Latin Americas Bishops Consecrate Continent to the Protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Marian celebration on the occasion of the threat of the coronavirus pandemic on Easter Sunday in the Guadalupe Basilica of Mexico City and in the local churches

Rome (kath.net/KAP) The Council of Latin American Episcopal Conferences (CELAM) is taking an extraordinary step to solicit intercession for the "early end of the pandemic" together with the Bishops of Mexico (CEST), Latin America and the Caribbean are dedicated to the Mother of God of Guadalupe, who is also the patron saint of the continent, said the Roman news service "Fides" on Wednesday. The main event is at the Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City.

The current situation requires that "as shepherds we see and hear the suffering of our peoples and awaken hope by looking at our mother in heaven," said CELAM President Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, Archbishop of Trujillo. All countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to join the celebration through the media. At the same time, the bells of all churches should ring.

The program of the celebration initially includes the prayer of a "missionary rosary for the health of people on the five continents." The Easter service will follow and at the end there is the act of consecration of the continent to "Our Lady of Guadalupe." The contemplation of the Mother of Jesus strengthens faith and hope, and it also strengthens "that we use love based on solidarity, especially for those who today feel sick, pain, poverty, loneliness, fear or unrest," says the CELAM letter.

The decision of the bishops was preceded by several appeals to the Virgin Mary by Latin American presidents in the wake of the Corona crisis, including Colombia's head of state Ivan Duque. In Paraguay, President Mario Abdo Benitez, in El Salvador his counterpart Nayib Bukele, and in Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for prayers. US President Donald Trump declared March 15th the "National Day of Prayer" in his country when the Coronavirus pandemic began.

Protector in distress

The consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a form of piety of the Catholic Church. Individuals or groups, churches, monasteries, dioceses or even nations are entrusted to the intercession of Mary and her special protection. The consecration of the Virgin Mary is practiced frequently, but not only in exceptional situations.

Traditional Marian piety sees Mary as a protector in distress. In many devotional pictures and works of art history, she is depicted with a protective coat under which those in need find refuge. Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) has consecrated the whole of humanity to the Blessed Mother several times, which Pope Pius XII. did in 1942. There were also several consecrations of the Virgin Mary in Austria, most recently on Thursday of the previous week - the Feast of the Annunciation - the consecration of Tyrol by Bishop Hermann Glettler.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

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Pope Francis: Rebel University of Peru Recognized Unilaterally as "Papal" and "Catholic"

(Rome) Pope Francis continues the rehabilitation of individuals and institutions in Latin America who were censured by the Holy See - especially under Pope Benedict XVI. - because of serious deviations from the doctrine or Church order.

Rehabilitation Ariel Álvarez Valdés

A few weeks ago Pope Francis rehabilitated his Argentine compatriot, the dogmatic theologian Ariel Álvarez Valdés. For more than twelve years 1995-2008 there has been conflict between Álvarez Valdés and the Church. As a representative in the teaching of biblical rationalism in Chile, modeled after the Lutheran Rudolf Bultmann, despite not distancing himself after repeated calls from heterodox theories, his teaching license was revoked. Álvarez Valdés' reaction to the condemnation of his priesthood led him to describe himself as a "victim" of a "repressive method of persecution" by the Roman Congregation. Ariel Álvarez Valdés would not correct any of his nine theses contested by the CDF for rehabilitation. The rehabilitation by Pope Francis was made ​​unilaterally and without reparation. A substantive issue was not addressed.

Rehabilitation of Cicero Romao Batista

On December 2015 Pope Francis rehabilitated the excommunicated priest Brazilian Cicero Romao Batista (1844-1834). Romao Batista had been excommunicated form rebellion in 1891 against ecclesiastical order. He was accused by his bishop of having constructed a false Eucharistic miracle. After his excommunication, Romao Batista, a staunch Christian Social activist, engaged in political activities and got into the fight between liberals and Catholics. It was there that the people's veneration grew in his homeland, the State of Ceará in northeastern Brazil. In 1974 he was canonized by the schismatic Brazilian Apostolic Church. In the case of Romao Batista the Vatican Secretariat of State informed the competent bishop of a formal error. The Excommunication of 1891 had never been properly executed, therefore Romao Batista was never excommunicated. Also in this case Pope Francis forewent any substantive explanation.

