2013-03-13 Vatican Radio

Brothers and sisters good evening.
You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.
First of all I would like to say a prayer pray for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him, that the Lord will bless him and that our Lady will protect him.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory to the Father…
And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and the people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood. My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, together with the help of my Cardinal Vicar, may be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city.
And now I would like to give the blessing. But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the Bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.
[The Protodeacon announced that all those who received the blessing, either in person or by radio, television or by the new means of communication receive the plenary indulgence in the form established by the Church. He prayed that Almighty God protect and guard the Pope so that he may lead the Church for many years to come, and that he would grant peace to the Church throughout the world.]
[Immediately afterwards Pope Francis gave his first blessing Urbi et Orbi – To the City and to the World.]

韓總之撰文

韓總之撰文:
編按:教廷萬民福音部秘書長韓大輝總主教在新教宗方濟各當選後翌日(三月十四日),發給天亞社他的反思文章,對這位帶領普世教會開展新旅程的領袖表達期許與敬意。以下是韓總主教的全文:

羅馬時間傍晚七時七分,這天大喜訊隨著西斯汀小堂堂頂煙囪的白煙散發出來!

伯多祿廣場在微風細雨中等候的群眾終於得償所願,連伯多祿大殿的鐘聲也和應著群眾的歡呼!

顯而易見,樞機們有很強烈的共識,在不足二十四小時內的閉門會議,經五輪投票,和三次「冒煙」,便為世界帶來新的教宗!

群眾又等了一小時,新教宗便在大殿中央的陽台接見群眾。那是一個感人的場面!從他短短的發言我想分享幾個思想。

「為給羅馬一位主教,我的樞機兄弟幾乎走到世界盡頭,從遠處的角落把他帶過來。」這位德高望重的新教宗來自阿根廷布宜諾斯艾利斯,他是當地的總主教,今年七十七歲,耶穌會會士。他雖用意文發言,但「把他帶過來」在西班牙語有「把他押解過來」的意思,這使人聯想耶穌對伯多祿的話:「但到了老年,你要伸出手來,別人要給你束上腰,帶你往你不願去的地方去。」(若21:18)看來樞機們成為天主之手,把他從那被稱為遠處的新大陸「押解」過來。

他要求「群眾和他一起為退休的本篤十六世祈禱」。這位身材高大的教宗,取名方濟各一世,藉著這由衷的行動,深深地、神妙地把自己和他連繫一起,成為他的接位者。在二月二十八日,本篤十六世向樞機們告別時說:「對新的教宗,我答應無條件的敬意和服從。」這不是神妙嗎?

「敬意和服從」剛好是聖方濟各亞西西的名言,他要求所有小兄弟都該如此對教會的長上。新教宗取名「方濟各」,因為他相信服從、單純、清貧的見證,就像聖方濟各一樣,可使教會得以更新。多年來他一直過著非常簡樸的生活,多次搭「地鐵」、「公車」,常和民眾,尤其貧苦的,走在一起。

方濟各一世說:「如今讓我們開始這個旅程:主教和人民,人民和主教,這個羅馬教會的旅程,而羅馬教會是『在愛德中主持』所有教會。」這使我想起兩位教父的名言。聖奧思定對他的人民說:「對你們來說我是主教,和你們一起我是教友。」還有他引用了安提約基亞聖依納爵的名言「在愛德中主持」,原來「主持」是指享有崇高的地位,這是因為羅馬教會是由教宗、伯多祿繼承人所領導,於是在信德和愛德上一直享有崇高的領導地位。「主持」便是指教宗的「首席權」。事實上,在教宗本篤十六世登機的彌撒中,便用了這名言表白他的理想:「主持」普世教會在愛德上的共融。

為此,方濟各一世繼續說:「讓我們彼此祈禱,為普世祈禱,使我們兄友弟愛。」這也是我們中國人的抱負,「四海之內皆兄弟也。」相信新教宗也聽過他的耶穌會的兄弟利瑪竇來了中國,寫了《交友論》,正是以兄友弟愛來為福音作證。其實,「方濟各」之名也使我們想起沙勿略,他來到東亞傳福音,最後病逝上川島,但就在那一年(1552),利瑪竇誕生。

還有一點令我感動的。當方濟各一世祝福群眾前,他請求群眾在靜默中為他祈禱,他說:「這是人民為他們的主教的祈禱」。然後新教宗俯首低頭,領受群眾的祝禱。這說明他常以謙遜的態度與其他人互動。

其後,他和群眾道別時說,他翌日將會到聖母前祈禱。

「我們有教宗了!」無論如何,這是天主父藉著聖神恩賜他成為基督的在世代表。讓我們也和他一起投奔聖母台前為新教宗祈禱,也為中國祈禱!

