Inside the Vatican magazine May-June 2021

INSIDE THE

MAY-JUNE MAY-JUNE 2021 2021 $5 $5 // EUR EUR 5 5 // £3.30 £3.30

VATICAN

FRANCIS and CAPITALISTS

NEW FRIENDS? POPE FRANCIS JOINS A GLOBAL “COUNCIL FOR INCLUSIVE CAPITALISM”

Heroic Holiness and the Word of God ◆ PRIEST AND BEGGAR: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz Kevin Wells In 1957, young Fr. Aloysius Schwartz asked to be sent to the saddest place in the world: South Korea right after the Korean War. The new priest stepped off the train into a dystopian novel. Squatters with blank stares picking through hills of garbage. Paper-fleshed orphans lying on the streets like leftover war landmines. The scenes crushed him.

Within 15 years, he had changed the course of Korean history, founding or reforming orphanages, hospitals, hospices, clinics, schools, and the Sisters of Mary, a Korean order dedicated to the sickest and poorest. He himself lived in the same hard poverty as the people he served. A powerful story of a heroic American priest who stared down corruption, slander, persecution, and death for the sake of God’s poor. He died in 1992 and has already been declared “Venerable”.

PBP . . . Sewn Softcover, Illustrated, $17.95 “Fr. Schwartz lived a life of heroic charity! A truly riveting story that makes one want to be a better servant of Christ and others.” —Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author, Consecration to St. Joseph “Destined to become a spiritual classic, this book is a life-changing page turner. The heroism of Fr. Schwartz beckons us all to new heights of virtue, and floods light into our present darkness.”

— Kathleen Beckman, Author, A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare

◆ THE WORD IS VERY NEAR YOU Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen,O.C.D. "My wish", writes Fr. Stinissen, "is to give some simple advice on how we can draw nearer to

God's Word and let it penetrate us in order that it will bear fruit in our lives."

The acclaimed spiritual writer and Carmelite says that all Christian literature is an attempt to explain what God has spoken to us in the Bible. God is active in his holy Word, and he is also active in man's seeking and study, in his research and knowledge. But study cannot replace the prayer that must accompany any reading of Scripture.

WVNYP . . . Sewn Softcover, $14.95

"Fr. Stinissen's writing is profound enough for theologians, yet accessible enough for anyone seeking a deeper spiritual life." — Vinny Flynn, Author, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist "Fr. Stinissen offers us the kind of deep wisdom we would expect from our own personal spiritual director." — Fr. Gary Lauenstein, C.Ss.R., Author, The Heart of Holiness

◆ REKINDLE THE GIFT OF GOD Fr. Roch Kereszty, O. Cist.

Drawing on 60 years of experience as a Catholic priest, Fr. Kereszty provides spiritual, psychological, and pastoral guidance to priests, deacons and seminarians for preaching, sacramental ministry and spiritual direction.

He has worked with countless priests struggling to understand their own role and identity in the post-conciliar Church. He has also dealt with the confusion and discouragement from the sexual abuse crisis. He uses the insights of St. Bernard, St. Therese, Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI to assist the next generations of priests.

RKGP . . . Sewn Softcover, $17.95

"There is no wasted space in this book! You will find spiritual direction, consolation, apologetics, and Lectio Divina all rolled into one. I owe Father Kereszty a great debt.”

— Fr. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B., Author, Humility Rules “An immensely useful book for priestly life. In appealing prose, it covers a wide range of pertinent subjects related to the sacraments, doctrinal clarity, and personal spirituality.”

— Fr. Donald Haggerty, Author, The Contemplative Hunger

www.ignatius.com P.O. Box 1339, Ft. Collins, CO 80522

(800) 651-1531

EDITORIAL

by Robert Moynihan

Rome Turns A Year Older Rome turns 2,774 this year. In this year of continuing lockdowns and viruses, Pope Francis is beginning his ninth year as Pope (elected in 2013, Francis is now 84 years old). And he continues to surprise the world

April 21, 2021— Today, April 21, 2021, is the traditional date of the founding of Rome in 753 B.C. So the Eternal City is now 2,774 years old. Happy birthday, Roma!

As the Easter season continues (and the Orthodox Easter, Pascha, on May 2 this year, is upon us), Covid is still on our minds, but the world continues to turn and the Vatican continues to govern the Church; and some of its rulings and pronouncements have surprised many.

It has been a source of unease for some time that Pope Francis has been portrayed as taking a more conciliatory approach than his predecessors to the acceptance of homosexual couples, even, possibly, those who seek “blessings” from the Church, if not attempted marriages. The Vatican laid some of that unease to rest March 15 with the publication of an answer to the dubium: “Does the Church have the power to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?” The answer of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was: “Negative,” and included its theological rationale. But many priests in Germany protested, and said they would continue to give such blessings, showing clearly how some German Catholics are becoming unwilling to follow the instructions of Rome in such matters (see pp. 32-33).

Also in March, a new curve ball was thrown by the Vatican Secretariat of State when it issued a mysterious letter (it was not signed), posted on the sacristy door in St. Peter’s Basilica on March 12. It said that the private celebration of Masses taking place daily for centuries at many of the 45 altars and 11 chapels in St. Peter’s Basilica, was banned, effective March 22.

Many priests, bishops and cardinals reacted with anger and incredulity. African Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship, wrote on March 29 that the new norms “are as lacking in justice as in love, do not correspond to the truth or the law, do not facilitate but rather endanger the decorum of the celebration, devout participation in the Mass, and the freedom of the children of God.” The cardinal said “the main, not to say the only, role of an altar is in fact that the Eucharistic sacrifice be offered on it.” Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, remarked on Twitter: “Pain and indignation invade my heart to hear certain incredible news: They have forbidden private Masses in St. Peter’s!?”

It is noteworthy that the traditional Latin Mass was, in the same stroke, relegated to the Clementine Chapel in the Vatican Grottoes — literally underground. No explanation was given.

Meanwhile, the Vatican has been busy in its efforts to “engage” the world. Notably, two initiatives have garnered recent media attention: (1) the May 6-8 Fifth International Vatican Conference on health care, and (2) an ongoing cooperative project between the Vatican and the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, spearheaded by Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild (see our Lead story, pp. 12-15).

The title of the health care conference, “Exploring the Mind, Body and Soul,” suggests that it could be informed by some measure of Catholic anthropology, but the roster of speakers, ranging

from supermodel Cindy Crawford, to rock star Joe Perry of Aerosmith, to pro-abortion Chelsea Clinton, to New-Age guru Deepak Chpora, to CEOs from the world’s largest pharmaceutical corporations, suggests otherwise.

In the judgment of the outspoken Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, “Further demonstration of this degenerate libido serviendi [“desire for serving”] of the Vatican towards the globalist ideology is the choice of speakers to give testimonials and lectures: supporters of abortion, of the use of fetal material in research, of demographic decline, of the pan-sexual LGBT agenda, and, last but not least, of the narrative of Covid and the so-called vaccines…”

Not only the large and powerful, but also the working men and women within the Vatican itself were the objects of the Pope’s attention on March 24, when he issued an order requiring clerics working there to take a pay cut (10% for cardinals) in order to save jobs for lay workers in this Covid-induced time of falling Church revenues. Vatican workers are feeling the pinch.

Vatican II also continues to be on the minds of many Catholics as the 60th anniversary of its 1962 opening approaches, and some wrestle with the Pope’s insistence earlier this year that “The Council is the Magisterium of the Church. Either you are with the Church and therefore you follow the Council, or you interpret it in your own away, according to your desire, you do not stand with the Church.” Francis asked that there be no concessions “to those who try to present a catechesis that does not agree with the Magisterium of the Church.” (Vatican News, January 30, 2021) Since Vatican II was intentionally summoned by John XXIII not as a doctrinal, but only as a pastoral council, it is puzzling that Francis says it is “Magisterial,” suggesting that there is only one “interpretation” that all Catholics must adhere to — or else.

Why is this? What “alternate interpretations” are circulating that Francis finds dangerous to the deposit of Faith? Or is it just a tendency to desire a sort of rigid conformity, even in questions outside of doctrine? Clearly, the debate is intensifying.

And in the world outside of Rome, there are wars in Syria and worrisome rumors of war in Ukraine. Russia is massing troops on its border with Ukraine, while U.S. President Biden seems to be encouraging the newly aggressive posture toward Russia’s President Putin

by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifany, and the Ukrainian Catholic Church’s Metropolitan of Ivano-Frankovsk, Vladimir Mudryi, both urged their people to pray for peace. Said Mudryi: “Ukraine has already suffered so much. We are all ready for the war to end. But in the event, God forbid, of the necessity of defending our land, I think all of us who are children of this land will have to do as the older generation did and defend our land and Church.”

We, too are called to “defend our land,” but our true land, our true home, is the Kingdom of God, which Jesus says is within us.

The way we defend it is through faith, hope and love — of our families, our neighbors, the stranger in need of a helping hand, and our Church and national leaders in need of prayer.m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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CONTENTS MAY-JUNE 2021

Year 23, #3

LEAD STORY Pope Francis hosts a curious meeting of global capitalists at the Vatican

by Thomas Storck and ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 ANALYSIS WOMEN/Should more women be appointed to Vatican posts?

by Prof. Jane Adolphe, an official at the Holy See for 10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 APOSTOLIC JOURNEY MAY-JUNE 2021 Year 28, #3

v EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Robert Moynihan ASSOCIATE EDITOR: George “Pat” Morse (+ 2013) ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christina Deardurff CULTURE EDITOR: Lucy Gordan CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Giuseppe Rusconi WRITERS: Anna Artymiak, Alberto Carosa, William D. Doino, Jr., David Quinn, Andrew Rabel, Vladimiro Redzioch, Serena Sartini, Father Vincent Twomey PHOTOS: Grzegorz Galazka LAYOUT: Giuseppe Sabatelli ILLUSTRATIONS: Stefano Navarrini CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Deborah B. Tomlinson ADVERTISING: Susan Sebesta Tel: 202-864-4261 suesebesta@insidethevatican.com

v

PHOTO ESSAY/EASTER 2021 The Pope’s homily for the Easter Vigil: “Let us follow Him into Galilee”

by Pope Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 FEATURES INTERVIEW/Cardinal Francis Arinze, an “elder statesman” of the Church

by Barbara Middleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 COMMENTARY/The Catholics of Germany go “rogue.” What will Rome do?

by Jan Bentz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 SCIENCE/The Shroud of Turin: The medieval dating is doubtful

by James Bertrand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 SAINTS/St. Isidore of Seville Pope St. John Paul II made him the Patron Saint of the internet...

by ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

EDITORIAL OFFICES FOR MAIL: US: 14 West Main St. Front Royal, VA 22630 USA Rome: Inside the Vatican via delle Mura Aurelie 7c, Rome 00165, Italy Tel: 39-06-3938-7471 Fax: 39-06-638-1316

THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

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SCRIPTURE/The Poet’s Ear: Scripture’s language holds meaning if we listen

by Prof. Anthony Esolen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Subscriptions (USA): Inside the Vatican PO Box 57 New Hope, KY 40052 USA www.insidethevatican.com Tel: 800-789-9494

v INSIDE THE VATICAN (ISSN 1068-8579, 1 yr subscription: $ 49.95; 2 yrs, $94.95; 3 yrs, $129.95), provides a comprehensive, independent report on Vatican affairs published monthly except July and September with occasional special supplements.

Inside the Vatican is published by Urbi et Orbi Communications, PO Box 57, New Hope, Kentucky, 40052, USA, pursuant to a License Agreement with Robert Moynihan, the owner of the Copyright. Inside the Vatican, Inc., maintains editorial offices in Rome, Italy.

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Copyright 2021 Robert Moynihan

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IRAQ/Pope Francis, despite dangers, visits troubled Iraq for four days in March

by ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

REFLECTION/St. Joseph and the “final battle” over marriage and the family

by Mark Drogin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 CULTURE LATIN/The world’s “best Latin teacher”: the late Fr. Reginald Foster, RIP

by John Kuhner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

EDUCATION/Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, USA

by Dr. Timothy Collins, President of Walsh University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 URBI ET ORBI: CATHOLICISM AND ORTHODOXY Icon/The Maternity of St. Anna, mother of the Virgin Mary

by Robert Wiesner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 East-West Watch/Marian dogmas and the Orthodox

by Peter Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 News from the East/Hilarion on dialogue with the Catholic Church; Serbia has a new Patriarch: Porphyry succeeds Irenaeus, who died in November

by Becky Derks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 FEATURES ART/Napoleon: An exhibit in Rome on the great French conqueror of Italy

by Lucy Gordan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 BOOK/Continuing excerpts from the prophetic 1907 novel Lord of the World

by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 VATICAN WATCH/A day-by-day chronicle of Vatican events: February and March

by Becky Derks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 PEOPLE/New head for institute on the family; Pope backs new prior of Bose

by Becky Derks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 FOOD FOR THOUGHT/Three new books in English about Italian cuisine!

by Mother Martha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

MASTERFUL WORKS on Liturgy, Scripture & Theology ◆ LITURGICAL DOGMATICS — David Fagerberg This work examines dogma in light of liturgy. It looks through liturgy to see the whole sweeping saving activity of God, which dogma describes. Through this lens, it illuminates 36 classic dogmas in a readable and imaginative way. It shows that while dogma protects the mystery of divine love from heretical corruption, its goal is achieved when the believer is LDP . . . Sewn Softcover, $19.95 united to that mystery in liturgical worship.

“Every theologian knows the dictum lex orandi lex credendi, but I’ve never seen a more thorough and satisfying application of it than in this work. Anyone interested in the Christian life will benefit from this tour de force of a book.” — Bishop Robert Barron, Creator & Host, Catholicism film series

◆ BALTHASAR FOR THOMISTS — Fr. Aidan Nichols, O.P. Dominican theologian Nichols gives a panoramic view of Hans von Balthasar's thought and spirituality, unearthing many of his innumerable debts to Thomas Aquinas and providing context for their points of divergence. In its breadth, this work serves as a general introduction to Balthasar for those unacquainted with his profound and wide-ranging theology.

BTP . . . Sewn Softcover, $18.95 “Nichol’s ability to illuminate Balthasar's intentions is masterful, and his respect for contemporary Balthasarian and Thomistic contributions to the Catholic theological symphony is exemplary. This is a work of love, and hope.” — Matthew Levering, Ph.D., Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

◆ CURS DEUS VERBA Jeremy Holmes "Philosophically sophisticated, deceptively simple in the way it is written, Cur Deus Verba is a beautifully clear account of the place of Scripture in the totality of Christian doctrine and life." —Aidan Nichols, O.P., Author, Rome and the Eastern Churches "A synthesis of historical methodology and theological hermeneutics is necessary to overcome the aridity of the endless search for the ‘historical Jesus’ severed from the memory of the Church. This work makes the implicit elements explicit, faithful to the memoria ecclesiae and under the guidance of the great Doctors of the Church."

—Tracey Rowland, Chair of Theology, University of Notre Dame, Australia CDVP . . . Sewn Softcover, $19.95

◆ THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY Edited by Christopher Carstens A study of Romano Guardini's landmark work Spirit of the Liturgy, with contributions from nine experts including Bishop Arthur Serratelli, Cassian Folsom, O.S.B., David Fagerberg, Daniel Cardó, Emery de Gaál. It analyzes the seven core features of the liturgical spirit: objective, corporate, universal, symbolic, meaningful, beautiful, and logical, presenting Guardini's key spiritual insights on how these can deepen our liturgical understanding SGSLP . . . Sewn Softcover, $17.95 and practice today.

“Guardini's work helped us to rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth, and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.”

— Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

www.ignatius.com P.O. Box 1339, Ft. Collins, CO 80522

(800) 651-1531

The Shenandoah Valley Experience October 2021 We are pleased to announce a new Classic pilgrimage experience in the United States! Cultivated for centuries, the majestic and serene Shenandoah Valley is now home to organic farms – a “farm to table” culinary treat – and family wineries producing award-winning local wines.

But this land has also cultivated the faith of thousands...come with us as we experience national Catholic shrines, monasteries and basilicas within easy driving distance of our peaceful and bountiful Valley.

The much-lauded American Catholic author, Walker Percy, foresaw in his 1971 novel, Love in the Ruins, a future gathering of Catholics in this lovely and peaceful Valley, turning it into a type of Catholic sanctuary in a post-Christian nation. The entire Shenandoah Valley, immortalized in story and song, stretches along 200 miles of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, but we will concentrate on the northern 30 miles in and around Warren County, Virginia.

Visit us online to learn more!

“The goodness of God, and the merriness of living… cooking out, attending Mass… What we Catholics call the sacramental life.”

—American novelist Walker Percy, speaking of life in the Shenandoah Valley

Virtual Pilgrimages

Join us live and enjoy the discussion after the pilgrimage. If you are unable to join us live, you can view all of our Virtual Pilgrimages on the Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay informed of all of our Virtual Pilgrimages and other original content!

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I N S I D E T H E VAT I CA N PI LG R I M AG E S .C O M / PI LG R I M AG E / V I R T UA L- PI LG R I M AG E S

Start Planning for 2022 Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages are different from all other tours and pilgrimages. Our daily itinerary is a fabric woven of spiritual, historical and personal elements – the personalities of great saints, of those we encounter, and of our pilgrims, their lives and their faith journeys. And, we do not fill the bus! Our pilgrimages are unique, unrepeatable experiences, led by ITV’s editor, Dr. Robert Moynihan, and other renowned experts.

2022 Pilgrimages

Classic ITALY: Journey Toward the Face

Classic IRELAND: Saints & Scholars

of Christ – May 28 – June 7

July

Classic ENGLAND: Mary’s Dowry

Classic ITALY: Fall in Rome: Annual ITV

August 10 - 19

Mag Pilgrimage – September

Our Signature Pilgrimages (intimate, limited to 15 pilgrims) are impossible to mass-produce. Like the products of an artisan, they are works of painstaking preparation that reflect our unswerving commitment to create something of great and unique beauty.

Our Classic Pilgrimages (small by industry standards, limited to 35) are carefully budgeted so you can visit beautiful and sacred destinations while experiencing the quality, style and integrity of Inside the Vatican pilgrimages at an affordable price.

Our pilgrimages fill up fast. Make your reservation today! Join us on a trip of a lifetime.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR INSIDE THE VATICAN welcomes letters but cannot reply to all. Each is read and considered carefully. Printed letters may be edited for clarity. You may email us at editor@insidethevatican.com

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INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

I received your beautiful Christmas issue in January. Much happened in 2020, my beloved husband went to be with Jesus. We were married 63 years; we were one. There has been much mail and many ministry appeals for donations. I can do only so much, but please accept my check for $25.00 for now. My renewal is coming up and I’ll be needing to send that in too. I love and appreciate your magazine and your hard work.

You’re on my “permanent prayer list.” May God and Blessed Mother continue to bless you.

Connie Garza Omaha, Nebraska, USA

“THE GODMOTHER” Thank you for the two interviews with Fr. Charles Murr. Even now, at 83, I had to practice the Lord’s Words, “Blessed is he who is not scandalized in me,” as I read The Godmother. My favorite chapter is “Pius and Pio,” and after that “St. Pius X.” But closer to home was the “most dangerous Freemason of them all” in the Vatican: Bishop Mario Pio Gaspari. I met him, in 1980, when I went to visit our sick Sister in Tokyo’s St. Mary’s Hospital. The Apostolic Delegate Gasperi was in the hospital, too.

He talked to us very nicely, and I liked him because he had the same name as I — Mario Pio. Our Sister died the next March 24, 1981; after Bishop Gaspari had the honor of welcoming Pope John Paul II to Japan in February. As I read about him, I thought, “What history was being made at the time!”

Sister Mary Pius, OSC Poor Clare

@

At 11:30am, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dover and Mine Hill, I celebrated the Rite of Committal.

In the afternoon, I had prayer time in my car, parked in a parking lot. I had lunch at the Red Hat Diner. And I got my car washed. At 5pm, I met with a family at St. Mary’s in Denville. A couple of years ago they had a stillbirth, and I did the funeral in Spanish.

Now it happened again, and they asked me to do this funeral as well. Say a prayer for them.

After meeting with them, I drove back to Chester, and made a liverwurst sandwich for myself. I watched Jeopardy and I got Final Jeopardy! :) The category was “Business History.” The answer was “David McConnell’s cosmetics and perfume company was rebranded in 1939, honoring the home of his favorite playwright.” The question was “What is Avon?” I was so happy that I got it.

In my spare time I am reading The Day is Now Far Spent by Robert Cardinal Sarah; and also Kidnapped by the Vatican? by Edgardo Martaro.

Jesus, I want to love you more and more, you who have loved me so much!

Fr. Brendan Murray Chester, New Jersey, USA

LIVING ROSARY Greetings! Please encourage all people to join the Universal Living Rosary of St. Philomena and enroll in the Scapular Confraternity. All will be richly blessed.

Mary Marte Roseville, Minnesota, USA

American food American owner

A RETIRED PRIEST’S LIFE Thank you for your letter of December 21. I am retired, so I can’t give as much as I would like, but I do enjoy very much your magazine.

This morning I had some Cheerios. Then I drove to Sacred Heart in Dover, where, at 10am, I celebrated the Funeral Mass for Flavia Brock. All the time I was in Dover, she had cooked dinner for us on Mondays.

Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, 25 ✆ 338 13 71 344 home baked

homebakedrome

FINDING VIGANÒ I already have a copy of Finding Viganò.

It is inspirational and a call for many prayers for our priests. Thank you.

Catherine Segrest Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA I finally had the time to finish Finding Viganò. No doubt, Viganò’s continuing testimony, through you, will have a cleansing effect on our Church and lead to the removal of those who have worked to destroy her.

When will your second edition be coming out? I look forward to reading it and would love to pre-order one, if you are taking such orders.

May God bless and protect both you and Archbishop Viganò!

Jeannette Thomas JTHOMAS154@roadrunner.com We haven’t heard much from Archbishop Viganò since the election in November. I was wondering if a second Finding Viganò book will be forthcoming. The first was excellent, and there were hints within that story of topics that will come later.

With the “cancel culture” and censorship raging like I’ve never seen before, and books old, new and yet to be published being canceled, (including, I think, one of Tan Books’ authors), I hope it will come out sometime soon!

Linda Smith Florida, USA

FUTURE TOPICS Thanks for all you do. A thought for future topics — what about the top 10 heresies from Pope Francis. I am not trying to be flippant or sarcastic. Just trying to hang on, but labeling his “teachings” for what they really are could be helpful, I think.

David Brown mikira3@aol.com

LOVE HURTS Forgive me for neglecting to provide financial support.

I had been a subscriber for years when the magazine was first published and I loved it. However, my reading list was growing and I found myself not getting around to your magazine. I am retired now and have no excuse. So, I will be resubscribing.

I also just made a small donation in response to your request. Thank you for your heartfelt sincerity in reporting on the Church. I always appreciate how you respectfully and charitably attempt to get at the truth, and I know how that pains you at times. That is exactly why I enjoy your newsletters. It should pain you and us readers. Yes, love hurts. Just ask our Lord.

Keep up the great work.

Tom Ganser tomganser@outlook.com

GOODBYE FOR NOW

time, I’ll be loving my issues of Inside the Vatican and continue to support that monthly.

Jennifer Bauman Houston, Texas, USA

HANS KÜNG, RIP After reading your Moynihan Letter #13, on Tuesday, April 6, “Hans Küng,” all I can say about your essay on the late Swiss priest and theologian is that a man can be a charismatic, influential, respected intellectual and still be a disobedient heretic and in danger of going to hell for endangering the souls that looked to him for sound teaching.

He excommunicated himself by his prideful, obdurate heresy.

That Pope Benedict did not formally excommunicate him may not have been prudent; that the Pope was courteous in continuing communication with Küng only reflects Pope Benedict’s own humility as well as the courtesy of Christ.

I pray that by God’s mercy Küng didn’t go to hell.

I am thankful for all you’re doing for God’s Church and enjoy having your “insider’s view” of what goes on — especially while on pilgrimage with you a few years ago. I have had to make the prayerful decision to stop receiving your “Moynihan Letters,” however. I am like the Dumb Ox and only have so much room in my head.

Filling it with all the mystery and intrigue of what truly goes on at the higher levels has been very disheartening and sometimes causes me to despair.

I feel that should perhaps make me do something about it, but me being me, there’s nothing I can do but pray—and in my mind, nothing better.

I also have found myself becoming somewhat, in my understanding, of a gnostic — reveling in the learning but not in the doing of being Christ’s hands and feet on Earth.

