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(Vatican Radio)  Pope Francis has commended the Pontifical Gregorian University’s recently created Centre for Child Protection (CCP) and expressed his hope that new graduates will be “brave and committed” to the prevention of sexual abuse of minors.  On Tuesday, 14 June, the first 19 students of the Centre's new Diploma of Advanced Studies, “Safeguarding Minors”  received their degree in a graduation ceremony in Rome.

In a personal letter to the president of the Centre for Child Protection, Fr. Hans Zollner sj, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the professors and graduates of the course: “First of all I want to thank you and your entire faculty for this commitment to the prevention of sexual abuse of minors. You have undertaken great efforts for the prevention and healing of minors who have been sexually abused. I extend my greetings to those who complete the programme. I wish you courage and patience; be brave and committed. I assure you that you will receive many signs of gratitude. I pray for you and I ask you to do the same for me.”

A University statement explains that the one term qualification programme educates international students as prevention experts to counteract sexual abuse of minors. This unique worldwide initiative was started as a part of the proactive prevention strategy of the Catholic Church in February 2016.

The CCP of the Pontifical Gregorian University awards the diploma. Instituted in 2012, the CCP is an institution of the Catholic Church advocating safeguarding measures and protection for minors and people in need around the world.

Cardinal Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, also commends the initiative of the CCP: “The prevention of sexual abuse of minors is a priority for the entire Church. In a special way we want to put our efforts into the young Churches, in order that everything possible is being done to counter this sad phenomenon in schools, kindergartens, universities and parishes. For this reason the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is very pleased to support the educational and scientific efforts of the Centre for Child Protection.”

With regard to the Centre’s international approach, the academic vice-rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University and president of the CCP, Father Hans Zollner SJ, noted: “Our graduates originate from 15 countries and four continents. Among many of these countries child protection is underestimated. Especially in these countries we need well-educated prevention experts within Church and society to improve the protection of minors.”

The diploma course for safeguarding minors includes six modules, which are delivered using an interdisciplinary and interactive method. Professors of the CCP and the Pontifical Gregorian University as well as renowned visiting scholars teach a variety of topics. In these modules, students coming from both ecclesial and secular realities learn to recognize evidence of sexual abuse, to set up prevention measures, and to care for victims of abuse. The programme was coordinated and taught by Prof. Dr. Karlijn Demasure, executive director of the CCP, and Dr. Katharina A. Fuchs.

“Since 2010 the Catholic Church in Germany has been speaking out against sexual abuse of minors and has already started an impressive variety of advanced education strategies. I am delighted that the Catholic Church is now proactive in an international context to better protect minors”, asserted Johannes-Wilhelm Rörig, the German Representative of Abuse Victims, commenting on the efforts of the Church.

The diploma course in advanced studies started in February 2016 and will be offered once a year. Every graduation class will consist of 18-20 students. Applications for the diploma course 2017 can be submitted until June 30th, 2016.

In addition to training programmes for the prevention of sexual abuse, the CCP conducts interdisciplinary research and doctoral programmes and organizes international conferences on safeguarding of minors.

For more information:  www.childprotection.unigre.it

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(Vatican Radio) The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on Tuesday released a Letter on “the relationship between the hierarchical and charismatic gifts for the life and the mission of the Church at a news conference in the Holy See’s Press Office. Entitled, Iuvenescit Ecclesia (The Church rejuvenates), the Letter stresses that whilst the hierarchical and charismatic gifts are co-essential in the life of the Church, the charismatic movements and groups need to obey the ecclesial hierarchy and do not have the right to an autonomous ministry. The Letter notes the importance and vitality of the charismatic realities but also spoke of the need for them to have “ecclesial maturity.” 

Please find below a summary in English of the Letter's main points prepared by the CDF:

SUMMARY OF IUVENESCIT ECCLESIA

Hierarchical and charismatic gifts, co-essential in the life of the Church

The hierarchical and charismatic gifts are “co-essential” in the life of the Church: this is the central point of the Letter Iuvenescit Ecclesia (The Church rejuvenates), published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The document – signed by the prefect, Cardinal Ludwig Müller and the secretary, Archbishop Luis Ladaria, is addressed to the bishops of the Catholic Church and focuses on “the relationship between hierarchical and charismatic gifts for the life and the mission of the Church”. The first are those conferred by the Sacrament of ordination (Episcopal, priestly and diaconal), while the second are freely distributed by the Holy Spirit. The publication of the Letter – dated 15 May 2016, Solemnity of Pentecost – was ordered by Pope Francis on 14 March, in the audience granted to Cardinal Müller.

