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LITURGY - UNITY AND DIVISION IN THE CHURCH

Illuminating Works on the Power of God’s Love

ATONEMENT Soundings in Biblical, Trinitarian and Spiritual |eology

argaret Turek presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann. It argues for the central importance of a theology of atonement, even as it explains the modern aversion to it. |is work deepens our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. It develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from God’s own power to love. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son. ATP . . . Sewn Sovcover, $19.95

THE MEANING OF THE WORLD IS LOVE Selected Texts from Hans Urs von Balthasar with Commentary

ichard Clements brings to a wider audience Balthasar’s profound insights on the nature of love, a topic that lies at the center of his theology. A prolioc Catholic theologian, Balthasar has been called a <new Father of the Church=, whose work has made a deep impact on Saint John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and many others. Yet for all Balthasar’s brilliance, the core of his theology is extraordinarily simple: love—for God is love. To Balthasar, the answers to all of man’s big, existential questions revolve around love. |e path of love is the path of self-giv and self-sacrioce, and the only way to genuine fulollment. Balthasar points us to the very heart of reality: God, who gives himself to us without reserve.

MWLP . . . Sewn Sovcover, $17.95

<A deeply beautiful and splendidly illuminating book, at once a theological tour de force and a prayerful guide to the contemplation of the salvioc work of Christ.= —Khaled Anatolios, Professor of |eology, University of Notre Dame

<A lucid, compelling answer to our major seminal questions about existence, through the lens of Balthasar’s theology of love. An excellent work!< —Robert Spitzer, S.J., Author, God So Loved the World

<Showcases a coherent and profound unity of thought among a quartet of theologians underplayed until now. It dynamizes atonement in extending it to the ‘co-atonement’ of Christians! Highly recommended.= —Emery de Gaál, Professor of Dogmatic |eology, Mundelein Seminary

<An absolute breath of fresh air and a bracing reminder of the true genius of Balthasar as both a theologian and a master of the spiritual life. It will liv your soul to God.= —Larry Chapp, Emeritus Professor of |eology, DeSales University

<Restores the atoning work of Christ to its central place in American Christology. Turek shows beautifully the Trinitarian dimensions of the mystery of atonement and our personal participation in it.= —Roch Kereszty, O.Cist., Professor of |eology, University of Dallas

<Clements performs a profound service of gathering and integrating an abundance of the great theologian’s texts. An extraordinarily rich and helpful book!= —David Schindler, Editor, Communio: International Catholic Review

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EDITORIAL

by Robert Moynihan

A True Evangelist As many are tempted to abandon the Church and make compromises with “the world,” the examples of great saints and evangelists shine forth all the more clearly. Now more than ever, we must hold fast to the faith

“Let every fall… serve as a rung of a ladder always toward higher perfection. The Immaculata permits the fall only to cure us of our self-love, our pride, to bring us to humility.” —St. Maximilian Kolbe, Polish priest and Conventual Franciscan friar, who died in Auschwitz on August 14, 1941, age 47, after volunteering to die in place of another man. Kolbe is the patron saint of prisoners, families, and... journalists Sunday, August 14, 2022, Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe I write on the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan Conventual friar who was a tireless evangel ist, founding and editing several journals (hence patron of journalists), who evangelized above all in the manner of his death — giving up his own life for the life of a fellow prisoner in Auschwitz. On this day my thought turns to another evangelist of our time, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, who died six days ago on August 8 at the age of 98 (he was the oldest living cardinal). In February 2007 at age 83, Tomko wrote his spiritual testament. Some of Tomko’s words were cited by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re in his homily at Tomko’s August 11 funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica, in the presence of Pope Francis. In his testament, Tomko thanked God for the poverty of his childhood in a working class family in Slovakia, and also for the “rich faith” his mother and father inculcated in him during those difficult years. But the center of Tomko’s testament was his gratitude for having had the chance to spend his life serving “the building of the mystical body of Christ, the Church,” and for his close relationship with Pope John Paul II, with whom he felt a profound, “almost spontaneous harmony of ideas, joys and sufferings.” John Paul chose Tomko to be the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Tomko spent 16 years in that post, giving all of his heart and energy to fulfilling his episcopal motto: “Ut Ecclesia aedificatur” (“That the Church might be built up”). “I loved the young missionary Churches with all their beauty and fragility: the celebrations, the seminarians, the piety, the people who were often very poor,” Tomko said. “It was beautiful to labor and suffer for living missionary Churches!” Tomko encouraged me in many ways over the years, both in publishing this magazine, and in the effort to accomplish the hope John Paul II expressed that the Church “breathe with two lungs,” East and West, Greek and Latin, Orthodox and Catholic. We also spoke often about the poverty and consequent suffering of many in the “Third World,” and about the difficulty of the task of the Catholic Church in evangelizing the peoples of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and in “re-evangelizing” the once Christian nations of the “Christian West.” I remember in particular a conversation about the Orthodox Christians of Russia, and my hope that faith of such Orthodox Christians might — with the help of the Holy Spirit — provide a “bridge” leading across the waters of distrust to deeper mutual understanding, and perhaps even to eventual friendship, between Russia and America. (Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Pope’s nuncio in Ukraine, said

in an interview published today that “it is important to do everything possible, within human forces, so that an atmosphere, if not of dialogue, at least of contact, is established.”) “I met many Orthodox in Moscow,” Tomko told me. “And I was impressed by the Christian faith I found there. There is truth, I think, in the idea that a certain Christian faith and goodness remain, despite 70 years of atheism, in the ‘Russian soul.’” I nodded, then, a bit provocatively, asked: “And what about us Americans, in our culture of individualism, materialism? Has that affected us? What do you think about the ‘American’ soul?” He replied, his eyes serious: “Not so good, I am afraid.” Years have passed. Now we are faced with “wars and rumors of wars,” with a “Great Reset” to cancel the debt of the world, with young people increasingly attempting to “change” their genders. (On gender identity, Pope Francis expressed himself clearly a year ago, in a conversation with the Slovak Jesuits, saying that “the ideology of gender is dangerous, because it is abstract with respect to the concrete life of a person, as if a person could decide abstractly at will whether and when to be a man or a woman.”) Most worryingly, Christian faith itself seems on the ropes — ridiculed by some, abandoned by many, persecuted in diverse places, from China to Nigeria to the United States. Does this mean we should lose hope? Abandon the Church? No! Jesus did come among us, 2,000 years ago, to be our Light in this sad and sinful world, and despite all that is evil, He remains our Light. Our salvation is to know Him. The darkest of dark nights does not extinguish this saving light in souls. And Christ enlightens men mainly through the ministrations of our Mother the Church. The American author Bishop Fulton Sheen (1895-1979) once said, “If you want to find Christ… look for the Church, which, amid the confusion of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly, it is other-worldly. Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself.” The Church is hated, yes, and her members — you and I — are despised by many. Even some Catholics complain, shaking their heads, that the Church is led by corrupt, incompetent men. Just so! But even the Apostles, who had lived with Jesus, argued amongst themselves, and some denied Him in the end. Does this mean we should lose hope? Abandon the Church? No! It means that we should persevere with all the more energy and commitment, as the task grows more difficult and the problems we face grow ever more dangerous. We can’t throw up our hands and give up… St. Peter spoke for all Christians when he said to Jesus (and by extension, to Jesus’ Body, the Church), “Where are we to go? You have the words of everlasting life.” Yes, there are problems, confusion, even malfeasance, in the Church… yet it is the Catholic Church which alone has been entrusted with the complete and undiluted “words of eternal life.” We must never forget this. Most of all, we must not forget this now. m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

Year 30, #5

LEAD STORY Ukraine’s Nuncio, Abp. Kulbokas: “The Pope is the only leader close to those who suffer” by Giacomo Gambassi (Avvenire) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 An Interview with Abp. Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states by Gerald O’Connor (America) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 Year 30, #5

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

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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 57, New Hope, Kentucky, 40052, USA, pursuant to a License Agreement with Robert Moynihan, the owner of the Copyright. Inside the Vatican, Inc., maintains editorial offices in Rome, Italy. Periodicals Postage PAID at New Hope, Kentucky, USA and additional mailing offices. Copyright 2022 Robert Moynihan

4 INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

NEWS Rome/Three women appointed to Vatican’s bishops’ dicastery by Christopher White (NCR) with ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Rome/Holy See enacts new investment policy by Vatican News/ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Rome/Pope makes changes to Opus Dei by Courtney Mares (CNA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Is the motu proprio a power grab or just administrative reshuffling? by ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Commentary/Unity and division: Our “de-facto” split threatens to spin out of control by Robert Moynihan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Commentary/Synod on synodality: Is the Church really going to the “peripheries?” by Anthony Esolen, Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 CULTURE OBITUARY/A Catholic Prince: Dom Luiz d’Orleans-Bragança by Vik van Brantegem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Footsteps on the Way/Italy’s “Miracles of Mercy” by ITV staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Interview/A daughter remembers Gary Cooper, movie star and Catholic convert by Barbara Middleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Education/Catholic educators renew devotion to the Eucharist by Patrick Reilly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Latin/The Church’s “Newman Problem” by John Byron Kuhner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Scripture/”Little Lamb, Rise Up” by Anthony Esolen, Ph.D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 URBI ET ORBI: CATHOLICISM AND ORTHODOXY Icon/Nicaea and the Creed by Robert Wiesner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 East-West Watch/Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov: Future Patriarch? by Peter Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 News from the East/Pope urges unity; Ukrainian bishops gather in Poland; Ukraine celebrates Baptism of Rus’; Lithuania bans Kirill; Jerusalem Patriarch: “Protect Holy Land Christians” by Matthew Trojacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 FEATURES Tradition and Beauty/Churches are ours — but before this, they are His by Aurelio Porfiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Art/”Second Sistine Chapel” restored in Rome’s oldest hospital by Lucy Gordan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Lord of the World/”Will this worship be compulsory?” by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Vatican Watch/A day-by-day chronicle of Vatican events: June-July 2022 by Matthew Trojacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 People/Cupich joins worship dicastery; Pope meets Trudeau; Chinese bishops’ release sought; Indian archbishop asked to resign; Lebanese archbishop detained; Bishop Barron’s new diocese by Matthew Trojacek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Food for Thought/A New Era for “Slow Food” by Mother Martha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

LITERATURE that TRANSFORMS our HEARTS

◆ SIGRID UNDSET: Reader of Hearts

◆ THE CHRONICLES OF

TRANSFORMATION A Spiritual Journey with C.S. Lewis

orwegian novelist Sigrid Undset lev a transformative mark on 20th century literature. Her uncompromising emotional realism, concrete sense of history, and bold vision of woman and man won her such acclaim that she received the 1928 Nobel Prize for Literature aver publication of her epic historical novel, Kristin Lavransdatter. Her other celebrated works include the novels |e Master of Hestviken and Ida Elisabeth, and a powerful biography of St. Catherine of Siena. Something else set Undset apart. In 1924, she converted to Roman Catholicism, alienating her from Protestants and secular intellectuals alike. This spiritual turn shaped the very heart of her work, and her life. Acclaimed spiritual writer Aidan Nichols presents a book both rich in biography and textual analysis. It renders a shrewd, colorful account of a writer whose art was transogured by the ore of God’s mercy, and opened to a beauty beyond all telling. SURHP . . . Sewn Sovcover, $17.95

<A penetrating and engaging exploration of Sigrid Undset's remarkable creativity.= —George Weigel, Author, |e Fragility of Order and Not Forgotten <The significance of the luminous life and thought of Undset is impossible to exaggerate for our times. Nichols’ insights are expressed with his own lucid, beautiful mastery.= —Michael O’Brien, Author, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse <My favorite of Fr. Nichols’ many books, it opens up the world of Scandinavian Catholicism and weaves history, literature, and theology together.= —Tracey Rowland, Ph.D., Chair of |eology University of Notre Dame (Australia)

n a world grown cold without wonder, how do we reimagine the drama and joy of Christianity? For C. S. Lewis, the answer was to invite us into Narnia, a new world that helps us see our own with fresh, healed eyes. When Lewis wrote his Chronicles of Narnia, he laid out a land where courage would be tested and character forged—where travelers would ond themselves on a journey toward unimaginable beauty. |e stories are not for children alone. |ey touch the mind and soul of anyone who is open to becoming childlike again, especially adults who’ve become too weighed down by life to enjoy its simple glories. Notre Dame professor Leonard DeLorenzo presents a collaborative work of scholars and artists whose beautiful insights will open adult readers’ eyes and hearts to the transformative power of Lewis’ Narnia, book by book. COTP . . . Sewn Sovcover, $17.95

<Stands head and shoulders above all the other books about Lewis’ masterpiece, surprising us with unexpected insights and dimensions!= —Peter Kreev, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, Boston College <|ought-provoking essays that allow us to enter Narnia through new pathways, coming at Lewis’ imaginary world from surprising angles, seeing it again with eyes wide open with wonder.= —Joseph Pearce, Author, Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England <A valuable and insightful guide. |ese stellar authors illuminate the spiritual truths in each of the Chronicles, helping you discover many theological treasures in Narnia.= —Holly Ordway, Ph.D., Author, Not God’s Type: An Atheist Academic Lays Down Her Arms

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INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

A New York Times headline on August 2 reads: “Zelensky says Ukraine’s government may allow civil partnerships for same-sex couples.” With the help of the West, the traditional family will also be abolished in Ukraine! That’s what the war against Russia is also about! It’s about total cultural transformation and abandonment of Christian values in Ukraine like in Western countries. The (Orthodox) Russians don’t accept that. Rightly so. Manfred Karl Böhm, Germany manfredkarlboehm@gmail.com

certainly were, in a larger geo-political game — to serve their purpose in the initiation of hostilities? Let’s hope Francis realizes how badly the world needs a truly “honest broker.” Thomas Mauro tjm37@caa.columbia.edu I am very pleased to see that Pope Francis wants to promote peace, and is looking at the situation fairly. I’m sure the progressives and globalists who usually support him are very angry with him for putting a wrench in their plans for a long term proxy war between the US and Russia. valeriak76@hotmail.com

EASTERN PATRIARCHS Thank you for bringing attention to the Francis interview: “The first day of the war I called Ukrainian President Zelensky on the phone,” said Pope Francis. “Putin, on the other hand, I didn’t call him…” Unfortunately, with this gesture Francis may have destroyed whatever hope there might have been of being considered an “honest broker” by both sides. However, that Francis admits that there may have been some provocation — and senses the risk of escalation, wants a cease-fire, and seems to be highly conscious of the intense suffering caused to normal people—is good. Liberation theology may also make him more conscious of the reach of the Yankee “military-industrial complex” and war profiteers. (Maybe he’ll eventually catch on to pandemic profiteers.) Does he really think the Biden administration cares more for the well-being of the Ukrainian people than the Roosevelt administration did for the Polish people in 1939? Or are the Ukrainians being used and sacrificed, as the Poles most

To my knowledge, the Catholic Patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches that are in union with Rome do not meet anymore as a group like they did under the papacy of Benedict XVI. I would like to know if there are any published writings from these Patriarchs about the papacy of Pope Francis? I think it would be helpful if ITV would talk to these Patriarchs and encourage them to comment. They should meet again as a group and also privately. They have a duty and a right to write their own “dubia” as they speak for their Churches. By not commenting, they make Rome and the other Christian Churches think that they agree 100% with what Pope Francis is teaching and doing. (Name withheld) Houston, Texas, USA

A MODEST PROPOSAL (Re: Moynihan Letter #90: Thursday, July 21, Unity) I fully agree with your “Modest [liturgical] Proposal” [to directly translate the Traditional Mass into English] and have thought the same for years. I am sure you are familiar with The English Missal (altar edition subtitled Missale anglicanum) published by W. Knott & Son Limited, thus sometimes referred to as “The Knott Missal.”

It is simply a direct, albeit in Elizabethan English, translation of the complete Missale romanum, including rubrics. The English could be easily updated. I once showed my copy to a traditional Roman seminarian, and his response says it all: “Oh — what the Vatican II Fathers really wanted.” Kurt Behrel schwaben49@gmail.com On a scale of 1 to 10, your proposal is an 11. Yes! It would, hopefully, put an end to the liturgical bitterness. We should pray for St. John Paul II’s intercession. Greg and Pat Strauss gstrausshaus@aol.com When I visit my parents in San Diego, I often attend Divine Liturgy at Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church. Their Liturgy is the traditional Byzantine Liturgy, but translated to English! When I attend Vespers at St. Petka Serbian Orthodox Church, it is in high Slavonic. I don’t know about you, but my high Slavonic is rather limited. So your suggestion of the Tridentine Mass in English makes sense. Also, an Ordinariate parish recently started up here; its liturgy, based on the Anglican Rite, has a sense of the profound (but the local bishop prohibits me from joining that parish). And the Coptic Orthodox bishop of Los Angeles has placed great emphasis on starting English-language parishes — I’m told many of their parishioners are former Catholics looking for something more profound. Jim Trageser jt@trageser.com I’m 83 and remember the old Mass well; I was an altar boy. Forgive me: I disagree with your proposal. It appears to me a compromise and I don’t believe in compromising with the Devil (not that I am without faults of my own). What a beautiful Mass we would be able to offer to God if we took the preVatican II Mass and implemented the changes that Sacrosanctum Concilium called for: readings/propers in the vernacular; the ordinary parts in Latin, chanted by everyone (the laity will eventually learn); encourage missal use. Eliminate hymns and allow some silence between

chants. As feasible, bring back altars and Communion rails, etc. We should offer our best efforts to Jesus. Frank W. Russell philosophicallyfrank@msn.com

SURVIVAL MODE If my Scripture memory still serves me, Christ said He came to divide, and nowhere do I remember Him saying that He came to unite. Our angst over Christian disunity makes us willing to try any compromise that is humanly possible, but not, maybe, divinely inspired. Recently you printed Pius V’s 1570 Papal Bull Quo Primum, which spoke of the wrath of God and of the Apostles Peter and Paul if changes were made to the Mass. If Pope Benedict Emeritus is co-equal to Pope Francis, has the Holy Ghost provided a means to rally Benedict’s supporters to his side in order to divide the True Church from the false church that metamorphosed out of Vatican II? The Church truly is in survival mode! Tim Bratt thughbratt@gmail.com

LEBANON’S CRISIS I wanted to know how it’s going after the special Friends of Lebanon Zoom session last month. I had to attend via audio only, but I’d like to somehow see the pictures that were shared. Staying in touch is a great blessing. Fr. Nick Euless, Texas, USA Editor’s note: Friends of Lebanon, a project of Urbi et Orbi Communications, holds a Zoom call every two months, open to all, about what we are doing to

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bring help and hope to the people of Lebanon since the huge blast on August 4, 2020 decimated a large portion of Beirut. Re: Lebanon Report 2022, #6, Thursday, June 2, 2022: Thank you for this wonderful update of your visit to Lebanon in late May. Signs of hope finally... a new springtime for this blessed and battered country. When I lived in Toronto, we welcomed many Lebanese families, mostly to our community in Montreal, after the war... There are hundreds of them now. They brought so much to secular Quebec. It’s encouraging to see the great rapport Urbi et Orbi has there with the Lebanese Catholic and Orthodox Churches... Can I ask for prayers/miracle at the shrine of St. Charbel for my sister-in-law Nancy... She is a doctor in London. She fell down a flight of stairs and was unconscious. At present she is still on a feeding tube, and is going in and out of consciousness. This is the 10th day. My brother Ray needs prayers to sustain the family... Also, if possible, can I too be prayed for through the great St. Charbel... I fell on the pavement close to the

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR church. There was an uplifted slab I did not see. I went down on my right side and banged my head at the right temple, knee and hip. I had a concussion and still have headaches. Thank you for the prayers. I feel my family is under attack... The devil is everywhere... Thank you, Bob, so much. Please let me know where we can send a donation. Thanks to you all. God bless. Maria mdalgarnoster@gmail.com Really very good to receive your letter about Lebanon. Thank you for this news. I am forwarding this to strong supporters and friends of Lebanon in the Cleveland area. Dr. Sam Nigro would be very proud of all this, if you knew him. Joseph Patrick Meissner meissnerjoseph@yahoo.com Editor’s Note: Catholic psychiatrist and author Dr. Sam Nigro, 85, died in late April 2022. Dr. Nigro was thoroughly Catholic in his faith, and in his philosophy of medicine and of life, and authored his unique book Everybody for Everybody, based on what he called Christ’s “sacramentalization of everything in the world.” His obituary notes that Sam recited the Hippocratic Oath daily, and “was always writing about issues he felt were important — in his words, ‘trying to save the world.’ Sometimes, like Don Quixote, Sam was tilting at windmills; sometimes he was simply trying to do the right thing. Always, he believed that the only way to truth is through love.”

