TELEGRAM FOR YESTERDAY'S TRAGEDY IN SWISS CANTON

VATICAN CITY, SEP 28, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent a condolence telegram in the Holy Father's name to Bishop Kurt Koch of Basel, Switzerland, in response to the tragedy that took place yesterday during a cantonal parliamentary session in Zug, in which 15 people died.

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JOHN PAUL II BIDS FAREWELL TO ARMENIAN PEOPLE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 27, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II bid farewell this evening at Zvartnotz International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, to the President of the Republic, Robert Kotcharian, civil and political authorities, and His Holiness Karekin II, Patriarch of all Armenians.

After some brief words by the Armenian president and Catholicos Karekin II, the Pope thanked the Armenian people for their "yearning for Christian unity. Thank you most of all," he said, "for the witness of your faith."

"The terrible events at the beginning of the last century, which brought your people 'to the brink of annihilation', the long years of totalitarian oppression, the devastation of a disastrous earthquake: none of these," he affirmed, "has been able to prevent the Armenian soul from regaining courage and recovering its great dignity.

"It is true," he continued, "these are difficult years, and your heart is sometimes weary and unsure. ... But, dear Armenian friends, hold on to hope! Remember that you have put your trust in Christ and said yes to Him forever. Supported by your Armenian brothers and sisters throughout the world you are committed to the task of rebuilding in freedom your country and your society."

The Holy Father concluded asking God that "the leaders of Armenia and of the other peoples of the region will have the wisdom and perseverance to move forward courageously on the path of peace, for without peace there can be no genuine development and prosperity."

The papal plane departed at 8:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Rome time), and landed at Rome's Ciampino Airport at 9:15 p.m. John Paul II then travelled by automobile to his summer residence at Castelgandolfo, and will return to the Vatican on Saturday evening.

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NEW MARTYROLOGY TO BE PRESENTED TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2

VATICAN CITY, SEP 28, 2001 (VIS) - A press conference will be held on Tuesday, October 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, for the presentation of the new Martyrology by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments.

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ECUMENICAL CELEBRATION: TO WALK TOGETHER THAT WORLD MAY BELIEVE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father travelled at 6:00 p.m. local time from the Apostolic See of Etchmiadzin to the new Apostolic Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which was consecrated last Sunday by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.

The cathedral has a seating capacity of 1,700, representing the number of years which have passed since the proclamation of Christianity as the official religion of Armenia. The cathedral holds the relic of St. Gregory the Illuminator, given to Karekin II by John Paul II during an ecumenical celebration in St. Peter's Basilica in November of 2000.

Participating in today's ceremony were the President of the Republic, Robert Kotcharian, other civil and political authorities, and members of the diplomatic corps.

The ecumenical celebration included the reading of the Word of God, homilies by the Pope and the Patriarch, the profession of faith, the universal prayer, an exchange of the kiss of peace, and veneration of the relic of St. Gregory.

"My visit today," said the Pope, "testifies to our shared yearning to dwell in the full unity which the Lord wills for his disciples. ... I pray that my visit will be a kind of consecration of the already rich and fruitful cooperation existing between us."

John Paul II affirmed that "there is a real and intimate unity between the Catholic Church and the Church of Armenia since both preserve apostolic succession and have valid sacraments, particularly Baptism and the Eucharist. Our awareness of this must inspire us to work even harder to strengthen our ecumenical dialogue."

"My ardent prayer is for a renewal of the 'exchange of gifts' of which the Church of the first millennium gave such wonderful examples. May the memory of the time when the Church 'breathed with both lungs' spur Christians of East and West to walk together in unity of faith and with respect for legitimate diversity, accepting and sustaining each other as members of the one Body of Christ."

Referring to the "spiritual emptiness of communism and materialism" experienced by the society, the Holy Father emphasized the need to "proclaim the good news of salvation to the men and women of our time."

"We have a great responsibility towards them," he continued, "and they expect from us a convincing witness of unity of faith and mutual love. As we work for full communion, let us do together what we do not have to do separately. Let us work together, with full respect for our distinctive identities and traditions. Never again Christians against Christians, never again Church against Church! Rather, let us walk together, hand in hand, so that the world of the twenty-first century and the new millennium may believe!"

After the ecumenical celebration, the Pope travelled to the Apostolic See of Etchmiadzin where he spent the night.

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JOINT DECLARATION OF POPE AND PATRIARCH KAREKIN II

VATICAN CITY, SEP 27, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, signed a joint declaration this morning in Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia, in which they recall how "the Armenian people in A.D. 301 were bathed in the divine light and earnestly turned to Christ as the Truth, the Life, and the Way to salvation."

"Endowed with great faith, (the Armenians of old) chose to bear witness to the Truth and accept death when necessary, in order to share eternal life. Martyrdom for the love of Christ thus became a great legacy of many generations of Armenians."

"The extermination of a million and a half Armenian Christians," the declaration continues "in what is generally referred to as the first genocide of the twentieth century, and the subsequent annihilation of thousands under the former totalitarian regime are tragedies that still live in the memory of the present-day generation. These innocents who were butchered in vain are not canonized, but many among them were certainly confessors and martyrs for the name of Christ. We pray for the repose of their souls, and urge the faithful never to lose sight of the meaning of their sacrifice. We thank God for the fact that Christianity in Armenia has survived the adversities of the past seventeen centuries, and that the Armenian Church is now free to carry out her mission of proclaiming the Good News in the modern Republic of Armenia and in many areas near and far where Armenian communities are present.

"Armenia is again a free country, as in the early days of King Tiridates and Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Over the past ten years, the right of citizens in the burgeoning Republic to worship and practice their religion in freedom has been recognized. In Armenia and in the diaspora, new Armenian institutions have been established, churches have been built, associations and schools have been founded."

"The example of Christian Armenia testifies that faith in Christ brings hope to every human situation, no matter how difficult."

"Here at Holy Etchmiadzin we renew our solemn commitment to pray and work to hasten the day of communion among all members of Christ's faithful flock, with true regard for our respective sacred traditions."

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POPE ASKS FORGIVENESS FOR PAST FAILINGS AGAINST UNITY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 27, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II celebrated Mass this morning at the Great Altar in the garden of the Apostolic See of Etchmiadzin. Catholic bishops and priests from Armenia and other countries concelebrated. Catholicos Karekin II participated from a seat prepared for him for the occasion.

The Mass of St. Gregory the Illuminator was celebrated in the Latin rite. At the opening, His Holiness Karekin II directed a brief greeting to the Pope and those present.

In his homily, the Holy Father recalled the years when "the voice of the priest fell silent in your churches, but still the voice of the people's faith was heard, full of devotion and filial affection for the Successor of the Apostle Peter. When evil-hearted men fired upon the Cross on the bell-tower of Panik, they sought to offend the God in whom they did not believe." In those years, he noted, "you adorned your places of worship as best you could; and beside the images of Jesus and His Mother Mary, there often stood the picture of the Pope of Rome alongside the picture of the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church. ... That is why your recent history has not been marked by the sad opposition between the Churches which has so troubled Christians in other lands not far from here."

The Pope thanked His Holiness Karekin II for inviting him to celebrate the Eucharist with the Catholic community at Holy Etchmiadzin, and asked, "Does it not express the yearning of so many of our brothers and sisters who wish to see us advance quickly on the path of unity? My own heart is eager to hasten the day when we shall celebrate together the Divine Sacrifice which makes us all one. At this altar which is your altar, I beg the Lord to forgive us our past failings against unity and to lead us to the love that overcomes all barriers."

"In the Catholic Church," he continued, "the hymn of praise rises to God from many peoples, in many tongues. But this blending of different voices in a single melody in no way destroys your identity as Armenians. ... We must rival one another - not in creating division or in accusing each other - but in showing mutual charity. The only rivalry possible among the Lord's disciples is to see who can offer the greater love!"

John Paul II expressed regret that he was unable to visit the places where the majority of the Catholic faithful live, and concluded affirming: "The Bishop of Rome came to honor the faith of the Armenian people, among whom you are especially dear to him. He has come to celebrate your faithfulness and courage, and to praise God who has granted you to see the day of freedom. Here at this splendid altar, let us remember those who struggled to see this day and did not see it, but who contemplate it now in the eternal glory of God's Kingdom."

After the Mass, the Holy Father travelled to the Armenian Catholic Center of Kanaker, the residence of the ordinary for the Armenian Catholicos of Eastern Europe, Archbishop Nerses Der Nersessian, C.M.A., where he participated in an official lunch with Catholicos Karekin II and the bishops and priests working in Armenia.

Following this, John Paul II went to the Apostolic Cathedral of Etchmiadzin where, according to tradition, religious figures make a visit before leaving the country. From the cathedral he travelled to the monastery of Khor Virab, which means "deep well" (it is 40 meters deep). At this site, due to his Christian faith, St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for thirteen years, until the healing of King Tiridates III through the saint's intercession. After a brief ceremony, the Pope travelled to the international airport of Zvartnotz for a farewell ceremony with the political, religious, and civil authorities. His return to Rome's Ciampino Airport is scheduled for 8:45 p.m.

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PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 26, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II celebrated Mass in private this morning in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace of Etchmiadzin, and then travelled to the Presidential Palace of Yerevan for a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Armenia, Robert Kotcharian.

