Full Translation: Pope’s In-Flight Press Conference on Return From Sweden... from ZENIT in Roswell, Georgia, United States for Wednesday, 2 November 2016Like
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Full Translation: Pope’s In-Flight Press Conference on Return From Sweden by ZENIT Staff
During the flight Tuesday from Malmo to Rome at the end of the Apostolic Journey to Sweden, Pope Francis met with journalists on the plane in a press conference that lasted 40 minutes.
Here is a working ZENIT translation of the transcription of the conference.
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Greg Burke:
Thank you, Holy Father. Welcome. You speak a lot of “walking together,” in reference to the different religions. We also walked a bit together, some for the first time: we have a Swedish journalist – I believe some time has passed since the last time that a Swedish journalist was on board. We begin with him. Elin Swedenmark, of the Swedish “TT” agency.
Pope Francis:
First of all I would like to greet you and thank you for the work you have done, for the cold you endured … But we left in time, because they say that this evening [the temperature] will drop by another 5 degrees. We left in time! Thank you so much. Thank you for the company and for your work.
Elin Swedenmark:
Thank you. Hello. Holy Father, yesterday you spoke of the revolution of tenderness. At the same time, we see increasingly individuals from countries, such as Syria and Iraq, seeking refuge in European countries. But some react with fear and there are even some individuals who think that the arrival of these refugees can threaten Europe’s Christian culture. What is your message for people who fear the development of such a situation, and what is your message to Sweden, which after a long tradition of hospitality for refugees, is now beginning to close its borders?
Pope Francis:
First of all, as an Argentine and as a South American, I thank Sweden very much for this hospitality, because so many Argentines, Chileans, Uruguayans in the time of military dictatorships were received in Sweden. Sweden has a long tradition of hospitality. And not just of reception but of integration, finding houses, schools, jobs immediately … so that they are integrated in a people. I was told the statistics – perhaps I am mistaken, I’m not sure – but what I remember – I could be mistaken – how many inhabitants does Sweden have? Nine million? I was told that, of these nine million, 850,000 were “new Swedes,” that is, migrants or refugees and their children. This is the first thing. Second: one must distinguish between a migrant and a refugee, no? The migrant must be treated with certain rules because migration is a right but a very regulated right. Instead, to be a refugee is to come from a situation of war, of anguish, of hunger, from a terrible situation, and the status of refugee is in need of more care, of more work. In this also, Sweden has always given an example in settling them, in having them learn the language, the culture and also integrating them in the culture. We should not be scared about the aspect of integration of cultures, because Europe was formed by a continuous integration of cultures, of so many cultures … I believe that – I don’t say this in an offensive way, no, no, but as a curiosity – the fact that today in Iceland, an Icelander, with today’s Icelandic language can practically read his Classics of a thousand years ago without difficulty, means that it is a country with little immigration, few “waves” as Europe had. Europe was formed with migrations …
Then, what do I think of countries that close their borders: I believe that in theory one cannot close one’s heart to a refugee, but the prudence of those who govern is also necessary: they must be very open to receive them, but also calculate how they can settle them, because a refugee must not only be received, but he must be integrated. And if a country has a capacity for twenty, lets say it this way, to integrate, it must do so up to this <number> — one more is one too much. But one must always have an open heart: it’s not human to close the doors; it’s not human to close one’s heart, and in the long run one pays for this. Here, one pays politically; as one can also pay politically for imprudence in calculations, in receiving more than can be integrated. Because, what is the danger when a refugee or a migrant – and this is true for both – is not integrated, is not integrated? I permit myself the word, perhaps it’s a neologism, he is ghettoized, that is, he enters a ghetto. And a culture that does not develop in relation with another culture – this is dangerous. I believe the worst adviser of countries that tend to close their borders is fear, and the best adviser is prudence.
I spoke with a functionary of the Swedish government these days, and he told me about some difficulties at this moment – this applies to your last question — some difficulties because so many are coming that there is no time to settle them, to find schools, houses, work, to learn the language. Prudence must make this calculation. But Sweden … I don’t think that if Sweden decreases its capacity for hospitality that it does so out of egoism or because it’s lost that capacity; if there is something of the sort it is because of the last thing I mentioned: today many look to Sweden because they know its hospitality, but there is not the time necessary to settle them all. I don’t know if I’ve answered <your question>. Thank you.
Greg Burke:
Thank you, Holy Father. Now a question form Swedish television: Anna Cristina Kappelin, of Sveriges TV.
Anna Cristina Kappelin:
Good morning. Sweden, which has hosted this important ecumenical meeting, has a woman at the head of its Church. What do you think of this? Is it realistic to think of women priests also in the Catholic Church in the forthcoming decades? And if not, why? Are Catholic priests afraid of the competition?