I am going to have to concentrate all my energy to finding A week long sleep away camp in NY, MD, FL, and Ireland for $450 a camper. what His plan is for me — outside of my Authentic Catholicism for tomorrow’s saints Serving 1,500 teens a summer husband and four kids, if there is another plan — and that means that I will have to say goodbye for now. Once my head is clear again, I’ll hope to be able to get “caught up” again. In the mean-

Visit us at: www.campveritas.com

MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thank you for your wonderful letters and your championing of heroic Archbishop Viganò, and those like him.

Mrs. Raven Wenner wenner@pdq.net

to contribute something to solving overpopulation”? (https://spiritdailyblog.com/news/of-aprince-and-a-pandemic) Cathy Fernandez cferna1634@aol.com

PRINCE PHILIP, RIP (Re: Moynihan Letter #14, Tuesday, April 13, “Prince Philip”) Since I was born in 1949 I have not known a time when then-Princess Elizabeth was not married to Philip Schleswig-Holstein-SonderburgGlücksburg. I forget the reason why he was given his mother’s name: Battenberg, but even that was changed to Mountbatten.

Of course it seems that it was a royal desire to downplay their Germanic roots so that even Elizabeth Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha was renamed after what they thought was a lovely residence, Windsor Castle.

Requiescat in pace, Philip SchleswigHolstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. Amen.

Kurt Behrel schwaben49@gmail.com Thank you for sharing the beautiful and poignant recollection of Metropolitan Hilarion and his meeting with Prince Philip.

What great insight it gives to the character and deep values held by the Prince. All who are privileged to receive your “Letters” are granted a rare insight into the rich treasure of experiences and friendships you’ve had throughout your career as a journalist par excellence and as a true son of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. In particular I want to thank you for writing Finding Viganò, an articulate and masterful work. Tom and I have given copies to our current and former pastors and to several friends. We are greatly anticipating reading the second book.

Thank you for pursuing the interview with Archbishop Viganò and once again giving your readers a better understanding of the many problems that plague our beloved Church. You have established a trust within the Church hierarchy and within your readers which is highly commendable.

Tom and I cherish your friendship. May God continue to bless you as only He can.

Susan Stanzel tomstanzel@sbcglobal.net What about the Darwinist philosophy espoused by Prince Philip in a 1988 interview: “In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, 10

INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

THE SILENCE OF THE HIERARCHY I have read your letters as much as possible lately. I have to say that I am a huge fan of Archbishop Viganò.

I think that, were it not for his encouraging letters, as I witnessed the meltdown of many our American Catholic hierarchy over the past year and a half, I may have succumbed to despair. Not a few times did I struggle with temptation to leave the Church which seems, in any event, on a trajectory to leave me.

Certainly the constant witnesses such as Cardinal Müller, Cardinal Burke, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Bishop Joseph Strickland, and some others, has provided me with some stable ground to stand on.

Needless to say, I am no fan of theologians such as Hans Küng, Hans Urs von Balthasar and their ilk. Though they may be brilliant men, far greater than me, they shake my faith and my vocation of marriage.

I have begged my bishops and priests over the past three decades to stand strong against tendencies to reject Humanae Vitae and water down the Biblical and Traditional teachings regarding sexual morality.

I have fought against the most horrendous sex education as it infiltrated our Ohio schools through the Departments of Health and the Department of Education, during the administration of a Catholic governor who just refused to understand. I stood with some wise and brave Protestants who clearly understood the stakes; but I can honestly say that, even today, as a Catholic I stand alone. And now, as sexual and financial scandals rock, and I dare say still rule, the highest levels of the Church, it will be exponentially more difficult to stand against the legion of corporate and cultural leaders who espouse the latest, and most dangerous, existential threat to the Faith, the family, and indeed to humanity itself: the transgender ideology.

It will destroy our children, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. It is already promoted with no challenge by the public schools all over our country and Canada, the American Pediat-

rics profession, the practitioners of psychiatry and psychology, Planned Parenthood (it’s big bucks for them) the major corporations, Big Pharma, Big Tech (of course), President Biden (who favors giving puberty-blocking hormone treatment to children as young as 8 years old), the entire Democratic Party, too many in the Republican Party, the US Chamber of Commerce (they call it “Diversity”) the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, my local Chamber of Commerce, and, by their silence, most of the Catholic hierarchy — even, in some cases, their active encouragement. Who will stand against this destructive ideology that sweeps over the world, more swift and deadly than the Covid virus?

I believe it was Lord Baltimore to whom is attributed the saying, “Treason doth never prosper, and here’s the reason; for if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”

Both treason and heresy do indeed prosper in 2021, and they shamelessly consolidate their power. We stand mostly helpless. Please speak for us if you possibly can, by continuing to champion Archbishop Viganò and any who, like him, speak out bravely. They will save many who, like me, are sorely tempted.

I heard a story and I’m not sure it is exactly true, but it would not be out of character for the man.

When Nicolae Ceausescu was consolidating his power in Romania, in what would become one of the most brutal of the Iron Curtain Communist regimes, he went around the towns holding meetings to procure support and demoralize opposition.

At those meetings, it is said that many pastors of all denominations stood up and intoned support for the regime, urging their people to go along to get along, and so on in that vein.

At one such meeting sat the Lutheran Pastor Richard Wurmbrand and his wife, Sabina. At one point she leaned over and whispered to her husband “Richard, get up and wipe the shame off the face of Jesus.”

He replied “If I do, you’ll be a widow.”

She was undaunted; “I don’t need a coward! Get up and wipe the shame off the face of Jesus!” And he did.

And he went to prison for 14 years and was tortured severely.

Miraculously, they both escaped and he wrote the book Tortured for Christ. I saw them once in person, at a Protestant church in my town. I also saw an interview he did

with Archbishop Fulton Sheen, with whom he was friends. He was a hero. We need such heroes today. I even would like to become like him if it were God’s will.

Tell any in the Vatican who will heed.

Say no to softening the teaching on sexual morality. Say no to the watering down of our faith, the destruction of matrimony and the priesthood, and the seduction and destruction of our young people.

Husbands and wives cannot stand alone in raising their children.

Often, because of the silence, they do not even know what is happening to their children; and even if they do, they can’t be reasonably expected to overcome all of the influences of their children’s peers and that of all of the other adults in their children’s lives.

It didn’t work for my wife and I (our children lost the Faith, for the most part). It is unrealistic to expect parents today, without any help from Church leaders, to prevail. They don’t stand a chance.

On another note, I would like to donate $10/ month to the “Friends of Lebanon” and $10 to your Urbi et Orbi Foundation.

Gilbert E. Adolph Barberton, Ohio, USA

FROM A PRISONER I’m doing life without parole in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. My one year subscription has expired and I hope you will renew it another year ASAP please!

We’ve had no — none — Sacraments since 03/12/2020 (two days after my 37year-old son died) because of the Covid lockdown.

My son had cardiac issues from opioid drug use; his heart gave out from the abuse. Sad, he was such a kind and sweet young man, his life extinguished. Please pray for the repose of his soul.

The few Catholics here really benefit from and enjoy your magazine (it makes the rounds).

Lastly, if possible, if y’all have a damaged or unusable copy of Finding Viganò, we’d sure love to have one. All that matters is that we can read it. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you.

William F. Young #650486 Tucker Unit Arkansas Department of Corrections USA

The Editor responds: William, I appreciate your letter very much, with its details about your loss of your son. I share your sorrow and send my condolences for your loss.

You have given us a great blessing with your letter, and telling us that the magazine “makes the rounds.”

We will gladly renew your subscription for another year!

I would like to invite all readers to consider the simplicity, dignity and humility of the prisoners who write to us, including their prison number and their unit name.

We are attempting to “visit those in prison” through sending the magazine. We feel honored to have the opportunity.

We ask any reader who would like to support such efforts to send a small donation of $25 or $50, or more, to help us pay the printing and mailing costs for these free issues.

Bit by bit, the magazine is becoming widely read in US prisons, something that I could not be more proud of.

Thanks to all our readers, in and out of prison, and thank to all our donors who support the magazine. —Robert Moynihan

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Register there to participate in our online ZOOM meeting and even submit your own question!

We look forward to seeing you at our next Writer’s Chat!

MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

11

LeaD sTorY

the councIl for InclusIve capItalIsm: charade or substance? n BY THOMAS STORCK

V

eteran Vatican watchers might have been puzzled by the December 8 announcement (on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) that Pope Francis had met with and endorsed members of something called the “Council for Inclusive Capitalism.” Reactions to this have varied. Some have seen this as a continuation of the Church’s long-time interest in promoting a more just economy. Others, more extreme, see it as a conspiracy on the part of those who hold sway over the world’s economy.

First, what is this organization and what is it trying to do? The

12 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

As many globalists began to speak of the need for a “Great Reset,” Pope Francis met with a group of leading capitalists on November 11, 2019, to create a global “Council for Inclusive Capitalism.” What is it all about? What is the Pope’s role? Where in all this is the salvation brought by Jesus Christ?

“If we accept the great prIncIple that there are rIghts born of our InalIenable human dIgnIty, we can rIse to the challenge of envIsagIng a new humanIty. we can aspIre to a world that provIdes land, housIng and work for all.”

—PoPe Francis, Fratelli tutti, 2020 encyclIcal on fraternIty and socIal frIendshIp

Council for Inclusive Capitalism is connected to its parent organization called the Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism. Its aims as listed on its website are the following: “The Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism is a global non-profit organization that works with leaders across the private, public and civic sectors to make capitalism and its benefits more widely and equitably shared. Our mission is to advance the global movement to make economic systems more inclusive, sustainable, strong and trusted.”

The Council is characterized as the Coalition’s “sister non-profit,

a historic collaboration of CEOs and May of 2014. It, in turn, was “the brain- a minority are growing exponentially global leaders working with the moral child of the Henry Jackson Society, a [and] so too is the gap separating the authority of Pope Francis and Cardinal little-known but influential British majority from the prosperity enjoyed Peter Turkson... to harness the private think tank.” According to this source, by those happy few,” and who rejected sector to create a capitalism that is more its aim all along was primarily cosmet- “the absolute autonomy of markets and fair, inclusive, and sustainable.” ic. Because of a fear that there was such financial speculation”?

It seems that the Coalition and the “public disgust with the system, there But however this may be, if we look Council are really the same entity, the was a very real danger that politicians at the roster of Council members, dilatter merely the name used when it could seek to remedy the situation by vided into three categories strangely laworks with the Vatican. In fact, the legislating capitalism out of business,” beled Guardians, Stewards and Allies, websites of the two organizations are so the leaders of international finance and one sees the names of CEOs, directors intertwined that sometimes it’s hard to business felt the need to take steps to or other officials of such companies or know, without looking at the entities as Mastercard, DuPont, web address (URL), whether “Capitalism has Created enormous Merck, Estée Lauder, Johnson the webpage on the screen is & Johnson, VISA, BP (British global prosperity, but it has also from the Council or the CoaliPetroleum), Bank of America, tion. the Rockefeller Foundation, left too many people behind, led The Council’s own aims, as and many more—in short, to degradation of our planet, presented on its webpage, promany of the richest people in and is not widely trusted in claim: “Our mission is to harthe world, people who, hitherto ness the private sector to create at least, have profited quite soCiety.” — Lynn Forester de a more inclusive, sustainable, well on account of “the abrothschiLd, founder of the and trusted economic system. solute autonomy of markets CounCil for inClusive Capitalism lifts people out of and financial speculation.” poverty and powers global So is this merely a gimmick, Capitalism (photo) innovation and growth. But as The Guardian has charged? to address the challenges of change the public percep- What is the Council or the Coalition the 21st century, capitalism tion of international cap- actually supposed to do? needs to adapt. Through our italism.

They have issued a Framework commitments, actions and The article quotes La- which includes a number of measures solutions, we will create dy Lynn Forester de Roth- that are certainly in accord with stronger, fairer, more collaboschild, co-host of the 2014 Catholic social teaching, including rative economies and societies, ulmeeting: “I think that a lot of kids such proposals and suggestions as timately improving the lives of count- have neither money nor hope, and greater worker safety protection on the less millions of people across the that’s really bad. Because then they’re job, that “technological change does globe.” going to get mad at America. What our not have to lead to job loss,” infrastrucAlthough news reports stated that hope is for this initiative, is that through ture funding, giving “workers a the Council “launched a partnership all the efforts of all of the decent CEOs, stronger voice in the corporation,” that with the Vatican” on December 8, all the decent kids without a job feel op- “the minimum wage should be raised to 2020, actually the Vatican’s formal in- timistic.” [emphasis in source] be a living wage, not a starvation volvement with the Council appears to According to this interpretation, wage,” that “corporate bankruptcy law have begun in 2019 when Pope Francis then, the entire effort is little more should be amended to prioritize workmet with its members on November 11. than a public relations gimmick to ers’ retirement plans over other corpoIn his address at the time, Francis noted make people less likely to get angry on rate debts to prevent employers from that in 2016 he had spoken to the par- account of their unemployment or shedding their obligations,” and so on. ticipants in the Fortune-Time Global poverty.

Most of the specific proposals made Forum on “the need for more inclusive Who is Lady Lynn Forester de Roth- in this Framework are certainly ones and equitable economic models that schild? She is the wife of Sir Evelyn de that a Catholic can support. Although would permit each person to share in Rothschild, member of the legendary many of them could be implemented the resources of the world.” The Rothschild banking family. She and her immediately on the part of corporations Council, he stated, “is one of the re- husband are reputed to have a personal without any government mandate, sults of the 2016 Forum.” fortune of around $20 billion. The rep- most of them call upon governments to However, according to a 2014 arti- utation Pope Francis has in many cir- undertake legal and policy reforms in cle in the English newspaper The cles is that he would be the last person order to carry them out.

Guardian, the Council is really the re- to associate with international bankers But other of the actions suggested sult of a meeting held in London “host- of that sort. After all, is he not the same are perhaps open to question. In a long ed by the City of London Corporation pontiff who criticized in Evangelii list of Commitments (actions that indiand E L Rothschild investment firm” in Gaudium the fact that “the earnings of vidual members have committed to MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN 13

LEAD STORY

ThE COunCiL fOR inCLuSivE CApiTALiSm: ChARADE OR SubSTAnCE?

do), we find the following: “Capdesia the part of the Rothschilds and others Or perhaps this is simply a result of [an investment firm focusing on Euro- who are long suspected in certain quar- the realization on the part of those who pean food suppliers] commits to ensur- ters of really running the world from have exploited the world for their bening that 100% of its restaurant portfolio behind the scenes, both these explana- efit up to now that they should temper companies and their suppliers produce tions seem rather unlikely. But still one their actions, or otherwise there simply and/or deliver safe, high quality, nutri- might question the initiative on any won’t be a world left for them to exploit tious, great tasting and sustainable number of grounds. anymore? foods to their customers.”

First, are the leaders of the world’s It is hard to answer these questions, Whew! One is surely relieved that richest entities really willing to make given the vagueness of some of their no longer will Capdesia work proposals. The fact that Council with companies providing members “will be invited to attasteless junk food. tend biennial conferences on inBut really, this is little more clusive capitalism held in Rome” than one reads in corporate prodoes not augur well for very close motional material touting how involvement with the Holy See. wonderful a particular compaAs one critic put it: “The ny is. group is yet another front group Other commitments sound in what is becoming a globalist like mere vapid “corporatebum’s rush to try to convince a speak.” For example: “DuPont skeptical world that the same will improve the lives of over people who created the post 1945 100 million people in commumodel of IMF-led globalization nities worldwide by 2030, exand giga-corporate entities more panding our social impact powerful than governments, dethrough signature partnerstroying traditional agriculture “... And so, therefore, if you Ask ships, establishing regional in favor of toxic agribusiness, whAt our hopes Are, we don’t advisory councils, and investdismantling living standards in hAve Any prescriptions. we Are ing in environmental and comindustrialized countries to flee to munity impact.” cheap labor countries like MexAlso following whAt Benedict Or this choice example: ico or China, will now lead the Xvi tAught ABout the need for “Simfoni [a supplier of aueffort to correct all their abuses? diAlogue Between fAith And tomation products] will idenWe are being naïve if we swallow tify and report on placethis.” reAson, All kinds of reAson – based impact metrics rooted It’s important to keep in mind politicAl, economic, finAnciAl, in the lived experience of that the richest companies and Business.” — Cardinal Turkson, people by the end of 2025 and people in the world are often incorporate these across aligned with goals that are usualspeaking To edward penTin 100% of projects.” ly understood as politically “on More seriously, though, many of fundamental changes in their way of the left.” They realize that achievement these Commitments are to increase di- doing business to promote justice and of these goals does little or nothing to versity in “gender” and other cate- social charity? Are they really inspired threaten their profits. For Catholics trygories. by the mandates of the Gospel and of ing to understand our often confusing Given the fluid and politically cor- Catholic social teaching, or only by the political and economic environment, rect usage of many such terms today, it latest secular ideas popular among the the first, most necessary thing is to stop is impossible to know what will actu- world’s elites? thinking in terms of right and left, conally be implemented and whether they Or are most of these commitments servative and liberal, if we hope to have are good, bad, neutral or just silly. merely examples of corporate public any chance of understanding what is And if they are implemented, if relations, with little or no relationship really going on in the world today. say, Beleap, a consulting firm, does to advancing social justice, as that term It may be, though, that the Vatican succeed in promoting “women to at has been used and understood by the is not totally on board with all of this, least 30% of leadership positions by Church since at least the time of Pius but feels that any actions, however im2023,” will that actually improve the XI? Are these firms merely hoping to perfect, toward a more ethical econolives of the poor or result in a more use the good name of the Church and my on the part of the financial elite just economy? of Pope Francis to give credibility to ought to be encouraged. We can maybe So, what are we to think of all this? what is nothing more than corporate discern some of this ambiguity in an inWhile some critics have claimed to see doublespeak undertaken to save capi- terview with Cardinal Turkson by rein it a thinly-veiled socialism, and oth- talism — and the wealth of the world’s porter Edward Pentin on February 10 ers think they discern a conspiracy on elite at the same time? of this year.

14 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

Cardinal Turkson stated: “And so, therefore, if you ask what our hopes are, we don’t have any prescriptions.

We are also following what Benedict XVI taught about the need for dialogue between faith and reason, all kinds of reason — political, economic, financial, business. So it’s in the line of duty actually, that we do all of this, and our hope is that we’ve been able to find some comprehension and understanding between faith and reason and help everybody realize what they’re applying themselves to.”

The members of the Coalition and Council do not seem likely to act like Zacchaeus in the Gospels, who committed to give away half of his possessions and recompense anyone he had defrauded, fourfold.

Nor do they seem inclined to make an attempt to implement Pius XI’s call, in Quadragesimo Anno, for “Recon-

THE FULL LIST

I

OF

structing the Social Order and Perfecting It Conformably to the Precepts of the Gospel.” Whether they have an agenda beyond convincing the world that capitalists have had a change or heart or not is not clear. Their future actions will reveal this better than their present words.

The Church herself has neither condemned capitalism nor endorsed it, as such. When Pius XI characterized capitalism in Quadragesimo Anno, no.

100, as “that economic system in which were provided by different people the capital and labor jointly needed for production” he noted that “the system as such is not to be condemned.”

But he as well as both his predecessors and successors set forth very specific and stringent guidelines for how capitalism would have to work in order to be acceptable. Needless to say, it has rarely lived up to those standards,

“GUARDIANS”

n December of 2020, while the world was still grappling with the Coronavirus and distracted by the tumultuous presidential elections in the United States, the Vatican, in partnership with some of the world’s most powerful business and investment leaders, launched the “Council for Inclusive Capitalism” with the Vatican.

A core group of “global leaders,” known as “Guardians for Inclusive Capitalism,” plan to meet with Pope Francis and Cardinal Peter Turkson, head of the DIcastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, on an annual basis.

These “leaders,” says a press release, “represent more than $10.5 trillion in assets under management, companies with over $2.1 trillion of market capitalization, and 200 million workers in over 163 countries.”

Speaking to the Guardians at their December 8, 2020 launch, Pope Francis said, “An economic system that is fair, trustworthy, and capable of addressing the most profound challenges facing humanity and our planet is urgently needed. You have taken up the challenge by seeking ways to make capitalism become a more inclusive instrument for integral human wellbeing.”

OF THE

COUNCIL

which go far beyond making sure that food is “great tasting.”

As well as insisting on both social justice and social charity, the Church has told us over and over again that man’s true good does not consist in a preoccupation with mere material goods. While it may be impossible to plumb the motives of those who established the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, the Church’s mission is the same: the reign of Jesus Christ over both individuals and nations, which includes the establishment of justice and charity in economic life.

Thomas Storck is the author of four books and numerous articles on Catholic economics. He is a contributing editor to The Distributist Review and a member of the editorial board of The Chesterton Review.m

FOR INCLUSIVE

The Guardians: Ajay Banga, President, Chief Executive Officer, Mastercard Oliver Bäte, Chairman of the Board of Management, Allianz SE Marc Benioff, Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Salesforce Edward Breen, Executive Chairman, Dupont Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation Mark Carney, COP26 Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, and United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Carmine Di Sibio, Global Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, EY Brunello Cucinelli, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. Roger Ferguson, President, Chief Executive Officer, TIAA Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, Founder, Managing Partner, Inclusive Capital Partners Kenneth Frazier, Chairman, CEO, Merck & Co., Inc. Fabrizio Freda, President, CEO, The Estée Lauder Companies Marcie Frost, Chief Executive Officer, CalPERS

CAPITALISM

Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson Angel Gurria, Sec. General, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Alfred Kelly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Visa Inc. William Lauder, Executive Chairman, The Estée Lauder Companies Bernard Looney, CEO, BP Fiona Ma, Treasurer, State of California Hiro Mizuno, Member of the Board, Principles for Responsible Investment Brian Moynihan, Chairman of the Board, CEO, Bank of America Deanna Mulligan, President and CEO, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America Ronald P. O’Hanley, President and Chief Executive Officer, State Street Corporation Rajiv Shah, President, The Rockefeller Foundation Tidjane Thiam, Board Member, Kering Group Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation Mark Weinberger, Former Chair and CEO of EY, and Board member of J&J, MetLife and Saudi Aramco m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

15

ANALYSIS

The MoveMenT To AppoinT More WoMen To vATicAn posTs: Who BenefiTs? n BY JANE ADOLPHE

* Pope Francis with the women who were auditors at the Synod on the Amazon region In the circle below, Sr. Nathalie Becquart Opposite, top, some of the auditors who attended the sessions of Vatican II Below, an image from the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, May 26, 1995, and two main UN leaders at the meeting: Harvard Professor of Law Mary Ann Glendon and Mrs. Gertude Mongella

W

hen Pope Francis appointed a woman (Sr. Nathalie Becquart)[1] as one of the two Under-Secretaries to the General Secretariat of the Synod Bishops, the reaction was predictable. Some praised the appointment as a step closer to female ordination,[2] while others criticized the decision as fruit from the poisonous tree of the Second Vatican II.[3] Missing was any consideration of whether the environment of the Roman Curia, understanding that each dicastery has its own milieu, might benefit from competent, professional, and faithful female employees in positions not requiring the sacrament of orders.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT WOMEN? In his “Letter to Women,” June 29, 1995, for the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, Saint Pope John Paul II notes the complementarity between men and women in their diversity of roles, building up the Christian community and the service of humanity.[4] He writes: In this vast domain of service, the Church’s two-thousand-year history, for all its historical conditioning, has truly experienced the ‘genius of woman’; from the heart of the Church there have emerged women of the highest 16

INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

caliber who have left an impressive and beneficial mark on history. I think of the great line of women martyrs, saints and famous mystics. In a particular way I think of Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa of Avila, whom Pope Paul VI of happy memory granted the title of Doctors of the Church.

He continues: And how can we overlook the many women, inspired by faith, who were responsible for initiatives of extraordinary social importance, especially in serving the poorest of the poor? The life of the Church in the Third Millennium will certainly not be lacking in new and surprising manifestations of ‘the feminine genius.’”

In his previous letter to Mrs. Gertude Mongella, Secretary General of the Fourth World Conference, May 26, 1995, he had underlined that solutions raised at the Conference should be “based on the recognition of the inherent, inalienable dignity of women, and the importance of women’s presence and participation in all aspects of social life… [and] a true vision of women’s dignity and aspirations, a vision capable of inspiring and sustaining objective and realistic responses to the suffering, struggle and frustration that continue to be a part of all too many women’s lives.”[5]

The conference delegation of the Holy See, made up of fourteen women and eight men from nine countries and five continents, was led by Harvard Professor of Law Mary Ann Glendon. She carefully outlines how the Holy See delegation/team worked and what they were able and not able to accomplish in her article, “What Happened at Beijing.”[6] One is struck by her decisive leadership and clear articulation of the principled position of the Holy See, under the direction of Saint John Paul II.

