ZENIT, Daily dispatch
The World Seen From Rome
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VATICAN DOSSIER
* Pope Denounces Abortion Campaigns in Africa
* Vatican: Nuncio Expressed Personal Opinion
ANALYSIS
* The Life-Sapping Human Virus
WORLD FEATURES
* Baptism Seen as Unifying Sacrament
NEWS BRIEFS
* Archbishop Named for U.S. Military Archdiocese
* Mexico City's Cathedral Closed
* Caritas Assisting Cyclone-Affected Bangladesh
INTERVIEW
* Democracy in Danger in Venezuela
DOCUMENTS
* Pope's Address to Bishops of Kenya
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VATICAN DOSSIER
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Pope Denounces Abortion Campaigns in Africa
Addresses Kenyan Bishops on Marriage and Family
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI denounced international agencies that promote abortion on the African continent, and encouraged the bishops of Kenya to defend life in all its phases.Pope said this upon receiving in audience prelates of the episcopal conference of Kenya, in Rome for their five-yearly visit.
"While the understanding of Christian family life finds a deep resonance in Africa," he said, "it is a matter of great concern that the globalized secular culture is exerting an increasing influence on local communities as a result of campaigns by agencies promoting abortion."
"This direct destruction of an innocent human life can never be justified, however difficult the circumstances that may lead some to consider taking such a grave step," added the Holy Father.The Pontiff added, "When you preach the Gospel of Life, remind your people that the right to life of every innocent human being, born or unborn, is absolute and applies equally to all people with no exception whatsoever."
Benedict XVI said "the Catholic community must offer support to those women who may find it difficult to accept a child, above all when they are isolated from their family and friends."
"Likewise, the community should be open to welcome back all who repent of having participated in the grave sin of abortion, and should guide them with pastoral charity to accept the grace of forgiveness, the need for penance, and the joy of entering once more into the new life of Christ," he said.
A blessing
The Pope also spoke of marriage and family life, "which the people of Africa hold in particular esteem."
"The devoted love of Christian married couples is a blessing for your country," said the Holy Father. "This precious treasure must be guarded at all costs."
The Pontiff continued: "All too often, the ills besetting some parts of African society, such as promiscuity, polygamy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, can be directly related to disordered notions of marriage and family life.
"For this reason it is important to assist parents in teaching their children how to live out a Christian vision of marriage, conceived as an indissoluble union between one man and one woman, essentially equal in their humanity [...] and open to the generation of new life."
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Vatican: Nuncio Expressed Personal Opinion
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A Vatican spokesman clarified that Archbishop Pietro Sambi's critique of Israel for not fulfilling its promises to the Holy See is the personal opinion of the prelate.Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, stated this in a press release today.
Archbishop Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, lamented in an interview Friday with Terrasanta.net that after 10 years of negotiations, Israel still hasn't legally approved agreements with the Holy See, and added that he thinks it doesn't have the political will to do so. The 69-year-old prelate was the nuncio to Israel from 1998-2005.
Father Lombardi said in the statement: "The interview with Archbishop Sambi published on the site Terrasanta.net reflects his opinions and his personal lived experience during the years of his service as apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and as nuncio to Israel."
"The Holy See confirms for its part support -- already expressed on the occasion of the recent visit of President [Shimon] Peres to the Holy Father -- 'for a rapid conclusion of the important ongoing negotiations' and for a solution of common agreement for the existing problems."
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ANALYSIS
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The Life-Sapping Human Virus
Losing Equilibrium in the Ecology Debate
by Father John Flynn, LC
ROME, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- As increasingly strident claims are made over the state of the environment, one side effect is the resurgence of pressures for population control. False scares, such as Paul Ehrlich's 1968 book "The Population Bomb," provided the ammunition for widespread abuses, including forced abortion and sterilization.
Past concerns revolved around worries that food and natural resources would soon be in scare supply. In its reincarnated version campaigners are now justifying population limits in the name of saving the environment.
