News Service
Update: 09.01.2007
FeaturesOrdinations and Final Vows
The Jesuit European Office OCIPE celebrates its 50th anniversary
Strabourg, France, 14 September 2006 - By kind invitation of
Archbishop Joseph Doré of Strasbourg, the Jesuit European Office OCIPE
is celebrating today its 50th anniversary with a seminar and Mass of
celebration. On this festive occasion Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the
Jesuits' Superior General, wrote a letter to OCIPE's Director Frank
Turner.
The seminar will help to review the history and objectives of the Jesuit European Office and look towards its future. The keynote speaker is Senator Hubert Haenel (Senator for Haut Rhin, and President of the Parliamentary Delegation for the European Union). He will reflect on the continuing challenge for the Church in engaging with the European institutions. He also will offer a look at the tasks of service and witness required of the Jesuits and their co-workers in relation to Europe in the years to come.
This special event also signifies the complete relaunch of OCIPE's website.
More information- Letter from Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General
- Address by Fr Frank Turner, Director of Ocipe
Jesuit missionary Robert De Nobili, a religious, linguistic and cultural
revolutionary
New
Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - Robert De Nobili, popularly known in Tamil Nadu
as a philosophical preacher, was a religious, linguistic and cultural
revolutionary said Father M. Devadoss Jesuit Madurai Provincial, when he
inaugurated a Seminar on the Jesuit missionary at Madurai to mark the
400th anniversary of De Nobili’s arrival in 1606. “De Nobili indigenised
Christianity in a novel way. He is the father of Tamil prose. While
Tamil literature remained at the level of poetry until the 17th century,
De Nobili introduced prose in the southern Indian language so that even
ordinary people could understand the religious truths in a simple way”,
said Fr. Devadoss.
De Nobili coined new Tamil words and brought people belonging to call castes under one roof for worship. Born in September 1577 at Montepulciano, Italy, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1597 and was assigned to the Indian mission in 1604. After a short time in Goa and Cochin he was sent to Madurai in 1606 to spread the Gospel. He mastered Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu to converse with the locals in their language. His success as a missionary was seen by the fact that from about 30,000 in 1656 the Christian population grew to over 200,000 in 1706.
Jesuit founder of AIDS orphanage dies in Kenya
Nairobi,
Nov. 21 (CWNews.com) - Father Angelo D'Agostino, an American-born Jesuit
priest who founded a home for abandoned HIV positive children called
Nyumbani ("home" in Swahili) in Nairobi, has died at the age of 80.
Father D'Agostino, who founded Nyumbani in 1992, died on November 20 of
cardiac arrest, three days after being admitted to Karen hospital. Until
his death, D'Agostino had served as Nyumbani's medical director.
Kenya's President, Mwai Kibaki was among the first people to express his condolences, saying that Father D'Agostino was a great Christian who worked diligently in serving the most vulnerable in the community and propagating the Christian faith.
Kenyans remember the priest fondly due to his crusade for the rights of children with HIV/AIDS. He went to court after public schools refused to admit children from his home, following the introduction of free primary school in 2003. Father D'Angelo became a priest 1955 after serving as a surgeon in the US Air force. He moved to Kenya in 1987.
Italian Jesuits conclude Jubilee Year with 'Xavier dreaming China'
oratorio
Rome, 12 November 2006 - A world première of the international oratorio 'Xavier dreaming China' will take place on the 6th of December 2006 at the Auditorium del Massimo in Rome. The composition was ordered and sponsored by the Italian Jesuit Province and aims to conclude the Jesuit Jubilee Year 2006.
The Italian Province has asked a young composer to write an opera about the life of Francis Xavier: original music and original libretto. After more than one year, this opera is ready and will be performed as a world première in Rome. The title Xavier Dreaming China refers to the missionary and apostolic dream of Francis Xavier to reach China for the greatest glory of God. One narrator will tell Francis’s story in a non-common interplay with four soloists: one tenor, one soprano and two pop singers. Forteen songs, in Italian, Latin and English, will drive the spectator through Xavier’s dreams, prayers, letters, trips and missions as far as the isle of Sanchuan, at the doors of China, where he died. The music will be played live by the Orchestra and Choir “Liatoshinskiy” of Kiev (100 musicians).
Rehearsals on the 7th (a matinee for the students of the Istituto Massimo of Rome) and on the 8th in Naples, cradle of italian opera music, at the Scarlatti Hall in the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella. The first night’s performance will be video and audio recorded so to have a footage that may be used for tv broadcast or released on cd/dvd. Those who are interested in the video footage (Beta SP) or the audio recording please contact repetto.t@gesuiti.it.
More info at www.ignatiusxavier.org or xavier@gesuiti.it
Jesuit Residence at Angone, Mozambique, assailed. Two people killed.
Rome, 6 November 2006 - The Jesuit Provincial of Portugal communicates that in the early morning of November 6 (1:30 a.m.) a group of armed people assailed the Residence at Angone, Province of Tete, Mozambique, and killed Father Waldyr dos Santos, 69, from Brasil, and Idalina Neto Gomes, 30, who belongs to the Portuguese Association of Laypeople for Development. Portuguese Father Mario J. de Almeida, 37, and Mozambican Brother Jose Araújo de Andrade, 76, were wounded in the attack. The assailants left with the car of the community.
Pope visits the Pontifical Gregorian University
VATICAN
CITY, NOV 3, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI travelled to Rome's
Pontifical Gregorian University. On arrival, he visited the chapel for
an interval of prayer, then moved on to the university's covered
courtyard where he met with professors, students and benefactors.
After greetings from the university rector, Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda S.J., the students' representative, Fr. Bryan Lobo S.J., and the secretary general, Luigi Allena, the Pope delivered his address.
In opening his remarks, the Pope recalled how in 1972 he was invited to teach a course on the Blessed Eucharist, and he reminded professors and students that "the effort of study and teaching, in order to be meaningful with regard to the Kingdom of God, must be supported by the theological virtues. The immediate objective of theological science, in its various aspects, is God Who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, God with a human face."
