DOCSLIB.ORG

9, Hosted by Daegu Priory

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
9, Hosted by Daegu Priory Seoul priory issue 263 The 11th day of St. Hildedard Thanks and praise to Benedictine predecessors 800 years ago! Sep.10, 2017 Sunday It has already been 11 years since Seoul priory had started Hildegard's day. It could come out hanks to Fr. Hong Jeong from Daegu diocese. He had received his degree and was impressed by the amazing life of St. Hildegard in the 12th century then come to visit Eibingen in Germany and introduced us her life as an impressed Benedictine pioneer. Sr. Emmanuela Seo from Daegu Priory had published the first opera of hers, 'Deogeokgwanggok', in Korean two years ago. In the morning participants attended a lecture on the opera created in the form of personification of virtue. In the opera the virtuous can sing but the evil that interferes with virtue, not. The harmony of the beautiful melody and the procedure of the endurance of the human weakness are beautifully woven. In the afternoon Sr. Edith Im from Seoul Priory gave a conference on the opera 'Deogeokgwanggok' and the virtues of human beings in the revelation of St. Hildegard. We had time to meditate and laid it up in our heart the virtues we have to practice. Palatable Bibimbap that was reminiscent of herbal medicine emphasized by St. Hildegard was served in a neat and pleasing way by Sangji retreat center. After the meal Choi Ji-yeon Yulianna, the head of the St. Paul Dance Company, led the time for the participants to pray in body at the Sangji garden in front of Our lady statue. It was an opportunity to praise God with all of our body in the traditional shock. Concluding Mass was celebrated in Seoul priory house chapel by Fr. Park Kyu-Heum, the head of the overseas missions department of the Seoul Diocese giving us a wonderful homily in connection with the month of the martyr that is September in Korean church and this day of Hildegard. Psychoanalysts interpret martyrs being "crazy" he said. What should we do for this ‘being crazy’ in martyrdom? We were grateful to the Father who has set the fire on our heart to be crazy in the practice of virtue with infinite longing for God. After morning Sunday mass in our regular schedule in Priory house, some Sisters came for the day and sang us the wonderful Gregorian chant at the Mass again which must have been practiced over and over. Also ‘the Caritas Abuntant’ sung by Trio -Sr. Grazia, Sr. Tobias, and Sr. Celina- was something that even St. Hildegard would have been amazed at. I was working as a coordinator and facilitator from start to end of all programs and I thank the lecturers, my sisters, and particularly Sr. Timothea who helped as the leader of Oblates group as well. Visit of CIB to Seoul priory The CIB, a gathering of female Benedictine over the world visited Seoul priory completing the journey in Korea with the two week schedule of Sep 5 to 19, hosted by Daegu priory. They passed through Busan, Waegwan, Daegu, and Joseph's monastery and 3 days of brief visit at the Seoul priory and returned with the broad mind and heart of Benedictine in solidarity thanking all sisters. We are all grateful to the great support of Sr. Dolores Hong who officially accompanied with the group, three prioresses, and our sub-prioress Sr. Philippa, secretary Sr. Verona and many elders who were helping this biannual meeting of Benedictine for the success and special thanks to the sisters of Sangji retreat house that they backed up all the time the well-being of the visitors in the end. Priory chapter On Thursday, September 28th at 2pm there was a half day priory chapter for the announcements and gathering opinions on the news about space issues in Sanji retreat hall. We listened the way of development of the new issues from Sr. Rosemarie Hwang and the opinion of Sr. Venilda Choi who is the director of Pocheon Nursing Home. There will be a collective opinion of the priory house and out-stations. Brief news * On September 9, Sr. Emmanuela Seo from Daegu Priory visited us to join the program of the day of St. Hildegard. * On September 29th, Sr. Imelda from Manila Priory has come to Seoul priory to work on re-publishing the office books of Manila priory by the publishing Company of Waegwan abbey. She stays until October 17th. * In this summer our garden was renovated with papaya bark earth cover. It was a pleasing gift not only for Benedictine Kindergarten children going up and down the hilly garden when they come and go, but also for the sister. Korean Thanks giving - On October 3~4 we celebrated the Chuseok, Korean thanks-giving day. All of us had a hearty and beautiful time together. It was time to thank God for the grace of sharing the good food, the nice smiles, and the gifts of this fabulous season making the Korean pies and preparing the traditional thanks-giving foods in festive mood. Notice Daniel Kim (46 years old), Kim Dohyeong, the younger bother of Sr. Eou-jin died in a heart attack at dawn on the 10th. 