OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Guy de Kerimel, of the clergy of Aix, as auxiliary bishop of Nice (area 4,283, population 1,018,700, Catholics 814,000, priests 325, permanent deacons 15, religious 545), France. The bishop-elect was born in Meknes, Morocco, in 1953, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1986.

On Saturday, February 17, it was made public that he:

- Appointed Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino, of the clergy of the diocese of Nola, professor of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy and in the service to the Secretariat of State, as prelate of Pompeii (area 12, population 21,800, Catholics 21,300, priests 54, permanent deacons 3, religious 197), Italy, and Pontifical Delegate to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Most Holy Rosary, at the same time raising him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Boscoreale, Italy, in 1948 and ordained to the priesthood in 1972. He succeeds Archbishop Francesco Saverio Toppi, O.F.M. Cap., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same territorial prelature and sanctuary the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Vartan Kechichian, abbot of the Mechitarists of Venice, as coadjutor of the ordinary for Armenian Catholics of Eastern Europe (Catholics 220,000, priests 8, religious 30), at the same time raising him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Kessab, Syria, in 1933, and ordained to the priesthood in 1959.

- Appointed Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, as a member of the Congregation for Bishops.

- Appointed Bishop Marian Golebiewski of Koszalin-Kolobrzeg, Poland, and Bishop Leo Cornelio of Khandwa, India, as members of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
- Appointed the following consultants to the Congregation for the Oriental Churches: Archbishop Lajos Kada, apostolic nuncio; Bishop Walter Kasper, emeritus of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Archimandrite Emiliano Fabbricatore, O.S.B.I., exarch of the territorial abbey of Santa Maria of Grottaferrata, Italy; Msgr. Hanna G. Alwan, prelate auditor of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota; Frs. Cyril Vasil, S.J., dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, Natale Loda, professor of the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, David Maria Jaeger, O.F.M., professor of the Pontifical Athenaeum Antonianum, Rome, Antonio Zani, professor at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, Milan, and the Seminary of Brescia, Italy, Boris Gudziak, rector of the Academy of Lviv, Ukraine, Thom Sicking, S.J., professor of St. Joseph's University in Beirut, Lebanon, Maciej Bielawski, O.S.B., professor of the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, Rome, Johannes Hoffmann, professor of the University of Regensburg, Germany; Msgr. Osvaldo Raineri, official of the Vatican Apostolic Library and professor of the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome; and Prof. Herman Teule, editor of "Moyen Orient" magazine and director of the Institute of Research on the Christian Orient, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

NEA; NER; RE; NEC; NA;...;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 440;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences the following six prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Turkey, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Hovannes Tcholakian of Istanbul of the Armenians. - Archbishop Paul Karatas of Diarbekir of the Chaldeans.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Germano Bernardini of Izmir.
- Bishop Louis Pelatre of Sasima, apostolic vicar of Istanbul.
- Bishop Ruggero Franceschini, apostolic vicar of Anatolia.
- Chorbishop Yusuf Sag, patriarchal exarach of Syrian Catholics of Turkey.

On Saturday he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal William Wakefield Baum, major penitentiary.
- Cardinal Frederic Etsou Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M., archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, apostolic nuncio in Mexico.
- Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20010219;Word: 120;

BISHOPS OF TURKEY, ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT, WELCOMED BY POPE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul this morning welcomed the bishops of Turkey's episcopal conference, as they conclude their "ad limina" visit. In his talk to them in French, he highlighted their "Ecclesial Assembly" project, religious freedom, the need for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life and the catechesis of both young people and adults.

In opening remarks he referred to the recent festivities in Istanbul in honor of John XXIII, who was a former nuncio to Turkey and known, as John Paul recalled, as "the Pope, friend of the Turks." Turkish authorities honored John XXIII by giving his name to the street where the former residence and office of the apostolic delegation is located.

The Holy Father spoke of the bishops' relations with both the Turkish people and their dialogue with the country's leaders: "It is in this way that the Church ... will further find her place in the life of the nation. Indeed, freedom of religion and worship, which cannot be disassociated from freedom of conscience, is an essential element for good coexistence at a local level. Every State, helped by its inhabitants, is called to be vigilant in this area."
Turning then to the episcopal conference's plans, currently underway, for an "Ecclesial Assembly," consisting of meetings at both diocesan and national levels, he said: "This gathering will give ... a new elan and renewed ardor to your Christian communities, often fragile and dispersed, so that the Church in Turkey goes forth in the new millennium with confidence and courage."

