YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, JUL 31, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message for World Youth Day 2002. The theme of the Message, dated July 25 and released in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German and Polish, is "You are the Salt of the Earth ... You are the Light of the World."

Following are excerpts:

"I have vivid memories of the wonderful moments we shared in Rome during the Jubilee of the Year 2000, when you came on pilgrimage to the Tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul. ... By now World Youth Day has become an important part of your life and of the life of the Church. I invite you therefore to get ready for the seventeenth celebration of this great international event, to be held in Toronto, Canada, in the summer of next year."

"'You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world': this is the theme I have chosen for the next World Youth Day. The images of salt and light used by Jesus are rich in meaning and complement each other. In ancient times, salt and light were seen as essential elements of life.

"'You are the salt of the earth...' The salt which keeps our Christian identity intact even in a very secularized world is the grace of Baptism. Through Baptism we are re-born. We begin to live in Christ and become capable of responding to His call to 'offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God'."

"For a long time, salt was also used to preserve food. As the salt of the earth, you are called to preserve the faith which you have received and to pass it on intact to others. Your generation is being challenged in a special way to keep safe the deposit of faith."

"It is the nature of human beings, and especially youth, to seek the Absolute, the meaning and fullness of life. Dear young people, do not be content with anything less than the highest ideals! Do not let yourselves be dispirited by those who are disillusioned with life and have grown deaf to the deepest and most authentic desires of their heart. You are right to be disappointed with hollow entertainment and passing fads, and with aiming at too little in life. If you have an ardent desire for the Lord you will steer clear of the mediocrity and conformism so widespread in our society.

"'You are the light of the world ...' For those who first heard Jesus, as for us, the symbol of light evokes the desire for truth and the thirst for the fullness of knowledge which are imprinted deep within every human being. When the light fades or vanishes altogether, we no longer see things as they really are. In the heart of the night we can feel frightened and insecure, and we impatiently await the coming of the light of dawn."
"The light which Jesus speaks of in the Gospel is the light of faith, God's free gift, which enlightens the heart and clarifies the mind. ... Our personal encounter with Christ bathes life in new light, sets us on the right path, and sends us out to be His witnesses. This new way of looking at the world and at people, which comes to us from Him, leads us more deeply into the mystery of faith, which is not just a collection of theoretical assertions to be accepted and approved by the mind, but an experience to be had, a truth to be lived, the salt and light of all reality.

"In this secularized age, when many of our contemporaries think and act as if God did not exist or are attracted to irrational forms of religion, it is you, dear young people, who must show that faith is a personal decision which involves your whole life. Let the Gospel be the measure and guide of life's decisions and plans!"

"Dear friends, it is time to get ready for the Seventeenth World Youth Day. I invite you to read and study the Apostolic Letter 'Novo Millennio Ineunte', which I wrote at the beginning of the year to accompany all Christians on this new stage of the life of the Church and humanity."

"Study the Word of God and let it enlighten your minds and hearts. Draw strength from the sacramental grace of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Visit the Lord in that 'heart to heart' contact that is Eucharistic Adoration. Day after day, you will receive new energy to help you to bring comfort to the suffering and peace to the world. Many people are wounded by life: they are excluded from economic progress, and are without a home, a family, a job; there are people who are lost in a world of false illusions, or have abandoned all hope."

"Dear young friends, Toronto is waiting for all of you who can make it! ... Come, and make the great avenues of Toronto resound with the joyful tidings that Christ loves every person and brings to fulfillment every trace of goodness, beauty and truth found in the city of man. Come, and tell the world of the happiness you have found in meeting Jesus Christ, of your desire to know Him better, of how you are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth!"

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TOMORROW MARKS POPE JOHN PAUL'S 1,000TH GENERAL AUDIENCE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 31, 2001 (VIS) - Tomorrow, August 1, Pope John Paul will hold his 1,000th Wednesday general audience. In nearly 23 years of pontificate - from October 1978 to today - the Pope's thousand audiences have taken place in St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Basilica or the Paul VI Hall in the presence of more than 16 million people from throughout the world. In the Jubilee Year alone more than one and a half million people attended the weekly audiences.

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POPE ASKS FOR BAN ON ALL FORMS OF FORCED HUMAN MOBILITY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 29, 2001 (VIS) - At noon today Pope John Paul appeared at the balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castelgandolfo to greet the faithful gathered below and to recite the Angelus prayer with them.

In reflections he made before reciting the Marian prayer, the Pope noted that "yesterday, July 28, the United Nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees. This is an important agreement which is still the foundation on which the international protection of refugees is based, having been ratified by about 140 countries, including the Holy See."

He added that "for the nations involved in the Second World War, the past 50 years have been substantially years of peace. But there has been no lack of conflicts in the world for which the number of refugees and forced migrations has unfortunately been on the increase. On the other hand, numerous and serious cases of default in applying the Geneva Convention have been registered. One sign of hope, however, comes from the commitment with which the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is working to verify the efficacy of the Convention and its correspondence to current realities. I hope that, thanks to such an important effort for a higher level of protection and solidarity, the basic right to asylum is never lacking those who need it."

The Holy Father urged "that every form of forced human mobility be banned so that persons, families and social groups can safeguard their own roots and identities."

John Paul II and the faithful then recited the Angelus, following which he greeted the pilgrims briefly in French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Polish.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 28, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation of Bishop Bernardo Enrique Witte, O.M.I., from the pastoral care of the diocese of Concepcion (area 11,800, population 300,000, Catholics 270,000, priests 29, permanent deacons 5, religious 37), Argentina, in accordance with the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Jose Maria Rossi, O.P.

- Appointed Bishop Jaume Traserra Cunillera, auxiliary of Barcelona, as bishop of Solsona (area 3,536, population 119,234, Catholics 102,300, priests 134, religious 258), Spain. He succeeds Bishop Antonio Deig Clotet, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Benoit Comlan Messan Alowonou, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Lome, professor and adjunct spiritual director at the Major Inter-diocesan John Paul II Seminary in Lome, as bishop of Kpalime (area 6,447, population 671,305, Catholics 248,150, priests 50, religious 98), Togo. The bishop-elect was born in Tsevie, Togo, in 1949, and ordained to the priesthood in 1984.

- Appointed Msgr. Ivan Jurkovic, nunciature counsellor, as apostolic nuncio in Belarus, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Kocevje, Slovenia, in 1952, and ordained to the priesthood in 1977.

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CONCERT FOR POPE OFFERED BY "PRO MUNDO UNO" ACADEMY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 29, 2001 (VIS) - At 8:00 p.m., in the inner courtyard of the apostolic palace at Castelgandolfo, the "Academia Musicae Pro Mundo Uno" offered a concert for the Pope which was performed by the German Symphonic Orchestra "Philarmonie der Nationen," conducted by Maestro Justus Frantz.

At the end of the concert, John Paul II thanked the president of the Academy, Maestro Frantz, and the young musicians of the orchestra.

"The melodies of Tchaikovsky, performed with consummate skill, speak to us of a 'symphonic' Europe, in which different traditions can meaningfully meet and harmonize. Art also can be a precious channel for motivating knowledge, understanding, and shared cooperation between peoples."

The Holy Father told the performers that, "with concerts and other initiatives, you seek to contribute to the cause of peace and unity among men and nations. I hope that you remain faithful to your ideal, above all when responsibilities become more demanding and your commitment is put to the test. May you always be craftsmen of friendship and fraternity. May you always be 'pro mundo uno'!"
AC/CONCERT/PRO MUNDO UNO20010730 (190)

HOLY FATHER'S CONDOLENCES FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL SENSI

VATICAN CITY, JUL 27, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to the brother of Cardinal Giuseppe Maria Sensi, who died in Rome yesterday morning at the age of 94. The funeral Mass for the cardinal will take place tomorrow in Cosenza, Italy, where he was born and will be presided over, in the Pope's name, by Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

"I wish to express to you, your family, friends, and well-wishers, my heartfelt sorrow for the death of your brother Cardinal Giuseppe Maria Sensi who was for many years an able and diligent collaborator of the Apostolic See. While I unite myself to the fervent prayers of suffrage which are raised to the Lord for the eternal repose of his elect soul, I recall with admiration and gratitude his singular abilities shown in the diplomatic service and his lively sensitivity for every human suffering encountered during his long ministry. In asking divine mercy to bestow the well-deserved peace in Christ upon this zealous priest and wise bishop as well as faithful servant of the Church, I send to you, your relatives, and acquaintances the comforting apostolic blessing which I extend with shared feelings to the archbishop, the clergy, and faithful of the diocese which is honored to have given him his origins and to all those present at the funeral."

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CARDINAL GIUSEPPE MARIA SENSI DIES AT AGE 94

VATICAN CITY, JUL 26, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Giuseppe Maria Sensi died this morning in a Rome hospital at the age of 94. Born in Cosenza, Italy in 1907, he was ordained a priest on December 21, 1929 and a bishop on July 24, 1955. Pope Paul VI made him a cardinal in the consistory of May 24, 1976.

Cardinal Sensi's priestly life was dedicated to the Holy See's diplomatic service. Over the years he worked not only in the Vatican's Secretariat of State but also in the nunciatures in Bucarest, Berne, Brussels, and Prague. He was also permanent observer to UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The cardinal served as nuncio in Costa Rica, apostolic delegate in the Holy Land, and apostolic nuncio in Ireland and Portugal.

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SCHOLASTIC ACCORD SIGNED BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND GABON

VATICAN CITY, JUL 26, 2001 (VIS) - A Scholastic Accord between the Holy See and the Republic of Gabon was signed this morning in the library of the Vatican Secretariat of State by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States and Andre Mba Obame, minister of national education of Gabon, according to a communique released this morning.