Pope Francis:
Reading a little the history of this area, where we have been, I saw that there was a Queen who became a widow three times; and I said: “This woman was strong!” And I was told: Swedish women are very strong, very good, and because of this some men look for a woman of another nationality.” I don’t know if it’s true! … On the Ordination of women in the Catholic Church: the last clear word was given by Saint John Paul II, and it remains. This remains. On competition, I don’t know …
[Question by the same woman journalist, outside the field]
Pope Francis:
If we read well the Declaration made by Saint John Paul II, it goes in that line. Yes. But women can do so many things better than men. And also in the dogmatic field — there are two dimensions in Catholic ecclesiology: the Petrine dimension, which is that of the Apostles – Peter and the Apostolic College, which is the pastoral of Bishops – and the Marian dimension, which is the feminine dimension of the Church. And I’ve said this more than once. I wonder, who is more important in the theology and the mysticism of the Church: the Apostles or Mary on the day of Pentecost? It’s Mary! What’s more: the Church is woman. The Church is “she” not “he”. The Church is “she.” And the Church is the Bride of Jesus Christ. It is a spousal mystery. And, in the light of this mystery one understands the reason for these two dimensions: the Petrine dimension, namely, episcopal, and the Marian dimension, with all that is the maternity of the Church, but in a more profound sense. The Church doesn’t exist without this feminine dimension, because she herself is feminine.
Greg Burke:
Thank you. Now there is Austen Ivereigh’s question, I don’t know if he speaks in Spanish or in porteno [Buenos Aires accent] … and if Eva Fernandez can come closer …
Austin Ivereigh (in Spanish):
Thank you very much, Holy Father. This autumn has been very rich in ecumenical meetings with the traditional Churches: Orthodox, Anglican and now the Lutheran. However, now the majority of Protestants in the world are of Evangelical, Pentecostal tradition … I understand that on the Vigil of Pentecost next year there will be a ceremony in the Circus Maximus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal. You have had many initiatives — perhaps the first time for a Pope – in 2014 with Evangelical leaders. What has happened with these initiatives and what do you hope to achieve with the gathering, with next year’s meeting? Thank you very much.
Pope Francis (in Spanish)
With those initiatives … I would say I had two types of initiatives. One when I went to Caserta to the Charismatic Church and also in the same line when I went to the Waldensian Church in Turin – an initiative of reparation and to ask for forgiveness because Catholics … a part, a part of the Catholic Church did not behave well, in a Christian way with them. So there was a need to ask for forgiveness and to heal a wound.
The other initiative was one of dialogue, and this already <happened> in Buenos Aires. In Buenos Aires, for instance, we had three meetings in Luna Park, which has a capacity for 7,000 people. Three meetings of Evangelical and Catholic faithful in the line of the Charismatic Renewal, but also open. And meetings that lasted the whole day: a Pastor, an Evangelical Bishop would preach, and a Catholic priest or a Catholic Bishop would preach, or two and two, they would vary. In two of these meetings, if not in the three, but certainly in two, Father Cantalamessa preached, who is the Papal Household Preacher.
I think this happened already with previous papacies, and when I was in Buenos Aires, this did us good. And we also had two three-day Spiritual Retreats jointly with Pastors and priests, preached also by Pastors and a priest or a Bishop. And this was of great help for dialogue, for understanding, for rapprochement, for work … especially for work with the neediest. Together and with respect, great respect. And that in regard to the initiatives, which had already started in Buenos Aires and this one is going … Here in Rome I’ve had some meetings with Pastors … two or three already. Some came from the United States and from here, from Europe.
And what you mention is the celebration being organized by the ICCRS [International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services], the celebration of the 50 years of the Charismatic Renewal, which was born ecumenical and therefore will be ecumenical in that sense, and it will be held in the Circus Maximus. I plan – if God gives me life – to give a talk there. I think it will last two days, but it’s not organized yet. I know that it will be on the Vigil of Pentecost, and I’m going to give a talk at some point. In regard to Charismatic Renewal and in regard to the Pentecostals: the word “Pentecostal,” the denomination “Pentecostal” is now ambiguous today, because it mentions many things, many Associations, many Ecclesial Communities that are not the same, they are even opposed. So we must specify more, that is, it has been so universalized that it is an ambiguous term. That is typical in Brazil, where it proliferated quite a lot.
The Charismatic Renewal <Movement> was born – and one of its first opponents in Argentina was the one speaking to you — because I was the Jesuits’ Provincial at that time when the thing began to a degree in Argentina, and I prohibited the Jesuits from getting involved with it. And I said publicly that when a liturgical celebration was to be held, something liturgical had to be done and not a school of samba. I said that. And today I think the opposite, when things are done well.
More than that, every year in Buenos Aires we had Mass once a year of the Charismatic Renewal Movement in the Cathedral, where everyone came. In other words, I also went through a process of recognizing the good that the Renewal has given the Church. And here we must not forget the figure of Cardinal Suenens, who had that prophetic and ecumenical vision.
Greg Burke:
Thank you, Holy Father. Now Eva Fernandez of the “Cope” Network, for Spanish Radio.
Eva Fernandez (in Spanish):
Holy Father, I would like to ask you this question in Italian, but I still don’t feel able to do so. Not long ago you were with Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela. What was your reaction to this meeting and what is your opinion on the start of the conversations. Thank you very much, Holy Father.
