LMU offers 'mini-course' on theology of Pope Benedict XVI
LOS ANGELES --- A mini-course on Pope Benedict's approach to theology and his Christology will be taught by Jesuit Father Thomas Rausch June 12 and 14, 7:15-9:45 p.m. at Loyola Marymount University, University Hall 3226. Father Rausch, the T. Marie Chilton professor of Theology at LMU, has authored 13 books and is a specialist in the areas of ecclesiology, ecumenism and the theology of the priesthood. The fee for the two-day session, sponsored by LMU's Center for Religion and Spirituality, is $45. For more information, call (310) 338-2799.

'Peacemaking in the 21st Century' reflection day set in Claremont
CLAREMONT --- Pax Christi Pomona Valley is sponsoring "Called to Something New: A People's Peace Initiative --- A Catholic Collaboration to Articulate the Challenges of Peacemaking in the 21st Century" on June 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church auditorium, 435 Berkeley Ave. in Claremont. All are invited to spend the day reflecting on their calling as peacemakers. A $15 donation includes participants' booklet, snacks and drinks. To pre-register call Connie Weir at (909) 596-4460.

Top cardinal says documents on China, Tridentine Mass, coming soon
ROME (CNS) --- A leading Vatican official said two important documents from Pope Benedict XVI --- a letter to Chinese Catholics and a decree liberalizing use of the Tridentine Mass --- were coming soon. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, told the Italian newspaper Avvenire June 3 that the pope had "definitively approved" the text of his letter to the church in China. "Now the various translations are being carried out, along with the technical aspects of its publication," Cardinal Bertone said. Vatican sources have said that, as a courtesy, the letter would be sent to the Chinese government before it was released publicly. The letter follows a meeting at the Vatican in January on the state of Catholics in China. As for the document granting wider latitude for celebration of the Tridentine rite, Cardinal Bertone said that "one shouldn't have to wait long to see it published." The cardinal said the pope was "personally interested in making this happen" and that the pontiff had prepared an accompanying letter explaining the move and expressing the hope for a serene reception by the church.

Spokane Diocese emerges from bankruptcy
SPOKANE, Wash. (CNS) --- The Diocese of Spokane emerged from bankruptcy May 31, two-and-a-half years after it entered Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy proceedings. The diocese and its parishes still have to raise millions of dollars for the $48 million fund that will be used to compensate childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse and to pay the professional fees of the bankruptcy proceeding and expenses incurred in determining the claims. The $20 million that diocesan insurers contributed to the settlement was wired to the fund May 31. Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, in a written response to a reporter's questions, said emerging from bankruptcy "gives the church, as well as the wider community of eastern Washington, some small sense of closure." As part of the reorganization, 76 parishes were incorporated as separate entities within the diocese. Parish properties were handed over to the newly incorporated entities but are pledged as security for the $10 million that the parishes must raise to contribute to the fund.

Top Vatican official: Documents show Pius XII worked to help Jews
ROME (CNS) --- Thousands of Vatican documents demonstrate that Pope Pius XII worked quietly but effectively to help Jews and others during World War II, said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. He said June 5 that the documentation of papal charity is the most convincing response to the "black legend" that has depicted the late pope as indifferent toward the victims of Nazism. The cardinal said a fair reading of history must recognize "the enormous work of charity that the pope promoted, by opening the doors of seminaries and religious institutes, welcoming refugees and the persecuted, and helping all." Over the years, Cardinal Bertone said, the false accusation of papal unconcern for Jewish suffering under Nazism gained acceptance, despite historical evidence to the contrary. On several occasions, the pope did denounce Nazi persecutions, the cardinal said, but the pope measured his words carefully and prudently because he was convinced that speaking more bluntly would end up causing greater harm to Jews and other groups.

Pope to proclaim year dedicated to St. Paul
VATICAN CITY (CNS) --- Pope Benedict XVI plans to proclaim a year dedicated to St. Paul, in preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of the apostle's birth, the Vatican said. The pope was scheduled to announce the commemorative year at a vespers service June 28 in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome, on the eve of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Pauline Year will run from June 29, 2008, to June 29, 2009, according to information published in a Vatican Radio calendar. No details were immediately available about possible events during the year. St. Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey, at the start of the Christian era, about 10 A.D., according to church historians. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he became one of the church's foremost evangelizers, first among Jews, then among Gentiles. St. Paul's letters are a primary source of information about the life of the early church and have strongly influenced church thinking through the centuries. In his first official visit outside the Vatican in April 2005, Pope Benedict went to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to pray at the tomb of the apostle and pay homage to his legacy of spreading the Gospel.