THE TRINITY IS PRESENT IN CHRIST'S BAPTISM

VATICAN CITY, APR 12, 2000 (VIS) - "The glory of the Trinity in the baptism of Christ" was the theme of John Paul II's catechesis during the general audience, celebrated this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 30,000 pilgrims.

The baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan in which, said the Pope, the "great epiphany of the Trinity" is apparent, marks the beginning of Christ's public ministry.

"The figure of Christ appears in center stage, the Messiah who fulfills all righteousness. He is the one who brings the divine project of salvation to fruition, humbly allying himself with sinners. ... Over Him, the Father's voice rings out, proclaiming Him as "my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." John Paul II recalled that "the Holy Spirit also appears in the scene, in the form of a 'dove' which 'descends and settles on' Christ."

The Holy Father emphasized that "the entire Trinity is present at the Jordan, revealing its mystery, authenticating and supporting Christ's mission and indicating that, with Him, the history of salvation enters its central and definitive phase. ... The Father entrusts the Son with the mission to bring 'righteousness' - in other words, divine salvation - to fruition in the Spirit."

"Following Christ's baptism," he concluded, "the Jordan also became the river of Christian baptism. ... Emerging from the regenerative waters of the baptismal font, Christians begin their path of life and witness."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 12, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Dadeus Grings of Sao Joao da Boa Vista, Brazil, as coadjutor archbishop of Porto Alegre (area 18,068, population 3,265,577, Catholics 2,608,707, priests 487, permanent deacons 21, religious 2,184), Brazil. The archbishop-elect was born in Nova Petropolis, Brazil, in 1936, ordained a priest in 1961 and consecrated a bishop in 1991.

- Fr. Lucien Fischer C.S.Sp., regional superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit for eastern France, as apostolic vicar of the Iles Saint Pierre et Miquelon (area 245, population 6,255, Catholics 6,215, priests 2, religious 7). The bishop-elect was born in Strasbourg, France, in 1933 and ordained a priest in 1962.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 12, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Archbishop Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, accompanied by Archbishop Edward Nowak, secretary of the same congregation.

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CARDINAL CASSIDY TO SPEAK ON DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

VATICAN CITY, APR 12, 2000 (VIS) - Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will lecture at the department of theology of Notre Dame University in Indiana, U.S.A., on April 18 on "The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification: A Significant Ecumenical Achievement."

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