Pope Francis:
Yes, the President of Venezuela requested a meeting and an appointment because he was coming from the Middle East, from Qatar, from the other Emirates and was making a technical stopover in Rome. He had requested a meeting before. He came in 2013; then he requested another appointment, but he got sick and was unable to come; and <then> he requested this <one>. When a President makes a request, he is received; moreover, he was in Rome, during a stopover. I listened to him for half an hour during that appointment; I listened to him, I asked him some questions, and I listened to his opinion. It’s always good to hear all opinions. I listened to his opinion. In reference to the second aspect – dialogue: it’s the only way for all conflicts! – for all conflicts. Either one dialogues or one shouts, but there is no other way.
I wholeheartedly support dialogue and I believe one must go that way. I don’t know how it will end, because it is very complex, but people who are committed to dialogue are people of an important political stature. Zapatero, who was twice President of Spain’s government, and Restrepo [and all the parties] asked the Holy See to be present in the dialogue. And the Holy See appointed the Nuncio in Argentina,, Monsignor Tscherrig, whom I believe is there, to the table of the negotiations. But dialogue that fosters negotiations is the only way to come out of conflicts, there is no other … If the Middle East had done this, how many lives would have been saved! (n.d.r. in the first meeting H.E. Monsignor Tscherrig substituted H.E. Monsignor Claudio Maria Celli, who was appointed to accompany the negotiations].
Greg Burke:
Thank you, Holy Father. Now we have Mathilde Imberty of “Radio France.”
Mathilde Imberty: Holiness, we are returning from Sweden, where secularization is very strong; it’s a phenomenon that touches Europe in general. Even in a country such as France, it is estimated that in the coming years a majority of the citizens will be without religion. In your opinion, is secularization a fatality? Who are the ones responsible, the secular governments or the Church, which is too timid? Thank you.
Pope Francis:
Fatality, no, I don’t believe in fatality! Who are the ones responsible? I wouldn’t be able to say … You [that is, each one] is responsible. I don’t know; it’s a process … However, before this I want to say something. Pope Benedict XVI spoke so much about this and clearly. When faith becomes lukewarm it is, as you say, because the Church is weakened … The most secularized times … But let’s think of France, for instance, the times of the worldliness of the Court: the times in which priests were abbots of the Court, <it was> clerical functionalism … But the strength of evangelization was lacking, the strength of the Gospel. When there is secularization we can always say that there is some weakening of evangelization, that’s true … But there is also another process, a cultural process, a process – I believe I spoke about this once – of a second form of “inculturation,” when man received the world from God, to cultivate it, to make it grow, to dominate it, at a certain point man felt himself master of that culture – we think of the myth of the Tower of Babel – he is such a master of that culture that he begins to be the creator of another culture, but his own, and occupies the place of God the Creator. <He is> the self-sufficient man. It’s not a problem of secularity, because a holy secularity is needed, which is the autonomy of things, the healthy autonomy of things, the healthy autonomy of the sciences, of thought, of politics — a holy secularity is necessary. No, something else is a secularity left to us to a degree by the legacy of the Enlightenment.
I believe it is these two things: to a degree the self-sufficiency of man creator of culture but who goes beyond the limits and thinks himself God, and also to a degree weakness in evangelization, which becomes lukewarm and Christians are lukewarm. We are saved here somewhat by taking up again a healthy autonomy in the development of culture and of the sciences, also with a sense of dependence, of being a creature and not God and, in addition, taking up again the strength of evangelization. I believe that today this secularization is very strong in culture, and in certain cultures. It is also very strong in different forms of worldliness, spiritual worldliness, this is a way …, it is the worst thing that can happen to it, worse still than what happened in the time of corrupt Popes. And they mention some forms of Popes’ corruption, I don’t remember well, but so many. Worldliness: this, for me, is dangerous. And at the risk of this sounding like a sermon, a homily, I will say this: When Jesus prayed for us all at the Last Supper, He asked for all one thing of the Father: not to take us out of the world but to defend us from the world, from worldliness. It is extremely dangerous; it is a secularization that is somewhat tricky, somewhat disguised, somewhat ready-to-take away, in the life of the Church. I don’t know if I’ve answered anything …
Greg Burke:
Thank you, Holiness. Now Jurgen Erbacher of “ZDF” German television.
Jurgen Erbacher:
Holiness, a few days ago you met with the Santa Marta Group, which is concerned with the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, subjects that, according to you, you have very much at heart, not only as Pope, but already at Buenos Aires you were concerned about these subjects. Why? Was it a special experience and perhaps also personal? And then, as a German, at the beginning of the year of the commemoration of the Reformation, I must ask you if you will perhaps go this year to the country where this Reformation began 500 years ago?
Pope Francis:
I begin with the second <question>. The program of trips for the coming year is not made <yet>. Yes, we know only that it’s almost certain that I will go to India and Bangladesh, but it hasn’t been set, it’s a hypothesis.
About the first question: yes, at Buenos Aires, as a priest, for a long time I had this anxiety about the flesh of Christ — the fact that Christ continues to suffer; that Christ is continuously crucified in his weakest brothers, is <something> that always moved me. As a priest I worked, did little things with the poor, but not exclusively. I worked also with University students … Then, as Bishop of Buenos Aires we undertook initiatives, also with non-Catholic and non-believing groups against slave labor, especially of Latin American immigrants that were arriving, that <continue to> arrive, in Argentina. They take away their passport and make them engage in slave labor in industries, locked inside …. Once one of them caught fire and they had the children there on the terrace, all dead, and some who were unable to flee… They were truly slaves, and this moved me – the trafficking of persons. And I worked also with two Congregations of Sisters who worked with prostitutes, women slaves of prostitution. I don’t like to say prostitutes: slaves of prostitution. Then, once a year, all these slaves of the system had a Mass in Constitution Square, which is one of those where trains arrive – such as Termini, think of Termini – and we had a Mass there with all of them. All the organizations, the Sisters that worked there and also groups of non-believers, but with whom we worked together, all came to this Mass.
