FEBRUARY 24, 2013, Vol 63, No 04

Page 1

www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2013

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20

MCI (P) 023/01/2013

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

Asian Church leaders react to pope’s resignation Some express sadness and admiration, others hope for change Church leaders in Asia have ex pressed sadness, shock and admi ration in the wake of Pope Ben edict XVI’s announcement that he would step down as pontiff – the ! XII stepped down in 1415. In a statement to the Catholic News, Archbishop Nicholas Chia " #$ %

admire him, and so are marked today with sadness at his impend % preme Pontiff. “With admiration we ac & % ness of life and marvellous clar ! % % % % & his many dedicated years of ser vice�. ' ( ) Vaz told CatholicNews that when % % % * % + * --" %

#

/0 2 " he listened to more reports and read the pope’s statement on his

% %" ( ' 3

% ! " #6% is awesome, humble, in love with the Church.� #2 % % 7% % 000 ! ! " 8 " / ( ' 30 #8 % 3 % "

8 % % % his successor will not take too 0/ Philippine Cardinal Luis 9 6 " % ! % speculated could be the next pope since he became cardinal last year, said, “We felt like children % % * % 0 :

! to admiration for the Holy Fa % % !" % !" and sincerity.� In a statement posted on the website of the Philippine bishops’ " % ;; !

" % 9 %* % ( "

noted that the pope’s “paramount

% % 7% %/0 For many Asian Catholics, the ! 7 6 * % % ! " more modern and, most impor !" ) % < % % % ics of the Church. #8 % % ! " % = % 7% % in Asia and Africa. If possible, I wish the new pope will come 9 9 "/ ( ( ( " %

NO. 4

INSIDE HOME Religious renew vows Hundreds attend celebration to honour consecrated life „ Page 2

‘Out of the sacristy, into the city’ Secular Franciscans „ Page 4

ASIA Japanese bishops visit Korea

‘

naval base construction

We acknowledge the courageous witness of life and marvellous clarity of thought that have marked his many dedicated years of service.

„ Page 9

WORLD Saving unwanted newborns Europe’s baby ‘windows’ spark controversy

’

„ Page 12

– Archbishop Nicholas Chia

% 8

7 % ates and Intellectuals Association. Other Church leaders ex pressed hope the next pope would & 0 #6% % * % % * % % " % with them, empower the local as well as the Universal Church pas torally,� said Holy Cross Arch bishop Patrick D’Rozario of Dha & " : %0 Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi said Pope Benedict was an ally of the Church in Pakistan, where its minority status often

VOL 63

FEATURE Tackling clergy sex abuse Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on Feb 11, citing deteriorating health. CNS photo

puts it at odds with the predomi

! ( 0 “He was supportive of our % * % ! law and other issues related to the minority Christian community,� he said. 6 8

" %

„ Page 14

will join the consistory to elect the next pope, praised Pope Benedict for his contributions to the Indian Church.

Several Chinese seminaries close

Continued on Page 10

a major factor

Archbishop Chia’s full statement on Page 8

„ Page 18

2 HOME

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Religious renew vows at Mass celebrating consecrated life By Martin See “Every soul possesses two great inclinations. One is to do what is good and the other is an inclination towards God,� said Redemptorist Fr Patrick Massang at a Mass marking the World Day for Consecrated Life. “When we don’t address these inclinations we can’t live life to the fullest,� said the president of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei at the Feb 1 event. Speaking to the crowd gathered at the Church of St Teresa, which included Religious priests, nuns and Brothers, Fr Massang said that Religious people struggle and commit themselves every

! % !" chastity and obedience for the greater good. He encouraged them in their

commitment, adding that “God has promised the great reward of salvation�. Archbishop Nicholas Chia presided at the celebration in which apostolic nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and Coadjutor Archbishop-elect William Goh were present. The Mass also saw the Religious lighting candles and renewing their vows. According to Franciscan Fr _ % 6 " % * raises awareness of Religious and consecrated life in the Church. He noted that these are aspects of the Church that are not appreciated by bishops in some dioceses. “There have been a perceived sense that the Religious life will take away vocations from the diocesan priesthood or that it does not contribute to the life of the local Church,� he said.

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Feb 17 2.00pm Church of the Holy Trinity: Mass – Rite of Election Feb 22 7.30pm The Singapore Expo: Mass – Episcopal Ordination of Fr William Goh Feb 23 5.00pm Carmelite Monastery: Mass – Auxiliaries Feb 24 2.30pm Church of Christ the King: Mass – Rite of Election (M) Feb 26 10.00am Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre: Mass – SOW-Commissioning

Nuns renewing their vows at the World Day for Consecrated Life Mass held on Feb 1.

“I think that the presence and support of our archbishop, the apostolic nuncio and coadjutor archbishop-elect is a clear sign of their support of Religious life� and its contributions in areas such as education, healthcare, and service to the poor and marginalised, Fr Tan added. Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Mary Chua said the celebration is “a good time to remind ourselves of our calling and to renew our vows and bring a sense of unity among various Religious orders�. The event is “good as we

The celebration is ‘a good time to remind ourselves of our calling and to bring a sense of unity among various Religious orders’. – Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Mary Chua

come together as brothers and sisters from different Religious orders�, said Carmelite

Sr Linda of the Assumption. The World Day for Consecrated Life falls on Feb 2 every year. However, the celebration was held a day earlier this year due to logistical reasons, said Sr Angeline Lim, from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, who was with the Mass organising committee. There are 10 female and 12 male Religious congregations in Singapore. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg „ Related story: Page 15

Coadjutor Archbishop-elect’s coat of arms Msgr William Goh has been appointed by the Holy See as Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore with the right to succession. The Holy See is also assigning Msgr Goh a titular see which is no longer inhabited. The following is an explanation of the symbols on the Coadjutor Archbishop-elect’s coat of arms: On the left: The lion represents the Republic of Singapore. The star represents the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the New Evangelisation, illuminated by God _ % pestuous seas. The Fleur-de-lys, which is typically associated with France, sig %

% 7 % lic Church in Singapore by the French missionaries. The Double Sail Ship represents mission and the co-responsibility of the clergy (black) and the laity (gold) in moving the Church forward in the New Evangelisation. This com % ! cance of the episcopal appointment during the Year of Faith. On the right: The Sacred Heart represents a burning love for God and humanity lived out with passion and compassion (the hallmark of Coadjutor Archbishop-elect William Goh’s ministry). The < % % *! ! " which ascends to God. IHS is a monogram of the

_ 0 6% %

young emulates the kenosis

_ sus on the cross and in the Eucharist. Centre: The seven hollow mascles come from the coat of arms of St William of York (patron saint of Msgr Goh). It represents the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Bible, which is the sacred Word of God, represents the primary duty of the archbishop to believe the Word, teach and live it. “Ut Vivant�, the motto of Msgr Goh in Latin, meaning “That They May Live�, is taken _ % -` -` --0 8 = the Good Shepherd who lays down 2 2 < &0 Colours: Green is the colour assigned to the ecclesiastical heraldry achievements of archbish 0 8 % !" like leaves attached to the vine. 6% %* % % delity to Christ draws life from Christ the True Vine. This in turn allows the Church to come through him to Christ. In this way, he becomes a “Pontifex�, a bridge to Christ. Gold is the colour of Christ’s Divinity. Red is the colour of passion and the anointing of the Holy % % %* % 0 * a colour of homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the hue of philosophical truth. The colour also symbolises the teaching role of the archbishop. Black is the colour of the ordained priesthood. „

HOME 3

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

New chapel features stained glass, Franciscan cross A quiet sanctuary that is the heart and soul of Mount Alvernia Hospital. This was how Franciscan Friar John-Paul Tan described the Mount Alvernia Hospital chapel during a Feb 2 Mass to mark its re-opening. The chapel was closed for a year as part of the hospital’s redevelopment plans and is now located next to the Patient Liaison 7 %

< 0 In his homily, Fr Tan recounted the story of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the hospital, who prayed and received the stigmata on Mount Alvernia. This allowed the saint to feel the physical suffering Jesus Christ experienced and the love that led Him to carry the cross, said Fr Tan. “Today, this spirit is demonstrated in how the management, doctors, nurses and staff of Mount Alvernia Hospital support the sick and suffering,� he said. Archbishop Nicholas Chia was the main celebrant during

the inaugural Mass and blessing of the altar. He was assisted by Fr Ignatius Yeo and Friars Tan and Michael D’Cruz. The new purpose-built chapel can now seat 100 people and houses a stained glass artwork featuring the Cross of San Damiano set against the “water of life�. “The Cross of San Damiano < % + % the hospital, which was started by the FMDM [Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood] nuns,� said Ms Rose Goh, who heads the hospital’s Clinical Pastoral Care team. The little chapel at Mount Alvernia Hospital has long been a place of solace for patients and visitors. Many parents have also brought their newborns to the chapel for a blessing, a unique tradition practised at the hospital. The Mount Alvernia Hospital Chapel is open to patients, visitors, staff and doctors daily from 5.30am to 9pm. Mass time (MonSat only): 7.45am. „

The little chapel at Mount Alvernia Hospital has long been a place of solace for patients and visitors.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia and several priests celebrated a Mass to mark the re-opening of the Mount Alvernia Hospital chapel. The chapel can now seat 100 people and contains a stained glass artwork featuring the Cross of San Damiano set against the ‘water of life’.

4 HOME

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

‘Out of the sacristy, into the city’ By Darren Boon

Secular Franciscans in Singapore playing a game during an Easter gathering together with their spiritual assistant, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Mary Chua.

Secular Franciscans need to rise to the challenge of living in a secular world and to be a visible force in it by living out their val " % said recently. ( 7 !" general of the Secular Franciscan " % an interview with CatholicNews on Jan 28. He was in Singapore on a pastoral visit to the Secular + pore and Malaysia. ~ % % –“we need to get out of the sacristy and enter the city� – Mr Clorey * * !

Church activities to “be present in the world around us�, such as in " & "

0 6% + prise laypeople and clergy who

& % % 0 ! * & % * !

* 0 6% ! % = Francis of Assisi and are involved in apostolates such as caring for creation, peace-building and service to the poor. Although there are 450,000 Secular Franciscans in 111 countries, Mr Clorey, who has been a * €; ! " % % * tries are declining. However, there has been great interest in the Secular Franciscan way of life in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, he said. He added that there are about ;`"``` ! *

the globe who are concerned about peace, poverty and the planet. ( 7 ! for the order. 6% ! " *! * % order and the nations it is present

" ! * to reach out to other young peo " * * presence in the world such as in % & "

% % *!

