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World News Archive Intercession of Virgin Mary prevented war in South America, newspaper reveals
Bogota, Mar
24, 2008 / 11:19 am (CNA).- The Colombian daily "El Tiempo"
revealed on Holy Saturday that a crisis that could have ended
in an open conflict between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela was
averted by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe confiding the situation
to the intercession of Mary under the three different titles by
which she is the country's patroness. In response, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa cut all diplomatic relationships with Colombia. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Correa's political ally, ordered a massive military surge to the Colombian border as well. Quoting Fr. Julio Solórzano, Chaplain of Colombia's Presidential Palace, El Tiempo revealed that on March 5, when the rhetoric and blames between the presidents was increasing tensions, President Uribe called for a Rosary to pray for the end of tensions. The Rosary, prayed at the Presidential Palace's chapel, was dedicated, upon Uribe's request, to the Marian to Our Lady of Chiquinquira, Our Lady of Coromoto and Our Lady of Mercy, respectively the patronesses of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. Uribe invited all officials at the Presidential palace to the Rosary, as well as the minister of Defense and the Interior. "For believers -El Tiempo wrote- the prayer was more than effective, since only two days after the presidents of the three countries shook hands during the Group of Rio summit, and for many the crisis was over." In fact, on April 7, at the Dominican Republic summit, the three presidents vented their differences, but agreed to stand down after Colombia apologized for the raid. "The President is a man of faith, he always carries with him a wooden Cross and a Rosary. I have heard him pray several times in the motorcade or on the presidential airplane." "He always tries to be coherent with his faith in his work, pleasing God with what he does," Fr. Solórzano was quoted by the "El Tiempo." Seven Lutherans Pastors towards Catholicism after SSPX Ignatian Retreats. TALLINN (REVAL, Estonia) - From the 6th to the 11th November Fr. Karl Stehlin, Warsaw-based priest of the Society of St. Pius X, preached Ignatian Exercises for seven Lutheranist pastors who had asked for these. During these days he was allowed to daily celebrate Holy Mass in one of the oldest churches of Estonia, one which was built 790 years ago. These were days of many graces, like alle participants expressed afterwards. The Lutheran pastors were particularly impressed by the deep, meditating way Saint Ignace of Loyola teaches the contemplation of the life of Jesus by Sacred Scripture. One of the seven Lutheran participants said, that he finally understood during these Ignatian exercises how to read the Bible in a meditating and comprehending way. Another one said: "I discovered Mary!" All prayed with great joy each day the Holy Rosary. The pastors also want to bring the Rosary to the attention of their own faithful. Overall, the participants praised the miraculous logic, unity and harmony of the Roman Catholic Faith, which shone brightly during the exercises. Let us, Catholics, pray, that this Ignatian retreat brings about rich fruits, so many persons from Estonia are brought to the eternal truth of our holy, Catholic Faith. (FSSPX.info, Germany)
RU (cf. LPL July 31) On July 30, 2006, in the church St Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris, the Swedish Lutheran pastor Sten Sandmark converted, together with his associate Joacim Svensson, to the Catholic Church. On this occasion, Mgr Tissier de Mallerais, of the FSSPX, pronounced a historic sermon that we are pleased to reproduce and to reveal here. It's hopefully the starting point of a vast "ecumenical" activity - in the true meaning of this word i.e. the return of all other Christians to the Catholic Church - that the FSSPX is called to take over, since the authorities, in the name of modern oecumenism, don't want any more to exercise this function.
