News

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

4th World Congress of Families Concludes

WARSAW, Poland, MAY 15, 2007, Zenit.org - The family is life, and without it there is no state or government, said Roman Giertych, the deputy prime minister of Poland, addressing the World Congress of Families.

More than 3,300 delegates assembled in Warsaw's historic Palace of Culture and Science for the 4th World Congress of Families, May 11-13.

Participants came from as far away as Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Nigeria and the Philippines.

Giertych, also minister of education, greeted the congress on behalf of the Polish government, saying: "The World Congress of Families is a great honor for Poland. It is a sign that Poland is seen as the hope for Europe and the world."

Inese Slesere, a member of the Latvian Parliament, addressed the opening session. She said: "I have participated in the 3rd World Congress of Families in Mexico in 2004 and many other pro-family conferences throughout the world.

"I must admit that sharing the experiences and discussions from the world congress has deeply influenced my work as a member of the Parliament of Latvia."

The congress discussed and analyzed issues impacting the family such as abortion, the move to legitimize so-called same-sex marriage, population decline, pornography, attacks on the family in news and entertainment media, as well as ways to strengthen the family through tax policy, home-based businesses and the renewal of traditional religion.

Closing remarks

At the closing session, comments were read from Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, and Margarita Zabala Gómez del Campo, the first lady of Mexico.

Cardinal López Trujillo was schedule to deliver his address in person, but was unexpectedly called back to Rome before the closing session. His remarks were read by Father Grzegorz Kaszak.

The cardinal's message noted, "The vocation of marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman."

The president of the family council recalled the importance of recognizing the falsehood of relativism, especially witnessed by many Polish citizens of the 20th century in their fight for freedom.

The letter from Mexico's first lady said: "Today, more than ever before throughout the world, there is a need to think of the family, because when you protect the family, you are protecting society and the nation."

Allan Carlson, the international secretary of the World Congress of Families concluded: "We are delighted that we were able to come to Poland to show solidarity with the people of Europe who are defending the natural family.

"We look to future congresses where we can build on the success of Warsaw."

Code: ZE07051518

Date: 2007-05-15

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Resolution Decries Plight of Untouchables

MUMBAI, India, MAY 15, 2007, Zenit.org - The bishops of India welcomed a resolution placed before the U.S. Congress that asked the lawmaking body to encourage an end to India's caste system.

Republican Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona introduced the resolution May 2. In his presentation he called on "the Indian government and the world community to look with compassion upon India's untouchables and reach out to one of the most oppressed peoples on earth.''

In his address to the members of Congress, Franks called the caste system an "abhorrent form of persecution and segregation" that is particularly harsh on India's Dalits -- members of the "untouchable" caste -- especially Dalit women.

"This Congress," Franks argued, "must urge an end to the social discrimination and injustice faced by the nearly 250 million people known as Dalits in India."

Franks told ZENIT why he brought this issue to light now: "The plight of the 'untouchables' in India is truly one of the most critical human rights issues of our time.

"Millions of these individuals are regarded as less than human and live in some of the most wretched conditions known to humanity.

"We are compelled by the unalienable truth that all men are created equal to contend for the rights of the poor and the oppressed, and it is to that end that I have and will continue to stress the urgency of the Dalits' cause to Congress and to the world."

Indian response

Although the resolution has not been adopted, AsiaNews reported that the Catholic bishops' conference of India expressed its gratitude that the issue was brought to public attention.

Father Arokiaraj Cosmon, the executive secretary of the episcopal commission on Dalits, explained the tragic nature of the caste system, highlighted in the resolution.

"Dalits' conditions are well-known both at home and abroad," the priest said. "They are economically and socially ostracized, denied equal access to education and political life.

"Out of 250 million of them, there are 16 million who are twice as penalized because they are Christian."

"Most violence visited upon Dalits affects women," Father Cosmon continued. "They cannot report crimes, especially sex crimes, or ask for police assistance because what they say is not taken into consideration.

"Most lawyers and police officers come from the upper castes and are not well disposed towards victims."

Still, Father Cosmon insisted that education could aid the plight of the untouchables: "While Dalit women are the most vulnerable group in society, if they can get an education and become aware of their rights, they will be better placed to educate their entire family and contribute to the necessary social and economic empowerment of all Dalits."

Code: ZE07051513

Date: 2007-05-15

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Urges Prelates at Brazil Meeting to Fix Gaze on Jesus

APARECIDA, Brazil, MAY 15, 2007, Zenit.org - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged prelates gathered in the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean to put Christ at the center of their assembly.

Cardinal Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, made these comments during his homily at the Mass that began the meetings of the continent's bishops Monday. The general conference is being held near the shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida through May.

"We must let ourselves be illuminated by his light. We must follow him," Cardinal Re said. "Christ is the center of the divine plan of our salvation.

"We must place Christ at the center of our conference, to be his true disciples and to bring him to the heart of the Latin American people."

The cardinal said the bishops should work over the next 18 days with their gaze fixed on Christ, in their desire to serve the men and women of Latin America.

Just and humane

The 73-year-old prefect said that the more Christians live their faith, "the more they will be able to cooperate with other men and women of good will to promote a more just and humane world."

"We need to work for a religious revitalization of Latin America," Cardinal Re asserted, adding that the key to a successful response to today's challenges in Latin America is beginning from the very heart of Christianity, from Christ.

