OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Norbert Jose Henri Turini, vicar general of the diocese of Nice, France, as bishop of Cahors (area 5,228, population 160,124, Catholics 142,900, priests 93, permanent deacons 5, religious 102), France. The bishop-elect was born in 1954 in Cannes, France and was ordained a priest in 1982.

- Archbishop Hector Cubillos of Bucaramanga, Colombia, as bishop of Zipaquira (area 7,163, population 548,000, Catholics 544,300, priests 129, religious 341), Colombia.

- Fr. Juan Vicente Cordoba Villota, S.J., dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Pontifical Xaverian University in Bogota, Colombia, as auxiliary bishop of Bucaramanga (area 5,397, population 1,176,660, Catholics 1,149,284, priests 215, permanent deacons 20, religious 200), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in 1951 in Quito, Ecuador and was ordained a priest in 1979.

- Fr. Pascal Delannoy, episcopal vicar in the diocese of Lille, France, as auxiliary bishop of the same diocese (area 2,288, population 1,558,000, Catholics 1,060,000, priests 637, permanent deacons 55, religious 1,048), France.  The bishop-elect was born in 1957 in Comines, Belgium and was ordained a priest in 1989.
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RITE OF THE PALLIUM, SIGN OF THE UNIVERSALITY OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 2004 (VIS) - Today's general audience which took place in St. Peter's Square was the last audience that the Holy Father will celebrate before his short vacation in Valle D'Aosta in the Italian Alps from July 5 to 17. 

  The Pope recalled that yesterday the Church celebrated the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, who are so venerated in Rome, "where they sealed their admirable witness of love for the Lord with blood." He said the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, participated in the Eucharistic liturgy in order to commemorate "the forty years of the historical embrace" between Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I in Jerusalem.

  During the celebration, he continued, "forty-four metropolitan archbishops received the pallium. This "special liturgical insignia," which is a white stole made of lambs' wool worn around the neck, expresses "communion with the Bishop of Rome."

  John Paul II said that the pallium "expresses the fundamental principle of communion that gives shape to ecclesial life in all aspects; it reminds us that this communion is organic and hierarchal; it expresses the fact that the Church, since it is one, needs the special service of the Church of Rome and its bishop, head of the Episcopal college."  The rite of the pallium, he added, also highlights "the universality of the Church," sent "by Christ to announce the Gospel to all nations and to serve humanity."

  The Pope concluded by inviting the faithful to help the metropolitans, "to remain united to them and to pray for the pastoral mission that they have been entrusted with. I also am thinking of the eight metropolitans who are not present today and who received the pallium in their own sees."
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POPE JOHN PAUL: BELIEVING IN CHRIST MEANS DESIRING UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 29, 2004 (VIS) - Today, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Square in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Pope John Paul celebrated Mass, during which he blessed and  bestowed palliums on 44 metropolitan archbishops from different countries throughout the world. Both the Pope and the Patriarch pronounced homilies, following the reading of the Gospel in both Latin and Greek. The Nicene-Constantinople Creed was then recited in Greek according to the liturgical use of the Byzantine Churches.

  Patriarch Bartholomew, whose homily was introduced by Pope John Paul, spoke of the progress that had been made since the embrace 40 years ago between Paul VI and Patriarch Athengoras, but added that "it has not been possible to eliminate in these 40 years the opposition that has accumulated during over 900 years. ... We hope that what has not been possible up to now will be obtained in the future, a near future. ... Our presence here today shows our sincere desire to remove all ecclesial obstacles which are not dogmatic or essential, so that our interest is concentrated on the study of the essential differences and the dogmatic truths that up to today have divided our Churches, as well as on the manner of living the Christian truth of the united Church."

  The ecumenical patriarch said that the unity of the Churches in not like that of a business or of States, "but is a spiritual search that aims at living together our spiritual communion with the person of  Our Lord Jesus Christ. ... In this delicate spiritual effort difficulties emerge due to the fact that the greater part of us men most often present our own positions, opinions and evaluations as if they were expressions of the mind, of the love and, in general, of the spirit of Christ. Since such personal opinions and evaluations ... do not coincide, either among themselves or with how Christ lived, discord emerges." What we must seek, he said, is not only external union, but union of spirit, in the spirit of Christ.

  Pope John Paul's homily centered on Christian unity and he noted that the presence of Patriarch Bartholomew at this evening's liturgy marked the 40th anniversary of "the fraternal embrace" in 1964 between Pope Paul VI and then Patriarch Athenagoras. He called that meeting "not just a memory, but a challenge for us, indicating the path of reciprocal discovery and reconciliation."

  Quoting his 1995 Encyclical "Ut Unum Sint," the Holy Father said: "To believe in Christ means to desire unity; to desire unity means to desire the Church; to desire the Church means to desire the communion of grace which corresponds to the Father's plan from all eternity. Such is the meaning of Christ's prayer: 'Ut unum sint'." He added that the commitment to communion "is not a question of a vague relationship of good neighbors but rather the indissoluble bond of theological faith for which we are destined to communion, not to separation."

  The Pope remarked  that "Whatever, over time, has broken our bond of unity in Christ we find painful today. Thus, today's encounter is not just a gesture of courtesy but is an answer to the Lord's command." He stated that "The Church of Rome has moved with firm will and with great sincerity on the path of full reconciliation, through initiatives that have shown themselves to be, everytime, possible and useful.. ... We know that unity is above all a gift from God, ...but bringing about its realization depends also on us."

  The Holy Father told Patriarch Bartholomew that he has "always been guided on the path to unity by the sure compass of the teaching of Vatican Council II. ... I repeat today that the commitment undertaken by the Catholic Church with Vatican Council II is irrevocable. We cannot renounce this!"

  In conclusion, the Holy Father addressed the archbishops about to receive the pallium, telling them that this "is a sign of the communion that unites you in a special way to the apostolic witness of Peter and Paul. It links you to the Bishop of Rome, Successor of Peter, called to undertake a special ecclesial service with regard to the entire episcopal college."
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LET US ADVANCE IN DIALOGUE BETWEEN CATHOLICS & ORTHODOX

VATICAN CITY JUN 29, 2004 (VIS) - At 11 a.m., the Pope received in audience His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, accompanied by an entourage, on the 40th anniversary of the historic embrace that Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I exchanged in Jerusalem in January of 1964. 

  Referring to this "blessed encounter" of forty years ago, John Paul II exclaimed, "How providential was that courageous and joyful encounter for the Church!  Driven by faith and love for God, our enlightened predecessors were able to overcome centuries-old prejudices and misunderstandings, and offered a wonderful example of pastors and leaders of the People of God. Rediscovering themselves brothers, they experienced a feeling of profound joy, which drove them to take up again with confidence the relations between the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople.  May God reward them in His kingdom!"

  After highlighting that in these forty years the Catholic and Orthodox Churches "have experienced important occasions of contact which have fostered the spirit of reciprocal reconciliation," the Holy Father said that "the memories of painful events in the past have a certain weight," as in April 1204 when an "army that departed to retake the Holy Land for Christianity, went to Constantinople to capture and sack it, shedding the blood of brothers in the faith. How can we also, eight centuries later, not share the indignation and pain that Pope Innocent III immediately expressed about what happened? ... Let us pray together so that the Lord of history will purify our memories of every prejudice and resentment, and grant us to proceed freely on the path of unity." 

  "To this we are invited also by the example left by Patriarch Athenagoras I and Pope Paul VI," John Paul II said. "May the memory of that meeting foster a step forward in the dialogue and consolidation of mutual fraternal relations. Theological dialogue, through the 'mixed Commission' continues to be an important tool. Therefore, I hope that it may be reactivated as soon as possible. I am convinced, in fact, of this urgency and it is my will and that of my collaborators to provide all the means to nourish a spirit of acceptance and reciprocal understanding in fidelity to the Gospel and our common apostolic tradition."

