VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 077
DATE 24-04-2015
Summary:
- The Pope receives the president of the Czech Republic: strengthen
collaboration in areas of common interest
- "Ad Limina" visit of the bishops of Lesotho and Namibia: be generous in
bringing Christ's tenderness to those who suffer
- The Holy See at the United Nations: condemnation of violence against women in
armed conflict
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
The Pope receives the president of the Czech Republic: strengthen
collaboration
in areas of common interest
Vatican City, 24 April 2015 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican Apostolic
Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the Czech
Republic, Milos Zeman, who subsequently met with Archbishop Paul Richard
Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial discussions, which took place on the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and
the then-Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, which took place on 19 April
1990, mutual willingness to strengthen the good bilateral relations was
confirmed, along with the hope of concluding negotiations with a view to
stipulating a bilateral Agreement. The Parties expressed their wish to further
develop cooperation between Church and State in sectors of mutual interest,
especially in culture, education and social welfare, for the benefit of the
entire nation.
Attention then turned to the current international context, with special
attention to the situation of Christians and other minorities in the Middle
East.
___________________________________________________________
"Ad Limina" visit of the bishops of Lesotho and Namibia: be generous in
bringing Christ's tenderness to those who suffer
Vatican City, 24 April 2015 (VIS) - Today Pope Francis received in audience
the
bishops of Lesotho and Namibia, "lands known for their flourishing Christian
faith", at the end of the "ad Limina" visit. In the written discourse he handed
to the prelates, the Pope recalled the labours and sacrifices of many
missionaries, who were supported by generations of indigenous companions in
lands which have often presented great challenges, both environmental and
social, but which are known for their churches and chapels, parishes, mission
stations and outstations, "which draw many to a community life centred on
prayer
and work".
"Renowned too are your numerous schools at every level, your clinics and
hospitals, built with love and faithfulness from the materials of Namibia's
soil
and Lesotho's mountains. I encourage you to continue supporting and nurturing
these great blessings, even when resources are sparse, for the Lord promises
that he will not fail to bless us".
He continued, "I know that your communities face many challenges daily, and I
am sure that this weighs heavily on your hearts. Strengthen them in love to
overcome selfishness in private or public life; be generous in bringing them
the
tenderness of Christ where threats to human life occur, from the womb to old
age
- and I think particularly of those suffering with HIV and AIDS". He encouraged
them to "not only win them to the cause of Christ but also make them
protagonists of a renewed African society".
The Pope goes on to mention Christian families that are fragmented due to
employment far away from home, or because of separation or divorce and urged
the
bishops to continue offering them help and guidance, preparing couples for
Christian marriage, and constantly sustaining families by offering generously
the Church's Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of mercy. "I thank you for
your efforts in promoting healthy family life in the face of distorted views
that emerge in contemporary society. ... The family is the best setting for
learning and applying the culture of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. ...
From healthy families will come numerous priestly vocations, families where men
have learned to love inasmuch as they have been unconditionally loved ...having
learned respect, justice, the role of authority expressed by parents and loving
concern".
"In a time of an apparent decrease in vocations to the priesthood and to
religious life, it is important to speak openly about the fulfilling and joyful
experience of offering one's life to Christ", continues the Holy Father. "For
when your Christian communities are built up by your own continued example of
'living in truth and joy your priestly commitments, celibacy in chastity and
detachment from material possessions', then vocations to the priesthood and the
consecrated life will most certainly abound". He thanks God for "the continued
witness and service of so many communities of religious brothers and sisters
who
are vital to the praying heart of the Church, along with the many committed
sodalities and other lay associations of the Church in Lesotho and Namibia". He
also notes, when developing pastoral plans, in paying careful spiritual
attention to the poorest in society. "I ask you to be particularly mindful of
those most in need in your Churches, entrusting all your initiatives to God's
care".
Finally, he exhorts the bishops to "persevere as men of deep and constant
prayer, in the way of Blessed Joseph Gerard, who listened to the promptings of
the Holy Spirit in all matters. Prayer precedes and leads to authentic
evangelisation. As you know from experience, when the Church summons all
Christians to constantly take up anew the task of evangelising the world, 'she
is simply pointing to the source of authentic personal fulfilment'; that is,
she
is showing us the path to our deepest happiness".
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The Holy See at the United Nations: condemnation of violence against women in
armed conflict
Vatican City, 23 April 2015 (VIS) - Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Holy See
permanent observer at the United Nations, spoke during the Security Council
open
debate on "Women, peace security" in New York on 15 April 2015.
"Women are not spared any of the brutal consequences of war, and are
additionally subject to uniquely degrading and traumatising attacks and
long-term consequences", said the prelate. "It is only just and reasonable that
their voice should be present and influential in the work of preventing and
resolving violence and war. It is well documented that sexual violence of many
kinds accompanies modern warfare. We all know the awful litany: women are raped
and trafficked, forced into prostitution to earn a living, and terrorised
individually and in their roles as protectors of their children and other
vulnerable family members. All violence against human life is terrible, but
sexual violence is intended to debase, dehumanise, demoralise - in a unique
way.
The consequences are profound and long lasting - physical as well as
psychological".
