Inside the Vatican magazine November-December 2023

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30 YEARS

BIMONTHLY of RELIGION-SPIRITUALITY-NEWS-COMMENTARIES-DEBATES-HISTORY...

“stOp iN thE NAmE Of GOd!” pOpE frANcis criEs Out As christmAs NEArs...

ALONE frANcis prAys fOr pEAcE Pope Francis prayed the Rosary alone in St. Peter’s Basilica on October 29, 2023. He entered the basilica early to celebrate the closing Mass of the Synod on Synodality. He remained for 20 minutes, alone, praying for peace in our world (Photo: Grzegorz Galazka)

JERUSALEM CARDINAL PIERLUIGI PIZZABALLA: “I OFFER MYSELF AS A HOSTAGE”

EDITORIAL by Robert Moynihan

The Meaning of “Salt of the Earth”

Jesus spoke of his followers as “the salt of the earth.” Salt preserves food, so the “salt of the earth” helps to preserve... the earth — the whole world. But this occurs only if the “salt”... retains its “saltiness”... its holiness

“You are the salt of the earth!” —Jesus, speaking to his disciples, in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5:13 “Salt preserves. Thus we are called to preserve this Faith, just as the salt in Magdala preserved the fish caught by James and John, Peter and Andrew, so long ago. To be the ‘salt of the earth’ means to pass on the apostolic faith, unaltered, pure of decay or corruption, until the end of time.” —Daniel Mattson, Catholic Answers, “What it means to be ‘salt of the earth’” “The Church fulfills her calling as ‘the salt of the earth’ in serving as the taste of the kingdom of heaven... in doing so, the body of Christ invites the world to the feast of life in the kingdom. Put differently, ‘you are the salt of the earth’ is not referring to the flavor and seasoning believers bring to human life and society. It is rather to be taken as signifying the beginnings of the heavenly banquet...” —Protestant theologian Ken Montgomery, in “‘You are the Salt of the Earth’ (Matthew 5:13): Influence or Invitation?”

“The essence of the Christian faith is intimate friendship with Jesus, on which everything depends.” —Benedict XVI, foreword to his Jesus of Nazareth trilogy, September 30, 2006 “For even within the same faith, each man’s way is an entirely personal one. We have Christ’s word: ‘I am the way.’ In that respect, there is ultimately one way, and everyone who is on the way to God is therefore in some sense also on the way of Jesus Christ. But this does not mean that all ways are identical in terms of consciousness and will, but, on the contrary, the one way is so big that it becomes a personal way for each man.” — Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, in Peter Seewald’s 1997 book-length interview him entitled Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millennium, p. 32 “You are ‘the salt of the earth.’ It is not for your own sake, he says, but for the world’s sake that the Word is entrusted to you. I am not sending you only into two cities only, or 10 to 20, nor to a single nation, as I sent the prophets of old, but across land and sea, to the whole world. And that world is in a miserable state.

For when he says: ‘You are the salt of the earth,’ he is indicating that all mankind had lost its savor and had been corrupted by sin. Therefore, he requires of these men those virtues which are especially useful and even necessary if they are to bear the burdens of many.” —St. John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of St. Matthew (Homily 15, 6-7: PG 57, 231-232). Born in 347 A.D., St. John became a monk and was ordained a priest to serve the Church in Antioch. His eloquent preaching earned him the title of “Chrysostom,” meaning “golden-mouthed.” In 398 A.D., he was named Patriarch Archbishop of Constantinople, much to his chagrin. This reluctant patriarch fulfilled his duty with energy and courage. But his call to repentance and moral reform won him the enmity of the nominally Christian

Empress, who had him deposed and exiled. To this day, the principal “Byzantine” liturgy celebrated by most Slavic, Greek, and middle-eastern Christians is known as the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. He died under the harsh conditions of his exile in 407 A.D., but he will always be remembered as one of the greatest of the Early Church Fathers. St. John Chrysostom is regarded as a “Doctor of the Church” by Catholics, and as one of the three Holy Hierarchs and Ecumenical teachers by Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Wednesday, November 7, 2023, ROME—In Rome this morning, under a deep blue sky, Pope Francis, at his Wednesday General Audience, reflected on the Gospel passage where Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.”

As Christmas is now approaching, the words “you are the salt of the earth’ take on immediate importance, for, by the coming onto the world of Jesus Christ, by His birth at Christmas, we experienced the “holy exchange”: Christ exchanged His divinity for our humanity, and we exchnaged our humanity for His divinity. We exchanged our “saltlessness” for the “saltiness” of Christ, His holiness, His being. Thus, Christmas has an “ontological” dimension.

Ontologically, the eternal “being” of Christ, son of the Eternal Father (“Before Abraham was, I am”), entered into time with a holiness and power capable of drawing the world of sin and frustration “upward” toward that “great banquest feast” where all wounds are healed, and all tears wiped away.

The profound advances of modern science and technology, have led us to the peculiar obsession of our present time: seeking eternal life through technology rather than through union with the eternal, holy God, that is, by becoming filled with grace, that is, by becoming holy.

We seem to believe we will obtain our “salvation’ (our “saltiness’’) through technology, not through... sanctity... through “AI” (Artificial Intelligence) and not through “SI” (Spiritual Intelligence): incorporation into the holiness of the risen Jesus Christ, by means of the mysteries of Christian life, also known as the “sacraments,” all seven of which are intended to incorporate finite, sinful human beings into the infinite, holy being of the Risen Lord Himself. This is “Spiritual Intelligence” (SI).

We have a calling, a vocation, each one of us. We are called to undertake a pilgrimage in this life, to set our sights on our true destiny, our true home, and journey toward that destiny, that home, in the face of every temptation, every proposed alternative destiny, focusing on that final goal alone. The goal is to encounter the Logos, Christ Himself... “Man bears within him a thirst for the infinite, a longing for eternity, a quest for beauty, a desire for love... man bears within him the desire for God,” Pope Benedict XVI said in his General Audience of May 11, 2011.

This is the message of Christianity, and it is the message that is behind all of the Church’s elaborate structures, teachings, doctrines, commandments, counsels, laws, sacraments, rituals and charitable initiatives. Merry Christmas to all! m NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

Year 31, #6

LEAD STORY Jerusalem Patriarch Pizzaballa offers himself as hostage

by ITV staff/CNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 Year 31, #6

v EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Robert Moynihan ASSOCIATE EDITOR: George “Pat” Morse (+ 2013) ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christina Deardurff CULTURE EDITOR: Lucy Gordan CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: William D. Doino, Jr. WRITERS: Anna Artymiak, Alberto Carosa, Giuseppe Rusconi, David Quinn, Andrew Rabel, Vladimiro Redzioch, Serena Sartini PHOTOS: Grzegorz Galazka LAYOUT: Giuseppe Sabatelli ILLUSTRATIONS: Stefano Navarrini CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Deborah B. Tomlinson ADVERTISING: Katie Carr Tel. +1.202.864.4263 kcarr@insidethevatican.com

v EDITORIAL OFFICES FOR MAIL: US: 14 West Main St. Front Royal, VA 22630 USA Tel +1.202.536.4555 Rome: Inside the Vatican via delle Mura Aurelie 7c, Rome 00165, Italy Tel: +39.06.3938.7471 Fax: +39.06.638.1316 POSTMASTER: send address changes to Inside the Vatican PO Box 1320 Front Royal, VA 22630, USA Tel: +1.800.789.9494 Fax: +1.202.536.5409 Subscriptions (USA): Inside the Vatican PO Box 1320 Front Royal, VA 22630, USA www.insidethevatican.com Tel. +1.800.789.9494

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 bimonthly (6 times per year) with occasional special supplements.

Inside the Vatican is published by Urbi et Orbi Communications, PO Box 1320, Front Royal, VA 22630, 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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INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

DOSSIER: 2023 SYNOD ON SYNODALITY The Synod on Synodality is (finally) over: Where will the Church go from here?

by Christina Deardurff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Understanding this historic Synod has just begun

by ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 A Primer on the Synod on Synodality

by Courtney Mares (CNA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Does “synodality” have any basis in theology?

by Christina Deardurff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Voices of the Synod: A Palette of Many Shades

by ITV staff/Vatican News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 An Orthodox bishop — an invited participant — reflects on the Synod

by Jovan Tripkovic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 CHRISTMAS ART ESSAY/The Popes speak to us of welcoming the Child “He came for me” Pope Paul VI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 “The Grace of God has appeared” Pope John Paul II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 “God has revealed Himself” Pope Benedict XVI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 “His hands became the cradle of God” Pope Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 CULTURE Spirituality/An Embarassment of Riches: Pope Francis’ exhortation on Thérèse of Lisieux

by Suzie Andres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Interview/Sr. Prudence Allen: Understanding the nature of “woman,” part 2

by Barbara Middleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Scripture /Matthew’s Astonishing Account of Christ’s Birth

by Anthony Esolen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Spirituality Behind Bars/Jesus seeks out the Gadarenes

by Marcellus Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 URBI ET ORBI: CATHOLICISM AND ORTHODOXY Icon/The Creed: The Life-giving Death of Jesus

by Robert Wiesner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 East-West Watch/Partnership Between Russian Church and State

by Peter Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 News from the East/Ukrainian parliament approves draft bill outlawing Ukrainian Orthodox Church; Pope Francis tries to defuse schism danger in India; and more

by Matthew Trojacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 FEATURES Tradition and Beauty/The Forgotten Song of Christmas

by Aurelio Porfiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Art/Rome’s Obelisks: From War Trophies to Pilgrim Markers

by Lucy Gordan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Lord of the World/”We shall all go before God together”

by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Vatican Watch/A day-by-day chronicle of Vatican events: August-September 2023

by Matthew Trojacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 People/Pope meets Rocky; Iraqui Cardinal seeks government recognition; Indian Christians want equal treatment; newborn among beatified martyrs; Cardinal: “love,” not “conversion”

by Matthew Trojacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Food for Thought/Treviso’s own radicchio rosso

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

Classic Italy: Journey to the Face of Christ June 1 - 12, 2024 From the ancient rooms where St. Peter lived for seven years, to the bishop’s residence in Assisi; from the treasure trove of art and faith at the Vatican Museum, to the Benedictine monastery of Norcia; we will encounter some of the “living stones” of our Church, as we journey toward the Face of Christ — both spiritually and physically – in the form of the miraculous Face of Manoppello. Visit us online to learn more!

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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

SPECIAL JOSEPH RATZINGER ISSUE

We get requests like these everyday.

Dear Friends:

UNITY WITH THE POPE

Christian Armenians in Azerbaijan appealed to the UN Security Council; is that body still silent? Also, Azerbaijan has hired British lawyer Rodney Dixon to dispute these accusations. So it seems the Catholic bishop is the only voice trying to get help to these people! There is a deaf ear in the international community when it comes to Christians.

Linda Smith Florida, USA

While I desire unity with the Pope, how do we unite with him, when he supports all the agendas of the globalists and Agenda 2030? Their goals are to reduce the human population. I see all kinds of red flags flying when I observe Francis. I do agree, we get what we deserve. I don’t pray enough, or do penance enough. Maybe the only correct answer is “Watch and pray” as the Church goes through this passion. Our Lady of Fatima said the entire world would become Communist. I fear the Pope is helping them.

Terry Duerr Ohio, USA

Re: Lebanon Report 2023, #7: Thank you for wonderful testimony on St. Charbel.

“It is me” is not identified, but who do people think he is? St. Charbel? To me, it is Christ Himself who said this, because I also had that experience in a totally different place... the incredible light, the feeling of a presence and the overflowing love and peace which poured into me. I knew it was God’s answer to my prayers.

Helena ilonka.haddad@gmail.com

I am sitting here nearly speechless as I close the cover of the Special Issue on “Joseph Ratzinger: A Life for the Church.”

What an excellent job on covering his most beautiful life. A little behind on my reading, but thoroughly appreciate it at this time.

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

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ARMENIAN GENOCIDE An urgent prayer request: for the spiritual and material needs of the 120,000 Armenians, including 30,000 children, being starved to death in Artsakh by the Azerbaijanis who have blockaded them since December.

They have run out of food and the situation has been declared officially a genocide, an 1890s and 1915-17 repeat.

The Turkish president, an ally of Azerbaijan, has said they are completing what their grandfathers started.

Meanwhile, sadly, the international community looks the other way, because Turkey and Azerbaijan have geopolitical significance and Armenia has none. The Turks want the whole region Turkified — eradicating the Christian presence there.

Thank you, Robert and Christopher, for your excellent reporting on the genocidal crisis facing the Armenians in Artsakh!

Robert Bagdazian Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, California, USA

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

TESTIMONY: ST. CHARBEL

CONCLAVE DOUBTS Excellent August 16 YouTube interview with Matt Gaspers. Archbishop Viganò’s comments on unnamed cardinals’ doubts about the 2013 papal conclave, as you say, seem to point to the final ballot on March 13. Further, Viganò suggests he is thinking of Cardinal Burke, but it is clear Burke has no such doubts. All very curious.

My sense is, something has been garbled in transmission; further, what could possibly invalidate a conclave at this point given the doctrine of Universal Acceptance? I am puzzled: 10 years in, it seems to me we should have more clarity on Viganò’s opinion, not less.

Steve O’Reilly stevenoreilly@aol.com I listened intently to your discussion with Matt Gaspers concerning the election of Pope Francis and the cloud of uncertainty from Archbishop Viganò. Alas, the Barque has now entered stormy waters of an unprecedented nature and is under threat of

capsizing! Your discussion led into Pope John Paul II’s 1996 “Apostolic Constitution,” and its bombshell in Chapter VI: “Matters to be observed or avoided on the election of the Roman Pontiff’; section 78 refers to “the crime of simony” but then John Paul declared that “the validity of the election of the Roman Pontiff may not for this reason be challenged.” In other words, the election would still stand even though section 76 seems clear that it should not(?).

This stance, I suggest, is incomprehensible.

I think we’d all like to know exactly when and who it was that overturned this pontifical ruling prior to John Paul II? Simon simonlars@hotmail.co.uk I think there are several (serious) problems here. One is that Viganò is desperate to disqualify Francis rather than take the path of “fraternal correction.” After all, even if invalidly elected Pope, his position as a bishop is not in dispute.

Second, your letter [Moynihan Letter #132: Viganò] does not make the case that Jorge Bergoglio did not want or accept the papacy “because he considers the papacy something other than what it is.” What is the basis for this assumption? That Francis sees the papacy in a more collegial sense does not diminish his authority, even as he sees it: “The Pope, in this context, is not the supreme lord but rather the supreme servant — the ‘servant of the servants of God’; the guarantor of the obedience and the conformity of the Church to the will of God, to the Gospel of Christ, and to the Tradition of the Church, putting aside every personal whim, despite being — by the will of Christ Himself — the ‘supreme Pastor and Teacher of all the faithful’ and despite enjoying ‘supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church.’”

(Pope Francis, Closing remarks, Synod on the Family: CNA, October 18, 2014) Third, the evidence for fraud has not been established and, in fact, soundly refuted (the so-called St. Gallen Mafia was disbanded after Benedict’s election; if any election could be cast in doubt, it was Ratzinger’s).

Fourth, as much as Viganò likes to say that Francis has been heterodox, Francis has taught the major tenets of our faith, even while creating confusion in dealing with objective mortal sin (and he has!): see https://www.markmallett.com/blog/pope-

francis-on/. I wholeheartedly agree, however, that off-the-cuff remarks, irresponsible interviews (e.g., Scalfari), and perplexing collaborations (Pachamama in the Vatican Gardens, support of the UN’s SDG, vaccine, and climate change agenda) are nothing short of scandalous. The danger is that the more Viganò sows doubt in the faithful, the more the Church’s unity is destabilized. He is free to speculate — but out loud?

Mark Mallett music@markmallett.com Viganò is the Trump of the Church.

Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air

and is inspiring people like me since his installationò Will Vigano be leading a storming of the Capital (Vatican offices) next? Go away, old man, and pray for forgiveness.

Dennis Fox sbcglobal.net

MARIO ENZLER If you ever respond to my repeated inquiries about the veracity of Mario Enzler (former Swiss Guard), whom you repeatedly interview — who I admit tells a good story — but who has also been publicly accused of falsifying his resume in order to obtain a position as Dean of the

U.S. Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Title of publication: Inside the Vatican 2. Publication No. 1068-8579 3.

Date of Filing: October 1, 2023. 4. Frequency of Issue: Bi-monthly, with occasional special supplements. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: six 6.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR School of Business of St. Thomas University, I will subscribe for a minimum of one year. Until then, the fact that this public accusation, never acknowledged by Enzler, much less refuted, is the elephant in the room with you and Mr. Enzler seems to undermine your journalistic credibility.

Don’t you think you owe it to your audience to clear the matter up?

Charles Wright charleswright@gmail.com The editor replies: I will ask Mr. Enzler and send an answer to you. —RM

CRITIQUING FRANCIS I consider myself a traditional Catholic.

I was a subscriber to your publication for many years. But, I ultimately canceled my subscription when, in my opinion, you often unfairly wrote about and critiqued Pope Francis. Our Church teaches that our Holy Father is selected by the Holy Spirit.

If you do not trust the Holy Spirit in the decision he made, why should your readers trust you? Then I decided to give your publication another chance. Will I be forced to cancel again? I do not want to contribute to a publication fomenting schism in my beautiful Church.

Ron Ricci rjricci@gmail.com

SYNOD ON SYNODALITY I am greatly worried about what this Synod means for the future of the Church and enormously grateful to you for your daily letters - please keep up the good work William Callaghan barryaltarserver2022@outlook.com (Re: Moynihan Letter #141: MidOctober:) “...the importance of the Synod's discussions of the role of women in the Church's hierarchy or the blessing of people in homosexual relationships has abruptly come to be seen as of relatively much less importance, as war threatens to explode in the Middle East…”

The efforts to change God’s will to be for a male only Priesthood; and the flouting of His Law against the sins of Sodom and

Gomorrah show man’s hatred for these two Truths. No wonder God’s righteous anger is erupting at such brazen and flagrant disobedience of His very Law of Creation.

No war is more important than stopping the evil agenda of the so-called Synod on Synodality. In fact it could well be the second warning, if not the second strike.

Anne Buchan anne.b.buchan@gmail.com

Woelki is a conservative German cardinal in Cologne. He would fit the profile of “a German cardinal.” Muller is and has been for years a Vatican cardinal of German descent — I am “calling you out.” Why would you do this? Subtly, you are belittling the opposition to the Argentinian former cardinal.

JBQ Firestone jacquebquique@yahoo.com

(Re: Moynihan Letter #144: Germination) Forgive me for appearing “cynical or destructive,” but Fr. Radcliffe comparing this creature [the Synod] to the gestation of a woman’s pregnancy is filthy and disgusting. The “seed” of this synod is grown in a lab by man, artificially inseminated by wolves in sheep’s clothing. After this 11month gestation, one can only imagine the beast that will be delivered next October by the princes of the world. In my heart I know their attempt to further tarnish Christ's Bride will only fail. The gates of hell will not prevail... Christ promised.

Keep your lamp lit.

Jackie jmacphee@bellsouth.net

EUCHARIST FOR THE CIVILLY REMARRIED

The statement of October 10, 2023, by Gerhard Müller must be emphasized: “A Church that no longer confesses like Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the living God, is no longer the Church of Jesus Christ.”

Elizabeth Yore stated in “Faith and Reason” on LifeSiteNews that the agenda includes the rejection of Christ as God, as in Arianism. It also must be remarked that each Synod participant was allotted three minutes for the entire month of the Synod to speak before the entire gathering. Liberal participants were above 80% in number. Therefore the beliefs of the 365 delegates were top heavy on the liberal side. The entire “theatre episode” was manipulated and controlled by the Argentinian for his own liberal agenda.

Also, I believe that you downplayed the influence of Cardinal Müller. He is not just a “German cardinal.” He is the former Prefect (2012-2017) of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal

MIDEAST CONFLICT Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s objection to Pope Francis’ statement, a faux pas, is appropriate; Francis seemingly ignored the Hamas terrorist evil that murdered more than 1,000 Israelis. The Battle Plan for Israel is to exterminate once and for all the Hamas terrorists, surrogates of Iran.

Vic vcamco@comcast.net A Christian perspective dictates that we love even our enemies. The traditional Jewish perspective speaks of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Considering that Jewish perspective, I am not surprised at the reaction by Hamas to the situation that

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(Re: Moynihan Letter #127: Francis): “His strategy was to verbally affirm the indissolubility of marriage, but to insist that persons in a valid Catholic marriage who were civilly married to someone else could receive the Eucharist.” He did nothing of the sort. All he did was OK footnote 351, which reminds us of long-standing Catholic teaching that just because somebody is living in an objective state of mortal sin doesn’t mean they aren’t in a state of grace.

All conditions for a mortal sin might not be met for some people in 2nd marriages.

Only God knows their heart and whether or not they have given “full consent” of their will to it. To spin it as Francis undermining marriage is a complete and intentional lie.

