AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 30, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Donato Squicciarini, apostolic nuncio in Austria. - Four prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan.
- Bishop Rafael Masahiro Umemura of Yokohama.
- Bishop Dominic Ryoji Miyahara of Oita.
- Bishop Francis Xavier Osamu Mizobe of Sendai.
- Bishop Marcellino Taiji Tani of Urawa.

This evening he is scheduled to receive Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;20010330;Word: 80;

EUROPEAN UNION: GEOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC, AND SPIRITUAL REALITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 30, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the fifty participants of the plenary assembly of the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union (COMECE), which is being held in Rome.

John Paul II reminded those present that the Commission "proposes ... to confront, from a pastoral point of view, the increasingly prominent themes relating to the jurisdiction and activity of the European Union and to encourage cooperation among the episcopates concerning questions of shared interest."

The European Union, the Pope affirmed, "must not, however, be solely a geographical reality and continental economic entity, but must above all propose a cultural and spiritual understanding, shaped by a fruitful combination of multiple and meaningful values and traditions."

The Holy Father recalled that two Special Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops have been dedicated to the mission of the Church in Europe, in 1991 and in 1999. In particular this last assembly "powerfully confirmed how Christianity can offer a decisive and substantial contribution of renewal and hope to the European continent, offering with a renewed impulse the ever current announcement of Christ, sole Redeemer of man."

After having noted that the Commission and the episcopal conferences of the continent are dedicating themselves to the religious and cultural formation of the faithful, the Holy Father said: "The construction of a new Europe, in fact, needs men and women endowed with human wisdom, and a lively sense of discernment, based upon a solid anthropology which is not detached from the personal experience of divine transcendence."

"Society frequently delegates the determination of its aims to rational calculation, to technology or to the interests of a majority. It is necessary to strongly underline that the dignity of the human person is rooted in the design of the Creator, such that the rights flowing from it are not subject to arbitrary intervention of the majority, but are recognized by all and maintained at the center of every social plan and every political decision."

The Pope concluded his discourse emphasizing that those who govern, public administrations, and those who formulate laws must constantly look after "the human being and his fundamental needs." In this area, "the Church will not fail to offer her specific contribution."

AC;...;...;COMMISSION EUROPEAN EPISCOPATES;VIS;20010330;Word: 380;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 30, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father erected the diocese of Bafata (area 24,635, population 490,000, Catholics 31,000, priests 16, religious 31), Guinea Bissau, with territory taken from the diocese of Bissau, and immediately subject to the Holy See. He appointed Fr. Carlos Pedro Zilli, of the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions (P.I.M.E.), currently spiritual director of the P.I.M.E. Philosophical Seminary and regional vice-superior of the same Institute for southern Brazil, as first bishop of the newly erected diocese. The bishop-elect was born in S. Cruz do Rio Pardo, Brazil, in 1954, and ordained to the priesthood in 1985.

ECE; NER;...;...;ZILLI;VIS;20010330;Word: 110;

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTLY ORDINATION FOR CARDINAL PUJATS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of a Message from John Paul II, written in Latin and dated February 27, to Cardinal Janis Pujats, metropolitan archbishop of Riga, Latvia who today celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination.

Cardinal Pujats was born in Nautreni, Latvia, on November 14, 1930, ordained to the priesthood March 29, 1951 and consecrated bishop on June 1, 1991. During the Angelus on January 28 of this year, the Pope announced his decision to add seven names to the previously announced list of 37 new cardinals to be created in the February 21 consistory. Among these was Archbishop Pujats, whose name had been reserved "in pectore" in the 1998 consistory.

MESS;50TH PRIESTLY ORDINATION;...;PUJATS;VIS;20010329;Word: 120;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences six prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop Joseph Hisajiro Matsunaga of Fukuoka.
- Bishop Francis Keiichi Sato of Niigata.
- Bishop Peter Toshio Jinushi of Sapporo, apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the apostolic prefecture of Karafuto.
- Bishop Augustinus Jun-ichi Nomura of Nagoya.
- Bishop Berard Toshio Oshikawa of Naha.
- Bishop Paul Yoshinao Otsuka of Kyoto.

AL;...;...;...;VIS;20010329;Word: 80;

POPE'S LETTER TO PRIESTS FOR HOLY THURSDAY TO BE MADE PUBLIC

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2001 (VIS) - On Monday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, there will be a press conference for the presentation of the Letter of the Holy Father John Paul II to Priests for Holy Thursday 2001. Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos and Archbishop Csaba Ternyak, respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for Clergy, will present the Pope's Letter.

OP;LETTER TO PRIESTS;...;CASTRILLON;VIS;20010329;Word: 80;

NICARAGUA CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY OF THE UNBORN CHILD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, was in Managua, Nicaragua on March 25 to commemorate the National Day of the Unborn Child. He gave an address to over 20,000 Nicaraguans, including civil and religious authorities. The text of his speech was published today in both Spanish and English.

Nicaragua is now only the second country in the world which has dedicated a day specifically to the life of the unborn child. The first country to do so was Argentina in 1999.

Archbishop Martino recalled that this celebration occurs on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation when Mary, receiving and welcoming the news that she would become the mother of Our Saviour "knew immediately that her life would now be different, and she accepted the awesome responsibility, the challenge and the joy of becoming a mother."

He said this National Day of the Unborn Child "gives the world tremendous hope," because "it reminds us that religious values are not limited to personal morality and religion. The founding principle of society is the dignity and worth of every individual. ... There is (also) a popular misconception that the development of public policy is a purely secular or political endeavor, or merely technological in scope. ... However, there are important moral and religious dimensions to each of the problems facing the human community."

Referring specifically to abortion, the apostolic nuncio affirmed that "abortion violates two central tenets of the Christian moral view. It is the direct attack on innocent life. It is also a failure to observe the command that we love the least among us."

The state, he added, has a responsibility not only "to protect innocent life from attack," but to "enhance human life at every stage." He stated that there are 45 million abortions yearly in the world, of which 1.2 million take place in the United States.
Archbishop Martino remarked that, as Holy See observer to the U.N. for 15 years, he has "seen first-hand how pro-abortion groups attempt to impose their death-dealing agenda on the Family of Nations. Make no mistake about it, there are powerful groups throughout the world lobbying to make abortion a human right, to destroy the cherished institution of the family, to dissolve the rights, duties and responsibilities of parents, and to portray motherhood as an outdated and oppressive vocation as well as pregnancy as a disturbing sickness."

He encouraged all those present in their pro-life, pro-family work and pointed out that "Nicaragua has consistently and gallantly supported the Holy See in this stand, as have Argentina, Honduras and Guatemala."

DELSS;DAY UNBORN CHILD;...;NICARAGUA; MARTINO;VIS;20010329;Word: 460;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Msgr. Kevin John Patrick McDonald, rector of the Seminary of St. Mary's College, Oscott, in Birmingham, England, as bishop of Northampton (area 5,532, population 1,800,000, Catholics 170,737, priests 126, permanent deacons 17, religious 239), England. The bishop-elect was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, in 1947, and ordained to the priesthood in 1974. He succeeds Bishop Patrick Leo McCartie, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in conformity with the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Bernd Joachim Uhl, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau (area 16,229, population 4,540,000, Catholics 2,160,650, priests 1,432, permanent deacons 158, religious 3,193), Germany, director of "Caritas" and moderator of the Public Relations Office of the archdiocesan curia, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1946, and ordained to the priesthood in 1974.

NER; NEA;...;...;MCDONALD; MCCARTIE; UHL;VIS;20010329;Word: 150;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, with Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia, vice-gerent of Rome, with Fr. Giulio Ramiccia, pastor of the parish of Our Lady of Suffrage and St. Augustine of Canterbury, with assistant vicars.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010328;Word: 60;

PAPAL THANKS FOR VOLUME OF WORLD DAY OF PEACE MESSAGES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2001 (VIS) - Following Mass this morning in his private chapel, the Holy Father received Archbishop Donato Squicciarini, apostolic nuncio in Austria, and bishops, priests and faithful from that country. He addressed the group, which also included the editors of the third volume of papal Messages for the World Day of Peace, and thanked them for their commitment to spreading his words of peace. This volume includes the papal Messages from 1993 to 2000.

AC;VOLUME; PEACE MESSAGES;...;SQUICCIARINI;VIS;20010328;Word: 90;

NEW CATECHESIS SERIES: PSALMS AND CANTICLES OF PRAISE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II today began a new catechesis series on the Psalms and Canticles in the Church's Morning Prayer. Fifteen thousand pilgrims were present at today's general audience, which was held in St. Peter's Square.

"If, indeed, priests and religious have a specific charge to celebrate the 'Liturgy of the Hours'," the Pope affirmed, "it is also warmly recommended to the laity. ... It is a very encouraging sign that many lay people, both in parishes and ecclesial groups, have leaned to value this. It remains, nevertheless, a prayer which presumes an adequate catechetical and biblical formation, in order to fully appreciate it."

The Holy Father affirmed that the upcoming catechesis will aim above all "to bring forth the religious significance of the Psalms, showing how, written many centuries ago for believing Jews, they can be assumed into the prayer of the disciples of Christ. We allow ourselves to be assisted by the results of exegesis, following the school of Tradition and listening to the Fathers of the Church."

"The Fathers," the Pontiff continued, "add that in the Psalms one speaks of Christ or it is even Christ who speaks directly. ... It is thus understood how the Psalms have been able to be accepted, from the first centuries, as the prayer of the People of God."

John Paul II concluded the catechesis emphasizing that, "thanks also to the communal prayer of the Psalms, the Christian conscience recalled and understood that it is impossible to turn to the Father who lives in heaven without an authentic communion of life with our brothers and sisters who live on the earth."