  After the meeting with the patriarch, John Paul II appeared at the window of his private study to pray the Angelus together with thousands of people who where gathered in St. Peter's Square.

  The Pope recalled that today the Church celebrates the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul:  "the fisherman from Galilee who was the first to profess faith in Christ; the master and doctor who announced salvation to the people. Due to the will of divine Providence, both came to Rome where they suffered martyrdom in the course of a few short years.  Since then, the city which was the capital of the great empire was called to a very distinct glory: to house the Apostolic See which presides over the universal mission of the Church to spread the Gospel of Christ, Redeemer of man and history, in the world."

  "I entrust the beloved diocese of Rome as well as the entire civil community to these two remarkable patrons.  Invoking their intercession and that of Our Lady, 'Salus populi romani', let us pray so that every man and woman may welcome the message of love for which Peter and Paul were martyred."
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MAY IRAQI HOPES FOR PEACE, FREEDOM, PROSPERITY BE FULFILLED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2004 (VIS) - The following telegram was sent today in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, to His Excellency Sheikh Ghazi Ajeel Al-Yawar, president of Iraq:

   "On the happy occasion of the transfer of power to the Interim Government of the State of Iraq, the Holy Father sends his cordial greetings to Your Excellency and to the citizens of your country. He prays that, as a new chapter begins in the life of the nation, the hopes of the Iraqi people for peace, freedom and prosperity will soon be fulfilled. His Holiness has always been deeply concerned for the suffering people of Iraq. He has expressed his solidarity with them on many occasions, not least through the constant presence among them of his personal representative, the Apostolic Nuncio. Now, as you take up the office of President, the Catholic Church throughout the world offers you every support and encouragement in the task of building a new Iraq. Your noble country, once home to Abraham, is now home to a rich variety of faith traditions. The Holy Father is confident that all religious groups within the country will be able to make their voices heard and to play their rightful part in forging a new society, committed to true freedom of conscience, to justice for all and to peaceful dialogue. Assuring Your Excellency and all the Iraqi people of his prayers, the Holy Father invokes upon you the abundant blessings of Almighty God."

  Analogous messages were sent from Cardinal Sodano to His Excellency Mr Iyad Allawi, Prime Minister of Iraq, and from Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for Relations with States, to His Excellency Mr Hoshyar Zebari, Iraqi Minister for Foreign Affairs.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Alain Planet, of the clergy of the diocese of Valence, France and moderator of "Notre Dame du-Rhone" in Montelimar, as bishop of Carcassonne (area 6,313, population 309,952, Catholics 180,000, priests 126, permanent deacons  10, religious 274), France. The bishop-elect was born in Privas, France in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1981. The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Jacques Despierre, France upon having reached the age limit.

- Approved the election canonically carried out by the Synod of the Greek-Melkite Catholic Church, gathered at Ain Traz, Lebanon on June 22-26, of Fr. Elias Rahal of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, SMSP, as archbishop of Baalbeck of the Greek-Melkite Catholics (Catholics 15,100, priests 11, permanent deacons 1, religious 50), Lebanon. The archbishop-elect was born in Ras Baalbeck, Lebanon in 1942 and was ordained a priest in 1970.

- Appointed Msgrs. Gerald T. Walsh, of the clergy of New York, U.S.A. and pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in Manhattan, and Dennis J. Sullivan, also of the clergy of New York, and pastor of Sts. John and Paul Parish in Larchmont, as auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of New York (area 12,212, population 5,529,214, Catholics 2,488,146, priests 1,811, permanent deacons 354, religious 4,711), U.S.A. Bishop-elect Walsh was born in New York in 1942 and was ordained a priest in 1967. Bishop-elect Sullivan was born in 1945 in New York and was ordained a priest in 1971.

- Appointed Msgr. Maurizio Malvestiti, official of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, as bureau chief of the same congregation

  On Saturday June 26, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Appointed Msgr. Bruno Forte of the clergy of the archdiocese of Naples, Italy as metropolitan archbishop of Chieti-Vasto (area 2,539, population 314,800, Catholics 310,350, priests 230, permanent deacons 14, religious 493). The archbishop-elect was born in 1949 in Naples and was ordained a priest in 1973.

- Appointed Msgr. Gergely Kovacs, official of the Pontifical Council for Culture, as the bureau chief of the same dicastery.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Their Royal Highnesses, Felipe and Letizia de Borbon, Prince and Princess of Asturias, and an entourage.

- Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

- Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales of Manila, Philippines.

- Archbishop Roland Minnerath of Dijon, France.

  On Saturday June 26, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, apostolic nuncio to the European Community.

- Archbishop Giovanni Bulaitis, apostolic nuncio in Albania.

- Edda Victoria Martinelli de Datari, ambassador of Panama, on her farewell visit.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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PROGRAM OF VISIT OF PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was a note on the visit of His Holiness Bartholomew, ecumenical patriarch, to John Paul II. This year the patriarch will lead the delegation from Constantinople to commemorate the meeting of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in Jerusalem in January of 1964.

  The patriarch - who previously visited the Pope in 1995 - and his entourage arrive in Rome today and will be received by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.  They will stay at the St. Martha Residence in the Vatican until their departure on July 2.

  On June 29 in the morning, the patriarch will meet with the Pope in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. During the meeting, they will exchange speeches and gifts and sign a common declaration. Then the patriarch will see Cardinal Secretary of State, Angelo Sodano and will visit the Vatican Basilica where he will pray at the Altar of the Cathedra and at Paul VI's tomb which is in the grotto.

  In the afternoon, he will participate in a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square, presided by the Holy Father on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

  On June 30, the traditional bilateral talks between the Holy See and Fanar will take place.  These talks are scheduled on the occasion of the exchange of delegations for the patron feasts of the two sees, St. Andrew in November and Sts. Peter and Paul in June.  That same afternoon, the patriarch will receive an honor from the City of Rome and later will be welcomed by the Community of Sant'Egidio in his patronal church of St. Bartholomew.

  According to the note, His Excellency Gennadios, metropolitan archbishop of the Greek-Orthodox in Italy and exarch for Southern Europe of the Ecumenical Throne, asked His Holiness Bartholomew I to preside at the inauguration on July 1 of the liturgical use of the church of St. Theodore on the Palatine which Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, has entrusted to the Greek-Orthodox community in Rome for liturgical celebrations and pastoral care upon the express wishes of the Pope.

  The patriarch will meet again with John Paul II during a fraternal luncheon in the Apostolic Palace in which members of the entourage will participate as well.

  On July 2 at midday, His Holiness Bartholomew I will leave Rome.
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POPE WELCOMES PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF ASTURIAS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2004 (VIS) - John Paul II welcomed Their Royal Highnesses, Felipe and Letizia de Borbon, Prince and Princess of Asturias, to the Vatican this morning, telling them he was happy to receive them so soon after their wedding and thanking them "for the deference of desiring to visit me at the start of your married life."

  "The birth of a new family," he told the couple and their entourage, "is always a great event. It is for the married couple, whose mutual love is enriched and strengthened with divine grace. It is also a great event for the respective families and for society, since living together faithfully and forever, entails  new experiences and promises of life."

  The Pope renewed the best wishes he sent them on their wedding day and said he "asks God to help you in your new life that you form a happy home which, for the important role it has in Spanish society, may be an exemplary  reference point for many families in this beloved nation."
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POPE ENCOURAGES ALL TO PRAY FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 27, 2004 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today at noon, the Pope announced that on June 29, Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul, Apostles, he will receive in the Vatican His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. "We want to commemorate together the historic encounter between our venerable predecessors Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras who exchanged an unforgettable embrace of fraternity and peace in Jerusalem forty years ago ... during the Second Vatican Council."

   "Precisely in November of the same year," he recalled, "the council Fathers approved the decree 'Unitatis redintegratio.' In this decree, it was solemnly affirmed that  promoting unity between all Christians was one of the principal objectives of the Council, and that to achieve this all the institutions and ecclesial communities must direct their efforts toward achieving this objective."