At 11:00 a.m. local time the Pope visited the Dzidzernagapert Memorial. Situated on a small hill, it is an architectural complex built in 1967 in memory of the approximately 1.5 million Armenians who perished under the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

The Pope and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, placed flowers in homage and prayed together for all of the victims, for their salvation, and for peace in the world.

After a song, and a brief prayer by the Catholicos, the Pope read a prayer in English:

"Look upon the people of this land," he said, "who put their trust in You so long ago, who have passed through the great tribulation and never failed in their faithfulness to You. Wipe away every tear from their eyes and grant that their agony in the twentieth century will yield a harvest of life that endures forever.

"We are appalled by the terrible violence done to the Armenian people, and dismayed that the world still knows such inhumanity. But renewing our hope in Your promise, we implore, O Lord, rest for the dead in the peace which knows no end, and the healing of still open wounds through the power of Your love. Our soul is longing for You, Lord, more than the watchman for daybreak, as we wait for the fullness of redemption won on the Cross, for the light of Easter which is the dawn of invincible life, for the glory of the new Jerusalem where death shall be no more. O Judge of the living and the dead, have mercy on us all!"

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Holy Father returned to the Apostolic See of Etchmiadzin for an official lunch with His Holiness Karekin II, the archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the members of the papal entourage.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 26, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph Hubert Hart from the pastoral care of the diocese of Cheyenne, U.S.A., in conformity with canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop David Laurin Ricken.

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DOCUMENT ON ORGAN TRANSPLANTS FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 26, 2001 (VIS) - Presented this morning in the Holy See Press Office was a document of the Pontifical Academy for Life entitled: "The Perspective of Xenotransplantation (Organ Transplants from Animals to Humans). Scientific Aspects and Ethical Considerations." Participating in the presentation were Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice-president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, and Profs. Emanuele Cozzi, Maurizio P. Faggioni, O.F.M., and Marialuisa Lavitrano, members of the group who prepared the document.
"The document," affirmed Bishop Sgreccia, "wishes to be a response and a contribution to future decisions in the area of xenotransplantation, which, in every case, will certainly have a worldwide value."

The text analyzes various basic problems (scientific, philosophical, anthropological), including "the ethical considerations of the use of animals to improve man's survival and well-being." In this regard Professor Faggioni recalled that in the vision expressed in the first chapters of Genesis "man has ... a true dominion over creation," but "cannot" reduce other creatures "to a kind of degrading and destructive slavery. ... The licitness of the use of animals involves ... the respect of certain conditions, such as the avoidance of unnecessary suffering for the animals and great caution in introducing uncontrollable genetic modifications which can cause useless pain or stress ... or significantly alter the biodiversity and equilibrium of species in the animal world."

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TO KAZAKHS: BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning said Mass in private and then blessed the new chapel of the apostolic nunciature in Astana. At 10:30 a.m. he arrived at the international airport for a brief farewell ceremony before his departure for Armenia. He thanked Kazakhstan's president for his "exquisite hospitality" and also expressed his gratitude to the civil and religious authorities present to see him off.

In his speech in Russian, the Pope underscored how the "dear people" of Kazakhstan had "suffered years of harsh persecution, but has not hesitated to commit itself with enthusiasm to the path of development."

"Love one another!" John Paul II urged the citizens of Kazakhstan. "This country, home to men and women of different origins, needs solid agreements and stable social relations. It is not an exaggeration to say that your country has a vocation all its own: that of being, in an ever more conscious way, a bridge between Europe and Asia. May this be your civil and religious choice. Be a bridge made up of people who embrace other people: people who communicate fullness of life and hope."

"In saying farewell to you, dear Kazakh people, I wish to assure you that the Church will continue to be at your side. In close cooperation with the other religious communities and with all men and women of goodwill, Catholics will not fail to do their part to ensure that all together can build a common home which is ever more welcoming."

The Pope added that "the quest for harmony has characterized relations between Christianity and Islam here ever since the formation of the Turkish Khanate in the endless spaces of your steppes, and this has enabled your country to become a junction between East and West on the great Silk Road. The younger generations too should follow this path with renewed commitment."

"I have come among you as a pilgrim of hope," he concluded, "and I now prepare to undertake my return journey, not without emotion and nostalgia."

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JOHN PAUL II: WE HOLD THE SAME FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2001 (VIS) - At 2:15 p.m. (local time) the Pope visited the Apostolic Cathedral of Etchmiadzin. It is traditional that visits of religious figures begin with a brief moment of prayer in the cathedral, which was built in 303, and has a capacity of 100 people.

John Paul II responded to the brief greeting of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, in the presence of the bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the papal entourage.

"Holy Etchmiadzin," the Holy Father said, "stands as the great symbol of Armenia's faith in the only-begotten Son of God who came down from heaven, who died to redeem us from sin, and whose resurrection inaugurates the new heavens and the new earth. For all Armenians, Etchmiadzin remains the pledge of perseverance in that faith, despite the suffering and bloodshed past and present, which your troubled history has made the price of your fidelity. In this place I wish to testify that your faith is our faith in Jesus Christ, true God and true man."

"As Bishop of Rome," he continued, "I kneel in admiration of the heavenly gift of your people's baptism, and I pay tribute to this temple, symbol of the nation, which, from the beginning, in accordance with Saint Gregory's vision, bears on its columns the sign of martyrdom."

The Pope thanked the Patriarch for welcoming him to his home. "This is the first time that the Bishop of Rome, for the extent of his visit to a country, is staying in the home and sharing the daily life of a Brother who presides over one of the glorious Churches of the East. Thank you for this sign of love, which moves me deeply and speaks of profound friendship and fraternal charity to the hearts of all Catholics."

After recalling the predecessors of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos Vazken I and Karekin I, John Paul II concluded asking the Lord to receive their common prayer, and to accept "the gratitude of the whole Church for the faith of the Armenian people."

Leaving the cathedral, the Pope prayed before the tombs of the deceased Catholicos and then travelled to the Apostolic Palace of Etchmiadzin, where at 6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. Rome time) an official meeting with His Holiness Karekin II is planned.

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POPE IN ARMENIA AS IT CELEBRATES 1700 YEARS OF CHRISTIANITY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II arrived today in Yerevan, Armenia, at 1 p.m. local time. He was welcomed at the international airport by President Robert Kotcharian and by civil and religious authorities including His Holiness, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Catholicos Karekin and nine archbishops and bishops of the Apostolic Armenian Church will accompany the Pope throughout his stay in Armenia.

The Pope noted that Armenia is celebrating the "1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the official religion of this cherished land. ... I am deeply moved as I think of the glorious history of Christianity in this land, going back, according to tradition, to the preaching of the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. Later, through the witness and work of St. Gregory the llluminator, Christianity for the first time became the faith of an entire nation."

The Holy Father observed that Armenia is marking another anniversary, the 10th anniversary of its independence. "Everyone, especially those responsible for public life, is called today to be genuinely committed to the common good, in justice and solidarity, putting the progress of the people ahead of any partial interests. This is also true of the urgent search for peace at the regional level. Peace will only be built on the solid foundations of mutual respect, justice in inter-community relations and magnanimity on the part of the strong."

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and home to one and a quarter million people, was founded in 782 B.C. with the name of Erebuni. It is 1,000 meters above sea level and is dominated by Mount Ararat, an extinct volcanic mountain massif in neighboring eastern Turkey. Legend has it that its main peak, Great Ararat, is the site of paradise on earth and also the final resting place of Noah's Ark, after the flood.

Armenia, a federal republic which proclaimed independence in 1991, has a population of 3.8 million, of whom 150,000, almost four percent, are Catholics. Over 90 percent of Armenians belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church whose head is the Catholicos who resides in Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual seat of authority, near Yerevan.

The ordinariate of Eastern Europe for Armenian Catholics is immediately subject to the Holy See. The ordinary is Archbishop Nerses Der Nersessian, C.M.A. The Armenian family name which starts with "Der" indicates that the person is a descendant of a married priest. There is also the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus of the Latins. The apostolic administrator is Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto.

Pope John Paul will be staying at the pontifical residence, just one part of the complex known as Holy Etchmiadzin which also includes the apostolic palace, the residence of the Catholicos, the cathedral, curial offices, the seminary and a guest house.

Etchmiadzin was founded in the beginning of the second century and became the administrative and religious center of Armenia when Christianity was proclaimed the state religion in 301. Tradition has it that the cathedral was built on the site indicated by Christ when He appeared in a dream to St. Gregory the Illuminator. In fact, Etchmiadzin means "place where the Only Begotten came down."

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THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS TO OPEN SUNDAY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2001 (VIS) - On Sunday, September 30, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, the Holy Father will preside at Mass which will be concelebrated by the Synod Fathers on the occasion of the opening of the Tenth General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

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VATICAN SUPPORTS SELF-DEFENSE, URGES NON-VIOLENT SOLUTION

VATICAN CITY, SEP 25, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro Valls, travelling with Pope John Paul II in Kazakhstan and Armenia, yesterday granted an interview to Reuters news agency which had asked him for the Holy See's position on the morality of an eventual armed response by the United States in self-defense for the September 11 terrorist attacks on its soil.