WHY DOES THE ROMAN CURIA NEED WOMEN? One can only hope that the consistent and steady increase of competent and faithful professional women into the Roman Curia, in positions that do not require the sacrament of orders, might over time promote a more humane, professional, and respectful working environment.

Pope Francis is promoting women to positions in the Roman Curia, seemingly because competent and faithful women have something to offer and they might also have a positive influence, especially because of the differences they bring to the table,[7] but also because a new way of operating is necessary.

Regarding the latter point, Francis, in his 2014 Christmas Address to the Prefects of the Dicasteries, speaks openly about the sickness of the Roman Curia manifested in fifteen diseases,[8] and returns to the topic with antibiotics in hand the following year, during the 2015 Christmas Address.[9] On the disease of “hypocrisy,” or what Francis has frequently referred to as “duplicity,” Reverend Dariusz Oko has written two books on priests who are not living chaste celibacy, having been ordained under the “pretenses that they have selflessly sacrificed marriage and fatherhood, beginning their clerical journey with falsehood.”[10] He contends that since many of them fear reproach, they rarely present the clear requirements of the Gospel and teachings of the Church, and correlatively seek to protect their posts and benefits by promoting and protecting like-minded colleagues.[11] Such a reflection, for purposes of this article, however, should not be limited to what is labeled in the Church as “progressive-minded” clerics, since clerics acting out with males have been found among those labeled as “conservative” as well. Moreover,

it is worth emphasizing that there are priests who suffer with samesex attraction and live chaste celibacy, which is to be distinguished from those presenting deep-seated homosexual tendencies.

Most importantly, Reverend Oko speaks about the need to protect people from the brutality of this duplicitous band of clerics.[12] Within the context of the Roman Curia, it is worth noting that hostile clerical behavior might be directed to only certain female employees. From all appearances, religious sisters and consecrated lay females seem to be less problematic for clerics, partly because they represent their respective congregations or institutes and therefore are less likely to create waves. They are trusted. Regarding Italian lay women, working in Vatican City State for the Governorate or in the Roman Curia, such positions are dream jobs, and most would do anything to keep them. They seem to be trusted. The credentialed lay woman, a convinced Catholic, who has devoted her life to Holy Mother the Church by simply doing her job well, in secular professional environments, might be the preferred target since she is more inclined to speak out against untenable internal policies and practices and unjust or criminal behavior.

Understanding that not every lay woman employed within the Roman Curia has had the same or a similar experience, consider just a few examples. Depending upon the hallway in the Apostolic Palace, for example, one might encounter verbal quips or giggles from priests, and even bishops, who obsess over the details of a woman’s attire (e.g., fabric, pattern, color), no matter how modest and professional. Others associate any shade of pink, purple, and red as colors exclusively associated with the priesthood, since members become incrementally pink, purple, and red as they rise in the hierarchy. Of course, every lay woman is supposed to know this and refrain from wearing any shade of the same; otherwise, she risks being received by screams from an irritated monsignor. Yes, screaming, and shaming tactics – not clearly-written rules from a human resources office nor private conversations brimming with pastoral care. Given the above, one would assume that wearing black might be a safe color, but this also provokes comments, revealing the cleric’s concern about so-called female “wannabe priests.” In another MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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corridor, the click of heels on the marble floor might proincompetent leadership and management problems.”[16] She attributes some of the ills to “recruitment of convoke a monsignor to burst from his office in frustration at flict-avoidant priests, seminary formation cloistered from hearing a woman’s approach. Of course, others are comthe real world and failing to teach authentic leadership, the pletely comfortable telling her that she is talking too much lack of Christian zeal and holiness in Church operations or simply cutting her off mid-sentence. and business, low expectation for Undoubtedly, some of the above work performance, lack of training, behaviors signal other problems. It immorally low salaries for lay workis worth remembering that Francis ers in jobs that offer little professionin the 2016 Ratio Fundamentalis al satisfaction, over reliance on Institutionis Sacerdotalis reaffirmed lawyers to manage risk, and the list the 2005 Instruction[13] against continues.”[17] ordaining men “to holy orders who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies WHO PROTECTS WOMEN IN THE or support the so-called ‘gay culWORKPLACE? ture,’” since these factors, among With an increase of women enterothers, lead to problems in the ing the Roman Curia, an important sphere of human relationships.[14] question is whether women benefit Yet, many bishops seemed to have from any protections pending dilu“missed the memo.” In 2018, Frantion of the so-called “toxic environcis urged priests who cannot mainment.” As it stands, employees lack tain chaste celibacy to leave the the protections available to most othpriesthood,[15] and perhaps they ers in secular working environments, should be assisted to discern out of especially in Europe and North the priesthood with the possibility of America: credentialed leadership, finding gainful employment. employment contracts, including Having said that, this is not to clear job descriptions, all supported suggest that only this group of clerby a human resources office that can ics might manifest hostility toward distribute clear policies on issues women in the workplace. For some (e.g., professional dress colors), men, the office is analogous to a counter abuses of authority, and “battlefield” or “playing field” that implement anti-harassment laws allows them to compete against through procedures and complaint other men, but when women enter mechanisms, according to applicasuch settings, the stakes are higher ble civil laws. for those who view “losing to” or Of relatively recent memory, “being outdone” by women espefemale employees within the Secrecially humiliating. In secular settariat of State were not permitted to tings, women have been dealing leave their offices for coffee or to with such behavior since the 1940’s personally deliver their work to when they began entering the varisuperiors. As it stands, their offices ous “theaters of war” in large num- Top to bottom: Sr. Judith Zoebelein, Technical Director of are largely situated in designated the Vatican’s Internet Office, April 16, 2004; bers. parts of the Apostolic Palace (“pink Francesca Di Giovanni, new deputy secretary in the Of course an aggravating factor ghettos”); however, segregation as Vatican’s Secretariat of State, January 15, 2020; in cleric-female relations is the proban approach to female-male relaand Barbara Jatta, since January 1, 2017, Director of the Vatican Museums lem of clericalism, however that tions signifies a deeper problem. term might be defined, which leads Bill Donaghy would likely conto a set of difficult circumstances for some women. Reletend that it reflects an oversexualized environment. In the vant to this discussion are the observations of Michele article “Holy Friendship in a Hypersexualized World,” he Mcaloon regarding a number of chanceries; she is a wife, zeroes in on the problem: “All too many men and women mother, retired Army Officer, and canon lawyer working today are incapable of imagining an intimate relationship for a Diocesan Tribunal: that does not somehow involve some sort of sexually “…there emerges a consistent narrative of toxic work romantic overtone.”[18] Within the context of the Roman environments characterized by needless secrecy, dismisCuria, the justification for segregation is likely based on a sive attitudes toward lay employees, a lack of collegiality perspective challenged by Donaghy for being wrong in its between lay workers and the ordained, an unspoken ordiunderstanding of sin, namely that “‘if you had a close assonance against expressing a contrary opinion to policies and ciation of friendship with the woman, this could be what decisions made by a bishop, and many other complaints of was known as an occasion of sin, and an occasion of sin was 18

INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

as bad as if you’d actually done disciplinary Analysis (Cluny: Shabby Exit it.’”[19] Parenthetically, this per2020), that Ronald Rychlak and f you think the biggest administrative problem spective presents a double stanI edited, which deals with clericfacing the Vatican is ideological division or interdard when one considers priests on-male issues. with same-sex attractions on the nal corruption, you’ve been reading too many potWith the decisive move to one hand, or deep-seated homo- boilers. Sure, there are occasionally spectacular increase the hiring of women in of fraud, deception, personal immorality, and sexual tendencies on the other cases the Roman Curia, the Church in so on, but the chief day-to-day problem – one so hand. Donaghy, in fleshing out hard-wired into the system that, after a while, peoRome has entered a new era of his argument, provides a perti- ple don’t even notice it – is that too often, rank-andfemale and male relations, and nent quote of Saint John Paul II: file personnel aren’t treated as human beings, worone which needs to be consid“God has given me many people, thy of working conditions in which they can flourish ered carefully for what it may both young and old, boys and and reach their potential, but as disposable cogs in mean for the treatment of girls, fathers and mothers, wid- a bureaucratic machine.” women within the workplace. ows, the healthy and the sick. — John L. Allen, Jr., in CRUX: “Shabby Exit of Francis seems to understand that Always, when he gave them to Anti-abuse Reformer Captures Vatican’s HR employees need certain protecme, he also tasked me with them, Pandemic” tions. After all, a General Direcand now I see that I could easily torate of Personnel[22] (human write a separate book about each of them—and each biogresources office) was announced, but then quickly withraphy would ultimately be on the disinterested gift man drawn the next day, presumably due to complaints from key always is for the other. Among them were the uneducated, clerics, perhaps those desiring to sustain the status quo – for instance factory workers; there were also students, unicurrently, the availability of “protectors” for certain versity professors, doctors and lawyers, and finally employees – rather than the rule of law to safeguard priests and the consecrated religious. Of course, they all employees from abuse. included both men and women. A long road led me Let us hope these women whom Francis is hirto discover the genius of woman, and ing are eventually given the protections they need Providence itself saw to it that the time to carry out their duties, and the respect due for eventually came when I really recogtheir professional competence and the God-given nized it and was even, as it were, dazdignity they possess. zled by it.”[20] The book Clerical In deep appreciation for the thought * Dr. Jane Adolphe is a civil Sexual Misconduct: An Interdisciplinary of Saint John Paul II, both cleric and lay lawyer (LL.B/B.C.L) called to pracAnalysis (Cluny: 2020), scholars in the fields of philosophy and tice law in the State of New York, edited by Jane Adolphe theology gathered together to discuss USA and Province of Alberta, Canaand Ronald Rychlak male and female relations within the da; a canon lawyer (J.C.L/J.C.D); a Church in response to the problem of Professor of Law at Ave Maria clerical sexual misconduct with School of Law (AMSL), in Naples, females. Answering the call of Pope Francis [21] for Florida (2001 – present) and an international assistance in the study of sexual abuse, their findings human rights lawyer, who from 2003 to 2020 will offer the Holy See some food for thought on worked for the Holy See, Secretariat of State, proper relations between males and females based on Section for Relations for States, first as an outside Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. Their work consultant for Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, compiled in book form under the working title Clerical then as an inside expert in Vatican City State during the Sexual Misconduct: A Foundational Conversation during final years of Pope Benedict VI’s papacy, until his abdicathe Year of St. Joseph (forthcoming in 2022) constitutes a tion. Adolphe resigned from her tenured position with the sequel to the book Clerical Sexual Misconduct: An InterHoly See in 2020.m

“I

NOTES [1] “Pope Appoints Women Under-Secretary at Synod of Bish-

[3] See, for example, Dr. Taylor Marshall Podcast, “629: Pope

ops,” Vatican News, 06 February 2021, available at https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-02/pope-appointment-under-secretaries-synod-bishops-woman.html [2] See, for example, “Women’s Ordination Conference responds to Appointment of Sr. Nathalie Becquart as Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops,” 8 February 2021, available at https://www.womensordination.org/2021/02/woc-responds-to-appointment-of-srnathalie-becquart-as-undersecretary-of-the-synod-of-bishops/

Francis appoints Woman to Synod of Bishops…with voting Rights: Why?” available at https://podcasts.apple.com/is/podcast/629-popefrancis-appoints-woman-to-synod-bishopsvoting/id689871918?i=1000508262668 [4] Pope John Paul II, “Letter to Women,” 29 June 1995, available at http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1995/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_29061995_women.html .

[5] Pope John Paul II, “Letter to Mrs. Gertrude Mongella, SecreMAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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tary General of the Fourth World Conference on Women of the United Nations,” 26 May 1995, available at http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1995/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19950526_mongella-pechino.html [6] Mary Ann Glendon, “What Happened at Beijing,” January 1996, available at https://www.firstthings.com/article/1996/01/what-happened-atbeijing .

[7] Consider, for example, the following appointments, the specifics of which are available at Vatican.va: Director of the Vatican Museums is held by Barbara Jatta, an art historian, married wife and mother; Under-Secretaries for the Section on Life, and for the Section on Laity at the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life are held

by Gabriella Gambino and Linda Ghisoni, respectively; both are wives and mothers; Under-Secretary at the Congregation for Consecrated Life, the third woman to be appointed to this role, is held by Sr. Carmen Ros Nortes; Members of the Economic Council include six well-credentialed lay women in the fields of law, business, and management: who were appointed to the Economic Council. One can find the bios of the new members on vatican.va. Charlotte KreuterKirchhof, Eva Castillo Sanz, Leslie Jane Ferrar, Marija Kolak, Alberto Minali, María Concepción Osákar Garaicoechea, and Ruth Maria Kelly; Promoter of Justice in the Vatican Court of Appeals is held

by Catia Summaria, an Italian magistrate, mother of two children, and the first female to hold the position; Under-Secretary in the Secretariat of State, Section for Relations for States, a newly created position is held by Francesca Di Giovanni.

[8] Pope Francis, “Presentation of the Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia,” 22 December 2014, available at http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2014/december/documents/papa-francesco_20141222_curia-romana.html (The disease of feeling ‘immortal’ or ‘essential’; The disease of excessive activity; The diseases of mental and spiritual ‘petrification’; The disease of overplanning; The disease of bad coordination; The disease of spiritual Alzheimer’s; The disease of rivalry and vainglory; The disease of existential schizophrenia; The disease of gossip and chatter; The disease of deifying the leaders; The disease of indifference to others; The disease of the funeral face; The disease of hoarding; The disease of closed circles; The disease of worldly profit and exhibitionism).

[9] Pope Francis, “Presentation of the Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia,” 21 December 2015, available at http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2015/december/documents/papa-francesco_20151221_curia-romana.html ( Missionary and pastoral spirit; Suitability and sagacity; Spirituality and humanity; Example and fidelity; Rationality and gentleness; Innocuousness and determination; Charity and truth; Honesty and maturity; Respectfulness and humility; Diligence and attentiveness; Intrepidness and alertness; Trustworthiness and sobriety.)

[10] Dorothy Cummings McLean, “Priest who exposed ‘homoheresy’ speaks out on need to curb ‘homosexual’ clans in Church,” available at https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/priest-who-exposedhomoheresy-speaks-out-on-need-to-curb-homosexual-clans-inchurch .

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[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid; Father Oko’s observations seem in line with an analysis

by Stefanie Marrone, “How to Manage Mean Girls in the Work and Become More Resilient,” available at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-manage-mean-girls-workbecome-more-resilient-stefanie-marrone/ (“Mean girl warning signs: They are nice to you in public but cold in private. They like to be in control of situations and insist on having things their way. They publicly criticize you. They twist facts and situations to make themselves look innocent. They steal your work and claim it as their own. They boycott your ideas, projects or social gatherings. They leave you out of important meetings, lunches or after-work gatherings. They discuss items of which you are excluded in front of you. They tend to be quick to anger and might use direct insults or name-calling. They befriend you to learn your insights and then use them against you.

They fabricate lies and spread rumors about your work ethic, office relationships and personal life.”)

[13] Congregation for Catholic Education, “Instruction Concerning the Criteria For Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders,” 4 November 2005, available at https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_cc atheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html [14] Congregation for Clergy, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, 8 December 2016, available at https://seminaryformation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/The-Gift-of-the-Priestly-Vocation.pdf .

[15] “If Gay Priests, Religious Can’t Be Celibate, They Should Leave, Pope Says,” CatholicPhilly, 4 December 2018, available at https://catholicphilly.com/2018/12/news/world-news/if-gay-priestsreligious-cant-be-celibate-they-should-leave-pope-says/ [16] Michele Mcaloon, « Toxic Chanceries, » Crisis Magazine, 8 March 2021, available at https://www.crisismagazine.com/2021/toxicchanceries .

[17] Ibid.

[18] Bill Donaghy, “Holy Friendship in a Hypersexualized World,” Theology of the Body Institute, available at https://tobinstitute.org/holy-friendship-in-a-hypersexualized-world/.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Ibid.

[21] “Full Text of Pope Francis’ Letter to the Church in Chile,” Catholic News Agency, 5 June 2018, available at https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/full-text-of-pope-francisletter-to-the-church-in-chile-35580 (“Let us allow ourselves to be helped and to help create a society where the culture of abuse does not find the space to perpetuate itself. I exhort all Christians and especially those responsible for centers of higher education, formal or informal, healthcare centers, institutes of formation and universities, to join together with the dioceses and with all of civil society to lucidly and strategically promote a culture of care and protection. Let each of these spaces promote a new mentality.”)

[22] Holy See Press Office Communiqué, 07.03.2020 available at https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/20 20/03/07/200307d.html n

NEWS Iraq

the pope’s hIstorIc march vIsIt to Iraq the 4-day journey to Iraq took FrancIs to sIx cItIes and sItes In the north and south oF the country. he comForted chrIstIans harshly trIed by sectarIan vIolence, and appealed For tolerance, FraternIty, and peace n BY ROBIN GOMES (VATICAN NEWS)

P

ope Francis on March 8 left Iraq, bringing the curtain down on the 33rd apostolic journey of his pontificate, and the first visit of a pontiff to the Middle Eastern country.

The 4-day visit, which began March 5, was the Pope’s first in over 15 months, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Pope Francis made Baghdad his base from which he flew to Najaf, Ur, Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh.

In the spirit of the motto of the apostolic journey — “You are all brothers” — from Matthew’s Gospel, the 84-year-old Pope encouraged Iraqis on this path, saying that only when they learn to look beyond their differences and see each other as members of the same human family will they be able to begin an effective process of rebuilding the country.

Thus, they will leave future generations a better, more just and more humane world.

The Pope’s visit has a great significance not only for Iraq but also for the entire Middle East region, especially for Syria. In the footsteps of Christ, the Good Shepherd, the heart of the pastor of the Universal Church went out to seek his sheep, bruised and battered by sectarian strife and terrorism.

Caressing them, he assured them they are not forgotten.m

Left, Iraqi President Barham Salih and his wife seeing Pope Francis off at Baghdad Airport.

Right, in Mosul, encounter with Christian communities

Iraq's martyred heartland

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unday, the third day, was the most touching of the four days, the Pope flying north to visit Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh. Listening to the Muslims and Christians of the ruined city of Mosul, about the brutality they faced under the terror of the Islamic State (IS), Pope Francis blessed their resolve to rise from the ashes, joining hands together. “Fraternity is more durable than fratricide, hope is more powerful than hatred, peace more powerful than war,” the Pope assured them during prayers for the dead.

Iraq’s Christian community, one of the oldest in the world, has been particularly devastated by the years of conflict, falling to about 300,000 from about 1.5 million before the U.S. invasion in 2003. Taking advantage of the chaos that followed, the IS militants overran northern Iraq in 2014 in a bid to establish a caliphate in the region. They carried out their brutal onslaught against Christians, minorities and even Muslims who opposed them. Much of the old city of Mosul was destroyed in 2017 during the bloody battle by Iraqi forces and an international military coalition to drive out the terrorists.

In Mosul, the Holy Father was visibly moved to see the extensive destruction all around him with the wrecked shells of churches, homes and buildings amid the debris.

In Qaraqosh, a Christian stronghold that was overrun by IS fighters, the Pope visited the Church of the Immaculate Conception, whose courtyard was used by the militants as a firing range for practice. He urged the local Christian community to rebuild their communities based on forgiveness and fraternity.

Before returning to Baghdad on Sunday, the Holy Father celebrated an evening Mass for some 10,000 people in the stadium of Erbil. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, which was the last public event of his Iraqi trip, Pope Francis bade farewell to the nation. “Iraq will always remain with me, in my heart,” he said. During his time among them, he said, he “heard voices of sorrow and loss, but also voices of hope and consolation.”

“I pray that the members of the various religious communities, together with all men and women of goodwill, may work together to forge bonds of fraternity and solidarity in the service of the good and of peace.” He concluded by exclaiming, “Salam, salam, salam,” meaning “Peace, peace, peace” in Arabic. m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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pope at easter vigil: “Christ, alive today, always helps begin anew” LISTEN TO OUR REPORT JESUS SURPRISES, MAKES FAITH ALIVE easter of his pontifiCate, n the hour of darkness when humanGoing to Galilee also means setting pope franCis delivered a ity is grappling with the pandemic out on new paths by walking away from homily at the easter and other ills, Christians need to the tomb. For many, the Pope said, faith take to heart the Easter message of the is made up of habits, things from the vigil mass, refleCting on angel not to be afraid, assured that in past, lovely childhood memories, but no what it means to go to Galilee where the Lord precedes them, longer a faith that moves me, or chalgalilee, where the risen their expectations will be fulfilled, their lenges me. On the other hand, going to lord would preCede his tears will be dried and their fears will be Galilee means making faith alive and disCiples replaced by hope. Pope Francis made getting back on the road. We must daily the point in his homily at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. renew the amazement of the first encounter and humbly Peter’s Basilica Saturday night. allow ourselves to be surprised by God’s ways. “God,” the Reflecting on the Easter episode of the women at the Pope said, “cannot be filed away among our childhood tomb, the Pope drew attention to what the angel told them. memories, but is alive and filled with surprises. Risen from “Wonder at hearing the words: ‘Do not be afraid!” the Pope the dead, Jesus never ceases to amaze us.” said. “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He Therefore, the second Easter message of Pope Francis is has risen.’ And a message: ‘He is going ahead of you to that Christ is alive here and now. According to him, “Faith Galilee; there you will see Him.’” is not an album of past memories; Jesus is not outdated.”

“He walks beside you each day, in every trial you have to ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO BEGIN ANEW endure, in your deepest hopes and dreams. Even if you feel After the initial rite of the blessing of the fire and the that all is lost, let yourself be open to amazement at the Paschal candle inside the basilica, Pope Francis and the newness Jesus brings: He will surely surprise you.” concelebrants proceeded towards the altar of the chair, with a deacon bearing the lit Easter candle. During the procesTHE GALILEE OF PERIPHERIES sion in the darkened church, the flame of the candle was Going to Galilee also means going to the peripheries. first passed on to the Pope and then gradually to the concelGalilee, an outpost farthest from the ritual purity of ebrants and the limited number of faithful. After the Pope Jerusalem, was where Jesus began His mission. There, He walked up the main aisle, the basilica’s lights were brought His message to “those struggling to live from day switched on. to day, the excluded, the vulnerable and the poor.”

Ushering in the 9th Easter of his pontificate, the 84It is in the peripheries that God tirelessly seeks out those year-old pontiff in his homily reflected on what it means to who are discouraged or lost. He goes to the “very periphgo to Galilee. First of all, it means to begin anew. Galilee eries of existence, since in His eyes no one is least, no one was the place of the first encounter of the disciples with the is excluded.” Thus, the Risen Lord is asking His disciples Lord, their first love. It was here that they listened to Him to go to the settings of daily life, the streets we travel every preach and perform miracles. It was also where they misday, the corners of our cities. “There the Lord goes ahead understood His words and in the face of the cross abanof us and makes Himself present in the lives of those doned Him and fled. around us, those who share in our day, our home, our work, In spite of everything, the Lord invites them to start over our difficulties, and hopes.” The Pope said, “We will be from where they began. “In this Galilee,” the Pope said, amazed how the greatness of God is revealed in littleness, “we learn to be amazed by the Lord’s infinite love, which how His beauty shines forth in the poor and simple.” opens new trails along the path of our defeats.”

The third Easter message, therefore, is that the Risen Hence, he said, the first Easter message of returning to Lord, loves us without limits and is there at every moment Galilee is that it is always possible to begin anew despite of our lives. “He invites us to overcome barriers, banish all our failures. “From the rubble of our hearts,” the Pope prejudices and draw near to those around us every day in said, “God can create a work of art; from the ruined remorder to rediscover the grace of everyday life.” “Let us recnants of our humanity, God can prepare a new history.” “In ognize Him here in our Galilees, in everyday life,” the Pope these dark months of the pandemic,” the Pope urged all to urged. “Beyond all defeats, evil and violence, beyond all “listen to the Risen Lord as He invites us to begin anew and suffering and death,” the Pope said, “the Risen One lives never lose hope.” and guides history.”m

n BY ROBIN GOMES

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22 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

Celebrating the ninth

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 3, 2021 (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

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“let us go to galilee, where the risen lord has gone ahead oF us” Faith, said PoPe Francis in his easter Vigil homily on aPril 3, “is not an album oF Past memories; Jesus is not outdated. he is aliVe here and now. he walks beside you each day, in eVery situation you are exPeriencing, in eVery trial you haVe to endure” n BY POPE FRANCIS

T

he women thought they would find a body to anoint; instead they found an empty tomb. They went to mourn the dead; instead they heard a proclamation of life.