"Today," he continued, "we cannot fail to take account of the confrontation with secular culture, which in many parts of the world tends ... not only to deny all signs of God's presence in the life of society and of individuals, but, with various means that disorient and confuse man's correct understanding, seeks to undermine his capacity to listen to God.
"Nor can we ignore," he added, "relations with other religions." Such relations "are constructive only if they avoid all ambiguities that in any way weaken the essential contents of Christian faith in Christ, the only Savior of all mankind, and in the Church, a necessary sacrament for the salvation of all humanity."
Other human sciences such as psychology, social science and communications, "precisely because they concern human beings, cannot omit a reference to God. Indeed, man, both in his interior and exterior aspects, cannot be fully understood if he is not recognized as being open to transcendence."
He continued: "Deprived of his reference to God, man cannot respond to the fundamental questions that disturb, and always will disturb, his heart; questions that concern the aim and, hence, the meaning of existence. ... Man's destiny, without reference to God, cannot but be the desolation of anguish that leads to desperation. Only with reference to God-Love, revealed in Jesus Christ, can man discover the meaning of his life, and live in hope, even while experiencing the evils that injure his personal life and the society in which he lives. Hope ensures that man does not close himself in a stagnant and sterile nihilism, but opens himself to generous commitment in the society in which he lives in order to improve it."
Highlighting the fact that the integral formation of young people "is one of the traditional forms of the apostolate of Company of Jesus," the Holy Father recalled how the university's statutes and general regulations are currently being renewed, in order, he said, "to define the identity of the Gregorian University more clearly, facilitating the preparation of the most appropriate academic programs for carrying out its mission."
"As an ecclesial pontifical university, this academic institution is committed to 'sentire in Ecclesia et cum Ecclesia.' This is a commitment that arises from love for the Church, our Mother and Bride of Christ."
Following the ceremony and before returning to the Vatican, the Pope visited the "Matteo Ricci" congress center where he greeted the religious community of Jesuits.
Europe: 84 New novices enter in 2006 – 69 start the second year
Brussels,
30 October 2006 - For the whole of the 27 Jesuit Provinces and Regions
in Europe 84 new novices enter the Society of Jesus in 2006. Last year
at the same time they were 79. Besides the 84 new novices, there are 69
novices who start the second year. Those who finish their noviciate and
take first vows are 49. More then in the previous years Poland is the
frontrunner in getting vocations: 8 in the Greater Poland Province, 16
in the South Poland Province. Portugal has 8 new novices as well as
Germany. These four Provinces take together almost half of all new
European novices: In addition to the 'European' Provinces, the Near East
Province (Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey), also belonging to the
European Jesuit Conference, has 4 new novices.
Table "Novices in Europe 2006"
Hungary: A Jesuit priest was also beaten by the police
Budapest,
Hungary, 25 October 2006 (Magyar
Kurír) - László Vértesaljai, a Jesuit priest was also beaten
by the police and injured by a tear gas on the 23rd of October. The
priest told a television channel (Hír TV) he took part on the 1956
commemoration held by Fidesz (the major party in opposition) then
stepped out on the avenue when policemen attacked him, and similar to
many other passers-by he was thrown to the ground and beaten. The Jesuit
priest said he considers the action of the police a provocation and he
stayed in the group which resisted the police. He was also hit by a tear
gas grenade, he was lightly injured.
As known, Hungarian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters on the 50th anniversary of 1956 uprising. You can read more about the 1956 revolution here. About the events on Monday you can find more information here.
JRS resumes operations in Chad to help refugees from Darfur
N’Djamena, 11 September 2006 (Agenzia Fides) - This month Mateo Aguirre SJ, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) West Africa with Joaquín Ciervide SJ, new director of JRS Chad, will reopen the regional office of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in eastern Chad.
JRS Chad will provide technical assistance to SECADEV, Caritas Chad, presently involved in programmes of primary education and various social and community services in two camps of refugees who fled the western Sudan region of Darfur. From 14 to 27 July Fr. Aguirre visited camps where SECADEV is operating to see how JRS can help meet the needs of the refugees.
The priest held meetings with the local Catholic community in N’Djamena and the surrounding camps at Mongo and Abéché. He reached agreements with aid agencies Catholic Relief Service (Caritas USA) and the local representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). On visits to the camps of Kounoungou and Farchana he saw the bad conditions in these refugees camps and the lack of foreign aid.
Humanitarian personnel also works under difficult circumstances because of lack of security and communications. After speaking with the main operators in the field Fr. Aguirre realised that there is a real need to improve and raise the level of instruction with primary and secondary schooling and also courses of basic instruction for adults, professional training and services of informal education, training teachers and organising cultural activities to help children develop their abilities.
Between 2004 and 2005 JRS worked in close contact with SECADEV to train local personnel to provide education and community services for people in camps. In March this year a preliminary mission led by JRS staff members Roxanne Schares SSND and Joaquín Ciervide SJ, visited camps to assess the work and send a report JRS international offices.
Initially JRS will help SECADEV personnel develop existing programmes in Kounoungou and Farchana camps, before addressing other needs still to be met. (L.M.)
New Vatican Astronomer Appointed
VATICAN
CITY, AUG. 20, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI appointed Jesuit Father
José Gabriel Funes as the new director of the Vatican Astronomical
Observatory, replacing Jesuit Father George Coyne. Father Coyne, a
native of Baltimore, Maryland, had been director of the observatory
since 1978. The Vatican press office announced the new director on
Saturday.
Father Funes, 43, is a native of Cordoba, Argentina. He earned a degree in astronomy from the University of Cordoba. He studied theology in Rome at the Gregorian University, and earned a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Padua in 2000. Father Funes has done considerable research on disk galaxies.
Pope Gregory XIII established the Vatican Astronomical Observatory to study the elements necessary to reform the liturgical calendar, which took place in 1582. After a long period of inactivity, Pope Leo XIII founded the new Vatican Astronomical Observatory in 1891. The main headquarters of the Vatican Observatory is in Castel Gandolfo. In 1981, when the Roman skies became too luminous for observation, the Vatican Observatory Research Group was founded in Mount Graham, Arizona.
