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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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"The True Gift to Me Today Is Prayer"
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's address at his birthday luncheon with several cardinals.
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LUNCHEON WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS FOR THE HOLY FATHER'S 80th BIRTHDAY
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Hall of Dukes
Monday, 16 April 2007
Dear Brothers and Friends,
At this moment I can only say "thank you" with all my heart.
My thanks go first of all to the Cardinal Dean of the Sacred College, both for his words paying homage to me yesterday with exquisite kindness and for what was written in 30 Giorni [30 Days magazine], and then for his most sensitive and competent organization of this very fine luncheon, at which we have experienced a moment of our affective and effective collegiality.
Indeed, I would say that it was not only a moment of collegiality but also of authentic brotherhood. We truly felt how beautiful it is to be together: "Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum" (Ps 133[132]:1).
I am grateful for this experience of brotherhood, which I also feel in my daily life. Even if we do not see one another constantly, I always sense and notice the collaboration of those who help me. The College of Cardinals really offers effective and important support to the work of the Successor of Peter.
I would further like to say "thank you" here to all the Cardinals who wrote such beautiful things, both in 30 Giorni and in the special column of Avvenire newspaper, as well as in other publications.
I also thank those who did not write, but thought and prayed. The true gift to me today is prayer, which gives me the certainty that I am accepted from within and above all, assisted and sustained in my Petrine ministry, a ministry which I cannot carry out on my own but only in communion with all who help me, also by praying, so that the Lord may be with all of us and also with me.
Today, in the Office of Readings we recited the words of a Psalm which ring especially true and are very precious to me: "In manibus tuis sortes meae" (Ps 31[30]:16); in the Vetus latina the text was: "In manu tua tempora mea"; the Italian translation says: "Nelle tue mani sono i miei giorni"; the Greek text speaks of kairoi mou [the English translation is "my times are in your hands"].
All these versions mirror a single truth: that our time, every day, the events of our life, our destiny and our action are in the good hands of the Lord. This accounts for the great trust with which we go ahead, knowing that these hands of the Lord are sustained by the hands and hearts of so many Cardinals.
This is a cause of great joy to me today. I thank you all, and offer you very many good wishes!
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Code: ZE07042604
Date: 2007-04-26
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Moscow, Apr. 26, 2007 (Forum 18/CWNews.com) - Russia's central authorities do not have a policy of restricting freedom of religion or belief, the Forum 18 news service reports. But their failure actively to tackle discrimination produces a slow erosion of religious freedom.
Senior Russian state representatives, such as President Putin, continue to project an image of supporting "traditional religions" such as the Russian Orthodox Church, Forum 18 notes. But this does not translate into day-to-day decision making, as religious affairs are a low national priority.
Decisions are normally made at a low level, so the religious-freedom situation varies even between towns.
One exception is support by senior state representatives for religious leaders who endorse them, such as Pentecostal bishop Sergei Ryakhovsky. Legal discrimination is rare, even against communities such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, and where it exists does not completely halt religious activity. So-called "telephone law" and blocking some foreign religious workers have been the main sources of religious-freedom violations.
Acquiring or retaining worship buildings is a major problem, and affects Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hare Krishna devotees, Jehovah's Witnesses, Molokans, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Widening the legal definition of terrorism and extremism is a particularly concern for Muslims.
[For a more detailed report see the Forum 18 web site.]
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VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 2007 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office at midday today, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, presented the "Lineamenta" for the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, due to be held from October 5 to 26, 2008 on the theme: "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."
The "Lineamenta," a document containing the draft guidelines on the theme of the forthcoming meeting, has been published in various languages including English and is composed of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion. The text includes a questionnaire relating to the themes covered, the aim of which is to stimulate more profound reflection at all levels of the ecclesial community. Responses must be sent to the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops before the end of November 2007.
The introduction makes it clear that this meeting is a continuation of the last synodal assembly, which was held in 2005 on the theme: "The Eucharist, Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church." The aim of the 2008 meeting, the text reads, is to set forth "the intrinsic connection between the Eucharist and the Word of God. ... This is the Synod's underlying purpose and primary goal, namely, to fully encounter the Word of God in Jesus the Lord, present in the Sacred Scriptures and the Eucharist."
The text of the "Lineamenta" goes on to explain that the aim of the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly is "to help clarify the basic truths of Revelation as the Word of God, Divine Tradition, the Bible and the Magisterium, which prompt and guarantee an authentic and effective living of the faith; to spark an appreciation and deep love of Sacred Scriptures so that 'the faithful might have easy access' to it; to renew listening to the Word of God, in the liturgy and catechesis, specifically through 'lectio divina,' duly adapted to various circumstances; and to offer a Word of consolation and hope to the poor of the world."
The first chapter - entitled "Revelation, the Word of God and the Church" - considers such matters as the human need for Revelation; Divine Tradition and Sacred Scripture in the Church, a single sacred deposit of the Word of God; and the demanding task of interpreting the Word of God in the Church.
