Vatican City, Oct 7, 2014 / 05:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In their announcement of the Pope’s schedule for his visit to the European Parliament next month, the Vatican also revealed that he intends to return to France in 2015 for a longer visit. “In the context of the publication of the schedule of the Pope to the European Parliament and to the Council of Europe that will take place November 25, I can now say now that the Holy Father intends to make an apostolic voyage to France in the coming year 2015,” Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. said in an Oct. 7 statement. The announcement of Pope Francis’ projected visit to France marks his second international trip set for 2015, the first being a Jan. 12-19 visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The papal trip – which will be the second to Asia in six months – was informally announced by the Pope in May, during a press conference he held aboard a plane returning from the Holy Land. He will travel to Sri Lanka Jan. 12-15 and to Philippines Jan. 15-19. In their statement, the Vatican also published the Roman Pontiff’s schedule for his Nov. 25 visit to the European Parliament and to the Council of Europe this year. Leaving just before 8a.m., Pope Francis is expected to land in Strasbourg around 10a.m., and will travel to the European Parliament for a 10:35a.m. meeting where he is due to address all of its members. After his speech for the parliament, the Pope will pay a visit to the European Council at noon, where he will also give an address. He will head to the airport after the meeting, and is expected to arrive back in Rome just before 4 in the afternoon. Shortly after his visit to the European Parliament, Pope Francis will travel to Turkey, where it is anticipated that he will go to Istanbul Nov. 30 in order to celebrate the feast of St. Andrew, who is the founder of the Eastern Church and patron of the Orthodox world. According to a previous article from Vatican Radio, a delegation from the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity frequently travels to Turkey for the celebration, however this year Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople invited the Roman Pontiff to participate in person. Should Pope Francis attend festivities in Istanbul, he would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, retired pontiff Benedict XVI, who traveled to the cities of Ankara, Ephesus and Istanbul in November 2006.Please see below for the Pope’s full schedule for his visit to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014: 7:55a.m. Depart for Strasbourg by plane from Rome's Fiumicino airport 10:00a.m. Arrive to the International Airport of Strasbourg/Entzheim 10:35a.m. Visit to the European Parliament 12:05p.m. Visit to the Council of Europe 1:50p.m. Depart for Rome by plane 3:50p.m. Arrive to Rome's Ciampino airport Read more

Vatican City, Oct 7, 2014 / 04:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In what ways can the Church provide pastoral care for men and women of same-sex attraction that is compassionate and affirming in the faith – all the while remaining true to its teachings? At the opening of the Synod on the Family, participants were reminded that the Church's pastoral approach towards persons with same-sex attraction is an issue worthy of attention. Over the next two weeks, the Extraordinary Synod on the Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization will explore the various concerns faced by families today: among them, the pastoral care of individuals with same-sex attraction. In his remarks on Oct. 6, general relator for the synod Cardinal Peter Erdo said there was “a broad consensus that people with a homosexual orientation should not be discriminated against,” and that most Catholics do not expect same-sex relationships to “be equated with marriage between a man and a woman.” However, he noted that there is no “consensus among the vast majority of Catholics on the ideology of gender theories.” The cardinal based his remarks on the data contained in the Instrumentum Laboris – a working document published earlier this year as part of the preparations for the synod. The document is a compilation of responses to a questionnaire sent out to families at the end of 2013 designed to assess the pastoral needs of the global Church with regard to the needs of the family. Addressing a wide range of issues cited by the document which relate to the family, he noted how “the majority of human beings seek personal happiness in life with a permanent bond between a man and a woman, together with the children of their union.” However, “the specific aspects of doctrine and the Church's Magisterium on marriage and family are not always sufficiently well-known by the faithful.” Although Cardinal Erdo spoke just briefly about the pastoral care of individuals with same-sex attraction in his intervention at the synod on Monday morning, the passages from the working document he referred to address the issues in greater length. One of the themes addressed in the Instrumentum Laboris regards the civil recognition of same-sex unions as determined by “socio-cultural, religious and political” contexts. According to the episcopal conferences, one example includes those places where “repressive and punitive measures,” are taken against “homosexuality in all its aspects,” and public manifestation of homosexuality “is prohibited by civil law.” In such contexts, according to the document, “the Church provides different forms of spiritual care for single, homosexual people who seek the Church's assistance.” Other circumstances include places where homosexuality is tolerated so long as it remains hidden, as well as states which recognize civil unions and – in some cases – so-called “marriages” between same-sex couples. Every bishops' conference opposes the redefinition of marriage, according to the document. At the same time, they express a desire to find “a balance between the Church's teaching on the family and respectful, non-judgemental attitude towards people living in such unions.” “On the whole,” the document states, “the extreme reactions to these unions, whether compromising or uncompromising, do not seem to have facilitated the development of an effective pastoral program which is consistent with the Magisterium and compassionate towards the persons concerned.” An additional factor complicating the Church's pastoral care for those with same-sex attraction pertains to the promotion of “gender ideology” – a point highlighted by Cardinal Erdo during his intervention Monday morning.   