He said that a self-defense move by the United States would be understandable but that the Holy See would prefer a non-violent solution to the crisis which has developed since September 11. The Vatican would not accept for innocent people to be hurt, nor would it accept a war on Islam as a religion.

Navarro-Valls said "It is certain that if someone has done great harm to society and there is a danger that he remains free, he may be able to do it again, and you have the right to apply self-defense for the society which you lead, even though the means you choose may be aggressive."

He added that "sometimes self-defense implies an action which may lead to the death of a person. ... Either people who have carried out a horrendous crime are put in a position there they can do no further harm, by being handed over and put into custody, or the principle of self-defense applies with all its consequences."

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PAPAL PLEA: NEVER USE RELIGION AS REASON FOR CONFLICT

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II travelled this morning from Astana's apostolic nunciature to the Square of the Motherland, where at 10:30 a.m. he celebrated Mass with the ordinaries of Kazakhstan, guest bishops and priests working in the country, and the prelates in the papal entourage.

The monument which overlooks the square is a symbol of the Motherland and depicts a woman with a chalice at the foot of a large shaft of wheat. It bears the date of June 9, 1945, the end of the Second World War.

"In the name of the one God," the Pope said in his homily before more than 30,000 people, the majority of whom were Muslims, "I turn to the people of deep and ancient religious traditions, the people of Kazakhstan. I turn as well to those who belong to no religion and to those who are searching for truth."

"Humanity's homeland," he exclaimed, "is the Kingdom of heaven! How compelling it is for us to ponder this truth in this place, in the Square which bears the name of the Mother Land." He added that the tenth anniversary of independence in the country invites reflection on the link "between this earthly homeland, with its values and goals, and the heavenly homeland, into which the whole human family is called to enter beyond every injustice and conflict."

The Holy Father emphasized that "Christians are both inhabitants of this world and citizens of the Kingdom of heaven. They commit themselves wholeheartedly to the building of earthly society, but they remain focused upon the good things of eternity. ... Christianity does not lead to alienation from the tasks of this earth. If at times, in some quite particular situations, it gives this impression, that is because many Christians do not live as they should. But in truth, when it is lived as it should be, Christianity is a leaven in society."

"In this celebration," he continued, "we want to pray for Kazakhstan and its inhabitants, so that this vast nation, with all its ethnic, cultural and religious variety, will grow stronger in justice, solidarity and peace. May it progress thanks to the collaboration, in particular, between Christians and Muslims, committed day by day, side by side, in the effort to fulfill God's will."

"Yet prayer," the Pope affirmed, "must always be accompanied by appropriate works. Following Christ's example, the Church never separates evangelization from human promotion, and she urges the faithful in every circumstance to work for social renewal and progress." He concluded by recalling that "respect for each one's rights, even when that person has different personal beliefs, is the foundation of all truly human harmony."
After the Mass and before the recitation of the Angelus, John Paul II entrusted to Mary "all of you: Christians and non-Christians, believers and non-believers," and asked that she help them "to accomplish in your daily lives Christ's command: 'Love one another', which is the guiding theme of this pastoral visit of mine."

The Holy Father, speaking English, then made an appeal for peace in the world:

"From this city, from Kazakhstan, a country that is an example of harmony between men and women of different origins and beliefs, I wish to make an earnest call to everyone, Christians and the followers of other religions, to work together to build a world without violence, a world that loves life, and grows in justice and solidarity. We must not let what has happened lead to a deepening of divisions. Religion must never be used as a reason for conflict.

"From this place, I invite both Christians and Muslims to raise an intense prayer to the One, Almighty God whose children we all are, that the supreme good of peace may reign in the world. May people everywhere, strengthened by divine wisdom, work for a civilization of love, in which there is no room for hatred, discrimination or violence.

"With all my heart I beg God to keep the world in peace. Amen."

He then greeted the faithful present in Kazakh, Polish, and German, and addressed in a special way the pilgrims of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and other countries, who came to participate in the ceremony.

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POPE ARRIVES IN KAZAKHSTAN, STARTS 95TH FOREIGN TRIP

VATICAN CITY, SEP 22, 2001 (VIS) - Following a trip of six hours and a time zone change of five hours, Pope John Paul arrived in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, at 7:30 p.m. local time where he was greeted by civil and religious authorities.

For the first time, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, did not accompany the Holy Father on a trip. Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released a statement yesterday afternoon saying that "the Holy Father, desirious of constantly following events on the international scene as they develop, has asked Cardinal Sodano, to remain in Rome during his trip to Kazakhstan and Armenia. Cardinal Sodano can thus remain in touch with the leaders of differentcountries and keep them informed of the Pope's thoughts in the current situation."

In an address in Russian at the airport, the Pope highlighted how Kazakhstan is "a multi-ethnic state, heir to numerous centuries-old spiritual and cultural traditions, and now on the move to new social and economic objectives." He greeted civil and military officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Islamic leaders and faithful, as well as the faithful of the Orthodox Church, other Churches and ecclesial communities and Kazakhstan's small but "dedicated and enthusiastic" Catholic populace.

The Pope referred to the nation's ten years of independence, saying that "Kazakhstan wishes to grow in brotherhood, dialogue and understanding; these are the indispensable requisites for building bridges of solidarity and cooperation with other peoples, nations and cultures."

He then referred to Kazakhstan's "bold move in 1991 to close the nuclear facility of Semipalatinsk, subsequently announcing its unilateral rejection of nuclear arms and its adherence to the Pact totally banning atomic experimentation. This decision is based on the conviction that controversies must be resolved not by recourse to arms but by the peaceful means of negotiation and dialogue. I can only encourage this type of commitment, which well corresponds to the fundamental demands of solidarity and peace to which human beings aspire ever more knowingly."

"Today in your country, which is one of the world's largest in area," John Paul II added, "citizens belonging to over a hundred nationalities and ethnic groups live side by side, each guaranteed the same rights and freedoms by your Constitution. This spirit of openness and cooperation is part of your tradition, for Kazakhstan has always been a land where different traditions and cultures come together."

The Pope urged Kazakhs to "see to it that your commitment to your country is always based on the safeguarding of freedom, the inalienable right and profound aspiration of every person. In particular, recognize the right to religious freedom, which enables people to express their most deeply held beliefs."

After the welcoming ceremony, Pope John Paul visited Astana's monument to the victims of the totalitarian regime, where he placed a wreath of flowers and prayed. Dinner at the apostolic nunciature followed this visit.

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POPE ENTRUSTS KAZAKHSTAN TO MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 24, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 a.m. local time, the Pope left the apostolic nunciature for the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, consecrated two years ago, where he celebrated Mass in the Latin rite, in honor of Mary, Queen of Peace, patroness of Kazakhstan. Concelebrating with the Holy Father were the ordinaries of the country, the priests who work there, and the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage.

In his homily, John Paul II expressed his appreciation to the priests, men and women religious, and seminarians of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan for the "generosity and fidelity with which you carry out your labors. ... "My thoughts turn at this time to your communities, once scattered and sorely tried. In heart and in spirit I relive the unspeakable trials of all those who suffered not only physical exile and imprisonment, but public ridicule and violence because they chose not to renounce the faith. ... In this Eucharist, I remember them all with gratitude and affection. From their sufferings in union with the Cross of Christ the new life of your Christian community has blossomed."

The Holy Father told the priests that "the spirit of communion and of genuine cooperation which you must foster between yourselves and the lay faithful will be the secret to the success of this exalting and demanding mission." He also spoke of the necessity "to ensure the theological, spiritual, and pastoral formation of those whom the Lord calls to His service."

"Before being heralds of the Gospel, we need to be credible witnesses," he said. He emphasized the need for "every disciple of Christ to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Indeed, this need is all the more urgent because of the spiritual devastation left behind by militant atheism, as well as the dangers present in today's hedonism and consumerism. To the power of witness, dear Brothers and Sisters, add the gentleness of dialogue. ... The Church has no wish to impose her own faith on others. It is clear, however, that this does not exempt the Lord's disciples from communicating to others the great gift which they have received: life in Christ."

The Pope concluded by exhorting the priests, religious, and seminarians to face the difficulties in their apostolic work and to think "of the good things the Lord is accomplishing by using your hands, your words and your hearts. He has put you here as a gift for your neighbor. May you ever be worthy of this mission."

At the conclusion of the Mass, John Paul II entrusted Kazakhstan to the protection of Mary, Queen of Peace.

Following this, the Pope travelled to the bishop's house, in front of the cathedral, for lunch with the bishops and the members of the papal entourage.

PV;KAZAKHSTAN;...;

TO YOUTH: BE PEACEMAKERS, BE BUILDERS OF A BETTER WORLD

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father arrived at Eurasia University in Astana at 6:30 p.m. today and, following a tour of the campus, held a meeting with young people in the university's Great Hall. About 8,500 students from numerous countries are enrolled in the university.

The Pope pointed out that the university's "very name, Eurasia, indicates the particular mission which it has in common with your great nation which is a point of contact between Europe and Asia: a mission of linking two continents, their respective cultures and traditions and the different ethnic groups who have mingled here through the centuries."