AG;LITURGY HOURS;...;...;VIS;20010328;Word: 280;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Jose Francisco Rezende Dias, vicar general of the archdiocese of Pouso Alegre (area 12,620, population 708,341, Catholics 583,318, priests 90, religious 261), Brazil, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Brasopolis, Brazil, in 1956, and ordained to the priesthood in 1979.

NEA;...;...;DIAS ;VIS;20010328;Word: 50;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany, with Bishop Hubert Luthe of Essen, Germany.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010327;Word: 30;

BODY OF BLESSED JOHN XXIII IS REMARKABLY WELL PRESERVED

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2001 (VIS) - The latest copy of the bulletin entitled "St. Peter's Basilica," produced monthly by the Fabric of St. Peter's, contains a lengthy article on the January 16, 2001 canonical recognition of the body of Blessed Pope John XXIII, who died on June 3, 1963 after reigning for five years as Supreme Pontiff. This recognition took place because, as per the wish of Pope John Paul II, the remains of Blessed John XXIII will be transferred from the Vatican Grotto area, below the main floor of St. Peter's Basilica, to an altar in the basilica itself.

Among those present for the first task of opening the three coffins were Cardinal Virgilio Noe, archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, Msgr. Vittorio Lanzani, secretary of the Fabric of St. Peter's and master of ceremonies in the basilica, and other specialized personnel of St. Peter's Basilica.

Popes have for some time been traditionally buried in three repositories. Pope John's body is within a cypress coffin, which lies within a lead catafalque, also known as the 'castrumdoloris', which is inside a Travertine marble sarcophagus.

The work of opening the three coffins began at 8:45 a.m. Following a brief break at noon, the work continued and at 5 p.m. the cypress coffin was removed and at 5:30 it was placed on a cart and brought to a room called the Altieri Deposit, specifically equipped for such canonical recognitions. At 6 p.m. Cardinal Noe greeted Cardinal Secretary of State Sodano and Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs in the basilica. Also present was Dr. Renato Buzzonetti, director of Vatican City's health services.

The entire procedure was documented in writing as well as by photographs.

The report describes the recognition of John XXIII as follows:

"Having raised the linen which veiled him, his hands appeared, wearing red gloves, and his right ring finger bore the pontifical ring; his hands held the crucifix and mitre, the top of which was turned away from the hands.

"The Blessed's face, once the cloth which covered it was lifted, appeared integral, with the eyes closed, the mouth slightly open, and the features were such as to be able to immediately recognize the familiar physiognomy of the venerated pontiff.

"The head, which bore the white skull cap, rested on a red pillow and the body, wearing the pontifical vestments, showed the pallium over the shoulders. Beneath this was the fanon (a white silk cape worn only by Popes), trimmed in gold, according to ancient papal usage; one could also see the dark red chasuble embroidered in gold, the maniple, two small tunics; at his sides was the succintory. From the knees down one could note a very fine tulle surplice, under which could be seen the white papal vestments; on his feet are red papal shoes embroidered in gold."

Placed symmetrically at his feet were four red pouches containing monies and coins from his pontificate. The pontiff's body was measured: He was 1.6 meters high and his shoulder span was 60 centimeters.

After spraying the body with an antibacterial solution, the coffin was hermetically closed, covered with a plastic material and appropriately sealed. Conclusive preservation operations will occur when the remains of Blessed John XXIII are transferred to the altar of St. Jerome's Chapel in St. Peter's Basilica, according to Cardinal Noe.

...;RECOGNITION; JOHN XXIII;...;NOE;VIS;20010327;Word: 550;

BOOK ON TOMBS AND FUNERAL MONUMENTS IN ST. PETER'S BASILICA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2001 (VIS) - A press conference was held this morning in the Holy See Press Office to present the book: "The Tombs and Funeral Monuments in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican," written by Cardinal Virgilio Noe, archpriest of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica. The volume follows a 1996 work by the cardinal on the "Holy Founders of Orders and Religious Congregations in the Vatican Basilica."

For the first time, the 47 monuments erected within the basilica and in the Vatican Grotto are ordered alphabetically and studied in their entirety. The human and spiritual experience of each pope is presented. Each monument is framed within its artistic context, and chronological data and information on the craftsmen are provided.

The 421-page volume, illustrated with 250 artistic black and white photographs, includes two topographical plans which facilitate identification of the positions of the 47 monuments. The inscriptions engraved in Latin on the monuments, translated into Italian, contribute to a better understanding of their history. A biographical dictionary of cited authors, an index of names, and a logical index of symbols complete the volume.

...;TOMBS VATICAN BASILICA;...;NOE;VIS;20010327;Word: 190;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Christopher Cardone, O.P., pastor of Nila, diocese of Gizo (area 11,700, population 109,899, Catholics 10,643, priests 9, religious 24), Solomon Islands, as auxiliary of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Long Island, U.S.A., in 1957, and ordained to the priesthood in 1986.

NEA;...;...;CARDONE ;VIS;20010327;Word: 60;

POPE ADDRESSES KOREAN BISHOPS, IN ROME ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed the bishops of Korea as they conclude their quinquennial "ad limina" visit to Rome and to the Successor of Peter. He recalled his two visits to their country and remarked on "how the Church has grown and flourished since the time the Gospel seed was first sown there over two centuries ago."

The Pope noted that the background to their visit was formed by the 1998 Synod for Asia and by the "grace-filled experience of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000." He said that the synod "was the occasion for a fruitful and enriching reflection on the challenges posed for evangelization in a continent where Christians form a very small minority."

For an efficacious evangelization, he said, "you have the responsibility of constantly identifying the features of a pastoral plan adapted to the needs and aspirations of God's people. ... The Successors of the Apostles should never be afraid of proclaiming the full truth about Jesus Christ, in all its challenging reality and demands, since the truth has an intrinsic power to draw the human heart to all that is good, noble and beautiful."

"In this regard," continued the Holy Father, "I am especially pleased to learn of efforts to promote the Biblical apostolate. The availability of a modern Korean translation of the Bible ... makes it possible for all the faithful to have direct access to God's saving word."

"By the mandate of Christ," he affirmed, "the bishop is appointed to teach - 'in season and out of season' - the unchanging faith of the Church, as it is to be applied and lived today." He animated them "to support and encourage the work of theologians" and "at the same time you must be concerned to safeguard the authentic interpretation of the Church's teaching and thus ensure that the local Church abides in the truth which alone saves and liberates."

"In your homeland," noted John Paul II, "you face the challenge of an increasingly materialistic mentality which is undermining many of the authentic human values upon which Korean society is traditionally based. This calls for renewed efforts to address the widely-felt crisis of values and to strengthen the sense of the transcendent in the lives of the faithful." He commended the bishops for their initiatives relative to bioethical questions, especially for their "steadfast opposition to abortion, ... a terrible offense against God's gift of life" which "introduces into society a relativistic attitude to all fundamental moral and ethical principles."

He highlighted the "indispensable" role of the laity in the Church and the bishops' "task to discern the gifts of the laity." He then remarked how Korea "is blessed with a high number of priestly vocations. ... The new Pontifical Korean College here in Rome is a sign of your resolve to ensure that priests receive a solid continuing formation."

John Paul, in closing, told the bishops that he rejoices "whenever I hear of progress in advancing reconciliation, mutual understanding and cooperation among all the members of the Korean family. ... To provide material and spiritual solidarity with the Catholic community and the whole population of North Korea, in appropriate ways and with pastoral charity, will undoubtedly prove a positive step towards reconciliation."

AL;...;...;KOREA;VIS;20010326;Word: 540;

JOHN PAUL II INAUGURATES PONTIFICAL KOREAN COLLEGE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2001 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon John Paul II inaugurated the Pontifical Korean College, which will be the residence of seminarians preparing for the priesthood and priests taking academic courses at Rome's various pontifical universities. Participating in the celebration of the Word were the prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, who have just concluded their "ad limina" visit, the rector, priests, and the students of the new college.

The Holy Father said that the entire theological and pastoral formation of the college "will be directed towards ensuring that every priest may be Christ for others, a convincing sign of His love and His salvific action. ... Foremost to their care, therefore, must be a constant familiarity with Jesus in the Eucharist, and confident recourse in prayer to His grace and the light of His Word."

John Paul II recalled that this year commemorates the "bicentenary of the great persecution of 1801, which caused the death of more than 300 Christians in your country. Thanks to the courage of those witnesses of faith and of others who followed their example, the Gospel seed, the seed of hope, did not die despite the subsequent wave of persecutions. In fact, it progressively developed, giving solidity to an astonishing growth of the Church in your country."

After remembering the figure of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, martyr and patron of Korea, the Holy Father said that he "was faithful until death. ... He exhorted the believers to draw from divine charity the strength to remain united and resist evil. As did the early community, ... so also the Korean Church had to find the secret of its cohesion and growth in adherence to the teaching of the successors of the apostles, in prayer and in the breaking of the bread. This same unity of purpose and the same spirit of charity, I am certain, will be the soul of the Pontifical Korean College."

AC;INAUGURATION KOREAN COLLEGE;...;...;VIS;20010326;Word: 330;

EVANGELIZING WITH PROGRAMS OF APPROPRIATE CHRISTIAN FORMATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2001 (VIS) - "The Church has the mission of announcing and sharing the great treasure of the 'Gospel of mercy' with all men. Here is the source of joy which permeates this Sunday's liturgy, called precisely 'Laetare Sunday'," the Pope said this morning during the Eucharistic celebration in the Roman parish of St. Dominic.

The Holy Father recalled that in the almost 27 years since its foundation, the parish "has made noteworthy efforts to offer a proper welcome to the many families who live here. It is now necessary to achieve a determined step forward, favoring evangelization in every way, through appropriate programs of Christian formation."

"The challenge before you is demanding," the Pope went on. A program of faith formation is necessary "which involves those who approach the sacraments of Christian initiation and which continues through adolescence and youth, affecting as well their fiances and families. ... An ever more active presence of the laity in organisms of pastoral participation is also to be encouraged."

