domenica 21 luglio 2013
Pope Francis: Without faith in Christ, church is just 'pitiful NGO'
Without faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the church is nothing more than a "pitiful NGO," Pope Francis said in his first homily as pope.
"When one does not confess Christ," he said, "one confesses the worldliness of the devil."
The pope spoke at Mass March 14 in the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave that had elected him the previous day. Pope Francis concelebrated the Mass with the 114 other cardinal electors who had taken part in the conclave.
Following the cardinal electors in a procession, all of them wearing gold vestments to signify joy, the pope entered the chapel as a choir sang in Latin a verse from Mt 16:18, which begins "tu es petrus" (you are Peter).
In one of the first signs of change from the previous pontificate, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at a temporary altar that allowed him to face the rest of the congregation. In recent years, Pope Benedict XVI had celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel at an altar fixed to the wall under Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment.
The new pope also delivered his homily standing at a lectern, not seated, as his predecessor usually did.
Preaching for seven minutes in Italian without a written text or notes, Pope Francis spoke about three important kinds of movement that he said appeared in the Scripture readings at the Mass: walking, building and confessing.
"Our life is a path," he said. "When we stop, the thing doesn't go." He said Catholics must "walk always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness that God asks of Abraham in his promise."
"Build with living stones, anointed by the Holy Spirit," the pope said. "Confess Jesus. If we don't do that, we will be a pitiful NGO (non-governmental organization)."
He also compared building without faith to sand castles children construct on the beach, which are washed away by the next tide.
"To walk, build and confess without the cross means that we are not true disciples of the Lord," he said. "We must confess the one cross, and in that way we will be a true church.
"I would like that all of us, following these days of grace, have the courage — the very courage — to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the cross of the Lord," the pope said in conclusion; "to build the church in the blood of the Lord, which is spilled on the cross; and to confess the only glory, Christ crucified. And in that way the church will move ahead."
First day: Paying hotel billPope Francis began his first full day as pope with an early morning act of Marian devotion — and by paying the bill at the clergy hotel where he had stayed before entering the conclave that elected him.
The new pope left the Domus Sanctae Marthae at 8 a.m. March 14 for a five-minute drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before an icon of Mary and the child Jesus beloved by Romans, the "Salus Populi Romani" (Protectress of the Roman People).
Pope Francis knelt in prayer for a while, then sat praying for several minutes before leaving at the altar the bouquet of flowers he had been carrying, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
The pope was joined by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal vicar for Rome, and by Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of the basilica. U.S. Cardinal Bernard Law, retired archpriest of the basilica, also was present, Father Lombardi said.
The spokesman said the pope paused in front of the basilica's main altar, which is built over a reliquary containing, according to tradition, pieces of the manger where Jesus was laid as a baby.
Pope Francis, a Jesuit, then went to the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass in 1538. Ignatius had wanted to celebrate his first Mass in Bethlehem, but could not travel there, so chose instead St. Mary Major with its relic of the manger, Father Lombardi said.
"This is a significant place for the Jesuits," he said.
The pope also stopped briefly at the tomb of St. Pius V, who was pope from 1566 to 1572.
Afterward, riding in an unmarked police car rather than in one of the papal sedans, Pope Francis went to the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, a hotel and residence for clergy, which is where he was staying before the conclave began March 12.
Father Lombardi said Pope Francis went to collect the suitcase he had left there. On the way out of the building, he stopped to greet the people who work there and "he paid his bill as a good example" to the other clerics.
The spokesman also told reporters March 14 that Pope Francis was wearing the simple pectoral cross that he'd had as a bishop and archbishop in Argentina.
In addition, he confirmed that the Vatican would be referring to the pope as "Pope Francis" and not "Pope Francis I."
Father Lombardi also confirmed press reports that when Pope Francis was about 21 years old, he had undergone an operation to remove part of one of his lungs. In the 55 years since, he said, the new pope has enjoyed good and even robust health.
The new pope, like his recent predecessors, is a polyglot, the spokesman said. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French, German "and probably Portuguese," he said, adding that if Pope Francis doesn't speak Portuguese well now, he is likely to by July when he is scheduled to travel to Brazil for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate an evening Mass March 14 in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him. Afterward, Father Lombardi said, he was to cut the seals on the papal apartments, allowing Vatican employees to begin the minor works foreseen before he moves in.
"When one does not confess Christ," he said, "one confesses the worldliness of the devil."
The pope spoke at Mass March 14 in the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave that had elected him the previous day. Pope Francis concelebrated the Mass with the 114 other cardinal electors who had taken part in the conclave.
Following the cardinal electors in a procession, all of them wearing gold vestments to signify joy, the pope entered the chapel as a choir sang in Latin a verse from Mt 16:18, which begins "tu es petrus" (you are Peter).
In one of the first signs of change from the previous pontificate, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at a temporary altar that allowed him to face the rest of the congregation. In recent years, Pope Benedict XVI had celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel at an altar fixed to the wall under Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment.
The new pope also delivered his homily standing at a lectern, not seated, as his predecessor usually did.
Preaching for seven minutes in Italian without a written text or notes, Pope Francis spoke about three important kinds of movement that he said appeared in the Scripture readings at the Mass: walking, building and confessing.
"Our life is a path," he said. "When we stop, the thing doesn't go." He said Catholics must "walk always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness that God asks of Abraham in his promise."
"Build with living stones, anointed by the Holy Spirit," the pope said. "Confess Jesus. If we don't do that, we will be a pitiful NGO (non-governmental organization)."
He also compared building without faith to sand castles children construct on the beach, which are washed away by the next tide.
"To walk, build and confess without the cross means that we are not true disciples of the Lord," he said. "We must confess the one cross, and in that way we will be a true church.
"I would like that all of us, following these days of grace, have the courage — the very courage — to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the cross of the Lord," the pope said in conclusion; "to build the church in the blood of the Lord, which is spilled on the cross; and to confess the only glory, Christ crucified. And in that way the church will move ahead."
First day: Paying hotel billPope Francis began his first full day as pope with an early morning act of Marian devotion — and by paying the bill at the clergy hotel where he had stayed before entering the conclave that elected him.
The new pope left the Domus Sanctae Marthae at 8 a.m. March 14 for a five-minute drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before an icon of Mary and the child Jesus beloved by Romans, the "Salus Populi Romani" (Protectress of the Roman People).
Pope Francis knelt in prayer for a while, then sat praying for several minutes before leaving at the altar the bouquet of flowers he had been carrying, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
The pope was joined by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal vicar for Rome, and by Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of the basilica. U.S. Cardinal Bernard Law, retired archpriest of the basilica, also was present, Father Lombardi said.
The spokesman said the pope paused in front of the basilica's main altar, which is built over a reliquary containing, according to tradition, pieces of the manger where Jesus was laid as a baby.
Pope Francis, a Jesuit, then went to the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass in 1538. Ignatius had wanted to celebrate his first Mass in Bethlehem, but could not travel there, so chose instead St. Mary Major with its relic of the manger, Father Lombardi said.
"This is a significant place for the Jesuits," he said.
The pope also stopped briefly at the tomb of St. Pius V, who was pope from 1566 to 1572.
Afterward, riding in an unmarked police car rather than in one of the papal sedans, Pope Francis went to the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, a hotel and residence for clergy, which is where he was staying before the conclave began March 12.
Father Lombardi said Pope Francis went to collect the suitcase he had left there. On the way out of the building, he stopped to greet the people who work there and "he paid his bill as a good example" to the other clerics.
The spokesman also told reporters March 14 that Pope Francis was wearing the simple pectoral cross that he'd had as a bishop and archbishop in Argentina.
In addition, he confirmed that the Vatican would be referring to the pope as "Pope Francis" and not "Pope Francis I."
