PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR CULTURE CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 14, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Holy Father addressed to Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council of Culture, on the 20th anniversary of the creation of this dicastery.

"From the beginning of my pontificate," writes the Pope in the message dated May 13, "I have taken advantage of every opportunity to underline the importance of dialogue between the Church and cultures. ... I would like to thank this pontifical council, that I created on May 20, 1982, for the help it has offered me in this field, so important for the missionary activity of the Church."

John Paul II encourages the members of the dicastery to "continue the path that has been undertaken so that the voice of the Holy See reaches the diverse areopaghi of modern culture, maintaining useful contacts with experts in art and science, in humanities and philosophy."

"In the ecclesiastical and intercultural gatherings of science, culture, education," he concludes, "may you constantly strive to give testimony to the Church's interest in fruitful dialogue of the Gospel of Christ with cultures and an active participation of Catholics in building a society that is ever-more respectful of the human person, who is created in the image of God."

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