When I first read the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church promulgated by the Second Ecumenical Council at the Vatican, I recall noting the choice of terminology was quite precise. In particular, the use of the word "subsists" to indicate the identity of the Church of Christ and the Catholic Church. The term clarified (at least to me) that the Council Fathers were asserting that the Catholic Church is the one and same body established by Christ, proclaimed by the Apostles and intended by God for the salvation of the world.
In that light, I was disappointed when, after crossing the Tiber, a vistor from a Roman parish, declaimed the term as an abberation and "proof" that the Council was heretical. He argued that to "subsist" in something was a lesser identification than to "exist". I tried to counter this interpretation but to no avail. (Incidentally, there was once a short-lived blog, which had a very thorough and succinct discussion of the topic. Alas, I no longer have the link and the blog has long since disappeared.)
Gerald Augustinus reports that the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will soon issue a document clarifying the use and intention of the word "subsistit".
Read his report, based on an article in Kath.net here.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Welcome Back to Long-Lost Sister
We welcome back our Sister Liturgy, the Rite of Rome often referred to at the Tridentine, or Rite of St Pius V. Specifically, the Holy Father Benedict XVI is easing the path for more common celebrations of the Roman Rite according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII.
As is so often the case, Rocco has the scoop.
For the whole report, visit Whispers in the Loggia.
As is so often the case, Rocco has the scoop.
Well, the cycle of speculation is now past, replaced at long last (after
years of consultations, delays and divisions in the Roman Curia) by the
definitive text – an impeccably constructed and painstakingly finessed package
of what is, at its core, a decisive compromise on the part of the
liturgically-attuned pontiff.
Chiding both sides in the furious debate over the wider availability of the
1962 Missal for voicing “very divergent reactions ranging from joyful acceptance
to harsh opposition, about a plan whose contents were in reality unknown,”
according to an advance copy of the documents obtained exclusively by Whispers,
Benedict yields a clear verdict as the “fruit of much reflection, numerous
consultations and prayer.”
For the whole report, visit Whispers in the Loggia.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A Lamp Light for the East
Prefect Lights a Lamp for Eastern Churches
2007-07-04
VATICAN CITY, JULY 3, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The recently appointed prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches lit a lamp in St. Peter's Basilica to symbolize the Church's concern for Christians in the East.
Archbishop Leonardo Sandri lit the flame in front of an icon of the Mother of God.
Archbishop Sandri said the flame is "a sign of our full attention toward our brethren of the East, who suffer daily from the consequences of war, division, hatred and attempted bombings," Vatican Radio reported.
He also said the gesture was a call to prayer for those involved in the spiral of violence that damages personal and social coexistence.
ZE07070307 - 2007-07-03
2007-07-04
VATICAN CITY, JULY 3, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The recently appointed prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches lit a lamp in St. Peter's Basilica to symbolize the Church's concern for Christians in the East.
Archbishop Leonardo Sandri lit the flame in front of an icon of the Mother of God.
Archbishop Sandri said the flame is "a sign of our full attention toward our brethren of the East, who suffer daily from the consequences of war, division, hatred and attempted bombings," Vatican Radio reported.
He also said the gesture was a call to prayer for those involved in the spiral of violence that damages personal and social coexistence.
ZE07070307 - 2007-07-03
The Pope, The Foreign Minister and Turkey
Greek foreign minister speaks with Pope about restrictions on Orthodox in Turkey
2007-07-04
Vatican, Jul. 4, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI met on July 4 with Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, for a conversation that included a discussion of the problems facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
After her meeting with the Holy Father, Bakoyannis said that she was happy to have the occasiont to speak with Pope Benedict about "the need for international support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate at a time that is particularly difficult, in the wake of the Turkish court's decision." Late in June a Turkish court ruled that Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople does not have the right to the title "Ecumenical Patriarch"-- a decision that restricts the freedom of the Orthodox patriarchate in Turkey.
The Greek foreign minister told reporters that Pope Benedict expressed a keen understanding of the difficulties that the court decision created for the Orthodox leadership.
During her visit to the Vatican, Bakoyannis also met with her counterpart at the Holy See, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.
2007-07-04
Vatican, Jul. 4, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI met on July 4 with Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, for a conversation that included a discussion of the problems facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
After her meeting with the Holy Father, Bakoyannis said that she was happy to have the occasiont to speak with Pope Benedict about "the need for international support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate at a time that is particularly difficult, in the wake of the Turkish court's decision." Late in June a Turkish court ruled that Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople does not have the right to the title "Ecumenical Patriarch"-- a decision that restricts the freedom of the Orthodox patriarchate in Turkey.
