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News Briefs
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NEWS BRIEFS Nov-14-2005
By Catholic News Service
U.S.
Bishop Skylstad says priests deserve bishops' support, collaboration
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The priests of the United States deserve not only the deepest gratitude, but also the support, esteem and collaborative respect of their bishops, said the president of the U.S. bishops in his first address to the conference as their leader. More than ever before, events of the past four years have focused attention on the priesthood, said Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., in his Nov. 14 presidential address during the bishops' annual fall meeting in Washington. He called priests "the treasures who safeguard the church as a eucharistic community." Attention stemming from publicity about sexual abuse cases and how the church has handled them was not about the "wonder, commitment, dedication and perseverance" of priests, but about "the darkness and sin which overwhelmed some," he said. "It has been a personally painful time for the vast majority of priests who did nothing to deserve that pain." Despite that, his own experience as a bishop, reports from fellow bishops and polling data shows that Catholics "appreciate their priests," said Bishop Skylstad, whose three-year term as president began at the end of the bishops' 2004 fall meeting.
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Bishops' document on lay ecclesial ministry sparks lively discussion
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The initial presentation of a proposed text of guidelines on lay ecclesial ministry Nov. 14 sparked a lively discussion on terminology among the U.S. bishops gathered in Washington for their annual fall meeting. Bishop Dale J. Melczek of Gary, Ind., chairman of the bishops' Committee on the Laity, and Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., chairman of the Subcommittee on Lay Ministry, presented the document, "Co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord," to the bishops. They were to have a full debate and vote on it the following day. Bishop Melczek described it as a "resource for guiding the development of lay ecclesial ministry," a rapidly growing phenomenon in Catholic parishes across the country. Bishop Kicanas stressed that "this document is not particular law. It does not lay down norms or prescriptions." Rather, he said, it seeks to give bishops guidance in overseeing the "faithful development" of the growing practice of employing lay ecclesial ministers in parishes and other church institutions.
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Vatican adviser: Catholic moral tolerance of nuclear deterrence over
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Vatican's "strictly conditioned" acceptance of U.S. nuclear deterrence policy since the 1980s appears to be over, a Vatican adviser said Nov. 11. Former Canadian Sen. Douglas Roche, special adviser to the Holy See's Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, made that observation at an international gathering of American war and peace thinkers in Washington sponsored by three U.S. Catholic organizations. Roche said he believes the Vatican now rejects nuclear deterrence completely in light of decisions by the U.S. and other nuclear powers to make nuclear deterrence -- and possible war use of such weapons -- a permanent part of their defense policies. He said this is in direct violation of the strict condition posed by the Vatican 23 years ago when it accepted deterrence only as a temporary step on the road to nuclear disarmament. Roche was one of 19 speakers at an unusual Catholic colloquium at Georgetown University on just war in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the subsequent U.S. attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.
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Papal transition a call for church renewal, nuncio tells bishops
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI invites the church to renewal and evangelization, said Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States, on the opening day of the U.S. bishops' fall general meeting. "The church is alive. She is alive ... because Christ is alive," he said Nov. 14. The archbishop called on the bishops to foster church unity by strengthening their "collegial communion" with the new pope. "Unity with the Holy Father and with each other strengthens the proclamation of Christ to the world," he said. The archbishop noted that Pope Benedict also has issued strong calls for Christian unity, citing the need to present a unified Christian vision for addressing contemporary ethical problems. "Division is contrary to the vision of Christ," said Archbishop Montalvo.
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Workshop for bishops covers nation's changing death penalty scene
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As they prepared to approve their first comprehensive statement on the death penalty in 25 years, the U.S. bishops attended a workshop Nov. 13 that gave a glimpse into successes of death penalty foes so far and challenges bishops face in trying to end the use of capital punishment. The bishops were scheduled to vote Nov. 15 during their annual fall meeting on a new statement that calls on Catholics to work to end the use of the death penalty. At the workshop three archbishops, of Santa Fe, N.M., Denver and Galveston-Houston, described the climate on the issue in their respective states. Other panelists who spoke with the 54 bishops at the workshop included family members of murder victims and of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, and a man who was freed from death row after a wrongful conviction. Pollster John Zogby also reported on statistical changes in Catholics' attitudes toward the death penalty.
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Bishops declare May 22 as annual day of remembrance for mariners
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a voice vote Nov. 14 the U.S. bishops declared May 22 of each year as a Day of Remembrance and Prayer for Mariners and People of the Sea. The date coincides with the annual National Maritime Day celebrated by the U.S. government for the past 62 years. The recommendation was presented to the bishops by the Committee on Migration after the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation contacted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to encourage prayers for mariners on the annual federal observance. National Maritime Day was established in 1933 to honor "the courage, vision and achievements" of those who serve in the U.S. Merchant Marine, according to the Transportation Department.
