• Italian Archbishop Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, 65
• Portuguese Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 73
• Spanish Archbishop Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of Basilica of St. Mary Major, 76
• Italian Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, 73
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State, 69
• Italian Archbishop Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the Pontifical Council for Interpreting Legislative Texts, 73
• Brazilian Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, 64
• U.S. Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, 72
• Italian Archbishop Domenico Calcagno, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, 68
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi, president of Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, 68
• Syro-Malabar Archbishop George Alencherry of India, 66Canadian Archbishop Thomas C. Collins of Toronto, 64
• Czech Archbishop Dominik Duka of Prague, 68
• Dutch Archbishop Willem J. Eijk of Utrecht, 58
• Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence, 64
• U.S. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, 61
• German Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki of Berlin, 55
• Chinese Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, 72
• Romanian Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras and Alba Julia, 80
• Belgian Father Julien Ries, expert on history of religions, 91
• Maltese Augustinian Father Prosper Grech, biblical scholar, 86
• German Jesuit Father Karl Josef Becker, theologian, 83

Congratulations to all of the Cardinal-designates, especially Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Edwin Cardinal O’Brien.

We welcome the desire of our brother Agostino Cardinal Vallini,
our vicar general for the diocese of Rome,
many of our brothers in the episcopate
and of many faithful
and after obtaining the opinion
of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints,
with our Apostolic authority
we concede that the Venerable Servant of God,
John Paul II, pope,
shall be called henceforth blessed
and that his celebration can be held in the places
under rules established by law,
each year on October 22.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

“In resurrectione tua, Christe, coeli et terra laetentur!
In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and earth rejoice!” (Liturgy of the Hours).

Pope Benedict XVI delivers 'Urbi et Orbi' Message | Credit: AP

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and across the world, Easter morning brings us news that is ancient yet ever new: Christ is risen! The echo of this event, which issued forth from Jerusalem twenty centuries ago, continues to resound in the Church, deep in whose heart lives the vibrant faith of Mary, Mother of Jesus, the faith of Mary Magdalene and the other women who first discovered the empty tomb, and the faith of Peter and the other Apostles.

Right down to our own time – even in these days of advanced communications technology – the faith of Christians is based on that same news, on the testimony of those sisters and brothers who saw firstly the stone that had been rolled away from the empty tomb and then the mysterious messengers who testified that Jesus, the Crucified, was risen. And then Jesus himself, the Lord and Master, living and tangible, appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and finally to all eleven, gathered in the Upper Room (cf. Mk 16:9-14).

The resurrection of Christ is not the fruit of speculation or mystical experience: it is an event which, while it surpasses history, nevertheless happens at a precise moment in history and leaves an indelible mark upon it. The light which dazzled the guards keeping watch over Jesus’ tomb has traversed time and space. It is a different kind of light, a divine light, that has rent asunder the darkness of death and has brought to the world the splendour of God, the splendour of Truth and Goodness.

Just as the sun’s rays in springtime cause the buds on the branches of the trees to sprout and open up, so the radiance that streams forth from Christ’s resurrection gives strength and meaning to every human hope, to every expectation, wish and plan. Hence the entire cosmos is rejoicing today, caught up in the springtime of humanity, which gives voice to creation’s silent hymn of praise. The Easter Alleluia, resounding in the Church as she makes her pilgrim way through the world, expresses the silent exultation of the universe and above all the longing of every human soul that is sincerely open to God, giving thanks to him for his infinite goodness, beauty and truth.

“In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and earth rejoice.” To this summons to praise, which arises today from the heart of the Church, the “heavens” respond fully: the hosts of angels, saints and blessed souls join with one voice in our exultant song. In heaven all is peace and gladness. But alas, it is not so on earth! Here, in this world of ours, the Easter alleluia still contrasts with the cries and laments that arise from so many painful situations: deprivation, hunger, disease, war, violence. Yet it was for this that Christ died and rose again! He died on account of sin, including ours today, he rose for the redemption of history, including our own. So my message today is intended for everyone, and, as a prophetic proclamation, it is intended especially for peoples and communities who are undergoing a time of suffering, that the Risen Christ may open up for them the path of freedom, justice and peace.