And here the same work is done. There are so many groups here in Italy of volunteers that work against every form of slavery, be it of labor or of women. Some months ago I visited one of these organizations, and the people … There is good work done here in Italy by volunteers. I would never have thought it was like this. It’s a good thing that Italy has – the volunteers. And this is due to parish priests. The Oratory and volunteers are two things that were born of the apostolic zeal of Italian parish priests. But I don’t know if I’ve answered or <if there is> something <else> …
Greg Burke:
Thank you, Holiness. We are told that if we want to eat we must go.
Pope Francis:
I thank you again for the questions, thank you so much, thank you so much! And pray for me. Have a good lunch!
[Original text: Multi-lingual] [Translation by ZENIT]
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A Reflection for All Souls Day: “My God, I Know This Place. I Am Home.” by Thomas Rosica
Why do Catholic Christians commemorate the dead during the month of November? Abbot Odilo of the great French Abbey of Cluny introduced the festival of All Souls in 998 for members of his own religious order. Later, in the 14th century, All Souls was adopted by Rome for the entire church. It is dedicated to the memory of all the faithful departed. All Saints Day and All Souls Day set the tone for the month of November. All Souls are our family and relatives, our neighbors and friends, our ancestors, that “cloud of witnesses” who accepted the godly realism of their lives, shared it with others already on earth, and continue to do so now before the throne of the Lamb in heaven.
For this reason, they are truly blessed, and give us a reason to hope, to believe, to struggle and to live.The feast of All Souls and the month of November is a source of consolation for each of us. The consoling doctrine of the Communion of Saints allows us to feel ever close to those who have died and gives us much hope in moments of despair and sadness. The holy souls in purgatory see ever more clearly what we intuit from afar. They are already within reach of eternal life, the loving arms of Jesus; but they are not yet closely within his embrace. The sting of death has been removed, but they are still sensing the pain of love which only complete union with Jesus can heal. The healing process is accomplished by the same love which makes the separation momentarily very painful. Our prayers for the faithful departed increase faith and love within us; they draw us to look upon the Son with ever greater longing.
In a very moving, personal reflection on his imminent death 20 years ago this month, in 1996, the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago wrote the book The Gift of Peace several weeks before going to God. At the end of his personal testament he wrote:
“Many people have asked me to tell them about heaven and the afterlife. I sometimes smile at the request because I do not know any more than they do. Yet, when one young man asked if I looked forward to being united with God and all those who have gone before me, I made a connection to something I said earlier in this book.
The first time I traveled with my mother and sister to my parents’ homeland of Tonadico di Primiero, in northern Italy, I felt as if I had been there before. After years of looking through my mother’s photo albums, I knew the mountains, the land, the houses, the people. As soon as we entered the valley, I said, “My God, I know this place. I am home.” Somehow I think crossing from this life into eternal life will be similar. I will be home.
Let us spend our earthly pilgrimage filling our minds with the thoughts of heaven, so that when we finally cross over into eternal life, the images we see may not be foreign, startling or strange. Let us pray that we, too, may be able to say: “My God, I know this place. I am home.”
Source:
http://saltandlighttv.org/blogfeed/getpost.php?id=1541&language=
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INTERVIEW: A Chat With Only Catholic Lay Woman Working as Spiritual Director in Sweden by Deborah Castellano Lubov
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ZENIT: What is it like to be a Catholic in Sweden, one of the most secularized countries in the world?
Andersson: When you live here, you really have to know your Catechism because people will always ask you, not what you believe in, but why you believe. As an Italian American, growing up in California, I took my faith for granted, but here it has grown to be my identity! People say, “Oh, you are Catholic because of your Italian roots.” I have to explain that I am baptised and raised Catholic, but I follow my faith because I believe in the teachings of my Church. My Catholicism has always been a curiosity for people here.
ZENIT: Why Sweden? How did you land here?
Andersson: My husband and I met as graduate students, in political science at Johns Hopkins University in the States. That was over 25 years ago. It was real culture shock when I first arrived in Sweden! The family structure is much weaker here and women are so very equal in every way. The expectation that everyone works and must be “in” the social system was quite a challenge. Then Sweden was a very homogenous society and I come from a culture where everyone is “outstanding”. Blending in is still difficult. My heart goes out to the many immigrants and refugees who have come more recently; I empathize deeply with their impressions. The Church became my home away from home, and for the first time I realized that God’s house was my house. I hope that people who come here today feel the same.
ZENIT: Tell me about spiritual direction in Sweden.
