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Newsflash Archives >Pope Celebrates Mass for Priests and Seminarians
POPE CELEBRATES MASS FOR PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS
By Andrew Rabel
This morning at St Mary’s Cathedral Pope Benedict celebrated a special Mass for the priests and seminarians of the archdiocese of Sydney.
Incorporating Latin and Gregorian chant, it was a most solemn occasion where he also dedicated the new altar in the cathedral. A seminarian and Schoenstatt sister started proceedings with eloquent testimonies of faith and witness address directly to the Holy Father. The Pope seemed pleased when the nun addressed him partly in German.
But in a departure from the prepared text in his homily he offered a heartfelt apology to victims of priestly sexual abuse.
The Holy Father said, "Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church’s witness.
"I ask all of you to support and assist your Bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil. Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice. It is an urgent priority, to promote a safe and wholesome environment, especially for young people.
"In these days marked by the celebration of World Youth Day, we are reminded of how precious a treasure has been entrusted to us in our young people, and how great a part of the Church’s mission in this country has been dedicated to their education and care. As the Church in Australia continues, in the spirit of the Gospel, to address effectively this serious pastoral challenge, I join you in praying that this time of purification will bring about healing, reconciliation and ever greater fidelity to the moral demands of the Gospel."
In Hyde Park, next to the cathedral the previous day, there were several victims of this abuse accusing the Church of not having properly responded to their plight. Not far from the cathedral on the other side of the park, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston was celebrating Mass in St Patrick’s Church this morning too. It was his prodding that encouraged the Pope to meet five Boston victims during his recent visit to the US. (The United States and Australia are thus two countries where a papal apology has been made for clerical sins on a visit by the Pope.)
St Mary’s Cathedral was packed to capacity, with the highlight of the occasion being the Pope’s dedication of the new altar. This contained an image of Jesus based on the appearance of the Holy Shroud of Turin.
The Pope used the theme of the altar to address the priests and seminarians there,
"Dear young seminarians and religious, you yourselves will become living altars, where Christ's sacrificial love is made present as an inspiration and a source of spiritual nourishment to everyone you meet."
After the altar was dedicated, following the pattern of recent papal liturgies, seven large candles and a crucifix were placed on the altar.
Pope Benedict also said, "Make the daily celebration of the Eucharist the centre of your life. At each Mass, when the Lord’s Body and Blood are lifted up, and at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, lift up your own hearts and minds through Christ, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, as a loving sacrifice to God Our Father."
Also following recent practices, the Holy Father distributed communion to the select group kneeling and on the tongue, as he expressly wished.
The beautiful vestments Pope Benedict wore on this occasion were designed by Mr Michael Sternbeck of Saint Bede Studios. It has been reported that he was so delighted with them, he expressed a wish to take them back to the Vatican.
In drawing attention to the stained glass in the cathedral the Holy Father said, "There Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, is represented enthroned in majesty beside her divine Son. Let us ask Mary, Help of Christians to sustain the Church in Australia in fidelity of that grace by which the Crucified Lord even now 'draws to himself' all creation and every human heart."
Pope apologises for clerical sexual abuse
Pilgrims embark on Pilgrimage Walk
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today delivered a heartfelt apology to the victims of sexual abuse by clergy in Australia.
Departing from his official homily, the Holy Father said, "Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured, and I assure them that as their Pastor, I too share in their suffering."
The apology was delivered during a special service at St Mary's Cathedral - the Dedication of a new altar before seminarians and other young religious people.
The Pope consecrated (blessed) the new white marble altar, featuring an image of the body of Jesus Christ, based on the sacred Shroud of Turin. As he addressed the full cathedral and forecourt, he used the new altar to highlight their role.
"Dear young seminarians and religious, you yourselves will become living altars, where Christ's sacrificial love is made present as an inspiration and a source of spiritual nourishment to everyone you meet."
Earlier today in his daily text message, the Holy Father said: "Dear friend, u must be holy & u must be missionary: never separate holiness from mission - BXVI."
Following the Mass, the Pope lunched with fifty current and retired Australian Bishops in St Mary's Cathedral House.
In Terrey Hills, more than 350 cardinals and bishops from overseas were enjoying a lunch hosted by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.
Meanwhile tens of thousands of pilgrims had already made their way across the Sydney Harbour Bridge by lunchtime as part of the Pilgrimage Walk from North Sydney to the Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse) for tonight's Evening Vigil with the Holy Father.
Youth Festival performers including Bronx rapper Fr Stan Fortuna and popular Christian artist Matt Maher are entertaining pilgrims at Randwick from 12 noon until the Pope's arrival after 6:30 pm.
The Evening Vigil will begin at 7 pm with a Lighting of the Candles ceremony. The event will focus on the lives of the ten WYD08 patrons including Blessed Mary MacKillop, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Saint Maria Goretti.
As part of the Vigil, the Pope will lead Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. He will then depart, and pilgrims will sleep-out under the stars.
Andrew Rabel, an Australian journalist, is covering the Pope's trip to Australia.
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