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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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To Be Canonized on Sunday
VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is an adapted version of a biography of Father Charles of St. Andrew (1821-1893), which was published by the Holy See. Benedict XVI will canonize the priest on Sunday.
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Father Charles of St. Andrew, known in secular life as John Andrew Houben, was born on Dec. 11, 1821, in Munstergeleen, in the diocese of Ruremond, Holland, the fourth of 11 children.
He was baptized the same day with the name John Andrew. He received his first Communion on April 26, 1835, and the sacrament of confirmation on June 28 in the same year.
He began his formal education in Sittard and then in Broeksittard. In 1840 he had to interrupt his studies to enter the military. It was during this latter period that he first heard about the Congregation of the Passion.
At the end of his military service he completed his studies and requested to be admitted to the congregation. He was received by Blessed Dominic Barberi, Passionist, and he entered the novitiate in the Belgium city of Ere, near Tournai on Nov. 5, 1845.
In December of that same year he was vested with the Passionist religious habit and was given the name of Charles of St. Andrew. Having completed the canonical year of novitiate, he professed first vows on Dec. 10, 1850. At the conclusion of his studies, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Labis, the ordinary of Tournai.
Immediately he was sent to England where the Passionists had founded three monasteries and it was here that, for a period of time, he undertook the ministry of vice master of novices in the monastery of Broadway. He also did parochial ministry in the Parish of St. Wilfred and neighboring areas until 1856 when he was transferred to the newly established monastery of Mount Argus, on the outskirts of Dublin.
Blessed Charles Houben lived almost the remainder of his life in this retreat and was greatly loved by the Irish people to point that they referred to him -- a native of Holland -- as Father Charles of Mount Argus. He was a pious priest, outstanding in exercising obedience, poverty, humility and simplicity and to an even greater degree, devotion to the Passion of the Lord.
Due to his poor mastery of English, he was never a formal preacher and he never preached missions. Rather he successfully dedicated himself to spiritual direction, especially through the sacrament of reconciliation.
The fame of his virtue was such that crowds of people would gather at the monastery to seek his blessing. There are also numerous testimonies to the miraculous cures that he worked, to the extent that even during his lifetime he was known as a miracle worker.
Precisely because of this fame that extended throughout all of Great Britain as well as in America and Australia, in 1866, to give him time to rest, he was transferred to England where he lived for a time in the communities at Broadway, Sutton and London. There he ministered as usual and there too, inside and outside the monastery, he was sought by the faithful, both Catholics and non-Catholics.
He returned to Dublin in 1874 where he remained until his death on Jan. 5, 1893.
During his funeral, there was proof of the popular devotion that had surrounded him throughout his life. A newspaper of the time reported: "Never before has the memory of any man sparked an explosion of religious sentiment and profound veneration as that which we observed in the presence of the mortal remains of Father Charles."
The superior of the monastery wrote to his family: "The people have already declared him a saint."
The cause of his beatification and canonization was introduced on Nov. 13, 1935, and on Oct. 16, 1988, Pope John Paul II proceeded with the beatification.
The miracle that led to his canonization was obtained through his intercession on behalf of Adolf Dormans of Munstergeleen, the birthplace of the blessed.
The diocesan inquiry "super miro" was also undertaken in the Diocese of Roermond, Holland, from Nov. 6, 2002, until Feb. 19, 2003, at which time the validity of the miracle was recognized by a decree from the Congregation for Saints' Causes on Nov. 7, 2003.
The medical consultation board was convoked on Nov. 24, 2005, and following the investigation of the matter, the members unanimously expressed that the cure of Dormans of "perforated, gangrenous appendicitis with generalized peritonitis that was multi-organically compromising and included extenuating and prolonged agony" was "not scientifically explainable."
The theologian consultors, in the particular congress of Feb. 21, 2006, and the Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals and Bishops of Dec. 12, 2006, also gave their unanimous approval of the supernatural aspect of the said healing.
The decree concerning the miracle was given in the presence of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI last Dec. 21.
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Code: ZE07052909
Date: 2007-05-29
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ISTANBUL, Turkey, MAY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I wants Turkey's Christians to share the same rights as Muslims both in that country and in all Europe.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople appealed last weekend to the Turkish government, asking it to recognize the rights of minorities. He made his request during the visit of German members of the European Parliament, one of whom is of Turkish origin, www.AsiaNews.it reported today.
Acknowledging the parliamentarian's presence, Bartholomew I observed, "Is it not a cause for celebration to see our Muslim brothers actively participate in the civil life of European Countries, as is witnessed by the presence here today of the German [member of the European Parliament] of Turkish origins, Cem Ozdemir?
"We do not only want the freedom to celebrate our faith within our churches, but also the recognition of all civil rights, just as our fellow Muslims in Turkey. The same civil rights which our Muslim brothers have, and rightly so, in Europe."
Bartholomew I also address the issue of Turkey's demand that the ecumenical patriarch be of Turkish birth, which strains the election proceedings.
The patriarch said he has previously made appeals to the Ankara government, "appeals which never met with a positive or negative answer."
Code: ZE07052911
Date: 2007-05-29
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DELHI, India, MAY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- More than 4,000 protesters were arrested as they marched through the streets of India's capital, asking the government to break the silence on violence against Christians.
Today's rally was organized following recent televised attacks on Christians and increased anti-Christian incidents, www.AsiaNews.it reported.
