FIRST BENEDICTINE MONASTERY COMMEMORATES 1,500TH ANNIVERSARY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 11, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope wrote a letter to the abbot of Subiaco, Italy, Dom Mauro Meacci, on the 1,500th anniversary of the founding there of the first monastery by St. Benedict.

In the letter, dated July 7, the Holy Father writes that the Benedictine monastic community is called to "live the Jubilee of its 15 centuries of life and (the Jubilee) of the Holy Year as moments favorable for renewed devotion to the 'patrimony' of the holy patriarch, entering more profoundly into the original charism.

"The example of St. Benedict and of the Rule itself ... call, above all, for a testimony of persistent faithfulness to the Word of God, meditated upon and received by means of the 'lectio divina.' This presupposes keeping silence and an attitude of humble adoration before God."

John Paul II indicates that prayer "constitutes the primary source and expression of the unity of the monastic community which has its roots in the unity of faith. ... Today more than ever before, there is an urgent need to cultivate fraternal life within communities which practice a type of friendship that is no less real because it maintains those distances that safeguard the liberty of others. This is a witness that the Church expects from all religious, but most of all from monks."

"I sincerely hope," the Pope concludes, "that the celebrations marking 1,500 years since the start of monastic life in Subiaco may constitute, for this community and for the whole Benedictine Order, a renewed occasion for faithfulness to the charism of the holy patriarch and for fervor in communal life, a life of listening to the Word of God, of prayer and of commitment to announcing the Gospel, in keeping with the tradition of the congregation of Subiaco."

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"INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS" FOR EUROPEAN SYNOD IS PUBLISHED

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was the "Instrumentum Laboris," or "working document" for the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops, which will be celebrated in the Vatican from October 1 to 23. Its publication constitutes the final phase in the preparatory process for this synod, which is the last in the series of continental synods called by Pope John Paul as a means of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.

The final draft of this working document was produced in the fifth meeting of the pre-synodal council, held in Rome March 16-18, 1999. Cardinal Jan Schotte, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, in his preface to the Instrumentum, explains the synod's theme, and the structure and scope of the document. Following are excerpts from that preface:

"The 'Instrumentum laboris,' presented in English, French, German and Italian, is structured according to the logical progression of ideas in the synod topic: 'Jesus Christ, Alive in His Church, the Source of Hope for Europe,' ... (and) is composed of an introduction and three major parts whose headings reflect the main aspects of the topic."

"The introduction begins by describing the present context in which the synod is being held and compares it to that in which the previous Synod took place.

"Part I - 'Europe towards the Third Millennium' - presents abundant material for the necessary discernment of 'the signs of the times.' It sets forth not only the changes which have occurred in Europe in the last decade, with their causes and reasons for hope, but also the disappointments, the risks and concerns which accompany these changes. It likewise examines some questions emerging as a result of present-day happenings in Europe."

"Part II - 'Jesus Christ, Alive in His Church' - describes the essential underlying elements of an authentic, life-giving faith. A key element to the document, this section insists that restoring and regaining hope is possible only if it arises from faith in the Risen Christ; ... only if a person believes and professes that Jesus is the one and only Savior; and only if ... a person is clearly aware that Jesus Christ and the Church are one.

"Part III - 'Jesus Christ, the Hope of Europe' - describes how encountering Jesus Christ is the basis of the Church's mission and the mission of each disciple. Some preliminary suggestions are then made on how the Church can restore hope to Europe today. ... Three sections follow on the mission of the Church - 'martyria. leitourgia, diakonia.' To stimulate discussion and possible debate, each section presents ways in which the Church can announce, celebrate and serve 'The Gospel of Hope' in Europe today. 'Proclamation and witness' treat the subjects of the new evangelization, ecumenism and dialogue with the Jews and other religions as well as the topic of the sects. In speaking of celebration, the suggestion is made to examine people's awareness of the Lord's presence in the liturgy and in today's liturgical practices. Finally, in referring to service, emphasis is placed on the witness of charity, the duty of building communion and solidarity, some pastoral areas requiring particular attention and the responsibilities and activities in constructing a new Europe.

