VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIV - # 81
DATE 05-05-2014

Summary:
- THE FOUR PILLARS OF FUTURE PRIESTS: INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, HUMAN AND
PASTORAL FORMATION
- THE POPE TO NEW SWISS GUARDS: IT IS NOT THE UNIFORM THAT SETS AN EXAMPLE,
BUT THE MAN WHO WEARS IT
- THE HOLY SEE AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
- BE RESURRECTED WAYFARERS, LET THE WORD OF GOD WARM YOUR HEARTS
- FRANCIS: REIGNITE HOPE IN OUR HEARTS
- CATHOLIC ACTION: REACH OUT TO THE BOUNDARIES WITH THE JOY OF BEING WITH CHRIST
- TO THE BISHOPS OF SRI LANKA: CONTRIBUTE TO NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND
FOSTER INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AGAINST EXTREMISM
- PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS: THE BEST INTERESTS OF
A CHILD OR VULNERABLE ADULT ARE PRIMARY IN ANY DECISION
- INFORMATIVE NOTE ON THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE ECONOMY
- 90TH DAY FOR THE CATHOLIC SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY
- AUDIENCES
- OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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 THE FOUR PILLARS OF FUTURE PRIESTS: INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL, HUMAN AND
PASTORAL FORMATION
 Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) - Collaboration with civil society, the
evangelisation of a divided society and the formation of future clergy were
the central themes of the written discourse that the Pope handed to the
bishops of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, whom he received
today at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
 The Holy Father mentions the collaboration between the Holy See and the
Republic of Burundi, formalised in the framework Agreement signed in
November 2012, which came into effect last February, and which promises
"a rich future for the proclamation of the Gospel". He encourages
the bishops to take their place, as they have already done, in social and
political dialogue, and to meet with political figures without hesitation.
"Persons in positions of authority are the first to be in need of your
witness of faith and your courageous proclamation of Christian values, to
know better the social doctrine of the Church, appreciate its value and to
be inspired by it in the administration of public affairs".
 Burundi in its recent past, has experienced terrible conflicts that
continue to influence the unity of the people, causing deep wounds that are
yet to heal. "Only an authentic conversion of hearts to the Gospel can
turn men to fraternal love and forgiveness, as to the extent that He reigns
within us, the life of society will be a setting for universal fraternity,
justice, peace and dignity for all. The profound evangelisation of your
people remains your first concern for ensuring true reconciliation".
 If the first witnesses called upon to live the authenticity of this
conversion are naturally priests, it is necessary for future clergy to
receive, "as well as the necessary intellectual formation, a solid
spiritual, human and pastoral formation. These are the four pillars of
formation. Because it is through their lives, through their daily
relations, that they bring the Gospel to all. An administrative approach
should not prevail over a pastoral approach, and neither should
concentration on administering the sacraments apart from other forms of
evangelisation".
 Pope Francis notes the admirable work of religious congregations in
education, hospitals and assistance to refugees, and reminded the prelates
that many new communities that are formed require "careful and prudent
discernment to guarantee a sound formation for their members, and to
accompany the evolution they are called upon to live for the good of all
the Church".
 "The recent history of your country has been difficult", he
concludes, "marked by division and violence in a context of extreme
poverty, which unfortunately continues. In spite of this, the courageous
efforts of evangelisation in your pastoral ministry bear fruit in the form
of conversion and reconciliation. I invite you to not falter in hope, but
to go forward boldly with a renewed missionary spirit, to bring the Good
News to all those who are still waiting or who most need to finally know
the Lord's mercy".

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 THE POPE TO NEW SWISS GUARDS: IT IS NOT THE UNIFORM THAT SETS AN EXAMPLE,
BUT THE MAN WHO WEARS IT
 Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) - Today in the Sala Clementina of the
Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father received in audience the new
recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard who will swear their allegiance to
the Pope tomorrow, accompanied by their families and friends. "It is a
special day, as it commemorates the Sack of Rome and the heroic act of your
predecessors who, in 1527, offered their lives to defend the Church and the
Pope. Your dedication confirms that their courage and loyalty have borne
fruit".
 "The social and ecclesial context has changed greatly since
then", he continued. "Society is different with respect to those
times. But man's heart, his capacity to be loyal and courageous - acriter
et fideliter, as your motto says, - has remained the same. ... Serving in
the Swiss Guard means living an experience that involves a meeting of time
and space in a very particular way. ... With your special service, you are
called upon to offer serene and joyful Christian witness to whoever arrives
in the Vatican to visit St. Peter's Basilica and to meet the Pope. Live
your days intensely! Be firm in your faith and generous in your charity
towards the people you meet".
 He commented that the celebrated uniform of the Swiss Guard will celebrate
one hundred years this year. "Its colours and shape are known
throughout the world, and stand for dedication, seriousness and security.
They are identified with singular service and a glorious past. However,
behind every uniform there is a real person: with a family and a homeland,
with a personality and sensibility, with wishes and plans in life. Your
uniform is an evocative trait of the Swiss Guard and attracts the attention
of the people. But remember that it is not the uniform, but rather he who
wears it, who must be noted for his kindness, his spirit of welcome, for
his charitable attitude towards all. Consider this also in your relations
between yourselves, according importance, also in your community life, to
sharing both joyful moments and those that are more difficult, without
ignoring those among you who are in difficulty and who are at times in need
of a smile and a gesture of encouragement and friendship. Avoid that
negative distance that divides companions and, in the lives of all people
in the world, can give rise to disdain, marginalisation and racism".

