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L'o S S E Rvator E Romano

Price € 1,00. Back issues € 2,00 L’O S S E RVATOR E ROMANO WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt

Fifty-third year, number 45 (2.671) Friday, 6 November 2020

Requiem Mass for At the General Audience prays for the helpless victims of terrorism in Europ e the souls of Violence and hatred risk compromising On 5 November, the Holy Father celebrated Mass in suffrage for the souls of Cardinals and Bishops fraternal peace among religions who have died over the course of the year. The liturgy was cele- brated in St Peter’s Basilica with At the end of the General Audience on only a small number of faithful Wednesday, 4 November, present for safety reasons due to expressed his sorrow over the recent the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. terrorist attacks in Nice and , and his closeness to the victims and their families and to all those affected by these “deplorable events, which seek to compromise fraternal cooperation among religions through violence and h a t re d ”. The Holy Father held the General Audience in the Private Library of the Vatican’s without the presence of the faithful due to Covid-19 precautionary measures The following is a translation of the words he shared in Italian with the faithful connected through radio, television and social media. In these days of prayer for the dead, we have remembered and continue to remember still today the helpless victims of terrorism, which is escalat- ing in its cruelty throughout Europe. PAGE 5 I am thinking, in particular, of the serious attack in Nice in recent days, in a place of worship, and of the other one the day before yesterday in the streets of Vienna, which Authenticum Charismatis caused dismay and reprobation among the population and those PAGE 5 who cherish peace and dialogue. I entrust to God’s mercy the people who have tragically departed and I express my spiritual closeness to ‘’ re f l e c t i o n their families and to all those who suffer as a result of these deplorable An imaginative renewal events, which seek to compromise fraternal cooperation among reli- gions through violence and hatred. RAD CLIFFE ON PA G E 8

FOR THE POPE’S C AT E C H E S I S , SEE PA G E 3 A man prays for the victims killed in the attack in Nice (AFP)

Sunday Angelus Stop the shedding Terror in Vienna of innocent blood The Pope’s sorrow and dismay over violence against innocent people

In a telegram signed on his behalf by Secretary of State Cardinal , Pope Francis expressed his “dis- may at the terrible acts of violence in Vienna which have wrought death and suffering to innocent people”. The Holy Father’s telegram, which was addressed to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, of Vienna, was referring to the attack on Monday evening, 2 November, which left at least four dead and many wounded. Pope Francis ex- pressed his closeness “to the families of the deceased and to all the Austrian people” as well as to the wounded for whose speedy recovery, he prays. Entrusting the victims to Go d’smercy, the Holy Father “asks the Lord that violence and hatred may end, and that peaceful coexistence in soci- ety may be fostered”. The telegram concluded with the Pop e’s heartfelt “Blessing to all those who were affected by this tragedy”. The Pope also expressed his sorrow and dismay over the terrorist attack in Vienna in a tweet on his @Pontifex ac- count: “Enough violence! Let us together strengthen peace A flower placed beside a bullet hole in a window at the site of an PAGE 12 and fraternity. Only love can silence hate”. armed attack (Reuters) page 2 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 6 November 2020, number 45

Archbishop Chucrallah-Nabil El- Hage from the pastoral care of the Archeparchy of Tyr for Maronites (1 VAT I C A N N o v. ) . The Holy Father granted his assent general and rector of Bernard to the election by the Synod of Cathedral (28 Oct.). Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of BULLETIN Antioch for Maronites of Msgr Bishop-elect Aguilera Arroyo, 48, Charbel Abdallah to the Archep- was born in San Lorenzo, Bolivia. Bishop Giuseppe Piemontese, OFM archal See of Tyr for Maronites, Le- AUDIENCES He was ordained a priest on 8 Conv., of Terni-Narni-Amelia, banon (1 Nov.). December 1999. He holds a degree Thursday, 29 October Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Presid- in philosophical and theological Archbishop-elect Abdallah, 53, Bishop , Secretary Gen- ent of the for studies and a licence in sacred was born in Hajjeh, Lebanon. He eral of the Synod of Bishops Life l i t u rg y. was ordained a priest on 24 October 1992. He holds a licence in theology Mr Alessandro Cassinis Righini, The Holy Father accepted the resig- and philosophy and a doctorate in Auditor General ad interim CHANGES IN EP I S C O PAT E nation presented by Archbishop theology with a specialization in Cardinal , Archbish- Francesco Cacucci from the pastoral l i t u rg y. The Holy Father accepted the resig- care of the Metropolitan Arch- op of Florence, Italy, with his en- nation presented by Bishop Em- tourage, for the presentation of “The diocese of Bari-Bitonto, Italy (29 The Synod of Bishops of the Patri- manuel Lafont from the pastoral O ct.). archal Church of Antioch for Ma- New Testament” of the Italian Epis- care of the diocese of Cayenne, copal Conference. ronites accepted the resignation of French Guiana (26 Oct.). The Holy Father appointed Arch- Archbishop Georges Bou-Jaoudé, bishop Giuseppe Satriano as Metro- Friday, 30 October CM, from the pastoral care of the The Holy Father appointed Fr Ger- politan Archbishop of Bari-Bitonto. Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, ardo Miguel Nieves Loja as Coad- Archeparchy of Tripoli for Maron- Until now he has served as Arch- ites, Lebanon (1 Nov.). Prefect of the Congregation for the jutor Bishop of the Diocese of bishop of Rossano-Cariati, Italy (29 Evangelization of Peoples Riobamba, Ecuador. Until now he O ct.). His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal has served as vicar general and par- Bechara Boutros Raï, of Cardinal Donald William Wuerl, Bishop Satriano, 60, was born in ish priest in the same diocese (27 Antioch for Maronites, with the con- Archbishop emeritus of Washington, Brindisi, Italy. He was ordained a O ct.). sent of the Synod of Bishops of the United States of America priest on 28 September 1985. He was and after having Bishop-elect Nieves Loja, 57, was ordained an archbishop on 3 October Msgr , priest of informed the , has born in El Valle, Ecuador. He was 2014, subsequent to his appointment the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine transferred Archbishop Youssef Ant- ordained a priest on 12 December as Archbishop of Rossano-Cariati. Love in oine Soueif from the Archeparchal 1993. He holds a doctorate in philo- See of Cyprus for Maronites to that Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, CS, s o p h y. The Holy Father accepted the resig- of Tripoli for Maronites, Lebanon (1 Apostolic nation presented by Bishop Gio- N o v. ) . The Holy Father appointed Fr Nic- vanni D’E rc o l e F D P, from the pastor- Saturday, 31 October olás Renán Aguilera Arroyo as Bish- al care of the Diocese of Ascoli Pi- Archbishop Soueif, 58, was born Cardinal , PSS, Prefect op of the Diocese of Potosí, Bolivia. ceno, Italy. (29 Oct.). in Chekka, Lebanon. He was or- of the Until now he has served as vicar The Holy Father appointed Bishop dained a priest on 3 September 1987. Domenico Pompili of Rieti as He was ordained an archbishop on 6 Apostolic Administrator of the Dio- December 2008, subsequent to his cese of Ascoli Piceno (29 Oct.). appointment as Archbishop of Cyprus for Maronites. Holy Father’s letter to The Holy Father accepted the resig- nation presented by Bishop Octavio H.B. Ibrahim Isaac Sedrak, Patri- Cisneros from the office of Auxiliary arch of Alexandria for Copts, with Cardinal-elect Silvano M. Tomasi Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, the consent of the Synod of Bishops United States of America (30 Oct.). of the Coptic Church and after hav- Pope Francis appointed Cardinal-elect You will enjoy all the powers ne- ing informed the Apostolic See, has as his Special cessary to decide possible issues The Holy Father appointed Fr transferred Bishop Basilios Fawzy Delegate to the Sovereign Military that may arise, to implement the Fernando Valera Sánchez as Bishop Al-Dabe from the Eparchial See of Hospitaller Order of Saint John of mandate entrusted to you and to of Zamora, . Until now he has Sohag to that of Minya, Egypt. (3 Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of receive the oath of the next Grand served as episcopal vicar and spiritu- N o v. ) (SMOM). The following is a Master, and you will be my exclus- al director of the major seminary (30 translation of the Holy Father’s letter ive spokesperson for all that per- O ct.). Bishop Fawzy Al-Dabe, 63, was which was written in Italian. tains to relations between this Bishop-elect Valera Sánchez, 60, born in Minya, Egypt. He was or- Apostolic See and the Order. was born in Bullas, Spain. He was dained a priest on 28 March 1980. I ask that you carry out the of- ordained a priest on 18 September He was ordained a bishop on 3 Au- To my Venerable fice of my Delegate until the con- 1983. He holds a licence in philo- gust, subsequent to his appointment C a rd i n a l - e l e c t clusion of the process of updating sophy and a doctorate in spiritual as Bishop of Sohag. SI LVA N O MARIA TOMASI, CS the Constitutional Charter and the theology. He completed his studies The Holy Father granted his assent After accepting the resignation of Melitense Code, and in any case, at the Pontifical Gregorian Uni- to the election by the Synod of H.E. the most reverend Cardinal until I shall deem it beneficial for versity in Rome. Bishops of the Patriarchal Church of Angelo Becciu, I hereby appoint the Order itself. The Holy Father accepted the resig- Alexandria for Copts of Fr Thomas you my Special Delegate to the In reconfirming to you the as- nation presented by Bishop José Halim Habib as Bishop of the Ep- Sovereign Military Hospitaller Or- surance of my prayer, I whole- Alejandro Castaño Arbeláez, OAR, archy of Sohag, Egypt. Until now der of Saint John of Jerusalem, of heartedly impart my Apostolic from the pastoral care of the Dio- he has served as Counsellor at the Rhodes and of Malta (SMOM), with Blessing to Your Eminence, which cese of Cartago, Colombia (31 Oct.). (3 Nov.). the task of collaborating, for the I willingly extend to all Members greater good of the Order, with of the Melitense Order. Bishop-elect Halim Habib, 57, was H.E. Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle OR I E N TA L CHURCHES born in Sohag, Egypt. Before enter- Peixoto de Villas Boas, Lieutenant From the Vatican, ing the seminary he obtained a law “ad interim” and Grand Com- 1 November 2020 The Synod of Bishops of the Patri- degree. He was ordained a priest on mander, and with the next duly archal Church of Antioch for Ma- 27 March 1994. He holds a doctorate elected . FRANCIS ronites accepted the resignation of in canon law.