Andersson: Although I am Catholic, most of my work is in the Swedish Church and free churches. About 10 years ago, after going back to graduate studies in theology, the Jesuits in Stockholm thought I might do well leading retreats and working as a spiritual director. They sent me back to California for the 30 Day Ignatian Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and training in Spiritual Direction. At the same time, Ignatian Spirituality was starting to gain real interest here in Sweden, especially around Uppsala, the University town where the Jesuits have a Newman Institute. Soon I was getting calls and referrals from Lutheran pastors, deacons and people in the free-churches. Today, most who come to me are in these denominations.
ZENIT: What attracts Lutherans here in Sweden to this Catholic tradition?
Andersson: There is a real hunger for Ignatian spirituality here, I think because it offers such a creative encounter with Christ through engagement of the senses, a new – yet old – way of coming to God. People find this very freeing and exciting to discover the many ways the Lord speaks to us. Swedes are real nature lovers! It is no wonder, with such majestic landscapes and dramatic seasons of dark and light. This is often the first place they feel the closeness of God, in Creation.
Luther taught salvation by grace, but that message gets lost when we start to measure human value according to production and consumption, what we do and what we have. It is ironic that people who created a social system based on the collective good have created one of the most individualistic societies in the world. But, the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, highlight our giftedness. Discerning how the Lord might be inviting us to use those gifts in some new way is exciting and beneficial for all of us, Catholics and Lutherans alike! In some ways, Ignatian spirituality begins where Luther left off, and this invites us to walk together in spiritual direction.
ZENIT: How do Lutheran priests relate to you, as a Catholic lay woman, giving spiritual direction?
Andersson: First, we find common ground. We establish together that our work is serving God in the other, and finding God in all things. Our perspectives grow very similar when we try to look at the world with the eyes of God. In this way, we come to reveal our hearts to one another because we share the heart of God.
On a more personal level, of course they are curious about my background and interests, though we keep this to a minimum. To my knowledge, I am the only Catholic lay woman working as a spiritual director in Sweden, and this is a great privilege. They know that I am working on a doctorate now within the Institute for Pastoral Studies at Seattle University, in the U.S. which is a Jesuit institution; in several sessions confidants have said, “Michelle, for us, you are a pastor!”
That is not my goal, nor is it my goal to convert anyone to any other denomination. It is all about bringing each other closer to God.
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3 Lessons for Young Catholics by Bishop Robert Barron
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to around 9,000 middle school and high school students from the Catholic schools of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. They were gathered in the cavernous Galen Center at the University of Southern California, and the atmosphere in the room was electric. There was a good deal of upbeat music and games, but when Archbishop Gomez processed into the arena carrying the Blessed Sacrament for Benediction, you could hear a pin drop. There is just something uniquely moving about seeing 9,000 energetic kids suddenly falling to their knees in silent adoration.
At the very end of the morning, I came on stage to address the crowd. My first move was to ask all of the young people to scream as loudly as they could. What ensued could be compared to about 10 jet airplanes taking off at the same time, or perhaps, to a Beatles concert circa 1964. When they finally settled down, I said, “I want you to remember that sound, because if we could harness that energy for the purposes of Christ, we could transform this entire city overnight.” I do indeed believe that Vatican II’s universal call to holiness is a largely unrealized dream. Most Catholics still don’t get that their vocation is to carry their faith into the marketplace, into schools, into office buildings, into the corridors of government, into sports stadiums, and into the streets. I wanted those kids at USC at least to start thinking about this great mission.
I then shared three spiritual truths that I invited them to internalize. First, I said, if they want to be happy, they have to play an emptying game rather than a filling game. The secular culture, in a thousand ways, tells them that the key to happiness is filling up their lives with the goods of the world, more specifically, with money, sensual pleasure, power, and fame. Watch, I told them, practically any movie, listen to practically any popular song, attend to practically any pop star, and you’ll hear this message over and over again, repeated ad nauseam. But precisely because we have all been wired for God, which is to say, for an infinite happiness, none of these finite goods will ever satisfy the longing of the heart. Indeed, the more relentlessly we seek them, the less satisfying and more addictive they become. The game, instead, should be contriving a way to make your life a gift. The formula behind this resolution, I explained, is rather straightforward. Since God alone fills up the emptiness of the heart, and since God is love, then only a life of radical love will actually fulfill us and make us happy. Though it conforms to the strictest logic, this message has always been hard to take in. It has always appeared as counter-cultural.
Related: Pope: What Do All the Saints Have in Common? Genuine Happiness
The second lesson I shared was this: don’t settle for spiritual mediocrity! Quite appropriately, we strive for excellence in every arena of life: business, sports, medicine, the arts, etc. But somehow we think it’s alright to ignore the spiritual life or, if we think of it at all, to give it a modicum of our time and attention. But compared to worldly activities, the spiritual endeavor is infinitely more important, for it has, literally, eternal implications. When the young Fr. Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) took young people on camping and kayaking excursions in the forests around Krakow in the mid-twentieth century, he was instilling in them a sense of the high adventure of life with Christ. At a time when the Communist government of Poland was endeavoring to stamp out the Catholic faith, Wojtyla was summoning his young charges to be saints. And when those kids came of age, they were the great Catholic business leaders, great Catholic writers, great Catholic scientists and politicians who spearheaded the revolution that eventually led to the breakdown of the Soviet Empire. They weren’t satisfied being lukewarm Catholics, and neither, I told the young people at the Galen Center, should you.
