VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 1999 (VIS) - This morning the Pope visited the cemetery of Belu where, among others, a number of bishops are buried who were victims of communist persecution. Later he went to St. Joseph's Cathedral where at 10:30 a.m. he presided at the divine liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fargas and Alba Julia, together with other bishops and priests.
The cathedral, of Latin rite, was constructed between 1875 and 1884 and has space for 1,000 people.
During the homily the Pope said: "I have come here to pay homage to you, children of the Greek-Catholic Church, who for three centuries have borne testimony, at times with unheard-of sacrifice, to your faith in unity."
"Today, now that there is new room for freedom, devotion to your rich and diverse tradition must be constantly renewed so that your Church, in returning to its roots and in opening itself to the call of the Spirit, may become ever more distinctive and, precisely because of its multiple identity, may contribute to the growth of the universal Church."
The Holy Father asked for "space and attention to be given to the laity, especially to the young who are the future of the Church. ... Teach them to refuse the easy illusions of consumerism, to stay in their own land in order to construct a future of peace and prosperity, to open themselves to Europe and the world, to serve the poor, ... to prepare themselves for a professional commitment as Christians, ... and to not distrust politics."
He continued: "If there is not yet full communion between Orthodox and Catholics, 'I feel that it is already perfect in what we all consider the highest point of the life of grace, 'martyria' unto death."
The Pope called upon the faithful to heal "the wounds of the past with love. May common suffering not generate separation but awaken the miracle of reconciliation. Is this not the marvel that the world expects from believers? You too, dear brothers and sisters, are called upon to make your precious contribution to the ecumenical dialogue in truth and charity, in accordance with the indications of Vatican Council II and the teaching of the Church."
PV-ROMANIA;DIVINE LITURGY;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 370;
Monday, May 10, 1999
ROMANIA MUST DEVELOP THE "ART OF LIVING TOGETHER"
VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 1999 (VIS) - At 6 this evening the Pope travelled to the presidential palace of Cotroceni to pay a courtesy visit to President Emil Costantinescu of the Republic of Romania, and to meet the various religious, civil and political authorities as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
The Pope warmly greeted His Beatitude Teoctist, patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with these words: "Our meeting and the prayers we will share bear eloquent witness to evangelical brotherhood, ... and (they are) gestures that significantly characterize the path to unity between Christians."
John Paul II underlined the special role of the Churches, "which must consider each other not as rivals but as partners in the name of the common good. ... While respecting the autonomy of temporal circumstances, their spiritual mission calls them to be vigilant sentinels in the world, in order to recall the values which form the basis of social life, and to pinpoint, from a human and spiritual standpoint, the shortcomings in the areas of respect due each person, of each person's dignity and of basic freedoms, especially freedoms of religion and thought."
Thereafter, addressing members of the diplomatic corps, the Holy Father made clear his desire that "the international community intensify its assistance in favor of those nations which, emerging from the communist yoke, have to reorganize their economic and social life. These countries will thus become the architects of peace and prosperity for their citizens and increasingly responsible players in international life."
John Paul II spoke of the transition phase that Romania is experiencing, and "of the consequences and the scars that 40 years of atheistic communism have left in the flesh and the memory of the (Romanian) people." He also mentioned the repercussions of the events of 1989 which, in some cases, heightened the differences between people, and of the difficulties in the process of transition to democracy.
"But your people are rich in unexpected resources," he said, "and are called to develop the 'art of living together' ... in order to construct a common destiny. ... Moreover, it is important that a State which is anxious for coexistence and peace pay attention to all individuals, without exception, who live in its national territory. Indeed, a Nation has the obligation to do everything possible to affirm national unity, founded on equality between all its inhabitants, independent of their origin or religion, and to create a sense of welcome for outsiders."
"Certainly, territorial modifications which have led to populations from different ethnic and religious backgrounds being united have formed, especially in Transylvania, a complex socio-religious mosaic. ... If history cannot be forgotten, then it is in committing themselves to respect for minority rights and to dialogue, while still maintaining the desire for pardon and reconciliation, that citizens may today feel themselves to be partners and, even more, brothers."