In the presence of delegations representing both parties, they signed the Accord between the Holy See and the Republic of Gabon on the Statute of Catholic Teaching, stipulated in application of Articles 4 and 15 of the Accord-Framework between the Holy See and the Republic of Gabon on Principles and on Several Juridical Dispositions Relative to their Relations and Collaboration, which had been signed in Libreville, Gabon on December 12, 1997.

Archbishop Tauran, in brief remarks in French, noted that this was the first such Accord in French-speaking Africa. He thanked "all those who participated in this negotiation on the statute for Catholic education, a delicate but necessary work for the evangelizing mission of the Church and the good of your populations, As you know, if the Holy See is decidedly committed to this domain, it is so that the Catholic Church may continue her work, long-standing and appreciated, in the service of the education and the formation of young Gabonese who are freely entrusted to her by their families."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Albert LeGatt, pastor of the Cathedral of Prince-Albert, as bishop of Saskatoon (area 44,800, population 318,000, Catholics 93,859, priests 93, religious 304), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in Melfort, Canada, in 1953, and ordained to the priesthood in 1983.

- Fr. Roberto Camilleri, O.F.M., pastor of Espiritu Santo in Tegucigalpa (area 23,106, population 1,858,702, Catholics 1,519,352, priests 151, permanent deacons 1, religious 319), Honduras, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Hamrun, Malta, in 1951, and ordained to the priesthood in 1975.

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CATHOLIC CHURCH DOES NOT RECOGNIZE VALIDITY OF MORMON BAPTISM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Catholic Church does not recognize the validity of baptism conferred by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose followers are known as Mormons. This is the response, published with the approval of the Pope, of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to a question in this regard. The response is dated June 5 and is signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., respectively prefect and secretary of the congregation.

A recent article published in the Vatican newspaper, "L'Osservatore Romano," explains that "the baptism of the Catholic Church and that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints differ essentially, both in regard to faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in whose name baptism is conferred, and in regard to the reference to Christ Who instituted it."

Regarding the matter of the sacrament - water - "no problem exists. ... The Mormons practice baptism by immersion, which is one of the modes of the celebration of baptism ... which the Catholic Church also accepts."

Regarding the form of the sacrament, "the similarities with the formula used by the Catholic Church are, at first glance, evident, but in reality they are only apparent. There is not, in fact, an underlying doctrinal coincidence. There is not a true invocation of the Trinity because the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, according to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are not three persons in which a sole divinity subsists, but three gods who form one divinity."

"According to the Catholic Church," says the article, "baptism remits not only personal sins but also original sin, and therefore children as well are baptized for the remission of sins. This remission of original sin is not accepted by the Mormon Church, which denies the existence of this sin and therefore baptizes only people who have the use of reason, who are at least eight-years old, excluding the mentally handicapped."

The article concludes: "The decision of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is a response to a particular question regarding the doctrine on the baptism of the Mormons, and obviously does not indicate a judgement on the persons who adhere to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

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DECLARATION BY PRESS OFFICE ON POPE'S SPEECH TO PRESIDENT BUSH

VATICAN CITY, JUL 25, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in reference to the Holy Father's speech to President Bush on July 23, 2001 at Castelgandolfo, issued the following declaration this afternoon:

"The Holy Father has wanted to take this opportunity to repeat the ethical unacceptability of 'proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process'. On the other hand, it is important not to forget what John Paul II wrote in his well-known Encyclical 'Evangelium Vitae':

"'This moral condemnation also regards procedures that exploit living human embryos and fetuses - sometimes specifically 'produced' for this purpose by 'in vitro' fertilization - either to be used as 'biological material' or as 'providers of organs or tissue for transplants' in the treatment of certain diseases. The killing of innocent human creatures, even if carried out to help others, constitutes an absolutely unacceptable act'."

OP;RESEARCH; EMBRYOS;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010725;Word: 160;

MULTI-LANGUAGE GREETINGS TO GENERAL AUDIENCE PILGRIMS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 25, 2001 (VIS) - Following today's general audience catechesis in Italian, and summaries in English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese, Pope John Paul greeted the 8,500 pilgrims present in the Paul VI Hall in Dutch, Czech, Hungarian, and Slovakian. He also had special words in Italian, as is customary, for young people, the ill and for newlyweds.

Among those he welcomed today were folklore groups from a number of countries, representatives of the Socio-cultural Association of Solidarity with the Indios of America, some children from Chernobyl who are guests of families in the Italian region of Abruzzo and Russian and Belarussian children who have been received by the Mother Teresa Committee of Toritto, Italy.

In closing remarks, the Holy Father greeted "the religious congregations who, in these days, are celebrating their General Chapter. Dear brothers and sisters, it would have been my great desire to receive you personally but, as that is not possible, I willingly send all of you my heartfelt best wishes."

In brief remarks to each of the congregations present today, the Pope individually welcomed the Marianist Fathers, Daughters of Divine Charity, Ursuline Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Daughters of Mary of the Pious Schools, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Missionaries of the Sacred Side and of Sorrowful Mary and the volunteers of Don Bosco.

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: GOD PUNISHES BUT ALWAYS OFFERS MERCY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 25, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope held the first general audience since his vacation in Valle d'Aosta from July 9 to 20. As is his custom during the summer, the Pope came to the Vatican by helicopter from his summer residence in Castelgandolfo.

Before the 8,500 people in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope spoke today of the Canticle of Tobit, whose message, he said, "is clear: those who do good, above all opening their hearts to the needs of their neighbor, are pleasing to the Lord, and He will eventually come to the aid of those who are tested."

It is in this perspective, the Pope continued, that the hymn of Tobit is understood. "Punishment appears thus as a sort of divine pedagogy, in which, nevertheless, the final word is always reserved for mercy. ... One can therefore trust absolutely in God, Who never abandons His creatures." Suffering takes on "a mysteriously positive meaning when it is lived in a spirit of abandonment to God's plan. ... Our reference point can only be the Cross of Christ in which the mystery of the world's suffering finds a profound response."

John Paul II stated that "to the sinners who are punished for their injustices, Tobit's hymn addresses a call to conversion and opens the marvelous perspective of a 'reciprocal' conversion of God and man." He underlined that "sin is a tragedy not so much because it draws on us the punishments of God, but because it pushes Him away from our heart."

"And it is for this reason," the Pope concluded, "that the Canticle directs our gaze to the face of God considered as Father, inviting us to blessing and praise. ... Then, in Jesus, this face of the Father will shine and His limitless mercy will be revealed."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 25, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Archbishop Eusebio Oscar Scheid, S.C.I., of Florianopolis, as metropolitan archbishop of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro (area 1,721, population 5,598,953, Catholics 3,880,074, priests 563, permanent deacons 33, religious 1,644), Brazil. He succeeds Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Jose F. Advincula, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Capiz, pastor of San Tommaso di Villanueva a Dao, as bishop of San Carlos (area 3,041, population 904,257, Catholics 770,450, priests 44, religious 41), the Philippines. He succeeds Bishop Nicolas M. Mondejar, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit. The bishop-elect was born in Dumalag, the Philippines in 1952, and ordained to the priesthood in 1976.

- Appointed Bishop Dario de Jesus Monsalve Mejia, auxiliary of Medellin, as bishop of Malaga-Soata (area 7,466, population 183,698, Catholics 174,513, priests 52, religious 107), Colombia.

- Appointed Bishop Tulio Duque Gutierrez, S.D.S., of Apartado, as bishop of Pereira (area 6,126, population 1,053,930, Catholics 893,421, priests 182, permanent deacons 14, religious 342), Colombia.

- Appointed Fr. Fidel Leon Cadavid Marin, pastor of the Cathedral of Caldas, as bishop of Quibdo (area 12,758, population 244,000, Catholics 235,000, priests 41, religious 57), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Antioquia, Colombia, in 1951, and ordained to the priesthood in 1976.

- Appointed Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, vicar general of the archdiocese of Manila (area 549, population 9,349,581, Catholics 8,463,112, priests 1,364, permanent deacons 14, religious 4,829), the Philippines, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Manila in 1960, and ordained to the priesthood in 1985.

- Appointed Archbishop Francesco Gioia, emeritus of Camerino-San Severino Marche, Italy, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, as pontifical administrator of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and pontifical delegate for the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, as well as president of the "Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem." He succeeds Archbishop Marcello Costalunga, whose resignation as pontifical administrator of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and pontifical delegate for the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua was accepted by the Holy Father, in conformity with canon 354 of the Code of Canon Law.
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ANNIVERSARY OF PONTIFICAL APPROVAL OF HOSPITALER FRANCISCANS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 24, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of a Message from the Pope to the Superior General of the Hospitaler Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, Sr. Maria Isilda de Freitas, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the order's pontifical approval and it's general chapter which is being celebrated in Portugal from July 20 to August 20.

In the Message, written in Portuguese and dated March 27, John Paul II recalls that Blessed Pius IX gave pontifical approval to this congregation on March 27, 1876. He expresses his appreciation "for the stupendous evangelical path opened by the religious family of Sr. Maria Clara do Menino Jesus (1843-1899) during these years with their manifold service of charity." The religious are located on four continents, with 196 houses and 1,709 members.

The Holy Father recalls, furthermore, that in the face of the persecution which prohibited religious profession in Portugal, Sr. Maria Clara travelled with two other religious sisters to Calais, France, to spend their novitiate in the house of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi. Upon returning to Portugal they "wanted to adopt with the greatest perfection possible the same Rule, the same customs and also an identical habit," writes the Pope. "To the Hospitaler Sisters of Portugal were conferred 'the same spiritual privileges which the above-mentioned French congregation rightly enjoys'."

