Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jun 5, 2015 / 05:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- When Pope Francis visits Bosnia and Herzegovina tomorrow, he will be visiting a country still devastated by the three-year Bosnian War that took place in the early 1990s. An ... Read more
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jun 5, 2015 / 04:51 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis’ visit to Sarajevo could be an opportunity to advance peace, equality, and justice for Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite a declining Catholic population whose refugees have still not returned home. “It is time for world leaders to make a just peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Cardinal Vinko Puljic of Sarajevo told CNA April 7. “I do not expect a miracle from the Pope’s visit. But I expect that his cry would awake the conscience and responsibility of those who are in power who supposedly proclaim human rights … to solve the problem between the peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Cardinal Puljic said Bosnia and Herzegovina had been “put aside,” but the Pope’s Feb. 1 announcement of a visit once again put Sarajevo at the center of the world’s interest. “Because of that, the most influential countries and people of the world started again to think about Bosnia and Herzegovina and reconsider the situation here, trying to rebuild a just peace here.” Pope Francis’ June 6 visit to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina comes 20 years after the 1995 Dayton Agreement ended the Bosnian War. The war, which followed the breakup of Yugoslavia, killed around 100,000 combatants and civilians and displaced a million more people. The fighting split largely along ethnic lines, among the predominantly Orthodox Serbs, the predominantly Catholic Croats, and the predominantly Muslim Bosniaks. Cardinal Puljic is a critic of the outcome of the internationally-brokered agreement that ended the war. “The beginning of injustice in Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the Dayton Agreement, which legalized ethnic cleansing. And the things that were implemented were the things favoring the most powerful side here in Bosnia,” he said. He said that that the state “cannot establish the rule of law, equal for all three peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” “This kind of state does not guarantee the equality before the law for all three peoples,” he added. “The number of Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina is less and less every single year. Before the war, the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna [Sarajevo] had 520,000 Catholics, and the number is now around 180,000,” Cardinal Puljic explained. “How can I be silent facing those facts? Every year we are 8,000-10,000 less.” He blamed a “lack of political will” as the main obstacle preventing refugees from returning home. The cardinal said it was “particularly inexcusable” that resources were not provided to Catholics to return and rebuild. “It is difficult now to talk about the return. People could not wait, and therefore they started a new life somewhere else. But their farms and ruins are still vivid witnesses of the crime committed. It is not a question of return anymore; now it is a question of the survival of those who remained and still live here.” Cardinal Puljic hoped the papal visit would advance equal treatment for Catholics. “The Pope does not want to defend Catholics and ask privileges for them – No! But we expect that Catholics, who are mostly Croats, have the same rights as the two other constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Bishop Tomo Vukšic of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Military Ordinariate also blamed a lack of political will for post-war failures, such as allowing the return of refugees. In his view, the country now lives under an “unjust peace.” “It’s a peace because thanks to God there is no war, and this is a great benefit of this Dayton Agreement,” Bishop Vukšic told CNA March 31. “But it’s an unjust peace because first of all it didn't allow for refugees to return. Many people were left without the real possibility of returning, security wasn't guaranteed, the possibility wasn't organized, and in the end many, whether Catholic or Orthodox, didn't come back.” The structure of political life, election laws, and the distribution of humanitarian aid also incorporates the elements of an “unjust peace.” Bishop Vukšic recapped the dissolution of Yugoslavia; the idea that the country was indissoluble was one source of the conflict. The Yugoslavian communist army was mostly controlled by Serbian officers. Serbian nationalist ambitions to unite all territories with Serbian residents was also a factor in the conflict, because in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosniaks and Croats opposed this tendency. “It led to many deaths and a lot of destruction,” the bishop said. While ethnic and religious identity almost entirely overlapped among the warring factions, he said this was a result of centuries-old historical processes. “Religion was an entirely secondary matter, it was not part of the war either as a cause or a consequence.” Many Catholics lived in ethnically mixed villages and cities, which suffered significantly in periods of ethnic cleansing. “Different Catholics had to run away or were kicked out during the war,” Bishop Vukšic said. After the war their houses and jobs had been destroyed and they lacked security, forcing them to move elsewhere. Bishop Vukšic said the country’s bishops and other Catholics are doing “everything that is possible” to help people return, but added that it is the responsibility of the government and the international community to establish a just parliament and just laws. The bishops can “preach great principles,” help with dialogue, and help the Catholic relief agency Caritas, he maintains. He said he believes Pope Francis will address “the question of justice” among other themes during his visit to Sarajevo. Read more