"May our hearts be open in these days to all men and women, our brothers and sisters, in particular to the poorest and weakest members of society, to all those who suffer," he said. "In this way, the disciple of Christ becomes a builder of a society of love that is inspired by the Gospel and based on justice, truth, freedom and peace."

The first day of the conference continued with a spiritual retreat on the Eucharist, preached by retired Archbishop Estanislao Esteban Karlic of Parana, Argentina.

Code: ZE07051501

Date: 2007-05-15

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

14.05.2007, [19:37] // Speech, greeting, press release // RISU.ORG.UA

Chernihiv – The Church of the Presentation of the Lord in Pryluky, in northern Ukraine’s Chernivhiv Region, which was recently officially transferred to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), may become a focus for interdenominational conflict. So reads an open address of the local civic organization Institute of the City’s Revival and Development (ICRD) to the Pryluky mayor and deputies of the Pryluky City Council (PCC). RISU posted the report of correspondent Lubov Potapenko on 11 May 2007.

Public concern was caused by the recent decision of the PCC (by secret vote) to transfer the church building, in which a museum is situated, to the community of the UOC-MP.

According to Serhii Korolevskyi, leader of ICRD, the deputies of the PCC made this decision secretly and without any civic discussion, as it had been agreed upon by the former mayor and deputies.

The ICRD in the open address gives the texts of letters both to representatives of the previous local administration and the current Pryluky mayor, Yurii Berkut, as well as the response of the acting mayor, who reassured that the transfer of the worship buildings would be transparent, taking into consideration public opinion.

According to Korolevskyi, in September 2005 a public survey revealed that the residents of Pryluky supported the transfer of the Church of the Presentation of the Lord to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate. Thus, the civic activists propose that the mayor suspend the fulfillment of the decision, study public opinion, and discuss this ambiguous issue in the local press; otherwise interdenominational tension in the city will grow.

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

"A Matter of Defending a Human and Spiritual Heritage"

STUTTGART, Germany, MAY 14, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the message sent on behalf of Benedict XVI by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, to the meeting Together for Europe, which took place Saturday. More than 230 representatives of movements and Christian communities participated.

* * *

It is with great pleasure that I convey the cordial greetings of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to the promoters and organizers and the numerous participants at the "Together for Europe 2007" event that is taking place on May 12 in Stuttgart.

The "Together for Europe" initiative that has come to life through the good ecumenical intuition of Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican groups, associations, movements and communities seeks to underline the need to re-affirm together faithfulness to the Gospel in a Europe that risks losing its original values and giving up on its Christian roots.

The words of the Venerable Pope John Paul II seem to be more relevant than ever: "I would like to mention in a particular way the loss of Europe's Christian memory and heritage, accompanied by a kind of practical agnosticism and religious indifference whereby many Europeans give the impression of living without spiritual roots and somewhat like heirs who have squandered a patrimony entrusted to them by history." (Post-Synodal exhortation "Ecclesia in Europa", 7).

Pope Benedict XVI echoes this consideration. From the beginning of his pontificate he has never missed an opportunity to recall the importance of safeguarding the Christian inheritance, the particular richness of the European continent.

The appeal not to lose our roots is like a repeated invitation to work concretely so that believers in Christ of different confessions may unite their efforts in the service of such a timely and relevant cause. It's a matter of defending a human and spiritual heritage that is vital for the authentic development of Europe. (…)

The Holy Father hopes therefore that the meeting "Together for Europe" may strengthen the desire for communion that animates lay movements and communities of the different churches; that it may contribute to overcoming prejudices, nationalism and historical barriers, and may urge people to work so that the spiritual dimension may not weaken in the Europe of post-modern times.

All human efforts would amount to nothing were we to be separated from divine support, because "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build" (Psalm 127). In counting on the help of the Almighty One you can look with trust to the present and to future, you can work with courage and perseverance knowing that the heavenly Father, in his providence and care, always renders fruitful the humble efforts of his children who want to do his will "on earth as it is in heaven".

It is with this spirit that Pope Benedict XVI invokes the divine blessing on all who participate in this meaningful event. To each and everyone I too assure you of my prayer and I take this opportunity to greet you cordially.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Vatican Secretary of State

© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Code: ZE07051405

Date: 2007-05-14

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Commentary by Raniero Cantalamessa

VATICAN CITY, MAY 14, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Italian-language commentary by Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the Pontifical Household, on the book "Inchiesta su Gesù" (An Investigation on Jesus) by Corrado Augias and Mauro Pesce .

Parts 2 and 3 will appear Tuesday and Wednesday.

* * *

1. In the path of the cyclone

In the wake of Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" cyclone there have appeared, as always happens in these cases, new studies of the figure of Jesus of Nazareth whose intention is to reveal Jesus' true face which until now has been distorted by ecclesiastical orthodoxy. Even those who with their words distance themselves from such an undertaking show themselves to be influenced by it in many respects.

I think the book by Corrado Augias and Mauro Pesce, "Inchiesta su Gesù" (An Investigation of Jesus), published this year by Mondadori, is an example of this.

There are differences, as is natural, between the authors, the first being a journalist and the second a historian. But I do not wish to fall into the same error as this "investigation," which is to take account always and only the differences between the evangelists, and never their convergences. It is this error more than any other which I think compromises this "investigation." I will begin, therefore, with what is common to the two authors, Augias and Pesce.