Catholic News 2

(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis sets off on a three-day Apostolic Journey to Georgia and Azerbaijan on Friday, as a continuation of the pastoral visit he began to the Caucuses region with his trip to Armenia last June.

Ecumenical challenges will be at the heart of his encounters in Georgia, alongside the task of encouraging the small Catholic community in the predominantly Orthodox nation.

Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report from Tbilisi:

When Pope John Paul II visited this former Soviet nation, it was only the second time he had travelled to a majority Orthodox country. Just a decade on from the fall of the Berlin wall, he was pursuing his vision of reconciliation between the East and Western Churches so that Europe could, as he put it, breathe with both lungs again.

His trip to Romania earlier in the year had been hailed as a step in that direction, as he and Patriarch Teoctist made history by attending liturgies in Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Not so in Georgia though, where it was President Eduard Shevardnadze, the former Soviet foreign minister, who had to persuade Patriarch Elia to invite the pope, while Orthodox leaders warned worshippers to stay away from a papal Mass at the sports stadium in Tbilisi.

So what can Pope Francis expect and what progress has been made on the ecumenical scene in this country where Catholics, of 3 different rites, make up less than 2 percent of the population?

At one level relations remain difficult, as Georgia's ambassador to the Holy See told me frankly ahead of the papal visit. The Orthodox Church here did not take part in the pan-Orthodox Council last June, did not approve of the document signed by the international dialogue commission in Chieti last week and does not take part in other ecumenical bodies like the World Council of Churches.

Two days before the pope's arrival, the English speaking 'Georgia Today' paper ran a 'Focus on Church wars', detailing protests by a handful of ultra-nationalist agitators and arch-conservative priests.

But at a deeper level, the patient dialogue has produced results, with the same Patriarch Elia this time sending official representatives to the papal Mass at the sports stadium on Saturday morning.

Over the past two decades the local Caritas, the Camilian fathers, Salesian sisters and others have built trust and respect through their hospitals and schools, drop-in centres and soup kitchens for the poorest people living in the run down suburbs and rural areas. More recently they've also been providing support for refugees fleeing from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

While the Orthodox Church is recognised in the Constitution as playing a special part in the country's history, Catholics have been quietly working wherever they can at parish level to provide spiritual and practical support to all people in need.

The Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Church, Mgr Giuseppe Pasotto puts its neatly when he says "we are free to be who we are, with nothing to defend and everything to give".

So there are no Vatican flags or papal posters plastered on the walls here - only photos of the candidates in next week's parliamentary elections. Don't expect any ecumenical breakthrough or even the kind of warm embraces that we saw the pope receiving from other Orthodox leaders in Assisi recently.

But what the pope will do is to strengthen the small but vibrant Catholic Church here. He'll bring a much needed message of peace to the still volatile region. And I wouldn't mind betting that he will somehow find ways of furthering that vision of reconciliation begun by Pope John Paul 17 years ago.

Full Article

(Vatican Radio)  The theme for the Church’s 2017 World Day for Social Communications was published on Thursday. The theme or motto chosen for this event is: “Fear not, for I am with you” (Is 43.5). Communicating hope and trust in our time. 

Full Article

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received representatives from the various Catholic aid agencies and charitable organizations under the leadership of the Pontifical Council Cor unum working in Iraq, Syria, and other countries in the region affected by the ongoing conflicts in both Syria and Iraq.

The Pontifical Council Cor unum is the Pope’s special instrument for carrying out humanitarian initiatives, promoting integral human development, coordinatinge the initiatives of Catholic Organizations, and encouraging the faithful to give concrete witness to the Gospel through charitable activity.

In remarks prepared for the occasion and delivered to the roughly 100 people – including the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura – Pope Francis placed the work of Cor unum and partners in the key of mercy.

“The work of all who like you, represent so many workers in the field, who are committed to helping refugees and to safeguarding their dignity,” said Pope Francis, “is certainly a reflection of God’s mercy and, as such, a sign that evil has limits and does not have the last word.”

Click below to hear our report

The Holy Father renewed his condemnation of the ongoing violence, saying, “We must note with great sadness that since our last meeting a year ago, despite extensive efforts made in a variety of areas, the logic of arms and oppression, hidden interests and violence continues to wreak devastation on these countries and that, even now, we have not been able to put an end to the exasperating suffering and repeated violations of human rights.”

