SHRINES, PLACES OF CONVERSION AND OF MEETING WITH GOD

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Holy Father to participants in the 35th congress of rectors and pastoral workers of shrines. The meeting is promoted by the Italian national network of shrines.

In his message, dated November 23, the Holy Father writes that if on the one hand, shrines "offer, to the faithful and to pilgrims, precious moments of contemplation, of verification, of vital interior renewal, they (also) constitute, for the less assiduous, or those in difficulty, or those who are searching, a providential chance to meet with God and a potent call to the sources of faith."

"In the modern socio-religious context, shrines function ever more as places where fundamental values are preserved, where one goes to obtain grace, even before (seeking) divine favor. The more widespread secularized culture becomes, the more these places acquire an intrinsic evangelizing significance, in the original sense of a strong call to conversion."

John Paul II closes his message by expressing his thanks for the special attention given in sanctuaries "to the service of the sacrament of Reconciliation, also promoting the preparation of ministers. This is more than ever appropriate, especially for the occasion of the Great Jubilee 2000."

MESS;SHRINES;...;...;VIS;19991125;Word: 210;

MAKE GREATER EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF CHRISTIAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 1999 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received students and staff of the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Switzerland, during their annual visit to Rome.

In his address, given in English, the Pope recalled that in the last three months the members of the institute have studied "the important theme of 'Christians in a Religiously Plural World.' ... In an increasingly pluralistic religious context, Christians are called to offer common witness to their faith in Jesus Christ the Savior of the universe, to show esteem for the spiritual and moral values present in other religions, and to dialogue with the followers of those religions in building a world of peace, freedom and respect for human dignity."

John Paul II concluded by saying, "may this experience of ecumenical study and discernment inspire you to ever greater efforts on behalf of Christian unity."

AC;...;...;BOSSEY ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE;VIS;19991125;Word: 150;

POPE RECEIVES PRODUCERS OF FILM ABOUT JESUS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 1999 (VIS) - Today at midday, John Paul II received representatives from the company "Lux-Vide" and the co-producers of the film "Jesus," which deals with the life of our Lord, and will be transmitted by television throughout Italy at the beginning of December.

The Pope expressed his desire that this type of film "may contribute to making the reveled message better known to the men and women of our times, offering a satisfactory response to the questions and doubts they carry in their hearts."

"Furthermore," he added, "I trust that these cinematographic productions may be a real help in the crucial dialogue which is being developed today between culture and faith."

The Holy Father affirmed that "culture is of itself communication. ... Illuminated by faith, it is able to reflect the very dialogue of the individual with God in Christ. Consequently, faith and culture are called to meet and act in the field of communications."

AC;RELIGIOUS CINEMA;...;LUX VIDE;VIS;19991125;Word: 170;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Dominique Bulamatari, Fr. Edouard Kisonga S.S.S. and Msgr. Daniel Nlandu Mayi as auxiliaries of the archdiocese of Kinshasa (area 8,500, population 5,600,000, Catholics 3,600,000, priests 545, religious 1,686), Republic of the Congo. Bishop-elect Bulamatari was born in Kinshasa in 1955, ordained a priest in 1980 and since 1997 has been pastor of "Notre Dame de la Sagesse" parish in Kinshasa. Bishop-elect Kisonga was born in Kisantu, Congo, in 1946, ordained a priest in 1981 and since 1998 has been provincial superior of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop-elect Nlandu Mayi was born in Kinshasa in 1953, ordained a priest in 1980 and since 1994 has been vicar general of the archdiocese of Kinshasa.

NEA;...;...;BULAMATARI; KISONGA; NLANDU MAYI ;VIS;19991125;Word: 120;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Five prelates from the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Augusto Cesar Alves Ferreira da Silva C.M., of Portalegre-Castelo Branco.
- Bishop Antonio Baltasar Marcelino of Aveiro.
- Bishop Joao Alves of Coimbra, accompanied by his coadjutor, Bishop Albino Mamede Cleto.
- Bishop Antonio dos Santos of Guarda.
- Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, accompanied by Bishop Stanislaw Rylko and Guzman Carriquiry, respectively secretary and under secretary of the same pontifical council.

AL; AP;...;...;...;VIS;19991125;Word: 100;