Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A Ten Minute Read)
Cardinal Parolin in Ukraine to visit Kyiv, Odesa and meet civil and religious authorities
The Vatican Secretary of State is in Ukraine from 19 – 24 July. The cardinal is to preside over Mass at the Marian Shrine of Berdychiv for the concluding celebration of the pilgrimage of Ukrainian Latin Rite Catholics. By Vatican News
The visit of the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Ukraine, starting on Friday, July 19, follows his appointment as Pontifical Legate for the concluding celebration of the pilgrimage of Ukrainian Latin Rite Catholics, which takes place at the Marian Shrine of Berdychiv.
The Cardinal’s visit, his first to the Eastern European country since the beginning of the Russian invasion, is scheduled to end on July 24. During these days – as noted by the @TerzaLoggia account on X – Cardinal Parolin has various commitments and appointments on his programme.
Mass at the Shrine of Berdychiv
On Friday, Parolin made a brief stop at the Episcopate of the Metropolitan of Lviv of the Latins and then visited the city of Odesa.
On Sunday, July 21, the Cardinal will preside over Mass in Berdychiv for the concluding celebrations of the pilgrimage of Ukrainian Catholics. The Shrine is located in the Zhytomyr Oblast (province), west of Kyiv, and is a pilgrimage destination for Catholic faithful from all over Ukraine and other countries. In the past two years, pilgrims have visited to particularly seek Mary's intercession for peace.
Meeting with Authorities
In the coming days, the Vatican Secretary of State will visit the Greek-Catholic Cathedral in Kyiv. He is also scheduled to meet with the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk.
His programme includes a meeting with Ukrainian civil and religious authorities.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********
Bishop Cozzens: ‘We expect miracles’ at US Eucharistic Congress
Thousands of pilgrims from across the United States converge on the city of Indianapolis for the start of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. By Christopher Wells and Joseph Tulloch
Tens of thousands of pilgrims arrived in the US city of Indianapolis on Tuesday at the conclusion of the pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress, taking place from 17-21 July.
More than 100,000 faithful took part at various points in the pilgrimage, which began on 17 May and covered more than 6,500 miles – over 10,000 kilometres – along four pilgrimage routes from every corner of the United States.
Pilgrims took part in a welcoming Mass celebrated by Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson, and concelebrated by numerous bishops, including Cardinal Antonio Tagle – Pope Francis’ delegate to the Congress – and Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, the chair of the organizing committee for the Congress.
The Tenth National Eucharistic Congress in the United States marks a high point in ongoing National Eucharistic Revival sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Called to be missionary disciples
The Eucharistic Congress is the culmination of the second year of the Revival, dedicated to revival in parishes throughout the country. “It’s a missionary year where we’re inviting every Catholic to take up their call from Pope Francis to be missionary disciples,” said Bishop Cozzens in a phone interview with Vatican Radio.
Bishop Cozzens says the American bishops took their inspiration from Pope Francis’ programmatic 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world.
“Encounter and mission are the two staples of our Eucharistic Revival in Congress”
“Encounter and mission are two staples of our Eucharistic Revival in Congress,” Bishop Cozzens said, explaining, “We want people to encounter Jesus and then send them on mission, which we got, of course, from Evangelii gaudium.”
Expecting Miracles
Asked about his expectations for the Eucharistic Congress, Bishop Cozzens said, “We’re expecting to see miracles – because when people come together in Jesus’s Name, He shows up so powerfully. “So we expect deep conversions, healings, and most of all, a real growth in missionary spirit.”
“We're expecting to see miracles”
‘We want to be set on fire’
Highlighting the theme of the third and final year of the Eucharistic Revival, Bishop Cozzens said, “Our goal is to help the Church in the United States make this transformation that Pope Francis has called for, the missionary transformation, so that
we can become the missionaries we’re called to be.”
