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Church in Cuba responds to open letter from dissidents

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Havana, Cuba, Aug 23, 2010 / 10:11 am (CNA).- The Archdiocese of Havana issued a press release on August 20 in response to an open letter recently sent to Pope Benedict XVI by a group of Cuban dissidents. The archdiocese said its statement was in response to the uproar among Catholics concerning the letter, “which contains offensive content toward the Church in Cuba.”

The letter

The open letter from the dissidents was signed by 165 people, many of whom are Catholic and have been involved in the Varela Project. Many are also family members of the prisoners who “desperately want” the regime to disappear.

The dissidents stated that they are not in agreement with “the position the Cuban Church hierarchy has taken in its intervention in support of political prisoners,” which they call “unfortunate and embarrassing.” They believe that if the bishops had offered the “right mediation,” they would have listened to “the complaints of both sides” and would have reconciled them.

“However,” they continued, “the solution of exile, accepted by those who have been unjustly imprisoned for seven years only because of their ideas, only benefits the dictatorship,” as this “exodus” prevents them from continuing in their struggle for democracy in Cuba.

The response from the archdiocese

The press release from the Archdiocese of Havana pointed out that when the Church “accepted the mission of mediating between the family members of the prisoners ... and Cuban officials, it knew that this mediation could be interpreted in different ways, provoking various reactions: from insults to defamation, to acceptance and even gratitude. Remaining inactive was not a valid option for the Church because of her pastoral mission,” the statement said.

The archdiocese also noted that “the Church’s actions supporting respect for the dignity of all Cubans and for social harmony in Cuba” has been ongoing for 20 years” and “has never and will never be based on political tendencies, whether of the government or of the opposition, but rather on her pastoral mission.”

The statement also indicated that “the Church in Cuba will not divert her attention from that which motivated her to act in this process: the humanitarian complaint from families who have suffered from the incarceration of one or more of their members.”

Demonstrating the Pope's awareness of the situation, the archdiocese quoted Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, who recently remarked that the crucial role assumed in the Cuban dialogue process by Cardinal Jaime Ortega and by Archbishop Dionisio Garcia, the president of the bishops’ conference, was possible because of the evident fact that the Catholic Church is profoundly rooted in the nation's people and is interpreted in the light of their spirit and their expectations.

The statement continued citing Fr. Lombardi, who said that the Church in Cuba “is not a strange reality, she does not escape in difficult times. She bears the sufferings and brings hope, with dignity and patience, ... but without trying to increase tensions or exacerbate feelings.”

She does this, he added, “with the constant commitment to opening paths to understanding and dialogue.”

The archdiocese concluded its statement again quoting Fr. Lombardi, who said the Holy See “supports the local Church with its spiritual solidarity and international authority,” and that “the Holy See has always declared itself against the embargo, and thus is united with the people in their suffering.”

The spokesman then spoke of the Church's willingness “to support any perspective on constructive dialogue ... with patience, important progress has been made in this direction. We all want it to continue.”

Archbishop Dolan offers to help in NYC mosque debate

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

New York City, N.Y., Aug 19, 2010 / 11:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As the controversy over the planned building of a mosque and Islamic center near Ground Zero in New York City grows increasingly heated, Archbishop Timothy Dolan urged the different factions to carry on a “respectful discussion” and offered to mediate between those who support the plans and those who oppose them.

The New York archbishop made his remarks in a brief and impromptu news conference on Aug. 18 at Covenant House, a Catholic facility in Manhattan for homeless youth.

“My major prayer is that what has turned into somewhat of a divisive issue might develop into an occasion of very civil, rational, loving, respectful discussion,” he stressed.

Archbishop Dolan then praised both New York Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson for their contributions to the debate, though both are on different sides of the issue.

"Mayor Bloomberg articulated in a particularly of eloquent way the principles of religious freedom and the hospitality on which this great country and this wonderful community is based," the archbishop said.

Bloomberg supports the plans for the mosque and Islamic center, and according to ABC News, has said it would be a "sad day" if the project is canceled. Governor Paterson, however, has offered to hold discussions with the imam and mosque developers in order to find another suitable location.

“I think the governor’s initiative is welcome," Archbishop Dolan said. "Both of what they (he and Mayor Bloomberg) are trying to do is bring people together to look into this problem.”

The prelate then cited the example of Pope John Paul II, who advised a group of sisters in 1993 to move from their convent at the former Auschwitz death camp after protests from Jewish leaders.

“He’s the one who said, ‘Let’s keep the idea, and maybe move the address,’ ” the archbishop said. “It worked there; might work here.”

“Those who wonder about the wisdom of the situation of the mosque, near such a wounded site, ask what I think are some legitimate questions that I think deserve attention,” he added.

When asked if he would play a part in the ongoing discussions over the planned mosque and Islamic center, Archbishop Dolan replied, “I'd be honored to ... If I can be a part, say but the word.”

“In kind of a backdoor way, I think we already are (a part of the discussion) in the archdiocese,” he added, in “more of a quiet, behind the scenes way – a lot of our pastors in that area and a lot of other religious leaders are part already of the conversation that needs to keep going on.”