John Paul II told the parishioners that in their area it is necessary to confront "the challenge of sects. I must tell you to exert yourselves so that the Gospel may be announced to your children and all persons of good will, as the Church has been doing for two thousand years. Offer the truth of the Christian faith with clarity, accompanying it always with a language of love and fraternity, understandable to all."

HML;...;...;ST DOMINIC;VIS;20010326;Word: 260;

VATICAN RADIO: BILATERAL MEETING TO DISCUSS RADIATION EMISSIONS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the joint declaration, made public today, of the Italy-Holy See Bilateral Commission for the solution of problems tied to the intensity of electromagnetic fields in Santa Maria di Galeria, Vatican Radio's transmission center. The commission met yesterday evening at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Vatican delegation was presided over by Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States, and the Italian delegation by Ambassador Umberto Vattani, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Communications.

"The parties examined the technical protocol on concrete methods of measurement relative to the existing electromagnetic fields.

"The two delegations will meet again at the beginning of next week to establish working methods with the goal of coordinating the findings on the installations with the measurements on Italian territory. In any case, the two parties are also independently qualified to carry out controls and examinations which do not involve breaches of their respective sovereignties.

"All of the participants expressed the desire to immediately address the worries and health concerns of the area's population."

OP;VATICAN RADIO;...;MIGLIORE;VIS;20010326;Word: 210;

CARMELITES DEDICATE 2001 TO CELEBRATION OF MARIAN YEAR

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Pope sent a Message to Fr. Joseph Chalmers, prior general of the Order of Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.Carm.), and to Fr. Camillo Maccise, superior general of the Order of Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.C.D.), on the occasion of the celebration of a Marian Year in 2001.

In the Message, dated March 25, the Holy Father expresses his joy that the Carmelite Order, in its two branches, old and reformed, has dedicated the year 2001 to the Virgin, "invoked as Flower of Carmel, Mother and Guide in the journey to sanctity." The celebration of the Marian Year coincides with the 750th anniversary of the Virgin's gift of the scapular to St. Simon Stock, prior general of the Order, on July 16, 1251.

"I hope that this Marian Year helps all Carmelite men and women religious and the pious faithful who venerate Mary filially," he concluded, "to grow in her love and radiate in the world the presence of this Lady of silence and prayer, invoked as Mother of mercy, Mother of hope and of grace."

MESS;CARMELITE MARIAN YEAR;...;...;VIS;20010326;Word: 190;

POLISH UNIVERSITY CONFERS HONORARY DOCTORATE ON JOHN PAUL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul this morning welcomed members of the Academic Senate of Poland's Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, who conferred an honorary doctorate on him.

In accepting this degree, the Pope said: "I do not wish the meaning of this doctorate 'honoris causa' to be limited to my person. I accept it as a sign of a creative coexistence between science and religion and of fruitful cooperation of scientific and ecclesiastical milieux. It seems that this honor is an even more eloquent sign because all the faculties of the university proposed to confer this degree on me. I am especially happy at the fact that there is now a Faculty of Theology."

Recalling that the basic principles of the university, inaugurated in 1919, included preparing people who were good professionals and who had a sense of civic duty and concern for the spiritual good of the nation, the Holy Father added: "Today this spiritual good ... must be seen in the perspective of the unification of Europe. ... I hope that even in the future the University of Poznan continues to be a place of encounter between Polish culture, consolidated in its identity, and European culture, respectful of perennial values."

AC;HONORARY DOCTORATE;...;UNIVERSITY POZNAN;VIS;20010326;Word: 210;

THE ANNUNCIATION: MARY'S OPENNESS TO THE WILL OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2001 (VIS) - After returning to the Vatican from St. Dominic's Parish in Rome where he celebrated Mass, John Paul II appeared at his study window to pray the noon Angelus with the faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

In reflections he made before reciting the Angelus, the Holy Father reminded the faithful that today marks the feast of the Annunciation but, as it falls on a Sunday in Lent, it will be celebrated tomorrow. He said he recalled "the intense moments of the celebration that last year, in these very days, I was able to preside in Nazareth at the basilica of the Annunciation. With profound emotion I knelt in the humble grotto in which Mary heard the words of the angel, and pronounced her 'fiat', making herself totally open to God's will."

He asked the faithful to contemplate this mystery and to "faithfully serve' the 'Gospel of life' entrusted to us by Christ. In the face of the culture of death and the attacks which, unfortunately, are multiplying against the life of man, may the commitment to defend it in every stage, from the first instant of conception to the twilight of life, never be lacking. May mankind know a renewed springtime of life in respecting and welcoming every human being, in whose face shines the image of Christ! Let us pray for this together with Mary, 'the living word of comfort for the Church in her struggle against death'."

In post-Angelus reflections, the Pope turned to yesterday's celebration in Italy of the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionary Martyrs, saying that this initiative "invites ecclesial communities to remember the men and women who died for fidelity to Christ and the Gospel." He recalled that during the year 2000, 29 missionaries, including four Italians, died.

After greetings to the faithful in several languages, Pope John Paul concluded with words of thanks to all those who belong to groups or associations "actively committed against abortion and for life. Remembering the day in which Mary conceived the Child Jesus, I wish to send a special blessing to women awaiting a child and especially to those who are in difficult situations. To all I say: A child conceived is always an invitation to live and to hope."

ANG;ANNUNCIATION; LIFE;...;...;VIS;20010326;Word: 390;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop George Pell of Melbourne, Australia, as metropolitan archbishop of Sydney (area 1,264, population 1,824,810, Catholics 589,244, priests 498, permanent deacons 1, religious 1,655), Australia. He succeeds Cardinal Edward Bede Clancy, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted in conformity with Canon 401, para. 1, of the Code of Canon Law.

On Saturday, March 24, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation of Bishop Joao Alves of Coimbra, Portugal, in conformity with canon 401, para. 1, of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Albino Mamede Cleto.

- Appointed Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, as special envoy to the centenary celebrations of the Catholic Church in Malawi, which will take place in Lilongwe, Malawi, on July 28, 2001.

- Appointed Cardinal Marco Ce, patriarch of Venice, Italy, as special envoy to the 16th centenary celebrations of the death of St. Vigilius, bishop, patron of the archdiocese of Trento, Italy, which will take place in Trento, next June 26th.

- Appointed Frs. Percival Joseph Fernandez, professor at St. Pius X College, Goregaon, India, and Agnelo Rufino Gracias, pastor of St. Michael's Shrine, Mahim, India, as auxiliaries of the archdiocese of Bombay (area 9,713, population 14,636,931, Catholics 544,177, priests 569, religious 1,769). Bishop-elect Fernandez was born in Mangalore, India, in 1935, and ordained to the priesthood in 1960. Bishop-elect Gracias was born in Mombasa, Kenya, in 1939, and ordained to the priesthood in 1962.

- Appointed Msgr. Leo Boccardi, nunciature counsellor at the Secretariat of State, as Holy See permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Preparatory Committee of the Treaty of Global Interdiction for Nuclear Experiments (CTBTO), and as Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (O.N.U.D.I.), and the Office of the United Nations in Vienna, Austria.

- Appointed Eduardo Lacetera as bureau chief in the ordinary section of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

NER; RE; NA; NEA;...;...;...;VIS;20010326;Word: 350;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences six prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Archbishop Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto of Nagasaki.
- Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada of Tokyo.
- Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga of Osaka, with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Goro Matsuura.
- Bishop Paul Shinichi Itonaga of Kagoshima.
- Bishop Joseph Satoshi Fukahori of Takamatsu.

On Saturday, March 24, he received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Bruno Musaro, apostolic nuncio in Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles; apostolic delegate in the Comoro Islands with functions of apostolic delegate in Reunion.
- Five prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop Paul Choi Duk-ki of Suwon.
- Bishop Gabriel Chang Bong-hun of Ch'ongju.
- Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon, military ordinary.
- Fr. Placidus Ri Dong-ho, O.S.B., abbot of Tokwon; apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Hamhung.
- Msgr. Leo Kim Ok-tai, diocesan administrator of Andong.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;20010326;Word: 180;

JOHN PAUL II TO TRAVEL TO GREECE, SYRIA, AND MALTA IN MAY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls declared this morning that "the Holy Father, in fitting continuity with the pilgrimages made during the Great Jubilee, will also go on pilgrimage in the footsteps of the apostle Paul to Athens, Greece; Damascus, Syria; and Malta, from May 4 to 9, 2001.

An overview of the Pope's itinerary was also published today. He is scheduled to arrive in Athens, Greece on Friday, May 4, after a 2 hour flight from Rome. He will leave Athens the following day for Damascus, Syria, remain in Damascus on May 6 and travel from Damascus to Qunietra on May 7, a one-hour trip by car. On Tuesday, May 8 the Holy Father will fly from Syria to Valletta, Malta, leaving Malta the following day for Rome.

OP;TRIP POPE;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010326;Word: 150;

FORMAL CONTACTS BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND FRATERNITY OF ST. PIUS X

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - In response to many requests from journalists regarding possible official contacts between representatives of the Holy See and the leaders of the Fraternity of St. Pius X, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following statement yesterday:

"I can confirm that there have been formal contacts between the Holy See and the Fraternity of St. Pius X. These contacts, desired by the Holy Father, are still in progress. For the moment I do not have other information."

OP;ST PIUS X;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010323;Word: 100;

PAPAL LETTER TO FOURTH MEETING OF CHURCHES OF SICILY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - Published today was Pope John Paul's Letter to Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi, archbishop of Palermo and president of the Sicilian Episcopal Conference, on the occasion of the Fourth Meeting of the Churches of Sicily, which is currently underway in Acireale. The meeting, whose motto is "In History, Leaven for the Kingdom," and whose theme is "Laity for the Mission of the Church in Sicily in the Third Millennium," ends tomorrow. The first such gathering took place in 1985.

