Pope Francis Is Bringing His Own Simple and Was Wednesday Evening in Rome, and the Friendly Style to the Role
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The Monthly Magazine for the Catholics of the Dunedin Diocese TheTablet April 2013 Issue No 185 Habemus Papam! We have a Pope! The conclave had begun in the Sistine Chapel. seagulls got in on the act! And then it Like millions of others around the world, happened! White smoke appeared; the bells we in this diocese, the furthest from Rome, of St Peter’s pealed out, and the miserable were awaiting signs of smoke announcing rain fell off the multitude waiting below as the results of the ballots. Not unexpectedly, they leapt into life. Lenses now focussed after the first ballot the billowing smoke was on the balcony. Every flick of a curtain, or black, and more was to follow. flicker of a light, brought its comment of On Thursday morning (NZ time) television anticipation. news services were all switching to full screen The rest is now history, and quietly but firmly, or inset screen views of St Peter’s Square. It Pope Francis is bringing his own simple and was Wednesday evening in Rome, and the friendly style to the role. air was one of expectation. The result of the late afternoon fifth ballot was due to be signalled. The most photographed chimney in the world was the centre of attention. Even the The Tablet April 2013 Pope Francis – a new era BY TONY HANNING, EDITOR I waited the first hour with one eye and ear on the television, George Pell? No. Argentina – Franciscum. Ah, Pope Francis - a but needed to leave for Mosgiel to join the pilgrimage of cardinal from Argentina! Catholic Primary School Principals and Directors of Religious By the time I reached the Holy Cross Centre carpark in Studies, about to celebrate 150 years of Catholic Education in Mosgiel, Bishop Colin and an excited group around him were the diocese. By the time the car reached the top of the drive, discussing the news that they had received by television a the car radio brought the announcement from the balcony: few minutes before. Others emerged slowly from the building “…Habemus Papum…” Among the words I heard Jorge – sharing the latest media observations. The bus arrived. The Bishop gave his blessing, and we prayed with him for the church and Pope Francis. Here in New Zealand it was the morning of Thursday 14th March 2013. In Rome it was the evening of 13th March 2013. No matter the time difference, we were celebrating together. As the pilgrimage party embarked on its boat trip across Otago Harbour to visit the site of the first mass celebrated in Otago/Southland in November 1840, the moment of excitement was heightened by the significance of a new era in the life of the Church. Bishop Pompallier had visited us on the Sancta Maria via the sea waves. Pope Francis had come to us on the barque of Peter via the airwaves. Although separated by 173 years, each has brought to the church of the south a new season and message of hope. As we sailed on the harbour on that historic day, the white smoke of the Sistine Chapel had begun to merge already Holy Father greets ‘Holy Grandfather’ of the Church. with the ‘Blue Smoke drifting by’ of, Aotearoa New Zealand. From the Man who is Writing the Pope’s Biography (Vatican Radio) With the election of Pope Francis, journalists will bring reform but who perceives as well that reform must everywhere are trying to discover more about the man who always be tied to spiritual renewal” and therefore “he stands has become the new head of the Catholic Church. Dr Mat- in the rich tradition of the Church of reform and renewal.” thew Bunson is a Catholic journalist and author who is writ- ing a biography about the new Pope and has been carrying out extensive research on his life. He spoke to Vatican Radio’s Susy Hodges about his findings. Asked about some of the most striking features about the new Pope, Bunson says the first two words “that spring to mind” are “authenticity and mercy.” He’s also a man, adds Bunson, who has “established a real connection with people all over the world” since he became Pope. Among his many qualities, Bunson points to Pope Francis’ capacity for deep pastoral leadership and “his thirst for holiness.” Given that prior to his election to the papacy, the former Cardinal Bergoglio spent nearly all his life in his native Argentina, Bunson speaks at length about how he was perceived there. He says that Cardinal Bergoglio served “as the conscience of the nation” and was a “very powerful and prophetic voice and an immensely popular one.” Bunson says the Argentine Cardinal “proved very much a bridge-builder” among the different