VATICAN: Oswald Gracias Made Cardinal

Cardinals From 14 Countries, Including India, Receive Red Hat From Pope

By Gerard O'Connell, Special Correspondent in Rome

(Archbishop Oswald Gracias Receiving the Cardinal's biretta (hat) from the Holy Father Benedict XVI)

VATICAN CITY, November 26, 2007 (UCAN): Pope Benedict XVI placed the red beretta on the head of Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay, in St. Peter's Basilica just before midday on Saturday November 24, making him the 10th Indian cardinal in history.

In all, the 80-year-old pope created 23 cardinals from 14 countries in his second consistory: 13 from Europe, four from Latin America, two from Africa, two from Asia (India and Iraq) and two from North America (excluding Mexico). But only 18 of the 23 are cardinal-electors, under the age of 80, with the right to vote in a papal election.

In his homily, after the liturgy of the word and before conferring the red hats, the theologian-pope said the composition of the College of Cardinals, which now has 201 members from 70 countries, "reflects well the universality, the catholicity of the Church." The new cardinals had served the Church faithfully over many years, and were now "called to even greater responsibility, in the closest communion with the bishop of Rome," he added.

Pope Benedict observed that the communities the new cardinals represent face various trials and challenges. He made particular mention of looking "with apprehension and affection" to the Christian communities in Iraq, which are "experiencing in their own flesh the dramatic consequences of an ongoing war" and living in "a very fragile and delicate political situation."

The pope said he wanted "to express in a concrete way my spiritual closeness and my affect for those populations" by making Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly of the Chaldean Church, who heads the largest Christian community in Iraq, a cardinal.

His words provoked thunderous applause in St. Peter's Basilica. Everyone clapped again, and someone waved an Iraqi flag, when he placed the specially designed round, black hat with a broad red band on the head of the 80-year-old patriarch instead of the red beretta.

This came after the homily, and after the new cardinals made a profession of faith and took the oath of loyalty and obedience to the pope and his successors. They then went up to the pope, one by one, and knelt before him as he placed the hat signifying the office and dignity of cardinal on the head of each.

The congregation of 9,000 in the brightly lit basilica included more than 1,000 Asians, several hundred of them Indians. They applauded loudly when Pope Benedict gave the red beretta to Cardinal Gracias making him a member of the select group of 120 cardinal-electors.

Many had come from India especially for the occasion, mostly relatives and friends of the new cardinal, but the vast majority of Indians present were clergy, Religious, novices and seminarians working or studying in Rome.

Two other Indian cardinals -- Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, were seated among the 143 scarlet-robed cardinals from 70 countries in front of the basilica's high altar. Other Asian cardinals were present from China (Hong Kong), Japan, Korea the Philippines and Vietnam. About 50 cardinals did not attend for reasons of health or advanced age.

Cardinal Gracias, smiling broadly, briefly thanked the pope for this great honor and responsibility.

The pope, as bishop of Rome, traditionally assigns a titular church in his diocese to each new cardinal. He gave Cardinal Gracias the Church of San Paolo della Croce a "Corviale."

That same afternoon, following another old tradition, many thousands went to the Vatican to greet the new cardinals individually. The Indians and many others greeted Cardinal Gracias in the Hall of Blessings.

The following day, Sunday Nov. 25, Pope Benedict led Mass in St Peter's Basilica with the new cardinals as concelebrants and gave each the cardinal's ring, described by the Vatican as "the sign of dignity, pastoral care and the most solid communion with the See of Peter."

After urging them to proclaim Christ "with humility and without arrogance or pride" to all humanity, he reminded them that their "first and principal mission" is to "pray for peace and unity" so the Church may be "solid and compact" and "a sign and instrument of unity for the whole human race."

END
Reproduced by Konkani Catholics with permission from UCA News (http://www.ucanews.com/)

Basic Catholic Konkani Prayers

Notes for Pronunciation

O-------> o ------> otmo, ojeap, sot, mon, dhon.
A-------> a --------> amchea, asa, rat, tan, kan.
X ------> sh -------> xit, xikxa, odheokx, dikxa, xok.
T-------> t --------> ton, toddov, taka, vat, nontor.
TH -----> th -------> thor, orth, thir, svarth, thoravoll.
TT------> tt -------> vatt, dixtt, petto, grotto, vantto.
TTH ----> tth ------> tthokki, tthev, patth, goxtth, duxtthi.
T’T ----> t’t ------> pot’to, ut’tim, bat’tis, ut’tor, at’tam.
D-------> d --------> gado,duddu, doial, dudh, desvat.
DH -----> dh -------> dhikkar, dhoxi, dhoni, dhinvas, budhvont.
DD------> dd -------> guddo, paddo, kudd, nadd, divodd.
DDH ----> ddh ------> donddhovnni, ddhokhai,
D’D ----> d’d ------> ud’dhar, chod’dor, god’dar,
L ------> l --------> palo, ulo, khelo, kholo, melo.
LL ----> ll -------> pollo, dollo, bhollo, mollem, dhallo.
L’L ----> l’l ------> il’lem, mellul’lem, sangul’lem, uloil’lem, kolloil’lem.
NN -----> nn -------> khann, jevonn, makhnni, dekhnni, vakhann’nni.
IO -----> io (yo)---> iogi, iogdan, kariokrom, ioxodham, iojon.
IA -----> ia (ya) --> toiari, iazok, vidiarthi, doia, monniari, Somia.
IE -----> ie (ye)---> doien, nitollkaien, sosaien, korunnaien, i
IU -----> iu (yu)---> iug, koli-iug, iuvok, iuvozonn, iugantor.

Challis Konknni Magnnim
(40 Konkani Prayers)

(Mangalorean Konkani Prayers in Roman Script)
Transliterated by Ancy Salvadore D'Souza (Ancy Paladka)
Verified by Fr. Ronald Serrao

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1. Khursacho Ghurt

Bapache, + ani Putache, ani Povitr Otmeache Nanvim. Amen.

2. Santa Khursachi Kuru

Santa Khursache + khurven, nivar amkam + amchea Deva, amchea + dusmanantlem. Bapache, + ani Putache, ani Povitr Otmeache Nanvim. Amen.

3. Onond Bapak

Onond Bapak, ani Putak, ani Povitr Otmeak; zoso adim, tosoch atam, ani sodam sorvotam. Amen.

4. Somiachem Magnnem

Amchea Bapa, sorgincha, Tujem Nanv povitr zanv, Tujem raz amkam ienv, Tuji khuxi sorgar zata, toxi sonvsarant zanv.
Amcho dispotto gras aiz amkam di, ani ami amcher chukleleank bhogsitanv, toxem amchim patkam bhogos. Ani amkam tallnnet poddonk dinv naka, punn vaittantlim amkam nivar. Amen.

5. Bhoddveacho Noman

Noman Morie, kurpen bhorul’le, Somi tuje sangata, striiam bhitor tum sodenv, ani sodenvi foll, tuje kuxichem, Jezu.
Santa Morie, Devache Maie, ama papiiam khatir vinoti kor, atam ani amchea mornache kallim. Amen.

6. Apostolanchim Sotman'tam

Sotman’tam Devak, Sorv-podvedara Bapak, sorga ani prithumichea Rochnarak; ani Jezu Kristak, Tacha ekleach Putak, amchea Somiak. To Povitr Otmea vorvim gorbhim sombhovlo, Anvkvar Morie thavn zolmalo. Pons Pilata khal Tannem koxtt sosle, Taka Khursar zoddlo, To melo, ani Taka nikepilo. To mel’leam modhem denvlo, Tisrea disa mel'leantlo jivont zalo. Sorgar choddlo, Sorv- podvedar Deva Bapachea ujveak bosla. Thoim thavn jiveam ani mel’leanchi mun’subi korunk ietolo. Sotman’tam Povitr Otmeak, Katholik Povitr Sobhek, bhoktancho ektar, patkanchem bhogsonnem, kuddichem jivontponn, sasnnachem jivit. Amen.

7. Bhavarthachem Vidhan

Eh mhojea Deva, Tum sorv Sotevont, Tujean fottounk nozo; Tum sorv Zannar, Tujean fottvon poddonk nozo. Dekun, Bhagevont Igorzmate marifat, Tunvem xikounchim sorv sotam, hanv thir sotman’tam.

8. Bhorvonseachem Vidhan

Eh mhojea Deva, Tum sorv Podvedar ani Kakulldar, ani Tujem Utor Tum palltai. Dekun, hea sonvsarant, mhojea patkanchem bogsannem, bori jinni jiieunk Tuji Kurpa, ani melea uprant sorginchem sukh, Tum mhaka ditoloi mhonn, Tujer hanv thir bhorvonso dovortam.

9. Mogachem Vidhan

Eh mhojea Deva, Tum sorv boro, ani sorv mog Tuka favo. Dekun, sogllea mhojea kallzan, ani somestim vostum pras chodd, hanv Tuzo mog kortam. Tujea moga pasot, mhozo hanvem kel’lea bori, peleacho-i hanv mog kortam, ani mhaka dukhoil’leank bhogsitam.

10. Dukhichem Vidhan

Eh mhojea Deva, hanvem vaitt adharun ani borem soddun kel’lim, sorv mhojim patkam hanv roddtam, ani tanchem bhogsannem magtam. Kiteak tanche vorvim, Tuji kotthinn xikxa mhaka favo zali, ani mhojea mogalla, Soddvonndarak, Jezu Kristak, hanvem Khursar marlo, ani bhov korun, Tuka, itlea borea, ani sorv mog favo zal’lea Devak, hanvem okman kelo.

Tuje Kurpen, ani mukhar patok korina mhonn, mhojea patkam khatir prachit kortolom mhonn, ani patkanche somoie chukoitam mhonn, khonddit nichev monant dhortam. Amchea Somia Jezu Kristacha, koxttam ani mornachea puneam vorvim, Sorvespora mhoji kakut kor.

11. Avmori

Eklo: Somiachea bhoddvean Moriek izbi haddli,
Sorv: Ani Povitr Otmea vorvim ti gorbhest zali.
Noman Morie...

Eklo: Obhlle! Somiachi chakorn,
Sorv: Tujea Sobda pormannem, mhoje thoim zanv.
Noman Morie...

Eklo: Ani Devacho Put monis zalo,
Sorv: Ani amche modhem jielo.
Noman Morie...

Eklo: Bhagevonti Devache Maie, ama pasot vinoti kor,
Sorv: Kristachea bhasavnneank ami favo zaunche khatir.