British member of the European Parliament, Chris Davies, warned that mankind is "swamping the planet" like a "virus," reported the BBC on Nov. 13. Davies, a member of the Liberal Democrat Party, argued that families should be encouraged to have no more than one child in an effort to combat climate change.
Davies isn't the only person to compare humans to a virus. Paul Watson, founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, authored a revealing commentary, published May 4. According to its Web page, the Oregon-based society is active in protecting the world's oceans.
Humans are acting upon the Earth, wrote Watson, "in the same manner as an invasive virus with the result that we are eroding the ecological immune system." He also defended his previous characterization of human beings as being the "AIDS of the Earth."
"We need to radically and intelligently reduce human populations to fewer than one billion," he recommended. Watson also argued that humans are no different from the other species that live on the planet.
While Watson's views may be more extreme than most he is far from alone. The Economist reminded its readers in the Sept. 10 article "Population and Its Discontents" that Al Gore, the recent joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, had written in his book "Earth in Balance" that "an overcrowded world is inevitably a polluted one."
The agenda
Meanwhile, the British press has published numerous opinion articles in past weeks urging efforts to control population in order to save the environment.
"As the environment finally gets the prominence it deserves, some environmentalists are prepared to assert that population management has to be on the agenda," wrote Madeleine Bunting in the Guardian newspaper Sept. 10.
The single biggest challenge facing the Earth is excessive population growth, according to Boris Johnson, a member of Parliament for the Conservative Party, in an article published Oct. 25 in the Telegraph newspaper.
Melanie Reid, opinion writer for the Times newspaper, urged in her Oct. 29 column that feminists need to acknowledge that population control is not as terrible as they think. Global warming is a secondary issue compared to the need to control population, she said.
The calls for population control have not gone unanswered. Sociologist Frank Furedi argued in a commentary published on the Spiked Web page Oct. 30, "Today, simplistic demographic determinism is more popular than at any other time since the 19th century."
"Our cultural and political elites seem to have lost sight of the fact that, throughout history, the overall impact of humanity on the environment has been a beneficial one," he argued.
The Sept. 10 article by the Economist had also pointed out that it is not the countries with growing populations that are the problem when it comes to carbon emissions, but the richer nations that have already achieved population stability.
Maintaining equilibrium
The Catholic Church has also been active in the debate, basing its position on the moral and ethical principles related to the environment. Often, however, the media reports have selectively quoted Benedict XVI's comments on ecological matters.
A case in point was the Pontiff's homily during his visit to the Marian shrine of Loreto, Italy, widely reported by the press as being some kind of clarion call to protect the environment. The Sept. 2 text did indeed speak of the importance of caring for our planet.
Nevertheless, the ecological part of the homily was only the last in a series of points raised by the Pope. After speaking about the example of Mary, the Pope went on to reflect on the call made by Jesus to young people, the importance of humility, and the vocation to holiness.
When it comes to the question of the human presence on the planet, Benedict XVI has often stressed the importance of not losing sight of the dignity of the human person and safeguarding life when dealing with the environment. One recent example of this was his Sept. 15 address to Noel Fahey, the new Irish ambassador to the Holy See.
"The promotion of sustainable development and particular attention to climate change are indeed matters of grave importance for the entire human family, and no nation or business sector should ignore them," the Pope urged.
The text immediately goes on to speak of the importance of a clear view of the relationship between the ecology of the human person and the ecology of nature. The Pontiff noted the contrast between those who are willing to acknowledge the majesty of God in creation, but do not perceive as clearly the dignity of the human person.
"A kind of split morality ensues," he added. "How disturbing it is that not infrequently the very social and political groups that, admirably, are most attuned to the awe of God's creation pay scant attention to the marvel of life in the womb," Benedict XVI observed.
"Let us hope that, especially among young people, emerging interest in the environment will deepen their understanding of the proper order and magnificence of God's creation of which man and woman stand at the center and summit," the Pope concluded.
