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c h u rc h new s

BRIEFLY “LEPERS’ APOSTLE” AND 9 MORE TO BE DECLARED A SAINTS


Nuncio says develop- The miraculous healing of a Hawaiian woman
Annunciation of the
with cancer is leading to the canonization of a
ment programs must help Blessed Virgin Mary.
priest known for his ministry on the island with
people ‘shape own lives’ lepers relegated to a sequestered community. Blessed Jozef Da-
The “ultimate purpose” Belgian Father Damián de Veuster (1840- mien de Veuster,
of development programs 1889) is known as the apostle to the lepers, for Belgian priest of the
must be to give people “the his ministry on the island of Molokai. The Holy Congregation of the
concrete possibility to shape See reported that there will be a consistory to Sacred Hearts of Je-
their own lives” and make decide the date for his canonization, and that of sus and Mary, and of
sure even the most vulner- nine other blesseds. Pope John Paul II beatified the Perpetual Adora-
able groups feel they are a Father Damián in 1995. tion of the Blessed
part of the larger society, Sacrament of the
said the Vatican’s apostolic Father Damián who requested to work with
Altar.
nuncio to the United Na- the lepers managed to establish for them a
tions. Archbishop Celestino parish, schools and a society. He himself Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, Italian abbot
Migliore made his remarks died of leprosy. The miracle that paved the and founder of the Congregation of the
in a Feb. 5 address to a way for his canonization was the healing of Blessed Virgin of Monte Oliveto.
meeting of the U.N. Eco- Audrey Toguchi of Honolulu. Her cancer was Blessed Rafael Arnáiz Barón, Spanish ob-
nomic and Social Council’s considered incurable, but she spent nearly late friar of the Order of Cistercians of the
Commission for Social a year asking God to heal her through the Strict Observance.
Development. Commission intercession of Father Damián.
members gathered Feb. Blessed Nuno de Santa Maria Álvares
4-13 at the United Nations Along with him the Church will soon have 10 more Pereira, Portuguese religious of the Order
to consider how to help vul- canonized saints. The 10 to be canonized are: of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of
nerable groups from being Blessed Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski, former Mount Carmel.
excluded in society and to Polish archbishop of Warsaw and founder of Blessed Gertrude Caterina Comensoli,
review the implementation the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the
of various U.N. action plans
Italian founder of the Institute of Sisters of
Family of Mary. the Blessed Sacrament.
for groups such as disabled
people, youths, the elderly Blessed Arcangelo Tadini, Italian priest and Blessed Marie de la Croix (born Jeanne)
and families. (CNS) founder of the Congregation of the Worker Jugan, French founder of the Congregation
Agnostic Ad Tour Stirs Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth. of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Up Defense of Religion Blessed Francisco Colly Guitart, Spanish Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, Italian
Public spaces should not be Dominican priest and founder of the foundress of the Institute of Handmaidens
used to offend citizens, say Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the of the Sacred Heart. (Zenit.org)
Spanish bishops in response
to an agnostic ad campaign
that is touring the world.
With precedents in Great ROMANIA THREATENS TO TAKE CHURCH PROPERTY
Britain and the United States,
the ads run on Madrid buses, Sixty years after it happened in Communist to the president and the prime minister
reading “There’s probably no times, the Catholic Church in Romania is of Romania to express “dismay” and to
God. Now stop worrying and again afraid that the state will expropriate request the withdrawal of a bill that would
enjoy your life.” their property if a controversial bill “cause moral and material damage to our
Christians have answered
is approved. The prelate, who is also Church and violate the constitutional rights
the campaign in Britain and responsible for the laity commission of the of the Greek Catholic faithful.” The bishop
the United States with vari- Catholic bishops’ conference of Romania, explained that there are cases in some
ous tactics. In England, a told that this bill about the legal regulations localities where there are two churches,
Christian group reported the of real estate belonging to the Orthodox and originally an Orthodox and a Byzantine
ads to the agency that moni- Byzantine faiths in Romania was discussed Catholic. 11 marked a day of prayer and
tors advertising, basing their from Jan. 27-29 in the juridical committee of fasting for members of the Byzantine
complaint on a policy that the Romanian Chamber of Deputies.
Catholic Church, to pray for aid in this
prohibits ads from making
Archbishop Lucian Muresan, sent a letter situation. (Zenit.org)
unfounded claims. (CNS)