The third spiritual lesson that I shared was this: be rebels! We worship the crucified Jesus, someone who stood so thoroughly athwart the religious, cultural, and political powers of his time that they saw fit to put him to death. Every one of Jesus’ apostles, with the exception of St. John, died a martyr’s death. Every single bishop of Rome, for the first century of the Church’s life, was put to death for his faith. And if you think the age of martyrs is over, I informed the young people, think again. The twentieth century had more who witnessed to the faith with their lives than all of the previous centuries combined. We Christians are a rebellious lot—and this should appeal to the idealism and contrary spirit of the young. And don’t tell me that the rebels are singers and pop stars! Such people, obsessed with wealth, pleasure, fame, and power, are absolutely mainstream, run of the mill, ordinary as dirt. If you want to see a real rebel, I said, take a good hard look at the recently-canonized St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, the fourteen-year-old boy killed during the Cristero uprising in the early twentieth century. Tortured, mocked, forced to march on lacerated feet, shot on the edge of his own grave, he never renounced his Catholic faith. Stand, I said, with the great rebels in the company of Christ.
What a joy it was to see so many of our young people gathered together in fellowship and enthusiasm for the Lord Jesus. May their tribe increase!
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Church in Albania Honors Its Martyrs by ZENIT Staff
By Mónica Zorita de la Morena from Aid to the Church in Need
During 40 years of communist rule in Albania—which in 1967 declared itself the first completely atheist country in the world—praying, making the Sign of the Cross, wearing a crucifix around one’s neck or any other evidence of being a believer in God were treated as crimes.
Churches, mosques and other places of worship were used as shopping centers, sports halls or theaters. That too was the fate of the cathedral of Shkodër, which was turned into a sports arena. But on Nov. 5, 2016, the cathedral will be the place where 38 Albanian martyrs will be beatified.
“Before they were tortured and executed by firing squad, they all said: ‘Long live Christ the King, long live Albania. We forgive those who kill us’,” Bishop Massafra of Shkodër told international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. Among the martyrs were a number of bishops, priests and ordinary faithful, including one woman, María Tuci.
María was a teacher and she was condemned to die for the crime of reminding students of the presence of Christ. Her death was excruciating, after she had already been arrested and tortured countless times, she was finally put in a sack along with a cat. The torturers repeatedly hit the cat with a stick and their victim later died of the injuries inflicted by the terrified animal.
Father Lazer Shantoja was tortured so severely in the environs of Tirana that his own mother begged that he be shot to death to finally put an end to his suffering.
Ndre Zadeja was the first to be executed by firing squad; he was the first martyr of the Albanian communist dictatorship that finally collapsed in 1991. He died in Shkoder.
Bishop Massafra, who serves as president of the Albanian bishops’ conference, said that all who were murdered in that city were forced to walk along a particular route that ended at the cemetery wall. There they were “tortured, spat upon, and finally executed by shooting.” The route led them past the cathedral. “This was done on purpose. It was to remind them that they were suffering because of their love for Christ,” the bishop said.
“The beatification ceremony will be a joyous festival. Thousands of Albanians all over the world will be following” the proceedings, Bishop Massafra said. “This small, but great Church has given the world Church countless martyrs,” he added. The martyrs’ beatification process was begun in 2002 and was completed in 2010. Pope Francis signed a decree that authorized the beatification to take place on Nov. 5.
Muslims, who account for some 70% of the population of Albania, were not spared either. Thousands of people lived in concentration camps or languished in prisons because they believed in God “or in Allah,” the bishop said.
There have been notable survivors of the reign of terror, including Father Ernest Simoni, who spent 28 years in a labor camp and whom Pope Francis has just made a cardinal. Then there is Sister Marije Kaleta. Both met the Pope during his recent visit to the country, leaving the Pontiff visibly moved. Bishop Massafra spoke of them as ranking among the “secret consolers of the other prisoners.” Father Simoni was able to secretly say Mass during his years of captivity.
Related: Remember the Priest Who Made Francis Cry in Albania? He’s the Only Non-Bishop on the List of New Cardinals
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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)
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Pope in November Praying for Countries Taking in Refugees by ZENIT Staff
Pope Francis is praying this month for those countries that are taking in a great number of refugees.
The Pope’s intentions for November were announced by the Apostleship of Prayer.
The Holy Father’s universal prayer intention for November is: “That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity.”
His intention for evangelisation is: “That within parishes, priests and lay people may collaborate in service to the community without giving in to the temptation of discouragement.”
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Returning From Sweden, Pope Stops at Santa Maria Maggiore by Deborah Castellano Lubov
Moments after landing in Rome’s Ciampino Airport Tuesday at 3:10 p.m.local time, Pope Francis traveled to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to offer thanks for the success of his two-day Apostolic Trip to Sweden, Oct. 31-Nov.1, for the joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation and to visit the nation’s small Catholic community.
According to a note from the Holy See Press Office, before returning to the Vatican, after landing safely at the airport, the Pope made his usual detour to go to the Marian Basilica.
The Holy Father always venerates the icon before and after his international apostolic trips.