Human ecology
In linking human life to ecology, Benedict XVI is following in the footsteps of John Paul II. In his 1991 encyclical "Centesimus Annus" John Paul II expressed his disquiet for environmental damage, noting that it is a mistake to think we can use it without restraint, or that we can consume resources in an excessive or disordered way.
But, John Paul II immediately added that in addition to concern over the environment, "we must also mention the more serious destruction of the human environment, something which is by no means receiving the attention it deserves" (No. 38).
We should be concerned over this human ecology, as John Paul II termed it, and the first and fundamental structure of this ecology is the family, he added. The family, founded on marriage, is a sanctuary of life and needs to be protected against the attacks from the culture of death.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, summed up the need to maintain a correct relationship between environmental concerns and the human person in a speech delivered Oct. 29 to the U.N. General Assembly.
"Protecting the environment implies a more positive vision of the human being, in the sense that the person is not considered a nuisance or a threat to the environment, but one who holds oneself responsible for the care and management of the environment," the Vatican representative commented.
There is, therefore, no opposition between the human being and the environment, but rather an alliance, "in which the environment essentially conditions man's life and development, while the human being perfects and ennobles the environment by his or her creative activity," Archbishop Migliore added. The most vital ecological question, therefore, is related to the human person, who must not be sacrificed in a misguided zeal to protect the natural environment.
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WORLD FEATURES
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Baptism Seen as Unifying Sacrament
Archbishop Forte Says There Is Bond Among Believers
CHIETI, Italy, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- There is a bond that exists among all the baptized that is stronger than their differences, says a renowned archbishop-theologian.
Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto said this in his pastoral letter for the year 2007-2008, titled "The Water of Life: Baptism and the Beauty of God."
The Italian prelate said that the Church has from the beginning "followed in the footsteps of the Master, proposing to whoever wished to encounter Jesus an itinerary similar to that which he showed to the disciples of John the Baptist."
"For an adult who seeks baptism," he continued, "it is a true itinerary of Christian initiation that unites catechesis and a progressive experience of God's gift. For one who was baptized as a child, the path coincides with the education in the faith."
Archbishop Forte, a member of the International Theological Commission, suggests two fundamental meanings of baptism: liberation from evil and the "decisive encounter with Christ, who will permit us to live all our existence as a story of friendship with him in the communion of the Church."
The proclamation of the Gospel, he said, is a necessary requisite for baptism, even though in past years this duty of the baptized "was almost discounted and the importance of preparation for baptism was rather neglected."
"In the complex society in which we live, multireligious and multicultural, the urgency of proclaiming the faith and of Christ's call to conversion shows itself in all its necessity," observed the 58-year-old prelate.
In the baptism of a child, continued the archbishop, this urgency looks above all to the parents, whose catechesis in preparation for the baptism of their child is "indispensable."
Eternal life
Commenting on the baptismal rite, Archbishop Forte said it begins with a dialogue: "The parents are asked if they want their child to be baptized, and what they hope for from baptism. The response is the echo of the deepest expectation of the human heart: eternal life.
"He who receives baptism is not alone: God who is love will guard you always."
He continued: "In the celebration of baptism we are called to say 'no' to sin and to the seductions of Satan, meaning a life based on appearances, on egoism and lies, which will separate us from God and others so as to affirm ourselves, living the illusion of being able to be happy without loving.
"At the same time, we are called to say 'yes' to God who is love, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a 'yes' expressed by the word 'I believe,' with which we surrender ourselves totally to God."
"To this profession of faith, the living God responds making us enter a covenant of love with him: a covenant so faithful, that our belonging to him and the Church can never be lost, whatever our infidelities and rejections may be."
Ecumenical
"Thanks to the gift of baptism," said Archbishop Forte, "we have the certainty of belonging always to God, and we can experience the sweetness of being in the hands of one who will never betray us."
