Oct 2013 - three - abbey

21. I prefer a Church that has an accident than a sick Church: Pope to Catechists
“The first thing, for a disciple, is to be with the Master: to listen to and learn from Him. This is always the case, and it is a way that lasts a lifetime!", said Pope Francis on Friday September 27 in the Vatican while talking with about 2000 participants of the International Conference on Catechesis, organized for the Year of Faith, which met under the theme “Catechist: A Witness of Faith”.
Be "familiar" with Christ, imitate him going beyond oneself to reach out to others and not be afraid to go with Jesus into the peripheries of human existence. This is what it takes to be a good catechist, Pope Francis pointed out to catechists from 50 countries. "I too am a catechist," said the Pope, as he mentioned three "elements" for "being" a catechist, "one of the finest educational adventures," with which "the Church is built!"
"Being" a catechist, he stressed, "not 'doing' catechism, since 'being' encapsulates life. We go towards the encounter with Christ with words and life, bearing witness. 'Being' a catechist requires love, ever greater love for Christ, love for his holy people. And this love, necessarily, begins with Christ."

The pope went on to say "I like to remember that Saint Francis said, 'Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words,' before the witness of life." Putting aside his written text, he told catechists not to be "closed" in their environments, but to "go out" despite the danger of accidents on the road. In fact, " I prefer a Church that has an accident than a Church that is sick." For him, starting afresh from Christ means "to be familiar with Him." Indeed, "The first thing, for a disciple, is to be with the Master: to listen to and learn from Him. This is always the case, and it is a way that lasts a lifetime! For me, as an example , it is very important to be in front of the Tabernacle. It is like being in the presence of the Lord, letting Him look at you. This warms the heart, keeps the fire of friendship alive, makes you feel that He is really looking at you, that He is close to you and loves you."

The second element is "starting afresh from Christ" which "means imitating him in going beyond oneself to reach out to others. The more you become united with Jesus, [the more] He becomes the centre of your life, and makes you go beyond yourself. With him, you open up to others and are no longer the centre of yourself. This is love's real energy; this is the movement of God himself. God is the centre, but he is always the gift of self, relationship, life that is communicated . . . This is how we become as well, if we remain united to Christ.

The third element is also "starting afresh from Christ", which means "not being afraid to go with him in the peripheries, not being afraid of leaving our mind-sets to follow God, because God always goes beyond. God is not afraid of the peripheries. God is always faithful; he is creative; he is not closed, and for this reason, he is never rigid. He welcomes us, comes to us, [and] understands us.

22. Pope concludes Day for Catechists
Pope Francis on Sunday, September 29, urged Christians to watch out against the danger of materialism saying it robs us of our identity. “Whenever material things, money, worldliness, become the center of our lives, they take hold of us, they possess us; we lose our very identity as human beings,” the Pope said in a Mass he celebrated in St. Peter’s Square in Rome for over 100,000 catechists and evangelizers from all over the world, including Asia.
The Mass marked the culmination of the Day for Catechists, Sept. 26-29, an event of the current Year of Faith. Basing his homily on the Gospel parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the Pope explained that Christians must be on guard against “the danger of complacency, comfort, worldliness in our lifestyles and in our hearts, of making our well-being the most important thing in our lives.” When materialism takes over, we “end up becoming self-absorbed and finding security in material things which ultimately rob us of our face, our human face.” The human person is “made in the image and likeness of God, not in the image and likeness of material objects, not in that of idols!” he pointed out. Too much concern for material things can lead us to “lose the memory of God.” With this forgetfulness, Christians “become empty; like the rich man in the Gospel, we no longer have a face!”
Pope Francis held out Mary as a model for all because she maintains the remembrance of God. She “sees God’s wondrous works in her life but doesn’t think about honor, prestige or wealth; she doesn’t become self-absorbed,” noted the Pope. Instead, she goes to help others. Christian catechists should seek to be like Mary, putting the remembrance of God “at the service of proclamation, not to be important, not to talk about himself or herself, but to talk about God, about his love and his fidelity.” “The catechist, then, is a Christian who is mindful of God, who is guided by the memory of God in his or her entire life and who is able to awaken that memory in the hearts of others,” explained the Pontiff.
At the ‘Angelus’ prayer, at the end of the Mass Pope Francis noted the presence of Greek Orthodox Patriarch Youhanna X of Antioch and All the East, saying his presence ‘invites us to pray yet once more for peace in Syria and the Middle East.” The Patriarch had met the Pope privately on Saturday, where he spoke about the difficulties facing the Christian community in Syria and the surrounding region. The Holy Father also remembered Fr. Miroslav Bulešić of Croatia who was declared Blessed at a Beatification ceremony in Poreč i Pula. “Let’s praise the Lord, who gives the unarmed the strength of extreme witness,” the Pope said of the 27-year old priest who was brutally killed in 1947 under the Communist regime of Marshall Tito.