  John Paul II said that "during this period, in spite of the difficulties that remain even today, notable steps have been taken toward ecumenism and within the People of God an ecumenical sensibitivity has developed. The week of Prayer for Christian Unity has come to form a normal part of the liturgical-pastoral path of dioceses and parishes.  Many are the associations and ecclesial communities that dedicate constant attention to reciprocal knowledge and friendship among Christians of different confessions, such that they are united more and more in works of solidarity, justice and peace."

  "While we prepare ourselves to welcome the ecumenical patriarch," he concluded, "I invite everyone to pray for Christian unity, invoking the intercession of Our Lady. May the Holy Mother of God, to whom so many Eastern Christians are devoted, allow the embrace between Paul VI and Athenagoras I to favor a renewed commitment to communion between Orthodox and Catholics."

  After praying the Angelus, the Holy Father recalled that the World Day Against Torture was celebrated yesterday, and he urged "that the common commitment of institutions and citizens be able to completely eliminate this intolerable violation of human rights, radically contrary to the dignity of man."

  Addressing a group of young Israelis and Palestinians who, together with their families, are being hosted in Naples, the Pope said: "Together they want to say to the world that they want peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. They say it with particular force, since there have been victims of the present conflict in their families, Palestinian as well as Israeli. Everyone has the responsibility not to disappoint these young people and to help them to grow in their trust in God and in others."
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HOLY FATHER TO GO TO VALLE D'AOSTA REGION JULY 5 TO 17

VATICAN CITY, JUN 27, 2004 (VIS) - According to a communique issued by the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, the Holy Father will go to the Valle d'Aosta region in the Italian Alps from July 5 to 17 for a vacation.  During this time, all private audiences will be suspended.

  Starting on July 21, the Wednesday general audiences will take place in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace in Castelgandolfo at 10:30 a.m.

  Every Sunday, starting on July 18, the Pope will pray the Angelus at noon in the courtyard at Castelgandolfo.
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PONTIFICAL MISSION NAMED FOR CENTENARY AT GERMAN SHRINE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter from Pope John Paul to Cardinal Gilberto Agustoni, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, who will be his special envoy to the centenary celebrations of the crowing of the Mater Dolorosa image at the Shrine of Telgte in the diocese of Muenster, Germany on July 3. The Letter is written in Latin and is dated June 9, 2004.

  Other members of the pontifical mission include Msgrs. Winfried Koenig and Egon Mielenbrink of the diocese of Muenster and Msgr. Stephan Stocker, secretary of the apostolic nunciature in Germany.
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SPORTS, A MEANS FOR RENEWAL OF THE PERSON AND OF SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2004 (VIS) - Today in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope received 7,000 participants in a meeting promoted by the Italian Sporting Center, and noted that CSI, the Italian acronym for this group, was born 60 years ago "to propose to the youth of the time, so marked by the sad consequences of World War II, that practicing sports is not only a source of physical well-being but also an ideal of a courageous, positive, optimistic life, a means of integral renewal of the person and of society."

  He told his listeners that "each one of you is called to follow Christ and to be His witness in the field of sports." And, he added, "'practicing' sports, not just 'talking about sports', helps us rediscover the full truth about the human person."  He noted that over the past 60 years, CSI "has worked so that children, young people and adults can know, through various sports disciplines, the richness and beauty of the Gospel."

  John Paul II stated that CSI's efforts to promote sports "will help the new generations to choose and to cultivate the authentic values of life: love for truth and justice, a taste for beauty and goodness, the search for authentic freedom and peace."

  "In our times," he said, "the sports system often seems conditioned by the logic of profit, of spectacle, of doping, of extreme sports and episodes of violence. It is your duty to proclaim and give witness to the humanizing force of the Gospel with regards to the practice of sports which, if lived according to the Christian vision, becomes a 'generating principle' of deep human relations, and favors the building of a more serene world, one of greater solidarity."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Friedhelm Hofmann, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Cologne, Germany, as bishop of Wurzburg (area 8,532, population 1,342,262, Catholics 880,887, priests 746, permanent deacons 134, religious 1,699), Germany.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences :

- Bishop George L. Thomas of Helena, U.S.A., on his "ad limina" visit.- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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SPORTS & TOURISM: UNDERSTANDING, CULTURE, AND DEVELOPMENT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was the Holy Father's Message on the occasion of the 25th World Day of Tourism which will take place on September 27 on the theme "Sports and Culture: Two vital forces for mutual understanding, culture and development among countries."

  In the Message, dated May 30, Solemnity of Pentecost, the Pope says that tourism "contributes to improving relationships between persons and groups of people which, when it is cordial, respectful and unified, is like a door open to peace and coexistence.  In effect, much of the violence in our age is due to misunderstanding and even the rejection of the values and identity of other cultures. For this reason, misunderstanding can often be overcome through greater reciprocal knowledge. In this context, I also think about the millions of immigrants who must become part of the society that accepts them, based above all on the appreciation and recognition of the identity of each person or group."

  "Therefore, the World Day of Tourism offers the opportunity not only to affirm the positive contribution of tourism to a more just and peaceful world, but also to examine the specific conditions in which it is carried out."

  "In this respect," he continues, "the Church cannot allow the focus of its vision of man and history to be lost. In effect, the supreme principle which must govern human coexistence is respect for the dignity of each person, created in the image of God, and therefore, our brother or sister. This principle must guide all economic and political activity, according to the social doctrine of the Church, and it must also inspire religious and cultural coexistence."

  The Holy Father writes that sports and tourism "are closely linked during major sports events in which countries from one region or from all over the world participate, such as the Olympic Games which do not have to renounce their noble vocation to promote the ideals of peaceful coexistence, understanding and friendship."

  "Since it is a human activity that everyone participates in, it is not surprising that, despite the noble nature of its objectives, there are many abuses and deviations in the tourism industry. The phenomena of exaggerated commercialism, aggressive competition, violence against persons and things, even the degradation of the environment and the offense of the cultural identity of those who welcome tourists, cannot be ignored."

  "The correct practice of sport must be accompanied by practicing the virtues of temperance and sacrifice; frequently it also requires a good team spirit, respectful attitudes, the appreciation of the qualities of others, honesty in the game and humility to recognize one's own limitations.  In short, sports, especially in less competitive forms, foster festive celebration and friendly coexistence. While playing sports, Christians also find help in developing the cardinal virtues - fortitude, temperance, prudence and justice."

  The Pope indicates that thanks to tourism "the occasions for encounters between peoples and different cultures in a climate of understanding and harmony have multiplied. ... Without ignoring the deviations that regrettably continue to occur, I want to earnestly and hopefully urge people to promote 'sports which encourage the weakest and do not exclude anyone, which free young people from apathy and indifference, and provoke in them a healthy spirit of competition; sports which are a factor in the emancipation of the poorest countries and help to eliminate intolerance and to build up a more fraternal and united world; sports which help people to love life and help us to understand sacrifice, respect and responsibility, leading to recognizing fully the value of every person'."
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NEED FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOR IN TOURISM AND SPORT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, presented the Holy Father's Message for the 25th World Day of Tourism to take place on September 27, 2004 on the theme: "Sports and Culture: two vital forces for mutual understanding, culture and development among countries." Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, council secretary, also spoke during the press conference.

  Cardinal Hamao said that sports and tourism "are presented as instruments not only for physical development, but also for the spiritual and cultural development of the individual and society."

  "The importance that our society gives to sports and the complex reality that surrounds this activity require specific pastoral care. The pastoral ministry in tourism must benefit from its criteria and initiatives. ... It is a task that this year's World Day of Tourism proposes to the Church and also to society in general which will have to increase its efforts and resources in order to develop ethical behaviour in the practice of tourism and sports."

