Archdiocese of Bukuvu in the Republic of the Congo a hostage because of his "inciting" his flock to oppose military occupation by Rwandan troops. It all stems from the bitter fued with the Tutsi tribe that goes back to the massacres in the early nineties. The Archbishop was enroute to Kampala when he was ambushed by the rebels. He is being held in Kigali and not being treated kindly by his captors. continued inside.
NAIROBI, KENYA, FEB 13 (ZENIT).- The Assumptionist Community of Nairobi
reports that Archbishop Kataliko Emmanuel of Bukavu, Republic of the
Congo, has been taken hostage by the military forces of Kigali, Rwanda.
The Archbishop left Nairobi Friday evening, headed for Kampala. The
Assumptionists received contradictory phone-calls about the Archbishop's
whereabouts thereafter. His life appears to be in danger.
Reuters reported February 11 that the Congolese rebels against President
Laurent Kabila, who are supported by the Rwandan military, had declared
Archbishop Kataliko "persona non grata," claiming that he was inciting
hatred against the Tutsis. This apparently refers to a pastoral letter
the Archbishop wrote in December calling for residents of south Kivu to
peacefully oppose the "oppression" and "occupation" of their land by
Rwandans aided by Congolese nationals. President Kabila originally came
to power supported by Congolese and Rwandan Tutsis. Since then, there
has been a falling out, and his support comes from Zimbabwe and Angola.
According to the information given to the Assumptionists by Congolese
authorities, the Archbishop is being held in Kigali. The religious do
not know any way to send aid to him, and are waiting in prayer, trying
to encourage the population.
ZE00021322
Meanwhile in China the same harassment continues with word that an eighth Roman Catholic bishop has been arrested according to the Cardinal Kung Foundation in America. The latest is 80 year-old Archbishop John Yang Shudao of Fuzhou who was apprehended in the wee hours last Thursday and unceremoniously dragged out of his residence by 150 policement in a show of force intended to intimidate members of the underground Church. Over thirty years of the archbishop's life has been spent in Chinese jails but he still steadfastly refuses to denounce the Pope. The Kung Foundation continues to supply information to WTO in an effort to pressure the communists from the mercenary angle. continued inside.
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, FEB 13 (ZENIT).- The Cardinal Kung Foundation
today reported that the Chinese government has arrested another
underground Bishop, faithful to the Holy Father. On February 10,
Archbishop John Yang Shudao of Fuzhou was arrested at about midnight by
some 150 policemen. Archbishop Yang is eighty years old, at least thirty
years of which have been spent in prisons. His first arrest (which
brought a sentence of life imprisonment) was in 1955, on the charge of
treason for refusing to denounce the Pope as supreme authority of the
Catholic Church and refusing to cooperate in the formation of the
Catholic Patriotic Association. Since his release in 1981, he has been
re-arrested several times.
Joseph Kung, President of the Cardinal Kung Foundation, said, "Contrary
to the claims by the Chinese totalitarian government that there is
religious freedom in China, there are at least eight Roman Catholic
underground bishops, scores of priests and lay persons now in jails. In
addition, many underground Catholic bishops and priests are also under
house arrest or under severe surveillance. For every person we reported
as arrested, many of others arrested are unreported because we do not
have the information."
Kung continued by appealing to the world that China not be permitted to
join the World Trade Organization. He holds that "any invitation or
encouragement to China's entry into the WTO would be immoral and amounts
to condoning the five decades of religious persecutions in China."
ZE00021324
The entire city of Rome is benefiting from the Vatican's initiation of preparation for this Jubilee Year as many ancient monuments have gotten a complete facelift including many famous ones. In addition, authorities are cleaning other areas as well and cracking down on trash and smut near the Vatican by closing down a porn shop that had been posing as a musical instrument shop. continued inside.
ROME, FEB 13 (ZENIT).- Rome has gotten a face-lift. The old city once
again shines on the restored facades on numerous monuments and
buildings. Thanks to funds raised on occasion of the Jubilee, the
Eternal City wears a brighter and happier face.
According to the experts, the brilliant white of travertine marble is
the city's original color. Rome has gone from a dingy black to a
gleaming white in only a matter of months -- fifty years of pollution
has been wiped away.
"Rome has recovered the bright and luminous color tones that were
abandoned at the beginning of the last century", stated by Patrizia
Marchetti, who is responsible for the restoration of the Monastery of
Saint Cecilia in the Trastevere district.
Bright white colors are in vogue today for government building facades.
"Red brick," according to Francesco De Tomasso, "imposed by the
Piedmonts when they declared Rome Italy's capital, is disappearing." De
Tomasso is vice superintendent for Rome's Architectural Treasures; with
others he coordinates more than 70 restoration projects, including
churches and historic palaces.
St. Peter's is not the only church whose facade has recovered it
original color. All the most important churches in the heart of Rome
once again gleam in their original state, notably Santa Maria della
Pace, St. Gregory in Celio, St. Agnes at Piazza Navona, Santa Maria in
Campitelli, St. Sebastian Outside the Walls, Santa Maria in Traspontina,
St. Charles at the Four Fountains, the church of the Holy Cross of
Jerusalem, Santa Maria in Montesanto, and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Not only churches have been restored. All manner of building has been
shielded by scaffolding over the past months. As the scaffolding comes
down, many people are, in effect, seeing these monuments for the first
time in their brilliant original state.
ZE00021302
CWN also reported that Rome's city government on Friday
ordered an adult sex shop near the Vatican to close because
it had violated zoning laws.
A city council spokesman said zoning laws forbid sex shops
near the Vatican. Italian newspapers had reported the shop
was targeted because of a regulation barring sex shops along
routes used by pilgrims coming to Rome for Holy Year
celebrations.
Officials said the shop would either have to close or
revert to its previous business of selling musical
instruments.
