AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND LATVIA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) - Today in Riga, an Agreement was signed between the Holy See and the Republic of Latvia. The Agreement concerns various matters associated with relations between Church and State.

The Agreement was signed by Archbishop Josef Ender, apostolic nuncio in Latvia, for the Holy See and by Ingrida Labucka, minister of Justice, for Latvia.

The Agreement defines the juridical position of the Catholic Church and her institutions. The State guarantees the Church the free exercise of her mission, especially regarding worship, pastoral governance, teaching and other aspects of ecclesial life. The civil value of canonical marriage is recognized. Furthermore, the Republic of Latvia guarantees the Catholic Church the right to administer pastoral care to the faithful in hospitals, health and social care centers, orphanages and in penal institutions. The Church may, in conformity with civil law, freely institute and run charity activities in the social sphere. Officially recognized Catholic schools, of all levels, are effectively made equal to State schools with the same rights and duties. The teaching of religion in State schools is regulated, and the collaboration of the Catholic Church and the State is favored in order to safeguard cultural heritage. Finally, provision is made for the erection of a military ordinariate for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the army. The agreement will come into force following the exchange of instruments of ratification.

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ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN PEOPLES CALLED TO LIVE TOGETHER

VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Pope, sent on November 6 to the Catholic bishops of the Holy Land, in which he expresses his concern for the present situation in the Middle East. Extracts from the text are given below:

"The trials being undergone by the people of the Holy Land at this time are a cause of great suffering to me and I wish to express, to everyone without exception, my most intense solidarity.

"Without doubt, the brutal step from negotiation to confrontation represents a breakdown for peace, yet no one must resign themselves to fatalism: The Israeli and Palestinian peoples are called by history and by geography to live together.

"This cannot be achieved in a peaceful and lasting fashion if fundamental rights are not guaranteed for everyone. Both the Israeli people and the Palestinian people have the right to live in their homes, in dignity and security.

"Only a return to the negotiating table, on the foundation of equality and in respect for international law, can open the way to a future of fraternity and peace for those who live in that blessed land.

"Recalling my pilgrimage there some months ago, my mind turns with emotion to all those places that speak of the history of God with man and that represent a call to collaboration, so that violence, hatred and suspicion may never more disfigure that part of the world.

"I encourage you, Catholic bishops of the Holy Land, and all leaders of Christian communities, to make renewed efforts in order that mutual respect, in humility and trust, may inspire your relationships.

"I also appeal to those who have the mission of guiding the faithful of Judaism and Islam, that they may find in their faith all the energy necessary in order for the internal and external peace to which people aspire to become reality.

"I invite the international community to continue its efforts, helping one another to find solutions that guarantee the longed-for security and tranquility, prerogatives for all nations and preconditions for life and progress in any society."

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AUDIENCE: THE EUCHARIST SACRAMENT OF UNITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) - In today's general audience which was held in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II spoke on "The Eucharist: Sacrament of unity."

"The Eucharist," said the Pope, "is the Sacrament and source of ecclesial unity." As St. Paul says: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

The Holy Father recalled that the "Catechism of the Catholic Church effectively condenses this idea: 'Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body - the Church."

St. Paul, he continued, speaks of "'koinonia,' in other words of the communion that comes about between the faithful and Christ in the Eucharist. ... This communion is more precisely described in the Gospel of St. John as a special relationship of mutual indwelling: 'He in me and I in Him'."

The Pope went on: "This communion-koinonia - 'vertical' in nature because it unites us to the divine mystery - generates, at the same time, a communion-koinonia that we may call 'horizontal,' in other words ecclesial and fraternal, capable of uniting in a bond of love all participants at the same banquet."

The Holy Father concluded his catechesis by highlighting that "the deep significance of the Eucharist is denied when it is celebrated without taking the requirements of charity and of communion into account."

Among his greetings to pilgrims, the Pope addressed a group of Polish scouts and guides, telling them that their presence reminded him of earlier meetings with scouts and guides around the campfire. He asked them to share with their peers "your joy and enthusiasm. Be witnesses of a positive approach to life that has its roots in a love for nature and for the works of creation, and especially in interior purity and the nobility of intentions. The world today has need of your witness."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal, emeritus of Salt Lake City, U.S.A., on August 31, at the age of 90.
- Bishop Johannes Baptist Luck S.C.I., emeritus of Aliwal, South Africa, on October 6, at the age of 91.
- Archbishop Daniel Euguene Sheehan, emeritus of Omaha, U.S.A., on October 24, at the age of 83.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Holy See permanent observer at the U.N. organizations for food and agriculture.
- Bishop Fernando Charrier of Alessandria, Italy.

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