“If we participate in the prayer of Christ, who at the Last Supper prayed that all his disciples might be one so that the world would believe, then we have to be convinced that the Church is not able to fulfill its mission because of the sin of division,” he said.

Bishop Farrell, who hails from Ireland, is one of the primary coordinators of the Vatican’s annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year’s week of prayer began Jan. 16 and will be marked by over 300 churches and Christian communities around the world.
In Rome, Bishop Farrell’s department has lined up a series of events that culminate in solemn vespers at the papal basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls on Jan. 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Pope Benedict XVI will lead the service and be joined in prayer by representatives of other Christian bodies.

Their basic aim, the bishop explained, is to break through “the old polemics and controversies and prejudices” and to heal “some of the sad memories of history,” so that “a new brotherhood of Christians can come about” where “we can rediscover ourselves as disciples of the Lord together.”
The cornerstone of all they do must be prayer, he says, because “we can’t build Christian unity on our human effort, it’s a gift and witnesses to the victory of Christ.”

Ecumenical Efforts Worldwide

Because of his involvement with so many Christian communities, Bishop Farrell is able to speak about ecumenical developments across of broad spectrum of belief.
He strikes a hopeful note when discussing relations with the Orthodox churches to whom, he said, the Catholic Church is “very close theologically.” The biggest problem is a cultural one, he observed, based upon “our perception of each other.”
“So it requires a great of reflection, study and conversation to get to the point where we really understand why we have ‘such and such’ an idea of each other and where we stand on the fundamental faith that we have together.”
This includes discussions on “the big question” – the role of the Bishop of Rome. Orthodox Christians recognize the Pope has “a special role,” but how he exercises that role is the big question, said Bishop Farrell.
He explained how much progress has already been achieved on many related issues since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), such that he now has “great hope that if we are patient and we work to overcome the misconceptions that we have of each other, and of each others’ thought, that there is not too much to overcome.”

Conversely, he said, relations with the Anglican Communion have been made more difficult in recent times by their stance on “moral questions and questions regarding life issues.”
But Bishop Farrell is not overly pessimistic. He thinks that such hurdles “make dialogue more difficult but at the same time more intense, and we must continue.”
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI paved the way for the creation of “personal ordinariates” within the Catholic Church. They are a home for former Anglicans who wish to maintain the liturgical, spiritual and pastoral traditions of the Anglican Communion within the Catholic Church.
Two ordinariates have been created since the Pope made his announcement in 2009. They are the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and Wales, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter in the United States, which was created Jan. 1, 2012.
“Well, I think, like all things, you have to give it a chance to work itself out,” said Bishop Farrell of the Anglican ordinariates concept.

“It’s only at the very beginning and I think that Anglicans generally understand that the Catholic Church has decided to allow this, or create this ordinariate, precisely because some Anglicans have asked for it.”
“In that sense,” he said, “it is partly ecumenical … these are Anglicans who want to become Catholics.” At the same time, Bishop Farrell said, “it is no longer an ecumenical question but a question of their personal conviction.”
In recent years the cultural changes of the West have also led to a new ecumenical phenomenon of Catholics and evangelical Christians joining forces in addressing the many social and moral issues that have presented themselves.
“On life issues, on moral issues, we are very much in harmony with them – or they with us,” said Bishop Farrell. But, he qualified, “on ecclesiological issues we are very distant” because “we have radically different ideas of what the Church is and how it should be organized.”
Bishops Farrell thinks that “people may be surprised to know” the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has been in “continuous dialogue” with various evangelical groups, including Pentecostals, over the past 30 years.
And this dialogue has led to “some very interesting results,” he said.

Bishop Farrell said that describing a unified Christian Church would be “very difficult” to do, but “theologically speaking, one thing is certain it will have to do with the point at which we can celebrate the Eucharist together.” -EWTN

We are determined to start with ourselves, as individuals, in leading the way of life that is grounded on the gospel values and principles of mutual respect for the dignity of every human person.

We urge communicators both in the secular and Catholic media to adhere to professionalism; especially by having courage to strive for the truth to enable members of the general public make well informed decisions.
As a communications team in the Catholic Church in Malawi we vow to:

-          Embrace and promote gospel values i.e. justice, peace, reconciliation, hope, solidarity, freedom in our programmes and articles.

-          Design programmes and articles which will pay special attention to vulnerable members of society with the view of promoting human rights and the dignity of all human beings.

-          Come up with programmes and articles which focus on inserting faith into the culture of the people.

-          Networking with other media institutions and church structures.

-          Enhance cooperation between cleric and lay catholic communicators.

-          Encourage use of modern technology for communication.

-          Ensure that there is thorough preparation for the world Communication Day.

