Pope reflects on how prayer can spark God’s mercy

Vatican City, (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI continued his series of reflections on Christian prayer today as he spoke about the relationship between intercessory prayer and God’s mercy throughout history.

In his third installment on prayer, Pope Benedict looked at Abraham’s example of praying for mercy.

“We now turn to sacred Scripture and its witness to the dialogue between God and man in history, a dialogue culminating in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. We can begin with the prayer with which Abraham, the father of all believers, implores God not to destroy the sinful city of Sodom.”

At Sodom, Abraham asked God not to take vengeance upon the notoriously sinful city.

“Abraham’s prayer of intercession appeals to God’s justice, begging him not to destroy the innocent with the guilty. But it also appeals to God’s mercy, which is capable of transforming evil into good through forgiveness and reconciliation.”

This aspect of prayer, said the Pope, reflects God’s unfailing mercy for his creation.

“God does not desire the death of the sinner but his conversion and liberation from sin,” he explained.

“In reply to Abraham’s prayer, God is willing to spare Sodom if 10 righteous men can be found there. Later, through the prophet Jeremiah, he promises to pardon Jerusalem if one just man can be found,” the pontiff recalled.

He concluded by saying that God’s mercy was most spectacularly manifested over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem.

“In the end, God himself becomes that just Man, in the mystery of the Incarnation. Christ’s prayer of intercession on the cross brings salvation to the world. Through him, let us pray with unfailing trust in God’s merciful love for all mankind, conscious that our prayers will be heard and answered.”

This is the third week Pope Benedict has used his Wednesday audience to teach pilgrims about Christian prayer. His previous theme – the lives of the saints – took two years to complete.

Vatican sets May 2012 deadline for global abuse guidelines

Vatican City, May 16, 2011 / 02:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Catholic Church is giving bishops worldwide until May next year to draw up new guidelines for dealing with cases of child sex abuse.

The deadline is included in a new letter that the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has sent to the world’s bishops.

“The aim is to give bishops a strong common denominator for drafting guidelines appropriate to their own national situation, with its unique culture and legislation,” said Vatican spokesman, Father Frederico Lombardi, SJ, at a press conference releasing the document May 16.

The letter is dated May 3 and is signed by the doctrine congregation’s head, Cardinal William Levada. It gives nine recommendations for bishops and episcopal conferences to consider:

--The sexual abuse of minors is a grave crime. Because of that all credible allegations should be referred to the Vatican.

--The person who reports the abuse should be treated with respect.

--The local Church should offer spiritual and psychological assistance to victims.

--The initial inquiry into any allegations should respect privacy and the good name of those involved.

--The accused priest should be informed of the accusation and given opportunity to respond unless there is serious reason not to do so.

--The ultimate responsibility for handling the case lies with the local bishop, although advisory groups or experts can assist.

--The law in each country regarding the reporting of such allegations to civil authorities should be followed.

--During the investigatory stage the local Church still has a duty of care towards the accused person.

--While always innocent till proven guilty, a priest can be removed from public ministry if their continued presence would endanger minors or cause scandal.

Fr. Lombardi says these nine points should help to provide a common approach throughout the world.

“Countries like the U.S., U.K., Germany and Ireland already have similar guidelines but the idea is to push other conferences where problems have not been so pronounced.”

The guidelines employed by the U.S. bishops arguably go further than today’s Vatican suggestions. American priests can be being suspended automatically during any investigation if the bishop deems the evidence significant enough.

Presently those countries which choose not to have guidelines – such as Italy – are guided by canon law and by a papal directive issued by Pope John Paul II in 2001. At that time, he raised the age at which a person is deemed to be a minor from 16 to 18.

That directive’s provisions were significantly strenghtened by Pope Benedict XVI last year. He increased the time-limit under which cases can be brought against alleged perpetrators from 10 to 20 years after a victim’s 18th birthday and created a fast-track by which guilty clerics can be dismissed from the priesthood. The downloading or distribution of child pornography was also added to the list of grave offenses.

Today’s guidelines are another reflection of Pope Benedict XVI’s attitude towards what he’s previously called the “filth” of clerical sex abuse.

The Vatican’s guidelines also say the Pope provides the model for how a bishop should deal with the issue. The new letter highlights “his availability to meet with and listen to the victims of sexual abuse” over the six years of his pontificate. It also quotes his 2010 pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland.

