(Vatican Radio) Poland's government has approved a new bill that foresees prison terms of up to three years for anyone who uses phrases like "Polish death camps" to refer to Auschwitz and other camps that Nazi Germany operated in occupied Poland during World War II. The bill follows years of debates on the issue.Listen to Stefan Bos’ report:
(Vatican Radio) Poland's government has approved a new bill that foresees prison terms of up to three years for anyone who uses phrases like "Polish death camps" to refer to Auschwitz and other camps that Nazi Germany operated in occupied Poland during World War II. The bill follows years of debates on the issue.
Listen to Stefan Bos’ report:
(Vatican Radio) With a Moto Proprio, Pope Francis announced on Wednesday the establishment of a Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The Prefect of the new Dicastery will be the Irish-born Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, currently serving as Bishop of Dallas.In his Apostolic Letter the Pope wrote that the new Dicastery will be "governed by special Statues" and all the responsibilities and functions held by the current Pontifical Councils for the Laity and for the Family will be transferred to the new Dicastery from September 1st. After that date the two Councils in question will cease to exist. As a loving Mother, the Pope wrote, the Church has always throughout the centuries shown her concern for the laity, the family and life, by witnessing our Lord’s merciful love for humanity and we want to ensure that “the riches of Jesus Christ are poured out appropriately and with profusion among the faithful.”For this reason, we are taking prompt moves so...
(Vatican Radio) With a Moto Proprio, Pope Francis announced on Wednesday the establishment of a Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The Prefect of the new Dicastery will be the Irish-born Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, currently serving as Bishop of Dallas.
In his Apostolic Letter the Pope wrote that the new Dicastery will be "governed by special Statues" and all the responsibilities and functions held by the current Pontifical Councils for the Laity and for the Family will be transferred to the new Dicastery from September 1st. After that date the two Councils in question will cease to exist.
As a loving Mother, the Pope wrote, the Church has always throughout the centuries shown her concern for the laity, the family and life, by witnessing our Lord’s merciful love for humanity and we want to ensure that “the riches of Jesus Christ are poured out appropriately and with profusion among the faithful.”
For this reason, we are taking prompt moves so that that "the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia can respond to the situation of our times and adapt to the needs of the universal Church. In particular, our thoughts are turned towards the laity, the family and life to whom we wish to offer our support and help so that they are active witnesses of the Gospel in our times and as a sign of the goodness of the Lord."
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, which was held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about mercy as the instrument of communion.Listen to Christopher Wells' report: Reflecting on the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, taken from the Gospel of St Matthew, the Holy Father focused on Jesus’ compassion for the people who follow after Him. “His compassion is not a vague sentiment,” the Pope said. Jesus “loves us so much, and wants to be close to us.”Jesus’ concern for the crowd is the impetus for the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus, though, does not act alone, but wishes to involve His disciples in the miracle. “He shows them that the few loaves and fishes they have, with the power of faith and of prayer, can be shared by all the people,” the Pope said. “It is a miracle that He does, but it is the miracle of faith, of prayer with compassion and love.&rdquo...
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, which was held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about mercy as the instrument of communion.
Listen to Christopher Wells' report:
Reflecting on the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, taken from the Gospel of St Matthew, the Holy Father focused on Jesus’ compassion for the people who follow after Him. “His compassion is not a vague sentiment,” the Pope said. Jesus “loves us so much, and wants to be close to us.”
Jesus’ concern for the crowd is the impetus for the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus, though, does not act alone, but wishes to involve His disciples in the miracle. “He shows them that the few loaves and fishes they have, with the power of faith and of prayer, can be shared by all the people,” the Pope said. “It is a miracle that He does, but it is the miracle of faith, of prayer with compassion and love.”