"In the face of the numerous problems and needs that seem at times to compromise and even overwhelm the consecrated life, may the daughters of St. Maria Clara," the Pope concludes, "seek to 'profoundly grasp the designs of providence (of God). He calls the consecrated life to devise new answers for the new problems of today's world'."

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DATA ON POPE'S SEPTEMBER TRIP TO KAZAKHSTAN AND ARMENIA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 24, 2001 (VIS) - The itinerary of John Paul II's pastoral visit to Kazakhstan and apostolic visit to Armenia on the occasion of its 1,700 years of Christianity, was published today. The trip starts on September 22 and concludes September 27.

The papal plane will depart from Rome's Fiumicino Airport on September 22 at 8:30 a.m., and arrive at Kazakhstan's Astana International Airport at 7:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Rome time). The Pope will be in Kazakhstan until the morning of September 25.

Kazakhstan has been an independent republic since 1991. Its capital is Astana. Of the 16,320,000 inhabitants, 47 percent are Muslim, 44 percent are Orthodox, and 1.8 percent are Catholic. It has an archbishop and a bishop, 64 parishes, 45 priests (27 diocesan and 18 religious), 20 seminarians and 53 religious. In 1991, a Latin-rite apostolic administration was established and in 1999, a diocesan structure with one diocese and two apostolic administrators.

The second leg of the Pope's trip starts on September 25 at 11:00 a.m. local time when John Paul II will depart Kazakhstan for Zvartnotz International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, arriving at 1:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. Rome time). He will be in Armenia through September 27.

Armenia is a republic in Asia Minor, which declared its sovereignty in 1991. Its capital is Yerevan. Of the 3,540,000, inhabitants, 147,000, or 4.1 percent, are Catholic. There is an ecclesiastical circumscription for the Armenian Catholics of Eastern Europe, with its seat in Armenia. It has an archbishop, 29 parishes, 17 priests (1 diocesan and 16 religious), 9 seminarians and 14 religious.

The Holy Father is scheduled to depart Armenia on Thursday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m., arriving at Rome's Ciampino Airport at 8:45 p.m. local time, after a flight of four and a quarter hours.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 24, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation of Archbishop Benedict To Varpin from the pastoral care of Madang (area 27,752, population 283,154, Catholics 138,494, priests 34, permanent deacons 2, religious 152), Papua New Guinea, in conformity with canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop William Joseph Kurtz of the same archdiocese.

- Appointed Bishop John Joseph Myers of Peoria, U.S.A., as metropolitan archbishop of Newark (area 1,328, population 2,666,569, Catholics 1,319,558, priests 957, permanent deacons 255, religious 1,861), U.S.A.

RE; NER;...;...;TO VARPIN; KURTZ; MYERS ;VIS;20010724;Word: 90;

JOHN PAUL II TO TRAVEL TO KAZAKHSTAN AND ARMENIA IN SEPTEMBER

VATICAN CITY, JUL 21, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul will make a pastoral visit to the Catholic Church in Kazakhstan from September 22 to 25. From September 25 to 27 he will go to Armenia on the occasion of the celebrations of the 17th centenary of Christianity in that country. This will be his 95th foreign apostolic trip.

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POPE TO G-8 LEADERS: PROMOTE A CULTURE OF SOLIDARITY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 21, 2001 (VIS) - Made public this morning in Italian, French and English was the text of a brief personal message from Pope John Paul to the leaders of the eight nations attending the G-8 meeting in Genoa, Italy from July 20 to 22. The message was sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Silvio Berlusconi, president of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic with the request to make its contents known to the meeting's participants.

Following is the entire text of the Message, dated July 19:

"At this time when you, as leaders of the eight most developed nations in the world, are preparing to reflect upon the most important problems of the international community, I wish to assure you of my personal and spiritual closeness to you. I also express the hope that, in these days of intense work, no person and no nation will be excluded from your concerns. Without allowing yourselves to be overwhelmed by the weight of the various issues involved, I am confident that you will do all you can to promote a culture of solidarity, which will make possible concrete solutions to the problems which weigh most heavily in the lives of our brothers and sisters and in their relations with others - peace, poverty, health and the environment.

"Praying fervently that your meeting will bring excellent results, I invoke upon you the blessings of Almighty God."

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HOLY FATHER ENDS MOUNTAIN VACATION, GOES TO CASTELGANDOLFO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 20, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul returned to Rome this evening, landing at Ciampino Airport just after 7:30 p.m., thus ending his 12-day vacation in the Italian mountains. After being welcomed by civil and religious authorities, he proceeded by car to Castelgandolfo where he appeared on the balcony of the apostolic palace to greet those gathered below.

"I greet Castelgandolfo," he began. "Once I said that there is not only one Vatican, but three: first there is the one at St. Peter's, the second is Castelgandolfo, the third is Gemelli Hospital. This time I didn't have to go via Gemelli to get here to Castelgandolfo. I have just arrived from the mountains of Valle d'Aosta and I thank all the people of the region for the lovely welcome they gave me. This evening I meet you, the citizens and guests of Castelgandolfo, and I wish you the very best for your vacations. ... Enjoy what you are doing and I'll see you soon."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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

- Accepted the resignation of Bishop Raymond Dumais, from the pastoral care of Gaspe, Canada, in conformity with canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Msgr. Salvador Pineiro Garcia-Calderon, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Lima, Peru, regional episcopal vicar and pastor of Santa Rosa di Lima in Lince, as military ordinary for Peru. The bishop-elect was born in Lima in 1949, and ordained to the priesthood in 1973.

- Appointed Bishop Joseph Maria Punt, apostolic administrator "sede vacante" of Haarlem (area 2,912 population 2,655,818, Catholics 531,322, priests 380, permanent deacons 17, religious 1,485), the Netherlands, as bishop of the same diocese.

- Appointed Bishop Johannes Gerardus Maria van Burgsteden, S.S.S., auxiliary of the apostolic administrator of Haarlem, the Netherlands, as auxiliary of the same diocese.

RE; NA; NER; NEA;...;...;...;VIS;20010723;Word: 140;

HELPING THE WEAKEST IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ALL OF MANKIND

VATICAN CITY, JUL 21, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the speech given in Geneva, Switzerland on July 18 by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, head of the Holy See delegation to the annual session of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The meeting, which runs from July 2 to 27, is focussing on the theme "The Role of the United Nations system in supporting the efforts of African countries to reach sustainable development."

"Globalization will only truly serve the human family," he began, "if it becomes a process of inclusion, ... enhances respect for the dignity of every individual person, ... and fosters the unity of the human family. ... A globalization which is accompanied by widespread exclusion simply is not global."

Archbishop Martin noted that "globalization is driven by human persons, it is influenced by their decisions." Achieving globalization with inclusion requires many things, including "the realization that responding to the needs of the weakest is a long term investment for the good of all, including the strongest and most powerful."

He remarked on the need "to establish new models of partnerships aimed at the inclusion of Africa, and of all Africans, women and men, as protagonists of their own future and as partners in our common search for a vision of development worthy of the human person." These models must "place poverty reduction at their center."

Highlighting "the immense human and cultural richness which Africa possesses and from which we can all learn," Archbishop Martin observed that "the strikingly rapid urbanization in Africa ... also poses cultural and human challenges. Greater efforts must be made to ensure that rural communities are made more sustainable. ... This means bringing improved health, education and safe water to rural communities. It means investing in food security and in communications infrastructures."

In concluding remarks linking peace, the building of democratic structures and globalization, the archbishop affirmed that "we need a new concerted effort to bring peace to the women, children and men who have known only the horrors of war, in some cases for generations. This is the responsibility of all, both within Africa and outside."

DELSS;GLOBALIZATION; AFRICA;...;GENEVA; MARTIN;VIS;20010723;Word: 350;

DECLARATION ON THE POPE'S AUDIENCE WITH PRESIDENT BUSH

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the declaration made early this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, on the Pope's audience with U.S. President George Bush.

"This morning the Holy Father received in his summer residence at Castelgandolfo George W. Bush, president of the United States of America. After the private meeting, which took place in a climate of great cordiality, John Paul II greeted the First Lady, Laura Bush, and the president's daughter, Barbara.

"Afterwards, the president of the United States met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, who was accompanied by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"During the talks, they reviewed the most important matters at the center of attention of the international community. President Bush wished to communicate to the Holy Father his impressions of the recent G-8 summit in Genoa. Special attention was given to the situation in the Middle East. Also discussed were respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, especially in Asia; solidarity towards under-developed countries; and special attention for the poorest (nations)."

OP;AUDIENCE BUSH;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010723;Word: 200;

JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH TO THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II welcomed United States President George W. Bush, his wife and entourage to the apostolic palace at Castelgandolfo this morning. He expressed "heartfelt good wishes that your presidency will strengthen your country in its commitment to the principles which inspired American democracy from the beginning."

He recalled that America's founding fathers "were guided by a profound sense of responsibility towards the common good, to be pursued in respect for the God-given dignity and inalienable rights of all. America continues to measure herself by the nobility of her founding vision in building a society of liberty, quality and justice under the law."

The Holy Father noted that "the world continues to look to America with hope. Yet it does so with an acute awareness of the crisis of values being experienced in Western society, ever more insecure in the face of the ethical decisions indispensable for humanity's future course."