Bryan Baird RPLU President, CA License # 0D99838

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

they have been subjected to within Gaza.

Also, I'm not surprised by the Israeli reaction. I don't see how you can expect either side to simply flip a switch and start acting in a Christian way.

Charles Incaprera Charlesi@incaprera.com

BISHOPS: BUREAUCRATS I am tired of Catholic-appearing prelates lecturing us about openness to the “messy” works of the Holy Spirit, “discernment” and all the other nonsense they push in their highjacking of the Catholic Church under the slogan of “the spirit of Vatican II.” They hope to overthrow God, “liberate” mankind from His terrible rules, and establish a libertarian, and libertine, New World Order run by technocrats. Until the remaining good bishops find their courage and stand up to the freemasonic destroyers, there is no hope. They are bureaucrats of the worst stripe who seemingly do not believe in the supernatural power of prayer and fasting.

Chris Sawyer chrissawyer@att.net

OUR SALVATION IS NEAR The September-October issue of ITV at first saddened me; but, overnight, I felt I should “dance and rejoice, for our salvation is near!” As a contemplative nun, I have always felt that “our” season is Advent; our prayer is “Maranatha.” And now it is here!

Imagine, Benedict XVI, the “Restrainer!” Perhaps there is someone (or a group) in every age who has done the “restraining.” Perhaps today’s saint, John Chrysostom, was one of them, or the Latin Mass; or the Psalms which asked God’s punishment on enemies(all those verses were cut out of the Divine Office by some committee). Pope PiusXII, in his garden, saw the “Miracle of the Sun” (Fatima) and said, “The Apostasy!” So, Fatima was the beginning of the end. And Jesus, asleep in His boat, directs everything. Or so it seems to me.

Sr. Mary Pius, OSC Monastery of St. Clare Kiryu-shi, Gumma Ken, Japan

MORAL FERTILITY CARE I ask for support for the first fertility care education program that we are planning in Lebanon to train women to

teach the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. This model empowers women to live their Catholic faith while planning their families in morally acceptable ways in accord with Church teachings. By the grace of God, we have raised $43,000 of the $65,000 needed. For more information, visit cedaroflebanonfcc.com. Please reach out if I can be of any assistance providing my services for women or couples in your parish as well.

Marise Frangie, CFCE cedaroflebanonfcc@gmail.com

Brandon Combs #180834 Ouachita River Correction Unit POBox 1630 Malvern, AR 72104 The past year of subscribing to ITV has flown and it is time to renew again. Your magazine is always very interesting, and an excellent source of relevant and timely information. I respectfully request another free subscription, if possible. Thank you!

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FROM PRISONERS I am an indigent prisoner, requesting renewal of my free subscription to ITV. My family is almost all dead, leaving me largely alone in prison — but I did find so much solace, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Our Blessed Mother, through the Catholic Church! It’s like my old family has been replaced by a billion brothers and sisters! The Faith means so much to me that I’ve dedicated myself to the monastic life, and am an Oblate of the Benedictines of Atchison, Kansas. My dream is to be an actual monk at an actual monastery when I get out. Thank you for all you do for the Church!

Patrick West #143374 Yarner Unit, 320 Hwy. 388 PO Box 600, Grady, AR 71644 I love receiving ITV and am blessed by a sponsor for my subscription, but it is running out. I hope another can be found, as the cost is out of reach for me. ITV keeps me connected with my Faith and fellow Catholics. Our community here is small, but the magazine, with its stories and vibrant pictures, is always a welcome sight.

Thanks for considering a free renewal.

I look forward to each “Moynihan Letter” — always so much new information, facts, and your tremendous in-depth knowledge of all that is going on within our Church. Especially interested in all you have written about the traditional Latin Mass. Several friends will only attend them at a church in our area. Have been to a few — but have so many memories from when I was young before Vatican II. And very confused about some of the changes after Vatican II. Guess we will have to wait and see what’s ahead. But thank you for these wonderful letters. God has given you a very special “gift.”

Barbara Dabrowski badabrowshi@verizon.net Your emails are brilliant and shed so much light on the entire issue boiling at this time. You have wonderful resources to add to the I think of one of my heroes, Dietrich von Hildebrand, in all this mess (e.g., Trojan Horse in the City of God).

I will be making a donation to help with your valuable emails!

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DominaNostraPublishing.com INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

11

LEAD STORY

Jerusalem Patriarch Pizzaballa Offers himself as hOstage “am i ready fOr an exchange? anything, if that can lead tO freedOm and bring thOse children hOme” — Latin Patriarch of JerusaLem, cardinaL Pierbattista PizzabaLLa n BY ITV STAFF/CNA

O

n October 7, Hamas led the deadliest militant attack in Israel’s history, with an Israeli death toll at more than 1400. Israel then launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza, a long-blockaded territory with about 2.3 million Palestinian residents.

Since then, Israel, declaring “war” on the militant Islamic organization, has continued to retaliate, leaving Palestinian citizens injured, killed and driven from their homes with no water, food, medicines or electricity allowed into their territory.

Israel Defense Forces announced October 16 that 199 Israeli hostages, including children, are being held by Hamas and that the military is trying to discover where they are being held in Gaza. Hamas terrorists had threatened the previous week to kill one

hostage every time that Israel’s military bombs civilian targets in Gaza.

The Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem has offered himself in exchange for the children being held as hostages in Gaza by Hamas.

Speaking to journalists via video conference on October 16, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, 58, was asked if he would be willing to become a hostage himself in exchange for the child hostages who were taken in Hamas’ attack on Israel.

“Am I ready for an exchange? Anything, if that can lead to freedom and bring those children home, no problem. There is an absolute availability on my part,” the cardinal responded.

“We are willing to help, even me personally,” he added.

Cardinal Pizzaballa, who shepherds the Latin Catholics living in Is-

12 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

rael, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Cyprus, told reporters that he had not had any direct communication with Hamas since their surprise attack on October 7.

The Jerusalem Patriarchate led by Cardinal Pizzaballa, who was himself in Rome for the Synod on Synodality at the time of the initial attack, issued its own statement on October 7 “as the fighting was still raging.”

“The operation launched from Gaza and the reaction of the Israeli Army are bringing us back to the worst period of our recent history. The too-many casualties and tragedies, which both Palestinians and Israeli families have to deal with, will create more hatred and division, and will destroy more and more any perspective of stability,” read the Patriarchate’s statement.

“It is only by ending decades of occupation that a serious peace process can begin” On October 24, Cardinal Pizzaballa released a “Letter to the Entire Diocese” of Jerusalem which we excerpt here

M

y conscience and moral duty require me to state clearly that what happened on October 7th in southern Israel is in no way permissible and we cannot but condemn it. [...]

The same conscience, however, with a great burden on my heart, leads me to state with equal clarity today that this new cycle of violence has brought to Gaza over five thousand deaths, including many women and children, tens of thousands of wounded, neighborhoods razed to the ground, lack of medicine, lack of water and of basic necessities for over two million people. These are tragedies that cannot be understood and which we have a duty to denounce and condemn unreservedly. The continuous heavy bombardment that has been pounding Gaza for days will only cause more death and destruction and will only increase hatred and resentment. [...]

It is only by ending decades of occupation and its tragic consequences, as well as giving a clear and secure national perspective to the Palestinian people that a

serious peace process can begin. Unless this problem is solved at its root, there will never be the stability we all hope for. The tragedy of these days must lead us all, religious, political, civil society, international community, to a more serious commitment in this regard than what has been done so far. This is the only way to avoid other tragedies like the one we are experiencing now. We owe it to the many victims of these days and to those of years past. We do not have the right to leave this task to others.

Yet, I cannot live this extremely painful time without looking upward, without looking to Christ, without the faith that enlightens my view and yours on what we are experiencing, without turning our thoughts to God. We need a Word to accompany us, to comfort and encourage us. We need it like the air we breathe.

“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have tribulations, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33).n

THE FIRST JERUSALEM PATRIARCH TO BE MADE A CARDINAL

Born and educated in Italy, Cardinal Pizzaballa has been stationed in the Holy Land since 1990, the year he was ordained a priest at age 24 in the Franciscan order. After his philosophicaltheological studies in Italy, then-Father Pizzaballa obtained a licentiate in Biblical Theology at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum of Jerusalem in 1993.

In 1999, he formally entered in service to the Custody of the Holy Land, a custodian priory of the Order of Friars Minor in Jerusalem, founded as the Province of the Holy Land in 1217 by Saint Francis of Assisi. In 1342, the Franciscans were declared by two papal bulls as the official custodians of the Holy Places in the name of the Catholic Church.

“The Holy Land changed my life.

My life of faith also,” the then-55year-old bishop told EWTN News in 2020.

“I arrived there 30 years ago. I didn’t know the languages. I came from a

very, very Catholic context and I was suddenly in a context where [Christians] were just 1% of the population.”

Despite arriving without knowing the language, within five years he had overseen the publication of the Roman Missal in Hebrew. He was also the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem’s vicar general for the pastoral care of Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Israel.

Consecrated to the episcopacy in 2016, he was named apostolic administrator of the Holy Land, and tasked by the Pope with re-organizing the financial management of a Patriarchate teetering on the brink of insolvency.

He was also asked to improve the pastoral situation among the various Christian communities in Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Cyprus.

“In the beginning it was very difficult. But once we have been transparent, I felt that all the community was very supportive and so we could overcome all our problems and turn the page finally,” he said.

Pope Francis appointed him the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on October 24, 2020. He is the first Latin Patriarch to be made a cardinal, one of the new crop of cardinals created by Francis on September 30, 2023.

On October 11, Cardinal Pizzaballa called for a worldwide day of prayer and fasting for peace in the region on October 17.

He urged Catholics to organize times of prayer with Eucharistic adoration and recitation of the Rosary “to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation.”

“In this time of sorrow and dismay, we do not want to remain helpless. We cannot let death and its sting (1 Cor 15:55) be the only word we hear,” he said in a statement.

“That is why we feel the need to pray, to turn our hearts to God the Father. Only in this way we can draw the strength and serenity needed to endure these hard times, by turning to Him, in prayer and intercession, to implore and cry out to God amidst this anguish.”

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 13

LEAD STORY

Patriarch Pizzaballa offers himself as hostage

Patriarch Pizzaballa has long been warning Jerusalem of “worrying signs”

I

n a homily back in May, 2022, the Jerusalem Patriarch said, “Any appropriation, any division, any gesture of exclusion and rejection of others, any form of violence is a deep wound in the life of the City and a cause of pain to all, because all are part of the one body,” he said. “It is no coincidence therefore that this recent wave of violence in the entire Holy Land originated right here in Jerusalem, only a few metres away from us,” alluding to Sheikh Jarrah, a largely Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem where a property dispute escalated into violence.

“Jerusalem is for all: Christians, Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians,” said Patriarch Pizzaballa.

The violence two years ago, even in cities where different groups normally live together in harmony, was,

Patriarch Pizzaballa said, a “worrying sign” that “indicates a profound unease that everyone must pay attention to.”

Again, in May of this year, radical Jewish activists protested violently against Christians holding a prayer service at Jerusalem’s Western Wall. Patriarch Pizzaballa’s close relationship with two of the city’s prominent rabbis — David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef — played a major role in the release of a letter by Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar condemning attacks on Christians.

The next month, the Patriarch met with Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, who subsequently condemned the violence unequivocally.

(ITV staff)

In the circles: on the left, Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See Raphael Schutz, on the right, the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher

THE VATICAN’S RESPONSE TO THE HAMAS ATTACK Pope Francis has spoken several times about the tragic conflict between Hamas and Israel, urging the fighters on both sides to cease hostilities and leaders to work for peace instead. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, underscored on October 13 the Vatican’s readiness to act in some role of mediation between Israel and Hamas.

At no time has Pope Francis denied that Israel has a right to defend itself against aggression, but the Israelis have been less than pleased with the Vatican’s response.

The Pope said that “it is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very concerned about the total siege under which the Palestinians are living in Gaza, where there have also been many innocent victims.”

Francis said that terrorism and extremism “do not help reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but fuel hatred, violence, revenge, and only cause each other to suffer. The Middle East does not need war, but peace, a peace built on dialogue and the courage of fraternity.”

In an interview with Vatican News on October 13, Cardinal Parolin called Hamas’ attacks “inhuman” and said the Holy See expresses “complete and firm condemnation.”

At the same time, he also underscored the Vatican’s readiness to act in some role of mediation between Israel and Hamas. “I do not know how much room for dialogue there can be between Israel and the Hamas militia,” Cardinal Parolin said. “But if there is — and we hope there is — it should be pursued immediately and without delay.”

“The Holy See is ready for any necessary mediation, as always,” he said.

On October 22, the Vatican announced that earlier that afternoon, “A phone call took place between Pope Francis and the President of the United States, Joe Biden,” with the roughly 20-minute conversation “focused on situations of conflict in the world and the need to identify pathways of peace,” including humanitarian aid to Gaza and prevention of escalation of the conflict there.

14 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

ISRAEL’S REACTION TO VATICAN STATEMENTS To date there seems little interest in the Vatican’s offer of mediation. On October 13, Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See Raphael Schutz called the idea of mediation “premature,” telling German News agency KNA, “Unfortunately, now is not the time to negotiate. We must first fight and win this war.”

The next day, Schutz issued a series of messages on X objecting to an October 13 statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem which, among other things, called on Israel to allow humanitarian supplies to reach Gaza.

“The only party the patriarchs single out by name with a specific demand is Israel, the party that was viciously attacked a week ago,” Schutz said in one post. “What a shame, especially when this comes from people of God.” Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen also expressed dissatisfaction with the Vatican’s responses, saying after an October 15 meeting with the Vatican’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, “It is inconceivable that an announcement essentially expressing concern for the residents of Gaza

December 2, 2014, Vatican. Private audience of Pope Francis with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu in the private library of the Apostolic Palace. (Photo: Grzegorz Galazka)

is issued at the same time IsChurch in Need (ACN) October rael is burying 1,300 mur16 that they would be remaining dered citizens.” in their convent, which is at“Israel is fighting a war tached to central Gaza’s only that was imposed upon it and Catholic Parish, the Holy Famiwill continue to fight Hamas ly. Sister Nabila said: “We will until it no longer poses a not go. People have nothing, not threat to the citizens of Isthe basic things. Where should rael,” he added. we go? To die on the street? We According to the statehave old people, the Mother ment, Cohen also told GalTeresa’s Sisters are also here, lagher that Israel “expects the with people with multiple disVatican to come out with a abilities and elderly people…” clear and unequivocal conMother Teresa’s nuns, the The Pope’s measured demnation of the murderous Missionaries of Charity, have terrorist actions of Hamas terin fact been present in Gaza for response: ambivalence rorists who harmed women, 50 years, since February, 1973, or prudence? children and the elderly for when they arrived shortly after ope Francis has expressed his grief over the sole fact that they are Jews the killing of the Latin Catholic the Hamas attack on Israel and subseand Israelis.” community’s parish priest. quent armed conflict between the Israel De“There’s no room for un“In our convent we also felt fense Forces and Hamas, involving a high founded comparisons,” Cohen the effects of the explosion at number of civilian casualties inflicted on both said. “Hamas, a terrorist orgathe al Ahli hospital, we are sides of the Gaza dividing wall. nization worse than ISIS, inclose to the affected area,” But his words have been measured and atvaded Israel with the intention Mother Teresa’s nuns told tentive to the need to avoid being drawn into any ideological or political wars being fought of harming innocent civilians, Franciscan Fr. Francis Xavier, in the media, especially in a climate where while Israel is a democracy the Indian Commissioner of the falsehood is easy to disseminate and often that’s trying to defend its citiHoly Land in Jerusalem, as rehard to identify. zens from Hamas.” ported by Asia News.

In an example of how difficult it can be to The protest came after “We are not worried about sort fact from fiction in a rapidly-evolving conFrancis’s appeal at the end of ourselves, but for disabled chilflict in the digital age, CNN journalist Sara his regular Angelus address, dren and elderly people bedridSidner, who reported live on October 12 that in which the Pope once again den with bedsores. And also for the office of Benjamin Netanyahu could confirm that babies were beheaded — a claim reexpressed concern for the the 600 people who took refuge peated by US president Joe Biden — has had bloodshed. in our convent after losing their to apologize, saying she had been misled.

“I continue to follow homes in recent days due to the In her apology on media site X (formerly what’s happening in Israel and bombings. Where will they go Twitter), she stated October 13 that “yesterPalestine with great sorrow,” now?” day the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said that Francis said. “I think again of Gaza’s Holy Family parish it had confirmed Hamas beheaded babies so many, in particular children was at the time sheltering not and children while we were live on air.” and the elderly. I renew my only Catholics but also some “The Israeli government now says today it appeal for the liberation of the 350 Greek Orthodox Christians CANNOT confirm babies were beheaded. I needed to be more careful with my words and hostages, and I ask strongly from their nearby parish, as I am sorry.” she added. (ITV staff) that children, the sick, the elwell as non-Christians. derly, women and all civilians Argentinian native Father “Enough!” the Pope said. “Wars Gabriel Romanelli, one of only two not be victims of the conflict.”

“Humanitarian law must be re- are always a defeat, always!” priests caring for the Roman spected, above all in Gaza, where it’s Catholics in Gaza, told ACN that urgent and necessary to guarantee hu- “WHERE SHOULD WE GO? “there is nothing in the south and the manitarian corridors and to protect TO DIE ON THE STREET?” health and humanitarian situation is Meanwhile, as Israel’s deadline to disastrous with lack of water and the entire population,” the Pope said.

“Brothers and sisters, there are al- evacuate northern Gaza approached, food.” ready so many dead. Please, don’t Catholic religious Sisters announced Father Romanelli said that many shed innocent blood, not in the Holy that they were staying with those who parishioners had no other option but Land, or in Ukraine, or in any other are unable to leave. The Sisters of the to stay, believing that “they are safer Rosary told Catholic charity Aid to the with Jesus.”m place!”

P

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 15

SYNOD 2023-2024

The Synod on SynodaliTy iS (finally) over n BY CHRISTINA DEARDURFF, WITH AGENCY REPORTS

A

s the Vatican’s nearly monthlong Synod on Synodality drew to its October 29 conclusion, the 365 assembled cardinals, bishops, priests, sisters, religious and lay people — and of course, Pope Francis — voted to approve a 42-page report which was published in Italian the day before the Synod’s final closing.

The report was short on concrete proposals, and long on exhortations to continue the path of establishing synodality as the modus operandi of the Catholic Church in virtually all its aspects.

A definition of synodality, a term which, due to its novelty, has been open to a wide array of interpretations, was offered in the report: “Synodality can be understood as the walk of Christians with Christ and toward

the kingdom, together with all humanity; mission-oriented, it involves coming together in assembly at the different ecclesial levels of life, listening to one another, dialogue, communal discernment, consensus-building as an expression of Christ’s making himself present alive in the Spirit, and decision-making in differentiated co-responsibility.”

The term “consensus” which appeared in the report’s definition of synodality was echoed by the Synod of Bishops’ secretary-general, Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, who said, “Ecclesial discernment, which is based on mutual listening to understand where the spirit is leading the Church, is based on the criterion of consensus.”

The document, in fact, went so far as to say that “synodal processes” can

16 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

actually verify when the faithful are in consensus (the “sensus fidelium”) on a given issue, which “is a sure criterion for determining whether a particular doctrine or practice belongs to the apostolic faith.”

Thus was laid the groundwork for a discernment of new attitudes, procedures, even, perhaps, teachings, resulting from discussion and “listening” to the People of God in all walks of life, not just the clergy, and a consequent “consensus” on what the will of God is for the the Church of the 21st century.

The work of construction upon this foundation, however, was mostly deferred until the second phase of the Synod on Synodality, to be held a year from now, in October, 2024.

The report instead calls for “further study,” as well as the establishment of

After 25 dAys of “wAlking together” in october 2023, where will the synod members go from here?

October 29, 2023, Vatican Basilica.

Pope Francis presides over the Holy Mass for the conclusion of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (Photo: Grzegorz Galazka)

commissions of theologians and canonists; however, nowhere in the document is it specified how these new “commissions” would be composed, who would choose the members, or how or when they would meet.

One thing the report does call for is the establishment of a “special intercontinental commission of theologians and canonists” to examine the definition and conceptual understanding of the “idea and practice of synodality” and its canonical implications.

The proposals also include the formation of “a joint commission of Eastern and Latin theologians, historians, and canonists to study the issues that require further study and make proposals for pursuing the path.”

In addition to these commissions, the document also defines the 75 different items listed as “matters of con-

A particularly notable absence

W

ith regard to the role of women, the final report issued an “urgent” call for Canon Law to be changed to allow more female governance roles: “There is an urgent need to ensure that women can participate in decisionmaking processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry. The Holy Father has significantly increased the number of women in positions of responsibility in the Roman Curia.

The same should happen at other levels of Church life. Canon law should be adapted accordingly.”

(Passed by 319 to 27) The current Vatican concentration on climate change issues was also represented, with a call being made for “the biblical and theological foundations of integral ecology [to] be more explicitly and carefully integrated into the teaching, liturgy and practices of the Church.”

