POPE THANKS RETREAT MASTER, "A WITNESS TO THE CROSS"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, at the conclusion of the retreat for the Roman Curia, Pope John Paul spoke briefly to those gathered in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel, calling this period "days of grace and prayer, ... of intense and prolonged listening to the Spirit, ... of a strong community experience."

He had special thanks for the retreat master, Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, whose "simplicity and inspiration ... led us to deepen our vocation as witnesses to Gospel hope at the start of the third millennium. As a witness himself to the Cross in his long years of imprisonment in Vietnam, he frequently told us facts and episodes of his much-suffered imprisonment, strengthening us in the consoling certainty that when everything falls apart around us and perhaps even within us, Christ is our unfailing support. We are grateful to Archbishop Van Thuan - in prison he was only Mr. Van Thuan - for his witness."

John Paul II concluded by asking those present "to continue to accompany me with prayer, especially during the pilgrimage to the Holy Land which, God willing, I will have the joy of making next week."

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JOHN PAUL VISITS MOUNT NEBO, SITE WHERE MOSES DIED

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2000 (VIS) - Following today's arrival and welcome ceremony at Amman's Queen Alia Airport, Pope John Paul travelled by car to Mount Nebo, 42 kilometers southwest of Jordan's capital and the site where Moses died shortly after God showed him the Promised Land. He visited the ancient monastery, which has been restored, and the Moses Memorial, placed outside the sanctuary.

Moses and the People of Israel, having escaped captivity in Egypt, had spent 40 years of nomadic living in search of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. Moses' death is recounted in Deuteronomy 34: "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land. ... And the Lord said to him: 'This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, I will give it to your descendants. I will let you see it with your eyes but you shall not go over there'. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab."

Rising from the Transjordanian plateau, Mount Nebo's highest point is 800 meters above sea level. Two of its most significant peaks are Siyagha, 710 meters, and el-Mukhayyat at 790 meters. Mount Nebo offers a panorama embracing much of the Holy Land: to the south it extends over the Dead Sea and the Desert of Judah; to the west it embraces the Valley of the Jordan and the mountains of Judea and Samaria. Still to the west, most especially on clear days, one can also spot Bethlehem, Herod's fortress, the domes of Jerusalem and the oasis of Jericho. To the north one can view the southern slopes of the Wadi Zerqa (Blue Valley).

The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land have been present on Mount Nebo since 1932 when, through Friar Jerome Mihaic and with the collaboration of Emir Abdallah bin al-Hussein, they acquired the summits of Siyagha and el-Mukhayyat, the former being the site of a fourth century shrine built by the Christian community in honor of Moses. It is this site which the Pope visited today.

The Jerusalem-based Studium Biblicum Franciscanum sponsored two excavations on Siyagha: the first took place between 1933 and 1937, and the second, which began in 1960, is ongoing.

The first period of excavations brought to light the fourth century basilica of Moses, built on the foundations of an earlier, classical-era basilica, the monastery of Wadi Afrit which surrounded it and five churches. The excavations and monastic restoration continue today and small groups of archaeologists and restorers from several countries come to Mount Nebo, working mainly in the summer months.

In 1932 the Franciscans built a convent on this summit to house the members of the archeological expedition as they worked. The convent area has grown over the years and is now occasionally used by the Franciscans as a retreat house. An adjacent garden and other facilities are often used by local Christian communities for days of recollection.

Pope John Paul, after a private visit to the ancient monastery, participated in a prayer service on the plains of Mount Nebo in the presence of Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land, religious authorities and members of the lay faithful.

He departed the sanctuary in mid-afternoon, returning to Amman and the apostolic nunciature. In late afternoon the Holy Father was scheduled to go to the royal palace to pay a courtesy call on King Abdallah II Bin Hussein of Jordan. Crowned king of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on February 7, 1999, following his father's death, Abdallah had previously met the Pope when he was received in Castelgandolfo on September 18, 1999.

