PRESENTATION OF TEXT ON "THE SOCIAL AGENDA"

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Archbishop Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan and Bishop Diarmuid Martin, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, will present a book edited by the council entitled "The Social Agenda: A Collection of Magisterial Texts" at 12 noon on Thursday, April 27 in the Holy See Press Office.

Joining them will be Msgr. Giampaolo Crepaldi, council under-secretary, Fr. Robert Sirico, founder and president of the Acton Institute and Kris Mauren, the institute's co-founder.

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PAKISTANI MINISTER RECEIVED BY HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls declared this morning that "today, Wednesday April 19, 2000 Derick Cyprian, Pakistani minister for minorities and culture, was received in audience by the Holy Father.

"Later, the minister had a working meeting with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano where they examined problems of religious liberty in Pakistan and the way to contribute to a climate of peaceful coexistence in that country."

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TELEGRAM FOR PLANE CRASH IN THE PHILIPPINES

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 2000 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent in the Holy Father's name by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano to Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla of Davao, the Philippines, for the plane crash which occurred there today:

"Deeply saddened by the news of the great loss of life caused by the airline accident which happened today near Davao, the Holy Father asks you to convey his condolences to the families of those who have died. With hope in the Risen Lord, his holiness prays for the victims and asks God to grant courage and strength to those who are mourning their loved ones. Entrusting everyone affected by the tragedy to the maternal intercession of Mary, comforter of the afflicted, his holiness cordially imparts his apostolic blessing as a token of his spiritual closeness at this difficult time. I join the Holy Father in assuring you of my sympathies and prayers."

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: THE EASTER TRIDUUM

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 2000 (VIS) - In today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope said "the Easter journey, that begins on Ash Wednesday, reaches its climax in this week, appropriately called 'Holy Week'."

The Pope said: "The Church, in particular during this Holy Year, wishes to remind everyone that Christ died for all men and all women, because the gift of salvation is universal. ... It is not possible to remain indifferent in the face of Christ's sacrifice! Sentiments of profound gratitude spontaneously arise in the souls of those who pause to contemplate the passion of the Lord. By spiritually climbing Calvary with Him, we are able to experience, in some way, the light and joy that issues from His Resurrection."

John Paul II recalled that "the prelude to the Easter Triduum will be the celebration of the Chrism Mass, tomorrow morning, Holy Thursday," during which the holy oils will be blessed. In the afternoon "we will relive the memory of the institution of the Eucharist."

"On Good Friday, the story of the Passion will ring out and we will be invited to venerate the Cross, extraordinary symbol of divine mercy. In the words of Christ on the Cross: 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' so many situations of suffering in our own lives are reflected. Yet the Father does not abandon us. Rather He transforms all human pain into victory over evil and death if we unite ourselves to the Passion of the Redeemer, accepting the will of God and the generous commitment of His Son to save all men and women."

The Holy Father indicated that "On Holy Saturday, a day of great liturgical silence, we will pause to reflect on the meaning of these events. The Church will keep vigil with Mary, mother of sorrows, and with her, will await the dawn of the Resurrection."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 19, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father erected the diocese of Blumenau (area 3,339, population 549,438, priests 34, religious 88), Brazil, with territory taken from the archdiocese of Florianopolis and from the dioceses of Joinville and Rio do Sul, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan Church of Florianopolis. He appointed Bishop Angelico Sandalo Bernardino, auxiliary of Sao Paulo, as bishop of the new diocese.

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