(Passed by 328 to 16) On the issue of migration, the final report highlighted calls for “respect for the liturgical traditions and religious practices of migrants” as part of an “authentic welcome,” while avoiding urging the promotion of Catholicism. In a paragraph with a relatively large amount of objection, mention was made of “sensitivity” needed in places where “the proclamation of the Gospel has been associated

sideration” in the synthesis report as “points on which we have recognized that it is necessary to continue theological, pastoral, and canonical deepening.”

Among these “matters of consideration,” which could not find a consensus in the first synod assembly, are women’s access to diaconal ministry, priestly celibacy, “Eucharistic hospitality” for interfaith couples, ways to make the sacrament of confirmation “more fruitful,” and assigning the handling of abuse cases to another body instead of the bishops.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN A topic that received quite a bit of attention in the general addresses and, reportedly, in the smaller table discussions, was the role of women in the Church.

with colonization and even genocide.” (Passed by 312 to 32) So also was the Holy Eucharist seen and used as an aid for “synodality,” with calls made for Communion to be given to non-Catholics. So-called “Eucharistic hospitality” was highlighted as being an issue “particularly felt by interfaith couples.”

The final report said the issue of Eucharistic hospitality (communicatio in sacris) should be further examined from the theological, canonical and pastoral perspectives in light of the link between sacramental and ecclesial communion. This issue is particularly felt by interfaith couples. It also points to a broader reflection on mixed marriages. (Passed by 321 to 23) The terminology “LGBTQ” did not appear in the final report, unlike in the Instrumentum Laboris which guided proceedings. This is a particularly notable absence, especially given the concentration of questions on the topic of homosexuality during the near-daily press briefings. Several participants — speaking on the condition of anonymity due to Vatican requests that delegates keep the synod’s inner workings private — said no issue divided the consultative body more than the question of LGBTQ+ reception.n

This topic was highlighted in the report as well; in fact, it called for an “urgent” expansion of women’s roles in the governance of the Church.

“There is an urgent need to ensure that women can participate in decision-making processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry,” it said. “The Holy Father has significantly increased the number of women in positions of responsibility in the Roman Curia. The same should happen at other levels of Church life. Canon law should be adapted accordingly.”

One suggestion that has been considered long before now and was carried into the synod’s deliberations is the introduction of an ordained female diaconate. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Synod’s relator-general, expressed pleasure at the unexpectedly

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 17

SYNOD 2023-2024 The Synod on SynodaliTy iS (finally) over large number of votes approving controversial passages like one recommending further study of this novelty, telling journalists that he was surprised and “happy with that result.”

He added that the vote on this particular issue “means that the resistance(s) are not so great as people have thought before.”

“EUCHARISTIC HOSPITALITY” AND... POLYGAMY

CONCERNS OF HOMOSEXUAL CATHOLICS The “hot-button” topic which garnered the most attention in the lead-up to and during the synod was the Church’s attitude, teaching and pastoral practice regarding homosexuality.

Pope Francis himself invited highprofile “LGBTQ” advocates to the synod and accompanying events, including Jesuit Fr. James Martin, a synod delegate, and Sr. Jeannine Gramick, co-founder of pro-homosexuality New Ways Ministry, whom

The document also said the synodal assembly is close to those who feel lonely because they have chosen to stay faithful to the Church’s teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, and Christians should listen to and accompany those who have made that commitment.

After the release of the report, Fr. James Martin told the National Catholic Reporter that he was “‘disappointed but not surprised’ by the result for LGBTQ Catholics.” He added: “There were widely diverging views

The matter of extending the invitation to receive the Holy Eucharist to non-Catholics, styled as “Eucharistic hospitality,” was also designated for further study, especially in the context of mixed marriages. “The issue of Eucharistic hospitality (communicatio in sacris),” said the report, “should be further examined from the theological, canonical and pastoral perspectives in light of the link between sacramental and ecclesial communion. This issue is particularly felt by interfaith couples.”

The Synod report also touched on the topic of polygamy, an issue that is typically October 27, 2023, Vatican Basilica. Prayer for peace in the Holy Land, Ukraine and other parts of the world of concern in Africa, stating: “In affected by war, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary presided over by Pope Francis. (Photo: Grzegorz Galazka) different ways, people who feel marginalized or excluded from the Pope Francis personally received at on the topic. I wish, however, that Church because of their marriage situ- the Vatican during the synod. some of those discussions, which ation, identity, and sexuality also ask So it came as some surprise that the were frank and open, had been capto be heard and accompanied, and that final synod report never actually men- tured in the final synthesis,” Martin their dignity be defended.” Synod par- tioned “LGBT” Catholics. stated. ticipants, the Report said, felt “a deep The final report did say that “somesense of love, mercy and compassion times the anthropological categories WHAT COMES NEXT? for people who are or feel hurt or ne- we have developed are not sufficient Though the Synod on Synodality glected by the Church, who desire a to grasp the complexity of the ele- weighed in with relatively few conplace to come ‘home’ and to feel safe, ments emerging from experience or crete proposals, it did offer some. to be listened to and respected, with- knowledge in the sciences and require One area in which it suggested acout fear of feeling judged. Listening is refinement and further study. It is im- tion is in adapting decision-making a prerequisite for walking together in portant to take the necessary time for procedures and structures to the new search of God’s will. The Assembly this reflection and invest our best en- emphasis on more shared authority reaffirms that Christians cannot disre- ergies in it, without giving in to sim- and increased size and number of synspect the dignity of any person.” plifying judgments that hurt people odal bodies in the Church.

A defense of the polygamous came and the Body of the Church.”

Specifically, the report called for from the bishops of Africa and Madaassemblies to be canonicontinental People who feel marginalized or gascar, whose bishops’ conference excluded from the Church because of cally recognized and for the implestated they were encouraged “to pro- their “marital situation, identity, and mentation of “the exercise of synodalmote theological and pastoral discern- sexuality,” the final Synod document ity” at regional, national, and contiment on the issue of polygamy and the said, “ask to be heard and accompa- nental levels. accompaniment of people in polyga- nied and that their dignity be defendThe synod assembly also proposed mous unions coming to faith.” formally reconsidering the composied.”

18 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

Rev. James Martin with Sister Jeannine Gramick, one of the founders of New Ways Ministry.

Bottom, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, president of the Polish Bishop’s Conference

tion of the Synod of Bishops itself. It pointed to itself, saying its admittance of lay people, including women, was “generally welcomed,” while at the same time preserving its character as an episcopal assembly.

“The synodal process was and is a time of grace through which God is offering us the opportunity to experience a new culture of synodality, capable of guiding the life and mission of the Church,” the final Synod report said.

Nevertheless, “The question remains open,” the synod report conceded, “about the impact of [nonbishops’] presence as full members on the episcopal character of the assembly.”

The report suggested three options for the arrangement of future global synods: bishops-only, both bishops and non-bishops, or an assembly of non-bishops followed by an episcopal assembly.

“BEAR WITNESS” Urging synod participants to carry forward the synodal experience into their particular dioceses and areas of influence in the world, the synod report asked them to “bear witness” to what they had seen and heard there.

“After a month of work, now the Lord is calling us to return to our Churches to pass on to all of you the fruits of our work and to continue the journey together,” the synthesis document said.

“Our personal accounts will enrich this synthesis with the tone of lived experience, which no page can restore. We will thus be able to bear witness to how rich the moments of silence and listening, of sharing and prayer have been,” it added.

Cardinal Hollerich assured journalists that the next phase of the Synod on Synodality would bring its own new insights, beginning with a brand new Instrumentum Laboris, or working document, upon which the 2024 session of the synod would be based – and not directly on the report just issued.

“The process really starts at the end of the process,” he said.m

Debate over homosexual blessings The following text was part of a much longer October 28 Washington Post report on the Synod by reporters Anthony Faiola and Stefano Pitrelli

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everal participants — speaking on the condition of anonymity due to Vatican requests that delegates keep the synod’s inner workings private — said no issue divided the consultative body more than the question of LGBTQ+ reception.

The same pope who made headlines in 2013 by saying, “who am I to judge?” when asked about gay priests, signaled an even wider door for the LGBTQ+ community ahead of and during the gathering. As the event approached, the pope issued a written response to concerned conservative bishops in which he affirmed that same-sex couples could receive Catholic blessings — but not the sacrament of marriage — on a case-by-case basis as determined by local church officials.

On Oct. 17, as the synod was in full swing, Francis symbolically welcomed Sister Jeannine Gramick to the Vatican. An American nun, Gramick was sanctioned in 1999 by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — the future Pope Benedict XVI — for her LGBTQ+ advocacy.

A week later, Francis met with a delegation from the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, an LGBTQ+ group.

Yet conservative bishops from Poland, Hungary, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Australia and elsewhere ardently rejected same-sex blessings, calling them tantamount to condoning “sin” and a “colonial” imposition from liberal Western Europeans. In public and private comments, they described homosexuality as “disgusting” and “unnatural.”

Officially, Catholic teachings state that homosexuality is “intrinsically immoral and contrary to the natural law.”

One delegate, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki (photo) president of the Polish Bishop’s Conference, stood firmly by those teachings. He said in an answer to written questions from The

Washington Post that he sometimes felt “the ‘non-Catholic’ voice was more audible than the ‘Catholic’ one” at the synod. He specifically called out the liberal German church — where priests are already blessing same-sex couples — for advocating reforms that “draw profusely from Protestant theology and the language of modern politics.”

He said for LGBTQ+ people, a truthful “encounter with Christ” meant “a conversion, turning away from sin and adopting a lifestyle in accordance with the Gospel.”

“Benedictions, or blessings of homosexual unions, would mean that the Church approves of the lifestyle of homosexual partnerships (even if it does not equate them with marriages), which also means sex between same-sex couples,” he wrote. “What has always been defined as a sin in the Judeo-Christian tradition would now become something positive.”

Liberal delegates sought to strongly counter those arguments.

One delegate told a story of a woman who died by suicide after failing to obtain church absolution for being bisexual.

Another delegate — the Rev. James Martin, an American priest who ministers to the LGBTQ+ community and was handpicked as a delegate by Francis — told a story of a longtime same-sex couple in which a man had painstakingly nursed his cancer-stricken partner before he died. He asked the synod to consider if that were not a genuine sign of “love.” In an interview, Martin declined to confirm details of the synod debate, but said, “I’m disappointed not only that LGBTQ [people] were excised, but also that the discussions we had, which were passionate on both sides, were not reflected in the final document.”

“But I’m not surprised,” Martin said.

“There was great resistance to the topic among many members.”n

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SYNOD 2023-2024

Historic “synod on synodality” completes its 2023 session Understanding tHe synod, However, is jUst beginning…

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he first of two parts in the final stage of the Catholic Church’s 2021-24 Synod on Synodality has just been completed.

Reactions around the world, both throughout the two years since the Synod was announced and now that the first half of its final stage has been completed, have been mixed.

One feature that all can agree upon, however, is the element of novelty in this Synod: almost nothing about it, from the composition of the delegates to its procedure and duration, from its stated purpose to the topics actually discussed – even its venue – is like any Synod which has preceded it.

We begin our coverage with a quick overview from Catholic News Service identifying the structure, purpose and procedure of this Synod on Synodality.

“Small groups around round tables”

D The October assembly in the Paul VI Hall with the small groups, also called Circuli Minores at work.

Opposite page, Pope Francis Pope Francis discusses with Cardinal Mario Grech the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, and one of the chief organizers of the Synod.

escribing even the arrangement of the synod – which was held in the Paul VI Audience Hall, rather than the customary synod hall, to accommodate the round table arrangement – the report stated that this physical arrangement was highly significant. The passage is particularly key for understanding the concept of the new, democratic style of life proposed by the Synod on Synodality: “The very way the Assembly was conducted, starting with the arrangement of people seated in small groups around round tables in the Paul VI Hall, compara-

(Grzegorz Galaska photos)

20 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

ble to the biblical image of the wedding banquet (Rev. 19:9), is emblematic of a synodal Church and an image of the Eucharist, the source and summit of synodality, with the Word of God at its center. Within it, different cultures, languages, rites, ways of thinking and realities can engage together and fruitfully in a sincere search under the guidance of the Spirit. (Passed by 339 – 5) “The entire journey, rooted in the Tradition of the Church, is taking place in the light of the conciliar magisterium,” noted the opening message at the start of the report.

Synod on Synodality: a Primer n BY COURTNEY MARES (CNA)

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hat is the Synod on Synodality?

The Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021, is a multiyear, worldwide undertaking during which Catholics were asked to submit feedback to their local dioceses on the question “What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our ‘journeying together?’”

The Catholic Church’s massive synodal process had already undergone diocesan, national, and continental stages.

It culminates in two global assemblies at the Vatican. The first just took place Oct. 4–28 and the second will be in October 2024 to advise the Pope on the topic: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.”

What does synodality mean?

Synodality was defined by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s International Theological Commission in 2018 as “the action of the Spirit in the communion of the Body of Christ and in the missionary journey of the people of God.” The 2021 synod preparatory document described synodality as “the form, the style, and the structure of the Church.”

What are the documents of the Synod on Synodality?

On June 20, the Vatican issued a working document containing 15 worksheets called the Instrumentum Laboris to guide the discussions at the first global assembly of the Synod on Synodality.

This new Instrumentum Laboris, written by a committee of 22 people, has been presented as a synthesis of the eight final documents produced

by the continental assemblies that met in the first months of 2023.

Discussions at the seven continental assemblies were based on an earlier 44-page working document referred to as the DCS (Document for the Continental Stage) published in October 2022 titled “Enlarge the Space of Your Tent.”

The DCS was described by its au-

thors as a summary of the more than 100 summary reports shared with the Vatican by bishops’ conferences, religious congregations, departments of the Roman Curia, lay movements, and other groups and individuals.

Local dioceses organized their synod discussions using the vademecum, or handbook, and the preparatory document issued by the General Secretariat of the Synod in 2021.

How was the Instrumentum Laboris be used in the October synod assembly?

The 50-page Instrumentum Laboris is divided into two sections.

The first summarizes insights from the continental assemblies and outlines what a synodal Church is and how it should proceed. The second section is a series of 15 worksheets with questions for discernment.

The worksheets were used to guide the small-group discussions of the October assembly in the Paul VI Hall. The small groups, also called Circuli Minores, alternated with plenary sessions where all synod participants are together.

The last part of the October gathering focused on deciding the Church’s next steps and “the necessary in-depth theological and canonical studies in preparation” for a second assembly in October 2024.

What were the main questions that the Synod on Synodality was to answer?

Here are the three overarching questions defined by the 2023 Instrumentum Laboris: How can we be more fully a sign and instrument of union with God and of the unity of all humanity?

How can we better share gifts and tasks in the service of the Gospel?

“What processes, structures, and institutions in a missionary synodal Church?”

The main objective of the first session in October, according to the Instrumentum Laboris, was to design a plan of study in a “synodal style” and to indicate who will be involved in those discussions. Discernment will be “completed” in the 2024 session of the synod.m

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SYNOD 2023-2024 A new ApproAch to cAtholic Doctrine begins in the VAticAn

SYNODALITY: WhAT DOeS IT meAN? SYNODALITY “IS The SpecIfIc mODuS vIveNDI eT OperANDI Of The church…”

-vATIcAN’S SYNOD 2021-24 WebSITe, uNDer “WhAT IS SYNODALITY?” n BY CHRISTINA DEARDURFF A large group photo from the last week of the Synod.

(Photo: Secretaria Generalis Synodi-Facebook)

On the opposite page, Pope Francis recites the Prayer for the Synod on Synodality on the first day (Photo: Grzegorz Galazka)

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hree years after the first announcement came from the Vatican that the Church was about to embark on a multi-stage, multi-year, worldwide process of becoming “a more synodal Church” – “synodal” being a term that few Catholics, even clergy, could actually define at the time – we have reached a semi-culmination of the process.

October 29 was the final day of the 25-day-long 2023 Synod on Synodality, which was preceded by diocesan, country-wide and continental preparatory gatherings beginning in 2021. It is not really the end of the Synod, however, which is scheduled for a “part two” in October 2024. What was accomplished at this year’s endlessly anticipated, prepared, observed and commented-on Synod?

Practically speaking, it may take years to find out. On the other hand,

a sketch of the practical implications of synodality was already present in the 2021 “Preparatory Document” written for the opening of the whole synodal process. It explained that “structures and ecclesial processes” would need to be put in place at all levels of the Church.

An example it cites are parish pastoral and financial councils; another is diocesan- and Church-wide events which involve the whole body of the faithful in “decisionmaking.”

The document says that “the advanced demands of modern consciousness concerning the participation of every citizen in running society, call for a new and deeper experience and presentation of the mystery of the Church as intrinsically synodal.”

This seems to suggest that the Church must somehow reflect the democratic model of governing that

22 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

21st-century people are accustomed to (at least in the West: as reported by the Pew Research Center, as of 2019, just over half of the world’s nations were considered “democratic,” but most are in North and South America and Western Europe).

(Concrete evidence that the influence of the West has been heavily weighted: nearly half (30 of 62) of the Synod’s non-voting “experts/facilitators” come from Europe, while only four come from all of Africa, despite the fact that the Catholic population on that continent is nearly equivalent to Europe’s.)

So it is not entirely clear that this type of “synodal” governance is really in the “modern consciousness” of all, or even the majority, of Catholics worldwide, nor is it clear how this concept differs from that which Pope Francis dismissed as a “parliamentary” model of the Church when he said in 2015 that a

synod “is neither a convention, nor a parlor, nor a parliament or senate.”

SO WHAT IS IT? In his article in the Winter 2021 edition of the Catholic journal Communio, American theologian Nicholas Healy of the John Paul II Institute set the stage for consideration of the meaning and role of “synodality” in a definitive way.

Healy notes that “The contemporary emphasis on synodality can be traced to Pope Paul VI’s decision in September of 1965 to reintroduce the practice of regular meetings of bishops to address issues of concern for the universal Church.”

Healy explains that since Pope Paul VI decided to institute a regular Synod of Bishops in 1965, “synodality” — a hitherto unknown term — has been understood in the Church rather as “collegiality” between all the bishops and the Pope as they exercise their shared responsibility for the universal Church in hierarchical communion.

“The new idea,” says Healy, “that has gained currency in recent years is that ‘synodality’ pertains to the essence of the Church and every aspect of the Church’s life and mission. In the words of Pope Francis, ‘Synodality is a constitutive element of the Church.’ The inauguration of a multiyear ‘synodal process’ involving the whole Church and culminating in an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme of synodality in 2023 is the most visible expression of this “synodal ecclesiology.”

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS Pope Francis proposes synodality as the new operative mode of the Church. Are there actually theological foundations for this doctrine?

Healy answers, “The first and most basic concern of synodal ecclesiology is an awareness of the common dignity and vocation of all the members of the Church. By virtue of the sacrament of baptism, all of the

“Do not let us promote disorder” The vademecum for the synod published the following Prayer for the Synod on Synodality: e stand before you, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in your name. With you alone to guide us, make yourself at home in our hearts; teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in you our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of you, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.”

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faithful participate in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly offices of Christ.”

He continues, “Undergirding the participation and co-responsibility of all the faithful is the doctrine of the sensus fidei fidelium.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 92, explains the sensus fidei thus: “The whole body of the faithful, who have an anointing which comes from the holy one (cf. 1 Jn 2:20,27), cannot err in matters of belief. This characteristic is shown in the super-

natural sense of the faith (sensus fidei) of the whole people of God, when ‘from the bishops to the last of the faithful’ it manifests a universal consensus in matters of faith and morals.”

“What is arguably missing,” comments Healy, “from the various documents on synodality or the synodal process is an adequate reflection on the source and meaning of hierarchical authority in the Church. [...]

“In this context, it is necessary to recall the sacramental nature of ecclesial authority. Hierarchical ministry is not delegated or authorized by members of the Church; it is a gift of grace.”

In contrast, the specific vocation of the laity is defined as of a “secular character.”

In the words of Lumen Gentium, the laity “are called by God so that they, led by the spirit of the Gospel, might contribute to the sanctification of the world, as from within like leaven, by fulfilling their own particular duties.”

“Looked at in this light,’ says Healy, “the synodal process, as described in the relevant documents, seems liable to a subtle ‘clericalization’ of the laity, in the sense that their contribution to the life and mission of the Church is measured by the extent of their involvement with tasks that are specific to the hierarchical ministry of the Church.”

“The sacramental nature of ecclesial authority arguably suggests a path of reform somewhat different from the idea of ‘promoting participation in decision-making’ proposed by the synodal process.

“True reform, then, demands a return to the life-giving source of authority, Christ himself.

“This is more than a moral appeal for the Church’s hierarchical ministers to act like servants.

“A return to the source of authority entails faithfully preserving the priceless gift of Christ which is the deposit of faith.”m

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A PAlette of MAny ShAdeS VoiceS in the Synod PAint A MAny-colored Picture n BY ITV STAFF/VATICAN NEWS

he Synod on Synodality was composed of an assembly of more than 450 people: 364 were voting participants, the majority bishops and other members of the clergy, but also lay people, including women; and the rest were invited guests, many non-Catholics.

