AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning received in separate audiences:

- Albert Pintat, foreign minister of the Principality of Andorra, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Alberto J. Vollmer Herrera, ambassador of Venezuela, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.

On Saturday, February 12, he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Prof. Juan de Dios Vial Correa and Archbishop Elio Sgreccia, respectively president and vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

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CONGOLESE ARCHBISHOP REFUSED ADMITTANCE TO DIOCESE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2000 (VIS) - In response to journalists' questions, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today made the following declaration:

"I can confirm that the local authorities have not allowed Archbishop Emmanuel Kataliko of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to reach his diocese. He is presently in Butembo, the city of his birth, awaiting the opportunity to return to Bukavu.

"The faithful of the diocese ask with heartfelt insistence for the return of their pastor who is particularly appreciated for his apostolic courage in defending the rights of all.

"The Secretariat of State, which requests the bishop be allowed to return among his people without delay, will make use of diplomatic channels in order to rectify this regrettable incident which gravely prejudices the rights of the Church."

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PAPAL CALL IN DEFENSE OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2000 (VIS) - John Paul II today renewed his call for scientists, educators, families, journalists and, especially, legislators, to commit themselves in defense of the right to and promotion of life.

Addressing participants in the sixth plenary assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life on the day commemorating the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical "Evangelium vitae" (March 25, 1995), the Pope requested "that all people of good will feel called to activity in support of this great cause." The event was organized by the Pontifical Councils for the Family and for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, as well as by the academy.
"Facts exist," he said, "that prove with growing clarity that anti-life policies and legislation are causing the decay of society, not only in a moral sense but also demographically and economically. Consequently, the encyclical's message may be presented not just as a true and authentic signpost to moral rebirth, but also as a point of reference for the salvation of civil society."

The Holy Father condemned the mentality that holds that anti-life legislation cannot be combatted and "is almost a social necessity," when, in fact, "it constitutes the seed of the corruption of society and of its foundations. Civil and moral conscience cannot accept this false inevitability, just as it cannot accept the idea of the inevitable nature of war or inter-ethnic slaughter."

Making reference to the relationship between civil and moral law, a topic discussed in the encyclical, he called for "a renewed and unanimous commitment, especially from legislators, to modify unjust laws that legitimize or tolerate this violence. May no path be left untried to eliminate legalized crime, or at least to limit the damage of such legislation."

The Pope also referred to another part of the encyclical in which he talks of building a new culture of life. "In the last five years," he said, "many initiatives have been promoted in dioceses and parishes, yet much remains to be done. True pastoral care of life cannot simply be delegated to specific movements."

Above all, John Paul II highlighted, "the formation of pastoral agents in seminaries and theological institutes (is necessary, as is) a just and consistent teaching of morals in the various forms of catechesis and the formation of consciences. (All this) takes on concrete form in creating services that allow anyone in difficulty to find the necessary assistance."

The Pope closed his address by affirming that "the modification of laws can only be preceded and accompanied by a modification in mentality and behavior."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 10, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor. archbishop of New York, U.S.A.
- His Beatitude Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, Lebanon.
- Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin, apostolic nuncio in Ecuador.
- Prof. Antonino Zichichi.
- Cardinal Paul Poupard and Fathers Bernard Ardua and Fabio Duque Jaramillo, respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

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POPE ANNOUNCES RE-OPENING OF PONTIFICAL MARONITE COLLEGE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 10, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul this morning received 500 Maronite faithful from Lebanon, other Middle East countries and the diaspora, who are in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2000. "I have the pleasure," he said, "of announcing that, after being closed for many years, ... the Pontifical Maronite College in Rome yesterday officially re-opened its doors." The college dates back to the 16th century and Pope Gregory XIII.

"I hope," the Pope added, "that the young Maronites who will henceforth live in this historical college will contribute efficaciously ... to Maronite ecclesial life, in fidelity to the spirit of the universal Church."

John Paul II highlighted the Maronites' "unfailing and multi-century fidelity to the Roman Apostolic See" and "the strong ties which exist between the See of Rome and that of Antioch." He observed that their visit to Rome was also to celebrate the liturgical memory on February 9, according to their calendar, of St Maro (Maron), "the cornerstone of your Church."

"You full communion with the Church of Rome," underscored the Pope, is indeed a tangible show of the awareness that you have of unity: 'Unity is the primordial mark of the Church and is required by its profound nature'. This ecclesial unity ... will help you in turn to commit yourselves ever more to evangelization of the world."

The Holy Father recalled with affection his 1997 trip to Lebanon to present the Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation "A New Hope for Lebanon." This document was, he said, "'my cry of resurrection and peace', through which I 'presented again the biblical land of cedars to the conscience of the world."

He urged "the beloved land of Lebanon" to "be a place where Christians can live in peace and fraternity with followers of other beliefs, and where they will be capable of promoting such coexistence. ... I also want to tell you today ... 'the Pope is always close to you'. I am by your side as a father and brother in this period when intolerance sometimes leads to the revival of spirits of hatred which we would like to see disappear forever."

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