Prarthum-iam

Eh Somia, bhoddveache izbe vorvim Tujea Putan, Kristan, mon’xaponn ghetul’lem ami zannam zaleanv: Tacha koxttam ani Khursa vorvim, jivontponnachea onondak ami pavaxem, Tuji Kurpa amchea ontoskornamni vot mhonn, ami magtanv, teach Krista amchea Somia marifat. Amen.
Onond Bapak... (3)

12. Sorgache Rannie (Paskanchea kallar)

Eklo: Sorgache Rannie, ul’las pav, Sorvesporak zoi, zoi ! (Al'leluia)
Sorv: Kiteak zaka tum vavovnk favo zal’li-i, Sorvesporak zoi, zoi ! (Al'leluia)

Eklo: To Apnnem sangul’lea bori jivont zala, Sorvesporak zoi, zoi ! (Al'leluia)
Sorv: Ama pasot Deva lagim mag, Sorvesporak zoi, zoi ! (Al'leluia)

Eklo: Sontos ani ul’las pav, Anvkvari Morie, Sorvesporak zoi, zoi ! (Al'leluia)
Sorv: Kiteak Somi khoroch jivont zala, Sorvesporak zoi, zoi ! (Al'leluia)

Prarthum-Iam

Eh Deva, Tujea Puta amchea Somia Jezu Kristachea jivontponna vorvim, sonvsar sontosaunk Tunvem doia keli-I; Tache Maie, Anvkvar Morie marifat, sasnnache jinniecho sontos, amkam labhaso kor mhonn ami magtanv. Teach Krista, amcha Somia marifat. Amen.

13. Rakonn Bhoddveak Magnnem

Deva gelea bhoddvea, mhojea raknnea, sorginche doien mhaka dila tuje taben, mhoji mot uzvaddai, mhaka rak, samball ani choloi. Amen.

14. Sorul'lea Bhavartheam Pasot Magnnem

Sasnnacho vixev di tankam eh Somia, ani nirontor prokas tancher fankondi. Somadhanant te vixev ghevundit. Amen.

15.Mhojea Deva

Mhojea Deva, mhojea Saiba, hanv Tujea paiam’nk poddtam, hanv Tuka orgam ditam, ontoskornim nomoskar kortam, vhodd Tujo upkar man’tam, kiteak Tunvem mhaka rochloi mhonn, niz kristanv keloi mhonn; aiz porean samballoi mhonn, zoxi bori rat dili-i, toso boro dis di Saiba (zoso boro dis diloi, toxi bori rat di Saiba) mhozo otmo, mhoji kudd, Tujea hatant ditam. Mhojim chintam, mhoje sobd, mhoje aichea disache (ratiche) koxtt ani korneo, Tuka somorpitam, Tujea vhodda manak mhojea patkanchea farikponnak.

Mhojea Jezu, Tujea Khursachea, koxttancha, ani mornacha puneam pasot, bhogsi mhojim somest patkam, mhoji patkeachi kakut kor. Deva, Povitr Otmea, di Saiba, Tuji Kurpa, aichea disa (rati) patkant hanvem poddona zauncheak. Tuje upodes samballunk, mhoje kaide pallunk, mhoji patkeachi kakut kor, mhaka patkeak bhogsi.

16. Hanv Patki

Hanv patki, Sorv-podvedar Devak, ani tumkam bhavam-bhoinnimno, mhozo guneanv ucharun sangtam, monan chintun ani tonddan ucharun, vaitt adharun ani borem soddun, hanvem zaitim patkam keleant. (hordeak marun) Ho mhozo opradh, ho mhozo opradh, ho mhozo bhov vhodd opradh. Hea pasot Bhagevont sodanch-Anvkvar Moriek, soglleam Dev-dutank ani bhoktank, ani tumkam bhavam-bhoinnimno, mhoje khatir amchea Sorvespora Deva lagim, vonoti korat mhonn, prarthun magtam.

17. Noman Rannie

Noman Rannie, kakutiche Maie, noman amchea jiva, amruta ani bhorvonxa, tuka ami ulo martanv, ami pordexi Evechim ballkam. Hea dukhachea konddant astam, askar-huskar soddun, ami tuka rudan kortanv. Tor tum amche xekaie, te tuje kakutiche dolle amche voir porti. Ani hea pordexea uprant, tuje kuxichem sodemnvi foll Jezuk amkam dakhoi, eh doialli, eh mogalli, eh dulobi Anvkvari Morie.

Eklo: Bhagevonti Devache Maie, ama pasot vinoti kor,
Sorv: Kristachea bhasavnneank ami favo zaunche khatir.

18. Nimanneo Char Vostu

Morn, Zoddti, Iemkondd, ani Sorg.

19. Devache Upodes

Devache Upodes 10.
1-lo: Eka niza Devak man di.
2-ro: Devachem Nanv vearth kaddi naka.
3-ro: Aitar-sont bhagevontponnim samball.
4-to: Mai-bapak man di.
5-vo: Jivexim mari naka.
6-vo: Produvar kori naka.
7-vo: Chori naka.
8-vo: Fott-saks sanga naka.
9-vo: Peleache striiechi axa kori naka.
10-vo: Peleachea vostunchi axa kori naka.

20. Igorjeche Upodes

Igorjeche Upodes 5.
1-lo: Aitar-sonta mis aikonchem, ani vavr kori nastana ravunchem.
2-ro: Igorz-maten nomiarul’lea disamni jinzvar korcho, ani mas khainastana ravunchem.
3-ro: Vorsak ek pavttim punn-i kumsar zavunchem.
4-to: Paskanchea vellar punn-i Krist-Prosad ghevuncho.
5-vo: Igorjechea, ani tichea monniareanchea gorzank pavuchem.

---

Imprimatur:

Most Rev Aloysius Paul D'Souza
†Bishop of Managalore
10th August 2004
Feast of St Lawrence, Martyr and Deacon

Oswald Gracias Named Cardinal

'Simple, Approachable' Prelate Gets Red Hat

MUMBAI, India, October 17, 2007 (UCAN) -- India's Archbishop Oswald Gracias, whom Pope Benedict appointed a cardinal on Oct. 17, has had a fast rise in Church ranks.

The 62-year-old cardinal-elect currently serves as archbishop of Bombay, the Indian Church territory with the largest number of Catholics.

The only Asian among the 23 newly appointed cardinals came to this archdiocese after its former archbishop, Cardinal Ivan Dias, moved to Rome last year to serve as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Bombay is the former name for Mumbai, India's commercial capital, 1,410 kilometers southwest of New Delhi.

Previously the cardinal-elect served six years as archbishop of Agra, the oldest diocese in northern India. He started his episcopate as auxiliary bishop of Bombay in 1997.

For several years now, the Church in India has banked on the prelate to solve many vexing problems. Church people say they find the newly appointed cardinal one of the "most simple and approachable" Church leaders in India.

In 2006, at the behest of the Vatican, Cardinal Gracias used his diplomatic skills to bring unity in a religious congregation based in Goa, western India, that had split into two groups in 1977.

Recently, he challenged the Indian government over its policy on Special Economic Zones. The prelate wanted the government to consult local people before implementing projects that affect them. He urged priests and laypeople to join public rallies and lobby with others to save the common man from the ill effects of such policies.

People who have worked with Cardinal-elect Gracias say he "never says no" to any request, even in difficult situations. They describe him as having a way with words and a manner of conveying them laced with affection that puts people at ease, even though their problem may not have been solved for whatever reasons. His admirers say his "bright face is always lit up with a smile."

Bernadine Jackson, the prelate's secretary when he was in Agra, told UCA News she found him "the most simple" to work with. "We wished he remained in our archdiocese for a long time, but that was not be," she remarked, adding that laypeople found him "very approachable."

He has shouldered several major responsibilities in the Indian Church.

Currently the cardinal-elect heads the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the national body of the country's Latin-rite prelates.

Earlier he served as secretary general of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the national body for prelates of all three rites -- two Oriental and the Latin --in the country. At present, he chairs the CBCI Commission for Social Communications and its National Institute of Social Communications, Research and Training. Meanwhile, he is ecclesiastical adviser to the Indian Catholic Press Association.

Cardinal-elect Gracias was president of the Canon Law Society of India twice, 1987-1991 and 1993-1997. He has served as consultor for the CBCI Doctrinal Committee and for the CCBI Commission for Interpretation of Legislative Texts (1992-1997).

Now, he is a consultor to the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts.

The CCBI plenary elected the prelate to attend the XII Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church," scheduled for October 2008 in Rome.

He teaches canon law at Pius X Seminary in Mumbai and at the pontifical seminary in Pune, and his book Conciliation Code offers useful advice to solve many problems the Church faces.

Cardinal-elect Gracias was born on Dec. 24, 1944, in Mahim, Mumbai. He completed his seminary training at St. Pius College in Goregaon, Mumbai, and was ordained a priest on Dec. 20, 1970. After a short stint as chancellor of Jamshedpur diocese and secretary to its bishop, he returned to Mumbai. From 1977 to 1981 he studied in Rome, earning a doctorate in canon law and a diploma in jurisprudence during this period.

On his return to Mumbai, he was appointed secretary to the archbishop. A year later, he was made the archdiocesan chancellor.

When appointed auxiliary bishop, he chose as his motto: "To Reconcile All Things in Christ." He became Agra archbishop just three years later and archbishop of Bombay on Oct. 14, 2006.

Bombay archdiocese has 509,286 Catholics spread over 98 parishes in three districts. Approximately 750 priests and 1,530 nuns serve in the archdiocese.

Bio Data

Date of Birth: December 24, 1944 at Mumbai
Parents: Jervis and Aduzinda Gracias
Ordained Priest: December 20, 1970
Ordained Bishop: September 16, 1997
Installed Abp of Agra: November 23, 2000
Appointed Abp of Bombay: October 14, 2006
Installed Abp of Bombay: December 14, 2006
Edu. Qualifications: B.A. at St Xavier's College, Ranchi
Doctor of Canon Law, Urban University, Rome
Diploma in Jurisprudence, Gregorian University, Rome

Assignments:

1971-1976 - Secretary & Chancellor, Diocese of Jamshedpur
1977-1981 - Rome, studies in Canon Law
1982-1986 - Secretary to Archbishop of Bombay
1982-1997 - Chancellor, Archdiocese of Bombay
1988-1998 - Judicial Vicar, Archdiocese of Bombay
1997, Jun 28 - Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay
1998-2000 - Vicar General, Archdiocese of Bombay
2000, Sep 07 - Appointed Archbishop of Agra
1998-2002 - Secretary General, C.B.C.I
2005-Present - President, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India

Other Assignments:

1987-1991 - President, Canon Law Society of India
1988-1998 - Consultor, C.C.B.I. Canon Law Commission
1990-1995 - Consultor, Doctrinal Commission, C.B.C.I.
1993-1997 - President, Canon Law Society of India
1996-Present - Consultor, Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Rome
1998-2005 - Chairman, C.C.B.I. Commission for Legislative Texts
2001-Present - Vice Chairman, Vox Clara Committee, Congregation of Sacraments, Rome
2002-Present - Chairman, C.B.C.I. Commission for Social Commun. & Chairman, NISCORT
2002-Present - Chairman, C.B.C.I. Commission for Law and Public litigation

Courtesy: UCAN News (http://www.ucanews.com/) & Press Release

Goa Going The Las Vegas Way?