28 Don bosco march 2009


c h u rc h new s

SALESIAN SUPERIOR CALLS FOR MOVEMENT OF SALVATION BRIEFLY


The rector major of the Salesians urged the or- The “year of grace” will Benedict XVI entrusts
der’s youth to build a movement of salvation, as be marked by other special sick to mary of lourdes
he launched a year of celebrations to mark the dates and events including
Benedict XVI is inviting
150 years since Don Bosco founded the society. the celebration of the feast youth, ill people and
Father Pascual Chávez Villanueva, the Rector of Mary Help of Christians newlyweds to entrust their
Major recalled in his homily the “seed” that (May 24), the name day lives to Mary on 11th Feb
was sown by a small group of 18 young men of Don Bosco (June 24), as the Church celebrates
who, on a cold evening on Dec. 18, 1859, were and Don Bosco’s birthday the feast of Our Lady of
gathered together in Don Bosco’s room near (Aug. 16). On Dec. 18 all Lourdes that day. The
the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Valdocco the Salesians in the world Church also celebrates the
to make the most important decision of their will be invited to renew World Day of the Sick on
life, which was “to stay with Don Bosco, giv- their religious profession. the same day and the Holy
ing themselves completely to the Lord.” A casket containing relics Father addressed the ill to
of Don Bosco will visit express his hope that “the
Father Chávez invited the youth to “make the the various countries where the Salesians are Virgin of Lourdes, to whose
voice of young people present, especially the present. The long journey will begin in July intercession many ill people
many young people who do not have a voice and this year beginning in Chile and will come to of body and spirit entrust
who no one hears; make their needs and their an end in 2015, the year of the bicentenary themselves with trust, may
expectations known, defend their rights and ac- of Don Bosco’s birth. place her gaze of consolation
company them in the claims they make.” The and hope on all of you.”
The Salesian Congregation is present today In this way, he continued,
superior of the Salesians called on the young
in 129 countries with 16,092 Salesians: the ill can receive support
people to always remain “present in the reality
10,669 priests, 2,025 coadjutors, 2,765 to “carry the daily cross,
of youth with your heart anchored in Christ,”
seminarians, 515 novices, 118 bishops and in intimate union with the
and asked them to never neglect volunteering in
five cardinals. (Zenit.org) redeeming [cross] of Christ.”
the community or the missionary commitment.
Finally, with a word to the
newlyweds at the audience,
In Kosovo, whole families return to Catholic faith the Bishop of Rome said:
Although armed conflict in who fled the war. But during the Catholic cathedral in “May Mary accompany
Kosovo ended nearly a decade Sunday Masses at the Church the city’s center. “We are you […] in your path, so
ago, the capital city still feels of St. Anthony of Padua, an small but very alive. Chil- that your families become
like a place hit recently by war active Catholic community dren from every grade are communities of intense
or natural disaster. Electricity packs the pews. There are in catechism (classes),” spiritual life and concrete
goes out often, water is strictly families and old people, a said Father Albert Jakaj, Christian testimony.”
rationed, U.N. jeeps are ubiq- full-voiced choir, eight young 30, whose identical twin (Zenit.org)
uitous and people look harried. altar servers and long lines to is a priest in Montenegro. Heritage editions will make
Along the main road leading to receive the Eucharist. The “People are coming back Saint John’s Bible acces-
Pristina, every other lot is full church, located in a working- to their old faith. We have sible to world
of old cars, stolen from other class neighborhood, was built whole families coming With masterful artwork
European countries and picked in the 1960s after the com- back to their roots.” adorning its majestic pag-
(CNS) es, the handwritten Saint
clean or abandoned by families munist regime demolished
John’s Bible is a work in
Supreme Court accepts CBCI petition on Orissa progress that Jim Triggs of
parameters should be clearly laid down for Minnesota is proud to dis-
On 23rd February the Supreme Court of India
holding the responsibility of the authorities play at museums, college
accepted a petition from the Catholic Bishops campuses and conven-
Conference of India, which sought guidelines in the case communal clashes. Senior
tions. Triggs had a display
for preventing communal violence. Chief Justice advocate Soli J Sorabjee and Romy Chacko,
table about the Bible at
K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam appearing for the CBCI, said Kandhamal
the annual meeting of the
accepted the petition and issued a notice to the incident should be probed by the CBI. It said
Association of Catholic
Centre seeking its response and tagged the PIL should be made mandatory that in events
Colleges and Universities
with pending petitions relating to communal of any communal clash irrespective of the in Washington.
clash in Orissa. The petition filed by Catholic community, a judicial authority should be
Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) said that set up to decide the issue of compensation
among the victims.
Don bosco march 2009 29
c h u rc h news

