POPE RECEIVES BISHOPS OF GHANA AT END OF "AD LIMINA"

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father received the members of the Ghana Bishops' Conference this morning, at the end of their "ad limina" visit and recalled that, since their last such visit to Rome, "six new dioceses have been established in Ghana, a positive sign of the work being done for Christ."

Pointing to the missionary nature of the Church, the Pope stated that "the energy and zeal of the first evangelization of Ghana must continue to be a source of strength and enthusiasm as you proclaim Christ and his saving Gospel. ... Not least in this regard is your duty to address those issues of particular importance for the social, economic, political and cultural life of your country." He added that "the proper administration of public affairs ... is essential if justice and peace are to flourish on your continent."

"As you know so well, it belongs in a particular way to the Church to speak out on behalf of those who have no voice, thus being a leaven of peace and solidarity, particularly where they are most fragile and threatened. Especially important in this regard are your continuing efforts to resolve ethnic tensions; for rivalries based on race or ethnic origin have no place in the Church of Christ."

John Paul II stressed that "in all of this, yours must be an invitation, gentle yet insistent, to conversion (which) is the result of the effective proclamation of the Gospel. ... The continuing formation of the laity must continue to be a priority in your mission as preachers and teachers. ... Moreover, as they are confirmed in the revealed truth, the faithful will be able to respond to the objections raised by the followers of sects and new religious movements. Catechesis is especially important for young people."

The Holy Father then turned to "the important issue of inculturation" and said: "As people find inspiration and direction through contact with God's saving word, they will naturally be led to work for a profound transformation of the society in which they live. The Gospel message penetrates the very life of cultures and becomes incarnate in them. ... The challenges presented by inculturation are especially evident in the areas of marriage and family life."

Pope John Paul highlighted "the growth of the Church in Ghana and the many vocations to the priesthood and religious life." "Cherish your priests" and "regard them as precious co-workers and friends," he urged the bishops. "The priest is not a mere caretaker of an institution. ... He is an evangelist and doctor of souls." And the Pope stressed the importance of seminary formation, as well as ongoing formation for those already ordained.

He also addressed the "decisive role in the spread of the faith and the formation of new local Churches" played by religious and missionary institutes.
In concluding remarks, John Paul II said: "Always be attentive to the human and spiritual needs of your people. Time and resources should never be spent on diocesan and parochial structures or development projects at the expense of the people; nor should structure or projects impede personal contact with those whom God has called us to serve."

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PARISHES WELCOME EVERYONE BECAUSE NOBODY IS A FOREIGNER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Pope for the 85th World Migration Day. This day is celebrated in local churches on the date established by a country's episcopal conference.

"The presence of migrants," he writes, "calls for the responsibility of believers as individuals and as a community. A privileged expression of the community is the parish" which "welcomes all without discrimination, because no one is a foreigner to her."

"Where the sense of parish is alive, the differences between natives and strangers lessen or disappear, because the awareness of us all belonging to God, and one Father, prevails. From the very mission of each parish community and its importance in society emerges the importance which the parish has in the welcome of foreigners, and in the integration of baptized people from different cultures and in dialogue with believers from other religions."

John Paul II writes in the message dated February 2 that parishes are "visible points of reference, easily found and accessible, and very often are a sign of hope and fraternity between social problems, tension and outbreaks of violence."

"Against insecurity, (the parish) offers a place of trust where one learns to overcome fear; faced with the absence of reference points from which to have light and encouragement to live together, it presents, from the Gospel of Christ, a path of fraternity and reconciliation."

The Holy Father also refers to the imbalance between rich and poor countries, and asks that, "in order for this not to be irreversible, with tragic consequences for humanity," there might be a review of "the indebtedness of poor countries to rich countries."

"I truly hope that the forthcoming Jubilee ... might be a favorable occasion to find fitting solutions and offer new conditions of dignity and organized development to poor countries."

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HOLY FATHER THANKS THOSE WHO ASSIST THE SICK

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II at midday today received 7,000 participants in the UNITALSI annual congress, an Italian association which assists the sick on pilgrimages to international Marian shrines.

"I wish to express my delight for the charitable and steadfast work you do with discretion and generosity for those who suffer trials in body and mind. You offer them a special witness of charity."

The Pope said that "the network of leadership and aid in the various Italian dioceses, gives witness to the generosity of so many priests, doctors, nurses, religious volunteers, stretcher-bearers, companions and volunteers who, making visible in the world today the image of the Good Samaritan, care both materially and spiritually for the sick."

He recalled that they are reflecting on the spirit of UNITALSI during the congress "in relation to the changes and challenges in today's society." He ended by saying that, in spite of the changes in structure and organization, "the spirit and charism of the Union's service cannot change, and love especially should remain as it's vital core and irradiation, without which your work would lose its meaning."

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PRESS OFFICE DECLARATION ON CHINESE MINISTER'S VISIT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in a declaration this morning, confirmed that "Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Jason C. Hu, was received in the Vatican yesterday by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States, and today by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

"During the conversations, questions of common interest for the Apostolic See and the government of Taipei were reviewed, as well as the broader questions of the Chinese and international situations."

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CATHOLICS NOW NUMBER 1 BILLION WORLDWIDE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano this morning presented the 1999 "Annuario Pontificio" or pontifical yearbook, to Pope John Paul, in the presence of Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re and officials from the Statistics Office of the Church and the Vatican printing office.

A communique released today, stating that the new yearbook is updated to December 31, 1998, also outlined some of the salient statistics of the Church.

During 1998 the Holy See established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Palau and the Republic of Yemen, bringing to 168 the number of countries with which it has such relations.

Also last year, 12 new bishoprics, an apostolic vicariate and three metropolitan sees were created, and 137 bishops were appointed.

Catholics for the first time exceed one billion worldwide, equal to 17.3 percent of the total population. They constitute 62.9 percent of the population on the American continent, 41.4 in Europe, 27.5 in Oceania, 14.9 in Africa and 3 percent in Asia. Globally there are 219,369 parishes and 115,311 missionary stations.

At the end of 1997, those involved in pastoral activity included: 4,420 bishops, 404,208 priests (of whom 263,521 are diocesan), 24,407 permanent deacons, 877,477 religious, 31,197 members of secular institutes, 26,068 lay missionaries and 2,019,021 catechists.
Vocations in 1997 increased by 2.5 percent over the preceding year. The total number of priests was practically unchanged but the number of permanent deacons increased by 4.1 percent. There was, however. a decline of 1.3 percent among religious.

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