The Holy Father concluded his speech by thanking Romania for the "welcome ... it gave with such generosity to my countrymen and to the Polish government during the Second World War."
PV-ROMANIA;MEETING AUTHORITIES;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 460;
The Pope warmly greeted His Beatitude Teoctist, patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with these words: "Our meeting and the prayers we will share bear eloquent witness to evangelical brotherhood, ... and (they are) gestures that significantly characterize the path to unity between Christians."
John Paul II underlined the special role of the Churches, "which must consider each other not as rivals but as partners in the name of the common good. ... While respecting the autonomy of temporal circumstances, their spiritual mission calls them to be vigilant sentinels in the world, in order to recall the values which form the basis of social life, and to pinpoint, from a human and spiritual standpoint, the shortcomings in the areas of respect due each person, of each person's dignity and of basic freedoms, especially freedoms of religion and thought."
Thereafter, addressing members of the diplomatic corps, the Holy Father made clear his desire that "the international community intensify its assistance in favor of those nations which, emerging from the communist yoke, have to reorganize their economic and social life. These countries will thus become the architects of peace and prosperity for their citizens and increasingly responsible players in international life."
John Paul II spoke of the transition phase that Romania is experiencing, and "of the consequences and the scars that 40 years of atheistic communism have left in the flesh and the memory of the (Romanian) people." He also mentioned the repercussions of the events of 1989 which, in some cases, heightened the differences between people, and of the difficulties in the process of transition to democracy.
"But your people are rich in unexpected resources," he said, "and are called to develop the 'art of living together' ... in order to construct a common destiny. ... Moreover, it is important that a State which is anxious for coexistence and peace pay attention to all individuals, without exception, who live in its national territory. Indeed, a Nation has the obligation to do everything possible to affirm national unity, founded on equality between all its inhabitants, independent of their origin or religion, and to create a sense of welcome for outsiders."
"Certainly, territorial modifications which have led to populations from different ethnic and religious backgrounds being united have formed, especially in Transylvania, a complex socio-religious mosaic. ... If history cannot be forgotten, then it is in committing themselves to respect for minority rights and to dialogue, while still maintaining the desire for pardon and reconciliation, that citizens may today feel themselves to be partners and, even more, brothers."
The Holy Father concluded his speech by thanking Romania for the "welcome ... it gave with such generosity to my countrymen and to the Polish government during the Second World War."
PV-ROMANIA;MEETING AUTHORITIES;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 460;
THE POPE CALLS FOR THE FULL COMMUNION OF ALL BELIEVERS
VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 1999 (VIS) - At 9 a.m. the Pope held a meeting with the prime minister of Romania, Radu Vasile, in the apostolic nunciature of Bucharest. Immediately afterwards he travelled to Unirii Square (The Square of Revolution and Liberty) which, until the 19th century, was the political and religious center of the capital. There he participated in the divine liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, celebrated by His Beatitude the Patriarch Teoctist and members of the Holy Synod.
The celebration of the Orthodox liturgy comprises three parts: The proskomide, during which the gifts brought by the faithful are prepared at the proskomide table (to the left of the altar), the liturgy of the Catechumens which begins with the great blessing and continues with the great litany, and the liturgy of the faithful or Eucharist.
Prior to the final blessing, imparted by the Patriarch and the Pontiff, and the Regina Coeli prayer, the Holy Father spoke:
"I give thanks to God for the faith and hope that have been demonstrated on Romanian soil by the members of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches during the whole of this difficult century. Thanks to them persecution and suffering have been converted into precious opportunities for sanctification and evangelization in this region."
John Paul II exclaimed: "May one single hymn of praise to the Name of the Lord well up from the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. May this form a symphony of voices expressing the cordial fraternity of their mutual relations and appealing for the full communion of all believers."
After mentioning the dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches as a whole, he said that his thoughts went to the "respectful pastoral collaboration between Orthodox and Catholic faithful, which is growing at various levels and also producing promising fruit amongst the young, as well as to efforts to produce an interdenominational translation of the Bible."
