TO ENTREPRENEURS: GIVE PRECEDENCE TO ETHICS, FAMILIES, YOUTH

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - The Pope today received 350 participants in a meeting promoted by the National Federation of Knights of Work and told them that they "represent not only a chosen group of Italian entrepreneurs, but also promoters of solid and well-balanced growth of the national economy."

In opening remarks to the group, the Pope invited them "to make your attention to ethical and moral principles a priority in your work." He asked them to "be the first witnesses" of the universal duty that he spoke of in the Encyclical "Sollicitudo rei socialis': "Collaborating in the development of the whole person and of every human being is in fact a duty of all towards all."

"This is," he added, "an even more urgent duty in the light of the current evolution of society, marked by the process of globalization, within which must be safeguarded the value of solidarity, the guarantee of access to resources and the equitable distribution of the riches produced."

"In contemporary society," affirmed John Paul II, "the family, not infrequently, seems penalized by rules imposed by production and by the market. Among your efforts, therefore, must be that of sustaining the family efficaciously so that it is always more respected as an active subject also by the sector of production and the economy." He noted the attention and encouragement they give to young people, and said: "Continue to invest in young people, helping them to overcome the breach that exists between scholastic formation and the real needs of the production industry."

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VALUE PAST SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, WELCOME NEW ONES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - Bishops from the Episcopal Conference of the Region of North Africa (CERNA) were received by John Paul II this morning as they concluded their "ad limina" visit. Archbishop Henri Teissier of Algiers, president of the conference, gave the Pope a document produced by CERNA entitled "The Churches of the Maghreb in the Year 2000."

The Pope noted in his talk in French that "the world we live in is marked by a multiplication of exchanges, an ever stronger interdependence and an ever greater opening of borders: this is the phenomenon of globalization, with its positive and negative aspects, that nations must learn how to administer in a constructive manner!"

"In what concerns her," he continued, "the Catholic Church knows well the universal dimension which is part of her identity. ... Your dioceses have always been sensitive to this dimension of catholicity and the vital link that joins them to the Universal Church, for the pastors and faithful come from different countries." He noted that in their region "this reality has assumed a new dimension in recent years with the development of relations and exchanges between the North and South of the Sahara," because so many men and women have come to the Maghreb from subsaharan countries.

The Holy Father invited the prelates to value "the richness of the different spiritual traditions that have nourished the Christian history of your countries." These traditions have underscored "one facet or another of the treasure of the Gospel: "a sense of community, the joy of fraternal communion ... and availability for one's neighbor." He urged them to value these spiritual riches but also to "not be afraid of what is new that is brought by our brothers and sisters coming from other continents or cultures."

The Pope underscored the bishops' attention to "the active and important presence of young people in your dioceses, who have come from subsaharan countries to study in universities. Their welcome and participation in Christian communities clearly shows that the Gospel is not linked to one culture."

John Paul II then turned to "the good quality of relations that exist between Christians and the Muslim population" and "the good will of civil authorities with regard to the Church. All that is possible thanks to reciprocal knowledge, encounters in daily life and to exchanges, notably with families." He exhorted the bishops to "continue to encourage these meetings" because "they contribute to the evolution of mentalities on both sides and they help overcome the ready-made images carried still too often by the media."

"In every Christian community, even small and fragile," stated the Pope, "service to charity towards the poorest remains a priority as it is the expression of God's goodness for all men and of that sharing that we are called to live, regardless of race, culture or religion." Show this charity in a special way, he said, in welcoming migrants and "in offering them, in their precarious condition, a time of rest and fraternal conviviality!"

The Holy Father concluded his talk with heartfelt greetings for the priests, religious and laity of the North African countries. He encouraged them in their work, exhorted them to nourish their faith through prayer and appropriate formation, and assured them "of my prayers and paternal affection."

