JOHN PAUL II APPEALS FOR END TO IRAQI EMBARGO

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning received the Letters of Credence of Iraq's new ambassador to the Holy See, Abdul-Amir Al-Anbari.

Speaking English, the Pope told the ambassador in his opening remarks of his "esteem for the Iraqi people, whom I remember daily in my prayers, especially in light of the continuing difficulties which they face. As the embargo in your country continues to claim victims, I renew my appeal to the international community that innocent people should not be made to pay the consequences of a destructive war whose effects are still being felt by those who are weakest and most vulnerable."

"Today's world," he continued, "although sadly afflicted in many regions by tension, violence and armed conflict, is seeking greater equity and stability so that the whole human family can live in true justice and everlasting peace. These are not abstract concepts or remote ideals, rather they are values which dwell in the heart of every individual and nation, to which all peoples have a right."

John Paul II affirmed that "it is precisely the pursuit of this justice and this peace which is the driving force behind every activity of the Holy See in the area of international diplomacy." Quoting from his January 13 speech to the diplomatic corps, he stated that "the Holy See firmly believes ... 'that without social solidarity or recourse to law and the instruments of international diplomacy, these terrible situations would be even more dramatic and could become unresolvable'."

"The Holy See therefore sees as one of its principal duties that of reminding public opinion that 'no authority, no political program and no ideology is entitled to reduce human beings to what they can do or produce'. The inalienable rights and personal dignity of every human being must be upheld, the transcendent dimension of the human person must be defended'," as must be "'the religious dimension of human beings and human history ... (which) is a vital element in shaping the person and the society to which people belong'."

"In this context," the Pope said in conclusion, "my thoughts turn naturally to the members of the Iraqi Catholic community. Together with their Muslim countrymen, Iraqi Christians wish to work for unity and harmony. Their Christian faith and values inspire them to cultivate a spirit of mutual respect, with pride in their national identity and concern for the progress of their country."

CD;LETTERS CREDENCE;...;IRAQ; AL-ANBARI;VIS;20010430;Word: 400;

LA SALLE BROTHERS: ENTHUSIASM IN EDUCATING AND EVANGELIZING

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II sent a Message to Brother Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, superior general of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the birth of St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, "special patron of educators of children and youth."

The Pope expressed his hope that "faith in Christ and the Gospel" would be renewed on the occasion of this anniversary. He further recalled that the "ever present" ideal of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, "requires disciples who allow themselves to be formed by Christ and who, full of enthusiasm for education and evangelization, will know how to propose to youth Christian hope and reasons for life."

Reminding the Institute's members of the importance of the witness of fraternal life which the Brothers of the Christian Schools must give, the Holy Father exhorted them "to make of their homes schools of fraternal life, 'to develop and spread an authentic spirituality of communion', involving in this the youth entrusted to them and the laity who collaborate in their mission, helping them to rediscover and to share the charism of the Institute."

MESS;EDUCATION; LA SALLE;...;RODRIGUEZ;VIS;20010430;Word: 200;

CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS: WITNESSING TRUTH IN THEIR WORDS AND LIVES

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2001 (VIS) - The Pope this morning welcomed the participants in the International Congress of Catholic Schools of Europe, organized by the European Committee for Catholic Education. He noted that their theme, "The Mission of Educating: Witnessing to a Hidden Treasure" points to "the basic demand of every Christian educator: not only to transmit truth through words, but to witness explicitly to it through their lives."

The Pope noted that "cultural turmoil, the globalization of trade, the relativism of moral values and the worrisome disintegration of family ties, cause great uncertainty among many young people, which inevitably is reflected in their way of living, learning and envisioning their future. Such a context invites European Catholic schools to propose a true educational project which will allow youth not only to acquire human, moral and spiritual maturity, but also to work effectively for the transformation of society, with care to work for the coming of the Kingdom of God."

The Holy Father affirmed that "educational communities have to highlight the formation of teachers, religious and lay, so that they will acquire an ever greater awareness of their mission as educators, linking professional competence and a freely assumed choice of witnessing in a coherent fashion to spiritual and moral values."

There must also be, he said, "close ties between the school and family, especially in this time where the fabric of the family is so fragile. Whatever the school structure, parents remain the primary ones responsible for educating their children."

In closing remarks, John Paul II emphasized two challenges faced by Catholic schools. First, vis-a-vis "the constructive dialogue in the multi-cultural society of our times," he insisted that "the effort shown to welcome in the heart of Catholic schools young people who belong to other religious traditions must be pursued, without, however, weakening the nature proper to Catholic schools and the Catholic specificity of these institutions." Secondly, he pointed out that "Catholic schools ... are called to be dynamic communities of faith and evangelization."

AC;CATHOLIC EDUCATION;...;...;VIS;20010430;Word: 340;

FIVE SERVANTS OF GOD BEATIFIED, INCLUDING FIRST PUERTO RICAN

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II presided over the Eucharistic Celebration during which he beatified Servants of God Manuel Gonzalez Garcia (1877-1940); Marie-Anne Blondin (1809-1890); Caterina Volpicelli (1839-1894); Caterina Cittadini (1801-1857); and Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago (1918-1963).