GARABANDAL (Re Moynihan Letter #84, Thursday, July 7: Pullella; the letter discusses an interview with Pope Francis carried out by Phil Pullella of Reuters, but also speaks at length about Garabandal) What fascinating connections with Garabandal! I have little to add, other than that after my own dramatic reconversion experience last year, I was attracted to both your work and to Garabandal — neither of which I’d had prior exposure to. I’m now an ITV subscriber, and I’ve given gift subscriptions to friends and family. Edgar Alverson Atlanta, Georgia, USA 10

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

N.B. Patrick Keena (Garabandal seer Conchita’s husband) passed away on October 31, 2013, losing his battle to cancer. Thank you for this article and for your great work over the years. Wallace Boever boeverclan@gmail.com

OPPOSING WORLDVIEWS This letter (Moynihan Letter #83, Thursday, July 7, 2022: Gethsemane) was very moving. I resist reading anything from Rome these days. I’m glad you did it for me and synthesized these two opposing worldviews... or, rather, showed how one side does not fully recognize its own argumentation. Fr. Evans Julce evansjulce@gmail.com

FRANCIS IN CANADA As a Canadian, I am disgusted with the penitential visit and tone of what was said to the indigenous people — throwing the early missionaries under the bus for spreading the Gospel message, and further playing into the hands of the secularist troublemakers who want things stirred up for monetary gain. He called what took place a genocide — what!?! I thought a genocide was deliberate killing of a people, not the education of the people. Yes, there was cruelty — on both sides — ergo, the Jesuit martyrs! Not surprised by the pagan rituals that took place, yet Francis is worried about TLM (Traditional Latin Mass)! Lorraine Pecus Ipecus@simpatico.ca

PELOSI AND THE POPE (Re: Nancy Pelosi receiving Communion in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on June 29, 2022, discussed in Moynihan Letter #79, Thursday, June 30, 2022: Again, World War III...) This Pope is actually very cognizant of what is going on around him, so I do not understand why you have offered excuses for him by suggesting he did not know, it was a large congregation, etc. The Pope has a specific duty to instruct and correct those souls in leadership who influence many. Surely this Pope was aware of the Dobbs decision, and Nancy Pelosi’s continued, adamant pro-abortion (up to birth) stance. He

should have directed her not to receive Communion; subsequently, publicly reiterated Church teaching, supported her archbishop’s decision, and created further sanctions against her reception of Holy Communion. Instead, he offered her archbishop a slapdown. Are you not shaken? And there’s the rainbow-colored, papallyapproved logo for the Jubilee in 2025, designed by a gay masseuse. Do they think we are too stupid to notice the imagery? Donna Procher dprocher@yahoo.ca

ANTI-TRADITIONALIST “Have you noticed how often, in the last 18 months, the Pope’s off-the-cuff comments have focused on traditionalists? There are 50 grave problems in the Church that need major papal attention, and this is what smolders on his mind constantly? Francis’ priorities are clear in this: to heck with all those other problems. It’s the 1% traddies who need to be ‘dealt with,’ not the 99% of dreadful Masses, the 99% of heretical ‘Catholic’ colleges, the 99% of degenerate bishops, etc. Even if traddies were wrong in loving Tradition, his inattention to the vastly larger problems is mind-boggling.” (From a Facebook post by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, August 3, 2022) One wonders why: personal antagonism? Or does he dislike what they believe, or, more precisely, what he assumes they believe? Perhaps he himself has not given it a lot of thought. Brother Paul Henry, A.A. ny56henry@yahoo.com

VIGANÒ The Bishop of Rome maintains an obstinate silence when asked to clarify the countless irresponsible statements he has made (and continues to make). The great dictator refuses to acknowledge, respond to, meet with, or speak to, anyone daring to question him — even those in the highest Church positions. (Outstanding Churchmen such as Viganò, Caffarra, Burke, Brandmüller, Meisner, and Zen readily come to mind.) In the fashion of all liberal dictators, the insecure Bergoglio mocks, ridicules, threatens, suspends, or banishes to oblivion, anyone who dares to question him. Of course, not to risk tainting his “miserific” reputation, Francis

“the All-Merciful” has others do the dirty work for him. Obviously, Viganò is a hero to the Catholic Faith — and everyone proud to profess that Faith knows it. A Catholic priest Thank you for doing the great work that you do. I know that it is not easy in these “uncertain times.” Please accept my small monthly contribution as a very special thank you. Hopefully we can give more in the future but we are giving to many orthodox Catholic groups and continuing to build up our own small Catholic “empire,” Nelson Insurance Advisors. Please tell Archbishop Viganò that he is in my prayers. I am thankful that we have someone like him to stand up to the “St. Gallen Mafia” that currently runs the Church. Peter Nelson peter@nelsonplan.com (Re: Moynihan Letter #95, Monday, August 1, 2022: Viganò) Does the Viganò quote below sound like something a Christian would write in charity? Also, that the Accuser only accuses us based on false testimony is questionable... and not sins we’ve actually committed? Everything is expressed with such absolute certainty: “And it is evident, beyond any reasonable doubt, that this Satanic action is inspiring the events reported in the press in the last few days, from the perfidious mea culpa of Bergoglio for the alleged sins of the Catholic Church committed in Canada against the indigenous peoples, to his participation in pagan rites and infernal ceremonies of evocation of the dead.” Wow. Quite a mouthful of accusations, isn’t it? Wait a minute, is it possible that the Archbishop may be unwittingly working with the Accuser? What would the Archbishop say if he read Nostra Aetate, with its recognition of elements of truth in non-Catholic religions? I forgot, he’s apparently rejected this Ecumenical Council. Personally, I was struck by the humility in the Pope’s apology, and ashamed by my own past contributions to poor treatment of natives in my own backyard. Mike Gutenkauf mikesdak@gmail.com

PATHOLOGIES (Re. Moynihan Letter #94, Monday, August 1, 2022: Pathologies of Affection)

If this [suppression of the Traditional Latin Mass, TLM] is not the will of God, then there is no weight behind whoever calls for an end to TLM or church closings. Jenny Meli jennymeli75@gmail.com The Bishops can do whatever they want concerning the ongoing failure of Vatican II and the spiritually bankrupt, fabricated, Protestant-oriented, illicit Novus Ordo Mass. Eventually, they will have to get “real jobs” as no one will be in the pews. They are backing a clear and definite loser. Vic C. vcamco@comcast.net I believe Pope Francis must be an evil man by acting in such a cruel and obsessive manner. l will never swallow this new Bolshevism and will only attend Mass at SSPX chapels from now on. Arthur van der Straeten France I’m sure I’m only one of many who take umbrage to the suggestion that the Mass is only 400 years old. Pius V did not invent it. Inventing a “Mass” is a quite recent phenomenon. Mark Allen mark.allen@avcnh.com The editor replies: You are right to “take umbrage” — the “old Mass” was codified in the late 1500s, but its roots were traceable to Pope Gregory the Great in the early 600s, and to the very first generations of the Church. My apologies.

OPUS DEI (Re Moynihan Letter #93, 2022, Wednesday, July 27: Opus Dei) I strongly suspect that all the “Vaticanspeak” in the Pope’s recent document on Opus Dei really means a headlong push to concentrate authority. From someone who characterizes others as “rigid,” I find this hypocritical. I forwarded your letter with the essay by Dr. Charles Coulombe to our pastor. I received a reply asking me to refrain from sending such “hateful” messages. I have never encountered such division in all my years in the Church. The hierarchy is presiding over the dissolution

of the Catholic Church as happened 500 years ago. Oscar W. “Skip” Brown, M.D. Longview, Texas, USA

TRANSGENDERISM Ten years ago, scientific studies noted that increased levels of the female hormone estrogen in the water caused a “sex confusion” effect on fish popu lations, e.g., feminization of male members of some species. Is there a com parable cause and effect relationship in today’s transgender explosion? Since 1964, millions have ingested “Big Pharma’s” contraceptives. All those chemicals manufactured, sold, ingested and flushed into municipal waste-waters for almost 50 years… Now, 80% of childbearing age women uncritically use contraception. Are there “unintended consequences”? Are humans getting as mixed up chemically as fish? David E. Dowd davided.dowd@gmail.com

“KEEP THE LIGHT SHINING” Inside the Vatican is a beacon shining the light of the Gospel to keep us from remaining in the dark… a voice that’s unafraid of trumpeting the Truth. It was Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who said, “The most courageous act of an individual is not to participate in a lie.” No one should be willing to accept that the Truth and Light be kept hidden. Gladly given is the enclosed donation to help in your work on which many rely. I pray your printed publication continues for those not on digital platforms. No one knows what the truth is anymore. Judy Kozlowski Salem, Massachusetts

OUR FATHER’S LOVE Jesus gave to us all we need to believe in His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. He revealed God our Father’s Love for each of us, the Father’s love of fathering us, and His Love for His Son. No one is a greater witness to Him Who is the Truth than Himself! Come, Holy Spirit, and teach us!!! Claudia Person personcm@comcast.net SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

LEAD STORY

“THE POPE IS THE ONLY LEADER CLOSE TO THOSE WHO SUFFER IN UKRAINE”

February 27, 2022, St. Peter’s Square. Angelus prayer presided over by Pope Francis from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace. A group of Ukrainians who live in Italy with their families came to St. Peter’s Square to show their solidarity with their motherland Ukraine, as the war began on February 24, 2022. They await some words of comfort from the Pope

here is a Bible that the apostolic nuncio to Kiev keeps with particular care. He keeps it with him at the diplomatic seat of the Holy See which is housed in a yellow building in the heart of the Ukrainian capital. It is a burned Bible, found amidst children’s games in a building in Borodyanka, the town north of Kiev bombed in early March and occupied for a month by the Moscow army. It is not far from Bucha, where hundreds of bodies were found buried in mass graves. “Every time I look at it,” explains Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, “I feel like crying, both for the suffering of the people and 12

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n BY GIACOMO GAMBASSI (AVVENIRE)

IN AN INTERVIEW, ARCHBISHOP VISVALDAS KULBOKAS, 48, APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO KIEV, SPEAKS OF A POSSIBLE PAPAL JOURNEY TO THE SUFFERING COUNTRY, AND THE SUPERFICIAL VIEW OF THE UKRAINE CONFLICT AROUND THE GLOBE. BUT, HE NOTES, THERE ARE ALSO THOSE WILLING TO LAUNCH A DIALOGUE WITH RUSSIA...

for the absurd fact that the whole of humanity is not united in condemning war. I am referring to Ukraine because we are here in Kiev. But it is valid for all conflicts around the world.” A pause, then: “But another thing amazes me: it is the lightness, the superficiality with which the theme of war is approached in various nations. ‘Will Ukraine or Russia win?’ seems to be the only question. As if war were a game. We stop at the theoretical level, as if behind all this there are no victims, no wounded, no people on the run or traumatized… and the heart does not know what it means to pity.”

A 48-year-old native of Lithuania, Archbishop Kulbokas has been in Kiev for 10 months. And he is the only ambassador who has never left the capital since the Kremlin attack began. A statue of John Paul II welcomes those arriving at the nunciature. And the hypothesis that Pope Francis will visit Ukraine immediately comes to mind: “As Archbishop Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, said, the Pontiff is determined to come to Kiev: this is not an abstract project. Of course, the first important factor is that of his physical condition, which will be ‘tested’ in the upcoming trip to

Canada.” We talk about August for the possible trip to Ukraine: “It is a period being taken into consideration, but there has been no date set,” says Kulbokas. Excellency, in addition to Kiev, could Francis go to Moscow? ARCHBISHOP KULBOKAS: It is the Pope himself who repeated that he wanted to contribute personally to stopping the war. If a stop in Moscow were useful in this sense, the pontiff offered his full availability. As for the visit here, I would say it is a sign of closeness to the suffering people. And this is the best key to understanding the Pope’s desire to be among us.

Is Ukraine waiting for Francis? Everyone is waiting for him. Not just the people. Not just Catholics. The authorities too: from President Zelensky to the Foreign Minister. Even the mayor of Kiev, Vitaliy Klitschko, officially invited him with a letter, as early as March. How can security measures be ensured? That is a complex matter. Just arriving in Ukraine by land alone is a difficulty. Then it is necessary to evaluate the modalities of the visit. An example: the government has just tightened the rules for compliance with missile warnings that are repeated almost daily. So public life is always subject SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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“ThE OnLY LEADER cLOSE TO ThOSE whO SuffER”

to possible restrictions: you time passes, the more the connever know if at any given time flict risks becoming ganor place you will be able to go, grenous. But I remain condue to a possible alarm. It is true vinced that the Holy See can that in recent months there have help us focus on the moral been visits from some political realities of war — not only leaders, but the Pope is not a from a military and political politician. point of view, but from a Maybe it will be a private human one. Therefore, it will visit... be an essential factor in getIt is always possible to ting out of this impasse. imagine that the Holy Father In any case, there are very will visit Ukraine by surprise, capable political mediators. I if we may say so, and that the mention Turkey: even though news will be released the next it has not led to decisive day. But I don’t think that is results, its role is incisive. the Pope’s intention. The Orthodox Patriarch Not a day goes by that of Moscow, Kirill, has come Francis does not refer to the out in favor of the attack. war in Ukraine, calling it a Does war divide believers? “massacre.” As a Christian I say that we These are much-appreciatare all part of one Church of ed words that testify to his Christ: juridically, no, but great attention. Even if the spiritually, yes. And when Pope did not recall Ukraine so conflicts arise between one or frequently, his concern and his more brothers, the conseNovember 25, 2013, nine years ago — Monsignor Visvaldas pain for what is happening Top, quences fall on everyone. Kulbokas is the interpreter for the meeting between Francis and would still be perceptible. Of Today the difficulties are Putin. Middle, Kulbokas is the interpreter between Francis and course, some in the country are Partriarch Kriill in Cuba on February 12, 2016, more than six years enormous and it will not be ago. Below, February 8, 2020, Francis received President Zelensky complaining because they easy to get out of them. But would like him to express an they must be faced with the even more explicit stance. But awareness that, on the one apart from the Pope, no other hand, clarity is needed on public figure in the world has some fundamental aspects, uttered such strong and clear such as the sacredness of words for our attacked people. human life, but, on the other, Surely the language of the we must not give in to the Pope is not a political lantemptation to become judges guage. Because his is a moral of each other, in order not to condemnation of war, but enter into a whirlwind of without making an appeal for mutual condemnations. some particular action. It is You met the Italian prayer of St. Stephen before being enough to listen to it to realize that “peacemakers” who arrived in martyred comes to mind: “Lord, do the message is very clear; we just Kiev with the European Movenot impute this sin to them.” need intellectual honesty. ment of Nonviolent Action. Can Can Vatican diplomacy bring Why is it so difficult to arrive Ukraine be supported other than Ukraine and Russia closer? at the negotiating table? with weapons? The Holy See, being neither a That’s the big question. But anNonviolence is the way to peace political nor a military power, has other is necessarily connected: why that is not built only in words but only words, and its own complete did the war start? When someone with concrete actions. So I appreciavailability, as tools. They are humstill chooses war in the 21st century ated the path of the Italian delegable means. When Vatican mediation as a means to achieve their own tion that came here to listen to the is deemed to be useful, the Holy See goals, they show little willingness suffering of the people, without will be there. However, the more to negotiate. In this regard, the proposing pre-established solu14

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Below, top, the moment when Kulbokas was consecrated a titular archbishop on August 14, 2021, at the Vatican, by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin. Bottom, Pope Francis, on April 6, 2022, at the Paul VI Audience Hall, holding a Ukrainian flag. The Pope denounced the atrocities of the war

ARCHBISHOP KULBOKAS, FLUENT IN FIVE LANGUAGES, TRAVELED WITH TWO POPES

orn in 1974 in Lithuania’s thirdlargest city and its only major seaport, Klaip da, Visvaldas Kulbokas in 1992 entered the Telšiai Bishop Vincentas Borisevičius Seminary. From 1994 to 2004 he studied in Rome, Italy, at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, where he received a doctorate in theology (2001) and a Licentiate of Canon Law (2004). He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Telšiai on July 19, 1998. To prepare for a diplomatic career, he entered the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 2001. He joined the Vatican’s diplomatic service in 2004 and was posted to the nunciatures in Lebanon (2004–07), the Netherlands (2007-09) and Russia (2009–12). He

tions or wanting to interfere with the choices made by the Ukrainian people and their government, and also because the right to defense against an aggressor is legitimate, at least in the Catholic conception. Ukraine has banned Russian culture. Is that excessive? It is understandable, even if not entirely justifiable, that war provokes reactions, even on a cultural level. This is one more argument for repeating that wars must not even be started. But the faith communities in Ukraine have been the first to urge everyone not to demonize everything Russian. The Council of Churches, which indeed called out the aggressor by name, also asked everyone to avoid disparaging attitudes and words. Even the aggressor continues to be looked at with human eyes; dehumanizing the other would be a further defeat for all. Of course, I have noticed now that when Russian is spoken or Russian music is being played, there is an immediate mental association that connects Russian culture to what its government is doing, and it feeds the pain. I also

worked in the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See (2012-20), and was then sent to Kenya as an adviser to the nunciature there (202021). On June 15, 2021, Pope Francis appointed him Titular Archbishop of Martanae Tudertinorum and Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine — the sixth in the modern Ukrainian state. Kulbokas speaks English, French, Italian, Russian and Spanish. In 2018, then-Fr. Kulbokas traveled with Francis on his apostolic visit to the Baltic countries; he had made a similar trip with Pope John Paul II back in 1993, when he was still a seminarian, just after the Baltic nations had been liberated.n

know Ukrainian families who have up to now only spoken Russian, but are now spontaneously switching to Ukrainian. This shows how much the war causes wounds that will take years to heal. Europe has started the procedure for Ukraine’s entry into the EU. What does this mean? Ukraine brings with it many peculiarities. I cite the example of the Catholic Church, which in Ukraine is present with an oriental

rite, the Greek-Catholic one, and with the Latin rite. I believe that in the European family, the Ukrainian nation becomes the bearer of significant wealth. And then, as a Ukrainian official who is also a philosopher likes to point out, Ukraine is part of “Central Europe,” not Eastern Europe. Because beyond Ukraine there is still Europe. It is a Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals, according to Giorgio La Pira… which also includes Russia? It was last March, shortly after the start of this large-scale aggression, when some members of Ukrainian civil society came to see me and announced that they would begin to work towards establishing new Ukrainian-Russian relations. Because only with friendship, dialogue and knowledge can we have a better future. And these are people who condemned the Russian attack and strongly reaffirmed that the country must be protected. But at the same time they are looking for new ways to conceive the world as a family of nations. (This interview originally appeared in Italian on avvenire.it.)m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

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“ThE OnLY LEADER cLOSE TO ThOSE whO SuffER”

AN INTERVIEW WITH ARCHBISHOP PAUL GALLAGHER “IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE HOPE OF NEGOTIATION ALIVE” n BY GERALD O’CONNOR (AMERICA) In the center of the photo, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, accompanied by Monsignor Kulbokas, on the left, visits the scenes of the conflict in the area near Kiev

Below, November 25, 2013: Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, is received by Pope Francis in the latter’s private library in the Apostolic Palace, then meets with Archbishop Pietro Parolin (who was made a cardinal in February 2014)

rchbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States since 2014, spoke recently with Gerald O’Connor of America magazine about the situation in Ukraine and the Pope’s role in a potential peace process. The following is an excerpt. Gerald O’Connor: How do you read the situation today in Ukraine? ARCHBISHOP PAUL GALLAGHER: Obviously, the war continues. It’s to some extent what people describe as a war of attrition. But there’s a great loss of life. It’s difficult to see a solution on the horizon. I obviously hope and pray that a solution will come about and that it will come about through negotiation and diplomacy, to which cer16

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tainly the Ukrainians are committed. But it’s very difficult for the Ukrainians to envisage real negotiations at this time because of the depth of the suffering and the trauma of the people. I’m afraid that it’s going to go on, with losses on both sides. I think it is incumbent upon the international community to keep the

hope of dialogue, the hope of negotiation alive. And I think that’s certainly part of the role of the Holy See at this time, without ignoring the violence and the conflict, at the same time saying, “Ultimately, we have to talk; ultimately, there has to be negotiation; ultimately, there has to be the restoration of peace.” Has there been any approach from Moscow to the Vatican regarding mediation? No, not formally. We maintain contacts with the embassy here to the Holy See. We maintain contacts, to some extent, with the government institutions through the apostolic nuncio in Moscow. But there has been no explicit invitation to the Holy See by Moscow to mediate. Cardinal Pietro Parolin has said that at different times, including when the

Left, after a Russian missile attack in a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine (Ansa). Right, a destroyed church in a village on the outskirts of Kharkiv in Ukraine (Gambassi)

Pope visited the Russian FederaSo you wouldn’t recognize a tion’s Embassy to the Holy See, unilateral declaration of indethe Vatican has made various pendence of the Donetsk and KYIV requests to the Kremlin. Has Luhansk regions? UKRAINE there been any positive response No, we wouldn’t recognize any Donbas from the Kremlin to any of such unilateral declaration of these requests? independence. I think the response has You said on Italian state televibeen that the position of the sion some days ago that Pope Crimea Holy See is appreciated. The Francis could go to Kyiv in willingness of the Holy See is In red, areas with high percentage of Russian speakers August? How realistic is that? than 50%); in orange, areas with a medium number appreciated, but they haven’t of(more I don’t know. I’m not the Pope. Russian speakers (20-50%), and in yellow, areas where gone that step further to saying, there are less than 20% of Russian speakers. The areas I’m not the Pope’s doctor. And in dark red have come under Russian control, and the “Yes, let us talk about possible we’ve yet to make the visit to striped red areas are contested assistance, a possible mediation Canada. But I think the Pope is in position of the government. Now good spirits. He undoubtedly has together with the Ukrainian side.” And there has been no invitation that’s a point of departure. It’s up to made great progress in his mobility. the Ukrainians to negotiate with Maybe when we come back from to Moscow for the Pope? No, not explicitly. Again, I think others, with the Russians, obvious- Canada, and with the coming of there have been some nice noises, ly, in particular. Now, if they want to August, it may be that he will want some positive remarks, but nothing modify that territorial integrity, that to start looking at that seriously and is up to them. But as far as we are making some plans. as explicit as an invitation. When you were in Kyiv, you concerned, I understand that that is But from what you know, he’s described Russia as “the aggres- their position to this day, and we determined to go? sor” in Ukraine, and said the Holy respect it. Oh yes, he wants to; he wants to It’s a principle that one applies and he feels he should go to See supports “the territorial integrity of Ukraine.” I take it you were across the board. For many Ukraine. decades, for example, we respected speaking in the name of the Pope. Despite the lack of an invitation I was speaking in the name of the the sovereignty and the territorial from Moscow? Holy See, and the Holy Father integrity of the Baltic countries I would say so! The two things are hasn’t corrected me so far on what during the Soviet occupation. We not linked. It might be a good thing I’ve said on his behalf. I should never changed our position on that, if they were linked. But I think the point out that when we talk about and that was very much appreciat- Pope’s main priority at this moment the Holy See supporting the sover- ed by those countries, particularly is to make the visit to Ukraine, meet eignty and territorial integrity of when they regained their indepen- with the Ukrainian authorities, meet Ukraine, that is our position, and we dence after the fall of the Soviet with the Ukrainian people and with believe that it corresponds to the Union. the Ukrainian Catholic Church.m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

