FRANCISCANS CELEBRATE GENERAL CHAPTER, MEET WITH POPE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received the Friars Minor Conventuals, meeting in Rome for their General Chapter, during which they elected the 118th successor to their founder, St. Francis. In his address to them, the Pope underlined how a General Chapter is "an important occasion for reflection and planning which encourages its members to look to the future."

Citing his Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte," the Holy Father affirmed: "Starting afresh from Christ, this must be your first commitment. Only by leaning firmly on Christ will it be possible for you to enact the various programs" set out during the general chapter. ... This love for Christ must be expressed, in the first place, with fidelity to personal and community prayer, especially that of the liturgy, which has marked your order from the start."

The Pope underscored their fraternal life, calling it "your specific conventual Franciscan charism." He quoted the first biographer of St. Francis, Brother Tommaso of Celano, who described "Francis' first companions as filled with a love that was not only joyful but also animated by a true fraternal affection."

"In your Chapter," remarked John Paul II, "what has emerged often is the call to a simple and intense spirituality: in a word, Franciscan. ... Protect and promote spiritual life, making yourselves available to lead the faithful who turn to you down this path. In our days we see increasingly evident signs of a deep thirst for values, paths and goals of the spirit."

The Holy Father concluded his talk by remarking on the "many occasions that Providence offers" the Franciscans to live their charisms, especially in their work at the shrines entrusted to them and in their work as confessors. He thanked them in particular for their pastoral work as confessors in St. Peter's Basilica during the Jubilee Year 2000.

AC;GENERAL CHAPTER;...;FRANCISCANS CONVENTUALS;VIS;20010219;Word: 310;

POPE JOHN PAUL'S CALENDAR FROM FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2001

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2001 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has made public the following calendar of liturgical celebrations over which the Holy Father will preside from February to April:

FEBRUARY

- Sunday, 25: 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Pastoral visit to the Roman parish of the Nativity of Mary. Mass at 9:30 a.m.

- Wednesday, 28: Ash Wednesday. Mass, blessing and administering of the ashes at St. Sabina's Basilica, at 5:00 p.m.

MARCH

- Sunday, 4: First Sunday of Lent. Pastoral Visit to the Roman parish of St. Andrew the Apostle. Mass at 9:30 a.m. At 6 p.m. in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, beginning of retreat for the Roman Curia.

- Saturday, 10: At 9 a.m. in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel, conclusion of retreat.

- Sunday, 11: Second Sunday of Lent. Beatification of Servants of God Jose Aparicio Sanz and 232 Companions martyred in Spain (1936-1939), in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.

- Tuesday, 13: Consistory for various Canonization Causes, in the Apostolic Palace at 11 a.m.

- Monday, 19: Solemnity of St. Joseph. Episcopal Ordinations, in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m.

- Sunday, 25: Fourth Sunday of Lent. Pastoral visit to the Roman parish of St. Dominic of Guzman. Mass at 9:30 a.m.

APRIL

- Sunday, 1: Fifth Sunday of Lent. Pastoral visit to the Roman parish of Our Lady of Suffrage and St. Augustine of Canterbury. Mass at 9:30 a.m.

- Sunday, 8: Palm Sunday. XVI World Youth Day. Blessing of palms, procession and Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.

- Thursday, 12: Holy Thursday. Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m. Beginning of the Easter Triduum and Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, at 5:30 p.m.

- Friday, 13: Good Friday. Celebration of the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica at 5 p.m. Way of the Cross at the Colosseum at 9:15 p.m.

- Saturday, 14: Holy Saturday. Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at 8 p.m.

- Sunday, 15: Easter Sunday. Mass of the Day in St. Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m. "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

- Sunday, 29: Third Sunday of Easter. Beatification of Servants of God Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, Maria Anna Blondin, Caterina Volpicelli, Caterina Cittadini, and Carlos Emanuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago, in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.

JPII-CALENDAR;FEBRUARY-APRIL;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 380;

HOLY FATHER WELCOMES DELEGATION FROM CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed a delegation from the Church of Scotland and, in a brief address, highlighted "that spirit of fraternity and dialogue which for many years now has marked the relationship between us as we seek to walk the path of unity willed by Christ."