Father Lombardi also confirmed press reports that when Pope Francis was about 21 years old, he had undergone an operation to remove part of one of his lungs. In the 55 years since, he said, the new pope has enjoyed good and even robust health.
The new pope, like his recent predecessors, is a polyglot, the spokesman said. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French, German "and probably Portuguese," he said, adding that if Pope Francis doesn't speak Portuguese well now, he is likely to by July when he is scheduled to travel to Brazil for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate an evening Mass March 14 in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him. Afterward, Father Lombardi said, he was to cut the seals on the papal apartments, allowing Vatican employees to begin the minor works foreseen before he moves in.
American Martyrs wins CYO girls volleyball title
American Martyrs School of Manhattan Beach claimed its sixth consecutive CYO girls volleyball title in November with a victory over St. Paul the Apostle of Westwood in the final played at St. Mary's Academy, Inglewood.
The match was hotly contested by both teams who had met earlier in the season during tournament play. St. Paul the Apostle, the second seed and champion of the WAC Conference, came in confident and optimistic to challenge the top-seeded Mustangs, South Bay champs.
The quality of play from both teams was exceptional and the girls battled throughout. In the end American Martyrs proved to have more firepower and took the match in straight sets to win the championship. The energy and excitement from the fans and players was high as the teams battled hard.
The third place match pitted third-seeded St. Lawrence Martyr (Redondo Beach) against fouth-seeded Assumption (Pasadena). St. Lawrence Martyr took the first set and Assumption the second. In the exciting third and deciding set, the teams exchanged the lead several times before Assumption made a strong push and held off St. Lawrence Martyr for the win, 16-14.
“All of these teams displayed impressive play and sportsmanship, as all the girls possessed great skills,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “Congratulations to all the teams and coaches for advancing to the final four and competing throughout the playoffs.”
The match was hotly contested by both teams who had met earlier in the season during tournament play. St. Paul the Apostle, the second seed and champion of the WAC Conference, came in confident and optimistic to challenge the top-seeded Mustangs, South Bay champs.
The quality of play from both teams was exceptional and the girls battled throughout. In the end American Martyrs proved to have more firepower and took the match in straight sets to win the championship. The energy and excitement from the fans and players was high as the teams battled hard.
The third place match pitted third-seeded St. Lawrence Martyr (Redondo Beach) against fouth-seeded Assumption (Pasadena). St. Lawrence Martyr took the first set and Assumption the second. In the exciting third and deciding set, the teams exchanged the lead several times before Assumption made a strong push and held off St. Lawrence Martyr for the win, 16-14.
“All of these teams displayed impressive play and sportsmanship, as all the girls possessed great skills,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “Congratulations to all the teams and coaches for advancing to the final four and competing throughout the playoffs.”
Beatitudes captures CYO flag football crown
In a rematch of the 2011 final, Beatitudes of Our Lord School of La Mirada outlasted Holy Family of South Pasadena to win the 2012 CYO flag football championship held Nov. 18 at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks.
The title game was also the rubber match of the 2012 season, pitting the top two seeds, number one Beatitudes and number two Holy Family. The talented teams split their previous two meetings this year in tournament play.
Each team was confident heading into the game, and traded touchdowns early on with Holy Family missing their extra point. Beatitudes had a breakaway run toward the end of the first half and was able to score prior to time expiring, taking a 14-6 lead at half.
The second half saw more of the same, with both sides scoring again. Beatitudes made a key stop on Holy Family inside the red zone and then recorded a safety to put the game out of reach, 22-12. Holy Family never quit, continued to press and scored late in the game, making the final score 22-18.
“The game featured excellent play and sportsmanship on both sides between these heated rivals,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “It is safe to assume the two teams will continue to do battle in seasons to come.”
In the third place game, Holy Trinity of San Pedro took on St. Jerome of Westchester, both of whom came in as conference champions. Third-seeded Holy Trinity played a consistent and steady game, keeping in check St. Jerome's athleticism and inspired play, and in the end Holy Trinity prevailed, 19-14.
The title game was also the rubber match of the 2012 season, pitting the top two seeds, number one Beatitudes and number two Holy Family. The talented teams split their previous two meetings this year in tournament play.
Each team was confident heading into the game, and traded touchdowns early on with Holy Family missing their extra point. Beatitudes had a breakaway run toward the end of the first half and was able to score prior to time expiring, taking a 14-6 lead at half.
The second half saw more of the same, with both sides scoring again. Beatitudes made a key stop on Holy Family inside the red zone and then recorded a safety to put the game out of reach, 22-12. Holy Family never quit, continued to press and scored late in the game, making the final score 22-18.
“The game featured excellent play and sportsmanship on both sides between these heated rivals,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “It is safe to assume the two teams will continue to do battle in seasons to come.”
In the third place game, Holy Trinity of San Pedro took on St. Jerome of Westchester, both of whom came in as conference champions. Third-seeded Holy Trinity played a consistent and steady game, keeping in check St. Jerome's athleticism and inspired play, and in the end Holy Trinity prevailed, 19-14.
Serra wins CIF State Division II football title
Junípero Serra High School of Gardena won its second state title in four years Dec. 15 by defeating Oakdale High School 42-15 rout.
In winning the CIF State Division II Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Carson (a short drive from the Serra campus), the Cavaliers were led by Marques Rodgers and Adoree Jackson, who each scored three touchdowns. Rodgers’ scores came on consecutive runs from scrimmage in the first quarter (27, 57 and 1 yard), while Jackson tallied on a 50- and 27-yard receptions from Jalen Greene and a 78-yard run on a fake punt.
Coached by Scott Altenberg, Serra — which captured the 2009 Division III state title — finished 14-2. The previous week, the Cavaliers defeated Huntington Beach Edison High School 27-10 to win the CIF South Regional.
Serra earlier won the CIF Western Division title, edging Chaminade Preparatory of West Hills, 30-28, in the championship game. Mission League champ Chaminade — which during the regular season defeated Serra — reached the finals with a 45-7 win over Cathedral of Los Angeles. St. Francis also made the playoffs.
Other results included:
—Mid-Valley Division: Monrovia defeated Alpha League champion Paraclete of Lancaster, 23-7 in the championship game.
—Pac-5 Division: Mater Dei of Santa Ana defeated Marmonte League champion St. Bonaventure of Ventura in the semifinals, 21-0. Then lost in the title game to eventual state champion Long Beach Poly, 35-17. Playoff teams also included Serra League champion Bishop Alemany, Trinity League champ St. John Bosco, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), Bishop Amat and Santa Margarita.
—Northeast Division: Santa Fe League champion Salesian of Boyle Heights and runnerup St. Monica of Santa Monica both reached the semifinals before losing. St. Monica lost, 42-14, to eventual titlist Rio Hondo Prep, while Salesian was beaten by Mission Prep, 54-26. Bellarmine-Jefferson also made the playoffs.
—Northwest Division: Bishop Garcia Diego of Santa Barbara, Tri-Valley League champion, lost in the semifinals, 28-14, to North Torrance. Del Rey League winner La Salle, Bishop Montgomery and Mary Star of the Sea also made the playoffs.
—Northern Division: Pac 7 League winner St. Joseph (Santa Maria) lost in the opening round.
In winning the CIF State Division II Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Carson (a short drive from the Serra campus), the Cavaliers were led by Marques Rodgers and Adoree Jackson, who each scored three touchdowns. Rodgers’ scores came on consecutive runs from scrimmage in the first quarter (27, 57 and 1 yard), while Jackson tallied on a 50- and 27-yard receptions from Jalen Greene and a 78-yard run on a fake punt.
Coached by Scott Altenberg, Serra — which captured the 2009 Division III state title — finished 14-2. The previous week, the Cavaliers defeated Huntington Beach Edison High School 27-10 to win the CIF South Regional.
