GEORGIA: CREATING BALANCE BETWEEN UNITY AND DIVERSITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 2005 (VIS) - The new ambassador from Georgia to the Holy See, Princess Khetevane Bagration de Moukhrani, presented her Letters of Credence this morning to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, who received her in the Vatican, in the name of the Holy Father, whose speech of welcome he read. "I am very sorry," began the Pope's remarks, "that, because of my convalescence, I am not able to receive you personally to express my best wishes at the moment you are starting your mission."

  John Paul II highlighted his pastoral trip to Georgia in 1999 and the nation's "rich Christian patrimony. ... I firmly believe that the spiritual and cultural values present in the tradition of the Georgian people will not fail to play an important role in promoting a new flourishing of civilization on the roots of Georgia's Christian past and in favoring the consolidation of a society worthy of your noble nation."

  The Pope said that "on the path to independence and national rebuilding, Georgia has had to face many and often difficult challenges. ... In addition to the difficult task of setting up robust political and economic structures, Georgians have had to face the duty of keeping firm the sense of unity, while also being open to the broader European and international community" He said that meeting these challenges is only possible "thanks to a wise and prudent equilibrium between the exigencies of unity and respect for legitimate diversity."

  What is needed, said the Pope, "is to develop a solid model of unity in diversity, firmly anchored in the historical experience that is proper to the country, but open at the same time to the enrichment that comes from dialogue and cooperation with others."

  He underscored that the Catholic Church, even though a minority in Georgia, is anxious "to make her own contribution to the spiritual rebirth of the Nation and to the progress of the common good, not only in realizing her specific religious mission but also through her involvement in works of charity and in promoting cultural exchanges and educational opportunities that favor young people, who are the future of Georgia."

  "Today, more than ever," concluded the Pope's message to the ambassador, "believers are called to join forces to lay solid bases for an authentic social renewal, thus contributing to forming consciences on the paths of peace and respect for the inviolable dignity and the rights of every person."
CD/LETTERS CREDENCE/GEORGIA:BAGRATION        VIS 20050309 (400)