brazil’s legalized abortion bill unaimously rejected BRIEFLY


Brazilian lawmakers unanimously voted to re- with Representative Cida Diogo, initially said Serving all people
ject a new law that would have legalized abor- they would vote in favor of the law.” Pinotti Pope Benedict XVI
tion in the country. justified his position by arguing that the num- explained that with faith,
Brazil’s Social Security and Family Commis- ber of abortions has decreased in the countries it is possible to see that
sion unanimously voted to reject a new law that where it has been legalized. Defesa da Vida “the heavenly and earthly
would have legalized abortion in the country. said such arguments were misleading and that cities interpenetrate and are
All 33 members of the commission voted data from countries in developed world, such intrinsically ordered to one
against the law that would have made killing the as Britain, Spain, the United States, Australia, another, inasmuch as they both
New Zealand and Canada show that after be- belong to God the Father.”
unborn, for any reason, legal throughout
pregnancy. ing legalized the number of abortions grew The Pope affirmed to the
instead of diminishing.” pontifical academy that
Lawmakers who wanted the debate on the new “you can be assured that
law to continue into a fourth round withdrew The pro-life organization noted that since 1970 your discussions will be of
from the hearing after there was not enough Pinotti has also been a member of the Popula- service to all people of good
support from a majority of members. Amidst tion Council, which belongs to the Rockefeller will, while simultaneously
widespread protests for and against the law, the Foundation, and was established in 1952 to inspiring Christians to
hearing was closed. spread international population control. The embrace more readily
foundation currently seeks to spread abortion their obligation to enhance
The organization Defesa da Vida said “Repre- solidarity with and among
around the globe. (CNA)
sentative Jose Aristodemo Pinotti, together their fellow citizens, and
to act upon the principle of
defend the family: pope subsidiarity by promoting
family life, voluntary
Upon receiving representa- addressed to political lead- scious one, which clamors for associations, private
tives of the Forum of Family ers” but it is also directed at a response from civil authori- initiative, and a public order
Associations and the Euro- families. The charter “offers ties, from ecclesial communi- that facilitates the healthy
pean Federation of Catholic those invested with responsi- ties and from the various edu- functioning of society’s most
Family Associations today, bility for the common good a cational agencies.” basic communities.”
the Holy Father addressed model and a point of reference Pope encourages media
This must be recognized through
the needs of the family while upon which to base appropri- professors to teach
a “common commitment to sup-
bringing to mind the words of ate political legislation for the skepticism, not cynicism
port families by every means
Pope John Paul II, “the future family” while encouraging Students preparing for a career
available, from the social and
of humanity passes by way of families to “come together in in communications must learn
economic point of view.”
the family.” the defense and promotion of to be skeptical, especially
their rights.” Among the initiatives of the con- when the public good is at
Pope Benedict addressed the
ference, the Holy Father praised stake, but they also must be
representatives participating Benedict XVI emphasized the the family-friendly fiscal policy, helped to avoid becoming
in the conference entitled: family’s importance by citing which aims to “promote family- cynical, Pope Benedict
“Alliance for the Family in John Paul II, “the Pope of the XVI told communications
related policies that give parents
Europe, associations in the family,” who said that “the professors. “Nourish and
a real possibility of having chil-
leading role,” recalling how future of humanity passes by reward that passion for truth
dren and bringing them up in
the conference aims to raise way of the family.” and goodness that is always
the family.”
“the awareness of political Pope Benedict added that all strong in the young. Help
leaders and public opinion on Exhorting members of the them give themselves fully
of Biblical history is “an ex- conference to “help families to
the central and irreplaceable to the search for truth,”
pression of a story of love, a be a visible sign of this truth,
role that the family plays in the pope said in a May 23
story of alliance with God and to defend the values which are address to participants in a
our society.” with mankind. This is why the written in human nature itself meeting sponsored by the
The Holy Father also noted story of love and union be- Pontifical Council for Social
and which are therefore com-
that 2008 marks the 40th an- tween a man and a woman in Communications. While
mon to all humanity: life, the
niversary of Paul VI’s Encycli- the alliance of marriage was discussing the specifically
family and education. These
cal “Humanae vitae,” and the taken up by God as a symbol Catholic mission of their
are not principles deriving
25th anniversary of the prom- of the history of salvation.” educational programmes,
from a (particular) confession the best ways to respond to
ulgation of the “Charter of the Turning to consider the diffi- of faith but from the applica- rapid changes in the field of
Rights of the Family,” present- culties facing families in the tion of a justice respectful of communications and how
ed by the Holy See in 1983. modern world, the Pope noted the rights of each human be- to educate future media
The Charter of the Rights of that in families today, “we hear ing,” Concluded the pontiff. professionals in
the Family is “principally a cry for help, often an uncon- (CNA) ethical values. (CNS)
Don bosco june 2008 31
c h u rc h news

BRIEFLY massive mexican protest for life


Luis Mauricio Saldaña Ayala, executive such as the right to life from conception to
Pope:Solidarity, Subsidiarity secretary of the Mexican Bishops’ Committee natural death,” Ayala said.
Reflect the Trinity on the Laity, announced this week that all Leaders at the event decided to organize a pro-
“The solidarity that binds dioceses in the country would be promoting life march on May 25 and to request the support
the human family, and the a nation-wide pro-life protest on May 25. of all the Mexican bishops.
subsidiary levels reinforcing Plans for the protest were drawn up during The purpose of the event is to “publicly and
it from within, must however the National Gathering of Diocesan Lay openly” express support for human life, “from
always be placed within the Councils, which took place April 4-6 in the the moment of conception and in all of its stages,”
horizon of the mysterious life city of Cuernavaca. as a living and coherent commitment “by those
of the Triune God, in whom
“During those days of work and reflection, of us who believe in the marvelous gift of human
we perceive an ineffable
we focused on issues of national interest, life,” Ayala stated. (CNA)
love shared by equal,
though nonetheless distinct,
Persons.” The Pope affirmed POPE REAFFIRMS TRUTH ABOUT MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
this when he addressed One day after California and a woman, which makes up
participants in he plenary overturned a ban on same-sex the family, represents a good
session of the Pontifical marriage, the Holy Father has for all society that can not be
Academy of Social Sciences firmly stated that only mar- substituted by, confused with,
riage between a man and a or compared to other types of
Catholic roots fight woman is moral. unions,” he said.
Hollywood nonsense: Jon After California’s Supreme He continued by speaking of
Voight Court came to a 4-3 deci- the rights of the traditional
Academy Award-winning sion overturning the state’s family, “founded on matrimo-
actor Jon Voight said the law preventing homosexu- ny between a man and a woman,
strong Catholic roots als from being recognized as the natural cradle of human life.”
instilled in him by his mother married, the Pope said, “The Mention of the need to defend
have helped him overlook union of love, based on mat- substituted by, confused with, the family is not uncharacter-
much of the “nonsense” of rimony between a man and or compared to other types of istic for Pope Benedict, but his
Hollywood. “It is a relief a woman, which makes up unions,” he said. statement takes on particular rel-
in Hollywood to have some the family, represents a good “The union of love, based on evance following the California
spirituality,” Voight told for all society that can not be matrimony between a man ruling. (CNA)
CNS . “You are protected
from all the nonsense. You sisters of the good shepherd welcome the new act
keep your spirituality by signed by bush
doing good deeds.” After a The Sisters of the Good Shepherd welcome The law becomes significant after the Sr. Mary
period of spiritual-seeking the signing of the Consolidated Resources Stella Mangona travelled to Washington, D.C.
in the mid-1980s, Voight Act of 2008 (S.2739) into law as their from Saipan with a survivor of trafficking to
said, he rediscovered the organization advocates and works for the testify before Congress the dismal situation of
lessons learned as a young women in trafficking. workers in February of 2007.
child from his mother and Since 1999, several Sisters of the Good The National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of
became involved in using Shepherd have been working in a shelter the Good Shepherd has been advocating for the
his celebrity status to help for women on the island of Saipan in the passage of the Consolidated Natural Resources
others, including American Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth Act of 2008 which includes a piece of legislation
Indians, drug addicts, the of the United States under the banner National to reform immigration.
homeless, Vietnam veterans Advocacy Center ( NAC). The shelter is
and farmers. He also has The Sisters of the Good Shepherd feel that this
run by Karidat, the local Catholic social
law, signed on 9th May 2008 by the President,
been a spokesman for almost services agency.
will have a positive effect on the lives of the
20 years for Chabad’s The Sisters noticed the growing need for women and will help prevent future instances of
Children of Chernobyl, a assistance to women who are fleeing human human trafficking.
medical relief programme for trafficking- the tragedy of modern day
Russian Jewish children still The Sisters of the Good Shepherd are a Roman
slavery. These women struggle desperately
affected by the fallout from Catholic order of women religious founded by St.
to survive their ordeal of being held captive
Mary Euphrasia with the mission to promote the
the 1986 explosion of the and exploited, and the Sisters gather
dignity of women and girls as well as the individual
nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, resources to serve them once they are able to
worth of every person. The Sisters are in 70 countries
Ukraine. Voight was in reach safety.
throughout the world, including the US.
Israel to show his support A large part of the struggle these women
for the Chernobyl children’s For more information see the NAC website at
face is immigration. The women have no safe
www.gsadvocacy.org
programme. place to begin a new life due to the difficulties
(CNS) in the immigration system.
30 Don bosco june 2008
c h u rc h news

