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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Catholic News World : Wednesday July 9, 2014 - Share!

2014

When Thiago Silva was named in the FIFA team of the year for 2013 he said, “I want to thank God for this unique moment that gives me the opportunity to live in my career but also in my life."
Thiago Emiliano da Silva was born on 22 September 1984 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
His mother has revealed she wanted to abort her son. "I cried on my father's shoulder and said, 'Daddy, I don't want to get an abortion, but I'm also not ready to raise a child'," Angela revealed this in an interview with TV network O'Globo of Brazil. Her father forbid her, "He wouldn't let me do that, that I commit a sin" . Silva, now 29 years old is the Captain of the Brazilian national team. Silva is married to Belle Silva and has two children (pictured).
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Silva lived in the slums of Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro in poverty. Thiago said, "I always thanked God when I got home safely." Brazil is now out of the World Cup finals losing 7-1 against Germany. (Images shared from Google Images/Story Kath.net)

Latest from Vatican Information Service - Pope Francis Appoints - New Saints



DECREES OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS
PONTIFICAL ACTS
MEETING OF THE PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS AND THE POPE'S ENCOUNTER WITH VICTIMS OF ABUSE BY MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY
A YEAR AFTER THE TRAGEDY OF LAMPEDUSA, THE POPE PRAYS FOR IMMIGRANTS
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS


Vatican City, 9 July 2014 (VIS) – Yesterday the Holy Father Francis received in private audience Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the audience he authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:
HEROIC VIRTUES
- Servant of God Antonio Ferreira Vicoso, Portuguese Bishop of Mariana (1787-1875).
- Servant of God Saturnino Lopez Novoa, Spanish diocesan priest, co-founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly (1830-1905).
- Servant of God Joseph-Auguste Arribat, French professed priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco (1879-1963).
- Servant of God Mary Veronica of the Passion (nee Sophie Leeves), British professed nun of the Order of the Descalced Carmelites, foundress of the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel.
- Servant of God Elena da Persico, Italian lay foundress of the Secular Institute of the Daughters of the Queen of the Apostles (1869-1948).
- Servant of God Gaetana of the Blessed Sacrament (nee Carlotta Fontana), Italian superior general of the Poor Daughters of St. Cajetan (1870-1935).
- Servant of God Marcello Candia, Italian layperson (1916-1983.

PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 9 July 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:
- appointed Bishop Giovanni Crippa, I.M.C., auxiliary of Sao Salvador da Bahia, as bishop of Estancia (area 6,736, population 470,000, Catholics 452,000, priests 53, religious 64), Brazil.
- appointed Fr. Theodore Mascarenhas, S.F.X., as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Ranchi (area 5,299, population 3,156,000, Catholics 140,503, priests 255, religious 1,266), India. The bishop-elect was born in Camurlim, India in 1960 and was ordained a priest in 1988. He holds a Master of Arts in political science from the Nagpur University, and a licentiate and doctorate in sacred scripture form the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome. He has held a number of pastoral roles in Punjab, North India, and has served as coordinator of the works of the “Società del Pilar”, Rome, superior delegate for the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier in Europe, and official of the Pontifical Council for Culture. He is currently procurator general of the Society, member of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses and lecturer in sacred scripture at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome.
PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 8 July 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:
- appointed Abbot Jean-Marie Lovey, C.R.B., as bishop of Sion (area 5,589, population 319,000, Catholics 245,000, priests 222, permanent deacons 17, religious 406), Switzerland. The bishop-elect was born in Orsieres, Switzerland in 1950, gave his perpetual vows in 1971, and was ordained a priest in 1977. He holds a licentiate from the University of Fribourg, and has served as chaplain in various colleges and as prior of the Hospice of the Great St. Bernard. He is currently prepositor general of the Canons Regular of the Congregation of the Great St. Bernard. He succeeds Bishop Norbert Brunner, whose resignation in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law was accepted by the Holy Father.
- appointed Fr. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, C.M.F., as coadjutor bishop of the diocese of Makurdi (area 7,304, population 1,014,000, Catholics 457,070, priests 77, religious 51), Nigeria. The bishop-elect was born in Aondona Village, Nigeria in 1965 and was ordained a priest in 1994. He holds a masters degree in theology from the Spiritan International School of Theology, Enugu State, Nigeria. He has held a number of pastoral roles, including priest of the “St. Peter's” parish, Gariki; and the “St. Fidelis” parish, Allan; dean of Utonkon in the diocese of Otukpo; and military chaplain of the 34th Artillery Brigade, Obinze. He is currently provincial bursar and military chaplain of the 3rd Battalion, Warri.
- appointed Fr. David Martinez De Aguirre Guinea, O.P., as coadjutor bishop of the apostolic vicariate of Puerto Maldonado (area 150,000, population 324,000, Catholics 259,000, priests 56, religious 67), Peru. The bishop-elect was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in 1970, took his perpetual vows in 1993 and was ordained a priest in 1999. He holds a licentiate in biblical theology from the University of Deusto, Bilbao. He has served in the apostolic vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, as lecturer in biblical theology in the seminary of the vicariate, as priest in the parish of “Inmaculada Concepcion de Kirigueti and as head of the mission of Kirigueti. He is currently head of the “San Pedro Martir de Timpia” mission, member of the directorate of the “Jose Pio Aza” cultural centre in Lima advisor of the regional Dominican vicariate Santa Rosa de Lima.
MEETING OF THE PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS AND THE POPE'S ENCOUNTER WITH VICTIMS OF ABUSE BY MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY
Vatican City, 7 July 2014 (VIS) – This morning in the Holy See Press Office, the director, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., gave a briefing on the meeting of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and the Pope's encounter with the victims of abuse, which took place on 6 and 7 July.
“On Sunday 6 July, all members of the Commission met at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, coordinated by Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap., with the collaboration of Msgr. Robert Oliver at an organisational level”, said Fr. Lombardi, who added that the issues under consideration were: “proposals for the selection and appointment of new members, to integrate the Commission with representatives from other geographical areas; the statutes of the Commission; the need to institute an operative Office; the possibility of organising working groups on specific themes with the collaboration of specialists and other institutions”. He added that time had also been dedicated to the preparation of the Holy Father’s meeting with a number of victims, scheduled for the following morning, 7 July.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place during the month of October. It is hoped that new members of the Commission will be present.
He went on the refer to the meeting of the Pope on the morning of Monday, 7 July with various victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. “The invitees were six adults, three men and three women, from Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Each victim was accompanied by a family member or other companion. The invitation to meet the Pope had been made by Cardinal O’Malley in several countries where there exists a Church structure regarding the victims of sexual abuse”.
“The invitees arrived at the Domus Sanctae Marthae by the afternoon of Sunday 6 July. While they were dining in the refectory, the Holy Father appeared to address a first brief greeting to them. The Pope first offered them a Mass, celebrated in the Sanctae Marthae chapel at 7 a.m., attended also by the companions, members of the Commission and a limited number of other collaborators. The formula of the Mass was for peace and justice.