"After commemorating the martyrs of Europe in this century and the importance of keeping their memory alive so as to bring about a new hope in Europe, ... the text concludes by presenting the relationship between the Special Assembly and the Jubilee of the Year 2000.

"The present 'Instrumentum laboris' is meant to assist in the synodal assembly's work ... (and) to point out the main issues under discussion in the local Churches in Europe. ... It will also provide occasion for a beneficial 'examination of conscience.' Above all, the document offers suggestions for discussion and analysis on some essential ways of restoring hope to Europe today."

The "Intrumentum Laboris" is scheduled to appear on the Vatican website (www.vatican.va) today, according to the Holy See Press Office. It can be found under "Roman Curia."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Mario Zenari, Holy See permanent representative at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and permanent observer at the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and at the U.N. Vienna office, as apostolic nuncio in the Ivory Coast and Niger, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Villafranca in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1970.

On Saturday, July 10, it was made public that the Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Bassano Staffieri of Carpi, Italy, as bishop of La Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato (area 881, population 224,448, Catholics 222,120, priests 180, permanent deacons 19, religious 280), Italy.

- Bishop Joseph Ignace Randriansolo, auxiliary of Antananarivo, Madagascar, as bishop of Mahajanga (area 71,900, population 768,628, Catholics 72,628, priests 44, religious 117), Madagascar.

- Fr. Jean-Paul Randriamanana as auxiliary of Antananarivo (area 12,500, population 2,574,914, Catholics 623,062, priests 230, religious 1,664), Madagascar. The bishop-elect was born in Antananarivo in 1950, ordained a priest in 1979 and since 1998 has been vicar general and pastor of the cathedral of the same archdiocese.

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ISLAMIC-CATHOLIC LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETS IN FRANCE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 1999 (VIS) - The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee held its fifth meeting in Paris, France from July 1 to 3, corresponding to 17-19 Rabi'al'Awal, 1420, according to a communique released today by the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, council president, led the Catholic delegation, while the Islamic side was headed by Senator Kamel al-Sharif, secretary general of the International Council for Da'wa and Relief, Cairo.

On the first topic under discussion - building a culture of dialogue on the present generation - both sides agreed that, to do so, "it is important to have clarity on the nature of the dialogue itself. It covers all forms of encounter which promote mutual understanding and respect."

With regard to the second topic - common action to sustain permanent religious values in a changing order - "the committee underlined the need to call attention to the religious values that should guide political leaders in achieving a world order which will assure the good of all human beings."

The note closes with "an appeal to the media to promote religious values and the culture of dialogue."

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POPE SPENDS FIRST VACATION DAY TOURING MOUNTAINS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 9, 1999 (VIS) - Yesterday, the first full day of his vacation, the Holy Father went for a ride in the mountains near La Thuile, had a picnic lunch under a tent, rested in a lounge chair, read, and enjoyed the companionship of those accompanying him on his 13-day stay in Italy's northwestern Valle d'Aosta region. He left his house just before 11 a.m. and returned just before 7 p.m.

Pope John Paul is staying in the small mountain village of Les Combes, a hamlet of 30 inhabitants which lies just over 1,000 meters above sea level and in the midst of peaceful wooded areas, rivers and walking trails. This is the seventh time that he has spent his vacation in Les Combes.

The villa-chalet where the Holy Father is staying is a two-story stone construction plus a mansard which serves as a mini-apartment for the Pope, with a bedroom, bath, study and chapel. The chalet has breathtaking views of the surrounding area and the mansard overlooks Mount Blanc.

The area which the Pope is visiting includes Gran Paradiso, Italy's first national park, which was established in 1922. It is 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres) in size and goes from a low point of 800 meters in the valley regions to a height of 4,061 meters at the Gran Paradiso Mountain.

In an article which appeared in the diocesan newspaper yesterday, Bishop Giuseppe Anfossi of Aosta recalled that, during his March 1999 "ad limina" visit to Rome, Pope John Paul told him that he would very much "like to see Valle d'Aosta in the snow."

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