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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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Sends Message to Seminar on Climate Change
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI joined his voice to those encouraging the protection of creation and respect for the environment.
The Pope's appeal came in a telegram signed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, and sent to participants in a seminar sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
The conference, being held today and Friday, is examining "Climate Change and Development."
The Holy Father invited everyone to adopt "a way of living, models of production and consumption marked by respect for creation and the need for sustainable development of peoples, keeping in mind the universal distribution of goods, as is so often mentioned in the Church's social doctrine."
The Pontiff's message expressed "sincere appreciation" for this meeting, which will study the "problems relating to the environment, ethics, economics and the political and social life with repercussions for the weakest members of society."
Disinterested research
Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, inaugurated the seminar. Some 80 scholars and experts from 20 countries are participating.
Cardinal Martino expressed his wish for "a fruitful exchange of experiences, in a climate of serenity and composure, and an in-depth dialogue and disinterested research."
The 74-year-old cardinal spoke about the necessary balance between environmental education and the development of needy populations. He said the Church's social doctrine and the "very pertinent and instructive" lesson of the first few chapters of the Bible can aid in finding that balance.
According to the cardinal, humanity's dominion over creation, willed by God, must not be despotic or irresponsible. Reklama: klasikinių paveikslų reprodukcijos bei paveikslai is nuotraukų ant drobės internetu The person must "cultivate and guard" the goods of creation.
"Cultivate to develop man, all of man, all men: This is the challenge that we are faced with as we reflect upon climatic changes," Cardinal Martino said.
He added that "The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church," published by the same dicastery, underlines that environmental education is everyone's responsibility, inasmuch as the environment is a collective good made for everyone.
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The deacons to be ordained this Sunday come from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary; the Roman Major Seminary Madonna of Divine Love; the Capranica College, which serves the Indonesian diocese of Bani; and the Legionaries of Christ.
On Saturday, in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, there will be a prayer vigil for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the vicar of Rome, will preside over the vigil, which will include the celebration of vespers and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The 22 deacons, and 120 religious who will make their final profession this year, will participate in the vigil.
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Plenary Session to Consider Charity Among Nations
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences says there are seven "signs of the times" which cause concern for the future of international relations.
The academy is dedicating its next plenary session to the study of charity and justice between nations.
The session, which runs Friday through Tuesday, was presented today in a press conference featuring Mary Ann Glendon, president of the academy and a Harvard law professor.
The academy published an introductory statement, saying: "In the recent past, the academy has devoted sessions to the study of globalization and these have enabled us to see that there is a lack of charity and justice in the world we live in.
"This may be summarized in a general way as: disproportionate reallocations, promises not honored and unequal divisions."
The academy mentioned that Benedict XVI's renewed appeal to charity in his encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" has motivated the current topic.
Negative factors
The introductory statement lists seven "signs of the times," which the Pontifical Academy considers worrying.
These are the re-emergence of nationalism, weak convergence, pervasive poverty, the weakness of multilateralism, doubts regarding millennium goals, insufficient and inefficient aid, and terrorism and war.
Opposed to these negative factors, Benedict XVI's encyclical offers inspiration, the academy says.
"In particular this document reminds us that the theological and human virtue of charity must preside over all of the social teaching and all of the social works of the Church and her members," the statement says.
"Indeed, 'Deus Caritas Est' places itself in the long lineage of other social encyclicals," the academy contends, "not only because it addresses the virtue of charity but also because it attributes primary importance to the virtue of justice."
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ST. LOUIS, Missouri, APRIL 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Raymond Burke spoke out against a Catholic medical center scheduling pro-abortion advocate Sheryl Crow for a benefit concert.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Archbishop Burke of St. Louis explained his protest over the singer's appearance: "This Saturday, Sheryl Crow is scheduled to perform at the Bob Costas Benefit for the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.
"Ms. Crow is well-known as an abortion activist. She has lent her celebrity status to the promotion of legislation, such as Missouri's Amendment 2, that creates legal protection for human cloning and the destruction of human beings who are embryos.
"Her appearance at a fundraising event […] is an affront to the identity and mission of the medical center, dedicated as it is to the service of life and Christ's healing mission."
Obliged in justice
After efforts failed to convince organizers to cancel Crow's participation, Archbishop Burke resigned from his post as chairman of the foundation's board of governors and asked that his name be removed from any promotional material for the benefit event.
The 58-year-old prelate explained: "As the shepherd of this archdiocese, I am required to address an issue that could call into question in the minds of the faithful the commitment of the medical center and the archdiocese to the cause of life.
"When there is a significant risk that others could be led to evil, as the one responsible for the spiritual and moral well-being of the faithful entrusted to my pastoral care, I am obliged in justice to act."
Economic gain
Archbishop Burke reiterated his support for the medical center's apostolate telling its management and employees of his "continued admiration and support for the wonderful treatment provided at our excellent children's medical center."
He added: "I cannot say enough about their commitment to the lives and health of the children they serve."
However, he reiterated in his statement: "When, for economic gain, a Catholic institution associates itself with such a high profile proponent of the destruction of innocent lives, members of the Church and other people of good will have the right to be confirmed in their commitment to the gospel of life."
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ROME, APRIL 26, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk is asking Iraqi authorities and the international community to defend the Christian minority in his country.
Speaking to Vatican Radio, the Chaldean archbishop decried the fact that "Christians in Baghdad and Mosul, as in other parts of the country, are threatened, and extremist groups have ordered them to leave their homes, without giving them time to gather their belongings. They have even asked them to convert to Islam."
"This cannot happen," insisted Archbishop Sako. "We Christians have been in Iraq for 2,000 years; we are Iraqi citizens and we have played an important role in the building of this country."
The 58-year-old prelate appealed "to moderate Muslims and Iraqi politicians so that the threats Christians are facing would be taken seriously, otherwise Christians would be forced to leave the country."
This "would represent a great loss for everyone and not only for the threatened Christians in Iraq," the archbishop said.
"One of the human rights is religious freedom, which has always been protected and we have always practiced our religion openly," he concluded. "Why then, today, must Christians leave the city or convert to Islam?"
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The Friends of Lourdes, a lay organization raising awareness in the United States about the yearlong celebration of the anniversary, has made an educational Web site about the Virgin Mary's appearances to Bernadette Soubirous.
Cardinal George of Chicago said, "As we begin the observance of the 150th anniversary of the apparition at Lourdes, I invite you to consider how you might mark this occasion within your own family and community."
"Our Lady gives great graces to those who put themselves under the patronage of her Immaculate Conception," he explained. "This I know personally as my religious community has done so, as has the Archdiocese of Chicago."
Celebrations will begin Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and end the same day in 2008.
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