AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Da Lat.
- Bishop Paul-Marie Cao Dinh Thuyen of Vinh.
- Bishop Joseph Nguyen Tich Duc of Ban Me Thuot.
- Ignacio Quintana, ambassador of Bolivia, on a farewell visit.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN ASSISI

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls informed journalists concerning the order of events for the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World which is due to be held in Assisi, Italy, on January 24.

On the night of January 23 a prayer vigil for peace will be held, organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference. On the same day, in the Vatican's Synod Hall, there will be a meeting of representatives of non-Christian religions.

Navarro-Valls said that the Pope will travel by train, departing from the Vatican City railway station at 8:30 a.m. accompanied by the representatives who will participate in the Day of Prayer. There are to be no stops on the journey, which is due to last two hours.

The representatives from the various religions will come together in two of the three planned ceremonies. At 11 a.m., testimonials in favor of peace will be delivered in the Lower Square of St. Francis. At 12:30 p.m. the groups will divide to various locations in order to pray for peace; the Christians, led by the Pope, will gather in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis. During the final ceremony, in the Lower Square of St. Francis at 3:30 p.m., there will be readings in ten different languages, expressing the common commitment to peace. In a symbolic gesture, the Pope will then light a candle which will be placed in the basilica.

Prior to returning to the Vatican by train in the company of the other representatives, John Paul II will deliver a brief greeting to the nuns in the Basilica of St. Clare and to the Friars Minor in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.

Although the number of participants may yet grow, as of today representatives are expected from 12 Patriarchates and Orthodox Churches; from six Patriarchates and ancient Churches of the East; from 15 Churches, ecclesial communities, federations, alliances and world organizations of the West; from Judaism, Buddhism, Tenri-kyo, Shintoism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, traditional African Religions and Christianity, as well as various cardinals, archbishops and bishops. Also taking part will be representatives from episcopates of countries that are at war or racked by violence and terrorism - Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Colombia, Indonesia. Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Spain, Sri Lanka and Sudan - as well as civil authorities and a group of invited guests.

On January 25, the Pope will invite all the representatives who participated in the Assisi meeting to lunch in the Vatican.

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COLLABORATE IN DISSEMINATING DOCTRINAL DOCUMENTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which took place this week in the Vatican.

In his address the Pope made reference to some of the themes that were considered during the meeting. On the subject of the doctrinal documents published by the congregation, he highlighted the problem "of assimilating their contents and of collaborating in disseminating them and in applying the practical consequences that arise therefrom. This affects all the dicasteries of the Roman Curia."

As to the problem of transmitting fundamental truths to all the faithful, "the question is more difficult and calls for attention and profound consideration. To what extent do the communications media have a bearing upon this difficulty of reception? ... Or, again, how much depends upon the difficulty in accepting the strict criteria of evangelical language, language that has, nonetheless, the power to liberate?" In order to reply to these questions, he added, it is important that we listen to one another and that there be a greater involvement of episcopal conferences, of individual bishops and of all those who announce the Gospel. "Finally, there is also a problem of style, of coherence in life."

The Holy Father went on to discuss the question of the loss of relevance of natural law. "Here," he said, "we are confronted by a doctrine that belongs to the great heritage of human knowledge, purified and brought to fullness in the light of Revelation." Natural law "also allows for a broad base of dialogue with people who have different orientations and backgrounds, with a view to seeking the common good. At such an anxious moment for the destiny of so many nations, communities and individuals, ... I can only be happy at studies undertaken with the aim of rediscovering the value of such a doctrine, in view also of the challenges that await Christian legislators in their duty to defend man's dignity and rights."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Dominic Lumon, vicar general of Imphal (area 22,356, population 2,231,000, Catholics 70,000, priests 94, religious 201), India, as coadjutor archbishop of the same archdiocese. The archbishop-elect was born in Mongsang Pangtha, India, in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1977.

- Bishop Salvatore Fisichella, auxiliary of Rome, as rector of the Pontifical Lateran University and president of the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

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