ZENIT, Daily dispatch
The World Seen From Rome
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VATICAN DOSSIER
* Pope Names 23 New Cardinals
* Archbishop Sandri to Wear Red
* Trends Don't Create Values, Says Pope
* Pope Denounces Rich-Poor Divide
* Venezuelan Cardinal Mourned by Pope
WORLD FEATURES
* Philadelphia Rejoices for Native Son
* Texas Prelate Surprised by Pope's Choice
* All-Ireland to Get 3rd Cardinal
* Holy See Presses for Nuclear Disarmament
WEDNESDAY'S AUDIENCE
* On St. Eusebius of Vercelli
DOCUMENTS
* Holy See on Disarmament
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VATICAN DOSSIER
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Pope Names 23 New Cardinals
2 U.S. Prelates Among Those Named
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI announced the names of 23 new cardinals for the Church, including a historic move to bestow the first red hat to the head of a Texas archdiocese.
The consistory, the second of the Pope's pontificate, will be held Nov. 24, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King, the Vatican press office said today.
"The new cardinals," the Pope said at the end of today's general audience, "come from various parts of the world. And the universality of the Church, with the multiplicity of her ministries, is clearly reflected in them.
"Alongside deserving prelates who work for the Holy See are pastors who dedicate their energies to direct contact with the faithful."
Two of the new cardinals are U.S. prelates: Archbishop John Patrick Foley, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas.
Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, Ireland, was also named among the new cardinals. This marks the first time all-Ireland has had three cardinals at one time.
There are 6 new cardinals from Italy, 3 from Spain and 2 from Argentina. The rest come from Mexico, Iraq, Germany, Poland, France, Senegal, India, Brazil and Kenya.
Eighteen of the 23 cardinals are under 80, and thus eligible to vote in a conclave. After the Nov. 24 consistory, the College of Cardinals will have 202 members, of whom 121 will be electors.
The new cardinal electors will be:
-- Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches.
-- Archbishop John P. Foley, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
-- Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
-- Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.
-- Archbishop Angelo Comastri, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter's in the Vatican, vicar general of His Holiness for Vatican City and president of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the office of the Vatican's chief engineer.
-- Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
-- Archbishop Raffaele Farina, Salesian, archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church.
-- Archbishop Agustín García-Gasco Vicente of Valencia, Spain.
-- Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, Ireland.
-- Archbishop Lluís Martínez Sistach of Barcelona, Spain.
-- Archbishop André Vingt-Trois of Paris.
-- Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco of Genoa, Italy.
-- Archbishop Theodore-Adrien Sarr of Dakar, Senegal.
-- Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Bombay, India.
-- Archbishop Francisco Robles Ortega of Monterrey, Mexico.
-- Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas.
-- Archbishop Odilio Pedro Scherer of São Paulo, Brazil.
-- Archbishop John Njue of Nairobi, Kenya.
Having pronounced the names of the new cardinal electors, Benedict XVI then indicated that he had also decided to elevate to the dignity of cardinal "three venerable prelates and two worthy priests," all over the age of 80 and hence non-electors, for their "commitment and service to the Church." Their names are:
The names of those selected, all over 80 and hence non-electors, are:
-- Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Iraq.
-- Archbishop Giovanni Coppa, apostolic nuncio.
-- Archbishop Estanislao Esteban Karlic, emeritus of Parana, Argentina.
-- Father Urbano Navarrete, Jesuit, former rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
-- Father Umberto Betti, Order of the Friars Minor (Franciscan), former rector of the Pontifical Lateran University.
The Holy Father added: "Among these, I had also intended to confer the dignity of cardinal upon the elderly Bishop Ignacy Jez of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg, Poland, a worthy prelate who died suddenly yesterday. We offer a prayer for the repose of his soul."
After pronouncing the names of the new cardinal electors, the Pope continued: "There are other persons, very dear to me who, for their dedication to the service of the Church, well deserve promotion to the dignity of cardinal. In the future I hope to have the opportunity to express, also in this way, my esteem and affection to them and to their countries of origin."
Benedict entrusted the future cardinals "to the protection of Mary Most Holy asking her to help each of them in their new tasks, that they may know how to bear courageous witness in all circumstances to their love for Christ and for the Church."
