Church News Round-up
Pope Francis went on to analyze these “Christians of words,” revealing their specific characteristics. There is a first type which he defined as “gnostic -”who instead of loving the rock, loves beautiful words “and therefore lives floating on the surface of the Christian life. And then there’s the other, who Pope Francis called “pelagian”, who leads a staid and starched lifestyle. Christians, the Pope ironically added, who stare at their feet. “And this temptation exists today. Superficial Christians who believe, yes, God, yes Christ, but not everywhere: Jesus Christ is not the one who gives them their foundation. They are the modern gnostics. The temptation of gnosticism. A ‘liquid’ Christianity. On the other hand, there are those who believe that the Christian life should be taken so seriously that they end up confusing solidity, firmness, with rigidity. They are rigid! This think that being Christian means being in perpetual mourning. “ “The former have a superficial happiness. The others live in perpetual state of mourning, but do not know what Christian joy is. They do not know how to enjoy the life that Jesus gives us, for they know not to talk to Jesus. They do not feel that they rest on Jesus, with that firmness which the presence of Jesus gives. And they not only have no joy, they have no freedom either. They are the slaves of superficiality, of this life widespread, and the slaves of rigidity, they are not free. Today, the Lord calls us to build our Christian life on Him, the rock, the One who gives us freedom, the One who sends us the Spirit, that keeps us going with joy, on His journey, following His proposals.” The dinner took place near the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Vatican. “Our Lady who stands before us looks upon us with serenity,” the cardinal said. The dinner was organized by the Circle of Saint Peter, a papal charity. The evening was only one of a number of such events it holds throughout the year at its shelter in Rome “as a concrete sign of the Pope’s charity.” Cardinal Bertello, president of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, spent the entire evening with the special guests, with whom he chatted at length and shared personal experiences, according to the July 3 edition of L’Osservatore Romano. “I welcome you in the name of the Pope. As you know, this is your home, and he is pleased that you are here,” he told the group of homeless persons before dinner was served. his name by Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello.
ZENIT
POPE FRANCIS INVITES HOMELESS TO DINE AT VATICAN
On July 1 Pope Francis invited a group of 200 homeless individuals to dinner at the Vatican, where they were served in
CNA
KENYA
FACE CHALLENGES SQUARELY, PRIEST URGES YOUTH
A Catholic priest has urged the youth in the Catholic Church to face the current worldly challenges courageously and with faith. “The many issues challenging you today as young people can easily be confronted by intelligence, wisdom and holiness,” said Rev Fr Fredrick Mvumbi of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Langata Campus. 56
Closing a one-day youth conference on Chastity among the youth, held at the University and which brought together 150 Catholic youth, from various educational institutions, Father Mvumbi said both intelligence and wisdom, were central in achieving holiness in life. “The youth must strive to achieve the three, which are central in one’s life,” He urged the youth to strive to make use of their youthful life in striving to work for both spiritual and physical needs of life, where education should feature highly.
The youth conference was held on Saturday July 6. In his opening remarks, Professor Justus Mbae, the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), said, “We gather here today to discuss very fundamental issues in the lives of our young people and society at large. It is particularly exciting that this conference is discussing issues of importance to young people, with the young people, by young people. It is even more exciting to know that indeed, the young people can find time to be here to listen, learn and share.”
THE SEED - VOL 25, No. 8 AUGUST 2013