Day: February 25, 2013

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Pope Benedict XVI’s latest and last Motu Proprio : Normas Nonnullas on the Papal Conclave (Updated)

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20130222_normas-nonnullas_lt.html

Pope Benedict XVI has published his last Motu Proprio concerning the rules of the Conclave as laid out in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, by Blessed Pope John Paul II, to clarify and modify some portions of the rules to suit the developments in the current time, and to affirm the rules as written in the Universi Dominici Gregis.

 

1. Cardinal-electors that had been given the right to elect the new Pope and had been rightfully granted that right must not be deprived of his right to join the Conclave and elect the new Pope.

 

2. It grants the College of Cardinals more liberty in the date of the commencement of the Conclave, providing all the Cardinals rightfully given the voting rights and intending to attend the Conclave has been gathered in Rome, as opposed to the previous rule of compulsory 15 days between the vacancy of the See of Rome to the beginning of the Conclave. 15 days here should still be observed, but if the College deems it right for the Conclave to begin, they can do so. Thus, the Conclave can begin earlier than 15 March 2013 for this year’s Conclave.

 

3. The whole area of the Vatican City and the areas around the Sistine Chapel will be restricted during the period of the Conclave, to prevent any leakage of secrecy of the Conclave to the outside world. Especially the area from Domus Sancta Marthae where the Cardinals reside during the Conclave and the Sistine Chapel, where they gather and vote. Anyone breaching this rule, will be given latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication, which is more precisely mentioned than the previous rule, which only mentioned severe punishment. Latae sententiae excommunication is specified in the new ruling.

 

4. The oaths prescribed in the Universi Dominici Gregis, to be taken by every Cardinal-electors at the start of the Conclave. In addition, in the new rule, all those involved in the Conclave, also have to take the oath, not just the Cardinal-electors :

Latin : ‘Ego N. N. promitto et iuro me inviolate servaturum esse secretum absolutum cum omnibus quotquot participes non sunt Collegii Cardinalium electorum, hoc quidem in perpetuum, nisi mihi datur expresse peculiaris facultas a novo Pontifice electo eiusve Successoribus, in omnibus quae directe vel indirecte respiciunt suffragia et scrutinia ad novum Pontificem eligendum.

Itemque promitto et iuro me nullo modo in Conclavi usurum esse instrumentis quibuslibet ad vocem transmittendam vel recipiendam aut ad imagines exprimendas quovis modo aptis de iis quae tempore electionis fiunt intra fines Civitatis Vaticanae, atque praecipue de iis quae quolibet modo directe vel indirecte attinent ad negotia coniuncta cum ipsa electione. Declaro me editurum esse ius iurandum utpote qui plane noverim quamlibet eius violationem adducturam esse excommunicationis mihi poenam latae sententiae Sedi Apostolicae reservatae.’

English (rough translation) : ‘I, NN., promise and swear to keep inviolate the absolute secret from all those who are not participants in the (election of the Pope) by the College of Cardinals, even in perpetuity, unless expressly given me special permission from the newly elected Pope and his successors, in all things which are directly or indirectly concern the votes and ballots to the choosing a new Pope.

So again, I promise and I swear I am in no way, whatsoever, to the sound of instruments in the Conclave of sending or receiving, or would make use of to  represent the images in any way suitable at the time of the election are to be done within the confines of Vatican City on those matters which, in any way, and especially on those matters which pertain to the business of directly or indirectly linked to with the election. It is well explained and clear to me, who so obviously should know that any violation of his oath will lead to excommunication to me, under the penalty of latae sententiae excommunication, reserved to the Apostolic See.

 

5. That the new Pope can only be elected with secret ballot or scrutiny. No acclamation, no compromise, and no absolute majority (or more than 50% of votes) in the event of long conclave. This has been earlier abrogated by Pope Benedict XVI who reiterated the absolute requirement of at least two-thirds of all Cardinals’ votes for one to be elected a new Pope.

 

6. If the Conclave failed to reach conclusion after a period of time, a day of prayer and reflection, and contemplation should be included before voting begins again. Then in the next round of voting, only the two names with the highest number of votes in the previous ballot would be included.