Although aimed at eliminating homophobia, the introduction of this gender ideology (in some places at the elementary level) leads to the spreading of a mentality which “proposes, in fact, to undermine sexual identity.” Finally, the Instrumentum Laboris addresses the concern surrounding the pastoral care of children of same-sex couples. The responses to the questionnaire, according to the document, indicate clear opposition “to legislation which would allow the adoption of children by persons in a same-sex union,” due to the “risk to the integral good of the child, who has the right to have a mother and father.” Pastoral concerns arise, however, in cases where same-sex couples request baptism for the children in their care. The majority consensus from Catholics around the world is that children in these cases “must be received with the same care, tenderness and concern which is given to other children.” That being said, the document stressed the need to ensure children raised by same-sex couples would be properly instructed in the faith. The Instrumentum Laboris also highlights some general pastoral guidelines with regard to persons with SSA, and the various issues which depend on whether or not have chosen to pursue a homosexual life style. Many episcopal conferences have addressed the need for pastoral programs. Others expressed unease at the prospect of welcoming those with same-sex attraction in a spirit that is at once merciful and true to Catholic teaching, “all the while attempting to provide appropriate pastoral care which takes every aspect of the person into consideration.” Still others stress the importance of terminology, with some recommending against the use of terms such as “gay,” “lesbian” or “homosexual” as a way of defining a person's identity. On the whole, however, “the great challenge will be to develop a ministry which can maintain the proper balance between accepting persons in a spirit of compassion,” the working document said, “gradually guiding them to authentic human and Christian maturity.” Read more

Vatican City, Oct 6, 2014 / 05:34 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The family is not an outdated model, and Catholics should defend it from the sins that call into question and often destroy the traditional family, the general rapporteur of the Synod of Bishops said Monday. Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest presented the 14-page “relatio ante disceptationem” at an Oct. 6 press conference. The relatio took into consideration the responses given a preliminary questionnaire which was delivered to bishops' conferences earlier this year, as well as the relations of the synodal fathers; it is in four parts: the Gospel of the Family in the Context of New Evangelization; the Gospel of the Family and Family Ministry; difficult Pastoral Situations; and the Family and the Gospel of Life. Cardinal Erdo said that “the renewal of the methodology of the synod lies also in the fact that we are already drafting the post-discussion relation, on the basis of the written interventions of the synodal fathers, though we still have to consider what comes out from the debate.” He also announced that for the first time, deliberations at the synod will be held in Italian rather than in Latin. Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, who is general secretary of the synod, added that “the synod of bishops had matured in the course of years.” “The synod had become too set, and Benedict XVI wanted to introduce free discussion, beyond the prepared interventions,” Archbishop Forte said. He added that “as the most important issues of the Second Vatican Council were discussed in the inter-session, the the non-formal ones, I expect that the most important outcomes of the synod of the bishops will come from the free discussions, that Pope Francis wanted to be frank.” The relatio read by Cardinal Erdo will provide some of the topics on the table during these two weeks of the Synod of Bishops on the Family.Education The relatio stressed that “today, the family is certainly encountering many difficulties, but it is not an outdated model, because of a widely diffused indication among the young of a renewed desire to form a family.” According to Cardinal Erdo, “the fundamental teaching on marriage appear well-enough known, but the specific aspects of doctrine and the Church’s Magisterium on marriage and family are not always sufficiently well-known by the faithful.” The relation stressed many times the need for more comprehensive education on the Catholic teaching. “It is particularly useful for the bishops of the local communities to be offered clear guidelines to help those living in difficult situations,” since “it is unrealistic to expect that by themselves they will find the right solutions in conformity with the truth of Gospel and nearness to individual in particular situation,” the document reads. The relatio also alerted local communities to avoid “the improvisations of a do-it-yourself-ministry, which in ends in making the acceptance of the Gospel of the Family more difficult.” The