Serra earlier won the CIF Western Division title, edging Chaminade Preparatory of West Hills, 30-28, in the championship game. Mission League champ Chaminade — which during the regular season defeated Serra — reached the finals with a 45-7 win over Cathedral of Los Angeles. St. Francis also made the playoffs.
Other results included:
—Mid-Valley Division: Monrovia defeated Alpha League champion Paraclete of Lancaster, 23-7 in the championship game.
—Pac-5 Division: Mater Dei of Santa Ana defeated Marmonte League champion St. Bonaventure of Ventura in the semifinals, 21-0. Then lost in the title game to eventual state champion Long Beach Poly, 35-17. Playoff teams also included Serra League champion Bishop Alemany, Trinity League champ St. John Bosco, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), Bishop Amat and Santa Margarita.
—Northeast Division: Santa Fe League champion Salesian of Boyle Heights and runnerup St. Monica of Santa Monica both reached the semifinals before losing. St. Monica lost, 42-14, to eventual titlist Rio Hondo Prep, while Salesian was beaten by Mission Prep, 54-26. Bellarmine-Jefferson also made the playoffs.
—Northwest Division: Bishop Garcia Diego of Santa Barbara, Tri-Valley League champion, lost in the semifinals, 28-14, to North Torrance. Del Rey League winner La Salle, Bishop Montgomery and Mary Star of the Sea also made the playoffs.
—Northern Division: Pac 7 League winner St. Joseph (Santa Maria) lost in the opening round.
Coliseum hosts FIYA flag football finals
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — home to two Olympics, two Super Bowls, the World Series, and countless other high-profile events — on Dec. 1 hosted a new event: the Foundation for Interscholastic Youth Athletics (FIYA) flag football championships.
In its second year, FIYA provides interscholastic sports leagues for public, private and charter middle schools throughout Los Angeles. This fall, FIYA, whose mission statement is “Strengthening Schools Through Sports” — offered leagues for 18 volleyball and 15 flag football teams.
But it was four Catholic schools who qualified for FIYA Championship Saturday at the Coliseum, a morning that began with rain but turned sunny just long enough for a fun-filled day of football.
The title game saw Our Lady Help of Christians of Los Angeles take on St. Jerome of Westchester. OLHC’s Crusaders got off to a strong start, but St. Jerome’s Spartans did not go quietly, rallying in the second half before the Crusaders’ speed and size proved too much, giving OLHC the championship.
In a tight third place game, St. Anastasia’s Panthers of Westchester took a six-point lead over Holy Trinity’s Chargers of San Pedro, but Holy Trinity scored in the second half to go ahead by one point. The Panthers responded with a long march down the field, only to see the Chargers’ goal line defense hold on fourth down inside the 10 in the final minute.
Despite the loss, St. Anastasia’s Mike Fissinger summed up the day’s events well, telling his teammates in the huddle, “This is a day we will never forget,” a sentiment that could be echoed by all present for this special occasion.
In its second year, FIYA provides interscholastic sports leagues for public, private and charter middle schools throughout Los Angeles. This fall, FIYA, whose mission statement is “Strengthening Schools Through Sports” — offered leagues for 18 volleyball and 15 flag football teams.
But it was four Catholic schools who qualified for FIYA Championship Saturday at the Coliseum, a morning that began with rain but turned sunny just long enough for a fun-filled day of football.
The title game saw Our Lady Help of Christians of Los Angeles take on St. Jerome of Westchester. OLHC’s Crusaders got off to a strong start, but St. Jerome’s Spartans did not go quietly, rallying in the second half before the Crusaders’ speed and size proved too much, giving OLHC the championship.
In a tight third place game, St. Anastasia’s Panthers of Westchester took a six-point lead over Holy Trinity’s Chargers of San Pedro, but Holy Trinity scored in the second half to go ahead by one point. The Panthers responded with a long march down the field, only to see the Chargers’ goal line defense hold on fourth down inside the 10 in the final minute.
Despite the loss, St. Anastasia’s Mike Fissinger summed up the day’s events well, telling his teammates in the huddle, “This is a day we will never forget,” a sentiment that could be echoed by all present for this special occasion.
Marymount wins state Division I volleyball championship
Marymount High School of Westwood defeated St. Francis High School of Sacramento Dec. 1 to win the California Interscholastic Federation Division 1 girls’ volleyball championship.
The Sailors ended the season 33-5, including a Sunshine League title and CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA crown. In the final match, played in Irvine, Marymount prevailed by 25-11, 25-17, 23-25 and 25-20.
The Sailors had earned their way to the finals by defeating Poway, Clovis West of Fresno, and Redondo Union, each in straight sets. Their CIF 1AA title was a thrilling five-set win over Redondo Union on Nov. 17 at Santiago Canyon College.
In addition to Marymount, three San Gabriel Valley Catholic high schools earned berths in the state championship tournament.
La Salle of Pasadena defeated El Dorado in straight sets for its first Division 1AA crown on Nov. 17 at Santiago Canyon. The Lancers, winners of the Del Rey League, reached the final with a hard-fought five-set win over a tough Bishop Montgomery team.
On Nov. 20, La Salle was defeated in the first round of its Division 1 state playoff match, with Clovis West narrowly prevailing 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11. Sophomore Haley DeSales paced La Salle with 15 kills and 15 digs, while libero Caroline Knop tallied 40 digs, setter Alyssa Tavera totaled 45 assists, Jessica Kennedy added 19 kills and three blocks, Cheri Raymundo contributed 10 digs and Riley Spriesterbach finished with 12 kills and two blocks.
For the first time in its history, Alverno High School’s volleyball team claimed the title “CIF-SS Champions,” defeating Pomona Catholic 25-15, 27-25, 25-22 in the Division 5AA final Nov. 17 at Cypress College. Alverno was then defeated by Calvin Christian of Escondido on Nov. 20 in the first round of the Division 5 state playoffs, 25-23, 26-24, 25-14.
The Jaguars, champions of the Horizon League, ended their season with an overall record of 20-4. Pomona Catholic won the Arrowhead League title.
“We are so proud of everything these women have accomplished both on and off the court,” said Ann Gillick, Alverno’s Head of School. “Not only are each of them talented athletes but scholars, leaders, actors, and so much more. They are true examples of Alverno’s mission of empowering each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.”
In only their fourth year of CIF membership, St. Monica Academy’s girls’ varsity volleyball team of Pasadena was runner-up to Orangewood Academy in the Nov. 17 Division 5A final at Cypress College, losing in five sets.
But St. Monica defeated the Minarets Mustangs of O’Neals, 25-15, 26-24, 26-28, 25-22, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Division 5 tournament, where they were defeated by Calvin Christian in straight sets.
St. Monica has been International League champion four years in a row, during which time they have posted a 45-1 record in league play. The Crusaders were led by seniors Caitlin Hall (three-time CIF Southern Section All-Star, four-time League MVP), Kristen Gates (2011 CIF Southern Section All-Star, three-time First Team League), and Monica Golbranson (three-time First Team League).
The Sailors ended the season 33-5, including a Sunshine League title and CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA crown. In the final match, played in Irvine, Marymount prevailed by 25-11, 25-17, 23-25 and 25-20.
The Sailors had earned their way to the finals by defeating Poway, Clovis West of Fresno, and Redondo Union, each in straight sets. Their CIF 1AA title was a thrilling five-set win over Redondo Union on Nov. 17 at Santiago Canyon College.
In addition to Marymount, three San Gabriel Valley Catholic high schools earned berths in the state championship tournament.
La Salle of Pasadena defeated El Dorado in straight sets for its first Division 1AA crown on Nov. 17 at Santiago Canyon. The Lancers, winners of the Del Rey League, reached the final with a hard-fought five-set win over a tough Bishop Montgomery team.
