LETTER TO THE MISSIONARY SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a letter to the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit who are celebrating their General Chapter in Rome in order "to examine the practical circumstances of the call to mission," writes the Holy Father, and "to present to the whole Congregation a set of proposals and a leadership team for the coming years." The letter is written in English and dated June 26.

"The Chapter has set itself a lofty and demanding task: to rekindle the fire of 'missionary zeal' in your communities. Be assured that the heart of Peter's Successor is filled with the same hope." He reminds them that in the apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" he wrote that the "Church cannot forgo her missionary activity among the peoples of the world. It is the primary task of the "missio ad gentes" to announce that it is in Christ, 'the Way, and the Truth, and the Life', that the people find salvation. You, dear Sisters, understand the significance of these words, and therefore the grace and responsibility that is yours in the Church."

John Paul II also speaks about the "spirit and teachings" of the founders of the order, Blesseds Arnold Janssen and Maria Helena Stollenwerk, and the Servant of God Josepha Hendrina Stenmanns, who surely would inspire the religious during the chapter. "As a providential heritage they left you the call to serve in frontier situations, where people have less chances in life and where no others take care of them."

"The call to heroic love is the very heart of your vocation, the call to be the last and to sacrifice oneself for the work of evangelization, of which Mother Josepha wrote. As long as the Congregation desires to live by that kind of love, it will grow and flourish, even when you seem to be surrounded by difficulties and indifference."

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: MAJESTY OF THE LORD AND DIGNITY OF MAN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2002 (VIS) - Psalm eight, "Majesty of the Lord and dignity of man", was the theme of the catechesis of the Holy Father during the general audience celebrated this morning in the Paul VI Hall.

John Paul II explained that Psalm eight is "a celebration of man, an insignificant creature in comparison with the immensity of the universe", yet which has been "'crowned' by God himself."

At the beginning of the hymn, he affirmed, the Lord appears, "whose glory is sung by the heavens, as well as by the lips of man. The praise that spontaneously emanates from the lips of children abolishes and obscures the arrogant discourse of those who deny God."

The Pope said that in the face of the question "What is man?," the first and immediate response speaks of nullity, in relation to the immensity of the heavens as well as, above all, respect for the majesty of the Creator. ... But here is the great surprise: that God has given stupendous dignity to man, a weak creature: he made them only slightly inferior to the angels."

After underlining that God has destined man "to a universal seniority", he said: "He has given the whole horizon of creation to the fragile and frequently selfish hands of human beings, so that they may preserve its harmony and beauty, use not abuse, discover secrets and develop potential."

"Unfortunately," the Holy Father added, "the dominion of man, affirmed in Psalm eight, can be misunderstood and distorted by the selfish man, who is more frequently revealed in crazy tyranny than in wise and intelligent government. ... History documents the evil that human freedom spreads in the world with environmental devastation and the most clamorous social injustice."

John Paul II concludes by affirming that "in contrast to man who humiliates his equals and creation, Christ is perfect man. ... He reigns over the universe with that dominion of peace and love that prepares the new world, the new heavens and the new earth."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, accompanied by Bishop Stanislaw Rylko, secretary of the same council.

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HOLY SEE ADHERES TO CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2002 (VIS) - Today, "International Day of support for torture victims", declared by the United Nations, the Holy See decided to adhere
- in the name of the City State of the Vatican - to the Convention against torture, other punishment and inhumane and degrading cruel treatment.

According to a note published today, this Convention was adopted by the general assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1984 and enacted on June 16, 1987. Up until now, it was been ratified by 129 states.

The instrument of adhesion, signed by John Paul II, will be placed in the United Nations secretary general's office in New York by Archbishop Renato Martino, permanent observer of the Holy See, along with the following declaration:

"The Holy See considers the Convention against torture and other punishment or degrading and inhumane cruel treatment, a valid and ideal tool for the fight against acts that constitute a grave attack on the dignity of the human person. In the contemporary age, the Catholic Church has declared itself constantly in favor of unconditional respect for life itself and has condemned unequivocally'everything that violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, physical and mental torture, including psychological coercion' (Vatican Council II, Pastoral Constitution 'Gaudium et Spes', December 7, 1965)".

In the note, it is recalled that the Code of Canon Law as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992) "clearly identify and mention behavior that can hurt the physical or moral integrity of the person, reproache leaders and urge
the abolition of these acts." In addition, the note concludes, both John Paul II and Paul VI condemned torture and cruelty against people on different occasions.

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