% % * % ones. During his pastoral visit, Mr 7 ! % " $ ( ! and Sabah to get a better understanding of their local fraternities

% 0 Mr Clorey also helped guide % % % countries’ fraternities into a single entity which would report to

Mr Doug Clorey, vice-minister general of the Secular Franciscan Order.

the international headquarters in 0 There are about 40 Secular Franciscans in Singapore divided 0 6% ! ! % " !

& ! % visiting the elderly and people in % 0 sion outreach, and interreligious

0 For more information on the Secular Franciscan Order, email sforegional@gmail.com or call 9756-0239. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

Sunday February 24, 2013 CatholicNews

ADVERTISEMENT

5

6 HOME

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Addressing mental health needs By Martin See 7 ! " 7 % % % % % %

" % % + * ƒ % 7 ! 8 6 „7 (86† % % eral partners. 7 (86 % ( ! of Health’s initiative for mental

" ! % " % "

% !

% % % 0 % " 7 ! = 9 * % &

her organisation offers to the ‡` " % representatives from the Khoo 6 & 2 " ( ! 2 %" 9 ! 8 7 „987†

!* & + ! vice Centre. 7 " ! % % !" % !" "

% % *

% %

! ! 7 ! &" % 0 %

% % 7 (86

are pleased ‘toWepartner with Clarity Singapore in promoting mental health in the community, and its services will complement other wellness services in Nee Soon South.

’

– MP for Nee Soon GRC, Dr Lee Bee Wah

Thumbs up ... Present at Clarity Singapore’s open house on Feb 6 were (from left) Ms Cynthia Phua, Clarity board member; Minister of State for Health Amy Khor; Dr Christopher Cheok, head of department of psychiatry at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Clarity board member; Dr Lee Bee Wah, MP for Nee Soon GRC; Clarity chairman Joseph Tan and Clarity executive director Grace Ang.

=

7 !

partnerships with mental health

% " # % /0

( 2 %" 9 ! ˆ%

( ‰ 7" : $ %" % " % 7 ! Š % 0 #$

with Clarity Singapore in promot % % % !"

ment other wellness services in ‰ %"/ % gathering.

Some participants were later & 7 ! 0 6% " % %

% % " % * premises since Dec 3. 8 €`-`

* 7

‰ 7 of Social Services. For more information on Clarity, visit www.clarity-singapore.org, tel: 67577-7990, helpline email: ask@clarity-singapore.org „

Cafe at Catholic Centre People visiting the Catholic Centre $ % % _ * * joy a meal at the Crossings CafĂŠ. 9* 3 7 % % come together to start the cafĂŠ at % % 9 %

gapore (ALPS). ( _

! 6 " % %  " ! % ‚ * 0 8 * % 9 % ! % " 7 % " %

!

% % 0 #9 % ‚ % * "/ ( 6 0 6% ‚ * %

< ;; $ " = % 7% %

0 8 * ƒ` 0 6% = * =

$ % 0 #$ &

% * * *! % 7 % !"/ ( 9 % ! $ " % % 0 The cafÊ seeks to hire a fulltime chef and cafÊ manager, and later other staff. It also welcomes volunteers and ideas. Email: CrossingsCafe@yahoo.com. „

HOME 7

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Catholic singles groups help By Darren Boon Social networking groups for single Catholics have had some suc %

% life partners. Catholic Singles and Catholic Connection, both run by volunteers are, have seen at least one couple getting married from each group. “I do know of quite a number of instances when the activities led to dating and, later, relationships,� said Mr Gerard Goh from Catholic Singles. He added that he knew of “at least 10-20 relationships formed and at least one marriage. There could be many more that I am unaware of.� Mr Andy Wee, who started Catholic Connection, echoed Mr Goh, saying that he would not know of the status of relationships unless the couples tell him. Although the number of those who got married as a result of the group’s activities might be on the low side, Mr Wee is not discouraged. “Even if one Catholic cou ! * cause they met through Catholic Connection, my goal is met.� One of the problems, according to Mr Wee, is that singles are busy with work and other com-

Contacts for singles groups Catholic Connection: W: http://catholic-connection. com/site2/ FB: http://www. facebook.com/groups/ catholicconnectionsgp/ E: admin@catholic-connection. com T: 9336 6957 (Andy Wee) Catholic Singles: FB: https://www.facebook.com/ CatholicSinglesSingapore E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com Catholic Mingle: FB: http://www.facebook.com/ groups/17042370754/ the Church of Sts Peter and Paul last year.

mitments even on weekends, and may not have time to meet. Some might be seeking a partner with ‘ % % * ing open to making new friends. Mr Goh told CatholicNews that helping singles form relationships and hopefully getting married later is just one of the group’s goals. “Our other goals include helping singles feel at home within the Catholic Church since the

Church is huge both in Singapore and worldwide,� he said. “As a result, singles often feel alienated within it. Also, we serve as a support group since many may remain single for the rest of their lives.� Some activities the two groups organise include attending Mass together followed by a community meal, walks in the park, karaoke sessions, day excursions and

trips, barbecues, online chats and teleconferences. At Catholic Singles, participants are encouraged to talk to one another as they walk to Marina Square for lunch after Sunday Mass at St Joseph Church (Victoria Street). During dinner outings, participants may also chat about their goals life in relation to their faith. Catholic Singles also organised a visit to elderly residents in the Bukit Batok area last year.

Catholic Connection’s Mr Wee said that as an ice-breaker, he helps members get to know each other through planned discussion topics. They can also use the group’s Facebook page to communicate before and after meetups. He hopes that a singles’ conference could be held in Singapore to help Catholics gain a better understanding of dating and "

!

ing a partner. Both Catholic Singles and Catholic Connection say there are good attendances at their outings with the women generally outnumbering the men. The 2010 census reported that there were about 68,000 single Catholics aged 15 and above, with there being about 2,000 more single Catholic females than males. The next Catholic Singles activity is a dinner at Hans (Pickering Street) on Feb 23 at 5.30pm. Catholic Connection is planning Lenten church visiting in February or March, and an Easter party in April or May. Another group, Catholic Mingle, is planning for a Chinese New Year dinner on Feb 21. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

International Catholic dating website brought couple together attending networking group It was an international personals and dat- fortable person to talk and relate to. “I ing website for Catholics that brought Mr was thinking that this person can make me laugh,� she recalled. “He has a good sense Henry Sim and Ms Karen Ho together. That was in 2007 when they both used of humour.� They later met up and their relationship the online service CatholicMatch. The website allows single Catholics around the progressed to the point that they decided to get married in 2010. world to get in touch with one another. The couple now have a child, Joan, Mr Sim and Ms Ho said they used the born in 2011. website to help them meet They told Catholicother Catholics apart from News that although webtheir own Church groups sites like CatholicMatch and Catholic friends. can bring singles together, The attraction of “at the end of the day, it reCatholicMatch, they said, ally depends on who you was that it allows them to meet and go out with�, meet people who share the said Ms Ho. same faith and values. She added that it is imMs Ho, who is now portant that one be himself 37, said she came across % % (

and not project a false imhim an “emotigramâ€? – a age. symbol used to express an It is also important to emotion. Mr Henry Sim, Ms Karen Ho and have a good relationship #$% 8 % their daughter Joan with God so as to be able " 8 % % % % would be a person I want to know because to discern God’s will along the way, she added. he is active in church,â€? she said. Mr Sim added that as a relationship proMr Sim, now 40, said he responded as he felt “they shared things in commonâ€?. gresses, it is good for couples to be open Thus they began to send emotigrams back and communicate about their values and other “tough issuesâ€?. and forth and later began chatting online. On his marriage, he said, “I think God The conversation topics ranged from has a part in all these things ‌ I believe that Church to work and family. Ms Ho said she found Mr Sim a com- God was our matchmaker.â€? „

Attending an activity organised by CathoThe couple shared with CatholicNews lic Connection in late 2009 paid off for Mr that in the course of getting to know one Vincent Ng and Ms Giselle Thah. another, they realised they shared the same The couple, who are now in their early %" !

30s, got married in October last year. as a love for grocery shopping. Mr Ng said he had seen a Catholic ConBoth Mr Ng and Ms Thah said they atnection advertisement in CatholicNews. tended the networking activities without % % any expectations, adding time he had come across that such groups for sina networking group for gles are useful. singles, he decided to atIt is important to attend its events and make tend such activities “with more friends. an open mind� and leave Ms Thah, who was “the rest ... to God�, undergoing the RCIA shared Ms Thah . process then, said she had She said she had also wanted to widen her hoped to get to know circle of Catholic friends. more Catholic friends Catholic Connection whom she could spend is open only to Cathoweekends with. “If I can lics but an exception was have more friends who made in Ms Thah’s case are Catholic, it would be as she was getting bapgreat.� tised. Mr Goh told CatholBoth Mr Ng and Ms Mr Vincent Ng and Ms Giselle icNews, “It’s all fate. 6% % - Thah posing for a wedding photo God will decide.� time event and Ms Thah at a supermarket. He added, “Someasked Mr Ng many ques !

tions about the Catholic faith. the correct person, but the correct person The conversation went well, Mr Ng re- " * % !

" called. the person comes.� They later continued to communicate Looking back on how she met her husthrough emails and SMSes before arrang- band, Ms Thah said, “If you ask me, up till ing to meet up. !" 8

3 0/ „

8 ASIA

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop Chia’s Loans give 2nd chance statement on to Korean ex-convicts pope’s resignation

Pope Benedict XVI at a Feb 11 meeting with cardinals at the Vatican when he announced his resignation. CNS photo

My dear People of God, On Monday night, we received the news of Pope Benedict’s intention to resign the ministry of Bishop of Rome. We are saddened at his impending departure from his role as Supreme Pontiff. At the same time, we are full of gratitude to God for the wondrous blessings that have been ours because of his extraordinary leadership. Pope Benedict has announced that because of advanced age and failing strength, he is unable to % % !

" and in full freedom, he will resign on 28 February. We have grown to love and admire him, and so are marked today with sadness at his impending departure from his role as Supreme Pontiff. With admiration we acknowledge the courageous witness of life and marvellous clarity of thought that have marked his many dedicated years of service as priest and

bishop, teacher and writer, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and, especially, as Pastor of the Universal Church. We express our heartfelt thanks for the entire gift he has made of himself for the good of the Church. His decision to resign arises, we know, out of his love for the Church. It is an act of faith. We thank him es ! % % ! < leadership as Successor of Peter. We know that his decision will have been considered most carefully and that it has come after % !