Italian Jesuit Lombardi becomes new Holy See Press Office Director
Rome,
11 July 2006 - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. as
director of the Holy See Press Office. Fr. Lombardi was born in Saluzzo,
Italy in 1942 and ordained a priest in 1972. He is currently director
general of the Vatican Television Center and of Vatican Radio, posts he
will continue to hold in his new office.
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the office of director of the Holy See Press Office presented by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, thanking him for his long and generous service. Joaquin Navarro-Valls was born in Cartagena, Spain in 1936 and has been director of the Holy See Press Office since 1984.
Given below is the text of a letter to journalists written by Fr. Lombardi for the occasion of his new appointment:
"Dear friends,
As I prepare to assume this new responsibility at the Holy See Press
Office I am, naturally, grateful to the Holy Father and to the Superiors
for the trust they place in me; but my thoughts also go out especially -
and with affection - to you and to all our colleagues in the media whom
I am called to serve.
Like you, I have been working for some time to ensure that the activity
of the Holy Father and the reality of the Church are known and
understood objectively and adequately.
Dr. Navarro-Valls performed his own long service in this field with
exceptional ability, intelligence and dedication. We are all profoundly
grateful to him and continue to depend on his friendship.
I cannot hope to imitate him, but you may depend upon my commitment -
within my limits but with all the power at my disposal - to serve the
Holy Father and your own good work. I know I shall be able to depend on
the collaboration generously offered - both to me and to you - by all
the staff of the Press Office, beginning with Vice Director Fr. Ciro
Benedettini.
I also ask for your benevolence, so that this shared portion of our
journey may be more fruitful.
I entrust these sentiments to the Lord on the feast day of St. Benedict
upon which, perhaps not by chance, I receive my appointment to this new
service."
JRS Calls For Alternatives To Detention
Brussels,
17 June 2006 - Senior Muslim, Jewish and Catholic leaders are supporting
an international Coalition that challenges the detention of migrants and
refugees. Over 100 human rights groups from around the world, including
the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), have established the Coalition to draw
attention to the way migrants and refugees are treated in their host
countries and to try to seek alternatives to imprisonment.
The International Coalition on the Detention of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants was launched at the Vatican this week with an inter-religious round table discussion on detention. It was addressed by Cardinal Martino of the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace, Mario Scialoja - President of the Italian Muslim League, and Alan Nacceche - President of the Jewish Bnai Brith Youth Organisation. The event was moderated by Fr Lluís Magriña SJ, the International Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service.
The Coalition, involving human rights groups from 36 countries worldwide, was established to raise awareness of governments' detention policies and practices and to promote greater protection and respect for the human rights of detainees. It advocates limiting the use of, seeking alternatives to, and using the least restrictive forms of, immigration detention.
"After facing persecution and extreme poverty at home, refugees face further suffering when they are deprived of their freedom of movement and detained ¬ simply for fleeing for their lives,” said Fr Magriñà. “We have been visiting immigration detainees around the world for more than 20 years and our staff witness firsthand the physical and psychological harm caused to very vulnerable individuals, particularly children.”
Mario Scialoja concurred. “Even in closed centres in many affluent
countries, like Italy, the legal procedures governing detention are
wholly inadequate and the conditions unacceptable. Such treatment is
often illegal, but always immoral and degrading.”
Alan Naccache said that in carrying out their role of managing migration flows, it was understandable that states should establish temporary detention centres. “Nevertheless,” he continued, “states should never forget their international obligations to refugees and other migrants. In particular, the arbitrary detention of refugees penalises human beings for seeking safety, and denies their common humanity."
“Arbitrary imprisonment poisons human society. It harms those who practice it as well as those who suffer it,” said Cardinal Martino.
The Coalition found that the worst detention practices adopted by governments were being copied from others and politicians frequently justify their immigration detention policies on the grounds that another, often richer, country is operating a similar policy.
First Catholic Bishop to Kyrgyzstan Consecrated in Rome
Rome, 02 June 06 - Jesuit Fr Nikolaus Messmer of the Russian Jesuit
Region was consecrated as the first Catholic Bishop of Kyrgyzstan
(Titular Bishop of Carmeiano, Apostolic Administrator in Kyrgyzstan) in
a solemn liturgy presided by the Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican
Secretary of State in the St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. Along with Fr
Messmer, Fr Athanasius Schneider ORC, was also consecrated as the
Titular Bishop of Celerina and Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganda Archdiocese
in Kazakhstan.
In fact, it was a memorable day for the Church in Kyrgyzstan, which
has a small but vibrant Catholic community. On 18th March 2006, the Holy
Father, Pope Benedict XVI, elevated the 'Missio Sui Iuris' in Kyrgyz
Republic to the Apostolic Administration by nominating its first Bishop,
Rev. Fr. Nikolaus Messmer, S.J., Rector of the Minor Seminary in
Novosibirsk, Russia.
Since 1997, Rev. Fr. Aleksandre Kan, S.J., was the Mission Superior of the "Missio Sui Iuris," in Kyrgyz Republic and the Holy Father thanked for his many years of dedicated service among the Catholics there. The Apostolic Administration of the Republic is the permanent part of the structure of the Universal Catholic Church and it is directly responsible to the Holy See.
In the capital, Bishkek there is only one Church for the Catholics, but the Catholics are spread in different parts of this hill country situated in Central Asia. Recently Jesuits started another mission in Jalalabad, where presently two Jesuits are working. Due to lack of space and the Catholic Church owned buildings are few, the services have to be conducted in private residences to celebrate Mass and teach catechism.
By establishing the Apostolic Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has reaffirmed his esteem for all the people in the Kyrgyz Republic and in particular he has conferred his pastoral care to the Catholics of the Republic. In his homily, Cardinal Sodano said, "the task of the new bishop will be proclaiming the Christ to the people by living witness of the Word of the Lord and by rendering the spiritual guidance to the small Christian community there".