ANDREA MONDA TIPO GRAFIA VAT I C A N A EDITRICE Subscription rates: Italy - Vatican: € 58.00; Europe: € 100.00 - US$ 148.00 £ 80.00; America, Africa, L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO L’OS S E R VAT O R E ROMANO Asia: € 110.00 - US$ 160.00 - £ 88.00; Oceania, North America: € 162.00 - £ 130.00. Editor-in-Chief Management Office: phone +390669899480; fax +390669885164; e-mail [email protected]. WEEKLY EDITION IN ENGLISH For India: The weekly English Edition of L'Osservatore Romano is published and distributed in Unicuique suum Non praevalebunt Photo Service Giuseppe Fiorentino [email protected] w w w. p h o t o .v a India by Carmel International Publishing House, Cotton Hill, Trivandrum- 695 014, Kerala-India; Assistant Editor phone: +91471327253, fax: +91471328191, 329934; e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]. For North America: L’Osservatore Romano (USPS 016-419) is published fifty times per year (weekly, except third week in Advertising Agency August and last week in December) by Our Sunday Visitor, L’Osservatore Romano, English Edition, 200 Noll Plaza, Vatican City Il Sole 24 Ore S.p.A. Editorial office Huntington, IN 46750. Periodicals Postage Pending at Huntington, IN, and additional mailing offices, USA – phone: redazione.inglese.or@sp c.va System Comunicazione Pubblicitaria via del Pellegrino, 00120 Vatican City Via Monte Rosa 91, 20149 Milano 800-348-2440 x2171; fax: 866-891-7390 – e-mail: [email protected]. w w w. o s s e r v a t o re ro m a n o .v a telephone +390669899300, fax +390669883675 s e g re t e r i a d i re z i o n e s y s t e m @ i l s o l e 2 4 o re . c o m POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Our Sunday Visitor, 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750 number 45, Friday, 6 November 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 3

GENERAL AU D I E N C E

On Wednesday morning, 4 November, the Pope returned to the practice of holding the General Audience in the Private Library of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace without the presence of the faithful, due to Covid-19 protective measures. Before continuing his series of catecheses on prayer, he invited the faithful to think of the sick and those who care for them. The following is a translation of his reflection, which he shared in Italian.

A thought for the sick and for those who work with them in hospitals Life’s trials make faith and charity grow

Dear Brothers and Sisters, One Sabbath, for example, the the perspective of a “vo cation”. ourselves, we are men and women Good morning! town of Capernaum was trans- Prayer has the power to trans- always on the run. formed into a "field hospital": form into good what in life Unfortunately we have had to re- Lastly, Jesus’ prayer is the place after sunset they brought all the would otherwise be a sentence; where we perceive that everything turn to holding this audience in sick to Jesus, and he healed them. prayer has the power to open the the library, to protect ourselves comes from God and returns to him. Before dawn, however, Jesus dis- mind to a great horizon and to Sometimes we human beings be- against contagion by Covid. This broaden the heart. appeared: he withdrew to a solita- lieve that we are the masters of also teaches us that we must be ry place and prayed. Simon and Secondly, prayer is an art to be everything, or on the contrary, we very attentive to the prescriptions the others looked for him and practised i n s i s t e n t l y. Jesus himself lose all self-esteem, we go from of the authorities, both the polit- when they found him they said: says to us: knock, knock, knock. one side to the other. Prayer ical authorities and health author- “Everyone is searching for you!” We are all capable of sporadic ities, in order to protect ourselves How does Jesus reply? “Let us go helps us to find the right dimen- prayers, which arise from a mo- sion in our relationship with against this pandemic. Let us of- on to the next towns, that I may mentary emotion; but Jesus edu- God, our Father, and with all cre- fer to the Lord this distance preach there also; for that is why cates us in another type of prayer: ation. And Jesus’ prayer, in the between us, for the good of all, I came out” (cf. Mk 1:35-38). the one that knows a discipline, and let us think, let us think a lot Jesus always goes a bit further, an exercise, and is assumed with- end, means delivering oneself into about the sick, about those who further in prayer with the Father, in a rule of life. Consistent prayer the hands of the Father, like Jesus are already marginalized when and beyond, to other villages, produces progressive transforma- in the olive grove, in that an- they enter the hospitals; let us other horizons, to go and preach, tion, makes us strong in times of guish: “Father, if it is possible … think about the doctors, the other peoples. tribulation, gives us the grace to but may your will be done”. De- nurses, the volunteers, the many Prayer is the rudder that guides be supported by the One who livering oneself into the hands of people who work with the sick at Jesus’ c o u rs e . The stages of his loves us and always protects us. the Father. It is beautiful, when this time: they risk their life but mission were not dictated by suc- Another characteristic of Jesus’ we are agitated, a bit worried, they do so out of love for their cess, nor by consensus, or the se- prayer is solitude. Those who pray and the Holy Spirit transforms us neighbour, as a vocation. Let us ductive phrase “everyone is do not escape from the world, from within and leads us to this pray for them. searching for you”. Jesus’ path but prefer deserted places. There, surrendering into the hands of During his public life, Jesus was charted by the least comfort- in silence, many voices can the Father: “Father, let your will constantly availed himself of the able one, which obeyed the Fath- emerge that we hide in our inner- be done”. power of prayer. The Gospels er’s inspiration, which Jesus heard most selves: the most repressed Dear brothers and sisters, let us show this to us when he retired to and welcomed in his solitary desires, the truths that we insist rediscover Jesus Christ as a teach- secluded places to pray. These are p r a y e r. on suffocating, and so on. And, er of prayer in the Gospel and sober and discreet observations The Catechism states that above all, in silence God speaks. place ourselves in his school. I as- that allow us only to imagine “when Jesus prays he is already Every person needs a space for sure you that we will find joy and those prayerful dialogues. They teaching us how to pray” (no. him or herself, somewhere to cul- p eace. clearly demonstrate, however, that 2607). Therefore, from Jesus’ ex- tivate their interior life, where ac- tions find meaning again. even at times of greater dedica- ample we can derive some c h a ra c - Without an interior life we be- tion to the poor and the sick, teristics of Christian prayer. SPECIAL GREETINGS come superficial, agitated, and First and foremost, it possesses Jesus never neglected his intimate anxious — how anxiety harms us! I cordially greet the English- primacy: it is the first desire of the dialogue with the Father. The This is why we must turn to pray- speaking faithful. In this month d a y, something that is practised at more he was immersed in the er; without an interior life we flee of November, let us pray espe- dawn, before the world awakens. needs of the people, the more he from reality, and we also flee from cially for our deceased loved felt the need to repose in the It restores a soul to what other- ones, and for all who have died, Trinitarian Communion, to return wise would be without breath. A that the Lord in his mercy will day lived without prayer risks be- to the Father and the Spirit. welcome them to the banquet of ing transformed into a bother- In Jesus’ life there is therefore eternal life. Upon you and your some or tedious experience: families I invoke the joy of our a secret, hidden from human everything that happens to us eyes, which is the fulcrum of could turn into a badly endured Lord Jesus Christ. May God everything. Jesus’ prayer is a mys- and blind fate for us. Jesus in- bless you! terious reality, of which we grasp stead teaches an obedience to Lastly, my thoughts turn as only something, but which allows reality and, therefore, to listening. usual to the elderly, to young us to interpret his entire mission Prayer is primarily listening and people, to the sick and to newly- from the right perspective. In encountering God. The problems weds. I encourage all of you to of- those solitary hours — b efore of everyday life, then, do not be- fer a sincere witness of the dawn or at night — Jesus im- come obstacles, but appeals from primacy of prayer in the life of merses himself in his intimacy God himself to listen to and en- believers. Prayer is always a with the Father, that is, in the counter those who are in front of source of hope and consolation. Love that every soul thirsts for. us. The trials of life thus change This is what emerges from the into opportunities to grow in very first days of his public min- faith and charity. The daily jour- i s t r y. ney, including hardships, acquires page 4 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 6 November 2020, number 45

