VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 071
DATE 15-04-2015
Summary:
- General audience: the complementarity between man and woman
- Pope's telegram for the death of Cardinal Roberto Tucci, S.J.
- Ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals
- Other Pontifical Acts
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General audience: the complementarity between man and woman
Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) - Pope Francis continued his catechesis on
the family by dedicating this morning's general audience to the difference and
complementarity between man and woman, recalling first of all that the Book of
Genesis insists that both are the image and semblance of God. "Not only man as
such, not only woman as such, but rather man and woman, as a couple, are the
image of God. The difference between them is not a question of contrast or
subordination, but instead of communion and generation, always in the image and
semblance of God".
"Experience teaches us that for the human being to know him- or herself well
and to grow harmoniously, there is a need for reciprocity between man and
woman", said the Pope to the thirty thousand faithful present in St. Peter's
Square. "When this does not happen, we see the consequences. We are made to
listen to each other and to help each other. We can say that, without mutual
enrichment in this relationship - in terms of thought and action, in personal
relationships and in work, and also in faith - the two cannot even fully
understand what it means to be a man and a woman".
"Modern and contemporary culture has opened up new spaces, new freedoms and
new
depths for the enrichment and understanding of this difference. But it has also
introduced many doubts and much scepticism. I wonder, for example, if so-called
gender theory is not an expression of frustration and resignation, that aims to
cancel out sexual difference as it is no longer able to face it. Yes, we run
the
risk of taking step backwards. Indeed, the removal of difference is the
problem,
not the solution. To solve their problems in relating to each other, men and
women must instead speak more, listen more, know each other better, value each
other more. They must treat each other with respect and cooperate in
friendship.
With these human bases, supported by God's grace, it is possible to plan a
lifelong matrimonial and family union. The marriage and family bond is a
serious
matter for all, not only for believers. I would like to encourage intellectuals
not to ignore this theme, as if it were secondary to our efforts to promote a
freer and more just society".
"God has entrusted the earth to the alliance between man and woman; its
failure
makes our emotional life arid and obscures the heaven of hope. The signs are
already worrying, and we can see them. I would like to indicate due points,
among many, that I believe must concern us with greater urgency".
"Undoubtedly we must do far more in favour of women, if we want to strengthen
to the reciprocity between men and women. Indeed, it is necessary for a woman
not only to be listened to, but also for her voice to carry real weight,
recognised authority, in society and in the Church. The way in which Jesus
Himself regarded women, in a context that was far less favourable than our own,
casts a powerful light illuminating a road that takes us far, on which we have
travelled only a short distance. It is a road we must travel with more
creativity and boldness".
He added, "a second point relates to the theme of man and woman created in
God's image. I wonder if the crisis of collective trust in God, that is so
harmful to us, that causes us to ail with resignation to incredulity and
cynicism, is not also connected to the crisis in the alliance between man and
woman. In effect, the biblical account, with the great symbolic fresco of
earthly paradise and original sin, tells us precisely that communion with God
is
reflected in the communion of the human couple, and the loss of trust in the
heavenly Father generates division and conflict between man and woman".
"This leads to the great responsibility of the Church, of all believers, and
above all of Christian families, to rediscover the beauty of the Creator's plan
that inscribes the image of God also in the alliance between man and woman. The
earth is filled with harmony and trust when the alliance between man and woman
is lived well. And if men and women seek this together between them and with
God, without doubt they will find it. Jesus explicitly encourages us to bear
witness to this beauty, which is the image of God", concluded the Pontiff.
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Pope's telegram for the death of Cardinal Roberto Tucci, S.J.
Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of
condolences to Fr. Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, superior general of the Society of
Jesus, for the death of Cardinal Roberto Tucci, S.J., yesterday afternoon in
Rome at the age of 93.
In the text, the Pope expresses his heartfelt condolences and recalls with
gratitude the prelate's valuable service over several decades as director of
"Civilta Cattolica", expert at Vatican Council II, director general of Vatican
Radio and in particular as coordinator of papal trips outside Italy. "He leaves
us with the memory of an industrious and dynamic life, spent in the coherent
and
generous fulfilment of his vocation as a religious man mindful of the needs of
others, and a pastor faithful to the Gospel and to the Church, following the
example of St. Ignatius. I raise fervent prayers that the Lord might receive
him
in joy and eternal peace, and I offer you and to your Jesuit brethren the
consolation of my apostolic blessing, the sign of my intense participation in
our sorrow".
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Ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals
Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) - The ninth meeting of the Council of
Cardinals (C9), which began on 13 April, was brought to a close this afternoon,
according to a briefing by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr.
Federico Lombardi, S.J.
The Council of Cardinals dedicated the majority its work regarding reform of
the Roman Curia to two aspects: reflections on the methodologies to be followed
for work during 2015 and 2016 in order to be able to effectively accomplish the
task of preparing the new Constitution, and a rereading of the interventions by
the Cardinals in relation to reform of the Curia made during the recent
Consistory (there were over sixty interventions on this theme with useful
indications and cues, both for the prologue of the constitution and for
specific
aspects of reform).
The orientation towards the constitution of two dicasteries - one competent in
fields of charity, justice and peace, the other regarding the laity, families
and life - would appear to be confirmed.
The Council also focused on the issue of the reorganisation of Vatican media,
following the submission of the final report of the Commission presided over by
Lord Chris Patten.
It is expected that the Pope will constitute a Commission to consider how the
recommendations of the report can be put into practice. This body will also
include members of the Patten Commission, to ensure continuity.
Finally, Cardinal O'Malley, president of the new Commission for the Protection
of Minors, under the auspices of the same Commission, has proposed that the
Pope
and the Council consider the theme of "Accountability" with regard to the
protection of minors, in order to establish appropriate procedures and methods
for evaluating and judging cases of "abuse of office" in this area, especially
on the part of persons holding responsibility within the Church.
Further meetings of the Council of Cardinals are scheduled to take place from
8
to 10 June, 14 to 16 September and 10 to 12 December 2015.
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Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed:
- Bishop Wilson Luis Angotti Filho, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Belo
Horizonte, Brazil, as bishop of Taubate (area 4,534, population 692,000,
Catholics 592,000, priests 123, permanent deacons 55, religious 433), Brazil.
He
succeeds Bishop Carmo Joao Rhoden, S.C.I., whose resignation from the pastoral
care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy
Father.
- Msgr. Oriolo dos Santos as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Belo Horizonte
(area 7,222, population 4,785,000, Catholics 3,350,000, priests 771, permanent
deacons 16, religious 2,465), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Itajuba,
Brazil in 1964 and was ordained a priest in 1990. He holds degrees in
philosophy
from the University of Campinas and in marking and strategic personnel
management from the "Gama Filho" University in Rio de Janeiro. He has served in
a number of pastoral roles in the archdiocese of Pouso Alegre, including parish
vicar, parish priest, canon of the metropolitan chapter, episcopal vicar for
the
administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, promotor of justice of the
ecclesiastical tribunal, and professor of philosophy at the archdiocesan
seminary. He is currently parish priest of the Cathedral of Pouso Alegre.
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