social classes in his homeland and in that sense “became the moral voice for the nation.” Asked what will be the main message for readers in his forthcoming biography about the Pope, Bunson says: “the chief message is that we have in Pope Francis somebody who On the other hand, I hope that it is NOT Pandora’s box! 2 April 2013 The Tablet The official biography AtA the Mass of the Oils in Dunedin on Wednesday, of Pope Francis, released 27th March, Bishop Colin announced that, on behalf ofo the Diocese, he had sent by the Vatican. the following message to Pope Francis: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite, was born on 17 De- MostM t HolyH Father, cember 1936 in Buenos Aires. He studied as and holds a de- gree as a chemical technician, but then chose the priesthood On behalf of the priests, religious and lay and entered the seminary of Villa Devoto. On 11 March 1958 people of the southernmost diocese in the he moved to the novitiate of the Company of Jesus where he world (Dunedin) I extend assurance that we finished studies in the humanities in Chile. In 1963, on return- ing to Buenos Aires, he obtained a degree in philosophy at the all take great joy that you are our Pontiff. St. Joseph major seminary of San Miguel. Between 1964 and 1965 he taught literature and psychology We admire and support the great values at the Immacolata College in Santa Fe and then in 1966 he that you espouse of simplicity of life, a heart taught the same subjects at the University of El Salvador, in Buenos Aires. for the poor and needy and a desire for us to From 1967 to 1970 he studied theology at the St. Joseph follow Jesus in discipleship. major seminary of San Miguel where he obtained a degree. On 13 December 1969 he was ordained a priest. From 1970 to Our prayer for you is that the blessings of 1971 he completed the third probation at Alcala de Henares, the Risen Christ will sustain, encourage and Spain, and on 22 April 1973, pronounced his perpetual vows. He was novice master at Villa Varilari in San Miguel from support you always. 1972 to 1973, where he also taught theology. On 31 July 1973 he was elected as Provincial for Argentina, a role he served as In the Spirit for six years. From 1980 to 1986 he was rector of the Philosophical and " Colin Campbell Theological Faculty of San Miguel as well as pastor of the Patriarca San Jose parish in the Diocese of San Miguel. In March of 1986 he went to Germany to finish his doctoral thesis. The superiors then sent him to the University of El Salvador and then to Cordoba where he served as a confessor CATHOLIC CARING and spiritual director. FOUNDATION OF DUNEDIN On 20 May 1992, John Paul II appointed him titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires. He received episcopal On behalf of consecration in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires from Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, Apostolic Nuncio Ubaldo Calabresi, and Bishop Emilio Ognenovich of Mercedes-Lujan on 27 June of that year. Groups or organisations are invited to submit On 3 June 1997 he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of applications for grants from the Tindall Foundation. Buenos Aires and succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on Criteria areas are: 28 February 1998. He was Adjunct Relator General of the 10th Ordinary General O Supporting Families and social services Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2001. O Encouraging enterprise and employment He served as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Argentina from 8 November 2005 until 8 November 2011. O Caring for the environment and biodiversity He was created and proclaimed Cardinal by Blessed John O Strengthening the community Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of S. Roberto Bellarmino (St. Robert Bellarmine). O Works of faith associated with the above He was a member of: The Congregations for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Please forward a request for an application form to: Sacraments; for the Clergy; and for Institutes of Consecrated Catholic Caring Foundation – Tindall Grants Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Private Bag 1941 Dunedin 9054 the Pontifical Council for the Family; and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Email: [email protected] 3 The Tablet April 2013 25TH APRIL 2013 Let us pray for those who have given their lives in war in the hope that others may live. May God be merciful to them, whether they be friend or foe. Let us remember and pray for the loved ones of our families who served their country, and those who fought alongside them.