Tribulation Times
April 25, 2012 (Mat 9:37-38) Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest. MOYNIHAN REPORT: Letter #8: 7th Anniversary of Benedict’s Election EXCERPT NEWS REPORT:
Pope Benedict begins 8th year of service Pope Benedict XVI began his eighth year as pope on Tuesday after spending the waning days of his seventh driving home his view of the Catholic Church, with a divisive crackdown on dissenters and an equally divisive opening to a fringe group of traditionalists.
The coming year may see more of the same as the Vatican gears up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 church meetings that reshaped the Catholic Church and are key to understanding this papacy and Benedict's recent moves to quell liberal dissent and promote a more conservative brand of Catholicism.
Tuesday marked the anniversary of the start of Benedict's pontificate, which officially began April 24, 2005, with an inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square. The pope promised then not to impose his own will on the church but to rather listen "to the word and the will of the Lord, to be guided by him, so that he himself will lead the church at this hour of our history."
Seven years later, Benedict has certainly left a mark on the church, pressing a conservative interpretation of Vatican II's key teachings, appointing like-minded bishops and making his priority the revitalization of traditional Catholicism in a world, which he often laments, seems to think that it can do without God.
SEE ALSO:
Ratzinger expresses his disapproval of German translation of Gospels VATICAN RADIO:
Lombardi: “The eighth year of the Pope’s pontificate is going to be a busy one” In the wake of recent celebrations of Pope Benedict XVI’s 85th birthday on April 16 and the 7th anniversary of his election to the pontificate, April 19, the director of the Holy See’s Press Office devoted his latest editorial to the year ahead. Holy See’s spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi shared the Pope’s hope that the dialogue with the breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics known as Saint Pius X Fraternity will come to a resolution, that bridges the gap without creating any new ones. The Jesuit priest wished the Pope well as he travels to the northern Italian city of Milan to deliver a message of love and hope for families as they hold their World Meeting of Families in June. He also hoped that “dissenting groups will hear his invitation to be in communion with the Church and receive this invitation with respect and attention, and with an understanding of its significance.” Fr. Lombardi expressed hope that International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in June will help in the healing, purification and renewal of the Church in Ireland following the devastating sexual abuse scandals there. The Jesuit priest also hoped that Pope Benedict’s visit to Lebanon in September may give him a chance to spread a message of peace amid the tragic conflicts in that region.
It is our hope that the Year of Faith will not only be filled with exemplary initiatives and beautiful celebrations, but that it will also promote a sense of renewal in the profound relationship between God, his Son Jesus Christ, and believers, against the ever decreasing awareness of the religious dimension of human life and mankind’s journey through history.
Il Sole 24 Ore:
Pope Benedict XVI’s Bright and Dramatic Path
L'Osservatore Romano:
Joseph Ratzinger Theologian and Pope Posted via email from deaconjohn's posterous
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