Vatikan Terbitkan Arsip Baru Tentang Galileo Galilei

VATICAN CITY, JULY 2, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A new edition of the investigations into the Galileo case has been released by the Vatican Secret Archives.

The volume, "I ducomenti vaticani del processo di Galileo Galilei” (Vatican Documents From the Galileo Case), has a 208-page introduction, one of the novelties with respect to the last edition of the work, published in 1984.

That edition was released before Pope John Paul II's statements at the close of the 1981-1992 investigation into the Church's handling of the Galileo case.

The prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives, Bishop Sergio Pagano, oversaw this newest volume, which was presented today in a briefing at the Vatican press office. Its publication comes in the context of the International Year of Astronomy, declared by UNESCO.

Bishop Pagano offered his perspective on the Galileo case, saying that "it teaches science to not presume to teach the Church in matters of faith and sacred Scripture. And at the same time, it teaches the Church to approach scientific issues -- also those related to, for example, modern investigation on stem cells -- with a lot of humility and circumspection."

The prelate noted the testimony offered by Galileo himself: "He died as a Catholic and a penitent. After having heard his sentence, Galileo said, 'I ask two things: to believe in my upright faith and in the Catholic faith.'"

The new volume includes documents uncovered from the archives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as well as new bibliographic material spanning from the denunciation to the condemnation.

Paus Benediktus XVI Mensahkan Mujizat Cardinal Newman

VATICAN CITY, JULY 3, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Today, Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of decrees recognizing miracles, martyrdom and heroic virtue in several causes for canonization.

A Vatican communiqué reported that the Pope received in private audience Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, and authorized the congregation to promulgate the following decrees.

Miracles attributed to the intercession of the following:

-- Blessed Cándida Maria de Jesús Cipitria y Barriola (1845-1912) (born Juana Josefa), Spanish founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Jesus.
-- Servant of God John Henry Newman (1801-1890), English cardinal and founder of the Oratories of St. Phili p Neri in England.

-- Servant of God Angelo Paoli (1642-1720) (born Francesco), Italian professed priest of the Order of Carmelites of the Strict Observance.
-- Servant of God Maria Alfonsina Danil Ghattas (1843-1927) (born Soultaneh Maria), cofounder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem.

The martyrdom of the following:

-- Servant of God José Samsó i Elías (1887-1936), Spanish diocesan priest, pastor and archpriest of Santa María de Mataro, killed during religious persecution in Spain.
-- Servant of God Teófilo Fernández de Legaria Goñi (1898-1936) (born Beniamino), and four companions, professed priests of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, killed during religious persecution in Spain in 1936.

-- Servant of God Georg Häfner (1900-1942), German diocesan priest, killed in the concentration camp of Dachau, Germany.
-- Servant of God Zolt an Ludovico Meszlenyi (1892-1951), Hungarian titular bishop of Sinope and auxiliary of Esztergom, killed at Kistarcsa, Hungary.

Proclamation of the heroic virtue of the following was also approved:

-- Servant of God Engelmar Unzeitig (1911-1945) (born Uberto), German professed priest of the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill.
-- Servant of God Anna María Janer Anglarill (1800-1885), Spanish founder of the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Family of Urgell.

-- Servant of God Maria Serafina del Sacro Cuore di Gesu Micheli (1849-1911) (born Clotilde), Italian founder of the Institute of Sisters of the Angels.
-- Servant of God Teresa Manganiello (1849-1876), Italian laywoman of the Third Order of St. Francis.

Makam St.Paulus Telah Ditemukan

Pope Says Scientific Analysis Seems to Confirm Tradition

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 28, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The tomb of St. Paul may indeed contain the remains of the Apostle of the Gentiles, Benedict XVI affirmed in his homily at the closing of the Year of St. Paul.

The Pope presided at first vespers this evening for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, which marked the conclusion of the Pauline Year. The celebration took place at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where it has traditionally been believed St. Paul was buried.

"An authentic scientific analysis" conducted on the sarcophagus conserved in the basilica, the Holy Father said, "seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that these are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul."

"A tiny hole was dri lled into the sarcophagus -- which over many centuries had never been opened -- in order to insert a special probe, which revealed traces of costly purple colored linen fabric, laminated with pure gold and a blue fabric with linen filaments," Benedict XVI explained.

"Grains of red incense and protein and chalk substances were also discovered," he continued. "There were also tiny bone fragments, which were sent for carbon-14 testing by experts who were unaware of their origin. These were discovered to belong to a person who had lived between the first and second centuries."

St. Paul is said to have been beheaded at Aquas Salvias -- where the Church of Tre Fontane was then erected -- while he was buried at the place where the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls now stands, and where two basilicas -- one ordered by Emperor Constantine and the other the so-called basilica of the "Three Emperors" (Theodosius, Valen tinian II and Arcadius) -- were constructed during the fourth century.

Despite the fact that the original tomb of St. Paul had been the object of profound devotion on the part of pilgrims from the beginning, over the centuries it disappeared from view and eventually could no longer be identified.

During the reconstruction of the basilica, which had been destroyed by a fire in 1823, two marble plaques dating from the time of Pope Leo the Great (440-461), which contained the barely visible inscription "Paolo Apostolo Mart" ("Paul the Apostle Martyr"), were discovered beneath the "confessio" altar.

The first archaeological inspections, which took place in 2002-2003 in the area of the "confessio," permitted the identification of the remains of the Constantinian and Theodosian basilicas.

Between May 2 and Nov. 17, 2006 excavations were carried out that brought to light a marble sarcophagus 2.5 meters long and about 1.2 meters long, which rested on layer of clay floor dating from 390, the time during which the Constantinian basilica was expanded.

Beginning in 2007, visitors were allowed to enter below the basilica's altar to pray before the tomb of the Apostle.