POPE ADDRESSES COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF MADAGASCAR

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning received Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop of Antananarivo, Madagascar, accompanied by members of the Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar, and reminisced about his trip to their country 10 years ago, especially the "fraternal encounter" with members of various Christian denominations.

"Since that time," he added, "I know that you have developed collaboration among your different communities to make more alive and true the witness of unity of the disciples of Christ in the service of their fellow countrymen. You thus make together a precious contribution to the human and spiritual development of the entire nation."

"I sincerely hope," affirmed the Pope, "that the Christians of this great island continue, with a renewed ardor, to deepen the bonds of charity and solidarity which unite them."

AC;UNITY;...;MADAGASCAR; RAZAFINDRATANDRA;VIS;19990621;Word: 140;