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Saturday, January 30, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SAT. JAN. 30, 2010










CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SAT. JAN. 30, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE ERECTS 3RD DIOCESE IN EAST TIMOR-
AMERCIA: USA: PROF. OF NOTRE DAME, RALPH MCINERNY DIES AGE 83-
EUROPE: POLAND: AUXILIARY BISHOP DENIES QUOTE-
ASIA: INDIA: WORLD DAY OF THE SICK OF LEPROSY-
AFRICA: NIGERIA: TEXT MESSAGES SPREAD PANIC-
AUSTRALIA: 1st CENTURY BUILDING UNCOVERED DOMUS AUSTRALIA IN ROME-


VATICAN
POPE: ERECTS 3RD DIOCESE IN EAST TIMOR

The Vatican officially erected a third diocese in East Timor on Saturday. Fr. Norberto Do Amaral will be the new bishop of the newly created Diocese of Maliana.
According to Saturday's communique from the Holy See, after completing his seminary studies in Indonesia, 53-year old Fr. Do Moral was ordained a priest in 1988. Since then, he has worked in parish ministry and has served as the rector of the minor seminary of the Diocese of Dili. After he completed studies in dogmatic theology at Rome's Urbaniana University, he was a professor and prefect of the major seminary of Dili.
In 2008, he was named Chancellor of the Diocese of Dili and Director of the diocesan magazine "A Seara."
The newly delineated Diocese of Maliana is formed of 10 parishes serving just over 200,000 Catholics, who represent more than 98% of the area's population. Six diocesan and 25 non-diocesan priests, along with 108 religious brothers and sisters, are assigned within the new diocese's limits.
The Diocese of Dili was divided to create the new diocese, which now joins the Diocese of Baucau as the nation's third. (SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope_benedict_xvi_erects_new_diocese_in_east_timor/

AMERCIA
USA: PROF. OF NOTRE DAME, RALPH MCINERNY DIES AGE 83

CNA report:
The well-loved Notre Dame professor and scholar Ralph McInerny passed away Friday morning at 7:45 a.m. at the age of 83. First Things editor Joseph Bottum reported McInerny's death in an article on the magazine's website on Friday afternoon.
In his article, Bottum reprinted a letter sent to him on Friday by Associate Professor Christopher Kaczor at Loyola Marymount who was one of McInerny's students. Prof. Kaczor describes the late academic's life accomplishments as well as his personal relationship with him.

Ralph McInerny had retired from the philosophy department at the University of Notre Dame as the Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies after serving in that position since 1955, said Prof. Kaczor.

“He wrote wrote more than 40 books in philosophy and other disciplines (including poetry), authored thousands of scholarly and general audience articles, edited three national magazines, authored more than 80 mystery novels (including the Father Dowling Mysteries), and I’m confident directed more dissertations than anyone in the history of Notre Dame,” wrote Prof. Kaczor.
The Fr. Dowling books eventually became a successful TV series.
McInerny was also credited with co-founding Crisis Magazine in 1982. The monthly lay publication was recognized for its orthodoxy in Catholic opinion.
“One might think such a person would neglect his students, au contraire (a McInerny habit was to end sentences in lectures in Latin or French),” Prof. Kaczor quipped. “He was my dissertation advisor and at the time he had around 7 other students as well. He was available for us virtually every afternoon in his 7th floor office of Hesburgh Library.”

“If we gave him a dissertation chapter, he’d have it back to us like a serve in tennis. He gave us laptops. He arranged for extra funding (many of us had two or three kids, and none of us made more than $10,000 a year). He took us out to lunch (The Great Wall of China and the University Club were favorites). He’d give us copies of his scholarly books and novels. He helped get us jobs.”

“When I think about how I hope to live the rest of my life,” reflected Prof. Kaczor, “he is the model : Scholar, teacher, writer, family man, person of faith. No doubt he is enjoying his reward, meeting his Maker and, as an incidental benefit, his own model of the intellectual life, Thomas Aquinas.”(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/beloved_professor_ralph_mcinerny_passes_away/