【完】

陳日君樞機的一席話(2011年10月19日)


(Source: 香港寬頻bbTV香港新聞台)

各位弟兄姊妹,主內平安!

相信大家已在媒體報導中,得知陳日君樞機今早開始了三日三夜的禁食,以回應終審庭關於「2004年教育修訂條例」的判決。

現附上樞機於今早發佈的新聞稿「陳日君樞機的一席話」,讓大家了解當中的細節。

樞機說:「我們悲哀,但不絕望,上主是歷史的主宰,我們把一切憂慮放在祂身上,祂會照顧我們。願祂藉著支持我們教育理念的教育人士、教友或非教友,使在還掛著天主教名字的學校裡的青少年們還能得到這真的天主教教育,明白而追求人生的真正目標,也幫助社會上人人都能過一個快樂而有意義的人生。」

讓我們同心與樞機一同祈禱,並心懷復活基督帶給我們的希望,面對這當前的挑戰。同時,也邀請大家為樞機的健康祈禱。謝謝!

香港天主教正義和平委員會 謹啟
二零一一年十月十九日

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中国基督教代表应邀出席第二届“全球基督教论坛”大会

楼世波

世界福音派联盟总干事图尼克利夫博士在第二届全球基督徒论坛致辞。

四年一次的“全球基督教论坛”(Global Christian Forum)第二届大会在2011年10月4日至7日在印尼•美娜多市(Manado, Indonesia)纳瓦特酒店(Hotel Novotel)的国际会议中心举行,这次大会是由全球基督教论坛会同印尼基督教会联合会、印尼天主教主教团、印尼基督教福音教会联会以及印尼基督教五旬节联会共同组织。印尼基督教会联合会的执行委员会代表“全球基督教论坛”热情邀请中国基督教协会派代表参加此次盛会。全国基督教协会副会长、燕京神学院院长高英牧师(高牧师因赴美出席中国基督教圣经事工展未能及时办妥手续最终无法赴印尼的会议)和浙江神学院常务副院长楼世波牧师作为中国基督教协会代表应邀前往参加此一盛会。香港基督教协进会执行干事陈剑光博士和香港天主教主任司铎、教区基督徒合一委员会主席梁达材神父也应邀参加。
本次大会围绕“在耶稣基督里聚集,靠圣灵得力”这一主题展开广泛交流,来自世界各地65个国家、涵盖了各大基督教传统的教会各种组织机构领袖和高层代表人士287人与印尼基督教各界知名人士和当地教会领袖约400人世界范围内各教派的基督徒的一起参与了这次规模空前的国际性盛会,出席本次论坛大会的代表涵盖多数传统基督教派,包括天主教、基督教新教的各大宗派和东正教以及其他传统的教派。世界基督教联合会World Council of Churches (WCC)等几十家全球性和区域性的基督教组织机构的领袖和代表人士出席了会议。还有一些基督教事工机构如青年和学生国际运动组织,青年会和女青年会,世界宣明会,基督教普世教会运动和一些论坛性组织等也参加了本届会议。大会还邀请了世界各地大教会的代表,比如中国教会的友好人士奥兰多北地教会(Northland,Orlando)主任牧师约尔•亨特博士夫妇也应邀参加了本届论坛。
首届全球基督教论坛于2007年在肯尼亚举行,当时有250名高层代表出席,包括所有主要的基督教派和他们的全球性组织的代表。其时代表们就“当今日督徒被呼召在世界上的任务是什么”进行了一场广泛的讨论。全球基督徒论坛这一议题最早是在20世纪90年代中期由当时的世界基督协会会秘书长Konrad Raiser提出,认为教会基督徒合一运动范围应该更加广泛。此后,区域性磋商在亚洲、非洲和拉丁美洲举行。
这种论坛的方式鼓励与会者分享他们的信仰历程和他们的信仰团体的故事。论坛的进程由一个十几人组成的常务委员会领导,迄今为止避免了将论坛变成一个新的组织或机构,并继续立足于参与分享,反对会员制。论坛的目的,是要创造一个新的、开放的空间,提供一个多边的环境,以便各教会和各教派组织可以在一起促进互相尊重并探讨和解决共同面临的挑战。与会的约半数代表为福音派和五旬节教派。在四天中,围绕主题与会者透过查经祷告、个人信仰故事分享等方式以实现主内合一和共同向世界作见证的目的,从而促进对话与合作,并讨论了论坛未来的建议,并期望得出总结会议的成果。
本届论坛的整个会议进程受到印尼当地政府各级官员的高度重视,印尼虽然是个穆斯林占绝大多数的伊斯兰国家,但这次会议的所在地美娜多市却是少有的基督徒占绝大多数的地区(约有超过当地总人口70%的基督徒),市区街道教堂林立。代表们报到的第一天晚上即应邀出席美娜多所在省省长设在府上的晚宴,大会结束的告别晚宴也是美娜多市长代表在会议中心宴请大家。省长和市长都是基督徒,他们的问候语中充满了基督教的信仰情怀。在该城市代表们经常出入的地方都有表示热烈欢迎与会代表的巨型标语横幅等。大会期间的一切活动都有严密的安全措施,代表们出行到当地的教会参加崇拜和其他活动时也都有当地警车开道,以确保全球基督教论坛第二届大会的安全进行。
本届世界基督教论坛的中国基督教代表是首次参加,受到了本届论坛常委会的高度重视。中国基督教代表除了个人在不同小组分享自身信仰历程之外,还特别应邀在全体出席的大会上以集体方式见证中国教会群体的信仰历程,受邀作为信仰团体见证的仅有五个,可见大会对中国教会关注的程度。楼世波牧师和香港的与会代表陈剑光博士、梁达材神父一起登台,在短短的十分钟时间里,透过制作的投影和介绍中国基督教新教的简短视频讲述了中国教会的悠久历史、包括古代教会以及天主教、东正教等多样面貌和近年来中国新教教会的复兴景象,并向大会表达中国教会既注重特色发展也盛情拥抱普世教会的信仰情怀。与会代表对于中国基督教的当前的丰富多样和崭新发展给予了极大的关注和热烈的回应,无论在小组和个人场合,我们都不断受到热情友好的关注;在大会达到共识的两个重要文件中都提到“重新崛起的中国教会”。
正如美国归正教会的代表Wesley Granberg-Michaelson牧师说:“全球基督教论坛是当今唯一有最多传统基督教派代表出席的全球性会议。” 出席这次大会的世界福音派联盟(World Evangelical Alliance)总干事图尼克利夫对全球基督徒论坛表示赞赏,他认为这是一个重要的对话和交谈的空间。……对于提高认识和与其他教派在保罗所说的‘耶稣基督的心’中一起成长,是一个重要途径。……全球基督教论坛是一个“在没有争论和伤害下,可以谈论、学习和迎接挑战,并且还有诚实、透明,特别是谦卑”的地方。

