Christian Perspectives

Pope Benedict XVI names twenty-two new Cardinals

Vatican city, (VIS) - “It is with great joy that I announce my intention to hold a concistory on February 18, in which I will appoint 22 new members of the College of Cardinals”. With these words, addressed to faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus, Benedict XVI announced the fourth consistory of his pontificate.

“As is well known”, he explained, “Cardinals have the task of helping Peter's Successor carry out his mission to confirm people in the faith and to be the source and foundation of the Church's unity and communion”.

The new Cardinals “come from various parts of the world and perform various ministries in the service of the Holy See, in direct contact with the faithful as fathers and pastors of particular Churches”.

Eighteen of the new Cardinals, being under the age of 80, will be electors. Their names are:

? Archbishop Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

? Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, penitentiary major.

? Archbishop Santos Abrily Castello, archpriest of the papal basilica of St. Mary Major.

? Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

• Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
   
• Archbishop Francesco Coccopalmerio, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.
   
• Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
   
• Archbishop Edwin Frederick O'Brien, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
• Archbishop Domenico Calcagno, President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.
• ? Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi, President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
• ? Major Archbishop George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars, India.
• ? Archbishop Thomas Christopher Collins of Toronto, Canada.
• ? Archbishop Dominik Jaroslav Duka, O.P. of Prague, Czech Republic.
• Archbishop Willem Jacobus Eijk of Utrecht, Holland.
• Archbishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence, Italy.
• Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan of New York, U.S.A.
•  Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki of Berlin, Germany.
•  Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, China.

The Holy Father also pronounced the names of four new Cardinals who, being over the age of 80, are ineligible to vote in a future conclave. “I have”, the Pope said, “decided to elevate to the dignity of Cardinal a venerable prelate who serves as pastor and father of a Church, and three worthy priests who have distinguished themselves for their dedication and service”. They are:

• Major Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras and Alba Julia of the Romanians, Romania.
• Fr. Julien Ries, priest of the diocese of Namur and professor emeritus of religious history at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
•  Fr. Prosper Grech, O.S.A., professor emeritus of several Roman universities and consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Fr. Karl Josef Becker, S.J., professor emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University and for many years consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In closing the Pope invited the faithful to pray for the new cardinals, “asking the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, to intercede that they may always bear courageous and dedicated witness of their love for Christ and His Church”.

Book Review

Cardinal Cooray - considered for sainthood
Title : Cardinal Cooray - (Kardinal Kure)
Author: Fr.Ernest Poruthota
Published by: Colombo Catholic Press
Pages: 135

Sri Lanka Catholic Church is collecting data in respect of late His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI, with a view to get the Vatican Curia responsible for recommending candidates for sainthood to consider the late prelate, a worthy Servant of the Lord to be called a saint of the Universal Church.

Although the Sri Lanka Catholic history records of martyrs from Mannar district, the Church has not given recognition to that fact, yet, in the 1995, Blessed Pope John Paul II, as the then Pontiff gifted to the local church Fr Joseph Vaz, an Oratorian Missionary from Goa, calling him, Blessed and the Apostle of Sri Lanka, who had labored hard to spread the fact of the presence of God in the isle of Sri Lanka, died and buried here among the locals. The preliminary work to get the Vatican Curia to recognize and recommend that late Cardinal Cooray, a son of the soil is worthy of being declared a Saint of the Universal Church, began on October 29, 2010 at the National Basilica Grounds at Tewatte, Ragama. The Vatican responding positively to the request of the present Colombo Archbishop, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith in this regard, has given the approval to initiate action at the rchdiocesan level where the nominee was born and bread.

The Committee / Secretariat came into operation with that permission been granted and is empowered to gather information on life, times and work, and prepare the dossier on the historical position and submit same to the said Vatican curia, for its perusal and recommendation. It is the first step on the road to sainthood of Cardinal Cooray, who is now referred to as the Servant of the Lord. The public could assist the Committee by providing information. Rev. Fr. Ernest Poruthota, the author of the present book Kardinal Kure released the pocket–size book “Kardinal Kure” (first edition) in the year 1965 to mark the historical occasion, to educate the general public and to let the Sri Lankan polity know about the son of the soil, the pride of the nation, in some detail. Fr.Portuthota, then serving as Parish Priest of Dehiyagatha Kuda Madu Church did the manuscript for that pocket size book with the Vatican announcement reeling over the radio, that the Archbishop Cooray had been raised to the position of a “Prince of the Church”. It was the first book ever written on late Cardinal Cooray, a fitting tribute to the late prelate. Undoubtedly it was the ideal and the best way to keep in memory, the jubilant occasion, as it was very first time in the history of Sri Land and Universal Catholic Church, a Sinhalese, a Sri Lankan was elevated to the highest rank of the Church hierarchy, a Cardinal, a Prince of the Church.