According to the sources Kyrgyzstan's population has about 5 million people, 75 percent of them Muslims and close to 20 percent Russian Orthodox. The Catholics have a very good rapport with the Orthodox Christians and Muslims. The Catholic community consists of ethnic Germans, Poles and Koreans who were sent as exile by Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin to Siberia and Kazakhstan in 1930's.
Kyrgyzstan was under Soviet control until it gained independence with the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and still it is politically instable and in 2005 the people's discontent over the election results called for a revolution and over threw the long served elected President Askar Akayev.
At the moment there are 6 Jesuits and two diocesan priests and few Franciscan nuns who serve the Catholic communities and carry out social services. With the consecration of a new Bishop to Kyrgyzstan the Catholic church will have a better representation and the church will become more visible again.
Rev. Fr. Nikolaus Messmer, S.J.was born on 19th December, 1954, in a
German Catholic family of Karaganda, Kazakhstan. In 1975, he entered the
Society of Jesus and in 1989 he was ordained as a priest. He completed
his priestly studies of both Philosophy and Theology in the diocesan
seminary of Riga, Latvia. He continued his studies in Rome and completed
his Licentiate in Spirituality in the Gregorian University in 2004. Fr.
Nikolaus Messmer, S.J. speaks German, Italian and Russian fluently.From
1989 to 1997 he was assigned to Bishkek. From 1997 to 2001 and then
again in 2004 he was made Rector of the Minor Seminary of the Russian
Federation in Novosibirsk.
On 18th March, 2006, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, nominated
Fr. Nikolaus Messmer, S.J. as the Titular Episcope of Carmeiano as the
First Apostolic Administrator of Kyrgyz Republic.
Bishop Messmer's three brothers are Priests of whom two are Jesuits.
And they work in Kazakhstan, Russia and Germany. And his three sisters
are Religious Nuns and work in Russia. Fr Nikolaus will be the second
Jesuit Bishop from the Russian Jesuit Region after the Bishop Josef
Werth of Novosibirsk, who is also the president of Bishop's Conference
of Russian Federation.
... Reported by Olvin Veigas, Rome
Pope urges Jesuits to spread Sacred Heart devotion
Vatican, 23 May 2006 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI strongly encouraged devotion to the Sacred Heart, as a safeguard against self-absorption, in a message to the Society of Jesus.
The Holy Father's letter of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the superior general of the Jesuit order, marked the 50th anniversary of Haurietis Aquas, the encyclical by Pope Pius XII extolling devotion to the Sacred Heart. Pope Benedict noted that Jesuits "have always been very active in promoting this fundamental form of devotion," and encouraged renewed efforts today.
Contemplation of the "pierced side of the Redeemer," the Pope wrote, is an apt way of "fixing our gaze on Him," and recognizing his love. The mystery of Christ's love, he continued, is "the content of all true Christian spirituality and devotion." Pope Benedict added: "In fact, being Christian is only possible with our gaze fixed on the cross of our Redeemer."
Recognizing and accepting God's love, the Pontiff continued, leads to an inner transformation. "The experience of God's love is lived by man as a 'call' to which he must respond." Thus contemplation of the Sacred heart "safeguards us from the risk of closing in on ourselves, and makes us open to a life lived for others." Devotion to the Sacred Heart, the Pope concluded, "cannot then be considered as a passing form of veneration or devotion." Rather, it is "irreplaceable for a living relationship with God."
In 1883, the Society of Jesus adopted the task of promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart, and in 1915 the 26th general congregation of the religious order formally linked that devotion to the Jesuits' mission. Pope Benedict's message to the Jesuits follows one month after he spoke to members of the Society of Jesus who had attended a Mass on April 22 at the Vatican basilica. During audience the Pope had reminded the Jesuits of their vow to support the Pope, and their special commitment to answer the most urgent needs of the Church.
French 'Legion d'Honneur' Award for Indian Jesuit Cedric Prakash
Brussels, 20 May 2006 - Indian Jesuit Cedric Prakash, the Director of Prashant, the Ahmedabad based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace, has been awarded France’s highest civilian decoration.
In a message to Fr. Prakash, the Ambassador of France to India, Mr. Dominique Girard writes: “I have the utmost pleasure of informing you that the President of the French Republic, Mr. Jacques Chirac, has conferred on you the award of “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur” (Knight of the Legion of Honour), by decree of 18th April, 2006. I warmly congratulate you for this distinction. By this award, France acknowledges your lifetime commitment to the defence and the promotion of Human Rights in India”.
The award was initiated by the then first Consul of the French Republic, Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is given to an elite group of people (mainly French Nationals and very exceptionally to foreigners) who distinguish themselves through military or civilian valour.
Fr. Prakash has been a championing the cause of Human Rights in Gujarat and in other parts of India. In the wake of the Gujarat Carnage of 2002, he has testified before the US Commission for International Religious Freedom in Washington. Among the prestigious awards received by him are the Kabir Puraskar which the President of India conferred on him in 1995 for his work in the promotion of Communal Harmony and Peace and in 2003, the Indian Muslim Council, USA presented him with the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award for Humanitarian Work. Among his numerous responsibilities, Fr. Prakash is also the Secretary of the Commission for Social Communications of the Western Region Catholic Bishops Council.
The Legion d’Honneur will be given to Fr. Prakash by the French Ambassador at a function to be held in Ahmedabad towards the end of June.
Jesuits: Uphold intact the Spirit of your Founder - Pope Benedict XVI
VATICAN
CITY, APR 22, 2006 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica this morning,
Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano celebrated Mass for members of
the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who this year are celebrating the fifth
centenary of the births of St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Pierre Favre.
Benedict XVI arrived in the basilica at midday to greet and address some words to participants in the Eucharistic celebration.
The Holy Father invited those present to give thanks to God for having conceded the Society "the gift of men of extraordinary sanctity and exceptional apostolic zeal such as St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier and Blessed Pierre Favre." May they, he continued, be "enlightened and dependable guides for your spiritual journey and your apostolic activity."
