Young Couples: A Prioritized Thrust

‘The worst kind of poverty’, it is said, ‘is that of isolation‘. Marriage gifts one with companionship. Most of the Young Couples live in heaven, experiencing the exhilarations of human love, giving and accepting, knowing deeply each other, playing the tunes for the other, so on and so forth. The old couples generally cherish this period to be best in their whole married life. At the same time, we cannot forget a negligible number of unfortunate young couples, going through distressing experiences.

The young family is the cradle of faith formation. It is said, as the family, so the Church. Our faith has been handed down to us from generation to generation through families. By being an integral part of the community that endeavours to keep burning coals of faith aglow, the young couples need to keep intact the  faith and values alive through children. Parents, by their word and example, need to be the first preachers of the faith to their children.

Along with that, they may also contribute willingly in terms of their youthful energy, skills, knowledge in technology, networking ability, planning and managerial skills coupled with compassion. Pope Francis says, “I have a dogmatic certainty, God is in every person’s life. Even if the life of a person has been a disaster, even if it is destroyed by vices, drugs or anything else – God is in that person’s life“. Anchored in the wisdom and faith, young couples will undoubtedly be the channels of grace in families, society, the church and the nation at large.

‘Young couples’ has been prioritized as one of the most important thrusts for the future of the Eparchy of Kalyan. A comprehensive study about it is in progress. We have to find more inclusive ways by which we can help the young couples to meet today’s expectations helping them in merging their daily life with the larger evangelizing role given to them by our Master.

Young Couples and Difficulties and Challenges in Marriages

Dr. Francis Eluvathingal

The scope of this paper is to evaluate and to identify the difficulties and challenges young couples face in their married life. As specified in the Canon Law, by marriage a man and a woman enter into a contract giving their personal consent to live together as partners for their whole life. This contract is for a life of love, caring, understanding, communion, fellowship, giving, taking, sacrifice, etc.  The model of Christian marriage as per St. Paul is the way Jesus loved the Church: a total self-giving even at the cost of sacrificing one’s own life (Eph 5: 25).

Various Possibilities of Marriages in the Catholic Migrant Context

In this changed times, one may be surprised to see different types of marriages among the migrants in mega cities such as arranged marriages, love marriages, civil marriage between two free persons, civil marriage between one divorcee and the other free, marriage between two divorcees, marriage into other religion, marriage of convenience, living together of free or divorced, etc. From among the total number of marriages more than 65% of them are arranged marriages between two Syro-Malabar Catholics. The remaining are arranged marriages or love marriages persons of other Catholic or non-Catholic Churches and about 10% with non-Christians.  

Some Experiences

Family issues related to love marriages are on the rise nowadays.

1.          Some love marriages between Catholics and non-Christians are contracted with the provision of the disparity of cult. But when they start living together, the faith matters a lot for each one. The disparity then leads to conflicts especially when there are children.

2.          The parents insist that a Catholic should get married only to another Catholic especially when they come to know about the religion of the other party. This situation forces the Catholic party to heed the plea of the parents and finally give consent to marry a Catholic. Unfortunately in some cases, they secretly continue the relationship with the person in love. This obviously leads to the break-up of marriage.

3.          Undue interference of the parents in the family life and decision making of the children leads to the break-up of marriage. Over possessiveness of the parents is found to be another reason.

4.          Spending time together during the marriage preparation course also benefits positively as they come to know each other in a deeper way. Sometimes they realize their incompatibility and they decide to cancel the marriage. Cancelling the marriages after fixing it or even after engagement is on the increase.

5.          The Church insists that a person must have sufficiently developed faculties of intellect and will, to be able to judge and to will a truly human act. Marriage involves decision making. Discretion of judgement refers to the capacity of intellect and will to specifically evaluate, decide and freely enter marriage. Intellectual maturity is the most basic level expected in the adults who make a commitment for whole life. But unfortunately in some adults this reasoning is overpowered by only emotions. Still worse situations occur when this reasoning is done by some other minds like parents, or other kith and kin.

Difficulties and Challenges:

1.     In the decision making process, who takes the final decision for the new family: the young couples or their parents? A decision forced on by the parents is undesirable. At the same time, many feel insecure about the decisions taken by the young couples alone as it lacks perfection. I would say, a perfect decision making should be a process where the young couples take the final decision with the constant consultation with the parents who would help them to evaluate and decide. A decision made by the parents against the will of the young couples is unjustified.