The Pope was scheduled to meet other members of the royal family, and then return to the nunciature.

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POPE IN JORDAN: THE PEACE PROCESS MUST CONTINUE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2000 (VIS) - This morning at 9 a.m., John Paul II departed from Rome's Fiumicino airport en route for Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. After a four hour flight he landed at Queen Alia International Airport in the nation's capital, thus beginning his 91st trip outside Italy and the second stage of his Jubilee pilgrimage to places linked to the history of salvation.

This is the second visit of a Pope to Jordan, following that by Paul VI in 1964. After being welcomed by King Abdallah II, by civil and religious authorities, the diplomatic corps and His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, the Pope spoke, in response to an address by the king.

"My visit to your country and the entire journey which I am beginning today is part of the religious Jubilee pilgrimage which I am making to commemorate the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ."

"Today I am in Jordan, a land familiar to me from the Holy Scriptures; a land sanctified by the presence of Jesus Himself, by the presence of Moses, Elijah and John the Baptist, and of saints and martyrs of the early Church. Yours is a land noted for its hospitality and openness to all."

The Pope made mention of the king's concern for peace in Jordan and the entire region, and of the importance that Muslims and Christians be "one people and one family. In this area of the world there are grave and urgent issues of justice, of the rights of peoples and nations, which have to be resolved for the good of all concerned and as a condition of lasting peace. No matter how difficult, no matter how long, the process of seeking peace must continue. Without peace, there can be no authentic development for this region, no better life for its peoples, no brighter future for its children. That is why Jordan's proven commitment to securing the conditions necessary for peace is so important and praiseworthy."

"The three historical monotheistic religions count peace, goodness and respect for the human person among their highest values."

After recalling that the Catholic Church always desires to cooperate with nations and peoples in promoting the dignity of the human person, John Paul II said, "your noble tradition of respect for all religions guarantees the religious freedom which makes this possible, and which is in fact a fundamental human right."

Following the ceremony, the Pope travelled to Mt. Nebo.

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CARDINAL MARTINEZ SOMALO CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Pope John Paul, written in Latin and dated March 1, to Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo in which he congratulated the prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

The cardinal, who is also camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, was ordained a priest on March 19, 1950. He was named a bishop in 1975 and elevated to the College of Cardinals in 1988.

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JOHN PAUL II PRAYS FOR THOSE SUFFERING EMBARGO IN IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2000 (VIS) - The Pope today recalled Iraqis who are "being so severely tried by the continuing international embargo," assuring "all those who are suffering, especially women, children and elderly, of my prayerful support. May Jesus, true friend of the poor and afflicted, ever accompany them in their difficulties and sustain them with His love."

John Paul II pronounced these words during an audience in St. Peter's Square with faithful of the Chaldean Catholic Church, accompanied by His Beatitude Raphael I Bidawid, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, who are presently celebrating their Jubilee.
The Pope also addressed pastors and faithful of the Syro-Malabar Church in India and other parts of the world who are also in Rome for their Jubilee: "Through prayer and repentance, devotion and conversion, may the manifold graces which God showers upon His Church during this 'year of favor' bear ever more abundant fruits of holiness in your lives."

John Paul II encouraged faithful from the diocese of Vicenza, Italy, to combat such problems as "the notable drop in vocations to the priesthood and religious life," the fragility of many marriages, secularization and the fall in attendance at Sunday Mass. "Be firm and faithful to Christ and His Gospel, be generous and open towards your brothers and sisters."

The Holy Father requested that pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Sorrento-Castellammare di Stabia be "submissive to the call of the Lord. ... Allow His Word to enlighten you, His love to transform you and, on your return, take His joy and His peace to all those you encounter."

Turning to address members of the Italian Women's Center, the Pope said. "Know how to live your vocation with a courage similar to that of Mary of Nazareth, new woman and fertile witness of the Lord's goodness."

The Holy Father also had words for participants in The Forum of Christian organizations for pastoral work in circuses and fairgrounds, expressing his desire that they bear witness through "patience, courage, calculated risk, close collaboration and mutual respect."

