News from around the Catholic world for the week ending 4 April.
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• Preparations continue for the canonisations of two beloved Popes
• Catholic churches burned down in Nigeria
• Religious sister faces backlash from Catholic school parents after teaching on sexuality in the U.S
• Archbishop Hart’s Vatican Council appointment
• Life Week at the University of New South Wales
TRANSCRIPT
SARAH: Preparations are underway for the canonisations of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII, with a number of events and initiatives planned to mark the momentous occasion in Rome and around the world.
In a press conference held on Monday, representatives of the Holy See outlined the events surrounding the canonisations, which they described as a “festival of holiness”. These are set to include a youth gathering at Saint John Lateran Basilica on April 22, and all-night prayer vigils in every parish in Rome on the eve of the canonisations. The world of social media will also be taking part in the celebrations, as Vatican Radio reports:
VATICAN RADIO: Several media project projects have also been set up, namely a website: 2papisanti.org, and a Twitter account: @2popesaints. A Facebook and YouTube account will be set up in the near future, and an app: Santo Subito, will also be up and running in the coming days.
The canonisation Mass at St Peter’s Square is expected to attract a very large number of faithful, but Fr Federico Lombardi told reporters that Vatican officials are unsure of the estimated audience. Around 1000 clergy will concelebrate, 700 of which are expected to distribute Communion, and tickets will not be necessary for attendees.
The presence of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mass could not be confirmed, as it would depend on his health on the day.
Details via Vatican Radio.
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Two Catholic Churches and part of a school in Nigeria were burned down recently by a group of Muslim youth.
AllAfrica has reported that the rampage was sparked by a school examination where the names of the Prophet Muhammed and his mother were mentioned in a way that was ‘inciting to Islam’.
Along with the churches and school the youths also burned tyres in the middle of major roads, causing traffic to be diverted. It was reported that one of the young people was shot and injured by police in their effort to stop the attacks.
The State Police Commissioner Muhammed Hurdi confirmed the incident and said security has been restored in the area.
Read the full story via AllAfrica.
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A Dominican Sister of Nashville has faced backlash from students and parents of a U.S. Catholic high school after a presentation on human sexuality.
Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, associate professor of Aquinas College Nashville, gave the presentation last month at Charlotte Catholic High School, entitled “Masculinity and Femininity: Difference and Gift”.
The talk reportedly addressed areas of Catholic teaching on sexual complimentarily, the family, and homosexuality. According to a petition by students who opposed the talk, the point of contention was Sr Jane Dominic’s comments on homosexuality.
The petition states in part: “We found some of [the]ideas expressed to be both offensive and unnecessarily derogatory.”
According to the petition, Sister Jane Dominic spoke on issues surrounding homosexual lifestyle, including difficulty with monogamy and child abuse by same-sex partners; and stated that the prevalence of homosexuality may be connected to issues within the family, masturbation and pornography.
In a telephone interview with the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Herald, Sister Jane Dominic said that her talk was intended to present the Catholic viewpoint of homosexuality and persons with same-sex attraction. She said “homosexual persons do not need our judgement, they need our compassion.”
In a statement on the Aquinas College website, College President Sister Mary Sarah said that “…Sister [Jane Dominic] was attempting to bring the Church’s teaching to a group of young students with the intention of delivering a message that would bring life, peace and a deep sense of purpose. It appears that this message was not universally accepted. The hope of Aquinas College is that no one was left feeling that they are not loved by God,” she said.
Sister Jane Dominic was scheduled to speak at a Charlotte Diocesean Youth Conference in May, however a decision was made on Wednesday for her to cancel her appearance at the request of her superior.
Full story via Catholic News Hearald.
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It was this week announced that Melbourne Archbishop and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Archbishop Dennis Hart has been appointed to the Pontifical Council for Culture.
The Council was established by Blessed John Paul II in 1982 to address secularism through dialogue between the Gospel and modern culture. Its work encompasses science, the arts, economy, media and communication and the artistic and historic patrimony of the Church.
Archbishop Hart said he was happy to be able to contribute to the work of the Council.
“I am honoured by this appointment as a further experience of how we can all engage with the modern world, bringing to it the fruit and attractiveness of the Gospel,” Archbishop Hart said.
View the media release at ACBC Media Blog.
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Life Week is set to kick of on Sydney campuses once again, with the first event beginning at the University of New South Wales this Monday.
The annual event aims to help University students discover a deeper sense of purpose and appreciation of life through talks, faith discussions and the opportunity to connect with other Catholics on campus.
This year’s UNSW event, themed ‘Live, Hope, Love’, will run over five days. The schedule will begin with a talk, followed by the St Paul Society’s usual daily mass, with confession available. Topics covered will include depression and hope, human trafficking and more.
There will also be a stall for the Society members to welcome other students, and to provide an opportunity for students to meet the University chaplains.
Life Week is run once a year, along with as similar initiative, Christ Week, by the chaplaincies of UNSW, USYD and UTS All are welcome, no matter what faith background or university.
For more information visit UNSW Catholics
Music Credit: Waking Up Instrumental – Dexter Britain
