COOPERATE TOGETHER IN THE VAST FIELD OF EVANGELIZATION

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II received today participants in the general assembly of the Pontifical Missionary Works, headed by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

In a message that he presented to Cardinal Sepe, the Pope recalls that in the days previous to the general assembly they had reflected upon the "necessity of adequate formation of missionaries and in regard to dialogue with other religions, very necessary today."

"In fact," he continues, "it is necessary that, on different levels of responsibility, everyone in the Church be educated to cooperate together for the same mission in Christ. Everything possible must be done so that there are vocations 'ad gentes', and workers with multiple functions in the vast field of evangelization. In addition, missionary activity can never be reduced to simple human promotion, help of the poor and the liberation of the oppressed."

The Holy Father underlines that "missionary activity must be above all concerned with the transmission of the salvation that Jesus won for us. Furthermore, who better than you to give testimony that the poor are hungry above all for God, and not only for bread and freedom?"

"Missionary formation requires in the first place evangelical testimony. The true missionary is a saint and the world is waiting for missionary saints. It is not enough to dedicate oneself exclusively to the renovation of pastoral methods and structures, coordinating better ecclesiastical forces; it is not enough to limit oneself to examine with greater clarity the biblical and theological foundations of the faith."

After emphasizing the "urgency of missionaries 'ad gentes' and 'ad vitam'," the Pope affirms: "Sustained by divine grace, missionaries - priests, religious and lay people - dedicate their energies to Christ in far-away countries, sometimes amid difficulties, misunderstanding, danger and persecution." He concludes by reminding the bishops of the priests, religious and laity, "'the martyrs and witnesses of the faith' of our time, who encourage believers to serve the Gospel with total dedication."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Ricardo Lagos Escobar, president of the Republic of Chile, and an entourage.
- Four prelates from the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Victor Alejandro Corral Mantilla of Riobamba.
- Bishop Emilio Lorenzo Stehle, emeritus of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, accompanied by Bishop-elect Wilson Abraham Moncayo Jalil.
- Bishop Jesus Ramon Martinez de Ezquerecocha Suso of Babahoya.

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STATEMENT ON HOLY SEE MISSION TO NORTH KOREA

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

"An official visit to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea, undertaken by Msgrs. Celestino Migliore - under-secretary for Relations with States - and Luis Mariano, nunciature counsellor in the Secretariat of State, concluded last Tuesday, May 14.
"This was the sixth delegation that has gone to North Korea. It reaffirmed the Holy Father's constant solidarity with the North Korean people and contributed to giving continuity to the relations established with the government authorities in Pyongyang, especially with the minister of foreign affairs.

"In Pyongyang, the Holy See delegation held talks with the leaders of the 'Association of Catholics of North Korea' and was able to celebrate the feast of the Lord's Ascension in the church of Chan Chung with the local Catholic community and the international Catholic community."

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