"Peace be with you," he told the young men and women. "May peace fill your hearts! Know that you are all called to be builders of a better world. Be peacemakers, because a society solidly based on peace is a society with a future."

He told them he knows that youth "are interested in the basic questions ... Who am I? What is the meaning of my life? Where am I going? My answer, dear young people, is simple but hugely significant: You are a thought of God, you are a heart-beat of God. ... You matter to God in your completely unique individuality."

"Here you sit, side by side, in a spirit of friendship," John Paul II remarked, "not because you have forgotten the evil there has been in your history, but because you are rightly more interested in the good that you can build together. ... Your country has experienced the deadly violence of ideology. Do not let yourselves fall prey now to the no less destructive violence of 'emptiness'." He asked the youth to "realize that you are not your own masters; open yourselves to the One Who created you out of love."

The Pope said that people today "at times delude themselves that they are all-powerful because they have made great scientific progress and managed in some way to control the complex world of technology. But every individual has a heart: intelligence may drive machines but it is the heart that beats with life!"

In closing remarks, the Holy Father said that "in people's minds there is the growing conviction that we cannot go on living divided as we are. Unfortunately nowadays, when communications are becoming easier by the day, differences are often apparent in still more dramatic form."

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CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CENTRAL ASIA IS FULL OF HOPE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 23, 2001 (VIS) - At 2:00 p.m. at Astana's apostolic nunciature, the Pope met with the eight bishops and apostolic administrators of Central Asia - four from Kazakhstan, and four from the republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - and with the cardinals and bishops of his entourage.

In his discourse, John Paul II affirmed that though "the Catholic Church in Central Asia is only a little plant, she is full of hope. ... The long years of Communist dictatorship, during which so many of the faithful were deported to the gulags set up in these lands, caused much suffering and bereavement. How many priests, religious and laity paid for their faithfulness to Christ with unimaginable suffering, and even the sacrifice of their lives!"

"The priority pastoral aims of your apostolic mission" he said, "should be the spreading, with all your energies, of the Gospel proclamation and the continuing consolidation of the Church's organization. The recent establishment of the Apostolic Administrations and the Missions 'sui iuris', by means of which the Church has gained a visible and solid structure, heralds the beginning of a promising time of evangelization." The Holy Father thanked "the priests and men and women religious who have left their native countries to offer themselves for the missionary task in these lands."

After inviting the pastors to be united among themselves, collaborating effectively, he said, "Although you are geographically far away, you are in the heart of the Pope who appreciates your untiring apostolate."

"The long winter of communist domination" has led, he affirmed, to "a scarcity of ideals which makes people particularly vulnerable to the myths of consumerism and hedonism imported from the West. These are social and spiritual challenges which call for a courageous missionary impulse."

John Paul II exhorted the prelates to "pay close attention to the formation of candidates to the priesthood and religious life," and expressed his "great pleasure at the completion of the seminary in Karaganda. ... As the seminary of all of Central Asia, it is a sign of effective cooperation between your Churches."

"Give special attention," he continued, "to the training and apostolate of the laity. ... and ecclesial Movements and new Communities. Their presence, spirit of initiative and specific charisms are a source of wealth to be valued."

The Holy Father concluded by encouraging the promotion of ecumenical dialogue with the members of the Orthodox Church, saying, "May your mutual relations be characterized by warmth and respect. ... Respect and dialogue should also be fostered in relation to the Muslim community, with those who belong to other religions and with those who profess themselves to be non-believers."

After the meeting, the Pope travelled to the presidential palace for a courtesy visit to the president of the republic, Nursultan Abishevich Nazabayev.

Though no speeches were scheduled, both the president and the Pope made off-the-cuff remarks in the presence of their entourages.

John Paul II, speaking Italian, thanked Divine Providence "for having allowed me to come here and be here. In recent days some people said such a trip would not have been possible because of the tragic events which happened in the United States. But, as you can see, it was possible, thanks to God!"

Saying that it was the first time he found himself "in this part of the world, in Central Asia," he mentioned Fr. Bukowinski, "well known here," who was deported from Poland to the Soviet Union and died in Kazakhstan. He said that this priest "was my first source of information about Kazakhstan."

The Holy Father expressed joy that his visit coincided with the nation's 10th anniversary of independence and said he hoped "this sovereignty would be lasting, fruitful and ever fuller."

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"HATRED, FANATICISM AND TERRORISM PROFANE THE NAME OF GOD"

VATICAN CITY, SEP 24, 2001 (VIS) - At 6 p.m. today, local time, the Pope met representatives of the world of culture, art and science in Astana's Palace of Congresses.

In his address in Russian, the Holy Father highlighted once again that "Kazakhstan is heir to a history in which complex and often sorrowful events have given rise to diverse traditions, so that today it stands as a unique example of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society. ... Kazakhstan is a vast country which down the centuries has given rise to a vibrant culture, rich in creative developments, thanks also to the influence of Russian intellectuals confined here by the totalitarian regime." He told the dignitaries they "are called to acquaint the world with Kazakhstan's rich cultural tradition: this is a demanding undertaking, and yet an attractive one."

"The human heart," noted the Pope, "asks questions which will not go away; when these questions are ignored, man becomes not freer but weaker, often ending up at the mercy of his own instincts, to say nothing of the aggression of others." He said that often the questions man asks are "religious by their very nature, in the sense that they appeal to those supreme values which have God as their ultimate foundation. Religion, for its part, cannot fail to grapple with these existential questions; otherwise it loses contact with life."

"Consequently - even in the context of a soundly secular State, which is obliged in any event to guarantee to each citizen, without distinction of sex, race and nationality, the fundamental right to freedom of conscience - there is a need to acknowledge and defend the right of believers to bear public witness to their faith. Authentic religious practice cannot be reduced to the private sphere or narrowly restricted to the edges of society."

"In this context," John Paul II concluded, "and precisely here in this land of encounters and dialogue, and before this distinguished audience, I wish to reaffirm the Catholic Church's respect for Islam, for authentic Islam: the Islam that prays, that is concerned for those in need. Recalling the errors of the past, including the most recent past, all believers ought to unite their efforts to ensure that God is never made the hostage of human ambitions. Hatred, fanaticism and terrorism profane the name of God and disfigure the true image of man."

PV-KAZAKHSTAN;CULTURE; ART;...;ASTANA;VIS;20010924;Word: 400;

NICARAGUA: MAY THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST PERVADE SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the apostolic palace of Castelgandolfo, John Paul II received the prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua who have just finished their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope told the bishops that their pastoral ministry "must have as its primary objective to see that the truth about Christ and the truth about man pervade ever more deeply all levels of Nicaraguan society and transform it."

In spite of the fact that signs of secularization exist in Nicaragua, the Holy Father affirmed that at its basis "there is a profoundly Christian soul." In this regard, he mentioned "the tireless work of those responsible for spreading the Word and of catechists who have kept alive the faith of the people. It is necessary to accompany them and offer them a permanent theological and pastoral formation."

"The new evangelization," he continued, "with its new methods and new expressions, has in the family a primary objective. ... Families are not alone in the face of the great challenges that they must face; the ecclesial community supports them, animates them and guards their perseverance in a Christian project of life which is frequently subject to many vicissitudes and dangers." He expressed the hope that Nicaragua's leaders "will fulfill in an ever more adequate manner their pressing obligations in favor of families."

The Pope underscored that one of the principal concerns of the bishops "was priestly vocations, given that the number of priests is insufficient for the needs of each diocese. ... I fervently pray the Lord of the harvest to give to your seminaries, which must be like the heart of the dioceses, many candidates to the priesthood." He added: "If young people see that priests, around their bishop, live a true spirituality of communion, giving witness to unity and community among themselves, to an evangelical generosity and to missionary availability, they will feel a greater attraction to the priestly vocation."

Referring to the evangelization of culture, the Holy Father said that this sphere is "one of the 'modern areopagus' in which the Gospel must be presented with all of its force, and for that to occur the means of social communications are indispensable!"

The Holy Father said it is "up to the laity to promote the human and Christian values which enlighten the political, economic and cultural reality of the country, with the aim of installing a more just and equitable social order, according to the Church's social doctrine. At the same time, coherent with ethical and moral norms, they must be examples of honesty and transparency with running public affairs, in the face of the underhandedness and widespread scars of corruption which at times strike the areas of political and economic power as well as other public and social milieux."
In conclusion, John Paul II asked that, in view of the upcoming elections, "the consultation with the people take place in reciprocal respect, with order and tranquillity, according to the ethical principles of healthy coexistence."

AL;...;...;NICARAGUA;VIS;20010921;Word: 500;

DECLARATION ON AUDIENCE WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OF SPAIN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls issued the following declaration yesterday afternoon:

"Today, Thursday, September 20, 2001, the Holy Father received in audience Josep Pique I Camps, foreign minister of Spain, who then met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state.

"The meetings offered the occasion for an ample exchange of views on the current international situation, especially concerning interreligious dialogue and the battle against terrorism.

"Also amply discussed were the most important aspects regarding Church-State relations, in particular the collaboration necessary for the important themes of the family, school, and the teaching of the Catholic religion in the public schools, emphasizing the validity of cooperation ensured by the accords between the Holy See and the Spanish State of 1979."