They journeyed to Rome for three weeks in October from points nearby and halfway around the world.

The bright lights among them were numerous and took their turns to shine at various times.

But the overall picture of the Synod, its concerns, its sentiments and its personalities, is more of an impressionistic one: it has not been drawn with clean, black lines, but rather painted with daubs from a large and diverse palette.

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In terms of the people who had influential roles in the Synod proceedings, there was the expected — the Secretary for the Synod, for example, Cardinal Mario Grech of Malta, the Synod’s Relator General, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, and Pope Francis himself.

But there were also the surprising, like Mr. Luca Casarini, a long-time radical activist known in Italian society for defying the law, and Dr. Renee KöhlerRyan, a laywoman and university professor whose remarks swam against the swelling pro-women’s-ordination current.

Below we feature profiles of 10 personalities who made an impact on the Synod.

CARDINAL MARIO GRECH Secretary of the Synod of Bishops

dinal Grech said, “the prophetic dimension resides with the People of God” — not, seemingly, the clergy.

Translating that vision into the Synod on Synodality may be Cardinal Grech’s lasting legacy.

According to Vaticanist Ed Condon of The Pillar, “It is Grech, more than any other individual, who will shape the synodal agenda ahead of next year’s meeting, and determine how feedback from around the world should be synthesized and presented — effectively making him responsible for shaping the conversation about the future life and shape of the Church.”

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ardinal Mario Grech, 66, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops since 2019, was one of the chief organizers of the Synod on Synodality. Born in Malta in 1957, he was appointed Bishop of Gozo, Malta, in 2005 by Benedict XVI. A past president of the Episcopal Conference of Malta, Pope Francis tapped him to work closely on the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon — viewed by some as a precursor to the Synod on Synodality.

In a 2020 interview with La Civilta Cattolicà, Cardinal Grech explained his vision of Church reform: “When he wrote about the reform that the Church needs, Yves Congar affirmed that the updating desired by the [Second Vatican] Council must go as far as the invention of a way of being… Instead, many pastoral initiatives in this period have been centered around the figure of the presbyter alone. The Church, in this sense, appears too clerical…”

On October 5, he told a journalist that the current synodal process shows how “a correct reception of the Council’s ecclesiology is activating such fruitful processes to open up scenarios that not even the Council had imagined.”

While it is not aimed at “some cheap consensus,” Car24 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

CARDINAL CHRISTOPH SCHÖNBORN, OP Archbishop of Vienna, Austria

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ardinal Christoph Schönborn, 78, was born to a German-speaking family of nobility in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic; his family was forced to flee Stalinist persecution after World War II and settled in Austria. He entered the Dominican Order in 1963 and was ordained in 1970, later studying under Fr. Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), and receiving a doctorate in theology. He was made Archbishop of Vienna in 1995, under Pope John Paul II. At the Synod’s October 23 press briefing, the most significant theological comments came from Cardinal Schön-

born, who from 1987 to 1992 served as secretary of the commission that drafted the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Schönborn called for “rethinking the vision of Lumen gentium,” which speaks of the Church as, first, “a mystery” then as “the people of God” and only after that does it speak of “the hierarchical constitution of its members.”

Answering critics of the Synod’s inclusion of lay people, the cardinal said that it remains an “episcopal Synod,” exercising collegial responsibility, despite participation by non-bishops. Its nature has “not changed,” he said, just “enlarged.”

Given the opportunity to criticize the Catechism’s teaching on homosexuality, he declined to do so, saying instead that the principle is that there is an objective order, and then there are weak and sinful human persons. Human person, however, always have the right to respect, he said, even if (as is inevitable) they sin, and “the right to be accepted,” as God accepts them.

CARDINAL CHARLES MAUNG BO Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar

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urmese Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, 74, Archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, was educated by the Salesians in his native country, went on to their seminary and was ordained in the order in 1974.

Named Archbishop of Yangon by Pope John Paul II in 2003, Pope Francis made him a cardinal in 2015. At this time, his country is in the grip of a civil war between the ruling junta and various armed groups.

In a homily at an October 23 Mass for synod participants, he expressed hope that synodality could be an answer to the problems of war and peace, and of environmental deterioration.

“We welcome with optimism the call for Asia, inspired by the synodal journey of the worldwide Church, to become the 21st century Christians for Christ,” Bo said.

The Church in Myanmar is a “small flock, currently dispersed due to natural disasters and man-made crises, which are causing multidimensional crises and immense suffering.”

“Let us continue our synodal journey,” Bo said, expressing hope that the world “will see all wounds healed and a new era of hope, peace, and justice shining on all long-suffering nations.”

Cardinal Bo also spoke about the Synod’s concerns about the environment. “Global warming has devastated communities and the livelihoods of millions,” he said,

adding that “a more peaceful world with the integrity of Creation intact,” is at risk.

Cardinal GERALD LACROIX Archbishop of Quebec, Canada

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ardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, 66, Archbishop of Quebec, was born in Canada but moved to New Hampshire, USA, as a child, where he was educated, even attending college there, until he returned to Canada to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Université Laval in Quebec. In 1982, he took his perpetual vows with the Pius X Secular Institute, a secular clerical institute headquartered in Que-

bec.

Pope Benedict named him Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada in 2011; Pope Francis made him a member of the Vatican’s Council for the Economy and Pope Francis’s Council of Cardinals advisory body.

At the outset of the Synod, he told reporters, “It’s not language or sexual identity that sets us apart. We are all baptized children of God… without labels, we are not going to put any labels on people.”

“People are as they are, they are brothers and sisters, they are part of this body we make up together,” he said, saying that “nobody is going to be excluded because they think this or that,” he said.

At the Synod’s daily briefing October 11, Cardinal Lacroix said that the synod was not called to change the Church’s doctrine; however, “It’s about having this humility not to think I alone have the truth and the right point of view,” he said. “We seek together. In the light of the Spirit and the Word of God,” slowly “we find convergences, we end up finding a path that helps us move forward.”

SISTER JEANNINE GRAMICK co-founder, New Ways Ministry

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r. Jeannine Gramick, 81, born in Philadelphia, joined the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1960. After completing master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics, she turned her attention to homosexual advocacy. In 1972 and 1973 she co-founded chapters of DignityUSA in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as well as the Confer-

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SYNOD 2023-2024 A new ApproAch to cAtholic Doctrine begins in the VAticAn ence for Catholic Lesbians.

In 1977 Sr. Gramick co-founded, with Fr. Robert Nugent, New Ways Ministry, an advocacy center working for the “reconciliation” of homosexuals and the Catholic Church.

Throughout her decades-long career, she has been censured by the Vatican and barred from teaching in some dioceses because of her refusal to adhere to Catholic moral teaching. In 2000, she switched to the Sisters of Loreto after her original congregation tried to silence her.

On October 17, in the midst of the Synod, Pope Francis met for 50 minutes with Sr. Gramick (not a Synod participant) and executives of New Ways Ministry in Rome to monitor Synod proceedings. She said she thanked Francis for “his openness to same-sex unions.”

In an article written in March of this year, Sr. Gramick, however, criticized the Pope for his opposition to “gender ideology” — what she calls a “myth” — saying “no one is perfect. Pope Francis needs education about the myth of gender ideology ...Some people complain that the Pope has not changed the church’s sexual teachings. I reply: ‘The Pope relies on the whole church to speak up before any formal change in church teaching is to be made.’”

FR. TIMOTHY RADLCIFFE, OP Homilist for the Synod on Synodality

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ominican Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, 78, chosen

by Pope Francis as homilist of the Synod, was the only English Master of the Order of Preachers, from 1992 to 2001.

Educated at Oxford, where he would later teach, he entered the Dominican order in 1965 and was ordained in 1971.

Although known to support “LGBTQ” Catholics, he also said in 2012 that the Church considers gay marriage “to be impossible... Marriage is founded on the glorious fact of sexual difference and its potential fertility.”

Speaking to the Synod October 23, Fr. Radcliffe revealed a clue to the Pope’s thinking about the process of the Synod, with all its ambiguities and tensions.

He said there is no “result” expected from this present Synod, except one: that the Church has now become “pregnant” with the “seed” that will be “born” in October 2024, when the second assembly of the Synod on Synodality will usher in a new, “synodal” Church: “These 11 months will be like a pregnancy. Abraham and Sarah are promised they will have descendants more numerous than the sand on the seashore. But nothing ap26 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

pears to happen. Sarah laughs when she hears this promise the third or fourth time, as she listens hidden in the tent to the strangers in Genesis 18. Probably a bitter-sweet laugh.

She has heard it all before, and she remains barren. But in a year’s time she will bear a child of laughter.”

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN Secretary of State for the Holy See

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talian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 68, from the Province of Vicenza, was ordained in 1980; after graduate studies in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University and in diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, he entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1986 at the age of 31.

Since then, he has served in several nunciatures around the world and as the “undersecretary” of the Vatican’s foreign minister from 2002 to 2009. In 2013, Pope Francis made him the Holy See’s Secretary of State at age 58, the youngest in almost 100 years. Some consider him “papabile” – a possible candidate in any future papal conclave.

Although Cardinal Parolin’s domain is usually the international stage, according to sources close to the Synod he made a “strong and clear” intervention on doctrinal matters, urging participants to fidelity to divine revelation, as interpreted by the Church’s magisterium.

His few remarks on doctrinal questions in past years have included criticizing the rogue German Synodal Way for “making decisions that don’t exactly align with the current doctrine of the Church.”

And in 2018, Cardinal Parolin praised Pope Paul VI’s “prophetic” encyclical Human Vitae, highlighting both its teaching on “the love of spouses as the place where the Creator generates new life” and its accent on mercy — which accent, he lamented, was obscured by the polemics it generated.

But because the cardinal does not generally discuss his theological perspectives, his intervention in favor of doctrinal orthodoxy left an impression at the Synod.

BISHOP ZBIGŅEVS STANKEVIČ Archbishop of Riga, Latvia

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rchbishop Zbigņevs Stankevičs, 68, metropolitan archbishop of Riga, Latvia, was a “late vocation,” having graduated as from engineering school and worked for 12 years before he entering the seminary after the fall of communism in his country in 1990.

In 1996 he obtained a licentiate and doctorate summa cum laude in theology from Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University; Pope Benedict made him Archbishop of Riga in 2010.

At the Synod’s October 18 briefing, Archbishop Stankevičs responded to a question about Same-sex blessings by saying, “The official attitude of the Church towards homosexuals was expressed in Catechism of Church, they are called upon to live in chastity and here we need to specify that the orientation is not a sin but sexual relations, it is a sin.”

“But if two come and say ‘we live together and want to receive a blessing’, here I see that there is a big problem because we would bless them living in sin.”

“We are all sinners and it means we must welcome persons with love, without judging them, we must respect human dignity and must not discriminate unfairly and unjustly. “But true love cannot be separated from truth because if truth is separated, it is no longer real love and is just permissive. “If there is a person who lives in sin and we tell them they can go on doing this, they will be in spiritual danger.”

LUCA CASARINI Italian leader in Mediterranea Savings Humans

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uca Casarini, 56, a longtime, controversial “far-left” Italian activist, was a non-voting guest at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Raised Catholic, Casarini told Italian journal La Stampa in July that although his relationship with the Church “broke down, I have always felt Christian, and I consider Jesus the greatest revolutionary of all time.”

At a Synod press briefing October 11, Casarini was asked by Ed Pentin of the National Catholic Register about

his 2001 arrest for involvement in the violent protests during the G8 Summit in Genoa, and the Italian government’s investigation of him for promoting illegal immigration by rescuing migrants at sea.

“I can respond by saying that in the Gospels, Jesus welcomes publicans and prostitutes,” Casarini said. He was found not guilty of the 2001 charges, he added, and does not believe it is a crime to rescue people at risk of drowning.

Migration figured prominently in the synod; Casarini came to the attention of the Pope through his involvement in the NGO Mediterannea Saving Humans, which rescues imperiled migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Asked how he viewed synod participants from countries that oppose more legal immigration, he replied, “Well, first of all, I really consider all those who are present at the synod my brothers and sisters.

“I am learning to transform my anger, my resentment, into pity or something else because it is something I want to do for myself. The time of resentment and hatred is over.”

RENEE KÖHLER-RYAN, Ph.D Head of the School of Philosophy and Theology, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia.

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t the October 17 Synod briefing, one of the panelists, Dr. Renee KohlerRyan, Ph.D, 54, announced, “As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest.”

Dr. Köhler-Ryan is Head of the School of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney, a wife and mother and one of 54 women delegates

to the Synod.

“I think that there’s too much emphasis placed on this question,” she said. “And what happens when we put too much emphasis on this question is that we forget about what women, for the most part, throughout the world, need.”

Dr. Köhler-Ryan said “some people are very focused on this idea that only if women become ordained will they have any kind of equality,” forgetting about the complementary idea of “diversity.”

“Well, part of that diversity is that there are realities of motherhood and fatherhood that are both spiritual and biological and that are really important for understanding what is going on across the whole Church,” she added.

The women’s ordination issue “distracts” the Church from helping women in other ways, like offering greater support to families and working mothers.

“I think that’s a far more interesting conversation for most women than what I tend to think of as a kind of niche issue,” Köhler-Ryan said.m NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 27

SYNOD 2023-2024

A new ApproAch to cAtholic Doctrine begins in the VAticAn

An OrthOdOx bishOp reflects On the cAthOlic synOd On synOdAlity OrthOdOx MetrOpOlitAn JOb Of pisidiA speAks Of his church’s histOric experience And the cAthOlic church’s current ideA Of synOdAlity n BY JOVAN TRIPKOVIC*

Metropolitan Job of Pisidia is an Orthodox metropolitan (bishop) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He is the Permanent representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the World Council of Churches and Co-President of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.

Invited to participate in the synod in Rome, Metropolitan Job delivered on October 9 a reflection on the experience of synodality in the Orthodox Church. Jovan Tripkovic speaks with him here about the Synod on Synodality and the dialogue between Constantinople and Rome.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Metropolitan Job of Pisidia (then Archbishop of Telemissos) greets Pope Francis during a visit from a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the Vatican on June 28, 2019, on the occasion of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Jovan Tripkovic: You have been an active participant in the Synod on Synodality in Rome. As an Orthodox Christian, what are your general impressions of the Synod?

Metropolitan Job of Pisidia: For the Roman Catholic Church, it is a new experience to try to involve the clergy, the laity and religious in the management of the Church. This is something that our Roman Catholic brothers are still not very well familiar with. Some are a little bit cautious, others have doubts about this way of doing things.

There are movements for more varied

influence on the governing body of the Church. This is something new.

There is a lot of mutual respect and active listening, which is commendable. Overall, the spirit is very positive. It is done in a spirit of prayer.

Every 15-20 minutes, there is a brief interruption for three, four minutes of silence for prayer.

The definition of synodality as it has been defined by this synod, comes from the vision of Pope Francis: it’s the vision of walking all together towards the kingdom of God. How can we walk all together?

28 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

This implies that we have to walk at the same rhythm, caring about not leaving people behind us, to have them with us and how we can work together to give a testimony to the world. The mission of the Church, our common mission is to evangelize the world. There is a very close connection to synodality with mission, as it is understood at this meeting.

Is the concept of synodality in Rome similar to the Eastern Orthodox idea of synodality?

There is a first difference, which is a major difference! The Catholic

Synod on Synodality is a consultative body, while in Orthodoxy we have a decision-making body.

Currently in Rome, we have a gathering of bishops, clergy, religious people, and laity, in order to discuss and produce reports. They will be presented to Pope Francis. He will decide what to do with all of this. This is not a decision-making assembly.

Orthodox synods gather to make a decision. In the Orthodox Church, we do not have a Pope above the synod.

We have a primate, a protos — a first bishop — who presides over the synod and who is within the synod. The synod as a body takes decisions about governance of the Church.

Second, in the Orthodox Church the decision-making body which is known as the synod is exclusively comprised of bishops.

The bishops are in the Orthodox synod representing their local church, their dioceses. In order to represent their dioceses in the synod, bishops listen to their local church, all people of God, by making pastoral visits to parishes, having clergy hold meetings, where they discuss their issues and the pastoral problems of their diocese.

Do you see any historical parallel between the Synod in Rome and Orthodox concept of synodality?

We also had a similar movement in Russia at the end of the 19th century, beginning of the 20th century, with the idea of sobornost. The idea of sobornost (developed by the Slavophiles) is pretty similar to the idea of synodality which is being presented right now in the Roman Catholic Church, that tries to incorporate different constituencies of the Church (clergy, laity, religious people, episcopate) into the administration of the Church.

Pope Francis has opened the door to the possibility of Catholic priests blessing same-sex unions.

What might be the implications of this for Catholic-Orthodox relations?

As far as I know, Pope Francis has initiated a reflection on that topic, but he hasn’t made any decisions yet.

Our experience with our dialogue with the Old Catholics [a sect which separated itself from the see of Rome after the First Vatican Council, 186970] is relevant here: The dialogue between the Orthodox Church and Old Catholics was very positive: it came to the conclusion that we could consider restoration of the full communion between our churches. Then came the question of ordination of women.

Not only the question; the Old Catholics actually began ordaining

women to the priesthood. They also introduced same-sex marriage. This stopped everything! The positive dialogue couldn’t lead to the restoration of full communion because these practices are considered unacceptable in the Orthodox Church.

We face similar problems with the Anglican Church, the Reform Church, and the Lutheran Church.

What is the present status of the ecumenical dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church?

The dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church has been very positive. This year in Alexandria, we concluded with a document on the topic of primacy and synodality.

The exercise of primacy of the Pope of Rome caused the rupture between East and West. We believe that by rebalancing the notion of primacy with synodality, we have dealt with that question. In the next few years we will be trying to make a catalog of what still prevents us from restoring the communion and identifying the questions that need to be resolved. *JOVAN TRIPKOVIC is an editorial fellow at Religion Unplugged. Follow him on Twitter @jovan_tripkovic.m

Historic synodality in the Eastern churches: a logical point of reference that may get short shrift

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f the 12 listed “fraternal delegates” to the Synod on Synodality, three are from the Orthodox Churches of the Byzantine tradition, and three are from the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Yet there is a significant question as to whether the Orthodox view of synodality will be seriously considered at the Catholic Synod on Synodality.

During the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI and during the first year of Francis’ pontificate, all of the papal references to “synodality,” except for two, were made in connection with the Eastern Churches.

One would therefore expect that the Orthodox experience of synodality would be a major subject of discussion at the Catholic Synod on Synodality. Unfortunately, the experience of the Orthodox churches received almost no attention in the Instrumentum Laboris published in June.

The most relevant sentence is the following: “The rediscovery of synodality as a constitutive dimension of the Church is one fruit of ecumenical dialogue, especially with the Orthodox.” (page 33)

Bishop Emmanuel Nin, O.S.B., the Apostolic Exarch for the Catholics of the Byzantine rite in Greece, a Synod participant, wrote that “if the West understands synodality as a place or as a moment where everyone, laity and clergy, act together in order to arrive at some ecclesiastical, doctrinal, canonical, disciplinary decision, whatever it may be, it becomes clear that such synodality does not exist in the East.”

Nothing in this very important document describes for the participants the concept of synodality from the Orthodox perspective. It is also unrealistic to expect that the very limited time allowed for the “fraternal delegates” to speak at the Synod would allow them sufficient opportunity to adequately describe the Orthodox experience of synodality. Rather than being a major subject of discussion, I personally predict that the Orthodox experience of synodality will hardly be on the Synod’s radar scope. In fact, the model of synodality proposed for the Synod looks more Protestant than Orthodox.

—Peter Anderson NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 29

CHRISTMAS ESSAY

PAUL VI MIDNIGHT MASS HOMILY DECEMBER 25, 1971

He came for me!

Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome St. Ambrose, a predecessor of Paul VI as bishop of Milan

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s not that power which is Christ completely for us, for our benefit, for our salvation, for our love? “Non eripit mortalia, qui regna dat caelestia: He who came to give his heavenly kingdom, does not take from us our earthly kingdoms” (Hymn of Epiphany). He came for us, not against us. He is not a rival. He is not an enemy. He is a guide for us on our way, he is a friend. And that means for all of us: everyone can rightly say: For me.

Of course, once he has come among us, a drama may begin, a struggle: for or against Christ.

Human history now develops around him; the Gospel is the meeting point, or the battle field (cf. Luke 2:34).

But on this night, in this place, at this meeting, the choice is easy, it is sweet, it is strong; and everyone can say, with a heart exulting with joy: He came for me!

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Stained glass window of the birth of Christ in the Milan Cathedral where the future Pope Paul VI was appointed archbishop of Milan on November 1, 1954, after the death of Cardinal Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 31

The Altarpiece by Veit Stoss, St. Mary's Altar, Kraków.

The work focuses on the figure of the Virgin depicting the various episodes of her life.

