Catholic News 2

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday gave his support to an international conference on the protection of the cultural heritage in conflict zones, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi on 2-3 December.

The Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage Conference is being organized by France and the United Arab Emirates under the auspices of UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency.

The conference will involve representatives from more than 40 countries, as well as public and private institutions involved in heritage conversation.

Pope Francis said the theme is “unfortunately starkly current.”

“In the conviction that the protection of cultural treasures constitutes an essential dimension in the defense of what it is to be human, I hope that this event marks a new step in the process of the implementation of human rights,” the Holy Father said.

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The Catholic Diocese of Lae in Morobe, Papua New Guinea celebrated its golden anniversary earlier this month. The historical celebration took place at St. Mary’s Primary School grounds.

The joyful milestone was punctuated by various cultural representations and was witnessed by thousands of faithful from the diocese, well-wishers from the region as well as visitors from outside PNG.

The Apostolic Nuncio of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Archbishop Kurian Matthew Vayalunkal was the main celebrant and several PNG Bishops and priests concelebrated the Holy Eucharist. The Nuncio solemnly blessed the diocese and its people and paid special gratitude to missionaries of the past and present for the fruit of their labour visible in Morobe Province.

“We are gathered here to remember the 50th anniversary of our Diocese of Lae. This is the right occasion to remember the history of the Church in our country, PNG. We rejoice, we give praise, and we go forth,” said the Apostolic Nuncio, during the homily.

Bishop Christian Blouin of the Diocese of Lae’s also gave thanks to the pioneers of the diocese saying, “four pioneers  must be acknowledged at this occasion. Fr. Anthony Mulderink, one of the four pioneers who was  there present to witness the occasion was thanked along with his pioneer-brothers of Mariannhill for their work.  He also extended this gratitude to the people of PNG for their good will; friends of the diocese overseas, for being helpful to the diocese and all people who have contributed in making the Diocese of Lae become what it is to this day.

The Vicar General of the Diocese, Fr. Arnold Schmitt observed that the main work of the early missionaries was education and the formation of Catholic Christian families and they have continued to do that by reading the signs of the time.  He added that the growing number of street kids is worrying and that they are trying to find ways of addressing that as well as the many other new challenges.

The existence of the Catholic Church in Morobe Province goes back to the time of the gold rush in Wau and Bulolo in 1927. However, the existence of the Diocese of Lae began with the mandate of Pope John XXIII on 18 June 1959 when the newly erected Vicariate of Lae was entrusted to the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill (CMM). The number of diocesan inhabitants was about 187,000. Of these, approximately 1,750 were Catholics.

Among the first priorities of the newly established Vicariate of Lae was education. The first Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood arrived in June 1962 and later other international congregations arrived and serve in the field of pastoral, social work and education.

In a nutshell, the Diocese of Lae has grown from modest beginnings with less than 2,000 Catholics to more than 30, 000 at present.  As it celebrates 50 years of erection and as new pastoral challenges arise, the Diocese of Lae looks forward to new approaches of evangelising, proclaiming, sanctifying and serving the Melanesian Missionary Church in Oceania.( Fr. Brian Nonde CMM)

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday met the Oscar-winning movie director Martin Scorsese whose latest film “Silence” recounts the persecution of a group of Jesuit missionaries in 17th century Japan. In an interview with Vatican media, Scorsese spoke about his latest movie project, his past films, his life growing up in the noisy slums of New York and why he now values silence so much. Scorsese spoke to Vatican Radio’s Sean Patrick Lovett.

Listen to the interview with the movie director Martin Scorsese:

Scorsese said the making of his latest film “Silence” was a long-term project plagued by obstacles and interruptions due to ill health and other issues.  He described how the actual shooting of the film with many of the outdoor scenes filmed in remote mountainous terrain, often ankle-deep in mud, was physically very gruelling for him and all the others involved but he never wanted to abandon the project.

