MEETING OF THE 10TH ORDINARY COUNCIL OF SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2003 (VIS) - The 10th Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops held its fifth meeting on March 26 and 27 at the secretariat's main office, according to a communique published today.

Led by Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod, the participants included seven cardinals, two archbishops, and four staff members of the secretariat.

During the encounter, they discussed the activity of different councils which are in the process of applying various post-synod exhortations as they await the publication of documents that came out of two assemblies, a special assembly on Europe and an ordinary assembly on the ministry of the bishop.

The sixth and seventh meeting will take place on July 1 and 2, 2003.

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WAR MUST NOT DIVIDE RELIGIONS, RELIGIONS MUST NOT ADVOCATE TERROR

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed 36 bishops from the 35 dioceses of Indonesia who have completed their quinquennial "ad limina" visit in Rome.

In an address to the Pope, Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, S.J., president of the Bishops' Conference, noted that the Catholic Church in Indonesia has grown since the Pope's 1989 visit to that predominantly Muslim nation. He stated that, of the 220 million people in Indonesia, ten percent are Christian, of which 3.4 percent, or six million, are Catholics. There are 2,883 priests, 1,114 of whom are diocesan, as well as 874 religious men and 7,000 religious Sisters.

In his talk in English, the Holy Father underscored the bishops' "differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds," saying this "can offer a model of hope for all of Indonesia" which today "faces the challenge of building a society based on the democratic principles of the freedom and equality of its citizens, regardless of language, race, ethnic background, cultural heritage or religion."

"Religious freedom," he noted, "is guaranteed by the nation's constitution. The Church must at all times remain vigilant to ensure that this principle is respected on both the federal and local levels" in a "climate of respect for the rule of law." Suitable human formation is the first step in achieving this, he said. "Particular attention must be given to the poor" because "promoting the fundamental rights of the weak is a proven path towards a stable and productive society."

Education is a step in helping the poor, the Pope stated, noting that Catholics might be a minority but "they have developed a large and respected school system" which is one of the Church's "greatest contributions to Indonesian society." He urged the prelates to preserve Catholic schools, even where financial problems persist, and to encourage youth "not to forego their education for the lure of shallow and fleeting materialism."

John Paul II praised the work of the bishops, priests, men and women religious and catechists in Indonesia, not only in the field of education but in health and welfare assistance and in "the profound, gradual and exacting work of inculturation. ... This is especially important in a complex society such as your own where, in some areas and among some certain groups, Catholicism is at times viewed with suspicion." He also encouraged the prelates "to continue to promote the traditional values of the family so closely tied with Asian culture," and to fight "the conspiracy against life" and against the family "which is appearing in many forms: abortion, sexual permissiveness, pornography, drug abuse and pressures to adopt morally unacceptable methods of population control."

The Pope turned to the "challenges arising from daily contact with a non-Christian society," and remarked that "there already exists a commendable level of interreligious dialogue in your country on an institutional level. ... Even in predominantly Muslim areas, the Church is actively present in orphanages, clinics and institutions dedicated to helping the downtrodden," as an expression of "Christ's boundless love for not a few but for all."

"Here, I wish to assure you of my deep concern for the beloved Indonesian people at this moment of heightened tension in the entire world community. War must never be allowed to divide world religions. I encourage you to take this unsettling moment as an occasion to work together, as brothers committed to peace, with your own people, with those of other religious beliefs and with all men and women of good will in order to ensure understanding, cooperation and solidarity. Let us not permit a human tragedy also to become a religious catastrophe."

"At the same time," Pope John Paul II affirmed, I am well aware that certain portions of the Christian community in your nation have suffered from discrimination and prejudice, while others have been victimized by acts of destruction and vandalization. In some areas Christian communities have been denied the permission to build places of worship and prayer. Indonesia, together with the international community, was recently stunned at the terrible loss of life due to the terrorist bombing in Bali. In all of this, however, one must be careful not to yield to the temptation to define groups of people by the actions of an extremist minority. Authentic religion does not advocate terrorism or violence, but seeks to promote in every way the unity and peace of the whole human family."

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POPE TO SIGN ENCYCLICAL ON EUCHARIST ON HOLY THURSDAY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 30, 2003 (VIS) - During meditations prior to reciting the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul referred once again to the war underway in Iraq and asked Mary's intercession for the victims. "Let us invoke with heartfelt and faithful insistence her intercession for peace in Iraq and in very other region of the world."

"Today, the fourth Sunday of Lent," said the Pope, "the Gospel reminds us that God 'so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life'. We hear this consoling announcement at a time when disturbing armed clashes are attacking the hopes of mankind for a better future. God 'so loved the world...', affirms Jesus. The love of the Father therefore reaches every human being who lives in the world."

"God 'so loved the world that He gave His only Son...' And this is what happened in the sacrifice of Calvary," remarked the Holy Father. "The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the perennial memorial of this supreme sacrifice."

He announced that "it is precisely on the theme of the Eucharist that I wished to dedicate the encyclical that, on the occasion of Holy Thursday, God willing, I will sign during the Mass of the Lord's Supper. I will symbolically turn this over to priests in place of the Letter that I usually write to them and, through them, to the People of God, on that occasion."

"I entrust this important document to Mary from this moment," concluded John Paul II, "a document that recalls the intrinsic value and importance for the Church of the Sacrament left to us by Jesus as a living memorial of His death and resurrection."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the eparchy of Tiruvalla of the Syro-Malankars presented by Bishop Geevarghese Mar Timotheos Chundevalel in conformity with Canon 210 of the Code of Canons of the Oriental Churches.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, foreign minister of Brazil, and an entourage.

- Cardinal Bernard Agre, archbishop of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

On Saturday, March 29, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Pavol Hrusovsky, president of the parliament of the Slovak Republic, and an entourage.

- Three prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia:

- Bishop Justinus Harjosusanto, M.S.F. of Tanjang Selor.

- Bishop Aloysius M. Sutrisnaatmaka, M.S.F. of Palangkaraya.

- Bishop Aloysius Murwito, O.F.M. of Agats.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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ARCHBISHOP TO ADDRESS SOCIAL COMMUNICATORS IN LATIN AMERICA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2003 (VIS) - Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, is in Monterrey, Mexico where, in coming days, he will address diverse groups of communications experts in the Church.

The archbishop's first speech will be to participants in the two-day continental meeting that starts today, of RIIAL, the Spanish acronym for the Information Network of the Church in Latin America. April 2 he will speak to participants in a continental congress on the Church and Information Technology, some of whom will follow the meeting from other countries via computer in a "virtual congress."

On Saturday, April 5, Archbishop Foley will address the meeting of Social Communications Commissions of the Episcopal Conferences of America and on Sunday, April 6 he will deliver the homily at the closing Mass for the participants in this meeting.

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ARCHBISHOP TAURAN RECEIVES AMBASSADORS FROM EU COUNTRIES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2003 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in a statement released today, said that "yesterday afternoon, within the framework of periodic meetings with representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States, received the ambassadors of the countries of the European Union. The meeting was an occasion to exchange opinions on the situation in Iraq, on the state of the future European constitution and on the international situation in general."

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PAPAL AUDIENCES WITH RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2003 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following statement this afternoon:

"This morning the Holy Father John Paul II received in separate audiences Sergey M. Mironov, president of the senate of the Russian Federation, and Volodimyr Litvin, president of the parliament of Ukraine.

"Afterwards the president of the senate of the Russian Federation and the president of the Ukrainian parliament each met separately with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state.

"During the conversations there was an exchange of opinions on Church-State relations in the respective countries and on the prospects for peace at the present moment."

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CONFESSORS MUST ALWAYS ADHERE TO MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2003 (VIS) - The pro-penitentiary major and the prelates and officials of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the penitential priests of Rome's major basilicas, as well as many young priests and seminarians, were welcomed this morning by the Holy Father in the traditional audience he holds with them as they participate in the annual course on the internal forum.

The internal forum is that sphere of ecclesiastical authority exercised in regard to matters dealing with the private spiritual good of individuals, the sphere in which the Sacrament of Penance is administered.

The Holy Father told his listeners he wished to reflect on "the privileged relation that exists between the priesthood and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which must be received from the priest above all with faith and humility, as well as with convinced frequency."

"To the intrinsic value of the Sacrament of Penance must be added its ascetic efficacy as an occasion for self-examination and therefore, as a verification, happy or painful, of one's own level of fidelity to promises. It is also an ineffable moment to 'experience' the eternal charity that the Lord has for each one of us in our unrepeatable individuality; it is an outlet for delusions and bitterness, inflicted on us perhaps unjustly: it is a consoling balm for the many forms of suffering that mark life."

The priest who hears confession, stressed John Paul II, must welcome the penitent, be thoughtful, warm and caring in his demeanor and "not be avaricious with his time." He must also, said the Pope, use charity and justice "in referring, without ideological variations, ... to the genuine teachings of the Church."

"In particular," he continued, "I wish to call your attention to the duty to adhere to the Magisterium of the Church concerning the complex problems that occur in the bioethical sphere and concerning the moral and canonical norms in the sphere of marriage."

He forcefully reiterated a point he made in his 2002 Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday: "It can happen that in the face of complex contemporary ethical problems the faithful leave the confessional with somewhat confused ideas, especially if they find that confessors are not consistent in their judgments. The truth is that those who fulfill this delicate ministry in the name of God and of the Church have a specific duty not to promote and, even more so, not to express in the confessional, personal opinions that do not correspond to what the Church teaches and professes. Likewise, a failure to speak the truth because of a misconceived sense of compassion should not be taken for love."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Sergey M. Mironov, president of the senate of the Russian Federation, with an entourage.

- Two prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Benyamin Bria of Denpasar.

