THE PERSON MUST BE AT THE CENTER OF ECONOMICS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning welcomed the teachers and students of the Luigi Bocconi Business University in Milan, and told them that economic activity, "being an aspect and essential dimension of human activity, is not only necessary, but can also be a source of fraternity and a sign of Providence."

He indicated how "science and economic activity today must face the process of European integration, which is ever more advanced, especially following the introduction of a single currency and with the ever broader phenomenon of globalization. These two realities ... must be correctly interpreted, critically assumed and adequately governed."

Turning to the single European currency, the Holy Father highlighted how, "on the one hand, it will be a source of great opportunities," while, "on the other, it is not without risks, as it could favor the hegemony of finance and market logic over social and cultural aspects."

There are also positive and negative aspects to "the complex phenomenon of globalization," he added. Among the risks is the fact that globalization, "often governed solely or prevalently by a type of commercial logic which benefits the powerful, could forebode further inequalities, injustices and marginalizations."

What is needed, stated John Paul II, is vigilance so that "the risks linked to these phenomena, which, unfortunately, always seem to have the upper hand, are neutralized."

"It is necessary," he concluded, "to harmonize the needs of the economy with those of ethics. At a deeper and more radical level, it is urgent and necessary to recognize, guard and promote the unquestionable primacy of the human person."

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THE BISHOP MUST EXERCISE THE CHURCH'S MATERNAL AUTHORITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 1999 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the third group of prelates from the German Episcopal Conference, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

In his talk the Holy Father recalled that the Church is a mystery, and that she "is not 'our' Church, but 'His'; she is the people of God, the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit." Furthermore, he said, she is "Mater" and "Magistra." The mother Church "gives birth to, nurtures and educates her sons and daughters. ... At the same time she is saddened by those who abandon her, and holds the door open to the ever hoped-for reconciliation." Consequently, "as 'fathers of your communities' you have the right and the duty to exercise the 'maternal authority' of the Church."

"The response to the Church's maternal love," he affirmed, "must be the willing obedience of her sons and daughters." While in ecclesial circles, "emancipation" is so much spoken of, "a mentality that holds that true liberty can be obtained distancing oneself from the Church becomes ever more widespread. As bishops, seek to correct these mistaken tendencies."

In the face of changes that seek to impose certain groups within the Church, changes that "do not correspond to Christ's will," bishops "must continue to move forward, pointing the way, patiently clarifying and always seeking to unite through dialogue. ... Do not allow a human authority of any kind to loosen the unbreakable links that exist between you and Peter's Successor."

"Union with the bishop is the essential and indispensable attitude of the faithful Catholic." There is no union with the Pope if there is no union with bishops, "who are in communion with him."

The Holy Father then highlighted the problem of the defense of life. After emphasizing his concern for the counselling and support of pregnant women, he said: "I trust that this important activity of the Church in your country will soon be definitively reorganized in accordance with my directive. I am convinced that high quality ecclesial counselling will become an eloquent symbol for society and will constitute an efficient means for encouraging women in difficulties not to refuse the new life they carry within them."

Speaking of the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial, ordained priesthood, the Pope said that the Church needed ordained priests who act "in persona Christi." Consequently, "any attempt to transform the lay state into a clerical state, or to transform the clergy into laity, must be rejected, because it is not in keeping with the ordained ministry wished for by the Founder."

John Paul II referred to "the growing discomfort (in Germany) regarding the Church's attitude to the role of women." He said, "Without doubt, the dignity of women is great! It must be always and ever more highly evaluated. However, the nature of individuals' human and civil rights is different with respect to the rights, duties and functions of ecclesial ministry, and this fact is emphasized too rarely." On this subject, he concluded by recalling the Church's teaching that the priesthood is the exclusive preserve of men, a teaching "which is infallible in nature."

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JOHN PAUL II CANONIZES 12 BLESSEDS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 21, 1999 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica today, Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, the Pope canonized 12 Blesseds: Cirilo Bertran and eight companions, and Inocencio de la Inmaculada, all martyrs; and Benedetto Menni and Tommaso da Cori. In his homily he said that they "show us the path we must follow in order to arrive prepared at the Great Jubilee of the year 2000."

Brother Bertran and his eight companions, "of the Brothers of Christian Schools from the College of Our Lady of Covadonga, Spain," affirmed the Holy Father, "having been born in Spain and, one of them, in Argentina, crowned their lives with martyrdom in Turon, Spain, in 1934, together with the Passionist, Fr. Inocencio de la Inmaculada."

"As witnesses testify," he continued, "all of them prepared for death ... without disguising their identity as religious. ... They were not heroes of a human war in which they did not participate, rather they were educators of youth."

