Catholic News 2

(Vatican Radio) In the course of a dialogue during a meeting with the participants in the Plenary Assembly of Superiors General, which took place in May, Pope Francis expressed his intention to “establish an official commission that could study the question” of the diaconate of women, “especially with regard to the first ages of the Church.”

After intense prayer and mature reflection, Pope Francis has decided to institute the Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women. As president of the Commission, Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, SJ. In addition to Archbishop Ladaria, the commission is composed of six women and six men from academic institutions around the world.

Below, please find the complete list of the members of the Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women:

President:

Abp Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Members:

Sr. Nuria Calduch-Benages, M.H.S.F.N., member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission;

Prof. Francesca Cocchini, of the «La Sapienza» University, and of the Patristic Institute “Augustinianum,” Rome;

Msgr. Piero Coda, President of the University Institute «Sophia», Loppiano, and member of the International Theological Commission;

Fr Robert Dodaro, O.S.A., President of the Patristic Institute “Augustinianum,” Rome and professor of patrology;

Fr Santiago Madrigal Terrazas, S.J., professor of ecclesiology at the Pontifical University “Comillas,” Madrid;

Sr Mary Melone, S.F.A., Rector of the Pontifical University “Anonianum,” Rome;

Fr Karl-Heinz Menke, professor emeritus of dogmatic theology at the University of Bonn and member of the International Theological Commission;

Fr Aimable Musoni, S.D.B., professor of ecclesiology at the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome;

Fr Bernard Pottier, S.J., professor at the “Institut d'Etudes Théologiques,” Brussels, and member of the International Theological Commission;

Prof. Marianne Schlosser, professor of spiritual theology at the University of Vienana, and member of the International Theological Commission;

Prof. Michelina Tenace, professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome;

Prof. Phyllis Zagano, professor at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York. 

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(Vatican Radio) The former Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, has sent a farewell letter to the Holy See press corps. Fr. Lombardi’s term as Director of the Press Office ended with the month of July. In the letter, Fr. Lombardi thanks the journalists for their assistance and professional support during his time in the post, saying, “[You] helped me and encouraged me in the job, day in and day out – in the days of trial and the days of joy.”

Click below to hear our report

Fr. Lombardi also looked back on his decade of service.

“Together, we followed the ministry of two great Popes, we lived through very significant moments in the history of the Church – and, let us say it, of the human family, as well – trying to make sense of those moments and to help others understand their significance.”

Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of Fr. Lombardi’s letter

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Dear colleagues,

As I complete my service in the Press Office of the Holy See, I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who extended me such kind expressions of appreciation and affection. I am very grateful. At the same time I wish to greet all my colleagues and co-workers, who have kept me company all along this ten years’ journey.

Together, we followed the ministry of two great Popes, we lived through very significant moments in the history of the Church – and, let us say it, of the human family, as well – trying to make sense of those moments and to help others understand their significance. I thank the Popes who called me to serve them so closely – Benedict and Francis – and   also all those, who helped me and encouraged me in the job, day in and day out – in the days of trial and the days of joy. I believe I may count almost all of you among the number of these last. It has been my good fortune, never to have had the impression of not being welcomed or respected by anyone. It was a good assignment, a challenging assignment.

Now it is for me to hear the well-known words of Jesus to his disciples: “So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do’.”(Luke 17, 10) I shall be listening for new indications from the one who represents the Lord to me.

Once again, if I may, I express my esteem for the communications field and the work done in it, for the great opportunities for service to others and therefor for the great responsibilities it entails. I hope that all of you shall pursue your work with commitment and enthusiasm, and that the Lord be shall be with us all as we go our ways – and of course a special word to offer best wishes to Greg Burke and Paloma García Ovejero, who certainly will do a fine job with the task to which they are called.

Vatican City, 24 July, 2016
Federico Lombardi S.I.

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Wheeling, W.V., Aug 2, 2016 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- It’s been over a month since West Virginia was pounded by torrential rains that resulted in one of the worst flash floods in state history, killing at least 23 and leavings hundreds more displaced.

And while recovery efforts are ongoing, the need is still dire.

“Federal assistance and donated goods, although significant, will quickly be depleted,” warned Mark Sliter, executive director of Catholic Charities West Virginia. “In our experience, we anticipate extensive long-term needs.”

