INTERNET: A CHALLENGE FOR THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2002 (VIS) - Today the Pontifical Council for Social Communications presented in the Holy See Press Office two documents devoted to the Internet: "Ethics in Internet" and "The Church and Internet". Archbishop John Patrick Foley and Bishop Pierfranco Pastore, respectively president and secretary of the council, presented the documents.

The documents have been published in German, Spanish, French, English, Italian, Polish and Portuguese. Archbishop Foley presented the first of the two documents, "Ethics and Internet," which opens by affirming that "internet is the latest and, in many aspects, the most powerful in a line of (communication) media ... that for many people have progressively eliminated time and space as obstacles to communication during the last century and a half."

The text continues: "In this document, we wish to set out a Catholic view of the internet, as a starting point for the Church's participation in dialogue with other sectors of society."

Archbishop Foley commented, "the basic principles for the internet are the same as those for other forms of communication: 'the human person and the human community are the end and measure of the use of the media of social communication; communication should be by persons to persons for the integral development of persons'." And he emphasized that the "internet is an opportunity and a challenge and not a threat."

He added that this document "cites a most interesting passage from our pastoral instruction 'Communio et Progressio,' published more than thirty years ago: 'Media have the ability to make every person everywhere a partner in the business of the human race' and internet can certainly do that."

The text, in referring to problems raised by the new communications media, speaks about the "digital divide - a form of discrimination dividing the rich from the poor ... on the basis of access, or lack of access, to the new information technology." It further affirms that "ways need to be found to make the internet accessible to less advantaged groups." The president of the pontifical council also cited the ethical questions of "privacy, the security and confidentiality of data, copyright and intellectual property law, pornography, hate sites, the dissemination of rumor and character assassination under the guise of news, and much else."

Archbishop Foley noted however, "We do not view the internet only as a source of problems; we see it as a source of benefits to the human race. But the benefits can be fully realized only if the problems are solved."

With reference to this, the document emphasizes that "internet can ... broaden education and cultural horizons, break down divisions, promote human development in a multitude of ways."

"Ethics in Internet" concludes with some recommendations for the use of internet, recognizing in the first place that "the virtue of solidarity is the measure of the internet's service of the common good." The document goes on to suggest that in internet "prior censorship by government should be avoided" and new laws are necessary in order to deal with the crimes unique to this medium (spread of viruses, theft of data). "Regulation of the internet is desirable, and in principle industry self-regulation is best ... Industry codes of ethics can play a useful role."

Bishop Pastore then presented the document "the Church and Internet." He began by affirming that the Church "is called courageously to remind all men and women of good will that internet is a 'gift of God' and, as such, can and must be used for good, it can be an instrument of good."

Commenting on the opportunities and challenges presented by this means of communication, the document states: "the internet is relevant to many activities and programmes of the Church - evangelization, including both re-evangelization and new evangelization and the traditional missionary work 'ad gentes,' catechesis and other kinds of education, news and information, apologetics, governance and administration, and some forms of pastoral counseling and spiritual direction."

The secretary of the dicastery also quoted section six of the document where it is indicated that "the Church also needs to understand and use the internet as a tool of internal communications. This requires keeping clearly in view its special character as a direct, immediate, interactive and participatory medium."

"Internet," the document continues, "also presents some special problems for the Church," such as "the presence of hate sites devoted to defaming and attacking religious and ethnic groups. Some of these target the Catholic Church." Moreover, the "proliferation of web sites calling themselves Catholic creates a problem of a different sort. Church-related groups should be creatively present on the internet, and well-motivated, well-informed individuals and unofficial groups acting on their own initiative are entitled to be there as well. But it is confusing, to say the least, not to distinguish eccentric doctrinal interpretations, idiosyncratic devotional practices and ideological advocacy bearing a 'Catholic' label from the authentic positions of the Church."

The third and last chapter of the document contains a series of suggestions to different groups; Church leaders are told of the "need to understand the media, (and to) apply this understanding in formulating pastoral plans for social communications." Pastoral workers are encouraged to learn to use the internet and to undergo appropriate doctrinal and spiritual formation "in order to witness to Christ." Educators and catechists are urged to offer, in schools and universities, courses and "more advanced training" to individuals preparing for professional media work.

Parents are requested to guide and supervise their children in the use of internet. This includes "making sure that filtering technology is used ... in order to protect them as much as possible from pornography, sexual predators and other threats." Finally, people of good will are cautioned to prudence in order to be able to see internet's capacity for good and evil, they are encouraged to be strong and brave in "standing up for truth in the face of religious and moral relativism," and to "temperance and self-discipline" in order to use this technology "wisely and only for good."

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HUMAN RIGHTS DO NOT DEPEND ON MAJORITY CONSENT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2002 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, the Pope received members of the Pontifical Academy for Life who have been participating in their eighth plenary assembly on the theme: "Nature and dignity of the human being as a foundation for the right to life. The challenges of the contemporary cultural context."

The Pope affirmed the importance of recovering "the anthropological and ethical significance of natural law and of the associated concept of natural rights. Indeed, it is a question of demonstrating if and how it is possible to 'recognize' the particular traits of all human beings, in terms of their nature and dignity, as a foundation for the right to life. ... Only on this basis is it possible for there to be true dialogue and authentic collaboration between believers and non-believers."

"It is important," he went on, "to help our contemporaries to understand the positive and humanizing value of natural moral law, correcting a series of misunderstandings and erroneous interpretations. The first mistake that must be eliminated is the 'supposed conflict between freedom and nature'." Another point "is the presumed static and immobile character attributed to the notion of natural moral law, this perhaps arises through an erroneous analogy with the concept of the natural properties of the physical world."

John Paul II recalled that "the Church's Magisterium invokes the universality and the dynamic and perfective character of natural law with reference to the transmission of life, both in order to maintain the fullness of marital union in the procreative act and to conserve openness to life in conjugal love. The Magisterium makes a similar invocation on the theme of respect for innocent human life: here our thoughts go to abortion, to euthanasia, and to the destructive suppression and experimentation with human embryos and fetuses."

"The rights of man," he stressed, "must refer to what man is by his nature and by reason of his dignity and not ... to the subjective choices of those who enjoy the power to participate in social life or who manage to obtain the consensus of the majority. ... This false interpretation of the rights of man ... can also lead democratic regimes to a form of substantial totalitarianism."

The Holy Father concluded by emphasizing that "the Church affirms each innocent human being's right to life, in each moment of his existence. The distinction sometimes proposed in some international documents between 'human being' and 'human person,' to then recognize the right to life and physical integrity only for people already born, is an artificial distinction with no scientific or philosophical foundation."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Aleksander Kwasniewski, president of the Republic of Poland, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Archbishop Alessandro D'Errico, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan.
- Archbishop Rodolfo Quezada Toruno of Guatemala.

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DECLARATION FROM HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2002 (VIS) - Today in the late morning, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration:

"This morning, the Holy Father John Paul II received in audience Aleksander Kwasniewski, president of the Republic of Poland.

"The president then went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

"In the course of the discussions, attention was given to Church-State relations in Poland, with particular reference to subjects that especially concern the Church such as life, the family and solidarity.

"There followed an exchange of opinions on the situation in Europe and the world.

"In his meeting with the Holy Father, President Kwasniewski invited John Paul II to visit Poland, for which the Pope expressed his appreciation."

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OUR LORD NOT INDIFFERENT TOWARD THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING

VATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2002 (VIS) - Today in the general audience which took place in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke about the Canticle of the Prophet Hezekiah, "Anguish of the dying, joy of the healed."

The Pope explained that the two distinct parts of the Canticle "describe the two typical moments of prayers of thanksgiving: on the one hand, the nightmare of suffering from which Our Lord has freed his faithful, and on the other hand, a joyful hymn of thanksgiving for the new life and salvation which God has given".

King Hezekiah, afflicted with a serious illness, raised his lament to God and the Lord heard his prayer and prolonged his life. "A prayer of thanksgiving then arose from the heart of the king".

"The Canticle of Hezekiah," continued John Paul II, "takes on a whole new meaning if read with Easter in mind. ... Above all, with the death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, a seed of eternity is planted and grows in our mortality".

The Pope indicated that the Canticle of Hezekiah "invites us to reflect on our fragile condition as created beings. ... In times of sickness and suffering it is proper to raise cries of lament to the Lord for, as Hezekiah teaches us, He hears us and is not indifferent to our tears."

He concluded by saying: "The Lord is not indifferent to the tears of those who are suffering, and although His ways do not always coincide with our own hopes, He responds, consoles and saves. This is what Hezekiah confesses in the end, inviting everyone to hope, pray and trust in the Lord, knowing that God does not abandon His people."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome, accompanied by Bishop Enzo Dieci, auxiliary of Rome for the northern pastoral sector, and Fr. Albino Marin, pastor of the parish of St. Gelasius I Pope, and a parish assistant.

Yesterday, February 26, he received in audience Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy.

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INTER-RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE: EXTREMISM MUST BE CONDEMNED

VATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2002 (VIS) - A communique made public today announced that, on February 23, representatives of the dialogue committee of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and of the permanent committee for dialogue with monotheistic religions of Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt, met in the offices of the pontifical council.

