Ireland: new bishops in Clogher and Derry Benedict XVI has accepted the withdrawal of Msgr. Joseph Duffy from the pastoral government of the diocese of Clogher (Ireland), by reason of exceeding age limits; in his place, the Pope appointed Msgr. Liam MacDaid, from the diocese of Clogher, and Chancellor of the Roman Curia until then. Again by reason of age, the Pope accepted also the withdrawal of Msgr. Francis Lagan from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Derry, Ireland. It was made known by the Press Room of the Holy See. In a press release, President of Irish bishops Cardinal Sean Brady recalled “the contribution” of the two outgoing bishops, who served their dioceses and the Irish Bishops’ Conference for 53 years (31 years for Msgr. Duffy and 22 years for Msgr. Lagan). “During that time, as bishops, they were present during the terrible violence and the tragedies which were part of the problems. In more recent times, they witnessed peace being reached in this part of Ireland”. In the same press release, the cardinal welcomed also the new bishop of Clogher, Msgr. MacDaid, hoping for continuation of their dioceses, the one of Armagh and Clogher. In recent times, the name of Msgr. Duffy has been mentioned in connection with the sex abuse scandal, once he admitted not to have reported a paedophile priest to the police.Germany: against sexual exploitationThe President of the Commission for the Universal Church of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK), Msgr. Ludwig Schick, has made an appeal against sex tourism and forced prostitution in South Africa in connection with the upcoming football world cup. “Unscrupulous traffickers in persons want to take advantage of the world cup to carry out their dirty business and make more profit”, said Msgr. Schick in Bamberg. “Prostitution enslaves African women, tears them away from their families and tribes, and degrades them often for their entire lives”. The bishop expressed the wish that not only the German football league (DFB), but also the tourism sector will speak out “against prostitution and human trafficking”, referring to a similar initiative promoted by the Church in South Africa, in a document to be released on Saturday, May 8, by Cardinal Wilfried Fox Napier of Durban.Spain: the nine Patron Saints of the WYD Saint Isidro Labrador, Saint Maria de la Cabeza, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Juan de Ávila, Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Rosa da Lima, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Rafael Arnaiz and Saint Francis Xavier: these are the patron saints chosen for the World Youth Day (WYD) that will take place in Madrid from 16th to 21st August 2011. This was reported by the official website of the Spanish WYD (www.madrid11.com) which also relays the news that the Holy See confirmed Cibeles Square and the Cuatros Vientos airport as two of the venues for the events of the WYD. The patron saints chosen for the Madrid WYD are related to the tradition of the Spanish Church, like san Isidro Labrador who is the patron saint of Madrid, Saint John of the Cross, the founder of the Discalced Carmelites, Saint Teresa of Avila and the young Saint Rafael Arnaiz, canonised on 11th October 2009 by Benedict XVI. As to the venues, Cibeles square is one of the highlights of Madrid, and it is here than on 18th August the youth will welcome the Pope and it is in this area that the Way of the Cross will be held the next day. The Cuatros Vientos airport is 8 km from the city centre and has been chosen, because of its 10-km boundary, as the venue for the vigil of Saturday 20th August and Sunday Mass. The airbase hosted the meeting (May 3rd) between John Paul II and the Spanish youth during his apostolic journey in 2003.England: Papal visit and special collection There will be prayers and special collection in parishes across Scotland, England and Wales on May 23rd for the Papal visit. The collection, explains a communiqué issued by the English Bishops’ Conference, “will be held to assist in meeting the costs of the visit of Benedict XVI payable by the Church”, which are currently estimated to be at least £7m (over 8 million euro). The English bishops said that over £3m has already been raised towards this total. The costs associated with the state aspects of the Visit will be paid by the government. The costs payable by the church consist mainly in the organising costs of three major public pastoral gatherings – in Scotland, London and the West Midlands. The President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Msgr. Vincent Nichols, said: ” I would urge everyone in the Catholic community to pray for this Visit and to support the collection for it as generously as they can”. The Primate said he hopes that the visit “will serve to kindle a new spiritual vitality” in the Country.