'As a young man who suddenly left us because of God's call. We gather our hearts that God will embrace the soul of her brother Daniel in HIS arms so that he may rest in peace, that HE may comforts his sisters (they are three siblings) having hard time.. Sharing 2017 CIB meeting in Korea. Sep. 17~19 in Seoul Sr. Dolores Hong CIB stands for Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum Latin. It is a Benedictine female commission. The use of the Latin word ‘Communio’ means "sharing each other" and it is because Benedictine emphasizes the independence of each monasteries. There are 14,000 Benedictine women around the world. There was a gathering of Abbots but the birth of the women's meeting was largely thanks to the role of M. Edeltrud Weist and the Abbess from Hildegard monastery in Italy. The CIB meeting of 19 districts was formed about 20 years ago, and this is the first time meeting in Korea. The delegates always wanted to see the Benedictine life flourishing in Korea. Korea has more than 1,000 monks in Daegu, Busan and Seoul together. Finally, the 2017 CIB meeting was held at the Benedict spirituality center of Daegu priory in Korea which we found so good for international gatherings, having us experiencing the hospitality of Korean Benedictine spirituality. We shared the situation of each in order to prepare for the symposium to be held in Rome next year, made concrete resolutions for world peace on divided Korea in the extremely high tension and embodied our cooperation in the earthquake damage of 11 monasteries in umbria, a region of central Italy. It was a amazing time to strengthen our solidarity and bond with the world's difficult situations. In addition to the ten-day meeting, the liturgy of Tutzing Daegu priory was impressive with its grandeur at Holy mass and offices. In the Benedictine monastery of Waeawan, Abbot Placido Park gave a brief conference on the history of Benedictine in Korea for the visitors. Also we made a trip to the Maria Shrine of Daegu priory and Cemetery, Benn-in is a Cafiteria in the center district of the city and a pouplar place for young people to come together along the Samduk Cathedral nearby. Next stop was the convent of Olivetans in Busan and a nearby men’s monastery in Goseong. We praised God in the beautiful sea of Haeundae beach in Busan, most famous one in South Korea. Visiting Unmunsa Temple with student monks of Buddhist nuns and sharing conversions were also the role of Benedictine in leading dialogue among religions. Arriving in Seoul we visited Tae Sang St. Joseph Monastery and we prayed and commemorate the martyrdom at the pilgrim church Jeoldusan -meaning beheading- on the sacred mountain, and marveled at the wonders of Korean martyrs. We move to Seoul priory house which is called as an oasis in the apartment complex surrounded and visited the Myeongdong Cathedral of Seoul, the Catholic Cultural Center, the library of St. Paul de Chatres Seoul Province and toured the Keongbok- Palace and there had a chance to watch a governing board alternation which was restored in a way of conserving tradition for tour, was also impressive. It was a night for us to make the hearty solidarity of gathering all sisters in priory house and the CIB group together. Adyu! 乭 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The 1St Meeting of the Korean Commission for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue
    The 1st meeting of the Korean Commission for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue ■ Date: Nov. 13, 2019 ■ Place: Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, the Korean Commission for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue held its first historic meeting in a small room on the first floor of the Waegwan Benedictine Monastery. This group, which started with lunch after offering a daytime prayer together at the main chapel of Waegwan Monastery, was joined by Abbot Blasio Park of the Order of St. Benendict Waegwan Abbey, Fr. Anselmo Park(Waegwan Abbey), Sr. Marie Songmun Lee(Missionary Benedictine sisters of Tutzing Daegu Priory), Sr. HyoJu Kim(Missionary Benedictine sisters of Tutzing Seoul Priory), Sr Eucaria Jung and Sr. Michael Yoo (Olivetan Benedictine sisters of Busan). After hearing from Abbot Blasio Park that the conference of Major Superiors of Korean Benedictine had decided to establish this last May, Fr. Anselmo Park shared the historical background and current state of DIM·MID (Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique/Monastic Interreligious Dialogue). Sr. HyoJu also shared about the experiences of the First International Dialogue for Buddhist and Christian Nuns, which took place October 14-19, 2018. We've coordinated opinions on the nature and goals of this meeting and mapped out a rough plan for 2020, the first year of our commission’s activity. Through such sharing, the commission decided to have regular meetings on a quarterly basis and the committee will be headed by Father Anselmo Park for the time being. In the first half of next year, the commission will publish a booklet to help Benedictine monks in Korea to understand interreligious dialogue, and in the second half of next year, it will prepare the education plan dialogue which will be held in Seoul, Daegu and Busan in the form of lectures on inter-religious dialogue and experience sharing of interreligious.
