News

The Church Around the World

Contents - Oct 2000 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The Church at the crossroads - Michael Gilchrist 'Dominus Jesus' reaffirms Catholic Church's claims to truth - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World 'Call to Change' in Tasmania: but whose 'vision of Church'? - Michael Gilchrist The Salesians' impact in East Timor - Br Marcal Lopes SDB Contentious Social Justice Statement on women's participation published - Michael Gilchrist Jubilee Marian Congress Archbishop Pell: social justice for today's family - Archbishop George Pell How orthodox are Australian Catholic University's professorial staff? - Eamonn Keane How language transforms a Christian society into a secular society - Audrey English An authentic Christian spirituality grounded in objective revelation - Michael Daniel

Popes John XXIII and Pius IX beatified

John XXIII's an admirer of Pius IX

On Sunday, 3 September, Popes Pius IX and John XXIII were beatified, along with Tommaso Reggio, a 19th century Archbishop of Genoa and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Martha, French priest Fr Guillaume Joseph Chaminade, founder in the same century of the Marianist Family, and Irish Benedictine Fr Columba Marmion, a great master of spirituality of our time (see Reflection, page 20).

Pius IX was the Pope of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and Vatican I, and John XXIII, the Pope of the encyclical Pacem in Terris and Vatican II.

In response to some criticisms - inside and outside the Church - of Pope John Paul II's decision to beatify Pius IX, as well as bracketing his beatification with that of John XXIII, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins, pointed out on Vatican Radio that John XXIII had great esteem for Pius IX. In fact, on 31 August 1962, he went to Albano, a town outside of Rome, to visit Bishop Alberto Canestri, postulator of the cause of beatification, requesting the conclusion of the canonical itinerary of Pius IX's cause.

As an expert in Church history, especially the period of Pius IX, John XXIII, had, on 2 January 1959, already sent a hand-written note to Bishop Canestri, in which he said: "I bless your person, whom I would love to receive in audience, and I encourage you in a holy enterprise I feel profoundly: the glorification of Pius IX." Signed: "Ioannes XXIII, Papa."

In another letter sent to Bishop G. Angrisani of Casale Monferrato, he affirmed: "I always think of Pius IX, of holy and glorious memory, and, imitating him in his sacrifices, I would like to be worthy to celebrate his canonisation."

New president for Steubenville University

"Dynamic spiritual environment" to continue

The Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio), regarded by many observers as the most vibrantly Catholic university in the United States, last August announced the name of the man to succeed the president of the university, who brought it from near closure to international acclaim.

Steubenville University announced that Father Terence Henry TOR would become president at the beginning of the autumn term, following the promotion of Father Michael Scanlan TOR to the newly- created position of chancellor. Father Scanlan became president in 1974, instituting a code of conduct based on Catholic morality and hiring professors who would profess a loyalty to the magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Father Henry was most recently a vice president at St Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania, which is also owned by the Sacred Heart Province of the Third Order Regular Franciscans. He was also a member of Franciscan University's Board of Trustees since 1993.

"I am honored to serve as the next president of Franciscan University," Father Henry said. "The University has changed dramatically during Father Scanlan's tenure, and the dynamic spiritual environment must continue. I look forward to working with Father Scanlan in his new role as chancellor and with the entire faculty and staff to help our students grow in faith and reason."

Father Edmund Carroll TOR, chairman of the Board of Trustees and minister provincial of the Sacred Heart Province, said that "Father Terence has all the qualifications necessary to lead Franciscan University to the next level of excellence. He has spent most of his life in teaching and administration and has a natural rapport with both students and faculty. Most importantly, he has a clear understanding and love for the educational and spiritual mission of Franciscan University."

Rome to publish new Missal this year

Several differences from 1970 Missal

According to a Vatican Press Office statement on 4 August, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will shortly publish an updated Latin text of the new Roman Missal.

The differences between the present Missal, published in 1970, and the new one, include the addition of several saints' feasts throughout the year, as well as the enrichment of seasons, especially Lent, with traditional prayers. The General Instruction, or introductory text, which gives precise instructions on how the Mass should be celebrated, was earlier modified (see September AD2000).

The new edition of the Roman Missal has a ninth chapter on inculturation and there are changes concerning communion under both species. Some forms described in the 1970 Missal have been simplified, because they have lost applicability in several countries of the world.

The new Missal's text was sent to Bishops' Conferences and Nuncios to inform them of the changes and have them prepare translations. Once approved by the Bishops' Conferences, the translations will be examined by the Holy See, in order to be given the corresponding recognitio, or confirmation of their juridical value.

How Brisbane primary schools celebrate the Jubilee

Aboriginal Rainbow Serpent depicted in Cathedral liturgy

During a Jubilee Celebration Liturgy on 2 August in St Stephen's Cathedral, for primary school pupils of the Brisbane Archdiocese, an interlude following the Gospel involved depiction of the aboriginal Rainbow Serpent, to the accompaniment of didgeridoo and aboriginal dancers.

