The need for improved relationships and a rebuilding of trust in the Church is the message that has been emerging from a meeting of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG, which opened here in Rome last Friday. The five days meeting brings together some 800 leaders of women’s religious communities from 76 countries and is focused on the theme ‘The service of leadership according to the Gospel”.
Sisters search for new leadership models at UISG meeting
 
The need for improved relationships and a rebuilding of trust in the Church is the message that has been emerging from a meeting of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG, which opened here in Rome last Friday. The five days meeting brings together some 800 leaders of women’s religious communities from 76 countries and is focused on the theme ‘The service of leadership according to the Gospel”.
 
In a discussion session on Sunday with the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Religious, Brazilian Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz spoke of recent tensions with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the United States, saying there is need for a wide-ranging review of structures of power within the Catholic Church.
The UISG was established in 1965, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, to promote deeper collaboration between female religious congregations.
 
Following is NCR’s full interview with Mary Lou Wirtz, edited only slightly for clarity and context.
 
In that vein of servant leadership, in several of the presentations so far there have been a lot of discussions about power, or authority, or what it means to be obedient. A couple days into the meeting, what’s the essence you’re taking away from those?
The concept of power of this world, as Jesus refers to it, of our governments and all that, is so often the power of oppression or putting down people or abusing power in many different ways. What we’re trying to reflect on is ‘What is the good aspect of power?’
And I think Sr. Mary Pat [Mercy Sr. Mary Pat Garvin] in her reflection this morning was showing how when we use power in the right sense, we can influence others and that influence itself is power. We’re sometimes afraid as religious to use that word, and yet I think in the very communal way in which we go about our ministries and service, that is a power.
We have the power to influence many, many people — through what we do and through our service, without us focusing on that as an end in itself, but as through that service.
 
So some of the importance for you was just to get the facts on the table?
I think so, and for other sisters from other parts of the world to hear what are the facts. And to hear from one of the team themselves how this has unfolded and how the sisters are handling it.
 
Looking at the LCWR situation, what’s the key question facing women religious throughout the world in how LCWR has been treated?

I don’t know how to answer what the key question is, but I think for other religious they’re watching to see how this is unfolding and how it might impact them in the future. They’re very interested in following the situation. I don’t know that I could say a key question except that they are interested in seeing how this plays out, because it has implications.
If LCWR can truly open a dialogic stance with CDF for instance and bring clarity because of openness on both sides of the dialogue, I think that would be wonderful. I think that’s what they’re hoping for.
Would a sense of dialogue help relations between religious and Vatican officials in the future?
I hope so, that we can model what true dialogue is, that we can model that in such a way that it helps those on the other side — in other words, the Vatican side — to understand what we mean by dialogue.
That it is a mutual sharing by both sides of information, of whatever is on their minds — that there can be that kind of mutual openness to hear one another. That isn’t always felt at this time.
They’re [LCWR] being slow in the process, hoping that through taking the time and patience that the possibility for better dialogue can truly unfold.
 
What are you most hoping for?
I think just for the opportunity for the interaction for the sisters here with the cardinal because I find he’s very open. And I’m happy to have the opportunity for the sisters to experience that because some come with fixed ideas of how things have been in the past.
I’m hoping too that on the visitation of the U.S. sisters that he’ll at least be able to give us update information because that’s never been brought to a closure, mainly because staff keep being changed. And so to get an update on that I think will be helpful, especially for the American sisters.
We’ll have to see where the dialogue goes, but I’m really happy for this opportunity, that he was so gracious to offer us this much time to dialogue.
 
Is there some issue facing women religious that you thought going into this role you wanted to focus on, but haven’t been able to?

One of the issues that we’ve worked with throughout these years is how can we have better connections with the constellations — constellations are regional groupings of various sizings and various aspects of influence.
And we’ve worked hard to try to connect to those parts of the world where there either was no constellation or an inactive one and try to revitalize or call forth how can we be of better help?
That’s been one of the pieces, and also with the closings of Regina Mundi [an international study center in Rome that was closed in 2006] we’ve initiated “Regina Mundi in Diaspora,” where we’re helping to fund some educational opportunities for sisters from developing countries to be educated in their own country, but helping to provide some monies to make that possible.
That’s been one of the things that we’ve developed in this time also.
 
