MESSENGERS AND WITNESSES OF THE GOSPEL OF CHARITY

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - At midday today the Pope received the participants in the 24th General Chapter of the Sisters of Charity of Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa.

The Holy Father said: "In times like the present, marked by the contrast between the wealth of one part of humanity and the miserable conditions of huge numbers of poor, frequently reduced to hunger amidst the indifference of so many, an increase in love is necessary in order that consciences be stimulated and people of good be persuaded to open themselves to the needs of justice and solidarity."

John Paul II requested that the sisters be "messengers and witnesses of the Gospel of charity. Re-ignite hope and courage in the people you meet. Show them the tenderness of God, who never abandons his children. In order for this witness to be lasting and authentic, it must be constantly regenerated in the pure waters of Grace. You must listen to God's word and translate it into daily life".

"Saints Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa ... saw Christ in the poor and they proposed Him as a complete answer to their most pressing problems." He concluded: "Their example is a constant lesson for you all".

AC;CHARITY;...;CAPITANIO; GEROSA;VIS;19990430;Word: 210;

PRESS CONFERENCE FOR UPDATE ON JUBILEE

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - At a press conference held this morning in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray and Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, respectively president and secretary general of the central Jubilee committee, presented an update on Vatican plans for the Holy Year 2000.

They were joined by other staff members of the central committee as well as by Msgr. Ugo Moretto of the Vatican Television Center and Franco Iseppi of RAI, the Italian state television.

Journalists received dossiers in English, Spanish, Italian and French which explained the Mass for the Holy Year, the Holy Father's prayer for the Jubilee (Italian only), the hymn of the Great Jubilee (French only) and a Great Jubilee Year 2000 Competition for Young People. The objective of the latter, it was pointed out, is to invite young people "to reflect upon the religious significance of the Jubilee," and to present their thoughts in poetry or prose. This is open to children, pre-adolescents and adolescents.

Two initiatives were presented during the press conference: A Jubilee video service which will be transmitted by the three RAI channels (Italian Radio and Television) as well as by a number of regional channels, and the distribution of a series of pamphlets - in stadiums, highway toll booths, stations and many other public areas - on organizational aspects of the Jubilee.

As regards the Internet site of the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee (www.jubil2000.org), at present it exists in seven languages, not including German which will be incorporated soon. The projects in Russian, Chinese and Arabic are at a very advanced stage. Each language has 1,500 pages that may be consulted - this number will reach 16,000. They deal with the main themes and events of the Great Jubilee and cover both spiritual and organizational aspects.

OP;JUBILEE;...;ETCHEGARAY; SEPE;VIS;19990430;Word: 310;

CELEBRATIONS FOR THE CENTENARY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF NICE

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was the letter of the Holy Father in which he appoints Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris, France as his special envoy to the May 2 celebrations for the third centenary of the cathedral of Nice, France. The letter is written in Latin and dated March 25.

Cardinal Lustiger will be accompanied by Msgrs. Gerard Foiret and Roger Berg.

JPII-LETTER;SPECIAL ENVOY;...;FRANCE; LUSTIGER;VIS;19990430;Word: 90;

ITALIAN CATHOLIC SCOUT ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Pope John Paul to Msgr. Diego Coletti, general ecclesiastical assistant of the association of Italian Catholic Guides and Scouts, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of AGESCI.

In the Letter, dated April 23, the Pope outlines "three new frontiers, three objectives (which the scouting movement should pursue): the new evangelization, educational challenges and the building of a world of peace."

He addresses the educational leaders and ecclesiastical assistants: "Do not be afraid to propose great ideals to young people, because scouting is a training area for difficult virtues. Place the image of Christ - His heroism and His holiness - in front of the eyes of the young boys and girls whom you meet."

JPII-LETTER;AGESCI;...;COLETTI;VIS;19990430;Word: 140;

PADRE PIO OF PIETRELCINA: BIOGRAPHY OF A BLESSED

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - On Sunday May 2, in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II will beatify Capuchin Friar Pio of Pietrelcina, known the world over as Padre Pio, who died at the Franciscan friary in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, on September 23, 1968, at the age of 81.

After Sunday's beatification, the penultimate step to sainthood, he will be known as Blessed Padre Pio.

He was born on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, in the southern Italian archdiocese of Benevento in the region of Campania, to Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. Devoted to St. Francis of Assisi, his parents had him baptized the following day, and named him Francesco.

The son of peasant farmers, Francesco grew up in humble surroundings, in a home filled with love and faith. His youth and adolescence were marked by liveliness, curiosity, and, according to biographers, occasional mischievousness. They also point out that he seemed to have a "special spiritual life."

Francesco received both First Communion and Confirmation when he was 12.

On January 6, 1903, age 16, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars Minor at Morcone and, 16 days later, was clothed in the Franciscan habit and given the name Brother Pio. He concluded the novitiate year, made his profession of simple vows and, on January 27, 1907, made his solemn profession.

Brother Pio was ordained to the priesthood on August 10, 1910 at Benevento. For health reasons he lived at his home until 1916, when he was transferred to the friary of Santa Maria delle Grazie at San Giovanni Rotondo where he remained until his death in 1968, and where he is buried.

In the more than half century that he was a Capuchin, Padre Pio became famous, first in Puglia at San Giovanni Rotondo, then throughout Italy and the world, for his charisms of bearing the stigmata and of bilocation (the ability to be simultaneously in two different places) and for the extraordinary holiness of his life, which centered on the Mass, the Sacrament of Penance and spiritual direction. Padre Pio was noted for the remarkable number of hours he spent in the confessional and for his charity, motivating him to found the "House for the Relief of Suffering," inaugurated on May 5, 1956. He also instituted prayer groups, which he called "seedbeds of faith and centers of love," and which Pope Paul VI termed "vast rivers of praying humanity."

In an address to the superiors of the Capuchin Order in 1971, three years after the death of Padre Pio, Pope Paul VI said of him: "Look at his fame, at the worldwide following he has gathered around him! Why? Perhaps because he was a philosopher? Perhaps because he was a scholar? Because he had means at his disposition? No, because he celebrated Mass humbly, confessed people from morning to night and was, difficult to say, one who was marked by the stigmata of Our Lord. He was a man of prayer and suffering."

Padre Pio first received the stigmata in 1910 for a short period: they disappeared, only to reappear in 1918 and remain with him until very shortly before his death. The word "stigmata" denotes the scars that correspond to the wounds suffered by Our Lord during His Passion and Crucifixion, in His hands, feet and side.

When the stigmata appeared on September 20, 1918, Padre Pio had celebrated morning Mass and, as usual, remained in the chapel to pray. What happened next was revealed by Padre Pio in a letter to his confessor:

"I was sitting in the choir stall, giving thanks for the Holy Mass when I started feeling languid and began to nod off. All my senses experienced an incredible peace, While I was in that state, a mysterious celestial figure appeared before me. He was holding a utensil somewhat similar to a cut-throat razor with a very sharp point from which fire seemed to flow. The sight of it petrified me. The figure hurled this tool into my soul with all his strength. I cannot describe the sensation.

"I felt as though I were dying, and indeed I would have died if Our Lord had not intervened to sustain my pounding heart. When the mysterious figure left, I realized that my hands, feet and side had been pierced and were flowing with blood. You can imagine the torment I felt and continue to feel every day. The wound in my side pumps out blood constantly, especially from Thursday evening until Saturday. I fear that I am going to die from loss of blood."

A number of miracles, including several in the presence of witnesses, have been attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio. One in particular, put forth by the Postulator of his cause at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, regards the miraculous healing of an Italian woman, a devoted follower of his and a member of one of his Prayer Groups, who had become gravely ill and was inexplicably healed after praying, together with relatives and friends, at Padre Pio's tomb.

A biographical note from the Postulator General of Padre Pio's cause states: "While he was alive he was widely famous for his holiness, due to his virtues, his spirit of prayer, sacrifice and total dedication to the good of souls. In the years following his death, the fame of his holiness and miracles continued to grow, becoming an ecclesial phenomenon throughout the world and touching every type of person. Thus God showed the Church His will to glorify on earth his faithful servant."

The Order of Capuchin Friars Minor took the first steps for the cause for beatification and canonization in conformity with the Code of Canon Law. The recognition process took place from 1983 to 1990 in the diocese of Manfredonia. On December 18, 1997 the Decree on the heroic virtues of Padre Pio was promulgated. On December 21, 1998 the Decree on the miracle attributed to Padre Pio's intercession was promulgated.

...;BIO; PADRE PIO;...;...;VIS;19990430;Word: 980;

HOLY SEE EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER YUGOSLAVIA TO OSCE

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - Made public this afternoon was the address yesterday to the Permanent Council of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe by Msgr. Mario Zenari, Holy See permanent representative to the OSCE. He expressed the Holy See's concern over the crisis in Yugoslavia and "urgently appealed to all nations and international charitable organizations" for generous humanitarian aid to the victims of the conflict.

DELSS;YUGOSLAVIA;...;ZENARI;VIS;19990430;Word: 80;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Ante Jelavic, member of the presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, accompanied by his wife and entourage.
- Cardinal Mario Ce, Patriarch of Venice on his "ad limina" visit.
- Two prelates from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Francis John Spence of Kingston.
- Archbishop Marcel Andre Gervais of Ottawa.

He is scheduled to meet later this evening with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;19990430;Word: 90;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Desiderius Rwoma as bishop of Singida (area 49,341, population 966,000, Catholics 111,600, priests 43, religious 160), Tanzania. The bishop-elect was born in Ilogero, Tanzania, in 1947, was ordained a priest in 1974 and since 1997 has been vicar general of Bukoba. He succeeds Bishop Bernard Mabula whose resignation was accepted by the Holy Father upon having reached the age limit.

