Interesting articles
I found three articles that I thought would be very interesting to share.
The first is about the Italian officer killed by the U.S. soliders in a horrible situations. This is not politic cause I know this is not about politics but what the Holy Father did while in the hospital which just truly shows how great a Holy Father we truly have.
Italian Officer's Death Grieves Pope
Helped to Liberate Abducted Journalist in Iraq
ROME, MARCH 6, 2005 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II expressed grief over the death of Nicola Calipari, the Italian intelligence officer killed in the liberation operation of journalist Giuliana Sgrena in Iraq.
The Pope was happy to hear Friday of the journalist's liberation. He had appealed publicly for her release Feb. 13.
U.S. soldiers at a checkpoint shot at the convoy carrying the freed journalist to the airport in Baghdad, wounding Sgrena and two agents, and killing Calipari instantly. A White House aide said it was a "horrific accident" and promised a full investigation.
The Holy Father sent a message of sympathy to Father Maurizio Calipari, brother of the agent, an official of the Pontifical Academy for Life and professor of bioethics at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome.
In the message sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, the Pope expressed his "profound spiritual closeness" to the Calipari family, in particular to his mother, wife and two children.
The Pope admired the "heroic gesture" with which the agent gave his life to save that of the journalist, "inspired by his sense of duty and sentiments of Christian virtue." The Pope said that he "raises fervent prayers for his soul."
Father Calipari blessed his brother's body upon its arrival to Rome.
John Paul II also sent a telegram to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in which he expressed his "satisfaction for the work carried out by you and the Italian government, and all those who worked generously for the successful outcome of the deplorable abduction."
The Holy Father also expressed his sympathy to Berlusconi for Calipari's death.
ZE05030604
The next articles talks about the greatest of the Mass as it is and just something to think about during lent.
Liturgical Norms Have Key Role, Says Cardinal Schönborn
Insists That the Faithful Have a Right to a Valid Celebration
VIENNA, Austria, MARCH 6, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Priests and laity who seek to change established liturgical norms probably don't properly understand the rules, says Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.
The archbishop of Vienna, in an interview with Kath.net, commented on the deep meaning of the liturgy and the Mass as an "event."
"The faithful are entitled to participate in a celebration of the liturgy that is valid," said the cardinal.
Furthermore, he said, the clergy are obliged to celebrate "in community" with the universal Church.
"This right and this obligation are not confining," he said. "They are the necessary prerequisites for the faithful to participate in the service of the Church and not in something that is the fruit of somebody's hobby or of private liturgical ideas -- however well-meant these might be."
The most profound reason for insisting on liturgical order is because the Mass is a divine service, said Cardinal Schönborn.
"Christ himself is the celebrant, who is addressing us in his word and who leads us into his devotion to the Father for the salvation of all mankind," he said. "Therefore it was always the primary concern of the Church that Jesus Christ is the center of the liturgy."
Regarding those who say the liturgical norms leave no place for creativity, the cardinal suggests that this might be due to misunderstandings.
He recommended meditating "the beautiful and rich General Instruction of the Roman Missal. In the liturgy of the Church there are quite a few places which allow for creativity."
He offers as an example the "services with the Holy Father on different continents, which have shown much of the possibilities to allow for cultural and local elements."
Cardinal Schönborn continued: "The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are made present for us. Can there be anything more magnificent than this event?"
When the faithful see the Mass as "more thrilling than any show and more beautiful than all plays," he said, they are more motivated "to get involved as much as possible in this event and to celebrate it with body and soul."
The cardinal added: "When the Mass is seen as boring, the fault is not that of the liturgy, but the result of our poor disposition and lack of faith."
The last article is just something to I ask we all keep in our prayers. The church in China has suffered so much and continue to suffer under the Chinese government. If you want to learn more about what is taking place in China and the Church please let me know, its a major interest of mine.
