www.Radiovaticana.org http://www.radiovaticana.org The voice of the Pope in dialogue with the world Webteam en 2005 Vatican Radio. All rights reserved. Vatican Radio webteam@vaticanradio.org webteam@vaticanradio.org webteam@vaticanradio.org 60 No Audio reports from Vatican Radio in Podcast http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560995 The Republic of Ireland is marking its Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. As OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, says Ireland will emphasise three priorities: These include peace building, modern security challenges and continuing threats to fundamental freedoms and human rights. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Mr. Gilmore outlined initiatives to promote religious tolerance and described relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Ireland as “very strong”:Listen: 00:08:13:01 Q: Eamon Gilmore, Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Ireland is also the leader of the Labour Party and the Chairperson for the duration of 2012 of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe which includes 58 states. Minister what are the aims of the Irish Chairmanship during 2012? Gilmore: Well our first priority is to use our chairmanship to make a tangible contribution to the promotion of European peace and security and we will do this sharing our experience of over a decade of lasting peace in Northern Ireland. We have a good story to tell and one which others may want to hear about and for this reason we will be inviting key players from the Northern Ireland peace process to talk about how that peace was achieved and we want to share that work with other states of the OSCE. Our second priority is to promote internet freedom in 2012. We are very concerned that basic rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of the media continue to be under threat in various parts of the OSCE. Our very clear view is that the same rights exist on-line as off-line and we will use the fact that Ireland is in many ways a headquarters for the internet industry, Facebook, Twitter, Google, they are all based here in Dublin, we will use that very fact to put an emphasis and focus on internet freedom. And thirdly we want to prioritise good governance and we will in that context be highlighting the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau that we have in place here in Ireland, which deals with issues like money laundering, countering terrorist financing and so on… Q: In various parts of the world, Christian minorities are persecuted such as Nigeria, Egypt etc..what can the OSCE do to achieve or consolidate religious freedom in the world? Gilmore: The promotion and defence of religious freedom is very much a priority for the OSCE, and it is a particular priority for Ireland as chairperson of the OSCE. We will be proposing to address the question of freedom of religion and belief as one of the events we are organising as part of the OSCE’s human dimension during 2012. We hope to look at state strategies for protecting and promoting the fundamental right of religious belief and freedom. We will also support ongoing work in preventing and responding to intolerance and discrimination based on religious grounds and for that reason I have appointed three personal representatives to deal with the issue of religious freedom and to tackle discrimination on religious grounds. One of the personal representatives I have appointed is Judge Catherine McGuinness who is a distinguished former member of the Irish Supreme Court with a great track-record of combating discrimination and she will have particular responsibility for dealing with intolerance and discrimination against Christians. Q: Ireland as you were saying before has particular experience in conflict resolution with Northern Ireland and 30 years of troubles brought to a conclusion. What are you hoping to organise in this field? Gilmore: Well, one practical measure which we are proceeding with is a special event which will be held here in Dublin at the end of April. That event we intend to invite the main participants in the Northern Ireland peace process including some of the International people like Martti Ahtisaari and Senator George Mitchell who helped to broker the Northern Ireland peace process. We will have them, the participants from Northern Ireland, to talk about their experience in reaching agreement in building the peace. And we hope that other countries where there are protracted conflicts at the moment will be bale to learn from the experience of Northern Ireland and also probably take some hope from the fact that although the Northern Ireland conflict itself was a very long and protracted conflict those who were involved in making the peace in Northern Ireland had patience and they worked at it diligently over a long period of time and eventually secured that peace and that we want to share that experience with others. Q: And just this week you were in the Middle East meeting the President of Israel and of the Palestinian [state –says farinella]. Did you find any hopes of conflict resolution there? Gilmore: Well the purpose of my visit was to the ME was first of all to inform myself of the situation on the ground in particular the effect of the blockade on Gaza, the impact of the settlements in the West Bank and also the security concerns that Israel has about its own territory and its own population. I met with President Abbas, Prime Minister Netanyahu and the respective foreign ministers. I hope that the visit helped somewhat in reassuring both sides that they have the support of the Irish Government and EU to reach an understanding and get negotiations underway in order to build a secure peace. Q: And finally, Minister something that belongs to your special competence.  As you know there has been al of debate about the closure of the Irish Embassy to the Holy See.  What can you tell us about this.  