document also stressed that “engaged couples need to be assisted in coming to a clear understanding of what marriage is in the Creator’s plan, namely a covenant which, between baptized persons, has always enjoyed the dignity of Sacrament.”Mercy does not do away with truth Given that “the issue of mercy has emerged more prominently as an important perspective in proclaiming the Gospel,” the relatio underscored that mercy does not “do away with truth nor relativize it, but seek to interpret it correctly in the hierarchy of truths.” “Consequently, mercy does not take away the commitments which arise from demands of the marriage bond,” which “continue to exist even when human love is weakened or has ceased,” the relatio said.Divorce, remarriage, cohabitation, civil marriages The relatio addressed difficult pastoral situations such as cohabitation, civil marriage, and divorce and remarriage. Cohabitation and civil marriage represent “a new dimension of pastoral care of the family today,” and the Church “cannot fail to take advantage of an opportunity, even in situations which, at first sight, are far from satisfying the criteria of the Gospel, and to draw close to people in order to bring them to a conscious, true and right decision about their relationship.” Regarding divorced and civilly remarried persons, the relatio said that “the situation does not put in question Christ’s words or the truth of the indissolubility of marriage, or even maintain that these are no longer in force.” Cardinal Erdo stressed that “divorced and civilly remarried persons belong to the Church”, and “they have the right to receive care from their pastors.” “Consequently, in each particular Church, at least one duly prepared priest is needed, who can offer counsel, without charge, as a first step for the parties to ascertain the validity of their marriage.” The relatio also noted that “many feel the procedure” for assessing a marriage's validity “needs review” because of a “divorce mentality.” To this end, Pope Francis established a commission to study a reform of the process of marriage annulment on Aug. 27.Homosexuality The relatio also addressed the issue of homosexuality, emphasizing that “there is a broad consensus that people with a homosexual orientation should not be discriminated against,” but at the same time “it is clear that the majority of the baptized – and all episcopal conferences – do not expect that these relationships be equated with marriage between a man and a woman.” At the same time, the document underscored, there is no “consensus among a vast majority of Catholics on the ideology of gender theories.” “Instead, many want to see a change in the traditional roles in society which are culturally conditioned and in discrimination against women, which continues to be present, without denying, in the process, the differences by nature between sexes and their reciprocity and complementarity.”The Gospel of Life In conclusion, the relatio stressed the importance of the Gospel of Life. The relatio maintain that “openness to life is not extraneous to conjugal love,” and “the idea of openness to life cannot be limited to conception and birth, but find its fullness in the upbringing of children.” The relation also stressed that “welcoming life, assuming responsibility in procreating life, and the care required are possible only if the family is not conceived as an isolated unit, but as an active part in a network of relationships.” In the end, the “Church is called to proclaim and witness the supreme dignity of human person,” and so particular care “needs to be given to education in love and sexuality.” For this purpose, the relations pointed out the need of re-proposing the positive message of Humanae vitae, Paul VI's encyclical on the regulation of birth. Issued in 1968, the encyclical reaffirmed the teaching of the Church regarding artificial birth control, and met not infrequent opposition.Humanae vitae “mainly presents the positive aspects of morality in conjugal life ordered to its mission of love and fertility,” the relatio stressed.Bring back the attractiveness of the Christian message about marriage and family The relation concluded that “the challenge of this synod is to try to bring back to today’s world the attractiveness of the Christian message about marriage and the family.” This mission should be fulfilled in “highlighting the joy” given by living Christian teachings, and at the same time “to respond, in a true and charitable way, to the many problems which have a special impact on the family today.” The relatio stressed the need to emphasize that “true moral freedom does not consist in doing what one feels or living only by one’s feelings, but is realized only in acquiring the true good.” Read more

Vatican City, Oct 6, 2014 / 02:22 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Retired pontiff Benedict XVI may take part to Paul VI's beatification Mass Oct. 19, revealed Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office.   Asked if the former Pope was expected to give his personal contribution to the two-week synod of bishops, Fr. Lombardi said during a press conference that “it is not expected that the Pope emeritus will take part in the synod, which is so committing and long.”   “Since his resignation, the Pope emeritus has been living a private life in prayer,” Fr. Lombardi, adding that “everybody hopes to see him for Paul VI’s beatification.”   The beatification Mass will take place Oct. 19, at the end of the extraordinary synod on the family – the synod of bishops being an institution the late Pope wanted and promoted.   Pope Francis said in an interview with Italian outlet “Corriere della Sera” that Paul VI is one of his models, and he praised his predecessor for the promulgation of the encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” issued notwithstanding the opposing views about its content held by a majority of public opinion.   