For this reason, the Gospel tells us, the women “were seized with trembling and amazement” (Mk 16:8).

Full of fear, trembling, and full of amazement.

A fear mingled with joy that took their hearts by surprise when they saw the great stone before the tomb rolled away and inside a young man in a white robe.

Wonder at hearing the words: “Do not be afraid! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen.”

And a message: “He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.”

May we too accept this message, the message of Easter.

Let us go to Galilee, where the Risen Lord has gone ahead of us.

Yet what does it mean “to go to Galilee?”

To go to Galilee means, first, to begin anew.

For the disciples it meant going back to the place where the Lord first sought them out and called them to follow him.

The place of their first encounter and the place of their first love.

From that moment on, leaving their nets behind, they followed Jesus, listening to his preaching and witnessing the miracles he performed.

Yet, though they were always with him, they did not fully understand him. Frequently they misunderstood his words and in the face of the cross they abandoned him and fled.

Even so, the Risen Lord once more appears as the one who goes ahead of them to Galilee. He precedes them.

He stands before them and constantly calls them to follow him. He says to them: “Let us start over from where we began. Let us begin anew. I want you to be with me again, in spite of everything.”

In this Galilee, we learn to be amazed by the Lord’s infinite love, which opens new trails along the path of our 24 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

defeats. He is like this, and he invites us to Galilee to be like this.

This is the first Easter message that I would offer you: it is always possible to begin anew, because there is always a new life that God can awaken in us in spite of all our failures. Even from the rubble of our hearts — each of us knows, knows the rubble of his own heart.

From the rubble of our hearts, God can create a work of art; from the ruined remnants of our humanity, God can prepare a new history.

He never ceases to go ahead of us: in the cross of suffering, desolation and death, and in the glory of a life that rises again, a history that changes, a hope that is reborn.

In these dark months of the pandemic, let us listen to the Risen Lord as he invites us to begin anew and never lose hope.

Going to Galilee also means setting out on new paths.

It means walking away from the tomb. The women were looking for Jesus in the tomb; they went to recall what they had experienced with him, which was now gone forever. They went to indulge in their grief.

There is a kind of faith that can become the memory of something once beautiful, now simply to be recalled.

Many people — we too — experience such a “faith of memories,” as if Jesus were someone from the past, an old friend from their youth who is now far distant, an event that took place long ago, when they attended catechism as a child. A faith made up of habits, things from the past, lovely childhood memories, but no longer a faith that moves me or challenges me.

alive here and now. He walks beside you each day, in every situation you are experiencing, in every trial you have to endure, in your deepest hopes and dreams.

He opens new doors when you least expect it, he urges you not to indulge in nostalgia for the past or cynicism about the present. Even if you feel that all is lost, please let yourself be open to amazement at the newness Jesus brings: he will surely surprise you.

Going to Galilee also means going to the peripheries.

Galilee was an outpost: the people living in that diverse and disparate region were those farthest from the ritual purity of Jerusalem. Yet that is where Jesus began his mission. There he brought his message to those struggling to live from day to day, proclaiming this message to the excluded, the vulnerable and the poor. There he brought the face and presence of God, who tirelessly seeks out those who are discouraged or lost, who goes to the very peripheries of existence, since in his eyes no one is least, no one is excluded.

The Risen Lord is asking his disciples to go there even today. He asks us to go to Galilee, to this “real Galilee”. It is the settings of daily life, the streets we travel every day, the corners of our cities. There the Lord goes ahead of us and makes himself present in the lives of those around us, those who share in our day, our home, our work, our difficulties and hopes.

In Galilee we learn that we can find the Risen One in the faces of our brothers and sisters, in the enthusiasm of those who dream and the resignation of those who are discouraged, in the smiles of those who rejoice and the tears of those who suffer, and above all in the poor and those on the fringes. We will be amazed how the greatness of God is revealed in littleness, how his beauty shines forth in the poor and simple.

And this is the third message of Easter: Jesus, the Risen Lord, loves us without limits Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 3, 2021 and is there at every moment of our lives. Hav(CNS photo/Vatican Media) ing made himself present in the heart of our world, he invites us to overcome barriers, banGoing to Galilee, on the other hand, means realizing ish prejudices and draw near to those around us every day that faith, if it is to be alive, must get back on the road. It in order to rediscover the grace of everyday life. must daily renew the first steps of the journey, the amazeLet us recognize him here present in our Galilees, in ment of the first encounter. And it must continue to trust, everyday life. With him, life will change. For beyond all not thinking it already knows everything, but embracing defeats, evil and violence, beyond all suffering and death, the humility of those who let themselves be surprised by the Risen One lives and the Risen One guides history.

God’s ways.

Sister, brother, if on this night you are experiencing an We are afraid of God’s surprises; we are often afraid hour of darkness, a day that has not yet dawned, a light that God will surprise us. And today the Lord invites us to dimmed or a dream shattered, go open your heart with let ourselves be surprised. amazement to the message of Easter: “Do not be afraid, he Let us go to Galilee, then, to discover that God cannot has risen! He awaits you in Galilee.” be filed away among our childhood memories, but is alive Your expectations will not remain unfulfilled, your and filled with surprises. Risen from the dead, Jesus never tears will be dried, your fears will be replaced by hope. ceases to amaze us.

For the Lord always goes ahead of you, he always walks This, then, is the second message of Easter: faith is not before you. an album of past memories; Jesus is not outdated. He is And, with him, life always begins anew.m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN 25

ESSAY EASTER 2021

PoPE FRAnciS cElEBRATES MASS on EASTER SundAY PoPE FRAnciS PRESidES ovER MASS on EASTER SundAY MoRning in ST. PETER’S BASilicA AT ThE AlTAR oF ThE chAiR, And ThAnkS All ThoSE who woRkEd hARd To MAkE ThE TRiduuM cElEBRATionS So BEAuTiFul

n BY DEVIN WATKINS

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ope Francis celebrated Mass on Easter Sunday morning at the Vatican Basilica with a small number of the faithful present.

Yet the Pope was joined by countless Catholics around the world via digital media across various social media platforms.

At one point, nearly 9,000 people were simultaneously celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection with the Pope on Vatican News’ English-language Facebook page alone.

Over 170 broadcast networks and media outlets picked up the Easter broadcasts, which has seen much wider coverage in recent years due to live-streaming.

The Vatican this year also added a service in sign language, thanks to the “No One Left Out” project launched by the Dicastery for Communication to reach Catholics everywhere.

26 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

POPE FRANCIS KISSES THE BOOK OF THE GOSPELS On this holiest of Christian feasts, Pope Francis chose not to multiply words but to reflect in silence on the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead.

In place of a homily, he led the faithful in silent prayer following the proclamation of the Gospel of John (20:19), which was chanted in both Latin and Greek.

POPE FRANCIS RECITES EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Pope recited the First Eucharistic Prayer, known as the Roman Canon.

It is the oldest Eucharistic Prayer used in the Latin rite, and its current form dates from at least the 7th century under Pope St. Gregory the Great.

Catholics will recognize it by its extensive list of Saints, Apostles, and Martyrs.

Pope Francis uses incense as he venerates an icon of the risen Jesus during Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 4, 2021 (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)

FLOWERS WERE DONATED BY DUTCH FLORISTS The Easter floral arrangements which adorned St. Peter’s Basilica for the Easter Mass were donated by florists from Holland.

This marks the 35th year in which they have done so, though the tradition paused last year due to the pandemic.

The Dutch florists’ compositions featured Avalanche roses for the Altar of the Chair in the Basilica.

The florists also expressed their closeness with those suffering from the pandemic by donating some of these roses to residences for the elderly in Rome.

CARDINAL MAURO GAMBETTI, NEW ARCHPRIEST OF ST. PETER’S At the end of Mass, Pope Francis welcomed Cardinal Mauro Gambetti as the new Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter.

“I wish you the best in your service at this church which is so important for all Christians,” he said.

Cardinal Gambetti has the task of announcing the granting of the Pope’s plenary indulgence ahead of his traditional Easter “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.

Pope Francis also thanked Cardinal Angelo Comastri for his dedication and 16 years of service in that role. “Thank you, Cardinal Comastri,” he said. “Thank you for your pastoral care, your spirituality, your preaching, and your mercy.”

The Pope also expressed appreciation for those who had worked so hard to prepare the liturgical celebrations of the Pascal Triduum.

“I want to thank all those who work here in St. Peter’s: the choir, ministers, lectors, deacons,” he said.

“To all of you, thank you so much!”m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN 27

INTERVIEW

“god’s grACe works in wAys Unknown to Us” An interview with nigeriAn CArdinAl FrAnCis Arinze, 88, Former PreFeCt oF the CongregAtion For divine worshiP And the disCiPline oF the sACrAments n BY BARBARA MIDDLETON FOR INSIDE THE VATICAN Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, 88. He has lived and worked in Rome for decades (Photos: CNS)

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ardinal Francis Arinze, who was born in 1932 in Eziowelle, Nigeria, and went on to become a priest, bishop and cardinal (elevated by Pope John Paul II) of the Church, became the Prefect Emeritus of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2008, after serving there for six years. Prior to that, he was the President of the Secretariat for Non-Christians (now the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog) from 1985 to 2002. He was Presidentdelegate of the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist in 2005, and Pope Benedict asked him to preach the Lenten exercises for the Roman Curia in 2009.

****** Inside the Vatican: What led you to think about the holy priesthood?

How old were you when you began to think about a vocation?

CARDINAL FRANCIS ARINZE: That a young man begins to think of going to the seminary to become a priest is really a work of God’s grace. It is God’s grace which begins, continues the desire and allied works of preparation, and finally brings the whole venture to a happy conclusion. Nevertheless, God’s Providence wants the cooperation of the human being.

To answer directly to your first question, I can say that God’s grace led me to think of becoming a priest. I was 14 years old when I entered the junior seminary in January 1947. But I began to think about becoming a priest much earlier, especially increasingly from the years 1942 to 1946 when, as a pri28

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mary school child, I attended Saint Bernard Abbey, Leicester, Mass every week, saw a priest, England, 1950 to 1964, I visited learned Catholic doctrine and him in 1959 and December 1963. began to receive the sacraments.

During my years as a seminarian in Were there priests that you theology in Rome, 1955 to 1960, I met as a young person that wrote to him sometimes and he influenced you? responded. He was my number one ARINZE: Definitely, there were spiritual father. I attended his burial priests that I met that influenced Mass in the monastery in January me in the desire to become a priest 1964 because in that year I was in ways that God knows best, doing a one-year course in London. without necessarily any express You can see that he had a strong proposal from them. Prominent impact on my priestly vocation.

“ThaT a young man among them was Father Michael Where is the sainthood cause Iwene Tansi of Aguleri in Onitsha today of Blessed Tansi? begins To Think Archdiocese. He was ordained priest ARINZE: This much I can say on the of going To The in 1937. After two years as assistant Canonization of Father Tansi. Father priest to Father John Cross Anyogu Michael Iwene Tansi had a reputation seminary is really (who later in 1957 became Auxiliary as a holy priest even before he left Nigea work of god’s Bishop of Onitsha and in 1962 Bishop ria in 1950 to become a monk in Engof Enugu) in Nnewi, Father Tansi was land, where he died on January 20, grace” appointed as the first parish priest of 1964. Ten years after his death, as ArchDunukofia in January 1940. He is the bishop of Onitsha, I organized a sympofirst priest that I ever knew. The other sium in his honor at Onitsha to gather priest who played a major role in my entering the junior information about him from people who had known him seminary in 1947 was Father Mark Unegbu who was before most of such people would die themselves. Later I parish priest in Dunukofia in 1946 and 1947. I was one of went to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints in the Mass servers to both priests. In Divine Providence, it the Vatican and said to the Prefect, Cardinal Bafile: “I is interesting that as Archbishop of Onitsha, I was the chief have a saint in heaven. Please canonize him.” The Cardibishop that ordained Father Mark Unegbu to the Bishopric nal laughed and told me that they do not canonize like that. at Emekuku as Bishop of Owerri 23 years later in 1970.

On his advice, I wrote the Bishop of Nottingham, in EngOther priests in Nigeria who influenced me in my journey land, whose diocese had the prior right to conduct the towards the priesthood were all Irish Holy Ghost Fathers: Beatification and Canonization Causes (because the canFathers William Brolly, Peter Regan, James Breen, didate died in that diocese) and requested him to James O’Neil and Michael Smith. waive his right so that Onitsha Archdiocese I understand that Blessed Iwene Tansi bapcould conduct the processes. He responded tized you. Did that have an impact on your and waived his right. vocation?

I was already transferred to Rome when my ARINZE: Not only did Father successor as Archbishop of Onitsha, ArchMichael Tansi baptize me on Novbishop Stephen Ezeanya, got the mortal ember 1, 1941, but my first confesremains of Father Tansi OCSO exhumed in sion was in his hands, as was my Mount St. Bernard Abbey and First Communion. He prepared me brought to Onitsha in 1986. Archfor Confirmation in 1943. He was bishop Ezeanya set up the Beatificamy parish priest at Dunukofia from tion Cause tribunal in Onitsha. The 1940 to 1945. I was one of the boys tribunal worked very well and after in his Standard Five and Standard Six some years, all the canonical steps Boys’ Boarding House at Dunukofia were carried out in Onitsha and in the in 1945. When he was transferred Vatican, and Father Tansi was In the circle, Cardinal to Akpu Parish in 1945 and later declared by the Holy Father to have Arinze’s “mentor,” Nigerian to Aguleri in 1949, I, as a junior Father Michael Iwene Tansi, practiced the virtues to an heroic who was declared Blessed seminarian, visited him during degree. Later the reported healing of in 1988 by Pope John Paul II. Also, two among our holidays in 1948 and 1949. an Aguleri woman from cancer after she touched the cofArinze’s many books When he was a monk in Mount fin containing the bones of the holy man was approved by MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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INTERVIEW CaRdINal FRaNCIs aRINzE the Pope as a miracle in 1997, again after the long canonthe familiar name for Mass servers in Italian is chierichetical process had gone through the required stages in Onitti, which means “little clerics.” sha and in the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints Tell us about your journey and your early years in in the Vatican. the holy priesthood.

To cut a long story short, Pope John Paul II (himself ARINZE: I was a junior seminarian from 1947 to 1950. later canonized in 2018) flew to Nigeria and beatified In 1951 and 1952 I was teaching in the Junior Seminary, Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, OCSO, at Oba, near now known as All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha. PhilosoOnitsha, on 22 March, 1998. phy course in Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu 1963The next step is to get another miracle approved so that 1955 and theology in Urban University, Rome, 1955he can be canonized. The situation this month of February 1960, while living in the international seminary called 2021 is that in October 2020 the Onitsha Archdiocesan Collegio Urbano di Propaganda Fide. I was ordained Tribunal transmitted to the Congregation for the Causes of priest on 23 November, 1958 by Cardinal Gregorio Agathe Saints its positive approval of the healing from cancer gianian in the chapel of that Collegio. As a student priest of an Eziowelle woman, Mrs. in Europe, I was in London for docAnaduaka, after she had touched toral research in libraries in sumthe remains of Blessed Tansi in mer 1959 and in two parishes in Onitsha Basilica. The document is Germany to visit priest friends in now going through the processes 1959 and 1960. I participated in the in the Congregation. If the outInternational Eucharistic Congress come is positive and the Holy held in Munich, Germany in sumFather approves, then the road will mer 1960. With doctoral studies be open for the Pope to fix a day for completed in December 1960, I the canonization of Blessed Cyprireturned to Nigeria the same month an Michael Iwene Tansi, OCSO. by the boat General Mangin, from What schools did you attend?

Marseilles to Lagos.

Did they impact your vocation?

My first assignment back in How did serving as an altar boy Nigeria was to teach Liturgy and parts influence your vocation? of Philosophy in Bigard Memorial “John Paul II was wellARINZE: I attended the following Seminary, Enugu, from January 1961 to August 1962. Then I was made Eduschools: Saint Edward’s Catholic Informed, full of courage cation Secretary for Enugu Diocese School, Eziowelle, 1939-1942; Saint and faIth and trust In from September 1962. It was during Anthony’s Catholic School, DunudIvIne ProvIdence” that assignment that my Bishop, Bishkofia, 1943-1946; All Hallows Semiop John Cross Anyogu, sent me to nary, Nnewi and Enugu, 1947-1950; England to do a year of Postgraduate Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu Studies in Education in the Institute of (for philosophy), Jan 1953-Aug 1955; Education in London.

Pontifical Urban University, Rome (for Back in Nigeria in August 1964, I continued my work theology), Oct 1955-Dec 1960; Institute of Education, as Education Secretary until July 1965 when I was named London, Sept 1963-June 1964. Of course these schools Coadjutor Bishop of Onitsha. In those years as professor impacted my vocation to the sacred priesthood in different in Bigard Memorial Seminary or as Education Secretary, ways.

I did what was possible to help parish priests at confesServing as an altar boy influenced my priestly vocation sions and Sunday Mass and to conduct spiritual retreats very much. When boys of primary school age undergo the for groups. discipline of serving a priest at the altar, and if the priest What led you to Rome? is a holy man, God’s grace works in ways unknown to us.

ARINZE: I was sent to Rome two times: as a seminarian Most of the boys in Onitsha Archdiocese who opt to enter the junior seminary are former altar boys. If no altar boy in 1955-1960 and as a Bishop from 1984. My coming to from a parish ever desires to enter the seminary, then the Rome as President of the Pontifical Council for Interrelipriests in that parish will have to examine their congious Dialogue in 1984 was a decision of Pope John Paul sciences, their faith, their way of celebrating Mass and II. Later I understood that the Holy Father had had that their example of a prayer life. Here the question can be intention from his visit to Nigeria in 1982. He did not raised, whether it is not a psychological mistake to get oblige me to come to Rome. Indeed he gave me the choice, girls around the altar, since girls cannot become seminareither to remain in Nigeria as Archbishop of Onitsha or to ians and cannot be ordained priests. It is interesting that come to Rome to work in some office of the Roman Curia 30

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in 1984. I refused to choose. I left him to decide and tell some of the more important works done by that Congreme the will of God for me and assured him that I would be gation between 2002 and 2008 can be listed as follows: happy doing God’s will. The Pope decided and I started a) Sustained effort to convince priests to celebrate Holy work in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Mass according to approved rites and to avoid adding or which at that time was called the Secretariat for Nonsubtracting personal wishes; Christians, in September 1984. It was a major change for b) Publication of the Instruction Redemptionis Sacrame and for the people of Onitsha Archdiocese. mentun in 2004 on proper celebration of the Holy Tell us about your relationship with St. John Paul II Eucharist; and Pope Emeritus Benedict. What were their greatest c) Encouragement of Diocesan Bishops in their role as impacts in the Church?

Directors of the sacred liturgy; ARINZE: During the pontificate of Pope John Paul II I d) Conferences on the sacred liturgy and its proper celwas President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious ebration; Dialogue from 1984 to 2002 and Prefect of the Congregae) Insistence on the proper translation of liturgical tion for Divine Worship and the texts; Discipline of the Sacraments from f) Preparation of the book, Com2002 till his death. It was an honor pendium Eucharisticum; and a joy to work under his overall g) Suggestions for the celebradirection. He invited the President tion of The Year of the Eucharist (or Prefect) of each Council or 2004-2005.

Congregation, together with the What are the most challenging Bishop Secretary and the (usually) issues facing the Church today?

Monsignor Undersecretary to a ARINZE: Some of the most chalworking lunch three or four times lenging issues facing the Church a year. These were heart to heart today are the following; discussions that helped the staff of a) Convince each member of the these offices to work in harmony Church to do his or her own specific with the Pope. John Paul II was wellpart in the general mission of the “PoPe Benedict did much informed, full of courage and faith and Church, that is, lay faithful (who are to Persuade the LefeBvre trust in Divine Providence.

99% of the Church), clerics and reliPope Benedict XVI is a well-known gious; grouP to come Back theologian and teacher. Under his ponb) Convince priests of the importo fuLL communion tificate, I appreciated very much those tance of the lay apostolate and therein the church, But work audiences when he would go fore that the lay faithful have their own over with me and sometimes the Secdistinctive role as leaders, according to the grouP did not retary the details of work on the topics Vatican II Lumen Gentium and AposreciProcate” that our Congregation earlier submittolicam Actuositatem; ted to him for his directives and decic) Form and encourage holy priests; sions. Pope Benedict did much to persuade the Lefebvre d) Build up Christian families. Defend marriage and group to come back to full communion in the Church, but the family in the media and in civil law; the group did not reciprocate as much as one would have e) Promote more attention to Holy Scripture, to spirituwished. al retreats and to the spread of Catholic literature; Saint Pope John Paul II will be remembered especially f) Promote youth apostolate with well-prepared leadfor his worldwide vision, his evangelizing energy, his allers. round teaching clarity and his encouragement of young What is the most important message you would like people, families, cultural groups, workers and people under to convey to the young people of today? persecution. His contribution to the collapse of CommuARINZE: I would like to convince young people of nism in West Central Europe is remarkable. Pope Benedict today of the key place of religion in human life. will be credited by history as a great teacher and a humble Young people have to be helped to face major life quesPope who knew when to hand over [his post] to another. tions such as: what is life on earth for? Is God calling you What was some of your most critical work as the to marriage, or to the sacred priesthood, or to the consePrefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and crated life? What contribution are you personally making Discipline of Sacraments? to society? What is the road to true and lasting happiness?

ARINZE: When I was Prefect of the Congregation for Who are your heroes in life? Who is Jesus Christ for you?m Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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COMMENTARY

the Decline of the chuRch in geRmany Reaction against congRegation of the DoctRine of faith symptomatic of a laRgeR pRoblem n BY JAN BENTZ Two young women at a demonstration in front of the Brandeburg Gate in Berlin.

Below, the leader of the German bishops, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg.

Opposite, women who aspire to become priests meet German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, 67, a key leader of the German Bishops’ Conference Below, German Lutherans. There is much interest in Germany in “closer relations” between Catholics and Lutherans

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fter months of internal tug-of-war among bishops and lay activists concerning the so-called “Synodal Path” in Germany, the fuse burned out and detonated vociferously with a March 15 document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The whole house of cards built by the progressive line of the German bishops collapsed in crashing thunder. Months of preparation and “dialogue” turned out to be a waste of time.

The “Synodal Path” checks almost all “progressive” boxes: the democratization of the Church, more laity carrying out priestly tasks, intercommunion with Lutherans, blessings of sinful ways of life, and finally the “blessing of homosexual unions.” Although the Church in Germany — or should we really begin saying the German Church? — has experienced little headwind from the Vatican recently; this time gale-force winds blew them off their feet. To the question (a “dubium”), “Does the Church have the power to give the blessing to unions of persons of the same sex?” on March 15 the Congregation soberly and succinctly replied, “Negative.”

What followed — and still continues — is a reaction of micro-apocalyptic proportions, predictably inflated by the media, within the entire institutionalized Church and lay activist groups, always eager to gain public goodwill, are rising up against Rome and the Vatican.

In his own words, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg “expressly” shared his lack of understanding regarding the 32

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Vatican’s “No” to the blessing of homosexual couples. The Congregation’s answer reflected the “well-known” state of Church doctrine, but would “not be able to count on a broad acceptance and a corresponding compliance,” Bätzing said in an interview.

“A document that in its argumentation so blatantly closes itself off to a progress in knowledge of a theological and human-scientific nature will lead to pastoral practice ignoring it,” the head of the German Bishops’ Conference added.

Bätzing was joined by thousands of lay Germans, not only “simple faithful” (those who only read about the progressive agendas of their pastors in the newspaper days later), but also university professors and “scholars.”

In a letter published on March 15, they explained: “The ‘Explanatory Note’ to the Responsum and the ‘Commentary’ published at the same time lack theological depth and hermeneutical understanding as well as argumentative stringency. If scientific findings are ignored and not received, as is the case in the document, the Magisterium undermines its own authority.”

Through these words and statements, the wound that the German Church is to the universal Church is fully exposed and oozes its poisonous pus into the body of the faithful Church.

