Interview From Aleppo: ‘A Dark City’... from ZENIT in Roswell, Georgia, United States for Thursday, 8 September 2016Like
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Interview From Aleppo: ‘A Dark City’ by John Newton
Father Ziad Hilal, is a Syrian Jesuit priest who spent several years serving the Christian community in the Syrian city of Homs. He spoke Aug. 12 with international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, to report on his recent trip to Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, which is hotly contested between the regime and opposition forces.What was the situation like in Aleppo?
There is electricity for maybe one hour, two hours, a day, but not every day. Then it is a dark. Some people use generators to get electricity for a few hours. But from midnight until morning it is black—a dark city—and nothing happens.
The city is divided between the opposition and the government, and people cannot move between the different parts of the city. For many that meant not being able to go to work, losing jobs, and losing their homes.
Are there any signs of hope?
The Churches and Christian organizations provide a sign of hope. There are many services, funded by Aid to the Church in Need, Jesuit Relief Services, other agencies, as well as the local bishops, to help Christians to stay in their land—and also to offer aid to the Muslim people. For example, there is a local soup kitchen that gives out 7500 meals a day; it is run by both Christians and Muslims, and many of the beneficiaries are Muslims. The problem in Syria is not between Christians and Muslims—and this relief work shows how our Church is working for reconciliation.
Can you give us an example of how families are suffering?
There are many poor families without work. One Catholic family has three children—ages 7, 8 and 14—working in a restaurant. Their father has died, we don’t know how, and their mother is also working. I choked up when the owner of the restaurant told me he could not say no to these children, even though business is slow—it’s because they are helping their mother, the man said.
What can you say about the military situation? Rebels have driven deeper into the city, reports say.
It is chaos now—and not only in Aleppo but throughout Syria; there is fighting everywhere; we speak a lot about Aleppo but let’s not forget the other cities. It is the same situation, our country is divided now. The only way out is through dialogue among Syrians themselves. Using weapons we have not been able to arrive at a resolution. We have to work for peace—that’s most important. This is our cry today: that peace in Syria is possible. This the only hope for us.
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Aid to the Church in Need is an international Catholic charity under the guidance of the Holy See, providing assistance to the suffering and persecuted Church in more than 140 countries. www.churchinneed.org (USA); www.acnuk.org (UK); www.aidtochurch.org (AUS); www.acnireland.org (IRL); www.acn-aed-ca.org (CAN)www.acnmalta.org (Malta)
Pope’s Morning Homily: Peace Is Born in Small Places
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 September, 2016
[From Vatican Radio]Resuming the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta after the summer break, Pope Francis, in his homily, spoke about the importance of working for peace in small, daily actions – because, he said, it is in small daily gestures that peace on a global scale is born.
It is not so much great international meetings that produce peace, he said. Rather, peace is a gift from God which is born in small places: in the heart, for instance; or in a dream, as happened to St Joseph when the angel told him not to fear to take Mary as his wife, because she would give the world “Emmanuel”, that is, “God with us.” And “God with us”, the Pope said, “is peace.”
A gift we work for each day
The Pope began his reflection from the liturgy, which pronounces the word “peace” from the very first prayer. The Holy Father focused on the words of the opening prayer, “that we might all grow in unity and in peace.” We must work “to grow” in peace, he said, because peace is a gift “that has its own life journey”; and so, each one of us must work to develop it:
“And this path of saints and sinners tells us that we too ought to take this gift of peace and make it the path in our own life, make it enter into us, make it enter the world. Peace is not made overnight; peace is a gift, but a gift that must be taken up and worked on every day. For this reason, we can say that peace is a gift that is crafted in the hands of men. We men and women, each day, should take a step towards peace: It is our work. It is our work with the gift we have received: to make peace.”