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STATEMENT ON VISIT BY ENGLISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - The following statement was released this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, on the audience that Pope John Paul granted to British Prime Minister Tony Blair:

"This morning, Saturday February 22, 2003, the Holy Father received in a private audience Tony Blair, prime minister of Great Britain. In the course of the cordial conversation which lasted half an hour, they spoke about the complex international situation with particular regard to the Middle East. The Holy Father expressed the hope that, in solving the grave situation in Iraq, every effort be made to avoid new divisions in the world.

"The Holy Father then received Mr. Blair's family.

"The prime minister of Great Britain also met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, who received him together with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"During this morning's conversations in the Vatican, it was reaffirmed that all interested parties in the Iraqi crisis need to collaborate with the Organization of the United Nations and know how to use the resources offered by international law in order to avert the tragedy of war that many sides consider avoidable. Special consideration was given to the humanitarian situation of the Iraq people, already so severely tried by the long years of embargo.

"In the course of the meetings, there was an exchange of opinions on the future Constitutional Treaty of Europe. The Holy See expressed its wish for the explicit recognition of churches and communities of believers, as well as a commitment by the European Union to maintain a structured dialogue with them."

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PERSEVERE IN YOUR CHARISM OF SERVING THE POOREST OF THE POOR

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Pope John Paul to Sr. M. Nirmala Joshi, superior general of the Missionaries of Charity, on the occasion of their eighth General Chapter. In the Letter, written in English and dated February 3, he recalled that this was the first such meeting "since the death of your dear foundress, Mother Teresa."

"Christ's Church on earth proclaims the Gospel to everyone, but she turns to the poor with special tenderness and compassion," wrote the Pope. "Christian love is not simply an act of charity, it is also an encounter with Christ Himself in the poor. Love of Christ, therefore, means love of the poor; and for consecrated persons this means embracing a life of poverty." He said that their "lives eloquently proclaim that God is the true wealth of the human heart."

The Holy Father encouraged the Missionaries of Charity "to persevere in faithfully living out your charism of serving the poorest of the poor. For in so doing you will continue to be a shining example for people today, especially the younger generation, who find themselves in situations not just of material need but also of spiritual impoverishment."

He then reminded them of the importance of continuing formation, saying that "this takes on even greater significance for Institutes such as yours which exercise their apostolate in a wide range of cultural and social settings. The initiative, creativity and zeal of the Missionaries of Charity must always be guided by the original inspiration of the Institute, as it is embodied in widely varying contexts."

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FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER CELEBRATED TODAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a recurrence dating back to the fourth century that honors and celebrates the primacy and authority of St. Peter.

The word "cathedra" means seat or throne and is the root of the word cathedral, the church where a bishop has his throne and from whence he preaches. Another word for "cathedra" is "sede" (seat or see): the "see" is the place from which a bishop governs his diocese. Thus, for example, the Holy See is the see of the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Throughout its history, the Chair of St. Peter has been considered from two perspectives. The first is the chair-symbol, the symbol of Peter's primacy: In ancient times the chair or cathedra was a symbol of authority to teach. The second is the chair-object: the Chair of St. Peter, in St. Peter's Basilica, is actually a throne that Charles the Bald gave to Pope John VIII at the former's coronation as emperor on Christmas Day 875. Charles the Bald was the grandson of Emperor Charlemagne. For many years the chair was used at liturgical events by Pope John and his successors: it was ensconced in Bernini's Altar of the Chair in 1666.
A mixture of tradition, legend and belief held for many years that this was actually a double chair, parts of which dated back to the early days of Christianity and to St. Peter himself. This chair or cathedra has been studied over the centuries and the last time it was removed from its niche in the Bernini altar was a six-year period from 1968 to 1974 where studies pointed to a single chair whose oldest parts date to the sixth century. What appeared to be an outer or second chair was a covering which served both to protect the throne and to carry it in procession.

Two interesting facts stand out from this study period: the back panels of the throne, replacing early columns and arches, depicted the Labors of Hercules, and previously used ivory was also incorporated in this throne.