Two panels are dedicated to the nativity

32 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

CHRISTMAS ESSAY

JOHN PAUL II MIDNIGHT MASS HOMILY, DECEMBER 25, 1983

The grace of God has appeared Behold, He is already among us: Emmanuel “On earth, peace among men with whom he is pleased.” (Luke 2:14) his divine pleasure with man was brought to Earth by the son of Mary on Bethlehem night. “The grace of God has appeared.” (Titus 2:11) From Bethlehem there begins its spreading out upon the people of every age.

What is grace? It is the beginning of glory, that glory which God possesses in the highest heavens. And to this glory man has been called in Jesus Christ.

And this happened precisely on the night of Bethlehem.

Therefore: let the earth rejoice.

Earth, you who are man's dwelling place: welcome into yourself once more the splendor of the night of the divine birth.

Come together about this splendor. Proclaim to all creation the joy of the redemption. Announce to the whole world the hope of the redemption of the world. “Let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord.” (Psalms 95:12-13)

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Behold, He comes!

Behold, He is already among us: Emmanuel.

All the power of the redemption of the world is in Him. Alleluia.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 33

Birth of Christ, by Albrecht Dürer, Paumgartner-Altar, Bavarian State Painting Collections.

This work is influenced by Dürer’s approach to Protestant doctrine. Religious art in Germany of this period tended toward the representation of Gospel themes without an overt depiction of spirituality. Martin Luther did not call for the destruction of Dürer's paintings, considering them to be compatible with the line of the Reformation

34 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

CHRISTMAS ESSAY

BENEDICT XVI MIDNIGHT MASS HOMILY, DECEMBER 25, 2011

Photo - Grzegorz Galazka

God has revealed Himself No longer is He merely an idea

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he reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to Titus that we have just heard begins solemnly with the word “apparuit,” which then comes back again in the reading at the Dawn Mass: “apparuit” — “there has appeared.” This is a programmatic word, by which the Church seeks to express synthetically the essence of Christmas.

Formerly, people had spoken of God and formed human images of him in all sorts of different ways. God himself had spoken in many and various ways to mankind (cf. Heb 1:1, Mass during the Day). But now something new has happened: he has appeared. He has revealed himself. He has emerged from the inaccessible light in which he dwells. He himself has come into our midst.

This was the great joy of Christmas for the early Church: God has appeared. No longer is he merely an idea, no longer do we have to form a picture of him on the basis of mere words. He has “appeared”…

For the people of pre-Christian times, whose response to the terrors and contradictions of the world was to fear that God himself might not be good either, that he too might well be cruel and arbitrary, this was a real “epiphany,” the great light that has appeared to us: God is pure goodness.

“The kindness and love of God our Savior for mankind were revealed”: this is the new, consoling certainty that is granted to us at Christmas.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 35

Institution of the Crib at Greccio. Upper Church, Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi.

This is the 13th of the 28 scenes (25 of which were painted by Giotto) of the Legend of St. Francis.

36 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

CHRISTMAS ESSAY

FRANCIS M M H ,D IDNIGHT

ASS

OMILY

ECEMBER 25, 2019

Photo - Grzegorz Galazka

His hands became the cradle of God

If your hands seem empty, this night is for you…

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charming legend relates that at the birth of Jesus the shepherds hurried to the stable with different gifts. Each brought what he had; some brought the fruits of their labor, others some precious item.

But as they were all presenting their gifts, there was one shepherd who had nothing to give. He was extremely poor; he had no gift to present. As the others were competing to offer their gifts, he stood apart, embarrassed.

At a certain point, Saint Joseph and Our Lady found it hard to receive all those gifts — especially Mary, who had to hold the baby. Seeing that shepherd with empty hands, she asked him to draw near. And she put the baby Jesus in his arms.

That shepherd, in accepting Him, became aware of having received what he did not deserve, of holding in his arms the greatest gift of all time. He looked at his hands, those hands that seemed to him always empty; they had become the cradle of God. He felt himself loved and, overcoming his embarrassment, began to show Jesus to the others, for he could not keep for himself the gift of gifts.

Dear brother, dear sister, if your hands seem empty, if you think your heart is poor in love, this night is for you. The grace of God has appeared, to shine forth in your life. Accept it and the light of Christmas will shine forth in you.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 37

SPIRITUALITY

an eMbarrassMent oF riches Francis’ new exhortation on st. thérèse: on conFidence in the MerciFul love oF God n BY SUZIE ANDRES*

Carmelite St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, of Lisieux, France, also known as the Little Flower (January 2, 1873-September 30, 1897) June 7, 2023 Vatican City. Pope Francis, during the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, prays at the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Grzegorz Galazka)

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eginning in French with the line “C’est la confiance,” from Letter #197 of St. Thérèse of Lisieux to Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart (her blood sister Marie), Pope Francis has, in his new apostolic exhortation released October 15, broken open the alabaster jar of little Thérèse’s heavenly doctrine to pour forth her love over the Church like an anointing oil over the Body of Christ.

In a mere 53 paragraphs concluding with the prayer: “Dear Saint Thérèse... send us your roses! Help us to be like you, ever confident in God’s immense love for us, so that we may imitate each day your little way of holiness,” the Pope has presented the breadth of St. Thérèse’s teaching, magisterially citing (in 79 endnotes) her Story of a Soul, Letters, Prayers, Poetry, and Her Last Conversations.

Beginning with the exhortation’s end, the 79 notes — mostly citations to Thérèse’s works and past papal pronouncements — could in themselves supply a lifetime of food for meditation on her Little Way of Spiritual Childhood, about which Pope Benedict XV said in 1921, “There lies the secret of sanctity... for all the Faithful scattered over the whole world.” The only three endnotes which are explanatory, rather than mere textual references, help us see clearly this “Little Way” by shining light from the Decrees of the Council of Trent 38

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

(twice) and the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas (his Summa Theologiae and De Veritate).

This surprising yet fitting inclusion of St. Thomas is a sweet reminder of the providential conjunction of the triple anniversaries currently shared by these two brilliant Doctors. While the Church and the Dominican Order are celebrating in 2023 the 700th anniversary of St. Thomas’s canonization (July 18, 1323), in 2024 the 750th of his entrance into eternal life (March 7, 1274), and in 2025 the 800th anniversary of his birth (1225), St. Thérèse’s anniversaries this year — the 150th of her birth (January 2, 1873) and the 100th of her beatification (April 29, 1923) — are the occasion for this apostolic exhortation. (Though unmentioned in the Pope’s letter, 2025 will mark the centenary of Thérèse’s canonization.)

Yet marvelously the Holy Father writes: “I have not chosen to issue this Exhortation on either of those dates [her birth or beatification], or on her liturgical Memorial, so that this message may transcend those celebrations and be taken up as part of the spiritual treasury of the Church. Its publication on the liturgical Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila is a way of presenting Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face as the mature fruit of the reform of the Carmel and of the spirituality of the great Spanish saint.”

What, then, is this transcendent shower of roses, prophesied when St. Thérèse’s Letter #197 message? Nothing less than the she wrote, “I really count on retwofold gift of her Little Way, “a maining active in heaven. My desire to her older sister, Marie path of salvation that is certain,” is to work still for the Church and (Sr. Marie of the Sacred (Pope Pius XI), that rediscovery of for souls.”

Heart), Excerpt the Gospel which Pope St. John Paul Before we get overwhelmed with II aptly named (quoting Story of a this embarrassment of riches, let’s Soul) “the Science of Love” in his note that the most sparkling gem of Apostolic Letter proclaiming Théall is placed in our hands at the outrèse a Doctor of the Universal set: Church; and her Shower of Roses, 1. “C’est la confiance et rien que “the countless graces bestowed on la confiance qui doit nous conduire the faithful who invoke her intercesà l’Amour.” “It is confidence and sion,” or as Pope Pius XI called it, nothing but confidence that must “That mystical rain of roses that God lead us to love.” permitted and still permits her to 2. These striking words of Saint shower upon the earth as she ingenThérèse of the Child Jesus and the uously foretold.”

Holy Face say it all. They sum up Her writings and these roses fill the genius of her spirituality and Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart, the oldest sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. She died in the “C’est la Confiance” like diamonds would suffice to justify the fact that Lisieux Carmel on January 19, 1940 overflowing a treasure chest, and we she has been named a Doctor of the can do no more here than remark How can you ask if it’s possible Church. Confidence, “nothing but briefly on their clarity, while heartily confidence,” is the sole path that for you to love God as I love Him?... recommending this exhortation so leads us to the Love that grants What pleases Him is to see me love that “all the Faithful of Christ should everything . . . render themselves worthy of partak- my littleness and poverty, the blind 3. It is confidence that sustains us ing in the abundant profusion of hope I have in His mercy... To love daily and will enable us to stand graces resulting from the interces- Jesus, to be His victim of love, the before the Lord on the day when He sion of ‘little Thérèse.’ But we desire weaker one is, without desires or calls us to Himself: “In the evening much more earnestly that all the virtues, the more fit one is for this of this life, I shall appear before You Faithful should study her in order to consuming love... but we must con- with empty hands, for I do not ask copy her, becoming children them- sent to remain always poor and You, Lord, to count my works. All selves, since otherwise they cannot, without strength... Ah! Let’s love our justice is stained in Your eyes. I according to the word of the Master, our littleness, let’s love to feel noth- wish, then, to be clothed in Your arrive at the Kingdom of Heaven.” own Justice and to receive from (Pope Pius XI, 1925, homily at the ing, then we’ll be poor in spirit and Your Love the eternal possession of canonization of “the greatest saint of Jesus will come for us... It is confi- Yourself.” modern times,” as Pope St. Pius X dence and nothing but confiBut perhaps in closing we can called her, she who would soon dence that must lead us to find an even smaller yet priceless become co-patron of the missions on Love... Since we see the way, let’s diamond to take with us from paraa par with St. Francis Xavier.) graph 34 — for in the Kingdom, the run together.

Among the cascading diamonds least is the greatest: “The act of love are Thérèse’s adamant devotion to “Jesus… my one — repeating the words, ‘Jesus, I love You’ — which love”; her missionary charism including her understandbecame as natural to Thérèse as breathing, is the key to ing of “Draw me, we will run” from the Song of Songs; her understanding of the Gospel. With our little sister her Little Way: “My way is all trust and love. I do not Thérèse, let us repeat, then, ‘Jesus, I love You!’ and with understand souls who fear a Friend so tender”; her idenher, let us help Him save souls by praying, ‘Draw me, we tification with and intercession for sinners and atheists: will run!’”m “I tell Him that I am happy not to enjoy this beautiful heaven on this earth so that He will open it for all *SUZIE ANDRES is a graduate of Thomas eternity to poor unbelievers”; her vocation to love Aquinas College and author of several books, Jesus and let Him love others through her; her Act including Something New with St. Thérèse: Her of Oblation; her understanding of Mary’s “lowly Eucharistic Miracle; Stations of the Cross with and poor life lived in the simplicity of faith”; her Our Sister St. Thérèse; and Being Catholic (What vocation as love in the Heart of the Church; and her Every Catholic Should Know).m NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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INTERVIEW

whAt is A womAn? A religious sister devotes her life’s work to ArticulAting An Answer, PArt two n BY BARBARA MIDDLETON Sr. Prudence Allen The Concept of Woman, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 by Sr. Prudence Allen, RSM, Ph.D. (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co).

Inside the Vatican correspondent Barbara Middleton interviews Sr. Prudence Allen, RSM, Ph.D., a Catholic philosopher whose 1997 magnum opus, The Concept of Woman, is a pioneering threevolume study tracing the fundamental concept of woman through more than 70 philosophers over two thousand years. Pope Francis appointed Sr. Allen to the International Theological Commission in 2014. This is Part Two of the interview.

ic conferences, and found that other men and women were interested in the subject, even if they disagreed with my approach or conclusions.

Why did you want to write a Synthesis on the Concept of Woman?

The publication of my three volumes on The Concept of Woman (I: 750 B.C.—1250 A.D., II: 1250— 1500; and III: 1500—2015) brought these studies to an initial completion. What gives me the most joy is that this area What inspired you to write on of philosophical study is now the Concept of Woman? well established, with a strong After I completed my doctorCatholic approach to the criate in Philosophy in the 1960s, I tique of authors’ theories. began to consider what specific “BECAUSE OF THE RIDICULE THAT The final volume demonstrates, area [I should] begin research and using Saint John Henry Newman’s I RECEIVED... I EVEN TOOK A publishing. I discovered that at theory of the true development of a that time there was little serious PILGRIMAGE TO A MARIAN SHRINE living idea, that philosophers have philosophical work written in collectively identified over time TO PRAY ABOUT THE QUESTION” English about the (increasingly the very premises that prove philocontroversial) concept of Woman. sophically the truths revealed in In part because of the ridicule I received from memthe book of Genesis: bers of the philosophy department where I was teaching, 1: Woman and man are created with equal dignity I even took a pilgrimage to an international Marian (Genesis 1:26); shrine to pray about the question. The answer that came 2: Woman and man are significantly different (Geneto me was to continue to study and write about the consis 1:27); cept of Woman – a decision that was confirmed by my 3. A woman and a man are synergetically relational superiors when I entered religious life in 1983.

(Genesis 1:28); and 4: Women and men are inter-generationally fruitful I decided to look at the particular writings about (Genesis 5:1-32).

Woman in philosophers I had studied in my History of Philosophy sequence. I wanted to describe the exact Just as I was finishing the final volume of The Conconcept of Woman that I found in each one’s theory, and cept of Woman, Dr. John Cavadini, a theologian at the evaluate it from the perspective of the concept of “perUniversity of Notre Dame, invited me to give a lecture son” I had articulated for my doctoral studies. Beginning on the work’s main points. In order to prepare, I pulled with the philosophers I had studied the most, i.e. Aristotogether a draft version of the main lines of the argument tle, Plato, Hume and Simone de Beauvoir, I discovered and handed out copies to attendees. As the discussion that the concept of Woman was approached from very began to unfold, the excitement was palpable for my different perspectives. main thesis, namely, that Newman’s proof for a true I would give a lecture or two on the core elements of development in theology works also as a proof of a true a philosopher’s particular concept of woman at academdevelopment in philosophy. Proving a true development 40

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

She has used Newman’s seven specific tests to prove the following living ideas: the soul/body composite identity of a woman or a man and the integral gender complementarity of woman and man.

requires meeting all seven criteria: 1. Preservation of the identity of the original type through all its apparent changes and vicissitudes from first to last.

2. Continuity of principles in the type remains entire from first to last, in spite of process of development.

Changes do not destroy the type.

3. Assimilative power for dogmatic truth.

4. Logical sequence in fidelity of development.

5. Anticipation of its future (in favor of the fidelity of development. ethical or political).

6. Conservative action on its past (of the original idea), with corruptions tending to its destruction.

7. Chronic vigor of a true development of an idea in distinction from its corruptions, perversions, and decays.

member.

To summarize what Aristotle so wisely wrote: Science is about what is always or usually the case. Those who fall into the category of “an exception” have a painful calling. But all things are possible with the love of God. How should the Catholic Church address the question of “gender transition” in children?

To begin, the truth is most important. There is a difference between truth about the human person created in the image and likeness of God and a constructed model projected from a human mind. Truth in the deep and everlasting meaning is an eternal reality flowing from God into the world. Each human being is created by God for life on earth and for eternal life and eternal communion with others. This is a wonderful gift of God to us.

I used Newman’s seven specific tests to prove the following living ideas: the soul/body composite idenWithin this reality of our Christian tity of a woman or a man and the intevocation, our specific gender identity gral gender complementarity of is important. We need to pray from the woman and man. beginning: “Lord please help me to In short, this proof demonstrates become the person You want me to be. that Integral Gender ComplementariTo grow in maturity in my identity as ty is the only true development for the You have created me to be. Help me to equal dignity of man and woman, follow Your pathway in growing in their significant difference, their confidence and love for the partic“A NY TIME WE ARE BORN INTO synergetic relation, and their interular vocation You have given me.

THE WORLD IS THE TIME GOD gender fruition.

Help me to overcome limitations WANTS US TO BE HERE. EACH TIME in my own nature and to offer them Why has the question on gento You as Your specific gift to me HAS ITS CHALLENGES, JOYS AND der equality become so controverfor my life. Most of all, show me SUFFERINGS” sial? how I can best be of service to you Gender equality does not mean and to others.” gender identity.

Aristotle’s Generation of Animals differentiated male Is there a message you would like to convey to girls and female human beings in the following way: the male and young women? is that which has the power to generate in another, while Any time we are born into the world is the time God the female is that which can generate in the self, i.e., out wants us to be here. Each time and place has its chalof which the generated offspring comes into being. lenges, its joys, and its sufferings. The great gift of the The other important philosophical distinction is Catholic Faith is that it gives us a specific direction in found in Protagoras’ Rhetoric in which masculine, femour lives that most other persons do not have. It is to love inine, and neuter are used with neuter meaning ‘inaniand to serve God in a specific way that will be revealed mate’ or not living. It does not mean a human being who to us over time. And we participate in a communion with has neither male nor female identity nor an ambivalent millions of others through our faith, and through the mixture of the two. sacrament of Holy Communion.

In various popular views “gender” seems to float This time in world history opens up many different without a true meaning, confusing boys and girls during choices not previously available to women. Some of their years of adolescent growth. One’s body may seem these choices are good and others not so good. Discovto be “out of sync” with one’s mind, perhaps temporally; ering God’s pathway for you can involve making misit can take time to integrate the whole person. Such a takes. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful person may be inadvertently attracted to a “quick fix” of gift from the Church for beginning again. The important attempting to change one’s gender with unfortunate thing is not to go for long periods of time without praymedical procedures that permanently disfigure or dising!m NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

41

SCRIPTURE

Matthew’s astoNishiNg accouNt of christ’s birth Not just a story, it is aN iNtricate fabric n BY ANTHONY ESOLEN* The journey of the Magi guided by the star, mosaic in the Cathedral of Monreale, Italy Opposite page, “St. Joseph's Dream”

by Legnanino, Palazzo Carignano, Turin, Italy

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fourteen in each of the three divisions; t is too easy for us to look upon the two “Sabbaths,” we may say. But let us first two chapters of Matthew’s “AND SUDDENLY WE SEE put it in a different way, one that gospel as if they were intended to tell us a beautiful story – which they in THAT WHAT WE ARE GOING Matthew’s Jewish readers would have caught. There are fourteen generations fact do – and not as if they were an intriTO BE TOLD ABOUT THE the Father of Multitudes to the from cate fabric of allusions to the Scriptures, HOLY FAMILY FITS IN king, fourteen from the Beloved Beloved a series of meditations upon the meanPRECISELY WITH THE to the being-exposed and homeless ing of words, and a dramatic juxtaposiWHOLE HISTORY OF THE [Hebrew golah, from the verb galah, to tion of one place with another.

CHOSEN PEOPLE” uncover, to expose] in Babylon, and In this short article I’d like to dwell fourteen from that homelessness to the upon just one or two of the many such Anointed One. things that may strike you if you look Indeed, in the Greek, the “exile” into Babylon is the closely at the Greek text. I take the text at its word, metoikesia, literally the “changing of houses,” the loss attempting when possible to “hear” the Hebrew beneath of one’s true home. And suddenly we see that what we modern many as it, and I assume that Matthew did not, are going to be told about the Holy Family fits in precisescholars seem to believe, simply toss out a reference to ly with the whole history of the Chosen People. AbraScripture here or there, as if he had said, with a happy ham will be the father of multitudes, far beyond the shrug, “Well, here I can make a connection,” and left it power of his own descendants to imagine. David the at that.

Beloved will be the father of the One whom God will So the evangelist enumerates the generations from acclaim from heaven, saying, “This is my Beloved Son, Abraham to David, from David to the exile into Babyin whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). The people will lon, and from that exile to the birth of Christ. There are 42

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

do more than return home. Instructed by Christ, they will not seem eager to find out about the child. They are comgo forth to teach all nations (Mt. 28:19), even the Babyfortable where they are. lons of the world.

The wise men find the child and “come into the For the first people to hear about the Christ are not the house” (Greek oikia) where he and his mother Mary are chief priests of the Jews, who surround that bloody Idu(Mt. 2:11), and they do indeed prostrate themselves, and maean pretender, King Herod, but “wise men from the offer gifts of great worth, fulfilling the prophecy of the east” (2:1). Our English word “east” does not serve us psalmist, that “the kings of Tarshish and the isles shall well here. Greek anatole means an “arising,” often, the bring presents” (Ps. 72:10), and of the prophet Isaiah, direction of the rising sun; the same idea is to be found who said that “all they from Sheba shall come; they shall in Latin oriens, “east,” from bring gold and incense” (Is. the verb oriri,” to arise,” and 60:6).