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 THE HOLY SEE AND THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
 Vatican City, 5 May 2014 (VIS) - Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, head of the
the Holy See delegation before the United Nations in Geneva, presented his
initial periodical report to the Committee on the Convention against
Torture (CAT), which is currently holding its 52nd session.
 In his comprehensive report, the prelate remarks that "the Holy See
acceded to the Convention against Torture (CAT) on 22 June 2002. It did so
with the very clear and direct intention that this Convention applied to
Vatican City State (VCS). In its capacity as the sovereign of Vatican City
State, the Holy See provided an important 'Interpretative Declaration' that
shows its approach to the CAT".
 "In the first place, the Interpretative Declaration lauds the
Convention as a worthy instrument for the defence against acts of torture
when it says: 'The Holy See considers the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment a valid and
suitable instrument for fighting against acts that constitute a serious
offence against the dignity of the human person'. In this sense indeed, the
Holy See wished to express the harmony of its own principles and vision of
the human person with those ideals and practices set forth in the
Convention against Torture".
 "The Interpretative Declaration insists that 'The Holy See, in
becoming a party to the Convention on behalf of the Vatican City State,
undertakes to apply it insofar as it is compatible, in practice, with the
peculiar nature of that State'. As such, in regard to the application of
the Convention and any examination, questions or criticisms, or
implementation thereof, the Holy See intends to focus exclusively on
Vatican City State, respecting the international sovereignty of this State
and the legitimate and specific authority of the Convention and of the
Committee competent to examine State reports".
 "The Holy See, as a member of the international Community, is related
but separate and distinct from the territory of Vatican City State, over
which it exercises sovereignty. Its international personality has never
been confused with the territories over which it has exercised State
sovereignty. In its present form, Vatican City State was established in
1929 to more effectively guarantee the spiritual and moral mission of the
Holy See. Therefore, colloquial references to the Holy See as the 'Vatican'
can be misleading. In this sense, the Holy See, as mentioned, globally
encourages basic principles and authentic human rights recognized in the
CAT, while implementing it within the territory of Vatican City State in
harmony with the Interpretative Declaration.
 After presenting some of the essential points to guide and assist
discussion, the archbishop goes on to give an overview of the Holy See's
Initial Report, submitted to the Committee in December 2012.
 "Apart from presenting the essential distinctions and relations
between the Holy See, Vatican City State and the Catholic Church, I wish to
highlight several important elements presented within the section of
"General Information". In particular, the first point of
reference is the legal system of Vatican City State, that is autonomous in
respect to the legal system of the Catholic Church. In fact, not all
canonical norms are relevant for the governance of this territory. In
relation to the topic of crime and punishment there are specific laws that
criminalise illicit activities and provide for proportionate penalties in
Vatican City State".
 "As noted in the section on Statistics, the small population of
Vatican City State, while receiving roughly 18 million pilgrims and
tourists annually, has a relatively tiny number of criminal and penal
matters registered".
 "Turning now to the third part of the Initial Report, which addresses
systematically each of the sixteen substantive articles of the CAT, my
Delegation wishes to highlight several significant steps and improvements
in Vatican City State to comply with the Convention, even since the
consigning of the Initial Report in December 2012. In the first place,
there is the modification of Vatican City State legislation with the
promulgation of Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter on 11 July 2013, 'On the
Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal
Matters', particularly article 3, of Law N. VIII, which deals specifically
with the crime of torture. While the implementation of this basic law into
the criminal and penal law of Vatican City State in some fashion touches
upon different articles of the Convention, it is worth mentioning a few
directly. In relation to Article 1 of the Convention, the new Vatican City
State legislation integrates, practically verbatim, the definition of
torture and cruel and inhuman punishment as supplied therein and,
therefore, de facto, fulfils Article 4 of the Convention by its integration
into the penal code and the establishment of appropriate penalties for such
offences. Paragraph 6 of the same article 3 of the amended Law VIII
effectively restates article 15 of the Convention, prohibiting the use of
any statement made as a result of torture to be considered as
evidence".
 "Also modified in July 2013, the amendments of Law IX address with
greater specificity and clarity the questions of crimes, whether within or
outside the territory of the State, of jurisdiction, of extradition, and of
terms of sentencing. The procedural and legislative changes seek to
implement the principles contained in the Convention against Torture under
articles 3, 5, and 8. In particular, one should note the development on the
question of extradition and also the denial thereof on the part of the Holy
See if the requesting State practices torture or uses capital
punishment".

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