He continued: "This definitive relationship with God consists fittingly of the 'character' imprinted by baptism, the bond with him, which thanks to his fidelity cannot be canceled, will unite us always to his family, the Church."
For this reason, the archbishop wrote, "there exists among all the baptized [...] a communion stronger than their differences, which -- although it exists in different degrees -- is the basis of the ecumenical commitment, conducive to overcome the historical divisions among them."
The "passion for the unity that Christ wants," confirmed Archbishop Forte, is therefore "inscribed in the same baptismal grace."
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NEWS BRIEFS
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Archbishop Named for U.S. Military Archdiocese
WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI named Archbishop Timothy Broglio, apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic, to head the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services.
The appointment was announced in Washington today by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. The archbishop succeeds Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, who was installed archbishop of Baltimore in October.
Timothy Broglio was born Dec. 22, 1951, in Cleveland, and ordained to the priesthood in 1977.
After studying at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the Vatican's school for diplomats, the priest entered the diplomatic corps in 1983. He worked in Vatican embassies in Ivory Coast and Paraguay before assignment at the Vatican Secretariat of State where he was chief of staff.
He was appointed apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic in 2001, at which time he was elevated to archbishop.
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Mexico City's Cathedral Closed
100 Protesters Disrupt Sunday Mass
MEXICO CITY, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The cathedral of Mexico City closed its doors last weekend, after more than 100 political protesters disrupted Sunday Mass.
The decision was announced the same day by Armando Martínez, the president of the College of the Catholic Lawyers of Mexico, who said that the cathedral will not open again until the government can guarantee the security of the faithful and priests.
During the midday Mass at the cathedral Sunday, a group of members of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) interrupted the liturgy chanting slogans supporting Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the 2006 presidential candidate who lost by a slim margin to Felipe Calderón. López Obrador contested the results, raising allegations of electoral fraud, and proclaimed himself the "legitimate president" of Mexico.
The protesters also threatened the faithful, the priests and Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, archbishop of Mexico City, who was in Rome on Sunday.
"These are acts of aggression that we should not allow," said Martínez, who said the main concern is for the safety of the faithful present in the cathedral, as well as the cardinal, bishops and priests.
The demonstrators said they were provoked by church bells that chimed for an unusually long time, disrupting a rally in the central Zocolo square at which López Obrador was speaking. The dean of the cathedral, Rubén Ávila, told the newspaper El Universal that the bells rang for the normal time for a Sunday Mass.
In a statement released by Hugo Valdemar Romero, director of communication for the Archdiocese of Mexico, he called the event a "condemnable and cowardly act of terror, unequivocal expression of religious intolerance and of the hatred toward the Catholic Church."
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Caritas Assisting Cyclone-Affected Bangladesh
BARGUNA, Bangladesh, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Caritas Bangladesh says clean drinking water, food and shelter materials are pressing needs following the powerful cyclone that battered the country's southern coastal region.
Tropical Cyclone Sidr struck the southern Asia country Thursday, affecting more than 3 million, and leaving more than 3,000 dead.
Caritas Bangladesh reported Friday that field staff, volunteers and partners have been working to assess damages and identify emergency needs in affected communities, after heavy rains, rolling waves, and powerful winds caused widespread damage.
With telecommunication lines down, efforts to get information from the regions have been difficult, while some areas have yet to be reached.
Akhila D'Rozario, Caritas Bangladesh's director of disaster management and development, said that "crops were destroyed in waterlogged areas. Fishing communities and day laborers, who usually live from hand to mouth, have lost their sources of income, and thousands of people are too poor to have any food stocks in their homes."
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INTERVIEW
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Democracy in Danger in Venezuela
Interview With Archbishop Baltazar Porras
ROME, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- An archbishop in Venezuela fears for the future of his country, and warns that the very democratic structure of its government is in peril.