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Archbishop Sandri to Wear Red
Prelate Announced Death of John Paul II
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI included Argentine Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, 63, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, among the 23 future cardinals.
Archbishop Sandri gave the world the news of the death of Pope John Paul II on the evening of April 2, 2005, in St. Peter's Square. During the Pontiff's illness, the archbishop normally read the texts that the Holy Father could not personally deliver.
Benedict XVI announced the names of 23 new cardinals today after the weekly general audience. The consistory, the second of the Pope's pontificate, will be held Nov. 24, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King.
Leonardo Sandri was born in Buenos Aires on Nov. 18, 1943, into a family of Italian origin.
He was ordained a priest in 1967. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1974 and served in Madagascar, and from 1977 to 1989 with the Vatican Secretariat of State.
From 1989 to 1991 he was an adviser in the office of the papal nuncio to the United States and the Organization of American States.
On Aug. 22, 1991, he was named prefect of the Pontifical Household. He was made the assessor for general affairs for the Secretariat of State in 1992.
He was named papal nuncio to Venezuela in 1997, and ordained archbishop that same year.
In 2000 he was named papal nuncio to Mexico, but later that year was called back to Rome to serve as undersecretary of state for general affairs. He was named prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches in June.
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Trends Don't Create Values, Says Pope
Presents Figure of St. Eusebius of Vercelli
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The hierarchy of values isn't determined by either trends or politicians, said Benedict XVI in a meditation on the fourth-century bishop Eusebius of Vercelli.
The Pope commented on the life of the prelate today during his weekly general audience, held in St. Peter's Square. An estimated 50,000 people were in attendance to listen to another meditation in a series of discourses on the great figures of the early Church.
The Holy Father recounted how Emperor Constantius II had exiled Bishop Eusebius to Asia Minor for many years for having fought against the Arian heresy, which denies the divinity of the Son of God.
"For the emperor," said the Pontiff, "the simpler Arian faith was more useful politically as an ideology of the empire. For him the truth didn't count, only the political opportunity: He wanted to use religion as a tie to unite the empire."
But St. Eusebius, together with the other great bishops of the time, "resisted, defending the truth over and against political domination," said Benedict XVI.
The life of St. Eusebius, said the Pope, teaches the Church even today the need "to protect the hierarchy of just values, without bending to the trend of the moment, or to the unjust demands of political power."
The Pontiff continued: "The authentic hierarchy of values, Eusebius' whole life seems to tell us, does not come from the emperors of yesterday or today, but from Jesus Christ, the perfect man, equal to the Father in divinity, but at the same time a man like us.
"Therefore, the pastors, Eusebius reminds us, should exhort the faithful not to consider the cities of the world as their permanent dwelling, but rather to seek the future city, the definitive Jerusalem in heaven."
The Holy Father added, addressing those present in St. Peter's Square: "I too recommend to you with all my heart these perennial values."
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Pope Denounces Rich-Poor Divide
Calls It an Offense Against Human Dignity
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The growing disparity between the rich and the poor is an offense against human dignity, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today during his weekly general audience, which coincided with the World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty. "How many populations still live in conditions of extreme poverty," the Holy Father said to the crowd of 50,000 in St. Peter's Square.
He added: "The disparity between rich and poor has become more evident and more disturbing, even within the most economically advanced nations.
"This worrying situation appeals to the conscience of mankind because the conditions being suffered by such a large number of people are such as to offend the dignity of human beings and, as a consequence, to compromise the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community.
"I encourage, then, an increase in efforts to eliminate the causes of poverty and the tragic consequences deriving from it."
The world day was begun Oct. 17, 1987, by Father Joseph Wresinski (1917-1988), founder of the ATD Fourth World movement. On this day he placed a commemorative stone in the Trocadero Plaza (renamed the Plaza of Human Rights and Liberties) in Paris "for the victims of poverty."
The initiative was taken up by the United Nations in 1992 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
This year's official celebration took place today in the evening at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, around a replica of the stone in Paris.
On the original stone and the replica it says: "Wherever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty."
The Roman stone also has on it a quote from Pope John Paul II: "Never again discriminations, exclusions, oppressions, scorn for the poor and for the lowly."
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Venezuelan Cardinal Mourned by Pope
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI sent a telegram of condolence to Cardinal Jorge Liberato Urosa Savino, archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela, for the death of Cardinal Rosalio José Castillo Lara.
