BURUNDI: THE POPE APPEALS FOR DEFINITIVE PEACE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 10, 1999 (VIS) - "It is my fervent desire that sincere and fruitful dialogue be established between all the inhabitants of Burundi, dialogue that results in definitive peace." These were the words of the Pope in the address he gave this morning to the prelates of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, at the end of their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope emphasized "the responsibility of Christians to work towards re-establishing peaceful and conciliatory relations between all the nation's inhabitants." He added that it is "imperative to be clearly aware that all human beings have the same dignity, merit identical respect, are equal and subject to the same rights and duties."

He continued: "I cannot but deplore the multiple cases of people sentenced to death. I also think of the large numbers of detainees who are victims of the slowness of the judicial processes. I trust the trials be rapidly concluded and an adequate defense guaranteed."

John Paul II encouraged the bishops to help their communities "to commit themselves with ever greater intensity to the task of reconstructing a new society, one based on justice, fraternal solidarity, and harmony between all its members. It is vital that, starting from primary education, all are taught moral and civic values. ... By educating in justice, you educate to peace."

"It is particularly important that Catholic lay people commit themselves in public life, in order to be 'the salt of the earth', courageously witnessing, in their daily activities, the love and justice of God."

The Pope recalled the "tragic situation" of the country in former years and said: "Once more I would like to commend the victims of violence to divine mercy and show my profound solidarity with all those who suffer the consequences of that violence."

Going on to refer to the relationship between a bishop and his clergy, the Pope added: "In order that this communion, indispensable for the life of the Church, be developed, I encourage you to become ever more united with your priests, sharing with them the joys and sorrows, the worries and hopes of their lives and ministry."

"May they reserve," he continued, talking about priests "a special place for prayer and the celebration of the sacraments, especially that of the Eucharist and the Penance, persevering in the search for an authentic personal encounter with the Lord!"

John Paul II underlined that "in order to prepare candidates to live all the demands of their priestly commitment ... human, intellectual, pastoral and spiritual formation are all very important. They must be helped to conceive of their vocation not as social advancement, rather as generous service." He concluded: "In order to face up to the difficulties of society, I invite you to ensure that the subjects of justice and peace be vigorously covered in seminaries, according to principles of the Church's social doctrine. In this way, future pastors will be ready to help the young generations to understand that justice is much more than the simple affirmation of one ethnic group over another."

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