On Nov. 20, La Salle was defeated in the first round of its Division 1 state playoff match, with Clovis West narrowly prevailing 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11. Sophomore Haley DeSales paced La Salle with 15 kills and 15 digs, while libero Caroline Knop tallied 40 digs, setter Alyssa Tavera totaled 45 assists, Jessica Kennedy added 19 kills and three blocks, Cheri Raymundo contributed 10 digs and Riley Spriesterbach finished with 12 kills and two blocks.
For the first time in its history, Alverno High School’s volleyball team claimed the title “CIF-SS Champions,” defeating Pomona Catholic 25-15, 27-25, 25-22 in the Division 5AA final Nov. 17 at Cypress College. Alverno was then defeated by Calvin Christian of Escondido on Nov. 20 in the first round of the Division 5 state playoffs, 25-23, 26-24, 25-14.
The Jaguars, champions of the Horizon League, ended their season with an overall record of 20-4. Pomona Catholic won the Arrowhead League title.
“We are so proud of everything these women have accomplished both on and off the court,” said Ann Gillick, Alverno’s Head of School. “Not only are each of them talented athletes but scholars, leaders, actors, and so much more. They are true examples of Alverno’s mission of empowering each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.”
In only their fourth year of CIF membership, St. Monica Academy’s girls’ varsity volleyball team of Pasadena was runner-up to Orangewood Academy in the Nov. 17 Division 5A final at Cypress College, losing in five sets.
But St. Monica defeated the Minarets Mustangs of O’Neals, 25-15, 26-24, 26-28, 25-22, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Division 5 tournament, where they were defeated by Calvin Christian in straight sets.
St. Monica has been International League champion four years in a row, during which time they have posted a 45-1 record in league play. The Crusaders were led by seniors Caitlin Hall (three-time CIF Southern Section All-Star, four-time League MVP), Kristen Gates (2011 CIF Southern Section All-Star, three-time First Team League), and Monica Golbranson (three-time First Team League).
The Godfather (1972)
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
Director:
Francis Ford CoppolaThe Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.
Director:
Frank DarabontWriters:
Stephen King (short story "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"), Frank Darabont (screenplay)Bishops must 'continue defending' rights
The final rules issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services implementing its mandate that employers provide coverage of contraceptives do not eliminate "the need to continue defending our rights in Congress and the courts," said New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In a July 3 statement, the cardinal noted that the bishops' conference "has not completed its analysis of the final rule," but he said "some basic elements of the final rule have already come into focus."
He listed three concerns with the HHS final ruling issued June 28, which updates the proposed rules it issued in February and had left open for comment through April. He said his concerns were about the narrow definition of those "religious employers" exempt from contraceptive coverage requirement; the accommodation of religious ministries excluded from that definition; and the treatment of businesses run by people who seek to operate their companies according to religious principles.
The HHS contraceptive mandate, part of the Affordable Care Act, will require most employers, including religious employers, to provide coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free of charge, even if the employer is morally opposed to such services. It includes an exemption for some religious employers that fit its criteria.
In the final HHS rules, contraceptive coverage for accommodated religious organizations with health insurance plans will be provided separately through health insurance companies or third-party administrators who must ensure that payments for contraceptive services come from outside the objecting organization's premiums. For self-insuring institutions, a third-party administrator would provide or arrange the services, paid for through reductions in federally facilitated-exchange user fees associated with their health insurance provider.
HHS, headed by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, acknowledged in its final rules that it had received many comments urging the agency to extend the exemption to include nonprofit secular employers and for-profit employers who have religious objections to providing contraceptive coverage. The mandate does not include a conscience clause for employers who object to such coverage on moral grounds.
Cardinal Dolan said the bishops are "concerned as pastors with the freedom of the church as a whole --- not just for the full range of its institutional forms, but also for the faithful in their daily lives --- to carry out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ."
The administration's final rules also stipulated a separate accommodation for nonprofit religious organizations --- including charities, hospitals and universities --- that will not have to "contract, arrange, pay, or refer for contraceptive coverage" that they object to on religious grounds.
To qualify for the accommodation, organizations must self-certify as nonprofit religious group with religious objections to contraceptive coverage. These organizations must provide their health insurance companies with proof of their self-certification and insurance companies in turn would notify women in the health plan that contraceptive coverage would be provided separately and at no cost to them.
Cardinal Dolan said this accommodation "appears mostly the same, except for three relatively small changes that will require more time and analysis to evaluate."
Regarding the rules' narrow definition of religious employers and the lack of accommodation for religious business owners, the cardinal said there is little change in those areas since the proposed rules were first issued in February.
He noted that the bishops at that time expressed their concerns that the proposed rules "actually made matters more troubling by preventing dioceses and other exempt employers from extending their coverage to the employees of service ministries that are not exempt."
He said the bishops also stressed that the proposed rules, like earlier versions, "made no provision at all for individuals and for-profit businesses."
"Because the final rule remains the same in these areas, so do our concerns," he said in the July 3 statement.
Cardinal Dolan also addressed concerns with regard to insured and self-insured health insurance plans. For insured plans, he said the proposed rules would have established separate insurance policies for coverage of sterilization, contraception, and abortifacients which the final rules do not.
"Now, there is only one policy, and it is the one sponsored by the Catholic employer. The objectionable items will still be paid for by virtue of the fact that an employee belongs to the Catholic employer's plan, but these amounts are described as 'payments' rather than 'coverage.'"
He also noted that the administration's final rules propose to segregate funds in a way that was not specified in the proposed rules, which is something, he said, that "seems intended to strengthen the claim that objectionable items will not ultimately be paid by the employer's premium dollars."
He pointed out that the rules do not make it clear if the source of such funding is "genuinely separate from the objecting employer, and if so, whether it is workable to draw from that separate source."
Regarding self-insured plans, the cardinal said the final rules treat the employer's very act of objecting to coverage of sterilization, contraception and abortifacients as the legal authorization for a third-party administrator to secure the objectionable coverage, which the bishops objected to in comments submitted to the HHS on the proposed rules.
He said the bishops will "continue to examine the extent" to which the changes will force religious ministries to "violate their own teachings within their very own institutions."
Cardinal Dolan said the USCCB "will have more to say when this aspect of our analysis is completed."
He also reiterated the gratitude he expressed June 28 for HHS' five-month extension before implementation of the rules, which threatens huge fines levied by the IRS for noncompliance.
In a July 3 statement, the cardinal noted that the bishops' conference "has not completed its analysis of the final rule," but he said "some basic elements of the final rule have already come into focus."
He listed three concerns with the HHS final ruling issued June 28, which updates the proposed rules it issued in February and had left open for comment through April. He said his concerns were about the narrow definition of those "religious employers" exempt from contraceptive coverage requirement; the accommodation of religious ministries excluded from that definition; and the treatment of businesses run by people who seek to operate their companies according to religious principles.
The HHS contraceptive mandate, part of the Affordable Care Act, will require most employers, including religious employers, to provide coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free of charge, even if the employer is morally opposed to such services. It includes an exemption for some religious employers that fit its criteria.
In the final HHS rules, contraceptive coverage for accommodated religious organizations with health insurance plans will be provided separately through health insurance companies or third-party administrators who must ensure that payments for contraceptive services come from outside the objecting organization's premiums. For self-insuring institutions, a third-party administrator would provide or arrange the services, paid for through reductions in federally facilitated-exchange user fees associated with their health insurance provider.
HHS, headed by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, acknowledged in its final rules that it had received many comments urging the agency to extend the exemption to include nonprofit secular employers and for-profit employers who have religious objections to providing contraceptive coverage. The mandate does not include a conscience clause for employers who object to such coverage on moral grounds.
Cardinal Dolan said the bishops are "concerned as pastors with the freedom of the church as a whole --- not just for the full range of its institutional forms, but also for the faithful in their daily lives --- to carry out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ."
