|
|
|
|
News Briefs
|
NEWS BRIEFS Apr-19-2005
By Catholic News Service
U.S.
USCCB president congratulates new pope, calls him "open, pastoral"
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. bishops' conference described the new Pope Benedict XVI as "very open and pastoral, with a listening ear" in an April 19 statement. Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., called the new pope "a man of great humility and dedication to the discipleship of Christ, as well as a man of great intelligence." The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said he met with the former head of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith "on various issues" over the years. "Pope Benedict XVI is familiar with the church in the United States," Bishop Skylstad said, adding that the new pope is "especially sensitive to the situation of the church in this country."
- - -
Students, workers, pilgrims join in suspense of pope announcement
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Within minutes of the confirmation of a new pope, bunting in gold and white -- reflecting the flag of the Vatican City State -- was being draped above the front doors of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington April 19. For much of April, black bunting was hanging in the same place as a sign of mourning following the death of Pope John Paul II. The shrine's mechanized bells pealed festively to mark the election of the new pope. The last time they had rung in this manner, according to shrine spokesman Peter Sonski, was for the 1978 election of Pope John Paul II to the papacy and for his 1979 visit to the shrine. With all the trappings marking the selection of a new pope outside the shrine, dozens of people gathered around a large television in the shrine's basement, waiting to learn who had actually been chosen.
- - -
Vermont Catholics oppose physician-assisted suicide
MONTPELIER, Vt. (CNS) -- Bishop Kenneth A. Angell of Burlington told Vermont lawmakers considering "death with dignity" legislation that his definition of death with dignity bears no resemblance to the proposed legislation. Rather, he pointed to the late Pope John Paul II as a person who died with dignity without the assistance of prescription medication to hasten his death. State lawmakers are considering a measure that would give Vermont a law like one Oregon has had for seven years allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients who request it. "This very special and spiritual man led a magnificent life for the greater good of all people, not just Catholics. And he died an amazingly dignified death," the bishop said about the pope. He made the comments in testimony delivered via telephone to members of the Vermont House Human Services Committee on a bill titled "An Act Relating to Death With Dignity."
- - -
Diocese reports resolution in case of Communion host for sale on eBay
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (CNS) -- The Diocese of Sioux City has reported that the much-publicized sale on eBay of what was purported to be a consecrated host was not finalized and the Iowan who was selling the host has withdrawn it and given it to church officials. Msgr. Roger J. Augustine, administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City, said he met April 15 with the seller, who was from Sloan, and was advised that the sale would not be consummated. According to Msgr. Augustine, the seller deeply regretted the effort to sell the Eucharist and extended a personal apology to him, the diocese and any others who were offended by the eBay listing. On April 11, the host was sold for a winning bid of $2,000 placed by a California man, but the priest was told the transaction never materialized and so no money was received. The host was given to Msgr. Augustine to be properly disposed of according to the dictates of church law.
- - -
Some say image on highway underpass looks like Blessed Mother
CHICAGO (CNS) -- Passers-by pulled up to look. Some pulled out camera phones. Others returned with votive candles. And they asked each other, "Can you see her?" A couple of dozen people at a time stopped April 18 under the Kennedy Expressway overpass where an image some called "Our Lady of the Underpass" drew enough attention to warrant traffic patrols by Chicago police officers and members of the Illinois State Police. Officials said the image on the concrete wall appeared to have been caused by salt and other chemicals dripping from the roadway above. Chicago archdiocesan officials said they did not intend to conduct an official inquiry into the image and have not been requested to do so.
- - -
CRS adds 14 more retailers to fair trade coffee project
SEATTLE (CNS) -- A program to connect the hands that pick the beans to the hands that hold the cup of coffee has expanded to include 14 more retailers throughout the United States. The fair trade coffee project is part of Catholic Relief Services' fair trade program, which gives Third World farmers, workers and artists an opportunity to produce products at fair and just prices that are subsequently sold to consumers in the United States. The expansion of the fair trade coffee program was announced by CRS, the U.S. bishops' overseas and relief development agency, and the 14 retailers at a news conference April 14 during the annual conference of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, held in Seattle April 15-18. The expanded network of fair trade companies will help increase sales, which exceeded $400,000 in 2004.