By Josha McElwee
http://ncronline.org
Published: May 6, 2013
 
 
 
 
 

Recently, the D. R. of Congo has seen serious difficulties cause by the war that is bringing about insecurity and ever-increasing poverty. The people, in spite of their efforts to claim their rights, remain powerless faced with the complexity surrounding the external and internal causes about them. For how long? What can we do? How? So many questions…

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
                                   

Recently, the D.  R. of Congo has seen serious difficulties cause by the war that is bringing about insecurity and ever-increasing poverty. The people, in spite of their efforts to claim their rights, remain powerless faced with the complexity surrounding the external and internal causes about them. For how long? What can we do? How? So many questions…
 
The Church is one of the voices that cries unceasingly for help and urges the Congolese Christians and all people of goodwill to take in hand their destiny.
 
The Congolese Bishops Conference has many times spoken to the faithful and particularly to the government inviting them to take on their responsibility  
 
Below are the messages warning of the war that, unfortunately, has come about and the message of 22 February 2013 the central point of which is: do not touch the Constitution of the country!

 
Message of 5 December 2012
 
 CONGOLESE PEOPLE, STAND UP AND SAVE YOUR COUNTRY
Fidelity to national unity and territorial integrity of the DR Congo
(cf. 1Ma 14, 35)
Message from the Standing Committee of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO) on the security situation in our country
 
INTRODUCTION
Worried by the upsurge of violence in the East of our country which culminated in the taking of the town of Goma by the rebels of the « Mouvement du 23 Mars 2009 » (M23), we, Cardinal, Archbishops and Bishops of the Standing Committee of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO), met in Kinshasa from the 3rd to the 5th December 2012 in extraordinary session to examine the overall situation and its consequences.
 
GIVENS
2. In our previous messages we condemned the balkanisation of the DR Congo, the illegal exploitation of its natural resources, and the proliferation of militias and armed groups. At the same time we also organised a triduum of prayers and a march in all the dioceses of the DR Congo on the 1st August 2012. Following our pastoral visit to the suffering population in North and South Kivu in September 2012, and in spite of our discussions with the M23 in the presence of the hostage-population of Rutshuru, the situation got worse.
3. The war in North Kivu caused enormous destruction especially with regards the degradation of human rights caused by the M23 and the armed groups, numerous murders, rapes, kidnappings, the enrolment of minors in the armed groups, illegal imprisonment and taxation, banditism, destruction and looting of national resources and personal belongings and forced massive displacement of populations in conditions that were less than human. The fall of the town of Goma has been a source of consternation for all Congolese.
4. Today, a part of our territory escapes our government’s control and finds itself under the administration of the M23 supported by foreign countries, namely Rwanda and Uganda. The report of the United Nations Experts confirmed this. Underlying this situation is the balkanisation strategy which is in the process of being implemented. This strategy has followed the same trajectory for tens of years: questions of (national) identity, finance, rejection of national authority, illegal exploitation of national resources, forced displacement of populations and use of violence, all with a view to breaking up the DR Congo.
5. We are also aware of a growing frustration among the population because of governmental failure to meet their expectations. Our ethnic identities are deliberately used by some compatriots for their own political ends. Some “peace treaties” signed with armed groups, without prior consultation, compromise the RD Congo’s sovereignty and integrity.
CONDEMNATION
6. This is why we disapprove and condemn all that has happened. It has been the source of suffering for the people, caused delay in the development of the whole country and has been a step backwards in terms of the democratisation process. It is all the more inadmissible that all this has been caused by Congolese compatriots who allow themselves to be manipulated in the name of foreign interests. They ignore the legitimate institutions of the Republic and disrupt the national cohesion to which we aspire after so many years of tribulation and uncertainty.
7. At the same time, we disapprove the recourse to arms as a possible solution to the problems that occur in our national community. The atrocities and the negative consequences of past experiences of recurrent wars demonstrate how limited this solution is. The actions of the M23 do not, therefore, meet their claims. It is up to the leaders of this rebel Movement and those who support them to draw their own conclusions and accept responsibility. Their criminal acts will not remain unpunished.
 
