ZENIT, Daily dispatch
The World Seen From Rome
====================================================
-------------------------------------------------
Give ZENIT as a GIFT!
A ZENIT subscription is FREE for personal use. It would make a great gift for friends and loved ones -- and help ZENIT too.
Our strength is in our subscribers. More readers means more impact. Help us to bring important news to the people who value it the most -- like those on your gift list.
Give a ZENIT subscription now!
http://www.zenit.org/english/gift.html
-------------------------------------------------
VATICAN DOSSIER
* Prayer Is to Carry Christ in One's Heart, Says Pope
* Benedict XVI Urges Peace in Somalia
* Vatican Employees to Get More Benefits
* Cardinal Bertone: World Is Not Lost to Anti-Life Ideology
WORLD FEATURES
* Putting Social Doctrine in the Limelight
* Europarliament Condemns Persecution of Christians
INTERVIEW
* Archbishop Celli on Digital Evangelization
WEDNESDAY'S AUDIENCE
* On the Teachings of Aphraates
FORUM
* Letter from Caritas Somalia
--------------------------------------
VATICAN DOSSIER
--------------------------------------
Prayer Is to Carry Christ in One's Heart, Says Pope
Presents Teachings of Bishop Afraates "the Wise"
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Prayer for Christians is to carry Jesus in their hearts, which in turn invites the believers to take up a commitment of charity toward their brethren, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope concluded this during today's general audience in which he presented the teachings of Bishop Afraates "the wise," who lived in what is modern day Iraq. The Pontiff called the bishop "one of the most important and enigmatic characters of fourth-century Syriac Christianity."
Addressing a crowd counting more than 15,000, the Holy Father explained that Syriac is a Semitic language such as Hebrew and Aramaic, and that the Syriac Christian communities developed in the Middle East.
Not being influenced by other cultures, he said, "the Syriac communities of the fourth century represent the Semitic world from which the Bible itself evolved."
While the Pontiff explained that little is known of Afraates' life, he did leave 23 speeches known as "Expositions," in which he discusses various topics of Christian life.
"He writes in a simple style, with short sentences and at times contrasting parallelisms; nevertheless he manages to make consistent speeches by developing articulated arguments," said Benedict XVI.
He noted that one of the most important teachings of the bishop is on prayer, "and particularly on Christ as the master of prayer."
"According to this ancient sage," the Pontiff said, "prayer is achieved when Christ dwells in the heart of Christians, inviting them to a coherent commitment of charity toward their brethren."
The Holy Father cited a prayer written by Afraates: "Prayer is accepted when it gives relief to your neighbor. The prayer is heard when it includes the forgiveness of sins. Prayer is strong when it is full of God's strength."
"With these words Aphraates invites us to join in a prayer that becomes Christian life, a life that comes to fruition, infused by faith, by openness to God and, as such, by the love for one's neighbor," said the Pope.
Healing penance
He noted that, faithful to the Syriac tradition, the bishop presented "Christ's salvation as a type of healing and subsequently, Christ as a doctor."
"In keeping with this," continued the Pontiff, "sin is seen as a wound that penance alone can heal."
"A man that has been injured in battle," says Aphraates, "is not ashamed to put himself in the hands of a doctor. ... Equally so, he who has been injured by Satan should not be ashamed to admit his fault and to distance himself from it, asking for the medicine of penance."
Benedict XVI said that Aphraates also wrote that "Christian life is centered on the imitation of Christ, taking up his yoke, following him on the path of the Gospel," and that humility is the main virtue of a disciple.
"It is not a secondary consideration in the spiritual life of a Christian," said the Pope. "By remaining humble, even in his earthly surroundings, a Christian can establish a relationship with the Lord."
"God is attracted to the man who loves, it is right to love humility and to stay humble," the Holy Father said, quoting Aphraates. "Humble individuals are simple, patient, loving, honest, righteous, experts in what is good, prudent, serene, wise, calm, peaceful, merciful, ready to convert, benevolent, profound, thoughtful, beautiful and attractive."