Pope Francis went on to discuss the recent attack on a UN humanitarian aid convoy in Syria, saying it is wrapped up in the mystery of iniquity – over which Christ has however won decisive victory.

“Violence begets violence, and we have the impression of being caught up in a spiral of arrogance and inertia from which there is no escape. This evil which grips our will and conscience should challenge us. Why, even at the cost of untold damage to persons, property and the environment, does man continue to pursue abuses of power, revenge and violence? We think of the recent attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy… This is the experience of the mysterium iniquitatis, that evil which is present in man and in history and which needs to be redeemed. Destruction for destruction’s sake.”

“And so,” Pope Francis continued, “during this Year, in which we fix our gaze more intensely on Christ, on Mercy incarnate who has conquered sin and death, I am reminded of the words of Saint John Paul II: ‘The limit imposed upon evil, of which man is both perpetrator and victim, is ultimately the Divine Mercy.’ It is the only limit.”

“Yes,” said Pope Francis, “the answer to the drama of evil lies in the mystery of Christ.”

Full Article

Washington D.C., Sep 29, 2016 / 03:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Expansion and further welcoming outreach are the plans for the next head of Courage International, a Catholic apostolate for people with same-sex attraction.

“I look forward to welcoming more courageous men and women in the name of the Church, to hear the stories of how God has been acting in their lives and relationships, and to walk with them along the way to holiness that the Church proposes for our happiness and fulfillment,” said Father Philip G. Bochanski, the apostolate’s new executive director.

Fr. Bochanski told CNA Sept. 28 that he is most impressed with the “spiritual fatherhood” that the apostolate’s chaplains show to Courage and EnCourage members.

“My plan at this point is to continue their good work and do what I can to expand the reach of our local chapters,” he added. “Today we are present in about two-thirds of the dioceses of the United States, and in 14 countries overseas, but there are many more places in the universal Church that could benefit from our presence and our pastoral work.”

The apostolate was founded in New York City in 1980 when a small group of Catholic men with same-sex attraction and wanted to live chaste lives according to Catholic teaching met with the priest Fr. John F. Harvey, the apostolate’s first director. The group’s five goals are chastity, prayer, fellowship, support and service.

The group also has a ministry outreach to parents and spouses, called EnCourage.

Fr. Bochanski was ordained a priest in 1999 for the Philadelphia archdiocese. He was a pastoral associate in several Philadelphia parishes and a chaplain for the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, the Catholic Medical Association’s Philadelphia guild, and the Courage apostolate’s Philadelphia chapter.

He became associate director of Courage last year. He has helped implement the apostolate’s “Courage Study Days” to help form priests about Catholic teaching on homosexuality, how to be clear and compassion in presenting Catholic teaching, and how to provide authentic pastoral care to men and women with same-sex attractions. He has helped oversee existing and new chapters of Courage and EnCourage, a ministry outreach to parents and spouses.

“Courage and EnCourage are, and always have been, about bringing people together for mutual support and encouragement, and about building people up to embrace God's call and be formed as disciples,” Fr. Bochanski said.

“We are not out to ‘fix’ anyone or to replace anyone's personality, to put heavy burdens on anyone or to make anyone feel terrible about their lives or their desires,” he added. “As the Church does for every person (regardless of whether their sexual attractions are for the same or the opposite sex), Courage invites each member to embrace chastity in mind, heart and body, and to move away from relationships and behaviors that are not chaste.”

“Along with this invitation comes a promise to support each member as he or she comes to understand chastity more deeply and to live it out more fully,” he said.

Fr. Paul Scalia, chairman of the Courage board of directors, praised Fr. Bochanski’s “great pastoral experience” and his familiarity with the apostolate’s work.

“He has already distinguished himself as a great promoter of the apostolate and we are confident he will continue and build upon the good work of his predecessors,” Fr. Scalia said.

The priest succeeds Fr. Paul Check, who had served as executive director since 2008.

“Fr. Bochanski already has much experience in the work of this vital apostolate and I have every confidence that he will give great service in the years ahead,” Fr. Check said.

Fr. Check himself succeeded Fr. Harvey in 2008. Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn. recently named him as the rector of St. John Fisher Seminary Residence in Stamford. Fr. Check will serve on the Courage board of directors.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia released Fr. Bochanski to take on his new role.

“There’s no better way of showing my support than releasing one of our finest priests, Fr. Philip Bochanski — a perfect candidate to take Fr. Check’s place,” Archbishop Chaput said.