War in our hearts, war in the world
But how can we succeed in this objective? the Pope asked. He pointed to a specific word in the liturgy of the day, which speaks of “littleness”: that of Mary, which is celebrated at Christmas, and also that of Bethlehem, “so small that you are not even on the maps,” as Francis paraphrased:
“Peace is a gift, it is a handcrafted gift that we must work for every day; but doing so in the small things, in daily ‘littleness.’ Great manifestations for peace, great international encounters, are not enough if peace is not then made in little things. On the contrary, you can speak of peace with splendid words, putting together a great conference… But if in your little things, in your heart, there is no peace, in your family there is no peace, in your neighbourhood there is no peace, in your place of work there is no peace, there will not be peace in the world.”
The question to ask
Pope Francis suggested that we should ask God for the grace of “the wisdom to make peace, in the little things of each day, but aiming at the horizons of the whole of humanity,” especially today, in which “we are living a war and all are seeking peace.” And in the meantime, he said, it would be good to start with this question:
“How is your heart, today? Is it at peace? If it is not at peace, before speaking of peace, make sure your own heart is at peace. How is your family, today? Is it at peace? If you are not able to bring peace to your family, your rectory, your congregation, bringing it more peace, then words of peace for the world are not enough. This is the question that I would like to ask today: How is the heart of each one of us? Is it at peace? How is the family of each one of us? Is it at peace? That’s how it is, isn’t it? To achieve peace in the world.”
Pope to Benedictine Abbots: Found New Communities; the Church Needs You
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 September, 2016
Pope Francis today received in audience some 250 participants in the congress of Benedictine abbots and abbesses gathered in Rome to reflect on the monastic charism received from St. Benedict and their faithfulness to it in a changing world.
This theme acquires special meaning in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy since, as Francis affirmed, “if it is only in the contemplation of Jesus Christ that we perceive the merciful face of the Father, monastic life constitutes a privileged route to achieve this contemplative experience and to translate it into personal and community witness”.
Today’s world clearly demonstrates the need for a mercy that is the heart of Christian life and “which definitively manifests the authenticity and credibility of the message of which the Church is the depository, and which she proclaims. And in this time and in this Church, called to focus increasingly on the essential, monks and nuns safeguard by vocation a peculiar gift and a special responsibility: that of keeping alive the oases of the spirit, where pastors and faithful can draw from the wellsprings of divine mercy.”
With the grace of God and seeking to live mercifully in their communities, monks and nuns “announce evangelical fraternity from all their monasteries spread out in every corner of the globe, and they do so with that purposeful and eloquent silence that lets God speak out in the deafening and distracted life of the world”.
Therefore, although they live separated from the world, their cloistered life “is not barren: on the contrary, an enrichment and not an obstacle to communion”.
Their work, in harmony with prayer, enables them to participate in God’s creative work and shows their “solidarity with the poor who cannot live without work”.
Their hospitality allows them to encounter the hearts of the “most lost and distant, of those who are in a condition of grave human and spiritual poverty”, and their commitment to the formation of the young is highly appreciated. “Students in your schools, through study and your witness of life, can too become experts in that humanity that emanates from the Benedictine Rule. Your contemplative life is also a privileged channel for nurturing communion with the brothers of the Oriental Churches”.
“Your service to the Church is very valuable”, he concluded, expressing his hope that the Congress may strengthen the Federation so that it is increasingly at the service of communion and cooperation between monasteries and urging the Benedictines not to be discouraged if their members age or diminish in number. “On the contrary”, he emphasised, “conserve the zeal of your witness, even in those countries that are most difficult today, with faithfulness to your charism and the courage to found new communities”.
Pope: People Are Looking to Believers to See How We Care for God’s Creation
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 September, 2016
The importance of holistic ecology, the role of religions in the care of the environment and the fundamental value of dialogue were three of the key themes considered by Pope Francis in this morning’s address to participants in a symposium organised by the Organisation of American States and the Buenos Aires Institute for Interreligious Dialogue, held in the Augustinianum Institute, Rome and entitled “America in dialogue: our common home”.
The event focused on the study of the encyclical Laudato Si’ , dedicated to the importance of loving, respecting and protecting our common home, and the Pope commented on the relevance of supporting an integral ecology, in which respect for creatures enables us to recognise their inherent value, and which places the human being at the apex of creation.