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21071?l=english
--------------------------------------
Benedict XVI Urges Peace in Somalia
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI expressed his concern for growing conflict in Somalia, and appealed to political leaders to find peaceful solutions.
The Pope launched his appeal for peace in that African nation at the end of today's general audience in St. Peter's Square.
"Distressing news is reaching us," he said, "concerning the precarious humanitarian situation in Somalia, and especially in Mogadishu, ever more profoundly afflicted by social insecurity and poverty. I am following the development of events with concern and appeal to all those with political responsibility, at both local and international level, to find peaceful solutions and bring relief to that dear people. I also encourage the efforts of those who, though facing insecurity and discomfort, remain in the region to bring aid and comfort to the inhabitants."
For its part, L'Osservatore Romano today denounced: "The drama in the Somali capital grows more and more: More than 150 thousand civilians have escaped in the last month and the humanitarian crisis is dreadful.
"To confront the disaster, UNICEF has announced the distribution of emergency aid to more than 100,000 displaced persons."
Somalia has not had a stable government since before its 1991 civil war.
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21067?l=english
--------------------------------------
Vatican Employees to Get More Benefits
Offices Aim to Improve Treatment of Staff
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Employees at the Vatican are soon to enjoy more monetary remuneration for their dedication and professionalism.
A communiqué released today by the Vatican press office explained the conclusions of a meeting of heads of dicasteries and other heads of Vatican State and organizations associated with the Holy See or administratively dependent on APSA (Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See). The meeting was presided over by the Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
"The principal and most innovative measure concerns the new parameters for the payment of staff -- who are employed in a system of 10 functional levels -- and above all the introduction of 'classes of merit' within each individual level. This novelty brings an element of incentive and remuneration into the Vatican salary system, taking account -- within each individual functional level -- of factors such as dedication, professionalism, productivity and correctitude," the statement said.
It continued: "Other measures relate to management categories and to regulations concerning lay management personnel.
"All these measures will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2008, though the 'classes of merit' will be gradually applied over time.
"It should be recalled that, from Jan. 1, new measures for overtime payments will also come into effect, completing those introduced over the last few months.
"All these measures involve advantages for staff and, naturally, a greater outlay for the administrative offices, which are invited to follow wise management practices in order to be able to meet these new expenses, which are aimed at improving the treatment of staff."
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21066?l=english
--------------------------------------
Cardinal Bertone: World Is Not Lost to Anti-Life Ideology
Concert Shows Solidarity With Suffering Children
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone addressed the suffering of children with the universal language of music -- hosting a concert in solidarity with all young people who do not have the medical care they need.
The Pope's secretary of state sponsored "La Luce Dei Bambini" (The Light of the Children) concert on Tuesday in Paul VI Hall, thus marking the U.N. Universal Children's Day.
The concert raised money to provide the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome with a specialized digital angiograph machine, valued at nearly €2 million ($2.96 million), for children affected with congenital heart problems.
The doctors of the hospital are committed especially to children's medical care provided through humanitarian missions around the world. Echoing the caregivers' universal mission, project organizers desired to transform a summons to solidarity into a universal language, that of music.
The concert was directed by well-known film score composer Ennio Morricone. The Portuguese artist Dulce Pontes also performed.
More than 100 children handed out white Ecuadorian roses to symbolize the purity and innocence of children, entrusted to the world of adults.
Words of Cardinal Bertone were on the program: "To whom will we entrust our future? What world does even just one child deserve? Something very profound is at stake, that is, how do we understand, in the final analysis, human beings: as an unlimited egoism or as a bestowed freedom that calls to a communion of love and the liberty of sharing.
"The Christian faith convinces us that our world has not been irretrievably won by a hostility toward life."
And even though the "culture of egoism" advances, the cardinal wrote, "there exists also those who welcome children joyfully, blessing heaven and smiling at each gift of God. There are those who also open their heart and welcome children marked by pain and handicaps and become a family to them: These are the deeds of this time, they are the flowers of our age."
