CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD : TUESDAY MAY 29, 2012

 










VATICAN : POPE : PRAYER FOR MASSACRE IN SYRIA AND OTHER NEWS
AUSTRALIA : LAUNCH OF YEAR OF GRACE IN PARRAMATTA
AMERICA : EXORCIST AUTHOR TO FILE SUIT AGAINST GEORGETOWN

EUROPE : MASS FOR QUEEN DIAMOND JUBILEE WITH PRAYER

AFRICA : EGYPT : CANDIDATE HEADQUARTERS ATTACKED

ASIA : PAKISTAN : NUNS GO ONLINE WITH WEBSITETODAY'S SAINT : MAY 29 : ST. MAXIMINUS OF TRIER

VATICAN : POPE : PRAYER FOR MASSACRE IN SYRIA AND OTHER NEWS

(image source: radio vaticana)
POPE SADDENED AND CONCERNED AT THE MASSACRE IN HOULA
Vatican City, 29 May 2012 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. today released the following declaration.
"The recent massacre in the Syrian town of Houla in which around one hundred people, including numerous children, lost their lives, is a motive of great sorrow and concern for the Holy Father and the entire Catholic community, as it is for the international community which has expressed unanimous condemnation of the incident.
"Renewing its appeal for an end to all forms of violence, the Holy See exhorts the parties involved and the entire international community to spare no efforts to resolve this crisis through dialogue and reconciliation. Likewise, leaders and believers of the various religions, through prayer and mutual collaboration, are called to commit themselves to promoting the peace which is so much sought after, for the good of the whole population".





CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH PUBLISHES NORMS REGARDING DISCERNMENT OF PRESUMED APPARITIONS
Vatican City, 29 May 2012 (VIS) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith recently published its "Norms regarding the manner of proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations", translated into various languages. The document was approved by Pope Paul VI and issued by the congregation in 1978 though it was not then officially published as it was principally intended as a direct aid for the pastors of the Church.
Over the course of the years the document has appeared in various works dealing with the subject in question, although without the authorisation of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which is the competent authority in such matters. Since the contents of the Norms are already in the public domain, the congregation believes it is now opportune to publish them.
The publication is accompanied by a preface written by Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, extracts of which are given below.
"In the Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God held in October 2008, the issue of the problems stemming from the experience of supernatural phenomena was raised as a pastoral concern by some bishops. Their concern was recognised by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, who inserted the issue into the larger context of the economy of salvation in a significant passage of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation 'Verbum Domini'. It is important to recall this teaching of the Pontiff".
"As the Fathers noted during the Synod, the uniqueness of Christianity is manifested in the event which is Jesus Christ, the culmination of revelation. ... He Who ‘has made God known’ is the one, definitive word given to mankind. ... The Synod pointed to the need to ‘help the faithful to distinguish the word of God from private revelations’ whose role ‘is not to complete Christ’s definitive revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history’. The value of private revelations is essentially different from that of the one public revelation: the latter demands faith; in it God Himself speaks to us through human words and the mediation of the living community of the Church.
"The criterion for judging the truth of a private revelation is its orientation to Christ Himself. If it leads us away from Him, then it certainly does not come from the Holy Spirit, Who guides us more deeply into the Gospel, and not away from it. Private revelation is an aid to this faith, and it demonstrates its credibility precisely because it refers back to the one public revelation. Ecclesiastical approval of a private revelation essentially means that its message contains nothing contrary to faith and morals; it is licit to make it public and the faithful are authorised to give it their prudent adhesion. A private revelation can introduce new emphases, give rise to new forms of piety, or deepen older ones. It can have a certain prophetic character and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel at a certain time; consequently it should not be treated lightly. It is a help which is proffered, but its use is notobligatory".
"It is my firm hope that the official publication of the 'Norms regarding the manner of proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations' can aid the pastors of the Catholic Church in their difficult task of discerning presumed apparitions, revelations, messages or, more generally, extraordinary phenomena of presumed supernatural origin".