Police recover relic stolen from Boston cathedral

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Boston, Mass., Aug 16, 2010 / 07:54 pm (CNA).- The Archdiocese of Boston declared Monday that the prayers of its faithful were answered after a relic of the True Cross that was stolen from the Cathedral of Holy Cross earlier this month was found in rural Vermont.

“Our prayers have been answered as the Relic of the True Cross has been recovered,” the Archdiocese of Boston said in its statement. “God has blessed us with His love and capacity to forgive. We prayerfully carry on His call for forgiveness for those responsible.”

The splinter of wood from the cross, encapsulated in a brass and glass reliquary, was discovered missing on July 1.

The archdiocese also expressed gratitude for the diligent work of the Boston Police Department as well as the Vermont State Police, who were instrumental in the recovery of the relic.

According to the Pilot, the newspaper for Boston's archdiocese, the Vermont State Police were called about a domestic dispute on August 9. When they arrived on the scene, Earl Frost, a 34-year-old Vermont resident told the police he had a relic stolen from a church in Boston and wanted to return it to a church. Frost added that he received the relic from an unidentified man in Rhode Island.

He surrendered the relic at the Royalton Barracks of the Vermont State Police, but was not arrested due to a lack of evidence. The relic was identified by an official from the Archdiocese of Boston a week later.

When the police went back to look for Frost, he had disappeared.

The relic is still in the possession of the Vermont police, who are seeking a warrant for Frost’s arrest on the grounds of possession of stolen property.

The Archdiocese of Boston will hold a prayer service on Wednesday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the return of the relic of the True Cross to the cathedral.

Catholic actor canned for refusing sex scenes to star in 'Vigilante Priest' series

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Hollywood, Calif., Aug 17, 2010 / 03:09 am (CNA).- The Catholic actor Neal McDonough, who lost a lead role for his refusal to do heated love scenes, will produce and star in a new series about a policeman turned priest.

McDonough, who has played roles on shows such as “Desperate Housewives,” “Boomtown” and “Band of Brothers,” lost his role on the new ABC series “Scoundrels” three days into filming. While ABC described the action as a “casting change,” news reports linked it to the actor’s refusal to do sex scenes.

Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood now reports that McDonough will be executive producer and star in a new Starz series titled “Vigilante Priest.” His lead character, a priest, is a former policeman who is cleaning up the streets of Los Angeles “one sinner at a time.”

The actor is co-creating the series with “Law & Order” producer Walon Green. John Avnet will direct the pilot and will co-produce.

According to Finke, Starz has put the project on the fast track.

“I continue to applaud the Band Of Brothers and Desperate Housewives standout for sticking to his principles even if it has cost him jobs,” Finke wrote at Deadline Hollywood.

McDonough is also co-starring in the movie “Captain America,” based on the Marvel comic book.

Spain offers World Cup victory to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Mexico City, Mexico, Aug 12, 2010 / 12:11 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Spanish Royal Federation of Soccer (SRFS) offered the World Cup trophy Spain recently won to Our Lady of Guadalupe at the basilica in Mexico City.

During the emotional ceremony, the president of the SRFS, Angel Maria Villar, presented to trophy to Msgr. Diego Monry, fulfilling a promise made during his last visit to Mexico. The Spanish officials were accompanied by the president of the Mexican Soccer Federation, Jacinto Desio de Maria, and other members of his staff.

In his homily, Msgr. Monroy Ponce emphasized the human values that sports foster in society and proposed that they are a vehicle for the creation of spiritual strength. “An effort of this dimension not only has do to with winning but also with spirituality,” he said.

“We are very happy that the Spanish Royal Federation of Soccer has fulfilled its desire before Our Lady of Guadalupe, the mother of all. Don’t forget that when she appeared to the Juan Diego, she clearly told him, ‘I am your mother,’ which makes her the mother of the entire mixture of the Indigenous and Spanish cultures,” he added.

“Every time I have come to Mexico, I have visited the Basilica. When I came to sign the agreement for the match in Mexico I went to Mass and I prayed for one thing, to be world champions. I am selfish—you’re not supposed to ask for those things and the mother of God granted it to me,” Villar said.

Spain and Mexico will match up for a game in celebration of the Bicentennial of Mexico’s independence.

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to an peasant man named Juan Diego in 1531, just a few years after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. After he told the local bishop of his vision, the image of Our Lady appeared on his tilma. This miracle led to the conversion of Mexico.

Juan Diego was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002

Former Buffalo parishioners to visit church's relocation site in Georgia

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Atlanta, Ga., Aug 13, 2010 / 06:35 am (CNA).- Former parishioners from Buffalo, New York will travel to Georgia to visit the site where their closed church building will begin serving a new congregation. A Catholic parish in the Atlanta area is relocating the historic church building over a distance of 900 miles.

Nineteen former parishioners from the Church of St. Gerard will travel to Mary Our Queen Parish in Norcross, Georgia to visit their 99-year-old church’s planned new home. The church was closed in 2008 due to declining membership.

The church is modeled after the famous Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. While reproducing a similar church from scratch would cost an estimated $40 million, relocating the Buffalo church building is expected to cost only $15 million.

Fr. Francis X. “Butch” Mazur, the last pastor of St. Gerard’s, will lead the pilgrimage, a press release from Mary Our Queen Parish reports. He and his parishioners will present a crucifix of St. Gerard’s to the Georgia parish.