The author through his writings brings the nostalgic memories to tell the now-generation how the elevation of the then Colombo Archbishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Benjamin Cooray OMI ( (from December 28,1901 to October 29,1988) to the status of Cardinal by Pope Paul VI on February 22,1965, turned into a day of joy for all in Sri Lanka.

Archbishop Cooray, the first Sinhalese, Sri Lankan representing Sri Lanka in the College of Cardinals, was the second Sinhalaya to be consecrated a Coadjutor Bishop of Colombo with the right to succession as Archbishop. Fr. Portuthota, now serving as a member of the Historical Committee working for the beatification of the late Cardinal, has released the enlarged version of the concise book of the year 1965, as its second edition with precise information and a gamut of photographs, covering more space of the present edition.

His Eminence Cardinal Cooray, a treasured member of the Oblate Congregation Sri Lanka Chapter, hailed from Periyamulla, Negombo, known as Punchi Romaya. St. Sebastian Church at Wellaveediya was his Parish Church where he was baptized on December 31, of the same year, three days after his birth. The Archdiocese of Colombo which has undertaken the task of preparing the position papers to be effective to the cause of beatification of Cardinal Cooray underscores the fact that the late Cardinal deserves recognition of the Church.

The author while emphasizing the fact the late prelate was a much sought after personality among the elite of his time also refers to the erudite scholarly Monks like Ven.Madihe Pannaseeha, Ven. Mapalagama Vipulasara who held him in esteem for his loyalty to the Motherland, the language and culture. He was equally held high by scholars like L.H. Meththadanda, Rapiel Tennakoon and reputed media men like D.B. Danapala and Chandraratne Manawasinghe for his sincerity, forthrightness, accommodation and his ability to listen with an open mind to the other views. The author also makes salutary reference to the radio talk delivered on March 11, 1965 by a well reputed media giant of the time Sirus W. Surendra, expressing his deep appreciation of the prelate and accredited the elevation of the Colombo Archbishop to the cardinalate, as the highest honour the Church had bestowed to the island nation, Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

The author remarks that the elevation of Archbishop Cooray to highest ranks of the Church had given fillip to the world to recognize Sri Lanka as a Nation whose history shows that the Catholic faith is deep rooted in the Lankan soil and goes to the first century, the times of the Apostles. The present book Kardinal Kure, comes with a life sketch of late Cardinal Cooray, cites very important mile-stones in his life tempting the enthusiastic now-generation reader to dive for more information. Perusing the pages the reader will enhance his knowledge about the nature of the hierarchical position, role, duties and responsibilities of those elevated as Cardinals and the sole right they exercise as a body in electing a new Pope. The late prelate had the rare opportunity to cast the first Sri Lanka vote to elect Popes John Paul I and II in 1978. The book also refers to the Katholika Urumaya archive-site at the Tewatte. The book with such information would serve as a reliable and much valued source-book to the keen students of Church history and her development.

Wiruma

Abundant blessings of a Christian

Weekly Devotions:

Sunitha Sahayam

As we step into 2012 it is good to dwell on some wonderful promises that Jehovah, the Great gives to His people. When storms and tsunamis attack us in our daily walk with Him, it helps to understand that our Father holds us firmly in His nail pierced hands and that He is a covenant keeping God and nothing can separate us from the Love of God.

I list below some abundant blessings that His mouth has spoken, and may the Word of God be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway giving us its ever glowing lustre in directing and protecting us this new year. God wants us to be aware of the several abundant spiritual blessings that is awaiting us and we must receive these blessings as we walk in our lives.

Even as you read this, may it bring upon you the abundant blessings our Saviour has won for us.

Abundant Life: John 10:10

The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I am come that they might have life and they might have it more abundantly.

We cannot deny that the fowler is there waiting to pounce on us and our every move has to be aware of this fact but Jesus has made a way of escape by this wonderful promise of abundant life.

Abundant Joys: Psalm 36.8

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house and thou shall make them drink of the river of thy pleasure.

Being joyful has a deeper meaning than the word ‘happiness’ – the joy here emanates from the fact that as we belong to Christ. He is able to bring about an inner-satisfaction and a pleasure which arises from knowing Him. ‘My ways are not your ways, not your thoughts are not your thoughts’ says the Lord and as we sup with Him in our hearts a joy that knows no comparison is experienced as a result.

