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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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The Egyptian Catholic Church spokesman says the discovery "renders justice" to families. In the past elements of the Muslim Brotherhood had questioned the massacre. Construction of the Martyrs Church of Libya at Aour completed. The government is moving for the repatriation of bodies, but operations are difficult.
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CWN - Pope Francis visited the Pontifical Oriental Institute on October 12, for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of its founding.
The Pope met with students, faculty, and staff of the Oriental Institute, then proceeded to the basilica of St. Mary Major (which is just across a piazza from the Institute), where he presided at a Mass of thanksiving. In his homily the Holy Father recalled that the Institute was established by Pope Benedict XV at a time when World War I was shaking Europe. He praised the achievements of the Institute in encouraging greater understanding of the traditions of Eastern Christianity.
In a message to Cardinal Leonardo Sandri—who is the chancellor of the Oriental Institute as well as the prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches—the Pope urged all teachers to “remain open to the Oriental churches, considered not only in terms of their ancient configuration, but also in their current diffusion and at times troubled geographical spread.” He said that the Oriental Institute still has “an ecumencial mission to pursue,” seeking full communion with all of the Eastern churches.
“On the other hand,” the Pope continued, “the task of the Institute is also to make know the treasures of the rich traditions of the Oriental churches to the Western world.” He continued:
With the collapse of the totalitarian regimes and of various dictatorships, which in some countries has unfortunately created conditions favourable to the spread of international terrorism, the Christians of the Oriental churches are experiencing the tragedy of persecutions and an increasingly worrying diaspora. We cannot close our eyes to these situations.
The Pope said that Catholic bishops of the Latin-rite dioceses around the world should be aware of the pastoral needs of “the geographically dislocated oriental faithful without their own hierarchy.”
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LAS VEGAS (KTNV) - Members of a local Catholic church are in shock because of a crime over the weekend that has also left them hurt and confused.
St. Barbara Chaldean Catholic Church was broken into, burglarized, and apparently the target of an attempted arson.
"We were shocked," Father Ray Sarkees, the church pastor said. "We're all shocked about it."
Several heavy-duty fans cover the floor of the building. They're drying things out after the sprinklers went off. A black scorch mark covers a large area around the altar.
Sarkees says a church safe and a sound system were stolen, along with donation boxes.
Michael Patros, a member of the small church, says he's heartbroken.
"Who would do something like this and why?" Patros said. "What did we do to upset somebody? What was the reason? What were they getting out of it?"
Almost all of the 150 to 200 families that belong to the church are Iraqi. We know what free spins casino promo codes are and how to activate them
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On Sunday, September 24, at 3 p.m. the newly-ordained auxiliary bishop, The Most Reverend Andriy Rabiy was welcomed by the clergy, faithful and religious of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia during a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the golden domed Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 830 North Franklin Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Bishop Rabiy was the main celebrant and homilist at the Divine Liturgy.
Philadelphia - ugcc.org.ua - Archbishop Stefan Soroka, of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholic in the United States, who presided as the Divine Liturgy, offered words of welcome. He stated, “Our archeparchy is blessed with many priests who are dedicated and capable to exercise leadership within our church. From amidst this talented family of priests, God has called our young Bishop Andriy Rabiy to provide spiritual leadership as our auxiliary bishop.”
Msgr. Dennis Kuruppassry, representative of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Papal Nuncio to the United States offered greetings from the Nuncio and presented the Papal Bull. The Papal Bull was read in Ukrainian by Very Rev. Roman Pitula, Cathedral Rector and in English by Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko, dean of the South Anthracite Deanery. Bishop Rabiy presented the Bull to the faithful who responded with the traditional acclamation “Axios!” “He Is Worthy!”
In his homily, Bishop Rabiy recalled the verses from Psalm 103, “Bless the Lord, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts.”
He continued, “Today I am full of joy. This is how I feel right now. My joy is hard to express. My heart is overflowing. I am so happy to be with you. Truly the joy is overwhelming. It is such a beautiful feeling.”
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop John Bura, auxiliary bishop of the Philadelphia Archeparchy offered words of welcome to Bishop Rabiy on behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the archeparchy.
Bishop Bura recalled the life experiences of both Bishop Rabiy and the situation of the persecuted Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukraine in the 20th century. The underground church, the church of the catacombs, was the church Bishop Rabiy experienced in Ukraine.