The two delegations, headed respectively by Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the pontifical council, and Sheikh Fawzi Fadel Zafzaf, president of the permanent committee, discussed the theme of "religious extremism and its effect on humanity."

During the discussions the following points were made:

- Extremism, from whatever side it may come, is to be condemned as not being in conformity with the teachings of the two religions.
- Extremists, particularly religious extremists, can sometimes be sincere in their intentions, yet they tend to see themselves as the only ones in the right and to show intolerance to those who do not agree with them, not accepting others with their differences, tending to violate the rights of others, and sometimes using or approving violence.
- To counteract extremism dialogue can be useful provided that the conditions for a positive outcome can be guaranteed.
- Yet dialogue alone is not sufficient to overcome extremism; there is always need for attention to basic aspects of society: family life, education, social development, the influence of the mass media, promotion of justice and solidarity within countries and on an international scale.
- The two bodies composing the committee resolved, each for its part, to continue on the path of dialogue and to influence public opinion in order to bring about a rejection of extremism.

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ARCHBISHOP MARTINO: HUMAN CLONING IS UNACCEPTABLE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2002 (VIS) - On February 26, Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations addressed the Committee on an International Convention against the Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings, which was meeting in New York.

The archbishop emphasized that the Holy See "supports a world-wide and comprehensive ban on human cloning, no matter what techniques are used and what aims are pursued." This position, he explained, is based on "biological analysis of the cloning process and anthropological, social, ethical and legal reflection on the negative implications that human cloning has on the life, the dignity, and the rights of the human being."

Furthermore, the Holy See considers the distinction between reproductive and therapeutic (or experimental) cloning as "unacceptable." Nonetheless, Archbishop Martino recalled that the ban on cloning does not prohibit the use of certain techniques: "to obtain a number of biological entities (molecules, cells and tissues) other than human embryos; to generate plants, or to produce non-human embryos and non-chimaeric (human-animal) embryos." He went on to say that "the Holy See supports research on stem-cells of post-natal origin since this approach is a sound, promising and ethical way to achieve tissue transplantation and cell therapy."

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CONSISTORY FOR CANONIZATION OF NINE BLESSEDS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 26, 2002 (VIS) - At 11:00 a.m. this morning, during the celebration of sext, the sixth hour, in the Clementine Hall of the apostolic palace, John Paul II presided at an ordinary public consistory for the canonization of the following Blesseds:

Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, priest, founder of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei; Alonso de Orozco, priest of the Order of St. Augustine; Ignazio da Santhia (Lorenzo Maurizio Belvisotti), priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins; Pio da Pietrelcina (Francesco Forgione), priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins; Pedro de San Jose de Betancur, religious of the Third Order of St. Francis, founder of the Bethlemite Brothers and the Bethlemite Sisters; Umile da Bisignano (Luca Antonio Pirozzo), religious of the Order of Friars Minor; Paulina do Coracao Agonizante de Jesus (Amabile Visintainer), virgin, founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello, religious, founder of the Institute of Benedictine Sisters of Providence; Juan Diego Cuauhlatoatzin, layman.

The Holy Father made known the dates of the canonizations:

May 19: Alonso de Orozco; Ignazio da Santhia (Lorenzo Maurizio Belvisotti); Umile da Bisignano (Luca Antonio Pirozzo); Paulina do Coracao Agonizante de Jesus (Amabile Visintainer); Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello.

June 16: Pio da Pietrelcina (Francesco Forgione).

July 30: Juan Diego Cuauhlatoatzin.

July 31: Pedro de San Jose de Betancur.

October 6: Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer.

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PLENARY OF PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 26, 2002 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray celebrated the opening Mass of the plenary meeting of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications which is taking place from February 25 to March 1.

"Without a doubt, the work of the media is not easy given the complexity of our society and, above all, of the original society that is the Church", said the cardinal. "Evangelization is by its nature an act of communication, and due to professional affinity, the media cannot but focus all its attention on evangelization. Since its beginnings, the Church has been learning about the melting pot of cultures and civilizations, but in this age she has come to realize with sadness that she does not know how to understand or make herself understood by the modern world."

"The harsh confrontation between the Gospel and the world," he emphasized, "today, more than ever, comes about through the media, witnesses of the enormous efforts of the Church, who brings an unchanging Gospel to an ever-changing world. The media help us to understand the dimension of the changes in a society that is in continuous evolvement due to the clash of identities and unstable due to the loss of certainties.

This morning, Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the pontifical council, greeted the participants in the plenary meeting with a welcome speech delivered in the Old Synod Hall.
The archbishop reviewed the motives for the annual celebration of the assembly, among which he enumerated: "to seek the guidance of the Holy Father on matters of communications in and by the Church; ... to provide an opportunity for a type of examination of conscience on the part of all the episcopal conferences of the world regarding what they are doing in the field of communications; ... to integrate the international Catholic communications organizations into the overall pastoral strategy of the Church in communications; ... to help our members and consultors to become actively involved in the development of policy statements by the Church in communications."

The president of the pontifical council went on to announce that two documents concerning the internet, "Ethics in Internet" and "The Church and Internet", will be presented in the Holy See Press Office next Thursday, February 28. "At the beginning of this millennium," he said, "we must hear what is being done and what is being planned in evangelization in and through the media. After these reports, we must decide how such evangelization can best go forward on a global and regional scale."

"Also," he concluded, "we hope to complete our discussion on possible heavenly patrons to be proposed for the work of Catholic communicators: in cinema, internet and, indeed, in the entire field of communication."

CON-CS;PLENARY;...;ETCHEGARAY; FOLEY;VIS;20020226;Word: 470;

MESSAGE TO THE GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE SALESIANS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 26, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Holy Father addressed to the Sons of Don Bosco, who are holding their 25th General Chapter in Rome on the theme: "The Salesian community today."

The Pope writes to the Salesians, who have come to Rome from all parts of the world, saying: "You are well aware that you must renew your methods and means of work in order for your 'Salesian' identity to emerge in the current changing social conditions. These require, among other things, an openness to the contributions of lay helpers with whom to share the spirit and charisma which are the heritage of Don Bosco."

"Appropriately, then, the General Chapter intends courageously to propose 'tending towards sanctity' as the principle response to the challenges of the modern world. It is not so much a question of undertaking new activities and initiatives, but of living and witnessing the Gospel without compromise in such a way as to stimulate the young people you meet to sanctity. Salesians of the third millennium, like St. John Bosco, be passionate teachers and guides, saints and formators of saints."

John Paul II affirmed that "in order to proceed with a single educational and pastoral project, all communities must be united by a solid family spirit. ... Where does the secret of the union of hearts and of apostolic activity lie, if not in faithfulness to the charism? Keep, then, your eyes fixed on Don Bosco. He lived entirely in God and recommended that communities unite around the Eucharist."

"Your lives progress surrounded by children, just as Don Bosco wanted. ... Continue to open the doors of your institutions, especially to poor children, that they may feel 'at home,' and enjoy your charitable activity and the testimony of your poverty. ... Help them to be, in their turn, apostles to their friends and peers."

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IN JULY, POPE TO TRAVEL TO CANADA, MEXICO AND GUATEMALA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 26, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration:

"The Holy Father is to make an apostolic trip: to Toronto for the celebration of the 17th World Youth Day from July 23 to 28, 2002; to Mexico CIty for the beatification of the martyrs Juan Bautista and Jacinto de los Angeles and the canonization of Blessed Juan Diego Cuauhlatoatzin from July 29 to 30, and to Guatemala City for the canonization of Blessed Pedro de San Jose de Betancur from July 31 to August 1.

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THE RIGHT TO LIFE CANNOT BE CONCEDED BY THE AUTHORITIES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 26, 2002 (VIS) - Yesterday, in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall, the eighth plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life was held. The theme of this year's gathering is: "Nature and dignity of the human being as a foundation for the right to life. The challenges of the contemporary cultural context."

The first work session was inaugurated by Archbishop Julian Herranz, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. In his address he affirmed that the primary right to life cannot "be understood either as a concession by the authorities, nor can it be dispensed by them, because its foundation lies in the very nature and dignity of the human being."

The second address was given by Andrzej Szostek, professor of ethics at the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland. He highlighted that evolutionism and liberalism are "insufficient for a full understanding of man, for whom they deny the existence of an absolute truth."

For his part, the Austrian professor, W. Waldstein, emeritus of the Lateran University in Rome, spoke on "the capacity of the human mind to know natural law."

During the afternoon session there were addresses from Sergio Belardinelli, professor of the sociology of communication processes at the University of Bologna, Italy, who spoke on "nature in the cosmological, biological, anthropological and ecological sense;" and from John Finnis, professor of law and the philosophy of law at the University of Oxford, England, who spoke on "nature and natural law in the present philosophical and theological debate."