2.     I see serious dangers when the youngsters got married only because they were in love. The only reason for their marriage was ‘in love’. The other key factors for a successful married life were not taken into serious consideration. Love need not be the only component that sustains a whole life together but rather is one of the many important components. What is necessary is that one loves the partner whom one marries.

3.     Nowadays, one of the major problems of the young couples is having different faiths as a result of the Disparity of cult marriage. I analyse this problem as one where our youngsters do not have the conviction that the person whom they marry should also have the same faith. If our youngsters consider disparity of cult marriages as the fashion of the day, living our faith as one family will be almost impossible and it will result in the disintegration of the family thus the stability of the community will be at stake.  

4.     Conversion of heart only should lead to conversion to another religion. I fear sometimes that some non-Christians, get converted only for the sake of getting married. In these cases usually there is no living of faith in the families. The children, even if they are baptized, they are not given opportunities of family prayers, Sunday obligations, nor they are sent for catechism classes. In some cases, once the marriage is failed, even if they are converted Catholics, they just go back to their original religion and do not care for collaborating for anything further as per the laws of the church.

5.     Among the migrant families, the most of the cases the families are very small. They suffer from the lack of family bond and hence lack of strength. Hence the parents totally depend on their children for their future. Many parents especially mothers suffer from the insecurity feeling and hence show total dependence on their male children. This leads to undue interference in their family life. This phenomenon affects the growth of the newly wedded couple. There are complaints of the friction between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law which also leads to separated life of the spouses.

6.     One or two children in the family sometimes prevent the holistic development of the children. They get all they want and need not share with anyone else. This leads to selfishness and egoism. It is surprising to see the young families resist in sharing including their salaries together. These are against the basic concept of family values of giving and sacrificing. 

7.     The parents at that time of migration in order to get foot hold in these cities had to undergo lots of hardships. And they made sure that their children do not face the same difficulties. Many elderly parents do not share their problems with their children but they suffer in private. And some others do not include their children in the decision making process. The parents take care of each and every need of the family and of the children. Hence most of the children lack practical knowledge and experience even to do small or big house hold activities. When their children get married and found new families, they do not know to take decisions, to handle many situations and do house hold activities.

8.     The young families undoubtedly need follow up programmes after their marriage and looking at the current development , this simply has to be done. The strain and stress of the job situations, increased financial burdens and loans, lack of other family members for offering a helping hand, etc. contribute tremendously to the pressure of the young families and they are not able to cope with the rigorous schedule of family life. These situations force them to neglect their prayer life and Sunday obligations etc.

9.     For the growth in faith, the small children need models and witnesses. In the Syro-Malabar Church tradition, the grand-parents were also god-parents at the time of baptism of their grand-children and they took initiatives for traditionally handing over the faith to their grand-children. They were either living together or close by and it was possible. Now among the migrant families, also because of lack of space in small flats or houses, most of the young families live separately from their parents and therefore the grand parents have no much chance to hand over the faith to their newly born grand-children. This will definitely affect the future of practising our faith in the young families.

10.   Career oriented women become independent in the families. They earn good salaries, sometimes more than men. These situations create problems such as inferiority complex in men, lack of time and lack of interest by the women in the family affairs, consideration of rearing children a burden, no qualitative and quantitative interaction with the extended family members etc. The females demands equality with the males to enjoy certain freedom.   

11.  The young families need lot of follow up by the pastoral team in the parishes. Frequent enquiry about the well-being of the families, making sure of their presence together for the ecclesial activities, informal talks about the life adjustments of the young families, invitation for counselling when problems are observed, etc. should be under the permanent vigilance of the pastoral team.

12.  Family counselling cell and reconciliation forums are the need of the hour to help.

13.  Some Practising Catholics do not have the wedlock. It is a challenge to our community and for its stability. Wedlock becomes a reason for anonymity for some migrants when they have contracted some irregular marriages.

14.  Alcoholism, TV/Internet/mobile addictions, fun-picnic loving nature, free movement with friends, relativism, consumerism, the onslaught of globalization, nuclear family culture, imitation of the western culture, development of technology and the resultant misuse of it, workaholism, wreaked havoc in the life and faith life are the other dangers affecting the married life.

CONCLUSION

The Syro-Malabar church has a very rich tradition and patrimony which our forefathers treasured, preserved and handed down through centuries along with unwavering faith. By upholding sanctity of marriage, fidelity in marriage, maintaining family ties and reputation they carried forward this legacy. The young couples need to cherish these traditions and give due worth for the spiritual customs and life. Though it might seem difficult, the pastors of the Church with the collaboration of all need to address the issues related to the young couples and to safe guard the faith of the individuals, families and the community.   