Asked about the film’s title and what silence meant for him, Scorsese explained that it had taken him a long time over the course of his life to learn to seek out and appreciate the value of silence. He described how he grew up in the tenement slums of New York amidst a “cacophony” of sound from the streets and surrounding houses and the only silent place he could find then was in the old St. Patrick’s Cathedral of New York City, saying “I spent a lot of my time there.” Scorsese revealed that as part of his recent quest for more peace and quiet in his life, one of the rooms in his house has been specially sound-proofed. 

The Oscar-winning director spoke about some of his earlier films which he said were full of noise and often very “frenetic” but pointed out that in this latest movie there is no music on the soundtrack and instead there are the background sounds of the landscape and the birds. He described it as a way of “finding out what silence sounds like.”

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(Vatican Radio) The predominantly Christian migrant community from the North Eastern states of India and Nepal, mostly comprising of students and working youth found themselves ‘at home’ under the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

The commission for the migrants in the archdiocese of Bangalore organized  a one day orientation programme for the  migrant Christian community on Sunday, at  St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Bangalore.   

Around 600 participants which included Khasis, Tangkhuls, Mizo, Nepalis, Garos, Bodos, Jaintias, Wanchos, Arunachallis and other ethnic groups, along with the priests and religious sisters who are caring for them under various ministries for the migrants, took part in the programme.

The day began with “Praise and worship” led by the NECCB (North East Catholic Community Bangalore) and BCCM (Bangalore Christian Community of Meghalaya). The groups led the audience into a prayerful mood through their prayers and devotional hymns. During the praise and worship, participants were given time for the Sacrament of reconciliation and personal spiritual direction.

Fr. Anthony Joseph SJ, the rector of Jesuit College Community, in his message, stressed the oneness of The Northeastern Migrant community living in and around Bangalore. The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Fr. David, from Darjeeling diocese, along with 9 concelebrants who were from north east and spiritual directors for various migrant communities.

At the cultural programme held thereafter, the different ethnic groups showcased their rich cultural heritage, by donning their colourful traditional attire and displaying ethnic dances to the soulful tunes and rhythms of the North East.

Archbishop Bernard Moras welcomed and assured support to the Northeast and Nepali Catholics working and studying in Bengaluru.  “We organized this programme to welcome you and make you feel at home during your stay in Bengaluru”. 

During the interaction with dignitaries,  Mr. Bah Iada Marthing, an IPS officer in Bengaluru from Shillong, who works as the Superintendent of Police said, “If we are genuine and truthful in our work and duty there will be peace and harmony.” He spoke about the consciousness of our Human Rights and dignity while living in other states and the need to adapt to the culture of the local people. Mr. Amednent Kyndait, the leader of BCCM shared with the participants his joy by saying, “It was a home coming experience”.

Fr. Solomon Thezii, a priest from the diocese of Imphal (Manipur State) said, “I feel happy that the archdiocese welcomes everyone without any reservation and accept them in their midst”.  Mr. Hormi Shimray, the leader of NECCB shared his feeling, “I feel strengthened and supported being with everyone as one family”.

Fr. Shaju Kalappurakkal SCJ, executive secretary  for the commission for the migrants in the archdiocese of Bangalore  expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people saying “My heart is with the people from the Northeast and I was very happy that everyone turned up to my expectations for the programme, and it is you who make the gathering successful.”

 Rosalin Warhjari, one of the participants remarked that the gathering was a sign of unity among people of Northeast in Bengaluru. It was a special occasion for 150 girls from the Garo community working in the garments industry and other such groups to participate in such a gathering outside their workplace. Fr. Martin Puthusserry SJ, the general secretary, expressed his gratitude and said “We are blessed with a group of people who come from different cultures and who thereby enrich our understanding of a social and a  global reality.”

At the end of the programme, Nokme n Sagma, thanked everyone for their presence and for their availability for such programmes.

