AUDIENCES

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

- Stipe Mesic, president of the Republic of Croatia, with his wife and entourage.
- Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk, apostolic nuncio in Poland.

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A NEW CULTURE OF SOLIDARITY, SHARING THE BENEFITS OF PROGRESS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2000 (VIS) - Published today was the June 30 speech by Bishop Diarmuid Martin, head of the Holy See delegation to the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Social Development. This session, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 26 to July 1, was dedicated to an evaluation of the enactment of the objectives established in March 1995 in Copenhagen at the World Summit on Social Development.

In his speech in English, he pointed out that "the Copenhagen Summit embraced 'a political, economic, ethical and spiritual vision for social development'." Such development, he added, "flourishes in those societies which are participatory and democratic, in which human rights are fostered and in which the citizens can become the true protagonists of the decisions which affect their lives."

Bishop Martin then noted that there have been, however, in the five years since the summit, "a number of unsettling developments," foremost of which "is the inability of the community of nations to provide the necessary means - both financial and in terms of political will - to achieve certain goals and targets solemnly proclaimed. ... A prerequisite of a true community of nations is that promises be honored by both the powerful and the weak."

He underlined the "unprecedented era of scientific growth which has produced great benefits for humankind, but in which we have not yet found the science of adequately sharing. ... Our generation will be judged in history perhaps above all on this one question: Did we or did we not successfully address the challenge of placing the extraordinary fruit of the human genius in the field of information technology truly at the service of all mankind?"

The head of the Holy See delegation urged building "an international culture of solidarity. A world which leaves millions of its citizens on the margins of progress has no right to claim for itself the title 'global.' The term 'global' must become synonymous with 'inclusive'! ... There is, in fact, no sustainable alternative to solidarity."

He closed by highlighting two factors necessary for integral human development: the recognition of human dignity through access to work and a workplace of quality, and the elimination of wars and conflicts, which are too often the causes of poverty today. "It is surely not beyond the ability of the community of nations to find ways of effectively addressing issues such as economic exploitation of conflict situations or massive disproportionate arms spending."

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SIGNS OF THE CHURCH'S CLOSENESS TO THOSE WHO SUFFER

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2000 (VIS) - The members of the boards of directors of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel and the "Populorum Progressio" Foundation were welcomed today by the Pope who, in his talk to them, highlighted how "these providential institutions ... show in a concrete way the closeness of the Holy See to those who suffer misery and hunger."

He recalled that "the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel began its activity in 1984, following an appeal which I made in Ouagadougou in 1980, asking the international community for a general mobilization against the serious desertification which is striking the countries of the Sahel region." He stated that, 20 years later, that appeal remains urgent, not only in Africa but throughout the planet. The world's leaders, he added, must "adopt adequate measures to favor an equal access to (water), a good which is so precious for all of mankind."

"As to the Populorum Progressio Foundation, born in the context of the celebrations for the fifth centenary of the evangelization of the American continent," the Holy Father went on, "this (institution) intends to promote, within the framework of the integral development of the person, the most marginalized populations of Latin America and the Caribbean." It is a "foundation aimed at helping the poorest of the poor."

The Pope stressed the link between the work performed by the Church through these two institutions and the Jubilee Year with its call, not only to penance, but to charity towards one's brothers. The Church has "few means to meet such needs but makes an effort to show signs of concrete hope."

In concluding remarks, he pointed out that "one of your foundations combats the desertification of the earth. To speak of a desert calls to mind the conditions in which a great part of humanity lives, afflicted by violence, calamities, and egoism. To those who live in this 'desert' of our times, the Church wishes to bring the water of truth and love, ... by offering Christ."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Alphonse Liguori Chaupa, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Rabaul, and rector of Sacred Heart Seminary of Rapolo, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (area 39,807, population 404,300, Catholics 221,300, priests 67, religious 211), Papua New Guinea. The bishop-elect was born in Uvol, Papua New Guinea in 1959 and ordained a priest in 1987.

- Archbishop Justo Mullor Garcia, president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, as consultor of the Secretariat of State.

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