TELEGRAM FOR ATTACKS IN MUMBAI

VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (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 Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay, India, for the recent terrorist attacks in the city which have left more than 100 people dead and 300 injured:

  "Deeply concerned about the outbreak of violence in Mumbai, the Holy Father asks you kindly to convey his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in these brutal attacks, and to assure the public authorities, citizens, and all those affected of his spiritual closeness. His Holiness urgently appeals for an end to all acts of terrorism, which gravely offend the human family and severely destabilise the peace and solidarity needed to build a civilisation worthy of mankind's noble vocation to love God and neighbour. The Holy Father prays for the repose of the souls of the victims and implores God's gift of strength and comfort for those who are injured and in mourning".
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MAY KIDNAPPED NUNS BE RELEASED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. released the following declaration at midday today:

  "More than a fortnight has passed since the two Italian nuns, Sr. Maria Teresa Olivero and Sr. Caterina Giraudo, were abducted in Kenya, where they are well-known for their generous dedication to the very poor. The Holy Father is following the protraction of their kidnapping with concern and remains close in prayer to the suffering, not only of the two kidnapped nuns, but also to that of their families and of the "Contemplative Missionary Movement of Fr. de Foucauld", of which they are members. The hope is that this painful and gravely unjust situation, of which entirely innocent and praiseworthy people are victims, may be resolved as soon as possible".
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POSSIBILITY OF PAPAL TRIP TO HOLY LAND UNDER EXAMINATION

VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (VIS) - In response to an article that appeared in an Israeli newspaper concerning a forthcoming trip by the Pope to the Holy Land, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. made the following declaration:

  "I can confirm that contacts exist at a diplomatic level between the Holy See and Israel to study the possibility of a trip by the Pope to the Holy Land next year".
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HOLY SEE AT FAO CONFERENCE: MAY ALL RECEIVE DAILY BREAD

VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (VIS) - Made public today was an address by Msgr. Renato Volante, head of the Holy See delegation to the 35th special session of the Conference of the Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The meeting was called to examine the results of an evaluation into the management of the FAO and to analyse proposals to make the organisation better able to deal with problems related to the rural world.

  "The delegation of the Holy See does not want to offer technical solutions", said Msgr. Volante speaking English, "but rather to suggest an ideal orientation which may help in making concrete choices, focusing on the needs of each human person, especially when they are limited by conditions which compromise a dignified human life.

  "If we consider the data regarding FAO activities", he added, "it shows a constant and active engagement ... responding to the needs of the member States, in particular of those whose economic system requires new paths for the development of the agricultural sector and to satisfy the growing needs for food".

  "At the same time, looking at the future of FAO, it becomes clear that there are 'new' situations involving the agricultural sector which demand efforts by the organisation and its member States".

  "To bring about a reform of FAO, it is necessary to recognise that fighting against hunger is conditioned by multiple factors and by the motives inspiring it. But too often strategies are adopted which pursue particular goals rather then a holistic vision which ranks human needs first. Such an attitude produces negative effects in the rural sector, especially where poverty, underdevelopment, malnutrition and environmental degradation are more evident".

  "The delegation of the Holy See is firmly convinced that the FAO structure and its activities must underline the essential importance of agriculture in the development processes, not promoting mere management skills, but those far-sighted administrative criteria and interventions which will really respond to the needs".

  "This means that research aimed at improving agricultural production so as to meet the growing demand for food, must not overlook food security - which is the health of consumers - nor crop sustainability, i.e. environmental protection. For these objectives, invoked in different ways by every State as a 'priority', it is necessary that FAO must continue to enjoy the resources and the necessary trust of the international community as a whole".

  The head of the Holy See delegation concluded by saying that, "the Holy See, for its part, wants to reaffirm the availability of the Catholic Church, its structure and organisational bodies, to contribute to this effort so that everybody can receive his 'daily bread', as the motto of FAO itself reminds us: Fiat panis!'"
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

    - Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig, apostolic nuncio to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway.

    - Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Chile, on their ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Pablo Lizama Riquelme of Antofagasta

    - Bishop Hector Eduardo Vargas Bastidas S.D.B. of Arica.

    - Bishop Marco Antonio Ordenes Fernandwez of Iquique.

    - Bishop Guillermo Patricio Vera Soto, prelate of Calama.

    - Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello S.D.B. of Concepcion, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop elect Pedro Ossandon Buljevic.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, 27 NOV 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Florencio Armando Colin Cruz, canon of the cathedral chapter of "Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe" and pastor of the parish of "Capucinas", as auxiliary of Mexico (area 1,479, population 8,699,000, Catholics 7,580,684, priests 1,672, permanent deacons 130, religious 7,024), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Toluca, Mexico in 1950 and ordained a priest in 1982.
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