May the Land which was the first to be flooded by the light of the Risen One rejoice. May the splendour of Christ reach the peoples of the Middle East, so that the light of peace and of human dignity may overcome the darkness of division, hate and violence. In the current conflict in Libya, may diplomacy and dialogue take the place of arms and may those who suffer as a result of the conflict be given access to humanitarian aid. In the countries of northern Africa and the Middle East, may all citizens, especially young people, work to promote the common good and to build a society where poverty is defeated and every political choice is inspired by respect for the human person. May help come from all sides to those fleeing conflict and to refugees from various African countries who have been obliged to leave all that is dear to them; may people of good will open their hearts to welcome them, so that the pressing needs of so many brothers and sisters will be met with a concerted response in a spirit of solidarity; and may our words of comfort and appreciation reach all those who make such generous efforts and offer an exemplary witness in this regard.

May peaceful coexistence be restored among the peoples of Ivory Coast, where there is an urgent need to tread the path of reconciliation and pardon, in order to heal the deep wounds caused by the recent violence. May Japan find consolation and hope as it faces the dramatic consequences of the recent earthquake, along with other countries that in recent months have been tested by natural disasters which have sown pain and anguish.

May heaven and earth rejoice at the witness of those who suffer opposition and even persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. May the proclamation of his victorious resurrection deepen their courage and trust.

Dear brothers and sisters! The risen Christ is journeying ahead of us towards the new heavens and the new earth (cf. Rev 21:1), in which we shall all finally live as one family, as sons of the same Father. He is with us until the end of time. Let us walk behind him, in this wounded world, singing Alleluia. In our hearts there is joy and sorrow, on our faces there are smiles and tears. Such is our earthly reality. But Christ is risen, he is alive and he walks with us. For this reason we sing and we walk, faithfully carrying out our task in this world with our gaze fixed on heaven.

Happy Easter to all of you!

Credit: Reuters

Over the last week or two, the conflict gripping Libya has been in the forefront of most American and international news agencies. In the United States, the debate has surrounded whether or not President Barack Obama had the constitutional authority to commit U.S. armed forces personnel to the international response approved by the United Nations. However, I raised a more important question: is the use of military force in Libya moral?

Until this afternoon, the Holy See has been rather neutral on the conflict in Libya. The only public statements released from the Pope have been those offering prayers and solidarity with the people of the region. The Holy Father has also asked those in positions of military and political responsibilities to ensure the safety of civilians and the accessibility of humanitarian aid. However, today we see a different tone from the Vatican, one that is calling the current use of force into question.

Following the middy Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI released the following statement regarding the situation in Libya:

Faced with the increasingly dramatic reports from Libya, my trepidation for the safety and security of civilians and my concern for the unfolding situation, currently signed by the use of arms, is growing. In times of greatest tension, the need to put to use all means available to diplomacy becomes increasingly urgent and to support even the weakest signs of openness and willingness on both sides involved, for reconciliation in search of peaceful and lasting solutions. In view of this, as I lift my prayer to the Lord for a return to harmony in Libya and the entire North African region, I also appeal to the international bodies and all those in positions of military and political responsibility, for the immediate start of dialogue and the suspension of the use of weapons.

While the Holy Father does not explicitly mention the moral question of the use of force in Libya, he does question whether or not there are more appropriate measures to be taken that could quell the violence and bloodshed.

Let’s continue to keep the people of Libya, North Africa and the entire Middle East in our prayers. Let’s pray that the Lord may protect them from all danger and violence and that all men, women, and children will be given respect and dignity. Let us also pray that the international community will heed the Holy Father’s appeal for dialogue and the suspension of use of weapons.

Well, here you have it.

Source: Russia Today, YouTube | via Whispers in the Loggia

Thoughts??