The Venezuelan Cardinal Castillo Lara, a Salesian and retired president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, died Tuesday in Caracas at the age of 85.
In the telegram, the Pope expressed his "heartfelt condolences" to Cardinal Urosa Savino, to the relatives of the deceased and to all the Venezuelan people, entrusting to the mercy of God "this zealous pastor who served the Church with such charity."
"Cardinal Castillo Lara's generous and intense ministry, first as coadjutor bishop of Trujillo" and later in various posts in the Roman Curia, "testifies to his great dedication to the cause of the Gospel, at the same time demonstrating his profound love for the Church," the Holy Father's telegram continued.
The Salesians in Venezuela, who assisted Cardinal Castillo Lara during his final illness, announced that the cardinal's remains will lie in state in the Parish of San Juan Bosco in Altamira in Caracas.
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WORLD FEATURES
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Philadelphia Rejoices for Native Son
Archbishop Foley to Get Red Hat
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is celebrating the announcement that their native son, Archbishop John P. Foley, is one of two U.S. prelates to be named as cardinals.
Archbishop Foley, 71, is the pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. He was born in Darby, a suburb of Philadelphia.
Benedict XVI announced the names of 23 new cardinals today after the weekly general audience. The consistory, the second of the Pope's pontificate, will be held Nov. 24, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King.
Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, said today in a statement: "From the place where he first learned the Catholic faith, heard the call to priesthood and entered its fullness as bishop, the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia rejoice in their native son."
"I have held Archbishop Foley in great esteem over the many years that we have both served the Church," he added. "I am confident that, as a cardinal, he will remain a model of deep faith and dedication."
The former president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications is well-known for his English-language commentaries for the midnight Mass celebrated by the Pope in St. Peter's Basilica.
John Patrick Foley was ordained a priest in 1962 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
He received a licentiate degree in philosophy in 1964 and a doctorate in 1965 from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelicum, in Rome.
In 1966, he received a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University in New York and then was named editor of the Catholic Standard and Times, a post he held until 1984.
On April 5, 1984, Monsignor Foley was appointed president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, and was elevated to archbishop that same year.
He also served as a member of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America from 1984 until 1989 and was a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture.
Archbishop Foley was appointed by Benedict XVI pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem last June.
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Texas Prelate Surprised by Pope's Choice
Archbishop DiNardo of Houston Named Cardinal
HOUSTON, TX, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston will be the first head of a Texas archdiocese to wear a red hat. The prelate says that he is "humbled and surprised."
Benedict XVI announced the names of 23 new cardinals today after the weekly general audience. The consistory, the second of the Pope's pontificate, will be held Nov. 24, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King.
Archbishop DiNardo, whose diocese consists of 1.3 million Catholics, said in reaction to his appointment: "I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for his kindness in appointing me and for his trust in allowing me to be placed in the College of Cardinals.
"May I immediately add that it is also very humbling and surprising! I promise him my fullest communion, loyalty and obedience."
Archbishop DiNardo, 58, is a native of Steubenville, Ohio. He entered St. Paul Seminary in 1967 and studied at Duquesne University, and then went on to receive a master's degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of America.
After earning a licentiate of sacred theology in patristics at the Augustinianum Institute in Rome, DiNardo was ordained a priest in 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Father DiNardo was named assistant chancellor of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1981, and then returned to Rome as a staff member of the Congregation for Bishops in 1984.
On Oct. 7, 1997, he was ordained coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, and was installed as bishop on Nov. 28, 1998.
When Galveston-Houston was elevated to an archdiocese 2004, Bishop DiNardo was also elevated to coadjutor archbishop, which made him the immediate successor to Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza.
Bishop DiNardo became the archbishop of Galveston-Houston in 2006, upon the retirement of Archbishop Fiorenza.
Archbishop DiNardo currently serves on the ad hoc committee to oversee the use of the catechism at the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference, and also serves as the U.S. Catholic bishops' advisor to the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
He is a member of the board of directors of Catholic University of America, and the National Catholic Partnership for Persons With Disabilities, both in Washington, D.C.