During his time inside, Francis prayed before the ancient image of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, in silence for several minutes.
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Pope’s In Flight Presser After Visit to Sweden by ZENIT Staff
[From Vatican Radio]
ZENIT will bring our readers a full English translation of the ‘in flight presser’ as soon as possible. The original Italian transcript can be found here, on the Vatican’s website:
***
During his in-flight press conference following his visit to Sweden, Pope Francis spoke on Tuesday about a range of topics including welcoming refugees, female priests, relations with the charismatic movements, his talks with Venezuela’s President, secularisation, his upcoming journeys abroad and human trafficking.
In his traditional press conference with journalists travelling with him on the plane back to Rome, Pope Francis was asked first what is his message to those European countries who fear the arrival of refugees and for Sweden, traditionally a country that has been more welcoming to refugees and migrants than many others, but which of late, has started to close its borders. Stressing that we cannot close our hearts to refugees, in his reply the Pope praised Sweden’s example of hospitality towards refugees. At the same time he said it was very important for any country accepting refugees or migrants to make sure that they also take steps to ensure they are properly integrated into their host nations, saying this is a process that takes time. He went on to warn that a country can pay a political price if they take in more refugees than they can integrate properly. In this context, he warned against the formation of ghettos for refugee or migrant communities, saying this was a “dangerous” development that should be avoided.
Asked next how realistic it would be to foresee women priests in the Catholic Church in the coming decades, and if not, why not, Pope Francis said “the last word on this issue was clear” and had been given by Saint John Paul II and “this stands.” At the same time, he stressed that the Church itself is feminine and Mary is more important than the Apostles in terms of the theology and mysticism of the Church on the day of the Pentecost. The Church, he explained, has its Petrine dimension and its Marian dimension and said it could not exist with this female dimension.
Turning next to the Church’s relations with the Charismatic Renewal movement and Evangelical Christians, the Pope was asked for his thoughts ahead of a major event in Rome in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the former. In his reply he spoke about initiatives taken by him to strengthen and improve relations with the Charismatic Church and the Waldensian Church, both as Pope and when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires. The Pope also revealed that whereas at first he forbade the Jesuits in Argentina to have anything to do with the Charismatic gatherings, he now believed “the opposite” as long as they were “done well.”
The request for the Vatican to mediate in the crisis in Venezuela between President Nicholas Maduro and the opposition was another question put to the Pope who confirmed in his reply that the Holy See had been asked to mediate in the ongoing dispute in that country and stressed that dialogue is the only way out of this crisis.
Asked next about the phenomenon of secularisation, especially in France and whether it is inevitable, Pope Francis said he believed that this arises when the faith becomes lukewarm and noted that secularisation is very strong in many cultures. He also warned about the effects of spiritual worldliness, saying when it enters into the Church this is “the worst thing” that can happen to it.
The final question put to the Pope was about the scourge of human trafficking which was the subject of a recent conference held by the Santa Marta Group in the Vatican. In his reply, Pope Francis spoke about how moved he was when he saw at first hand the suffering of those who were the victims of human trafficking whilst he was living in Buenos Aires but also praised the work done by many volunteer groups in Italy to combat this scourge. Speaking about his plans for overseas journeys next year, the Pope said that it was “almost certain” he would be going to India and Bangladesh but there were no firm plans yet.[Courtesy of Vatican Radio]
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Collection in US Helps Elderly Priests, Religious by ZENIT Staff
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 10-11 in most U.S. parishes. Now in its 29th year, the collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and benefits nearly 33,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose religious communities lack adequate retirement funding.
The appeal raised $30.7 million in 2015, the sixth highest total in its history. As a result, the NRRO distributed $25 million to 401 religious communities across the county. Communities utilize this assistance to bolster retirement savings and subsidize such day-to-day expenses as prescription medications and nursing care. Throughout the year, additional funding is allocated for religious congregations with the greatest needs. A portion of the proceeds also supports education in retirement planning and eldercare delivery.
“The ongoing generosity toward the needs of senior religious is truly heartwarming,” said Sister Stephanie Still, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation and the newly appointed executive director of the NRRO.
The U.S. bishops initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious in 1988 to address the significant lack of retirement funding among religious communities in the United States. Proceeds are distributed to eligible communities to help underwrite retirement and health-care expenses. Since the collection began, Catholics have contributed more than $785 million. Almost 95 percent of donations directly support senior religious and their communities.
Despite overwhelming generosity to the collection, many religious communities continue to struggle to provide for aging members. Of 550 communities submitting data to the NRRO in 2015, only 8 percent were adequately funded for retirement.
Religious communities are financially autonomous and thus responsible for the care and support of all members. Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests—known collectively as women and men religious—ministered for small stipends. As a result, many religious communities now lack adequate retirement savings. Compounding the funding shortage are the rising cost of care and the substantial loss of income that has resulted from the declining number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry
“Donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious enable our office to provide financial assistance, educational programming and resources that help religious communities reduce funding deficits and plan for long-term retirement needs,” said Sister Stephanie. “Religious communities are profoundly grateful for this support and are careful stewards of each dollar received.”
More information is available at www.retiredreligious.org.
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Innovative Media Inc.