OP;TERRORISM;...;SODANO; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010921;Word: 140;

JOHN PAUL II DEPARTS TOMORROW FOR KAZAKHSTAN, ARMENIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul leaves Rome's Fiumicino Airport tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. for a six-day trip to Kazakhstan and Armenia, the 95th foreign apostolic trip of his pontificate. The papal plane will fly over Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan, covering 4,200 kilometers in 6 hours. He is scheduled to arrive in Astana, the Kazak capital, at 7:30 p.m., local time (2:30 p.m. Rome time).

Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic and now part of the Commonwealth of Independent States, declared independence on December 16, 1991. It is the largest of the central-Asian republics, with a territory nine times the size of Italy and a population of only 15 million. Just over half of Kazaks are Sunni Muslims. An estimated 6 million Kazaks are Orthodox Christians. Protestants represent about 2 percent of the population and Catholics number 180,000. There are 4 ecclesiastical circumscriptions, 37 parishes, 4 bishops, 59 priests, 2 permanent deacons, 69 religious and 12 major seminarians. There are an average of 3,051 Catholics per priest.

Armenia is one-tenth the size of Kazakhstan and has a population of 3.8 million. Over 90 percent of the populace belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Christianity was declared in Armenia in 301 and Pope John Paul's visit is to commemorate the 17th centenary of the arrival of Christianity in this nation. Armenia was, in fact, the first state to embrace Christianity as a state religion. Catholics number 150,000. There is one ecclesiastical circumscription. There are 2 bishops, 4 priests, 14 religious, 5 major seminarians and 18 parishes. There are an average of 37,500 Catholics per priest.

JPII-TRIP;STATISTICS; KAZAKHSTAN; ARMENIA;...;...;VIS;20010921;Word: 260;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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

- Appointed Bishop Manuel Camilo Vial Risopatron of San Felipe, as bishop of Temuco (area 18,000, population 520,000, Catholics 374,400, priests 64, permanent deacons 48, religious 169), Chile. He succeeds Bishop Sergio Contreras Navia, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted in accordance with the age limit.

- Accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Hourton Poisson from the pastoral care of the diocese of Temuco, Chile, in accordance with the age limit.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in audience today Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea, apostolic nuncio in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Yemen; apostolic delegate in the Arab Peninsula; accompanied by family members.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010921;Word: 40;

HOLY SEE TO ATTEND WTO MEETINGS IN KOREA AND JAPAN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - Msgr. Piero Monni, Holy See permanent observer to the World Trade Organization, will attend the WTO's biennial General Assembly which will be held in Seoul, Korea from September 23 to 27 and in Osaka, Japan from September 28 to October 1.

Msgr. Monni will address the assembly in each of those cities, according to a communique from his office. The biennial meeting is an occasion for evaluating the WTO's work and programs. During the 2001 two-part meeting, the prospectives for development linked to tourism activity in the world will be analyzed. The note says that "Special attention will be dedicated to the necessary and urgent preparation of a plan to carry out the World Code of Ethics for Tourism. This study will be accompanied by an analysis of the efforts made to obtain recognition for this Code by the United Nations, set for the autumn session."

DELSS;TOURISM; ETHICS;...;MONNI;VIS;20010921;Word: 160;

DOCUMENT ON ORGAN TRANSPLANTS FROM ANIMALS TO HUMAN BEINGS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2001 (VIS) - On Wednesday, September 26, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, a press conference will be held for the presentation of the new document of the Pontifical Academy for Life entitled "The perspective of xenotransplantation (organ transplants from animals to humans). Scientific aspects and ethical considerations."

Participating in the conference will be Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice-president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, and three people who worked on the preparation of the document.

OP;DOCUMENT TRANSPLANTS;...;SGRECCIA;VIS;20010920;Word: 90;

HOLY SEE SIGNS ACCORD WITH GERMANY REGARDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2001 (VIS) - Yesterday in Germany the Holy See and the German State of Saarland signed an Accord which modifies a 1975 Accord between the two regarding private schools which are run by the Catholic Church, according to a note released this afternoon by the Holy See.

Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, apostolic nuncio in Germany, signed for the Holy See and Peter Muller, minister-president, signed the agreement for the Saarland.

The note states: "The present Accord, which consists of 2 articles and an additional Protocol, assures those running Catholic schools of state financial contributions in order to adopt the type of schools which are prescribed in the State constitution regarding the 'Erweiterte Realschulen' and secondary schools."

...;ACCORD; SCHOOLS;...;GERMANY;VIS;20010920;Word: 130;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Josep Pique, foreign minister of Spain, accompanied by his entourage.
- Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto, apostolic nuncio in Tanzania.
- Archbishop Luigi Gatti, apostolic nuncio in Lebanon.
- Four prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara of Esteli.
- Bishop Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano of Matagalpa.
- Bishop Bernardo Hombach of Juigalpa.
- Bishop Pablo Schmitz Simon, apostolic vicar of Bluefields.

AP; AL;...;...;... ;VIS;20010920;Word: 80;

GENERAL AUDIENCE: GOD IS ALWAYS ON THE SIDE OF THE FAITHFUL

VATICAN CITY, SEP 19, 2001 (VIS) - In today's general audience, which took place in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II reflected on Psalm 56, explaining that it is "a nocturnal song which prepares the one praying for the light of dawn, awaiting with anxiety, to be able to praise the Lord in joy. The Psalm, in effect, passes from dramatic lament to God to serene hope and joyous thanks."

The Pope explained that the first part of the Psalm concerns the "experience of fear at the assault of evil which attempts to strike the just man. ... The presence of the Lord does not delay in showing its efficacy, through punishment of the adversaries. ... Such faith in divine justice, always alive in the Psalter, prevents discouragement and surrender to the power of evil. God always takes the side of the faithful, overturning the designs of the enemy, making them stumble on their own wicked plans."

The second part of the Psalm, the Pope continued, is one of thanks. "The liturgy, therefore, causes hope to blossom: it turns to God, inviting Him to draw near to His people anew and to listen to their supplication."

The Pope emphasized that "the Psalm closes, thus, with a song a praise to the Lord," and concluded affirming that "Psalm 56 is transformed in Christian tradition into a song of reawakening to the Easter light and joy, which shines upon the faithful erasing the fear of death and opening the horizon to the celestial glory."

In his greetings to English-speaking pilgrims after the audience, in reference to the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, the Pope said: "I invite you to pray in these days that Almighty God will guide the mind and hearts of world leaders so that the ways of justice and peace may prevail."

AG;PSALM 56;...;...;VIS;20010919;Word: 310;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop George Kocherry, apostolic nuncio in Ghana and Togo.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010919;Word: 30;

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, SEP 19, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates have died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Marcial Augusto Ramirez Ponce, military ordinary emeritus for Venezuela, on September 8, at the age of 76.
- Bishop Marcello Rosina, emeritus of Civita Castellana, Italy, on September 5, at the age of 88.

...;DEATHS;...;... ;VIS;20010919;Word: 50;

EXPERTS AND AUDITORS NAMED FOR SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 18, 2001 (VIS) - Published yesterday afternoon were the names of 16 experts and 23 auditors for the September 30-October 27 Synod of Bishops on the role of the bishop in the Church. They were appointed by the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops and approved by the Holy Father. The experts are:

1. Fr. Jesus Castellano Cervera, O.C.D., professor of Dogmatic Theology, vice dean of the Pontifical Theological Faculty and of the Pontifical Teresianum Institute of Spirituality, Rome.
2. Fr. Andrea D'Auria, F.S.C.B., professor of Canon Law at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Urbanianum University, Rome.
3. Fr. Joseph Augustine Di Noia, O.P., adjunct professor of Dogmatic Theology at the St. Joseph Seminary of Dunwoodie, New York; director of the Intercultural Forum, Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, U.S.A.
4. Fr. Francois Dupre La Tour, O.S.B., professor of Spiritual Theology at the St. Joseph Abbey of Flavigny, France.
5. Msgr. Ricardo Antonio Ferrara, dean of the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Argentina, Argentina.
6. Msgr. Renzo Gerardi, professor of Special Moral Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.
7. Fr. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
8. Fr. Philippe Goyret, of the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei, professor of Ecclesiology at the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome. 9. Fr. Sebastian Karotemprel, S.D.B., professor of Theology at the Faculty of Missiology of the Pontifical Urbanianum University, Rome.
10. Msgr. Jan Krucina, professor of Theology at the Theological Faculty of Wroclaw, Poland.
11. Fr. Gerhard Muller, professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Munich, Germany.
12. Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, doctor of Canon and Civil Law, U.S.A.
13. Fr. Candido Pozo, S.J., professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Granada, Spain.
14. Sr. Enrica Rosanna, F.M.A., professor of Sociology of Religion at the "Auxilium" Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences, Rome.
15. Fr. Dimitrios Salachas, professor of Canon Law at the Faculty of Eastern Canon Law of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome.
16. Fr. Jose Ramon Villar, professor of Ecclesiology at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra, Spain.