INVITATION TO REINFORCE NATIONAL UNTY
8. We reaffirm the sovereignty of the DR Congo and the permanence of its borders; we hold firmly to the unity and indivisibility of the DR Congo based on the borders fixed during colonisation and recognised by the international community on the 30 June 1960. The integrity of the DR Congo territory is non-negociable.1
9. Faithful to our duty as pastors, called by Our Lord, Jesus Christ, to work for the unity of humankind in our country, we urgently call the whole Congolese population to work for national unity. All efforts to find solutions to the problems of our nation have to be considered in the perspective of a unity to be saved and promoted for the good of the whole population, without privileging one group to the detriment of others. This is the price of national reconciliation.
10. Taking into account the situation caused by this latest violence, some of the consequences of which we have described above, we have formulated the following recommendations:
 
RECOMMENDATIONS
A call to patriotism
11. Congolese brothers and sisters we call on all of you to embrace patriotism. Faithfulness to national unity and the protection of territorial integrity of the DR Congo are a sacred task for all Congolese. Our ethnic diversity is our wealth. Brothers and sisters, we invite you to remain vigilant so that no one, not even elected persons of your ethnicity, make use of your identity in order to cause opposition among you for ends which are not clear. It is only in unity, through conversion of hearts and reconciliation that we will be able to help our country to develop on all levels.
 
Responsibility of those who govern and of politicians
12. The actual state of the Congolese nation is a call to you, who govern us. It is imperative, first of all, to guarantee the security of the population and the national territorial integrity. It will be by addressing the legitimate aspirations of the population to peace inside the country and with its neighbours, dignity and development that you will consolidate national unity. In light of this take to heart the visionary leadership role you are called to in formulating and presenting solutions to the crisis to national and international partners. It is urgent to promote good governance to train a republican Army, dissuasive and capable of defending the security of the Congolese and the integrity of their territory against all threats and consequences of armed groups.2
13. We remind all Congolese politicians that the country is in danger. You have no right to waste time quarrelling about egoistic interests. It is deplorable that some of you in privileging your proper interests, make yourselves complicit with those who are trying to destroy our national unity. The protection of national unity and of territorial integrity impose upon you to mobilise and group all your efforts in order to counter any effort to balkanise our country. The ideals so dear to the pioneers3 of the independence of the RD Congo, namely independence, unity, prosperity, peace and Nationhood have to be respected and promoted by you. It is these ideals which constitute our pride and form the basis of our national unity. They have to remain as the horizon towards which converge all efforts to create the Congolese nation by a process of serene political and democratic debate. Now is the time to stand together to face the danger of the break up and enslavement of our country that endangers the existence of both it and of the nation.
 
Regarding upcoming negotiations
14. Claims by any group of Congolese who feel badly done by must be dealt with in accordance to the law and respecting the Constitution of the DR Congo. It might be worth examining the juridical value of the agreements of 23 March 2009 and why the meeting was held in Kampala.
15. We also call to the attention of all those who will travel to Kampala the traps implicit in these negotiations. They must not sell out the unity of the Congolese nation, nor must they sign agreements which enact the balkanisation of the RD Congo. They have to be vigilant and clairvoyant. It is important that the fundamental and patriotic principles – from which no person can distance themselves – be scrupulously respected and that a schema of acceptable and tolerable concessions also be adhered to. An agreement that sold out national sovereignty would be unacceptable.
 
To the international community
16. We are grateful for all the efforts deployed by the international community for peace in the DR Congo. Nevertheless the people continue to ask: how, despite the firm promises of Monusco, the territory of Rutshuru and the town of Goma were not defended and the civil population not properly protected? Should the mandate of Monusco not be adapted to respond to the actual situation in the DR Congo? The Congolese people yearn for a time when the principles of international law and solidarity, which are the basis for world peace, will triumph.
1 Cf. CENCO, Non à la balkanisation. Communiqué sur la situation de guerre dans le pays, 06 juillet 2012.  
2 Cf. Notre rêve d’un Congo plus beau qu’avant. Message of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo to the Congolese people on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of the DR Congo (24/06/2010), n.17.
 
3 Cf. Notre rêve d’un Congo plus beau qu’avant, n.7.
 
http://caritasinternationalis.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/message-from-cenco-standing-committee-5-december-2012a.pdf
 
Message of 22 February, 2013
 
Memorandum from the standing Committee of the National Bishops’ Conference of Congo to the president de la République on the present state of the Nation
 
Excellency Mr President of the Republic,
…All vital forces of the Nation, called to dialogue, have to bring their contribution to the building of a truly democratic Congo. But, they have to get involved sincerely, first of all, in respecting the national sovereignty, the territorial integrity and the constitutional order.
 
