Monday, May 28, 2012

VatiLeaks whistleblower: “The pope is in despair”

The smoke inside the house of God or, at least, one of the smokes.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/05/vatileaks-whistleblower-the-pope-is-in-despair/

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The SSPX is apparently about to go into schism over Bishop Fellay’s plans to return ‘within the walls’; we need him back and should pray that his opponents fail

Just let's ignore his opponents. The SSPX is coming back to where it belongs. Let's praise Our Lord.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Canonization of St. Hildegard of Bingen

Pope Declares Hildegard of Bingen a Saint

Posted at: Thursday, May 10, 2012 04:18:39 PM
Author: James Martin, S.J.

VATICAN CITY (Catholic News Service) -- Although she was never canonized, St. Hildegard of Bingen is to be added to the Catholic Church's formal list of saints, and Catholics worldwide may celebrate her feast day with a Mass and special readings by order of Pope Benedict XVI.

The Vatican announced May 10 that the pope formalized the church's recognition of the 12th-century German Benedictine mystic, "inscribing her in the catalogue of saints." The same day, the pope advanced the sainthood causes of 19th-century U.S. Bishop Frederic Baraga of Marquette, Mich., and of Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, N.J., who died in 1927. The Pope's order regarding St. Hildegard recognizes her widespread fame of holiness and the that Catholics have venerated her for centuries.

In a 2010 series of audience talks about women's contributions to the church, Pope Benedict dedicated two talks to St. Hildegard. He said she is a worthy role model for Catholics today because of "her love for Christ and his church, which was suffering in her time, too, and was wounded also then by the sins of priests and laypeople." In St. Hildegard's time, there were calls for radical reform of the church to fight the problem of abuses made by the clergy, the pope had said. However, she "reproached demands to subvert the very nature of the church" and reminded people that "a true renewal of the ecclesial community is not achieved so much with a change in the structures as much as with a sincere spirit of penitence."

More at http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=5117

Frei Galvão - Feast Day 11.May

Saint Anthony of Saint Ann Galvão (Portuguese: Santo António de Sant'Anna Galvão), O.F.M., popularly known as Frei Galvão (Friar Galvão), (1739 — December 23, 1822) was a Brazilian friar of the Franciscan Order. One of the best-known religious figures in Brazil, renowned for his healing powers, canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on May 11, 2007.

His father, António Galvão de França, was the Portuguese-born Captain-General of the village. Although he was active in the world of politics and commerce, Anthony the father also belonged to the Third Order of Saint Francis and was known for his generosity. His mother, Isabel Leite de Barros, was from a farming family, and was a great-granddaughter of the famous bandeirante explorer Fernão Dias Pais, known as the "Emerald Hunter". She gave birth to eleven children before her premature death in 1755, at age 38. Equally known for her generosity, Isabel was found to have given away all of her clothes to the poor at the time of her death.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7065

St. John of Avila, soon to be a Doctor of the Church

Feast Day 10.May

6 January 1499 at Almodovar del Campo (Ciudad Real), Toledo, New Castile, Spain - 10 May 1569 at Montilla, Spain, of natural causes

Soon to be a Doctor of the Church

http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-john-of-avila/

St. John of Avila, soon to be a Doctor of the Church

http://www.news.va/en/news/st-john-of-avila-soon-to-be-a-doctor-of-the-church

Monday, May 7, 2012

The Pope's Audience to the Swiss Guards

POPE TO SWISS GUARDS: THE SECRET OF YOUR WORK IN THE VATICAN IS CONSTANT REFERENCE TO CHRIST

Vatican City, 7 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience new Swiss Guard recruits who yesterday took the oath at their swearing-in ceremony.

After greeting the recruits and their families, as well as representatives of the Swiss authorities accompanying the group, Benedict XVI dwelt on the fact that the Swiss Guards undertake "a direct service to the Supreme Pontiff and the Apostolic See. It is heartening to see that young men choose to consecrate a number of years of their lives to helping Peter's Successor and his collaborators", he said.