By Fr. Desmond de Sousa CSsR, SAR NEWS

PANAJI, October 15, 2007 (SAR NEWS) -- Concerned citizens and non-governmental groups (NGOs) under the banner of Anti-Casino Movement (ACM) came together in Goa last week against the Goa government’s ill-designed policies of promoting gambling through casinos.

They demanded an immediate ban on all casinos, both on and off shore. They met to chalk out a plan of action against gambling being promoted by the government.

“If matka is being prohibited, so also should casinos, as both are forms of gambling and a social evil for Goan society,” protested Sabina Martins of the Bailancho Saad (Women’s Voice).

The Movement voiced serious apprehension against the sanctioning of four more licences for offshore casinos from among the 22 application already received. There are already 11-odd casinos operating in various five-star hotels. The increasing number of gambling outlets, the ACM alleges, would give rise to law and order problems and their impact would have a harmful effect on Goan society, especially on the lives of its women, youth and children.

“The State government of aam admi (common man) should also pay attention to the aam aaurat (common woman) who would be worst hit by the menace of gambling,” according to Sabina Martins.

She went on to demand, “Since the Regional Plan 2011 has been scrapped, so also should casinos be scrapped.” The ACM opined that if the government is considering the revenue benefits, casinos should not be tapped because it is ill-gotten money. It further ridiculed the amendments to the Goa Gambling Act and a deliberate omission of a definition of offshore casinos.

The Las Vegas way

State governments in the United States are pushing gambling to raise revenue from lotteries and casinos, reported the New York Times in May 2003. It calculates that since the easing of gambling laws in 1991, the amount of money wagered has skyrocketed from $27 billion to $68 billion.

Comments economist Don Phares of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, “Gambling provides almost no economic benefits to anyone but the owners and the States.”

Experts on gambling addiction warn that gambling is dangerous because it offers a very fast and highly stimulating rate of risk while playing.

Stephen Crosby of the Boston Globe in July 2003, searched for why States love gamblers? His research shows that in 1972, 45% of the revenues were paid out in prizes. In 2003, this figure slid down to 21%. “So gambling is now done in a way which takes an extraordinary amount of money from people who probably can’t afford it and returns a declining share of that to local aid.”

In the fiscal year 2002, he noted, Massachusetts citizens spent over $4 billion on lottery, or $658 for each man, woman or child in the State. The national per capita average is around $150.

In 1978, only the State of Nevada had casinos. Now, more than 25 States have some form of casino gambling. So on the 25th anniversary of New Jersey State’s first casino, it was estimated that the State casinos brought in $7 billion in capital investment, created more than 45,000 jobs and boosted State revenues.

Yet unemployment in the zone around the casinos averaged 11.4%, well above the State average of 5.4%. Worse, the number of purse-snatchings, assaults, rapes, robberies and murders skyrocketed after the casinos opened. FBI statistics indicate the crime rate per 1000 residents went from 134.3 in 1978 to a peak of 450.3 ten years later.

Why work for a salary, when there are easy pickings from casino patrons, appears to be the logic of the unemployed criminals? Canadian researchers reveal that the poorer class spends more in gambling than the others.

MGM Mirage, the world’s biggest casino company plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars, establishing itself as a dominant force, by building smaller versions of its Las Vegas casinos.
Goa’s economy and the Anti-Casino Movement

Channel News Asia reported that it is the high appetite for risk in gambling that drives the economy of Goa. It is the only State in India to have legalised casinos. The argument in favour of casinos is that the fortunes of Las Vegas have been built on gambling. Over the last five years Macau’s economy has turned around thanks to the large scale gambling casinos. Even straitlaced Singapore has decided to legalise casinos.

So Goa should cash in on the human propensity to take high risk and enable people to go safely to indulge in their passion for gambling at casinos, to boost the State’s revenues. It is better to keep the revenue in India, rather than gamblers with money spending it in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. No only will the exchequer profit, but a lot of the crime associated with illicit gambling will disappear overnight when gambling becomes legitimate.

The Anti-Casino Movement can propagate the story of Indian folklore about prince Yudhishthir who lost his wealth, kingdom and wife Draupadi to gambling debts. Like all other addictions -- tobacco, liquor, drugs -- gambling can also easily become an addiction. Instead of giving their money for the welfare of the family, people gamble away their salaries, reducing their families to penury.

Will legalising casino gambling ensure that gamblers will stop short of squandering a substantial part of their earnings, month after month on gambling? There are many cases of people going broke as a result of gambling and ruining their families, often causing broken homes and suicides. Research shows that gambling related suicides are on the rise. Will the government of Goa be aiding and abetting these social evils by legalizing gambling casinos?

INDIA: Interview with Opus Dei Spokesman

Be Another Christ In Society: Opus Dei

October 9, 2007

BANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- The 5th anniversary of the canonisation of Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, was celebrated October 6. Opus Dei aims at helping people sanctifying their work and way of life to live their founder’s vision, who has said, “There is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it.”

Adolf Washington spoke to the Kevin de Souza, media spokesperson for Opus Dei in India.

Excerpts from the interview:

SAR News: It was only when ‘The Da Vinci Code’ controversy kicked up, a lot of lay people started getting curious about Opus Dei. Why is there nothing much heard about it?

Kevin: It’s true that Opus Dei came into the limelight with The Da Vinci Code. That controversy in fact proved to be very useful because it helped many to understand something of key importance. Opus Dei is made up of individuals who have made a personal commitment. Each faithful of the prelature has to strive to live the spirit of Opus Dei in his or her own circumstances: a mother who takes good care of her children; a taxi driver who strives to be honest with his clients; a doctor who lives up to the Hippocratic Oath, and so on. They are not exactly material for prime time news or front-page headlines. They are just ordinary people who live with the deep conviction that if Christ reigns in their life, they will attract others to Him.

Opus Dei in India is still very young. There are a handful of members in Delhi and Mumbai. As other Catholics, they work to earn their living. In their spare time, they may meet up with a friend or organise a class on Christian doctrine. In countries where activities of Opus Dei were initiated earlier, it is easier to “hear” about Opus Dei because of educational and social projects (schools, hospitals, technical training centres, universities, etc.) that have been established through the initiative of individual members and the co-operators along with their friends.

SAR News: There have been movements against the Opus Dei portraying it as fundamentalist and that which propagates rigid penance?

Kevin: Some people attach the label ‘fundamentalist’ to anyone who is faithful to the Church. However, it has a connotation of fanaticism that, can under no circumstances, be applied neither to the Church nor to any institution of the Church and therefore not to Opus Dei. Fanaticism is opposed to charity because it closes itself to the reasons of the others. St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, used to say that we could never be fanatics “not even of Opus Dei”.

Regarding the second part of your question, if you asked any person in contact with Opus Dei what penance he or she has been encouraged to do, the answer would be: to fulfil one’s work conscientiously, to be punctual, to treat those around one kindly, to be patient with one’s kids, to smile even when one doesn’t feel like it, not to complain when faced with too much work, change of plans, hardships of life…etc. This is the kind of penance propagated in Opus Dei. Like other Catholics, members try to incorporate an element of sacrifice into their lives.

SAR News: Is it true to say that the Opus Dei's work is to protect the Magisterium of the Church?

Kevin: The faithful of Opus Dei make an effort to know what the Magisterium of the Church teaches and put it into practice. This, I would say, is what every Christian has to do.

SAR News: Would it be right to say that Opus Dei, in principle, is not in favour of inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism?

Kevin: It is incorrect to assume that Opus Dei is opposed to inter-religious dialogue and ecumenism. Centres of Opus Dei are open to people of all religions, Christians and non-Christians alike; we even welcome those who subscribe to no specific religion. Opus Dei is the first institution of the Church that, since 1950, accepts non-Catholic and non-Christian people as co-operators. I recall how St. Josemaria said in an interview that “there are many separated brethren who feel attracted by the spirit of Opus Dei and who cooperate in our apostolate. And they include ministers, even bishops of respective confessions” (Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá).

SAR News: Do you think mysticism is disappearing from Christianity?

Kevin: I’m assuming that when you talk of “mysticism” you are referring to “spirituality” -- that is to say, the bridge that links man with God through prayer. There are some signs that some Christians are losing their spirituality. Pope Benedict XVI in his recent addresses has repeatedly warned against the dangers of materialism and consumerism. We see many people today who work long hours to make more money with little or no consideration for how that affects the quality time they should be spending with their families. Others would have it that happiness lies in having whatever I want whenever I want it. A month ago in Loreto, the Pope said to the young people assembled there: “Do not be afraid of seeming different and being criticised for what might seem to be losing or out of fashion; your peers but adults too, especially those who seem more distant from the mindset and values of the Gospel, are crying out to see someone who dares to live according to the fullness of humanity revealed by Jesus Christ.”

By the same token, there is an encouraging wave of change -- a sort of interior renewal within the Church. “The phenomenon of World Youth Day is one of the most important contributions that the late Pope John Paul II made to Catholic life. When elected to the papacy in 1978, one of his ambitions was to strengthen the practice of going on pilgrimage. He succeeded and World Youth Day is now one example of that,” Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney has said. The World Youth Days have played a decisive part in fostering vocations to the priesthood, religious life and lay ministries. The church appears to be growing younger so to speak.

SAR News: The Tridentine Mass, Pope Benedict has encouraged it. Some are in favour and some say we are going back to pre-Vatican II times. How do you look at it?

Kevin: The first Mass that Pope Benedict XVI celebrated in the Sistine Chapel provides an insight into his liturgical vision. It’s a vision that seeks to heal the rift that has arisen between those who are accustomed to the Mass introduced by Paul VI and those who were attached to the Tridentine Mass. At the same time, I personally think that the Pope sees this as another avenue for attracting young people to the Church through the liturgical richness of the Tridentine Mass.

The members of the Opus Dei Prelature, as ordinary Catholic men and women, belong to the different existing rites of the Catholic Church (Latin, Maronite, Syro-Malabar and so on) and are faithful of the dioceses in which they reside.

Therefore, they remain under the authority of the diocesan bishop in exactly the same matters, including liturgy, as any other baptised person in his or her diocese.

SAR News: What do you think is the most formidable challenge for the Church in the world and the Church in India specifically?

Kevin: In the words of St. Josemaria, I would say that our greatest challenge is the “crises of saints” in the world today (Cf. The Way, No. 301). Be it in India or any other country, Christians have to strive to be consistent with their faith. The starting point is that I make the effort to be an upright person, even if those around me don’t do the same. I must be another Christ in society. In this way, others will inevitably be attracted to living the Christian ideal of holiness in the middle of the world.

SAR News: Don't you think the ideology and principles of Opus Dei must become more public in India?

Kevin: I dream that many people come to learn and embrace the spirit of Opus Dei that encourages us to seek sanctity in and through our daily work and circumstances. This spirit, or ideology as you have put it, is something that is made known mainly on a personal level, between a person of Opus Dei and his or her friends.