“For example, an interesting thing would be if each one of you were to ask if your country, your city, your environment, your religion, your religious community, the schools, have incorporated this. I think that we are at kindergarten level in this. Or rather, to incorporate responsibility, not only as a subject but as awareness, as part of a holistic education”.
“Religions have a very important role in this task of promoting care and respect for the environment. Faith in God leads us to recognise Him in His creation, which is the fruit of His love for us, and which requires us to care for and protect nature. For this reason, it is necessary for religions to promote genuine education, at all levels, that helps to disseminate a responsible and careful attitude towards the demands of care for our world, and in a special way, to protect, promote and defend human rights. … Interfaith cooperation, based on the promotion of sincere and respectful dialogue, is fundamental … and must be based on one’s own identity and the mutual trust that arises when we are capable of recognising the other as a gift of God, and accepting that he or she has something to tell us. … The believer is a defender of creation and life, and cannot remain silent or passive in the face of so many rights disregarded with impunity. Men and women of faith are called to defend life in all its stages: physical integrity and fundamental freedoms such as freedom of conscience, of thought, of expression and of worship”.
“The world constantly watches us, believers, observing our attitude to our common home and towards human rights; it also requires us to collaborate with men and women of goodwill, who do not profess any religion, so as to offer effective responses to the scourges of our world, such as war and hunger, the poverty that afflicts millions of people, the environmental crisis, violence, corruption and moral degradation, the crisis of the family and of the economy, and above all the lack of hope. Today’s world suffers and is in need of our help. Do people realise that this is light years away from any form of proselytism?”
Francis underlined that sadly we often see the name of religion used to justify atrocities such as terrorism and to sow fear and violence; as a consequence, religions are frequently regarded as being to blame for the evils that surround us. Therefore, “it is necessary to condemn jointly and roundly these abominable actions, and to distance ourselves from anything that seeks to poison minds, to divide us and to harm our coexistence; it is necessary to show the positive values inherent in our religious traditions to make a strong contribution to hope”.
“This meeting takes places within the year dedicated to the Jubilee of mercy”, he remarked at the end of his address. “This has a universal value that applies both to those who believe and those who do not, since God’s merciful love knows no limits: neither of culture, nor race, nor language, nor religion; it embraces all those who suffer in body and in spirit. Similarly, God’s love envelops all creation; and we as believers have the responsibility to defend, care for and heal that which is in need. May this Jubilee Year be an opportunity for opening up further space for dialogue, to reach out to our brother who suffers, and to battle to ensure that everyone has a place in our common home and no-one is excluded. Every human being is the greatest gift that God can give”.
Friday in the USA Is Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 September, 2016
From the bishops’ Justice, Peace and Human Development Commission:
USCCB president, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, recently announced a Day of Prayer for Peace in our Communities, to be celebrated in faith communities across the country on September 9.
In interviewing numerous faith communities in preparation for this day about their responses to violence, racial tensions, and systemic racism, we have encountered amazing stories of deep faith, persevering hope, and effective action to build peace and counter racism.
In West Baltimore, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church was on the front lines in responding to unrest that followed the death of Freddie Gray. Parishioners continue to build on efforts begun four years ago to address neighborhood safety and improve community-police relations. They also participate in Bishop Madden’s prayer walks in neighborhoods plagued by violence.In Ferguson, MO, parishioners at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta are engaging a “Lean In” listening process across cultures and raising awareness about racial issues. Children at the parish school study saints of various cultures to reflect on how they can imitate these heroes by engaging in efforts for dialogue and peace. All around St. Louis, MO, parishes are joining with congregations of other denominations so that people of faith can have Sacred Conversations on Race (+ Action), which challenge participants to encounter one another and discuss the uncomfortable topic of racism.
In Dallas, TX, Holy Trinity Catholic Church is working with other faith groups to improve police-community relations and work on racial and economic justice. Because of the interfaith group members’ long work to build relationships with law enforcement, Holy Trinity and others were prepared to respond immediately when the recent shooting of police offices occurred. They now seek to address problems with housing, healthcare access, and payday lending that are connected to racial disparity.