Thanking them for their interest in his Encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," the Pope said: "That Letter includes a solemn re-affirmation of the Catholic Church's commitment to the ecumenical movement. Moved by a true desire for reconciliation, we must all continue on the journey towards visible unity. We still have far to go but with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall continue to make progress."

AC;ECUMENISM; CHURCH SCOTLAND;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 130;

APOSTOLIC LETTER: 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA'S BAPTISM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the Apostolic Letter, dated February 2, written by the Pope for the occasion of the anniversary of the Baptism of the Armenian People.

John Paul II recalled that the conversion of the Armenian people to Christianity occurred seventeen centuries ago. "It was an event which profoundly marked your identity; not only your personal identity, but that of the community as well. For this reason one can speak of the 'Baptism' of your nation, even if in reality the spreading of Christianity had already begun some time earlier in your land."

After a brief narration of the events which, according to tradition, were at the origin of the massive conversion of the Armenian people, the Pope writes: "The preaching of the Good News and the conversion of Armenia are above all founded on the blood of witnesses to the faith. ... The component of martyrdom constitutes an constant element in the history of your people. ... The entire culture and very spirituality of the Armenians are pervaded by the boldness of the supreme sign of the gift of life in martyrdom. ... One such emblem is the sacrifice of Vardan Mamikonian and his companions" who, facing attempts to impose mazdaism (zoroastrianism), "gave their life to remain faithful to Christ and defend the faith of the nation."

The Pope emphasized that since then similar events have been repeated, "up through the massacres suffered by the Armenians in the years spanning the 19th and 20th centuries and culminating in the tragic events of 1915, when the Armenian people suffered unspeakable violence, the painful consequences of which are still visible in the diaspora into which many of its sons have been constrained. It is a memory which cannot be lost."

Furthermore, the Holy Father recalled, these bloody events have compelled the Armenian people "to continual migrations throughout the world." But, he writes, "the Christian faith, even in the most tragic moments of Armenian history, has been the propulsive spring which has marked the beginning of the rebirth of this tried people."

Another element "of great value in your troubled history" is comprised of the "relation between evangelization and culture." From the term "'Illuminator,' as St. Gregory the Apostle of Armenia is named" is derived 'Illumination', a term which indicates that "through Baptism, the disciple ... is inundated by the splendor of Christ 'light of the world'." Such a term also indicates "the spreading of culture through teaching, entrusted in particular to the monk-teachers, who continue the evangelical preaching of St. Gregory."

The Pope then points to the "powerful force of faith, which prompts us not to give in to the temptations of power and of the world, and which enables us to resist atrocious sufferings as well as the most seductive flattery." When man distances himself from God, "he loses his own dignity, debasing himself, and thus becoming a prisoner of his own avidity." An important truth in all of this emerges, he says: "An absolute sacredness of power does not exist, and this doesn't mean to say that it is always justified in everything one does. One must, rather, recognize the personal responsibility of one's choices: if they are wrong, they remain such, even if a king makes them."

The Holy Father says he wants to express to the Lord "the gratitude of the entire Church for having inspired in the Armenian people a faith which is so firm and courageous and for having always supported them in their witness to it. ... I want to express my thanks to the Armenian people above all for their long history of fidelity to Christ, a fidelity which has known persecution and martyrdom."

"The Armenian people's patrimony of faith and culture has enriched mankind with treasures of art and talent, which are now spread throughout the world. ... Ambassadors of peace and industriousness, Armenians have travelled the world and, ... have offered a precious contribution to transforming it and making it closer to the Father's project of love."

John Paul II expressed "a special thought to all those who worked so that Armenia could rise from the sufferings of so many years of a totalitarian regime."

"I also fervently hope that the faithful will courageously continue their commitment and their already notable efforts so that the Armenia of tomorrow will bloom again in the human and Christian values of justice, solidarity, equality, respect, honesty and hospitality which are at the basis of human coexistence."

He underscores how "the already cordial relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church have had, in recent decades, a decisive thrust through meetings between the Pope and the highest authorities of that Church." In particular he cites the encounter with His Holiness Karekin II to whom he gave the relics of Gregory the Illuminator for the new cathedral in Yerevan.