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All-Ireland to Get 3rd Cardinal
Archbishop Brady of Armagh Named
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI named Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh as one of 23 new cardinals, which the Irish prelate calls a "daunting privilege."
The primate of All Ireland and president of the Irish bishops' conference said today of his appointment: "I am deeply honored and humbled by Pope Benedict's announcement that I am to be made a cardinal. Today's news is a mark of the affection and esteem of the Holy Father for the whole Church in Ireland.
"It is a daunting privilege to join Cardinal Cahal Daly and Cardinal Desmond Connell in the College of Cardinals. This small country is to have three cardinals for the first time in its history.
"I ask people for their prayers as I undertake my new responsibilities within the universal Church."
Sean Brady, was born Aug. 16, 1939, in Laragh, Cavan, Diocese of Kilmore. He was educated at St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, and the Irish College, Rome, where he was ordained in 1964.
Father Brady received a doctorate in Canon Law at the Lateran University in 1967. His first appointment was as professor in St. Patrick's College, Cavan, from 1967-80.
In 1980, he was appointed vice rector of the Irish College, Rome, and in 1987 became rector of the college, a post he held until 1993 when he returned to Ireland to serve as parish priest of Castletara, Cavan.
On Feb.19, 1995, Bishop Brady was ordained coadjutor archbishop of Armagh, and on the retirement of Cardinal Cahal Daly, he succeeded and was installed as archbishop of Armagh and the primate of All Ireland on Nov. 3, 1996.
Since 2002, Archbishop Brady has also been a member of the Holy See's Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Goods of the Church.
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Holy See Presses for Nuclear Disarmament
Recognizes Tense Time in International Relations
NEW YORK, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- All the tools of diplomacy must be used to defuse crises concerning attempts to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities, says the Holy See.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, said this as he addressed the 62nd U.N. General Assembly First Committee on Tuesday.
"A notable event this year was the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Archbishop Migliore.
He continued: "The Holy See, a founding member of the agency, continues to fully support its goals, convinced that the IAEA plays a key role in fostering nonproliferation of nuclear arms, progressive nuclear disarmament, and the use of peaceful and safe nuclear technology for a development respectful of the environment and ever mindful of the most disadvantaged populations.
"Especially at this tense moment in international relations, the world needs to be able to place confidence in the findings of the IAEA that no state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty is abusing its legitimate right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful uses to produce nuclear weapons.
"Belligerence by anyone would only worsen a delicate situation and could inadvertently lead to conflagration with immense additional suffering on a humanity already overburdened with the ravages of war."
Moral values
"Here the recognition of the values of morality would play an instrumental role in effecting political will," continued Archbishop Migliore. "The Holy See has said many times in this committee that nuclear weapons contravene every aspect of humanitarian law.
"They are an affront to our stewardship of the environment, in as much as they can destroy life on the planet and the planet itself. They must be done away with."
"By holding resolutely to these convictions," said the Italian archbishop, "the Holy See hopes to awaken in the hearts of all people of 'good faith' a renewed determination to ensure that never again will the horrors of nuclear war be visited upon humanity. Moreover, the danger of a nuclear device ending in the hands of terrorists is real and present."
"The committee must summon all its resources of strength and will to give leadership in overcoming daunting challenges," Archbishop Migliore concluded. "We must be animated by the values of responsibility, solidarity and dialogue to light the way forward."
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Wednesday's Audience
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On St. Eusebius of Vercelli
"He Governed the Church With the Austerity of Fasting"
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on St. Eusebius of Vercelli. After the discourse, the Pope announced the names of 23 who will be made cardinals in a consistory Nov. 24.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters:
This morning I invite you to reflect on St. Eusebius of Vercelli, the first bishop of northern Italy of whom we have sure knowledge. Born in Sardinia at the beginning of the fourth century, at a young age he transferred to Rome with his family. Later he was instituted as a lector: In this way he came to form part of the clergy of Urbe, during the time that the Church was suffering the difficult test of the Arian heresy.
The great esteem that many had for Eusebius explains his election, in 345, as the bishop of Vercelli. The new bishop immediately began an intense program of evangelization in a territory that was still to a large extent pagan, especially in the rural areas.
