WEDNESDAY

December 10, 1997   vol 8, no.49

     SECTION TWO     To print out SECTION ONE, click here



Contrition brings us Peace in our soul

     Whether perfect or imperfect contrition, if we are truly sorry we know that inner peace will envelop us as the catechetical teachings confirm in our continuing treatise of both the new Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Baltimore Catechism - this week on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Click on CATECHISM CAPSULES

Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

    The Sacraments are part and parcel of our lives and so we continue our "capsule series" on each of the Sacraments, bringing you a few capsule paragraphs each day from both the new Catechism of the Catholic Church and the old Baltimore Catechism. It is appropriate that we begin Advent with the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, better known as "Confession." There are various terms for this sacrament of healing. It has often been called the key to the door, for without this key sacrament we cannot receive Jesus in Holy Communion nor can a candidate be confirmed. The Sacrament of Penance reminds us of our humanness and our total dependence on the Mercy of God. Along with the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick or Extreme Unction, Penance/Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing.

No. 1450, 1451, 1452 and 1453, pages 364 and 365 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery; Chapter Two - The Sacraments of Healing; Libreria Editrice Vaticana: Urbi Et Orbi Communications:

CONTRITION OF THE PENITENT
[1450]
      "Penance requires...the sinner to endure all things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction." (Roman Catechism II, V, 21; cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1673.

[1451]
      Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again." (Council of Trent: DS 1676)

[1452]
      When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. (Council of Trent: DS 1677)

[1453]
      The contrition called "imperfect" (or "attrition") is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin's ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself, however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance. (Council of Trent: DS 1678; 1705)

From the Baltimore Catechism No. 3; Benziger Brothers, Inc. and Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. Nos. 764, 765, 766, 767, and 768, page 160 and 161.

[764]
Q. How many kinds of contrition are there?
A. There are two kinds of contrition; perfect contrition and imperfect contrition.

[765]
Q. What is perfect contrition?
A. Perfect contrition is that which fills us with sorrow and hatred for sin, becasue it offends God, Who is infinitely good in Himself and worthy of all love.

[766]
Q. When will perfect contrition obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance?
A. Perfect contrition will obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance when we cannot go to confession, but with the perfect contrition we must have the intention of going to confession as soon as possible, if we again have the opportunity.

[767]
Q. What is imperfect contrition?
A. Imperfect contrition is that by which we hate what offends God because by it we lose Heaven and deserve hell; or because sin is so hateful in itself.

[768]
Q. What other name is given to imperfect contrition and why is it called imperfect?
A. FACE="SouvenirSSK">A. Imperfect contrition is called attrition. It is called imperfect only because it is less perfect than the highest grade of contrition by which we are sorry for sin out of pure love of God's Own goodness and without any consideration of what befalls ourselves. It is sufficient for a worthy confession, but we should endeavor to have perfect contrition.


Without a piece of bread, it's hard to find peace of mind

     But the bishops at the Synod of the Americas believe they can help as they announced last week that a new Vatican document will be issued soon that deals with abject poverty in developing third-world countries. That's the topic of today's report from the American Synod. Click on DAILY SYNOD SYNOPSIS

NEW VATICAN DOCUMENT TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC ISSUES

[The following report-- one in a series of daily reports on the activities of the special Synod of the Americas-- comes through the courtesy of the international news agency ZENIT, based in Rome.]

      The Holy See will publish a new document on how developing countries can deal with specific problems of internal poverty and external debt, Archbishop Francis Eugene George of Chicago revealed today.

      The forthcoming document will give practical advice on carrying out principles outlined in previous documents of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Archbishop George made the disclosure at a press conference at the Synod of Bishops for America.

      A frequent topic at the Synod has been the problem of external debt that burdens many Latin American nations.

      Archbishop George appeared with four other bishops to discuss the possible results of the historic Synod of Church leaders of America. Regarding economic issues, the Chicago primate warned about making hasty generalizations. He said that in recent years "neo- liberalism" has come under attack by critics who often do not understand what the term means.

      He also cautioned that the cancelation of nations' external debts will not automatically solve the problem of poverty. The Vatican and American bishops have been in dialogue with international institutions to help to solve the financial problems of developing nations. The new document being prepared by the Holy See will focus on these problems.

