PRAY THE ROSARY FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD AND IN FAMILIES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2002 (VIS) - Following today's general audience catechesis in Italian, and summaries in five languages, Pope John Paul greeted the pilgrims present in St. Peter's Square in Dutch, Czech, Slovakian, Hungarian and Lithuanian.

He welcomed faithful from the Netherlands as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the institution of the diocese of Breda, noting that the theme of their pilgrimage is "The Faith of Our Baptism." He exhorted them "to pray ceaselessly for priestly vocations so that your parishes continue to be privileged places in which the faithful can receive the gift of salvation through the indispensable service of the ordained ministry."

In greeting pilgrims from Lithuania and the Czech Republic, the Pope spoke of the Rosary, and said: "In this Year of the Rosary which we have just begun, I invite you to rediscover the efficacy of the prayer of the Rosary for peace in the world and in families, and "to rediscover communion with the Virgin Mary through this noble prayer."

Addressing Hungarian and Italian pilgrims, the Holy Father noted that "today we celebrate the memory of St. John of Capistrano who gave his life for Christian Hungary," adding that this Franciscan priest had committed himself to saving souls. "May his glorious Gospel witness sustain you young people in the daily commitment of fidelity to Christ, encourage you who are ill to follow Christ on the path of trials and suffering and help you newlyweds to make your families places of living encounters with the love of God and our brothers."

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: PRAYER TO GOD IN TIMES OF TRIAL

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2002 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience, celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about "Psalm 85: Prayer to God in times of trial."

The Holy Father affirmed that Psalm 85 opens with "an intense call that the supplicant directs to the Lord trusting in His love," adding that in the middle "there is a hymn that links sentiments of thanksgiving with a profession of faith in the works of salvation that God shows to His people."

"Going against every idolatrous temptation, the supplicant proclaims the absolute oneness of God. Later, the bold hope that one day 'all peoples' will adore the God of Israel is expressed. This marvelous prospect finds its fulfillment in the Church of Christ, because He has sent His apostles to teach 'all nations'. No one can offer full liberation but the Lord upon whom all creatures depend and to whom we must turn in adoration. He reveals His admirable works which bear witness to His absolute authority in creation and in history."

After emphasizing that in the second verse the Latin translation uses the word 'holy' while referring to the faithful, John Paul II said that the "the Christian 'saint' opens himself up to the universality of the Church and prays with the Psalmist: 'All nations will come together to prostrate themselves before you, Lord, and to give glory to your name'. And St. Augustine comments: 'All people are one people and are unified in the Lord. ... Before they were separate peoples, numerous peoples; now they are one people."

"In this universal light," concluded the Pope, "our liturgical prayer becomes a breath of praise and a hymn of glory to the Lord in the name of all creatures."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Franz Lackner O.F.M. Cap., provincial minister of the Franciscan Brothers Minor in Austria, as auxiliary of Graz-Seckau (area 16,386, population 1,202,800, Catholics 939,120, priests 523, religious 946, permanent deacons 51), Austria. The bishop-elect was born in 1956 in Feldbach, Austria and was ordained a priest in 1991.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome, accompanied by Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia, vice gerent and auxiliary for the Eastern section, and auxiliary Bishops Enzo Dieci (Northern pastoral section), Armando Brambilla, delegate for religious assistence in hospitals, pious gilds and associations of Rome, Vincenzo Apicella (Western pastoral section), Salvatore Fisichella, major rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, Luigi Moretti (Central pastoral section), prelate general secretary of the vicariate of Rome and Paolo Schiavon (Southern pastoral section).

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MEMBERS OF U.S., HOLY SEE MIXED COMMISSION NAMED

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2002 (VIS) - On October 18 the Holy See announced the creation of a mixed commission of the Holy See and of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, whose job is to revise the "Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests, Deacons or Other Personnel" (Norms) and the "Bishops' Charter for the Protection of CHildren and Young People" (Charter).

The names of the members of this commission were published today.

The members representing the dicasteries of the Holy See are: Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy; Archbishop Julian Herranz, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts; Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Archbishop Francesco Monterisi, secretary of the Congregation for Bishops.

The members representing the United States episcopal conference are: Cardinal Francis Eugene George, O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago; Archbishop William Joseph Levada, archbishop of San Francisco; Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford; Bishop Edward Lori of Bridgeport.

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