< 0 We pray that God will bless him profoundly in retirement with health and peace of mind and entrust to the Holy Spirit the Cardinal Electors who will participate in the conclave, which will be convoked to elect a successor as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia

YONGIN, KOREA – Mr Park Cheol-jong had little idea of how he would make a living following his release from prison six years ago. 9

% ! ing to secure a job, he admits being tempted to commit another crime. But he read two things in prison which he says saved him from % % * % % conviction for theft: The Bible, which he read seven times, and a newspaper article about a Churchrun bank which offers micro-credit loans to ex-convicts. Mr Park himself professes no 0 6% _ !

Hope Bank, on the other hand, is run by Seoul archdiocese. “Without the bank’s help I might have gone back to prison,� he says. Instead Mr Park, now 52 and married with a child, was able to borrow 20 million won (S$22,700) without any collateral at an annual interest rate of just two percent following a 60-hour training course by the bank over two weeks. He used the money to open a restaurant. Four years later, his * ! % -

ple and has grown steadily to record an annual sales turnover of 300-400 million won. “I am really grateful to the bank’s people who guided me on how to run the restaurant from the very beginning,� says Mr Park. “And I am also very proud of myself.� Cases like his are not common, ! ( 6 &"

Seoul archdiocese’s Joy and Hope Bank has given ex-convicts loans to start businesses. the Ministry of Justice, who notes that “22.2 percent of ex-convicts return to prison within three years of their release�, or more than 5,000 of the 25,000 prisoners released each year. Those who manage to get sup

 * * ness “seldom commit crimes againâ€?, he adds.

Typically it’s a vicious cycle, says the general manager of Joy and Hope Bank, Mr Joseph Hwang Bong-sub. On the one hand, the more numerous and serious the con " % %

an employer prepared to take the risk, he says, and the fewer chances people have, the more likely they are to commit a crime again. “They need to have a stable job and to experience the hospitality of society,� he says. Joy and Hope Bank conducts a business training course for exconvicts twice every year which teaches them skills like how to do market research and how to reestablish human relationships. Inspired by Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, a project which won founder Muhammad Yunus the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, Joy and Hope Bank has 7,000 donors following its debut in 2008 with 500 million won in start-up capital. Since then it has lent two billion won to 132 ex-convicts. „ UCANEWS.COM

Vietnamese priest nominated for Nobel Prize VIETNAM – Fr Thadeus Nguyen

Van Ly, a 65-year-old Catholic priest and human rights activist together with the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do, Patriarch of the • :

% 7% % ' nam (UBCV), have been nominated for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize by US Members of Congress Chris Smith and Zoe Lofgren. Fr Ly has been a prominent human rights’ defender since the 1970s, campaigning for religious freedom, democracy and free media reporting. He is a prominent supporter of the Vietnamese democracy movement, Bloc 8406, and his outspoken work has resulted in him spending more than 15 years in prison. In March 2007, Fr Ly was sentenced to eight years’ impris-

onment for “disseminating slanderous and libellous information� harmful to the state. He was rearrested by the Vietnamese authorities in July 2011, ending one-year and four months of temporary medical parole. He is partially paralysed as a result of several strokes, as well as having a brain tumour. In September 2010, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for Fr Ly’s immediate and unconditional release, saying that he had been arbitrarily and illegally detained and denied access to legal counsel by the Vietnamese authorities. The winner of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced in mid-October. „ CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY WORLDWIDE

File photo of Fr Nguyen Van Ly

NYONYAS SERVING AT PERANAKAN MASS: Hundreds of nyonyas and babas descended on the Church of the Holy Family for the annual Peranakan Mass to usher in the Lunar New Year on Feb 9. The event was a colourful affair as participants donned the sarong kebaya for women or baju lokcuan for the men. The Mass, celebrated by Frs Damian De Wind and Donatien Davaine, was held in the Peranakan patois. A Peranakan altar, adorned with offerings such as bananas, oranges and Peranakan cakes, was also placed in front of the main altar. By MARTIN SEE

ASIA 9

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

India’s Church leaders want ban on extremist groups MUMBAI, INDIA – Catholic leaders have called on the Indian government to ban two radical Hindu organisations, claiming they are behind a series of attacks on Christians. Mr Joseph Dias, who heads the Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum, told Church news agency ucanews.com on Feb 4 that his organisation has urged federal Home Minister Sushikumar Shinde to immediately ban the Sanathan Sanstha (Eternal Forum) and Abhinav Bharat (New India). : % ed to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps) the umbrella body of right-wing Hindu organisations that works to make India a Hindu nation. Mr Dias connected anti-Christian attacks with Hindu fanaticism and said that “almost every day there is an attack on a minority Christian community in some parts of the country�. He said his seven-year-old or % €;` attacks on Christians across the ! €`-€ " #

Hindu fanaticism is the cause of antiChristian attacks almost every day on a minority Christian community in some parts of India, says a Catholic leader. from new Christian converts being forced to drink cow’s urine to the rape and murder of Christian clergy and dalit Christian minors�. The dalit were the former untouchables in the caste system. Mr Michael Saldanha, a Catholic and retired judge of the Bombay and Karnataka high courts, also supported the ban but said he believes that Christian leaders’ inaction is partly to blame for the increasing number of attacks. “The Christian community has become a soft target because our cardinals, bishops and clergy are not willing to protest strongly to

Philippine Church urges end to political dynasties MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Catholic In a statement read at a press bishops have issued a pastoral let- * " % * % % ! ter, urging the government to end were “aggrieved� that legislators political dynasties, the culture of % % impunity and corruption within by not passing a law that banned government. political dynasties. A political dynasty is a succes“We denounce the continued sion of rulers from existence of pothe same family or litical dynasties and line. the continuing delay The letter was isof passing a law to sued on Jan 29 at the implement a constiend of the bishops’ tutional provision three-day annual banning them,� the plenary assembly in bishops said. Manila. They said they “We must voice would support a call [people]’s concerns, for an enabling law be their moral guide, against political dybe with them,� said Archbishop Jose Palma of nasties. The bishops Archbishop Jose Cebu, Philippines. CNS photo also warned against Palma of Cebu, “wholesale cheatpresident of the bishops’ confer- ing� in the mid-term May elecence. tions, adding that the government He said the love of the Church should address issues being raised has to bring to people the Gospel by various groups on alleged de“with all its social, political and % ethical implications�. process. „ UCANEWS.COM

the government,� Mr Saldanha told ucanews.com. He added that if senior clerics

# zero tolerance� against attacks on Christians, “the rising violence against Christian communities could be curbed drastically�. Mr Dias said a close study of the list shows that Maharashtra state in western India is emerg % = & ! < %point. The state comes fourth in a “league table� of recent attacks on Christians, with Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh ahead of it. His Catholic Secular Forum has produced a paper entitled 6% €`-€ 7% In India Report based on input from published media, NGOs and forum representatives in various parts of the country. A copy of the report has been presented to Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. „ UCANEWS.COM

Japan’s bishops add support to naval site protest SEOUL, KOREA – A Japanese del-

< €` % % egation, including seven Catholic completed. Protesters say the base should bishops, has wrapped up a four-day trip to Korea by visiting the contro- not be built on Jeju, which is a World Heritage site, but the govversial site of the Jeju naval base. The aim of the Jan 29-Feb 1 ernment says the base is urgently visit was to show solidarity with needed for national security reaprotesters campaigning against its sons. “We came to construction. show solidarity with The delegation the people protestfrom the Japanese ing here and to pray bishops’ Episcopal for peace in the Commission on Social world, especially in Issues was led by its East Asia,� Archchairman, Archbishop bishop Takami told Joseph Mitsuaki Takaucanews.com. mi of Nagasaki. “The situation at During their visit Jeju is very similar they joined daily to that of Okinawa,� Masses outside the construction site at Archbishop Joseph Mit- Archbishop Takami Gangjeong led by suaki Takami of Naga- said, referring to a proposed US base Bishop Peter Kang saki, Japan. CNS photo there that has sparked U-il of Cheju, Korea. Campaigners, including Fr Bar- widespread protests. Fr John Ko tholomew Mun Jung-hyun, Jesuit Byeong-soo, pastoral director of Fr Joseph Kim Jeong-uk and sev- Cheju diocese, thanked the Japaeral Cheju diocesan priests, hold nese delegation for their support. Their presence “has given a big daily Masses at the site as part of boost to the people of Gangjeong efforts to get construction halted. The base is to become home to village�, he said. „ UCANEWS.COM

10 WORLD

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Church leaders hope next ‘Faith, charity pope will bring change POPE’S LENTEN MESSAGE

go together’

A volunteer gives water to a patient at the Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart) home for the sick, destitute and dying in Kolkata, India. The home is run by the Missionaries of Charity. VATICAN CITY – Faith and charity can never be separated nor opposed to each other, just as faith by itself isn’t genuine without charity, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Faith is knowing the truth and adhering to it; charity is ‘walking’ in the truth,� the pope said in his annual message for Lent, which began on Feb 13. “Faith is genuine only if crowned by charity.� “It would be too one-sided to place a strong emphasis on the priority and decisiveness of faith and to undervalue and almost despise concrete works of charity, reducing them to a vague humanitarianism,� Pope Benedict said. “It is equally unhelpful to overstate the primacy of charity and the activity it generates, as if works could take the place of faith.� At a news conference, Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah said the pope’s message underscores how misguided it is to see faith as an abstract, intellectual endeavour and charity as the concrete or practical side of the Church, or to favour one over the other. “It’s convenient for many, inside and outside� the Church to see it as divorced from the real world, “inebriated from the scent of candles, busy putting the sacristy in order, focused on obscure theological debates and clerical quarrels rather than on the integral human person Christ spoke to�, said the cardinal, % % Council Cor Unum, which promotes Catholic charitable giving. Another mistake, he said, is seeing the Church as just another large philanthropic agency for which social justice and meeting people’s physical needs are the primary concerns, “forgetting that the desire for God lies at a person’s core�. Yet another misconception is to divide the Church into “good guys� dedicated to service and charity, and “bad guys� dedicated to defending human life and universal moral truths, he said. This is what happens when the Church is praised for help % & * ! “awaken the human conscience�. The theme of the pope’s mes-

sage, Believing In Charity Calls Forth Charity, is taken from the First Letter of St John (4:16): “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.� In the context of the Year of Faith, the pope dedicated his message to the relationship between faith and charity, which he also explored in his 2005 encyclical on charity (Deus Caritas Est). All Christians, especially charity workers, need faith – that personal encounter with God in Christ and the experience of His love, the pope said. “Christians are people who have been conquered by Christ’s love and accordingly, under the in< % " % ! foundly open to loving their neighbour in concrete ways,� he said. A Christian life starts with accepting God’s gift of faith with “wonder and gratitude�, but it is