The 23 auditors are:

1. Carl Albert Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, vice-president of the Washington D.C. branch of the John Paul II Institute for the Study of Marriage and the Family, U.S.A.
2. Fr. Antonio Bravo, general director of the Prado Institute, France.
3. Sr. Rita Burley, A.C.I., superior general of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, president of the International Union of Superiors General - U.I.S.G., Great Britain.
4. Giuseppe Camilleri, of the Society of Christian Doctrine, Malta.
5. Sr. Antonia Colombo, superior general of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians, Italy.
6. Fr. Arnaud Devillers, F.S.S.P., superior general of the Fraternity of St. Peter, U.S.A.
7. Martial Assande Eba, president of the Parochial Council of Saint Jean of Cocody, diocese of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
8. Theresa Ee-Chooi, president of the U.C.I.P. and member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Malaysia.
9. Dr. Enrique Galarza Alarcon, consultant of the Episcopal Conference, Ecuador.
10. Sr. Mary Sujita Kallupurakkathu, S.N.D., superior general of the Sisters of Our Lady, India.
11. Fr. Jesus Maria Lecea Sainz, S.P., president of the Union of European Conferences of Major Superiors - U.C.E.S.M.; president of the Spanish Conference of Superiors and Major Superiors - CONF.E.R., Spain.
12. Fr. Robert P. Maloney, C.M., superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, U.S.A.
13. Myroslaw Marynovich, director of the Institute of Religion and Society of Lviv, Ukraine.
14. Elizabeth Mkame, vice-president of the Pastoral Council of the archdiocese of Durban, South Africa.
15. Maria Christina Noronha De Sa, director of Youth Pastoral Care of the archdiocese of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
16. Zbigniew Nosowski, director of Wiez Magazine, Poland.
17. Sr. Jolanta Olech, U.S.J.K., superior general of the Ursalines of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Agony, president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Poland, Poland.
18. Fr. Jorge Ortiz Gonzalez. M.Sp.S., superior general of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit; president of the Conference of Religious Institutes of Mexico - C.I.R.M., Mexico.
19. Barbara Pandolfi, superior general of the Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ, Italy.
20. Anne-Marie Pelletier, professor at the Ecole-Cathedral of Paris, France.
21. Fr. Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, F.S.C., superior general of the Brothers of the Christian Schools; president of the Union of Superiors General - U.S.G., Costa Rica.
22. Robert Sikias, president emeritus of the Council of Laity, Lebanon.
23. Dr. Nazario Vivero, Councillor of the Episcopal Conference; member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Venezuela.

SE;APPOINTMENTS SYNOD;...;...;VIS;20010918;Word: 820;

PAPAL TELEGRAM TO CATHOLIC JOURNALISTS MEETING IN SWITZERLAND

VATICAN CITY, SEP 18, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, in the name of Pope John Paul to Bishop Pierfranco Pastore, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, on the occasion of the September 13-23 meeting of Catholic journalists in Switzerland:

"His Holiness Pope John Paul II sends cordial greetings and good wishes to all assembled in Fribourg for the World Congress of the International Catholic Union of the Press. His Holiness notes with satisfaction that the Congress has taken as its theme the response of the communication media to the urgent challenges raised by the process of globalization. He encourages those present to ponder the significant ethical issues which globalization raises in the light of the Gospel vision of the inalienable dignity of each human being, the unity of the human family and the moral imperative of fostering authentic human development and building a world of solidarity, justice and peace. Assuring the organizers and all taking part in the Congress of a remembrance in his prayers, the Holy Father willingly imparts his apostolic blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ."

TGR;CATHOLIC JOURNALISTS;...;SWITZERLAND;VIS;20010918;Word: 210;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 18, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Henryk Jozef Nowacki, apostolic nuncio in Slovakia.
- Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio in the United States of America.

AP;...;...;... ;VIS;20010918;Word: 30;

ANGELUS: JOHN PAUL RECALLS VICTIMS OF ATTACK IN U.S.

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2001 (VIS) - Following Mass this morning in Frosinone, a city southeast of Rome, the Holy Father prayed the Angelus with the 40,000 faithful present, asking the Virgin Mary to help the victims and families of last Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States. He then participated in a brief celebration with the young people of Frosinone who also commemorated the victims of the attacks.

"May the Blessed Virgin," said John Paul II, "bring comfort and hope to all who are suffering because of the tragic terrorist attack that profoundly wounded the beloved American people in recent days. To all the sons and daughters of that great nation I now address my heartfelt thoughts and participation. May Mary receive the dead, console the survivors, sustain the families which have been especially tried and help everyone not to give in to the temptation to hatred and violence, but to commit themselves to serving justice and peace.

"May Mary Most Holy nourish, especially in the young, high human and spiritual ideals and the constancy necessary to realize them. May she remind them of the primacy of eternal values so that, especially in these difficult moments, commitments and daily activities may continue to be always oriented towards God and His Kingdom of solidarity and peace."

After the angelus, and a celebration with young people, the Pope told them: "The Lord is counting on each of you; He wants you to be protagonists of the civilization of life and love. Help each other to be witnesses of the Gospel and apostles of your peers.

"I greet each of you, one by one, and make a date with you, at least in spirit, for the great meeting of the world's Christian youth which will take place next July in Toronto for the World Youth Day."

PV-ITALY;ANGELUS;...;FROSINONE;VIS;20010917;Word: 320;

JOHN PAUL II INVITES REDISCOVERY OF THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 this morning, John Paul II travelled by helicopter from Castelgandolfo to the diocese of Frosinone, southeast of Rome, for his 140th pastoral visit within Italy. Before an estimated 40,000 people, he presided over Mass at 10:30, followed by the recitation of the Angelus.

"The joy of forgiveness: behold the 'good news' which today the liturgy makes resound with vigor among us," John Paul said at the beginning of his homily. "Forgiveness is the joy of God, even before it is the joy of man. ... The commitment, initiative, and work of each and every community must become a Gospel witness, rooted in the joyful experience of the love and forgiveness of God."

The Holy Father emphasized that "it is urgent, in these times, to proclaim Christ, Redeemer of man, in order that His love be known by all and spread in every direction." To the diocese of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino he renewed Christ's invitation to Peter: "'Duc in altum' - Put out into the deep" in order that "it be a guide to you in a courageous spiritual renewal, translated into concrete pastoral planning. Build your present and your future keeping your gaze fixed on Jesus. He is everything: everything for the Church, everything for the salvation of man."

"May strong moments of study and reflection on the Word of God be multiplied in the parish communities. ... May the Eucharist be the heart and guide of your spiritual and apostolic itinerary."

The Pope concluded his homily recalling that Sunday, October 21, he will beatify a Roman married couple: Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi. The beatification will be celebrated in the milieux of the National Meeting of Families, organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference, which will take place in Rome. "It will be an occasion to reflect on the vocation to sanctity of Christian families and, at the same time, to gain a greater awareness of the social role of the family and to ask institutions to defend and promote it with suitable norms and laws."

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NEW AMBASSADOR FROM ARMENIA PRESENTS LETTERS OF CREDENCE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received the Letters of Credence from Armenia's new ambassador to the Holy See, Edward Nalbandian, noting that shortly he would be visiting that nation to help it celebrate "the festivities of the 17th centenary of Christianity." He added that this apostolic trip would allow him "to pursue and affirm the path of dialogue and the march towards unity undertaken with the Armenian Apostolic Church."

Speaking in French as he welcomed the ambassador at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father recalled Armenia's "long history and a long Christian history" which began with St. Gregory the Illuminator (who) obtained Armenia's adherence to Christianity at the start of the fourth century. ... This work of evangelization has since then stimulated the birth of a strong and original culture, forged in the Christian faith, which showed itself to be throughout the centuries the authentic way for Armenians to preserve their identity."

"After the immense agony at the start of the last century," he stated, "your country has resumed its march before rediscovering, ten years ago, its independence. ... The Holy See encourages among all peoples the legitimate aspiration to well-being and freedom, reminding everyone of the duty to participate with patience and tenacity in building a nation in the perspective of the common good. It also tirelessly calls them to dialogue with their neighbors, to favor a just and lasting peace among everyone, and harmony among nations. The Holy See does not doubt the capacity of the Armenian people to realize these legitimate aspirations."

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UNDERLINE THE SUBJECTIVE DIMENSION OF WORK

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II sent a Message late yesterday to the participants of the international meeting on "Work, the Key to the Social Question," promoted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in collaboration with other scientific and cultural institutions.

In the Message, the Pope asks that these days of reflection "be a propitious occasion to show the subjective dimension of work, in the face of the profound economic and social transformations that today's age is experiencing."

"The rapid and accelerated phase of change that the world is experiencing urges the overcoming of the current vision of the economic and social system, in which above all human needs receive a limited and inadequate consideration. Different from every other living being, man has infinite needs, because it is the reference to the transcendent which determines his being and vocation."

The Pope writes that in the face of unemployment, which especially concern youth, "the exploitation of the work of minors, the lack of recognition for the value of work, especially of women, within the family and without, ... new forms of solidarity must be conceived and built."

"The responsibility of governments is great, but no less important is that of the organizations which safeguard the collective interests of workers and of employers. ... To the solution of such vast and complex problems, which in some areas take on dramatic dimensions, you, scientists and men of culture, are also called to give a specific and decisive contribution. ... That means ... in particular, suggesting lines of action to guide change in the way which is most favorable to the development of the entire human family. ... It can indeed be said that your contribution, precisely because it is 'abstract', is essential for the concrete action of political economics." The Holy Father concludes the Message writing, "In the social doctrine of the Church you can find a constant reference and guide."

