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.

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