Motu Proprio on 1962 Missal Discussed

Meeting Discusses "Motu Proprio" On Use of John XXIII's Missal

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2007 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a communique released today by the Holy See Press Office concerning Benedict XVI's forthcoming "Motu Proprio" on the use of the Missal promulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962.

"Yesterday afternoon in the Vatican, a meeting was held under the presidency of the Cardinal Secretary of State in which the content and spirit of the Holy Father's forthcoming 'Motu Proprio' on the use of the Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962 was explained to representatives from various episcopal conferences. The Holy Father also arrived to greet those present, spending nearly an hour in deep conversation with them.

"The publication of the document - which will be accompanied by an extensive personal letter from the Holy Father to individual bishops - is expected within a few days, once the document itself has been sent to all the bishops with an indication of when it will come into effect."
OP/MOTU PROPRIO/... VIS 070628 (180)

KUNDAPUR: Attack on Priest Condemned

Karnataka Bishops Condemn Attack On Church Personnel In Kundapur, Huge Protest Rally Held

Kundapura, Karnataka, June 28, 2007, 9.30 Hrs (CBCI News/daijiworld):

KUNDAPUR: Protest Against Attack on Catholic Priest

Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops' Council (KRCBC) has condemned the assault on a Carmelite priest and four other church personnel at Koteshwar near Kundapur in Udupi district on Monday June 25.

In a press note issued by the Council president Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore has said the attack is an attempt to provoke Christians who are a minority community and to disturb peace and harmony in the area.

The Karnataka Bishops’ Conference has appealed to the chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, deputy chief minister B S Yadiyurappa, leader of the opposition and home minister to take immediate action against the accused.

As reported earlier, on Monday Fr Sylvester Pereira and his companions had gone to a Hospital at Kundapur for treatment. Fr Sylvester was taken unawares when the youth attacked him with foul language and beat him in the hospital premises.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday June 27, thousands of people gathered at Shastri Circle in the Kundapura town to show solidarity with the victims of attack and to protest against the communal forces which were “bent to destroying the secular fabric of the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada.”

The protest was organized by like-minded organizations from the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, witnessed a sea of people thronging in support of Fr Sylvester Pereira.

It was not only the gathering of Christians but even Hindu and Muslim brethren came together in huge number, in order to express their solidarity. It was a spontaneous protest rally where an aggressive assault on five innocent people including a priest was condemned.

The protesters included MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, former member of parliament I M Jayaram Shetty, former member of parliament Vinaykumar Sorake, Byndoor MLA Gopal Poojary, K Shankar of CPI (M), Rajashekhar of Human Rights Organization, Edwin Crasta, Kundapur Taluk Panchayat president Jyoti Putran, Udupi Zilla Panchayat vice-president Sharada Bijur, Udupi district Congress president M A Gafur, Shyamala Bhandary, ex-MLC Winifred Fernandes, Zilla Panchayat member Gerald Fernandes, Lancy D’Cunha, president of Catholic Sabha, Vicar General of Mangalore Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu, Ananta Movadi, Harun Saheb, Jacob D’Souza, Carmelite Karnataka-Goa provincial Fr Dominic Vas, Kundapura dean Fr Antony Lobo and others.

KUNDAPUR: Fr. Sylvester OCD Assaulted

A Carmelite Priest, 3 Brothers, A Layleader Attacked In Karnataka

Mangalore, June 26, 2007, 06.30 Hrs (CBCI News):

Fr. Sylvester Pereira OCD

A Carmelite (OCD) priest and 3 brothers belonging to the Karnataka-Goa Province, residing in the monastery, 'Carmel Ashram' at Katkere, Koteshwar, near Kundapura in Karnataka, and a local layleader were physically attacked by fanatic Hindu miscreants Monday, June 25.

Fr. Sylvester and the four other injured persons were taken to the government hospital for medical attention and later shifted to 'Chinmayi Hospital'. They are all under shock, after the traumatic experience of the day.

The superior of the community, Fr. Sylvester Pereira had gone to the 'Surgeon Hospital', along with a regent, Brother Joyson Saldanha, an aspirant, Brother John Pradeep and the cook, Mukunk Bhandary, for a medical check-up. They were all accompanied by a friendly neighbour, Mr Valerian D'Silva.