23. Pope formally creates Council of Cardinals to help in Church governance

Pope Francis has formally instituted a Council of Cardinals to help him in the governance of the worldwide Catholic Church and in the study a plan to revise the Apostolic Constitution ‘Pastor Bonus’ that governs the working of the Roman Curia, the central administration in the Vatican. A legal document to the effect was issued by Pope Francis on Monday, September 30, defining the role of the group of 8 cardinals he appointed on April 13. Among them was Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay
The legal document comes on the eve of the Pope’s first meeting with this select group of cardinals, Oct. 1-3. Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi described the Pope’s latest move as ‘another instrument that enriches the governance of the Church through a new way of consultation.” The Jesuit priest clarified that the role of cardinals is purely consultative with the final decision remaining always with the Pontiff. Fr. Lombardi drew attention to Pope Francis’ recent interview published by the Jesuit periodical, “Civiltà Cattolica’, where the Pope expressed his desire to govern the Church through consultation, which is drawn from his experience.

Currently the members of the Council of Cardinals are:

Card. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, India
Card. Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State
Card. Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, Archbishop Emeritus of Santiago de Chile
Card. Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Germany
Card. Laurent Monswengo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Card. Sean Patrick O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, USA
Card. George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia
Card. Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Bishop Marcello Semeraro, Bishop of Albano, will be the secretary.

The group of eight prelates constituting Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals continued their meetings on Wednesday, during which organization of the Synod of Bishops and the theme of the upcoming Synod Assembly were on the agenda.
The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi SJ, briefed journalists on the progress of the sessions early Wednesday afternoon, during which he told them that Pope Francis is taking an active part in the meetings, which have shifted venue from the Apostolic Palace to a conference room in the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence in the Vatican. In his opening remarks, Fr. Lombardi SJ offered a significant terminological clarification: the members of the Council were chosen by Pope Francis on the basis of their experience and their knowledge of the situation of the Church and society in their respective geographical areas, but are not properly speaking continental “delegates”.
Fr. Lombardi SJ also explained that the Council of Cardinals is conducting business in Italian. He reported that the sessions opened with a broad and general reflection on the ecclesiology of Vatican Council II. He said that the pastoral care of families will be a major focal point of discussion. The group of eight Cardinals celebrated Mass with the Holy Father in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence again on Wednesday morning, and are scheduled to do so again on Thursday.

