APOSTOLIC LETTER: ST. THOMAS MORE PATRON SAINT OF POLITICIANS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was an Apostolic Letter in the form of "Motu Proprio" in which John Paul II proclaims St. Thomas More as Patron Saint of Statesmen and Politicians "after due consideration and willingly acceding to the petitions addressed to me" by various heads of State and government, politicians and episcopal conferences.

In the document, dated October 31 and published in Latin, English, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese, the Pope presents a biography of St. Thomas More and explains the reasons that have brought him to proclaim the saint as patron of statesmen and politicians. Some extracts from the text are given below:

"There are many reasons for proclaiming Thomas More Patron of statesmen and people in public life. Among these is the need felt by the world of politics and public administration for credible role models able to indicate the path of truth at a time in history when difficult challenges and crucial responsibilities are increasing. ... On the other hand, scientific achievements in the area of biotechnology underline the need to defend human life at all its different stages, while the promises of a new society ' successfully presented to a bewildered public opinion ' urgently demand clear political decisions in favor of the family, young people, the elderly and the marginalized."

"His life teaches us that government is above all an exercise of virtue. Unwavering in this rigorous moral stance, this English statesman placed his own public activity at the service of the person, especially if that person was weak or poor; he dealt with social controversies with a superb sense of fairness; he was vigorously committed to favoring and defending the family; he supported the all-round education of the young. ... His sanctity shone forth in his martyrdom, but it had been prepared by an entire life of work devoted to God and neighbor."

"It was precisely in defence of the rights of conscience that the example of Thomas More shone brightly. ... Even if, in his actions against heretics, he reflected the limits of the culture of his time."

"The life of Saint Thomas More clearly illustrates a fundamental truth of political ethics. The defense of the Church's freedom from unwarranted interference by the State is at the same time a defense, in the name of the primacy of conscience, of the individual's freedom vis-a-vis political power. Here we find the basic principle of every civil order consonant with human nature."

"Precisely because of the witness which he bore, even at the price of his life, to the primacy of truth over power, Saint Thomas More is venerated as an imperishable example of moral integrity. And even outside the Church, particularly among those with responsibility for the destinies of peoples, he is acknowledged as a source of inspiration for a political system which has as its supreme goal the service of the human person."

"I am confident therefore that the proclamation of the outstanding figure of Saint Thomas More as Patron of Statesmen and Politicians will redound to the good of society. It is likewise a gesture fully in keeping with the spirit of the Great Jubilee which carries us into the Third Christian Millennium."

"Therefore, after due consideration and willingly acceding to the petitions addressed to me, I establish and declare Saint Thomas More the heavenly Patron of Statesmen and Politicians, and I decree that he be ascribed all the liturgical honors and privileges which, according to law, belong to the Patrons of categories of people."

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HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general prayer intention for November is: "That politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken."

His missionary intention is: "That reflection on the missionary role of religious institutes may foster the growth of new and holy vocations to the consecrated life."

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TELEGRAMS FOR TERRORIST ATTACK IN SPAIN AND ACCIDENT IN ITALY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent a telegram in the Pope's name to Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, for yesterday's terrorist attack in Madrid which left three people dead and many others injured.

The Pope writes to "express once more his vigorous condemnation for all acts of terrorism that, having no possible justification, harm the peaceful coexistence of citizens and offend the Creator, those who suffer the attacks and (the human dignity of) those who commit them."

Following the crash of a helicopter carrying eight Italian Carabinieri into the sea near Livorno, Italy, which killed all aboard, Cardinal Sodano sent a telegram, also in the Pope's name, to Archbishop Giuseppe Mani, Italian military ordinary. In the telegram the Pope asks Archbishop Mani to pass on his condolences to the friends and families of the victims.

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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON ST. THOMAS MORE, PATRON OF STATESMEN

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - The following biography of St. Thomas More was made public on the occasion of the Holy Father's Motu Proprio in which he names St. Thomas as Patron of Statesmen and Politicians.

Thomas More was born in the heart of London on February 7, 1478 and he was beheaded in the same city on July 6, 1535.

After studying at Oxford and the London Inns of Court, he became a prominent lawyer, a member of Parliament, and a well respected judge. He served his city in numerous capacities, but he never allowed his public duties to interfere with his close supervision of his children's education or with his intense life of study as a leading humanist. After agreeing to enter the King's service at forty-one, he rose quickly in his responsibilities until he became Lord Chancellor of England at the age of fifty-two. He resigned that office, however, on May 16, 1532 after King Henry VIII manipulated both Parliament and the Convocation of Clergy in order to assume control over the Church in England. Sir Thomas was eventually imprisoned for fifteen months before being tried and executed for not signing an oath that recognized the King's supremacy in spiritual affairs.

The Christian steadfastness which Thomas More demonstrated in martyrdom has made his name famous down through the centuries. In his own lifetime, he was already known throughout Europe for his scholarship and his innovative views, which led him, for example, to give his daughters the same education his son received - a revolutionary development in those times. His work as a writer ' especially his translations of the Greek satirist Lucian, his collection of original poems, and his great classic "Utopia" ' lent his name incomparable prestige. "Utopia" continues to be Thomas More's best-known work. Modeled on Plato's "Republic," this intellectual puzzle is one of the finest case studies ever devised for the political philosopher and the student of human nature. Like the "Republic", "Utopia" is filled with internal contradictions that invite the attentive reader to think deeply about the perennial ethical values which give meaning to personal and social life.
Thomas More has been venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church since 1935, and since 1980 his name has been included in the Anglican calendar of saints. He has been recognized as a symbol of integrity and a hero of conscience by people regardless of their nations or beliefs. His last words, "I die the King's good servant and God's first," remain an inspiration for all those who dedicate their lives to the service of the common good.