- Fr. Marc Stenger of the clergy of Metz, as bishop of Troyes (area 6,026, population 301,000, Catholics 211,000, priests 115, religious 305), France. The bishop-elect was born in Phalsbourg, France, was ordained a priest in 1975 and since 1992 has been rector of the Interdioscesan Seminary of Metz and national director of the Apostolic Union of the Clergy.

NER; RE;...;...;RWOMA; MABULA; STENGER ;VIS;19990430;Word: 120;

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COOK ISLANDS AND THE HOLY SEE

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy See and the Cook Islands (Oceania), in the desire to develop friendly bilateral relations, have mutually agreed to establish diplomatic links at the level of apostolic nunciature by the Holy See and embassy by the Cook Islands.

The Cook group comprises 15 volcanic islands, 13 of which are inhabited. They have a surface area of 234 square kilometers and a population of 19,000 inhabitants. The diocese of Rarotonga covers all the islands. There are 3,074 Catholics and 15 parishes in which a total of 8 priests are active, both diocesan - two of whom are indigenous -and religious.

OP;DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS;...;COOK ISLANDS;VIS;19990429;Word: 110;

HOLY FATHER'S MESSAGE TO U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was the Message written by Pope John Paul to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, on the vigil of his departure for Europe on a peace-seeking mission aimed at resolving the conflict in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

In the message encouraging Secretary General Annan in his mission, the Pope writes that he is "convinced that the chain of hatred and violence cannot be broken unless it is with the force of fraternity, law and justice."

Following are excerpts from that message, written in French and dated April 27:
"On this occasion I which to express my prayers of solidarity and wish you every success in your mission. The Holy See greatly appreciates the fact that the United Nations finds its full role in the management of a crisis which involves the entire international community. It is indeed urgent that law and institutions be heard and not silenced by the din of arms.

"As you know, since the first moment of the crisis in Kosovo, I have expressed without the slightest hesitation my conviction that only loyal, patient and realistic negotiations are able to give a suitable answer to the legitimate aspirations of the peoples concerned, and I have encouraged every effort in this regard.

"Faced with the deportation of peoples in fear, with demands of all sorts and with the bombings of this past month, I can only exhort all those who, like you and with you, endeavor to resume the way of dialogue in order to arrive at the drafting of a peace plan and thus put an end to a human tragedy which concerns the conscience of all. My true appreciation is expressed to all the organizations and volunteers who dedicate themselves with such generosity to comfort so many of our brothers and sisters, The Catholic Church is also present on the ground and is working to help all those that she is able to reach. This humanitarian work is irreplaceable: It must continue, intensify and diversify."

MESS;...;...;UN; ANNAN;VIS;19990429;Word: 350;

THE POPE ASKS STUDENTS TO PRAY FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 1999 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II visited Rome's "Tor Vergata" University where at 11:30 a.m. he held a meeting with students and professors in front of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

In his speech the Pope indicated that "the humanistic dimension, according to which the individual is seen as the subject and as the goal, constitutes the basis of the educational and cultural function of the university."

"The true humanist, opening himself to divine mystery, finds space for his own freedom, the impulse for an investigation whose goals are truth, beauty and good, the characteristics of irreplaceable educational values that serve true cultural progress."

After having referred to Rome's Citizens' Mission, which is aimed this year at the fields of work and study, he said: "I know that you are working with great generosity in order to promote the pastoral activity of the university, considering it a special path in the Christian cultural project to which the Church in Italy has been dedicating its attention for a number of years."

"The symbol and focus of your pastoral activity," the Pope added, "is the Chapel which is being constructed at the center of the university campus and which you have decided to dedicate to St. Thomas Aquinas."

The Holy Father told the professors and students that the Chapel "is called on to be a driving force behind the Christian animation of culture. ... I thank you for the gift of two ambulances for the humanitarian relief mission for refugees from Kosovo. Your active solidarity with those suffering the consequences of the tragic conflict is united with my fervent desire that the war cease as soon as possible and that the armed conflict give way to dialogue and peace. I ask you to remember these desires in your prayers."

JPII-VISIT;...;...;UNIVERSITY TOR VERGATA;VIS;19990429;Word: 320;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Marcel Herriot of Verdun as bishop of Soissons (area 7,378, population 555,000, Catholics 474,000, priests 166, religious 226) in France.

- Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, apostolic pro-nuncio in Zambia and Malawi, as apostolic nuncio in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

NER; NA;...;...;HERRIOT; LEANZA ;VIS;19990429;Word: 50;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received a group of 15 prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (Triveneto) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Cardinal Mario Ce, Patriarch of Venice.
- Archbishop Alfredo Battisti of Udine.
- Archbishop Antonio Vitale Bommarco O.F.M. Conv., of Gorizia.
- Archbishop Antonio Mattiazzo, bishop of Padua.
- Bishop Sennen Corra of Concordia-Pordenone.
- Bishop Paolo Magnani of Treviso.
- Bishop Martino Gomiero of Adria-Rovigo.
- Bishop Eugenio Ravignani of Trieste.
- Bishop Pietro Brollo of Belluno-Feltre. - Bishop Wilhelm Emil Egger O.F.M. Cap., of Bolzano-Bressanone.
- Bishop Pietro Giacomo Nonis of Vicenza.
- Bishop Alfredo Magarotto of Vittorio Veneto.
- Bishop Flavio Roberto Carraro O.F.M. Cap., of Verona with his auxiliary, bishop Andrea Veggio.
- Bishop Angelo Daniel of Chioggia.

AL;...;...;...;VIS;19990429;Word: 130;

CARDINAL CASSIDY TO ADDRESS MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, is in Beirut, Lebanon, where he is participating in the April 27-30 Seventh General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches on the theme "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Accompanied by staff member Fr. Johan Bonny, the cardinal will deliver a message from the Holy See.

CON-UC;...;...;BEIRUT; CASSIDY;VIS;19990428;Word: 80;

GENERAL AUDIENCE: DIALOGUE WITH JEWS

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 1999 (VIS) - In today's Wednesday general audience held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about "dialogue with the Jews."

The Holy Father indicated that, despite difficulties over the years in relations with the Jews, there have also been "moments of peaceful and constructive dialogue."
The history of salvation "is illuminated by an immense multitude of saintly individuals whose lives bear testimony to their faith in the life to come. ... The courageous testimony of faith should characterize the collaboration between Christians and Jews in proclaiming and applying God's plan of salvation of the human race. If this plan is interpreted differently as regards the acceptance of Christ, then this naturally presupposes a decisive separation but it does not cancel the many elements that the two faiths still have in common."

The Holy Father went on to highlight that, "above all there remains the duty of collaboration in order to promote a human condition more in keeping with God's divine plan. ... In recognizing God's lordship over all of creation, and especially over the earth, all believers are called upon to translate their faith into a concrete obligation to protect the sanctity of human life in all its forms and to defend the dignity of all our brothers and sisters."

John Paul II indicated that Christians and Jews "find (in the Bible) elements that are indispensable in order to live and enrich their faith. This may be seen, for example, in the Liturgy."

The Holy Father concluded: "May the memory of the sad and tragic events of the past open the way both to a renewed sense of brotherhood, the result of God's grace, and commitment in order that the infectious seeds of anti-Judaism and anti-semitism may never again take root in the heart of man."

AG;DIALOGUE JEWS;...;...;VIS;19990428;Word: 310;

HOLY FATHER'S MESSAGE TO BISHOPS OF ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message to the pastors of the Church in Ethiopia and Eritrea, which he presented to them yesterday.

"Prevented by the outbreak of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea from easy access to one another in your own land," the Pope states in the English-language Message, "you have come to Rome in order to gather in one body as an episcopal conference." He recalls the "period of peace and friendship" between the countries following Eritrea's independence and states: "Thus the outbreak of hostilities last spring could not have been a cause of greater sorrow."

The Holy Father continues: "War brings tragedy and despair, reaping innocent victims as it destroys lives and homes, families and peoples. I repeat with urgency what I have said so many times in the past: every alternative to war must be pursued. God has blessed his children with an intelligence and creativity which can resolve tensions and conflicts, and which can succeed in building a society whose cornerstone is respect for the inalienable dignity of every human person."

John Paul II, stating that he knows "this conviction is shared by Eastern and Latin Rite Catholic faithful," adds that he also feels certain that "other Churches and ecclesial communities, ... your Muslim brothers and sisters, ... (and) followers of African traditional religions" feel likewise.

"It is your duty ... to build on these common sentiments and to encourage every initiative aimed at restoring that harmony and friendship which formerly marked the relations between your countries. The Catholic Church throughout the world supports you in this task."

"I pray for your countries and their leaders," the Pope writes in conclusion, "that the hearts of all will turn towards the paths of dialogue and peace. I renew my appeal to the international community to be of assistance in ways that fully respect your countries' independence and your peoples' dignity. A practical way to achieve this goal is the immediate implementation of the Framework of Peace proposed by the Organization of African Unity and already agreed to by the two governments."

MESS;...;...;ERITREA; ETHIOPIA;VIS;19990428;Word: 370;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Austen Robin Crapp O.F.M., as bishop of Aitape (area 18,200, population 83,000, Catholics 57,000, priests 23, religious 73), Papua New Guinea. The bishop-elect was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1934, made his first religious vows in 1953, was ordained a priest in 1959, and since 1997 has been diocesan administrator of the diocese of Aitape.

- Fr. Henk Kronenberg S.M., as bishop of Bougainville (area 9,300, population 185,000, Catholics 155,000, priests 20, religious 53), Papua New Guinea. The bishop-elect was born in Enschede, the Netherlands, in 1934, made his first religious vows in 1958, was ordained a priest in 1961, and since 1995 has been general secretary of the of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

NER;...;...;CRAPP; KRONENBERG ;VIS;19990428;Word: 120;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father received a group of seven prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (Tuscany, second group) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Alessandro Plotti of Pisa.
- Archbishop Bruno Tommasi of Lucca.
- Bishop Eugenio Binini of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli.
- Bishop Vasco Giuseppe Bertelli of Volterra.
- Bishop Giovanni De Vivo of Pescia.
- Bishop Vincenzo Savio, S.D.B., auxiliary of Livorno.
- Dom Michelangelo Riccardo M. Tiribilli, O.S.B., abbot of Monte Oliveto Maggiore.