Can we hope for a new opening soon? Gilmore: Well as you know Ireland has been going through a very difficult economic period at the moment the consequence of that is a reduction in the amount of money that is available to all government departments, including the department of foreign affairs, and also a very significant reduction in the number of staff that we have available to us.  We have a very small diplomatic team spread around the world we conducted a review of our diplomatic missions and our missions overseas and decided that regrettably at this time we would have to close three of those.  One of those three was the embassy to the Holy See.  I want to emphasise of course that our diplomatic relations with the Holy See remain very strong.  We have appointed the most senior diplomat in our department the secretary general of our department to be the Irish Ambassador to the Holy See and he will serve us at that function from Dublin.  I would hope in the course of time, as our financial and economic circumstances improve, that we can revisit the whole question of where our missions are, including the question of our mission to the Holy See. webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:08:13:01 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:51:01 GMT 560995 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560951 Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has sent a message in the name of Pope Benedict to an international symposium of bishops and church personnel seeking to provide a coordinated response to the sex abuse crisis. In the message to participants at the Symposium entitled “Towards Healing and Renewal”, the Pope reiterates his conviction that “healing for abuse victims must be of paramount concern in the Christian community”, together with “a profound renewal of the Church at every level”. The Pope therefore “supports and encourages every effort to respond with evangelical charity to the challenge of providing children and vulnerable adults with an ecclesial environment conducive to their human and spiritual growth” and he urges the participants in the Symposium “to continue drawing on a wide range of expertise in order to promote throughout the Church a vigorous culture of effective safeguarding and victim support.” On Monday evening Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, addressed the inaugural session of the symposium which is hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University. The four day conference will also by hearing from experts from around the world, including doctors, therapists, theologians, pastoral care workers and bishops who’ve helped to develop child protection and victim support programmes in countries around the world. PH is following the conference and takes a look at what Cardinal Levada had to say… Listen: 00:02:16:61 A multi-faceted response to the “delicate and urgent” challenge of sexual abuse in the church: that’s what Cardinal Levada offered participants on the opening day of the conference, highlighting actions already taken by the Popes and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith over the decade since the scandals began making news headlines. Speaking of the document, introduced by Pope John Paul in 2001 on the most serious crimes to be dealt with by the Congregation, revised and updated by Pope Benedict in 2010, the Cardinal said the Holy See was able to ensure a coordinated response to the more than 4000 cases of sexual abuse that were reported over the past decade. But he said, it became increasingly clear that an exclusively canonical response was an inadequate way of dealing with the tragedy – a realisation that led to the drawing up of a circular letter to assist bishops’ conferences in developing guidelines for dealing with abuse cases. That letter, dated May 3rd, 2011, invites bishops the world over to pay attention to the formation of clergy, to ensure protection of the young and vulnerable in their care and to respond to victims who come forward seeking remedy or help. The first need of most victims, the Cardinal said, is to be heard and to know that the Church listens to their stories, understanding the gravity of their abuse and accompanying them on the long path towards healing. That’s why Pope Benedict has met personally with victims during his many pastoral visits to the UK, Malta, Germany, Australia or the United States That’s also why, in his letter to Catholics in Ireland, the Pope told victims “You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated.” The four day conference will deal with many aspects of abuse including child protection, cooperation with civil authorities, seminary formation or how to deal with abuser priests. But it may perhaps be this belated recognition of the suffering and betrayal of so many victims that can provide the most effective tools on the road to healing and renewal. Read the full text of Cardinal William Levada's address: The Sexual Abuse of Minors: A Multi-faceted Response to the Challenge by Cardinal William Levada Pontifical Gregorian University February 6, 2012 Toward Healing and Renewal” is the title given to this Symposium for Catholic Bishops and Religious Superiors on the Sexual Abuse of Minors. For leaders in the Church for whom this Symposium has been planned, the question is both delicate and urgent. Just two years ago, in his reflections on the “Year for Priests” at the annual Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia, Pope Benedict XVI spoke in direct and lengthy terms about priests who “twist the sacrament [of Holy Orders] into its antithesis, and under the mantle of the sacred profoundly wound human persons in their childhood, damaging them for a whole lifetime.” I chose this phrase to begin my remarks this evening because I think it important not to lose sight of the gravity of these crimes as we deal with the multiple aspects the Church’s response. As I begin my presentation, I want to offer a word of gratitude to the Pontifical Gregorian University for this initiative. Even those of us who have been dealing with this issue for decades recognize that we are still learning, and need to help each other