Other stories of hope abound—in Minneapolis, New Orleans, Savannah, Springfield, and countless other cities.
If you feel as inspired by these stories as we do, then take that as a sign of encouragement from the Holy Spirit to discern how your own community might be called to respond.
Here’s how you can get started.
Pray Together. Use these prayers from the USCCB during Eucharistic celebrations. Gather to pray and reflect. Many faith communities are using the bishops’ letters on Brothers and Sisters to Us and What We’ve Seen and What We’ve Heard, as well as Bishop Braxton’s The Racial Divide, as starting points for reflection and discussion. You can access all of these on the USCCB racism pageas well as a video, other reflections materials, and more. The WeAreSaltAndLight.org diversity and racial justice page also contains some excellent resources for reflection.
Reach Out Together. Create intentional opportunities for members of your faith community to listen to the stories and experiences of people of ethnicities, languages, and cultures different from their own. This resource on Building Relationships, Creating a Culture of Encounter through One-to-Ones can help guide your efforts for encounter. Another fantastic resource for facilitating encounter between different ethnic groups within a faith community is PICO’s Year of Encounter with Pope Francis program.
Bring what you’ve learned through reaching out to pray and reflect on the hard questions. Gather with other representatives, including decision makers, in your faith community and ask the hard questions: Does the leadership of our institution reflect the diversity of those we serve? Are the many faces of the diverse body of Christ represented in decision-making processes? How are we inviting and forming leaders? Who is missing around the table? In our worship together, and in activities of our community, do we cultivate welcome, hospitality, and participation for people of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds? How do we invite our members to reflect about and understand racism? Privilege? The dignity of all people? Whose untold story do we need to listen to? Are we preaching on, and praying together about, these difficult issues? How are we currently working to change perspectives and address the causes of racism?
Learn Together. Make an effort to learn more about racial disparities and the causes of racial tension. Learn about the historical struggle for racial justice in the United States and some of the challenges that remain. In recent years, there has been ample media coverage on disparities in education, housing, employment, the justice system, and other areas. Use the Process for Group Discernment to draw from your experiences of prayer, reflection, encounter, and study to discern what action the Holy Spirit might be calling you to take as a community.
Act Together. Some of the faith communities highlighted above chose to reach across faith traditions, joining ecumenical and interfaith efforts to work together on racial and economic justice. You can discover what efforts might already be happening in your community at the PovertyUSA.org website. Other communities felt called to commit to practical changes in the ways they practice hospitality, cultivate leaders, and celebrate cultural traditions. Others are just beginning, but are engaging in important encounter and dialogue that can lay the groundwork for future efforts.
What is the Holy Spirit calling you to do, together with your family, neighborhood, parish, school, or other faith community? What will be your first step?
Director of Rome’s Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital Visits Pope
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 September, 2016
On Tuesday, Pope Francis received in audience Mariella Enoc, president of the Executive Council of the Vatican’s Bambino GesuPediatric Hospital.
The Hospital, whose headquarters are on the Janiculum Hill, close to the center of Rome, gives care to children who come to the capital from Italy and from other countries.
“I felt I was at home, as the dialogue was very simple and sincere,” said Dr. Mariella Enoc to Vatican Radio. After the audience in Casa Santa Marta, she took an apparatus for ultrasounds, donated by the Hospital, to the Vatican’s pediatric dispensary.
“The Pope listened to me very much, with that capacity he has for listening, and looking at me in the eyes.,” said Dr. Enoc. He “encouraged me to continue my work in the Hospital” and he assured “the support of the Secretary of State.” In addition, he exhorted that the “Hospital go forward and be always a great work of charity.”
Dr. Enoc also discussed with Pope Francis the initiative to build a pediatric hospital in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, a “project that interested the Pope very much.” He “promised his personal financial help.” She explained the “adoption” they are undertaking of this hospital, giving formation to the doctors with a school specializing in pediatrics and the construction of pavilions, which today are only field tents.
Another project she discussed is agricultural, which the Bambino GesuHospital is carrying out with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and “which could become an important resource of work for individuals,” helping to ward off emigrations.
