It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. -- Thomas Jefferson

Thursday, February 14, 2013

NUMBER OF ELECTORS DOES NOT DEPEND ON DATE OF CONCLAVE



Vatican City, 14 February 2013 (VIS) – In a previous story about the future conclave to elect Benedict XVI's successor it was erroneously stated that the number of cardinal electors could vary according to the date that the conclave commences.

In fact, this number is independent of the date that the conclave begins because John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis", which will regulate the conclave, establishes in no. 33 that cardinals who have reached their eightieth birthday before the day when the Apostolic See becomes vacant will not be cardinal electors.

For that reason, for example, Cardinal Walter Kasper, who turns 80 on 5 March will be an elector, as is also the case for Cardinal Severino Poletto, who turns 80 on 18 March.


You can find more information at: www.visnews.org
The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Monday, February 11, 2013

DIRECTOR OF HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE ON POPE'S RESIGNATION




Vatican City, 11 February 2013 (VIS) - Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, commented there and on Vatican Radio on Benedict XVI's resignation of the papacy. "Among the reasons for the Pope's resignation, as he noted in his own words," he said, "are the circumstances of today's world that, in relation to the past, are particularly difficult, both because of the speed as well as the number of events and problems that arise that, therefore, need a vigour, perhaps stronger than in the past. It is a vigour that the Pope says he has felt diminish in him in recent months."

He continued, "The phrase: 'well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter,' is very significant This is the formal declaration, which is important from a juridical point of view. In paragrapgh 2 of canon 332 of the Code of Canon Law, we read: 'Should it happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns from his office, it is required for validity that the resignation be freely made and properly manifested, but it is not necessary that it be accepted by anyone.' The two fundamental points are, therefore, freedom and due manifestation. Freedom and public manifestation, and the consistory in which the Pope manifested his will is public."

"Benedict XVI will continue to fully carry out his functions and his service until 28 February at 8:00pm. From that moment on the situation of Sede Vacante will begin, regulated, from a legal and canonical standpoint, by the texts referring to Sede Vacante in the Code of Canon Law and the Apostolic Constitution 'Universi dominici gregis' by John Paul II, regarding the Sede Vacante of the Apostolic See."

"The Pope's announcement is consistent with what he declared in the book 'Light of the World' by Peter Seewald, based on interviews with Benedict XVI. Seewald posed two precise questions on the hypothesis of resignation. In the first, he asked the Holy Father whether, in difficult situations that weigh on the pontificate in progress, the Pope would consider resigning. Benedict's response was: 'When the danger is great, one cannot escape. For this reason, surely, this would not be the time to resign' (he was referring to the question of sexual abuse, etc.). Moments like this are the times when one has to be strong and face the difficult situation. This is what I think. One can resign in a time of peace, or when one simply no longer has the strength, but one cannot escape in a moment of danger saying 'someone else take care of it'. In any case, the Pope said that the difficulties would not be, for him, a motive for resignation; rather, they would be a reason not to. Seewald's second question was: 'Well then, can you imagine a situation in which you would think that a Pope could resign?' The Holy Father responded: 'When a Pope realizes clearly that he is no longer physically, mentally, and spiritually capable of carrying out his role, then there is legally the possibility, and also the obligation, to resign.'"

The Director of the Holy See's Press Office explained that the Holy Father "will move to Castel Gandolfo on 28 February, and, once he has finished the tasks he has in progress, he will take up residence in the former cloistered monastery in the Vatican. The process for the election of a new Pope will begin on1 March. We do not yet know the exact date of the conclave, but obviously there will be no need to wait the normal eight days of mourning (novendali) after the death of the Pope. Thus, in two weeks, during the month of March, in time for Easter, we will have a new Pope ... Benedict XVI will have no role in next March's conclave, nor in the running of the Church during the time between popes, the time of Sede Vacante. The Apostolic Constitution gives no role in this transition to a pope who resigns."

"Personally," he concluded, "I received the announcement of the Pope's resignation with great admiration, for its great valour, for the Holy Father's freedom of spirit and great concern for the responsibility of his ministry. Benedict XVI has offered us a great witness of spiritual freedom, of great wisdom in regard to Church government in today's world."