Since the rejection of Humanae Vitae in 1968 with the Königsteiner Erklärung, the Church in Germany has not only strayed further upon the wrong track, but has veered

into a direct collision course with the Vatican. The “antiRoman effect” sublimated in the mindset of German Catholicism since Luther has broken repeatedly to the surface, ever more often. The recent declaration was a prime example of how the Catholic Church in Germany “ticks.”

Nothing new for German Catholics. Those who believe in the Roman Catholic faith and want to follow the Creed have grown accustomed to the fact that they cannot follow their local bishop, let alone the bishops’ conference, when it comes to orientation in the Roman Catholic faith.

This group of faithful and scolded Catholics nonetheless did receive encouragement from some not insignificant voices. Prof. Stefan Mückl, a canon and secular lawyer in Rome, commented on the canonical character of a “blessing” in Die Tagespost: “Although the text argues primarily anthropologically and theologically (sacramentally), the underlying question also involves aspects of canon law...

Blessings, especially in the context of (public) liturgy, are sacramentals. ... ‘Sacramentals are sacred signs by which, in some imitation of the sacraments, effects, especially spiritual, are signified and obtained by virtue of the intercession of the Church.’ (Constitution Sacrosanctum concilium, no. 60; can. 1166). If one adds the immediately following statement of the Constitution (though not incorporated into the Code) — ‘By these signs men are prepared to receive the proper effects of the sacraments’ — it becomes clear that there is an inner connection between sacraments and sacramentals.”

Mückl’s argument is that a sacrament can never seal a sin. Blessing any unnatural “union” is not something that is in the power (potestas) of the Church. Mückl also recalled that liturgical acts, such as blessings, are not of a private nature according to the provisions of Catholic canon law, but are “celebrations of the Church itself.” Only the Apostolic See can introduce new acts of blessing, interpret existing ones, and abolish or modify them in a binding manner. “All other ecclesiastical authorities — bishops’ conferences, individual dioceses, or even individual priests — are not competent in this regard.”

German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller emphasized the point even more in a commentary on kath.net, where he denounced the modern onslaught and deconstruction of the family and marriage in a larger societal context: “Human nature, creation as man and woman, is to be deconstructed first, thus destroyed, in order to be constructed and defined thereafter completely arbitrarily by whomever. What a devilish game is played here with man. A game

that is diametrically opposed to the principle ‘The dignity of man is inviolable’ from an anthropological and Christian point of view. In reality, the identity of man lies first in his person as man or woman, in his language, his culture, his conscience, etc. — but not in the erotic attraction to himself, to another person, a fetish as a means of sexual self-pleasure.”

The bitter aftertaste of the vehement resistance and rebellious frame of mind in the German Church stems from the fact that the progressive agenda of many German bishops and lay groups is based on one thing and one thing alone: the proclamation of change in the Magisterium.

The mantra and invocation of “change” is repeated time and time again in the name of “pastoral care,” “closeness to the faithful,” and the “accommodation of (social) scientific progress.”

At its core this is a theatrical art of illusion that always culminates in a betrayal of the faith.

Every ostensible “change” or “adaptation” — surrender to the Zeitgeist — however small, on the part of the Pope or Rome, is touted as “progress,” completely ignoring Church Tradition and doctrine as the interpretive framework. Thus, the “possibility” of change in Church doctrine is sold to “gullible” progressive Catholics.

Then, when the Church insists on a tenet of faith that is under fire in the public social sphere (as the Congregation has done with this response), the act is interpreted as “reactionary” and “backward-looking,” reactions faithful to the principle of the promise of a progressive Church that aligns its teaching with “political correctness.” And with each wave, antipathy to Rome grows stronger. With a long list of supporters of public disobedience to the formal Magisterium, we now have in hand a roster of high-ranking individuals, all of whom (apparently) do not think and act in line with or according to the sensus ecclesiae. It remains to be seen whether Rome will address this public disobedience.

The true victims of all this are the Catholics faithful to Rome and the numerous good and faithful priests and bishops who try to teach Catholic doctrine unabridged and undiluted in the harsh context of the modern world. The most basic teachings are no longer known by the faithful, and there is real work to be done to proclaim the Good News for the edification of listening hearts. Politically calculated genuflections to political correctness do not remedy the situation, but only increase confusion and division.m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

33

INTERVIEW

was the shroud’s First-ceNtury origiN really debuNked?

New exposé reveals carboN datiNg labs’ — aNd church’s — errors aNd coNtradictioNs n BY JIM BERTRAND Pope Francis prays before the actual Shroud of Turin during a showing in Turin in 2015

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ongtime Shroud of Turin researcher Joseph Marino has just released his latest book in which he has compiled the most comprehensive collection of data on the 1988 Carbon-14 dating test conducted on the mysterious linen which many believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Released last November, The 1988 C-14 Dating of the Shroud of Turin: A Stunning Exposé includes data from many rare documents and correspondences.

One of the most important sources was the archive of the late Professor Luigi Gonella, who was the scientific adviser to the late Anastasio Ballestrero, the Cardinal of Turin.

The 800-page book reveals numerous questionable actions, errors and contradictions by both the Catholic Church and the C-14 labs before, during and after the taking of the sample on April 21, 1988. The contradictions included multiple versions of the sizes and weights of the chosen samples.

Marino, a former Benedictine monk who has studied the Shroud for 43 years, is the author of Wrapped Up in the Shroud: Chronicle of a Passion, originally published by

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Cradle Press in 2011 and revised and updated in 2020. He has written and lectured extensively on the Shroud since 1980.

It is well known that the Shroud has undergone several repairs throughout history, including after a fire in 1532.

The Shroud was owned in the 1500s by Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy, whose weavers were experts in the technique known as “French invisible reweaving.”

In 1978, a team of elite American scientists, who worked primarily in U.S. nuclear and space programs, collaborated to form the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP). For five consecutive 24-hour days, they used the latest technology to study the front and back images of a crucified man, who exhibited the same wounds as described in the New Testament Gospels.

The STURP team concluded that the images were not the product of an artist. However, just how the mysterious images were imprinted on the fabric remained unsolved.

In 1988, the Shroud was dated using C-14 by three wellknown labs at the University of Oxford, the University of Arizona, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in

Top, the negative of a photo of the Shroud. It reveals in the clearest way the image left on the cloth, which is visible but less so in a positive photograph.

Below, in the circle, Joseph Marino (interviewed here), and the cover of his new book on the various errors made in attempting to date the Shroud

Zurich. Scientists reported in the journal Nature in February 1989 that their combined results dated the cloth to AD 1260-1390 with a supposed confidence level of 95 percent. The results convinced many people around the world that the Shroud was nothing more than an elaborate medieval forgery.

Marino felt pressed to further investigate. He had already studied the Shroud extensively for 11 years and was familiar with scientific and historical evidence which contradicted the C-14 result.

Working alongside his late wife Sue Benford, he found anomalies in the weave pattern in the sample which had been dated. Further research into these anomalies led to the publication of their hypothesis that suggested the C-14 labs had mistakenly carbondated a repaired portion of the Shroud that mixed in newer fibers with old, therefore skewing the results of the carbon date.

The late STURP chemist Raymond Rogers, who first called Marino and Benford part of the “lunatic fringe,” analyzed their hypothesis, and to his surprise, admitted they were probably right. After being given an actual leftover sample from the 1988 dating, he confirmed the hypothesis. In 2005, he authored a paper in the peer-reviewed

scientific journal Thermochimica Acta. He concluded that the C-14 sample was not representative of the main cloth, thus invalidating the results.

The raw data from the three labs, which the labs, against all norms, refused to release immediately, were finally obtained through a Freedom of Information request in 2017. Careful analysis of that data supports the notion that the Shroud sample dated in 1988 was a combination of 1st-and 16th-century cloth.

Marino has continued to study the Shroud for the 32 years since the C-14 test. Like Chris Parker writes in his novel, Monk, Marino believes that if the Shroud is genuine, it “is quite simply the most important and valuable object on the planet,” since “it is as close as we could ever come to proving that the death and resurrection of Jesus are historical facts.”

Marino says his book points to irrefutable proof that politics — along with personal agendas — was the main theme of the C-14 dating of the Shroud.

“We can continue to hope that the Catholic Church will in the near future allow some new testing,” Marino said, “so that we can learn all we can about this enigmatic cloth and the person who was wrapped in it.”m

auThor ciTes “appalling lack of scienTific rigor” “There is a very good chance ThaT This cloTh acTually wrapped The body of Jesus”

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uthor Joseph Marino was recently interviewed by Inside the Vatican special correspondent Jim Bertrand, a retired science teacher and expert on the Shroud of Turin in his own right, who has lectured on the Shroud more than 200 times in the past six years.

Inside the Vatican: You have been an avid Shroud researcher for decades.

What makes this topic of the 1988 carbon dating test so significant for you?

JOSEPH MARINO: The overall accuracy of the C-14 test is generally overblown by the C-14 community and in the perceptions of the public. The C-14 test is generally utilized as a confirmatory test, used in conjunction with other data points. If the results match with other data points, it’s a strong indication that the dating assigned is correct. If it doesn’t match with other data points, it is often discarded, even if it is not known why the date was apparently inaccurate. Most people are unaware of how often MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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INTERVIEW Was ThE shRoud’s fIRsT-cENTuRy oRIgIN REally dEbuNkEd? rogue dates are produced in various datings. There was even an instance in the 1980s where an object was “there was an appallIng dated into the future! Given all the previous testing on lack of rIgor In the 1988 the Shroud that seemed to testIng... there Is a very indicate it was an ancient Jewish burial cloth, the good chance that thIs medieval dating of the cloth actually wrapped Shroud did not match most of the other data points. In the body of Jesus” most cases of this nature, the C-14 date would have been thrown out; but in this case the opposite happened Ballestrero of Turin, custodian of the Shroud, was present when the samples of the cloth to be dated were — all of the other data indi- Cardinal chosen in April of 1988. Below, E. Hall, M. Tite and R. Hedges at the British Museum on October 14, 1988 (CRC) cating authenticity was thrown out. And there’s no doubt this happened because it There were many discrepancies in some basic measureis claimed to be burial cloth of Jesus. That’s a scenario that ments, such as the size and weights of the samples. scares a lot of people, and I believe it affects scientific Can you give us a brief summary of how the Freedom objectivity. That lack of objectivity was exhibited before, of Information law was invoked to release the “raw during, and after the process, as documented in my book. data” that was lacking in the original carbon dating What are some things we know now about the carbon paper in Nature magazine back in early 1989? dating test of 1988, that we didn’t know a few years ago?

MARINO: A French researcher named Tristan CasabianMARINO: There were at least nine major groups involved ca in 2017 sued the British Museum through the British in the dating—a good example of “too many cooks spoil the Freedom of Information Act to get access to that raw data, broth.” which normally is released immediately after a scientific Much great advice by archaeologists William Meacham test. The fact that the three labs involved refused to release and Paul Maloney and blood chemist Dr. Alan Adler was the data immediately is suspicious at best. Casabianca and ignored, especially in terms of where the sample should be several Italian researchers then authored a 2019 peertaken. reviewed article in the journal Archaeometry, ironically Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) had published by Oxford, one of the three labs to have dated the approved in July 1985 the Shroud of Turin Research Project Shroud. They concluded: “A statistical analysis of the (STURP) getting two weeks, not one, to do their proposed Nature article and the raw data strongly suggests that test package of 26 tests, which included C-14. Ratzinger homogeneity is lacking in the data and that the procedure was one of the highest ranking prelates in the Vatican, yet should be reconsidered.” someone or some group was able to go over his head [and Would it be safe to say that in the scientific world, the limit the testing to one week]. carbon dating test of 1988 has been invalidated? Do you Dr. Harry Gove, co-inventor of the C-14 method used on think the general population is aware of this? the Shroud, believed STURP was a bunch of religious MARINO: It’s all somewhat of a mixed bag. Many scienzealots and was successful at getting STURP eliminated tists, researchers, and many members of the general popunot only from the C-14 test, but getting their other 25 multi-disciplinary tests In 1988, scIentIsts dated eliminated as well.

Gove was in a cabal with the cloth of the shroud Prof. Chagas of the Pontifiof turIn to the years cal Academy of Sciences “1260 to 1390,” that Is, and his right-hand man, Dr. Victor Canuto, according to not from the fIrst Cardinal Ballestrero of century, so they saId It Turin, who openly expressed concerns about could not be the burIal these three. (Was it this shroud of chrIst group that somehow managed to go over Ratzinger’s head?)

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Above left, on November 6, 2000, Cardinal Poletto inspected the special case created by an aerospace company for the conservation of the Shroud.

On Holy Saturday, April 3, 2021, in Turin’s cathedral, Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia prayed in front of the Shroud before television cameras

lation can be biased against the Shroud’s authenticity Century After Christ (2nd Edition, 2020) which uses because of philosophical or religious reasons and basically three other dating methods to date the Shroud. These all still accept the 1988 results without delving into it further. converge on the 1st century. Could these measurements I’ve offered a free PDF of my book to a few skeptics and be used in place of another carbon dating test? have not had any of them take me up on it. On the other MARINO: I have read that those methods are considered hand, when one reads Shroud articles and blogs, it seems by most mainstream scientists not to be reliable as they clear that many people are at least aware that there are valid relate to dating textiles. Perhaps over time that will change. scientific reasons for rejecting the dates.

In a best-case scenario, how would you envision this How can the general population be “brought up to information from your book being brought to light to speed” so they become aware that the 1988 carbon testthe world at large and what would be the benefits of ing was invalid? having this better known?

MARINO: People need to make sure MARINO: Anyone who reads the they’re getting accurate information book will see that there was an appalling “It’s my hope that the from reliable sources. The absolutely lack of scientific rigor in the 1988 testChurch will allow best source is http:// www.shroud.com, ing. That being the case, there’s a very additional multipublished and edited by a Jewish man good chance that this cloth actually named Barrie Schwortz, who was the wrapped the body of Jesus after his crudisciplinary testing in documenting photographer on the 1978 cifixion. Since the Church’s mission is order to better disseminate STURP team. The site contains both pro to bring people to Jesus, the Shroud and con views about the Shroud’s could be an enormous tool for that purknowledge about this authenticity and includes high-end, pose. They really have an obligation to mysterious cloth.” peer-reviewed scientific papers, as well seek out the truth about this cloth. Since as some of the more basic treatments of the book documents that the C-14 datthe Shroud both in print and on video. ing is likely invalid, it’s my hope that the Church will allow If we don’t know the “contamination cause” of the additional multi-disciplinary testing in order to better dis1988 carbon dating discrepancies between the three seminate knowledge about this mysterious cloth. I arranged labs, how could a future carbon dating test be immune to have a copy of my book sent to Pope Francis. from getting similar results?

Your book devotes some 800 pages to this topic, so we MARINO: In my opinion, if another C-14 test is done, it have barely scratched the surface. What else would you should only be done in the context of mult-disciplinary like to add here for the benefit of our readers? tests, which were supposed to have been done in 1988 but MARINO: I used 17 major sources in my book — this is the were successfully jettisoned by the C-14 contingent. The most comprehensive treatment out there of the dating project. multi-disciplinary tests would give the best chance of makI wasn’t sure I would do a second edition of the book, so I set ing a wise scientific determination about the Shroud, an up a page on my website dedicated to additions and corrections object with a myriad number of factors that possibly make for the book. It’s set up in the same format as the book, and I’ve it unsuitable for a C-14 test, which, as I said previously, already added close to 70 entries. It contains a wealth of inforshould be considered a confirmatory test and not a standmation and includes links to many interesting sources and can alone one. basically be read as a condensed, stand-alone source. The URL Dr. Gulio Fanti of Italy co-authored a book with is: http://newvistas.homestead.com/The-1988-C-14-DatingPierandrea Malfi entitled The Shroud of Turin: First of-the-Shroud-of-Turin--a-Stunning-Expos-.html. m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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SAINTS FOR OUR TIME

St. Isidore of Seville PoPe John Paul II In 1997 chose hIm to be the Patron saInt of the Internet...

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n 1997, Pope John Paul II decided that the internet could use a patron saint to guide Catholics in its proper use. He chose St. Isidore of Seville (560636), Doctor of the Church, and last of the Latin Fathers. Isidore’s 20-book opus (called Etymologia, after the subject title of one of the books), made him an easy choice. The word “etymology” was Isidore’s own coinage, originally meaning “the study of origins,” now applying only to words.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his general audience address on June 18, 2008, spoke thus of St. Isidore of Seville, who was a great friend of Pope St. Gregory the Great and younger brother of Leander, Bishop of Seville: Indeed, he owed much to Leander, an exacting, studious and austere person who created around his younger brother a family context marked by the ascetic requirements proper to a monk, and from the work pace demanded by a serious dedication to study. Furthermore, Leander was concerned to have the wherewithal to confront the political and social situation

St. Isidore as seen

by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

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of that time: in those decades, in fact, the Visigoths, barbarians and Arians, had invaded the Iberian Peninsula and taken possession of territories that belonged to the Roman Empire. It was essential to regain them for the Roman world and for Catholicism.

Benedict then went on to describe Isidore’s lifelong “inner conflict”: Isidore was without a doubt a man of accentuated dialectic antitheses. Moreover, he experienced a permanent inner conflict in his personal life, similar to that which Gregory the Great and St. Augustine had experienced earlier, between a desire for solitude to dedicate himself solely to meditation on the word of God, and the demands of charity to his brethren for whose salvation, as Bishop, he felt responsible.

Isidore, Benedict said, found in “Christ’s example the definitive confirmation of a just orientation of life and said: ‘The Savior Jesus offers us the example of active life when during the day he devoted himself to working signs and miracles in the town, but he showed the contemplative life when he withdrew to the mountain and spent the night in prayer.’”

Open letter

MorAl obligAtion to VACCinAte? A respected American Catholic doctor weighs in n BY ITV STAFF

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n January of this year, Pope Francis stated, in reference to the still-experimental Covid-19 vaccines now available, “I believe that, morally, everyone must take the vaccine.” The declaration was met with hearty approval in many quarters; others simply did not agree with Francis’ starting premises: that the vaccines will “go well” and do not pose “any special dangers.”

In fact, a growing number of researchers and doctors are expressing concern over the vaccines, for several reasons: people being told they are “safe” while left unaware of their experimental status; people not being told of adverse effects, including some deaths; and a general lack of trust, borne of experience, in pharmaceutical-governmental partnerships, some of whose data and testing practices have been exposed as misleading or even fraudulent.

One need only call to mind that this is the same corporate-scientific community that has remained silent about the surgical and pharmacological mass killing of the unborn; has approved of (sometimes abortifacient) hormonal contraceptives which impair the natural functioning of women’s bodies, often with lasting health effects; and has developed drug therapies and protocols aimed at the impossible — and horrifying — goal of “gender change.”

Below is a letter to the Pope from William G. White, M.D., a retired family physician who practiced in the Chicago area for more than 40 years. He is a past president of the Catholic Medical Association of the United States. His “open letter” to the Holy Father urges him to reconsider his statement on the moral imperative of receiving one of the vaccines.

A CAtholiC PhysiCiAn Asks, “Cui Bono?”

Your Holiness, Reports of an interview with an Italian news program indicate that you apparently believe it is morally obligatory for everyone to take the SARS-CoV2 vaccine. You are reported to have said, “I believe that morally everyone must take the vaccine. I do not understand why some say that this could be a dangerous vaccine... If the doctors are presenting this to you as a thing that will go well and doesn’t have any special dangers, why not take it?”

Your Holiness has the right, as does everyone else, to assess the risks and benefits of any proposed medical treatment, but your expertise is theological, not medical. You must be aware that you are one of the most influential people in the world, and that many people will place great credence in what you say, whether you are speaking solemnly in a carefully prepared statement on matters of faith and morals, or simply offering an ordinary layperson’s off-thecuff remarks on some current issue.

If your doctor has presented this vaccine to you “as a thing that will go well and doesn’t have any special dangers,” then you have a reckless and negligent doctor. Did he take the time to explain to you the risks and benefits of this vaccine, including the possibility of as-yet-unknown dangers?

These vaccines (there are several) were rushed into use with far less than the usual testing, using an entirely new

and unproven methodology (RNA). Even drugs that have undergone far more lengthy and rigorous testing are often later withdrawn from the market because of serious unforeseen side-effects.

Those of us who live in the world are not naive enough to believe that the pharmaceutical industry is an altruistic entity with no motive other than doing good. We have learned, when faced with massive government spending, to ask “Cui bono?” [Note: “To whom the good?” or “Who benefits?”]

It is clear that the pharmaceutical industry and many of its promoters in the medical profession are benefitting enormously from the government funding of this vaccine program. It remains to be seen whether the general public will receive more help or more harm from it.

In the meantime, it is the responsibility of each person to consider carefully the evidence or lack of evidence for the risks and benefits of this vaccine, as it is for any other medical procedure, and to give or withhold informed consent according to one’s best judgment. To say without qualification that one has a moral obligation to receive the vaccine fails to take these matters into consideration.

I hope you will consider withdrawing or modifying your remarks.

Sincerely yours in Christ, William G. White, M.D., USA INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

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YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

the FInal Battle: MarrIaGe and FaMIly In Mary’s Month — In Joseph’s year — let us “Go to Joseph and Mary” n BY MARK DROGIN Detail from Holy Family (the Doni Tondo) by Michelangelo

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pecial devotions to Mary are observed throughout the month of May; our Blessed Mother appeared on May 13, 1917, to three small children in Fatima, Portugal.

She spoke to them and promised she would return; and so she returned each month until her final appearance on October 13. In this final appearance, thousands — including many nonbelievers — witnessed and testified to the “miracle of the sun”; notably, this appearance began with St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary, holding the Baby Jesus, and together Joseph and Jesus blessed the world.

Lucia, the oldest of the three children at Fatima, later joined a convent. In the convent, Sister Lucia received special insights related to the Message of Fatima, and years later, wrote a letter to the Pope describing one particular insight.

Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, who had seen the original letter, quoted Sister Lucia’s words from the letter: “The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and family… nevertheless, Our Lady has already crushed his head.” (Radio interview with Cardinal Caffarra following Mass at the tomb of St. Padre Pio, February 16, 2008) On January 1, 2020, a new book by Father Donald Calloway, MIC, Consecration to Saint Joseph, was released, immediately sold out, and repeatedly reprinted. In his book, Fr. Calloway documents — from papal teaching over the last 150 years, and from many saints and doctors of the Church — that the Holy Spirit is making St. Joseph known today.

Together, the statement from Sister Lucia that the final battle is over marriage and family, and Father Calloway’s thorough documentation of the movement of the Holy Spirit to make Joseph known today, reveal God’s plan. I am not asking why, or trying to explain why. When Jesus warned us of the great battle against evil, He told us to “learn a lesson from the fig tree.”

(Matthew 24:32-33) I am simply observing the obvious signs we see today: one, we are in a worldwide battle over marriage and family; two, the Holy Spirit is making St. Joseph known today.

The Blessed Trinity is the original uncreated “Holy Family”: three Persons who are one and remain distinct Persons. “In the

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beginning,” God revealed His plan for human life by saying about the first man: “It is not good for humans to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” (Genesis 2:18) “Let us create human life in our image, after our likeness… So, God created human life in His image.

Male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27) God creates human life in the image of the divine unity of Persons who are one and yet remain distinct Persons.

From the beginning, male and female “are no longer two but one body” (Genesis 2:24); they are one yet remain distinct persons — with freedom to disobey their Creator.

God doesn’t “change His plan” when the Word becomes flesh. The human Holy Family of Nazareth is the image and likeness of the divine uncreated Holy Family; and the final battle is over marriage and family.

“Where two are together in my Name, I am with them,” said Jesus. (Matthew 18:20) Mary and Joseph were together in the Name of the God of Israel before the Incarnation, and Jesus became flesh in this virginal, immaculate Matrimonial Union. Jesus is with Mary and Joseph. “In the fullness of time,” Immanuel (God-with-us) enters into the Sacred Union of Mary and Joseph. God creates and redeems human life in the context of marriage and family.

The title of the final chapter in Father Calloway’s book is “Terror of Demons”; Joseph is the Terror of Demons and Mary crushes the serpent’s head. Mary and Joseph are no longer two but one in Christ: they are of one heart and one mind in doing God’s will. When Mary and Joseph are together in Jesus’ Name, He is with them and together they are more powerful than all hell together. “Our Lady [together with Joseph] has already crushed his head.”