- Bishop Julianus Kemo Sunarko, S.J. of Purwokerto.

- Volodimyr Litvin, president of the parliament of Ukraine, and an entourage.

- Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Early this evening the Pope is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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THE CHURCH NEEDS MANY QUALIFIED EVANGELIZERS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2003 (VIS) - Today at noon John Paul II received participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America during which, he noted, they had examined the situation of the Church in that part of the world and offered some guidelines to confront current challenges.

The Pope said that in order "to announce Christ better to the men and women of today, thus illuminating with the wisdom of the Gospel the challenges and problems that the Church and society experience in Latin America at the beginning of the millennium, the Church needs many qualified evangelizers who speak 'more and more of Jesus Christ' with new ardor, renewed enthusiasm, refined ecclesial spirit and filled with faith and hope."

"The originality and fecundity of the Gospel, a continuous font of creativity, always inspire new expressions and initiatives in ecclesiastical life and help to identity new ways to evangelize that, in complete fidelity to the Magisterium and tradition of the Church, are necessary to announce the Gospel in faraway places to all men and women, to every ethnicity and every social class, including the most difficult sectors or those who are opposed."

The Holy Father made reference to the phenomena of sects, which they discussed during the plenary, and indicated that confronting "in a decisive way this grave and insidious problem" requires "in-depth evangelization, the continuous and active presence of pastors, bishops and priests among their parishioners, and a personal relationship of the faithful with Christ."

Other areas such as "young people and families and especially priestly vocations need special attention from pastors, with ample synergy, that is, with a group effort, stressing unity and communion: it is ever-more necessary 'to make the Church a home and a school of communion: this is the great challenge that awaits us in the new millennium'." The Pope concluded by recalling the "great importance of the evangelizing activity of religious, as well as that of ecclesiastical movements" for this challenge.

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DUKE AND DUCHESS OF LUXEMBOURG: TRANSMIT RICHNESS OF VALUES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2003 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received in audience their Royal Highnesses, the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. The Pope asked them to convey his greetings to Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte, assuring the duchess of his prayers for her health.

John Paul II focused his speech on the transmission to future generations of "the patrimony of values that have shaped our societies and that must continue to give them a soul."

"The building of the European Union," he went on, "cannot be limited to the fields of the economy and the organization of the market. It must promote a model for society that honors the fundamental dignity of the whole person and ... that favors relations based on justice, mutual respect and peace among human beings and peoples."

Later he emphasized that the "religious dimension, ... whose importance cannot be ignored, allows people to express their profound being, to recognize their origin in God and to understand the meaning of their actions in terms of mission and responsibility."

"We have the duty," said the Pope at the end of his speech, "to make everyone who lives on our continent and enjoys economic wealth and the benefits of peace, recognize the inalienable value of our common humanity and the responsibility we have for the plight of every human being, especially those who suffer from poverty, disrespect of dignity or those who know the trial of war. I am happy that today many European youths thirst for the spirit of the Beatitudes and are ready to accept them more and more in their life."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Vac, Hungary, presented by Bishop Ferenc Keszthelyi, O.Cist. upon having reached the age limit.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience two prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Cosmas Michael Angkur, O.F.M., of Bogor.

- Bishop Agustinus Agus of Sintang.

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POPE ANNOUNCES PILGRIMAGE TO MARIAN SHRINE OF POMPEII

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2003 (VIS) - Following today's general audience catechesis, Pope John Paul addressed the pilgrims present in St. Peter's Square in various languages, asking first and foremost for prayers for peace in the world, most especially in Iraq. He also announced that on October 7 he will go to the Marian shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, near Naples, Italy.

"Dear friends," the Pope addressed Italian pilgrims, "yesterday we celebrated the solemnity of the Annunciation, the first of the Joyful Mysteries that recalls the Incarnation of the Son of God, Prince of Peace. Reciting the holy Rosary we meditated on this mystery with our heart oppressed by the news coming from Iraq which is in war, without forgetting the other conflicts that rage on earth."

"How important it is," he continued, "that during this Year of the Rosary we persevere in praying the rosary to implore peace! I ask that you continue to do so, especially in Marian shrines. To Mary, Queen of the Rosary, I now entrust my intention to go to her shrine in Pompeii next October 7 on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. May Mary's maternal intercession obtain justice and peace for the entire world."
Speaking Dutch, the Holy Father told pilgrims from the Netherlands and Belgium: "Let us raise our prayers to God that love may conquer hatred, that peace, justice and solidarity may grow in every corner of the earth, in the spirit of the Gospel."

John Paul II then addressed his fellow Poles, including the cardinal primate of Poland, the minister for Fine Arts, and the ambassadors of Poland and France to the Holy See. "At the end of this audience," he told them, "I will bless a copy of the famous fresco of 'Mater admirabilis' from the church of the Most Holy Trinity (on Rome's Trinita dei Monti). Tradition links this in a singular way with Cyprian Norwid. He prayed before this image for the gift for himself of conversion and faith. I express my joy that this fact is being commemorated through this copy of the fresco to be placed in the church of St. Catherine in Warsaw."

Born near Warsaw, Poland in 1821, Cyprian Norwid was a poet, painter, playwright and philosopher, whose works have been cited on many occasions by Pope John Paul in his speeches. Norwid's travels to Europe brought him frequently to Rome and to the church of Trinita dei Monti.

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MAY DIVINE GRACE SUSTAIN OUR DAYS MARKED BY TRIAL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2003 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience celebrated in St. Peter's Square in which 13,000 people participated, the Pope spoke about Psalm 89 which presents human frailty and the passing of time.

John Paul II affirmed that at the beginning of the canticle, the psalmist, "with insistence, contrasts God's eternity with the ephemeral time of man. ... Our experience has the fragility of grass that sprouts in the morning and withers in the evening. ... The eternity and power of God is contrasted by the brevity of time accorded man and the limits of human beings, marked by sin."

After pointing out that, according to the psalmist "human life is limited", the Holy Father indicated that "the Lord teaches us to 'count our days' so that, in accepting them with healthy realism, 'we obtain wisdom of heart'. However, the psalmist asks God for something more: that His grace sustain and gladden our days, so fragile and marked by trial. May He allow us to taste the flavor of hope, even though the wave of time seems to carry us away. Only the grace of the Lord can give consistency and timelessness to our daily actions."

"We ask God with prayer," he concluded, "that a reflection of eternity may penetrate our short life and our actions. With the presence of divine grace in us, a light will shine on the passing of days, misery will become glory, what seems senseless will gain meaning."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 26, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Jozef Glemp, archbishop of Warsaw, Poland and president of the Polish Episcopal Conference.

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SERVING TRUTH IS MORAL REQUIREMENT OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2003 (VIS) - Today, the second day of their annual plenary assembly, the members, consultors, staff and experts of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications were welcomed by the Holy Father. Noting that today is the solemnity of the Annunciation, "when the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ was announced by the Angel Gabriel to Mary," the Pope said it is the council's duty to make this news "ever more effectively present in the world of the media."

"There is no question that the media today exercise a most powerful and pervasive influence, forming and informing public opinion on a local, national and global scale. As we reflect on this fact, a passage from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians comes to mind: 'Let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another'. These words of the Apostle form an apt summary of what should be two basic aims of modern social communications: Making the truth ever more widely known and increasing solidarity within the human family."

John Paul II remarked that, for his Message for the 37th World Day of Social Communications, he chose a theme suggested by Blessed Pope John XXIII in "Pacem in terris", when he called for "'fairness and impartiality' in the use of the 'instruments for the promotion and spread of mutual understanding between nations'. ... In that Message I noted that 'the fundamental moral requirement of all communications is respect for and service of the truth."

"In fact," he concluded, "truth and solidarity are two of the most efficacious means available for overcoming hatred, resolving conflict and eliminating violence. They are also indispensable for re-establishing and strengthening the mutual bonds of understanding, trust and compassion that unite all individuals, peoples and nations, regardless of their ethnic or cultural origin. In short, truth and solidarity are necessary if humanity is to succeed in building a culture of life, a civilization of love, a world of peace."

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WORK AND PRAY SO THAT THERE IS NO MORE WAR

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Holy Father to military chaplains who are participating today and tomorrow in a formation course on human rights in the Vatican, organized by the Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

"It is precisely when arms are unleashed," writes the Pope in the Message dated March 24, "that the need becomes imperative for laws that make military operations less inhuman. Throughout the centuries, awareness of a similar need gradually grew, right up to the progressive formation of a real and proper juridic 'corpus', defined as 'international human rights law.' This 'corpus' has been able to develop thanks to the maturation of principles inherent to the Christian message."
John Paul II emphasizes that the military chaplains must bear witness that "even in the hardest of battles it is always possible, and therefore a duty, to respect the dignity of the military adversary, the dignity of civilians, and the indelible dignity of each human being involved in armed conflicts. In this way, reconciliation necessary for the reestablishment of peace after the conflict is favored."

After making reference to the present "difficult hour in history" due to the outbreak of a new war, the Pope affirms that "thinking of the victims, the destruction and the suffering caused by armed conflicts always causes great concern and pain."

"It should be clear by now that war used as an instrument of resolution of conflicts between states was rejected, even before the Charter of the United Nations, by the conscience of the majority of humanity, except in the case of defense against an aggressor. The vast contemporary movement in favor of peace - which, according to Vatican Council II, is not reduced to a 'simple absence of war' - demonstrates this conviction of men of every continent and culture."

The Holy Father highlighted "the strength of different religions in sustaining the search for peace is a reason for comfort and hope. In our view of faith, peace, even if it is the result of political accords and understanding among individuals and peoples, is a gift from God that we must constantly invoke with prayer and penance. Without a conversion of the heart there is no peace! Peace is only achieved through love! Right now we are all asked to work and pray so that war disappears from the horizon of humanity."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy and delegate of the Holy See for the Works of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.