New York City, N.Y., Jun 5, 2015 / 11:23 am (CNA).- Aiming to reduce the financial burden of a college education, the New York-based St. John’s University has enacted a tuition freeze for the 2015-2016 school year, along with other efforts to kee... Read more
Lima, Peru, Jun 5, 2015 / 06:33 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Upon seeing pictures from the 2015 March for Life in Lima, Peru, Pope Francis had a message for the faithful of the South American country: “keep shaking things up.” The Holy Father of... Read more
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jun 5, 2015 / 06:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A key Muslim figure in Bosnia said that “mutual trust” was the first victim of the country’s recent war – and is something each of their four main religi... Read more
Maputo, Mozambique, Jun 5, 2015 / 04:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A group of bishops from across Africa and Europe met last weekend pledging to redouble their efforts in favor of families, and examining challenges of the 2014 Synod on the Family as well as prospects for the 2015 synod. The bishops who gathered in Mozambique at the May 28-31 Seminar on the Family were from the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE). The participants included bishops from Africa and eastern Europe, who were among the strongest defenders of the Church's traditional teaching and practice at the 2014 Synod of Bishops, and who are certain to promote Christian values and to counter any initiatives that would go beyond Catholic teaching. “The human person does not realise his or her freedom by separating themselves from any bond, from any relationship with the past, with the future, with humanity and with other people, but by accepting an order of personal relationships which help the development of the individual human person, encouraging the realisation of their own freedom,” read a May 29 message to the assembly from Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, who is president of the CCEE. The meeting's closing message included the bishops' pledge to redouble their evangelization efforts through a more focused pastoral care of families in all their dioceses, and to instill vision of the family not only in their faithful, but also in every person of good will. They showed their pastoral approach by first commending the “many happy families” and expressing gratitude for them, and then adding that “at the same time, as Pastors, we are close to those, who though married, are living in some marital crisis.” “We suffer a lot with broken families; with poor families that hardly make it through the day. We are touched by people afflicted with illness and who cannot be taken care of for lack of financial means, or lack of professional healthcare,” the bishops' message emphasized, also reflecting on the challenges which illness, substance abuse, war, migration, and human trafficking pose to families. The bishops added, “Our hearts are broken, when we notice young children, orphaned, abused, without education, many of whom live alone on the streets, and teenagers lured into violence, crime, prostitution, etc. We hear of so many mothers, who desperately see no future for their unborn child, and so resort to abortion. What a pain this must be!” Bishops also expressed worry over “some of the negative influences within the media.” They then turned again to the “many families that live a life of selflessness and sacrifice, being generously open to new life, and giving themselves without conditions to other family members, and in that way really finding fulfillment in themselves,” commending the families “where faith in God and family values are lived and passed on; where there is unconditional acceptance and mutual cooperation, room for mistakes, fraternal correction and place for forgiveness and reconciliation; where every child is welcome, with whatever traits and disabilities.” Reflecting on their mission as bishops, the group prayed that the Holy Spirit will “guide the thoughts and deliberations of the Fathers of the coming Synod … May the ideal family never be totally eclipsed by our human weakness and sin!” “As bishops, we will double up our efforts to let this light of Christ shine, by increasing our pastoral care of the family, by preparing our youth for Holy Matrimony, by accompanying families with or without children, by taking care of the elderly and the divorced in whatever circumstances they live.” The seminar included 35 participants, of whom 22 are bishops. Participants from western Europe included Archbishop Francois Garnier of Cambrai and Archbishop Ludwig Schick of Bamberg. The meeting also included contributions from Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Olweny of Kenya, from the Africa Family Life Federation. Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi emphasized the challenges facing the Christian vision of the family, urging that the 2015 Synod must “rediscover the saving plan of God, according to the teaching of Sacred Scripture and the Church, in the pastoral action in favour of the families, the values of marriage and the family to be put into practice in the life of young people and spouses, helping them to appreciate the greatness and the beauty of the gift of indissolubility, in order to arouse the desire to live it up together and build more and more.” Archbishop Mbilingi called the relationship between doctrine and mercy a “great challenge,” and suggested that the upcoming synod fathers “shall seek to help the faithful in relation to people who have not yet reached a full understanding of the gift of love of Christ, by showing an attitude of acceptance and trustful confidence, without ever giving up the proclamation of the demands of the Gospel.” The Angolan archbishop's address was followed by the message from Cardinal Erdo, which focused on the negative consequences of secularization and individualism, “which separates the human person from his / her natural environment, from the communities represented by the family and society.” He noted the positive role of families who “encourage each other in a mutual fashion,” praying together and discussing the faith, commenting that “these communities really seem to be a sign of the times … we must make our communities more aware of the values of this new and strong phenomenon.” Cardinal Erdo continued, saying that “the human person is realised in complementarity with others, and the family is its most essential expression. The history of humanity shows that sin can close us in on ourselves and create many tensions and divisions. But God, as Pope Francis frequently reminds us, does not allow us be crushed by human sin, and Christ comes to meet every person to save them and lead them back to their true humanity. Christ – who has taught us the full truth about the human person, as well as about marriage and the family – always remains the unique reference point for our faith and for our lives.” Continuing in this line, the cardinal said, “we are not called to look at the world simply with our philosophical categories and only on the basis of empirical personal experiences or starting from sociological polls or studies, but we are disciples of Christ, so we must look to Christ, we must listen to his voice through history, through the Sacred Scripture, through the testimony of the community of the Church.” Cardinal Erdo's comments can be seen as a salvo against the program of numerous bishops from western Europe – such as those of Germany – who are suggesting an opening to the acceptance of same-sex unions, and admission of the divorced and remarried to Communion. While Cardinal Erdo urged looking first to Christ – rather than empirical personal experiences or sociological studies – the German bishops' response to the preparatory questionnaire for the 2015 synod noted that “the vast majority” of respondents expect the Church to accept homosexual relationships on the basis of a “moral theological evaluation which takes account of pastoral experiences and of the findings of the humanities.” Cardinal Erdo concluded his address saying, “Thus we see the direction: every real development in the Church draws us closer to Christ, both in faith and in daily life.” Read more
Canberra, Australia, Jun 5, 2015 / 12:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A group of Australian bishops have emphasized Cardinal George Pell’s record of leadership against clergy sex abuse following critical news broadcasts and comments from a member of the ... Read more
Washington D.C., Jun 4, 2015 / 03:07 pm (National Catholic Register).- Almost single-handedly one cleric has turned the Church’s teaching on Communion, marriage and divorce into an international debate. For decades, German Cardinal Walter Kasp... Read more
Rome, Italy, Jun 4, 2015 / 02:42 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Persecuted Christians were remembered during Thursday's Corpus Christi procession in Rome, where Pope Francis told the thousands taking part to walk and pray in unity with those who cannot express their faith so openly. “Let us feel united with them: sing with them, give praise with them, worship with them,” the Roman Pontiff said in his homily for Mass said in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran June 4, celebrated just before the procession. “As we walk along the street, we feel in communion with the many brothers and sisters who are not free to express their faith in the Lord Jesus.” The Pope also remembered those who have been martyred for their faith. “We venerate in our hearts those brothers and sisters who have been asked to sacrifice their lives in fidelity to Christ,” he said. “May their blood, united to that of the Lord, be a token of peace and reconciliation for the whole world.” During the procession for the feast of Corpus Christi, a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament was carried slowly through the streets on top a white truck, protected by two deacons and illuminated by candles. The procession began after the evening Mass in Saint John Lateran, Rome's cathedral, and continued to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Thousands of people took part, including many of the prelates who concelebrated Mass with the Holy Father. Pope Francis in his homily added that this procession can also be a way of “expressing our gratitude for the journey which God has made through the desert of our poverty, to free us from servitude, nourishing us with his love through the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.” The feast of Corpus Christi celebrates the real presence of Christ's Body and Blood in the Eucharist. During the Mass, Pope Francis recalled how during the Last Supper, Christ gave his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine. “With this 'viaticum' over flowing with Grace, the disciples have everything they need for their long journey through history, extending God's reign to everyone,” the Pope said. “This Bread of Life has come down to us!” he said, adding that the never-ending awe which the Church has before of this reality fosters “contemplation, adoration, and memory.” Pope Francis reflected a few lines taken from the Office of Readings for the feast: “eat (Christ's Body), or you will have no part in him … drink (His Blood), lest you despair of your sinfulness.” By not obeying the Lord's Word, by not