While they were inside the hospital awaiting for the doctor, 4 local miscreants belonging to a local communal organization, confronted the priest and brothers, verbally accusing them of converting people to Christianity.

Then Fr. Sylvester was caught by the collar, pulled down the stair, pushed to the ground and severely beaten with kicks and blows. The others who tried to intervene and protest, also became the victims of the violent attacks. In the process, Mr. Valerian even lost a few of his teeth.

With this commotion, people gathered around the spot, but the miscreants shoved them into a waiting autorickshaw and forcibly took them directly to the local police station. They complained that that the victims were caught them in the process of converting people.

Initially, the police believed their version and did not allow the helpless victims neither to seek help from others, nor to lodge their own complaint.

It’s only when the local parish priest Fr Anthony Lobo intervened and the local police circle inspector Valentine D'Souza arrived, the things began to fall in place.The assailants who understood they had no escape, confessed to their crime, but tried to excuse themselves under the pretext of mistaken identity of the priest. An FIR was lodged immediately against the assailants.

The provincial of the Karnataka-Goa province Fr Dominc Vas, responding to the incident stated, “In a Democratic and Secular country like India, incidents such as the one involving one of our priests and a few seminarians, is a blot on the legacy of communal harmony.”

“Various fathers and brothers belonging to our monastery, since it was founded in 1998, have been rendering yeomen service to the neighbourhood. They have never instigated communal passions nor incited violence. Actually the presence of our members has been appreciated by all the people in the vicinity,” stated the provincial superior.

Cardinal Ivan Dias - 25th Episcopal Anniversary

Cardinal Ivan Dias marks the 25th anniversary of his ordination as Bishop

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Ivan Dias the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and Grand chancellor of the Pontifical Urban University is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a Bishop.

On 8 May 1982 Pope John Paul II appointed him Titular Archbishop of Rusubisir and Pro-Nuncio Apostolic to Ghana, Togo and Benin and on 19 June that same year in St Peter's he was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, the Pope's secretary of state.

Cardinal Dias will mark the anniversary with a special concelebration of the Eucharist at 6pm in the Chapel of Urban University. Together with the officials and staff of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples the Cardinal will thank God for these 25 years of service as a bishop and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to pour out His gifts and sustain him in his task of guiding the evangelisation of peoples and Catholic missionary cooperation all over the world.

Ivan Dias was born in Bombay on 14 April 1936. He was ordained a priest in Bombay on the 8th December 1958. He studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome (1961-1964). He has a degree in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University (1964).

In the same year 1964 he worked in the Secretariat of State to help prepare Pope Paul VI's visit to Bombay on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress.

Between 1965 and 1973 he was secretary at various Nunciatures in Europe, Asia, Africa. Between 1973 and 1982 he was Department Head in the Secretariat of State. On 8 May 1982 he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Rusubisir and Pro-Nuncio Apostolic to Ghana, Togo and Benin (1982- 1987) and ordained a bishop on 19 June that same year. Between 1987 and 1991 he was pro-Nuncio Apostolic to South Korea. Between 1991 and 1997 Apostolic Nuncio to Albania. On the 8 November 1996 he was appointed Archbishop of Bombay and installed as such on 13 March 1997. He was President Delegate at the 10th ordinary general assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2001.

Pope John Paul II created him a Cardinal on 21 February 2001 of the titular of the church of Spirito Santo alla Ferratella. On 20 May 2006 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. (Fides)

UDUPI: Pilgrims Hurt as Bus Rams Into Truck

UDUPI June 13, 2007 (KCNews.org): Dozens of passengers including several pilgrims were hurt when the bus they were travelling in rammed into a truck from behind this afternoon on National Highway 17 at Brahmavar, near here.

According to those at the spot of the accident, the bus skidded on the rain-wetted road slope and hit the truck in front which had slowed down to turn left.

Most of the passengers on the local bus were pilgrims of Udupi, Perampalli, Udyavar and around returning after the annual festive celebrations at St. Anthony's Shrine, Kerekatte.

Flavy Arouza of Udyavara who was travelling in the same bus says she miraculously escaped unhurt despite sitting in the front. When she looked around she could see passengers bleeding from their nose, mouth, temples or head. The pilgrims were also heard invoking Jesus and Mary.

