POPE MOURNS VICTIMS OF VIOLENT ATTACK IN SYDNEY
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin today sent the following telegram in Pope Francis’ name to Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney on the occasion of those killed in an attack in a popular shopping mall:
His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the violent attack in Sydney, and he sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this senseless tragedy, especially those who are now mourning the loss of a loved one. He likewise offers his prayers for the dead, the injured, as well as the first responders, and invokes upon the nation the divine blessings of consolation and strength. (ANSA photo)
Vatican news reported that local police told Australian media that the victims at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction were a man and five women, including the mother of a nine-month-old baby who was injured and taken in serious condition to hospital where he later underwent surgery. The perpetrator of the attack was a 40-year-old man known to police who is awaiting formal identification. Law enforcement officials believe that the act was not motivated by an ideological motive or terrorism, although investigations are continuing.
HOLY SEE SENDS NOTE TO FRENCH EMBASSY DECRYING CONDEMNATION OF CARDINAL OUELLET
From the Holy See Press Office:
Answering questions from some journalists, Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni confirmed that the Secretariat of State has sent a Verbal Note to the French Embassy to the Holy See, highlighting the following:
– The Holy See learned only from the press of the alleged decision of the Court of Lorient, in France, regarding a civil dispute concerning the resignation from a religious institute of Mrs. Sabine de la Valette (formerly Sister Marie Ferréol);
– His Eminence Cardinal Marc Ouellet has never received any summons from the Court of Lorient;
– Cardinal Marc Ouellet actually conducted an apostolic visit to the Institute of the Dominicans of the Holy Spirit (Dominicaines du Saint Esprit), in compliance with a pontifical mandate; at the conclusion of this visit, a series of canonical measures were adopted against Mrs. Sabine de la Valette, including her dismissal from the religious institute;
– A possible ruling by the Court of Lorient could raise not only relevant questions regarding immunity, but if it had ruled on internal discipline and membership of a religious institute, it could have given rise to a serious violation of rights fundamental to religious freedom and freedom of association of the Catholic faithful.
(JFL NOTE: News media have reported that Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Bishops, was ordered on April 3 by the Lorient judicial court to pay more than 100,000 euros in damages to a nun who had been dismissed from her congregation.)
Joan's Rome 