INTERNET: A NEW FORUM FOR PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, announced today in a communique that the theme that Pope John Paul has chosen for World Communications Day on May 12, 2002 is "Internet: A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel."

The council president added that this particular theme "touches one of the key means of communication developed in recent years and one which is of particular interest to young people."

World Communications Day is the only worldwide celebration called for by Vatican Council II. Suggested in the 1963 conciliar document "Inter Mirifica," this day is celebrated in most countries, as suggested by the world's bishops, on the Sunday before Pentecost. The Pope's Message for this day is traditionally published on the January 24 feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers.

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MASS FOR DECEASED CARDINALS, ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father presided this morning in the Vatican Basilica over the Eucharistic concelebration for the repose of the souls of the cardinals, archbishops and bishops who have died during the year.

In his homily, the Pope affirmed that "Christ, though the Cross, gave a new meaning also to death. In Him, in fact, it became a sublime gesture of obedient love towards the Father and a supreme witness of a love in solidarity with men. Therefore, considered in the light of the Easter mystery, even the outcome of human existence no longer seems a condemnation without appeal, but the passage to full and definitive life, which coincides with perfect communion with God."

"In the communion, real and mysterious, between the pilgrim Church on earth and the Church triumphant, we are their neighbors in affection, in the certainty that (our deceased brethren) will continue to spiritually accompany the journey of the Christian community."

John Paul II recalled in a special way deceased Cardinals Myroslav Ivan Lubachivsky, Giuseppe Casoria, Jose Ali Lebrun Moratinos, Pierre Eyt, Thomas Joseph Winning, Silvio Oddio, Giuseppe Maria Sensi, and Patriarch Maximos V Hakim. "Together with them, in this celebration we wish to remember also all the archbishops and bishops who have passed away in the past months. These our dear and venerated brothers in the episcopate are now with God, after having spent their existence in the service of the cause of the Gospel and the good of their brothers."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations Organizations and Organisms for Food and Agriculture (FAO, IFAD, PAM, and CMA), as secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general of His Holiness, with Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia, vice-gerent and Bishops Enzo Dieci; Armando Brambilla; Vincenzo Apicella; Salvatore Fisichella, and Luigi Moretti.

This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience the members of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center of Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates have died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Jan Chrapek, C.S.M.A., of Radom, Poland, on October 18, at the age of 53.
- Bishop Jose Maria Conget Arizaleta of Jaca, Spain, on October 18, at the age of 74.
- Archbishop Ernesto Maria Fiore, dean emeritus of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, on October 30, at the age of 83.
- Bishop Gerard Huyghe, emeritus of Arras, France, on October 27, at the age of 92.
- Bishop Savarinathen Iruthayaraj, emeritus of Palayamkottai, India, on October 18, at the age of 74.
- Bishop Dieudonne M'Sanda Tsinda-Hata, emeritus of Kenge, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on October 24, at the age of 66.
- Bishop Javier Oses Flamarique, emeritus of Huesca, Spain, on October 22, at the age of 75.
- Bishop Robert Louis Whelan, S.J., emeritus of Fairbanks, U.S.A., on September 15, at the age of 89.
- Bishop Walmor Battu Wichrowski, of the titular see of Felbes, on October 31, at the age of 81.
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