The Pope underlined the importance of the Jubilee, both for Christians and for the whole world, and made clear his desire that "the third Christian millennium find us, if not all united, at least closer to full communion."
PV-ROMANIA;REGINA COELI;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 370;
JOINT APPEAL BY POPE AND PATRIARCH FOR PEACE IN THE BALKANS
VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 1999 (VIS) - This afternoon in the patriarchal palace of Bucharest, Pope John Paul II and Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist of Romania signed a joint declaration, in which they appealed to "those responsible for the current tragedy to have the courage to resume dialogue" in order to end the conflict in Yugoslavia.
Following are excerpts from the French-language declaration:
"As we are united in fraternity and charity, ... our affectionate thoughts go out to our brothers and sisters of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, who are overwhelmed by so many trials and sufferings.
"(As) fathers and servants of our communities, ... (and) united especially to the pastors of our Churches in the Balkans, we wish:
"To express our human and spiritual solidarity with those who, driven from their homes and their land, and separated from their dear ones, are experiencing the cruel reality of exodus, as well as with the victims of the murderous bombings and with all the populations prevented from living in serenity and peace;
"To appeal in the name of God to all those who, in one way or another, are responsible for the current tragedy to have the courage to resume dialogue and to find the proper conditions for building a just and lasting peace which allows displaced persons to return to their homes, alleviates the suffering of all those who live in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbs, Albanians and persons of other nationalities, and establishes the foundations for a new coexistence among the peoples of the federation;
"To encourage the international community and its institutions to put into action all the resources of law to assist the parties in conflict to resolve their differences according to the conventions in force."
"To support all humanitarian organizations, in particular those of Christian inspiration, who are dedicating themselves to relieving the sufferings of the present moment."
"To appeal to Christians of all denominations to commit themselves concretely and to join in unanimous and incessant prayer for peace and understanding among peoples."
"In the name of God, Father of every person, we earnestly ask the parties involved in the conflict to once and for all lay down their weapons, and we fervently exhort these parties to perform prophetic deeds, so that a new 'art de vivre' in the Balkans, marked by respect for everyone, by fraternity and social interaction, will be possible in this beloved land."
PV-ROMANIA;APPEAL PEACE BALKANS;...;TEOCTIST;VIS;19990510;Word: 410;
Following are excerpts from the French-language declaration:
"As we are united in fraternity and charity, ... our affectionate thoughts go out to our brothers and sisters of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, who are overwhelmed by so many trials and sufferings.
"(As) fathers and servants of our communities, ... (and) united especially to the pastors of our Churches in the Balkans, we wish:
"To express our human and spiritual solidarity with those who, driven from their homes and their land, and separated from their dear ones, are experiencing the cruel reality of exodus, as well as with the victims of the murderous bombings and with all the populations prevented from living in serenity and peace;
"To appeal in the name of God to all those who, in one way or another, are responsible for the current tragedy to have the courage to resume dialogue and to find the proper conditions for building a just and lasting peace which allows displaced persons to return to their homes, alleviates the suffering of all those who live in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbs, Albanians and persons of other nationalities, and establishes the foundations for a new coexistence among the peoples of the federation;
"To encourage the international community and its institutions to put into action all the resources of law to assist the parties in conflict to resolve their differences according to the conventions in force."
"To support all humanitarian organizations, in particular those of Christian inspiration, who are dedicating themselves to relieving the sufferings of the present moment."
"To appeal to Christians of all denominations to commit themselves concretely and to join in unanimous and incessant prayer for peace and understanding among peoples."
"In the name of God, Father of every person, we earnestly ask the parties involved in the conflict to once and for all lay down their weapons, and we fervently exhort these parties to perform prophetic deeds, so that a new 'art de vivre' in the Balkans, marked by respect for everyone, by fraternity and social interaction, will be possible in this beloved land."