  Archbishop Marchetto officially announced the celebration of the World Congress on Pastoral Ministry of Tourism which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand on July 5-8 on the theme "Tourism at the service of encounters among peoples." Among the many reports are "The Social and cultural dimension of international tourism, Acceptance, Evangelizing Mission, From the perspective of the peoples that welcome tourists." In addition, there will be a round table dedicated to "The dimension of sexual tourism and initiatives to combat it."

  "The choice of the conference location," said the prelate, "is a clear sign of the significance that we want to give to the congress' sessions. We are interested in promoting reflection on the understanding of tourism from the view point of the 'welcoming countries,' especially the most advanced, since in many of these countries tourism is enthusiastically welcomed and stimulated sometimes by hopes that do not always correspond to the global reality of the country."

  In this context, he explained, "the pastoral ministry for tourism must directly concern social and ethical conditions, the repercussions that it can have on religious life and the cultural identity of individuals and the community. ... Acceptance must be reciprocal in this encounter. The welcoming country's effort to receive the visitor must correspond with the effort of the visitor to do the same with his host, in terms of their customs, culture and identity. Only in this way will the encounter that tourism fosters be able to be constructive and will be a specific strength for peace and coexistence among peoples."
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JOHN PAUL THANKS MALTESE FOR "FIRM ADHERENCE TO THE FAITH"

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) - President Edward Fenech Adami of Malta was received this morning by John Paul II who told him he was pleased "to welcome you to the Vatican so early in your term of office, and through you I send heartfelt greetings to the people of Malta." President Fenech Adami was elected on April 4, 2004.

  "Your visit today," said the Pope, "occurs at an important moment in the history of your country.  As Malta takes its rightful place in the European Union, it has a vital role to play in upholding the profoundly Christian identity of this Continent.  In this regard I would like to express the Holy See's sincere appreciation for the support given by Your Excellency and the government of Malta for the inclusion of a reference to Europe's Christian heritage in the Preamble of the Constitutional Treaty of the European Union."

  The Holy Father underscored that "since the time of Saint Paul, Malta has been renowned for its firm adherence to the faith. I pray that it will persevere in this and I am confident that the Maltese people, well known for their dedication to the Church and, in particular, their great respect for family life, will draw others to a deeper appreciation of the liberating message of the Gospel."

  Pope John Paul has been to Malta three times: in May 1990, a brief visit to Luqa on the way to Africa in September 1990 and again in May 2001.
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POPE HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO REAFFIRM MARRIAGE, THE FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today addressed the participants in the European Symposium of University Professors who have been meeting in Rome on the theme "The Family in Europe, foundations, experiences and prospects" by looking at the philosophical, juridical and theological bases of the institution of the family. As the Pope noted, the symposium is taking place within the context of the International Year of the Family.

  The Pope pointed to the importance of the meeting's theme, stating that "Europe's future depends, in fact, on the family. One can say the family is the mirror of society and even of the Europe which is being built. The evolution of the family is the most important indicator of cultural and institutional developments of the continent."

  He added that "in the first millennium the encounter between Roman law and the Christian message gave rise to what can be called the European model of the family, spread on a broad scale to the Americas and Oceania." In the last 50 years, he said, phenomena have occurred in developed societies "in a very visible fashion and symptomatic of a deep crisis, with consequences we all can see today. In the face of such crises, the family has always been an element of cohesion and strength and, even when bitterly contested, has been the object of hopes, desires, projects and nostalgia."

  "The central question," said John Paul II, "is: Can we today still speak of a model of the family. The Church is convinced, within today's context, that it is more than ever necessary to reaffirm the institutions of marriage and the family as realities which derive from the wise will of God, and fully reveal their meaning and value within His plan of creation and salvation."

  The Pope said he hoped the symposium "will contribute to allowing families in the Europe of today and tomorrow to adequately fulfill the role that is theirs because of their very high dignity."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Gregorio Nicanor Pena Rodriguez of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, as bishop of Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia en Higuey (area 5,437, population 495,300, Catholics 442,100, priests 36, permanent deacons 8, religious 107), Dominican Republic.

- Archbishop Stanislaw Nowak of Czestochowa, Poland, as second vice-president of the Pontifical Academy of Immaculate Mary.
 
- Cardinal Carlo Gilberto Agustoni, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, as special envoy to the centenary celebration of the crowning of the Mater Dolorosa image at the Shrine of Telgte in the diocese of Muenster, Germany on July 3.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:

- Four prelates from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Region XII) on their "ad limina" visit:

   - Archbishop Roger Lawrence Schwietz of Anchorage.

   - Bishop Donald J. Kettler of Fairbanks.

   - Bishop Michael William Warel of Juneau.

- Archbishop John George Vlazny of Portland in Oregon.

- Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
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JOHN PAUL II TO VISIT LOURDES AUGUST 14 AND 15

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2004 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, announced this morning that "the Holy Father John Paul II will go on pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Lourdes, France, on August 14 and 15, 2004 for the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

  The press office added that the Holy Father is scheduled to leave Ciampino Airport in Rome at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 14 for the two-hour plane trip to Tarbes, from where he will depart by car for Lourdes, a trip of about 45 minutes. For the return trip to Rome, the Pope is scheduled to leave Tarbes Airport at 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, August 15.
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METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOPS TO RECEIVE PALLIUM ON JUNE 29

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2004 (VIS) - Forty-four metropolitan archbishops will receive the pallium from the hands of Pope John Paul II on Tuesday, June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Square.

  The new metropolitans are:

- Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, U.S.A.

- Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Bresgau, Germany.

- Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M., Cap., of Boston, U.S.A.

- Archbishop Hans-Josef Becker of Paderborn, Germany.

- Archbishop Ramon Benito de la Rosa y Carpio of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

- Archbishop Andre Lacrampe of Besancon, France.

- Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha, Japan

- Archbishop Gaudencio Borbon Rosales of Manila, Philippines.

- Archbishop Alano Maria Pena, O.P., of Niteroi, Brazil.

- Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, P.S.S., of Nagasaki, Japan.

- Archbishop Henry Joseph Mansell of Hartford, U.S.A.

- Archbishop Kevin John Patrick McDonald of Southwark, Great Britain.

- Archbishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello of Antequera, Oaxaca, Mexico.

- Archbishop Fulgence Rabeony, S.J., of Toliara, Madagascar.

- Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo of Calabar, Nigeria.

- Archbishop Michel Meranville of Fort-de-France, Martinique.

- Archbishop Matias Patricio de Macedo of Natal, Brazil.

- Archbishop Juan Antonio Ugarte Perez of Cuzco, Peru.

- Archbishop Jose Paulino Rios Reynoso of Arequipa, Peru.

- Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke of St. Louis, U.S.A.

- Archbishop Carlo Caffarra of Bologna, Italy.

- Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli of Ancona-Osimo, Italy.

- Archbishop Joseph Cheng Tsai-Fa of Taipei, Taiwan.

- Archbishop Raymond Roussin, S.M., of Vancouver, Canada.

- Archbishop Lawrence Aloysius Burke, S.J., of Kingston in Jamaica, Jamaica.

- Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau, Bahamas.

- Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz of Brasilia, Brazil.

- Archbishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

- Archbishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis of Aparecida, Brazil.

- Archbishop Roland Minnerath of Dijon, France.

- Archbishop Wladislaw Ziolek of Lodz, Poland.

- Archbishop Joseph Augustine Charanakunnel of Raipur, India.

- Archbishop Pietro Coccia of Pesaro, Italy.

- Archbishop Marie Daniel Dadiet of Korhogo, Ivory Coast.

- Archbishop Jean-Charles Descubes of Rouen, France.

- Archbishop Marian Golebiewski of Wroclaw, Poland.

- Archbishop Luiz Manchila Vilela, SS.CC., of Vitoria, Brazil.

- Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland

- Archbishop Aldo Di Cillo Pagotto, S.S.S., of Paraiba, Brazil.

- Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles of Lipa, the Philippines.

