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MONDAY January 17, 2000 vol. 11, no. 11 SECTION THREESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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With a leading Eastern Orthodox on one side and a Protestant religious leader on the other, the Pope will push open the Holy Door at St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls tomorrow to mark the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is a symbolic gesture that shows unity can be achieved only on our knees through prayer. It was at St. Paul's 41 years ago that Pope John XXIII announced the Second Vatican Council and this is the greatest gathering of other denominations since Vatican II. continued inside
VATICAN CITY, JAN 14 (ZENIT).- Today Cardinal Roger Etchegaray presented
the details of the opening of the Holy Door in St. Paul Outside the
Walls. "It will be the most characteristic event of this Jubilee,"
stated the president of the Central Committee for the Jubilee. The
ceremony will take place on January 18, the first day of Christian Unity
Week.
The most significant characteristic of this event, the Cardinal
explained, is the fact that "the Pope will not be the only one to
symbolically push open the Holy Door, but will do so along with a
representative of the Eastern Churches and one from the Reformed
Churches."
For Cardinal Etchegaray, ecumenism is a "crucial" challenge, "for
evangelical witness in the world... The ecumenical door can only be
crossed on one's knees, because only prayer can open and support the way
toward visible unity in the Church."
Bishop Crescenzio Sepe, secretary of the Vatican Committee for the
Jubilee, disclosed that the meeting at St. Paul Outside-the-Walls "will
be the greatest concentration of Christian Churches since the one that
took place during the Vatican II Ecumenical Council." There will be 22
delegations of Christian Churches participating in the opening of the
Holy Door, in addition to the World Council of Churches, which embraces
337 Churches, from over 100 countries throughout the world and the
greater part of Christian traditions.
The choice of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, is not
accidental. On January 25, 1959, John XXIII convoked Vatican Council II
in this Basilica, as Bishop Piero Marini, Pontifical Master of
Ceremonies, recalled in his meeting with the international press.
The only significant absence will be that of the World Reformed
Alliance, which differs with the Church on the matter of indulgences.
But, according to German Bishop Walter Kasper, secretary of the
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the absence does not
mean a rupture, as the Reformed Alliance itself collaborated with the
Catholic Church in the preparation of a guide for the Jubilee pilgrim,
as well as in other projects. "We must respect the convictions and
difficulties of our brothers and they must respect ours; respect is the
basis of ecumenism," Bishop Kasper said.
The ecumenical meeting includes a meditation on Biblical readings, as
well as passages from Protestant and Orthodox authors, among whom is
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, killed by the Nazis in 1945.
Although the meeting is for prayer, at the end, all the representatives
of the different Churches will be invited by John Paul II to a festive
dinner. Bishop Kasper said that over the last few months progress has
been made at the heart of the different Christian Churches in reflecting
on the Petrine primacy, in other words, on the Pope's role as Peter's
successor, which at times has been an element of division among the
Christian denominations. Bishop Kasper clarified that, following the
proposal made by John Paul II in the encyclical "Ut Unum Sint" on
ecumenism, "a dialogue began with Lutherans and Anglicans. There have
been several congresses and conferences, including at the academic
level, in which the matter is being studied."
In fact, the German Bishop added, "the January 18 ceremony is a new form
of ecumenical exercise of the Pope's authority."
Cardinal Etchegaray recalled that the Pope is "obstinately and
realistically determined" to pursue ecumenism, "one of the strongest
demands of the Jubilee." Indeed, this meeting could be the moment to
prepare for the much desired pan-Christian meeting that the Holy Father
mentions in "Tertio Millennio Adveniente."
Two additional very important Jubilee ecumenical meetings were confirmed
during the press conference: a commemoration in the Colosseum of the
witnesses to the faith in this century (on May 7) and an ecumenical
prayer vigil of prayer at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, in keeping
with the intentions of Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople (on
August 5).