living together fraternally, by trying to be first, by not courageously giving witness to charity, by being unable to offer hope – in these ways, the Pope said, we separate ourselves from Christ. The Eucharist, on the other hand, “is the bond of communion, the fulfillment of the Covenant, the living sign of Christ's love, who was humiliated and annihilated in order that we may remain united.” By taking part and nourishing ourselves with the Eucharist, “we are placed on a path which does not allow divisions,” he continued. Christ's presence among us under the appearance of bread and wine demands that “the power of love overcomes every wound,” he said. “At the same time, it becomes communion with the poor, support for the weak, and fraternal awareness for those struggling to support the weight of daily life.” Pope Francis spoke of the “watering down” of our Christian dignity with “the idolatries of our time.” He gave several examples of this contemporary “idolatry,” including the viewing of oneself at the center of everything, arrogance, and not admitting fault. “All of this degrades us, and makes us into mediocre, lukewarm, insipid, pagan Christians,” he said. The Roman Pontiff also spoke of how we are transformed by the grace which comes from the shedding of Christ's blood. “We always poor sinners, but the Blood of Christ frees us from our sins and restores our dignity,” he said. “Although undeserving, we are able to bring with sincere humility the love of our Lord and Savior to our brethren.” Read more
Vatican City, Jun 4, 2015 / 11:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his latest act of papal charity, Pope Francis has donated funds for two busloads of homeless and sick pilgrims to visit the Shroud of Turin. They will stay in two charitable centers that offer shelter to the homeless during the winter. The trips will “prepare the way for the Pope’s visit which is scheduled to take place on June 21: his poor arrive before him,” the papal almoner, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, told Italian newspaper La Stampa in an article published June 3. Pope Francis himself is scheduled to venerate the shroud during a June 21-22 visit to the northern Italian region. The Shroud of Turin is among the most well-known relics connected with Christ's Passion. Venerated for centuries by Christians as the burial shroud of Jesus, it has been subject to intense scientific study to ascertain its authenticity, and the origins of the image. A little more than 14 ft. long and 3-and-a-half feet wide, the cloth is stained with the post-mortem image of a man – front and back – who has been brutally tortured and crucified. In a rare exposition, the shroud is on display to the public from April 19 to June 24, having most recently been shown in 2010. Paid for by the archbishop with money donated to the Pope for his personal charity endeavors, the buses of needy, homeless and sick pilgrims headed to Turin are divided into two groups. The first group of 50 left the morning of June 3 from the Roman parish of Santa Lucia in Piazzale Clodio, which is a meeting point for Rome’s needy to convene for help and a hot meal. Once they arrive in Turin, the “Pope’s poor” will stay at the Cottolengo and Maria Adelaide centers, which provide shelter for homeless during the winter season. Fr. Antonio Nicolai, the parish priest, is accompanying the group. Their visit to the Shroud is planned for June 4. “This trip is a treat offered by Pope Francis to our homeless brothers,” Fr. Nicoloai told La Stampa. “When he learned about this pilgrimage, he wished, through his almoner, who is in charge of charitable works, to give a contribution to these people living in a precarious state. This is because he believes that like the Shroud, they represent the suffering of the Lord Jesus,” he said. A larger group of 70 poor and homeless is set to visit the Shroud next week. They are scheduled to set off from the Roman parish Sant’Eustachio on board a double-decker bus, and will be accompanied by the parish priest and a number of volunteers. Archbishop Krajewski was present at Santa Lucia June 3 to greet the first busload and offer them a small amount of money on behalf of the Pope, so they could buy themselves a cappuccino or another drink during the several-hour bus ride. “We must feed those in difficulty, not just with bread, but also give them the chance to enjoy beauty – hence the visit to the Sistine Chapel – or to join other pilgrims in experiencing important moments like the Ostension (Showing) of the Holy Shroud,” the archbishop said. He referred to a March 26 event in which 150 of Rome’s homeless were invited for dinner and a private tour of the Vatican Museums, culminating in the Sistine Chapel. In a March 30, 2013, video message sent out for the televised showing of the Shroud of Turin, Pope Francis said: “This disfigured face resembles all those faces of men and women marred by a life which does not respect their dignity, by war and violence which afflict the weakest.” It is because of this, Archbishop Krajewski said, that the Pope decided to send two groups of pilgrims that are for him very special in order to prepare for this own visit. In addition to a stop at the Shroud, Pope Francis’ schedule for his two-day trip also includes a visit to a juvenile prison, where he will have lunch with the young detainees, a group of immigrants and homeless persons. Other highlights of the trip will include Sunday morning Mass in Piazza Vittorio, followed by a meeting with the sick and disabled in the afternoon at the Church of Cottolengo. On Monday during his trip the Pope will take part in an ecumenical meeting at the Tempio Valdese (Waldensian Temple), followed by Mass at the archbishop's palace. He will depart for Rome by plane at 5 p.m. Read more
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