Every year on this feast, the monumental altar housing the Chair of Peter is illuminated by scores of candles throughout the entire day. A number of Masses are celebrated at this altar, from early morning to early evening, concluding with the mass of the Canons of St. Peter.

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COMMUNIQUE ON HONOR ACCORDED PRIEST IN REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - The following communique was released today by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls:

"President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia has conferred the 'Order of Honor', a prestigious award from the state, upon Fr. Witold Szulczyniski, S.D.B., director of Caritas in Georgia and a collaborator of the apostolic nunciature in Tbilisi. Regarding the motivation for the honor, it was underlined that it is intended as a 'recognition of the noteworthy personal contribution to the development of relations between the Vatican and Georgia, through extensive support and aid offered to people who are socially vulnerable, to orphans and refugees, through his effective charitable activity'.

"President Schevardnadze, contrary to practice, personally conferred the award upon the Religious, thus demonstrating that he openly and publicly appreciates his work.

"A similar recognition for a Catholic priest, devoted for some time in one of the republics of the former Soviet Union to different areas of solidarity and human promotion supported by faith and Christian charity, constitutes a significant testimony of the Georgian government's esteem for the Catholic Church, a strong encouragement for Georgian Catholics and a particular sign of gratitude for the commendable activity of Fr. Szulcynski."

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GOALS, METHODS, MEANS OF RESEARCH MUST RESPECT HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2003 (VIS) - Participants in the Ninth General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life were received this morning by the Holy Father at the start of their three-day meeting in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall. The 160 participants, including Academy President Juan de Dios Vial Correa and Vice President, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, are studying the theme "Ethics of Biomedical Research in a Christian Vision."

The Pope reminded his listeners that he created the Pontifical Academy for Life "to study, form and inform about the principal problems of biomedicine and law, relative to the promotion and defense of life, above all in the direct relationship they have with Christian morality and the directives of the Magisterium of the Church."

The Pope underscored the notable advances made in scientific research and medicine, in particular in defeating epidemics, improving cures for illnesses and thus "significantly improving, in many areas of the developed world, the length and quality of life." He expressed the Church's gratitude to scientists in the field of biomedicine, saying "many times the Magisterium has asked for their help in solving delicate moral and social problems."

He then referred to Pope Paul VI's appeal to researchers and scientists in the Encyclical "Humanae Vitae" to contribute "'to the good of the family and marriage,' seeking to 'clarify more in depth the diverse conditions that favor an honest regulation of human procreation'. I make this invitation my own, underlining its permanent actuality, that becomes even more acute with the growing urgency to find 'natural' solutions to the problem of conjugal infertility."

"I renew my heartfelt appeal," John Paul II stated, "that scientific and biomedical research, while avoiding every temptation to manipulate man, be faithfully dedicated to exploring ways and resources to support human life, the cure of illnesses and solutions to the ever new problems in the biomedical field." He emphasized that "the Church respects and supports scientific research when it pursues an authentically humanistic orientation, fleeing from every form of exploitation or destruction of the human being and keeping itself free from the slavery of political and economic interests."

The Pope stressed that "not only the goals, but also the methods and means of research must always be respectful of the dignity of every human being, at whatever stage of their development and in every phase of experimentation."

He exhorted researchers to be aware of the limits, beyond which they cannot go in caring for the life, integrity and dignity of every human being. "I am convinced," he affirmed, "that no one, much less the Church, is allowed to be silent in the face of certain results or pretexts of experimentation on man." He asked Catholic institutions and universities to fully live out and live up to what the name "Catholic" represents.

The Holy Father concluded his lengthy remarks by highlighting the "growing urgency to fill the very serious and unacceptable chasm that separates the developing world from the developed world as far as the capacity to advance in biomedical research, thus benefitting health care and supporting populations afflicted by misery and disastrous epidemics ... such as AIDS."

