Video showing marriage of young man with cancer goes viral

Manila, Philippines, Jul 3, 2014 / 04:09 pm (CNA).- Millions of viewers around the world have watched a YouTube video showing the determination of a young man in the Philippines to marry the love of his life just hours before dying of terminal cancer.

At the beginning of this year, Rowden and Leizel decided to marry. They planned on a July 8 wedding, but Rowden, age 29, was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the kidneys at the end of May.

Learning that his cancer was terminal, Rowden’s last wish was to marry Leizel. The couple moved the date up and decided to “bring the church” to him at the hospital, as he could no longer go out.

After 12 hours of marriage prep, he was able to fulfill his dream.

Rowden died on June 11, just 10 hours after marrying Leizel. The video recounting their story was posted on YouTube by her brother.

Within two weeks, the video was viewed more than 10 million times.

In the description accompanying the video, Rowden’s family said they wanted to “thank the Main Man up above, Jesus Christ, for orchestrating this very inspiring story. And for giving us enough time to give Rowden what he wanted, and show him how loved he was.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVocnNIgKwY

Official logo, prayer for WYD Krakow 2016 announced

Krakow, Poland, Jul 3, 2014 / 11:18 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a press conference held earlier today in Krakow, Poland, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz presented the official logo and prayer for the 31st World Youth Day slated to take place there in 2016.

Announced by Pope Francis during the closing Mass for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro last summer, the Krakow event is expected to draw millions, and follows the canonization of Polish Saint John Paul II earlier this spring.

World Youth Day is a gathering of young people from all over the world to pray and meet with the Pope in order to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship and hope, symbolizing the union between people of different cultures and countries.

In his July 3 presentation, Cardinal Dziwisz – archbishop of Krakow and former secretary of Pope John Paul II – explained that the event’s logo has three specific elements which represent the place, the main protagonists, and the theme of the celebration.

The logo, he noted, provides an illustration of the gathering’s theme, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” taken from the Gospel of Matthew.

Cardinal Dziwisz went on to explain that the image is composed of a geographical outline of Poland inside of which there is a yellow cross, representing Jesus Christ, who is the soul of World Youth Day.

Also present inside the country’s outline is a yellow dot, which the cardinal revealed both marks the position of Krakow on the map and serves as symbol for the youth.

The red and blue flames, he observed, are the flames of divine mercy that emerge from the cross, which represent with their colors the phrase “Jesus, I trust in you” that accompanies the image of divine mercy revealed to Saint Maria Faustina.

Another reason for choosing the colors of yellow, red and blue is that they are the official colors of Krakow and its coat of arms, the cardinal noted.

The logo was designed by Monika Rybczynska, 28, from Poland’s small mid-west town of Ostrzeszow, following the canonization of St. John Paul II.

Cardinal Dziwisz also announced the official prayer for World Youth Day 2016, which is an entrustment of humanity and the youth to Jesus’ divine mercy, asking for the grace to obtain a merciful heart. It also invokes the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John Paul II, who is the patron of World Youth Days.


Below please find the full text of the World Youth Day 2016 official prayer:

“God, merciful Father,
in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love
and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman”.
We entrust to you in a special way
young people of every language, people and nation:
guide and protect them as they walk the complex paths of the world today
and give them the grace to reap abundant fruits
from their experience of the Krakow World Youth Day.
Heavenly Father,
grant that we may bear witness to your mercy.
Teach us how to convey the faith to those in doubt,
hope to those who are discouraged,
love to those who feel indifferent,
forgiveness to those who have done wrong
and joy to those who are unhappy.
Allow the spark of merciful love
that you have enkindled within us
become a fire that can transform hearts
and renew the face of the earth.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.
St. John Paul II, pray for us.

Wis. diocese clarifies stance on baptizing same-sex couples' babies

Madison, Wis., Jul 2, 2014 / 03:50 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Diocese of Madison, Wis. explained its response to same-sex couples who present children for baptism, welcoming sincere baptism requests but also warning of “speculative” or “scurrilous” news reports on the subject.