SWEDEN - SPECIAL EDITION. July 30, 2006. The Lutheran Rev. Fr. Sten SANDMARK, pastor of the parish of Oskarshamn in Sweden, converted on Sunday July 30th, 2006, to the Catholic Church at St Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris, during the solemn mass of 10.30 A.M. He celebrated his last Lutheran office on Sunday July 16th in his parish, in order to finish his contract which bound him to the national Church of Sweden. Please find hereafter his last sermon which he addressed to his 300 practicing churchgoers, on a total of 12,000 faithful officially registered in the parish:
Austria
Honors Traditional Archbishop Lefebvre (1905-1991) Siberia
Catholics Hope to Come in From the Cold KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, NOV. 18, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Catholics' frequent use of private homes for their services in Siberia "makes them look like sects" to locals and thus makes urgent the construction of churches there, says a bishop. The first visit by Bishop Cyryl Klimowicz, of the Diocese of St. Joseph of Irkutsk, to the Germany-based Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need was an occasion to learn firsthand about the situation and needs of Catholics in Eastern Siberia. "With a territory of more than 10 million square kilometers, St. Joseph's is the largest diocese in the world, though the number of Catholics is only 50,000, served by some 100 parishes," the bishop explained. "At present, 45 priests, only one of them a Russian national, 57 nuns and one religious brother are serving the spiritual needs of the faithful," the 52-year-old prelate added, in a statement sent to ZENIT by Aid to the Church in Need. The priests and religious "have a lot of difficulties here, in particular, in obtaining visas and in covering the long distances between parishes," he said. "Catholics in Siberia often have to use private homes for their services and gatherings. This makes them look like sects in the eyes of many locals. Therefore, the construction of new churches, or chapels at least, is paramount," explained Bishop Klimowicz. The bishop, a native of Kazakhstan, also attached great importance to the formation of priests. "Currently, one candidate from my diocese is preparing for the priesthood in the St. Petersburg Seminary. I hope that many other young men from my diocese will follow his example," he said. He added that support from abroad "continues to be indispensable for Siberia's struggling Church." In February 2002, John Paul II elevated Russia's four apostolic administrations to the rank of dioceses. At the time,
the St. Joseph Diocese was entrusted to Bishop Jerzy Mazur. He
was expelled from the country, however, without explanations after
the establishment of the Catholic dioceses. In April 2003, the
Pope appointed Bishop Klimowicz as a substitute to head the St.
Joseph Diocese. Bishop Mazur was appointed lead of the Diocese
of Elk, in Poland.
Vatican, Dec. 11 (CWNews.com) A leading official of the Roman Curia has said that the Vatican should have "more respect for, and listen to, the local churches." Although diocesan bishops sometimes complain that the Vatican is not sufficiently responsive to their needs, it is highly unusual for a Curial official to make the same argument. Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, the president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants, made his comment in an interview with the Italian magazine, Famiglia Cristiana. The Japanese cardinal said that the Roman Curia often behave as if their role was "to instruct, to teach, and to correct" local diocesan bishops. In fact, he argued, Vatican officials should understand that their role is "to listen, to help, and to encourage." As an illustration of what he considers excessive Vatican interference with the work of local churches, the cardinal mentioned the issue of liturgical translations. "No one here knows the Japanese language," he said. "But a text in that language must obtain the approval of the Holy See before it can be used." He argued that local churches should have greater latitude for independent action in pastoral matters. Cardinal Hamao told Famiglia Cristiana that he would favor convening a new council, in which Church leaders could discuss "the necessity of greater autonomy for the local churches." Synod meetings do not provide an adequate setting for that discussion, he observed, since the synod has only consultative powers.
