SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH: RESPONSE TO GREAT CHALLENGES

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope received at midday today in the Paul VI Hall 8,000 members of the Christian Associations of Italian Workers (ACLI) on the occasion of the organizational and planning conference that they are holding.

John Paul II reminded the leaders and members of ACLI that, in the face of "fast changes in society," they wanted to renew their commitment to "evangelize work and social life." He added that they were called to be "the 'worker bees' of the Church's social doctrine, the main road to respond to the great challenges of the contemporary age. Study social doctrine, spread it" and make proposals in which the human person is the center.

Speaking about the family, the Holy Father underlined that "what is needed are social policies on a family scale, policies of formation and work oriented toward balancing work time and time for taking care of the family. The decision to invest in dialogue among generations, forming and valuing young people, capable of giving flavor to and illuminating our society as salt of the earth and light of the world, is very important."

"Today," he continued, "you are called to extend the confines of your social action, in relation to new phenomena of immigration and globalization. ... The close link between the local and global dimension requires, in particular in more favored countries, more demanding ways of responsibility toward developing countries."

The Pope concluded by emphasizing that "this is the time for lay faithful who know how to recognize in the social reality and in work the hopes and distress of the people of our time, laity capable of bearing witness to 'values of the kingdom' with their lives, even when it may mean going against the current with respect to the logic of the world."

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POPE ASKS FOR "UNINTERRUPTED PRAYER" FOR PEACE IN HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2002 (VIS) - Before reciting the Regina Coeli with the faithful who had come to St. Peter's Square for this noon prayer, Pope John Paul asked for a "chorus of uninterrupted prayer" for peace in the Holy Land.

"This Wednesday," he said, "starts the month of May, which is consecrated to Mary. Popular piety over the centuries has made this month a stupendous occasion to multiply initiatives of Marian devotion. Dearest brothers and sisters, we intensely live these days dedicated to the heavenly Mother of Our Lord. Let us recite, each day if possible, the holy rosary, either alone or in community. The rosary is a simple prayer, but profound and efficacious, for imploring graces in favor of families, communities and the entire world."

The Holy Father went on to say that "in the face of the international situation, where so many problems and needs emerge, and in particular in the light of the drama in the Holy Land that knows no end, we must turn with trust to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin. We are certain that she can sustain the efforts of those who seek peace with sincerity and commitment. No one more than she, Queen of Peace, constantly watches over this difficult path of mankind."

"During the month of May," the Pope concluded, "may there be raised from every corner of the earth an uninterrupted chorus of prayer to heaven so that the initiatives of distension and dialogue in the Land of Christ and in every other place on the planet marked by violence and pain, will be affirmed."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Anthony Meagher, auxiliary of Toronto, Canada, as metropolitan archbishop of Kingston (area 15,600, population 315,000, Catholics 102,650, priests 74, permanent deacons 11, religious 189), Canada. The archbishop-elect was born in Oshawa, Canada in 1940, was ordained a priest in 1972 and a bishop in 1997. The Pope accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese presented by Archbishop Francis John Spence, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher, auxiliary of Sault Sainte Marie, Canada, as bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall (area 1,290, population 87,388, Catholics 56,050, priests 43, permanent deacons 18, religious 78), Canada. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Eugene Philippe LaRocque, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B., superior general of the Congregation of Priests of St. Basil, as bishop of London (area 21,349, population 1,421,916, Catholics 455,013, priests 281, religious 521), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in Sudbury, Canada in 1950 and was ordained a priest in 1980. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop John Michael Sherlock, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Richard Smith, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Halifax, Canada and vicar general of the same archdiocese, as bishop of Pembroke (area 20,000, population 131,812, Catholics 65,896, priests 75, permanent deacons 7, religious 180), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in Halifax, Canada in 1959 and was ordained a priest in 1987.

- Appointed Bishop Richard Grecco, auxiliary of London, Canada, as auxiliary of Toronto, Canada.

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HOLY SEE ADDRESSES SEMINAR ON JUDICIAL SYSTEMS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 2002 (VIS) - A Seminar sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe was held April 23-25 in Warsaw, Poland on the topic "Judicial Systems and Human Rights." Msgr. Ettore Balestrero represented the Holy See at this meeting and addressed the assembly on April 23. That speech was published today.