find the best ways to help victims, protect children, and form the priests of today and tomorrow to be aware of this scourge and to eliminate it from the priesthood. I hope that this Symposium will make a significant contribution toward these goals. I thank in particular Fr. Francois-Xavier Dumortier, S.J., the Rector of the University, and Fr. Hans Zollner, S.J., and his team for organizing these days together. As the Symposium program indicates, the title of my presentation is “The Sexual Abuse of Minors: A Multi-faceted Response to the Challenge.” For reasons I will indicate, I have chosen as my vehicle to give shape to this response some comments about the “Circular Letter” of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [hereafter CDF], sent last year to all the Episcopal Conferences of the world, to assist them in developing guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by clerics. To put this Letter into context, I will refer to the important motu proprio Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela, promulgated by Blessed Pope John Paul II on 30 April 2001. This papal document clarified and updated the list of canonical crimes that had traditionally been dealt with by the CDF (classic examples would be crimes against the faith, that is, heresy, apostasy and schism; but also most serious crimes, or graviora delicta, against the sacraments, such as profaning the Eucharist or violating the seal of Confession). These included crimes connected with solicitation in Confession, and Pope John Paul explicitly included among these grave crimes the sexual abuse of minors by clerics. The motu proprio thus required all cases involving sexual abuse of minors by clergy to be reported to the Congregation, for its guidance and coordination of an equitable response on the part of Church authorities. Under the careful guidance of the then-Prefect, Cardinal Ratzinger, the Holy See was able ensure a coordinated response to the growing numbers of reports of such sexual abuse, and to deal effectively with the canonical issues involving them, including recourse against decisions by Bishops and Major Superiors. As the storm of media reports of sexual abuse began in late 2001 and 2002, leading the U.S. Bishops to adopt their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young Adults, a committee of Bishops was able to develop the Essential Norms which, after receiving the recognitio of the Holy See, became binding supplementary legislation for the U.S. Bishops, and a great assistance in giving us guidance in dealing with large numbers of historical cases that surfaced as a result of the media publicity. I want to express my personal gratitude to Pope Benedict, who as then-Prefect was so instrumental in implementing these new norms for the good of the Church, and for his support in approving the Essential Norms for the United States. But the Pope has had to suffer attacks by the media over these past years in various parts of the world, when he should receive the gratitude of us all, in the Church and outside it. With the explosion of media coverage of the cases of sexual abuse of minors committed by clerics in the Catholic Church, especially but not only in the United States of America, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, under the steady leadership of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, saw a dramatic increase in the number of cases reported; with these reports it discovered the many and complex issues involved in the crime of sexual abuse of minors by clerics. The more than 4000 cases of sexual abuse of minors reported to the CDF in the past decade have revealed, on the one hand, the inadequacy of an exclusively canonical (or canon law) response to this tragedy, and on the other, the necessity of a truly multi-faceted response. While the Congregation’s primary responsibility is the application of equitable norms in the discipline of guilty clergy, it has necessarily made its own the expanded view of how best to assist in the healing of victims, of promoting programs for the protection of children and young people, of urging bishops to provide for the education of communities of faith to responsibility for their youth, and of working with other Dicasteries of the Holy See and Episcopal Conferences in ensuring the proper formation of today’s priests, and the priests of the future, in the various aspects related to the issues of sexual abuse on minors. Nine years after the introduction of Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela, and in the light of her experience in dealing with the thousands of cases presented from various parts of the world, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith presented to the Holy Father some proposed modifications to the legislation adopted in 2001. While the principal outlines of Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela remain in place, certain substantive and procedural norms were modified, in an effort to render the law better able to deal with the complexities presented by these cases. Pope Benedict XVI approved and ordered the promulgation of the revised norms on 21 May 2010. Some of the major additions to the previous legislation involve a consolidation of practices that had received previous recognition and approval of Popes John Paul and Benedict, such as the right to derogate from the prescription of these crimes (sometimes referred to as the statute of limitations); the faculty to dispense from a judicial trial in order to allow an extra-judicial (administrative) process in cases where the facts seemed clear; the faculty to present cases directly to the Holy Father for dismissal from the clerical state in cases of extreme gravity; the addition of the delict of possession and/or distribution of child pornography (regarding minors of 14 years); and other specifications regarding delicts against the Eucharist and the sacrament of Penance, as well as a delict against the sacrament of Holy Orders. The experience of the Congregation during the past decade also suggested