Friday, July 19, 2013, 15th Week in Ordinary Time
ST. SYMACCHUS(b Sardinia), 51st Pope (498-514)
Born in Sardinia, he was baptized in Rome where he became Arch-Deacon under Pope Anastasius II. An anti-pope, Laurentius, was elected the same day by a minority with Byzantine sympathies and with the support of Roman Emperor Anastasius. But the Visigoth King Theodoric the Great supported Symmachus who ascended to the throne. The schism with Laurentius continued for years, with continuous intrigue and forgeries to support one side or the other. In 501, Senator Festus, a supporter of Laurentius, accused Symmachus of assorted crimes, including being unchaste and misusing his office. The Pope refused to answer the charges and claimed that secular rulers had no jurisdiction over a Pope. At one point Theodoric installed the anti-pope in the Lateran Palace and proclaimed him the legal pontiff. But the emperor later decided that Laurentius was too Byzantine, and had him removed. A Synodus Palmaris of all bishops in October 502 decided to dismiss all the charges against Symmachus on the ground that only God could judge him. During all the turmoil, Symacchus was not idle. He took severe measures against the Manichæans, ordered the burning of their books, and expelled them from the city. He erected or restored and adorned various churches in Rome. He also built asylums for the poor near the three churches of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Laurence. He contributed large sums to support the Catholic bishops of Africa who were persecuted by the rulers of the Arian Vandals. He also aided the inhabitants of the provinces of upper Italy who suffered severely from the invasion of the barbarians. After his death he was buried at St. Peter's.
Readings for today's Mass:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071913.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
No events announced for Pope Francis. But the Vatican released the text of a new chirograph - a letter concerning the personnel at the Vatican and the Holy See only - regarding another commissioh to study future reforms in the central government of the Church.
CHIROGRAPH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
INSTITUTING A PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR REFERENCE
ON THE ECONOMIC-ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE HOLY SEE
The Holy Father, by a chirograph dated 18 July, has established a Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organisation of the economic-administrative structure of the Holy See.
The Commission will gather information, report to the Holy Father and co-operate with the Council of Cardinals for the study of the organisational and economic problems of the Holy See, in order to draft reforms of the institutions of the Holy See, with the aim of a "simplification and rationalisation of the existing bodies and more careful planning of the economic activities of all the Vatican Administrations".
As explained in the Chirograph, the Committee will "offer the technical support of specialist advice and develop strategic solutions for improvement, so as to avoid the misuse of economic resources, to improve transparency in the processes of purchasing goods and services; to refine the administration of goods and real estate; to work with ever greater prudence in the financial sphere; to ensure correct application of accounting principles; and to guarantee healthcare and social security benefits to all those eligible".
The Commission will be able to collaborate, on request, with the working Group of eight Cardinals in drafting a plan for the reform of the Apostolic Constitution "Pastor Bonus" on the Roman Curia.
The aims and the appointments of the Commission are described in detail in the Chirograph itself.
The members of the Commission are laypeople, experts in "legal, economic, financial and organisational matters", currently eminent consultants or reviewers for Vatican or ecclesiastical economic institutions. The only member of the clergy is the Secretary.
The eight members are:
Dr. Joseph FX Zahra (Malta), President; Msgr. Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda (Secretary of the Prefecture for Economic Affairs), Secretary; Mr. Jean-Baptiste de Franssu (France); Dr. Enrique Llano (Spain);[Dr. Jochen Messemer (Germany); Ms. Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui (Italy); .r. Jean Videlain-Sevestre (France); Mr. George Yeo (Singapore). Dr. Zahra and Dr. Messemer are International reviewers of the Prefecture of Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
The Commission will begin its work as soon as possible. A first meeting is scheduled for shortly after the Holy Father’s return from Brazil.
The Holy Father hopes for a happy and productive collaboration between the Commission and the Vatican Administrations associated with its work.
EIGHT YEARS AND THREE MONTHS AGO,
Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope.
OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS, YOUR HOLINESS!
AD MULTOS ANNOS!
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 21/07/2013 02:41]