Pope says immigrants could revitalize US Church
Vatican City, May 18, 2012 / 02:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI says that Catholic immigrants to the United States could play a crucial role in the renewal of the Church and society.
"The immense promise and the vibrant energies of a new generation of Catholics are waiting to be tapped for the renewal of the Church"s life and the rebuilding of the fabric of American society,' said the Pope at a May 18 audience.
Pope Benedict made his remarks to a delegation of U.S. Eastern rite Catholic bishops who are at the Vatican for a May 15-19 "ad limina' visit the first one specifically created for non-Roman rite bishops.
He told the bishops that the apostolic opportunities provided by immigration require more than "simply respecting linguistic diversity, promoting sound traditions, and providing much-needed social programs and services.'
Instead, there also has to be a commitment to "ongoing preaching, catechesis and pastoral activity aimed at inspiring in all the faithful a deeper sense of their communion in the apostolic faith and their responsibility for the Church"s mission in the United States.'
With many Eastern Catholics hailing from the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the Pope noted how the Church in the United States has historically "struggled to recognize and incorporate this diversity, and has succeeded, not without difficulty, in forging a communion in Christ.'
More recently, the largest waves of immigration into the United States have come from other predominantly Catholic cultures, such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico. A recent study suggested that Latinos now make up 32 percent of the U.S. Catholic population compared with only 10 percent in 1987.
Pope Benedict praised the "unremitting efforts' of Catholic institutions that are responding to the needs of new immigrants and described their endeavors as "in the best traditions of the Church in America.'
"The Catholic community in the United States continues, with great generosity, to welcome waves of new immigrants, to provide them with pastoral care and charitable assistance, and to support ways of regularizing their situation, especially with regard to the unification of families.'
Earlier this month, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York publicly criticized the attitude of some Republican politicians towards immigration. He described laws that separate immigrant families and require identification before giving charitable assistance to the needy as "not Christian' and "not American.' Instead, he urged lawmakers to "come up with a much saner, more civil, more just immigration policy.'
In his May 18 remarks, Pope Benedict expressed his "profound concern' over United State"s immigration policy being reformed and called for the "just treatment and the defense of the human dignity of immigrants.'
"In our day too, the Church in America is called to embrace, incorporate and cultivate the rich patrimony of faith and culture present in America"s many immigrant groups.'
The leaders of the Eastern Catholic churches are the last of 15 groups of U.S. bishops to visit Rome on pilgrimage in recent months.
Pope Benedict concluded his meeting with them by imparting his apostolic blessing and entrusting them, along with their flocks to "the loving intercession of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States.'
Pope outlines power of the Holy Spirit in prayer
Vatican City, May 16, 2012 / 03:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI says Christians should avail themselves to the Holy Spirit in prayer particularly when they cannot find the words or inspiration to pray.
"St. Paul teaches us that in our prayer we must open ourselves to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, who prays in us with inexpressible groanings, to bring us to adhere to God with our whole heart and with all our being,' the Pope said May 16.
"The Spirit of Christ becomes the strength of our 'weak" prayer, the light of our 'dimmed" prayer, the focus of our 'dry" prayer, giving us true inner freedom, teaching us to live by facing our trials, in the certainty we are not alone.'
Continuing his weekly catechesis on Christian prayer, Pope Benedict XVI used this week"s General Audience to explore the theme of prayer in the Letters of St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, in the New Testament.
He told over 11,000 pilgrims in St. Peter"s Square to take on board the advice of St. Paul to turn to the Holy Spirit when "we want to pray, but God is far away, we do not have the words, the language to talk with God, not even the thought.'
It is then, said the Pope, that "we can only open ourselves up, make time available for God' knowing that this mere desire to get in touch with God "is prayer that the Holy Spirit not only understands, but it brings, interprets before God.'
"In prayer we experience, more than in other dimensions of existence, our weakness, our poverty, our being creatures, because we are faced with the omnipotence and transcendence of God,' said Pope Benedict.
It is therefore the Holy Spirit "who helps our inability, enlightens our minds and warms our hearts, guiding our turning to God.'
The Pope concluded his observations by highlighting three consequences of allowing "the Spirit of Christ as an inner principle of all our actions.'
First of all "we are enabled to abandon and overcome every form of fear or slavery, experiencing the
true freedom of the children of God.'
This freedom is not identified by St. Paul as the possibility of choosing evil which, said the Pope, leads to "alienation of human beings' and "the destruction of our freedom.' Instead the freedom espoused by the Apostle is a "true freedom' that allows us "to really follow our desire for good' and "not be overwhelmed by the circumstances that lead us in other directions.'
This freedom manifests itself in the "fruits of the Spirit' which are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.'
A second consequence is that "our relationship with God becomes so deep that it is not be impacted by any reality or situation.' Therefore we are not freed from trial or suffering in our prayer but "we can live them in union with Christ, his sufferings, with a view to participating in his glory.'
This should encourage us whenever we have the impression of "not being listened to and then we risk losing heart and perseverance,' as in reality "there is no human cry that is not heard by God.'
The third and final outcome of reliance on the Holy Spirit is that "the prayer of the believer is also open to the dimensions of humanity and all of creation.' This sees prayer "open to the sharing the sufferings of our time, of others.'
The Pope then concluded his audience with the recitation of the Eastertide Marian anthem, the Regina Coeli, before imparting his Apostolic Blessing.
Vatican splits negotiations with Pius X Society
Vatican City, May 16, 2012 / 10:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican"s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has announced it will hold separate talks with the superior general of the breakaway traditionalist Society of St. Pius X and each of its three other bishops to try and acheive reconciliation.
