HOLY SEE AT THE DURBAN CONFERENCE: RACISM IS A SIN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 4, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office in Geneva, gave a discourse on September 3 at the "World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance," being held in Durban, South Africa from August 31 to September 7, 2001.

Racism, said the permanent observer of the Holy See, is "a sin" and "fundamentally a lie, a concept deliberately invented to create division in humanity. This Conference must be about the truth: the truth concerning human dignity, the truth concerning the fundamental unity of the human family. This is a Conference about the ethical foundations of a new world community."

"The Holy See," he continued, "recognizes the irreplaceable contribution which the United Nations family has made and is making in addressing inequality and exclusion in today's world. This Conference, however, will hopefully mark a new and significant step in the efforts of the community of nations."

The eradication of racism, the archbishop emphasized, is not an easy process. "It requires," he said, "that we examine the reality of history, not in order to be trapped in the past, but to be able to begin honestly to construct a different future. Pope John Paul II has noted: 'One cannot remain a prisoner of the past: individuals and peoples need a sort of 'healing of memories'." For this healing it is necessary that "we honestly appraise our personal, community and national history and admit those less noble aspects which have contributed to marginalization today, but in such a way as to reinforce our desire to make the era of globalization an era of encounter, inclusion and solidarity."

Referring to the question of migrants and refugees, Archbishop Martin emphasized that the phenomenon of migration can be one which "generates prosperity, helps reduce global inequalities and enhances encounter among peoples and cultures. ... But, today the migrant, especially one who comes from a different cultural background, can easily become the object of racial discrimination, of intolerance, of exploitation and of violence."

He went on to point out "the fundamental role of education in the fight against racism. Such education," he said, "must begin in the family. ... The family must be the first school in which the roots of racist behavior are firmly rejected." He added that "mass media have a special responsibility to avoid any provocation of racism sentiments."

"In speaking of this Conference some days ago," Archbishop Martin continued, "Pope John Paul II made an appeal to all believers, noting that we cannot truly call on God, the Father of all, if we refuse to treat in a brotherly way any person, created in the image of God."

He affirmed that "true religious belief is absolutely incompatible with racist attitudes and racist practices."

In conclusion, Archbishop Martin expressed the desire that "one of the fruits of the Conference be the beginnings of a new broad, international cooperation between governments, civil society, religious groups and the mass media, as well as farseeing and courageous individuals, to work together to help construct a vision of humankind, which truly lives in unity. This is, in fact, God's design for the human family."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, SEP 4, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Piotr Bednarczyk, former auxiliary of Tarnow, Poland, on August 7, at the age of 87.
- Bishop Leo-Karel Jozef De Kesel, former auxiliary of Ghent, Belgium, on August 3, at the age of 97.
- Bishop Mieczyslaw Jaworski, former auxiliary of Kielce, Poland, on August 19, at the age of 71.
- Archbishop Noel Kokora-Tekry, emeritus of Gagnoa, Ivory Coast, on August 9, at the age of 79.
- Bishop Jean-Paul Labrie, former auxiliary of Quebec, Canada, on July 29, at the age of 78.
- Bishop Norberto Eugenio Martina, O.F.M., military ordinary for Argentina, on August 28, at the age of 70.
- Bishop Jacques Patria, emeritus of Perigueux, France, on August 12, at the age of 85.
- Bishop Louis Pham Van Nam, former auxiliary of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on June 30, at the age of 81.
- Bishop Miguel Rodriguez Rodriguez, C.SS.R., emeritus of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, on August 13, at the age of 70.
- Bishop Waclaw Skomorucha, former auxiliary of Siedlce, Poland, on August 25, at the age of 86.

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PROGRAM OF THE PASTORAL VISIT TO KAZAKHSTAN AND ARMENIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 4, 2001 (VIS) - From September 22 to 27, John Paul II will make a pastoral visit to Kazakhstan, and an apostolic trip to Armenia on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in that country.

The Pope will depart from Rome's Fiumicino Airport on Saturday, September 22, at 8:30 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive at the International Airport of Astana, Kazakhstan, at 7:30 p.m. After the welcome ceremony, he will visit the Monument for the victims of the totalitarian regime.

On Sunday, September 23, John Paul II will celebrate Mass in Mother of the Homeland Square of Astana, followed by the recitation of the Angelus. He will then travel to the apostolic nunciature for a meeting and lunch with the ordinaries of Central Asia and with the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage. At 5:30 p.m., the Pope will pay a courtesy visit to the president of the republic at the Presidential Palace of Astana, followed by a youth meeting at the Eurasia University.

At 10 a.m. on Monday the 24th, John Paul II will celebrate Mass with priests, religious, and seminarians at the Cathedral of the Virgin of Perpetual Help. At 6 p.m. he will meet with representatives of the world of culture, arts and science.

On Tuesday, September 25, John Paul II will celebrate Mass in private in the chapel of the apostolic nunciature and travel to the airport of Astana for a farewell ceremony. He will then depart for Yerevan, Armenia, where he is scheduled to arrive at 1 p.m. From the airport, the Pope will travel to the Apostolic See of Etchmiadzin and make a prayer visit to the cathedral, where he will give a discourse. At 6 p.m. he will hold an official meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Holy Father will celebrate Mass in private on Wednesday the 26th, at 7:30 a.m., in the chapel of the apostolic palace of Etchmiadzin, followed by a courtesy visit to the president of the republic at the Presidential Palace of Yerevan. At 11:30 a.m. he is scheduled to visit the Memorial of Tzitzernagaberd at Yerevan, where he will spend time in prayer. At 1 p.m. he will have lunch with the Supreme Patriarch, with archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and with the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage. At 6:30 p.m. he will travel to the new Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator for an ecumenical celebration.

At 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the Latin rite at the outdoor altar of Etchmiadzin and give a homily. Following this, he will have lunch at the Armenian Catholic Center of Kanaker at Yerevan. At 4:30 p.m. he will bid farewell from the cathedral of Etchmiadzin, and at 5:30 p.m. he will visit the Monastery of Khor Virab. The Pope will then travel to the Zvarnotz International Airport of Yerevan for the farewell ceremony. He is scheduled to depart at 7:30 p.m. and to arrive in Rome at 8:45 p.m.

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