Perhaps I could also draw your attention to the webpage of Opus Dei www.opusdei.org.in that offers a very comprehensive explanation about what the Prelature is. Many people, upon visiting the site, write to the Information Office of Opus Dei in India to find out more. Some of these actually go a step further to come to a centre of Opus Dei for a monthly or an annual meeting or a class on Christian doctrine.

SAR News: How do you think lay people can join Opus Dei?

Kevin: Membership in Opus Dei requires a supernatural vocation. It is a personal call from God to place one’s whole life at his service, spreading the message of the universal call to holiness in ordinary work and social life. This vocation is usually discerned after being involved in Opus Dei's activities (retreats, classes, spiritual direction) regularly over a period of time, which enables one to acquire an in-depth knowledge of Opus Dei. It is also important to acquire consistency in the Christian practices to which members commit themselves: frequent reception of the sacraments, prayer, apostolate and, in general, a humble and constant effort to acquire virtue and struggle for holiness in keeping with the spirit of Opus Dei. Adult Catholics, men or women, married (about 70% of the members are married people) or single, of any background, nationality or socio-economic condition, may be incorporated in the Prelature.

Old & New Mass Ecclesiology Incompatible?

Is the Ecclesiology of the Old Missal "Incompatible" with that of the New?

Motu Proprio Ecclesiological Question

Answered by Rev. Nicola Bux and Rev. Salvatore Vitiello

4 October 2007

Some say the Summorum Pontificum Motu proprio of Pope Benedict XVI could cause “uneasiness” because the ecclesiology present in the old Missal is “incompatible” with that which flowed from Vatican II. Let us try to verify the validity of this theory, by looking at the Roman Canon, the ancient Eucharistic prayer retained in the new Missal.

In it the priest turns first of all to the Father and presents the offerings for “the holy Catholic Church”, that He may guide it and grant it unity throughout the world - as the ancient Didachè prays - he offers them for the Pope, the Bishop and the community in which the Eucharist is being celebrated and “for all who hold and teach the Catholic faith that comes to us from the Apostles”.

These are the famous diptychs which prove the existence of communion in the Church. At the same time he ask the Father to remember those present: “we offer you this sacrifice of praise”, the ordained and the common priesthood. Secondly he says that the Mass is celebrated in communion with the Mary and the saints, the heavenly Church, asking for their intercession. Thirdly he asks God to “bless and approve the offerings”, that they may become consecrated: the expression is referred to the Holy Spirit. Scholars say the nucleus of the Roman Canon, is older than the definition of the Council of Constantinople in 381. And then the other ancient Eucharistic prayer, the Copt anaphora of Serapione also contains an epiclesi to the Word.

To return to the Roman Canon, after the consecration the priest recalls the memorial of Christ's paschal mystery offering his Body and his Blood as a pleasing sacrifice, prefigured in those of Abel, Abraham and in Melchisedech; he prays that the offering may be taken from the altar on earth to God's altar in heaven. There follows intercession for the dead, and "for us sinners". The great prayer closes with the glorification of the Trinity, and the Amen of the faithful.

From this prayer which skilfully doses personal and community faith, there emerges a Trinitarian ecclesiology of communion which descends from heaven with traits of unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity. The prayer remembers Jesus Christ and his mystery and awaits His coming both in the today of the liturgy and at the last judgement. A prayer which is essentially adoration. The present crisis of the liturgy is due to the fact that at centre of the liturgy very often instead of God and adoration of God there is mankind, the community; so, as J.B.Metz used to say: “The crisis of God is ecclesiologically blocked”.

Providentially the Council approved as its first act the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy because “First there is adoration and therefore God […] The Church derives from adoration, from the mission to glorify God” (J.Ratzinger, L’ecclesiologia della costituzione Lumen gentium, in La Comunione nella Chiesa, Cinisello B. 2004, p 132). This is the ecclesiology of the Council which, over and beyond historical accentuation, has remained the same for two millennia in the Catholic Church.

A crisis in the liturgy begins when it is not understood and lived as adoration in Jesus Christ of the Trinity and as a celebration of the whole Catholic Church not just one particular community, of which the bishops and priests are the ministers, that is servants, not masters. Continual lamenting on the part of some liturgists with regard to the failed actuation of the reform and expedients to render it attractive, indicate that the spirit of the liturgy has been lost reducing to an self-celebration of one particular community.

How many examples of liturgical relativism (falsely hidden under the name of creativity) we see every day: the Eucharist is the first to have paid for an idea of Church which is not catholic. To which ecclesiology are those who intend to affirm the presumed incompatibility of the Missal of Blessed John XXIII with the present ecclesial situation referring?

To fear two different ecclesiologies is a grave error: it means, as the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI said in his address to mark the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, considering the Council a break with Catholic tradition. The Roman missal of Saint Pius V and Blessed John XXIII, heir to the ancient sacramentaries and medieval Missals, and the Missal of Paul VI, are an expression of the one and the same lex credendi et orandi which gives primacy to the relationship with God of the Church and every individual member. This is the only ecclesiology which can be said to be Catholic. (Agenzia Fides)

NISCORT Completes 10 Years

INDIA Church Media Institute Completes 10 Years, Undaunted By Challenges

October 2, 2007

NEW DELHI (UCAN) -- People associated with a communications institute the Indian bishops launched 10 years ago say it has braved decade-long challenges to prepare media persons for the Church and secular world.

Among the challenges that have dogged the National Institute of Social Communication, Research and Training (NISCORT) are staff turnover, publicity shortcomings, the indifference of bishops and inadequate funding.

Father Henry D' Souza, secretary of the Commission for Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, says NISCORT's "big and small" contributions have strengthened the Church's overall communications effort, while its current director, Father Jude Botelho, says NISCORT "to a certain extent" has succeeded in its mission but still has more to achieve.

When the institute was launched in September 1997, it began as a small room in the Delhi archbishop's house. In 2003, it moved to its 1.61-hectare campus about 15 kilometers east of New Delhi. The academic block houses a library with more than 3,000 volumes, as well as a video studio and two audio studios. Its facilities also include three non-linear editing systems and a language lab, and the campus has a hostel that can accommodate 70 students.

Courses range from three months to two-year programs. In 2005, NISCORT was accepted as a "study institute" of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism in Bhopal, and it now offers master's degrees in print and broadcast journalism, and diplomas in video production. The first post-affiliation class produced 35 graduates.

NISCORT offers Church people a three-month course in pastoral communication. It also provides distance education in mass media through another university, and conducts seminars, film festivals and debates on social issues.

To balance its enrollment, NISCORT offers scholarships to qualified poor students, and subsidizes half the fees of some students in short-term courses.

Bishop Patrick Paul D'Souza, the retired bishop of Varanasi and NISCORT's founding chairperson, told UCA News that the institute has helped many nuns and priests learn communication basics, and some of its 200 alumni now manage communication centers in dioceses and Religious congregations.

Jesuit Father Jacob Srampickal, the former dean and now director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Communication Studies in Rome, told UCA News through an e-mail message that some nuns "who would otherwise not have had any training in media got the training they deserved" through NISCORT.

Despite such achievements, many say the institute has yet to make its mark.

Father Botelho told UCA News the lack of publicity stunted NISCORT's growth, but more seminars are planned to open "our institute to others." Even so, the Bombay archdiocesan priest laments, many bishops still treat communication as secondary, and "dioceses could send more people for training."

However, Father Srampickal maintains that part of the problem rests with NISCORT itself, particularly a lack of vision that disappoints many of its students. Those running the institute believe "technology is the main thing," he said, but "in fact, technology is not communications. It is only a help."

A related challenge, the Rome-based Jesuit said, is finding the right staff.

Father Botelho agrees, but he said recruiting dedicated and committed instructors is tough because priests and nuns get transferred, and "highly qualified professors leave when offered four times what we pay."

Funding has long been a struggle, and Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Bombay, NISCORT's chairperson, told UCA News inadequate funding clearly has "stunted growth for many years." Now, the Italian Bishops' Conference, Missio Aachen in Germany and Stichting (foundation) Porticus in the Netherlands fund NISCORT.

Despite the institute's problems, the archbishop said, it is making slow but steady progress, and some alumni readily testify to the institute's value.

Gopal Kumar Jha, a Hindu who studied broadcast journalism, told UCA News he was taught not only media techniques, but also values such as punctuality, dedication and respect. "We also learned about current issues and events through workshops and debates," said Jha, now working for a Hindi TV channel.

Binu Joseph, a Catholic, is also grateful to NISCORT for the diploma course in video production that helped him find a job in "this competitive world."

Source: UCAN (http://www.ucanews.com/)

William D'Souza Appointed Patna Archbishop

Bishop William D'Souza Appointed Archbishop Of Patna

NEW DELHI, OCT. 01, 2007: Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Benedict J. Osta, SJ, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Patna and has appointed Bishop William D’Souza, SJ, as the Archbishop of Patna.

Presently, Bishop William D’Souza is the Bishop of Buxar in Bihar.

The ecclesiastical provision was made public in Rome on Monday, Oct. 01, 2007 at noon local time, corresponding to 15.30 hours Indian time.

William D'Souza SJ was appointed Bishop of the newly erected diocese of Buxar on Dec. 12, 2005. He consecrated Bishop on March 25, 2006 with Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio in India as the main consecrator.

Bishop William D'Souza, a Jesuit of the Province of Patna, was born in 1946, ordained priest in 1976 after completing Philosophy in Shembanagur in Tamil Nadu and theology in Jnana Deepa Vidyapeet in Pune.

During his rich and fruitful priestly ministry he was assistant Novice Master, superior of Jesuit communities in various places, Rector of the Minor Seminary in Muzaffarpur, parish priest in several parishes, secretary to the Bishop of Muzaffarpur and Provincial of the Patna Jesuit Province.

He was also the Administrator of Muzaffarpur diocese for a year. He was the parish priest of Itarhi in the district of Buxar at the time of his appointment as bishop.

The metropolitan Archdiocese of Patna comprises of Bettiah, Bhagalpur, Buxar, Muzaffarpur and Purnea as suffragan dioceses. (CBCI)

Also See:
William D'Souza to be consecrated Buxar Bishop on 25th March 2006

Leo Cornelio to be New Bhopal Archbishop

New Archbishop Of Bhopal To Be Installed On Sunday

New Delhi, Sep 15, 2007: Archbishop Leo Cornelio will be installed as the new Archbishop of Bhopal on Sunday, Sep. 16.

A solemn Eucharistic celebration will be held at 2.30 pm on the St. Joseph’s School Grounds, Bhopal.

The Apostolic Nuncio in India Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, Emeritus Archbishop of Bhopal Pascal Topno, CBCI secretary general Archbishop Stanislaus Fernandez, bishops of MP & Chhatisgarh region and archbishops and bishops from other parts of the country are expected to participate in the ceremonies.