"The text of the response of Bishop Bernard Fellay, received on 17 April, 2012, was examined and some observations, which will be considered in further discussions between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X, were formulated,' said a communique issued May 16.
The statement was published after a quarterly meeting of the Ordinary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The 16-person committee known as Feria Quarta met this morning to discuss the modifications made by the Superior of the Society of St. Pius X, Bishop Bernard Fellay, to a "doctrinal preamble' prepared last year by the Vatican. The document establishes a framework for agreement on some key issues of Church doctrine, including acceptance of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.
In contrast to Bishop Fellay, the Society"s three other bishops seem hostile to the idea of reconciliation with Rome.
Today"s Vatican communiqué said the situations of the three other bishops "will have to be dealt with separately and singularly.'
Earlier this month, Bishops Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Alfonso de Galarreta and Richard Williamson sent a letter to Bishop Fellay warning that an agreement with the Vatican would see the Society "cease to oppose the universal apostasy of our time.'
They also argued that the Second Vatican Council "did not just include particular errors but represented a total perversion of the mind, a new philosophy founded on subjectivism.'
Pope Benedict XVI was dismissed by the three Pius X Society bishops as a "subjectivist.'
Prior to today"s statement, many observers thought it was possible that the committee would announce an agreement with the Society that could be presented to Pope Benedict XVI for his judgment.
Feria Quarta consists of some of the Vatican"s senior curial figures, such as Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and several bishops from key dioceses, including Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna and Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard of Bordeaux. It is chaired by the Prefect of the Congregation, the American Cardinal William Levada.
The Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebrve in 1970 as a response to what he described as errors that had crept into the Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council. Its relations with the Vatican became strained in 1988 when Archbishop Lefebrve consecrated four bishops against the orders of Pope John Paul II.
Modified on May 16, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. MST. Headline and lede changed to reflect decision to split negotiations.
Fashion company makes amends for Pope-imam 'kissing' ad
Vatican City, May 15, 2012 / 05:38 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An Italian fashion company has settled a legal conflict with the Vatican, which arose in 2011 after an ad campaign that featured digitally manipulated images of the Pope kissing a Muslim cleric.
In the wake of the legal challenge to its ads, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Benetton Group now recognizes "that the Pope's image must be respected.'
A recent declaration by the fashion company, acknowledged by the Holy See Press Office on May 15, reaffirmed its "regret for having offended His Holiness Benedict XVI and believers' with its "UNHATE' advertisements, which portrayed kisses between religious and political leaders.
One of these doctored images, featuring Pope Benedict and Egyptian imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, was displayed in print and other media including a large banner near the Vatican in November 2011. It was withdrawn from publications after an initial apology by Benetton the same month.
Tuesday's announcement from the Holy See marks the resolution of the legal conflict that continued after the withdrawal, as the Vatican sought to prevent further distribution of the image and ensure Benetton's respect for the Pope's reputation in the future.
In its communique, the Benetton Group assured the Vatican that "all photographic images of the Holy Father have been retracted from commercial distribution.'
The company also promised not to use the Pope's image without permission, and to invest resources in stopping any "further use of the image by third parties on internet sites and in other places.'
While the Vatican did not seek any financial compensation for damages, Fr. Lombardi noted that a form of "moral compensation' was requested. The Benetton Group has made an "an act of generosity, (which is) effective even if limited, toward one of the Church's charitable activities.'
Prominent Legion priest admits fathering child, issues apology
Rome, Italy, May 15, 2012 / 12:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Father Thomas Williams, one of the most high-profile American members of the Legion of Christ, is leaving public ministry after admitting he fathered a child.
"A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this grave transgression and have tried to make amends,' Fr. Williams said in a May 15 statement.
"My superiors and I have decided it would be best for me to take a year without active public ministry to reflect on the wrong I have done and my commitments as a priest. I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation, and I ask for your prayers as I seek guidance on how to make up for my errors.'
He also apologized to members of the Legion and the Church, "since this scandalous news will damage them as well, at the worst possible moment.'
The identities of the mother and child have not been revealed.
Fr. Williams also said that he is with his family in Michigan and is being treated for a form of cancer.
Fr. Williams was ordained a priest with the Legion of Christ priest in 1994. Now based in Rome, he is a professor of theology and ethics at the Legion"s Regina Apostolorum University. He is also a prolific Catholic author.
But Fr. Williams earned most of his renown for his work in broadcast television. In recent years he has served as a faith and religion analyst for CBS News, as well as a Vatican analyst for NBC News and Sky News. He was also the theological advisor for Mel Gibson"s 2004 film, "The Passion of the Christ.'
Today"s news is yet another blow to the morale of the Legion of Christ. The movement is currently being overhauled by senior Vatican officials, following revelations that its late founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel, had lived a double life that included affairs with women and fathering children.
Meanwhile, the Vatican announced last week that it is also investigating seven allegations of sexual abuse made against Legion members, with all but one of the cases being "from decades ago.'
In a May 15 letter to all Legion members, Father Luis Garza, Territorial Director for North America, said that Fr. Williams" announcement "will be shocking news to you,' especially "in the wake of all that we have been through as a Movement in the past several years.' He added that he would not be surprised if members were "disappointed, angry or feel your trust shaken once again.'
"Father Williams has enriched the faith of so many through his teaching, public speaking and writing, and has been a spiritual guide for many in the Movement,' he stated.
"That is what makes this failing such a painful reminder that we are all frail humans, in desperate need of God"s mercy.'
Fr. Garza concluded by asking for prayers for all who have been affected by Fr. Williams" actions and also for himself "during his time of prayer, penance and renewal of his priestly ministry.'
