Once again the Catholic Truth Society is sponsoring the annual Evangelium weekend for young Catholic adults, held near Reading on 5th – 7th August. We recommend this highly as an outstanding opportunity for personal renewal in the faith.
Here is a brief video about the weekend (requires Adobe Flash player: here is the link to the video on YouTube).
Tell your friends – and bring them along with you.
The following was issued today by the Catholic Truth Society to explain the significance of the Pope’s discussion of the notion of corporate Jewish guilt, in his new book Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week (to be published 10th March 2011).
“Now we must ask, who exactly were Jesus’s accusers” (p.184)
With these words Pope Benedict XVI directly confronts the controversial question raised by St Matthew’s Gospel when the evangelist describes the crowd shouting: “Let his blood be on us and on our children”. The Pope, in this passage of Jesus of Nazareth – Holy Week, makes clear his own opinion that the Jewish people are not in any way inherently and collectively responsibility for the death of Jesus, which is also the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.
Nevertheless in a refreshing and original exegesis, the Holy Father makes his argument by explaining the composition of the crowd and who the Gospel writers were referring to when they spoke of “the Jews” before concluding that their actions were not representative of the Jewish people. The Pope then says that Christ’s blood was not “poured out against anyone, it is poured out for many, for all”. It is the blood of reconciliation, not vengeance , and that it is in no way “a curse, but rather redemption, salvation”.
Down the centuries there have been those who have sought to justify hatred of the Jews by blaming them for the death of Jesus. But here we have the Pope rejecting any scriptural basis for anti-Semitism and denying any person who purports to be a Catholic of the opportunity to use the Bible to try to justify a position that is anti-Semitic. It is hoped that Jesus of Nazareth – Holy Week may be hugely beneficial to relations between the Jewish people and the Catholic Church because it is a vivid example of the efforts of a pope to establish the New Testament as a text that is clearly not anti-Semitic.
This Pope fortifies his case with other passages in the book which will not be released until the launch on Thursday next week. He appeals for a “new reflection” and the beginnings of a correct and mutual understanding of the religious beliefs of Christians and Jews, inviting both to re-read the biblical texts to discern the will of God after centuries of antagonism. Israel, he says, is a “holy people”. He laments the grave suffering of the Jewish people down the ages and he also offers radical theological reasons why Christians should not seek the conversion of the Jews.
A Hermeneutic of Continuity
All this does not mean that Jesus of Nazareth – Holy Week is a sign of a rupture with a less than honourable past. Rather it points to continuity, the latest significant step of decades of fruitful dialogue between the followers of the two faiths.
Pope Benedict has indeed continued the genuine desire of his predecessors, Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II for dialogue and encounter with the Jewish people. He has visited synagogues, significantly the Cologne Synagogue early in his pontificate, as well as the Rome Synagogue; he has visited the site of Auschwitz concentration camp and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial, in Israel; he sent warm greetings to the President of the State of Israel on the occasion of the State’s 60th anniversary; he has met with a number of Chief Rabbis, including the Chief Rabbi of Israel and the Chief Rabbi of Rome – and, more recently, during his visit to the United Kingdom, had a most warm and significant encounter with the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks.
An Original Insight
Yet Pope Benedict is doing more than simply restating the Church’s position. Since Nostra Aetate, the decree issued in 1965 by the Second Vatican Council, rejected the age-old charge of deicide and condemned anti-Semitism, the Catholic Church has led the way in promoting dialogue between Christians and Jews, condemning a theology of rejection, replacement and supersession. Pope Benedict takes further Nostra Aetate’s rejection of the deicide charge against the Jews by providing scriptural depth to our understanding of it. We have to see this in the context of the tragic history of such a charge, which has provided a rallying cry for anti-Semites over the centuries and the effects of which still linger today. Quite simply, Christians believe that we all stand in need of redemption because we all have sinned. Jesus died on the cross to redeem such sinful humanity, including those who have persecuted others because of their religious faith, creed and nationality.
In the Holy Father’s message today for the World Day of Social Communications, he expressed the following encouraging and wise words for all those involved in blogging and online social networking. Now we are pleased to report the key points for CTS’s followers, as they are very helpful guidelines:
“I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible. “
“I invite young people above all to make good use of their presence in the digital world.”
Positives:
“a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations”
“there exists a Christian way of being present in the digital world: this takes the form of a communication which is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others. ”
“to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically”
“Believers who bear witness to their most profound convictions greatly help prevent the web from becoming an instrument which depersonalizes people, attempts to manipulate them emotionally or allows those who are powerful to monopolize the opinions of others.”