- Four prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar, O.F.M. of Jayapura.
- Bishop Johannes Sudiarna Hadiwikarta of Surabaya.

- Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Amboina, M.S.C. accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Josephus Tethool, M.S.C.

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HOLY FATHER TO CANONIZE FIVE BLESSEDS IN MADRID ON MAY 4

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2003 (VIS) - According to a statement made this morning by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, "Pope John Paul II will undertake an apostolic trip to Spain on May 3 and 4 for the canonization in Madrid of Blesseds Pedro Poveda Castroverde, Jose Maria Rubio y Peralta, Genoveva Torres Morales, Angela de la Cruz and Maria Maravillas de Jesus."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 25, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the office of Auxiliary of Brescia, Italy presented by Bishop Vigilio Mario Olmi upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Francesco Beschi, pro-vicar general of the diocese of Brescia, Italy, as auxiliary of the same diocese (area 4,339, population 1,041,466, Catholics 1,025, 116, priests 1,097, permanent deacons 26, religious 2,813). The bishop-elect was born in Brescia in 1951 and was ordained a priest in 1975.

- Appointed Fr. Claude Champagne, O.M.I., provincial superior of the oblate province of Saint-Joseph, Montreal, Canada, as auxiliary of the diocese of Halifax (area 21,770, population 517,833, Catholics 155,000, priests 84, permanent deacons 25, religious 310), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in 1947 in Lachine, Canada and was ordained a priest in 1975.

- Appointed Msgr. Richard Seminack of the clergy of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma of the Ukraines, U.S.A., as bishop of the Eparchy of St. Nicholas of Chicago of the Ukraines (area Catholics 10,000, priests 55, permanent deacons 12, religious 19), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Philadelphia, U.S.A., in 1942 and was ordained a priest in 1967.

- Appointed Fr. Wieslaw Alojzy Mering, rector of the diocesan seminary of Pelplin, Poland, as bishop of Wloclawek (area 10,143, population 872,853, Catholics 851,629, priests 616, religious 726), Poland. The bishop-elect was born in Zukow, Poland in 1945 and was ordained in 1972.

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POPE WELCOMES GROUP FROM WORLD INSTITUTE OF PHENOMENOLOGY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed a small delegation from the World Institute of Phenomenology from Hanover, Massachusetts on the occasion of the presentation in Rome of the volume "Phenomenology Worldwide. Foundations - Expanding - Dynamics - Life Engagements. A Guide for Research and Study."

The Pope noted that the volume is "the fruit of the collaboration of over 70 specialists in the various fields of phenomenological research." He said that Edmund Husserl, "the father of phenomenology, hoped in fact that a community of research would be formed to face with diverse yet complementary approaches the great worlds of man and life."

"I thank God," stated John Paul I, "for having allowed me to participate in this fascinating undertaking, starting with my years of study and teaching and even afterwards, in the successive stages of my life and pastoral ministry."

He described phenomenology as "first of all a style of thought, an intellectual relation with reality, whose essential and constitutive traits one hopes to gather, avoiding prejudices and schematisms. I would like to say it is almost an attitude of intellectual charity towards man and the world and, for the believer, towards God, the principle and the end of all things."

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PEACE IS THE ONLY WAY TO BUILD A MORE JUST SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father received this morning in audience the personnel of the Italian television station "Telepace" on the twenty-fifth anniversary of its founding.

"Telepace," said the Pope, noting that the Italian word "pace" means peace, "wants to be a television of peace, of that peace which is a gift from God and a humble and constant achievement of man. When war, like that underway in Iraq, threatens the future of humanity, it is even more urgent to proclaim with a strong and decisive voice that peace is the only way to build a more just and unified society. Violence and arms can never resolve the problems of men. Your broadcast station has made this indispensable education of peace its objective from the beginning."

John Paul II indicated that during these 25 years, Telepace "has maintained its charism unaltered, free of economic pressure in order to serve God and man in the Church. Since 1985, in collaboration with the Vatican Television Center, it covers the apostolic trips of the Successor of Peter and transmits on a daily basis his word and his teaching to countless families in Italy, Europe and, since last year, in so many other nations on earth."

Telepace, he affirmed, invites its viewers toward solidarity, seeking concrete help for the needy: "It informs, educates on the faith, encourages hope, stimulates solidarity, spreads peace which is born from an encounter with Christ."

The Holy Father concluded by recalling the spiritual help that Telepace offers through "the daily celebration of Holy Mass and the recitation of the Rosary, eucharistic adoration and spiritual exercises and other air time devoted to prayer and Christian formation."

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JOHN PAUL II BEATIFIES FIVE SERVANTS OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2003 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope beatified five servants of God: Pierre Bonhomme (1803-1916); Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena (1848-1918); Maria Caridad Brader (1860-1943); Juana Maria Condesa Lluch (1862-1916) and Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman (1870-1931).

In his homily, the Holy Father said that "meditation on Scripture was an incomparable source for the pastoral activity of Fr. Pierre Bonhomme, in particular his attention to the poor, sick, deaf-mutes and handicapped people, for whom he founded the Institute of the Religious of Our Lady of Calvary."

Speaking about Blessed Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena from Spain, he said: "She wanted to respond to the challenge of making Christ's redemption present in the world of work. For this reason, she gave herself the goal of 'making all men one single family in Jesus Christ'."

John Paul II affirmed that Blessed Juana Maria Condesa Lluch "had a deeply Christian youth: she used to go to daily mass, ... and she strengthened her faith with constant prayer. In this way, she prepared herself for total surrender to the love of God, founding the Congregation of Servants of Mary Immaculate which, faithful to its charism, continues to be committed to the promotion of the women who work."

Mother Maria Caridad Brader, virgin and foundress of the Congregation of the Religious Franciscans of Mary Immaculate, "with total confidence in divine providence, founded schools and charity centers, putting all her energy in total Eucharistic devotion."

Referring to Blessed Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman, a Hungarian layman, the Holy Father emphasized that "he never put the riches of the earth before the true good of heaven. May his example of family life and generous Christian solidarity be encouragement for everyone to follow the Gospel faithfully."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Peter Fernando of Tuticorin, India as metropolitan archbishop of Madurai (area 8,910, population 5,889, Catholics 300,244, priests 184, religious 1,022), India. He succeeds Archbishop Marianus Arokiasamy whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Joannis Spiteris, O.F.M.Cap., as archbishop of Corfu, Zante, Cefalonia, Greece and apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Thessaloniki, Greece. The archbishop-elect was born in Corfu in 1940 and was ordained a priest in 1968. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese and from the same apostolic vicariate presented by Archbishop Anthonios Varthalitis, A.A., upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Philip Anyolo of Kericho, Kenya as bishop of Homa Bay (area 7,778, population 1,600,000, Catholics 333,694, priests 37, religious 432), Kenya.

- Appointed Fr. Emmanuel Okombo of the clergy of the diocese of Bungoma, Kenya as bishop of Kericho (area 4,800, population 1,480,906, Catholics 198,653, priests 30, religious 110), Kenya. The bishop-elect was born in 1942 in Bungoma, Kenya and was ordained a priest in 1972.

- Appointed Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as his special envoy to the celebrations of the 750th anniversary of the canonization of St. Stanislaw, bishop and martyr, which will take place on May 11, 2003 in Krakow, Poland.

- Appointed Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, as his special envoy to the celebrations of the seventh centenary of the death of St. Ivo, patron of jurists, which will take place in Treguier, France May 16-18, 2003.

- Appointed Archbishop Jean-Claude Perisset, apostolic nuncio in Romania, as apostolic nuncio in Moldova.

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WORLD FORUM ON WATER, AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR LIFE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2003 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, today addressed the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan, and presented a Note prepared by the council entitled "Water, An Essential Element for Life." The Forum began March 16 and ends on Sunday, March 23.

In his remarks, the archbishop said that "even the title of the Note reflects the concern of the Holy See, as well as its ethical and religious understanding of the many complex water-related problems. Water is a good that must serve for the development of the whole person and of every person."

He explained that "after the first section, in which some of the fundamental moral principles related to the question of water are laid out, the Note deals with the key problems which governments and the international community have to face today at the social, economic, political and environmental level. In the final section, after having acknowledged the importance water holds within religious traditions, the Note considers in some detail the right to water because of the growing importance that the efforts towards its full recognition are assuming in the public debate."

In conclusion, Archbishop Martino said that "after the Third World Water Forum, and in the light of its conclusions, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace will deal with the topic of water in a more developed and detailed document. The topic is closely related to the message of the social doctrine of the Church concerning human promotion and is also an extremely urgent problem in today's world."

The document consists of an Introduction, six parts and a Conclusion. Part I, entitled "A Far-Reaching Question," notes that "water plays a central and critical role in all aspects of life - in the national environment, in our economies, in food security, in production, in politics. Water has indeed a special significance for the great religions." It adds that water is, for the poor, a crucial issue for life, indeed "a right to life issue."

Part II, "The Water Issue: Some Ethical Considerations," highlights that respect for life must guide development policy, that the human person is central to policy issues, including water, and that water is included in the "principle of the universal destination of the goods of creation."

Part III, "Water: A Social Good," examines Water for Food and Rural Development, Safe Drinking Water, Health and Sanitation and Peace and/or Conflict. Part IV then looks at "Water: An Economic Good," studying The Economics of Water, Water and Energy, Private Sector Engagement and Privatization. In Part V, "Water: An Environmental Good," the Note reviews Environmentally Sound Sanitation and Disaster Mitigation and Risk Management.

