EXAMINATION OF AMENDMENTS TO SYNOD FATHERS' PROPOSITIONS

VATICAN CITY, 23 OCT 2008 (VIS) - No General Congregation will be held today. Instead, this morning and this afternoon, the relator general of the Synod, with the special secretary and the relators of the language groups, will study the collective amendments to the Synod Fathers' propositions.
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DIALOGUE HELPS TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES

VATICAN CITY, 23 OCT 2008 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., in the Pope's name, to Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio S.J., archbishop of Buenos Aires, for a celebration held in the Argentinean capital's Pontifical Catholic University on 16 October to mark the 30th anniversary of John Paul II's mediation between Argentina and Chile.

  The cardinal recalls that the reason for the celebration is "to recall the pontifical mediation that helped resolve a controversy which was running the risk of turning into a conflict, and to reflect upon the fruits of peace which matured then and have lasted to our own time".

  "The recollection of the events of the 30 years ago is indissolubly linked to the beloved figure of Pope John Paul II and to the outstanding work of his special delegate Cardinal Antonio Samore, both highly committed to the search for peace and harmony between the people of Argentina and Chile who have been united for centuries by firm bonds of faith and solidarity", the Message reads.

  The secretary of State also mentions Cardinal Agostino Casaroli and his collaborators who, "after the death of Cardinal Samore, continued the mediation efforts, until the signing of a joint declaration of peace and friendship in the Vatican on 23 January 1984. It was an admirable example of building peace by the principal and ever-relevant method of dialogue, which aims not at the supremacy of power or interest, but at affirming impartial and solidary justice, the sure and stable foundation for coexistence among peoples".

  This mediation, the Message continues, "still stands as an example to call to the international community's attention because, apart from the patience and sense of responsibility of the parties involved, it shows how in all controversies dialogue does not prejudice rights, rather it broadens the field of reasonable possibilities for solving differences".

  "Thus it is necessary to continue using diplomacy and its methods of negotiation, which draw strength from people's moral resources giving them the confidence to guarantee peace, security and wellbeing. The new generation, bearing in mind the lessons of ancient and modern history, are called to look to the future with eyes of hope and to commit themselves to building the civilisation of love, of which John Paul II was prophet, though not always heard".
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 23 OCT 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Cardinal Francis E. George O.M.I., Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson and Msgr. David Malloy, respectively president, vice-president and secretary general of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

 - Archbishop Charles Maung Bo S.D.B. of Yangon, Myanmar, on his "ad limina" visit.

 - Four prelates from the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Bishop Julio Cesar Teran Dutari S.J. of Ibarra.

    - Bishop Nestor Rafael Herrera Heredia of Machala.

    - Bishop Manuel Valarezo Luzuriaga O.F.M. apostolic prefect of Galapagos.

    - Bishop Rafael Cob Garcia, apostolic vicar of Puyo.

  On 22 October he received in audience Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller of Regensburg, Germany.
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