CHURCH OF ISCHIA: BE DOCILE AND OBEDIENT TO THE WORD OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2002 (VIS) - Today at 9 a.m. the Pope travelled by helicopter from Vatican City to the Island of Ischia, thus beginning his 141st pastoral visit within Italy. Upon landing at a heliport specially prepared for the occasion, he was welcomed by the local civil and religious authorities. He then travelled by car to Aragon Square in the town of Ischia-Ponte where he celebrated Mass at 10:30 a.m.

In his homily, John Paul II addressed those present with "three important words" taken from today's biblical readings: The first was "listen!" Listening to the words of Philip "who speaks of Him with love and enthusiasm," said the Pope, "produces the immediate result of happiness. ... Christian community of Ischia, if you too want to experience this joy, keep listening to the word of God!"

The Holy Father then affirmed that the second word was "'welcome!' Your splendid island, which attracts so many visitors and tourists, well knows the value of welcome. Ischia can, then, become an exceptional workshop for that typical welcome that the disciples of Christ are called to extend to everyone, irrespective of their country or culture."

Referring to the third word, "love!" the Pope said: "'Listening' and 'welcoming' open the heart to love. ... When we experience the love of God, we are more disposed to follow Him Who loved His disciples 'to the end,' in other words, to the total giving of self. It is this love, today perhaps more than ever, that humanity needs, because only love is credible. It is the unshakable faith in this love that inspires the disciples of Jesus in all ages with thoughts of peace, opening horizons of forgiveness and harmony."

"Church of Ischia, be docile and obedient to the Word of God and you will be a laboratory of peace and authentic love. You will become an ever more welcoming Church where everyone feels at home. Those who come to visit will leave refreshed in body, but even more invigorated in spirit."

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HOLY FATHER WELCOMES CURSILLOS DE CRISTIANDAD

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope today welcomed 350 members of the Cursillos de Cristiandad movement and, in the opening remarks of his speech, noted that "the seed sown more than 50 years ago in Spain" has become so fruitful that "the Cursillos are present in more than 60 countries on all continents and in 800 dioceses."

He recalled that, in Jubilee Year encounters with the Cursillos and others belonging to ecclesial movements and new communities, he "recognized in these new ecclesial realities a providential answer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, for Christian formation and evangelization. However, I also exhorted (all) to grow in conscience and ecclesial identity."

"That invitation is still current and urgent," said the pope. "Within this commitment to reach an ever more solid ecclesial maturity is the request that the world body of the Cursillos has made to the competent office of the Roman Curia to obtain canonical recognition and approval of its Statutes."

"What does the kerygmatic announcement at the heart of your movement mean," John Paul asked, "if not 'to fix ones eyes on the face of Christ'? ... What does such a glance involve, if not entrusting oneself to 'the primacy of grace' in order to undertake a path of catechesis and prayer, of conversion and holiness of life? What fruits does it produce if not a firm sense of belonging to the Church and a renewed drive for evangelization in the spheres of life and daily activity?"

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POPE TO YOUTH: BE SALT AND LIGHT FOR ALL WHOM YOU MEET

VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2002 (VIS) - Following lunch with the bishops of the Campania region in the residence of the bishop of Ischia, Pope John Paul went to Forio for a 5 p.m. encounter with young people in a square adjacent to the church of Our Lady Help of Christians.

The Pope reminded the thousands of youth gathered in the square that "'You are the salt of the earth. ... You are the light of the world' ... is the theme of the next World Youth Day. Thus the divine Teacher spoke to His disciples 2,000 years ago on the shore of Lake Galilee, and will again address the thousands of young people who will be coming from all parts of the world this summer to Toronto."

"When there was no way to guarantee that food could be preserved for a long time," he explained, "salt had the function of not only giving flavor, but it was often indispensable for guaranteeing the very possibility of access to foods. Saying 'You are the salt of the earth', the Redeemer entrusted a double mission to His disciples: to give flavor to life, showing its meaning revealed in Him, and allowing all to have access to the nourishment that comes from on high.. ... Young people of Ischia, be the salt of the earth that gives flavor and beauty to life. ... Be the salt that allows the heavenly food to be given to everyone."

