After six years as prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera has been appointed Archbishop of Valencia in Spain.

Cardinal Canizares told Vatican Insider that he had asked for a diocesan appointment.

Valencia is his home archdiocese and the cardinal said he told Pope Francis he wanted to live with the "smell of the sheep".

Cardinal Canizares said the congregation under his leadership has "worked to carry on the liturgical renewal prompted by the Second Vatican Council".

"We need to keep on working so that the Council is fully implemented in the liturgical field, according to what Benedict XVI stated: God is the subject of liturgy, not us. Liturgy is not an action of man, but an action of God," he said.

The cardinal said Pope Francis supported the work the congregation has been doing.

It is highly unusual that Cardinal Canizares's successor was not named when his Valencia appointment was announced.

According to a Catholic News Agency story, the next prefect at the Congregation for Divine Worship could be disclosed after an upcoming meeting of the council of cardinals advising Pope Francis.

That meeting is scheduled for September 15-17.

Another possibility is that the worship and saints causes congregations could be merged.

Supporting this proposition is that fact that Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, has been only confirmed "ad interim" by Pope Francis, yet he has passed the age of retirement and his successor has not yet been appointed.

The current Archbishop of Valencia, Archbishop Carlos Osoro Sierra, has been appointed Archbishop of Madrid, making him the de facto leader of Spanish Catholicism.

Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, 78, has retired as Archbishop of Madrid.

Many saw Cardinal Canizares as his logical successor, so the way Pope Francis has made these appointments is telling.

Writing in the Boston Globe, John Allen stated there has long been a split among the Spanish bishops between those who favour dialogue with secularism and those who want to fight it.

While Cardinal Rouco embodied the confrontational option, Archbishop Osoro is associated with the moderate line and Cardinal Canizares was seen as a "little Ratzinger", Allen wrote.

Francis wants bishops who are orthodox in doctrine, but who are committed to dialogue and outreach, Allen added.

Sources

• ABC News
• Vatican Insider
• Catholic World News
• Catholic News Agency
• Boston Globe
• Image: The Journal

Fr Miguel Pajares, 75, died on August 12 after being evacuated from West Africa by Spain.

He was reportedly being given the experimental ZMapp drug.

Fr Pajares had been working with Ebola patients at the San Jose de Monrovia Hospital when he became infected.

He was part of the Spain-based San Juan de Dios order, which runs hospitals around the world.

More than 1000 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria.

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The ceremony is expected to attract 100,000 people from at least 50 countries.

Some 3000 families will open their homes to those travelling to Madrid from abroad and 2000 young people have signed up to work as volunteers for the event.

The current prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria, has sent a letter to all cloistered and contemplative nuns in Spain asking for their prayers for the beatification.

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It's impossible to believe that it has been single-handedly built by a former trappist monk who had never laid a brick in his life.

The as yet unfinished building, a little over 12 miles outside of Madrid, has been painstakingly built piece by piece over 50 years by 86-year-old farmer Justo Gallego Martinez.

He had no prior knowledge of architecture and no experience in the construction industry, but instead has spent five decades collecting junk and discarded building material in order to build the 131ft tall structure.

After working as a farmer and bullfighter, deeply religious Mr Martinez - or Don Justo as he is known - spent eight years at a Trappist monastery.

But he was forced to leave when he was struck down with tuburculosis in 1961.

During his illness, he vowed that if he survived it he would build a chapel and name it after the Virgin Mary to whom he prayed while he was sick.

True to his vow, Don Justo began building what he describes as his act of faith in 1963 and despite his lack of skills or building materials, is still working on the project today.

Despite the scepticism of many friends and locals, Don Justo has remarkably managed to build the place of worship without using so much as a crane.

The vast columns of the structure are made from empty oil drums, while the covering on one of the domes is made from discarded food tubes.

But, with Don Justo working on his own aside from occasional help from his six nephews, the cathedral is far from finished with windows left unpainted, one of the domes to be covered and the floor to be completed.

The inspiration of St Peter's Basillica with its huge central dome is plain to see, but Don Justo's ideas were also taken from the White House, and a variety of European castles and churches.

The church has never received planning permission, but it is believed that it is allowed to stay by local authorities because it has become something of a tourist attraction. Continue reading

The surplus was generated by accommodation, transport services and business such as food providers.

The director of the Hotel Industry Business Association in Madrid, Juan Jose Blardony, said three million meal tickets were distributed to young people throughout the week, valued at nearly NZ$39 million.

WYD organisers originally estimated the event would bring in NZ$170, which is much lower than the NZ$280 they now calculate.

The figures will now be given to an external auditor for final verification.

Other financial facts emerging from WYD 2011 include:

• World Youth Day generated 3 times the revenue made by the Champions League Final in 2010
• hotels reported a 70% occupancy rate compared with the normal 40% for around this time
• the City Council estimates 2% of tourism revenue for the country in one week

Violent protests repeatedly flared throughout the papal visit as between 3000-5000 anti-pope protesters voiced their concerns about the 50 million euro price tag of the four-day trip.

Priests from Madrid's poorest parishes also criticised the cost of the trip.