Priests, representatives of religious communities and faithful of Khandwa also will be attending the ceremony to pray for their outgoing Bishop.

The Eucharistic celebration will be followed by a felicitation function which will be attended among many other dignitaries by the governor of MP, Dr Balram Jhakkar and MP chief minister Mr Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Leo Cornelio, formerly Bishop of Khandwa as the new Archbishop of Bhopal. At the same time, the Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the incumbent Archbishop of Bhopal Paschal Topno who completed seventy five years today.

A member of the religious congregation of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), Bishop Cornelio has been the Bishop of Khandwa for nearly 8 years.

Since June 1988, prior to his appointment as Bishop of Khandwa, then Fr Leo Cornelio served as the consultor general of the Society of the Divine Word, Rome for nearly twelve years.

The newly appointed Archbishop Cornelio was born on March 14, 1945 in Kukkunje, near the coastal city of Udupi in Karnataka. After completing his primary schooling in his native place, at the early age of thirteen he was recruited by well known SVD German missionary, Fr. Peter Verhalen, and was admitted to Rajeshwar Vidhyalaya, Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. There he continued his studies from 1958 to 1962.

After completing two years in an apostolic school of the Divine Word Society, where he studied Latin and other disciplines meant to integrate his life with spiritual and intellectual training, he joined the novitiate (1964-66) for spiritual and religious formation.

After his first profession, he graduated with a B. Ph and a B. Th. at the Papal Athenaeum, Pune in the year 1968 and 1972 respectively.

After his philosophical studies, he was assigned to an Institution in Goa for an intensive year of training exposure. During this time, he helped in the construction of the SVD seminary and taught the students English and mathematics.

Having made the Religious Profession on June 11, he was ordained a priest in his native parish Mount Rosary Church, Kallianpur on November 14 by the then Bishop of Mangalore, Bishop Basil S. D' Souza.

Soon after his ordination, he joined Gyan Ashram, Mumbai to assist Fr. George Proksch SVD, a German missionary who made significant contribution to music, dance and Hindi writings.

Later, he was assigned to an institution in Dohad, Baroda Diocese. He worked for eleven years there, first as teacher and vice principal of St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School and as assistant parish priest of St. Joseph's Parish. During this time, he actively involved himself in teaching, pastoral work, and youth activities.

In June 1983 he traveled to Rome for a spiritual and theological course.

On his return to India in 1984, he was elected as provincial superior of the SVD Central Indian province with its headquarters in Indore. Three year later, in 1987, he was re-elected to the same position.

In June 1988, at an SVD General Chapter held in Rome, he was elected a consultor general. He served for two terms of six years each in that position,.

As a general councilor, he has traveled far and wide in U.S., Canada, Australia, Caribbean islands and a good number of countries in South America, Africa, Asia as well as Europe.

Already acquainted with several Indian languages and English as an international language of communication, he took time to learn five other foreign languages - Italian, Spanish, French, German and Indonesian - to be able to read, write and converse in them.

Almost towards the fag end of his second term as general councilor, Pope John Paul II appointed him as bishop of Khandwa Diocese. As a dedicated shepherd, he promoted the educational and social development apostolates in a big way.

At present, he is a member of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People for the second successive term.

Also, he is the chairman of the CBCI Commission for Youth and chair-person of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) as well as for YCS/YSM, both at the national and Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh levels.

Besides, he is a member of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications and also the financial administrator for the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Regional Major Seminaries at Bhopal and Ashta.

(CBCI)

The Catholic Directory of Bombay: 2007-2008

The twenty-fifth edition of the Catholic Directory of the Archdiocese of Bombay is now available at Rs 70.00 during the Office hours (9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.) at the following places upto October 31, 2007:

a) Bandra - Diocesan Catechetical Centre - Ms Vitaline Serrao
b) Fort - Archbishop’s House - Fr Barthol Barretto
c) Goregaon - St Pius X College - Fr John Rodrigues
d) Thane - St John the Baptist Church - Fr John Rumao
e) Uttan - Muktisagar Prabodhan Kendra - Fr Hilary Fernandes

From November 01, 2007 the directories will be available only at Archbishop’s House, Fort.

DD Retreat By Fr. Conrad Saldanha - September 2007

Discipline and Discernment

DDOOR Ministries

Yearning For God In The Silence Of Our Hearts

The Discipline and Discernment retreat is a beautiful program designed for the growth of every aspect of one's personality. It is a wonderful blend of the traditional Catholic spirituality with a Charismatic dimension. Many experience healing and deliverance along with tremendous transformation of personality and change of attitude.

"Life is not the same and there is no confusion whether in my family or business" - A testimony by one of the retreatants, that bears evidence to its effectiveness, need and significance. Today it's one of the most popular and sought after silent retreat in the archdiocese of Bombay.

Experience the greatest form of Love - The Love of God

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. - Proverbs 8:17

In Goa

Dates: Sep 14(Fri. 5.30pm) to Sep 19(Wed. 4.30pm)

Venue: Franciscan Monastery, Montegiri, Mapusa, Goa

In Bombay

Dates:

a) 20th Oct to 25 Oct 07
b) 9th Nov to 14th Nov 07
c) 17th Nov to 22nd Nov 07
d) 30th Nov to 5th Dec 07

Venue: Vinalaya, Andheri (E)

Registration

Call: Sunny 9225900207 [Mapusa], Annette 9860956077 [Navellim]/Edna Godinho 95832-2459464 /9822160749 (Bambolim)/Engracia: 95832-2750936 [Margao]/Reeta: 09819828660 [Mumbai]/Guilhermina: 09819828667 [Mumbai]

Fees

Total Fees: Rs. 650/- per person

Advance: Rs. 250/- (non-refundable), Balance: Rs. 400/- at the Venue

He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly (lack of discernment) he is lost. Prov. 5:23

Let's arise and walk toward the light of the Lord

Seek first his kingdom & his righteousness, & all these things will be given to you as well. Matt: 6:33

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Note to Retreatants

1. This is a 5-day retreat conducted by Fr. Conrad and Team.

2. The fee covers your stay, food and administrative expenses.

3. The retreat begins at 6.30 pm on the first day. You are requested to assemble
at the venue between 4.30 and 6.00 pm.

4. Retreatants are requested to carry the following necessary items:

- Bible
- Rosary
- Toiletries
- Two bed sheets
- Pen & note pad
- Any other items that need to be blessed

5. As the number of seats is limited, request you to register at the earliest.

Posted by Mariza Ferrao

MANGALORE: EWTN Transmission Begins

MANGALORE: Catholics Rejoices as Cable Operators Relay EWTN

MANGALORE September 7, 2007 (KonkaniCatholics.com): One day ahead of their popular Marian feast, 'Monti Fest', Catholics in Mangalore cannot believe their ears as they hear that EWTN, the leading global Catholic TV Channel is now being relayed to their homes by the city's cable operators.

"It was like tasting heaven for some time" said Joannes Rodrigues, an engineering student in the city who couldn't wait to get home to check it out.

Joannes along with a small group of like minded friends has been working behind the scenes for the last three years in order to make EWTN known in the city. "It is doing the work of the Lord that gives greater joy than owning the latest mobile phone" he said expressing his joy over the news.

Eternal Word Television Network, EWTN was started by Poor Clare nun, Mother M. Angelica in Alabama, USA, on August 15, 1981. Now in its 27th year of service, it is the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 123 million homes in 140 countries and territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users.

Taking the lead from Joannes, Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo, the Communications Director of Mangalore Diocese successfully negotiated the possibility of EWTN transmission with 'V-4', the partnership of the major cable operators in the city. Their service extends also to the towns of Belthangady, Moodabidri, Karkal and Bantwal.

Explaining the general lack of ongoing catechetical formation, Fr. Vijay said, "Many people do not know how to answer the faith questions posed to them by Christian Fundamentalists." He believes that "EWTN will greatly help in strengthening the faith of the people by giving them the real teachings of the Catholic Church."

When asked if the viewers will be able to follow the English broadcasts, Fr. Vijay said, "Though English is not understood in the villages, it is well understood by the youth and especially those in the city."

"In any case, one can always watch the programs like the the Rosary, Mass, live broadcasts of Papal pilgrimages and events like the upcoming World Youth Day in Sydney next year", he remarked with optimism.

In order to make EWTN known to Catholics in and around Mangalore, Fr. Vijay plans to have announcements made in Churches, parish publications and through handbills.

UDUPI: Christian Life Programme by SFC

UDUPI: SFC to Organise Christian Life Programme on September 9, 2007

Kallianpur unit (Udupi District/Mangalore Diocese) Singles for Christ (SFC) is organising a Christian Life Programme (CLP) for singles over the age of 21 at Udupi from September 9, 2007.

Singles for Christ (SFC), the youth wing of Couples for Christ (CFC) aims to provide a Christian support environment for single men and women who are at the crossroads of their state of life, choosing between marriage, a religious vocation, or single blessedness. It is now established in India and in many key cities and states of other countries around the world.

The programme will be held at Don Bosco hall in the Mother of Sorrows Church premises and the first orientation talk will be given on September 9 at 3.30 pm.

For more details contact Vivian Cornelio (9844994484), or Michael Mendonca (9845150642)

Posted by Michael Mendonca

MANGALORE: Diocesan Directory - 2007

New Mangalore Diocesan Directory Out

MANGALORE, August 27, 2007: The new directory of the Diocese of Mangalore is now available at "Mangala Jyothi", the Diocesan Biblical, Liturgical and Catechetical Centre.

The directory has complete and up-to-date information regarding the diocesan officials, parishes, priests, pious associatons, institutions and religious orders.

For the first time there has been included a brief history of the diocese and a section on the "Prelates from the Diocese of Mangalore" which lists a total of 39 Bishops, including 5 deceased, who hail from Mangalore.

Also included are the email and website details of parishes and institutions, and a map showing all the diocesan parishes coming under the nine taluks of Mangalore, Udupi, Kundapur, Karkal, Belthangady, Bantwal, Puttu, Sullia and Kasargod.

Copies of the directory at Rs. 35/- each may be obtained from "Mangala Jyothi", Shanti Kiran, Bajjodi, Mangalore - 575 005 (Tel: 0824-2215747)

MANGALORE: National Bishops Workshop Inaugurated

MANGALORE: Cardinal Toppo Inaugurates National Computer Workshop for Bishops

(Click on the picture for more photos.)

MANGALORE, July 21: A three day computer workshop for bishops was inaugurated at St. Aloysius Chapel here by Cardinal Toppo yesterday afternoon.

"We are here as shepherds of the media age to acquaint ourselves with the computer and Internet skills so that we can be more effective in our service to the Church and to the people of India" the Cardinal said.

The national workshop titled "Shepherds in the Media Age" which will be held at the Mangalore Diocesan Pastoral Institute and St Aloysius College Computer Academy will help the 24 participating bishops to improve their computer and internet skills. The workshop is organized by the CBCI Commmission for Social Communications.

