POPE ASKS FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR ALL GREEKS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 5, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning received prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Greece, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

At the beginning of his speech, John Paul II highlighted that the faithful in the Catholic Church in Greece are in the minority, and encouraged bishops to create "a permanent secretariat which might allow a faster implementation of decisions taken during your meetings, putting into action those pastoral projects which concern the entire Catholic Church in Greece."

Referring to the active participation of the faithful in the Church, he said: "All are invited to grow in union with the Lord through personal prayer, meditation on the Holy Scriptures, "lectio divina" (the breviary), liturgical and sacramental life and a filial devotion to Mary. These are the necessary elements for the Christian's growth and spiritual and human maturity."

The Holy Father then spoke of ecumenical dialogue, and highlighted that "a significant aspect of this (dialogue) involves active collaboration in society, together with people from other religious confessions."

"All common initiatives and prayer, all respectful dialogue, and all requests for reciprocal forgiveness can bring brothers and sisters together in the faith and let people of today discover the Father's tenderness and mercy. ... I wish to emphasize once again the value of prayer in ecumenical relations; this helps us to live as brothers and sisters."

John Paul II echoed the prelates' concern faced with the scarcity of vocations, and exhorted families to always be "aware of their responsibility to the birth and nurturing of priestly and religious vocations."

"I invite religious congregations and other institutes to send new members to Greece to reinforce existing communities or to create new ones, capable of perceiving the needs of the Catholic Church in that country."

The Pope ended by pointing out the responsibility of Catholics in society. "It is for them, as for all citizens of the country, to work tirelessly for peaceful co-existence among all Greeks, each person having the same rights and freedoms, and particularly religious freedom. Thus, I rejoice in the significant efforts ... to find just solutions to problems still to be resolved, especially with regard to the juridical statute of the Catholic Church. I express the hope that dialogue with the various competent authorities advances and intensifies, for the good of all the population."

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