St. Alphonsus Ligouri, a Doctor of the Church, wrote a prayer for the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I began praying this prayer before I was baptized and still pray it regularly: “O Mother of Perpetual Help, into your hands do I place my eternal salvation, to you do I entrust my soul. If you, dearest Mother, protect me, I fear nothing… not from the devils because you are more powerful than all hell together.”

Mary-with-Joseph is the Terror of Demons. In this Year of Joseph, I ask for the intercession of Mary and Joseph together:

“O Mother and father of Perpetual Help, into your hands do I place my eternal salvation, to you do I entrust my soul. If you, dearest Mother and father, protect me, I fear nothing… not from the devils because you are more powerful than all hell together.”

Two and a half millennia ago, the Holy Spirit announced, through Jeremiah the Prophet, that the New Covenant will be written in human hearts (not on tablets of stone). (Jeremiah 31:31-34; and, Hebrews 8:7-12, 10:15-17) Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His Blood and ordained Apostles to institute the common, ordinary, guaranteed manner — the Sacraments of the Church — by which the New Covenant is written in each of our hearts.

As we pray, so we believe.

When I ask for the help of Mary and Joseph together, I see that God wrote His New Covenant in their hearts, in an extraordinary and unique manner, before the Incarnation (before He instituted the guaranteed, common, ordinary manner — the Sacraments).

The first humans were created to live in marriage and family and they were no longer two but one body; then they disobeyed and acted independently, listening to the wrong voices; and they broke the covenantal union in which they were created.

“In the fullness of time,” God prepared an immaculate virgin joined in virginal matrimonial covenant union with her righteous human husband; and God “became flesh,” entering into Holy Communion with them in the New Covenant. The Psalms of David sing of Mary and Joseph,

the righteous ones who do God’s will; they bear fruit in due season. (Psalm 1) Sacred Matrimony, the union of the mother and father, is the foundation of human life: Mary and Joseph are the “good soil” that bears an abundant harvest (see Matthew 13:23). Jesus chose Apostles to offer the Sacraments, the common manner for you and me to enter into the Holy Family of Nazareth with Jesus our Brother, Mary our Mother, and Joseph our Father in Faith.

In the month of May, throughout this Year of Joseph, and continually, let us ask Mary and Joseph to help us imitate their total consecration to the God of Israel; let us consecrate ourselves to the Holy Family. The vital importance of wives and husbands acting together-as-one helps us to see Mary-andJoseph-together reversing the original “independent” disobedience of Eve and her husband, and crushing the head of the enemy.

Marriage and family are under attack as never before, and God has revealed His Victory Plan: all human society is built on the cooperation, the Covenant Union, of wives and husbands acting together to do His Will. “Where two are together in my Name, I am with them.” (Matthew 18:20) On Calvary, the veil of mercy burst open; blood and water — grace and mercy — fell on the earth. Fatima and St. Faustina announce the Flood of Mercy poured out today. “Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more” (Romans 5:20); the Holy Spirit calls us, “Go to Joseph and Mary.”

In the end, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Pure Heart of Joseph with the Sacred Heart of Jesus will triumph.m

MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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LATIN

a “BLue-CoLLar” Latinist Lessons from the ChurCh’s past eduCationaL CuLture n BY JOHN BYRON KUHNER

In this photo by John Kuhner (author of this article), Fr. Reginald Foster is teaching Latin in his classrrom in Rome in 2001. Kuhner writes: “Te amamus, dulcis magister” (“We love you, sweet teacher”). Foster passed away four months ago, at Christmas 2020. Below, Pope Leo XIII

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he past few months I have been working non-stop writing a biography of the late papal Latinist, Fr. Reginald Foster. It’s my first time writing a biography, and it’s been very intellectually exciting: when you pull on the threads that run through one person’s life, you discover an entire tapestry of gloriously interconnected human life. There is a religious awe in seeing just how much we can mean to each other, how indispensable in one man’s life are so many others.

It is also remarkable how consistent most people are.

When a person is destined to play a unique role on the world stage in later life, the signs of it are frequently found early on. This can be true even when a person’s origins do not immediately suggest his ultimate career. Reginald Foster was the son of a plumber and grandson of a plumber. His older brother barely finished his high school education and immediately went into the family plumbing business.

Reginald himself had gone on plumbing jobs from the time he was a small child, and could point out dozens of houses all over Milwaukee’s 42

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north end where he had personally put in toilets and sinks while his grandfather, father, and brother were doing the harder jobs. But by the age of 15, in 1955, this Milwaukee teenager who did not have a single collegeeducated person in his family was writing in Latin to Antonio Bacci, the Papal Secretary of Briefs to Princes — and writing well. And getting replies. Most 15-yearolds with after-school jobs putting in toilets wouldn’t even have known of the existence of a Papal Secretary of Briefs to Princes, much less be able to write to them in good Latin. How could this have happened?

To really get the answer to this question, you have to go back almost 80 years earlier, to Pope Leo XIII. When Leo assumed the tiara, the Church was under assault all over Europe: Italy had just dissolved the papal states and had officially reduced the Pope to a mere citizen of Italy (could the Pope be drafted into the Italian army?); France’s Third Republic was passing its anti-Catholic laws; Bismarck’s Kulturkampf against the Catholic Church — among many other things —

Below, Antonio Bacci, the Papal Secretary of Briefs to Princes, and leading Church Latinist of the mid-20th century. Bottom, the magazine Latinitas. On November 10, 2012, in one of his last acts as Pope before his resigantion in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI, in an Apostolic Letter issued Motu Proprio entitled Latina Lingua (“The Latin Language”) established the Pontifical Academy for Latin, which took over publication of Latinitas

required priests to get their “theology” degrees from German state universities, dissolved all Roman Catholic orders, imprisoned thousands of priests, and aimed for the Prussification of the “Polish element” in Eastern Prussia. Leo had a unique solution to this crisis: he told Catholics who opposed all these governments to stand down. He encouraged them all to be model citizens.

Leo directed all the powers of the Catholic Church to fight not for politically sympathetic governments — the long-standing diplomatic efforts of the Church had, since the Peace of Augsburg, been directed at producing Catholic sovereigns — but instead to fight for the right to educate their own and be left in peace.

In many ways, the new model for the Catholic Church in the world was that offered by the United States. In the United States in 1878, Catholics had no national political power, but they had the right to be left alone. It was all they really needed.

So began the great age of school-building in the Church.

Now it was not enough for a parish to have a church and a rectory; a church had to have a school as well, and often a convent to house the school teachers. The Church attempted not to be the dominant culture but to be a thriving counterculture. It had its own schools, its own universities, its own philosophy (Aquinas, whom Leo virtually brought back from the dead), its own art, and even its own language (Latin).

Reginald Foster might have been born to a family of plumbers, but he was born Catholic, which meant he was a part of this Catholic subculture. It was fundamentally a culture of the altar. When just six years of age he wished to be an altar boy. This meant he had to learn the calls and responses of the altar in Latin. He was educated at St. Anne’s Parochial School, by nuns, the School Sisters of Notre Dame. They did not consider Latin an important part of primary school education beyond memorization of the principal prayers. But they did believe in grammar, which was taught every year. There was a reason for this: the altar required Latin. And understanding Latin, with its different linguistic structure, required a knowledge of grammar. “The sisters were very into this grammar thing,” Foster recalled about his own education, when interviewed by Alexander Stille for his book The Future of the Past. “They taught us English grammar until it came out of our ears. We had to have it perfect. I liked that very much.” It was as precise as the rules of the altar, which he also loved.

For high school, Foster went to St. Francis Minor Seminary. The term “minor seminary” is a bit of a misnomer, because it was really Milwaukee’s diocesan high school. Only about 10 percent of its students went on to become priests. But they all received an education that could lead them to the priesthood — including Latin.

Foster had been prepared for it. “That whole training in English grammar I had had with the nuns, of analyzing things linguistically, switched over and blossomed in Latin.” It was especially easy for him because he had already been reciting Latin in his prayers for years. He had a fund of memorized words and sentences which he could draw on once he began learning the rules of the language.

The final piece for his early education came when he transferred from the diocesan Minor Seminary to the Carmelite Seminary of St. Joseph in Peterborough, New Hampshire at the age of 15.

There he encountered a passionate Latin teacher, a Carmelite by the name of Conrad Fliess.

Fliess was an avid reader of Latinitas magazine, an all-Latin magazine run out of the Vatican.

It had been begun in 1953 by Antonio Bacci.

Through Latinitas, the young Reginald Foster came to know the Vatican Latinists — Bacci, Carolus Egger, Iosephus Del Ton — and he wrote letters to several of them. Eventually he would end up spending his life there in the Vatican, as one of their colleagues.

All this came about as a result of the vision Leo XIII had for Roman Catholic education. It produced a thriving Church — though one with plenty of problems, no doubt — right up until Vatican II shifted the emphasis from creating a thriving subculture to trying to participate in the dominant culture more broadly. Catholic schools and universities then imitated their secular counterparts, and in so doing frequently lost their reason for existing: many all over the world have closed.

That includes every single school mentioned in this article — St. Anne’s Parochial School is gone, St. Francis Minor Seminary is gone, and the Carmelite Seminary of St. Joseph in Peterborough is gone. And that’s one of the reasons why it seems almost impossible for us today to imagine a plumber’s son in Milwaukee getting a firstclass education in Latin by the time he is 15 years of age.

In an age where the dominant culture does not appear particularly friendly to Catholicism, a return to an emphasis on good schools for all Catholic children is one of the wisest policies we can adopt.m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

43

SCRIPTURE

The PoeT’s ear scripture’s language itself holds meaning if we listen n BY ANTHONY ESOLEN Detail of the mosaic in the Cupola of the Creation at the Basilica of San Marco, Venice, Italy

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here is a powerful moment in that well-made fraud of a film, Inherit the Wind, when Spencer Tracy, playing a figure meant to recall Clarence Darrow in the Scopes “monkey trial,” nearly bursts a vein as he affirms the priority of science over what he calls “the pleasant poetry of Genesis.” His target, Fredric March, playing the stand-in for William Jennings Bryan, can but splutter in objection. It is taken for granted that poetry is not serious.

It surely does not provide a way to truth that surpasses that of empirical measurement and quantification.

Bryan perhaps did not understand the first chapter of Genesis as poetry, but then, neither do most of the modern translators I have seen, and not just those who have sat heavy upon the souls of readers of English — I have Bibles in Italian, French, and Portuguese that show the same insensibility. No surprise, perhaps, at a time when liturgies are slack and songs for Mass are such poor stuff. We get, then, the worst of both worlds: diffidence in what the Bible says, and deafness as to how it says it.

But if we read the first chapter of Genesis with the ear of a poet, we will find powerful and inexhaustible truths.

They are most certainly not pleasant, just as Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam is not pleasant, and Haydn’s The Creation is not pleasant; the adjective is both inadequate and misleading.

Let me give a few examples. When God speaks the light into being with a single word, and separates the light from the darkness, and the light he calls day, and the darkness he calls night, the sacred poet says there was evening and there was morning, yom echad — one day, ending with a stress on the adjective, one. The word is often translated as

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first, and it is not incorrect to do so, though by far the more common ordinal is ri’shon, literally at the head, as first in rank or first in a series. The poet thus echoes the great prayer of the children of Israel: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Dt. 6:4). Hebrew, so terse, says it in this way: Hear Israel LORD our God LORD one!

And it is precisely because the Lord is one and not two, that we are to love him with all our heart and soul and mind.

Our sense that there is something special about this first day is correct and is warranted by the poetry of it. God creates the light—not, note well, those objects the sun and moon and stars that shed light. It is as if light were closest to him, most like him, indivisible. Is it intellectual light, as many of the Church Fathers said? It may be, but it is better, I think, if we permit the poetry its vast breadth of association and suggestion.

Someone may worry that I am pushing things a bit hard, but there is more music in the Hebrew words to confirm that this one day is set apart from the days that follow. It is the first time in Scripture that God gives his approval: “And God saw that the light was good” (Gen. 1:4).

The usual translation makes it sound as if God saw a fact. The Hebrew, though, puts it a little differently: And God saw the light, that [it was] good. The final words are ki tov, and again the Hebrew worshiper would hear in the poetry what we do not. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,” cries the psalmist in his mighty hymn of praise (Ps. 118:1). Those final words in his language are no more and no other than those in Genesis: ki tov; no pronoun and no verb intrude to muffle the echo. God is good, without exception or qualification; he is the essence of goodness.

What comes first from his hand, then, is good, as it partakes of his being.

We hear it in the bold first words he speaks: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen. 1:3).

Hebrew does not have all those little operator-words that bind one thought to another; imagine instead great single blocks of meaning. In Hebrew: Yehi ’or, w’yehi ’or, with the verbs identical, though the second one, after the single consonant that serves as a conjunction, means “was.” No more powerful expression of the instantaneity of the creation is conceivable. And when we recall that the very name of God, the unutterable YHWH, is a play on this verb to be, we see again that the light partakes of his being: it is, because he who is has willed it to be.

In poetry, we pay close attention to parallels, and therefore to where the parallels are broken, especially if in the breach we find a correspondence deeper than what we had expected. There is much to say about the creation of the firmament, the seas and the dry land, the sun and moon and stars, and all the plants and animals, but suddenly, at the close of the sixth day, God does what he has not done before, but has been implied in the words whereby he creates the light. God refers to himself: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (1:26). We thus have a new parallel: God and light, God and man.

It is foolish and anachronistic to suppose that the poet is saying that man looks like God. The Hebrews were forbidden, after all, to make any image of God, so that the relationship of God to man cannot be one of similarity, as one

finite thing can be said to resemble another. Something far more profound is at play. When God blesses man, the poet uses the set of rhyming imperatives he has used in the blessing of the creatures of the sea: p’ru w’r’bu w’mil’u, as if to say fruit many full, but as verbs. Then he adds another: r’du, have dominion. So, although man is like the birds and the fish in that he chimes with their blessing, and like the beasts of the field in that he and they are created on the same day, he is raised into a higher and more comprehensive relationship: his ultimate rhyme is with God. That is shown too in the unusual and musical way in which the poet describes his creation; it is as if we were catching some verses from an ancient hymn: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (1:27).

That is the first time we hear of male and female, though male and female fish and birds and beasts there must have been. The distinction between the sexes is thus more significant for man than for the beasts, not less. Something about it is essential for our understanding of how man, plural, is like God, who is one. It should not surprise us, then, that when the poet — whoever he was who finally wove the words from of old into a single coherent whole — comes to look more closely at the earth and man dwelling in it, he should attend to the union of man and woman. But that is another article.

Committee language is for the passing day, and it makes as much impression on us as a scrap of paper on a mountain. Poetry is for the soul, and for the ages.m

THE LITURGICAL YEAR •

dom guéranger

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here is only one Roman Liturgy. Its origins date from the days of the apostles, and the seamless continuity of its development through twenty centuries was interrupted in the 1960’s by the insertion into the life of the Church of a radically different liturgy.

This novel invention was supposed to renew the life of the Church. It has not, nor can it.

Since Dom Guéranger’s 15 volume masterpiece on the Liturgical life of the church was a restorative influence in France, so too it can serve the same purpose for the church in the 21st century.

15 volumes • 7,000+ pages • Paperback: $279 • Hardcover: $549

Loreto Publications • 603-239-6671 • LoretoPubs.org • P.O. Box 603 Fitzwilliam, NH 03447 MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

45

EDUCATION

FaiThFully CaTholiC: walsh universiTy “Thinking wiTh The ChurCh” and guided by TruTh n BY DR. TIMOTHY COLLINS — PRESIDENT, WALSH UNIVERSITY, NORTH CANTON, OHIO, USA

The campus of Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, USA Below, Dr. Timothy Collins, the university’s president

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hen senior Karen Klatt stepped onto the campus of Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, she knew it was the school she wanted to attend. With the goal to pursue a degree in art history, Karen credits Walsh’s Catholic community for the support she has received during her faith journey.

“Walsh has been instrumental in my success. I love that God is honored here. I can talk to my professors about faith and what that means in this day. I know that God has a plan for my life. I’m just so grateful to be in an environment that encourages that I listen to Him,” said Klatt. “My Walsh professors helped me to uncover the path to have a successful career doing what I love. I wish everyone could have that experience. Walsh has truly helped me to pursue my dreams.”

For more than 2,600 students from 38 states and 31 countries, the search for the right college has led them to Walsh. Situated on 136 park-like acres in North Canton, Ohio, Walsh students enjoy a balance of academic, spiritual and social activities. Walsh offers small class sizes, handson experiential learning opportunities, interdisciplinary institutes, internships and global learning programs. A

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INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

Walsh education is also affordable, with 98% of students receiving financial scholarship or aid.

As an independent, Catholic university, Walsh University is mindful in creating a welcoming environment that teaches that reason and faith will lead all to the truth; relativism is wrong and there is an objective reality; each member of the community has a purpose; and their Walsh experience will empower each one to make choices guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. It is a campus focused on both education and formation.

Walsh College, the precursor to the university, was begun in 1960 at the invitation of Youngstown, Ohio Bishop Emmet Walsh by seven members of the Brothers of Christian Instruction (FIC), a teaching order founded in France after the French Revolution.

Walsh’s enduring mission is to educate students to become men and women in service to others. With service opportunities built right into the curriculum, 100% of students participate in volunteer work. Walsh’s NCAA football team was recently the #2 team in the nation for service hours. In addition, there are hundreds of faith-

THE BROTHERS OF CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION, FOUNDERS OF THE UNIVERSITY

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he Brothers of Christian Instruction (Fratrum Instructionis Christianae, or FIC), were founded in 1819 as a Catholic lay association of teachers in post-Revolutionary France by two priests, Gabriel Deshayes and Jean-Marie de la Mennais.

The Brothers’ aim remains that of their founders: “To educate the young and to make Jesus Christ better known and better loved.”

The Brothers received canonical approval by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. In 1886 the first brothers arrived in Montreal and were shortly afterwards introduced into the United States. To escape the effects of a 1901 French law curtailing certain kinds of religious schooling, the motherhouse was transferred to Taunton, England. In 1903, following through on the strict secularism of the 1901 law, the French government dissolved the brotherhood’s French presence and confiscated its properties. At the same time, they established a presence in countries in Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America. Today, there are 2,500 Brothers worldwide.

In recent years, Walsh University has implemented several initiatives to ensure that the Brothers’ mission and Catholic faith will continue to guide Walsh University. A global perspective has been a part of a Walsh education since the

based programs throughout the year, an active and present campus ministry team with Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Mass offered daily in one of two Oratories on campus.

Recognized nationally by the Cardinal Newman Society as one of only 15 recommended U.S. residential colleges, Walsh places special emphasis on the teachings of the Church Fathers throughout the curriculum. There is a strong focus on the Catholic Church’s role in the modern world, especially with regard to social justice, culture, science and ecumenism.

On November 17, 2020, Walsh formally celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, with the installation ceremony of Timothy J. Collins, Ed.D., as Walsh’s seventh president.

During his installation address, President Collins offered a bold vision for the future of authentic Catholic higher education: “We must prepare our students to meet the unique demands of their times … always reflective of our ‘thinking with the Church’ and guided by Truth.” In an outward commitment to Catholic higher education, Walsh

University’s FIC founding, with global learning programs centered on the Brothers’ presence in countries such as Haiti, Italy, and Uganda. A new partnership with fellow Cardinal Newman Society member Franciscan University of Steubenville will provide Walsh students with the opportunity to travel to Gaming, Austria. The Franciscan campus is located at a restored 14th-century Carthusian monastery in the foothills of the Austrian Alps. Walsh is also pursuing partnership options in Italy, Ireland, South Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.

In July 2020, the Brothers of Christian Instruction officially notified the University that the FIC would no longer be able to maintain a presence on campus and sponsor Walsh University, due to the Order’s dwindling number of vocations. That transition process was finalized effective February 3, 2021, when Walsh University became an independent, Catholic university operating under the approval of the local ordinary for Youngstown, Ohio. The Brothers’ intent is to continue to inspire a growing spirit of their charism.

Moving forward, Walsh will continue to seek new ways to encourage ongoing collaboration with the FIC Order.n

adopted a new strategic plan through 2035 that is built upon the central priority that the University remains fully Catholic in word and deed.

The 2035 strategic plan also includes enhanced digital offerings, immediate acceptance of all transfer students with free housing, free academic courses for age 65+, an annual Catholic Higher Education Symposium, the formation of a University Press, a Presidential Thought Leadership Series and the establishment of learning communities for all Walsh undergraduate and graduate students.

As a direct result, every Walsh student will join a learning network beginning in fall 2021, with the creation of the Cor Cordium network, translated from Latin as “heart of hearts.” This new student-focused program was created with the goal to enhance campus engagement and to provide student leadership and mentorship opportunities.

With a strong alumni network of more than 16,000 making an impact around the world, graduates leave Walsh University prepared to succeed in the workplace and in their communities for life.m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN 47

C AT H O L I C I S M A N D O R T H O D O X Y E D I T E D B Y: C H R I S T I N A D E A R D U R F F

The Message of the Icon

BY ROBERT WIESNER

E

THE MATERNITY OF ANNA

ver since the advent of rationalistic philosophy in the Western world, a sharp distinction has been drawn between the natural and the supernatural realms. Scientists, whose inability to quantify, explain and measure miraculous events such as inexplicable healings, gradually came to regard the supernatural world as quite outside human experience. Before long, many, if not most, came to an absolute skepticism in such matters, denying the very existence of a supernatural arena.

The West, bowing down to the wisdom of the scientists, followed suit. Miraculous manifestations of the supernatural came to be regarded as something quite out of the ordinary and completely out of the usual human experience. A great distance thus grew between humanity and divinity, almost amounting to divorce.

Not so in the East. Among Jews in particular, nature and the supernatural are seen as inseparable components of existence, an intertwined continuum encompassing “the seen and the unseen,” or “the visible and the invisible,” in the words of the Creed. There is no sharp division or demarcation between the doings of God and the doings of humanity.

There was a simple (yet profound!) understanding that while most of life proceeded along fairly predictable lines, God was still God and had the full power and right to intervene in ordinary human affairs in extraordinary ways, and more, that He did so more often than was ever realized. More so than any other ancient nation, the Jews wrote extensive chronicles detailing such events in their history. Tales of angelic visitation, miraculous healing, routing of idolatrous priests by supernatural means and much else formed much of the training of young Jews; they matured in the expectation of divine intervention when needed. There was no particular surprise when it occurred, but rather thanksgiving.

Among the sacred lore of Judaism were several instances of aged and barren women unexpectedly giving birth: Sarah, of course, well past her child-bearing years, and also Rebekah, Rachel, Anna the mother of the Prophet Samuel, and the unnamed mother of Samson. There was plenty of precedent for the pregnancy of Anna.

Anna and Joachim were delighted, of course, that God had heard their prayer and quite thankful that they had been found worthy of His special favor. The element of surprise was of course tempered by the fact that such had happened before.

They were well aware of the precedents.

The real surprise was the revelation that this time a barren woman was to give birth to a daughter rather than a son: for that, there was no precedent!

There are descriptions in Jewish Scripture regarding the vitality of elderly men: they are portrayed as being still full of sap, still green. Such evidently was the case with Joachim. Although the couple was of quite an age, matters with Anna proceeded in the usual fashion; the icon features the marriage bed behind the rejoicing couple. Obviously, the natural and the supernatural blended in that one continuum. Natural processes were essential in bringing about this supernatural result, the Conception of the Theotokos.

There are many lessons to be drawn, of course, but perhaps the most important is this: nature is of course completely “charged with the grandeur of God” as the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins so beautifully wrote.

The workings of God might be seen in even the most apparently mundane objects in nature. A kitten is a miracle, as is a rainbow, a mountain, a rainstorm, the sea, sun, clouds; all these are available to us as outstanding examples of the supernatural breaking through to our humble existence; and perhaps the most miraculous of all is a newborn child.m

INSIDE THE VATICAN PILGRIMAGES made a special pilgrimage to Russia, as well as Rome, to take part in the 100th anniversary of the murder of Tsar Nicholas and his wife and five children in 1918.