“BUT WHILE THE PRIESTS RECALL THE in Hebrew mizrach, “east,” It is a reversal of what hapPROPHECY OF MICAH, THAT THE MESSIAH from zarach, “to arise.” So the pened when the Babylonians wise men, so to speak, have WOULD COME FROM BETHLEHEM, AS DID THE came and plundered the city, seen the star of the newborn BELOVED KING DAVID, THEY DO NOT SEEM taking the ax and the hammer King of the Jews in its rising in to the doors of the Temple and EAGER TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE CHILD” the east, and have come west leaving its costly carvings in to Israel, to the City of Peace, ruin (Ps. 74:5-8). Now the to prostrate themselves beriches are brought to a humfore him. ble and unknown house, one These wise men, or magoi, that Joseph and the Holy are most likely Persian, as the Family will not be permitted word is Indo-European and to remain in. Because of not Semitic, and the Persians Herod’s murderous jealousy, had, after all, conquered the angel warns Joseph to Babylon and, under Cyrus the take Mary and the child and Great, had restored the chilto flee into Egypt (Hebrew dren of Israel to their homeMitzraim) in the west – the land in Palestine. It is not last place in the world, one Nebuchadnezzar, then, that might think, where you we are thinking of, but Cyrus, would find the Messiah. friendly to the Jews; the same Jerusalem is thus right in the Cyrus to whom the Lord God middle, between mizrach and of heaven spoke, charging him “to build him a house at Mitzraim, and yet she does not know the great hope that Jerusalem” (Ezr. 1:2). That so-called Second Temple has been in her midst. would be renovated by Herod and built up into a grand Joseph will come from Egypt once Herod has died, edifice indeed, and it is that building of which Jesus, and this too is astonishingly ironic. For Egypt became a who loved it, would say that not one stone would remain land of slavery for the children of Israel once there came upon a stone (Mt. 24:2). So much for the temporary into power a new king “who knew not Joseph” (Ex. 1:8), house, in the earthly City of Peace. and who thus did not honor, even in a vague way, the But the Persians were famed star-gazers, as were the God of Israel. It is clear that Herod, the Jew who is not a Babylonians, while the Jews emphatically were not: Jew, the king who is not a king, does not know Joseph, “And he also made the stars,” says the sacred author of and that is why Joseph must go into Egypt from BethleGenesis, taking what was the central focus of religious hem, House of Bread. Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt attention among many of the peoples roundabout and during the great famine, because they could obtain bread referring to it as if it were an afterthought (Gen. 1:16). there; Joseph the foster-father of Jesus goes to Egypt The Persians, though, had also long been steeped in Jewbecause, we might say, of the spiritual famine in ish lore, and these magoi from the land of the rising sun Jerusalem – because the city of peace has become a city were aware of the prophecy, of the Star coming from of violence, the Jerusalem that, as Jesus would say, Jacob to rule over Moab (Num. 24:17). We may assume “murders the prophets” (Mt. 23:7). that the Jewish priests were not looking up at the skies.

All this, and far, far more, in a just few pages.

That was not a thing that the Jews did. I do not blame *Anthony Esolen, Ph.D., them for that. But while the priests recall the prophecy is a Distinguished Professor of Humanities of Micah, that the Messiah would come from Bethleat Thales College in North Carolina.m hem, as did the beloved King David (Mic. 5:2), they do NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

43

SPIRITUALITY BEHIND BARS

He seeks Out tHe gAdArenes An Act One plAyed Out in dArkness, redeemed by An Act twO lived in His ligHt n BY MARCELLUS ROBERTS *

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That’s how important it is to am a Gadarene. I am a man Jesus that the living inhabiwho has danced the devil’s tants among those tombs have diddy and had my conthe opportunity to turn their science trampled in an attempt one-act plays into full-length to complement Satan’s chaotic feature presentations. and cloven-hoofed choreograIf we consider St. Mattphy. hew’s account, we get the To be a Gadarene, you must impression that the tombs of have a past shrouded in thick, Gadara housed many of that gross darkness. Your inaugural country’s outcast and ostrarole must be “thick” in the depth citizens because Jesus is cized and duration of the sinful life, approached by two demoniacs, “gross” in that the quality and not one. The Sacred Scriptures, nature of the sinful actions as a whole, provide enough include those deeds that offend evidence to believe that the even the most insensitive of secworld is saturated with demonular sensibilities. A Gadarene’s ic activity. We should expect to opening act can make him wish see various manifestations of the curtain had never been influence and a varidemonic raised in the first place. But “T HE S ACRED S CRIPTURES PROVIDE ety of methods with which to there is another qualification a person needs before they can ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BELIEVE THAT THE deal with the afflicted; and like those tombs, prisons have truly call themselves a GadWORLD IS SATURATED WITH DEMONIC always provided society a arene: a Gadarene’s second act ACTIVITY... PRISONS HAVE ALWAYS place where the faithless and must be distinguished by perPROVIDED SOCIETY A PLACE WHERE THE hopeless can languish unseen sonal holiness.

FAITHLESS CAN LANGUISH UNSEEN...” and unloved.

Let’s keep it real. Is there In prison, the obsessed, anything a person can do to Above, "Christ frees a demoniac," Romanesque art, preserved oppressed, possessed and subchange the facts of their past? in the Bosé Monastery in northern Italy by a community of No. If we’ve spent the better part monks and nuns belonging to different Christian churches who jugated are stacked atop each seek God in obedience to the Gospel other for varying amounts of of our lives living vicariously time and for every imaginable crime, each downcast through Plato’s shadowy puppets, mimicking the missoul accepting or rejecting God’s grace in such a haphazchief-making of the marionettes broadcast continually ard way that only a precious few are saved. It is these on the cave walls, there’s nothing we can do to erase that few, these precious and salvaged few, who run in the now. Our best bet is to unglue our eyes from the darkfootsteps of the Gadarenes to worship at the feet of Jesus ness, even from the fire’s alluring reflection, turn and are made right in mind by the hearing of the Word around, and head bravely into the blinding light — Who and by prayer. is the Light that enlightens all men. This dazzling light, I wonder if it’s still there: the icon of St. Moses the in fuller’s-soap-style, makes possible the chiaroscuro Black at Christ of the Hills Monastery in Blanco, Texas. that is able to blend our thick, gross darkness into a work Pray that my future parole officer allows me the trip to of art. The first act and all its vainglory become integral venerate the holy icon. Pray that my second act attains to the masterpiece once it has been affected by the True to a level of holiness comparable to the holy one depictLight from True Light, the Master, begotten not made, ed there. Pray that every hair on my face and head turns Jesus Christ. frosty white like the great saint’s.

Jesus goes out seeking an encounter with Gadarenes.

St. Moses the Black was a Gadarene and had he been He puts his disciples through the hellishly-high waters born into our contemporary world, he wouldn’t be hard of a Galilean seastorm to reach the tombs of Gadara.

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INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

to recognize in his opening act. He is that dangerousin the way of perfection until the violence of his past looking man in the mugshot on the evening news, a dark came hurtling back in the form of a band of marauding alley nightmare. In ancient Egypt, he lived as a robber robbers and thieves. They sacked the monastery and and a thief. Today, on the pitiless streets of North Amerstruck the saint’s white head down into the dust, along ica he is known as a “jackboy”: someone always armed with several of the brethren, all giving themselves up and ready to take another’s property, life or both. willingly to the sword.

Initially, St. Moses gave honest living a try. He found Apparently a Gadarene needs light before he or she employment for a while working for a wealthy Egyptcan draw the stage curtains back for act two, specifically, ian, and all seemed to be going well until it was discovthe light of Christ. Recognize that this light shines ered that he had been peeling through the presence of His away at his employer’s fortune, “PRAY THAT MY FUTURE PAROLE OFFICER redeemed when they devote subtly, like a botanist would an themselves to living out the ALLOWS ME THE TRIP TO VENERATE THE onion. After several infractions, HOLY ICON... PRAY THAT EVERY HAIR ON evangelical counsels. Ah, the he was fired. Today, St. Moses is bait! But should we wait for our that teenager caught on closed- MY FACE AND HEAD TURNS FROSTY WHITE act-one actors to stumble upon LIKE THE GREAT SAINT’S” circuit camera committing creda religious brother or sister by it card fraud, living it up at the Below, an icon of St. Moses. Also known as Moses the Strong, chance when all the world’s a company’s expense and betraywilderness? Or would it be betMoses the Abyssinian, Moses the Robber, and Moses the Ethiopian, St. Moses was an ascetic monk and priest in Egypt in ter to take the latest council’s ing the trust of his boss. the 4th century AD, and a Desert Father St. Moses eventually took up counsel and answer the univera different profession by fully sal call to holiness by living out the immersing himself in the lifestyle of evangelical counsels, regardless of lawlessness. He must have been our location, state in life and vocadevilishly charismatic too, because tion? Our decision will determine he became no ordinary member of a the character of our chapter in the gang, but the founder and leader of a annals of Catholic history. violent criminal organization. The Our Heavenly Father sent His full description of his first act paints Son into a world covered in thick, the portrait of a vindictive and ruthgross darkness to be the light and less victimizer in the Egyptian life of mankind. That same Son of desert.

Mary crossed the Sea of Galilee to Villains are not the only ones who shorten the distance between himcan be found roaming the barren self and the demoniacs of Gadara. In wastelands and calling the wilderthe power of the same Holy Spirit, ness home. In St. Moses’ time, the St. Moses the Black did not flee the deserts of Egypt were blooming oncoming bandits but extended his with hermitages and monasteries. It welcome unto death, even death by was common to cross paths with a the sword. Our opportunity is besolitary anchorite and inquire of his fore us; let us choose to draw near to wisdom, or for weary pilgrims to enjoy refreshing hosGod’s heart by drawing near to His Gadarenes. pitality and lodging for the night from the cenobites; it Now, for all my Gadarenes out there, I leave you with was the springtime of Christian monasticism. Legend the words of the saintly Bishop Myriel from Victor has it that the witness of the evangelical counsels lived Hugo’s Les Miserables: “‘Yes,’ said the Bishop, ‘you out in sincerity by the desert monks stirred a desire in St. have come from a place of sorrow. Listen to me, there Moses to amend his life and avoid every near occasion will be more joy in Heaven over the tearful face of a of sin. After having been lured by the bait of Satan, St. repentant sinner than over the white robes of one hunMoses found himself hooked by the bait of Christ: dred just men. If you leave that mournful place with chastity, poverty and obedience. thoughts of hatred and anger against your fellow-men, St. Moses eventually submitted to a new life in Christ you are worthy of pity; if you leave it with thoughts of and the healing instruments of the Church, the Sacrakindliness, gentleness and peace, you are worth more ments, shaped him into an exemplar of peace and humilthan any of us.’” ity. After discerning a vocation to the priesthood, he *Marcellus Allen Roberts is a 40 year old Prison received Holy Orders. Then the Holy Spirit led him back Oblate of St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas. into the wilderness to live the religious life in communiHe is serving a 25-year penance in Texas.m ty with the brethren at Scetis. For many years he ran hard NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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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

THE CREED: THE LIFE-GIVING DEATH OF JESUS “FOR OUR SAKE HE WAS CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE; HE SUFFERED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED.”

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n the eyes of the prevailing religious authorities in Israel, the death of Jesus amounted to the end of a troublesome upstart who dared to challenge their flawed leadership of God’s people. The pragmatic Pontius Pilate saw the crucifixion of Jesus as just another method of crowd control.

Both views were, of course, gloriously incorrect.

In reality, the death of Jesus inaugurated a new beginning in relations between God and humanity, the latest and most powerful Covenant linking God to His suffering people. In addition, the event provided a blueprint for just how human beings were to relate to their God; this, indeed, is how Christianity is to be lived, in perpetual sacrifice.

Sacrifice lay at the heart of Judaic worship. In particular, the rituals of Passover centered around the offering of thousands of lambs in the Temple precincts during the feast, which were then consumed according to strict regulations in private settings. Temple worship also included the consumption of the “showbread” with wine by twelve selected priests.

The Essenes, who wielded great influence in Jesus’ own native Galilee, employed a form of this feast, patterned after the offering of Melchisedek, in their rituals. The Passover supper celebrated by Jesus and the Apostles followed this pattern. Conspicuously, there was no roast lamb mentioned in the Gospel accounts; the lambs were not to be slaughtered until the next day, after all. The Lamb at this Passover celebration was Jesus Himself, slated to die at the very same time as the lambs in the Temple.

Unlike the yearly sacrifice of lambs in the Temple, the Lamb of God was to be sacrificed only once. Unusually, this sacrifice saw the union of Priest and Victim. In His divine nature, Jesus is the perfect Priest in the image of

Melchisedek, while in His human nature He is the perfect Victim, a Lamb indeed without blemish. The union of perfect Priest and perfect Victim resulted in the final sacrifice of the old dispensation and the first (and final) of the new, a sacrifice which for all time accomplished the eternal Covenant. That first Eucharistic Liturgy lasted for some time; begun in the upper room on Thursday evening, it concluded only late the following day, with Jesus uttering His final words, “It is consummated.” At that very moment, the marriage between God and man was ratified (consummated) in an eternal and irrevocable bond. Each Eucharist offered since is a participation in that final Sacrifice, described in the stirring words of St. John’s Revelation.

Quite apart from the sacramental aspects of Jesus’ death, there was also a very practical result: death, which had been the devil’s primary weapon in tormenting humanity, was wrested from demonic control and became God’s property. The devil can never become incarnate and thus can never taste death. But God did become Flesh and in the Person of Jesus came to know intimately the experience of death. God owns death now, and thus it can hold no more sin-inducing terror for His people. The Church has long held that the ultimate expression of the Christian life is martyrdom, an explicit recognition that death has now become a Godly activity. The sanctified blood of martyrs flowing into the earth impregnates creation itself, giving rise to the birth of a new Spirit of sanctity in all things.

Death, in fact, has been transformed into a life-giving activity by the self-sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, recognized as such by God’s people in the Church. Death has passed over from the hands of demons into the life-giving possession of God.m

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East-West Watch

BY PETER ANDERSON

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RUSSIAN CHURCH AND STATE Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, center, with a model of planned African headquarters of the Russian Church in Kampala, Uganda – a display at the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, July 2728, 2023

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istorically, a strong connection has existed between the Russian State and the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). For example, Tsar Peter the Great determined the governance of the Church by abolishing the position of patriarch and creating the Holy Synod to be the highest authority of the Church. During the communist era in the Soviet Union, the Church was completely controlled by the State and its Council for Religious Affairs.

The demise of the Soviet Union ushered in a new period of freedom for the Church. No longer did the State directly control the governance of the Church. However, when Vladimir Putin was elected president of Russia in 2000, a new form of subordination began. While Putin has done many favors for the Orthodox Church, including favorable legislation for the Church and financial support for major Church projects, the expected return was the loyalty of the Church to the Putin administration. Because the Church has received so much from the State, the Church has largely lost its freedom to criticize the State. This can be seen in Patriarch Kirill’s unconditional support for Putin’s actions relating to Ukraine.

Another close relationship between the Russian Church and Russian State is now forming on the African continent.

For the family of Orthodox churches belonging to the Byzantine tradition, Africa has long been considered to be the sole jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. However, in November 2019, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria recognized the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which had been created in December 2018 under the guidance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Russian Church considers the OCU to be a “schismatic church” and judges that the Patriarchate of Alexandria, by recognizing a schismatic church, has itself become a schismatic church. Accordingly, the Russian Church no longer recognizes the jurisdiction of the Alexan-

drian Patriarchate and believes that the door is now completely open to establish churches of the Moscow Patriarchate in Africa.

In establishing parishes in Africa, the Russian Church has received great assistance from the Russian embassies in the various African countries. These embassies have served as the Church’s bases of operation. The Russian Federation is seeking to increase its influence in Africa, and enticing native clergy of the Alexandrian Patriarchate to join the Moscow Patriarchate serves this end.

Native clergy constitute a substantial majority of the priests of the Alexandrian Patriarchate. Many native priests are poor. The Russian Church has capitalized on the belief of certain African clergy that they are being treated as second-class citizens compared to the Greek clergy, and are underpaid. The Russian Church is having considerable success with this approach. At the present time, it has 200 parishes in 25 African countries.

Most recently, the partnership between the Russian Church and State was clearly visible at the Second RussiaAfrica Summit, held in St. Petersburg July 27 to 28, 2023.

The first Summit was held in Sochi in October 2019. The Summits seek to bring as many heads of African states as possible to Russia and to emphasize close relations between Russia and Africa.

At the first Summit in Sochi, the Russian Church played no role. However, at the second Summit, much effort was made to showcase the Russian Church in Africa. Putin was the first speaker at the Summit, and Patriarch Kirill, who gave a fairly long address, was the third. A large display describing the Russian Church in Africa was prominently placed in the lobby of the Summit’s meeting hall.

Although the Church profits from this exposure, it comes with the price of increased dependence on the State and loss of freedom.m

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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 MATTHEW TROJACEK

UKRAINE PASSES DRAFT LAW MAKING THE ulated the need for papal intervention to resolve the dispute UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ILLEGAL that had emerged concerning the manner of celebrating the On October 19, the Ukrainian Rada passed Draft Law 8371 Holy Qurbana, the traditional Mass of the region. by overwhelming margin. Draft Law 8371 seeks to amend The dispute revolves around the adoption of a “uniform” standing Ukrainian law “On the freedom of conscience and reliturgy aimed at harmonizing the diverse liturgical practices ligious organizations” in certain respects, by far the most imemployed previously. This compromise solution, implemented portant being addition of this sentence to by the Syro-Malabar Synod in the summer Article 5: “Activities of religious organiof 2021, mandates that during the Liturgy zations that are affiliated with the centers of the Word, the priest faces the congregaof influence of a religious organization (astion, then turns toward the altar at the censociation), the governing center (control) tral juncture (the consecration), and of which is located outside of Ukraine in a ultimately looks back at the assembly after state that carries out armed aggression communion. The Archdiocese of Ernakuagainst Ukraine, are not allowed.” lam-Angamaly, along with its clergy, has Draft Law 8371 had been introduced in resisted the implementation of this new the Rada by the Prime Minister after the “uniform” liturgy. The appointment of National Security and Defense Council Archbishop Vasil as a special delegate in(chaired by President Zelensky) on Decem- Pope Francis designated Archbishop Cyril Vasil tends to assess the current situation and prober 1, 2022, directed the Cabinet of Minis- as a papal delegate to solve liturgical disputes in pose resolutions to quell the crisis. (Zenit) ters to submit “a draft law on making it Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, in India impossible to operate in Ukraine religious organizations affilTHE COPTIC ARCHBISHOP OF ENGLAND VISITED iated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation,” as THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM the first part of the directive states.

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the Coptic Orthodox However, Draft Law 8371 completely ignores the second Archbishop of England, Archbishop Angelos, accompanied by part of this directive which provides it be “in accordance with the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop in Jerusalem, Archbishop Anthe norms of international law in the field of freedom of contonios, visited Patriarch Theophilos III of the Orthodox Church science and Ukraine’s obligations in connection with joining of Jerusalem. In this fraternal meeting they discussed issues the Council of Europe.” This omission may indicate that the concerning the Christian Churches in Jerusalem, like the chaldrafters of 8371 feared that such a proviso might interfere with lenges of taxes imposed by the Jerusalem Municipality on the banning of the UOC. churches, as well as attacks of radical elements against ChrisAnother matter of great concern is that there is no requiretians and their Churches. The Churches cooperate to overcome ment in 8371 that it be shown that the Church activities sought these challenges as well as serving the thousands of pilgrims to be prohibited pose a genuine threat to national security. visiting the Holy Land. In addition, the Churches strive to The Legal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church maintain the multi-religious and multi-cultural character of commented on the bill, saying, “It is certain that the adoption Jerusalem. of this draft law will indicate that human rights and freedoms, The issue of a repetition of the Theological dialogue befor which our State is also fighting, are losing their meaning.” tween the Eastern Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches and pro(Peter Anderson) Chalcedonian Churches was also discussed. The Patriarch offered an “Engolpion” and the icon of the Theotokos and of AMIDST RISK OF SCHISM, POPE FRANCIS SENDS the Edicule as gifts, and Bishop Angelos gave the Patriarch an DELEGATE TO RESOLVE LITURGICAL DISPUTE icon with Coptic children’s iconography. (OrthodoxTimes) In a bid to put an end to the escalating crisis within the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, in India, Pope Francis, ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE RUSSIAN in August, designated Archbishop Cyril Vasil as a papal deleCHURCH: STOP ENCOURAGING HOSTILITIES gate. Archbishop Vasil, from the Eparchy of Košice in the SloThe Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the vak Greek Catholic Church and a former secretary of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 24, at the Basilica of Vatican’s dicastery for the Eastern Churches, has been chosen Saint Martin in Pannonhalma, Hungary. to address an ongoing conflict within the archeparchy.

After the Holy Gospel, the Ecumenical Patriarch preached This decision by the Holy Father follows the request made the Divine Word in English, where, among other things, he reby the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, Carferred to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, saying that the dinal George Alencherry, in June 2023. Alencherry had articMother Church of Constantinople has asked, but without repage 3

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sult, for authorities to end it, as well as for the leadership of the Russian Church to stop encouraging its continuance.