Credit: Washington Post | AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

Pope Benedict XVI today named Washington’s Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, 69, to the College of Cardinals. As a Cardinal, Cardinal-designate Wuerl will serve as an advisor to the Pope and will be eligible to vote in a Papal election until his 80th birthday. A consistory to formally elevate the new Cardinals will be held at the Vatican on November 20. A Mass with the Pope will be held the following day.

Cardinal-designate Wuerl said,

This truly is an honor for the Archdiocese of Washington, the Church in the nation’s capital, and for all of the clergy, religious and parishioners of this local Church who every day live out their faith in commitment and deep love for Christ. I am humbled by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s trust in me as shepherd of this flock and pledge to him my renewed fidelity, affection and loyalty.

Cardinal-designate Wuerl will celebrate Mass today, October 20, 2010, 8:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. He will be available to speak with the media immediately following Mass.

This evening, he will deliver the keynote address for the Center for Faith and Culture at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, Texas at 7:30 p.m. The topic is Religious Faith’s Role in Building a Good and Just Society.

Cardinal-designate Wuerl is the fifth Archbishop of Washington since the archdiocese was founded in 1939 to have received this honor. The others were Cardinals Patrick A. O’Boyle, William W. Baum, James A. Hickey and Theodore E. McCarrick.

Source: Archdiocese of Washington

Credit: CNA

I am deeply humbled and honored by the announcement that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI intends to name me to the College of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church at the Consistory which he has convoked for this coming November 20th. Having received the news of the Holy Father’s intention, I express my deepest gratitude to His Holiness for the great confidence which he has placed in me, and I renew my commitment to serve Him, as Shepherd of the universal Church, in total fidelity and with all my being.

Considering the weighty responsibilities of the members of the College of Cardinals in assisting the Holy Father as his closest co-workers, even “to the shedding of blood,” I am more than ever conscious of my own weakness and of my total dependence upon the help of divine grace, in order that I may fulfill worthily and generously the responsibilities which will be mine, God willing, as a Cardinal of the Church.

I count upon the continued intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Communion of Saints, and the prayers of the many faithful whom I have been blessed to serve as priest and Bishop, especially in my home diocese, the Diocese of La Crosse, and in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and of those with whom I have been, in the past, and am now privileged to serve in the Roman Curia, especially my co-workers at the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. Only the knowledge of God’s immeasurable and unceasing outpouring of mercy and love from the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus gives me the confidence to accept the great honor and burden which His Holiness intends to confer upon me.

Today’s announcement turns my thoughts with deepest affection and gratitude to my late parents and all my family, living and deceased; and to the priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful who have assisted me to know my vocation to the Holy Priesthood and to respond to it with an undivided heart over the more than thirty-five years of my priestly life and ministry. Today, with all my heart, I humbly thank God for the gifts of life, of the Catholic faith, and of my vocation.

At the same time, my thoughts naturally turn to the many challenges which the Church faces in our day in carrying out her divine mission for the salvation of the world. In particular, I am deeply conscious of the critical importance of the loving witness of the Church to the truth, revealed to us by God through both faith and reason, which alone is our salvation. It is a witness which Our Holy Father tirelessly gives with remarkable wisdom and courage. I pledge myself anew to assist Pope Benedict XVI in this critical witness and in the many works of his pastoral charity on behalf of all our brothers and sisters in the Church and in the world.

I ask for prayers that I may be able to assist our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to the best of my ability and with every ounce of my strength. I, once again, place my whole heart, together with the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, into the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the glorious pierced Heart of Jesus, I am confident that I will find the purification, courage and strength which I will need to carry out the new responsibilities to be confided into my hands. I thank, in advance, all who will pray for me, and ask God to bless them abundantly.

(Most Rev.) Raymond L. Burke
Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis
Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
October 20, 2010

Source: Archdiocese of St. Louis

Credit: New York Times

This morning, the Holy Father announced the addition of 24 members to the College of Cardinals. As expected, Archbishop Raymond Burke and Archbishop Donald Wuerl were among those announced. Below, you will find a complete list of the new Cardinals-designate.

