Pope Francis meets Pontifical Academy for Life

Pope Francis has told participants of the Pontifical Academy for Life that Virtue is the best that the heart of man offers. 

“Virtue is not just a habit, but it is the constantly renewable ability to choose good. Virtue is not an emotion, is not a skill that is acquired through a refresher course, let alone a biochemical mechanism, it is the highest expression of human freedom. Virtue is the best that the heart of man offers,” the Holy Father speaking in Italian told participants who went to see him at the Sala Clementina (Clementine Hall) of the Apostolic Palace.

In Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo are members of the Pontifical Academy for Life. 

The Academy is holding its general assembly in the Vatican from 3 to 5 March under the theme, "Virtues in the Ethics of Life." 

Established in 1994, the Pontifical Academy studies issues connected with the promotion and the defense of human life from an interdisciplinary perspective.  Among other activities, the Academy aims at fostering a culture of life. 

The academy categories Pro-life as applying to those members whose principal activity is pastoral or social assistance, or who are active in Pro-life organisations nationally or internationally.

In general, members of the academy have expertise in different fields of biomedical sciences and related disciplines.

(Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va)

(from Vatican Radio)

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​Mass at Santa Marta - A history of failed faithfulness

Acknowledging that we are sinners and being able to ask for forgiveness is the first step in a decisive response to the question that Jesus asks each of us directly: “are you with me or against me?”. Thus, during Mass at Santa Marta on Thursday, 3 March, the Pope invited us to open ourselves unconditionally to God’s mercy.

At the beginning of the first reading, Francis noted, the prophet Jeremiah (7:23-28), “reminds us of God’s pact with his people: ‘Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper”. It is “a faithfulness pact”. Both readings, he continued, “tell us another story: this pact failed and today the Church makes us reflect on it; we can call it a history of failed faithfulness”. In reality, “God always remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself”. However the people amass infidelities, “one after another: they become unfaithful, they are unfaithful!”.

The Book of Jeremiah recounts that the people do not hold true to the pact: ‘But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed’”. Scripture also tells us, Francis explained, of the “many things that God did in order to attract the hearts of his people: ‘From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets. Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers’”. This passage of Jeremiah ends on a strong note: “Faithfulness has disappeared”, it is “cut off from their lips”.

The “unfaithfulness of the People of God”, like our own unfaithfulness, “hardens the heart: it closes the heart!”, and it keeps out “the voice of the Lord who, as loving father, asks us to always open ourselves to his mercy and his love”. In Psalm 95[94] “we prayed together: hear today the voice of the Lord: harden not your hearts!”. It’s true, the Pontiff stated, “the Lord always speaks to us this way”, and “with fatherly tenderness he tells us: return to me with all your heart, for I am merciful and compassionate”.

However, “when your heart is hard you cannot understand this”, Francis explained. In fact, “God’s mercy is understood only if you are able to open your heart, so it can enter”. And this continues, it “goes on: the heart hardens, and we see the same story” in the day’s passage from the Gospel of Luke (11:14-23). “There were people, the doctors of the law, who had studied the Scriptures, who knew theology, but were very, very closed-minded. The crowd was amazed: astonishment! Because the crowd was following Jesus. Someone might say: ‘But they followed him in order to be healed, this is why they were following him’”.

The reality, Francis pointed out, was that the people “trusted Jesus! Their hearts were open: imperfect, sinful, but their hearts were open”. On the other hand, “the theologians had a closed-minded attitude” and “were always looking for an explanation so as not to understand Jesus’ message”. Thus, in this specific case, as Luke writes, they said: “No, this man casts out demons in the name of the prince of demons”. They were always seeking other pretexts, the Gospel continues, “to put him to the test: they asked him for a sign from heaven”. The underlying problem, the Pope remarked, was that they were “always closed”. Therefore, “it was Jesus who had to justify what he did”.

“This is the story, the history of failed faithfulness”, Francis said, “the history of closed hearts, of hearts that would not let God’s mercy enter, which had forgotten the word ‘forgiveness’ — ‘Forgive me, Lord!’ — simply because they did not feel they were sinners: they felt they were the judges of others”. And this history goes on for centuries. “Jesus explains this failed faithfulness with two clear words in order to end the discussion with these hypocrites: “Whoever is not with me is against me”. In the language Jesus used, the Pope said, it is clear: “either you are faithful, with your heart open to God who is faithful to you, or you are against him: ‘Whoever is not with me is against me’”. Someone may think that there is perhaps “a middle ground for negotiations”, to escape the clarity of Jesus’ words, “either you are faithful or you are opposed”. In essence, Francis replied, “there is a way out: confess, sinner!”. Because “if you say, ‘I am a sinner’, your heart opens, God’s mercy enters, and you begin to be faithful”.

Before continuing the celebration, the Pontiff advised that we ask “the Lord for the grace of faithfulness”, knowing that “the first step” on the “path of faithfulness is feeling we are sinners”. Indeed, “if you do not feel you are a sinner, you have started off wrong”. Therefore, Francis concluded, “let us ask for the grace that our hearts not harden, that they be open to God’s mercy”, and ask for “the grace of faithfulness”. Let us also ask for the “grace to ask forgiveness” when we find we are unfaithful.