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for All Souls The gift of hope gives meaning to life

On Monday afternoon, 2 November, Commemoration of all the faithful departed, the Holy Father presided Holy Mass in the Church of the Pontifical Teutonic College, Santa Maria in Camposanto, located inside the Vatican. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration the Pope paused in prayer at the graves in the cemetery. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s homily, which he gave in Italian. Job, defeated, or rather, at the end of his life due to illness, with his skin stripped away, nearly at the point of death, almost without flesh, Job has a certitude and he states it: “I know that my Redeem- er lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth” (Jb 19:25). At the moment in which Job is at his very lowest, there is that embrace of light and warmth that reassures him: I will see the Redeemer. I will see him with these eyes. “I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another” (19:26-27). This certainty, precisely at nearly me hope’. There are many bad it returns: “I know that my Re- point. “All that the Father gives the final moment of life, is Christi- things that lead us to despair, to deemer lives, and at last he will me will come to me” (Jn 6:37). an hope. It is a hope that is a believe that all will be a definitive stand upon the earth … I shall see This is the aim of hope: to go to dream: we cannot have it. It is a loss, that after death there will be God, whom I shall see on my Jesus. And “him who comes to me gift we must ask for: ‘Lord, give nothing.... And Job’s voice returns; side”, with these eyes. I will not cast out. For I have “Hope does not disappoint” come down from heaven, not to do (Rom 5:5), Paul told us. Hope my own will, but the will of him draws us and gives meaning to our who sent me” (Jn 6:37-38). The life. I do not see the afterlife, but Lord who welcomes us there, hope is God’s gift that draws us where the anchor lies. Life in hope The Holy Father spends a moment of toward life, toward eternal joy. is to live like this: grasping, with Hope is an anchor that we have the rope in hand, strong, knowing prayer in the Vatican Grotto from the other side, and we, grasp- that the anchor is below. And this ing the rope, sustain ourselves (cf. anchor does not disappoint; it does After celebrating Holy Heb 6:18-19). ‘I know that my Re- not disappoint. Mass in the Church of the deemer lives, and I shall see him’. Today, in the thoughts of many Pontifical Teutonic Col- And repeat this in times of joy and brothers and sisters who have lege, Santa Maria in Cam- in bad times, in times of death, let passed on, it will do us good to posanto, the Holy Father us say this. look at the cemeteries and to look visited the Grottos of the This certitude is a gift of God, heavenward. And to repeat, like Vatican Basilica for a because we can never have hope by Job: ‘I know that my Redeemer private moment of prayer our own efforts. We must ask for lives, and I myself will see him. before the tombs of Saint it. Hope is a freely given gift that My eyes shall behold him, and not Peter and those of his pre- we never deserve: it is given; it is another’. And this is the strength decessors Pius XII, Saint offered. It is grace. that hope gives us, this freely given John Paul II and Saint And then, the Lord confirms gift that is the virtue of hope. May Paul VI. this, this hope that does not disap- the Lord give it to all of us.

Canon 579 modified by Motu Proprio Ecclesiality is a sure sign of the authenticity of a charism

The following is a translation of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter issued Motu expressed in close care for all forms The Apostolic See has the re- Proprio “Authenticum Charismatis”, amending can. 579 of the Code of Canon of and, in particular, sponsibility to accompany the Pas- Law regarding the erection of institutes of Consecrated Life. in the decisive task of assessing the tors in the process of discernment advisability of establishing new In- leading to the ecclesial recognition of a new Institute or a new Society Apostolic Letter ously into the life of God’s holy and stitutes of Consecrated Life and new under diocesan law. The Apostolic issued Motu Proprio faithful people for the good of all. Societies of Apostolic Life. It is Exhortation Vita Consecrata states by the Supreme Pontiff Francis ( Evangelii right to respond to the gifts the that the vitality of new Institutes Gaudium, 130). The faithful have the Spirit awakens in the particular and Societies “must be judged by AUTHENTICUM CHARISMATIS Church, welcoming them generously right to be warned by the Pastors the authority of the Church, which with thanksgiving; at the same time, about the authenticity of charisms has the responsibility of examining amending canon 579 of the Code of it must be avoided that “communit- and the reliability of those who them in order to discern the authen- Canon Law concerning the erection present themselves as founders. ies may be needlessly brought into of institutes of consecrated life ticity of the purpose for their Discernment about the ecclesial being which are useless or which foundation and to prevent the pro- “A sure sign of the authenticity of a nature and reliability of charisms is lack sufficient resources” (Decree of liferation of institutions similar to charism is its ecclesial character, its an ecclesial responsibility of the Pas- the Vatican II, ability to be integrated harmoni- tors of the particular Churches. It is Perfectae Caritatis, 19). CONTINUED ON PA G E 5 number 45, Friday, 6 November 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 5

Mass for Cardinals and Bishops who died over the course of the year With faith to face grief fear and the ‘riddle of death’

During a Mass celebrated on Thursday morning, Marian Jaworski and Anthony Soter Fernandez) prayer was said for the evangelizing work of 5 November, at the Altar of the Chair in Saint and of the 163 and Bishops. The missionaries and for every baptized person to Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis remembered the celebration was attended by 28 prelates, 25 of rediscover his or her vocation to holiness. Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops who died whom concelebrated. Among them was the Dean The celebration ended with the Marian Antiphon over the course of the year. The Holy Father of the , Cardinal Giovanni “Sub tuum praesidium” sung by the Sistine recalled with gratitude the testimonies of six Battista Re and Cardinal . At the Chapel Choir. Cardinals (Prosper Grech, Renato Corti, Zenon Prayer of the Faithful, particular intention was The following is the English text of the Holy Grocholewski, Adrianus Johannes Simonis, raised for the deceased prelates and a special Fa t h e r ’s homily, which was given in Italian.

