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SAMBI Apr-4-2006 (770 words) With photos posted April 3. xxxn
New papal nuncio to U.S. cites vitality of U.S. Catholicism
By Jerry Filteau
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Archbishop Pietro Sambi, new papal nuncio to the United States, said April 3 that he is impressed by the vitality of U.S. Catholicism.
"There are problems in the church of the United States," he said in an interview with Catholic News Service. "I know also there is a lot of vitality -- I would like that this be more known."
The nuncio, who arrived in the United States Feb. 24, just before Lent began, said he was impressed at reports from U.S. bishops on the "hundreds and hundreds of adult persons" who came to their cathedrals on the first Sunday of Lent to begin the final stages of preparation to be baptized or enter into full communion with the church at Easter.
He said he is also impressed by the level of weekly Mass attendance among U.S. Catholics and by their generosity toward others.
As a papal diplomat "I travel a lot throughout the world," he said. "It is difficult to find a part of the world where the charity of U.S. Catholics did not reach the poor or sick people."
In his previous posting Archbishop Sambi, who speaks Italian, English, French and Spanish, was the Vatican representative to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
Asked about his views on peace in the Middle East and the U.S. role there, he said, "I come with a deep conviction that peace in Jerusalem means peace in a great part of the world."
Noting that Jerusalem is a holy city to Jews, Christians and Muslims, he said, "If there the Jewish, Christian and Muslim civilizations will learn to accept each other, to respect each other and to collaborate for the best, there will be peace in all parts of the world where these three civilizations have influence."
He declined to comment on U.S. policy in Iraq, saying that was beyond his mandate as a Vatican diplomat. But he said he shares the feeling that he thinks is common among Americans, "to pray and hope that this conflicted situation will soon end and that a democratic and free society will emerge."
When asked to comment on the current U.S. debate over immigration reform, in which a number of U.S. bishops have spoken out strongly against proposed restrictive legislation, Archbishop Sambi said as an ambassador it was not his role to comment on a nation's "internal" issues.
"But I am happy the Catholic bishops are really outspoken on this matter," he added.
When questioned about responding to the cultural upheavals in the United States over issues with moral dimensions such as abortion and same-sex marriage, he addressed the question in terms of what it means to be Catholic.
"I don't like to speak inside the Catholic Church about liberal or conservative, but about people faithful to Jesus Christ and to his church," he said. "The church has been established by Our Lord to continue the mystery of the salvation of human beings. It is not your invention, it is not my invention. To be faithful to the church means to accept the lordship of Jesus Christ over your life. ... The question of the church is not only a question of culture, it is a question of the Gospel."
He summarized the church's vitality in three principles:
-- "First, have a clear identity, what it means to be Christian and Catholic.
-- "Second, have a strong sense of belonging. Your community needs you and you need your community. (The one) who is walking alone will be lost.
-- "Third, quantity is not the (only) way to emerge and have influence in society. Exceptional quality is the best way to have influence."
A papal nuncio is not only the Vatican ambassador to a nation's government, but also the chief Vatican liaison with the church in that country, especially in the Vatican's dealings with bishops.
Archbishop Sambi said it was too early to say what his message to the U.S. bishops will be when he meets with them. "Leave me a bit more time to know the situation."
But in general terms, he said, "My job is this: to strengthen communion between the Holy Father and the bishops and the Catholic Church of America, to bring all the time the support and encouragement of the pope to his brothers in the episcopate and to their faithful, to be an instrument of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, to defend life and the dignity of every human person, to find a way of peace with justice in the world."
END
Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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