Part VI, entitled "Other Issues Impacting Water Supply," looks at the issues of Population, Politics, A Right to Water and Poverty. The Conclusion states that "none of the issues presented here is done in isolation. Only in a true holistic approach can the human being confront the challenges set forward in addressing the issue of water. The Holy See's contribution is presented with the conviction of the central role of the human being in caring for the environment and its constitutive elements."

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PILGRIMS AT BEATIFICATIONS RECEIVED BY POPE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2003 (VIS) - Today at noon, the Holy Father received participants in the beatifications of the following Servants of God which took place yesterday: Pierre Bonhomme, Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena, Maria Caridad Brader, Juana Maria Condesa Lluch and Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman.

The Pope asked the sisters of Our Lady of Calvary, the spiritual daughters of the French priest Pierre Bonhomme, to remain "faithful to the spirit of service" that characterized their founder who was "totally dedicated to the poor."

John Paul II then spoke to the pastors, religious and lay people who attended the beatification of Blesseds Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena and Juana Maria Condesa Lluch, both from Spain, and the Swiss blessed who had a "Latin-American and universal soul," Mother Maria Caridad Brader: "The three lived during the same time, they fed their life of faith consistently with prayer, intimacy with the Eucharist and loving devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary."

The Holy Father said that Blessed Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman, a lay person from Hungary, "worked during his life for peace and for the building of a new common European home. For this reason, this new blessed can be considered a protector" of Europe.

At the end of the audience, Archbishop Agustin Garcia-Gasco of Valencia, Spain was presented with the "Icon of the Holy Family," a symbol of the world days with families, since the next gathering will take place in this Spanish city in 2006. The Pope asked that contemplation of this image, in the years leading up to the encounter, "may serve as an inspiration to continue working for the defense and promotion of the institution of the family ... and that the family may be 'gaudium et spes', the joy and hope, of humanity, a school of transmission of the genuine values that man needs and a place of welcome for life."

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TO LUTHERANS: WE MUST FOSTER A SPIRITUALITY OF COMMUNION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2003 (VIS) - A delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, making an ecumenical journey to Istanbul, Rome and Canterbury, was welcomed this morning by Pope John Paul, who said "May your visit confirm you in your commitment to the cause of Christian unity."

"The quest for full communion among all Christians," he went on, "is a duty which springs from the prayer of the Lord Himself. In recent times we have come to appreciate more deeply the fellowship existing between Lutherans and Catholics, which led to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification signed in 1999. In that document we are challenged to build on what has already been achieved, fostering more extensively at the local level a spirituality of communion marked by prayer and shared witness to the Gospel."

The Holy Father, in closing, said that "in a world filled with danger and insecurity, all Christians are called to stand together in proclaiming the values of the Kingdom of God. The events of recent days make this duty all the more urgent."

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POPE IMPLORES MARY FOR GIFT OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2003 (VIS) - At the end of this morning's Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square, during which he beatified five Servants of God, the Pope addressed the pilgrims who came from diverse countries for the beatifications, and then prayed the Angelus with them.

He greeted the pilgrim groups in French, German, Hungarian, and Spanish, concluding in Italian, with a plea for peace. "We now turn to Mary Most Holy, whom the new Blesseds loved and venerated with special devotion. Let us implore her, above all at this time, for the gift of peace. To her we entrust in particular the victims of these hours of war and their family members who are suffering. I feel especially close to them in affection and prayer."

Speaking French, the Pope welcomed the pilgrims who came for the beatification of Fr. Pierre Bonhomme. Then, in remarks to the German and Hungarian faithful, the Holy Father spoke of the life of Blessed Laszlo Batthyany-Strattman, a layman and father of 13. "May the example of Blessed Laszlo, who daily prayed the Rosary with his family, strengthen you in the veneration of Our Lady."

The Holy Father in Spanish then addressed the cardinals, archbishops, and bishops present at today's celebration, and especially "the religious of the institutes founded by the New Blesseds Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena, Juana Maria Condesa Lluch and Maria Caridad Brader."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in audience two prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Joseph Theodorus Suwatan, M.S.C. of Manado.

- Bishop Aloysius Sudarso, S.C.I of Palembang.

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

- Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, archbishop of San Cristobal de la Habana, Cuba.

- Frere Roger of Taize, and an entourage.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL GROER

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul sent a telegram of condolences to Cardinal Christoph Schonborn. O.P., archbishop of Vienna, Austria upon hearing of the death last evening in St. Polten, Austria of Cardinal Hans Hermann Groer, O.S.B. at the age of 83.

Cardinal Groer was born in Vienna on October 13, 1919. He was ordained a priest in April 1942, a bishop in September 1986 and was created a cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of June 28, 1988. He served as archbishop of Vienna from 1986 to 1995.

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PREACHER OF PAPAL HOUSEHOLD GIVES FIRST LENTEN SERMON

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2003 (VIS) - This morning at 9 a.m. in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M.Cap., preacher of the Papal Household, gave the first of four Lenten sermons in the presence of Pope John Paul II. He spoke on the theme "Christ so loved His Church (Ephesians 5,25). A Reflection on the Mystery of the Church."

Cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and prelates of the Pontifical Family, the Roman Curia amd the Vicariate of Rome, are among those invited to be present at these weekly sermons which will continue on March 28 and on April 4 and 11.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Archbishop Raul Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, military ordinary of Ecuador, as metropolitan archbishop of Quito (area 10,000, population 2,250,000, Catholics 2,010,000, priests 455, permanent deacons 4, religious 2521), Ecuador. He succeeds Cardinal Antonio Jose Gonzalez Zumarraga whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Gave his blessing to the erection of the eparchy of Guizeh, Egypt, with territory taken from the Patriarchal Eparchy of Alexandria of the Catholic Copts, effected by the Synod of Bishops of the Coptic Catholic Church on September 29, 2002. He gave his blessing at the same time to the transfer of Bishop Andraos Salama, auxiliary of Alexandria of the Copts, to the new eparchial see of Guizeh.
- Appointed Bishop George Haddad, S.M.S.P., apostolic exarch for the Greek Melkite Catholics resident in Argentina, as apostolic administrator "sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the Greek Melkite Archieparchy of Akka, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Galilea.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 21, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Mirko Sarovic, president on duty of the Collegial Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with Dragan Covic and Sulejman Tihic and other members of the presidency and an entourage.

- Five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Girulfus Kherubim Pareira of Weetebula.

- Bishop Hilarius Moa Nurak of Pangkal-Pinang.

- Bishop Herman Joseph Sahadat Pandoyoputro of Malang.

- Bishop Giulio Mencuccini of Sanggua.

- Bishop Florentinus Sului Hajang Hau of Samarinda.

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ARCHBIHOP FOLEY REFLECTS ON HUNGER IN THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2003 (VIS) - Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, delivered a homily today, solemnity of St. Joseph, at a Mass for a Study Day on "Hunger in the World" offered at the Lay Center of Foyer Unitas at the Irish College. He said that "on this day in which we will be reflecting on hunger in the world, I would ask that we reflect on how Jesus was nourished - and how He chose to nourish us."

"There are no reports that Jesus went hungry," said the archbishop. "Not only was Joseph a faithful worker and provider, but there was extended family in Nazareth - always a helpful form of insurance against hunger. In considering the problem of hunger in the world today, it would seem that a principal problem is not supply; it is distribution. In Nazareth, Joseph worked, and the family ate. While he was a carpenter and not a farmer or a shepherd, the Holy Family lived in a basically agricultural and pastoral community, and food could be readily purchased.

Archbishop Foley exclaimed that "Today, in the world, because of war, unemployment, drought and an ineffective food distribution system in many parts of the world, millions go hungry. ... But all of us must work together for that peace and stability and effective distribution system which will make it possible for all families to retain their self-respect, to be able to earn and prepare their daily bread and to nourish their children - as Joseph and Mary nourished Jesus."

In conclusion, he underscored that "Jesus, in leaving us His most beautiful memorial, gave us the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, in which we are able to be nourished on the path to eternal life."

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ST. JOSEPH, A JUST MAN, A MODEL OF LIFE IN FAITH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 2003 (VIS) - The focus of Pope John Paul's reflections at today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 12,000 pilgrims, was St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, whose solemnity the Church celebrates today. The Pope noted that the liturgy refers to him as "the 'father' of Jesus, ready to fulfill the divine plan, even when it escapes human understanding."

"St. Joseph is defined in the Gospel," he continued, "as a 'just man', and he is for all believers a model of life in faith. The word 'just' recalls his moral rectitude, his sincere attachment to practicing the law and his behavior of total openness to the will of the heavenly Father. Even in difficult and sometimes dramatic moments, the humble carpenter from Nazareth never presumed he had a right to question God's project."

The Holy Father noted that St. Joseph followed God's call "with docile responsibility: he listened carefully to the angel when it was a question of taking the Virgin of Nazareth as his spouse, of fleeing into Egypt, of returning to Israel. In few but meaningful verses the evangelists describe him as the thoughtful guardian of Jesus, an attentive and faithful spouse, who exercises authority in the family in a constant attitude of service."

Because of his hard manual labor to provide for his family, added the Pope, "the Church justly calls St. Joseph the patron of workers. Thus, today's solemnity is a propitious occasion to reflect on the importance of work in the life of man, the family and the community. Man is the subject and the protagonist of work. ... Human activity, recalls Vatican Council II, derives from man and is ordered to man."

In closing remarks, John Paul II asked "St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, to watch over the entire ecclesial community and, man of peace that he was, to obtain for all of mankind, especially for the peoples threatened in these hours by war, the precious gift of harmony and peace."