SILVER JUBILEE WELCOME SPEECH

God is great. This gathering has a story; a story of a journey of a migrant crowd; a crowd, accorded to the apostolic faith, getting its identity rooted in the soil of Maharashtra. After the journey of 25 years, we see a well-formed worshiping community, a multitude of blooming buds, confident of their identity as the sons and daughters of St. Thomas. And today, with clarity of vision, committed to its mission, the KALYAN FAMILY is ready with its silver wings to fly to its golden goal. God is great, Glory to God in the highest.

1)    On this joyous occasion, we are truly privileged to have Honorable Chief Minister - Mr. Prithviraj Chavan as our Chief Guest. It is with great pleasure that I introduce him this evening. Our Honorable Chief Minister is basically a mechanical engineer-an academician with a Master’s degree from the University of California.  He is a national leader and a great visionary, now at the helm of affairs of Maharashtra, a state with a proud legacy, one of the largest states of India. He is a man of integrity, committed to serve the people in the social, educational and health care fields. Renowned for his spotless career, his views on minority rights, religious freedom and national integration are well appreciated by all. Dear Sir, while offering all the moral support for your leadership for a value based, clean, disciplined Maharashtra, we congratulate you on the eve of your completion of three years as an able and efficient Chief Minister of Maharashtra (On 11^th Nov 2013, he completes 3 years), we heartily welcome you to the silver jubilee celebrations of the Diocese of Kalyan. Rev. Msgr. Jacob Porathur, Proto Syncellus of the Diocese is requested to welcome our Honorable Chief Minister garlanding him.

2)    The eparchy feels extremely joyful that His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro- Malabar Church is here with us today to join us in our celebrations. Confirming everyone in faith is presented in the New Testament, as the duty of a bishop. The Major Archbishop by his graceful presence and powerful message reconfirms us in deeper faith. Once again, your Beatitude, we welcome you. Rev. Fr. Paul Olickal, Eparchial Finance Officer garlands our Father and Head of our Church and the president of Today’s Public Meeting.

Archbishop Salvarore Pennachio, Apostolic Nuncio to India of the Pope Francis has informed his inability to attend this function, but has sent a message for us: I quote, “I am happy to participate through this Message in the historical occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Diocese of Kalyan. I extend my special greetings and best wishes and blessings to the Bishop and to all the faithful of the Diocese.”

3)    Another eminent personality we have amidst us is Justice Kurian Joseph, a Supreme Court Justice. Honorable Justice Kurian Joseph was elevated to the  status of Supreme Court Justice  on 8^th March 2013, after having served  twice  as the Acting Chief Justice of Kerala and Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh. He is an extremely humble person, with an extraordinary integrity and is the pride of the Indian judiciary.  Moreover, he is an outstanding son of the Syro-Malabar Church and a great friend of our Diocese. Sir we are extremely happy to have you amidst us and a Hearty Welcome to you to the silver jubilee celebrations of this eparchy. Mr. K. P. Francis (Eparchial Finance Council member) garlands Justice Kurian Joseph.

4)    We have with us today Mrs. Janet Lawrence D’ Souza the Vice Chairperson of Maharashtra State Minority Commission. D’Souza is also the Director of Maulana Azad Minorities Development Financial Corporation (Govt. of Maharashtra). She believes that she is given this responsibility predominantly to serve the minority community and is committed to solve the problems faced by them and is keen on giving utmost attention to their welfare. Mrs. D’souza, hearty welcome to you. Rev. Sr. Marykutty Michael (Family Council) does the honors of garlanding Mrs. D’souza.

5)    Another proud son of Syro Malabar church is Mr. Johny Joseph, a person of great integrity. After over three-and-a-half decades of meritorious service in the bureaucracy, including as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Government, he continues his service as Upa-Lokayukta. He has many feathers in his cap such as Earthquake Rehabilitation project for Latur earthquake victims through the reconstruction of 40,000 houses under his leadership, introducing the digitized Disaster Management Information System, etc. We whole heartedly welcome you to this august gathering. Mr. Antony Bernard (Former Pastoral Council Sec.) does the honour of greeting him.

6)    We have with us Shri. Jagannath Achanna Shetty, a very hard working MLA of Sion Koliwada and a dedicated social worker. He has been re-elected to the post for a second term.  Sir I welcome you in the name of our eparchy.   Mr. Andrew K. J. (Eparchial Contact Person for the Civil authorities) garlands the MLA.