In the political domain
 
Respect for the constitutional order must be observed by all. It is the guarantee of cohesion and national unit. CENCO is firmly opposed to any attempt to modify article 220, an article locked into our Constitution, which stipulates: « The republican form of the State, the principle of universal suffrage, the representative form of Government, the number and length of the mandates of the president de la République, the independence of the judiciary, the pluralism of political parties and unions cannot admit of no constitutional review ». To this effect, we commit ourselves to sensitise the Congolese population so that it understands the importance of this article for the stability of the country.
 
The Nation is at a decisive turning point: it can achieve a better future if all its vital forces are i volved in respecting the rules of democracy and in scrupulously observing constitutional order. That is why, in our context, we reassert that our Constitution, which was the object of a national consensus by a referendum and that is the plinth of our democracy, should not have article 220 changed. We emphatically call the wisdom and responsibility of all elected representatives to bear on this.
 
Our wish is that the dialogue envisaged may confront with courage and sincerity the vital concerns of the Nation. Respecting the opinions of one and all, may it promote the supreme good of the Nation. The moral refounding of our society must remain the central concerns of all, because without ethics in the political arena, it is difficult for the DR of Congo to advance and to develop.
 
With faith and hope in God whose absolute love is revealed to us in a wonderful way in the cross of his son, Jesus Christ, we entrust to him, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Congo, the Congolese people and all its rulers …
 
Given at Kinshasa, 22 February 2013
 
 
 
 

During the International Meeting for Basic Formation in the Institute, March 2012, the sisters representing Canada and the countries of Europe, together with the sisters of the Vicariate, once more raised the issue of the topicality of our Charism for today’s world.
 
INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR
THE PASTORAL CARE OF VOCATIONS
 
Europe – Canada
Martillac 2 – 5 April 2013

How did this meeting come about?
 
During the International Meeting for Basic Formation in the Institute, March 2012, the sisters representing Canada and the countries of Europe, together with the sisters of the Vicariate, once more raised the issue of the topicality of our Charism for today’s world. We had the opportunity to share together on what was happening and being done in each Unit concerning the Pastoral Care of Vocations (General Chapter Decree 2008), especially in the context of these countries.
 
The fruit of this reflection was a strong call experienced by all: not to give up but to continue, and take the risk of offering the treasure of our Holy Family Charism, in the variety of its vocation, to our young people.
 
As a follow-up, the General Council caused a small international team to be formed with sisters from Europe, Canada and South Africa. This team met once and the result was to plan this International Meeting which will take place in Martillac from 2 – 5 April.
 
What is the aim?
 
“To have a time of reflection together in order to arrive at a common vision for the Pastoral Care of Vocations and to see its implications in our contexts.”
 
For whom is it intended?
 
Our first thought was a meeting of the sisters of the Institute, but this subsequently extended to participation by members Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles. The experience of the Congress that we are now living stimulates us and invites us to take concrete steps to advance AS FAMILY.
 
The response was very positive as the number of participants from all the Units of Europe plus the sister from Canada, as well as the members of the other Holy Family vocations, testifies:
 
22  Apostolic Sisters
  3  Contemplative Sisters
  2  Consecrated Seculars
  5  Lay Associates
  1  Priest Associate
 
 
 
 
 

Since 2010 the sisters of the Delegation of Cameroon-Chad have wanted to open a second community in Chad to reinforce the community of Gounou-Gaya. The Visit of Animation by the two members of the General Leadership Team, Ana Maria and Micheline, helped us to reflect and decide on our priorities as a Delegation.
 
LISTENING TO THE NEW COMMUNITY OF TAGAL IN CHAD
 
Since 2010 the sisters of the Delegation of Cameroon-Chad have wanted to open a second community in Chad to reinforce the community of Gounou-Gaya. The Visit of Animation by the two members of the General Leadership Team, Ana Maria and Micheline, helped us to reflect and decide on our priorities as a Delegation. One of the priorities that surfaced was, “Risk, Open Out, Implant yourselves elsewhere in Chad”.
 

 
And so, our desire became a reality – to reopen the community of Tagal, closed ten years ago. On 25 October 2012, Ewa-Maria Stanknwska, Medene Founmaranwa and Madonna Fonseka were sent out and welcomed at Tagal by the Christian community. Tagal is a village inhabited by the Moussey people. It has about 13,000 inhabitants, many of whom practise the traditional African religion. There are 700 Christians, Protestant and Catholic.
 