NEWS

three women named to biShopS’ dicaStery Seen aS “breaking the Stained-glaSS ceiling,” they will have an unprecedented influence on appointmentS n BY CHRISTOPHER WHITE (NCR), WITH ITV STAFF In the photos, top to bottom: Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Raffaella Petrini; Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, and laywoman Maria Lia Zervino

ope Francis on July 13 appointed three women to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, fulfilling a pledge he made earlier this month that for the first time in the office’s history, women would be granted a voice in advising the pontiff on which Catholic priests to appoint as bishops across the world. Two religious sisters (Italian and French) and an Argentine laywoman were among the names published in the Vatican’s daily bulletin announcing the new membership of the dicastery, which also includes 10 bishops and one priest. The three women were Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Raffaella Petrini, the current secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State; Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, former superior general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; and Maria Lia Zervino, president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations. As members, the women will be expected to come to Rome roughly twice a month for meetings of the dicastery. In an open letter published last year, Zervino encouraged the Pope to expand roles for women’s leadership in the Church’s predominantly all-male institutional structures. “As a woman I feel that something is due to us,” she wrote in March 2021. “I think that not enough has been done in taking advantage of the wealth of women who make up a large part of God’s people.” 18

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“The suitability of women has been demonstrated in civil society, in the economy, in health, in education, in caring for the planet, in the defense of human rights and in many other fields, of course, as well as in the family and catechesis,” she continued. In 2019, Reungoat was also named as a full member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; all prior members had been priests and bishops. Petrini, number two in the Governorate of the world’s smallest state, oversees the administrative operations including the Vatican Museums, post office and police. The other new members of the influential Dicastery for Bishops: Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm, Sweden; Archbishop Jose Advincula of Manila, Philippines; Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, head of the Vatican archives; Cardinal Mario Grech, secretarygeneral of the Synod of Bishops; Cardinal-designate Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Cardinal-designate Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for Clergy; Cardinal-designate Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France; Cardinal-designate Oscar Cantoni of Como, Italy;

Archbishop Dražen Kutleša of Split-Makarska, Croatia; Archbishop Paul Tighe, secretary of the former Pontifical Council for Culture; Fr. Donato Ogliari, Italian abbot and apostolic administrator of Monte Cassino, Italy. Francis’ decision to include women in the influential department comes on the heels of his appointments of three religious sisters and one laywoman to other high-ranking posts, including Xavierian Sr. Nathalie Becquart, appointed No. 2 at the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. The appointments have been lauded by feminist and pro-female ordination groups, and seen as a sign of women “breaking the ‘stained-glass ceiling’” in the Church. But they have raised concerns in other quarters. For example, Catholic News Service highlighted the address of Sr. Becquart to the membership of New Ways Ministry, an LGBTQ-advocacy group for Catholics whose views have been ruled as “doctrinally unacceptable” by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In her April 3 lecture via Zoom, entitled “Synodality: A Path of Reconciliation,” Sr. Becquart told LGBTQ Catholics that “The aim of a synod is to foster communion and build a consensus,” and emphasized the need to listen to everybody, “especially those who feel they have no voice, those from the margins.” Sr. Becquart’s new Vatican position comes with voting rights on texts debated by the Synod of Bishops — as the website FemCatholic notes, “putting her in a position to help make key decisions during the process.”m

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NEWS

holy see enacTs new invesTmenT Policy The Policy inTends To generaTe a sufficienT reTurn To fund The acTiviTies of The holy see Through invesTmenTs aligned wiTh church Teaching — while mainTaining accounTabiliTy n BY VATICAN NEWS/ITV STAFF Left, the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, and, right, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who recently released the Statute of the Investment Committee of the Secretariat for the Economy

new unified policy for the financial investments of the Holy See and Vatican City State went into effect September 1. The Investment Policy document from the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, had been discussed in the Secretariat for the Economy and with specialists in the sector. The text was addressed to the Heads of Dicasteries in the Curia and Heads of Institutions and entities connected to the Holy See.

INVESTMENTS ALIGNED WITH THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH, NOT SPECULATIVE ONES

“The new Investment Policy,” a Holy See press release reads, “intends to ensure that investments are aimed at contributing to a more just and sustainable world; preserve the real value of the Holy See’s net worth, generating sufficient return to contribute in a sustainable way to financing its activities; is aligned with the Teachings of the Catholic Church, with specific exclusions of 20

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

The plaque at the entrance to the Secretariat for the Economy, Vatican City. Credit: Pillar Media

financial investments that contradict fundamental principles, such as the sanctity of life or the dignity of the human being or the common good.” For this reason, the press release continues, it is important that these investments “are aimed at financial operations of a productive nature, ruling out any designed to be speculative in nature.”

THE INVESTMENTS WILL FLOW INTO AN AD HOC APSA ACCOUNT AT THE IOR The Policy, adds the Secretariat for the Economy, was approved ad experimentum for 5 years and will enter into force on 1 September,

with a moratorium period to comply with the proposed criteria. The press release also explains how the new Investment Policy will be launched. “Curial institutions,” the note reads, “will have to entrust their financial investments to APSA, transferring their liquidity to invest — or their securities deposited with banks abroad or at the IOR itself — to the APSA account set up at the IOR for this purpose. “APSA, as the institution that administers the assets of the Holy See, will set up a single fund for the Holy See in which the investments in the various financial instruments will flow, and will have an account for each institution, processing the reporting and paying the returns.”

THE ROLE OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE SET UP BY PRAEDICATE EVANGELIUM Finally, the press release refers to the new Investment Committee, which was established by the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate evangelium.

Activities of former cardinal likely spurred new rules

he new rules set to govern Vatican investments are largely seen as a product of financial scandals and internecine fighting that have plagued the Francis pontificate. A year after his 2013 election, Francis appointed Australian Cardinal George Pell as prefect of the new Secretariat for the Economy. His mandate: to bring transparency and ac count ability to Curial finances. Pell was subsequently sidelined by the need to defend himself (ultimately successfully) at his own trial in Australia for sexual abuse. In 2015 the Pope hired Libero Milone as the first-ever Vatican auditor general; he was hampered (an independent audit by accounting giant Pricewaterhouse- Coopers he ordered was suspended by another curial department) and eventually shut out of the offices he was supposed to be auditing. Now, in process for over a year is the Vatican City courtroom trial of disgraced Cardinal Giovanni Becciu (photo), former “Sostituto” for General Affairs at the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. The trial began on July 27, 2021. The cast of characters involved in the activities leading to the trial includes Italian businessman Raffaele Mincione, who was given millions of euros borrowed in collateral-secured loans by the Vatican — under the direction of Cardinal Becciu — to invest in companies owned by him; Gianluigi Torzi, another

This Committee, the statement emphasizes, “will carry out — through the APSA — the appropriate consultations aimed at implementing the investment strategy and will evaluate the adequacy of the choices, with particular attention toward the compliance of the investments made with the principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church, as well as with return and risk parameters according to the Investment Policy.” The Secretariat for the Economy also made public on Tuesday the Statute of the Investment Committee, led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, which is responsible for defining the investment strategies and ensuring their effective implementation.

Italian businessman arrested in Vatican City for fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and ex tortion, who skipped out on his bond and fled to London; and Italian Cecilia Morogna, who was paid by Becciu as a self-styled “global security analyst” and made the unverified claim at trial that she had negotiated the release of kidnapped nuns. The Becciu trial specifically concerns the 2018 London real estate deal which the Vatican bank found in 2019 to be suspicious, triggering an investigation. In 2020, prosecutors met with Pope Francis and presented a dossier of evidence against Cardinal Becciu concerning a range of possible financial crimes. The Pope ordered Becciu to resign the rights and privileges of a cardinal and sacked him as head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This year, on May 5, (former Cardinal) Becciu returned to the stand for the second time during his ongoing trial, and testified that accusations that he misused Vatican funds were “unfounded,” and that “there was never any objection” to the property deal from Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. “In fact,” he said, “they were happy when it went well,” initially producing nearly 10 million euros in annual returns. (Eventually the Vatican seems to have lost perhaps 200 million euro on the deal, which finally closed on July 1 of this year.) Becciu maintains that he was “the victim of a plot hatched against me” and is innocent.n

In accordance with the Investment Policy, the Articles stipulate that the Committee draws up and updates the mandates that APSA must indicate to the Portfolio Managers. Internal control of the Committee’s activities is entrusted to a Compliance Officer appointed by the Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy. This arrangement is meant to guarantee the transparency and good functioning of the Committee as well as ensure the absence of conflicts of interest and oversees the correct management of risks. Canon lawyer and journalist Ed Condon, who has been following Vatican financial scandals and this pontificate’s reforms closely,

remarked in his blog The Pillar that, “The policy is likely to be welcomed and opposed in equal measure within the Vatican, especially to the extent that it might catalyze the internal accountability and oversight that Vatican reformers have long pushed for. “But when it comes to effecting real change to the Vatican’s way of doing business, personnel is likely to remain far more important than the policy itself, regardless of the policy’s details. And it is not clear that the new policies will sufficiently address the Vatican’s problem with choosing good partners for doing business — and that may prove to be the making or breaking of the new regime’s effectiveness.”m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

NEWS

pOpe makes changes tO Opus dei Oversight and leadership changes meant tO “safeguard its charism,” says francis. the head will nOt be a bishOp n BY COURTNEY MARES (CNA) Left, October 6, 2002, St. Peter’s Square: Canonization of Josemaria Escriva De Balaguer, founderof Opus Dei (PHotos Galazka) Below, Blessed Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, St. Josemaría’s first successor as the head of Opus Dei (CNS photo/courtesy of Opus Dei Information Office)

Opposite, John Paul II with the second successor, Bishop Javier Echevarria Rodriguez, Prelate of Opus Dei, during the canonization ceremony for the founder

ope Francis issued a document on July 22 that changed the oversight of Opus Dei. It also decreed that its leader, the prelate, can no longer be a bishop. In the motu proprio the Pope confirmed the Catholic organization and urged its members to safeguard its charism in order “to spread the call to holiness in the world, through the sanctification of one’s work and family and social occupations.” “It is intended to strengthen the conviction that, for the protection of the particular gift of the Spirit, a form of government based more on the charism than on hierarchical authority is needed,” Pope Francis wrote. [Editor’s note: The special “charism” of Opus Dei is often said to be the sanctification of the lay person in and through the work of daily life, not necessarily by entering into a convent or religious order.] The motu proprio, entitled Ad charisma tuendum (“To guard the charism”), contains six articles that went into effect on August 4. Among the changes, the prelate of Opus Dei will no longer be ordained a bishop 22

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

and the prelature will fall under the competence of the Vatican Dicastery for Clergy. This change is in accord with the Pope’s reform of the Roman Curia in the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium. Opus Dei is a Personal Prelature made up of lay men and women and priests founded by St. Josemaría Escrivá in 1928. Escrivá called the organization Opus Dei to emphasize his belief that its foundation was a “work of God” — or, in Latin, “Opus Dei.” Msgr. Fernando Ocariz, the current prelate of Opus Dei, was not ordained a bishop when taking office in 2017, during the current pontificate. Both his predecessors, Javier Echevarría and Álvaro del Portillo, had been made bishops by St. John Paul II. The founder of the movement, St. Josemaría, died before the prelature was established. In his response to the changes made by Pope Francis on July 22, Ocariz said: “It is a concretization of the Holy Father’s decision to place the figure of personal prelatures in the

Dicastery for the Clergy, which we filially accept.” While the prelate will no longer become a bishop under the changes, he will receive the honorary title of protonotary apostolic. In his decree, Pope Francis also changed some of the text of Opus Dei’s constitution, Ut sit, which was issued by John Paul II in 1982. For example, the constitution formerly asked the prelate to submit a report on the apostolic work of Opus Dei directly to the Pope every five years. Under the new changes, the prelate will now be required to submit a report to the Dicastery for the Clergy every year. Article six states that “all questions pending at the Congregation for Bishops relating to the Prelature of Opus Dei will continue to be treated and decided by the Dicastery for the Clergy.” “The motu proprio reminds us that the government of Opus Dei must be at the service of the charism... so that it may grow and bear fruit,” the organization states on its website.m

“AD CHARISMA TUENDUM” APOSTOLIC LETTER ISSUED “MOTU PROPRIO” OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF FRANCIS

n order to safeguard the charism, my predecessor Saint John Paul II, in the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit of 28 November 1982, erected the Prelature of Opus Dei, entrusting it with the pastoral task of contributing in a special way to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Indeed, in accordance with the gift of the Spirit received by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the Prelature of Opus Dei, with the guidance of its Prelate, carries out the task of spreading the call to holiness in the world, through the sanctification of work and family and social commitments by means of the clerics incardinated therein and with the organic cooperation of the laity who devote themselves to apostolic works (cf. cann. 294-296, CIC). My venerable Predecessor stated that: “With very great hope, the Church directs its attention and maternal care to Opus Dei …so that it may always be a valid and effective instrument of the saving mission that the Church fulfils for the life of the world” [cf. Preamble Ut sit.]. This Motu Proprio is intended to confirm the Prelature of Opus Dei in the authentically charismatic sphere of the Church, specifying its organization in keeping with the witness of the Founder, Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, and with the teachings of conciliar ecclesiology on personal Prelatures. By means of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium of 19 March 2022, which reforms the structure of the Roman Curia in order to better promote its service in favour of evangelization, I considered it appropriate to entrust to the Dicastery for the Clergy the competence for all that pertains to the Apostolic See regarding personal Prelatures, of which the only one erected so far is that of Opus Dei, considering the preeminent task carried out in it, according to the norm of law, by clerics (cf. can. 294, CIC). Wishing, therefore, to protect the charism of Opus Dei and to promote the evangelizing action carried out by its members in the world, and at the same time having to adapt the provisions relating to the Prelature to the new organization of the Roman Curia, I order the following norms be observed. Art. 1 - The text of Art. 5 of the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit shall henceforth be replaced by the following text: “In accordance with Art. 117 of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, the Prelature depends on the Dicastery for the Clergy, which, according to the

subject matter, shall evaluate the relative questions with the other Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. The Dicastery for the Clergy, in dealing with the various questions, shall make use of the competencies of the other Dicasteries through appropriate consultation or transfer of files”. Art. 2 - The text of Article 6 of the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit shall henceforth be replaced by the following text: “Each year the Prelate shall submit to the Dicastery for the Clergy a report on the state of the Prelature and on the fulfilment of its apostolic work”. Art. 3 - By reason of the amendments to the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit brought about by this Apostolic Letter, the proper Statutes of the Prelature of Opus Dei shall be suitably adapted upon the proposal of the Prelature itself, to be approved by the competent bodies of the Apostolic See. Art. 4 - While fully respecting the nature of the specific charism described in the above-mentioned Ap ostolic Constitution, it is intended to strengthen the conviction that, for the protection of the particular gift of the Spirit, a form of governance based on charism more than on hierarchical authority is needed. Therefore, the Prelate shall not be honored with the episcopal order. Art. 5 - Considering that the pontifical insignia are reserved for those who are conferred the episcopal order, the Prelate of Opus Dei is granted, by reason of his office, the use of the title of Supernumerary Apostolic Protonotary with the title of Reverend Monsignor and therefore may use the insignia corresponding to this title. Art. 6 - As from the entry into force of the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, all matters pending at the Congregation for Bishops concerning the Prelature of Opus Dei shall continue to be dealt with and decided by the Dicastery for the Clergy. I decree that this Apostolic Letter in the form of a Motu Proprio be promulgated by publication in L’Osservatore Romano, entering into force on 4 August 2022, and then published in the official commentary of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 14 July 2022, the tenth year of the Pontificate. +FRANCIS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

NEWS opus deI

Is the motu proprio a power grab

or just an admInIstratIve reshufflIng?

ommentators greeted the Vatican’s new directives regarding Opus Dei’s ecclesial oversight with varying analyses of both their causes and their effects. Here is a sampling:

Eric Sammons at Crisismagazine.com: “Most observers see these changes as an ecclesial slap at the prelature, although no one’s really sure why this slap occurred. Opus Dei has always been publicly supportive of Pope Francis, so it’s not like he’s correcting a (perceived) wayward group like his actions directed toward traditional Catholics. “Speaking of traditional Catholics, I’ve seen more than a few of them a little too happy about this motu proprio. They are noting that even if you are subservient to Francis, he’ll still come after you. I think this attitude misunderstands the work of Opus Dei, as well as shows a certain uncharitableness. “OR — Now I realize that Opus Dei has a reputation for being ‘conservative,’ and that’s well-deserved. So maybe that’s why this pope is suspicious of them and wants to keep them in check. But if that’s true, then he misunderstands Opus Dei as much as some traditional Catholics do.” John Allen at Cruxnow.com: “Though the Pope insisted the changes are intended to protect the founding charism of Opus Dei, in terms of church politics, 24

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but it’s not going anywhere. Granted, it’s not everyone’s cup of coffee — but then, can you think of any personality or group that matters in the Catholic Church which actually is?”

it’s inevitable that many people will see them as a way of, well, clipping Opus’s wings. [...] Opus Dei may not be the 800-pound gorilla under Pope Francis that it was under John Paul,

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf on Fr. Z’s Blog: “First, despite the early talk about decentralizing power from Rome, what we have seen again and again is concentration of more and more control in Rome. If this reign of Francis is about anything, it is about centralizing control. “Second, the structure of the ‘personal prelature’ was often thought of as a solution for traditional groups, including the SSPX. This, therefore, does not bode well for any traditional group. In other news, water is still wet. “Third, this could also smack of caudillo-like revenge: more and more it seems that members of Opus Dei are not entirely thrilled with all that Francis does. “Fourth, if there was a suggestion in the texts of the Council that there could be structures like Opus Dei, it seems that the ‘spirit of Vatican II’ disagrees. But you have to have gnosticlike secret knowledge of the ‘spirit of V2’ to manuver through the special accompaniment that Opus Dei is receiving.” Pedro Gabriel at wherepeteris.com: “The reactions from the usual suspects were swift and predictable. Fixated as they are in reading every Church affair through the lens of their own

LETTER FROM OPUS DEI’S PRELATE ON AD CHARISMA TUENDUM, JULY 22, 2022

y dear children: may Jesus watch over my daughit with many people in our family, work and social enviters and sons for me! ronments. This morning the motu proprio of Pope Francis Ad Regarding the provisions of the motu proprio on the charisma tuendum was made public, which modifies figure of the Prelate, I repeat what I have pointed out to some articles of the Apostolic Constitution Ut sit to you on other occasions: we give thanks to God for the adapt them to the norms established by the recent fruits of ecclesial communion that the episcopacies of Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium on the Blessed Alvaro and Don Javier have brought about. At Roman Curia. It is a concretization of the the same time, the episcopal ordination Holy Father’s decision to place the figure of the Prelate was not and is not necesof personal prelatures in the Dicastery for sary for the guidance of Opus Dei. The the Clergy, which we filially accept. Pope’s desire to highlight the charismatic The Holy Father encourages us to fix dimension of the Work now invites us to our attention on the gift that God gave reinforce the family atmosphere of affecSaint Josemaría, so as to live it fully. He tion and trust: the Prelate must be a exhorts us to safeguard the charism of guide but, above all, a father. Opus Dei in order “to further the evangeI also ask you to pray for the work that lizing action carried out by its memPope Francis has asked us to carry out Francis and Fernando Ocariz Brana, head of Opus Dei, on March 4, 2017 bers,” and thus “to spread the call to in order to adapt the particular law of holiness in the world, through the sanctification of one’s the Prelature to the indications of the motu proprio “Ad work and family and social occupations” (motu proprio charisma tuendum,” remaining — as he himself tells us “Ad charisma tuendum”). I would like this invitation of — faithful to the charism. the Holy Father to resonate strongly in each and every Your Father blesses you with all his affection, one of us. It is an opportunity to go more deeply into the spirit that our Lord instilled in our Founder and to share Fernando Ocariz, 22 July 2022

preoccupations, influential online voices of the traditionalist movement are now claiming that this decision was meant to end the possibility of solving the rift between traditionalists and the Holy See by establishing personal prelatures — similar to Opus Dei — for groups like the FSSP, the ICK, or even the SSPX [...] “In their exercise of papal tea leaf-reading, they don’t consider that this decision may actually be connected to the recent reforms of the Roman Curia promulgated through Praedicate Evangelium. They don’t acknowledge the possibility that this resolution may be a way for Pope Francis to help Opus Dei better use their ‘charism’ in the Church, and that it is more concerned with ‘promoting an evangelizing action’ than with ‘hierarchical authority.’ And yet, this is exactly the reasoning Francis gives in Ad charisma tuendum. By seeing this move as a ‘downgrade,’ or a way to

centralize power and control, the Pope’s critics show they have the kind of worldly mindset that Francis seeks to correct.” Nicolas Dehan in an article on the SSPX website

As of this writing, the Society of St. Pius X has not commented specifically on the recent motu proprio, but the website of the American SSPX contains an extensive article by Nicolas Dehan questioning the validity of Opus Dei’s “lay spirituality” and the canonization of its founder, Josemaría Escrivá. In it, Dehan seems to also question the justification for Opus Dei’s head, the Prelate, being or-

dained a bishop in the first place. Dehan writes: “In his homily delivered during a Mass of thanksgiving three days after the beatification, Cardinal Sebastiano Baggio, Church Chamberlain, would treat and explicate this: “For the blessed Josemaría Escrivá, unity with the Church is not something external but the very essence of all authentic apostolates. (...) A unity which found its rightful institutional expression in the erection of the Opus Dei into a Personal Prelature and which its Prelate’s ordination to the Episcopacy served to demonstrate how anchored it is to the very source of apostolic unity; [for] the collegiality of bishops — cum Petro et sub Petro — is based on the collegiality of the apostles.” Dehan concludes: “The ‘pastoral phenomenon’ [of Opus Dei] is the heritage of the apostles. This is what had to be said so as to claim that it was done via apostolic authority.”m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

NEWS

unity and divisiOn in the church Our “de facto” split threatens tO spin Out Of cOntrOl... n BY ROBERT MOYNIHAN

centrifuge spins, separating a substance into heavier and lighter parts, until what was once a united substance is divided. A centrifuge breaks things apart. We now face a centrifugal process in the Church. This process threatens to spin the Church into pieces, into various elements, along various fault lines. And this process ought to be met by a centripetal process, which unites things, holding them together based on a fundamental unity. And, in the case of the Church, that unity is the person of Christ Himself, and the teaching, the doctrine, that He expressed, and that was heard and recorded by His followers in the Gospels, and taught over the decades and centuries by word of mouth, and affirmed solemnly in various Councils, where a number of contested or not fully understood truths were defined. This is our heritage. The danger we face is that, if the Church officially splits — and there are many who already say, “we are de facto 26

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

already divided” — it will not stop with just two groups of Catholics, one “progressive” and one “traditional.” No — the fissures will multiply, as at the time of the Reformation, and we will end up with 22 Catholic Churches, or 222— one here, one there, all with differing names, procedures, theologies, liturgies, hierarchies. This will — should it occur — be a tragedy. Our consequent disunity will be a scandal to many simple faithful, a cause of mockery and laughter for some of the powerful in this world, and it will be, for the world as a whole, for humanity’s future, individually and collectively, a source and cause of great sorrow; for the unified Church, with all her flaws, has been an impediment, though often less staunch and intransigent than it could or should have been, to many grave evils.