Bishop Bura remarked, “Bishop Andriy grew up in two worlds, two realities, in Ukraine and in America. As a 17 year old youth, he responded to Christ’s call. He entered the seminary in Ivano-Frankivsk and eventually St. Josaphat Seminary in Washington, D.C. He’s lived in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As a bishop, he will reveal the faith and beauty of our church to all believers.”
After Bishop Bura concluded his remarks, Bishop Rabiy went up and down the aisles of the spacious cathedral blessing the faithful with holy water.
Concelebrating bishops were: Bishop Paul Chomnysky, Stamford Ukrainian Eparchy; Bishop John Bura, Auxiliary Philadelphia Ukrainian Archeparchy; Archbishop William Skurla, Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh; Bishop Kurt Burnette, Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic; Bishop Edward DeLiman, Auxiliary Latin Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Bishop Basil H. Losten, Emeritus Stamford Ukrainian Eparchy; and Bishop James C. Timlin, Emeritus, Latin Diocese of Scranton.
Concelebrating priests were Reverend Roman Dubitsky, Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Hutsko, Very Reverend Taras Lonchyna, Very Reverend Robert Hitchens, Very Reverend Nestor Iwasiw and Very Reverend Roman Pitula.
Deacons were Deacon Michael Waak and Deacon Paul M. Spotts
Seminarians from St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary, Washington, D.C. were the altar servers.
Liturgical responses were sung by the Choir of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family Washington, D.C., led by the co-directors of Music Oksana Lassowsky and Stephen L. Szyszka.
Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) televised the Divine Liturgy live throughout the world, beginning at 3 p.m. ET, a broadcast which has been seen by over 39,000 viewers.
Bishop Rabiy, 41, was named bishop of the church on August 8, 2017 by Pope Francis, who confirmed his election by the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. He is the youngest bishop in the United States.
Bishop Rabiy was consecrated a bishop on September 3, 2017 by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, and Bishop David Motiuk, Bishop of the Eparchy of Edmonton, Canada in St. George's Cathedral, Lviv, Ukraine.
At the time of being named a bishop by Pope Francis, Bishop Rabiy was vicar-general of the Philadelphia Archeparchy and pastor of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Reading, Pa. and administrator of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Lancaster, Pa. a newly formed mission parish which he founded in February, 2013. He will continue to serve these parishes.
After the Divine Liturgy, the clergy, religious and faithful attended a reception in honor of Bishop Rabiy in the cathedral social hall.
Rev. John M. Fields, Director of Communications
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Although it's been in communion with Rome since 1724, the Greek Catholic Church remains greatly concerned about its autonomy and prizes its Eastern traditions.
Melinée Le Priol | October 7, 2017 | international.la-croix.com
When was the Greek Catholic Church, known as the Melkite Church, born?
This church began in 1724 as a result of a split in the Greek Church of Antioch. Some of these Christians, Catholicized by (Jesuit and Franciscan) missionaries then present in the Middle East, opted to enter into communion with the Holy See.
This is how the Greek Catholic (Melkite) Church started. It followed Byzantine rites and was directly linked to Rome.
The Greek Catholics immediately chose an Arab patriarch, whereas the Antioch seat had until then been reserved for a Greek patriarch and Greek bishops. A double line of patriarchs was thus instituted, one Orthodox, the other Catholic. However, it was only a century later, in 1834, that the Ottoman Empire fully recognized this Church. The patriarch was then installed in Damascus, where he resides to this day.
The current Melkite patriarch of Antioch, Archbishop Joseph Absi, hails from Damascus and was elected in June last. He bears the title of "Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem" and has jurisdiction over many dioceses. Archbishop Absi succeeded Patriarch Gregory III Laham, who was opposed by some of his bishops for his authoritarianism and mismanagement.
What does the word "Melkite' mean?
This denomination dates back to the 5th Century. It comes from the Syrian word "malka", meaning "king" or "emperor" and designated Christians from the patriarchies of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch who had accepted the Council of Chalcedon and were thus faithful to the Emperor of Constantinople.
These Christians consider Christ as both man and God, contrary to the monotheists, who say Christ has only one nature: divine.
“Today, only four Churches are monophysitic,” says Rev. Rafic Greiche, spokesperson of the Conference of Bishops of Egypt. They are the Coptic Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Ethiopian Churches.
“All other Churches are, strictly speaking, Melkite, but the Greek Catholics are the only ones to have taken the name for their Church,” he notes.