Agriculture and livestock are their main source of income. Tagal is a parish of the diocese of Pala, 25 km from Gounou-Gaya: it is vast and under the direction of the Xaverian priests. For ten year the parishioners have not had a resident priest, nor any sisters. The catechists and animators undertook to continue the mission of evangelisation and the priests come every fortnight to celebrate Mass.
 
We are among Christian and non-Christian families. We are discovering very welcoming people who are attached to their traditional values. The people express themselves freely and say what they think without fear. Polygamy is a traditional value practised by those who are attached to traditions.
 
Girls are married off at a young age. In the matter of education, priority is given to boys. Girls are in the minority in both primary and secondary schools. Standards are very low. To remedy this, the parish organises extra classes to bring them up to standard and also provides a library for the youth. Ewa Maria and Madonna are involved in this. We noticed that family life is on the decline and the young have no role models.
 
 A large number of the population suffers from AIDS. Medene works at the Health Centre and accompanies those living with AIDS. We hope to work for the promotion of women, instructing women and young girls in hygiene, literacy, and manual work.
 
 
During these few months at Tagal, we have been impressed by the good values of this people. We have become aware that there is much to be done. In so far as it is possible we will try to make our contribution with the support of our charism of communion and guided by these words of the Founder: “My dear daughters, in devoting yourselves to the works of the Association you have not separated yourselves from those who live under the common law. As companions of their good angel, you follow them in the valley of tears and, to bring them back or to keep them for Jesus Christ, you share with them all the fatigue, the trials andl the danger of the journey”.
 
Community of Tagal (Chad)
 
 
 
 
 

Every time you see or use water, remember it is a gift of God. Learn to develop a reverential attitude to this vital liquid. It is not just a commodity or object but rather “our sister”. By developing a contemplative gaze we are led to the Creator through creatures: “All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious, and pure.”
WORLD WATER DAY- 22 march
 
PROTECTING AND PRESERVING WATER
 A Few Things You can Do…
 
CONTEMPLATE…
Every time you see or use water, remember it is a gift of God. Learn to develop a reverential attitude to this vital liquid. It is not just a commodity or object but rather “our sister”. By developing a contemplative gaze we are led to the Creator through creatures: “All praise be Yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious, and pure.”
Water is life – life for the poor – life for the world.
LEARN
Be an advocate and defender of “water for all” as a Human Right. Develop a critical consciousness. Be wary of recommendations that take responsibility away from local and national governments on water issues and hand them over to private companies, especially multi-nationals.
Involve civic society in planning and implementing strategies to defend and preserve water.
Learn from communities who have successfully resolved problems relating to water.
Find out who owns the companies of bottled water sold where you live.
CONSERVE
Think of some ways you can conserve water in your home. E.g., fix leaky faucets/taps, limit lawn watering and long showers and support alternative methods of sewage management (dry sanitation).
Revive water harvesting techniques (traditional knowledge and practices), protect the watershed by encouraging forestry programmes and campaigns to plant trees.
Build awareness concerning the importance of healthy grasslands, farm lands, wetlands and woodlands; it is the best insurance against water scarcity.

DEFEND
The rights of local communities to manage their water resources. Question critically the liberalization and commercialisation of services for water and sanitation.
Advocacy at local, national and international levels.
     i.    Find out how water is managed in your country, region or town;
     ii.   Find out what the water and sanitation policy is in your local area and in your country. Pay particular attention to what your government position is on the GATS negotiations;
    iii.   consult reputable NGOs or other experts for this information and; iv) work with them to defend basic rights to water and sanitation.
Advocacy in developed countries: target the national Ministers for Trade and the European Commission for Trade to defend in clear language at the GATS negotiations the exclusion of the access to household water and basic sanitation services from the renegotiated GATS agreement.
Limit the use of lawn fertilizers, and be sure to use only phosphorus-free fertilizers. Most lawns already have all the phosphorus they need.
CHANGE
Become an educated consumer! Buy recycled, environmentally friendly products.
Personal Conversion: Choose one activity you can personally commit yourself to do and another with your community. Evaluate this at some future date.
Structural Conversion: Support some campaign either nationally or internationally that is working to ensure a just legal framework for the protection of and access to water and/or sanitation facilities. Evaluate this at some future date.
Change your daily habits and help reduce water pollution and water use. Drive less and bike, walk or carpool more to help reduce the production of toxic air pollutants that cause acid rain.
Always take a shower rather than a bath – if under five minutes you can save up to a 1000 gallons per month. Don’t clean your teeth with the water running – you can save four gallons per minute – and whenever you use water, use less.
Turn down your water heater temperature and your home thermostat to reduce energy use and help curb pollutants that cause acid rain.
Share your knowledge and activities with others!
 