The administration's final rules also stipulated a separate accommodation for nonprofit religious organizations --- including charities, hospitals and universities --- that will not have to "contract, arrange, pay, or refer for contraceptive coverage" that they object to on religious grounds.
The bishops’ concerns are about the narrow definition of those "religious employers" exempt from contraceptive coverage requirement; the accommodation of religious ministries excluded from that definition; and the treatment of businesses run by people who seek to operate their companies according to religious principles.
To qualify for the accommodation, organizations must self-certify as nonprofit religious group with religious objections to contraceptive coverage. These organizations must provide their health insurance companies with proof of their self-certification and insurance companies in turn would notify women in the health plan that contraceptive coverage would be provided separately and at no cost to them.
Cardinal Dolan said this accommodation "appears mostly the same, except for three relatively small changes that will require more time and analysis to evaluate."
Regarding the rules' narrow definition of religious employers and the lack of accommodation for religious business owners, the cardinal said there is little change in those areas since the proposed rules were first issued in February.
He noted that the bishops at that time expressed their concerns that the proposed rules "actually made matters more troubling by preventing dioceses and other exempt employers from extending their coverage to the employees of service ministries that are not exempt."
He said the bishops also stressed that the proposed rules, like earlier versions, "made no provision at all for individuals and for-profit businesses."
"Because the final rule remains the same in these areas, so do our concerns," he said in the July 3 statement.
Cardinal Dolan also addressed concerns with regard to insured and self-insured health insurance plans. For insured plans, he said the proposed rules would have established separate insurance policies for coverage of sterilization, contraception, and abortifacients which the final rules do not.
"Now, there is only one policy, and it is the one sponsored by the Catholic employer. The objectionable items will still be paid for by virtue of the fact that an employee belongs to the Catholic employer's plan, but these amounts are described as 'payments' rather than 'coverage.'"
He also noted that the administration's final rules propose to segregate funds in a way that was not specified in the proposed rules, which is something, he said, that "seems intended to strengthen the claim that objectionable items will not ultimately be paid by the employer's premium dollars."
He pointed out that the rules do not make it clear if the source of such funding is "genuinely separate from the objecting employer, and if so, whether it is workable to draw from that separate source."
Regarding self-insured plans, the cardinal said the final rules treat the employer's very act of objecting to coverage of sterilization, contraception and abortifacients as the legal authorization for a third-party administrator to secure the objectionable coverage, which the bishops objected to in comments submitted to the HHS on the proposed rules.
He said the bishops will "continue to examine the extent" to which the changes will force religious ministries to "violate their own teachings within their very own institutions."
Cardinal Dolan said the USCCB "will have more to say when this aspect of our analysis is completed."
He also reiterated the gratitude he expressed June 28 for HHS' five-month extension before implementation of the rules, which threatens huge fines levied by the IRS for noncompliance.
Pope clears the way to canonize John Paul II, John XXIII
Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world's cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a miracle.
After Pope Francis met July 5 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, the Vatican published a list of decrees the pope approved related to Blessed John Paul's canonization and 11 other sainthood causes.
Publishing the decrees, the Vatican also said, "The supreme pontiff approved the favorable votes of the ordinary session of the cardinal- and bishop-fathers regarding the canonization of Blessed John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) and has decided to convoke a consistory that will also involve the canonization of Blessed John Paul II."
Normally, after a pope signs a decree recognizing the miracle needed for a canonization, the pope consults with cardinals around the world and calls a consistory — a gathering attended by any cardinal who wants and is able to attend — where those present voice their support for the pope's decision to proclaim a new saint.
A date for a canonization ceremony is announced formally only during or immediately after the consistory.
The cardinals and archbishops who are members of the saints' congregation met at the Vatican July 2 and voted in favor of the pope recognizing as a miracle the healing of Floribeth Mora Diaz, a Costa Rican who was suffering from a brain aneurysm and recovered after prayers through the intercession of Blessed John Paul.
The congregation members, according to news reports, also looked at the cause of Blessed John and voted to ask Pope Francis to canonize him without requiring a miracle. According to church rules — established by the pope and subject to changes by him — a miracle is needed after beatification to make a candidate eligible for canonization.
Jesuit Father Paolo Molinari, the longtime head of the College of Postulators — or promoters of sainthood causes — has explained that in the sainthood process, miracles are "the confirmation by God of a judgment made by human beings" that the candidate really is in heaven.
But, Father Molinari also has said that for decades theologians have explored the possibility that such a confirmation could come by means other than someone experiencing a physical healing. For instance, Blessed John Paul beatified Victoire Rasoamanarivo in Madagascar in 1989 after accepting as a miracle the case of a wind-swept brush fire stopping at the edge of a village whose inhabitants invoked her intercession.
Announcing the decision about Blessed John's cause, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the discussions about the need for miracles and what can be defined as an acceptable miracle continue. However, he said, the movement in the late pope's cause does not indicate a general change in church policy.
The members of the Congregation for Saints' Causes "have expressed their hope, and the Holy Father has accepted it," Father Lombardi said. If Pope Francis "had any doubts, we wouldn't be here" announcing the consistory to approve Blessed John's canonization.
"As we all know very well, John XXIII is a person beloved in the church. We are in the 50th anniversary year of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which he convoked. And I think none of us has any doubts about John XXIII's virtues," the spokesman said. "So, the Holy Father is looking toward his canonization."
Father Lombardi also noted that no date for a canonization ceremony was announced, but it is likely that the two popes will be canonized together, possibly "by the end of the year."
In a July 5 statement, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said: "I know that today's news has gladdened the hearts of the faithful throughout the world, just as it did for me."
Cardinal Dolan said that by convening Vatican II, "Pope John XXIII helped present the timeless teaching of Jesus and his church in the modern age. And, Pope John Paul II helped to bring that teaching to every corner of the globe, as a tireless missionary for the faith."
After Pope Francis met July 5 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, the Vatican published a list of decrees the pope approved related to Blessed John Paul's canonization and 11 other sainthood causes.
Publishing the decrees, the Vatican also said, "The supreme pontiff approved the favorable votes of the ordinary session of the cardinal- and bishop-fathers regarding the canonization of Blessed John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli) and has decided to convoke a consistory that will also involve the canonization of Blessed John Paul II."
Normally, after a pope signs a decree recognizing the miracle needed for a canonization, the pope consults with cardinals around the world and calls a consistory — a gathering attended by any cardinal who wants and is able to attend — where those present voice their support for the pope's decision to proclaim a new saint.
A date for a canonization ceremony is announced formally only during or immediately after the consistory.
The cardinals and archbishops who are members of the saints' congregation met at the Vatican July 2 and voted in favor of the pope recognizing as a miracle the healing of Floribeth Mora Diaz, a Costa Rican who was suffering from a brain aneurysm and recovered after prayers through the intercession of Blessed John Paul.
The congregation members, according to news reports, also looked at the cause of Blessed John and voted to ask Pope Francis to canonize him without requiring a miracle. According to church rules — established by the pope and subject to changes by him — a miracle is needed after beatification to make a candidate eligible for canonization.
Jesuit Father Paolo Molinari, the longtime head of the College of Postulators — or promoters of sainthood causes — has explained that in the sainthood process, miracles are "the confirmation by God of a judgment made by human beings" that the candidate really is in heaven.
But, Father Molinari also has said that for decades theologians have explored the possibility that such a confirmation could come by means other than someone experiencing a physical healing. For instance, Blessed John Paul beatified Victoire Rasoamanarivo in Madagascar in 1989 after accepting as a miracle the case of a wind-swept brush fire stopping at the edge of a village whose inhabitants invoked her intercession.
Announcing the decision about Blessed John's cause, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the discussions about the need for miracles and what can be defined as an acceptable miracle continue. However, he said, the movement in the late pope's cause does not indicate a general change in church policy.