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Skill Acquisition For Africa’s Youth – A Necessary Path To Peace, Poverty Eradication And Development
15 July is World Youth Skills Day as declared by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). The theme for this year is ‘Youth Skills for Peace and Development.’ 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of this event held annually since 2014. Sr. Oluwakemi Akinleye fsp – Lagos
Youth are a gift and treasure in every society. The necessity of learning a skill to improve oneself, alongside or apart from academic qualifications, is becoming more and more an invaluable asset, especially for today’s youth living in these very trying and challenging economic times. “The world faces a multitude of challenges today, many of which affect the youth. Violent conflicts disrupting education and stability, a polarized online environment fostering negativity, and persistent economic inequality limits opportunities” (UNESCO).
Thankfully, there are now a variety of skills that young people can learn. They include information technology, graphics, hairdressing, welding, catering, tailoring and car repairs. These are activities that one learns to bring out one’s gifts and talents, and often they become sources of employment and income generation.
Are African Youth Interested In Skills Acquisition?
Despite the fact that many African youth have shown that learning and using skills, through hard work and determination, have become better empowered in society, there are still others who see this as a waste of time and prefer to seek out fraudulent means in earning a living. Unfortunately, some have fallen victim to human and drug trafficking due to this ‘seek for quick money’ attitude. Yet there are some youth who honestly desire to learn useful skills but lack the funding to pay for the skill acquisition courses.
Arise Foundation In Collaboration With Nigerian Women Religious
In order to support Nigerian youth in their quest for a decent and better life, the Arise Foundation in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Nigerian Conference of Women Religious (NCWR), since 2022, has empowered more than 200 youth with funds for various skill acquisition short courses in the country. Olaide, Ogechi, Blessing and Kingsley are some of the beneficiaries of this program. They have learnt catering, tailoring and web development respectively. Each of them can now earn an income from the skills they have learnt.
Contributing To A World Of Peace And Development
As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate our youth with all their energy, creativity and talents. We also bring their voices to families, governments, groups and organisations to invest more resources in training them, so that in turn, they will contribute positively to the eradication of poverty, human and drug trafficking and build a world of peace, progress and development. “It is crucial to equip youth with the necessary skills for fostering a culture of peace, nurturing responsible global citizens, and promoting sustainable development to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all” (UNESCO).
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Saint Bakhita: Inspiring the education of girls across Africa
Over 3000 girls in 80 Catholic schools are empowered through the Bakhita Partnership for Education through education and support to overcome the barriers girls face in five African countries.
By Sr. Katleho Khang, SNJM
Despite the fact that socio-economic and cultural barriers hinder girls’ academic and personal growth in the rural areas in Africa, Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) prioritizes access to quality education for girls in the heart of the continent.
In an interview with Vatican news, Father Charles Chilufya, SJ, a director of the Justice and Ecology Office for the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar highlighted the progress made in reintegrating girls into educational systems while emphasizing the ongoing need for environments that empower girls and ensure their safety in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
A Holistic Approach To Girls' Education
According to Fr Chilufya, this initiative reflects the Pope's call to prioritise education for all, especially the marginalised. “Pope Francis has often spoken about the value of education as a tool for hope and healing, especially in contexts of conflict and crisis”. In fact, the Pope emphasised education as an "act of hope" during his message for the first International Day of Human Fraternity on 4 February, 2021.
Fr Chilufya went on to note that “the Bakhita Partnership for Education’s efforts extend beyond the classroom. It provides psychosocial support and nurtures an environment where girls can thrive safely and confidently”.
The Project's Significance And Community Engagement
In a separate interview, Zambian Sister Bertha Chisanga, CPS, the project coordinator, indicated that schools participating in the program report higher retention rates, improved academic performance, and a decrease in early pregnancies and marriage among girls in Zambia. In is thus demonstarted that through provision of scholarships, many girls will secure a better future.
She added that through this project there has been a positive change of attitudes and perception about the education of girls in local communities. Sr Chisanga pointed out that creating transformative educational opportunities that are inclusive and tailored to equip girls with the necessary tools for personal and societal advancement are important to societies aiming to create safe environment for the girls.