However, the Patriarch pointed out that there have been some brave clergy who have stood against the tide of bloodshed and brutality endorsed by their bishops. And there have been brave Russian souls who embraced what St. Martin expressed when he said: “I am the soldier of Christ: it is not lawful for me to fight!” (OrthodoxTimes)

POPE FRANCIS AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AT “ECUMENICAL PRAYER VIGIL” The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and other leading religious leaders took part in an “Ecumenical Prayer Vigil” the evening of October 1 in St Peter’s Square. The ceremony was organized at the initiative of, among others, the well-known French monastic community Taizé. More than 3,000 young people from all over the world attended.

As the Taizé community said, “This meeting, which takes place in Rome and at the same time in other parts of the world, focuses on a simple ceremony to listen to the word of the Lord, with a long moment of silence and intercession for peace.” (OrthodoxTimes)

KIEV CONSIDERS DEMOLITION OF 74 CHURCHES In an escalation of actis against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on September 18, two commissions of the Kiev City Council began to study a project that calls for the demolition of dozens of Orthodox churches.

The draft decision was authored by UKRAINE CHURCHES AGAINST Vadim Vasilchuk from the pro-European LEGALIZING PORNOGRAPHY Voice (Holos) faction of the Verkhovna The Ukrainian Council of Churches Rada (Parliament). and Religious Organizations issued a According to documents on the City statement September 29 in response to Council website, the initiative is based on bill No. 9623 in the Ukrainian parliament the idea that the “governing center [of the which calls for the legalization of pornogUOC] is located outside Ukraine in a state raphy in Ukraine. The group wrote in its recognized by law as having committed milappeal to the leaders of Parliamentary facCoptic Orthodox Archbishop of England, itary aggression against Ukraine and/or tem- Archbishop Angelos, meet Patriarch Theophilos tions: “It is especially shameful when the III of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. porarily occupied part of the territory of initiators of the bill justify their initiative Ukraine,” or, that the UOC “has canonical and prayerful ties by the desire to allow women to legally sell their bodies alwith religious organizations of the aggressor country.” legedly to gather funds in support of the Ukrainian army.”

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TradiTion and BeauTy

forgotten Song of ChriStmaS AlmA RedemptoRis mAteR, the beautiful hymn to mary, “Kind mother of the redeemer” n BY AURELIO PORFIRI

"Madonna with Child" by the German painter Alexander Maximilian Seitz (1811-1888).

Opposite page, Singing angels (detail from the Nativity) by Vincenzo Pagani (1490-1568)

A

mong the Marian antiphons that were (and perhaps still are in some places?) performed at the end of the Mass or during the Marian months, Salve Regina and Regina Coeli would certainly win the prize for popularity. Nonetheless, the typical antiphon for the Advent and Christmas season, Alma Redemptoris Mater, certainly does not look out of place next to them.

To discuss this antiphon we must refer to its author and take a long journey back in time, to 11thcentury Germany. Here, on July 18, 1013, a child was born to Count Wolfrat of Altshausen who, from the beginning, tasted the “valley of tears” that is life.

In fact, he experienced a sort of paralysis in his lower limbs; historians do not give us certainty about whether it was from birth or in early childhood. The Count sent the boy, at the age of seven, to the Abbey of Saint Gall (according to Bucelino, his biographer) for schooling. The boy would go on to take the Benedictine habit and become a professor in Reichenau.

There, after a life of intense study marked by physical difficulties due to his infirmity, yet with the full esteem of the greats of his time, he would die on September 24,1054, at the age of 41, and be buried on his father’s land.

His name was purely German, Hermann, meaning “warrior.” Because of his deformity, which caused his limbs to “contract,” bringing him much suffering, he was known as Hermannus Contractus: Hermann the Cripple (or Hermann the Lame).

Thanks to Migne’s Patrologia Latina, we have biographical notes written by his disciple Bertoldo about our Hermann. Bertoldo informs us that Hermann was admired by all for his sanctity of life and doctrine, and that it was customary 50

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

for him to sit on a chair specially prepared to accommodate him in his infirmity. He was “Catholicae veritatis assertor et defensor invictissimus” (“the most invincible asserter and defender of Catholic truth”).

Giovanni Egone, in his work De viris illustribus Augiae Divitis, attributes to Hermann the composition of the Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater, together with other compositions, including the Sequenza Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Other medieval sources, including Migne, confirm this attribution, which we therefore find extremely plausible.

Of the melody of Alma Redemptoris Mater we know mainly two versions, the solemn one and the simple one.

Dom Gajard, in his Les plus belles Mélodies Grégoriennes, argues that the solemn version of the Alma Mater Redemptoris (which he attributes to Hermann with certainty) is closer to modern scales than to the authentic Gregorian modality, although this melody can be traced back to at least the 12th century.

Dom Gajard maintains that “elle est même de beaucoup la moins intéressante des quatre antiennes” (“it is by far the least interesting of the four antiphons”). He attributes the simple, much more widespread version to an elaboration made in Solesmes by Dom Fonteinne.

We can counter Dom Gajard’s criticism of the melody of the solemn version with what Christopher Page says in his The Christian West and Its Singers, referring to Hermann’s style in the antiphon to the Magnificat, Gaudeat tota.

He claims that composers like Hermann attempted new modes of resolution compared to the traditional Gregorian modality — almost avant-garde resolutions.

The text immediately identifies cisely in the Trinitarian life of God, Latin Mary as the Holy Mother of the Rewho is love (cf. 1 Jn. 4:8). The fruit of ALmA RedemptoRis mAteR, deemer, the always-open Door of this love is “the election” of which the quae pèrvia coeli Heaven and the Star of the Sea (Maris Letter to the Ephesians speaks. porta manes et stella maris, Stella). In fact, by reading the Alma On the part of God, this election is succùrre cadènti Redemptoris Mater antiphon carefulthe eternal desire to save man through sùrgere qui curat, pòpulo: ly, it is quite easy to see clear refera sharing in his own life (cf. 2 Pt. 1:4) tu quae genuìsti, ences to the hymn Ave Maris Stella. in Christ: it is salvation through a sharnatura mirante, There is a verse that is especially ing in supernatural life. The effect of tuum sanctum Genitorem, beautiful, in which we ask Mary to this eternal gift, of this grace of man’s Virgo prìus ac postérius, help the people who fall but who election by God, is like a seed of holiGabrielis ab ore always yearn to rise again. We ask ness, or a spring which rises in the soul this of Mary because she is the one as a gift from God himself, who sumens illud Ave, who generated the wonder of nature, through grace gives life and holiness to peccatòrum miserére. the Lord Jesus. She who was those who are chosen. In this a Virgin before and after givway there is fulfilled, that is to ing birth and who had resay, there comes about, that ceived, as the new Eve, the “blessing” of man “with every “Ave” from the mouth of the spiritual blessing” (...) archangel Gabriel: may she Mary almost puts herself at intercede with mercy for us the head of this army of the sinners. humble and poor of the Lord.

In his encyclical called, The melody (we refer here to not surprisingly, Redemptoris Mater the solemn version, from which the english (1987), Saint John Paul II states: simple is derived) opens with an elabLoving Mother of the redeeMer, “Mary is definitively introduced into orate neume on the first tonic syllable, the mystery of Christ through this who remains the open gate of heaven, “Al-[ma],” strengthened by a semitone and Star of the Sea, event: the Annunciation by the angel. quilisma (an expressive sign in Gregogive aid to a falling people (...) The divine messenger says to the rian chant) which leads the melody to that strives to rise; Virgin: ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord an upward outburst. This “Alma” o thou who begot is with you’ (Lk. 1:28). seems unable to contain the holiness of thy holy Creator, Mary “was greatly troubled at the Mary, the greatest of the Saints. Even while all nature marvelled, saying, and considered in her mind the “[Porta] manes” seems, with that virgin before and after what sort of greeting this might be” perfect fifth, a Pythagorean perfect receiving that “Ave” (Lk. 1:29): what could those words consonance, wanting to confirm with mean, and in particular the expresabsolute certainty how great is Mary’s from the mouth of gabriel, sion “full of grace” (kecharitoméne)? welcoming goodness, with which she have mercy on sinners.

If we wish to meditate together with never ceases to welcome sinners that Mary on these words, and especially on the expression “full want to return home. of grace,” we can find a significant echo in the very passage The note A has an important role in this antiphon (which from the Letter to the Ephesians quoted above. And if, after is in Tritus authentic mode), becoming an important note at the announcement of the heavenly messenger, the Virgin of the end of the cadences. But this character of intermediate Nazareth is also called “blessed among women” (cf. Lk. cadence of the A (which certainly plays a more important 1:42), it is because of that blessing with which “God the role in the plagal Tritus, or sixth mode) is however not Father” has filled us “in the heavenly places, in Christ.” unknown to other pieces in the fifth mode. When Mary is It is a spiritual blessing which is meant for all people and called “Stella Maris... Tu quae genuisti natura mirante... which bears in itself fullness and universality (“every blessVirgo prius ac posterius”(“Star of the Sea... You who gave ing”). It flows from that love which, in the Holy Spirit, unites birth to a wonderful nature... Virgin before and after”), the the consubstantial Son to the Father. At the same time, it is a melody naturally expands to the high note, almost as if it blessing poured out through Jesus Christ upon human histowanted to extend a metaphorical hand for the grasp of the ry until the end: upon all people. This blessing, however, Blessed Virgin. The melody remains in the low range to the refers to Mary in a special and exceptional degree: for she words “succurre cadenti... peccatorum miserere” (“to help was greeted by Elizabeth as “blessed among women.” (…) the fallen... to have mercy on sinners”), as if to underline the In the language of the Bible “grace” means a special gift, difference between the height of the Blessed Virgin and the which according to the New Testament has its source prelowness of us poor sinners.m NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

51

Of Books, Art and People

ROME’S OBELISKS FROM waR tROphIES tO pILgRIM MaRKERS n BY LUCY GORDAN

A

The obelisk at the top of the Spanish Steps commissioned by Gaius Sallustius and placed here under the pontificate of Pope Pius VI.

ccording to tradition Rome copper, but occasionally was founded in 753 BC. brass or gold.

This Iron Age hamlet of The majority of obelisks, shepherds became the capital of the including Rome’s, date to the Roman Empire, later of the Roman New Kingdom’s XVII (c.1500 Catholic Church, and since 1870 BC) and XIX (c.1340 BC) dynasties. the capital of modern Italy. No othRome’s were brought here during the er city can claim to have been the Empire as war trophies by Augustus “caput mundi” or head of the world (27 BC-14 AD), Caligula (37-41 for so many centuries.

AD), Titus (79-81 AD), Domitian Rome holds another unusual (81-96 AD), Hadrian (117-138 AD), world record; it’s home to more anand Constantine II (337-340 AD). cient Egyptian obelisks than anyOthers were made-to-order in Egypt where else in the world including for Roman emperors, but their hieroEgypt, which counts only a handful. glyphs were carved — if ever — afIn Rome today there are 13, alter delivery in Rome. though apparently there were 48 at One such obelisk stands in Piazza the height of the Empire.

Trinità dei Monti at the top of the The word obelisk derives from Spanish Steps. It was commissioned the ancient Greek obeliskos meanby Gaius Sallustius, an unscrupulous ing a spit or slender, pointed rod, because the four sides friend of Julius Caesar who’d made a fortune in Africa of this huge stone monolith gently taper into a pyraand was the only non-emperor to own an obelisk. He midion at the top. In fact, to be authentic an obelisk commissioned this imitation of the “Flaminian has to be a monolith or one piece of stone. The ancient Obelisk”, which he’d seen in Egypt, and had its hieroEgyptians usually erected them in pairs, on either side glyphs carved in Rome. If you compare the two, you’ll of a temple entrance. In his find that the Romans misNatural History the ancient copied the earlier inscription, Roman author Pliny the Elder so that it no longer makes any (c.23-79) says obelisks (assosense. The original “Flaminciated with sun worship) repian Obelisk,” which gets its resented the rays of the sun, name from the ancient Rowhich increase in width as man Via Flaminia, was one of they reach the earth. the first two obelisks to reach Down each of the monoRome under Augustus (the lith’s four faces commonly other currently stands in front ran a line of deeply-incised of the Italian Parliament). Rehieroglyphs, setting forth the erected in Piazza del Popolo names and titles of the reignby Sixtus V, it was the first ing pharaoh as well as an inobelisk that pilgrims from scription dedicated to the Northern Europe would have Sun-God. The pyramidion, or seen upon arriving in Rome.

The Flaminian Obelisk, brought to Rome top point, was sometimes Often knocked down by under the emperor Augustus (right). It was the first obelisk sheathed with metal, usually earthquakes and left abanthat pilgrims from Northern Europe would have seen.

52 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

The obelisk in St. Peter's Square was the first to be re-erected under the pontificate of Pope Sixtus V, the first to be reerected in modern times.

Bottom, the obelisk mounted on Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers in Piazza Navona, commissioned by Pope Innocent X.

doned like most of the “Eternal City” during the Middle Ages, Rome’s obelisks were rediscovered and erected in new sites by the popes Julius II (r.1503-13), Sixtus V (r.1585-90), Innocent X (r.1644-55), Clement XI (r.1700-21), Benedict XIV (r.1740-58), Pius VI (r.1775-99) and Pius VII (r.1800-23) as markers for Christian pilgrims on their way to St. Peter’s. Thus, they stand just outside many of Rome’s famous monuments, including the Pantheon, the Italian Parliament, and the Quirinal Palace; squares, including Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo; churches, including St. Peter’s, St. John in Lateran (this is the most ancient obelisk as well as the last to reach Rome, in 357 AD; at 105.6 feet it’s the world’s tallest and the only single obelisk ever erected), Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Maria sopra Minerva and Trinità dei Monti; and in parks, including Villa Borghese and Villa Celimontana, and they have the advantage of no entrance fees and long lines.

Several obelisks became integral parts of Renaissance or Baroque sculptures, like Bernini’s marble statue of Pope Leo X’s pet elephant Hanno. Near the Pantheon and outside Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Hanno balances a 6th-century BC obelisk,

Rome’s smallest, on his back. Another obelisk, dating to the reign of Ramses II (r.1279-1213 BC), was added to the fountain in front of the Pantheon in 1711 by Pope Clement XI; most famous of all is the obelisk mounted on Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers in Piazza Navona, commissioned by Pope Innocent X. The story of the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square is the most dramatic. It’s Egyptian, but since it doesn’t have hieroglyphs (like the one outside Santa Maria Maggiore and the one designed by Michelangelo which stands in the Square outside the Quirinal Palace), it was probably another made-to-order during Roman times. We know that it was first erected by Augustus in Alexandria’s Roman Forum and then brought to Rome in 37 AD by Caligula to decorate a chariot-racing circus he was building on the present site of St. Peter’s. Unlike all the other obelisks in Rome, the obelisk in St. Peter’s was never broken or overturned, only moved.

That’s undoubtedly because under Nero (37-68 AD), Caligula’s circus was the site of early Christian martyrdoms — likely including St. Peter’s — and thus the “eyewitness obelisk” was cherished.

Several real-life eyewitnesses describe the difficulties of moving NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 53

Of Book, Art and Peolple the obelisk the short distance to the center of the Square in 1586. Because it weighs 312 tons and is all in one piece, the unsuccessful attempts to raise it went on for several months and required 44 winches, 900 men and 140 horses. It was the first obelisk to be re-erected in “modern times” under the direction of architect Domenico Fontana and Pope Sixtus V, whose city-planning projects put Rome back on the world map after 1,000 years of neglect. The Pope decreed that anyone who spoke and distracted his fellow-workers would be punished by death. But one day, as the men were tugging away, a sailor from San Remo passed by, whose nautically-trained eye saw that the ropes were so taut they were in danger of snapping. “Put some water on the ropes!” he shouted in Genovese dialect. His advice was taken, and since he saved the day and probably the obelisk as well, he wasn’t

The obelisk, in front of the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, mounted on the Bernini’s marble statue of Pope Leo X’s pet elephant Hanno.

54 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

punished. The grateful Pope ordered that henceforth all the Vatican’s Palm Sunday fronds should come from Bordighera near San Remo (and they still do!). It had been believed that the gilt ball at the obelisk’s top contained the ashes of Julius Caesar, but when Fontana opened it, he found it empty.

Besides those in Rome, other historic shafts carted off from Egypt are found in Florence, Istanbul, London, New York, Paris and Urbino. New York’s is the only non-war spoil; it was purchased in 1880 for the then astronomical sum of $100,000 to be located in Central Park just outside the then new Metropolitan Museum of Art. For further information: The Magic of Obelisks by Peter Tompkins (New York, 1981) and Obelisks of Egypt; Skyscrapers of the Past by Labib Habachi (New York, 1977).m

THE END EXCERPTS fRom LoRD of THE WoRLD

“WE SHaLL aLL go bEfoRE goD TogETHER” MORE THEN 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 Prologue to 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… pre-

LORD OF THE WORLD

BY ROBERT HUGH BENSON (1907) BOOK II, “THE ENCOUNTER,” CHAPTER VI, Section I (Note: With government imposition of a new “humanist liturgy” on the Church looming, some Catholics have hatched a violent plot to resist. Percy leaves Rome in order to implement a desperate attempt to foil the plot among these outraged Catholics who “have enough faith to act, but not enough to be patient.” He knows well that such an act would be “the last straw on the back of toleration.”)

It was a strange view before him.

It was darkening now towards sunset, and the sky, primrosegreen overhead, deepened to a clear tawny orange above the horizon, with a sanguine line or two at the edge, and beneath that lay the deep evening violet of the city, blotted here and there by the black of cypresses and cut by the thin leafless pinnacles of a poplar grove that aspired without the walls. But right across the picture rose the enormous dome, of an indescribable tint; it was grey, it was violet—it was what the eye chose to make it—and through it, giving its solidity the air of a bubble, shone the southern sky, flushed too with faint orange. It was this that was supreme and dominant; the serrated line of domes, spires and pinnacles, the crowded roofs beneath, in the valley dell’ Inferno, the fairy hills far away—all were but the annexe to this mighty tabernacle of God. Already lights were beginning to shine, as for thirty centuries they had shone; thin straight skeins of smoke were ascending against the darkening sky. The hum of this Mother of cities was beginning to be still, for the keen air kept folks indoors; and the evening peace was descending that closed another day and another year. Beneath, in the narrow streets, Percy could see tiny figures, hurrying like belat56

INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

dicting the 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 the book, saying its clarification of the danger of a type of humanitarianism without God is a true danger that we do face, we print a selection from it in ITV, now and in the months ahead.

ed ants; the crack of a whip, the cry of a woman, the wail of a child came up to this immense elevation like details of a murmur from another world. They, too, would soon be quiet, and there would be peace.

A heavy bell beat faintly from far away, and the drowsy city turned to murmur its good-night to the Mother of God. From a thousand towers came the tiny melody, floating across the great air spaces, in a thousand accents, the solemn bass of St. Peter’s, the mellow tenor of the Lateran, the rough cry from some old slum church, the peevish tinkle of convents and chapels—all softened and made mystical in this grave evening air—it was the wedding of delicate sound and clear light. Above, the liquid orange sky; beneath, this sweet, subdued ecstasy of bells.

“Alma Redemptoris Mater,” whispered Percy, his eyes wet with tears. “Gentle Mother of the Redeemer—the open door of the sky, star of the sea—have mercy on sinners. The Angel of the Lord announced it to Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Ghost…. Pour, therefore, Lord, Thy grace into our hearts. Let us, who know Christ’s incarnation, rise through passion and cross to the glory of Resurrection—through the same Christ our Lord.”

Another bell clanged sharply close at hand, calling him down to earth, and wrong, and labour and grief; and he turned to see the motionless volor, itself one blaze of brilliant internal light, and the two priests following the German Cardinal across the gangway.

It was the rear compartment that the men had taken; and when he had seen that the old man was comfortable, still without a word he passed out again into the central passage to see the last of Rome.

The exit-door had now been snapped, and as Percy stood at the opposite window looking out at the high wall that would presently sink beneath him, throughout the whole of the delicate frame began to run the vibration of the electric engine.

God as seen by the British poet William Blake as the Architect of the world in his 1794 watercolor etching Ancient of Days, now held in the British Museum, London. The name “Ancient of Days” is a name for God used by the Prophet Daniel: “I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool....” (Daniel 7:9)

There was the murmur of talking somewhere, a heavy step shook the floor, a bell clanged again, twice, and a sweet windchord sounded. Again it sounded; the vibration ceased, and the edge of the high wall against the tawny sky on which he had fixed his eyes sank suddenly like a dropped bar, and he staggered a little in his place. A moment later the dome rose again, and itself sank, the city, a fringe of towers and a mass of dark roofs, pricked with light, span like a whirlpool; the jewelled stars themselves sprang this way and that; and with one more long cry the marvellous machine righted itself, beat with its wings, and settled down, with the note of the flying air passing through rising shrillness into vibrant silence, to its long voyage to the north.