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THANKS TO PREACHER OF THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, at the close of the spiritual exercises of the Pope and the Roman Curia in the Vatican's "Redemptoris Mater" chapel, John Paul II thanked, in the name of all the participants, the preacher, Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M., archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Pope said: "These days of thoughtful contemplation have helped us to rediscover with joy the inexhaustible grace of the Christian and apostolic vocation. The Spirit has once again helped us understand that our entire life is centered on Christ, Who reveals the Father."

"Our profound awareness of being disciples - which, together with you dear Cardinal Hummes, we have revived - spurs us on to courageous dedication in our ministry at the service of the people of God. Each now returns to their own task. You too will return to your diocese. When you are once more among your own people, take to the faithful, especially children and those who suffer, the expression of my affection and the assurance of my prayers."

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JOHN PAUL II: EUROPE MUST CONSERVE ITS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received participants in the third international forum promoted by the Alcide De Gasperi Foundation for democracy, peace and international cooperation, who are presently reflecting on the subject of Europe.

The Pope recalled that "the painful religious schism between the largely-Catholic West and the largely-Orthodox East, was one of the factors that prevented the full integration into Europe of certain Slavic peoples, with negative effects above all for the Church which needs to breath 'with two lungs,' the western and the eastern. Thus, I have strived for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches, with a view to full unity."

"My greatest concern for Europe is that the continent conserve and develop its Christian heritage. Indeed, it cannot be denied that Europe's roots lie - apart from in the Greco-Roman patrimony - also in the Jewish-Christian heritage which has, for centuries, constituted the most profound essence of its soul. ... The very modes of thought, feeling, expression and behavior among European peoples have undergone profound Christian influence."

The Holy Father noted that since the 18th century "a process of secularization has taken place, aimed at excluding God and Christianity from all expressions of human life." The Christian religion has come to be relegated to the sphere of private life. "In this perspective, is it not significant that all explicit reference to religion, and hence also to Christianity, has been removed from the map of Europe? I have expressed my sadness at this fact, which I feel to be anti-historical and offensive to the Fathers of the new Europe, among whom a pre-eminent place is due to Alcide De Gasperi."

"Indeed, it is by virtue of the Christian message that great human values have become affirmed in people's consciences. Values such as the dignity and inviolability of the individual; freedom of conscience; the dignity of work and of workers; the right of each to a secure and dignified life and, consequently, to share in the goods of the earth, destined by God to the enjoyment of all mankind."

The Pope emphasized that "the Church today, with renewed vigor, again proposes these values to a Europe which risks falling into ideological relativism and surrendering to moral nihilism, at times declaring as good that which is evil, and as evil that which is good. It is my hope that the European Union may know how to draw new lifeblood from the Christian heritage that is its own, proposing adequate responses to the new questions that arise, especially in the field of ethics."

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DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO UNREGULATED SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 25, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, John Paul II received representatives of the Italian League for the Fight against Tumors, for the occasion of the 80th anniversary of its foundation.

The Pope affirmed that the concern of this association is that the disease "be accepted without drama and faced with realism, relying with faith on the resources of the human organism and on medical research."

After highlighting the need for experiments that concern the person to be "carried out in full respect of human dignity," he said: "Scientific research will thus become a priceless gift for so many families and for all humanity."

The Holy Father added that suffering and pain can be "an occasion for spiritual growth, opening broader horizons than those to which the limitations and precariousness of our physical being confine us."

Medical professionals "must always bear in mind the centrality of the human being, regardless of race or religion. ... Never must we lose from sight the final aim of the true good of man; never must we surrender to the temptation to unregulated medical and scientific progress, that could become a dangerous form of 'technological control' of life."

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ANGELUS: FOLLOW CHRIST ON THE PATH OF SILENCE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, John Paul II appeared at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square in order to pray the angelus with pilgrims and faithful gathered below.

Prior to the Marian prayer, the Holy Father recalled that this Sunday's liturgy with its Gospel account of the Transfiguration invites us to follow Christ to Mount Tabor, "the mountain of silence and contemplation. ... This, together with my collaborators in the Roman Curia, is what I have had the grace to do during this week of spiritual exercises; an experience I recommend to all, in ways adapted to differing vocations and life conditions."

Following the angelus, the Pope greeted, "with particular affection," young people from neocatechumenal communities in parishes and dioceses throughout Italy. "You," he said, "are on the road to World Youth Day, which will take place in Toronto, Canada, this July. You are young people marching with Christ. I thank you because, by your presence, you give me the opportunity to renew the invitation to your peers to prepare carefully for this important date. In all circumstances, know how to present with humility and respect the hope that is within you."

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POPE ADDRESSES ROME'S FILIPINO COMMUNITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2002 (VIS) - Today, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar general for the diocese of Rome, presided at Mass for Rome's Filipino community in the Basilica of "S. Pudenziana al Viminale."

As Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls announced yesterday, John Paul II's pastoral visit to this basilica has been postponed, due to arthritic pain in his right knee.

The homily, which the Holy Father had prepared, was read by Cardinal Ruini. "With great joy," he began, "I greet those who work in Rome's Philippine Catholic chaplaincy, better known as 'Sentro Pilipino.' It coordinates the 38 pastoral centers spread around the city, meeting the spiritual, moral and social needs of tens of thousands of Filipino immigrants."

Commenting on the first reading of today's Mass which was taken from the Book of Genesis in which "God promised Abraham two things which seemed impossible: a son and a land," the Pope affirms that, in blessing the patriarch with these two things, "God offers him a life that is bigger than death. ... The promise to Abraham is fulfilled only when death itself is destroyed; and death is destroyed when Christ is raised to new life."

"'Leave your country, your family and your father's house!' God says to Abraham. Many of you have done just that: you have left home and family, so that in your own way you may become a blessing for those you love back in the Philippines, contributing to their economic support, providing greater opportunities culturally and socially for your children and families. The separation is difficult and the cost is high, but it is a price you are willing to pay in a difficult and often unjust world."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 25, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Estanislao Esteban Karlic of Parana, accompanied by his auxiliary Juan Alberto Puiggari.
- Archbishop Alfonso Delgado Evers of San Juan de Cuyo.
- Archbishop Hector Ruben Aguer of La Plata.
- Bishop Luis Teodoro Stockler of Goya.

He also received the following Argentinian prelates:

- Archbishop Moises Blanchoud, emeritus of Salta.
- Archbishop Jorge Manuel Lopez, emeritus of Rosario.
- Archbishop Emilio Ognenovich, emeritus of Mercedes-Lujan.
- Bishop Joan Rodolfo Laise, emeritus of San Luis.
- Bishop Bernardo Witte, emeritus of Concepcion.
- Bishop Andres Sapelak, emeritus of Santa Maria del Patrocinio en Buenos Aires of the Ukrainians.

On Saturday, February 23, it was made public that he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M., archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and preacher during this year's spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia.
- Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, apostolic nuncio to the European Community.
- Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, special envoy and permanent observer to the Council of Europe.
- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by Bishop Luigi Moretti, auxiliary of Rome for the central pastoral sector; Fr. Remo Bati S.D.B., chaplain to Filipino immigrants in the diocese of Rome, and Msgr Gino Amicarelli, rector of the church of "S. Pudenziana al Viminale."
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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INAUGURATION OF THE ARGENTINIAN PRIESTLY COLLEGE IN ROME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 25, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Pope to Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, Argentina, president of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, and to the archbishops and bishops of that country, for the occasion of the inauguration of the Argentinian Priestly College.
"The priests sent by their bishop to this center", the Holy Father writes in the letter dated February 24, "will have the privileged opportunity to complete their studies and deepen - using particularly appropriate scientific methods - their reflections on the one true faith, which is expressed in different languages and cultural forms."

John Paul II affirmed that "apart from this moving experience, your stay in the Church of Rome, See of Peter and his successors, must serve to increase your faithfulness to the Church. Your physical proximity will contribute strongly to this end, as will the chance you will have to see and listen personally to those who have received the mission to confirm their brothers in the faith and to nourish the people of God as an 'amoris officium'."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 25, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Luis Teodorico Stockler of Goya, Argentina, as bishop of Quilmes (area 518, population 1,200,000, Catholics 1,00,000, priests 135, permanent deacons 81, religious 300), Argentina.

- Gave his consent to the canonical election by the Synod of Bishops of the Church of Antioch of the Syrians meeting at Charfet, Lebanon, from September 11 to 15, 2001, of Chorbishop Pierre Melki as patriarchal exarch of the Syrian faithful resident in Jerusalem, Palestine and Jordan.