"Jesus' other message to his disciples was: 'You are the light of the world'. Light has the characteristic of dispelling darkness, of warming all it reaches, of exalting forms. All this is done with the greatest speed. Being the light of the world means for Christians, especially young Christians, spreading everywhere the light that comes from on high. It means fighting darkness, both that due to evil and sin and that caused by ignorance and prejudices. Young people of Ischia, be rays of the light of Christ. ... Spread this light to all milieux, especially where Jesus is not known and loved or is even refused. ... This message should be spread with the speed of light! Don't lose any time."

At the end of the meeting with young people, the Pope went by car to Casamicciola, and then departed for Rome by helicopter.

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POPE EXPRESSES WISH TO RETURN TO POMPEII SHRINE OF THE ROSARY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2002 (VIS) - Pope John Paul and the faithful from the diocese of Ischia who had joined him for Mass on Aragon Square in the town of Ischia-Ponte recited the Regina Coeli together following the Eucharistic Celebration. Before praying, however, the Pope reflected on Mary, to whom the month of May is dedicated, and remarked that this month is also traditionally dedicated to the Rosary.

"Speaking of the Rosary," he went on, "my thoughts go to the city of Pompeii, not far from here. It was there that Blessed Bartolo Longo wished to dedicate to the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary a shrine, one that has become the heart of the Campania region and known throughout the world. While flying through the skies of this beautiful region, I thought with devoted affection of that dear shrine where, please God, I hope to be able to return."

John Paul II then referred to the fact that "today our Eastern brothers, according to their calendar, celebrate the feast of Easter. We join them in their exultation for the Resurrection of Christ, praying to the Lord we have in common that very soon all Christians may experience the joy of full unity."

In closing remarks, the Holy Father said that "the very difficult situation in which many peoples of the world find themselves is always before me. I would like to present the Virgin Mary with the request for security and peace that arises unrelentingly from many sides and especially from the Holy Land. I invite you to pray to our Lady with me that she will grant those heartfelt invocations."

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TO SWISS GUARDS: LIVE YOUR MISSION FULLY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today in the Clementine Hall, the Pope received the officers and 28 new recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard accompanied by their families and friends. The new guards will take the oath this afternoon.

In his address in German, Italian and French, the Holy Father expressed his hope that, "despite the difficulties and inconveniences of the service, you will live this time of mission as an opportunity to deepen your faith and your link with the Church, and as an experience of friendship among yourselves. Look to one another for support in your daily work and for mutual enrichment."

"Dear recruits," he affirmed, "never forget to live the reliable service you give to the Holy See as 'soldiers of the Pope,' as a mission with which the Lord Himself entrusts you. Take advantage of the time you spend here in Rome, at the center of the Church, to grow in friendship with Christ and to march towards the goal of all true Christian life: holiness."

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STATISTICS FOR THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD 1978-2000

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2002 (VIS) - For the occasion of the upcoming publication of the Statistical Yearbook of the Church - prepared by the Church's Central Statistics Office and containing information relative to the year 2000 - a communique was made public today illustrating variations on all continents between 1978, the year in which John Paul II began his pontificate, and 2000.

The number of baptized increased worldwide by 38 percent, going from 757 million in 1978 to just over one billion, 17.3 percent of mankind, in 2000. Catholics represent 62.8 percent of the population in the Americas, 40 percent in Europe and 2.9 percent in Asia.

From 1978 to 2000, the number of bishops increased from 3,714 to 4,541, a growth of almost 22 percent. The distribution of bishops over different geographical areas has undergone almost no change since 1978: all of America has 37.3 percent of all bishops, followed by Europe with 33 percent, Asia with 13.8 percent, Africa with 13.2 percent and Oceania with 2.7 percent.

As regards priests, in the year 2000 they numbered 405,178 (265,781 diocesan and 139,397 religious), a decrease of 3.75 percent compared with 1978. This reflects a reduction of 12.4 percent in the diocesan clergy and an increase of 1.26 percent in the religious. In Europe, the decrease in numbers of diocesan priests is progressive, while the drop in religious clergy is slighter. On the other hand, in Africa, Asia, America and Oceania, numbers grew more or less consistently.

