POPE CALLS FOR PRAYER OF THE ROSARY OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2001 (VIS) - After this morning's Mass which was celebrated to signal the opening of the Synod of Bishops, the Pope appeared at his study window to pray the Angelus and ask everyone to pray the rosary for peace in the world.

After reminding the audience that "October is the month in which Mary Most Holy, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is venerated," he said, "Within the current international context, I invite all - individuals, families, communities - to pray this Marian prayer, possibly every day, for peace, so that the world can be preserved from the wicked scourge of terrorism.

"The terrible tragedy of September 11th," he said,"will be remembered as a dark day in the history of humanity. In the face of this, the Church tries to be faithful to her prophetic charism and remind all men about their duty to build a future of peace for the human family. Certainly, peace is not separated from justice, but it must be nourished by mercy and love.

"We cannot forget that Jews, Christians and Muslims adore God as the only God. The three religions, therefore, have the vocation of unity and peace. May God allow the Church's faithful to be agents of peace, in the front line of the search for justice, and the prohibition of violence. May the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for all humanity, so that hate and death never have the last word!"

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JOHN PAUL II INAUGURATES SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 30, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 this morning, in St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration with the synodal fathers, for the inauguration of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will be held from September 30 to October 27, on the theme: "The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

At the beginning of his homily, John Paul II recalled the "very symbolic gesture" with which he inaugurated the Great Jubilee: crossing the threshold of the Holy Door with the Book of Gospels in his hands. "In it," he said, "in some way, we can find the entire content of the synod we are inaugurating today."

John Paul II emphasized that the evangelical beatitude of poverty proposed in today's liturgy "is a precious message for the synodal assembly. ... We are asked to verify to what point in the Church the personal and community conversion has achieved an effective evangelical poverty."

As bishops, the Pope continued, we are called to be "prophets that underline with courage the social sins tied to consumerism, to hedonism, to an economy that produces an unacceptable gap between luxury and misery. ... In every age, the Church has shown solidarity with the least, and has had Shepherd saints who sided, like intrepid apostles of charity, with the poor.

"But for the Shepherds' Word to be credible," the Pope added, "they must give proof of a conduct detached from private interests and attentive towards the weaker ones. They must give an example to the community entrusted to them, teaching and supporting that ensemble of principles of solidarity and social justice that make up the social doctrine of the Church."

The Pope concluded his homily encouraging the bishops with the words "'Duc in altum - Put out into the deep'. ... As arduous and tiring a mission as this may be, we must not become discouraged. With Peter and with the first disciples we too trustingly renew our sincere profession of faith: Lord, 'at Your Word I will let down the nets!' At Your Word, O Christ, we wish to serve Your Gospel for the hope of the world!"

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HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general prayer intention for October is: "That we may know to recognize and revere the cultural and spiritual riches of the different ethnic groups and religious minorities present in every country."

His missionary intention is: "That at the dawn of the third Christian millennium the missionary impetus of the first Pentecost may be renewed."

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POPE JOHN PAUL'S CALENDAR FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2001

VATICAN CITY, SEP 29, 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 October to December:

OCTOBER

- Sunday, 7: 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Beatification of Servants of God Ignazio Maloyan, Nikolaus Gross, Alfonso Maria Fusco, Tommaso Maria Fusco, Emilie Tavernier Gamelin, Eugenia Picco, Maria Euthymia Uffing, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square.

- Friday, 19: Mass for opening of academic year of the Ecclesiastical Universities, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.

- Saturday, 20: Prayer vigil with families, at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Square.

- Sunday, 21: 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Beatification of Servants of God Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square.

- Saturday, 27: Mass for the conclusion of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.

NOVEMBER

- Thursday, 1: All Saint's Day. Prayer for the deceased popes, at 6 p.m. in the Vatican Grottoes.

- Sunday 4: 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time. Beatification of Servants of God Pavol Peter Gojdic, Metodij Dominik Trcka, Giovanni Antonio Farina, Bartolomeu Fernandes dos Martires, Luigi Tezza, Paolo Manna, Gaetana Sterni, Maria del Pilar Izquierdo Albero, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square.

- Tuesday 6: Mass of suffrage for the cardinals and bishops who have died during the year, at 12 noon in St. Peter's Basilica, Altar of the Chair of Peter.

- Sunday 25: 34th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Feast of Christ the King. Canonization of Blesseds Giuseppe Marello, Paula Montal Fornes de San Jose de Calasanz, Leonie Francoise de Sales Aviat, Maria Crescentia Hoss, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.

DECEMBER

- Saturday 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Homage to Mary Immaculate, at 4 p.m. at Piazza di Spagna. Veneration of Mary "Salus Populi Romani," at 4:30 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

- Tuesday 11: Mass for the students of the Roman universities, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.

- Monday 24: Solemnity of Christmas. Mass at 12 midnight in St. Peter's Basilica.

- Tuesday 25: Solemnity of Christmas. "Urbi et Orbi" Blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at 12 noon.

- Monday 31: Vespers and "Te Deum" of thanksgiving, at 5:30 p.m. at the Gesu Church.