24. Pope shares his vision of the Church with Italian newspaper

"The Pope: I will change the Church" ran a full-page headline in the Italian national newspaper, La Repubblica on Tuesday, October 1, with an interview of Eugenio Scalfari with Pope Francis, which took place on Tuesday September 24 at the Vatican. The 3-page interview covers themes such as the role of the Church in the world and on dialogue and points of contact between believers and non-believers.
In the exclusive interview, Pope Francis told the founder, Eugenio Scalfari of La Repubblica that he is seeking to change the Church so that it once again becomes “a community of God’s people”, where “priests, pastors and bishops, who have the care of souls, are at the service of the people of God”. "Our goal is not to proselytize" that "makes no sense " but "listening to the needs, desires, disappointments, despair, and hope", affirms Pope Francis in his conversation with Scalfari. He also states that "the ideal of a missionary and poor Church - embodied by St. Francis 800 years ago - is more than valid "today" to give hope to young people, help the old, open to the future, to spread love."
We need to include the excluded and preach peace, said Pope Francis, adding "for this reason the Second Vatican Council "decided to open to modern culture". This meant "religious ecumenism and dialogue with non-believers. "But" after that - says the Pope – there was very little done in that direction. I have the humility and ambition to want to do that, concluded Pope Francis.
When reflecting and answering on many issues, even the leaders of the Church - the Pope admits - were daffodils, flattered and excited badly by their courtiers. " I'll do anything to change it", because the Church must "go back to being a community of God's people" and that "the priests and the bishops are at the service of God's people."

25. Vatican’s IOR publishes its first Annual Report
The Holy See’s Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), or Vatican Bank as it’s commonly called, published on Tuesday  September 1, the first annual report in its 125 year history. The lengthy report contains description of business activities from 2012 and the first 8 months of 2013, together with detailed financial statements, including one from the external auditing company KPMG.
Talking to Vatican Radio’s Fr. Bernd Hagenkord, the President of the IOR, Ernst von Freyberg (pictured below) said that “the accounts of IOR have been audited for a long time, always by reputable international accounting firms. In 2013 they were audited by KPMG. In itself that is nothing unusual for the Institute, it is unusual that we are ready to publish.”

When asked about whether there are any new facts in the report, Freyberg said: “What is new are the details. The most surprising thing will be, how unsurprising it is. You see a rather conservatively managed financial institution safeguarding assets, investing in very conservative investments like government bonds and bank deposits. And you will see an institution highly capitalized. At the end of last year our equity ratio was 15% which is way above comparable financial institutions would have.”
Whether the publication of the report is part of a policy of transparency, Freyberg said: “That is a key element. Since March this year we have embarked on a strategy on three pillars. One is to reach out to the media and engage in a direct and open dialogue, telling the facts as they are in a systematic way. This includes that we now have a spokesperson’s office for the IOR. The second element is to create a website which can serve as an authoritative source on facts about the Institute. The third element is to publish the annual report.”
When asked as to whom is the report written, Freyberg said: “First of all we address ourselves to the Church. There are about one billion Catholics in the world, who have a right to know, what this part of the Holy See does. They also have a right to understand how we contribute to the wellbeing of the Church around the world. The second group is our partners, i.e. our correspondent banks who rely on us being a financially sound and well managed business-partner. The third group is – as you rightfully say – the media, financial analysts who may have an interest, and the public at large.”
When asked about the next step ahead, Freyberg said: “we have gone a long way on transparency and compliance, the next important for step is to look at our service to the client and see how we can improve, the products we offer, the services we offer them.”

26. Defend the Vatican from gossip: Pope to the Corps of Gendarmerie

Gossip is a prohibited language in the Vatican, because it is a language that generates evil, said Pope Francis on Saturday, September 28, during a special mass he celebrated for the Vatican police called the corps of Gendarmerie, at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens. Corps of Gendarmerie is the police force tasked with maintaining order and security within the walls of Vatican City.
“I ask you not only to defend the gates of the Vatican,” - a necessary and important work – said the Pope, but to defend “as your patron saint Saint Michael,” the doors of the hearts of those who work in the Vatican, where temptation “enters” exactly as elsewhere.
“There is a temptation – for everyone, even for me, said the Pope, a temptation that the devil likes very much: that against unity, when hidden dangers work directly against the unity of those who live and work in the Vatican. The devil tries to create internal war, a kind of civil and spiritual war. It is a war that is not waged with the weapons that we recognize: it is a war waged with the tongue.
"We ask St. Michael to help us in this war: never to speak ill of others, never open our ears to gossip. And if one hears someone gossiping, stop him! Tell him, ‘Here there can be none of that: walk out of St. Anne’s Gate. Go outside and talk there! Here you cannot!’ The good seed yes: speak well of one another, but not the poison seed of gossip.”