      Bishop Alcides Jorge Pedro Casaretto of San Isidro, Argentina, said that economic globalization represents the "current world order" and that the Church is seeking a "new world order." While financial institutions have a part to play in this new order, Bishop Casaretto emphasized that real changes in political and economic structures will first require a conversion of individuals. "This is the new civilization of love that many do not understand," he said. "The process of globalization requires a profound Christian solidarity."

      Archbishop Estanislao Esteban Karlic, president of the Argentine episcopal conference, admitted he was surprised by the positive atmosphere of the Synod. "I had fears because this was the first time that a meeting of this type was held," he said. "I had believed that misunderstandings would arise. Nonetheless, there has been a very fraternal spirit which has served to 'continentalize' the life of the Church." The Pope has insisted that the bishops of North and South consider America as one Continent.

      Archbishop Karlic called the Synod a fruit of the Second Vatican Council, which urged that the Church learn to read the signs of the times (Gaudium et Spes, No. 4). "One of the signs is globalization," the Paraná archbishop said. "This phenomenon of globalization has its risks ... but the Church also sees in it a climate of world unity, a kind of evangelical preparation that could contribute to the growth of communion among all people." He urged that international groups which exercise de facto control in the world should be more answerable to the people. "We cannot leave ourselves at the whims of someone whom we did not elect," he said.

      Bishop Ricardo Ramírez of Las Cruces, New Mexico, said that the Synod has helped to focus on new pastoral problems. For example, he said, Brazilian bishops have informed their US counterparts that there are about 1 million undocumented Brazilian immigrants in the United States.


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Peace and Harmony in how we worship

     That is the objective of the Vatican document on instructions to the laity and priests on the laity's role in assisting the priest released November 13 from the Holy See. We continue with the fourteenth installment in bringing you this entire document because of its importance in preserving peace and harmony within the ranks and in accord with the norms set forth by Holy Mother Church. Click on THE VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS

INSTRUCTION on Certain Questions regarding the Collaboration of the Non-ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest

Fourteenth installment: PRACTICAL PROVISIONS - Article 5
The Structures of Collaboration in the Particular Church

These structures, so necessary to that ecclesial renewal called for by the Second Vatican Council have produced many positive results and have been codified in canonical legislation. They represent a form of active participation in the life and mission of the Church as communion.

§ 1. The norms of the Code with regard to the Council of Priests (Presbyteral Council) specifies those priests who can be its members. (81) Because the Council of Priests is founded on the common participation of the Bishop and his priests in the same priesthood and ministry, member ship in it is reserved to priests alone. (82)

Deacons, non-ordained members of the faithful, even if collaborators with the Sacred Ministers, and those priests who have lost the clerical state or who have abandoned the Sacred Ministry do not have either an active or a passive voice in the Council of Priests.

§ 2. Diocesan and parochial Pastoral Councils (83) and Parochial Finance Councils, (84) of which non-ordained faithful are members, enjoy a consultative vote only and cannot in any way become deliberative structures. Only those faithful who possess the qualities prescribed by the canonical norms (85) may be elected to such responsibilities.

§ 3. It is for the Parish Priest to preside at parochial councils. They are to be considered invalid, and hence null and void, any deliberations entered into, (or decisions taken), by a parochial council which has not been presided over by the Parish Priest or which has assembled contrary to his wishes. (86)

§ 4. Diocesan councils may properly and validly express their consent to an act of the Bishop only in those cases in which the law expressly requires such consent.

§ 5. Given the local situation Ordinaries may avail themselves of special study groups or of groups of experts to examine particular questions. Such groups, however, cannot be constituted as structures parallel to diocesan presbyteral or pastoral councils nor indeed to those diocesan structures regulated by the universal law of the Church in Canons 536, § 1 and 537. (87) Neither may such a group deprive these structures of their lawful authority. Where structures of this kind have arisen in the past because of local custom or through special circumstances, those measures deemed necessary to conform such structures to the current universal law of the Church must be taken.

§ 6. The Vicars forane, sometimes called deans, archpriests, or by suchlike titles, and those called "assistant vicars", "assistant dean", etc., must always be priests. (88) The non-ordained faithful cannot be validly appointed to these offices.

