inmates at the "Coreccional del Buen Pastor" women's prison, who had written to
the Pope asking him to visit them during his trip to Paraguay. As he entered
the
prison, the choir "Fifty voices of hope" welcomed him by singing for him.
Upon arrival in Asuncion, the Pope transferred to the apostolic nunciature,
where he will stay during his days in Paraguay, and from there he travelled by
popemobile to the presidential palace, where he was received by President
Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara, who introduced his family members, after which they
spoke in private.
The President then accompanied the Pope to the garden of the presidential
residence, where he met with members of the government, the National Congress,
the Supreme Court of Justice and the diplomatic corps. The Pope addressed those
present, recalling Paraguay's suffering throughout history, as well as the
resilience and their determination to build a prosperous nation. He also
emphasised the role of the Catholic Church in the common effort to construct a
just and inclusive society in which all members live in harmony.
"A particular word of thanks is due to all those individuals and institutions
who worked so hard to prepare this visit and to make me feel at home. It is not
hard to feel at home in so welcoming a land. Paraguay is known as the heart of
America, not only because of her geographic location, but also because of the
warmth of her hospitality and the friendliness of her people.
"From the first days of the country's independence to recent times, Paraguay
has known the terrible sufferings brought on by war, fratricidal conflict, lack
of freedom and contempt for human rights. How much suffering and death! Yet the
Paraguayan people have also shown an admirable spirit of perseverance in
surmounting adversities and in working to build a prosperous and peaceful
nation. Here, in the garden of this palace which has witnessed so much of the
country's history - from the time when it was no more than a riverbank used by
the Guarani, until the present day - I wish to pay tribute to the many ordinary
Paraguayan people, whose names are not written in history books but who have
been, and continue to be, the real protagonists in the life of your nation. I
would also like to acknowledge with profound admiration the role played by the
women of Paraguay in those very dramatic historical moments, especially during
that horrible war which almost managed to destroy fraternity among our peoples.
As mothers, wives and widows, they shouldered the heaviest burdens; they found
a
way to move their families and their country forward, instilling in new
generations the hope of a better tomorrow. May God bless Paraguayan women, the
most glorious of all in the Americas!
"A people which forgets its own past, its history and its roots, has no
future;
it is a dull people. Memory, if it is firmly based on justice and rejects
hatred
and all desire for revenge, makes the past a source of inspiration for the
building of a future of serene coexistence. It also makes us realise the
tragedy
and pointlessness of war. Let there be an end to wars between brothers! Let us
always build peace! A peace which which grows stronger day by day, a peace
which
makes itself felt in everyday life, a peace to which each person contributes by
seeking to avoid signs of arrogance, hurtful words, contemptuousness, and
instead by working to foster understanding, dialogue and cooperation.
"For some years now, Paraguay has sought to build a solid and stable
democracy.
It is proper to recognise with satisfaction progress made in this direction,
thanks to the efforts of everyone, even amid great difficulties and
uncertainties. I encourage you to continue working to strengthen the democratic
structures and institutions, so that they can respond to the legitimate
aspirations of the nation's people. The form of government adopted by your
Constitution, a 'representative, participative and pluralistic democracy' based
on the promotion of and respect for human rights, must banish the temptation to
be satisfied with a purely formal democracy, one which, as Aparecida put it, is
content with being 'founded on fair election procedures'. That is a purely
formal democracy.
"In every sector of society, but above all in public service, there is a need
to reaffirm that dialogue is the best means of promoting the common good, on
the
basis of a culture of encounter, respect and acknowledgement of the legitimate
differences and opinions of others. In the effort to overcome a spirit of
constant conflict, unity is always better than conflict; convictions born of
ideology or partisan interest should blend advantageously with love of the
country and its people. That love must be the incentive to increased
administrative transparency and unceasing efforts to combat corruption. I know
that today there exists a firm desire to root out corruption.
"Dear friends, in the desire to serve and promote the common good, the poor
and
needy have to be given priority of place. Paraguay has done much to advance
along the path of economic growth. Important steps have been taken in the areas
of education and health care. May all social groups work to ensure that there
will never again be children without access to schooling, families without
homes, workers without dignified employment, small farmers without land to
cultivate, or campesinos forced to leave their lands for an uncertain future.
May there be an end to violence, corruption and drug trafficking. An economic
development which fails to take into account the weakest and underprivileged is
not an authentic development. Economic progress must be measured by the
integral
dignity of persons, especially the most vulnerable and helpless.
"Mr President, dear friends, in the name of my brothers, the bishops of
Paraguay, I also wish to assure you of the commitment and cooperation of the
Catholic Church in the common effort to build a just and inclusive society
where
each person can live in peace and harmony. All of us, including the Church's
pastors, are called to be concerned with building a better world. Our sure
faith
in God, who willed to become man, to live among us and to share our lot, urges
us to press forward. Christ opens up to us the path of mercy, which, founded on
justice, goes beyond it to inspire works of charity, so that no one will remain
on the fringes of this great family which is Paraguay, a land you love and wish
to serve.
"With great joy that I have come to this country consecrated to the Blessed
Virgin of Caacupe - and here I would like to remember in a special my
Paraguayan
brothers and sisters in Buenos Aires, my former Diocese; they belong to the
parish of the Virgin of the Miracles of CaacupΘ - I invoke the Lord's blessings
on each of you, your families and all the beloved people of Paraguay. May this
country be fruitful, as symbolised by the pasiflora fower on Our Lady's mantle,
and may the national colors which decorate her image draw all the Paraguayan
people to embrace the Mother of Caacupe. Thank you very much".
After his discourse, the Pope attended a musical show with works from the era
of the Jesuit Reductions. The Reductions were pioneering missionary villages in
which the Christian Indios, separated from the Spanish, lived under the
protection of European missionaries. At their height, in around 1731, there
were
approximately 150,000 Christian Indios in the Jesuit Reductions, but the
experience came to an end in 1767 with the expulsion of the Jesuits from all
the
settlements.
Today, 11 July, the Holy Father will visit the "Ninos de Acosta Nu" paediatric
hospital, and will then celebrate Mass in the Marian Shrine of Caacupe. Upon
his
return to Asuncion he will meet with representatives of civil society; the day
will conclude with Vespers and an address to the clergy in the Cathedral of
Asuncion.
___________________________________________________________
First hearing in the trial of ex-nuncio Jozef Wesolowski postponed due to ill
health
Vatican City, 11 July 2015 (VIS) - This morning, at 9.30, at the Vatican City
State Tribunal, the first hearing took place in the criminal trial of the
ex-nuncio to the Dominican Republic Jozef Wesolowski, indicted for the crime of
possession of child pornography and for paedophile acts.
The panel of judges is composed of Professor Giuseppe Dalla Torre, president;
Professor Piero Antonio Bonnet; Professor Paolo Papanti-Pellettier; and
Professor Venerando Marano, substitute.
The promoter of Justice is Professor Gian Piero Milano, assisted by Professor
Alessandro Diddi and Professor Roberto Zannotti. The defence counsel is
Antonello Blasi.
At the opening of the trial the promoter of Justice announced that the
defendant was not present in court as he has been admitted to hospital.
The Court took due note of the impediment to the presence of the defendant,
following the onset of an unexpected illness necessitating his transfer to a
public hospital where he is currently in the intensive care unit.
In accordance with Article 471 c.p.p. the Tribunal suspended the trial and
postponed it until a later date, awaiting the termination of the cause that has
given rise to the postponement.
___________________________________________________________
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www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va
Copyright (VIS): the news contained in the services of the Vatican
Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting
the source: V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html
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* Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)
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