The Pope thanked Sicilian Catholics for "the fidelity with which you are committed to adhering to the directives of the Magisterium in the many pastoral initiatives you have promoted."

He returned to the theme of his post-Jubilee Letter, "Novo Millennio Ineunte," that is, Christ's invitation, "Duc in Altum! Put out into the deep!" He invited the Church in Sicily to reflect on how to realize this call by Christ in order to "be heralds of the Gospel in our times." He then reiterated words he spoke at the 1995 meeting in Palermo: "Our time ... is not a time simply to preserve the existing, but rather a time of mission."

John Paul II underscored the laity's mission to holiness: "The lay faithful, disciples of Christ, become holy 'in the world' and 'for the world': they are inserted into temporal realities, into earthly activities, into the ordinary professional and social life, ... thus becoming in history and in time leaven for the Kingdom and for eternity."

Two duties of the lay faithful, he noted, are keeping the faith alive and a permanent part of one's existence, and spreading the faith. "As 'salt' and 'light', they are called to work prophetically in the family and school, in the spheres of culture and social communications, the economy and world of work, in politics and art, in the fields of health and where there is sickness and suffering, in sport and tourism, close to the marginalized and the many immigrants."

The Pope warned against "the temptation to reduce Christian communities to social agencies" and to take care not to practice a spirituality which is interiorized in an exaggerated manner, that is, it should be other-centered, not egocentric.

He dedicated closing remarks to communion: communion within parishes, among parishes and among dioceses. In particular he emphasized the need for "full and visible communion among Christians." In this regard, the Holy Father said: "Very meaningful in this sense, will be the prayer encounter, towards the end of your meeting, with Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople."

MESS;MEETING CHURCH SICILY;...;DE GIORGI;VIS;20010323;Word: 440;

OPEN WIDE THE DOORS OF AMERICA TO CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received the counsellors and members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America who participated in their Plenary Assembly from March 20 to 23 at the Vatican.

John Paul II affirmed that the challenges of the evangelizing mission in Latin American countries are numerous. "One of these," said the Pope, "is to conserve, defend, and increase the integrity of the faith. ... To this end it is necessary to give particular attention to the problem of sects which constitute 'a grave hindrance to the work of evangelization'. ... A determined pastoral action is necessary to confront this grave problem, reviewing the pastoral methods used, reinforcing the structures of communion and mission." The Pope assured that, where there are evangelizers, "sects do not prosper."

"Another challenge of particular importance," he continued, "is the promotion and care for vocations. Latin America needs many priests. ... To the bishops I recommend a regular and constant presence among the seminarians and above all among the priests, to accompany them, encourage them, and inspire them to generous work."

The Holy Father then made reference to the evangelization of youth: "It is necessary," he emphasized, "to evangelize them profoundly, starting from their resources of generosity, openness, and intuition. I hope that the next World Youth Day, which will be celebrated in America, in Toronto, Canada may be a new and decisive milestone in the evangelization of youth in this beloved continent."

After recalling Christ's words to St. Peter, "Duc in altum," quoted in his Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte," John Paul II said: "The Pope repeats these words to you, fishers of men, at the conclusion of your Plenary Assembly. Open wide the doors of America to Christ and to His Gospel! Your nations need, today as yesterday, great evangelizes of the nature and talent of St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, whose feast we celebrate today, proclaimed Patron of all Latin American bishops by myself in 1983."

AC;EVANGELIZATION;...;COM-AL;VIS;20010323;Word: 340;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Four prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop Augustine Cheong Myong-jo of Pusan.
- Bishop Vincent Ri Pyung-ho of Chonju (Jeon Ju).
- Bishop James Kim Ji-seok of Wonju.
- Bishop John Chang-yik of Ch'unch'on.
- Brother Roger, prior of Taize.
- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, with Bishop Enzo Dieci, auxiliary of Rome for the northern pastoral sector, Fr. Paolo Corsi, pastor of the parish of San Domenico di Guzman, and a parish vicar.

Subject: ;VIS;20010323;Word: 100;

BOOK ON PAPAL TOMBS AND FUNERAL MONUMENTS TO BE PRESENTED

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - A press conference will be held on Tuesday, March 27, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, for the presentation of the book: "The Tombs and Funeral Monuments of the Popes in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican."

Participating in the conference will be the book's author, Cardinal Virgilio Noe, president of the Fabric of St. Peter's; Dr. Claudio Strinati, superintendent of the artistic and historical patrimony of Rome; and Dr. Vittorio Casale, professor of the History of Art Criticism at University III, Rome.

OP;BOOK TOMBS; MONUMENTS;...;NOE;VIS;20010323;Word: 100;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. John A. Boissonneau, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Toronto, Canada, former rector of St. Augustine's Seminary of Toronto, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Toronto (area 13,000, population 5,215,000, Catholics 1,798,000, priests 888, permanent deacons 114, religious 1,398). The bishop-elect was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1949, and ordained to the priesthood in 1972.

NEA;...;...;BOISSONNEAU ;VIS;20010323;Word: 60;

FEMININE HOLINESS IS INDISPENSABLE TO LIFE OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message to the 600 delegates who participated in the March 17-21 general assembly of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations in Rome on the theme "The Prophetic Mission of Women." The Message to the Union, which was founded in 1910, was written in English and was dated March 7.

The Pope told the delegates that their assembly is an "opportunity to thank God for all that being a woman signifies in the divine plan, and to ask His help in overcoming the many obstacles which still hinder full recognition of the dignity and mission of women in society and within the ecclesial community."

He observed that "the journey travelled in the course of the past century has been remarkable. In many countries today women enjoy freedom of movement, of decision and of self-expression, a freedom which they have achieved with clear mindedness and courage. They express their characteristic 'genius' in many spheres. In today's world there exists a growing awareness of the need to affirm women's dignity. This is no abstract principle for it involves a concerted effort at every level to oppose vigorously 'all practices that offend woman's freedom or femininity ... so-called 'sexual tourism', trafficking in young girls, mass sterilization and, in general, every form of violence'."

The Holy Father spoke of impediments still faced by women in a prevailing culture "which spreads and imposes models of life that are contrary to women's deeper nature." And he underscored "the serious aberrations" which arise from "individual selfishness" and from "a mentality which stresses each individual's rights to such an extent that respect for the rights of others is weakened." He urged the women "to provide increasing material and moral support to women in difficulty, victims of poverty and violence."

"Feminine holiness, to which each of you is called, is indispensable to the life of the Church. ... The world and the Church need your specific commitment" and your ability to transmit "the genuine sense of the faith and apply it to all life's circumstances. ... The Church's presence and action in the new millennium passes by way of woman's capacity to receive and keep God's word."

AC;CATHOLIC WOMEN;...;...;VIS;20010322;Word: 270;

POPE TELLS PRESBYTERIANS THEIR VISIT IS "A CAUSE FOR JOY"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - A delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States was welcomed this morning by the Holy Father, who told them that their visit "is indeed a cause for joy."

He noted that their visit "takes place following the year-long celebration of the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation and at the dawn of the Third Christian Millennium. The participation of so many Churches and Ecclesial Communities in a number of the Jubilee events testifies to our common thanksgiving for the great outpouring of grace which accompanied the Lord's first coming. It confirms our commitment to work for full Christian unity as we await His return in glory."

"Despite the significant steps taken in recent decades towards the goal of visible unity, we must acknowledge that ... 'there is still a long way to go'," Pope John Paul added, quoting "Novo Millennio Ineunte." He wished the members of the delegation a fruitful visit, saying "may your stay, and your conversations with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, bear abundant fruit for the ecumenical tasks ahead."

AC;UNITY; PRESBYTERIANS;...;USA;VIS;20010322;Word: 190;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Erected the diocese of Maradi (area 1,000,000, population 6,000,000, Catholics 1,500, priests 18, religious 40), Niger, with territory taken from the diocese of Niamey, making it a direct subject of the Holy See. He appointed Bishop Ambroise Ouedraogo, auxiliary of Niamey, Niger, as first bishop of the new diocese.

- Appointed Msgr. Frank J. Dewane, official of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," as under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

ECE; NER; NA;...;...;MARADI; OUEDRAOGO; DEWANE;VIS;20010322;Word: 80;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, archbishop emeritus of Seoul, Korea.
- Ten prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Archbishop Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul, apostolic administrator of P'yong-yang, with Auxiliary Bishop Peter Kang U-il.
- Archbishop Paul Ri Moun-hi of Taegu, with Auxiliary Bishop John Choi Young-su.
- Archbishop Andreas Choi Chang-mou of Kwangju.
- Bishop William John McNaughton of Inch'on, with Coadjutor Bishop Boniface Choi Ki-san.
- Bishop Michael Pak Jeong-il of Masan, with Coadjutor Bishop Francis Xavier Ahn Myong-ok.
- Bishop Paul Kim Tchang-ryeol of Cheju.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;20010322;Word: 110;

CARDINALS KASPER AND POMPEDDA TAKE POSSESSION OF DIACONATES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - Next Sunday, March 25, Cardinals Walter Kasper and Francesco Pompedda will take possession of their Diaconate churches. Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will take possession of the Diaconate of All Saints in Via Appia Nuova, Via Appia Nuova, 244, at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. that same day, Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, will take possession of the Diaconate of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Via Ardeatina, Via di Grotta Perfetta, 591, in Rome.

OCL;POSSESSION TAKING;...;KASPER; POMPEDDA;VIS;20010322;Word: 110;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Jose Sotero Valero Ruiz, auxiliary of Valencia, Venezuela, as bishop of Guanare (area 15,200, population 760,000, Catholics 700,000, priests 33, religious 65), Venezuela.

- Fr. Joseph Lai Hung Seng, pastor of the cathedral of Macao, as coadjutor of the bishop of Macao (area, 19, population 430,500, Catholics 28,015, priests 83, religious 228), China. The bishop-elect was born in 1946 in Macao and was ordained a priest in 1972.

