Pope canonizes four, says being a saint not for weak, fearful
Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
(CNS PHOTO/GIAMPIERO SPOSITO, REUTERS)
By Cindy Wooden
St. Peter's Square is seen during the canonization ceremony of four new saints by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Oct. 15. The pope canonized Mexican Bishop Rafael Guizar Valencia of Vera Cruz; Italian Father Filippo Smaldone; Italian Sister Rosa Venerini; and Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
Archbishop Niederauer voices support for Proposition 85 By Maurice Healy In a letter sent to priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Oct. 12, Archbishop George H. Niederauer expressed support for Proposition 85, the “Parents Right to Know and Child Protection Act” initiative, which will appear on the California ballot Nov. 7. Proposition 85 mandates that except for medical emergency, no abortion can be performed on a minor unless the physician notifies the minor’s parent or guardian at least 48 hours before the procedure. It provides a judicial bypass for cases of physical or sexual abuse by the parent or guardian. It allows a minor access to juvenile court if she is being coerced to have an abortion. Archbishop Niederauer said, “It is a common-sense initiative that places the family above school personnel and counselors when it comes to determining what is right for their daughters.” Proposition 85 is supported by the California Conference of Catholic
Archbishop George H. Niederauer Bishops. In an August statement, they expressed agreement with the initiative’s statement that, “The People of California have a special and compelling interest in and responsibility for protecting the health and well-being of children, ensuring that parents are properly informed of the health-related risks to their children, and promoting parent-child communication and parental responsibility.”
Archbishop Niederauer said, “We cannot allow our children’s lives and values to be shaped by someone outside the privileged community of the family. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that public authorities should not usurp the family’s prerogatives or interfere in its life. Parents have the original, primary and inalienable right to educate their children and to teach and transmit cultural, ethical, social, sexual and religious values.” Archbishop Niederauer’s letter underscores the efforts of many people at the parish level who are working to inform people of the facts about Proposition 85. Bill May of Catholics for the Common Good said volunteers are still welcome to help restore parents right to know. He noted that the web site www.catholicsfor85.org provides information on the initiative. Other Internet sources of information are www.cacatholic.org, www.sfjustlife.org, and www.catholicsforthecommongood.org.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Presiding over the second canonization ceremony of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI honored two women and two men who demonstrated that becoming a saint is not for the weak and fearful. “The saint is that man, that woman who, responding with joy and generosity to the call of Christ, leaves everything to follow him,” the pope said at the Oct. 15 canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Political persecution, poverty, suspicion and even opposition from church leaders were not uncommon in the lives of the four new saints: Mexican Bishop Rafael Guizar Valencia of Vera Cruz; Italian Father Filippo Smaldone; Italian Sister Rosa Venerini; and Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. Even in the midst of “trials and persecutions,” the pope said, the new saints knew that following Jesus “truly guaranteed a happy existence and eternal life.” “The saints had the humility and courage to respond ‘yes’ to Jesus Christ and renounced everything to be his friends,” he said. In his homily, the pope said, “With great trust in divine providence, Mother Theodore overcame many challenges and persevered in the work that the Lord had called her to do. By the time of her death in 1856, the sisters were running schools and orphanages throughout the state of Indiana.” Speaking in French, St. Mother Theodore’s native tongue, the pope said that in the Eucharist, in prayer and in her “infinite trust in divine providence,” she found the “strength and audacity” to carry out her mission. Pilgrims who came to St. Peter’s Square for the Mass included dozens of young people from the United States. During his homily, Pope Benedict praised St. Rafael for his dedication to the poor and his commitment to preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments despite being forced to flee the Mexican government’s persecution of Catholics in the 1920s and 1930s. St. Filippo Smaldone was an Italian priest who founded the Salesian Sisters of the Sacred Heart. St. Rosa Venerini was an Italian nun who founded the Venerini Sisters.
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Catholic-Jewish relations . . . . 3 Catholics in space . . . . . . . . . 6 Pope’s Turkey trip . . . . . . . . . 9 World Mission Sunday . . 10-11 Commentary and letters . 14-15 ‘Jesus Camp’ review. . . . . . . 20
Respect Life meeting
Global poverty
Election roundup
Classified ads . . . . . . . . . 22-23
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www.catholic-sf.org
October 20, 2006
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
VOLUME 8
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No. 30