July 2013 145 by EuropeAxess Media

JOY TO ALL MEN AND PEACE TO MANKIND

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Dear Friends, Jesus

Who do

n many churches in the East and West the Apostles Peter and Paul are commemorated. Both were martyred in Rome in the first century. They tirelessly worked for the spread of the gospel, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as well. They risked their lives in the process and gladly poured out their blood in loyalty to their Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul so eloquently stated in his second epistle to Timothy, they courageously fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). At an opportune time Jesus tested his disciples with a crucial question: ‘Who do men say that I am and who do you say that I am?’ (Matthew 16:13). Jesus was widely recognized in Israel as a mighty man of God; even being compared with the greatest of the prophets, John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Peter, always quick to respond, exclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Through the gift of faith Peter recognized that Jesus was the “annointed one” (in Hebrew and Greek the word is translated as Messiah and Christ), and the only begotten Son of God sent by the Father in heaven to

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asked...

you say I am ? redeem a fallen human race. No mortal being could have revealed this to Peter but only God. Jesus then conferred on Peter authority to govern the church that Jesus would build, a church that no powers could overcome. Jesus played on Peter’s name which is the same word for “rock” in both Aramaic and Greek. To call someone a “rock” is one of the greatest of compliments. The ancient rabbis had a saying that when God saw Abraham, he exclaimed: “I have discovered a rock to found the world upon.” Abraham put his trust in God and made God’s word the foundation of his life and the bedrock of his faith. Through Abraham God established a nation for himself. Through faith Peter grasped who Jesus truly was. He was the first apostle to proclaim that Jesus was truly the Anointed One (Messiah and Christ) and the only begotten Son of God.

The New Testament describes the church, the people of God, as a spiritual house and temple of the Holy Spirit with each member joined together as living stones (1 Peter 2:5). Faith in Jesus Christ makes us into rocks – spiritual stones. The Lord Jesus tests each of us personally with the same question: Who do you say that I am?

God Bless you, Fr Stuart

Notes on the artwork: ‘St. Peter and St. Paul’ The Apostles are studying, the papers they hold a reference to the many letters they wrote to the young Christian Churches. St. Peter is on the left of the image next to him on the table in the foreground of the painting is a key, for Peter is said to hold the Keys of the Kingdom. St. Paul is looking out of the painting, directly at the viewer, he holds a sword, in his right hand, a symbol of his martyrdom, the saint bore witness to the Gospel - even to the point of being beheaded by the sword. The painting, in oils on cavas, is by Jusepe de Ribera (1591 1652), a Tenebrist artist who worked in Naples, Italy.

Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media, Gibraltar. Editor: Fr. Stuart Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.gi Production Editor: A. Sargent angela@europeaxess.com Cover: Pope Francis, General Audience 12.06.13. Photo: A. Sargent Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd. as a not-for-profit project. For Advertisers: This magazine is hand-delivered to homes, churches, hospitals and many businesses around Gibraltar every month. To discuss your advertising requirements, or promote your church group or charity, call Tel: +350 200 79335 email: angela@europeaxess.com Editorial is selected by EuropeAxess Media in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar. Neither of these parties is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor do the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the views and opinions of either party. Advertisers are not endorsed by virtue of advertising in this magazine. EuropeAxess Media Ltd. reserves the right to refuse space to any submissions or advertisements. Efforts have been made to establish copyright owners of images, but if we have used your material, and have not credited you, please contact us to discuss restoration.

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Text and photos: A. Sargent

Pope Francis... “You are like the stars, like little points of light, little points of love, I send you out to illuminate the World”*