Contact us at insidethevaticanpilgrimages.com for information about joining us for upcoming special pilgrimages like this one. page 48

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East-West Watch

BY PETER ANDERSON

MARIAN DOGMAS AND THE ORTHODOX

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n the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the Orthodox in whether the Theotokos died or not, but rather the the “small litany” commemorate “our most holy, Theotokos was assumed “having completed the course pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos [Godof her earthly life.” Orthodox believe in the Assumption bearer] and ever-virgin Mary.” The Greek Orthodox re(usually called the “Dormition” by the Orthodox) but fer to the Theotokos as Panagia, which means “the maintain that the Theotokos did in fact die and her tomb All-Holy.” From terms such as these, one would expect was found empty. More importantly, the Orthodox bethat the Orthodox would have no problems with Cathlieve that it is improper to elevate such matters as the olic doctrines such as the Immaculate Conception and Assumption and the sinless state of the Theotokos to the Assumption. However, dogmas of faith. Rather, they that is not the case. maintain that these matters are On December 8, 1854, simply part of the tradition of Pope Pius IX declared as a the Church. Furthermore, the dogma that “the most Blessed promulgation of both of these Virgin Mary, in the first indogmas was an exercise of pastance of her conception, by a pal infallibility, which the Orsingular grace and privilege thodox also reject. granted by Almighty God, in Although there are these view of the merits of Jesus differences, both Catholic and Christ, the Savior of the huOrthodox share a great devoman race, was preserved free tion to the Theotokos. There from all stain of original sin.” are far more similarities than The Pope also declared that differences in their Marian beOrthodox Cathedral of the Assumption this “is a doctrine revealed by liefs.

Are the differences bein the Moscow Kremlin (Photo by Peter Anderson) God and therefore to be between the Marian beliefs of lieved firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”

Catholic and Orthodox sufficient to prevent the restoraAlthough there has never been a binding pan-Orthodox tion of Eucharistic Communion between the two decision relating to the Immaculate Conception, the OrChurches? thodox have objected to this dogma.

At the present time, the Joint International CommisEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew commented on sion for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and the doctrine in an interview in 2010. He first pointed Catholic Churches is considering a document entitled, out that the Catholic concept of original sin as passing “Towards Unity in Faith: Theological and Canonical Ison a moral stain or legal responsibility is not consistent sues.” This document will identify those theological and with the Orthodox view. Instead, Orthodox believe that canonical issues which still must be resolved in order to what was passed on from our first parents to their defind the necessary unity of faith between Orthodox and scendants was inherited corruption but not personal sin.

Catholics so as to allow Eucharistic Communion. Before Bartholomew believes that the Theotokos was conthe Schism of 1054, there were certain theological and ceived with this inherited corruption, but that she was canonical differences between the Churches of East and subsequently reinstated to the condition prior to the Fall West, but these did not prevent Eucharistic Communion and purified from every stain when the Holy Spirit visbetween the Churches. ited her at the time of the Annunciation. However, there Certain major issues, such as the primacy of the is general agreement among Orthodox that the TheoPope, must be resolved before restoring Eucharistic tokos never committed a sin herself.

Communion. However, differences in Marian doctrines, The Assumption was declared a dogma by Pope Pius especially considering the many similarities, may not XII in 1950. The Catholic dogma is not specific as to prevent restoration.m www.InsideTheVatican.com t Urbi et Orbi Foundation is a project of Urbi et Orbi Communications t 202-536-4555

page 49

C AT H O L I C I S M A N D O R T H O D O X Y

NEWS from the EAST

BY BECKY DERKS

ment of External Church Relations spoke on behalf of the METROPOLITAN HILARION ON DIALOGUE Russian Church. We discussed the situation that the world WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH has found itself in as a result of the pandemic and shared February 12 was the fifth anniversary of the meeting our experiences in surviving, and pastoral care, in these in 2016 between the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ conditions.” (Mospat.ru) Kirill and Pope Francis in Havana, Cuba. What came before this and what influence this meeting exerted on the U.S. ATTEMPTS TO “PLANT DEMOCRACY” IN relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, Metropolitan Hilarion of MIDDLE EAST ARE ILL-ADVISED Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Russian Orthodox U.S. attempts to “plant democracy” in regions such as Church’s Department for External Church Affairs, spoke the Middle East have dramatically affected life for Chrisabout on the Russian “The Church and the World” TV tians there in a negative way and led to plummeting numprogram. bers of Christians in these areas, believes Metropolitan He reminded viewers that this relationship had been Hilarion of Volokolamsk. developing gradually over the The head of the Russian course of a number of decades.

Church’s Synodal Department for “Certain difficulties arose at External Church Relations (DECR) the beginning of the 1990s when spoke about the lamentable situathe Catholic Church undertook a tion of Christians in the Middle number of steps aimed at widenEast on the TV program “The ing its missionary influence upon Church and the World” in response the canonical territory of the to the recent statement from SecreRussian Orthodox Church,” the tary of State Antony Blinken that Metropolitan stated. “However, a the U.S. will no longer use force to joint commission was set up to try to bring democracy to other examine those instances of discountries, reports the DECR. pute which could have had a neg“We will not promote democHilarion speaking on the Russian ative effect on mutual relations. “TheMetropolitan racy through costly military interChurch and the World” TV program in February The situation was gradually regventions or by attempting to ulated. There then appeared an agreement on a meeting overthrow authoritarian regimes by force. We have tried between Pope John Paul II and His Holiness Patriarch these tactics in the past. However well-intentioned, they Alexis II. The meeting had already been scheduled, a time haven’t worked,” the Secretary said. and date had been agreed upon, but the two sides could “I examine the situation in this case through the prism not agree upon a joint statement. As a result, the meeting of the situation of Christians in these countries, because was postponed. In fact, it had been cancelled.” that’s information I have first hand, and I can testify to Five years ago, in 2016, the meeting finally took place, what happened, for example, in Iraq, where the Ameriin Havana. By this time there was a new Patriarch of cans tried to create a democracy through a military invaMoscow and a new Pope, the chairman of the DECR sion,” Metropolitan Hilarion commented. noted.

“There is still no democracy there,” Metropolitan HiHe emphasized that the conversation between Patrilarion added. “But under Saddam Hussein, there were a arch Kirill and Pope Francis “was not of a theological namillion and a half Christians living there, and now, at ture, but rather concerned the situation of Christians in best, one-tenth of this number remains.” the Middle East.”

A similar situation occurred in Libya when the U.S. The Metropolitan also pointed out that projects were overthrew Gaddafi, the Metropolitan said. “Under Gadjointly being worked out with the Catholics in the sphere daffi, there were Christians — now there are almost no of culture, charity and social ministry.

Christians left.”

“The fifth anniversary of the Havana meeting was “This is a very simple, very vivid illustration of how marked by a meeting that this time we held online,” said wrong and, I would even say, criminal America’s forthe chairman of the DECR. “Cardinal Koch, the head of eign policy towards Middle Eastern countries has been,” the papal council for Christian Unity, spoke for the Metropolitan Hilarion stated.

Catholic side. I and other representatives of the Depart(OrthoChristian) page 50

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METROPOLITAN PORFIRIJE OF ZAGREB AND LJUBLJANA IS THE NEW PATRIARCH OF SERBIA Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana is the Hierarch who was elected the 46th Patriarch of Serbia on February 18.

The new Patriarch, 59, is one of the youngest Metropolitans of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He was born on July 22, 1961. After completing his studies, he attended the Theological School in Belgrade, from which he graduated in 1986.

Then, he continued his academic-postgraduate studies at the Theological School of the University of Athens (1986-1990), wherein 2004 he was awarded a Doctorate, after the public presentation of his Dissertation on: “The possibility of knowledge of God in the Apostle Paul according to Saint John Chrysostom.”

(Orthodox Times) RUSSIAN CHURCH REEXAMINING STANCE ON IVF IN LIGHT OF MEDICAL ADVANCES The Russian Orthodox Church has initiated a broad discussion among its clergy and flock to consider updating its stance towards in vitro fertilization reproductive technology, taking into account the development of medical science over the past 20 years.

The draft document, Ethical Problems Associated with In Vitro Fertilization, was published on the official site of the Russian Church and on several other outlets. Comments were collected by the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Church until March 29.

The Russian Church formulated its first official position towards IVF in the document, Bases of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church, adopted by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church in 2000. All kinds of IVF (referred to as “extra-corporal fertilization” in the document)

“involving the production, conservation and purposeful destruction of ‘spare’ embryos” are “morally inadmissible.” The new draft document notes that since 2000, medical advances have led to the possibility of producing only one or two embryos during IVF and transferring them to the womb, thus “the Church also allows for the possibility of IVF for spouses who are of childbearing age.”

At the same time, the document emphasizes that the Church cannot condone the obtaining of “excess” embryos, the cryptopreservation of embryos, fetal reduction, the donation of germ cells, surrogacy, or preimplantation diagnosis.

According to the document, open for discussion, the cryptopreservation of oocytes (immature eggs) for a second attempt at IVF in case of failure of the first is a valid alternative to freezing embryos.

The document states that the decision to use IVF can be left to the discretion of the priest who knows the couple and their ability “to continue to bear the cross of childlessness.”

The document also expresses the Church’s concern that the improvement of reproductive technologies and their widespread introduction may lead to the devaluation of family values and the destruction of family and marriage relations. Thus, the Church recalls the fundamental value of the family and that a child should be born into a married family.

Further, “If therapeutic and surgical methods of treatment do not allow us to avoid infertility, the Church encourages us to perceive childlessness as a special vocation in life,” it reads.

It is also noted that there are various opinions about IVF within the Church, with some clergy and medical professionals being fundamentally opposed to it in any form. “Medical technologies are not able to replace the physical, mental and spiritual unity of a husband and wife, given to them by God in the Sacrament of marriage,” they argue.

(OrthoChristian)m

The Christian Churches, the communities of the disciples of Christ, were intended to be united as one; Pope John Paul II proclaimed, “The Church must breathe with Her two lungs!” Unfortunately, the Churches are not united.

This is a great scandal, an impediment to the witness of the Church. Since unity was desired by Christ Himself, we must work to end this disunity and accomplish the will of the Lord.

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page 51

Of Books, Art and People

NapoleoN, aNcieNt Rome, aNd the papacy n BY LUCY GORDAN

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n in Rome until May 30th and hopefully prolonged through the summer is the exhibition “Napoleon and the Myth of Rome” in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s death on May 5, 1821. The exhibition is divided into three “macrosections” and includes more than 100 works: sculpture, paintings, prints, medals, gems, and objects of the so-called minor arts. They are primarily on loan from the Capitoline and other museums in Rome: the Museum of Roman Civilization in EUR, the Napoleonic Museum, the Museum of Rome near Piazza Navona, the Accademia di San Luca, and the Vatican Museums, but also the National Archeological Museum in Naples, and many museums in France, particularly the Louvre and the Palais Fesch-Musée des Beaux-Beaux Arts of Ajaccio in Corsica, Napoleon’s birthplace on August 15, 1769.

Chronologically the exhibition starts with a small background section about the French Revolutionaries’ admiration of ancient Rome.

“Brutus, we swear we will follow your example and maintain the Republic as an indivisible whole. No more kings, no more impostors, freedom forever, freedom or death” was their oath.

“Although they made frequent references to ancient Greece, Sparta, and Athens,” reports a wall panel, “revolutionary France saw itself as the direct heir of the ancient Roman Republic… Brutus became the republican archetype par excellence.” However, for them the name Brutus referred to two different republican heroes: Lucius Junius Brutus, who had ousted the last king, Tarquin the Proud, and founded the Republic; and Marcus Junius Brutus, who killed Julius Caesar.

52 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

Statue of Napoleon as a young cadet

In contrast Napoleon, who’d risen to the rank of general during the Revolution, admired Julius Caesar, but his other heroes of antiquity were Alexander the Great, Hannibal, and the Roman emperors Augustus (r. 27 BC14 AD), Trajan (r. 98-117 AD), and Constantine (r. 306-337 AD), not the republicans.

The first section highlights the relationship between Napoleon and the classical world. “For a young man, history could become a school of morality and virtue” was the school prospectus of the Military School of Brienne-Le-Château, where young Bonaparte received a classical education from 1779 to 1784, supported by his personal passion for antiquity.

“The heroes of times past,” reports another wall panel, “were presented to the cadets at Brienne as models to be imitated. Napoleon became fascinated by Cornelius Nepos’ Lives of Eminent Commanders and Plutarch’s Lives, so steeped in heroism, patriotism, and republican virtues.”

On display here is a plaster statue of Napoleon, Cadet at Brienne by Louis Rochet from the Yverdon Region (Yverdon-les-Bains); a bronze statue of Alexander the Great astride his horse, on loan from Naples, for Napoleon’s ambition was to conquer a similar vast territory; and Lorenzo Bartolini’s large bronze depicting Napoleon/Emperor, from the Louvre, with a laurel crown and the features of an unidentified Roman emperor. There is also the marble bust of Augustus from the Capitoline Museums, on whom Napoleon modeled himself. “I am a true Roman Emperor; I am the best race of the Caesars — those who are founders,” he said of himself in 1812.

The exhibition’s second large section is dedicated to Napoleon’s relationship with Italy and Rome. Already crowned the Emperor of France on December 2, 1804,

Canova’s Bust of Pope Pius VII Print of Pius VII’s triumphal return to Rome in 1814 Bottom, Pacetti’s sculpture entitled Napoleon Inspires Italy and Makes Her Rise to a Greater Destiny

All photos: Zètema Progetto Cultura

about six months later on May 26, 1805, in Milan’s Cathedral Napoleon crowned himself the King of Italy with the iron crown of Lombardy. This was a misnomer because his kingdom did not include the whole peninsula, but only Lombardy, the Veneto, EmiliaRomagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino, the South Tyrol, and the Marches. Instead, most of the rest of the peninsula: Aosta, Piedmont, Liguria, Umbria and Latium (so including Rome) was incorporated into the French Empire in 1809 and not ruled as a separate kingdom.

Napoleon had ambitious plans for Rome. It was to become the second imperial city after Paris. His administration immediately selected the Quirinal Palace, then the popes’ summer residence, as Napoleon’s residence.

It also promoted extensive excavations in Trajan’s Forum, hence the appropriateness of this exhibition’s location, south of Trajan’s column which Napoleon used as a model for the Vendôme Column in Paris. On display here are architectural plans, a detailed study of the excavation of the Basilica Ulpia, paintings of the area before and after the French excavations, and a few of their archeological finds, in particular statues of Dacians on loan from the Vatican Museums (for Trajan had added Dacia, modern-day Romania to his Empire). Exhibited here for the first time are three projects drawn up in 1812 by the architects Giuseppe Valadier and Giuseppe Camporese on loan from the Accademia di San Luca that led to the discovery of the Basilica Ulpia, ancient Rome’s largest administrative building.

If Napoleon modeled his Empire on Augustus for his political and administrative skills, it must not be forgotten that Trajan (who reigned 98-117 AD) was remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presided over the second greatest military expansion in Roman history after Augustus, and that at his death the Empire had reached its maximum territorial extent ever.

Again like Augustus, Trajan was known for his philanthropic rule, extensive building programs and social welfare policies.

Also on display here are three artworks showing Napoleon as King of Italy: Pacetti’s sculpture group, entitled Napoleon Inspires Italy and Makes It Rise to a Greater Destiny, on loan from the Castle of Fontainebleau, and two portraits from Milan.

If Napoleon concentrated on imitating ancient Rome and its emperors, his relationship with religion and the Holy See was complex, often hostile, and at best shaky, as is illustrated in one of the second section’s rooms.

In brief, in 1796 during the French Revolution, Napoleon’s troops had invaded Rome and captured Pope Pius VI. When the Pope refused to renounce his temporal power, they took him to France as a prisoner, where he died three years later.

Napoleon, like his hero the Emperor Constantine, realized the importance of religion as a means for increasing obedience and control over his subjects, so he gave Pius VI a gaudy burial soon after Pius VII’s election on March 14, 1800. He made a further reconciliation with the Concordat of 1801, which reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church as the majority Church of MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN 53

Of Books, Art and People France. Although the Concordat guaranteed religious freedom for French Catholics and restored some ties to the papacy, it was largely in favor of the state. The balance of Church-State relations had tilted firmly in Napoleon’s favor. Not to mention that, when against most of the Curia’s advice, Pius VII travelled to France for Napoleon’s coronation in 1804, bringing as a present to Napoleon’s brother Joseph a gold snuff box with a mosaic cover of Jupiter of Otricoli (on display here), Napoleon not only did not give back Pius VI’s emerald-studded tiara, which Napoleon’s troops had previously looted, but he crowned himself, spurning the Pope’s intent to do so.

Thus this already tenuous-relationship inevitably deteriorated and fell apart completely in 1809, when Napoleon once again invaded the Papal States, which resulted in his excommunication. Pius VII was taken prisoner and transported to France. In January 1813 Napoleon personally forced him to sign the humiliating Concordat of Fontainebleau, but luckily for Pius, after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo and his exile to St. Helena the next year, the concordat was never put into effect and Pius was permitted to return to Rome.

On display here is a print of his triumphant welcome home, as is his bust by Canova.

We want to hear from YOU… Tell us what you care about in the Church, in the world, and in the spiritual life.

Pius VII lived the last decade of his life in relative peace. In 1815 he named Canova “Minister Plenipotentiary of the Pope” and sent him to Paris to recover the art Napoleon had carried off to France. The mission was accomplished in a year.

As for the United States, during his papacy the Catholic Church grew significantly. In 1821 he established the dioceses of Charleston, Richmond and Cincinnati, adding on to those he’d established in 1808 before his imprisonment in France: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Bardstown (now Louisville, KY).

The most interesting pieces in the third large section are five panels showing the Triumph of Alexander the Great in Babylon (1822) by the Danish sculptor and long-term Roman resident Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). They are based on panels of a similar stucco frieze that had been commissioned by Napoleon in 1812 to decorate the Salone d’Onore in the Quirinal Palace, which circumstances left unfinished. For not only did Napoleon never live in the Quirinal Palace, he never even came to Rome despite his announcement in 1809 that he intended to hold a second coronation as King of Italy in St. Peter’s Basilica. Thus, ironically, for Napoleon himself, Rome remained a myth.m

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Visit InsidetheVatican.com/Survey 54 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

Do Intelligent People Take SATAN Seriously?

His monikers are many: Lucifer, Beelzebub, the Serpent, the Adversary, the Tempter, the Father of All Lies, the Ruler of This World. His lurking presence in the world and the history of mankind is one of the major themes of the Bible. But how many people today take Satan seriously?

Most people’s image of the Evil One resembles an old Saturday Night Live parody: a goofy guy in a bright red body suit, with a pointy tail, plastic horns, a goatee, and a ridiculous sneer — someone about as o昀ensive as Santa Claus’s “evil twin brother.”

Most people put as much stock in Satan in Hell as they do Santa in the North Pole. The reigning attitude is that all this Satan-and-Hell stu昀 is the preoccupation of infantile minds, an insult to one’s intelligence.

The topics of Satan and Hell are generally laughed o昀 in our secularized society. Even many Catholic priests and bishops are reluctant to mention them, for fear of appearing out of touch.

But you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to realize that suppression of the reality of Satan and Hell involves grave consequences. The whole notion of evil is compromised; man’s propensity to sin gets glossed over; and people begin to wonder what exactly it is they need salvation from. If people have no need of salvation, they have no need of a Savior; if they have no need of a Savior, they have no need

of a Church in which to receive Him. Should we be surprised, then, that weekly Mass attendance has dropped from 70 percent to 30 percent over the past 50 years (and lower since the pandemic shutdowns) or that former Catholics now outnumber converts by a ratio of 5-1?

If Satan’s cleverest wile is to convince us that he doesn’t exist, then he’s been wildly successful.

We at the New Oxford Review, an orthodox Catholic monthly magazine, are spearheading today’s intellectual re-engagement with the ultimate questions, what older Catholics will recall as the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.

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Among who’ve appeared in our pages recently are Fr. David Vincent Meconi, Casey Chalk, Maria McFadden Ma昀ucci, Jason M. Morgan, David Mills, Nicholas J. Healy, Fr. John A. Perricone, Gerard T. Mundy (on Fr. Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of Rome from 1985-2016), and Richard Gallagher, M.D. (the world’s foremost scienti昀c expert on diabolic attacks and author of Demonic Foes).

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THE END EXCERPTS FROM LORD OF THE WORLD

“He had been but an hour in Rome...”

MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, MONSIGNOR ROBERT HUGH BENSON FORESAW THE RISE OF SECULAR HUMANISM, THE CONTRACTION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND THE COMING OF THE ANTICHRIST... n BY ITV STAFF Editor’s Note: The passage below is from the novel Lord of the World, written by the English Catholic convert Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson (the son of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury) in 1907. He attempts a vision of the world more than a century in the future — in the early 21st century… our own time… predicting the

LORD OF THE WORLD

BY ROBERT HUGH BENSON (1907) BOOK II-THE ENCOUNTER CHAPTER II, Part II (Note: The hero of the story, a young English priest named Fr. Percy Franklin, has been summoned to Rome to report to Vatican officials on what he has seen in England. He has now entered the Vatican and is waiting to see the Pope. Little does Percy know that someday he will elected Pope Silvester III, and he will bravely keep alive the tabernacle flame of faith as the forces of Anti-Christ move in and the fabric of space and time is rent as the Apocalypse commences...)

Yet Percy, even in the glimpses he had had in the streets, as he drove from the volor station outside the People’s Gate, of the old peasant dresses, the blue and red-fringed wine carts, the cabbagestrewn gutters, the wet clothes flapping on strings, the mules and horses—strange though these were, he had found them a refreshment. It had seemed to remind him that man was human, and not divine as the rest of the world proclaimed—human, and therefore careless and individualistic; human, and therefore occupied with interests other than those of speed, cleanliness, and precision.

The room in which he sat now by the window with shading blinds, for the sun was already hot, seemed to revert back even further than to a century-and-a-half. The old damask and gilding that he had expected was gone, and its absence gave the impression of great severity. There was a wide deal table running the length of the room, with upright wooden arm chairs set against it; the floor was red-tiled, with strips of matting for the feet; the white, distempered walls had only a couple of old pictures hung upon them, and a large crucifix flanked by candles stood on a little altar by the further door. There was no more furniture than that, with the exception of a writing-desk between the windows, on which stood a typewriter.

That jarred somehow on his sense of fitness, and he wondered at it.

He finished the last drop of coffee in the thick-rimmed white cup, and sat back in his chair.

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INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

rise of Communism, the fall of faith in many places, the advance of technology (he foresees helicopters) and so forth, up until... the Second Coming of the Lord, with which his vision ends. For this reason, and also because Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have repeatedly cited Benson’s book, saying its clarification of the danger of a type of humanitarianism without God is a true danger that we do face, we are printing selections from it in ITV, now and in the months ahead.

***** Already the burden was lighter, and he was astonished at the swiftness with which it had become so. Life looked simpler here; the interior world was taken more for granted; it was not even a matter of debate. There it was, imperious and objective, and through it glimmered to the eyes of the soul the old Figures that had become shrouded behind the rush of worldly circumstance. The very shadow of God appeared to rest here; it was no longer impossible to realise that the saints watched and interceded, that Mary sat on her throne, that the white disc on the altar was Jesus Christ. Percy was not yet at peace after all, he had been but an hour in Rome; and air, charged with never so much grace, could scarcely do more than it had done. But he felt more at ease, less desperately anxious, more childlike, more content to rest on the authority that claimed without explanation, and asserted that the world, as a matter of fact, proved by evidences without and within, was made this way and not that, for this purpose and not the other. Yet he had used the conveniences which he hated; he had left London a bare twelve hours before, and now here he sat in a place which was either a stagnant backwater of life, or else the very midcurrent of it; he was not yet sure which. ***** There was a step outside, a handle was turned; and the Cardinal-Protector came through.

Percy had not seen him for four years, and for a moment scarcely recognised him.

It was a very old man that he saw now, bent and feeble, his face covered with wrinkles, crowned by very thin, white hair, and the little scarlet cap on top; he was in his black Benedictine habit with a plain abbatial cross on his breast, and walked hesitatingly, with a black stick. The only sign of vigour was in the narrow bright slit of his eyes showing beneath drooping lids. He held out his hand, smiling, and Percy, remembering in time that he was in the Vatican, bowed low only as he kissed the amethyst.

“Welcome to Rome, father,” said the old man, speaking with an unexpected briskness. “They told me you were here half-an-hour ago; I thought I would leave you to wash and have your coffee.”

Percy murmured something.

God as seen by William Blake as the Architect of the world, in Ancient of Days, held in the British Museum, London

“Yes; you are tired, no doubt,” said the Cardinal, pulling out a chair.

“Indeed not, your Eminence. I slept excellently.”

The Cardinal made a little gesture to a chair.

“But I must have a word with you. The Holy Father wishes to see you at eleven o’clock.”

Percy started a little.

“We move quickly in these days, father…. There is no time to dawdle. You understand that you are to remain in Rome for the present?”

“I have made all arrangements for that, Your Eminence.”

