HOLY SEE POSITION ON KOSOVO CRISIS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 1999 (VIS) - In response to journalists' questions on the Holy See position concerning the current crisis in Kosovo, the Holy See Press Office made the following declaration yesterday afternoon:

"1. The Holy See has always been close to the people of Kosovo who have been suffering greatly for more than a year now. Pope John Paul II has publicly spoken many times to ask the parties concerned to commit themselves to sincere dialogue, also encouraging the international community to help them (the parties concerned) to find a solution to their legitimate aspirations.

"2. For this reason, the Holy See deeply appreciates the commitment on the part of the international community, particularly of European countries, shown in these days at Rambouillet to help all to walk the path of sincere dialogue. She hopes that a lasting and peaceful solution to the contention will be found, respecting the principles of international law and in the conviction that recourse to arms always brings serious risks and deep suffering to civilians.

"3. The Holy Father's call of January 20, 1999 still holds: 'We ask God with renewed trust that where there is hate, there may be an outpouring of the Father's mercy, reawakening the consciences of all those who guide the future of the peoples and encouraging all souls to work for peace.'"

OP;KOSOVO CRISIS;...;...;VIS;19990223;Word: 220;

IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 1999 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Benjamin Barrera y Reyes S.S.I., emeritus of Santa Ana, El Salvador, on February 4, aged 96.
- Archbishop Bartolome Carrasco Briseno, emeritus of Antequera, Mexico, on January 7, aged 80.
- Bishop Patrick Joseph Casey, emeritus of Brentwood, Great Britain, on January 26, aged 85.
- Bishop Carlo Cavalla, emeritus of Casale Monferrato, Italy, on January 4, aged 79.
- Bishop Jan Czerniak, former auxiliary of Gniezno, Poland, on February 3, aged 92.
- Bishop George E. Dion, O.M.I., former apostolic vicar of Jolo, the Philippines, on February 12, aged 87.
- Bishop Andre Duirat, S.M.A., emeritus of Bouake, Ivory Coast, on December 29, aged 90.
- Bishop Settimio Arturo Ferrazzetta O.F.M., of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on January 26, aged 74.
- Bishop Jules Harle, former auxiliary of Arras, on January 24, aged 82.
- Archbishop Youhannan Semaan Issayi of Teheran of the Chaldeans, on February 7, aged 84.
- Bishop Joseph Kureethara of Cochin, India, on January 6, aged 69.
- Bishop Daniel Enrique Nunez Nunez of David, Panama, on January 11, aged 71.
- Bishop Fernando Prego Casal of Santa Clara, Cuba, on January 9, aged 71.
- Archbishop Nicola Rotunno, bishop emeritus of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto, Italy, on February 8, aged 70.
- Bishop Lawrence Harold Welsh, former auxiliary of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, on January 13, aged 63.

...;DEATHS;...;... ;VIS;19990223;Word: 200;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Juda Thade Ruwa'ichi, O.F.M. Cap., as bishop of Mbulu (area 16,057, population 798,000, Catholics 201,200, priests 52, religious 96), Tanzania. The bishop-elect was born in Mulo-Kilena, Tanzania, in 1954, made his perpetual vows and was ordained a priest in 1981, and is currently member of the General Council of the Capuchin Friars Minor.

NER;...;...;RUWA'ICHI;VIS;19990223;Word: 70;

SEMINAR FOR AVIATION CHAPLAINS OPENS TODAY IN HUNGARY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 1999 (VIS) - The Second European Seminar for Catholic Chaplains and Pastoral Workers in Civil Aviation, promoted by the Hungarian Episcopal Conference, starts today in Budapest, Hungary, on the theme "Catholic Airport Chaplaincies of Europe on the Threshold of the Third Millennium."

Also collaborating in this four-day seminar are the European Secretariat of Catholic Chaplains in Civil Aviation and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. Twenty chaplains from ten European nations are scheduled to attend, as is Cardinal Laszlo Paskai, O.F.M., archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and primate of Hungary.

This meeting is subsequent to the first such seminar which took place in Warsaw in 1996. At that time it was proposed to create the European Association of Catholic Chaplains, a proposal which became a reality in 1997. A communique announcing the seminar notes that chaplaincies have been opened in recent years in several Central European countries, including Hungary. It also states that "a greater opening towards Eastern countries, especially those of the former USSR, would be desirable."

"The seminar will above all deal with the theme of preparation in airports for the Great Jubilee," says the communique. "The discussion will turn to various aspects of this great event: the pilgrimage of airport workers themselves, collaboration with tour guides and pilgrimages, receiving and welcoming pilgrims in airports and the involvement and participation of the mass-media in preparing personnel and passengers."

CON-SM;SEMINAR; CHAPLAINS;...;BUDAPEST; PASKAI;VIS;19990223;Word: 250;

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."

AL;...;...;GHANA;VIS;19990222;Word: 530;