Category Archives: Papal News

A statement from the Holy See regarding the attack in Paris

Papacy

The Holy Father expresses the strongest condemnation for the horrific attack that afflicted the city of Paris this morning with a high number of victims, sowing death, throwing the entire French society into consternation, and deeply upsetting all peace loving people, well beyond the borders of France.

Pope Francis joins in prayers for the suffering of the wounded and the families of the deceased and calls upon all to oppose by all means the spread of hatred and all forms of violence, both physical and moral, which destroys human life, violates the dignity of the person, radically undermines the fundamental good of peaceful coexistence between individuals and peoples, despite differences of nationality, religion and culture.

Whatever the motives may be, homicidal violence is abhorrent, it is never justifiable, the life and dignity of all are guaranteed and protected firmly, any incitement to hatred should be refused, respect must be cultivated.

The Pope expresses his closeness, his spiritual solidarity and support for all those who, according to their different responsibilities, continue to work consistently for peace, justice and the law, to heal the deep sources and the causes of hatred, in this painful and tragic moment, in France and around the world marked by tensions and violence.

Vatican City,  January 07, 2015 [Translation by Junno Arocho Esteves]

Priesthood?

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Have you ever given this serious time to consider? If not, why not?

Perhaps begin by looking at this Facebook page.

Do you have the strength of character to give you life to minister in the Church in any other way? Every year pastoral care workers give their life to serve their communities and the Holy See makes note of them. At the end of the year their names are published. Here’s the list of those who had the fortitude to minister to others and in so doing gave their all. PastoralCareWorkerskilledin2014.doc

A day of prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the Family 2014

Today, Sunday 28th September, has been marked out as a special day of prayer for the preparations of the Synod on the Family.

Synod family pic

The Synod – a meeting of bishops – will take place from the 5th to the 9th October and will discuss the matters which were raised last year when the Church invited every member to fill out a questionnaire on family life. Pope Francis has asked for the following prayer to be recited by all the faithful during liturgical celebrations.

Prayer to the Holy Family for the Synod

 Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

in you we contemplate

the splendour of true love,

to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

grant that our families too

may be places of communion and prayer,

authentic schools of the Gospel

and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may families never again

experience violence, rejection and division:

may all who have been hurt or scandalized

find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,

may the approaching Synod of Bishops

make us once more mindful

of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,

and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

graciously hear our prayer.

AMEN.

The bishops’ conference of England and Wales have more information which can be found here.

Sorry Pope Benedict

Benedict XVI

Some years ago in 2006 when Pope Benedict gave a lecture on Faith and Reason at Regensburg, his words were quoted out of context and twisted. As such, many in the world attacked him when, in truth, he was trying to enter into an academic dialogue to help Christians and Muslims understand each other, and to learn together something of the nature of God. This interesting article offers a reflection on those words in the light of modern events, and how perhaps the world should have listened more.

http://blog.acton.org/archives/71814-dear-pope-benedict-sorry.html#.U_fBV-QOrKo.twitter

Crisis in Iraq

Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP

Sir, over the past few days I have watched with horror at the events unfolding in Iraq. Only this morning I saw a video from the Iraqi parliament of a Yazidi MP making an impassioned plea for help for her community (link below).

The Yazidi and Christian populations, among others, are facing slaughter by IS (formerly ISIS).

Recently the Papal Nuncio issued a letter to Cardinal Vincent Nichols asking for him to offer assistance in spreading a request from Pope Francis that initiatives be undertaken to highlight the plight of these people, and to offer them help and support.

Mr Crabb, please, I urge you, speak out on their behalf in our parliament, that something may be done to rescue, protect or offer humanitarian support to these most vulnerable people.

Many of my parishioners are also duly concerned, and I am sure would welcome a statement from you on this matter.

I look forward to your reply and I offer you my prayers and support for your ministry of service.

I am, yours faithfully,

Fr Liam Bradley.

 

And here’s the reply:

Dear Father Liam,

 Thank you for your recent email regarding the current situation in Iraq.

 I too am appalled by the persecution of minority groups in the country and the desperate situation many of them face. The Prime Minister has strongly condemned the treatment of the minority Yazidi community who have been trapped on Mount Sinjar. The brutal events we have seen just in the last 48 hours underline again what an abhorrent force is at work in Iraq.

 You may be aware that we are already providing humanitarian aid to the region. UK advisers have also been sent to cities under threat of occupation. We fully support the decision of the United States to agree to the Iraqi Government’s request for help in the form of targeted airstrikes. They have already destroyed some arms and equipment belonging to Islamic State, and have provided supplies to Kurdish forces who are opening a road for trapped Yazidis. While we are not joining the United States in a military capacity, we will be providing logistical support in terms of refuelling and surveillance.

 Please be assured that my Ministerial colleagues will be monitoring the developing situation in Iraq very closely.

 Thank you again for your email. If you would like to discuss this important matter further, please get in touch.

 Kind regards

 Stephen