 

7. The formula of the question by the Cardinal Dean to the newly elected Pope is affirmed :

 

Latin : Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem?

English : Do you accept the Canonical election as the Supreme Pontiff?

 

Latin : Accepto

English : I accept

 

Latin : Quo nomine vis vocari?

English : What do you wish to be called?

 

Latin : Vocabor X

English : I wish to be called X.

(X will be the regnal name, for example, Benedict for our Pope Benedict XVI)

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Who can become Pope? and how is the hierarchy of the Catholic Church like?

Not the best, and not very accurate, but quite thorough in their assessment in an understandable way, of how a Pope is elected, and who can become Pope.

Yes, there are indeed several requirements to become a Pope as stated :

1. Male (only males can become priests, as we stay faithful to the Sacred Tradition that has begun since the Apostles, on the teachings passed down from Christ).

2. Baptised as Catholic (Baptised with water by a priest in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit).

Although those two are the stated requirements, but indeed, usually Cardinals select among themselves for candidates to become the next Pope, since they have the experience and the required abilities and knowledge needed to lead the Universal Church. It is only rarely than bishops and archbishops are selected, and even many did not make it to be elected.

 

The Popes, Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops are all bishops, and hence, not each a separate religious order by themselves. The Pope is simply at the highest, being the Bishop of Rome, and thus successor of St. Peter the Apostle, leader of the Universal Church. The Cardinals as the Pope’s assistants either in Rome or around the world, and the archbishops and bishops as the local shepherds guiding the flock of Christ.

The priests as the soldiers that bring the work of Christ to all His beloved children. Let us pray for all of them!

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Cardinal Keith O’ Brien of Edinburgh resigned amid controversy, and will not participate in Conclave

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/25/cardinal-obrien-resigns-full-statements

The resignation of Cardinal Keith O’ Brien, now Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland, UK, has been accepted by Pope Benedict XVI, and allegations of improper conduct have also arisen against him. As such, he found it wise not to participate in the Conclave, which will happen sometime in March 2013.

Therefore, at this moment, we will have 115 Cardinal-electors barring any other Cardinals who may also skip the Conclave due to poor health such as Cardinal-Patriarch Antonios Naguib of the Coptic Catholics who is reported to be in ill health.

 

With regards to Cardinal O’ Brien, it is easy for many within, and especially from outside the Church of Christ to accuse not only him, but the whole Church itself. Many would be very happy to see the Church destroyed, and therefore, crushing the last bastion of truth and light in our struggle against evil. The world does hate Christ and those who believed in Him. We in the Church, and our leaders are human, and we are all sinners. Indeed, to those who have been given the trust and authority, much responsibility is given too.

Whatever bad things Cardinal O’ Brien had done, much good he had also done as well, in the service of our Lord. We thank him for his long service to God and His Church and pray that he will cooperate in all matters necessary, so that our Church, indeed, will be purged from all evil that has encroached into it in recent years. Indeed, Satan has been so busy working against God and His people that not only that he is not satisfied with just turning the world against us, it also corrupts even those inside, to destroy us.

This is why, the Year of Faith is important, because we must remember first and foremost that no matter what Satan throws at us, our faith must ever be impeccable and strong, and we must always centre ourselves in the love of God, through the Church. So, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray that the Lord will send His Holy Spirit to cleanse, not only our Church, but also the whole world, from Satan the deceiver. Pray for our Pope Benedict XVI who will be retiring soon, and for his soon-to-be elected successor. God bless the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church!

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Official Photographs of the Episcopal Ordination of Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh of Singapore

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.517889154929727.132978.448369905214986&type=1

The photographs of the Episcopal Ordination Mass of the Coadjutor Archbishop of Singapore, taken by PixelMusica, which had been selected as the official photographer and videographer of the event.

I am hoping that they will publish a full video coverage of the event. Stay tuned for any news!

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Ut Vivant : Anthem based on the motto of Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh of Singapore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFf5k965i0w (Anthem from 10:40 to 13:00)

 

Ut Vivant (That they may live)

 

In love You came that we might live,

Help me lead the flock You give.