Highlighting the need to acquaint oneself with computer and internet skills Cardinal said, "By learning computer and Internet skills, we should assist the community, to cross many cultural thresholds, each of which called for fresh energy and imagination' in proclaiming the Good News of sublime human and spiritual values."

"This workshop will surely open before us wide vistas and avenues for innovations in our pastoral ministry," he told the assembled Bishops.

Earlier, Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore welcomed the bishops to Mangalore while Fr. Swebert D'Silva, the principal of St. Aloysius College spoke of the significance of the famous Jesuit chapel.

The prayer service was led by Bishop of Baroda Godfrey de Rozario and later Fr. Henry D’Souza, the executive secretary of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications introduced the dynamics of the workshop.

The National Workshop for bishops will conclude on Aug. 23 with a seminar on: "Communicating in a New Way in the Media Age".

MANGALORE: Shepherds of the Media Age (Bishops' Workshop)

Shepherds of the Media Age, Bishops To Acquire Internet-Computer Skills

New Delhi, Aug. 18, 2007, 09.30 Hrs (CBCI News):

The Catholic bishops of India will be joining a national workshop to acquire computer and Internet skills organised by the CBCI Commission for Social Communications on the theme: “Shepherds of the Media Age.”

24 bishops led by the CBCI president Cardinal Telesphore Toppo will inaugurate and also participate in the 4-day workshop which will be held at the Mangalore Diocesan Pastoral Institute and St Aloysius College Computer Academy.

“Christianity is essentially communication and the Church is called to be a communicating Church. Therefore, bishops as shepherds are called to be communicators in the new media age,” said the chairman of the CBCI Communications Commission, Archbishop Oswald Gracias.

“Today’s communications revolution demands that leaders ‘think communication’ and use new communication technologies to get their message through,” declared Archbishop Gracias.

During the workshop, “the bishops will acquaint themselves with the pastoral communications skills and upgrade their knowledge of computers,” said the facilitator of the programme and the executive secretary of CBCI Commission for Social Communications, Fr Henry D’Souza.

“Internet is a versatile tool of communication and bishops as leaders need to be computer savvy and Internet friendly. Leaders of today cannot tackle today’s challenges with yesterday’s tools,” said Fr Henry D’Souza.

It may be recalled that CBCI’s general body meeting held in Trichur in 2004, deliberated on the theme, “Church and Social Communications.” The general body came out with a much appreciated final statement entitled, “Called to be a communicating Church.”

The general body of CBCI had emphatically stressed that all church leaders – bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters and lay persons need to be trained in communications.

“It would be interesting to see the Shepherds of the new age, moving about with lap-tops in their pastoral work”, remarked Fr D’Souza.

The workshop will end on Aug. 23 with a session on “Communicating in a New Way in the Media Age” which will coincide with the inaugural session of the national conference of Catholic communicators.

CCBI President's Independence Day Message - 2007

Oswald Gracias: India Stands Erect Among Nations with Great Moral Authority

Bangalore, 15 August, 2007 (CCBI News):

Message of Oswald Gracias as India Celebrates Its Diamond Jubilee of Independence

August 15, 2007 takes our minds back to August 15, 1947 when at the stroke of midnight India awoke to a new dawn and the world welcomed into its ranks another great free nation: our beloved motherland India.

Pride swells our hearts when we think about the great men and women who have walked our land and led it to great heights. Economic progress has been evidenced in the past few years but the soul of India was being nourished by its great leaders right from the beginning so that it stood erect with great moral authority among the Comity of Nations.

Today, the world looks with awe at India because of its great economic strides as it foresees that within a decade it will be among the leading economic forces of the world. At the same time we have to regretfully admit that the benefits of economic progress have not percolated to all levels of society. There are still millions in our country who are living below the poverty line; millions who cannot read or write; millions who are still deprived of adequate medical facilities; thousands of villages still remain without adequate water, sufficient power or proper sanitation. Only when no Indian is hungry when every Indian can live with dignity and has an opportunity to contribute to our nation's progress can we say that we have truly arrived.

On this happy occasion, we pray to God to bless our Motherland, its leaders and its people, a land so richly blessed with resources, human and material. We pray to God that the years ahead will see besides economic progress, development in every field particularly moral values so that corruption, intolerance and criminality become buried in history. We pray to God that our country become to the world a model of true humanism, genuine respect for the individual and deep upholding of spiritual values. JAI BHARAT MATA, JAI HIND".

+Oswald Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay and President - C.C.B.I.

CBCI President's Independence Day Message 2007

Message of the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI)

On the 60th Anniversary of Independence of India

Your Eminence/Grace/Excellency,

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge...At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance" (Jawaharlal Nehru )

These historic words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru heralded a new era for India that had long been under the British colonial rule. Under the able and dynamic leadership of our great Statesmen who steered the destiny of our free nation, India began its long march on the road of progress and development.

Successive Union and State Governments carried on with the vision of the founding generation for building India as a sovereign republic, democratic, modern, progressive and strong nation. It is a matter of great pride that we as a nation have achieved many feats in agriculture, industry, science, technology, health and education. We have built up a strong defense force, a just judicial system, an expansive media that has raised the level of public consciousness, a network of academic centers and research institutes and, of course, an army of skilled work force that has been the bulwark of all these achievements over the years.

In this great venture of nation building, the Christian community in India has been making its small but noteworthy contribution towards the development of our country through its network of education and health institutions, social and economic development programs.

All these are legitimate reasons for us to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Independence. On this cherished occasion, we salute with grateful admiration those heroic men and women and pay fitting homage to all of them and to tens of thousands of unknown soldiers who have sacrificed their lives on the altar of Freedom, with sheer dedication and commitment for the great cause of Independence of India

While being proud of the economic, social and political achievements made over the last six decades, we cannot in all honesty turn a blind eye to the hard realities of our country. Our economic prosperity has certainly earned us a membership in the global economic club, but it has terribly failed to percolate down to those living on the peripheries of society. It is a matter of serious concern that India still houses nearly 300 millions of people living below poverty line. Although we may have created world-class education and health institutions, we still have a long way to go before we can ensure quality education and health services to large sections of the population, particularly to the poor and the marginalized. Let us have no illusion. There can be no peace without justice and no development without peace.

Creation of Panchayati Raj institutions was a step in the right direction of decentralizing planning process, and that women constitute 50% of the elected representatives in such institutions is a matter of considerable achievement. However, we are still wrestling with the age old problems of corruption, mismanagement of resources and neglect of the real deserving groups from the ambit of development. Coupled with this is the escalated communal divide that we have witnessed over the last decade, reflected in many a riot in different parts of the country causing huge loss of life and property. In particular, the religious minorities have been feeling a growing unease and deep anxiety, as they have been repeatedly targeted by certain socio-political organizations.

India has a lead role to play in the modern world that is struggling to come to terms with multi-cultural and multi-religious ethos that has been our hallowed heritage for millennia. India has always been an inclusive society with different cultures, languages, religions and philosophies that co-existed, creating great confluences of minds and hearts, values and traditions. And to preserve this unparalleled heritage is the supreme duty of each one of us, citizens of Independent India.

On this joyful occasion, let us pray that God Almighty bless our country abundantly, keep it united and strong, prosperous and peaceful, and above all bring cheer and well-being to the least of our brothers and sisters. May our sages’ wisdom of “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” where every citizen feels included in the process of development and progress of India come true in letter and spirit as we, as a nation, march ahead.

With grateful hearts, let us keep in all our families, institutions, parishes and Dioceses a Day of Special Prayer for Our Country as we celebrate 60th Anniversary of our Independence. May Mother Mary, whose Feast of Assumption into heaven we celebrate on the very day of our Independence, show us the way to live out our Freedom through a dedicated life of love and generous service.

"Into that haven of freedom, O Father, let my country awake" (R. Tagore)

Yours sincerely in Christ,

† Telesphore Cardinal Toppo
Archbishop of Ranchi & President, CBCI

Christy Fernandez Appointed President's Secretary

Christy Fernandez Appointed Secretary To President Of India

August 9, 2007

NEW DELHI -- An Indian Administrative Service officer from the Catholic community has been appointed secretary to the newly sworn in President of India, Prathibha Patil.

Christy Fernandez, belonging to the Latin Catholic diocese of Quilon in Kerala state, has assumed charge of his new post, after serving as secretary to the Department of Tourism at the Centre.

Son of Leon Fernandez, a schoolteacher in Clappana in Quilon diocese, he had his early education in a local school and university education in Fatima College Quilon and Mar Ivanios College Trivandrum.

Fernandez belongs to the 1973 batch of the IAS Gujarat cadre. He has also served as joint secretary in the Agriculture and Petroleum ministries, additional secretary in the Commerce ministry and principal secretary of the Gujarat Town Development Council. He has been an active member of the parish wherever he is posted. (SAR)

BANGALORE: St. Joseph's Wins Bible Quiz

St. Joseph's Boys' School Emerges Inter-School Bible Quiz Champions

August 6, 2007

BANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- St. Josephs Boys’ School Bangalore emerged winners of the fourth Annual Interschool Bible Quiz hosted by Serra Club of Bangalore, August 4, at the Catholic Club here.

Thirty-eight teams from 20 Catholic schools in the city took part in the preliminary written round comprising 30 questions. Five teams qualified for the finals.

As many as 114 students participated in the quiz based on St. Mark’s Gospel.

The final round of the quiz comprised individual questions, a rapid-fire round and a visual round. St. Joseph’s School bagged the D’Sa Rolling Trophy for the winners.

St. Francis Xavier’s Girls’ School finished second and Cluny Convent Malleswaram third.

Later, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore addressing the children exhorted them to read the Bible and get to know Christ Jesus better. He presented the 15 finalists with a special Bible.

Organiser and vice-president of Serra Club, Brinda Abreo, said the general standard of participation was steadily improving every year and it was the endeavour of Serra Club to sow a small seed for vocations in the hearts of Bangalore's Catholic youth while encouraging and helping them to know the Bible better.

Serra Club, a group of lay Catholics, is committed to fostering and promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. (SAR)

Mangalore To Host Two National Seminars

August 6, 2007

MANGALORE, Karnataka (SAR NEWS) -- ‘Communications in the Church’ is the theme of two national seminars to be held in Mangalore August-end.

The first seminar for bishops with the theme “Shepherds of the Media Age” will held August 20-23 and the second one for the diocesan communications directors and the regional communication secretaries with the theme ‘Communicating in a new way in the Media age” will be organised August 23-26 by the CBCI Commission for Social communications at the Pastoral Centre here.

The bishops’ seminar will delve on pastoral communication skills, computer skills, Jesus the Perfect Communicator, communications -- opportunities and challenges, media, human rights and civil liberties.

About 20 bishops are expected to participate in this seminar.