    [Show full text]
  • Medıtatıon Chrıstıan
    Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 1 www.wccm.org Registered Charity No. 327173 - I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D I T I O N , Vol 43 No 2; July 2019 Feast of Peace and Unity New Podcast Blessing of Phase 1 of renovation of Bonnevaux was Contemplative an illustration of the vision of life at the WCCM new home Revolution There is a new way for you to listen to talks, interviews and dialogue from the WCCM collection. It is called Contemplative Revolution, a weekly podcast. You can download and listen to the programs using different audio apps. Visit and subscribe to this podcast here: http://podcast.wccm.org Mgr Pascal Wintzer blessing Bonnevaux (top) and the music concert with the choir 9 News 10 News 12 Resources Laurence Freeman Updates on WCCM New pocket books and The visits Korea for the developments in the Caribbean Roots of Christian Mysticism This issue This first time and South Africa online course 2 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 A letter from Laurence Freeman, OSB If you look at one of the photos told us that mistakes, failure and ac- To help understand the need for of the beautiful blessing of Bon- cidents are all eventually part of the a universal understanding of con- nevaux last month you will see the single great blessing that is life. templation, we have launched a new large group of community, friends Shortly before the blessing of the WCCM podcast – called “Contempla- and neighbours packed into the long first phase of our renovation of Bon- tive Revolution”.
    [Show full text]
  • Maritime Industry Sails Into Congress EL FARO Update the Problem With
    NDED 1 00 FOU 936 $4. USD RICAN MA ME ST A E R F M O A L R I I C N N E R U S O C I N E C H . T o IN 3 CO 96 idelightsApril 2017 Vol. 47, N 2 RPORATED 1 S Published by the Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. Maritime Industry Sails into Congress EL FARO Update The Problem with AQUA Lane Energizing American Maritime Act Introduced Mission Statement www.mastermariner.org The Council of American Master Mariners is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the United States Merchant Marine and the position of the Master by fostering the exchange of maritime information and sharing our experience. We are committed to the promotion of nautical education, the improvement of training standards, and the support of the publication of professional literature. The Council monitors, comments, and takes positions on local, state, federal and international legislation and regulation that affect the Master. “Hull 488” IPA fromTraditional Brewery On February 25, 2017, the SS The energy and support from all United States Conservancy was attendees is a testament to the endur- proud to witness the release of the ing power of the SS United States signature craft beer Hull 488 in to inspire. Not only did Tradition 12-ounce cans. Newport News city Brewery donate all proceeds from the officials were in attendance, and there silent auction and the sale of Hull was much enthusiasm shared in sup- 488 at the event to the Conservancy, port of the SS United States making but they also pledged to donate 5 a grand return to the place where percent of all proceeds from the sale her hull (number 488) was laid.
