FEMININE HOLINESS IS INDISPENSABLE TO LIFE OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message to the 600 delegates who participated in the March 17-21 general assembly of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations in Rome on the theme "The Prophetic Mission of Women." The Message to the Union, which was founded in 1910, was written in English and was dated March 7.

The Pope told the delegates that their assembly is an "opportunity to thank God for all that being a woman signifies in the divine plan, and to ask His help in overcoming the many obstacles which still hinder full recognition of the dignity and mission of women in society and within the ecclesial community."

He observed that "the journey travelled in the course of the past century has been remarkable. In many countries today women enjoy freedom of movement, of decision and of self-expression, a freedom which they have achieved with clear mindedness and courage. They express their characteristic 'genius' in many spheres. In today's world there exists a growing awareness of the need to affirm women's dignity. This is no abstract principle for it involves a concerted effort at every level to oppose vigorously 'all practices that offend woman's freedom or femininity ... so-called 'sexual tourism', trafficking in young girls, mass sterilization and, in general, every form of violence'."

The Holy Father spoke of impediments still faced by women in a prevailing culture "which spreads and imposes models of life that are contrary to women's deeper nature." And he underscored "the serious aberrations" which arise from "individual selfishness" and from "a mentality which stresses each individual's rights to such an extent that respect for the rights of others is weakened." He urged the women "to provide increasing material and moral support to women in difficulty, victims of poverty and violence."

"Feminine holiness, to which each of you is called, is indispensable to the life of the Church. ... The world and the Church need your specific commitment" and your ability to transmit "the genuine sense of the faith and apply it to all life's circumstances. ... The Church's presence and action in the new millennium passes by way of woman's capacity to receive and keep God's word."

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POPE TELLS PRESBYTERIANS THEIR VISIT IS "A CAUSE FOR JOY"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - A delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States was welcomed this morning by the Holy Father, who told them that their visit "is indeed a cause for joy."

He noted that their visit "takes place following the year-long celebration of the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation and at the dawn of the Third Christian Millennium. The participation of so many Churches and Ecclesial Communities in a number of the Jubilee events testifies to our common thanksgiving for the great outpouring of grace which accompanied the Lord's first coming. It confirms our commitment to work for full Christian unity as we await His return in glory."

"Despite the significant steps taken in recent decades towards the goal of visible unity, we must acknowledge that ... 'there is still a long way to go'," Pope John Paul added, quoting "Novo Millennio Ineunte." He wished the members of the delegation a fruitful visit, saying "may your stay, and your conversations with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, bear abundant fruit for the ecumenical tasks ahead."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Erected the diocese of Maradi (area 1,000,000, population 6,000,000, Catholics 1,500, priests 18, religious 40), Niger, with territory taken from the diocese of Niamey, making it a direct subject of the Holy See. He appointed Bishop Ambroise Ouedraogo, auxiliary of Niamey, Niger, as first bishop of the new diocese.

- Appointed Msgr. Frank J. Dewane, official of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," as under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, archbishop emeritus of Seoul, Korea.
- Ten prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Archbishop Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul, apostolic administrator of P'yong-yang, with Auxiliary Bishop Peter Kang U-il.
- Archbishop Paul Ri Moun-hi of Taegu, with Auxiliary Bishop John Choi Young-su.
- Archbishop Andreas Choi Chang-mou of Kwangju.
- Bishop William John McNaughton of Inch'on, with Coadjutor Bishop Boniface Choi Ki-san.
- Bishop Michael Pak Jeong-il of Masan, with Coadjutor Bishop Francis Xavier Ahn Myong-ok.
- Bishop Paul Kim Tchang-ryeol of Cheju.

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CARDINALS KASPER AND POMPEDDA TAKE POSSESSION OF DIACONATES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - Next Sunday, March 25, Cardinals Walter Kasper and Francesco Pompedda will take possession of their Diaconate churches. Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will take possession of the Diaconate of All Saints in Via Appia Nuova, Via Appia Nuova, 244, at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. that same day, Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, will take possession of the Diaconate of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Via Ardeatina, Via di Grotta Perfetta, 591, in Rome.

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