"The Church of Christ," he went on, "must be truly inserted into the life of Turkish society. That presupposes a work of adaptation, already largely undertaken, at the level of liturgy, translation of the Word of God and catechetical instruments: it also implies an important investment ... so that the priests and religious who come to Turkey learn the country's language, its history, customs and culture."

The Holy Father suggested "going even further" and "fostering vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life among young Catholics in Turkey. ... Youth, as you know, are not lacking in generosity or aspirations to an ideal; they will welcome this call if they find in their midst available and attentive witnesses."

He then spoke of the education of young people, especially in the faith, highlighting Catholic schools and thanking the religious congregations that run them. "May all families," he added, "become better aware of the importance of transmitting the faith to the younger generations. This calls for parents themselves to have a good Christian formation and then eventually to actively participate in catechesis!"

Pope John Paul underscored how, in their reports, the bishops acknowledged the difficulties encountered regarding marriage "in a society where the Christian ideals of fidelity and indissolubility are poorly perceived." He encouraged all pastors to support Christian families in their daily life and to encourage couples to give support to each other.

He dedicated observations to the relations between Catholics and non-Catholics Christians and to the daily encounters, through culture and people, between Catholics and Muslims. He encouraged both ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, urging the bishops to use every occasion to further both.

Regarding Islam, he urged the bishops to "continue your efforts to create and favor occasions for dialogue, first in daily life, and then in the different areas where people meet: schools, ... commitments in profession and social life, and in service to solidarity and mutual assistance."

AL;...;...;TURKEY;VIS;20010219;Word: 580;

SICKNESS IS NOT AN UNBEARABLE BURDEN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received forty-five Sisters Servants of Mary, Ministers of the Sick, who this year celebrate the 175th anniversary of the birth of their foundress, St. Maria Soledad Torres Acosta, the 150th anniversary of the foundation of their Institute, and the 125 years since their pontifical approval.

The Pope said to the religious: "The uniqueness of your primary mission, the free care of the sick in their homes, takes on new connotations in our day, in a society where the daily reality of sickness and death tends to be concealed. With your service, you demonstrate that sickness is not an unbearable burden for man, and that it does not deprive the patient of his dignity. On the contrary, it can be transformed into an experience of enrichment for the sick person and his entire family."

"Also consider," the Holy Father added, "the challenge of a humanity in which many of our brethren, who, in addition to sound assistance in the delicate moments of their life, need above all respect, closeness, and solidarity."

John Paul II exhorted the Sisters Servants of Mary to live the celebrations of this year "at the dawn of a new millennium, as a providential occasion to revitalize your personal commitment and your work, in Africa, in America, and in Europe."

AC;...;...;SERVANTS OF MARY;VIS;20010216;Word: 230;

PERU: UNITE EFFORTS TO CREATE A CLIMATE OF TRUST

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received the new ambassador of Peru to the Holy See, Alberto Montagne Vidal, for the presentation of his Letters of Credence.

In his discourse, the Holy Father made reference to the "political and institutional crisis experienced by the country in recent months, ... which has created serious problems in the nation." He went on to affirm that "it is necessary to unite efforts and gather all people of good will, so that the honest collaboration of all parties creates a climate of trust, justice, loyalty, reciprocal respect, peace, and freedom. In this way the people will be able to overcome this crisis and recover the moral values of a just, reasonable, solid, and honest society, promoting a state of law in which the citizens feel equally responsible, and participate in building up the country and bringing about the common good."

John Paul II emphasized that it is necessary to work "to better the economic situation, overcoming the state of poverty created by heavy internal and external debt." As he had done on other occasions, he expressed his hopes for "a remission, or at least a significant reduction, of the debt by the creditor countries."

At the conclusion of his speech the Holy Father recalled the peace process which is underway with Ecuador, saying: "It is indispensable to resist every temptation to turn back. It is necessary to go forward in a spirit of coexistence between countries united by numerous common values, and in conformity with the peaceful tradition of the region."

CD;LETTERS CREDENCE;...;PERU; MONTAGNE;VIS;20010216;Word: 280;