7)    Our diocese is happy to welcome again Shri. Chandrakant Handore -MLA of Chembur region. He did the honours of inaugurating our old age home at Kalyan in June 2008. At that time, he was social welfare minister of Maharashtra.  Shri Handore, hearty welcome to this function. Mr. Bose Paul (Former Pastoral Council Sec.) greets him.

8)    Mrs. Thanksy F. Thekkekara IAS now serves this State as the Additional Chief Secretary, of the Department of Minorities Development. She has served the state in several positions and being a member of our community, she has assisted the Church on several occasions. We are indebted to you madam and a hearty welcome to our midst. I request Rev. Sr. Rosamma (CRI Secretary) to garland Mrs. Thekkekkara.

I have already introduced the Archbishops and Bishops before the Holy Qurbana. But I would like to officially welcome them to this public meeting, garlanding them.  

9)     Rt. Rev. Dr. Stanislaus Fernandes, S.J. (WRBC Chairman & Archbishop of Gandhinagar). Mr. P. J. Aprain (Karunya Trust Trustee) garlands him.

10)  Mar Andrews Thazhath (KCBC President and Archbishop of Trichur) is garlanded by Dr. Alan Alappatt (Social Security Scheme-Idea).

11)  Rt. Rev. Dr. John Rodrigues, (Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Bombay) is here with us. His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias has been here on Thursday 7^th November to inaugurate the Jubilee Convention. Bishop Rodrigues represents the Archdiocese of Mumbai. He was ordained a Bishop on 29^th of June this year. Wishing him all the best for his ministry, we welcome him to our midst. He will be garlanded by Mr. M. V. Chacko (One of the Sponsors of Jubilee). 

12)  Mar Jacob Barnabas Chacko Aerath, O.I.C. (Apostolic Visitor, Syro-Malankara Church) will be garlanded by Mr.  K. J. Joseph (One of the Sponsors of Jubilee)

13)  His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilose, Mumbai Metropolitan of Orthodox Syrian Church, is well known to the Kerala community in Mumbai and is a close friend of the Diocese of Kalyan. Welcome to you Archbishop to share the warmth of Communion. Mr. Bose Joseph (One of the Sponsors of Jubilee) garlands him.

14)  Our own bishops, the Moses of Kalyan Mar Paul Chittilapilly and the Aaron of Kalyan Mar Thomas Elavanal. I would say, Mar Paul Chittilapilly as the founder of Kalyan and Mar Thomas Elavanal as the Architect of Kalyan. It is the farsightedness, vision and planning of Mar Thomas Elavanal that has led us to reach this day.  Rev. Fr. Anoop Poyyaniyil (Priests Representative) garlands our bishop. Rev. Fr. John Koovakunnel (Priests Representative garlands Mar Paul Chittilapilly.

15)  Mr. P. J. Xavier (Pastoral Council Member) garlands. Abp Abraham Viruthukulangara (Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nagpur).

16)  Mrs Ommana Aprem (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Abp Raphael Cheenath, S.V.D. (Archbishop Emeritus of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar).

17)  Mrs. Rosamma Joseph (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Bp. Lourdes Daniel (Bishop of the Diocese of Nasik).

18)  Mrs. Lissy Jose (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil (Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Palai.

19)  Mrs. Vimala Xavier (Mathrusangam Former Diocesan President) garlands Mar Jacob Manathodath (Bishop of the Eparchy of Palghat).

20)  Mr. Joy Paul (KEY Ex-ICYM Rep) garlands Mar Joseph Arumachadath, MCBS (Bishop of Bhadravathi).

21)  Ms. Christina (a Dexco member) garlands Mar Remigius Inchananiyil (Bishop of the Diocese of Thamarassery).

22)  Mr. Albert Manjaly (National-Best Youth Award winner) garlands Mar Vijay Anand Nedumpuram CMI (Bishop of the Diocese of Chanda).

23)  Bro. Mathews Mundadan garlands Mar Sebastian Vadakkel (Bishop of Ujjain).

24)  Ms. Honey Thomas (who took delivery from railway station, a Vartak Nagar parishioner) garlands Mar Antony Chirayath (Bishop of the Diocese of Sagar).

25)  Mr. Joseph Puthussery (National-Best Youth Award win) garlands Mar Simon Stock Palathara (Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Jagdalpur).

26)  Ms. Rony Baby (who took delivery at Vasai railway station) garlands Mar Joseph Kollamparampil CMI (Bishop of Jagdalpur).