The Pope reiterated those sentiments when, after the catechesis, he greeted in various languages the pilgrim groups present. He noted that "numerous faithful are here who have come with the Benedictine torch of peace that was lit in New Norcia in Australia and which today rests at the tomb of the Apostles, and will then proceed to Norcia. ... Dear Brothers and sisters, while I thank you for today's visit, I hope that this traditional initiative, in these hours of trepidation for peace, will contribute to reviving in souls a decisive will for harmony and reconciliation."

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CATHOLIC AND RUSSIAN ORTHODOX OFFICIALS MEET IN GENEVA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity today released the following communique:

"Cardinal Walter Kasper, council president and His Eminence Kirill, metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, president of the Department for External Ecclesiastical Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, met in Geneva on March 19 to discuss the situation of the relations between the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. In the course of the frank discussions it was agreed that further consultations will be held with the intention of resolving the problems that exist between the two Churches."

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HOLY SEE STATEMENT ON HOSTILITIES IN IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - The following declaration was made today by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office:

"The Holy See has learned with deep pain of the development of the latest events in Iraq. On the one hand, it is to be regretted that the Iraqi government did not accept the resolutions of the United Nations and the appeal of the Pope himself, as both asked that the country disarm. On the other hand, it is to be deplored that the path of negotiations, according to international law, for a peaceful solution of the Iraqi drama has been interrupted.

"Given these circumstances, it was learned with satisfaction that the various Catholic institutions in Iraq continue to perform their activities of assisting those populations. To contribute to this work of solidarity even the Apostolic Nunciature, headed by Archbishop Fernando Filoni, will remain open in this period in its office in Baghdad."

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CENTENARY OF CANONICAL APPROVAL OF WORK OF FR. ORIONE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a message by the Pope to Fr. Roberto Simionato, director general of the Small Work of Divine Providence on the occasion of the centenary of the canonical approval of this institute.

In the message, dated March 8, John Paul II writes to the members of the congregation founded by Blessed Luigi Orione: "Only by remaining rooted firmly in the divine life and by conserving the spirit of your origins, will you be able to respond in a prophetic way to the needs of the present era."

"Creative fidelity in a world that changes: may this orientation guide your way, as Fr. Orione liked to repeat: 'ahead of the times'. If the centenary celebrations of the canonical approval help you to 'remember' the climate of your origins, re-living it, at the same time it stimulates you, also in view of the next chapter, to 'protect' new and courageous initiatives in the field of charity. May your original spirit remain intact!"

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Antonio Algora Hernando of Teruel y Albarracin, Spain as bishop of Ciudad Real (area 19,813, population 483,510, Catholics 480,910, priests 267, religious 718), Spain. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Rafael Torija de la Fuente, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Carlos German Mesa Ruiz, rector of the Major Seminary in Tunja, Colombia as bishop of Arauca (area 37,490, population 248,750, Catholics 202,000, priests 38, religious 62), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Duitama, Colombia 1943 and was ordained a priest in 1967.

On March 19 it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Erected the diocese of Port-Gentil (area 22,850, population 120,000, Catholics 68,000, priests 8, religious 18), Gabon, taking territory from the archdiocese of Libreville and making it a suffragan of the same metropolitan see. He appointed Bishop Mathieu Madega, auxiliary of Libreville, Gabon as the first bishop of the newly-erected diocese.

- Erected the apostolic prefecture (area 46,075, population 85,000, Catholics 245,000, priests 6, religious 6) of Makokou, Gabon, taking territory from the diocese of Oyem and entrusting to it the "Commissio sui iuris." He appointed Fr. Joseph Koerber, C.S.Sp. as the first apostolic prefect of the newly-erected prefecture. He was born in 1943 in Sierentz, France and was ordained a priest in 1972.

- Appointed Fr. Mathias Lee Yong-Hoon, professor at the Major Seminary of Suwon, as auxiliary bishop of Suwon (area 5,731, population 5,954,538, Catholics 505,601, priests 272, religious 1,243), Korea. The bishop-elect was born in 1951 in Kyoung-ghi, Korea and was ordained a priest in 1979.

- Appointed Bishop Nestor Hugo Navarro, auxiliary of Bahia Blanca, Argentina, as bishop of Alto Valle del Rio Negra (area 37,130, population 332,601, Catholics 262,211, priests 24, permanent deacons 1, religious 57), Argentina. He suceeds Bishop Jose Pedro Pozzi, S.D.B., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted upon having reached the age limit.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, apostolic nuncio in Nigeria.

- Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Anicetus Bongsu Antonius Sinaga of Sibolga.

- Bishop Anton Pain Ratu of Atambua.

- Bishop Martinus Dogma Situmorang of Padang.

- Bishop Fransiskus Xaverius Rocharjanta Prajasuta of Banjarmasin.

- Bishop Alexander Soetandio Djajasiswaja of Bandung.

- Bishop Eduardus Sangsun of Ruteng.

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FIVE SERVANTS OF GOD TO BE BEATIFIED ON MARCH 23

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2003 (VIS) - On Sunday, March 23, Third Sunday of Lent, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul will beatify five Servants of God, according to a communique published today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

The future Blesseds are: Pierre Bonhomme, priest, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Calvary (1803-1861); Maria Dolores Rodriguez Sopena, virgin, foundress of the Dolores Sopena Catechetical Institute (1848-1918); Maria Caridad Brader, virgin, foundress of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate (1860-1943); Juana Maria Condesa Lluch, foundress of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Mary Immaculate (1862-1916); and Laszlo Batthyany Strattmann, layman, father of a family (1870-1931).

"On the Lenten path towards Easter," adds the communique, "we contemplate the mystery of Christ, the living temple of God, destroyed in death and rebuilt in the Resurrection. He, the power and wisdom of God, reveals the strength of the Cross in the men and women who, following Him closely, are glorified in Him by the Church."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Roberto Muhiirwa, pastor of the Cathedral of Virika, Uganda, as bishop of the diocese of Fort Portal (area 9,553, population 1,116,631, Catholics 513,238, priests 83, religious 295), Uganda. The bishop-elect was born in 1958 in Ibonde, Uganda and was ordained a priest in 1985. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese, presented by Bishop Paul L. Kalanda upon having reached the age limit.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Semarang.

- Bishop Francis Xavier Sudartanta Hadisumarta of Manokwari-Sorong.

- Bishop Darius Nggawa of Larantuka, accompanied by Coadjutor Bishop Franciscus Kopong Kung.

- Bishop Andreas Henrisusanta of Tanjungkarang.

- Bishop Blasius Pujoraharja of Ketapang.

- Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, accompanied by Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, and Msgr. Angelo Vincenzo Zani, secretary and undersecretary of the same congregation.

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PRESS OFFICE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2003 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration today to journalists concerning the latest developments in the international situation: "Whoever decides that all peaceful means that international law has put at our disposition have been exhausted assumes a serious responsibility before God, his conscience and history."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 2003 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Abel Nunez Alonso, O.M., emeritus of Campo Maior, Brazil on March 8 at age 81.

- Bishop Antonio Duran Arellano, emeritus of San Carlo de Venezuela, Venezuela on March 2 at age 75.

- Bishop Harry Anselm Clinch, emeritus of Monterey in California, U.S.A. on March 8 at age 94.

- Bishop Leonard Ying-Fa Hsu, O.F.M., former auxiliary of Taipei, Taiwan, on March 2 at age 80.

- Bishop Jorge Arturo Meinvielle of San Justo, Argentina on March 2 at age 71.

- Bishop Martin Wiesend, former auxiliary of Bamberg, Germany, on March 7 at age 92.

- Archbishop Saba Youakim, B.S., emeritus of Petra and Filadelfia of the Greek-Melkites, Jordan, on March 6 at age 88.

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POPE JOHN PAUL, ROMAN CURIA CONCLUDE WEEKLONG RETREAT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2003 (VIS) - This morning Pope John Paul concluded his weeklong retreat with members of the Roman Curia in the Vatican's Redemptoris Mater Chapel, calling these past days "a privileged occasion to encounter the Lord."

He expressed his "cordial thanks" to the retreat master, Archbishop Angelo Comastri, prelate of Loreto, who the Pope said, "with pastoral delicacy, with a wealth of ascetic indications, with wisdom and devotion, has guided our steps towards an encounter with God. ... Together with you we have gone through many pages of Scripture, discovering new and fascinating perspectives. ... We have also listened to examples and witnesses from our times, who have invigorated us in our decision to abandon ourselves with trust to the arms of God, Whose mercy 'extends from generation to generation'."

"You also," the Pope told him, "turned our attention to Our Lady, calling her the most faithful creature because she was the most humble of creatures."

John Paul II added that he "would like to thank everyone who helped us these days by preparing the liturgy, the songs and the meetings in this Redemptoris Mater Chapel whose mosaics make us feel close in prayer to our Eastern brothers." He concluded by thanking everyone who had been close to them through prayer during the retreat.

At the end of the spiritual exercises, the Pope imposed the pallium on Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals.

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LETTER FOR 4TH CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO

VATICAN CITY, MAR 17, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Pope John Paul to Fr. Joachim Giermek, minister general of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual, on the occasion of the fourth centenary this year of the birth of St. Joseph of Cupertino. The Pope noted that this "faithful disciple of St. Francis of Assisi ... was popularly known as 'the saint of flights' because of his frequent ecstasies and the extraordinary nature of his mystical experiences."

"The patron of students," added the Pope, "St. Joseph of Cupertino encouraged the world of culture, especially schools, to base human knowledge on the wisdom of God. It is precisely thanks to his inner docility to the suggestions of divine wisdom that this singular saint can be proposed as a spiritual guide for every category of faithful, ... priests and religious, young people and adults, children and old people."