The Church rejoices, or should rejoice, in her unity: “We believe… we all believe, as Catholic believers…” And if the Church weeps, we should weep—if and when disunity divides us, weakens us, impedes us from doing what we are called to do in proclaiming Christ to a fallen world, a fallen world which risks falling into yet graver miseries in the months and years ahead than we have seen up until now. This is why I believe we should do all we can to preserve our unity, our “one” Church — “one, holy, catholic” [meaning universal, everywhere, worldwide, not just in Germany, for example], apostolic [that is, holding to what was handed down by the Church Fathers, who received the faith from the Apostles themselves, mediated by the Holy Spirit].” This does not mean to suggest that clarity on doctrine, or practice, should be muddled. We need clarity, as we do in setting out on any journey: where are we going, and how will we get there?… But it does mean to suggest that there is

Excerpt from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter DESIDERIO DESIDERAVI: ON THE LITURGICAL FORMATION OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD June 29, 2022 31. ... If the liturgy is “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed, and at the same time the font from which all her power flows,” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 10), well then, we can understand what is at stake in the liturgical question. It would be trivial to read the tensions, unfortunately present around the celebration, as a simple divergence between different tastes concerning a particular ritual form. The problematic is primarily ecclesiological. I do not see how it is possible to say that one recognizes the validity of the Council — though it amazes me that a Catholic might presume not to do so — and at the same time not accept the liturgical reform born out of Sacrosanctum Concilium, a document that expresses the reality of the Liturgy intimately joined to the vision of Church so admirably described in Lumen gentium. For this reason... I have felt it my duty to affirm that “The liturgical books promulgated by Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, in conformity with the decrees of

Vatican Council II, are the unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite.” (Motu Proprio Traditionis custodes, art 1) ******* In Desiderio the Pope has reiterated his intention to essentially eliminate the traditional Latin Mass and to double-down on the Novus Ordo as the “unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman rite.” […] As a theological scholar, I utterly reject the notion that a Mass that was the lex orandi of the Church for centuries can now be summarily dismissed through papal fiat, as contrary to the “new ecclesiology” of Vatican II. Because such an idea is itself a paradigmatic expression of a legalistic and forensic understanding of the Church and of her magisterium. – Larry Chapp, Ph.D. (“Desiderio Desideravi: Connecting Some Papal Dots,” National Catholic Register, July 12, 2022)

a need for a renewed focus on what possible way we can find to keep us united, and to prevent the centrifugal forces from shattering our unity. In this regard, there are two matters of concern today.

TWO SOURCES OF DISUNITY A grave problem we face in the Catholic Church today is a growing tension between the “progressive” and the “traditional” elements in the Church, threatening the unity of the Church. And this tension is presently evident in two principal matters: (1) the Church’s liturgy; (2) the Church’s teaching and pastoral practice concerning sexual morality, seen most strikingly in proposals being set forth now in Germany. THE “OLD” AND “NEW” LITURGY The struggle over the liturgy (especially the struggle over whether the embrace of the new Mass produced after the Second Vatican Council has been harmful for the Church and individual souls), has grown dangerously bitter. In two recent letters, Pope Francis has written that the old liturgy should be strongly circumscribed, even suppressed entirely: first in his letter of July 16, 2021 (Traditionis custodes)

ished, not celebrated, not taught to priests, not offered to parishioners even on only rare occasions. Essentially, the old liturgy should disappear for the purpose of… increasing Church unity.

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.”

– Pope Benedict XVI, Summorum Pontificum, July 7, 2007 and then, very recently, in his letter of June 29, 2022 (Desiderio desideravi). The Pope has said the “old” liturgy has become a type of “symbol” or “rallying cry” for opposition to the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and, therefore, he concludes, the old liturgy — in a way that was not envisioned by Pope Benedict XVI — should be dimin-

SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM Pope Benedict understood these tensions. He had wrestled with the issue of the liturgy for 50 years, or more: how to make the liturgy available and understandable to the ordinary faithful (rather than a mysterious rite in a mostly incomprehensible language) yet still keep that “link,” that “continuity,” which would acknowledge that what was being reformed was nevertheless a venerable, profound, holy rite, which had nourished the faith of untold generations, including G.K. Chesterton, John Henry Newman, Bishop John Fisher, Fr. Edmund Campion, and Sir Thomas More. And that is why he authored Summorum Pontificum, published on July 7, 2007, proposing the coexistence of the two liturgies, old and new. To respect the old, to accept the new, to allow for the mutual enrichment of the two forms. That compromise is what Pope Francis (on the advice of some of his advisors, I believe) has now rejected. SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

NEWS LITURGY A MODEST PROPOSAL The old Latin Mass could be celebrated in the vernacular, of course. I mean, celebrate the old Latin Mass, not in Latin, but in English. Just translate it. I actually have proposed this on a number of occasions in Rome, to men as various as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, and Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, in private conversations. All seemed to find it unobjectionable on theological grounds, yet so simple in practical terms they could not imagine that it could be the solution to our liturgical divisions. I am aware of the value of keeping Latin — or any universal language, like Old Slavonic, or Hebrew — because such a “sacred language” does not change, and has the great advantage that someone from Canada could attend Mass in Japan, or someone from Vietnam could attend Mass in Italy, and everyone would be familiar with the Latin, and not feel left out. The unity of the Church would be assisted by the unity of its sacred language. But the idea of translating the old Latin Mass does not mean that the Latin would be abandoned. In fact, just as the Council itself called for, the translated vernacular Masses could keep most of the Mass in English (or any other vernacular language), but leave parts, like the Kyrie eleison, in Greek (drawing us back in close proximity to the early Greek-speaking Christians in the catacombs of Rome), and other key prayers, perhaps the Sanctus and the Agnus dei, in the original Latin. Such a solution would have been, in many ways, in full accord with the request of the Second Vatican Council: that the Mass be “updated” to make it more accessible to ordinary people, but not a liturgical revolution. Translating the old liturgy into English — or any other modern language — would have accomplished the goal of greater understanding, and thus of more conscious, active participation, for those many who do not know or speak Latin. 28

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Some will consider this proposal inadequate or objectionable for one reason or another, but it has to its credit one basic fact: it would be the same Mass, only more understandable. And on solemn occasions, the entire old Mass could be celebrated in the ancient Latin language. That was, and is, my own modest proposal.

WHAT HAPPENED INSTEAD But what happened instead was that the group of liturgists who decided to reform the old Mass in the years after the Council, in order to “update” it, decided not simply to translate it into the vernacular, but to change the prayers. This is a profound difference. Obviously, if someone is used to saying a prayer, it becomes a part of him or her — it takes on a certain personal resonance, a type of sacrality; one becomes “invested” in the longused prayers… one “knows” them, intellectually and spiritually. Moreover, as we often say, “lex orandi, lex credendi” — “the law of praying is the law of believing” or perhaps better, “the way we pray determines what and how we believe.” Translating a prayer does change the sound of the prayer, and may be an impoverishment if the translation is poor (“to translate is to betray,” “tradurre è tradire”), but still, the goal of translating is to give the same meaning in a different language, not a different meaning. To alter the prayer, on the other hand, changes not only the sound, and also the meaning. And this is what the liturgists did, painstakingly, in the three years after the Second Vatican Council — they changed the prayers, eliminating some, adding others, and this became the new Mass. NOW: BISHOPS BANNING THE TLM Father John Zuhlsdorf, on July 14, warned that a bitter “persecution” was about to be launched against a traditional Catholic group from within the Catholic Church itself. The next day, Fr. Zuhlsdorf updated the post to confirm that the request related specifically to Cardinal Arch-

bishop Blase Cupich of Chicago, who instructed the Institute of Christ the King’s Chicago apostolate to cease all public activities at the end of July. The Institute of Christ the King is a group of priests who celebrate the old rite of the liturgy, and have up until now been granted the Church’s approval to do so. This is what Cardinal Cupich is revoking. (Cupich was named to the archbishopric of Chicago by Pope Francis over the objections of then-papal nuncio to the US, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò; of course, the Roman Curia makes recommendations to the Pope that may bypass the recommendations of the nuncio in the country.) After Cardinal Cupich’s revocation of the Institute of Christ the King’s permission to celebrate the old rite in Chicago, other bishops followed suit in various ways. The same week, on July 22, Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., issued a 6-page decree revoking permission for the traditional Mass at the seven parishes where it had been offered on a weekly basis — some also on a daily basis — including Old St. Mary’s, a busy neo-Gothic-style parish church built in the 19th century which for decades attracted Catholics from all over the city who preferred the old rite of Mass. Cardinal Gregory relegated remaining celebration of the TLM in his diocese to three small nonparochial churches. And in Savannah, Georgia, Bishop Stephen Parkes announced that permission for the existence of the old Latin Mass, currently said in three parishes, will end in May of 2023. Many other dioceses seem likely to follow, decreasing the celebration of Mass in the old rite ever more until celebration of the old rite ceases altogether. It is a strange fate for a rite that Pope Benedict XVI clearly said in Summorum Pontificum had “never been abrogated.” The same process now seems to be underway with regard to the Church’s moral teachings: setting aside the old teachings, embracing the new ones. More on that in upcoming issues.m

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SYNOD 2021-2023

The synod on synodaliTy: is The church really GoinG To The “PeriPheries?” one iGnored “PeriPhery”: The workinG class, sufferinG mosT from family devasTaTion n BY ANTHONY ESOLEN Pope Francis' visit to the Roman parish of Saint Peter Damian at Monti di San Paolo on the southern suburbs of the city on May 21, 2017. The Holy Father meets the children and young people of the parish (Galazka photo)

“This synodal Process…is inTended To enable The church To beTTer wiTness To The GosPel, esPecially wiTh Those who live on The sPiriTual, social, economic, PoliTical, GeoGraPhical, and exisTenTial PeriPheries of our world.” -From the Vatican’s oFFicial synod on synodality 2021-23 website

ope Francis has repeatedly urged his pastors to “smell like the sheep,” that is, to make sure they are among the flock, to get to know their joys and sorrows, to enter into the confusions and the ills of the world they live in, not — to give him the benefit of the doubt — to approve their sins and to confuse them all the more, but the better to diagnose their ills and to provide the right and fitting remedies. I do not believe, however, that the mainly well-heeled Europeans and Americans who promote what Francis has called the “synodal way” show any intention to mingle with either the most faithful and largely despised sheep or the worst wounded and bleeding. Twice a day does the stopped clock give the right time, and so it is that we can lay a Marxian finger on the otherwise baffling phenomenon, that those who speak the loudest about pastoral rather than doctrinal matters show so little interest in certain large fields of the 30

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flock. People of a comfortable social class will tend to support measures that confirm them in their comfort, and that insulate them from unpleasantness without, or from competition and threats to their status. Anyone looking at the state of the working class in the United States and Canada — I speak of what I know first-hand, though people like the pseudonymous doctor Theodore Dalrymple have made similar observations elsewhere — must see that they have been devastated by fatherlessness, which was a direct and perfectly predictable consequence of a terrible combination, the sexual revolution and the vast expansion of the welfare state. The teenage boy who is unsocial, sullen, foul-mouthed, pitched by turns into lassitude and unproductive aggression, who never gets within a mile of the church, needs a father. He is not going to get one, not so long as both Church and state turn demurely aside, as if he were above all to be

Pope Francis visits the San Carlo Community, a Catholic-run drug rehabilitation center on the outskirts of Rome near Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on February 26, 2016. The pope encouraged the 55 patients to trust God's mercy to keep them strong. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano).

shunned. Far more comfortable is the “pride” parade; it is a regular bourgeois hobby. The boy may himself think that the parade is good; mass schooling and mass entertainment will have done their work. But he does not need the parade. He needs a father, though he can hardly tell why. We know why, or we should know why. All human cultures testify to the need. But we will not utter a word about that need, because that would give the lie to our other bourgeois hobby, which is feminism. Let us be clear to one another. Tens of millions of men in the United States alone must work with their hands, their backs, and their shoulders, if they are to land good jobs that will enable them to support a family. Their sisters will not do such work, in part because they have no desire to do so, but largely because they simply lack the physical strength to do it well, or to do it at all. If, then, we are to tend to the poor, we must make ourselves one again with the working class, which, because of the devastation of the family, is ever in danger of toppling over into poverty. We must get on us the smell of quarry dust, hot tar on a new-laid road, machine oil, and earth dredged up. The family, for the poor, is not to be what it is now, a confusion, unstable, unreliable, mainly unchurched and—not only despite but because of the efforts of schools—uneducated. It must be a rock, as it used to be, when working class Catholic immigrants were less likely than the rich to divorce, and to engage in other family-solvent vices. But it cannot be so if feminism steers us, because feminism, which Christopher Lasch shrewdly saw as a form of self-insulating western individualism, severs the good of woman from the good of man, and both from the good of the child. Let all Catholics, clergy and lay, and especially all bishops, ask themselves whom they are more comfortable being around — the professional woman who wants the priesthood to lose its last hold on the paternal, or the young man who knows and cares nothing about the Father, because he never had a real father to show him, and who spends his days lurching between the immoral and illegal, all to no profit, either to himself or others. We need not ask who gets more attention, the feminist or the fatherless, the gay man or the young fellow who fathers a child out of wedlock and has no idea what it is really to be married and to be a responsible parent. The latter gets no attention at all, and it is because if we did attend to him, we would have to return, ourselves, to the moral demands of our faith that we like the least to observe or to discuss. No, we shun those lost sheep. They stink. We like perfume and cologne and the aroma of catered hors-d’oeuvres a lot better. And I do mean we: for such miseries, proof against the

impersonal ministrations of the state and of state-like organizations, are no delight to engage. And then there are those who try to remain courageously faithful in a bad time. Here I am speaking about a group I sympathize with, though I am not a member: those who attend Mass in the old Latin rite. Most of these people will have suffered for the faith. If they are teachers working in a faithful Catholic school, they are probably just scraping by. If they are professionals, they often work in places that bristle with antagonism against all they believe. This woman here has a sister who will no longer speak to her, because politics has scorched her faith, her sisterly love, and even common decency. That man there has returned to the faith after living in a moral wasteland, and he still must pay the price for it, and even his friends think he is something of a fool. Here is a woman who has been spat upon for setting up a booth for life, outside of an abortuary. Here is a man, old before his time, whose life was wrecked by a divorce he did not want or seek, who has not married again, because he knew he must not; and no one gives a passing thought to his loneliness. The divorced and remarried man is easier to talk to, because he has a nice house and a new couple of children. The faithful man is hard to talk to, because he is often sad, and because his having done the right thing is a silent reproach to everyone else. Does anyone bother to do the simple and decent thing, which is to ask the people why they are there, when it often requires so great a sacrifice? I will venture one reason among many. Modernism in art, music, and liturgy is another rich man’s hobby. You cannot compel people to be stirred to the depths of their being by what is banal, barren, reductive, slipshod, minimalist, jejune. Man is made for beauty, which has real and objective existence, though we experience it subjectively. You can say all you want that the church that looks like a factory or a prison or a nuclear power plant or a hedgehog from an alien planet must inspire piety in the Catholics nearby, or else something is wrong with them, they don’t understand, they reject the standards propounded by their betters, and so forth. You may as well demand that people gape at a parking lot instead of a waterfall. You may as well demand that people prefer pocked ceiling tiles to the stars above. Why not mingle among your sheep, you bishops who despise them for their longing for beauty, which you interpret in the worst possible light, as merely political, merely motivated by hatred? Why not try to see a little through their eyes? Why not, for once, look into their eyes as they pray, and listen to their voices as they chant? Why not talk to them? What are you afraid of? That those sheep do not smell like you, as you wish?m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

OBITUARY Dom Luiz d’Orleans-Bragança In Memoriam: A Catholic Prince THE HEAD OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSE OF BRAZIL, A FAITHFUL CATHOLIC, DIED ON JULY 14 AT AGE 84 n BY VIK VAN BRANTEGEM

e died in São Paulo, Brazil on they declared that an official oneJuly 14, 2022, after being day period of mourning should be hospitalized for a month: S.A.I.R. observed in Brazil as a sign of Prince Dom Luiz Gastão Maria regret for the death of Dom Luiz, José Pio d’Orléans and Bragança reporting him as Head of the Imand Wittelsbach, Head of the perial House of Brazil. Imperial House of Brazil, Grand Italian Prof. Roberto de MatCross Bailiff of the Sacred Militei, a prominent Catholic consertary Constantinian Order of Saint vative in Italy, wrote in CorGeorge of the Royal House of the rispondenza Romana di Oggi, on Two Sicilies, Grand Cross of July 16, in an article entitled “In Honor and Devotion of the Sovermemory of a Catholic prince”: eign Bailiff Military Order of “Today it is rare to meet authentiMalta, Knight of the Equestrian cally Catholic princes and when Order of the Holy Sepulcher of one of them passes away, it is a Jerusalem. duty to honor his memory. I was Dom Luiz was born on June 6, lucky enough to personally know 1938 in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Dom Luiz d’Orleans and BraAlpes-Maritimes, in the south of gança, the Head of the Brazilian France. He lived in a house “withImperial House (...) and I wish to out luxury or splendor” in Higienpay homage to him, in an age ópolis, a district of São Paulo. His when we are in dire need of men brother Bertrand succeeds him as DOM LUIZ D’ORLEANS-BRAGANÇA: who embody principles. Dom Head of the Imperial House of Luiz was one of these: he embod“WE BASE OUR HOPES Brazil. ied in his words, in his actions, ON THE PROMISES OF OUR LADY” Dom Luiz and two of his and above all in his way of being, younger brothers, Prince Bertrand and Prince Antonio, the monarchical principle of society. devoted themselves to advancing the cause of the “Today, society is unraveling because the principle monarchy in Brazil. They played important roles during of authority and hierarchy on which Christianity was the 1993 plebiscite campaign, which represented the founded has been replaced by that of anarchy and first official opportunity for a return of the monarchy to chaos. (...) Brazil since the proclamation of the Republic in 1889. In “On April 29, 2004, Dom Luiz presided over the preit, the Brazilian people were asked to choose which form sentation of the German edition of my book The Cruof government, presidential or parliamentary, and what sader of the Twentieth Century in the hall of the Coburg form of state organization, republic or constitutional Palace in Vienna. Three years earlier, on October 10, monarchy, that Brazil should have. 2001, he had participated in the commemoration of the The monarchical cause was unsuccessful, receiving 430th anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto in Rome. 13.2% of the votes against 66% for the republic. The event, promoted by the Lepanto Cultural Center, On July 15, 2022, the President of Brazil and the Mintook place in the halls of the Palazzo della Cancelleria, ister of Foreign Affairs signed an official decree in which in the presence of more than five hundred people. The

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

Imperial Prince sat in the front row next to Cardinals Alfons Maria Stickler, Paul Augustin Mayer, Lorenzo Antonetti and Luigi Poggi, the representatives of the Order of Malta and the Constantinian Order of Saint George and the descendants of the most illustrious European families, whose ancestors had fought in the waters of Lepanto. “These were not worldly performances, which Dom Luiz always shunned, but burdensome commitments, to which he submitted in order to be faithful to his duty of state. Two eminent virtues shone from his gaze: purity and steadfastness.” (...) Dom Luiz wanted to be, and was, a Catholic prince. He was a Carmelite tertiary and consecrated to Mary according to the practice of St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, but above all he gave the example of a fervent Catholic spirit. He painfully followed the process of self-demolition of the Church and did not fail to express his respectful dissent with some positions of the Catholic hierarchy. Thus, on September 27, 2016, he was among the first signatories of a Declaration presented on the initiative of the Supplica Filial Association by a group of 80 Catholic personalities, including cardinals, bishops, and eminent scholars, who reaffirmed their fidelity to the immutable teachings of the Church about family and marriage.