27)  Ms. Siji Vincent (Alert citizen who caught the thief from ATM centre) garlands Mar Jose Chittooparambil CMI (Bishop of the Diocese of Rajkot).

28)  Mr. Sam Scaria (Catechism Department Secretary) garlands Msgr. Jacob Porathur (Proto syncellus of the Diocese of Kalyan).

29)  Bro. Jerine Chittilapilly (Regency Brother) garlands Rev. Fr. Antony Kollannur (Chancellor, Major Archiepiscopal Curia of the Syro-Malabar Church).

30)  Mr. Babu Mathew (Lantern Editorial Team member) garlands Mr. Babu Thomas (MPCC Vice-President).

31)  Bro. Nikhil Xavier (Prefect, Minor Seminary) garlands Fr. George Vadakkethala (a priest who had been giving pastoral care even before the formation of the diocese).

32)  Mr. Roy J. Kottaram (Pastoral Council executive) garlands Fr. Joseph Cheriampanatt MST (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Sangli Mission run by MST fathers).

33)  Dr. C. P. Johnson (KLM Secretary) garlands Fr. Thomas Kannanaikkal CMI (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Chavara Mission run by CMI fathers).

34)  Mr. Thomas – Dapodi (Catechism Head Teacher) garlands Fr. Sajoy Ethackatt VC (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Ahmednagar Mission run by VC fathers)

35)  Mr. George Anchil(Charismatic Movement Ex-Chairman) garlands Fr. Jose Polackal MCBS (Mission Superior and Syncellus of Satara-Solapur Mission run by MST fathers).

36)  Mr. George Paul (Social Action team member) garlands Rev. Fr. Joju Arackal (Presbyterium Secretary).

37)  Mr. Chacko Antony (Vice President, Pithruvedi) garlands Rev. Sr. Alice Kripa CMC (Secretary of CRI).

38)  Bro. Danny Chittilapilly (Regency Brother) garlands Rev. Sr. Blossom CHF (Provincial of Mary Matha Vice Province, Jalgaon).

39)  Mr. Savio George (Secretary, Pithruvedi) garlands Adv. Malayil Joseph Kurian (General Convenor, Diocesan Inauguration Steering Committee).

40)  Ms. Jisha (Secretary of Jesus Nurses Fraternity) garlands Mr. P.J. Mathew (KCA President).

41)  Ms. Alphy (Jesus Youth, Service Team) garlands Prof. Mrs. Rosily Thomas (Secretary of Pastoral Council), the first woman pastoral council secretary the whole of India.

42)  Mr. P.A. Joseph (Charismatic Renewal, Chairman) garlands Mr. Jose Joseph (President of Kalyan Laity Movement)

43)  Ms. Diana Thomas (Dexco member of KEY) garlands Mr. PKX Thomas ( President of Pithruvedi).

44)  Master Vineet Paul (Altar Boys Rep) garlands Mrs. Aleyamma Sebastian (President of Mathrusangam).

45)  Ms. Mary Varghese (Dexco) garlands Ms. Sruthi Sunny (DEXCO Member of KEY)

46)  Ms. Steffy Rose (Dexco) garlands Ms. Adna Peyus (Catechism Student).

I am extremely happy to welcome all the specially invited guests off the dais, Superior Generals and Provincials of various religious congregations, the auditors of the Eparchy, representatives of different banks, sponsors and benefactors, Doctors, media personnel, volunteers of Karunya Trust, representatives of the different churches and seminaries.

Warm welcome to all my dear priests and religious who have shed their sweat and blood, working hard in the infancy stage of this eparchy and all the priests, religious and seminarians who are now part of the spiritual and material development of the Eparchy.

A special welcome to the Pastoral, zonal, parish council members, Pithruvedi, Mathrusangam, youth, catechism, and all other associations, departments, movements.

A Cordial welcome to all the faithful who are the real strength and power of the Eparchy of Kalyan. Silver Jubilee is a mile stone: my dear youth and children, you are to take forward this Eparchy into God’s design. A Hearty welcome to one and all.

Jai Yesu, Hai Hind, Jai Maharashtra

 

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Programme Committee Chairman and Chancellor of Eparchy of Kalyan

Pope Francis and Heads of the Catholic Oriental Churches

TO THE HEADS OF THE ORIENTAL CHURCHES: SET AN EXAMPLE OF SOBRIETY

Vatican City, 21 November 2013 (VIS) – At 10 a.m. today, in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father received in audience the Patriarchs of the Oriental Catholic Churches, along with the Major Archbishops. It is the first time since the beginning of his pontificate that the Bishop of Rome has held such a long meeting with the Heads of the Oriental Churches and he therefore took the opportunity to “renew the great esteem for the spiritual heritage of the Christian East, and to recall Benedict XVI's description of a Church leader in his post-Synodal exhortation “Ecclesia in Medio Oriente”. “You are, he said 'watchful guardians of communion and servants of ecclesial unity'”.