In the Gospel passage we have just help us consider aright the parable heard (Jn 11:17-27), Jesus says sol- of their lives. We ask him to dispel emnly of himself: “I am the resurrec- that unholy grief which we occasion- tion and the life. Those who believe ally feel, thinking that death is the in me, even though they die, will end of everything. A feeling far from live, and everyone who lives and be- faith, yet part of that human fear of lieves in me will never die” (vv. 25- death felt by everyone. For this reas- 26). The radiance of these words on, before the riddle of death, be- dispels the darkness of the profound lievers too must be constantly con- grief caused by the death of Laz- verted. We are called daily to leave arus. Martha accepts those words behind our instinctive image of and, with a firm profession of faith, death as the total destruction of a declares: “Yes, Lord, I believe that person. We are called to leave be- you are the Christ, the Son of God, hind the visible world we take for the one coming into the world” ( v. granted, our usual, commonplace 27). Jesus’ words make Martha’s ways of thinking, and to entrust hope pass from the distant future in- ourselves entirely to the Lord who to the present: the resurrection is tells us: “I am the resurrection and the already close to her, present in the life. Those who believe in me, even person of Christ. though they die, will live, and everyone Today, Jesus’ revelation also chal- who lives and believes in me will never lenges us: we too are called to be- die”(Jn 11:25-26). lieve in the resurrection, not as a These words, dear brothers and kind of distant mirage but as an more the great leap of faith and to through the eyes of faith, their death sisters, accepted in faith, make our event already present and even now enter, even now, into the light of the does not appear as misfortune but prayer for our deceased brothers and mysteriously at work in our lives. resurrection. “Whoever lives and be- as a providential act of the Lord, sisters truly Christian. They enable Yet our faith in the resurrection lieves in me shall never die. Do you be- whose thoughts are not like ours. neither ignores nor masks the very lieve this?” (v. 26). Once we have For example, the sacred author him- us to have a truly realistic vision of human bewilderment we feel in the made this leap, our way of thinking self points out that in God’s eyes, the lives they lived, to understand face of death. The Lord Jesus him- and seeing things is changed. The “old age is not honoured for length the meaning and the value of the self, seeing the tears of Lazarus’s sis- eyes of faith, transcending things of time, or measured by number of good they accomplished, their ters and those around them, did not visible, see in a certain way invisible years; but understanding is grey hair strength, their commitment and their hide his own emotion, but, as the realities (cf. Heb 11:27). Everything for anyone, and a blameless life is generous and unselfish love. And to evangelist John adds, himself “b egan that happens is then assessed in the ripe old age” (4:8-9). God’s loving understand the meaning of a life to weep” (Jn 11:35). Except for sin, light of another dimension, the di- plans for his chosen ones are com- that aspires not to an earthly home- he is fully one of us: he too experi- mension of eternity. pletely overlooked by those whose land, but to a better, heavenly enced the drama of grief, the bitter- We find this in the passage of the only horizon are the things of this homeland (cf. Heb 11:16). Prayers for ness of tears shed for the loss of a Book of Wisdom. The untimely world. Consequently, as far as they the faithful departed, offered in con- loved one. Yet this does not obscure death of the just is viewed in a dif- are concerned, it is said that “they fident trust that they now live with the light of truth radiating from his ferent light. “There were some who will see the end of the wise, and will God, also greatly benefit ourselves revelation, of which the resurrection pleased God and were loved by him, not understand what the Lord pur- on this, our earthly pilgrimage. They of Lazarus was a great sign. and while living among sinners were posed for them” (4:17). instil in us a true vision of life; they Today, then, the Lord repeats to taken up… so that evil might not As we pray for the Cardinals and reveal to us the meaning of the trials us: “I am the resurrection and the life” change their understanding or guile Bishops deceased in the course of we must endure to enter the king- (v. 25). He summons us to take once deceive their souls” (4:10-11). Seen this last year, we ask the Lord to dom of God; they open our hearts to true freedom and inspire us un- ceasingly to seek eternal riches. In the words of the Apostle, we too “have confidence, and… whether Canon 579 modified by Motu Proprio we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Cor 5:8- 9). The life of a servant of the Gos- CONTINUED FROM PA G E 4 Life, even if it has arisen in the sued Motu Proprio have firm and pel is shaped by the desire to be context of a particular Church, “as stable implementation, notwith- pleasing to the Lord in all things. one another, with the consequent a gift to the Church, is not an isol- standing anything to the contrary, This is the criterion of our every de- risk of a harmful fragmentation in- ated or marginal reality, but deeply even if worthy of special mention, cision, of every step we take. And so to excessively small groups” (n. part of her. It is at the very heart of and that it be promulgated by pub- we remember with gratitude the wit- 12). The new Institutes of Consec- the Church, a decisive element of lication in L’Osservatore Romano, ness of the deceased Cardinals and rated Life and the new Societies of her mission” (Letter to Consecrated entering into force on 10 November Bishops, given in fidelity to God’s Apostolic Life, therefore, must be Persons, III, 5). 2020, and thereafter be published will. We pray for them and we strive officially recognized by the With this in mind, I have de- in the commentary of the to follow their example. May the Apostolic See, which alone has fi- cided to modify can. 579, which is . Lord continue to pour forth upon nal judgement. replaced by the following text: us his Spirit of wisdom, especially The act of canonical erection by Episcopi dioecesani, in suo quisque Given from the , during these times of trial. Espe- the Bishop transcends the solely territorio, instituta vitae consecratae on 1 November 2020, cially when the journey becomes diocesan sphere and makes it relev- formali decreto valide erigere possunt, the Solemnity of All , eighth more difficult. He does not abandon ant to the wider horizon of the uni- praevia licentia Sedis Apostolicae year of my Pontificate. us, but remains in our midst, ever versal Church. In fact, by its very scripto data. faithful to his promise: “Rememb er, nature, every Institute of Consec- I order that what has been delib- I am with you always, to the end of rated Life or Society of Apostolic erated with this Apostolic Letter is- the age” (Mt 28:20). number 45, Friday, 6 November 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 6/7

“Brothers in Grief” storytelling by Chloe Cushman WORD OF THE YEAR

“I would like to devote this year’s Message to the theme of storytelling, because I believe that, so as not to lose our bearings, we need to make our own the truth contained in good stories. Stories that build up, not tear down; stories that help us rediscover our roots and the strength needed to move forward together”. (Message of the Holy Father for the Risk as a spiritual and literary act World Day of Social Communications 2020) Colum McCann’s ‘Ap eirogon’ weaves the grief of two fathers with the mystery of time

LILA AZAM ZANGANEH checkpoint, for hours, and she died at Ha- dassah Hospital in Jerusalem. and we are in increasing danger of walling off, The Irish writer Colum McCann likes to “I still sit in that ambulance every day,” literally and figuratively, our empathetic possib- take risks. Both literary and political risks. Bassam says. “I keep waiting for it to move. ilities. Enter, then, the idea of storytelli n g. One of the great writers of the Every day she gets killed again and every Eight years ago, in 2012, I had the great priv- 20th century, Georges Bernanos, wrote in day I sit in the ambulance, willing it to ilege of becoming a co-founder of Narrative 4, a the Diary of a Country Priest: “I understood move, please move, please please please, global story exchange organisation. Along with that youth is a risk to take and that the just go, why are you staying here, let’s just several writers and activists — including Lisa go.” Rami responds, as it were, in another Lord did not want me to die without un- Consiglio, Ishmael Beah, Terry Tempest Willi- derstanding something of this risk.” I be- section: “You find yourself running in the A form of democracy known as narrative streets, in and out of shops, the cafe, the ams, Darrell Borque, Greg Khalil and Assaf lieve the same thing can and should be said Gavron — we saw that the world was built of of art, of book-writing, of storytelling in ice cream store, trying to find your daugh- ter, your child, your Princess ... but she has stories, and that the telling of someone else’s general. Why write a story, a novel, if we vanished. You go from hospital to hospital, The liberating value of telling the stories of others story just might enable the “radical empathy” don’t intend to take a risk, formally, and in police station to police station. You do this we were seeking to cultivate. The premise was substance? Why have faith in an old genre for many long hours until eventually, very simple: You tell my story, I tell yours. We if we don’t attempt to innovate it? To shake late at night, you and your wife find COLUM MCCANN against the disturbing swerves they saw shaping beings inevitably counteracted war. What had wondered what might happen if the simple acts old forms and make place for the new, the yourselves in the morgue.” the world. to be sought, said Freud, was “a community of of listening and talking could become things perilous, the reinvigorated? Notwithstanding the deeply political n the summer of 1932 Albert Einstein — in Einstein was immensely interested in cultivat- feeling,” and “a mythology of the instincts.” In that bolster our notions of peace, equality, Colum McCann’s new book, Ap e i ro g o n , nature of its context, I would argue that the course of exploring “man’s lust for ing the idea of a world peace, and he believed other words: a story. democracy and understanding. does just that: it innovates the genre, and h a t re d ” — wrote a letter to Sigmund Freud that Freud might help him find an answer. His Holiness, Pope Francis, has recently, with Ap e i ro g o n is not a political narrative. Narrative 4 now exists in 12 countries: includ- reopens the novel, against the current of asking if he thought it might be possible In Freud’s eventual official reply, which came great eloquence, called upon the world to re- Primarily, the novel is a feat of love, the ing Ireland, the U.S, , South Africa and the times, to the experiences and the suffer- love between two men and their families; toI “guide the psychological development of by post several weeks after the initial request, gard storytelling as one of the most powerful a fledgling program in Italy which we hope to ing of others. An “ap eirogon” is a solid and it’s a feat of listening elevated to an act man so that it can become resistant to the the Austrian said that he was flattered to be means we have with which we can change our expand. Hundreds of thousands of exchanges of love. McCann has listened intently to psychoses of hate and destruction, thereby de- asked the question, but that in his opinion there world. are arranged each year, mostly through teachers each of their stories, and lent them back livering civilisation from the menace of war?” was not much likelihood in anyone being able “With the gaze of the great storyteller — the their human hearts on the page. En route, The two men were, of course, among the to suppress or modulate humanity’s aggressive only one who has the ultimate point of view — who, in the end, are the true guardians of stor- the novel becomes a kaleidoscope of his- bellweather minds of their times. Einstein: the tendencies. There are not many people in the we can then approach the other characters, our ies and storytelling. We work primarily with tory, geography, myth and time. The father of relativity, the great pacifist, the quirky world whose lives go gently by, he said. It is brothers and sisters, who are with us as actors teenagers but the program works with just chapters glide between eras and places and scientist who was interested in the Theory of easy to infect mankind with war fever, and hu- in today’s story,” he writes. “For no one is an about everyone, including very young children. subject matters, deftly (at times, almost ma- Everything. Freud: the famous neurologist, the mankind has an active instinct for hatred and extra on the world stage, and everyone’s story is What we’re interested in doing in Narrative 4 gically) connecting topics ranging from bird father of psychoanlysis, an exp l o rer of the mind destruction. In his opinion there was not much open to possible change. Even when we tell of is expanding the lungs of the world. That is migrations to early explorations of the and body. likelihood of our being able to suppress human- evil, we can learn to leave room for redemption; what Einstein and Freud were talking about Dead Sea and nuclear holocausts. Borges The world was on the knife-edge of destruc- ity’s aggressive tendencies. in the midst of evil, we can also recognize the also. And it is, of course, what Pope Francis has and John Cage are conjured up, a concert tion and had already witnessed, through the However, at the end of his letter, Freud held so deeply recognised. in Theresienstadt is brought back to life, as working of goodness and give it space.” horrors of the First World War, the opening out a ray of light. He said that the hope that A community of feeling and a mythology of the well as Philippe Petit’s high-wire walk Storytelling is our great democracy. It is the ding-dongs of doom. Einstein and Freud felt a war will end was not chimerical. Anything instincts. above the Hinnom Valley, and the crucifix- one thing we all have access to. We tell our ion of Jesus. The chapters ascend from 1 to moral and public responsibility to speak out which created emotional ties between human stories because we need to be heard. And we And what is a story but a mythology of the 500, and then descend from 500 back to 1, listen to stories because we need to belong. instincts? And what is a listener but one who with Chapter 1,001 set at the very center. Storytelling crosses borders. It leapfrogs bound- belongs to a community of feeling? Both chapters 500 relate Rami and Bas- aries. It shatters stereotypes. And gives us ac- What Pope Francis recognises intuitively is sam’s stories directly and in the 1st person. cess to the full bloom of the human heart. that when we tell our stories we offer up what is “Once I thought we could never solve But stories are dangerous things too. Stories dearest to us. Lodged inside our hearts and our our conflict,” Bassam says, “we would con- are weapons. Stories can wound us. Stories can heads, stories are one of the few things, along- tinue hating each other forever, but it is not break our hearts. Stories can take away our side faith, that cannot be taken from us. Our written anywhere that we have to go on homes, our lands, our nations. stories are unassailable, even by bullets. But we with an infinitely countable number of killing each other. The hero makes a friend Citizen and writer of the world We are living now in what is becoming must be able to tell them. We must be given sides. And this novel tells its intertwined of his enemy. When they killed my daugh- known as the “exponential age” — a sequence of the space and the time. We must be listened to. stories, and in a certain sense, retells all of ter they killed my fear. I have no fear. I can rapidly punctuated evolutions, a sort of carousel And we must become listeners at the same history, in an infinitely countable number do anything now.” Colum McCann is among the most writing at Hunter College’s MFA of quickening, where everything is faster-smal- time. “I began to think,” Rami says, “that I of fragments. At its core, the novel is about ler, faster-cheaper, faster-incomprehensibly The writer Zora Neale Thurston once said had stumbled upon the most important well-known of contemporary writers. program. McCann, whose novels have the friendship between Rami Elhanan, an reduced. But more and more we are refusing to that there is no greater weight to bear than that Israeli Jew, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestini- question of them all: What can you do, Born and raised in Dublin, he has won been published in 35 countries in over listen to one another. So many of us are coming personally, in order to try to help prevent of an untold story. The source of so much of an Muslim, who both lose their daughters many prestigious literary awards, indoors. We are closing the curtains. We are this unbearable pain for others?” 40 languages, was elected to the our suffering comes from an inability to express to an act of extreme violence in the Holy locking down the GPS systems on our imagina- With its major key in history, Ap e i ro g o n is including the National Book Award in what is lodged inside. Land. Smadar Elhanan, 13-years-old, was American Academy of Arts in 2017. He also a poem about time, the synchronal and 2009 for Let the Great World Spin tions. We like to think that we’re listening to It is one of the most extraordinary truths of killed on Ben Yehuda Street in 1994 in Jer- mysterious nature of time. A poet in Th e is the co-founder of the non-profit one another, but really we’re not. We like to the contemporary human experience: we only usalem when three Palestinians blew them- (Random House, 2009), the Rooney think we are allowing our children to embrace Thousand and One Nights writes: “We live in global story exchange organisation, really become alive when we are prepared to selves up on a crowded block. In 2004, biological time, and we have beginnings, Prize and the International Dublin the world, but a lot of the time we just want to listen to what happened to someone else, be- Abir Aramin, 10-years-old, was shot in the Stay away middles, and ends.” But McCann seems to Literary Award. He has been living in Narrative 4. McCann’s books speak of close them off. Increasingly we hear: cause what happened to someone else has back of the neck by a rubber bullet fired by from my truth! Don’t come into my room! I am respond, as though he were channeling an- happened, now, to us. a young Israeli soldier sitting in a jeep. The New York with his family for many his experience but never in the first left, you’re right! I am right, you’re wrong! In so other great Irishman, the poet Seamus So, tell your story. And, most importantly, clinic where Abir was sent lacked in medic- many places — particularly in the political Heaney: “Since when … are the first and years and currently teaches creative p e rs o n . listen to others. al equipment, so she was driven to Jerus- last line of any poem where the poem be- sphere — we see the narcissistic need to be alem. The ambulance was delayed at a gins and ends?” correct. We have become so atomised, so small, (COPYRIGHT © 2020, COLUM MCCANN) page 8 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 6 November 2020, number 45 Fratelli Tutti