ROME, MAY 11, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Over a 23-year period the number of priests in the world decreased, while the number of seminarians increased. This is the conclusion of a study by Father Vito Magno of the vocational review Rogate. The study compared the data of the Church's Statistical Yearbook from 1978 with December 2001. In 1978, the total of diocesan and religious priests was 420,000; at the end of 2001 their number had dropped to 405,067. The decrease is due above all to the reduced number of religious-order priests, especially in Europe, North America and Oceania, in whose countries the average age of priests has also increased. The decrease is in contrast to the increase in the number of priests in Africa, Asia and some Latin American countries. The number of permanent deacons increased to 29,204 from 5,562. This ministry was re-established in the Catholic Church with the Second Vatican Council. The decrease in the number of priests is in contrast to the increase in the number of seminarians, which has almost doubled. In 1978, there were 63,882 candidates to the priesthood, compared with 112,244 at the end of 2001. Over the past quarter-century, particularly in Africa, the number of seminarians has multiplied by four and in Asia by five. In Europe, the number has increased to 25,908 at present from 23,915 in 1978. The study revealed a more complicated situation in regard to women religious. In 1978, they numbered 990,768; now they total 792,317. As opposed to the case of seminarians, there is no significant growth in the number of women entering novitiates. In this case also, the most notable decrease has been registered in Europe, North America and Oceania. New book tracks dramatic demographic changes in church since 1900 By Jerry
Filteau WASHINGTON (CNS) -- "Global Catholicism," a new book by researchers at the Washington-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, tracks the dramatic shifts of the past century that turned Roman Catholicism from an overwhelmingly European institution a century ago to the world church it is today. Subtitled "Portrait of a World Church," the 287-page book says that nearly two-thirds of the world's 267 million Catholics in 1900 lived in Europe, but by 2000 European Catholics accounted for little more than one-fourth of the billion-plus Catholics around the world. While Europe's Catholic population increased by 55 percent over the century, growth elsewhere ranged from a sevenfold increase in the Americas to almost 70-fold in Africa. In 2000 there were 519 million Catholics in the Americas, 280 million in Europe, 130 million in Africa, 107 million in Asia and 8 million in Oceania, the church's regional designation for Australia and the Pacific islands. "Global Catholicism" was edited by Brian T. Froehle, CARA's executive director, and Mary L. Gautier, senior research associate. It was published by Orbis Books. It is part of a series that includes "Catholicism USA: A Portrait of the Catholic Church in the United States," published in 2000, and a projected third volume, "Challenges and Opportunities: Catholicism in the 21st Century." A substantial portion of the book on the world church is a 115-page appendix profiling the statistical state of the church in each country around the world in the year 2000: the number of Catholics and Catholic dioceses, parishes, priests, permanent deacons, seminarians, religious, catechists, lay missionaries, schools, seminaries, hospitals, other charitable institutions and sacramental statistics. General demographic information on each country is also given as a context for the Catholic data. Following a global overview chapter that compares church data from 1900, 1950 and 2000, most of the remainder of the book, treating such data by region and country, focuses on church demographics, personnel and institutions in 2000 and how such data changed between 1950 and 2000 or between1975 and 2000. It notes, for example, that in 1950 Europe had 49 percent of the world's Catholics but 76 percent of the church's priests and 64 percent of its seminarians. In 2000 Europe accounted for 27 percent of Catholics and still had 52 percent of the world's priests, but only 24 percent of the seminarians. By contrast, Africa, which had 3 percent of the world's Catholics, priests and seminarians in 1950, grew by 2000 to 7 percent of the Catholics, 12 percent of the priests and 18 percent of the seminarians. Perennially priest-poor Latin America gained some ground statistically in a half-century but not enough to close its gap. In 1950 it had 33 percent of the world's Catholics but only 9 percent of the priests and 11 percent of the seminarians. In 2000 it had 42 percent of the Catholics, 15 percent of the priests and 28 percent of the seminarians. Catholics form only a small minority of Asia's 3.7 billion people, but Catholic statistics have advanced more rapidly there in the past 50 years than in Europe or the Americas. In 1950 Asia had 6 percent of the world's Catholics and 5 percent of the priests and seminarians. In 2000 it had 10 percent