VATICAN CITY, AUG 21, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was the Holy Father's message to the Hungarian people for the occasion of the first millennium of the coronation of St. Stephen, king of Hungary. The celebrations were presided yesterday in Budapest by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.
In his message, dated August 16, John Paul II recalls that St. Stephen "sought to found the State on the firm rock of Christian values, for this reason he wanted to receive the royal crown from the hands of the Pope, my predecessor Sylvester II."
After recalling that in recent generations not everyone "has had the possibility of knowing Jesus Christ, our Savior," the Pope writes that theirs was a period "marked by trials and suffering. Now it is up to you, Hungarian Christians, to sustain the name of Christ and to announce His Good News to all your dear fellow citizens, bringing them to know the face of our Savior."
The Holy Father highlights that St. Stephen bequeathed the nation "a spiritual legacy, a heritage of fundamental and indestructible values." He continues by asking Hungarians "to cultivate the values of mutual respect and solidarity that have their indestructible foundation in the dignity of the human being. With a spirit of gratitude to God, know how to welcome the gift of life and, with intrepid courage, defend its sacred value from conception to natural end. Be aware of the centrality the family has for an ordered and fruitful society."
"That Hungarian Catholics may be true witnesses of the Gospel, may there be no lack of will to cultivate sincerely ecumenical relations with followers of other Christian denominations. ... The divisions of last century must be overcome, in truth and in love."
John Paul II concludes by exhorting the citizens of Hungary to favor and support "all initiatives that aim to promote harmony and collaboration, both within the State and with neighboring States."
MESS;MILLENNIUM ST. STEPHEN;...;HUNGARY; SODANO;VIS;20000821;Word: 330;
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