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Skriven 2005-11-23 06:31:32 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

MOTU PROPRIO CONCERNING THE BASILICAS OF ASSISI

VATICAN CITY, NOV 19, 2005 (VIS) - With the "Motu proprio" entitled "De
Basilicis Sancti Francisci et Sanctae Mariae Angelorum," Benedict XVI has
established new norms concerning the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy,
which is run by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and the Basilica of St.
Mary of the Angels in the same city, which is in the hands of the Order of
Friars Minor.

The Pope first recalls the universal fame of the Basilica of St. Francis "which
holds the remains of the seraphic saint," and that of St. Mary of the Angels
"which houses the diminutive but pre-eminent church of Porziuncola." He then
highlights the fact that "the Roman Pontiffs, for their part, have always had
special ties with, and particular solicitude for, these two major Franciscan
churches, ... and have always kept them under their own direct jurisdiction.

"Over the centuries, with their compassionate activities and their testimony,
the Conventual Friars and the Friars Minor have kept the spirit and the charism
of St. Francis alive, spreading his evangelical message of peace, brotherhood
and goodness throughout the world."

The Pope continues by affirming that, in order in order to integrate more
effectively the activities carried out in the two basilicas with diocesan,
regional and national pastoral care, "we feel it appropriate to modify the
current juridical regulations, as established by my venerated predecessor Pope
Paul VI, ... updating the norms to reflect current needs."

Consequently, Benedict XVI decrees that the Basilica of St. Francis and the
Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, with their associated convents, will be
assigned a cardinal as papal legate who "although without jurisdiction, will
have the task of perpetuating with his moral authority the close ties of
communion between those places sacred to the memory of St. Francis and this
Apostolic See. He will be able to impart the papal blessing during the
celebrations he presides on the occasion of the major liturgical Solemnities."

The Pope further disposes that the bishop of the diocese Assisi-Nocera
Umbra-Gualdo Tadino will, from this moment on, have jurisdiction "over the
churches and the religious houses, regarding all pastoral activities carried
out by the Conventual Fathers of the Basilica of St. Francis, and by the Friars
Minor of St. Mary of the Angels."

The Motu proprio continues: "The Franciscan Fathers, both Conventual and Friars
Minor, for all initiatives with pastoral implications, will thus have to ask
for and obtain the consent of the bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino,"
who will "seek the opinion of the president of the Episcopal Conference of
Umbria" [the region of Italy, of which Assisi is part] or, for more
wide-ranging initiatives, "of the president of the Italian Episcopal
Conference."

"As for the celebration of the Sacraments in the aforesaid basilicas, the norms
of the Code of Canon Law and those in force in the diocese are applicable."

Benedict XVI concludes his Motu proprio, which bears the date of November 9,
anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, by exhorting
"the Sons of St. Francis, to whom the two aforesaid basilicas are entrusted, to
follow with generous willingness the norms laid down in this Motu proprio in a
spirit of sincere communion with the bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo
Tadino and, through him, with the regional and national episcopal conferences."
MP/ASSISI BASILICAS/... VIS 051121 (570)

SUMMARY

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