The members of the Congregation for Saints' Causes "have expressed their hope, and the Holy Father has accepted it," Father Lombardi said. If Pope Francis "had any doubts, we wouldn't be here" announcing the consistory to approve Blessed John's canonization.
"As we all know very well, John XXIII is a person beloved in the church. We are in the 50th anniversary year of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, which he convoked. And I think none of us has any doubts about John XXIII's virtues," the spokesman said. "So, the Holy Father is looking toward his canonization."
Father Lombardi also noted that no date for a canonization ceremony was announced, but it is likely that the two popes will be canonized together, possibly "by the end of the year."
In a July 5 statement, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said: "I know that today's news has gladdened the hearts of the faithful throughout the world, just as it did for me."
Cardinal Dolan said that by convening Vatican II, "Pope John XXIII helped present the timeless teaching of Jesus and his church in the modern age. And, Pope John Paul II helped to bring that teaching to every corner of the globe, as a tireless missionary for the faith."
Catholic support for immigration reform: A 'moral imperative'
Catholics need to put aside "any partisan differences" they have on the immigration issue and come together to pray for the welfare of their brother and sister immigrants and for Congress to pass much-hoped-for comprehensive immigration reform, said Bishop David O'Connell of Trenton, N.J.
Immigration reform in the United States is "a moral imperative" that goes beyond politics, the bishop said in a pastoral statement he issued for the Trenton Diocese's Justice for Immigrants Sunday, observed July 14.
"Whatever we, as Catholics, can do to foster the hopes and dreams of those who see our country as their potential home is an imperative of the Gospel and of the Catholic social teaching based upon it, not of our political persuasion," Bishop O'Connell said.
The bishop designated Justice for Immigrants Sunday as a day in which Catholics at all parishes in the diocese prayed for concrete action "on fair immigration policies."
Special prayer petitions were read, homilies delivered and materials distributed to inform the Catholic community of the U.S. bishops' support for comprehensive reform as outlined in their 2003 pastoral letter, "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope."
The principles enunciated in that letter — among them a path to citizenship for the undocumented, provisions to keep families together and various types of worker visas — were echoed in a recent pastoral statement on immigration from the Catholic bishops of New Jersey, advocating the reform of "a badly broken system in our country."
Comprehensive immigration reform "is not Washington's problem," Bishop O'Connell said. "It is a concern for all citizens of our country as well as those who hope to be, much as it was for our ancestors who arrived here with hopes for and dreams of a better life, 'Under God, with liberty and justice for all.'"
—CNS
Immigration reform in the United States is "a moral imperative" that goes beyond politics, the bishop said in a pastoral statement he issued for the Trenton Diocese's Justice for Immigrants Sunday, observed July 14.
"Whatever we, as Catholics, can do to foster the hopes and dreams of those who see our country as their potential home is an imperative of the Gospel and of the Catholic social teaching based upon it, not of our political persuasion," Bishop O'Connell said.
The bishop designated Justice for Immigrants Sunday as a day in which Catholics at all parishes in the diocese prayed for concrete action "on fair immigration policies."
Special prayer petitions were read, homilies delivered and materials distributed to inform the Catholic community of the U.S. bishops' support for comprehensive reform as outlined in their 2003 pastoral letter, "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope."
The principles enunciated in that letter — among them a path to citizenship for the undocumented, provisions to keep families together and various types of worker visas — were echoed in a recent pastoral statement on immigration from the Catholic bishops of New Jersey, advocating the reform of "a badly broken system in our country."
Comprehensive immigration reform "is not Washington's problem," Bishop O'Connell said. "It is a concern for all citizens of our country as well as those who hope to be, much as it was for our ancestors who arrived here with hopes for and dreams of a better life, 'Under God, with liberty and justice for all.'"
—CNS
New Maronite leader has ties to Los Angeles, San Antonio
Those attending the annual convention of the National Apostolate of Maronites in Tampa, Fla., in early July had no idea that a newly named bishop was in their midst.
Father Abdallah Zaidan was in his hotel room July 5 preparing for Mass when he received a call from the apostolic nunciature in Washington that Pope Francis was naming him the next eparch, or bishop, of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon.
The eparchy, which relocated its headquarters from Los Angeles to St. Louis about 12 years ago, serves approximately 34,000 Maronite Catholics in 34 states.
Msgr. Jean-Francois Lantheaume, the nunciature's charge d'affaires announced July 10 that Bishop-designate Zaidan, rector of Our Lady of Mount Lebanon-St. Peter Maronite Cathedral in Los Angeles, will succeed retiring Bishop Robert J. Shaheen, 76, who has served as a priest and bishop in St. Louis since 1967.
Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai, the Maronite patriarch, is expected to preside at Bishop-designate Zaidan's episcopal ordination, set for Sept. 28 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, Lebanon.
The 50-year-old native of Lebanon and member of the Maronite Lebanon Missionaries made his first visit to St. Louis as bishop-designate July 12. He was joined by about a dozen priests, bishops and laity from St. Louis and elsewhere in the eparchy for a reception at the Maronite Pastoral Center in a downtown St. Louis neighborhood.
Bishop-designate Zaidan said that he was "humbled" by Pope Francis' decision to name him bishop.
"I will strive to the best of my abilities to be the good shepherd following the example of Christ, the good shepherd," he told the group in a prepared statement. "I promise to lay myself down at the service of the church and even place my human weakness into his hands to remind myself of the need to be humble."
Bishop-designate Zaidan said he has chosen the phrase "thy will be done" as his episcopal motto. "I promise to work hard, to reach out to all, to strengthen the weak and encourage the faithful to move forward the message of the new evangelization, the message of love that is much needed in today's world."
Born in Kosaybe, Lebanon, Bishop-designate Zaidan was ordained a priest in 1981 and professed final vows as a member of the Maronite Lebanon Missionaries in 1984. He has been cathedral rector in Los Angeles since 1994.
Bishop-designate Zaidan received a licentiate in theology from Holy Spirit University in Kaslik, Lebanon, in 1986, and a license in philosophy in 1987. He holds a master's degree in school administration from St. John's University, and pursued doctoral studies in education at Pepperdine University in Malibu.
After his ordination, then-Father Zaidan's assignments included assistant rector of the minor seminary of the Maronite Missionaries, 1986-1988. At the same time he was chaplain of the Lay Apostolic Marianist Movement and Young Catholic Students. From 1988 to 1990, he was assistant rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn.
From 1990 to 1994, he was pastor at St. George Maronite Catholic Church in San Antonio and helped establish Maronite missions in Dallas and Houston. He has overseen the United States component of Project Roots, an effort to help Lebanese Americans to register their vital life events, such as marriages and births, in Lebanon and to help preserve Lebanese heritage and culture.
During his visit to St. Louis, Bishop-designate Zaidan reflected on Lebanon being a symbol of peace to the world. Blessed John Paul II once noted that Lebanon is more than a country, adding that it is a "message of freedom," where Christians and Muslims can live side by side.
"If you look at the history of the Maronite Church, and the geography and demography of the Lebanese people, you see how much the Maronites are integrated in all parts of the world," Bishop-designate Zaidan said.
Various Muslim traditions, in fact, witness from them a "Christian spirit of unity, love and care," he said. "And they appreciate living with Christians. The Maronites are a visible sign in the Middle East and showcase that communion ... a communion with Holy Church, a communion with Christ and a communion with all the people. We have to witness our own faith of peace and love and care for everyone."
Father Abdallah Zaidan was in his hotel room July 5 preparing for Mass when he received a call from the apostolic nunciature in Washington that Pope Francis was naming him the next eparch, or bishop, of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon.
The eparchy, which relocated its headquarters from Los Angeles to St. Louis about 12 years ago, serves approximately 34,000 Maronite Catholics in 34 states.
