OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Frederick Francis Campell, auxiliary of St. Paul and Minneapolis, U.S.A., as bishop of Columbus (area 29,282, population 2,383,015, Catholics 236,042, priests 245, permanent deacons 76, religious 402), U.S.A.  He succeeds Bishop James Anthony Griffin whose resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Columbus was accepted in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Msgr. William J. Dendinger, pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr Parish in Omaha, U.S.A., as bishop of Grand Island (area 103,560, population 295,176, Catholics 54,549, priests 65, religious 98), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Coleridge, U.S.A. in 1939 and was ordained a priest in 1965. He succeeds Bishop Lawrence James McNamara whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese was accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Kevin Carl Rhoades, rector of Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, U.S.A., as bishop of Harrisburg (area 19,839, population 2,027,835, Catholics 247,861, priests 161, permanent deacons 45, religious 500), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Mahanoy City, in the diocese of Allentown, U.S.A. in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1983.

- Appointed Msgr. Manfred Grohe, vicar general of the archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany, and Fr. Matthias Koenig, pastor of Paderborn Schloss Neuhaus, as auxiliary bishops of the same archdiocese (area 14,754, population 4,900,000, Catholics 1,771,660, priests 1,191, permanent deacons 129, religious 2,409).  Bishop-elect Grohe was born in Warburg, Germany in 1939 and was ordained a priest in 1967. Bishop-elect Koenig was born in 1959 in Dortmund, Germany and was ordained a priest in 1985.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Andre Dupuy, apostolic nuncio in Venezuela.

- Roberto Jose Siman Jacir, ambassador of El Salvador, on his farewell visit.

- Henri Antoine Turpin, ambassador of Senegal, on his farewell visit.

- Alberto Montagne Vidal, ambassador of Peru, on his farewell visit.
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YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST: SUGGESTIONS AND PROPOSALS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2004 (VIS) - The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments today published a document entitled "The Year of the Eucharist: Suggestions and Proposals," in answer to a idea put forth by Pope John Paul in his October 7 Apostolic Letter "Mane nobiscum Domine." Today's document, published in Italian, is expected to be available shortly in other major languages.

  In Number 29 of  "Mane nobiscum Domine," the Holy Father wrote:

  "There is room here for any number of initiatives, according to the judgement of the Pastors of the particular Churches. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments will not fail to provide some helpful suggestions and proposals. I do not ask, however, for anything extraordinary, but rather that every initiative be marked by a profound interiority. If the only result of this Year were the revival in all Christian communities of the celebration of Sunday Mass and an increase in Eucharistic worship outside Mass, this Year of grace would be abundantly successful. At the same time, it is good to aim high, and not to be content with mediocrity, since we know we can always count on God's help."

  The text is divided into an Introduction, a Summary of the five Chapters (Frame of Reference, Worship Contexts, Lines of Eucharistic Spirituality, Pastoral Initiatives and Commitments and Cultural Paths), a list of documents and abbreviations used, the five Chapters and a Conclusion.

  The Introduction notes that "barely a year after the conclusion of the Year of the Rosary, there is a new initiative of the Holy Father: The Year of the Eucharist from October 2004 to October 2005. There is continuity between these two initiatives and they are, in fact, within the framework of pastoral indications that the Pope gave to the Church with the Apostolic Letter 'Novo millennio ineuente', placing the face of Christ at the center of ecclesial commitments in the wake of Vatican Council II and the Great Jubilee."

  "Now," continues the Introduction, "the Year of the Eucharist … offers us an important pastoral occasion for the entire Christian community to be further sensitized to make this wonderful Sacrifice and Sacrament the heart of its life.

  "The Holy Father left it up to the particular Churches to prepare initiatives for this Year. He did, however, ask the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments to offer 'suggestions and proposals' that could be useful for everyone, pastors and pastoral workers at every level, who is called to make a contribution.

  "Thus the nature of this handbook. It does not pretend to be exhaustive, but rather limits itself to give, with a simple style, some working suggestions."