Dr. Enoc told the Pope that “many children are arriving from many parts of the world” in the Hospital she directs, including children “who do not have the possibility to pay for treatment.”
“We receive them because this must be a Hospital that witnesses Christian values,” she said. Moreover, the works of scientific research that the Bambino Gesu carries out must be divulged as much as possible so that all can take advantage of them, she added.
In fact these days this Roman Hospital is taking part in the Jubilee of the Universities and of Research Centers, which will end on September 10 in an audience with the Pontiff in Saint Peter’s Square.
“The Jubilee is always a time to rediscover and propose again the human and social value of health care and the cure of the sick,” Dr. Enoc said in a press release. A Jubilee that in addition is “a precious occasion to call attention to this key aspect of life and of Christian testimony: the cure of the sick, which has always accompanied the life of the Church,” she said.
Pope Congratulates Cardinal Scola for 25th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination
Posted by ZENIT Staff on 8 September, 2016
Pope Francis sent a letter of good wishes last month to the Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Angelo Scola, for his 25 years as a bishop.
John Paul II appointed Angelo Scola the bishop of Grosseto on July 20, 1991. He was consecrated Bishop on September 21, 1991 by Cardinal Bernardin Gantin.
After heading the Diocese of Grosseto, in 1995 he took on the post of Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University.
On January 5, 2002, he was appointed Patriarch of Venice and created Cardinal on October 21, 2003.
He entered the Archdiocese of Milan on September 25, 2011.
Here is a translation of the Holy Father’s Letter.
* * *
To Our Venerable Brother
ANGELO SCOLA
Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church
Metropolitan Archbishop of Milan
The exercise of the pastoral office that has been entrusted to us from on high commits us with joy to render participants of our solicitude the sacred Pastors who, among the Christian faithful, are at the service of the Most High God under the gentle yoke of divine mercy. While they commit all their strength for the salvation of the souls of the Lord’s flock, they must be ardent in genuine concord in living fraternal charity with fervor: therefore, we company them especially with our prayer.
Hence with singular attention, O Venerable Brother of Ours, we now give to you our encouragement and our attention: in fact, it is granted to us to be able to enjoy the help of your industriousness in our task of providing for the needs of the Church, just as it is given to the clergy and to the people of God to be able to draw ever more abundantly the treasures of salvation: therefore we wish to express to you our benevolence, from the moment that on September 21 of this year you will celebrate the silver jubilee of the 25th anniversary of your Episcopal Ordination and, at the same time, with this Letter we wish to congratulate you earnestly for your pastoral activity.
In fact, after the studies of Philosophy and once those of Theology were concluded, on July 18, 1970 you received Presbyterial Ordination and immediately, in keeping with your particular vocation, you committed yourself for the good of the children of God, especially in cultivating ecclesiastical studies for the benefit of the universal Church (cf.Optatam totius, n. 18).
After acquiring numerous merits, on July 20, 1991 you were appointed Bishop of Grosseto, thus receiving that particular gift thanks to which all of us were made ministers, clothed with sacred power at the service of our brothers, so that all of those that belong to the people of God – and therefore have true Christian dignity –, are able to attain salvation (cf.Lumen gentium, n. 18). In 1995 you were entrusted with the office of Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University; then, in 2002, you were promoted to the distinguished Patriarchal See of Venice, and on October 21, 2003 you were elevated to the dignity of Cardinal with the title of the Holy Twelve Apostles. Finally, on June 28, 2011 you were called to lead the very beloved Christian people of Milan, of whom you are now Pastor.
However, it is also opportune to recall the solicitous and excellent work you did as a Member in many institutions of the Apostolic See. Truly, O Venerable Brothers of Ours, great are in you the signs of God and powerful His admirable works who gave skill to men that He might be glorified in His marvellous works (Sirach 38:6). We know you are particularly committed in the supreme task of proclaiming the Gospel to the peoples and of spreading the presence of the Church; with the exercise of such a ministry, guiding the Lord’s flock with solicitude, you have taken to heart the care of all the responsibilities, which refer to the college of Pastors of the Church to whom in the their totality Christ has entrusted in common the task of spreading the Christian name and procuring with all your strength that they be laborers in the Lord’s harvest and that the necessary spiritual aids are offered, promoting always the active collaboration of the faithful and of the clergy.