- Appointed as members of the Pontifical Council for the Laity: Cardinals: Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay, India, and Claudio Hummes O.F.M., archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Archbishops Robert Sarah, emeritus of Conakry, Guinea, and secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, Croatia, and Francisco Javier Martinez Fernandez of Cordoba, Spain. Bishop Francesco Lambiasi of Anagni-Alatri and assistant ecclesiastic general at Italian Catholic Action. Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, U.S.A.; Said. A. Azer, Egypt; Tanios Chahwan, leader of youth pastoral care in the Maronite Patriarchate, Lebanon; Carlos Corsi, Colombia; Maria Eugenia Diaz de Pfennich president of the World Union of Catholic Female Organizations, Mexico; Vladimir Durikovic, member of the movement of Christian families, Slovakia; Crescencia Gabijan Cabilao, Philippines; Christiana Habsburg-Lothringen, Austria; Priscilla Kuye, vice-president of the National Council of the Laity, Nigeria; Yuk Fai Lai, vice-president of the Central Committee of Catholic laity, Hong Kong; Pedro Morais Vieira, member of the secretariat of the Episcopal Commission for the Laity and member of parliament, Angola; Allan Panozza, president of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services, Australia; Nicoletta Pisa, president of the International Coordination of Young Catholic Labor, G.B.; Antoinette Prudence, Republic of Mauritius; Jose Maria Riera I Mas, president of the Community of Christian Life, Spain; Jacqueline Sfeir, dean of the faculty of education of the University of Bethlehem; Catherine Soublin, France, and Alexei Youdine, teacher at the St. Thomas Aquinas theological college in Moscow, Russia.

- Appointed as consultors of the Pontifical Council for the Laity: Bishop Mounged El-Hachem of Baalbek - Deir El-Ahmar of the Maronites, Lebanon. Frs. Libero Gerosa, rector of the faculty of theology in Lugano, Switzerland; Jean Mbarga, Cameroon, and Luis Felipe Navarro of the clergy of the prelature of Opus Dei, Spain. Paola Bignardi, president of Italian Catholic Action; Emanuela Di Nunzio, Italy; Luis Fernando Figari, of the movement for Christian Life, Peru; Zbigniew Nosowski, Poland; Jesus Perez Saturnino, Spain, and David Schindler, U.S.A.

On Saturday, February 23, it was made public that he appointed:

- Msgr. Gino Reali of the clergy of Spoleto-Norcia, vicar general of that archdiocese, as bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina (area 2,000, population 260,000, Catholics 254,000, priests 193, permanent deacons 6, religious 1,162), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Monteleone di Spoleto, Italy, in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1971.

- Fr. Vincenzo Battaglia O.F.M., professor of theology at the Pontifical Antonianum Athenaeum, as president of the International Pontifical Marian Academy.

- Bishop Joseph Vu Duy Thong, auxiliary of Thanh-Pho Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

- As members of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry: Archbishops Carlos Amigo Vallejo O.F.M., of Seville, Spain; Wladyslaw Ziolek of Lodz, Poland; Jose Dimas Cedeno Delgado of Panama, Panama. Bishops Serafim de Sousa Ferreira e Silva of Leiria-Fatima, Portugal; Thumma Bala of Warangal, India; Peter Joseph Connors of Ballarat, Australia; Joseph Leo Charron C.PP.S., of Des Moines, U.S.A.; Jacques Perrier of Tarbes et Lourdes, France; Jacinto Guerrero Torres of Tlaxcala, Mexico; James Mathew Wingle of Yarmouth, Canada. Sisters Maria del Camino Agos Munarriz, superior general of the Hospiatalier Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Rome, and Serafina Dalla Porta, superior general of the Daughters of St. Camillus, Grottaferrata, Italy.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Florencio Olvera Ochoa of Tabasco, Mexico, as bishop of Cuernavaca (area 4,941, population 2,080,019, Catholics 1,829,341, priests 178, permanent deacons 1, religious 470), Mexico.

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FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER CELEBRATED TODAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2002 (VIS) - Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a traditional celebration of the primacy and authority of St. Peter that dates back to the fourth century.

The word "cathedra" means seat or throne and is the root of the word cathedral, the church where a bishop has his throne and from whence he preaches. Another word for "cathedra" is "sedes" from which comes the word "see" meaning the place from which a bishop governs his diocese. Thus, for example, the Holy See is the see of the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Throughout its history, the Chair of St. Peter has been considered from two perspectives: That of the chair as symbol (the symbol of Peter's primacy; in ancient times the chair or cathedra was a symbol of authority to teach), and that of the chair as object (the throne of Charles the Bald used by John VIII and his successors).

Throughout the whole of today, Bernini's great bronze reliquary in the Vatican, which contains the Chair of St. Peter, will be illuminated by candles.

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POPE RECEIVES SYRIAN PRESIDENT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 21, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, Fr. Ciro Benedettini C.P., vice-director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration:

"The Holy Father today received in audience Bashar Al-Assad, president of the Arab Republic of Syria, accompanied by his entourage.

"The Syrian president then met Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano for a cordial encounter in which Farouk Al-Shara, vice-prime minister and foreign minister of Syria, and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States, also took part.

"In the course of the discussions, opinions were exchanged on the subject of relations between Syria and the Holy See following the Holy Father's historic visit to Damascus last year, and on ways to restore peace to the Middle East, especially the Holy Land, on the basis of the well-known U.N. resolutions."

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TELEGRAMS FOR TRAGEDY IN EGYPT AND FLOODS IN BOLIVIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 21, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today were two telegrams, sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano in the Pope's name, for the fire on a train in Egypt and the floods provoked by torrential rains in Bolivia, both of which events caused numerous victims:

In the telegram sent to Archbishop Marco Dino Brogi O.F.M., apostolic nuncio in Egypt, the Pope presents his condolences to the families of the victims and express the hope that they find "consolation and solidarity in their fellows."

Through Archbishop Edmundo Abastoflor Montero of La Paz, Bolivia, John Paul II transmits his condolences to the families of the dead and invites public institutions to help those who have lost their homes.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 21, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Miguel Delgado Galindo, official at the Pontifical Council for the Laity, as bureau chief of the same council.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 21, 2002 (VIS) - In the Vatican from February 25 to 27, the eighth general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life will be held on the theme: "Nature and dignity of the human being as a foundation for the right to life."

Over the three days, specialists in philosophy, ethics, law and theology will hold discussions on the theme of the gathering. A communique on the subject reads: "The subject matter was prepared by the group of relators during earlier meetings. They reflected at length on the various viewpoints and implications of this immense and delicate topic."

On the one hand, says the communique, "there exists a desire to discover the laws that govern the cosmos and the biosphere in order to be able to control them and, in this way, create new technologies. On the other hand, today, many widespread schools of thought reject the concept of nature in the ontological sense, as an essential and perennial structure of the human being." In the same way, "the concept of natural law in the ethical sense is frequently contested and thus the concept of natural rights is not admitted as the basis of the positive law created by legislatures at national and international level."

"The right to life is the discriminating and fundamental limit in the progress driven by the impulse of modern technology. This is the cardinal point of law and the first cornerstone on which society is built."

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VATICAN ARCHIVES UP TO 1939 TO BE OPENED

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope has decreed that, as from the beginning of 2003, it will be possible to consult documents concerning Germany and relative to the period 1922-1939 contained in the archives of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State and in the Secret Vatican Archives.

At present, by order of John Paul II in 1984, consultation of documents in the Vatican archives extends up to 1922, the end of the pontificate of Benedict XV.

A note on the subject made public by Fr. Sergio Pagano B., prefect of the Secret Vatican Archives, and Fr. Marcel Chappin S.J., keeper of the Historical Archives of the Secretariat of State, states that this is an "exceptional" move on the part of John Paul II through which he aims "to put an end to unjust and thoughtless speculation."

"The Holy Father's decision," reads the note, "thus aims to meet the many requests for access to Vatican documentation on a pontificate as important as was that of Pius XI (1922-1939) during which, among other things, ... totalitarian States and despotic governments came into being, in prelude to the Second World War."

Once the Vatican Archives for the period of the pontificate of Pius XI are fully opened (in 2005), the Holy Father also wishes to open access "to Vatican-German documentary sources for the pontificate of Pius XII (1939-1958), ... bearing in mind that during Pius XII's pontificate the Second World War took place and with it the deportation of the Jews and the tragedy of the Shoah." The note furthermore announces the publication of information concerning prisoners of the last world war (1939-1945). Thus, the note concludes, historians may become aware as soon as possible of "the great works of charity and assistance undertaken by Pius XII for the many prisoners and other victims of war, irrespective of their nationality, religion or race."

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NO PROCEEDINGS AGAINST VATICAN RADIO DIRECTORS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 2002 (VIS) - Made public yesterday afternoon was a communique from the management of Vatican Radio regarding the latest hearing in the trial for the alleged electromagnetic contamination produced by the transmitting station of Santa Maria di Galeria, a few kilometers outside Rome.

The sentence issued by Rome's penal court has established that proceedings must not continue "for lack of jurisdiction" over the three directors of Vatican Radio accused over the alleged electromagnetic contamination of the transmitters.

As for the health concerns of the people who live near Santa Maria di Galeria, the note says: "it must in any case be recalled once again that no reliable study has shown the existence of health risks associated with transmissions from the Santa Maria di Galeria station, and that there is, consequently, no reason to be alarmed."

The communique goes on to affirm: "Not only has Vatican Radio always respected international recommendations on electromagnetic transmissions, but it also implemented within the agreed time (August 31, 2001) measures necessary for emissions from the Santa Maria di Galeria station to enter within the limits set by Italian law. Vatican Radio has thus fulfilled the commitments it assumed with the Italian government, in accordance with the agreement reached by the Italian-Holy See bilateral commission on May 18, 2001. Vatican Radio would like to make clear that, to this end, medium wave transmissions on 1530 kHz - which were held to be the chief cause of the problem and which, for that reason, had already been cut back - have been further reduced from 300 to just 100 kilowatts. This has had inevitably serious consequences on the reception of programmes, a problem only partly compensated by the transfer of some transmissions to the transmitting station of 'Montecarlo Radiodiffusion'."