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Pope Francis: recognize sinfulness to receive God's mercy

(Vatican Radio)  Only if our hearts are open and we recognize ourselves as sinners can we receive God’s mercy. That’s the message Pope Francis imparted to the faithful gathered for the morning Mass Thursday at the Santa Marta guesthouse.  

Commenting on the First Reading from the Book of Jeremiah, the Pope stresses in his Homily that "God is always faithful, for he cannot deny himself" while the people do not listen to His word. Jeremiah therefore tells us the "many things that God has done to attract the hearts of the people," but, the Pope adds, the people remain unfaithful.

If the heart is hardened and closed, God’s mercy does not enter

"This unfaithfulness of God's people,”  warns the Pope,  is  “also ours.” It is “our own infidelity [which] hardens the heart, closes the heart!"

"It does not allow [us to hear] the voice of the Lord who, as a loving father, always asks us to open ourselves to His mercy and His love. In the Psalms, the Pope adds, we all pray  together: 'Hear now the voice of God. Do not harden your hearts! ' The Lord always speaks with us in this way, also with the tenderness of a father who says: 'Return to me with all your heart, for I am compassionate and merciful.’  But when the heart is hardened, you don’t understand this. God’s mercy can only be understood when you are able to open your heart to let it enter. "

Referring to the passage from Luke’s Gospel where Jesus is confronted by learned men who had studied the Scriptures, Pope Francis says they were "teachers of the law who knew theology, but they were very, very closed" . The crowd, however, "was amazed," and "had faith in Jesus!  Their hearts were open:  imperfect, sinful, but open hearts."

Ask forgiveness, do not judge others

But these theologians, adds the Pope, "had a closed attitude! They always sought an explanation so as not to understand the message of Jesus."  "They asked him for a sign from heaven.  Always closed!  It was Jesus who had to justify his actions."

"This is the story, the story of this failed fidelity. The story of closed hearts, of hearts that do not let in the mercy of God, which have forgotten the word forgiveness:  'Forgive me Lord!' - simply because they do not [see themselves as] sinners [but see themselves as] judges of others. A story lasting centuries.”  And Jesus, the Pope continues, explains this failed fidelity very clearly - to combat the discourse of such hypocrites:  ‘He who is not with me is against me.' “It’s clear! Or are you faithful, with your heart open to God who is faithful to you, or you are against Him: 'He who is not with me is against me!'"

Faithfulness to God begins with recognizing our sinfulness

But is there room here for middle ground, for "negotiations?"  asks the Pope.  The answer, he says, lies in confessing to being a sinner!  If you acknowledge that you are a sinner, “the heart opens and God’s mercy is allowed to enter and you begin to be faithful."

"We ask the Lord for the grace of fidelity.  And the first step on this path towards fidelity is to admit you are a sinner,” adds Pope Francis. “If you do not feel sinful, you have begun badly. We ask for grace so that our hearts do not harden - that they are open to God's mercy - and for the grace of faithfulness. And when we find ourselves unfaithful, for the grace to ask for forgiveness."

(from Vatican Radio)

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Holy See and Prime Minister of Timor ratify key agreement

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis Thursday met with Timor Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araújo at the Apostolic Palace. In the meeting the leaders exchanged agreements signed last August to fix a stable legal framework between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The exchange signifies ratification of the agreement which contains 26 articles that recognizes the Church as having juridical rights.

Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed those gathered. He noted that the agreement is the result of many years of negotiations backed by a common spirit of dialogue and cooperation, recognizing the important role the Catholic Church plays in the life of the Timorese people. Commitments have been made in the area of education, health and the fight against poverty.

The legal framework, the Cardinal noted, does not mean special privileges for the Church but simply allows the Church to contribute freely to building a more harmonious society, animated by justice and peace.

The Cardinal concluded by entrusting the people of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the maternal protection of the Immaculate Mary.

(from Vatican Radio)

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Spanish-American Day: 970 Spanish fidei donum priests on mission in Latin America.

Madrid – Next Sunday, 6 March, "Latin-American Day" with this year’s theme "Prophets of Marcy", is promoted by the Missions Commission of the Spanish Catholic Bishops’ Conference and OCSHA .
To mark the annual Day, representatives of local Churches of Latin America and Spain meet to discuss activities aimed at intensifying communion, collaboration and solidarity between these closely connected peoples and nations. It is also a day to remember all Spanish missionaries in Latin America. According to information issued for the occasion today 970 Spanish fidei donum priests are on missionary service in Latin America.
Toledo is the Spanish diocese with the highest number of missionaries in Latin America, Fides learns. “Today, the report says, we express and renew our gratitude to the 31 priests from Toledo serving the Church in Latin American countries, those who are members of OCSHA, and all Spanish, sisters and brothers, priests and lay persons Fidei Donum missionaries for the evangelisation of those lands. Since 1959, on this day of special celebration we remember the numerous missionaries with prayers and church communion made explicit in cooperation among the local Churches " the note concludes.