Finally, John Paul II addressed theology students from the Borromeo College in Munster, Germany: "I hope you will study much over these days in Rome and that, in the city, you will recognize the universal Church."

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ST. JOSEPH, EXAMPLE OF INDUSTRIOUSNESS AND HONOR IN WORK

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Today, the second Sunday of Lent, John Paul II celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the Jubilee of Artisans. The Eucharistic celebration was preceded by songs and readings evoking the figure of St. Joseph. The liturgical celebration of the saint's feast has been put off until tomorrow, March 20.

In his homily, the Holy Father told the 40,000 artisans and their families, who have come to Rome from various countries, that St. Joseph, their patron saint, is an "example of industriousness and honesty in daily work. ... Next to St. Joseph, you find the Son of God Himself who, under (St. Joseph's) guidance, learns the trade of carpentry and practices it to the age of 30, proposing Himself as the 'Gospel of work'."

The Pope explained that "through faith in Christ, died and risen again, the fatigue and burden of daily work gain a new light of hope. ... Dear artisans, fortified by this knowledge, you can restore strength and concrete form to those values that have always characterized your activities: the striving for quality, the spirit of initiative, the promotion of artistic qualities, liberty and cooperation, the equitable relationship between technology and the environment, the bond with the family and good neighborly relations."

"Dear artisans," he concluded, "you have come here today to celebrate your Jubilee. May the light of the Gospel illuminate ever more your daily experience of work. The Jubilee offers you the chance to meet Jesus, Joseph and Mary, entering their home and the humble Nazareth workshop. ... Nazareth teaches us to overcome the apparent tension between active and contemplative life."

During the offertory, representatives of artisans and restorers presented the Pope with various gifts, such as the corner stone of a building, ceramics, a lamp and a book of liturgical songs and prayers, symbols of the works that the various artisan organizations will carry out.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and preacher of the retreat of the Roman Curia.
- Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, O.O., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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FAMILY CANNOT BE EQUATED TO 'DE FACTO' UNIONS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2000 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon, the Pontifical Council for the Family published a communique concerning a European Parliament resolution of March 16 that equates families with 'de facto' unions.
In the communique, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo and Bishop Francisco Gil Hellin, respectively president and secretary of the council, indicate that this parliamentary resolution considers "the nature of 'de facto' unions, including open cohabitation between people of the same sex, and the need for recognition of 'legal marriage' between people of the same sex."

"This resolution," they write, "constitutes a serious and sustained attack on the marriage-based family, a union of love and life between a man and a woman from which life naturally results. Upon this matrimonial link, a necessary good, all societies are solidly based. To deny this fundamental and elemental anthropological truth would lead to the destruction of the social fabric (of society). If 'de facto' unions - and, even more so, homosexual unions - are equated to true matrimony and parliaments invited to adapt their legislation accordingly, would this not constitute a non-recognition of the deepest aspirations of people in their most intimate identity?

"Over the course of history, peoples have wisely recognized the nature and consequences of the marriage tie that has now, through this resolution, been subject to such a misguided interpretation by the European Parliament. Fortunately, the parliaments of Europe will surely know how to remain in harmony with the overwhelming majority of European families, who urgently need support in their noble mission and who now find themselves unjustly equated to this kind of 'union' through a resolution which has no true legal value or binding force. The specific nature of the marriage-based family is recognized by the majority of European constitutions. Moreover, that nature is not a truth that pertains only to believers, rather it represents the natural heritage of humanity, it is written in the human heart and marks the culture of peoples.

