Vatican City, Nov 5, 2014 / 02:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The appreciation shown to bishops who choose to offer their resignation before the age of 75 because of illness “or other serious reasons” is the most important point in a Vatican document which went into effect on Wednesday. Made public and going into effect Nov. 5, the ‘rescriptum ex audientia’ follows a Nov. 3 papal audience held with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. The papal rescript couched its decisions in quotes from Christus Dominus – Vatican II's 1965 decree on the pastoral office of bishops in the Church –  and Ecclesiae Sanctae, Bl. Paul VI's motu proprio of the following years implementing the decree, which encouraged bishops to spontaneously submit resignation at the age of 75. The rescript also makes reference to Ingravescentem aetatem, Bl. Paul VI's 1970 motu proprio on the cardinals of the Roman Curia, confirming 75 as an age limit for heads of dicasteries and 80 for members; to the canon law codes of both the Latin and Eastern Churches; and to Pastor bonus, St. John Paul II's 1988 apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia. Pope Francis' rescript confirms that bishops, including coadjutors and auxiliaries, are invited to present their resignation at the age of 75; and that resignation is effective only when “it is accepted by the legitimate Authorities,” i.e. the Pope. The rescript also notes that once a resignation has been accepted, “the interested parties cease to hold any other office at national level conferred for a period determined in concomitance with the aforementioned pastoral office.” The real news of the papal rescript comes in article four, which says, in part: “The gesture of a Bishop who, by motives of love or the wish to offer a better service to the community, considers it necessary to resign from the role of Pastor before reaching the age of seventy-five on account of illness or other serious reasons, is to be deemed worthy of ecclesial appreciation.” The article also notes that “in such cases, the faithful are requested to demonstrate solidarity and understanding for their former Pastor, providing punctual assistance consistent with the principles of charity and justice.” A Vatican source told CNA that “this norm is intended to encourage those bishops (to resign) who are living in difficult situations yet do not want to resign because they do not want leave their flock, or because of opportunism.” Article five, in turn, reiterates that “in some particular circumstances, the competent Authorities may deem it necessary to request that a Bishop present his resignation from pastoral office, after informing him of the cause for this request, and listening closely to his reasons, in fraternal dialogue.” This article acknowledges, perhaps, that when bishops “who are living in difficult situations” do not submit resignations before turning 75, the Pope might make a point of asking them to do so. The final two articles concern cardinals who head a dicastery and non-cardinals who are presidents, secretaries, and bishops who hold other offices appointed by the Pope; both groups are required to submit their resignation at the age of 75. When the latter are member of one dicastery by virtue of their being head of another, they cease in their membership of those other dicasteries when they cease in their leadership position. And those who serve as members of dicasteries cease in their membership upon reaching the age of 80. The source commented that “it is yet to be seen now how many members of Vatican dicasteries will cease their membership now that this rescript has come into effect.” On the other hand, the source also noticed that “the rescript may also be an alert to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who had not ceased his functions as camerlengo, though he had resigned from the post of Secretary of State, having reached the age limit.” Cardinal Bertone, 79, resigned as Vatican Secretary of State one year ago. He remains camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, an office that assists with administrative services and preparations for a conclave when the Apostolic See is vacant. In fact, Cardinal Bertone will celebrate his 80th birthday on Dec. 2, and so will automatically cease any charge in the Roman Curia – including that of camerlengo. “However, the rescript could be a nudge to the cardinal to leave the post in advance of that date,” the source concluded. The camerlengo is among the officials appointed by the Pope, but the norm includes, in addition, such roles as the archpriests of the Roman basilicas. The heads of offices appointed by the Pope were included in the norms by the specific wish of Pope Francis, as was confirmed by Cardinal Parolin, who spoke informally at the conclusion of the inauguration of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology's academic year. Read more