The second seminar for the diocesan communications directors deals with the topics: Communications - opportunities and challenges, media, human rights and civil liberties, Jesus the Perfect Communicator, Whither Church communications in India, Catholic communicators and print media in India, Performing arts – a people’s medium, Catholic communications, Civil society and social concerns, New media – a new forum for Catholic communicators, Media and consumer rights.

About 120 diocesan directors, regional secretaries of communications and others associated with the Church media are expected to participate in the seminar.

Both the seminars will have their inaugural session at Sandesha, the regional social communications centre with Cardinal Telesphore Toppo inaugurating the seminar and Bishop Aloysius D’Souza of Mangalore welcoming the participants. (SAR)

BOMBAY: Vianney Sunday - Archbishop's Wishes

Vianney Sunday (Aug 5) in Bombay Archdiocese

On Sunday, August 05, we celebrate the feast of St John Marie Vianney, patron of priests engaged in the pastoral ministry. I invite our clergy, religious and faithful to pray very specially for our priests and seminarians, for vocations to the sacred priesthood, for our retired clergy and for those priests who have already gone to their heavenly home.

May I take this occasion to thank all the priests in our Archdiocese who are engaged in the pastoral ministry. I know the dedication and commitment with which you work for our people. May God through the intercession of St John Marie Vianney inspire you to give your best in your priestly ministry.

I express my sincere gratitude to all those who support our Diocesan Seminary, Goregaon and the Clergy Home, Bandra with their prayers and their offerings. I thank the Administrators and the whole Staff of the Clergy Home who together with the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master dedicate themselves so selflessly for the service of our retired clergy. I thank the Rector and Staff of St Pius X College who together with the Poor Sisters of Our Lady care for our seminarians. It would interest all to know that this year there have been eighteen new admissions to the Diocesan Seminary, five being candidates for the Archdiocese of Bombay. God willing, we should have six Ordinations to the Priesthood for our Archdiocese next April.

The collection at all the Parish Masses on Vianney Sunday and cheques made out in favour of “Archdiocese of Bombay” are to be sent to the Diocesan Fund, for sick and retired priests, at Archbishop’s House by the end of August 2007.

+Oswald Gracias
Archbishop of Bombay

July 28, 2007

---

On Sunday, 5 August 2007, Archbishop Oswald Gracias will celebrate mass at:

9.30 a.m.: Feast Mass, St Ignatius Church, Jacob Circle

6.30 p.m.: Vianney Sunday Mass, Holy Name Cathedral, Fort

KARKALA - St. Lawrence Feast 2007

MANGALORE-KARKALA: St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur - Feast 2007

The solemn mass of the annual feast of St. Lawrence at Attur will be at 10.30am on 10 August. The New Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese, V. Rev. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu will be the main celebrant on the occassion.

The preparatory novena will be at 10.30 am everyday from 1st to 9th August. It will be led by Fr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar Udupi (1 Aug), Fr. Mathew Vas (2 Aug), Fr. Vincent D'Souza (3 Aug), Fr. Michael D'Silva (4 Aug), Fr. Stany Goveas (6 Aug), Fr. Vincent Coelho (7 Aug), Fr. Alfred Pinto (8 Aug) and Fr. Cyprian Pinto (9 Aug).

Lunch will be provided on novena days to all pilgrims.

For more information, contact: Rev. Fr. Arthur Pereira, Parish Priest, Attur, Ph: 08258-233842,230322

Dr. Carvalho Appointed Vatican Academy Member

Dr Pascoal Carvalho Appointed Corresponding Member of Vatican Academy

New Delhi, Aug. 04, 2007:

Dr Pascoal Carvalho has been appointed Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life by His Excellency Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Academy, Vatican City.

The Pontifical Academy for Life was established by Pope John Paul II to study questions and issues connected with the promotion and defence of human life from an interdisciplinary perspective, and also fostering a culture of life and communicating to the various institutions of the biomedical sciences, social-health care organisations, the mass media, and the civil community in general about the most relevant results of its study and research activities.

Dr. Carvalho received his Doctorate in Microbiology and worked as a Post Doctoral Fellow (W.H.O), securing his Post Doctorate in Immunology.

Dr. Carvalho has several publications in International and Indian scientific journals. In addition to an eminent career in immunology, Dr. Carvalho is recognised in academics. He has been called upon for his expertise in the Biotechnology Industry.

He is a Member of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology. He was a co-guide, IIT, for M. Tech students of Bio-Medical Engineering and has been a Faculty member Food & Drug Administration (FDA)- Officers training programmes. Dr. Carvalho is also on the Internal Animal Ethics Committee of The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) as a nominee on behalf of the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Dr. Pascoal Carvalho is a resident of Bandra, Mumbai. As a Catholic scientist he has been making notable contributions to ethics in medical diagnosis, and is always at the service of life through educational programs in biomedical ethics. He is a Member of the FIAMC Bio-Medical Ethics Centre, Mumbai, and the Diocesan Human Life Committee, Mumbai. (CBCI)

Konkani-speaking Catholics Put Bible Online

Konkani-Speaking Catholics Put Bible Online in their own Language

July 27, 2007

MANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- A Catholic community has made the Bible in a southern Indian tongue available online so that people around the world can read Scripture in the Konkani language.

Austine Crasta, who runs the community's website (konkanicatholics.com), initiated the project with the help of friends and Mangalore diocese. The Bible project is part of the website, whose motto is "Uniting Konkani Catholics Worldwide for the Faith."

Crasta explained to UCA News that the online Bible is "for Konkani Catholics in remote corners of the world who do not have access to the Bible in their mother tongue." He said it may also help members in places where religious practices are restricted and the Bible is not permitted.

Some of them in certain nations have to meet secretly to worship, he pointed out, and their "powerful witness inspired me to perform this service."

Many young Konkani people "spend much time on the Internet," he added, so "they may also get an opportunity to meet the Lord" through the online Bible.

Michael Mendonca, a Catholic layman prepared the electronic form of the text, and two other youths designed and developed the site, with the support of Father Francis X. Lewis, public relations officer of Mangalore diocese.

About 1.7 million people in India use Konkani, one of the country's 22 officially recognized languages. Most live on the southwestern coast of India, served by Mangalore and Karwar dioceses and Goa archdiocese.

About 1 million Catholics live in the area. When Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore launched the site (konkanibible.org) on July 26, he said it can help "all Konkani people come to know God and bear witness to Christ."

Mangalore diocese released its hard-copy Konkani bible in Kannada script during the Catholic Church's Jubilee of the Year 2000. Now that text is available online. Konkani lacks its own script, so it uses Karnataka state's official Kannada-language script or the Roman script.

Konkani Catholics are so called because of the language they use. Many of their forefathers migrated from Goa in the 16th and 17th centuries for socio-political and cultural reasons. They have produced more than 35 bishops and thousands of missioners who serve around the country and beyond. In recent years, many members have migrated to European and West Asian nations.

Reproduced by Konkani Catholics with permission from UCA News (www.ucanews.com)

Konkani Bible Website Launched

PRESS RELEASE

Konkani Bible Website Launched

July 26, 2007:

The entire Konkani Bible is now available online in Kannada script.

On the occassion of the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the Catholic Board of Education held at the Bishop's house July 26, 2007, the Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D'Souza inaugurated the Konkani Bible website - http://www.konkanibible.org/

The Konkani language spoken by over 1.7 million speakers in India, especially in the western coastal regions, is one of India's 22 official languages. The three predominantly Konkani dioceses of Goa, Mangalore & Karwar alone account for over 1 million of India's Catholics.

Expressing "great joy" over the website, Bishop D'Souza, in his written message, explained that the Sacred Scriptures is the vehicle of God's self-communication. He prayed that through this website "all [Konkani] people come to know God and bear witness to Christ".

The Konkani Bible (Kannada-script) released by the Diocese of Mangalore during the Great Jubilee Year 2000, was put online through the efforts of KonkaniCatholics.com, an online community of Konkani speaking Catholics around the world.

This project was co-ordinated by Austine Crasta, Brahmavar with the support of Fr. Francis X. Lewis, PRO, Mangalore Diocese. The preparation and editing of the electronic form of the text was done by Michael Mendonca, Santhekatte-Kallianpur, while the website designed and developed by Arun & Maria Valdar, Loreto.

In this age of information technology, it is hoped that the online Konkani Bible will be a great blessing to all Konkani speaking Christians around the world desiring to read the "word of God" in their mother tongue.

BANGALORE: Konkani Retreat - July 20-22, 2007

3 Day Konkani Retreat at Renewal Retreat Centre (RRC) Bangalore

A 3-day Charismatic Retreat in Konkani will be held at Renewal Retreat Centre (RRC), Christ School Road, Near Dairy Circle, Bangalore 560029.

The retreat starts on Friday 20 July at 9.00 a.m and will end at 5 p.m. on Sunday 22 July. (On Friday and Saturday it closes at 06.00 pm.)

For those attending from outside Bangalore, lodging and boarding is available at RRC free of charge.

INDIA: Order Copies of "Summorum Pontificum"

Motu Proprio "Summorum Pontificum

Order from PETRUS

The Apostolic Letter SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM of Pope Benedict XVI, given in the form "motu proprio", on the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the reform of 1970, is being published as a Supplement to the August 2007 issue of PETRUS. The Supplement contains:

a) the Apostolic Letter in English;
b) the original Latin text of the same Apostolic Letter, and
c) the Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to Bishops on the occasion of the publication of the same Apostolic Letter. Copies are available for those who want them in bulk.

When ordered by post (within India only):

1-10 Copies : Rs 6 per copy (including postage)
11-19 Copies : Rs 5 per copy (including postage)
20 Copies and above : Rs 3 per copy (including postage)

When collected directly from St Paul/Pauline Book Centres: Rs 3 per copy

Send your orders along with payment (DD, MO, favouring PETRUS) to:

PETRUS
58/23rd Road, TPS III, P.B. No. 9814
Bandra (W), Mumbai 400 050
E-mail: petrusmag@gmail.com

Summorum Pontificum - Explanatory Note

Explanatory Note on Motu Proprio "Summorum Pontificum"

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today issued an explanatory note concerning the Motu Proprio "Summorum Pontificum". The most important paragraphs of the note are given below:

"The Motu Proprio 'Summorum Pontificum' lays down new rules for the use of the Roman liturgy that preceded the reform of 1970. The reasons for such provisions are clearly explained in the Holy Father's letter to bishops which accompanies the Motu Proprio (the two documents have been sent to all the presidents of episcopal conferences and to all nuncios, who have arranged to distribute them to all bishops).

"The fundamental provision is as follows: the Roman liturgy will have two forms ('usus'):

"a) The ordinary form is the one that follows the liturgical reform undertaken by Pope Paul VI in the year 1970, as it appears in the liturgical books promulgated at that time. There is an official edition in Latin which may be used always and everywhere, and translations in divers languages published by the various episcopal conferences.