that the time had come to ensure that Church authorities throughout the world were prepared to respond appropriately to the crisis of sexual abuse of minors. Many Bishops’ Conferences had already developed guidelines, some even norms, to offer a uniform response to this complex problem in their national territories; by way of example, I can mention Canada and the United States in North America, Brasil in South America, Great Britain and Ireland, Germany, Belgium and France in Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere. But in many cases, such response came only in the wake of the revelation of scandalous behavior by priests in the public media. What seems useful going forward is a more proactive approach by the Conferences of Bishops throughout the world. How should this be done? In an effort to aid the Church universal to adopt appropriate measures in view of a broad approach to the problem of sexual abuse of minors, whether by clergy or others acting in the name of the Church, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a Circular Letter to Assist Episcopal Conferences in developing Guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by Clerics. This letter, dated 3 May 2011, invites the Episcopal Conferences of the world to address the various aspects of this issue: they must pay due attention to the canonical discipline of the clergy who are guilty of such crimes; they must have standards to evaluate the suitability of clergy and other persons who minister in Church institutions and agencies; they should oversee education programs for families and Church communities to ensure the protection of children and young people from the crime of sexual abuse in the future; and they must be pastors and fathers to any victims of sexual abuse among their flocks who may appeal to them for remedy or help. The Circular Letter is divided into three sections: first, some General Considerations; second, A summary of applicable canonical legislation; and third, some Suggestions for Ordinaries on Procedures. Each section of the letter proposes areas of consideration to help Episcopal Conferences provide uniform guidelines for the diocesan bishop members of the Conference, and for Major Superiors of Religious residing in the territory of the Conference, in their response to cases of sexual abuse by clerics, and in taking necessary steps to eliminate such abuse from Church and society. Church law is clear about the responsibility of diocesan bishops and those who enjoy similar territorial or personal jurisdiction, and of major superiors of religious congregations for their subjects, in the matter of accusations of sexual abuse of minors by clerics. The role of the Episcopal Conference is twofold: it is to offer assistance to the diocesan bishops members of the Conference in exercising this responsibility, and it is to coordinate an effective, uniform response in the face of the crisis of sexual abuse of minors that can be recognized as such by the Christian faithful, by the members of society at large, and by the civil authorities who have the responsibility to safeguard the public welfare in accord with the norms of law. I want to very clear about this point. The Circular Letter to Conferences of Bishops does not imply the transfer of authority or responsibility from diocesan bishops and religious superiors to the Conference. At the same time, the Congregation considers it an obligation for Bishops and Religious Major Superiors to participate in the development of these guidelines, and to observe them for the good of the Church once they have been approved by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. No bishop or major superior may consider himself exempt from such collaboration. I realize that other presenters at the Symposium will address the important canonical aspects of Church law, and especially the motu proprio Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela. Thus I would like to concentrate on the first section of the letter, the General Considerations, as it is in this section, I believe, that we can best see an outline of the Church’s “multi-faceted response” to the challenge of sexual abuse of minors by clerics. The victims of sexual abuse The first general consideration in the Circular Letter refers to the victims of sexual abuse. For many if not most victims a first need is to be heard, to know that the Church listens to their stories of abuse, that the Church understands the gravity of what they have suffered, that she wants to accompany them on the often long path of healing, and that she has taken or is willing to take effective steps to ensure that other children will be protected from such abuse. In his address to the Bishops of the United States (16 April 2008) in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Pope Benedict XVI reminded them, “It is your God-given responsibility as pastors to bind up the wounds caused by every break of trust, to foster healing, to promote reconciliation and to reach out with loving concern to those so seriously wronged.” Our Holy Father has given personal example of the importance of listening to victims during his many pastoral visits, in Great Britain, in Malta, in Germany, in Australia, as well as in the United States. I think is it hardly possible to overestimate the importance of this example for us Bishops, and for us priests, in being available to victims for this important moment in their healing and reconciliation. It was after all at the hands of an anointed representative of the Church that they suffered this abuse. No wonder then that they tell us how important it is for them that the Church, now again through her anointed representatives, hears them, acknowledges their suffering, and helps them see the face of Christ’s true compassion and love. Let us listen again to the words of our chief Shepherd Pope Benedict in his Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, speaking to the victims of sexual abuse: “You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated.” The profound sympathy