VATICAN - Decrees from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, among which are miracles ...
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father today received in private audience Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins C.M.F., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following: a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed, Fr. Damian de Veuster, Belgian professed priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1840-1889); a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, Italian founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation (1272-1348). Blessed Nuno di Santa Maria Alvares Pereira (ne: Nuno), Portuguese professed layman of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (1360-1431); Servant of God Ludovico Martin, French lay man (1823-1894) and Servant of God Maria Zelia Guerin Martin, French lay woman (1831-1877). The Holy Father also approved the publication of the Decree regarding the martyrdom of Servant of God Francesco Giovanni Bonifacio, Italian, killed in hatred of the faith at Villa Gardossi, Italy (1912-1946) and the heroic virtues of Blessed Nuno di Santa Maria Alvares Pereira (ne: Nuno), Portuguese professed layman of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (1360-1431); Servant of God Stephen Douayhy, Lebanese patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites (1630-1704); Servant of God Bernardino Dal Vago da Portogruaro (ne: Giuseppe), Italian archbishop of the Order of Friars Minor (1822-1895); Servant of God Giuseppe Di Donna, Italian bishop of Andria, of the Order of the Blessed Trinity (1901-1952). Servant of God Maria Barbara of the Blessed Trinity Maix (nee: Barbara), Austrian foundress of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1818-1873); Servant of God Pius Keller (ne: Hans), German professed priest of the Order of St. Augustine (1825-1904); Servant of God Andres Hibernon Garmendia (ne: Francisco Andres), Spanish professed brother of the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools (1880-1969); and Servant of God Chiara Badano, young Italian lay woman (1971-1990). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

VATICAN - Program for Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Journey to France, for the occasion of the 150th ...
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy See Press Office has announced that Benedict XVI will make an apostolic trip to France from 12 to 15 September, for the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes. The Holy Father will depart from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9 a.m. on Friday 12 September, landing at Orly airport in Paris two hours later. The welcome ceremony and courtesy visit to Nicolas Sarkozy, president of France, will he held in the Elysee Palace at 12.25 p.m., followed by a meeting with the authorities of State to whom the Pope will pronounce a discourse. At 5 p.m. he is due to meet with delegates from the local Jewish community at the apostolic nunciature in Paris, after which he will travel to the city's College des Bernardins where he will encounter representatives from the world of culture. At 5 p.m. he will preside at Vespers in the cathedral of Notre- Dame with priests, religious, seminarians and deacons, and greet young people gathered in front of the building. On Saturday 13 September, the Holy Father will make a brief visit to the Institut de France before going on to celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. on the Esplanade des Invalides. At 4.30 p.m. he is scheduled to travel by plane to Lourdes where, at 6.30 p.m., he will visit the church of the Sacred Heart and the Cachot (house of the Soubirous family), then proceed to the Grotto. At 9.30 p.m. he is due to close the torchlight Marian procession on the esplanade of the Shrine of Lourdes. On Sunday 14 September, on the Meadow in Lourdes, Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions, then pray the Angelus. At 5.15 p.m. he is due to meet with French bishops in the Hemicycle Sainte-Bernadette and, an hour later, to address participants in a Eucharistic procession on the Meadow. At 8.45 a.m. on Monday 15 September the Pope will visit the Oratory of the Hospital in Lourdes, then celebrate Mass for the sick in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. The departure ceremony is due to take place at 12.30 p.m. in the airport of Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees and the Pope's plane is scheduled to arrive at Rome's Ciampino airport at 5.15. p.m. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