Inspired by St. Athanasius -- who had written "The Life of St. Anthony," founder of Eastern monasticism -- founded in Vercelli a community of priests, similar to a monastic community. This monastery gave to the clergy of northern Italy a significant character of apostolic sanctity, and inspired important bishops such as Limenio and Honoratus, successors of Eusebius in Vercelli, Gaudentius in Novara, Exuperantius in Tortona, Eustasius in Aosta, Eulogius in Ivrea, Maximus in Turin, all venerated by the Church as saints.
Solidly formed in the faith of the Council of Nicaea, Eusebius defended with all his strength the full divinity of Jesus Christ, defined by the Nicene Creed as "of the same nature" as the Father. With this objective he allied himself with the great fathers of the fourth century, above all St. Athanasius, the herald of the Nicene orthodoxy, against the pro-Arian politics of the emperor.
For the emperor the simpler Arian faith was more useful politically as an ideology of the empire. For him the truth didn't count, only the political opportunity: He wanted to use religion as a tie to unite the empire. But these great fathers resisted, defending the truth over and against political domination. For this reason, Eusebius was condemned to exile, as were other bishops of the East and the West: such as Athanasius, Hilary of Poitiers -- of whom we spoke last week -- and Osius of Cordoba. At Scythopolis in Palestine, where he was confined from 355 to 360, Eusebius wrote a wonderful page of his life. Here too he founded a monastery with a small group of disciples, and from there maintained correspondence with this faithful in Piedmont, which is demonstrated best by the second of the three letters of Eusebius that have been recognized as authentic.
After 360 he was exiled to Cappadocia and in Thebaid, where he suffered severe physical maltreatment. In 361, Emperor Constantius II died, and was succeeded by Emperor Julian, known as the Apostate, who was not interested in Christianity as the religion of empire, but rather wanted to restore paganism. He ended the exile of bishops and in this way permitted Eusebius to take back his see.
In 362 Eusebius was invited by Athanasius to participate in the Council of Alexandria, which decided to pardon Arian bishops provided they reverted to the lay state. Eusebius was able to exercise his episcopal ministry for another decade, until he died, establishing with his city an exemplary relationship, which inspired the pastoral service of other bishops of northern Italy, whom we shall talk about in future catecheses, such as St. Ambrose of Milan and St. Maximus of Turin.
The relationship between the bishop of Vercelli and his city is made clear above all by two epistolary testimonies. The first is found in the letter we already cited, which Eusebius wrote from exile in Scythopolis "to my most delightful brethren and to my beloved priests, as well as to the holy peoples of Vercelli, Novara, Ivrea and Tortona, keeping firm in the faith" ("Ep. secunda," CCL 9, p. 104).
These greetings, which show the emotion of the good shepherd when speaking to his flock, is confirmed to a large extent at the end of the letter, in the warm greetings of the father to each and every one of his sons in Vercelli, with expressions overflowing with affection and love.
One must underline above all the explicit relationship that unites the bishop to the "sanctae plebes" [holy people] not only of Vercelli -- the first, and for many more years, the only diocese of the Piedmont region -- but also of Novara, Ivrea and Tortona, that is to say, those Christian communities within his diocese that had reached a certain consistency and autonomy.
Another interesting element can be found in the farewell of the letter: Eusebius asks his sons and daughters to greet "even those who are outside the Church, and who have deigned to love us:" (etiam hos, qui foris sunt et nos dignantur diligere.) This is an evident sign that the bishop's relationship with his city was not limited to the Christian population, but also extended to those outside the Church who recognized in a certain sense his spiritual authority, and loved this exemplary man.
The second testimony of the singular relationship the bishop had with his city appears in the letter that St. Ambrose of Milan wrote to the Christians of Vercelli around 394, more than 20 years after Eusebius' death ("Ep. extra collectionem 14": Maur. 63).
The Church of Vercelli was going through a difficult time: It was divided and without a bishop. With frankness, Ambrose declared that he couldn't recognize in them "the descendants of the holy fathers, who elected Eusebius as soon as they saw him, without even having known him beforehand, passing over even their own fellow citizens." In the same letter, the bishop of Milan clearly bore witness to his esteem for Eusebius: "A great man," he wrote decisively, who "deserved to be elected by the whole Church."