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POPE WELCOMES SISTERS OF ST. PAUL OF CHARTRES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2001 (VIS) - Seventy Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, founded in 1696 by Fr. Louis Chauvet, were welcomed by Pope John Paul this morning at Castelgandolfo as they were in Rome to celebrate their 45th General Chapter and elect a new council general.

In his talk to them, he recalled that their charism is "being consecrated in a special way to the service of youth and the poorest. ... Still today, on five continents, your presence in the worlds of education and health and with the marginalized remains an eminent sign of the 'madness' of Christ's love for all men and a courageous appeal to work for the coming of the Kingdom of God."

The Holy Father noted that "youth today on all continents live in difficult situations, linked to materialism, to cultural changes, to family divisions, to violence in all its forms, to a lack of moral and spiritual guideposts. In your educating mission, with the laity who work at your sides, it is important that you offer a quality scientific, human, moral and religious formation, giving young people the chance to build and structure their personalities and to surmount the difficulties they meet, allowing them to envisage a more serene future.

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OBLATES OF THE SACRED HEART CELEBRATE CENTENARY OF FOUNDER

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2001 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgondolfo, the Holy Father received the participants of a pilgrimage organized by the Congregation of the Oblates of the Sacred Heart, on the occasion of the first centenary of the birth of their founder, Servant of God Fr. Francesco Mottola.

John Paul II expressed his heartfelt hope that "the centenary celebrations constitute a strong stimulus for all of you to deepen and spread the treasure of spirituality and the apostolate that this beloved Servant of God has given to you."

The Pope exhorted the priests, "Spread with your personal testimony and your apostolate the great values given to you by your founder."

He then told the Oblates that by following the teachings of Don Mottola, "you express your total self-giving to God and to your brothers suffering not in the solitude of the cloister but in the often frenzied life of the world, harmonizing prayer and action, the search for God and the witness of love."

"You as well, dear Lay Oblates," he concluded, "know to be witnesses of that contemplation to which every Christian, young or adult, unmarried or married, is called according to the duties of his own state."

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FIRST AMBASSADOR FROM KAZAKHSTAN ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning at Castelgandolfo welcomed the first ambassador from Kazakhstan to the Holy See, Nurlan Danenov. In his address, the Pope pointed how that he would be leaving in several days on an apostolic trip to that nation which this year celebrates 10 years of independence.

The Pope noted that the ambassador, in his remarks, had "underlined how different ethnic groups live on Kazakhstan soil, with different cultures, languages and religions. This pluralistic situation is both a challenge and an opportunity. It is a challenge because, as I said in my Message for the World Day of Peace on January 1, 2001, 'In the past, cultural differences have often been a source of misunderstanding between peoples and the cause of conflicts and wars'. It would be opportune therefore for each particular group to favor attentive respect for the others, in making an effort to better know them, to overcome eventual tensions."

He went on to say that "forming together a national community, enriched by each one's differences, is also an opportunity. That presupposes learning to live in union with each other."

"The cultural diversity of your country," the Holy Father remarked, "is accompanied by a great religious and denominational diversity and you have stressed, Mr. Ambassador, the importance your government grants to this religious pluralism, to dialogue among religions and to the spiritual dimension of the life of the man that they express. I rejoice in this regard at the good relations which exist between the Holy See and your country, and the agreements which guarantee the rights and duties of the Catholic community living in Kazakhstan as well as the State's obligations towards it. Indeed, in a state of law, religious freedom is a precious good, an expression of the basic dignity of the human person who freely chooses, according to his conscience, the religion he will practice."

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PAPAL AUDIENCE FOR MEMBERS OF MARIST FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2001 (VIS) - This morning at his summer residence of Castelgandolfo, the Pope received the participants of the general chapters of the four institutes of the Marist Family, exhorting them to "humbly follow the Lord, in a modest way, as Mary did."

"Keep the missionary tradition of your family alive!" he said. "With Mary it will lead you to be particularly attentive to the distress of our contemporaries, of those who, in our modern society, are deprived of dignity, recognition, and love."

John Paul II assured the religious that the Church especially needs them "in a milieux fundamental for the Marist Family: the education of children and youth. ... The world of education is difficult and demanding, requiring that educators continually adapt themselves to the youth and their new expectations. Do not let yourselves be discouraged by the difficulties of the moment. ... Form, likewise, the laity who work with you in order that they live the charism which animates you."

The Holy Father concluded with the hope that the general chapters help them to "find new signs of communion among the four institutes, to strengthen a collaboration which bears fruit for the faithful accomplishment of your mission!"

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Four prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:
- Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, archbishop of Managua, with Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Solorzano Perez.
- Bishop Leovigildo Lopez Fitoria of Granada.
- Bishop Cesar Bosco Vivas Robelo of Leon en Nicaragua.
- Ronarong Nopakun, ambassador of Thailand, on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

On Saturday, September 15, he received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Antonio Mennini, apostolic nuncio in Bulgaria.
- Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

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NOTIFICATION ON THE DIACONAL ORDINATION OF WOMEN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the following Notification by the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith, for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments and for Clergy, signed by the respective prefects, Cardinals Joseph Ratzinger, Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez and Dario Castrillon Hoyos. The Notification was approved by the Pope on September 14.

"1. Our offices have received from several countries signs of courses that are being planned or underway, directly or indirectly aimed at the diaconal ordination of women. Thus are born hopes which are lacking a solid doctrinal foundation and which can generate pastoral disorientation.

"2. Since ecclesial ordination does not foresee such an ordination, it is not licit to enact initiatives which, in some way, aim to prepare candidates for diaconal ordination.

"3. The authentic promotion of women in the Church, in conformity with the constant ecclesial Magisterium, with special reference to (the Magisterium) of His Holiness John Paul II, opens other ample prospectives of service and collaboration.

"4. The undersigned Congregations - within the sphere of their proper authority - thus turn to the individual ordinaries, asking them to explain (this) to their own faithful and to diligently apply the above-mentioned directives."

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REBUILD SOCIETIES DESTROYED BY CIVIL CONFLICTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 14, 2001 (VIS) - The Pope received in audience this morning at Castelgandolfo the members of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood who are celebrating their 17th general assembly on the theme "The Future Face of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood."

John Paul II recalled that when St. Gaspar del Bufalo founded the Congregation in 1815, Pope Pius VII asked him to "go where no one else would go and to undertake missions which seemed unpromising," such as "evangelizing the bandits who so troubled the area between Rome and Naples at that time. ... Your Founder did not hesitate to obey. ... Casting his nets into deep and dangerous waters, he made an astonishing catch."

"Two centuries later," he continued, "another Pope summons the sons of St. Gaspar to be no less bold in their decisions and actions - to go where others cannot or will not go and to undertake missions. ... I ask you to continue your efforts to build a civilization of life, seeking the protection of all human life, from the life of the unborn to the life of the aged and infirm, and promoting the dignity of every human person, especially of the weak and of those deprived of their rightful share of the earth's abundance. I urge you to pursue a mission of reconciliation, as you work to rebuild societies torn by civil strife, even bringing together victims and perpetrators of violence in a spirit of forgiveness, so that they may come to know that 'it is (the blood of Christ) that is the most powerful source of hope; indeed it is the foundation of the absolute certitude that in God's plan life will be victorious'."

AC;...;...;PRECIOUS BLOOD;VIS;20010914;Word: 300;

HAITI'S BISHOPS ARE RECEIVED BY POPE AT CASTELGANDOLFO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 14, 2001 (VIS) - Bishops from Haiti were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning in Castelgandolfo as they conclude their quinquennial "ad limina" visit to the See of Peter.

Addressing them in French, the Pope focussed on the "dramatic political and economic situation in Haiti," citing the bishops' own five-year reports. "The important growth in population and the precarious nature of the agricultural and industrial conjunction have produced endemic unemployment, causing many inhabitants to go from the country to the city. This exodus further deteriorates ecological balance and renders families, the vital cell of society, fragile."

He said that Catholics are called to play a role in political development and urged the international community "to show solidarity in this area." The Holy Father also stressed the need to continually evangelize the population, saying that Haiti's extreme poverty and "the syncretism and the ignorance of Christians creates a favorable terrain for the proliferation of sectarian groups tempted to exploit the credulity of the poor."

"In the difficult context that the country is living," he went on, "the seeds for division are numerous. That is why it is essential to make communion ever stronger and more visible." He then stressed some of the bishops' priorities, including promoting a laity with "solid spiritual, intellectual and ecclesial formation," and "developing a vigorous family pastoral ministry to respond to the news challenges facing the Church in Haiti." This ministry, he stated, must be centered "on the basic values of the family and Christian marriage. He urged the prelates to "awaken people to the irreplaceable witness of the family, the basic school of society!"

John Paul II also exhorted the bishops to make young people "the object of your permanent solicitude. They are often tempted to respond with violence, marginalization, exile or resignation to the crying inequalities which deprive them of future perspectives and deny them hope. I hope the legitimate questions of the new generations will be taken ever more under consideration."