Drive Launched for Liberation of Chinese Clergy
AsiaNews Appeals on Behalf of 19 Bishops and 18 Priests
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 6, 2005 (Zenit.org).- AsiaNews agency has launched a campaign to liberate 19 bishops and 18 priests arrested or otherwise prevented from carrying out their ministry in China.
The news service of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions initiated the campaign together with the Holy Spirit Study Center of Hong Kong, and various Christian communities and Web sites in Europe.
The campaign published a list of Chinese bishops and priests who have disappeared, are being detained, or who have been locked up in labor and re-education camps, or are for other reasons kept from performing their ministry.
"These ecclesiastics are all part of the so-called underground Church, made up of Catholics who refuse the government's minute and asphyxiating control over religious activity, preferring to practice their faith outside of official and registered structures," reported AsiaNews.
"They do so not to challenge the government, but to demand religious freedom which, even if only in theory, is guaranteed by China's Constitution, as well as to maintain fidelity to the Pope, a bond which Beijing wants to undermine," adds the agency.
Among those listed are six bishops, ages 50 to 83, who have been arrested and have disappeared while in the hands of police. One was arrested as long ago as 1996.
"Despite pressure exerted by various international figures, the government has always remained silent about them, leaving us to fear the worst," said the agency.
Another 13 bishops are "under de facto house arrest," reported the agency.
"They are constantly kept under tight surveillance and cannot exercise their ministry in public or receive visits from the faithful and their priests. Most of them are around 80 years old," said AsiaNews.
"Their only 'crime' is to have refused to register with the Patriotic Association, the organization set up by the government to control the Church which, as part of its agenda, still aims to establish a Church separated from the Pope," states AsiaNews.
"Many of them, such as Bishop Jia Zhiguo, are famous for their charity and generosity in caring, at their own expense, for hundreds of abandoned children," continued the agency.
"There is also a list of 18 priests, some of whom have disappeared under detention; others who have been condemned to 3 or more years of labor camp," it added.
AsiaNews asks all those who wish to support this campaign to send a message to Chinese representations worldwide
Hope this is all acceptable to post if not please accept my apology. Take care and God Bless.
The first is about the Italian officer killed by the U.S. soliders in a horrible situations. This is not politic cause I know this is not about politics but what the Holy Father did while in the hospital which just truly shows how great a Holy Father we truly have.
Italian Officer's Death Grieves Pope
Helped to Liberate Abducted Journalist in Iraq
ROME, MARCH 6, 2005 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II expressed grief over the death of Nicola Calipari, the Italian intelligence officer killed in the liberation operation of journalist Giuliana Sgrena in Iraq.
The Pope was happy to hear Friday of the journalist's liberation. He had appealed publicly for her release Feb. 13.
U.S. soldiers at a checkpoint shot at the convoy carrying the freed journalist to the airport in Baghdad, wounding Sgrena and two agents, and killing Calipari instantly. A White House aide said it was a "horrific accident" and promised a full investigation.
The Holy Father sent a message of sympathy to Father Maurizio Calipari, brother of the agent, an official of the Pontifical Academy for Life and professor of bioethics at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome.
In the message sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, the Pope expressed his "profound spiritual closeness" to the Calipari family, in particular to his mother, wife and two children.
The Pope admired the "heroic gesture" with which the agent gave his life to save that of the journalist, "inspired by his sense of duty and sentiments of Christian virtue." The Pope said that he "raises fervent prayers for his soul."
Father Calipari blessed his brother's body upon its arrival to Rome.
John Paul II also sent a telegram to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in which he expressed his "satisfaction for the work carried out by you and the Italian government, and all those who worked generously for the successful outcome of the deplorable abduction."
The Holy Father also expressed his sympathy to Berlusconi for Calipari's death.
ZE05030604
The next articles talks about the greatest of the Mass as it is and just something to think about during lent.
Liturgical Norms Have Key Role, Says Cardinal Schönborn
Insists That the Faithful Have a Right to a Valid Celebration
VIENNA, Austria, MARCH 6, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Priests and laity who seek to change established liturgical norms probably don't properly understand the rules, says Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.