At the Noblesse et Tradition conference in Turin, on October 30, 2004, Dom Luiz closed his speech with these words: “In a future that we hope is not too far away, our gaze will turn to these years of apostasy, of blood and chaos, left behind forever. “We can be sure of this, because we are basing our hopes on the promises of Our Lady of Fatima. “We stand up against modern convulsions and crises, opposing them and faithfully following the immortal advice and teachings of the great Pope Pius XII.” In Vienna, on April 29 of the same year, he said: “I remember very well the last public meeting held by Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira two months before his death. He reminded us to trust in Our Lady, saying: ‘The more we feel lost, the more we must trust in Our Lady as she has promised that she will triumph. Confidence! Confidence! Confidence! Even if it were to take five, ten, fifteen, fifty years, we must have confidence that one day the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will come.’” Dom Luiz d’Orleans and Bragança could not see that blessed day, but he leaves the example of a perfect Catholic prince to whom we bow with reverence. (Korazym.org)m

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

FOOTSTEPS On ThE WAY

italy’s “miracles of mercy” Places where the Physical world manifests the sPiritual in miraculous ways n BY ITV STAFF The entrance to the Church of San Francesco, which contains the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. It is annexed to the homonymous convent of the Friars Minor Conventual. Inside are the famous relics of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano (photo in the center), dating from the early 700s. On the right, a painting illustrating the Miracle (Galazka photos)

taly is famous for many spectacular sights – wonders of art, architecture, music, culture and cuisine – in addition to its wonders of nature – majestic mountain ranges, placid lakes, bucolic countrysides and sunny seashores. But none of them can quite match the sight that awaits tucked inside a church in the medium-sized city now called Lanciano, once called in ancient Roman times Anxanum. The name, “Lanciano,” itself bears witness to the Christian roots of the city: it refers to the “Lance” of St. Longinus, the Roman soldier in Scripture who was born in Lanciano and came to believe in Christ after witnessing his death on Golgotha and using his lance to pierce Our Lord’s side. The original Church of St. Longinus, namesake of the city, was built by Basilian monks in the 8th century (early 700s). The story goes that a monk who had been plagued by doubts about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was saying Mass there one day.

It was to be a day like no other: This time, when the monk pronounced the words of consecration, the host was miraculously changed into flesh and the wine into blood. The monk was awestruck. Weeping joyously, he regained his composure. He called the congregation around the altar and said, “O fortunate witnesses, to whom the Blessed God, to confound my unbelief, has wished to reveal Himself visible to our eyes! Come, brethren, and marvel at our God, so close to us. Behold the Flesh and Blood of our Most Beloved Christ.” Those who witnessed the miracle soon spread the news throughout the surrounding area. (Fr. William Saunders, Catholiceducation.org) In the 1970s, Pope Paul VI authorized scientific testing to be performed on samples of the flesh and blood in the centuries-old reliquary. The flesh was determined to be human heart muscle; the blood, human type AB. It contained no preservatives, yet after 13 centuries, it was fresh and whole.

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Join Inside the Vatican Pilgrimages on its popular “Miracles of Mercy” pilgrimage to Italy April 1422, 2023, including these two true “Miracles of Mercy”: the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano and the Holy Face of Manoppello. Visit the Church of the Three Fountains, built where St. Paul’s head is said to have bounced three times at his execution, causing springs of water to erupt at each of the three spots. See the Grotto of Our Lady of Revelations, where Our Lady appeared to the bitter antiCatholic, Bruno Cornacchiola, in 1947. Bruno experienced a reversion, returning to his Catholic faith and beginning a life of evangelization.

And experience Divine Mercy Sunday as you never have be fore, attending Mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica and then listening to the Pope’s words at his Sunday audience. This beautiful feast, instituted by Pope John Paul II, is another phenomenon of miraculous origin — the 20th-century apparitions of Jesus to the humble Polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska. You’ll also travel to Assisi, the town of St. Francis and St. Clare, where Francis heard the miraculous call of Jesus, “Come, rebuild My Church,” and set out to do just that, founding a new religious order and renewing the spirit of the universal Church along the way. Join this once-in-alifetime pilrimage to visit Italy’s “Miracles of Mercy”!

on the veil, titled The Holy Veil That Eucharistic miracle reof Manoppello: The Human mains visible and unchanged Face of God; British writer after 1300 years, now housed in Kevin Turley comments: a newer church, San Francesco, built over the site of the original “The Holy Veil of Manoppello also tells of a Jewish Rabbi’s Church of St. Longinus — the Saint of the Lance. remarkable vision concerning the Veil; and of the unexpected Another breathtaking sight, in the tiny Italian town of announcement in 2011 from the Director of the Vatican MuseManoppello, is the incredible, perhaps supernatural, portrait ums admitting that an ancient of a Man — some say He is the relic pertaining to the Holy Face had disappeared from Rome Man of Sorrows — which Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of “Veronica's Veil” at the resides there in a small church. during the Lutheran sacking of Face in Manoppello, Italy, Sept. 1, 2006. His face appears on a “canvas” Sanctuary of the Holy the city in 1527. This disclosure (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters) made of byssus, a silk-like set off a different line of inquiry material woven from the beards of sea mussels — and for Badde regarding the Veil. The book asks if the Veil is the same cloth as that used by Veronica, the woman the origin of the image is inexplicable in purely human terms. depicted in the Sixth Station of the Cross wiping the face There are no traces of paint or any other material on of Christ. Badde tells of skeptical professors who bethe delicate, centuries-old byssus, yet the image is come enthusiastic campaigners for the Veil’s authenticunmistakable. Some say it must be the face of Christ, ity, of the links between the Veil and ongoing research imprinted on the sudarium (one of the burial cloths used into the Shroud. Throughout, Badde conveys the drama in ancient Judaism) at the time of his death and resurrecand the mystery at the heart of the story he tells.” tion. Others suggest it may be the cloth of Veronica, On September 1, 2006, Pope Benedict knelt in prayer impressed by the face of Christ when He was carrying before the Veil of Manoppello — likely the first time, His cross to Golgotha. some say, that a Pope had beheld the Veil since St. Peter. Even the cloth’s human origins are only known as far Six days later, at his general audience in St. Peter’s back as 1638, when, according to records, a local pharSquare, Pope Benedict proclaimed, “We can truly say macist donated it to the Capuchins at the church. that God was given a human face, that of Jesus, and German Catholic journalist Paul Badde added new henceforth, if we really want to know God’s face, we layers of possibly relevant information in his 2018 book have only to contemplate the face of Jesus!”m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

INTERVIEW

Called by god RemembeRing gaRy CoopeR: aCtoR, family man, CatholiC ConveRt n BY BARBARA MIDDLETON* FOR INSIDE THE VATICAN In the circle, Maria Cooper Janis, the daughter of legendary screen star and threetime Academy Award winner Gary Cooper. Here, Pope Pius XII greets Gary Cooper, his daughter Maria (next to him) and wife Veronica (far left) during a June 26, 1953 visit to the Vatican while the Coopers were on a European publicity tour for the movie High Noon

Inside the Vatican correspondent Barbara Middleton interviewed Maria Cooper Janis, the daughter of legendary screen star and three-time Academy Award winner Gary Cooper. The great actor died of cancer in 1961 at the age of 60. He became a Catholic in 1959. Barbara Middleton: What was your father, Gary Cooper, like as you grew up? How did your mother handle your father being a celebrity? Maria Cooper Janis: Fame and success never changed him. It never went to his head and he always stayed humble and full of gratitude for the good fortune that fell into his lap. “I don’t like to see exaggerated airs and exploding egos in people who are already established,” he would say. “No player ever rises to prominence solely on his or her extraordinary talent. Players are molded by forces other than themselves. They should remember this. And at least twice a week drop down on their knees and thank providence for elevating them from cow ranches and dime store ribbon counters.” As a father he was warm, loving, and funny. Our family did many things together, sports in particular. We skied together in the winter and learned scuba diving to explore the beauties of the undersea world, both in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific off the coast of southern California. My mother, Veronica, nicknamed “Rocky,” was often the instigator of new adventures and my father happily jumped in with enthusiasm. She was very beautiful, very 38

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

shy and a woman who felt that it was important for a wife to be a good companion to her husband as well as all the obvious. She was a combination of very feminine and yet in a way a “jock” at the same time — and my father loved that. They shared a great love and appreciation of art and beauty. When my father was shooting a film, she rarely went on the set. He didn’t like family “hanging around” and she was always very active in raising me and following their joint hobby, raising Sealyham Terriers. Animals were always a rich part of our lives in Los Angeles and at the time we had 3 ½ acres of land so we could have a bit of a personal farm with chickens, ducks, geese, a tortoise, and dogs. My mother was a very smart woman and the dangers of being married to a handsome screen star must not have been easy, but she was level-headed like he was, and the celebrity part, which came with the job, so to speak, she took with a certain humor and wisdom and never lost the qualities that drew the two of them together in the first place. What influence did your mother have on the formation of your faith? Did you attend Catholic school growing up? Maria: My mother and I would go to Mass on Sundays and I went to Marymount Grade School, a Catholic girls’ school which was conveniently one block from our home in Brentwood. I also attended a wonderful coed school for a while, the John Thomas Dye School. My parents wanted me to have a school experience of a coed education.

Screen star Gary Cooper (center) poses with his daughter Maria (left) and wife Veronica (nicknamed "Rocky," right). Bottom: (left) Fr. Harold Ford, priest of Good Shepherd Parish in Beverly Hills, CA, who became a close family friend of the Coopers and (right) actress Dolores Hart — now Mother Dolores Hart

What was the meeting like with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican in 1953? Maria: Our Vatican audience with Pope Pius XII was, of course, unforgettable. It was a relatively small audience and in those days one had to dress in black with a veil on your head. I will never forget, however, the funny thing that happened to my father, who at that time was many years away from converting. Lots of friends had asked him to bring back rosaries and medals blessed by the Pope so as about 10 of us were standing in a medium-sized room, the Pope came walking toward us. We all genuflected — well, my father had a bad back and he sort of lost his balance a bit and all the medals and rosaries he had hung over his arm crashed to the floor as he bent to kiss His Holiness’ ring while trying to retrieve the medals that had rolled all over the place. Embarrassed!! Yes. He blushed? Yes. Lovely words, I am sure, came from the Pope, but I was lost in trying to be reverent and upset for my father. What was your favorite movie of your fathers’s, and his? Maria: Films that always touch me especially are High Noon, Pride of the Yankees, Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, Sergeant York and The Hanging Tree. I don’t know what his personal favorite was, but I do know that, when asked what made him choose the roles he did, he answered that he always wanted to portray the best a man can be. What led your father to Catholicism? What inspired his conversion? Maria: I don’t know what led him to make the decision to convert. It was not, as is mistakenly written about, due to his being ill. For years, he would usually come to Mass with my mother and I for Christmas and Easter, but I never heard him talking about what his thinking and feeling process was in terms of religion. My mother and I would praise Father Harold Ford, a priest at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, whose sermons were short but powerful, and related to the real lives of his congregation. Father Ford became a family friend, even accompanying us on scuba diving adventures. He eventually baptized my father and also officiated at his funeral Mass. He was successful in the eyes of the world and received many awards, including several Academy Awards. How did he view that?

Maria: Of course success was important to him; any artist wants to feel he or she has succeeded in their endeavors. However, it was not his motive to become a famous actor. Being awarded his three Oscars deeply pleased him. The first was for the role of WWI American hero, Alvin York; the second was for the famous High Noon in which, as marshall, he refuses to run and stays to protect the townspeople from a killer gang, all alone. The third Oscar is a Lifetime Achievement Award for his over 100 films made in a life cut too short by cancer. In his last weeks, the only complaint I ever heard him voice was, “Damn, just when I was beginning to learn what acting was all about…” Actress Dolores Hart — now Mother Dolores Hart at the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis — visited your home. At Mother’s 50th anniversary of Holy Vows, you presented her with your dad’s Oscar. Do you still visit Mother? Maria: My best friend was the young actress Dolores Hart. At Mother Dolores’ 50th Anniversary of her vows, I felt she deserved to have for that day my father’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She was shocked and happy. She has dedicated her life of Ora et Labora with the Benedictine community and has been an inspiration to everyone who knows them and her. I visit Mother Dolores as often as possible and during Covid we did a lot of Facetime visits on the phone. Is there something, Maria, you would like to tell me that I didn’t ask you? Maria: After my father died of cancer and my mother remarried — a renowned surgeon, Dr. John Converse — there was a party given for the bride and groom. One of the guests was introduced to me, and somehow, I knew that standing right in front of me was the answer to not only my life’s journey, but to my unspoken prayers as well. Now, some 54 years later and a life of touring the world with an internationally renowned pianist, Byron Janis, I know that grace led me to that very place and time. God’s choreography is truly beyond our understanding and our imagination! And to circle back to my parents, Gary and Rocky Cooper, they could not have prepared or taught me better how to choose a positive life and most of all, about real love. * Barbara Middleton served in the Kennedy administration’s State Department. In 1977, she founded the Holy Trinity Apostolate with the late Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

EDUCATION

cAtholic educAtors renewing devotion to euchArist Amid the crisis of unbelief, A plAn to re-cAtechize u.s. cAtholics n BY PATRICK REILLY * Below, Patrick Reilly, president and founder of The Cardinal Newman Society, which identifies and celebrates good Catholic education

Below, a 2019 survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center, found that 74 percent of Catholics age 18-40 did not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

n the United States, surveys show a crisis of faith in the Eucharist, especially among young people. Not only do many baptized Catholics not believe in the Real Presence of Christ, but a sizable portion actually think that the Church teaches the Protestant heresy that the Communion Host is but a symbol of Jesus. This, then, is not primarily a crisis of dissent — it’s a failure of catechesis. The solution lies in education: in the home, from the pulpit, and in Catholic schools, homeschooling and colleges. As part of the U.S. bishops’ three-year “Eucharistic revival” to renew devotion to the Eucharist, educators are rallying to evangelize young Catholics with the truth of the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Catholic faith. One new initiative is the Task Force for Eucharistic Education, a project of The Cardinal Newman Society to encourage, identify and promote efforts to strengthen Catholic education on the Eucharist. Already many Catholic leaders and institutions across the U.S. have joined the initiative in support of the bishops and as part of the renewal of faithful education, after a decades-long struggle with Catholic identity and formation.

A CRISIS OF UNBELIEF Most young adult Catholics in the U.S. do not believe that the consecrated Eucharist is 40

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

Christ’s body and blood, according to an October 2021 survey conducted by The Pillar news organization. Still, it is astonishing that only six percent agree that it is “spiritually and morally dangerous” if one receives the Eucharist without “properly preparing yourself.” They simply are not being formed with reverence for the Eucharist, which likely fosters disbelief. A 2019 survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center, found that 74 percent of Catholics age 18-40 did not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Rather than outright rejecting Catholic teaching, 64 percent of the unbelievers said they were unsure or unaware of Catholic teaching on the Real Presence, and 62 percent claimed the Church actually teaches that the consecrated wine and bread are merely symbols of Christ. Clearly America’s young people need better catechesis and better Catholic education — which, when done well, is the Church’s primary and most effective means of evangelization. There are already good models to build upon. Some of the best schools and colleges provide reverent liturgies, Eucharistic adoration and prayer. Some sponsor scholas for sacred music and Eucharistic processions of students and faculty. Teachers share the truth of the Real Presence by both instruction and witness, as reverent participants in Mass and Eucharistic adoration. Despite the struggles of Catholic schools, which have lost about two-thirds of their

Cordileone, The Cardinal Newman Society gathered theologians, liturgical music teachers, and school and college leaders to launch the Task ounded in 1993, The Cardinal Newman Force for Eucharistic Education. Society is a Catholic organization in the The Society’s role is to identify and United States that promotes and defends celebrate various efforts across faithful Catholic education. It is a standardCatholic education to advance the bearer for fidelity and truth in Catholic educafour goals of Eucharistic literacy, tion; a trusted partner for Catholic education liturgy, devotion and living. The Task leaders who are committed to improving poliForce website (EucharisticEducacies and curricula, strengthening Catholic tion.org) features details on members identity, and ensuring faithful teaching; and an and their projects, providing educaally of Cath o lic families who need affordable options to ensure the faithful formation of tors a clearinghouse of strong ideas their children. for improving education. The Society’s work includes Catholic educaLeading Catholics have embraced tion leader outreach to promote best practices the program and serve on its steering and standards in Catholic education, general committee. These include Mary Pat Catholic outreach to promote faithful Catholic Donoghue, director of the U.S. bisheducation and the Newman Society’s work, ops’ Secretariat for Catholic Educaand programs to help families choose the best tion; Lincoln Snyder, president of the Catholic educational options. The Society is National Catholic Educational Asso12perhaps best known for The Newman ciation; Michael St. Pierre, director Guide, which recognizes faithful Catholic colof the Catholic Campus Ministry leges, and its Honor Roll program, which recAssociation; Robert Royal, president ognizes elementary and secondary schools of the Faith and Reason Institute; and committed to faithful Catholic formation. Charlie McKinney, president of So“Education is integral to the mission of the phia Institute Press. Others include Church to proclaim the Good News,” said Pope school and college leaders and Benedict XVI in his 2008 address to American experts in Catholic education. Catholic educators. The Cardinal Newman BUILDING MODEL SCHOOLS Already more than two dozen Society believes renewal of the Church in sociResponding to the crisis of faith, Catholic schools and colleges have ety and a renewal of Christian culture depends the U.S. bishops’ “Eucharistic joined the Task Force as inaugural on the renewal of faithful Catholic education. revival” features parish activities, members, pledging projects to Eucharistic adoration and procesenhance Eucharistic education. More sions, and a national Eucharistic than half are colleges recognized by Congress in 2024. But key to the revival’s The Cardinal Newman Society for their success will be a renewal of catechesis and strong fidelity and formation, and others devotion to the Eucharist in parochial are faithful elementary and secondary schools, lay-run schools, homeschooling, hybrid programs and schools also recognized by the Society’s Honor Roll program. faithful colleges. Educators collaborating to re-center Catholic education on During a Cardinal Newman Society meeting in January with the Eucharist and sound faith formation for young people is preCatholic college presidents, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, chairman cisely what the Church needs in this time of ignorance and conof the bishops’ revival effort, urged educators to help the bishops fusion. St. John Paul II in his apostolic exhortation Catechesi promote understanding and love of the Eucharist. The Society Tradendae warned that “sacramental life is impoverished and has identified four goals for Catholic education: very soon turns into hollow ritualism if it is not based on serious 1. a revival of Eucharistic literacy, by teaching students the knowledge of the meaning of the sacraments, and catechesis truth of the Real Presence in the Eucharist; becomes intellectualized if it fails to come alive in the sacramen2. a revival of Eucharistic liturgy, by improving liturgical tal practice.” music, prayer, and reverence in Catholic school and college Today we see both ignorance about the sacraments and lack liturgies; of reverence among those who confess the Real Presence of 3. a revival of Eucharistic devotion, by increasing devotion Christ. Catholic education is the Church’s best response to this to the Eucharist among young people through prayer and adoracrisis, but it must rediscover its source and life in the Eucharist tion; and if it is to recover from its long decline. 4. a revival of Eucharistic living, by forming students in lifestyles that conform to the reality of Christ within them. *Patrick Reilly is president and founder of In July, during the international Sacra Liturgia conference The Cardinal Newman Society, which promotes and defends hosted this year by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore faithful Catholic education.m enrollment since 1970, authentic Catholic education is the best hope for a Eucharistic revival. Among Millennial Catholics (born 1982 or later) who never attended a Catholic school, only five percent attend weekly Mass, according to data collected by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. But those numbers climb to 34 percent for those who attended a Catholic primary school and 39 percent if they attended a Catholic high school. Given the weak Catholic identity of many schools in recent decades, a renewal of faithful Catholic education could have a dramatic impact on the Church. This means not only helping every Catholic family with affordable options for Catholic education but also doing a better job in our homes, schools and colleges to catechize young people and preserve their faith into adulthood. Today’s highly secular culture presents a difficult challenge, but a Catholic education should always be a Eucharistic education.

T HE C ARDINAL N EWMAN SOCIETY : R ENEWING THROUGH E DUCATION

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

LATIN

The ChuRCh’s “newMan PRobLeM” The LaTin Mass, The Via Media and The RefoRM n BY JOHN BYRON KUHNER

On October 10, 2013, the Congregation for Divine Worship approved the new missal for Catholics of the “Anglican rite,” used by Anglicans who, under the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus of Pope Benedict XVI, returned to full communion with Rome. These photos show Mass celebrated in this rite in churches in London by Mons. Keith Newton, head of the Anglican Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham (http://blog.messainlatino.it)

ost people are aware of the general outline of St. John Henry Newman’s intellectual and spiritual quest. A gifted scholar and priest of the Church of England, Newman took it upon himself to prove, by historical researches, that the Anglican Via Media, or Middle Way, between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, represented the true path of Christ’s Church through the ages. Newman’s own inquiry had the opposite effect of what he intended, however: after much research, writing, and debate, he came to the conclusion that the Roman Catholic Church was the true Church, the tradition passed down to us from the Apostles. His researches into the past so convinced him of this fact that he came up with the pithy statement — which from his pen was completely serious — “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.” Newman’s word was not the final word on the problem, of course. There have been many deep historians since Newman who have remained Protestant. It is true, however, that his intellectual path to the Catholic Church has proven to be a well-trodden one. Many intelligent and devoted members of the Church of England, after much thought, have converted to Catholicism. I met many such men while I was at Oxford.

