A Christmas Break

This blog will now take a short break over the Christmas period and will resume regular posting on the 11th January 2010. May we take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
&
A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

News this Saturday on beatification of John Paul II?

Pope John Paul II will be declared “venerable” on Saturday, December 19, according to an Italian magazine story. The report—which appears likely to be accurate—would mean that the late Pontiff could be beatified as soon as the Vatican approves a miracle attributed to his influence.

According to the Italian magazine Panorama, at a consistory on December 19, Pope Benedict XVI will approve a series of decrees prepared by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, including one that attests to the “heroic virtue” of Pope John Paul II. Such a finding would give the late Pontiff the title “venerable,” and the subsequent approval of a miracle would fulfill the only remaining requirement for his beatification.

Several miracles attributed to the intercession of the Polish Pontiff are already under investigation, and Vatican officials feel confident that one will soon be approved. Panorama suggested that tentative plans are already been discussed for the beatification of John Paul II in October 2010.

The Vatican has not commented on the Panorama report—and is unlikely to make any public comment prior to an an official announcement. However, the report is plausible for several reasons.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints typically prepares a series of decrees in December regarding candidates for beatification and canonization. These decrees are generally approved by the Pope at a consistory shortly before Christmas. (A consistory is a meeting of the cardinals who are present in Rome at the time.) Thus the December 19 date is likely.

In November, several informed sources at the Vatican disclosed that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints had voted to approve a finding of “heroic virtue” in the cause of John Paul II, and would prepare a decree to that effect for the Pope’s approval.

(CWN)

DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE BISHOP OF LANCASTER

1. EPISCOPAL VICAR FOR RELIGIOUS (South):
In succession to Mgr Michael Kirkham, the Bishop is pleased to announce that he has appointed Fr Chris Cousens as Episcopal Vicar for Religious for the South of the Diocese (with immediate effect). The Bishop thanks Mgr Michael for his dedicated years of service in this role and now Fr Chris for taking up the mantle.

2. DIOCESAN ECUMENICAL REPRESENTATIVE (Cumbria)
The Bishop is immensely grateful to Fr Michael Murphy who has agreed to become his Diocesan Ecumenical Representative for Cumbria.

(from the Diocesan website)

Vatican dismisses speculation on Pope's health

The chief spokesman for the Vatican has scoffed at rumors that Pope Benedict XVI may be in failing health.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told Agence France Presse that he was “astonished” to encounter speculation about the Pontiff’s health.

The rumors began when the Vatican reminded reporters that Mass on Christmas Eve at the Vatican would begin at 10 pm, rather than at midnight. That change from the traditional schedule—which had been arranged several weeks ago—prompted the London Times to question whether the move was made because of Pope Benedict’s health. Father Lombardi responded that the Vatican has deliberately avoided placing undue demands on the stamina of the 82-year-old Pontiff, and the earlier Mass would allow him to have a full night’s rest before Christmas Day. “It is a sensible precaution,” said the Vatican spokesman, and “no cause for concern or alarm.”

Father Lombardi pointed out that Pope Benedict has been holding to his usual schedule of public appearances, without raising any concerns among those who attend his audiences or meet with him. “Everyone can see the Pope is well,” he said.

Vatican moves forward 'midnight' Mass for Christmas Eve

PopeBenedict XVI will celebrate Mass on Christmas Eve beginning at 10 pm rather than at midnight, the Vatican has announced. The scheduling change, which was made several weeks ago, was explained as a way “to tire the Pope a bit less.”

The Eucharistic celebration is now expected to end at around midnight, enabling the Pontiff to have a full night’s sleep before Christmas Day, when he will appear at noon to deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s basilica.

The London Times (which is frequently sensationalistic in its coverage of Vatican affairs) opened speculation that the change might signal concerns about the health of the Holy Father. Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, denied any medical concerns. “There is no cause for alarm.” He assured reporters. Since Pope Benedict’s election the Vatican has been candid about allowing providing ample rest for the Pontiff, who is now 82 years old.

Nevertheless the scheduling change surprised Vatican-watchers, who pointed out that the Mass on Christmas Eve has always begun at midnight, even during the last few years of the pontificate of the ailing John Paul II.

(CWN)

Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark resigns

Pope Benedict XVI has today accepted the resignation of Archbishop Kevin McDonald of Southwark.

The archbishop submitted his resignation to the Holy Father having taken account of medical advice. Archbishop McDonald has had a triple heart bypass and also suffers from severe osteo arthritis. This has already necessitated surgery and the archbishop envisages further surgery in 2010. “I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark,” Archbishop McDonald said. “Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace. “It has been a privilege to lead this great diocese and I have received a wonderful response to everything I have tried to do. “I have also been very appreciative of the prayers of so many people while I have been ill. The Diocese will continue to be very much in my thoughts and prayers in the time ahead.”

A Diocesan Administrator will be appointed soon and he will be in charge of the diocese, until a new archbishop takes possession of Southwark.

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for December is: "That children may be respected and loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms".

His mission intention is: "That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognise in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man, and that the nations may open their doors to Christ, the Saviour of the world".

(VIS)

Pope to preside at beatification of Cardinal Newman

Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman during his visit to Great Britain next year, the Catholic Herald reports.

Although neither the papal visit to England nor the beatification of Cardinal Newman has been officially confirmed by the Vatican, the Catholic Herald quoted "informed sources" as saying that the Pontiff has decided to break from his usual policy to preside at the ceremonies for Cardinal Newman. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Benedict XVI has presided only at canonizations, leaving beatification ceremonies for other prelates. Father Ian Ker, a Newman biographer, said: "By breaking his own rules Pope Benedict clearly shows he regards Newman as a completely exceptional case, one of the great theologians of the Catholic Church."

(CWN)