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First Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
‘Death is not the end': Vatican releases preface Pope Francis wrote for book to hit stands this week
The Vatican on Tuesday released the preface of a book written by Pope Francis on February 7, ahead of its release this week. Pope Francis's funeral will be held on Saturday, the Vatican announced Tuesday, as world leaders from US President Donald Trump to Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky said they would attend to honour the Catholic leader. In the preface of the book titled 'Awaiting a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age', written by Cardinal Angelo Scola, Pope Francis wrote: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I read with emotion these pages born from the thought and affection of Angelo Scola, dear brother in the episcopate and a person who has held delicate roles in the Church, such as having been rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, later Patriarch of Venice, and Archbishop of Milan. First of all, I want to express my deep gratitude to him for this reflection that combines personal experience and cultural sensitivity in a way I have rarely encountered. One — experience — enlightens the other — culture; the second gives substance to the first. In this happy interweaving, life and culture blossom with beauty. Let not the short form of this book be deceptive: these are very dense pages, to read and reread. From Angelo Scola's reflections I gather some particularly resonant points with what my own experience has taught me. Angelo Scola speaks to us of old age, his old age, which he writes about with a disarmingly intimate touch: 'it came upon me with sudden acceleration and in many ways unexpectedly.' Already in his choice of the word with which he defines himself as 'old;' I find a resonance with the author. Yes, we must not be afraid of old age, we must not fear embracing becoming old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things. Restoring pride to a term too often considered unhealthy is a gesture for which we should be grateful to Cardinal Scola. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Because to say 'old' does not mean 'to be discarded,' as a degraded culture of waste sometimes leads us to think. Saying 'old' instead means saying experience, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, thoughtfulness, listening, slowness… Values of which we are in great need! It is true, one becomes old, but this is not the problem: the problem is how one becomes old. If we live this time of life as a grace, and not with resentment; if we accept the time (even a long one) in which we experience diminished strength, the increasing fatigue of the body, the reflexes no longer what they were in our youth — with a sense of gratitude and thankfulness — well then, old age too becomes an age of life which, as Romano Guardini taught us, is truly fruitful and capable of radiating goodness. Angelo Scola highlights the human and social value of grandparents. I have often emphasized how the role of grandparents is of fundamental importance for the balanced development of the young, and ultimately for a more peaceful society. Because their example, their words, their wisdom can instill in the young a far-sighted vision, the memory of the past, and the anchoring in values that endure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid the frenzy of our societies, often devoted to the ephemeral and the unhealthy taste for appearances, the wisdom of grandparents becomes a shining beacon, shedding light on uncertainty and providing direction to grandchildren, who can draw from their experience something 'extra' for their daily lives. The words that Angelo Scola dedicates to the theme of suffering, which often takes hold in becoming old, and consequently to death, are precious gems of faith and hope. In the reflections of this brother bishop, I hear echoes of the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar and Joseph Ratzinger — a theology 'done on one's knees,' steeped in prayer and in dialogue with the Lord. This is why I said earlier that these are pages born 'from the thought and the affection' of Cardinal Scola: not only from thought, but also from the emotional dimension, which is the one to which Christian faith points, since Christianity is not so much an intellectual act or a moral choice, but rather the affection for a person — that Christ who came to meet us and decided to call us friends. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is precisely the conclusion of these pages by Angelo Scola, a heartfelt confession of how he is preparing himself for the final encounter with Jesus, that gives us a consoling certainty: death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something. It is a new beginning, as the title wisely highlights, because eternal life, which those who love already begin to experience on earth within the daily tasks of life — is beginning something that will never end. And it is precisely for this reason that it is a 'new' beginning, because we will live something we have never fully lived before: eternity. With these pages in hand, I would ideally like to repeat the same gesture I made just after donning the white robe of the papacy in the Sistine Chapel: to embrace with great esteem and affection my brother Angelo — now, both of us older than we were on that day in March 2013. But still united by the gratitude to this loving God who offers us life and hope at every age of our living. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Jordan Times
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Ordination of Jordanian Auxiliary Bishop marks 'historic' moment
The ordination of Bishop Twal comes at a crucial time for the region (Photo by Sophie Constantin) AMMAN — Iyad Twal on Friday was ordained as auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem at the Church of the Baptism of Christ, marking a historic moment for Jordan and the broader Christian community in the region. His ordination not only made him the first Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan to be ordained on Jordanian soil, but it also signified a moment of deep spiritual reverence during a time of turmoil in the Middle East, particularly with the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the rising violence against Christian communities in the West Bank. The Episcopal ceremony unfolded with profound solemnity and devotion. As Twal approached the altar, the atmosphere in the church was thick with reverence. In a quiet but powerful act of humility, he prostrated himself before the Lord, symbolising his total submission to his divine calling. This gesture, rich in meaning, set the tone for the rest of the ceremony, which was marked by spiritual intensity and communal worship. The stillness in the air was punctuated by the heavenly sounds of the choir, whose voices filled the sacred space with the Hymn of All Saints, creating an atmosphere of divine awe. During the prayer of consecration, each word was laden with significance, underscoring Twal'sunwavering commitment to his Episcopal role. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, representing Pope Francis, placed the Holy Bible upon Twal'shead, an act that symbolised the gravity of the office he was about to assume. In a moment of silent consecration, Twal's head was anointed with Holy Chrism, the sacred oil signifying the bishop's role as a spiritual leader and servant of the Church. The ordination of Bishop Twal comes at a crucial time for the region. Appointed by Pope Francis on December 17, Twal assumes this pivotal role amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the growing settler violence in the West Bank, which also affects the Christian community. Twal's ordination in Jordan is a significant event, as he becomes the first Jordanian to hold this position since the 1980s, a role that had been vacant for two years following the death of Bishop Robert Patrick Maginnis. Twal, who was born in Amman, has had a long and distinguished career within the Church. After completing his studies in theology and philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1998. He spent many years serving Catholic communities in the West Bank and later took on various educational roles at Bethlehem University. His deep connection to both Jordan and Palestine has provided him with a broad perspective on the challenges facing the Christian community in the region. As the new auxiliary bishop, Twal's role will be critical in supporting the pastoral and administrative management of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which covers Israel, Jordan, the occupied Palestinian territories, and Cyprus. His responsibilities will include ensuring that pastoral care is distributed across the diocese and assisting the Patriarch in the day-to-day governance of the Church.
