OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 5, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Cardinal Rosalio Jose Castillo Lara S.D.B., former president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, as his special envoy to the second Regional Eucharistic Congress of the Antilles, which is scheduled to be held at Castries, St. Lucia, from May 18 to 20.

- Fr. Carillo Gritti I.M.C., pastor of the parish of "Santa Luzia", Manaus, Brazil, as bishop of the territorial prelature of Itacoatiara (area 83,012, population 118,695, Catholics 109,343, priests 12, religious 28), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Martinengo, Italy, in 1942 and ordained a priest in 1967.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 4, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Rockville Centre, U.S.A., presented by Bishop John R. McGann upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop James T. McHugh.

- Appointed Fr. James Peter Sartain of the clergy of the diocese of Memphis, U.S.A., vicar general and pastor of the parish of Saint Louis, as bishop of Little Rock (area 137,600, population 2,509,791, Catholics 86,990, priests 161, permanent deacons 58, religious 478), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Memphis in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Bishop Andrew J. McDonald, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Jorge Eduardo Lozano, pastor of the parish "Nuestra Senora de la Anunciacion" in Buenos Aires (area 202, population 3,771,000, Catholics 3,455,000, priests 949, permanent deacons 3, religious 2,815), Argentina, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in Buenos Aires in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1982.

- Appointed Msgrs. Gianfranco Rota Graziosi and Luigi Cavalieri, officials at the Secretariat of State, as bureau chiefs for the Section for Relations with States.

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DECLARATION REGARDING EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS IN BEIJING

VATICAN CITY, JAN 4, 2000 (VIS) - In reply to questions from journalists regarding the episcopal ordinations by the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association that have been announced in Beijing, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today made the following declaration:

"I must express the surprise and disappointment of the Holy See, because this decision has come at a time when, on all sides, voices are being heard that raise authentic hopes of a normalization in relations between the Holy See and Beijing. This gesture places obstacles that will undoubtedly hinder that process."

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"URBI ET ORBI" BLESSING FOR THE YEAR 2000

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 1999 (VIS) - At midnight, the Pope appeared at the window of his study in order to greet the young people who were gathered in St. Peter's Square for the prayer vigil organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference's service for the pastoral care of youth. After witnessing the spectacular firework display that marked the passage into the new year, the Holy Father imparted his 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing.

"The clock of history strikes an important hour: at this moment the year 2000 begins, and we enter into a new millennium. For believers, this is the year of the Great Jubilee. A Happy New Year to all of you, men and women of every part of the world! As we cross the threshold of the New Year I would like to knock at the door of every home, to bring to each of you my cordial good wishes. A Happy New Year to everyone in the light which shines out from Bethlehem upon the whole universe!"

He went on: "I wish you a year filled with serenity and happiness, may you always be certain of God's love for us. As He did two thousand years ago, Christ comes today with His saving Gospel to guide the uncertain and faltering steps of peoples and nations, leading them towards a future of true hope.

"I ask Him to bless this moment of festivity and good wishes, that it may be the promising beginning of a new millennium filled with joy and peace. Let us enter the year 2000 with our eyes fixed on the mystery of the Incarnation."
"Christ, yesterday, today and forever," the Pope concluded, "to Him belong time and the ages. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!"

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POPE GIVES THANKS FOR THE YEAR'S END

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 1999 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican Basilica, John Paul II presided at the vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the end of the year.

In his homily, the Holy Father referred to the relentless course of time and the passing of the days, a reality that is part of each human being's personal history. "Conscious of its own transience, humanity writes its history: the history of individuals, of States and of continents, the history of cultures and of religions."

The Pope said that without doubt the discovery of America constitutes a significant element when evaluating the millennium that is now coming to a close. As regards this century, he highlighted the fact that it has suffered "two oppressive ideologies, responsible for innumerable victims. ... What suffering and what drama! But also, what exalted achievements!"

"With the Incarnation of the Son of God," said the Holy Father, "eternity entered into time, and man's history was opened to the possibility of transcendent fulfillment in the absoluteness of God. Man is thus offered the incredible prospect of aspiring to be a son in the Son, to inherit with Him the same glorious destiny. Consequently, the pilgrimage of earthly life is a path that we travel in God's time. The destiny is God Himself, fullness of time in eternity."

The Pope gave thanks for the constant advances in the spiritual world, for the saints of this millennium and for all humanity's attainments and progress in the scientific, technical, artistic and cultural fields.

In closing, the Pope made reference to the development of the "Citizens' Mission" in the diocese of Rome: "In the new century, may this special pastoral experience become a model for the life and pastoral action of the Church, both in Rome and in many other cities and areas throughout the world, at the service of the new evangelization."

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