“In order for our testimony to be credible”, he continued, “we must always seek justice, piety, faith, love, patience and clemency, adopting a sober manner of life in imitation of Christ, who embraced poverty so that we might be enriched; with tireless zeal and with the charity, both fraternal and paternal, that the bishops, priests and faithful, especially those who are alone or marginalised, expect of us”.

Francis spoke of the good example that the heads of the Churches should give, especially to priests who expect “transparency in the management of goods, and concern for every weakness or need”. He concluded by emphasising that this must all be achieved through “the committed application of that authentic synodal practice distinctive of the Oriental Churches”.

___________________________________________________________ 

WE MUST NOT RESIGN OURSELVES TO IMAGINING A MIDDLE EAST WITHOUT CHRISTIANS

Vatican City, 21 November 2013 (VIS) - “The memorable Vatican Council II also had the merit of explicitly mentioning that in the ancient liturgies of the Oriental Churches, in their theology, spirituality and canonical discipline 'there remains conspicuous the tradition that has been handed down from the Apostles through the Fathers and that forms part of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of the universal Church'”, said Pope Francis this morning, as he received in audience the patriarchs and major archbishops of the Oriental Churches, along with the cardinals, metropolitan archbishops and bishops of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. The Congregation, whose prefect is Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, is holding its plenary assembly in these days, on the theme of the magisterium of Vatican Council II with regard to the Christian East.

“From an evaluation of the path taken so far, guidelines will emerge intended to support the mission entrusted by the Council to our brothers and sisters in the East: that of 'promoting the unity of all Christians, especially Eastern Christians'. The Holy Spirit has guided them in this task on paths through history that have not always been easy, nurturing their faith in Christ, in the universal Church and in Peter's Successor, even at great cost, not infrequently unto martyrdom. The entire Church is truly grateful to you for this!” exclaimed the Pope. Then, following the example of his predecessors, he reaffirmed that “within the ecclesiastical community, there exist legitimate particular Churches, with their own traditions, which however fully retain the primacy of the Chair of Peter, which presides over the universal communion of charity, protects the legitimate differences between them and ensures that the particularity of these Churches not only does not damage the unity of the whole, but instead serves it; the Council tells us that this variety is necessary for unity”.

Pope Francis commented that the patriarchs and major archbishops had spoken to him this morning about the situation faced by the various Oriental Churches, in particular “the renewed vitality of those long oppressed under communist regimes, the missionary dynamism of those who refer to the preachings of the apostle Thomas, and the perseverance of those who live in the Middle East, not infrequently as a 'little flock' in environments riven by hostility and conflict, as well as hidden persecutions”. A further problem is that of the diaspora, one of the key points of the plenary assembly, and which is growing in every continent. The Holy Father reiterated the importance of doing everything possible to facilitate “pastoral care both in the original territories and where the oriental communities are long established, favouring at the same time communion and brotherhood with communities of the Latin rite. To this effect, it would be useful to promote renewed vitality in existing entities of consultation between the single Churches and the Holy See”.

“My thoughts turn especially to the blessed land where Christ lived, died and rose again … and where the light of faith has not been extinguished, but instead burns brightly. It is the 'light of the East' that 'has illumined that universal Church, from the moment when a rising sun appeared above us: Jesus Christ, our Lord'. As a consequence, each Catholic has a debt of gratitude towards the Churches that live in the region. From these we may learn, among other things, the patience and perseverance of the daily exercise, at times wearisome, of the ecumenical spirit and interreligious dialogue. The geographical, historical and cultural context in which they have lived for centuries has indeed made them natural interlocutors with numerous other Christian confessions and with other religions”.

“Considerable worry is caused by the conditions of life faced by Christians who in many parts of the Middle East suffer gravely as a consequence of current tensions and conflicts. Tears often still flow in Syria, Iraq, Egypt and other areas in the Holy Land. The Bishop of Rome will not rest while there are still men and women, of any religion, whose dignity is undermined, who are deprived of the basic requirements for survival, robbed of their future, or forced to live as fugitives or refugees”.