"Consequently, legislators and especially Catholic parliamentarians, should not vote to support this type of legislation as it goes against the common good and the truth of man and, as a result, is in reality iniquitous."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Jean-Louis Brugues O.P., of the Dominican province of Toulouse, professor at Fribourg Catholic University, as bishop of Angers (area 7,218, population 705,869, Catholics 573,000, priests 511, permanent deacons 17, religious 2,043), France. The bishop-elect was born in Bagueres de Bigorre, France, in 1943 and ordained a priest in 1975. He succeeds Bishop Jean Orchampt, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

On Saturday March 18, it was made public that he:

- Appointed Msgr. Mansueto Bianchi, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Lucca, Italy, pastor and episcopal vicar for the laity, as bishop of Volterra (area 1,743, population 79,850, Catholics 79,700, priests 80, religious 116), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in S. Maria a Colle, Italy, in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1974. He succeeds Bishop Vasco Giuseppe Bertelli, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Francesco Sgalambro, auxiliary of Messina-Lipari-S. Lucia del Mela, Italy, as bishop of Cefalu (area 1,718, population 115,130, Catholics 114,000, priests 104, religious 164), Italy. He succeeds Bishop Rosario Mazzola, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Claudio Baggini, vicar general of the diocese of Lodi, Italy, as bishop of Vigevano (area 1,509, population 176,000, Catholics 174,000, priests 127, permanent deacons 3, religious 264), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Rome, Italy, in 1936 and ordained a priest in 1959. He succeeds Bishop Giovanni Locatelli, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Angelo Spinillo, of the clergy of Teggiano-Policastro (area 1,986, population 138,600, Catholics 137,600, priests 84, permanent deacons 2, religious 128), Italy, pastor and Catholic Action regional assistant for youth, as bishop of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Sant'Arsenio Italy, in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1978.

- Appointed Fr. Jean-Vincent Ondo, pastor and vicar general in the archdiocese of Libreville, Gabon, as bishop of Oyem (area 84,540, population 195,000, Catholics 110,000, priests 20, religious 29), Gabon. The bishop-elect was born in Koulamoutou, Gabon, in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1990.

- Appointed Fr. Mathieu Madega, of the clergy of the diocese of Mouila, Gabon, rector of the Saint Augustine national seminary at Libreville, Gabon, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Libreville (area 64,220, population 696,000, Catholics 416,000, priests 60, permanent deacons 1, religious 173). The bishop-elect was born in Mbigou, Gabon, in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1991.

- Appointed Msgr. Francesco Montenegro, of the clergy of Messina-Lipari-S. Lucia del Mela (area 1,848, population 518,360, Catholics 503,000, priests 435, permanent deacons 46, religious 957), Italy, pro-vicar general, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Messina, Italy, in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1969.

- Appointed Fr. Miguel Romano Gomez of the clergy of Guadalajara (area 20,827, population 6,000,000, Catholics 5,700,000, priests 1,332, permanent deacons 2, religious 4,252), Mexico, spiritual director of the Major Seminary, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born at El Paso, U.S.A., in 1959 and ordained a priest in 1985.

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ANGELUS RFLECTIONS ON ST. JOSEPH, HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, before reciting the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of the Artisans, reflected on St. Joseph, patron of workers, and asked for prayers for the jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land which he undertakes tomorrow.

As Italy celebrates Father's Day on the March 19 feast of St. Joseph, the Pope observed that "the feast of St. Joseph invites us to have a special thought for fathers of families who, in him, find an exalted evangelical model. I wish today to assure all fathers of my special prayers, from the oldest who have known the joy of becoming grandfathers to the young ones, who are perhaps waiting for their firstborn with trepidation. May all fathers, as Joseph, be just men, ready for any sacrifice for the good of their families. And may the love of their wives and children reward them for every effort."
The Holy Father then asked for prayers for two special intentions. Friday, March 24, he said, "we will remember with a special day of prayer and fasting the missionaries who have shed their blood for the Gospel. Even 1999 was marked by the sacrifice of more than 30 of our brothers and sisters."

He then asked for prayers for his jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land which starts tomorrow. "With deep emotion I will go to the places where the Word was made flesh, lived, died and rose for our salvation. May this visit, inspired solely by religious motives, bring the hoped-for fruits of good for the entire Church!"

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