DOCSLIB.ORG

Pope's Trip to Germany

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pope's Trip to Germany Faith and Back to football school For Pittsburgh Part 2 of our back to Steeler, faith is more school roundup of than a pre-game what’s new at Catholic prayer, page 2. schools in the Erie Diocese, page 3. www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE October 1, 2006 Church Calendar Events of the local, American and universal church Respect Life Sunday focuses on dignity of all life By Jason Koshinskie Feast days FaithLife editor Pro-life spokeswoman protests FDA approval of ‘Plan B’ without prescription Every human being has U.S. Conference of B available without a prescrip- been created, loved and re- Catholic Bishops tion completely unacceptable,” deemed by God. McQuade said in a statement. That divine thought is an The Food and Drug Admin- “Women deserve quality health invitation by the U.S. bish- istration (FDA) recently an- care, but over-the-counter nounced that it has approved (OTC) use of this potentially ops to respect all human life Barr Pharmaceutical’s “Plan B” abortifacient drug will compro- and the theme of Respect for distribution without a prescrip- mise informed consent and fol- Life Sunday, observed today tion to women age 18 and older. low-up care when necessary.” (Oct. 1) in parishes across Deirdre McQuade, director of Plan B is a powerful dose of the United States. Planning and Information for the the artificial hormone Levonorg- Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities estrel—40 times the amount “No matter what state of at the United States Conference found in comparable prescrip- St. Francis of Assisi St. Bruno life we’re in, all individuals of Catholic Bishops, objected to tion-only birth control pills. have been created in the like- the approval. Making the more potent dos- Oct. 2 Guardian Angels ness of God and are loved “We find the FDA’s unprec- age available to women upon Oct. 4 St. Francis of Assisi by him,” said Erin Landini, edented decision to make Plan request Oct. 6 St. Bruno, Blessed Marie-Rose director of Catholic Chari- Durocher ties’ Parish Social Ministry/ our neighbors. Interwoven in day on respecting life, there Oct. 7 Our Lady of the Rosary Respect Life Office for the that, she said, clearly is the is- are many issues—some of Oct. 9 St. Denis and his companions, Erie Diocese. “That to me is sue of respecting life. which have been around for among others. For more St. John Leonardi pivotal in understanding the “The bishops believe that years and some only more “What is key is respecting information on Oct. 14 St. Callistus I broader picture of respect Respect Life encompasses recently.” and reverencing the dignity Respect Life Oct. 28 St. Wenceslaus, St. Lawrence Ruiz life.” many issues,” Landini said. Those issues include abor- of every human life,” Lan- issues, visit the and his companions The mission of her office “When people hear the words tion, contraception, stem dini said. “And that is seeing U.S. bishops’ site Oct. 29 Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is to assist parishes in pro- ‘respect life,’ many times they cell research and cloning, the beauty of God’s design in on the Web at www.usccb.org Oct. 30 St. Jerome moting the social teaching might think of the abortion is- capital punishment, eutha- the infant but also witnessing and click on “Life Issues.” of the church and meeting sue, which is important. But nasia, health issues, pro-life the face of Christ in the most the social welfare needs of when the bishops’ focus this and natural family planning vulnerable.” Confirmation Controversy over remarks overshadows schedule Catholic News Service St. Mark Parish, Emporium – Sunday, The controversy over re- Pope’s trip to Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. marks made by Pope Bene- dict XVI during a scholarly lecture has taken the focus off Germany 12th annual rosary march – all other aspects of the pope’s recent visit to Germany. Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m. The pope’s quotation of re- The 12th annual rosary march, sponsored marks critical of Islam made by the Erie Diocese’s Blue Army chapter of the by 14th-century Byzantine World Apostolate of Fatima, is scheduled for Emperor Manuel II Paleolo- Sun., Oct. 1. gus in his Sept. 12 academic The march will begin at 2:30 p.m. at St. Pe- address at the University of ter Cathedral, 10th and Sassafras streets in Erie. Regensburg soon dominated Those joining the march are asked to gather out- the headlines. side the cathedral at 2 p.m. For those unable to In his talk, the pope’s main participate in the walk, the rosary will be prayed theme was how reason and inside the cathedral while the march is taking faith must be reconciled in place. the West, but he introduced it by quoting a medieval em- peror on the errors of Islam and jihad, or holy war. The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI was not pre- senting an in-depth assess- ment of the concept of jihad CNS photos or Muslim thinking about Clockwise, Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims after a Mass held on holy war when he spoke to Islinger Field near Regensburg, Germany, Sept. 12; Kashmiri activists academics in Germany. In belonging to the Muslim League shout slogans during a protest against a statement issued late Sept. Pope Benedict XVI in Srinagar, capital of the Indian state of Jammu and 14, a few hours after the Kashmir, Sept. 15; Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims as he travels in pope’s return to Rome from his popemobile during his visit to Munich, Germany, Sept. 10. his trip to Germany, Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican of the divine.” to a historical criticism of Is- Several Muslim lead- In order to help calm the spokesman, reacted to criti- Strong reaction to Pope lam, which he said does not ers reacted positively to the waters roiled by controversy cal statements by some Mus- Benedict XVI’s reference to reflect his own opinion. The pope’s comments, which over Pope Benedict XVI’s lim representatives. a historical criticism of Islam pope’s remarks to pilgrims at were carried live on some Sept. 12 remarks on Islam, Father Lombardi said it continued around the world his summer residence in Cas- Arab TV networks. Other the Vatican called on its ex- was very important to the after the pope said Sept. 17 tel Gandolfo Sept. 17 were Islamic groups said a fuller tensive network of papal pope that there be a “clear that he was “deeply sorry for his first public reaction to a apology was needed. representatives around the and radical refusal of re- the reactions” to his address. wave of Muslim indignation Christian Palestinians world. While the Vatican ligious motivation of vio- While parts of the world over a university lecture he tried to downplay the sig- and the pope were issuing lence.” But he said it was cer- saw protests and attacks on delivered in Germany. “I am nificance of Muslim attacks clarifications about the papal tainly not the pope’s intention churches, Catholic and Mus- deeply sorry for the reactions on seven Christian churches address, dozens of nuncios to “offend the sensibilities of lim leaders issued statements in some countries to a few in the West Bank and Gaza and bishops in the Middle The next session of Why Catholic? begins Muslim believers.” Father attempting to put the situa- passages of my address at the in protest of Pope Benedict East and elsewhere were the week of Oct. 8. Lombardi noted that, on the tion into perspective. Indone- University of Regensburg, XVI’s remarks on Islam in busy speaking to Muslim Why Catholic? is a four-year program that contrary, the pope’s Sept. 12 sian Islamic leaders say they which were considered offen- Germany. representatives and the local focuses on Scripture related to the Catechism talk was primarily about the hope fellow Muslims will sive to the sensibility of Mus- Police, fearing attacks by press, trying to correct any of the Catholic Church. Small faith-sharing religious shortcomings of the think clearly and forgive the lims,” the pope said. “These Muslims angry about the misunderstandings about the groups will meet once a week during two West and that the pope had pope. in fact were a quotation from pope’s recent comments, pope’s speech or intent. six-week sessions each year. spoken at length about the re- The pope said he was a medieval text, which do not have increased patrols Pope Benedict XVI again luctance of other cultures to “deeply sorry” that Muslims in any way express my per- around hundreds of London It’s not too late! accept a Western “exclusion were offended by his reference sonal thought,” he said. Catholic churches. See POPE, page 3 If you would like to sign up to participate in this session of Why Catholic?, contact your parish office. Diocesan Stewardship Days schedule If your parish is not conducting the Why Stewardship Days set for Oct. 24-25 Tues., Oct. 24 Wed., Oct. 25 Catholic? program and you would like to be By Jason Koshinskie Day session: Day session: part of a small faith-sharing group, contact FaithLife editor St. Tobias Parish, St. Mark Catholic Center, Sister Nancy Fischer, SSJ, diocesan director Brockway Erie (8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.) of community formation and lay ministry Rather than thinking of (8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.) Evening session: training, at 814.824.1217 or e-mail stewardship as just giving Evening session: St.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Vatican Abuse Summit Followup Decides to Hold More Followups
    Vatican abuse summit followup decides to hold more followups On Monday, in the Vatican’s first follow-up to last week’s child abuse summit, officials emphasized “encounter” and the need for concrete responses as called for by Catholics. The focus of the four-hour meeting Feb. 25 was “first and unanimously” on Pope Francis’ desire for encounter, according to a statement by papal spokesman Alessandro Gisotti. In attendance were some senior officials of the Secretariat of State, the heads of several Vatican dicasteries, and abuse summit organizers Fr. Federico Lombardi, Fr. Hans Zollner, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Cardinal Blase Cupich. The group agreed to continue to hold similar interdicasterial meetings “in the name of synodality and synergy” to monitor progress on commitments made at the summit. Gisotti said that dicastery heads, speaking openly, affirmed their commitment to following “the example of Pope Francis in the fight against abuses,” with an emphasis on encounter and on listening to victims. Other discussion topics during the meeting were the need for better child protection training and greater involvement from laity, Gisotti said. Organizers outlined for officials the principles behind the forthcoming documents and task forces – the promised outcomes of the abuse summit which were announced Sunday. The concrete commitments made at the end of the Vatican’s sex abuse summit Sunday included the publication of a motu proprio from Pope Francis “on the protection of minors and vulnerable persons,” Lombardi announced Feb. 24. Vatican City State is supposed also to receive in the coming weeks its own new child protection law, and the Vicariate of Vatican City new child protection guidelines.