BRIEFLY Mangalore Catholics Elated Over Their First


New collection of ‘Letters
‘Servant of God’
Catholics in Mangalore, prelude to the three-stage pro- ordained a priest for Mangalore
of St. Paul’ published
southern India, rejoiced as a cess by which a candidate may diocese in 1900. After serving
To mark the special jubilee member of their community be declared venerable, then in five remote parishes, he was
year dedicated to St. Paul, took the first formal step proclaimed blessed and, last- assigned to Bendur parish.
which Pope Benedict XVI towards sainthood, for the ly, canonised a saint.Bishop There, in 1921, he started the
formally opens June 28, first time. D’Souza noted that Monsi- Congregation of the Sisters of
Pauline Books & Media Hundreds of people attended gnor Mascarenhas is the first the Little Flower of Bethany,
has published a new a special Mass on June 16 at Catholic from Mangalore dio- popularly known as the Bethany
collection of the “Letters St. Sebastian Church in Ben- cese on the road to sainthood. Sisters, with four schoolteachers
of St. Paul.” The pocket- dur, where Bishop Aloysius Bishop D’Souza claimed that who wanted to dedicate their
size, 290-page book also Paul D’Souza of Mangalore several miracles have occurred life to the Church.
announced the Vatican’s de- through the priest’s interces-
includes prayers related Today it has 1,300 nuns in 162
cision to declare Monsignor sion.
to St. Paul’s letters, a convents serving mostly rural
study guide and an index Raymond Francis Camillus Born in 1875, he studied at missions in Africa, Australia
of topics discussed by Mascarenhas a servant of God. Mangalore’s Jesuit-managed and Europe, besides India.
the saint. “Most of all, The declaration is the formal St. Aloysius College and was (UCAN)
however, people striving
to be great lovers of God Christians In Orissa, Still Targeted After Attacks
and neighbor will find in Still struggling to rebuild their homes and girls cannot go to school for fear of molestation
these letters soul-shaping lives after suffering large-scale attacks last after threats have been issued to Christians.”
wisdom and practical ways Christmas season, Christians in Orissa state’s According
of sharing the Gospel Kandhamal district continue to face ostracism to an AICC
with the world,” Father and threats from Hindu nationalists. report, intol-
Mickler said. “Savoring It is more than five months after violence in erant Hindu
these letters as a whole Kandhamal that killed at least four Christians leaders in
will embed them in our and burned 730 houses and 95 churches. three vil-
hearts and minds, expand “Christians who had started making a life for lages near
our capacity to love, and themselves through running shops and self- Barakhama
deepen our faith.” employment were particular targets – they are -Salagud,
still being socially boycotted,” Dr. John Dayal Madagudami, and Perbapanga - have ostra-
Tens of Thousands told Compass. “Even now, many [Christian] cized Christian families. (CNS)
Accompany Eucharist
Through Streets of Fr. Henry D’Souza Consecrated As Bishop Of Bellary
Quebec Bishop Henry D’Souza was religious women and men, and
consecrated third bishop of thousands of people.
Nearly 25,000 Catholics
Bellary by Cardinal Oswald The Episcopal ordination was
from around the world Gracias as the principal conse-
poured through the attended by Union Minister
crator, with Archbishop Ber- Oscar Fernandez, Secretary
narrow streets of Quebec nard Moras of Bangalore and to the President of India, Dr.
City, accompanying the Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza Christy Fernandez, Karnataka
Eucharist in an outpouring of Mangalore, as co-consecra- Minster for Tourism Shri Ja-
of religious fervor absent tors at the St. Joseph’s School nardhan Reddy, several MLAs
from this city for at least Grounds, Bellary, June 12. of the sate of Karnataka, May-
half a century. The town of Bellary wore a or and deputy Mayor, District
The June 19 procession festive look with large post- Commissioner and other offi-
ers of the bishop donning the cials of Bellary. The dignitaries
was one of the highlights
city. The solemn ceremony, felicitated the new Bishop and
of the 49th International
accompanied by melodious archbishops and bishops from assured him of their full support
Eucharistic Congress June singing and prayers in Kan- all over India, and more than and collaboration.
15-22. (CNS) nada, was attended by over 35 300 priests and hundreds of (CBCI)
30 Don bosco july 2008
c h u rc h news