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21069?l=english
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
WORLD FEATURES
--------------------------------------
Putting Social Doctrine in the Limelight
Justice and Peace Council Consider Key Task
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Church's social doctrine is a treasure that needs to be better known and understood, said the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
In his Tuesday report to open the dicastery's plenary assembly, Monsignor Giampaolo Crepaldi explained that the promotion of Christian social doctrine is one of the group's key tasks.
"Within this perspective," explained the secretary of the Pontifical Council, "all the activities have been planned as instruments to give a new momentum to social doctrine, in order to detect ways of relaunching it in the various social, economic and political fields."
Monsignor Crepaldi considered the reception of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, presented for the first time publicly in October 2004, and now already officially released in countries all over the world. The compendium continues to be translated into more and more languages, he said.
"We should try to make a provisional review of the reception of the compendium three years since its publication," affirmed Monsignor Crepaldi. "I dare say, that it has been welcomed with greater enthusiasm outside Europe -- in Asia, Africa, Latin America -- than on the European continent."
According to the secretary of the Vatican dicastery, "There is still much to do so the compendium will be used systematically as a point of reference for a social pastoral plan adapted to these times, conforming to the teachings of the Church, and trusting that the light of the Gospel is still the principal motor of human development."
Among the many places in which the compendium was presented, Monsignor Crepaldi emphasized Russia and Cuba.
"In Russia, in St. Petersburg and Moscow, the presentation of the compendium helped contact with the Orthodox Church," the monsignor said. "In Cuba, because of the presence of a communist regime in that country, and on account of the vivacity of a Catholic Church very committed on the part of the laity, the presentation of the compendium was a very opportune initiative."
For Monsignor Crepaldi, the compendium "can do much good because it helps to clarify, helps one understand and dialogue in search of the truth."
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21072?l=english
--------------------------------------
Europarliament Condemns Persecution of Christians
Vows to Make Aid Dependent on Respect for Freedom
STRASBOURG, France, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The European Parliament joined its voice to that of many Church leaders who are condemning the persecution of Christians in several nations.
With a resolution passed Nov. 15, the Parliament asked governments to protect the rights of all citizens and combat acts of discrimination and intolerance. The Parliament further promised that aid to countries will hinge on the condition of respect for religious freedom.
Mario Mauro, vice president of the European Parliament and primary promoter of the resolution, said in statements sent to ZENIT, "The persecution of Christians in the world is one of the fiercest contemporary challenges to the dignity of the person."
The parliamentary resolution cited concrete cases of intimidation, abductions and assassinations in Iraq, attacks on Christian churches, the assassination of a Protestant bishop, a bombing at a school directed by missionaries in Pakistan, the assassination of a professor at a Christian library in Gaza and the assassination of two Coptic men in Egypt.
In addition, it deplored the abduction of Philippine Father Giancarlo Bossi, and condemned the assassinations of journalist Hrant Dink, Father Andrea Santoro, and three Christians at the Zirve publishing house in Turkey.
It emphasized as well the gravity of the situation of freedom of expression in China, noting the detention of the faithful and bishops. It also emphasized the current persecutions in Sudan, as well as the repression of the Church in Vietnam.
Litmus test
Mauro affirmed that "religious liberty is the litmus test to reveal if there is respect for all other freedoms and human rights."
"For this reason, for the first time in history, the Parliament expressed a 'strong condemnation' of 'all acts of violence against Christian communities, wherever they are,' and petitioned the governments involved to deal justice to those who stain themselves with such crimes," he added.
"As the murder in Gaza of Rami Khader Ayyad shows, this is only the tip of the iceberg and there are much more extensive and hidden actions in Palestine, in Lebanon, and in other areas of the region, where Christian communities, forced to marginalization, are reduced to the point of running the risk of extinction," explained the parliamentarian.
The resolution recalled that the European Union "has expressed itself repeatedly in favor of the rights of religious communities and the protection of their identity, in whatever region of the world, as well as in favor of the recognition and protection of religious minorities, without distinctions."
Noting the growing number of episodes of intolerance and repression against Christian communities in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the European Parliament reaffirmed the defense "of the principles of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and free worship."