of the Catholics and priests and 24 percent of the seminarians. The United States and Canada -- "North America" with Mexico excluded as part of Latin America -- had 8 percent of the Catholics, 6 percent of the priests and 16 percent of the seminarians in 1950. In 2000 it had 7 percent of the Catholics and 15 percent of the priests, but only 5 percent of the seminarians. Despite its relatively higher proportion of the world's priests in 2000 in comparison with 1950, the ratio of Catholics to priests shrank in North America during those five decades. In 1950, there was one priest for every 619 Catholics in the United States and Canada; in 2000, there was only one priest for every 1,321 Catholics in that region. While the total number of Catholics around the world more than doubled between 1950 and 2000 -- from 437 million to 1.045 billion -- the number of priests serving them grew only 11 percent, from about 364,000 to about 405,000. Worldwide, in 1950 there was one priest for every 1,203 Catholics; in 2000 that had dropped to one priest for every 2,579 Catholics. The size of the average parish in Latin America in 2000 was nearly 15,000 Catholics -- about triple the world average of nearly 4,800 Catholics per parish. In the United States and Canada, the average parish in 2000 had to serve slightly more than 3,100 Catholics, and in Europe, fewer than 2,200 Catholics. Gautier said she thought the new book will be "useful for the press and for anybody who's interested in Catholic trends -- academics, diocesan people, people interested in mission." - - - Editor's
Note: "Global Catholicism" by Bryan T. Froehle and Mary
L. Gautier costs $30 plus $5 postage and handling. It may be ordered
by mail from: Orbis Books, Dept. WEB, Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545;
by fax at: (914) 941-7005; or on the Internet at: www.maryknollmall.org. Church In Siberia Takes Step Backward From Freedoms Of Czarist Russia IRKUTSK, Russia (CNS) -- In the very heart of this sprawling
city of 650,000, near the seat of regional government and next
to two of the city's most beautiful Russian Orthodox churches
stands a brick Gothic structure -- originally a Roman Catholic
church built in 1887. The Catholic Church's prized location says
much about the good standing of the faith back then, even when
Russian Orthodoxy was the official religion funded and controlled
by the czarist government. Now, when Russia is a democracy, the
local Catholic community cannot reclaim the original church that
was seized and closed by Communist authorities in 1938. The building
functions as a concert hall, with a small section in the basement
carved out as a chapel. Denied full use of the original building
by local officials, Bishop Jerzy Mazur of the Siberian Diocese
of St. Joseph in Irkutsk dropped Catholics' claims to it and accepted
a parcel of land on the other side of town where he constructed
a new cathedral, which was dedicated in 2000. These property woes
are evidence of how, in some respects, the Catholic Church enjoyed
more religious freedom under the czarist autocracy than today's
democracy, said Divine Savior Father Ignacy Pawlus, a Polish monk
who arrived in 1991 and is the longest-serving Catholic priest
in Irkutsk. Religious
Freedom Elusive In Much Of Asia WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 3, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. State Department's third annual "International Religious Freedom Report" singles out a number of Asian countries, including, not surprisingly, Afghanistan. The introduction to the report states that its purpose "is to advance the U.S. policy of promoting religious freedom internationally -- to speak for that freedom in the world." The report covers the period July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001. The countries singled out for strongest criticism are those defined as "totalitarian and authoritarian regimes" that seek a monopoly of ideas. Taking On the Taliban The Taliban in Afghanistan are blamed for "a marked deterioration of religious freedom" due to the rigid enforcement of Shariah, or Islamic law. The report cites the repression of minority Shiites, the destruction of the two giant Buddhist statues, and the prohibition against religious activity by non-Muslims. Burma is another Asian country singled out for its totalitarian government. The report accuses Burmese authorities of imposing restrictions by means of infiltrating the meetings and activities of religious organizations. The regime has also blocked efforts by the Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom. In China, religious freedom has worsened, the report says. Authorities were particularly repressive in their treatment of the Falun Gong movement and Tibetan Buddhist monks. In some areas, underground Catholic churches loyal to Rome as well as Protestant "house churches" were subject to more-frequent raids and persecution. Authorities cracked down on unregistered churches, and threatened extortion, detention and demolition of property. Laos and Vietnam were chastised too. The Laotian government, the