The crucifix joins a 7.5 foot, 1,600 pound statue of St. Gerard and a stone Paschal Candle stand, delivered to Mary Our Queen at Easter.

Fr. David Dye and the Georgia parish will welcome the Buffalo parishioners with dinner and a reception on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 21. Buffalo residents in the Atlanta area are also invited to attend.

A Mass will be held on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 11 a.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. reception. At the Mass, former St. Gerard’s parishioners will adorn the altar and will bring up the water and wine for the offertory.

A website about the relocation effort is at http://www.movedbygrace.com

Planned Parenthood strips affiliation from San Francisco-based clinic network

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

San Francisco, Calif., Aug 12, 2010 / 03:07 am (CNA).- Citing a failure to meet standards, the abortion provider Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) has disallowed its San Francisco-based affiliate network from calling itself “Planned Parenthood.” The network also faces a shortfall of donations and compensation from the California state government.

Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG), which was founded in 1996, operates facilities in San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, Rohnert Park, San Mateo and San Rafael. It also has a “satellite clinic” in San Francisco called the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center.

The Golden Gate affiliate must stop using the Planned Parenthood trademark as of Sept. 3, California Catholic Daily reports.

A PPFA representative said that the affiliate had failed to uphold the “standards and guidelines” required of affiliates, adding that the details of the situation were confidential. The spokesperson told the San Francisco Chronicle that the revocation of the franchise was “very unusual.”

PPGG interim CEO Therese Wilson said that the recession had cut its fundraising revenues in half. She also blamed the “budget quagmire” of the California state budget. PPGG will soon stop receiving reimbursements from the state for Medi-Cal until a state budget is approved.

Wilson told The Bay Citizen that Planned Parenthood was “not as attentive to its financial situation as it should have been.” She also remarked to the Chronicle that the organization wishes the national organization would have been “a little bit more supportive.”

PPGG reported that it will continue to operate its existing facilities under a different name and has launched a contest among its employees to come up with a new moniker. Wilson claimed the change in affiliation will reduce paperwork required from patients and will free the organization from having to pay national dues.

At the same time, PPFA has opened up the organization’s territory to its affiliates Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and Planned Parenthood Shasta-Diablo. Leaders with both affiliates have expressed interest in expansion.

Planned Parenthood Golden Gate’s Redwood City clinic recently shut down, reportedly as part of a consolidation effort. The organization also launched an “iPad Scavenger Hunt” for new patients and current patients who “refer a friend.”

Other affiliates of Planned Parenthood in California have been named in a lawsuit charging that the organizations overbilled the state and federal governments more than $180 million for birth control drugs. One of the lead witnesses in the case is a former official with Planned Parenthood-Los Angeles.

Bishop William Callahan to be installed in La Crosse on Wednesday

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Lacrosse, Wis., Aug 9, 2010 / 09:49 pm (CNA).- William Patrick Callahan on Wednesday will be installed as the new Bishop of La Crosse in Wisconsin. The incoming bishop will celebrate one of his first Masses in the diocese at a church where the parish priest stepped down after charges of possession of child pornography.

The 60-year-old Bishop Callahan, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will succeed Jerome Listecki, who is now Archbishop of Milwaukee. He will be installed on Wednesday afternoon at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral.

The incoming bishop told the La Crosse Tribune that he will learn about the diocese, over 15,000 square miles in area, and meet its people and priests.

"I've stepped in more than one cow pie in my life, so I have no fear in any of that," he commented. "People are people, whether they live in cities or on farms. And I love the people. I think the most important thing to do is to make contact with the people."

He said everyone has told him that the diocese is “wonderful.”

"My coming is a little bit different, because I'm not coming in with degrees after my name. I am basically a parish priest. I want to come in with a pastor's heart,” he told the La Crosse Tribune. "We have a common faith, so let's try to work from there."

On Sunday he will celebrate Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, where parish priest Fr. Patrick Umberger recently stepped down after being charged with possession of child pornography.

"I want to be with those people. That's the high priority," Bishop Callahan commented. "I want to pray with them. I want to listen."

He told the La Crosse Tribune that the turmoil at St. Patrick’s was “a sad way to start” but he wants parishioners to know “I’m their guy.”

"The most important thing is our faith in Jesus Christ and that we come together. In praying with them, I'll have the opportunity to listen. I'm sure they'll want to talk."

The bishop said his new assignment makes him “a little nervous, a little excited, happy, enthused, ready to come and do my job.”

Jesus' advent gives life-changing hope, Benedict XVI teaches

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 8, 2010 / 10:59 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Before Sunday's Angelus prayer, Pope Benedict XVI taught the importance of leading our lives with trust and hope in the coming of the Lord. This hope, he said, should encourage us to "an intense life, rich with good works."

The courtyard at Castel Gandolfo was filled with faithful and pilgrims, some of whom sung the "Ave Maria" as they waited for the Holy Father to appear on the second story balcony of the Apostolic Palace.

After being met with a burst of cheers, the Pope taught about Jesus' words to the disciples from Sunday's Gospel in which He continued to speak on "the value of the person in the eyes of God and on the uselessness of earthly worries."

This discourse, said the Holy Father, is not about "praise for disengagement.” Rather, he explained, our heart is opened to a hope that enlightens our existence when we listen to Jesus’ “reassuring invitation”: “Do not be afraid, little flock; for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.”