expressed in these words should animate the heart of all of us bishops and priests, as we – like Christ our Good Shepherd – seek out the wounded and assure them that we have begun to recognize the depth of the betrayal they have suffered. Moreover, hand in hand with the willingness to listen to victims speak of the pain caused by the sexual abuse they have suffered goes a commitment to offering them necessary spiritual and psychological assistance. The protection of minors The second general consideration addressed in the Circular Letter is called the “protection of minors.” In some countries programs have already been developed by local Church authorities, in an effort to create “safe environments” for minors. These efforts include the screening and education of those engaged in pastoral work in the Church, in schools and parishes, in youth outreach and recreational programs, especially offering training to recognize the signs of abuse. The hope of such training programs for the clergy and laity is of course that through increased awareness of the problem, future cases of abuse can be prevented. Many of the programs initiated in the Church for the creation of “safe environments” for children have been lauded “as models in the commitment to eliminate cases of sexual abuse of minors in society today.” A more delicate, but no less important, area of pastoral outreach is the education of parents and children themselves regarding sexual abuse in society at large. Here the various cultural differences will be of particular significance. Episcopal Conferences who are beginning to explore the needs for such awareness programs can be helped by the experience of those that have already begun such outreach. As our Congregation evaluates the response to the Circular Letter in this area, it is my hope that we can enlist the communications network of the Vatican to provide a clearing-house for information about such programs, in order to assist the Church in those areas of the world where resources are fewer. The formation of future priests and religious All of us recognize the importance of ensuring a proper formation for priests and religious. This is the third general consideration addressed in the Circular Letter. In 2002, Blessed Pope John Paul II declared, “there is no place in the priesthood and religious life for those who would harm the young” (Address to the American Cardinals [n.3], 23 April 2002). This bold phrase reminds Bishops and Major Superiors of Religious Orders of the need to exercise even greater scrutiny in accepting candidates for the priesthood and religious life, as well as providing formation programs that provide the necessary foundational human formation, including the appropriate formation in human sexuality. Here I want to cite a few lines from the Circular Letter on this point: “The directions given in the Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, as well as the instructions of the competent Dicasteries of the Holy See, take on an even greater importance in ensuring a proper discernment of vocations as well as a healthy human and spiritual formation of candidates. In particular, candidates should be formed in an appreciation of chastity and celibacy, and the responsibility of the cleric for spiritual fatherhood.” The Circular Letter also highlights an important need for vigilance when it asks that particular attention “be given to the necessary exchange of information in regard to those candidates for priesthood or religious life who transfer from one seminary to another, between different dioceses, or between religious institutes and dioceses.” I might add that the international dimension of such transfers is clearly increasing, calling for clear guidelines by Episcopal Conferences and religious orders that will be carefully observed by all for the good of the Church. Support of Priests The fourth general consideration contained in the Circular Letter relates directly to the clergy. The Bishop always has “the duty to treat all his priests as father and brother.” As an expression of his paternal and fraternal care for all of his priests, the Bishop should make available programs of continuing formation, particularly in the early years of priesthood. As a father, the Bishop must care for the prayer life of his priests, encouraging them to support one another as brothers and to work together in caring for one another, calling each other to holier and more perfect service to Christ’s flock. In addition to continuing education and spiritual support of his priests, the Bishop has the responsibility to provide appropriate material support for his priests, including priests accused or found guilty of sexual abuse, in accord with the norms of canon law. While the Bishop is able to limit the exercise of an accused cleric’s ministry, as warranted by circumstances even during the preliminary investigation (cf. CIC can. 1722; SST art.19 [2010 rev.ed.]), as a father and brother he also has the responsibility to protect the good name of his priests, and should make every effort to rehabilitate the reputation of a cleric who has been wrongly accused. Cooperation with Civil Authority The final general consideration addressed in the Circular Letter is cooperation with civil authorities. Certainly no less important than any of the other elements, the cooperation of the Church with civil authorities in these cases recognizes the fundamental truth that the sexual abuse of minors is not only a crime in canon law, but is also a crime that violates criminal laws in most civil jurisdictions. Since civil laws vary from nation to nation, and the interaction between Church officials and civil authorities may be different from one nation to another, the manner in which this cooperation takes place will necessarily differ in various countries as well. The principle, however, must remain the same. The Church has an obligation to cooperate with the requirements of civil law regarding the reporting of such crimes to the appropriate authorities. Such cooperation naturally extends also to