PV-ROMANIA;APPEAL PEACE BALKANS;...;TEOCTIST;VIS;19990510;Word: 410;
TO ORTHODOX SYNOD: "WE HAVE GONE BEYOND THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE"
VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 1999 (VIS) - In mid-afternoon today in the patriarchal palace of Bucharest, the Holy Father met with and addressed His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist and the 35 bishops who are members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church.
The Pope, saying he was in Romania as "a pilgrim of charity," praised the "program of ecclesial renewal which the Holy Synod has undertaken." And he assured the patriarch that "Catholics are at the side of their Orthodox brothers, in prayer and in their availability for useful collaboration. ... Common witness is a powerful means of evangelization. Whereas division marks the victory of darkness over light."
"Beatitude," John Paul II said, addressing the patriarch in French, "both of us, in our personal history, have seen chains and experienced oppression by an ideology which hoped to eradicate faith in Christ the Lord from the soul of our peoples. But the gates of hell did not prevail against the Church. ... After so many years of violence and repressed liberty, the Church can put the balm of grace on the wounds of mankind and heal it in the name of Christ."
Citing the Apostle Paul's words to the Corinthians on love, the Pope observed that "these are the words addressed by the Apostle Paul to a community which was tormented by conflicts and tensions; they are valuable words for all times. We know well that these words today are addressed above all to us. They are not a reproach to the other in his error, bur rather they serve to unmask our own. ... We have known opposition, recriminations, inner reticence and shutting each other out. ... And yet, in this land of Romania, the martyrs and confessors knew how to glorify the name of God with a single heart and single soul."
"I am happy that, concretely, it has been possible to initiate a dialogue here, in Romania, a fraternal dialogue on the problems which still divide us. The Greek-Catholic Church in Romania has undergone in recent decades a violent repression, her rights have been trampled upon and violated. Her children have suffered a great deal, some of them to the point of witnessing with their blood. The end of persecution gave freedom, but the problem of ecclesial structures awaits a definitive solution. May dialogue be the path to heal the still-open wounds and to resolve the difficulties which still persist!"
The Pope continued: "The Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church have walked a long path of reconciliation: ... I wish to thank you, venerable brothers in Christ, for the great efforts which you have made on this path. Has not the moment now come to resolutely undertake theological inquiry, sustained by the prayers and understanding of all the faithful, Orthodox and Catholic?
"God knows that our world, and also our Europe, which we hope will be freed from fratricidal wars, needs a witness of fraternal love, which prevails over hatred and quarrels and which opens hearts to reconciliation! Where are our Churches when dialogue is silent and weapons make their language of death heard? How can we educate our faithful to the logic of the beatitudes, so different from the way that the powerful of this world reason?
"Beatitude, dear brothers in the episcopate, let us restore visible unity to the Church," said Pope John Paul, nearing the conclusion of his speech. "Who will be able to inspire the men and women of today to believe in (the Son of God) if we continue to tear the seamless tunic of the Church, if we do not succeed in obtaining from God the miracle of unity, in working to remove the obstacles which bar its full manifestation? Who will pardon us this lack of witness? I have sought unity with all of my strength, and I will continue to expend myself right to the very end for this to be among the priority concerns of Churches and of those who govern them through apostolic ministry."
At the end of his talk, John Paul II added, speaking extemporaneously: "Thank you. This was an unforgettable visit, Romania. Here we have gone beyond the threshold of hope. Thank you. May God bless us all."
PV-ROMANIA;UNITY; ORTHODOX SYNOD;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 690;
JOHN PAUL II BIDS FAREWELL TO THE ROMANIAN PEOPLE
VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 1999 (VIS) - Following the celebration of the Eucharist at Podul Izvor Park in Bucharest, John Paul II travelled by car to the airport of Baneasa where, at 8 p.m., the farewell ceremony took place.
The Pope gave particular thanks to the president of the republic, Emil Constantinescu and to His Beatitude, Patriarch Teoctist for the welcome they gave him during his stay in Bucharest.