    [Show full text]
  • The Front Page Korea-Cold War Send To: Families of the Missing 12 Clifford Drive Farmingdale, Ny 11735
    THE FRONT PAGE KOREA-COLD WAR SEND TO: FAMILIES OF THE MISSING 12 CLIFFORD DRIVE FARMINGDALE, NY 11735 http://www.koreacoldwar.org NovAug 2017201 7 Issue # #5756 POW-MIAPOW-MIA WEWE Remember!Remenber! 2017 TENTATIVE2018 FAMILY FAMILY UPDATE UPDATE SCHEDULE*SCHEDULE AugJanuaryust 10 20-11, San 2017 Diego, Korean CA, Cold February War Annual,24 Jacksonville, DC September FL,March 9, 2017 24 El Detroit, Paso, TX MI – NovemberApril 21 4,Rapid 2017 City, Boise. SD, ID May, January 19 Louisville, 20, 2018 KY, San June Diego, 21-24 Ca Washington, – February 24,D.C.** 2018, Fort Myers,August FL – March9-10 Washington, 24, 2018, El D.C.*** Paso TX. September – April 22, 8 Philadelphia 2018, Rapid City, SD CContactontact your your Congressional Congressional Rep Repss through through thethe U.S. Capitol Switchboard - 1-202-224- PLEASE NOTE OUR 3121U.S. Capitalor House SwitchboardCloak Room - 1-202-224- at 1-202- PLENEWASE ADDRESSNOTE OUR NEW 2253121-7350 or House (R) and Cloak 1-202 Room-225-7330 at 1-202- (D) 225-7350 (R) and 1-202-225-7330 (D) ADDRESS Congressional Contacts: It’s almost time to renew your membership. http://congCongressionalress.org/congressorg/home/ Contacts: It’s time to renew your membership. UShttp://congress.org/congressorg/home/ Senate: http://www.senate.gov/ Please take care of it before House:US Senate: http://www.house.gov/ http://www.senate.gov/ Help us continue our work. WhiteHouse: House: http://www.house.gov/ http://www.whitehouse.gov youPlease get busy note with our the new holidays. address White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov KoreaHelp usCold continue War Families our work.
    [Show full text]
  • The Oblate the Oblate
    TThehe OOblateblate Newsletter of Newark Abbey Oblates Issue 17 Spring/Summer 07 Inside this issue: FOCUS—Past and Present by: Don Brennan As warm weather approaches we start off this update God. She learned of the oblates in Newark while Focus— at a cooler time, namely, the December, 2006 meeting. attending St. Mary’s Church. She has been an oblate for Fr. John Gorski, M.M., a Maryknoll missioner, spoke over twenty years. Felix Lorenzo had been active in the Past and Present about his missionary experience for the past fifty plus Church but became disenchanted with it. After some Don Brennan years’ association with Maryknoll. After his ordination time he began seeking to fill a void in his life. In his search Fr. John spent all of his years of service in Bolivia except he found The Rule of St. Benedict and the Newark Abbey Meet A Monk for a few years when he was getting his Doctorate in oblates to be the help for his spiritual journey. Kristen Augustine J Curley, Missiology in Rome. He spoke about the Church being Wisniewski was also searching for more direction in her OSB born and not planted from outside. It is born among the spiritual life. She found out about the oblates and people in their own culture and this culture must be contacted Fr. Lucien who said “Come on up” to Sussex. Sesquicentennial Of respected. He said that “Theological diversity is based She traveled to Bethany House, Fr. Lucien’s residence and Benedictines in NJ on a profound respect for the diversity of the human began her venture with Benedictine spirituality.
    [Show full text]
  • Advent 2018 Dear Friends of St
    Advent 2018 Dear Friends of St. Anselm’s, As we near the end of another year, we want to extend our Christmas greetings to all of our wide circle of friends, both those who have known us for decades and those who may have come into contact with the abbey for the first time this year. These include our devoted oblates, the faculty and staff of the abbey school, our students and their parents, as well as our alumni, and all those who come to share in our liturgical prayer and perhaps spend a few days in retreat as guests of the abbey. As is so very evident from the newspapers and television, there are today many stark divisions in both our country and our church. At times the level of discourse gives the impression that those speaking or writing do not even want to hear what those holding other positions have to say. Part of the Benedictine ethos that we strive to pass on to the students in our school teaches a very different approach, for in the third chapter of his Rule St Benedict writes that whenever anything important is to be decided in the monastery, all the monks are to gather to give their advice and that in doing so they are “to express their opinions with all humility, and not presume to defend their own views obstinately.” Would that everyone would take this instruction to heart! We are most grateful for all the various kinds of support and encouragement that you give us, and we wish you every blessing for this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.