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, who heads the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, recently toured some of the most devastated areas to see both the damage and relief efforts.

“It is vital for us to see both what has occurred, and how people are beginning to put their lives back together,” Bishop Bransfield said, according to the diocesan website. “This way, we can make sure we get them what they truly need at this time and set them on a path to rebuilding their homes and their lives.”

On July 25, the bishop visited Sacred Heart Parish in Rainelle, one of the areas most affected by the flooding. He spoke with those who have lost their homes and visited a former grocery store that has become a center for relief and volunteer efforts, as well as an outreach site offering food and counseling.

Nearly six weeks after the devastating flood, many people in Rainelle are still in need of basic necessities, and there is a shortage of both money and volunteers, the diocese said.

Recovery from the disastrous June 23 flooding is expected to take more than five years, Catholic Charities said.

Initially after a disaster, immediate relief efforts focus on providing for basic needs, such as food water, shelter and medical attention.

Eventually, short-term relief efforts give way to long-term recovery efforts, which focus on helping people rebuild their lives, and communities rebuild their infrastructure and economy.

This process can take years. Catholic Charities West Virginia has been meeting with both government and non-profit partners to discuss and coordinate this next phase.

So far, the agency has received more than $600,000 in flood recovery donations, primarily from members of the Wheeling-Charleston diocese.

“We are inspired by the generosity, compassion, and love for all of our neighbors witnessed this past month,” said Patricia Phillips, director of development and marketing for the agency. “All of the collected funds will go to disaster recovery.”

Catholic Charities West Virginia is accepting continued donations to help with ongoing recovery efforts.

“We are committed to serving those affected by this tragedy for the long-term and ensuring people affected by the disaster return to a safe, secure, and stable living situation,” Sliter said.

 

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Vatican City, Aug 2, 2016 / 05:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has instituted a new commission for the study of women deacons, the Vatican announced Tuesday.

The decision comes several months after a papal audience with a group of religious sisters, during which Pope expressed his willingness to consider forming a commission to study women deacons, such as they existed in the early Church.

According to the Aug. 2 press release, the pontiff came to the decision after a period of “intense prayer and mature reflection.”

The new commission will be headed by Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, who will lead a group comprised of twelve members, half of whom are women.

Both lay and religious women have been chosen for the commission, including Sr. Mary Melone, rector of the Antonianum university, Prof. Phyllis Zagano at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, and Marianne Schlosser, professor of spiritual theology at the university of Vienna and member of the International theological commission.

Also included in the list is Fr. Robert Dodaro, president of the Augustinianum University in Rome.

The Vatican statement mentioned the May 12 papal audience with members of the International Union of Superiors General, during which the question of women deacons was raised during a Q&A session.

At the audience, one sister asked why the Church does not include women in the permanent diaconate. The sister had referred to an ancient tradition in the Church in which there were female deacons, and suggested that a commission be established to study the possibility.

Reports quickly circulated following the event that Pope Francis was paving the way for the ordination of women deacons, and potentially even women priests. Holy See press office director, Fr. Federico Lombardi clarified in a May 13 statement that the Pope had no such intention.

During an in-flight press conference after the his trip to Armenia last June, the Pope spoke of cases in the early Church where women were given similar roles to deacons. For instance, women would be employed to baptize other women for the sake of modesty, since at that time the practice involved full immersion.

The subject of women deacons has previously been studied by the Church, including a 2002 document from the International Theological Commission, and advisory body to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Pope Francis further told journalists during the June 26 press briefing there was no change in the works to allow for the ordination of women to the deaconate.

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Wis 18: 6-9; Heb 11: 1-2, 8-19; Lk 12: 32-48

According to an old fable, a man made an unusual agreement with Death. He told the Grim Reaper that he would willingly accompany him when it came time to die, but only on one condition – that Death would send a messenger well in advance to warn him. Weeks turned into months, and months into years. Then one bitter winter evening, as the man sat thinking about all his possessions, Death suddenly entered the room and tapped him on the shoulder. Startled, the man cried out, "You're here so soon and without warning! I thought we had an agreement." Death replied, "I've more than kept my part. I've sent you many messengers. Look in the mirror and you'll see some of them." As the man complied, Death whispered, "Notice your hair! Once it was full and golden, now it is thin and white. Look at the way you tilt your head to listen to me because you can't hear very well. Observe how close to the mirror you must stand to see yourself clearly. Yes, I've sent many messengers through the years. I'm sorry you're not ready, but the time has come for you to leave."