The Holy Father said: "Here too the Church breathes particularly clearly with both lungs and we have been able to experience this over the last few days. ... The wind of the Holy Spirit has blown forcefully over this land and has motivated us to be firmer in communion and more forthright in proclaiming the Gospel."
Having made reference to the threat of arms and violence that is "re-opening the wounds which were being closed through struggle and patience," he said: "I reiterate my hope that arms may finally be laid aside, that new and more effective dialogues of communion and peace may be started. In this matter Christians, whatever confession they belong to, have an important role to play."
He concluded: "The spiritual event we have lived through ... is an experience we must cherish and transmit, in the hope that the new millennium be a time of renewed communion between Christian Churches and one of discovery of fraternity between peoples. This is the dream I carry with me as I leave this beloved land."
PV-ROMANIA;FAREWELL;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 260;
The Pope gave particular thanks to the president of the republic, Emil Constantinescu and to His Beatitude, Patriarch Teoctist for the welcome they gave him during his stay in Bucharest.
The Holy Father said: "Here too the Church breathes particularly clearly with both lungs and we have been able to experience this over the last few days. ... The wind of the Holy Spirit has blown forcefully over this land and has motivated us to be firmer in communion and more forthright in proclaiming the Gospel."
Having made reference to the threat of arms and violence that is "re-opening the wounds which were being closed through struggle and patience," he said: "I reiterate my hope that arms may finally be laid aside, that new and more effective dialogues of communion and peace may be started. In this matter Christians, whatever confession they belong to, have an important role to play."
He concluded: "The spiritual event we have lived through ... is an experience we must cherish and transmit, in the hope that the new millennium be a time of renewed communion between Christian Churches and one of discovery of fraternity between peoples. This is the dream I carry with me as I leave this beloved land."
PV-ROMANIA;FAREWELL;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 260;
POPE AND PATRIARCH EXCHANGE SIGN OF PEACE AT FINAL MASS
VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 1999 (VIS) - This afternoon in Bucharest's Podul Izvor Park, the Holy Father concelebrated a Mass with Catholic bishops and cardinals, in the presence of Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist. The Pope and Patriarch entered together, exchanged a fraternal embrace at the sign of peace and, at the end of the celebration, together blessed the faithful assembled.
"Not long ago," the Pope remarked in his homily, "it was unthinkable that the Bishop of Rome could visit his brothers and sisters in the faith living in Romania. Today, after a long winter of suffering and persecution, we can finally exchange a sign of peace and together praise the Lord."
He greeted Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist, and then said that he "spiritually embraces each and every Catholic of Latin rite and those of the Romanian-Byzantine rite, equally dear to my heart."
The Holy Father said that, in reviewing the years leading up to the new millennium, we see "signs of divine mercy," such as Vatican Council II, when "the Church became profoundly aware of being the people of God, on journey towards fulfilling the Kingdom. We sense the mystery of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church and we sense the value of her mission in a special way here, in Romania, where Christians belonging to both Eastern and Western traditions live side by side."
"In the name of this great ecumenical inspiration," affirmed the Pope, "I now address all believers in Christ who live in Romania. I am here among you, driven only by the desire for authentic unity and the will to fulfill the petrine ministry which the Lord entrusted to me among brothers and sisters in the faith."
John Paul II exhorted believers to be fearless, as were the Apostles, in witnessing to the faith. "Dearest Catholics of Romania, I know well how much you suffered in the years of the harsh communist regime; I also know with what courage you persevered in your fidelity to Christ and His Gospel. Now, on the threshold of the third millennium, do not be afraid: Open wide the doors of your hearts to Christ the Savior."
PV-ROMANIA;MASS;...;BUCHAREST;VIS;19990510;Word: 350;
PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR SPELLS OUT HOLY SEE POSITION ON KOSOVO
VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 1999 (VIS) - In an article which appeared on the editorial pages of today's New York Times, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls outlined the position of the Holy See and explained the Vatican's numerous initiatives vis-a-vis the war in Kosovo.
