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Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 9:58 PM

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Subject: Articles of interest...

Eastern Christians modern day martyrs, says Card. Sandri

While the worlds eyes are focused on the unfolding tragedy in Libya and the so called “jasmine revolution” that is sweeping Arab nations in North Africa and the Middle East, the Vatican’s Congregation for Eastern Churches is calling on Catholics not to forget the plight of Christians in these countries, as violence against them escalates.

A letter signed by Prefect Cardinal Leonardo Sandri speaks of a “tangible sorrow” at the “escalating violence” against Christians in Eastern regions the consequence of which is “acutely felt” in the Holy Land.

He writes that “the Christians of the East are experiencing the actuality of martyrdom and are suffering because of the instability or absence of peace. The most disturbing sign of this is their inexorable exodus. Indeed a few positive signs in some situations do not suffice to invert the sorrowful tendency of Christian emigration which impoverishes the entire area, draining it of the most vital forces constituted by the young generations”.

For this reason, the Cardinal asks Catholics to remember their brothers and sisters in these lands during Lent, particularly in the Good Friday Collection, dedicated to these Christian communities. He points out that the initiative, “recalls a commitment that dates back to apostolic times”.

Cardinal Sandri concludes “It is therefore up to us to join the Holy Father to encourage the Christians of Jerusalem, Israel and Palestine, of Jordan and of the surrounding Eastern countries, to “never resign ourselves to the absence of peace. Peace is possible. Peace is urgent. Peace is the indispensable condition for a life worthy of humanity and society. Peace is also the best remedy to avoid emigration from the Middle East”. Listen to Emer McCarthy's report:

Pasted from <http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=471652>

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DIALOGUE BETWEEN BELIEVERS AND NON-BELIEVERS

Posted by George Vogt on Mar 21, 2011 in Catholic World News

VATICAN CITY,  (VIS) – In the Holy See Press Office at midday today, the presentation took place of the “Courtyard of the Gentiles”, an initiative by the Pontifical Council for Culture which will involve two days of meeting and dialogue between believers and non-believers in Paris, France, on 24 and 25 March.

Participating in today’s press conference were Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Fr. Jean-Marie Laurent Mazas F.S.J., executive director of the “Courtyard of the Gentiles”, and Stanislas de Laboulaye, French ambassador to the Holy See.

Cardinal Ravasi explained that “at the request of Benedict XVI the Church has decided to embark on a new stage of dialogue, exchange and joint activity among believers and non-believers. This has been entrusted to the Pontifical Council for Culture”.

The name “Courtyard of the Gentiles” evokes “the image of the vast area near the Temple of Jerusalem reserved for debates between Jews and non-Jews”, the cardinal said. “It complements inter-religious dialogue which has been going on for some decades and represents a long-term commitment of the Church which will interest many people in the world, believers and non-believers alike”.

“The aim”, Cardinal Ravasi continued, “is to help to ensure that the great questions about human existence, especially the spiritual questions, are borne in mind and discussed in our societies, using our common reason”.

The president of the pontifical council went on: “That symbol of apartheid and sacral separation which was the wall of the ‘Courtyard of the Gentiles’ was cancelled by Christ. He wished to eliminate barriers so as to ensure a harmonious meeting between the two peoples. … Believers and non-believers stand on different ground, but they must not close themselves in a sacral or secular isolationism, ignoring one another or, worse still, launching taunts or accusations as do fundamentalists on one side and the other. Of course, differences must not be skimmed over, contradictory ideas must not be dismissed, or discordances ignored, … but thoughts and words, deeds and decisions can be confronted, and even come together”, he said.

Relations between Christians and Gentiles “can follow the paradigm of a duel”, the cardinal concluded, “but what the ‘Courtyard of the Gentiles’ wishes to propose is, by contrast, a duet. A duet in which the sound of the voices may be at antipodes – such as a bass and a soprano – yet manage to create a harmony without renouncing their own identity; in other words, … without fading away into a vague ideological syncretism”.

The inaugural session of the “Courtyard of the Gentiles” will take place on the afternoon of 24 March at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO, presided by Irina Bokova, director general of UNESCO, and attended by diplomats and representatives of the world of culture.

A number of initiatives are scheduled to be held on Friday 25 March: in the morning at the Sorbonne University and in the afternoon at the “Institut de France” and the “College des Bernardins”. The day will conclude with a celebration on the forecourt of the cathedral of Notre Dame with the theme: “Into the Courtyard of the Unknown”. The event is open to everyone, especially young people. The Pope will address those present from giant screens set up for the occasion, explaining the significance and objectives of the Pontifical Council for Culture’s initiative.

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Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Rev 14:9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Rev 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Rev 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

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