He then turned to the subject of globalization and said, "while appreciating the opportunities for economic growth and material prosperity which this process offers, the Church cannot but express profound concern that our world continues to be divided, no longer by the former political and military blocs, but by a tragic fault-line between those who can benefit from these opportunities and those who seem cut off from them."

"Respect for human dignity and belief in the equal dignity of all members of the human family," the Pope went on, "respect for nature by everyone, a policy of openness to immigrants, the cancellation of or significant reduction of the debt of poorer nations, the promotion of peace through dialogue and negotiation, the primacy of the rule of law: these are the priorities which the leaders of the developed nations cannot disregard. A global world is essentially a world of solidarity."

The Holy Father noted that "respect for human dignity finds one of its highest expressions in religious freedom. This right is the first right listed in your nation's Bill of Rights, ... and promoting religious freedom continues to be an important goal of American policy in the international community."

In concluding, Pope John Paul reaffirmed that "another area in which political and moral choices have the gravest consequences for the future of civilization concerns the most fundamental of human rights, the right to life itself. Experience is already showing how a tragic coarsening of consciences accompanies the assault on innocent human life in the womb, leading to accommodation and acquiescence in the face of other related evils such as euthanasia, infanticide and, most recently, proposals for the creation for research purposes of human embryos, destined to destruction in the process. A free and virtuous society, which America aspires to be, must reject practices that devalue and violate human life at any stage from conception until natural death. In defending the right to life, in law and through a vibrant culture of life, America can show the world the path to a truly humane future, in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology."

Following the meeting with the Holy Father and an exchange of gifts, President Bush and several members of his entourage were received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

AC;MEETING;...;BUSH;VIS;20010723;Word: 530;

POPE EXPRESSES "PAIN AND DISTRESS" FOR GENOA HOSTILITIES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 22, 2001 (VIS) - At noon today in Castelgandolfo, Pope John Paul appeared on the balcony overlooking the small central courtyard of the apostolic residence to recite the Angelus with the faithful gathered there.

In remarks made before the prayer, the Pope said, "I willingly return here among you and intend to remain in Castelgandolfo until my next apostolic trip which, please God, will be to Kazakhstan and Armenia towards the end of September."

The Holy Father then pointed out that today is the liturgical "memory of St. Mary Magdalene, disciple of the Lord and the first witness of His resurrection. Mary Magdalene's story shows how decisive it is for every human being to personally encounter Christ. It is Christ Who understands man's heart. It is He Who can realize man's hopes and desires as well as answer his concerns and the difficulties which mankind today faces on his daily path.

"And to Him we entrust today the results of the meeting of heads of state and government which is concluding in Genoa, not without, however, expressing pain and distress for the hostilities which exploded there, unfortunately with serious consequences. Violence is not the path for reaching a fair solution to the existing problems. To all those who truly have at heart human rights, I renew my encouragement to persevere in the commitment for a more just world, marked by a greater solidarity."

Following the Angelus, John Paul II greeted the faithful in French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

ANG;...;...;CASTELGANDOLFO;VIS;20010723;Word: 250;

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Rudolph A. Akanlu, emeritus of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana, on July 7, at the age of 78.
- Bishop Alfredo Guillermo Disandro, emeritus of Villa Maria, Argentina, on July 1, at the age of 79.
- Bishop Jorge Novak, S.V.D., of Quilmes, Argentina, on July 9, at the age of 73.
- Archbishop-Bishop Arrigo Pintonello, emeritus of Latina-Terracina-Sezze-Priverno, Italy, on July 8, at the age of 92.
- Bishop Jean-Samuel Raobelina, M.S., of Tsiroanomandidy, Madagascar, on June 30, at the age of 73.
- Archbishop Francesco Spanedda, emeritus of Oristano, Italy, on July 15, at the age of 91.

...;DEATHS;...;...;VIS;20010723;Word: 110;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 20, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Fernando Carlos Maletti, pastor of San Cayetano in Buenos Aires, as bishop of San Carlos de Bariloche (area 76,986, population 120,000, Catholics 108,677, priests 15, permanent deacons 2, religious 36), Argentina. The bishop-elect was born in Buenos Aires in 1947, and ordained to the priesthood in 1973.

NER;...;...;MALETTI ;VIS;20010720;Word: 60;

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION WITH PRIESTS OF AOSTA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 20, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, on the last day of his vacation in Valle d'Aosta, John Paul II celebrated Mass with the priests of the diocese of Aosta, in the chapel of the chalet in Les Combes.

In his homily, the Pope emphasized that "the life and mission of the priest are closely linked in the fulfillment of this Eucharistic sacrifice. ... I think in this moment of the great numbers of holy priests who have sacrificed themselves together with Christ in the service of the Christian people. I think of those who have spread the sweet perfume of Christ in this your land."

"A minister of Christ, of His Sacrifice and His mercy: this is the priest such as Jesus Himself wished, linking him indissolubly to the two sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation."

"May the experience of divine mercy sanctify you and make you generous ministers of forgiveness and reconciliation," the Holy Father exhorted the priests. "Do not be afraid to dedicate time and energy to the sacrament of Reconciliation. The People of God need more than ever to rediscover it, in its solemn liturgical dignity, as the ordinary way for the remission of grave sins and also in its beneficial 'humanizing' function. May the Cure of Ars be for you both model and guide."

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Pope took leave of the security agents whom he thanked for having "contributed to ensuring, yet again, a tranquil and serene stay for myself and my colleagues."

This evening, at 6 p.m., John Paul II will travel from Les Combes to Aosta, from where he will fly to Rome's Ciampino airport and travel by car to his summer residence in Castelgandolfo

HML;PRIESTS; FAREWELL;...;LES COMBES;VIS;20010720;Word: 300;

RATIFICATION OF COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato R. Martino, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, deposited the Holy See's Instrument of Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The Treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996, and was signed by the Holy See on September 24 of the same year.

In presenting the Instrument of Ratification, Archbishop Martino reiterated the Holy See's firm conviction that "nuclear weapons are incompatible with the peace we seek for the 21st Century." He also expressed Vatican support for ending illicit traffic in small arms, and reaffirmed support for the Convention on the Total Elimination of Land Mines, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Treaty.

The apostolic nuncio repeated what was said when the Holy See signed the Treaty: "The Holy See is convinced that in the sphere of nuclear weapons, the banning of tests and of the further development of these weapons, disarmament and non-proliferation are closely linked and must be achieved as quickly as possible under effective international controls."

"The Holy See," he continued, "by this ratification, seeks to advance the genuine promotion of a culture of peace based upon the primacy of law and of respect for human life."

Archbishop Martino concluded emphasizing that "the Holy See encourages the whole International Community, which is aware of the various challenges standing in the way of nuclear disarmament, to intensify its efforts to ensure the implementation of the said Treaty."

DELSS;NUCLEAR TESTS;...;UN; MARTINO;VIS;20010719;Word: 260;

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MALAWI

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of a letter, written in Latin, from the Holy Father to Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, in which the Holy Father names the Cardinal as his special envoy to the celebrations of the centenary of the Catholic Church in Malawi, planned for July 28.

The Cardinal will be accompanied by Fr. Martin Mtumbuka, rector of the Minor Seminary of St. Patrick, in the diocese of Mzuzu, and Fr. John Bechtold, S.M.M., in charge of the Nantipwili Pastoral Center of the archdiocese of Blantyre.

JPII-LETTER;SPECIAL ENVOY;...;MALAWI; ARINZE;VIS;20010719;Word: 120;

CARDINAL SODANO GRANTED AWARD BY PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano received, yesterday in the Vatican, a special award granted to him by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The award was presented by the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Henrietta T. de Villa.

The text of the presidential award commends Cardinal Sodano "for his zeal and dedication in the performance of his tasks as Secretary of State of the Holy See since his appointment in 1991" as well as "for his keen apostolic interest in missionary efforts throughout the world, including those being undertaken in - or proceeding from - Asia and the Philippines, contributing immensely to a more widespread acceptance of Christianity in our region."

Lastly, the award recognizes the Cardinal "for his interest in the Philippines as manifested in his personally presiding over a Te Deum ceremony on 14 March 2001, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines."

...;PRESIDENTIAL AWARD PHILIPPINES;...;SODANO;VIS;20010718;Word: 180;

ARCHBISHOP CORDES TO TRAVEL TO PANAMA AND PERU

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will travel to Panama from July 19 to 20, at the invitation of the episcopal conference, to participate in a meeting with the bishops and those in charge of Caritas in that country.

The objective of the meeting, a communique states, "will be a reflection on the spirit and the structure of charitable organizations, in particular to ensure and deepen the Christian roots of charitable commitment itself."

From July 21 to 22, Archbishop Cordes will travel to Peru, where he will visit the areas affected by the recent earthquake, and give the Holy Father's blessing together with a donation towards the most basic needs. In particular, he will visit the regions of Tacna and Moquega, which were most damaged by the earthquake. Meetings are also planned with the country's bishops, in particular with Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, archbishop of Lima, and with Bishop Luis Armando Bambaren Gastelumendi, president of the episcopal conference.

...;VISIT; PANAMA; PERU;...;CORDES;VIS;20010717;Word: 180;

PUBLIC CANONICAL ADMONITION ISSUED TO ARCHBISHOP MILINGO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the complete text of the Notification regarding Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo which was issued today by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Dated July 16, 2001, it was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect, and Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary.

"The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, after mature reflection and by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, and fulfilling its responsibility for protecting faith and morals in the life of the Church, finds itself obliged to proceed in accordance with Canon 1347, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law in order to protect the faithful from the serious harm caused by the recent behavior of the Most Reverend Emmanuel Milingo, archbishop emeritus of Lusaka.

