PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL O'CONNOR OF NEW YORK

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2000 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to Bishop Robert A. Brucato, auxiliary and apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of New York, for the death last evening at the age of 80 of Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor, archbishop of New York:

"With a deep sense of personal loss I have received the news of the death of Cardinal John J. O'Connor and I offer my prayerful condolences to you, the auxiliary bishops and the priests, religious and laity of the archdiocese of New York. With gratitude to God for the cardinal's many years of dedicated and courageous witness to the Gospel as chaplain in the armed forces, as bishop of Scranton and as archbishop of New York, I join you in commending this faithful servant of the Church to our heavenly Father's eternal love. As a deeply spiritual man, a warm and zealous pastor, an effective teacher of the faith and a vigorous defender of human life, Cardinal O'Connor modelled his own life and ministry on the figure of the good shepherd who to the end 'gives his life for the flock'. Through the years he has been of great support to me in the service of the universal Church, he worked tirelessly to build better ecumenical and inter-religious relations, and for Catholics and other Christians and men and women of good will throughout the world he was a source of inspiration in serving God in our less fortunate brothers and sisters. To the cardinal's family and to all who mourn him in the hope of the resurrection I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ."

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CONVERSION IS CHANGE FROM WORLDLY TO DIVINE MENTALITY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2000 (VIS) - At midday today in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope received 1,200 managers and workers of AGIP service stations, who have come to Rome for the Great Jubilee. AGIP is a division of Italy's national hydrocarbon agency.

John Paul II explained the meaning of a Jubilee pilgrimage: "It expresses and favors the road to conversion (which is) the true aim of the Jubilee Year. To convert means to undergo a mental change, from that 'of the world' to that of God, that Christ revealed and communicated to us."

The Pope expressed the desire that their professional activity "with the exertions it inevitably involves, may harmonize with spiritual and family life, in order to correspond to the Creator's plan."

"Putting the Jubilee spirit into effect," he concluded, "means giving fundamental values their correct importance, values that do not take anything away from working life, but place it in its proper dimension and give it authentic meaning."

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LA SALETTE MISSIONARIES, BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2000 (VIS) - This morning the Pope welcomed 50 missionaries of Our Lady of Salette, who are in Rome to celebrate their 29th general chapter on the theme "Together let us build the future." He thanked them for extending their missionary work in the world, notably in India and Eastern Europe, with forthcoming plans for Indonesia and Burma.

"Dear Missionaries of Our Lady of Salette," said John Paul II, "do not be afraid to give witness that Christ came to share our humanity so that we could have part in His divinity. Proclaim audaciously the Word of God, which is a force which can transform hearts, societies and cultures. ... Invite unceasingly to conversion, communion and solidarity." He told them that "the quality of your spiritual life and community life will be a particularly articulate expression of the authenticity and fecundity of your announcement of the Gospel message."

"In participating in the mission of Christ by their word and witness throughout their lives, missionaries will lead people to open themselves to the Good News. ... Thus, they will be able 'together to build the future', living courageously the unknown of tomorrow and assured of the presence of Christ who accompanies them in every instant of their lives in their encounters with individuals and peoples."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2000 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Henry Swithin Thomas Alexander Wijetunge Goonewardena O.M.I., emeritus bishop of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, on April 17, aged 74.
- Bishop Pierre Barthelemy Hanrion O.F.M., emeritus of Dapaong, Togo, on April 26, aged 86.
- Archbishop Rafael Sarmiento Peralta, emeritus of Nueva Pamplona, Colombia, on April 25, aged 85.
- Bishop Pierre Koffi Seshie of Kpalime, Togo, on April 25, aged 57.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Joaquim Alberto Chissano, president of the Republic of Mozambique, accompanied by his entourage.
- Archbishop Giovanni Bulaitis, apostolic nuncio in Albania.
- Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, apostolic adminstrator of Northern European Russia.

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HOLY FATHER "DEEPLY SADDENED" BY CARDINAL O'CONNOR'S DEATH

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2000 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, following the news of the death last evening of Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor, archbishop of New York, released a declaration stating that "the Holy Father is deeply saddened by the news of Cardinal O'Connor's death." He announced that the Pope will send Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodanoo as his personal envoy to the cardinal's funeral.

"Cardinal O'Connor," said Navarro-Valls, "was an extraordinary figure in the Catholic Church in the United States. He was a truly faithful shepherd and an outstanding witness to faith and human dignity. He performed his priestly duties in the most passionate manner, always helping those in need. His presence will surely be missed."

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