During Mass, the Pope pronounced a homily for them in Spanish; each participant was given a translation of the text in his or her own language. After Mass, the Pope greeted the individuals present, as usual”.
“After breakfast, the Pope received the individual visitors, with their companions, for a private personal discussion in a room in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, one after the other.
The discussions lasted from 9 a.m. to around 12.20 p.m. The participants, after the discussions, expressed their emotion and their satisfaction at having been listened to by the Pope with such attention and willingness”. The director of the Holy See Press Office concluded, “the Pope showed that listening helps to understand and prepare the way to reinstate trust, heal wounds, and to open up the possibility of reconciliation with God and with the Church”.
A YEAR AFTER THE TRAGEDY OF LAMPEDUSA, THE POPE PRAYS FOR IMMIGRANTS
Vatican City, 7 July 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has sent a letter to Archbishop Francesco Montenegro of Agrigento on the anniversary of his visit in July 2013 to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for the African immigrants who lost their lives when the boat they were travelling on capsized. “One year on, the problem of immigration is becoming worse, and tragedies of this type continue to occur with dogged regularity”, writes the Pope. “Our heart struggles to accept the death of these, our brothers and sisters, who face extenuating journeys to escape from dramatic situations, poverty, wars and conflicts, often linked to to international politics. Once again I spiritually reach out to the Mediterranean Sea to weep with all those who suffer and to launch flowers of prayer for the souls of the women, men and children who are victims of a drama that seems to be without end.”
In his letter, Pope Francis emphasises that this situation must be faced “not with the logic of indifference but with the logic of hospitality and sharing in order to protect and promote the dignity and centrality of every human being”. Likewise, the Pontiff encouraged “Christian communities and all people of good will to continue to reach out and lend a helping hand to all those who are in need, without counting the cost, without fear, with tenderness and understanding”, and expressed his hope that “the competent institutions, especially at the European level, may be more courageous and generous in relief for refugees”.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 7 July 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father has:
- appointed Fr. Manuel Ochogavia Barahona, O.S.A., as bishop of Colon-Kuna Yala (area 8,167, population 290,000, Catholics 204,000, priests 32, religious 46), Panama. The bishop-elect was born in Las Tablas, Panama in 1967, gave his solemn vows in 1995, and was ordained a priest in 2002. He has served in a number of pastoral roles, including professor and administrator of the “San Agustin” college in the diocese of David, Panama; and priest in the “San Jose” parish, David. He is currently prior of the convent and priest of the parish of Chitre, diocesan chancellor, member of the college of consultors, member of the council of his Order for Panama, delegate at the Organisation of Agostinians for Latin America, diocesan assessor for the “Movimiento Familiar Cristiano” and chaplain of the Regional University Centre of Azuero.
On Saturday, 5 July, the Holy Father:
- appointed Archbishop Antonio Arcari, currently apostolic nuncio in Mozambique, as apostolic nuncio in Costa Rica.
- appointed Bishop John Ebebe Ayah of Ogoja, Nigeria as bishop of Uyo (area 5,969, population 1,963,000, Catholics 737,000, priests 75, religious 58), Nigeria, and apostolic administrator “sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” of the diocese of Ogoja.
- appointed Msgr. Luis Fernando Rodriguez as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Cali (area 2,504, population 2,821,000, Catholics 2,397,000, priests 405, permanent deacons 16, religious 1044), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Medellin, Colombia in 1959 and was ordained a priest in 1995. He holds a bachelor's degree in theology from the Pontifical Bolivarian University of Medellin, a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Javerian University of Bogota, Colombia, and a licentiate in religious education from the Pontifical Bolivarian University of Medellin. He has served in a number of pastoral, academic and administrative roles, including formator and vice rector of the major seminary of Medellin, vice chancellor of the archdiocese of Medellin and secretary to the archbishop; priest of the parish of “Santa Maria la Virgen”, official of the Pontifical Council for the Family; priest of the parish of “El Sagrario”, adjunct judicial vicar of the archdiocesan tribunal; and professor, chaplain and rector of the Pontifical Bolivarian University of Medellin. He is currently vicar general of the archdiocese of Medellin.
- appointed Fr. Lukasz Miroslaw Buzun, O.S.P.P.E., as auxiliary of Kalisz (area 10,800, population 732,348, Catholics 726,000, priests 608, religious 536), Poland. The bishop-elect was born in Korycin, Poland in 1968, gave his perpetual vows in 1995 and was ordained a priest in 1996. He studied psychology at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Wroclaw and at the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University of Warsaw, where he obtained his licentiate in theology of spirituality and his doctorate in theology. He has served in the monastery and parish of Wlodawa and in the monastery of Jasna Gora, where he was also deputy director of the radio of Jasna Gora. He is currently lecturer in spiritual theology in the faculty of theology of the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University of Warsaw and prior of the monastery of Jasna Gora.