- Archbishop Moacyr Jose Vitti, C.S.S., of Curitiba, Brazil.

- Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare, Zimbabwe.

- Archbishop Bruno Gamberini of Campinas, Brazil.

- Archbishop Milton Antonio Dos Santos, S.D.B., of Cuiaba, Brazil.
 
  In addition to the forty-four archbishops, the following eight will received the pallium in their respective metropolitan sees: Archbishops Aloysius Sudarso, S.C.I., of Palembang, Indonesia; Hubert Constant, O.M.I., of Cap-Haitien, Haiti; Evarist Pinto of Karachi, Pakistan; Nicolaus Adi Septura, M.S.C., of Merauke, Indonesia: Jose de Queiros Alves, C.SS.R., of Huambo, Angola; Anthony Anandarayar of Pondicherry and Cuddalore, India; Maria Callist Soosa Pakiam of Trivandrum of the Latins, India and Lluis Martinez Sistach of Barcelona, Spain.
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WE MUST PRAY INTENSELY FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received 70 participants in the annual meeting of ROACO, the Meeting of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches, which is part of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

  The Holy Father recalled "the Christian communities of the Oriental Churches, subject at this moment to serious trials due to current conflicts, terrorism and other difficulties," noting they "can count on your assistance."  In addition, he thanked them for taking the time during the sessions to look at the situation of the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania. "Thank you for your concern. It is a precious service of solidarity to the neediest."

  John Paul II, referring to the collection for the Holy Land which is taken up every Good Friday all over the world, and to the recommendation of his predecessors "to care for the mother Church in Jerusalem," said "it is necessary to persevere, praying intensely for peace for the people who live in the land of Jesus. May Christians, who are so tried by the never-ending violence and by numerous other problems that produce economic impoverishment, social conflicts, cultural and human degradation, never lack the support of the entire Catholic Church. Thanks to the collection ... it is also possible to contribute to the resolution of problems and to nourish the spirit of acceptance and reciprocal respect, promoting a common will of reconciliation. All of this will contribute to building up peace which is so-longed for."

  The Pope emphasized that one of the most important duties of the congregation "in order to sustain pastoral care and the labor of evangelization of the Oriental Churches is the formation of those who give formation."  In this sense, he highlighted the economic contribution of the dicastery "in preparing priests, and in following seminarians, women and men religious and lay people so that the Churches may be able to count on expert pastors and responsible and competent lay people."
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CHURCH'S TEACHING MISSION: A PERSONAL, INSTITUTIONAL WITNESS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2004 (VIS) - The Pope today welcomed the prelates of the provinces of Portland in Oregon, Seattle and Anchorage as they concluded their "ad limina" visit and continued his reflections to the U.S. bishops on the episcopal "munus docendi" or teaching mission. He noted the importance of both a "personal testimony of faith and holiness" and an "institutional witness."

  He stated that the Catholic's Church's "many religious, educational and charitable institutions exist for one reason only: to proclaim the Gospel. Their witness must always proceed 'ex corde Ecclesiae', from the very heart of the Church. It is of utmost importance, therefore, that the Church's institutions be genuinely Catholic: Catholic in their self-understanding and Catholic in their identity. All those who share in the apostolates of such institutions, including those who are not of the faith, should show a sincere and respectful appreciation of that mission which is their inspiration and ultimate 'raison d'être'."

   "The Church's many institutions in the United States - schools, universities, hospitals and charitable agencies - must not only assist the faithful to think and act fully in accordance with the Gospel, overcoming every separation between faith and life, but they must themselves embody a clear corporate testimony to its saving truth. This will demand constantly re-examining their priorities in the light of their mission and offering a convincing witness, within a pluralistic society, to the Church's teaching, particularly on respect for human life, marriage and family, and the right ordering of public life."

  The Holy Father underscored that "the Church's educational institutions will be able to contribute effectively to the new evangelization only if they clearly preserve and foster their Catholic identity. ... By their very nature, Catholic colleges and universities are called to offer an institutional witness of fidelity to Christ and to His word as it comes to us from the Church, a public witness expressed in the canonical requirement of the mandatum." In addition, "these institutions should be at the forefront of the Church's dialogue with culture."

  Saying that "the Church's presence in elementary and secondary education must also be the object of your special attention as shepherds of the People of God," the Pope asked the bishops "to encourage your priests to continue to be present and visible in parish schools, and to make every effort to ensure that, despite financial difficulties, a Catholic education remains available to the poor and the less privileged in society."

  He said that "while catechetical programs for children and young people, especially in relation to sacramental preparation, remain essential, increasing attention must be paid to the particular needs of older adolescents and adults. ... (These) require a constant discernment of the actual needs of the different ages and groups" and this, in turn "calls for the personal involvement of the Bishop, together with pastors, who are directly responsible for the religious instruction imparted in their parishes, with religious education professionals."

  Lastly, John Paul II turned to "the eloquent witness" that American Catholics have always given "on behalf of the elderly, the sick and the needy -  through nursing homes, hospitals, clinics and various relief and assistance centers. ... The significant challenges facing these institutions in changing social and economic circumstances must not be allowed to weaken this corporate witness.  Established policies in complete conformity with the Church's moral teaching need to be firmly in place in Catholic health care facilities, and every aspect of their life ought to reflect their religious inspiration and their intimate link to the Church's mission of bringing supernatural light, healing and hope to men and women at every stage of their earthly pilgrimage."
AL/TEACHING MISSION/USA        VIS 20040624 (610)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Dario Campos, O.F.M., of Aracuai, Brazil, as bishop of Leopoldina (area 8,491, population 529,154, Catholics 396,865, priests 53, religious 150), Brazil.

- Fr. Jose de Lanza Neto of the clergy of the diocese of Jaboticabal, Brazil and pastor of Senhor Bom Jesus Parish, as auxiliary bishop of archdiocese of Londrina (area 6,594, population 900,000, Catholics 658,800, priests 135, permanent deacons 22, religious 363), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Pirangi, Brazil in 1952 and was ordained a priest in 1980.

- Appointed Fr. Fabrizio Capanni, study assistant of the Vatican Secret Archives, as bureau chief of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2004 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon the Holy Father received in audience prelates from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Region XII):

- Bishop Robert Francis Vasa of Baker.

- Bishop Michael Patrick Driscoll of Boise City.

- Bishop Anthony Michael Milone of Great Falls-Billings.
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MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF TOURISM TO BE PRESENTED FRIDAY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2004 (VIS) - On Friday, June 25, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, will present the Holy Father's Message for the 25th World Day of Tourism which will be celebrated on September 27, 2004 on the theme: 'Sport and tourism, two vital forces at the service of reciprocal understanding, culture and development of countries."  Archbishop Agostino Marchetto secretary of the same dicastery, will also participate in the press conference.
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PRESS OFFICE DECLARATION ON ARRESTS OF BISHOPS IN CHINA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2004 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following statement today on the arrests of bishops in China:

  "Requests for information have been made concerning recent wire service reports of new arrests of bishops in China.

  "Since May 27 there has been no news of the 84-year old bishop of Xuanhua who was taken into custody by police forces. The coadjutor bishop of Xiwanzi was placed in custody from June 2 to 12, whereas the bishop of Zhengding was held by the authorities for five days.

  "The Holy See feels deep pain for these measures, for which no reason has been communicated. They are inconceivable in a State of  law and go against human rights, in particular religious freedom, which are sanctioned in numerous international documents, even subscribed to by the People's Republic of China."
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LET US, LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST, BRING CHRIST INTO THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2004 (VIS) - In his multi-language greetings following today's Wednesday audience catechesis, Pope John Paul had special words for several groups of pilgrims, as well as the traditional salute to young people, newlyweds and those who are sick.

  Addressing faithful from the Czech Republic in their language, the Pope noted that "tomorrow we celebrate the feast of St. John The Baptist. Dear ones, the vocation of this great prophet was to prepare the way for Our Lord. We too, each according to his own efforts and vocation, bring Christ into today's world. Be strong in the Lord!"