- Bishop Filiberto Jimenez Narvaez, emeritus of Riohacha, Colombia, as auxiliary of the archbishop of Medellin (area 708, population 2,952,956, Catholics 2,512,065, priests 896, religious 3,560), Colombia.

- Msgr. Joaquin Maria Lopez de Andujar, vicar general since 1991 of the diocese of Getafe, as auxiliary of the bishop of Getafe (area 2,295, population 1,122,601, Catholics 639,500, priests 243, religious 816), Spain. The bishop-elect was born in 1842 in Madrid, Spain and was ordained a priest in 1968.

On Saturday, March 17, it was made public that he appointed the following as members of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue: Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale of Bloemfontein, South Africa; Bishops Jean Khamse Vithavong, apostolic vicar of Vientiane, Laos; Gabriel Piroird of Constantine, Algeria; Albert Ayinde Fasina of Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria; Tod David Brown of Orange in California, U.S.A., Charles Maung Bo of Pathein, Myanmar; Vincent Coulibaly of Kankan, Guinea-Conakry; Paul Yoshinao Otsuka of Kyoto, Japan; Andrew Francis of Multan, Pakistan; Patrick O'Donoghue, auxiliary of Westminster, Great Britain, and Everard Johannes de Jong, auxiliary of Roermund, Netherlands.

NER; NEC; NEA; NA;...;...;...;VIS;20010320;Word: 280;

WOMEN ARE UNIQUELY GIFTED TO PASS ON CHRISTIAN MESSAGE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2001 (VIS) - After a summary in English of his catechesis for today's weekly general audience, Pope John Paul greeted all the English-speaking visitors at the audience, and had special words for the members of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations, meeting in Rome for their general assembly.

"You have come together to grow in a deeper understanding of your mission and to support one another as you seek to live out your commitment to Christian holiness, to feminine holiness," said the Pope. "This form of discipleship is indispensable to the Church in the Third Millennium. Women, in fact, are uniquely gifted in the task of passing on the Christian message in the family and in the world of work, study and leisure. Catholic women who live by faith, hope and love, and who honor God's name in prayer and service, have always played a central role in transmitting the genuine sense of Christian faith and in applying it to every circumstance of life."

AG;UNION CATHOLIC WOMEN;...;...;VIS;20010321;Word: 180;

"MARY, PILGRIM IN THE FAITH, STAR OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2001 (VIS) - The theme of John Paul II's catechesis during today's general audience, held this morning in St. Peter's Square, was: "Mary, Pilgrim in the Faith, Star of the Third Millennium."

The Pope affirmed that "the annunciation is 'the point of departure for Mary's whole journey towards God'," a journey which passes "through the winding paths of exile in Egypt and inner darkness, when Mary 'did not understand' the behavior of the twelve-year old Jesus in the Temple, and yet 'kept all these things in her heart'."

"The hidden life of Jesus also passes in the half-light. ... Certainly, shafts of light are not lacking in Mary's life, such as at the wedding of Cana, where - though in seeming detachment - Christ welcomes the prayer of His Mother and fulfills the first sign of revelation, stirring up the faith of the disciples."

The Holy Father emphasized that "the summit of this earthly pilgrimage in faith is at Golgotha, where Mary intimately lives the Paschal Mystery of her Son: she dies in a certain sense as mother in the death of her Son and opens herself to the 'resurrection' with a new maternity in relation to the Church."

"We turn to her," the Holy Father continued, "that she may continue to guide us towards Christ and the Father, even in the dark night of evil, and in moments of doubt, crisis, silence, and suffering."

The Pope recalled that Mary's visit to Elizabeth "is marked by the canticle of the 'Magnificat', a hymn which spans all Christian centuries as perpetual melody: a hymn which unites the souls of Christ's disciples beyond historical barriers, which we are committed to overcoming in view of a full communion."

AG;MARY;...;...;VIS;20010321;Word: 300;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Archbishop Ennio Antonelli, secretary general of the Italian Episcopal Conference, as archbishop of Florence (area 2,205, population 874,172, Catholics 826,484, priests 665, permanent deacons 34, religious 2,163), Italy. He succeeds Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, in conformity with the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Edward Joseph Gilbert, C.SS.R., of Roseau, Dominica, as metropolitan archbishop of Port of Spain (area 5,123, population 1,250,000, Catholics 395,000, priests 90, religious 253), Trinidad and Tobago.

- Appointed Msgr. Jose Antonio Gentico, vicar general of Moron, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Buenos Aires (area 202, population 3,826,000, Catholics 3,506,000, priests 915, permanent deacons 3, religious 2,852), Argentina. The bishop-elect was born in Arnedo, Spain, in 1932, and ordained to the priesthood in 1968.

NER; NEA; RE;...;...;...;VIS;20010321;Word: 120;

COMMUNIQUE FROM THE UNION OF SUPERIORS GENERAL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2001 (VIS) - A communique from the Union of Superiors General (USG, for men religious)) and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG, women religious) was released this afternoon by the Holy See Press Office. Following are excerpts:

"Consecrated life today involves about 200,000 men religious and 1 million sisters, present in all countries of the world. Consecrated life is also represented, at a central level, by the USG and the UISG.

"The strength of consecrated life lies in the fact that, concretely, in everyday life, men and women religious are able to live faithfully their choices of chastity, poverty, obedience and service. The challenge to serve with an undivided heart is a true and precise choice."

"In the face of the articles in the media these days, relative to cases of sexual abuses undergone by women religious, .... the two Unions (note that they) have not been insensitive (to the problem) and are endeavoring (to work on it) in a concrete manner.

"Consecrated life wishes to transmit hope to a world divided by wars, nationalisms and so many forms of injustice in individuals and in structures. Men and women religious are strongly committed: in culture, ... in social activities for the recovery and prevention of hardships; in favor of abandoned minors; in assistance to prisoners; ... in hospitals, in scholastic and educational activities, for the promotion of women and their autonomy.

"Men and women religious in their everyday lives are witnesses of the radical nature and the strength of the Gospel, even with their personal weaknesses."

"In three days, on March 24, we will celebrate the Day of Missionary Martyrs. In the year 2000 priests, lay people and religious lost their lives, witnessing to the Gospel in the diverse situations of conflict throughout the world.

"Therefore, we repeat, in perfect harmony with what the Vatican spokesman said yesterday, that 'several negative situations cannot allow us to forget the fidelity, often on a heroic scale, of the overwhelming majority of religious and priests'."

OP;SEXUAL ABUSE; RELIGIOUS;...;USG; UISG;VIS;20010321;Word: 330;

JOHN PAUL II CALLS FOR END TO RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of the weekly general audience, the Holy Father reminded the pilgrims present in St. Peter's Square that "today, March 21 is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He added that "it also marks the start of a week of solidarity with all those who are fighting against such injustice."

Pointing to international instruments adopted in this regard and to world conferences on the subject, the Pope said "these constitute important stages on the path to affirming the basic equality and dignity of every person, and for a peaceful coexistence between all peoples. Despite these efforts, millions of human beings have not yet seen their 'right of citizenship' in the human family recognized."

John Paul II said in conclusion: "The Church joins the commitment of all those who defend human rights, and she feels solidarity with all who, for racial, ethnic, religious or social reasons are victims of discrimination. ... I wish to repeat that no one is a stranger in the Church and everyone should feel at home!"

AG;RACIAL DISCRIMINATION;...;...;VIS;20010321;Word: 190;

MIDDLE EAST: DIALOGUE, RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 17, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed the prelates of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions, in Rome on their "ad limina" visit, and spoke to them of the joys and difficulties of being a Christian in the Middle East. He appealed for dialogue and respect for human rights, in order to achieve a lasting and just peace, and called for an end to the embargo against Iraq and for assistance to refugees leaving Sudan for Egypt.

The Pope began by recalling his pilgrimages during the Jubilee Year to Mount Sinai and to the Holy Land, including "Jerusalem, the holy city where Christ died and rose again for the salvation of mankind." He said he was looking forward to his pilgrimage to Syria to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul.

The Holy Father spoke of the many joys of being a Christian in the land where Christ was born, lived and died, but also acknowledged the many problems associated with living one's faith in a region where Christians are in the minority. "The Christian lives his personal and ecclesial identity through his intimate relation with Christ, which helps him to live out every situation and which enlightens one's choices."

Witnessing to Christ, said the Pope, calls for communion within the Church and "pastoral collaboration among the diverse Catholic communities. ... Making the Church the home and school of communion: this is the great challenge which the start of the third millennium presents to us."

John Paul II highlighted the role of the bishops, the priests, "your first collaborators," the religious and the laity in building and strengthening Christian communities in the region. He thanked everyone for their generous commitment to serving all peoples in all milieux of life, especially in the educational and social spheres, and for their "contribution to the human and spiritual promotion of people."

He stressed the need for dialogue among Christians, as well as with those of other religions. He added that "division among Christians is a lack of fidelity to the Lord's will and obscures their identity as disciples of Christ."

Pope John Paul noted that Christians are fleeing the Holy Land to find economic and physical security elsewhere and appealed to them "to remain confident in themselves and to stay firmly attached to the land which was also that of their ancestors. ... The permanence of Christians in Jerusalem and close to the holy places of Christianity is especially important for the Church cannot forget her roots. ... Do not resign yourselves to the thoughts of an inevitable departure!"

The Holy Father dedicated closing remarks to the violence in the Holy Land, the Iraq embargo and the situation in the Sudan.

He expressed his "closeness and affection" to all victims of violence and added: "The entire Church suffers with you, and hopes to soon rejoice with you at realizing a desire one cannot renounce: peace! ... The events taking place in the Holy Land, which I am following attentively, are worrisome and sorely test the hope of peace. I sincerely hope that negotiations will be undertaken again, placing at their center respect for the dignity of every man who, in his own land, has the right to live in peace and security. That will only be realized in respect for international law and a rejection of violence, which only exacerbates hatred."

John Paul II ended by underscoring other "dramatic situations" in the region. "In Iraq, the embargo continues to cause victims, too many innocent people are paying the consequences of an evil war which continues to affect the weakest and most defenseless. The flow of refugees from Sudan to Egypt continues strongly. It is urgent to find solutions in order to decently welcome displaced persons and to permit them to integrate well, and to procure spiritual assistance for the many Christians in their midst. My thoughts also turn to the Catholic community in Somalia which, in the past, has been victim of much violence, in the hopes that a normal ecclesial situation may be reestablished in this country."

AL;LATIN BISHOPS;...;ARAB REGIONS;VIS;20010320;Word: 690;

MARCH 19: FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH AND FATHER'S DAY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2001 (VIS) - At today's angelus, the Holy Father reminded the faithful present in St. Peter's Square that tomorrow, March 19, is the feast of St. Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary and patron of the universal Church. "In the heart of Lent," he said, "the liturgy gives us this great saint as an example to follow and a protector to invoke."

"St. Joseph is for us, in the first place, a model of faith. As did Abraham, he always lived a behavior of total abandonment to divine providence." The Pope went on to say that "we are also called to imitate him in the humble exercise of the virtue of obedience, a virtue which shines in him through his style of silence and hard-working obscurity. How precious is the 'school' of Nazareth for contemporary man, trapped by a culture which too often exalts appearance and success, autonomy and a false concept of individual freedom. How much need there is, on the contrary, to recover the values of simplicity and obedience, of respect and a loving search for the will of God."

After praying the angelus with the pilgrims in the square below his study window, John Paul II had special greetings for all fathers who tomorrow, the feast of St. Joseph, celebrate Father's Day in Italy.

He added that he was "happy to encourage the 'Adopt a Father' campaign promoted by the Liaison Committee of Catholics for a Civilization of Love. This is a new form of sponsorship which, directly through missionaries, allows people to assure a dignified job to the heads of families in the poorest countries. I give my heartfelt blessing to this initiative which helps families to remain united and which contributes to creating a world that is more fraternal and marked by solidarity."

ANG;ST JOSEPH;...;...;VIS;20010320;Word: 310;

VATICAN RADIO AND THE DEBATE OVER RADIATION EMISSIONS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 17, 2001 (VIS) - Vatican Radio program director, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., in a communique released yesterday afternoon, responded to statements made by Italian Environment Minister Willer Bordon who had threatened to cut off electricity to the Santa Maria de Galeria center where Vatican Radio has its antennae because of the allegedly high electromagnetic pollution they are causing.

Minister Bordon's statement was another step in the debate that has been taking place recently between Italian authorities and Vatican Radio for the radiation allegedly emitted from the Santa Maria de Galeria center where a huge network of antennae transmits Vatican Radio programs to the entire world.

Yesterday, Minister Bordon said: "If in 15 days the broadcaster is not in conformity with the emission limits I will order the company giving power to (the radio station) to cut off the supply."

Yesterday afternoon Fr. Lombardi replied in a note: "The management of Vatican Radio is astonished at the statement and behavior of Minister Bordon, given that a bilateral commission between Italy and the Holy See exists and has been working for months with the precise purpose of facing together the problems relative to the Santa Maria in Galeria center. There is even a representative of the Ministry for Environment on this commission.

"Vatican Radio," he concluded, "has said that it is most open to collaboration, and we are convinced that this is the appropriate, correct and reasonable path along which we must proceed. An initiative such as Minister Bordon's does not help to create a climate of serenity which would contribute to seeking the most opportune solutions."

Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in an explanatory note today, added that "the Holy See takes to heart the health and serenity of all those who live in the vicinity of Vatican Radio's transmission center. As far as the electromagnetic fields go, Vatican Radio has always been oriented by the guidelines of the ICNIRP, that is, the authoritative International Commission for the Protection of Non-Ionized Radiation and did so long before Italy established norms in this regard. The indications of this commission were received with a unanimous vote by the Council of the European Union, with the sole exception of Italy, which, in 1998, established much more restrictive norms. The problem of emissions of the transmitting center arose following the Italian norms, which are different from the international standards to which the radio station has up to now followed."

"In the light of the international recommendations," Navarro-Valls said, "it must be stated that the accusations made against Vatican Radio of exercising an activity which is harmful to (a person's) health, have no basis in scientifically proven evidence."

He concluded: "Therefore, it is surprising that, while the Holy See has shown itself to be amenable to reaching an understanding, above all by starting on a joint measuring of the intensity of the electromagnetic fields produced by Vatican Radio activity at Santa Maria di Galeria, a member of the Italian government makes unacceptable declarations ... contrary to the spirit of negotiations."

...;VATICAN RADIO;...;LOMBARDI; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010320;Word: 520;

IT IS TIME TO LAUNCH AUDACIOUS APOSTOLIC GOALS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 17, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received 400 lay members and priests of Opus Dei who are participating in several days of reflection on the Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" and on the perspectives outlined in it for the future of evangelization.

The Holy Father pointed out that this encounter was promoted by the prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria, with the aim of "strengthening the service given by the prelature to the particular Churches where its faithful are present."

"Lay people, as Christians," said the Pope, "are committed to undertaking a missionary apostolate. ... They must therefore be stimulated to effectively place their own knowledge at the service of the 'new frontiers' which present themselves as new challenges for the saving presence of the Church in the world. ... Their apostolic zeal, fraternal friendship and solidarity in charity will enable them to know how to undertake daily social relations so as to cultivate in others that thirst for truth which is the first condition for a saving encounter with Christ."

John Paul II underlined that priests, for their part, "exercise a primary, irreplaceable function: that of helping souls, one by one, through the sacraments, preaching, spiritual guidance, and in opening themselves to the gift of grace. A spirituality of communion will make the best use of the roles of each member of the Church."

"I exhort you not to forget in all of your work the central focus of the Jubilee experience: the encounter with Christ. ... The thirst for spirituality which has been awakened in our society can only be placated by Christ."

The Holy Father concluding by affirming that "it is time to put aside every fear and to propel oneself towards audacious apostolic goals: Christ's invitation stimulates us to cast ourselves out into the deep, to cultivate ambitious dreams of personal holiness and apostolic fruitfulness. The apostolate is always the overflowing of interior life."

AC;NOVO MILLENNIO INEUNTE;...;ECHEVARRIA;VIS;20010320;Word: 330;

POPE WELCOMES MEMBERS OF EXPEDITION TO NORTH POLE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2001 (VIS) - Fifty members of an expedition to the North Pole were welcomed by Pope John Paul this morning who, following his greetings and best wishes to them, blessed a Cross that they will plant at the pole.

The Pope recalled that this expedition takes place 100 years after one led by Prince Luigi Amedeo di Savoia Aosta in which "a young mountain climbing priest, Achille Ratti, the future Pius XI, was to have taken part but who was unable to go because of unexpected circumstances that arose just before the departure."

He told the members of this expedition that they are about "to offer a witness to the ever-present longing in man to know the unexplored pages of the marvelous book of creation" and to share in the marvel of the psalmist who exclaimed: 'O Lord, our God, how great is your name on all the earth'."

"God willing," observed John Paul II, "you will reach the North Pole on Easter Sunday where you will be able to celebrate Mass." This was a dream of Pius XI's, he added, "as was the dream to plant a Cross on this extreme frontier of the earth."

"By planting the cross and celebrating Mass at the 'confines of the earth'," he concluded, "you intend to recall that mankind finds its authentic dimension only when it is capable of fixing its gaze on Christ and totally entrusting itself to Him."

Msgr. Liberio Andreatta of the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi will be the first priest ever to reach the North Pole and to celebrate a Mass there. The two-meter high Cross which the expedition will bring depicts Christ crucified. Underneath is John Paul II with his hands extended to mankind, inviting them to welcome Christ.

AC;EXPEDITION NORTH POLE;...;...;VIS;20010320;Word: 250;

BISHOPS ARE "FATHERS" AND "GUARDIANS," LIKE ST. JOSEPH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 a.m. today, solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, John Paul II conferred episcopal ordination in St. Peter's Basilica on nine priests from various nations.

The new bishops are: Archbishops Fernando Filoni, apostolic nuncio in Iraq and Jordan; Henryk Jozef Nowacki, apostolic nuncio in Slovakia; Timothy Paul Andrew Broglio, apostolic nuncio in the Dominican Republic and apostolic delegate in Puerto Rico, and Domenico Sorrentino, archbishop-prelate of Pompeii, Italy, and pontifical delegate of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary; Bishops Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences; Tomasz Peta, apostolic administrator in Astana, Kazakhstan and Djura Dzudzar, auxiliary of the eparchy of Mukacheve in Transcarpathia, Ukraine.

In his homily the Pope underlined that we contemplate St. Joseph today as "the saint under whose efficacious patronage Divine Providence wished to place the persons and the ministry of all those called to be, within the Christian people, 'fathers' and 'guardians'."

The Holy Father remarked that "the pastors of the Church are 'fathers' and 'guardians', called to act as wise and faithful 'servants'. They are entrusted with the daily care of the Christian people who, thanks to their guidance, can go forward securely on the path of Christian perfection."

"Imitate the example of this great saint," he urged the new bishops, "as well as of his spouse, Mary. If at times you meet difficulties and obstacles, don't hesitate to accept suffering with Christ for the advantage of His Mystical Body, because with Him you can rejoice in an all beautiful Church, without stain or blemishes, holy and immaculate. The Lord, who will not fail to send you His grace, today consecrates you and send you forth as apostles of the world."

HML;EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS;...;...;VIS;20010320;Word: 350;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received in separate audiences the new bishops whom he ordained yesterday, along with their family members:

- Archbishop Fernando Filoni, apostolic nuncio in Iraq and Jordan.
- Archbishop Henryk Jozef Nowacki, apostolic nuncio in Slovakia.
- Archbishop Timothy Paul Andrew Broglio, apostolic nuncio in the Dominican Republic and apostolic delegate in Puerto Rico.
- Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, archbishop-prelate of Pompeii, Italy, and pontifical delegate of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.
- Bishop Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. - Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
- Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
- Bishop Tomasz Peta, apostolic administrator in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Bishop Djura Dzudzar, auxiliary of the eparchy of Mukacheve in Transcarpathia, Ukraine.

On Saturday, March 17, the Pope received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Dominik Hrusovsky, apostolic nuncio in Belarus.
- Olli Mennander, ambassador of Finland, with his wife on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010320;Word: 190;

STATEMENT ON ABUSES UNDERGONE BY WOMEN RELIGIOUS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2001 (VIS) - The following statement was released early this afternoon by Holy See Press office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, relative to news about the cases of sexual abuse undergone by women religious on the part of priests or missionaries:

"The problem is known and is restricted to a limited geographic area.

"The Holy See is treating this matter in collaboration with the bishops, the Union of Superiors General (USG) and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG). We are working on both sides of the question of the formation of persons and the solutions to single cases.

"Several negative situations should never allow us to forget the fidelity, often heroic, of the overwhelming majority of men and women religious and priests."

OP;ABUSES;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010320;Word: 130;

COUNCIL PONDERS DOCUMENT ON ETHICS AND THE INTERNET

VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall, John Paul II welcomed the participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. After remarks by council president, Archbishop John Foley, the Pope thanked the members "for all you are doing in support of the Church's diversified presence in the world of the media."

He also expressed his gratitude for the "specific contribution to the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. ... The pontifical council rendered invaluable service by coordinating worldwide telecasts of many of the Holy Year ceremonies, and by offering professional and pastoral assistance to the thousands of men and women working in the fields of radio, television, the print media and photography."

"Over the years," the Pope went on, "the Pontifical Council for Social Communications has acquired a very positive experience of cooperation with the international media in bringing the important events of the Church's life to people in all parts of the world."

The Holy Father then commented on the council's document of June 2000, "Ethics in Communication," saying that it "sought to offer moral guidance regarding the use of the media, a varied and complex human reality in which ethical concerns are often subordinated to commercial interests. I am pleased that in these days you have been considering a similar document on the theme of 'Ethics in the Internet', which would indeed be timely, given the rapid spread of cyber-communications and the many moral questions involved. The Church cannot be a mere spectator of the social results of technological advances."

In concluding remarks, he affirmed that "the problems and opportunities created by new technology, by the process of globalization, by deregulation and privatization of the media present new ethical and indeed spiritual challenges to those who work in social communications. These challenges will be met effectively by those who accept that 'serving the human person, building up community, grounded in solidarity and justice and love, and speaking the truth about human life and its final fulfillment in God were, are and will remain at the heart of ethics in the media'."

At the end of the audience, Pope John Paul prayed the angelus with the participants. In an off-the-cuff remark, he said that "the angelus is the first communication, the most important communication in the history of mankind."

AC;PLENARY; CON; CS;...;FOLEY;VIS;20010316;Word: 380;

POPE TO CONFER EPISCOPAL ORDINATION UPON NINE PRIESTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2001 (VIS) - According to a communique made public today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, on Monday, March 19, Solemnity of St. Joseph, at 9:30 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica, John Paul II will confer episcopal ordination upon the following nine priests:

1. Msgr. Fernando Filoni, titular archbishop-elect of Volturno, and appointed apostolic nuncio in Iraq and Jordan.

2. Msgr. Henryk Jozef Nowacki, titular archbishop-elect of Blera, and appointed apostolic nuncio in Slovakia.

3. Msgr. Timothy Paul Andrew Broglio, titular archbishop-elect of Amiterno, and appointed apostolic nuncio in the Dominican Republic and apostolic delegate in Puerto Rico.

4. Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino, archbishop-prelate-elect of Pompeii, Italy, and appointed pontifical delegate of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.

5. Msgr. Tomasz Peta, apostolic administrator in Astana, Kazakhstan, and titular bishop-elect of Brenda.

6. Msgr. Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and titular bishop-elect of Vescovio.

7. Msgr. Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., titular bishop-elect of Agropoli, and appointed secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

8. Msgr. Giampaolo Crepaldi, titular bishop-elect of Bisarcio, and appointed secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

9. Msgr. Djura Dzudzar, titular bishop-elect of Acrasso, and appointed auxiliary of the eparchy of Mukacheve in Transcarpathia, Ukraine.

JPII-EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS;...;...;...;VIS;20010316;Word: 240;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Janos Martonyi, foreign minister of Hungary, accompanied by his wife and entourage.
- Two prelates of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions (C.E.L.R.A.), on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Fr. Umberto Barato, O.F.M., patriarchal vicar for Cyprus of the Latins.
- Fr. Giorgio Bertin, O.F.M., apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Mogadishu, Somalia.
- Javier Luis Egana Baraona, ambassador of Chile, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re and Bishop Cipriano Calderon Polo, respectively president and vice-president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

This evening he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;20010316;Word: 130;

HOLY SEE ABSTAINS ON VOTE FOR JUDGES OF INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations in New York, spoke yesterday on the election of judges of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991.

He observed that "the Holy See has attentively followed the proceedings" of the Tribunal and "regards the Tribunal as an instrument of the international community to express its condemnation of violations of international humanitarian law."

The archbishop went on to say that "the Holy See appreciates that the United Nations recognizes its active role in the international arena. In fact, even if the Holy See is a non-Member State which maintains a Permanent Observer Mission at the U.N., it is invited to participate in the election of judges to the Tribunal in the same manner as Member States."
Archbishop Martino remarked, however, that "in consideration of its specific nature and its objectives, and according to the recognized praxis in similar cases, the Holy See decided, as on previous occasions, to abstain from casting its vote on the individual candidates to the Office of Judge of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia."

DELSS;TRIBUNAL; YUGOSLAVIA;...;UN; MARTINO;VIS;20010315;Word: 220;

TWO CARDINALS TO TAKE POSSESSION OF TITLES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re and Severino Poletto will take possession of their titular churches in coming days. Cardinal Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, will take possession of the title of the Most Holy 12 Apostles in Piazza Santissimi Apostoli in Rome on Sunday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. The following day, March 19, feast of St. Joseph, Cardinal Poletto, metropolitan archbishop of Turin, Italy, will take possession of the diaconate, raised "pro hac vice" to the title of St. Joseph in Via Trionfale in Rome at 4:30 p.m.

OCL;POSSESSION TITLES;...;RE; POLETTO;VIS;20010315;Word: 100;

POPE NAMES PRESIDENTS, RELATOR AND SECRETARY OF SYNOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2001 (VIS) - The 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will be held in the Vatican from September 30 to October 27, 2001, on the theme "The Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World." The Holy Father has appointed the presidents, relator and secretary of that synod:

The presidents delegate are Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Bernard Agre, archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast and Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay, India.

The relator general will be Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, archbishop of New York, U.S.A.

Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Oria, Italy, has been appointed as special secretary.

...;SYNOD APPOINTMENTS;...;...;VIS;20010315;Word: 130;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 201 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Renzo Civili, auditor emeritus of the Roman Rota, to the College of Apostolic Pronotaries "de numero participantium."

NA;...;...;CIVILI ;VIS;20010315;Word: 30;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Koichiro Matsuura, director general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (U.N.E.S.C.O.), accompanied by his entourage.
- Six prelates of the Conference of Latin Bishops in the Arab Regions (C.E.L.R.A.), on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Archbishop Jean Benjamin Sleiman of Baghdad of the Latins, Iraq.
- Bishop Georges Perron of Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti.
- Archbishop Paul Dahdah, apostolic vicar of Beirut of the Latins, Lebanon.
- Bishop Giovanni Bernardo Gremoli, apostolic vicar of Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
- Bishop Francis Adeodatus Micallef, apostolic vicar of Kuwait.
- Bishop Armando Bortolaso, apostolic vicar of Alep, Syria.
- Cardinal Roger Etchegaray.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;20010315;Word: 130;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 14, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Egon Kapellari of Gurk, as bishop of Graz-Seckau (area 16,386, population 1,160,554, Catholics 949,562, priests 540, permanent deacons 38, religious 1,027), Austria. He succeeds Bishop Johann Weber, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in conformity with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

NER; RE;...;...;KAPELLARI; WEBER ;VIS;20010314;Word: 60;

POPE GREETS CATHOLIC DOCTORS, YOUTH, THE ILL, NEWLYWEDS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 14, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of his general audience catechesis in Italian, and summaries in five other languages, Pope John Paul had greetings in a number of languages for the more than 7,000 faithful present today in the Paul VI Hall.

After welcoming pilgrims in Hungarian, Croatian, Czech and Slovakian, and speaking to them about the Lenten season, the Pope then greeted the Pistoia regional Association of Italian Catholic Doctors. He encouraged them in their "precious service to life, the basic value in which the wisdom and love of God are mirrored. Respect for life from conception to its natural decline is a decisive criteria for evaluating the civilization of a people." He expressed his "best wishes" to the doctors "for your generous commitment to your noble mission."

The Holy Father told young people that he hoped that the grace of Lent would help them "to rediscover the gift of following Christ and imitating the filial adherence of Jesus to the will of the Father."

He exhorted those who are ill "to sustain through prayer and the offering up of your sufferings the Lenten path that the Church is following."

To newlyweds, the Pope said: "I hope you put the Lord at the center of your families. He walks with you, thus making you always credible witnesses of His love, in every sphere of life."