Introduction: The central theme of today’s readings is the necessity for trusting faith in God’s promises and vigilant preparedness in the followers of Christ.  The first reading cites the faith-filled preparedness of the ancient Hebrew slaves in Egypt before their mass exodus to the Promised Land.  Their trusting faith in their God’s promises gave them hope.  We are told how their faith and hope resulted in their liberation. With expectant hope, the Hebrews sacrificed the first Passover lamb and ate the first ritual meal, as prescribed by their God through Moses.  They awaited their imminent release and were prepared for it. Today’s Psalm invites us to express our own confidence in God and declare our trust in his providence. In the Second Reading, taken from the last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, Paul defines faith as “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”   He tries to bolster the faith of the Jewish Christians (the Hebrews), by appealing to the example of their ancestors, starting with Abraham, and narrating the things they had accomplished by faith.  In the Gospel, Jesus challenges his disciples to trust the Father’s promise to give them eternal happiness in His kingdom. But they are to be prepared at all times, because the Son of Man may come at an unexpected hour, either at the moment of their death or at the end of the world. Using the master-servant parable, Jesus reminds us always to do the will of God by obeying Jesus’ commandment of love, offering humble and sacrificial service to others.   Using the master-thief parable, Jesus warns us to be on our guard so that the thief (the devil), may not steal our treasure of divine grace by his temptations.

First reading, Wisdom 18, 6-9: The book of Wisdom was written about a century before the coming of Jesus, by a faithful, very literate Jew living in cosmopolitan Alexandria in Egypt. One of his purposes was to bolster the faith of fellow Jews living in a world indifferent, and sometimes hostile, to their beliefs. A favorite theme of the writer is how the providence of God has protected the chosen people throughout their history, especially during the time of their enslavement in Egypt and during the Exodus there from under Moses. The author goes over these events in great detail. Our verses today interpret Exodus chapters 11 and 12 where, while the angel of the Lord was striking down the first-born of Pharaoh and other Egyptians, the vigilant Hebrew slaves were both offering grateful sacrifice to the Lord and eating the meat of the lamb to fortify themselves for their coming escape. That night was the first Passover.  Like those Jewish slaves in Egypt, we, too, have been called to cling to the hope of a future that may seem too good to be true, and we, too, are expected to be steadfast in our faith, even when we see no signs of the fulfillment of God’s promises.

 Second Reading, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19: This passage is taken from the end of the Letter to the Hebrews. It contains the only explicit definition of faith in the Bible: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Like our first reading, the Letter to the Hebrews was trying to bolster the faith of the Jewish Christians (Hebrews), by appealing to the example of their ancestors who had believed in promises yet to be fulfilled. The chief example of strong faith is found in their patriarch Abraham, a wealthy but childless pagan in Ur of the Chaldees (modern Iraq).  Abraham heard the voice of God summoning him to a different land, where God promised to grant him many descendants. By faith Abraham left his homeland, accepted God’s promise that his descendants would form a great nation and was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at God’s command. Despite obstacles and setbacks, Abraham stayed obedient, "for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy." The first century Jewish Christians were ostracized from the institutions (sacrifices, priesthood, rituals), of mainline Judaism. To bolster their faith, the author provided a complex treatise showing that, in their new life in Christ, they were more than compensated for what they had lost. They were given the assurance that Christ’s promises for his believers exceeded the promises given to their Jewish ancestors.

Exegesis: Be ready for your death and Jesus’ Second Coming: Today’s reading from Luke 12 is one of three eschatological discourses in the Gospel. All three of the Synoptic Gospels record Jesus’ concern for warning his disciples to keep alert, to keep watch over themselves with careful attention. The passage is a collection of short parables, in which the chief characters are a master (representing the risen Jesus), and his servants (Jesus’ followers). According to the Fathers of the Church, Jesus' words in this passage have two senses. In the narrower sense, the words  refer to the Second Coming of Jesus, but  in the broader  sense they  refer to the time of  our own  death,  when God will call us  to meet Him and to give Him an account of our  life on earth. Since the precise time of each is unknown to us, the proper attitude for Jesus’ followers is constant watchfulness.