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

Indeed, one may almost presume, at places like Oxford, that intelligent, thoughtful Anglicans of a traditionalist sort, who hear the Latin sermons at St. Mary’s and love the old polyphony of Englishmen like Thomas Tallis, have at least considered converting to Catholicism. Many dislike the thought of actual conversion, but suspect that it would be intellectually honest of them if they did so. Their minds are following a logical sequence of thoughts Newman described long ago. I take Newman, then, as an example of an intellectually serious person who is led to embrace the Catholic Faith by what he considers to be his intellectual duty. Why do I bring him up? For one, Newman’s feast day — he was canonized by Pope Francis in 2019 — comes on October 9. But I also believe that today’s Church has its own “Newman problem.” As every reader of these pages knows, Pope Benedict, with his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, in 2007 allowed the unlimited use of the Traditional Latin Mass, as expressed by the 1962 Missal. Pope Francis, by his own motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, claiming that this Latin Mass has proven divisive, has expressed his intention to return the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church to a single form of Mass and single

John Henry Newman (February 21, 1801-August 11, 1890) was a Roman Catholic theologian, philosopher and cardinal who converted to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism in October 1845

liturgical book, by effectively banning the Traditional Latin Mass. It may not be so easy to go back to life before Summorum Pontificum, however. Why? I call it the Church’s new “Newman problem.” In the 15 years since Summorum Pontificum, many people have taken advantage of the availability of the Latin Mass. Many have found it spiritually more satisfying. And many have asked themselves why — which leads to another question: if the old Mass can be more satisfying, why is the new Mass less? The presence of the Latin Mass, in other words, has driven interest in what went wrong with the reform. The result has been hundreds — thousands — of articles comparing the two rites’ prayers, music, the calendar, the lectionary, and much more. Many of these articles have grown into excellent, thoughtful books. They are the work of a group of people who call themselves the New Liturgical Movement. Countless details of the reform, and countless details of the traditional Latin Mass, have received scrutiny. The historical record has also received attention. Knowing that the second Eucharistic Prayer was rewritten on a twenty-four-hour deadline by two men in a Trastevere trattoria does not mean it is bad, but it certainly cannot claim the kind of authority possessed by the Roman Canon, which has remained almost unchanged for 1,500 years. The problem is this: to be deep in the history of the reform is to lose much of one’s affection for the New Mass. For most Catholics, this is no problem. They are not going to read a biography of Fr. Annibale Bugnini, the individual most intellectually responsible for the Roman Catholic liturgy as it is today. They are not upset about the removal of the word “soul” from the Mass (even on All Souls’ Day), as a term outdated and unfit for modern man — they’re not even aware this was done. They do not know that the beginning of the Gospel of John used to be read at every Mass, forcefully presenting to the faithful that “the Word became flesh, and lived among us” is the very meaning of the Mass. They are not going to compare the various collects for the Sundays after Pentecost, to see if someone important has been lost. They are about as likely to be concerned about these things as the average Anglican is concerned about the Catholic Church’s rebuff of Monophysitism (the issue that drove Newman’s histor-

ical researches). You can live a good, Christian life steering well clear of these debates. However, what I see among the select few who do care about these things, is consistent: they believe that the liturgical reform conducted after the Second Vatican Council, and largely in contradiction to its statutes, represents an attempt to maneuver the Catholic Church into occupying the middle ground between Traditional Catholicism — with its Latin, Gregorian chant, and preservation of tradition — and Protestantism. It represents, in other words, precisely that Via Media which Newman at first found so appealing about the Church of England — and then, on deeper investigation, found it his intellectual duty to abandon. One of the most distressing recent developments was Pope Francis’s comment in his June 29, 2022 apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi: “I do not see how it is possible to say that one recognizes the validity of the Council — though it amazes me that a Catholic might presume not to do so — and at the same time not accept the liturgical reform born out of Sacrosanctum Concilium.” In other words, the Pope, with a staff of liturgists and ghostwriters, is not even willing to address what his own predecessor called “the problem of the new Missal,” which, Pope Benedict stated, “lies in its abandonment of a historical process that was always continual, before and after St. Pius V” — precisely the thing which so attracted Newman to the Roman Catholic Church. Benedict continues: “I can say with certainty, based on my knowledge of the conciliar debates and my repeated reading of the speeches made by the Council Fathers, that this does not correspond to the intentions of the Second Vatican Council.” In other words, we have our own “Newman problem.” We have a Christian tradition broken in the name of a Via Media with immediate appeal but insufficient depth. We have people deeply versed in the history of the liturgical reform who find themselves intellectually compelled to admit that the reform was botched, and the Church lost something of importance as a consequence of it. And we have intellectuals crossing the Tiber to unite themselves with the Rome of tradition, and finding the Pope on the other side, vehement in his opposition to them, and refusing even to engage with their concerns. It’s an entirely new situation — one that makes us cry out, “Sancte Ioannes Henrice Newman, ora pro nobis!”m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

SCRIPTURE

“liTTle lamb, rise Up” The words of ChrisT To The dead Child are The words we Too long To hear n BY ANTHONY ESOLEN

* Illuminated page from Petrus Comestor’s Historia Scholastica. Opposite page, mosaic of The Good Shepherd in the crypt of San Lorenzo Outside the Walls, Rome

he growth of flesh is but a blister,” says the poet George Herbert. “Childhood is health.” Jesus is going to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, one Jairus, because the man has pleaded with him to heal his little daughter, at the point of death. But when Jesus arrives, one of the servants comes out and says that the girl is already dead. “Why trouble the Master any further?” At that, Jesus could have turned aside, but he speaks kindly to the father, saying, “Be not afraid, only believe.” Within the house, everyone is weeping and wailing, and Jesus asks them why they are causing all that commotion, since the girl is not dead, but just sleeping. They laugh at him. For people often prefer to be right in their misery than to be shown wrong and to rejoice for it. So Jesus makes them all get out, except for the mother and the father, and the three disciples he has brought with him, Peter, James, and John. And he goes into the room where the little girl is lying. Taking her by the hand, Jesus says, in Aramaic, “Talitha, koum,” which means, says St. Mark, who gives us the scene, “Little girl, rise up” (Mk. 5:35-41). And she does just that, and begins to walk about, since she was no baby but a 12-year-old girl. And they were all astonished — literally, they were in ekstasis, they were standing outside themselves, as if they were in a trance, such as fell upon Peter when he was praying on the rooftop in Joppa, and he saw the vision that revealed to him the cleanness of all beasts (Acts 10:10), and as fell upon Paul, newly baptized, when the Lord commanded him to leave Jerusalem, because he was going to send him to preach among the Gentiles (Acts 22:17).

“

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

It’s a moment of supreme and fearsome glory, and yet the word that Jesus uses, Talitha, is as sweet and familiar as any in Scripture. It is the feminine form of Aramaic taleyah, lamb — a word you would use for a fawn, or for a little child. In English also, people used to call their small children “lambs” or “lambkins,” or, with the same idea in mind, their “chicks.” But the word is quite suggestive. It is as if Jesus had said, “Little sweetheart, rise up.” And yet the power of the word cannot be confined to this single place. Recall that Peter was there, Peter whose mother tongue also was Aramaic. Why are the Aramaic words given to us here, when almost all the time they are not? Perhaps they impressed themselves on Peter in a most powerful way. When, after the resurrection, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, and Peter, somewhat hurt by the question, says that he does, Jesus replies, “Feed my lambs” (Jn. 21:15). What was the word Jesus used? It could have been the common word for the lamb slain for sacrifice in the old dispensation, that which John the Baptist undoubtedly used when he cried out, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29). But that doesn’t entirely fit the context, which is a challenge of love. It also would seem to be redundant, because Jesus gives Peter what looks like the same command, the second and third time he asks him whether he loves him: “Feed my sheep” (Jn. 21:16-17). Why lambs first, and then sheep? Suppose, though, that Jesus had commanded Peter to feed his taleyim, his little lambs, that is, his darlings, his little children? That gives us quite a different set of associations, doesn’t it? We then might recall another scene in Mark, when mothers were bringing their children to Jesus

to bless them, and the disciples, doubtless seeking to give the Teacher some rest, tried to shoo them away. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And he took them in his arms, and laid his hands on them, and blessed them (Mk. 10:1-16). What was the word he used there for little children? Again, the scene is one of youth and love. Suppose he said, “Let the taleyim come to me”? We must become like such lambs if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. What is endearing about the child, the lamb? He is not old enough to take himself seriously. He is guileless, fresh, ingenuous, beautiful. He does not do what so many people who encountered Jesus do: he does not present his credentials. He does not require credentials from Jesus. He does not embroil Jesus in quarrels about the law, or about international politics. The world is still a wonder to him, and he runs to Jesus because Jesus is good, and that is enough, because that is all in all. I’ll mention here one more use of the word in Scripture. Again, Hebrew taleh, the ancestor of Aramaic taleyah, is not the common word you would use for a sacrificial lamb. But we do find it in a crucial place, in the grand

Father Alban Butler’s Original

Messianic prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 40. “The Lord God,” says the prophet, “will come with a strong hand,” and “he shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs [telaim] with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (40:11). The male lamb to be sacrificed already had horns to butt with, but these lambs are still too young for that. Somehow — and it can make sense only by the miracle of grace — we are to be at once soldiers of Christ, donning the full armor of God (Eph. 6:13), and yet little children, toddling up to the Lord in complete and thoughtless trust, all eyes for him, and with no further motive than to be with him, to be touched by him, and, as we lie on our last bed, to hear the words he spoke to the child of Jairus: “Lad, little lamb, rise up.”

* Anthony Esolen, Ph.D., is a faculty member and Writer-in-Residence at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts in New Hampshire. A renowned scholar and translator of literature and a prolific author, Dr. Esolen also has created a new web magazine, Word and Song by Anthony Esolen. Find it at anthonyesolen.substack.com.m

Lives of the Saints

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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

NICAEA AND THE CREED

fter Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity (in his Edict of Milan of 313 A.D.), the Church looked forward to a period of peace, relieved from the constant threat of persecution and martyrdom. Alas, it was not to be. Threats from without the Church largely came to an end, but internal disputes immediately arose to disrupt the peaceable practice of Faith. By far the gravest problem arising in this period was the teaching of a prominent theologian from Alexandria named Arius. Arius came to the conclusion that the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, could not have existed from all eternity: “If the Father begat the Son, then He Who was begotten had a beginning in existence, and from this it follows that there was a time when the Son was not.” Carried to a further conclusion, this notion would inevitably lead to a large problem with the very divinity of Jesus Christ. Still, the logic of Arius’ thought convinced a great many Christians, even including (at times) a seeming majority of bishops. The controversy became so heated that many episcopal sees were subjected to competing selections of bishops; at times partisans of Arius and the orthodox bishops even resorted to violence to further their claims! Matters spiraled out of control and the Empire grew seriously destabilized by the continuing dispute. The First Ecumenical Council was called by Emperor Constantine in 325 AD to force the bishops to bring calm back to the Empire. Three hundred eighteen (or was it nineteen?) bishops met at Nicaea to hammer out a solution to the crisis. The Council Fathers allowed Arius to make his case. One bishop, upon hearing Arius, finally had taken all he could bear. Approaching Arius as he droned on, Bishop Nicholas of Myra delivered a resounding slap as his response to heresy!

Nicholas repented of his loss of control and asked to be expelled from the Council; the other orthodox bishops would not allow him to withdraw, but agreed to expunge his name from the list of attending Fathers! The Council found the doctrine of Arius to be rank heresy. Emperor Constantine issued an order: “...if any writing composed by Arius should be found, it should be handed over to the flames, so that not only will the wickedness of his teaching be obliterated, but nothing will be left even to remind anyone of him.” The order went on to declare that anyone holding to Arian heresy should be considered a traitor to the state and condemned to death by fire! The original ending of the Creed of Nicaea actually was an explicit condemnation of Arianism: “But those who say ‘There was a time when He was not’ and ‘He was not before He was made” and ‘He was made out of nothing’ or ‘He is of another substance or essence’ or ‘The Son of God is created or changeable or alterable’ — they are condemned by the holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” The icon here shows Arius consigned to the miserable black pit of his heresy at the bottom of the image. Arius was condemned by the Council, but the disputation over his ideas refused to die. Even after the Council’s decisions and the adoption of a Creed affirming the eternal divinity of the Son, several emperors, and even, at times, the Patriarch of Constantinople embraced Arian theology, causing much more confusion. Emperor Theodosius found it necessary to call a further Council at Constantinople in 381 to re-affirm the conclusions of Nicaea; this Council fleshed out the theology of the Holy Spirit and gave final form to the Nicene Creed which forms a basic building block of the Faith to this very day.m

If you would like to join with us in our efforts to try to “build bridges” between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, please contact us: call our toll-free line, 1-800-789-9494, or send an email to editor@insidethevatican.com page 48

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East-West Watch BY PETER ANDERSON

METROPOLITAN TIKHON OF PSKOV — FUTURE PATRIARCH?

atriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is now in Russia. Tikhon launched Russia’s first Orthodox 75 years old and appears to be in relatively good website (Pravoslavie.ru), which continues to be one health. However, there is still speculation as to who of the most popular religious websites in Russia. The the next patriarch might be. The two names that have monastery choir performs throughout the world with been most frequently mentioned are Metropolitan Hirave reviews. larion (Alfeyev) and Metropolitan Tikhon (ShevIn 2011 Tikhon wrote a book entitled Everyday kunov) of Pskov. With the removal in early June of Saints and Other Stories. It became an instant best Metropolitan Hilarion from his very important posiseller in Russia. It has now sold more than three miltion as head of the Department of External Church Relion copies in Russia and has been translated into lations, the chances of Metropolitan more than 17 languages. The book Tikhon being the next patriarch describes Tikhon’s experiences with have substantially increased. Metvarious monks at the Pskov Monropolitan Tikhon is not well-known astery and elsewhere. In the book, in the West. Who is he? Tikhon demonstrates his abilities as Georgiy Shevkunov (his secular a master storyteller with keen inname) was born in Moscow in sights and a sense of humor. 1958 and graduated as a screenThe Holy Synod in 2018 transwriter from the Moscow Institute ferred Tikhon from his beloved of Cinematography in 1982. That Sretensky Monastery to head the same year he was baptized and bePskov diocese (near Estonia). As a came a novice at the Pskov result, he became a metropolitan. Monastery of the Caves, one of the The Charter of the Moscow Pavery few monasteries operating in triarchate requires a candidate for Russian Orthodox Metropolitan the Soviet Union at that time. Bepatriarch to have “sufficient experiginning in 1986 he began his em- Tikhon (Georgiy Shevkunov) of Pskov ence in diocesan administration,” ployment in the publishing and the assignment in Pskov satisdepartment of the Moscow Patriarchate where he fies this requirement. continued to improve his outstanding communication The media often refers to Tikhon as “Putin’s conskills. fessor.” Tikhon has never confirmed or denied this. In 1991 he took monastic vows at the Donskoy However, he has confirmed that he has a personal reMonastery in Moscow and took the name “Tikhon.” lationship with the President and that the President He was ordained a priest one month later. In October sometimes consults with him. Putin has visited Tik1993, Tikhon was told by Archimandrite John, a hon in Pskov several times. starets (a holy spiritual guide) at the Pskov MonMetropolitan Tikhon is more identified with the astery, that it was the will of God for Tikhon to esconservatives of Russian Orthodoxy than Metropolitablish a metochion (a branch or representation tan Hilarion. church) for the Pskov Monastery in Moscow. PatriFor Tikhon, Christian unity is achieved by all dearch Alexy blessed this project. It was the beginning nominations accepting Orthodoxy. of a remarkable success story. For him common prayer with non-Orthodox is The metochion was placed in a church on the site prohibited by the canons of the early Church. of the ruined Sretensky Monastery. Tikhon resurOn the other hand, he endorses Orthodox and rected the Sretensky Monastery into one of the most Catholics sharing friendships and working together important monasteries in Russia. The monastery on common projects such as preserving the Christian started its own seminary, which is now one of the world with its Christian values. Metropolitan three most prestigious theological academies in RusTikhon’s conservative views and reasoning have consia. Its Orthodox publishing house is now the largest siderable influence in Russia today.m InsideTheVatican.com t UrbietOrbiCommunications.com

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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

DIVIDED CHRISTIANS MUST GIVE UNITED WORLD’S UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS WITNESS TO GOSPEL, POPE SAYS GATHER IN POLAND Meeting 18 young priests and monks from six Oriental Prevented by war from meeting in Kyiv, 40 Ukrainian Orthodox churches, Pope Francis insisted that divided Catholic bishops from around the world met in Poland, less Christians must work together to share the Gospel. than 10 miles from the border with their homeland, in early “It is a message that we are called to bear witness to one July. another, not against one another or apart from one another,” The meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Eastern Rite the Pope said on June 3 as he welcomed Church had been delayed two years the young clerics who were attending a because of the COVID-19 pandemic, study week in Rome sponsored by the but the war in their homeland, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Chrisheightened need for ministry to their tian Unity. people, and the pastoral and psychoThe participants came to the Vatican logical care of Ukrainians forced from from Egypt, Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, their homes made the synod of July 7India, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. They were 15 even more essential. chosen to participate by the heads of “We, as the Church, have found their churches, which included: the ourselves on the front line of the inforCoptic Orthodox Church, Armenian mation war,” said Archbishop SviApostolic Church, Syrian Orthodox atoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, Pope Francis kisses a pectoral cross during an Church of Antioch, Ethiopian Orthodox audience with young priests and monks from Oriental head of the Ukrainian Catholic Orthodox Churches at the Vatican on June 3, 2022 Tewahedo Church, Eritrean Orthodox Church, at the synod’s opening Divine (Credit: CNS photo/Vatican Media) Tewahedo Church, and Malankara OrLiturgy on July 7 in the Ukrainian thodox Syrian Church. Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Przemysl. Acknowledging the suffering and persecution all Chris“That is why it is essential for us to experience this tians have suffered in some of their countries, Pope Francis synod, to feel the fraternal unity of our global church, which gave thanks for their common witness to Christ. unites all Ukrainians around the world in Ukraine and in the “I think in a special way of all those — and there are so diaspora.” (UCANews) many of them — who sealed by their blood their faith in Christ,” he said. (CNS) ARCHONS TO GIVE PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD FOR SYRIAC CATHOLIC BISHOPS HIGHLIGHT HELPING CONSTANTINOPLE OPPOSE THE COMPLEX CHALLENGES IN MIDDLE EAST RUSSIAN CHURCH Although security issues in the Middle East have deOrthodox Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria was ancreased in recent years, the challenges that remain are nounced July 25 as this year’s recipient of the “getting more complex, as we have entered a tunnel Athenagoras Human Rights Award, an award whose darkness has not yet subsided,” Syriac granted by the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan told Order of Saint Andrew of Apostle, known as the the world’s Syriac Catholic bishops. Archons. The patriarch said an atmosphere of “anxiety Patriarch Theodoros, whom the Archons deand bewilderment over the future” has clouded the scribe as a “tireless defender of the Ecumenical atmosphere because “living conditions have deterioPatriarchate and a determined advocate for relirated.” gious freedom,” will receive the award on OcOrthodox Patriarch “But we remain a people of hope in the Lord Theodoros of Alexandria tober 8, at the Order’s annual banquet at the Jesus and in his life-giving word,” the patriarch Hilton Hotel in New York, the Order reports. said as he opened the June 20–25 synod. As in past years, the award focuses on how the In their final statement, the Syriac bishops said they disawardee has served the Patriarchate of Constantinople. cussed “the suffering of their children as a result of the difArchon National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis exficult conditions, persecutions, acts of violence, terrorism, plains that Patriarch Theodoros was chosen because he displacement, killing, and destruction, and the uprooting of supports Constantinople’s self-understanding as the first a large number” of their faithful from the land of their forewithout equals and stands against the Moscow Patriarfathers. (UCANews) chate. (OrthoChristian) page 50

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METROPOLITAN ONUPHRY HEADS FEAST OF ST. VLADIMIR AND BAPTISM OF RUS’ Orthodox Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine headed the annual celebration of the anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’ at the Holy Dormition-Kiev Caves Lavra on July 27–28. The celebration coincides with the feast of Saint Vladimir the Great, the Baptizer of Rus’. This year marks the 1,034th anniversary of the baptism, which occurred in 988 A.D. Prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and mercy for the Ukrainian people, including soldiers, prisoners, the sick, and the homeless. (OrthoChristian) FRANCIS DISCUSSES “SURVIVAL OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST” WITH MELKITE BISHOPS Pope Francis met with Patriarch Youssef Absi of Antioch and other representatives of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church as the Eastern Church began its synod of bishops, which took place in Rome from June 20-25. In the meeting, Absi asked Pope Francis to put pressure on political authorities to “draw a red line,” prioritizing the protection of the Christian presence in the Middle East. (CNA)

Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity, also took part in the meeting, which was held in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse, where Pope Francis lives. The delegation was sent to Rome by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and also participated in the Pope’s Mass for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, praying with Pope Francis at the tomb of Saint Peter. (CNA) PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM CALLS ON U.S. TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS IN HOLY LAND The Holy Land needs help to defend its Christian heritage, “which is witnessing unprecedented attacks by Israeli radical groups,” especially in Jerusalem, the Patriarch of Jerusalem told President Joe Biden on July 15. Patriarch Theophilos welcomed the U.S. head of state to the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem and took the opportunity to discuss the needs of Christians in the Holy Land and the need for American intervention, reports the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Patriarch Theophilos also participated in a reception for President Biden hosted by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and again stressed “the need to put an end to the practices of Israeli radical groups that aim to erase the mosaic culture of the Holy City and eliminate its religious and cultural diversity.” (OrthoChristian)

