AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Eduardo Montealegre Rivas, foreign minister of Nicaragua, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, accompanied by Bishop Francsico Gil Hellin and Msgr. Francesco Di Felice, respectively secretary and under-secretary of the same pontifical council.

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PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTIAN LIFE RENDERS US SONS IN THE SON

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2000 (VIS) - "The experience of God 'Abba' in Christ and in the Spirit" was the theme of John Paul II's catechesis during the general audience which was held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 40,000 pilgrims.

"The typically Christian way of considering God always passes through Christ. He is the Way and no one comes to the Father except by Him. ... The experience of God can never be reduced to a generic 'sense of the divine,' nor should the mediation of Christ's humanity be considered as surpassable, the greatest mystics have demonstrated this," rather it must develop "in total coherence with the Gospel."

The Holy Father continued by indicating that "Christ also bore effective witness of the Father's love. In the incredible parable of the prodigal son, Jesus presents the Father as ever awaiting for sinful man to return to His arms." He added, "Those who truly experience God's love, cannot but repeat with ever-fresh emotion the words of the First Letter of St. John: 'See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are.' In this light, we can turn to God with the tender, spontaneous and intimate invocation: 'Abba,' Father."

"Christ," he went on, "grants us the very life of God, a life that overcomes time and introduces us into the mystery of the Father, into His joy and infinite light. ... This participation in the life of Christ, that makes us 'sons and daughters in the Son,' is made possible by the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Following the audience, the Pope blessed the statue of St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Teaching Brothers, in the Vatican's Santa Marta Square. The statue is a gift from the Republic of Costa Rica.

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HOLY SEE DELEGATION ADDRESSES TOPIC OF ATOMIC ENERGY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2000 (VIS) - Msgr. Dominique Rezeau, Holy See head of delegation to the 44th session of the general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), meeting in Vienna from September 18 to 22, addressed that assembly on September 18. Msgr. Rezeau, whose speech was published yesterday afternoon, is the Holy See permanent representative to the IAEA.

Highlighting the need "to guarantee the usage of nuclear energy for solely pacific means," he said that "the 1970 nuclear arms non-proliferation treaties, and that of the total banning of nuclear tests, in course of being ratified, are considerable steps towards a universal, progressive and controlled nuclear disarmament."

Msgr. Rezeau then pointed to several items under discussion in the current meeting which are of special importance to the Holy See, including "strengthening the efficacy (of atomic energy), and improving the system of guarantees" and taking "measures to reinforce international cooperation in the domains of nuclear safety, radiological safety and the safety of (nuclear) waste."

"The Holy See delegation," he underlined, "wishes to insist on the extreme importance of international cooperation in the domain of nuclear safety."

While recognizing that States often must make "difficult choices," Msgr. Rezeau said these choices "cannot ignore human and moral factors. The advantages of a correct and safe use of nuclear energy are not negligible for the development of the least favored countries" and can "improve the living conditions of many people."

"Let us not forget," he said in closing remarks, "in a broader perspective of faith in God and confidence in man, that the latter is free to organize his life and his well-being to the best of his abilities."

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CARDINAL TOMKO OPENS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH IN INDIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2000 (VIS) - Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is in Bangalore, India, for the National Assembly of the Church in India where today he presided at the inaugural Mass and delivered the opening speech.

In his homily he recalled that "this meeting ... celebrates the culmination on a national level of the various diocesan and regional programs formed over three years ago for the Great Jubilee of the Birth of Jesus Christ - 'Yesu Krist Jayanti 2000'."

The cardinal also pointed out that the theme of the assembly is "Jesus Christ: The Foundation of our hope in a new Society." In this regard, he cited Pope John Paul's "Sollicitudo Rei Socialis" where he wrote that "the Church does not have technical solutions to offer for the problem of underdevelopment as such, but offers her first contribution to the solution of the urgent problem of development when she proclaims the truth about Christ, about herself and about man, applying this truth to a concrete solution.

"Thus, through the Gospel message, the Church offers a force for liberation which promotes development precisely because it leads to conversion of heart and of ways of thinking, fosters the recognition of each person's dignity, encourages solidarity, commitment and service to one's neighbor."

Cardinal Tomko once again underlined the assembly's theme when he gave the inaugural address. Focussing on the Church in India, he underscored the need for it to be "a praying Church, ... a free Church, ... and a Church in mission."

He especially stressed the role of the laity, saying that "the building of a new society - the theme of this assembly - calls for a greater involvement in human promotion. ... Your Church has a great need of a strong and involved Catholic laity. ... Most important also is the participation of women in the Church's mission for the building up of any society, whether in the circle of the family, or in various sodalities or associations at various levels of life."

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CARDINAL SODANO CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AS A PRIEST SEPTEMBER 23

VATICAN CITY, SEP 19, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a Letter, written in Latin and dated September 14, from the Holy Father to Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano on the occasion of the golden anniversary of the cardinal's ordination as a priest on September 23.

At 10 a.m. that day, Cardinal Sodano will celebrate Mass in the cathedral of Asti, Italy, where he was born, together with seven companions who, like him, were ordained there 50 years ago.
At 5 p.m. on October 2, his saint's day, Cardinal Sodano will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving in the Vatican Basilica. On Saturday, October 7 he will celebrate Mass in the cathedral of Albano.

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