In his homily, the Holy Father said that the new Spanish Blessed, Bishop Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, dedicated himself "to spreading Eucharistic devotion," founded the Congregation of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth and is "a model of Eucharistic faith, whose example continues to speak to the Church of today."
Layman Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago, "the first Puerto Rican elevated to the glory of the altars, ... emphasized the universal vocation to holiness of all Christians and the importance that every baptized person respond to this vocation in a conscious and responsible way."

Canadian Marie-Anne Blondin founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne "for the education of the poor children of rural areas, with the goal of overcoming illiteracy. ... She drew interior strength from the contemplation of the Cross, showing us that life in union with Christ is the most sure means of mysteriously bearing fruit and fulfilling the mission willed by God."

John Paul II recalled that Italian Blessed Caterina Volpicelli, virgin, and foundress of the Servants of the Sacred Heart, "knew how to always draw from the Eucharist that missionary ardor which urged her to express her vocation in the Church, docilely submissive to the Pastors and prophetically intent to promote the laity and new forms of consecrated life."

The "profound capacity to love" of Italian Blessed Caterina Cittadini, foundress of the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca, "sustained by a great emotional equilibrium, is noted by those who knew her. Orphaned from a tender age, she herself became a loving mother to orphans."

HML;BEATIFICATION;...;...;VIS;20010430;Word: 310;

DAY HONORING SACRED HEART CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of the annual message from Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano - in the name of the Pope - to the rector of Sacred Heart Catholic University in Milan, Prof. Sergio Zaninelli, on the occasion of the celebration of tomorrow's Day for Sacred Heart Catholic University.

Recalling this year's theme, "The Boldness of Reason, the Freedom of Faith," Cardinal Sodano affirms that "to unite 'the freedom of faith' and 'the boldness of reason': this is a demanding plan of cultural rebuilding in which the Catholic University must be a protagonist, in constant tune with the orientations proposed by the Italian episcopate."

The secretary of state emphasized the necessity to challenge "the widespread attempt to reduce existence to mere material and economic dimensions, ignoring the boundless longing for transcendence which the human being experiences."

The university, Cardinal Sodano goes on to affirm, "is called, likewise, to show how the rediscovery of an ethic of limits is conceived not so much as a restraint to the uncontrollable drift of our society, as an opportunity to approach the possibilities offered by the Creator to the free responsibility of man."

"The Holy Father hopes that this athenaeum, in the wake of its long and well-deserved academic tradition, continues to take every care in order that the dialogue between reason and faith increases ever more scientific research and the authentic freedom of man."

SS;CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY;...;SODANO; ZANINELLI;VIS;20010430;Word: 250;

MARY: A GUIDE IN FAITH, A SIGN OF HOPE, AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of today's Eucharistic celebration, during which John Paul II beatified five Servants of God, he recited the Regina Coeli with the more than 25,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

In reflections before the noon prayer, the Pope said that, "before concluding this solemn celebration, which allowed us to taste the joy of the communion of saints, we turn with filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary who, as she was in the Cenacle in Jerusalem, is at the center of this communion. The new Blesseds found in her a guide in their pilgrimage of faith, the consoling sign of certain hope, the example of generous love for God and one's brothers."

The Holy Father then remarked that, "as the month of May is about to start, I invite everyone to prepare to spend it in union with Mary, reciting the rosary, either individually or in community. Following Mary's example, so many men and women throughout the centuries have been formed to holiness."

After greetings in French and Spanish to pilgrim groups who had come to Rome for the beatifications, the Pope concluded his remarks by noting that Italy today celebrates the Day of Sacred Heart Catholic University. Sending greetings to the students and teachers, he said "I also thank all those who in various ways contribute to supporting its scientific and cultural activities."

ANG;MARY;...;...;VIS;20010430;Word: 240;

AUDIENCE FOR PILGRIMS WHO ATTENDED BEATIFICATIONS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, John Paul II received the pilgrims who attended the beatification of Servants of God Manuel Gonzalez Garcia, Marie-Anne Blondin, Caterina Volpicelli, Caterina Cittadini, and Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago.

The Pope recalled that Msgr. Gonzalez Garcia, founder of the Congregation of the Eucharistic Missionaries of Nazareth, was known as "the bishop of the abandoned shrines." He urged the faithful to follow the new Blessed's example "in his constant visits to the sacramental Lord."

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, "affectionately called Charlie," was, the Pope said, "a layman committed to the spreading of Christian humanism in the university milieux" in whom the lay Puerto Ricans found "an example to imitate."

The Holy Father went on to say that he hoped that "the inspiring witness of Mother Marie-Anne Blondin," foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne, "encourages the Church to bring peace to the world and to be close to all those who have been 'unfortunate' in life', to be close especially in the areas of education, health care, and pastoral and social animation."