    [Show full text]
  • Two U.S. Sainthood Candidates’ Causes Get Big
    Two U.S. sainthood candidates’ causes get big OK from U.S. bishops WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops gave their go-ahead to two dioceses to continue their efforts to make their case for a priest and a brother to be considered for sainthood. The men are Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, an Army chaplain who died in World War II, and Leonard LaRue, a naval captain who later became a Benedictine monk named Brother Marinus. They are revered for their heroism in World War II and the Korean War, respectively. Their causes were heard June 17, the second day of the bishops’ June 16-18 spring meeting, held online. Using the polling feature on the Zoom online meeting service, each cause received 99% approval from the bishops, reported Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. A simple majority of bishops voting was required for approval. The votes were not to endorse the causes, but rather to confirm the bishops “consider it opportune to advance (them) on the local level.” Father Lafleur was ordained a priest in 1938 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, about six months before the start of World War II. His unit was assigned to Clark Air Field in the Philippines, about 60 miles from Manila. The day after the Japanese attacked at Pearl Harbor, they bombed Clark, where the young priest tended to the wounded and dying. Ordered to evacuate by ship, Father Lafleur and other attack survivors were bombarded again by the Japanese.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded from Brill.Com10/02/2021 09:05:44AM Via Free Access
    Patrologia Pacifi ca Tertia 1 Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 09:05:44AM via free access . 2 Downloaded from Brill.com10/02/2021 09:05:44AM via free access INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The seventh annual conference of the Asia-Pacifi c Early Christian Studies Society (APECSS) gathered in Seoul, South Korea, as an ac- knowledgment of the achievements of Korean scholars in the fi eld of patristic studies. The substantial starting point of patristic studies in Korea was the foundation of the Institutum Patristicum Coreanum on January 17, 2002 under the leadership of Simon Ri, the abbot of the Order of St. Benedict at Waegwan Abbey. The Institutum, organized by Catholic scholars, has played a signifi cant role in developing patristic studies in Korea. It has held semi-annual conferences, publishing several intro- ductory books on patrology. One of the main contributions to patristic studies initiated by its members is the publication of patristic texts with Korean translation and notes modelled on Sources Chrétiennes. Some twenty books have been published in this series. Currently members are engaged in translating the whole series of “Ancient Christian Com- mentary on Scripture.” Another signifi cant project is its endeavour to standardize rendering of titles of patristic works as well as personal and regional names in the early Church. The fi rst fruits are the publica- tion of an index of proper names (persons and locations) related to the early Church up to the seventh century, which gives Latinized names and their standard Korean renderings as well as their English, French, German, and Italian forms.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara Through the Eyes of A
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara Through the Eyes of a Painter: Re-visioning Eighteenth-century Traditional Korean Paintings by Jeong Seon in Virtual Environments A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Media Arts and Technology by Intae Hwang Committee in charge: Professor Marko Peljhan, Co-Chair Professor Alenda Chang, Co-Chair Professor George Legrady June 2019 The dissertation of Intae Hwang is approved. _____________________________________________ George Legrady _____________________________________________ Marko Peljhan, Committee Co-Chair _____________________________________________ Alenda Chang, Committee Co-Chair June 2019 Through the Eyes of a Painter: Re-visioning Eighteenth-century Traditional Korean Paintings by Jeong Seon in Virtual Environments Copyright © 2019 by Intae Hwang iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to my academic committees. Professor George Legrady guided me on this topic. Professor Marko Peljhan was always supporting and encouraging this research during my five years of academic life with his generosity. Lots of discussion and revision with Professor Alenda Chang strengthened and broadened this research. I was happy to work with Professor Laila Sakr in the Wireframe Lab. With a special mention to my mentors in Chicago, Professor Jin Soo Kim gave me the courage to attend this program. I learned all the fundamental methodologies of this research from Professor Christopher Baker, Professor Sung Jang, Professor Jessica Westbrook, and Professor Adam Trowbridge. Very special gratitude goes out to Envisible members, Hyunwoo Bang, and Yunsil Heo who have provided me moral, emotional support. Keehong Youn is my MAT colleague and my roommate, we got over all the difficulties in the life in here Santa Barbara together.
