OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 15, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Adolfo Gonzalez Montes, of Avila, Spain as bishop of Almeria (area 8,774, population 512,843, Catholics 482,843, priests 168, religious 472), Spain. He also accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Rosendo Alvarez Gaston, upon having reached the age limit.

On Saturday April 13, it was made public that the Holy Father appointed Bishop Karl Josef Romer, auxiliary of Sao Sebastiao de Janeiro, Brazil, as secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

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U.S. CARDINALS TO MEET IN VATICAN APRIL 23-24

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 2002 (VIS) - The following communique was released early this afternoon:

"A work meeting will take place in the Vatican on April 23 and 24 with participants including the cardinals of the United States of America and the prefects of the Congregations for Clergy, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

"The purpose of this meeting: an examination of the problems that have arisen in the Church in the United States following the scandals connected with pedophilia, and an indication of guidelines aimed at restoring security and serenity to families and confidence to the clergy and the faithful."

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DISRESPECT FOR HOLY SITES VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL NORMS

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 2002 (VIS) - Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Holy See permanent observer to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva, addressed the 58th session of the Human Rights Commission on April 12 on the occasion of a debate on religious freedom. The commission has been meeting in Geneva since March 18.

The nuncio, in his speech published today, expressed the Holy See's thoughts on two questions concerning religious freedom within democratic societies. First, he noted that "respect for religious freedom means, today, welcoming the contribution of religious believers as vital for the construction of a lasting peace."

Secondly, he remarked on "the question of religious minorities, especially where a particular religious tradition is dominant. ... The position of the Holy See regarding such situations was set out by Vatican Council II which affirms: ... 'If because of the circumstances of a particular people, special civil recognition is given to one religious community in the constitutional organization of a State, the right of all citizens and religious communities to religious freedom must be recognized and respected as well'."

Archbishop Martin then turned to a "question of particular interest today: respect of places of worship amd holy sites in times of conflict." He affirmed that "the Holy Sites in Jerusalem and the Holy Land have a special significance for the three monotheistic traditions - indeed for the whole of humanity. Disrespect for or misuse of these sites constitutes a violation of international norms - as well as bilateral agreements."
In concluding remarks, he stated: "Any long-term solution to the crisis in the Middle East must indeed address the question of respect for and unrestricted access to the religious sites, sacred to each tradition. This is also a dimension of religious freedom. It is a precondition for fostering a climate of dialogue between religions in the Middle East in the service of peace."

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JOHN PAUL II PHONES FRIARS IN CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 2002 (VIS) - During his visit yesterday afternoon with Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem, Pope John Paul telephoned the Franciscan friars at the basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, expressing his solidarity with them and thanking them for their "Christian witness."

The custos of the basilica, Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, received a phone call from Patriarch Sabbah, who told him the Pope was by his side and wished to speak to him, with a message for all the friars. Scores of Franciscans have been in this church since it was occupied by an estimated 200 Palestinians in early April and under siege since by Israeli troops.

The news of the phone call was confirmed last evening by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in a brief statement: "The Holy Father, early yesterday afternoon, telephoned the Franciscan friars in the basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Speaking with Fr. Ibrahim, the Pope thanked them for their Christian witness and sent them his apostolic blessing in these moments of special difficulty."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Mainz, Germany, presented by Bishop Franziskus Eisenbach, in accordance with Canons 411 and 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 16, 2002 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in audience eight prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Brian David Usanga of Calabar.
- Archbishop Felix Alaba Adeosin Job of Ibadan.
- Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu of Benin City.
- Archbishop Anthony Olubunmi Okogie of Lagos.
- Archbishop Albert Kanene Obiefuna of Onitsha accompanied by his coadjutor Bishop Valerian Okeke.
- Bishop Alexius Obabu Makozi of Port-Harcourt.
- Bishop Joseph Edra Ukpo of Ogoja.

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