accusations of sexual abuse by religious or laity who work or volunteer in Church institutions and programs. In this regard, Church officials must avoid any compromise of the sacramental internal forum, which must remain inviolable. * * * * * In addition to these general considerations, the Circular Letter provides a summary of the canonical norms to be applied in cases of sexual abuse of a minor, as well as suggestions for procedures to be followed, based on the Congregation’s experience in dealing with these cases over the past decade. These latter sections of the Circular Letter might be called the “juridical” facet of the Church’s “multi-faceted response” to the challenge presented by the sexual abuse of minors committed by clerics. The journey “Towards Healing and Renewal” is one that the entire Church must make together, convinced always of the power of God that “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (cf. Ps 147:3). Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in his encounter with the victims of sexual abuse in Malta, prayed not for a generic healing and reconciliation of victims, but one which would lead them, and the entire Church, “to a renewed hope.” I hope my remarks here this evening may be some small contribution to this renewed hope, insofar as they call attention to concrete steps being taken by a Church that is called “Catholic” – universal – in an attempt to address the varied facets of the challenge presented by sexual abuse of minors by clerics. It bears repeating that the abusers are a tiny minority of an otherwise faithful, committed clergy. Nevertheless, this tiny minority has done great harm to victims, and to the Church’s mission of bringing Christ’s love to the world of today. Personally I am convinced that the steps currently underway, represented by the motu proprio SST and by the Congregation’s Circular Letter, together with the innumerable local initiatives undertaken in response to the challenge of sexual abuse of minors by clerics, will help us to continue to respond in many fruitful ways to heal the wounds of the past, and to renew our commitment to a future full of hope, as our gracious God has promised. Thank you for the initiative of this Symposium “Toward Healing and Renewal”: may it be a model for future studies that can help us all confront what we need to do as Church. May it also be a source of expertise and hope for those who seek to eliminate the scourge of sexual abuse of minors from society at large. webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:02:16:61 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:02:11 GMT 560951 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560948 Controversy continues to swirl around a statement from breast cancer charity “Komen for a Cure” that appeared to reverse a decision to defund Planned Parenthood. Last week the Komen Foundation had said they would no longer fund the pro-abortion organisation, citing the fact that Planned Parenthood was under criminal investigation by the U.S. Congress, and noting that Planned Parenthood clinics did not directly provide mammograms for women, but only offered referrals for the service. After a week of intense criticism from pro-abortion groups, the Komen Foundation appeared to step back from its earlier decision, although pro-life organisations noted that the charity’s statement on Friday was not conclusive. Earlier this year, Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo, with other bishops from Ohio, had expressed his concern about some of the Komen Foundation’s policies – including their funding of Planned Parenthood – and had directed that fundraising carried out under Catholic auspices, should be directed to local Catholic charities. “We were concerned,” he said, “because, for several years, a number of people had asked if it was appropriate to make contributions to Komen for the Cure, because of their association with Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, and also because of questions regarding the possible support of embryonic stem cell research.” Bishop Blair said that he was pleased with the initial reports that Komen was cutting its ties to Planned Parenthood: “We were very happy, recently, with the welcome news that Komen was disassociating itself from Planned Parenthood, it would no longer provide funds for them, only to find out within a few days afterward that they had reversed that decision.” News of the breast cancer charity’s apparent reversal reached him in Rome, where Bishop Blair is making his ad limina visit to meet with Pope Benedict and officials of the Roman Curia. He said he was saddened by the news. “So that came as a great disappointment to me personally, because obviously we all want to support research to find a cure for breast cancer. That is the goal, and that is very worthwhile and much to be supported. But not with these entanglements with Planned Parenthood and the possibility of embryonic stem cell research.” Bishop Blair said the bishops would continue to bring the bishops’ concerns to the Komen foundation, “We also want to maintain clearly what our concerns are and try to address them directly. And that’s what we’ve done with Komen in Ohio, with the local affiliates, and want to try to work with them for them to understand what our concerns are.” Listen to the complete interview of Bishop Leonard Blair with Christopher Wells: 00:06:01:22 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:06:01:22 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:52:21 GMT 560948 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560914 An international conference on how Churches around the world should be dealing with sexual abuse by clergy opens here in Rome on Monday evening at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Bishops conferences from across the globe have sent representatives to the four day meeting which hopes to draw up a coordinated response in preventing the crime of abuse and supporting survivors. The superior general of the Society of Jesus, Fr Adolfo Nicolas will