POPE SENDS BLESSING TO NEW PRIESTS OF ORDINARIATE
Prelate Affirms Pontiff's Crucial Role in Unity
LONDON, JAN. 16, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is sending his blessing to three former Anglican bishops who were ordained the first Catholic clergy of the new Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Father Keith Newton, Father Andrew Burnham and Father John Broadhurst were ordained Catholic priests on Saturday in London's Westminster Cathedral for the newly erected ordinariate in England and Wales. Father Newton was appointed by the Pope as the first ordinary to head the community.
This ordinariate, erected by the Holy See on Saturday, was stipulated in "Anglicanorum coetibus" for those groups of Anglican clergy and faithful who have expressed their desire to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. In a message that was read Saturday during the ordination ceremony, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, reported that the Pontiff "asked me to convey to you that he cordially imparts his apostolic blessing upon the ordinandi Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton, together with their wives and family members and upon all other participants in this solemn rite."
The cardinal affirmed that this is "an occasion of great joy both for them and for the wider Church." All three newly ordained priests are married, and all have children.
In a communiqué regarding the creation of the new ordinariate, the Holy See explained that "for doctrinal reasons the Church does not, in any circumstances, allow the ordination of married men as bishops."
"However," it added, "the apostolic constitution ['Anglicanorum coetibus'] does provide, under certain conditions, for the ordination as Catholic priests of former Anglican married clergy."
Groups of Anglicans
The communiqué noted that these three clergy will now "oversee the catechetical preparation of the first groups of Anglicans in England and Wales who will be received into the Catholic Church together with their pastors at Easter."
They will also "accompany the clergy preparing for ordination to the Catholic priesthood around Pentecost."
Cardinal Levada stated: "I pray that God will abundantly bless them, and also those other clergy and faithful who are preparing to join them in full communion with the Catholic Church.
"In the midst of the uncertainty that every period of transition inevitably brings I wish to assure you all of our admiration for you, and of our prayerful solidarity."
He affirmed that the establishment of the new ordinariate "marks a unique and historic moment in the life of the Catholic community in this country." The prelate expressed the hope that it "will bring great blessings not only on those directly involved in it, but upon the whole Church."
A new step
In his homily during the ordination Mass, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster also affirmed, "Today is a unique occasion marking a new step in the life and history of the Catholic Church."
"I thank so many in the Church of England who have recognized your sincerity and integrity in making this journey and who have assured you of their prayers and good wishes," the prelate acknowledged. "First among these is Rowan [Williams], archbishop of Canterbury, with his characteristic insight, and generosity of heart and spirit."
"Today we thank the Holy Father for the courageous leadership he gives in establishing the first personal ordinariate," the archbishop said.
He continued: "His intentions are clear. It is, as he has said, 'a prophetic gesture.'
"It is to contribute to the wider goal of visible unity between our two Churches by helping us to know in practice how our patrimonies of faith and living can strengthen each other in our mission today."
"The quest for the visible unity of the Church remains an imperative," the prelate asserted. "In it the role of the successor of St. Peter is crucial." He added: "The Pope's ministry to the visible unity of the Church is central to the faith of the Catholic Church. "It is central to the faith of those who enter into full communion in this ordinariate. It is central to the welcome, encouragement and support the Catholic community in England and Wales gives to this development and to all who seek to be part of it."
Archbishop Nichols underlined "the work of the ordained priest: to pronounce with confidence the forgiveness of God and to bring peace to a troubled soul and a troubled world." He affirmed, "Our mission is characterized by woundedness: a mission to a wounded world; a mission entrusted to a wounded Church, carried out by wounded disciples. "The wounds of sin are our business," the archbishop said. "The wounds of Christ, even though we have caused them, are also our consolation and strength."
POPE SPEAKS OF PRIORITIES FOR ITALIAN POLITICIANS
Emphasizes Value of Family, Dignity of Elderly
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- As the center of Catholicism and the capital of Italy, Rome has a special vocation to be an example of profitable Church-state collaboration, says Benedict XVI.
Detailing areas in which this collaboration should be seen, the Pope today defended the family built on marriage between one man and one woman, the dignity of the elderly, and the need for young people to find work.