The archdiocese of Bangalore formed the commission for the migrants in the year October 2015.  Ever since, the commission has been organizing various programmes for the migrant communities in the archdiocese of Bangalore. It is for the first time that the commission organized such a programme for the migrant Christian community from the North East and Nepal.

(report: Fr. Shaju Kalappurakkal SCJ)

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Vatican City, Nov 30, 2016 / 08:18 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday, Pope Francis added world famous director Martin Scorsese to the list of Hollywood stars he has welcomed for a private meeting in the Vatican, following an official Rome preview of Scorsese’s new film “Silence.”

Based on a Japanese historical fiction novel recounting Christian persecution in Japan during the 17th century, “Silence” will hit theaters in December and recounts the story of two Jesuit priests who travel to Japan in the midst of the violence to search for the missing mentor, played by Liam Neeson.

According to a Nov. 30 communique from the Vatican, Scorsese, his wife and their two children were present for the meeting with Pope Francis, alongside the film’s producer and his wife. Msgr. Dario Edoardo Vigano, Prefect of the Secretariat for Communications, accompanied the group.

Described in the communique as “very cordial,” the meeting lasted about 15 minutes. The Pope told his guests that he had read the 1966 novel “Silence,” written by Japanese author Shusaku Endo and which served as the inspiration for Scorsese’s new movie.



Francis then spoke of the “sowing” of the faith by the Jesuits in Japan and of the “Museum of the 26 Martyrs,” which was built on Nishizaka Hill in 1962 alongside a monument commemorating the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the 26 martyrs executed at the site in 1597.

During the brief meeting, Scorsese gifted the Pope with two paintings related to the theme of “hidden Christians.” One of them depicts a highly venerated image of the Virgin Mary painted by a Japanese artist in the 18th century. Pope Francis, on his part, gave his guests rosaries.

Other Hollywood stars Pope Francis has met include Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio, who came to the Vatican to speak with the Pope about climate change following the release of Francis’ 2015 environmental encyclical, Laudato si.

A preview of “Silence” was shown Nov. 29 at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, and another preview is set to take place Dec. 1 inside the Vatican’s filmoteca.

Scorsese, who grew up Catholic and spent a year in seminary as a youth, has made other religious films in the past.

His latest was the controversial 1988 movie “The Last Temptation of Christ,” which was based on an adaption of the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis and potrayed Christ as sinful and not inherently divine. The film was heavily criticized as “sacrilegious” by many in the U.S. and abroad, including by several bishops, by St. Teresa of Calcutta and by Mother Angelica.

The Catholic faith arrived in Japan during the 16th century, through the efforts of the Jesuit missionary Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552). Jesuit outreach to the Japanese continued after his death, and around 200,000 Japanese had entered the Church by 1587.

Religious tensions led to a period of persecution during that year, during which many churches were destroyed and missionaries forced to work in secret. But few episodes of martyrdom took place during this time, and within a decade 100,000 more Japanese became Catholic despite the restrictions.

During 1593, Franciscan missionaries came to Japan from the Philippines by order of Spain's King Philip II. These new arrivals gave themselves zealously to the work of charity and evangelism, but their presence disturbed a delicate situation between the Church and Japanese authorities.

Suspicion against Catholic missionaries grew when a Spanish ship was seized off the Japanese coast and found to be carrying artillery. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a powerful imperial minister, responded by sentencing 26 Catholics to death.

The group was comprised of three native Jesuits, six foreign Franciscans, and several lay Catholics, including some children. Sentenced to die by crucifixion and lancing, they were first marched 600 miles to the city of Nagasaki.

During the journey they underwent public torture meant to terrorize other Japanese believers in Christ. But all of the 26 held out courageously, even singing the hymn of praise “Te Deum” when they arrived at the hill where they would be crucified.

Three of the best-known martyrs of Nagaki are Saints Paul Miki, John of Goto and James Kisai. Though none were priests, all were associated with the Jesuits: Miki was training for the priesthood, while Kisai was a lay brother and John of Goto was a catechist preparing to enter the order.