“Cain slays Abel”, Cathedral of Monreale, Sicily, 12th-13th century Mo s a i c

TIMOTHY RAD CLIFFE re human beings already brothers and sisters or is this what we must be- come? The heart of this challenging is theA conviction that fraternity is both our deepest present identity and our future vocation. We are invited to become brothers and sisters in Christ in a way that we can hardly now envisage. ‘Beloved, we are Go d’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we An invitation to know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.’ (1 John 3:2). This is in part an adventure of the an imaginative renewal imagination. By imagination I do not mean “imaginary”, fantasy, but a promise of a world in which the belongs to everyone, then it matters fleeing violence and war. In the transformation of how we are in the strangers who thronged the cities little whether my neighbour was West especially, the walls are world. A Christian imagination is would be embraced. born in my country or elsewhere. manned against the immigrant and the power of the Holy Spirit leading Fratelli Tutti addresses a society fa- My own country also shares re- the stranger who, it is feared, will us into all truth. It is ‘the mind of cing an equally radical imaginative sponsibility for his or her develop- undermine our local communities, Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16). challenge. In our digital planet old ment, although it can fulfil that re- our identity, and even our safety. A fraternal imagination is already institutions and hierarchies have lost sponsibility in a variety of ways.’ How can we begin to see not at work in the book of Genesis, car- their authority; the future is uncer- (FT 125). menacing strangers but brothers and rying us from the murderous sibling tain. Just as in the time of St. Fran- This claim is shockingly counter- sisters? First of all our imaginations rivalry of Cain and Abel, through cis, the encounter of Christianity cultural. It subverts a fundamental must be liberated from fear of differ- the tensions between Isaac and Ish- and Islam is potentially perilous. St presupposition of contemporary ence. Every human culture is only mael, Esau and Jacob, Leah and Francis set out to meet the Sultan politics. For many it will seem naive alive if it is able fruitfully to interact Rachel, to Joseph’s reconciliation Malik-el-Kamil (3). Pope Francis at best and disastrous at worst. How with what is other. Each of us owes with his brothers. Being a brother or now reaches out to the Grand Imam can this make sense when all over our individual existence to the fertile sister is not just a matter of biologic- Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. the world walls are being erected difference of male and female. If we al descent but of growth into mutual The dream of universal fraternity and frontiers patrolled? But the hermetically seal ourselves against responsibility, building the common has less hold on the collective ima- Christian imagination is born of the the stranger, the local cultures we home. We are taken from the Lord’s gination than before. ‘Ancient con- transformative power of Christ’s cherish will die. The tree outside my question to Cain, ‘Where is your flicts thought long buried are break- cross and resurrection. On the cross window thrives because from its brother Abel?’, (Genesis 4:9), to ing out anew, while instances of a Christ ‘broke down the wall of hos- deepest root to the tip of its Joseph’s embrace of his brothers: “I myopic, extremist, resentful and ag- tility’ (Ephesians 2:14). A Paschal branches it is in constant live-giving am your brother, Joseph, whom you gressive nationalism are on the rise. imagination is bound to seem ‘folly exchange with the air, the soil, water sold into Egypt. And now do not be In some countries, a concept of pop- to the Gentiles’ (I Cornithians 1:23) and innumerable insects and bac- distressed, or angry with yourselves, ular and national unity influenced and be rejected by many. teria. Isolation is mortifying. because you sold me here; for God by various ideologies is creating new This does not mean that it should It requires a leap of the imagina- sent me before you to preserve life’. forms of selfishness and a loss of the float in disembodied space. It re- tion to see universal fraternity and (45.4-6) Genesis founds the exist- social sense under the guise of de- quires incarnation in political struc- local solidarity as mutually enhan- ence of Israel by leading us into the fending national interests.’ (11). tures. A new fraternal world order cing. ‘There can be no openness triumph of fraternity over rivalry. The Pope boldly challenges us to will need ‘to devise stronger and between peoples except on the basis In Christ, Israel’s story becomes imagine another way of belonging to more efficiently organized interna- of love for one’s own land, one’s the ongoing drama of humanity. We each other. He rejects today’s con- tional institutions, with functionaries own people, one’s own cultural already belong to each other but we secration of the absolute right to who are appointed fairly by agree- roots. I cannot truly encounter an- are only at the start of imagining private property: ‘The Christian tra- ment among national governments, other unless I stand on firm founda- what this means. ‘When the last day dition has never recognized the right and empowered to impose sanctions. tions, for it is on the basis of these comes, and there is sufficient light to private property as absolute or in- When we talk about the possibility that I can accept the gift the other to see things as they really are, we violable, and has stressed the social of some form of world authority reg- brings and in turn offer an authentic are going to find ourselves quite sur- purpose of all forms of private prop- ulated by law, we need not necessar- gift of my own.’ (143) prised.’ (281). erty’ (120). Our world has become a ily think of a personal authority.’ Fruitful interaction with my un- The Pope begins with St Francis massive shopping mall. Beginning in (172) The United Nations must be known brother or sister is only pos- of Assisi’s proclamation of a love the seventeenth century, the fiction re f o r m e d . sible if I learn to look at them with ‘that transcends the barriers of geo- that everything is for sale captures Similarly. in making the synodal a transfigured gaze, seeing their hu- graphy and distance’ (1). Indeed, as the common imagination: earth, wa- way foundational to the government manity, their vulnerability and their Laudato Si’ showed, it extends to ter, even human beings with the ex- of the Church, the Pope is inviting beauty. Digital communication ab- Brother Sun and Sister Moon and plosion of the slave trade. My body Catholics to reimagine ourselves as a stracts from our bodily particularity. the whole of creation. The thirteenth is my property, to be disposed of as community of brothers and sisters. Digital media expose people to ‘a century was ripe for this imagining I will, from conception to death. It is only on the basis of such a cul- gradual loss of contact with concrete of universal fraternity. The old feud- The organs of human bodies are tural transformation that the dizzy reality, blocking the development of al hierarchies were crumbling; mer- harvested for the market. invitation of Fratelli Tutti — to em- authentic interpersonal relationships. chants like Francis’ father were trav- Most strikingly Pope Francis chal- brace the foreigner as our brother They lack the physical gestures, fa- elling all over the known world; lenges the idea, foundational to the and sister, a member of our house- cial expressions, moments of silence, there were new forms of communica- modern nation state, that a country hold — will seem not the terrifying body language and even the smells, tion and a new sense of the pre- has an absolute right to its own re- subversion of all that we hold dear the trembling of hands, the blushes ciousness of the individual. St. Fran- sources and territory: ‘If every hu- but the way to the common home and perspiration that speak to us cis and St. Dominic’s usage of the man being possesses an inalienable for which we long. and are a part of human communic- earliest Christian titles, ‘b ro t h e r ’ and dignity, if all people are my brothers Never in human history have so ‘sister’, had a utopian charge, the and sisters, and if the world truly many people been on the move, CONTINUED ON PA G E 9 number 45, Friday, 6 November 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 9 f aces of the Church