He said that Pope Pius XII's "words - 'Nothing is lost with peace, all can be lost with war" - represent the position of the Holy See and explain the Vatican's numerous initiatives (regarding the war in Kosovo), to which the American news media has given very little coverage. Such initiatives have the aim of stopping the suffering, massacre and destruction, and of encouraging the start of new negotiations to guarantee a just solution."
"The position of the Vatican comes from the conviction that sooner or later the Serbs, the Kosovars and the countries of NATO would meet around the negotiating table.
"Why not gather sooner, before destruction and death inevitably increase the hatreds and destroy reciprocal faith?"
Navarro-Valls then listed some of the Holy See's numerous initiatives for "eventual solutions which may contribute to bring peace to Yugoslavia": March 30, meeting in the Vatican with ambassadors accredited to the Holy See from NATO countries; April 1, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States is sent to Belgrade with papal messages for Slobodan Milosevic and Patriarch Pavle, and Holy See asks for cease-fire during Catholic and Orthodox Easter feasts; April 4, Pope asks for "humanitarian corridor" for refugees, for suspension of ethnic cleansing and for end to NATO bombings; April 18, papal message to Orthodox patriarch of Moscow; April 27, papal message to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.
In conclusion, the press office director wrote: "The Holy See from the very first day of bombings, as it always has done on similar occasions, has prompted Catholic charitable organizations to aid all refugees, whatever their ethnic group.
"A day does not pass in which the Pope does not express publicly his wish for a lasting peace which respects the rights of all peoples."
OP;EDITORIAL NY TIMES;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990510;Word: 340;
He said that Pope Pius XII's "words - 'Nothing is lost with peace, all can be lost with war" - represent the position of the Holy See and explain the Vatican's numerous initiatives (regarding the war in Kosovo), to which the American news media has given very little coverage. Such initiatives have the aim of stopping the suffering, massacre and destruction, and of encouraging the start of new negotiations to guarantee a just solution."
"The position of the Vatican comes from the conviction that sooner or later the Serbs, the Kosovars and the countries of NATO would meet around the negotiating table.
"Why not gather sooner, before destruction and death inevitably increase the hatreds and destroy reciprocal faith?"
Navarro-Valls then listed some of the Holy See's numerous initiatives for "eventual solutions which may contribute to bring peace to Yugoslavia": March 30, meeting in the Vatican with ambassadors accredited to the Holy See from NATO countries; April 1, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States is sent to Belgrade with papal messages for Slobodan Milosevic and Patriarch Pavle, and Holy See asks for cease-fire during Catholic and Orthodox Easter feasts; April 4, Pope asks for "humanitarian corridor" for refugees, for suspension of ethnic cleansing and for end to NATO bombings; April 18, papal message to Orthodox patriarch of Moscow; April 27, papal message to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.
In conclusion, the press office director wrote: "The Holy See from the very first day of bombings, as it always has done on similar occasions, has prompted Catholic charitable organizations to aid all refugees, whatever their ethnic group.
"A day does not pass in which the Pope does not express publicly his wish for a lasting peace which respects the rights of all peoples."
OP;EDITORIAL NY TIMES;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990510;Word: 340;
ARCHBISHOP TAURAN RECEIVES ALBANIAN KOSOVAR LEADER RUGOVA
VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the declaration made this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who is in Bucharest, Romania with Pope John Paul:
"Mr. Ibrahim Rugova was received yesterday afternoon by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.
"In the course of the lengthy meeting, Mr. Rugova requested to be received by the Holy Father.
"The audience will take place upon the Pope's return from his pastoral visit to Romania."
OP;AUDIENCE RUGOVA;...;TAURAN; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990510;Word: 100;
"Mr. Ibrahim Rugova was received yesterday afternoon by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.
"In the course of the lengthy meeting, Mr. Rugova requested to be received by the Holy Father.
"The audience will take place upon the Pope's return from his pastoral visit to Romania."
OP;AUDIENCE RUGOVA;...;TAURAN; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990510;Word: 100;
HOLY FATHER RECEIVES KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER RUGOVA
VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 1999 (VIS) - Kosovo Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova, was received this morning by Pope John Paul, according to Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who released a statement shortly after 12 noon.