Event planners expected 2,000 people, but nearly 5,000 showed up to demonstrate near the Parliament in New Delhi.
Speeches at the event demanded protection of human dignity and constitutional rights for the Christian community and other minorities.
Police later confirmed the arrest of approximately 4,000 people, though they were released shortly afterward.
John Dayal, secretary-general of the All India Christian Council, and president of the All India Catholic Union said: "This was the first time since November 1997 that such large numbers of Christians have been arrested in the Parliament Street Police Station.
"It was incredible to see Catholic nuns, Protestant pastors, civil society activists and others singing Christian songs of liberation within the police station."
Code: ZE07052913
Date: 2007-05-29
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Diocese Rebuilding After Earthquake and Tsunami
GIZO, Solomon Islands, MAY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The bishop of Gizo says that despite widespread destruction, the Solomon Islands are slowly recovering after the earthquake and tsunami which struck last month.
An earthquake of magnitude 8.1 struck the islands on April 2 and the tsunami that followed caused dozens of deaths and left thousands homeless.
But Bishop Bernard O'Grady of Gizo said in a progress report that the islands are rebuilding.
"There has been so much suffering and pain throughout the diocese," Bishop O'Grady said.
But he lauded the arrival of the World Youth Day cross, less than two weeks following the tragedy.
"The arrival of the World Youth Day cross and icon of Mary became an image of our own suffering since the tsunami and earthquake," the bishop said.
The 75-year-old prelate added: "We are now at the beginning of the rebuilding program which has been much to the fore in our prayer and trust in the risen Christ. We see this as our own resurrection.
"Now as we experience Pentecost, the Church is born again. This is to become the theme of our diocese and our rebuilding."
"This will be a long-term rebuilding effort," concluded Bishop O'Grady, and "we ask for your continued support in prayer and communion with us."
Code: ZE07052914
Date: 2007-05-29
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Program Launched for Catholic Care Givers and Patients
LONDON, MAY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- An initiative to support those who work in healthcare in England and Wales aims to offer practical information on caring for Catholics and promoting Catholic care.
The program, "Caring for the Catholic Patient," is sponsored by Catholics in Healthcare, a group backed by the Catholic bishops' conference of England and Wales, to help witness to the Catholic approach to healthcare.
Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams of Liverpool and chair of the Catholics in Healthcare reference group said: "The Church has a hugely important role in healthcare. We are not trying to teach the healthcare system what to do, nor are we looking for a privileged position.
"We are trying to show that Catholics have a natural affinity with healthcare, and make a strong and supportive contribution as we continue to work in collaboration with the healthcare system."
People, not units
The "healthcare system, however well-intentioned, risks turning patients into units of care, while making the body an instrument to be treated," Bishop Williams added.
But, he said: "The Church witnesses to something more.
"We witness to the dignity of the whole person, loved and created by God as a spiritual and emotional, not just physical, being.
"This initiative is also about galvanizing Catholics who work in healthcare, promoting our vision of care for the whole person and sharing in Christ's healing ministry."
Patricia Hewitt, Britain's secretary of state for health, said she was pleased with the initiative.
"I read with interest the publications which provides a greater understanding of the role of not only Catholic chaplains but also hospital chaplaincy, in providing spiritual care for both patients and staff," she said.
Only 10% of the population of England and Wales is Catholic but the number is growing, largely due to demographic changes caused by immigration.
Code: ZE07052915
Date: 2007-05-29
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Group Studies Marian Devotion of John Paul II
ROME, MAY 29, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Prayer Group of the Spiritual Children of John Paul II held its first meeting to discuss the link between Karol Wojtyla and the Virgin Mary.
The fledgling group's meeting took place Saturday in Rome and was broadcast by Vatican Radio.
The date of the meeting coincided with the 90th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, particularly honored by the Polish Pontiff.
Archbishop Angelo Comastri, Benedict XVI's vicar for Vatican City, took part in the meeting held at Rome's Pontifical Major Seminary, along with Monsignor Giangiulio Radivo, spiritual director of the prayer group.
Communism
Archbishop Comasti told Vatican Radio: "John Paul II had a relationship of devotion and affection with Our Lady which was a great teaching for the entire Church.
"In certain ways, he helped us to rediscover Mary. John Paul II helped us to rediscover Our Lady."
The archbishop said that the Polish Pope's devotion to Mary helped to bring about the fall of communism.
"The entrustment to Mary that John Paul II carried out in an extraordinary way in 1984 was an act that prepared for the fall of the Berlin Wall and the fall of atheistic regimes in Eastern Europe," he said. "We all know what happened from 1984-1991.
"There was one wall falling after another until, on Dec. 25, 1991, the red flag over the Kremlin was taken down."
A beautiful yes
The 63-year-old archbishop clarified the concept of entrustment to Mary.
"Entrustment to Mary is not asking of her what we need, it does not mean: 'Mary, we entrust you with this problem, you handle it, we will stand back.'
"No, entrusting yourself to Mary means: 'We recognize you as our model of faith, as she who said the most beautiful yes, she who knows the path of faith because she walked it. We entrust ourselves to you.'
"The act of entrustment, therefore, has a dynamic value. It is making oneself available to walk in faith. It is a handing over of oneself in order to grow in faith, so that Mary will help us to become faithful disciples like she was."
Code: ZE07052912
Date: 2007-05-29