Former migrant now of Tirana shares his story of faith Fr Arjan, a priest who married his parents

ROBERTO CETERA peacefully accept whatever happens to him. I think of the terrible days in March during the There is a spirit of service to the Gospel and to pandemic, when it was easy to fall into despair, charity; there is a humility just as deep as it is un- and I recall the image of Pope Francis on the assuming, there is an awareness of being the re- evening of 27 March. In the pouring rain, just cipient of a freely given and privileged Grace, but him, the Cross, Mary and the Eucharist: the es- his tone of voice belies the surprise and happiness sentials of our peace. That image enabled us to of having accomplished an extraordinary story. understand that we can live, outside our ostenta- The story of Father — now Monsignor — tious certainties, purified by the return to the es- Dodaj, age 43, who was consecrated Auxiliary sential, to the uniqueness of our existence: our re- Bishop of Tirana a few weeks ago, is in fact beau- lationship with Christ. Evil frightens us, but it be- tiful and incredible at the same time. Born in a comes dramatic only when we are outside the town on Albania’s Adriatic coast, after the fall of faith”. evening looking out the window at the stable in the communist dictatorship, — at just 16 years of That fear which Fr Arjan knows well, “b ecause front of our house, holding a chain made of olive age — Arjan Dodaj fled his country in 1993 it is fear”, he says, “that I experienced with my seeds in her hand. Only years later did I under- aboard one of many large boats of migrants that people during the dictatorship. A dictatorship stand that those seeds were in reality a chaplet crowded the coasts of Apulia, in that period. Mi- which was not limited to obstructing religious without obvious religious signs, that the stable raculously his boat managed to reach Italy. sentiment but which considered it the same as a had been the town church to the advent of However, once he arrived he knew no one, and crime. When it ended, the values it advocated communism, and that my grandmother secretly lived in a state of absolute precariousness, be- were revealed in all their inconsistency”. But the recited the every night. Later she taught cause at the time Albania was not yet integrated risk that followed was even greater: a vacuum, a me the Rosary, and she taught me to sing it with into Europe’s system of free circulation. He new dictatorship, the dictatorship of nothingness. her, one verse each. Then when I arrived in Italy I recalled and understood many of the lessons I moved to Piedmont where he rediscovered his “Because, as Benedict XVI w ro t e ”, the Auxiliary neighbours who had also emigrated. He began to Bishop of Tirana adds, “a life that does not need had received from my grandmother”. Unlike his grandmother, however, Arjan’s parents were born find some jobs. He worked hard as a gardener God loses meaning; it is only the encounter with at the time of communist dictatorship, and had and welder. His desire “to do” was great, but so Christ that saves us, giving meaning to our exist- not been touched by faith. “My father, espe- was the strain. Working ten, twelve hours in a ence”. cially”, he recalls, “could not accept the change I row. But more than the strain, he was burdened An encounter that took place in 1996 in Med- had made in my life. But the emotion he felt at by an existential loneliness, which in the end was jugorje, where through the , Fr Arjan ex- my was a shock, which touched him productive for him, because it would lead him to plains, “I came to know Jesus’ humanity, which deeply. To the point of giving me one of the most intercept a Christian community: the Casa di immediately captivated me”. And there, I also un- beautiful experiences of my journey: the day after Maria, founded by Msgr Giacomo Martinelli. derstood that what we receive through Grace receiving the laying on of hands and presiding at There, Arjan would find friendship, warmth, fra- must necessarily become experience, otherwise it my first Eucharist, in the afternoon, I joined my ternity and above all, faith. is a wasted gift”. Perhaps, having grown up in the parents in Christian matrimony, an extraordinary That faith which, through the total involvement forced atheism of communist Albania, the Lord moment, for me and for them”. of his life, would lead him ten years later to being wanted to write for the bishop on a blank page? Then, only three years later, Fr Arjan returned ordained a priest by Saint John Paul II. “This ap- “Not entirely”, Fr Arjan continued. “A small but to Albania. “Ye s ”, he explains, “and I found it pointment was surprising but not unsettling to indelible mark had been placed by my grand- had really changed. The socio-economic condi- me. Ever since my very first encounter with the mother. I lived with her for some time as a child, tions are much better; communism had left every- and she talked to me about Jesus and taught me community I belong to, I have experienced an one equal but all poor. Many of the first wave of extraordinary gift which has accompanied me all prayers; she who, unlike my parents, had also emigrants have now returned and we have re- these years, even in all the difficulties I have en- lived before the dictatorship, when it was still leg- opened to the world. Along with the economy, countered, and it is a deep and persistent inner al to profess the Christian faith. But I was very the socio-cultural dimension has greatly im- peace. A peace that is offered by the authentic young and I understood some things only later proved, even though, particularly in rural areas, perception of God’s presence beside me. One on. For example, I did not really understand why serious phenomena to be firmly opposed, such as who lives in God lives in peace. He is able to my grandmother would spend half an hour every what here is called “blood feuds”, still persist. And the situation of Christian Churches has also greatly developed: today Christians can boast a numerous presence, almost on par with that of Muslims, that is, more than 30% of the popula- An invitation to an imaginative renewal tion, with a small prevalence of Orthodox broth- ers with respect to us . For many , as in my case, the discovery of faith happened in CONTINUED FROM PA G E 8 by their culture, to experience They may attract some atten- the time of migration. Becoming believers was their suffering and their joy. In tion by their sharp and ag- also a way to reopen ourselves to the world from ation’ (43). Jesus reads each a brotherly or sisterly conversa- gressive tone. But monologues which the regime had distanced and isolated us. p erson’sface. ‘He knew what tion, we seek fresh words to- engage no one, and their con- Many people were baptized outside of Albania was in each person.’ (John gether, open an imaginative tent is frequently self-serving and, once repatriated, the faith they came to 2.25). If we learn to gaze at space in which barriers tumble and contradictory.’ (200) know abroad now infects those who remained. each other with delight, the down. This is what Aquinas They are also utterly unlike Priestly vocations have also increased; today we Pop e’s radical challenge will calls latitudo cordis, the expan- the political discourse of our have approximately 200 priests — there were only not seem an impossible ideal about 20 in 1993 when I left the country — who sion of the heart. public and political life, which but the only way of happiness. look after a population of over half a million Such conversations bring us incites mistrust of the other Finally, ‘a fraternal imagina- Catholics. Without a doubt there is still a lot to tion’ implies that we talk to beyond the exchanges which and contempt for their views. be done, both on the lines of evangelization, and others as brothers and sisters. are typical of the social media, The Word of God summons us of charity. The Sant’Egidio Community gives us a The Pope understands dia- ‘the feverish exchange of opin- to talk and listen so that an big hand on both fronts. Just as we benefit from logue as far more than the ex- ions on social networks, fre- imaginative space begins to so much generous help from the European Bish- change of ideas. It is the ascet- quently based on media in- open in which the children of ops’ Conferences. I can only hope and commit ic process by which one tries to formation that is not always re- the one God are at home with myself deeply, to measure up to the trust that the imagine what it is like to be liable. These exchanges are each other and in the divine Holy Father has nurtured in my ability to be at that other person, to be formed merely parallel monologues. life. the service of my brothers and sisters”. page 10 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 6 November 2020, number 45