n the 12th June at 10.30am in brilliant sunshine, the Holy Father addressed approximately 100,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square at one of his Wednesday General Audiences. *Pope Francis did not speak in English but with my limited understanding of Spanish I understood some of his comments, departing from and expanding on the prepared script saying “You are like the stars, like little points of light, little points of love, I send you out to illuminate the World.” The following official translation was read out by an assistant: “In our continuing catechesis on the Creed, today we consider the Church as the People of God, called to new life in Christ. We become part of this people through God’s gift of faith and spiritual rebirth in the waters of Baptism. Our law is the twin commandment of love, for God and neighbour. Our mission is to be a leaven of the hope born of God’s love in our world wounded by sin and evil. Amid the darkness that so frequently surrounds us, we are called to be so many points of light, illumining all reality and showing the way to a better future. God’s goodness is stronger than any evil! Our destination is the Kingdom of God which Christ inaugurated on earth and which will attain its fullness in the joy of heaven. This is what it means for the Church to be God’s People, an essential part of his loving plan for our human family. May the Church always be a place where everyone can encounter God’s mercy and feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel.” English speaking pilgrims in the audience represented many nations: England, Scotland, Ireland, Gibraltar, Malta, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the United States.

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y far the best way to visit the Vatican is as part of a parish or diocesan pilgrimage, and I would never have dreamt of attempting it solo, if I had not had an excellent

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introduction to Rome while on Fr. Stuart’s pilgrimage in 2009. However, I was invited to visit family in Tuscany this summer, and after trawling through the internet for the best deals on air fares, it turned out my return flight was from Rome to Malaga with Vueling Airlines (€71 including one piece of hold luggage). This would be the third time I was to transit through Rome and I really wanted to go and see our new Pope. I discovered The Church of Santa Susanna run an excellent English website serving American visitors which gives all the information you need for visiting the Vatican. Importantly it details when the General Audiences are to be held. (There is open access to the General Audiences to be held on the 7, 14, 21st and 28th of August but from September onwards tickets will be required again). The (Free) entrance tickets must be collected on the Tuesday, the day before. I found overnight accommodation through the ‘Airbnb’ website from as little as €25 euros a night for a room near the Vatican. The Church of Santa Susanna will reserve

tickts if you book them a couple of months in advance. These are collected before or after their 6.00pm evening Mass. On arriving at Rome Central Station, I put my large suitcase in the left luggage store which meant I was able to move around more easily with just my overnight bag. A number 64 bus (1.50€) will take you from Termini Station to the Grand Hotel, and if you get off there the concierge at the Grand will point out Santa Susanna Church to you. I allowed an hour for storing my bag and getting to the church in time for Mass. You can also walk from Termini Station, I did, it is not far. I was very impressed, on this visit to Rome, by the increased police presence around Termini. There were many pilgrims, like me, collecting their tickets at Santa Susanna, as well as American ex-pats in the congregation. I was given a helpful advice on the easiest way for me to get to my accommodation near St. Peter’s Metro Station, it was with the No. 64 bus again! One is advised to arrive at St. Peter’s Square three hours

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Worldwide Adoration

On Sunday the 2nd June Bishop Ralph led hundreds of faithful at the Cathedral St. Mary the Crowned in a Eucharistic adoration, joining millions of Catholics around the world in possibly the largest worldwide act of synchronised prayer in history. before the General Audience, or advised not to take heavy bags at 7.30am. The security gates to St. Peter’s, so it is better to open at that time. One is also Continued on Page 15

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Honouring Our e p o r u E f o y d a L

Lourdes

2013 Diary Sunday 28th April

We were picked up by minibus from just outside our house and after collecting several pilgrims, plus their luggage, we were driven to the frontier where we all congregated amid much excitement to wait for our coach. It was windy and cold but this did not dampen our excitement or expectations of this much anticipated pilgrimage to Lourdes. The journey to Madrid was comfortable and smooth although we were met with rain, and even snow, as we made several stops along the way. We arrived in Madrid and were soon in our hotel, which was very well situated and of a very high standard. Time for lunch, a very welcome rest, and plenty of time for relaxation and exploring. After our evening meal we were all ready to settle down to our first night away from home.

Monday 29th April

After breakfast we boarded our coach and left Madrid on our way to Lourdes. We had a peaceful and uneventful journey. The highlight of our trip was the snowfall, which covered the surrounding countryside in a beautiful white coat, more reminiscent of Christmas than of Spring!

We arrived in Lourdes in the early evening and were soon at our hotel. After our evening meal we made our first group visit to the Grotto where we prayed our first rosary just across the river. The pouring rain did not dampen our spirits as we stood together in that very special place where Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette.

