www.Radiovaticana.org http://www.radiovaticana.org The voice of the Pope in dialogue with the world Webteam en 2005 Vatican Radio. All rights reserved. Vatican Radio webteam@vaticanradio.org webteam@vaticanradio.org webteam@vaticanradio.org 60 No Audio reports from Vatican Radio in Podcast http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560593 St Peter’s Square was very much the picture postcard scene this Sunday as a blanket of snow covered the ground and monuments. Pope Benedict as he greeted the estimated 10 thousand faithful gather was wrapped up warm in a white coat to guard against the chill in the air. At weeks Angelus Pope Benedict took his inspiration from Sunday’s Gospel “In the Gospel this Sunday, we learn of the healing that Jesus brought to many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another. We commend to him all those known to us who are in need of healing and we ask him to take away our own hardness of heart, so that we may respond more generously to his love.” The Holy Father went on to describe disease as “a sign of Evil in the world and in man”, and he added that, “healing shows that the Kingdom of God is near.” In sickness, said the Pope "you can experience the attention of others”, but he also said that you have the chance to “give attention to others." Empathizing with those who suffer, the Holy Father described disease, as a condition, that "can become too long and difficult", and "when healing does not come and suffering is extended, we can remain isolated and overwhelmed." The Holy Father made his reflections, a few days before the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the World Day of the Sick, saying, we must react to illness, "with the appropriate care," but also with faith. "In sickness the Pope said we all need human warmth." He also pointed out that on Sunday the 5th in Italy the Day for Life is celebrated. "As Jesus faced the devil, Pope Benedict said, the power of love came from the Father, so we can face and overcome disease by keeping the heart immersed in the love of God." Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report 00:01:50:06 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:01:50:06 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:13:37 GMT 560593 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560371 Huge falls of snow have caused chaos across Eastern Europe. More than a meter of snow fell on the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo Saturday trapping people in their homes and vehicles. In the Ukraine, Poland and Belarus the bad weather has also led to a number of deaths. Meanwhile here in Rome, people were out and about today enjoying the rare sight of snow in the capital despite the chill in the air. Rome under a blanket of white snow is something Italy’s capital hasn’t experienced since 1986. But despite the freezing temperatures that didn’t stop Roman residents and tourists alike on Saturday from getting out and about in the city. People wrapped up against the chill crunched their way up from the street leading to St Peter’s Basilica negotiating a times the slippery conditions and throwing the occasional snowball along the way. Once in St Peter’s Square their was a light hearted atmosphere with children building the first snowmen the square has seen in many a long year, while others marvelled at the dome of the Basilica covered in a sheath of silvery white. Although people have been enjoying this rarity in Rome, this weather has had its drawbacks. Drivers have faced long hours in traffic and Italian carrier Alitalia cancelled a number of departures and landing on Saturday morning. There is also concern for without a roof who make their home on the streets of Rome. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report from St Peter's Square 00:02:11:78 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:02:11:78 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:25:19 GMT 560371 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560282 Representatives of 100 bishops’ conferences and 30 religious orders meet in Rome next week to launch a global initiative aimed at improving efforts to address the clerical sex abuse crisis. The initiative is to be presented at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University during the course of a four day conference entitled ‘Towards Healing and Renewal’, supported by the Vatican Secretariat of State and Curial offices. Philippa Hitchen went along to the press conference on Friday evening to find out more….. Listen: 00:01:58:18 After almost two years of preparation, this closed door conference describes itself as a symposium for Catholic bishops and religious superiors on how to deal with the devastating effects of sex abuse. It’s the first time that representatives of 100 bishops conferences, plus over 30 religious congregations have come together to hear first hand from victims and to try and promote a consistent response of the church to this ‘open wound’ as it’s often called. All participants have been urged to meet with victims in their own countries and listen to their stories to have a clear understanding of what healing and renewal might been to survivors who in many cases lived for decades without any recognition of the abuses they suffered. One Irish survivor, Marie Collins will address the participants about her own need to hear not just the abuser priests ask forgiveness – something she has already grated to her own abuser – but to hear church leaders – priests, bishops and cardinals, own up to their own roles in prolonging the suffering by putting the reputation of the church above the needs of the children in their care. A central moment of the conference will come on Tuesday evening as seven different groups of people within the church acknowledge their responsibilities and ask forgiveness from the victims. Another key moment will be the launch towards the end of the meeting of an E-learning centre, based in Munich, which will try to bring together the experiences and best practises from different countries in dealing with abuse, making it available to churches in countries around the world. There will be a message from Pope Benedict to the conference and the papal spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi told journalists he’s encouraged that this meeting does mark a broadening of horizons – especially to those countries and cultures which have yet to face up to this problem – and that it will mark a very concrete step forward by the whole church. webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:01:58:18 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:15:10 GMT 560282 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560156 A recent study published by the British medical journal the Lancet shows that more than a million people died from malaria in 2010, which is drastically higher than the World Health Organization’s estimate that just under 700,000 died from the disease.  “One important finding is that the proportions of deaths in children under five because of malaria are much, much higher than previously thought,” said Professor Rifat Atun, one of the directors of the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. “Rather than 16%, it’s actually one quarter of child deaths.  If we want to reduce child mortality, we need to get malaria right.” In spite of the high mortality rate, the study’s findings in fact indicate that the initiatives to combat this disease are working. “Given that our investments work, our interventions work, we need to scale these up to save even more lives,” Dr. Atun said. Listen to the full interview by Ann Schneible with Dr. Atun: 00:11:02:50 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:11:02:50 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:10:54 GMT 560156 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560136 Heavy rains are continuing in Australia, as military helicopters evacuated stranded residents from flooded towns. More than 11,000 people in Queensland state have been isolated by the flooding and thousands had been evacuated. The flooding over the past week has affected crops, including sugarcane, soybeans and corn. The state's south has been declared a natural disaster. Many residents have been relocating to evacuation centres. Across the border, in the northern section of New South Wales, evacuation centres are also being filled by residents of flooded towns. Flash floods across Australia's Queensland and New South Wales states last year killed around 35 people. Listen: 00:01:36:94 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:01:36:94 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:40:05 GMT 560136 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=560042 Sunday Gospel: Jill Bevilacqua presents readings and reflections on this week's Gospel in her regular feature 'There's more in the Sunday Gospel than meets the eye'.... Joan Knows: Our intrepid Vatican watcher Joan Lewis looks back over the past week of papal activities and other events here in the Eternal City..... 00:28:59:95 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:28:59:95 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:20:58 GMT 560042 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=559270 Spotlight on the 2012 Eucharistic Congress - In less than 6 months the 2012 International Eucharistic Congress is to take place from the 10th to the 17th of June 2012 Ireland’s capital Dublin .Join Emer McCarthy and her guests ... The Papal States and all that - Listen to Part 1 of this series timed to mark the forthcoming anniversary of the Lateran Pacts. Renowned Church historian Jesuit Professor Gerald Fogarty. Listen: 00:28:58:63 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:28:58:63 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:20:50 GMT 559270 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=559421 English and 'Old Roman' - As an 'Old Roman', Monsignor Peter Fleetwood attends celebrations at the Venerable English College here in Rome. Presentation in the Temple - Monsignor Philip Whitmore presents a musical meditation on the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. Februo: to purify - Our popular 'Latin Lover', Carmelite Father Reginald Foster tells us all about the Julian calendar. Listen: 00:28:58:51 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:28:58:51 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:14:50 GMT 559421 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=558712 With six-months to go before the Opening Ceremony of the XXX Olympiad, bishops from the three London dioceses have visited the Olympic Park to see how 504 acres of previously toxic wasteland in the East End of London has been transformed into a place of new life and immense beauty. At the invitation of Mgr John Armitage, chair of the Catholic 2012 Committee and Catholic trustee on the board of Christian Olympic charity More Than Gold, and James Parker, Catholic executive coordinator for the Games and chair of More Than Gold’s denominational work, Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Bishop John Arnold of Westminster, Bishops Pat Lynch and Paul Hendricks of Southwark, Bishop Thomas McMahon of Brentwood and Bishop Richard Moth of the Forces joined local head teachers and members of the board of the John Paul II Foundation for Sport for an informative and in depth visit of the entire Olympic Park initiative. The Catholic Church is, for the first time in history, engaging at the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, especially through its involvement with the Christian charity More Than Gold. Local East London Catholic churches were strongly behind the bid to transform the toxic 504 acre wasteland into usable land that would serve locals, London as a whole and the nations of the world.  The Catholic Bishops' Conference has been committed to this venture for the past three years and this visit gave London's Catholic bishops and significant others the opportunity to mark the significant progress made by the ODA and LOCOG. Speaking about the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a moment of great opportunity for us all. These great sporting events generate all sorts of good ideas and initiatives, particularly for young people, reminding all of us of the importance of good health, the dignity of our bodies, the care of our physical well-being and its spiritual meaning. “The example of many who are dedicated to training routines in preparation for these Games remind us of the need for good habits and routines in our own daily lives if we are to make the most of our God-given talents.” James Parker said of the visit: “This is the sixth time I have had the opportunity to visit the Olympic Park. What astounds me on every occasion is the quantity and quality of the work being accomplished not only to serve the Games but as a lasting legacy for the people of East London and the nation as a whole. Never before have so many first-rate business and sporting facilities, landscaped parkland and new housing for thousands of people become available in such a short space of time. The Olympic Park is fast becoming the new "must see" tourist attraction of our nation." Tracey McClure spoke to James Parker about the bishops’ visit and some of the challenges and opportunities the games will pose for the Church. Listen: 00:03:15:91 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:03:15:91 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:31:22 GMT 558712 http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/articolo.asp?c=559927 Fellowship, prayer, commitment to the poor: We take an indepth look at the history, development and guiding principles of the St Egidio Catholic lay community as it marks the 44th anniversary of its foundation.... 00:28:59:38 webteam@vaticanradio.org News 00:28:59:38 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:44:11 GMT 559927