Strategic Partnerships For Sustainable Impact
Fr Chilufya also mentioned that the BPE’s achievements underscore the power of strategic partnerships in education. The initiative, which started in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia in 2021 and has since expanded to Tanzania and Malawi, aligns with government educational goals and has drawn support from international organizations.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Pope Francis: 'Let Your Youth Be A gift For Jesus'
In a message to a gathering of youth ministers in Paraguay, Pope Francis calls on young faithful to let Christ transform them, and to live their youth 'as a gift for Jesus' and the world. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"Let Christ transform your natural optimism into authentic love; a love that knows how to sacrifice, that is sincere, real and genuine, so that your youth will be a gift for Jesus and for the world and you will be able to spend your life in a worthy and fruitful way."
This was the encouragement Pope Francis sent to the XXI Latam Meeting of Caribbean and Latin American national youth ministry leaders, gathered in Asunción, Paraguay, July 15-20.
Expressing his joy to greet the participants, the Pope emphasized the value of youth ministry for the Church, as he called on young people to let Christ use their energy to do great things.
"The command of Jesus to 'arise',” he acknowledged, "means both a task and a responsibility."
Do Not Be Afraid Of The Lord
"Do not be afraid of the Lord who passes by us and whispers in our ear, bends down to us and offers us his hand to lift us up every time we fall," he said, noting Jesus wants us "on our feet," "resurrected," and therefore, we shouldn't "be afraid to let Him into your life."
"Open wide the doors of your heart to Him," he continued, saying to do so "for the new life that comes from Him," one that is "without comparison" and "deserves to be lived."
“Do not be afraid of the Lord who passes by us and whispers in our ear, bends down to us and offers us his hand to lift us up every time we fall.”
Mary Accompanies With A Mother's Love
The Holy Father went on to entrust those gathered to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"May she accompany your steps and intercede for you with a mother's love," he said, "so that, together with children, adults and the elderly, in intergenerational communion, you may be protagonists in a Church that is ever more synodal, disciple and missionary."
In a particular way, he said, "I thank the young Paraguayans who have worked with dedication to make this meeting possible."
As the Holy Father encouraged them to live these days together in grateful faith, Pope Francis likewise invited them to continue to prepare themselves during this Year of Prayer to celebrate the next Jubilee 2025 with joyful hope.
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US Bishops' President Discusses Rising Above Divisions After Trump attack
In an interview with Vatican Media, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, calls the assassination attempt of former US President Donald Trump a horrific "call to action," and insists that Americans are to respectfully disagree with one another always out of respect for one another's human dignity. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"One thing that all of us can do is to remember and to promote the dignity of the human person. And to keep constantly in our minds the fact that even if someone disagrees with me, he or she is still created in the image and likeness of God..."
In an interview with Vatican News - Vatican Radio, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Archbishop of the US Military Services, made this point as he reflected on the assassination attempt of former US President Donald Trump at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, calling "horrific" the event that occured "in what is supposed to be a democratic society."
The presumed attacker was immediately shot and killed by secret service agents. One spectator was killed in the attack, and two others were wounded. Trump was rushed to a local hospital with a bullet wound to his right ear and was later flown to New Jersey.
In the interview, Archbishop Broglio reflects on the episode, and offers words of faith and consolation, especially while looking ahead to the imminent Eucharistic Congress in the US as an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Archbishop Gudziak: Respond To Political Violence By Affirming Dignity Of All
In the wake of the attempted assassination of former US president Donald Trump, Archbishop Borys Gudziak – Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development – speaks with Vatican Radio about how Christians can respond to rising threats of political and ideological violence.
By Christopher Wells
One week ago, the United States, and the whole world, were shocked by the attempted assassination of presidential candidate Donald Trump. The attack on the former president prompted universal condemnation, along with calls to refrain from the violent rhetoric that is too often a part of modern politics.
Warnings of politically and ideologically motivated violence are not new, and earlier this summer – just one month before the attack on Trump – the US bishops issued yet another statement urging Catholics to promote dialogue and peace in an increasingly polarized world.
“More and more,” the US bishops say, “it has become abundantly clear that violent behavior – both physical and verbal – is now seen by many as an acceptable means for carrying out political or ideological disputes.”
However, they add, “Americans can do better.” Instead of resorting to violence to resolve political issues, the bishops suggest dialogue and voting peaceful protests, petitions, lawsuits, and civil disobedience in the face of injustice.
Christians must affirm the human dignity of each person
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, who chairs the USCCB committee that produced the Bishops’ statement, told Vatican Radio that Christians have to return to their roots in order to address the crisis. “The situation is very bad,” he said, “and we might not be able to change it instantaneously, but that does not mean that we should not resume and refresh our Christian posture.”
He said Christians must be clear “about affirming the dignity of every person, every person, made in the image and likeness of God.”
At the same time, we must not allow ourselves, first of all, to suggest by our words or actions “that somebody is disposable in any form,” the Archbishop continued. “Even if we don’t agree with people, we need to be respectful and listen to the experience of others.”
So, Archbishop Gudziak said, “We need to have charity. We need to have clarity. We need to name some of these problems and we need to be creative. And all of this, following our Lord.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
ICJ Says Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories Is Unlawful
The International Court of Justice - the UN’s top court - has called on Israel to end its ‘unlawful’ presence in the occupied Palestinian territories. By Nathan Morley
The International Court of Justice - the UN’s top court - has called on Israel to end its ‘unlawful’ presence in the occupied Palestinian territories.
This session of the ICJ comes amid mounting international concern over the death toll in Gaza.
Judge Nawaf Salam, the head of the ICJ court in the Hague, delivered an advisory opinion at the request of the UN General Assembly concerning the legal effects of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Unlawful Presence To Be Ended
It stated, Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was unlawful, adding Israel was under an obligation to bring to an end its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible.
The court also said that Israel's settlements are illegal under international law and that Israel was under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories.
In late 2022, the General Assembly passed a resolution requesting the ICJ to deliver an advisory opinion regarding the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office rejected the legitimacy of the hearings, accusing them of endeavouring to weaken Israel's right to survival and self-defence.
Learn more HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Pope: 'May 2024 Summer Olympic Games In Paris Promote Esteem And Harmony'
Pope Francis sends warms greetings and prayers for the Mass of Peace ahead of the imminent 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, wishing that the prestigious international sporting event work toward peace and friendship in a world much in need.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"I ask the Lord to bestow His gifts upon all those who will participate in any way – whether athletes or spectators – and also to support and bless those who will host them, especially the faithful of Paris and elsewhere."
With this reassurance, Pope Francis sent his prayerful greetings ahead of the imminent Summer Olympic Games to be hosted in Paris, France, 26 July to 11 Aug. 2024, to the Mass for Peace celebrated this morning, 19 July, at 10 a.m., in the Madeleine Church in Paris.
Olympic Mass of Peace
The Eucharistic celebration was specifically celebrated on the day of the start of the Olympic Truce for the Paris Games, and was proposed by the French Bishops' Conference, the Archdiocese of Paris, and the Holy Games team. The Olympic truce, voted by the United Nations, begins one week before the opening ceremony of the Games on 26 July and ends one week after the end of the Paralympics on 8 September.
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio in France; Msgr. Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, and Msgr. Emmanuel Gobilliard, Bishop of Digne, delegate of the French Bishops' Conference for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, concelebrated.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, diplomats, and sports personalities were present.
Opening Hearts Like Christ
In a message sent in French to Archbishop Ulrich of Paris, and published by the Holy See Press Office on Friday morning, Pope Francis united himself with the intentions of the Mass, as he asked the Lord to bless all involved and participating at all levels, and recognized the Christian communities preparing to "open wide" the doors of their churches, schools, and homes for the event.
"May they especially open," he encouraged, "the doors of their hearts, bearing witness, through the gratuitousness and generosity of their welcome to all, to the Christ who dwells within them and communicates His joy to them," as he likewise thanked them for not forgetting about the most vulnerable people.
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Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, July 21st 2024 at 2:55PM
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