A reader first informed the school children that "an important story to the indigenous people of Australia is the story of the Rainbow Serpent. It is a story of the creator spirit." According to this story, "far off in the dreamtime there were no people, no animals or birds, no trees or bushes, no hills or mountains. The country was all flat. The great Rainbow Serpent stirred from the land and set off to create ... With the Rainbow Serpent came life and this life is the life of all people."

As a didgeridoo played, school children carried rainbow stoles "in a serpentine fashion along the centre aisle" of the Cathedral and onto the sanctuary. Aboriginal dancers then stood in a line on the sanctuary holding up the Rainbow Serpent, which was then divided into six rainbow scarves to be worn by a succession of "storytellers."

Bishop Michael Putney told the children: "The story of Noah tells us of the promise and hope that God has given us. The story of the Rainbow Serpent reminds us of the wisdom and the story of those who first lived in our land. The colours of the rainbow which you are all wearing today acknowledge our differences whilst also celebrating our unity."

Neo-Catechumenate Way

Thousands consecrate their lives to God

At least 3,000 young men have expressed their desire to enter the seminary, and another 2,000 young women to give themselves to God in the religious life, following World Youth Day last August. The figures were confirmed during a vocational meeting of the Neo-Catechumenal Way, held in the Circus Maximus. A total of 80,000 youth from 70 countries attended the meeting.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's Vicar for the diocese of Rome, presided over the meeting, with Cardinal Christoph Schšnborn of Vienna, 50 bishops, and a group of 40 Serbian Orthodox priests led by their Bishop also present.

Kiko ArgŸello and Carmen Hernandez, founders of the Neo-Catechumenal Way, also exhorted the youth to form Christian families. The essence of ArgŸello's message was the need to put aside one's own selfishness to become part of the Lord's plan and be a witness to Christ for this generation.

In statements over Vatican Radio, ArgŸello explained why so many youth of the Neo- Catechumenal Way decided to consecrate their lives to God. "The Pope explained it very well during the Saturday Vigil: he spoke about a 'laboratory of the faith.' An initiation in Christian faith is totally necessary. We live at a time of globalisation, secularisation when 'normal' faith is no longer sufficient, as society hasvalues that are contrary to the Gospel. Therefore, it is necessary to educate our Christians, our youth, to educate then in the meaning of the Cross in their life."

Zenit News Service

No overseas priests for Cairns Diocese ...

Bishop Foley's comments in local paper

In a letter published in the Cairns Post last August, in response to a query from a local Catholic, Bishop James Foley said: "I have received not a few requests from priests who 'would be happy to come to Cairns.' I have always responded to their generosity by recommending them to other parts less well-placed and in greater need than ourselves."

Shortly afterwards, on 28 August, a workshop was scheduled to take place at the Bishop's House on the topic of "Sunday/Weekday Liturgies without a Priest." The presenter was to be Sr Veronica Rosier OP, who had completed a doctoral thesis on "Sunday Liturgies without a Priest."

Hungary celebrates patron saint's feast day

First time for 53 years

On Sunday afternoon, 20 August, 100,000 people accompanied the relics of Hungary's patron, St Stephen, on the streets of Budapest. The last procession of this kind was held in 1947, led by the heroic Cardinal Mindszenty. That year, the Hungarian Primate did not submit to the dictates of the Communist Party, which ordered that the procession's itinerary be shortened. The Cardinal was imprisoned the following year.

These memories gave a special character to the imposing procession, which literally inundated the Hungarian capital. It was described as the "procession of the millennium," and was led for more than a mile by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, who arrived in Hungary as pontifical legate. The human chain began from the Cathedral dedicated to St Stephen and ended in Parliament Square. The saint's relics were carried by young deacons vested in ceremonial vestments.

John Paul II sent a special message for the occasion, in which he said, "At the dawn of the millennium, the figure of King St Stephen is timely: he wanted to found the nation on the rock of Christian values and that is why he wished to receive the royal crown from the hands of the Pope, my predecessor, Sylvester II." The Holy Father's message was read by Cardinal Mindszenty's successor, Cardinal Laszlo Paskai, during the solemn celebration presided over by the Cardinal legate.

Toowoomba educators' week-long "reflection"

"Mission and Ministry" theme

Earlier this year the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office organised a "week of reflection" for diocesan educators at the Overlander Motel and Conference Centre in Roma (Queensland). Its theme was "Mission and Ministry: Exploring Inner/Outer Landscapes."

Among those leading sessions was the Director of the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office, Dr Bill Sultmann, who reminded participants of the "richness we have within ourselves rather than seeking it elsewhere." This was, according to the report on proceedings by Mary Otto, "good food for thought" as a preliminary to "examining our personalities with an Enneagram study with Jenny Ritchie and Katrina Stevens from Brisbane."

This was followed by a "a reflection on peace" during which those involved "were challenged to a change of heart by examining our connected place in the cosmos" and a session in which Philip Fitzgerald "awakened in us our understanding of the sacredness of ourselves and the discovery of God within."

At the conclusion of proceedings, it was felt that there was "a new-found sense of belonging and connectedness with each other and the wider world." This enabled those who attended to "better understand our purpose and the gift we are." It was, said Mary Otto, "an inspiring and affirming opportunity."

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 13 No 9 (October 2000), p. 4