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IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Year of Mercy and its series of papal reflections may be over, but compassion and acts of mercy must continue and become a part of everyone's daily lives, Pope Francis said.

"Let us commit ourselves to praying for each other so that the corporal and spiritual works of mercy increasingly become our way of life," he said Nov. 30 during his general audience in the Vatican's Paul VI hall.

Because the day also marked the feast of St. Andrew, brother of St. Peter and founder of the church in Constantinople, Pope Francis gave special greetings to his "dear brother," Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

Pope Francis, the bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, said he was sending "a big embrace" to the patriarch and "this cousin church."

The Vatican released a letter from the pope to the patriarch, which praised the way Catholics and Orthodox have begun "to recognize one another as brothers and sisters and to value each other's gifts, and together have proclaimed the Gospel, served humanity and the cause of peace, promoted the dignity of the human being and the inestimable value of the family, and cared for those most in need, as well as creation, our common home."

In his main audience talk, the pope ended his yearlong series of talks on mercy with a reflection on the corporal work of burying the dead and the spiritual works of praying for the living and dead.

Catholics particularly remember the faithful departed during the month of November, he said. Praying for those who have died "is a sign of recognition for the witness they have left us and the good they have done. It is a giving thanks to the Lord for having given them to us and for their love and friendship."

By entrusting their souls to God's mercy, "we pray with Christian hope that they are with him in heaven," he said.

While for many burying the dead is an expected, straightforward ritual, there are some parts of the world where this may not be a given, such as places experiencing "the scourge of war, with bombings day and night that sow fear and innocent victims," he said.

"Even today, there are those who risk their life to bury poor victims of war," he added, thanking those particularly in Syria and the Middle East for their courage in recovering the dead and going to rescue the injured.

Praying for the living, he said, can be done in many ways, such as: blessing one's children every morning and evening; visiting and praying for the sick; praying silently, "sometimes in tears," for help during difficult times; even thanking God for the blessings bestowed upon one's family, friends and co-workers.

The important thing, he said, is to always have one's heart open to the Holy Spirit, "who knows our deepest desires and hopes," and can "purify and bring them to fulfillment."

"We always ask that God's will be done for ourselves and for others, like in the Lord's Prayer, because his will is definitely the greatest good, the goodness of a father who never abandons us," he said.

After his main talk, the pope also made an appeal for World AIDS Day Dec. 1, urging "everyone to adopt responsible behavior to prevent the further spread of this disease."

The Catholic Church promotes sexual abstinence before marriage and monogamy within marriage as the best ways to limit HIV transmission, and holds that condom-distribution campaigns aggravate the problem.

In his appeal, Pope Francis called for prayers for those affected by HIV/AIDS and for renewed efforts in getting adequate testing and therapy to the poorest in the world. He said the United Nations estimates only half of those living with HIV/AIDS have access to lifesaving treatment.

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IMAGE: CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano, handout

By

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The morning after screening his film, "Silence," for about 300 Jesuits, the U.S. director Martin Scorsese had a private audience with Pope Francis.

During the 15-minute audience Nov. 30, Pope Francis told Scorsese that he had read Japanese author Shusaku Endo's historical novel, "Silence," which inspired the film. The book and film are a fictionalized account of the persecution of Christians in 17th-century Japan; the central figures are Jesuit missionaries.

Pope Francis spoke to Scorsese, his wife and two daughters, and the film's producer, about the early Jesuit missions to Japan and about the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument in Nagasaki, which honors the Japanese martyrs executed on the site in 1597.

Scorsese gave the pope two paintings, which the Vatican said were "connected to the theme of the 'hidden Christians,'" the Christians who kept their faith secret during the persecution. One of the paintings was of an image of Mary venerated in the 1700s.

The U.S. director screened the film Nov. 29 at the Jesuit-run Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. Other private screenings reportedly were to include one in the Vatican for specially invited guests.

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Copyright © 2016 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.

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