England and Wales: a mass for Christians in Iraq Next June 16, His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor will officiate a Mass in Westminster’s Cathedral (at 5.30 p.m.) conveying support to Christians in Iraq and to all those undergoing sufferings and violence in the Country. “At a time when many Iraqi Christians have been forced to leave their home Country – we were told at London’s diocese – this Mass constitutes an opportunity for bishops and faithful to share a communal moment of solidarity with them. It will also represent an occasion to pray for peace in Iraq and for the Iraqi communities present in England and Wales”. The Mass will be co-celebrated by a number of bishops including Crispian Hollis (Portsmouth) who a month ago went to Iraq with the auxiliary bishop of Birmingham, William Kenney on the invitation of Caldean bishops. There he visited Erbil, Kirkuk and Sulemaniyah, sharing the experiences of the population and of the religious. “Many have lost their homes, their personal belongings and their jobs. Now they are losing their patience and their ability to endure this situation. This is why this visit is very useful to encourage us to continue along this path and hope in a better future”, said archbishop Loius Sako from Kirkuk, who had given hospitality to the two British prelates. “What we would like – said father Habib Jajou, chaplain of the Christian-Caldean community of Iraqis in London – is to make people aware of the serious situations presently being experienced by our communities in Iraq. This is true not only for Christians but also for other minorities”. During the Mass special prayers will be said for the archbishop of Mosul, Faraj Rahho, killed past March, for Margaret Hassan and for all those who lost their lives in Iraq. The organizers made known that the Gospel will be sung in Arabic and the Pater Noster will be recited in Aramaic, “the two languages which are closest to the language of Christ”, they explained. Belgium: the 75th birthday of Cardinal DaneelsOn June 4th Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Malines-Bruxelles, turned 75. Thus, in compliance with Canon Law regulations, he submitted his resignation to Benedict XVI. “I have already sent my letter to the Pope, not because I’m in a hurry to leave, but because I don’t really trust Italy’s mail”, said the prelate, joking with journalists whom he had a meeting with on the eve of his birthday. “Nothing was planned”, he remarked while recalling the story of his life. “Also my vocation wasn’t a choice. I was born this way…” If the Pope rejected his resignation, the archbishop could still occupy the pastoral post in the diocese for a few more years. “Although it doesn’t correspond to my wishes”, pointed out His Eminence who is a passionate scholar and teacher to the extent that he defines himself a “bookworm”. In reviewing “the strong moments” of his mandate, the Cardinal recalled in particular the publication of 54 pastoral letters, whose topics, he explained, “have evolved in the course of the years”. At the beginning they dealt with “internal Church issues”. While at a later moment “issues became of a more ‘social’ kind, encompassing “spiritual wellbeing and psychological themes”. Among the most significant events of his life, the archbishop recalled the visit to Belgium of Pope John Paul II in 1985. As relates to faith he remarked: “It evolved in its forms and ‘relocated’. In life’s crucial moments like baptisms, marriages and funerals, Churches are packed with people”. Your greatest regret? “Modern societies cannot accept suffering, diseases and death. They suppress whatever cannot be opposed”.Scotland: a garden to never forget A garden and a cloister immediately outside Glasgow’s most important Catholic Cathedral to remember Italians who died on the ship “Arandora Star” in 1940. On May 28 the archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti along with Scotland’s Prime Minister Alex Salmond launched an appeal for the collection of funds to create the new garden immediately outside St. Andrew’s cathedral in Glasgow. The works for the construction of the new tourist attraction (1.5 million pounds, 1.8 billion euros) will begin next winter and will last for a year. The new space has been designed by Italian architect Giulia Chiarini. In 1940, when Italy entered the War on the opposite front of the United Kingdom, hundreds of Italians were arrested and died with the sinking of the ship on which they had been deported. “The possibility of creating a garden such as this one only happens once in a lifetime”, Msgr. Conti declared. “It’s up to our generation to transform this wonderful monument into a reality. The appeal is open to people of all cultures and nationality. It will be a garden for every one and we want there to be a “garden of names” to remember all those who helped build the cloister”. “The monument will be a significant symbol of the strong bond of friendship between Scotland and Italy”, the archbishop remarked.