In this interview with ZENIT, Archbishop Baltazar Porras Cardozo of Merida expressed alarm about President Hugo Chávez's socialist ideology, and his proposed constitutional reforms that would give more power to the president.
The reform would, among other things, eliminate presidential term limits and give Chávez control over the Central Bank. A Dec. 2 referendum is set to confirm or reject the changes.
The archbishop is the first vice president of the Latin American bishops' council (CELAM), and a former president of the episcopal conference of Venezuela.
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Q: The Venezuelan president proposes a constitutional reform in 30 articles, and to those the National Assembly added another 30; all these will be the object of a referendum that will stir up strong reactions. What do these entail and why is there so much worry?
Archbishop Porras: We can say that that which will be submitted to the referendum is not a revision of the Constitution but a new Constitution that, in fact, practically confers full powers to the president and the government, expropriating, in spite of appearances, the areas of participation of the people.
Also, the proposals can only be accepted or rejected as a whole and not selectively, hindering any opportune discernment between the various articles.
Q: A recent document of the Venezuelan episcopal conference expresses anxiety and is severe about the reform proposal, to the point of defining it as "morally unacceptable." Could you comment on this?
Archbishop Porras: The recent pronouncements of the Church, both of the hierarchy and of the religious and lay communities, have been well-received and the people are grateful for them, because they perceive the defense of the rights of everyone, and not only the one who has power and acts forcibly.
The bishops especially defined this proposal "morally unacceptable" for four reasons:
-- it is more than a reform, as said before;
-- in fact, it weakens the protection of human rights, increasing the unyielding judgment of the government;
-- to vote for the 60 articles grouped in two blocks prevents all selective choice, limiting in fact the freedom of expression of the will of the people;
-- the strongly manipulative electoral campaign prevents differing possibilities of information from government propaganda, the opposition and civil society.
Q: Could you comment on reports of large rallies supporting the government?
Archbishop Porras: You have to take into account that participation in the rallies promoted by the government is mandatory for all public employees, who are also provided with the availability of transportation, food rations, and an economic "compensation" from the government as a recognition of their participation! The government does all of this because it is interested in its effect in the media, pursued through the principal means of information.
The conditions for the opposition are very distinct: One has to confront logistical difficulties of all kinds, and the possibilities of information are very limited.
Q: Could you also comment on the peaceful demonstration asking the Supreme Court to extend the time available to inform people about the text and give reasons to oppose them? The rally developed peacefully, but ended in violence against the demonstrators by armed elements close to the government.
Archbishop Porras: It is true, that is exactly what happened in San Cristóbal, in Maracaibo and in Caracas. Today in Venezuela many people are armed, and the police guarantee them impunity, and this increases insecurity and fear. Violence sparked by infiltrators on the university campus justified the intervention of the government against the autonomy of the university.
Q: News reports are saying that the proposed reforms would weaken civil liberties. Is this true?
Archbishop Porras: Of course. It weakens civil rights because it limits freedoms and increases discretionary power: Whoever is not a socialist-Bolivarian is not a good Venezuelan, and therefore can be persecuted.
Besides, the communist experience of the [Fidel] Castro type is foreign to our culture, because of this no one speaks of adventures of this type; the positions that they attribute to Che Guevara are perceived as violence and injustice.
Q: If the referendum passed, would this mean that the majority of the people are with Chávez and agree with his proposals?
Archbishop Porras: No, it will not be a democratic election. It's enough to think about one fact: 80% of radio and television time is managed by the one currently in power, while only 20% of the time, obviously the hours with the least audience, are left for the opposition.
The other problem is the lack of a serious and independent electoral observer of the day of voting; the irreplaceable function of control to guarantee democracy, which we should recognize is lacking in Venezuela.
Certainly, you have to recognize as well that the opposition is divided and is incapable of making a unified proposal; the proposed alternatives range from not voting to voting against it, but this creates uncertainty.