30 Mansell Road, Suite 103
Roswell, Georgia 30076, United States
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ZENIT will bring our readers a full English translation of the ‘in flight presser’ as soon as possible. The original Italian transcript can be found here, on the Vatican’s website:
***
During his in-flight press conference following his visit to Sweden, Pope Francis spoke on Tuesday about a range of topics including welcoming refugees, female priests, relations with the charismatic movements, his talks with Venezuela’s President, secularisation, his upcoming journeys abroad and human trafficking.
In his traditional press conference with journalists travelling with him on the plane back to Rome, Pope Francis was asked first what is his message to those European countries who fear the arrival of refugees and for Sweden, traditionally a country that has been more welcoming to refugees and migrants than many others, but which of late, has started to close its borders. Stressing that we cannot close our hearts to refugees, in his reply the Pope praised Sweden’s example of hospitality towards refugees. At the same time he said it was very important for any country accepting refugees or migrants to make sure that they also take steps to ensure they are properly integrated into their host nations, saying this is a process that takes time. He went on to warn that a country can pay a political price if they take in more refugees than they can integrate properly. In this context, he warned against the formation of ghettos for refugee or migrant communities, saying this was a “dangerous” development that should be avoided.
Asked next how realistic it would be to foresee women priests in the Catholic Church in the coming decades, and if not, why not, Pope Francis said “the last word on this issue was clear” and had been given by Saint John Paul II and “this stands.” At the same time, he stressed that the Church itself is feminine and Mary is more important than the Apostles in terms of the theology and mysticism of the Church on the day of the Pentecost. The Church, he explained, has its Petrine dimension and its Marian dimension and said it could not exist with this female dimension.
Turning next to the Church’s relations with the Charismatic Renewal movement and Evangelical Christians, the Pope was asked for his thoughts ahead of a major event in Rome in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the former. In his reply he spoke about initiatives taken by him to strengthen and improve relations with the Charismatic Church and the Waldensian Church, both as Pope and when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires. The Pope also revealed that whereas at first he forbade the Jesuits in Argentina to have anything to do with the Charismatic gatherings, he now believed “the opposite” as long as they were “done well.”
The request for the Vatican to mediate in the crisis in Venezuela between President Nicholas Maduro and the opposition was another question put to the Pope who confirmed in his reply that the Holy See had been asked to mediate in the ongoing dispute in that country and stressed that dialogue is the only way out of this crisis.
Asked next about the phenomenon of secularisation, especially in France and whether it is inevitable, Pope Francis said he believed that this arises when the faith becomes lukewarm and noted that secularisation is very strong in many cultures. He also warned about the effects of spiritual worldliness, saying when it enters into the Church this is “the worst thing” that can happen to it.
The final question put to the Pope was about the scourge of human trafficking which was the subject of a recent conference held by the Santa Marta Group in the Vatican. In his reply, Pope Francis spoke about how moved he was when he saw at first hand the suffering of those who were the victims of human trafficking whilst he was living in Buenos Aires but also praised the work done by many volunteer groups in Italy to combat this scourge. Speaking about his plans for overseas journeys next year, the Pope said that it was “almost certain” he would be going to India and Bangladesh but there were no firm plans yet.[Courtesy of Vatican Radio]
-------
Collection in US Helps Elderly Priests, Religious by ZENIT Staff
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 10-11 in most U.S. parishes. Now in its 29th year, the collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and benefits nearly 33,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose religious communities lack adequate retirement funding.
The appeal raised $30.7 million in 2015, the sixth highest total in its history. As a result, the NRRO distributed $25 million to 401 religious communities across the county. Communities utilize this assistance to bolster retirement savings and subsidize such day-to-day expenses as prescription medications and nursing care. Throughout the year, additional funding is allocated for religious congregations with the greatest needs. A portion of the proceeds also supports education in retirement planning and eldercare delivery.
“The ongoing generosity toward the needs of senior religious is truly heartwarming,” said Sister Stephanie Still, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation and the newly appointed executive director of the NRRO.
The U.S. bishops initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious in 1988 to address the significant lack of retirement funding among religious communities in the United States. Proceeds are distributed to eligible communities to help underwrite retirement and health-care expenses. Since the collection began, Catholics have contributed more than $785 million. Almost 95 percent of donations directly support senior religious and their communities.
Despite overwhelming generosity to the collection, many religious communities continue to struggle to provide for aging members. Of 550 communities submitting data to the NRRO in 2015, only 8 percent were adequately funded for retirement.
Religious communities are financially autonomous and thus responsible for the care and support of all members. Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests—known collectively as women and men religious—ministered for small stipends. As a result, many religious communities now lack adequate retirement savings. Compounding the funding shortage are the rising cost of care and the substantial loss of income that has resulted from the declining number of religious able to serve in compensated ministry
“Donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious enable our office to provide financial assistance, educational programming and resources that help religious communities reduce funding deficits and plan for long-term retirement needs,” said Sister Stephanie. “Religious communities are profoundly grateful for this support and are careful stewards of each dollar received.”
More information is available at www.retiredreligious.org.
-------
Innovative Media Inc.
30 Mansell Road, Suite 103
Roswell, Georgia 30076, United States
-------
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