OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 5, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, presented by Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi S.J., upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Peter Liu Cheng-chung.

- Appointed Fr. Gary Gordon of the clergy of Vancouver, Canada, pastor and archiepiscopal delegate for prisons, as bishop of Whitehorse (area 723,515, population 35,614, Catholics 9,175, priests 13, religious 9), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in Vancouver in 1957 and ordained as a priest in 1982.

- Appointed Msgr. Andrzej Siemieniewski, episcopal vicar for the permanent formation of the clergy and holder of the chair of spiritual theology at the faculty of theology in Wroclaw, Poland, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Wroclaw (area 11,490, population 1,580,000, Catholics 1,470,100, priests 1,163, religious 1,781). The bishop-elect was born in Wroclaw in 1957 and ordained as a priest in 1985.

- Appointed Adalbert Roth as "scriptor latinus" of the Vatican Apostolic Library, and Sever Juan Voicu as "scriptor graecus" of the Vatican Apostolic Library.

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NOTICE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 5, 2006 (VIS) - As previously advised, there will be no service tomorrow, Friday, January 6, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the next service will be transmitted on Monday, January 9.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 5, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Prince Alessandro Torlonia, assistant to the throne, accompanied by his wife.

 - John Joseph Herron, ambassador of Australia, accompanied by his wife, on his farewell visit.

 - Frere Alois, prior of Taize.
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