    [Show full text]
  • Vatican Has Not Endorsed Genetically Modified Food, Official Says
    CNS STORY: Vatican has not endorsed genetically modified food, official says Home | About Us | Contacts | Products News Items CNS Story: Top Stories News Briefs GM-ACADEMY Dec-1-2010 (780 words) xxxi Vatican Origins Vatican has not endorsed genetically modified Africa food, official says Headlines By Carol Glatz Also Featuring Catholic News Service Movie Reviews Sunday Scripture VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican did not endorse an 11-page CNS Blog final statement in favor of easing restrictions on and allowing more widespread use of genetically modified crops, especially in poorer Links to Clients nations, said a Vatican official. Major Events 2008 papal visit "The statement is not a statement of the Pontifical Academy of World Youth Day Sciences because the Pontifical Academy of Sciences as such -- 80 members -- wasn't consulted about it and will not be consulted about John Paul II it," Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the academy's chancellor, told For Clients Catholic News Service. Client Login CNS Insider The statement, which was recently made public by a private science- publishing company in the Netherlands, also "has no value as the We're also on ... magisterium of the church," he said in an e-mail response to Facebook questions Dec. 1. Twitter RSS Feeds Later the same day, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, issued a similar communique, adding that the pro-GM Top Stories statement "cannot be considered an official position of the Holy See." Vatican Movie Reviews Some news agencies had mistakenly reported that the statement CNS Blog represented the Vatican's endorsement of easing regulations on and promoting the use of genetically modified food crops.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Owned' Vatican Guilt for the Church's Role in the Holocaust?
    Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations Volume 4 (2009): Madigan CP 1-18 CONFERENCE PROCEEDING Has the Papacy ‘Owned’ Vatican Guilt for the Church’s Role in the Holocaust? Kevin Madigan Harvard Divinity School Plenary presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Council of Centers on Christian-Jewish Relations November 1, 2009, Florida State University, Boca Raton, Florida Given my reflections in this presentation, it is perhaps appropriate to begin with a confession. What I have written on the subject of the papacy and the Shoah in the past was marked by a confidence and even self-righteousness that I now find embarrassing and even appalling. (Incidentally, this observation about self-righteousness would apply all the more, I am afraid, to those defenders of the wartime pope.) In any case, I will try and smother those unfortunate qualities in my presentation. Let me hasten to underline that, by and large, I do not wish to retract conclusions I have reached, which, in preparation for this presentation, have not essentially changed. But I have come to perceive much more clearly the need for humility in rendering judgment, even harsh judgment, on the Catholic actors, especially the leading Catholic actors of the period. As José Sanchez, with whose conclusions in his book on understanding the controversy surrounding the wartime pope I otherwise largely disagree, has rightly pointed out, “it is easy to second guess after the events.”1 This somewhat uninflected observation means, I take it, that, in the case of the Holy See and the Holocaust, the calculus of whether to speak or to act was reached in the cauldron of a savage world war, wrought in the matrix of competing interests and complicated by uncertainty as to whether acting or speaking would result in relief for or reprisal.