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PROTOCOL ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS COMES INTO FORCE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 2002 (VIS) - On February 12, Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See Permanent Observer to the United Nations, took part in a press conference marking the entrance into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict.

The Optional Protocol was adopted by the UN General Assembly in May 2000. To date it has been signed by 96 countries and ratified by 14 others, including the Holy See.

During the press conference Olara Otunnu, special representative of the secretary general for children and armed conflict, praised the Holy See for its "untiring commitment to the well-being of children" and reiterated his sentiments of sincere gratitude for the indispensable ministry of Catholic priests, religious and lay people who are most often "the first ones he meets on the ground, working to assist war-affected children."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Homa Bay, Kenya, presented by Bishop Linus Okok Okwach in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Bishop Jose Maria Liborio Camino Saracho, auxiliary of Sao Miguel Paulista, Brazil, as bishop of Presidente Prudente (area 13,251, population 511,445, Catholics 470,000, priests 45, religious 58), Brazil. He succeeds Bishop Antonio Agostinho Marochi whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Archbishop Murilo Sebastiao Ramos Krieger S.C.I., of Maringa, Brazil, as metropolitan archbishop of Florianopolis (area 7,802, population 1,191,505, Catholics 953,976, priests 163, permanent deacons 86, religious 597), Brazil.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Msgr. John Fleming of the clergy of Limerick, Ireland, former rector of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, as bishop of Killala (area 3,754, population 38,001, Catholics 36,934, priests 57, permanent deacons 1, religious 83), Ireland. The bishop-elect was born in Ardpatrick, Ireland, in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1972. He succeeds Bishop Thomas Anthony Finnegan whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. William C. Skurla, pastor of the church of St. Melania at Tucson, Arizona, as bishop of the eparchy of Van Nuys of the Ruthenians (Catholics 3,121, priests 28, permanent deacons 4, religious 12), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1987. He succeeds Bishop Martin George Kuzma whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same eparchy upon having reached the age limit was accepted in accordance with Canon 210, para, 2, of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches

- Appointed Fr. Karel Herbst S.D.B., pastor of Frystak in the archdiocese of Olomouc, Czech Republic, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Prague (area 8,990, population 2,140,000, Catholics 604,500, priests 338, permanent deacons 17, religious 520), Czech Republic. The bishop-elect was born in Prague in 1943 and ordained a priest 1973.

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CONSISTORY FOR CANONIZATIONS TO TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 26

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2002 (VIS) - During the celebration of sext, the sixth hour, in the Clementine Hall of the apostolic palace at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26, an ordinary public consistory will be held for the canonization of the following Blesseds:

Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, priest, founder of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei; Alonso de Orozco, priest of the Order of St. Augustine; Ignazio da Santhia (Lorenzo Maurizio Belvisotti), priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins; Pio da Pietralcina (Francesco Forgione), priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins; Pedro de San Jose de Betancur, religious of the Third Order of St. Francis, founder of the Bethlemite Brothers and the Bethlemite Sisters; Umile da Bisignano (Luca Antonio Pirozzo), religious of the Order of Friars Minor; Paulina do Coracao Agonizante de Jesus (Amabile Visintainer), virgin, founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello, religious, founder of the Institute of Benedictine Sisters of Providence; Juan Diego Cuauhlatoatzin, layman.

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ECCLESIAL COMMUNION ENLIVENS THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope met members of the Pontifical Theological Academy who are participating in their first international forum, the theme of which is: "Jesus Christ, Way, Truth and Life. Towards a rereading of 'Dominus Iesus'."

"The primary task of the Pontifical Theological Academy," said the Pope, "is to meditate on the mystery of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, fullness of grace and truth."

The Holy Father affirmed that today "two aspects characterize the apostolate and the service of truth: the dynamic and the ecclesial." Comprehending the truth "implies the idea of travelling and, above all, of following; following Christ, way, truth and life. ... Theologians' free and independent research takes place within the boundaries of faith and of communion with the Church. ... Ecclesial communion, far from being a limit, is in reality a space that enlivens theological reflection."
"Catholic theologians are aware that the Magisterium is not extrinsic to truth and faith. Quite the contrary, as a constituent element of the Church, it is at the service of the Word of truth which safeguards against deviation and deformation, guaranteeing that the people of God are always guided and sustained by Christ-Truth. Thus, the relationship between magisterium and theological work is based on the principle of harmony. ... Where communion in faith is a question, the principle of unity in truth must be applied; where, on the other hand, there are diverging opinions, the principle of unity in charity holds good."

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JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES A COMMISSION ON DUNS SCOTUS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the members of a commission on John Duns Scotus, the Franciscan theologian and philosopher. They presented the Holy Father with the eighth volume of their work, which includes book two of the "Ordinatio," considered to be Scotus' most important work.

In his address to the commission, the Holy Father affirmed that even today a "pillar of Catholic theology" is Duns Scotus' "splendid doctrine on the primacy of Christ; on the Immaculate Conception; on the primary value of the Revelation and the Magisterium of the Church; on the authority of the Pope, and on the possibility that human reason has, at least in part, of making the great truths of faith accessible and demonstrating that they are not contradictory."

The Pope further recalled that some years have passed since the commission began the task of revising the works (to date 12 volumes have been published) of the Franciscan philosopher. These works needed "to be freed from the many errors of copyists and interpolations of disciples. ... The task was entrusted by the minister general of the Order of Friars Minor and his Definitory to a team of scholars who took the name of the Scotus Commission." John Paul II praised the "commitment" with which the direct and indirect sources used by Scotus were identified. He affirmed: "I trust that the Scotus Commission may - in 2004, year of the 150th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - be able to publish volume 20. This will contain book three of the 'Lectura' (as yet unpublished) in which, for the first time, Duns Scotus defended Marian privilege, earning himself the title of 'Doctor of the Immaculate'."

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BELIEVERS' HIGHEST REFERENCE IS THE WORD OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II visited the Roman parish of St. Henry, where he celebrated Mass. It was his 301st such visit since the beginning of his pontificate.

At the start of his homily, the Pope mentioned today's Gospel text: "In the desert, Jesus undergoes the triple temptation of Satan, against which He nonetheless decisively resists. Jesus firmly insists that it is unacceptable to put God to the test; that it is not permissible to worship any other god, and that it is not possible to decide one's own destiny. The highest reference for all believers is the Word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. These few verses clearly outline the programme for our Lenten journey. We too are called to cross the desert of daily life, faced by the recurrent temptation to distance ourselves from God."

Speaking of the parish which "has had a proper church only since June 1999," he recalled "the Caritas group, the welcome center for the elderly and immigrants and the 'Community of Love' which seeks to help young married and engaged couples to live the Christian sacrament of matrimony. ... I know, moreover, that you are working to support families and that you are concerned with the education of children, especially those who are preparing to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation and those who attend the Oratory."

The Holy Father concluded by highlighting the generosity with which the parishioners collaborate in diocesan initiatives, such as the ecclesial congress on the subject of vocations which will be held in June and the meeting of young people in St. Peter's Square on March 21.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Two prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Domingo Salvador Castagna of Corrientes.
- Bishop Emilio Bianchi di Carcano of Azul.
- Elias Najmeh, ambassador of the Arab Republic of Syria, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
- Bishop Christo Proykov, apostolic exarch of Sofia for Catholics of the Byzantine-Slavic rite resident in Bulgaria and president of the Bulgarian Episcopal Conference.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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TRANSMIT GOD'S LOVE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF TODAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received participants in the 14th General Chapter of the Canossian Sisters of Charity who are reflecting upon the theme: "Transmit the love of God to the men and women of our time."

To her spiritual daughters, St. Magdalene Canossa proposed the "ideal of consecrated life based upon humility." After highlighting that missionary work is a characteristic of the order, John Paul II recalled that in East Timor Canossian sisters had "recently paid the price of blood for their faithfulness to the Lord Christ. May their heroic sacrifice stimulate and encourage you to move forwards with faith and apostolic drive."

The Holy Father affirmed that "the great challenge of inculturation demands that you announce the Good News using language and methods that can be understood by the men and women of our time, who are caught up in rapidly-changing social and cultural processes. Hence, the field of apostolic endeavor that opens before you is vast indeed!"

The Pope said: "So many in the world have yet to know Jesus and His Gospel. Various forms of injustice and of moral and material difficulties affect peoples in vast areas of the planet." He concluded by stressing that "in order to be able to respond to this situation it is necessary, in the first place, to make every effort to attain sanctity, the highest measure of sanctity, maintaining constant contact with Christ through incessant and fervent prayer."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 18, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Cardinal Jozef Tomko, former prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, as his special envoy at the promulgation of the acts of the first plenary council of the Church in Slovenia, due to take place in Ljubljana on May 18, 2002.