Document, JPIC
 
 
 
 
 
 

I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude.
HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE FRANCIS
 

 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude.
 
I offer a warm greeting to my brother cardinals and bishops, the priests, deacons, men and women religious, and all the lay faithful. I thank the representatives of the other Churches and ecclesial Communities, as well as the representatives of the Jewish community and the other religious communities, for their presence. My cordial greetings go to the Heads of State and Government, the members of the official Delegations from many countries throughout the world, and the Diplomatic Corps.
 
In the Gospel we heard that “Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife” (Mt 1:24). These words already point to the mission which God entrusts to Joseph: he is to be the custos, the protector. The protector of whom? Of Mary and Jesus; but this protection is then extended to the Church, as Blessed John Paul II pointed out: “Just as Saint Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ’s upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model” (Redemptoris Custos, 1).
 
How does Joseph exercise his role as protector? Discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand. From the time of his betrothal to Mary until the finding of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, he is there at every moment with loving care. As the spouse of Mary, he is at her side in good times and bad, on the journey to Bethlehem for the census and in the anxious and joyful hours when she gave birth; amid the drama of the flight into Egypt and during the frantic search for their child in the Temple; and later in the day-to-day life of the home of Nazareth, in the workshop where he taught his trade to Jesus.
 

 
How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply to his own. This is what God asked of David, as we heard in the first reading. God does not want a house built by men, but faithfulness to his word, to his plan. It is God himself who builds the house, but from living stones sealed by his Spirit. Joseph is a “protector” because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons entrusted to his safekeeping. He can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions. In him, dear friends, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly, but we also see the core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!
 
The vocation of being a “protector”, however, is not just something involving us Christians alone; it also has a prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world, as the Book of Genesis tells us and as Saint Francis of Assisi showed us. It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!
 
Whenever human beings fail to live up to this responsibility, whenever we fail to care for creation and for our brothers and sisters, the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened. Tragically, in every period of history there are “Herods” who plot death, wreak havoc, and mar the countenance of men and women.
 
Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be “protectors” of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment. Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world! But to be “protectors”, we also have to keep watch over ourselves! Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives! Being protectors, then, also means keeping watch over our emotions, over our hearts, because they are the seat of good and evil intentions: intentions that build up and tear down! We must not be afraid of goodness or even tenderness!
 
Here I would add one more thing: caring, protecting, demands goodness, it calls for a certain tenderness. In the Gospels, Saint Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see great tenderness, which is not the virtue of the weak but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love. We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness!
 
Today, together with the feast of Saint Joseph, we are celebrating the beginning of the ministry of the new Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Peter, which also involves a certain power. Certainly, Jesus Christ conferred power upon Peter, but what sort of power was it? Jesus’ three questions to Peter about love are followed by three commands: feed my lambs, feed my sheep. Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the Cross. He must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked Saint Joseph and, like him, he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison (cf. Mt 25:31-46). Only those who serve with love are able to protect!
 
In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks of Abraham, who, “hoping against hope, believed” (Rom 4:18). Hoping against hope! Today too, amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope! For believers, for us Christians, like Abraham, like Saint Joseph, the hope that we bring is set against the horizon of God, which has opened up before us in Christ. It is a hope built on the rock which is God.
 
To protect Jesus with Mary, to protect the whole of creation, to protect each person, especially the poorest, to protect ourselves: this is a service that the Bishop of Rome is called to carry out, yet one to which all of us are called, so that the star of hope will shine brightly. Let us protect with love all that God has given us!
 
I implore the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, and Saint Francis, that the Holy Spirit may accompany my ministry, and I ask all of you to pray for me! Amen.
 