Remarking on tomorrow's liturgy in the Armenian rite in St. Peter's Basilica, "with Armenians and for Armenians ... to praise God for the gift of faith they have received," the Pope writes: "It is my great hope that that sacred thanksgiving will embrace all Armenians, wherever they are."

MESS;ARMENIANS; FAITH;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 860;

JOHN PAUL II'S MESSAGE TO THE DIOCESE OF ROME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of John Paul II's Message to the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, in which the Holy Father recalls "some of the emotions created" by the Holy Year celebrations. The Pope expresses his gratitude to the Church of Rome, writing: "Thank you, therefore, Church of Rome, for being open to the grace of the Jubilee and for having responded to this grace with all the enthusiasm of your heart!"

After having recalled particular Jubilee celebrations, such as the Jubilee of the Family, the Jubilee of Youth and the celebration of the International Eucharistic Congress, the Pope writes that, after such experiences, "a new and fruitful season of evangelization of our city and the entire world awaits us."

John Paul II in particular asks the faithful of the Church of Rome to dedicate "a great deal of time to prayer and listening to the word of God" and to "utilize the Eucharist to the utmost, above all that of Sunday." He continues: "May the rediscovery of the sacrament of Reconciliation, which we have experienced during the Holy Year, be supported by appropriate catechesis and by the generous availability of priests in the confessional."

Referring to missionary formation, the Holy Father emphasizes how it is above all the parishes which undertake "the entire formative itinerary, beginning with the childhood years and following, without a break in continuity, through to youth, maturity and old age. It is a matter of forming authentic Christians and this cannot occur without a profound personal involvement, on the part of those providing formation as well as of those being formed."

The Pope asks all believers, "in particular the community of contemplative life, to intensify prayer for vocations. It is the primary commitment and the most necessary."

"I do not need to emphasize," the Pontiff continues, "how important, the pastoral ministry to the family is for a extensive missionary commitment in this historic moment in the which the family itself, in Rome as elsewhere, is undergoing a profound and widespread crisis."

At the end of the Message the Holy Father specifies that "the months which separate us from the conference in June," are an opportunity to "discover together the most efficacious ways to make permanent the commitment to the new evangelization. We well know, however, that as all else the enthusiasm, energy, and dedication of the evangelizers comes from that source which is the love of God," which "embraces, in Christ, all of our brethren in humanity, called like us to faith and salvation. It embraces, in particular, each of those who live in this great city, poor and rich, young and old, Italians and foreigners."

MESS;...;...;DIOCESE ROME;VIS;20010219;Word: 470;

ANGELUS: EL SALVADOR, MIDDLE EAST, LETTER TO DIOCESE OF ROME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 18, 2001 (VIS) - Today, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy in the Armenian rite in the Vatican Basilica, Pope John Paul prayed the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. Afterwards he reflected on the new earthquake which has struck El Salvador, on the situation in the Middle East and on his Letter, published yesterday, to the faithful of the diocese of Rome.

"In this moment of prayer" he said, "I wish to assure the people of El Salvador, once again tested by a violent earthquake, of my closeness. I trust that international solidarity will not fail in its generous support of this dear Nation."

The Pope went on to say: "I cannot forget that, unfortunately, in the Middle East violence continues to rage. In particular we learn on a daily basis from Israel and the Palestinian territories that human lives are again sacrificed to the logic of hatred and vendetta, while the prospects for peace seem further away. Let us pray that the spiral of violence, especially atrocious in recent days, will give way to a search for reciprocal trust and respect, so that, with determination the path of dialogue will resume and peace in justice will be finally reached."

Lastly, the Holy Father highlighted yesterday's publication of the Letter he wrote to the faithful of the diocese of Rome, "after the exceptional experience of the Great Jubilee, inviting everyone to remember the path undertaken in recent years, from the pastoral synod to the Citizens' Mission. Enriched by these authentic gifts from God, now we must look to the future. And that is what the Church of Rome proposes to do in an important meeting this coming June, that is now being prepared in the parishes and in every ecclesial milieu. I accompany in prayer the cardinal vicar, bishops, priests and all the dear faithful in this new spiritual and apostolic commitment."