In addition there are a number of signals of approaching liberation theology, such as the visit of Pope Francis in July 2015 at the grave of the Jesuit and Marxist Luis Espinal Camps in Bolivia and the controversial beatification of Archbishop Óscar Romero in May 2015 in San Salvador. Pope Francis recognized the death of the archbishop, who was killed in the church by a soldier of the former military dictatorship, as Martyrdom in odium fidei. It was his predecessor Benedict XVI. who harbored doubts and stopped the beatification process.

Five Bishops With Evil Rector 

Former Pontifical Catholic University of Peru

On Friday, August 12, it was announced in a press release that the former "Pontifical Catholic" University of Peru will now officially again call themselves "Catholic" and may use the honorary title of "pontifical" university.

The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) is the oldest private university in the Latin American country. They currently enroll 25,000 students. In 1917 she was consciously founded by the Arnsteiner Father Jorge Dintilhac SSCC (Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and the Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) as a Catholic university to counteract the pressures of liberal sentiments from the state. Dintilhac was founding rector and defined the university until his death in 1947. In 1942 his work was honored by Pope Pius XII., recognizing the school as a Pontifical University. Each incumbent Archbishop of Lima was its Grand Chancellor.

Since the 1960s, Gustavo Gutierrez has taught at the University, the namesake and founder of Marxist liberation theology. Because of various initiatives and its faculty, there were conflicts with ecclesiastical authority. Under the incumbent Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru, Juan Luis Cardinal Cipriani Thorne, the conflict came to a head. The cardinal denounced the university as its Grand Chancellor, of being in its activities and doctrine like secular universities and urged it to regain its lost Catholic profile. The cardinal referred to the constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae issued by Pope John Paul II. in 1990 and called for its implementation.

Lack of Catholic Profile

As Rector Marcial Antonio Rubio Correa, after the ouster of President Alberto Fujimori 2000/2001, became Minister of Education, was deaf to this proposal, an investigation was launched by the Vatican. In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI. sent Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, as apostolic visitor. Since this intervention did not bear fruit, the Vatican presented the University with an ultimatum to implement the provisions of 1990. As this passed unheeded, the University was deprived of recognition as a "Papal" and "Catholic" university.

Rector Rubio Correa continued the confrontation nevertheless, and insisted upon maintaining the full name, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú because it was independent of Canon Law, by the name of the University being recognized and registered by the State Peru. In Catholic publications ever since an "ex" is used when naming the University.

Four years later, everything seems different. Pope Francis let the Peruvian Episcopal Conference know through Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin that the University may be called again "papal" and "Catholic". The bishops are again to return the University to the highest of bodies. On August 12, the Episcopal Conference implemented the papal request. An official delegation visited the University Rector to officially notify them of the papal decision. Rector is still the lawyer Marcial Antonio Rubio Correa.

Big Loser Cardinal Cipriani Thorne

Of an implementation of the university constitution Ex Corde Ecclesciae 1990 or a strengthening of the Catholic profile, there is no more talk. With immediate effect five bishops reassume their seat and a vote in university committees, including the President of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, Salvador Piñeiro García-Calderón, the Archbishop of Ayacucho o Huamanga. Rector Rubio Correa has said he was "delighted" and did so through the press-service of the University, presenting a photo of himself and the five bishops.

In August 2012, the bishops had still defended Cardinal Cipriani Thorne against "baseless allegations" that were spread by the media, who supported the struggle of the Rector against the Church. The bishops declared that time to try to protect those students who "want to preserve the Catholic identity of the University." Four years later, the "Catholic identity" at the University does not seem to be at risk.