Relationship by grace:  In the first part of today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us what our real treasure should be and how we may keep it safe. The treasure God offers is of far greater value and is more secure than any earthly treasure.  Nevertheless, it is possible for us to lose this treasure if we do not guard it carefully.   The treasure is the relationship with him which the Lord offers us in his promise of eternal life. But this treasure can be stolen by the devil or lost by a lack of vigilance in the midst of our temptations.  Jesus uses two comparisons to explain the nature of the vigilance required of us. We must be ready for action like an oriental servant and trimmed for service like an oil lamp. The long flowing robes worn by people of the day were a hindrance to work.  When a man prepared himself to work, he gathered up his robes under his girdle (belt) in order to leave himself free for activity. The reference to fastened belts and lamps burning ready (v. 35) also recalled the preparedness for action which was legislated for Israel in the Passover ritual (Exodus 12:1). Just as the Israelites were to be ready to pass from slavery to freedom, so were the disciples to live in a state of alertness in order to recognize and accept the Passover from sin and death to forgiveness and life which Jesus offered. The eastern lamp was like a cotton wick floating in a vessel of oil. The wick had to be kept trimmed at all times and the lamp replenished with oil. Otherwise the light would go out. What Jesus teaches us through these comparisons is that our relationship with God the Father must be constantly replenished by our prayers, our sacramental life, the reading of Holy Scripture and acts of charity.  Since the Lord is committed to us in a covenant of unbreakable love and fidelity, we must respond with equal commitment, no matter how difficult it may be. Fortunately, God gives us the grace and strength to remain faithful, and He will reward our faithfulness.

Steadfast faith and eternal vigilance: In the second part of today’s gospel, Jesus exhorts his followers to be steadfast in their faith and ever vigilant. He explains his point using three mini-parables.  The servants of a master were entrusted with the management of the household. During Jesus' days, although stewards were slaves, they had almost unlimited power.   A trusted steward ran his master's house and administered his estate. When his master was not at home, the steward was ever vigilant. He prepared himself for his master’s return at any time of the day or night by always doing his duties faithfully. Jesus illustrates the same point using another mini-parable of the wise servants waiting for the return of their master after a wedding feast.

Jesus teaches us the need for constant vigilance using yet another mini-parable of the thief and the treasure. We should not lose our treasure of divine grace like the man who awoke one day to discover that a thief had stolen his wealth at night.  These parables are addressed to all believers to encourage "wakefulness" and preparedness. We must be vigilant like the servant in the parable waiting for his master's unexpected return or like the wise homeowner who was well prepared for the unexpected break-in of a thief.   Since the time of our death is quite uncertain, we, too, must be ever ready to meet our Lord at any moment. He should find us carrying out our task of love, mercy and service, rather than leaving things undone or half-done. He should also find us at peace with God, ourselves and with our fellowmen (Eph.4:26)

Irreparable mistakes: Jesus then presents the parable of the unwise steward as a warning to us. The unwise steward made two mistakes.   (i) He said, “I will do what I like while my master is away." Like him, we often forget that our Lord is always with us, and that we will be accountable to him on the day of reckoning. Misuse of an office for one’s own advantage or the abuse of others will bring about severe punishment, for the returning Lord will place that servant “with the unfaithful.”  (ii) He said, “I have plenty of time to put things right before the master comes."  Nothing is as fatal to the accomplishment of a task as procrastination.  Jesus also warns us that knowledge and privilege bring responsibility with them. Today, looking back on two thousand years of Christian history, we find it difficult to expect Christ’s second coming during our lifetime.  But we are sure to meet him at our death and we should always be ready to give him an account of our lives.

Life messages: 1) We need to be vigilant and ready to face the Lord. One of the traditional means for remaining alert is prayer. The most important element in prayer is listening to God – an attitude of attention to the "tiny whispering sound" of the Lord (1 Kings 19:11-12).   Such attentiveness demands that we set aside a quiet time every day during which we can tune our ears to the divine sounds of love, harmony and peace. Let us recall the words of the Book of Revelation: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me" (3:20).