    [Show full text]
  • Criminal Investigation of Former Papal Nuncio Moves to Next
    Criminal Investigation of Former Papal Nuncio Moves to Next ... http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/criminal-investigation-of... Sign-up for our E-newsletter! Print Edition: June 12, 2016 Make This Donate News Blogs Radio Events Resources Advertise Store Subscriptions My Homepage Search NCRegister DAILY NEWS Print Article | Email Article | Write To Us Criminal Investigation of Former Papal Nuncio Moves to Next Stage (2597) Jozef Wesolowski, the former nuncio to the Dominican Republic, remains under house arrest at the Vatican. BY CNA/EWTN NEWS 12/04/2014 Comments (7) Like 0 Tweet 0 VATICAN CITY — The Vatican’s press officer provided an update on the trial of laicized former nuncio Jozef Wesolowski, saying that the case is moving forward, and the first stages of investigation and questioning have begun. Related Articles “Regarding the situation of Msgr. Wesolowski, I can say 12 Major Initiatives for the Jubilee Year that the judiciary of the state of Vatican City, continuing investigations, made a first interrogation of the accused, National Catholic Prayer Breakfast: Saving of which others will follow,” Father Federico Lombardi said the Family Means Opening the Doors to God in a Dec. 2 statement. What the Holy Father Said About Rabbits and Wesolowski, 66, was laicized earlier this year, after being Why accused of having paid for sex with minors while nuncio Islam on the Beach and the Rapid to the Dominican Republic. In September, he was placed Jozef Wesolowski, former nuncio to the Dominican Republic Islamization of Turkey under house arrest, rather than being jailed in Vatican City's prison, due to poor health.
    [Show full text]
  • Renault Makes Donation of an Exclusive Allelectric
    PRESS RELEASE 2012­09­06 RENAULT MAKES DONATION OF AN EXCLUSIVE ALL­ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO POPE BENEDICT XVI French carmaker Renault has presented His Holiness Benedict XVI with an electric vehicle designed and built especially to meet the Pope’s mobility needs. The vehicle is based on Kangoo Maxi Z.E. and was developed in association with the French coachbuilder Gruau. Renault also donated a second electric vehicle to the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City. These vehicles were presented to the Pope yesterday by the Renault Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn at the Holy Father’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. Renault has presented the Vatican with two electric vehicles made especially to meet the mobility needs of the Pope. The vehicles were handed over on Wednesday, September 5, to His Holiness Benedict XVI by Renault’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn during a visit to the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The first vehicle, for use when the Pope is travelling at his summer residence, is white with the Papal coat of arms depicted on the doors. It is an ecological, sustainable­development version of the Popemobile. Based on Kangoo Maxi Z.E., it measures 4.6 metres in length and 1.8 metres in width. It is powered by a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and a lithium­ion battery which ensures an average NEDC combined­cycle range of 170km. The design of the other vehicle is very similar to that of the first, although its blue livery features a white and yellow stripe along each flank.
    [Show full text]
  • Charting the Roles of Women in the Catholic Church
    FutureChurch Charting the roles of women in the Catholic Church Current breakdown of male/female leadership in Vatican dicasteries Pope Francis has called for “a more incisive presence for women” in the Catholic Church. At the most recent Consistory of cardinals on February 12 and 13, 2015, Fr. Federico Lombardi reported that the cardinals expressed the hope of “an increasingly active role” for women. Although Pope Francis stated the door is closed on the question of ordination for women to the priesthood, he has been emphatic in his call for a stronger presence of women elsewhere. He recently appointed Sr. Mary Melone, the first women to date, to head a Pontifical University; Sr. Luzia Premoli, the first women to be appointed as a member of the Congregation on Evangelizat ion of Peoples, and has stated that women should take up positions of greater leadership within the Vatican. So how many women are in positions of leadership within the Curia? How many assert real influence? While it is difficult to accurately measure the level of influence women exercise, the chart below has been generated to further that discussion by showing the current roles women play now in Vatican congregations, pontifical councils, and other commissions, committees and offices. Secretariats, Congregations, and Pontifical Councils There are two secretariats, nine congregations and twelve pontifical councils. Below is a chart indicating the number of Vatican officials broken out in terms of male/female roles from undersecretary and above. FutureChurch 2 Vatican Males in Females in Secretariat leadership and titles leadership Congregations Pontifical Council Secretariat of Secretary of State: Cardinal Pietro 3 0 State Parolin Secretary: Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher Undersecretary: Msgr.