St. Ignatius Loyola was, said the Pope, "a man of deep prayer, the center and summit of whose life was the daily celebration of the Eucharist. In this way, he left followers a precious spiritual heritage which must not be lost or forgotten."
After pointing out how St. Ignatius served the Church faithfully, Benedict XVI mentioned some of "the Church's must urgent current requirements." These include "cultural commitment in the fields of theology and philosophy, ... and the dialogue with modern culture ... so deeply marked by positivist and materialist scientism." In this context, the Pope affirmed that promoting "a culture inspired by Gospel values requires intense spiritual and cultural preparation."
Another concern of St. Ignatius, he added, was "the Christian education and cultural formation of the young. ... Continue this important apostolate, while upholding intact the spirit of your Founder."
Going on to speak of St. Francis Xavier, the Pope recalled how Pope Pius XI proclaimed him as "patron saint of Catholic missions." And although "his mission in the East lasted just ten years, it has proved remarkably fruitful over the four and a half centuries of life of the Society of Jesus, because his example encouraged many missionary vocations among young Jesuits." And it still continues to be a model for "missionary activity in the great countries of the continent of Asia."
Blessed Pierre Favre, said Benedict XVI, "spent his brief life in various European countries, especially Germany where, by order of Pope Paul III, he took part ... in discussions with the leaders of the Reformation. Thus he had an exceptional opportunity to practice the vow of special obedience to the Pope 'concerning missions,' becoming a model for all future Jesuits to follow."
At the end of his address, the Holy Father recalled that "on April 22, 1541 St. Ignatius and his first followers made their solemn vows before the image of Mary in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the Walls," and he concluded by calling on the Virgin to continue to watch over the Society of Jesus.
JRS Prizes awarded to Danish, Irish/French and British student
journalists
Brussels,
18 April 2006 - At a prize-giving ceremony today at the European
Parliament, the Jesuit Refugee
Service announced the winners of the competition for student
journalists they have run across Europe. The winners, decided by a panel
of professional journalists, are Kasper Tveden Jensen, studying in
Denmark, for his article 'Suicidal Silence'; Hélène Hofman, studying in
Ireland, for her article 'Waiting to Check Out'; and Kirsty Whalley,
studying in the United Kingdom, for her article 'Destitute Zimbawean
Asylum Seekers Stuck in Limbo in the United Kingdom'.
Kasper Tveden Jensen, as winner of the first prize, will be invited this summer to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, as the guest of JRS Eastern Africa. The ceremony was hosted Hiltrud Breyer MEP (Greens). Presenting the first prize was Danish MEP Britta Thomsen (PSE). Apart from the prize-winners themselves, also present were journalists who were members of the jury, and sponsors of the competition. Third prize-winner Kirsty Whalley was unable to collect her prize in Brussels: a Zimbabwean student journalist whose family moved to Britain five years ago because of the political situation in the country, she is having problems getting her Zimbabwean passport renewed. This is partly because she is a journalist.
The jury of four journalists were impressed with the approach and quality of the entries, that came from 12 countries: “By highlighting aspects of refugees in Europe that are usually marginalized, the articles opened up the angle of the camera on this issue. Above all they raised the profile of the humanity of the people who ask for refuge in Europe,” said Jean-Paul Marthoz, journalist member of the jury and former international media director for Human Rights Watch.
The ‘Writing about Refugees’ Competition saw the Jesuit Refugee Service inviting aspiring journalists across Europe to investigate the reality behind the headlines. This competition is supported by the European Council of Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and European Year Against Racism (More Colours in the Media).
Jesuits Statistics: 19,564 Jesuits worldwide as of 1 January 2006
Rome, 17 April 2006 - According to the statistics of the Society of Jesus for the year 2005, released today by the General Secretariat in Rome, as of January 1, 2006 the total number of Jesuits was 19,564, a decrease of 286.
Priests were 13,735, Scholastics 3,067, Brothers 1,865 and Novices 897 (530 are first year Novices who entered the Society in 2005). The average age of all Jesuits was 57.18 years (Priests 63.93, Scholastics 29.11, and Brothers 66.81).
Four new provinces were erected in 2005: Brazil North-East (formed by the fusion of the Bahia and North Brazil Provinces), North-West Africa (from the former Dependent Region of Nigeria-Ghana), Delhi, and Korea (formerly an Independent Region). The Dependent Regions are 12: 3 in Africa, 4 in the Americas and 5 in Asia-Oceania.
Jesuits in the South Asia Assistancy are 4,034; in USA 3,034; in South Europe 2,527: in West Europe 2,037; in East Asia-Oceania 1,663; in Southern Latin America 1,533; in Africa 1,429; in Northern Latin America 1,424; in East Europe 1,137; in Central Europe 746. The largest province in the Society is Italy (697 Jesuits), followed by Castilla (661) and France (554).
JRS Malta: Migrants' lawyer's car set alight
Valetta,
Malta, 12 April 2006 (The Times/JRS) - On Monday night, unidentified
hooligans set fire to and destroyed the car and front door of a lawyer
working for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), in an attempt to
intimidate her and her family, obviously because she belongs to an
organisation known for defending the rights of immigrants. It is the
second arson attack on the Jesuit Refugee Service in the space of a
month.
Policemen and firemen rushed to Pope Pius Street, in Sliema, at about 12.45 a.m. yesterday after a car belonging to Katrine Camilleri, a lawyer with the JRS, and the door to her residence, metres across the street, were set ablaze. Dr Camilleri, and her family, including her two children, aged three and six, were asleep at the time. Nobody was injured in the incident.
Dr Camilleri provides legal aid services to irregular immigrants in detention centres and in the community. She is also an NGO representative on the task force on immigration. Two arson attacks on vehicles belonging to the Jesuits took place just days after the priestly order broadcast their views against racism and xenophobia. In the last one, on March 12, four cars and three vans belonging to the Jesuit community at St Aloysius College, in Birkirkara, were set on fire and completely destroyed.