The big loser is, next to the Church's credibility and a recognizable Catholic position, especially, Juan Luis Cardinal Cipriani Thorne. The cardinal was not included in Pope Francis' decision. This thus gives the impression that the Primate of Peru, along with Benedict XVI., had a senseless conflict about a broken fence, there had apparently never existed one reason to deprive the University of its name.

Cardinal Cipriani Thorne belongs to Opus Dei, who has been under strong pressure since the election of Pope Francis within the Peruvian Episcopal Conference. The bishops newly appointed by Francis have almost invariably, another understanding of the Church. The Cardinal is, due to his personality and intellect, a still outstanding, but increasingly isolated figure in the Catholic Church in the country. It is an open secret that a group of brothers in the episcopate longs for his retirement. The Cardinal will complete in December 2018 his 75th year.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi

Image: PUCP (Screenshot)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

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Papal Trips and "Cancelled" Events -- Marian Appearances of 2017: 300 Years of Aparacida, 100 Years of Fatima

Francis in Paraguay: Will the Pope Visit His Homeland in Argentina?

(Rome) From the 12th to the 18th of February Pope Francis will visit Mexico. Currently, there is speculation about further destinations of the Pope. This is due to the publication of the calendar of papal celebrations for the first half of 2016. The publication was carried out by the Pontifical House. Of note is the "canceled" anniversary.

Popal travels serve to the "strengthen brothers." They are also opportunities to bring particular Churches on track and to garner support. The latter was the case in the trip to Africa that most defies the "new mercy" when it comes to marriage and morality.

Armenia - the oldest Christian state

On the flight back from Africa, Francis had expressed the wish last November to visit Armenia. The Angelus on Sunday, 22 May was "canceled" in the calendar. It is therefore believed that the pope would undertake a shorter trip in the period between May 18th and 25th. Armenia was described then as a possible destination in this regard. More "canceled" dates are the general audience of the 22nd of June and the Angelus of the 26th of June. Between the 18th and 29th of June no activities are planned. Therefore, it is speculated there will be an intercontinental trip overseas. Where will the trip go? World Religion News identified Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay as potential targets. According to past practice, the Pope has never visited more than three states during a pastoral visit. But first things first:

Pastoral Visits 2016: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay?

On December 27th, Infobae reported that the newly elected Argentine President Mauricio Macri will be first received on coming January 22nd in audience by the Pope. It can be assumed that Macri will invite the Catholic Church leader on this occasion, after nearly three years in office, to also visit his homeland. It is an open secret that Francis didn't support Macri, but his leftist challenger during the election campaign of 2015. The first encounter between the two is therefore awaited with excitement in Argentina.

In an interview with the broadcasting network RCN the President of the Colombian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Luis Augusto Casto, said that Pope Francis had failed to grant an audience for 23 January. He added: "It is certain that he will come [to Colombia] and we will take this opportunity to agree on the appointment."

Yesterday La Tercera of Chile reported that of the Chilean Bishops' Conference requested an audience which will be granted shortly and scheduled for today. The President of the Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, and his deputy, Archbishop Alejandro Goic have hurried on to Rome. The topics to be discussed are numerous. Among other things considered, according to La Tercera, is a visit of the Pope to Chile.

The main issue is the case of the now 85 year old priest, Fernando Karadima. In 2010 cases of sexual abuse of minors had become known. In 2011 Karadima was suspended by the Church for life. He may no longer exercise his priesthood, and must lead a life of silence and penance. A victim consortium is now demanding through US Attorneys around half a billion dollars for pain and suffering. There is nothing to gain from Karadima, yet it is hoped to earn a fortune in the Catholic Church. The claim is justified by "negligence".

The case of Karadima is being used by the ruling left-wing coalition in Chile under President Michelle Bachelet to legalize the killing of unborn children. The resistance of the Catholic Church is the biggest obstacle against the legalization of abortion.

A visit in 2016 in Peru with Cardinal Cipriani Thorne, the only representative of Opus Dei with cardinal rank and one of the highest representatives of the rapidly shrinking group of Opus Dei bishops under Francis, was excluded last year by Msgr. Karcher, the Argentine master of ceremonies of the Pope.