“That is very well…. We are pleased with you here, Father Franklin. The Holy Father has been greatly impressed by your comments. You have foreseen things in a very remarkable manner.”

Percy flushed with pleasure. It was almost the first hint of encouragement he had had. Cardinal Martin went on.

“I may say that you are considered our most valuable correspondent—certainly in England. That is why you are summoned.

You are to help us here in future—a kind of consultor: any one can relate facts; not every one can understand them…. You look very young, father. How old are you?”

“I am thirty-three, your Eminence.”

“Ah! your white hair helps you…. Now, father, will you come with me into my room? It is now eight o’clock. I will keep you till nine—no longer. Then you shall have some rest, and at eleven I shall take you up to His Holiness.”

Percy rose with a strange sense of elation, and ran to open the door for the Cardinal to go through.

III At a few minutes before eleven Percy came out of his little white-washed room in his new ferraiuola, soutane and buckle shoes, and tapped at the door of the Cardinal’s room.

He felt a great deal more self-possessed now. He had talked to the Cardinal freely and strongly, had described the effect that Felsenburgh had had upon London, and even the paralysis that had seized upon himself. He had stated his belief that they were on the edge of a movement unparalleled in history: he related little scenes that he had witnessed—a group kneeling before a picture of Felsenburgh, a dying man calling him by name, the aspect of the crowd that had waited in Westminster to hear the result of the offer made to the stranger. He showed him half-a-dozen cuttings from newspapers, pointing out their hysterical enthusiasm; he even went so far as to venture upon prophecy, and to declare his belief that persecution was within reasonable distance.

“The world seems very oddly alive,” he said; “it is as if the whole thing was flushed and nervous.”

The Cardinal nodded.

“We, too,” he said, “even we feel it.”

For the rest the Cardinal had sat watching him out of his narrow

eyes, nodding from time to time, putting an occasional question, but listening throughout with great attention.

“And your recommendations, father—” he had said, and then interrupted himself. “No, that is too much to ask. The Holy Father will speak of that.”

He had congratulated him upon his Latin then—for they had spoken in that language throughout this second interview; and Percy had explained how loyal Catholic England had been in obeying the order, given ten years before, that Latin should become to the Church what Esperanto was becoming to the world.

“That is very well,” said the old man. “His Holiness will be pleased at that.” ***** At his second tap the door opened and the Cardinal came out, taking him by the arm without a word; and together they turned to the lift entrance.

Percy ventured to make a remark as they slid noiselessly up towards the papal apartment.

“I am surprised at the lift, your Eminence, and the typewriter in the audience-room.”

“Why, father?”

“Why, all the rest of Rome is back in the old days.”

The Cardinal looked at him, puzzled.

“Is it? I suppose it is. I never thought of that.”

A Swiss guard flung back the door of the lift, saluted and went before them along the plain flagged passage to where his comrade stood. Then he saluted again and went back. A pontifical chamberlain, in all the sombre glory of purple, black, and a Spanish ruff, peeped from the door, and made haste to open it. It really seemed almost incredible that such things still existed.

“In a moment, Your Eminence,” he said in Latin. “Will Your Eminence wait here?”

It was a little square room, with half-adozen doors, plainly contrived out of one of the huge old halls, for it was immensely high, and the tarnished gilt cornice vanished directly in two places into the white walls. The partitions, too, seemed thin; for as the two men sat down there was a murmur of voices faintly audible, the shuffling of footsteps, and the old eternal click of the typewriter from which Percy hoped he had escaped. They were alone in the room, which was furnished with the same simplicity as the Cardinal’s—giving the impression of a curious mingling of ascetic poverty and dignity by its red-tiled floor, its white walls, its altar and two vast bronze candlesticks of incalculable value that stood on the dais. The shutters here, too, were drawn; and there was nothing to distract Percy from the excitement that surged up now tenfold in heart and brain.

It was Papa Angelicus whom he was about to see; that amazing old man who had been appointed Secretary of State just fifty years ago, at the age of thirty, and Pope nine years previously...

(Lord of the World, Book II, The Encounter, Chapter II, Parts II and III, to be continued) m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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VATICAN WATCH

By Becky Derks with CNA Reports - Grzegorz Galazka and CNA photos

FEBRUARY FRIDAY 12 POPE FRANCIS VISITS WRITER AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR IN ROME Pope Francis visited the home of the writer and Holocaust survivor Edith Steinschreiber Bruck in Rome.

The 89-year-old Bruck is Hungarian-born, but has lived in Italy since her early 20s. She survived the Nazi concentration camps in Auschwitz and Dachau, where she was sent at the age of 12 with her parents, two brothers, and a sister.

Her parents and one brother died in the concentration camps. Bruck and her remaining siblings were freed from the Bergen-Belsen camp by the Allies in 1945.

According to the Vatican, in a meeting of around one hour on February 12, Bruck and the Pope spoke about “those moments of light which marked the experience of the hell of the concentration camps.”

POPE FRANCIS: GLOBAL PANDEMIC SHOWS NEED TO BUILD “CULTURE OF ENCOUNTER” Pope Francis told academics and diplomats that the coronavirus crisis showed the “urgent need” to build a “culture of encounter.”

The Pope made the comment in a prepared speech given out to members of the European Institute for International Studies (EIIS), led by Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm, during a February 12 meeting at the Vatican.

The EIIS, a center for research and education in international relations, is based in the Swedish capital and in Salamanca, Spain.

Quoting from his latest encyclical, Fratelli tutti, the Pope said: “The continued global health crisis has painfully highlighted the urgent need to promote a culture of encounter for the whole human family, and for all men and women to be ‘passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone.’”

He continued: “As academics and diplomats from different countries, you and your colleagues have an important role in promoting such a culture. By its very nature, your contribution must be grounded both in reasoned analysis and in an orientation to practical and relational applications and outcomes, with particular concern for the rights of the poorest and most marginalized.”

“In other words, minds and hearts need to be in harmony in pursuing the universal common good and — in the best tradition of the Salamanca School — in seeking the integral development of every man and woman, with no exception or unjust discrimination.”

58 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

THURSDAY 24 POPE’S NEW DOCTOR: A GERONTOLOGIST WHO SEES COVID AS NORMAL DISEASE The Vatican announced February 24 that Pope Francis’ new personal doctor is Professor Roberto Bernabei, a specialist in geriatrics who in November said COVID-19 is a “normal disease” and that deaths related to the virus are “almost always” the elderly with at least three pre-existing conditions.

Reportedly a highly-respected gerontologist in Italy who teaches internal medicine and geriatrics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Bernabei told the Italian television channel La7 November 6 that “if this disease targets old people it is a very serious thing, of course. But it is, how to say, a normal disease… Infectious diseases unfortunately attack the most vulnerable.”

He pointed out that according to the latest figures he had seen in November, 25% of those infected were aged 70 and over, but they made up 90% of the deaths. “Practically only and exclusively old people die [from the virus],” Bernabei said, adding that “the average age” of those had died since March “exceeds 80 years” and they have at least three pathologies.

The Italian physician will be caring for the health of 84-year-old Pope Francis who suffers from sciatica and had part of one of his lungs removed in his youth.

(National Catholic Register) SATURDAY 27 POPE FRANCIS SAYS SEEING A PSYCHIATRIST HELPED HIM WITH ANXIETY WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER In an interview published in an Argentine newspaper today, Pope Francis has said that seeing a psychiatrist in Argentina helped him with anxiety when he was a younger priest. Francis gave the interview two years ago.

Pope Francis spoke with an Argentine journalist about his physical and mental health. In the excerpt of the transcript provided by the Argentine newspaper La Nacion, Pope Francis said that he has developed ways of dealing with moments of anxiety, such as listening to music by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The interview, which took place in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on February 16, 2019, was published in Spanish on February 27.

In the conversation, Pope Francis looked back at how therapy aided his struggle with anxiety when he served as the Jesuit provincial in Argentina.

“Being provincial of the Jesuits, in the terrible days of the dictatorship, I had to take people into hiding to get them out

Opposite, Pope Francis visited the home of the writer and Holocaust survivor Edith Steinschreiber Bruck in Rome.

Bottom, Pope Francis met Sunday with Abdullah Kurdi, a father who lost his wife and two children in a shipwreck as Syrian war refugees

of the country and thus save their lives, I had to handle situations that I did not know how to deal with,” Francis said.

During this time, he said that he consulted a psychiatrist once a week for about six months.

“Throughout those six months, she helped me position myself in terms of a way to handle the fears of that time. Imagine what it was like to take a person hidden in the car — only covered by a blanket — and go through three military checkpoints in the Campo de Mayo area.

The tension it generated in me was enormous,” Pope Francis said.

MARCH SUNDAY 7 POPE FRANCIS IN IRAQ MEETS WITH FATHER WHOSE CHILDREN DIED AS REFUGEES IN SHIPWRECK Pope Francis met today with a father who lost his wife and two children in a shipwreck as Syrian war refugees.

Abdullah Kurdi was one of the thousands of people in the crowd at the pope’s stadium Mass in Erbil, Iraq, on March 7.

The haunting photo of his son, Alan Kurdi, made headlines around the world in 2015. The photo showed the three-year-old’s tiny body lying face down on a Turkish beach after he drowned trying to cross the Aegean Sea. Abdullah Kurdi was one of only four people to survive after a dinghy carrying 16 refugees making the perilous journey from Turkey to the Greek Island of Kos capsized. His other son, Ghalib, and his wife, Rehanna, also died in the shipwreck.

During their encounter after the Mass in Erbil, Pope Francis told the father that the Lord participated in his suffering, according to a statement from the Holy See press office.

POPE FRANCIS RETURNS HISTORIC PRAYER BOOK SAVED FROM ISLAMIC STATE TO THE NINEVEH PLAINS During his trip to Iraq, Pope Francis returned a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript which was restored after the Islamic State desecrated the Catholic church where it was once held.

Dating back to sometime between the 14th and 15th century, the book contains liturgical prayers in Aramaic for the season of Easter in the Syriac tradition.

The manuscript was formerly kept in the Great Al-Tahira Immaculate Conception Church in Bakhdida, also known as Qaraqosh. The Syriac Catholic church was plundered and set on fire when the Islamic State had control of the town from 2014 to 2016.

Pope Francis visited the church on March 7 and prayed the Angelus with the local Christians from towns and villages across the Nineveh Plains. The church was completely restored with support from Aid to the Church in Need.

FRIDAY 12 POPE FRANCIS: GOING TO CONFESSION IS “ABANDONING ONESELF TO LOVE” Pope Francis explained that going to confession is an act of “abandoning oneself to Love,” allowing the God of love to heal and transform one’s heart.

“Experiencing confession in this way means letting oneself be transformed by Love,” Pope Francis said on March 12.

“It is the Love that was fully manifested in Jesus Christ and in his death on the cross for us,” he said in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

Addressing more than 800 priests and seminarians participating in a course on the internal forum organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, Francis underscored that a “good confessor is always called to see this miracle of change, to be aware of the work of grace in the hearts of penitents.”

“The penitent who encounters, in the sacramental conversation, a ray of this welcoming Love, allows himself to be transformed by Love,

by Grace, beginning to experience that transformation of the heart of stone into a heart of flesh, which is a transformation that takes place in every confession,” the Pope said.

VATICAN: PETER’S PENCE, DONATIONS, KEEPING PROJECTED DEFICIT TO $60 MILLION IN 2021 The Vatican plans to lower operational expenses by 8% in 2021, while it relies on donations and funds from Peter’s Pence to contain a growing deficit amid the coronavirus crisis. The Secretariat for the Economy released a 2021 budget for the Holy See March 12, showing a projected deficit of nearly $60 million.

Peter’s Pence will provide the Holy See with $57 million in income, with $37 million being used for operational costs and $20 million for charitable grants.

Peter’s Pence is the Holy See’s annual collection to finance the pope’s charitable works and other priorities, including the Roman Curia.

Fr. Juan A. Guerrero, S.J., said Friday the Vatican was “exploring the opportunities” available to save money in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Guerrero noted that a lot was saved in 2020 when activities like travels were reduced and conferences and meetings were carried out over video conferencing.

The expenses budgeted for 2021 are the lowest in the recent history of the Holy See, the economy chief said.n MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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BECKY DERKS with G. Galazka, CNA and CNS photos

n BISHOP APPOINTED FOR SOUTH SUDAN’S RUMBEK DIOCESE AFTER NEARLY 10 YEARS’ VACANCY Father Christian Carlassare, who was appointed Bishop of Rumbek nearly ten years after the death of the diocese’s last bishop, described his appointment as an illustration of “the God of surprises.”

In a message to ACI Africa, Fr. Carlassare said he welcomed his episcopal appointment in a “spirit of faith” even though it was not among his expectations.

“God is the God of surprises. And his surprises, even though challenging, carry always a blessing,” the bishop-elect told ACI Africa March 8.

The member of the Comboni Missionaries added, “I did not expect this appointment, but I welcome it with a spirit of faith and availability. May the loving plan of God for the Church of Rumbek and South Sudan be accomplished.”

“I am grateful to Pope Francis and the Church for the love and trust that they have shown by calling me to the episcopal ministry and appointing me to be the Bishop of Rumbek.”

(Catholic Herald) n INSTITUT CATHOLIQUE RECTOR NAMED HEAD OF JOHN PAUL II INSTITUTE IN ROME Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne, rector of the famed Institut Catholique of Paris (ICP) since 2011, has been appointed president of the Romebased Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Matrimonial and Family Science.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the pontifical institute’s grand chancellor, confirmed the French moral theologian’s appointment on March 8 in a Twitter message.

In an article published March 16 60 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

CATHOLIC NUN BEGS POLICE NOT TO SHOOT PROTESTERS DURING MYANMAR UNREST

A religious sister in northern Burma knelt before police, begging them not to use violent force against protestors.

Sr. Ann Rose Nu Tawng, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier, can be seen speaking March 8 to two kneeling police officers in the city of Myitkyina, the capital of Burma’s northern Kachin State.

Speaking to Reuters, Tawng said: “I begged them not to hurt the protesters, but to treat them kindly, like family members.”

“I begged them not to shoot the children,” she said.

But soon after, “we heard loud gunshots and saw that a young kid’s head had exploded, and there was a river of blood on the street,” she recounted.

Tawng and other witnesses said that at least two protestors were killed and several injured in clashes with police.

The religious sister tried to bring some of the victims to a clinic she runs in the town but was blinded by tear gas.

“Our clinic floor became a sea of blood,” she said. “We need to value life. It made me feel so sad.” (CNA) by noted Vaticanist Sandro Magister on his blog Settimo Cielo, Thibaud Collin, a professor of philosophy at the Collège Stanislas de Paris, said Bordeyne’s appointment confirmed a “paradigm shift,” with Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae vitae no longer serving as the institute’s “touchstone.”

Monsignor Bordeyne told La Croix he did not wish to comment on his new appointment, which is a fouryear appointment, commencing in September, which can be renewed once. (La Croix/CNA)

Fr. Amedeo Cencini, the pontifical delegate to the community founded in northern Italy in 1965, also attended the meeting.

“His Holiness thus wished to express to the prior and to the Community his closeness and his support, in this troubled phase of its life, confirming his appreciation for the Community and for its peculiarity of being formed by brothers and sisters from different Christian churches,” the press office said. (CNA)

n POPE FRANCIS BACKS PRIOR OF “TROUBLED” ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY AMID CLASH WITH FOUNDER Pope Francis underlined his support for the prior of a “troubled” ecumenical community amid a dispute with its founder.

A statement issued by the Holy See press office on March 5 noted that the Pope met with Br. Luciano Manicardi, prior of the Bose Monastic Community, on the eve of his trip to Iraq.

n SURVEY: ONE IN THREE CATHOLICS IN GERMANY THINKING OF LEAVING CHURCH A third of all German Catholics are considering leaving the Church, according to a new survey.

The representative study, unveiled March 11, was conducted by the Erfurtbased opinion research institute INSA Consulere on behalf of the Catholic weekly newspaper Die Tagespost and the Protestant news agency Idea. It confirms a previous survey’s findings that indicated similar numbers.

Of those Catholics surveyed, 33% are considering leaving the Church because the handling of clerical abuse cases, while 44% said they would not leave. A further 14% indicated that they “didn’t know.” Nine percent did not specify an answer.

If an individual is registered as a Catholic in Germany, 8-9% of their income tax goes to the Church. The only way they can stop paying the tax is to make an official declaration renouncing their membership. They are then no longer allowed to receive the sacraments or a Catholic burial.

This tax has come under increasing criticism, with several bishops raising the question of whether it needs to be reformed, CNA Deutsch reported. As early as 2016, Archbishop Georg Gänswein criticized the process, calling its handling of people opting out of the controversial system “a serious problem.” (CNA) n INDIAN NUN CHARGED WITH TRYING TO CONVERT HINDU TEACHER Police in India’s Madhya Pradesh state have charged a Catholic nun with violating the state’s stringent anti-conversion law after she was ac-

cused of trying to convert a Hindu teacher to Christianity.

Police registered charges against Sister Bhagya, principal of Sacred Heart Convent High School in Khajuraho of Chhatarpur district, a member of the Sisters of the Destitute, on February 22, according to local Church officials.

“It is absolutely a false charge,” said Father Paul Varghese, public relations officer of Satna Diocese.

He said the case was the latest in a series of such cases filed against Christians after the state’s proHindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government implemented a new anti-conversion law in January.

(Union of Catholic Asia News) n LOCKDOWN “BAMBINO BUST”: 9 MONTHS ON, ITALIAN BIRTHS FALL 22 PERCENT Births in Italy in December — exactly nine months after the country went into Europe’s first lockdown — plunged by a whopping 21.6%, according to figures from a sample of 15 Italian cities released this week by statistics agency ISTAT. A survey conducted in five European countries during the March

TWO CHRISTIANS ACCUSED OF BREAKING PAKISTAN’S BLASPHEMY LAW

Two Christian evangelists could face the death penalty after being charged with violating Pakistan’s blasphemy law after an encounter in a park in Lahore prompted a complaint that they made derogatory comments about Islam.

“We here at International Christian Concern are concerned for the safety of Haroon Ayub Masih and Salamat Mansha Masih,” William Stark, regional manager of International Christian Concern, said February 15.

“We are also concerned for the safety of the broader community these men represent,” Stark continued. “This violence is often not limited to those accused. There are many examples in which a blasphemy accusation has exploded into violence against an entire Christian community.”

Stark called for a “complete and fair investigation” into the accusation against the two men. (CNA)

and April lockdown showed many people calling off plans to have kids.

Germans and French were more likely to say they were delaying, while Italians were more likely to say they had abandoned their plans altogether.

Last year, Britain recorded a plunge in imports of baby carriages, to the lowest level since records began in 2000. And the German statistics office said 2020 was probably the first year since 2011 that the population did not grow. (Reuters) n POPE FRANCIS PRAISES “EXEMPLARY WITNESS” OF ITALIAN AMBASSADOR KILLED IN CONGO Pope Francis expressed his condolences after three people were killed in an attack on a United Nations convoy traveling in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Luca Attanasio, the Italian ambassador to Congo, died of his wounds from the attack. Vittorio Iacovacci, an Italian Carabinieri officer, and Moustapha Milambo, their Congolese driver, were also killed.

The group had been traveling on February 23 from Goma to visit the site of a humanitarian initiative by the World Food Program at a school in Rutshuru in the east of the country when the U.N. vehicles were ambushed.

In a February 23 telegram to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Pope Francis wrote: “With pain, I learned about the tragic attack that occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo…

I express heartfelt condolences to their families, the diplomatic corps, and the carabinieri on the death of these servants of peace.”

The Pope honored the 43-year-old ambassador for his “exemplary witness” through his work to “establish fraternal and cordial relationships, to establish serene and harmonious relationships in the heart of the African country.” (CNA)m MAY-JUNE 2021 INSIDE THE VATICAN 61

Food FoR THoUGHT

Stefano Navarrini illustration

n BY MOTHER MARTHA

S

adly, the COVID virus is still blocking travel for pleasure from the United States to Italy (down 90% in 2020), but I recommend three new books in English about Italian cuisine to whet your appetite and help you plan your next trip. In the meantime console yourself by enjoying their recipes.

AWAR’S Roman Kitchen. The American Women’s Association was founded in 1955 by Clare Boothe Luce, still the only woman to have served as US ambassador to Italy. “During the lockdown last spring, we needed an initiative to keep the nearly 200 members of AWAR involved and in touch…” wrote Maureen Fant (www.maureenfant.com) in her January 26th press release. An archeologist, tour operator and guide, an award-winning cookbook author and translator, Maureen headed the 256-page volume’s team of eight authors, artists, and photographers who collected the recipes, memories, and artwork of more than 40 AWAR members. “Since we hadn’t published a cookbook in 50+ years,” Maureen explained, “my idea was a no-brainer. But there’s more to it. Every day, we read stories and saw news reports about the courage and dedication of brave doctors, nurses and healthcare workers in Italy… We wanted to show our solidarity.”

Thus AWAR’s Roman Kitchen is technically not for sale, but available for a 20-euros donation as a spiral-bound paperback or e-book by clicking on www.awar.org/cookbook or awarcookbook@gmail.com. These proceeds will go Italy’s National Department for Civil Protection for PPE (personal protection equipment) for frontline health workers.

Its recipes are divided like most cookbooks: starters, soups and pasta, main dishes, vegan and vegetables, breads, sauces, sweets, and drinks: aperitivi, wines and digestivi. About half are Italian, especially Roman, and the others are worldwide because, although almost all AWAR members are Americans, several were born in Asia or Central or South America. Most measurements are given in both metric and US units. The recipes are interspersed with how-to-prepare advice: best way to cook pasta or trim a Roman artichoke; the locations of Rome’s several open-air markets; a list of ingredients perhaps unfamiliar to non-Italians like rabbit, capers, the many varieties of olives and vinegars; Italian table manners: don’t serve yourself wine and always peel fruit; plus common linguistic misunderstandings.

Like AWAR’s Roman Kitchen, Dolce Firenze & Toscana: The Sweet Side of our Country was written during the pan-

demic and by several authors. With only a few recipes at the end, this charming volume is more a sweets guide to Tuscany than a cookbook. Its text, both in English and Italian, is divided into chapters: Signature Desserts, Select Desserts from Eateries and Inns, Delectable Bakeries, Gourmet Ice Cream, Bread and Baked Goods, Schools of Sweets, Wedding Day, Birthdays and Events. Each entry is a short profile of the chef, baker, gelataio, or cooking school with a description of their specialties. Their locations cover all of Tuscany, but some of the protagonists aren’t Tuscan-born, but Neapolitan, Bolognese, and Sicilian, as well as Austrian and American. Its principal author is Roman-born, Tuscany-adoptee PR executive and blogger Veronica Triolo; the contributors are Canadian naturalized-British James Bradburne, Director of Milan’s Brera Art Museum and adjacent Braidense Library; Neapolitan Roberta Capua, former Miss Italia and now TV-Star; Lucano-born, Varese-bred Vito Mollica, the executive chef of Il Palagio at Hotel Four Seasons Florence; and journalist and gourmet Davide Paolini from Galeata in Emilia-Romagna.

Well-illustrated with photographs, the volume’s common denominator is a love of Tuscany and of the splendid sweets to discover there; it’s available on IBS, Amazon, and Feltrinelli for 18 euros.

Hot-off-the-press, The New Cucina Italiana: What to Eat, What to Cook & Who to Know in Italian Cuisine Today by Laura Lazzaroni was published on March 2, by Rizzoli New York.

Price: $40 US. An award-winning journalist and author, Laura Lazzoroni was the first Editor-in-Chief of Food and Wine Italia. Previously the New York correspondent for the weekly magazine of La Repubblica newspaper, at the time features editor of L’Uomo Vogue in Milan, where she lives, she’s the author of Altri Grani Altri Pani and coauthor with her mentor, the three-Michelin starred (the only one south of Rome) Abruzzese Niko Romito, of 10 Lezioni di Cucina. She’s also an accomplished bread consultant, specializing in heritage wheat.

The New Cucina Italiana is both a cookbook with recipes and a travel guide, available only in English for now and with its cooking measurements in ounces and pounds. Lazzaroni’s aim, while not demeaning Italy’s already well-known and multistarred chefs, is to explain to Americans where they can find new young talent not yet known abroad.m

THREE NEW BOOKS IN ENGLISH ABOUT ITALIAN CUISINE

Veronica Triolo

62 INSIDE THE VATICAN MAY-JUNE 2021

Laura Lazzaroni

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