‘Faith is knowing

a journey that continues as God seeks “to transform us� to become more like Christ and share His love with others. “Only then does our faith become truly ‘active through love;’ only then does He abide in us�, he said. “The Christian life consists in continuously scaling the mountain to meet God and then coming back down, bearing the love and strength drawn from Him, so as to serve our brothers and sisters with God’s own love,� he said. In fact, evangelisation is the greatest form of charity and best way to promote the human person, the pope said. #6% * cial, and therefore more charitable, towards one’s neighbour than to break the bread of the Word of God, to share with him the Good News of the Gospel, to introduce him to a relationship with God,� he said. „ CNS

CNS photos

From Page 1

“Without him, the Church would not have received recognition so easily,� said Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Church. He was installed as cardinal in November. Cardinal George Alencherry, installed in October, said, “The Holy Father may have been weak because of poor health in past months, but he had clarity of vision and communication.� While acknowledging hopes for the next pontiff to come from outside Europe, Archbishop Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, admitted this was unlikely. “It is very hard to guess who Benedict’s successor will be, but I think he will come from Europe or South America,� he said. For some, the resignation presents the Church with an opportunity for change, Fr Bartholomew Choi Jai-in, a retired priest from South Korea’s Suwon diocese, suggested that the Church suffered from having an elderly pope. “We need a young pope who will lead the Church dynamically,� he said. Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu, echoed these sentiments. “The modern Church needs someone younger, % %! ! "/ he said. Bishop Joseph Gan Junquiu of Guangzhou, who is recognised by both the Chinese government and the Vatican, said the pope has made a substantial impact on the embattled Church in China. While relations between Beijing and Rome had not normalised as many had hoped, the pope nonetheless provided essential guidance with a pastoral letter to China in 2007 that “could lay the foundation for this normalisation in the future�, Bishop Gan said. „ UCANEWS.COM, ASIANEWS

Above: The Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens where Pope Benedict XVI is expected to retire after he steps down on Feb 28.

Left: A woman holds a statue of the pope in Manila, Philippines. Many Asian Catholics are hoping for a pope from Asia.

Role in next papacy VATICAN CITY – Even though

Pope Benedict XVI will spend his retirement near Rome and then inside Vatican City, he will not play any role in the upcoming election for a new pope, and he will not interfere with the responsibilities and decision-making activities of the new pontiff, the Vatican spokesman said. Rather, the new pope will have the prayerful support and empathy of someone who understands “more than anyone in the world� the burden and responsibilities of

being a pope, said Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi. The spokesman also con % : % a pacemaker and has had it “for some time�. He said the battery recently was changed, but that the procedure had nothing to do with the pope’s decision to resign. Fr Lombardi made his remarks on Feb 12, the day after the 85-year-old pope announced that, because of his age and waning energies, he was resigning effective Feb 28. „ CNS

Full text of pope’s announcement Dear brothers, I have convoked you to this consistory, not only for the three canonisations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in

order to govern the bark of St Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to trusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of St Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new supreme pontiff will have to be convoked

by those whose competence it is. Dear brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the holy Church to the care of our supreme pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the cardinal fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new supreme pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer. From the Vatican, Feb 11, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI

WORLD 11

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Help youth with education, labour crises: pope

Religious leaders call for US initiative for Palestinian-Israeli peace

WASHINGTON,

USA – Three Catholic prelates joined more than two dozen other Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in urging the United States to embark on a new initiative to secure peace between the Palestinian National Authority and Israel. The leaders called upon US diplomats to seek a two-state agreement “before it is too late� in a statement from the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East. Cardinal Theodore E McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington; Bishop Richard E Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on In-

VATICAN CITY – Young people’s

essential needs, including decent work and an education, demand a serious, effective response from both the Church and the wider community, Pope Benedict XVI said. Problems facing young people “cannot be met with responses that are evasive or banal�, he said, especially if humanity is going to have a hopeful, generous future. The pope made his remarks on Feb 7 during an audience with members and advisers of the Pon 7 7 0 6% council was hosting a plenary meeting at the Vatican on Feb 6-9 on “Emerging Youth Cultures�. The vast majority of people under the age of 25 live in developing nations, and the pope said these young people represent “a challenge to the world of globalised consumerism and the culture of entrenched privileges of which a small segment of the population of % * /0 “Consequently, youth cultures are also ‘emerging’� in the sense that they are showing signs of important unmet needs that should be addressed, he said. The pope highlighted his and the Church’s concern about the crisis in education and the labour market as well as “other ‘emergencies’ that touch on the different dimensions of the human person and his fundamental relationships�. The Church believes in the young, their energy and generosity, the pope said, adding that the Church “needs their vitality in order to continue living the mission

CNS photo

A youth group from Chicago cheers during the annual March for Life in Washington on Jan 25. The pope said that young people’s needs demand an ! "

entrusted to her by Christ with renewed enthusiasm�. $% % % % Council for Culture said he wanted to listen to what today’s young people had to say, he wasn’t afraid to hear it belted out at 100 decibels. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi invited members of the Italian rock group, The Sun, to speak their minds through music to the cardinals, bishops, lay members and advisers of the council. 8 % ' dicastery had a rock group as the “opening act� of its plenary assembly – usually a routine, speech-

" % bers come together a few days days to discuss a relevant theme. The band’s 30-year-old lead lyricist and singer, Francesco Lorenzi, said that instead of feeling happy, the band members in the past were angry and barely spoke to one another, losing themselves and each other in a nonstop revelry of “alcohol, drugs and women�. Lorenzi started to turn his life around in 2007 when a night out with friends fell through and his mother suggested he instead go to a faith formation course being held that week at the local parish. „ CNS

New contraceptive rules upset bishops WASHINGTON, USA – The new proposed rules issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding insurance coverage of contraceptives show movement but fall short of addressing the US bishops’ concerns, New York Cardinal Timothy M Dolan said in a Feb 7 statement. The cardinal, who is president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the 80-page document released on Feb 1 by HHS concerning the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act indicates that the administration “seeks to offer a response to serious matters which have been raised throughout the past year�. He also noted that the bishops “look forward to engaging with the administration, and all branches and levels of government, to continue to address serious issues that remain. Our efforts will require additional, careful study�. After evaluating the proposed rules, Cardinal Dolan said in the statement that the bishops continue to stand by the statement on

ternational Justice and Peace; and Auxiliary Bishop Denis J Madden of Baltimore were the Catholics who included their names on the Jan 25 statement. Expressing concern that the violence that erupted in southern Israel and Gaza in November will continue periodically in the future, the leaders said the movement towards “a viable two-state solution continues to stagnate�. “The status quo is unsustainable and dangerous to both Israelis and Palestinians. Now is not the time for another cycle of recriminations. It is time to break the cycle of violence with bold initiatives for peace,� the statement said. „ CNS

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, faulted the proposed rules for maintaining an ‘inaccurate distinction among religious ministries’. the HHS mandate issued by their Administrative Committee last ( %

*! % body of bishops last June. In that statement, he said, the bishops expressed concern over the mandate’s “exceedingly nar / # ligious employer�, one that exempted houses of worship, but left “our great ministries of service to our neighbours, namely, the poor, the homeless, the sick, the students in our schools and universities, and others in need� subject to the mandate.

Such a distinction, they said, created a “second class of citizenship within our religious community�, and weakened the federal law’s “healthy tradition of generous respect for religious freedom and diversity�. The cardinal credited the administration for proposing to drop % % % test, which he said “might address� some of the bishops’ concerns but not all. An HHS spokeswoman said on + * - % institution – including churches, universities, hospitals and charities – will have to “arrange, contract, pay for or refer for� contraception insurance for employees or students who want it. Cardinal Dolan faulted the proposed rules for maintaining an “inaccurate distinction among religious ministries�, noting that HHS “offers what it calls an ‘accommodation’, rather than accepting the fact that these ministries are integral to our Church and worthy of the same exemption as our Catholic churches�. „ CNS

Palestinian protesters throw rocks at an Israeli border police vehicle.

12 WORLD

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Creation story isn’t Europe’s baby hatches: science, says pope Saving newborns or VATICAN CITY – The biblical ac-

= * & " : š'8 said. 8 " % % %

% * ! % % % % " * *

! *! " % + * ƒ % & ! ence. 8 Š + % & * % " : % % # %

%/0 8

vanced technology, how are 7 %

% 6 creation that says God created the heavens and earth in six days, and rested on the seventh, the pope asked. #6% : * * "/ % % ;"``` tors and pilgrims gathered for his 0 #8 &

* % % -

% % "/ he said. 6% %

% % # % " * % gin and steadiness in the Word, in the eternal reason of God, who % "/ the pope said. The creation story also points to the fact, he said, that God has a %

% !" % # % % %

% /0 God created man and woman in His image and breathed life % % 2 ! % %" ing to Genesis, the pope said. The * * % % ! & " * *! % " %

social differences. The description of the Garden ) % % ! # " * % " %

/" % 0 „ CNS

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, painted by Michelangelo, shows the biblical story of the creation of Adam. CNS photo

violating a child’s rights? CNS photo

WARSAW, POLAND – On a damp

$ " + 7 % " ! tress lies on display behind a safety-glass window, installed at waist % % ! 0 To the left, a door sign reads # ! /0 9 % % % ! % 3

& 0 $% % % #

/ €``ƒ" 3 !

) " % leave their babies. Today, controversy is grow " < •0‰0 mittee charges that the windows % % 0 #$ % % % "/ ( Agnieszka Homan, spokeswoman % % 7% % 7 % !" 7 % ‰ 0 #9 % % * * left legally in state hospitals, some * the cold. These life windows offer ! % % want to give birth in [a] hospital % ! !" %

% 0/ ‰ * " ! night, are taken to a hospital and kept nearby for several weeks in case the parents reclaim them. While abandoning children is :

% " -- % ) • €™ * hatches, which are estimated to %

;`` * * continent-wide in a decade. Ger-

A nun is seen in the window of a baby hatch, or ‘Window of Life’, inside the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto residence in Warsaw, Poland.

! % * Â&#x;` * *! % % "

9 % -;0 8 3

" Â&#x;™ 3 % ! # ! / €`-- !" % % ‘ % % ! % % % 0 That helps explain the strong % % •0‰0 va-based Committee on the Rights % 7% €`-€ ) * *! % % * 0 8 _ " 2 * " ( ( 2 3 " % # / % % % •0‰ 7 the Rights of the Child, which % * *! ! Â

Vatican preparing manual to help priests celebrate Mass Former Anglicans who became ROME, ITALY – The Congrega-

tion for Divine Worship and the * & to help priests celebrate the Mass !