NEXT ISSUE: PRACTICAL PROVISIONS - Article 6 Liturgical Celebrations


PRAYERS & DEVOTION

TODAY'S ADVENT PRAYER

For today and tomorrow's readings for Holy Mass in Advent, click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

WEDNESDAY, December 10, 1997

Wednesday, December 10:
Second Wednesday of Advent


THURSDAY, December 11, 1997

Thursday, December 11:
Second Thursday of Advent and
Feast of Saint Damasus I, Pope


December 11: SAINT DAMASUS, Pope

      Though born in Rome around 304, Saint Damasus I was of Spanish descent by his mother Laurentia. His father Lorenzowas a priest, this being before celibacy was the mandate. Under his tutelage he became a deacon. On October 1, 366 he was elected the 37th Pope; however he faced a violent resistance from those who supported the antipope Ursinus. He retaliated by storming the Julian Basilica and massacring the Ursinian followers. The violence of Rome was not reserved only for the Roman Emperor who was Valentinian at that time. He waged a constant witch-hunt against the Christians and when the Ursinians counterattacked Damasus and his followers, the Pope asked for the Roman Prefect's assistance in stemming an inevitable slaughter. Valentinian intervened, the first in Church history when the Church asked for help from the state in a fight with an adversary, and exiled Ursinus. The latter's followers plotted on how to discredit Damasus, accusing him of adultery. Again, because Damasus had gained favor with the Roman court, he was acquitted of the accusation. Though he was ruthless against those who threatened the Church, he held the torch of truth high proclaiming the true doctrines against the heresies of Arianism, Donatism, Novatianism, Macedonianism, Priscillianism, and Apollinariansim. It was Damasus who first used the term "Apostolic See" in referring to Rome and its primacy, of which evolved the phrase:"Where Peter is, there is the Church." Because he was so rigid and faithful to this Roman primacy, he did not gain favor with the Eastern Church where Saint Basil the Great was striving to keep things afloat. Rather than acquiesce to detente between the East and the West, Damasus clung stubbornly to the primacy of Rome, thus paving the way for the eventual permanent split of the Churches six centuries later. Damasus' greatest claim to fame was, as a Biblical Scholar, the chance to publish the canons of Holy Scripture which specified the authentic books of the Bible the Council had decreed in Rome in 374. He befriended and took as his protege Saint Jerome who he made his personal secretary, commissioning him to translate the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin as the Vulgate Edition. It was another strong instance of him distancing Rome from the Greek Church. Though St. Basil and St. Damasus fought vehemently amongst themselves in favor of their sides and infringed on each other's territory, both became saints in Holy Mother Church. Some of Damasus' other accomplishments were restoring the catacombs, shrines and the tombs of the early martyrs as well as encouraging pilgrims to venerate these sites. Through his influence the Emperor Theodosius I proclaimed Catholicism the state religion of pagan Rome in 379 as Constantine had promoted nearly 50 years earlier. Damasus died a peaceful death around the age of 80 in Rome on December 11, 384.

For the Advent Novena Prayer and all prayers up until today, click on ADVENT Novena Prayers

December 10, 1997


PROVERB OF THE DAY

"Deceit is in the hands of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy."

Proverbs 12: 20

For synod delegate Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk's weekly comments on the Synod of America in Rome, click here
.

NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant

HEADLINES:

INSTRUCTION on Certain Questions regarding the Collaboration of the Non-ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest

Fourteenth installment: PRACTICAL PROVISIONS - Article 5
The Structures of Collaboration in the Particular Church

These structures, so necessary to that ecclesial renewal called for by the Second Vatican Council have produced many positive results and have been codified in canonical legislation. They represent a form of active participation in the life and mission of the Church as communion.

§ 1. The norms of the Code with regard to the Council of Priests (Presbyteral Council) specifies those priests who can be its members. (81) Because the Council of Priests is founded on the common participation of the Bishop and his priests in the same priesthood and ministry, member ship in it is reserved to priests alone. (82)

Deacons, non-ordained members of the faithful, even if collaborators with the Sacred Ministers, and those priests who have lost the clerical state or who have abandoned the Sacred Ministry do not have either an active or a passive voice in the Council of Priests.

§ 2. Diocesan and parochial Pastoral Councils (83) and Parochial Finance Councils, (84) of which non-ordained faithful are members, enjoy a consultative vote only and cannot in any way become deliberative structures. Only those faithful who possess the qualities prescribed by the canonical norms (85) may be elected to such responsibilities.

