PAPAL CHARITIES DISTRIBUTED $21.5 MILLION IN 1998

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 1999 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," the Holy See office responsible for organizing, collecting and distributing financial assistance to the needy in the Pope's name, said in its just-released report for 1998, that this aid last year totalled $21.5 million.

These monies, said the detailed report, were earmarked "to ease the suffering in countries struck by calamities, to sustain programs of ecclesial works for the human and Christian promotion of persons and communities in developing countries and to revitalize the theological virtue of charity through spiritual and corporal works of mercy."

Cor Unum held its plenary assembly in November 1998 on the theme "Towards the Great Jubilee - 1999: Father of Love." The council had decided earlier that its priority during this final year of immediate preparation for the 2000 Jubilee would be to accent the virtue of charity, and to this end has focussed its work on four initiatives.

The first initiative, called "The 100 Projects of the Holy Father," was extended to include 223 projects on all continents, for which a total of $20 million was raised. The second initiative, "Panis caritatis," was launched within Italy to sensitize people to the problems of poverty and hunger, through the sale of specially-shaped loaves of bread, a part of whose sale is given to a papal charity. So far $300,000 has been raised.

The last two council initiatives are, respectively, the publication of the Holy Father's 1999 Lenten Message and the organization of the May 12-15 International Congress on Charity in Rome.

About $1 million in aid was given to other Cor Unum projects, not listed above, including assistance to refugees and to victims of drought, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and floods. It also includes monies for "human and Christian promotion" in the fields of liturgy, education, youth formation, medicine, aid to migrants, assistance for the ill and handicapped and to families in difficulty.

"Such aid was possible," the account underlines, "thanks to the generous collaboration of dioceses, religious congregations, aid organizations, volunteer associations and movements and individuals from every part of the world who, in communion with the Holy Father, ... have given concrete witness to the God the Father's love for mankind."

The Cor Unum report highlighted the "dramatic consequences" caused last year by Hurricane Mitch in four countries of Central America - Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. It recalled that John Paul II had sent council president, Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, as his envoy in solidarity with a check for $170,000 to assist those in need. The report added that "the response of solidarity and sharing by Catholics was remarkable. In barely two weeks the aid sent by Caritas Spain, the coordinating center, had reached the considerable sum of $50 million."

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MAY SELFLESS SERVICE BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope went at 1 p.m today to the Generalate of the Society of the Divine Savior, near the Vatican, where he took part in a period of prayer and had lunch with some of its members.

The Society, founded in 1881, has the aim of deepening and spreading the knowledge of Jesus as the only true Savior of the world.

Having prayed before the tomb of the founder, Fr. Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, John Paul II spoke to members of the Society in English.

"Through the witness of your commitment, through the example of your unbounded generosity and love - like that shown by Saint Joseph and by your own founder - the world will be freed more and more from its bondage to sin and death, the Gospel will be proclaimed with greater enthusiasm and power, faith will increase and the Church herself will grow in holiness and grace. These are the unfailing results of spending one's life so that others may have faith and hope."

In conclusion, the Holy Father encouraged them, through lives of selfless service, especially among young people and in the missions, to inspire others to embrace the faith ever more fully.

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SHOW CHRIST'S LOVE IN YOUR WORKPLACE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 19, 1999 (VIS) - Today, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of workers, John Paul II received 8,000 employees from municipal establishments in Rome in the Paul VI Hall.

Having recalled that the Citizens' Mission of Rome is focussed this year on the workplace, the Pope said that "an explicit proclamation of the Gospel is necessary, without shame of being Christian, even though in some circumstances silence is more appropriate to give greater place to the strength of witness."

The Pope, in referring to those who are looking for their first job, said: "For many young people, the lack of work creates situations of anxiety and sometimes of deep disillusionment. In fact, they see the road closed to taking up a direct responsibility in society, and they are often obliged to postpone the moment for starting their own family. If this situation is prolonged, it becomes dangerous and intolerable, it creates a barrier between people and society and generates a feeling of mistrust which does not help the formation of civil conscience."