"The said congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:

"1. noting the grave public conduct and statements where the archbishop has attempted an asserted 'matrimonial union' with the Korean Maria Sung, has adhered to the sect of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, and has failed in communion with the Successor of Peter and the College of Bishops;

"2. having verified the impossibility of communicating with Archbishop Milingo in order to invite him to reflect on the grave consequences of his conduct and actions, to make amends for the scandal given and to reform;

"3. communicates to Archbishop Milingo, in accordance with the above-mentioned Canon 1347, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law, the following public canonical admonition:

"a. to separate from Maria Sung;
"b. to sever all links with the sect, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification;
"c. to declare publicly his fidelity to the doctrine and ecclesiastical discipline of celibacy and to manifest his obedience to the Supreme Pontiff by a clear and unequivocal act.

"Should Archbishop Milingo not formally act by August 20, 2001 to fulfill what is hereby required of him, excommunication reserved to the Holy See will be imposed.

"The Church, obliged as she is to proceed to this painful action for the good of the faithful, does not cease to pray to the Lord, the Good Shepherd, for the desired return of the Archbishop to the embrace of the Church and the common Father."

CDF;CANONICAL ADMONITION; MILINGO;...;

POPE JOHN PAUL IN GREAT SPIRITS, ENJOYING VACATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 15, 2001 (VIS) - Before the Holy Father recited the Angelus at noon today, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls related some details of the papal vacation, from the chalet where the Pope is staying in Les Combes, Valle d'Aosta.

Navarro-Valls affirmed that John Paul II "is enjoying his vacation which he is spending in a contemplative way and praying very much. The Pope does a bit of physical exercise, enjoys the countryside and the tranquility of the area and he seems in excellent spirits to me: it is necessary to recall that, from the Jubilee to today, he has shouldered periods of very intense work, and to be able to enjoy rest and the small daily things helps him very much."

Referring to the trip which the Holy Father made last Thursday, to the Beta Forca ski-lift, at an altitude of 2,700 meters, Navarro-Valls related that the Pope looked at the lift with curiosity and when those running it, observing that there were not many people, asked him if perhaps he wished to take a ride, the Pope accepted with enthusiasm. Navarro-Valls offered to pay the ticket, but the woman who runs the lift with her family would take no payment. "He had a wonderful time, had an expression of real enjoyment and, even though it was very cold, didn't feel it at all," Navarro-Valls said.

During these days, the Pope continues to rise early "but after six, which is only a little later than usual. After praying, the celebration of Mass, breakfast and reading, he leaves for outings in the mountains."

Navarro-Valls also stated that, contrary to other years, John Paul II is not preparing any document, and is dedicating much time to reading; "he reads texts in Polish, Italian, German, on different themes."

The Pope is abreast of the principal events of these days, and also requested information on the attack last Saturday by ETA terrorists in Spain, in which a city official and an officer of the Basque autonomous police were killed.

The press office director said that the inhabitants of Les Combes have been thinking, for some time, of changing the name of their town to "Les Combes of the Pope," considering that the Pope has vacationed there nine times.

In view of the Pope's upcoming commitments, Navarro-Valls announced that the Holy Father will travel, in the last week of September, to Kazakhstan and Armenia, and will probably speak in Russian, the only common language of Kazakhstan.

...;VACATION POPE;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010716;Word: 430;

PRE-ANGELUS REFLECTIONS ON CREATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 15, 2001 (VIS) - Several thousand faithful gathered under a pouring rain to pray the noon Angelus today with Pope John Paul who is spending a period of rest in the mountains of northwestern Italy, in Les Combes d'Introd. In reflections made before reciting the prayer, the Pope spoke of those communities in the area which had suffered serious flooding last October and also meditated on creation.

He reminded the faithful that in the past several months, in the weekly general audiences, he has been giving special catecheses on the Psalms. "In these days, before such stupendous scenery, my thoughts naturally go to those Psalms in which creation, especially the mountains, plays a primary role." He mentioned in particular Psalms 8, 18, 22 and 103.

"The Lord is my shepherd - says the splendid Psalm 22 - He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness. All of Psalm 103 is a hymn to the Creator: Bless the Lord, oh my soul; O Lord my God, thou art very great. ... Thou makest springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills. ... The high mountains are for the wild goats, the rocks are a refuge for the badgers. ... Oh Lord, how manifold are thy works! How can these not be our feelings before such moving natural wonders?"

The Holy Father said, as he "contemplates the mountain peaks which are by now familiar, my soul often turns to Mary. ... In tomorrow's liturgy we celebrate Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Today we venerate the 'Queen of Valle d'Aosta': this is suggested to us by this statue brought precisely for today from the cathedral of Aosta. It is the same statue that in 1948 traversed the villages of this region, spreading among the inhabitants, after the second world war, a renewed spirit of fraternity!"

ANG;CREATION;...;LES COMBES;VIS;20010716;Word: 310;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 16, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Rogelio Cabrera Lopez of Tacambaro, as bishop of Tapachula (area 16,536, population 1,238,459, Catholics 1,093,198, priests 70, religious 115), Mexico.

- Auxiliary Bishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello of Guadalajara, as bishop of Tuxtla Gutierrez (area 22,629, population 1,417,000, Catholics 1,010,000, priests 82, religious 274), Mexico.

On Saturday, July 14, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Giuseppe Hoang Van Tiem, S.D.B., professor of moral theology at the Major Seminary of Hanoi, as bishop of Bui Chu (area 1,350, population 1,120,000, Catholics 349,000, priests 47, religious 371), Vietnam. The bishop-elect was born in Hai Son, Vietnam, in 1938, and ordained to the priesthood in 1973.

- Appointed Fr. Joseph Vu Duy Thong, professor at the Major Seminary of Ho Chi Minh City, (area 2,390, population 5,063,871, Catholics 541,302, priests 453, religious 3,508), Vietnam, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Thai Binh, Vietnam, in 1952, and ordained to the priesthood in 1985.

- Appointed Fr. Victor Hugo Palma Paul, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Guatemala, director of studies at the National Major Seminary of Guatemala, as coadjutor bishop of Escuintla (area 4,384, population 1,000,000, Catholics 700,000, priests 17, religious 48), Guatemala. The bishop-elect was born in Guatemala City, in 1958, and ordained to the priesthood in 1983.

- Appointed Fr. Paul Nguyen Thanh Hoan, pastor and dean of Ham Tan in the diocese of Phan Thiet (area 7,854, population 1,047,040, Catholics 134,511, priests 71, religious 260), Vietnam, as coadjutor bishop of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Nghe An, in 1939, and ordained to the priesthood in 1965.

- Appointed Archbishop Patrick Coveney, apostolic nuncio in New Zealand, as apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Palau and the Cook Islands.

- Appointed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster, Great Britain, as a member of the Committee of the Presidency of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

- Gave his assent to the canonical election by the Synod of Bishops of the Greek-Melkite Catholic Church, meeting in Raboueh on June 22, 2001, of:

- Archimandrite Salim Ghazal, O.B.S., superior general of the Basilian Order of the Most Holy Savior, as auxiliary bishop of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, with the office of bishop of the Curia. The bishop-elect was born in Machghara, in 1931, and ordained to the priesthood in 1958.

- Fr. Joseph Absi, M.S.P., superior general of the Society of Missionaries of St. Paul, as auxiliary bishop of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, with the office of bishop of the Curia. The bishop-elect was born in Damascus, in 1946, and ordained to the priesthood in 1973.

- Fr. Jules Zerey, of the patriarchal clergy, as auxiliary bishop of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, with the office of protosyncellus of Alexandria. He succeeds Archbishop Paul Antaki, whose resignation was accepted by the same Synod on June 21, 2001. The bishop-elect was born in Alexandria of Egypt, in 1941, and ordained to the priesthood in 1967.

NER; NEA; NEC; NN; NA;...;...;...;VIS;20010716;Word: 470;

PAPAL MESSAGE TO MARIANISTS ON OCCASION OF GENERAL CHAPTER

VATICAN CITY, JUL 13, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from Pope John Paul to Fr. David Joseph Fleming, superior general of the Society of Mary, which is holding its 32nd General Chapter in Rome on the theme "Recreating with a new thrust the missionary project of our Founder." The Message for the July 8-29 meeting is dated July 7 and is written in English.

Recalling that he beatified Guillaume Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianists, during the Jubilee Year, the Pope notes that Blessed Chaminade "was born in troubled times as upheaval took hold of France; he was a man who lived through the tumult of the Revolution, preferring exile and the threat of death to the compromises forced upon the clergy at that time." And, writes the Pope, "he never failed to look to Mary as his hidden strength."

"Faced not only with revolutionary upheaval" and the "no less pernicious threat of religious indifference which eroded Christianity at its core," adds the Holy Father, "your Founder demonstrated qualities of apostolic imagination and daring which had their roots in genuine sanctity. ... Indeed in founding the Society of Mary, he wanted to offer to the de-christianized society of his time 'the spectacle of a people of saints'."

John Paul II then quotes Christ's words to Peter,"'Duc in altum! Put out into the deep'," saying they "echo down through the centuries." He reminds the Marianists that they are "the wonderful catch which resulted" when Fr. Chaminade cast out into the deep. "The waters of our own supposedly post-Christian time may seem to have nothing to give. We live in a time when many people cry out for freedom, yet resist the truth; they doubt not only faith but even reason itself; they insist upon rights, yet evade responsibilities; they yearn for fulfillment, yet balk at love. Into such seemingly uncompromising waters you must cast your nets as sons of Blessed Guillaume Joseph Chaminade, knowing that Jesus alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart."