National duty
It underlined "the laity of the state and its public institutions" and affirmed nations' duty to "guarantee such freedoms, including that of converting from one religion to another."
The resolution supported "the importance of dialogue between religions to promote peace and understanding among people" and urged religious leaders to commit themselves to oppose "extremisms and to promote reciprocal respect."
"Thanks to the vote," commented Mauro, "from now on, the European Commission should pay greater attention, so that the elaboration and implementation of programs for cooperation and development assistance will be granted only if the principle of true religious freedom is respected."
"Europe, always on the frontline in defending the rights of the minorities, cannot continue ignoring the increase in the extermination of so many Christians," he added.
"Today the European Parliament has given a big sign of political and cultural readiness," Mauro concluded, "separating itself from that secularist fundamentalism of which Europe is more and more often accused."
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21064?l=english
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
INTERVIEW
--------------------------------------
Archbishop Celli on Digital Evangelization
Interview With President of Pontifical Communications Council
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The digital age is a blessing and a challenge for those interested in preaching the Gospel, according to the new president of the Pontifical Council of Social Communications.
Archbishop Claudio Celli, 66, appointed to lead the council last June, said this to ZENIT in an interview on the prelate's participation in the 10th meeting of the Red Informática de la Iglesia en América Latina [Information Network of the Church in Latin America]. The September meeting, held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was his first trip abroad as president of the council.
Archbishop Celli comments on the continental meeting of media professionals in Latin America, and on the challenges of evangelizing a digital culture.
Q: Your first mission was to preside over the continental meeting of Latin American Catholic journalists. What was your experience?
Archbishop Celli: For me it was a very positive experience. I am especially bound to Honduras. My first post with the Holy See was related to Honduras. Beginning in 1970, I was a secretary of the apostolic nunciature. Now, providence desired that my first mission as president of the council would be in Honduras, for a Latin American meeting. It was the 10th meeting of the Red Informática de la Iglesia en América Latina [Information Network of the Church in Latin America]. I left very happy with the experience.
I saw an impressive technical competence, but above all, a deep sense of Church. That is to say, I seemed to discover in all the addresses the consciousness of being members of the Church and working in the Church and with the Church, for the good of the people who walk in those lands. And for me this has been positive.
Q: What is the main challenge for the Church in our current digital era?
Archbishop Celli: It is something very strange. The means of social communication are a challenge, because we're no longer dealing with having or not having means of communication. We already live in a digital culture, in the context of a digital culture. In his book, Cardinal Carlo Martini helps us realize that the digital reality is the daily air we breathe.
Therefore, on the one hand, it is a challenge, because it presents us with a reality we have to understand and serve, that we have to love. And, therefore, we have to be present -- the Red Informática de la Iglesia en América Latina [RIIAL] is a response to the problem. That's why in Honduras, I spoke about the "diaconía" of the digital culture.
Q: Is this digital culture new mission territory?
Archbishop Celli: The continental meeting I attended was the first after the 5th general conference of the bishops of Latin America in Aparecida, and the document of Aparecida asked all disciples of Jesus Christ to be missionaries. I translated this missionary dimension with the expression "'diaconía' of the digital culture," which emphasizes the attitude of service. This is the challenge.
It's a challenge we have to confront at the places where man lives in this context. At the same time, the means of social communication are a great opportunity to find help in spreading the Gospel. There is a statement from Pius XII, in which the Pope refers to the means of communication of his time, defining them as "a gift of God." Imagine if he lived today. It is undeniable that these means place many possibilities at the disposal of one who wants to be a missionary.
Therefore, we see they are a gift, a fantastic opportunity, and at the same time a challenge. This is the fact at the base of our problems. In Latin America, I am content because there already exists a living, working reality that does not cover only this or that country. Those present came from countries ranging from Mexico to Brazil. Certainly this is not the case in other continents. But I confess that while I was in Latin America and observed this richness and potential, it made me ask myself about Africa, for example.
