Millions of deaths from poor hygiene and health could be avoided each year. We should not “project our priorities onto populations who live on other continents, where other needs are more urgent; where, for example, drinking water and daily bread are in short supply”.
Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian is the new Armenian Catholic Patriarch
| ARMENIA - VATICANFrancis celebrated Mass with participants at the plenary assembly of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences. The 'dictatorship of consumerism, whimsical but suffocating, attempts to quench' the thirst for Christ. "Leaving behind the conveniences of the immediate in order to return to the farsighted vision of the founding fathers, a prophetic and comprehensive vision, because they did not seek the consensus of the moment, rather they dreamt a future for all".
This morning, Francis met Pary Gul, her children, sons-in-law and grandchildren who were airlifted to Italy in August. She told the pontiff about her husband going missing during days of violence. Thanks to the Meet Human Foundation, they are starting a new life in Italy with the “pope's ring”.
At the general audience, Francis retraces the stages of the trip to Budapest and Slovakia, "a pilgrimage of prayer, a pilgrimage to the roots, a pilgrimage of hope." Roots "not as museum exhibits, not ideologized and instrumentalized for interests of prestige and power, to consolidate a closed identity. No." "Violence against women is an open sore. It’s everywhere."
In today’s Angelus, Francis noted that the word “service” might appear nowadays “a bit hackneyed, worn out by use;” however, “it has a precise and concrete meaning in the Gospel.” The pontiff also urged the faithful to pray for the “people who have been unjustly detained in foreign countries,” that they “might return as soon as possible to their homeland.”
On the eve of the biennial path that will start in October for the Churches of the whole world, Francis explained to the Diocese of Rome the meaning and style of this journey. Listen to the Holy Spirit “by listening to yourselves”, going “beyond the 3-4 per cent of our neighbours” to listen others, even those who “will insult you”.
‘The Congregation for Religious is examining the religious congregations and associations created in this period.” Among the latter, many have been placed under external control. Positions of governance in lay groups are a “call to serve” that runs up against a hunger for power and disloyalty.
Christians “are weavers of dialogue where hostility is growing; models of fraternal life where society is experiencing tension and hostility; bringers of the sweet fragrance of hospitality and solidarity where personal and collective selfishness too often prevails, protectors and guardians of life where the culture of death reigns.”
“Judgement and prejudice only increase distances. Hostility and sharp words are not helpful. Marginalizing others accomplishes nothing. Segregating ourselves and other people eventually leads to anger. The path to peaceful coexistence is integration,” said Francis. What is more, “Bombarded by virtual messages, we risk losing our real roots,” he added. “To grow disconnected from life, or to fantasize in a void, is not a good thing; it is a temptation from the evil one. God wants us to be firmly grounded, connected to life.”
The new vicar succeeds Bishop Rubén Tierrablanca González, who died in December from COVID-19 after three weeks in intensive care. A fidei donum priest from Italy’s Campania region, Bishop Palinuro has lived in Turkey for nine years. This is excellent news, according to Bishop Bizzeti. The new vicar is an expert, ready to contribute to the growth of “a diocesan Church”.
"How many generous persons suffered and died here in Slovakia for the name of Christ! Theirs was a witness borne out of love of him whom they had long contemplated. To the point that they resembled him even in their death. I think too of our own time, in which there is no lack of opportunities for bearing witness.”
“Even as battles for supremacy are waged on various fronts, may this country reaffirm its message of integration and peace,” said Pope Francis. “[M]ay Europe be distinguished by a solidarity that, by transcending borders, can bring it back to the centre of history.” For the pontiff, the Church must teach “inner and responsible freedom”. She must know “how to be creative by immersing herself in history and culture;” she must know “how to engage in dialogue with the world, with those who confess Christ without being one of ‘us’, with those who are weary of the religious quest, even with those who do not believe.”
Francis closed the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. "The cross is never in trend of fashion: today as in the past. Rather it it heals within. It is before the Crucified One that we experience a beneficial inner struggle, the bitter conflict between 'thinking according to God' and 'thinking according to men'." "The threat of anti-Semitism still lurks in Europe and elsewhere".
A visit among peoples who "have suffered a regime repressive of faith and religious freedom". A journey of a spiritual nature to nations with political policies are far removed from the ideas of Francis, especially with regard to reception of migrants and refugees. In the Hungarian capital the closing of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, with the theme "All my springs are in You".
The clergyman had been administering the diocese since December 2012, as well as acting as deputy secretary of the Beijing-controlled Bishops' Conference. The Holy See spokesman confirms that the ceremony took place within the framework of the Sino-Vatican agreement. Pope Francis approved the appointment on 23 June 2021. Cui will be bishop of Hankou/Wuhan, based on the name recognised by Rome.