Quoting from the Encyclical Spe Salvi, he added that the Gospel is not merely a communication but “makes things happen and is life-changing.”

“The dark door of time, of the future, has been thrown open. The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life."

He pointed to the example of Abraham, described in the Letter to the Hebrews as one who goes out with "a hopeful heart." Not knowing where he is going, he is "trusting only in God" and His promise of land and numerous descendants.”

Through the three parables in the Gospel, the Pope continued, Jesus illustrates to us how the expectation of his coming, "the blessed hope," should lead us "even further to an intense life, rich with good works."

His invitation to sell our possessions and to give alms to prepare the way to heaven, explained Benedict XVI, is an invitation to “use things without selfishness, thirst for possession or dominance, but according to the logic of God, the logic of the attention to others, the logic of love..."

He concluded by remembering several saints who laid down their lives, whose feast days fall this week. He recalled Sunday's feast of the founder of the Dominicans, St. Dominic of Guzman, whose order "carries out the mission of instructing society on the truth of faith, preparing themselves with study and prayer."

He also named 3rd century deacon and martyr St. Lawrence whose feast is to be celebrated on Aug. 10 and Claretian founder, St. Clare of Assisi (Aug. 11). Before beginning the Marian prayer, he drew attention to two 20th century martyrs, both killed at Auschwitz: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) and St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose feast days fall on Aug. 9 and Aug. 14, respectively.

Both of them, he said, "lived through the dark time of the Second World War, without ever losing sight of (their) hope, the God of life and love."

Texas priest reminds Catholics of ‘absolute duty’ to oppose abortion, homosexual unions

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

El Paso, Texas, Aug 3, 2010 / 06:01 am (CNA).- Warning of the possibility of a corrupt democracy, Texas priest Fr. Michael Rodriguez has written that Catholics have the “absolute duty” to oppose abortion and all government attempts to legalize same-sex unions.

The parish priest of El Paso’s San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, Fr. Rodriguez published a short essay in the Sunday El Paso Times urging all Catholics to take the teachings of the Catholic Church to heart.

Every Catholic, out of “fidelity to charity and truth,” must oppose “the murder of unborn babies” and the legalization of homosexual unions, he said.

“Any Catholic who supports homosexual acts is, by definition, committing a mortal sin, and placing himself/herself outside of communion with the Roman Catholic Church,” the priest wrote. Those Catholics who neglect actively to oppose the “homosexual agenda” on the grounds of equal rights and tolerance would be guilty of “a most grievous sin of omission.”

Fr. Rodriguez quoted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) November 2009 pastoral letter on marriage, noting it was endorsed by the Bishop of El Paso Armando X. Ochoa. That document said the idea that people of the same-sex can “marry” is “one of the most troubling developments in contemporary culture” and is an attempt to “redefine” marriage and the family.

This harms both the intrinsic dignity of every person and the common good of society, the bishops said, adding that justice requires denying legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not “marital.”

Fr. Rodriguez urged Catholics to treat homosexuals with “love, understanding and respect” without forgetting that genuine love requires seeking the salvation of souls.

“Homosexual acts lead to the damnation of souls,” the priest warned.

Criticizing several El Paso Times letter writers who claimed that in a democracy the majority decide between what is right and wrong, he said this logic is “not only false” but “ludicrous.” Majority decisions have no bearing on an actions’ intrinsic morality, he explained.

This morality, established by God, can be known through reason, he said. As an example of intrinsic morality, the priest noted that if a majority voted to allow rape this could never make rape morally right.

“There is such a thing as a corrupt democracy, you know!” commented Fr. Rodriguez. “Frighteningly, if the majority chooses to deny the objective moral order, then we will all suffer the pestiferous consequences.”

Catholic Charities relief effort for victims of Gulf oil spill running out of funds

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

New Orleans, La., Aug 5, 2010 / 03:02 am (CNA).- Efforts to help those affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill are running out of funds, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans has said in an urgent appeal. So far the charity’s action has helped almost 20,000 people for 90 days, but financial resources are almost “exhausted.”

Relief services have been provided along the coast at nine sites at a cost of over $100,000 per week.

“We are now spending our meager reserves to assist fishermen and fishing communities affected by the spill. We will not waver in our commitment to the people,” Catholic Charities co-president Gordon Wadge stated on August 3. “We believe supporters locally and nationally will come through for us and enable us to continue to provide the quality services that have allowed so many to cope and keep their lives together.”

Catholic Charities reported that the oil company BP provided $1.1 million in funding on May 18 for 30 days of service. The oil company approached the charitable agency because it was already delivering services and because BP believed its emergency response model was effective.

The charity said it worked closely with BP outreach staff and “leveraged” the corporation’s initial contribution to provide 60 days of service. However, its $1.8 million in funding, which included contributions from individuals and foundations, is now “exhausted.”

Catholic Charities co-president Jim Kelly reported that in late June the agency submitted a request to BP for $12 million in additional funding to serve seven civil parishes in coastal Louisiana. BP has discussed funding of necessary services in meetings with officials from affected states.

“The real danger is that our ability to put food on people’s tables, to counsel those in need, and to pay outstanding bills for fishing families with no income could come to an end,” Kelly added. “We have a covenant with these brave and hard working people, but our work is not sustainable without new funding.”

