VATICAN INSIDER AND JRS: JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE (PART II)
Tune in this weekend to Vatican Insider for part II of my interview with Jesuit Fr. Tom Smolich, the international director of JRS, Jesuit Refugee Service. He has riveting stories about the JRS, where it serves, whom the Jesuits and their countless volunteers help and how we should get to know and better understand who refugees actually are. Do you know, for example, that many men and women classified as refugees today are degreed people – doctors, teachers, etc. Father Tom also tells us about JRS’ recent campaign to help a religious minority in Iraq. In addition, I ask Father about his great challenges and his greatest joys – memorable answers!
I took this photo in the JRS headquarters in Rome and told Father Tom I’d have to come back some day just to do a story about the scores of crucifixes and crosses that cover one wall of his office. They really tell the story of JRS!
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FUNERAL FOR CARDINAL LEVADA HELD IN ST. PETER’S
The funeral of American Cardinal William Levada, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, took place this morning at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. The cardinal died in the early morning hours of September 26.
At the end of Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Francis presided over the rite of the final commendation and the “valedictio.” Fourteen cardinals concelebrated, along with 21 archbishops, bishops and priests, including Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawlowski, delegate for the pontifical representatives.
Joining members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, were Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, deputy secretary of State, and Monsignor Joseph Murphy, head of the protocol office. Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo assisted the rite, directed by the papal master of ceremonies. Among those present were many religious, including the sisters who assisted the cardinal. Archbishop Georg Gänswein, prefect of the Papal Household, also attended the Mass.
A photo of Pope Francis over the casket of Cardinal Levada was on the front page of the Vatican’s newspaper. L’Osservatore Romano, that came out this afternoon with tomorrow’s date. All of page four was dedicated to Cardinal Levada, and included Cardinal Bertone’s homily.
PAPAL CONDOLENCES FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL LEVADA
The following telegram was published at 6 pm Rome time today:
To The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco
Having learned with sadness of the death of Cardinal William J. Levada, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco, I hasten to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese. Recalling with immense gratitude the late Cardinal’s years of priestly and episcopal ministry among Christ’s flock in Los Angeles, Portland and San Francisco, his singular contributions to catechesis, education and administration, and his distinguished service to the Apostolic See, I willingly join you in commending his noble soul to the infinite mercies of God our heavenly Father. To all those who mourn Cardinal Levada’s passing in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Joan's Rome 