He received today Archbishop Joseph Henry Ganda of Freetown and Bo, Sierra Leone.

AL; AP;...;...;...;VIS;19990428;Word: 90;

PRIESTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO MEET IN HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Fourth International Meeting of Priests, organized by the Congregation for the Clergy in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000, will take place in the Holy Land June 22-27, and will welcome priests from throughout the world.

The priests will meet from June 22 to 24 in Nazareth, and from June 25 to 27 in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. There are talks, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, individual confession and personal witnesses scheduled for the first three days. On June 25 and 26, there will be Masses and visits to holy places, and on Sunday, the 27th, there will be a solemn Mass with priestly ordinations.

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, explains in an interview that these international meetings "are a strong exhortation for all the faithful, who are called to pray for the holiness of priests and for vocations to the priesthood: we cannot speak of the new evangelization without good priests."

Previous international meetings of priests took place in Fatima in 1996, in Yamoussoukro in 1997 and in Guadalupe in 1998.

...;PRIESTS MEETING;...;HOLY LAND;VIS;19990427;Word: 190;

CCEE APPEALS FOR END TO CONFLICT IN KOSOVO

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 1999 (VIS) - Made public yesterday afternoon in Italian, English, French and German was an appeal from the president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE), Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, archbishop of Prague, for an end to the conflict in Kosovo. The CCEE comprises the presidents of the 34 episcopal conferences in Europe.

Following are excerpts from that appeal:

"As President of the Council of Catholic Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE), together with my brother bishops and all Christians, I am following with profound sadness and compassion the fate of the men and women who have been hit by the war in Kosovo and Serbia. Our solidarity is directed particularly to those people who are the victims of forced expulsion and suppression for the mere fact that they are of a specific nationality. Not only are the atrocious acts of violence inflicted on them during their flight a crime, but their very expulsion as such is criminal. We are aware of the struggle of conscience in those responsible among the politicians and military who have decided to use force of arms to defend unarmed people who are exposed to the blind fury of the murderer, to horrendous violence and to the systematic destruction of their homes and their land. All people - of whatever country, race or religious persuasion - have the inalienable right to a home and land."

"The appeals for peace made by those responsible for the Church, beginning with Pope John Paul II, have so far remained unheard. ... We are following with great hope the efforts of the United Nations mediators and leading Russian politicians."

"We insist in our appeal to those implicated in the armed struggle that they should consider everything possible to silence the weapons and prepare the ground for effective talks for peace."

"We thank the governments and citizens of all those countries that have not remained indifferent to the fate of exiles and refugees and have opened their own frontiers, at least for a time. They have given back the chance of a life with some human dignity."

"We feel united with all those, and especially the Muslims, who are suffering, and we invite everyone to pray for a rapid and just solution to the conflict."

OP;APPEAL KOSOVO;...;CCEE; VLK;VIS;19990427;Word: 390;

JOHN PAUL II TO BEATIFY PADRE PIO ON MAY 2

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 1999 (VIS) - On Sunday May 2, at 9:30 a.m., the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square and will proclaim as Blessed Servant of God Pio da Pietralcina (Francesco Forgione), priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

According to a note from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the faithful also gathered in St. John Lateran Square in Rome and in the town of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, opposite the church and convent of the Capuchin Friars, will join those in St. Peter's Square through a video linkup. Padre Pio lived in San Giovanni Rotondo from 1916 until his death in 1968. It was there that he founded the "House for the Relief of Suffering" in 1956.

Before the beatification ceremony in St. Peter's Square there will be a time of preparation, with songs, prayers, and readings of works of the Servant of God. At the end of Mass, the Holy Father will go to St. John Lateran Square, where he will briefly address the faithful present, pray the Regina Coeli and impart the apostolic blessing.

Images of the new Blessed, hanging on the facades of both St. John Lateran and St. Peter's, will be unveiled after the beatification rite and, following that, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar general for Rome, will celebrate Mass at St. John. At the end of Mass there, as the faithful await the arrival of the Holy Father, his earlier homily will be transmitted by television.

OCL;PADRE PIO BEATIFICATION;...;...;VIS;19990427;Word: 260;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Jesus E. Catala Ibanez, auxiliary of Valencia, as bishop of Alcala de Henares (area 2,586, population 725,000, Catholics 640,000, priests 184, religious 607), Spain.

- Bishop Francesco Pio Tamburrino of Teggiano-Policastro, Italy, as secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, elevating him to the dignity of archbishop.

NER; NA;...;...;CATALA; TAMBURRINO ;VIS;19990427;Word: 60;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Paulos Tzadua, archbishop emeritus of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
- Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, C.S., apostolic nuncio in Ethiopia and Eritrea; apostolic delegate in Djibouti.
- A group of ten prelates from Ethiopia and Eritrea:
- Bishop Kidane-Mariam Teklehaimanot of Adigrat, Ethiopia.
- Bishop Luca Milesi, O.F.M.Cap., of Barentu, Eritrea.
- Bishop Tesfamariam Bedho of Keren, Eritrea.
- Bishop Domenico Crescentino Marinozzi, O.F.M.Cap., apostolic vicar of Soddo-Hosanna, Ethiopia.
- Bishop Yohannes Woldegiorgis, apostolic vicar of Meki, Ethiopia.
- Bishop Woldetensae Ghebreghiorgis, apostolic vicar of Harar, Ethiopia.
- Bishop Lorenzo Ceresoli, M.C.C.I., apostolic vicar of Awasa, Ethiopia.
- Bishop Leonardus Dobbelaar, C.M., apostolic vicar of Nekemte, Ethiopia.
- Bishop Berhane-Yesus Demerew Souraphiel, C.M., "sede vacante" apostolic administrator of Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
- Fr. Theo van Ruyven C.M., apostolic prefect of Jimma-Bonga, Ethiopia.

AP;...;...;... ;VIS;19990427;Word: 180;

PRESENTATION OF INITIATIVES FOR JUBILEE YEAR 2000

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 1999 (VIS) - On Friday April 30 at 11:30 a.m. at the Holy See Press Office, there will be a presentation of some initiatives for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. Cardinal Roger Etchegaray and Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, respectively president and secretary of the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee, are among some those scheduled to speak at the press conference.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 24, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Salvador Emilio Riveron Cortina as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of San Cristobal de La Habana (area 7,542, population 3,010,000, Catholics 1,375,000, priests 129, religious 352), Cuba. The bishop-elect was born in Florida, Cuba, in 1948, was ordained a priest in 1982, and since 1996 has been episcopal vicar and parish priest for the forementioned archdiocese.

- Fr. Wlodzimierz Roman Juszczak, O.S.B.M., as bishop of the eparchy of Wroclaw-Gdansk (Catholics 53,000, priests 23, religious 14), Poland. The bishop-elect was born in Legnica, Poland, in 1957, made his perpetual vows in 1983, was ordained a priest in 1983, and since 1994 has been provincial superior of the Order of St. Basil the Great and pastor of Warsaw.

- Fr. Tadeusz Pikus as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Warsaw (area 3,350, population 1,526,000, Catholics 1,457,050, priests 1,004, religious 3,249), Poland. The bishop-elect was born in Zbiele, Poland, in 1949, was ordained a priest in 1971, and is currently dean of fundamental theology at the Metropolitan Seminary of Warsaw.

- Fr. Grzegorz Balcerek as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Poznan (area 9,700, population 1,624,000, Catholics 1,559,500, priests 1,084, religious 2,163), Poland. The bishop-elect was born in Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Poland, in 1954, was ordained a priest in 1979, and is currently pastor of San Stanislao Kostka in Poznan, and dean of the Sociology of Religion at the Faculty of Theology of the Adam Mickiezicz University in Poznan.

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HOLY FATHER TO VISIT TOR VERGATA UNIVERSITY THURSDAY

VATICAN CITY, APR 24, 1999 (VIS) - On Thursday April 29, the Pope will visit the Roman University of Tor Vergata, where at 11 a.m. he will meet with students, academic staff and university personnel in the square in front of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.

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POPE GREETS CATHOLIC SCHOOL MARATHON PARTICIPANTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 24, 1999 (VIS) - This morning at 10 Pope John Paul, speaking from his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square, addressed the thousands of young boys and girls participating in the "Spring Marathon," organized by the Association of Catholic Schools of Rome.

"The word 'spring'," said the Pope, "indicates the reawakening of nature and the will to live; the word 'marathon', on the other hand, evokes the dynamism of change and growth. These are precisely the characteristics of youth. May your friendly event, as it goes through the streets of the city with a message of trust and fraternity, contribute to realizing a world where violence is banned and solidarity and peace reign."

The Holy Father concluded, speaking of the "problems regarding Catholic schools," which he said he is closely following and which he hopes are resolved by leaders "for the good of the entire civic and ecclesial community."

AC;MARATHON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS;...;...;VIS;19990426;Word: 160;

DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS, INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF PRIESTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 25, 1999 (VIS) - In remarks preceding the recitation of the Regina Coeli, the Pope spoke of his "joy (this morning) at conferring priestly ordination on 31 deacons from the diocese of Rome, ... a great gift for the Roman ecclesial community and for the universal Church."

He then pointed to the celebration today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, of "the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, whose theme this year is 'The Father calls to eternal life'. ... God continues to show Himself as a Father through those persons who witness, by word and deed, sometimes to the point of martyrdom, their resolute dedication to the service of their fellow man."
"The Fourth International Meeting of Priests," the Holy Father affirmed in concluding, "organized by the Congregation for the Clergy in the Holy Land from June 22 to 27, will be a privileged occasion for the priests of all nations walk together towards the Great Jubilee and to enter the new millennium with renewed fidelity and an ardent missionary spirit. I assure my prayers for the successful outcome of this encounter, for which I hope there will be many representatives of various nations of the continents.

