Denver Catholic

WORLD/NATION I 7 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I NOVEMBER 13, 2013 US bishops to elect new president WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/ EWTN News)—U.S. bishops from across the country gathered in Baltimore this week will consider issuing a formal statement on pornography and discuss a Spanish translation of Mass prayers, among other issues. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is holding its annual fall General Assembly Nov. 11-14. The nation's bishops will elect a new conference president, as Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York concludes his current presidency. They will also hear an address from Cardinal Dolan, as well as from Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States. In addition, the bishops will hear a presentation for a proposal to create a formal statement on pornography, as studies continue to confirm concerns about its devastating social and spiritual effects. Liturgical items up for discussion include the Spanish translation of the book of Mass prayers and draft translations for the Order of Confirmation and the Order of Celebrating Marriage. Life, marriage and religious liberty will also be discussed at the meeting, and Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, who heads the conference's Subcommittee on the Promotion Participation barred in events assuming truth of Medjugorje ADDIE MENA/CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY ARCHBISHOP Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, addresses the USCCB's Fall General Assembly in Baltimore as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, far left, looks on. and Defense of Marriage, will de- chairmen for conference comliver a presentation on the state of mittees on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, Ecumenmarriage in the United States. A consultation on the saint- ical and Interreligious Affairs, hood cause of Servant of God Evangelization and Catechesis, Mary Teresa Tallon is also on the International Justice and Peace, agenda, along with a presen- Child and Youth Protection, and tation from the chairman and Catholic Education. In addition, they will elect new president of Catholic Relief Services, giving an update on the board members for Catholic Reorganization's work and strategic lief Services and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. priorities. Other topics of discussion The bishops will hear a report on their current strategic/pasto- at the meeting will include the ral plan, "The New Evangeliza- 2014 conference budget and proposed revisions to the confertion: Faith, Worship, Witness." They will also choose new ence handbook. WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/ EWTN News)—At the direction of the Vatican's head for doctrine, the apostolic nuncio to the United States has written a letter stating that Catholics "are not permitted" to participate in meetings which take for granted that the supposed Marian apparitions in Medjugorje are credible. "The Congregation (for the Doctrine of the Faith) has affirmed that, with regard to the credibility of the 'apparitions' in question, all should accept the declaration … which asserts: 'On the basis of the research that has been done, it is not possible to state that there were apparitions or supernatural revelations,'" Archbishop Carlo Vigano wrote in an Oct. 21 letter to the U.S. bishops, sent to the general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "It follows, therefore, that clerics and the faithful are not permitted to participate in meetings, conferences or public celebrations during which the credibility of such 'apparitions' would be taken for granted." The Catholic News Agency confirmed that the letter was sent to every diocese in the United States. Archbishop Vigano wrote the letter "at the request" of Archbishop Gerhard Mueller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Oct. 21 letter was evidently following up on one sent Feb. 27. The nuncio wrote that Archbishop Mueller "wishes to inform" the U.S. bishops that Ivan Dragicevic, one of the "so-called visionaries" of Medjugorje, is scheduled to give presentations at parishes across the country, and is anticipated to have more apparitions during these talks. The visions of Medjugorje refer to a series of alleged Marian apparitions that begin in 1981 in what is now Bosnia. In 1991, the bishops of the former Yugoslavia had determined that it is not possible to say there were Marian apparitions at the site. In 2010, the Vatican established a commission to further investigate "doctrinal and disciplinary aspects of the phenomenon of Medjugorje." Because that commission is still in the process of its investigation, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has established that the judgment of the Yugoslavian bishops be accepted. "To avoid scandal and confusion," wrote Archbishop Vigano, "Archbishop Mueller asks that the bishops be informed of this matter as soon as possible." Hurry to Get Your Tickets Now! Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas ball Sat., Nov. 23, 7:30pm See the complete lineup online and get your tickets today! Sun., Nov. 24, 2pm ucstars.com 970.356.5000 • 701 10th Ave., Greeley season sponsors: The City of Greeley proudly owns and operates the UCCC media sponsor: accommodations provided by:

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