Basically, I would like to look to the future. I think the council should dedicate much attention to Africa. Because it is a continent lagging behind. It is true that there are various Africas, because South Africa is one thing and the other countries, where there are serious problems, are another. But there is a difficulty: While the RIIAL in Latin America can act easily, and can carry out its service, because they use two languages -- only Brazil speaks Portuguese -- Africa has three major languages, we can call them international languages -- French, English and Portuguese -- but then there are numerous other languages, and this is undeniably a difficulty for the development of certain services.
Pope John Paul II was very farsighted in defining the title of RIIAL: He spoke of the Information Network of the Church in Latin America as a way of indicating that one day this same information network of the Church ought to be present in other countries. And we are already thinking about this. Therefore, I look with great hope to what we are doing right now in Latin America.
I very much appreciate how RIIAL works in close collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and the Latin American episcopate. The president of the committee for the means of communication of the Latin American episcopal council was there, and, in this week of working together, we reached a deep mutual understanding. I think that this understanding will be useful for new possibilities of work. We are only beginning, and such a deep understanding between the two organizations is truly a precursor of abundant future fruits.
Q: Today there is a new challenge for social justice: the marginalization of those without access to new technology. In your discussion in Honduras, you spoke about "info-poverty." Could you comment on this?
Archbishop Celli: It is a reality. The illiteracy of before, which is a tragic consequence of socioeconomic poverty, today shows itself as well with the face of "info-poverty." The council cannot solve everything. But what the council can do together with the Church in Latin America -- and there are RIIAL projects in this regard -- is find contributions to overcome the new barriers arising. Because the more we keep a great number of people isolated, the poorer the world will be. Tomorrow, these people, having been adequately helped and educated in using means of communication, will be able to enrich humanity's path.
Q: What are the future projects for the council?
Archbishop Celli: At present we are still thinking on the short term, that is, in the first six months of next year, among other reasons, because we just have moved offices to Vía de la Conciliación 5, in Rome.
In these months I have spoken with many people. The encounter in Honduras was valuable in this sense; but also here in Rome, I have had the opportunity of meeting with representatives of the episcopates and people committed to these problems. And it seemed important to have a meeting with the faculties of social communication of the Roman ecclesiastical universities. [] We decided to see each other regularly, because on one level I think the pontifical council needs to be accompanied and assisted by a deep academic reflection, since the council desires to work in service, in this "diaconía" of the culture.
I can announce that after Easter, we will try to organize a world congress of the faculties of social communication of Catholic universities, spread throughout the world, because we have to rediscover the meaning of this presence. There are certainties, there are positive achievements, but I think one of the biggest challenges we have to face together is looking at the future, and seeing how the academic world, especially that with a Catholic inspiration, is able to contribute positively. Therefore I think that, after Easter, before summer, we will organize this congress; we are already working on it, consulting those who are already on the playing field.
The second theme, which seems very important to me, is a broad reflection on the theology of communication. Let's speak about this. In Honduras, a suggestion arose of using new technology so that there would be a unified investigation into the proper use of the social means of communication. Therefore, right now we are studying how to do this, but certainly this will be an in-depth subject.
The third theme, on another front, that we will address before summer would be an encounter, always at the international level, with Catholic radio stations of the world -- radio that, as the bishops I met during this period have told me, is offering a great service. But here, also, there is the need of a rediscovery.
Next year, the Synod of Bishops will consider the great subject of the word of God in the life of the Church. And the question we have to ask is how our means of social communication can be put at the service of the Church so this word reaches the largest number of people and can bear fruit. Probably, therefore, we could organize an international meeting of the Catholic radio stations scattered throughout the world.
Another great worry I have that we should explore little by little is the attention to those who walk alone in life, at times with a deep nostalgia for God. I think that our means of social communication, such as magazines, newspapers, radio and television -- in this time of relativism, uncertainty, doubts, but at times of great nostalgia -- can be a help along the way, to be close to those who travel the path of life, and who still struggle to understand it, to know it.
These are in a certain sense the ideas we have at the present time. After, we will update them little by little while we move forward.
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21065?l=english
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
Wednesday's Audience
--------------------------------------
On the Teachings of Aphraates
"Prayer Is Strong When It Is Full of God's Strength"
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today at the general audience in St. Peter's Square. The reflection focused on the fourth-century Christian Aphraates.