% % ticipate better, according to the prefect of the Congregation for $ %

% ments. Cardinal Antonio CaĂąizares % !

% % ) * ! % 2 ! #7 % ! ' 88 7 !

) /0 #$ œ help to celebrate well and to par 0 8 % % ! " % "/ % �)‰860 % & % % ' 88 % !" # % *

! % % % 7% %

* &

!/0 The cardinal said that there

& 7% %" % % *

" * % % % !" * % ! % % & is effected. $% & % !" % " not forget what the conciliar

#7% ! 2 7% %" ! % 0 2 % % ( 0/ The cardinal stressed that the *Â % ! # % oration of God and the salvation /" % % " *

% 7% %0 The cardinal criticised the ef & % ( # / % ž % ! ! ž #* / by transforming the Mass into a show. „ ZENIT

Catholics praised for zeal HOUSTON, USA – The prefect of % ' 7 % % + % + * €

2 # /

% % 0 #7% ! % % ! % *

% & * ! 7% "/ 9 %* % % ( ! & %

! % 7 % 7% % • nariate for former Anglicans. $% ! 7 % " % in an ordinariate retain aspects of their Anglican heritage and tradi 0 " % % national in scope, ordinariates were % *! : š'8 €``› " #9 * /0 9 %* % ( & edged that for some, the path to % % 7 % 7% % % * !0

#8 % ! ! % = <

% ! ! & % % 7 % 7% %"/ % 0 #$ * < * these experiences, discerning care ! % % ! ! < % ! 7% % 0 #8 & * 7 %

8 ! ! : "/ % 0 #: ing the vibrancy and orthodoxy of ! % % 7 % 7% %0 Š ! ! % 2 ! + %

! & % % % * % ! %

! "

% * % 7 % 7% % % * !

% ! % % 0 Š ! % % 0/ „ CNS

! = % • 0 % % % % 9 ™

Â&#x; % " % % % % % # &

* *! % % /

# % % !"/

*

% * * * % # /0 Ms Homan, the Caritas spokeswoman, thinks the objec

0 $% % •0‰0 7 9 ™

Â&#x; * % % right to know its origins, she " 9 ƒ % # % % /"

% has to take priority. „ CNS

Kids’ video about being a missionary MADRID, SPAIN – What a Mis-

sionary Gives is the title of a cartoon animation that aims to explain to the children what it means to be missionaries. 6% ( „ ( † % this video, together with other material, on the occasion of Missionary Childhood Day, which was cel *

!" _ €™0 On this occasion, a Mass was * % : % ( "

* % 6'0 6% "

_ €-" % ! ! * !0 6 wards the end of the video, he reach %

% African village, he then discovers his vocation: to go there to help the needy and bring the Good News. To see the video, go to http://youtu.be/jgGxHOgj4Xs „ AGENZIA FIDES

WORLD 13

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Bishops offer prayers for victims of Mexico City blast MEXICO CITY – The Mexican

bishops’ conference has expressed solidarity with the victims and families affected by an explosion at the headquarters of the Mexican state oil company on Jan 31. At least 36 people died and 101 were injured in the tragedy. The cause of the blast in the basement of a building beside the 54-storey Pemex tower in Mexico City is uncertain. Crews worked late into the night to rescue people trapped in the debris. “We offer prayers to the Creator for the injured to have a quick recovery, for the deceased to be granted eternal life, and for Him to give the affected families the necessary strength in these moments of pain,� said the statement signed by conference president Cardinal Jose Francisco Robles Ortega of Guadalajara and secretary-general Auxiliary Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarcia of Puebla. President Enrique Pena Nieto promised a thorough investiga-

‘

We offer prayers to the Creator for the injured to have a quick recovery, for the deceased to be granted eternal life.

’

– Mexican bishops’ conference

tion. He asked that there be no speculation, but conspiracy theories and suspicions were voiced via Twitter especially by opponents who accuse Mr Pena of planning to privatise the state-run oil industry. Mr Pena denies such allegations and instead promises to strengthen the industry through attracting outside investment, a sensitive topic because Mexicans regard state-ownership of oil a symbol of sovereignty. Pemex income provides about

33 percent of government income and is critical in a country with low rates of tax collection and considerable tax evasion. The explosion at the Pemex headquarters provoked chaos

about 3.30 pm. Pemex, the Mexican state oil company, has a history of disasters, many of which end with incomplete investigations, noted Mr George Baker, publisher of energia.com and a veteran observer of Mexico’s oil industry. “They stay in an empirical limbo as if in purgatory and the so-called ‘root cause’ and culpability are never made public,� he said. „ CNS

The headquarters of the Mexican state oil company, Pemex. An explosion on Jan 31 killed dozens.

14 FEATURES/OPINION

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg Facebook: www.facebook.com/catholicnews MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: johnson.fernandez@catholic.org.sg

IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: memoriam@catholic.org.sg

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: subscriptions@catholic.org.sg ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: advertisements@catholic.org.sg

STAFF CORRESPONDENTS: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg Martin See: martin.see@catholic.org.sg

WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all letters to the editor. Published submissions will be edited.

DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: design@catholic.org.sg Elaine Ong: elaine.ong@catholic.org.sg

FEATURE

Church continues to tackle sex abuse

CNS photo

ROME – The Catholic Church’s

efforts to prevent clerical sexual abuse and protect children around the world will be “a long-term effort� said Fr Robert W Oliver, an American priest who began work on Feb 1 as the promoter of justice in the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. $% % of abuse, he said, “every single one of us begins with denial�, which is why the entire Church, at all levels, must make a concerted effort to educate its members about the reality of abuse and the best practices for protecting children. Fr Oliver, whose position includes monitoring and investigating cases of priests accused of sex abuse, was speaking at Rome’s • ! on Feb 5. The event saw the Gregorianbased Centre for Child Protection presenting a report on its activities over the past year. Fr Oliver noted that the univer !

' % sponsored a conference on the sex abuse issue last year for bishops and superiors of Religious orders. He said it was an important step forward, as is the pilot project for an online prevention and child protection course being run by the Gregorian-based centre. Responding to a reporter’s question about the role of the media, especially in the United States, in forcing the Church to come to terms with the reality of the sex abuse scandal, Fr Oliver said that “those who continued to put before us that we needed to confront this problem did a service� and that they continually reminded the Church that it had to deal with the scandal “with honesty and transparency�. Still, he said, in some parts of the world bishops and other Catholics are just starting to become aware of the problem and their

Fr Robert W Oliver, Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith

The greatest number of suspected abuse cases reported to the Vatican in a single year was about 800 in 2004. In the last three years, the number has remained steady at about 600 with most of the abuse having taken place between 1965 and 1985. need to enact measures to protect children and deal with allegations. In 2011, the doctrinal congregation asked every bishops’ conference in the world to submit guidelines for assisting victims, protecting children, selecting and training priests and Religious, dealing with accused priests and collaborating with local authorities. Fr Oliver said “three-quarters� of the world’s 112 bishops’ con-

ferences have sent in guidelines, and the doctrinal congregation has just begun responding with observations and suggestions. Most of the countries that have not yet responded are in Africa, he said. He also told reporters that the greatest number of cases of suspected abuse reported to the doctrinal congregation in a single year was about 800 cases reported in 2004. In the last three years, he said, the number has remained steady at about 600 “from the whole world� with most of the abuse having taken place between 1965 and 1985. Jesuit Fr Hans Zollner, president of the directors’ committee of the Child Protection Centre, said that in responding to the scandal and preventing abuse, “the road *

* " <

sions� as well as “inertia, discouragement on the inside and attacks from the outside�. Just in the past month, he said, the Church’s handling of abuse cases has continued to make the news, demonstrating that “unfortunately, the matter will be with us for a long time. “The Church is working much more than people know, but is also the object of criticism because of its errors, its failures and the sins of the past. This is why it is extremely important to continue the work of prevention with every available means.� While some people believe the problem of child sexual abuse af< !

% “doubt the sincerity of any commitment made by the Church�, he said, “that which gives us energy and inspiration are the words of Jesus Himself, who taught us that the truth will make us free and who tells us that His love for children is absolute and unconditional�. „ CNS

Prayer as sanity and balance OUR generative years are a marathon, not a sprint,

" osity and patience through the tiredness, trials and temptations that beset us through the years of our adult lives. All on our own, relying on willpower alone, we too often get fatigue, get worn down and compromise both our maturity and our discipleship. We need help from beyond, from somewhere even beyond the human supports that help bolster us. We need God’s help, strength from something beyond what’s human. We need prayer. But too often we think of this in pious rather than realistic terms. Rarely do we grasp how much prayer is really a question of life and death for us. We need to pray not because God needs us to pray but * !

! lives. Simply put, without prayer we will always be either too full ! !" < 0 $%! $% % ! %  Prayer, as it is understood in all its best traditions, Christian and other, is meant to do two things for us, both at the same time: Prayer is meant to connect us to divine energy, even as it makes us aware that this energy is not our own, that it comes from elsewhere, and % ! ! % 0 ! " " with divine energy and tells us at the same time that this energy isn’t our own; that it works through us, but that it’s not us. To be healthy, we need both: If we lose connection to divine energy, we drain of energy, depress, and feel empty. Conversely if we let divine energy < * ! % " % % & % " *

" < %

"

* %

0 Robert Moore offers a very helpful image to illustrate this, that % % < % 0 $ % % Â % % 0 Hovering above it is a mother-plane with a huge reserve of fuel. The % <! % % % % 33 % %

% tank. If it doesn’t make this type of contact it runs out of fuel and % 0 7 !" < % % " % " < 0 Few images capture as astutely the importance of prayer in our 0 $ % ! "

* tween being too empty of energy or too full of ourselves. If we do not connect with divine energy we will run out of gas. If we do connect with divine energy but identify with it, we will destroy ourselves. Deep prayer is what energises us and grounds us, both at the same time. We see this, for example, in a person like Mother Teresa, who was bursting with creative energy but was always very clear that this energy did not come from her, but from God, and she was merely a humble human instrument. Lack of real prayer makes for two kinds of antithesis to Mother Teresa: On the one hand, it makes for a wonderfully talented and energetic man or woman who is full of creative energy, but is also full of grandiosity and ego; or, on the other hand, it & % !