The statement added: "Mr. Rugova, who had asked to meet the Pope, was accompanied by his family. John Paul II wished to take this occasion to bless him and his family, who have suffered so much recently. In the course of the meeting, the Holy Father told Mr. Rugova that he hoped that his contribution and his efforts to reach a just peace in Kosovo as soon as possible might be immediately successful."
OP;POPE; RUGOVA;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990510;Word: 120;
The statement added: "Mr. Rugova, who had asked to meet the Pope, was accompanied by his family. John Paul II wished to take this occasion to bless him and his family, who have suffered so much recently. In the course of the meeting, the Holy Father told Mr. Rugova that he hoped that his contribution and his efforts to reach a just peace in Kosovo as soon as possible might be immediately successful."
OP;POPE; RUGOVA;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990510;Word: 120;
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MILITARY ORDINARIES
VATICAN CITY, 8 MAY, 1999 (VIS) - In Rome yesterday, Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, O.P., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, inaugurated the Fourth International Conference of Military Ordinaries, in which representatives from all the continents are participating. The theme of the congress, which ends today, is "The serviceman called to the perfection of charity."
CPE;MILITARY ORDINARIES;...;NEVES;VIS;19990510;Word: 70;
CPE;MILITARY ORDINARIES;...;NEVES;VIS;19990510;Word: 70;
PRESS CONFERENCE WITH KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER RUGOVA
VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 1999 (VIS) - The Kosovo Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova, who has been in Rome since last Wednesday, today gave a press conference in the Holy See Press Office.
Speaking in French, Rugova expressed his gratitude for the Pope's having received him only a few hours after his return from Bucharest, considering the fact that the audience had been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday. He also thanked the Holy Father for the efforts he is making towards peace in the Balkans and, especially, for the joint declaration signed last Saturday in Bucharest with His Beatitude Teoctist, Romanian Orthodox Patriarch.
The Kosovo Albanian leader confirmed that "Belgrade must accept the presence of an international force," and emphasized that "although the Rambouillet Agreement was a fine document, nonetheless the independence of Kosovo would be preferable."
...;PRESS CONFERENCE;...;RUGOVA;VIS;19990510;Word: 140;
Speaking in French, Rugova expressed his gratitude for the Pope's having received him only a few hours after his return from Bucharest, considering the fact that the audience had been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday. He also thanked the Holy Father for the efforts he is making towards peace in the Balkans and, especially, for the joint declaration signed last Saturday in Bucharest with His Beatitude Teoctist, Romanian Orthodox Patriarch.
The Kosovo Albanian leader confirmed that "Belgrade must accept the presence of an international force," and emphasized that "although the Rambouillet Agreement was a fine document, nonetheless the independence of Kosovo would be preferable."
...;PRESS CONFERENCE;...;RUGOVA;VIS;19990510;Word: 140;
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio in Haiti, as apostolic nuncio in Uganda.
On Saturday, May 8, it was made public that the Holy Father appointed Fr. Thomas Kabore, of the clergy of Ouagadougou, as bishop of Kaya (area 18,000, population 702,774, Catholics 60,000, priests 27, religious 32), Burkina Faso. The bishop-elect was born in Ouagadougou in 1943, was ordained a priest in 1970 and since 1993 has been parish priest of "Notre Dame du Rosaire."
NN; NER;...;...;PIERRE; KABORE;VIS;19990510;Word: 80;
On Saturday, May 8, it was made public that the Holy Father appointed Fr. Thomas Kabore, of the clergy of Ouagadougou, as bishop of Kaya (area 18,000, population 702,774, Catholics 60,000, priests 27, religious 32), Burkina Faso. The bishop-elect was born in Ouagadougou in 1943, was ordained a priest in 1970 and since 1993 has been parish priest of "Notre Dame du Rosaire."
NN; NER;...;...;PIERRE; KABORE;VIS;19990510;Word: 80;
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