"Your work", he told the recruits, "is part of a tradition of unquestioned fidelity to the Pope, which became heroic sacrifice during the 'Sack of Rome' in 1527 when, on 6 May, your predecessors lost their lives. The special service of the Swiss Guards could not then, and cannot now be carried out without the characteristics which distinguish each member of the corps: firm Catholic faith; faithfulness and love for the Church of Jesus Christ; diligence and perseverance in everyday tasks, the great and the small; courage and humility; altruism and willingness. Your hearts must be replete with these virtues when you discharge your service of honour and security in the Vatican.

More at http://visnews-en.blogspot.pt/2012/05/pope-to-swiss-guards-secret-of-your.html
Picture: Getty Images

The new France

This article was writen on Mai,1.

"...

On the left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon – 11.1% in the first round, with a largely communist and revolutionary rhetoric – has openly called on his electors to vote for François Hollande and although he is not officially asking for anything in exchange, the sheer weight of his first-round result is expected to induce Hollande into radicalizing his left-wing stance if he is elected.

[ he was]

Mélenchon is a self-proclaimed admirer of Robespierre who personally organized and watched over the genocide of the “Vendéens”, catholic peasants in the West of France who rose up in arms to defend persecuted priests, their local rights and the traditional political order during the French Revolution and its secularist dictatorship.

Mélenchon is not so far removed from Hollande himself who has promised to inscribe the law of separation of State and Church of 1905 into the French Constitution, should he be elected to the presidency. The beginning of the XXth century in France saw the exile of religious orders, the confiscation of church buildings and assets, the tracking of Catholic officers in the French army and other restrictions on religious liberty which declined in the common effort of World War I. Enshrining the largely unapplied law of 1905 in the Constitution is seen by many as a declaration of open hostility to Catholic and Christian rights, in the name of securalism.

Apart from heavy taxation, massive State spending and extended rights for the non-European immigrant population – including voting rights for those immigrants in local elections and political overtures to the Muslim population – François Hollande’s program contains many unacceptable promises from the pro-life viewpoint.

He has promised the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia, albeit in guarded tones. The French senate can be expected to vote for such a measure since the socialists gained a majority there last September. The National Assembly is expected to follow suit in the legislative elections next June if François Hollande wins on Sunday.

All of these potential developments would create a dramatically dangerous new political situation for France since, until now, the Senate acted as a brake on leftwing policies even under socialist presidents with a majority in the National Assembly.

François Hollande has also promised to make abortion more widely available and to create abortion centers in all State hospitals. 80% of abortion costs are paid for by the State budget; he has promised to drive up that figure to 100%. He wants to make contraception free and anonymous for minors. He has promised to legalize embryo research, homosexual “marriage” and homosexual adoption.

Hollande also wants to make schooling compulsory at three years of age (against the currently age six) and has committed himself to reducing State funding of Catholic schools and reversing legislation that allows parents to choose a State school outside their particular territory. "

http://www.catholicanada.com/2012/05/sarkozy-loss-in-french-presidential-election-would-lead-to-dramatically-leftward-social-changes/

So now we can see how will be France from now on.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Australian Priest announces he has a wife

Australian Priest announces he has a wife, claims there are more like him

The now dismissed priest tries to use his action as basis for dissent

A Catholic priest in Australia has confessed to the public that he was secretly married last year. Now former Father Kevin Lee of Padre Pio parish in Glenmore Park, Australia, says the Church should relax its rules on celbacy for priests.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (Catholic Online) - Lee also claimed in an opinion offered to Australia's Seven Network that, "There is a connection between the fact that the church commits people to celibacy and yet there's so many abuses and scandals that have been hidden behind that cloak of celibacy."

Lee referred to a recent sex scandal involving another priest that was publicized on the same day of his secret marriage in an effort to make such a connection. Of course, it proves nothing. Lee also confessed to having a series of girlfriends during his 20-year tenure as a priest.

The priest was immediately removed from ministry. He certainly excommunicated himself by his own action. A consecrated celibate priest cannot enter into marriage.

In the Roman Catholic Church, men who are called forth to orders in priestly ministry pledge to remain celibate. This is an ancient practice, with biblical and early Christian roots. They are set aside to be a sign of the life to come where there will be no giving or taking in marriage.