NORMS REGARDING THE MANNER OF PROCEEDING IN THE DISCERNMENT OF PRESUMED APPARITIONS OR REVELATIONS
Vatican City, 29 May 2012 (VIS) - Given below are extracts from the document "Norms regarding the manner of proceeding in the discernment of presumed apparitions or revelations", published recently by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The document was approved by Pope Paul VI and issued by the congregation in 1978 though it was not then officially published as it was principally intended as a direct aid for the pastors of the Church.
ORIGIN AND CHARACTER OF THESE NORMS
"1. Today, more than in the past, news of these apparitions is diffused rapidly among the faithful thanks to the ... mass media. Moreover, the ease of going from one place to another fosters frequent pilgrimages, so that Ecclesiastical Authority should discern quickly about the merits of such matters.
"2. On the other hand, modern mentality and the requirements of critical scientific investigation render it more difficult, if not almost impossible, to achieve with the required speed the judgements that in the past concluded the investigation of such matters ('constat de supernaturalitate, non constat de supernaturalitate')".
"When Ecclesiastical Authority is informed of a presumed apparition or revelation, it will be its responsibility:
"a) first, to judge the fact according to positive and negative criteria;
"b) then, if this examination results in a favourable conclusion, to permit some public manifestation of cult or of devotion, overseeing this with great prudence (equivalent to the formula, 'for now, nothing stands in the way') ('pro nunc nihil obstare').
"c) finally, in light of time passed and of experience, with special regard to the fecundity of spiritual fruit generated from this new devotion, to express a judgement regarding the authenticity and supernatural character if the case so merits"
I. CRITERIA FOR JUDGING, AT LEAST WITH PROBABILITY, THE CHARACTER OF THE PRESUMED APPARITIONS OR REVELATIONS
"A) Positive Criteria:
"a) Moral certitude, or at least great probability of the existence of the fact, acquired by means of a serious investigation;
"b) Particular circumstances relative to the existence and to the nature of the fact, that is to say:
"1. Personal qualities of the subject or of the subjects (in particular, psychological equilibrium, honesty and rectitude of moral life, sincerity and habitual docility towards Ecclesiastical Authority, the capacity to return to a normal regimen of a life of faith, etc.);
"2. As regards revelation: true theological and spiritual doctrine and immune from error;
"3. Healthy devotion and abundant and constant spiritual fruit (for example, spirit of prayer, conversion, testimonies of charity, etc.).
"B) Negative Criteria:
"a) Manifest error concerning the fact.
"b) Doctrinal errors attributed to God Himself, or to the Blessed Virgin Mary, or to some saint in their manifestations, taking into account however the possibility that the subject might have added, even unconsciously, purely human elements or some error of the natural order to an authentic supernatural revelation.
"c) Evidence of a search for profit or gain strictly connected to the fact.
"d) Gravely immoral acts committed by the subject or his or her followers when the fact occurred or in connection with it.
"e) Psychological disorder or psychopathic tendencies in the subject, that with certainty influenced on the presumed supernatural fact, or psychosis, collective hysteria or other things of this kind.
"It is to be noted that these criteria, be they positive or negative, are not peremptory but rather indicative, and they should be applied cumulatively or with some mutual convergence".
II. INTERVENTION OF THE COMPETENT ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY
"1. If, on the occasion of a presumed supernatural fact, there arises in a spontaneous way among the faithful a certain cult or some devotion, the competent Ecclesiastical Authority has the serious duty of looking into it without delay and of diligently watching over it.
"2. If the faithful request it legitimately (that is, in communion with the pastors, and not prompted by a sectarian spirit), the competent Ecclesiastical Authority can intervene to permit or promote some form of cult or devotion, if, after the application of the above criteria, nothing stands in the way. They must be careful that the faithful do not interpret this practice as approval of the supernatural nature of the fact on the part of the Church.
"3. By reason of its doctrinal and pastoral task, the competent Authority can intervene 'motu proprio' and indeed must do so in grave circumstances, for example in order to correct or prevent abuses in the exercise of cult and devotion, to condemn erroneous doctrine, to avoid the dangers of a false or unseemly mysticism, etc.
"4. In doubtful cases that clearly do not put the good of the Church at risk, the competent Ecclesiastical Authority is to refrain from any judgement and from any direct action (because it can also happen that, after a certain period of time, the presumed supernatural fact falls into oblivion); it must not however cease from being vigilant by intervening if necessary, with promptness and prudence".
III. AUTHORITIES COMPETENT TO INTERVENE
"1. Above all, the duty of vigilance and intervention falls to the Ordinary of the place.
"2. The regional or national Conference of Bishops can intervene" in certain cases.
"3. The Apostolic See can intervene if asked either by the Ordinary himself, by a qualified group of the faithful, or even directly by reason of the universal jurisdiction of the Supreme Pontiff".
IV. ON THE INTERVENTION OF THE SACRED CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
"1. a) The intervention of the Sacred Congregation can be requested either by the Ordinary, after he has done his part, or by a qualified group of the faithful. In this second case, care must be taken that recourse to the Sacred Congregation not be motivated by suspect reasons (for example, in order to compel the Ordinary to modify his own legitimate decisions, to support some sectarian group, etc.).
b) It is up to the Sacred Congregation to intervene 'motu proprio' in more grave cases, especially if the matter affects the larger part of the Church".
"2. It is up to the Sacred Congregation to judge and approve the Ordinary’s way of proceeding or, in so far as it be possible and fitting, to initiate a new examination of the matter".


OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 29 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Bishop Richard J. Malone of Portland, U.S.A., as bishop of Buffalo (area 16,511, population 1,621,000, Catholics 716,000, priests 425, permanent deacons 127, religious 1,075), U.S.A. He succeeds Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of Fargo, U.S.A., as archbishop of Denver (area 101.279, population 3,328,000, Catholics 549,325, priests 306, permanent deacons 184, religious 203), U.S.A.

AUSTRALIA : LAUNCH OF YEAR OF GRACE IN PARRAMATTA

DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA REPORT:

Sudanese musicians headed the Pentecost entry procession, which included representatives from 26 countries in national dress bearing flags. Photo: Alphonsus Fok & Grace Lu

The Year of Grace in the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta was launched at St Patrick's Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, 27 May.
Read News StoryGo to Photo Gallery
Read Bishop Anthony's Homily
Download an audio file of Bishop Anthony's homily
Listen to this homily at Bishop Anthony's iTunes podcasts
The Catholic Bishops of Australia have invited us all to celebrate a Year of Grace (Pentecost 2012 to Pentecost 2013), committing ourselves to 'start afresh from Christ'.
In his Year of Grace Message, the Bishop of Parramatta Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP says a Year of Grace encourages us to deepen our unity through prayer, listening to Sacred Scripture and focussing on encountering and responding to Jesus Christ in our daily lives.
“During this Year of Grace we want to foster a relationship with Jesus Christ and not just know about Jesus,” Bishop Anthony said.
Read Bishop Anthony's message in full at www.parrayearofgrace.org.au - the online home of the Year of Grace for the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

AMERICA : EXORCIST AUTHOR TO FILE SUIT AGAINST GEORGETOWN

SPECIAL TO JESUSCARITASEST.ORG BY KATHY VESTERMARK:

Blatty at re-release of his epic thriller "The Exorcist" in 2000.

Photo credit:

(Photo by Newsmakers)

William Peter Blatty, author of the epic novel, The Exorcist, has had it with Georgetown University, his alma mater, according to FoxNews.com. He will file a canon law suit both with the Archdiocese of Washington and with the Vatican in an effort to have Georgetown's "Catholic" identity stripped from its university title.

Canon 808: No university, even if it is in fact catholic, may bear the title 'catholic university' except by the consent of the competent ecclesiastical authority.

The title, "Catholic" is a privilege not an expectation according to this canon, and falls under the purview of "competent ecclesiastical authority." In this case, the proper authority would be the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., under the leadership of Archbishop Donald Wuerl, who has been vocal about his stance on the HHS Mandate so intimately connected with Secretary Sebelius.