Latest Official Statements from Vatican on Economic Changes - Motu Proprio - Pope Francis

MOTU PROPRIO ON THE TRANSFER OF COMPETENCES TO THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE ECONOMY
NEW ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE HOLY SEE
BUDGETS OF THE HOLY SEE AND GOVERNORATE OF VATICAN CITY STATE: POSITIVE BALANCE
-THE IOR ANNOUNCES ITS SECOND PHASE OF REFORMS
MOTU PROPRIO ON THE TRANSFER OF COMPETENCES TO THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE ECONOMY
Vatican City, 9 July 2014 (VIS) – The following is the Apostolic Letter issued 'Motu proprio' by the Holy Father Francis on the transfer of the Ordinary Section of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See to the Secretariat of the Economy.
“Confirming a centuries-old tradition, the last Vatican Council II reaffirmed the need for the organisation of the Holy See to conform to the needs of the times, above all by adapting the structure of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, their number, denomination and competence, as well as their approaches and mutual coordination, to the real needs of the Church at every moment.
A concrete result of these principles occurred with the promulgation in February 2014 of the Apostolic letter, in the form of a Motu Proprio, Fidelis Dispensator et Prudens, by which I instituted the Secretariat for the Economy as a dicastery of the Roman Curia. In accordance with the recommendations of the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat is responsible for the economic control and supervision of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the Institutions linked to the Holy See, and the administrations of Vatican City State.
 In view of the above, and upon consulting the heads of the dicasteries involved, I consider it appropriate for the Secretariat of the Economy to assume among its institutional competences, from now on and in accordance with the methods and times established by the relative Cardinal Prefect, those tasks which were previously attributed to the so-called 'Ordinary Section' of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See and, therefore, to transfer to the aforementioned dicastery the competences which the Apostolic Constitution 'Pastor bonus' of 28 June 1988 had entrusted to that Section of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. As a consequence, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See will no longer be divided into sections and, in the future, it will carry out only those functions previously performed by the Extraordinary Section.
Consequently, having carefully examined every question regarding the matter and consulting with the competent dicasteries and experts, I establish and decree as follows:
Article 1
The text of Article 172 of the Apostolic Constitution 'Pastor bonus' is entirely substituted by the following text:
1. This Office shall administer the assets belonging to the Holy See allocated to provide the funds necessary for the performance of the functions of the Roman Curia.
2. The Office shall also administer the moveable assets entrusted to other bodies of the Holy See.
Article 2
The text of Article 173 of the Apostolic Constitution 'Pastor bonus' is entirely substituted by the following text:
The office shall be presided over by a Cardinal, assisted by a determined number of Cardinals and a Prelate Secretary.
Article 3
Articles 174 and 175 of the Apostolic Constitution 'Pastor bonus' are hereby repealed.
Article 4
The Prefect of the Secretariat of the Economy shall constitute a technical Commission with the aim of facilitating the transfer of the competences hereto attributed to the Ordinary Section of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See and shall determine, starting from today's date, the methods for resolving pending issues relating to the aforementioned Ordinary Section, up to the complete and effective transfer of competences.
I decree that the measures decided in this Apostolic Letter issued Motu Proprio be observed in their entirety, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, even when worthy of special mention, and that it be published in the daily newspaper 'L'Osservatore Romano', entering into force on the day of its promulgation.”
NEW ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE HOLY SEE
Vatican City, 9 July 2014 (VIS) – This morning in the Holy See Press Office a press conference was held to present the new economic plan for the Holy See. The speakers were Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Joseph F. X. Zahra and Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, deputy coordinator and member of the Council for the Economy respectively, and Ernst von Freyberg, president of the Board of Superintendence of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR).
Cardinal George Pell announced new and important initiatives for improving the economic management and administration of the Holy See and Vatican City State. These changes, set in motion by the new Secretariat for the Economy, are the fruit of a detailed analysis of the conclusions and recommendations of the Pontifical Council for on the Organisation of the - of the Holy See (COSEA), and are considered essential to face risks and weaknesses and, at the same time, to create in the future a new platform for improving economic management. All the changes were approved in the recent meetings of the Council for the Economy (5 July) and the Council of Cardinals (1-4 July), and it is expected that they will be approved by the Holy Father.
The changes relate to APSA (the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See), the Pension Fund, the Vatican media and the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR).
The Prefect of the Secretariat of the Economy expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the Holy Father has approved these important initiatives. Both Cardinal Pell and the Council for the Economy gave thanks for the Pope's unwavering support and contributions.
“There are many challenges to face and much work to be done”, Cardinal Pell observed. “The COSEA has recommended that various issues be faced as a matter of urgency, such as the transfer of the Ordinary Section of the APSA, the Pension Fund, the media and the IOR. The Holy Father has clearly stated that these changes must be made rapidly”.