* * *
Dear brothers and sisters!
On our journey into the world of the Fathers of the Church, today I would like to guide you toward a little-known area of the universe of faith, namely those territories in which the Churches of Semitic languages, not yet influenced by Greek thought, flourished. Such Churches developed through the fourth century in the Near East, from the Holy Land to Lebanon and Mesopotamia. In that century -- which was a period of clerical and literary growth -- the ascetic-monastic phenomenon was developed with autochthonous characteristics, which did not come under the influence of Egyptian monasticism. Hence the Syriac communities of the fourth century represent the Semitic world from which the Bible itself evolved. They are an expression of a Christianity whose theological formulation had not yet come into contact with other cultural currents, but rather lived thinking their own way. These are Churches in which asceticism in its various hermitic forms (hermits in the desert, in caverns,
recluses, stylites), and monasticism in the form of community life, play a vital role in the development of theological and spiritual thought.
I would like to introduce this world through Aphraates, also known as "the wise one." He was one of the most important and enigmatic characters of fourth-century Syriac Christianity. He lived in the first half of the fourth century and was a native of the Nineveh-Mosul region -- today's Iraq.
We have little information about his life; he had strong ties with the ascetic-monastic environment of the Syriac Church, on which he reflected a great deal in his work. According to some sources, he was the head of a monastery, and later ordained a bishop. He wrote 23 speeches known as Expositions or Demonstrations, in which he discusses different topics of Christian life, such as faith, love, fasting, humility, prayer, ascetic life, and also the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and between the Old and New Testaments. He writes in a simple style, with short sentences and at times contrasting parallelisms; nevertheless he manages to make consistent speeches by developing articulated arguments.
Aphraates came from a clerical community halfway between Judaism and Christianity. The community was very closely linked to the Mother Church of Jerusalem, and its bishops were traditionally chosen among what were called James' "relatives," the "Lord's brother" (cf. Mark 6:3): These people were connected to the Church of Jerusalem by blood and faith.
Aphraates spoke Syriac, a Semitic language like the Hebrew of the Old Testament and like the Aramaic spoken by Jesus himself. The ecclesial community in which Aphraates lived wanted to stay faithful to the Judeo-Christian tradition, of which it felt it was a daughter. Therefore it maintained a close relationship with the Jewish world and its sacred books.
Significantly Aphraates defines himself as a "disciple of sacred Scripture," of both the Old and New Testaments (Exposition 22,26), which he considered his sole source of inspiration, and so often mentioned it that it became the center of his reflections.
Aphraates develops different arguments in his Expositions. True to his Syriac tradition, he often presents Christ's salvation as a type of healing and consequently, Christ as a doctor. In keeping with this, sin is seen as a wound, which penance alone can heal: "A man that has been injured in battle," says Aphraates, "is not ashamed to put himself in the hands of a doctor. ... Equally so, he who has been injured by Satan should not be ashamed to admit his fault and to distance himself from it, asking for the medicine of penance" (Exposition 7,3).
Another important aspect of Aphraates' work is his teaching on prayer, and particularly on Christ as the master of prayer. The Christian prays following Jesus' teaching and the example he has set us: "Our Savior taught us to pray saying: 'Pray in the secret of the one who is hidden, but who sees everything.'" And again: "Enter your room, pray to your Father in secret, and the Father who sees this will reward you" (Matthew 6:6). Our Savior wants to show that God knows the desires and thoughts of the heart" (Exposition 4,10).
To Aphraates, Christian life is centered on the imitation of Christ, taking up his yoke, following him on the path of the Gospel. Humility is one of the most apt virtues in a disciple of Christ. It is not a secondary consideration in the spiritual life of a Christian: Man's nature is humble, and God exalts it to his own glory. Humility, Aphraates states, is not a negative value: "If man's root is planted in the earth, his fruits ascend before the Lord of greatness" (Exposition 9,14). By remaining humble, even in his earthly surroundings, a Christian can establish a relationship with the Lord: "The humble man is humble, but his heart rises to the uppermost heights. The eyes of his face observe the earth, but the eyes of his mind observe the highest summit" (Exposition 9,2).
