April 7, 2005

Statement by Mary Grant of Long Beach, CA, SNAP National Board Member 626 419 2930

"Law should have the courtesy, decency, and humility to step aside voluntarily, out of deference to the well-being of clergy sex abuse victims, their loved ones, and the laity in the US. If he doesn't, we can only hope that bishops and cardinals around the world will vehemently object to this hurtful decision and insist that Law be replaced."

SCHEDULE FOR NOVENDIALI, NINE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR POPE

VATICAN CITY, APR 7, 2005 (VIS) - Archbishop Piero Marini, master of the
Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, has published a note on the
"novendiali" or period of nine days of official mourning for the late Pope
John Paul II, explaining the background and indicating the dates, times and
principal celebrants of each of the nine Masses.

The communique states that "according to an ancient custom, for nine
consecutive days there are special Eucharistic celebrations for the repose
of the soul of the deceased Roman Pontiff, starting with the funeral Mass
which is determined by the Congregation of Cardinals (cf. Universi Dominici
gregis, n. 13 and 27)."

"Each day the celebration is open to everyone. It is, however, entrusted
each day to a different group, taking into account that group's links with
the Roman Pontiff. This variety of the congregation shows in a certain way
both the milieu of the Supreme Pastor as well as the universality of the
Church of Rome (Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontifici, n. 133)."

"The funeral Mass for the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II will take place
April 8 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square whereas in the Vatican Basilica,
from the 9th to the 16th of April, the novendiali celebrations for the
repose of the soul of the deceased Pope, will continue in the following
manner:

Day 1: Funeral Mass

Day 2: Saturday, April 9, at 5 p.m.: For the faithful of Vatican City: The
concelebration will be presided over by Cardinal Francesco Marchisano,
archpriest of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica.

Day 3: Sunday, April 10, 5 p.m. For the Church of Rome. Mass presided over
by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, and
concelebrated by the clergy of Rome.

Day 4: Monday, April 11, 5 p.m. For the Chapters of the Patriarchal
Basilicas. The concelebration will be presided by Cardinal Bernard Francis
Law, archbishop emeritus of Boston and archpriest of the Patriarchal
Basilica of St Mary Major.

Day 5: Tuesday, April 12, 5 p.m. Cappella Papale. Mass to be presided over
by Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, archbishop emeritus of Sao Sebastiao
do Rio de Janeiro, proto-priest of the College of Cardinals.

Day 6: Wednesday, April 13, 5 p.m. For the Roman Curia. Concelebration will
be presided over by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General
Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

Day 7: Thursday, April 14, 5 p.m. For the Oriental Churches. Divine Liturgy
in the Oriental Rite to be presided over by His Beatitude Pierre Nasrallah
Sfeir, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites.

Day 8: Friday, April 15, 5 p.m. For members of Institutes of Consecrated
Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Mass presided over by Archbishop
Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti, emeritus of Camerino-San Severino Marche,
secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life.

Day 9: Saturday, April 16, Cappella Papale. The concelebration will be
presided by Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, prefect emeritus of the
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments,
proto-deacon of the College of Cardinals.

All cardinals are invited to concelebrate in the Cappelle Papali on April
8, 12 and 16."