"We are not organising a protest against the Pope but to complain about an event which is very expensive in times of crisis and high unemployment," said Evaristo Villar, a priest and member of Redes Cristianos.

"An event of this kind has no place in a country with five million unemployed," he said.

The Spanish Government is yet to release the costs associated with policing the protests.

Sources

• CNA
• Rome Reports (YouTube)
• CathNews - WYD to cost Spanish taxpayers nothing
• CathNews - Spanish priests join opposition to cost of Pope's visit for WYD2011
• CathNews - Violent protests, a Kiss-in, Pro-condom lobby and hackers greet Pope at WYD
• Image: Inquirer News

Amid the heat of the burning sun, the 1.5 - 2 million pilgrims, the need for water, all didn't seem to matter to Jo Anne Rowney who tweeted her excitement as she was "about to see Papa."

In his address to the youth, the Holy Father told the vibrant youth that it is God who gives wings to our freedom, God's words that feed our being, but when we don't follow Christ and get lost we can always count on God's mercy, particularly in the sacrament of penance.

Pope Benedict told the youth that humanity has been created and is the main protagonist in the search for truth.

He encouraged the pilgrims to use the time to get to know Christ better, to build on solid rock, rock that is stable.

Towards the end of his address, Benedict commended the fruits of the Madrid WYD to Mary. "She teaches like no one else," he said.

Support among the pilgrims is immeasurable, however the Pope's visit is not without contention.

• Eight demonstrators have been arrested and 11 people injured in clashes between riot police and protesters in Madrid opposed to a visit by the Pope. The violence broke out after a march by thousands of people angry that - among other things - taxpayer money is being spent on the four-day visit by Pope Benedict XVI for a festival called World Youth Day.
• Earlier in the day, a young chemistry student working as a volunteer to prepare a visit by the Pope to Madrid was arrested on suspicion of planning a gas attack targeting protesters opposed to the pontiff's stay.
• Throughout the buildup and during WYD, young activists are taking their "Condoms4Life" campaign to the streets of the Madrid, this despite civil authorities some weeks ago barring bus ads and billboards in the city.

Not leaving a moment to chance, on the flight to Madrid, the pope answered several questions put to him by reporters, one of which at least indirectly related to the question of taxpayer money being spent on his visit and WYD when he denounced economic structures that put profits ahead of people.

"The economy cannot be measured by the maximum profit but by the common good," Benedict told journalists.

"The economy cannot function only with mercantile self-regulation but needs an ethical reason in order to work for man," he said.

The Spanish economy is struggling to exit a recession which has left one in five unemployed, of which a large proportion are young people.

Sources

• The West
• The Vatican - Full text of Pope's address
• @madelineteahan
• @joannerowney
• Image: Jo Anne Rowney

Dominic Light and Vincent Phua, both 18, were chosen to join 48 other young people from around the world to meet with Pope Benedict XVI at Plaza de la Independencia before accompanying the Pope through Madrid's Puerta de Alcalá where the Holy Father is being officially received and welcomed to the city. After this, he is riding in the Popemobile to Plaza de Cibeles

Domonic and Vincent are both members of St Francis and All Souls Catholic Parish in Devonport and are travelling with the Glenrowan World Youth Day Pilgrimage Group. The group left Auckland on Friday 5 August and spent four days in Rome before heading to Barcelona, Lourdes and Avila on the way to Madrid.

Around 200 Zealand Catholics gathered in Madrid's Parque del Buen Retiro on Thursday for a ‘Kiwi' gathering, which included Mass. The event began at 3.00pm Wednesday 17 August (1.00am Thursday 18 August New Zealand time).

The gathering was part of the World Youth Day 2011 celebrations taking place in Madrid from 16-21 August. Although described as a ‘day', World Youth Day is in fact a week-long event. It is the world's largest youth event and is this year expected to attract two million pilgrims from around the world.

Six Christchurch pilgrims have been allocated front row seats for the vigil with Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday 20 August. Three are from Villa Maria College, which is sending a pilgrimage group of 24. Of the 200 New Zealand pilgrims in Madrid, 70 are from Christchurch making it the largest New Zealand pilgrimage group. This is despite pilgrims having had their efforts to attend the event disrupted by the February earthquake.

The gathering was been organised by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference Office for Young People and will include New Zealand songs and prayers. The Office's National Project Co-ordinator, Sr Helen O'Sullivan RNDM, said the gathering will be a highlight for New Zealand pilgrims.

"Around 200 pilgrims have travelled from New Zealand to Madrid, but there are also New Zealanders living in other parts of the world who have come to World Youth Day. The New Zealand gathering is an opportunity to celebrate being together in Madrid for such a special event and to do this in a uniquely Kiwi way".

Key World Youth Day events include the Papal Welcome Ceremony (Thursday 18 August); the Stations of the Cross (Friday 19 August); outdoor Vigil with the Pope (Saturday 20 August) and the Final Mass (Sunday 21 August).

There will also be events held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to coincide with World Youth Day. These will be attended by diocesan bishops and reflect the World Youth Day experience.