Tuesday 30th April

We had an early start today as our group headed to the Grotto for Mass at 7.30am, officiated by Bp. Ralph and concelebrated by Fr. Stuart and Fr. Jose Maria, I was offered the unique opportunity and privilege of doing the readings. What a wonderful chance to say thank you to Jesus and Mary and to place at their feet all the offerings and prayers that were in my heart. After lunch we made our way to the open air Stations of the Cross. Quite a climb up a very steep hill, but what an amazing experience. God gave me and all of us the strength to participate in such a unique way, and what we did was nothing compared to one of our pilgrims who went the whole way barefoot. What an example to us all, and may God grant her and her family many blessings as I am sure He already has. A very full day today, as we made our way once again to participate in the group Marian Procession, where our very own statue of Our Lady of Europe was carried by four men of our group, and escorted by four ladies bearing candles. They were followed by Bp. Ralph, Fr. Stuart and Fr. Jose Maria, who led the procession escorted by the Gibraltar flag and Our Lady of Europe banner. A very proud and emotional group of fifty locals followed by thousands of pilgrims of all nationalities! The English version of the Rosary was recited by three of our pilgrims. What a wonderful opportunity for Gibraltar to shine amongst so many other nationalities!

Wednesday 1st May

This morning we had the Group International Mass. What an awesome occasion. One pilgrim told me that her faith in humanity had been restored after observing so many good people, all praying together and giving witness to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message of His love for us all. Another pilgrim told me how she felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Once again Gibraltar featured prominently amongst all the other nations as we participated fully in the celebrations. What a proud moment as we saw Our Lady of Lourdes being carried along in the procession followed by the Gibraltar flag!

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Gibraltar may be small, but our presence is seen and felt by all, and we shine wherever we go. Another humbling experience was had by all at the Eucharistic Procession of the Sick. “Thank you, dear God, for our health. May we never grow complacent for we do not know what the future holds for us. Let us live each moment of our lives in thanksgiving to you for all that we have.”

emotional for all of us. The candle, beautifully decorated by one of our pilgrims, was lit and placed in a very prominent place, and after listening to Bp. Ralph’s words, we had a quiet moment to make our own personal offerings to our mother Mary. And so was marked the end of a very special pilgrimage, where we shared moments of laughter, moments of tears and made lots of new friends as we all bonded together. Coming to Lourdes has been such an eye-opener for me, and I am sure I can speak for all the other pilgrims when I say that it has taught us to look away from ourselves and our own troubles and difficulties, and to turn our eyes towards others, and see in their suffering, their love for

Mary our mother, and Jesus, her son. Let us constantly thank God for all that we have, for all the opportunities He gives us and let us not waste one second of our precious time on earth as we journey towards Him and eternal glory.

Friday 3rd May

After breakfast we began our trip back home, with another stop in Madrid where we had time to relax.

Saturday 4th May

We left Madrid after a late breakfast, and leisurely morning, and arrived back home just before 9.00pm. Diary: Olga Mary Caruana Photos: Yvonne Cruz

Thursday 2nd May

Our last day at Lourdes started with Mass in the Crypt Chapel. This was a very special Mass. Once again, Fr. Stuart’s words gave us food for thought as he rounded up for all of us what our expectations of Lourdes should be. It is now up to each one of us to ponder over his words and apply them to our own lives. In the evening we all went together to our final act as a group. This was the group candle offering which was very

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Procession of Our Lady of Europe

Repeating the papal call asking the people of Gibraltar specifically to pray for:

EUROPE

O LONG TERM SPONSORS OF UPON THIS ROCK

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n the 22nd May 2013 His Lordship Bishop Ralph Heskett CSsR led the annual procession bearing the statue of Our Lady of Europe from St. Bernard’s Parish Church to the Shrine at Europa Point. During the Mass, held in the patio outside the Shrine, celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Europe, Bp. Ralph spoke to the assembled dignataries and congregation, saying “About this time last year, you may recall, I was in Rome for the Ad Limina visit. The highlight of the visit was, of course, the short time I was privileged to spend with the then Pope Benedict, one to one, a rare event, certainly towards the end of his papacy. Although, even then, he looked frail, he was mentally very sharp, asking all the right questions

and displaying a background knowledge of life here in Gibraltar. Then, later in the year, to my surprise, I received a letter from Benedict as a follow-up to my visit. Towards the end of his letter, he invites us as a diocesan family here in Gibraltar to undertake a special apostolate of prayer for the continent of Europe through the intercession of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Europe. A request I drew to your attention at the beginning of the Year of Faith. Our gathering here tonight is, in part, our response to this invitation. Also, in his letter, he highlights the importance of devotion to Mary under the title of “Our Lady of Europe” and the significance of the prayer apostolate entrusted to us. “at a time when some are losing

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sight of the Christian roots of European culture, and of the moral values on which European society is built, it serves to remind us that at the heart of Europe is the belief that the only begotten Son of God took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world.” This belief at the heart of the Christian story, Benedict claims, is inseparable from the story of Europe itself and is the source of Europe’s traditional respect for human life and the desire to order life in general for the good of every human person. “Hence”, he says, “the pride of place given to marriage as a life-long union, open to life, between a man and a woman and the family as the proper setting in which to bring children into the world, Hence, too, the investment in education, health-

care, administration of justice and the cultivation of the arts.” If the house of Europe, Benedict remarks, is to be truly built on rock, it is vital to preserve these values at the heart of our society. Not an easy task for the Christian family in Europe today. Not an easy task for the Christian family here in Gibraltar. It is a call, he says, that will sometimes demand of us a greater confidence in our Christian roots and values and a readiness to promote them even if it means courting unpopularity in the process. “If this is to happen,” he says, “Christians sometimes need to raise a prophetic voice, when proposals are made for building on sand, pointing instead to where solid rock is to be found.” So we gather 1. In thanksgiving for the

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opportunity to honour Mary under our own title of Our Lady of Europe. 2. To entrust the needs of the diocese to her maternal care. 3. To renew our commitment to the special prayer apostolate given to us by Benedict and to

take up the challenge it offers. 4. And finally to make our own, Benedict’s prayer for us: “May Our Lady of Europe watch over us and protect us from harm, pointing us always towards her Son, in whom the fullness of life is to be found.”

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A Way of Living in Anne Mesilio writes about the beginings of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Gibraltar...

Renewal

ope Francis frequently mentions the

Holy Spirit whom he describes as someone who ‘annoys us, moves us, makes us walk, and pushes the Church to move forward.”

The election of such a back-to-basics man as Supreme Pontiff provided us with an opportunity to look at the road travelled by the Charismatic Renewal and to ‘hold onto what is good.’(Thess, 5:21 As Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he would celebrate Mass for the Charismatic Renewal in Buenos Aires. What is meant by renewal? The Oxford English dictionary tells us renewal is a process which usually begins with an event. Amongst Charismatic Christians this is the state or process of being renewed in the Holy Spirit. “No one is renewed except by a sovereign act of God, who touches our lives by the power of his Holy Spirit and changes us. It is really both a state and a process.” The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, as we know it today, is the result of a movement of Protestant Pentecostalism from the early 20th century. The movement began in the Catholic Church in 1967. How did it begin in Gibraltar? To answer that it was my privilege to speak to two lovely sisters, Marie Del Carmen Abrines and Adele Abrines de Gil. They also treated me to a delicious tea. “It was a lady called Patricia (Paddy) Guetta, who, ill with cancer went to UK for treatment”, Marie Del Carmen started the interesting story. “Whilst there she attended a