The Greek foreign minister told reporters that Pope Benedict expressed a keen understanding of the difficulties that the court decision created for the Orthodox leadership.
During her visit to the Vatican, Bakoyannis also met with her counterpart at the Holy See, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.
St Basil and Charity
St. Basil a Model of Charity, Says Pope
VATICAN CITY, JULY 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Though St. Basil was a bishop in the fourth century, he continues to be a model for Christians today, Benedict XVI says.
The Pope said that today at the general audience held in Paul VI Hall. He dedicated his address to St. Basil, continuing with his series of teachings on early Church Fathers.
"Through preaching and writing, he carried out intense pastoral, theological and literary activities. With wise balance, he was able to blend service to souls with dedication to prayer and meditation in solitude," the Holy Father said.
The Pontiff highlighted Basil's dedication to acts of charity, which the saint multiplied by training his monks in the same spirit of service."
In reality," the Bishop of Rome affirmed, "St. Basil created a special kind of monasticism: not closed off from the local Church, but open to it. His monks were part of the local Church; they were its animating nucleus. Preceding others of the faithful in following Christ and not merely in having faith, they showed firm devotion to him -- love for him -- above all in works of charity."
Benedict XVI continued: "As bishop and pastor of his vast diocese, Basil constantly worried about the difficult material conditions in which the faithful lived; he firmly condemned evils; he worked in favor of the poor and marginalized; he spoke to rulers in order to relieve the sufferings of the people, above all in moments of disaster; he looked out for the freedom of the Church, going up against those in power to defend the right to profess the true faith."
Basil spent himself completely in faithful service to the Church in his multifaceted episcopal ministry.
"This is the program that the holy bishop gives to those who proclaim the word -- yesterday like today -- a program that he himself generously put into practice. […] He was a man who truly lived with his gaze fixed on Christ, a man of love for his neighbor. Full of the hope and the joy of faith, Basil shows us how to be real Christians."
ZE07070410 - 2007-07-04
VATICAN CITY, JULY 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Though St. Basil was a bishop in the fourth century, he continues to be a model for Christians today, Benedict XVI says.
The Pope said that today at the general audience held in Paul VI Hall. He dedicated his address to St. Basil, continuing with his series of teachings on early Church Fathers.
"Through preaching and writing, he carried out intense pastoral, theological and literary activities. With wise balance, he was able to blend service to souls with dedication to prayer and meditation in solitude," the Holy Father said.
The Pontiff highlighted Basil's dedication to acts of charity, which the saint multiplied by training his monks in the same spirit of service."
In reality," the Bishop of Rome affirmed, "St. Basil created a special kind of monasticism: not closed off from the local Church, but open to it. His monks were part of the local Church; they were its animating nucleus. Preceding others of the faithful in following Christ and not merely in having faith, they showed firm devotion to him -- love for him -- above all in works of charity."
Benedict XVI continued: "As bishop and pastor of his vast diocese, Basil constantly worried about the difficult material conditions in which the faithful lived; he firmly condemned evils; he worked in favor of the poor and marginalized; he spoke to rulers in order to relieve the sufferings of the people, above all in moments of disaster; he looked out for the freedom of the Church, going up against those in power to defend the right to profess the true faith."
Basil spent himself completely in faithful service to the Church in his multifaceted episcopal ministry.
"This is the program that the holy bishop gives to those who proclaim the word -- yesterday like today -- a program that he himself generously put into practice. […] He was a man who truly lived with his gaze fixed on Christ, a man of love for his neighbor. Full of the hope and the joy of faith, Basil shows us how to be real Christians."
ZE07070410 - 2007-07-04
Tresspassing in their own parish church
Ukraine: Catholics face trespass charges at their own parish church
Kiev, Jul. 5, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Catholics in Dniepropietrowsk, Ukraine, have been ordered to cease using a church building as face trespassing charges, although the building was built for the local Catholic community, Vatican Radio reports.
The parish church of St. Joseph in in Dniepropietrowsk, which was one of the many Catholic churches confiscated by the country's Communist regime. Efforts by Catholics to regain control of these churches-- many of which were handed over to local Orthodox congregations-- have caused tensions between the Catholic and Orthodox churches in Ukraine.
In Dniepropietrowsk, the efforts by Catholics to regain the use of St. Joseph's church were thwarted through 15 years of petitions and court battles. Finally the town's Catholics noticed that the building had been abandoned, and began gathering there for Mass and Eucharistic adoration. Local police notified the congregation on July 4 that they would be subject to trespassing charges if they continued using the church.