Aphraates's vision of man and his physical reality is a very positive one: The human body, in the example of the humble Christ, is called to beauty, joy and light: "God is attracted to the man who loves, it is right to love humility and to stay humble. Humble individuals are simple, patient, loving, honest, righteous, experts in what is good, prudent, serene, wise, calm, peaceful, merciful, ready to convert, benevolent, profound, thoughtful, beautiful and attractive" (Exposition 9,14).
Often in Aphraates' teachings, Christian life is presented in a clear ascetic and spiritual dimension: Faith is its base, its foundation; it makes of man a temple where Christ himself lives. Faith therefore enables a true charity that is expressed in the love toward God and toward one's neighbor.
Another important aspect in Aphraates' thought is that of fasting, understood in its widest sense. He speaks of fasting from food as a practice that is necessary to be charitable and pure; of fasting in the sense of self-discipline with a view to sanctity; of fasting from vain and loathsome words; of fasting from anger; of fasting from owning goods in the context of the priestly ministry; of fasting from sleep to pray.
Dear brothers and sisters, to conclude, we return again to Aphraates' teaching on prayer. According to this ancient sage, prayer is achieved when Christ dwells in the heart of Christians, inviting them to a coherent commitment of charity toward their brethren. He writes:
"Give relief to those in distress, visit the ailing,
Be solicitous to the poor: This is prayer.
Prayer is good, and its works are beautiful.
Prayer is accepted when it gives relief to your neighbor.
Prayer is heard when it includes the forgiveness of sins.
Prayer is strong when it is full of God's strength" (Exposition 4,14-16).
With these words Aphraates invites us to join in a prayer that becomes Christian life, a life that comes to fruition, infused by faith, by openness to God and, as such, by the love for one's neighbor.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in six languages. In English, he said:]
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In this week's catechesis we turn to Aphraates, an outstanding figure of fourth-century Syriac Christianity. The Syriac Churches, Semitic in their language and thought, remained close to the Jewish-Christian tradition, and were deeply influenced by native forms of asceticism and monasticism. Aphraates was thus part of an ecclesial community on the frontier between Judaism and the Greek world. According to some sources, he was the head of a monastery and later consecrated a bishop. He has left us twenty-three talks, known as "Demonstrations," on various aspects of the Christian life. His style is vivid and close to that of the Bible. In the Syriac tradition, he presents Christ as the physician who heals us from the wounds of sin and our great teacher of prayer. Aphraates presents a positive view of man, called in the flesh to beauty, joy and light by the imitation of Christ in his humility. The Christian life is seen in ascetic and spiritual terms, rooted in faith and flowering in
the love of neighbour. Following the teaching of this great master of the spiritual life, let us strive to show charity and forgiveness to all, so that our prayers may be "strong with the strength of God" (cf. Dem. 4:16).
To all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors I extend a warm welcome. In a special way I greet Senior Staff members of the USS Harry S. Truman, deaconate candidates from the Diocese of Brownsville, and members of the All American Star Dance Team. May your visit to Rome be a time of growth and renewal. Upon all of you I cordially invoke an abundance of joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
[In Italian, he said:]
Distressing news is reaching us concerning the precarious humanitarian situation in Somalia, and especially in Mogadishu, ever more profoundly afflicted by social insecurity and poverty. I am following the development of events with concern and appeal to all those with political responsibility, at both local and international level, to find peaceful solutions and bring relief to these dear people. I also encourage the efforts of those who, though facing insecurity and discomfort, remain in the region to bring aid and comfort to the inhabitants.
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21068?l=english
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
FORUM
--------------------------------------
Letter from Caritas Somalia
"We Cannot Simply Dismiss Somalia as a Hopeless Case"
BAIDOA, Somalia, NOV. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a letter from the executive director of Caritas Somalia, Davide Bernocchi, on the situation in the country. During the general audience today, Benedict XVI urged political leaders to find a peaceful solution to the civil unrest that has displaced more than 150,000 Somalians.