§ 3. It is for the Parish Priest to preside at parochial councils. They are to be considered invalid, and hence null and void, any deliberations entered into, (or decisions taken), by a parochial council which has not been presided over by the Parish Priest or which has assembled contrary to his wishes. (86)

§ 4. Diocesan councils may properly and validly express their consent to an act of the Bishop only in those cases in which the law expressly requires such consent.

§ 5. Given the local situation Ordinaries may avail themselves of special study groups or of groups of experts to examine particular questions. Such groups, however, cannot be constituted as structures parallel to diocesan presbyteral or pastoral councils nor indeed to those diocesan structures regulated by the universal law of the Church in Canons 536, § 1 and 537. (87) Neither may such a group deprive these structures of their lawful authority. Where structures of this kind have arisen in the past because of local custom or through special circumstances, those measures deemed necessary to conform such structures to the current universal law of the Church must be taken.

§ 6. The Vicars forane, sometimes called deans, archpriests, or by suchlike titles, and those called "assistant vicars", "assistant dean", etc., must always be priests. (88) The non-ordained faithful cannot be validly appointed to these offices.

NEXT ISSUE: PRACTICAL PROVISIONS - Article 6 Liturgical Celebrations


MICHIGAN SENATE PASSES ASSISTED SUICIDE BAN

      LANSING, Michigan (CWN) - Michigan's state Senate on Thursday approved a measure that would ban assisted suicide just one day after activist Jack Kevorkian allegedly assisted the suicide of a Detroit woman.

      The bill, approved 27-8, would make assisting in a suicide a felony punishable by four years in jail and a $2,000 fine, the same as an earlier temporary law that expired in 1994. Like the earlier law, a doctor prescribing drugs to relieve pain and suffering would not be liable, even if those drugs increased the risk of death. But in this measure, that prescription must come from a licensed physician who maintains a clinical practice in a fixed Michigan location, closing a loophole Kevorkian had used in the past to avoid prosecution and conviction.

      Kevorkian and his attorneys have stated that he has helped between 70 and 100 people kill themselves. The former pathologist lost his license to practice medicine in 1991 and has been acquitted on assisted suicide charges three times with a fourth trial ending in a mistrial. On Wednesday night, Dr. Georges Reding helped Martha Wichorek, 82, kill herself while Kevorkian was present in the woman's home, according to Kevorkian attorney Geoffrey Fieger.


NEW ZEALAND CARDINAL JOINS ANTI-GAMBLING LOBBY

     WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CWN) - New Zealand's Cardinal Thomas Williams took a leading role in a campaign to oppose the expansion of casinos in the country when he recently joined the Casino Opposition Action Network.

      The group is lobbying against plans to increase the number of New Zealand casinos from two to six, and has become a patron of the Gambling Responsibility Trust. With Anglican Bishop Thomas Brown, Cardinal Williams tried to persuade a parliamentary committee to hear American anti-casino campaigner Rev. Tom Grey when it was considering casino control legislation, but the three men were denied entry to the committee room.

      Cardinal Williams also asked all clergy in the Archdiocese of Wellington to alert their people to the threat of the proliferation of casinos and encourage them to ask their members of Parliament to support a retrospective moratorium on the establishment of casinos. "It is becoming increasingly obvious that it is in the government's interest -- but not in the interest of the people it governs -- to actively promote gambling," the cardinal said. Although extensive research had yet to be carried out, he added, "the correlation of casino gambling with addiction, family violence, suicide, and bankruptcy is fast emerging".

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Medjugorje Monthly Message

November 25th Message

    Dear children: Today I invite you to comprehend your Christian vocation. Little children, I led and am leading you through this time of grace, that you may become conscious of your Christian vocation. Holy martyrs died witnessing: I am a Christian and love God over everything. Little children, today also I invite you to rejoice and be joyful Christians, responsible and conscious that God called you in a special way to be joyfully extended hands toward those who do not believe, and that through the example of your life, they may receive faith and love for God. Therefore, pray, pray, pray that your heart may open and be sensitive for the Word of God. Thank you for having responded to my call!
For more on Medjugorje, Click on MEDJUGORJE


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December 10, 1997 volume 8, no. 49         DAILY CATHOLIC


December 1997