Press Conference by the Special Envoy Archbishop Hoser in Medjugorje: "On the Question of Truth I Can Not Say"

The Pontifical Special Envoy Archbishop Henryk Hoser at the press conference in Medjugorje.

(Medjugorje) The Pontifical Special Envoy for Medjugorje, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, Bishop of Warsaw-Praga, gave a press conference this afternoon in Medjugorje. Hoser indirectly confirmed a link between the Motu Proprio Sanctuarium in Ecclesia, published on April 1 by Pope Francis, who provided for the internationalization of prayer places by the transfer of jurisdiction to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Archbishop Hoser said that "Medjugorje is already part of the new evangelization."

The Polish Archbishop was appointed Special Envoy for Medjugorje by Pope Francis. A direct connection with the aforementioned motu proprio is seen because it was signed by the Pope on the same day, although it was only published last Saturday. Archbishop Hoser has been in Medjugorje since last week and will probably stay there for a longer period. Before the end of the summer, according to his mission, he has to submit "pastoral solutions" to the Pope for Medjugorje.

The press conference, in which Hoser spoke French, "the language of diplomacy", was broadcast by MaryTV.

The archbishop found very well-meaning words for the place. "There is a special, spiritual climate here."

"I think that Medjugorje is already part of the new evangelization. The numbers speak for themselves. The dynamism of the increase of pilgrims shows that the needs are also growing."

Numbers were cited: 610 appeals in countries such as the USA, Italy, Germany, which were aroused in Medjugorje, and 2.5 million pilgrims visiting the Herzegovinian town every year.

"There are other important things, such as the retreat Domus Pacis. In recent years it has been used by more than 1000 groups with over 42,000 participants. These spiritual retreats transform men inwardly," the Archbishop said.

All this "shows the intensity of Christian life in Medjugorje, which can be compared with other places."

The "Apparitions"

Archbishop Hoser was asked whether he considered the alleged Marian publications in Medjugorje to be real or not. The Special Envoy, however, stayed with an opinion. He was not entitled to comment on it.

"It is not my task to discuss whether these phenomena are true or not, because the Church has not yet defined them. This is the work of the Commission of Cardinal Ruini."

This is the international investigation commission set up by Pope Francis in 2010 under the direction of Camillo Cardinal Ruini. This commission listened to all the "seers" with the task of commenting on the issue of authenticity, whether the Mother of God has appeared in Medjugorje since 1981 or not. The Commission ended its work by the end of 2012. With the resignation of Benedict XVI. and the election of Pope Francis, it is at a standstill. In 2014, Cardinal Ruini gave Francis the final report to the Commission and presented its conclusions.

Hoser also expressed the hope that "the ultimate decision of the Commission and of Pope Francis" would soon take place.

"Unfortunately, I can not speak about the material of this Commission, since it has not yet been published. I could speak with Cardinal Ruini, but I can not say anything about it."

The term "apparitions," which Hoser used at the press conference, he uses,"because they are so-described here." But it is not a matter of their inherent value, according to the Archbishop.

The archbishop confirmed that he had "met with the 'seers'" as part of my commission, "but" not to the matter itself, "because that is the task of the Commission of the Doctrine of the Faith by Cardinal Ruini."

According to the "seers", according to Hoser, "the phenomena still persist, which presents difficulties to making a final judgment."

The Archbishop still emphasized the need for clarification. He had climbed the Podbrdo, the so-called "Mount of the Marian Apparitions." He had met a group of Polish pilgrims at the Marian statue established there and talked with them about the piety of the Virgin Mary. "It is not true that I had led the pilgrims there, as some media have claimed."

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Photo: MaryTV (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

What Did the Holy Father Really Say to World Jewish Congress Leaders -- Violent Polemics in Poland

(Warsaw) The Jewish-friendly words that Pope Francis said on Monday to the Chairman of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) , who was also appreciative of this praise, is cause for violent polemics in Poland. The official statement from the Vatican about the audience granted by the Pope to the highest leadership of the WJC, and the official statement of the WJC did not meet with overall approval.

While the Vatican did not mention it, it was in the WJC statement that had been discussed  concerning Jewish affairs in Europe. In this context it came to Kosher  laws of ritual slaughter and the ban on circumcision that have been complained against by the most prominent and influential Jewish organization as "anti-Jewish". The WJC told the Pope of a "new anti-Semitism" and described in this context, Poland. A connection that offends many Poles and even Polish Church  circles.

"Special order" for Cardinal Koch in Poland? - Papal solidarity with Jews Meeting Criticism

More so the criticism  was concerned that Pope Francis, did not defend the Poles, but that he should affirm the Jewish criticism. The WJC statement said that the Pope had shown himself "concerned" about  ritual slaughter and Cardinal Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity was commissioned  "to investigate" the mattter and within the convene a special meeting next week.