Kerala Gears Up For Historic Canonisation of BRIEFLY


Native Nun MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur
Catholics in Kerala state, On the canonisation day, Archbishop Receives
southern India, are preparing Mass and special prayers State Honor
for the canonisation of a local will be conducted at Archbishop Murphy
nun. Blessed Alphonsa, a Blessed Alphonsa’s tomb in Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur
Franciscan Clarist nun, is set to Bharananganam, a village on June 7 received the
become the first Indian woman near Kottayam that comes Panglima Setia Mahkota
to become a saint, with Pope under Palai diocese. award, which carries the
Benedict XVI scheduled to honorary title Tan Sri,
As the canonisation date
canonise her at the Vatican on in conjunction with the
draws nearer, the number of
Oct. 12. birthday of Malaysia’s
people visiting Blessed Al-
Sister Ceelia Mankuriyil, phonsa’s tomb has increased. King Yang di-Pertuan
who heads the Franciscan Meanwhile, the federal gov- Agong Mizan Zainal
Clarist Congregation, told ernment plans to issue memo- Abidin. Archbishop
UCA News on June 3 that film on the life of Blessed rial coins and postal stamps to Pakiam was among 30
the canonisation program at Alphonsa would be screened mark the occasion. The state persons on whom the king
the Vatican “has been already to introduce the saint to a government has started re- bestowed this honour.
finalised.” The two-hour-long global audience. A bhajan pairing and widening roads in (UCAN)
ceremony will start 9:30 a.m. (Indian-style hymn) would Bharananganam and in Kuda- Jesuit Environmentalist
Vatican time, she said. “Prior be sung, followed by prayers, maloor, Blessed Alphonsa’s
Bible reading and reflection.”
Awarded Honorary
to the ceremony, a tele- native village.
Doctorate in America
Jesuit environmentalist
PONTIFF SAYS RADIO HAS SPECIAL APOSTOLIC MISSION and founder-director
Benedict XVI says Catholic radio stations can to its association with the word, participates in of Tarumitra (Friends
play a part in spreading hope in the world, and the mission and visibility of the Church, but it of Trees) Student
they can do it by relaying the truth. also establishes a new way of living, of being Environmental
The Pope said this today, June 20, when he re- and of making the Church; this brings with it Organisation, Father
ceived participants in a symposium titled “The various ecclesiological and pastoral challenges. Robert Athickal, was
Identity and Mission of Catholic Radio Today.” It is important to make the Word of God attrac- awarded, May 26, an
The symposium was organised by the Pontifi- tive, giving it consistency through your trans- honorary doctorate by
cal Council for Social Communications and is missions so as to touch the hearts of the men the Holy Cross College,
under way through Saturday. and women of our time, and to participate in USA.
The Pontiff expressed the view that “radio, due transforming the lives of our contemporaries.”
(Zenit) The award was
presented to him by
college president,
A Tearful Farewell to First Bishop of Jashpur Prof. McFarland, in
The mortal remains of the late Judbir Singh Judeo, son of Bishop Kindo had opened the presence of dean
Bishop Victor Kindo was laid reconversion activist Dilip many parishes and institutions, Timothy Austin, over
to rest June 14 at the cathedral Singh Judeo, joined the Father Edmon Bara, the 6,000 students, faculty
at Kunkuri. The 61-year-old last rites. bishop’s secretary and public members and their
prelate, the first bishop of In his homily during the relations officer, told SAR parents.
Jashpur, passed away on June funeral Mass, Bishop Paul News. Twenty-seven parishes
He has been a crusader
12, after protracted illness. Toppo of neighbouring out of the 50 parishes in the
in bringing up the issue
Some 8,000 tribal Catholics, Raigarh remarked that just as diocese had been created by
of ecology among
12 neighbouring bishops, the a good shepherd laid down him, he said.
Christian theologians,
some 500 priests and 700 his life for his sheep, Bishop The diocese has nearly 200,000 his own religious
nuns gathered at the funeral Kindo had also sacrificed his Catholics, mostly Oran society - the Jesuits
ceremony. Besides, people of life for the diocese by hard Catholics, served by some 180 - and also within the
other religions, many political work and patiently suffering priests and 320 nuns, mostly Church.
leaders, civil servants and his sicknesses. tribals. (CNA) (SAR NEWS)
Don bosco july 2008 31
c h u rc h news

