The Role of Deacons in the Church Today Page Archbishop Conti Recalls Inspiration of the Second Vatican Council 12
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DONATE AN SCO NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION TO A MISSIONARY SEE PAGE 9 FOR DETAILS No 5289 The role of deacons in the Church today Page Archbishop Conti recalls inspiration of the Second Vatican Council 12 No 5418 www.sconews.co.uk Friday June 3 2011 | 90p All aboard for charity BISHOPS’ DAY FOR LIFE I Pope Benedict XVI reinforces Catholic identity of agencies such as SCIAF at Rome assembly By Martin Dunlop POPE Benedict XVI has high- lighted the importance of Catholic charities worldwide, emphasising that they must be guided in their work by bishops and the official teaching of the Church. Speaking at the 19th general assem- bly of Caritas Internationalis, Pope Benedict said that the Vatican is responsible for following the activities SCOTTISH BISHOPS of Caritas and ‘exercising oversight to say true happiness is ensure that its humanitarian and chari- table activity and the content of its to be found in God. documents, are completely in accord Archbishop Mario Conti with the Apostolic See and the Church’s magisterium.’ celebrates Mass for Life The Holy Father attended the final Page 3 day of the general assembly for the international confederation of 165 national Catholic charities across the world, including the Scottish Catholic COMMUNICATIONS DAY International Aid Fund (SCIAF), last Friday. “Being in the heart of the Church, BISHOP TARTAGLIA being able in a certain way to speak speaks of Christian and act in Her name for the common good, entails particular responsibilities methods in media; PR in terms of Christian life, both person- professional sees al and in the community,” he told Caritas delegates. need for Church voice SCIAF Page 11 & 14 More than 300 representatives of the national charities that make up Caritas, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary AIDS/HIV this year, were present for the general assembly in Rome from May 22-27. Among the delegates was Paul Chitnis, chief executive of SCIAF— part of the Caritas confederation— who welcomed the Holy Father’s comments. “As agencies of the Catholic The ‘Caritas Express’ left the Vatican for poverty? But, it’s difficult to absolute- called to bring the Church’s message Church, it is vital that our life-saving Orvieto to mark Caritas Internationalis’ ly cancel out poverty.” to international political and social dis- work continues to be guided by the 60th anniversary. (Inset) Pope Benedict XVI The cardinal added, however, that cussions. He said, however, that ‘in the Church’s teachings, the bishops, the with Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga ‘the future will be very brilliant’ for political sphere—and in all those areas experienced professionals working in (left), president of Caritas Internationalis, Caritas if it follows the indication directly affecting the lives of the the field and, of course, those people at the confederation of relief and develop- given by Pope Benedict XVI in Deus poor—the Faithful, especially the living in poverty whom we serve,” Mr ment agencies’ general assembly Caritas Est, the first Encyclical letter laity, enjoy broad freedom of activity.’ Chitnis said. given by the Pope. “No one can claim to speak ‘offi- He added that the general assembly cially’ in the name of the entire lay was a ‘constructive and informative Among those who made the appeal Vatican Faithful, or of all Catholics, in matters gathering where members from across was Cardinal Robert Sarah, the head of The General Assembly’s agenda freely open to discussion,” the Pope the world met to discuss a range of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the included work on new statutes that said. “On the other hand, all Catholics, VATICAN LEADS vital issues.’ Vatican body responsible for Caritas. would strengthen Vatican oversight of and indeed all men and women, are the way on the front Mr Chitnis also extended his congrat- “A Caritas that wasn’t an ecclesial the Caritas operations and reflect on called to act with purified consciences line in the fight against ulations to Michel Roy, the 56-year-old expression would have no meaning or the Holy Father’s teaching on Christian and generous hearts in resolutely pro- Frenchman, who was elected as the new existence,” Cardinal Sarah said. “The charity and Caritas Internationalis’ spe- moting those values which I have AIDS, Cardinal Bertone general secretary of Caritas during the Church cannot be considered as a part- cial juridical status granted by the often referred to as ‘non-negotiable.’” tells conference general assembly. Mr Roy will now ner of Catholic organisations. They are Vatican in 2004. Other speakers at the general assem- serve alongside Cardinal