<

ate any positive energy. Without prayer we will forever be bouncing back and forth between grandiosity and depression. Thus, unless I have real prayer in my life, if I’m sensitive, I will more than likely live inside a certain habitual depression, afraid that really accessing my energies and acting on them would lead others to think I’m full of myself. Since my sensitivity won’t allow that, I entomb many of my best energies on the unconscious premise that it’s better to be depressed than be accused of being an egoist. But Jesus, himself, in His parable of the talents, warns us strongly about the price that’s to be paid for burying one’s talents, namely, emptiness, anger and lack of delight in our lives. Often times, if we check * %

 "

% * that’s bitter because it has been suppressed. Virtue at the cost of suppressing our energies leads to bitterness. Conversely, if I don’t care if people think of me as an egoist and 8 % ! ! " 8 % < freely through me, but I will identify with them as if they were my own, my talents, my gifts, and I will end up full of ego and grandiosity, with those around me wishing I was depressed! Without prayer we will always be either too empty of energy or too full of ourselves. „

FOCUS 15

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Media blitz can help young

Young people want answers readily to life’s questions, say participants at Vatican meeting VATICAN CITY – The best way

the Church can be heard and seen amid the deluge of the information age is to launch a media blitz of simple answers to life’s deepest questions, a young Catholic journalist told a Vatican news conference. “People always say it should be quality over quantity; perhaps this was true once upon a time, but today quantity is necessary,� said Mr Alessio Antonielli, who works for the Conventual Franciscan-run San Francesco Review magazine in Assisi. “The Church is full of quality� with its rich 2,000-year history of writings and teachings, but “the problem is no one reads them; and today if you aren’t present in certain channels, it’s like you don’t even exist�, he said on Jan 31. Mr Antonielli was one of a number of speakers presenting

* % 7 cil for Culture’s plenary assembly on Feb 6-9. He and Ms Farasoa Mihaja Bemahazaka, a university student from Madagascar, were invited to attend the assembly to help the council’s members and advisers explore this year’s topic of emerging youth cultures and how the Church can better respond pastorally. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the council’s president, said often it seems young people are

‘If we don’t go to Mass every Sunday, it’s because the priest’s ‘lecture’ tells me nothing, it doesn’t resonate with me, doesn’t speak my language.

’

– Mr Alessio Antonielli A student uses an Apple iPad during a religion class. CNS photo

disconnected from the real world around them, with eyes glued to %

< *! headphones. “In a certain sense they have put up a shield of self-exclusion� not only against “the unbearable social, political and religious dif % /" but also because “we have excluded them with our corruption and hypocrisy, precarious employment, unemployment and alienation�, he said. Young people are passionate

about many things and are often hiding their own genuine sense of spirituality, sincerity and freedom “under the guise of apparent indifference�, the cardinal said. Mr Antonielli said to overcome this indifference, it’s necessary to anticipate and be ready for what young people need and are looking for. He said he was searching for the meaning of life and other important questions during his time 0 8

swers, he stumbled upon even

more questions and was never actively approached with the Church’s message. “The Church today surely risks making little impact because young people don’t ask questions anymore; however, they nonetheless want answers with one click,� he said. “If we don’t go to Mass every Sunday, it’s because the priest’s ‘lecture’ tells me nothing, it doesn’t resonate with me, doesn’t speak my language,� he said.

The Church needs to make the Gospel message more understandable, with rational explanations that are both simple and quick, and deep and meaningful at the same time, he said. While the Church needs to be more present where young people are “in the digital habitat�, it cannot forgo the power of human communion, he said. Religious and lay Catholics also need to translate what the church teaches concretely into their everyday lives by being credible witnesses, he added. Both Mr Antonielli and Ms Bemahazaka said they found the Church to be most effectively present in Catholics who approached them or showed them what true friendship and fellowship is, rather than being swayed by someone who just made dogmatic pronouncements. Portuguese Bishop Carlos Alberto Moreira Azevedo said there is a real “cultural battle� in creating the right kind of conditions to help people encounter Christ. 6% 7% % out why its efforts have sometimes failed and what has “dug the divide between youth and the Church�, he said. Today’s adults either “don’t know how to or don’t have time to take care of their own faith and grow in the faith� so as to show young people the way, the bishop said. „ CNS

Ignore predictions of end of Religious life: pope VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI asked nuns, Brothers and priests not to listen to the “prophets of doom� who say that consecrated life has no future or that it has no meaning in today’s world. “Do not join the prophets of doom who proclaim the end or the lack of meaning of consecrated life in today’s Church; rather clothe yourselves with Jesus Christ and put on the armour of light ... remaining awake and vigilant,� Pope Benedict told consecrated virgins and men and women who belong to Religious orders. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass with the Religious on Feb 2, marking the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day for Consecrated Life. In a darkened St Peter’s Basilica, 50 superiors of men’s and women’s orders carried lighted candles and processed into the church before Pope Benedict, who rode in on a mobile platform carrying his own candle. The special Mass also marked the Year of Faith. In previous years, Pope Benedict observed the feast day either by leading evening prayer with the Religious or joining them after a Mass celebrated by the

prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. With thousands of consecrated men and : " % said he wanted to ask three things of the world’s Religious during the Year of Faith. First, he said, they should meditate on % # % % % % _ Christ warmed your hearts, not to be nos " * % < /0 “To do this, you must spend time with Him, in the silence of adoration, and then you will reawaken the desire and the joy of sharing His life, His choices, His obedience of faith� and “the radical nature of His love�, the pope said. The pope also asked the Religious to recognise “the wisdom of weakness�, modeling themselves after Christ who emptied Himself completely out of love for God and God’s creation. “In the joys

< % " % % !

% % & themselves felt,� he said, recognise that “precisely in our limits and human weakness we are called to live in conformity with Christ�.

Nuns hold candles as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass to mark the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and World Day for Consecrated Life in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Feb 2. CNS photo

8 % ! and success, he said, the humility and poverty of Religious life are “Gospel signs of contradiction� and ensure that Religious can empathise with and become a voice for the voiceless. Pope Benedict’s third call to Religious was to “renew the faith that makes you pil-

grims moving toward the future�. Rather than listening to those who think that giving everything to Christ is meaningless or who see the declining numbers of Religious as a sign that consecrated life will disappear completely, he said, Religious must live their lives seeking the face of God. „ CNS

16 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Entering our Lenten journey with a plan By Daniel Mulhall

O

VER a year ago, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a document with pastoral recommendations for activities for the Year of Faith designed to help Catholics encounter the risen Christ and “the beauty and joy of being Christians�. While intended for use throughout the entire year, these recommendations also provide guidance, a needed plan, as we’re encouraged to walk more profoundly this year towards our Lenten practices. The document begins with a brief introduction to the Year of Faith that also provides insight into the meaning of the Lenten journey. Both the Year of Faith and Lent are periods of “renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus� aimed at the “rediscovery of faith� so that we may become “credible

 ! % risen Lord ... capable of leadingâ€? others to faith. We are called to become “doors to the faithâ€? that others may use to discover Jesus. Making a Lenten pilgrimage is what the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith suggests. 6% % ! < & & grimage to places such as Rome, the Holy Land or to a Marian % " ! !

% & " cially, physically or otherwise. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a Lenten pilgrimage. Instead of going to Rome, you can visit your local diocesan cathedral and pray beside any of the shrines or tombs that !

% 0

Life-size Stations of the Cross are seen in this church. CNS photo

Pray the rosary. The Virgin Mary plays an essential role in the mystery of salvation. She is considered the model of faith and virtue and the very model of the Church. During Lent, read an article each week about Mary’s role in the life of the Church. Also pray a rosary each day during Lent. Participate in faith formation" 7% % !0 $% %er the learning session is sponsored by your parish or diocese it will help you in your faith journey. This will be especially true for those sessions many parishes are offering this year, related to the Year of Faith, understanding the catechism, or those dedicated to learning about the Second Vatican Council.

Take part in ecumenical outreach. One of the highlights of the Second Vatican Council was its focus on Christian unity. Lent is

Both the Year of Faith and Lent are periods of renewed conversion to the Lord Jesus aimed at the rediscovery of faith. a good time to participate in ecumenical events. Most Christian Churches offer Lenten services, many of them

similar to those practised by Roman Catholics. Often, we can gain a fuller understanding of our own Lenten practices by experiencing them from a different perspective. Make the most of the Mass. Study the Sunday readings in advance. What are the key themes? What is the central message that !

 ! & % by listening carefully to the homily. How does the homily enrich your understanding of the Scriptures? When you receive the Eucharist, meditate on receiving Jesus into your body and how it nourishes you to live the Gospel. We’re asked to pay closer attention to the pope and our bishops. The pope and the bishops are the teachers and “heralds of the

faith�. Read their homilies and any letters they have published. Š

% ! diocesan newspaper or website. Study and honour the saints. Saints are those holy men and women who have been extraordinary witnesses to the Lord. Study their lives. Look for ways to be inspired by their dedication to the 0 ! ! of the saints who came from your region or country. Worship by celebrating through the arts. Throughout history, great composers and artists have created works of art that inspire us and help us see the beauty and grandeur of our faith. Use these pieces to help you to focus your prayer. Share your faith with others. At baptism, we were commissioned to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Make a special effort this Lent to talk with others about what you believe. The more you talk about your beliefs, the clearer they will become for you. Don’t forget to seek forgiveness. Celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation is a traditional Lenten practice. Take advantage of the penance services that will be offered in your community. Don’t forget to grow the domestic Church. Take every opportunity you have to share your faith within your family. Set aside time each week to pray together and to talk about your beliefs. % witnesses in the faith lives of their children. „ CNS Mulhall is a lifelong catechist who lives and works in Laurel, Maryland, USA.

Lent begins with humility By Dan Luby IT BEGINS with Ash Wednesday, the journey of this rich season. But it is less a routine and more a pilgrimage towards repentance, to turning away from sin to believing and living so that our deepest truth shines through every action and decision and relationship, like dawn through stained glass. Our eloquent rituals resonate deeply with our felt need for letting go of what weighs us down and for embracing our friendship with the One who calls us to faith. Given the challenges of carrying the Lenten message into our work, what are some concrete ways we can more fully, effectively and richly begin the pilgrimage of Lent?

Concentrate on one or two special practices for Lent. Seek depth more than breadth, intensity more than volume. Holiness is not acquired through effort, but humbly received as a gift through God’s generosity. In the biblical tradition, places, things and people are holy because they are touched by God’s presence. Moses comes down from the mountain shining not because he’s found God, like a hunter tracking his prey, but because God has found and transformed him. We are holy because God is present in and with us, in sacraments, Scripture, prayer, in experiences of reconciliation and generosity and compassion. Lent is about living into the holiness that is already ours through grace. Every aspect of the Church’s life and

practice during Lent is lovingly crafted to deepen repentance and belief. Readings for daily and Sunday Masses, for example, nourish us with bread for the journey of conversion. Make a practice of reading one or two of these texts daily, allowing ample time to savour them like the rich food they are. Remember that the pilgrimage of Lent is always made in the company of others. 7 lationships during Lent. Reach out to those from whom you’ve become disconnected. Instead of giving up chocolate, consider giving up unsolicited critiques, clever barbs, having the last word. „ CNS Luby is Tschoepe Chair of Homiletics at the School of Ministry, University of Dallas, Irving, Texas, USA.