The charity reports it has provided emergency assistance to 19,577 people, including 7,960 families. It has distributed almost $600,000 in food vouchers and almost $79,000 in emergency food boxes from its affiliated ministry Second Harvest Food Bank. The food bank itself has distributed over 300,000 meals.

Other aid includes more than 1,000 packages of diapers and nearly $194,000 in other direct assistance and baby supplies to families. Mental health crisis counselors have also counseled over 6,000 people.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans is accepting donations at its website, http://www.ccano.org.

All political prisoners to be released 'soon,' Cuban cardinal announces

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Washington D.C., Aug 4, 2010 / 10:19 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino, Archbishop of Havana, Cuba, announced at the Knights of Columbus' annual States Dinner that thanks to the mediation of the Catholic Conference of Cuban Bishops, fifty-two prisoners of conscience will be released within three to four months.

Upon receiving the Gaudium et Spes award on the evening of August 3, Cardinal Ortega said that “regardless of the distance, and the differences in our social or political systems, you have been brothers to the Cuban Catholics and have shown us your solidarity.”

The Cuban cardinal especially mentioned the Knights of Columbus' support in the construction of the new San Carlos y San Ambrosio National Seminary in Havana. The seminary is scheduled to open in November and will be able to house 100 seminarians.

Cardinal Ortega also highlighted that lay people have played a significant role in Cuba, “especially in the last 40 years, not only by the work they have carried out in some ministries due to the shortage of priests, but also by the social role they have played within families, at work places, schools and society in general; sometimes they have had to face hardships given the constrains and limitations suffered by believers in past decades.”

“The laity's role in Cuba is very well-known by the Knights of Columbus, who were present in my country since the beginning of the Republic in 1902, carrying out a fruitful work that has left its imprint on us,” he added.

The cardinal also revealed that “nowadays the situation is more favorable for the action of charity services characteristic of the Knights of Columbus in the Cuban Church,” since “plenty of social works” have become real possibilities and have enabled the Church in Cuba to have a social presence.

The Archbishop of Havana also described a growing phenomenon: “the Mission Houses that gather communities of 60, 70 or even 100 people in family homes. Many times, these communities are looked after by catechist laymen who prepare the faithful to evolve from evangelized communities to Eucharistic communities. In my archdiocese, several of these communities have turned into parishes. Now we must build parish churches.”

“The Church,” Cardinal Ortega explained, “has always been duly interested—in a discreet, direct and non-violent way—in everything related to justice and the common good.”

“Lately,” he informed the Knights, “the Cuban government, responding to our request, has asked us to mediate between the political prisoners' relatives and the government authorities in order to know their proposals. In this way a process began, which has led to the recent announcement that fifty-two convicts, considered prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International, will be released in a period of three to four months.”

More than 20 of these prisoners have already traveled to Spain.

According to the Cuban cardinal, these discussions with the government “have been unprecedented, and they bring about a new situation of social appreciation for our Catholics. We hope that this process of dialogue, in which we are immerged (sic) now, ends successfully.”

The Knights of Columbus has previously conferred the Gaudium et Spes award on Catholic leaders such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and the late Cardinal John O'Connor.

On anniversary of anti-Christian attacks, thousands march in Pakistan

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Faisalabad, Pakistan, Aug 3, 2010 / 02:56 am (CNA).- Over 2,000 people took part in a march in Pakistan to mark the first anniversary of some of the country’s worst anti-Christian violence. A leading police official admitted to marchers that security forces had failed to protect Christians, while some prominent Muslim leaders said they deplored the violence.

In August 2009 a mob of several thousand Muslims looted and burned a Christian neighborhood in Gojra city in Punjab province. Eight people died in the violence.

Some of the most prominent local Muslims addressed the marchers, describing the perpetrators as unworthy of being called Muslims. They denounced the crimes as being against the precepts of the Koran.

Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts presided at the memorial Mass on Sunday at Gojra’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church, ACN News reports. The bishop lit candles for each of those who died in the violence.

Victims included seven-year-old Musa Almas, his ten-year-old sister Umia, and five other members of their family.

The 2009 mob attacks reportedly took place in reaction to a rumor that the Koran was desecrated in a nearby village. The desecration was alleged to have taken place when children cut up pages from an old school book to use as wedding confetti. The school book supposedly contained verses from the Koran.

Bishop Coutts told ACN of his “huge relief” that the memorial events had gone peacefully despite recent violence. Two Christian brothers accused of blasphemy were shot and killed outside a Faisalabad courthouse after being cleared of the charges.

The prelate said that after the memorial Mass the police district’s coordinating officer Amaan Ullah said the police response to the crisis had been “a failure.”

“The police had received sufficient reports to indicate that there was something happening in Gojra that could lead to serious violence,” the bishop commented.

While a judicial inquiry has already found fault with the police handling of the Gojra violence, Sunday was the first time a police official made such a public admission. Some have argued that the police should have imposed a legal order in Gojra to forbid gatherings of people within a defined area in order to eliminate the risk of mob violence.

Bishop Coutts also discussed how several very senior Muslims had appeared before the crowds of marchers in Gojra to describe the attack as “un-Islamic.”

