POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENTS OF THE REGIONS OF ITALY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience the presidents of Italian regions and autonomous provinces. In his discourse, he asked them to act with "a spirit of altruism and sincere cooperation, ensuring that institutions offer to all of the citizens, without discrimination, 'the possibility to participate freely and actively in establishing the juridical foundations of community politics, as well as in the governing of public affairs, and in determining the scope of the actions and limits of the different organisms'."

The Pope emphasized the need to pay particular attention to the family, and he referred to the expectations of young couples who delay marriage due to the difficulties related to work and a house.

"Concern yourselves," the Pope went on, "with the world of schools. In this milieu, state and regional jurisdictions converge, which are equally oriented towards guaranteeing the freedom of educational choices of every family."

"And what can be said then," he asked, "regarding the weak, the sick, or those in difficulty? ... May you give constant attention to all that concerns the life and the needs of the human being: from health care to social assistance, to instruction to professional formation, to culture and historical-artistic goods, to work and productive activities, to the good order of the territory and the protection of the environment."

John Paul II concluded by affirming that "openness to direct relations with regions of other countries can contribute to the development of a fruitful reciprocal knowledge and collaboration between peoples with different histories and cultures."

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POST-SYNODAL COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR OCEANIA AND ASIA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 29, 2001 (VIS) - The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops today published two reports on meetings held recently in Rome by the post-synodal councils of the Special Assembly for Oceania and the Special Assembly for Asia.

The fifth meeting of the post-synodal council of Oceania was held on November 23, the day after the promulgation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Oceania" by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican's Clementine Hall. The Pope that day signed the document and transmitted it via e-mail to all the bishops of Oceania. The communique today added that those present at the meeting of the post-synodal council primarily discussed the distribution and application of the just-published apostolic exhortation.
On November 20-21 in the offices of the Secretariat General, the fifth meeting of the post-synodal council of Asia was held, in the presence of three cardinals, three archbishops, three bishops and four staff members. The agenda included discussion on a questionnaire sent out regarding the distribution and application of "Ecclesia in Asia" and a synthesis of the answers received so far in the secretariat. It was decided that the Synod of Bishops would directly contact religious congregations and episcopal conferences concerning the distribution and application of this post-synodal apostolic exhortation.

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COUNCIL ISSUES ANNUAL MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS FOR END OF RAMADAN

VATICAN CITY, NOV 29, 2001 (VIS) - Published today in French, English and Italian was the annual message from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to Muslims for the end of Ramadan, 'Id Al-Fitr 1422 A.H./2001 A.D. The Message, signed by council president, Cardinal Francis Arinze, focussed on "Promoting Human Values in An Era of Technology."

Following are excerpts:

"I address this message to you as a sign of esteem and friendship on the part of the Catholic Church."

"In addressing you at this moment, the end of the period in which you have been fulfilling a specific religious duty in order to come closer to the Most High, I cannot forget, in the first place, the dramatic events which our world is experiencing, events which affect in a particular way the hearts of believers belonging to the monotheistic religions. The faithful adorers of the One God are called to be in the world the artisans of a civilization founded on the perennial values of peace and justice, of unity and love, of dialogue and freedom, of cooperation and fraternity, between persons and among peoples. May expressions of solidarity and fraternity among believers and all people of good will lead society along new paths, in full respect for human values and in the promotion of these values.

"This year it is precisely upon this theme of human values and their promotion in an era marked by great technological progress that I wish to reflect with you. We are living in an era of technology which touches all spheres of activity: transport, communications, information, medicine, genetics, etc. Technological advances are constantly transforming the face of the earth and even allowing human beings to reach out to conquer space. However the most exciting and at the same time controversial field of technology is genetics which touches human nature directly."

"What can we do, Christians and Muslims, together with the believers belonging to other religions and other people of good will, to ensure that we make good use of these new means at our disposal?

"Can we not work together to protect the most important human values which are threatened by a world in continual transformation? In the first place comes the right to life, to be protected from conception right up to natural death. For life comes from God and it is to Him that it must return, when He wills. Life is a most precious gift from God, the precondition for all other divine gifts. Next comes the dignity of the human person and the rights which flow from it; these we must promote for all."

"How can we protect and promote these values together in this technological era? First of all through dialogue, which ... could lead naturally to collaboration in the fields already mentioned. This dialogue and collaboration are to be pursued at all levels, local, regional, national and world-wide. ... The common action to which we are invited concerns the whole of humanity."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Brian Cowen, foreign minister of Ireland, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Three prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Jose Francisco Ulloa Rojas of Limon.
- Bishop Angel San Casimiro Fernandez of Ciudad Quesada.
- Bishop Hugo Barrantes Urena of Puntarenas.

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