EUROPE

POLAND: AUXILIARY BISHOP PIERONEK DENIES QUOTE

CNA report:
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Tadeusz Pieronek of Sosnoviec, Poland, has roundly denied having referred to the Holocaust as “a Jewish invention.” Regarding what he called “a complete misunderstanding,” he explained that the Italian website “Pontifex,” which quoted him for an article this week, clearly failed to capture his meaning.
“I was referring to the fact that the Jews have created the term ‘Shoah’ to define the tragedy that didn’t have a precedent in history,” specified Bishop Pieronek to ANSA news agency. “The journalist interpreted my words as if I had been saying that the Jews had invented the Shoah.”
The bishop asked increduously, “How could I have said something so absurd?”
“Everyone who knows me knows my position on the crimes of the Nazis and on the horror of what happened,” added the 75-year-old former spokesman of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, who has previously publicly condemned anti-Semitism.
The original article posted on Pontifex last Monday, reported under the title of “The Shoah, an invention of the Jews,” that Bishop Pieronek had made other incendiary statements, including, “undoubtedly, the majority of those who died in the concentration camps were Jews, but also on the list were Poles, Gypsies, Italians and Catholics. So do not steal this tragedy in the name of propaganda.” The article has since been pulled from Pontifex.
The article also quoted him as saying that “they, the Jews, have a good press, because the powerful have the financial resources - extremely powerful with the unconditional support of the United States. And this promotes a kind of arrogance, which I consider to be unbearable.”
Upon finding out about the questionable content of the Pontifex article the bishop criticized the site for “the manipulation of (his) words in an unauthorized interview.”
Following the Polish bishop’s reaction and the disappearance of the article from their website, Pontifex rebutted by posting a message on Thursday calling for Bishop Pieronek to publicly recognize the alleged comments as true within 10 days or face “legal action for defamation.”



ASIA
INDIA: WORLD DAY OF THE SICK OF LEPROSY

Asia News report:
Leprosy, a disease that has always been feared, has also generated a continuing disregard for the sick. Yet for 2000 years Christians have made it one of the fields of their mission. The example of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi, Fr Father Damien de Veuster, the Apostle of Molokai. Gandhi made the treatment of leprosy one of the pillars of his commitment. The testimony of Fr Vijay Rayarala, PIME, in his ashram Swarga dwar (Gate of Heaven) for the rehabilitation of lepers.



Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Every year the last Sunday of January we celebrate the World Day for the Sick of leprosy. In Italy the Aifo (Friends of Raoul Follereau) calls upon the leaders of some of the projects financed by them, to speak in parishes and schools. One of them, this year, and P. Vijay Rayarala, PIME, head of the ashram Swarga dwar (Gate of Heaven) who is a rehabilitation center for lepers near Mumbai in India. His departure for Rome we interviewed.
Is leprosy still a problem in India? Unfortunately it is. The government has officially declared that leprosy has been eradicated from India (which means, according to the criteria of 'World Health Organization, there is one case per 10,000 people) but older cases of people with deformity, although healed, are always in need of rehabilitation, this is what we do in Swarga Dwar ashram where over forty lepers with their work produce enough rice and enough milk for their needs.
Could you tell us something about this disease? Leprosy is an infection that begins by destroying the peripheral nerves of the hands and feet and is caused by the bacillus of Hansen (1873), producing numbness and, then, deformities of hands and feet. It is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind and has always been feared and despised by people. Now it is treatable with a combination of three medicines (sulfone, rifampin and clofazimine). Unfortunately there is still no vaccine to prevent it. The strategy is to control it with a early diagnosis and treatment.
Why do missionaries always take care of lepers?The treatment of leprosy has always had a religious aspect and a symbolic meaning. According to the prophet Isaiah, Jesus became like lepers on the cross to save humanity. Even for Jesus healing the lepers was a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven. It was like a sign of righting a cosmic injustice. For this reason the disciples of Jesus have always taken care of lepers. Francis of Assisi who kissed a leper has become an icon of Christian tradition. Equally Fr. Damiano, who withdrew to the island of Molokai to give religious assistance to lepers segregated there, was considered a saint even before canonization. Moved by the example of Jesus, St. Francis and Fr. Damiano hundreds of missionaries around the world have chosen the care of lepers as a sign of Christian witness. We in India also remember the example of Mahatma Gandhi who included the control of leprosy as a Constructive Program and personally cared for a leper, Parchure Sastri, in his ashram in Wardha. (SOURCE: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Indian-Christians-at-the-forefront-in-the-fight-against-leprosy-17491.html