Saint Peter’s Square
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Solemnity of Saint Joseph
 
 

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Supreme Pontiff, the 265th successor of Peter, and has chosen the name Francis I.
 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION OF THE POPE
 
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Supreme Pontiff, the 265th successor of Peter, and has chosen the name Francis I.
 
The cardinal proto-deacon Jean-Louis Tauran made the solemn announcement to the people at 8.12 p.m. from the external loggia of the Hall of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica following the white smoke which occurred at 7.06 p.m.
 

 
 
Pope Francis: his first words
 
Brothers and sisters good evening.
 You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have come almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.
First of all I would say a prayer pray for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI.. Let us all pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and Our Lady protect him.Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory to the Father…
And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood . My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, together with help of my Cardinal Vicar, be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city.
And now I would like to give the blessing, but first I want to ask you a favour. Before the bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.
[The Protodeacon announced that all those who received the blessing, either in person or by radio, television or by the new means of communication receive the plenary indulgence in the form established by the Church. He prayed that Almighty God protect and guard the Pope so that he may lead the Church for many years to come, and that he would grant peace to the Church throughout the world.][Immediately afterwards Pope Francis gave his first blessing Urbi et Orbi – To the City and to the World.]
I will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.
Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with you again soon.
We will see one another soon.
Tomorrow I want to go to pray the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.
Good night and sleep well!
 

The status of women in Pakistan varies considerably across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socio-economic development and the impact of tribal, feudal and capitalist social formation on women’s lives. The Pakistani women of today enjoy a better status than most Muslim women.
WOMEN IN PAKISTAN
 
The status of women in Pakistan varies considerably across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socio-economic development and the impact of tribal, feudal and capitalist social formation on women’s lives. The Pakistani women of today enjoy a better status than most Muslim women. However, on an average, the women’s situation, vis-à-vis men, is one of systemic, although there have been attempts by the government and enlightened groups to elevate the status of women in Pakistani society. Now due to lots of awareness among people, the educational opportunities for the Pakistani women have increased. However, Pakistani women still face atrocities like rape, acid throwing, honor killings, forced marriages, forced prostitution and the buying and selling of women. The past few years have been witness to a steep increase in such crimes.
 
History
 
Historically, in the 19th century, feminist-sympathetic movements within the South Asian Muslim community tried to counter social evils against Muslim women through the custom of purdah (where women were forcibly isolated from social contact, primarily with men). Other Muslim reformers such as Syed Ahmad Khan tried to bring education to women, limit polygamy, and empower women in other ways through education.
 
It is pointed out that Muslim women leaders from all classes actively supported the Pakistan movement in the mid-1940s. Their movement was led by wives and other relatives of leading politicians. Women were sometimes organised into large-scale public demonstrations. Before 1947 there was a tendency for the Muslim women in Punjab to vote for the Muslim League while their menfolk supported the Unionist Party.
 
Pakistani women were granted the suffrage in 1947 under the Pakistan (Creation of Pakistan) Ordinance, and they were reaffirmed the right to vote in national elections in 1956 under the interim Constitution. The provision of reservation of seats for women in the Parliament existed throughout the constitutional history of Pakistan from 1956 to 1973.
 
Culture
 
Although women’s dress varies depending on region, class and occasion, shalwar kameez is the principal garment worn by Pakistani women. Ghararas (a loose divided skirt worn with a blouse) and lehengas were very common earlier, but now they are worn mostly at weddings.
 
Few Pakistani women wear the hijab or burqa in public and the degree to which they choose to cover, varies. Some Pakistani women, who do not wear the hijab, may wear the dupatta or chadar instead.
 
A Sari is a formal dress worn on special occasions by some urban women. The so-called “Islamization” under General Zia ul Haq’s dictatorship branded the sari as an “un-Islamic” form of dress. The sari is now making a comeback in fashionable circles. Western garments such as T-shirts and Jeans are common amongst young urban women.
Education 
Despite the improvement in Pakistan’s literacy rate since its Independence, the educational status of Pakistani women is among the lowest in the world. The literacy rate for urban women is more than five times the rate for rural women. The school drop-out rate among girls is very high (almost 50 percent). The educational achievements of female students are higher as compared with male students at different levels of education, a redeeming factor. This is the story of a few years ago but now education in Pakistan for women is improving rapidly. In the city of Lahore there are a total of 46 public colleges out of which 26 are female colleges and if we talk about the rest of 20 colleges some of them offer co-education. Similarly the public universities of Pakistan have more female enrolment than that of boys.
Dress code
 
        Hijab and Hijab by country
 

 
Tribal women wearing Shalwar Kameez outfits, living in Burban, Pakistan.
 