Vatican City, Nov 5, 2014 / 12:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis gave a brief address to canonists on Wednesday, discussing the grave importance of justice in the process of marriage annulment, and the salvation of souls above all – which is always found in justice. “In the Extraordinary Synod there was talk about procedures, processes, and there was a preoccupation with streamlining the procedures, in the interest of justice,” the Roman Pontiff said Nov. 5 in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall. “Justice, because decisions must be just, and because there must be justice for the people who are waiting.” The Pope lamented "how many wait for years without a judgement,” suggesting that this is against justice. He was speaking to participants in a course at the Roman Rota concerning the dispensation of marriages which are 'ratum et non consummatum' – ratified, but unconsummated. A marriage that is both ratified and consummated “can be dissolved by no human power and by no cause, except death,” (Canon 1141), while a non-consummated marriage can be dispensed from, for a just cause, by the Roman Pontiff. The Roman Rota is one of three tribunals in the Roman Curia; it is the court of higher instance, usually at the appellate stage, with the purpose of safeguarding rights within the Church. The dean of the Roman Rota, Fr. Pio Pinto, also chairs a commission established Aug. 27 to study reform of the annulment process. Pope Francis referred to this commission in his address, noting it is “to prepare diverse possibilities” in the interest of justice and charity. “A path of justice, and also of charity, because there are so many people who need a word from the Church about their marital situation, be it a yes or a no, because this is just.” The procedure of annulment is at times “so long and so weighty” that “people give up,” he said. He recounted, as an example, the regional tribunal at the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, where he was archbishop from 1998 until 2013. The Buenos Aires tribunal “had, I do not remember for sure, but I believe, 15 dioceses in the first instance; I believe the furthest was 240 kilometers (150 miles) away… You can't do it, t is impossible to imagine that simple, common people can go to the tribunal: they would need to go on a trip, missing days of work, and also the days' wages.” In the face of uncertainty, Pope Francis said, “Mother Church must judge and say ‘Yes, it is true, your marriage is null’ or ‘No, your marriage is valid’. But she must make a judgement, and tell them, so that it is possible to go forward without this doubt, this darkness in the soul.” He then turned to the matter of treating the annulment process like business – something he warned strongly against. “It's also needed to be very attentive that the procedures are not within the framework of business: and I don't speak of strange things,” he observed, noting how scandals have arisen due to this very topic. “I had to dismiss a person from a tribunal some time ago, who said ‘Give me $10,000 and I’ll take care of both processes:  the civil and the ecclesiastical.'” “Please, not this!” Pope Francis begged. He recalled how during the synod the question of the cost of annulments was discussed. He then stated that “when you attach economic interests to spiritual interests, it is not of God!” “Mother Church has so much generosity to be able to do justice freely, freely as we have been justified by Jesus Christ. This point is important: separate these two things.” Pope Francis concluded, thanking the participants for coming to the Rota's course. “You have to study and to proceed looking always for the salvation of souls, which is not necessarily found outside of justice; indeed, it is with justice.” Read more

Vatican City, Nov 5, 2014 / 11:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In comments about Brittany Maynard, the terminally ill cancer patient who took her own life, one Vatican official clarified that while we cannot judge a person, we can judge actions themselves as right or wrong. Spanish Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life at the Vatican, explained to ANSA news agency, “We don't judge people, but the gesture in itself is to be condemned. What happened in her conscience we don't know.” Bishop Carrasco de Paula said Maynard decided to take her life “thinking she would die with dignity, but that is the error.” He called this view “an absurdity” because “dignity is something incompatible with putting an end to your own life.” “Committing suicide is not a good thing; it is bad because it’s saying 'no' to one's own life and to everything that it means regarding our mission towards the people around us in this world." If someday “a law is passed allowing the sick to end their lives,” the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life said, “they would be left completely abandoned. This danger is imminent because society does not want to pay the costs of illness and there is a risk that this outlook would become (seen as) the solution.” Maynard, who suffered from a brain tumor, originally said she would kill herself on Nov. 1 after fulfilling several of her last wishes. Doctors had told her she only had six months to live. Two days before Nov. 1, she posted a video indicating she might postpone her suicide. In the end, she followed through with her decision with the help of the pro-assisted suicide group.   Read more

