NOTICE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - We would like to remind our readers that there will be no VIS service on Wednesday, November 1 or Thursday, November 2, respectively All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and holidays in the Vatican. Service will resume on Friday, November 3.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Accepted the resignation from the office of Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, presented by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Appointed Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M., archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.

 - Accepted the resignation from the office of archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, presented by Cardinal Francesco Marchisano. He is succeeded by his coadjutor, Archbishop Angelo Comastri, prelate emeritus of Loreto, Italy, vicar general for Vatican City State, president of the Fabric of St Peter's.

 - Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of New York, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Robert A. Brucato, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Appointed Fr. Thomas Chung An-zu of the clergy of Tainan, Taiwan, chaplain of the Fu Jen Catholic University, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Taipei (area 4,590, population 6,792,857, Catholics 84,326, priests 272, religious 707), Taiwan. The bishop-elect was born in Yunlin, Taiwan, in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1981.

- Appointed Fr. Fausto Gaibor Garcia, chancellor and pastor of the cathedral of Guaranda, Ecuador, as auxiliary of the diocese of Riobamba (area 7,014, population 475,000, Catholics 330,000, priests 67, permanent deacons 6, religious 218), Ecuador. The bishop-elect was born in Gauranda in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1981.
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HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general prayer intention for November is: "That, everywhere in the world, an end be put to all forms of terrorism."

  His mission intention is: "That through the effort of believers, together with the living forces of society, the new and old chains which prevent the development of the African continent may be broken."
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TELEGRAM FOR AIR ACCIDENT IN NIGERIA

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2006 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., in the Holy Father's name, to Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria, for the plane crash in that country on Sunday, October 29, which cost the lives of more than 100 people:

  "Deeply saddened by the news of the tragic air disaster in Nigeria, which included among its victims the Sultan of Sokoto, His Holiness wishes to convey his heartfelt condolence to the families of all who mourn their loved ones. Offering fervent prayers for the deceased, he asks God to grant courage and strength to all who suffer. As a pledge of consolation and peace, the Holy Father invokes upon them Almighty God's abundant blessings."
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