DEFEND RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF THE WHOLE HUMAN FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2002 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of Great Britain, Kathryn Frances Colvin.

Referring to the ambassador's words about the terrorist attacks on September 11 and injustice in the world, the Pope said: "It calls for a resolute and uncompromising commitment on the part of individuals, peoples, and nations to defending the inalienable rights and dignity of every member of the human family. At the same time, it demands the building of a global culture of solidarity which will find expression not simply in terms of more effective economic or political organization but more importantly in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation in the service of the common good."

After the attacks on September 11, the Holy Father continued, "the international community has recognized the urgent need to combat the phenomenon of well-financed and highly-organized international terrorism, which represents a formidable and immediate threat to world peace. ... As an essential part of its fight against all forms of terrorism, the international community is called to undertake new and creative political, diplomatic and economic initiatives aimed at relieving the scandalous situations of gross injustice, oppression and marginalization which continue to oppress countless members of the human family."

"The building of such a global culture of solidarity is perhaps the greatest moral task confronting humanity today." This, he added, is a challenge for developed countries in the West where Christian values are being challenged by cultural models which leads to "indifferentism, hedonism, consumerism and a practical materialism that can erode and even subvert the foundations of social life." The Holy Father expressed his confidence that the United Kingdom continues to offer "credible testimony to their convictions through their programs of educational, charitable and social outreach."

John Paul II spoke also about the need "for an uncompromising defense of the rights of the family and the legal protection of the institution of marriage." When the family unit is weakened, he affirmed, "grave difficulties and problems for society as a whole" occur.

"Another area of concern in which Christians can offer a privileged witness is that of respect for life in the face of attempts to legitimize abortion, the production of human embryos for research and processes of genetic manipulation such as the cloning of human beings. Neither human life nor the human person," he concluded, "can ever legitimately be treated as an object to be manipulated or as a disposable commodity." All human beings, because of their dignity as creatures, "demand the greatest respect and vigilance on the part of individuals, communities, nations and international bodies."

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LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS PRESIDED BY POPE: SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2002 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has made public the calendar of celebrations that is scheduled to be presided over by the Holy Father from September 28 to November 5, 2002:

SEPTEMBER

- Saturday, 28: 26th Sunday in ordinary time. Mass at 6 p.m. in memory of Popes Paul VI and John Paul I at the main altar of the Vatican Basilica.

OCTOBER

- Friday, 4: Ecumenical celebration with Vespers on the 7th Centennial of the birth of St. Brigid of Sweden at 6 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica.
- Sunday, 6: 27th Sunday in ordinary time. Canonization of Blessed Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m.
- Sunday, 13: 28th Sunday in ordinary time. Mass at 9:30 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica on the occasion of the visit of His Beatitude Teoctist, patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
- Friday, 18: Mass at 5:30 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica for the beginning of the academic year of the Ecclesiastical Universities.
- Sunday, 20: 29th Sunday in ordinary time. At 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, Beatification of the Servants of God: Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa, Andrea Giacinto Longhin, Marcantonio Durando, Mary of the Passion (nee Helene Marie de Chappotin de Neuville) and Liduina Meneguzzi.

NOVEMBER

- Friday, 1, Solemnity of All Saints: Moment of prayer for deceased popes at 6 p.m. in the Vatican Grottos.
- Tuesday, 5: Mass at noon at the main altar of the Vatican Basilica in memory of cardinals and bishops who died this year.

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CONCERT IN HONOR OF POPE AT CASTELGANDOLFO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 8, 2002 (VIS) - This evening at 7:15 p.m. in the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, the Russian Symphony Orchestra performed a concert organized by the "Thousand Cities of the World" and the "World of Art" Programs in Moscow for John Paul II. Valery Gergiev conducted the orchestra and the children's choir of UNESCO and the choir of the Academy of Art, directed by Victor Popov, accompanied it.

At the end of the concert, the Pope greeted the participants and affirmed that he was very happy to receive "the noble message sent by His Holiness Alexis II, patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia, for this gathering. May my deferent and cordial regards reach him."

