GENERAL AUDIENCE: GOD THE FATHER'S PROVIDENTIAL LOVE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 1999 (VIS) - The theme of John Paul II's catechesis during today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, was "God the Father's Providential Love."

Quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Pope reminded the 22,000 pilgrims present that "the witness of Scripture is unanimous that the solicitude of divine providence is concrete and immediate; God cares for all, from the least things to the great events of the world and its history."

"However, with this message of the Father's providential love, the question spontaneously arises of how pain can be explained. It must be recognized that the problem of pain is an enigma before which human reason is lost. Divine Revelation helps us to understand that it is not willed by God, but that it entered the world because of people's sin. God allows it for the salvation of the person, by drawing good from evil."

The Holy Father affirmed that "God's plans are not those of the person; they are infinitely greater, and are often incomprehensible for the human mind. ... What should our attitude be before his provident and far-sighted divine action? We should not passively wait for what He sends us, but rather cooperate with Him so that He complete what He began to do in us. We should be above all concerned in the search for heavenly goods. ... Other goods should not be the object of excessive worry, because our heavenly Father knows our needs."

In conclusion of the catechesis, the Holy Father said that "the certitude of God's love lets us trust in his fatherly providence even in the most difficult moments of life. ... What is human misfortune can be part of that plan of infinite love with which the Father provides for our salvation."

After the audience, John Paul II implored the Father of mercy "to grant the gift of peace which Kosovo and Europe need so badly today."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received a group of prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (second group, Piedmont region), on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Severino Poletto of Asti.
- Bishop Fernando Charrier of Alessandria.
- Bishop Diego Natale Bona of Saluzzo.
- Bishop Sebastiano Dho of Alba.
- Bishop Natalino Pescarolo of Cuneo and Fossano.
- Bishop Giuseppe Anfossi of Aosta.
- Bishop Luciano Pacomio of Mondovi.
- Bishop Piergiorgio Debernardi of Pinerolo.

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POPE APPROVES ACADEMIES' NEW STATUES IN APOSTOLIC LETTER

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio "Inter Munera Academiarum," in which he defines the basis and mission of the Pontifical Academies of St. Thomas Aquinas and of Roman Theology, and approves the new statutes of both institutions.

The Latin-language letter is dated January 28, 1999, memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor of the Church. The Letter was accompanied by an explanatory note written by Fr. Bernard Ardura, O.Praem., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

Fr. Ardura, calling the Letter "one of the first fruits of the Encyclical 'Fides et Ratio', published six months ago," adds: "On this occasion the Holy Father reiterates the importance and dignity of the mission of theologians, especially in the field of dialogue between theology and philosophy, and refers explicitly to the thought and work of St. Thomas Aquinas, rightly called 'the Apostle of Truth'."

"In the Apostolic Letter 'Inter Munera Academiarum', the Holy Father takes note of the profound cultural changes, especially in the field of anthropology, which have modified the perception that men have of the relationship between the human person and God, between human persons and between the human person and creation."

Fr. Ardura refers briefly to the history of each academy. He recalls that it was Pope Leo XIII who, three months after the publication of his Encyclical "Aeterni Patris," created the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas on October 15, 1879, "with the specific duty of enacting what he himself had established in his encyclical."

"The Pontifical Academy of Theology," the note continues, "was founded in Rome and received its first statutes from Clement XI, in 1718. Created as a seat of sacred sciences with the aim of forming well-prepared theologians, the Academy has the mission of promoting dialogue between faith and reason, as well as a deeper study of Christian doctrine following the indications of the Holy Father, ... to present the Christian message in such a way that it corresponds to the exigencies of our times."

Fr. Ardura observes that "the Holy Father ... reminds academicians and all theologians that faith does not fear reason and reason does not fear faith. Indeed, reason itself trusts in faith because faith elevates reason and advances it, just as grace elevates and perfects nature."

In concluding remarks, the council secretary writes: "Renewing his faith in the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas and in the Pontifical Academy of Theology, John Paul II ... wishes to communicate to us his passion for truth, his love for truth and his personal commitment to the study of truth."

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OTHER PONTIFIC AL ACTS

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

- Erected the ecclesiastical province of Arusha, Tanzania, elevating the same episcopal see to the rank of metropolitan church, making the dioceses of Mbulu, Moshi and Same suffragen to it. He appointed Bishop Josaphat Louis Lebulu of this same diocese as first metropolitan archbishop of Arusha.

- Appointed Fr. Jacob Koda as bishop of Same (area 10,000, population 540,000, Catholics 42,000, priests 40, religious 55), Tanzania. The bishop-elect was born in Kilomemi, Tanzania, in 1957, was ordained a priest in 1987, and since 1995 has been professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Charles Lwanga Major Seminary in Segerea, Dar es Salaam.

- Appointed Fr. Bruno Pedron, S.D.B., as coadjutor bishop of Jardim (area 69.972, population 200,000, Catholics 192,000, priests 9, religious 39), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Torreglia, Italy, in 1944, made his religious profession in 1963, was ordained a priest in 1974, and was recently transferred to Lins where he was director of the magazine "Presenca Salesiana."

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the territorial abbey of Claraval, Brazil, presented by Dom Domenico Carmelo Recchia, O.Cist., on having reached the age limit. He appointed Bishop Orani Joao Tempesta, O.Cist., of Rio Preto, as apostolic administrator "sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of this same territorial abbey (area 844, population 12,500, Catholics 10,625, priests 7, religious 19).

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