* * *
Baidoa, Nov. 13, 2007
Writing from my office in the Baidoa Caritas medical clinic, Somalia looks to be moving inextricably toward a humanitarian catastrophe.
Tens of thousands of people are currently fleeing violence in the capital, Mogadishu. U.N. Spokesperson Farhan Haq said this week: "As many as 114,000 residents of Mogadishu have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks."
Over 400,000 people had already fled violence in Mogadishu earlier this year. Over 1.5 million people are surviving on foreign aid.
They have fled to areas that were already inundated with thousands of displaced people, to host communities whose ability to cope is already at breaking point and to areas in which there is little or no access by humanitarian agencies.
The figures are so large they become meaningless. Our own medical coordinator had to rush back to the capital a few days ago, after his teenage daughter had been hit in the head by a stray bullet. Thank God, she survived, but she needs to be urgently transferred to Nairobi, which is, in itself, another challenge.
Other aid agencies have recently issued other statements, witnessing the horrors provoked by the clashes that have burst out in the Somali capital, following the arrival of fresh troops from Ethiopia.
What is even more tragic is that no visible political effort is put in place with the aim of solving the conflict: only weapons!
And the international community?
[U.N.] Secretary-General Ban has just stated that sending U.N. peacekeepers to Somalia is "unrealistic" at this stage.
Forty NGOs, including Caritas Somalia, have signed a statement calling for action. It said that the international community and all parties to the present conflict have a responsibility to avoid the catastrophe.
It's very frustrating because the security situation is so bad, aid agencies can't help all those in need. The obstacles not only stem from the war situation itself, but also from the predatory attitude of those for whom the displaced are either a lucrative business or nothing at all.
Not to mention the fact that the Somali soldiers, who are not paid, have to find their way to get their daily food.
Before I left for Somalia from Nairobi, we had a meeting with some Nairobi-based Caritas members to find out how we could respond best to the needs of those left homeless by the fighting.
We are trying our best to balance the humanitarian imperative with the absolute necessity to keep a low profile. Supported by CRS [Catholic Relief Services] and Caritas Italy, we are mainly acting through partners operating in the areas neighboring Mogadishu, among which is Islamic Relief, that we are supporting together with CAFOD [Catholic Agency for Overseas Development]: A nice example of interreligious dialogue in action, as I see it, in a context where opposite is the norm.
The possibility of massive numbers of refugees crossing the Kenyan border is something I have discussed more than once, particularly with CRS in Kenya. My answer is still that I don't see it likely, simply because Kenya made it clear that they would not allow such a thing. I might be wrong, but I think that, if a major refugee wave were to take place, it would have already occurred in the last six months.
Talking about the catastrophe that is taking place in Mogadishu, today our Bishop Giorgio Bertin said that the various crises of East Africa have at least two common elements: On the one hand, the extremists that misuse religion to pursue political ends, and on the other, the scrabble to control natural resources led by foreign powers.
It is actually very important to keep in mind that we cannot simply dismiss Somalia as a hopeless case. The industrialized rich countries, particularly, share the responsibility for what is going on here.
It has been really important receiving messages from other Caritas members of solidarity in these difficult times. My dear friends from Caritas and beyond, let's keep praying for the people trapped in Mogadishu and for peace in this country, which is nothing else but a mirror of the worldly logics.
Davide Bernocchi,
Executive Director of Caritas Somalia
email this article:
http://www.zenit.org/article-21070?l=english
--------------------------------------
=================================================================
ZENIT is an International News Agency.
For reprint permission:
http://www.zenit.org/english/permissions.html
Visit our web page at:
To subscribe or unsubscribe:
http://www.zenit.org/english/subscribe.html
To give a ZENIT gift subscription:
http://www.zenit.org/english/gift.html
To make a donation to support ZENIT:
http://www.zenit.org/english/donation.html
=================================================================
SEND US YOUR NEWS.
Please send press releases using:
http://www.zenit.org/english/news.html
=================================================================
Copyright, Innovative Media, Inc.
=================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment