AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 5, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience five prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Cristiano Jakob Krapf of Jequie.
- Bishop Alano Maria Pena of Nova Friburgo.
- Bishop Elias James Manning of Valenca.
- Bishop Jose Ubiratan Lopes of Itaguai.
- Fr. Luiz Costanzo Bruno, diocesan administrator of Nova Iguacu.

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BISHOPS OF BRAZIL: ADEQUATE FORMATION IN THE SEMINARIES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 5, 2002 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgandolfo the Pope received a group of prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of the Eastern Region of Brazil who just completed their "ad limina" visit.

John Paul II proposed some ideas regarding the formation of future priests in the seminaries. "The secret to obtaining good results lies in the strength of God and in human work, fulfilled with wisdom," he said. "Wisdom is to strengthen the centers of formation" and "to take care with the quality of the formation."
"It is not enough to strengthen the centers of formation," he continued, "but you must persevere to obtain the ecclesial spirit which must govern a seminary, as well as quality in instruction."

The Holy Father recalled that "many new, valid experiences exist, such as vocation days, vocational discernment, accompanying possible candidates before entering the seminary."

After emphasizing that "a solid formation is fundamental for prayer life and liturgy," he said: "In this sense, faithfulness to doctrine on priestly celibacy for the Kingdom of Heaven must be considered 'with great esteem for the Church, especially priestly life,' when it comes to discerning the call to unconditional and full surrender in candidates for the priesthood. It is necessary to remind them that celibacy is not an extrinsic and useless element - a superstructure - to their priesthood, but an intimate convenience in order to participate in the dignity of Christ and in the service of the new humanity."

"It would be regrettable," stated the Pope, "that for mistaken tolerance, immature young men, or those with obvious signs of deviations, were ordained, which, as it is sadly known, can cause serious anomalies in the consciences of the faithful, producing clear damage to the whole Church."

The Holy Father concluded by exhorting bishops to pay attention "so that the theology classrooms are not reduced to a human vision of the Church in the midst of men. ... Adequate formation in the seminaries will be of great benefit for the Church, for evangelization as well as for true human promotion."

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NEW AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 5, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today at Castelgandolfo the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Ludvik Toplak.

In his speech, the Pope manifested the Holy See's appreciation for Slovenia's actions "in favor of peace and collaboration among nations and for the effort it has made to enter the European Union officially."

"Christian heritage, which during the centuries has been the foundation and continues to be the soul of civil life in your country, constitutes a valid contribution for the construction in Europe of a civilization mindful of mutual understanding among people."

John Paul II said that in order "to build the 'common European house'" it is necessary to pay attention to the values upon which it is based. ... For this reason, the Holy See hopes that the identity and role of the Church are safeguarded, in the future as well, because it has always had a specific function in teaching the fundamental principles of civil co-existence, in offering answers to basic questions concerning the meaning of life, in the defense and promotion of the culture and identity of different people."

"We must react," he underlined, "against the temptation to exclude Christianity from the construction of a new Europe, because this would take away important energies from the process of the ethical and cultural foundation of civil co-existence on the Continent."

The Pope concluded by indicating that the Accord between the Republic of Slovenia and the Holy See passed on December 14 is an "eloquent example of mutual cooperation." After expressing the desire that it is implemented soon, he said: "It is a pact that guarantees the fundamental right to religious freedom. As an instrument that regulates relations between Church and State in a unqique way, not exclusive however, it serves the good of the Catholic community and represents at the same time a goal and a starting point for future agreements."

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