The Holy Father noted that St. Joseph was marked by his great love for the mystery of the Incarnation as well as for the Eucharist, and by his participation in the Passion of Christ. For St. Joseph, the Pope remarked, "the Crucifix was always present in his mind and heart, among the sufferings of a life that was misunderstood and often beset with obstacles. He shed copious tears at the thought of Jesus' death on the Cross because, as he liked to repeat, it was sins that pierced the immaculate body of the redeemer with the hammer of ingratitude, egoism and indifference."

"St. Joseph of Cupertino," the Pope stated, "distinguished himself by his simplicity and obedience. Detached from everything, he continuously travelled, moving from one convent to another, as his superiors ordered, abandoning himself to the hands of God. ... He nourished a deep attachment to the Successor of Peter and had a great sense of the Church, which he loved unconditionally. ... And what can we say of his filial and moving devotion to Our Lady?"

"May we all learn from him," John Paul II concluded, "how to walk on the path that leads to 'everyday' holiness, marked by the faithful fulfillment of one's own daily duty."

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"NEVER AGAIN WAR!" POPE EXHORTS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2003 (VIS) - During today's Angelus, Pope John Paul issued his strongest appeal yet to the United Nations Security Council to forego the use of arms in Iraq, saying "the use of force must represent the last recourse," and he entreated Iraq to fully cooperate with the international community. Recalling that he had personally experienced war, he pleaded "Never again war!"

The Pope began his remarks by saying that "only Christ can renew hearts and give hope again to peoples. Today's liturgy, presenting the mysterious event of the Transfiguration, makes us feel the power of His light, that overcomes the darkness of doubt and evil.

"In this perspective of faith, I wish to extend a pressing appeal to increase the commitment to prayer and penance, to ask Christ for the gift of His peace. Without conversion of the heart there is no peace."

The Holy Father continued: "The next days will be decisive for the outcome of the Iraqi crisis. Let us pray, therefore, that the Lord will inspire all parties involved to have courage and farsightedness. Certainly, the political leaders of Baghdad have the urgent duty to fully cooperate with the international community to eliminate every motive for an armed intervention. I address a pressing appeal to them: the fate of their fellow citizens must always have priority!"

"But I would also like to remind the member countries of the United Nations, in particular those who comprise the Security Council, that the use of force represents the last recourse, after having exhausted every other peaceful solution, according to the well-known principles of the U.N. Charter.

"And this is why - in the face of the tremendous consequences that an international military operation would have for the peoples of Iraq and the equilibrium of the entire Middle East region, already so extremely tried, as well as for the extremes that could come from it - I say to everyone: there is still time to negotiate; there is still room for peace; it is never too late for mutual understanding and for continuing to dialogue.
"Reflecting on one's own duty, committing oneself to effective negotiations does not mean humiliating oneself, but rather working responsibly towards peace. We Christians are convinced that authentic and lasting peace is not only the fruit of the necessary political agreements and understandings between individuals and peoples, but it is a gift of God to all those who submit to Him and accept with humility and gratitude the light of His love."

John Paul II at one point interrupted his appeal with off-the-cuff remarks, saying: "I belong to that generation that lived through and survived World War II. I have the duty of telling all young people, and those younger than me who have not had this experience: 'Never again war!', as Paul VI said in his first visit to the United Nations. We must do everything possible! We know well that it is not possible to ask for peace at all costs. But we all know how great, how very great, this responsibility is. Therefore, prayer and penance!"

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YOUNG PEOPLE: BE FAITHFUL TO MORAL AND SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2003 (VIS) - This afternoon in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father participated in a prayer vigil with thousands of young college students in celebration of the First European Day of University Students on the theme "Intellectual Charity, soul of the new Europe."

The gathering began at 6 p.m. with a series of reflections on the Pope's Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae." There were also satellite connections with Uppsala, Sweden, Bratislava, Slovakia, Krakow, Poland, Cologne, Germany, Fatima, Portugal and Vienna, Austria. At 7 p.m., the Pope arrived at the Paul VI Hall where he presided over the recitation of the Rosary and then spoke to the young people.

"This afternoon," John Paul II said, "we have prayed for Europe in an important moment in history. Young people can and must participate in the building of a new Europe, contributing with their aspirations and ideals, study and work, their creativity and generous dedication. Young Christians are called in a special way to announce and give witness to Christ and to be, in His name, builders of unity in diversity, freedom in truth, peace in justice, that peace which the world needs especially right now."

"Dear young people," he said, "I entrust you with something that I have at heart: that the new generations may be faithful to the high moral and spiritual principles that in the past inspired the fathers of a united Europe."

After summoning young Romans to St. Peter's Square on Thursday, April 10 as a prelude to World Youth Day, which will be celebrated on Palm Sunday, he affirmed: "We will perform together a solemn act of entrustment to the Virgin, asking her to watch over you and to protect your way as young people in the third millennium."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 17, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Martin Musonde Kivuva, co-director of the Catholic television production company "Ukweli Video" of Nairobi, as bishop of Machakos (area 15,183, population 2,008,889, Catholics 630,263, priests 106, religious 210), Kenya. The bishop-elect was born in Muthetheni, Kenya in 1952 and was ordained a priest in 1978. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Urbanus Joseph Kioko, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

On Saturday March 15 it was made public that the Holy Father:
- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Garzon, Colombia presented by Bishop Libardo Ramirez Gomez in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Fr. Callistus Rubaramira, of the clergy of Kabale, Uganda and diocesan treasurer, as bishop of the same diocese (area 5,330, population 1,468,800, Catholics 606,900, priests 97, religious 180). The bishop-elect was born in Kabale in 1950 and was ordained a priest in 1975. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Robert Gay, M.Af., upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Francisco Javier Martinez Fernandez of Cordoba, Spain as metropolitan archbishop of Granada (area 6,945, population 693,900, Catholics 674,828, priests 457, religious 1711), Spain. The archbishop-elect was born in Madrid, Spain in 1947 and was ordained a priest in 1972.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 17, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja, S.J., archbishop of Jakarta.

- Archbishop Jakobus Duivenvoorde, M.S.C., of Merauke.

- Archbishop Hieronimus Herculanus Bumbun, O.F.M., of Pontianak.

- Archbishop Johannes Liku Ada' of Makassar.

- Archbishop Longinus da Cunha of Ende.

- Archbishop Peter Turang of Kupang.

On Saturday March 15, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- His Beatitude, Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

- Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, archbishop emeritus of Tokyo, Japan.

- Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, apostolic nuncio in India and Nepal.

- Archbishop Angelo Comastri, prelate of Loreto, Italy, preacher of the Spiritual Exercises.

- Cardinal Pio Laghi, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

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TELEGRAM FOR ASSASSINATION OF SERBIAN PRIME MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, MAR 14, 2003 (VIS) - The following telegram of condolences, published today, was sent in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro, apostolic nuncio in Belgrade for the assassination on March 12 of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic of Serbia and Montenegro:

"His Holiness Pope John Paul II has learned with consternation and sadness of the tragic assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic and he asks you kindly to convey his heartfelt condolences to the president and the members of government, together with his forceful condemnation of this barbarous act of violence. At this time of national mourning His Holiness expresses his solidarity with the people of Serbia and Montenegro in their resolute efforts to work for the renewal of society and the building of a democratic order marked by justice, cooperation in the pursuit of the common good and respect for the rights of all. Commending the late prime minister to God's mercy, the Holy Father invokes upon the nation and its people the divine gifts of wisdom, strength and peace."

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ACADEMY FOR LIFE ASKS RESEARCHERS TO COMMIT TO ETHICAL CODE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 14, 2003 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy for Life, which met for its Ninth General Assembly in the Vatican from February 24 to 26, has issued a final communique on the work done during those days on the theme "The Ethics of Biomedical Research: For a Christian Vision."

The document recalls the "extraordinary development" of modern scientific technology which has helped benefit man and mankind in untold ways in recent decades. However, states the final report, when technology is not used within a precise ethical framework, or for the good of all men or if benefits are achieved for some to the detriment of others, that technology is morally objectionable.

The communique adds that "experimentation, therapeutical and non therapeutical, ... involves many aspects and problems, of a scientific order as well as a moral order." It reaffirmed the "need to have experiments on man be preceded by adequate experiments on animals," the latter being conducted within precise scientific and ethical parameters.

Particular attention must be given, said the Academy statement, to "more vulnerable human subjects" such as the human embryo. Because of the delicacy of its stages of development, eventual experiments on it would involve, in the light of actual technical possibilities, very high risks - and therefore ethically unacceptable - including causing it irreversible damage or even its death."

The report continues: "Also entirely unacceptable is the motivation adopted by a number of people concerning the licitness of sacrificing the integrity (physical and genetic) of a human subject in the embryonic stage, by destroying it, if necessary, with the aim of obtaining benefits for other human beings. It is never morally licit to intentionally commit an evil, not even to obtain something good in itself."

An Appendix to the final communique was also published, consisting of an Introductory Note, a Premise and seven Commitments, Almost a manifesto for researchers, it asks them for an ethical commitment in the field of biomedicine in order to achieve a more humanized medicine.

The Appendix states that "this invitation for personal adhesion is extended to all researchers and workers in research in the biomedical field and in the bioethical field." It asks those who wish to adhere to the seven commitments to contact the Academy by e-mail (pav'acdlife.va), fax (3906-6988-2014) or write the Pontifical Academy for Life, Via della Conciliazione, 3, Rome, 00193. Senders must include name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, profession, place of work, and academic titles.