The risks:
“the limits typical of digital communication: the one-sidedness of the interaction, the tendency to communicate only some parts of one’s interior world”
“the risk of constructing a false image of oneself, which can become a form of self-indulgence.”
“enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world. In the search for sharing, for “friends”, there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself”
“Who is my “neighbour” in this new world? Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there is a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world “other” than the one in which we live? Do we have time to reflect critically on our choices and to foster human relationships which are truly deep and lasting? It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.”
The CTS Altar Missal (note this is a dummy version, without printing or gold blocking on the cover)
The Catholic Truth Society has been chosen to publish the Roman Missal in its new English translation, for England, Wales, Scotland and Australia. This much-anticipated and much-discussed new translation seeks to bring the Mass in English closer in sense to the Latin original. Working closely with the three Bishops’ Conferences, the present aim is that the new Missal will be available before the end of 2011.
Now CTS can reveal for the first time the ethos that underpins its publication of the Altar Missal.
The Ethos behind the CTS Missal
From the beginning when we first began considering our approach to the Altar Missal, we made a deliberate decision that our edition would be durable and practical for priests to use, but above all beautiful.
Since the new Missal is to have a more accurate and beautiful translation of the sacred texts, CTS felt that the volume ought also to reflect that beauty in its design and materials. We felt it important that this book of the altar be more than functional. The nature of the liturgy requires that it have a beauty and a presence which assists priests and faithful to worship within a sacred environment. The Congregation for Divine Worship’s own instruction on the Missal states that it “should be marked by such a dignity that the exterior appearance of the book itself will lead the faithful to a greater reverence for the word of God and for sacred realities” [Liturgiam Authenticam, 120]
For this reason the quality of paper and binding, as well as the visual impact of decorations, musical notation and fonts for texts have been for us essential considerations in producing a dignified Missal. This same standard would also be applied to any additional supporting and catechetical material. We believe that the publication of books which are worthy to be used in the liturgy will make an important contribution to building up the spiritual lives of the people of the Catholic Church for many years to come.
Partnership with Parishes
CTS has a long-standing relationship with Catholic parishes, supplying publications to assist in catechesis, evangelisation, prayer and the celebration of the sacraments, so is aiming to produce volumes which closely suit both parishes’ pastoral needs and their budget. To this end CTS is working closely with priests to ensure the best possible result.
This consultation has already allowed CTS to identify a need for three editions of the Altar Missal: the standard Altar Missal for use in churches; a Chapel edition for use at side altars, small chapels, or as a more portable volume for chaplains; and a small, handy reference edition suitable for the presbytery, for seminarians, for personal study, or for libraries.
Beauty and Practicality
CTS is working with highly-skilled printers and binders in Italy to ensure a high quality of craftsmanship in the finished volume. The choice of paper, binding, marker ribbons and leather page tabs has been made to ensure ease of use and durability over many years.
For the interior, colour illustrations have been sourced from medieval illustrated manuscripts, and decorative elements from skilled contemporary artists and from volumes in the British Library.
Please continue to support the CTS
CTS is investing heavily to ensure that this new Missal will serve well the needs of the Catholic communities both here in the UK and in Australia, and that it will enhance the beauty of the liturgy.
We eagerly look forward to the time when the Bishops will officially release the Missal for use in the service of the Lord, hopefully at the end of this year.
UPDATE:
Read our Frequently-Asked Questions on the new Roman Missal in English at the CTS website
Pope Benedict shows pleasure at receiving the Official Record of his State Visit to Britain
POPE BENEDICT XVI was presented with a copy of the swiftly produced but handsome and comprehensive Official Record of his State Visit to the United Kingdom by Peter Jennings, its author and editor, at the end of the Pontiff’s weekly audience in the Vatican on Wednesday 15 December.
A smiling Holy Father held the second impression of the book, Benedict XVI and Blessed John Henry Newman, The State Visit – The Official Record, and spent several moments looking at a number of the 250 pictures in the book. They comprehensively chronicle his historic and unforgettable four-day Apostolic Journey during September 2010.
Pope Benedict XVI was then presented with a special prayer card for the Canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman, produced by the Catholic Truth Society. The Holy Father took great interest in this prayer card. He looked carefully at the reproduction of a photograph signed by Cardinal Newman, then aged 82, at the Oratory House on 11 March 1883, for a visitor, and then turned the card over and studied the prayer.
Before the start of the General Audience held in the Paul VI Hall, Mr Jennings presented a copy of the book to Dr Alberto Gasbarri, Head of the Vatican delegation which organised the Apostolic Journey made by Pope Benedict XVI and which took him to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham, during Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 September.
