VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 164
DATE 25-09-2014

Summary:
- Catholics and Orthodox to the international community: listen to
religious leaders in the Middle East
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Note regarding the succession of the bishop of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
- Audiences

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 Catholics and Orthodox to the international community: listen to religious
leaders in the Middle East
 Vatican City, 25 September 2014 (VIS) - The eighth meeting of the Joint
International Commission for dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the
Roman Catholic Church was held in Amman, Jordan from 15 to 23 September. It
was hosted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude
Theophilos III, and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin
Muhammad of Jordan who participated in the plenary session held on the
afternoon of Monday, 22 September. The meeting was attended by twenty-three
members representing the Catholic Church and all the Orthodox Churches,
with the exception of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria. The meetings were
chaired by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity and by the Metropolitan of Pergamon Ioannis
(Zizioulas) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
 On the first day of the meeting, as is customary, the Roman Catholic and
Orthodox members met separately to coordinate their work and to discuss,
among other things, the draft text of the document "Synodality and
Primacy", drawn up by the Coordinating Committee in 2012 during the
two meetings held in Rome in 2011 and Paris in 2012. Because of the many
questions raised about the text, the Commission proposed the drafting of a
new one, to be referred to the next Coordinating Committee for further
elaboration and improvement, in view of the next plenary session of the
Joint Commission.
 The Commission members, assembled near the holy sites connected with the
baptism of Jesus Christ, united their voices to express their deep concern
for and solidarity with the Christians and members of other religious
traditions of this entire region who are being persecuted, displaced and
murdered. They categorically rejected the idea that such horrifying crimes
can be justified in the name of God or of religion, and expressed their
profound gratitude to all those engaged in bringing relief to millions of
refugees and displaced persons. Furthermore, they prayed for all the
religious leaders of the region, so that they might continue to comfort
their people and keep alive their vision of their return to their lands and
homes, which in recent times have been occupied and often profaned. The
Commission implored the international community to listen seriously to
those leaders regarding the most useful ways to intervene and protect those
who are being persecuted, and to ensure the continuing vital presence of
Christianity in the Middle East. They also launched a fresh appeal for the
liberation of the Metropolitans of Aleppo, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim
and Boulos Yazigi, and all others who have been kidnapped, including
priests and religious.
 The meeting of the Joint Commission was marked by a spirit of friendship
and trustful collaboration. The members greatly appreciated the generous
hospitality of the host Church, and they strongly commend the continuing
work of the dialogue to the prayers of the faithful.

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 Other Pontifical Acts
 Vatican City, 25 September 2014 (VIS) - The Holy Father has proceeded with
the replacement of Bishop Rogelio Ricardo Livieres Plano of Ciudad del
Este, Paraguay, appointing Bishop Ricardo Jorge Valenzuela Rios of
Villarrica del Espiritu Santo as apostolic administrator Sede Vacante.

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 Note regarding the succession of the bishop of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
 Vatican City, 25 September 2014 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today
published the following note regarding the succession of the bishop of
Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, Msgr. Rogelio Ricardo Livieres Plano.
 "Following a careful examination of the conclusions drawn following
the apostolic visits carried out by the Congregation for Bishops and the
Congregation for the Clergy to the bishop, the diocese and the seminarians
of Ciudad del Este, the Holy Father has decided to substitute Bishop
Rogelio Livieres Plano and has appointed Bishop Ricardo Jorge Valenzuela
Rios of Villarrica del Espiritu Santo as apostolic administrator of the
diocese of Ciudad del Este.
 "This was a difficult decision on the part of the Holy See, taken for
serious pastoral reasons and for the greater good of the unity of the
Church in Ciudad del Este and the episcopal communion in Paraguay.
 "The Holy Father, in the exercise of his ministry as the 'perpetual
and visible foundation of the unity of both the bishops and the multitude
of the faithful', asked the clergy and all the People of God of Ciudad del
Este to accept the Holy See's decision with a spirit of obedience and
docility and without prejudice, guided by faith.
 "On the other hand, the Church in Paraguay, guided by her pastors, is
invited to embark on a serious process of reconciliation in order to
overcome any form of sectarianism or discord, so as not to harm the
countenance of the one Church, 'born of the blood of His Son' and so that
Christ's flock may not be deprived of the joy of the Gospel".

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 Audiences
 Vatican City, 25 September 2014 (VIS) - Today, the Holy Father received in audience:
 - Miroslava Rosas Vargas, the new ambassador of Panama to the Holy See,
presenting her credential letters;
 - Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan, Italy;
 - Cardinal Andrew Yeom-Soo-jung, archbishop of Seoul, Korea;
 - Archbishop Giacinto Berloco, apostolic nuncio in Belgium and Luxembourg;
 - Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, apostolic nuncio in Belorus;
 - Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, apostolic nuncio in Colombia;
 - Marcos Aguinis.

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