Michael McGivney, Founder of the of Columbus, beatified in Hartford Solidarity rooted in faith

Fr Michael McGivney’s greatest Waterbury, Connecticut, on 12 society of fraternal assistance, outlined the aims of the institu- spiritual and pastoral legacy was August 1852. He began working with the aim of strengthening tion, emphasizing its basic ob- undoubtedly the foundation of in a nearby brass factory after at- faith and providing economic jectives and describing the intent the Knights of Columbus. On tending elementary school. At support to Catholic families who to unite the “men of our faith” Saturday, 31 October, 138 years the age of 16 he left his job and, lost their income due to illness and to promote mutual aid in since the birth of the fraternal with the idea of becoming a or death. case of illness, to provide digni- service organization, the Irish- priest, was accompanied by his The idea was approved by the fied funerals, and to financially American priest, who was born parish priest to Québec, Canada, Bishop of Hartford, and on 7 assist the families of deceased in the USA and died at the age where he was welcomed into the February 1882 the first meeting memb ers. of 38, was beatified in Hartford, Saint-Hyacinthe Seminary. He of Irish lay people was con- By April 1884 there were Connecticut. Cardinal Joseph was ordained a priest on 22 vened. They worked to help already 30 parish councils of the William Tobin, Archbishop of December 1877, in the Baltimore overcome the many prejudices Knights of Columbus. In Newark, presided over the rite Cathedral. His first assignment present in the mostly Protestant November of that year, Mc- on behalf of Pope Francis. was at the large parish of Saint American society against mostly Givney was transferred to the From the very beginning, fel- Mary’s Church in New Haven, Catholic immigrants. parish of Saint Thomas in lowship has contributed to the where he spent seven years. The By naming the association the Thomaston, Connecticut, but strengthening of the faith of young priest worked tirelessly Knights of Columbus, Mc- even from afar he continued to Catholic Americans. Today, the among Irish immigrants, espe- Givney wished to underscore the spiritually guide the Knights as Knights of Columbus boast cially young people, and organ- Catholic heritage America re- its chaplain. During the six years more than 1.5 million members, ized an association to combat al- ceived from its “d i s c o v e re r ”, and in the city he instilled strong whose primary objective is coholism. reinforce the cause of the civil bonds of faith and charity with fraternal solidarity. In 1881 he began to investig- liberties of Catholic Americans. his poor parishioners. In poor Michael McGivney was born ate, along with a few lay people, In a letter addressed to Cath- health, McGivney died in the son of Irish immigrants in the possibility of establishing a olic priests of the diocese, he Thomaston on 14 August 1890.

Catholic Health Association of India offers aid to healthcare workers in remote areas of the country The Catholic Health Association of India parents, their uncles and aunts all living un- (CHAI) has gone out into the field to help der one roof”, and that “home isolation in healthcare workers fight the coronavirus pan- such cases is not possible and that is why if demic in the remotest areas of the country. one person of a family gets infected with the Despite the lockdown announced by the virus, a long chain is formed”. government in March to stem the tide of the Dr Seema Gupta, a cardiologist in the pandemic, there has been exponential growth eastern region of the state of Bihar, ex- in the spread of the virus, especially in re- plained how difficult it is for hospital staff to mote rural areas. Lack of access to basic find basic supplies such as temperature scan- healthcare structures and of knowledge about ners and hand sanitizer. In light of all this, the disease, as well as difficulty in maintain- the CHAI, which includes 3,572 national ing social distancing, particularly in large healthcare institutions and social services, has families, are among the causes contributing been offering online courses to help health- to the spread of Covid-19, care workers deal with the crisis, explained Dr Jagdish Kumar, a physician in general Fr Mathew Abraham, director general of the practice in the small town of Azamgarh in asso ciation. the state of Uttar Pradesh told LiCAS.news So far CHAI has provided personal protect- that most infected patients come from famil- ive equipment to more than 50 struggling ies of 10-15 persons who share the same hospitals and has been working to ensure household. He indicated that “this is very that the structures are equipped to conduct much common in India’s countryside where blood testing and are able to direct critical you find children, their parents, their grand- cases to larger institutions.

Young Ethiopian Catholics New Zealand Bishops voice alarm celebrate Laudato Si’ over euthanasia law With the objective of promoting and guaranteeing environmental New Zealanders have voted to legalize euthanasia for terminally ill justice through sustainable practices for safeguarding Creation, people but appear divided on legalizing cannabis for recreational young Ethiopian Catholics have launched a video documentary initi- purposes. Initial results from two referendums held on 17 October ative to mark the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’. A blog of AMECEA reveal that 65.2% of the electorate support euthanasia while 53.1% (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa) ex- is against legalizing cannabis. plained that the aim of the documentary is to increase social aware- These figures however do not include special votes from New ness of the importance of recycling. Zealanders living abroad who account for 20% of the electorate “We focused on recycling of waste materials so that people can and could potentially cause big changes in referendum results. learn how to dispose of waste materials and have a friendly and clean The final outcome, therefore, will not be confirmed until 6 e n v i ro n m e n t ”, said National Youth Coordinator Sr Selam Berham of Novemb er. the Institute of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. A lack of atten- Doctor John Kleinsman, director of the Nathaniel Centre, the tion to the disposal of plastic materials, she warned, was causing great risk not only to present but also to future generations. New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre, an agency of the New Meanwhile Sr Berham’s assistant, Ms Yemesrach Assefa Bogale, Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference, expressed his concern over explained that, as part of the same initiative, there are three more the results which, he said, put vulnerable people in difficulty and documentaries being planned, and they will be released shortly. in danger. Moreover, preparations are underway for the online release of in- The law will allow terminally ill people with less than six formation packages in various local languages, as well as a renova- months to live the opportunity to choose assisted dying if ap- tion project to make the Catholic Secretariat greener. The aim, Ms proved by two doctors. Bogale said, is for people to “always think before they throw away The referendum is binding and the law is expected to come into wastes and to have in mind the importance of recycling”. effect in November 2021. ews News News News number 45, Friday, 6 November 2020 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO page 11 w esNw esNw esNw esNw esNews News News News News ews News

National lockdown in England Prayer and support for those in need

As the largely anticipated “autumn surge” of worship will only be open for individual In a separate statement, Cardinal Nichols Covid-19 sees numbers of cases rising world- prayer or for services to be broadcast to con- and CBCEW Vice-President Archbishop Mal- wide and concerns that healthcare systems g re g a t i o n s . colm McMahon, OP noted that “as a Cathol- risk being overrun, Great Britain is among Cardinal , President of the ic community, we make full use of our countries re-instituting national lockdowns. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England churches as places of individual prayer and On 5 November, Parliament passed into and Wales (CBCEW), joined UK faith com- sources of solace and help”, and they invited law Regulations governing many aspects of munities in expressing to Prime Minister activity throughout England until 2 Decem- Boris Johnson the view that there is no sci- worshipers to join “a national shared mo- ber. Among other things, the regulations pro- entific justification for the wholesale suspen- ment of prayer each day at 6pm” and to ob- hibit the gathering of people for communal sion of public worship, highlighting the con- serve “the Vigil of Christ the King (21st worship in churches and other religious tribution made by the UK’s faith communit- November) as a day of prayer for the ending buildings. Apart from funerals, places of ies in responding to the pandemic. of this pandemic”.