Vatican City, Nov 5, 2014 / 11:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his weekly general audience on Wednesday Pope Francis said that a Church which does not foster communion with the bishop is unhealthy. In his remarks to the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square on Nov. 5, the Pope called on Christian communities to “nurture a sincere and profound communion” with the bishop, “starting with the priests and deacons. “There is no healthy Church if the faithful priests, deacons are not united around their bishop,” he said. “This Church not united around their bishop is a sick Church.” “It is in the Bishop that the relationship of each Church with the Apostles is visible and with all the other communities,” he said, “united with their bishops and the Pope in the One Church of the Lord Jesus, that is our Holy Mother the Hierarchical Church.” Turning to the reading of Paul to Titus read out during the audience, Pope Francis acknowledged it is “not easy” to practice the “many virtues” which Saint Paul commends to bishops, “because we are sinners.” He therefore asked for prayers that they “can at least hope to be closer to the things that the Apostle Paul advises for all Bishops.” Of all the “ordained ministries” to which Christ gives rise “in order to build up the Christian community as His Body,” the Pope said the ministry “of the bishop stands out.” “Assisted by priests and deacons,” the Holy Father said “it is Christ himself who is present” in the bishop, “and who continues to take care of his Church, ensuring his protection and guidance.” In their “presence and ministry,” he added, “we can recognize the true face of the Church: she is our Holy Mother the Hierarchical Church.” He explained that “the Church exercises her motherhood” through her bishops, priests, and deacons, sustaining the faithful from Baptism until death. This motherhood is “expressed in particular in the person of the bishop and in his ministry,” the Pope said. “As Jesus chose the Apostles and sent them out to preach the Gospel and shepherd his flock,” he said, “so the bishops, their successors, are placed at the head of the Christian community, as guarantor of their faith and as a living sign of the presence of the Lord among them.” Pope Francis stressed that theirs “is not a position of prestige” or “an honorary role”: rather, it is one of service. The Holy Father went on to say there is no place in the Church for a “worldly mentality”, in which the title of bishop is understood in the context of an “ecclesiastical career.” Rather, “being Bishop means keeping ever present the example of Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, came not to be served but to serve (cf. Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45), and to give His life for His sheep (cf. Jn 10:11).” As shown by the many bishops who have been declared saints, the Pope said, “one does not ask for” this ministry, nor can it be bought.” Rather, it is accepted “in obedience, not in an attempt to climb higher but to lower oneself,” just as Jesus 'humbled himself and became obedient unto to death, even death on a cross'” (Phil 2,8). “It is sad when we see a man who seeks this office and does all he can to get it and when he gets it does not serve, instead goes around like a peacock and lives only for his vanity,” the Pope said. Another “precious element” of the bishop's ministry is their unity, Pope Francis said. Just as the Apostles were “united as one family” around Jesus, so too the “Bishops too are a single college, gathered around the Pope, who is the guardian and guarantor of this profound communion that was so dear to Jesus and His apostles themselves.” The Holy Father noted the beauty of such collegiality expressed by the bishops, alongside the Pope, such as was recently witnessed in the Synod of the Family. “Despite living in places, cultures, sensibilities and traditions that are different and distant from each other,” Pope Francis said, there is nonetheless an “intimate bond” with one another “in Christ, in their communities.” Read more

Vatican City, Nov 4, 2014 / 04:24 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Religious freedom is at risk in Europe and has been increasingly suppressed in the United States over the course of the past year, according to a new report. The findings were made in the 12th edition of the World Report on Religious Freedom, issued by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, released Nov. 4. The report is a snapshot of the state of religious freedom in 196 countries from Oct. 2012 to June 2014, collecting first-hand data and providing help wherever Christians are needing aid. Religious freedom in each country was gauged by the right to conversion, to build places of worship, to conduct missions, and the allowance of children to be educated according to the religious principles of their parents. The Middle East has been a main focus for Aid to the Church