27. Pope Francis announces changes in Roman Curia positions

Pope Francis has implemented the following changes in the organisation of the Roman Curia, on Saturday, September 21.
- He has accepted the resignation from the role of Major Penitentiary of Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, who has reached the age of retirement. He has confirmed as successor in the same role Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, who until now was Prefect for the Congregation of the Clergy.

- In the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he has confirmed as Prefect Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, and as Secretary Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer. He has appointed as Adjunct Secretary Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia, who until now was Vice President of the Pontifical Council “Ecclesia Dei”. He has furthermore confirmed the Members and Consultants, and has appointed as Consultant Bishop Giuseppe Sciacca, Adjunct Secretary of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

- In the Congregation for the Evangelisation of the People, he has confirmed as Prefect Cardinal Fernando Filoni, as Secretary Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, and as Adjunct Secretary Archbishop Protase Rugambwa. He has furthermore confirmed the Members and Consultants.

- In the Congregation for the Clergy, he has appointed as Prefect Archbishop Beniamino Stella, who until now was President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He has confirmed as Secretary Archbishop Celso Morga Iruzubieta. He has appointed as Secretary for the Seminaries Jorge Carlos Patrón Wong, who until now was Bishop of Paplanta, elevating him at the same time to the dignity of Archbishop.

- In the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, he has appointed as Delegate of the Ordinary Section Msgr. Mauro Rivella, of the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Turin.
His Holiness has also appointed as Legate in Germany His Excellency Archbishop Nikola Eterović, was until now was General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops. He has appointed as successor in the same role His Excellency Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, who until now was Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops.His Holiness has furthermore appointed as Legate in Sierra Leone Archbishop Mirosław Adamczyk, Legate in Liberia and Gambia.
His Holiness has finally appointed as Legate and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy Giampiero Gloder, Head of Office with Special Responsibilities in the Secretariat of State, elevating him at the same time to the dignity of Archbishop.


28. Message of the Pope for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2014: Towards a Better World
Refugees: Towards a better world. That is the title of Pope Francis’ message released on September 24,  for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees which is celebrated on January 19th 2014.
The English Translation of the message:



Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our societies are experiencing, in an unprecedented way, processes of mutual interdependence and interaction on the global level. While not lacking problematic or negative elements, these processes are aimed at improving the living conditions of the human family, not only economically, but politically and culturally as well. Each individual is a part of humanity and, with the entire family of peoples, shares the hope of a better future. This consideration inspired the theme I have chosen for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees this year: Migrants and Refugees: Towards a Better World.
In our changing world, the growing phenomenon of human mobility emerges, to use the words of Pope Benedict XVI, as a “sign of the times” (cf. Message for the 2006 World Day of Migrants and Refugees). While it is true that migrations often reveal failures and shortcomings on the part of States and the international community, they also point to the aspiration of humanity to enjoy a unity marked by respect for differences, by attitudes of acceptance and hospitality which enable an equitable sharing of the world’s goods, and by the protection and the advancement of the dignity and centrality of each human being.
From the Christian standpoint, the reality of migration, like other human realities, points to the tension between the beauty of creation, marked by Grace and the Redemption, and the mystery of sin. Solidarity, acceptance, and signs of fraternity and understanding exist side by side with rejection, discrimination, trafficking and exploitation, suffering and death. Particularly disturbing are those situations where migration is not only involuntary, but actually set in motion by various forms of human trafficking and enslavement. Nowadays, “slave labour” is common coin! Yet despite the problems, risks and difficulties to be faced, great numbers of migrants and refugees continue to be inspired by confidence and hope; in their hearts they long for a better future, not only for themselves but for their families and those closest to them.
What is involved in the creation of “a better world”? The expression does not allude naively to abstract notions or unattainable ideals; rather, it aims at an authentic and integral development, at efforts to provide dignified living conditions for everyone, at finding just responses to the needs of individuals and families, and at ensuring that God’s gift of creation is respected, safeguarded and cultivated. The Venerable Paul VI described the aspirations of people today in this way: “to secure a sure food supply, cures for diseases and steady employment… to exercise greater personal resonsibility; to do more, to learn more, and have more, in order to be more” (Populorum Progressio, 6).
Our hearts do desire something “more”. Beyond greater knowledge or possessions, they want to “be” more. Development cannot be reduced to economic growth alone, often attained without a thought for the poor and the vulnerable. A better world will come about only if attention is first paid to individuals; if human promotion is integral, taking account of every dimension of the person, including the spiritual; if no one is neglected, including the poor, the sick, prisoners, the needy and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:31-46); if we can prove capable of leaving behind a throwaway culture and embracing one of encounter and acceptance.

Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more. The sheer number of people migrating from one continent to another, or shifting places within their own countries and geographical areas, is striking. Contemporary movements of migration represent the largest movement of individuals, if not of peoples, in history. As the Church accompanies migrants and refugees on their journey, she seeks to understand the causes of migration, but she also works to overcome its negative effects, and to maximize its positive influence on the communities of origin, transit and destination.
While encouraging the development of a better world, we cannot remain silent about the scandal of poverty in its various forms. Violence, exploitation, discrimination, marginalization, restrictive approaches to fundamental freedoms, whether of individuals or of groups: these are some of the chief elements of poverty which need to be overcome. Often these are precisely the elements which mark migratory movements, thus linking migration to poverty. Fleeing from situations of extreme poverty or persecution in the hope of a better future, or simply to save their own lives, millions of persons choose to migrate. Despite their hopes and expectations, they often encounter mistrust, rejection and exclusion, to say nothing of tragedies and disasters which offend their human dignity.

The reality of migration, given its new dimensions in our age of globalization, needs to be approached and managed in a new, equitable and effective manner; more than anything, this calls for international cooperation and a spirit of profound solidarity and compassion. Cooperation at different levels is critical, including the broad adoption of policies and rules aimed at protecting and promoting the human person. Pope Benedict XVI sketched the parameters of such policies, stating that they “should set out from close collaboration between the migrants’ countries of origin and their countries of destination; they should be accompanied by adequate international norms able to coordinate different legislative systems with a view to safeguarding the needs and rights of individual migrants and their families, and at the same time, those of the host countries” (Caritas in Veritate, 62). Working together for a better world requires that countries help one another, in a spirit of willingness and trust, without raising insurmountable barriers. A good synergy can be a source of encouragement to government leaders as they confront socioeconomic imbalances and an unregulated globalization, which are among some of the causes of migration movements in which individuals are more victims than protagonists. No country can singlehandedly face the difficulties associated with this phenomenon, which is now so widespread that it affects every continent in the twofold movement of immigration and emigration.
It must also be emphasized that such cooperation begins with the efforts of each country to create better economic and social conditions at home, so that emigration will not be the only option left for those who seek peace, justice, security and full respect of their human dignity. The creation of opportunities for employment in the local economies will also avoid the separation of families and ensure that individuals and groups enjoy conditions of stability and serenity.

Finally, in considering the situation of migrants and refugees, I would point to yet another element in building a better world, namely, the elimination of prejudices and presuppositions in the approach to migration. Not infrequently, the arrival of migrants, displaced persons, asylum-seekers and refugees gives rise to suspicion and hostility. There is a fear that society will become less secure, that identity and culture will be lost, that competition for jobs will become stiffer and even that criminal activity will increase. The communications media have a role of great responsibility in this regard: it is up to them, in fact, to break down stereotypes and to offer correct information in reporting the errors of a few as well as the honesty, rectitude and goodness of the majority. A change of attitude towards migrants and refugees is needed on the part of everyone, moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization – all typical of a throwaway culture – towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world. The communications media are themselves called to embrace this “conversion of attitudes” and to promote this change in the way migrants and refugees are treated.