Harmonious and complementary connection, with obedience to Pastors

In particular, IE is centred on theological, rather than pastoral or practical, question deriving from the relationship between the ecclesial institution and new movements and aggregations, insisting on the harmonious connection and complementary nature of the two subjects, provided that it is part of a “fruitful and ordered participation” in the charisms of the communion of the Church, which does not authorize them “to withdraw the obedience owed towards the ecclesial hierarchy”; nor does she “bestow the right to an autonomous ministry”. As “gifts of indispensable importance for the life and mission of the Church”, authentic charisms are called to “missionary openness, to the necessary obedience to pastors, and to maintain ecclesial communion”.

Do not oppose the institutional Church and the Church of charity

Therefore, “their opposition, and equally their juxtaposition” with hierarchical gifts would be a mistake. Indeed, a Church “of the institution” should not be opposed to a Church “of charity”, since in the Church “the essential institutions are also charismatic” and “the charisms must, in one way or another, be institutionalized to have coherency and continuity”. In this way, both dimensions “together concur to make present the mystery and the salvific work of Christ in the world”.

May the charismatic dimension never be missing in the Church, but ecclesial maturity is needed

The new realities, therefore, must reach the “ecclesial maturity” that leads to their full development and integration in the life of the Church, always in communion with Pastors and attentive to their indications. The existence of new realities, indeed – the Letter underlines – fills the heart of the Church with “joy and gratitude”, but are also called to “relate positively with all of the other gifts present in ecclesial life”, so as “to promote them generously, and to accompany them with vigilant paternity” of Pastors “in such a manner that all contribute to the good of the Church and to its evangelising mission”. “The charismatic dimension will never be lacking in the life and mission of the Church”.

Criteria for discerning authentic charisms

But how can an authentic charismatic gift be recognised? The Letter of the Congregation calls for discernment, a task “that appertains to the ecclesial authorities”, in accordance with specific criteria: to be an instrument of holiness in the Church; to be engaged in the missionary dissemination of the Gospel; to fully confess the Catholic faith; to bear witness to active communion with all the Church, welcoming with faithful willingness her doctrinal and pastoral teachings; to acknowledge and respect the other charismatic components of the Church; to accept with humility moments of trial in discernment; to have spiritual fruits such as charity, joy, peace and humanity; and to consider the social dimension of evangelization, aware of the fact that “concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members … cannot be lacking in an authentic ecclesial entity”.

Legal recognition in accordance with canon law

In addition, IE indicates two other fundamental criteria to consider for the legal recognition of the new ecclesial realities, according to the forms established by the Code of Canon Law: the first is “respect for the particularity of individual charismatic groups, avoiding juridical straitjackets that deaden novelty”. The second criterion concerns “respect for the fundamental ecclesial regimen”, favouring “the effective insertion of the charismatic gifts into the life of the Church”, but avoiding the danger that the entities “might be considered in some way as running parallel to the ecclesial life or not ordered in relation to the hierarchical gifts”.

The relationship between the Universal Church and the particular Churches is essential

The document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith then shows how the relationship between hierarchical and charismatic gifts must take into account the “constitutive and essential relation between the universal Church and the particular Churches”. This means that while the charisms are given to all the Church, “the dynamism of these gifts must actualize itself in the service of a concrete diocese”. In addition, these also represent an “authentic opportunity” to live and to develop the Christian vocation of each person, whether this be marriage, priestly celibacy, or ordained ministry. In addition, consecrated life too “is located within the charismatic dimension of the Church”, since the spirituality of institutes “can become for both the lay faithful and the priest a significant resource enabling them to live their own proper vocation”.

Look to the model of Mary

Finally, IE suggests looking to Mary, “Mother of the Church” and model of “complete docility to the action of the Holy Spirit” and of “transparent humility”: by her intercession, it is hoped that “the charisms, abundantly bestowed by the Holy Spirit among the faithful, may be received with docility and bear fruit for the life and mission of the Church and for the good of the world”.

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(Vatican Radio) Praying for our enemies can heal our hearts: that was Pope Francis’ message at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta chapel on Tuesday morning. Recalling his own childhood in Argentina, when people prayed that dictators would go to hell, the Pope recalled how Jesus himself tells us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.