One leader was “quite clear” that Islam does not teach that people should be attacked. According to the bishop, the Muslim cleric said, “People who carry out attacks of this kind are not to be considered Muslims … and the same applies to those who attack places of worship.”

The people in the march reacted to these remarks “very quietly.”

“Normally after speeches it is the custom here to give some applause but it was different this time,” commented Bishop Coutts, saying he praised the people for their calm response.

“Indeed everything went wonderfully well, beyond my expectations – a huge relief,” he added.

Local MP Aamir Joel, who is Catholic, has promised to press for more government funds to compensate victims and to rebuild vital infrastructure that was damaged by the violence.

The charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has launched a campaign to help the Church in Pakistan. It has also spoken out against the country’s blasphemy laws.

Illinois baseball team hosts pre-game Catholic Mass

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Geneva, Ill., Aug 1, 2010 / 06:21 pm (CNA).- Thanks to discussions between a priest and a minor league baseball team official, the Kane County Cougars of the Class A Midwest League hosted a Catholic Mass before a Friday baseball game earlier this month.

The Cougars of the Class A Midwest League, a team affiliated with the Oakland Athletics, organized the Mass at their baseball field in the Chicago suburb of Geneva.

The liturgy began at 5:30 p.m. and Mass attendees were required to have a ticket for the game. The July 16 event, which was billed as “Mass on the Grass,” drew participants from 14 area churches.

Cougars assistant general manager Jeff Ney said about 400 people attended the service. He did not think any players attended because they were preparing for the game. He added that the players have baseball chapel service on Sundays.

While the team was unsure whether it would hold any similar services this year, it planned to have religious events next year with other faiths and denominations as well.

Asked if there were any complaints about the event, general manager Jeff Sedivy told USA Today, “Not at all. Not one.” He added that the Catholic Mass was the first religious event the team had hosted simply because Cougars media relations coordinator Shawn Touney, a Catholic, had the idea.

In a Friday interview, Ney told CNA that the event resulted from conversations Touney had with his friend Fr. Paul Fasano, a parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Batavia, Ill.

Talking about a possible outing for one of their youth ministries, the two wondered whether they could have a church service as part of the event.

“It just grew from there,” Ney reported, confirming that Fr. Fasano was the celebrant at the Mass.

Parishes were informed of the event by telephone, Ney added. Though youth ministries were the initial target of the promotion, senior citizens and others were well represented at the event.

Feedback about the Mass was “generally really good,” with many looking forward to attending a similar event next season. The weather provided “a beautiful afternoon with clear skies,” though the temperature was hot and the priest had to paperclip the sacramentary used during Mass because of a strong breeze.

According to an e-mail from Ney, Fr. Fasano threw the ceremonial First Pitch before the start of the game, in which the Cougars defeated the South Bend Silver Hawks by a score of 8-0.

Judge rules against Christian banned from Eastern Michigan counseling program

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Grand Rapids, Mich., Jul 28, 2010 / 10:06 pm (CNA).- Attorneys of the Alliance Defence Fund (ADF) are preparing to appeal a federal judge's decision that a Christian student's beliefs about homosexuality were an acceptable grounds for her dismissal from a graduate program in counseling at Eastern Michigan University.

Julea Ward enrolled in the university's counseling practicum course in January 2009, and was assigned to a client who sought assistance with a homosexual relationship. Ward considered herself unable to assist the client under the circumstances, due to her own moral and religious beliefs, and was advised by her supervisor to reassign the client.

Eastern Michigan University, however, responded to the situation by initiating disciplinary procedures against Ward, involving a “remediation” program. According to ADF, the “remediation” amounted to an ultimatum: Ward would either “see the error of her ways” and change her beliefs about sexual morality in order to encourage her clients in same-sex relationships, or be dismissed from the counseling program.

The university argued that she broke both school policy and the American Counseling Association code of ethics.

But Ward maintained that faculty members questioned her in an “inappropriate and intrusive” manner regarding her Christian faith before formally expelling her from the program. She appealed to the dean of EMU's College of Education, who upheld the decision. In April 2009, with the assistance of ADF, she brought a lawsuit against the university.

In March of this year, a district court in Michigan ruled that those professors responsible for Ward's expulsion could be held liable for discriminatory actions against her. This week, however, the court issued a summary judgment in favor of the EMU professors.

ADF maintains that the university's policy is both personally discriminatory and legally unconstitutional. The professors' real aim, they say, was “to make all students conform to the views promoted within their schools” on “some of the most important and controversial social and moral issues of our day.”

David French, senior counsel for the ADF's regional center in Tennessee and an attorney for Julea Ward, said that the academic freedom and constitutional rights of his client and others were at risk in the wake of Monday's decision. “Christian students,” he said, “shouldn't be expelled for holding to and abiding by their beliefs.”

French also stressed the unprecedented nature of the court's summary judgment. “To reach its decision, the court had to do something that's never been done in federal court: uphold an extremely broad and vague university speech code.”

Additionally, he pointed out that Ms. Ward had not personally refused the client her assistance, but merely followed the advice of her supervisor as to how her dilemma should be resolved.

Declaring his intention to move forward with an appeal, Mr. French expressed his confidence on Tuesday that his client would be vindicated. “We trust,” he said, that “the Sixth Circuit will understand the constitutional issues involved in this case.”