Referring to Benedetto Menni, priest of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, he indicated that "his spirituality welled from his personal experience of God's love for him. Greatly devoted to the Heart of Jesus, King of heaven and earth, and to the Virgin Mary, he found in them the strength for his charitable commitment to others, especially the suffering, the old, children with scrofula and polio and the mentally infirm."

John Paul II said that Tommaso da Cori, priest of the Order of Friars Minor, "was obedient to Christ, King of the Universe. He meditated upon, and embodied in his own existence, the evangelical requirement of poverty and giving oneself to God and to others."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 1999 VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Angel Floro Martinez I.E.M.E., apostolic administrator of Gokwe (area 26,000, population 510,000, Catholics 55,160, priests 17, religious 24), Zimbabwe, as bishop of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Ayna, Spain, in 1940 and ordained a priest in 1965.

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TENTH ORDINARY SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO BE HELD IN 2001

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 1999 (VIS) - A communique released today by the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops announced that the tenth ordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled for the fall of next year, will now take place in 2001, at a date to be announced, due to the Holy Father's full calendar of events for the Jubilee Year 2000. The theme of this assembly remains unchanged: "The Bishop, Servant of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."
According to this communique, the seventh meeting of the ninth ordinary council of the Synod of Bishops was held in the secretariat's office in the Vatican on November 16 and 17, under the presidency of Cardinal Jan Schotte, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

Joining Cardinal Schotte were four cardinals, five archbishops and four staff members of the secretariat. The principal focus of their meetings was the presentation and study of a rough draft of the "Instrumentum Laboris" of this tenth ordinary assembly.

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THE NEW SAINTS LIVED A LIFE OF UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 1999 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received pilgrims who have come to Rome for the canonization of the Spanish Blesseds Cirilo Bertran and eight companions, Inocencio del la Inmaculada, martyrs, and the Italians Benedetto Menni and Tommaso da Cori.
In his talk, the Pope recalled that these saints "bear witness to us of a rich spirituality, forged in daily faith and in the unconditional commitment to their vocation of service to others."

Speaking of the new saints from the Brothers of Christian Schools, he appealed for their educational work "to also be a model for Christian educators at the threshold of the new millennium."

John Paul II recalled the "primordial duty of parents who have the first and principal responsibility for the education of their children." He emphasized that the public authorities must offer the conditions necessary to enable both public and private schools to impart "an education that conforms to (the families') own moral and religious principles. This is all the more necessary in a country like Spain, where most parents demand a religious education for their children."

Following the example of the founder of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Benedetto Menni, he appealed to the great family of Hospitallers: "In keeping with the charism of the new saint, imitate the immense love that he felt towards the most unfortunate, dedicating his whole life to their service."

Finally, the Pope referred to St. Tommaso da Cori: "From the intensity of his relationship with God, especially his profound devotion to the Eucharist, blossomed the fruitfulness of his pastoral work."

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ANGELUS REFLECTIONS ON NEW SAINTS, FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING

VATICAN CITY, NOV 21, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, in reflections preceding the angelus prayer, spoke of the just-concluded canonization ceremony, and the celebrations today of Christ the King, the presentation of Mary in the temple and Italy's Day of Migrations.

"On the solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, which concludes the liturgical year, we have reason for further rejoicing this morning with the canonization of twelve new saints. ... While I cordially greet the pilgrims who came for this happy occasion, I invite everyone to give praise to the Lord for the great works which He achieved in these witnesses to the Gospel. In particular I urge you to contemplate on their special devotion to the mother of the Redeemer on the day in which we mark her presentation in the temple."

The Holy Father remarked that "the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the most cherished feasts of the Eastern tradition, which has also been celebrated in the West, starting in the 14th century. ... On this occasion, the ecclesial community of the entire world remembers cloistered nuns, who have embraced a totally contemplative life."

In closing remarks, the Pope pointed to Italy's celebration of the Day of Migrations. "This is a considerable phenomenon which has, in addition to a number of challenges, many possibilities for good. I encourage those who work in this field to evaluate the human and spiritual potential of migrations, as underlined by the theme proposed for this year: 'From many paths to One Father."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Carlos Saul Menem, president of the Republic of Argentina, accompanied by an entourage.
- Sheikh Hamad Bin Essa Al-Khalifa, emir of Bahrain.
- Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.

On Saturday, November 20, he received in separate audiences:

- Eleven prelates from the German Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Ludwig Averkamp of Hamburg, accompanied by his auxiliaries, Bishops Norbert Werbs and Hans-Jochen Jaschke.
- Bishop Joachim Friedrich Reinelt of Dresden-Meissen.
- Bishop Leopold Nowak of Magdeburg, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Gerhard Feige.
- Bishop Franz-Josef Hermann Bode of Osnabruck, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Theodor Kettmann.
- Bishop Heinrich Mussinghoff of Aachen, accompanied by his auxiliaries, Bishops Gerd Dicke and Karl Reger.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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