The Cardinal went on to announce the creation of a small Project Management Office (PMO), directed by Danny Casey, former business manager of the archdiocese of Sydney, to implement and present some of the proposed changes, beginning with the transfer of the Ordinary Section of the APSA to the Secretariat for the Economy. The PMO will report directly to the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.
In September 2014, the Secretariat for the Economy will begin to prepare the budget for the year 2015. The aim is for all dicasteries and administrations to draw up a budget to which they will adhere throughout the year. Spending (within the agreed structure) will be the responsibility of each dicastery and administration. It will then be compared with the budget in progress during 2015, and the dicastery in question will be accountable for any eventual excess spending.
“We are keen to pursue this work in the coming months”, Cardinal Pell concluded.
The following are extracts from the proposals for change in the various sectors, starting with the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See:
The Ordinary Section of APSA is transferred to the Secretariat for the Economy. This is an important step to enable the Secretariat for the Economy to exercise its responsibilities of economic control and vigilance over the agencies of the Holy See, including policies and procedures concerning purchasing and the suitable allocation of human resources as defined in the Motu Proprio Fidelis Dispensator et Prudens.
The remaining staff of APSA will begin to focus exclusively on its role as a Treasury for the Holy See and the Vatican City State. A key early task will be continuing the work of establishing close relationships with all major Central banks as recommended by MoneyVal, which will continue to ensure the liquidity and financial stability of the Holy See. All sovereign institutions will have an account at APSA which will serve as a Treasury for them.
With regard to the Pension Fund, the Council for the Economy has appointed a technical committee to study its current situation and to make proposals to the Council for the Economy before the end of the year. The Council recognised and acknowledged that the pensions being paid today and for the next generation are safe but the fund needs to ensure there are sufficient funds for future generations in a changing environment. Many Western countries have faced challenges in their pension system over the last years. It is anticipated that new statutes would be prepared by the end of 2014 to adapt the Pension Fund's organisation to the new economic-administrative structure of the Holy See.
The technical committee will be headed by the Council's Prelate Secretary Mons. Brian Ferme. Four lay experts will contribute their professional experience and expertise: Bernhard Kotanko, Austria; Andrea Lesca, Italy; Antoine de Salins, France, and Professor Nino Savelli, Italy. In addition, there will be representatives from of the Council for the Economy, the Secretariat of State and the Pension Fund.
Another area under consideration is the Vatican communications structure, and a committee has been appointed to propose reforms for the Vatican media. The committee will publish a report and a reform plan within the next twelve months after considering the COSEA report. The objectives are to adapt the Holy See media to changing media consumption trends, enhance coordination and achieve progressively and appreciably substantial financial savings. Building on the recent positive experiences with initiatives such as the Pope App and the Holy Father's Twitter Account, digital channels will be strengthened to ensure the Holy Father's messages reach more of the faithful around the world, especially young people.
The members of the committee come from Vatican staff and from senior international experts. They have been chosen for their expertise in communications while reflecting the universality of the Catholic Church. The international experts are Lord Christopher Patten, UK, who will act as president of the committee; Gregory Erlandson, USA; Daniela Frank, Germany; Fr. Eric Salobir OP, France; Leticia Soberon, Spain and Mexico; and George Yeo, Singapore. The Vatican staff are Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, who will act as secretary of the committee; Giacomo Ghisani, Vatican Radio; Msgr. Carlo Maria Polvani, Secretariat of State; Msgr. Lucio Adrian Ruiz, Vatican Internet Service, and Professor Giovanni Maria Vian, editor-in-chief of L'Osservatore Romano.
With regard to the Institute for the Works of Religion, following the confirmation of the mission of the IOR by the Holy Father on 7 April 2014 and under the guidance of the Secretariat for the Economy and its Council, the IOR has announced plans for the next stage of development.
The Holy Father's Council of Cardinals (C9), the Secretariat for the Economy, the Supervisory Commission of Cardinals and the current IOR Board of Superintendence have jointly agreed that this plan shall be carried out by a new executive team led by Jean-Baptiste de Franssu. He will assume office as the new president of the IOR on July 9, 2014. Ernst von Freyberg has agreed to serve a period of transition to ensure an orderly hand-over. Jean-Baptiste de Franssu stated, “It is an honour to have been called to implement the changes that are now required to further transform the IOR into a dedicated service provider for the Church”.
Over the next three years, the IOR’s Statutes will be revised and its operations redesigned, following a set of three strategic priorities: strengthening the business foundation for the IOR; gradually shifting assets under management to a newly created, central Vatican Asset Management (VAM), in order to overcome duplication of efforts in this field among Vatican institutions; and focusing IOR on financial advice and payment services for clergy, congregations, dioceses and lay Vatican employees.
The IOR is in a phase of peaceful transition. The first stage of the reforms, led by Ernst von Freyberg, has been completed. Excellent progress has been made through adherence to international standards and the resultant transparency is evident in the second annual report which has been fully audited by Deloitte. A new anti-money-laundering (AML) framework has been put in place and every effort continues to be made to comply with this framework. The internal compliance department, supported by Promontory, has closely reviewed 18,000 clients. Von Freyberg's leadership in this first stage has cleared the decks for the beginning of the next phase, to be led by President-elect Jean-Baptiste de Franssu who will devote himself full-time to his new task. Because of other commitments, President von Freyberg is unable to dedicate himself full-time to IOR duties.