Consecrated celibacy also makes the priest more available for pastoral service to the whole Church. There is a different practice and discipline in Eastern Catholic Churches. It is also ancient. In the Eastern Catholic churches, only celibate priests can be called forth to the office of Bishop.

In both Roman and Eastern Catholic Churches, both married and celibate men can be called to ordination as deacons. However, the married deacons pledge to remain cleibate ifthey lose their wives.

Some priests have broken their vow of celibacy. Others are seeking to use this in a kind of pressure movement to persuade the Church to abandon this ancient discipline. others, like Lee claim there are others like him that are also secretly married or dating women. He said he intends to reveal the names of others who are living secret lives like himself.

Bishop Anthony Fisher, the head of Lee's diocese said, "As Father Kevin is aware, by his actions he can no longer operate as a priest and as a result I will immediately be appointing an administrator to Padre Pio parish." Fisher also denied the allegation that most priests live secret double lives.

In recent years, Pope Benedict XVI has dealt with the issues attendant to marriage and Holy Orders on several fronts. He has regularly affirmed the ancient practice in the West of choosing only celibate men for the priesthood.

Some members of the Church have used this issue to dissent. They do not ask the question properly, "whether married men should ever be allowed to be ordained as priests in the Catholic Church". Instead they "demand" that priests already ordained, having pledged to remain celibate, be allowed to be dispensed from that vow and marry.

Still some others have called for something which is never going to happen, the ordination to the priesthood of women. Finally, some call for the abandonment of fundamental Christian morality such as the acceptance of homosexual practice.

Pope Benedict has made it clear that such dissent from the teaching of the Church will not change the teaching and discipline of the Church.

The teachings of scripture, the traditipon and discipline of the Church, and her mission, cannot be altered by the political climate or from pressure groups outside or insideher membership.

Scandals will occur, but the Church will always abide in Christ and will continue to tirelessly fulfill its mission (Matthew 16:18-19).

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=46028

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

China: blind pro-life activist makes daring escape

CWN - April 27, 2012

A blind attorney who has documented forced late-term abortions and sterilizations in Shandong province has made a daring escape from his home. Hiding in an undisclosed location in Beijing, Chen Guangcheng said in a video that he and his family suffered beatings from authorities during his house arrest.

“The wife, children, and mother are on the extreme edge of vulnerability,” said Phelim Kine of Human Rights Watch. “They have already been brutally victimized for merely trying to get outside the compound for food or medical attention, so it is quite likely that the plainclothes thugs will react quite brutally to his escape. It is our hope that all diplomatic missions will make strong representations for their safety.”

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14143

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Feastday: April 24
1577 - 1622

Franciscan Capuchin martyr. He was born Mark Rey is Sigmaringen, Germany, in 1577. A practicing lawyer, he traveled across Europe as a tutor to aristocrats but then started defending the poor. In 1612, he became a Franciscan Capuchin monk, taking the name of Fidelis. A missionary to Grisons, Switzerland, Fidelis was so successful that local Protestants claimed that he was a spy for the Austrian Emperor. Fidelis was stabbed to death in a church id Seewis. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV. Fidelis served also as the head of the Congregation for the Spreading of the Faith.

Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577 – 24 April 1622) was a Capuchin friar martyred in the Counter-Reformation at Seewis im Prättigau, Switzerland.

Early life

He was born Mark Roy or Rey and took the name of "Fidelis" when he joined the Capuchin Order at the age of 35 in 1612. He was born at Sigmaringen, a town in modern-day Germany, in the then Principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. His father's name was John Rey. He studied law and philosophy at Freiburg.

St Fidelis subsequently taught philosophy at the University of Freiburg, ultimately earning a "doctor of laws". During his time as a student he did not drink wine, and wore a hair-shirt. He was known for his modesty, meekness, and chastity.

In 1604, he accompanied three young gentlemen of Switzerland on their travels through the principal parts of Europe. During six years of travel, he attended Mass very frequently; in every town where he came, he visited the hospitals and churches, passed several hours on his knees in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and gave to the poor sometimes the very clothes off his back.