-          Ensure that our programmes and articles systematically address the most pressing pastoral, social justice and development concerns of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).

We urge all stakeholders to seriously put into practice the issues raised above for effective communication.

We acknowledge with deep gratitude the hospitality of the Diocese of Mangochi, in particular the Radio Maria Malawi Institution, for their generosity for hosting us at St John’s Guest House.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid …” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Dated today the 10th of September, 2011

Signed by the Social Communication Secretaries of the following Dioceses: Chikwawa, Dedza, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Karonga, Zomba and some Catholic Journalists

President of the group Kamphodza Ngozo said he is not fully satisfied with the way they are supporting Radio Maria Malawi, and has asked his members to continue supporting Radio Maria, a station which has proven to be soul nourishing.

“It is important for us to hold on to our beliefs, but not hold on so tightly that we ostracize other people and we cannot solve social problems, like poverty and climate change, which are (part of) the physical world,” Coleman said. The actress spoke with EWTN News on Aug. 17, following the kick-off of Dia del Cine, a festival featuring Catholic movies sponsored by World Youth Day Madrid 2011.

Even though she is not Catholic, Coleman praised the joy and festive spirit in Madrid as the United Nations youth representative for the International Year of Youth.

“I am so moved right now! The streets are flooded with hundreds and thousands of amazing young people that are here to honor God,” she said, explaining that she is in Madrid to “support young people who are strong in their beliefs.”
Coleman said she recognizes that the reasons for her success are “faith, courage and God.” She encouraged young people to “follow their faith and beliefs.”

“I think it’s important that we learn to love ourselves and love others and be able to co-exist with one another. I am here to support this event, even though I am not Catholic, because I support young people in all of their decisions.” – ewtn

“We condemn any type of violence. This man was a volunteer for World Youth Day, but is no longer such,” said spokesman Rafa Rubio to EWTN News on August 17.
“The police have acted appropriately and in line with what they had to do. This man no longer works as part of World Youth Day.”
A police spokesman confirmed that they had indeed arrested an unnamed suspect yesterday and that he is a student specializing in organic chemistry. However, they stressed that no actual chemicals had been found during raids on his apartment.
The traditionally anti-Catholic Spanish newspaper El Pais claims that the arrest was to avoid the chance that any failed attack would panic people.
The newspaper also said that police were alerted by the vehemence of the man’s comments on internet forums regarding recent verbal attacks on Pope Benedict by various figures in Spanish civil society.

The news of the arrest emerged only hours before a demonstration in Madrid this evening against the alleged costs of the papal visit.
“We are not angry about the Pope’s visit, which some will agree with and others won’t, but rather over the financing of it with public money, especially at a time when many services are being cut because it’s necessary to curb government spending,” said campaign group 15-M said in a statement.

However, organizers of World Youth Day insist the event is at “zero cost to taxpayers” and will, in fact, bring money into the Spanish economy with over a million visitors expected in the nation’s capital this week.
Spain is currently gripped by an economic crisis that has resulted in it having the highest unemployment rate in the industrialized world. – ewtn

Earlier this month the Vatican ruled that the monastery should be given back to the Italian Benedictines, along with a reported 6 million Euros (approximately $8.5 million dollars) in compensation.
But the proposed transfer was blocked by the Croatian Ministry for Justice, which also annulled the entire agreement.
Fr. Lombardi said that it is now “imperative to give the interested parties the opportunity for a review of this decision in the appropriate forums.”

The Italian Benedictines began their claim for Dajla monastery in 2004. Four years later, Pope Benedict established a special commission of cardinals to rule on the issue. They reported back to the Pope in December 2010.
The commission’s decision in favor of the Italian Benedictines caused protests in Croatia and led to Bishop Ivan Milovan of Porec and Pula being temporarily suspended by Pope Benedict last month to finally allow the agreement to be signed.

The Vatican ruling seemed to have particularly angered some Croatians as the Italian Benedictines had already received 1.7 billion liras (approximately $1.2 million dollars) in 1975 when the Treaty of Osimo finally settled the Yugoslav-Italian border.

The row comes only two months after Pope Benedict’s visit to Croatia which was acclaimed by most observers as a diplomatic success. – EWTN

Father Joseph Chen Hailong from the northern Hebei province has served in the Yanqin parish on the outskirts of Beijing since his ordination in 2009. Police seized him on April 9, but he was released to his hometown on July 23, UCA News reports.

Authorities held him for questioning about the whereabouts of Bishop Thomas Zhao Kexun of Xuanhua. The “underground” bishop is in his 80s and has headed the diocese since 2007. He has been in hiding from the government.
The priest’s spirit nearly collapsed under the hardships he faced. To dispel the loneliness and hunger, Fr. Chen drew Holy Communion on the wall of his room and adored the Blessed Sacrament.