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prayer meeting where she was prayed over and although she was not too keen at first, her aunt urged her to go back and after that she experienced the Lord, telling her in prayer to start a prayer meeting.” She returned home and shared this with Marie Del Carmen who urged her to go and see Bishop Rapallo which she did. She had brought along a Fr. Ian Petit an early UK tape of Fr. Ian Petit (1922-1996) Charismatic Renewal Leader who had become a leader in the Charismatic Renewal. He gave retreats and spoke at churches around the world, preaching the Gospel and the Charismatic experience of the Holy Spirit. However, Bishop Rapallo’s answer was not, initially, encouraging, and this left Paddy feeling disappointed but Marie Del Carmen suggested she go see Fr. Charles Caruana, who was then parish priest at the Sacred Heart church, and whom she considered ‘very open’ and was sure he would help. He did. He had already met with two gentlemen who had expressed a desire to understand more about their faith. Paddy and her mother joined them, as well as some friends, and the meetings began. “Paddy used to come home and sing the songs with me but I would say….Paddy, I’m sorry…I don’t feel like going…..and she would cheerfully tell me you will, when the

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Fr. Chus Villanova led the Gibraltar Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in a very successful weekend conference in January 2013

Lord wants you to.” He wanted her to and she went along in the Spring of 1976 and her two sisters went as well. What did you gain from this new way of praying? “Great joy! I used to go to Mass, but not every day and God gave me the willingness to go every day.” When the time came for Fr. Caruana to go back to the Cathedral, she continued, “We used to meet in the Bishop’s Parlour to praise As a young priest, the Lord, thank the Lord, share the word Bishop Charles of God, give testimonies, and if we had Caruana, who was hugely popular with the been praying for some intentions we youth, supported the were grateful if any had been granted.” early Gibraltar Catholic I turned to Adele who had been Charismatic Renewal listening to her sister with a smile of Movement joyful encouragement. She added her experiences, “In 1975 I was married and living in Spain but when my husband died the following year I returned to Gibraltar. This was during the closed frontier days and I had only come once a year to visit my mother. During this time I had received books from Marie Del Carmen about the Renewal and we had spoken about it often, even about how it was all happening in America. Once I had settled back in Gibraltar, I started attending the meetings, in fact I was very keen to do so.” Why was that? “Everyone needs the power of the Holy Spirit, we are always asking God for something, to do something for us, but you have to praise God too, something I had not realised before. Now it has become a way of life for me.” I found this quote which complimented what Adele said. “Prayer and praise are to the Christian as two wings are to the bird. Do not expect a bird to fly if one wing is broken.” For five years this small group stayed together until Charlie Harrison, who had been in the UK and attended a ‘Life in the Spirit’ Seminar, approached Fr. Caruana with the idea of holding one here. What is a ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminar? It is a retreat which centres on God and the Holy Spirit. It is intended for anyone who desires a new awareness and deeper relationship with God, through the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is an invitation to ‘stir into flame’ in a ‘renewed Pentecost’

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the gift of the Holy Spirit that was given to the individual at Baptism and Confirmation. In May 1981 the first such Seminar was held here on the Rock led by Fr. David Parry, “a very learned man” and he brought along many books and new hymns. Where is the Renewal now, all these years later? Mgr. Paul Bear is now the spiritual director, they told me and “we have continued, not on our own merits, but with the gift of perseverance which the Holy Spirit has given us,” the sisters were in no doubt. Prayer and praise is the cornerstone of meetings. Together they enumerated for me; “firstly, we invoke the Holy Spirit, then give thanks, and observe silence in order to listen, sometimes we have prophecies, in tongues or not, if prophecy occurs in tongues we must have interpretation immediately.” Prayer and praise is powerful. This quotation hit the spot for me: “Doth not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I would be an exception to the universe. Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Doth not the lightening write His name in letters of fire? Hath not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, be silent!” The Charismatic Renewal meetings are held on Thursdays at the Catholic Community Centre (mainly in Spanish) and Christ the King prayer group (mainly in English) at St. Bernard’s Church, Europa Road, as well as at the Fellowship Bookshop on Fridays. For more information and times contact Susan Goldwin T:20078212