ANG;EL SALVADOR; MIDDLE EAST;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 320;

THE HOLY FATHER EXPRESSES DESIRE TO VISIT ARMENIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 18, 2001 (VIS) - "I now anxiously await the day in which I will finally be able to kiss, God willing, your beloved land soaked with the blood of many martyrs," John Paul II said this morning during the Divine Liturgy in the Armenian Rite, celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Baptism of the Armenian People. The Holy Father had been about to make this visit in June 1999 to greet the then gravely ill Catholicos Karekin I, but Karekin died just before the anticipated visit.

John Paul II delivered the homily during the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Beatitude Nerses Bedros XIX, patriarch of Cilicia of Catholic Armenians.

Speaking of the faith of the Armenian people, the Holy Father emphasized that, "looking at the Armenians ... we cannot but observe that the Christian faith has marked the most intimate fibers of their common feelings." He added that in the modern world, in which the influence of secularization is becoming ever stronger, "it is at times difficult to continue to maintain steadfast this spiritual patrimony which has made yours a 'Christian' nation. Faith is at times considered uniquely as a gift and a personal search, and not also as the shared possession of a people. How does one assure that the social conquests of modernity do not cause a loss of the richness of the continuity of a people and their faith? This is the commitment that today's celebration encourages us to deepen."

The Pope recalled having entrusted to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, a few months ago in the same basilica, the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, "the great saint who made the Armenians a Christian people. ... I will carry out today," he said, "the same gesture with Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX. ... The relics of this saint, are the symbol of a firm unity of faith and from them comes a strong motivation to the unity of Christ."

HML;DIVINE LITURGY ARMENIA;...;NERSES BEDROS;VIS;20010219;Word: 350;

NO APOSTOLIC VISITATOR TO BE SENT TO PADRE PIO'S SHRINE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2001 (VIS) - In response to news reports that an apostolic visitator will be sent to check on the financial administration of the Capuchin Friars at the shrine of Blessed Padre Pio, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following statement this afternoon:

"The Holy See has not sent, nor does it intend to send, an apostolic visitator to the shrine of Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina at San Giovanni Rotondo, thus respecting the autonomy of religious institutes that are directly responsible for the administration of their own economic affairs."

OP;VISITATOR; SHRINE;...;PADRE PIO; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010219;Word: 110;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Guy de Kerimel, of the clergy of Aix, as auxiliary bishop of Nice (area 4,283, population 1,018,700, Catholics 814,000, priests 325, permanent deacons 15, religious 545), France. The bishop-elect was born in Meknes, Morocco, in 1953, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1986.

On Saturday, February 17, it was made public that he:

- Appointed Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino, of the clergy of the diocese of Nola, professor of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy and in the service to the Secretariat of State, as prelate of Pompeii (area 12, population 21,800, Catholics 21,300, priests 54, permanent deacons 3, religious 197), Italy, and Pontifical Delegate to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Most Holy Rosary, at the same time raising him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Boscoreale, Italy, in 1948 and ordained to the priesthood in 1972. He succeeds Archbishop Francesco Saverio Toppi, O.F.M. Cap., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same territorial prelature and sanctuary the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Vartan Kechichian, abbot of the Mechitarists of Venice, as coadjutor of the ordinary for Armenian Catholics of Eastern Europe (Catholics 220,000, priests 8, religious 30), at the same time raising him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Kessab, Syria, in 1933, and ordained to the priesthood in 1959.

- Appointed Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, as a member of the Congregation for Bishops.

- Appointed Bishop Marian Golebiewski of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg, Poland, and Bishop Leo Cornelio of Khandwa, India, as members of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
- Appointed the following consultants to the Congregation for the Oriental Churches: Archbishop Lajos Kada, apostolic nuncio; Bishop Walter Kasper, emeritus of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Archimandrite Emiliano Fabbricatore, O.S.B.I., exarch of the territorial abbey of Santa Maria of Grottaferrata, Italy; Msgr. Hanna G. Alwan, prelate auditor of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota; Frs. Cyril Vasil, S.J., dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, Natale Loda, professor of the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, David Maria Jaeger, O.F.M., professor of the Pontifical Athenaeum Antonianum, Rome, Antonio Zani, professor at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, Milan, and the Seminary of Brescia, Italy, Boris Gudziak, rector of the Academy of Lviv, Ukraine, Thom Sicking, S.J., professor of St. Joseph's University in Beirut, Lebanon, Maciej Bielawski, O.S.B., professor of the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, Rome, Johannes Hoffmann, professor of the University of Regensburg, Germany; Msgr. Osvaldo Raineri, official of the Vatican Apostolic Library and professor of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome; and Prof. Herman Teule, editor of "Moyen Orient" magazine and director of the Institute of Research on the Christian Orient, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