“Today, along with the pastors of the Oriental Churches, we make an appeal for the respect of the right to a dignified life and to freely profess one's own faith. We must not resign ourselves to thinking of a Middle East without Christians, who for two thousand years have proclaimed Christ's name, integrated as citizens to all effects in the social, cultural and religious life of the nations to which they belong. The suffering of the youngest and the weakest, with the silence of victims, poses the insistent question, 'What is left of the night?' … I therefore turn to the entire Church to exhort her support in prayer, that may obtain reconciliation and peace from the merciful heart of God. Prayer disarms ignorance and generates dialogue where there is open conflict. If it is sincere and persistent, it will make our voice humble and firm, capable of being heard by the leaders of nations”.

The Pope concluded by speaking about Jerusalem, “our spiritual birthplace. I hope for every consolation, so that it may truly be a prophesy of that definitive convocation, from east to west, promised by God”.

Gratitude of Pietro Parolin

At this moment, in which my appointment as Secretary of State is made public, I desire to express deep and affectionate gratitude to the Holy Father, Francis, for the unmerited trust he is showing me, and to make known to him once again my willingness and complete availability to work with him and under his guidance for the greater glory of God, the good of the Holy Church, and the progress and peace of humanity, that humanity might find reasons to live and to hope.

I feel very strongly the grace of this call, which is yet another and the latest of God’s surprises in my life. Above all, I feel the full weight of the responsibility placed upon me: this call entrusts to me a difficult and challenging mission, before which my powers are weak and my abilities poor. For this reason, I entrust myself to the merciful love of the Lord, from whom nothing and no one can ever separate me, and to the prayers of all. I thank all those who have shown and who, starting now, will show me understanding, as well as for any and all manner of help that anyone might desire to offer me in my new undertaking. 

My thoughts go to my family and to all the persons who have been part of my life: in the parishes into which I was born and in which I served; in the dear Diocese of Vicenza; at Rome; in the countries in which I have worked – from Nigeria, to Mexico, and most recently in Venezuela, which I am sorry to leave. I think also of Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, who ordained me bishop, I think of the Secretariat of State, which was my home for many years, of His Eminence, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, of the other Superiors, colleagues and collaborators and of the whole Roman Curia, as well as of all those who represent the Holy Father and the Holy See diplomatically around the world. I owe a great debt to all.

It is with trepidation that I place myself in this new service to the Gospel, to the Church and to Pope Francis, but also with trust and serenity – disposed – as the Holy Father asked us at the beginning [of his pontificate] – to walk, to build and to profess.

May our Lady, whom I like to invoke under her titles as Our Lady of Monte Berico, Guadalupe and Coromoto, give us, “The courage, to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Lord’s Cross; to build the Church on the Lord’s blood which was poured out on the Cross; and to profess the one glory: Christ crucified. And in this way, the Church will go forward.”

And, as they say in Venezuela, “¡Que Dios les bendiga!” [God bless you!].

Caracas, 31 August 2013

The Last Words of Bergoglio Before the Conclave

The handwritten notes of his remarks to the cardinals at the congregation of March 9. The intention of electing him pope was strengthened. The outcries against the "spiritual worldliness" that afflicts the Church

by Sandro Magister




ROME, March 27, 2013 – It is a widespread opinion, confirmed by numerous testimonies, that the intention of electing pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio grew substantially among the cardinals on the morning of Saturday, March 9, when the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires spoke at the second to last of the congregations - covered by secrecy - that preceded the conclave.

His words made an impression on many. Bergoglio spoke off the cuff. But we now have the account of those words of his, written by the hand of the author himself.

Bergoglio's remarks in the preconclave were made public by the cardinal of Havana, Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, in the homily of the chrism Mass that he celebrated on Saturday, March 23 in the cathedral of the capital of Cuba, in the presence of the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Bruno Musarò, of the auxiliary bishops Alfredo Petit and Juan de Dios Hernandez, and of the clergy of the diocese.

Cardinal Ortega recounted that after the remarks of Bergoglio in the preconclave, he had approached him to ask if he had a written text that he could keep.

Bergoglio responded that at the moment he did not have one. But the following day - Ortega recounted - "with extreme delicacy” he gave him “the remarks written in his own hand as he recalled them."

Ortega asked him if he could release the text, and Bergoglio said yes.

The cardinal of Havana renewed the request on March 13 after the end of the conclave, when the archbishop of Buenos Aires had been elected to the chair of Peter. And Pope Francis renewed his authorization.

So on March 26, the photocopy of Bergoglio's manuscript and its transcription in Spanish appeared on the website of “Palabra Nueva," the magazine of the archdiocese of Havana.