The injured were admitted in the nearby hospitals. No one is reported to be serious.

It was raining heavily at the time of the accident.

Two more accidents were reported at the spot the same day.

Earlier in the day, Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore escaped unhurt when his car met with an accident at Udyavar near here. He was travelling to celebrate the festive Mass at the same shrine. The Mass started an hour late at 11.30am

INDIA: Missionary Spirit Decreasing

Vatican Official Notes Decreasing Missionary Spirit In Indian Church

June 8, 2007

BANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- A Vatican official and other Church people say the missionary spirit in the Indian Church has been declining, but an effective evangelization way to help reverse the trend is life witnessing.

At a colloquium held May 28-31 in Bangalore, southern India, Father Theodore Mascarenhas, who heads the Asia Desk at the Pontifical Council for Culture, offered this view. "Many priests and religious have conveniently forgotten their basic missionary vocation," the Vatican-based priest said.

Several Catholic missioners have no time for missionary work, he also said, because they get so "immersed" in establishing schools, colleges, hospitals and "business complexes," buildings that are let out to shops and offices.

According to Father Mascarenhas, a member of the Goa-based Society of Pilar, the "main threat" to the Church is "from within," and several participants told UCA News they agree with this assertion.

Tony D'Mello, a lay leader from Vasai diocese in western India, said today's missioners lack a "living role model." In the past, he noted, "we had several missioners from abroad who were burning with the passion of Christ. That is why we are Christians today."

In the layman's view, Protestant Churches in India attract more people than the Catholic Church because "our priests and nuns have hardly any time for missionary work." D'Mello also observed that most Church workers are now involved in schools, colleges, hospitals and other institutions.

Father Lawrence Lakra of Rourkela diocese in eastern India said that many young priests and nuns at first actually opt for missionary work. However, they begin doing education, social and health care services and eventually "get stuck as managers and directors" of the institutions in which they work.

Father Joseph Puthenpurackal, a Salesian from Shillong in northeastern India, said Catholic missioners are now more "conscious about what others say about them than what they are supposed to do."

The Church "cannot exist in isolation, but only in dialogue with others," the 68-year-old priest asserted. Being missionary, he said, does not mean "only preaching or converting people, but introducing Jesus to others." Even so, he said that he agrees "many of our institutions are closed to real evangelization" and engage only in educational and health services.

According to Father Chinnappa Sebastian, some Church-managed schools in his region of West Bengal in eastern India even refuse to teach catechism to their Catholic students, on grounds that most students are of other faiths. "What use is it to call them Catholic institutions when they do not spread Christian values?" asked the priest, who directs Baruipur diocese's Board of Education.

Father Mascarenhas later told UCA News the Church must not run schools if it cannot witness and give the message of Christ to students and parents. He said the message of Christ is love, and this cannot be negated "by any group."

He advised the colloquium participants, "Give love, preach love and be love yourselves, wherever you are." Stressing that the most powerful tool for "evangelization is witnessing," he said, "We should proclaim Jesus by our lives in schools, colleges and health centers if we want to call them Christian institutions."

The recent colloquium came in the wake of the 2006 Asian Mission Congress held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Office of Evangelization of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) organized the meeting in Bangalore, along with the Commission for Proclamation of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in India. The conference comprises Latin-rite bishops.

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

VIDEO: Man Jumps at Pope

Vatican security scare: man jumps at passing Pontiff

VIDEO: Man Tries to Jump on to Popemobile during
the Pope's public audience on June 6, 2007

Vatican, Jun. 6, 2007 (CWNews.com) - A young man attempted to jump into the "popemobile" carrying Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to his regular weekly public audience on Wednesday, June 6. The man was subdued by Vatican security guards.

An unidentified man leapt over a crowd-control barrier as the Pope passed in his open vehicle. The guards surrounding the popemobile wrestled the man to the ground as the car passed.

Pope Benedict was unharmed, and it was not clear that he was aware of the commotion behind him. The Pontiff continued riding at the same pace, smiling and giving his blessing to the crowd.

There was no evidence that the man intended to harm the Pope. Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, later told reporters that the man seemed motivated by a desire for publicity.