MESS;SOCIETY OF MARY;...;FLEMING;VIS;20010713;Word: 350;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 13, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Gabriele Mana, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Turin, Italy, pastor of Orbassano, as bishop of Biella (area 900, population 180,356, Catholics 180,000, priests 172, permanent deacons 28, religious 406), Italy. He succeeds Bishop Massimo Giustetti, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit. The bishop-elect was born in Marene, Italy, in 1943, and ordained to the priesthood in 1967.

NER; RE;...;...;MANA; GIUSTETTI ;VIS;20010713;Word: 80;

ILLICIT TRADE IN SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2001 (VIS) - Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States, presented a statement yesterday in New York, U.S.A., at the International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects.

The head of the delegation of the Holy See recalled that a Convention exists which prohibits the use, as well as stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, and another which prohibits or restricts the use of certain conventional weapons. "Unfortunately, however," he said, "it is impossible to ban all kinds of small arms and light weapons."

Msgr. Migliore stated that the present conference proposes concrete measures "to avoid diverting small arms and light weapons into the illegal market. ... Of particular significance," he affirmed, "are the mechanisms for prevention, reduction, accountability and control, ... the defining criteria for the export of arms, ... the inclusion of mechanisms for collecting and destroying arms in peace processes, ... the implementation of educational and awareness activities aimed at promoting a culture of peace and life."

"The present International Conference," he added, "is an essential step, offering as it does an important opportunity to broaden the scope of both the international debate and public awareness in order to mobilize a political will and to establish and strengthen norms and measures aimed at preventing and combating this phenomenon."

The head of the delegation noted the necessity for "a precise and decisive change in international relations, which must be based not on the rule of the strongest and of those who are best prepared militarily, but on the force of law and according to standards and instruments capable of guaranteeing security independently of recourse to violence."

"The ultimate goal uniting us in this area is the protection of the life and dignity of each and every human person." He concluded by emphasizing the need for "strong action on the part of the international community, which must show particular concern for children affected by conflict situations in various regions of the world, and must work to reunite them with their families and reintegrate them into society by appropriate means of rehabilitation."

DELSS;SMALL ARMS; LIGHT WEAPONS;...;MIGLIORE;VIS;20010712;Word: 370;

SEVENTH MEETING OF ISLAMIC-CATHOLIC LIAISON COMMITTEE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee held its seventh meeting in Rome from July 3-4, 2001. The Catholic delegation was headed by Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, while the Islamic delegation was headed by Senator Dr. Kamel al-Sharif, secretary general of the International Islamic Council for Da'wah and Relief. The topic addressed during the meeting was "Religion and the Dialogue of Civilizations in an Era of Globalization." Following their exchanges on this topic and other matters the Committee agreed upon the following:

"1.- To reaffirm that civilizations with their material and technological dimensions are a common human heritage; their positive elements should therefore be preserved and their benefits made available to all; they are to be developed and promoted in the interest of the security and well-being of the whole human society.

"2.- To reaffirm that religious values should be the basic starting point from which to direct humanity in such a way as to preserve human dignity and promote peaceful coexistence among peoples and the protection of the environment.

"3.- To reaffirm the importance of dialogue among civilizations for mutual knowledge and common endeavor in peace and harmony in order to protect human societies from disasters, poverty, ignorance, moral degradation, the breaking up of the family, wars and the effect of arms of mass destruction, while refusing the thesis regarding the inevitable clash of civilizations and societal conflict.

"4.- To recognize the importance of globalization and its benefits, while calling attention to its dangers which hinder the realization of a commonly agreed just world order, the acceptance of just criteria for the achievement of the well-being of all, and respect for the religious and cultural values of human societies.

"5.- To work together to spread the culture of dialogue and to foster a spirit of responsibility towards society, to resist consumerism, to protect human dignity and human rights, to prevent aggression, oppression and injustice, to work to ensure the rights of refugees to return to their countries of origin and to refuse all forms of discrimination against people.

"6.- To condemn the violations of the sacred nature of holy places and places of worship occurring in certain parts of the world, and to work together to ensure respect and protection for holy places.

"7.- To communicate these principles through available channels and through the mass media, through educational and cultural institutes, etc."

...;ISLAMIC-CATHOLIC COMMITTEE;...;...;VIS;20010712;Word: 410;

PAPAL LETTER TO ORDER OF PREACHERS FOR THEIR GENERAL CHAPTER

VATICAN CITY, JUL 11, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was a Pontifical Letter from Pope John Paul to Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, master general of the Order of Preachers, on occasion of the July 10 General Chapter, held in Rhode Island, U.S.A., to elect the 85th successor of the Order's founder, St. Dominic.

Recalling that one of the first tasks the Order received at its founding was responding to the Albigensian heresy, "a new form of the recurrent Manichaean heresy ... at whose core there lay the denial of the Incarnation," the Pope writes, "To respond to this new form of the old heresy, the Holy Spirit raised up the Order of Preachers, men who would be pre-eminent in their poverty and mobility in the service of the Gospel."

"It is clear that the ancient afflictions of the human soul and the great untruths never die but lie hidden for a time, to reappear later in other forms," he continues. "We live in a time marked in its own way by a denial of the Incarnation. For the first time since Christ's birth 2000 years ago, it is as if He no longer had a place in an ever more secularized world. Not that He is always denied explicitly; indeed many claim to admire Jesus and to value elements of His teaching. Yet He remains distant; He is not truly known, loved and obeyed."

Pope John Paul writes that the consequences of denying the Incarnation are "clear and disturbing. In the first place the individual's relationship with God is seen as purely personal and private, so that God is removed from the processes that govern social, political and economic activity. This in turn leads to a greatly diminished sense of human possibility."

The Pope, continuing to list the consequences of denying the Incarnation, adds, "When Christ is excluded or denied, our vision of human purpose dwindles; and as we anticipate and aim for less, hope gives away to despair, joy to depression. There also appears a profound distrust of reason, and of the human capacity to grasp the truth, indeed the very concept of truth is cast into doubt. ... Life is not valued and loved, hence the advance of a certain culture of death, with its dark blooms of abortion and euthanasia. The body and human sexuality are not properly valued and loved; hence the degradation of sex which shows itself in a tide of moral confusion, infidelity and the violence of pornography."

"In such a situation," the Letter concludes, "the Church and the Successor of the Apostle Peter look to the Order of Preachers with no less hope and confidence than at the time of your foundation. The needs of the new evangelization are great, and it is certain that your Order ... must play a vital part in the Church's mission to overturn the old untruths."

JPII-PONTIFICAL LETTER;DOMINICANS;...;RADCLIFFE;VIS;20010711;Word: 480;

GUIDELINES FOR THE PASTORAL MINISTRY OF TOURISM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 11, 2001, (VIS) - Made public today was the document "Guidelines for the Pastoral Ministry of Tourism" produced by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. Written in Italian, it consists of an introduction, three parts, and a conclusion, and is dated June 29, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, and Archbishop Francesco Gioia, secretary of the same Pontifical Council, write in the introduction that the document is addressed to bishops, priests, men and women religious and, "more directly, summons the laity, called to evangelize in this specific area of social and secular reality."

The first part, entitled "The Reality of Tourism Today," states: "The tourism industry has been transformed into one of the primary economic forces in the entire world and it holds first place in some countries."

With regard to tourism and free time, the document affirms that the true meaning of rest can be seen when "man consecrates his time to God ... and when he generously dedicates himself to the service of others, especially the family."

Emphasizing that tourism "must always safeguard the dignity of the person, both of the tourist and of the local community," the document recalls "the negative aspects which in many places accompany tourist development: the exploitation of people ... the spreading of illnesses which seriously endanger the health of many sectors of the population; drug traffic and consumption; the physical destruction of the cultural identity and of vital resources."

Referring to the binomial "tourism-theology," the document states that "In tourism the Christian is invited to revive in a special way thanksgiving for the gift of creation, in which shines the beauty of the Creator. ... The contemplation of creation accompanies man in his religious life, inspires his prayer and animates him in the hope of promised salvation."

The second part of the text, "Pastoral Objectives," notes that "The central aim of the pastoral care of tourism is to stimulate those optimal conditions which help the Christian to live the reality of tourism as a moment of grace and salvation."

"The celebration of the Eucharist is the most frequent moment of encounter between the community of a place and the tourists, but it need not be the only one." Also necessary are "the most significant moments of the liturgical year, which often coincide with vacation time."

In reference to the welcoming of visitors, the guidelines emphasize the need to give special attention to the visitors who are members of other Christian confessions, at the same time stressing the importance that the welcome of visitors be prepared "with great care," particularly "in places of specific religious meaning," such as shrines. "It will be worthwhile to remember, moreover, that for many tourists such visits often constitute a unique occasion for experiencing the Christian faith."

It also emphasizes that among the different groups of people who engage in tourism, adolescents and youth in particular must be offered "the necessary conditions to make such travel experiences an occasion for them to deepen their faith."

With regard to the advertising of tourism programs, the document urges "tour promoters to be objective in their information and to have absolute respect for the dignity of persons and the external appearance of the places to which the information refers, as well as honesty regarding tourism proposals and total reliability in the services offered."

Tourism pastoral care workers "must be offered ... a specific preparation during formation, both in professional schools, and through other complementary initiatives. ... Religious and sacramental attention appropriate to their working conditions will be necessary, without violating the times and rhythms of the life of the community."
In the third part of the document, "Pastoral Structures," various concrete initiatives in the tourism milieux are illustrated which could be undertaken by episcopal conferences at the diocesan and parish levels.