Oscar the organisations that take part in Her Pope Benedict said that with the bly included Cardinal Peter Turkson, Page 9 Rodriguez Maradiaga from Honduras, mission.” new juridical status, Caritas ‘took on a president of the Pontifical Council for who was re-elected for a second term The cardinal was unsure of the particular role in the heart of the eccle- Justice and Peace, and Fr Raniero as Caritas Internationalis president. Caritas Internationals’ new theme: sial community and was called to Cantalamessa, preacher to the One Human Family—Zero Poverty. share, in collaboration with the eccle- Pontifical Household. Catholic identity “I’m very hesitant to understand siastical hierarchy, in the Church’s Caritas Internationalis heard calls what zero poverty means, because mission of making manifest, through To read more on SCIAF’s projects, from several high-ranked cardinals Christ said we will always have the practical charity, that love which is see pages 3 and 8 last week urging it to maintain and poor,” Cardinal Sarah said. “So, what God Himself.’ improve its Catholic identity. is a realistic way we can fight the Caritas, the Holy Father said, is [email protected] SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday June 3 2011 Gospel of St John is illuminated in Glasgow By Dan McGinty ARCHBISHOP Mario Conti and Mgr Christopher Provost McElroy joined the Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project at St Andrew’s Cathedral for a dramatic reading of the Gospel According to St John. The events saw Archbishop Conti and Mgr McElroy, the cathedral administrator, each reading the part of St John the Evangelist as he concluded he PIC: PAUL McSHERRY final chapter of his Gospel. Around them the 25-strong any circumstance but finding Although, the newly refur- cast from all across the arch- such a diverse and enthusiastic bished cathedral provided the diocese re-enacted the story group to be a part of this min- perfect backdrop for the dra- and lent their voices to the istry is very inspiring,” Mr matic readings, the large space many characters. Callaghan said.“My first prior- provided challenges for the Directed by Stephen ity was to give the participants group to overcome. Callaghan, following a hectic a positive, interactive experi- “The acoustics of the cathe- but successful Lenten pro- ence of the Gospel, which dral led to some last minute Praise for priestly service gramme of events organised by would stay with them for life. adjustments in the staging, but AGAP, the event with the St Of course, I hope that many I was confident that the adapt- John Gospel Volunteers (above will come to hear the reading ability of the participants and Tributes paid to Canon John McAllister at his retiral Mass right) not only helped those and support them but first of their competence at proclaim- involved engage more fully all, I was keen that this should ing the Word would see us By Dan McGinty held him back and it is won- Canon John McAllister, flanked with John’s Gospel, but also be an immersive experience, through,” Mr Callaghan added. derful that he is able to be by Cardinal Keith O’Brien, and provided the congregation with bringing together the realm of “I was also delighted to have FRIENDS, family and well- here with us following on a various family members after a new perspective on the theatre and religion in the tra- the participation of the arch- wishers joined Cardinal recent holiday to some friends the celebration of his retiral Gospel. dition of scripture-based bishop and Mgr McElroy, both Mass PIC: PAUL McSHERRY Keith O’Brien at St Peter in in America—and is now look- “It is a great privilege to Medieval drama, which took of whom have been great sup- Chains, Inverkeithing, as he ing forward to continuing a they were happy to see him proclaim the Word of God in place in the Church.” porters of AGAP.” celebrated the retiral Mass valued apostolate as chaplain finally prepare for a more of Canon John McAllister. in one of our nursing homes.” restful pace of life. The Fife congregation gath- Canon McAllister spent John Crabbe, a parishioner, ered around their parish priest, years of service in the mis- spoke of the close bond as he looked back on his many sions, particularly in Nigeria Canon McAllister formed years of priestly service and where his work in the province with his parishioners, and the marked his retiral from his of Bauchi in the 1960s is still loyalty his efforts in the active parish ministry. bearing fruit, and where parish inspired in them. SPOTLIGHT ON... Surrounded by his brother Cardinal O’Brien recently “How could any of us for- priests from across the archdio- travelled to ordain the first get the last Easter Triduum cese, Cardinal O’Brien led the bishop of the diocese to who you celebrated with us?” Mr praise for Canon McAllister, comes from Bauchi itself.