Caritas Philippines launches global aid appeal To help victims hit by Typhoon Goni

“With humility, we appeal for everyone’s sin- Super Typhoon Goni, known as Rolly in staying in evacuation centres. Photographs cere acts of kindness, generosity and compas- the Philippines was the world’s most power- on social media depicting destroyed houses, sion”, said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Dir- ful typhoon this year, causing destruction to toppled trees and debris show the situation ector of Caritas Philippines, in a statement the eastern provinces of Catanduanes and Al- in the Bicol region, with several villages sub- bay. At least 20 people were reported to have that was a global appeal for help for the merged in floodwaters. More than 300 died and about 13,000 shanties and houses houses were also buried under volcanic mud- people hit by typhoon Goni. In an earlier were damaged or swept away. flows in the badly hit Albay province. statement, he had called for “everyone to More than 390,000 people were displaced Bishop Bagaforo explained that the continue praying for safety”. from their homes, with about 347,000 still typhoon would “bring greater poverty to our communities severely affected by the typhoon, as they have also been battling against the effects of Covid-19”. However, the Church’s rapid assessment teams have already been deployed, and volunteers and diocesan response teams continue to assist the evacuees in various parishes. The Archdiocese of Manila has sanctioned an initial amount of over $20,600 to meet the urgent needs of the affected communit- ies. Caritas Manila executive director Father Anton Pascual said that the Archdiocese of Caceres and the Dioceses of Virac, Daet, Gumaca, and Legazpi will receive a little over $4,000 each. Caritas national executive secretary, Father Tony Labiao stressed that "in these most try- ing times, we lift up everything to our God”. “We also know that everyone around the world will be able to listen to our prayers and send help”, he added.

Celebrating 10 years since the canonization of Mary MacKillop Mother MacKillop’s canonization was After thanking the Cardinal for the celeb- warmly welcomed throughout Australia, not ration, Ambassador Porro recalled the ex- only by Catholics but also by many who traordinary commitment of Saint Mary were not of the Catholic faith. With these MacKillop in responding to the educational words, on Saturday, 17 October, Cardinal needs of so many in her day, particularly recalled the first Australian Saint those of the poor, and highlighted the press- at a Mass he celebrated for the 10th an- ing need in our own day, to give attention to niversary of her canonization. The event was the education of millions of young poor hosted in Rome, Italy, by Domus Australia people, especially during this time of pan- and its rector, Msgr John Boyle, with organ- demic and economic crisis. izational support from the Australian Em- Of Scottish descent, Mary MacKillop, an bassy and its new Ambassador, Mrs Chiara Australian religious sister who was born in P o r ro . Melbourne in 1842, founded the Sisters of Among the attendees — limited in number of the Sacred Heart, which es- due to Covid-19 restrictions — were former tablished a number of schools and welfare Australian Prime Minister Mr Tony Abbott, institutions throughout Australia and New the Rectors of the Venerable English Col- Zealand, with an emphasis on education of lege, Msgr Philip Whitmore, and of the the rural poor. She was canonized by Bene- , Canon Philip Gillespie, and dict XVI on 17 October 2010, during a public Fr Robert McCulloch, SSC, Procurator Gen- ceremony in St Peter’s Square, becoming eral of the Society of St Columban. Australia’s first canonized Saint. During the Mass, a prayer was said for the The Australian Embassy to the late former Australian Ambassador to the was also pleased to put together a video hon- Holy See, Tim Fischer. A close friend of ouring St Mary of the Cross MacKillop on Cardinal Pell, Mr Fischer had led the coun- the 10th anniversary of her canonisation. try’s diplomatic mission at the time of Moth- HE Ambassador Chiara Porro giving a reading during the The video can be viewed at the following er Mary MacKillop’s canonization. Mass with an image of St Mary MacKillop link: https://youtu.be/FeXTTeWLpqI page 12 L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO Friday, 6 November 2020, number 45

ANGELUS

After praying the Angelus on Sunday, 1 November, Solemnity of All Saints, Pope Francis called for an end to the shedding of innocent blood and the “destruction of homes, buildings and places of worship” in Nagorno-Karabakh. Earlier, the Holy Father had reflected on “the great hope, that is based on Christ’s Resurrection”. The following is a translation of the Holy Father’s words which he shared in Italian with the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.

Stop the shedding of innocent blood Pope makes an appeal for Nagorno-Karabakh

Dear Brothers and Sisters, The meek are those who know all the same, each one has their n. 192). May they not think of us- Good morning! how to control themselves, who own personality, and developed ing violence to resolve the contro- leave space for others, who listen their own life of holiness accord- versy they face, but rather dedi- On this solemn Feast of All to them and respect their way of ing to their own personality. Each cate themselves to sincere negoti- Saints, the Church invites us to living, their needs and their re- one of us can do it, take this ation with the help of the interna- reflect on the great hope, that is quests. They do not intend to path: meekness, meekness, please, tional community. On my part, I based on Christ’s Resurrection: overwhelm or diminish the other, and we will head toward holiness. am close to all those who are suf- Christ is risen and we will also be they do not want to tower over or fering and I invite [everyone] to with him. The Saints and This immense family of faithful dominate everything, nor impose ask for the intercession of the Blesseds are the most authorita- disciples of Christ has a Mother, their ideas or their own interests tive witnesses of Christian hope, the Virgin Mary. We venerate her Saints for a stable peace in that to the detriment of others. These because they lived it fully in their under the title Queen of All re g i o n . people, unappreciated by the lives, amidst joys and sufferings, Saints; but she is first of all the Let us also pray for the popu- worldly mentality, are, instead, putting into practice the Mother who teaches each one of lation in the area of the Aegean precious in the eyes of God who Beatitudes that Jesus preached us to welcome and follow her Sea which was hit by a strong gives them the promised land as Son. May she help us nourish the earthquake two days ago. and which resound in the Liturgy an inheritance, that is, eternal life. today (cf. Mt 5:1-12a). The evan- desire for holiness, walking the I greet all of you, people of This beatitude too begins here way of the Beatitudes. gelical Beatitudes, in fact, are the below and will be fulfilled in Rome and pilgrims from various path to holiness. I will focus now Heaven, in Christ. Meekness. At countries. In particular, I greet on two Beatitudes, the second After reciting the Angelus the Holy participants in the Race of the this moment in life, even in the Father continued: and the third. world, where there is much ag- Saints promoted by the Don This is the second one: “Blessed gressiveness..., in everyday life as Dear brothers and sisters, yes- Bosco in the World Foundation, are those who mourn, for they shall well, the first thing that comes terday, in Hartford, in the United who this year are racing also from be comforted” (v. 4). These words out of us is aggression, defensive- States of America, Michael Mc- a distance and individually. Even seem contradictory because ness. We need meekness to move Givney, diocesan priest, founder though it is taking place in small mourning is not a sign of joy and forward on the path of holiness. of the Knights of Columbus, was groups to respect the distancing happiness. Death, illness, moral To listen, to respect, not to at- declared Blessed. Dedicated to imposed by the pandemic, this adversity, sin and mistakes are tack: meekness. evangelization, he did everything sporting event offers a popular faith dimension to the religious reasons for mourning and suffer- Dear brothers and sisters, possible to provide for the needs celebration of All Saints. Thank ing: simply everyday life, fragile, choosing purity, meekness and of the needy, promoting mutual you for your initiative and for weak and marked by difficulty, a mercy; choosing to entrust one- aid. May his example be an im- your presence. life at times wounded and pained self to the Lord in poverty of petus for us to witness ever more by ingratitude and misunder- spirit and in affliction; dedicating to the Gospel of charity. Let us Tomorrow afternoon, I will cel- standing. Jesus proclaims blessed oneself to justice and peace — all give a round of applause to this ebrate Mass in suffrage for the those who mourn due to this real- this means going against the cur- new Blessed. deceased in the Teutonic ity, who trust in the Lord despite rent in respect to this world’s On this feast day let us not Cemetery, a burial place in Vati- everything and put themselves mindset, in respect to the culture forget what is happening in can City. In this way I will unite under his shadow. They are not of possession, of meaningless fun, Nagorno-Karabakh where armed myself spiritually to those who, indifferent, nor do they harden of arrogance against the weakest. clashes are taking place amid a while observing health regula- their hearts in their suffering, but This evangelical path was trodden fragile truce, with a tragic in- tions, will pray at the tombs of they patiently hope for God’s com- by the Saints and Blesseds. crease in victims, destruction of their dear ones in every part of fort. And they experience this To day’s solemnity that honours homes, buildings and places of the world. comfort already in this life. All Saints reminds us of the per- worship, with an ever stronger in- I wish all of you a Happy In the third Beatitude, Jesus sonal and universal vocation to crease in the involvement of the Feast Day in the spiritual com- states: “Blessed are the meek, for holiness, and proposes sure mod- civil population. It is tragic. pany of the saints. Please, do not they shall inherit the earth” (v. 5). els for this journey that each per- I would like to renew my forget to pray for me. Enjoy your Brothers and sisters, meekness! son walks in a unique way, an un- heartfelt appeal to the leaders of lunch. Ar r i v e d e rc i . Meekness is characteristic of repeatable way. It is enough to the parties in the conflict, “to in- Jesus, who said of himself: think of the inexhaustible variety tervene at the earliest opportunity “Learn from me, for I am meek of gifts and real life stories there to stop the shedding of innocent and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). are among the saints: they are not blo o d” (Encyclical Fratelli Tutti,

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