Jesuit provincial Fr Paul Chetcuti said that the latest attack follows the same pattern as previous ones. Each arson took place during the night and followed a public statement from the Jesuits in favour of the rights and dignity of undocumented migrants. The latest attack came on the night following an interview with Fr Ian Stuyt, the Jesuit director of JRS (Europe) in The Times. The link between the Jesuits' anti-racist stand and the arson attacks "dispels any lingering doubt" as to the motives of those who committed them.
Source: The Times of Malta - Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Zimbabwe: 'Freedom-Fighter Priest' Named Bishop of Chinhoyi
Harare, 7 April 2006 (Catholic Information Service for Africa) - A Jesuit priest detained twice and then expelled by the British Colonial Government in the 1970's has been named the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chinhoyi. Father Dieter Scholz SJ, aged 67, succeeds the late Bishop Helmut Recktor as shepherd of the more than 84,000 Catholics in Chinhoyi. The diocese, erected in 1985, has 28 priests and 94 religious. Pope Benedict XVI made the appointment on Thursday, April 6. The date of Bishop-elect Scholz's installation is yet to be announced.
Until his elevation, the German-born missionary was director of Silveira House, a centre of education and formation for leadership and development in Harare. While working with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace from 1972 to 1978, first as vice-president and then president, Fr Scholz was arrested under the Official Secrets Act and the Law and Order Maintenance (Emergency Power Regulations) Act and imprisoned twice. He was deported from Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) on August 12, 1978. While in Europe, he was director of the 'Zimbabwe Project' in London and the Jesuit Refugee Service in Rome, as well as visiting professor at the Gregorian University. Fr Scholz returned to Zimbabwe in 1990 and served as parish priest at Marymount Mission, Rushinga, before he became director of Silveira House in 1995.
Bishop-elect Dieter Scholz SJ was born on June 2, 1938, in Bingen, (Germany); he entered the Society of Jesus on April 15, 1958. He studied philosophy in Chantilly (France) and theology in Frankfurt (Germany). He obtained an honours degree in African Languages and Social Anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He was ordained a priest on July 13, 1969.
On coming to Zimbabwe, he worked as assistant parish priest at Marymount Mission, before he pursued postgraduate studies at the Centre for Inter-Racial Studies at the then University of Rhodesia.
The Catholic Church in Zimbabwe still awaits the appointment of bishops for the dioceses of Gweru and Hwange that have been vacant since 2004. Gweru became vacant after the death of Bishop Francis Mugadzi, while Hwange has had no shepherd since Archbishop Robert Ndlovu was transferred to Harare to succeed the late Archbishop Patrick Chakaipa.
Pope recalls 'the great Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier'
VATICAN
CITY, APR 5, 2006 (VIS) - At the end of the general audience, the Pope
addressed some words to Spanish pilgrims, recalling that April 7 marks
the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis Xavier, "the great
Jesuit missionary who preached the Gospel in the lands of Asia, opening
many doors to Christ."
The Holy Father added: "I unite myself with that celebration, thanking the Lord for this great gift to His Church. ... In contemplating the figure of St. Francis Xavier we feel called to pray for those who dedicate their lives to the evangelizing mission, proclaiming the beauty of the salvific message of Jesus.
"At the same time," he continued, "I invite you to pray that, through the intercession of this saint, everyone may intensify efforts to consolidate the horizons of peace that seem to be opening in the Basque Country and in all Spain, and to overcome the obstacles that may arise on this long journey."
Special Papal Envoy to Celebration for St. Francis Xavier
VATICAN CITY, APR 1, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Holy Father, written in Latin and dated March 3, in which he appoints Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, Spain, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the fifth centenary of the birth of St. Francis Xavier, due to be held in the Spanish town of Javier on April 7.
Accompanying Cardinal Rouco Varela on his mission will be Fr. Elias Royon S.J., provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Spain, and Fr. Anastasio Gil Garcia of the clergy of the archdiocese of Madrid, director of the secretariat of the Episcopal Commission for Missions and Cooperation between Churches.
Jesuit Nikolaus Messmer appointed first Bishop for Kyrgyz Republic
Rome/Bishkek, 18 March 2006 - On 18th March 2006, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, elevated the 'Missio Sui Iuris' in Kyrgyz Republic to the Apostolic Administration by nominating its first Bishop, Rev. Fr. Nikolaus Messmer, S.J., Rector of the Minor Seminary in Novosibirsk, Russia. Fr. Nikolaus Messmer, S.J., has also been nominated as the Titular Bishop of Carmeiano.
With this nomination the Holy Father continues to accomplish the reform of the Catholic Church in Central Asia. First, on 17th May 2003, the late Pope John-Paul II created the Catholic Province in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Second, on 1st April, 2005, the Apostolic Administration in Uzbekistan was established.
By establishing the Apostolic Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has reaffirmed his esteem for all the people in the Kyrgyz Republic and in particular he has conferred his pastoral care to the Catholics of the Republic.
The Holy See thanks Rev. Fr. Aleksandre Kan, S.J., for his many years of dedicated service among the Catholics in the Kyrgyz Republic .
The Apostolic Administration of the Republic is the permanent part of the structure of the Universal Catholic Church and it is directly responsible to the Holy See.
Community Cars Burnt At St Aloysius’ College, Birkirkara, Malta
Naxxar, Malta, 13 March 2006 - During the night between the 12th and
13th March around midnight the security person at
St Aloysius’ College,
B’Kara, noticed a fire among the cars parked inside the College grounds.
The Police and the Fire Brigade were immediately notified. When they
arrived on the spot it was too late to save any of the seven cars
belonging to the Jesuits. All cars, which are used for work associated
with the College, youth activities and priestly ministry carried out by
the community members, were totally destroyed. The police are conducting
their investigations, but indications are that the cause of the fire is
not accidental.
This is the second time that cars belonging to a Jesuit community were destroyed by fire. The first incident took place during the night between the 15th and 16th November of last year when two cars belonging to the Jesuits at Dar M. Magri, at Msida, were destroyed by fire. Till now we Jesuits have not been informed of any outcome of the magisterial enquiry held regarding that incident.