Ambrose's admiration for Eusebius was based above all on the fact that Eusebius governed his diocese with the witness of his own life: "He governed the Church with the austerity of fasting." In fact, Ambrose himself was fascinated, as he himself admitted, by the monastic ideal of contemplating God, which Eusebius had pursued in the footsteps of the prophet Elijah.
To begin with, Ambrose noted, the bishop of Vercelli gathered his own priests into "vita communis" [community life] and educated them "in the observance of monastic rules, even though they lived in the middle of the city." The bishop and his priests had to share the problems of their fellow citizens, and they did this credibly by cultivating at the same time a different citizenship, that of heaven (cf. Hebrews 13:14). Thus they truly constructed a genuine citizenship in true solidarity with the citizens of Vercelli.
In this way Eusebius, while he took up the cause of the "sancta plebs" of Vercelli, lived in the midst of the city like a monk, opening his city to God. This trait did not take anything away from his exemplary pastoral dynamism.
Among other things, it seems that he set up parish churches in Vercelli to establish ecclesial services that were organized and stable, and that he promoted Marian shrines for the conversion of pagan rural populations. On the contrary, this "monastic character" gave a particular dimension to the relationship of the bishop with his city. Like the apostles, for whom Jesus prayed at the Last Supper, the pastors and the faithful of the Church "are in the world" (John 17:11), but not "of the world."
Therefore, the pastors, Eusebius reminds us, should exhort the faithful not to consider the cities of the world as their permanent dwelling, but rather to seek the future city, the definitive Jerusalem in heaven. This "eschatological dimension" allows the pastors and the faithful to protect the hierarchy of just values, without giving into the trend of the moment, or to the unjust demands of political power. The authentic hierarchy of values, Eusebius' whole life seems to tell us, does not come from the emperors of yesterday or today, but from Jesus Christ, the perfect man, equal to the Father in divinity, but at the same time a man like us.
Referring to this scale of values, Eusebius does not tire of "recommending without reservations" to his faithful to guard, "with every resource, the faith, to maintain harmony, to be assiduous in prayer" ("Ep. secunda," cit.).
Dear brothers and sisters, I too recommend to you with all my heart these perennial values, and I bless and greet you with the same words St. Eusebius used to conclude his second letter: "I address you all, my brothers and holy sisters, sons and daughters, the faithful of both sexes and every age, so that ... you may bring our greetings even to those who are outside the Church, but who deign to love us" (ibid.).
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After the audience, the Pope greeted the people in various languages. In English, he said:]
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our catechesis on the teachers of the ancient Church, we now turn to Saint Eusebius of Vercelli. Eusebius was born in Sardinia at the beginning of the fourth century, educated in Rome and eventually elected Bishop of Vercelli. There he founded a priestly community inspired by the early monastic communities of Egypt, and helped to spread the ideal of apostolic holiness throughout northern Italy.
Eusebius tirelessly defended the full divinity of Christ proclaimed at the Council of Nicaea, even at the cost of exile. His example of pastoral zeal greatly influenced many of his contemporaries, including Saints Ambrose and Maximus of Turin. Eusebius' Letters testify to his closeness to the faithful of Vercelli, as well as his concern for those who were not of the faith. His episcopal ministry was shaped by his commitment to the monastic ideals of contemplation and self-discipline. He thus found the strength to resist every form of external pressure in his faithful service to the Gospel. May his teachings and example inspire us, in all our life and activity, to "make every effort to preserve the faith, to live in harmony and to be constant in the practice of prayer" (cf. Ep. II).
I warmly greet the Immaculate Heart Sisters from Nigeria who celebrate the seventieth anniversary of their foundation. I likewise greet the members of the national pilgrimage of Tanzania. My welcome also goes to the Lutheran pilgrims from Norway and to the members of Serra International. Upon all the English-speaking visitors, including those from England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Japan, the Philippines and the United States, I invoke God's abundant blessings.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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DOCUMENTS
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Holy See on Disarmament
"Nuclear Weapons Contravene Every Aspect of Humanitarian Law"
NEW YORK, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a statement given Tuesday by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, to the 62nd U.N. General Assembly First Committee on international security and disarmament.
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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation congratulates you on your election as chairman of this committee and assures you and the entire bureau of its cooperation.