In the different financial agencies reporting to the Secretariat for the Economy, a general pattern of clerical-lay expert cooperation has been followed. The exact nature of this governmental cooperation at IOR is yet to be determined. The five members of the Commission of Cardinals will continue their involvement and will be joined by Cardinal Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, Croatia. They are Cardinal Santos Abril y Castello, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major; Cardinal Thomas Christopher Collins, archbishop of Toronto; Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin; Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, archbishop of Vienna, and Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Six new lay members will be appointed to the Board of IOR including Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, France, as president; Clemens Boersig, Germany; Professor Mary Ann Glendon, USA, and Sir Michael Hintze, UK.
Msgr. Alfred Xuereb, secretary general of the Secretariat for the Economy, will be the non-voting secretary of the Board of the IOR, and Msgr. Battista Ricca remains as the Prelate of the IOR.
BUDGETS OF THE HOLY SEE AND GOVERNORATE OF VATICAN CITY STATE: POSITIVE BALANCE
Vatican City, 8 July 2014 (VIS) – During the meeting of the Council of the Economy on Saturday 5 July, the Prefecture for Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as is customary at this time of year, presented a report of the two main budgets for 2013: the consolidated financial statement of the Holy See and the financial statement of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
The data included in these statements may be summarised as follows:
The consolidated financial statement for the Holy See for the year 2013 closes with a deficit of € 24,470,549, due principally to negative fluctuations deriving from the valuation of gold, to the value of around € 14 million. Although evaluative elements and therefore not actualised, according to the accounting principles based on the criterion of prudence contained in the “Regulations for the Preparation of the Financial Statements of the Holy See”, they were recorded among the negative components in the overview of financial management.
The most significant categories of expenditure at those regarding personnel costs (2,886 persons on 31 December 2013), a net sum of around € 125 million, and the payment of taxes which affect the real estate sector, approximately € 15 million.
The administration of the Governorate is autonomous, and independent of contributions from the Holy See. Through its various offices, it supervises requirements related to the administration of the State. The 2013 budget closes with a profit of € 33,040,583, an increase of around € 10 million compared to last year. As of 31 December 2013 the Governorate employed a total of 1,936 persons.
Contributions made pursuant to canon 1271 of the Code of Canon Law – i.e. the economic support offered by ecclesiastical circumscriptions throughout the world to maintain the service the Roman Curia offers to the universal Church – passed from € 22,347,426 in 2012 to € 22,435,359, thus remaining substantially stable.
The Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), as it does each year, offered the Holy Father a significant sum in support of his apostolic and charitable ministry. For 2013 this was a sum of € 50,000,000.
Considering the overall combined results of the two Financial Statements, as is usual, 2013 closes with a profit of around € 10 million.
The Council for the Economy, after hearing the Report, made the following declaration:
“The Council has been informed by the Prefecture for Economic Affairs of the budgets relating to 2013, and has taken note of the declaration by the External Auditor, according to whom ‘in all the most important aspects, the financial position of Vatican City State as of 31 December 2013 and the results of transactions relating to the year 2013 comply with the current accounting principles of the regulations of Vatican City State’. On this basis, the Council has approved the 2013 Budget and invites the Secretariat for the Economy to work towards further alignment of Vatican accounting principles with international standards”.
Note on the IOR contribution: Since the Annual Report of the IOR published this morning makes reference to a contribution of € 54 million, it is to be noted that, like last year, € 50 million were destined for the Holy See budget, and the other € 4 million for other works (in 2012 these included, for example, donations to the Fund for the support of cloistered monasteries, the Amazon Fund, the Fund to support the Churches of the former Soviet Union).
THE IOR ANNOUNCES ITS SECOND PHASE OF REFORMS
Vatican City, 8 July 2014 (VIS) – The Institute for the Works of Religion (Istituto per le Opere di Religione – IOR) today released its 2013 financial statements and gave a detailed update on the results of Phase I of the Institute's reform. The second phase, namely the integration of the IOR into the new economic-administrative landscape of the Vatican, will be entrusted to a new board and executive team, operating under a new governance structure. The costs necessary for the completion of Phase I, and costs related to legacy investments, are reflected in the results for 2013.
“As set out in May 2013, we have focused on making the IOR compliant with financial regulation, safer and more transparent, so as to create options for the Holy Father to decide on the future of the Institute. Through this work we have lad the ground for a new team to make the IOR a truly outstanding service provider in Catholic finance”, said Ernst von Freyburg, president of the Board of Superintendence. “Notwithstanding this housekeeping effort, the IOR has delivered a creditable performance for its customers, first and foremost the Holy See itself. In the first half of 2014, we delivered a very positive performance that validates the efforts of all those working at the IOR”, he added.
The full balance for 2013 can be consulted, in English and Italian, on the IOR's website, as follows:
http://www.ior.va/Portals/0/Content/Media/PressReleases/Press%20Release_IOR_8_July-ENG.pdf
http://www.ior.va/Portals/0/Content/Media/PressReleases/Press%20Release_IOR_8_July-ITA.pdf