There are various common elements linking the two incidents: both took place in the middle of the night; both incurred the total loss of the vehicles concerned; both happened immediately after a press conference held by the Jesuit Centre of Faith and Justice (CFJ). In the November incident the press conference (held on the 3rd of November) announced the publication of the proceedings of the National Conference on Racism and Xenophobia in Malta held by CFJ and the actions undertaken by the Maltese Jesuit Province to promote racial tolerance in our country. The last incident followed a press conference held on the 11th March to announce the publication of a report on the level of Racism and Xenophobia in Malta. This report was commissioned by the European Union and drawn up by the Jesuit Centre of Faith and Justice.
The Jesuits remain fully committed to promote tolerance and respect for the dignity of every human person of whatever race, gender, creed or opinion.
Source: Press statement by Fr Paul Chetcuti, Jesuit Provincial Malta
Jesuit journal challenges "moderate" Islamic leaders
Rome, 2 March 2006 (CWNews.com) - An influential Jesuit journal has challenged moderate Muslim leaders to intervene to curtail the violent protests over cartoons mocking the prophet Mohammed.
In an editorial that will appear in print later this week, Civilta Cattolica argues that Islamic fundamentalists have deliberately inflamed public protests against the Danish cartoons. The editorial also calls upon European leaders to defend the fundamental priniciples of their own culture.
Civilta Cattolica is regarded as an authoritative publication whose views reflect those of the Holy See, since all articles published in the Jesuit journal are reviewed in advance by the Vatican Secretariat of State.
The editorial appearing in the March 4 issue observes that many Muslims have been the victims of a propaganda campaign aimed to stir up outrage against European institutions. The 12 cartoons that are the focus of the worldwide demonstration were published in a Danish newspaper last September, Civilta notes. The public outrage that reached critical mass nearly four months later was the result of a concerted effort to cause religious conflict, the editorial states.
While conceding that the cartoons were clearly "blasphemous" by Muslim standards, and a deliberate offense against Islamic sensitivities, Civilta Cattolica goes on to say that "one cannot use a few caricatures as the pretext for unleashing a violent confrontation against the West."
The violent expressions of outrage in the Islamic world fail to recognize the good-faith efforts by Western countries to protect the rights of Muslims, the magazine says. The Western world, the editorial argues, "cannot accept an Islamic fundamentalism that cultivates hatred against the West in predominantly Muslim countries." Islamic propagandists, the magazine says, are attempting to blame all the current ills of the Muslim world on the West.
While it is reasonable to ask the West to avoid offending religious
beliefs, Civilta Cattolica argues, it is equally reasonable:
….to ask those who profess themselves to be "pacifist" or "moderate" Muslims, who say that Islam is "a religion of peace," to oppose all forms of fundamentalism and all efforts to create or promote divisions and sentiments of hatred between the peoples of the West and those of the Islamic world, between Christians and Islam.
The Jesuit journal goes on to ask Western leaders to end their
"inertia and silence" regarding violations of religious freedom in the
Islamic world. Citing the "principle of reciprocity" that Pope Benedict
XVI (bio - news) mentioned in his February 20 meeting with a new
ambassador from Morocco, the editorial said that Western governments
should demand that religious minorities in the Islamic world receive the
same respectful treatment that Muslims enjoy in the West.
As long as leaders remain silent in the face of religious-freedom
violations by Muslim governments, Civilta Cattolica says, their passive
attitude will provide encouragement to both fundamentalists in the
Islamic world and anti-Muslim extremists in the West. Both Islamic
leaders and Western governments must accept their responsibility to ward
off a "clash of civilizations," the editorial concludes.
Pray-as-you-go using your MP3 player!
London,
1 March 2006 - Jesuit Media Initiatives, based at Mount Street in
London, is running a trial of a new project called Pray-as-you-go. You
might already know about, maybe even use, the Irish Jesuits' website,
Sacred Space (www.sacredspace.ie),
which provides Ignatian prayer on your computer screen. Pray-as-you-go
moves this concept from text to sound, using music and scripture to
guide you through a ten-minute prayer session in MP3 Audio format. It's
downloadable free on the Internet, so that you can take it with you to
pray on the bus, train, Tube or even at work!
To take part in the trial, you'd need a broadband-connected computer and an MP3 player or a similar MP3-enabled device. The trial begins on Ash Wednesday, 1 March 2006, at www.pray-as-you-go.com.
French Jesuit among the 15 new Cardinals
Vatican
City, 22 February 2006 (VIS/Jesuits in Europe) - After the general
audience today, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Benedict XVI announced
the names of 15 prelates who will be created cardinals in a concistory
due to be held on March 24. Among them the French Jesuit Albert Vanhoye
(82).
Following the March 24 concistory, the first of his pontificate, the College of Cardinals will number 193 members of whom 120, under the age of 80, will be electors.
In announcing the names, the Holy Father affirmed that today's feast is "a particularly appropriate day" to announce the concistory because cardinals "have the duty to help and support Peter's Successor in carrying out the apostolic task entrusted to him in the service of the Church."
"The cardinals," Benedict XVI went on, "constitute a sort of Senate around the Pope upon which he relies in carrying out the duties associated with his ministry as 'permanent and visible source and foundation of unity of faith and communion'." The Holy Father also made it clear that with the new appointments he wished "to make up the number of 120 cardinal electors, as established by Pope Paul VI."
The Pope then announced that he had also decided to elevate to the dignity of cardinal "three prelates over the age of 80, in consideration of the service they have rendered to the Church with exemplary faithfulness and admirable dedication." Among them the French Jesuit Albert Vanhoye, formerly rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
Vanhoye was born on 24 July 1923 in Hazebrouck, in the north of France. He entered the Society of Jesus on 12 September 1941 and was ordained a priest on 25 July 1954 in Enghien (Belgium). He took his final vows on 2 February 1959. He teached New Testament at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and became Rector of it in 1984. In the same year he became a member and in 1990 the secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
More: http://www.jesuites.com/bibliographie/auteurs/vanhoye.htm
Civilta Cattolica: Faithfully Divulge Church Teaching
VATICAN
CITY, FEB 17, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Benedict XVI received
journalists and editors from the Italian magazine "Civilta Cattolica,"
which is run by the Jesuits, recalling that Blessed Pius IX had
"perpetually instituted" the publication in 1850, "giving it a
particular statue that established a special link with the Holy See."