Seated in the front row Mr Jennings had the opportunity to give copies of the prayer card to Archbishop James Harvey, Prefect of the Papal Household, and Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Copies presented to the Vatican photographer and the Papal Spokesman
Mr Jennings also gave a copy of the book to Francesco Sforza, L’Osservatore Romano photographer, a number of whose pictures are included in it.
Mr Jennings knew and worked with Mr Sforza’s uncle, Arturo Mari, the distinguished L’Osservatore Romano photographer, some of whose pictures are included in “The Pope in Britain” – The Official Record of the six-day Pastoral Visit of Pope John Paul II to Great Britain during 1982, also written and edited by Mr Jennings.
In the Press Office of the Holy See during Tuesday morning, 14 December, Peter Jennings presented a copy of the book to Papal Spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, the Director, who is also General Director of Vatican Radio and Television.
Mr Jennings also gave a copy of the book to Fr Ciro Benedettini, CP, Vice Director of the Vatican Press Office, who had contributed a post-visit reflection to its pages.
Reception hosted by British Ambassador to the Holy See
The British Ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell, who has two contributions in the book, one an outstanding post-visit reflection, graciously hosted a special reception at his Residence on Monday 13 December to mark the publication of the Official Record.
Ambassador Campbell spoke warmly about the book and in particular the contribution made by Peter Jennings, not only to the book and more widely to Catholic journalism, but also by his public relations work in the forwarding of the Newman Cause since the mid-1970’s.
Mr Jennings is Press Secretary to Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and to the Archdiocese of Birmingham, roles he also fulfilled under Archbishop Vincent Nichols during the latter’s time as Archbishop of Birmingham 2000-2009.
Ambassador Campbell paid a special tribute to Mrs Stella Jennings, also present, who, he said, had done “a remarkable job” in securing more than 30 post-visit reflections in time for the book to be published and launched in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 9 October, the Feast of Blessed John Henry Newman. This was less than three weeks after the Visit.
The memorable two-hour occasion was attended by more than 40 guests including senior members of the Roman Curia together with Justin Bedford, Deputy Head of Mission, and Monique Frank, Former Dutch Ambassador to the Holy See.
Among the Rome-based correspondents present were: Joan Lewis, EWTN Rome Bureau Chief; David Willey, BBC; Edward Pentin, The Catholic Herald; Gerry O’Connell, The Universe; James Bone, The Times’ new man; and Martin O’Brien, Producer of BBC Northern Ireland Sunday Sequence and Associate Producer, “Our Man In The Vatican.”
Other guests included Nigel Swinford, Artistic Director and Founder of the New English Orchestra and Singers, and Director of Music for the memorable Prayer Vigil at Hyde Park on the evening of Saturday 18 September 2010, and Mrs Julie Fry, a singer and Secretary of the NEO.
Peter Jennings’ gratitude to those who worked with him
On his return from Rome Mr Jennings said: “I am extremely grateful to the Bishops’ Conferences of England, Wales and Scotland for entrusting me with writing and editing the Official Record of the tremendously successful visit of Pope Benedict XVI.
“I should like to say a very special thank you to my wife Stella for her work, encouragement and support.
“I pay a special tribute to the other co-workers on this challenging, complex but amazing project including Philip Bonn, Associate Editor and Kevin Grant, and also to Fergal Martin, General Secretary of the Catholic Truth Society and his unflagging team: Piero Finaldi, Richard Brown, Stephen Campbell, Glenda Swain and Llima Cole. Thank you all.”
>>> Copies of the book may be ordered online: www.cts-online.org.uk
Yesterday the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the following statement with regard to the public debate in the media over the Pope’s comments on sexual morality in Light of the World, co-published by the Catholic Truth Society. [Please note that Light of the World is temporarily out of print, with new stock arriving on 10 January 2011].
“On the Trivialization of Sexuality:
Regarding Certain Interpretations of Light of the World.”
Following the publication of the interview-book Light of the World by Benedict XVI, a number of erroneous interpretations have emerged which have caused confusion concerning the position of the Catholic Church regarding certain questions of sexual morality. The thought of the Pope has been repeatedly manipulated for ends and interests which are entirely foreign to the meaning of his words — a meaning which is evident to anyone who reads the entire chapters in which human sexuality is treated. The intention of the Holy Father is clear: To rediscover the beauty of the divine gift of human sexuality and, in this way, to avoid the cheapening of sexuality which is common today.