    [Show full text]
  • 15 November 2018 Monthly Year 2
    1118 15 November 2018 Monthly Year 2 The Tyrannical King and Poor Naboth Paul VI and Vatican II .11 O Digital Argonauts The Human Cost of the Syrian War OLUME 2, N 2, OLUME V Building Bridges in Sarajevo: Catholic Theological Ethics 2018 Pino Puglisi: Priest and Martyr The Architecture of Silence and Post-Secularism The Gospel according to Bruce Springsteen CONTENTS 1118 BEATUS POPULUS, CUIUS DOMINUS DEUS EIUS Copyright, 2018, Union of Catholic Asian Editor-in-chief News ANTONIO SPADARO, SJ All rights reserved. Except for any fair Editorial Board dealing permitted under the Hong Kong Antonio Spadaro, SJ – Director Copyright Ordinance, no part of this Giancarlo Pani, SJ – Vice-Director publication may be reproduced by any Domenico Ronchitelli, SJ – Senior Editor means without prior permission. Inquiries Giovanni Cucci, SJ, Diego Fares, SJ should be made to the publisher. Francesco Occhetta, SJ, Giovanni Sale, SJ Title: La Civiltà Cattolica, English Edition Emeritus editors Federico Lombardi, SJ ISSN: 2207-2446 Virgilio Fantuzzi, SJ Giandomenico Mucci, SJ ISBN: GianPaolo Salvini, SJ 978988-79271-3-6 (paperback) ​978988-79271-8-1 (ebook) Contributing Editor 978988-79271-9-8 (kindle) Luke Hansen, SJ Published in Hong Kong by Contributors UCAN Services Ltd. Federico Lombardi, SJ (Italy) George Ruyssen, SJ (Belgium) P.O. Box 80488, Cheung Sha Wan, Fernando De la Iglesia, SJ (Spain) Kowloon, Hong Kong Drew Christiansen, SJ (USA) Phone: +852 2727 2018 Andrea Vicini, SJ (USA) Fax: +852 2772 7656 www.ucanews.com David Neuhaus, SJ (Israel) Camilo
    [Show full text]
  • A Roman Perspective on the Problems of New Communications the Changes That Have Taken Place in Socia
    “Blessed be the Net?” A Roman Perspective on the Problems of New Communications by Federico Lombardi, SJ The changes that have taken place in social communications during recent years and decades are obvious to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Communications experts in academia are constantly and continuously studying all the phenomena associated with these great changes, and are probably therefore the one’s best placed to discuss the broader picture in abstract generality. I live these changes personally and in the concrete, I am immersed in the use of various communications media and so also in their transformations. I got my start in communications as a writer for La Civiltà Cattolica , a cultural review that continues to publish lengthy and thoughtful analysis pieces today, just as it did when it was founded 160 years ago. Then I was sent to radio, and then to a television production centre; my experience with these tools introduced me to, and forced me to come to grips with the rapid development of communications technology. Not only in order to communicate the relevance of the Christian message to current events, I also had to grasp the ways in which these new technologies were affecting life in the newsroom and behind the editor’s desk. The advent of satellite distribution systems, especially with radio, gave us the chance to bring Vatican Radio’s linguistically diverse programming to vastly larger audiences all throughout the world; the coming of digital production profoundly changed the work methods and the professional profiles of both journalists and technicians.
