NEW EDITION OF ROMANIAN BIBLE OF BLAJ IS PRESENTED

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2001 (VIS) - Today in the Holy See Press Office, His Beatitude, Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, presented the newly reprinted version of the 1795 Bible of Blaj, a "monument of the Romanian language."

The cardinal stated that this bible, the fruit of five years of work by various experts, "has been for many years an efficacious instrument of evangelization and has had an enormous importance in the development of the modern Romanian language, as well as having an important ecumenical significance."

Translated by the monk, Samuil Micu, "it was accepted by Catholics and Orthodox. Given its quality it was therefore used by both communities, then reprinted, thus constituting a basis for other translations. Thanks to this a common theological language was formed which has allowed for a better understanding of one's own positions and led to a fruitful dialogue."

His Beatitude affirmed that he was certain that this volume "will help to better understand the importance which the Greek-Catholic Church has had in the history of the Romanian nation."

"I hope that the Bible of Blaj," he concluded, "re-edited with such care, will also help the dialogue with the Orthodox Church, which has its own roots in the same living source of the Word of God and the Oriental Tradition."

Professor Camil Murasanu of the Romanian Academy explained some of the historical background of the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania. He said that the Romanian Church United with Rome was born about 1700, following the acceptance of Catholicism by a great part of the clergy and Romanian population, originally Orthodox, in the province of Transylvania. This province was under the Austrian empire at that time. Vienna had promised to better the lives of Romanians who then had no rights and who were, in fact, called "the tolerated" in the country's law.

When at least half of Transylvanian Romanians returned to Orthodoxy, the lot of the Byzantine Catholic community, known as the Greek-Catholic community, became difficult. However, under the guidance of enlightened bishops, the Church developed and had an important role in the life of the Romanian people. In 1721 Innocent XIII had confirmed the bishopric for Uniates in Transylvania. In 1737, this episcopal see was transferred to Blaj which became a center of learning, especially of theology. The first Romanian schools in Translyvania were founded in Blaj and became important institutes of learning for all Romanians and the intellectual center where, in 1795, the Bible of Blaj was first produced.
Prof. Murasanu announced that the reprinted edition presented today is dedicated to Pope John Paul who "has very generously supported this work."

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GUATEMALA: UNVEIL TRUTH ABOUT CRIMES LIKE GERARDI ASSASSINATION

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the prelates of the Guatemalan Episcopal Conference, at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit.

In his discourse the Pope emphasized that priests are the bishop's first collaborators. "The present society, which is so diversified, requires that the priest be a sign of unity, who exercises his ministry with humility and pastoral charity, in order to lead the faithful to encounter Jesus Christ. Recognizing your commitment in the exercise of your ministry, I thank God for the spirit of fraternity and of sacrifice, for the witness of austerity and poverty, and for the generous mission to the service of your brothers."

After having expressed to the bishops his joy for the preparation of the National Plan of Priestly Pastoral Care 2001-2006, the Pope said: "May none of your priests lack the necessary means for living their sublime vocation and ministry!"

John Paul II went on to refer to the "concern" of the Guatemalan prelates for the promotion of priestly vocations and the formation of priests. He affirmed that "all must participate in vocational pastoral care, trusting that God will respond by giving to your people, if you ask with perseverance, the necessary ministers."

"It is also important to remember," he continued, "that the pastoral ministry for vocations has a privileged milieux in the youth ministry, directed towards the doctrinal, spiritual, and apostolic formation of the youth, in parishes and student residences, in apostolic associations and in movements."

The Holy Father expressed his pleasure for the way in which the bishops support the citizens "in the search for a harmonious and peaceful co-existence, founded upon the values of reconciliation, justice, solidarity, and freedom. Thus, when necessary, do not refuse to denounce injustice and to propose the principles of moral character which must also direct the development of the civil life."

"The Church in Guatemala," he emphasized, "has witnessed the shedding of blood of many of its sons. Beyond the legitimate effort to unveil the truth about these abhorrent crimes - including the assassination three years ago of Msgr. Juan Gerardi, auxiliary bishop of Guatemala - it is urgent that his memory be recalled as an 'example of limitless commitment to the cause of the Gospel'."

The Pope affirmed that the spreading of the social doctrine of the Church is "a real pastoral priority, in order to adequately confront the different situations with an upright conscience, enlightened by faith, and in order to develop and direct the commitment of the laity in public life."

To the "integral and systematic" formation of the faithful, "which must accompany the growth in the faith of every faithful Christian," he concluded, "it is necessary to make an added effort to also evangelize those who have responsibility in the diverse areas of public administration."

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CASTELGANDOLFO TO HOST VATICAN OBSERVATORY SUMMER SCHOOL

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Eighth Vatican Observatory Summer School in Observational Astronomy and Astrophysics will take place at observatory headquarters in the papal summer residence in Castelgandolfo from June 17 to July 13 on "Observations and Theoretical Understanding of Stellar Remnants: White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars and Black Holes."

Two lectures will be given each morning to the 26 young scholars from 19 different countries. In addition there will be evening seminars by the Vatican Observatory staff and by visiting professors. Students will present a short paper on their research or the research of their home institution.

Included in the curriculum are laboratory exercises using the observatory computers, a "virtual observing" session using a telescope at the site of the observatory's research institute in Arizona and field trips to sites of historical interest to astronomy.

The purpose of the summer school, according to a communique from Vatican Observatory Director, Fr. George V. Coyne, S.J.,is to help young people at the beginning of their program of higher studies to develop quality research careers which will be nourished by interchange on an international scale. The Jesuit community of the Vatican Observatory has provided scholarships to six students from developing countries who attended one of the former seven summer schools and who intend to pursue graduate studies.

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