NEA; NER; RE; NEC; NA;...;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 440;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences the following six prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Turkey, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Hovannes Tcholakian of Istanbul of the Armenians. - Archbishop Paul Karatas of Diarbekir of the Chaldeans.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Germano Bernardini of Izmir.
- Bishop Louis Pelatre of Sasima, apostolic vicar of Istanbul.
- Bishop Ruggero Franceschini, apostolic vicar of Anatolia.
- Chorbishop Yusuf Sag, patriarchal exarach of Syrian Catholics of Turkey.

On Saturday he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal William Wakefield Baum, major penitentiary.
- Cardinal Frederic Etsou Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M., archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, apostolic nuncio in Mexico.
- Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 120;

BISHOPS OF TURKEY, ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT, WELCOMED BY POPE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul this morning welcomed the bishops of Turkey's episcopal conference, as they conclude their "ad limina" visit. In his talk to them in French, he highlighted their "Ecclesial Assembly" project, religious freedom, the need for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life and the catechesis of both young people and adults.

In opening remarks he referred to the recent festivities in Istanbul in honor of John XXIII, who was a former nuncio to Turkey and known, as John Paul recalled, as "the Pope, friend of the Turks." Turkish authorities honored John XXIII by giving his name to the street where the former residence and office of the apostolic delegation is located.

The Holy Father spoke of the bishops' relations with both the Turkish people and their dialogue with the country's leaders: "It is in this way that the Church ... will further find her place in the life of the nation. Indeed, freedom of religion and worship, which cannot be disassociated from freedom of conscience, is an essential element for good coexistence at a local level. Every State, helped by its inhabitants, is called to be vigilant in this area."
Turning then to the episcopal conference's plans, currently underway, for an "Ecclesial Assembly," consisting of meetings at both diocesan and national levels, he said: "This gathering will give ... a new elan and renewed ardor to your Christian communities, often fragile and dispersed, so that the Church in Turkey goes forth in the new millennium with confidence and courage."

"The Church of Christ," he went on, "must be truly inserted into the life of Turkish society. That presupposes a work of adaptation, already largely undertaken, at the level of liturgy, translation of the Word of God and catechetical instruments: it also implies an important investment ... so that the priests and religious who come to Turkey learn the country's language, its history, customs and culture."

The Holy Father suggested "going even further" and "fostering vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life among young Catholics in Turkey. ... Youth, as you know, are not lacking in generosity or aspirations to an ideal; they will welcome this call if they find in their midst available and attentive witnesses."

He then spoke of the education of young people, especially in the faith, highlighting Catholic schools and thanking the religious congregations that run them. "May all families," he added, "become better aware of the importance of transmitting the faith to the younger generations. This calls for parents themselves to have a good Christian formation and then eventually to actively participate in catechesis!"

Pope John Paul underscored how, in their reports, the bishops acknowledged the difficulties encountered regarding marriage "in a society where the Christian ideals of fidelity and indissolubility are poorly perceived." He encouraged all pastors to support Christian families in their daily life and to encourage couples to give support to each other.

He dedicated observations to the relations between Catholics and non-Catholics Christians and to the daily encounters, through culture and people, between Catholics and Muslims. He encouraged both ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, urging the bishops to use every occasion to further both.

Regarding Islam, he urged the bishops to "continue your efforts to create and favor occasions for dialogue, first in daily life, and then in the different areas where people meet: schools, ... commitments in profession and social life, and in service to solidarity and mutual assistance."

AL;...;...;TURKEY;VIS;20010219;Word: 580;