Wow 8,000 at Pro-Life Rally in Northern Ireland

The 8th All Ireland Rally for Life was on Saturday, 5 July 2014 in Belfast City Centre. 8,000 people marched through Belfast City and there were speeches in Custom House Square. Organisers were happy with the large numbers. A small group of pro-choice demonstrators gathered to protest.The laws on abortion in Northern Ireland are the 1861 Offences against the Person Act, and the Criminal Justice Act 1945. Terminations are only permitted to save a woman's life, or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health. There were a great number of Young people at the March which shows that many of the next generation are Pro-Life. (Image Share -
FB - The All Ireland Rally for Life) (with files from BBC)

Today's Mass Reading Online : Wed. July 9, 2014


Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 385

Reading 1HOS 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Israel is a luxuriant vine
whose fruit matches its growth.
The more abundant his fruit,
the more altars he built;
The more productive his land,
the more sacred pillars he set up.
Their heart is false,
now they pay for their guilt;
God shall break down their altars
and destroy their sacred pillars.
If they would say,
“We have no king”—
Since they do not fear the LORD,
what can the king do for them?

The king of Samaria shall disappear,
like foam upon the waters.
The high places of Aven shall be destroyed,
the sin of Israel;
thorns and thistles shall overgrow their altars.
Then they shall cry out to the mountains, “Cover us!”
and to the hills, “Fall upon us!”