  He then welcomed a group of pilgrims from Slovakia, remarking that "in this period priestly ordinations are taking place in Slovakia. Let us thank Christ the High Priest for the 110 new priests, and let us pray that they will faithfully announce the Gospel and celebrate the divine mysteries."

  "While many young people are taking exams," the Holy Father said in closing remarks, "for many others it is the start of the summer period, a time of tourism and pilgrimages, of holidays and rest. Dear young people, while I think of your peers still involved in taking exams, I hope that you who are already on vacation will take advantage of summer to fulfill formative human and spiritual experiences. I hope that you, dear sick people, will not lack in the comfort and support of your family. And I encourage you newlyweds to deepen your mission in the Church and in society during these summer months."
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DESIRE FOR JUSTICE MANIFESTS A DESIRE FOR SALVATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2004 (VIS) - In today's general audience celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope spoke about the Canticle in Chapter 15 of the Book of Revelation, "Hymn of adoration and praise."

  John Paul II said that this hymn "is sung by those who are saved, the just of this earth. ... Like the Hebrews, after having crossed the seas, the chosen people raise up to God their 'hymn of Moses and the Lamb,' having conquered the beast, the enemy of God."

  With this hymn, he continued, those who are saved "exalt the 'great and admirable works' of the 'Lord God Almighty', his saving action in the governing of the world and in history. True prayer, as well as supplication, is praise, thanksgiving, blessing, celebration, and profession of faith in the Lord who saves."

  The Holy Father indicated that "the universal dimension in this hymn, which is expressed in the terms of Psalm 85, is significant: 'All the nations thou hast made shall come and bow down before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name.' Our gaze extends to the whole horizon and we see crowds of people going toward the Lord in order to recognize 'His just judgements', His interventions in history to fend off evil and to praise good.  Therefore, the desire for justice present in all cultures, the need for truth and love that is perceived in all spiritualities, manifests a desire for salvation which can only come from the Lord."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Archbishop Cyrille Salim Bustros, S.M.S.P, of Baalbeck, Lebanon, as archbishop-bishop of the eparchy of Newton of the Greek-Melkite Catholics (Catholics 29,323, priests 61, permanent deacons 36, religious 19), U.S.A.  He succeeds Archbishop John Adel Elya, B.S., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same eparchy was accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Msgr. Gerard McKay, defender of bond of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, as judge of the same tribunal.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
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ELIMINATION OF POVERTY INCREASES SOCIAL COHESION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22 (VIS) - Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, C.S., represented the Holy See in the 11th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), celebrated in Sao Paulo, Brazil from June 13 to 18. This organization, which the Holy See has been a member of since its founding in 1964, studies international commercial and financial relations and guides states and international organizations in formulating just economic policies which respect the human person.

  Archbishop Tomasi recalled that UNCTAD "remains a valid instrument to achieve its initial aspirations and to promote development and dialogue between developed and developing countries."

  "The elimination of poverty," he continued, "increases social cohesion and becomes a means for sustainable growth.  To this effect we must forcefully stress the importance of 'poverty education' as a common goal, and the road to achieve it passes through the strengthening of national markets and, above all, through investment in the development of human resources and through improving the capacity to participate in the opportunities offered by economic integration to the active population at first and then to the whole community."

  The Holy See delegate emphasized that "the sole goal of development is not to make persons 'more productive' but rather to guarantee their dignity and improve their capacity to act freely."
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PAPAL MASS WITH PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW IN ATTENDANCE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2004 (VIS) - On Tuesday, June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, the Pope will celebrate Mass at 6 p.m. in St. Peter's Square.  Patriarch Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, will attend the ceremony.

  According to a communique from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the patriarch will be received by the Holy Father at 5:45 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica and will then participate in the celebration. John Paul II and Bartholomew I will deliver a homily and pray the profession of faith together.

  The celebration will take place 40 years after the historical embrace of Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Atenagoras I in Jerusalem in January of 1964.

 The Holy Father will concelebrate with newly-appointed metropolitan archbishops upon whom he will impose the pallium.
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DECREES OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2004 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall, in the presence of the Holy Father, members of the Congregation for the Causes of  Saints and the postulators of the respective causes, there was the promulgation of 16 new decrees. Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation, read a biography of the lives of the Servants of God.

  The decrees concern the following causes:

HEROIC VIRTUES

- Servant of God Pedro Tarres i Claret, Spain, priest of the archdiocese of Barcelona,  (1905-1950).

- Servant of God Augustine Thevarparampil, Indian, called 'Kunjachan,' priest of the eparchy of Palai, India (1891-1973).

- Servant of God Julia de las Espinas del Sagrado Corazón, nee Julia Navarrete Guerriero, Mexican, foundress of the Institute of the Religious Missionaries, Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary (1881-1974).

- Servant of God Alfonsa Clerici, Italian, religious of Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in Monza, Italy (1860-1930).

- Servant of God Maria Crescencia, nee Maria Angelica Perez, Argentine,  religious of the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden (1897-1932).

- Servant of God Serafina Gregoris, nee Vittoria, Italian, religious of the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the King (1873-1935).

MARTYRS

- Servants of God, Jose Trinidad Rangel Montaño, Mexico, priest of the diocese of Leon (1887-1927), Andres Sola Molist, Spanish, priest of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) (1895-1927), and Leonardo Perez Larios, Mexican, lay person (1883-1927), martyred in Rancho de San Joaquin during the religious persecution in Mexico.

- Servant of God, Dario Acosta Zurita, Mexican, priest of the diocese of Veracruz (1908-1931), killed during the religious persecution in Mexico.

- Servants of God Lucas de San Jose, ne Jose Tristany Pujol, Spanish, priest of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites (1872-1936), killed for the faith in Barcelona, Leonardo Jose, ne Jose Maria Aragones Mateu, religious of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian School (1886-1936), killed for the faith in Traveseres, Apollonia del Santisimo Sacramento, nee Apolonia Lizarraga, nun of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Charity (1877-1936), killed for the faith in Barcelona, and 61 companions, killed for the faith during the religious persecution in Spain between 1936-1937.

- Servant of God Brother Bernardo, ne Placido Fabrega Julia, of the Institute of the Marist Brothers of the Schools (1889-1934), killed for the faith in Barruelo during the religious persecution in Spain.

- Servants of God Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, Mexican, lay person (1888-1927), killed for the faith in Guadalajara, and 7 lay companions, killed for the faith during the religious persecution in Mexico between 1927-1928.

- Servant of God Jose Sanchez Del Rio, Mexican, lay person (1913-1928), killed for the faith the religious persecution in Mexico.

MIRACLES

- Venerable Servant of God Pedro Tarres i Claret, Spanish, priest of the archdiocese of Barcelona (1905-1950).

- Venerable Servant of God Maria Pia Mastena, ne Teresa Maria, Italian, foundress of the Institute of Sisters of the Holy Face (1881-1951).

- Venerable Servant of God Eurosia Fabris Barban, Italian, widow, wife and mother, of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi (1866-1932).

- Venerable Servant of God Pina Suriano, Italian, lay person (1915-1950).
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POPE THANKS MILITARY ORDER OF MALTA FOR THEIR SERVICE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2004 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received in audience Fra' Andrew Bertie, prince and grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.  The Pope told him that the Holy See "appreciates the numerous services that your institution offers to the service of evangelization and, in particular, the many positive initiatives that it constantly promotes for the needy."

  "I assure you that I pray for you," he said, "so that God, through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, may bless every project of your institution, and I encourage you to continue generously along the path of fidelity to Christ and His Church."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Illigan, Philippines, presented by Bishop Emilio L. Bataclan in accordance with Canon 401, par. 2 of the Code of Canon Law and he appointed him auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Cebu, (area 5,088, population 3,320,497, Catholics 2,872,434, priests 592, religious 1,636), Philippines.

