OVERCOME NATIONAL EGOISM IN THE FACE OF PHENOMENON OF MIGRATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of Vatican City, to Billie Miller, president of the 32nd Ordinary Assembly of the Organization of American States which takes place from June 2 to 4 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Cardinal Sodano writes that "the current process of globalization, the differences in development between countries in the regions, civil conflicts, natural disasters and serious economic crises which some American states have gone through, cause the movement of an ever-growing magnitude of people. As a reaction to this phenomenon in countries and regions that receive migrants, what may easily occur is the temptation to intolerance and social discrimination of minorities, of the abuse of weaker industries and the disproportionate defense of acquired well-being, jobs and other social benefits.

"In this sense," he continues, "we must not lose sight of the fact that any approximation of this problem must be based on the notion of the universal common good, that affects the entire human family, overcoming any national egoism."

The secretary of state affirms that "the problems of migration and of the protection of minorities must be considered in the context of all inter-American politics." He concluded by saying: "In that frame, the Holy See cannot emphasize enough the necessity of an effective intercontinental solidarity among the governments and peoples of America, so that it may be able to offer with generosity the material means to resolve serious problems that affect vast areas of the continent."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop James Moriarty, auxiliary of Dublin, as bishop of Kildare and Leighlin (area 4,165, population 194,683, Catholics 183,105, priests 215, religious 461), Ireland. He succeeds Bishop Laurence Ryan whose resignation the Holy Father accepted in accordance with Canon 401, para 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Roberto Luckert Leon of Coro.
- Bishop Antonio Arellano Duran of San Carlos.
- Bishop Nelson Antonio Martinez Rust of San Felipe.

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PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW SPONSORS SYMPOSIUM ON ADRIATIC SEA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 2002 (VIS) - Religion, Science and the Environment is sponsoring a six-day symposium on the Adriatic Sea, that starts tomorrow and ends June 10. The meeting is being sponsored by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on the theme "The Adriatic, A Sea at Risk. Unity of Intentions." This is the fourth such symposium he has sponsored, following those dedicated to the Danube, the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.

The meeting will be held aboard the ship Festos Palace during six days of navigation along the coasts of the countries that border the Adriatic. Participants will include scientists, representatives of various religious, people involved in ecology and the environment, politicians and journalists. Among those present will be Cardinals Walter Kasper and Roger Etchegaray and Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi.

In Ravenna on June 9, Patriarch Bartholomew will celebrate, for the first time in 12 centuries, an Orthodox liturgy in the basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe. In Venice, on the afternoon of the final day, Patriarch Bartholomew I and Pope John Paul II will sign the "Declaration of Venice" in a ceremony that will take place contemporaneously thanks to a special televised linkup between Venice and the Vatican. Vespers in St. Mark's Basilica will conclude the symposium.

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