Today, October 31, 2000 Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Patron of Statesmen and Politicians.

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JUBILEE CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - Following is the calendar of Jubilee events scheduled for November 2000:

- Wednesday 1: Solemnity of All Saints. 50th anniversary of dogmatic definition of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary. Eucharistic celebration presided over by Pope John Paul at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, followed by the angelus.

- Thursday 2: Feast of All Souls.

- Saturday 4: St. Peter's Basilica, celebration of Mass in the Ambrosian rite.

- Sunday 5: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jubilee of Government Leaders and Parliamentarians. Celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

- Sunday 12: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Day of thanksgiving for the gifts of creation. Jubilee of the Agricultural World. Celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Square.

- Tuesday 14: St. Peter's Basilica, Mass for deceased cardinals and bishops.

- Sunday 19: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jubilee of the Military and the Police. Mass in St. Peter's Square.

- Tuesday 21: Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Divine liturgy in the Syro-Antiochene rite (Syrian and Malankarese) in the Basilica of St. Mary's in Trastevere.
- Friday 24: Opening of the World Congress for the Apostolate of the Laity.

- Sunday 26: Solemnity of Christ the King. Jubilee of the Apostolate of the Laity. Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Conclusion of the World Congress for the Apostolate of the Laity.

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JUBILEE OF STATESMEN AND POLITICIANS BEGINS ON SATURDAY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office this morning, there was the presentation of the Jubilee of Statesmen and Politicians, scheduled to take place in the Vatican on November 4 and 5.

Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee 2000, said that "the forthcoming assembly of November 4 can in no way be considered as a kind of world parliament called by the Catholic Church. ... It is significant that, in our time, political leaders - believers and non-believers - may, free from complexes and only in the light of their own consciences, find themselves on the same platform to agree on such acute and pressing problems as those that must be faced: humanization and globalization, defence of the person and of religious freedom and cancelling the debt of the poorest countries."

Italian Senator Ombretta Fumagalli Carulli said that, "for 22 years now, John Paul II has invited us to 'be not afraid'" and "has travelled the world, speaking to everyone 'so that the earth does not destroy itself in the senselessness of a final catastrophe, so that every man becomes a brother, so that love is stronger'."

She added that "we politicians wanted to show that we understood. Thus, in July 1997 the Interparliamentary Group for the Jubilee was born, promoted by parliamentarians of all political persuasions, sensitive to and committed to the three objectives of social justice and international dialogue which, slowly, we began to clarify: 1. reduction of the external debt of poor countries; 2. religious freedom and dignity of the person; 3. ethics and globalization. ... We proposed our objectives to the parliamentarians of other Nations. ... More than 100 countries, of Christian, Hebrew and Islamic traditions, on five continents have replied."

Senator Fumagalli Carulli then outlined the two-day program for the Jubilee of Statesmen and Politicians. On Saturday, November 4, heads of State and government and representatives of governments will meet in the Paul VI Hall in a political assembly to discuss and approve motions on the three above-mentioned objectives. A president and 10 vice presidents, representing all the continents, will be elected and preside in turn over the sessions. Pope John Paul will address the assembly at 6 p.m., concluding the day's work.

On Sunday the Holy Father will preside at a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square for the parliamentarians' Jubilee. An evening event in the Paul VI Hall will conclude the celebrations.

The senator noted that "we should have preceded these two days by a pilgrimage from the Holy Land (Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth) to Rome, 'in the footsteps of Paul'. Unfortunately the current situation does not permit this."

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HOLY SEE RENEWS CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL STATUTE FOR JERUSALEM

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday in New York before the Special Political and Decolonization Committee of the 55th session of the General Assembly on Item 84, U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

"The recent outbreak of violence in many of the areas served by UNRWA is a cause of grave concern for my delegation," he said. He cited, as a result of the violence, the deaths, injuries, disruption of vital social services, and suffering undergone by families. "The Holy See calls upon the international community to continue to assist the Israelis and the Palestinians in bringing an end to violence and in addressing the basic issues of justice and freedom called for by Pope John Paul."

Archbishop Martino added that his delegation hoped that solutions to problems in the region "will include the question of the city of Jerusalem. In light of the recent violence, the Holy See renews its consistent call for an internationally guaranteed statute to safeguard the sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims," with "the proper recognition of the spiritual patrimony of the three monotheistic religions. ... Moreover, my delegation believes that the Holy Places should receive protection from their use for political gain."

He concluding by quoting the Holy Father's words to workers and volunteers at the Deheisheh refugee camp during his March pilgrimage to the Holy Land: "Believe in the task that you are fulfilling! Genuine and practical solidarity with those in need is not a favor conceded, it is a demand of our shared humanity and a recognition of the dignity of every human being."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in audience today His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins.

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