Lourdes Grotto at Notre Dame catches fire

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

South Bend, Ind., Jul 27, 2010 / 10:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The University of Notre Dame released a statement on July 26 saying that the campus's Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes caught fire on Monday evening.

The university's fire department quickly extinguished the flames when they broke out early in the evening, Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown told the South Bend Tribune. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Brown said.

Notre Dame's July 26 statement added that the “interior of the Grotto has been closed while officials determine if it is safe to enter. Visitors may still pray at the perimeter of the shrine.”

Candles are often lit in the grotto by those visiting to pray and have posed a hazard in the past with the grotto catching fire in 1985 due to the large number of lit votive candles.

Built in 1896, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is one-seventh the size of the shrine in France where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette numerous times in 1858.

Catholic Latino leaders set ambitious goals for future

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Allenspark, Colo., Jul 25, 2010 / 02:29 pm (CNA).- Members of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) gathered this weekend at St. Malo Retreat and Conference Center near Denver, Colo., to evaluate their first four years of existence and set new, ambitious goals for their future growth.

CALL was founded in Denver in 2006, under the auspices of Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM Cap., by then Auxiliary Bishop Jose H. Gomez. Archbishop Gomez was recently appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles.

The CALL annual members meeting opened on Friday evening, July 23, with a greeting from Archbishop Chaput.

“In my 22 years as a bishop, being part of CALL has been - and still is - one of the important and enjoyable tasks I’ve had,” the Archbishop of Denver wrote. “The leadership of Archbishop Gomez has been outstanding; without his vision and guidance, CALL would not exist.”

“CALL is now poised to play an even more effective role in mobilizing Latino Catholic leaders and renewing American society with the values of family, faith, hard work and moral character,” Archbishop Chaput concluded.

“The idea of CALL is very simple,” Archbishop Gomez explained during the first working session. “There is a need to reach out to Latinos that have been successful, because of the growing importance of Latinos in the Catholic Church and in the country.”

The Pew Hispanic Center conducted a major study last year on the way Hispanics are covered in the news media. Researchers looked at 55 different news outlets in the country—newspapers, cable and broadcast news, websites, and radio talk shows—from February 2009 to August 2009.

Out of almost 34,500 stories during that six-month period, only 645 contained substantial references to Hispanics. Of those, only 57 stories focused directly on the lives of Hispanics in the United States.

“This means that most Americans do not know well what Latinos are about. And if there is someone, some group that can help understand the Latinos and change their perception, it is an organization such as CALL. There is no doubt in my mind that our mission is to bring the reality of the Catholic Latino culture to the American culture, Archbishop Gomez continued.

“What CALL has to offer is what accountants like to call an ‘intangible good or service,’” said the coadjutor of Los Angeles, joking about his CPA background. “What we offer is spiritual growth and a way of helping other people. These are not things that you can ‘see’ or measure.”

“What is the ‘return on investment’ we offer to our members? I hope we will be able to say that it is this: Friendship, meaningful relationships," he listed, adding, "the regular chance for husbands and wives to grow in their faith, to hear engaging speakers, the opportunity to get away and go on pilgrimage. A means to get involved in their communities and in our nation’s political life,” he said.

“To create these opportunities is a practical, ‘do-able’ objective for us in the coming year,” Archbishop Gomez said.

CALL’s president and CEO, Robert B. Aguirre, offered information about the current demographic trends of the Hispanic community in the U.S. Numbering more than 47.7 million, Hispanics are 15% of the nation’s population and 15 million larger than all of Canada’s population. Hispanic buying power is growing at three times the Consumer Price Index, while the number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew by 31% and produced 222 billion in revenue over the last 10 years.

“CALL has been very aware of these trends in these past years, through its many initiatives. We have done an excellent job of branding the organization and establishing it within the Church but this day….this moment….is filled with opportunities to evangelize and to speak out on issues important to our community, our country, and our Church,” Aguirre said.

Among other measures discussed by CALL members was the creation of new CALL chapters in the U.S.

“There will be difficulties down the road, but these difficulties do not mean that this should not be happening or that God does not want it,” said Most Reverend Thomas Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, Ariz., commenting on CALL’s plans for expansion and growth.

“On the contrary, the Gospel teaches us that difficulties and the opposition of the Evil one are part of our Christian pilgrimage,” Bishop Olmsted added during his homily on Saturday.

“We are at the beginning of a new journey for Latino leaders, and we are starting the same way we start everyday events: with the first step,” CALL Chairman Ruben Escobedo explained.

Escobedo will be responsible for increasing fundraising among Catholic Hispanics and leading the Catholic Latino organization in its projected expansion in more areas, such as in Northern California, Arizona, Northern Texas and New York.

“The Latino presence in our country is growing every day. And that means that every day the need for this organization, for CALL is growing too,” Archbishop Gomez on Sunday, during the closing session.

“We are a part of something great here. We are part of a movement that is bigger than any one of us. America is changing and we are in the vanguard of the next America. We are pioneers, leaders for a new generation.”

Vocations increase in India despite religious persecution

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

New Dehli, India, Jul 23, 2010 / 12:52 am (CNA).- Despite increased persecution, vocations to the priesthood in the north region of India are continuing to grow. Bishop Anthony Chirayath of Sagar Diocese in the state of Madhya Pradesh reported that the number of candidates to the priesthood in his diocese has been on the rise for the past decade.

