POPE SIGNS APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION "ECCLESIA IN ASIA"

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul arrived at New Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral at 6 this evening where, in the presence of more than 300 of Asia's bishops, as well as priests religious, lay people and representatives of other Christian denominations, he signed the Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Asia."

"Like all of you," he said at the start of his homily, "I have been deeply saddened these last days by seeing all the great suffering of the people of the eastern coastal region caused by the recent cyclone. As a guest of India I wish to assure everyone of my prayers for the victims, for those who are now struggling to overcome very difficlt circumstances. I renew the appeal I have already made to the international community to give prompt and practical assistance to alleviate such suffering."

"As a pilgrim," the Holy Father continued in English, "I pay homage to the continent which is the cradle of great religious traditions and ancient civilizations. How can we not be moved by Asia's ceaseless passion for the Absolute, for what is beyond our earthly vision?"

The Pope then pointed out that the synod for Asia, which took place in Rome from April 19 to May 14, 1998, "surveyed the situation of the Church in Asia and of the entire Asian continent in the perspective of the Lord's command to preach the Gospel to all nations. We did so, conscious that the world advances towards ever new possibilities of development and that Christians have special responsibilities as we enter the Third Christian Millennium."

"Most of the Churches in Asia are comparatively small in number," observed the Pope, "but they have shown themselves great in fidelity to Christ and to the Gospel, even in times of persecution. ... In some cases, Asian Christians dwell in lands scarred by conflicts, which are at times presented as the effect of religion. What a travesty of true belief this is! ... People of all religions must emphatically show that religion and peace go together!

"But let there also be peace for religion. Let the right to freedom of belief and worship be respected in every part of this continent! For if this the most basic of rights is denied, then the whole edifice of human dignity and freedom is shaken. 'Ecclesia in Asia' clearly notes that in parts of Asia explicit proclamation is forbidden and religious freedom is denied or systematically restricted." Religious freedom must be recognized, he stressed, as a fundamental human right.

Urging the Church in Asia to continue her "saving dialogue" with the followers of other religions, John Paul II exclaimed; "Let no one fear the Church! Her one ambition is to continue Christ's mission of service and love, so that the light of Christ may shine more brightly, and the life that He gives may be more accessible to those who hear His call."

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