Researchers are asked to commit to:

- adhere to a methodology of research marked by scientific rigor and a high quality of information furnished;

- not adhere to research conditioned by "conflicts of interest from a personal, professional or economic view point";

- recognize that science and technology must serve the human person, fully respecting his dignity and rights;

- recognize and respect research based on the principle of 'moral goodness' and referring to a correct vision of the corporal and spiritual dimensions of man;

- recognize that every human person, from conception to natural death, is guaranteed full and unconditional respect due them by virtue of their human dignity;

- recognize both the need to perform experiments "in the light of determined ethical rules" before applying the results to man, and the duty to safeguard human life and health;

- recognize the legitimacy of clinical experiments on man, but only under precise conditions, including safeguarding human life and the physical integrity of the person involved, and to recognize that "experimentation must always be preceded by dutiful, correct and complete information on the meaning and the development of the experiment."

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AGENDA FOR FIRST EUROPEAN DAY OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2003 (VIS) - The Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe, the European Committee of University Chaplains and the Office for the Pastoral Ministry for Universities of the Vicariate of Rome are the co-sponsors of the First European Day of University Students on the theme "Intellectual Charity, Soul of the New Europe." The main event will take place on Saturday, March 15 in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of Pope John Paul II.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with reflections on the Pope's Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae," and on the six saints who are co-patrons of Europe: Benedict, Catherine of Siena, Cyril and Methodius, Bridget and Edith Stein. The Holy Father will arrive at 7 p.m. and preside at the recitation of the Rosary, reciting the five Mysteries of Light which he added to the existing Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries on October 16, 2002. Following this the Pope will address the students and organizers of this European Day of University Students.

Satellite linkups are scheduled with Uppsala, Sweden; Bratislava, Slovakia; Krakow, Poland; Cologne, Germany; Fatima, Portugal; and Vienna, Austria. The evening will conclude with a torchlight procession during which the icon of the "Seat of Wisdom" will be carried from the Paul VI Hall to the Church of St. Ivo alla Sapienza, the ancient seat of the university of Rome. Here the students will conclude this event with the profession of faith.

A press conference held today at Vatican Radio outlined the program for Saturday evening and also listed several other events linked to this European day of students: the publication of the volume "Towards a European Constitution"; The European Declaration of University Lecturers on "The Embryo as a Patient"; the March 15 seminar on "The Six Co-Patrons of Europe and Intellectual Charity" and the European Symposium "Universities and the Church in Europe," to be held July 17-20, 2003 in Rome.

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STATEMENT ON ARTIFACTS DISCOVERED IN VATICAN CITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2003 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon a statement was released by Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, president of the Permanent Commission for the Care of Historical and Artistic Monuments of the Holy See, in answer to journalists who have asked about the construction of a new parking lot in Vatican City and the discovery, on the work site, of archeological artifacts.

He indicated that he had personally investigated the site on March 10 and closely examined the work accomplished and the archeological finds. He added that initial research through soil studies had been undertaken to see if there were indications of important artifacts on the site. "Only the excavation brought to light several artifacts, including two sarcophagi, one pagan and one Christian, several floor mosaics of modest dimensions, and several terracotta artifacts such as two half-buried amphorae that I was able to see."
Archbishop Marchisano noted that, given his many years experience in works executed in Christian catacombs both in and near Rome, he was "very impressed by the care and attention given during the research as soon as the artifacts were found in a corner of the future parking lot."

He observed that this could be "a very small funeral site, perhaps of a few families. All archeological materials that come from the digging, underdone with extreme care, will be preserved in the Vatican Museums and made available to specialists and to all who will visit the Museums."

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LET US PRAY FOR HEALING FOR OURSELVES, CHURCH, THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2003 - Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, presided at the 7 a.m. Station Church Mass in English at St. Mary Major Basilica today and, in his homily, asked for prayers "for a threefold healing: for ourselves, for the Church and for the world."

"Let us pray for healing in the world, which is on the brink of war," he began. "God spared Nineveh after the inhabitants gave themselves over to forty days of prayer and fasting; perhaps after our own faithful recitation of the Rosary every day for peace and after our own forty days of Lenten prayer and sacrifice, the world might be spared another war."

"My statement is in no way political," he went on. "I am certainly not attempting to canonize Saddam Hussein or to point an accusing finger at the leadership of the United States or of Great Britain; I am only saying that a just peace, involving also the effective disarmament of Iraq, is badly needed, not only for the poor, the innocent and the defenseless in the Middle East, but for the members of our own Armed Forces and indeed for our own populations who risk being victimized again by horrible terrorism."

"Second," said Archbishop Foley, "let us pray for healing for the Church, which has suffered so much in recent years, especially in English-speaking countries. I hope we are in no way the evil generation to which Jesus referred, but we have experienced the works of evil and the works of the evil one in the Church."

"Finally," the archbishop stated, "let us pray for healing in our own lives. What are our secret sins; what are the attachments from which we are so reluctant to free ourselves? May we have self-knowledge - and may we have personal spiritual healing."

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PAPAL, HOLY SEE HIGHLIGHTS: JULY - DECEMBER 2002

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2002 (VIS) - Following are highlights of activities of the Holy Father and the Holy See from July through December 2002:

JULY

Thursday, 4: Pope welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy.

Monday, 8: Holy Father leaves for summer residence at Castelgandolfo.

Wednesday, 10: A "Monitum" from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Concerning the Attempted Priestly Ordination of Several Catholic Women.

Tuesday, 23: John Paul II departs for Canada to celebrate the 17th World Youth Day in Toronto. The Pope's 97th foreign apostolic trip, from July 23 to August 2, also took him to Guatemala City and Mexico City.

Thursday, 25: Signature of Accord between the Holy See and the Czech Republic on the regulation of reciprocal relations.

AUGUST

Saturday, 3: Apostolic Penitentiary grants indulgences to acts of worship in honor of Divine Mercy and grants the faculty to impart the papal blessing with a plenary indulgence in special cases.

Monday, 5: Decree of excommunication by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for the attempted priestly ordination of several Catholic women.

Friday, 16: Pope leaves for four-day trip to his native Poland: his 98th international voyage.

Wednesday, 21: Agreement signed between Holy See and Slovak Republic concerning religious assistance to Catholics in the Armed Forces.
Monday, 26: Holy See delegation participates at World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa: August 26 - September 4.

SEPTEMBER

Monday, 2: Credentials presented by new ambassador from Greece to the Holy See, Christos Botzios.

Thursday, 5: Pope welcomes new ambassador from Slovenia, Ludvik Toplak.

Friday, 6: Ambassador from Uruguay to Holy See, Daniel Perez del Castillo, presents his Credentials.

Saturday, 7: Pope welcomes new ambassador from Great Britain, Kathryn Frances Colvin.

Monday, 9: Telegram for the death on September 8 of Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, O.P.

Tuesday, 10: Press Office statement on expulsion from the Russian Federation of another Catholic priest.

Friday, 13: Credentials presented by new German ambassador to the Holy See, Gerhard Westdickenberg.

Tuesday, 17: Papal telegrams to Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and to the mother of Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the council, who died yesterday.

Monday, 23: Telegram upon the death of Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung, bishop of Hong Kong.

OCTOBER

Sunday, 6: Canonization of Blessed Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer.

Monday, 7: Start of weeklong visit of His Beatitude Teoctist, patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, to Pope John Paul II and the Church of Rome.

Thursday, 10: Letters of Credence presented by new ambassador of Gabon, Desire Koumba.

Wednesday, 16: 24th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II: He proclaims Year of the Rosary, adds the five Mysteries of Light to the Rosary.

Thursday, 17: International Theological Commission, in answer to a press report, says that a recent study by the Commission "tends to support the exclusion of the possibility" that women could be ordained to the diaconate.

Friday, 18: Presentation of a document by the Congregation for the Clergy, "The Priest, Pastor and Guide of the Parish Community"; Holy See's answer to the "Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests, Deacons or Other Church Personnel," prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Holy See delegation returns to Rome after a seven-day visit to Vietnam.

Tuesday, 22: 24th anniversary of official start of the pontificate of John Paul II.

Thursday, 24: Letters of Credence presented by the new ambassador to the Holy See from Hungary, Gabor Erdody.

Monday, 28: Exchange of instruments of ratification of an Agreement between the Holy See and the Slovak Republic.

Thursday, 31: Pope receives new ambassador from Belgium to the Holy See, Benoit Cardon de Lichtbuer; He also received Valery Giscard d'Estaing, president of the European Convention.

NOVEMBER

Monday, 18: Diplomatic relations established between Holy See and Qatar.

Friday, 22: Haiti's new ambassador, Carl Henri Guiteau, welcomed by Pope.

Friday, 29: Vietnam's Vice Prime Minister, Wu Khoang, meets with Cardinal Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran.

Saturday, 30: Credentials presented by new ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ivan Misic; Letter from Holy Father to Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, releasing him from the office of Dean of the College of Cardinals; Pope approves election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as dean.

DECEMBER

Monday, 2: Papal Message, entitled "For a Commitment to Overcome all Racism, Xenophobia and Exaggerated Nationalism," for the 89th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

Thursday, 12: John Paul II receives Moshe Katsav, president of Israel, and S.R. Nathan, president of Singapore.

Friday, 13: Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law, archbishop of Boston; Seven new ambassadors to the Holy See present their Credentials: They represent Sierra Leone, Jamaica, India, Ghana, Norway, Rwanda and Madagascar.

Monday, 16: "Recognitio" by the Holy See of the "Essential Norms" prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Tuesday, 17: Publication of Pope's Message for World Day of Peace 2003, "Pacem in terris: A Permanent Commitment."

Thursday, 19: Credentials presented by new ambassador to Holy See from Slovakia, Dagmar Babcanova.

Friday, 20: Decrees promulgated regarding heroic virtues and miracle attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who will be proclaimed Blessed.

Monday, 23: Holy Father welcomes His Royal Highness, Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, his wife and son.