Further and further sank the city behind; it was a patch now: greyness on black. The sky seemed to grow more huge and all-containing as the earth relapsed into darkness; it glowed like a vast dome of wonderful glass, darkening even as it glowed; and as Percy dropped his eyes once more round the extreme edge of the car the city was but a line and a bubble—a line and a swelling—a line, and nothingness.

He drew a long breath, and went back to his friends.

II “Tell me again,” said the old Cardinal, when the two were settled down opposite to one another, and the chaplains were gone to another compartment. “Who is this man?”

“This man? He was secretary to Oliver Brand, one of our politicians. He fetched me to old Mrs. Brand’s death bed, and lost his place in consequence. He is in journalism now. He is perfectly honest. No, he is not a Catholic, though he longs to be one. That is why they confided in him.”

“And they?”

“I know nothing of them, except that they are a desperate set.

They have enough faith to act, but not enough to be patient….

I suppose they thought this man would sympathise. But unfortunately he has a conscience, and he also sees that any attempt of this kind would be the last straw on the back of toleration.

Eminence, do you realise how violent the feeling is against us?”

The old man shook his head lamentably.

“Do I not?” he murmured. “And my Germans are in it? Are you sure?”

“Eminence, it is a vast plot. It has been simmering for months. There have been meetings every week. They have kept the secret marvellously. Your Germans only delayed that the blow might be more complete. And now, to-morrow—-” Percy drew back with a despairing gesture.

“And the Holy Father?”

“I went to him as soon as mass was over. He withdrew all opposition, and sent for you. It is our one chance, Eminence.”

“And you think our plan will hinder it?”

“I have no idea, but I can think of nothing else. I shall go straight to the Archbishop and tell him all. We arrive, I believe, at three o’clock, and you in Berlin about seven, I suppose, by

German time. The function is fixed for eleven. By eleven, then, we shall have done all that is possible. The Government will know, and they will know, too, that we are innocent in Rome. I imagine they will cause it to be announced that the CardinalProtector and the Archbishop, with his coadjutors, will be present in the sacristies. They will double every guard; they will parade volors overhead—and then—well! in God’s hands be the rest.”

“Do you think the conspirators will attempt it?”

“I have no idea,” said Percy shortly.

“I understand they have alternative plans.”

“Just so. If all is clear, they intend dropping the explosive from above; if not, at least three men have offered to sacrifice themselves by taking it into the Abbey themselves…. And you, Eminence?”

The old man eyed him steadily.

“My programme is yours,” he said. “Eminence, have you considered the effect in either case? If nothing happens—-” “If nothing happens we shall be accused of a fraud, of seeking to advertise ourselves.

If anything happens—well, we shall all go before God together. Pray God it may be the second,” he added passionately.

“It will be at least easier to bear,” observed the old man.

“I beg your pardon, Eminence. I should not have said that.”

There fell a silence between the two, in which no sound was heard but the faint untiring vibration of the screw, and the sudden cough of a man in the next compartment. Percy leaned his head wearily on his hand, and stared from the window.

The earth was now dark beneath them—an immense emptiness; above, the huge engulfing sky was still faintly luminous, and through the high frosty mist through which they moved stars glimmered now and again, as the car swayed and tacked across the wind.

“It will be cold among the Alps,” murmured Percy. Then he broke off. “And I have not one shred of evidence,” he said; “nothing but the word of a man.”

“And you are sure?”

“I am sure.”

“Eminence,” said the German suddenly, staring straight into his face, “the likeness is extraordinary.”

Percy smiled listlessly. He was tired of bearing that.

“What do you make of it?” persisted the other.

“I have been asked that before,” said Percy. “I have no views.”

“It seems to me that God means something,” murmured the German heavily, still staring at him.

“Well, Eminence?”

“A kind of antithesis—a reverse of the medal. I do not know.”

Again there was silence. A chaplain looked in through the glazed door, a homely, blue-eyed German, and was waved away once more.

(To be continued)m NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN

57

VATICAN WATCH

By Matthew Trojacek with CNA Reports - Grzegorz Galazka and CNA photos

AUGUST SUNDAY 6 WORLD YOUTH DAY: SOUTH KOREA 2027 The next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027, Pope Francis announced at the conclusion of the final Mass of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, on August 6. (CNA) TUESDAY 8 POPE FRANCIS CHANGES CANON LAW ON OPUS DEI AND ANY FUTURE PERSONAL PRELATURES

SEPTEMBER MONDAY 4 A GLIMPSE INTO VATICAN-CHINA DEAL Pope Francis revealed the existence of a joint China-Vatican commission on the appointment of bishops during an inflight press conference on September 4 — giving the clearest explanation to date as to what could be in the secret VaticanChina deal. Speaking during his 10-hour return flight from Mongolia, the Pope said there is a joint commission between the Chinese government and the Holy See on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China, presided over by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. “There is a commission working for the appointment of bishops — the Chinese government and the Vatican — and there has been dialogue for some time,” Pope Francis told journalists. He described the Vatican’s relations with China as “very respectful.” (CNA)

Young Koreans at WYD in August, 2023.

Below, in the circle, Bishop Rui Manuel Sousa Valério, appointed new patriarch of Lisbon by Pope Francis

Pope Francis has changed canon law regarding the governance of Opus Dei and any future personal prelatures.

In a motu proprio issued August 8, the Pope assimilated the personal prelature to “public clerical associations of pontifical right with the faculty of incardinating clerics.” It also further defined the role of the prelate as a “moderator endowed with the faculties of an ordinary.” To date, the international Catholic organization Opus Dei is the only personal prelature in the Catholic Church. (CNA)

SATURDAY 16 STATUE OF KOREA’S PATRON SAINT TO BE PERMANENTLY INSTALLED AT ST. PETER’S The Vatican dedicated a new statue of the patron saint of Korea, St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, at St. Peter’s Basilica on September 16. Born in 1821, Kim was the first nativ e Korean priest and one of the country’s earliest martyrs. The statue of the Korean martyr was proposed by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, a Korean prelate and prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, and approved by Pope Francis. (CNA) SATURDAY 23

POPE: NO “SEA OF DEATH” Pope Francis on September 23 condemned “belligerent nationalisms” and called for a pan-European response to THURSDAY 10 migration to stop the Mediterranean — FRANCIS NAMES where thousands have drowned in reNEW PATRIARCH cent months — from becoming “the OF LISBON graveyard of dignity.” Immigration issues dominated his 27-hour trip to MarPope Francis, on Auseilles, a French port that for centuries gust 10, named Bishop Rui has been a crossroads of cultures.

Manuel Sousa Valério as patriarch of On September 22, he said migrants Lisbon, just days after the conclusion of who risk drowning at sea “must be resWorld Youth Day in the capital city of cued” because doing so was “a duty of Portugal. humanity.”

The Pope also accepted the resignaFrancis doubled down in a long tion of Cardinal-Patriarch Manuel September 29, 2019. On the World Day of Migrants speech on Saturday morning when he and Refugees, Pope Francis inaugurates Clemente, who has led the patriarchate concluded a Church conference on the monument dedicated to them since May 2013. Clemente turned 75 in Mediterranean issues.“There is a cry of July. pain that resonates most of all, and it is turning the MediterValério, a member of the Missionaries of the Company of ranean, the ‘mare nostrum,’ from the cradle of civilization Mary for more than three decades, has been bishop of the Milinto the ‘mare mortuum,’ the graveyard of dignity: it is the itary Ordinariate of Portugal since the end of 2018. (CNA) stifled cry of migrant brothers and sisters,” he said. (Reuters)

58 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

PEOPLE B M Y

ATTHEW TROJACEK with G. Galazka photos

n POPE FRANCIS MEETS ‘ROCKY’ ACTOR SYLVESTER STALLONE AT VATICAN Pope Francis received U.S. actor and director Sylvester Stallone at the Vatican on September 8.

The “Rocky” actor met the Pope in the Apostolic Palace together with his wife, Jennifer Flavin, and their three daughters.

The Vatican released photos of the meeting but did not provide details of the encounter.

A video shared by Vatican News showed Pope Francis meeting Stallone and telling him, “We grew up with your films.” Stallone, jokingly making fists, responded: “Ready, we box!” (CNA)

n ARCHBISHOP GALLAGHER AT U.N.: HEALTHCARE IS FOR ALL, NOT A LUXURY “Health,” Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has told the United Nations General Assembly, “is not a luxury; it is for all.”

The Archbishop, who is the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, was speaking at the High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage at the 78th UN General Assembly on September 22.

It is often precisely those who are not able to afford healthcare that most need it, he said, since “the effects of poverty, such as hunger and malnutrition, inadequate housing, and unsafe working conditions, increase vulnerability to disease.”

(VaticanNews)

n WHY THE QUEEN OF BELGIUM CAN WEAR WHITE WHEN MEETING THE POPE Queen Mathilde of Belgium is one of only a few women in the world who CARDINAL SEEKS VATICAN can wear white, rather than SUPPORT TO REGAIN the customary black, when RECOGNITION IN IRAQ meeting the Pope for an official On September 19, Iraq’s Chaldean private audience at the Vatican.

Catholic Cardinal Louis Sako said he As a Catholic queen, she has the “privwould like more Vatican support as he ilège du blanc,” a papal privilege currently tries to regain formal recognition as granted only to the Catholic royalty from the Chaldean patriarch in the country.

Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, and MonaIraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked his title July 3, which has co, as well as the House of Savoy. been viewed as a usurpation of the clergyman’s position as Queen Mathilde arrived at the Vatican’s the officially recognized head of Iraq’s Catholic Chaldean Apostolic Palace with her husband, King Church as well as of his position and powers to administer Philippe of the Belgians, on the Chaldean religious endowment, including church propSeptember 14 wearing a erties. white mantilla veil and a Both the cardinal and media in Iraq say the acwhite dress. tion was likely instigated by Rayan al-Kildani, a leader of The Belgian royals and a nominally Chaldean Catholic militia in Iraq, the Babylon Pope Francis discussed the Brigades, closely tied to Iran. Its political wing holds four war in Ukraine and a shared comseats in parliament out of five reserved for Christian candimitment to peace during the 20-minute dates. (UCANews) meeting, according to a statement released by the Vatican.

It was the monarch’s second visit to the Vatican this year, n BASILIAN SISTERS GIVEN TOP HONOR FOR as King Philippe and Queen Mathilde also traveled to Rome ‘POWERFUL WITNESS’ IN UKRAINE for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in January.

An order of women religious has been recognized for ex(CNA) traordinary efforts to bring Jesus Christ to those suffering the ravages of Russia’s war in Ukraine. n KIDNAPPED CATHOLIC PRIEST IN NIGERIA Catholic Extension has named the Sisters of the Order of HAS BEEN FREED Saint Basil the Great as the 2023-2024 recipients of its highNigerian priest Father Marcellinus Obioma Okide, who est honor, the Lumen Christi Award. The Chicago-based was kidnapped September 17, has been freed, his diocese annonprofit, which since 1905 has supported Catholic faith nounced. He regained his freedom on September 21, accordcommunities in the nation’s poorest regions, announced the ing to the Catholic Broadcast Commission of Nigeria. decision in a September 27 press release.

“We are glad to inform you that our brother and priest, Fr. The Basilian Sisters will receive $25,000 to supMarcellinus Obioma Okide, has been released from the den port their ministry among the poor and suffering of the kidnappers,” Diocese of Enugu chancellor Father Wilin Ukraine. The Ukrainian Catholic Archepfred Chidi Agubuchie said. archy of Philadelphia — whose Metropolitan “May Our Lady, Help of Christians, intercede for us and Archbishop Borys Gudziak nominated the order our country Nigeria,” the statement read. (UCANews) — also will receive $25,000, as the sisters’ Jesus, 60 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

VATICAN CLARIFICATION: NEWBORN SON AMONG POLISH MARTYRS TO BE BEATIFIED The Vatican has issued a clarification regarding the beatification of a family of Polish martyrs, which occurred on Sunday, September 10.

Józef and Wiktoria Ulma were beatified along with their seven children. The family was massacred by Nazis for sheltering a Jewish family.

At the time of the killings, Wiktoria Ulma was pregnant with the couple’s 7th child. She apparently went into labor as the Nazis began shooting the members of the large Jewish family that had been hidden by the Ulma household, and a son was born. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints declared that the newborn child participated in the martyrdom of his family. (CatholicCulture) Lover of Humanity Province in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, has been based within the archeparchy for more than a century.

Basilian Sister Joann Sosler, provincial superior of the Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province, described the award as a “tremendous gift” that “recognizes our sisters’ ministry to Ukrainian war victims who have been displaced in both Europe and the United States. (UCANews) n UN DECRIES MYANMAR VIOLENCE, BISHOP SEEKS PRAYERS FOR PEACE With the United Nations rights office decrying the increased use of airstrikes and artillery shelling to conduct mass killings in Myanmar, a Catholic bishop has asked Catholics to dedicate October to praying for peace.

“Each day, the people of Myanmar are enduring horrifying attacks, flagrant human rights violations and the crumbling of their livelihoods and hopes,” Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the Human Rights Council on September 26.

Turk termed the violence “inhumanity in its vilest form” and said three specific military tactics have been systematically directed against the civilian population: airstrikes, mass killings, and burning of villages.

The military undertook 687 airstrikes, more than double the number carried out in the 14 months following the February 2021 military coup.

Bishop Celso Ba Shwe of Loikaw, which covers Kayah state, has asked Catholics to pray the rosary to end the bloodshed. (UCANews)

INDIAN CHRISTIANS SEEK EQUAL TREATMENT FOR THEIR SCHOOLS Christians in a southern Indian state have urged the provincial government to end discriminatory education policies that adversely impact Christian-run schools receiving state funds.

The Christian community runs around 6,000 of the estimated 8,403 schools in Tamil Nadu that receive government aid, and hence are referred to as “aided schools.”

“Most of them are in villages where the government is unable to provide education for want of infrastructure,” said Father Antonysamy Solomon in a September interview.

He said the roughly 6,000 schools, which include close to 2,500 Catholic schools, have played a pioneering role in educating several generations in Tamil Nadu over more than a century.

“The government agreed to provide aid because of the community’s contributions. But it is discriminating against us and favoring only government schools now,” Father Solomon said.

The state government provides breakfast for students in primary schools run by it. Students passing out from the 37,211 government schools also benefit from a 7.50 percent special quota in admissions to higher education courses like medical and engineering.

“The same privileges are not extended to students from our schools,” said Father John Kennedy, education coordinator at the Madhurai province of the Society of Jesus. (UCANews)

n NEW HONG KONG CARDINAL: SHARING ‘LOVE OF GOD,’ NOT CONVERSIONS, GOAL OF CHURCH IN CHINA Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow raised eyebrows September 28 when he said that evangelization in China today should focus on communicating the love of God “without the agenda of turning them into Catholics.”

In an interview in Rome with CNA, the bishop of Hong Kong, who was made a cardinal in the consistory on September 30, spoke about his vision for evangelization in mainland China.

“I think it is important that we say that Pope Francis made a distinction.

Evangelization is really to help people to understand the love of God — and the love of God without the agenda of turning them into Catholics — because that shouldn’t be the focus, as that focus would be very restrictive,” Chow said.

(CNA)m

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE VATICAN 61

Food FoR THoUGHT n BY MOTHER MARTHA

I

recently visited the charming straw, leaves or shredded corn stalks walled city of Treviso in the and a tarp, and kept in the dark for 15 Veneto region of north-east Italy. days, becoming blanched because Originally named Tarvisium, it beVENETO’S WINTER VEGETABLE they don’t produce chlorophyll. came a municipium in 89 BC after The process was introduced to the Romans added Cisalpine Gaul to their dominions. ChrisVeneto by the Belgian park-and-garden designer Francesco tianity spread to Treviso early. Tradition records that St. ProsVan De Borre, who came to Treviso in 1870 to create an Engdocimus, a Greek, who had been ordained by St. Peter, brought lish garden in his Villa Palazzi. The procedure of blanching the Catholic faith to Treviso and surrounding areas. By the 4th chicory was already common in Belgium. century the Christian population was sufficiently large to merit Radicchio’s origins are uncertain. Known to Pliny the Elder, a bishop. The first documented Bishop was John the Pious, who swore by its blood purification and sleep aid properties, it who began his episcopacy in 396 AD. seems to have first appeared in northern Italy during the 16th Today Treviso is home to a medieval cathedral dedicated to century in the town of Dosson di Casier, supposedly because St. Peter and the first artwork depicting eyeglasses, a fresco birds dropped some seed on the bell tower there which the local portrait of Cardinal Hugh of friars found and cultivated.

Provence painted in 1352 by Radicchio’s first artistic repreThomas of Modena in the magnifisentation also dates to this period: cent Dominican Church of St. a painting by Leandro Da Ponte Nicholas, also medieval (see my Bassano (1550-1599) entitled Le “Eyeglasses-Made to Magnify nozze di Cana or The Marriage at God’s Word,” ITV, April 2006). It’s Cana, which dates to 1562-3 and also home to a network of canals today is in the Louvre. Its radicthat were once a water link to chio is in a basket with other Venice, a picturesque fish market fruits and vegetables in the lower on an island in the city’s River Sile, lefthand corner. The first certain and the headquarters of Geox documentation dates to much latshoes and of the clothing and acer: the second half of the 1800s. cessories retailer Benetton, as well We know that radicchio’s popas the birthplace of the ubiquitous ularity grew thanks to the agronodessert tiramisù (see my “Tiramisù Cooking the radicchio rosso or red chicory, a winter vegetable mist from Lombardy Giuseppe cultivated in 24 municipalities of the Veneto’s provinces of Padova, or Pick-Me-Up: Italy’s World-FaBenzi, who moved to Treviso to Venice, and (primarily) Treviso. mous Dessert,” ITV, January teach and founded the first fair 2019). dedicated to radicchio, held on December 20th, 1900 in the Another local gastronomical specialty is radicchio rosso, or Loggia of Treviso’s magnificent medieval main square, the Pired chicory, a winter vegetable cultivated in 24 municipalities azza dei Signori. Last year, from December 8-11, 2022, the of the Veneto’s provinces of Padova, Venice, and (primarily) 113th Antica Mostra del Radicchio Rosso di Treviso IGP, with Treviso. Here the soil is fertile and especially rich in water, the cooking shows and tastings, took place in the nearby Piazzetta summers hot and the winters cold. Often mistakenly considAldo Moro; this year the Mostra will be held again around the ered a lettuce or cabbage and planted in late summer, red chicoweekend of the Immaculate Conception. ry’s harvest starts in October/November and ends at the end of If you’re still hungry after the radicchio fair, head to the February/beginning of March. birthplace of tiramisù Le Beccherie for the Spaghetto al Vino Rich in antioxidants and salts including potassium and Raboso with radicchio or Ristorante Antico Morer for fish phosphorus as well as vitamins A, B, C, and K, there are two (both Michelin-starred), Toni del Spin for Sopressa con polenta types of dark red radicchio in Treviso with white stripes. One e radicchio or risotto al radicchio, or Hostaria Dai Naneti for is precoce, with wider leaves and a less bitter taste than radiclocal color. chio tardivo, which can only be harvested after two frosts.

Radicchio can be eaten raw like a salad, and if you can’t Radicchio tardivo is considered “The King of Radicchios” and travel to Treviso right now, many cooked radicchio recipes can often called “The Red Flower of Winter.” After harvest both be found at www.radicchioditreviso.it. Be sure to have a bottle types are tied in bunches, immerged in tanks of spring water of prosecco on hand, the local liquid specialty (See my “Prosmaintained between 54°-59° Fahrenheit and covered with ecco: Pliny the Elder’s Favorite Drink,” ITV, January 2020).m

TREVISO’S RADICCHIO ROSSO

Left to right: Treviso’s Cathedral, Piazza dei Signori in Florence, and Leandro Da Ponte’s painting

00 INSIDE THE VATICAN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023

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Easter in Italy March 25 - April 4, 2024 Our Easter 2024 pilgrimage will begin almost a week before Easter in Assisi — the city of St. Francis — in the Umbrian hills near the very center of Italy. Assisi is one of the loveliest, most peaceful cities in the world. The very light and air of the city seem filled with the presence of the spirits of St. Francis and St. Clare.

During this Holy Pilgrimage, we will also travel to Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict. Tucked beneath sparkling, snow-caped mountains, Norcia is the scene of a poignant and unforgettable Good Friday procession.

Our final and climactic destination is the eternal City itself – Rome – where we will attend Easter Vigil Mass, and then Easter Sunday Mass, celebrated by Pope Francis and continue the festivities on Easter Monday (“la Pasquetta”) in Manoppello, at the shrine of the miraculous Holy Face. These liturgies, celebrating the triumph of Jesus Christ over sin and death, are among the most splendid and joyous in the Church’s calendar.

Join us for this joyous Easter celebration! Visit us online for more information on this moving spiritual pilgrimage.

PILGRIMAGE@INSIDETHEVATICAN.COM ∞ +1.202.536.4555 ∞ InsideTheVaticanPilgrimages.com