“Sow for yourselves justice,
reap the fruit of piety;
break up for yourselves a new field,
for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain down justice upon you.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (4b) Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel MT 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew,
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Saint July 9 : St. Veronica Giuliani : Capuchin Mystic

St. Veronica Giuliani
CAPUCHIN MYSTIC
Feast: July 9


Information:
Feast Day:July 9
Born:1660, Mercatello in the Duchy of Urbino
Died:9 July 1727, Città di Castello
Canonized:1839 by Pope Gregory XVI
Major Shrine:Monastery of St. Veronica Giuliani, Città di Castello
Born at Mercatello in the Duchy of Urbino, Italy, 1660; died at Citt' di Castello, 9 July, 1727. Her parents, Francesco Giuliana and Benedetta Mancini, were both of gentle birth. In baptism she was named Ursula, and showed marvelous signs of sanctity. When but eighteen months old she uttered her first words to upbraid a shopman who was serving a false measure of oil, saying distinctly: "Do justice, God sees you." At the age of three years she began to be favoured with Divine communications, and to show great compassion for the poor. She would set apart a portion of her food for them, and even part with her clothes when she met a poor child scantily clad. These traits and a great love for the Cross developed as she grew older. When others did not readily join in her religious practices she was inclined to be dictatorial. In her sixteenth year this imperfection of character was brought home to her in a vision in which she saw her own heart as a heart of steel. In her writings she confesses that she took a certain pleasure in the more stately circumstances which her family adopted when her father was appointed superintendent of finance at Piacenza. But this did not in any way affect her early-formed resolution to dedicate herself to religion, although her father urged her to marry and procured for her several suitors as soon as she became of marriageable age. Owing to her father's opposition to her desire to enter a convent, Veronica fell ill and only recovered when he gave his consent.
In 1677 she was received into the convent of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Citt' di Castello, taking the name of Veronica in memory of the Passion. At the conclusion of the ceremony of her reception the bishop said to the abbess: "I commend this new daughter to your special care, for she will one day be a great saint." She became absolutely submissive to the will of her directors, though her novitiate was marked by extraordinary interior trials and temptations to return to the world. At her profession in 1678 she conceived a great desire to suffer in union with our Saviour crucified for the conversion of sinners. About this time she had a vision of Christ bearing His cross and henceforth suffered an acute physical pain in her heart. After her death the figure of the cross was found impressed upon her heart. In 1693 she entered upon a new phase in her spiritual life, when she had a vision of the chalice symbolizing the Divine Passion which was to be re-enacted in her own soul. At first she shrank from accepting it and only be great effort eventually submitted. She then began to endure intense spiritual suffering. In 1694 she received the impression of the Crown of Thorns, the wounds being visible and the pain permanent. By order of the bishop she submitted to medical treatment, but obtained no relief. Yet, although she lived in this supernaturally mystical life, she was a practical woman of affairs. For thirty-four years she was novice-mistress, and guided the novices with great prudence. It is noticeable that she would not allow them to read mystical books. In 1716 she was elected abbess and whilst holding that office enlarged the convent and had a good system of water-pipes laid down, the convent hitherto having been without a proper water supply. She was canonized by Gregory XVI in 1839. She is usually represented crowned with thorns and embracing the Cross.


SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/V/stveronicagiuliani.asp#ixzz1RbmSZIZn

Hollywood Star Pierce Brosnan says his Catholic Faith helped Him - SHARE

Pierce Brosnan who is famous for his former role on TV as Remington Steele and James Bond in some 007 movies has experienced some great pains in his life.

His first wife, Cassandra Harris, died in 1991 (pictured left) and his adopted daughter, Charlotte, age 41, (pictured), died in 2013, both from ovarian cancer. Charlotte Emily, who at the time was the mother of a 14-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. Brosnan told Confidenti@l that his Catholic Faith helped him through these deaths, “I would say faith, being Irish, being Catholic, it’s ingrained in my DNA.” Brosnan said about his former wife. "I was so blessed to have met someone like that." "It always helps to have a bit of prayer in your back pocket. At the end of the day, you have to have something and for me that is God, Jesus, my Catholic upbringing, my faith."

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He said, "God has been good to me. My faith has been good to me in the moments of deepest suffering, doubt and fear. It is a constant, the language of prayer … I might not have got my sums right from the Christian Brothers or might not have got the greatest learning of literature from them but I certainly got a strapping amount of faith."
He married Keely Shaye Smith (m. 2001) after the death of his 1st wife. The couple married for 13 years have 2 children: Dylan Brosnan, Paris Brosnan (pictured below) With files from IrishCentral and Google Images)


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