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POPE PRAYS UNCEASINGLY FOR GIFT OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 29, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, as is his custom before leaving the summer residence at Castelgandolfo to return to the Vatican, the Pope addressed remarks to the mayor and his cabinet, the city council of Castelgandolfo, law enforcement officials, religious, and medical personnel.
"Thank you," the Pope said in his brief discourse, "for your spiritual closeness and for all that you have done for my colleagues and me during these months."

After recalling the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States, which the mayor mentioned in his brief greeting as well, John Paul II said, "We also cannot forget to mention the victims of the grave terrorist attack which recently shook America and the world. I do not cease to pray and to invoke the mercy of the Lord for the deceased, support and comfort for the survivors, and the precious gift of peace for all of humanity."

Following this, the Pope addressed the members of the 31st Aeronautic Division of the Italian military who accompany him in his air travels over Italian territory. "Thank you," the Pope said, "for your constant dedication and for your diligent commitment! ... Thank you that in this way you help me to fulfill the pastoral ministry which Providence has entrusted to me, and you also collaborate in the announcing and spreading of the Good News."

This evening, after his farewell to the staff of the papal apartments at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father returned to the Vatican by helicopter.

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FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2001 (VIS) - Before the opening of the First General Congregation of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place this morning, John Paul II blessed the new Chapel of the Synod. After the singing of Psalm 26, the Holy Father lit a lamp with a light from the Well of St. Gregory the Illuminator, given to him by the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, Karekin II, at the conclusion of his trip to Armenia on September 27. The Assembly then began at 9 a.m. with the singing of "Veni Creator Spiritus" and a brief discourse by John Paul II.

After a brief greeting by President Delegate Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte, C.I.C.M., reviewed the activity of the Council of the Secretary General since the preceding assembly.

Relator General Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, archbishop of New York, U.S.A., then gave an overview of the responsibilities of the bishop, excerpts of which we offer below:

"In seeking to decide how best to address the subject assigned to us in this Assembly, one cannot help but notice how frequently the classic munera of the bishop as teacher, sanctifier and shepherd are mentioned both in the Apostolic Exhortations of the Holy Father that followed previous Assemblies and in the Lineamenta and Instrumentum Laboris of this one. Accordingly, it seems quite fitting to adopt this division of duties as the basic outline of our Relatio Ante Disceptationem, beginning with the bishop as teacher of his flock."

"The responsibilities of the bishop as a doctor veritatis in the Church, however, reach far beyond his own individual efforts. ... Each successor of the Apostles must also associate with himself as many fellow preachers, evangelizers, instructors and catechists as he can possibly assemble. ... His guidance in this regard is especially needed by teachers of Religion in Catholic elementary and secondary schools; by catechists in work with converts and in diocesan and parish programs for children, youth and adults; and by professors of Theology on the university level.

"This can be a daunting task, one that calls for both prudence, tact and a fortitude that comes from the Holy Spirit. ... As teachers of the faith, however, it is imperative that we not neglect another crucially important ally in our announcing of the Gospel, namely, parents. They are the first teachers of the faith. No one can instill it, no one can nourish it as effectively as they. A bishop should therefore seize every opportunity to assist parents, particularly on the parish level, to learn their faith in depth and to pass it on with zest."

"Finally, to be truly powerful teachers of the faith, the bishop needs most importantly to work with the priests and deacons of his diocese. ... The essential pre-requisite for this is, of course, excellent seminary education for his priests and excellent programs of theological and spiritual training for his permanent deacons. ... He needs to know who is intellectually and spiritually forming his future clergy, what they are teaching, and whether they are performing their assigned tasks."

"All of which brings us to another essential duty in our ministry as sanctifiers of the faithful ' that, namely, of seeing to it that the liturgies in our churches and chapels are in harmony with the norms and practice of the Church and carried out in a spirit of true devotion. ... The munus regendi of a bishop is unique among all of the expressions of leadership in the world. ... To measure up to all of this, the bishop needs, above all else, holiness of life. ... He must avail himself of the many powerful means of sanctification which the Church provides to all of her children, among them, the Mass ... the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation ... meditation on Sacred Scripture and the writings of the Fathers, Doctors and great theologians of the Church."

"As shepherd of his people, the bishop must also be a supporter and coordinator of the works of his clergy, those of his diocese in consecrated life and the committed laity as well. ... Accordingly, to the extent possible, there should be in our dioceses a well-trained curia to advise and assist parishes and diocesan agencies."

"Likewise, in carrying out this munus regendi, the bishop has to be deeply concerned about the condition and initiatives of his parishes. ... It is essential that the bishop be present to his parishes as a loving father, priest and friend. ... The bishop who is truly a shepherd-servant in his diocese must also give to consecrated men and women in their parishes and institutions sincere respect and genuine support. ... Finally, authentic episcopal leadership in our day necessitates as well that the bishop be open to and supportive of the new ecclesial communities and groups which are springing up throughout the Church with immense promise for spiritual good. ... When guided with fairness and understanding, they can provide great benefit to the local Church, alerting it to new insights into the Gospel message and reminding it of ideals and values that may need to be revived or strengthened."