On Saturday, February 16, it was made public that he:

- Appointed Msgr. Paolo Urso, of the clergy of Acireale, Italy, vicar general of that diocese, as bishop of Ragusa (area 1,029, population 180,000, Catholics 165,000, priests 108, permanent deacons 8, religious 272), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Acireale in 1940 and ordained a priest in 1962. He succeeds Bishop Angelo Rizzo, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Carlos Garcia Camader, rector of the major seminary of Lima, and Frs. Jose Antonio Eguren Anselmi, episcopal vicar and pastor of the parish of Our Lady of Reconciliation in Lima and Adriano Tomasi Traviglia O.F.M., president of the "Consorcio de Centros Educativos del Peru" and of the "Confederacion Interamericana de Educacion Catolica" and pastoral vicar to the Chinese community in Lima, as auxiliaries of the archdiocese of Lima (area 639, population 2,457,393, Catholics 2,260,801, priests 431, permanent deacons 5, religious 2,151), Peru. Bishop-elect Garcia Camader was born in Lima in 1954 and ordained a priest in 1981. Bishop-elect Eguren Anselmi was born in Lima in 1956 and ordained a priest in 1982. Bishop-elect Tomasi Traviglia in Gardolo di Mezzo-Meano, Italy, in 1939 and ordained a priest in 1964.

- Appointed Fr. Santiago Silva Retamales, rector of the major seminary of Valparaiso (area 4,600, population 1,144,594, Catholics 817,500, priests 196, permanent deacons 35, religious 436), Chile, as auxiliary of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in La Calera, Chile, in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1980.

- Appointed Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, apostolic nuncio in Bolivia, as apostolic nuncio in Kazakhstan and Tadjikistan.

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, presented by Archbishop Ludwig Averkamp, upon having reached the age limit.

- Fr. Gianfranco Girotti O.F.M. Conv., under-secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as regent of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature

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COMBAT EVIL WITH PRAYER, SACRAMENTS AND PENITENCE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, after returning from the Roman parish of St. Henry, the Pope appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican's apostolic palace in order to pray the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

John Paul II affirmed that "today, the first Sunday of Lent, the liturgy presents us once more with the poignant Gospel account of the temptation of Jesus. ... The Redeemer's mission begins with His victory over the triple snare of the prince of evil."

"'Begone Satan!' For us, the Messiah's decisive attitude constitutes an example and an invitation to follow Him with courageous determination. Even today, the devil, 'ruler of this world,' continues his underhand activities. Men and women are tempted, apart from by their own concupiscence and the bad example of others, by the devil, even more so when they are least aware of such temptation. How many times do they lightly surrender to the deceptive promises of the flesh and of the evil one, only to then experience bitter disillusion! We must remain vigilant so as to react promptly to all attacks of temptation."

The Holy Father indicated that "the Church, expert teacher of humanity and sanctity, shows us the instruments - ancient and, at the same time, ever new - for the daily struggle against the lure of evil. They are prayer, the sacraments, penitence, attention to the Word of God, vigilance and fasting."

In closing, the Pope especially confided to the Virgin Mary the spiritual exercises he will begin this evening in the Vatican together with the Roman Curia. He requested the faithful to accompany them in prayer "that they may be fruitful days, not only for those taking part, but for the entire Church."

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SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF THE ROMAN CURIA BEGIN SUNDAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2002 (VIS) - At 6 p.m. on February 17, first Sunday of Lent, the annual spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia will begin in the Vatican's "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel, in the presence of the Holy Father. That evening there will be the recitation of Vespers, an introduction to the exercises, and Eucharistic adoration.

Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M., archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil, will give the retreat meditations, on the theme "ever disciples of Christ."

The programme from Monday, February 18 to Saturday, February 23 is as follows: 9 a.m., Lauds and meditation; 10:15 a.m., midday prayer and meditation; 5 p.m., Vespers and meditation; 6:15 p.m., meditation, Rosary, Eucharistic adoration and benediction. The spiritual exercises will conclude on Saturday morning, February 23, with the recitation of Lauds.

During the retreat all audiences will be suspended, including the weekly Wednesday general audience.

...;CURIA RETREAT;...;...;VIS;20020215;Word: 150;

DOMINICANS ARE CALLED TO BE MASTERS OF TRUTH AND SANCTITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received members of the general council of the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) and recalled his years of study at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

His time at the university was, he said, "a very fruitful period in my theological formation, thanks also to the expert contribution of unforgettable and prestigious Dominican teachers" such as Frs. Garrigou-Lagrange, Paul Philippe and Mario Luigi Ciappi.

The Holy Father indicated that the Dominican Order "has a specific task in the vast field of new evangelization. ... This is a united undertaking of the Church, one to which all members of the people of God, and particularly families of religious, must make their contribution."

"Only those who have experienced God," he continued, "can speak of Him convincingly to others. In the school of St. Dominic and of the many Dominican saints, you are called to be masters of truth and sanctity."

He concluded: "May this be the fundamental orientation of your general council in laying out courageous guidelines for the life and apostolate of Dominican friars in the world. I follow you with affection and wish all goodness for your communities on all continents."

AC;...;...;DOMINICAN GENERAL COUNCIL;VIS;20020215;Word: 220;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Luis Antonio Nova Rocha of the diocese of Facatativa, Colombia, rector of the major seminary of that diocese, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Barranquilla (area 3,388, population 2,380,000, Catholics 1,930,000, priests 173, religious 133), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Subachoque, Colombia, in 1943 and ordained a priest in 1968.

- Fr. Hector Cubillos Pena of the archdiocese of Bogota, Colombia, pastor of the parish of San Diego, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Bucaramanga (area 5,397, population 1,130,517, Catholics 1,104,214, priests 216, permanent deacons 10, 763), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Bogota in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1974.

NEA;...;...;NOVA; CUBILLOS;VIS;20020215;Word: 110;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Ruben Hector Di Monte of Mercedes-Lujan.
- Bishop Baldomero Carlos Martini of San Francisco.
- Bishop Aurelio Jose Kuhn O.F.M., prelate of Dean Funes.
- Yang-il Bae, ambassador of Korea, on a farewell visit.

This evening he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

AL; AP;...;...;...;VIS;20020215;Word: 90;

DECLARATION FROM PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls replied to questions from journalists concerning the position adopted by certain representatives of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow:

"Beyond the facts of this specific matter lies the deeper question which I believe to be: Does one wish to accept and safeguard the fundamental rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion that lie at the base of all forms of civil and pluralistic coexistence? From these rights it follows that each faith be recognized and respected in its individual identity, avoiding discrimination between citizens for religious motives as, indeed, is guaranteed by the civil code of the Russian Federation.

OP;PATRIARCHATE MOSCOW;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20020215;Word: 130;

MEETING OF GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2002 (VIS) - The ordinary council of the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops held its second meeting in the Vatican from February 6 to 8. The meeting, according to a communique made public today, was presided by Cardinal Jan P. Schotte C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

Seven cardinals, six archbishops and four members of the general secretariat of the synod took part in the work. They studied the "Propositiones" of the Tenth Ordinary General Assembly, which was held last month in the Vatican, with the aim of offering suggestions to the Holy Father for the Post-synodal Exhortation on "the Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World," which was the theme of the assembly.

Dates were also fixed for the next two council meetings. The first will be held on June 13 and 14, 2002, and the second from November 5 to 7, 2002.

SE;SYNOD SECRETARIAT;...;SCHOTTE;VIS;20020214;Word: 170;

EVERYONE'S DUTY IS TO PRAY FOR PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2002 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican's Clementine Hall, in a meeting traditionally held at the beginning of Lent, John Paul II received the clergy of the diocese of Rome. After listening to the testimonies of various priests, the Pope offered some reflections on the need "for vocations in the life, testimony and pastoral activities of our ecclesial communities."

The Pope stated that vocations decline when "the intensity of faith and spiritual fervor diminishes. We must not, then, let ourselves be easily satisfied by the explanation that would have the scarcity of priestly vocations compensated by a growth in the apostolic commitment of the laity, or even that it is a design of Providence to favor the development of the laity. Quite the contrary, the greater the number of laity who seek to live their baptismal commitment with generosity, the more necessary the presence and activity of ordained ministers."

Going on to refer to obstacles that hinder a positive response to the call of the Lord, he said: "The Church's commitment to vocations must have at its roots a great common commitment; one that calls upon lay people, priests and religious, and that consists in rediscovering that fundamental aspect of our faith by which life itself - each human life - is the fruit of God's call, and can be positively fulfilled only as a response to that call."

John Paul II stressed that the priestly vocation "is a mystery" in which man gives himself to Christ that "He may use him as an instrument of salvation. ... If the mystery of this 'exchange' is not perceived, it is not possible to understand how it can be that a young man, hearing the words 'follow me!', may come to renounce everything for Christ in the certainty that, along this path, his human personality will be fully realized."

"Thus it becomes clear," he continued, "why the first and principal commitment for vocations can be none other than prayer. ... Prayer for vocations is not and cannot be the fruit of resignation," as if it were the only possible response after having "already done everything possible with meager results."