Some interpretations have presented the words of the Pope as a contradiction of the traditional moral teaching of the Church. This hypothesis has been welcomed by some as a positive change and lamented by others as a cause of concern – as if his statements represented a break with the doctrine concerning contraception and with the Church’s stance in the fight against AIDS. In reality, the words of the Pope — which specifically concern a gravely disordered type of human behaviour, namely prostitution (cf. Light of the World, pp. 117-119) — do not signify a change in Catholic moral teaching or in the pastoral practice of the Church.
As is clear from an attentive reading of the pages in question, the Holy Father was talking neither about conjugal morality nor about the moral norm concerning contraception. This norm belongs to the tradition of the Church and was summarized succinctly by Pope Paul VI in paragraph 14 of his encyclical letter Humanae Vitae, when he wrote that “also to be excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation — whether as an end or as a means.” The idea that anyone could deduce from the words of Benedict XVI that it is somehow legitimate, in certain situations, to use condoms to avoid an unwanted pregnancy is completely arbitrary and is in no way justified either by his words or in his thought. On this issue the Pope proposes instead – and also calls the pastors of the Church to propose more often and more effectively (cf. Light of the World, p. 147) — humanly and ethically acceptable ways of behaving which respect the inseparable connection between the unitive and procreative meaning of every conjugal act, through the possible use of natural family planning in view of responsible procreation.
On the pages in question, the Holy Father refers to the completely different case of prostitution, a type of behaviour which Christian morality has always considered gravely immoral (cf. Vatican II, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, No. 27; Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2355). The response of the entire Christian tradition – and indeed not only of the Christian tradition – to the practice of prostitution can be summed up in the words of St. Paul: “Flee from fornication” (1 Cor 6:18). The practice of prostitution should be shunned, and it is the duty of the agencies of the Church, of civil society and of the State to do all they can to liberate those involved from this practice.
In this regard, it must be noted that the situation created by the spread of AIDS in many areas of the world has made the problem of prostitution even more serious. Those who know themselves to be infected with HIV and who therefore run the risk of infecting others, apart from committing a sin against the sixth commandment are also committing a sin against the fifth commandment – because they are consciously putting the lives of others at risk through behaviour which has repercussions on public health. In this situation, the Holy Father clearly affirms that the provision of condoms does not constitute “the real or moral solution” to the problem of AIDS and also that “the sheer fixation on the condom implies a banalization of sexuality” in that it refuses to address the mistaken human behaviour which is the root cause of the spread of the virus. In this context, however, it cannot be denied that anyone who uses a condom in order to diminish the risk posed to another person is intending to reduce the evil connected with his or her immoral activity. In this sense the Holy Father points out that the use of a condom “with the intention of reducing the risk of infection, can be a first step in a movement towards a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.” This affirmation is clearly compatible with the Holy Father’s previous statement that this is “not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection.”
Some commentators have interpreted the words of Benedict XVI according to the so-called theory of the “lesser evil.” This theory is, however, susceptible to proportionalistic misinterpretation (cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Veritatis splendor, No. 75-77). An action which is objectively evil, even if a lesser evil, can never be licitly willed. The Holy Father did not say – as some people have claimed – that prostitution with the use of a condom can be chosen as a lesser evil. The Church teaches that prostitution is immoral and should be shunned. However, those involved in prostitution who are HIV positive and who seek to diminish the risk of contagion by the use of a condom may be taking the first step in respecting the life of another – even if the evil of prostitution remains in all its gravity. This understanding is in full conformity with the moral theological tradition of the Church.
In conclusion, in the battle against AIDS, the Catholic faithful and the agencies of the Catholic Church should be close to those affected, should care for the sick and should encourage all people to live abstinence before and fidelity within marriage. In this regard it is also important to condemn any behaviour which cheapens sexuality because, as the Pope says, such behaviour is the reason why so many people no longer see in sexuality an expression of their love: “This is why the fight against the banalization of sexuality is also part of the struggle to ensure that sexuality is treated as a positive value and to enable it to have a positive effect on the whole of man’s being” (Light of the World, p. 119).
Please note that CTS is, from today, processing no new orders until after our Christmas break, when the office re-opens on 4th January 2011. This is because this week we make our annual stock check, and next week the office is closed between Christmas and New Year. All orders received during this period will be processed and despatched as early as possible in January.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our members and donors for their financial support in 2010 – so important for sustaining our growing apostolate; and also thank our many customers in Britain, Europe and many far-flung parts of the world for purchasing from us in 2010. We look forward to supplying your needs in 2011, which promises to be another exciting publishing year for the CTS!