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Georgetown did indeed host Sebelius on 18 May, after refusing to rescind its invitation to have her as a commencement speaker following a firestorm from thousands of infuriated Catholics. The University reported that Secretary Sebelius would be speaking to a group of students in the Public Policy Institute. However, LifeSiteNews.com reports that Georgetown does list Secretary Sebelius as one of the Commencement Speakers on its announcement for Commencement 2012.
For William Peter Blatty, this was "the last straw" with a university that he believes has lost its bearings. In an open letter on the website he developed just for this purpose, The Father King Society, he contends:

For 21 years now. Georgetown University has refused to comply with Ex corde Ecclesiaie (“From The Heart of the Church”), and, therefore, with canon law...
Many believe that to make Georgetown truly Catholic is to turn back the clock hands and somehow limit its very nature as a university, as if the notion of “Catholic” and “university” are new to each other, or inherently at odds. On the contrary, to make Georgetown “Catholic” is to move the clock forward; it is to make the University better than it now is! Of course, there are always those who are afraid of change, – who lack vision. They may need to step aside.

Blatty, in conjunction with the Cardinal Newman Society, will file his "canon law petition" to encourage Georgetown University to stop "being dishonest" and live up to its "Catholic identity". To assist in this effort, Blatty is asking people to sign a petition to act in their behalf.
This is a bold move by Blatty and the Cardinal Newman Society, one that the Archdiocese of Washington will have to address with great juridical care and ecclesial sensitivity.

Kathy Vestermark, Arlington Catholicism Examiner

Kathy Vestermark is a Catholic writer with an MA in Theology. She is a wife and mother of six children, one with significant special needs. As an RCIA Coordinator/Instructor, Women's Bible Study Facilitator, and writer of two Catholic blogs, Kathy is an avid teacher of Catholicism. You can find...

EUROPE : MASS FOR QUEEN DIAMOND JUBILEE WITH PRAYER

CATHOLIC LITURGY OFFICE OF ENGLAND RELEASE: The Bishops’ Conference has requested that on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Sunday 3 June 2012, each parish will celebrate a Mass with prayers to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. During this Mass, the first reading is replaced by 1 Kings 3:11–14 and the Prayer for the Queen, which has been approved by the Bishops, is used after the Post Communion Prayer and before the Final Blessing.

Prayer for the Queen

V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Almighty God, we pray,
that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen,
who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil
and, being blessed with your favour
may, with her consort and the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through him who is the way, the truth and the life
and who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
for ever and ever. Amen
The texts can be download below:

• Texts for Sunday (pdf)
• First Reading taken from Lectionary Volume 3, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions: For the King or Head of State 5 (page 565).
• Prayer for the Queen (Word doc)
• http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/index.html

ASIA : PAKISTAN : NUNS GO ONLINE WITH WEBSITE

UCAN REPORT:

The order has websites in 50 other countries already

ucanews.com reporter, Rawalpindi
Pakistan
May 29, 2012

Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra launches Pauline website

Catholics near Islamabad are going public – at least on the internet.
The Daughters of St Paul, in Rawalpindi, have launched a website to encourage youth participation, despite community worries about drawing attention in the predominantly Muslim country.
“They were afraid of exposure and showing the face of Christ in a Muslim country,” said Sister Athens Angeles, the community superior. “But we are already the last of 51 countries where the Pauline family is running local websites.”
The website offers information about upcoming Church events as well as links to Facebook posts about the outreach programs, meetings and publications of the congregation which is running three book centers in the country.
“It is purely for vocation and has no business dimension,” Sr Angeles said.
The site was created by youth leader and student Sonish Akmal in just two days, after the order worked on the project for three years. “We waited till Pentecost to highlight the additional feature of viewing the site in different languages,” she said.
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra launched the site over the weekend to the applause of more than 100 priests, nuns and lay leaders. He then lauded the nuns for setting a great example on the correct use of the internet.
“It will help in building relations by offering choices and preferences even when not speaking directly of religious content,” he said.
SOURCE UCAN NEWS

AFRICA : EGYPT : CANDIDATE HEADQUARTERS ATTACKED

ASIA NEWS REPORT:
Shafiq Ahmed, Premier during regime, could be behind assault himself. The Electoral Commission confirms runoff between Mursi, President of the Justice and Freedom Party (Muslim Brotherhood) and Shafiq. Voting will take place June 15 to 16. Hundreds protest against election results.


Cairo (AsiaNews) - A group of unknown persons last night attacked the headquarters of Ahmed Shafiq, a former member of the regime and one of the two favorite candidates for the post of President with Mohammed Mursi (Muslim Brotherhood). Thugs set fire to several rooms of the building and stole some computers, but there were no injuries or major damage. The attack began just hours after the announcement of the participation of Shafiq in the June 15 run-off.

