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Herald Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Ut Unum Sint turns 30: A milestone for Christian unity
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ut unum sint, Pope St John Paul II's landmark encyclical on ecumenism, signed on May 25, 1995, the Solemnity of the Ascension. Jun 06, 2025 (Aleteia/Hazem Bader This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ut unum sint, Pope St John Paul II's landmark encyclical on ecumenism, signed on May 25, 1995, the Solemnity of the Ascension. Building on Vatican II's Unitatis redintegratio, the document reaffirmed the Catholic Church's irrevocable commitment to Christian unity. Deacon Daniel Galadza, a professor at Rome's Pontifical Oriental Institute and member of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, notes how UUS affirms the term 'sister churches' for Eastern churches not in communion with Rome and embraces the image of the Church 'breathing with both lungs,' East and West. At its heart is Christ's desire 'that all may be one.' Though written three decades ago, UUS remains relevant today, especially as the Church celebrates another Jubilee Year. Many themes continue to echo, including ongoing dialogue with the Eastern Churches and growing signs of unity, such as Orthodox participation in papal liturgies and the return of relics to Constantinople. Deacon Galadza highlights Pope Leo XIV's recent audience with Eastern Catholics, a papal event that, though not overtly ecumenical, underscored the unity and mission of the Eastern Churches — both in and outside communion with Rome. He notes that Pope Leo's use of Eastern saints and his concern for Christians in conflict zones like the Middle East, Ukraine, and Tigray resonate deeply with Orthodox Christians. Looking ahead, Deacon Galadza says unity may still feel distant, but progress has been made. Gestures like the Ecumenical Patriarch's presence at Pope Leo's inauguration are powerful signs of hope, pointing towards the shared longing for full communion, one day, at the Eucharistic table. --Vatican News
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Pope Leo XIV offers conflict mediation in ‘fervent appeal' for peace
ROME - Pope Leo XIV offered on Wednesday to mediate in international conflicts during an audience with representatives of Eastern Churches at the Vatican. The Holy See is "always willing to help enemies sit down at a table, face each other and talk to each other," the newly elected pontiff said. The first U.S.-born pope, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made a "fervent appeal" to political leaders to come together and negotiate. "I, for one, will do everything in my power to make this peace last," he stated. "War is never unavoidable." Leo, who was chosen to succeed pope Francis in a conclave last week, highlighted numerous ongoing conflicts, from Gaza and Ukraine to Lebanon, Syria, Tigray and the Caucausus. "Our neighbours are not our enemies first, but fellow humans," the 69-year-old said. The church must never tire in insisting: "Let the weapons be silent," he argued. The comments came days after Pope Leo demanded an end to global conflicts in his first Sunday prayers. He is set to be inaugurated on Sunday in the Vatican, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance set to attend the festivities. ---------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Kuwait Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Swedish cardinal is Catholic convert in sea of atheists
VATICAN CITY: Sweden's first cardinal, Anders Arborelius, is a convert to Catholicism in the overwhelmingly Protestant Scandinavian country, which is home to one of the world's most secularized societies. The 75-year-old says he is 'highly unlikely' to be elected as the successor to Pope Francis in next week's conclave, but many commentators believe the race is wide open. As Bishop of Stockholm, Arborelius is the first Swedish Catholic bishop since the Protestant Reformation—his predecessors having been named from other countries due to a dearth of home-grown Catholic priests in predominantly Lutheran Sweden. The diocese of Stockholm comprises the entire country, home to about 128,000 Catholics, or about 1.6 percent of the total population. Arborelius was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2017 - a year after the pontiff's ecumenical visit to Sweden to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation—becoming the first Nordic prelate to wear the cardinal's scarlet robes. Under Pope Francis, he was a member of four Vatican dicasteries, or government ministries: those for the Clergy, Bishops, the Eastern Churches, and Promoting Christian Unity. A defender of Church doctrine, Arborelius views his ministry as a mission to safeguard the biblical message, particularly in his country, which is at the forefront of LGBTQ rights and where Protestant pastors can marry, even if they are of the same sex. 