The Pope observed that "education constitutes an irreplaceable terrain for the healthy growth of the young generations, contributing to make (others) respect their basic human rights. ... To fight the scourge of illiteracy and assure youth of a human, spiritual and moral formation, Catholic schools, in the rich diversity of their charisms and their educational projects, render an essential service to the life of the Church and the nation. ... I encourage (the educational communities) to pursue their noble mission."

He thanked Haiti's priests, religious and lay faithful for their commitments to education, the family, health and welfare, and social promotion, stressing that he "knows the difficult conditions in which they must proclaim the Gospel." He urged priests to give "renewed attention" to ecclesial grassroots communities. "I ask pastors to remain vigilant so that these communities are truly missionary."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 14, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Archbishop Thomas Yeh Sheng-nan, apostolic nuncio in Sri Lanka.

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ROMAN CURIA OFFICES PRAY ANGELUS FOR VICTIMS OF ATTACKS IN U.S.

VATICAN CITY, SEP 14, 2001 (VIS) - All offices of the Roman Curia prayed the Angelus at noon today and dedicated special prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, as well as prayers for peace.

The Vatican joined the countries of the European Union which had proposed dedicating a period of prayer and recollection at 12 noon today in memory of last Tuesday's victims.

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PAPAL MESSAGE FOR 17TH CENTENARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 14, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Pope to Bishop Paolo Rabitti of San Marino-Montefeltro, Italy, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of San Marino, which takes its name from its holy founder.

The citizens of San Marino, writes the Holy Father in the Message dated August 29, "honor their Saint as the promoter of authentic freedom, because he introduced in them such a great sense of religious, political, civil, and psychological freedom to the point of making the terms 'San Marinian' and 'free' almost synonymous. ... I add now that freedom must be preserved immune from every attack."

John Paul II recalled that "clothed in the diaconal ministry, St. Marino worked intensely for the spread of the Gospel. ... He strengthened the people with the word of God, sanctified the place of his residence with the virtues typical of men of God: charity, humility, chastity, prayer, the battle against the Evil One, and penance."

"I know the commitment of every member of this particular Church, beginning with the clergy and religious, in promoting the Christian life in its various aspects. In San Marino, as elsewhere, difficulties and obstacles are unfortunately not lacking." He then exclaimed, "Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro do not get discouraged! I say to you as well: 'Duc in altum'!"

The Pope concluded by asking the diocese to remain "'united' around the bishop, thanks to the faithful communion of the priests, men and women religious, deacons, and laity of every parish and apostolic group."

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DRAW FROM EUCHARIST THE STRENGTH FOR MISSIONARY TASK

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received at Castelgandolfo the participants of the General Chapter of the Daughters of St. Paul, meeting on the theme "From the Eucharist to mission. Together communicating the Gospel today."

"Go 'together'! Thus He repeats to you during the chapter. Go forth with confidence so that, sustained by the Eucharist, spring of renewed life, you can draw the light, strength, and grace necessary for your missionary task. From this sublime mystery, you can obtain ardor and enthusiasm for announcing to the men of our time, with ever faster and more effective means, the hope that doesn't disappoint."

John Paul II exhorted the religious with these words: "May Christ be the center of your existence and of your mission. Strive for sanctity! If it happens, as disciples, that you toil without success, transform this apparently frustrated experience into a precious occasion of prayer and spiritual growth. The challenges of the present age are many, and the means available for confronting them do not always seem adequate. The problems and obstacles are not always, however, a cause of discouragement; on the contrary, they urge you to open your heart to divine grace so that, strengthened by the word of Christ, you may spread the joy and newness of the Gospel with your presence and your action."

"I am grateful to you," the Holy Father concluded, "for the service that you give to the Church in a vast and complex missionary field, which is the milieux of social communications. In this age, characterized by global communication, it is necessary to make the message of salvation resound with vigor. To complete this task, more necessary than ever is the presence of competent individuals, who at the same time are convicted and credible witnesses of Christ."

AC;COMMUNICATIONS;...;DAUGHTERS ST. PAUL;VIS;20010913;Word: 315;

POPE WELCOMES NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR, OFFERS PRAYERS FOR AMERICA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2001 (VIS) - Today at Castelgandolfo, Pope John Paul received the Letters of Credence of the new United States ambassador to the Holy See, James Nicholson. The Pope, referring to the September 11 terrorist attack on the U.S., assured the ambassador of his "profound participation in the grief of the American people and my heartfelt prayers for the president and the civil authorities and for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors, and in a special way for the victims and their families."

"You are beginning your mission at a moment of immense tragedy for your country," he said. "I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world's peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family."

The Holy Father then recalled that, "in my recent meeting with President Bush, I emphasized my deep esteem for the rich patrimony of human, religious and moral values which have historically shaped the American character. ... Underlying your nation's commitment to freedom, self-determination and equal opportunity are universal truths inherited from its religious roots" from which spring values including "respect for the sanctity of life and the dignity of each person."

He went on to say that "in the century now opening before us, ... the possibilities before the human family are immense, although they are not always apparent in a world in which too many of our brothers and sisters are suffering from hunger, malnutrition, the lack of access to medical care and to education, or are burdened by an unjust government, armed conflict, forced displacement and new forms of human bondage. In seizing the available opportunities, vision and generosity are necessary, especially on the part of those who have been blessed with freedom, wealth and an abundance of resources."

John Paul II, turning to the "many disturbing situations throughout the world, the tragic violence which continues to affect the Middle East," told the ambassador: "I am certain that your country will not hesitate to promote a realistic dialogue which will enable the parties to achieve security, justice and peace, in full respect for human rights and international law."

The Pope then highlighted the "spiritual roots of the crisis which the Western democracies are experiencing, a crisis characterized by the advance of a materialistic, utilitarian and ultimately dehumanized world view which is tragically detached from the moral foundations of Western civilizations." He stated that "economic and political structures must be guided by a vision whose core is the God-given dignity and inalienable rights of every human being, from the moment of conception until natural death. When some lives, including those of the unborn, are subjected to the personal choices of others, no other value or right will long be guaranteed. ... Never has it been more urgent to re-invigorate the moral vision and resolve essential to maintaining a just a free society."

The Holy Father's closing remarks were dedicated to America's young people, "surely your nation's greatest treasure. That is why they urgently need an all-around education which will enable them to reject cynicism and selfishness and to grow into their full stature as informed, wise and morally responsible members of the community."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in separate audiences six prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Frantz Colimon of Port-de-Paix, with Coadjutor Bishop Pierre-Antoine Paulo.
- Bishop Jean Alix Verrier of Les Cayes.
- Bishop Louis Kebreau of Hinche.
- Bishop Guire Poulard of Jacmel.
- Bishop Hubert Constant of Fort-Liberte.

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CONGREGATION ISSUES DECLARATION ON SUSPENDED PRIEST

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2001 (VIS) - The following declaration was released yesterday afternoon by the Congregation for the Clergy. It was signed by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, congregation prefect, and by Archbishop Csaba Ternyak, secretary.

"The Holy See has received several news reports concerning the so-called Conference for Peace in the World, which is being planned for Rome for October 7 to 13 and which has been organized by Fr. Nicholas Gruner of Canada.

"The Congregation for the Clergy, upon the mandate from a higher authority, wishes to state that Rev. Nicholas Gruner is under an 'a divinis' suspension, which has been confirmed by a definitive sentence of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

"The activities of Fr. Gruner, therefore, including the above-mentioned conference, do not have the approval of legitimate ecclesiastical authorities."

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ISLAMIC-CATHOLIC LIAISON COMMITTEE CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the following declaration, dated September 12, of the Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee regarding Tuesday's attack on the United States. It is signed by Dr. Hamid Ahmad Al-Rifaie, president of the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue, and by Bishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue:
"As Secretaries of the Committee, speaking in its name, we condemn the horrifying acts of terrorism committed on September 11 in the U.S.A. We express our great sorrow at the number of victims and we offer our condolences to their families.

"Such acts of violence are not the way to bring peace to the world. As religious leaders we wish to emphasize that the true basis for peace is justice and mutual respect."

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POPE EXPRESSES "SHOCK" AT "INHUMAN TERRORIST ATTACKS" ON U.S.

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent yesterday afternoon by Pope John Paul to U.S. President George W. Bush, following terrorist attacks earlier in the morning in Washington, D.C. and New York City, causing an untold number of victims and incalculable damage:

"Shocked by the unspeakable horror of today's inhuman terrorist attacks against innocent people in different parts of the United States I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment. Commending the victims to Almighty God's eternal mercy, I implore His strength upon all involved in rescue efforts and in caring for the survivors. I beg God to sustain you and the American people in this hour of suffering and trial."

Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls also released a statement yesterday regarding the news of the tragedy which occurred in the United States:

"The Holy Father has been constantly informed of the events related to this enormous tragedy. From the very first moment He prayed to God to give eternal repose to the souls of the many, many victims and courage and comfort to their families.

"The Holy Father wished immediately to send a message to the president of the United States to express his closeness and that of the entire Church to him and to the American people in this moment of suffering and trial.

"The Holy Father expresses great condemnation for this violence which only destroys."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany.

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