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THIRTY-ONE NEW PRIESTS FOR THE DIOCESE OF ROME

VATICAN CITY, APR 25, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and conferred priestly ordination on 31 deacons from the diocese of Rome.

In the homily, the Pope asked the new priests "to be faithful to their mission, and to renew every day their 'yes' to Christ and be a sign of His love for each person."

"The Eucharist, source and summit of Christian life," he said in his talk to the ordained, "will be the crystal spring which will unceasingly nourish your spirituality as priests. From this spring you will draw strength and inspiration for your daily ministry, apostolic zeal for the work of evangelization and spiritual consolation in inevitable moments of difficulty and inner struggle. Approaching the altar, where the Sacrifice of the Cross is renewed, you will discover ever more the riches of the love of Christ and you will learn to use them in your lives."

John Paul II highlighted that it is very significant that the new ministers received the Sacrament of Holy Orders "on this Sunday of the 'Good Shepherd', in which we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations."

"The call to the priesthood is a great gift and a great mystery. It is a gift, above all for divine benevolence, because it is the fruit of grace. It is also a mystery, because vocation is linked to the depths of human awareness and freedom. With this (vocation)," concluded the Pope, "begins the dialogue of love which day after day molds the personality of the priest through a path of formation begun in the family, which continues in the seminary and is extended right through his lifetime."

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THE WORLD NEEDS WITNESSES TO THE GOSPEL OF CHARITY

VATICAN CITY, APR 25, 1999 (VIS) - Today, after praying the Regina Coeli, John Paul II told the faithful in St. Peter's Square that "in the face of the great sufferings in today's world, and in particular those caused by war, it is more than ever necessary to spread and witness to, in a concrete way, the Gospel of Charity."

"We can place within this context," he went on, "the meeting promoted by the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum', at which I will have the joy of presiding on Sunday, May 16. Numerous witnesses to charity will take part in this, and I will celebrate a solemn mass for them in St. Peter's Square. It will be a meaningful occasion to express the Church's encouragement for all those who devote themselves to their brothers and sisters in difficulty and who work to build a future of true peace in a society which is more fraternal and marked by greater solidarity."

ANG;CHARITY;...;...;VIS;19990426;Word: 170;

MACEDONIA: ARCHBISHOP CORDES BRINGS A DONATION FROM POPE

VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 1999 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", went to Macedonia on April 22, where he brought a donation on the Pope's behalf to aid victims of the war.

"The Macedonian government," states the communique made public today, "expressed the great esteem for what the Catholic Church is doing in this country and, among other things, for the money personally offered by the Holy Father. ... The government appreciates the Holy See's commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict, fully respecting the rights of all."

OP;TRIP MACEDONIA;...;CORDES;VIS;19990426;Word: 100;

JOINT CATHOLIC ORTHODOX COMMISSION POSTPONES MEETING DUE TO WAR

VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 1999 (VIS) - The following communique will be made public jointly today by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Holy See Press Office. Addressed to the Catholic members of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, it is signed by Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy and Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, co-chairmen.

"The Co-Chairmen, taking into consideration the present critical situation and the hostilities in Europe, have decided of common accord to postpone the scheduled meeting of the International Joint Commission for The Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, from June 6 to 15 1999, in Baltimore, (United States), to the year 2000 (June 6-15), for a better participation and for the benefit of this dialogue, while praying fervently in the Risen Lord for a peaceful and satisfactory to the tragic situation."

CON-UC;JOINT COMMISSION;...;CASSIDY; STYLIANOS;VIS;19990426;Word: 160;

CARDINAL JAVIERRE ORTAS CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Pope John Paul, written in Latin and dated March 24, 1999, to Cardinal Antonio Maria Javierre Ortas, S.D.B., on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on April 24. Congratulating him on his golden priestly jubilee, the Pope highlighted the cardinal's long years of service to the Church in diverse ministries.

JPII-LETTER;GOLDEN JUBILEE;...;JAVIERRE ORTAS;VIS;19990426;Word: 80;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Ariel Sharon, foreign affairs minister of Israel, accompanied by his wife and entourage.
- Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, archbishop of Florence, Italy, on his "ad limina" visit.
- Four prelates from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on their "ad limina" visit (Ontario):
- Bishop Eugene Philippe LaRocque of Alexandria-Cornwall.
- Bishop John Michael Sherlock of London, with his auxiliary, Bishop Richard Grecco.
- Bishop Andre Vallee oF Hearst. - Archbishop Hector Gonzalez Martinez of Antequera, Oaxaca, Mexico.
- A group of ten prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (Tuscany region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Gaetano Bonicelli of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino.
- Bishop Alberto Ablondi of Livorno.
- Bishop Alberto Giglioli of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza.
- Bishop Simone Scatizzi of Pistoia.
- Bishop Luciano Giovannetti of Fiesole.
- Bishop Edoardo Ricci of San Miniato.
- Bishop Giacomo Babini of Grosseto.
- Bishop Gastone Simoni of Prato.
- Bishop Gualtiero Bassetti of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepulcro.
- Bishop Mario Meini of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbatello.

On Saturday April 24, he also received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.
- Archbishop Luis Robles Diaz, apostolic nuncio in Cuba.
- Archbishop Romeo Panciroli, apostolic nuncio.
- Bishop Sergio Goretti of Assisi, Italy, on his "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop Julian Voronovsky of Sambir-Drohobych of the Ukraines, Ukraine.
- Elliot Latevi-Atcho Lawson, ambassador of Togo, on a farewell visit.
- Professor Andrzej Rottermund, Poland, and his entourage.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- A group of seven prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference of their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Giuseppe Chiaretti of Perugia-Citta della Pieve.
- Archbishop Riccardo Fontana of Spoleto-Norcia.
- Bishop Decio Lucio Grandoni of Orvieto-Todi.
- Bishop Franco Gualdrini of Terni-Narni-Amelia.
- Bishop Pellegrino Tommaso Ronchi of Citta di Castello.
- Bishop Pietro Bottaccioli of Gubbio.
- Bishop Arduino Bertoldo of Foligno.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;19990426;Word: 310;

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER INVITES POPE TO VISIT HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, APR 26, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration on the private audience this morning between Pope John Paul and Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon:

"(Minister Sharon) also had a meeting with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and, following that, there was a working session with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States, and Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary.

"In the meetings there was an exchange of viewpoints on the belabored peace process in the Middle East, on the conditions of the presence and activity of the Catholic Church in the country, as well as the cooperation needed in view of the celebrations of the forthcoming Jubilee Year.

"The invitation by Israeli authorities to Pope John Paul to visit soon the Holy Land was renewed."

OP;VISIT SHARON; ISRAEL;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990426;Word: 150;

JOHN PAUL II: "THE CHURCH NEEDS ART"

VATICAN CITY, APR 23, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, this morning presented the "Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Artists" at the Holy See Press Office.

The cardinal said that in this letter, the Pope includes "personal reflections from his own life, and from his own artistic experiences as a poet, writer, dramatist and artist, as well as Pontiff."

"There are three perspectives in which (he) expresses his personal dialogue with artists: on a theological level, a historical level and on an ... ethical-existential level."

With regards to the theological perspective, the cardinal affirmed that "the Most Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - fills the soul of the artist and their works."

Referring to the historical perspective, said the cardinal, the Pope recalls that in the classical world, "that which is 'beautiful' is joined with that which is 'true'." The characteristic of the Middle Ages is "the art of icons," and in Humanism and the Renaissance there is "interest in everything human, in the world and the reality of history - 'in itself, such a concern is not at all a danger for Christian faith, centered on the mystery of the Incarnation'. Finally, the modern era, with its lights and shadows, is marked by the absence of God and often by opposition to God."

Thirdly, continued the cardinal, there is the ethical-existential perspective. "The Pope invites (us), in his own words, to 'creatively penetrate the mystery of God incarnate, and at the same time, the mystery of man.' This is a true mission. 'All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make it a work of art, a masterpiece'."

Cardinal Poupard said that at the end of the letter, John Paul II states that 'the Church needs art', and that it 'must make perceptible ... the world of the spirit'. The Pontiff moreover asks the question that he himself defines as a "provocation": "Does art need the Church?" He answers that we cannot ignore the way in which artists are inspired by religion.

OP;PAPAL LETTER ARTISTS;...;POUPARD;VIS;19990423;Word: 370;

POPE INAUGURATES "PAUL VI, A LIGHT FOR ART" EXHIBITION

VATICAN CITY, APR 23, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II inaugurated at midday today the "Paul VI, A Light for Art" exhibition, organized by the Vatican Museums in the Charlemagne Wing adjacent to St. Peter's Square.

The initiative, said the Pontiff, "recalls my venerated predecessor, Servant of God Pope Paul VI, a little over 100 years after his birth, and on the 25th anniversary of the founding, at his request, of the museums' collection of modern religious art."

"This exhibition wishes to illustrate the great love which the unforgettable pontiff had for art, and the important place which that same art occupied in his petrine ministry."

The Pope thanked God for "the opportunity to add my voice to the witness of respect, esteem and trust of my venerated predecessor for artists from all over the world. I wished to dedicate a specific letter to them, which will be made public today."

"If it is true that artistic genius can create eminent works, even without taking faith into consideration, it is however a fact that, if one adds the intimate experience of communion with God to natural talent, the message which springs forth is even richer and deeper."