BRIEFLY He who prays never loses hope, says Holy Father


Nuns Adopt State Chief In his general audience, cel- also their worries, their family way of the saints and Christian
ebrated in Castel Gandolfo, problems and those at work, people. Pope Benedict added:
Minister As ‘Brother’ To
Pope Benedict XVI spoke the hopes which they carry in St. Teresa Benedict of the Cross,
Help Protect Christians about St. Teresa Benedict of the
their heart and the anguish and whose feast the Church celebrated
Some nuns of the Cross, also known as St. Edith uncertainties which humanity is on August 9, and St. Maximilian
community Blessed Mother Stein, and St. Maximilian Mary living this moment.” He assured Mary Kolbe, on August 14, are such
Teresa started have tried Kolbe, whose feast days the all persons that he remembers examples in our time. The Pontiff re-
to “reach out” to the chief Church celebrates in August. their intentions in his daily cel- minded his audience that both saints
minister of Madhya Pradesh ebration of the Holy Mass and were martyrs in the Auschwitz Con-
state by tying ceremonial Speaking from a balcony in
recitation of the Holy Rosary. centration Camp, witnesses of the
threads on his wrist on the the courtyard of the Apos-
tolic Palace, the Holy Father The Holy Father stressed, “He love which “defeats the darkness of
festival of siblings. egoism and hatred.”
recalled his recent two-week who prays never loses hope,
On the day of vacation in Bressanone, Italy. even when he finds himself in The Holy Father concluded by
Rakshabandan, bond of He said that many people have difficult situations.” He said calling on his audience to renew
protection, 13 Missionaries written him requesting prayer that Sacred Scripture and the their trust in Mary, “who from
of Charity (MC) nuns for their intentions. Pope history of the Church give wit- heaven watches over us with ma-
performed the ritual. Benedict explained, “They ness to how prayer sustains the ternal love.” (CNA)
Sister Mamta led the nuns tell me about their joys, but
who visited Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chauhan at
The most important service is the proclamation of
his home in the state capital Jesus Christ
of Bhopal. She told UCA Pope Benedict XVI sent a message to the
News on Aug. 17 they Third American Missionary Congress
went there with hopes he (CAM3) being held in Quito, reminding
will act as “a good brother” Catholics that “the most important service we
and protect them from the can give our brothers and sisters is the clear
violent attacks of radical and humble proclamation of Jesus Christ,
Hindu groups. (UCAN) who came to this world that we might have
life and have it in abundance.”
Archbishop of Bombay
“He instructs us in order that we might remain
asks parents not to
in his love without molding ourselves to the
abort unborn child with messages of this world. Let us learn from
heart defect Him. Let us imitate his way of life. Let us He went on to encourage Catholics “to share this
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, be sowers of the Word. In this way, with all treasure with others, as there is no greater treasure
the Archbishop of Bombay, of our lives, with the joy of knowing we are than to enjoy the friendship of Christ and walk by
on Sunday appealed to loved by Jesus, who we can call brother, we his side. Consecrating our greatest energies to this
a couple seeking legal will be valid instruments for Him to continue beautiful labor is worth it, knowing that divine grace
permission to abort their drawing everyone to Himself with the mercy precedes, sustains and accompanies us in carrying it
unborn child due to its that flows from his Cross,” the Pope added. out,” the Pontiff stated. (CNA)
congenital heart defect,
asking them to stop seeking Caritas Georgia and Caritas Russia working together
legal permission to abort the for victims of conflict
25-week-old fetus. Cardinal Caritas Georgia and Caritas Russia are helping families in difficulties. Fortunately it had
Gracias promised that the working together to provide assistance to the first aid supplies and food which it already began to
Church would take care of thousands of victims who are suffering due distribute to the different camps taking in those who
the baby if it were allowed to the conflict between the two countries. lost their homes.” He further explained that the relief
to be born. According to the L’Osservatore Romano, the effort is being carried out with “the collaboration of
Apostolic Administrator of Caucaso, Bishop the patriarchate.”
Cardinal Gracias offered the
Church’s help to the couple Giuseppe Pasotto, said, “There is great L’Osservatore Romano also reports that Caritas
fear and disillusionment among Georgians Russia has visited the camps together with leaders
on Sunday and condemned
because they think that the bombings will of the Orthodox Church to determine how to initiate
all abortions, continuing his
resume at any moment.” assistance from Catholics for those impacted by the
activities from earlier this
In response to the current crisis, the bishop conflict. According to statistics, some 40,000 people
year, the India Catholic says.
explained, “Caritas Georgia has begun in Georgia have become refugees during the conflict
(CNA)
with Russia. (CNA)
30 Don bosco SEPTEMBER 2008
c h u rc h news