Nevertheless the Wednesday incident drew attention to the growing concerns about security at papal events. Pope Benedict has consistently drawn enormous crowds for his weekly audiences, and thousands of people routinely surge toward the popemobile hoping for a closer look at the Pontiff. Vatican security officials have occasionally expressed concern about the Pope's indifference to questions about his personal safety.

The Pope generally circles St. Peter's Square before his public audience, with the popemobile looping through the crowd before bringing the Holy Father to the podium set up in front of the Vatican basilica. During the last years of his pontificate John Paul II had made that circuit in a customized vehicle with a bulletproof glass bubble, so that he could stand and be seen by the crowd without exposing himself to danger. Pope Benedict has chosen to make his appearances standing in an open vehicle.

The man who sought to jump into the popemobile on Wednesday was being held by Vatican officials later in the day. Informed sources at the Vatican said that the man appeared to be unstable.

News Courtesy: Catholic World News

Fr. Baptist, Udupi's New Episcopal Vicar

Fr. Baptist Appointed Episcopal Vicar for Udupi

UDUPI, June 5, 2007 (KCNews.org): Rev Fr. Baptist Menezes has been named Episcopal Vicar for Udupi region comprising of Udupi, Kallianpur and Kundapur Deaneries (Varados) of Mangalore Diocese. He will take charge from July 7, 2007.

Fr. Baptist, director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Mangalore will take over the post from V. Rev. Dr. Valerian D'Souza (Sr) currently also serving as the Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle.

Konkani Catechism of the Catholic Church

"Bhavaddtachem Dirvem" - Konkani Catechism of the Catholic Church

"Bhavaddtachem Dirvem" - Katolik Povitr Sobhechi Dotorn

The provisional Konkani translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Katolik Povitr Sobhechi Dotorn) was published by the Catholic Diocese of Karwar in the Great Jubilee Year, 2000.

In a message introducing the work, the then Bishop of Karwar, Most. Rev. William D'Mellow expressed his "ardent desire" that Church's Catechism "must reach at least each family in this diocese for study, reflection and practice", a desire that inspired that the Presbterium of the Diocese to take up the task of having the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) translated into Konkani, the local liturgical langauge of the people of Karwar.

This great task was achieved by the Parish Priest of Gund, Fr. Reginald Pinto, in association with a team of collaborators.

In presenting the Kannada-script Konkani Catechism "to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our diocese", Bishop D'Mello expressed hope that "it will be in the hands of every Catholic family at the earliest."

Bl. Alphonsa's Canonization Cause Advances

Way Cleared for Canonization of India's Blessed Alphonsa

June 2, 2007 (KCNews.org): Blessed Alphonsa of India is one of the two candidates whose way for canonization has been cleared by Pope Benedict XVI June 1, 2007.

In an audience granted to Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation of Saints, June 1, 2007, the Holy Father approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Alphonsa, clearing way for her canonization as Saint.

The other candidate whose cause was similarly advanced is Blessed Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran (1833- 1869) of Peru.

Also recognized were the miracles and martyrdom of 127 candidates for beatification and the "heroic virtue" of 7 candidates who now await the recognition of a miracle for their beatification.

Poor Clare Nun, Blessed Alphonsa of the Immcualate Conception was born Anna Muttathupadathu in Kudamaloor, a rural village near Kottayam (Kerala, India) to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu on 19 August 1910.

Having lost her mother at a very young age, she was brought up by her maternal aunt and educated by an uncle who was a Priest. Often faced with health problems which eventually claimed her life on July 28, 1946, Blessed Alphonsa was known for her silent and cheerful suffering.

She was beatified on 8 February 1986 along with Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara through whose intercession she experienced a miraculous healing in 1936, by Pope John II at Nehru Stadium in Kottayam, Kerala during his Apostolic Pilgrimage to India.

Her canonization will make Blessed Alphonsa the second Indian to proclaimed a Saint, the first being Gonsalo Garcia of Bombay who was matryred by crucifixion on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan and canonized by Pope Pius IX on 8 June 1862.