Upon his return to Switzerland, he practiced law as a counsellor or advocate, at Colmar, in Alsace. He scrupulously forbore all invectives, detractions, and whatever might affect the reputation of any adversary. His charity procured him the surname of "counsellor and advocate for the poor". Disenchanted with the evils associated with his profession, he was determined to enter the Capuchin friars.

Life as a friar

Upon entering the convent, the guardian gave him the Latin religious name of "Fidelis", meaning Faithful, alluding to that text from the Scriptures (Book of Revelation) which promises a crown of life to him who shall continue faithful to the end. He finished his novitiate and studies for the ministry, offering his first Mass at the Capuchin convent at Fribourg, on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (October 4), in 1612.

As soon as St Fidelis finished his course of theology, he was immediately employed in preaching and in hearing confessions. After becoming guardian (superior) of the Capuchin Convent of Weltkirchen, Feldkirch, many residents of town and neighboring places were reformed by his zealous labors, and several Calvinists were converted. The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith commissioned Fidelis to preach among the Grisons. Eight other Capuchin fathers were to be his assistants, and they labored in this mission under his direction.

The Calvinists of that territory, being incensed at this attempt to convert their brethren, loudly threatened Fidelis' life, and he prepared himself for martyrdom. Ralph de Salis, and another Calvinist gentleman, were both converted by his first conferences. Fidelis and his companions entered into Prättigau, a small district of the Grisons, in 1622, on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. The effects of his ardent zeal, where the Bishop of Coire sent a lengthy and full account to the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, enraged the Calvinists in that province.

On April 24, 1622, St Fidelis made his confession, said Mass, and then preached at Grüsch. At the end of his sermon, which he had delivered with more than ordinary zeal, he stood silent all of a sudden, with his eyes fixed upon Heaven, in ecstasy. He foretold his death to several persons in the clearest terms, and began signing his letters, "P. Fidelis, prope diem esca vermium" ("Father Fidelis, in days ahead to become food for worms"). After the service at Grüsch he and several companions traveled to Seewis. His companions noted that he was particularly cheerful.

More at http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3355

Monday, April 23, 2012

My Brother, the Pope

The Ratzinger Family Secret

Pope Benedict XVI’s brother shares memories in My Brother, the Pope.

by ROBERT RAUHUT

Msgr. Georg Ratzinger’s new book, My Brother, the Pope, brings new insights into the private life of the Ratzinger family. First published in Germany, the book is a series of interviews Msgr. Ratzinger gave to German journalist Michael Hesemann.

Hesemann was born in Düsseldorf in 1964 and studied history and cultural anthropology at the University of Göttingen. Accredited at the Holy See Press Office since 1999, Hesemann wrote several bestselling books on Church history and Christian archaeology.

My Brother, the Pope has been translated into English by Michael Miller and was recently published in the United States by Ignatius Press. Hesemann spoke with Register correspondent Robert Rauhut about the project.

...

In the past, we have experienced various attempts to reduce Pope Benedict’s past to the Nazi era. How does this book help to address that mischaracterization of the Ratzinger family’s values and activities during that era?

Well, you could have been hardly more anti-Nazi than the Ratzinger family. The Pope’s father was a small-town policeman when he stopped Nazi rallies and ended Nazi Party meetings, so the Nazis complained about him, and he was advised to request removal to a village — which he did, although it was a step down the career ladder. He hated them; he called Hitler “the Antichrist.” He couldn’t wait for his retirement, since he did not want to serve the Nazi regime, and, of course, he never joined the Nazi Party.

Instead, he was a subscriber to the most outspoken Catholic anti-Nazi newspaper, Der Gerade Weg, whose editor in chief, Fritz Gerlich, was murdered by the Nazis just after they came to power. After Hitler’s election, Joseph Ratzinger Sr. told his family frankly and nearly prophetically: “Soon we will have a war, so let’s buy a house” — which they did. He wanted to create security. They did not want to stay in an office flat of or for policemen. He foresaw a possible devaluation of money already earned and saved. And his retirement wasn’t a long way off. To ensure his family greater security they bought a house.