ASIA/TAIWAN - Missionary sending for the “Cursillo Movement” of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, ...
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) – According to a report from Christian Life Weekly, the weekly bulletin for the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, the Cathedral recently held a solemn celebration of the rite of missionary sending for the Cursillo Movement of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei. In celebrating its 40th anniversary of missions in Taiwan, this event is meant to highlight the intense communion of all the Cursillo Movement’s members in the Lord, focusing on the commitment of the entire community to “Sound the trumpet of justice, to become a light of truth.” The Cursillo Movement began in Mallorca (Spain), upon the initiative of Bishop Juan Hervas, in 1948. The movement quickly spread throughout the world, with the formation of groups of baptized faithful who would become “ferment” for evangelizing in their life and work atmospheres. On July 29, 2000, Pope John Paul II received some of its members in an audience. It was officially recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity on June 21, 2004. The movement arrived in Taiwan in 1968 and has experienced great success among the Taiwanese faithful, especially among the youth. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

EUROPE/ITALY - FAO’s latest alarming fact: the number of hungry people increased by about 50 ...
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The food crisis that has come as a result of soaring prices of certain products that form the staple food product for millions of people and the rising fuel cost, is causing an unprecedented crisis on a worldwide level. The FAO is, thus, once again expressing its serious concerns just weeks after the world summit held in Rome, which focused on the problem of undernourishment and agricultural production. According to recent data from the General Director of this United Nations entity, Jacques Diouf, the number of hungry people increased by about 50 million in 2007. Many countries affected by the crisis are not equipped to meet the emergency on their own and are in need of multilateral collaboration, of forming alliances with international institutions and with other nations. There are various factors that are producing this grave crisis, many of which have been enumerated in Rome. Among these are the increasing demand for agricultural products, due to demographic growth and the economic progress of developing countries; the decision made by some larger nations in investing in bio-fuels and the relatively rapid rate at which this sector is growing and taking over lands that would still be considered arable lands for growing crops; the interruption of agricultural production due to climate changes and their effects, especially drought and flooding, which have caused great damages in both Africa and in southeast Asia. It is also worth noting that cereal stocks are at their lowest levels in 30 years. The FAO says that in order to respond to the current crisis, global food production needs to double by 2050. Still under accusation are those exporting nations of agricultural products that invest on their own markets in order to conserve their own consumers. The FAO especially indicates that the share of agriculture in official development assistance has declined from 17 percent in 1980 to only three percent in 2006, without counting the minimum level of investments that come in from the scientific research in the agricultural field in these same countries: it is an ever-increasing difficulty, for which the international community as a whole is responsible. The estimated incremental public investment needs about US$24 billion every year – this includes increased resources for water management, rural roads, storage facilities, as well as research and extension. Among the facts that are most a cause for concern is the world’s loss of agricultural land: 5-10 million hectares of agricultural land every year due to severe degradation. However, in Africa, Latin America and Central Asia there is a great potential for expanding land under cultivation. Lastly, there remains the great “unknown” of the climate changes: If temperatures rise by more than three degrees, yields of major crops like maize may fall by 20-40 percent in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. (Mtp) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

