News from around the Catholic world for the week ending 30 May.
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• Pope Francis talks marriage, pedophilia and Christian unity in his latest interview
• Over 20,000 Easter Baptisms in mainland China
• At least 11 killed in an attack on a Catholic church in the Central African Republic
• Rockhampton’s new bishop is ordained
• The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference announce a National Office for Youth.
TRANSCRIPT
SARAH: Pope Francis has concluded his trip to the Holy Land with a wide-ranging interview aboard his Rome-bound flight. The interview with Vatican journalists covered issues concerning his Holy Land trip and current controversies facing The Church.
The Pope discussed his meetings with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, stating that “Bartholomew and I speak as brothers, we love each other and we talk about the difficulties we face as leaders.”
On the topic of unity between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, Pope Francis said “[unity]comes along the path, during a journey, we could never create unity at a theological congress.”
The Holy Father expressed his frustration that discussions about the upcoming Synod on the Family have an inordinate focus on the issue of remarried-divorcees receiving Holy Communion. Pope Francis spoke instead about the broader breakdown of the family throughout the world, saying “We know that today the family is facing a crisis, a global crisis, young people don’t want to marry or they live together… The pastoral problem regarding the family is vast.”
The Pope also used strong words against clerical sexual abuse, comparing such a sin to a black mass. Pope Francis also confirmed that he would be holding a Mass and meeting next week for abuse victims at Casa Santa Marta, the pope’s current residence.
Pope Francis’ trip to the Holy Land was highlighted by meetings with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a prayerful visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, and an invitation to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli president Shimon Peres to join him in Rome to pray for peace. Both presidents accepted the invitation, with the prayer meeting to take place next month.
Highlights from Pope Francis’ interview is available via Vatican Insider.
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In Mainland China, Fides News Agency has reported that over 20,000 baptisms took place this year over the Easter period, with some Catholic dioceses reporting they have doubled since last year. Seventy per cent of the newly baptised Christians were adults, all of whom received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist as well.
The numbers are a sign of the continuing growth of the Catholic community in China, with the Rite of baptism not only administered at Easter, but also at Christmas and Chinese new year. Unfortunately the statistics only include government approved parishes, due difficulty obtaining the relevant statistical information from China’s underground Catholic communities.
The data was gathered by Faith of He Bei and Faith institute for Cultural Studies despite the government’s recent efforts to suppress Church influence, which have hindered communication for dioceses and parishes.
Today, Christianity is still not freely practiced in some parts of China with strict regulations around the growth and formation of Christian communities. Late last month it was reported that an iconic Christian church was destroyed under government orders.
Details via news.va.
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At least 11 people have been killed in an attack on a Catholic church in the Central African Republic this week, with some sources putting the death toll as high as 30.
Muslim rebels stormed the Church of Fatima in the nation’s capital of Bangui, where Christians had sought refuge from violent clashes in the city’s streets. Witnesses said members of the Seleka militia group began throwing grenades at the church before opening gunfire on the hundreds of civilians inside.
Fr Freddy Mboula who was in the church at the time of the shooting estimated at least 30 were dead, including one priest. Fr Mboula told The Associated Press:
“We were in the church when were heard the shooting outside. There were screams and after 30 minutes of gunfire there were bodies everywhere.”
This recent attack is part of a spate of sectarian clashes since Muslim rebels were forced from power in January. However, attacks on places of worship are considered rare.
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The Most Reverend Michael McCarthy was yesterday ordained as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Rockhampton in a Mass streamed live on YouTube.
The Episcopal Ordination at St Joseph’s Cathedral was concelebrated by dozens of priests and over 20 bishops, with Brisbane’s Archbishop Mark Coleridge as main celebrant. It was preceded by an evening vigil where the faithful of the diocese gathered in prayer for the bishop-elect.
After the Gospel was proclaimed, the Apostolic Mandate from Pope Francis was read in Latin and English:
“In fulfilling your episcopal role, beloved son, do follow in the footsteps of Christ the supreme pastor; whose celebration of the Last Supper filled with love, which is the fullness of the law, was his priceless legacy to us.
“May the peace and light of Christ and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary be always with you and this much loved church community in lovely and loveable Australia.”
The rural Queensland diocese has been awaiting a bishop since October last year when Bishop Brian Heenan retired.
Prior to his episcopal ordination, Bishop McCarthy told the Catholic Leader his priority was to travel and meet with key leaders across the diocese, which stretches from the coast to the Northern Territory border.
More news via The Catholic Leader.
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The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has announced that it will be establishing an Office for Youth. The office will be appointed with the task of evangelising specifically to the youth of Australia, and providing support to youth ministers.
Australian Bishops’ Delegate for Youth, Bishop Anthony Fisher, said “This new Office builds upon the graces of World Youth Day 2008 and the efforts of the Church in Australia since.”
“The Office will provide inspiration and formation for the Church in its mission to share the message of Jesus Christ with young people,” he said.
Initial tasks for the Office include updating the Australian Bishops framework for youth ministry entitled “Anointed and Sent”, developing online and digital resources, and hosting the upcoming Australian Catholic Youth Ministry Convention in Adelaide.
More information on the Office for Youth can be found at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website.