welcome participants at the inaugural session, followed by a keynote address from Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Philippa Hitchen is following the symposium…. Listen: 00:02:14:69 Many Church leaders in Europe, Australia or North America have been dealing with the sex abuse crisis for many years and most of them have already drawn up guidelines on how to prevent, educate and support the victims of such abuse. Here in the Vatican too, some church leaders have increasingly been working towards a more consistent response to the problem, most notably in a letter sent last May by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to all bishops’ conferences on how to ensure that appropriate action is being taken in dioceses throughout the world. That includes spiritual, practical and psychiatric support for victims, awareness raising in parish, schools and other places where children or vulnerable adults are at risk, better training in seminaries and religious institutes – all issues that will be tackled during the closed door symposium for bishops and religious superiors. Above all, as Msgr Charles Scicluna, expert on the abuse crisis at the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith explains, all church leaders must be clear that the protection of children is a paramount concern for the Church: “There cannot be a distinction between the good of the Church and the protection of the young..” That’s also the view of Marie Collins, one of the participants at the conference who was abused as a young girl by an Irish hospital chaplain. She says she hopes the symposium will move from words to action but she says the safety of children must become the church’s top priority “As a survivor, I have criticised the Church a lot, but we must move forward and the most important thing – the only thing that matters – is the safety of children” The conference will conclude with the launch of a Centre for the Protection of Children, based in Pope Benedict’s former diocese of Munich. Offering online resources in at least five languages, the centre will be funded by the Papal Foundation and other sponsors to help church leaders respond fast and effectively to one of the most serious challenges facing their leadership today. webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:02:14:69 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:40:32 GMT 560914 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560866 Angelus - Pope Benedict XVI prays for the sick… Solidarity and hope for South Sudan - An Irish sister who is also executive director for an organisation called “Solidarity for South Sudan” talks about her hopes for the new nation and appeals to the media not to neglect the “good stories”… "Hugo" - Vatican Radio's film critic Peter Malone tells us about the film that has just received the highest number of Oscar nominations… 00:28:57:94 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:28:57:94 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:09:39 GMT 560866 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560677 Towards the end of his life Sir Edward Elgar dedicated a 'Nursery Suite" to two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret and their mother, says music historian Monsignor Philip Whitmore: "Elgar jotted down a few notes about each movement in the suite. ' The first one', he said, 'should call up memories of happy and peaceful awakenings: the music flows in a serene way; a fragment of a hymn tune is introduced, a hymn written for little children when the composer was a youth.' ...The first movement of the nursery suite is about waking in the morning. The hymn - tune comes in quietly at first, then towards the end, it's repeated more loudly, and it dies away to a peaceful close: the day has begun." A programme produced by Veronica Scarisbrick . Listen : 00:05:52:58 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:05:52:58 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:01:53 GMT 560677 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560647 The United States has proposed an international coalition to support Syria’s opposition after Russia and China blocked a U.N. attempt to end nearly 11 months of bloodshed, raising fears that violence will escalate. Rebel soldiers said force was now the only way to oust President Bashar Assad, while the regime vowed to press its military crackdown. The threat of both sides turning to greater force after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution raises the potential for Syria’s turmoil to move into an even more dangerous new phase that could degenerate into outright civil war. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling for nations that are "friends of democractic Syria" to unite and take action to encourage President Bashar al-Assad to leave office. She said the Russian and Chinese veto of a UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria was "a travesty" that had "neutered" the United Nations. Speaking in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, she called for renewed action to bring democracy to Syria. The British Government was also stinging in its criticism of the veto, it was "appalled" by the failure of the Security Council to act. British Foreign Secretary William Hague told Britain's "Sky News" that he fears the violence will continue. As the rhetoric continues so does the violence. Gunfire continued to ring out Sunday in several neighbourhoods of Homs, and at least 23 people were killed in the city and nearby towns, including three children. Listen 00:01:49:25 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:01:49:25 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:50:20 GMT 560647 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560593 St Peter’s Square was very much the picture postcard scene this Sunday as a blanket of snow covered the ground and monuments. Pope Benedict as he greeted the estimated 10 thousand faithful gather was wrapped up warm in a white coat to guard against the chill in the air. At weeks Angelus