OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Fr. Robert C. Morlino, of the clergy of the diocese of Kalamazoo, as bishop of Helena (area 134,426, population 483,435 Catholics 66,500, priests 87, permanent deacons 27, religious 76), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Scranton, U.S.A. in 1946, ordained a priest in 1974 and since 1991 has been pastor of the cathedral of Kalamazoo.

- Fr. Martin de Elizalde O.S.B., apostolic administrator of Nueve de Julio (area 56,743, population 418,000, Catholics 377,000, priests 49, permanent deacons 5, religious 110), Argentina, as bishop of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1940, ordained a priest in 1971 and since 1993 has been abbot of the monastery of San Benito at Lujan.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Andrea Mariano Magrassi O.S.B., emeritus of Bari, Italy.
- Archbishop Alois Wagner, permanent observer at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, accompanied by his entourage.
- Mario Antonio Velasquez Fernandez, ambassador of Panama, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.

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HOLY SEE "DISCONCERTED" AT REVIEW OF CAIRO ICPD

VATICAN CITY, JUL 3, 1999 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato Martino, head of the Holy See delegation to the 21st Special Session of the U.N. General Assembly for the overall review and appraisal of the implementation of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), addressed the session yesterday.

The Holy See, he recalled, had participated in all preliminary meetings in New York and in the Cairo conference itself in September 1994, and "was able to join the consensus on parts of the Cairo document." However, he stated, "the (current) negotiations ... have taken a step backward, placing unbalanced emphasis on population issues at the expense of development."

Archbishop Martino underscored the Holy See's commitment to "not renegotiate the ICPD Program of Action." Thus, he said, it was "particularly disconcerting that some delegations, mainly Western States, have sought in these negotiations to undo the careful balancing needed between adolescents' need for privacy and confidentiality with parental rights, duties and responsibilities - parents' prior rights as affirmed in the Declaration on Human Rights."

"The Holy See finds it particularly disturbing that some Western States would take away the parental rights, duties and responsibilities with one hand and require that they exercise those responsibilities on the other hand.

"The Holy See has also not failed to express its grave concern regarding the introduction of so-called 'emergency contraception' which can serve as an abortifacient by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.

"The Holy See further notes with profound regret that in calling for expanded health services, including so-called 'safe abortion', the text presented has failed to affirm protection for the right of conscience of health providers, a fundamental right affirmed by, inter alia, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

The nuncio to the United Nations affirmed that "the Holy See will continue to call upon the family of nations to protect the dignity and human rights of each and every person, especially the most vulnerable, and to promote the common good. ... (It has in no) way changed its moral position concerning abortion or contraception ... (and) reaffirms its belief that life begins at conception and every human life needs to be protected from the earliest moment to the end of the life cycle."

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THE POPE DEDICATES THE NEW SHRINE OF DIVINE LOVE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 4, 1999 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II celebrated Mass at Rome's Shrine of the Virgin of Divine Love, where he dedicated the new church and prayed the angelus.
"In the dedication of this new shrine," the Pope remarked in his homily, "a vow made by the Romans to the Virgin of Divine Love, under the guidance of Pope Pius XII, is partially accomplished. This vow was made in 1944 when the Allies were about to launch their decisive attack on German-occupied Rome. On June 4 of that year, before the image of the Madonna of Divine Love, which had been transported to the church of St. Ignatius, the Romans invoked the salvation of their city, promising Mary to rectify their moral conduct, to construct a new Shrine of Divine Love and to carry out a charitable work at Castel di Leva. That same day, a little more than an hour after taking the vow, the German army abandoned Rome without offering resistance, while allied troops entered by Porta San Giovanni and Porta Maggiore, and were jubilantly greeted by the citizens of Rome."

The Pope indicated that "today the shrine is a reality and the charitable work, an old peoples' home not far from here, is about to be completed. However the vow of the Romans to Mary Most Holy included a promise that does not come to an end and that is far more difficult to accomplish: the rectification of their moral conduct, that is, the constant commitment to renew life and make it ever more similar to Christ's. ... This is the task to which we are called by the holy edifice that today is dedicated to God."

He concluded: "To You, Mother of Divine Love, we entrust the diocesan community, the continuation of the Citizens' Mission, concluded only a few weeks ago, and also this beloved city of Rome with its problems and its resources, its worries and its hopes."

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FOLLOW YOUR CHARISM: BRING CONSOLATION, PEACE AND HOPE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 5, 1999 (VIS) - The Consolata Missionary Sisters, currently celebrating their General Chapter, were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning, who underscored the theme of their meeting, "Urgent charismatic choices today for the vitality of our inculturated mission 'ad gentes', at a time of decrease."

"The missionary impulse," the Pope remarked, "belongs to the very nature of Christian life." He added that consecrated persons dedicated to missionary life are "more than ever necessary" because "the numbers of those still awaiting to know Christ are immense. ... On the threshold of the Third Millennium the mandate to proclaim Christ, the one Savior of the world, takes on renewed urgency."

"Be authentic missionaries," John Paul II urged them, "through a convincing witness of consecrated life, both individually and as a community, through a humble and respectful presence at the side of the poorest people and socially marginalized groups, with special attention to families, women and young people."

"Following your specific charism," stated he Pope, "be a consoling presence, filled with hope and peace. In this perspective I would like to congratulate you for the courageous choice of solidarity with populations who have been tried in various ways, next to whom you remain, often facing situations of insecurity and risk. The presence of the Consolata Missionary Sisters in zones struck by civil war or shaken by intolerant integralism, where you have become 'a voice for those without a voice', constitutes a clear witness of a life totally given to the service of God and your brothers."

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