Pope Francis noted that Jesus’ actions in performing the miracle — lifting His eyes to heaven, saying the blessing, breaking the bread, and giving it — are the same actions He performs at the Last Supper — and the same signs performed by every priest when he offers the Sacrifice of the Mass. “The Christian community is born and reborn continually by this Eucharistic communion,” the Pope said. Our communion with Christ, he continued, impels us to go out to the men and women of our day, “to offer them the concrete sign of the mercy” of Christ. In this way, all believers are made “servants of mercy.”
Concluding his catechesis, the Holy Father asked us all to pray that the Lord “might always make His Church capable of this holy service,” and might help each of us “to be instruments of communion” in our own relationships, “visible signs of the mercy of God.”
(Vatican Radio) On Wednesday, the Vatican released a motu proprio by Pope Francis which officially establishes the new dicastery on the Laity, Family, and Life.Listen to Ann Schneible’s report. “For many centuries, the Church, a caring mother, has had care and respect for the laity, the family, and life, manifesting the love of the merciful Savior for humanity,” reads the new document, which was signed August 15.“Our thoughts turn to the laity, the family, and life, to whom we wish to offer support and help, because they are active witness to the Gospel in our time and an expression of the goodness of the Redeemer.”The new Vatican department will take on the duties of the current Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family.The Laity, Family, and Life dicastery will take effect on Sept. 1. At that point, the Pontifical Councils for the Laity and the Family will cease.Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, who until now has served a...
(Vatican Radio) On Wednesday, the Vatican released a motu proprio by Pope Francis which officially establishes the new dicastery on the Laity, Family, and Life.
Listen to Ann Schneible’s report.
“For many centuries, the Church, a caring mother, has had care and respect for the laity, the family, and life, manifesting the love of the merciful Savior for humanity,” reads the new document, which was signed August 15.
“Our thoughts turn to the laity, the family, and life, to whom we wish to offer support and help, because they are active witness to the Gospel in our time and an expression of the goodness of the Redeemer.”
The new Vatican department will take on the duties of the current Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family.
The Laity, Family, and Life dicastery will take effect on Sept. 1. At that point, the Pontifical Councils for the Laity and the Family will cease.
Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell, who until now has served as the bishop of Dallas, Texas, has been appointed as the first prefect of the new dicastery.
He is the brother of Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary for the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
(Vatican Radio) It was announced on Wednesday Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia as the new President of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Archbishop Paglia had previously served as the President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which has been merged into the new Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.At the same time, Pope Francis also appointed Archbishop Paglia as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.The Holy Father also appointed Msgr. Pierangelo Sequeri as the new President of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.Msgr. Sequeri was previously Dean of the Theology Faculty of Northern Italy in Milan.
(Vatican Radio) It was announced on Wednesday Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia as the new President of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Archbishop Paglia had previously served as the President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which has been merged into the new Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.
At the same time, Pope Francis also appointed Archbishop Paglia as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
The Holy Father also appointed Msgr. Pierangelo Sequeri as the new President of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.
Msgr. Sequeri was previously Dean of the Theology Faculty of Northern Italy in Milan.
Vatican City, Aug 17, 2016 / 04:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has been appointed the head of Francis’ new 'mega-dicastery' for laity, family, and life – a decision that marks the second major appointment of an American to a Vatican position this summer.The news of Bishop Farrell’s appointment as head of the new dicastery was announced in an Aug. 17 communique from the Vatican, and falls less than a month after another American, Greg Burke, stepped in as the new Vatican spokesman and director of the Holy See Press Office.The appointment was accompanied by the release of the brief motu proprio Sedula Mater, or "sedulous mother", by which Pope Francis established the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.In a statement announcing Bishop Farrell’s appointment, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington said, “the appointment by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, of Bishop Kevin Farrell as the head of the newly created dicaste...
Vatican City, Aug 17, 2016 / 04:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has been appointed the head of Francis’ new 'mega-dicastery' for laity, family, and life – a decision that marks the second major appointment of an American to a Vatican position this summer.