In a June 27 statement, the diocese reproduced vicar general Monsignor James Bartylla's May 10 confidential e-mail to priests, which noted that each request for baptism for a child being raised by a same-sex couple “must be evaluated individually.”

Priests who receive such requests should contact him to consult and coordinate, Msgr. Bartylla said.

“As you know, there a plethora of difficulties, challenges, and considerations associated with these unnatural unions (including scandal) linked with the baptism of a child, and such considerations touch upon theology, canon law, pastoral approach, liturgical adaptation, and sacramental recording,” the monsignor added.

That confidential e-mail drew the attention of the Wisconsin State Journal and attracted other national news, with the Wisconsin paper describing it as a “change in process.”

Religion News Service reporter David Gibson wrote about the Madison diocese's approach June 26, depicting it as a possible new cultural “battleground” and claiming that there is a “trend to curb baptisms.” He cited critics of Madison Bishop Robert Morlino who suspected the policy would curb baptisms he considers “problematic.”

In response to media coverage, the Madison diocese reproduced two statements its communications director Brent King sent to the Wisconsin newspaper.

In his June 2 statement, King noted “a few well-circulated and sometimes sensationalized news stories” regarding these baptisms. King said that Msgr. Bartylla’s office would assist pastors “on a case-by-case basis” given Catholics' desire “that all be offered the graces of baptism” and given “other just considerations.”

In his June 12 statement, King said that the number of babies baptized would not change under the diocese’s approach “if a parent is sincere in presenting a child for baptism.”

“We believe that baptism is the entrance into a new life in Christ and His Church, open to all,” King said. He added that in all cases of baptism of children, a parent must consent to the baptism and there must be “reasonable hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic faith.” Otherwise the baptism should be “deferred.”

“Any parent who desires baptism for their child, and truly intends to raise the child in the faith and all that means, should approach the Church, requesting the sacrament,” the spokesman said. “We want everyone to receive this most important sacrament, and we are dealing with this sensitive matter prudently, for the child’s sake and the integrity of this most sacred sacrament.”

The Madison diocese also cited the working document for the October Synod of Bishops' extraordinary general assembly that will address the challenges facing the family.

The document, issued June 26, notes that bishops' responses are “clearly opposed” to the adoption of children by same-sex couples because of the risk to the child's “integral good” and because of the child's right to both a mother and a father.

The document also emphasizes that when a person in a same-sex relationship requests baptism for a child, almost all the bishops’ responses “emphasize that the child must be received with the same care, tenderness and concern which is given to other children.”

Where there is reasonable doubt that the child can receive proper Christian instruction from those who request baptism, pastors should give careful oversight to baptismal preparation for the child, give particular attention to the choice of godparents and seek possible assistance from the couple’s friends and family.

This effort to secure proper support for a child’s baptism is “the same manner as for any couple seeking the baptism of their children,” the working document says.

News media coverage of the Diocese of Madison's approach to children raised by same-sex couples has also provided an opportunity for false front groups to criticize the Catholic Church.

The Religion News Service report from David Gibson interviewed Francis DeBernardo, the head of New Ways Ministries, which rejects Catholic teaching on sexual ethics. That organization's purported Catholic identity has been rejected by the U.S. bishops in 2010 and 2011.

Former sex slaves to take part in South Korea Mass with Pope

Seoul, South Korea, Jul 2, 2014 / 12:40 pm (CNA).- A group of South Korean women who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese army during World War II will attend an Aug. 18 Mass with Pope Francis when he visits the country.

According to local media reports, the Archdiocese of Seoul announced on Monday that it had invited the women to take part in the ceremony with Pope Francis. The Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Myeongdong in Seoul. A personal meeting between the pontiff and the women, many of whom are Catholic, has not been set.

Pope Francis will visit South Korea Aug. 14-18 to take part in the VI Asian Youth Day. It will be the third time a pontiff has visited Asia, the last time being St. John Paul II’s trip to the Korean peninsula in 1989.

