CARDINAL SODANO TO DEDICATE MOSCOW CATHEDRAL

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Pope to Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano. The letter, written in Latin and dated December 8, names Cardinal Sodano as pontifical legate at the December 12 dedication ceremony of Moscow cathedral which is consecrated to the Immaculate Conception.

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PAPAL MESSAGE TO CATHOLICS IN CHINA FOR JUBILEE YEAR

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today in Chinese, Italian and English was Pope John Paul's Message to Catholics in China on the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. The Message is dated December 8, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

"Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Catholic Church in China," the Pope writes, "All Catholics of Chinese origin are close to my heart as Pastor of the universal Church, but at this time I urgently wish to address in a special way the Shepherds and faithful of mainland China, who cannot as yet show forth, in a full and visible way, their communion with this Apostolic See."

He observes that "together with the faithful throughout the world who are preparing to celebrate the Jubilee, ... you have responded to the invitation of the Successor of Peter ... and are approaching this event in faith."

The Jubilee, he writes, celebrates the 2,000th anniversary of "the birth of Jesus (which) took place in a province of Palestine, an Asian land at the crossroads of the great cultural exchanges of East and West. ... The name given to the newborn child - Jesus, 'God gives salvation' - is a synthesis of his mission and a promise for the whole human race." During his life, Jesus "proclaimed the good news of salvation." After his death and "before his return to the Father, he commanded his disciples to ... 'go therefore and teach all nations'."

Pope John Paul points out that "as early as the fifth and sixth centuries groups of Syrian monks crossed central Asia and brought the name of Jesus to your forebears. ... The Gospel message, proclaimed in those distant beginnings, has lost none of its relevance and it invites and impels you to make it known to those who have not yet received it. ... I realize you feel unequal to such a great and demanding mission, but you know that you can count on the victorious power of Christ, who promises you his presence and help."

The Jubilee, the Holy Father continues, "will be an occasion for remembering the apostolic labors, the sufferings, the tears and the shedding of blood which have been part of the Church's journey among the people of every time. In your midst, too, the blood of your martyrs has become the seed of a multitude of authentic disciples of Jesus. ... And it seems that the time of trial, in some places, has not yet come to an end!"

"I rejoiced," the Pope then says, "when I learned that you intend your most precious gift on the occasion of the Great Jubilee to be unity among yourselves and unity with the Successor of Peter."

He points out that the "practical commitments that will evidence your striving for spiritual conversion and renewal must include charity towards your brothers and sisters in the traditional form of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. ... Thus you will give eloquent testimony to the name of Christian. ... As good Chinese and authentic Christians, you love your country and you love your Church, both local and universal. ... Be a good leaven for your people, despite your small numbers!"

Pope John Paul closes by "embracing, together with you, all the Chinese Catholics living outside of mainland China."

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POPE JOHN PAUL WILL NOT GO TO IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration this morning: "Iraqi authorities have informed the Secretariat of State that the abnormal conditions in the country due to the embargo and the no-fly zone, as well as the existing situation in the region, will not allow for an adequate organization of a visit by the Holy Father to Ur of the Chaldeans in Iraq."

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PROMOTING DURABLE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 1999 (VIS) - Msgr. George Panikulam, charg‚ d'affaires 'ad interim' of the Holy See to the United Nations, made a speech on December 8 before the plenary of the 54th session of the General Assembly of the U.N. on item 46: "Causes of Conflict and the Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa."

Msgr. Panikulam focussed his address on two points, "the deadly conflicts and the inadequate development in Africa." He recalled that since 1970 there have been more than 30 wars on the continent, and 14 out of the 53 nations of Africa have been affected by armed conflict. "Each conflict has caused over a million deaths and created the same amount of refugees and almost the same amount of displaced persons."

"In Africa," he went on, "the world has witnessed for years unthinkable atrocities like genocide and maiming. Violence begets hatred and hatred results in continued atrocities."

Msgr. Panikulam affirmed the existence of "a strange paradox. Impoverished countries acquire large quantities of weapons to kill, and the richer countries, from within Africa and from abroad, profit from the thirst for power of a few, dooming millions to utter starvation. ... Resolving conflicts remains the first step towards security and development in Africa."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 10, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Pangratios Kolomijcew-Majdanski Vsevolod of Skopelos of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America.
- Nine prelates from the Dominican Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Jeronimo Tomas Abreu Herrera of Mao-Monte Cristi.
- Bishop Ramon Benito de la Rosa y Carpio of Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia en Higuey.
- Bishop Jose Dolores Grullon Estrella of San Juan de la Maguana, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Ronald Gerard Connors C.SS.R.
- Bishop Antonio Camilo Gonzalez of La Vega.
- Bishop Gregorio Nicanor Pena Rodriguez of Puerto Plata.
- Bishop Francisco Ozoria Acosta of San Pedro de Macoris.
- Bishop Freddy Antonio de Jesus Breton Martinez of Bani, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Priamo Pericles Tejeda Rosario.

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