The Holy Father expressed the hope that the exhibition "might have a double objective: that of helping to better understand the value of art in the context of the new evangelization and to highlight the significant role of Pope Paul VI in the advancement of art, as an invaluable contribution to the spread of the Gospel."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 23, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Luis Quinteiro Fiuza as auxiliary bishop of Santiago de Compostela (area 8,546, population 1,288,822, Catholics 1,185,700, priests 912, religious 749), Spain. The bishop-elect was born in Villa de Cruces, Spain, in 1947, was ordained a priest in 1971, and since 1997 has been rector of the Major Seminary of Santiago de Compostela.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 23, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Francisco Fadul, prime minister of Guinea Bissau, and his entourage.
- Bishop Joseph Anthony Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States of America, together with Bishop Wilton Daniel Gregory of Belleville, vice-president, and Msgr. Dennis M. Schnurr, secretary general.
- Cardinal Jose T. Sanchez.
- Archbishop Piero Biggio, apostolic nuncio in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway.
- A group of nine prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (second group, Sicily region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Giuseppe Costanzo of Siracusa.
- Archbishop Luigi Bommarito of Catania.
- Archbishop Giovanni Marra of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Francesco Sgalambro.
- Bishop Angelo Rizzo of Ragusa.
- Bishop Giuseppe Maladrino of Noto.
- Bishop Ignazio Zambito of Patti.
- Bishop Vincenzo Manzella of Caltagirone.
- Bishop Salvatore Gristina of Acrireale.

He is scheduled to meet later this evening with Archbishop Tarciscio Bertone, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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POPE JOHN PAUL II'S LETTER TO ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 23, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul's Letter to Artists, dated Easter Sunday. April 4, 1999 was released today in Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Polish.

The Pope addresses the 16-chapter Letter "To all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new 'epiphanies' of beauty so that through their creative work as artists, they may offer these as gifts to the world."

In the first chapter, "The artist, image of God the Creator," he states that his intention is to continue the Church's 2,000-year old "fruitful dialogue" with artists, a dialogue "rooted in the very essence of both religious experience and artistic creativity. ... The human craftsman mirrors the image of God as Creator. ... The one who creates bestows being itself. ... The craftsman, by contrast, uses something that already exists, to which he gives form and meaning."

The work of artists, the Holy Father continues in "The special vocation of the artist," "becomes a unique disclosure of their own being, of what they are and of how they are what they are. ... the history of art, therefore, is ... also a history of men and women."

Chapter Three addresses "The artistic vocation in the service of beauty," and says: "In a certain sense, beauty is the visible form of the good, just as good is the metaphysical condition of beauty." The Pope points out that "the artist has a special relationship to beauty," and "the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it at the service of their neighbor, and of humanity as a whole."

He develops this theme of the duty to use talent in the chapter dedicated to "The artist and the common good," writing: "There is therefore an ethic, even a 'spirituality' of artistic service, which contributes in its way to the life and renewal of a people."

In the following chapters, "Art and the mystery of the Word made flesh," and "A fruitful alliance between the Gospel and art," Pope John Paul looks at how, over time, all of Sacred Scripture, and the Incarnation in particular, have "fired the imagination of painters, poets, musicians, playwrights and film-makers." Of the Incarnation, he says: "In becoming man, the Son of God has introduced into human history all the evangelical wealth of the true and the good, and with this He has also unveiled a new dimension of beauty."

Three chapters are then dedicated to the origins of art of Christian inspiration, the Middle Ages and Humanism and the Renaissance. Highlighting what he terms the need of believers "to express the mysteries of faith," the Pope touches upon the various forms this took, including architecture, poetry, sacred music, icons, painting and sculpture. And he says: "Even in the changed climate of more recent centuries, when a part of society seems to have become indifferent to faith, religious art has continued on its way."

In Chapter 10, "Towards a renewed dialogue," John Paul II writes of his hopes for a renewed dialogue between the Church and artists, especially in view of the dawn of "another kind of humanism, marked by the absence of God and often by opposition to God."

In Chapter 11, "In the Spirit of the Second Vatican Council," the Pope stresses the Council Fathers appeal to artists: "This world in which we live needs beauty in order not to sink into despair. Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart."

"The Church needs art," writes the Pope in the next chapter. And in the following one he asks: "Does art need the Church?" He answers the question affirmatively, saying: "How then can we fail to see what a great source of inspiration is offered by that kind of homeland of the soul that is religion?"

The final three chapters are entitled "An appeal to artists," "The Creator Spirit and artistic inspiration" and "The 'Beauty' that saves."

While assuring artists of his esteem, the Holy Father writes: "Mine is an invitation to rediscover the depth of the spiritual and religious dimension which has been typical of art in his noblest form in every age."

Pope John Paul II concludes: "May the beauty which you pass on to generations still to come be such that it will stir them to wonder! Faced with the sacredness of life and of the human person, and before the marvels of the universe, wonder is the only appropriate attitude."

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ADDRESS TO CANADIAN BISHOPS ON YOUTH PASTORAL MINISTRY

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning received the bishops of the apostolic region of Quebec, Canada, including Montreal's two new auxiliaries and the Maronite and Melkite ordinaries, and focussed his talk to them on the importance of youth pastoral ministry.

Addressing the prelates in French, the Pope congratulated them for their "efforts ... in proposing the faith to young people in a renewed and concerted way."

He highlighted the family's role in passing the faith on to children: "Being awakened to the faith within the family is of capital importance. ... The family has an irreplaceable and specific role in (a child's) human and spiritual formation. Childhood is an important period for the discovery of human, moral and spiritual values. And as you yourself have admitted, it is often an occasion for parents to ask themselves about their own faith, their attachment to Christ and the conformity of their lives with the Gospel."

Addressing the difficulties often encountered by those responsible for youth ministry, John Paul II encouraged them "not to despair if they do not immediately see the fruits of their work. ... In today's society, ... young people carry within them questions and sufferings which are marked by personal and social behavior which can disconcert those close to them, notably the phenomena of violence and drugs, as well as suicidal behavior. ... Education requires infinite patience and a loving closeness."

"Young people, "he went on, "need educators and spiritual directors who are competent, wise and sensitive in their ways of leading (youth)." In fact, the Pope said he "could not recommend too highly to priests, consecrated persons and lay people working in this ministry to propose to young people the experience of a spiritual director."

"So that young people might grow in their faith," stated Pope John Paul, "it would be good to assure them of a place and give them their share of responsibility, not only in groups their age, but also within the heart of local communities.. ... In your dioceses, large gatherings or even smaller groups are regularly organized to help young people to reflect on their emotional lives and on the vocation to marriage, transmitting to them the meaning and the value of human sexuality. ... In a world where the family unit is fragile and where many wounds deeply affect young people, ... the Church has the duty to educate them to an emotional life built on healthy human and moral values."

The Holy Father's concluding remarks were dedicated to what he termed "one of the primordial dimensions of the episcopal ministry, ... the pastoral ministry for vocations to the priesthood, which must be constantly organized and developed, thanks to priests and to solid and dynamic and laity, while taking care to give young priests, who can be models and examples, an active role in this sphere."

"Jesus calls certain young men and women to follow Him," stated the Pope, "in a more exclusive manner and to dedicate themselves totally to Him in the religious life. ... This call of Christ's to the consecrated life is an eloquent witness for today's world, reminding us that true happiness comes from Christ and the freedom of the human person cannot be separated from either the truth or from God."

AL;YOUTH;...;CANADA;VIS;19990422;Word: 520;

AUDIENCE FOR WRITERS AT "LA CIVILTA CATTOLICA" MAGAZINE

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope received at midday today the writers of the Jesuit-run Italian magazine, "La Civilta Cattolica" (Catholic Civilization), who are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the magazine's founding.

John Paul II highlighted its "total adherence, even if it is sometimes difficult, to Holy See teaching and directives, and the love and veneration for the Pope" during these years.

"Among the magazine's merits, I would like to point out the promptness with which it welcomed the renewal of the Church undertaken by the Second Vatican Council, and the commitment to make known to a vast readership the (Council's) events, the questions discussed and its documents."

The Holy Father encouraged the writers to be interpreters of the Council teachings, "particularly on subjects such as Christology, Ecclesiology and the Magisterium of the Church, the role of the laity and the specificity of Christianity in inter-religious dialogue, religious freedom, the relationship between cultures and ecumenism, instruments of mass communication and their problematic impact on the mentality and behavior of people today."

The "great transformations" of the present day require "a courageous commitment to educate (people) in a strong adult faith, able to give meaning to life, and which resists attacks of an often secularized culture."

The Pope highlighted that "'La Civilta Cattolica' is called to contribute to the overcoming of the separation of faith and modern culture, and between faith and moral behavior."

Having referred to "social injustice" and the "power of money and an uncontrolled global economy," which put difficulties in the way of "welcoming the Gospel message," the Pontiff encouraged the magazine to continue in its role of "spreading the social doctrine of the Church, which the changes in society and the world of work made ever more current and urgent."

AC;LA CIVILTA CATTOLICA;...;...;VIS;19990422;Word: 300;

POPE TO NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATES: PEACE IS NOT A DREAM

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 1999 (VIS) - "Peace is not a dream" were John Paul II's words of welcome to Nobel Peace Prize laureates, received this morning in audience in the Vatican.

The Nobel winners, currently taking part in a series of meetings organized by The Gorbachev Foundation, are: Mikhail Gorbachev, Shimon Peres, Frederik De Klerk, David Trimble, Rigoberta Menchu, Betty Williams and Joseph Rotblat.

In his speech, the Holy Father emphasized that the peace issue is at the heart of political life. "Your meeting," he said, "is taking place at an especially tragic moment for Europe. How can we fail to renew a vigorous appeal for an end to ethnic conflicts in the Balkans and the clash of arms, for a return to dialogue and respect for the dignity of all persons and all communities, in the name of fundamental human rights! Nor can we forget the human tragedies occurring in so many areas of the world, especially in Africa and Asia."

"Coming together as you do from different cultures and nations," continued the Pontiff, "your meeting is a sign that peace can only come about when we move beyond move beyond visions of man and society based on race, religion, nationalism or, more generally, based on the exclusion of others."

