NEW AMBASSADOR FROM CZECH REPUBLIC PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VATICAN CITY, APR 28, 2003 (VIS) - The pope today welcomed to the Vatican the new ambassador from the Czech Republic, Pavel Jajtner, as he presented his Letters of Credence.

The Pope, speaking English, noted that "the Church's diplomatic relations form a part of her mission of service to the human family. While that mission is eminently spiritual and therefore distinct from the political order, her heartfelt desire to foster fruitful relations with civil society stems from her long experience of seeking to apply the universal values pertaining to truth and love to the vast array of cultures and nations that constitute our world. Indeed, it is precisely the task of promoting an understanding of the dignity of the human person and fostering peace among peoples ' essential conditions for the authentic development of individuals and nations ' that motivates the Holy See's diplomatic activity."

Pointing to "the political freedom that the Czech people now enjoy," he added: "History teaches us that the journey from oppression to liberty is arduous, often marked by the lure of false forms of freedom and hollow promises of hope. While economic development and the accompanying social transformation have benefitted many in your country, the weaker members of society, particularly the poor, the marginalized, and the sick and elderly, must be protected.

"Authentic development can never be attained solely through economic means," John Paul II went on. "In fact what has become known as the 'idolatry of the market' ' a consequence of the so-called 'civilization of consumption' ' tends to reduce persons to things and to subordinate being to having. This seriously detracts from the dignity of the human person and makes promotion of human solidarity difficult at best. Instead, recognition of the spiritual nature of the human person and a renewed appreciation of the moral character of social and economic development must be acknowledged as prerequisites for the transformation of society into a true civilization of love."

The Holy Father remarked that, as the world enters the third millennium, countries, individuals and groups in Europe are reflecting on "the fundamental and defining role of Christianity in their particular cultures. Indeed, you yourself noted that the truths and values of Christianity have long been the foundation of the very fabric of European society, giving form to its civic and political institutions." He underscored the importance of Christian teaching that "vigorously affirms and defends the source of the human person's dignity and his place in God's design."

"In this context," Pope John Paul affirmed, "we cannot fail to be concerned that an eclipse of the sense of God has resulted in an eclipse of the sense of man and of the sublime wonder of life to which he is called. While the tragic calamities of war and dictatorship continue to disfigure violently God's loving plan for humanity, so too the more subtle encroachments of increasing materialism, utilitarianism, and marginalization of faith gradually undermine the true nature of life as a gift from God. As the nations of Europe move towards a new configuration, the desire to respond to the challenges of a changing world order must be informed by the Church's perennial proclamation of the truth which sets people free and which enables cultural and civic institutions to make genuine progress."

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