AURAT FOUNDATION
 
Aurat Foundation has its Head Office in Islamabad, and four regional offices in the provincial capitals (Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta). AF is a civil society organisation working for women’s empowerment and citizens’ rights with the collaboration of citizens’ groups and organisations to provide information, build capacity and undertake advocacy for women’s issues and for good governance in Pakistan.
The goals of the Foundation are to:
assist women to acquire greater control over knowledge, resources and institutions
influence social attitudes and behaviour for a sensitive and responsive social environment to address women’s concerns and development
develop a strong network of civil society organisations to support women at the community and district level
undertake advocacy with public servants and public representatives for development policies and planning as well as supportive legislation that increases women’s access to development opportunities and resources.
Website: http://www.af.org.pk/mainpage.htm
 
Sr. Josephine Emmanuel
Pakistan
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, 27 February 2013, was a special day in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, where the sun shone brilliantly. An immense multitude invaded the square with one desire, to thank and greet for the last time a Pope who had been loved as a father, a friend, a master. In the crowd banners of every country were raised with ‘Thank you’ in gigantic letters.
Last audience of Benedict XVl
Last farewell to the crowd
 

 
Wednesday, 27 February 2013, was a special day in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, where the sun shone brilliantly. An immense multitude invaded the square with one desire, to thank and greet for the last time a Pope who had been loved as a father, a friend, a master. In the crowd banners of every country were raised with ‘Thank you’ in gigantic letters. On other placards one could read affectionate words like “We will not forget you!”, “We loved you!”, “We will miss you”.
 

 
The whole Church had gathered around the Pope, a crowd of ordinary Christians who came to support the man who “has no more strength” with their affection and presence. We too came from the General House to represent the Holy Family of Bordeaux and offer our sincere thanks for his courageous work in the Church and for his words that gave us light and life.   
 
One last time he addressed the Church and the world. His voice was weak but the strong message reached all hearts. Once more he left us a vision of faith. “May the joyful certitude that the Lord is near us be always in your hearts and that he does not abandon us but surrounds us with his great love.”
 
We knew him as a gentle and unassuming man, as a man of Hope who, before leaving, joyfully affirmed in the name of the Spirit: “The Church is alive today”.
 
So it was that Pope Benedict XVl left to become a “pilgrim” at the heart of the Church and humanity.
 
VIDEO  
 
 
 

Thinking back over the Family Congress and the Assembly of Priest Associates in which I had the joy of participating, I would like to share two convictions that seem to me insightful for the exercise of my ministry as a diocesan priest.
TWO INSIGHTFUL CONVICTIONS
 

 
Thinking back over the Family Congress and the Assembly of Priest Associates in which I had the joy of participating, I would like to share two convictions that seem to me insightful for the exercise of my ministry as a diocesan priest.
 
Here is the first: the way our reflection progressed throughout the congress highlighted the reality of the links that unite the five vocations of the Family. We can only really live the charism of our Founder in a spirit of communion. What each one lives in his or her personal commitment in the bosom of the Holy Family is lived in solidarity with the others in the exercise of our mission.  
 
We were pleased to express it by this formula: wherever a member of the Family is present, the whole Family is present. Therefore, our way of living in our country, our pastoral work, our community life, our human relations with others and our prayer are imbued and enriched by this spirit of communion.
 
Here is the second: as priest associates we wish to bear witness by our ministry to this Family spirit that Fr Noailles wanted to make a reality in order to respond to God’s desire to gather together all people as a single family in God’s self. We are convinced that the teaching of the Second Vatican Council is enriching the new evangelisation that the universal Church has begun, as well as the new worldview. 
 
We hope that the sharing of our pastoral experiences and fraternal support in prayer will be at the heart of our lives as priest associates as a gift of the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Holy Family of Nazareth is for us a source of inspiration to live an authentic evangelical presence among the women and men where we live.
 
The third stage of the congress has begun. May we live it as a small family in the large universe family, as ‘Family on mission, gift for the world.
 
  
Jean-Louis Despeaux
Priest Associate, Bordeaux