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The

CYC

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he Catholic Youth Cell was born in the late 70s; Father Caruana, who later became Bishop, met with a group of young people who were seriously debating Erich von Däniken’s theory that Jesus was an alien. Erich Anton Paul von Däniken is a Swiss author best known for his controversial claims about extraterrestrial influences on early human culture, in books such as ‘Chariots of the Gods’. Father Caruana led these young people in a Retreat, and later enrolled the support of Mario Mifsud, who had recently done the Cursillo de Cristiandad Retreat (this was another Catholic Movement that was rapidly growing at the same time in Gibraltar). The young people began to meet regularly and when it came to finding a name for this newly formed group it was felt that a Youth Cell best described the identity of the group. The body is made up of cells, and in the same way

this group of young people were a cell within the Body of Christ. And so the Catholic Youth Cell was born. At the time there were two main Catholic Groups for young people. The CLM (Christian Life Movement) catered for young teenagers, whilst the CYC was better suited for the older teenagers who were already working and coming into adulthood. A number of our present priests and nuns started off in the CYC, as well as many of our present leaders within many of the Prayer Groups in Gibraltar. I remember the young leaders of the CYC being fearless, in the way sometimes only young people can be. Many a night these leaders were found in the hot spots in Gibraltar, be it Goggles Disco at the Lighthouse (talk about a blast from the past), to the Rosia car-park, where almost everyone congregated after a night out. These young people would happily, and without inhibitions, talk to those there about how Jesus had changed their lives. Regular retreats were held

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at the St Joseph’s Parish Centre, and the deep discussions of faith went on into the early hours of the morning, helping young people understand that Jesus was alive and able to change their lives. As the years went by the CYC morphed into the Young Charismatics and this group went on to develop, led by the Holy Spirit, into other groups for young people. The original CYC members grew up, and many of them continued to serve The Lord in different ways. However, in the last few years, some of these CYC members began to meet for prayer. Initially they met every other month, this grew into fortnightly meetings, and before anybody knew it the group was meeting on a weekly basis. The Holy Spirit was bringing together this group of mature individuals (let’s not call them old!), and reinjecting in them a passion for Christ and His Holy Word. Although many have commented on the name and how it does not reflect the average age of this Cell any more, the energy and spirit within is Young. And, as is so often heard, 50 is the new 40, and so on... Where is the Holy Spirit taking the new CYC? To those who also attend other Prayer Groups, it is becoming quite evident how Our Lord is moving Christians in new ways, where His Gifts are becoming very much alive. We are to reach out and take Christ to others. The words of Isaiah in Chapter 61:1-6 are very meaningful to the CYC. We are to go and bring freedom, through the love of Christ, to those in darkness. We are to edify ourselves in prayer, the Scriptures, and fasting, and then we can enable Christ to touch the lives of others. As James says in Chapter 2:14-26, “Faith without works is nothing”. It is important then, to go out and touch the broken-hearted, those who are marginalised by society, those who have financial difficulties, in short those live broken lives or who are lost. To follow Christ is to be militant in the faith, to become prayer warriors with great expectations. After all Christ did say when referring to His works, he who believes will do greater things than

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these (John 14:12). The CYC meets every Monday at the Catholic Community Centre bookshop at 9.00pm. On one Monday a month it also meets at the Chapel in St Bernard’s Hospital. We have also moved with the times and you can find us in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ groups/207842685923089/ where the CYC posts any news and updates venues and times of meetings. If you do not have access to Facebook and would like to know more about the group, its meetings, or the work it does, you can contact Joe any day, after 6.00 pm, on 54024221. Please feel free to join us at the CYC and share in the love of Christ. God Bless.

Photos Far left and top: Fr. Johnathan recently led the CYC in a day of prayer with an evening adoration on the Upper Rock. Above left, the group held a day of prayer at the Retreat Centre earlier this year, and above right a Day of Prayer at the Shrine recently.

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s r o t c o D c i l o h t a C