The news of Bishop Farrell’s appointment as head of the new dicastery was announced in an Aug. 17 communique from the Vatican, and falls less than a month after another American, Greg Burke, stepped in as the new Vatican spokesman and director of the Holy See Press Office.
The appointment was accompanied by the release of the brief motu proprio Sedula Mater, or "sedulous mother", by which Pope Francis established the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.
In a statement announcing Bishop Farrell’s appointment, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington said, “the appointment by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, of Bishop Kevin Farrell as the head of the newly created dicastery … is welcome news given Bishop Farrell’s demonstrated pastoral skills and his recognized administrative abilities.”
At a time when Pope Francis is placing the role of the laity, the importance of “a robust, pastoral activity” and the support of family and married life at the center of the Church’s attention, “the leadership that Bishop Farrell brings will be a blessing for all of us,” Cardinal Wuerl said.
Bishop Farrell, 68, was born in Dublin, and was ordained a priest of the Legionaries of Christ in 1978. He was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Washington in 1984, and was appointed an auxiliary bishop for the archdiocese in 2001, where he led Hispanic ministries.
He continued to serve in that capacity until his 2007 appointment as head of the Diocese of Dallas, which boasts the 10th largest Catholic population in the U.S.
Bishop Farrell holds advanced degrees in philosophy and theology and is fluent in both Spanish and Italian.
In the statement announcing Bishop Farrell’s appointment to the Vatican department – also called a dicastery – Cardinal Wuerl expressed his joy that the challenge of heading the new department “has been entrusted to the very competent Bishop Farrell.”
“Our prayers and best wishes go with Bishop Farrell as he now moves to Rome and his new responsibilities.”
The establishment of the new dicastery includes the cessation of the Pontifical Councils for the Family and the Laity, whose competences will be transferred to Bishop Farrell's office.
Alongside the news of Bishop Farrell’s appointment was the announcement that Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, until now president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, will be taking over as president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and as grand chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family, both of which will be under the jurisdiction of the new mega-dicastery.
A new appointment was not provided Wednesday for Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, a Pole who has been president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity since 2003.
Pope Francis first announced his intention to establish a new Vatican department dedicated to laity, family, and life during the October 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family.
The formal announcement was made by the Vatican June 4, 2016, with the official start-date for the new department set for Sept. 1, 2016.
According to a set of statutes released with the June 4 announcement, the new department will promote “the pastoral care of the family, maintain the dignity and basic good of the Sacrament of marriage, favor the rights and responsibilities of the Church in civil society.”
It will also pay special attention to “the particular mission of the lay faithful to permeate and perfect the order of temporal reality,” the statute continues.
With the full implementation of the new department, the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Council for the Family will be dissolved, and the Pontifical Academy for Life will be connected to the new entity.
The department will be tasked with projects relating to the apostolate of the laity, the institution of marriage, and the family within the life of the Church.
It will deal with matters regarding the promotion of life, the apostolate of the laity, the pastoral care and of the family, and “its mission, according to God's design, to support human life,” according to its statutes.
In addition to Bishop Farrell, the heads of the dicastery will include a secretary, who could be a lay person, along with three lay undersecretaries. Members of the department will include lay persons, men and women, celibate and married, working in different fields of activity and coming from different parts of the world.
One of the tasks will be to promote the analysis of doctrine on themes and questions pertaining to lay persons.
The dicastery will also “establish aggregations of faithful and lay movements which have and an international character, and will approve their statutes, save the competence of the Secretary of State.”
Another focus will be the “deepening of the doctrine of the family,” and promoting it through catechesis, especially with regard to the spirituality of marriage and the family.
Other programs will include formation of engaged couples and young people, supporting adoption, and care for the elderly.
In addition, the department will support and coordinate “initiatives to encourage responsible procreation, as well as for protection of human life from its conception until its natural end, taking into account the needs the person in the different evolutionary phases.”
These initiatives will include efforts to offer support to women experiencing difficult pregnancies so they do not resort to abortion, as well as programs for post-abortive mothers.
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