Kiev, Jul. 5, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Catholics in Dniepropietrowsk, Ukraine, have been ordered to cease using a church building as face trespassing charges, although the building was built for the local Catholic community, Vatican Radio reports.
The parish church of St. Joseph in in Dniepropietrowsk, which was one of the many Catholic churches confiscated by the country's Communist regime. Efforts by Catholics to regain control of these churches-- many of which were handed over to local Orthodox congregations-- have caused tensions between the Catholic and Orthodox churches in Ukraine.
In Dniepropietrowsk, the efforts by Catholics to regain the use of St. Joseph's church were thwarted through 15 years of petitions and court battles. Finally the town's Catholics noticed that the building had been abandoned, and began gathering there for Mass and Eucharistic adoration. Local police notified the congregation on July 4 that they would be subject to trespassing charges if they continued using the church.
Monday, July 02, 2007
A Common Date for Pascha?
This is one for which we could, and should, all pray. New Europe News has a report touting a member of the European Parliament's efforts to get the Orthodox and Catholic Churches to agree on a common dating method for Easter (Pascha).
Sorry to say it, but this one goes in my "I'll believe it when I see it" folder.
The problem, of course, is that the Julian Calendar does not compute the year accurately, leading to a drift over the centuries. It is this drift that accounts for the differing dates for the celebration of Easter/Pascha. The imprecision of the Julian Calendar was demonstrated to Pope Gregory XIII, who commissioned its revision, which became known as the Gregorian Calendar that we (mostly) all use today.
The Orthodox have typically refused to switch to the Gregorian Calendar: a) because the Julian Calendar was chosen for use by an Ecumenical Council and thus has quasi-theological status; and b) because the Gregorian Calendar was initiated and endorsed by the Pope.
Some Orthodox Churches do officially utilize a "Revised Julian Calendar". However, it is not universally adopted among the Orthodox. In fact, some of the most virulent in-fighting within the Orthodox Church is not this or that doctrine but "new calendar" (RJC) versus "old calendar" (JC). (In other words, if you want a peaceful conversation in the Orthodox Church, don't go there!)
To read the entire article, click here.
Sorry to say it, but this one goes in my "I'll believe it when I see it" folder.
Pope and Patriarch may agree on common EasterThe real point of contention is not Easter/Pascha itself; the real problem is the difference in calendars. The Catholic Church, and most of the world, uses the Gregorian Calendar. Officially, the Orthodox still use the Julian Calendar - the one that was in use at the time of the Council of Nicaea in 325.
30 June 2007 - Issue : 736
Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict XVI responded positively on the issue raised in the European Parliament of finding common dates for celebrating Easter, a question raised by Greek MEP Manolis Mavrommatis....
In a letter addressed to Patriarch Bartholomew, and with the opportunity of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Patriarch, this issue was discussed among the two leaders of Christianity. Patriarch Bartholomew sent a letter to Mavrommatis, which noted: “Pope Benedict XVI responded positively on the subject and when he returned to Vatican City, he personally looked into the issue. I received a letter for my information as proof (which I attach), signed by Cardinal Walter Kasper, who is the head of the Papist Council for Promoting Unity of Christians.”
...
Mavrommatis stated: “I believe that the convergence on such an important issue as the common celebration of Catholic and Orthodox Easter in the European Parliament and possible in the Christian world is a very important step for the two Churches. The effort of Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict XVI is essential, especially since the dialogue brought promising perspectives for Christianity. I hope that the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, will also make an effort for fulfilling the fair request of our people and this would be the beginning of a more extensive dialogue between the representatives of the 27 Member States of the European Union.”
The problem, of course, is that the Julian Calendar does not compute the year accurately, leading to a drift over the centuries. It is this drift that accounts for the differing dates for the celebration of Easter/Pascha. The imprecision of the Julian Calendar was demonstrated to Pope Gregory XIII, who commissioned its revision, which became known as the Gregorian Calendar that we (mostly) all use today.
The Orthodox have typically refused to switch to the Gregorian Calendar: a) because the Julian Calendar was chosen for use by an Ecumenical Council and thus has quasi-theological status; and b) because the Gregorian Calendar was initiated and endorsed by the Pope.
Some Orthodox Churches do officially utilize a "Revised Julian Calendar". However, it is not universally adopted among the Orthodox. In fact, some of the most virulent in-fighting within the Orthodox Church is not this or that doctrine but "new calendar" (RJC) versus "old calendar" (JC). (In other words, if you want a peaceful conversation in the Orthodox Church, don't go there!)
To read the entire article, click here.
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