T C E J E R G

CLONIN

A report from Dr. Monique Risso

n May 16th, seventeen years after Dolly the sheep was cloned, all the major News resources, reported that scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center had successfully cloned human embryos. There are two types of cloning, therapeutic (creates embryos to harvest their stem cells) and reproductive (intention is to result in a live birth). Therapeutic cloning, also known as Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), is the type of cloning these scientists report. This technique involves the following steps, first skin or any other cell from a donor (anybody) is obtained and the cells nucleus (genetic matter) is removed. Then the egg (ovum) from a donor female is obtained and again the nucleus is removed. The nucleus from the donor cell is then placed in the egg. The egg with the donor nucleus is then stimulated and the cells start to divide. The result is a one-celled embryo (new human being), this embryo will develop (if allowed to) like an embryo created through fertilization. The purpose of carrying this out is to grow tissue to help diseases,

grow organs etc. However, once the embryo has been used for this purpose, the embryo is destroyed. A human being is destroyed. The embryo, although it is genetically identical to the donor (person who donated the original skin cell, where the nucleus was removed, to insert into the donor egg), is a new life and this new life has to be treated with the rights, dignity and respect that every human being is entitiled to. For this reason the Catholic Doctors reject this new technique:

A STATEMENT FROM THE FIAMC (ON CLONING) “Catholic doctors reject the new technique reported from the Oregon Health and Science University in Beaverton to produce embryonic stems cells genetically identical to the adult donor as still being unethical. Some commentators have suggested that as the technique used was a modification of the original technique used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1996, and used unfertilised human oocytes, it did therefore not use human embryos and so would be more ethical. However this technique DOES produce human embryos. Throughout the paper the authors describe the resulting product of the nuclear transfer as ‘embryos’. The developing early embryos were allowed to develop to the blastocyst stage and then treated in the conventional way to produce the embryonic stem cells. The early embryo is a clone of the adult donor and if implanted in a woman could theoretically develop into a clone of the donor adult.”

et us not forget that adult stem cell research, does not involve the destruction of life. The cells do not require the creation nor the destruction of a human being to be produced. The cells are obtained from umbilical cords, placentas, amniotic fluid, body tissues and cadavers. The benefits of using Adult Stem Cells instead of embryonic stem cells or therapeutic cloning, is as already mentioned, no human life is destroyed. Furthermore, it is easier to encourage these adult cells to become different cell types and as the cells are obtained from the patient’s own body there is no immunogenic reaction or rejection. These cells are easily obtained and are not cancerous. Adult Stem cells also tend to migrate to the sites where tissue damage is present, thereby targeting the repair. There is further information on the difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells in a leaflet available online at: http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF13E47.pdf

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Pope Francis

Continued from page 5. make arrangements to leave any luggage at one’s accommodation. I arrived in a little piazza just outside the Square at 7.15am and there was already a huge crowd. I entered the Square at the far left of the collonade, and found myself standing behind a barrier. To get a seat I think one should make ones way round to the middle of the collonade and then up into the seating area. To ease the waiting time I should have taken water and a wide brimmed hat. The Pope entered the Square about 9.45am, my ‘first line’ position paid off, for it assured me of a fantastic experience when the Holy Father, in his ‘popemobile’, was driven through the crowds, passing right next to where I was standing, twice. It was extremely touching to watch him interacting with the people, frequently stopping, talking to them, blessing babies and young children who were passed up to him by the security officers and spending some time with pilgrims in wheelchairs and their carers.

INSIDE ISLAM: A GUIDE FOR CATHOLICS by Robert Spencer and Daniel Ali Inside Islam is a very informative book, respectful and full of insight on the Islamic faith. This book is written by Daniel Ali, a convert to Catholicism from Islam, and Robert Spencer, an expert on the subject. This book serves as a guide for Catholics and their dialogue between them and any Muslim friends, family or co-workers. - Anonymous Cornerstone Customer LIFE OF CHRIST by Fulton J Sheen With Sheen’s unimaginable insight into the life of Jesus, I could not help but feel that I was watching the life of my Lord unfold, as if I was there with Him. Archbishop Sheen goes into the nooks and crannies of Jesus’ life, which aren’t so apparent when reading the scriptures, thus bringing the reader into a whole new appreciation and deep love for the Saviour and His life. Ten marks out of ten from me. - Jeremy Duo As I walked back to my room, I felt that, through the use of the large screens showing his interaction with people, close-up and actually being near to the Holy Father as he moved through the crowds, that I had met a man who is clearly, already, much loved, as well as very loving. I will never forget the experience as long as I live. Resources for visiting Rome: http://www.vueling.com http://www.airbnb.com http://www.santasusanna.org

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