Indeed, the decision of both brothers to join the seminary was also a protest against the Nazis, and you can just imagine how seminarians were mocked by the Nazi boys of their age. Although it was the law to join the Hitler Youth and the whole class was automatically enlisted, young Joseph Ratzinger avoided it. He frankly told his school teacher he did not want to go, and, eventually, the teacher allowed him to stay at home. Even their older sister, Maria Ratzinger, who was an intelligent young lady and dreamed of becoming a school teacher for all her childhood, refused to study when the Nazis came to power and became a lawyer’s secretary instead: She just did not want to teach Nazi ideology at a Nazi school.

There were a few good Catholics in Germany, even during the Nazi regime — people who suffered a lot, and the Ratzingers were among them.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Catholics and death penalty

Noting the notable role of Catholicism in recent state death penalty abolition efforts

Today's Washington Post ran this interesting story headlined "Catholic activists pushing politicians to turn tide against the death penalty." Here are excerpts:

Soon, probably next week, Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy will sign into a law a bill that abolishes the death penalty in his state. When he does, Connecticut will be the fifth state to enact such legislation in as many years — and the third with a governor who was raised a Roman Catholic....

Powerful, vocal Roman Catholics have been much in the news of late, mostly for their hard-line positions on abortion and birth control, and their self-serving rhetoric on the subject of religious rights in the health-care debate. But Catholic activists are playing another political role, too — under the radar — on an issue that hasn’t made the same sorts of headlines.

They are helping to turn the tide of public opinion in the United States against the death penalty. (According to a Pew poll earlier this year, about a third of Americans now oppose capital punishment, up from 18 percent in the mid-1990s.) And they are appealing to the consciences of Roman Catholic politicians to do it.

The sanctity of human life is central to Catholic theology, and for death penalty opponents, this sanctity extends as much to living men and women convicted of capital crimes as it does to embryos and fetuses....

Last November, a delegation of international death-penalty opponents was invited to a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI. There, the pope praised and encouraged “the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty.”...

In 2011, on Ash Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation that abolished the death penalty in Illinois. Quinn had attended Catholic schools as a child and went to Georgetown University but had long supported capital punishment.

More at http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2012/04/noting-the-notable-role-of-catholicism-in-recent-state-death-penalty-abolition-efforts.html

Also:

"Pope seeks end to death penalty"

The title of this post is the headline of this AP story, which gets started this way:

Pope Benedict XVI voiced support Wednesday for political actions around the world aimed at eliminating the death penalty, reflecting his stance as an opponent of capital punishment.
He made the comments during his weekly public audience to participants at a meeting being promoted by the Catholic Sant'Egidio Community on the theme "No Justice without Life." He said he hopes "your deliberations will encourage the political and legislative initiatives being promoted in a growing number of countries to eliminate the death penalty."

At http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2011/12/pope-seeks-end-to-death-penalty.html

That unforgettable day

One of the happiest days of my life!

Alessandra Benedetti/ Corbis

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Pope's Birthday V

The Pope's Birthday IV

AFP/Osservatore Romano/ Profimedia

Reuters

AFP/ Osservatore Romano/ Profimedia

AFP/ Gregorio Borgia/ Profimedia

AFP/ Osservatore Romano/ Profimedia

Reuters

Monday, April 16, 2012

The Pope's Birthday III

Pope celebrates a very Bavarian 85th birthday

April 16, 2012

By DANIELA PETROFF and NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a very Bavarian birthday Monday, marking his 85 years with his brother, German bishops and a musical band from his native land.
Benedict began the day with a Mass in which he alluded to his own mortality, saying he would carry on his final years knowing that God was watching over him.
"I am facing the final leg of the path of my life and I don't know what's ahead," Benedict said in his homily. "I know though that God's light is there ... and that his light is stronger than every darkness."

Benedict was later joined in the Vatican's frescoed Clementine Hall by about 150 Bavarians, including bishops, political leaders and representatives of the region's Protestant and Jewish communities.
He was serenaded by 10 children dressed in traditional Bavarian garb who danced for him and recited a poem, and by Bavarian musicians who performed a song he and his siblings sang as children while their father accompanied them on a zither.