Church cannot betray Gospel or adapt it to society BRIEFLY


Spanish priest Father is said about her, he has never the desire of the Pope-and the Berhampur Diocese In
Francisco Javier Ruiz had considered abandoning the sense of the Church-is that Orissa Mourns The Death
said that the role the Church Church. “I have never had that priests should dress as clergy.” Of Its First Local Bishop
has in today’s world is to thought. The Lord has given me For this reason, he stressed, “I
bring to it the message of the Bishop Joseph Das, who had
the gift of a profound love for will always dress as a priest,”
Gospel, “but what she cannot been ailing for four years,
the Church,” Father Ruiz said. as in “a world that is so
do is betray the message in died on Aug. 5. The 78-year-old
“I always say that if I could be secularized, where more than
order to adapt it to society.” prelate served the diocese from
born again, I would be a priest,” ever they want to take God out
1993 until he retired in 2006.
“The truth is always the truth. he continued, stressing that “the of everything, we should dress
There are some things that as to make present the mystery About 6,000 Catholics
greatest moment of my day is
cannot change, because they of God.” have attended the funeral
celebrating the Eucharist and-
are things man has received- of the first native bishop of
in the name of Jesus Christ- He concluded by saying that it
revealed by God in Jesus Berhampur in Orissa; 200
forgiving sins.” is not true that young people
Christ,” and therefore “history priests and 500 nuns were
He also denied that many priests have lost their faith. “There among mourners attending
and the present moment must
live posh lives, and that instead are more young people in the the funeral for Bishop Das.
adapt to the truth and not vice
they give of themselves in Church now than ever. Young The service was held on
versa,” the priest said during
service to others. “Since I have people are falling in love with Aug. 7 at Queen of Missions
an interview for the website
been a priest I haven’t had one Jesus Christ and encountering Cathedral in Berhampur,
Laverdad.es.
minute for myself…I’m very the mystery of the Cross, in about 175 kilometers
After noting that “there is happy being priest,” he said. order to confront suffering.
southwest of Bhubaneswar.
no redemption or salvation” Jesus saves them from the death (UCAN)
Asked about priestly garb, Father of sin,” he said.
without the Church, he Pope approves beatification
Ruiz said he is “convinced that
pointed out that despite what of St. Therese’s parents in
Lisieux
Pope Benedict XVI has
Priest’s Mutilated Body Discovered In Andhra Pradesh approved the beatification of
The mutilated body of Father Thomas Pandipally, Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin
37, a Carmelite of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Martin, the parents of St.
priest, was found on Aug. 17 near Yellareddy Therese of Lisieux. The couple
town, a deserted road in southern India’s Andhra will be beatified on Oct. 19,
Pradesh state. His provincial superior, Father Alex World Mission Sunday, during
Thannippara, told UCA News on Aug. 18 that the a Mass in the Basilica of St.
murder took place during the night of Aug. 16-17. Therese in Lisieux, France.
Father Pandipally had been pastor of Jeevadhan (gift Sister Vincenza Maria Poloni,
of life) Church and vice-principal of a Church-run founder of the Institute of the
high school, both in Yellareddy. According to the Sisters of Mercy in Italy, will be
provincial, Father Pandipally was returning home beatified Sept. 21 in Verona, Italy.
on Aug. 16 evening after offering Mass in Burgiga, Father Michael Sopocko,
a mission station 25 kilometers from Yellareddy. founder of the Sisters of
He stopped at a Franciscan Clarist Congregation Merciful Jesus and spiritual
(FCC) convent at Lingampet for dinner and left director of St. Faustina
around 9:45 p.m. His body was found the next Kowalska, will be beatified
morning halfway to Yellareddy, 15 kilometers from Sept. 28 at the Church of
Lingampet. Father Moolayil insists that the murder was Divine Mercy in Bialystok,
Father Thannippara said 18 stab wounds on the meticulously planned because the deceased Poland.
priest’s body reveal that he tried to block his priest received a call on his cell phone just Father Francesco Pianzola,
attackers. “His palms had several cuts. He was before leaving the convent in Lingampet. founder of the Missionary Sisters
pulled down from his motorbike and taken to a According to Father Moolayil, the caller of the Immaculate Queen of
small bridge near the road,” he explained. wanted to know if Father Pandipally would Peace, will be beatified Oct. 4 in
be returning to his residence. Vigevano, Italy.
The FCC sisters drove past the body while going
for Mass at the parish on Sunday morning. Father The police came with a dog squad and Father Francesco Giovanni
Thannippara said they did not stop because they did forensic experts, but heavy rain the night Bonifacio, martyred in 1946 by
not recognize it, but after learning that the priest before had washed away all clues, Father Yugoslav communists, will be
and his bike were missing and his room was locked, Thannippara also said. He added that police beatified Oct. 4 in Trieste, Italy.
they went back and identified his body. have no clue as to the murderers. (UCAN) (CNS)
Don bosco SEPTEMBER 2008 31
c h u rc h news

BRIEFLY Indian Catholic leaders speak of conspiracy behind violence


Pope Benedict to open Church officials and others say there is
Bible Synod at St. Paul’s a “clear conspiracy” behind the sudden
basilica upsurge in the atrocities committed against
Christian targets in different parts of India.
On 23rd morning the
Vatican announced that Pope “We are really distressed to see that
Benedict XVI will convene atrocities on Christians are being reported
the greatly anticipated Synod from different parts of the country on a daily
on the Bible by celebrating basis,” Divine Word Father Babu Joseph,
Mass at the basilica of St. spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’
Paul Outside the Walls Conference of India, told Catholic News
on October 5. The Holy Services. Though some of the attacks look
sporadic, with incidents reported from
different areas, he pointed out that “there is
a clear conspiracy to terrorize the Christian
community behind these attacks.”
St. Peter and Paul Cathedral of the Jabalpur relentless attacks. Most of the attacks on Christians,
Diocese in central Madhya Pradesh state was he said, have been reported from BJP-ruled states
set on fire Sept. 18 by Hindu fundamentalists. such as Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh; the party is
At a hermitage near Dehra Dun in northern part of the ruling coalition in Orissa.
Uttarakhand state, Father Francis Samuel
Since mid-August, more than three dozen Christians
of the Meerut Diocese was found murdered
Sept. 22. The priest had been strangled to have been killed; 4,200 Christian houses along with
death and the tabernacle was desecrated at dozens of churches and Christian institutions have
the hermitage where he lived. A Catholic been looted and burned. Roving mobs of Hindu
woman visitor to the hermitage was found extremists forced Christians to convert to Hinduism,
dead in the storeroom, her head smashed with and more than half of the 100,000 Christians in
Father will concelebrate the
a stone. The incidents were among dozens Orissa’s Kandhamal district have become refugees
Eucharist with the Synod
of atrocities since Swami Laxmanananda in jungles or 14 relief camps run by the government.
Fathers for the opening
of the Twelfth Ordinary Saraswati, leader of Hindu nationalist On Sept. 14, the Hindu fundamentalist group
General Assembly of the groups in Orissa, was shot dead by Maoist Bajrang Dal attacked more than a dozen churches of
Synod of Bishops, which rebels Aug. 23. different denominations in and around Mangalore.
will have as its theme: John Dayal, spokesman for and former The following week, 15 more churches in the state
“Verbum Domini in vita et president of the All India Catholic Union, were desecrated, and reports of church desecrations
missione Ecclesiae” (The told CNS that the pro-Hindu Bharatiya have come in from other states such as Kerala and
Word of God in the life and Janata Party was the “brain behind” the Tamil Nadu. (CNS)
mission of the Church).
(CNA) Evolutionary theory ‘not incompatible’ with Catholicism
Catholics must know Bible The president of the Pontifi- logue between scientists and While the Catholic Church
cal Council for Culture has theologians, is scheduled to has said Darwin’s theory of
to live Christian lives
said that evolutionary theory take place in Rome in March natural selection is the most
Catholics must know the
is “not incompatible” with 2009. probable cause of biological
Bible and meditate on the
Scriptures in order to live the teachings of the Catholic The prelate remarked that development, Catholic teaching
fully Christian lives, Pope Church, insisting that the the- adversarial interpretations of the has also emphasized God’s role
Benedict XVI told the ory of biological change over interaction of religion and science in creation.
bishops of Uruguay. Bishops, time was never condemned should be avoided, saying: According to ANSA news
priests and catechists must by the Church. Archbishop “We should stop thinking of agency, last September Pope
help Catholics learn to Gianfranco Ravasi made such history as a court of law that Benedict XVI issued a strong
read, understand and pray remarks while presenting the is continuously in session criticism of interpretations
with the Bible so that “they new interdisciplinary confer- but rather concentrate on of evolutionary theory which
can live their Christian ence to mark the 150th anni- establishing franker and more hold that the universe is “the
vocation in a way that is versary of Charles Darwin’s efficient dialogue between two random result of evolution and
more conscientious, firm and Origin of the Species. The points of view that look at the
therefore, at bottom, something
secure,” the pope said on conference, which is a Vati- same reality - that of man and
unreasonable.” (CNA)
Sept. 26. (CNS) can initiative to promote dia- his world”
30 Don bosco october 2008
c h u rc h news