"In order to satisfy the desire to know other persons and cultures, to develop his personal abilities and have new experiences," says the conclusion, "man chooses to devote part of his free time to tourism."
CON-SM/PASTORAL CARE TOURISM/HAMAO:GIOIA VIS 20010711 (700)

COUNCIL OFFICIALS PRESENT TOURISM MINISTRY GUIDELINES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 11, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishops Stephen Fumio Hamao and Francesco Gioia, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, today presented the council document "Guidelines for the Pastoral Ministry of Tourism," in written statements which accompanied the publication of the document.

Archbishop Hamao noted that "with significant farsightedness, on April 30, 1969 the Sacred Congregation for Clergy, on whom the pastoral ministry of tourism depended at that time, published the General Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Tourism 'Peregrinans in terra', a very important and useful text for pastoral action and, in many ways, well ahead of its time. It did not limit itself to presenting solutions to the problems of that time, but prophetically paved the way in order to face the development of tourism which, at that time, was not completely predictable."

Archbishop Gioia emphasized that "tourism is one of the phenomena which most greatly characterizes modern society. Proof of this is the continual and accentuated growth of tourists on a global level: According to information provided by the World Tourism Organization, in the year 2000 the number of tourists increased by 7.4 percent over the previous year, that is to say, 50 million people more than in 1999, or as many as the United States and Spain receive each year."

He added that "in Europe, which welcomes 58 percent of international tourism, there was an increase of 6.2 percent with 403 million arrivals, about 25 million more trips than the previous year. Income from international tourism last year was US$476 billion. It is predicted that by 2010 international tourists will go from the current 698 million to one billion, and by 2020 will increase by an additional 560 million persons."

...;PRESENTATION; GUIDELINES TOURISM;...;HAMAO;VIS;20010711;Word: 290;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 10, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Mariano Jose Parra Sandoval of San Fernando de Apure, as bishop of Ciudad Guayana (area 53,596, population 850,000, Catholics 765,000, priests 36, permanent deacons 5, religious 118), Venezuela.

- Auxiliary Bishop Luis Gleisner Wobbe of Rancagua, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of La Serena (area 30,596, population 492,275, Catholics 284,517, priests 67, permanent deacons 49, religious 195), Chile.

- Bishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, S.D.B., of Valdivia, and Fr. Andres Arteaga Manieu, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Santiago de Chile (area 9,132, population 5,083,704, Catholics 3,716,941, priests 825, permanent deacons 145, religious 3,377), Chile, vice-grand chancellor of the Catholic Pontifical University of Chile, as auxiliary bishops of Santiago de Chile. Bishop-elect Manieu was born in Santiago de Chile, in 1959, and ordained to the priesthood in 1986.

NER; NEA;...;...;...;VIS;20010710;Word: 130;

JOHN PAUL II VACATIONS IN THE ITALIAN ALPS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 10, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul has returned for the ninth time to Les Combes d'Introd, in the Valle d'Aosta region of northwestern Italy, to spend a brief vacation period in the midst of mountains which have been a part of his life since his childhood in Poland.

The villa where the Pope is staying was completed just before his sojourn there last summer. When he first saw the new house at that time, he had protested, asking "Was the villa made especially for me?" He was reassured that the house, owned by the Salesians, was put to good use throughout the year and, in fact, was used during the winter months as a ski stop.

The villa is a modified chalet-style, two-story building of stone and wood and is surrounded by a large garden and forest. Built at an altitude of 1,200 meters, it overlooks the celebrated Mont Blanc and other mountains on the Italian-French-Swiss borders.

The small papal apartment, and that of his secretary, are located on the first floor of the residence. The other guest rooms are on the ground floor and will be occupied by the three nuns who accompanied the Holy Father to Les Combes, as well as by his personal physician, the Pope's successor at the chair of ethics at the University of Lublin, Poland, and Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. Also on the ground floor is the kitchen and living room/dining room area.

Only one public event is on John Paul's schedule between now and his early evening departure for Rome on July 20. He will recite the angelus this coming Sunday in the presence of a number of faithful who live in or are visiting the area.

JPII-VACATION;...;...;LES COMBES;VIS;20010710;Word: 300;

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 10, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates have died in recent weeks:

- Cardinal Silvio Oddi, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Clergy, on June 29, at the age of 90.
- Cardinal Thomas Joseph Winning, archbishop of Glasgow, Scotland, on June 17, at the age of 76.
- Archbishop Emeritus Jose Goncalves da Costa, C.SS.R., of Niteroi, Brasil, on June 19, at the age of 87.
- Bishop Victor Gil Lechoza of Minas, Uruguay, on June 21, at the age of 69.
- His Beatitude Maximos V Hakim, patriarch emeritus of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, on June 29, at the age of 93.
- Bishop Giulio Nicolini of Cremona, Italy, on June 26, at the age of 74.
.../DEATHS/... VIS 20010710 (110)

PROMULGATION OF DECREES BY CONGREGATION FOR CAUSES OF SAINTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall, fifteen decrees were promulgated in the presence of the Holy Father, members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and the postulators of the respective causes. Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the congregation, read a speech detailing the lives of the future Blesseds and Saints who, he said, radically lived the call to holiness that every Christian receives with baptism.

The 15 decrees are for:

MARTYRDOM:

- Servants of God Juan Bautista and Jiacinto de los Angelos, fathers of families, killed for hatred of the faith in 1700 in San Francisco Cajonos, Mexico.
- Servant of God Niklas Gross, German, layman, father of family, killed for his faith (1898-1945).

HEROIC VIRTUES:

- Servant of God Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi, Italian, father of a family (1880-1951).
- Servant of God Maria Corsini, Italian, widow of Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi, mother of a family (1884-1965).

MIRACLES:

- Blessed Umile da Bisignano, ne Luca Antonio Pirozzo, Italian, professed layman of the Order of Friars Minor (1582-1637).
- Blessed Pedro di San Jose de Betancur, Spanish, layman of the Third Order Secular of St. Francis and founder of the Bethlehem Brothers and Sisters (1619-1667).
- Blessed Paolina del Cuore Agonizzante di Gesu, Italian, nee Amabile Visintainer, foundress of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (died 1942).
- Servant of God Bartolomeo dei Martiri, Portuguese, ne Bartolomeo Fernandes, of the Order of Friars Preachers, archbishop of Braga (1514-1590).
- Servant of God Giovanni Antonio Farina, Italian, bishop of Vicenza and founder of the Institute of the Sisters Teachers of St. Dorothy, Daughters of the Sacred Heart (1803-1888).
- Servant of God Tommaso Maria Fusco, Italian, priest of the diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Samo, founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood (1831-1891).
- Servant of God Luigi Tezza, professed priest of the Order of Clerics Regular, Ministers of the Sick, and founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus (1841-1923).
- Servant of God Maria del Transito di Gesu Sacramentato, Argentinean, nee Maria del Transito Cabanillas, foundress of the Congregation of Tertiary Sisters Franciscan Missionaries of Argentina (1821-1885). - Servant of God Maria Pilar Izquierdo Albero, Spanish, foundress of the Missionary Work of Jesus and Mary (1906-1945).
- Servant of God Liduina Meneguzzi, Italian, nee Elisa Angela, professed religious of the Institute of St. Francis de Sales (1901-1941).
- Servant of God Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi, Italian, father of a family (1880-1951) and Servant of God Maria Corsini, Italian, widow of Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi, mother of a family (1884-1965).

CCS;DECREES;...;SARAIVA;VIS;20010709;Word: 420;

ARMENIAN MECHITARISTS CELEBRATE THIRD CENTENARY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul this morning welcomed 35 members of the Armenian Mechitarist Congregation on the occasion of the third centenary of their founding by Abbot Mechitar who, the Pope said "was surely celebrating in heaven for the recent unification of the two branches of your congregation."

"With the story of Mechitar of Sebaste the history of Armenian monastic spirituality reaches its summit. In a period of strong decadence, due to precise socio-political circumstances, Mechitar understood that holiness was the highest and most efficacious means of returning dignity, vigor and moral and civil commitment to his people. He was above all a seeker of God, ... and wished to be so within the precise context of Armenian monastic life."

The Holy Father recalled that "while he was still young, Mechitar undertook a pilgrimage which brought him to various monasteries of Armenia. ... During this pilgrimage he also met many Latin religious, drawing from the knowledge of their spirituality new points for reflection, without, however, harming full fidelity to the authentic Armenian tradition." He added that this contact between East and West led "Mechitar to settle, together with the monks he founded, in Venice, the natural bridge of a West leaning towards the East. Since then the island of St. Lazarus has become 'a little Armenia' and is still a place of pilgrimage."

John Paul II underscored that "the characteristic element of Mechitarist spirituality is the search for holiness, through an intense prayer life." And he noted that Mechitar "directed the monks to live a common life in the monastery, under the sign of obedience. The monasteries thus became centers of spiritual formation and profound cultural studies."

"Mechitar and his monks," the Pope went on, "must be recognized for having worked, and still working, for the full reestablishment of unity among the Church of the West and the Church of the East. For Mechitar, communion with Rome was an indispensable element of faith."

"Dear sons of Mechitar," stated the Holy Father, "it is up to you to gather this legacy and to revive it," getting to know your people, and how to answer their longings. He suggested "it might be opportune to make use of the collaboration of the lay faithful."

The Pope also pointed out that "your history and the intuitions of your founder place you in a privileged position in the ecumenical dialogue. ... Be up to the task of such an extraordinary vocation."