The papal "solidarity" with Jews and papal "investigations" against Poland have caused a significant storm in the Polish press. In the media the Pope's  statement  is referred to as "inappropriate". The tone of criticism is, however, significantly immoderate in its choice of words. On the streets you can hear violent statements in a mixture of disappointment, misunderstanding and outrage. A woman in Krakow  of about 40 is visibly upset about the question of the papal statement, who offers the counter-question:  "Will the Pope not defend us? We are Catholics. Why is he defending the Jews who deny Christ?" The surrounding women, who come straight from their shopping, concur with her.

Vatican spokesman Lombardi Denies the World Jewish Congress

Meanwhile, is was also reported in the Jerusalem Post . On Tuesday, the matter  appeared in the daily meetings of Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi where it was discussed with journalists. Lombardi was forced to correct the statement of the World Jewish Congress. "There is no particular order of the Pope to Cardinal Koch regarding the rules for animal slaughter in Poland,"  said the Vatican spokesman.

The conflict over Jewish ritual slaughter had broken out in Poland, after the Constitutional Court had been called to  determine the method unconstitutional because of animal cruelty. It sparked violent protests by Jewish organizations in Europe and at the international level. The Jewish organizations spoke of a "devastating impact on religious freedom".

Polish Parliament Rejected a Special Permit for Jewish Ritual Slaughter

Recently  the Polish majority in Parliament rejected a bill from the bourgeois-liberal government that would allow the Jewish ritual slaughter again. The government based this decision one one taken by the EU policy in January  that allowed the Jews ritual slaughter. Israel, too, has been active in diplomatic parquet and described the Polish ban on ritual slaughter as "totally unacceptable".

The reactions of  Jewish organizations did not impress the Polish majority. The solidarity of the Pope had, however, not  been expected in Poland. Accordingly, most of the discussions are vigorously concerned with a little "Who done It," as to what Pope Francis had really told the delegation of the WJC.

The controversy also coincides with the accreditation of the new Polish Ambassador to the Holy See. Piotr Nowina-Konopka, will pay his first official visit to the Pope on Monday.

The Close Proximity of the Argentine Pope to Judaism

The Polish reactions takes the friendship and closeness to the Pope of Argentine Jews into the public spotlight. With the rabbi of Buenos Aires, the then Archbishop Bergoglio an interview book. The hospitality he gave Jewish organizations, including the Masonic B'nai B'rith,  in Catholic churches, was not without controversy even before his election as Pope in Catholic circles in Argentina. Even as Pope his audiences for Jewish leaders or representatives of Jewish organizations and his messages to the Jewish religion and to the Jewish Community in Rome is recognized this particular area. At a reception for high WJC representatives in June Francis Pope had said: "Because of the common roots  a Christian can not be an anti-Semite." On Monday, he reiterated this statement and added that a Christian to be a "good Christian" who has to understand Jewish history and tradition. [Never mind that most Catholics, even in Buenos Aires, don't know aught about Catholicism.]

In Poland, these statements are now being discussed and partly criticized. Although the intention of the June statement was clear, the choice of words, was yet inappropriate, because what is the name of "anti-Semite" exactly. The Monday Statement is ambiguous, because what was meant by "Jewish history and tradition." Jewish history and tradition of the Old Testament or today? Why must a person, to be a good Christian, know the history and traditions of the Jews after the birth of Christ?

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: traditions catholica

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com 

AMGD

John Paul II's Secretary: "One does not climb down from the cross."

Warsaw (kath.net/ CBA) Warsaw (kath.net / CBA) Provocative statement: The Krakow Cardinal and long-time secretary of Pope John Paul II (1978-2005), Stanislaw Dziwisz, has caused concern in Poland with a remark on the Pope's resignation. Blessed John Paul II, had fulfilled the papacy, despite serious illness, until his death and said, "one does not climb down from the cross." Polish media reports on Monday quoted Dziwisz. On this question, the Wojtyla-Pope had also consulted with the then Joseph Ratzinger, the Prefect of the Curia. Despite his "great surprise" over the resignation of Benedict XVI., he understands, however, this decision to resign for age and health reasons, says Dziwisz.

In a written statement the Krakow Cardinal, said Benedict XVI. has led the Church "with great caution and wisdom." He was very grateful for Benedict XVI's "extraordinary benevolence towards the Polish people" and the beatification of John Paul II in May 2011.

The Warsaw Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz spoke of a "great loss" for the Church. Benedict XVI. had "excellently fulfilled both spiritually and intellectually guided the Church" in his duties as pope, said Nycz. The announcement of the resignation was for him personally a "great surprise," the Cardinal said. He accepted, however, that Benedict XVI. must have important reasons for such "unprecedented decision".

The President of the Polish Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Jozef Michalik, recalled that Benedict XVI. during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square again preached to the Polish pilgrims in their language. "Poland was in his heart." The bishops prayed that the Pope resignation would be accepted in an "atmosphere of faith."

Link kath.net...