Posted on 07/07/2006 1:54:49 PM PDT by NYer
When the [Pontifical Council for the Family] began planning the weeklong conference nearly three years ago, it focused the 1-9 July gathering on ways families could successfully pass on Christian faith to their children. But over the last few months, a number of bishops, led by Cardinal López Trujillo with the support of the Pope, have concentrated more intensely on denouncing “same-sex and de facto unions”, “abortion and euthanasia”, and restriction on “freedom of parents to educate their children”.Keep a close eye. Summaries and photos of B16's third foreign voyage will be up as they come in.
In a message on 30 June to Uruguay’s new ambassador to the Vatican, Pope Benedict blamed “some means of social communications” for “denigrating and ridiculing marriage and the family”, and insisted again that marriage can only be between man and a woman. These public pronouncements, many of which have been printed daily in L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, have shifted the focus away from the passing on of faith through families to a forceful protest against what the hierarchs say are “the most violent attacks in history” on this “most basic unit of society”.
The issues are expected to dominate closed-door talks later [tomorrow] between the Pope and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Mr Zapatero, 45, who is married with two daughters, last year successfully oversaw the legalisation of “gay marriage” and a simplified procedure for divorce in Spain. There were conflicting reports as to whether he would attend either of the Pope’s two public events during his 26-hour visit, a Saturday evening vigil and a Sunday morning Mass.
WORLD MEETING WITH FAMILIES: CELEBRATION WITH FAMILIES, POPE BENEDICT XVI, VALENCIA, SPAIN (2 hours) LIVE
Saturday July 8, 2006 3 PM LIVE
Saturday July 8, 2006 8 PM ENCORE
WORLD MEETING WITH FAMILIES: SOLEMN MASS WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI, VALENCIA, SPAIN (3 hours) LIVE
Sunday July 9, 2006 3:30 AM LIVE
Sunday July 9, 2006 12 PM ENCORE
Monday July 10, 2006 12 AM ENCORE
I plan to watch it. Most people here have probably heard about the terrible metro accident in Valencia that killed 42 people last week (the train was going too fast and derailed on a curve coming into the station). I believe the families of those people are going to be present at the mass as a group.
Also, people here may not know that a few days ago, the Spanish government sponsored (yes, that's right, they paid for it all) a conference in Valencia on "gay families." It was timed to nearly coincide with the Catholic family conference, and featured a gay rally outside the Cathedral, etc. Zapatero is doing his best to provoke and offend, as usual.
However, while the Pope is going personally to meet with the King and Queen of Spain at a government building in Valencia, he is making Zapatero come to the Episcopal Palace if he wishes to meet with the him! So the Pope is not about to grovel to ZP, but is asserting his position, which in my opinion is a very important thing to do right now. BXVI is very, very good at the symbolic gesture, and very aware of the meaning of these things. Truly, our Pope is a genuine "defensor fidei."
The Zapatero government is the most far-gone, rabidly socialist, and utterly despicable government in W. Europe.
Absolutely. ¡Pobre España!
Also, people here may not know that a few days ago, the Spanish government sponsored (yes, that's right, they paid for it all) a conference in Valencia on "gay families." It was timed to nearly coincide with the Catholic family conference, and featured a gay rally outside the Cathedral, etc.
No, I was not aware of this, nor am I surprised. Zapatero was not elected by a mandate. How convenient that the elections just happen to coincide with the terrible bombings last year. Nothing like 'igniting' an election. As a NYer, I can fully appreciate the confusion surrounding those events which obviously swayed the election.
However, while the Pope is going personally to meet with the King and Queen of Spain at a government building in Valencia, he is making Zapatero come to the Episcopal Palace if he wishes to meet with the him!
How clever! German ingenuity ... okay, I'll give credit to where it is due - the Holy Spirit - at work.
So the Pope is not about to grovel to ZP, but is asserting his position, which in my opinion is a very important thing to do right now. BXVI is very, very good at the symbolic gesture, and very aware of the meaning of these things. Truly, our Pope is a genuine "defensor fidei."
How truly blessed we are to have Ratzinger as pope! I pray for him each and every night. As the Italians love to say ... Cent Anni!.
Thanks again for this post.
They have made at least one visit to the Apostolic Palace (or maybe it was Castel Gandolfo?) for an audience with Benedict XVI. It makes sense that he would visit them while in Spain.
Isn't the Queen of Spain one of the privileged few who may wear white in a Papal audience?
Regarding the protocol for women who are granted an audience with the Pope, only Catholic queens may wear white - a white dress or suit with a white head covering (often a mantilla). All other women are required to wear black with a black head covering.
I think the white rule, however, also includes princesses of the House of Savoy and the Duchess of Luxembourg. The current head of the House is a bad egg and probably would not be received, but he has three sisters.
Spain is a very special daughter of the Church. I have always felt that Satan works very actively against Spain for that very reason, and this is one of the causes of Spain's constant troubles.
Spain brought Christianity to our continent and to our country. I live in St. Augustine, the first city founded in the US (in 1565), where the first Mass was said on what is now US territory - by Spaniards. So we owe Spain an enormous debt.
The King and Queen have to maintain a very careful neutrality. However, this has been breeched on occasion. In 1981, during the so-called "Transition" (from Franco), some disaffected members of the Guardia Civil seized the Spanish Congress and held the legislators captive. It was the King was who came out and kept Spain calm and resolved the situation. I think the King and Queen are attempting to do the best they can to keep Spain on an even track during the Zapatero administration crisis as well. And obviously, the Pope knows and appreciates this.
Thank you for all your posts! You truly keep us informed.
Since the meeting at Castel Gandolfo was private, I could see the head covering being optional.
How soon can they get rid of the Shoemaker, and what is the general feeling about him?
Well, never having actually seen the protocol, I could be off a little. It may be Catholic royal ladies that are essentially the political figureheads of their respective countries. For example, if Prince Albert of Monaco were ever to get married, his wife would be the Princess of Monaco and if she were Catholic, she could wear white when seeing the Pope. At least that is how I understand it. Not being of royal lineage nor likely meeting the Pope any time soon, I don't really need to worry about it. ;-)
As I understand it, the House of Savoy are the claimants to the Italian throne, hence the right to wear white. The Duchess of Luxembourg has the right by special decree.
I don't think Queen Sofia would make such a faux pas, but one never knows.
Regards
What do I know? LOL! I found this article with a picture of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier of Monaco in St. Peter's Square after a private audience with the Pope (John XXIII?) and she is wearing black.
I have read that it is only Catholic queens who have the privilege of wearing white. As you pointed out, they don't have to be currently sitting queens and one may obtain a special permission to wear white in the presence of the Pope.
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