Referring to the imminent new millennium, the Pope added: "Humanity needs to be encouraged to advance decisively along the paths of real and lasting peace and to build a civilization based on the desire for a coexistence which respects the diversity of people, their histories, their cultures and their spiritual traditions. Rather than feeding new antagonisms, globalization must lead to a rejection of armed conflict, narrow nationalism and all forms of violence."

"Peace is not a vague idea or a dream; it is a reality which must be painstakingly constructed day after day through the efforts of all."

"Those who seek to be peacemakers should be strongly supported, since their efforts are aimed at creating a better life for everyone, a society in which each person has his or her place and in which all can live in peace and harmony, developing the gifts received from the Creator."

AC;PEACE;...;NOBEL PRIZE;VIS;19990422;Word: 360;

INAUGURATION TOMORROW OF EXHIBITION ON PAUL VI AND ART

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, this morning presented at the Holy See Press Office, the exhibition "Paul VI - A Light for Art," organized by the Vatican Museums.

Cardinal Szoka explained that the exhibition will open to the public tomorrow afternoon in the Charlemagne Wing, at the left colonnade of St. Peter's Square, until June 12. Ninety-five portraits of the Pope done by 37 artists will be on display, he said, adding that the show's catalog "offers, through pictures and writings, a beautiful witness to the relationship between the Pontiff and the world of art."

The exhibition, added Francesco Buranelli, regent director general of the Museums, "is a homage to Pope Paul VI's great love for art, and a 'thank you' to contemporary artists who responded to his interest, generating in those years the rebirth of an art which would present once again the great theme of religiosity in its broadest sense."

"The passion which Paul VI had for the arts was abundantly reciprocated because the portrait art regarding him is immense and has an infinite number of facets. This exhibition, on the occasion of the first centenary of his birth (1897), clearly highlights this. If the work on show is a selection of the most important paintings, sculptures and drawings, the complete list of his portraits numbers six-hundred, which gives an idea of the emotional impact which the personality of this Pontiff and his sensitive noble figure had on artists."

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JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF GUATEMALA

VATICAN CITY, APR 22, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office at midday today issued the following communique: "Today, Thursday April 22, His Holiness John Paul II received in audience President Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen of the Republic of Guatemala.

"Subsequently, he met with His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State.

"In the course of the meeting, the reconciliation process underway in the country and current relations between Church and State were discussed, particularly because of the restated necessity to shed light as soon as possible on the painful case of the murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi, auxiliary of Guatemala. There was also an exchange of opinion on international affairs.

"Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States and Eduardo Stein, foreign affairs minister of the Republic of Guatemala, also took part in the meeting."

OP;AUDIENCE PRESIDENT GUATEMALA;...;...;VIS;19990422;Word: 140;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Mr. Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen, president of the Republic of Guatemala, and his entourage.
- Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi, archbishop of Palermo, Italy, on his "ad limina" visit.
- A group of nine prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (first group, Sicily region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Pio Vittorio Vigo of Monreale.
- Bishop Alfredo Maria Garsia of Caltanissetta.
- Bishop Carmelo Perraro of Agrigento.
- Bishop Emanuele Catarinicchia of Mazaro del Vallo.
- Bishop Vincenzo Cirrincione of Piazza Armerina.
- Bishop Rosario Mazzola of Cefalu. - Bishop Sotir Ferrara of Piana degli Albanesi.
- Bishop Francesco Micciche of Trapani.
- Bishop Salvatore Pappalardo of Nicosia.

AP; AL;...;...;... ;VIS;19990422;Word: 110;

PAPAL LETTER TO PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW, ALEXIS II

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter written on April 18 by Pope John Paul to His Holiness Alexis II, Patriarch of Moscow and of all the Russias, on the occasion of the Orthodox patriarch's trip to Belgrade as the head of a delegation seeking to mediate a peaceful solution to the Yugoslav conflict. The delegation arrived yesterday morning in Belgrade, and departed last evening.

In the French-language Letter, of which we offer excerpts, the Holy Father affirms that in this region of the Balkans "an armed conflict is underway which is causing immense human suffering," that he has received "extremely worrisome testimonies concerning the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" and that he personally "is deeply troubled in this regard."

John Paul II writes: "I am thus comforted to learn that Your Holiness will visit the venerable Patriarch Pavle and the Serbian Church, proclaiming the Easter message of peace and expressing Christian solidarity with all the victims of the persecutions and violence which have unfortunately marked this region for so long now. It is my firm hope that those whom you will meet will welcome the message which you bring, recognizing in it the only way to reestablish peace and stability, so that all people, whatever their ethnic, religious or political origin, can live in peace with others.

"It is the duty of all who profess the Gospel of Peace to unanimously proclaim that all violence, ethnic cleansing, deportation of peoples and the exclusion of peoples from society, cannot be considered as a means to obtain civilized solutions to problems which can only be resolved by lawful procedures. Too often, violence seems to be the easiest formula to resolve difficult situations."

The Pope ends the message, asking that "the Risen Lord bless all those who have been deprived of the most basic goods, and allow peace to reign in this beloved land which has suffered for too long. May your visit be fruitful and help us to be bearers of consolation in the face of such a human tragedy!"

JPII-LETTER;ALEXIS II;...;RUSSIA ;VIS;19990421;Word: 360;

POPE EXHORTS PEACE IN COLOMBIA, KOSOVO AND AFRICAN NATIONS

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - During today's general audience, Pope John Paul made a plea for peace in Colombia and for the freedom of several persons kidnappped there, and called for an end to "the forgotten wars" which are being waged in several African nations.

Speaking Spanish, he said: "I have followed with attention the news concerning the fate of a group of persons who were kidnapped last April 12 as they travelled by plane from Bucaramanga to Bogota, several of whom are still being held against their will in northern Colombia. I wish to appeal strongly to the kidnappers to end their unjust action towards these persons, whose rights have been gravely violated, and to free them. In this way the process of reconciliation would be strengthened, a process to which this entire beloved nation is committed, and for whose result I constantly pray to the God of peace."

The Holy Father then stated that "beyond the continuing drama in Kosovo, today I wish to recall the many 'forgotten wars' which are bloodying Africa. From Angola to the Great Lakes, from Congo-Brazzaville to Sierra Leone, from Guinea Bissau to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from the Horn of Africa to Sudan, is a long and bitter succession of conflicts in and among States which strike, above all, innocent populations and upset the lives of Catholic communities. The news of the arrest of Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, in Rwanda, has caused sadness and grief."

May the voice of the Risen Christ, the Pope said in conclusion, "make itself heard by those who tenaciously resist welcoming His message of life! May He enlighten the blindness of those who persist in taking the tortuous paths of hatred and violence, convincing them to definitively choose a sincere and patient dialogue which leads to beneficial solutions for everyone!"

AG;PEACE;...;COLOMBIA; KOSOVO; AFRICA;VIS;19990421;Word: 320;

WITNESSING TO GOD THE FATHER IN INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - "Witnessing to God the Father in Dialogue with Followers of Other Religions" was the theme of John Paul II's catechesis during today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, in the presence of 25,000 pilgrims.

The Pope explained that with the Declaration "Nostra aetate" and in view of the Great Jubilee, we can reflect on "how we can witness to God the Father in dialogue with followers of other religions."

"If the Lord God of Israel is not a God among others, but is rather the One true God, He must then save all peoples. ... The conviction that God is preparing all people for salvation is the foundation of inter-religious dialogue."

The Holy Father highlighted that dialogue should not be in contrast with the proclamation (of our faith). "In reality, inter-religious dialogue is an integral part of the Church's evangelizing mission. ... However, in inter-religious dialogue it is not a question of abandoning the proclamation (of the faith), but rather of answering a divine call so that exchange and discussion lead to a mutual witness of one another's religious vision, to a deeper knowledge of one another's respective convictions and an understanding of certain fundamental values."

"Christianity," he concluded, "is the call to respect the deepest sense of the divine mystery, beyond all words and human concepts. However, it does not hesitate to witness to the personal transcendence of God, whilst it proclaims his universal loving fatherhood, which is fully manifest in the mystery of His crucified and risen Son."

AG;GOD FATHER; RELIGIONS;...;...;VIS;19990421;Word: 270;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Andre Vingt-Trois, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Paris, as metropolitan archbishop of Tours (area 6,158, population 545,500, Catholics 461,400, priests 182, religious 572), France. The archbishop-elect was born in Paris, France, in 1942, was ordained a priest in 1969, and since 1988 has been auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Paris.

NER;...;...;VINGT-TROIS ;VIS;19990421;Word: 60;

HOLY FATHER'S FIRST MEETING WITH VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATIONS

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - Today in the Holy See Press Office, Msgr. Francesco Azcona, under-secretary for the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," presented the program of the Pope's May 16 meeting with volunteers and members of associations who work in the sectors of social and charity work. The heads of thirteen of these organizations also attended the presentation.

Msgr. Azcona said that the Holy Father will preside at a solemn Mass in St. Peter's Square, where "people who have lived very different experiences and situations" will take part for the first time. Before Mass, a group of volunteers from Rwanda, Northern Ireland and the Holy Land will give witness to their experiences.

"Volunteer work," explained Cor Unum's under-secretary, "is an emerging sector of society: it covers various areas, from aid in hospitals to formation, and involves a growing number of people."

The meeting, whose theme is "Witnesses of Charity with the Pope," will be preceded by the World Meeting on Charity, which will be held in Rome from May 12 to 15.

Following Msgr. Azcona, there was an intervention by Gianpietro Cavazza, coordinator of the working group which drafted the document "Many Forms of Poverty, A Single Response: Points for Reflecting on Charity, Volunteerism and Service to People."

The aim of the six-page document is "to offer a break for reflection on the virtue of charity in relation to the mission of the Church," said Cavazza. It was drawn up by various volunteer associations from a number of countries in preparation for the May 16 meeting.