"Sometimes work, either due to its organization in shifts or to determined schedules, gives rise to a feeling of uneasiness. It can be that some who are motivated by opportunities of going further in their careers, distort their relationships with colleagues. Solidarity disappears and sincere friendly mutual relations give way to suspicion and criticism, which leads to people being locked in their own individualism."

The Pontiff concluded: "In the workplace, clearly show the core of the faith which you profess: the love of Christ which goes to meet all generously and freely."

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AUDIENCE FOR BISHOPS FROM MOZAMBIQUE ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning received prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

At the beginning of his speech in Portuguese, the Holy Father gave thanks to God for the increase in priestly ordinations in the dioceses of Mozambique. Faced with the impossibility of being able to accept all young people who desire to enter the seminary due to of a lack of place, he said: "God must inspire you with ways and means to welcome vocations which are sent to you and which you so much need."

"Seminarians need to meet each other, 'to be' with their pastor and vice versa. ... A seminarian and priest, strengthened by prayer, mutual support and friendship, favor the spirit of obedience, which makes the priest receptive to carrying out the pastoral work entrusted to him by his bishop. ... Simplicity and self-denial must be the characteristics of those who follow the Lord."

John Paul II expressed his joy for "the invaluable service of consecrated people" and the flourishing of religious vocations in Mozambique. Sisters "cannot be seen as the priest's female counterparts, because their vocation is not to guide the flock, but to keep the ideal of the Beatitudes alive, anticipating the definitive condition of the Kingdom of God through the practice of the evangelical counsels."

The Holy Father encouraged bishops "to show interest for all (priests), independently of age, condition or nationality, be they natives or foreigners."

"The unity of all citizens, without distinction of race or creed, founded on the love of a common fatherland, should be ardently sought so as to work together for the integral development of the nation, in peace and justice. May young people not be afraid to commit themselves to the future of their country!"

The Pope emphasized that the greatest challenge has always been "the urgency of evangelization. ... Now that the Church in Mozambique today has solid foundations, the time has come for a great number of missionaries to come back to your country where millions of people have still not been evangelized, to 'proclaim the Good News to all.'"

In conclusion, the Pontiff asked God "to free the hearts of all citizens of Mozambique from hate, resentment and revenge, to reach the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 truly and deeply reconciled, in peace with God and with other people. This reconciliation, as Christians know, has its source of grace and strength in the Eucharist."

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ST. JOSEPH, GUARDIAN AND PROTECTOR OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father evoked the figure of St. Joseph "guardian of the Redeemer" in his speech this morning to one of several groups of pilgrims received in a special audience.

"From the first centuries," said the Pope, "the Fathers of the Church emphasized that, as Joseph lovingly cared for Mary and joyfully looked after Jesus's upbringing, so he cares and protects the Church, the mystical body of Christ of which Our Lady is the figure and model."

Speaking to a group from Brescia, the native city of Pope Paul VI, the Pontiff, textually quoted his "unforgettable predecessor" and encouraged them to "be faithful and to assure future generations that you will solidly, strongly, completely and fruitfully preserve the heritage of the Christian faith."

John Paul II had a special thought for Blessed Don Secondo Pollo, in words to pilgrims from Vercelli: "'Bet with him on holiness', which is the vocation of the entire people of God. It is a demanding endeavor, but it is also a source of true joy."

The Pope sent a special greeting to the sick and to the friends of the OFTAL association, founded by Msgr. Alessandro Rastrelli, "apostle of suffering, who spent all his life at the service of the sick. ... May Holy Mary who truly knows the redemptive value of human suffering be at your sides, in moments of trial and in times of prolonged illness."

Finally, the Holy Father addressed members of various confraternities on pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles and martyrs, calling them "missionaries of hope and Christian solidarity," and urging them "to bring Christ's light, joy and grace, everywhere."

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