In opening remarks he noted that "judicial systems constitute a progressive conquest of civilization and of respect for human dignity. Therefore, they contribute to the cultural heritage of humanity and they have always been part of the cultural heritage of the Church." He went on to say that "the success of the rule of law cannot be separated from the recognition of and from respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, which no human institution can alter or eliminate. The defense and promotion of democracy therefore requires respect for human rights."
Msgr. Balestrero observed that "no single human right is safe if we do not commit ourselves to respect all human rights." He said that endangering or violating one right by claiming to protect others, is in fact, endangering all rights. He also stated that what counts in any juridical system is "justice, and beyond that, the human being."

"As far as access to justice is concerned," he said, "the Holy See underlines the need to avoid: abuses fueled by the desire to create scandals instead of seeking restoration of a denied right or compensation for a harm inflicted; high costs that make it more difficult for the poor to have access to justice." He stated the Holy See's conviction of the need for "the independence of judges and the impartial operation of the public judicial service."

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CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORLD OF SEAFARERS

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning welcomed the participants in the 15th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, who are meeting this year on the theme of the world of the sea and seafaring people.

In his talk, the Pope remarked that "this is a rather diversified social milieux where, even though there are numerous challenges, there is no lack of opportunity for evangelization. The increase of human mobility and the process of globalization have notably influenced the flow of migrants and tourists and the activity of seafaring people."

He spoke of the advantages and disadvantages of the phenomenon of globalization, noting that among the latter are "painful separations and complex and difficult situations. I am thinking for example, of seafaring people obliged to spend long periods away from their families, with stressful work rhythms. ... Nor can we forget those singular tourism offers of 'artificial paradises', where, for merely commercial reasons, populations and local cultures are exploited."

The Holy Father underscored the importance "of giving spiritual support to all those who make up the great family of seafarers. ... If there is the support of qualified pastoral agents, tourists can appreciate even more their vacations and cruises, because these will not just be solely pleasure trips." The Pope also stressed that "in every situation, it will be necessary to assure more just work conditions, conditions that respect individual and family needs. ... Adequate opportunities of cultivating one's own faith and religious practice must be proposed. That calls for imposing a pastoral ministry that is attentive to all the diverse conditions."

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ANGOLA: PUT INTO PRACTICE THE AGREEMENTS FOR TRUE PEACE

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II received today the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of Angola, Armindo Fernandes do Espirito Santo Vieira, to whom he expressed his joy that the country "has renewed the way for national harmony" after four decades of civil war.

After asking God to help "to put into practice the agreements which have been reached, thus obtaining a solution to the national problems," he said: "I express my most fervent desire that, thanks to the lively sense of solidarity and community life that are profound values of African culture, the obstacles and resistance in the search for the common good may be overcome rapidly and that a collective, unified and peaceful life may be established, in which all animosities are forgotten, the convictions of each person are respected and understanding is affirmed among all the different socio-political components, utilizing differences wisely for the common enrichment."

The Pope went on to say: "For that reason, it is important that leaders in public life do everything possible to promote building a better future for all their fellow countrymen, and in a special way for the disadvantaged."

The Holy Father recalled that the ambassador had expressed in his speech the hope that the Church would commit herself "in this phase of the implementation of a definitive peace and reconciliation among all Angolans." The Pope assured him that the Church, "with her educational institutions, will help to free people from the serious form of misery, which is the lack of cultural and religious formation. Through the Church's work in the field of health care, she wants to promote respect for human life and testimony to God's concern for the suffering."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in audience five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Kevin J. Aje of Sokoto.
- Bishop Victor Adibe Chikwe of Abiara.
- Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Umuahia.
- Bishop Ayo-Maria Atoyebi of Ilorin.
- Bishop Joseph Sunday Ajomo of Lokocja.

On Saturday April 27, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos.
- Bishop Patrick Francis Sheehan of Kano.
- Bishop Ephraim Silas Obot of Idah.
- Bishop Christopher Shaman Abba of Yola.
- Bishop Gregory O. Ochiaga of Orlu.
- Bishop Anthony Ekezia Ilonu of Okigwe.
- Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kisangani, Congo, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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