OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Theodore-Adrien Sarr of Kaolack, Senegal, as metropolitan archbishop of Dakar (area 5,395, population 1,959,342, Catholics 226,404, priests 126, religious 531), Senegal. The archbishop-elect was born in Fadiouth, Senegal, in 1936, ordained a priest in 1964 and consecrated bishop in 1974. He succeeds Cardinal Hyacinthe Thiandoum, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, president of religious affairs in Turkey, accompanied by his entourage.
- Steven A. Loyatum, Kenyan ambassador, on a farewell visit.
- Bishop Serafim de Sousa Ferreira e Silva of Leiria-Fatima, Portugal, accompanied by his entourage.
- Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, accompanied by Bishop Walter Kasper, secretary of the same council.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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POPE WELCOMES FRANCISCANS SISTERS ON FIRST GENERAL CHAPTER

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate on the occasion of their first general chapter. He said that this Jubilee year meeting "will help you to reflect with special intensity on your mission, following the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and he who best knew how, in our days, to make his spirit concrete, St. Maximilian Kolbe."

"Mary Immaculate was the inspiration for St. Maximilian Kolbe's entire life," stated the Pope. "And your institute, which, in addition to the three traditional religious vows has a Marian vow, is dedicated to Mary Immaculate; thus each religious consecrates herself totally to Mary for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the world."

"Imitate Mary's thoughtfulness in service to one's neighbor, seeking always to be assiduous in work and zealous in your apostolate. ... As consecrated persons, and in a special way as Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, you are called to be 'signs of God's tender love towards the human race, and to be special witnesses to the mystery of the Church, Virgin, Bride and Mother'."

Pope John Paul remarked that Mary's response to "the divine plans, ... her 'fiat', was the central driving force of her mission. Thus, your 'fiat' to God will be the secret of the success of your mission. To be efficacious witnesses to the Gospel, especially among the poor and those in difficulty, it is indispensable that you abandon yourselves totally to the hands of the Lord and keep your hearts open to His divine plans."

He concluded by highlighting the importance of the Eucharist from which "come the graces which support missionaries in their daily evangelizing activity."

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GUATEMALA: THE MURDER OF BISHOP GERARDI MUST BE SOLVED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - John Paul II today received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador from Guatemala, Acisclo Valladares Molina. In his speech, the Holy Father laid emphasis on the "new era for all Guatemalans" that began following the signing of the peace agreements at the end of 1996.

"In this matter," he said, "it is a source of satisfaction that, over the last few years, the nation has been able to live a peaceful political climate with no great upheavals, even though it has inherited serious difficulties in coexistence. Among these it is necessary to highlight the still-unsolved murder (in 1998) of (the auxiliary of Guatemala) Bishop Gerardi, and the delicate economic situation. The country has shown that it can face its own destiny through normal democratic activity that ensures the participation of all citizens in the nation's political choices."

The Pope indicated that, following the signing of the peace agreement it is essential "to continue building the country on solid and stable principles, such as respect for the dignity of all human beings and for the legitimate rights of communities and the various ethnic groups. It is also important to constantly respect, in the face of any attempted violation, the principles of the division and independence of the three powers that are the basis of democracy in a legal State.

"A solid and hopeful future," he continued, "requires that one not abandon the basic values and institutions of all societies, such as the family, the protection of minors and the most neglected and, furthermore, that the very foundations of law, liberty and the dignity of persons not be undermined by threatening life from the moment of conception."

The Holy Father also requested greater attention for indigenous peoples, "whose access to an ever better and more dignified life - both quantitatively and qualitatively in sectors such as education, health care, infrastructures and other services - must be realized in respect of their cultures, which are so deserving of consideration."

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FIRST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE SYNOD FOR EUROPE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a communique announcing that the first meeting of the Council of the General Secretariat of the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops was held from June 6 to 8. The meeting was presided over by Cardinal Jan Schotte C.I.C.M., secretary general of the synod.

During the meeting, which was attended by two cardinals, ten archbishops and bishops and four members of the general secretariat, information was exchanged on the repercussions of the European synod in the various local Churches. The synod was held in the Vatican from October 1 to 23, 1999.

Following this suggestions were put forward with a view to drafting the post-synodal document. The work group was divided into two sub-groups, each of which presented a report. In the final plenary session, the texts from the two sub-groups were submitted and discussed.

The second meeting will be held from November 21 to 23, 2000.

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