Philippa Hitchen reports…

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Reflecting on the Gospel reading from St Matthew where Jesus tells his disciples to love their enemies, Pope Francis noted that this instruction was in contrast to what the Doctors of the Law taught in those days: “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy”. The Jewish Law, he said, was being taught in a way that was too theoretical, based only on the letter of the Law and not on the love of God at the heart of that Law.

For this reason, the Pope said, Jesus repeats the most important commandment of the Old Testament: Love your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your soul, and your neighbour as yourself. This was not at the heart of what the Doctors of the Law were teaching, he said. They were only worried about details and individual cases, but Jesus shows the true sense of the Law which he came to fulfill.

The Pope noted how Jesus offers many examples to show the commandments in a new light and to prove that love is more generous than the letter of the Law. From ‘Do not kill’ meaning don’t insult or be angry with your brother, to the instructions to give your coat to the person who demands your shirt, or go the extra mile with the person who wants to be accompanied for one mile.

This is not just for the fulfillment of the Law, the Pope said, but it also helps to heal our hearts. In Jesus’ explanations of the commandments, especially in St Matthew’s Gospel, he said, there is a journey of healing. Every heart wounded by sin – as each one of us has – must undertake this journey of healing in order to be more like our “heavenly Father (who) is perfect”.

The last and most difficult step on this journey towards perfection, Pope Francis said, is contained in Jesus’ words from today’s reading: “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. The Pope recalled that as a child, people used to pray for God to send the dictators of that period to hell, but instead, he said, God calls us to examine our consciences and to pray for our enemies.

May the Lord give us grace, he concluded, to pray for those individuals who hurt and persecute us. The power of prayer, the Pope said, will do two things: it will change that person for the better and it will make us become more like children of our heavenly Father.

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Vatican City, Jun 14, 2016 / 03:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a testimony at the Vatican’s Jubilee for the sick and disabled, the husband of the late Chiara Corbella Petrillo – who died after rejecting medical treatment in order to save her unborn child – spoke about his wife's joyful faith in the face of terminal illness.

“Chiara was beautiful. She was bright. She was happy. She was already saying 'I love you' to everyone. She was happy to have lived a full and incredible life. She was happy to have loved.”

Enrico Corbella, who stood in front of the altar with their son Francesco, now four years old, addressed the rain-soaked crowds who had gathered in St. Peter's Square for Mass with Pope Francis.

He told the crowds that in order to “make room for grace,” one must be willing to welcome what he referred as the logic of “unjust love.”

“Is it just that I am a widow? Is it just that Francesco does not have his mother? Is it just to be sick? Is it just to be disabled?”

“Is it just that the Son of God died on the Cross? No, it is not just, but this is love: a wonderful injustice.”

Chiara Corbella died June 13, 2012 at age 28, after choosing to reject treatment and save her unborn baby when a tumor was discovered during their third pregnancy.

She and Enrico had been married since September 21, 2008, having met in Medjugorie six years earlier. The couple had already endured the deaths of their first two children, Maria and Davide, who passed away shortly after birth.

“We always felt loved,” Enrico said in his testimony. “The Lord gave us two special children to be accompanied at the gate of paradise. We saw them fall asleep and pass from our embrace to that of the Father. We thought, where is the misfortune? They were born ready.”

Shortly after becoming pregnant with their third son, Francesco, Chiara received the diagnosis of terminal cancer.

Chiara rejected any treatment that could have saved her life during pregnancy because it would have risked the life of her unborn son.

As the cancer progressed, it became difficult for Chiara to speak and see clearly, causing her excruciating suffering.

Enrico recounted the “most beautiful” months spent together, receiving the sacraments and praying for physical healing, even though it never came. However, they realized that it was more important to ask for salvation.

In a letter that Chiara wrote to their son Francesco, Enrico recounted, she recalled the line from the Gospel: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

However, Enrico admitted that as he watched his wife become consumed by her illness, he had difficulty with this notion.

“It was around 7 on her last morning, before the Tabernacle, and I asked her: 'Chiara, is this Cross really sweet like the Lord says?' She smiled at me, and with a frail voice replied: 'Yes, Enrico. It is very sweet.'”

“That sweetness was for her, not for me,” Enrico said. “It was she who was dying, not I. The Lord, in fact, gives grace at the right moment. And so, I watched her die happy. She knew very well where she was going.”

“Brothers and sisters, we too can die happy, if we make space for his grace,” he concluded. “The Lord is not a liar. This Cross is very sweet. Trust that it is worth it.”

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'A saint for our times' – the inspiring story of Chiara Corbella Petrillo https://t.co/yHtn6Reele

— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) June 13, 2016


 

 

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