'The Church condemns all forms of unjust discrimination, including that based on gender or sexual orientation,' he wrote along with his Finnish, Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic counterparts in a letter from the Nordic Bishops' Conference. 'However, we disagree when this movement puts forward a vision of human nature that disregards the bodily integrity of the person, as if physical gender were a pure accident,' the letter continued. Arborelius is opposed to the modernizing efforts of certain German bishops—including allowing women as deacons and blessing same-sex couples—whom the Vatican accuses of wanting to create a new Protestant Church. Church of migrants Born in Switzerland, Arborelius grew up in a Lutheran family in Lund, in the south of Sweden, but was not particularly observant. 'Lutherans are not very active in their church,' he told the Catholic television channel EWTN in 2005. The trend is true of many Swedes—more than two-thirds do not believe in God, and those who marry in a religious ceremony or baptize their children often never set foot in a church again, according to a 2020 study by the University of Gothenburg. In fact, 90 percent of Swedes never or rarely attend church services, according to the study. 'Sweden has become a very secular country,' Arborelius told EWTN. In 1969, at the age of 20 and fascinated by the Carmelite nun Therese of Lisieux, Arborelius converted to Catholicism. Two years later, he joined the Order of Discalced Carmelites, a contemplative religious congregation belonging to the mendicant orders. He studied modern languages in Lund and theology in Bruges, where he took his vows, before entering the order's pontifical faculty in Rome. He became a priest in 1979 and took up residence in the Carmelite convent of Norraby, in southern Sweden. After two decades of monastic life, in 1998 he was appointed Bishop of Stockholm by John Paul II. Between 2005 and 2015, he presided over the Nordic Bishops' Conference and held various posts in the Vatican Curia. Echoing the views of Pope Francis, Arborelius advocates welcoming migrants to Europe, including Christians, Catholics and potential converts. Thanks to them, the Catholic Church of Sweden continues to grow, while the Lutheran Church, the state religion until 2000, has since then lost nearly 1.5 million members who no longer wish to pay the tax to fund it. 'The Catholic Church in Sweden is a Church of migrants,' Arborelius said in 2018. 'Many of us come from other countries and some from other denominations. As Christians, we are all pilgrims on the way to God's heavenly kingdom.' - AFP
Local Sweden
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Swedish cardinal is Catholic convert in sea of atheists
Sweden's first cardinal, Anders Arborelius, is a convert to Catholicism in the overwhelmingly Protestant Scandinavian country, which is home to one of the world's most secularised societies. Advertisement The 75-year-old says he is "highly unlikely" to be elected as the successor to Pope Francis in next week's conclave, but many commentators believe the race is wide open. As Bishop of Stockholm, Arborelius is the first Swedish Catholic bishop since the Protestant Reformation - his predecessors having been named from other countries due to a dearth of home-grown Catholic priests in predominantly Lutheran Sweden. The diocese of Stockholm comprises the entire country, home to about 128,000 Catholics, or about 1.6 percent of the total population. Arborelius was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2017 -- a year after the pontiff's ecumenical visit to Sweden to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation -- becoming the first Nordic prelate to wear the cardinal's scarlet robes. Under Pope Francis, he was a member of four Vatican dicasteries, or government ministries: those for the Clergy, Bishops, the Eastern Churches, and Promoting Christian Unity. A defender of Church doctrine, Arborelius views his ministry as a mission to safeguard the biblical message, particularly in his country, which is at the forefront of LGBTQ rights and where Protestant pastors can marry, even if they are of the same sex. "The Church condemns all forms of unjust discrimination, including that based on gender or sexual orientation," he wrote along with his Finnish, Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic counterparts in a letter from the Nordic Bishops' Conference. "However, we disagree when this movement puts forward a vision of human nature that disregards the bodily integrity of the person, as if physical gender were a pure accident," the