“You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated.”

The Vatican is also suggesting preventative measures, including better screening of applicants for the priesthood.

“Particular attention, moreover, is to be given to the necessary exchange of information in regard to those candidates to the priesthood or religious life who transfer from one seminary to another, between different dioceses, or between religious Institutes and dioceses.”

The Vatican also said that formation should continue after ordination.

“Priests should be well informed of the damage done to victims of clerical abuse. They should also be aware of their own responsibilities in this regard in both canon and civil law. They should as well be helped to recognize the potential signs of abuse perpetrated by anyone in relation to minors.”

Rome’s exorcist finding Bl. John Paul II effective against Satan

Rome, Italy, (CNA/EWTN News).- The chief exorcist of Rome is seeing a rising number of young people coming under the influence of evil, but he has found in recent years that Blessed John Paul II is a powerful intercessor in the battle for souls.

A small, unassuming office in south-west Rome seems a rather ordinary setting in which to play out a grand battle between good and evil. It is here, though, that Father Gabriele Amorth has carried out most of his 70,000 exorcisms over the past 26 years.

“The world must know that Satan exists,” he told CNA recently. “The devil and demons are many and they have two powers, the ordinary and the extraordinary.”

The 86-year-old Italian priest of the Society of St. Paul and official exorcist for the Diocese of Rome explained the difference.

“The so-called ordinary power is that of tempting man to distance himself from God and take him to Hell. This action is exercised against all men and women of all places and religions.”

As for the extraordinary powers used by Satan, Fr. Amorth explained it as how the Devil acts when he focuses his attention more specifically on a person. He categorized the expression of that attention into four types: diabolical possession; diabolical vexation like in the case of Padre Pio, who was beaten by the Devil; obsessions which are able to lead a person to desperation and infestation, and when the Devil occupies a space, an animal or even an object.”

Fr. Amorth says such extraordinary occurrences are rare but on the rise. He's particularly worried by the number of young people being affected by Satan through sects, séances and drugs. He never despairs though.

“With Jesus Christ and Mary, God has promised us that he will never allow temptations greater than our strengths.”

Hence he gives a very matter-of-fact guide that everybody can use in the fight against Satan.

“The temptations of the Devil are defeated first of all by avoiding occasions (of temptation), because the Devil always seeks out our weakest points. And, then, with prayer. We Christians have an advantage because we have the Word of Jesus, we have the sacraments, prayer to God.”

Not surprisingly, ‘Jesus Christ’ is the name Fr. Amorth most often calls upon to expel demons. But he also turns to saintly men and women for their heavenly assistance. Interestingly, he said that in recent years one man – Blessed Pope John Paul II – has proved to be a particularly powerful intercessor.

“I have asked the demon more than once, ‘Why are you so scared of John Paul II and I have had two different responses, both interesting. One, ‘because he disrupted my plans.’ And, I think that he is referring to the fall of communism in Russia and Eastern Europe. The collapse of communism.”

“Another response that he gave me, ‘because he pulled so many young people from my hands.’ There are so many young people who, thanks to John Paul II, were converted. Perhaps some were already Christian but not practicing, but then with John Paul II they came back to the practice. ‘He pulled so many young people out of my hands.’”

And the most powerful intercessor of all?

“Of course, the Madonna is even more effective. Ah, when you invoke Mary!”

“And, once I also asked Satan, ‘but why are you more scared when I invoke Our Lady than when I invoke Jesus Christ?’ He answered me, ‘Because I am more humiliated to be defeated by a human creature than being defeated by him.”

The intercession of the living is also important, though, says Fr. Amorth. He reminds people that exorcism is a prayer and, as such, Christians can pray to liberate a soul or place from the Devil. However, three things are needed.

“The Lord gave them (the Apostles) an answer that also for us exorcists is very important. He said that overcoming this type of demon, you need much faith, much prayer and much fasting. Faith, prayer and fasting.”

“Especially faith, you need so much faith. Many times also in the healings, Jesus does not say in the Gospel it is me who has healed you. He says, you are healed thanks to your faith. He wants faith in the people, a strong and absolute faith. Without faith you can do nothing.”