Nun Says Police Beating Helped Her Appreciate Her Faith BRIEFLY
Sister Selma says the beating on other churches in this the bishops in India’s 160 CHINESE BISHOP MOVED
she endured at the hands of southern Indian state. dioceses coming from the TO HOUSE ARREST
policemen has helped her region. These Catholics are
During the past month, Hindu The Chinese bishop
appreciate the persecution her the descendants of people
militants in Karnataka have arrested on the last day
forefathers suffered for their who withstood persecution
vandalized churches and prayer of the Olympics has been
Catholic faith. The Bethany under Tipu Sultan (1750-
halls, destroyed bibles, prayer returned to his residence,
nun and eight other members 1799), a Muslim ruler.
books, crosses and crucifixes, where he is being held
of her congregation were
and desecrated the Blessed “Our Catholic community under house arrest. The
among some 40 women injured
Sacrament. Hindu radical grew up amid persecutions, U.S.based Cardinal Kung
on Sept. 15 when policemen
groups accuse Christians of crises and captivity,” Sister foundation reported that
baton-charged Catholics at
converting Hindus through Selma told UCA News Bishop Jia Zhiguo of the
two separate gatherings in
force and allurement. on Sept. 17 as she tried to underground Church of
Mangalore, Karnataka state.
The Catholic men and women rise from her hospital bed. Zhengding, Heibei, was
Mangalore is the heart of a
were protecting their churches The nun, who is in her 50s, returned to his home at
Catholic community that plays
from attack by Hindu fanatics sustained back and leg Christ the King Cathedral
a major role in the Church in
while protesting earlier attacks injuries. (UCAN) on Thursday. The bishop
India, with nearly one-third of
was detained -- his 12th
Vietnamese gang ransacks Catholic chapel arrest since 2004 -- on
Aug. 24.
as police stand by Now in his home, he
The simmering property “The gang yelled out slogans
continues under 24-hour
disputes between the Catholic threatening to kill priests,
surveillance and is isolated
Church and the Vietnamese religious, faithful and even our
from the priests and
government were again archbishop,” the monastery’s
faithful of the diocese, the
aggravated on Sunday when superior clergyman wrote.
Cardinal Kung foundation
a Hanoi official accused Father Matthew Vu continued, informed. It is not yet clear
the Archbishop of Hanoi saying “everything happened how the bishop was treated
of inciting riots, making clearly in front of a large during his days held by the
false allegations against the one priest called a “sort of number of officials, police, police. (Zenit.org)
government, ridiculing the law, terrorism” against the Catholic security personnel, anti-riot
and disrespecting the nation. faithful, the gang ransacked the police, and mobile police MASS IS MEDICINE FOR
Meanwhile late Sunday night, building, destroying statues and – those who are in charge of UNFORGIVING SOULS,
a street gang made a second books while shouting threats keeping security and safety
against the lives of clergy and
SAYS POPE
attack upon a chapel at Thai Ha in the region. “But they did
Church with no interference religious, Catholic faithful, and nothing to protect us,” he For apologies that are
from nearby police. In what the Archbishop of Hanoi. charged. (CNA) hard to accept and
people that are hard to
Church Helps Bihar Flood Victims forgive, the Mass is the
key to opening our souls
Church people are bringing aid News on Sept. 4. It assigned
to homeless, hungry and sick Caritas to work in the three to reconciliation, says
victims of heavy flooding that districts of Madhepura, Purnea Benedict XVI. The Pope
has affected millions in the and Saharsa. said this on 21st, when
eastern Indian state of Bihar. he celebrated a Mass and
“So our main focus would be dedicated the altar at the
Caritas India is providing food,
these districts,” Thomas said, and Purnea dioceses, which are Cathedral of Albano,
medicine, temporary shelter adding that Caritas has “some Caritas India’s local partners near the papal summer
material and essential household
500 volunteers” who are helping in getting aid to the flood residence at Castel
items for the affected people, said
270,000 people, most of them victims. Caritas is providing Gandolfo.
Xavier Thomas, who coordinates women and children, by reaching medical support, food, health
the Catholic social-service out to 54,000 families. He said “How can we present
and sanitation materials to
agency’s programs in Bihar. Caritas plans to provide these people ourselves divided and far
the affected people, who are
from each other at God’s
The government has set up dry food rations for a month. trying to survive in relief
altar,” the Holy Father
relief camps and entrusted The worst affected areas in the camps and villages, despite
Said. (Zenit.org)
them to voluntary agencies, he northern part of the state are “losing almost everything.”
explained, speaking to UCA covered by Bettiah, Muzaffarpur (UCAN)
Don bosco october 2008 31

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