It is a special pleasure to welcome Ambassador Sergio Duarte at the helm of the Office for Disarmament Affairs. His vast experience in the disarmament field augurs well for the fulfillment of his new responsibilities, at a time when the secretary-general, with the support of the General Assembly, seeks to revitalize the disarmament and nonproliferation agenda.
A notable event this year was the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As the use of nuclear power expands in various parts of the world, the IAEA becomes all the more important. It needs and deserves stronger support from the international community. The Holy See, a founding member of the agency, continues to fully support its goals, convinced that the IAEA plays a key role in fostering nonproliferation of nuclear arms, progressive nuclear disarmament, and the use of peaceful and safe nuclear technology for a development respectful of the environment and ever mindful of the most disadvantaged populations.
Especially at this tense moment in international relations, the world needs to be able to place confidence in the findings of the IAEA that no state party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is abusing its legitimate right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful uses to produce nuclear weapons.
All the tools of diplomacy must be used to defuse crises concerning attempts by some countries to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities and to dissuade others from ever taking such a dangerous road. Belligerence by anyone would only worsen a delicate situation and could inadvertently lead to conflagration with immense additional suffering on a humanity already overburdened with the ravages of war.
On the other hand, continued failure to bring to a successful conclusion negotiations leading to the progressive elimination of nuclear weapons and plans to modernize existing nuclear arsenals jeopardize the viability of the treaty. The nuclear weapons states have a particular responsibility to lead the way to a nuclear weapons-free world. Nuclear disarmament and nuclear nonproliferation can either mutually reinforce or mutually weaken each other. Both are an imperative for the full implementation of the provisions of the NPT. There cannot be one without the other.
Preparations for the 2010 Review Conference of the NPT have begun. In spite of a disappointing 2005 Review Conference, we should not lose sight of the great accomplishment of the 2000 Review Conference, whose final document continues to represent legally and politically binding guidelines for the full implementation of the NPT. At a delicate time like this, we appeal to all parties to show "good faith" the NPT calls for in order to advance negotiations. We appeal as well to both the political authorities and civil society to reject nuclear weapons.
The entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the start of negotiations for a verifiable ban on the production of fissile materials are long overdue. These two steps would show a waiting world that all governments are sincere in trying to stop a new nuclear arms race. It is not so much technical deficiency holding us back more than the lack of political will.
Here the recognition of the values of morality would play an instrumental role in effecting political will. The Holy See has said many times in this committee that nuclear weapons contravene every aspect of humanitarian law. They are an affront to our stewardship of the environment, in as much as they can destroy life on the planet and the planet itself. They must be done away with. By holding resolutely to these convictions, the Holy See hopes to awaken in the hearts of all people of "good faith" a renewed determination to ensure that never again will the horrors of nuclear war be visited upon humanity.
Moreover, the danger of a nuclear device ending in the hands of terrorists is real and present. Thus the Holy See welcomed the recommendation of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission that the General Assembly convene a world summit on disarmament, nonproliferation and terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction, and favors that it be held in 2009. The time to prepare for such an historic summit is now.
Mr. Chairman,
This committee is called to work hard to address not only the nuclear danger but also other issues, such as conventional disarmament, the arms trade, chemical and biological weapons. Its work in these areas has our fullest support.
My delegation expects this committee to take further steps on arms control in the field of conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons. My delegation shares the grave concern of conflict-ridden countries, whose experience tells us that illicit trade in arms, their accumulation and illicit production are a hindrance to the peaceful settlement of disputes, drive tensions into armed conflicts and are a key factor in prolonging them, thus heavily compromising peace and development.
Moreover, these weapons play a role in almost every conflict and are often used in violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law. It was in this spirit that last year the Holy See supported the adoption of the draft resolution Toward an Arms Trade Treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of convention weapons (res. 61/89). It is hoped that this objective will gain greater momentum in the coming years.
Finally, armed conflicts have shown irrefutable evidence of the humanitarian disasters caused by cluster munitions, especially on the civilian population, thus violating international humanitarian law. The Holy See continues to support the urgency to start negotiations, preferably within the CCW framework, for a legally binding instrument on cluster munitions and, in the meantime, for a moratorium of their production, distribution and use.
The committee must summon all its resources of strength and will to give leadership in overcoming daunting challenges. We must be animated by the values of responsibility, solidarity and dialogue to light the way forward.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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