Authorities also urged the priest to accept the principle of an independent Church and to receive a “priest card” and concelebrate Mass with other government-recognized priests, sources told UCA News. The priest refused.

They reportedly took Fr. Chen to meet with a former underground bishop who has received government recognition in recent years. The bishop failed to persuade the priest to accept the officials’ demands.

Fr. Chen’s release came two days after the release of two young Catholics taken away at the same time.
Authorities on June 22 detained three other priests from Xuanhua, Frs. Cui Tai, Yan Zongzhi and Zhang Jianlin. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

Relations between the Chinese government and the Catholic Church have worsened in recent months after years of apparent improvement. Since November 2010 the government-backed Catholic Patriotic Association has ordained three bishops without the approval of the Pope, an action which drew opposition from the Vatican and declarations of excommunication. – EWTN

“She’s always wanted me to feel what she feels and the belief she has in God, but I need physical proof in my life,” said Sal Bentivegna, Gloria’s 26-year-old son, speaking to NBC. The two had previously disagreed over the 61-year-old Gloria’s Catholic faith.

After Gloria scratched a winning Lotto ticket that she purchased at a church auction, he could not help but believe. The number matched Sal’s birthday.
“He said, ‘Mom, it’s 13, it’s directly to me. It’s what I wished for you. I guess I have to believe’,” the mother explained.

The previous day, while in a casino in Atlantic City, Sal had said to his mother, “If (God) wants me to believe, he’ll give you a million dollars.”
The Bible warns believers against “putting God to the test” by demanding extraordinary proof of his reality. Gloria refused to ask God to prove himself to her son in this manner.
But Sal reportedly said aloud at the casino: “God, I don’t know if you’re real or not, but if you are there, please let my mother win a million dollars.”

Whatever his motive may have been, Sal’s request was fulfilled within 24 hours.
His mother believes it was God’s way of bringing her son back to faith. “You have to believe in small miracles,” Gloria told NBC.

Many are skeptical of Sal’s newfound faith, and wonder whether or not it will stand the test of time. But his remarks point to the possibility of a real conversion.
“I sat back and thought about it and realized the odds against this are astronomical,” he told the New York Post. “I can’t shrug off that Jesus had a hand in it. No pun intended, it was a Godsend.”
“I don’t think one can ask for more proof than something like that, short of God or Jesus appearing physically in front of you,” he said.

A few days after Gloria’s lottery win, Sal joined Gloria in attending Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church for the first time in about 20 years. For Gloria, it was all part of the miracle.
Father Lee Descoteaux, an associate pastor at Sts. Cyril and Methodius, told EWTN News that he could not comment on the unusual events. – EWTN

It marks the day, nearly 2,000 years ago, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles who had been living in fear for 50 days following the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The Holy Spirit emboldened them and the same disciples then set forth to tell all people in Jerusalem of the Resurrection. All nationalities present could understand them in their own mother tongue.

“With this we are told something very important: that from the outset the universality of the Catholic Church is not the result of the inclusion of subsequent communities,” explained the Pope.

He added that the Catholic Church refers to itself as holy “not because of the merits of its members, but because God himself, with his Spirit, is always creating and sanctifying.”

The Pope explained it is the same Holy Spirit – as the third person of the Holy Trinity – who also reveals God to humanity firstly through creation, then through the incarnation of Christ and then through the founding of the Church.

“The Church does not derive from human will, from reflection, from man’s ability and organizational capacity, and if that were so it would have become extinct a long time ago, like all human things,” he said.
Pope Benedict also used his homily to reflect on the nature of creation and revelation.

“For us Christians, the world is the result of an act of love of God, who made all things and who is pleased with all things because it is ‘good,’ ‘very good,’ as we remember the story of creation.
“God therefore is not totally ‘Other,’ unnamed and obscured. God reveals himself, has a face, God is right, God is will, God is love, God is beauty.
“Faith in the Creator Spirit and faith in the Spirit that the Risen Christ gave to the Apostles and gives to each of us, then, is inseparably joined.”
The Pope finished his Pentecost Sunday liturgy by singing the Regina Coeli – or Queen of Heaven – the traditional Eastertide anthem to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, who was also present amidst the disciples on the day of Pentecost.

In his address to accompany the Regina Coeli he drew upon the words of the 19th century Italian priest, Blessed Antonio Rosmini, who explained “in the day of Pentecost, the Christian God … promulgated his law of love, writing with the Holy Spirit not on tablets of stone but in the hearts of the Apostles, and through the apostles, then communicating it to the whole Church.”
The Pope concluded by entrusting the Church to “the Virgin Mary, temple of the Holy Spirit” and then he imparted his apostolic blessing to the departing pilgrims. – EWTN