WORLD CONGRESS ON CHARITY TO BE HELD IN MAY

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - "And Above All These Put on Love - Many Forms of Poverty, One Single Response" is the theme of the World Congress on Charity which will be held in Rome from May 12 to 15, and which will end with Mass presided by the Pope on Sunday May 16 in St. Peter's Square.

The congress, promoted by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will be inaugurated by its president, Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes. Some of the themes to be discussed are: "The Needs of Humanity as a Sign of the Times"; "Biblical and Theological Foundations of Charitable Works"; "The Experience of Charity and the Social Doctrine of the Church"; "Charity as an Instrument of Reconciliation."

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POPE TO MEET MAY 16 WITH VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATIONS

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - There will be a press conference on Wednesday, April 21, at 12 noon in the Holy See Press Office to present the Holy Father's meeting with volunteer associations, which will take place May 16 with the title "Witnesses of Charity with the Pope."

The document "Many Forms of Poverty, A Single Response: Points for Reflecting on Charity, Volunteerism and Service to People" will also be presented. This has been put together by various volunteer organizations in Italy and abroad.

Msgr. Francisco Azcona San Martin, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" and Fr. Antonio Ceccone of Italian Caritas will be present, as will leaders of various volunteer associations.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Felix Genn as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Trier (area 12,870, population 2,368,000, Catholics 1,667,048, priests 1,269, religious 3,364), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Burgbrohl, Germany, in 1950, was ordained a priest in 1976, and since 1997 has been rector of the St. Lambert House of Studies for adult vocations in Burg Lantershofen.

- Msgr. Werner Thissen, as auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Munster (area 15,286, population 4,347,345, Catholics 2,094,458, priests 1,394, religious 4,374), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in Kleve, Germany, in 1938, was ordained a priest in 1966, and since 1986 has been vicar general for the diocese of Munster.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Paolo Romeo, apostolic nuncio in Canada.
- Eight prelates from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Quebec, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Martin Veillette of Trois Rivieres.
- Bishop Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V., of Saint-Jean-Longueuil.
- Bishop Pierre Morissette of Baie-Comeau.
- Bishop Gilles Lussier of Joliette.
- Bishop Clement Fecteau of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere.
- Bishop Gilles Cazabon, O.M.I., of Saint-Jerome, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Vital Masse.
- Bishop Joseph Khoury of Saint-Maron of Montreal of the Maronites.
- A group of ten prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (second group from Puglia region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Carmelo Cassati, M.S.C., of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie. - Archbishop Giuseppe Casale of Foggia-Bovino.
- Archbishop Andrea Mariano Magrassi, O.S.V., of Bari-Bitonto, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Luciano Bux.
- Archbishop Vincenzo d'Addario of Manfredonia-Vieste.
- Bishop Domenico Padovano of Conversano-Monopoli.
- Bishop Francesco Zerrillo of Lucera-Troia.
- Bishop Raffaele Calabro of Andria.
- Bishop Michele Seccia of San Severo.
- Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Oria.

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