GOA: New Pastroal Year to Begin June 3, 2007

GOA: Archbishop Ferrao to Inaugurate New Pastoral Year 2007-2008 Tomorrow

June 2, 2007 (KCNews.org): Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão will inaugurate the New Pastoral Year 2007-2008 at a Eucharistic celebration on Sunday, 3rd June 2007 at the Holy Trinity Church, Benaulim at 10 a.m.

The theme for the new Pastoral year is "Deva Utra Onnbhovan, Jezu Dixa Jivitani" ("Experience God's Word, Radiate Jesus in Life).

His Grace will also release on the occasion, three books reflecting the theme of the new Pastoral Year - "Gonvllik Chitt" (his Pastoral Letter) and other Prayers, "Devachea Utrachi Yatra", a booklet with the Second Vatican Council Document on the Word of God 'Dei Verbum' in English and Konkani. It will also contain aids to pray with the Bible as well as Teachings on the Gospels.

The third book, "The Inspiring Teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ" a picture Bible in simple language is aimed at those wanting to know more about Christ, especially children and people of other faiths.

The books will be available from the DCBA office, Pastoral Institute, Old Goa (Phone 2284296) after release.

Vatican-UAE Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic Relations with United Arab Emirates

VATICAN CITY, MAY 31, 2007 (VIS) - A communique made public today announced that the Holy See and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), "being desirous of promoting bonds of mutual friendship and of strengthening international cooperation, have decided by common accord to establish diplomatic relations at the level of apostolic nunciature on the part of the Holy See and at the ambassadorial level on the part of the United Arab Emirates, conforming to the rules fixed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961."

The joint communique states that the agreement was signed on the part of the Holy See by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, and for the United Arab Emirates by Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Shamsi, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the UAE to the United Nations.

A note attached to the communique recalls that the United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven independent emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Al-Fujayrah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain) located along the central-eastern coast of the Arab peninsula, and has Abu Dhabi as its capital city. It has a surface area of 83,600 square kilometers and a population of more than four million including a large percentage (more than 70 percent) of foreign workers, mostly from other Middle Eastern countries, Pakistan, India, Philippines and Bangladesh. The official language is Arabic.

The majority of UAE citizens is Muslim, which is the official religion of State. "The constitution," the note reads, "affirms the principle of religious freedom and Christians are able to perform their public religious activities in churches and parish centers."

The United Arab Emirates forms part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Arabia which is under the pastoral care of Bishop Paul Hinder O.F.M. Cap. and has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. "According to reliable estimates," the note continues, "there are more than a million Christians, mostly Catholics, of more than a hundred nationalities who contribute to the social wellbeing of the nation. There are seven churches in the country where Mass is celebrated in various languages and rites. The expectation exists that the authorities, who maintain cordial relations with the Catholic Church, will approve the building of new centers of worship. Various religious congregations offer educational services in seven schools."

OBITUARY: Fr. Henry D'Souza (59), Hyderabad

Fr. Henry D'Souza (Hyderabad) Passes Away

June 1, 2007: Fr. Henry D'Souza, a senior priest of Hyderabad Diocese, passed away at 3.30pm at the Home for the Aged, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh yesterday. He was 59.

Hailing from Bondel in Mangalore, Fr. Henry was ordained for Hyderabad Archdiocese on February 11, 1979 and served the the Archdiocese of Hyderabad in many capacities.

He was the parish priest of St. Mary's Church, Secunderabad, Holy Famiy Church, Trimulgherry and the Cathedral St. Joseph's Church, Hyderabad. He was also the Secretary to the Archbishop of Hyderabad, Secretary to Hyderabad archdiocese Social Service Society (HASSS) and the Chancellor of the archdiocese at the time of his death.

The Funeral Mass for Fr. Henry D'Souza will be at 3pm at St. Mary's Church, Secunderabad on June 3, 2007.

Fr. D'Souza underwent a kidney transplant four years ago and in April 2007 had one of his legs amputated due to gangrene. His health condition is said to have worsened upon returnig from visiting his ailing 97 year old mother about 4 months ago. The cause of his death however, is said to be acute diabetes.

Many people in Hyderabad will remember Fr. Henry for the selfless help that he rendered their families, especially in sponsoring the education of their children and often out of his own expenses.

Fr. D'Souza's mortal remains lies at the Home for the Aged in Secunderabad.

With inputs from Lawrence Monteiro, Hyderabad