Some 200,000 young girls and teenagers – more than half of whom were Korean – were forced to become sex slaves by the Japanese empire, which ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Japanese authorities denied involvement for years until clear evidence emerged, which led the Japanese government to issue an apology in 1993. However, the apology was not enough for Seoul, which has demanded reparations for the victims. Today there are some 54 women over the age of 80 who are survivors of the tragedy.

Vatican grieves deaths of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers

Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 04:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi released a statement voicing Pope Francis' condolences over three kidnapped Israeli teenagers found dead on Monday outside a Palestinian town.   

“The news of the death of three young Israelis that had disappeared is terrible and tragic,” the June 30 statement read.

“The murder of innocent people is always and abominable and unacceptable crime, and an important obstacle in the way of peace, for which we must continue to work restlessly and for which we need to pray.”

“Violence only begets more violence and feeds the deadly circle of hate,” it added.

Three Israeli teenagers, Gilad Shaer and Naftali Fraenkel – both 16 –  and Eyal Yifrah, 19, disappeared on June 12 while hitchhiking near the West Bank city of Hebron.  

Their disappearance sparked one of Israel's biggest manhunts in recent years.

On Monday, Israeli security sources confirmed that the bodies of the three young men were found in shallow graves, covered by few rocks, not far from where they were last seen.

The Vatican statement noted that “Pope Francis unites to the indescribable pain of the families affected by this homicidal violence and to the pain of all persons affected by the consequences of hate, and prays for God to inspire in all sentiments of compassion and peace.”

Since the search to find the three teenagers started, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Palestinian organization Hamas for their disappearance. Although Hamas has joined the coalition that rules the Palestinian territories, it is considered as a terrorist group by the U.S. government.

International observers fear that the murder of the three young students, one of which had U.S. nationality, will spark a new wave of violence between Israel and Hamas.

During his address to the cabinet after the bodies were found, Netanyahu said the youths had been “kidnapped and murdered in cold blood by beasts,” and said that “Satan has not yet invented vengeance for the blood of a small child. Hamas is responsible and Hamas will pay.”

The leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has condemned the abductions and murders, but has requested the Israeli government to present proof that Hamas was involved in the crimes.

Tomb of tradition

Soko Ranuqanuqa works on the crypt that will be the tomb for the late Archbishop Petero Mataca beneath the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva yesterday. Picture: JONE LUVENITOGA

A HISTORICAL event will unfold for the Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma as their first ever Archbishop the late Petero Mataca is laid to rest under the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva.

Archbishop Mataca will be the first ever Fijian Archbishop to be buried at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong announced yesterday.

"He will be entombed in what we are now calling a new bishop's tomb which is a room — an extension under the Sacred Heart Cathedral," Archbishop Loy Chong said.

"In doing that we are giving him the great honour that is given to archbishops and that is to have them be buried in the cathedral.

"We are continuing a long tradition which goes back to early Christianity and that is to bury archbishops under the cathedral that they serve in."

Archbishop Loy Chong said the archdiocese of Suva would celebrate the life of Archbishop Mataca at the vigil mass next Thursday at 6pm and the resurrection mass on Friday 10am at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

"After the vigil family, friends and the general public have the opportunity to pray and pay their last respect for the late archbishop. We will have the vigil mass and we would like people to celebrate the archbishop's life by sharing stories, the reflections and memories of him and this will be for the whole night.

"For us this is a historical moment where we move from the archbishop's tomb in Cawaci, Ovalau and to Suva basically for convenience because out there it is isolated and it's hard for friends and relatives to visit the tomb.

The reguregu begins on Tuesday at 2pm at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lami.

Long Serving Fijian Catholic Leader Passes Away

Fiji's retired Catholic leader, Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca, has died.Archbishop Mataca retired in 2012, being replaced by Father Peter Loy Chong.

The Fiji Sun reports that the 81 year old died at the Suva Private Hospital on Monday morning.