In Auckland, activities will include Stations of the Cross (Friday 19 August); an all-night vigil (Saturday 20 August) and a pilgrim walk followed by a youth Mass (Sunday 21 August). In Wellington there will be music, drama and a showcase concert (Saturday 20 August).

Christchurch is holding a World Youth Day Rally for students in Years 9-13 (Friday 19 August) and a young adults programme involving a rosary pilgrimage, dinner and dancing with the Beatitudes community (Saturday 20 August). There will also be a Mass for youth and young adults followed by live footage of the World Youth Day Mass in Madrid (Sunday 21 August).

This is the 26^th World Youth Day and continues a tradition started by Pope John Paul II in 1985, which has become the biggest celebration of young people on earth.

While World Youth Day is a Catholic event, the Pope invites any young person who wishes to join the experience, which consists of catechesis (teaching), fellowship, worship and renewal.

In a letter inviting the young New Zealanders to World Youth Day 2011, Pope Benedict XVI said that he often thinks back on the last World Youth Day, held in Sydney in 2008.

"There we had an experience of a great festival of faith in which the Spirit of God was actively at work," he wrote. "Now we are looking forward to the next World Youth Day... I encourage you to take part in this event, which is so important for the Church in Europe and for the universal Church...Your presence renews, rejuvenates and gives new energy to the Church. That is why World Youth Days are a grace, not only for you, but for the entire People of God".

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• Image: Our Lady of Fatima Parish Meadowbank

It was reported yesterday that unions representing Spanish airport ground crew had called strikes to coincide with Pope Benedict XVI's four-day visit to the Spanish capital next week for WYD2011.

Three unions representing 60,000 check-in staff, baggage handlers and other ground workers - CCOO, UGT and USO - said they planned 24-hour strikes for August 18, the day the pope is set to arrive in Madrid, and again on August 26.

However members of the General Workers Union employed by Madrid's Metro subway system are still intending to strike over salary negotiations and cuts to their wages as part of government austerity measures.

The Union leaders told Europa Press they had been forced to take the action due to the "failure to implement salary raises agreed to in a collective agreement for 2011 and the breakdown of collective bargaining."

A spokesman for Madrid Metro, Ignacio Gonzalez Velayos, however promised the subways would operate "normally" during Benedict's visit.

"The Community of Madrid will ensure a minimum of transportation services are available during those days, and of course all those who come to visit the Pope are going to have public transportation and the Metro will be operating completely as normal," he said.

More than one million faithful are expected to flock to the Spanish capital for the Roman Catholic Church's youth festivities.

Sources

• CNA
• The Telegraph
• Expatica
• Image: PHLOG

There also will be local activities in each of the dioceses. In Auckland they will begin on August 19 and include praying stations of the cross and adoration, says Teresa McNamara, co-ordinator of youth and young adult ministry for the Auckland Diocese.

The following day will be for undertaking community service. Cathechesis, prayers and musical concerts will also be held in Auckland city and in south Auckland.

A highlight of the Auckland celebrations will be the Pilgrim Walk, a feature of World Youth Day celebrations. "We are going to start on the outskirts of the city and walk towards St Patrick's Cathedral," says Ms McNamara. "It would be a public demonstration of our faith."

The walk will come from different directions to form a cross. Then, the pilgrims will hold hands and pray.

The weekend will conclude with a mass celebrated by Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn. Ms McNamara says the World Youth Day "encourages you to look at your faith in a new light and think about how faith plays out in our lives today".

Source:

• The Aucklander
• Image: NZCBC

In a rare break in public loyalty, the 120 priests told their archbishop, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, that the sponsorship deals reinforced the impression the Church was a privileged institution.

The Church recently signed up a list of high-profile corporate sponsors including multi-nationals and Spain's top companies, and mounted a nationwide advertising campaign in preparation for WYD.

The Priests of Madrid Forum complained that organizers have made "a pact with the economic and political powers which reinforces the image of the Church as a privileged institution, close to power, and the social scandal this implies, especially in the context of the economic crisis", in a 10 page open letter.

"To trust in the strength of power and money ... is to give in to a temptation as old as the Church," said the letter.

"No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money," the letter said, citing the passage from the Bible, Matthew 6:24.

"The crisis has its origin in the banks' and large groups' uncontrolled desire for profits," the priests wrote.

"We believe the Cardinal, concerned about the multi-million budget for the event, has chosen the worst collaborators."

The Archbishop declined to comment.

Sources

• Foro "Curas de Madrid"
• Reuters
• Image: Concordat Watch

Fernando Gimenez Barriocanal, World Youth Day's finance manager, reported that "nearly NZ$90 million will come from abroad and will remain in Spain."

The event's organizers are now focused on increasing registration, especially among young people in Spain, by reminding them that a portion of their registration fees will go to a special fund to help young people from poorer countries attend the event.

Gimenez went on to say that 90 percent of the contracts for the events have gone to Spanish companies through a public bidding system.

The World Youth Day office in Madrid has also produced two new videos in order to draw more young Spaniards. The videos were created under the theme: "Some trains pass by only once in life."

WYD 2011 will be held August 16 - 21 in Madrid, Spain.

Sources

• CNA
• Image: WYD2011