letter continued. Arborelius is opposed to the modernising efforts of certain German bishops -- including allowing women as deacons and blessing same-sex couples -- whom the Vatican accuses of wanting to create a new Protestant Church. Advertisement Church of migrants Born in Switzerland, Arborelius grew up in a Lutheran family in Lund, in the south of Sweden, but was not particularly observant. "Lutherans are not very active in their church," he told the Catholic television channel EWTN in 2005. The trend is true of many Swedes -- more than two-thirds do not believe in God, and those who marry in a religious ceremony or baptise their children often never set foot in a church again, according to a 2020 study by the University of Gothenburg. In fact, 90 percent of Swedes never or rarely attend church services, according to the study. "Sweden has become a very secular country," Arborelius told EWTN. Advertisement In 1969, at the age of 20 and fascinated by the Carmelite nun Therese of Lisieux, Arborelius converted to Catholicism. Two years later, he joined the Order of Discalced Carmelites, a contemplative religious congregation belonging to the mendicant orders. He studied modern languages in Lund and theology in Bruges, where he took his vows, before entering the order's pontifical faculty in Rome. He became a priest in 1979 and took up residence in the Carmelite convent of Norraby, in southern Sweden. After two decades of monastic life, in 1998 he was appointed Bishop of Stockholm by John Paul II. Advertisement Between 2005 and 2015, he presided over the Nordic Bishops' Conference and held various posts in the Vatican Curia. Echoing the views of Pope Francis, Arborelius advocates welcoming migrants to Europe, including Christians, Catholics and potential converts. Thanks to them, the Catholic Church of Sweden continues to grow, while the Lutheran Church, the state religion until 2000, has since then lost nearly 1.5 million members who no longer wish to pay the tax to fund it. "The Catholic Church in Sweden is a Church of migrants," Arborelius said in 2018. "Many of us come from other countries and some from other denominations. As Christians, we are all pilgrims on the way to God's heavenly kingdom."
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
A shepherd to all humanity: Suffragan Metropolitan remembers Pope
PATHANAMTHITTA: "They shall come from east and west and sit at the table"—this was the verse Pope Francis referred to when representatives of the Malankara Mar Thoma Church first visited the Vatican. Dr Joseph Mar Barnabas, Suffragan Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church, visited the Vatican in 2022, a visit that led to Pope Francis initiating formal dialogue with the Mar Thoma Church. Following the Pope's invitation, members of the Mar Thoma Church Synod visited the Vatican in November last year for the dialogue. Recalling the Pope with deep reverence, Mar Barnabas described him as an empathetic and approachable shepherd who, in addition to being the Supreme Pontiff, had profound knowledge about the Eastern Churches. 'We were received with warmth and affection. When he found out I was from Kerala and stayed near Cleemis Bava's (Cardinal Baselios Cleemis) residence, he seemed to draw even closer. His curiosity about our Church led to several lengthy personal conversations. It amazed me how he found the time, despite his immense responsibilities as the head of the global Church,' Mar Barnabas said. He said that Pope Francis embodied an inclusive spirit, one that valued coexistence with Eastern Churches. 'The timing of his passing away -- just after Easter -- evokes a profound sense of hope and fulfilment, echoing the Christian belief in resurrection and eternal life,' he said. Describing his anecdotes, Mar Barnabas said the Pope surprised them by speaking about the Mar Thoma Church's unique identity as a "bridge Church" between East and West. 'As we say, Christ is the manly face of God, and the Pope was a man filled with Christ. In a world of unrest, he stood as a beacon of peace and justice. He was a father not just to a denomination, but to all of humanity. That's why his loss feels deeply personal,' he said. He fondly recalled the Pope embracing him like a brother during their farewell, a moment he said captured the Pope's humanity. Commenting on Pope Francis' keen interest in the Eastern traditions, Mar Barnabas said, 'He named his vision 'Listening to the East'. He was eager to understand how Oriental Churches engage with their communities and involve the laity in the life of the Church. His vision was not about enforcing hierarchy but about walking with the people. We never discussed theological differences -- our focus was spiritual growth, unity, and coexistence. For, in Christ, we are all one."