Msgr. Jean-Francois Lantheaume, the nunciature's charge d'affaires announced July 10 that Bishop-designate Zaidan, rector of Our Lady of Mount Lebanon-St. Peter Maronite Cathedral in Los Angeles, will succeed retiring Bishop Robert J. Shaheen, 76, who has served as a priest and bishop in St. Louis since 1967.
Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai, the Maronite patriarch, is expected to preside at Bishop-designate Zaidan's episcopal ordination, set for Sept. 28 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, Lebanon.
The 50-year-old native of Lebanon and member of the Maronite Lebanon Missionaries made his first visit to St. Louis as bishop-designate July 12. He was joined by about a dozen priests, bishops and laity from St. Louis and elsewhere in the eparchy for a reception at the Maronite Pastoral Center in a downtown St. Louis neighborhood.
Bishop-designate Zaidan said that he was "humbled" by Pope Francis' decision to name him bishop.
"I will strive to the best of my abilities to be the good shepherd following the example of Christ, the good shepherd," he told the group in a prepared statement. "I promise to lay myself down at the service of the church and even place my human weakness into his hands to remind myself of the need to be humble."
Bishop-designate Zaidan said he has chosen the phrase "thy will be done" as his episcopal motto. "I promise to work hard, to reach out to all, to strengthen the weak and encourage the faithful to move forward the message of the new evangelization, the message of love that is much needed in today's world."
Born in Kosaybe, Lebanon, Bishop-designate Zaidan was ordained a priest in 1981 and professed final vows as a member of the Maronite Lebanon Missionaries in 1984. He has been cathedral rector in Los Angeles since 1994.
Bishop-designate Zaidan received a licentiate in theology from Holy Spirit University in Kaslik, Lebanon, in 1986, and a license in philosophy in 1987. He holds a master's degree in school administration from St. John's University, and pursued doctoral studies in education at Pepperdine University in Malibu.
After his ordination, then-Father Zaidan's assignments included assistant rector of the minor seminary of the Maronite Missionaries, 1986-1988. At the same time he was chaplain of the Lay Apostolic Marianist Movement and Young Catholic Students. From 1988 to 1990, he was assistant rector of Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn.
From 1990 to 1994, he was pastor at St. George Maronite Catholic Church in San Antonio and helped establish Maronite missions in Dallas and Houston. He has overseen the United States component of Project Roots, an effort to help Lebanese Americans to register their vital life events, such as marriages and births, in Lebanon and to help preserve Lebanese heritage and culture.
During his visit to St. Louis, Bishop-designate Zaidan reflected on Lebanon being a symbol of peace to the world. Blessed John Paul II once noted that Lebanon is more than a country, adding that it is a "message of freedom," where Christians and Muslims can live side by side.
"If you look at the history of the Maronite Church, and the geography and demography of the Lebanese people, you see how much the Maronites are integrated in all parts of the world," Bishop-designate Zaidan said.
Various Muslim traditions, in fact, witness from them a "Christian spirit of unity, love and care," he said. "And they appreciate living with Christians. The Maronites are a visible sign in the Middle East and showcase that communion ... a communion with Holy Church, a communion with Christ and a communion with all the people. We have to witness our own faith of peace and love and care for everyone."
Bishops, religious leaders call for religious liberty protections
Adiverse group of religious leaders, including Catholics, Protestants, evangelicals and a representative from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, issued an open letter July 2 urging the U.S. government to "expand conscience protections" in its Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate.
The letter, which said the country's "delicate liberty of conscience is under threat," called on HHS to provide conscience protections to "any organization or individual that has religious or moral objections to covering, providing or enabling access to the mandated drugs and services."
The signers also asked Congress to "consider how it might prevent such offenses from occurring in the future," noting that any policy "that falls short of affirming full religious freedom protection for all Americans is unacceptable."
The letter, "Standing Together for Religious Freedom," was signed by 58 faith representatives and released during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
It points out that many of those who signed the letter "do not hold doctrinal objections to the use of contraception" but they stand "united in protest to this mandate."
The HHS contraceptive mandate, part of the Affordable Care Act, will require most employers, including religious employers, to provide coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free of charge, even if the employer is morally opposed to such services. It includes an exemption for some religious employers that fit its criteria.
"Whether or not we agree with the particular conscientious objection is beside the point. HHS continues to deny many Americans the freedom to manifest their beliefs through practice and observance in their daily lives," the letter says.
It adds that through the contraceptive mandate, HHS "continues to breach universal principles affirmed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws."
The signers said the mandate is a specific offense because it "represents a greater fundamental breach of conscience by the federal government."
"Very simply, HHS is forcing Citizen A, against his or her moral convictions, to purchase a product for Citizen B. The HHS policy is coercive and puts the administration in the position of defining — or casting aside — religious doctrine. This should trouble every American," it said.
Among the 58 signatories are: Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, chairman, U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty; Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention; Leith Anderson, president, National Association of Evangelicals; Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent, Wesleyan Church; the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Hispanic Evangelical Association; Anuttama Dasa, minister of communications and Governing Body Commission vice chair, International Society for Krishna Consciousness; the Rev. Susan Taylor, national public affairs director, Church of Scientology; Sister Jane Marie Klein, board chair, Franciscan Alliance Inc.; and three Little Sisters of the Poor provincial superiors, for the order's Brooklyn, Chicago and Baltimore provinces.
More study
Last week, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said that the final rules issued June 28 by the HHS "will require more careful analysis."
In a statement, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said the 110-page ruling is "long and complex" and the bishops will "provide a fuller statement when that analysis is complete."
The HHS final ruling updates proposed rules the department had issued in February. It had left the rules open for comment through April and received more than 400,000 comments.
Cardinal Dolan said June 28 that he appreciated the "five-month extension on implementing the complex proposal," meaning the government extended its "safe harbor" period to Jan. 1, 2014, protecting employers from immediate government action against them if they fail to comply with the mandate. Before the final rules were released, that period was to end Aug. 1 of this year.
The administration's final rules also include a separate accommodation for nonprofit religious organizations — including charities, hospitals and universities — that will not have to "contract, arrange, pay, or refer for contraceptive coverage" that they object to on religious grounds.
To qualify for the accommodation, organizations must be certified as nonprofit religious group with religious objections to contraceptive coverage. These organizations must provide their health insurance companies with proof of their self-certification and insurance companies in turn would notify women in the health plan that contraceptive coverage would be provided separately and at no cost to them.
The Becket Fund, a nonprofit, public interest law firm that has represented Catholic and other religious institutions in a number of the lawsuits against the HHS mandate, said the new ruling is not much different from the proposed rules the HHS issued in February.
"The news about the final rule is pretty simple: It's more of the same," said Eric Rassbach, deputy general counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
In a telephone news conference June 28, Rassbach told reporters that the HHS final rule "is not very different from the inadequate rule" the HHS issued in February and updated after the 60-day comment period. He said that although "HHS tinkered with some aspects of the rule," the agency failed to tackle "fundamental religious questions."
"Essentially, we're where we've been all along; the change now is it is final," he said, adding that unresolved issues will have to be addressed by the courts.
He took issue with the fact that religious groups with a self-insured plan must still provide notice to the third-party administrator of their plan that they object to paying for coverage of abortifacients and contraceptives, and then the third party must provide the coverage. He also objected that the final rules still do not exempt businesses whose owners, because of their religious beliefs, are morally opposed to the mandate, so they will still be required to provide the coverage or pay up to millions of dollars in fines.
A statement by the Becket Fund said an "easy way to resolve this would have been to exempt sincere religious employers completely, as the Constitution requires."
In February, HHS said that in order to clarify what kinds of organizations may qualify for the exemption, it was eliminating the first three prongs of its original four-pronged definition of qualifying religious organizations and clarifying the application of the fourth prong, which stated that an exempt entity would be a nonprofit organization under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
HHS said June 28 that in its final rules it is giving "a simpler definition of 'religious employer' for purposes of the exemption from the contraceptive coverage requirement in response to concerns raised by some religious organizations. These employers, primarily houses of worship, may exclude contraceptive coverage from their health plans for their employees and their dependents."