Afterward the Holy Father urged that the initiatives of the "World of Art" Foundation help to "spread human and spiritual values which are the necessary base for any kind of authentic moral, civil and cultural progress for Europe and for all humanity" and he expressed his desire that they promote "understanding and dialogue among people and nations."

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ANGELUS: PRAYER HELPS TO CONFRONT PROBLEMS OF DAILY LIFE

VATICAN CITY, SEP 8, 2002 (VIS) - Today at noon the Holy Father prayed the Angelus with the faithful present in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo.

Before the Marian prayer, John Paul II spoke about the efficacy of and the need for prayer. "Unfortunately," he said, "we frequently witness dramatic events which spread uncertainty and anxiety in public opinion. Modern man seems to live sure of himself, however, especially on crucial occasions, he feels powerless: he experiences the incapability to intervene, and as a consequence, he lives in uncertainty and fear."

"The secret to confronting personal and social problems, not only in emergencies but day after day, is found in prayer carried out with faith. He who prays will not get discouraged not even in the face of the most serious difficulties, because he feels God's proximity and he finds refuge, serenity and peace in his fatherly arms. Opening up to God with confidence, one opens up to his neighbor with greater generosity. He is capable of constructing history according to the divine plan."

The Pope underlined that "it is very important to pray every day, personally and with the family. May praying and praying together be the daily breath of families, parishes and all communities."

When greeting pilgrims after the Angelus, John Paul II urged them to ask God and the Virgin Mary for justice and peace in the world.

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HOLY SEE: CONSENSUS ON WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2002 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, head of the Holy See Delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which took place from August 26 to September 4, delivered the closing statement on the summit's plan of action on September 4.

"The Holy See, in conformity with its nature and its particular mission, is pleased to join the consensus of the Plan of Action of the World Summit on Sustainable Development."

"The Holy See reaffirms its position," he continued, "that any discussion on development must center on human dignity and in this, renews its commitment to the Rio Principles, the first of which states that 'Human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development.' They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature."

"The Holy See only regrets that this first Principle did not find its way into the chapeau of each and every section of the document, helping to remind and guide the purpose of our work here and in every realm of sustainable development."

"My delegation," he concluded, "is pleased to inform that in joining in this consensus adoption, it does so without reservation. At the same time, the Holy See reaffirms all of the reservations that it has previously expressed at the conclusion of the various United Nations Conferences and Summits, as well as the Special Sessions of the General Assembly for the review of those meetings."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, apostolic nuncio in Ukraine.
- Seven prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Moacyr Grechi, O.S.M., of Porto Velho.
- Archbishop Luiz Soares Vieira of Manaus, accompanied by his auxiliary Bishop Mario Pasqualotto, P.I.M.E.
- Bishop Geraldo Verdier of Guajara-Mirim, accompanied by his auxiliary Bishop Jose Maria Pinheiro.
- Bishop Evangelista Alcimar Caldas Magalhaes, O.F.M.Cap., of Alto Solimoes.
- Bishop Antonio Possamai, S.D.B., of Ji-Parana.
- Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

On Saturday September 7, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Francesco Canalini, apostolic nuncio in Australia.
- Five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Argentina on their "ad limina" visit: - Bishop Ramon Artemio Staffolani of Villa de la Concepcion del Rio Cuarto.
- Bishop Juan Carlos Maccarone of Santiago del Estero.
- Bishop Gustavo Arturo Help of Venado Tuerto.
- Bishop Andres Stanovnik, O.F.M.Cap., of Reconquista.
- Bishop Pedro Olmedo Rivero, C.M.F., prelate of Humahuaca.

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CARDINAL LUCAS MOREIRA NEVES DIES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II will preside on Wednesday September 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Altar of the Confession in the Vatican Basilica at the funeral for Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, O.P., who died yesterday in Rome at age 76 after a long illness. The eucharistic liturgy will be celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, vice-dean of the College of Cardinals, along with other cardinals. The Holy Father sent a telegram of condolence on this occasion.

The Brazilian cardinal was titular of the suburbicarian church of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto and archbishop emeritus of Sao Salvador da Bahia, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops and president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

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