- - -
WORLD
Cardinal Ratzinger, guardian of church doctrine, elected 265th pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the 78-year-old guardian of the church's doctrine for the last 24 years, was elected the 265th pope and took the name Benedict XVI. Appearing at the central window of St. Peter's Basilica April 19, the newly elected pope smiled as he was greeted by a cheering, flag-waving crowd of nearly 100,000 people. "After the great John Paul II, the cardinals elected me, a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," Pope Benedict said, in a brief talk broadcast around the world. "I am consoled by the fact that the Lord can work and act even through insufficient instruments, and I especially entrust myself to your prayers," he said. "In the joy of the risen Lord, and trusting in his permanent help, we go forward. The Lord will help us, and Mary his most holy mother is on our side. Thank you," he said.
- - -
First clue to new pope will be his first name -- in Latin
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The first clue to the identity of the new pope will be the announcement of his first name -- in Latin. Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, the top-ranked cardinal-deacon, was to say, in Latin, "I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope: His most Eminent and Reverend Lordship, Lord ..." followed by the Latin version of the cardinal's first name. If Cardinal Medina said, "Lord Zeno," everyone would know the new pope was Polish Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, until recently prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education. They would not have to wait for Cardinal Medina to announce the new pope's last name. But if the cardinal said "Ioannes" things would be much more complicated. Nine cardinals' names begin Juan, Jean or Giovanni, the equivalent of John.
- - -
JPII donated more than $9 million to charity in 2004, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II donated more than $9 million in emergency relief and development aid in 2004, the Vatican announced. Through the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the pope earmarked $310,000 to help fund relief efforts after a devastating tsunami struck Southeast Asia and parts of East Africa in December, said an April 17 press statement. Pope John Paul made donations to help the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic after the island was battered by floods in June. He also sent nearly $130,000 to help the neediest victims of an ongoing war in western Sudan's Darfur region. The Vatican said various papal donations made throughout 2004 in response to natural disasters and wars amounted to more than $1.6 million; projects supporting health care, education, agriculture, women and children totaled more than $2.8 million.
- - -
Smiles, applause, cheers greet announcement of pope's election
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The buoyant crowd in St. Peter's Square awaiting the 265th pontiff greeted the announcement of a new pope with smiles, applause and cheers, clearly relieved that the tension of the past 24 hours had broken. As with the previous two instances of smoke appearing, people staring at the Sistine Chapel chimney April 19 were at first confused as to whether it was white or black. After about 10 minutes of smoke wafting out, though, the bells of the basilica began to ring, announcing along with the famous "fumata bianca" that the world had a new leader of the Catholic Church. As the bells sounded, the tens of thousands of people who had gathered to watch erupted in screams of joy, laughing and pointing at the chimney and the balcony where the new pope would emerge through a red velvet curtain.
- - -
New pope hailed as great theologian; Africa says 'don't forget us'
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Church leaders around the world hailed Pope Benedict XVI as a standard-bearer of Catholic values and a worthy successor to Pope John Paul II. But while many statements extolled the pope's stance in defending and promoting church doctrine, some African church officials expressed concern that the new pope may not accurately reflect the needs of southern Africa, where AIDS and abject poverty were devastating the region. Bishop Louis Ndlovu of Manzini, Swaziland, former president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, last met with Pope Benedict in February to arrange the visits of southern African bishops later this year. He said it is unlikely that southern Africa will be high on the new pope's list of priorities. "He is a bit reserved and is not a man who loves traveling," Bishop Ndlovu said. "But you never know, he may want to follow in the steps of his predecessor."
- - -
Vatican colleagues say 'church will come to love' Pope Benedict XVI
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although critics of Pope Benedict XVI worry that his election as pope could lead to divisions within the church, a U.S. priest who has worked closely with him predicted that "the church will come to love him." As the chief defender of church doctrine, the new pope "had to make decisions that were not popular, but he's not a policeman -- he's an evangelizer," said U.S. Dominican Father J. Augustine Di Noia, undersecretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which Cardinal Ratzinger has headed for more than 23 years. Msgr. Charles Scicluna, the congregation's promoter of justice, said he felt "deep joy and great hope for the future" when the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out. "He is a man of great compassion and great wisdom. I know that from direct experience, and I'm sure that the Lord has chosen him because the world needs wisdom and compassion," Msgr. Scicluna said.