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WORLD
Catholics, Anglicans say they must work as one to proclaim Gospel
ROME (CNS) -- The fact that Roman Catholics and Anglicans are not in full communion does not excuse them from working together to proclaim the Gospel, said bishops from both communities. Members of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation on Unity and Mission met Nov. 11-15 outside Rome and joined Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, at a Nov. 13 evening prayer service at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Archbishop Peter Carnley of Perth, Australia, Anglican co-chairman of the commission, said Roman Catholics and Anglicans must witness together not only to give credibility to their message, but also to give the world a glimpse of the nature of God. In his homily at the prayer service, Archbishop Carnley said the only valid model for Christian unity is the unity of the Trinity, described by St. Basil the Great as being "three persons and one communion."
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Pope says U.S. should lead world by building consensus
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI said U.S. leadership in promoting freedom and self-determination around the world should be matched by consensus-building with other countries. In confronting issues critical to humanity's future, the United States should work with international institutions to develop a "unified course of action," the pope told the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Rooney. The pope said the disturbing spread of violence, war and disorder in today's world can be countered only through "respect for universal moral law." The pope accepted the ambassador's credentials at a 25-minute ceremony at the Vatican Nov. 12. Rooney, a Florida businessman, was serving in his first diplomatic assignment. In his own talk, Rooney told the pope that the United States "looks to the Holy See as a partner in efforts to spread peace, encourage democracy and to defeat terrorism." The United States and the Vatican share "common goals" on a number of fronts, including terrorism, world hunger, the AIDS pandemic and human trafficking, he said.
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When Anglicans, Catholics switch churches, what happens to dialogue?
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While the official Anglican-Roman Catholic ecumenical dialogue continues, questions have arisen regarding the potential impact on the dialogue of Roman Catholics or Anglicans who switch communities. While Anglicans -- especially Anglican bishops or priests -- becoming Roman Catholic after disagreeing with their community's stands on ordaining women or openly gay men has made news, the movement of Catholic priests and laity to Anglicanism seldom makes headlines. Bishop John Flack, head of the Anglican Center in Rome, said he meets people moving in both directions, yet the ecumenical dialogue has not explored the implications of their movement. "We are not talking about huge numbers in either direction, but it is perhaps a constant trickle," he told Catholic News Service Nov. 9.
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Pope urges Iraqis to persevere for peace, not lose hope
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI called on the people of Iraq, especially its Chaldean Catholic community, to not give up hope and to persevere in their efforts for peace and reconciliation. The pope offered "a word of fervent encouragement" to the Chaldean faithful "and to all citizens of Iraq" during a private audience with Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel-Karim Delly of Baghdad, Iraq, and a group of Chaldean bishops. The pope coupled his expression of solidarity with his "assurances of my prayers that your beloved country, even (in its) present difficult situation, may know to not lose heart and to follow the path toward reconciliation and peace," he said in a Nov. 12 address. He asked the patriarch and his brother bishops to remain dedicated to their pastoral duties "and to your ministry of hope for the whole Iraqi nation." The pope's meeting with the Chaldean leaders came at the end of their Nov. 8-12 extraordinary synod of bishops held in Rome.
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Pope says Bulgarians need united Christian witness
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The people of Bulgaria need a united Christian witness, which means Catholic and Orthodox bishops and faithful must work together to spread the Gospel, Pope Benedict XVI said. Addressing Bulgaria's Catholic bishops Nov. 12, the pope said, "In his inscrutable design, God has placed you to exercise your ecclesial service side by side with our brothers of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church." Ecumenical relations with the Orthodox, he said, must grow stronger so that the Gospel message is proclaimed with more strength to more people. The Bulgarian bishops were making their "ad limina" visits to Rome to report on the status of their dioceses; Catholics make up just under 1 percent of Bulgaria's population, while about 82 percent of the population is Orthodox.
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Israeli president to ask pope to be more vocal terrorism opponent
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Israeli President Moshe Katsav said he would ask Pope Benedict XVI to be a more a vocal opponent of terrorism during his Nov. 17 audience with the pontiff. The pope "has a big influence on what happens in the world, not just on the Catholic community," Katsav told Catholic News Service Nov. 14. "His influence reaches beyond the Catholic Church, and I am sure that a clear voice from the pope against anti-Semitism, against suicide bombings (and) against terrorism ... will echo widely and have a big influence." The Israeli president said the leaders of the three monotheistic religions -- Christianity, Judaism and Islam -- should work together to strengthen the notion of brotherhood between peoples and nations. He noted that in the past 10 years people have spoken "in the name of God (and) in the name of Allah in order to carry out suicide bombings." He also said the attacks in recent years in Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, Spain, England, the United States and Israel have been "at the hands of fundamentalist Muslims" and "incited by religious leaders." He added, "Religion has been so mixed with the bloodshed in the past years, it is up to leaders of the three religions to work jointly in order to strengthen human values (and) the awareness of believers."