May God fill you with his joy this Christmastide, and may the Christ child bring you, your families, and your parishes every blessing in 2011.
- Richard Brown, Sales & Marketing Manager, on behalf of all of us at the Catholic Truth Society.
The Catholic Truth Society is very pleased to hear today that the Evangelium course of formation in Catholic faith and moral teaching is being used to prepare Anglicans wishing to become incorporated into the Catholic Church through the Ordinariates established by Pope Benedict.
In a question-and-answer session with Archbishops Vincent Nichols and Peter Smith, and Bishop Alan Hopes, set up to look at the Ordinariate Constitution, Bishop Alan revealed that the CTS course is playing a crucial role in orientating those laypeople seeking full communion:
“Those who are contemplating this move have actually been encouraged to begin their preparation already, and they started off in the middle of September and the beginning of October, and they’ve been studying the Evangelium course, which looks at Catholic doctrine, Catholic ethical matters, prayer, scripture and so on. And they’ve been working through that solidly each week. So their clergy have been doing that with them, we hope, and that will continue until the beginning of Lent. And then in Lent, already a course is being put together to help them with their sacramental preparation for reception into the Church at Easter.”
In two other separate developments, Anglicans in Canada who are requesting an Ordinariate are also using the Evangelium course; and Forward in Faith’s magazine New Directions (see page 9) reviews the Evangelium course, including the following perceptive assessment:
“Each session is accompanied by a PowerPoint™ presentation which uses some fine examples of Christian art to explain the particular subject under discussion. This use of visual catechesis is in synthesis with an Anglo-Catholic model of teaching and liturgical praxis. Our faithful respond well to sensory explanation and symbols and many of them appreciate the beauty of Christian truth in the surroundings of their churches, through art and architecture which points beyond itself to God.”
The authors of the Evangelium course, Fathers Marcus Holden and Andrew Pinsent, are delighted that this widely-used course is now being employed to assist those making an historic journey of faith. Fr Marcus Holden remarked:
“We’re getting really good feedback from various Anglican ordinariate-bound parishes, they are particularly attracted to the beauty of the art in Evangelium (something strong in their Anglo-Catholic patrimony) and the straight-forward presentation of doctrine (which they appear to be longing for in their search).”
Full information on Evangelium, a richly-illustrated course for forming adults in the Faith, can be found at the CTS website: http://www.cts-online.org.uk/acatalog/info_EV1.html.
The Catholic Truth Society has launched its 2010 Christmas Appeal: this year it is seeking to give Bibles and Catechisms to Catholic schools to assist them in their important work of teaching the faith.
Pope Benedict XVI’s words to Catholic schools
The CTS’s Appeal is a direct response to the words of Pope Benedict during his visit to Britain this year:
“A good Catholic school should help all its students to become saints.”
Funding shortage for Religious Education
Teachers and chaplains in Catholic secondary schools in Britain are working hard to pass on the faith to students but all too often have very limited funds to spend on textbooks and Bibles. CTS has spoken with some teachers about these concerns, and they are keen to get Catholic Bibles and Catechisms into their classrooms, even to get a set of these for every student.
CTS wants to help
The CTS as a Catholic publishing charity is keen to help, and has mailed all of its supporters to request their financial assistance to provide sets of these books for schools. With this sponsorship we will be able to send out these books at no cost to the schools: just £12 covers the full cost of sending a set of books that would normally retail for £28.90 (including postage).
Please give generously
If you feel you would like to support this Appeal and help to put sets of Catholic Bibles and Catechisms into our schools, please follow this link where you can donate by credit or debit card.
Alternatively you can send your donation by post, marking it “CTS Christmas Appeal 2010″ to CTS, 40-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY, United Kingdom; cheques/postal orders payable to “Catholic Truth Society”.
Credit/Debit card donations can also be made by telephone during office hours: 020 7640 0042 (international: +44 20 7640 0042)
Further information
More information about the Appeal and the books we would like to send out can be found here.
Light of the World, the book-length interview with Pope Benedict, hits the shops today: pictured is the display at the CTS Bookshop in Westminster, London, which opens at 10 a.m. today to sell the first copies.
Other bookshops are also expected to receive their stocks today.
There has been an unprecedented media scrum over the contents of this book, with journalists focussing on his remarks on AIDS and condoms, homosexuality, inter-religious relations and more. However most of these debates have taken as their focus snippets removed from the context of the much wider-ranging and very fascinating discussions that take place in this book, which show this extraordinary Pope at his most intelligent, interesting and inspiring.