POPE ATTENDS A SERMON ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2001 (VIS) - At 9 a.m. today, in the Vatican's "Redemptoris Mater" chapel, the Pope attended the second sermon of Advent, delivered by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa O.F.M. Cap., preacher of the papal household. In keeping with the Holy Father's wish to dedicate this day to fasting and prayer for peace in the world, the theme of the sermon was: "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning," taken from a phrase in the Book of Joel.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:
- Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, apostolic nuncio in Belgium and Luxembourg.
- Archbishop Ignazio Bedini of Ispahan of the Latins, Iran, on the occasion of his "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop Nechan Karakeheyan of Ispahan of the Armenians, Iran, on the occasion of his "ad limina" visit.

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PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND AND THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIANS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2001 (VIS) - Late yesterday afternoon, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration on the meeting presided over by the Pope in the Vatican on the theme: "Peace in the Holy Land and the Future of Christians."

Participating in the meeting were Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and his collaborators, the cardinals responsible for various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the heads of the different Catholic communities in the Holy Land, the presidents of various episcopal conferences and the pontifical representatives of that region.

Below are some extracts from the declaration:

"Attention was principally given to the presence of Christians in the Holy Land, as well as to the defence and the promotion of their rights, remembering in particular the two Accords undersigned with the Holy See, respectively by the State of Israel in 1993 and by the Palestinian Liberation Organization in 2000.

"The participants reaffirmed the desire of the Church, in the Holy Land and in the entire world, to continue in the commitment to reconciliation and peace, through religious dialogue with her Hebrew and Muslim brothers. A guarantee was given of a similar commitment to continuing the collaboration offered by numerous Catholic organizations of the churches throughout the entire world, which have - for some time and thanks to the generous and untiring work of their members - been bringing trust and hope to those peoples.

"As regards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it was observed that the two peoples directly concerned and their leaders must mobilize their energies in search of new and peaceful paths, which may resolve a conflict which has already lasted too long. At the same time the need was emphasized to respect International Law and the agreements already reached, in order to assist a return to the negotiating table. The involvement of the international community was considered a necessary initiative for helping both groups (Israelis and Palestinians) to renounce hatred and the spirit of vendetta. Peace between the two peoples, in fact, can only come about if the law and fairness are respected regarding certain fundamental questions: the security of the State of Israel, the birth of a State for the Palestinian people, the evacuation of the occupied territories, an internationally-guaranteed special statute for the most sacred parts of Jerusalem, and a fair solution for the Palestinian refugees. All of this must come about in the framework of what is already laid down in the stipulated agreements and in United Nations Resolutions. On this matter, the participants made a ringing appeal to the religious heads of Judaism and Islam for them to collaborate in assisting the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their efforts for justice, for peace, and against violence.

"Finally, the concern of the entire Christian community was expressed regarding the authorization by the Israeli government for the construction of a mosque in proximity to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The building of a mosque in that place would risk being considered a provocation and is seen as a grave lack of respect for the feelings of Christians and for a place of prayer rich in profound spiritual meaning for their faith.

"The Christians of the entire world ... in spiritual union with (Christians of the Holy Land), send forth an urgent invitation to end the hostilities, to resume negotiations and to make a commitment to restoring the Holy Land's true character as a cross-roads of peace and fraternity."

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THANKS TO CHRISTMAS CONCERT ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the artists who are to perform tomorrow, December 15, in the traditional "Christmas in the Vatican" concert, which will be held in the Paul VI Hall.

"Your wish", said the Pope, "is to call public attention to a need that the Christian communities of the city of Rome feel very deeply: the lack of churches and places of worship, especially in some outlying suburbs.

"Through your performance," he continued, "you seek to raise funds to finance concrete plans for churches and welcome centers. Thanks also to you, the faithful will be able to better express their faith, being able to count upon appropriate places for their prayer and catechism meetings and for other pastoral and social activities."

The Holy Father concluded by requesting that Christmas, "this great Christian celebration, may be the appropriate occasion for everyone to discover and experience how much God loves mankind, each man and woman, all men and women!"

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father gave his assent to the canonical election by the Synod of Bishops of the Chaldean Church, meeting in Rome on December 6, of:

- Fr. Rabban Al-Qas of the eparchial clergy of Amadiyah of the Chaldeans (Catholics 2,452, priests 3, religious 4), Iraq, as bishop of the same eparchy. The bishop-elect was born in Komane, Iraq, in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1973.

- Fr. Petros Hanna Issa Al-Harboli of the eparchial clergy of Zakho of the Chaldeans (Catholics 6,548, priests 4), Iraq, as bishop of the same eparchy. The bishop-elect was born in Zakho in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1970.

- Fr. Mikha Pola Maqdassi of the eparchial clergy of Alquoch of the Chaldeans (Catholics 16,500, priests 11, religious 17), Iraq, as bishop of the same eparchy. The bishop-elect was born in Alquoch in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1973.

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