Marian shrines 2017: 300 Aparecida - 100 Years of Fatima

There a trip to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay could take place  in 2016. While 2017 could be followed by a visit to Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. 2017 marks the 300th anniversary of the Marian apparition in the Brazilian State of Aparecida in Sao Paulo. Pope Francis has visited the Marian shrine already on July 24, 2013 when he came for to Brazil for World Youth Day. Back then he finished an impromptu speech at the Basilica de Nossa Senhora Aparecida with the words: "And goodbye till 2017 when I will come back ..."

In April and again in September 2015, Pope Francis expressed his desire to want to come in 2017 for the 100th anniversary celebration of the apparitions of Mary to Fatima.

As long as official confirmations is outstanding, all things are only speculation at this moment.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi

Image: Viarosario (Screenshot)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches....

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Cardinal C8 to Advise Pope Over Curia Reform

Edit: Cardinal Christoph von Schönborn reforming the Church, one balloon at a time.

Topics are twelve Vatican Councils - Subsequent Cardinal surveys to make Consistory "less European"

Vatican City (kath.net / KAP) The Vatican has begun a three-day meeting of the Cardinal Council for the reform of the Curia on Monday. The eight cardinals of the so-called C8 Council, among them the Archbishop of Munich Reinhard Marx [And +++Sean], are consulting together with Pope Francis about a realignment of ecclesiastical government headquarters. The focus this time are the twelve Pontifical Councils.

As the meeting  of the College of Cardinals closes its general meeting on Thursday, Pope Francis' most important advisors will address the course of the reform efforts. In the plenary session, attended by Cardinal Christoph Schonborn , the Pope wants to present his previous initiatives and reform ideas.

 On Saturday Francis will confer office   19 church leaders  from his first consistory to the College of Cardinals, including 16 bishops under 80 years, who may therefore be able to also participate in a papal election. Among the electorate is the prefect of the CDF, Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

 The effect of the future appointments mean that the  Church Senate is to become "less European" and it is geared more to Latin America.   Nearly one-third (6 of 19) of the New comes from the Americas south of the Rio Grande.

 In the two previous conferences the C8  focused on the work of the Synod of Bishops and the nine congregations. The C8 Council had already been used by Pope Francis a month after his election, to advise him on Church authorities and to make recommendations for a reform of the Curia to him.

Copyright 2014 Catholic Press Agency, Vienna, Austria

Already 14 Catholic Priests Murdered in 2013

(Rome) In the first seven months of 2013 14 Catholic priests have already been murdered. The recent murder happened in Europe. 2012 was an encouraging downward trend, but the number in 2013 is already well above the previous year. First place of the macabre goes to Colombia with four priests killed. With ten murdered priests, the Americas stand out among the continents. In Colombia, the priests Jose Francisco Velez Echeverri (16 January), Luis Alfredo Suarez Salazar (2 February), Jose Mejia Ancizar Palomino (4 February), Jose Valle Bayona were 7 May) were killed.

In Mexico: Jose Flores Preciado (February 5), Ignacio Alvarez Cortez (22 July) in Venezuela: Jose Ramon Mendoza (17 February) in Canada: Louis Bourgeois, attacked on the 15th of October 2012, died from injuries (14 February) and in Haiti: Richard E. Joyal (25 April) and in Brazil: Elvis Marcelino de Lima (July 13).
In Asia, two priests were killed: In India, KJ Thomas (April 1) and in Syria Francois Murad (June 23). In Africa, the priest Evariste Mushi (February 17) in Tanzania. The recent murder of a Catholic priest happened in Europe. A priest, Giuseppe Peterlin fell victim to robbery and murder in the Marano in the town of Isera in Trentino Italy.

The trail of blood of murdered priests is long 2009: 37 priests; 2010: 15 priests, 18 priests murdered in 2011, 2012 10 priests.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Prophet's Mystique et
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
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