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Christians, Jews can help usher in future of peace, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As Christians and Jews explore their shared spiritual heritage, they can help usher in a future of peace and reconciliation among peoples, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope met Nov. 14 with Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, and with three dozen representatives of the center. Before the meeting, Rabbi Hier had said the focus would be on "global terrorism and Iran's recent call for the obliteration of the state of Israel." In a press release, the rabbi said, "Today the greatest threat to mankind comes not from secularists and atheists, but from religious fanatics and zealots." The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a Jewish human rights organization that promotes remembrance of the Holocaust, fights anti-Semitism and promotes tolerance and understanding through education and social action.
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Refrain from lying, negative campaigning, Kenyan bishops urge leaders
NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) -- Kenyan Catholic bishops have urged leaders to refrain from issuing derogatory statements in public and from lying to Kenyans during referendum campaigns for the country's proposed new constitution. The bishops warned that violence taking place in the campaigns was not only physical but what they described as "violence of the mind," noting that the "blatant lies, intimidation, threat or inculcation of fear" could have a psychological effect on Kenyans. Eight people have been killed during violent protests at referendum campaign rallies since late October. A pastoral letter signed by 28 bishops called for a high voter turnout and urged Kenyans to remain united after the Nov. 21 vote. The bishops said it was important voters based their decision on their consciences because the referendum would determine the destiny of the nation.
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PEOPLE
Newly beatified monk lived humble faith with North African Muslims
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Charles de Foucauld, a French monk known for his humble form of spirituality, was among three people beatified at the Vatican in mid-November. Born to a wealthy family, Blessed Foucauld lost his faith as an adolescent and lived the easy life for many years. Exploring Morocco in 1884, he saw the way Muslims worshiped God, and he was impressed and intrigued. Two years later, at age 28, he rediscovered his own faith after a visit to the Holy Land. Inspired by Jesus' years at Nazareth, he tried to live a truly contemplative life among the poor. He spent seven years as a Trappist in France and Syria before leading a life of prayer and eucharistic adoration near a convent in Nazareth, Israel. Ordained a priest at age 43, he spent the last 15 years of his life in the northern Sahara, in what is now Algeria, living among the mostly Muslim populations of the region. He was killed in 1916 by a band of marauders.
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Couple hopes DVD will foster holiness, love of prayer in children
DENVER (CNS) -- A Boulder Catholic couple who created a DVD for children said they hope it will foster holiness and a love of prayer in children "one baby at a time." "Holy Baby 2: Jesus Loves Me, He Is the Bread of Life" features a cartoon character named Baby Bosco -- based on St. John Bosco, who ministered to children -- and his frisky dog, Grigio, who protected the saint. Other images include toys, colorful lights, mountain scenes and children playing and praying. The 40-minute disc includes hymns sung by children as well as narrated Scripture readings and prayers, including the Nicene Creed and the divine praises, which are 14 praises traditionally recited or sung to conclude the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Wayne and Dede Laugesen created the DVD as a follow-up to one they released in 2003 for the year of the Rosary -- "Holy Baby: Seven Prayers in Seven Languages" -- which teaches the prayers of the rosary.
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CCHD honors man for efforts to gain justice for restaurant workers
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Rafael Duran, co-founder of a New York organization that helps restaurant workers improve their skills and achieve justice in the workplace, is the 2005 winner of the Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award given by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The award, named for Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin, the late archbishop of Chicago, honors young Catholics who demonstrate leadership in fighting poverty and injustice in the United States. Duran received the award Nov. 13 before the start of the annual fall meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. "Rafael's own journey has made him a sensitive and credible advocate for the rights of his fellow workers," said Timothy Collins, interim executive director of CCHD, the U.S. bishops' domestic anti-poverty and social justice program. "His ongoing commitment to social justice is reinforced by his Catholic spirituality, which teaches him to treat others with compassion, regardless of their differences."
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ABC film focuses on pontiff's 'human point of view,' says producer
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- An upcoming ABC movie on the life of Pope John Paul II is going to focus on the "human point of view" of the pontiff, setting it apart from a competing movie about the pope planned by CBS, according to Italian television veteran Lorenzo Minoli, producer of ABC's film. "Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II" will air 8-10 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 1, on ABC, which announced its air date after CBS had committed to Dec. 4 and 7 as the dates for its own two-night papal miniseries. Six years ago in Hollywood, CBS president Les Moonves uttered a now-classic line of hubris about CBS' and NBC's separate TV-movie projects at that time about the life of Christ. "Our Jesus is better than their Jesus," he said. The CBS version was produced by Minoli. Now that his deal this time is with ABC, would Minoli dare say that "our pope is better than their pope"? The short answer: No. "There is nothing good in bashing others. I think that one thing I'm sure of is that our movie's different from theirs," Minoli told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from New York, where he was seeing the completed project for the first time.
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Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
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