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While the Vatican has not officially confirmed it, it looks like the Holy Father will travel to Egypt and Mt. Sinai to retrace the footsteps of Moses in officially inaugurating his historic "Jubilee Journey" on February 25-26, one month before he will visit the Holy Land in tracing the footsteps of Our Lord. It is fitting that he begins with the Old Testament site but he had hoped to begin in Ur in Iraq where Abraham was born. continued inside.
CAIRO, JAN 16 (ZENIT).- Nabil Osman, chief of Egypt's State Information
Service, announced yesterday that John Paul II will visit the country
February 25-26. Detailed plans for the visit are still in preparation.
The news has yet to be confirmed by the Vatican Press Office, whose
Vice-Director, Fr. Ciro Benedettini, limited himself to the statement,
"The trip is being planned."
This will be the first visit of a Pope to Egypt, a country which is
82.5% Muslim, 11% underground Christian, 4.8% Orthodox and 1.7%
"non-religious."
The purpose of the papal trip to Egypt is to visit Mount Sinai, where
the Bible locates the episode of Moses' reception of the Ten
Commandments from God, during the journey of the Chosen People from
Egypt to Canaan. Today, the location is called Jebel Musa.
"Along the length of the road in the desert, Mount Sinai was also a
place were Yahweh made a Covenant with his people. The Mount remained
identified with the handing of the Decalogue, the 'ten words' that
committed Israel to a life of full adherence to God's will. In fact,
these 'words' express the basic content of the moral law of universal
character imprinted on the heart of every man," the Pontiff said in his
letter, written last June, expressing his desire to undertake this
Jubilee pilgrimage.
According to Nabil Osman, the Pope's stay in Egypt includes a visit to
the Church of St. Catherine, a historic Orthodox monastery. In addition,
as is customary in all his international trips, the Holy Father will
meet President Hosni Mubarak and political and religious personalities.
Originally, the Pope's trip to Egypt was planned in conjunction with his
visit to Ur of the Chaldeans in Iraq, where he wished to see Abraham's
birthplace. This trip was planned for last December, but the Iraqi stage
of the trip has been temporarily cancelled by the Baghdad regime.
Because of U.N. bombings in the no-fly zone, Saddam Hussein feels he
does not have the means to guarantee the Pope's safety.
The trip to Egypt will take place one month before the historic
pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which Peter's successor will undertake from
March 20-26.
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VATICAN CITY, JAN 16 (ZENIT).- The Italian Police have prepared a
pamphlet entitled "Safe Rome" to help pilgrims prepare for their stay in
the Eternal City. Included in the advice given to Jubilee pilgrims
arriving from all over the world are the suggestions not to carry
unnecessary or excessive amounts of money, to make photocopies of
personal documents, not to leave suitcases or bags in unguarded places,
and to mistrust impromptu street vendors. Four million copies of the
pamphlet have been published, an initiative of the Roman Agency for
Preparation for the Jubilee. Originally written in Italian, the pamphlet
has been translated into English, French, and German, and is being
distributed through Tourist Information Centers of the City of Rome and
the Police Office.
The pamphlet also has useful telephone numbers in case of emergencies
and a map of the city, highlighting the police stations nearest the
basilicas and monuments.
In a related story, Pope John Paul II asked the General
Inspection of Public Security at the Vatican to make "a greater effort
so that the celebrations and events related to the Jubilee will take
place normally and fruitfully."
During his meeting with the police, the Pope said that "external order,
over which you guard with care, will foster interior order, filled with
serenity and peace." And he added: "I hope you will feel within
yourselves that peace that the angels announced to men of good will at
Bethlehem." ZE00011602 and ZE000011408
According to the Vatican's FIDES news agency, prosecutors in Rwanda are exhibiting a double standard by stepping up accusations against children being held for the war crimes dating back to 1994 while those who are obviously the culprits are being soft-pedaled, giving rise to fears that corruption is rampant within the Rwandan government which is already trying to pin a bulk of the killings on an innocent bishop. continued inside.
