IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 5, 2002 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Cardinal Alexandru Todea, archbishop emeritus of Fagaras and Alba Iulia, Romania, on May 22 at the age of 89.
- Archbishop Ernesto Gallina, apostolic nuncio on May 16 at the age of 78.
- Bishop John Eusebius, O.P., emeritus of Gizo, Solomon Islands, on May 31 at the age of 84.
- Bishop Winnibald Joseph Menezes, ex-auxiliary of Bombay, India on May 27 at the age of 85.
- Bishop Reginald Joseph Orsmond of Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 19 at the age of 71.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 6, 2002 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- James T. Morris, executive director of the World Food Program, and an entourage.
- Archbishop Joseph Ti-kang of Taipei, Taiwan, on his "ad limina" visit.
- Five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Mario del Valle Moronta Rodriguez of San Cristobal.
- Bishop Joaquin Moron Hidalgo of Valle de la Pascua.
- Bishop Juan Maria Leonardi Villasmil of Punto Fijo.
- Bishop Ramon Antonio Linares Sandoval of Puerto Cabello.
- Bishop William Delgado Silva of El Vigia-San Carlos del Zulia.

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COLOMBIA: A SOCIETY THAT LISTENS TO CHRIST WALKS TOWARDS PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 6, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message by the Pope addressed to Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, president of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, on the centenary of the consecration of the republic to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

John Paul II recalls in the message, dated May 9, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, that upon consecrating the country on June 22, 1902 to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, "they promised also to build a votive temple where they could pray for peace for the nation."

The Pope writes: "The consecration of the men and women of Colombia which you are preparing to renew, following that praiseworthy tradition strengthened for 100 years, must mean a singular moment of grace and total commitment. In effect, it must be an ardent petition to the Lord to renew all of Colombian society in order that it may act with a new heart and spirit."

The Pope underlines that "a society that listens to and follows the message of Christ walks toward authentic peace, rejects any form of violence and creates new ways of coexistence on the safe and solid path of justice, reconciliation and forgiveness, fostering bonds of unity, fraternity and respect for all."

He concluded by saying: "I fervently wish that this commemoration - which unfortunately is taking place at a time in which your nation has not yet achieved stable interior peace and in which violence continues to claim victims in all levels of society, even shepherds of the Church - may be an occasion for everyone ... to take a step toward a great national movement of reconciliation and peace. May it also be a moment to ask God for the gift of peace and for everyone to commit themselves, from their own place in society, to lay the groundwork for the moral and material reconstruction of your national community."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 6, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Archbishop John Bukovsky, apostolic nuncio, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and consultant of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.

- Appointed Bishop Thomas Kwaku Mensah of Obuasi, Ghana, as a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry.

- Appointed Cardinals Jozef Glemp, Edward Egan, Agostino Cacciavillan, Sergio Sebastiani and Walter Kasper as members of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

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