U.S. report said, forced hundreds of Christians to sign renunciations of their faith, and it closed down more than 65 churches. Vietnam repressed groups that lack official recognition, and kept restrictions on the hierarchies and clergy of groups that are approved. Vietnam "continued to limit the numbers of ordinations to the clergy, the publication of religious materials, and educational and humanitarian activities," the report said. The state also controls the groups by means of political evaluations of their leadership and of would-be priests and monks. In North Korea, the panorama is still one of widespread persecution. The U.S. State Department report noted, "Religious and human rights groups outside the country provided numerous reports that members of underground churches have been beaten, arrested or killed because of their religious beliefs." Independent confirmation of these allegations is hard to find, but "the collective weight of anecdotal evidence of harsh treatment of unauthorized religious activity lends credence to such reports," the report said. Outside Asia, Cuba was singled out for its restrictions. This involves efforts by the Ministry of Interior that include "infiltration, surveillance and harassment of religious groups." The government rarely authorizes permits for the construction of new churches, forcing many of the faithful to seek permits to meet in private homes. Obtaining a permit and buying materials to repair existing churches continues to be a lengthy and expensive process. Islamic countries The report devotes a section to how some governments persecute minority religions. In this group there are a number of Islamic nations. Iran is criticized for provoking anti-Bahai and anti-Jewish sentiment for political purposes. "Bahais, Jews, Christians, Mandaeans and Sufi Muslims reported imprisonment, harassment or intimidation based on their religious beliefs," the U.S. report affirmed. In Iraq, where Sunni Arabs dominate economic and political life, the government systematically discriminates against Shiites, "severely restricting or banning many Shi'a religious practices." The authorities are accused of having carried out for decades "a brutal campaign of murder, summary execution, arbitrary arrest, and protracted detention against the Shi'a religious leaders and adherents." In Pakistan, where last Sunday a group of Christians were massacred while worshipping in a Catholic church, the government is said to have failed to protect the rights of minorities. Minorities are consigned to a separate electoral system and frequently become the unfair targets of blasphemy laws, the U.S. report charged. Saudi Arabia doesn't fare much better. "Freedom of religion does not exist in Saudi Arabia," the report said flatly. All citizens are required to be Muslims, and public manifestations of non-Muslim religions are prohibited. Even private non-Muslim worship often comes under persecution. Authorities do not allow clergy to enter the country to conduct non-Muslim religious services. Sudan is another Islamic regime accused of restricting religious activities, particularly of Christians and traditional indigenous faiths. Visas for foreign Catholic priests are renewed with difficulty, notes the report, and "non-Muslims are treated as second-class citizens." Two former Soviet republics in Central Asia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, also draw the report's attacks. In Turkmenistan, the government required all religions to register, but in fact has only allowed Sunni Islam and Russian Orthodoxy to sign up. In Uzbekistan, authorities have continued a "harsh campaign against unauthorized Islamic groups." Less-serious offenses A number of other states are accused of doing too little to avoid violations of religious freedom instigated by private groups or local officials. Among this class of offenders is Egypt, where Christians and Jews have suffered difficulties. In India, the central government is blamed for occasionally being ineffective in ensuring religious freedom. Notable is a lack of action against Hindu extremist groups who attack minorities. The government of Indonesia, meanwhile, is judged "incapable of controlling religious extremism or preventing the violence perpetrated and encouraged by radical groups claiming to represent certain religious views." The report mentions in particular killings and forced conversions in the Moluccas, and the introduction of some parts of Islamic law in Aceh Province. Nigeria draws criticism for its troublesome Muslim-Christian relations. The introduction of Shariah in a number of northern states has heightened tensions. Not all is negative. The report detects progress in Mexico, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Hungary, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mozambique, Peru, Poland, Russia and Rwanda. The appeal of religious freedom, it seems, remains strong. ZEA0111032
ASIA