Students line up to receive the cross of ashes at a school in Las Pinas, greater Manila, in the Philippines. CNS photo

YEAR OF FAITH 17

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

Equal in dignity: Latin and Eastern Churches A look at the Vatican II document, Decree Orientalium Ecclesiarum, in this Year of Faith By Archbishop William C Skurla One topic at the Second Vatican Council was the status of the Eastern Catholic Churches. These are relatively small groups of Eastern Christians who, mostly in recent centuries, have come into full communion with the Catholic Church. Almost all were part of an Orthodox Church once estranged from the Catholic Church. The largest Eastern Catholic Churches today are the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (4.3 million members), the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India (four million), the Maronite Catholic Church in Lebanon (3.3 million), and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in the Middle East (1.6 million). The status of these Churches was unclear for a long time. Many equated the Catholic Church with the great Latin tradition that grew in Western Europe, centred on Rome. These Easterners followed traditions that sometimes differed in ! % one. The question arose whether Eastern Catholics are on an equal

footing with the Latin Catholics. Many Catholics thought that they were not. In fact, in 1742, Pope Benedict XIV wrote an encyclical that referred to the “superiority� and “pre-eminence� of the Latin rite even while encouraging Eastern Catholics to remain faithful to their venerable traditions. The Council Fathers at Vatican II addressed this situation and the result was the Decree Orientalium Ecclesiarum (Of Eastern Churches),which was approved on Nov 21, 1964. The decree de % %ings and guides the relationships of the Churches. + " % ! % that in the Catholic Church all the various traditions of East and West are “of equal dignity� and that “none of them is superior to the others�. Thus there is no connection between the number of people who adhere to a particular tradition and that tradition’s worth or value. All of these traditions, the council says, are part of the heritage of the universal Church. The document also focuses on the role of the Patriarchs that head

Clergy of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church process at the start of Mass in a suburb of New Delhi, India.

six of the Eastern Catholic Churches, and calls for a reestablishment of the rights and privileges they % %

0 This means that the Patriarchs would now have a higher level of autonomy, and that, for example, they along with their Holy Synods could now establish new dioceses and nominate their own bishops within their own territory. This is now the standard practice within those Churches. The decree treats sacramental questions. Unlike the Latin practice of restricting the conferral of * % " ) Catholic priests could now normally confer this sacrament, in accordance with the ancient traditions.

The document also calls for the restoration of the permanent diaconate in the Eastern Catholic Churches, and states that when a Catholic marries an Orthodox Christian in an Orthodox ceremony the marriage is valid, but permission from the Catholic bishop is necessary only for lawfulness. The text encourages the Eastern Catholics to engage in dialogue with the local Orthodox Churches to agree on a common date for the celebration of Easter, even if it will differ from the date Catholics use. Catholics in Greece, for instance, now celebrate Easter on the Orthodox calendar. In general, the document urges Eastern Catholics to engage their

The Vatican document teaches that in the Catholic Church all the various traditions of East and West are ‘of equal dignity’, and that ‘none of them is superior to the others’.

Orthodox counterparts in a spirit of ecumenical openness and respect. It reasserts Catholic teaching that the Orthodox Churches have valid sacraments, and that sacramental sharing with them is possible in many circumstances. Orientalium Ecclesiarum % % ) Catholics have within the Catholic Church. It has had many implications for the lives of the Eastern Catholic Churches, which today are more faithful witnesses to the ancient Eastern traditions than they were before. There are still issues to be worked out, such as the place of married clergy in these Churches, but the teaching and canon law of % 7 % 7% % % value and authenticity of their traditions. „ USCCB Archbishop William C Skurla heads the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and the Byzantine Catholic (Ruthenian) Metropolitan Church in Pittsburgh.

18 FEATURE

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

China’s seminaries close as student enrolment drops

File photo of students studying at the Sheshan Seminary in Shanghai. The seminary is now closed. CNS photo JINAN, CHINA – One-third of Chi-

na’s 12 government-recognised regional seminaries have suspended operations in recent years for a variety of reasons. The most recent is the Montecorvino Major Seminary in northern Shanxi province. It failed to recruit new seminarians, retain teachers and suffered as a result of several disputes among its administrators. Recently, local bishops and diocesan representatives agreed to close the seminary for two years. One of the administrators who made this painful decision said he was worried that it will be more

ture due to a shortage of priestly vocations. This same problem saw two seminaries – one in the northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the other in eastern Shandong province – stop enrolling students in 2006 and 2009 respectively. Another is the Sheshan Seminary in Shanghai. Here the diocese suspended classes “until further notice� as a result of the fallout following the controversial

Holy Spirit Seminary in Shandong decided to open its doors to laypeople. Last year, nine training courses were organised there. ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin in July. He has been held under house arrest at the seminary since then. Acknowledging a lack of priestly vocations is common problem around the world, Bishop Joseph Zhang Xianwang of Jinan said China’s “one-child policy� has handed the Church the added challenge of trying to attract only sons to be priests. Soon after the Holy Spirit Seminary in Shandong closed, Bishop Zhang decided to open its doors to the laity. Last year, his diocese organised nine training courses there, each lasting one

to two weeks and which attracted 60-100 people. A team comprising several priests, nuns and lay leaders is responsible for the formation work. They have also invited experienced priests from neighbouring Hebei province to give lectures, the 48-year-old bishop said. However, after receiving training some laypeople turned to a Protestant way of evangelisation, he said. “They put too much stress on small communities and the role of the laity. Some even prefer holding private prayer meetings instead of going to church and receiving the sacraments. “So I have asked priests and teachers to talk more about the Church hierarchy and discipline,� the bishop said. Fr Joseph Liu Baocun of Xingtai, once a seminary teacher, agrees local dioceses should switch their focus to laity formation as priestly vocations are dropping. But he cautioned that quality is more important than quantity. He blamed the chaotic situation in the China Church on the failure of major seminaries to meet proper standards. If priests receive below-standard training, the overall quality of laypeople drops too, he noted. “To achieve effective laity formation, we must target parishioners who are not only knowledgeable, but also morally sound. Recruitment should be strict, or we will repeat the failures in priestly formation,� Fr Liu stressed. „ UCANEWS.COM

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

19

20

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Tarasius

shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation they must serve, and after this they will go out with great wealth. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace; you will be buried at a ripe old age.� By then, the sun had completely set and the sky was very dark. 9 & %

% " < %0 6% the Lord made a covenant with

Read more about it: Genesis 15

Q&A 1. Why was Abram discouraged? 2. What did the Lord say to Abram about the stars?

WORDSEARCH:

PUZZLE:

„ ABRAM

Answer the following questions with the names from the list, based on the Book of Genesis. Chapter numbers have been provided as hints. Not all names from the list will be used. Joseph, Isaac, ark, Abel, Lot, Cain, Israel, sail, Jacob, Moses, Abram 1. Who were the two brothers? (4) 2. What kind of boat did Noah build? (6) 3. Whose wife was turned into a pillar of salt? (19) 4. Which son did God ask Abra # $%%& 5. Which twin was born grabbing his brother’s heel? (25) 6. Who was sold into slavery by his brothers? (37)

Tarasius (730-806) was a layman who was selected to be the patriarch of Constantinople. He felt the position should „ SHIELD have gone to a priest. Although he had been raised in a fam ! % %

< " % „ STARS without many of the privileges his family could give him. After the second Council of Nicaea in 787, Tarasius helped to restore holy images and pictures in order to honour the holy men and women who had lived before his time. After Tarasius refused to grant the emperor a divorce, he had to live with the emperor’s resentment and also that of the emperor’s mother, a cruel woman. When Nicephorus took the throne, Tarasius was able to live in peace until the time of his death. We honour him on Feb 25. „

„ DREAM „ REWARD „ COUNT

Bible Accent:

Answers to Wordsearch:

6% * & % 6 – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – are called the Pentateuch. 6% * * % * = which the scrolls for these Scriptures were kept. Genesis tells the stories of some of the earliest of our religious ancestors, including Adam and Eve, Abram, Noah, Jacob and Joseph. Most of Exodus tells the story of Moses, the escape of the Israelites and the giving of the law. Leviticus establishes important laws and religious rituals, and the priests are responsible for seeing the people follow them. Numbers draws its name because of a census that was taken of all the people of Israel. Deuteronomy is an attempt to collect the laws together that had been given previously and gives more details about them. „

Abram. “To your descendants I give this land.� The Lord kept His promise to Abram. Even though he and his wife were very old, the Lord blessed them with a son, who was named Isaac. „

BIBLE TRIVIA: What new name did God give Abram in Genesis 17?

Answers to Puzzle: 1. Cain and Abel, 2. ark, 3. Lot, 4. Isaac, 5. Jacob, 6. Joseph

The Lord spoke to Abram in a dream. “Do not fear, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.� But Abram was discouraged, so he said in reply, “Lord God, what can you give me, if I die childless and have only a servant of my household, Eliezer of Damascus? Look, you have given me no offspring, so a servant of my household will be my heir.� The Lord answered Abram. “No, that one will not be your heir; your own offspring will be your heir.� Then the Lord brought Abram outside into the night and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so ... will your de-

scendants be.� So Abram believed the words of the Lord and the Lord considered his faith an act of righteousness. Then the Lord said, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.� And Abram asked, “Lord God, how will I know that I shall possess it?� The Lord instructed Abram " % % Abram obeyed. By that time, a full day had passed and the sun was about to set again. Abram fell into a deep sleep and as he did a feeling of dread and fear overtook him. The Lord spoke to Abram again. “Know for certain that your descendants will reside as aliens in a land not their own, where they

Answer to Bible Trivia: Abraham

By Joe Sarnicola

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday February 24, 2013 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www. catholic.sg/webevent_form.php

*

0 < % % Catholic Faith. Continue your faith journey through this pilgrimage. Cost: $5. Register T: 63364815/63364467; E: cana@catholiccentre.com.sg

night followed by sessions commencing on April 14. At Church of our Lady of Perpetual Succour (31 Siglap Hill). Register T: 9760 0038; E: jjwong5@ ! % 0 0 œ % ALPHA COURSE The Alpha course is to help people have a basic understanding of the Christian faith.