Permanent deacons are the group that underwent the greatest evolution over the period in question: Numbers increased fivefold on all continents. Between 1978 and 2000 their numbers went from 5,562 to 27,824, a relative increase of 400.25 percent.

Unordained religious numbered 75,802 in 1978 and 55,057 in 2000. Though numbers fell in Oceania, Europe and the Americas, they grew in Africa and Asia. As for female religious, there were almost a million in 1978 and 801,000 in 2000, representing a decline of 19 percent over 22 years.

Among catechists, lay missionaries and members of secular institutes, only the latter group saw a small drop between 1990 and 2000, whereas the others grew considerably.

Finally, the number of candidates to the priesthood grew worldwide from 64,000 in 1978 to 111,000 in 2000, with an uninterrupted upward trend over the entire period.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Francesco Buranelli, regent of the Pontifical Monuments, Museums and Galleries, as director general of the same body.

On Saturday, May 4, it was made public that he:

- Appointed Bishop Emilio Z. Marquez of Gumaca, Philippines, as coadjutor bishop of Lucena (area 2,334, population 867,639, Catholics 780,875, priests 77, religious 170), Philippines.

- Appointed as consultors at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Msgr. Brian Edwin Ferme, dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. Frs. Gianfranco Girotti O.F.M. Conv., regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary; Nicola Bux, professor of ecclesiology and ecumenism at the Ecumenical Theological Institute of Bari, Italy; Enrico Dal Covolo S.D.B., professor of patrology and ancient Christian literature at the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome; Klemens Stock S.J., secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission; Cyril Vasil S.J., dean of the Faculty of Eastern Canon Law of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome.

- Made the following provisions with regard to the Catholic Church of Latin Rite in Ukraine:
- Appointed Bishop Maksymilian Dubrawski O.F.M., auxiliary of Kamyanets-Podilskyi of the Latins (area 277,700, population 24,000,000, Catholics 300,000, priests 150, religious 240), Ukraine, as bishop of the same diocese. He succeeds Bishop Jan Olszanski M.I.C., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Erected the new diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia, Ukraine, with territory taken from the dioceses of Kyiv-Zhytomir and Kamyanets-Podilskyi. He appointed Bishop Stanislaw Padewski O.F.M. Cap., auxiliary of Lviv of the Latins, Ukraine, as bishop of the new diocese.
- Erected the new diocese of Odessa-Simferopol, Ukraine, with territory taken from the diocese of Kamyanets-Podilskyi. He appointed Msgr. Bronishaw Bernacki, vicar general of Kamyanets-Podilskyi, as bishop of the new diocese. The bishop elect was born in Murafa, Ukraine, in 1944 and ordained a priest in 1972.
- Appointed Msgr. Marian Buczek, chancellor of the metropolitan curia of Lviv of the Latins (area 68,000, population 5,800,000, Catholics 170,000, priests 122, permanent deacons 1, religious 176), Ukraine, and Fr. Leon Maly, prefect of the major seminary of Lviv of the Latins, as auxiliaries of the same metropolitan archdiocese. Bishop-elect Buczek was born Cieszanow, Poland, in 1953 and ordained a priest in 1979. Bishop-elect Maly was born in Bar, Ukraine, in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1984.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences three prelates from the Antilles Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Charles Henry Dufour of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
- Bishop Louis Sankale of Cayenne, French Guyana.
- Bishop Dorick McGowan Wright, auxiliary of Belize City-Belmopan, Belize.

On Saturday, May 4, he received in separate audiences:

- Four prelates from the Antilles Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Robert Rivas O.P., of Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Bishop Paul Michael Boyle C.P., of Mandeville, Jamaica.
- Bishop Malcolm Patrick Galt C.S.Sp., of Bridgetown, Barbados.
- Bishop Robert Kurtz of Hamilton C.R., in Bermuda, Bermuda.
- Cardinal Igance Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, accompanied by Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio and Msgr. Krzysztof Nitkiewicz, respectively secretary and under-secretary of the same congregation.

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2002 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Thomas Joseph Grady, emeritus of Orlando, U.S.A., on April 21, at the age of 87.
- Bishop Pal Reizer of Satu Mare, Romania, on April 18, at the age of 59.

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