I think of how even the Holy Family of Nazareth experienced initial rejection: Mary “gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Lk 2:7). Jesus, Mary and Joseph knew what it meant to leave their own country and become migrants: threatened by Herod’s lust for power, they were forced to take flight and seek refuge in Egypt (cf. Mt 2:13-14). But the maternal heart of Mary and the compassionate heart of Joseph, the Protector of the Holy Family, never doubted that God would always be with them. Through their intercession, may that same firm certainty dwell in the heart of every migrant and refugee.
The Church, responding to Christ’s command to “go and make disciples of all nations”, is called to be the People of God which embraces all peoples and brings to them the proclamation of the Gospel, for the face of each person bears the mark of the face of Christ! Here we find the deepest foundation of the dignity of the human person, which must always be respected and safeguarded. It is less the criteria of efficiency, productivity, social class, or ethnic or religious belonging which ground that personal dignity, so much as the fact of being created in God’s own image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:26-27) and, even more so, being children of God. Every human being is a child of God! He or she bears the image of Christ! We ourselves need to see, and then to enable others to see, that migrants and refugees do not only represent a problem to be solved, but are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved. They are an occasion that Providence gives us to help build a more just society, a more perfect democracy, a more united country, a more fraternal world and a more open and evangelical Christian community. Migration can offer possibilities for a new evangelization, open vistas for the growth of a new humanity foreshadowed in the paschal mystery: a humanity for which every foreign country is a homeland and every homeland is a foreign country.

Dear migrants and refugees! Never lose the hope that you too are facing a more secure future, that on your journey you will encounter an outstretched hand, and that you can experience fraternal solidarity and the warmth of friendship! To all of you, and to those who have devoted their lives and their efforts to helping you, I give the assurance of my prayers and I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing


29. Pope Francis: we must never resign ourselves to the pain caused by war

Pope Francis addressed participants of the International Meeting for Peace in the spirit of Assisi organised by the Rome-based Community of Saint Egidio. The meeting, held from September 29 to October 1 sees the participation of religious leaders of all denominations and of men and women who are committed to building peace in the world.
In his address, the Pope referred to the theme of this year’s event which is “The Courage to Hope” and noted that it follows in the steps of the historic 1986 meeting in Assisi that the Blessed John Paul II convened, inviting religious leaders of different Churches to pray together for peace. And he thanked the St. Egidio Community for continuing in this path, increasing the momentum, engaging in and promoting meaningful dialogue between personalities and representatives of all religions and secular humanists.
And the Pope pointed out that in the past few months it has become evident that the world needs the "spirit" that sparked that historic meeting. He said “we must never resign ourselves to the pain of entire peoples who are hostages of war, poverty, exploitation. We must not stand by helpless and indifferent before the tragedy of children, families and elderly people who are affected by violence. We can not allow terrorism to imprison the heart of a few violent people and to sow so much death and pain. Let us all say out loud, without interruption, that there can be no religious justification for violence; in whatever way it manifests itself. As Pope Benedict XVI pointed out two years ago, on the 25th anniversary of the Assisi meeting, all forms of religiously motivated violence must be stamped out, and together we must make sure the world does not fall prey to that violence that is contained in every project of civilization which is based on a "no" to God”.
“As leaders of the different religions we can do much. Peace is everyone's responsibility. Praying for peace, working for peace! A religious leader is always a man of peace, because the commandment of peace is inscribed in the depths of the religious traditions we represent. But what can we do?”
This meeting – the Pope said - suggests the way to go: “the courage of dialogue which gives hope”. In the world, in society – he continued - there is little peace also because there is no dialogue, it is hard to look beyond the narrow horizon of one’s own interests and be open to a true and sincere exchange. Peace - he said – needs a dialogue that is tenacious, patient, strong and intelligent. Dialogue can win over war. Thanks to dialogue people of different generations, who often ignore each other, can live together; just as citizens from different ethnic backgrounds and different beliefs can live together if there is dialogue. Dialogue is the way of peace. Because dialogue encourages understanding, harmony and peace. That’s why dialogue must grow and spread among people of every condition and conviction, like a network of peace that protects the world and the most vulnerable.
Pope Francis concluded his message calling on religious leaders to be true “partners in dialogue". To be active in building peace, not as intermediaries, but as authentic mediators. “Intermediaries” – he said - “seek to grant discounts to all parties in order to obtain gains for themselves. Mediators are the ones who keep nothing for themselves, but expend themselves generously, in the knowledge that the only true gain is that of peace”. Each of us – he said - is called to be an artisan of peace, uniting and not dividing, extinguishing - not conserving - hatred, opening the paths of dialogue, not erecting new walls! And he urged them to “talk and meet to establish the culture of dialogue, the culture of encounter, in the world”.
Finally the Pope remembered the legacy of that first Assisi meeting that continues to be nurtured year after year thanks also to the work of the Saint. Egidio community. He said it shows how dialogue is intimately linked to prayer. “Dialogue and prayer grow or perish together”. And he recalled that Pope Paul VI spoke of "the transcendent origin of dialogue" saying: "Religion is by nature a relationship between God and man. Prayer expresses this relationship through dialogue" (Encyclical Ecclesiam suam , 72) .
“Continue to pray for the peace of the world, in Syria, in the Middle East, in many countries of the world. May this courage of peace give the courage of hope to the world, to all those who suffer in war, to young people who look with concern to their future. Almighty God, who listens to our prayers, support us in this journey of peace.