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MESSAGE FOR 18TH WORLD YOUTH DAY: "BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER!"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul's Message for the 18th World Youth Day, to be celebrated in dioceses throughout the world on Palm Sunday 2003, was published today. The Pope noted that the theme he chose, "Behold your Mother!" is linked to the Year of the Rosary which he proclaimed on October 16, 2002.

He also announced the themes of the 19th World Youth Day in 2004, "We wish to see Jesus," and the 20th World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany in 2005: "We have come to worship Him."

The Holy Father said that "Jesus, before He died, gave the Apostle John the most precious gift He had; His Mother, Mary. These were the last words of the Redeemer, and therefore they take on a solemn character and become His spiritual testimony." He stated that Mary, "the Mother of God from the first moment of the Incarnation, became the Mother of men at the last moments of the life of her Son Jesus."

The Pope told young people to remember that they are never alone and can turn to Mary when they suffer "the solitude, failures and delusions in personal life, difficulties in becoming part of the adult and professional world, separations and deaths in families, the violence of wars and the death of innocent people." My motto as bishop and Pope, he reminded them, has been "'Totus tuus'. I have always felt Mary's loving and efficacious presence in my life."

John Paul II urged youth to be Christians always and everywhere because "Christianity is not an opinion. ... It is Christ! He is a Person, He is Living!" He entreated them to get to know and love Christ through Mary, and by reciting the Rosary. "Don't be ashamed to recite it alone, on the way to school, the university or work, on the street or in public transportation; recite it among yourselves, in groups, movements, and associations, and don't hesitate to suggest praying it at home."

"Only Jesus knows your hearts and your deepest desires. ... Mankind has a decisive need for the witness of courageous and free young people who dare to go countercurrent and proclaim strongly and enthusiastically their faith in God, Lord and Savior. ... In this time threatened by violence, hatred and war, give witness that only He can give true peace to the hearts of men, to families and to the peoples of the earth."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Ramon, Peru, presented by Bishop Julio Ojeda Pascual, O.F.M., in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law. Coadjutor Bishop Gerardo Antonio Zerdin Bukovec, O.F.M., succeeds him.

- Appointed Bishop Michael Richard Cote, auxiliary of the diocese of Portland, U.S.A., as bishop of Norwich (area 5,121, population 632,726, Catholics 226,408, priests 123, permanent deacons 41, religious 378), U.S.A. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Daniel Anthony Hart upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Guillermo Jose Garlatti of San Rafael, Argentina, as metropolitan archbishop of Bahia Blanca (area 82,634, population 700,000, Catholics 595,000, priests 120, permanent deacons 7, 295), Argentina. The archbishop-elect was born in Forgaria, Italy in 1940 and was ordained a priest in 1964.

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PAPAL, HOLY SEE HIGHLIGHTS: JANUARY - JUNE 2002

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 2003 (VIS) - Following are highlights of papal and Holy See activities for the first six months of 2002:

JANUARY

Tuesday, 1: 35th World Day of Peace, papal Message on theme "No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Forgiveness."

Thursday, 3: Holy Father receives Leszek Miller, prime minister of the Republic of Poland,

Sunday, 6: Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: John Paul II confers episcopal ordination upon ten priests from Italy, the Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Portugal; World Mission Day of Childhood: on the theme "Kindle Hope."

Thursday, 10: Pope John Paul addresses members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the traditional exchange of New Year greetings.

Sunday, 13: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: In the Sistine Chapel, the Pope administers Baptism to 20 newborns from Italy, France, Spain and the U.S.A.

Sunday, 20: Following the angelus, Holy Father launches a new appeal for peace in the Holy Land.

Tuesday, 22: Papal Message for the 36th World Communications Day, to be held on May 12 on the theme: "Internet, A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel."

Wednesday, 23: The Holy See consents to the "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction," adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on December 16, 1971, and entered into force on March 26, 1975.

Thursday, 24: Pope John Paul and 300 representatives from the world's different religions arrive in Assisi, Italy, to participate in the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World.

Thursday, 31: Argentinean Foreign Minister Carlos Ruckauf visits Vatican.

FEBRUARY

Saturday, 2: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and Sixth Day of Consecrated Life: Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica.

Tuesday, 5: Presentation of the Holy Father's Message for Lent 2002 on the theme "Freely you have received, freely shall you give."
Friday, 8: Presentation of Letters of Credence of new ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Francisco Acevedo Alba; Presentation at the Embassy of Canada to the Holy See of World Youth Day 2002, to be held in Toronto July 23-28.

Monday, 11: Elevation of four apostolic administrations in the Russian Federation to the level of dioceses: archdiocese of the Mother of God at Moscow, diocese of St. Clement at Saratov, the diocese of the Transfiguration at Novosibirsk and the diocese of St. Joseph at Irkutsk. Pope also creates the ecclesiastical province with the metropolitan see in the archdiocese of the Mother of God, assigning the other three dioceses as suffragans; Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the Tenth World Day of the Sick.

Wednesday, 13: Ash Wednesday: penitential prayer services in St. Anselm Church, procession to and liturgy in Santa Sabina Basilica.

Wednesday, 20: The Pope decrees that, at the beginning of 2003, it will be possible to consult documents concerning Germany and relative to Pope Pius XI and the period 1922-1939 contained in the archives of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State and in the Secret Vatican Archives.

Thursday, 21: Holy Father welcomes President Bashar Al-Assad of the Arab Republic of Syria.

Thursday, 28: Presentation of "Ethics and the Internet," and "The Church and the Internet," two documents produced by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; Pope receives President Aleksander Kwasniewski of the Republic of Poland.

MARCH

Monday, 4: John Paul II sends all heads of government and of State in the world a Letter containing "The Decalogue of Assisi for Peace."

Tuesday, 5: Holy See Press Office announces that a period of rest has been prescribed for the Pope whose arthritic knee condition has worsened.

Friday, 8: The archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Christodoulos, sends a delegation of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece to Rome for a working meeting, upon the invitation of Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Monday, 11: Letters of Credence presented by Marcelo Fernandez de Cordoba Ponce, new ambassador of Ecuador to the Holy See; Telegram for death of Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, archbishop emeritus of Zagreb.

Wednesday, 13: Telegram for death of Cardinal Louis-Marie Bille, archbishop of Lyon.

Thursday, 14: Letters of Credence presented by new ambassador of Korea, Seo Hyun-seop.
Monday, 18: Presentation to Holy Father of New Roman Missal; Telegram for the murder of Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino of Cali, Colombia; Announcement that 14 journalists will write the Meditations for the Way of the Cross to be held at the Colosseum on Good Friday evening.

Thursday, 21: Publication of Pope's Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2002.

Monday, 25: Agreement signed between Holy See and Albania regulating reciprocal relations.

Sunday, 31: Easter Sunday, Urbi et Orbi blessing and message.

APRIL

Thursday, 4: Holy See Press Office statement on the high-level meetings in the Vatican's Secretariat of State regarding the critical situation in the Middle East.

Tuesday, 9: Presentation of "Directory of Popular Devotions and Liturgy. Principles and Guidance," published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments.

Thursday, 11: Pope welcomes new ambassador from Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Darko Tanaskovic.

Tuesday, 16: Pope John Paul telephones Franciscan Friars in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem: they have been in this church since it was occupied by an estimated 200 Palestinians in early April and under siege since by Israeli troops.

Saturday, 20: Holy See statement on Bishop Jerzy Mazur, who was expelled from Russian Federation.

Tuesday, 23: Start of two-day meeting in Vatican to discuss the situation in the U.S. Church of sex abuse by clergy. In attendance were Pope John Paul, some heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the cardinal secretary of state, 12 U.S. cardinals and the president, vice-president and secretary general of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Monday, 29: Letters of Credence from Armindo Fernandes do Espirito Santo Vieira, ambassador of Angola.

MAY

Wednesday, 1: Cardinal Roger Etchegaray is papal envoy to Jerusalem; Presentation of Apostolic Letter in the Form of Motu Proprio "Misericordia Dei" On Certain Aspects of the Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.

Friday, 3: Pope welcomes new ambassador from Morocco, Mohamed Sbihi.

Sunday, 5: John Paul II travels to Italian diocese of Ischia.
Friday, 10: Holy Father receives Zef Bushati, new ambassador from Republic of Albania; Cardinal Angelo Sodano receives Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister.

Saturday, 11: End of the siege of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Tuesday, 14: Conclusion of official visit to People's Democratic Republic of Korea by Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States.

Friday, 17: Pope receives Letters of Credence of eight new ambassadors to the Holy See: They represent Belarus, Niger, Sweden, Thailand, Benin, Sudan, Iceland and Jordan.

Saturday, 18: Pope John Paul turns 82; Message for World Mission Day: "Mission is a Proclamation of Pardon."

Monday, 20: Papal Message to newly independent nation of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.

Wednesday, 22: Holy Father departs for Azerbaijan and Bulgaria; Telegram for death of Cardinal Alexandru Todea.

Tuesday, 28: Pope John Paul receives U.S. President George W. Bush.

Friday, 31: President Karl Auguste Offman of the Republic of Mauritius welcomed by Pope.

JUNE

Saturday, 1: Letters of Credence of Romania's new ambassador, Mihail Dobre.

Friday, 7: Audience to Prime Minister Dato' Seri Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia.

Friday, 14: Publication by Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, "Starting Afresh from Christ. A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium."

Sunday, 16: Canonization of Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.

Friday, 21: John Paul II welcomes Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury, prior to his retirement as head of the Anglican Communion.

Thursday, 27: New ambassador from France, Pierre Morel, presents his Credentials.

Friday, 28: Letters of Credence of new ambassador of Ex-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ivan Angelov; Statutes of Neocatechumenal Way are approved.

Saturday, 29; Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles; Holy Father bestows palliums on 28 new metropolitan archbishops.

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