A very emotional pope said those gathered "represent for me the stations of my life." Speaking off-the-cuff, he singled out the role played by the Jewish community in Bavaria for "bringing me closer emotionally to the Jewish people."

Sitting nearby was Benedict's older brother Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, who was ordained on the same day as the Pope in 1951 and flew to Rome for this week's celebrations, which also include the seventh anniversary of Benedict's election as pope, on Thursday.
Despite his age and increasing frailty — he has begun using a cane on occasion — Benedict has quashed speculation of a possible resignation. On Sunday, he asked for prayers and strength "to fulfill the mission (the Lord) entrusted to me."

Cardinal Angelo Sodano issued birthday greetings on behalf of the College of Cardinals that elected Benedict, and welcomed the Bavarian bishops to the "family party" inside the Apostolic Palace.
Speaking in Latin, Sodano wished Benedict "many happy years" ahead — sentiments that were echoed in birthday greetings that arrived from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Queen Elizabeth II and Italy's president.

In Benedict's hometown of Marktl Am Inn, the faithful marked his birthday by rising at 4:15 a.m. — the time he was born — and walking from his house to the local church for prayers.
He received several gifts, including a large crucifix, a Maypole, a traditional Bavarian Easter basket and a bunch of white flowers.

One birthday gift arrived ahead of time: a book of 20 essays by prominent Germans reflecting on the papacy, including German football great Franz Beckenbauer, who recalled meeting the pope a few months before Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup.
Beckenbauer said the two differed over what kind of shape Germany's squad was in, with the pope suggesting it was "pretty good."
"I didn't have the same idea; and so I told him that at the very least they were on the right path to becoming good," Beckenbauer wrote. "He smiled kindly."

The book was curated by Benedict's longtime secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein. In an interview Monday with Italy's La Repubblica daily, Gaenswein said the pope is often misconstrued and should be known as a man of great courage.
"The German Pope doesn't fear delicate questions or confrontations for the good of the church and faithful," he said.

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2012/04/16/pope-celebrates-a-very-bavarian-85th-birthday

The Pope's Birthday II

Daily News

Happy 85th Birthday, Pope Benedict! (2793)

New book pays tribute to the Holy Father.

by EDWARD PENTIN 04/15/2012

– Franco Origlia/Getty Images

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate his 85th birthday on Monday with a number of visitors, including his elder brother and the president of his native Bavaria.

His birthday will be "a normal working day, he never interrupts his daily routine, but it will be a very Bavarian day," said Monsignor Georg Gänswein, Pope Benedict's private secretary, in an interview with Gente, a weekly magazine.

The Pope, who is now the sixth-oldest pontiff in history, returned to the Vatican April 13 after five days of rest at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

His few days of retreat followed a grueling fortnight that included his six-day apostolic voyage to Mexico and Cuba and the Church’s Easter celebrations in Rome.

The Holy Father, who has shown increasing frailty and exhaustion in recent weeks, nevertheless remains in relatively good health and appears to have no serious medical ailments apart from arthrosis and pain in his right hip.

His 88-year-old brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, told a German news agency April 12 that his wish for his younger sibling on his birthday was that he “still finds enough strength to fulfill his service for the blessing of the Church” and that he “continues to stay in good health.”

Last week the Pope received many tributes to coincide with his birthday, mostly in the form of a book of plaudits from a group of prominent German figures, but also accolades from one of his best-known biographers.

Twenty leading Germans from the fields of politics, culture, the economy and sport have shared their opinions on the Pope in a new book, Benedikt XVI: Prominente über den Papst (Benedict XVI: Prominent Figures on the Pope). Contributors include the former Bavarian Prime Minister Edmund Stoiber, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, former German soccer star Franz Beckenbauer and alpine skier Maria Höfl-Riesch. The opinions of prominent cardinals and evangelical Christians are also included. The book was presented to the Pope on Monday.

Beckenbauer, who is known for his frankness, said he treasures a photo of him and Pope Benedict, which he brings with him whenever he travels. “It lies in my suitcase, at the top,” he said. “The inner peace, dignity and kindness that this man transmits has impressed me greatly,” he wrote, adding that a meeting he had with Pope Benedict changed him personally. “I’m going back to church more often,” he said. He also now prays the Our Father every day because from it he draws “strength and fortitude.”

