BE MINISTERS OF THE EPIPHANY OF GOD AMONG PEOPLE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 6, 1999 (VIS) - Today, the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, John Paul II ordained nine bishops from Italy, Spain, France, Ireland, India and Vietnam, during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

In his homily, the Holy Father said that today's liturgy speaks of the light of Christ: "The same light which led the shepherds to the crib in Bethlehem indicates the way, on the day of the Epiphany, for the Wise Kings from the East who came to adore the King of the Jews and which shines for all men and women and for all peoples who long to encounter God."

Having recalled the custom of conferring episcopal ordination on prelates on the Epiphany, he told the new bishops: "Today I have the joy of consecrating you so that in the plenitude of your priesthood, you may be ministers of the manifestation of God among people."

He told Msgrs. Alessandro D'Errico, Salvatore Pennacchio and Alain Lebeaupin, apostolic nuncios in Pakistan, Rwanda and Ecuador: "You will be witnesses of unity and communion between local churches and the Apostolic See."

The Pope said to Msgr. Cesare Mazzolari, new bishop of Rumbek, Sudan, that the people of his land, "for years subject to endless suffering, are hoping for just peace in respecting the human rights of all, beginning with the weakest. And you, Msgr. Pierre Tran Dinh Tu, are called to become a messenger of hope in the diocese of Phu Cuong, Vietnam, among brothers and sisters in the faith who have undergone quite a number of difficult situations."

To Msgrs. Diarmuid Martin of Ireland, and Jose Luis Redrado of Spain, secretaries of the Pontifical Councils for Justice and Peace and for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, he said: "Continue in your valued service to the Roman Curia."

Finally, he assured Msgrs. Rafael Cob Garcia, apostolic vicar of Puyo, Ecuador, and Mathew Moolakkatt, auxiliary bishop of Kottayam of the Syro-Malabars: "You remind me of Asia and America, continents which recently celebrated special assemblies of the Synod of Bishops."

HML;EPISCOPAL ORDINATION;...;...;VIS;19990107;Word: 350

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 1998 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Guiseppe Garneri, emeritus of Susa, Italy, on December 15, aged 99.
- Archbishop Alberto J. Piamonte, of Jaro, the Philippines, on December 17, aged 64.
- Bishop Patras Yusaf of Multan, Pakistan, on December 29, aged 62.
.../DEATHS/... VIS 990107 (40)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 7, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- The following just-ordained bishops and their respective families:
- Archbishop Alessandro D'Errico, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan.
- Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, apostolic nuncio in Rwanda.
- Archbishop Alain Lebeaupin, apostolic nuncio in Ecuador.
- Bishop Cesare Mazzolari of Rumbek, Sudan.
- Bishop Pierre Tran Dinh Tu of Phu Cong, Vietnam.
- Bishop Rafael Cob Garcia, apostolic vicar of Puyo, Ecuador.
- Bishop Mathew Moolakkatt, auxiliary of Kottayam of the Syro-Malabars, India.
- Bishop Diarmuid Martin, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
- Bishop Jose Luis Redrado Marchite, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers.
- Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Bishop Francisco Gil Hellin and Msgr. Francesco Di Felice, respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;19990107;Word: 140;

EPIPHANY MESSAGE: CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 6, 1999 (VIS) - At the angelus following the Mass during which he ordained nine new bishops, Pope John Paul pointed out that the message of today's feast of the Epiphany is that "Christ is the light of the world which enlightens every man and all peoples."

He said that this message "is entrusted in the first place to bishops," as is the missionary mandate given by Christ to the Apostles. This mandate is also "for all of Christ's disciples. As the international community gets ready to cross the threshold of the third millennium, and looks with concern at the shadows which still mark its path, the Church 'ardently hopes that the light of Christ ... will illuminate all men'."

"We pray," the Holy Father added, "that missionary awareness will increase in every believer and that the number will grow of those who, in every corner of the earth, dedicate their energy to the cause of the Gospel. I am thinking especially of the lands being evangelized for the first time and of all those who are not afraid to face risks and dangers to bring the Word of God: I am also thinking of those who, in the midst of physical and moral suffering, generously offer their lives to the Lord to contribute to his mysterious plan of salvation."

ANG;EPIPHANY;...;...;VIS;19990107;Word: 230;