The connection between Paul VI and Benedict XVI, however, is stronger. Paul VI appointed Joseph Ratzinger as archbishop of Munich in 1977, and shortly after created him a cardinal.   The consistory took place June 27, 1977, and it was the very last of Pope Montini.   Paul VI and Joseph Ratzinger's relationship developed after the Second Vatican Council, according to an account of Cardinal Giovani Battista Re, who had served to the Vatican Secretariat of State during Paul VI’s pontificate and worked with John Paul II and Benedict XVI as well.   “Only after, the late Pope started to read the theological work of the then professor Ratzinger. The book 'Introduction to Christianity,' written by Ratzinger, was among the books of the Paul VI’s personal library,” Cardinal Re told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano November of 2009.   Cardinal Re also noted that “Paul VI described Ratzinger as 'remarkable teacher of theology' at the consistory, and this proves the Pope’s deep admiration for Ratzinger.”   Benedict XVI reciprocated this admiration. In his angelus address Aug. 3, 2008,  Benedict described as “almost superhuman” Paul VI's “merit in presiding over the Council Sessions, in bringing it successfully to conclusion and in governing the eventful post-conciliar period appears ever greater.”   Benedict also paid homage to Paul VI on Nov. 8, 2009 when he went on a one day visits to Brescia and Concesio, where Pope Montini hailed from and where he had spent his younger years.   “In times of great changes in the Church and the world, how often did Paul VI insist on this need to remain steadfast in living communion with Christ! Indeed it is only in this way that we become members of his family which is the Church,” Benedict XVI said on that occasion, while he was visiting the Church where Giovanni Montini was baptized.   Given this esteem and personal involvement, it is likely that Benedict XVI will want to take part to the beatification of another of his beloved predecessors, after he had took part to the Mass for the Canonization of John XXIII and John Paul II. Read more

Vatican City, Oct 6, 2014 / 07:45 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During the opening session for the extraordinary synod on the family, Pope Francis told participants not to be afraid of saying what they truly think, and that only by doing this can they reach real conclusions. “You have to say all that which in the Lord you feel you have to say: without human respect, without timidity,” the Pope told synod participants in his Oct. 6 opening remarks. “And, at the same time, you must listen with humility and accept with an open heart what your brothers say. Synodality is exercised with these two attitudes.” Initiated yesterday with a mass presided over by the pontiff, the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family reflects on the theme “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization,” and was called for by the Pope in order to form a more concrete reflection for the Ordinary Synod to take place in 2015. The synod will conclude with the beatification of Pope Paul VI, institutor of the synod of bishops, by Pope Francis on Oct. 19. Speaking directly to the synod rapporteur, secretary-general and the three president delegates of different episcopal conferences present, Pope Francis explained that they bring to the meetings “the voice of the particular Church, gathered at the level of local churches by the Episcopal Conferences.” “This voice you bring in synodality. It's a great responsibility: to bring the realities and problems of the Church, to help them walk that road that which is the Gospel of the family,” the Pope continued. And one basic condition of synodality, he said, is to “speak clearly. No one say ‘You can't say this; think of me this way or that...’ You have to say everything that you feel with frankness.” Pope Francis then recalled how he received an email from a cardinal after the consistory that took place in February, saying “it's a shame that some cardinals didn't have the courage to say some things out of respect of the Pope, feeling, perhaps, that the Pope was thinking something different.” “This is not good, this is not synodality, because you have to say all that which in the Lord you feel you have to say,” the Pope explained, saying that they must also be humble and open to the opinion of others. “I ask you, please, (to have) these attitudes of brothers in the Lord: speak with frankness and listen with humility.” The Roman Pontiff also expressed his “deep and sincere thanks to all the people who have worked with dedication, patience and with competence for many months, reading, evaluating and developing themes, texts and works for this Exraordinaty General Assembly.” He gave special appreciation to Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod, Msgr. Fabio Fabene, Undersecretary, as well as all of the speakers, writers, consulters, translators and staff of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. “They have worked untiringly, and continue to work, for the good outcome of this Synod: thank you very much and may the Lord reward you!” Also recognizing the various cardinals, patriarchs, bishops, priests, religious men and women and laypersons present, the Bishop of Rome explained that their presence “enriches the work and the spirit of collegiality and synodality for the good of the Church and of the family!” He encouraged discussion to take place “with tranquility and peace, because the synod always takes place with Peter and under Peter, and the presence of the Pope is a guarantee for all (in the) safeguarding of the faith.” So “we collaborate with all because it affirms with clarity the dynamic of synodality.” Read more