VATICAN (FIDES/CWNews.com) -- The Vatican's FIDES news agency has
observed "contradictory signals" from the government of Rwanda regarding
the legal prosecution of individuals charged with war crimes in connection
with the 1994 massacres there.
In Rwanda today, FIDES observes, 9 out of 10 people in prison are facing
charges connected with the 1994 massacres. The number of minor children
facing trial has increased dramatically, suggesting a new vigor among the
prosecutors. But at the same time, the judges involved in the cases seem to
be showing greater leniency toward those who are accused.
Citing a report by the Rwandan League for the Promotion and Defense of
Human Rights, FIDES reports that in the first six months of 1999, the number
of children facing genocide accusations soared from 2,674 to 4,454. But
during the same period, the number of death sentences handed down to
convicted criminals dropped by 10 percent, while the number of life
sentences fell by 30 percent. Acquittals rose by a bit more than 20 percent.
According to the Rwandan League, the country's courts have now convicted
1,908 defendants, of whom 296 were given the death penalty, another 600
were sentenced to life imprisonment, and the remainder received prison
terms of varying duration.
But the trials continue to proceed very slowly, leaving many defendants in
prison for months before they can face the court. A total 130,000 people are
awaiting trial for crimes connected with the genocide.
It's never too early to plan ahead and the Vatican is working fast and furious in getting ready for World Youth Day in August by holding a special conference for 300 delegates from all over the world in Rome to finalize preparations under the watchful eye of the Youth Division of Cardinal James Francis Stafford's Pontifical Council for the Laity. continued inside.
ROME, JAN 14 (ZENIT).- Although it is still seven months away,
preparations for World Youth Day are well underway. Delegates from
around the world have gathered in Rome to plan the August event.
According to Bishop Renato Boccardo, director of the Youth Office of the
Pontifical Council for the Laity, "the meeting is especially intended to
inform those responsible for Youth Pastoral Care, and the movements and
associations about the state of preparation for the World Day."
There are 300 participants who are both expressing their concerns and
expectations as well as offering their suggestions. "This is a meeting
to exchange experiences and to study the best way to refine the
fundamental aspects of the Day," stressed Bishop Boccardo.
"The World Day exacts great technical and organizational effort: suffice
it to think of hospitality, transport, food, accommodation... But it
requires even greater interior effort so that this important event may
be a time of grace for each youth, a spiritual experience of encounter
with Christ."
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As they have for so many centuries, the Franciscans are coming to the aid of the people in the former Yugoslavia by speaking out for the forgotten refugees in Serbia who have seemingly been dismissed by the world and their own government after the war in Kosovo and Serbia, being left to starve and fend for themselves. continued inside.
NOVI SAD, JAN 14 (ZENIT-FIDES).- After the bombing stopped, the West
forgot about the people of Serbia, according to Fransiscan Fr. Karoly
Harmath. "The majority of the refugees are innocent victims, playthings
in the hands of the powerful," he told "Fides."
According to the priest, unemployment has risen to 50%-60%. "Even those
who do work find life difficult: half the labor force is paid a set
minimum wage and public servants' salaries are delayed for months.
Pensions are low and paid 6 months late. Daily life is a struggle, the
black market flourishes and the cost of living skyrockets in response to
galloping inflation. After virtually 10 years of war and constant
defeat, people are unmotivated. Fear of civil war has closed them in on
themselves -- all struggle to survive."
Fr. Harmath is a native of Vojvodina in Hungary. At present, he is
Superior of a Franciscan convent in Novi Sad. He founded and runs AGAPE,
the only Catholic publishing house in Serbia. He is also director of the
Theological-Catechetical Institute of the diocese of Subotica, where he
is a professor of theology.
Questioned by "Fides" on the state of the Kosovar refugees, Fr. Harmath
replied: "Most of the Serbs who fled Kosovo have settled in central or
southern Serbia. However, the regime is pressuring them to return to
Kosovo. For example, schools in the towns where they are at present have
been told not to accept the refugees' children. A few Kosovar refugees
went to Vojvodina. They are mostly Romany -- Gypsies -- who receive
assistance from the Red Cross, Caritas, and the Ecumenical Humanitarian
Fund. The majority have been taken in by local people, family or
friends. Their status is that of refugees 'non grata,' and hard to
bear."