The Holy Father indicated that prayer for vocations is a task "for the entire Christian community" and must form a part of pastoral care. Consequently, "Christian families have a great and irreplaceable mission and responsibility. ... In the same way, catechesis and all the pastoral care of Christian initiation must comprehend a first vocational element. ... Finally, each parish and Christian community ... must feel a shared responsibility in proposing and accompanying vocations."

He added that vocational pastoral care "is entrusted in the first place to our prayer, our ministry and our personal testimony." For this reason, he explained, for a vocation to be born there must be the personal contact, friendship and spiritual guidance of a priest.

"If boys and young men see priests busy with too many cares, open to discouragement, ready to complain and careless in prayer and the tasks of their ministry, how can they be fascinated by the path of the priestly life? Yet, if they see in us joy at being ministers of Christ, generosity in the service of the Church, and readiness to assume the burden of the human and spiritual growth of the people entrusted to our care, they will be inspired to ask themselves if this is not, for them too, 'the better portion'."

AC;PRIESTLY VOCATION;...;...;VIS;20020214;Word: 580;

CONVERSION OF HEART, THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF LENT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2002 (VIS) - In the evening of yesterday, Ash Wednesday, in the Basilica of St. Sabina, the Pope presided at the Liturgy of the Word and, following his homily, blessed and imposed the ashes on a number of faithful. The Eucharistic liturgy was presided by Cardinal Jozef Tomko, who holds the title of St. Sabina.

In the homily, the Pope commented on the words of the prophet Joel, taken from today's liturgy. They, he said, indicate that "conversion of heart" is "the fundamental aspect of this special time of grace which we are now preparing to experience" and prompt an awareness that "the Lord is merciful and each individual is a child of His, loved and called to conversion."

John Paul II affirmed that the passage from Joel reminds us "that spiritual commitment must be translated into solid choices and actions, that authentic conversion must not be reduced to exterior forms or vague intentions, but calls for involvement and the transformation of all existence."

"We must all ask forgiveness of the Lord. ... We too, like the contemporaries of the prophet, have images of suffering and enormous tragedies - often the result of irresponsible egoism - before our eyes and impressed upon our souls. We too feel the weight of the confusion of so many men and women who are faced by the pain of innocent people and by the contradictions of modern humanity. We need the Lord's help in order to recover faith and the joy of life. We must return to Him, who today opens for us the door of His heart, so full of goodness and mercy."

HML;ASH WEDNESDAY;...;TOMKO;VIS;20020214;Word: 280;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome, accompanied by Bishop Enzo Dieci, auxiliary of Rome for the northern pastoral sector; Fr. Romano Esposito, pastor of the parish of St. Henry, and two parish assistants.

AP;...;...;... ;VIS;20020214;Word: 50;

THE CATACOMBS: CORNERSTONE OF PIETY AND UNITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 13, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a message to Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, president of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archeology, for the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first project undertaken by that organization. The commission was instituted by Pope Pius IX in order to extend the collection and study of Christian antiquities, with particular attention to the catacombs. The message is dated February 12.

"The catacombs," writes the Holy Father, "have represented, for believers in all ages, a cornerstone of piety and unity. There, eloquent testimony of the Church's sanctity, - serving to recall the communion that unites the living to the dead, ... time to eternity - is contained and venerated. In these holy places, the glorious coming of Christ is awaited by those marked with the seal of Baptism; those who, not infrequently, rendered the Gospel the ultimate witness of the effusion of their blood."

He continues: "Furthermore, I wish to recall that the commission over which you so worthily preside does not solely occupy itself with conserving the 'traces of the people of God.' It also seeks to gather and spread the religious and cultural message that such traces evoke. The contribution of those who work with you ... enables the Church to have an ever-deeper knowledge of the heritage left by the first Christian generations. The message that this heritage constantly and silently proclaims also helps Christians to remain faithful to the 'depositum fidei,' received as a precious treasure to be conserved with care."

MESS;ANNIVERSARY;...;SACRED ARCHEOLOGY;VIS;20020213;Word: 260;

LENT BEGINS. A TIME FOR CONVERSION AND PENITENCE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 13, 2002 (VIS) - In the general audience of today, Ash Wednesday, the Pope affirmed: "Together with the entire Church, we begin a 40-day journey in preparation for Easter, with the austere symbol of the imposition of the ashes and accompanied by Christ's exhortation: 'repent, and believe in the Gospel'."

He went on: "All human beings are thus confronted with their condition as sinners and with their need for penitence and conversion. The Christian faith reminds us that this pressing call to reject evil and do good is a gift of God, from Whom comes all that is good in the life of man. Everything has its origin in the gratuitous initiative of God, Who created us for joy and orients all things towards true goodness."

The Holy Father indicated that the message for Lent this year focuses on "the gratuitousness of God's initiative in our lives. ... The path of conversion down which we faithfully start today, is fully part of this original context of love and gratuitousness. Are not the giving of alms and the charitable gestures which we are especially called to make in this time of penitence, a response to the gratuitousness of divine grace?"

"Modern society has a profound need to rediscover the value of gratuitousness, especially because a logic exclusively motivated by the search for profit and gain at any cost often seems to triumph in our world. In the face of the widespread feeling that all choices and actions are dominated by the logic of market forces and the law of greatest-possible income, the Christian faith re-proposes the ideal of gratuitousness, based on people's conscious freedom and animated by authentic love."

AG;LENT;...;...;VIS;20020213;Word: 290;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Silvano Tomasi C.S., apostolic nuncio in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and apostolic delegate in Djibouti.
- Two prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Jorge Ruben Lugones S.J., of San Ramon de la Nueva Oran. - Bishop Jose Maria Rossi O.P., of Concepcion.
- Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

AP; AL;...;...;...;VIS;20020212;Word: 80;

LONGING FOR SANCTITY: BLESSED JOHN XXIII'S DAILY CONCERN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2002 (VIS) - This evening, in accordance with annual custom, the Holy Father visited Rome's major seminary - which presently has 165 students - for the occasion of the feast of the patroness, Our Lady of Trust.

After listening to a piece of music inspired by the figure of Blessed John XXIII, who was also a student at the seminary, the Pope sought to underline "the yearning after sanctity which became a daily concern in (Blessed John XXIII's) life. His optimism remained firm even in the face of real problems and difficulties. Strong in his faith, he invited others to realize that what unites the Lord's disciples - and, in general, all men and women - is far greater than that which actually divides them. With this spirit he favored the ecumenical journey, which has attained no small results although much remains to be done."

John Paul II told the seminarians that the publication, on December 20, 2001, of the decree of the heroic virtues of the former student of the seminary, Bruno Marchesini, was a reason for them to be joyful. "May the Spirit that inspired the young Marchesini," he said, "also lead you along the path of the heroism of faith, that you may ready yourselves to carry the Gospel wherever Providence may guide you, if necessary to the very ends of the earth."

After highlighting that sanctity is "the first part of any missionary endeavor," he concluded: "Advance without pause towards this arduous and majestic peak, treasuring the grace that is dispensed to you every day and attempting to translate it into a fervor of good intentions and courageous actions. This is the duty of all ecclesial communities and must be the principal occupation of all believers."

AC;...;...;MAJOR SEMINARY ROME;VIS;20020212;Word: 300;

GUARANTEE FAMILIES ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received in audience members of the "Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice" Foundation who, with their "activities in the economic and social spheres, represent a valid form of the lay apostolate."

"Your activity," said the Holy Father, "is particularly relevant because it aims to give special attention to the family and to the evaluation of its role, so indispensable in society. A contented and industrious family becomes a forge for building peace. ... Therefore, it is necessary to pray and work ceaselessly in order that the family become a protagonist in creating a constructive path of peace, both within and around itself"

John Paul II stressed that "in the world today there exists a great desire for truth, justice and harmony. I was able to experience this two weeks ago at Assisi" with representatives of world religions. Nonetheless, he added, "love must be promoted in society, and to do this we must start from the primordial cell of humanity which is the family. ... It is, consequently, important that family units be guaranteed, among other things, adequate economic, social, educational and cultural security in order for them to be able to carry out the tasks that it is their primary duty to fulfil."

After referring to the principle of subsidiarity, upon which the foundation is presently reflecting, the Pope said: "Applying this principle to the family's relationship with the State, the first thing that emerges is the urgent need to use all possible instruments in order to safeguard the promotion of those values that enrich the family, sanctuary of life and environment in which tomorrow's citizens are born and develop."

AC;...;...;CENTESIMUS ANNUS;VIS;20020212;Word: 290;

PRESENTATION OF PONTIFICAL YEARBOOK 2002

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano presented the 2002 "Annuario Pontificio," or pontifical yearbook, to the Holy Father in the presence of Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs, and of the officials responsible for compiling and printing the volume.

A communique regarding the presentation highlights some of the salient facts contained in the new yearbook. In 2001, six new episcopal sees were created as well as one apostolic exarchate and two apostolic prefectures. Furthermore, two metropolitan sees and two episcopal sees were elevated.