He dedicated closing remarks to the need to "recall that poverty is the indispensable mark of monastic life. May your riches be the Lord Whom you carry in your heart. ... May past events teach you not to confuse material prosperity with the depth of spiritual life: prosperity often causes idolatrous greed which mines the foundation of religious experience. This is a lesson which must not be forgotten."

AC;CENTENARY; MECHITARISTS;...;...;VIS;20010709;Word: 470;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in separate audiences today:

- Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Archbishop Paolo Romeo, apostolic nuncio in Italy.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010709;Word: 50;

THE RICH MUST HEED THE CRY OF THE POOR

VATICAN CITY, JUL 8, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, before the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope asked "the richest and most technologically advanced nations ... to listen to the cry of the many poor peoples of the world: they ask, simply, that which is their sacrosanct right."

The Holy Father's words are framed in the context of the upcoming summit of heads of State and Government in Genoa, Italy, from July 20 to 22. He asked Christians for "a special prayer" for these leaders, exhorting them "to work together to build a world more united in justice and solidarity. Christians must prepare themselves for this task with a strong moral and spiritual education, with a deepened knowledge of the social doctrine of the Church and with a great love for Jesus Christ, Redeemer of every man and of all humanity."

John Paul II said his "thoughts today turn to the participants in the national meeting of various Catholic associations taking place today in Genoa, in view of the upcoming summit of heads of State and Government." He also said, "I unite myself to the bishops of the Liguria region, who, in the recent Letter sent to the faithful of their Churches, express the urgency to 'reawaken in everyone, beginning with those in charge of public administration, the thrust to a new 'morality' in the face of serious and at times dramatic economic-financial, health-care related, social, cultural, environmental, and political problems'.

"In reality," he continued, "faith cannot leave the Christian indifferent before similar questions of worldwide relevance. It spurs him to question, with an appropriate spirit, those in charge of politics and the economy, asking that the current process of globalization be strongly governed by the motives of the well-being of the citizens of the entire world, on the basis of the irrefutable demands of justice and solidarity."

After greeting the pilgrims present in various languages, John Paul II noted that tomorrow he will travel to the northern Italian region of Valle d'Aosta, "to spend some time in those beloved mountains. I will remember everyone in my prayers, especially those sick or alone. I hope that everyone can enjoy some well-deserved rest during the summer, even those who, for various reasons, do not leave their cities and countries."

ANG;SUMMIT GENOA; VACATION;...;...;VIS;20010709;Word: 390;

TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF SEVERE STORM IN STRASBOURG

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Archbishop Joseph Dore of Strasbourg for the victims of the storm which struck that city last evening, uprooting a tree which crashed on the site of an indoor concert, causing deaths and many injured:

"Informed of the hurricane which struck the Pourtales Chateau Park, causing numerous victims, the Holy Father expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families in mourning and assures his deepest sympathy and his spiritual closeness to all those touched by this drama. He recommends the souls of the departed to the mercy of God, praying the Almighty to welcome them in His peace and light. Welcoming the work of the rescuers, he asks God to comfort the wounded, especially the children, as well as those persons who are so sorely tried."

TGR;STORM; VICTIMS;...;STRASBOURG; DORE;VIS;20010709;Word: 160;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 9, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Christopher Henry Toohey, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Sydney, Australia, director of the Office for Education of the adults of the same archdiocese, as bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes (area 414,398, population 121,816, Catholics 36,804, priests 25, religious 72), Australia. The bishop-elect was born in Balmain, Australia, in 1952, and ordained to the priesthood in 1982.

On Saturday, July 7, it was made public that the Holy Father appointed Fr. Pierre-Antoine Paulo, O.M.I., superior of the Missions of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the archdiocese of Cartagena, Colombia, as coadjutor bishop of Port-de-Paix (area 4,500, population 435,000, Catholics 280,000, priests 37, religious 88), Haiti. The bishop-elect was born in Camp Perrin, Haiti, in 1944. He professed his first vows in 1963, his perpetual vows in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1969.

NER; NEC;...;...;TOOHEY; PAULO;VIS;20010709;Word: 140;

CARDINAL SARAIVA IS ENVOY TO BRAZIL'S EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 9, 2001 (VIS) - The Pontifical Letter in which Pope John Paul names Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins as his special envoy to the celebrations of the 14th National Brazilian Eucharistic Congress was published today. The letter, written in Latin, was dated May 20, 2001. The congress will take place in Campanis, Brazil, from July 19 to 22.

Also published today were the names of the other members of the Pontifical Mission who will be joining the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints: Msgr. Jose Machado Couto, apostolic protonotary, a pastor in Helvetia, Campinas and a consultor of the Congregation for Catholic Education; Msgr. Stefano Migliorelli, official of the Secretariat of State; Msgr. Claudio Jovine, official of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and Fr. Alvaro Augusto Ambiel, pastor of the cathedral of Campinas.

DELSS;EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS;...;BRAZIL; SARAIVA;VIS;20010709;Word: 150;

POPE LEAVES FOR 12-DAY VACATION IN NORTHERN ITALY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 9, 2001 (VIS) - At 10 this morning Pope John Paul left by car for Rome's Ciampino Airport where his plane left at 10:30 for northern Italy's Valle d'Aosta region. He arrived at 11:40 at the Saint-Christophe Airport in Aosta and was accompanied to the villa in Les Combes which will be his home until early evening of July 20.

JPII-VACATION;DEPARTURE;...;...;VIS;20010709;Word: 70;

CUBA: STRIVE FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM, AND RECONCILIATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the bishops of the Cuban Episcopal Conference at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit, and affirmed that their visit reminds him of his apostolic visit to Cuba in 1998.

"It pleases me to know," the Pope said, "that since then certain things of particular value have improved for you, such as the restoration of the Christmas celebration, the possibility of carrying out various processions, which belong to the rich popular devotion, a greater participation of Catholics in the life of the country, the presence of Cuban youth in the 15th World Youth Day in Rome during this past Jubilee Year and a notable increase in the participation of the faithful in the sacraments."

The Holy Father spoke of the urgency to "present the unfathomable richness of Christian spirituality at the beginnings of this new millennium, to a world tired of old ideologies which have lost their initial attractiveness and have left in many a profound void and a lack of life's meaning."

"As I affirmed during my pastoral visit to Cuba," he continued, "the Church must present to Christians and to those interested in the good of the Cuban people, the teachings of her social doctrine." In this light, the Pope recalled that these teachings must "be considered integrally, from the right to life of the unborn child up to natural death, without excluding any individual or social rights, such as the right to nutrition, health, education, the right to exercise freedom of movement, expression and association."

The Pope exhorted the Cuban prelates to continue to work patiently "in favor of justice, of the true freedom of the sons of God and of reconciliation between all Cubans, those who live on the island and those in other countries, and not to neglect conciliatory efforts which allow an ever greater increase in the charitable action of the Church in the human promotion of the people."

After thanking the priests and men and women religious who serve the Cuban people, the Pope urged them to "facilitate ever more the entrance of new priests and religious, that they may dedicate themselves to the mission in your beautiful island."

"A reason for hope," he added, "is the constant increase in vocations. In this respect, and to facilitate this process, it is necessary to think about creating minor seminaries, where possible, that receive youth before they have finished their philosophical-theological studies, in order to offer them an integral formation based upon Christian moral principles."

Finally, the Holy Father emphasized that in Cuba "there is no lack of committed laity who make an effort in their milieux to lead a lifestyle coherent with their faith." He exhorted the bishops to continue to "strongly proclaim the teachings on marriage and the family, the acceptance of children as God's gift and the springtime of society."

AL;...;...;CUBA;VIS;20010706;Word: 480;

HOLY SEE HAD NET SURPLUS OF $8.5 MILLION FOR 2000

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, president of the Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, announced this morning at a conference to present the Consolidated Financial Statement of the Holy See that there was a net surplus of $8.5 million for the fiscal year 2000. Saying that the surplus came from "a favorable monetary situation," he said the exchange rate used was 2,080 lire to $1. The 1999 surplus was $5 million. This is the eighth consecutive year for a surplus.

The cardinal explained that a Consolidated Financial Statement "represents the sum of all the expenses and income of the diverse Vatican Administrations" which he divided into four categories: 1. Institutional Activity (Secretariat of State, Congregations, Councils, Tribunals, Synod of Bishops and various offices), which closed with a deficit; 2. Financial Activity (seven consolidated administrations, the largest of which is the Extraordinary Section of APSA - Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See), which closed with a net gain; 3. the real estate sector, which had a net gain and 4. Activity of Media Institutions (Vatican Radio, the Vatican Printing Press/L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican Publishing House and the Vatican Television Center). This category closed with a deficit.

However, the president of the economic prefecture singled out Vatican Radio "for applause in view of the enormous activity undertaken during the Jubilee Year" when it transmitted 24,000 hours in 60 languages.

Cardinal Sebastiani underscored that there were elevated expenses due to the Jubilee Year 2000 which necessitated an increase in personnel in many curial offices, especially media offices. About 70 additional people were hired to work in the Roman Curia during the Holy Year. In addition to the "greater general and administrative expenditures," he said there were also "repairs and maintenance of the nunciatures of our papal representatives."

The cardinal concluded by saying that he had presented the Consolidated Financial Statement to Pope John Paul on June 22 and to the Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See, which met yesterday.

A communique released this afternoon by the Council of Cardinals stated that Vatican City State, an entity financially separate from the Holy See, had a net gain for the year 2000. The report also announced that Peter's Pence for the year 2000 amounted to $63.6 million: this is $8.3 million more than the previous year.

OP;HOLY SEE FINANCES;...;SEBASTIANI;VIS;20010706;Word: 390;