Fr. Bochanski said he is conscious of how questions of homosexuality and sexual identity have become an important issue both in the Church society.

“I will be looking for opportunities to participate in these discussions,” he said.

“Although secular cultural and moral norms seem to be shifting more rapidly than ever before, the truth of the Faith does not change.”

He advised Catholics to make sure they are well-informed about what the Church teaches and look for ways to “speak the truth in love.” They should “share the good news that living chastely and finding our true identity as sons and daughters of God is the way to real happiness and authentic relationships.”

The Courage apostolate’s leadership will be In Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 9-11 for its “Truth and Love” conference for clergy, religious and laity involved in pastoral care.

The Courage website is https://couragerc.org.

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article

Washington D.C., Sep 29, 2016 / 12:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The United States bishops have said that Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on love in the family, Amoris laetitia, was well-received among local Catholics and has had a broader focus than is sometimes recognized.

Among the dioceses and Catholic organizations that had responded to a survey organized by the U.S. bishops, “many noted that the exhortation had been well received by Catholics in the United States and that the emphasis on accompanying marriages and families was particularly appreciated,” the bishops’ report said.

“It was noted that media reports and commentaries have tended at times to present a myopic view of Amoris Laetitia, with interest in only a few topics out of a broad range covered in the exhortation, and that this has sometimes presented a challenge to the proper reception of the document,” the bishops added.

The Pope’s document, known as a post-synodal apostolic exhortation, was published April 8. It follows two global gatherings of bishops at Synod on the Family held at the Vatican in 2015 and 2016.

At the request of Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, the U.S. bishops surveyed bishops and leaders of national Catholic organizations to gauge the reception and implementation of the exhortation in their nation. Responses came from 59 dioceses and 18 national organizations.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, the U.S. bishops’ conference president, commented on the bishops’ report.

“Pope Francis has given us a tremendous gift in Amoris Laetitia,” said the archbishop. “May our ongoing reception of it continue to be an opportunity for the whole Church and society to renew their dedication to protect, promote, and strengthen marriages and families.”

For Archbishop Kurtz, the apostolic exhortation offered “a wealth of encouragement, guidance, and wisdom about the beautiful gift and vocation of marriage and family life.”

The U.S. bishops’ report on the document’s reception said the survey responses indicated “excitement” about the document and gratitude for its “hopeful, positive tone about marriage.”

Many bishops and national Catholic leaders said the document has inspired further attention to how to welcome Catholics in irregular marriage situations and how to integrate them into the Church. Other discussion has focused on marriage preparation, marriage ministry, new forms of missionary activity, and how clergy and others can best respond to the needs of families today, especially those in serious difficulties.

Survey responses said priests could use good guidance on effective preaching on Amoris laetitia and confessors need advice on how to assist people in irregular marital relationships.

Respondents desired further resources on the reception of the sacraments as it concerns people in irregular marriage situations. They also desired further explanation of key terms and concepts in the Pope’s exhortation, such as discernment, integration, gradualness, conscience, and mercy.

Respondents stressed “slow and careful” implementation of Amoris laetitia. Many noted the importance of good communication with the Catholic faithful, and the responses also discussed education and formation of the clergy and the re-evaluation and strengthening of marriage-related ministries.

Other ministry fields the responses discussed included natural family planning, chastity, ministry to parents, youth ministry, ministry to those with same-sex attraction or in same-sex relationships, Hispanic and Latino ministry, and ministry to families with children who have special needs.

The diocesan tribunal was also a special focus. Respondents noted the need to educate the laity on the marriage nullity process and to implement fully Pope Francis’ changes that made the nullity process more accessible and without fees.

Archbishop Kurtz said the bishops’ conference looks forward to the development of a renewed, comprehensive pastoral plan for marriage and family life ministry and advocacy, inspired by Pope Francis. This plan will be developed as a “strategic opportunity” for the Church in the U.S. to make incarnate the exhortation’s vision of marriage and family life.

The bishops’ report links to three dioceses that shared their resources on the reception and implementation of Amoris laetitia: the Archdioceses of Washington, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

The bishops noted their own efforts to promote the exhortation through news media and social media events and on websites such as usccb.org, foryourmarriage.org, and marriageuniqueforareason.org.

The U.S. bishops will vote in November 2016 on their strategic plan for 2017-2020, including a pastoral plan for marriage and family life ministry.

Full Article

Full Article