Supporters of the presidential candidate extinguished the fire and dispersed the mob. Police arrested eight people found near the candidate's headquarters, but the reasons and instigators of the assault remain unknown. However, many suspect that it was artfully concocted by Shafiq supporters. Former Premier under Mubarak, he is supported by the army and has based his campaign on the return of security and order to the country devastated by the riots, thus he is the only one who would benefit from a situation of instability.

Yesterday, the Egyptian Election Commission confirmed a runoff between Mohammed Mursi, President of the Justice and Freedom Party (Muslim Brotherhood) first with 24.6% of the votes, and Ahmed Shafiq, the second with 23% of the vote.

This result confirms the prediction announced by the Islamists immediately after the voting, with a polarization between supporters of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the former regime. Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, a moderate Islamist, and Amr Moussa, former president of the Arab League, initially favorites in polls, came fourth and sixth. Yesterday Moussa expressed concerns about the current situation. "A return to the old regime - he said - is as unacceptable as the entry of religion into politics."

The run-off will be held from 15 to 16 June. Today Salafis from the al-Nour party announced that they will support the Muslim Brotherhood. In the first round the Islamic radicals voted for Fotouh. Shafiq will try instead to attract the votes of moderate and secular Muslims, but his participation in the elections is still uncertain. Currently, the Constitutional Court is reviewing the criteria that exclude former members of the Mubarak regime from political life. The verdict will be announced on 11 June.

Analysts predict a low turnout to the ballot. In the first round only 46% of those eligible voted. The head to head between Mursi and Shafiq represents in part the failure of the Jasmine Revolution, which in 2011 forced the resignation of President Mubarak. The young activists of the Arab Spring are faced with a difficult choice: those who vote for the former Premier of Mubarak admit the final failure of the Tahrir Square uprisings, those who choose the Muslim Brotherhood could help destroy the ideals of freedom for which the young Egyptians fought.

Today hundreds of people took to the streets in Cairo and Alexandria to challenge the results of the vote, which they claim is the result of electoral fraud and does not represent the will of the Egyptian people. According to some activists, such events are the last chance to save the ideals of the Jasmine Revolution.


http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Egypt,-headquarters-of-candidate,-ex-Mubarak-ally,-attacked-24874.html

TODAY'S SAINT : MAY 29 : ST. MAXIMINUS OF TRIER

St. Maximinus of Trier

BISHOP

Feast: May 29

Information: Feast Day: May 29 Born: at Silly near Poitiers, France Died: 12 September 349 or 29 May 352 (records vary) Patron of: Trier, Germany

St. Maximinus was one of those pastors whom God raised in the most dangerous times to support his church. He was born at Poitiers, nobly descended, and related to Maxentius, bishop of that city before St. Hilary. The reputation of the sanctity of St. Agritius, bishop of Triers, drew him young to that city, and after a most virtuous education, he was admitted to holy orders, and, upon the death of Agritius, chosen his successor in 332. When St. Athanasius was banished to Triers in 336, St. Maximinus received him, not as a person disgraced, but as a most glorious confessor of Christ, and thought it a great happiness to enjoy the company of so illustrious a saint. St. Athanasius stayed with him two years; and his works bear evidence to the indefatigable vigilance, heroic courage, and exemplary virtue of our saint, who was before that time famous for the gift of miracles. St. Paul, bishop of Constantinople, being banished by Constantius, found also a retreat at Triers, and in St. Maximinus a powerful protector. Our saint, by his counsels, precautioned the emperor Constans against the intrigues and snares of the Arians, and on every occasion discovered their artifice, and opposed their faction. He was one of the most illustrious defenders of the Catholic faith in the council of Sardica in 347, and had the honor to be ranked by the Arians with St. Athanasius, in an excommunication which they pretended to fulminate against them at Philippopolis. St. Maximinus is said to have died in Poitou in 349, having made a journey thither to see his relations. He was buried near Poitiers; but his body was afterwards translated to Triers on the day which is now devoted to his memory. St. Maximinus, by protecting and harboring saints, received himself the recompense of a saint.

SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/stmaximinusoftrier.asp#ixzz1wGDsNxdb