LITHUANIA BANS KIRILL Lithuania is the third country to impose personal sanctions upon Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, after England and Canada. In particular, the Together with a number of hierarchs and clerics of the Patriarch is classified as an unwanted Ukrainian Church, Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the HILARION TRANFERRED Divine Liturgy on the Lavra’s cathedral square person and banned from entering the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Hicountry until June 23, 2027, for “his support for Russia, larion Alfeyev, 56 has been released from his position as the which continues its invasion of Ukraine,” the Lithuanian Russian Orthodox Church’s chief ecumenical official. He Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed to the BNS outlet. had served as chairman of the Department for External “Patriarch Kirill, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, is Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate since 2009. one of the most active supporters of the war against Ukraine, The Moscow Patriarchate’s official website said on June and has repeatedly publicly spoken positively about on7 that the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church going Russian aggression,” the Ministry said in a had decided that Metropolitan Hilarion would overstatement. “On February 27, 2022, Patriarch Kirill see the diocese of Budapest and Hungary. The blessed Russian soldiers participating in the war website said that the next chairman of the Departagainst Ukraine and provided a canonical justificament for External Church Relations would be tion for the war waged by Russia.” Metropolitan Anthony of Chersonesus and WestLithuania earlier proposed sanctions against the ern Europe, 37. It did not offer an explanation for Patriarch for the whole of the EU, though the move the personnel changes. was blocked by Hungary. (OrthoChristian) In September 2021, Hilarion gave the opening catechesis at the International Eucharistic Congress in BuPOPE FRANCIS: CATHOLIC-ORTHODOX dapest. Metropolitan Hilarion recently visited Hungary, DIALOGUE CAN PROMOTE WORLD PEACE where he met with Cardinal Péter Erdő, the Archbishop of “Seeking Christian unity is not merely a question internal Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary. to the Churches,” Pope Francis said June 30. “It is an essenIn an interview in January, on the eve of the conflict in tial condition for the realization of an authentic universal fraUkraine, Hilarion expressed opposition to war, citing the toll ternity, manifested in justice and solidarity towards all.” of previous battles. “First, let’s remember at what cost did The Pope spoke about the role of ecumenical dialogue in Russia win those wars. The price was millions of lives. Secpeace-building during a meeting with an Eastern Orthodox ondly, let’s recall that every war brings incalculable disasters delegation at the Vatican. to people,” he said. (Luke Coppen, CNA) InsideTheVatican.com t UrbietOrbiCommunications.com

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TradiTion and BeauTy

churches are ours — but before this, they are his n BY AURELIO PORFIRI*

remember the time of my hope for possibly be? It is nothadolescence, during my vising compared to the supernaturits to the beautiful Roman al greatness we still hope for. churches. At one point I felt like And our hope is invincible, it is I was at home, but not as if the a divine certainty. This is the church belonged to me. It was hope that animates us day by like the feeling of being in your day, even while our dreams fall; parents’ home: it’s your home, remaining alive, invincible in but only up to a point. Then I the heart, it continually lifts us really came to understand that up and pushes us on a restless that church was not simply a journey towards God. It is this building used for religious serhope that, day by day, impels us vices, but the house of God. on to new effort, prevents us Yet, growing up, it increasfrom abandoning ourselves as ingly seemed to me as if we conquered, discouraged, disapwere being taught a “squatter” pointed. It is this hope that attitude, that is, those who ocmoves us every day in an ever cupy a place and prevent the new search for God. He is far rightful owner from using it. away: yet, people still young in Of course you can do this strength and love, we tend with anyone, but it is a bit diffi- “Jesus is always there in the tabernacle toward Him; we will seek Him — where he, God, has chosen to cult to succeed at it with God. until death and we will never be co nfine himself to a space so that we Yet there are people, includable to say that we have ing not a few priests, who can always find him and venerate him” achieved Him. The longer He believe that by making our lives in our hearts, the greater music, our ceremonies, our gatherings, the church will will be the soul’s anxiety to possess Him, because the always be a little more ours. more we possess Him, the more we will realize that He In reality, it is always His, because a church without remains beyond our every grasp, elusive, unattainable, God is a contradiction. Who would it be for? immense. I hear a lot about these times of “post-theism,” that is, “Oh! Seek God! It is the whole Christian life, our an attitude in which the God we are used to no longer whole life. If our life is to be a return to a lost paradise, it makes sense. Obviously, theology tells us how complex must be a continuous conversion, a continuous journey, it is for finite human beings to attempt to speak of the One without fatigue. Come! The Lord has called us, we must who is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal. begin our sojourn now…. Forward! No fear and no disNevertheless, the church, like the temple for the Jews, couragement. It is He who lives in our hearts, it is He who allows men and women with their gives us the power to seek Him and to find Him: God!” limitations to place themselves in And in order to grant us this power, God wanted us to the presence of the Presence. meet Him also in places of beauty, which in many cases are churches, to pray with HIS music, to participate in A DIVINE CERTAINTY HIS ceremonies, to be summoned to HIS gatherings. In a text from 1957, the great God has not left us alone; he has given us a tradition Italian mystic Divo Barsotti in which to meet Him, a tradition that today seems almost (1914-2006) said: “What can all a dirty word. I don’t like being defined as a “traditionalthe human greatness that we could ist,” but can it really be such an offense? What are we 52

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

going to do today in our churches if we do not yearn to rejoin that tradition which is the way to meet God? And this does not mean the rejection of contemporaneity; but it does mean entering contemporaneity with even more depth. Some clerics think that offering a superficial contemporaneity serves to bring people back to God. No, I don’t think so — and the experience of these last five decades has taught us that this is in fact not the case. We cannot be medieval men, but we must be contemporary men who still know how to look at the world with a gaze that captures the beauty and sacredness of things.

LITTLE BY LITTLE The Brazilian thinker Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira (1908-1995) had this beautiful thought: “The conquest of truth begins as a slow explanation of what is already known. It is not through a book, but by putting in order the new things that we gradually become aware of, always according to that fundamental common sense of those first evidences. […] The conquest of truth is more or less a march de proche en proche [little by little]. From the truths I know, I do not jump immediately to the most remote truths, but instead walk modestly in the direction of the nearest ones. Then, I will walk from them to still others, even if I have already intuited the ultimate truth; because sometimes it does happen that one can intuit the ultimate truth. “I build the proof de proche en proche. But I do it without ostentation or fuss, in a humble, solid, organic way, without agitation. Speaking of which, I would argue that our most valuable book — by a long shot! — is each of us ourself. Indeed, we are not a book; each of us is an entire library, which contains immensely more than the libraries where actual books are located. No one has ever written everything that can be found in a man’s mind. (...) “What does a book do? It helps me to grasp some data I need, it gives me some thoughts well-founded by someone else, but it never happens that a whole book is poured into my head, in the Christian way. Really, that’s it! “The book is a simple repository of materials for my construction. It is therefore not a question of reading everything, nor of being aware of all the arguments, but of drawing from it a basic, fundamental, solid notion, which at times one cannot even be able to demonstrate in a discussion. “What then is the test of certainty? The consonance between what is stated and the data coming from common sense that everyone has. “I argue that it is from this mental process that certainties arise, because it is an initial certainty, which will develop de proche en proche.

“Ultimately, however, it is nothing more than a projection of the sense of good and evil, and of that innate sense of truth and error, which is refined and becomes more and more rigorous.” (Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, cited in: Roberto de Mattei, Plinio Corrèa de Oliveira, Apostle of Fatima, Prophet of the Kingdom of Mary).

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD Using this example, I can say that in our churches at one time the Church made available to us the best of music, painting, literature, doctrine, preaching, so that we would be able to get closer and closer to the supreme truth. What is left of all this? Yet, however much we might want, we could never drive God out of His house: however much we outrage Him, He remains there, patient, and awaits us. The church, every church, even the less beautiful ones (and unfortunately there are more and more of them) remains His home, templum Dei. But it is a house in which we cannot lock Him up, as if He did not dwell in all things, as St. Paul reminded us when he said to the Athenians, in the Book of Acts: “Passing in fact and observing the monuments of your cult, I also found an altar with the inscription: ‘To the unknown God.’ What you adore without knowing, I announce to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, who is lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples built by the hands of man, allowing himself to be served as if he needed something, being he who gives everyone life and breath and everything. He created all the nations of men out of one, to dwell on all the face of the earth. For them he established the order of times and the boundaries of their space, so that they might seek God, if they ever come to find him by groping, although he is not far from each of us. In fact, in him we live, move and exist, as some of your poets also have said: for we are his offspring” (Acts 17, 23-28). Yet, despite these words that we certainly cannot forget, Jesus is always there in the tabernacle — where He, God, has chosen to confine Himself to a space so that we can always find Him and venerate Him, with the confidence of children, but also with the respect that is certainly due to a Mystery so great.

* Aurelio Porfiri, FTCL Music Composition (Trinity College, London), Honorary Master and Organist for the Church of Santa Maria dell’Orto (Rome, Italy), Honorary Master and Organist St. Joseph Seminary Chapel (Macau, China), Choralife Publisher (Founder and Artistic Director).m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

Of Books, Art and People

“Second SiStine chapel” ReStoRed in euRope’S oldeSt hoSpital n BY LUCY GORDAN

n July 22, Sergio Mattarella, the President of Italy, inaugurated the reopening, after a two-year restoration, of the magnificent Renaissance Corsie Sistine or “Sistine Ward” at the oldest still-functioning hospital in Europe, the complex of Santo Spirito in Saxia. The extensive work repaired the carved wooden ceiling, the masonry, the interior and exterior plaster and revived the huge expanse (13,000 square feet) of frescoes and polychrome painted wood. The hospital, on the banks of the Tiber only a 10-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, was founded in 727 by King Ina of Wessex on the ancient site of the gardens of Agrippina the Elder, the wife of the general Germanicus and the mother of Emperor Caligula; Agrippina’s mother was Julia, the Emperor Augustus’ daughter. This fortified citadel was known as the Schola Saxonum because it provided accommodation and assistance to English pilgrims, including several kings, until the Norman Conquest, after which Santiago di Compostela and Canterbury became even more popular pilgrim venues than Rome, so the Schola gradually fell into disrepair. Then in 1198 Innocent III, Pope from 1198 to 1216, suffered greatly from a recurring dream: fishermen on the Tiber pulled up numerous bodies of drowned babies in their nets and presented them to the Pope. (Evidently, the babies, illegitimate, had been thrown into the river by their unwed or adulterous mothers.) The dream ended with an angel commanding Innocent to build a hospice for unwanted babies, so he commissioned the 54 INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

The tower of the Sistine Ward admired by Italian President Sergio Mattarella (bottom) during the inauguration of the restoration. In the circle, Innocent III, Pope from 1198 to 1216

architect Marchionne D’Arezzo to rebuild the Schola as a hospital for the care of abandoned infants, the sick, the poor and the homeless. Built in one of its exterior walls is a still-visible today “wheel of the exposed,” a wooden lazy susan behind a little door on which unwanted infants could be left anonymously and so subsequently cared for. In addition, on November 25, 1198, Innocent approved the Order of Hospitallers through the bull Religiosam vitam and put Guy de Montpellier, a Templar knight who’d already founded several hospitals in France, as well as his good works, under Vatican protection. He then created a statute of rules for the Order and entrusted the hospital’s management to Montpellier and his Order. Three years later, he endowed the hospital with considerable income; it also received numerous donations including one from the notorious King John of England (king from 1199-1216). Together these covered the cost of additional buildings for the hospital. Less than three centuries later, in 1471, the hospital was ravaged by a fire of unknown origin (thus unlike those fires of 800s, during the papacy of Leo IV [847-855], which had been set by Saracens marauders who’d traveled up the Tiber). Many centuries later these fires were depicted in Raphael’s fresco called Fire in the Borgo (1514-17) commissioned by Pope Julius II (r. 1506-13) for his apartments in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. Raphael’s fresco depicts Pope Leo IV putting out a fire in 847 with a benediction from a balcony in front of the old St. Peter’s Basilica. The newly-elected Pope Sixtus IV (1471-84) despaired of the hospital’s dark, airless ruins which he

Spirito numbered some described as looking “like a 100. The majority were loplace intended for captivity cated in Latium, but others rather than health recovwere in Umbria (Foligno), ery.” So, he ordered a full Abruzzo, Marche, Tuscany reconstruction of the facili(Florence), and the Kingties in anticipation of the dom of Naples (Pozzuoli). upcoming 1475 Jubilee. By the end of the 15th cenThe new structure, dubbed tury there were over 1,000. the Corsie Sistine (“Sistine To return to Rome, in Wards”), was the first ex1605, to guarantee a more ample of Renaissance civic organized management architecture in Rome. of the hospital’s fiSurmounted by an ocnances, Pope Paul V tagonal tower, the Corsie is (1605-21), also an an immense hall, 394 feet Above, Santo Spirito in Saxia on the banks of the Tiber; right, Pope Sixtus IV; below, Raphael’s Fire in the Borgo eager art collector long and 40 feet wide, diand the founder of the vided into two spaces sepaBorghese Gallery, suprated by a tower or lantern ported the founding of the designed by the Florentine Banco di Santo Spirito. In architect and ebeniste Giothe 17th century the bank vannino de’ Dolci. Under had its headquarters in the lantern at the center of Rome’s financial district the Corsie there’s a balnear the head of the dacchino (a canopy with Sant’Angelo Bridge. four columns over an altar), At the end of the 18th probably the only Roman century, Santo Spirito had work by Palladio. In the become the flagship charipast, behind the altar there table organization and main was a pipe organ to give hospital in Rome, owning some pleasure at least to 37,050 acres of land on the the ill during their stay. outskirts of the city. In Of particular beauty, 1896, all of Rome’s hospitals were administered together hence the Corsie’s attribution as “the second Sistine under the corporate name Pio Istituto di Santo Spirito ed Chapel” (even if it’s chronologically a bit earlier), are its Ospedali Riuniti di Roma, forming the largest hospital comfrescoed walls. Painted by Melozzo da Forlì, Domenico plex in Europe. However, the corporation was dissolved in Ghirlandaio, Pinturicchio, and Antoniazzo Romano, on fac1976 and since 1981 its endowment is administered by the ing walls they depict some 50 scenes from the lives of City. Popes Innocent III and Sixtus IV. Their most important I remember well the mostly elderly patients who were episodes are the drowning of illegitimate babies in the housed in the Corsie because this structure has a covered Tiber, the fishermen showing the dead babies to Pope Innowalkway and small terrace where they used to sit. Somecent III, his dream, and his establishing the hospital and ortime in the 1980s or 1990s, the Corsie was abandoned, and phanage. during the Jubilee Year 2000 this monumental complex beThanks to Sixtus IV, the rest of the hospital enjoyed a recame a congress center only to be closed again until now. birth. In addition to the care it provided, it became an imToday the complex belongs to the association “Historic portant center for scientific research. For example, within Conference Centers of Europe” and is a supporting member its Antica Spezieria (“Ancient Spicery”) the use of quinoa of the “Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association.” bark was first experimented as a treatment for malaria. So it At the inauguration of its re-opening to the public and of an is not surprising that Botticelli later reproduced the hospital exhibition of 48 photographs of healthcare worldwide durfaçade in the background of his fresco Jesus Cleansing a ing the pandemic, President Mattarella signed the Liber fraLeper (1480-1482) in the Sistine Chapel. ternitatis, an illuminated codex dating to 1446 and signed It wasn’t long before hospitals built on the model of Sanby most of the hospital’s benefactors since then. Dario to Saxia sprang up all over Europe. We know that before the Franceschini, Italy’s Minister of Culture, also announced papacy of Innocent III there were no hospitals dedicated to that there are many other historic hospitals in Italy slated for the care of illegitimate children, the poor and the homeless. restoration thanks to a new initiative by his Ministry.m At the end of the 13th century the Hospitals of the Santo SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN 55

THE END EXCERPTS FROM LORD OF THE WORLD

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

LORD OF THE WORLD BY ROBERT HUGH BENSON (1907) Book II, The Encounter, Chapter III (Note: The hero of the story, a young English priest, Fr. Percy Franklin, is in Rome to report to the Pope on what he has seen in England: the arrival of a leader proposing global harmony leaving aside Christ. The Pope has summoned the Curia to establish a new “Order of Christ Crucified.” The Pope is speaking... Then the scene shifts to England and the creation of... a new liturgy) “Of that vocation [to the new Order of Christ Crucified] it is unnecessary to speak beyond indicating that it may be pursued under any conditions laid down by the Superiors. As regards the novitiate, its conditions and requirements, we shall shortly issue the necessary directions. Each diocesan superior (for it is Our hope that none will hold back) shall have all such rights as usually appertain to Religious Superiors, and shall be empowered to employ his subjects in any work that, in his opinion, shall subserve the glory of God and the salvation of souls. It is Our Own intention to employ in Our service none except those who shall make their profession.” He [the Pope] raised his eyes once more, seemingly without emotion, then he continued: “So far, then, We have determined. On other matters We shall take counsel immediately; but it is Our wish that these words shall be communicated to all the world, that there may be no delay in making known what it is that Christ through His Vicar asks of all who profess the Divine Name. We offer no rewards except those which God Himself has promised to those that love Him, and lay down their life for Him; no promise of peace, save of that which passeth understanding; no home save that which befits pilgrims and sojourners who seek a City to come; no honour save the world’s contempt; no life, save that which is hid with Christ in God.” [Here the scene shifts from Rome to England] Book II, CHAPTER IV, Part I Oliver Brand, seated in his little private room at Whitehall, was expecting a visitor. It was already close upon ten o’clock, and at 56

INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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

half-past he must be in the House. He had hoped that Mr. Francis, whoever he might be, would not detain him long. Even now, every moment was a respite, for the work had become simply prodigious during the last weeks. But he was not reprieved for more than a minute, for the last boom from the Victoria Tower had scarcely ceased to throb when the door opened and a clerkly voice uttered the name he was expecting. Oliver shot one quick look at the stranger, at his drooping lids and down-turned mouth, summed him up fairly and accurately in the moments during which they seated themselves, and went briskly to business. “At twenty-five minutes past, sir, I must leave this room,” he said. “Until then—.” he made a little gesture. Mr. Francis reassured him. “Thank you, Mr. Brand—that is ample time. Then, if you will excuse me—.” He groped in his breast-pocket, and drew out a long envelope. “I will leave this with you,” he said, “when I go. It sets out our desires at length and our names. And this is what I have to say, sir.” He sat back, crossed his legs, and went on, with a touch of eagerness in his voice. “I am a kind of deputation, as you know,” he said. “We have something both to ask and to offer. I am chosen because it was my own idea. First, may I ask a question?” Oliver bowed. “I wish to ask nothing that I ought not. But I believe it is practically certain, is it not?—that Divine Worship is to be restored throughout the kingdom?” Oliver smiled. “I suppose so,” he said. “The bill has been read for the third time, and, as you know, the President is to speak upon it this evening.” “He will not veto it?” “We suppose not. He has assented to it in Germany.” “Just so,” said Mr. Francis. “And if he assents here, I suppose it will become law immediately.” Oliver leaned over this table, and drew out the green paper that contained the Bill. “You have this, of course—” he said. “Well, it becomes law at once; and the first feast will be observed on the first of October. ‘Paternity,’ is it not? Yes, Paternity.” “There will be something of a rush then,” said the other eagerly. “Why, that is only a week hence.” “I have not charge of this department,” said Oliver, laying back

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)

the Bill. “But I understand that the ritual will be that already in use in Germany. There is no reason why we should be peculiar.” “And the Abbey will be used?” “Why, yes.” “Well, sir,” said Mr. Francis, “of course I know the Government Commission has studied it all very closely, and no doubt has its own plans. But it appears to me that they will want all the experience they can get.” “No doubt.” “Well, Mr. Brand, the society which I represent consists entirely of men who were once Catholic priests. We number about two hundred in London. I will leave a pamphlet with you, if I may, stating our objects, our constitution, and so on. It seemed to us that here was a matter in which our past experience might be of service to the Government. Catholic ceremonies, as you know, are very intricate, and some of us studied them very deeply in old days. We used to say that Masters of Ceremonies were born, not made, and we have a fair number of those amongst us. But indeed every priest is something of a ceremonialist.” He paused. “Yes, Mr. Francis?” “I am sure the Government realises the immense importance of all going smoothly. If Divine Service was at all grotesque or disorderly, it would largely defeat its own object. So I have been deputed to see you, Mr. Brand, and to suggest to you that here is a body of men—reckon it as at least 25—who have had special experience in this kind of thing, and are perfectly ready to put themselves at the disposal of the Government.” Oliver could not resist a faint flicker of a smile at the corner of his mouth. It was a very grim bit of irony, he thought, but it seemed sensible enough. “I quite understand, Mr. Francis. It seems a very reasonable suggestion. But I do not think I am the proper person. Mr. Snowford—.” “Yes, yes, sir, I know. But your speech the other day inspired us all. You said exactly what was in all our hearts—that the world could not live without worship; and that now that God was found at last—.” Oliver waved his hand. He hated even a touch of flattery. “It is very good of you, Mr. Francis. I will certainly speak to Mr. Snowford. I understand that you offer yourselves as— as Masters of Ceremonies—?” “Yes, sir; and sacristans. I have studied the German ritual very carefully; it is more elaborate than I had thought it. It will need a good deal of adroitness. I imagine that you will want at least a dozen Ceremoniarii in the Abbey; and a dozen more in the vestries will scarcely be too much.” Oliver nodded abruptly, looking curiously at the eager pathetic face of the man opposite him; yet it had something, too, of that mask-like priestly look that he had seen before in others like him. This was evidently a devotee. “You are all Masons, of course?” he said. “Why, of course, Mr. Brand.” “Very good. I will speak to Mr. Snowford to-day if I can

catch him.” He glanced at the clock. There were yet three or four minutes. “You have seen the new appointment in Rome, sir,” went on Mr. Francis. Oliver shook his head. He was not particularly interested in Rome just now. “Cardinal Martin is dead—he died on Tuesday— and his place is already filled.” “Indeed, sir?” “Yes—the new man was once a friend of mine—Franklin, his name is—Percy Franklin.” “Eh?” “What is the matter, Mr. Brand? Did you know him?” Oliver was eyeing him darkly, a little pale. “Yes; I knew him,” he said quietly. “At least, I think so.” “He was at Westminster until a month or two ago.” “Yes, yes,” said Oliver, still looking at him. “And you knew him, Mr. Francis?” “I knew him—yes.” “Ah!—well, I should like to have a talk some day about him.” He broke off. It yet wanted a minute to his time. “And that is all?” he asked. “That is all my actual business, sir,” answered the other. “But I hope you will allow me to say how much we all appreciate what you have done, Mr. Brand. I do not think it is possible for any, except ourselves, to understand what the loss of worship means to us. It was very strange at first—.” His voice trembled a little, and he stopped. Oliver felt interested, and checked himself in his movement to rise. “Yes, Mr. Francis?” The melancholy brown eyes turned on him full. “It was an illusion, of course, sir— we know that. But I, at any rate, dare to hope that it was not all wasted—all our aspirations and penitence and praise. We mistook our God, but none the less it reached Him— it found its way to the Spirit of the World. It taught us that the individual was nothing, and that He was all. And now—.” “Yes, sir,” said the other softly. He was really touched. The sad brown eyes opened full. “And now Mr. Felsenburgh is come.” He swallowed in his throat. “Julian Felsenburgh!” There was a world of sudden passion in his gentle voice, and Oliver’s own heart responded. “I know, sir,” he said; “I know all that you mean.” “Oh! to have a Saviour at last!” cried Francis. “One that can be seen and handled and praised to His Face! It is like a dream—too good to be true!” Oliver glanced at the clock, and rose abruptly, holding out his hand. “Forgive me, sir. I must not stay. You have touched me very deeply…. I will speak to Snowford. Your address is here, I understand?” He pointed to the papers. “Yes, Mr. Brand. There is one more question.” “I must not stay, sir,” said Oliver, shaking his head. “One instant—is it true that this worship will be compulsory?” Oliver bowed as he gathered up his papers. (To be continued) m INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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