The nuncio remarked that this last year has been notable for the "new and
ongoing atrocities involving sexual violence in various conflicts and by groups
such as Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
Some are also attacks upon women and girls purely because of the faith they
profess. Although this is of very serious concern today for Christians, surely
this is a matter where our shared human nature, across all religions and
cultures, cries out for common commitment of members of all faiths and
governments, strongly to condemn and confront such heinous acts, and to step
forward to protect those threatened".
"It seems that, in the past several years, there has emerged a greater
international consciousness of the scourge of human trafficking, and even
increased responses" he continued. "It is to be hoped that there will be an
ever
greater appreciation of what Pope Francis has called the 'trauma', affecting
both 'body and spirit', of rape as a tool of war. To adapt an observation made
by His Holiness, a two point drop in the stock market is front page news, while
the violation of hundreds or even thousands of women would go unreported".
The Holy See delegation therefore supports the processes identified in
successive reports issued by the Secretary General, as essential for ensuring
justice to women assaulted in conflict: effective investigation and
documentation; consistent and rigorous prosecution; and ongoing investigation
and responsibility regarding the root causes of sexual and other violence in
armed conflict. "We support efforts to bring adequate legal, medical and social
services to the particular women affected, to witnesses and survivors, and to
their family members. Because of the Catholic Church's permanent local presence
in the areas of the world most affected by disasters, a network of Catholic
institutions and agencies respond rapidly and effectively to address the
consequence of violence in armed conflict. It is always distressing, however,
to
see that some are still promoting the abortion of unborn children as part of
the
'treatment' or response to the attack of their mothers. This contradicts the
peace and security mission of the United Nations, and proposes to meet violence
with more violence".
Archbishop Auza concluded, "It has been observed many times at this body, and
it is true, that women are not only victims but also necessary agents and
contributors in the work of preventing and resolving conflicts. Without their
contributions, government, negotiators and civil society groups can neither
understand the problems, nor propose effective solutions. Moreover, it is
important to continue in every Member State the steady and patient work of
achieving structural justice for women in every sector of society. A proper
vision of women's roles in society, and an integration of women in every social
sector, are crucial aspects of the prevention of violence".
___________________________________________________________
Audiences
Vatican City, 24 April 2015 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in
audience:
- Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith;
- Ana Maria Freire;
- Seven prelates of the Namibia and Lesotho Catholic Bishops' Conferences, on
their "ad Limina" visit:
- Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, O.M.I. of Windhoek, Namibia;
- Bishop Philipp Pollitzer, O.M.I., of Keetmanshoop, Namibia;
- Bishop Joseph Shipandeni Shikongo, O.M.I., apostolic vicar of Rundu,
Namibia;
- Archbishop Gerard Tlali Lerotholi, O.M.I., of Maseru, Lesotho;
- Bishop Augustinus Tumaole Bane, O.M.I., of Leribe, Lesotho;
- Bishop John Joale Tlhomola, S.C.P., of Mohale's Hoek, Lesotho;
- Bishop Joseph Mopeli Sephamola, O.M.I., of Qacha's Nek, Lesotho.
___________________________________________________________
Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 24 April 2015 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed:
- Rev. Fr. Edward C. Malesic as bishop of Greensburg (area 8,632, population
704,000, Catholics 166,200, priests 205, permanent deacons 2, religious 350),
U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Harrisburg, U.S.A. in 1960, and was
ordained
a priest in 1987. He holds a licentiate in canon law from the Catholic
University of America, Washington D.C., and has served in a number of pastoral
roles in the diocese of Harrisburg, including deputy priest, chaplain of the
York College and the Millersville University; auditor; defender of the bond and
canonical consultor of the ecclesiastical tribunal; and adjunct judicial vicar.
He is currently parish priest of the Holy Infant Parish in York Haven, and
judicial vicar. He succeeds Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, whose resignation from
the pastoral care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit has been
accepted by the Holy Father.
- Bishop Josef Graf as auxiliary of the diocese of Regensburg (area 14,665,
population 1,712,000, Catholics 1,207,706, priests 953, permanent deacons 108,
religious 477), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Riedenburg, Germany in
1957 and was ordained a priest in 1983. He holds as doctorate in theology from
the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, and has served as parish vicar in
Regensburg-Reinhausen. He is currently spiritual director of the major seminary
of Regensburg. In 2007 he was named Chaplain of His Holiness.
- Msgr. Piergiorgio Bertoldi, nunciature counsellor, as apostolic nuncio to
Burkina Faso and Niger, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of
archbishop.
On Thursday, 23 April, the Holy Father appointed Rev. Fr. Brendan Cahill as
bishop of Victoria in Texas (area 23,573, population 292,229, Catholics
119,600,
priests 62, permanent deacons 39, religious 88), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was
born in 1963 in Coral Gables, U.S.A., and was ordained a priest in 1990. He
holds a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian
University.
He has served in a number of pastoral roles, including parish vicar, rector of
the "St. Mary" seminary in Houston, archdiocesan director of the Secretariat
for
Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services, head of the Priests Personnel Board,
and member of the presbyteral council. He is currently vicar for the clergy of
the same diocese. He succeeds Bishop David E. Fellhauer, whose resignation from
the pastoral care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted
by the Holy Father.
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