Cardinal Joachim Meissner, archbishop of Cologne, described the Pope as the “Mozart of theology,” while Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the archbishop of Munich, praised Pope Benedict for his “fine sense of humor, intellectual strength and joy in the faith.”

Not all of the book’s contributors are in complete agreement with the Pope, however. Höfl-Riesch, also from Bavaria, said she feels his office is “too great for him to always do the right thing.” But she said she is not impressed by his critics: “I don’t have to agree with everything he may do as Pope, but I still appreciate and feel respect for him as a person.”

Writing in the book’s foreword, Msgr. Ganswein stressed that every contributor had “complete freedom to express their feelings,” and there was “no trace of censorship.”

The Pope's Birthday I

“The Pope’s birthday will be a family celebration”

Pope Benedict XVI's birthday is just around the corner

The Pope’s Secretary, Mgr. Gaenswein, has revealed that there will be no solemn celebration on the occasion of the Pope’s 85th birthday on Monday. Instead it will be a “very Bavarian” day

vatican insider staffrome

“There will be no solemn celebrations in the Vatican for the Pope’s birthday. Instead, it will be a family celebration. “I do not want any big celebrations please,” the Pope himself said to us collaborators.” This was revealed exclusively to Italian weekly magazine Gente on sale 16 April, by Mgr. Georg Gaenswein, Benedict XVI’s private secretary. On 16 April the Pope will celebrate his 85^th birthday and three days later, on 19 April, he will begin his eighth year as Peter’s successor.

“16 April is a Monday, a normal working day and he never interrupts his daily routine. It will however be a very Bavarian day,” Mgr. Gaenswein added. The Pope dedicated his book Benedict XVI – Famous figures write about the Pope - in which twenty VIP’s give personal descriptions of the Pope - to Mgr. Gaenswein.

Fr. Georg also revealed a few little secrets about life with the Pope, a fellow countryman: “He is a Pope who reflects on the meaning of his words. His simplicity, sincerity and courage have often been misunderstood. Perhaps because he is not afraid to call a mistake by its name. But he has always shown sensitivity and respect in his day-to-day relations with others. Including me. He has never said to me: “That’s not right: you are wrong.” Instead he says: “This could be done like this or like that.” Though the essence of these criticisms is serious, they are expressed in a delicate and seraphic manner.”

According to his secretary, Benedict XVI does not appear to be concerned by the image the media paint of him, a picture of a cold and conservative question: “This image is mostly a distorted one. But he learnt to deal with criticism. He knows how to place and accept them. He is able to distinguish news pieces and their contexts. Public opinion, the press and television are important and must be taken into consideration. But they often have no influence on the Vatican.”

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/news/detail/articolo/benedetto-xvi-benedict-xvi-benedicto-xvi-14299/

More Pilgrims to see the Pope

Pope: Pilgrims on the rise

Pilgrims

Data published this morning by the Prefecture of the Papal Household show an increase over 2010, when about 2.3 million people attended celebrations with the pontiff

Giacomo GaleazziVatican City

Data published this morning by the Prefecture of the Papal Household show an increase over 2010, when about 2.3 million people attended celebrations with the pontiff. More than 2.5 million (2,553,800) faithful participated in various meetings with Pope Benedict XVI: general audiences (400,000), special audiences (101,800), liturgical celebrations (846,000), and Angelus and Regina Coeli (1,206,000).

In 2009, the total was 2.243 million participants. The Prefecture's announcement stated that the data is approximate, calculated on the basis of requests received and tickets issued by the Prefecture for event participation, as well as a rough estimate of attendance at events such as the Angelus or the Regina Coeli and the great celebrations in St. Peter's Square - and above all this year, John Paul II's beatification ceremony. The data show a growth in participation over the last three years. The picture presented, the statement explains, refers only to meetings at the Vatican and Castel Gandolfo and does not include other events involving the Pontiff with large participation of the faithful, such as apostolic journeys in Italy and abroad.

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