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."
MESS;SAN MARINO ANNIVERSARY;...;RABITTI;VIS;20010914;Word: 270;
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