The Holy Father spoke of these themes in his traditional annual address to officials of Rome and the region. He met today with the president of the Lazio region, the president of the province of Rome and the mayor of the city.
The Pontiff's first theme was the family, where he said that "children learn the human and Christian values that make possible constructive and peaceful coexistence."
"It is in the family that solidarity between the generations, respect for rules, forgiveness and acceptance of the other is learned. It is in their own home that young people, experiencing the affection of their parents, discover what love is and learn to love," he affirmed.
In this light he called for social policies that support families, and particularly support maternity. He said it is necessary "to guarantee to women who are engaged in a profession the possibility of combining family and work. Too many times, in fact, [women] are placed in the necessity of choosing between the two."
The Pope praised initiatives such as family-run nurseries, which "help to make the child not to be seen as a problem, but as a gift and great joy." Benedict XVI affirmed that the Church "looks favorably on all those initiatives that seek to educate young people to live love in the logic of the gift of self, with a lofty and oblative vision of sexuality." He called for an education that doesn't reduce human love to an object, but presents it as "a fundamental experience that gives meaning and purpose to existence."
And he said the number of abortions in the region "cannot leave one indifferent."
New problems
Benedict XVI also emphasized concern for the "other side of life," noting that "the aging of the population poses new problems."
Affirming that the "elderly are a great richness for society," he renewed an invitation to "promote a culture that respects life until its natural end."
The Pope drew attention to problems rooted in the economic crisis, specifically advocating for work opportunities for young people.
He said that youth who "after years of preparation do not see work openings […] often feel disappointed and are tempted to reject society itself."
This leads to social tension that is exploited by criminals, the Holy Father observed, and thus, "it is urgent that, despite the difficult moment, every effort be made to promote occupational policies, which can guarantee work and dignified sustenance, indispensable condition to give life to new families."
Support
The Bishop of Rome acknowledged that "many are the problems that require a solution."
He thus encouraged the Italian politicians to find inspiration in the Word of God, and he assured them of his prayers, invoking upon them the maternal protection of Mary, Salus Populi Romani.
Detailing areas in which this collaboration should be seen, the Pope today defended the family built on marriage between one man and one woman, the dignity of the elderly, and the need for young people to find work.
The Holy Father spoke of these themes in his traditional annual address to officials of Rome and the region. He met today with the president of the Lazio region, the president of the province of Rome and the mayor of the city.
The Pontiff's first theme was the family, where he said that "children learn the human and Christian values that make possible constructive and peaceful coexistence."
"It is in the family that solidarity between the generations, respect for rules, forgiveness and acceptance of the other is learned. It is in their own home that young people, experiencing the affection of their parents, discover what love is and learn to love," he affirmed.
In this light he called for social policies that support families, and particularly support maternity. He said it is necessary "to guarantee to women who are engaged in a profession the possibility of combining family and work. Too many times, in fact, [women] are placed in the necessity of choosing between the two."
The Pope praised initiatives such as family-run nurseries, which "help to make the child not to be seen as a problem, but as a gift and great joy." Benedict XVI affirmed that the Church "looks favorably on all those initiatives that seek to educate young people to live love in the logic of the gift of self, with a lofty and oblative vision of sexuality." He called for an education that doesn't reduce human love to an object, but presents it as "a fundamental experience that gives meaning and purpose to existence."
And he said the number of abortions in the region "cannot leave one indifferent."
New problems
Benedict XVI also emphasized concern for the "other side of life," noting that "the aging of the population poses new problems."
Affirming that the "elderly are a great richness for society," he renewed an invitation to "promote a culture that respects life until its natural end."
The Pope drew attention to problems rooted in the economic crisis, specifically advocating for work opportunities for young people.
He said that youth who "after years of preparation do not see work openings […] often feel disappointed and are tempted to reject society itself."
This leads to social tension that is exploited by criminals, the Holy Father observed, and thus, "it is urgent that, despite the difficult moment, every effort be made to promote occupational policies, which can guarantee work and dignified sustenance, indispensable condition to give life to new families."
Support
The Bishop of Rome acknowledged that "many are the problems that require a solution."
He thus encouraged the Italian politicians to find inspiration in the Word of God, and he assured them of his prayers, invoking upon them the maternal protection of Mary, Salus Populi Romani.
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