He had been consecrated as the Catholic Church's first indigenous Fijian bishop in 1974.

The Pacific Conference of Churches general secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae, says Archbishop Mataca had lived a life dedicated to the service of God and the church.

He says under his leadership the Catholic Church made significant contributions to Fiji's national development including the building of 12 secondary schools.

Reverend Pihaatae says Archbishop Mataca was committed to seeing that the local church was self-supporting and he made every effort to bring young men into the ministry as priests.

He says he was also passionate about social justice and addressing the needs of the under-privileged.

Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) will Rest in the Heart of Suva City

The late former head of the Catholic Church of Fiji, Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) will be buried inside the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Suva.

Archbishop Father Peter Loy Chong said the historic burial of Archbishop Mataca inside the church is an old Christian way of honoring Archbishops.

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong added that this will also enable relatives and friends to visit the tomb in the future.

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said they had agreed to keep the Former Archbishop at the Sacred Heart Cathedral after their meeting yesterday where they will use the empty rooms on the ground floor of the church.

Meanwhile Archbishop Peter Loy Chong has revealed that they are intending to invite the President, the Prime Minister, government delegations, Ministers, Council of Churches and those who have served with the late Archbishop Mataca.

The late Archbishop Mataca was born in Cawaci, Ovalau on the 28th of April 1933. He passed away last Monday at the age of 81.

The reguregu begins at 2pm next Tuesday at the Lami Parish.

It is proposed that Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) will be laid to rest next Friday.

FIJI FIRST - Condolence message from the PM on the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus)

Every Fijian joins me in mourning the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca, the former head of the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji. He was a towering figure in the church and the wider community, serving as the Archbishop of Suva for a remarkable 36 years.

Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always prepared to take a stand for what is right. I came to deeply appreciate his personal qualities when he and I co-chaired the National Council for Building a Better Fiji. We shared a vision of a nation in which a common and equal citizenry work hand in hand for the common good and I deeply valued his commitment and support as we strove to meet that common objective.

It is sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first genuine democracy that he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after our General Election in September. But when it happens, it will be in large part because of the building blocks he did so much to set in place.

I will never forget his courage in standing up to the forces of division in Fiji, nor the great moral authority he exercised as Archbishop for the common good. As I mourn his passing, I renew my commitment to achieve Archbishop Mataca’s vision for our beloved nation.

He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every Fijian. And those are the principles on which a better Fiji is being built.

Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) Rests in Peace in Fiji

The only thing that came into Sister Maria Akeneta Nake's mind when she heard of the passing of her brother, Archbishop Petero Mataca, was his dedication and service to every Christian in Fiji.

The 89-year-old sister lives at the Sisters of our Lady of Nazareth Home in Wailoku and is the only sister left of the eight siblings.

"I am the elder sister of Pete, there are eight of us — four girls and four boys but we were the remaining ones, he was the sixth," Ms Nake said.

"It wasn't easy for me to hear the sad news of his passing, all I did was cry when I heard the news yesterday (Monday), especially when I learnt that he is now gone and I will be the only one left.

"However, our other siblings got married and their children are now following in our footsteps, two are priests and two are also Catholic sisters from our extended family.

"He left behind a legacy for everyone to follow not only in his family. He was a person of integrity, a person who loved to give teachings to church followers and to be true to what they do."

In a statement yesterday, Archbishop Father Peter Loy Chong said it was with deep sadness that the Roman Catholic Curia announced the passing of Archbishop Emeritus, Petero Mataca.

"The Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma has come a long way under Archbishop Mataca's guidance over the past 40 years. We thank him for his tireless commitment and in his own words we say: Sa dre ko Malolo. It is time to say goodbye," Father Loy Chong said.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Ret) Voreqe Bainimarama said Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always prepared to take a stand for what is right.

He said it was sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first genuine democracy he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after the general election in September.

Archbishop Mataca died on Monday at the Suva Private Hospital after a long illness.