I should that that, sadly for our country, I do not see a peaceful future, but one of resistance, a troubled future. Communism of the Castro type does not form part of the panorama the Venezuelan people desire.
Q: The situation you have described for us, how will it influence the life of the Church and the Christian communities of your country?
Archbishop Porras: The result of this situation is a strong sense of unity within the Church, and between the Catholic Church and the other confessions. They hope to divide the Church from within, and apart from a few priests who speak a lot on the radio and television, the bishops, priests and laity are very united and joined together.
And this in spite of the fact that they use and abuse Christian symbols, and the government declares itself Catholic. It is a tactic that up to now has failed.
While a tiny minority of Christians is committed to the government, in the aspects of the defense of freedom, human rights, internal and external peace, the Church produces a great consistency, emphasizing an increase in vocations and conversions.
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This interview was conducted by Giorgio Salina, president of the Association of the Europe Foundation.
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DOCUMENTS
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Pope's Address to Bishops of Kenya
"Society Greatly Benefits From Educated Catholics"
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address Benedict XVI gave today upon receiving prelates from the Kenya episcopal conference, who have just completed their five-yearly visit.
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My dear Brother Bishops,
It is with great joy that I welcome you, the Bishops of Kenya, on your quinquennial visit to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, a visit which serves to strengthen the bonds of fraternal love and communion between us. I thank Archbishop Njue for his kind words addressed to me on your behalf. Your solicitude for one another and for the people entrusted to your care, your love of the Lord and your devotion to the Successor of Peter are for me a source of profound joy and thanksgiving.
Every Bishop has a particular responsibility to build up the unity of his flock, mindful of our Lord's prayer "that they may be one, even as you, Father, are in me and I in you" (Jn 17:21). United in one faith, sharing one Baptism and believing in the one Lord, (cf. Eph 4:5), the Church is one throughout the world, yet at the same time she is marked by a rich diversity of traditions and cultural expressions. In Africa, the colour and vibrancy with which the faithful manifest their religious sentiments has added a new dimension to the rich tapestry of Christian culture worldwide, while at the same time your people's strong attachment to the traditional values associated with family life can help to express the shared faith which is at the heart of the mystery of the Church's unity (cf. Ecclesia in Africa, 63). Christ himself is the source and guarantee of our unity since he has overcome all forms of division through his death on the Cross and has reconciled us to God in the one body
(cf. Eph 2:14). I thank you, dear Brothers, for preaching the love of Christ and exhorting your people to tolerance, respect and love of their brothers and sisters and of all persons. In this way you exercise the prophetic ministry that the Lord has entrusted to the Church, and in particular to the Successors of the Apostles (cf. Pastores Gregis, 26).
Indeed it is the Bishops who, as ministers and signs of communion in Christ, are pre-eminently called to make manifest the unity of his Church. The collegial nature of the episcopal ministry traces its origins to the Twelve Apostles, called together by Christ and given the task of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. Their pastoral mission is continued by the members of the episcopal College in such a way that "whoever listens to them is listening to Christ" (Lumen Gentium, 20). I urge you to continue your fraternal cooperation with one another in the spirit of the community of Christ's disciples, united in your love for him and in the Gospel that you proclaim. While each of you has an individual contribution to make to the common collegial voice of the Church in your country, it is important to ensure that this variety of perspectives always serves to enrich the unity of the Body of Christ, just as the unity of the Twelve was deepened and strengthened by the
different gifts of the Apostles themselves. Your dedication to working together on issues of ecclesial and social concern will bring great fruit for the life of the Church in Kenya and for the effectiveness of your episcopal ministry.