AFRICA
NIGERIA: TEXT MESSAGES SPREAD PANIC


CISA report: Anonymous messages spreading panic and inciting new violence are being sent to cell phones of citizens of Jos, Central Nigeria where in recent days there have been serious clashes that have claimed hundreds of lives.
“Anonymous cell phone threats are spreading fear that will incite further violence,” Archbishop of Jos has told Fides.
Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos says, "The situation over the past few days is quieter, but the city's citizens continue to receive anonymous [threatening] messages on their cell phones.”
“I fear that this may be part of a strategy aimed at extending the violence in the city of Jos, as these messages can be forwarded by the frightened citizens to their relatives and acquaintances in other parts of Nigeria," Archbishop Kaigama told Fides.
Despite the threats, on January 24, the city's churches were full of faithful according to the bishop.
"Because of the curfew, which has been reduced, we had to organize only one celebration in each church. The faithful gathered in prayer, in defiance of fear,” the archbishop of Jos said.
"I went to the Church of St. Michael to encourage the faithful, who were still frightened by the false reports on the destruction of their parish, to try to bring them serenity and establish a peaceful climate, so as to restore peace in our city," said Archbishop Kaigama.
(SOURCE:
http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4370


AUSTRALIA
1st CENTURY BUILDING UNCOVERED UNDER DOMUS AUSTRALIA IN ROME

Cath News report:
First-century Roman building work has been uncovered beneath the Domus Australia (Australia House) pilgrim centre being created for Australians in Rome.
Cardinal George Pell and the ambassador to the Holy See, Tim Fischer, yesterday inspected renovation work on the centre that will open next year, The Australian reports.
Architect Chiara Scandaletti pointed out the foundations of a large Roman building, a herringbone stone pathway, a first-century sewer and Roman pipes running alongside the 21st-century pipes. "We don't know what Roman building was here but the size of the foundations show it was a large building," Ms Scandaletti said. The finds would be protected and retained as part of the renovated development. (SOURCE; http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=19073


TODAY'S SAINT

St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti religious of the Third Order of St. Francis and foundress of the Sacconi; born 1585 of a noble family at Vignanello, near Viterbo in Italy; died 30 January, 1640, at Viterbo; feast, 30 January; in Rome, 6 February (Diarium Romanum). Her parents were Marc' Antonio Mariscotti (Marius Scotus) and Ottavia Orsini. At Baptism she received the name Clarice and in early youth was remarkable for piety, but, as she grew older, she became frivolous, and showed a worldly disposition, which not even the almost miraculous saving of her life at the age of seventeen could change; neither was her frivolity checked by her education at the Convent of St. Bernardine at Viterbo, where an older sister had taken the veil. At the age of twenty she set her heart upon marriage with the Marquess Cassizucchi, but was passed by in favour of a younger sister. She was sadly disappointed, became morose, and at last joined the community at St. Bernardine, receiving the name Hyacintha. But, as she told her father, she did this only to hide her chagrin and not to give up the luxuries of the world; and she asked him to furnish her apartments with every comfort. She kept her own kitchen, wore a habit of the finest material, received and paid visits at pleasure.
For ten years she continued this kind of life, so contrary to the spirit of her vows and such a source of scandal to the community. By the special protection of God, she retained a lively faith, was regular in her devotions, remained pure, always showed a great respect for the mysteries of religion, and had a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin. At length she was touched by God's grace, and the earnest exhortations of her confessor at the time of serious illness made her see the folly of the past and brought about a complete change in her life. She made a public confession of her faults in the refectory, discarded her costly garments, wore an old habit, went barefoot, frequently fasted on bread and water, chastised her body by vigils and severe scourging, and practised mortifications to such an extent that the decree of canonization considers the preservation of her life a continued miracle. She increased her devotion to the Mother of God, to the Holy Infant Jesus, to the Blessed Eucharist, and to the sufferings of Christ. She worked numerous miracles, had the gifts of prophecy and of discerning the secret thoughts of others. She was also favoured by heavenly ecstacies and raptures. During an epidemic that raged in Viterbo she showed heroic charity in nursing the sick. She established two confraternities, whose members were called Oblates of Mary or Sacconi. One of these, similar to our Society of St. Vincent de Paul, gathered alms for the convalescent, for the poor who were ashamed to beg, and for the care of prisoners; the other procured homes for the aged. Though now leading a life so pure and holy, Hyacintha always conceived the greatest contempt for herself. At her death great sorrow was felt at Viterbo and crowds flocked to her funeral. She was beatified by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726, and canonized 14 May, 1807, by Pius VII.
(SOURCE:
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/H/sthyacinthaofmariscotti.asp


TODAY'S GOSPEL

Mark 4: 35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, adn the waves beat in to the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stem, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"