JUNE

from a non-profit organization. No reports were received that were directly or indirectly linked to the financing of terrorism.” (CNA)

FRIDAY 3

VATICAN RELAXES VACCINE MANDATE, MASKING RULES The Vatican in June updated its COVID-19 protocols, allowing most employees and visitors to enter Vatican City State without a vaccination certificate or proof of recovery. In a decree published June 2 by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, said that “entry to the dicasteries, bodies, and offices that make up the Roman Curia and the institutions connected with the Holy See is permitted without the obligation” of having the vaccine certificate known as a “super green pass.” In Italy, the “super green pass” was given only to people who were fully vaccinated or recently recovered from the disease, thus placing even more restrictions on those who were unvaccinated without medical reason. However, the decree stated that the vaccine mandate “remained in effect for the Pontifical Swiss Guards.” Cardinal Parolin also eased the Vatican’s mask requirements, decreeing that wearing masks indoors or in large gatherings, while no longer required, “is strongly recommended.” Nevertheless, “the obligation to comply with health requirements regarding hand sanitation and the frequent ventilation and periodic sanitization of rooms remains,” the decree said. (CNS) MONDAY 13

VATICAN’S FINANCIAL WATCHDOG SEES RISE IN SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORTS IN 2021 The Vatican’s financial watchdog authority reported on June 13 that it received 104 suspicious activity reports in 2021, an increase from the previous year. In a 35-page annual report, the Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF) said that it submitted 21 reports to the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice (prosecutor), the highest number in the past five years. The watchdog authority is responsible for financial intelligence, as well as combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. It supervises the Institute for the Works of Religion (the IOR or “Vatican bank”). In its report, it said: “With regard to financial intelligence activities, in 2021 ASIF’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) received 104 reports of suspicious activity, 98 of which from the obliged entity [IOR], 5 from Vatican authorities, and 1 58 INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

TUESDAY 14

POPE FRANCIS TO BISHOP BÄTZING: WE DON’T NEED TWO EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN GERMANY Pope Francis said in an interview published on June 14 that he told the leader of Germany’s Catholic bishops that the country already had “a very good Evangelical Church” and “we don’t need two.” The Pope recalled his remark to Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German bishops’ conference, during a conversation with the editors of Jesuit journals. The dialogue, which also touched on the war in Ukraine and opposition to Vatican II, was published in La Civiltà Cattolica on June 14 but was conducted on May 19. The Pope had been asked what he thought of the German “Synodal Way,” a controversial multi-year gathering of bishops and lay people to discuss four main topics: the way power is exercised in the Church, the priesthood, the role of women, and sexual morality. (CNA) THURSDAY 23

RECORDS OF JEWS WHO SOUGHT VATICAN HELP DURING HOLOCAUST ARE NOW PUBLIC Relatives of Holocaust survivors and victims can now look through the files of more than 2,700 Jews who sought help through Vatican channels to escape Nazi persecution before and during the Second World War. The archives have gone public on the internet at the request of Pope Francis. The files constitute “a heritage that is precious because it gathers the requests for help sent to Pope Pius XII by Jewish people, both the baptized and the non-baptized, after the beginning of Nazi and fascist persecution,” Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, said in a June 23 article for Vatican News. This heritage is “now easily accessible to the entire world thanks to a project aimed at publishing the complete digitalized version of the archival series,” he said. “Making the digitized version of the entire Jews/Jewish people series available on the internet will allow the descendants of those who asked for help to find traces of their loved ones from any part of the world. At the same time, it will allow scholars and anyone interested to freely examine this special archival heritage, from a distance.” The files are hosted at the website for the Historical Archive of the Secretariat of State’s Section for Relations

with States and International Organizations. The archive hosts a photographic reproduction of each document and an analytical inventory that names all those requesting help. (CNA) SATURDAY 25

NEXT WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES TO BE HELD IN 2028 The next World Meeting of Families will be held in 2028, Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced in St. Peter’s Square on June 25. The prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, made the announcement at the end of Mass for the Tenth World Meeting of Families, which ended on June 26. He also said a “Jubilee of Families” will take place with Pope Francis in 2025, the Catholic Church’s next Jubilee Year. The cardinal, whose office helps organize the international event, did not say which city will host the eleventh edition of the gathering six years from now. (CNA)

JULY

then renewed for another two years in October 2020. The terms of the agreement have not been made public. (CNA) TUESDAY 12

POPE FRANCIS CONSIDERS IT AN “INCOHERENCE” THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN, A CATHOLIC, SUPPORTS ABORTION RIGHTS Pope Francis has described it as an “incoherence” that President Joe Biden, a Catholic, is in favor of legal abortion. During an interview with Univisión and Televisa broadcast on July 12, Pope Francis spoke about abortion and Biden’s position, after being asked about whether to admit politicians who promote legal abortion to Holy Communion. The Holy Father affirmed that there is scientific data that shows that “a month after conception, the DNA of the fetus is already there and the organs are aligned. There is human life.” “Is it just to eliminate a human life?” he then asked. As for the defense of abortion by the U.S. president, Pope Francis stated that he leaves it to Biden’s “conscience.” “Let (Biden) talk to his pastor about that incoherence,” the Pope said. (CNA)

MONDAY 4

POPE FRANCIS CONDEMNS ABORTION IN NEW COMMENTS ABOUT ROE V. WADE DECISION, RESPONDS TO QUESTION ON COMMUNION Pope Francis condemned abortion in new comments about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In a Reuters interview published July 4, Francis compared abortion to “hiring a hit man.” When asked whether a Catholic politician who supports the right to choose abortion can receive the sacrament of Communion, he focused on the danger of bishops losing their “pastoral nature.” Speaking to Reuters over the weekend, the Pope said he respected the ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, though he did not know enough to speak about the juridical aspects. (CNA) TUESDAY 5

POPE FRANCIS SAYS HE HOPES VATICAN-CHINA DEAL WILL BE RENEWED Pope Francis said he hopes the Vatican’s provisional agreement with China on the appointment of Catholic bishops will be renewed for the second time in October. In comments to Reuters in the same interview, but published July 5, the Pope said “the agreement is moving well and I hope that in October it can be renewed.” The VaticanChina agreement was first signed in September 2018 and

SATURDAY 30

POPE FRANCIS ON THE CHURCH’S TEACHING ON CONTRACEPTION On his flight home from a 5-day trip to Canada on the night of Friday, July 29 into the morning of Saturday, July 30, Pope Francis was asked by a journalist whether Church teaching on contraception could change. He answered: “This (question) is very timely.” (The Pontifical Academy for Life, headed by Archbishop Vincent Paglia (photo), released on July 1 a book, Ethics and Theology of Life: Scripture, Tradition, Practical Challenges, containing texts from a study seminar of theologians in 2021. In it, opinions are expressed in favor of allowing contraception in some cases.) “But,” Francis continued, “know that dogma, morality, is always in a path of development, but development in the same direction.” The Pope said he thinks that the “development” of Catholic moral doctrine, in general, is fine, but he noted that such “development” must follow rules outlined by the 5th-century theologian St. Vincent of Lérins. “That is,” he said, “it (Church doctrine) consolidates with time, it expands and consolidates, and becomes more steady, but is always ‘progressing.’ That is why the duty of theologians is research, theological reflection. You cannot do theology with a ‘no’ in front of it.” He summed up: “The Magisterium will be the one to say ‘no.’” n SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

PEOPLE

BY MATTHEW TROJACEK with G. Galazka, CNA and CNS photos

n POPE FRANCIS NAMES POPE MEETS CARDINAL CUPICH A WITH CANADIAN P.M. MEMBER OF VATICAN Pope Francis met with CONGREGATION FOR Canadian Prime Minister Justin DIVINE WORSHIP Trudeau July 27, in Quebec Pope Francis on June 1 City, as part of the Pope’s weeknamed Cardinal Blase long “penitential pilgrimage” to Cupich, archbishop of Canada. It was at Trudeau’s inChicago, a member of the vitation that Pope Francis came Vatican’s Congregation to the country, an invitation reitfor Divine Worship and the erated in 2017 when Trudeau Discipline of the Sacraments. visited the Pope at the Vatican. In 2021, Cupich welcomed the publiTrudeau, a Catholic, has been criticized during his tenure as prime miniscation of the motu proprio Traditionis ter for supporting policies that are at odds with his Catholic faith, including custodes, which restricted celebrations strongly pushing for the continuation of legal abortion in Canada, as well as of the Traditional Latin Mass, thus makassisted suicide. ing clear his approach toward liturgical norms. Other Churchmen named as members of the congregation n BISHOPS’ RELEASE SOUGHT AHEAD OF include the Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect VATICAN-CHINA DEAL RENEWAL of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, and the Chinese Catholics are demanding that the Bronx-born Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, adjunct secreVatican make the release of two jailed bishops tary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. (CNA) a condition for the renewal of the controversial 2018 Vatican-China agreement that expires in n POPE FRANCIS MOURNS ORDER OF MALTA October, says a report. LEADER FRA’ MARCO LUZZAGO Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu In a condolence message on June 8, Pope Francis praised of Xinxiang Diocese in Henan province and the “luminous Christian witness” of Order of Bishop Augustine Cui Tai of Xuanhua DioMalta leader Fra’ Marco Luzzago. cese in Hebei province are in jail after they Luzzago, who had overseen the 1,000were arrested for refusing to toe the official year-old institution since 2020, died on June 7 after CATHOLIC CHURCH SET a sudden illness. ABLAZE IN CONFLICT-TORN The Pope offered his condolences in MYANMAR (FORMERLY BURMA) a telegram to Cardinal Silvano Maria St. Matthew Church in Dognekhu Tomasi, the Pope’s special delegate to Parish of Loikaw Diocese, in eastern the Order of Malta. Myanmar’s Kayah state, was burned The telegram said: “Spiritually shardown by junta troops on June 15. ing in the grief at the sudden passing of Soldiers had encamped inside the His Excellency Fra’ Marco Luzzago, church and burned it down along with Lieutenant of the Grand Master, I wish several homes before leaving the area, according to Church sources. to offer my condolences to his family Local media reports said fighting between the military and Karenni Naand to the entire order and, in rememtional Defense Force (KNDF) has intensified in Kayah state since June 6. bering his commitment generously lavAt least nine Catholic churches have been hit by artillery shelling and ished in the performance of his high ofairstrikes by Myanmar’s military in Loikaw Diocese since the conflict befice in the service of this institution, as tween military and rebel forces erupted in May 2021. The latest attack on a church came only a few days after the Catholic well as his love for the Church Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar appealed to parties in the conflict to reand luminous Christian spect churches, hospitals, and schools. witness, I invoke eternal “Human dignity and the right to life can never be compromised,” the bishpeace for him and from ops said in a June 11 statement that demanded “respect for life, respect for the my heart impart my blesssanctity of sanctuary in places of worship, hospitals, and schools again.” ing to you. . . to the interim Some 16 parishes out of 38 in Loikaw Diocese have been abandoned by Lieutenant Fra’ Ruy Gonçapriests, nuns, and parishioners, who have fled to safe areas following intensilo do Valle Peixoto de Villas-Boas, to fied fighting. the Grand Magistry, and to all the memMore than 1,900 people, including over 100 children, have been killed and bers of the Sovereign Military Order of over 14,000 detained since a coup on February 1, 2021. (UCANews) Malta.” (CNA) 60 INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

line of the Communist regime and join the state-sanctioned church in China. Catholics across China are demanding that the Vatican should “not just ask for the release” of the bishops but “should make it a pre-condition” for renewing the agreement, said a report in Bitter Winter, a magazine specializing in Chinese Catholicism, on June 22. The magazine said it has sourced opinions of the clergy, religious, and laypeople, who said they are respectful to the Pope and the Vatican but still believe the Vatican has been “misled” by the Chinese regime over the deal. The Vatican-China deal, the provisions for which have not been made public, was first signed in 2018 for two years and was renewed for another two years in October 2020. It expires in October unless renewed by then. (UCANews)

RUSSELL CROWE TO STAR IN SUPERNATURAL THRILLER THE POPE’S EXORCIST

Russell Crowe is set to star in The Pope’s Exorcist, a supernatural thriller that Julius Avery, the helmer behind the 2018 horror movie Overlord, will direct for Screen Gems; production is set to begin in September 2022. Crowe will portray real-life figure Father Gabriele Amorth, a priest who acted as chief exorcist of the Vatican and who performed more than 100,000 exorcisms in his lifetime. (He passed away in 2016 at the age of 91.) Amorth wrote two memoirs — An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist: More Stories — and detailed his experiences battling demons who had taken people into their evil clutches. Screen Gems previously acquired the life rights to the chief exorcist from Michael Patrick Kaczmarek and faithbased media company Loyola Productions; the deal included rights to Amorth’s two international best-selling tomes. Amorth also left behind many other detailed accounts of his exorcisms. (HollywoodReporter)

n VATICAN ASKS INDIAN ARCHBISHOP TO RESIGN OVER LITURGICAL DISPUTE An archbishop of the Eastern Rite Syro-Malabar Church has resigned following the Vatican’s directions after he was accused of defying the Church’s supreme synod in the decades-long liturgical dispute. Archbishop Antony Kariyil, the vicar of the major archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese in southern Kerala state, expressed willingness to resign on July 26, six days after he was summoned to the Vatican nunciature in New Delhi. The nuncio issued a letter asking him to tender his resignation immediately, said archdiocesan officials from the Eastern Rite Syro-Malabar Church. Archbishop Kariyil initially refused as no valid reason was cited for his resignation. He handed over a letter to the nuncio seeking to apprise Pope Francis about the developments, officials added. The resignation comes after Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the nuncio to India, arrived at the Archbishop’s House on July 26 and held a discussion with Archbishop Kariyil. (UCANews)

n ARCHBISHOP’S ARREST UPON RETURN FROM ISRAEL UPSETS LEBANON’S CHRISTIANS Lebanon’s Maronite Christian community has voiced its concern over the July 19 arrest and interrogation of their Archbishop Musa alHajj in his own country as he returned from an aid trip to Israel, reports say. The arrest at the border crossing and the interrogation had been ordered by the Military Court’s Government Commissioner, Judge Fadi Akiki, according to the American Mideast Coalition for Democracy. Musa al-Hajj is not only the archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land but also the patriarchal vicar for Jerusalem, the Palestinian Territories, and the Hashemite Kingdom, the group noted in a statement. The archbishop’s trip to Israel involved visiting the 4,000strong Christian Maronite community, many of whom are refugees from the 1975–1990 civil war in Lebanon. (ChristianPost)

WORD ON FIRE’S ROBERT BARRON INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF WINONAROCHESTER Bishop Robert Barron, the founder of the Catholic media apostolate Word on Fire, was installed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, at Saint John the Evangelist Co-Cathedral in Rochester on July 29. Appointed by Pope Francis earlier this summer, Barron is returning to the Midwest after almost seven years as auxiliary bishop in the Santa Barbara region of Los Angeles, California. As a young priest serving in Chicago, Barron broadcast his homilies on a local radio station, attracting the attention of Cardinal Francis George, who urged him to share his learning and eloquence with the wider world. With George’s support, Barron founded the non-profit Word on Fire media apostolate, which shares the traditions of the Catholic faith through a multimedia platform that includes artwork, theology, and philosophy. Through daily blog posts, articles, videos, and an archive of hundreds of online homilies, Barron’s ministry has reached millions across the globe. (CNA)m SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 INSIDE THE VATICAN

Food FoR THoUGHT

Stefano Navarrini illustration

n BY MOTHER MARTHA

he International Slow Food Movement was founded in 1986 by Carlo Petrini, political activist, journalist, author, and publisher, as a protest against the newly-opened McDonald’s near Rome’s elegant Piazza di Spagna, the first “fast-food” restaurant in Italy. Today the International Slow Food Movement boasts millions of members from more than 1,500 conviva (local chapters) in more than 160 countries. Its members are typically chefs, farmers, fishermen, activists, academics, and producers, but anyone (including me) with a passion for food can join. Members enjoy seminars and special “0-miles” meals, and can buy food products and books at discounted prices, so look for the chapter closest to you. Slow Food’s primary missions are to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions and to counteract the rise of “fast food” and a fast lifestyle, and to combat people’s dwindling interest in the quality of the food they eat or in its provenance and in how our food choices affect the world around us. In short, Slow Food must be fresh, seasonal, and locally produced, as well as part of the local culture. Food production and consumption should not harm the environment or animal and human health. Producers must work in safe, sanitary conditions and receive fair pay for their products, and consumer prices must be accessible. On July 16, at its 8th Slow Food Interrnational Congress in Pollenzo, Italy, held at the campus of the University of Gastronomic Sciences that Petrini founded in October 2004, Petrini told the delegates, who represented conviva worldwide: “The role of food as the main culprit in environmental disaster is emerging ever more loudly and clearly…We need governance that leaves space for new generations. We must be able to combine the new with our history. The path taken so far has allowed us to achieve goals that once seemed unattainable and has made us what we are. However, today’s world is profoundly different from the one that saw the beginnings of our movement. We must therefore welcome and allow ourselves to be directed by the creativity and intuition of new individuals capable of interpreting the present and outlining the trajectory that will allow the achievement of future goals.” At the end of this speech, Petrini, aged 73, announced his retirement, so Slow Food’s Executive Committee, the organization’s highest decision-making body, elected Edward “Edie” Mukiibi Petrini’s successor. He was born in Kisoga in Uganda’s Mukono district to a family of poor farmers the same year that Petrini

founded Slow Food, 1986. A tropical agronomist with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and land use management from Makerere University in Kampala as well as a Master of Gastronomy from the University of Gastronomic Sciences, after graduation Mukiibi returned to Uganda to teach and work with local farmers and set up DISC (Developing Innovations in School Cultivation), which fights crop loss and food waste. As executive director of Slow Food Uganda since 2012 and Vice President of International Slow Food since 2014, Mukiibi has been instrumental in the development of Slow Food Gardens, a project that has created thousands of green spaces to preserve African food biodiversity and help communities access nutritious food. His aim was to recast the farming profession as a dignified and profitable career option, offering a solution to youth unemployment in Uganda. In 2008 Mukiibi was invited to Terra Madre, Salone del Gusto, the largest international event, open to the public, dedicated to food politics, sustainable agriculture and the environment, to share his story. This conference too, was launched by Petrini in 2004. Mukiibi describes it as a life-changing visit. As President of Slow Food International, Mukiibi will continue to collaborate with the organization Food Wise, which helps young people reconnect with local and traditional foods and cuisines to protect African cultures, gastronomy and biodiversity. Another of Mukiibi’s projects is to transform his family’s farm into a 360-degree ecological food and social enterprise. “When we reconnect young people to reduce rural migration,” Mukiibi said in his acceptance speech, “we build a community that understands the real value of growing our own food and using the land we have… The world is getting younger…In Africa alone 70% of the population is under 40.” He continued: “Staying together as a network and a global food movement is critical for making a lasting impact on a food system that has become a burden for the planet to bear,” adding that he was looking forward to presiding over Terra Madre to be held in Turin from September 22-26. Other important recognitions that Mukiibi has received include the Ray Charles “Black Hand in the Pot” Sustainability Award from Dillard University in New Orleans, and a Testimonial Resolution from the City of Detroit. Last year he was listed in the Empowering Educators category of the British-based 50 Next Awards as one of the young people under 35 shaping the future of gastronomy.m

A NEW ERA FOR “SLOW FOOD”

Below left, Edward “Edie” Mukiibi, the new president of the worldwide “Slow Food” movement; right, “Edie” with founder Carlo Petrini

photos credit @MarcoDelComune

62 INSIDE THE VATICAN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022

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Inside the Vatican magazine September-October 2022

Articles inside

The Synod on Synodality: Is the Church really going to the “Peripheries?”

“Second Sistine Chapel” Restored in Europe’s Oldest Hospital

Italy’s “Miracles of Mercy”

“The Pope is the Only Leader Close to Those Who Suffer in Ukraine”