In an HHS telephone news conference, Michael Hash, director of the Office of Health Reform for HHS, said the final rules simplify and clarify the definition of religious employers and make it clear that they don't have to "refrain from providing services," such as charity-related work, that they typically do.
He also said the way these contraceptive services will be delivered "insulates the providing organization," referring to a change in the finalized rules that outlines how insurance companies will reimburse nonprofit religious organizations, including religious hospitals or universities, that object to contraceptive coverage.
Contraceptive coverage for accommodated religious organizations with health insurance plans will be provided separately through health insurance companies or third-party administrators who must ensure that payments for contraceptive services come from outside the objecting organization's premiums. For self-insuring institutions, a third-party administrator would provide or arrange the services, paid for through reductions in federally-facilitated-exchange user fees associated with their health insurance provider.
In the rules, HHS acknowledged it had received many comments urging the agency to extend the exemption to include nonprofit secular employers and for-profit employees with religious objections to providing contraceptives. The mandate does not include a conscience clause for employers who object to such coverage on moral grounds.
But HHS said it "declined to adopt" the suggestion to widen its exemption for secular employers who object to the mandate on moral grounds.
"The definition of eligible organizations in these final regulations is the same as that in the proposed regulations," it said, "and is intended to allow health coverage established or maintained or arranged by various types of nonprofit religious organizations with religious objections to contraceptive coverage to qualify. ... The definition of eligible organization(s) in these final regulations does not extend to for-profit organizations."
The letter, which said the country's "delicate liberty of conscience is under threat," called on HHS to provide conscience protections to "any organization or individual that has religious or moral objections to covering, providing or enabling access to the mandated drugs and services."
The signers also asked Congress to "consider how it might prevent such offenses from occurring in the future," noting that any policy "that falls short of affirming full religious freedom protection for all Americans is unacceptable."
The letter, "Standing Together for Religious Freedom," was signed by 58 faith representatives and released during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington.
It points out that many of those who signed the letter "do not hold doctrinal objections to the use of contraception" but they stand "united in protest to this mandate."
The HHS contraceptive mandate, part of the Affordable Care Act, will require most employers, including religious employers, to provide coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free of charge, even if the employer is morally opposed to such services. It includes an exemption for some religious employers that fit its criteria.
"Whether or not we agree with the particular conscientious objection is beside the point. HHS continues to deny many Americans the freedom to manifest their beliefs through practice and observance in their daily lives," the letter says.
It adds that through the contraceptive mandate, HHS "continues to breach universal principles affirmed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws."
The signers said the mandate is a specific offense because it "represents a greater fundamental breach of conscience by the federal government."
"Very simply, HHS is forcing Citizen A, against his or her moral convictions, to purchase a product for Citizen B. The HHS policy is coercive and puts the administration in the position of defining — or casting aside — religious doctrine. This should trouble every American," it said.
Among the 58 signatories are: Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, chairman, U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty; Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention; Leith Anderson, president, National Association of Evangelicals; Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent, Wesleyan Church; the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Hispanic Evangelical Association; Anuttama Dasa, minister of communications and Governing Body Commission vice chair, International Society for Krishna Consciousness; the Rev. Susan Taylor, national public affairs director, Church of Scientology; Sister Jane Marie Klein, board chair, Franciscan Alliance Inc.; and three Little Sisters of the Poor provincial superiors, for the order's Brooklyn, Chicago and Baltimore provinces.
More study
Last week, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said that the final rules issued June 28 by the HHS "will require more careful analysis."
In a statement, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said the 110-page ruling is "long and complex" and the bishops will "provide a fuller statement when that analysis is complete."
The HHS final ruling updates proposed rules the department had issued in February. It had left the rules open for comment through April and received more than 400,000 comments.
Cardinal Dolan said June 28 that he appreciated the "five-month extension on implementing the complex proposal," meaning the government extended its "safe harbor" period to Jan. 1, 2014, protecting employers from immediate government action against them if they fail to comply with the mandate. Before the final rules were released, that period was to end Aug. 1 of this year.
The administration's final rules also include a separate accommodation for nonprofit religious organizations — including charities, hospitals and universities — that will not have to "contract, arrange, pay, or refer for contraceptive coverage" that they object to on religious grounds.
To qualify for the accommodation, organizations must be certified as nonprofit religious group with religious objections to contraceptive coverage. These organizations must provide their health insurance companies with proof of their self-certification and insurance companies in turn would notify women in the health plan that contraceptive coverage would be provided separately and at no cost to them.
The Becket Fund, a nonprofit, public interest law firm that has represented Catholic and other religious institutions in a number of the lawsuits against the HHS mandate, said the new ruling is not much different from the proposed rules the HHS issued in February.
"The news about the final rule is pretty simple: It's more of the same," said Eric Rassbach, deputy general counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
In a telephone news conference June 28, Rassbach told reporters that the HHS final rule "is not very different from the inadequate rule" the HHS issued in February and updated after the 60-day comment period. He said that although "HHS tinkered with some aspects of the rule," the agency failed to tackle "fundamental religious questions."
"Essentially, we're where we've been all along; the change now is it is final," he said, adding that unresolved issues will have to be addressed by the courts.
He took issue with the fact that religious groups with a self-insured plan must still provide notice to the third-party administrator of their plan that they object to paying for coverage of abortifacients and contraceptives, and then the third party must provide the coverage. He also objected that the final rules still do not exempt businesses whose owners, because of their religious beliefs, are morally opposed to the mandate, so they will still be required to provide the coverage or pay up to millions of dollars in fines.
A statement by the Becket Fund said an "easy way to resolve this would have been to exempt sincere religious employers completely, as the Constitution requires."
In February, HHS said that in order to clarify what kinds of organizations may qualify for the exemption, it was eliminating the first three prongs of its original four-pronged definition of qualifying religious organizations and clarifying the application of the fourth prong, which stated that an exempt entity would be a nonprofit organization under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
HHS said June 28 that in its final rules it is giving "a simpler definition of 'religious employer' for purposes of the exemption from the contraceptive coverage requirement in response to concerns raised by some religious organizations. These employers, primarily houses of worship, may exclude contraceptive coverage from their health plans for their employees and their dependents."
In an HHS telephone news conference, Michael Hash, director of the Office of Health Reform for HHS, said the final rules simplify and clarify the definition of religious employers and make it clear that they don't have to "refrain from providing services," such as charity-related work, that they typically do.
He also said the way these contraceptive services will be delivered "insulates the providing organization," referring to a change in the finalized rules that outlines how insurance companies will reimburse nonprofit religious organizations, including religious hospitals or universities, that object to contraceptive coverage.
Contraceptive coverage for accommodated religious organizations with health insurance plans will be provided separately through health insurance companies or third-party administrators who must ensure that payments for contraceptive services come from outside the objecting organization's premiums. For self-insuring institutions, a third-party administrator would provide or arrange the services, paid for through reductions in federally-facilitated-exchange user fees associated with their health insurance provider.
In the rules, HHS acknowledged it had received many comments urging the agency to extend the exemption to include nonprofit secular employers and for-profit employees with religious objections to providing contraceptives. The mandate does not include a conscience clause for employers who object to such coverage on moral grounds.
But HHS said it "declined to adopt" the suggestion to widen its exemption for secular employers who object to the mandate on moral grounds.
"The definition of eligible organizations in these final regulations is the same as that in the proposed regulations," it said, "and is intended to allow health coverage established or maintained or arranged by various types of nonprofit religious organizations with religious objections to contraceptive coverage to qualify. ... The definition of eligible organization(s) in these final regulations does not extend to for-profit organizations."
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