POPE NAMES ENVOY TO PLENARY COUNCIL OF VENEZUELA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 18, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter, written in Latin and dated November 11, in which Pope John Paul names Cardinal Jorge A. Medina Estevez, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments, as his special envoy to the inaugural celebration of the "Plenary Council of Venezuela," set to take place in Caracas on Sunday, November 26.

The mission accompanying the cardinal will include Fathers Carlos Rodriguez, rector of St. Rose of Lima University in Caracas, and Fernando Castro, assistant to the regional vicar in Venezuela of the Opus Dei prelature.

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JUBILEE IS A TIME FOR CONVERSION AND JOY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 18, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope received various groups of pilgrims from Italian dioceses and parishes. In his address, he recalled that the Jubilee is "a time for conversion and joy that refreshes believers on their journey to interior renewal so that, in their hearts and their communities, a new mentality is asserted, one capable of appraising the events of the world in the light of the Gospel."

Speaking to faithful from the diocese of Carpi, the Holy Father said: "Given a more pronounced individualism, economic well-being that is an end unto itself and the religious indifference that sometimes risks insinuating itself in people's hearts, may you be spurred on to live with greater coherence what you are: children of God, called to be heirs to the Kingdom."

John Paul II also had words for a group from the Domenico Tardini Community Association, where young people are formed under the guidance of both Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches and Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See. "Generations of young people grew up, and from the example of the teaching of the great cardinal (Tardini) and from the experience of life, the association was born with the aim of developing in its members the personal encounter with Christ, as well as respect for the dignity of all human beings, commitment to liberty and service through culture."

Finally, he greeted a number of Hungarian faithful from the parishes of St. Gerard and St. Therese of Lisieux in Budapest.

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POPE ADDRESSES COLLOQUIUM ON FRENCH PHILOSOPHER BLONDEL

VATICAN CITY, NOV 18, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed 50 participants in the international colloquium organized by the Gregorian University in Rome on the French philosopher Maurice Blondel and entitled "Blondel between 'L'Action' and Trilogy."

"At the root of Maurice Blondel's philosophy," said the Pope, "is the acute perception of the drama of the separation between faith and reason and his intrepid will to overcome this separation contrary to the nature of things. The philosopher from Aix is thus an eminent representative of Christian philosophy, understood as rational speculation, in vital union with faith, in a double fidelity to the exigencies of intellectual research and of the Magisterium."

The Holy Father recalled the words he wrote in a Message in 1993 on the centenary of Blondel's "L'Action": "It is (Blondel's) courage as a thinker, linked to a fidelity and unfailing love of the Church, that current philosophers and theologians who study Blondel's works can learn from this great master."

"May all those engaged in intellectual research," he said in closing, "courageously accept, as Blondel did, knowing the limits of all human thought and allow themselves to be led to the threshold of divine mystery, which is given to us through faith!"

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PEACE IS THE RIGHT OF ALL AND MUST BE PROMOTED

VATICAN CITY, NOV 19, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, in the presence of more than 100,000 people, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces and the Police. Military ordinaries and chaplains from more than 30 countries concelebrated with the Pope.

In his homily, the Holy Father told the military and police forces present, who had come from 50 countries, that they were called "to defend the weak, to protect the honest and to favor peace and the coexistence of peoples. To each of you falls the role of sentinel, one who looks afar in order to ward off danger and promote justice and peace everywhere."

After highlighting that "in man's heart the seed of hope must never die," the Pope requested them "to use all means possible in favoring the courageous construction of justice and peace."

"Peace," he went on, "is the fundamental right of all men and must be continually promoted." Furthermore, he affirmed that when political efforts and non-violent attempts to disarm an aggressor fail, recourse must be had to "so-called 'humanitarian intervention'."

The Pope thanked the military and police forces for "your courageous operations, restoring peace to countries devastated by absurd conflicts," and for "the help you give, oblivious of the risks, to people struck by natural catastrophes."

"Be men and women of peace; and in order to be so fully, welcome Christ into your hearts. He is the author and guarantor of true peace. ... He will help you to place strength at the service of the great values of life, of justice, of forgiveness and of freedom."

Finally, the Holy Father paid homage to those who have "paid their faithfulness to their mission with their lives." He urged those present "to find encouragement in the example of these colleagues of yours who, in faithfully doing their duty, scaled the heights of heroism and, perhaps, of sanctity."

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THE WORLD NEEDS JUSTICE AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 18, 2000 (VIS) - The Pope today received participants in a pilgrimage from Poland who have come to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of the police and armed forces. He told them that the message of their Jubilee, 'With Christ in defense of justice and peace,' was an eloquent sign.

"Even today," he affirmed, "at the end of the second millennium, the world has need of justice and peace. It is vital that these words be given concrete significance and, at times, that their true meaning be restored. I would like to recall, furthermore, the Polish soldiers who carry out their mission in Bosnia, in Kosovo, in Lebanon and on the Golan Heights."

John Paul II urged those present "to carry with joy, to men and to nations, the message of peace and of love. A most eloquent proof of this attitude is the gift from Caritas to the military ordinary of an ambulance for a hospital in Kosovo. You offered this as a gift to the altar for the occasion of the Great Jubilee. I thank you for this fine gesture that arose from the hearts of the soldiers."

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LOVING PEACE AND LIFE IS LEARNED IN THE FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 19, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, following today's Mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces and Police, and prior to praying the angelus with the more than 100,000 faithful gathered in a rainy St. Peter's Square, addressed the pilgrims in seven languages, reflecting on the role of the family in the life of military personnel and police.

Recalling that he too was the son of a military officer, the Holy Father said "it is not easy to be the family of someone in the military because you have to share all the discomforts that their mission involves. And yet the family is the principal support for each one of you who is committed to the defense of peace and life. One defends what one loves, and where can one better learn to love peace and life than in the family? For this reason, dear families, feel fully united with this mission and collaborate in the protection of justice and peace."

In his remarks to representatives of the Polish Army and police, the Pope said that "this Jubilee encounter with soldiers from throughout the world is an event which shows in a special way that armies do not necessarily have to be protagonists of dramatic bellicose events, but that they can and must be protectors and bearers of peace. I pray that the not easy service of the military and police of protecting the security of men and nations be always marked by a deep sensitivity to the sufferings and needs of the weakest and that it be accorded society's gratitude and God's blessings."

"I wish to raise my prayer to the Lord," John Paul II concluded, "for your many colleagues who have died over the years during diverse missions of peace and defending order and law. May their sacrifice not have been in vain!"

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PILGRIMS OF ORIENTAL CHURCHES WELCOMED BY JOHN PAUL II

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father welcomed pilgrims of the Syro-Malankar and Syro-Malabar Churches from India and elsewhere who are in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2000. He also greeted the staff and students of the Pontifical Institute of St. John Damascene.

The Pope remarked that "seventy years ago, Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Ivanios, Bishop Mar Theophilos and their companions entered into full communion with the See of Peter, because they were profoundly convinced of the truth of the words found beneath the dome of the Vatican Basilica: ... 'From here the one faith shines forth in the world'." Quoting "Orientale Lumen," he said: "They understood that 'the Church is one, the Church of Christ between East and West'; and they knew that, in entering the communion of the Catholic Church, they 'did not at all intend to deny their fidelity to their own traditions'. He asked them "to invoke God's love on the Christians of the Oriental Churches that ... they may 'discover that they are all walking together towards the one Lord'."

Then, in greetings to the rector, staff and students of the Pontifical Institute of St. John Damascene, John Paul II noted that, during this Jubilee Year, the institute is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding by Pope Pius XII.

"You priests who are resident at the institute come from the Syro-Malankara and the Syro-Malabar Churches, and therefore you are all sons of St. Thomas the Apostle, to whose missionary work you owe your Christian faith. Rightly you are proud not only of the rich heritage of your Churches, but also of their apostolic fervor, their pastoral energy and their many vocations."

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ARCHBISHOP FOLEY ADDRESSES MEETING AT SALESIAN UNIVERSITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 19, 2000 (VIS) - Archbishop John Patrick Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, spoke today at a meeting at the Pontifical Salesian University on the theme "Visions of the Word: Relationship between Bible and Cinema." At the conclusion of this meeting there was a Eucharistic celebration during which he preached the homily.

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POPE GREETS PILGRIMS AT EVENING PRAYER IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 19, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, from the window of his study, greeted the faithful, including many members of the armed forces and police and their families, who had gathered in St. Peter's Square for the customary prayer recited in the square each evening of the Jubilee Year near the statue of St. Peter.

"Thank you for your joyous presence," he said, "and for your fervid participation in today's celebration. The Church is close to you! May this encounter be for all of you an encouragement and support in your intentions for good and in the generous commitment to serving justice and peace!"

"I hope that for you and your families the grace of the Holy Year increases in each of you the desire for an authentic spiritual renewal and a sincere solidarity towards our brothers in need."

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CONGRESS OF CATHOLIC LAITY BEGINS NEXT SATURDAY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 2000 (VIS) - At midday today in the Holy See Press Office there was the presentation of the Congress of Catholic Laity, which will be held in Rome's Domus Pacis from November 25 to 30. The congress is promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Laity and will have as its theme: "Witnesses of Christ in the New Millennium."

Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the pontifical council, affirmed that the congress represents "a very special occasion for the laity to explain the faith that must be witnessed and communicated in all environments, geographical areas and life situations of the modern world."

Bishop Stanislaw Rylko, secretary of the council, indicated that the Jubilee of the Apostolate of the Laity "intends to remind all lay faithful of the roots of their vocation and mission as baptized Christians." Thanks to Vatican Council II, "the sense of shared responsibility in the Church has been invigorated. Many lay men and women are working in the front line of the new evangelization." Nonetheless, he added, "challenges are not lacking." For example: "How can we announce and bear witness to Christ in today's secularized society? ... How can we assist the laity to live their faith and their personal relationship with God in ordinary conditions of family life, professional life and social commitment?"

"In addition to delegates from episcopal conferences, representatives of lay groups and ecclesial movements will also be present at the congress. And, for the first time," highlighted Bishop Rylko, "numerous representatives of the laity from former communist countries (Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia) will be participating. These are lay people who have precious experiences of faith to share, experiences lived under conditions of long and hard persecution from atheist State systems." This congress, he added, "will therefore be a place for dialogue, exchange, witness and common prayer, but also for comparing and evaluating different ecclesial experiences."

Guzman Carriquiry, under-secretary of the pontifical council, outlined the program for the congress. It will begin on Saturday, November 25, with a message from the Holy Father and the presentation of three reports. At 9:30 that evening, by way of spiritual preparation, a "jubilee vigil" will be held in the Domus Pacis, presided by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Central Committee of the Jubilee. The culminating moment will come on Sunday, November 26, solemnity of Christ the King. At 10 a.m., the Pope will celebrate Mass in the Vatican Basilica for the Jubilee of the Apostolate of the Laity and, at 4:30 p.m., in the church of the catacombs of St. Domitilla, there will be a jubilee celebration "in memory of the martyrs."

During November 27, 28 and 29, reflections will continue on the vocation, mission and formation of the laity. Furthermore, round table discussions will take place in which founders of ecclesial movements, leaders of international associations of faithful and university professors will participate.

The congress will end on November 30 with closing remarks from Cardinal Stafford and the presentation of the report: "Which lay faithful for the third millennium?" prepared by Cardinal Bernard F. Law, archbishop of Boston, U.S.A., and Guzman Carriquiry.

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PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR CONVENTION ON CHILD LABOR

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 2000 (VIS) - The following telegram, published today and written in English, was sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, in Pope John Paul's name to Juan Somavia, director general of the International Labor Organization, upon the coming into effect of a Convention on child labor:

"His Holiness John Paul II was pleased to learn that Convention 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor will come into effect on November 19, 2000. His Holiness has insisted that 'no one can remain indifferent to the suffering of countless children who fall victim to intolerable exploitation and violence, not just as a result of the evil perpetrated by individuals but often as a direct consequence of corrupt social structures' ('Ecclesia in Asia',34). He trusts therefore that the Convention will be major contribution to the defense of children who are powerless to defend themselves against the harm done to them by individuals in whom the voice of conscience has been silenced or by social structures which enable the strong to trample on the rights of the weak. His Holiness earnestly hopes that all member nations of the (International Labor) Organization will quickly ratify the Convention and work resolutely to ensure its full application, so that the young of the world, who are born in the image of God, may be allowed to grow and develop in a way worthy of their inalienable human dignity."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 2000 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Jean Bernard, emeritus of Nancy, France, on November 11, aged 84.
- Bishop Barry Francis Collins of Wilcannia-Forbes, Australia, on November 15, aged 62.
- Bishop Platon V. Kornyljak, former apostolic exarch for the Ukrainian faithful of Byzantine rite in Germany, on November 1, aged 80.
- Archbishop Eugene Antonio Marino S.S.J., emeritus of Atlanta, U.S.A., on November 12, aged 66.
- Bishop Jesus Pla Gandia, emeritus of Siguenza-Guadalajara, Spain, on November 8, aged 84.
- Bishop Umberto Tramma, emeritus of Nola, Italy, on November 1, aged 68.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches.
- Cardinal Jozef Glemp, archbishop of Warsaw and president of the Polish Episcopal Conference.

On Saturday, November 18, he received in audience Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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