With passion, compassion, and love divine

May my sacrifice be joined to Thine

Awake now, lion, stand and roar;

The Pilgrim Church of Singapore;

For as my prayer to You ascends,

Let Your sevenfold Gifts descend;

Your Church’s faith restore, renew.

To spread the Gospel in ways anew.

Restore it! Renew it!

In the way of New Evangelisation,

Lead it!

 

‘Pie pellicane’, ‘Heart on fire’;

May Your Glory I desire;

A shepherd’s heart in me implant,

To teach, to serve, and not to want.

Holy Virgin, Star of the sea

Guide me, Mother, pray for me;

From this Year of Faith for souls to strive

And lead them to Eternal life.

 

‘Ut Vivant’, I answer, ‘Ut Vivant!’

O Lord, that they may live.

 

Text by : Coadjutor Archbishop William Goh of Singapore and Sir Dr. Peter Low

Music by : Sir Dr. Peter Low, Knight Commander of the Papal Order of St. Gregory, Choir Master of the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ, of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Arranged by : Alphonsus Chern, Organist of the Cathedral Choir of the Risen Christ

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Changes to the rules for the Papal Inauguration Mass (by Pope Benedict XVI)

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1300800.htm

Pope Benedict XVI has authorised a change in the rules for the Papal Inauguration Mass, as part of a larger attempt to ensure that non-liturgical rites and practices are placed outside the Mass. The change is also to reflect the traditional practice of all Cardinals paying homage to the Pope at the Installation ceremony (Papal Inauguration), as the practice was prior to 2005’s Papal Inauguration. Previously in 2005, a modification cause only a few Cardinals and other individuals to give homage to the Pope during the ceremony.

Let us pray for our retiring Pope Benedict XVI, that in his prayerful retirement, he will grant ever greater strength to our Church, and that through his prayers, the works of the Lord will continue to prosper and grow in this world.

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Monday, 25 February 2013 : 2nd Week of Lent (Gospel Reading)

Luke 6 : 36-38

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Don’t be a judge of others and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you, and you will receive in your sack good measure, pressed down, full and running over.

For the measure you give, will be the measure you receive back.

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Monday, 25 February 2013 : 2nd Week of Lent (Psalm)

Psalm 78 : 8, 9, 11, 13

Do not remember against us the sins of our fathers. Let Your compassion hurry to us, for we have been brought very low.

Help us, God, our saviour, for the glory of Your Name; forgive us for the sake of Your Name.

Listen to the groans of the prisoners; by the strength of Your arm, deliver those doomed to die.

Then we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will thank You forever. We will recount Your praise from generation to generation.

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Monday, 25 February 2013 : 2nd Week of Lent (First Reading)

Daniel 9 : 4b-10

“Lord God, great and to be feared, You keep Your Covenant and love for those who love You and observe Your commandments. We have sinned, we have not been just, we have been rebels, and have turned away from Your commandments and laws. We have not listened to Your servants, the prophets, who spoke in Your Name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and to all the people of the land.”

“Lord, justice is Yours, but ours is a face full of shame, as it is to this day – we, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the whole of Israel, near and far away, in all the lands where You have dispersed us  because of the infidelity we have committed against You. Ours is the shame, o Lord, for we, our kings, princes, fathers, have sinned against You. We hope for pardon and mercy from the Lord, because we have rebelled against Him. We have not listened to the voice of YHVH, our God, or followed the laws which He has given us through His servants, the prophets.”

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Pope Benedict XVI will always be with us, in prayer : A praying Pope is an even stronger enemy of Satan than before!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eKOW7GhNAM

Pope Benedict XVI, our Pope, who will retire from his position as our Pope effective this Thursday, 28 February 2013, will not leave us and will not abandon us. Rather, through life dedicated in prayer and good works through writing, our Pope will be a greater leader than he has ever been.

Even though we will no longer see him regularly as we could in the past 8 years, we know that he prays for us, and as our mediator with God. As the praying Pope in his retirement, he will be able to oppose Satan and his forces set to destroy God’s Church, even better. In prayer our Pope will give us strength and courage to rise up and crush Satan’s forces and his diabolical plans for this world.

Let us pray for our beloved Pope, Benedict XVI!