    [Show full text]
  • Abuse Summit Preview: ‘We Need a Change in Attitude’
    Abuse summit preview: ‘We need a change in attitude’ As final preparations wrap up before the Feb. 21-24 summit on clergy sexual abuse in Rome, two key participants, Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, president of the Center for Child Protection at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University and a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, and Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, former director of the Holy See Press Office, current president of the Joseph Ratzinger — Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, and moderator for the upcoming event, spoke to Our Sunday Visitor about what to expect during and after the summit. “We need to profoundly treat this, without fear,” said Father Lombardi, who served as a spokesman for both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. “I see this [summit] as a serious test, as a Church and as a society. If we do not combat it, we put our future at stake. We need to be credible. “We need a change in attitude, in reactions,” he added. “For me, the hiding of these cases of children is very serious.” On the first day of the summit, participants will discuss the pastoral and legal responsibilities of bishops. On the second day, they will focus on processes and procedures that bishops or superiors of an order must follow to give an account of his work on the subject. Finally, the third day will be dedicated to transparency — internally and also toward the civil authorities and the people of God. Father Lombardi estimated that there will be approximately 190 attendees at the upcoming encounter, including some 115 episcopal conference presidents from around the world, leaders from the Oriental Churches, representatives from men’s and women’s religious congregations, and some leaders from Roman dicasteries.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Blessed Be the Net?'- Part One a Roman
    ‘Blessed be the Net?' - Part one A Roman Perspective on the Problems of New Communications Federico Lombardi SJ Papal Spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ has been a key figure in the recent controversies that have beset the Vatican Press Office. In a lecture for World Communications day, he reflects on these recent events and discusses the opportunities and the challenges presented by the development of new media. The changes that have taken digital production profoundly place in social communications changed the work methods and during recent years and decades the professional profiles of both are obvious to all who have ears journalists and technicians. to hear and eyes to see. Then came the Internet, and with it new ways of gathering Communications experts in and exchanging information: academia are constantly study- instantaneous communication ing all the phenomena assoc- via email, and widespread, iated with these great changes, channelled content distribution and are therefore best placed to on the web. discuss the broader picture in abstract generality. Photo by Catholic Church (England and These past few years at the Wales) at flickr.com Vatican Press Office have However, I live these changes shown me the need to look for personally and concretely. I am immersed in the use ways to establish a more organic and constructive of various communications media, and so also in their dialogue and exchange between the communications transformations. organs of the Holy See and today’s world of social communications – for today’s communications envir- I got my start in communications as a writer for La onment is rapidly becoming something vastly Civiltà Cattolica , a cultural review that continues to different from that which my generation first publish thoughtful analysis today, just as it did when experienced it.
    [Show full text]
  • Top Officials at Vatican Press Office Submit Their Resignations
    Top officials at Vatican press office submit their resignations Pope Francis has accepted the resignations of Press Office Director Greg Burke and Vice Director Paloma Garcia Ovejero, who have served at the head of the Holy See’s press office as the pope’s spokespersons since August 2016. Alessandro Gisotti, currently coordinator of social media for the Dicastery for Communication and past deputy editor-in-chief of Vatican Radio (now called Vatican News), was named director of the press office on an interim basis. In a series of Tweets Dec. 31, Burke said that he and Ovejero have resigned, “effective Jan. 1. At this time of transition in Vatican communications, we think it’s best the Holy Father is completely free to assemble a new team.” “I joined the Vatican in 2012. The experience has been fascinating, to say the least,” he continued. “Thank you, Pope Francis. Un abrazo muy fuerte.” Ovejero wrote on Twitter that it is the end of a stage, saying in Spanish, “Thank you, Holy Father, for these two and a half years! Thank you, Greg, for your confidence, your patience and your example.” The resignations follow shortly after new appointments in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. Earlier in December Pope Francis named veteran Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli editorial director of Vatican communications after appointing in July Italian layman Paolo Ruffini to head up the department. In a statement Dec. 31, Ruffini said that he respects the “autonomous and free choice” of Burke and Ovejero. “In these few months of work together I could appreciate their professionalism, their humanity, their faith,” he said.
    [Show full text]
  • Suspects Arrested in Alleged Plot Against Vatican, Israeli Embassy
    Suspects arrested in alleged plot against Vatican, Israeli embassy By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY – Italian authorities arrested six suspects who allegedly received orders from the Islamic State terrorist group to attack the Vatican and the Israeli embassy in Rome. The arrests made in Lombardy and Piedmont April 28 were the result of a joint operation coordinated by the district attorney of Milan and the Italian anti-terrorism agency. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, authorities arrested Abderrahim Moutaharrik and his wife, Salma Bencharki; Abderrahmane Khachia, and three people who have maintained contact with a couple that left Italy to join the Islamic State in Syria. All of the suspects are of Moroccan origin. A warrant has been issued for the couple, Mohamed Korachi and his Italian wife, Alice Brignoli, who are believed to have left for Syria in 2015. Authorities monitored a series of conversations between the suspects via WhatsApp. One of the messages sent to Moutaharrik said: “Dear brother Abderrahim, I send you … the bomb poem … listen to the sheik and strike,” ANSA reported. Milan prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli told reporters authorities believe the word “sheik” is a reference to Islamic State leader Abu-Bakir Al-Baghdadi. He also said the messages, intercepted in February and March 2016, mentioned a strike against the Israeli embassy as well as against Christian pilgrims in Rome for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. “I swear I will be the first to attack them in this Italy of crusaders, I swear I’ll attack it, in the Vatican God willing,” a message from one of the arrested suspects stated, according to ANSA.
    [Show full text]