Bergoglio's notes are presented in their entirety further below.

In them can be recognized some recurrent traits in his initial preaching as pope. “Spiritual worldliness” as “the worst evil of the Church.” The Church's duty to “come out from itself” in order to evangelize the “peripheries, not only geographical, but existential.”

As on other occasions, here as well Bergoglio borrows the expression “spiritual worldliness” from the Jesuit Henri De Lubac, one of the greatest theologians of the twentieth century, made a cardinal in his later years by John Paul II.

In his book “Meditations on the Church,” De Lubac defines spiritual worldliness as “the greatest danger, the most perfidious temptation, that which always reemerges insidiously when all the others have been overcome, even being fostered by these same victories.”

And he continues:

"If this spiritual worldliness were to invade the Church and work to corrupt it by attacking it at its very origin, this would be infinitely more disastrous than any other sort of simply moral worldliness. Even worse than the infamous leprosy that, in certain moments of history, has so cruelly disfigured the beloved Bride [the Church - editor's note] when gratification seemed to bring the scandal into her very sanctuary and, represented by a libertine pope, has obscured the face of Christ under precious stones, makeup and beauty marks. . . A subtle humanism inimical to the living God - and, in secret, no less inimical to man - can establish itself in us through a thousand subterfuges."

This citation from De Lubac is in evidence in an article that Bergoglio wrote in 1991 when he was an ordinary Jesuit priest, republished and given in 2005 to the faithful and to the citizens of Buenos Aires, of which he had become archbishop, and now reappears in the first of the books printed in Italy with the texts of the new pope from before his election, entitled: “Guarire dalla corruzione."

Another significant citation in the notes by Bergoglio is where he points out the dangers to the Church when it ceases to be “mysterium lunae."

The "mystery of the moon” is a formula that the Fathers of the Church repeatedly used beginning in the second century to suggest what might be the true nature of the Church and the action that is appropriate to it: like the moon, “the Church shines not with its own light, but with that of Christ” ("fulget Ecclesia non suo sed Christi lumine"), St. Ambrose says. While for Cyril of Alexandria, “the Church is enveloped in the divine light of Christ, which is the only light in the kingdom of souls. There is therefore a single light: in this one light nonetheless shines also the Church, which is not however Christ himself.”

On this theme and with the title of “Mysterium lunae" a fundamental book was written in 1939 by another Jesuit, Hugo Rahner, a distinguished patrologist.

___________



EVANGELIZING THE PERIPHERIES

by Jorge Mario Bergoglio


Reference has been made to evangelization. This is the Church's reason for being. “The sweet and comforting joy of evangelizing” (Paul VI). It is Jesus Christ himself who, from within, impels us.

1) Evangelizing implies apostolic zeal. Evangelizing presupposes in the Church the “parresia" of coming out from itself. The Church is called to come out from itself and to go to the peripheries, not only geographical, but also existential: those of the mystery of sin, of suffering, of injustice, those of ignorance and of the absence of faith, those of thought, those of every form of misery.

2) When the Church does not come out from itself to evangelize it becomes self-referential and gets sick (one thinks of the woman hunched over upon herself in the Gospel). The evils that, in the passing of time, afflict the ecclesiastical institutions have a root in self-referentiality, in a sort of theological narcissism. In Revelation, Jesus says that he is standing at the threshold and calling. Evidently the text refers to the fact that he stands outside the door and knocks to enter. . . But at times I think that Jesus may be knocking from the inside, that we may let him out. The self-referential Church presumes to keep Jesus Christ within itself and not let him out.

3) The Church, when it is self-referential, without realizing it thinks that it has its own light; it stops being the “mysterium lunae" and gives rise to that evil which is so grave, that of spiritual worldliness (according to De Lubac, the worst evil into which the Church can fall): that of living to give glory to one another. To simplify, there are two images of the Church: the evangelizing Church that goes out from itself; that of the “Dei Verbum religiose audiens et fidenter proclamans" [the Church that devoutly listens to and faithfully proclaims the Word of God - editor's note], or the worldly Church that lives in itself, of itself, for itself. This should illuminate the possible changes and reforms to be realized for the salvation of souls.

4) Thinking of the next Pope: a man who, through the contemplation of Jesus Christ and the adoration of Jesus Christ, may help the Church to go out from itself toward the existential peripheries, that may help it to be the fecund mother who lives “by the sweet and comforting joy of evangelizing.”

Rome, March 9, 2013