- - -
PEOPLE
Pope Benedict one of the most respected, controversial theologians
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the guiding light on doctrinal issues during Pope John Paul II's pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI was one of the most respected, influential and controversial members of the College of Cardinals. Since 1981 the 78-year-old Pope Benedict -- regarded as one of the church's sharpest theologians -- has headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican department charged with defending orthodoxy in virtually every area of church life. Over the years, Pope Benedict met quietly once a week with Pope John Paul to discuss doctrinal and other major issues facing the church. Insiders said his influence was second to none when it came to setting church priorities and directions and responding to moral and doctrinal challenges. From November 2002 until his election, he was dean of the College of Cardinals, a key position in the time between popes. Pope Benedict presided over the preconclave meetings of cardinals in Rome, set agendas for discussion and action, and was responsible for a number of procedural decisions during the conclave.
- - -
Crowds cram St. Peter's Square in expectation of new pope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- During the conclave, tourists and locals poured into St. Peter's Square, expectantly watching the chimney sticking out between the basilica and the Apostolic Palace for a sign of the smoke many had only read about in history books. Thousands of people waited patiently for hours in sometimes chilly temperatures, resting weary feet by leaning against barricades or stretching out on the cobblestones. In the front row of plastic chairs set up in front of the basilica, surrounded by study-abroad participants from Christendom College in Front Royal, Va., sat three young women from Harding University in Searcy, Ark. In Rome for two weeks after the end of their program in Athens, the Harding students -- members of the United Church of Christ -- learned to pray the rosary from their newfound Catholic friends. "We had to cover our heads when we went into mosques, so why not pray the rosary when we're at the Vatican?" said Lindsey Blackburn, 20.
- - -
New pope brings continuity with previous papacy, says U.S. official
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI will bring great continuity with Pope John Paul II regarding Catholic doctrine and morals, said Father Thomas G. Weinandy, a Capuchin Franciscan who is executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Doctrine and Pastoral Practices. "One of his great strengths is that he knows the theological scene around the world," Father Weinandy told Catholic News Service April 19, the day Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope. "He will try to reach out to women but he isn't going to ordain them," he added. Where the new pope may differ from his predecessor is emphasizing more renewal within the church, he said. "It will be interesting to see the kind of bishops he appoints," said Father Weinandy.
- - -
Man ruled competent to stand trial on charge he set cathedral on fire
MADISON, Wis. (CNS) -- William J. Connell, the transient man accused of setting the March 14 fire that left only the walls and steeple standing at St. Raphael Cathedral in Madison, will stand trial after appearing at a preliminary hearing April 15 in Dane County Court. Connell faces felony charges of arson and burglary, plus a misdemeanor for bail jumping in a previous case. A competency evaluation indicated that Connell is competent to proceed in the legal process, but he has a history of symptoms of mental illness, including paranoia, bipolar disorder, depression and schizoaffective disorder.
- - -
Benedict XV served during World War I, canonized St. Joan of Arc
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The last Pope Benedict before the April 19 election of Pope Benedict XVI served in 1914-22, a period that included World War I, during which he made unsuccessful efforts to negotiate peace. Pope Benedict XV, born Giacomo della Chiesa in 1854, was the son of Italian nobility whose mother was related to Pope Innocent VII (1404-06). According to an entry in the New Catholic Encyclopedia, "he was small, stoop-shouldered, and very thin (dubbed 'the midget' by some, even after he became pope) with the left side of his body higher than the right and he limped." After serving in the Vatican diplomatic corps, he was named archbishop of Bologna, Italy, and was consecrated in the Sistine Chapel in 1907 by Pope Pius X. He was made a cardinal in 1914, three months before the death of Pius X.
END
Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
|
|
|
|
