OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 5, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Paul Patrick Chomnycky O.S.B.M., superior of the Monastery of St. Basil in Edmonton, Canada, as apostolic exarch for the Ukrainian faithful of the Byzantine rite resident in Great Britain (Catholics 15,000, priests 15, religious 7). The apostolic exarch-elect was born in Van Couver, British Columbia, in 1954 and ordained a priest 1988. The Holy Father also accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same apostolic exarchate presented by Bishop Michael Kuchmiak in accordance with canon 210, para. 1 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.

- Appointed Fr. David Motiuk as auxiliary bishop of the archieparchy of the Ukrainian faithful of Winnipeg (Catholics 13,500, priests 43, permanent deacons 19, religious 45), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in Vegreville, Canada, in 1954 and was ordained a priest in 1988.

- Appointed Fr. Roberto Octavio Balmori Cinta as bishop of Cuidad Valles (area 11,527, population 964,500, Catholics 859,500, priests 64, religious 128), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, in 1943 and was ordained a priest in 1970.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 5, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Joachim Meisner, bishop of Cologne, Germany.

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FRANCISCANS CALL FOR END TO ARMED CONFLICT IN HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, APR 5, 2002 (VIS) - Today in Rome in the generalate of the Franciscan Order, Fr. Giacomo Bini, superior general, presided at a press conference concerning recent events in the Holy Land and specifically in Bethlehem.

In a statement, he noted that "eight centuries ago, Francis of Assisi went, unarmed, to meet the Sultan of Egypt, ... between two armed forces, to build peace. Today 40 friars minor and four Franciscan sisters, without wishing it, are in the same situation. They are living in their house with the doors broken down and smashed, and surrounded by two armed groups, 200 Palestinians inside the convent and numerous Israeli tanks outside. We are on the spot between the two camps, seeking to dialogue with everyone to avoid a tragic end."

Fr. Bini said that the Franciscans have been custodians of the Holy Places for eight centuries and will continue to care for them as they are "signs and symbols of faith and piety that belong to all of mankind. ... Our brothers are psychologically and physically tired; they are without food because in these days they shared everything they had with the 200 'occupiers'. Notwithstanding everything, they will not abandon the site."

Fr. Bini said that all Franciscans wish to tell the sides involved in the conflict: "Whoever has suffered - in the near or distant past - does not have the right to make others suffer. In this way there will never be a solution to the violence. ... It is with pardon that relations, communion and peace are built! We shout to everyone: Put down your arms!"

He said all Franciscans "are ready today to act as mediators, as they are already doing, because we have nothing to lose and no interest to defend, if not that of peace which is everyone's right!"

He asked heads of state "to return to reason more than force," men of good will "to collaborate with our brothers and sisters ... in Bethlehem: speak, shout out, do your part to build peace," and journalists "don't leave us alone. ... You have a great role, a great responsibility, you can become builders of peace."

Fr. Bini closed by inviting "all friars Minor of the World, contemplative Franciscans and all lay Franciscans to add a time of personal prayer each day for peace" to the April 7 Day of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East declared by Pope John Paul II for Sunday, April 7, Divine Mercy Sunday.

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