"The Word of God in the life of the Church" is the title of the second chapter of the "Lineamenta," which recalls how the Church was born and lives by the Word of God, and how the People of God draw nourishment from the Word in various ways: in the liturgy and in prayer, in evangelization and catechesis, in exegesis and in theology, and in the lives of believers.
Chapter three - entitled "The Word of God in the Mission of the Church" - highlights how the Word of God must remain accessible to everyone at all times. "Listening to the Word of God," the text reads, "must always take into consideration its ecumenical dimension." Moreover, the Word of God is "a light for inter-religious dialogue" with the Jewish people and with those of other faiths.
"A fervent listening to the Word," the document concludes, "is fundamental to a personal encounter with God."
During today's press briefing Archbishop Eterovic, recalling the fact that the "Lineamenta" refer to the Vatican Council II Dogmatic Constitution "Dei Verbum," pointed out that "more than 40 years after that great conciliar document, it is time to identify, within the Universal Church, the positive results it has brought to the People of God, especially as concerns biblical renewal in the fields of liturgy, theology and catechesis."
However, he went on, "unresolved and problematic aspects persist, for example phenomena such as ignorance concerning the doctrine of the Revelation and of the Word of God, as well as the significant detachment of many Christians from the Bible." Archbishop Eterovic also highlighted how the forthcoming synodal assembly "will have a prevalently pastoral goal."
Msgr. Fortunato Frezza, under-secretary of the Synod of Bishops, also present at the press briefing, affirmed that the "Lineamenta" may be considered in the light of "the correct interpretation of Vatican Council II, ... its proper hermeneutics, ... its interpretation and application, as an exercise of that hermeneutic of reform, of renewal in continuity, of the one Church which the Lord gave to us. She grows and develops in time, yet always remains the same, the one Church of the pilgrim People of God."
SE/LINEAMENTA/ETEROVICVIS 070427 (770)
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"The Pope," said Fr. Lombardi, "has accepted the invitation in general terms, and has expressed his willingness to visit the U.N. headquarters, although as yet there is no date or program for the trip."
Servant of God John Paul II visited the U.N. headquarters in 1979, and again in 1995 for the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the organization.
OP/VISIT POPE UN/LOMBARDI VIS 070427 (120)
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April 26, 2007
St. Augustine, FL -- The 239th anniversary of Greek Landing Day will be celebrated with services and festivities on June 22-24, 2007, at the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in Saint Augustine, Florida.
The annual Greek Landing Day celebration commemorates the landing in St. Augustine on June 26, 1768, of the Turnbull colonists who attempted to found a new colony on the site of today’s New Smyrna Beach. Nearly five hundred of these colonists were Greeks. They constitute the first such settlement of Greeks and other persons of Corsica, Minorca and Italy on the American Continent.
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Executive Director, the Very Rev. Father Nicholas T. Graff, and the Board of Trustees, and event chairman Gary Peterson, announce the details of the 2007 Greek Landing Day events at the St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.
Friday, June 22
Greek Landing Day Lecture and Reception
"New Smyrna Colonists, St Augustine Residents – 1768 to present day" - the Honorable Judge John Alexander, lecturer
5:30 p.m. - Recognition and Reception - St Photios Shrine
7:00 p.m. - Lecture - Flagler Room, Flagler College
Saturday, June 23
Greek Landing Day Services & Glendi
11:00 a.m. - Memorial and Proclamation - St Photios Chapel
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Executive Board Meeting
12 - 5:00 p.m. - Dancers, pastries & music - DeMesa House Courtyard
4:00 p.m. - OPA! - a cookbook by Liz Lazarides White - Greet the Author Reception - Constantine Sisters Courtyard, St Photios Shrine
Sunday, June 24
Greek Landing Day Services and Youth Cultural Jamboree
9:00 a.m. - Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy - St. Photios Chapel
NOON - Founders' Hospitality Hour, Constantine Sisters Courtyard
1:00 - 3:00 - YOUTH Cultural Jamboree - Shrine and DeMesa Courtyard
The St. Photios Foundation expresses its deep appreciation to the financial support of St John County Tourism Council, and to Flagler College and the City of St Augustine for sharing their facilities to accommodate the weekend events. The lecture is a public forum that allows Hellenes, Philhellenes, academics and community members to come together for an informative lecture while recognizing the historical implications of the colonization of Mediterranean people in America. The Glendi and Youth Jamboree are joyful expressions of our Hellenic Heritage.
Contact: Polexeni Maouris Hillier
E-mail
Source: www.goarch.org
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Bridgeport, CT – 2007-04-26 - Today the clergy syndesmos of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America gathered to hear a presentation from Father Alexander Karloutsos at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Bridgeport Connecticut on the present situation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the relationship it has with the Turkish Republic. The presentation discussed the problems faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and noted that some of the restrictions that were evident during the recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarchate late last year.
Paper: The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey - The Imperiled Future of an Essential Religious Institution (Click here to read – note this is a very large pdf document).www.archons.org