DECLARATION ON VISIT BY IRAQI MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2003 (VIS) - Following is the declaration made early this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls concerning the visit to the Vatican by Tariq Aziz:

"This morning, Friday, February 14, 2003, the Holy Father received Tariq Aziz, vice prime minister of the Republic of Iraq who, following the audience, met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, accompanied by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"The meetings allowed for a broad exchange of ideas on the well-known danger of an armed intervention in Iraq which would add further serious sufferings to those populations, already tried by long years of embargo.

"Mr. Aziz wished to give assurances concerning the will of the Iraqi government to cooperate with the international community, especially on the matter of disarmament. For its part, the Holy See repeated the need to faithfully respect, with concrete commitments, the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, guaranteed by international law.

"And lastly, it was reiterated that the Catholic Church will continue its work of educating to peace and coexistence among peoples, so that in every circumstance peaceful solutions will be found.

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PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR CIVIL DISORDER IN BOLIVIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2003 (VIS) - Made public yesterday afternoon was the following telegram sent in the Holy Father's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, president of the Episcopal Conference of Bolivia on the occasion of the serious civil disorder that has occurred in that country:

"The Holy Father, deeply distressed by the news from your nation about the serious disturbance of public order that has sadly caused deaths and injuries, wishes to make his appeal reach the authorities and the people of Bolivia in order that they may commit themselves to finding a proper solution to the critical social and economic situation which the country is going through by peaceful means.

"The Supreme Pontiff offers prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of those who have died and raises his prayer for the recovery of the injured and wishes to urge all to create a climate of peaceful coexistence, capable of facilitating a fruitful and sincere dialogue, excluding violent confrontation, that favors overcoming adversities and reconciliation, creates trust among all interested parties and that the necessary human and spiritual progress is promoted, a necessary condition for social peace.

"While he entrusts the future of Bolivians to the maternal intercession of the Holy Virgin of Copacabana, His Holiness implores the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the authorities and people of Bolivia so that under his divine light the true path to peace and peaceful coexistence are discovered and he sends them a heartfelt blessing."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Tariq Aziz, vice prime minister of the Republic of Iraq, and an entourage.

- Archbishop Michael Kpkala Francis of Monrovia, Liberia, on his "ad limina" visit.

- Bishop Boniface Nyema Dalieh of Cape Palmas, Liberia, on his "ad limina" visit.

- Bishop Lewis Zeigler of Gbarnga, Liberia, on his "ad limina" visit.

- Bishop George Biguzzi of Makeni, Sierra Leone, on his "ad limina" visit.

- Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum".

Later this afternoon, the Holy Father is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA AND THE WORLD OF REGATTAS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2003 (VIS) - A communique published by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People stated that the delegation from the council that visited Auckland, New Zealand January 11-22 "confirmed the preliminary proposition that the field of the Apostleship of the Sea should extend to ministering to the increasing numbers of professional sailors taking part in regattas like the America's Cup and of people sailing on power yachts ... for work or recreation."

The communique noted that more than 2,500 people, including children, who were in Auckland for the first part of the Cup races, lived there for 15 to 18 months. The visit by the delegation "at first caused surprise to many" but after informative meetings with team members, including sailors, financial backers and engineers, interviews and conversations with civil servants and the media, "it proved that the Church's interest was welcome by the sailors themselves and the delegation's approach was valuable."

A reflection on the role of the Church during this international event, said the press release, revealed the need for the local Church to anticipate in the future "what the actual pastoral and practical needs of the Cup's people would be and how to address them. This could be done ecumenically and the help of some external support may be required."

"It is to be regretted however that the network of the Apostleship of the Sea Chaplaincies and Stella Maris centers ... is practically unknown to people in regattas or in yachting." In these areas "the faithful are called to witness to their Christian life and they need the 'specific pastoral care' ... provided by the Apostleship of the Sea."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Pietro Maria Fragnelli, rector of the Major Pontifical Seminary in Rome, as bishop of Castellaneta (area 1,043, population 128,537, Catholics 126,443, priests 51, permanent deacons 3, religious 63), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Crispiano, Italy in 1952 and was ordained a priest in 1977. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Martino Scarafile upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Michael Charles Evans, pastor of St. Augustine Parish at Tunbridge Wells, England, as bishop of East Anglia (area 12,570, population 2,700,000, Catholics 110,000, priests 128, permanent deacons 29, religious 240), England. The bishop-elect was born in London, England in 1951 and was ordained a priest in 1975.

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