- Appointed Msgr. Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, official of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", as undersecretary of the same council.

  On Saturday, June 19, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop André Rivest, auxiliary of Montreal, Canada, as bishop of Chicoutimi (area 90,850, population 264,486, Catholics 260,915, priests 203, permanent deacons 39, religious 697), Canada.  He succeeds Bishop Jean-Guy Couture whose resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese was accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Msgr. Jose Miguel Angel Giles Vazquez, vicar general of Toluca, Mexico, as bishop of Ciudad Altamirano (area 16,000, population 690,000, Catholics 676,100, priests 61, religious 100), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Coatepec Harinas, Mexico in 1941 was ordained a priest in 1964.

- Appointed Fr. Florentino Galang Lavarias, director of the "Assist" Program of the Filipino Episcopal Conference, as bishop of Iba (area 3,642, population 650,637, Catholics 520,509, priests 41, religious 93), Philippines.  The bishop-elect was born in 1957 in Santa Ines, Philippines and was ordained a priest in 1985.

- Appointed Bishop Isabelo Caiban Abarquez, auxiliary of Cebu, Philippines, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Palo (area 4,620, population 1,572,472, Catholics 1,257,977, priests 142, religious 142), Philippines.

- Appointed Bishop Louis Dicaire, auxiliary of Montreal, Canada, as auxiliary of Saint-Jean Longueuil (area 2,073, population 654,066, Catholics 569,000, priests 148, permanent deacons 3, religious 432), Canada.

- Appointed Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, Spain, as his special envoy to the closing celebrations of the pilgrimage of European youth in Santiago de Compostela, Spain on August 7 and 8, 2004.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Three prelates from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

    - Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett of Seattle.

    - Bishop William Stephen Skylstad of Spokane

    - Bishop Carlos Arthur Sevilla, S.J., of Yakima. 

- Archbishop Mario Giordana, apostolic nuncio in Haiti, with family members.

  On Saturday June 19, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop of Antananarivo, Madagascar.

- Acisclo Valladares Molina, ambassador of Guatemala on his farewell visit.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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DECLARATION ON POPE'S AUDIENCE WITH ZAPATERO

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2004 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration today:

  "This morning the Holy Father received in audience Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, president of the Spanish government, who then met with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for Relations with States.

  "Mr. Zapatero was accompanied by Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube, minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo, ambassador of Spain to the Holy See, Luis Calvo Merino, undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, Carles Maria Casajuna Palet, general director of the International Department and Security of the Presidency of the Government.

  "In the course of the conversation, they reviewed the principal bilateral relations in light of the Accords between the Holy See and Spain, in particular those of 1979, and a desire for dialogue and collaboration was reaffirmed. In addition, there was an exchange of perspectives on the international situation with a special focus on the European perspective and on the countries of Latin America."
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NEW AGE: REAFFIRMATION OF RICHNESS OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2004 (VIS) - An international conference on the New Age celebrated in the Vatican on June 14-16, an initiative of various dicasteries interested in studying sects and new religious movements, has come to a close. Delegates from episcopal conferences from twenty-two countries, members of the Roman Curia and a representative from the General Union of Superiors participated in the study session.

  During the conference, the episcopates' answers to questions on the document, "Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian Reflection on the 'New Age'" (2003), were examined and, in addition to the summary of these answers, two fundamental aspects were studied: the discernment of the techniques and finalities of the New Age, and the comparison between Christian spirituality and the mystical experiences proposed by the New Age.

  With respect to the techniques of the New Age, certain criteria to identity them, in nature and religion, specifically in Christianity, were highlighted. The need for new analysis was reaffirmed.

  In terms of spirituality, the workshops were focused on perspectives that offer the New Age with respect to the expectations of men and women in our age.  In particular, "the solid richness of the spiritual, ascetic and mystical patrimony of Christianity, which many Catholic do not know adequately," was highlighted.

  At the end of the discussion on these aspects of the New Age, a summary was presented of the doctrinal and pastoral evaluation, enriched by the contribution of participants in the plenary sessions and in particular in the linguistic groups.

  The workshops concluded with pastoral indications considered to be important and urgent about the foundation of the elements that came up during the conference in order to put them at the disposition of the episcopacies in response to their requests.

  Participants reaffirmed "the utility of continuing an exchange of information in order to respond in a rich and articulate way to the silent request for help made by so many people faced by the phenomenon of the New Age which is so complex in its ideas and manifestations."
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SPAIN: PRESERVE MORAL AND CULTURAL VALUES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received in audience the recently-elected president of the Spanish government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The Pope assured the president that this visit "shows his esteem for the Apostolic See."

  "Your presence here," he affirmed, "reflects your desire to continue to maintain good relations with the local Church and the State for the good of the Spanish people, a desire that you expressed to me when I met you at the end of a Mass in Columbus Square in Madrid on May 4 last year."

  John Paul II expressed the desire that Spain "may always continue toward integral progress, may peaceful coexistence in unity among persons and peoples of your great land become ever stronger, with its marvelous and varied diversity, and may cultural and moral values be preserved, as well as your Christian roots."

  After recalling that last Friday, during his meeting with the new Spanish ambassador to the Holy See, Jorge Dezcallar, he had spoken about various aspects of Spanish society, he said: "Reaffirming what I said on that occasion, I want to renew my sincere gratitude for your visit. I truly hope that your personal commitment, as well as that of your government, may allow you to reach your objectives of fomenting the modern development of Spain, and in that task may ethical values, which are so much a part of the religious and cultural tradition of your people, be taken into consideration."

  The Pope assured the president of the "Holy See's collaboration to work together for the great cause of peace and to promote the spiritual progress of peoples; to help in the eradication of terrorism and violence in all its forms; to achieve the legitimate needs of the human person, with his dignity, rights and freedom."
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POPE: WE CANNOT IGNORE OUR ROOTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 20, 2004, (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today at midday with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled that "last Friday we celebrated the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, last of the great liturgical feasts which, after the Easter season, constitute a wonderful syntheses of the Christian mystery: the Most Holy Trinity, the Body and Blood of Christ and, specifically, his Most Holy Heart."

  "No one can know Jesus Christ profoundly without penetrating his Heart," he said,
"that is, in the depth of his divine-human Person. The mystery of merciful love, which is expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, helps us to live better today's World Refugee Day, whose theme is 'A Place to Call Home: To Rebuild Lives in Security and Dignity.' Every person has the need of a safe environment in which to live. Refugees aspire to this but, in many countries around the world, there are, unfortunately, millions who remain in refugee camps, or at least limited in the exercise of their rights."

  "Let us not forget our refugee brothers!" he exclaimed.  "I express my appreciation and encouragement to all those in the Church who work by their side. At the same time, I appeal for a renewed commitment by the international community, so that the causes of this painful phenomenon will be removed."

  The Holy Father concluded by asking Our Lady, "that humanity, receiving the message of love of Christ, may make progress in fraternity and in peace and that the earth will become the 'common home' of all nations."

  After the Marian prayer, addressing his compatriots in Polish, John Paul II expressed his disappointment that the Christian roots of Europe were not recognized in the European constitution: "We cannot forget our roots," he affirmed with energy.  "I thank Poland who in the European forum has faithfully defended the Christian roots of our continent from which our culture and the development of the civilization of our time has come."
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ARCHBISHOP CORDES VISITS HAITI AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," has been sent by the Holy Father to Haiti and the Dominican Republic to assess reconstruction in these two countries which were affected by serious floods in which more than 2,000 people died.

  On June 19-22 in Santo Domingo, the archbishop will meet with the country's bishops and with them he will visit the areas of Jimani, where more than 900 houses were destroyed, and Monte Plata. In addition, he will celebrate the Eucharist for the repose of the souls of those who died. The prelate will also meet with the heads of Caritas and other Catholic organizations.