• Archbishop Angelo Amato (Italy), prefect of the Congregation for Saints Causes, 72.
• Coptic Patriarch Antonios Naguib (Egypt), 75.
• Archbishop Robert Sarah (Guinea), president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, 65.
• Archbishop Francesco Monterisi (Italy), archpriest of Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, 76.
• Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli (Italy), head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 75.
• Archbishop Raymond L. Burke (United States), head of Apostolic Signature, 62.
• Archbishop Kurt Koch (Switzerland), president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, 60.
• Archbishop Paolo Sardi (Italy), pro-patron of Knights of Malta, 76.
• Archbishop Mauro Piacenza (Italy), prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, 66.
• Archbishop Velasio De Paolis (Italy), president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, a Scalabrinian, 75.
• Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi (Italy), president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, 68.
• Archbishop Medardo Joseph Mazombwe (Zambia), retired archbishop of Lusaka, 79.
• Archbishop Raul Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, retired archbishop of Quito, 76.
• Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa (Congo), 71.
• Archbishop Paolo Romeo of Palermo (Italy), 72.
• Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington (United States), 69.
• Archbishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis of Aparecida (Brazil), 73.
• Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz of Warsaw (Poland), 60.
• Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don of Colombo (Sri Lanka), 62.
• Archbishop Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising (Germany), 57.
• Archbishop Jose Manuel Estepa Llaurens (Spain), former military ordinary of Spain, 84.
• Bishop Elio Sgreccia (Italy), retired president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, 82.
• Monsignor Walter Brandmuller (Germany), retired president of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences, 81.
• Monsignor Domenico Bartolucci (Italy), retired director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, 93.

The consistory that will see the elevation of these newest members will take place on November 20th. For some, the days leading up to the consistory will be quite packed. As you may recall, the USCCB annual General Assembly takes place from November 15-18th. Not to mention, Archbishop-designate Garcia-Siller will be installed as the sixth Archbishop of San Antonio on November 23rd. And, most importantly because of the food, Thanksgiving falls on November 25th. Busy week for some!!

Let’s keep all the new Cardinals-designate in our prayers.

Credit: Reuters

Throughout the last several days, chatter has picked up quite considerably about an announcement regarding a November 20th consistory that would result in the elevation of new cardinals. That announcement is expected to be made tomorrow during the Holy Father’s weekly General Audience.

According to Andrea Tornielli, among the batch of twenty voting-age cardinals are Americans Archbishop Raymond Burke (Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura) and Archbishop Donald Wuerl (Archbishop of Washington). Some other notable Cardinal-designates are: Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz, Warsaw; Archbishop Thomas Collins, Toronto; Archbishop Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation of Saints; and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. This consistory will be the third called during the pontificate of Benedict XVI.

Vatican Radio will be streaming tomorrow’s general audience. For those folks brave enough to be up early, set your alarms for 4:00 a.m. ET; coverage begins at 4:15 a.m. ET.

UPDATE: It’s official…this morning, Pope Benedict XVI elevated Archbishop Raymond Burke and Archbishop Donal Wuerl to the rank of Cardinal. The Cardinal-designates will be officially elevated during a November 20th consistory and given their rings on November 21st. More to come in a bit.

2006 Consistory | Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Earlier today, reports began emerging that the much talked about November 20th Consistory will be announced at Pope Benedict XVI’s General Audience this coming Wednesday. It’s about time; I was beginning to think no 2010 consistory would ever be announced.

While U.S. Catholics had been hoping for a surprisingly high number of new American princes, only two names seem to be getting the nod: Archbishop Raymond Burke and Archbishop Donald Wuerl. According to our favorite Catholic whisperer, Italian nominees are said to “comprise almost half of the open voting-age spots.”

With the conferring of this new batch of scarlet hats, Benedict will have named a majority of the current voting age cardinals.

On a personal note, if this all pans out, this will be the first time that I will cover a Vatican consistory. Needless to say, it is going to be a tremendous learning experience for me. In fact, the past few months have been new experiences for me and I have already learned quite a bit.

I am positive that I have made mistakes; I am human, what can I say? I thank you all for providing me with the opportunity to learn a lot about my faith and for facilitating an increase in my love for the church. I appreciate it more than you know.