AG;GREETINGS;...;...;VIS;20010314;Word: 230;

GENERAL AUDIENCE: "MARY, ESCHATOLOGICAL ICON OF THE CHURCH"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 14, 2001 (VIS) - The theme of John Paul II's catechesis for today's general audience, held in the Paul VI Hall, was: "Mary, Eschatological Icon of the Church." As he entered the hall, the Pope passed slowly through the atrium and the center aisle, stopping frequently to greet those present.

In his catechesis the Pope observed that St. John's Book of Revelation tells of a Child's birth, which "represents the coming of the Messiah, and the woman evidently personifies the people of God, both the biblical Israel and the Church. ... Against Mary and the Church rises the dragon representing Satan and evil. ... Mary, her Son, and the Church, represent the seeming weakness and smallness of love, truth, and justice. Against them is unleashed the enormous destructive energy of violence, deceit, and injustice."

"The time of distress, persecution and trial," he continued, "is not, therefore, indefinite: at the end liberation will come and it will be the hour of glory."

John Paul II affirmed that, "contemplating this mystery in a marian perspective, we can state that 'Mary, at the side of her Son, is the most perfect image of freedom and of the liberation of humanity and of the universe'."

"We fix, then, our gaze upon Mary," the Pope added, "icon of the pilgrim Church in the desert of history, but stretched out towards the glorious goal of the heavenly Jerusalem."

The Pope concluded the catechesis: "In her glorious Assumption into heaven Mary is the image of the creature called by the risen Christ to attain, at the end of history, the fullness of communion with God in the resurrection for a blessed eternity. For the Church which often feels the weight of history and the siege of evil, the Mother of Christ is the luminous emblem of a humanity redeemed and transformed by the grace that saves."

During a brief ceremony at the end of the audience, the Holy Father received from BMW Italy a gift of a BMW 740i Protection and eight BMW C1 models for his use and that of Vatican City State.

AG;MARY; ICON; CHURCH;...;...;VIS;20010314;Word: 350;

CONSISTORY HELD ON SEVERAL CAUSES FOR CANONIZATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2001 (VIS) - This morning at 11 in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, Pope John Paul presided at an Ordinary Public Consistory for the canonization of the following Blesseds:

Giuseppe Marello, bishop, founder of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph; Luigi Scrosoppi, priest, of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of St. Gaetano Thiene; Agostino Roscelli, priest, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Bernardo da Corleone (ne Filippo Latino), religious, of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins; Teresa Eustochio Verzeri, virgin, foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Paola Montal Fornes di San Giuseppe Calasanzio, virgin, foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, Religious of the Pious Schools; Francesca Sales Aviat, religious, foundress of the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales; Maria Crescentia Hoss, virgin, sister of the Third Order of St. Francis; Rebecca Pietra Ar-Rayes di Himlaya, virgin, sister of the Lebanese Order of St. Anthony of the Maronites.

The Holy Father announced the dates for the canonizations:

June 10, 2001: Luigi Scrosoppi; Agostino Roscelli; Bernardo da Corleone (Filippo Latino); Teresa Eustochio Verzeri and Rebecca Pietra Ar-Rayes di Himlaya.

November 25, 2001: Giuseppe Marello; Paola Montal Fornes di San Giuseppe Calasanzio; Francesca Sales Aviat and Maria Crescentia Hoss.

OCL;CANONIZATIONS;...;...;VIS;20010313;Word: 240;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Erected the eparchy of St. Thomas of the Syro-Malabars of Chicago, for the faithful of the Syro-Malabar rite living in the U.S.A.

- Appointed Fr. Jacob Angadiath, of the clergy of the eparchy of Palai, Kerala, India, pastor of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission of Bellwood, Illinois, U.S.A., as first bishop of St. Thomas of the Syro-Malabars of Chicago, U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Periappuram, Kerala, India, in 1945, and ordained to the priesthood in 1972. The Pope also named bishop-elect Angadiath as permanent apostolic visitator for the Syro-Malabar faithful in Canada.

ECE; NER; NA;...;...;ANGADIATH;VIS;20010313;Word: 130;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2001 (VIS) - This evening the Holy Father is scheduled to receive Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010313;Word: 30;

ARCHBISHOP FOLEY SCHEDULED TO SPEAK IN ROME AND U.S.

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, is scheduled to make a number of speeches in coming days in both Rome and the United States. He is also participating in the council's plenary meeting, which began yesterday in the Vatican. The Holy Father is scheduled to receive the participants later in the week.

Archbishop Foley will speak in Rome on Friday, March 16 to the meeting of European Bishops' Committee for Media on the presence of the Church and of religion in general in the European media. He will also treat the question of the growing tendency to deregulation in the media.

On Monday, March 19, the archbishop will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and will preach the homily at a Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of his alma mater, St. Joseph's University. That same day he will speak on "Perspective on Jubilee 2000" at the sesquicentennial lecture series at the university.
March 21 the council president will again give a homily during a Mass in St. Martin's Chapel of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. A day later, he will speak on "Ethics in Communications: May We Say Whatever We Want?" at the Institute of Catholic Studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

His last address in the United States is scheduled for March 23, when we will talk on "Announcing the Good News to a New Millennium: The New Media and The Task of Evangelization" at St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland.

CON-CS;SPEECHES;...;FOLEY;VIS;20010313;Word: 270;

POPE THANKS PREACHER OF CURIA'S SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 10, 2001 (VIS) - At the conclusion of the Roman Curia's spiritual exercises this morning in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel of the Vatican, John Paul II thanked the preacher of the retreat, Cardinal Francis Eugene George, archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., in the name of all the participants.

The Pope said that "the personal and reflective style," of Cardinal George's preaching, "gave emphasis to the effectiveness of the evangelic Word. ... To a profound study of the biblical text you united stirring testimonies from your rich experience as missionary and as bishop, which assisted in applying the reflections to life. Through the great themes of conversion, freedom, and communion, you led us each day to contemplate Christ and deepen our faith in Him, this faith that is 'for all the peoples'."

"We remained attentive to the Lord, with the help of the Holy Spirit, in order to strengthen faith, fortify hope, and enliven charity. Trusting in the effectiveness of the word of Christ, the Church casts out Her nets into the vast ocean of this new millennium just begun."

AC;SPIRITUAL EXERCISES;...;GEORGE;VIS;20010312;Word: 190;

THE ROSARY, AN EFFICACIOUS SUPPORT DURING PERSECUTION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 2001 (VIS) - Before praying the angelus with the estimated 30,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter's for today's beatification of 233 Spanish martyrs, Pope John Paul reflected on the relationship of the new Blesseds with Mary. "She is," he said, "in particular, the Mother and Queen of Martyrs, present with them in the hour of their trial as she was at the Cross next to her Son."

"These new Blesseds confided in her, the faithful Virgin, during the dramatic moments of persecution," the Pope went on. "When they were prevented from freely expressing their faith or, later, in prison, in order to face the supreme moment, they found constant support in the holy rosary, recited alone or in small groups. How efficacious is this traditional Marian prayer in its simplicity and in its profoundness! The rosary is in every era a valid help for countless believers."

After reciting the angelus, the Holy Father, speaking Spanish, said he wished "to warmly greet all the pilgrims who have come to Rome to participate in this joyous occasion. Especially the cardinals, archbishops and bishops who accompanied them, as well as civil authorities."
"May the new Blesseds," the Pope concluded, "models of a coherent life, constancy in faith and a spirit of reconciliation, intercede in heaven for their fellow countrymen today, inspire them to keep alive the Christian energy which made fruitful their country's history and encourage their efforts to reach ever greater heights of harmony, solidarity and a spirit of Christian fraternity."

ANG;BLESSEDS; MARY; ROSARY;...;...;VIS;20010312;Word: 260;

JOHN PAUL II CALLS FOR END TO TERRORISM IN SPAIN

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 2001, (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope beatified Jose Aparicio Sanz, priest, and 232 companions, martyrs during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), at the same time making a strong appeal for an end to terrorism in Spain.

During the same ceremony two Uruguayan lay people were also beatified, the first Blesseds from this country. They are Dolores and Consuelo Aguiar-Mella Diaz, sisters, whose father was Spanish and mother was Uruguayan.

"I wish to entrust to the intercession of the new Blesseds," the Pope said in his homily, "an intention rooted profoundly in your hearts: the end to terrorism in Spain." At these words the 30,000 pilgrims present rose to their feet and applauded. He went on: "Terrorism, which springs from hatred, and in turn nourishes it, is radically unjust and increases situations of injustice, gravely offending God, dignity, and the rights of individuals. With terror, man always ends in defeat! No motive, no cause, no ideology can justify it. Only peace builds up peoples. Terror is the enemy of humanity."

John Paul II recalled that the new Blesseds, secular priests, religious, fathers and mothers of families, and lay youth, were killed "for being Christians, for their faith in Christ, for being active members of the Church. All of them, as we saw in the canonical processes for the declaration of martyrdom, sincerely forgave their aggressors before dying."

Referring to the martyrdom of the Blesseds, John Paul II spoke of the example of Maria Teresa Ferragud, "arrested at the age of 83, together with her four daughters who were contemplative religious. On October 25, 1936, the feast of Christ the King, she asked to accompany her daughters in martyrdom and to be killed last in order to be able to encourage them to die for the faith. Her faith greatly affected her killers, who exclaimed "'She is a true saint'."

"The new Blesseds, elevated today to the glory of the altars, were not involved in political or ideological battles," the Pope emphasized. "They did not intend to be involved in such battles. Many of you who are relatives and today participate with great joy in this beatification ceremony well know this. They died solely for religious reasons."

The Holy Father concluded, exclaiming: "May their blessed memory dispel forever from Spanish soil every form of violence, hatred, and resentment! May all, and especially youth, be able to experience the blessing of peace in freedom: peace always, peace with all and for all!".

HML;BEATIFICATION SPANISH MARTYRS;...;...;VIS;20010312;Word: 400;