NEW EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION RECOGNIZES CHRISTIAN PATRIMONY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope sent a message to participants in a European study congress sponsored by the Vicariate of Rome in collaboration with the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community and the Federation of Catholic Universities of Europe.

After recalling the theme of the congress, "Toward a European Constitution?", the Holy Father writes that the new European organization "must recognize and protect those values that constitute the more precise patrimony of European humanism." These values concern "the dignity of man, the sacred character of human life, the central role of the family, founded in matrimony, the importance of education, liberty of thought, word and profession ... the collaboration of all for the common good, ... political power understood as a service."

"In particular," he continues, "it will be necessary to recognize and safeguard in all situations the dignity of the human person and the right to religious liberty understood in its triple dimension: individual, collective and institutional."
John Paul II underlines that "in the process towards a new institutional organization, Europe will not be able to ignore its Christian patrimony. ... It is necessary to be inspired by creative fidelity in those Christian roots that have marked European history. This is demanded by historical memory and, especially, by Europe's mission which is still today called to be a teacher of true progress, and to promote globalization in solidarity."

Addressing in particular the European politicians, the Pope urges that "while respecting a correct conception of the laity of political institutions, may they know how to give the above-mentioned values that profound transcendent root that is expressed in openness to the religious dimension."

At the end of the message, the Holy Father indicates that "in this whole process the specific identity and social role of Churches and religious Confessions must also be recognized and safeguarded. ... In other words, we must react against the temptation of improving European coexistence while excluding the contribution of religious communities with the richness of their message, action and witness."

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MESSAGE TO PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a message to participants in the third plenary session of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas of Aquinas. In the document, the Pope recalls the experts of international renown who collaborated with the Academy and underlines that the Church has always proposed St. Thomas as a "master of thought and a model of the right way to study theology."

Later, the Holy Father refers to both the achievements and deficiencies of contemporary philosophy, affirming: "Today along with marvelous scientific discoveries and surprising technological progress ... we make two great omissions: the omission of God and of man, the omission of the soul and of the dignity of man. This sometimes causes situations of anguish to which it is necessary to offer rich answers of truth and hope."

"In the encyclical 'Fides et Ratio' ... I indicated the necessity of a 'philosophy of authentic, metaphysical achievement, capable of transcending empirical data in order to reach, in its search for truth, something absolute, ultimate and fundamental'."

"The culture of our time," he concludes, "speaks so much about man and knows so many things about him, but so often gives the impression that it ignores who he really is. In effect, man can only understand himself in the light of God. ... The Vatican Council II teaches that the mystery of man finds a solution only in the light of the mystery of Christ. In the face of the tragedy of atheistic humanism, it is the duty of believers to announce and give testimony that true humanism manifests itself only in Christ."

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ANGELUS: NECESSITY TO CONTEMPLATE THE HEART OF CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2002 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today at midday with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II affirmed that "the month of June is marked in a special way by devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Celebrating the Heart of Christ means going to the intimate center of the person of the Savior."

The Pope said that "if the human heart represents an unfathomable mystery that only God knows, how much more sublime is the Heart of Jesus in which the very life of the Word beats! In it ... all the treasures of wisdom and science and all the fullness of divinity are to be found."

"How necessary is the message derived from the contemplation of the Heart of Christ for contemporary humanity! Today I wish to entrust in a special way all those who live in the Holy Land to the merciful Heart of Jesus: Jews, Christians and Muslims. That Heart, full of shame, never nurtured feelings of hatred or vengeance, but asked pardon for its killers; that Heart shows the only way to exit the spiral of violence: the way of the pacification of souls, reciprocal comprehension and reconciliation."

After the Angelus, the Holy Father indicated that "from the region of Qazvin, situated in northwest Iran, there arrives news of a violent earthquake that has caused numerous deaths, injuries and serious damage. I elevate to the Lord fervent prayers for the victims, their families and for all those who suffer due to the dramatic consequences of the earthquake. I encourage the efforts of the rescue workers and I hope for an immediate and generous response of international solidarity in the face of this grave situation."

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ARCHBISHOP MARTIN: BROADEN SOCIAL DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 12, 2002 (VIS) - On June 17, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, addressed the 90th International Labor Conference which took place in Geneva from June 3 to 20, 2002.

In his speech, Archbishop Martin recalled the words of John Paul II who, in his Encyclical "Centesimus annus," affirms that "an increasing internationalization of the economy ought to be accompanied by effective international agencies which will oversee and direct the economy to the common good ... to an adequate notion of the common good, in relation to the whole human family."

Going on to refer to the creation of the Independent Commission on the Social Dimensions of Globalization, the archbishop expressed the Holy See's hope that the commission will "focus not on sterile ideological debates, but will give rise to a process which is forward-looking and results-oriented and foster coordinated, integrated responses. Successful transformation of the globalization process requires policies that foster greater inclusion and integration and less fragmentation."

He went on: "The tripartite structure of the International Labor Organization is an integrating element quite unique in international life, and a powerful means of overcoming polarization. It forges links between the creative spirit of entrepreneurship, the initiative and the fundamental needs of workers and the requirements of the global common good. ... At the same time, tripartitism cannot remain static. The worlds of employers, of labor and of government have changed. ... While maintaining integral the tripartite system, new partnerships can be established through dialogue with various sectors of civil society."

In closing, the archbishop affirmed that the world "needs new alliances in favor of work. Work is a fundamental dimension of human existence; it is the key to the global social question and to advancement in the fight against poverty. Work is a key factor in creating social cohesion and sustainability. Broad social dialogue is therefore a common interest and a common responsibility of all."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Dawid Albin Zywiec, O.F.M.Cap., episcopal vicar in Bluefields (area 60,000, population 650,000, Catholics 544,000, priests 24, religious 58), Nicaragua, as auxiliary for the same apostolic vicariate. The bishop-elect was born in 1947 in Chicago, U.S.A., and was ordained a priest in 1974.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Seven prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Peru on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Isidro Sala Ribera of Abancay, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Gilberto Gomez Gonzalez. - Bishop Ermanno Artale Ciancio of Huanuco.
- Bishop Daniel Thomas Turley Murphy of Chulucanas.
- Bishop Lino Panizza Richero of Carabayllo.
- Bishop Jesus Moline Labarta of Chiclayo.
- Bishop Ivo Baldi Gaburri of Huaraz.
- Karl Bonutti, ambassador of Slovenia, on his farewell visit.
- Julio Cesar Lupinacci, ambassador of Uruguay, on his farewell visit.
- Cardinal Rosalio Jose Castillo Lara.

On Saturday June 22, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Pier Ferdinando Casini, president of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and an entourage.
- Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Peru on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Jose Hugo Garaycoa Hawkins of Tacna and Moquegua.
- Bishop Juan Godayol Colom, S.D.B., prelate of Ayaviri.
- Bishop Angel Francisco Simon Piorno of Cajamarca.
- Bishop Norbert Klemens Strotmann Hoppe of Chosica.
- Bishop Emiliano Antonio Cisneros Martinez of Chachapoyas.
- Bishop Victor de la Pena Perez, apostolic vicar of Requena.
- Cardinal Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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