2) We need to wait for the Lord. "Waiting for Christ to return" means working for the coming of the Kingdom of God.  This means doing God’s will by rendering humble service to others, by combating poverty, by ending the hatred that divides us, by establishing peace among individuals and nations, by curbing the pride that causes us to become confrontational, and by building social structures that respect the dignity of individual humans. We must wait for the Lord in our daily lives by learning to see Jesus in the least of our brothers and sisters.  In other words, we must be prepared to serve Jesus in whatever form he takes. What we frequently discover in "serving" other people is that God comes to us through them.

The Seattle Times recorded a story of an incident that happens all too often. Due to heavy rains, a local river overflowed its banks and covered a nearby road. Authorities had closed the road and posted WARNING signs. But a 58-year-old motorist ignored the signs and tried to use the flooded road anyway. Her car was swept into the flooded river and she perished. A local authority said the woman was likely deceived by what seemed like shallow water on the road but didn't realize how strong the current was. Isn't that what WARNING signs are for -- to tell us about things that look safe but in reality aren't? People who ignore warning signs usually don't do so arrogantly.

(Source: Homilies of Fr. Anthony Kadavil)

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Madrid, Spain, Aug 2, 2016 / 12:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Maria* has not had an easy life. Several years ago, while pregnant with her second child, she checked into a detox center for those with drug addictions. Social services had already taken temporary custody of her first child, as she was in no condition to take care of her.

But determination and the help of Project Mater has made it possible for her to move forward. The 32-year-old is now rehabilitated and receives help from the organization, which is dedicated to supporting mothers at risk of abortion and social exclusion.

“If it weren't for Project Mater, I could not have gotten my daughter back. They've helped me to have housing, food and the basics. I am really grateful to them,” she told CNA.

Maria sees the assistance not as a permanent measure, but as “a push to go forward, especially because the children's father is in prison in another country.”

Now pregnant with her third child, she is drug-free and finding that life is beginning to stabilize.

“When I got pregnant with my third child I honestly did think of aborting. The first people I told were my mother and Balbi [Balbina Rojas, the coordinator of Project Mater]. She congratulated me and told me she would help me and that everything would work out ok.”

“Without Mater, I couldn't have done it. I wonder what I would have done if they hadn't been there,” she said.

Project Mater was started by Archbishop Braulio Rodríguez of Toledo, who wished to implement a diocesan project that would involve family counseling centers, life and family ministries, the pastoral secretariat of the diocese and Caritas.

In the first year since its beginning, some 150 mothers with children less than a year old and in risk of social exclusion or affected by post-abortive syndrome have come through the program.

“For the moms who come, it's basically a process of accompaniment, acceptance, listening, care...We try to address their needs in all the areas that the mother may ask for, including finances,” coordinator Balbina Rojas told CNA.

The initiative was born in conjunction with the Year of Mercy and with a distinct pastoral emphasis. “The heart of Project Mater is the chapel,” Rojas said, explaining that the mothers who participate in the project as well as their children are entrusted to the care of the Virgin Mary.

“The volunteers, psychologists, and priests who work in Mater share the mercy that we receive from God, listening, counseling, giving material and spiritual food,” Rojas said.

The goal is that “the moms may heal and cleanse their wounds, to take care of them and their children  as long as necessary, to give that warmth, that affection, that tenderness that so many of them need. Also to help them see what things need to change in their lives, to get reoriented, with all the means that the Church, in this case the Diocese of Toledo, has to offer them.”

Cases like Maria’s are common at Project Mater. Rojas recalled another mother who had made up her mind to abort, but changed her mind and went ahead with her pregnancy. “One time she told me that thanks to Mater, she had been able to see her son's beautiful eyes.”

She also remembered the case of a woman whose child had a serious deformity deemed “incompatible with life.”

“The mom decided to continue the pregnancy because her child was fighting for his life in the womb despite the difficulties, and so she would also fight for the life of her child,” she recalled.

The little boy died two hours after being born, and was baptized. “It was something profoundly moving for us because we were witnesses of this tremendous testimony for life and for fighting for the life of the mother and child,” Rojas said.

Many mothers who have had abortions also come to Project Mater because of the psychological scars they are experiencing.

“The person a lot of them first come to is a priest, and it's very important to receive the grace of Confession and forgiveness for that sin,” Rojas said. “But it's also necessary that psychologists provide therapy for them so they can overcome all that's happened that has so marked them, leaving them in pain and laden with guilt.”


*Name has been changed for the protection of privacy.

 

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