in Need, which recently allocated about 5 million Euro to help displaced Christians in Iraq. Peter Sefton-Williams, president of the report's drafting committee, said that the analysis “highlights that the state of religious freedom have worsened in 55 countries” – that is, 28 percent of the globe. “Only six out of 196 countries have recorded an improvement,” yet four out of these six countries still “record a religious persecution ranked as 'high' or 'medium.'” “In particular, the situation of Christians has more at risk in the course of the last year. We cannot remain silent in front of this catastrophe, and it is important that our voice is based on trusted and first hand witness,” said Johannes Heereman von Zuydtwyck, international executive president of Aid to the Church in Need. Other data shows that out of 196 countries, 81 nations (41 percent) are identified as places where religious freedom is at risk or declining. Twenty countries are deemed at “high” risk of violation of religious freedom, and 14 out of these 20 are challenged by religious persecutions linked to Islamic extremism. “The good news, if there is any, is that 80 countries (40 percent of the total) did not record any worry over the lack of religious freedom,” Sefton Williams said. A general overview of the state of religious freedom showed that violations are high in Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Sudan. The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Netherlands and France are among the countries where the state of religious freedom is deemed as “worrying” and at the same time “worsening” by the report. “Europe has always been considered the cradle of human rights, and it seems to feel the responsibility of defending these rights, at least on theoretical terms,” said Martin Kugler, member of the Observatory on the Intolerance and the Discrimination against Christians in Europe. “On the other hand, it's been proven that fundamental rights have been challenged in European countries.” Kluger said that threats to religious freedom are mainly supported by groups of “radical” feminist and gay lobbies. “In order to pursue an effective and real equality between men and women, radical feminists think that non-restricting law for abortion, contraception and bio-technologies (for instance, in-vitro fertilization) are needed, and so they push that the objection of conscience” is not relevant anymore, Kluger said. Gay activists in Europe, Kugler added, “want to show that homosexuality is absolutely normal,” and so they push for “a legalization of the gay marriage” and the “possibility for gay couples to adopt children.” Meanwhile, Christians and Muslims are pressured to be “completely silent” for what concerns their moral vision on homosexuality. Activists, Kugler said, “try to exclude the religious point of view from public life, taking out any public financial aid to religion, and for instance forbidding the exposition or exhibition of a crucifix in public.” He underscored that these forces “try to forbid those who openly claims to be Christian to take public positions.” “Generally these groups of pressures are ready to be intolerant in the name of tolerance, and Christian Churches are their main goals, since they represent, in the secularist view, the highest level of faith in the transcendence and defense of the natural law – though Christians share this view with other religions,” Kugler said. Scrolling the report, one finds that attacks to Christian places of worships have been continuous in 2012 and 2013. In Germany, conflicts between state and families reached a high level when the four siblings of Wunderlich family in Darmastadt had been taken away by 20 policemen and a social worker because Dirk and Petra Wunderlich were homeschooling. In 2013 the European Court for Human Rights published its judgment on four British cases on individuals who filed complaints of having been discriminated against because they are Christians. And in the Middle East, the situation in Iraq is continually worsening. Pascale Warda, an Iraqi who founded the Iraqi Society for human Rights and formerly Iraqi Minister for Migration Policies, said that one of the main reasons why Christians are fleeing Iraq is “the situation that I would call 'anti-non-Islamic religious freedom' exercised by the Islamic authorities imposed on the administration,” despite some positive laws issued in the past. For what concern the United States, violations to religious freedom are deemed “low,” but the general situation is marked as “worsening.” A U.S. report issued by the Institute for Freedom in collaboration with the Council for the Research on Family which documents 1200 cases of hostility to religion which is double the previous year, the Aid to the Church in Need report read. Among the cases taken in consideration was that of Jack Phillips – a Christian baker from Colorado, who had refused in 2012 to make a wedding cake for a homosexual marriage because of his religious objections – in June 2014. A Colorado board ruled that he must make cakes for gay weddings despite his religious objections. Read more