Communique On Episcopal Ordination In Chengde, China

VATICAN CITY, 24 NOV 2010 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office today released the following English-language communique concerning an episcopal ordination at Chengde in the province of Hebei, Mainland China:

“With regard to the episcopal ordination of Fr. Joseph Guo Jincai, which took place last Saturday 20 November, information has been gathered about what happened and it is now possible to state clearly the following.

“(1) The Holy Father received the news with deep regret, because the abovementioned episcopal ordination was conferred without the apostolic mandate and, therefore, constitutes a painful wound upon ecclesial communion and a grave violation of Catholic discipline (cf. Letter of Benedict XVI to the Church in China, 2007, n. 9).

“(2) It is known that, in recent days, various bishops were subjected to pressures and restrictions on their freedom of movement, with the aim of forcing them to participate and confer the episcopal ordination. Such constraints, carried out by Chinese government and security authorities, constitute a grave violation of freedom of religion and conscience. The Holy See intends to carry out a detailed evaluation of what has happened, including consideration of the aspect of validity and the canonical position of the bishops involved.

“(3) In any case, this has painful repercussions, in the first case, for Fr. Joseph Guo Jincai who, because of this episcopal ordination, finds himself in a most serious canonical condition before the Church in China and the universal Church, exposing himself also to the severe sanctions envisaged, in particular, by canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law.

“(4) This ordination not only does not contribute to the good of the Catholics of Chengde, but places them in a very delicate and difficult condition, also from the canonical point of view, and humiliates them, because the Chinese civil authorities wish to impose on them a pastor who is not in full communion, either with the Holy Father or with the other bishops throughout the world.

“(5) Several times, during this current year, the Holy See has communicated clearly to the Chinese authorities its opposition to the episcopal ordination of Fr. Joseph Guo Jincai. In spite of this, the said authorities decided to proceed unilaterally, to the detriment of the atmosphere of respect that had been created with great effort with the Holy See and with the Catholic Church through the recent episcopal ordinations. This claim to place themselves above the bishops and to guide the life of the ecclesial community does not correspond to Catholic doctrine; it offends the Holy Father, the Church in China and the universal Church, and further complicates the present pastoral difficulties.

