The
S outher n C ross www.scross.co.za
May 1 to May 7, 2013
Archbishop Romero’s cause now ‘unblocked’
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Cardinal Napier writes about his time in Rome
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r6,00 (incl VAT rSA)
reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 4821
Change Mass to keep youth in the Church?
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Way clear for JP2 canonisation? By CINdy WoodEN
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VATICAN-CONVOKED commission of doctors has concluded that a healing attributed to Bl John Paul II had no natural explanation, according to Italian news reports. Eventual papal approval of the alleged miracle would clear the way for the canonisation of the pope, who died on April 2, 2005, and was beatified on May 1, 2011. Once a panel of physicians convoked by the Congregation for Saints’ Causes determines a healing is authentic and lasting, and that there is no natural, medical explanation for it, the files are passed on to a panel of theologians. The theologians study the events—especially the prayers—surrounding the alleged miracle and give their opinion on whether the healing can be attributed to the intercession of a particular sainthood candidate. If the theologians give a positive opinion, the cardinals who are members of the congregation vote on whether to recommend that the pope recognise the healing as a miracle and set a canonisation date. The newspaper Il Messaggero quoted Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, as saying: “There is a widespread desire for the canonisation [of Bl John Paul], but no date has been set. First these two formal acts [by the theologians and by the cardinals] are necessary, and then the decree of the pope about the miracle.” In sainthood causes, the votes by the board of physicians usually are kept confidential. News about progress in causes generally is known only once a pope approves decrees related to them. Mgr Slawomir Oder, the postulator of Bl John Paul’s cause, was not giving interviews
Fr Francis Nkoane Mahubane was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Giuseppe Sandri of Witbank (left) at Luckau during a very lively Eucharistic celebration. Hundreds of people attended the ordination, in spite of heavy rain. Fr Mahubane was the third local priest ordained for the diocese of Witbank this year.
No bonuses for Vatican staff By FrANCIS X roCCA
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N an austerity move like those being taken by governments around the world, the Vatican will not pay its employees a bonus marking the March 13 election of Pope Francis, but will instead make a donation to charity. “In the past, on the occasion of the start of a pontificate, a bonus was granted to Vatican employees,” Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ told reporters. “In the present case, given the difficult economic situation in general, it seemed neither possible nor opportune to burden the budgets of Vatican offices with a considerable, extraordinary and unexpected expense,” Fr Lombardi said. “Instead, the Holy Father has decided to make a donation to some charitable organizations, drawing on funds available for the charity of the pope, as a sign of concern for the many persons in difficulty,” the Jesuit priest said.
In 2007, Vatican employees received the equivalent of R6 000 at the current exchange rate in celebration of Pope Benedict XVI’s 80th birthday. Two years earlier, they received R18 000 after the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the election of his successor. But no bonus was paid in 2012 when Pope Benedict turned 85. The Holy See, which employs about 2 800 people, reported a deficit of R180 million for 2011. The commission governing Vatican City State, which employs about 1 900 people, reported a surplus of R260 million for the same period. The surplus was largely attributed to revenues from the Vatican Museums. Since his election, Pope Francis has said that he wants a “poor Church, for the poor”, and discouraged his fellow Argentinians from travelling to Rome for his Mass of inauguration, suggesting that they donate the cost of the trip to charity instead.—CNS
A tapestry featuring an image of Pope John Paul II hangs from the facade of St Peter’s basilica during his Mass of beatification at the Vatican on May 1, 2011. A commission of doctors concluded a healing attributed to him had no natural explanation, according to reports. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS) in late April. Several Italian newspapers quoted an unidentified source as saying the alleged miracle presented to the Vatican involved a woman who was healed just a few hours after the late pope was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. When the details are made public “many people will be surprised”, the source said. The web-based Vatican Insider spoke to Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Bl John Paul’s longtime secretary, about the canonisation. “It would be marvellous if it took place during the Year of Faith,” which ends in November, the cardinal was quoted as saying. He said he hoped the ceremony could be held in October, “35 years after his election” to the papacy in 1978.—CNS
More Fatima statues to be donated STAFF rEPorTEr
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PORTUGUESE businessman who earlier this year donated 14 large statues of Our Lady of Fatima to churches in Southern Africa is offering 36 more statues to parishes in the region. Applying parishes can now choose between a metre-high altar statue which is suitable for display on the main altar, and an 80cm-high statue which is suitable for display in a chapel or indoor shrine. Both types of statues are handpainted and delicate, and must be displayed inside churches and out of reach of parishioners. They are unsuited for display outdoors and in grottos. The offer is intended to foster devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and to the rosary. Therefore the statues are donated on the condition that the recipient parish as a community recites the rosary once a month, particularly during the period from May 13 through to October. The businessman, who prefers not to be named, suggested that parishes form
prayer groups devoted to Our Lady of Fatima, hold processions and Benediction services. “Let’s get a date with the best lady in the world,” the donor said. A second condition is that the donated statue be placed at an altar in the main church or in a side chapel or shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. All parishes willing to meet these conditions are invited to apply through their parish priest. Parishes that previously applied must apply again. Applications must state the page number on which the parish is listed in the Southern African Catholic Directory 2011-2012 edition. This will serve as a reference number. Statues are awarded on a first-come-first serve basis. They will be delivered by Advance Transports of Cape Town. Outside of South Africa statues will be delivered to the nearest Catholic church to the relevant border for collection). Applications must be sent to jjvcamara@gmail.com and the closing date is May 31.