In order for the magazine to remain "faithful to its character and its duty," said the Pope, it must "continually renew itself, correctly interpreting 'the signs of the times'." Faced with the spread of "individualistic relativism and positivistic science, ... closed to God and His moral law though not always prejudiced against Christianity, ... Catholics are called to develop dialogue with modern culture, opening it up to the perennial values of transcendence."
The Holy Father also indicated the "many signs of hope" in today's world, such as "a new sensitivity to religious values, ... renewed interest in Sacred Scripture, greater respect for human rights, and the desire to establish dialogue with other religions. In particular, faith in Jesus can help many to grasp the meaning of life and of the human adventure, giving them the points of reference that are often lacking in so frenetic and disoriented a world."
In this context, Benedict XVI identified the mission of a magazine like "Civilta Cattolica" as being "to participate in the modern cultural debate, both to propose - seriously but also in a way accessible to all - the truths of Christian faith with clarity and faithfulness to the Church's Magisterium, and to defend, with no desire for controversy, the truth which is sometimes distorted by baseless accusations leveled against the ecclesial community."
The Pope indicated Vatican Council II as a "beacon" to guide the magazine. "The doctrinal and pastoral wealth it contains," he said, "have not yet been fully assimilated by the Christian community, even though 40 years have passed since its conclusion."
Pope Benedict XVI Notes a Milestone for Vatican Radio
VATICAN
CITY, FEB. 12, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says that Vatican Radio
has helped the voice of Popes to reach "all peoples," as he noted the
station's 75th anniversary.
In comments made today after praying the Angelus from the window of his study, the Holy Father recalled that it was Pope Pius XI who asked radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) to build the Vatican's broadcasting station.
"With radio, and later television, the message of the Gospel and the words of Popes have reached all peoples more rapidly and easily," acknowledged Benedict XVI.
Vatican Radio announced Saturday that the Holy Father will visit the radio's installations March 3.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director general of Vatican Radio, said in an interview with the station that it broadcasts programs in 40 languages and has 400 employees.
The management of Vatican Radio is entrusted by the Holy See to the Society of Jesus.
Burundian Jesuit Elie Koma killed in Bujumbura
Bujumbura/Brussels, 5 February 2006 – Burundian Jesuit Elie Koma has been killed last night. On his way home by car he fell into a gunfight between militiamen and the army and was hit by several bullets.
Around 21.30 pm, on his way back from Kanyosha to his community at the Lycée du Saint-Esprit in Kamenge, Bujumbura, Koma fell into a gunfight between militiamen who were looting a warehouse, and soldiers of the regular army. He was hit by at least three bullets and was killed instantly. Later on, his fellow Jesuits came on the spot and took Koma's body to the morgue of the King Khaled hospital. The funeral will most probably be next Wednesday.
Elie Koma (59) entered the Society of Jesus in 1967 and was ordained
a priest in 1980. He was well known as a director of Spiritual
Excercises. Since three years he was in charge of the newly built Jesuit
Church in Kamenge, Bujumbura.
Jesuits to hold General Congregation in 2008 - Superior General
Rome,
2 February 2006 (Jesuit Information Servce) - Today, feast of the
Presentation, Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach (77), Superior General of the
Society of Jesus, has signed a letter to the whole Society communicating
that after obtaining the consent of His Holiness Benedict XVI, and the
favourable response of all the Provincials, as established by the
Complimentary Norms, he has decreed the convocation of the 35th General
Congregation.
The first plenary session will take place on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, January 5, 2008, at the General Curia of the Society in Rome as the Constitutions stipulate in the case of the election of the Superior General.
In his letter Father General informs the Major Superiors that the Provincial Congregations must end no later than March 1, 2007. Fr Kolvenbach concludes his letter asking that all commend earnestly to God our Lord the successful outcome of the Congregation for his greater service, praise, and glory.
The previous General Congregation (34) took place in Rome in 1995 and lasted almost three months. There were 220 participants from all over the world.
JRS is calling all aspiring Journalists
Brussels, 14 January 2006 - The Jesuit Refugee Service is running an
essay-writing competition for 3rd level students or recent graduates in
European countries. The theme of the essay is "Refugees in Europe", and
entrants are asked to investigate the reality of refugee life behind the
headlines.
The authors of the three best articles will go to Brussels to meet with the members of the jury, all experienced journalists. The overall winner will be offered the opportunity to visit Kenya for 12 days in the summer of 2006 to broaden his/ her knowledge of asylum and refugees issues. JRS Eastern Africa will organise meetings in Nairobi and in Kakuma Refugee Camp with refugees, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and local media. For full details of this competition, see the JRS website.
Unknown painting of Francis Xavier by Cornelis Schut (1648) discovered
Brugge (Belgium) - Amsterdam (Netherlands), 9 January 2006 - In the Jesuit community of Bruges (Belgium) an unknown painting by the Flemish artist Cornelis Schut (1597-1655) has been discovered, showing ‘Francis Xavier baptizing the Indians’. The quite spectacular and colourful oil painting on linen, measuring 104 x 82 cm., turns out to be the bozzetto (preparatory study) of an altar piece from 1648, that the Jesuits in Madrid had ordered for their Francis Xavier church (now the cathedral of San Isidro), to be opened in 1651. The famous flower painter Jesuit brother Daniel Seghers (1590-1661), with whom Schut had collaborated in many paintings, acted as intermediary for the payment and transport. The painting was later moved to the stairwell of the Colegio Imperial next to the church. After the suppression of the Society the painting ended up in the parish church of Santa Cruz del Retamar, a village at the outskirts of Madrid. There it was destroyed during the Spanish civil war.