HAS 10.4% OF THE CATHOLICS OF THE WORLD VATICAN CITY, APR. 9, 2001 (Zenit.org).- From 1998 to 1999 Catholics worldwide increased by 16 million, according to data made public today at the presentation of the Annuario Pontificio 2001. For the first time, the pontifical yearbook can be purchased on Internet. The volume, which was given to John Paul II during a ceremony, has been enlarged and offers Church statistics up to Jan. 1, 2000. Among the data: --Catholics in the world increased from 1.022 billion in 1998 to 1.038 billion in 1999, an increase of 1.6%. World population grew by 1.4% during the same time. --Catholics' share of the world population remains essentially unchanged at 17.4%. --The American continent has about half the world's Catholics, while Europe has 27.3%. Africa has 12%; Asia, 10.4%; and Oceania, 0.8%. --There are 3.86 million people dedicated to the apostolate, including 2.44 million catechists. There are 4,482 bishops, 405,009 priests (of whom 265,012 are diocesan), 26,629 permanent deacons, 55,428 religious who are not priests, 809,351 professed nuns, 31,049 members of secular institutes, and 80,662 lay missionaries. --The total number of priests increased by 383 in 1999. There are 810 more diocesan priests, but 427 fewer priests in religious orders. --Europe has 52% of the world's priests -- 80% more than America. Asia has 10% of the world's priests; Africa, 6.6%; and Oceania, 1.2%. --The number of students of philosophy and theology in diocesan seminaries and those of religious orders has increased by 0.7%, from 109,230 in 1998 to 110,021 in 1999. --In 1999, 33% of candidates for the priesthood were Americans, 25% European, 23% Asian, 18% African, and 1% Oceanian. The presentation note of the Annuario Pontificio said that the Vatican last year established diplomatic relations with Bahrain and Djibouti, bringing to 174 the number of states with which it maintains diplomatic relations. An apostolic delegation was established in Botswana. The yearbook lists the creation of 22 new episcopal sees, 1 apostolic exarchate, 1 military diocese, 2 apostolic vicariates, 2 prefectures, 1 apostolic administration, 2 "sui iuris" missions, and 7 new metropolitan sees. The volume
mentions the creation of 44 new cardinals, as the collection of
data closed Feb. 28. CATHOLIC CHURCH STATISTICS October 20th 2000: Rome (Fides) – In this year of the Great Jubilee 2000, we can look at the statistics of the Catholic Church to draw a picture of the results of 20 centuries of evangelization and follow the evolution of the situation as we enter the new millennium. The tables given below are figures from 1998 with a comparison with those of 1997:
According to the Church’s Book of Statistics, at the end of 1998 the world population was 5.855.623.000 with an increase 1997-1998 of 34.856.000 compared to the previous year. The increase from 1996-1997 was 80.677.000. It should also be remembered that in October 1999, world population reached the 6 billion mark. The population increase in 1998 is 45.821.000 less than in 1997. The global increase of 34.856.000 is distributed by continent as follows: 30.823.000 in Asia, 11.651.000 in America, and 703.000 in Oceania. Whereas there was a decrease of 8.284.000 in Africa and of 37.000 in Europe. At the same date the number of Catholics was 1.018.257.000, with an increase of 13.003.000 compared with 1997; distributed as follows by continent: increase of 9.031.000 in America, of 3.793.000 in Africa, and 448.000 in Asia; decrease of 21.000 in Oceania and 29.000 in Europe
The percentage of Catholics in the world increased by 0,13% ; by continent, the situation is the following: an increase of 0,69% in Africa, 0,01% in Europe, 0,20 in America; but, a decrease of 0,06% in Asia de 0,54% in Oceania.
The number of persons per priest increased altogether in the world by 51%; by continent the situation is as follows: increase of 24 in Europe, 65 in Oceania, 82 in America; but a decrease of 1.178 in Africa, and 2.864 in Asia The number of Catholics per priest increased altogether in the world by 20%; by continent the situation is as follows: increase of 8 in Europe, 22 in Oceania, 65 in America; but a decrease of 121 in Africa, and decrease of 53 in Asia BISHOPS
PRIESTS
The number of Priests in the world increased by 418: while the number of Religious priests dropped by 263, the number diocesan priests increased by 681. By continents, the situation is as follows: increase 1.015 in Asia (+ 548 diocesan, + 467 religious), of 747 in Africa (+ 662 diocesan, + 85 religious) ; de 284 in America (+ 544 diocesan, - 260 religious); decrease 1.571 in Europe (- 1.078 diocesan, - 493 Religious), 57 in Oceania (+ 5 diocesan, - 62 religious). BROTHERS,
SISTERS, CATECHISTS
The number of Brothers decreased altogether by 403. By continents the situation is as follows: increase: 510 in Asia; decrease: 436 in America, 363 in Europe, 58 in Africa, 30 in Oceania. The number of Sisters shows a marked total decrease of 4.499. By continents the situation is as follows: increase : 6.066 in Asia, 1.450 in Africa; decrease: 8.364 in Europe, 3.354 in America and 277 in Oceania The number Catechists in the world increased by 279.366. SEMINARIANS
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