You can find more information at: www.visnews.org
The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City



COMPOSITION OF THE CONCLAVE TO ELECT NEW POPE

The 1492 conclave was the first to be held in the Sistine Chapel, the site of all conclaves since 1878.


Vatican City, 11 February 2013 (VIS) - The conclave to elect the successor of Benedict XVI will be regulated by the "Ordo Rituum Conclavis" established by John Paul II's apostolic constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis", para. 27. The Cardinal Camerlengo, who has a fundamental role during the Sede Vacante period, is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, appointed by Benedict XVI on 4 April 2007.

The Cardinal electors, by their continents of provenance, will be 61 Europeans, 19 Latin Americans, 14 North Americans, 11 Africans, 11 Asians, and 1 from Oceania. These figures may vary depending on the date that the conclave opens: for example, Cardinal Walter Kasper will turn 80 on 5 March. The country with the greatest number of Cardinal electors is Italy, with 21. Sixty-seven of the electors were created by Benedict XVI and the remaining 50 by John Paul II.

One of John Paul II's innovations regarding the period of conclave is that the Cardinal electors?of whom there will be 117 on 28 February?will be housed in the Vatican residence Casa Santa Marta, which is independent from the place where they vote, the Sistine Chapel.

The Cardinal electors must remain in the Vatican during the entire period of conclave, and no one can approach them when they move from the Sistine Chapel to their place of residence or vice versa. All forms of communication with the outside world are prohibited. As in the past, the Sistine Chapel stove will be used to burn the ballots after each vote.


You can find more information at: www.visnews.org
The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:
V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.
Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Study: Habitual porn users more likely to support same-sex 'marriage' | LifeSiteNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:
  • A new study soon to be published has found that men who watch the most online pornography are significantly more likely to support same-sex “marriage.”
  • “Our study suggests that the more heterosexual men – especially less educated heterosexual men – watch pornography, the more supportive they become of same-sex marriage,” Indiana University Assistant Professor Paul Wright told The Washington Examiner.
  • A review of 500 men over six years found that “pornography consumption did prospectively predict support for same-sex marriage,” according to an abstract of the article, which is soon to be published in the journal Communication Research.
Read more by clicking below:

Vermont Votes Wednesday on Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide | LifeNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeNews.com:
  • The Vermont legislature will hold its next vote on Wednesday on a bill that would make the state the third to legalize assisted suicide, following Oregon and Washington. Days ago, the Senate Health & Welfare Committee unanimously approved a bill despite hearing from opponents of it.
  • The vote in the Health & Welfare Committee was expected and it sent the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will have a less hearty reception observers say. That committee is expected to send the bill with an unfavorable recommendation to the full Senate.
Read more by clicking below:
Vermont Votes Wednesday on Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide | LifeNews.com

Catholic hospital apologizes for arguing that fetus is not a person : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:
  • Following a meeting with Colorado’s three bishops, a Catholic hospital group has apologized for arguing in a wrongful-death lawsuit that a fetus is not a person.
Read more by clicking below:
Catholic hospital apologizes for arguing that fetus is not a person : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Oregon investigates bakery for refusing to make wedding cake for lesbian couple : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:
  • The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating whether Sweet Cakes by Melissa, a bakery near Portland, violated a non-discrimination law when its owner refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.
Read more by clicking below:
Oregon investigates bakery for refusing to make wedding cake for lesbian couple : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Monday, February 4, 2013

Charlotte abortion clinic cited for filthy conditions, other violations | LifeSiteNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:
  • The North Carolina Department of Health has cited an abortion clinic, A Preferred Women’s Center in Charlotte for multiple violations in response to a complaint filed by a local pro-life activist concerned about conditions at the facility after she witnessed a medical emergency there in October, 2012. She was notified of the citations in a letter dated January 2, 2013.
(Note: This is the same clinic where their resident abortionist was caught on video making racist remarks about Black babies. You can see that video here.)

Read more by clicking below:
Charlotte abortion clinic cited for filthy conditions, other violations | LifeSiteNews.com


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