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POPE ASKS PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND FASTING ON ASH WEDNESDAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, addressing the faithful assembled in St.Peter's Square today for the Angelus, asked Catholics worldwide to dedicate Ash Wednesday, March 5 "to prayer and fasting for the cause of peace, especially in the Middle East."

"For months," he began his reflections, "the international community has lived in great apprehension of the danger of a war that could unsettle the entire Middle East region and aggravate the tensions unfortunately already present at the start of this millennium. It is the duty of believers, whatever their religion, to proclaim that never can we be happy if one is set against the other, that the future of mankind can never be assured by terrorism and the logic of war."

The Holy Father said that "we Christians in particular are called to be sentinels of peace in the places in which we live and work. We have been asked, that is, to be vigilant so that consciences do not give in to the temptation of egoism, lies and violence."

Asking Catholics to fast and pray for peace on Ash Wednesday, he said: "We will above all implore God for the conversion of hearts and the farsightedness to make just decisions in order to resolve with adequate and pacific means the strife that hinders mankind on its journey in our times."

Pope John Paul also asked that peace be implored in marian shrines, in parishes and in families with the prayer of the Rosary. "This choir of invocations will be accompanied by fasting, an expression of penance for the hatred and violence that pollute human relations. Christians share the ancient practice of fasting with so many brothers and sisters of other religions who, by so doing, intend to rid themselves of all arrogance and to ready themselves to receive from God the greatest and most necessary gifts, including in particular that of peace."

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AUDIENCES

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

- Archbishop Gyorgy-Miklos Jakubinyi of Alba Iulia, apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the Ordinariate for Catholics of the Armenian rite in Romania, accompanied by auxiliary Bishop Jozsef Tamas.

- Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras of the Romanians.

- Bishop Petru Gherghel of Iasi, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Aurel Perca.

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

- Tony Blair, prime minister of Great Britain, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

- Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao, emeritus of Yokohama and president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

- Louis Esmel, ambassador of the Ivory Coast, on his farewell visit.

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

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Rainer Woelki, director of the "Collegium Albertinum" in Bonn, Germany, as auxiliary of Cologne (area 6,181, population 5,300,000, priests 1365, religious 2,812), Germany. The bishop-elect was born in 1956 in Cologne-Muhlheim, Germany and was ordained a priest in 1985. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the same archdiocese presented by Bishop Klaus Dick upon having reached the age limit.
On Saturday February 21, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Appointed Msgr. Francisco Chimoio, O.F.M. Cap., of Pemba, Mozambique, as metropolitan archbishop of Maputo (area 25,238, population 3,859,000, Catholics 476,000, priests 107, religious 307), Mozambique. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese presented by Cardinal Alexandre Jose Maria dos Santos, O.F.M., upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Ernest Sambou, rector of the Catholic Institute of Western Africa in Abidjan, Ivory Coast as bishop of Saint-Louis du Senegal (area 73,315, population 1,545,238, Catholics 4,012, priests 16, religious 35), Senegal. The bishop-elect was born in 1947 in Cadjinol, Senegal and was ordained a priest in 1975. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Pierre Sagna, C.S.Sp., in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Fr. Georges M. Saad Abi Younes, O.L.M., superior of the Mission of the Lebanese Maronite Order and pastor of the Maronite Community in Mexico City, Mexico, as bishop of the eparchy of Our Lady of the Martyrs of Lebanon in Mexico of the Maronites. The bishop-elect was born in Hammana, Lebanon in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1977.

- Appointed Cardinal Ivan Dias, archbishop of Bombay, India as his special envoy for the celebrations scheduled to take place in Tirana, Albania on April 25, 2003 for the 10th anniversary of his historic papal trip to the same country.

- Appointed Archbishop Karl-Josef Rauber, apostolic nuncio in Hungary and Moldova, as apostolic nuncio in Belgium and Luxembourg.

- Appointed Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, apostolic nuncio in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the Republic of Macedonia, as apostolic nuncio in Bulgaria.

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