How many are they?
The Greek Catholics number about 1.5 million worldwide. They are thus far fewer than the 14 million Greek Orthodox Christians. About half of the Melkites live in the Middle East, mainly in Syria, Lebanon, and the Holy Land. Where nationality is concerned, the Melkite Church defines itself as Arab and asserts its Arab nature, according to Joseph Yacoub, a specialist on the Christians of the Orient and Honorary Professor of the Catholic University of Lyon.
The Melkite diaspora lives mainly in Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela) and North America, to which Middle Eastern Christians fled from persecution by the Ottoman Empire from the end of the 19th Century. France also has a community of 10,000 persons, mainly in Marseille, where their church, built in 1821, is one of the oldest oriental Churches in Europe.
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http://press.vatican.va - At 11.40 this morning, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the members of the Synod of the Chaldean Church, taking place in Rome from 4 to 8 October, led by the Patriarch His Beatitude Louis Raphaël Sako.
The following is the Pope’s address to those present at the meeting:
Address of the Holy Father
Beatitude,
Dear brothers in the episcopate,
I welcome you with joy in these days in which you are gathered in Synod, as you prepare to consider questions of primary importance for the Chaldean Church, including the forced migration of Christians, the reconstruction of villages, the return of displaced persons, the particular right of the Church, the liturgical question and the pastoral care of vocations. I thank His Beatitude, the Patriarch Louis Raphaël, for the greeting he addressed to me also on your behalf. I would like to take the opportunity to greet, through you, the faithful of the beloved Iraqi land, who are harshly tried, sharing hope following the recent news of a resumption of life and activity in regions and cities until now subjected to painful and violent oppression. May God’s mercy heal the wounds of war that plague the heart of your communities, so that they may finally be able to rise again.
If indeed a tragic page has turned for some regions of your country, it is to be noted that much remains to be done. I urge you to act tirelessly as builders of unity, especially between you as pastors of the Chaldean Church, and with the pastors of other Churches, and in addition to promote dialogue and collaboration with all the other agents of public life, to contribute to facilitating the return of displaced persons and to healing divisions and conflicts between brothers. This commitment is more necessary than ever in the current Iraqi context, faced with new uncertainties for the future. There is a need for a process of national reconciliation and a joint effort by all members of society, to reach shared solutions for the good of the entire country. My hope is that the strength of heart, the hope and the gifts of industriousness that distinguish you, will not fail you. May you be steadfast in your intention not to give in to discouragement when faced with difficulties which remain despite what has been done in the work of reconstruction, especially on the Nineveh Plain.
Since antiquity, that land, evangelised according to tradition by the apostle Thomas, has appeared to the world as a land of civilisation, a land of encounter and dialogue. Therefore it is of great importance that Christians, pastors and faithful, strong in their roots, be united in promoting respectful relations and interreligious dialogue between all components of the country.
I would like to encourage you also with regard to new aspirants to priestly ministry or religious life: faced with the decline in vocations that the Church suffers, we must avoid receiving in the seminaries people who are not called by the Lord; it is necessary to examine well the vocation of young people and to verify its authenticity.
May priests and seminarians be aware of your closeness, which is a true blessing! For candidates to the priesthood, may formation be integral, capable of including the various aspects of life, responding harmoniously to the four dimensions, human spiritual, pastoral and intellectual; a journey that naturally continues in the permanent formation of priests, and forming with this a single entity.
It is also incumbent on me to invite you, and together, the pastors of the Latin Church, to rethink the theme of the Diaspora, taking into account the concrete situations in which ecclesial communities find themselves, as well as that of religious freedom.
Everything possible must be done to ensure that the recommendations of Vatican Council II be realised, facilitating pastoral care both in your own territories and where the oriental communities have for some time been settled, at the same time promoting communion and fraternity with the communities of Latin rite to offer good witness to the faithful without protracting divisions and disagreements. Ecumenical and interreligious dialogue should always proceed from our Catholic unity and communion. In this, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches will be of support to you.
Beatitude, dear bishops, finally I invite you to be paternal towards priests, who are your primary collaborators, and to be merciful like the Father with all.
May this Synod in Urbe, under the gaze of Christ the Good Shepherd, be a fruitful moment of exchange and fraternal reflection for the good of the beloved Chaldean Church. I invoke upon you the abundance of the Lord’s blessings and the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And I ask you, please, do not forget to pray for me. Thank you!
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