Within each diocese, the vibrancy and harmony of the presbyterate offers a clear sign of the vitality of the local Church. Structures of consultation and participation are necessary, but can be ineffective if the proper spirit is missing. As Bishops, we must constantly strive to build up the sense of community among our priests, united in the love of Christ and in their sacramental ministry. Life can be difficult for priests today. They can feel isolated or alone and overwhelmed by their pastoral responsibilities. We must be close to them and encourage them, in the first place, to remain firmly rooted in prayer, because only those who are themselves nourished are able to nourish others in turn. Let them drink deeply from the wells of Sacred Scripture and from the daily and reverent celebration of the most holy Eucharist. Let them give themselves generously to praying the Liturgy of the Hours, a prayer that is made "in communion with all who pray throughout history, a prayer in
communion with Jesus Christ" (Address to the priests and permanent deacons of Bavaria, 14 September 2006). By praying in this way they include and represent others who may lack the time or energy or capacity to pray, and thus the power of prayer, the presence of Jesus Christ, renews their priesthood and flows out into the world (cf. ibid.). Help your priests in this way to grow in solidarity with one another, with their people, and with you, as your consecrated co-workers. Respectful dialogue and closeness between Bishop and priests not only builds up the local Church but also edifies the entire community. Indeed, visible unity among the spiritual leaders can be a powerful antidote against division within the wider family of God's people.
A key focus of unity in a community is the institution of marriage and family life, which the people of Africa hold in particular esteem. The devoted love of Christian married couples is a blessing for your country, expressing sacramentally the indissoluble covenant between Christ and his Church. This precious treasure must be guarded at all costs. All too often, the ills besetting some parts of African society, such as promiscuity, polygamy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, can be directly related to disordered notions of marriage and family life. For this reason it is important to assist parents in teaching their children how to live out a Christian vision of marriage, conceived as an indissoluble union between one man and one woman, essentially equal in their humanity (cf. Ecclesia in Africa, 82) and open to the generation of new life.
While this understanding of Christian family life finds a deep resonance in Africa, it is a matter of great concern that the globalized secular culture is exerting an increasing influence on local communities as a result of campaigns by agencies promoting abortion. This direct destruction of an innocent human life can never be justified, however difficult the circumstances that may lead some to consider taking such a grave step. When you preach the Gospel of Life, remind your people that the right to life of every innocent human being, born or unborn, is absolute and applies equally to all people with no exception whatsoever. This equality "is the basis of all authentic social relationships which, to be truly such, can only be founded on truth and justice" (Evangelium Vitae, 57). The Catholic community must offer support to those women who may find it difficult to accept a child, above all when they are isolated from their family and friends. Likewise, the community should be open
to welcome back all who repent of having participated in the grave sin of abortion, and should guide them with pastoral charity to accept the grace of forgiveness, the need for penance, and the joy of entering once more into the new life of Christ.
The Church in Kenya is well known for the fine contribution made by its educational institutions in forming generations of young people in sound ethical principles and in opening their minds to engage in peaceful and respectful dialogue with members of other social or religious groups. At a time when a secularist and relativist mentality is increasingly asserting itself through global means of social communication, it is all the more essential that you continue to promote the quality and the Catholic identity of your schools, universities and seminaries. Take the steps necessary in order to affirm and clarify their proper institutional status. Society greatly benefits from educated Catholics who know and practise the Church's social doctrine. Today there is a particular need for highly trained professionals and persons of integrity in the area of medicine, where advances in technology continue to raise serious moral questions. Ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue likewise present
major challenges that can only be addressed adequately on the basis of sound catechesis in the principles of Catholic doctrine, as expounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I know that you will continue to be vigilant over the quality and content of teaching that is offered to young people through the Church's educational institutions, so that the light of Christ's truth may shine ever more brightly over the land and the people of Kenya.
My dear Brother Bishops, as you guide your people into the unity for which Christ prayed, do so with ardent charity and firm authority, unfailing in patience and in teaching (cf. 2 Tim 4:2). Please convey my affectionate greetings and my prayerful encouragement to your beloved people, and to all those who are active in the service of the Church, through prayer or in parishes and mission stations, in education, humanitarian activity and health care. To each of you and to those entrusted to your pastoral care, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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