Abundant Grace: 2 Cor.9.8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work.

What is grace? Grace is ‘undeserved mercy’. ‘Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me ‘as the songwriter writes ... Our God who looked upon us with grace for our salvation by giving Himself for us is able to look at every situation of our lives with this amazing grace to enable you to serve Him.

Abundant Power: Ephesians 3.20

Now unto Him is able to do exceeding, and abundantly above all things we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

We are weak but the Holy Spirit who dwells in us is strong. He is the Creator of the Universe and HE holds the world together. Such power is ours if we yield to His will for our lives and let Him dictate our future. Nothing is impossible to God and if we believe this in our hearts, certainly there is immense power that is available to us to do His will.

Abundant Supplies: Phi. 4.19

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesust.

What a glorious promise is this. Our God is giving us a guarantee to supply all our needs, not according to what we deserve or what is within our earning capacity – but according to His riches. The owner and proprietor of the whole universe is giving us a promise to meet our needs and experience tells me that great is His faithfulness.

Abundant Entrance into the Everlasting Kingdom: 2 Peter 1:11

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Oh Christian, why fearest thou and what lackest thou?

Are you so blind that thou cannot see what thy Saviour has won for you by His suffering on the cross of Calvary?

Abundant Life – a life that fully satisfies your soul

Abundant joy – that surpasses the pain and sorrows

Abundant grace – help awaits you just a prayer away – not taking into consideration the vilest sin you may have committed, because it is by grace you are saved?

Abundant Power – not the weakness of your body or how frail your mind is but Christ’s power worketh in you?

Abundant supplies – You do not have to work or spin but focus on the Kingdom of Heaven and He shall feed you and clothe you better than the Lilly of the valley and Solomon in all his splendour is of no comparison the way you will be clothed with the garments of His provision.

Abundant entrance into the everlasting Kingdom.

When death at last robs you off your life from this world – death has no sting nor the grave victory over your life, as God promises and abundant entrance into an everlasting Kingdom with Him.

Christian, oh what glory is yours? Even after death your entrance into the everlasting Kingdom is assured and a glory awaits you that cannot be matched to anything that this world offers?

Yes, indeed you are blessed – look upon the King of Glory and all what He offers you and surely you shall not be in what – your future and destiny carries the mark of His covenant, sealed with His everlasting blood.

Remember these six Abundant promises of God throughout 2012 and surely you will have a blessed year.

Prayer

Oh Lord my God, your promises of abundant privileges to me are awesome. Help my mind to understand as to who has given me these assurances and receive thy covenant grace with a grateful heart, and may I know and understand more and more as you reveal your blessings that are available to me as your child, that I in turn will be able to experience a new horizon in my walk with you and build up my confidence in you. I submit year 2012 humbly to you my Lord and my Saviour. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Let us promote the true feelings of Christian brotherhood:

Christianity and leadership

Jacintha John

As you would recall during the past era, there was a deep sense of feeling and love amongst our Christian diocese and society. Today you would see a different society with no concern or feeling for one another.

Many homes and churches were destroyed by the tsunami in 2004 and many were victimized by this devastated situation and left homeless. These concerns were witnessed by many Christians including dignitaries failed to voice their concerns on behalf of their brethren. The woes of many have gone unheard and those who have been sheltered in camps, solutions to their problems were kept in abeyance. The true values of our Christian fellowship had deteriorated substantially.

During the end of the war in North/East in 2009, many people were distraught by this incident and they were unsure of their lives and destiny stored for them, the voice of the Muslims were heard and all those who were displaced at that time, their community had stood by them, which is a commendable factor. All facilities were meted for the affected families forthwith.

They even went to the extent of building homes and mosques and have helped their community in means as well. This is true brotherhood and love that was shown during a crucial situation faced and not stopped at this, but even gone to the extent of arranging overseas jobs for their brethren through their sponsors in Middle East and other countries.

We must remember that this initiative was offered by the community of brotherhood without any assistance from any foreign NGO.Many Christians who are still in distress are yearning to see if anyone could voice their concerns and help them to find solutions to the unending issues faced. The voice of the affected families and their cry for empathy from true Christians should be heard and dealt in a human manner. In fact we are not so hard-hearted; each one of us will have a thread of feeling towards the suffering and the affected that have been driven to a plight with no fault of theirs, but purely of a natural disaster.

Better late than never, let us put together starting from our churches and promote the true feelings of Christian brotherhood for those who are still in desperation and hoping in hopes to see some light at the end of the tunnel.