Link correlati :Materiale per la celebrazione della Giornata:

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Pope: 'Church does not need "blood money" but openness to God's mercy'

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis says the Church has no need for “blood” money that derives from exploitation of people; what it needs is that the hearts of faithful be open to God’s mercy.

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly General Audience, the Pope’s catechesis was inspired by the Holy Year of Mercy and he reflected on God’s fatherly love and forgiveness. 

When God’s children err in their ways, the Pope said, God calls out to them lovingly and never disowns them.
 
“The most evil of men, the most evil of women, and the most evil of peoples are His children” he said. 

The Lord never disowns us; he always calls us to be close to Him. This – the Pope said – is the love of our Father, the mercy of God.

“To have a Father like this gives us hope and trust” he said. 

And commenting on the fact that “when a person is sick he turns to the doctor; when he feels he has sinned” Francis said: “he must turn to God – because if he turns to the witchdoctor he will not be healed”.

Pointing out that “we often choose to tread the wrong paths in search of a justification, justice, and peace” Pope Francis said that these are gifts that are bestowed upon us by the Lord if we choose the right path and turn to Him.

“I think of some benefactors of the Church, who come with an offer for the Church and their offer is the fruit of the blood of people who have been exploited, enslaved with work which was under-payed” he said.

“I will tell these people to please take back their cheques. The People of God don’t need their dirty money but hearts that are open to the mercy of God” he said. 
     
Reflecting on how the prophet Isaiah presents God in the Scriptures, he said that this fatherly love of the Lord also involves correction, a summons to conversion and the renewal of the Covenant.  

If he chastises his people, the Pope said, it is to move them to repentance and conversion, and in his mercy, he asks them to turn back to him with all their hearts and to receive a righteousness that is itself his gift. 
 
“Though our sins be like scarlet, he will make them white as snow” he said.

And with a special thought and mention for the many refugees who are attempting to enter Europe and do not know where to go, Pope Francis invited the faithful to be open, during this year of grace, to our heavenly Father’s merciful invitation to come back to him and to experience this miracle of his love and forgiveness.

(from Vatican Radio)

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Pope Francis: Divine mercy forgives and forgets

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican on Tuesday morning. In remarks to the faithful following the readings of the day, the Holy Father spoke on the season of Lent as a privileged time in which to prepare our hearts to receive God’s forgiveness and to forgive our neighbors in turn, forgetting the faults of others.

The Holy Father’s address focused on God’s infinite capacity for forgiveness as a perfection of his nature, which contrasts sharply with the inability of fallen human nature to make even the slightest concession to its own frailty.

Without memory

Taking as his starting point the Gospel account of Peter’s well-known question to Jesus regarding how many times we are to forgive a brother who has sinned against us – seventy times seven times (cf. Mt. 18:22) –   and the account from the 1^st reading of the young Azaria, sentenced to death in a furnace for refusing to worship a golden idol, who, from the flames of the fiery furnace invokes God's mercy for the people at the same time as he implores forgiveness for himself (cf. Dn. 3:25,33-43), the Holy Father offered the young Azaria’s prayer as an especially apt illustration of the way we ought to trust in the goodness and mercy of the Lord:

“When God forgives, his forgiveness is so great that it is as though God forgets. Quite the opposite of what we do, as we chatter: ‘But so-and-so did such-and-such,’ and we have the complete histories of many people, don’t we? From antiquity through their Middles Ages, their modernity, and even down to their present – and we do not forget. Why? Because we do not have a merciful heart. ‘Do with us with us according to your clemency,’ says this young Azaria ‘according to Thy great mercy Save us.’ It is an appeal to the mercy of God, that He might give us forgiveness and salvation and forget our sins.”

The equation of forgiveness

In the Gospel passage, explaining to Peter that we must always forgive, Jesus tells the parable of the two debtors, the first who gets a pardon from his master, while owing him a huge fortune, and who even shortly afterward was himself unable to be as merciful with another, who owed him only a small sum:

“In the Our Father we pray: ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.’ It is an equation: the two sides go together. If you are not able to forgive, how will God forgive you? He wants to forgive you, but He will not if you have closed hearts, where mercy cannot enter. ‘But, Father, I forgive, but I cannot forget the bad turn that so-and-so did me ...’. Well, ask the Lord to help you to forget. That, however, is another matter. We can forgive, but we cannot always forget. Sometimes we say, ‘I forgive you,’ when we mean, ‘you’ll pay me later’. This, never: forgive as God forgives – to the utmost.”

Mercy which “forgets”

Pope Francis went on to stress that mercy, compassion, forgiveness, repeated the Pope, are most Godly, and recalled that heartfelt pardon given and received is always an act of Divine mercy:

“May Lent prepare our hearts to receive God’s forgiveness – but let us receive it and then do the same with others: forgive heartily. Perhaps you never even greet me in the street, but in my heart I have forgiven you. In this way, we get closer to this thing so great, so Godly, which is mercy. Forgiving, we open our hearts so that God’s mercy might come and forgive us, for, we all have need of pardon, need to ask forgiveness. Let us forgive, and we shall be forgiven. Let us have mercy on others, and we shall feel that mercy of God, who, when He forgives, [also] ‘forgets.’”

(from Vatican Radio)

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