That being said, it’s going to be an interesting end to the year. Let’s travel the road together, shall we?

Courtesy: University of Central Florida

Whew! It’s amazing how quickly the summer passed us by. And, let me tell you, what a summer it has been.

Many of you know that I decided to leave the seminary this summer and have been following my progress with starting anew on Twitter and/or Facebook. That decision ultimately led me to transfer to the University of Central Florida, which has been an interesting task. The last couple of months have been spent making sure all needed documents were signed, sealed and delivered to the university. After all of that, I am looking forward to finally getting started.

Tomorrow will officially mark the beginning of the Fall 2010 semester. I have only registered for four classes so I should have ample time to continue blogging, etc. My classes for this semester are: Civic Engagement, Public Administration in American Society, Administration of Public Policy and Interdisciplinary Leadership in Public Affairs.

Many people have told me that the reason I went to the seminary was to find my singing voice; I can actually see some truth into that. Even before entering the formal discernment process, I was an active member in my parish’s adult choir but that usually entailed providing inaudible backup singing. However, on Good Friday of this past year I was given the opportunity to cantor for the first time. From that point on, I came to the realization that maybe that was the next step in my ministry to the Church.

The main thing that I have discovered throughout my journey in the seminary and the transition back to the “lay” life is that we all have unique talents that we bring to the table and we have all been called to use those gifts in service of God’s people and the praise of God’s name. All too often people fail to recognize that their talents were given to them by the Creator. God has given us so much and the least we can do is offer a small portion of those gifts back to Him.

Now, for some news from Rome: Pope Benedict XVI is due to return to Rome sometime after his September trip to the United Kingdom. The four day trip will culminate with the beatification of  John Henry Cardinal Newman. For more information on the Papal Visit to the U.K., visit: http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/. You could also “follow” the official Papal Visit Twitter account: @thepapalvisit for all you tweeters out there.

Also, on the homefront, we have learned from Francis Cardinal George, President of the USCCB, that the Vatican has approved the final version of the new English translation for the Roman Missal. In a letter on August 20th, Cardinal George said: “We can now move forward and continue with our important catechetical efforts as we prepare the text for publication.” The new translation takes effect in all parishes across the country on Novemer 27, 2011. We are in for an interesting time, folks. For more on the new translation, visit: http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/.

Well, that’s it for now. Until next time, stay tuned.

• The Holy Father appointed Bishop Blase Cupich, current Bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City, as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane.
• The Holy Father appointed Rev. Arthur L. Kennedy, Ph.D., current Rector of St. John’s Seminary, as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston.
• The Holy Father appointed Rev. Peter J. Uglietto, S.T.D., current Rector/President of Blessed John XXIII Seminary, as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston.
• The Holy Father appointed Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Cardinal-Archbishop of Quebec, as the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and Chairman of the Commission for Latin America.
• The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella as the head of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evengelization.
• The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Celestino Migliore as the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland.

This morning, Pope Benedict XVI also accepted the resignations of:

• Bishop William Skylstad, Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane.
• Bishop Peter A. Rosazza, Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Hartford.
• Bishop Emilio S. Allué, Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Source: Archdiocese of Quebec

Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli is speculating that the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, will name Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada as prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. You may recall, in May Tornielli predicted that Australia’s Cardinal George Pell would be named as the prefect for the congregation. However, recent reports have reported that Cardinal Pell was reluctant to accept the new position. The position is important in the church because the congregation is instrumental in the naming of bishops throughout most of the world. The current prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, has been expected to announce his retirement for some time.

Cardinal Ouellet was ordained a priest on May 25, 1968. Throughout his life of ministry, Ouellet has served as Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. On November 15, 2002, Ouellet was named Archbishop of Quebec by Pope John Paul II. On October 21, 2003, Archbishop Ouellet was elevated to Cardinal by John Paul.

Stay tuned!

Sources: (1) Il Blog di Andrea Tornielli; (2) CatholicCulture.org

We were this close to Pope Benedict XVI

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