AMERICA/GUATEMALA - Bishops denounce the repressive dispositions recently adopted by the ...
Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) – “In these times that are so difficult for immigrants and their families, we ask that God may enlighten the minds and hearts of the nations’ leaders who have taken up unsupportive attitudes, that they may begin offering immigrants humane and dignified treatment,” read a statement issued by the Pastoral Office for Human Mobility of the Guatemalan Bishops’ Conference, in light of the recent actions and decisions carried out by the European Community and the United States of America regarding immigrants. The Bishops firstly express their “solidarity, moral and spiritual support to all those immigrants who are currently suffering persecutions, arrests, and deportations in the United States,” as well as “those who despairingly await the laws and xenophobic policies that violate fundamental human rights in the European Union.” As representatives of the Church, they manifest their concern for the fact that these nations have chosen to adopt “repressive and incriminating dispositions towards thousands of undocumented persons who in clandestine circumstances contribute to the economy of their countries of origin and those to which they immigrate.” The Bishops also denounce the round-ups and massive deportations of Guatemalans from the United States and Mexico, as “these attitudes of hostility and persecution are by no means a solution to the immigration problem; they are counterproductive and inhumane.” The Bishops say that in light of this situation, what are most urgently needed are “that the necessary governmental means are taken in the reinsertion of deported workers and an authentic plan of reception, attention, and integration into society and the workplace for deported Guatemalans.” In the case of the proposed “Return Directive,” which is under heated debate in the European Union, they refer to the initiative as “excessively restrictive and it does not sufficiently ensure respect of human rights for immigrants, as it establishes such procedures as the possibility of being detained for up to 18 months in detainment centers for foreigners (without having ever committed a crime).” There is also an established rule that “once discovered” (the immigrants in hiding), they will be given a period of 7-30 days’ time in order to voluntarily leave the country.” The immigrants that have been expelled, “will be prohibited from legally entering territory of the European Union for 5 years’ time.” In light of this situation, the Bishops of Guatemala are asking that “the nations of the European Union, the United States, and Mexico, may reflect and act with solidarity and without prejudice against immigrants that because of desperate situations (poverty, unemployment, insecurity, natural disasters, war, etc.) have left their own countries in order to survive and maintain their physical integrity.” They also ask immigrants to “remain firm in the face of these trials and to maintain unity and solidarity in the struggle against such adversities.” They ask the government in Guatemala to “react with authentic attitudes and policies of immediate attention for deportees.” Lastly, the Bishops ask that the Central American Community and the Central American Integration System (SICA) “adopt common policies in light of the dispositions of the European Community, so that united with common interests they may influence the European Union as a block and call them on to a serious reflection on the treatment of immigrants.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

AMERICA/VENEZUELA - Bishops warn faithful: do not be fooled by the so-called “Reformed Catholic ...
Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – Archbishop Ubaldo Santana of Maracaibo, President of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, made an urgent appeal to the faithful, asking them “not to be fooled” by the so-called “Reformed Catholic Church” that is not Catholic and that attempts to “usurp the functions, sacraments, organization, and vestments that correspond” to the one true Catholic Church. In a statement he wrote, Archbishop Santana mentioned that those who promote this group seek “directly to confuse Catholics, attacking beliefs and dividing Catholics throughout the country.” According to a statement issued by the Diocese of Cabimas on June 25, two Catholic priests from the Diocese of Cabimas and the Archdiocese of Maracaibo, who abandoned their ministry at different moments in time and later publicly renounced the true Catholic faith through their words and behavior, along with two Lutheran pastors, have begun this new Church entitled the “Reformed Catholic Church of Venezuela.” On June 29, a ceremony was held in the San Pablo Lutheran Church in Ciudad Ojeda, during which three Bishops: Dale Climie, Archbishop of the Conservative Anglican Church in the United States; Leonardo Marin, primate of the Latin American Anglican Church; and Jorge Perez, Anglican Bishop of Mexico, consecrated three of these Venezuelans mentioned above, as Bishops, in order to “establish” the Reformed Catholic Church of Venezuela. “It seeks to establish itself as an alternative to the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church, using the same symbology, vestments, nomenclature, titles, and sacramental and liturgical services as the Catholic Church. They also wish to continue calling themselves Catholic without being united in obedience, neither to the Pope nor to the Catholic Hierarchy, even simulating the ordination of new Bishops without the expressed mandate of the Roman Pontiff,” the statement reads. In light of this situation, the Bishop’s Office of Cabimas has published a statement rejecting this new church and explicitly stating that it does not recognize these Bishops. The document also reaffirms the Bishop’s fidelity and adhesion to the Catholic Church, as the only true and authentic one founded by Jesus Christ, and to Pope Benedict XVI, legitimate Vicar of Christ on earth. It also states that “the teachings of this movement are in direct opposition to those of the Catholic faith, as it not only rejects principles of the faith and tradition, but also the communion with the Catholic Church in the person of the Pope, successor of Peter, and therefore, the College of Bishops.” Moreover, “this movement has no right whatsoever to call itself Catholic, as the Code of Canon Law states that “No association is to assume the name Catholic without the consent of competent ecclesiastical authority...” (C. 300). The statement also reminds the faithful that these priests involved have committed two extremely serious offenses mentioned in the Code of Canon Law (Cf. 751; 1364 §1): heresy and schism. The statement from the Archdiocese of Maracaibo encourages Catholics “to be on guard and not to be confused by this new group that is committing an disrespectful and underhanded usurpation” in trying to maintain the worship and organizational norms of the Catholic Church. It also reminds all the faithful that “both clerics and laity that unite themselves to or accept the dispositions and beliefs of a schismatic or heretical group like the so-called Reformed Catholic Church, are liable to being ex-communicated, in accordance with Canon 1364 of the Code of Canon Law.” Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Archbishop of Caracas has also affirmed that this Church is “a mixed group formed by dissidents from various historical Churches.” Moreover, “the apparent political finality of this association dismantles it as an authentic expression of the Christian faith. The mission of the authentic Church of Jesus Chris is to bring the announcement and gifts of Christ to the entire world, regardless of political issues and affiliations of the faithful.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