ANTILLES EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE ANNUAL PLENARY MEETING OF BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS MAY 8th – 14th, 2011

St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral in Bridgetown, Barbados witnessed a gathering of the priests, Religious and faithful of the island who participated in the Opening Mass for the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) which took place from 8th – 14th May, 2011.

Invoking the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit on their first working day, the bishops reflected on the Holy Father’s Message for World Day of Peace 2011: “Religious Freedom, the Path of Peace.” This atmosphere of reflection was later to be deepened in a Study Day on Pope Benedict’s encyclical, CARITAS IN VERITATE (“Love in Truth”).

Almost everywhere the document has been made available not only to the clergy, but also to the Laity and to political leaders. Of utmost importance is the pope’s insistence that Love in truth – love respectful of mankind’s origin, sacredness and transcendent destiny – should be the driving force of any effort to put development at the service of each human being.
In discussing the implications of the Encyclical for the region the main concerns raised by the Bishops were: 1. That everywhere general elections be fair and an occasion for the people to make use of their political rights; 2. That people be enlightened to elect women and men ready to conduct policies in harmony with the Gospel values of solidarity with the poor, respect for life and protection of nature; 3. That youth be given hope in their future through sufficient job opportunities, a living wage and proper housing, so that our societies overcome poverty, violence, corruption and drug addiction.

The bishops then addressed many concerns that impact upon the church and the society.
1. NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE REGION: Every year the region is affected by disasters which result in loss of lives and homes with the accompanying trauma. The bishops of the AEC have decided to enter into collaboration with the Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother to establish a TRAUMA RESPONSE TEAM to minister to those who will be thus affected in the region.

2. CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE REGION: Concern was expressed about the socio-economic realities of our day, realities that enshrine materialism, relativism and selfishness. To address these realities the bishops approved a Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education, the objective of which is to accentuate the dignity of the human person and their invaluable worth to self, church and society, and to produce citizens of integrity who are faith-filled, competent and responsible.

3. YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE REGION: Given the various trends in our society that tempt young people to believe that material things and passing pleasure define a person, it is imperative that the Church give greater priority to Youth Ministry. To that end, the bishops encourage the more than 500 youth from across the AEC who will be attending World Youth Day (August 11th – 21st, 2011) in Madrid, Spain where these young missionary disciples will meet and pray with the Holy Father. This religious experience will be followed up with the Regional Youth Rally scheduled for 2012 in St. Lucia, with the theme “Your Word is a Lamp for my Steps and a Light for my Path.”

4. VIRTUS: “Protecting God’s Children” in the Region. The Bishops re-affirmed their commitment to protecting and providing safe environments for children. For this purpose they have introduced the VIRTUS programme into the dioceses of the AEC. VIRTUS is developed by US based National Catholic Risk Retention Group Inc. It seeks to educate and train clergy, staff, parents, volunteers and other adults about the nature of child sexual abuse and how to prevent such harm to children. The goal is to have this programme in place in every diocese of the AEC.

5. VOCATIONS IN THE REGION: The promotion of vocations is an ongoing need in our region as it is elsewhere around the world. In its effort to address this reality the Vocations Commission of the AEC has arranged a two week training session for Vocation Directors. The first week is scheduled for August 8th – 13th 2011, at St. John Vianney Seminary in Trinidad. Throughout the AEC an annual week of Vocation Awareness will be observed in each diocese beginning with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 2012.

6. SYNOD OF BISHOPS: The World Synod of Bishops will hold its thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly in Rome, October 7th – 28th, 2012. The theme for this Synod is “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” The Bishops of the AEC elected a delegate and a substitute to attend the Synod. They also began their responses to the initial questions proposed by the Synod Secretariat noting that the theme of the Synod builds upon that of the 2007 Aparecida Conference of Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean and the AEC priority of challenging all Christians to become Missionary Disciples of Christ.

7. ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS: Elections of officers for the AEC took place on Wednesday May 11th. Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder of Nassau, The Bahamas, was elected President, to succeed the outgoing President Archbishop Donald J. Reece of Kingston, Jamaica. Bishop Francis Alleyne of Georgetown, Guyana, was elected Vice President and Bishop Neil Tiedemann of Mandeville, Jamaica was elected Treasurer. The General Secretary of the AEC is Deacon Mike James of Guyana.