    [Show full text]
  • Daegu Priory Newsletter
    DAEGU PRIORY NEWSLETTER DPN 432 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, South KOREA September-October 2019 “Out of his fullness, We have all received grace In place of grace already given”. - John 1:16 - 1 SISTERS IN HARMONY CELEBRATION! Golden Jubilee – October 9: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.” -John 15:16- With the grace of God, the seven Sisters lived faithfully their religious vows and they consecrated themselves again to God during the seven o’clock Eucharistic Mass praying that they live their rest of lives with love of the Lord. Father Thomas Timpte, OSB of Waegwan Abbey guided the golden jubilee retreat; and in the midst of 200 Sisters, Father Thomas presided the Eucharistic Mass and Father Yunil Lee, OSB concelebrated the Mass. After the Mass, all the Sisters joined the celebration breakfast followed by congratulatory events: 5-6 group of Sisters sang beautiful songs, Junior Sisters wearing all kinds of costumes danced merrily with the music “What’s wrong with my age”, novices sang songs and danced joyfully, and postulants danced excitingly and read congratulatory address with their whole hearts. Then, each one shared her thoughts of Golden Jubilee. In each Sister’s brief expression, we felt the long years of religious life with patience and fullness of God’s grace and blessing; and we all gave thanks to God! The day of Golden Jubilee is the day to give gratitude to God for all His grace. The Scripture said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.” (John 15:16) These words means that He made us our companions, the great gift of God that we can go this way.
    [Show full text]
  • Thomas Merton's Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond
    Thomas Merton’s Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond: His Interreligious Dialogue, Inter-Monastic Exchanges and Their Legacy by Jaechan Park A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Regis College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology awarded by Regis College and the University of Toronto © Copyright by Jaechan Park 2018 Thomas Merton’s Encounter with Buddhism and Beyond: His, Interreligious Dialogue, Inter-Monastic Exchanges and Their Legacy Jaechan Park Doctor of Theology Regis College and the University of Toronto 2018 Abstract This thesis explores Thomas Merton’s role as a pioneer of Buddhist-Christian dialogue and monastic interreligious dialogue by: 1) delving into the process of Merton’s self-transformation through contemplative experiences; 2) exploring his encounter with Zen and Tibetan Buddhists and his pioneering engagements in Buddhist-Christian dialogue; 3) presenting and responding to the criticisms of those who raise questions about Merton’s understanding of Buddhism; 4) studying his inter-monastic exchanges with Buddhists at the level of contemplative dialogue; and 5) presenting the ways in which Merton’s pioneering legacy continues in the ongoing Gethsemani Encounters and monastic exchange programs as well as in intra-religious dialogue in an Asian monastic context. Through the lens of Zen, Merton saw the value and possibility of “contemplative dialogue” between monastics and contemplatives of different religious traditions, those men and women who look primarily to a transformation of human consciousness and a spiritual awakening from within their respective traditions. With regard to the future, he hoped that through contemplative dialogue, monastics would strive for “intermonastic communion” and a bonding of the broader “spiritual family” and thus become witnesses of the fundamental unity of humanity to a world that was becoming ever more materialistic and divided.
    [Show full text]
  • Pope Benedict XVI Set to Meet Bush,Anti-Smoking Campaign Earns
    Pope Benedict XVI set to meet Bush VATICAN CITY – U.S. President George W. Bush is coming to the Vatican for his first formal audience with Pope Benedict XVI, a meeting seen on both sides as immensely important. Vatican officials said the June 9 encounter would give the pope and the president a chance to sit down for a survey of dramatic situations around the world, including Iraq, where thousands of Christians have been forced to flee. The Bush administration believes the audience will highlight the shared values and common objectives of the Vatican and the United States. In an interview June 1 with Catholic News Service, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Francis Rooney, said the meeting was “a hugely important reflection” of the president’s respect for the role of the pope and Vatican agencies around the world. “It opens up opportunities for doing good in the world … by leveraging our mutual values and interests in promoting human dignity and religious liberty and for broadening all freedoms,” Rooney said. One specific area of common concern is global terrorism, Rooney said. “Certainly, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the use of religion as an excuse for terror are areas the Holy Father has spoken clearly about,” he said. Vatican officials said one sure topic would be the fate of Iraqi Christians, who have faced increasing violence and discrimination since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003 and the overthrow of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Rooney said the Bush administration is also troubled that thousands of Christians have left Iraq.
    [Show full text]