  From June 22 to 25 in Haiti, the president of "Cor Unum" will meet with Prime Minister Gerard Latortue and Yvon Simeon, minister of the Foreign Affairs and Worship. He will also celebrate Mass for the victims of the disaster in the Cathedral in Jacmel and will visit the ghetto of Cite Soleil as well as Fond Verettes and Mapou, areas affected by the flood. Before returning to Rome, Archbishop Cordes will meet with the main Catholic aid organizations in Port-au-Prince.
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HOLY SEE: DISAPPOINTMENT CHRISTIAN ROOTS NOT RECOGNIZED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls,  director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration at midday:

  "The media have reported the adoption by consensus in Brussels of the European constitution by the heads of State and Government of the twenty-five member countries.

  "The Holy See express its satisfaction for this new and important step in the process of European integration that has been hoped for and encouraged by the Roman Pontiff.  The introduction in the document of a measure which safeguards the status of religious confessions in the Member States, and commits the Union to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with them, recognizing their identity and specific contribution, is also a reason for satisfaction."

  "The Holy See cannot but express its distress over the opposition of some governments to the explicit recognition of the Christian roots of Europe. It is a question of disregard of the historical evidence and of the Christian identity of European peoples."


  "The Holy See expresses heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to those governments that, aware of the past and of the historical horizon in which the new Europe is taking shape, worked to express concretely its recognized religious heritage."

  "Not to be forgotten is the intense commitment of different entities to have the Christian heritage of Europe mentioned in this treaty, stimulating the reflection of political leaders, citizens, and public opinion on a question that is not secondary in the present national, European and world context."
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THE EUCHARIST TRANSFORMS THE LIFE OF BELIEVERS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Holy Father to Bishop Egidio Caporello of Mantova, on the occasion of the special Jubilee for the 12th centenary of the Italian diocese, founded in 804, which began on November 30, 2003 and will conclude on November 21, 2004, Solemnity of Christ the King.

  The Pope writes in the Message dated June 10, Solemnity of Corpus Christi, that "the Church of Mantova has put Christ, hidden behind the veil of the species of the Eucharistic, at the center of the Jubilee celebrations."

   "Daily participation in the Eucharist," he continues, " the nourishment of eternal life, is capable of transforming the life of believers. ... The Eucharist gives us the courage and joy to be saints. The Jubilee is, therefore, an appropriate occasion to take a closer look at the universal vocation to sanctity. The world needs people who are saints more than anything else."

  After highlighting the social changes and economic difficulties that Italy is experiencing, John Paul II says that "a certain consumer and secularized mentality undermines the unity and stability of families, and, seducing a growing number of Christians, it leads them to distance themselves from the values of the faith in the social, civil and political spheres. It is necessary to react to these destructive forces, and, therefore, we must rediscover the Christian roots of our culture. All the faithful are called to this duty and will contribute effectively to this urgent need if they put Christ at the center of every personal, community and family project. Beginning with Him, we can build up a world that is more just and fraternal."
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OFFER WITNESS OF SOLIDARITY THROUGH HOLINESS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received a group of pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Aversa, accompanied by Archbishop Mario Milano and by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, who was born in Carinaro in this diocese.

  The Pope recalled his meeting with faithful from Aversa in Rome in the Jubilee Year 2000 when he reminded them of "the importance of material and spiritual solidarity. I issue the same invitation today: 'Be witnesses of solidarity'. A solidarity that is born from the most immediate aspects of daily life, from work to welfare, to give life to a more just and fair society."

  He underscored that "next to the social spheres, the sense of solidarity and reciprocal aid must also mark those of spiritual communion and the evangelizing mission of every Christian community. Is holiness not the highest witness of solidarity that your diocese is called to offer the men and women of our times? Yes! Dear brothers and sisters, proclaim with coherence Christ and His Gospel with generous fidelity and trusting abandon to the divine will. Nourish your existence with fervent prayer, docile listing to the Word of God and frequent recourse to the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist."

  In concluding, the Holy Father urged the faithful to "pursue the path you have undertaken, aided by the grace of today's pilgrimage. May God make fruitful your intentions of ecclesial communion and a commitment to the new evangelization."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Emmanuel Lafont of the clergy of Tours, France as bishop of the diocese of Cayenne (area 90,000, population 200,000, Catholics 150,000, priests 31, religious 63), French Guyana. The bishop-elect was born in Paris, France in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1970.

- Appointed Bishop Louis Sankale of Cayenne, French Guyana as coadjutor of Nice, France.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 18, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

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

    - Archbishop Ignacio Gomez Aristizabal of Santa Fe de Antioquia.

- Bishop Alonso Llano Ruiz of Istimina-Tado.

- Bishop Fidel Leon Cadavid Marin of Quibdo.

- Bishop Jairo Jaramillo Monsalve of Santa Rosa de Osos.

- Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum."
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TO SPANISH AMBASSADOR: EVERYONE MUST PROTECT HUMAN LIFE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of Spain, Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo, to whom he expressed his satisfaction "for the state of diplomatic relations between Spain and the Holy See." He also recalled his five apostolic trips to the country.

  Referring to his last trip to Spain in May of 2003, the Pope said that "it was a very clear sign of hope for the Church and also for Spanish society, since noble values lived intensely are like a soul which gives cohesion to human activity and instills creativity and fullness in moments of collapse or adversity which Spain has experienced very recently with some tragic experiences, due to the scourge of terrorism."

  "At a moment when a new order is being born in old Europe, Spain cannot fail to bring forth among its many contributions the express manifestation of its Christian roots, from which as in other European countries, a refined concept of the person open to transcendence has been developing for centuries, which is also a decisive factor of integration and universality."

  After emphasizing the Church's respect for civil authority, John Paul II said that neither Church nor State can be ignored because "the common good frequently requires different forms of collaboration between both, without discrimination or any exclusion.  This is the content of the partial accords between the Church and the State, which were immediately established after the approval of the present Spanish constitution."

  The Pope affirmed that the Church "makes an effort to invite all men and women of good will to build up a society based on fundamental and irreplaceable values for a just national and international order, worthy of mankind." In this sense, he stressed the "incoherent nature of certain tendencies in our time that, while on the one hand increase the well-being of people, also attack their dignity and their most fundamental rights, as happens when the fundamental right to life is limited or converted into a tool as in the case of abortion. Protecting human life is a duty for all, since the questions of life and its promotion are not only a prerogative for Christians but also a duty which pertains to every human conscience that aspires to the truth and is concerned about humanity's plight.  In terms of guaranteeing everyone's rights, public officials are obliged to defend life, especially the life of the weakest and defenseless."

  "In this field," he said, "some poorly-called 'social advances' are in reality only for some people at the cost of the sacrifice of others, and  public leaders, who guarantee rights but are not the origin of the innate rights of all, must consider these 'advances' with concern and alarm."

  The Holy Father indicated that the family, "the central and fundamental nucleus of all of society, the unparalleled milieu of solidarity and natural school of peaceful co-existence, deserves the greatest protection and help in order to carry out its duties. Its rights are more important than bigger social bodies. Among these rights, let us not forget that of being born and raised in a stable home, where the words mother and father may be said with joy and without deception." Society will benefit from the smallest, he continued, "if it does not give in to certain voices that seem to confuse marriage with other very different forms of union, some that are even opposed to marriage, or that seem to consider children as mere objects for one's own satisfaction."

  "The family has the right and duty to educate children, doing so according to certain moral and religious convictions, since integral development cannot elude the transcendent and spiritual dimension of man. ... Neither can the teaching of the Catholic religion be underestimated in state institutions, based precisely on the right of families who request it, without discriminations or impositions."

  At the end of his speech, John Paul II urged that during this Holy Year of St. James, the Apostle James may, "as he was for centuries, continue to be a luminous beacon for the peoples of Spain and continue to make of his lands a path sown with strength and hope for so many pilgrims from all over Europe."
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