Caterina Volpicelli, foundress of the Servants of the Sacred Heart, and her spiritual sisters, "were 'good Samaritans' in various situations of poverty, carrying out a work not only of philanthropy and charity, but bearing witness to authentic evangelical charity in a sincere and prudent way, in solidarity with and respectful towards simple and humble people."

In conclusion, the Pope referred to the foundress of the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca, Caterina Cittadini, and exhorted them to "faithfully continue in the path marked out by her, to be sure guides in the journey of faith and in the cultural formation of children and youth."

AC;BEATIFICATION;...;...;VIS;20010430;Word: 290;

COUNCIL MESSAGE FOR BUDDHIST FEAST OF VESAKH

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, sends a message each year to Buddhists on the occasion of their most important annual feast, Vesakh, which commemorates the principal events in the life of Buddha. In countries of the "theravada" tradition, Vesakh will be celebrated this year on May 7, whereas dates vary for countries of the "mahayana" tradition. The cardinal's 2001 message is entitled "Buddhists and Christians: Together Promoting a Culture of Dialogue."

In the Message, released in English and French, Cardinal Arinze notes that the United Nations designated 2001 as "The International Year of Dialogue between Civilizations. ... The dialogue of civilizations, the dialogue of cultures and the dialogue between religions are nothing less than human encounters whose purpose is to build up a civilization of love and peace. We are all called to promote such dialogue."

"During their long histories," the council president adds, "both Christianity and Buddhism have developed particular ways of expressing themselves in distinct cultural forms. ... Without ignoring our differences, and with utmost respect for the demands of truth, let us recognize the treasures of each other's traditions."

Citing Pope John Paul II's Message for the 2001 World Day of Peace, Cardinal Arinze said that, "in building the civilization of love, ... we need 'to overcome all ethnocentric selfishness'. This will make it possible 'to combine regard for one's own identity with understanding of others and respect for diversity'."

CON-DIR;BUDDHISTS; VESAKH;...;ARINZE;VIS;20010430;Word: 240;

FIFTH CENTENARY OF FIRST RULE OF THE TERTIARY MINORS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - On the occasion of the fifth centenary of the approval of the First Rule of the lay movement of the Tertiary Minors, by Pope Alexander VI on May 1, 1501, John Paul II sent a Message to the Tertiary Minors.

In the Message, dated May 1, the Pope emphasized that, "in the many centuries of the history of the Third Order Seculars, the approval of your Rule constitutes an interesting novelty: it had never occurred, in fact, that the Rule of a First and Third Order were composed contemporaneously by the same Founder, defining in this way, from the beginning, relations and charisms."

"The happy celebration of this fifth centenary offers you the opportunity to be privileged protagonists in the new evangelization. Do not be afraid in the face of difficulties, because the Rule points out to you the necessary means to be strong and proceed secure."

MESS;CENTENARY;...;TERTIARY MINORS;VIS;20010430;Word: 160;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, Spain.
- Claudio Caratsch, ambassador of Switzerland on special mission to the Holy See, on a farewell visit.

On Saturday, April 28, he received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Luigi Dossena, apostolic nuncio.
- Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, apostolic nuncio.
- Teodor Baconsky, ambassador of Romania, accompanied by his wife and children, on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010430;Word: 80;

GENERAL SECRETARIAT HOLDS MEETING FOR 2001 SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Jan Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, presided at the 10th meeting of the Ninth Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops on April 24-25, in the offices of the General Secretariat, according to a communique released today.

Joining Cardinal Schotte were 7 cardinals, 3 archbishops, 1 bishop and 4 staff members of the Synod of Bishops. Among those in attendance were Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re and Ivan Dias, two of the three presidents delegate and Edward Egan, relator general of the October 2001 synod on the theme "The Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

The agenda included a study of the "Instrumentum Laboris" for the October synod, which is the 10th ordinary general assembly. The meeting's principal aim was to furnish the relator general and special secretary with useful suggestions for writing the "Relatio ante disceptationem," which will introduce the works of the synod at the start of the assembly. Among the themes contained in the "Instrumentum laboris" are: the scope of the synod, the dedication of the bishop to the particular Church, Gospel hope, communion in the ministry of the bishops, and pastoral charity as service.

SE;...;...;SCHOTTE;VIS;20010430;Word: 210;

MORTAL REMAINS OF BLESSED JOHN XXIII TO BE EXPOSED JUNE 3

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration this morning:

"Sunday, June 3, solemnity of Pentecost, is also the 38th anniversary of the death of Blessed John XXIII (June 3, 1963).

"On this occasion, the mortal remains of the Blessed, arranged in a casket of bronze and crystal, will be exposed in St. Peter's Square during the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Holy Father. At the end of the celebration, the casket will be moved to St. Peter's Basilica and exposed for the veneration of the faithful, before the Altar of the Confession, for the entire afternoon.

"Following this, the casket will be permanently placed under the Altar of St. Jerome."

OP;JOHN XXIII;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010430;Word: 130;