Congratulating you, therefore, O Venerable Brother of Ours, for the works you have carried out in the Lord’s vineyard, we pray that God will render joyous the day of your anniversary and grant you, through the intercession and protection of Saint Ambrose, to strengthen your Church with the example of a holy life, to teach her with the word of preaching, to protect her with prayers and supplications, and to be a guide of the people with the wisdom of your word (cf. Sirach 9:24) and defense of your people (cf. Sirach 49:17).
Finally, we wish to accompany you with Our Apostolic Blessing, which we impart to you as if we were present, and we extend it to the beloved sons and daughters of the Christian people of Milan, to all those who will take part in the celebration of your jubilee and to all those you hold dear in your heart; we ask all of them to pray so that we can fulfill the Petrine ministry conscientiously and wisely.
From the Vatican,
August 10, 2016, Year of the Jubilee of Mercy, the Fourth of Our Pontificate.
Interview With Mother Teresa’s Albanian Biographer
Posted by Rocío Lancho García on 8 September, 2016
As devotees of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta continue to relish the celebration of her canonization, ZENIT offers you this interview with her biographer, Father Lush Gjergji, present Vicar General of the Diocese of Kosovo, conducted in the lead-up to the Sept. 4 festivities.
ZENIT: How did you first meet Mother Teresa?
Father Gjergji: My first personal meeting was in 1969 in Rome and, since then, I never “separated” myself from her. I had the sensation immediately of having before me a living saint and I decided to dedicate a good part of my life to get to know her up close: who was Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, her childhood, family life, life in the parish community, why she decided to be a missionary Sister in Calcutta, in India, and how she was able to be so holy and so great. I have written about all this and published it in 15 volumes, books dedicated to the life, work and spirituality of Mother Teresa, and so thank God and Mother Teresa for this great and beautiful presence worldwide.
ZENIT: What is your most important memory of her?
Father Gjergji: The five visits to Kosovo and the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1979 in Oslo, with her brother Lazer Boajaxhiu, her niece, and others. Also 10 days of visit in Calcutta in 1989, when she was in hospital and there was fear she wouldn’t come out alive.
ZENIT: Describe your relationship with her?
Father Gjergji: Very cordial, friendly, maternal, open and sincere. She called me “my priest,” afterwards “God’s cook” … uniting herself through me with the Diocese and Albanian people of her origin. She suffered much from the lack of contact with her mother Drane nee. Bernaj-Bojaxhiu and her sister Age Bojaxhiu, from whom she was separated in September of 1928, in Zagreb’s train station, before beginning her train trip to Ratferharm, Ireland. Also because of the religious persecution in Albania … Mother Teresa accepted everything and offered it to the Lord.
ZENIT: What impressed you most during the years you spent with Mother Teresa?
Father Gjergji: During these years of knowledge, friendship and collaboration I had many lovely and significant experiences that I will never forget. I was very impressed by the depth of her faith in prayer, in Adoration, and in Eucharistic celebrations, especially her simplicity, humility, but above all the serenity and sanctity she lived and expressed with every gesture, word and step of life and in her daily activities.
ZENIT: What does the Canonization mean for you of a person you knew so well?
Father Gjergji: Already with the Beatification, and even more so with the Canonization, my “protagonist” is, for me, an immense gratitude and joy. To tell the truth, just after her death – and as Mother Teresa said “the return to the House of the Father,” I prayed and entrusted myself to her intercession. Our communication continues now with the strength of the faith and the inspiration of love. I feel her always close and alive.
ZENIT: Mother Teresa is much admired throughout the world for her choice of the poorest. What did you admire most in the Saint?
Father Gjergji: <I admired most> her value of the suffering of the poor, the abandoned, the lepers, saying that peace would come to the world through them; also the solidarity, the sharing and help of the rich, which she expressed <as> the constant function of Providence and aid for the charity.
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