APPEALS: JERUSALEM ATTACK CONDEMNED, EXODUS OF HUMAN BEINGS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - At the end of the general audience, celebrated this morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope
made two appeals, one concerning yesterday's attack in Jerusalem and the other in the face of the "tragic exodus" of human beings:

"The dramatic news of the attack that sowed terror and death in Jerusalem yesterday can only provoke the most absolute condemnation by all. Yet again I repeat to those who plot and plan such barbaric acts that they will have to answer to God. While I express my fervent human and spiritual solidarity to the families in mourning and to the injured, I invite you all to pray with me to the Lord so that he convert hardened hearts and inspire reciprocal thoughts of peace and reconciliation in all those who live in that region which is for us so beloved."

Subsequently, John Paul II recalled that "tomorrow we celebrate World Refugee Day, sponsored by the United Nations in order to call attention to 15 million human beings, forced to cross the borders of their countries in order to escape persecution or the violation of their fundamental rights.

"May the leaders of nations," he said, "listen to this appeal in the face of such tragic exodus of individuals and families and may they do everything possible to offer an adequate response to the dramatic problems of these brothers and sisters of ours."

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: GOD CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE IN PERIL

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - In today's general audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope spoke about a canticle from Deuteronomy, "a joyous hymn to the Lord who protects and cares for his people with love amidst the dangers and difficulties of the day."

In the canticle, said the Holy Father, "the Lord is called the Rock... an image that exalts unceasing fidelity and does not disappoint, very different from the instability and infidelity of the people."

In order to urge the faithful to return to fidelity, the Canticle stresses the wonders that God has done for his people, not with an attitude of "implacable sovereign" but with one of a "loving father", affirmed John Paul II.

"Biblical faith," he continued, "is a 'memorial', that is, to rediscover the eternal action of God in the passage of time; it is to make present and effective the salvation that the Lord has given to us and continues to offer to man. The great sin of infidelity coincides with the 'oversight' that erases the memory of the divine presence in us and in history."

The Pope concluded by emphasizing that the Canticle of Moses invites us "to an examination of conscience so that the people of God finally respond to the divine benefits received not with sin but with fidelity."

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MEETING OF THE POSTSYNODAL COUNCIL SPECIAL ASSEMBLY FOR AFRICA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - The tenth meeting of the Postsynodal Council of the secretariat general for the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops took place on June 11 and 12, according to a communique published yesterday afternoon.

Under the presidency of Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the synod, four cardinals, three archbishops, one bishop and four officials from the secretariat general participated in the meeting.

The work sessions included a debate on the current situation in Africa, the application of the postsynodal apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa" till now, which is proceeding favorably, and in particular, on the tendencies, new problems and presentation of the first results of a study being conducted on the opportunity to celebrate a second Special Assembly for Africa.

The participants in the meeting reported on "the political and institutional crises in some countries". It was emphasized in the communique that all kinds of conflicts continue "affecting civil life and the apostolic activity of pastors in vast areas and nations. This instability, acts of persecution against the Church, and the persistence of serious economic, social and public health situations, worry the pastors of the Church in Africa greatly."

The communique concludes by announcing that the next meeting will take place on June 18 and 19, 2003.

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RELIGIONS AND PEACE: INTER-RELIGIOUS MEETING IN THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, organized and presided at a meeting of reflection in the Vatican on the role of religions in reconciliation and peace-building, as a follow-up to the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World, held in Assisi on January 24.

In the meeting, which took place June 7 through 8, members of different religions participated (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism) from several countries, as well as a representative from the World Council of Churches in Geneva. During the meeting, the results of the Inter-religious Assembly celebrated in October of 1999 in the Vatican were also analyzed.

According to a communique published today, the participants agreed that it is necessary "to study together the role and resources of religions for peace both globally and locally" and they considered that "religions can contribute both to the prevention and resolution of conflicts." They also discussed organizing a series of workshops "in which fundamental texts would be studied, various models would be examined, and some symbolic action undertaken, in order to convey the message that religions can be a catalyst for peace and justice."

The participants also discussed the formation of an advisory group which would cooperate with the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to implement the suggestions made.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Msgr. Rafael Martinez Sainz, vicar general of the archdiocese of Guadalajara, Mexico, and Fr. Jose Maria De la Torre Martin, moderator of pastoral action of the Cathedral of the diocese of San Juan de los Lagos, as auxiliaries of the archdiocese of Guadalajara (area 20,827, population 6,300,000, Catholics 5,733,000, priests 1,210, permanent deacons 2, religious 4,416), Mexico. Bishop-elect Martinez was born in Arandas, Mexico in 1935 and was ordained a priest in 1959. Bishop-elect De la Torre was born in Pegueros, Mexico in 1952 and was ordained a priest in 1980.

- Appointed Msgr. Renato Volante, nunciature counselor, as permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Organizations and Organisms for Food and Agriculture (FAO, IFAD, PAM, and CMA).

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