The archbishop of Vienna, in an interview with Kath.net, commented on the deep meaning of the liturgy and the Mass as an "event."
"The faithful are entitled to participate in a celebration of the liturgy that is valid," said the cardinal.
Furthermore, he said, the clergy are obliged to celebrate "in community" with the universal Church.
"This right and this obligation are not confining," he said. "They are the necessary prerequisites for the faithful to participate in the service of the Church and not in something that is the fruit of somebody's hobby or of private liturgical ideas -- however well-meant these might be."
The most profound reason for insisting on liturgical order is because the Mass is a divine service, said Cardinal Schönborn.
"Christ himself is the celebrant, who is addressing us in his word and who leads us into his devotion to the Father for the salvation of all mankind," he said. "Therefore it was always the primary concern of the Church that Jesus Christ is the center of the liturgy."
Regarding those who say the liturgical norms leave no place for creativity, the cardinal suggests that this might be due to misunderstandings.
He recommended meditating "the beautiful and rich General Instruction of the Roman Missal. In the liturgy of the Church there are quite a few places which allow for creativity."
He offers as an example the "services with the Holy Father on different continents, which have shown much of the possibilities to allow for cultural and local elements."
Cardinal Schönborn continued: "The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are made present for us. Can there be anything more magnificent than this event?"
When the faithful see the Mass as "more thrilling than any show and more beautiful than all plays," he said, they are more motivated "to get involved as much as possible in this event and to celebrate it with body and soul."
The cardinal added: "When the Mass is seen as boring, the fault is not that of the liturgy, but the result of our poor disposition and lack of faith."
The last article is just something to I ask we all keep in our prayers. The church in China has suffered so much and continue to suffer under the Chinese government. If you want to learn more about what is taking place in China and the Church please let me know, its a major interest of mine.
Drive Launched for Liberation of Chinese Clergy
AsiaNews Appeals on Behalf of 19 Bishops and 18 Priests
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 6, 2005 (Zenit.org).- AsiaNews agency has launched a campaign to liberate 19 bishops and 18 priests arrested or otherwise prevented from carrying out their ministry in China.
The news service of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions initiated the campaign together with the Holy Spirit Study Center of Hong Kong, and various Christian communities and Web sites in Europe.
The campaign published a list of Chinese bishops and priests who have disappeared, are being detained, or who have been locked up in labor and re-education camps, or are for other reasons kept from performing their ministry.
"These ecclesiastics are all part of the so-called underground Church, made up of Catholics who refuse the government's minute and asphyxiating control over religious activity, preferring to practice their faith outside of official and registered structures," reported AsiaNews.
"They do so not to challenge the government, but to demand religious freedom which, even if only in theory, is guaranteed by China's Constitution, as well as to maintain fidelity to the Pope, a bond which Beijing wants to undermine," adds the agency.
Among those listed are six bishops, ages 50 to 83, who have been arrested and have disappeared while in the hands of police. One was arrested as long ago as 1996.
"Despite pressure exerted by various international figures, the government has always remained silent about them, leaving us to fear the worst," said the agency.
Another 13 bishops are "under de facto house arrest," reported the agency.
"They are constantly kept under tight surveillance and cannot exercise their ministry in public or receive visits from the faithful and their priests. Most of them are around 80 years old," said AsiaNews.
"Their only 'crime' is to have refused to register with the Patriotic Association, the organization set up by the government to control the Church which, as part of its agenda, still aims to establish a Church separated from the Pope," states AsiaNews.
"Many of them, such as Bishop Jia Zhiguo, are famous for their charity and generosity in caring, at their own expense, for hundreds of abandoned children," continued the agency.
"There is also a list of 18 priests, some of whom have disappeared under detention; others who have been condemned to 3 or more years of labor camp," it added.
AsiaNews asks all those who wish to support this campaign to send a message to Chinese representations worldwide
Hope this is all acceptable to post if not please accept my apology. Take care and God Bless.