In a world population of 6,047 million, Catholics represent 1,050 million, 49.4 percent of whom are concentrated in the Americas. The communique indicates that over the last year, 161 bishops have been appointed, bringing their total number to 4.541. There are 405,178 priests (of whom 265,781 are diocesan); 27,824 permanent deacons; 55,057 non-ordained male religious; 801,185 female religious; 30,687 members of secular institutes; 126,365 lay missionaries and 2,641,888 catechists.

Between 1978 and 2000, the number of students of philosophy and theology in diocesan and religious seminaries passed from 63,882 to 110,583. The biggest growth was in Africa where the number of seminarians increased threefold. Asia saw a growth of 125 percent, followed by the Americas with 65 percent and Europe with 12 percent.

AP;PONTIFICAL YEARBOOK 2002;...;SODANO;VIS;20020212;Word: 200;

WE MUST BOW BEFORE THOSE WHO SUFFER TO EASE THEIR BURDEN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 11, 2002 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 4:30 p.m. today, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar general for the diocese of Rome, celebrated Mass for the sick and for pilgrims from UNITALSI and the "Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi," for the occasion of the Tenth World Day of the Sick.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, John Paul II arrived in the basilica to bless the sick and address some words to those present:

After recalling that the theme of this year's World Day of the Sick is taken from Jesus' words, "that they may have life, and have it abundantly," the Holy Father said: "These words represent an invitation to adopt a clear stance in favor of life and a sincere commitment to its defence, from conception to natural end. Human life is a gift of God and should always be lived as such, even in the most critical situations. On this matter we have the extremely eloquent testimony of no small number of people, some of them present this evening, who, though confined to a bed of pain for many years, are full of serenity because they know how precious the contribution of their suffering and their prayer is for the Church."

"It is just to fight against illness, because health is a gift of God. At the same time, it is important to know how to read God's design when suffering knocks at the door of our lives. For we believers, the key to understanding this mystery is the Cross of Christ. ... Only when our pains are united to His do they acquire full meaning and value. Illuminated by faith, they become a source of hope and salvation."

The Pope affirmed that today's Day of the Sick reminds us that "alongside each person who suffers, there must be a brother or sister inspired by charity." Like the Good Samaritan, "we must stop, bend over the prostrate and injured man and ease his burden and difficulties."

The Holy Father expressed his joy at the upcoming pilgrimage of Italian "disabled people" and "builders of peace" to the Holy Land, the places that "today are stricken by so much violence and bathed, alas, in so much blood." This pilgrimage, he added, "represents an eloquent gesture of solidarity between handicapped persons and, at the same time, it is a message of hope for everyone. It is my heartfelt wish that this fine initiative may contribute to making solidarity and peace prevail in that Land, presently marked by hatred and war."

AC;WORLD DAY SICK;...;RUINI;VIS;20020212;Word: 440;

SUFFERING FORMS PART OF CHRIST'S SALVIFIC MYSTERY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 10, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican's apostolic palace in order to pray the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

John Paul II recalled that tomorrow, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is the Tenth World Day of the Sick. This year the celebrations will be held Vailankanny in southern India, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Health known as the "Lourdes of the East."

"'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' These words of Jesus which we may read in the Gospel of John," said the Holy Father, "constitute the theme of the World Day of the Sick this year. They recall the basic prospect of the Christian faith which, even in the experience of sickness and death, is always open to life. ... This prospect gives meaning to the commitment of those who, in many ways, lovingly concern themselves with the sick and suffering: doctors, nurses, researchers, chemists, voluntary workers. To all these servants of life, many of whom are consecrated persons, I would like to express my most cordial appreciation."

The Pope gave an assurance of his spiritual closeness to all the sick of the world and recalled that "human suffering was assumed by Christ and is an integral part of His mystery of salvation: 'salvificus dolor.' Uniting themselves with faith and love to Christ's passion, those who suffer participate in His victorious struggle against evil and death, as the testimony of saints shows."

ANG;WORLD DAY SICK;...;...;VIS;20020212;Word: 270;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop John Ribat M.S.C., auxiliary of Bereina (area 19,146, population 80,000, Catholics 64,536, priests 18, permanent deacons 1, religious 45), Papua New Guinea, as bishop of the same diocese. He succeeds Bishop Gerard-Joseph Deschamps S.M.M., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Bishop Daniel Robert Jenky C.S.C., auxiliary of Fort Wayne-South Bend, U.S.A., as bishop of Peoria (area 43,840, population 1,447,418, Catholics 240,680, priests 264, permanent deacons 94, religious 348), U.S.A.

- Appointed Fr. Janusz Kowal S.J., professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, as "referendario" (consultor) of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

On Monday, February 11, it was made public that he:

- Elevated the apostolic administrations of the Russian Federation to the rank of dioceses with a view to facilitating their pastoral activities. Thus he created a regular ecclesiastical province with the dioceses of: St. Clement at Saratov, the Transfiguration at Novosibirsk and St. Joseph at Irkutsk, as suffragans of the metropolitan see of the archdiocese of the Mother of God at Moscow.

- Appointed Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, apostolic administrator of Northern European Russia, as metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of the Mother of God at Moscow.

- Appointed Bishop Clemens Pickel, apostolic administrator of Southern European Russia, as bishop of the diocese St. Clement at Saratov.

- Appointed Bishop Joseph Werth S.J., apostolic administrator of Western Siberia, as bishop of the diocese of the Transfiguration at Novosibirsk.

- Appointed Bishop Jerzy Mazur S.V.D., apostolic administrator of Eastern Siberia, as bishop of the diocese of St. Joseph at Irkutsk.

ECE; NER;...;...;...;VIS;20020212;Word: 280;

ARGENTINA: REMAIN HOPEFUL IN FACE OF PRESENT SITUATION

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope today invited prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina to continue to render, "to your faithful and to all people, the wonderful service of maintaining the true hope that is the Risen Christ, at such a critical moment both at an international level and in the particular situation" of this beloved nation.

"At this time," said the Holy Father to the bishops who have just completed their "ad limina" visit, "your country is passing through a profound social and economic crisis that affects all of society and, furthermore, that endangers democratic stability and the solidity of public institutions, with consequences that go beyond the nation's frontiers. ... These current concerns should lead to a serious examination of conscience on the responsibilities of each and every individual, as well as on the tragic consequences of unsupportive egoism, of the corruption that so many condemn and of short-sightedness and poor administration in handling the nation's wealth."

John Paul II highlighted: "At this moment, appropriate technical measures are most certainly required to raise the economy and ensure that no Argentinian lacks the resources necessary to develop as an individual and as a citizen." He encouraged the Church to foment "a national dialogue between leaders, so that each may actively cooperate in overcoming the crisis. Dialogue excludes the various expressions of violence, such as killing and looting, and helps to build a more human future with everyone's collaboration, thus avoiding a radical impoverishment of society."

The social situation, he went on, "does not improve only by the application of technical measures, but also and above all by promoting reforms with a human and moral base, reforms that give ethical consideration to the individual, the family and society."

In the face of the danger of division and of hatred and rancor, the Pope invited the Bishops to accompany the people "as ministers of reconciliation" so that, "overcoming present difficulties, they advance along the paths of harmony and sincere love among all people, without exception. You well know that the future of the country must be based on peace which is the fruit of justice."

AL;...;...;ARGENTINA;VIS;20020212;Word: 370;

DECLARATION ON NEW DIOCESES OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION

VATICAN CITY, FEB 11, 2002 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today made the following declaration regarding the Holy See's elevation to the rank of diocese of the four apostolic administrations of the Russian Federation and the creation of a single ecclesiastical province:

"The measure just taken normalizes the position of the Catholic Church in Russia in accordance with canonical regulations. It is a standard administrative procedure, recommended by the need to improve pastoral assistance to the Catholics present in that vast region, as they themselves have insistently requested.

"Apostolic administrations are, by their nature, extraordinary and provisional structures, motivated by special circumstances and naturally destined to become dioceses. With today's decision, the Holy See has done nothing more than render the organization of Catholic communities in Russia equal to that in other parts of the world, as stipulated by Canon Law.

"Indeed, the elevation was motivated by the same pastoral concern that has led the Russian Orthodox Church to create dioceses and other organizational structures for the faithful who live outside her own traditional territory (in Europe for example, the Russian Orthodox Church has dioceses in Vienna, Berlin, Brussels etc.). Catholics in Russia are being acknowledged the same organization and pastoral care that Russian Orthodox enjoy in the West.

"The Catholic Church hopes, thanks also to this reorganization, to be able to improve dialogue and collaboration with the Russian Orthodox Church, for which her support has never been lacking, also through various Catholic organizations (for example, 'Kirche in Not' has donated more than 17 million dollars to the Russian Orthodox Church over the last ten years).

"The government of the Russian Federation has not raised any problems in this matter; indeed, as a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), it signed the Vienna Document of which article 16, para. 4 reads: 'participating States will respect the right of religious communities to organize themselves according to their own hierarchical and institutional structures'."

OP;ELEVATION DIOCESES;...;RUSSIA;VIS;20020212;Word: 340;