"The key to reading it," concluded Cavazza, "is the following: Christian charity, which has its origin and fulfillment in Christ, goes beyond doing good and providing assistance. ... The person can only become mature and truly fulfill themselves when there is someone who loves them. ... Charity overcomes the legalistic concept of justice: if this (justice) gives each person what is due to them, then charity does likewise. The time spent at the service of one's neighbor is the reference point for which the rest of the time will be spent, on how to use what we possess (culture, money, goods) and causes a change in relationships with family, friends and work."

OP;MEETING POPE CHARITY;...;AZCONA;VIS;19990421;Word: 380;

TELEGRAM FOR THE KILLING OF STUDENTS IN DENVER

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in the Pope's name, to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver (U.S.A.), for the killing yesterday of 25 students in one of the city's schools:

"His Holiness Pope John Paul II has been deeply shocked by news of the terrible tragedy which has caused many deaths and injuries at a school near Denver and he asks you to convey to the families and school community the assurance of his prayerful closeness at this very difficult time. He commends the victims to Almighty God and invokes divine strength and comfort on the injured and on all affected by this awful event. He expresses the earnest hope that American society as a whole will react to this latest act of violence among the young by committing itself to promoting and transmitting the moral vision and the values which alone can ensure respect for the inviolable dignity of human life."

TGR;KILLING STUDENTS;...;DENVER; SODANO; CHAPUT;VIS;19990421;Word: 180;

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, APR 20, 1999 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez, S.D.B., archbishop emeritus of Santiago de Chile, Chile, on April 9, aged 91.
- Archbishop Donato Ugo Bianchi of Urbino-Urbania-Sant'Angelo in Vado, Italy, on April 5, aged 69.
- Bishop John Linus Paschang, emeritus of Grand Island, United States of America, on March 21, aged 103.
- Bishop Manuel Antonio Pires, emeritus of Kwito-Ble, Angola, on April 3, aged 84.
- Bishop Vartan Tekeyan of Ispahan of the Armenians, Iran, on April 12, aged 78.
.../DEATHS/... VIS 990420 (90)

POPE AND THE WHOLE CHURCH PRAY FOR PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA

VATICAN CITY, APR 20, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Holy Father to Archbishop Franc Perko of Belgrade, president of the Episcopal Conference of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in which he expresses his spiritual closeness and the prayer of the whole Church for all those who suffer because of the war.

"It is with deep sorrow that I am following each and every day the worsening of the tragic humanitarian situation in the various regions of Yugoslavia, especially in Kosovo. With special affection I am particularly close to the pastors and faithful of the Catholic communities, as well as to all people of good will who are making efforts to aid those who are suffering most at this time, because they have been deprived of the love of their families, forcefully made to leave their homes and unjustly made to live far from their land.

"At the same time, I wish to assure you, by dear Brother, and all the bishops of Yugoslavia that this Apostolic See will continue in its commitment to peace, so that these people, especially those in Kosovo, who have been so sorely tried, might be spared further suffering.

"Finally, all those responsible for national and international life must be reminded that the path of dialogue is always possible and that such a way can always lead to honorable solutions among the various parties, in the respect of men and women from the same land, who are all children of the same heavenly Father.

"Such is the prayer, at this tragic time, of the entire Church, who is closer than ever to you, invoking the Lord with a single voice, that He might soon let the star of peace shine on your beloved land, in the respect for the rights of every creature of God."

JPII-LETTER;WAR YUGOSLAVIA;...;PERKO;VIS;19990420;Word: 310;

POPE ENCOURAGES RENEWED MISSIONARY ZEAL

VATICAN CITY, APR 17, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning received 500 pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Vigevano, which recently held a synod, and expressed the hope that there might be "renewed missionary enthusiasm throughout the entire diocesan community" as a fruit of the work of these last three years.

Addressing the Church community of Vigevano, John Paul II said: "Do not be daunted by the great challenges of the present day! Advance with trust on the path of the new evangelization, working with love at the service of the poor and giving courageous witness in the various realities of society today."

"During the work of the synod, you dedicated special attention to young people and the family. Continue supporting and helping families so that they become authentic communities of life and love. ... Do not spare your energy on the Christian formation of children, adolescents and young people. They need valid points of reference, therefore be examples of coherence in your human and Christian lives. Vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are born and developed in a context of faithfulness to the Gospel."

The Holy Father recalled that, during the synod there was also a concern to "bring the living proclamation of the Gospel to those who are 'far away', without being afraid of measuring yourselves against the challenges of post-modern culture." He exhorted them to continue to "use every useful instrument for this."

AC;...;...;DIOCESE VIGEVANO;VIS;19990419;Word: 240;

NEW SAINTS LOVED CHRIST IN NEEDIEST BROTHERS AND SISTERS

VATICAN CITY, APR 18, 1999 (VIS) - During the Mass this morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope canonized Blesseds Marcellin Joseph Benoit Champagnat, Giovanni Calabria and Agostina Livia Pietrantoni.

The new saints, said the Holy Father in his homily, "adored and welcomed Christ in the Eucharist, loved him in their most needy brothers and sisters, recognized the imprints of his plan of salvation in the events of daily life."

St. Marcellin, French priest of the Society of Mary, founder of the Institute of the Little Brothers of Mary (Marist Brothers of the Schools), "was sensitive to the spiritual and educational needs of his time, especially concerning religious ignorance and situations of abandonment which youth knew particularly well." He added that "Fr. Champagnat is also a model for parents and teachers, he helps them to look at young people with hope, and to love them totally, encouraging a true human, moral and spiritual formation."

John Paul II said that, in St. Giovanni Calabria, Italian priest and founder of the Congregations of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence (male and female branches), "shine forth ardent faith, true charity, a spirit of sacrifice, love of poverty, zeal for souls and faithfulness to the Church."

Referring to the Italian St. Agostina, of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jeanne Anthide Thouret, virgin, he said: "The Gospel ideal of love for one's neighbor, particularly for the most needy, the sick and the abandoned, also led Agostina to holiness. ... Ready to make any sacrifice, and as a heroic witness of charity, she paid with her own blood the price of faithfulness to Love."

At the end of Mass, and before praying the Regina Coeli, the Pope said: "Mary, whom we invoke as Queen of Peace, in these days of great concern for the conflict in Yugoslavia, give us the precious gift of peace especially for that beloved martyred land which is suffering. May the strength of peaceful co-existence and dialogue prevail over ethnic cleansing and the violence of arms!"

HML;CANONIZATION;...;...;VIS;19990419;Word: 350;

EXHIBITION ON PAUL VI AND LETTER FROM POPE TO ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 17, 1999 (VIS) - On Thursday April 22 at 11:30 a.m., Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, will present at the Holy See Press Office the exhibition "Paul VI - A Light for Art."

On Friday April 23 at 10:30 a.m., Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will present at the Holy See Press Office "John Paul II's Letter to Artists."

OP;PRESS CONFERENCES;...;SZOKA; POUPARD;VIS;19990419;Word: 80;

HOLY SEE INTERVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

VATICAN CITY, APR 17, 1999 (VIS) - Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, Holy See Permanent Observer to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, spoke the afternoon of April 15 in Geneva on the rights of children at the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Addressing the assembly in French, the nuncio recalled that "on November 10, 1989, the (U.N.) General Assembly unanimously approved the Convention on the Rights of Children," the result of years of work by the international community, starting with its first Declaration on the Rights of Children in 1924. He also recalled that "the Holy See ... had actively participated, right from the start, in the discussion and drafting" of this Convention.

Archbishop Bertello pointed out that the Human Rights Commission in recent years "had created two work groups, charged with preparing two ... optional protocols concerning the use of children in armed conflicts, and the sale of, prostitution of and pornography involving children as well as the basic necessary measures to prevent and eliminate these practices." Adopting such protocols, he added, "would be ... a gesture of solidarity and commiseration."
The archbishop stressed how "tens of thousands of children are used as soldiers in armed conflicts. ... If it is true that some have been enlisted through force or coerced by threats against their families or relatives, it is also true that others adhere 'voluntarily' because they believe that they will be protected. ... The consequences are dramatic: these children are deprived of their childhood and a normal education to which they have a right."

"Adopting an optional protocol in this field would assume a fundamental and, in the opinion of the Holy See, urgent importance for the protection of children, especially the poorest and most defenseless."

Archbishop Bertello closed by renewing the Holy See's support for the two protocols, saying "they would be an efficacious and appropriate step and would undoubtedly give an inestimable enrichment to the text of the Convention."

DELSS;RIGHTS CHILDREN;...;GENEVA; BERTELLO;VIS;19990419;Word: 320;

CARDINAL THIANDOUM CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTHOOD

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Latin-language letter from Pope John Paul to Cardinal Hyacinthe Thiandoum, archbishop of Dakar, Senegal, upon the celebration yesterday of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The letter was dated February 24, the same day on which Cardinal Thiandoum was ordained a bishop in 1962.

In his felicitations to the cardinal, the Holy Father greeted "not only the beloved Catholic community of Dakar, where you were born, ... but the entire country of Senegal."

JPII-LETTER;ANNIVERSARY;...;SENEGAL; THIANDOUM;VIS;19990419;Word: 100;

POPE INVITES ALL TO IMITATE THE EXAMPLE OF THREE SAINTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 1999 (VIS) - At noon today in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II received 11,000 pilgrims who came for yesterday canonization ceremony. Speaking of the three new saints, he said: "Let us deepen their charisms, let us assimilate the spirit which they left as their legacy, and let us imitate their example, and the peace of Christ will reign in our hearts!"

The Pope invited all to give thanks to God "for Fr. Champagnat's many disciples who faithfully lived their mission to the witness of martyrdom. We especially recall the eleven brothers, witnesses of truth and charity, who died tragically in the last five years in Algeria, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

"Evangelical charity was the virtue which most characterized the life of St. Giovanni Calabria," continued the Holy Father. "A Jewish lady doctor, whom he hid amongst his Sisters to save her from Nazi fascists, witnessed that each moment of his life was a personification of St. Paul's hymn to love."