AMERICA/ECUADOR - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re at the closing ceremony for the First National ...
Guayaquil (Agenzia Fides) – On July 3, the First National Youth Day ended in Guayaquil, with a Solemn Mass presided by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. The event was attended by over 3,000 young people who came to the city of Guayaquil from all over the country, united in the theme: “Youth, with the power of the Holy Spirit, you will be my witnesses.” The participants were generously welcomed by hundreds of families in Guayaquil from several parishes. The Youth Day was a community experience of pilgrimage, prayer, and the Mass, with the objective of “celebrating the living presence of the youth in the Church in Ecuador, through a profound reflection on the Holy Spirit that offers them the strength to live and to bear witness to the Gospel and the audacity to proclaim it, growing in maturity in their following of Christ with fervor and joy, illuminating the world with the Light of Christ.” In the homily at the closing Mass, Cardinal Re told the youth that “we only have one life and time passes very quickly; life...lived with faith in God is an intriguing adventure.” He also encouraged them to “trust in the Church, this Church that is divine and human, that counts on God’s assistance but also with man’s weaknesses. In spite of these weaknesses, the Church hands on the message of Christ in an authentic and sure manner; the Church continues Christ’s work in today’s world. In the boat that is the Church, we are saved and if we run from Her, we run the risk of being drowned.” He also pointed out that “the lack of ideals is what leads to emptiness and boredom. That is why, dear young people, I encourage you not to postpone life’s fundamental decisions. When the Lord calls us, He also gives us the strength and the grace necessary for responding to the responsibilities that will be placed on our path.” Recalling Pope John XXIII, Cardinal Re highlighted that “life is the fulfillment of a dream from our youth” and asked each young person to have their own dream, “a great dream and seek to fulfill it with Christ as your companion during your youth. Dear young people, life is worth living, but only when it is lived with a great ideal and Jesus Christ is the highest and most sublime ideal possible...He is the most perfect model of a person and offers a lifestyle that leads to fullness of existence.” The Cardinal concluded his homily expressing his hope that Christ may truly be for each one of the participants “light and strength in life, becoming present before each one of them.” The Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza of Guayaquil, President of the Ecuadorian Bishops’ Conference, Auxiliary Bishops Marcos Pérez and Aníbal Nieto, as well as priests from the Archdiocese. At the end of the ceremony, it was announced that the Second National Youth Day will take place in the city of Cuenca in 2009. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/7/2008)

ASIA/CHINA - “Give us an empty sack without rice, because it has the Pope’s shield”: a petition ...
Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) – “Could you please give us just the sack? Even though there is no rice inside, it has the Pope’s shield on it”: this is the unusual petition being made by earthquake victims, to the leaders and volunteer workers of Jinde Charity that are working on the site most severely hit by the earthquake of May 12, in the province of Si Chuan, continental China. The personal donation of the Holy Father has already been converted into rice and distributed to victims. When they saw the Pope’s shield printed on the sacks, they were all amazed and enthusiastic. Word spread, and soon many began telling Jinde Charity volunteers: “we know that there is not enough rice for everyone. We can give up the rice, but we just want the Pope’s symbol, and seeing it we won’t be hungry anymore. We will frame it and tell of the event to our children and grandchildren...to express our gratitude for the Pope’s closeness. Please!” On the webpage that offers a list of the names of donors who have helped victims, prepared by Jinde Charity (www.jinde.org/jinde-donor.asp?page=2), the name of Pope Benedict XVI also appears. According to the webpage’s coordinator “after this publication, our telephone lines were crowded with calls. We received e-mails and faxes from Chinese Catholics and non-Catholics, expressing their gratitude to the Pope and their great excitement at perceiving his presence so close to them.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 04/07/2008)