"Nothing is ever solved by violence; the problems have only increased,"
asserted the Franciscan, "The NATO bombings did not lead to expected
political changes. At first the people hoped NATO's measures might bring
a change for the better. But today they are all deeply disappointed.
There is political apathy and a daily struggle to survive. Many people
have lost their jobs because the factories were bombed. I often wonder
how families manage when the parents are out of work, children must be
sent to school, and the cost of living is similar to that elsewhere in
Europe."
"The Western media try to separate the Serb people from their political
leaders, but this is impossible. There are nations, such as Serbia,
which cannot exist without a 'leader.' This strong tie between the
people and the leader has historical roots," explained Fr. Harmath.
"During the Ottoman occupation, the Vozd were the people's heroes: they
led them to freedom and organized resistance. The Serbs cannot do
without their Vozd, this must be understood and accepted. Peoples must
be respected as they are. Only sincere and patient dialogue can bring
results. But, in order to dialogue, we must know one another: from a
distance things are not clearly seen."
As to the future, the publisher sees the need for social change.
"Nationality and religion have gone hand in hand for centuries in the
Balkans. Here a Serb can only be an Orthodox -- Catholicism is the
prerogative of the Croats, etc. In the Balkans, even Serbs who are
atheists are considered Orthodox, without being baptized. Ecumenism is
extremely arduous. Here Orthodox Christianity is identified with
nationality, and the other religions are only 'second class.' "
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The dynamic, orthodox Archbishop of Philadelphia, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, a staunch supporter of the Sanctity of Life, has launched a letter campaign to influence Congress not to approve guidelines published by the National Institutes for Health that would legalize embryo stem cell research and further the culture of death market. continued inside.
PHILADELPHIA, 14 (NE) Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of
Philadelphia sent letters to federal lawmakers and the National
Institutes for Health asking them not to approve guidelines that
would legalize embryo stem cell research.
The month dedicated to the investigation of these norms will finish the 31st of
January, deadline for the Congress to intervene before the
guidelines become finalized. The draft guidelines published last
December by the National Institutes for Health aim to a
legalization of embryo stem cell research.
"These guidelines disregard the sanctity of life by sanctioning the killing of
unborn human embryos to obtain stem cells for research," wrote
Cardinal Bevilacqua. "This assault on life must not happen.
Scientific research should be guided by a fundamental moral
norm: respect for the dignity of life from conception
(fertilization) to natural death," he added.
Hopes have risen among human rights groups and with the Vatican over news that newly-elected President Alfonso Portillo has called for a thorough investigation into the unsolved murder of human rights proponent Bishop Juan Gerardi who was murdered nearly two years ago. Prior government regimes have gone to great lengths to cover up the crime and throw the blame on others, including an innocent priest living in the Bishop's quarters. Because of this Guatemala has come under tremendous international scrutiny. continued inside.
GUATEMALA, JAN 16 (ZENIT).- On January 14, Alfonso Portillo, Guatemala's
new President, ordered a thorough investigation into the murder of
Bishop Juan Gerardi and the dissolution of the Presidential General
Staff, which is implicated in the crime.
In his inaugural address, Portillo committed himself to the
implementation of the 11 peace agreements, signed 3 years ago, that
supposedly put an end to 36 years of civil war, which caused over
200,000 victims, counting the dead and missing.
The new President stated that the results of the investigation into the
Bishop's death, which occurred on April 26, 1998, will be sent as soon
as possible to the Public Ministry, to settle possible criminal
responsibilities.
Reiterating that he would respect the recommendations of the Commission
for Historical Enlightenment, he declared April 26 "National Day for the
Dignity of Victims of Violence."
Portillo promised to reconstruct the army and subordinate it to civil
power, in keeping with plans for the country's modernization and
democratization.
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