30. Egypt Christians live fearing violence: Indian Jesuit

Head of a Jesuit school in Egypt’s Minya, Father Bimal Kerketta, has said that after President Morsi’s removal, Islamic extremists have been targeting the Christian community. The school is in danger even though three quarters of its pupils are Muslim. Minya residents complain that things are out of control in their governatorate as Islamists vent their rage indiscriminately.
"When they march in front of our church, during demonstrations organised by the Muslim Brotherhood, protesters are amazed that the building is still there," Father Kerketta said. Originally from Jharkhand in India, the priest has been in Egypt for ten years. He has been working as the principal of the school run by the Jesuits in Minya for five years.
"Each day, they gather in front of the building shouting slogans of intimidation," said Father Kerketta. Minya Governorate, which is located on the Nile south of Cairo, felt the brunt of the Islamist wrath following Mohammed Morsi's removal from power. Many local sources describe a city out of control and left to fend for itself.
"Fundamentalists have burnt and destroyed everything," a resident said. "Their aim is to remove all traces of a Christian presence here. Even orphanages have been looted." Since June 30, when the President Mohammed Morsi was ousted, at least 12 churches have been torched and destroyed in Minya alone. The number of buildings affected goes up to 20 if orphanages and other Christian-run facilities are considered.
Islamists have been targeting Christian schools and churches, museums and anything that stands for modernity. One of the country's main museums of ancient Egyptian art is located in Minya and was recently damaged and looted and about a thousand pieces stolen. Authorities said that some members of the Brotherhood were among the thugs that attacked the building.

31. Indian Archbishop Peter Prabhu passes away
We regret to inform the death of retired Indian Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Peter Paul Prabhu, who passed away Tuesday, September 10 night, in Rome. Born in Chennai, southern India’s Tamilnadu State in 1931, he was ordained priest in 1955. He entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1962, serving successively in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Chile, France and Sudan.



In 1977, he served in Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Tourism. Ten years later(1987)he was appointed Deputy Secretary of what is now called Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant people. Archbishop Prabhu was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe in 1993 and consecrated bishop the following month. He resigned in 2002 at the age of 70.