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Renewed ecumenical efforts in the Korean Church, in honor of the Pauline Year
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – Living the Year of Saint Paul under the sign of ecumenical communion, encouraging the participation of sister-churches, giving a fresh impulse to dialogue and promoting collaboration in all sectors, especially in charitable services: this is the spirit with which the Korean Church hopes to live the Pauline Year, inaugurated in all Korean parishes on June 28. In the Archdiocese of Seoul, Cardinal Nicholas Cheong, the city’s Archbishop, presided a Mass in which he spoke in the spirit of the Apostle to the Gentiles, saying: “I hope that the Church in Korea may be renewed by the spirit of Saint Paul in this world that has no spirituality. I hope that the Pauline Year will not only be a celebration within the Church, but that it may become a celebration of life, truth, and hope for all sectors of society.” In the Archdiocese of Daegu, as well, the inauguration of the Pauline Year was celebrated as an opportunity for growth and evangelization, in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Diocese’s erection in 2011. All the Korean dioceses have contributed to the elaboration of a program of initiatives of formation and prayer, cultural encounters and deepening in their knowledge of the person and writings of Saint Paul. All the scheduled events are characterized by a renewed ecumenical effort of the Korean Church that, in response to the indications of Pope Benedict XVI, has been working in close collaboration with the leaders of other Christian Churches and the respective communities of other beliefs present. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/07/2008)

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Dialogue and peace entrusted to the youth in the most difficult areas of ...
Jolo (Agenzia Fides) – The youth are the real builders of dialogue and peace in the southern Philippines, where conflict, hate, and violence continue to threaten people’s lives, especially on the island of Jolo, to the south of the large island of Mindanao, where tensions continue to be high due to the conflicts between the government and terrorist groups. The violence reflects the situation of the local population, divided into Christians and Muslims: the social tension is on the rise due to poverty and the evacuations that the people must undergo as a consequence of permanent conflict that shows no signs of ending soon. Peace is a value and a task for the youth who wish to make it their own, making their own contribution with their own voice, their own spirit and strength. This is the claim of the youth of Jolo and the Sulu Islands, who recently gathered in the city’s Cathedral for a seminar dedicated to the struggle for peace in the territory. The seminar, organized by the “Sisilah Centre” of Jolo, brought together Christians and Muslims, discussing their own ideas and worries, as well as their own dreams and experiences. “We are the seed for tomorrow’s society. The future of the civilization depends on our efforts and our actions,” the participants affirmed. The youth are called to realize their potentials and responsibilities in the construction of a just and fraternal society, beginning with mutual understanding and respect among Christians and Muslims. With this in mind, the Islamic-Christian Center “Sisilah,” which began on the island in September 2007 (see Fides 10/9/2007), works directly in the area, spreading a culture of dialogue and peace, working with religious leaders, civil authorities, students, and associations. According to Sisilah, “a lifestyle of dialogue and relations with our neighbor, marked by charity, sensitivity, and solidarity, are the seed from which peace grows among peoples. Muslims and Christians can work together in harmony, in the common search for peace, if a respect for each other’s sensibilities and for the differences of cultural, ethnic, and religious identity is maintained.” “Sisilah” also mentions that the attitude of religious leaders is also very important: “Those who are called by God to occupy positions of responsibility in communities can make the dream of peace for Jolo a reality, by exercising their own leadership as a model for the people, so they can see God’s presence through their actions,” characterized by values of justice and peace. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/07/2008)