“(6) Pope Benedict XVI, in the above-mentioned Letter of 2007, expressed the Holy See’s willingness to engage in a respectful and constructive dialogue with the authorities of the People’s Republic of China, with the aim of overcoming the difficulties and normalising relations. In reaffirming this willingness, the Holy See notes with regret that the authorities allow the leadership of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, under the influence of Mr. Liu Bainian, to adopt attitudes that gravely damage the Catholic Church and hamper the aforesaid dialogue.

“(7) The Catholics of the entire world are following with particular attention the troubled journey of the Church in China: the spiritual solidarity with which they accompany the vicissitudes of their Chinese brothers and sisters becomes a fervent prayer to the Lord of history, so that He may be close to them, increase their hope and fortitude, and give them consolation in moments of trial”.

Meet the 24 new cardinals

October 20, 2010. Benedict XVI announced he will appoint 24 new cardinals on November 20th. Among them are two Americans Archbishops: Donald William Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and Raymond Leo Burke, prefect of the Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

Other noteworthy appointees are the Archbishop of Aparecida, Brazil, Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop José Manuel Estepa Llaurens of Spain, Archbishop Emeritus of Quito, Ecuador, Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, and the Pope’s current delegate to the Legionaries of Christ, Velasio De Paolis.

In total there are 15 Europeans, ten from Italy alone, four Africans, two Americans, two from Latin America and one from Asia.

Among the new cardinals is the Egyptian Antonios Naguib, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts, and the Archbishop of Warsaw, Poland, Kazimierz Nycz.

The Pope has also appointed senior Vatican officials such as the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints Angelo Amato and the prefect of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi.

From the nominees, four are over 80 years old and therefore can not participate in a conclave. They include the Italians Elio Sgreccia and Domenico Bartolucci, the German Walter Brandmuller and Spaniard José Manuel Estepa Llaurens.

After the consistory, set for November 20th, the college of cardinals will hold 122 electors. Today there are 60 cardinals that have been named by Benedict XVI, 50 with voting powers and ten without.

This is the third consistory that Benedict XVI has celebrated in his papacy. The last was held in November 2007 when he named 23 new cardinals.

The new cardinals will receive the red biretta from the Pope on the 20th of November. The next day they will receive the cardinal’s ring in a solemn ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Only after completing these ceremonial rites can one enter a conclave.

When a conclave is called to elect a new Pope it is made up of a maximum of 120 cardinals. When a cardinal turns 80 he may retain his title but can no longer participate in a conclave.

Cardinals are identifiable by their red clothing—including their clerical robes the cassock and mozzetta, as well as their hats, the biretta and zucchetto. The color is meant to symbolize the cardinals’ willingness “to shed blood for the increase of the Christian faith.”

Cardinals are generally appointed to be members of specific Vatican agencies. They participate in consistories for important Church discussions, in addition to conclaves when selecting a new pope.

The pope is generally chosen from members of the College of Cardinals, though technically any unmarried Catholic male could be chosen.
(Source: Youtube – Romereports’ Channel)

10月23日在意大利韋爾切利册封阿方撒·克萊裏奇爲真福:她是微笑的靈魂

梵蒂岡電臺訊)10月23日,在意大利皮埃蒙特行政區韋爾切利主教座堂舉行册封真福彌撒,册封蒙扎寶血修女會阿方撒·克萊裏奇修女爲真福,彌撒大典由聖座封聖部部長阿馬托總主教主持。新真福一生致力于教學和照顧窮人,她來到韋爾切利是爲了履行她的傳教使命。

人們稱她爲微笑的靈魂,因爲她整個地、毫無條件地與上主結合在一起,完全遵守上主的安排,她笑顔常開,藉著教學和照顧窮人,使與她有接觸的人的靈魂歡樂。阿方撒修女于1860年出生在米蘭一個農民家庭,是10個孩子中的長女,從小受到必要的基督信仰教育,這有助于培育她的教學法。

阿方撒修女照顧窮人非常熱情,從來沒有吝嗇把愛的喜悅和精神給與他們。尋找她的人中,沒有任何人是空手而歸的,至少手中會有一塊麵包,一個硬幣或是一句安慰的話。

阿馬托總主教說:“新真福常說,以愛德對待窮人,意味著服務耶穌和愛耶穌”。他又說:“阿方撒 修女寫信給後來成了初學修女的她以前的學生時說:“如果你問我,要成聖該當走哪條路的話,我會對你說:謙遜。第二條路也是謙遜,第三條路還是謙遜”。