Lastly, speaking of St. Agostina Livia Pietrantoni, the Pope called for her example "to give enthusiasm to the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Antide and to encourage them to give an ardent witness to that charity which is the synthesis of divine law and is the link of all perfection."

AC;CANONIZATION;...;... ;VIS;19990419;Word: 230;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Ottorino Pietro Alberti of Cagliari, Italy, on his "ad limina" visit.
- Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
- A group of 10 prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (Sardinia region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Pier Giuliano Tiddia of Oristano.
- Archbishop Salvatore Isgro of Sassari.
- Bishop Antioco Pisseddu of Lanusei.
- Bishop Pietro Meloni of Nuoro.
- Bishop Antonino Orru of Ales Terralba.
- Bishop Arrigo Miglio of Ivrea, up to now bishop of Iglesias.
- Bishop Antonio Vacca of Alghero-Bosa.
- Bishop Paolo Atzei of Tempo-Ampurias.
- Bishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti of Ozieri.
- Bishop Tarcisio Pillolla, auxiliary of Cagliari.

On Saturday, April 17, he received in separate audiences:

- Three prelates from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Quebec, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Raymond Dumais of Gaspe.
- Bishop Francois Lapierre P.M.E., of Saint-Hyacinthe.
- Bishop Sleiman Hajjar B.S., of Saint-Sauveur de Montreal of the Greek Melkites.
- Archbishop Carlo Curis, apostolic nuncio.
- Frantisek X. Halas, ambassador of the Czech Republic, with his family, on a farewell visit.
- Archbishop Francesco Monterisi, secretary of the Congregation for Bishops.

AL; AP;...;...;...;VIS;19990419;Word: 200;

WORLD CONGRESS ON CHARITY TO BE HELD IN MAY

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - "And Above All These Put on Love - Many Forms of Poverty, One Single Response" is the theme of the World Congress on Charity which will be held in Rome from May 12 to 15, and which will end with Mass presided by the Pope on Sunday May 16 in St. Peter's Square.

The congress, promoted by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will be inaugurated by its president, Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes. Some of the themes to be discussed are: "The Needs of Humanity as a Sign of the Times"; "Biblical and Theological Foundations of Charitable Works"; "The Experience of Charity and the Social Doctrine of the Church"; "Charity as an Instrument of Reconciliation."

CON-CU;WORLD CONGRESS CHARITY;...;CORDES;VIS;19990416;Word: 120;

POPE TO MEET MAY 16 WITH VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATIONS

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - There will be a press conference on Wednesday, April 21, at 12 noon in the Holy See Press Office to present the Holy Father's meeting with volunteer associations, which will take place May 16 with the title "Witnesses of Charity with the Pope."

The document "Many Forms of Poverty, A Single Response: Points for Reflecting on Charity, Volunteerism and Service to People" will also be presented. This has been put together by various volunteer organizations in Italy and abroad.

Msgr. Francisco Azcona San Martin, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" and Fr. Antonio Ceccone of Italian Caritas will be present, as will leaders of various volunteer associations.

OP;VOLUNTEERISM;...;AZCONA;VIS;19990416;Word: 120;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Felix Genn as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Trier (area 12,870, population 2,368,000, Catholics 1,667,048, priests 1,269, religious 3,364), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Burgbrohl, Germany, in 1950, was ordained a priest in 1976, and since 1997 has been rector of the St. Lambert House of Studies for adult vocations in Burg Lantershofen.

- Msgr. Werner Thissen, as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Munster (area 15,286, population 4,347,345, Catholics 2,094,458, priests 1,394, religious 4,374), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Kleve, Germany, in 1938, was ordained a priest in 1966, and since 1986 has been vicar general for the diocese of Munster.

NEA;...;...;GENN; THISSEN ;VIS;19990416;Word: 100;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Paolo Romeo, apostolic nuncio in Canada.
- Eight prelates from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Quebec, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Martin Veillette of Trois Rivieres.
- Bishop Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V., of Saint-Jean-Longueuil.
- Bishop Pierre Morissette of Baie-Comeau.
- Bishop Gilles Lussier of Joliette.
- Bishop Clement Fecteau of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere.
- Bishop Gilles Cazabon, O.M.I., of Saint-Jerome, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Vital Masse.
- Bishop Joseph Khoury of Saint-Maron of Montreal of the Maronites.
- A group of ten prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (second group from Puglia region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Carmelo Cassati, M.S.C., of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie. - Archbishop Giuseppe Casale of Foggia-Bovino.
- Archbishop Andrea Mariano Magrassi, O.S.V., of Bari-Bitonto, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Luciano Bux.
- Archbishop Vincenzo d'Addario of Manfredonia-Vieste.
- Bishop Domenico Padovano of Conversano-Monopoli.
- Bishop Francesco Zerrillo of Lucera-Troia.
- Bishop Raffaele Calabro of Andria.
- Bishop Michele Seccia of San Severo.
- Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Oria.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;19990416;Word: 180;

POPE TO TRAVEL TO POLAND FROM JUNE 5 TO 17

VATICAN CITY, APR 15, 1999 (VIS) - From June 5 to 17 John Paul II will go on his eighth pastoral trip to Poland, where he is due to visit nineteen places and speak on twenty-nine occasions. This is also his 87th trip outside of Italy.

The Pope will leave Rome's Fiumicino International Airport on June 5 at 8:45 a.m. and will return to Ciampino airport on June 17 at 4 p.m.

Among the events scheduled during this papal trip are the beatification of 108 martyrs from the Second World War, the canonization of Blessed Cunegunda, a Poor Clare Sister, and a visit, on the last day, to the graves of his family members.

The Holy Father will travel to the following 19 places in his native land: Gdansk, Pelplin, Elblag, Lichen, Bydgoszcz, Torun, Elk, Wigry, Siedlce, Drohiczyn, Warsaw, Sandomierz, Zamosc, Lowicz, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Gliwice, Stary Sacz and Wadowice.

His previous pastoral trips to Poland were June 2-10, 1979; June 16-23, 1983; June 8-14, 1987; June 1-9, 1991; August 13-16, 1991 for World Youth Day; May 22, 1995, during a trip to the Czech Republic and May 31-June 10, 1997.

JPII-TRIP;POLAND;...;...;VIS;19990415;Word: 170;

DECLARATION ON ARREST OF RWANDAN BISHOP

VATICAN CITY, APR 15, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls this morning made the following declaration:

"It was with great pain and sorrow that the Holy See learned the news of the arrest yesterday, Wednesday April 14, 1999 at the gates of Kigali, of Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, Rwanda.

"The prelate was due to take part in a meeting of bishops which was called following the declarations made by the president of the Republic of Rwanda, Pasteur Bizimungu, who on the occasion of the celebration of the 'fifth anniversary of the genocide', held last April 7, had publicly accused the local Church, and in particular, Bishop Misago, of complicity in known ethnic crimes.

"In a communique made public yesterday, the same Rwandan episcopal conference stated that, as he has done in the past, Bishop Misago will respond to the court so that the truth of the facts may be established.

"The arrest of a bishop is an extremely serious act which wounds not only the Church in Rwanda but the entire Catholic Church.

"Relations between the Republic of Rwanda and the Holy are deeply troubled by this.

"It is hoped that the bishop be assured of all legal guarantees in a climate of respect for persons and facts, and that his innocence might be rapidly proven."

OP;ARREST BISHOP RWANDA;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990415;Word: 220;

COMMUNIQUE ON PLANS FOR NEW MOSQUE IN NAZARETH

VATICAN CITY, APR 15, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of a declaration made yesterday afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on the announcement of the building of a mosque in Nazareth, Israel:

"Some days ago, the patriarchs of Jerusalem, the Custos of the Friars Minor, and the leaders of Christian communities issued a communique in which they expressed their concern for the violence in Nazareth following the announcement of the construction of a mosque. In this communique, the Christian religious authorities also called on the Israeli government to assume its responsibility and to take adequate measures to reestablish order and security and to preserve the sacred character of the city of the Annunciation.

"The Holy See obviously upholds the reasons outlined in the forementioned communique.

"The proposal to build a mosque in the square in front of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth was put forward by people who were not from the place itself, and represents, according to many observers, a provocation.

"Today, the apostolic nuncio in Israel, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, communicated the Holy See concerns regarding this question.

"I can, however, deny that the Holy Father wrote a letter to the Israeli authorities in this regard."

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PAPAL WISHES FOR 75TH SACRED HEART CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY DAY

VATICAN CITY, APR 15, 1999 (VIS) - On the occasion of the 75th Sacred Heart Catholic University Day, Pope John Paul expressed his "cordial esteem" to Sergio Zaninelli, rector of the Milan university, in a letter written by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

The letter, published today, accompanied a monetary gift. It highlighted the theme of the forthcoming day: "Investing in Culture. 75 Years of Looking Towards the Future."

"Over these past decades," Cardinal Sodano writes, "Sacred Heart Catholic University, faithful to its academic vocation, has promoted scientific research and the formation of new generations and, firmly anchored to the Christian identity, has always considered its activity as a service to the Church and the Gospel. In such a way, it has been able to become the proper place for the search for a harmonious synthesis between faith and reason, realizing one of the typical aims of the academic institution, that of helping people to progress on the path towards truth."

The cardinal then lists what he calls four "characteristics" or "objectives" of Sacred Heart Catholic University: "the consolidation of its bond with the Church and with her cultural and social presence"; its role "as a protagonist at the center of an international network of exchanges and relationships"; its duty to "not merely transmit content and methods, but to make an systematic commitment to communicate values" and the need for innovative ongoing formation to meet new challenges "in the cultural, production and territorial contexts."

In closing remarks, Cardinal Sodano writes: "To harmonize human and scientific research with the dictates of Revelation is a particularly necessary duty because, as is known, the separation between faith and reason, which marks many expressions of modern culture, has produced a dangerous impoverishment of both."

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