"The bishop in our time must likewise lead in the twin areas of poverty and peace. The two go hand-in-hand. For where misery caused by injustice and hardness of heart prevails, conflict is to be expected. ... Furthermore, in those regions of the world where a measure of prosperity is to be found, the bishop is additionally required to remind his people in clearest terms of their obligations to the poor and destitute beyond the boundaries of their diocese or nation."

"In this context, the issue of globalization immediately comes to mind. ... (It) can be an opportunity for the bishop to evangelize, proclaiming the Gospel message of justice and compassion. Borrowing the formula of our Holy Father, we must continually and urgently strive for a 'globalization in solidarity,' one that responds to the needs of all peoples ' rich and poor alike ' honorably, generously and nobly. Intimately bound up with poverty, peace and globalization is another critically important matter begging for episcopal leadership in our day ' the mass movements of men, women and children seeking to escape wars, civil strife, misery and disease. This phenomenon can easily evoke attitudes ... in opposition to the basic human rights of immigrants and refugees ... which are altogether incompatible with the Gospel of compassion preached by the Son of God. ... Against all such, the successors of the Apostles may not hesitate even for a moment. Our hopes here and hereafter reside with a God Who warned us in the plainest of language that He is often hidden behind the mask of a 'stranger' who cries out to be fed, clothed and welcomed.

"All of these issues of social justice render us ever more sensitive to certain evil and growing practices in our time which violate the most elementary of human rights, the right to life. ... We spoke and struggled against abortion, euthanasia and capital punishment. ... Now ... we renew our resolve to defend life in its every phase as a blessing from God."

"One last challenge to the leadership of bishops ... is dialogue. ... Dialogue with adherents of other world religions has become a key factor in the current life of the Church. It presumes knowledge of and sympathy for their values and beliefs, a willingness to share insights and understandings and a sincere desire to cooperate in worthy causes of all kinds. ... Always, however, the bishop must keep in mind that no cloaking or compromising of the essentials of the Catholic faith may ever be countenanced."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Archbishop Robert Sarah of Conakry, Guinea, as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; Bishop Patabendige Don Albert Malcom Ranjith of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, as adjunct secretary of the same Congregation, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop; and Fr. Massimo Cenci, P.I.M.E., current spiritual director of the Pontifical Urban College of Propaganda Fide, as under-secretary of the same dicastery.

- As consultors of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples: Dr. Francesco Silvano, secretary general of Bambino Gesu Hospital, Italy; Dr. Angelo Balducci, supervisor of the Public Works of Lazio, Italy; and Dr. Pasquale De Lise, section president of the State Council, Italy.

On Saturday, September 29, the Holy Father appointed:

- Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., archbishop of Milan, as his special envoy to the celebration of the 9th centenary of the death of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusians, which will take place in Serra San Bruno, Italy, on October 6.

- As ordinary members of the Pontifical Academy for Life: A.J.Luke Gormally, professor of Philosophy and director of the Linacre Center for Health Care Ethics, England; Mounir Abdel Messih Shehata Farag, professor of Medicine and Surgery, director of the St. Joseph Institute for the Family, and of the Pro-life and Pro-family Bioethics Center in Egypt; Fr. Andrzej Szostek, M.I.C., professor of Philosophy and Theology at the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland; John Mitchell Finnis, professor of Law and Legal Philosophy at Oxford University, England, and Notre Dame University, Indiana, U.S.A.; Msgr. Michel Schooyans, professor emeritus at the Catholic University of Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium.

- As consultors of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry: Frs. Juvenal Ilunga Muya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, professor at the Pontifical University Urbanianum, Rome; Jacques Simpore, M.I., professor at the University of Ouagadoudou, Burkina Faso; Tony Anatrella, Paris, France; Edward Philips, M.M., Nairobi, Kenya; Mario Bizzotto, M.I., professor at the Institute of Pastoral Health Care Theology Camillianum, Rome; Carlo Casalone, S.J., professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome; Francisco Cristobal Fernandez Sanchez, professor at the Pontifical University Urbanianum, Rome; Jerome Haladus, O.P., professor at the Pontifical University St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome; and Dr. Francis Sullivan, executive director of the Australian Catholic Health Care Association, Red Hill Act, Australia; Dr. Giorgio Filibeck, study assistant at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; Dr. Salvino Leone, professor at the Sicilian Institute of Bioethics and at the LUMSA, St. Silvia section, Palermo, Italy; Dr. Fiorenza Deriu Bagnato, Rome; Maria Inez Linhares de Carvalho, president of the Association of Catholic Doctors, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Dr. Thomas Gracious, of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India; Prof. Pierluigi Zucchi, director of the Institute for the Study and Therapy of Pain, Florence, Italy; Dr. Volodymyr Semeniv, Lviv, Ukraine.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Stefan Frankiewicz, ambassador of Poland, on a farewell visit.
- Adnan Bahjat Al Talhouni, ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on a farewell visit.

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