  The congregation indicates a series of suggestions on the parochial and diocesan level in order to begin the Year of the Eucharist. For example, it encourages the preparation of documents - especially where the dioceses cannot do so - that emphasize the Year of the Eucharist and promote reflection by priests and faithful on the doctrinal and pastoral problems in their respective countries (lack of priests, low Sunday Mass attendance, abandoning Eucharistic adoration); they also suggest promoting national Eucharistic congresses and inviting universities, faculties and seminaries to explore this theme.

  As to dioceses, the document encourages knowledge of the saints who have a special relationship with the diocese and who have been distinguished by love for the Eucharist. Increasing perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in churches and chapels, especially at a time when it is convenient for parishioners, is emphasized. In addition, the congregation suggests organizing Eucharistic adoration for young people around Palm Sunday. It also proposes dedicating space to the theme of the Eucharist in diocesan magazines, internet sites, as well as on local radio and television stations.
 
  The text recalls the Pope's invitation to make every effort to make sure that Sunday Mass occupies the central place in the parish. In addition, it highlights the importance of teaching the faithful the proper behavior when entering a church, helping them to prepare themselves interiorly during mass, especially in the most important moments and educating them on exterior participation as well. Parishes, continues the text, must promote Eucharistic worship and personal and community prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, namely visiting the Blessed Sacrament, adoration and Eucharistic benediction and spiritual assistance for those who are in irregular situations, and who cannot receive communion although they participate in Mass.

  It is suggested that monasteries, religious communities and institutes organize mediation on the quality of Eucharistic celebration in community, fidelity to liturgical norms and personal Eucharistic devotion, as well as provide for the possibility of increasing adoration hours before the Blessed Sacrament.

  Lastly, the document emphasizes that in seminaries and houses of formation a certain familiarity with Latin and Gregorian chant is necessary in order to pray and sing in Latin. Also, it asks that the tabernacle be conveniently located in a place conducive to private prayer.

  In the Conclusion, the text affirms that "the success of this Year undoubtedly depends on the depth of our prayer.  We are invited to celebrate the Eucharist, to receive it and to adore it with the faith of the saints. … This special year must help us to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist and to live by Him."
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1.5 MILLION FAITHFUL ATTENDED PAPAL AUDIENCES IN 2004

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2004 (VIS) -  As it customarily does just before the  anniversary of the Holy Father's election to the papacy, the Prefecture of the Papal Household has published figures relative to papal audiences. October 16 the Pope celebrates the 26th anniversary of his pontificate, having been elected as the 264th Roman Pontiff on that day in 1978.

   Up to today, John Paul II has welcomed 1,512,300 people in 2004: 387,100 in the weekly general audiences, 140,200 for special audiences, 368,000 for liturgical celebrations and 617,000 for the Sunday Angelus.

  From October 16, 1978 to October 16, 2004, the Holy Father has welcomed 426 heads of State, kings and queens, 187 prime ministers, 190 foreign ministers, and he has received the Letters of Credence of 642 new ambassadors to the Holy See.

  These figures do not take into account the myriad numbers of people whom the Pope welcomes at the end of liturgical functions in the Vatican, in Italy or abroad.
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PALLOTTINES: INTENSE PRAYER AND VIGOROUS SACRAMENTAL LIFE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2004 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received participants in the general chapter of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, also known as the Pallottines.

  The Pope said that during their general assembly they had reflected on "some of the religious challenges that the institute must address in this moment in history. In particular, you emphasized the service that your society is called to provide in the context of the Union of  the Catholic Apostolate."

  In order to carry out this mission, priests and religious, with the participation of lay people, must "stay united to Christ, whom (founder) St. Vincent Pallotti loved and served with heroic fidelity. Only in this way will your communities be 'live cells of inspiration and Pallottine activity'."

  "This fidelity to the spirit of your beginnings demands constant formation and a shared missionary urgency. Only people who are totally dedicated to seeking a 'high measure' of Christian life can fulfill pastoral choices of great apostolic efficacy. May the foundation of all of this be an intense prayer life and a vigorous sacramental life, centered on the Eucharist. Spirituality and apostolate, formation and mission, are the two faces of that unique evangelic perfection which is reflected in an exemplary way in the life of St. Vincent Pallotti."
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