“When the diocese started in 1968 as an exarchate there were only 600 Catholics and three priests – now we are (at) 35,” he told the news agency for the pastoral charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

India’s Minister for International Affairs reports that Madhya Pradesh had 654 religious-related violent incidents in 2009, the second-highest in the country.

Bishop Chirayath noted that it has taken courage for young people to step forward to serve in the Church in the face of violence and family circumstances. “They know, after (violence in) Orissa, that there are persecutions and these incidents – the killing of priests and sisters – are all known to every young man or woman.

“But in spite of that they come forward to be priests or sisters.”

“In some cases only - children come forward – it takes courage to proclaim Jesus to the non-Christian world, it is a challenge,” the bishop continued.

He noted that although many religious sisters have been attacked, sexually assaulted, or killed, young women too are answering their vocational calls.

“There are still plenty of vocations, God has blessed us,” commented Bishop Chirayath.

The bishop heads a diocese in the Syro-Malabar Church, an Eastern church in full communion with the Pope. Many vocations come from the southwestern state of Kerala where the Syro-Malabar community is particularly strong, ACN News reports.

“We are sons of Saint Thomas – part of a tradition of faith stretching back 2,000 years,” the bishop said. He credited both the prevalence of family devotions like the Rosary and youth involvement in social and religious activity as factors which encourage vocations.

Bishop Chirayath said that when he became bishop four years ago, the diocese lacked a minor seminary and students were placed under the parish priest.

The new St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, built a few miles from the bishop’s residence, can accommodate 15 students but currently has 25 minor seminarians living there. It has four classrooms, a library and small offices for teachers but still needs a chapel and a dining room.

The bishop called the minor seminary “an essential element in the formation of future priests.”

Prospective priests enter the minor seminary for three years after high school, before going through one year of intense spiritual formation at centers in neighboring dioceses. They then spend three years at the major seminary, where they receive intensive training in Hindi, English and basic theology. They also study to enter university so they can secure a philosophy degree.

ACN is providing more than $23,000 for the construction of the seminary chapel, which will be able to accommodate 60 people.

“In a proper chapel we can give them a proper liturgical formation – in a chapel where there is the Blessed Sacrament, a crucifix and so on,” Bishop Chirayath told ACN News, deeming a place of prayer to be “central.”

Religious sister who ran bank for India’s poor dies at 86

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Bangalore, India, Jul 22, 2010 / 05:31 am (CNA).- Sr. Nancy Pereira, foundress of a Fund for the Poor bank to help impoverished clients in Bangalore, India, died on July 14 at the age of 86. Her fellow sisters remembered her for her service to the poor with “joy” and “creative solidarity.”

Sr. Nancy was born at Pudukkruruchy in the state of Kerala on August 14, 1923. She made her first profession as a member of the Daughters of Maria Auxiliatrix (FMA) on January 6, 1945.

She became well-known in the early 1990s when she started the Fund for the Poor, following the example of the Nobel Peace Prize awardee the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. According to CBCI News, clients of Sr. Nancy’s bank had to be poor people from slums or villages who lacked the opportunity to improve their livelihoods.

To obtain credit, a prospective applicant had to prove that he or she had saved a small sum for a year and had taken part in meetings of a small credit management group. The bank’s annual interest rate on its loans only covered management expenses.

The Bank for the Poor’s credit projects involved the whole family and helped improved living conditions both for many families and whole villages.

The FMA Sisters described Sr. Nancy in a short biography, saying she was convinced her vocation was “to be with the poor and to devote herself to serving them.”

“She loved all of them and tried to make them aware of their rights as well as their duties and to live their dignity as children of God. She did this with joy, involving many people in her projects for doing good. Forgetful of self, she lived a life of poverty to enrich the poor,” the sisters wrote.

Sr. Nancy, who won international recognition for her work, also founded many groups to promote women and to develop programs such as the Income Generating Programme (IGP). This effort helped the poor “live in worthy conditions and with financial autonomy,” the sisters said.

Catholics protest over exhibit of Virgin Mary holding child-like Hitler

Catholic News Agency — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:46:21 GMT

Rome, Italy, Jul 18, 2010 / 08:07 pm (CNA).- The pastor of the Italian city of Pietrasanta, together with local Catholic associations, have lodged a complaint with city officials over a picture of the Virgin Mary holding a child-like Adolph Hitler in her arms.

The picture titled, “The Virgin of the Third Reich” belongs to the collection of Italian artist Giuseppe Veneziano, known in the region for his works mocking various historical figures including Jesus Christ and Pope Benedict XVI.

The controversial piece was used on a poster promoting the Zeitgeist Expo, which will feature various works by Veneziano at the Panichi Palace in Pietrasanta starting this weekend. It is being sponsored by local officials.

The mayor of Pietrasanta, Domenico Lombardi, has publicly apologized to Catholics for the picture and organizers of the expo have pulled the controversial piece from the Zeitegeist program.

“I assume all responsibility for the publication of this picture, but I had not seen it beforehand, and had I, I would have selected another one,” Lombardi told local reporters. “I apologize if the painting offends anyone’s religious sensibilities.”

Veneziano also has complained to reporters about the decision to pull the piece and claimed to be a victim of censorship.