Pope Benedict took his inspiration from Sunday’s Gospel “In the Gospel this Sunday, we learn of the healing that Jesus brought to many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another. We commend to him all those known to us who are in need of healing and we ask him to take away our own hardness of heart, so that we may respond more generously to his love.” The Holy Father went on to describe disease as “a sign of Evil in the world and in man”, and he added that, “healing shows that the Kingdom of God is near.” In sickness, said the Pope "you can experience the attention of others”, but he also said that you have the chance to “give attention to others." Empathizing with those who suffer, the Holy Father described disease, as a condition, that "can become too long and difficult", and "when healing does not come and suffering is extended, we can remain isolated and overwhelmed." The Holy Father made his reflections, a few days before the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the World Day of the Sick, saying, we must react to illness, "with the appropriate care," but also with faith. "In sickness the Pope said we all need human warmth." He also pointed out that on Sunday the 5th in Italy the Day for Life is celebrated. "As Jesus faced the devil, Pope Benedict said, the power of love came from the Father, so we can face and overcome disease by keeping the heart immersed in the love of God." Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report 00:01:50:06 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:01:50:06 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:13:37 GMT 560593 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560371 Huge falls of snow have caused chaos across Eastern Europe. More than a meter of snow fell on the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo Saturday trapping people in their homes and vehicles. In the Ukraine, Poland and Belarus the bad weather has also led to a number of deaths. Meanwhile here in Rome, people were out and about today enjoying the rare sight of snow in the capital despite the chill in the air. Rome under a blanket of white snow is something Italy’s capital hasn’t experienced since 1986. But despite the freezing temperatures that didn’t stop Roman residents and tourists alike on Saturday from getting out and about in the city. People wrapped up against the chill crunched their way up from the street leading to St Peter’s Basilica negotiating a times the slippery conditions and throwing the occasional snowball along the way. Once in St Peter’s Square their was a light hearted atmosphere with children building the first snowmen the square has seen in many a long year, while others marvelled at the dome of the Basilica covered in a sheath of silvery white. Although people have been enjoying this rarity in Rome, this weather has had its drawbacks. Drivers have faced long hours in traffic and Italian carrier Alitalia cancelled a number of departures and landing on Saturday morning. There is also concern for without a roof who make their home on the streets of Rome. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report from St Peter's Square 00:02:11:78 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:02:11:78 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:25:19 GMT 560371 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560282 Representatives of 100 bishops’ conferences and 30 religious orders meet in Rome next week to launch a global initiative aimed at improving efforts to address the clerical sex abuse crisis. The initiative is to be presented at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University during the course of a four day conference entitled ‘Towards Healing and Renewal’, supported by the Vatican Secretariat of State and Curial offices. Philippa Hitchen went along to the press conference on Friday evening to find out more….. Listen: 00:01:58:18 After almost two years of preparation, this closed door conference describes itself as a symposium for Catholic bishops and religious superiors on how to deal with the devastating effects of sex abuse. It’s the first time that representatives of 100 bishops conferences, plus over 30 religious congregations have come together to hear first hand from victims and to try and promote a consistent response of the church to this ‘open wound’ as it’s often called. All participants have been urged to meet with victims in their own countries and listen to their stories to have a clear understanding of what healing and renewal might been to survivors who in many cases lived for decades without any recognition of the abuses they suffered. One Irish survivor, Marie Collins will address the participants about her own need to hear not just the abuser priests ask forgiveness – something she has already grated to her own abuser – but to hear church leaders – priests, bishops and cardinals, own up to their own roles in prolonging the suffering by putting the reputation of the church above the needs of the children in their care. A central moment of the conference will come during a penitential liturgy on Tuesday evening as seven different groups of people within the church acknowledge their responsibilities and ask forgiveness from the victims. Another key moment will be the launch towards the end of the meeting of an E-learning centre, based in Munich, which will try to bring together the experiences and best practises from different countries in dealing with abuse, making it available to churches in countries around the world. There will be a message from Pope Benedict to the conference and the papal spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi told journalists he’s encouraged that this meeting does mark a broadening of horizons – especially to those countries and cultures which have yet to face up to this problem – and that it will mark a very concrete step forward by the whole church. webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:01:58:18 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:15:10 GMT 560282