"b) The extraordinary form: which is that celebrated in accordance with the liturgical books published by Blessed Pope John XXIII in 1962."

In paragraph 8 the note reads: "The bishop of a particular place may erect a personal parish, wherever there is to be found a very substantial number of faithful who wish to follow the earlier liturgy. It would be appropriate for the numbers of faithful to be substantial, even if not comparable to those of other parishes."

The explanatory note also highlights some of the characteristics of the 1962 Missal:

"It is a 'complete' or 'integral' Missal in the Latin language, that is, it also contains the readings for the celebrations (it is not distinct from the 'Lectionary' as the later 1970 Missal is).

"It contains just one Eucharistic prayer, the 'Roman Canon' (corresponding to the first Eucharist Prayer of the later Missal, which includes a choice of various Eucharistic Prayers).

"Various prayers (including a large part of the Canon) are recited by the priest in a low voice inaudible to the people.

"Other differences include the reading of the beginning of the Gospel of John at the end of Mass.

"The 1962 Missal does not provide for concelebration. It says nothing concerning the direction of the altar or of the celebrant (whether facing the people or not).

"The Pope's Letter envisages the possibility of future enrichment of the 1962 Missal (inclusion of new saints, new prefaces, etc.)."

OP/MOTU PROPRIO/SUMMORUM PONTIFICUMVIS 070707 (430)

LIVE: Summorum Pontificum - Analysis, EWTN

EWTN - The World Over Live Special

ANALYSIS OF MOTU PROPIO: SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM

Host Raymond Arroyo will discuss the newly- released papal document by Pope Benedict XVI widening use of the 1962 Roman Missal.

Guests include:

Most Rev. Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska
Monsignor James Moroney, Executive Director of the USCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy
Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ, Editor of Homiletic & Pastoral Review
Most Rev. Thomas G. Doran, Bishop of Rockford, Illinois
Fr. George Gabet, FSSP, North American District Superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

Tuesday July 10, 2007 06:30 IST

Watch it live!

Summorum Pontificum - English Translation

MOTU PROPRIO "SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM"

English Translation

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2007 (VIS) - Given below is a non-official English-language translation of the Apostolic Letter "Motu Proprio data" of Pope Benedict XVI, "Summorum Pontificum," concerning the use of the Roman liturgy prior to the reform of 1970. The original text is written in Latin.

Up to our own times, it has been the constant concern of supreme pontiffs to ensure that the Church of Christ offers a worthy ritual to the Divine Majesty, 'to the praise and glory of His name,' and 'to the benefit of all His Holy Church.'

Since time immemorial it has been necessary - as it is also for the future - to maintain the principle according to which 'each particular Church must concur with the universal Church, not only as regards the doctrine of the faith and the sacramental signs, but also as regards the usages universally accepted by uninterrupted apostolic tradition, which must be observed not only to avoid errors but also to transmit the integrity of the faith, because the Church's law of prayer corresponds to her law of faith.' (1)

Among the pontiffs who showed that requisite concern, particularly outstanding is the name of St. Gregory the Great, who made every effort to ensure that the new peoples of Europe received both the Catholic faith and the treasures of worship and culture that had been accumulated by the Romans in preceding centuries. He commanded that the form of the sacred liturgy as celebrated in Rome (concerning both the Sacrifice of Mass and the Divine Office) be conserved. He took great concern to ensure the dissemination of monks and nuns who, following the Rule of St. Benedict, together with the announcement of the Gospel illustrated with their lives the wise provision of their Rule that 'nothing should be placed before the work of God.' In this way the sacred liturgy, celebrated according to the Roman use, enriched not only the faith and piety but also the culture of many peoples. It is known, in fact, that the Latin liturgy of the Church in its various forms, in each century of the Christian era, has been a spur to the spiritual life of many saints, has reinforced many peoples in the virtue of religion and fecundated their piety.

Many other Roman pontiffs, in the course of the centuries, showed particular solicitude in ensuring that the sacred liturgy accomplished this task more effectively. Outstanding among them is St. Pius V who, sustained by great pastoral zeal and following the exhortations of the Council of Trent, renewed the entire liturgy of the Church, oversaw the publication of liturgical books amended and 'renewed in accordance with the norms of the Fathers,' and provided them for the use of the Latin Church.

One of the liturgical books of the Roman rite is the Roman Missal, which developed in the city of Rome and, with the passing of the centuries, little by little took forms very similar to that it has had in recent times.

'It was towards this same goal that succeeding Roman Pontiffs directed their energies during the subsequent centuries in order to ensure that the rites and liturgical books were brought up to date and when necessary clarified. From the beginning of this century they undertook a more general reform.' (2) Thus our predecessors Clement VIII, Urban VIII, St. Pius X (3), Benedict XV, Pius XII and Blessed John XXIII all played a part.

In more recent times, Vatican Council II expressed a desire that the respectful reverence due to divine worship should be renewed and adapted to the needs of our time. Moved by this desire our predecessor, the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI, approved, in 1970, reformed and partly renewed liturgical books for the Latin Church. These, translated into the various languages of the world, were willingly accepted by bishops, priests and faithful. John Paul II amended the third typical edition of the Roman Missal. Thus Roman pontiffs have operated to ensure that 'this kind of liturgical edifice ... should again appear resplendent for its dignity and harmony.' (4)

But in some regions, no small numbers of faithful adhered and continue to adhere with great love and affection to the earlier liturgical forms. These had so deeply marked their culture and their spirit that in 1984 the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, moved by a concern for the pastoral care of these faithful, with the special indult 'Quattuor abhinc anno," issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship, granted permission to use the Roman Missal published by Blessed John XXIII in the year 1962. Later, in the year 1988, John Paul II with the Apostolic Letter given as Motu Proprio, 'Ecclesia Dei,' exhorted bishops to make generous use of this power in favor of all the faithful who so desired.

Following the insistent prayers of these faithful, long deliberated upon by our predecessor John Paul II, and after having listened to the views of the Cardinal Fathers of the Consistory of 22 March 2006, having reflected deeply upon all aspects of the question, invoked the Holy Spirit and trusting in the help of God, with these Apostolic Letters we establish the following:

Art 1. The Roman Missal promulgated by Paul VI is the ordinary expression of the 'Lex orandi' (Law of prayer) of the Catholic Church of the Latin rite. Nonetheless, the Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V and reissued by Bl. John XXIII is to be considered as an extraordinary expression of that same 'Lex orandi,' and must be given due honour for its venerable and ancient usage. These two expressions of the Church's Lex orandi will in no any way lead to a division in the Church's 'Lex credendi' (Law of belief). They are, in fact two usages of the one Roman rite.

It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated, as an extraordinary form of the Liturgy of the Church. The conditions for the use of this Missal as laid down by earlier documents 'Quattuor abhinc annis' and 'Ecclesia Dei,' are substituted as follows:

Art. 2. In Masses celebrated without the people, each Catholic priest of the Latin rite, whether secular or regular, may use the Roman Missal published by Bl. Pope John XXIII in 1962, or the Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970, and may do so on any day with the exception of the Easter Triduum. For such celebrations, with either one Missal or the other, the priest has no need for permission from the Apostolic See or from his Ordinary.

Art. 3. Communities of Institutes of consecrated life and of Societies of apostolic life, of either pontifical or diocesan right, wishing to celebrate Mass in accordance with the edition of the Roman Missal promulgated in 1962, for conventual or "community" celebration in their oratories, may do so. If an individual community or an entire Institute or Society wishes to undertake such celebrations often, habitually or permanently, the decision must be taken by the Superiors Major, in accordance with the law and following their own specific decrees and statues.

Art. 4. Celebrations of Mass as mentioned above in art. 2 may - observing all the norms of law - also be attended by faithful who, of their own free will, ask to be admitted.

Art. 5. § 1 In parishes, where there is a stable group of faithful who adhere to the earlier liturgical tradition, the pastor should willingly accept their requests to celebrate the Mass according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962, and ensure that the welfare of these faithful harmonises with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under the guidance of the bishop in accordance with canon 392, avoiding discord and favouring the unity of the whole Church.

§ 2 Celebration in accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII may take place on working days; while on Sundays and feast days one such celebration may also be held.

§ 3 For faithful and priests who request it, the pastor should also allow celebrations in this extraordinary form for special circumstances such as marriages, funerals or occasional celebrations, e.g. pilgrimages.

§ 4 Priests who use the Missal of Bl. John XXIII must be qualified to do so and not juridically impeded.

§ 5 In churches that are not parish or conventual churches, it is the duty of the Rector of the church to grant the above permission.

Art. 6. In Masses celebrated in the presence of the people in accordance with the Missal of Bl. John XXIII, the readings may be given in the vernacular, using editions recognised by the Apostolic See.

Art. 7. If a group of lay faithful, as mentioned in art. 5 § 1, has not obtained satisfaction to their requests from the pastor, they should inform the diocesan bishop. The bishop is strongly requested to satisfy their wishes. If he cannot arrange for such celebration to take place, the matter should be referred to the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei".

Art. 8. A bishop who, desirous of satisfying such requests, but who for various reasons is unable to do so, may refer the problem to the Commission "Ecclesia Dei" to obtain counsel and assistance.

Art. 9. § 1 The pastor, having attentively examined all aspects, may also grant permission to use the earlier ritual for the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, Penance, and the Anointing of the Sick, if the good of souls would seem to require it.

§ 2 Ordinaries are given the right to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation using the earlier Roman Pontifical, if the good of souls would seem to require it.

§ 3 Clerics ordained "in sacris constitutis" may use the Roman Breviary promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962.

Art. 10. The ordinary of a particular place, if he feels it appropriate, may erect a personal parish in accordance with can. 518 for celebrations following the ancient form of the Roman rite, or appoint a chaplain, while observing all the norms of law.

Art. 11. The Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", erected by John Paul II in 1988 (5), continues to exercise its function. Said Commission will have the form, duties and norms that the Roman Pontiff wishes to assign it.

Art. 12. This Commission, apart from the powers it enjoys, will exercise the authority of the Holy See, supervising the observance and application of these dispositions.

We order that everything We have established with these Apostolic Letters issued as Motu Proprio be considered as "established and decreed", and to be observed from 14 September of this year, Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, whatever there may be to the contrary.

From Rome, at St. Peter's, 7 July 2007, third year of Our Pontificate.

(1) General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 3rd ed., 2002, no. 397.

(2) John Paul II, Apostolic Letter "Vicesimus quintus annus," 4 December 1988, 3: AAS 81 (1989), 899.

(3) Ibid.

(4) St. Pius X, Apostolic Letter Motu propio data, "Abhinc duos annos," 23 October 1913: AAS 5 (1913), 449-450; cf John Paul II, Apostolic Letter "Vicesimus quintus annus," no. 3: AAS 81 (1989), 899.

(5) Cf John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Motu proprio data "Ecclesia Dei," 2 July 1988, 6: AAS 80 (1988), 1498.