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors.

THURSDAYS FEB 21 TO MAY 9 7.15-10pm. At Church of Blessed Sacrament (Damien Hall). Register T: 9239 5562; E: bsc.alpha@gmail.com

SATURDAYS FEB 23 RCIY@ST MARY OF THE ANGELS 3.30-6.45pm: For those aged 13-18. At Church of St Mary of the Angels. T: 9746 4548 (Jeannette); E: jeanetteyeo@gmail.com

MONDAYS FEB 25 TO MAY 6 7.45-9.45pm: At Church of St Bernadette (12 Zion Rd). Register T: 9798 7788 (Richard), 8322 5356 (Andy); E: andy_lee_4health@yahoo.com

WEDNESDAYS FEB 27 RCIA@CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY 7.30-9.30pm: From mid-May, meetings will also be held on Sundays from 11am12.30pm. At Church of the Holy Family (6 Chapel Rd). Register T: 6344 0046, 9666 6542; E: rciaholyfam@gmail.com; % 0

TUESDAYS FEB 19 TO APRIL 30 THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETS 8-9.30pm: Lectures by Msgr Eugene Vaz. By Church of the Holy Family Biblical Apostolate Team. At Church of the Holy Family (Function Room Level 4). Register E: hfcbat@yahoo.com

SUNDAYS APRIL 7 RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7.30-9.30pm: Begins with welcome

FEB 20 PIMBY (PILGRIMAGE IN MY BACKYARD) 2.30pm: Revisit the local Church’s

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

21

20 23

30

31

25

27

28

32

33

34

36

39

45 47

51

48

52

49

53

55

56

57

59

60

61

62

63

64

54

58

46 Republic in equatorial Africa 47 Strict disciplinarian 50 Coquet 52 Heap 53 Sometimes it’s mini 55 Coil 56 Kitchen top 58 Vaccines 59 Together, musically 60 Captivated by 61 Singles 62 Exploit 63 Turn away 64 Amer. government agency DOWN 1 Where Jesus met the Samaritan woman 2 List parts 3 Honest incense? 4 Squeal 5 St. Angela _____ 6 First letter of the Hebrew alphabet 7 Alley 8 Explosive stuff 9 Some inserts 10 He anointed David 11 Part of the Eucharistic Prayer 12 It sometimes gets upped 13 Tres _____

21 Egyptian deity 22 Obscene 24 Its base is Ben Gurion 25 Commandment word 26 ___ Name Society 29 Symbol of the Holy Spirit 30 _____ Na Na 31 Gnostic being 32 Devout 33 Years Jacob promised to work to marry Rachel 34 151 in ancient Rome 36 Used to be 38 Game of chance 39 Jubilee entry

41 It’ll cost you to be in it 42 “Cheer, cheer for ole Notre ____‌â€? 44 Floor covering 45 Biblical money 47 The Tigris, in the Garden 48 Microwave and convection 49 Ventured 50 Papal _____ 51 Veinlike deposit 52 Prod 54 US space agency 56 RR stop 57 23rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet 58 Former coin of France

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1077 G O O D

O L D I E

L E E R S

T A M P

A G A R

N I N O

J O S H

E L I E

B I D E

D O S E S A M G O N A G S E H E K O E D

M E R C Y

A T E A S E

L A P P P

B L O U A L Y T L S A C U R E R E L E A

FRIDAY MARCH 1 TO SUNDAY MARCH 3 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND Fri (8pm)-Sun (6pm): A live-in marriage enrichment programme for happily married couples. Equip yourselves on this till-the-end-of-time journey of love. By ME Singapore. At 201-B Punggol 17th Avenue. Register: T: 9670 5390; E: register@marriage-encounter-sg.org FRIDAYS MARCH 1 TO MARCH 15 WALKING TO JERUSALEM 7.45pm-9.30pm: Enter into the journey of !

< "

oneself to celebrate the paschal mystery. By Kingsmead CISC. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Register by Feb 20. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com THURSDAYS MARCH 7 TO MAY 30 BOOK OF REVELATION DVD BIBLE STUDY BY JEFF CAVINS 8-10pm: In this DVD, Jeff Cavins will explore how the kingdom of Christ is intimately connected with the Kingdom of Heaven through the celebration of the Mass. Cost: $30. By Church of the Christ the King Biblical Apostolate Team. At Church of Christ the King St Mary’s Room (2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8). Register E: ctkbat@ % 0 %

MARCH 9 TEOCHEW RETREAT 9am: Conducted by Fr Henry Siew. At Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Block B 2-2). E: teochewgroup@gmail.com

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

ACROSS 1 Leah, to Jacob 5 Island in Acts 27–28 10 Car maker 14 Raison d’_____ 15 Antelope 16 Years in old Rome 17 Permit escape 18 Leases 19 Spouse 20 Alphabet string 21 Hollow cylinder 22 Unit of candle intensity 23 Rough design 25 Catholic actor Martin _____, of “The West Wing� fame 27 Chou En-_____ 28 Shrieked 30 Mother of Isaac 33 Parboil 35 Birds of the air don’t do this (Mt 6:26) 37 Back part of the foot 38 Catholic actor, Gene _____ 39 Opera singer 40 Earthlink rival 41 The Evil One 42 Prescribed amounts 43 _____ Creed 45 Literally, “The Way�

FRIDAY MARCH 1 TO SUNDAY MARCH 3 CHOICE WEEKEND Fri (7.30pm)-Sun (6pm): Learn to cope with all the different expectations one has of life and how to build successful relationships as a single young adult. For those 18-35 years old. By Choice Singapore. At 47 Jurong West St 42. T: 9880 3093 (Dawn), 9046 2297 (Albert). Register: E: www.choice.org.sg

FRIDAY MARCH 8 TO SUNDAY MARCH 10 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND Fri (6pm)-Sun (4pm): For those divorced, separated, or who have experienced the death of a spouse. Work through one’s grief and put one’s past behind, to be healed

% 0 6 ›ƒ¤Â™ 9122 (Sue), 9828 5162 (Jean), 9661 8089 (Joseph); E: josephchew@ippfa.com

42

46 50

35

44

TUESDAYS FEB 26 TO MARCH 26 FAITH & THE SACRAMENTS – RECONCILIATION & MARRIAGE 8-10pm: Fr Arro will speak on how one’s call to be a Christian witness is supported by graces given through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Marriage. At Church of St Mary of the Angels (St Clare Hall). T: 6567 3866 (Denise); E: denise@stmary.sg

IN MEMORIAM 29

41 43

13

26

38

40

12

22

24

37

11

FEB 23 CATHOLIC SINGLES DINNER@ HANS CAFE 5.30-9pm: A good opportunity for fellowship and friendship among single Catholics in Singapore. At Hans CafĂŠ (Pickering St). By Catholic Singles. Register E: CatholicSingle@gmail.com; FB: http://www. facebook.com/CatholicSinglesSingapore

THURSDAYS FEB 28 TO APRIL 4 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP ™0‡` ›0‡` 9 = workshop developed by Boystown, USA, that has helped thousands of parents raise responsible children. Parents will learn a practical approach to manage their children’s behaviours and guide them. By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lor Low Koon. Register T: 6315 8812; E: programs@morningstar.org.sg

Crossword Puzzle 1078 1

FEB 20 HOLY HOUR FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS 7.30-9pm: Pray for more priestly vocations and for our priests. By Serra Club of Singapore. At Church of St Bernadette. (Adoration Room). Register E: clara@serrasingapore.org

THURSDAYS FEB 28 TO APRIL 11 CATHOLIC FAITH EXPLORATION (CAFÉ) 7.45-9.30pm: 6-part video series to help Catholics rediscover their faith and *  ! % 0 At Church of Christ the King. Register: T: 9757 1383 (Jason), 9616 0258 (Matthew); E: ctkcafe@gmail.com

T A I L E L S P S A I C L V A M O D C O E T E R H L I A C T S E

H O U R O R C A C A L C D A Y G E S I S O O S E D U N E E L T S E G Y P T

S E A L E

A T P A R

A S T A

MARCH 17 LENTEN REFLECTION IN TAMIL 2-6pm: Retreat followed by Mass. At Blessed Sacrament Church. (Damien Centre, 3rd Floor, St James Room). T: 6474 5249/9678 3855 (Margaret Samuel) MARCH 17 BLOOD DONATION DRIVE 9am-2pm: Donate blood and save lives during Lent. At Blessed Sacrament Church. Pre-registration Feb 16 & 17. T: 8298 5817 (Ruby); E: frdamiensociety@gmail.com MARCH 17 IHM LENTEN BLOODMOBILE OUTREACH 10.30am-3pm: Give blood and save up to 3 lives. For those aged 16-60 and who weigh more than 45kg. Bring NRIC/passport. At Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Multi-purpose Hall (24 Highland Rd). WEDNESDAYS MARCH 20 TO JUNE 5 CATHOLICISM 9.30-11.30am: A DVD-based programme presented by Rev Robert Baron that explains what Catholics believe and why. At Church of the Holy Spirit (Room A2-01). Register T: 9815 4098 (Genevieve), 8228 8220 (Clare) E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com FRIDAY APRIL 5 TO SUNDAY APRIL 7 RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND Fri (8pm)-Sun (6pm): For those serious about making their marriage work. By Retrouvaille Singapore. At 201-B Punggol 17th Ave. Register: T: 6749 8661 (Michael/ Lucy); E: retrouvaillesingapore@yahoo. com.sg; W: http://www.helpourmarriage.sg APRIL 6 FINDING GOD IN YOUR WRITING PART 1 9.30am-5pm: Through writing exercises and other activities, explore and express your inmost thoughts and feelings and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationship with others and God. Cost: $100 (with lunch). By Kingsmead CISC. At 8 Victoria Park Rd. Register by March 27 T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com APRIL 20 MASS FOR THE POOR 2-4pm: Annual celebratory Mass for the poor, in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, founder of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. At Church of St Vincent de Paul. APRIL 27 TRANSITION AT MIDLIFE 9am-1pm: The talk will cover: Problem to Promise: Negotiating the Passage into Midlife; The Invitations of Midlife Necessary Losses: Making space for the New Broken Dreams and Future Vision. Conducted by Sr Linda Lizada. Cost: $20. By Clarity Singapore. At National Volunteers & Philanthropy Centre (6 Eu Tong Sen Street #04-88, The Central, NPH2 Level 3). Register T: 6757 7990/9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org;

24

Advertisement

Sunday February 24, 2013 CatholicNews

PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.