IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates have died:

- Cardinal Thomas Joseph Winning, archbishop of Glasgow, on June 17 at the age of 76.
- Cardinal Pierre Eyt, archbishop of Bordeaux, France, on June 11 at the age of 67.
- Bishop Salvatore Delogu, emeritus of Sulmona-Valva, Italy, on June 13 at the age of 86.
- Archbishop Giuseppe Laigueglia, apostolic nuncio, on June 4 at the age of 78.
- Bishop Jose Pablo Rovalo Azcue S.M., emeritus of Zacatecas, Mexico, on September 30, 1999 at the age of 74.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Rodolfo Quezada Toruno of Zacapa, Guatemala, prelate of Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, as metropolitan archbishop of Guatemala (area 2,591, population 3,600,000, Catholics 3,000,000, priests 546, permanent deacons 1, religious 1,518), Guatemala. The archbishop-elect was born in Guatemala in 1932, ordained a priest in 1956 and consecrated a bishop in 1972. He succeeds Archbishop Prospero Penados del Barrio whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Michel Santier, episcopal vicar of Coutances, France, as bishop of Lucon (area 7,015, population 539,000, Catholics 505,000, priests 468, permanent deacons 26, religious 1,481), France. The bishop-elect was born in Granville-Hopital, France, in 1947 and ordained a priest in 1973.

- Appointed Msgr. Timothy Michael Dolan of the clergy of St. Louis (area 15,451, population 2,064,548, Catholics 555,000, priests 819, permanent deacons 213, religious 2,680), U.S.A., as auxiliary of the same archdiocese. The bishop-elect was born in St. Louis in 1950, ordained a priest in 1976 and up until now has been rector of the North American College in Rome.

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PAPAL MESSAGE FOR 22ND WORLD DAY OF TOURISM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2001 (VIS) - Published today was the Holy Father's Message for the 22nd World Day of Tourism, which has as its theme this year: "Tourism: A Means of Peace and Dialogue Between Civilizations." The Message, dated June 9, was published in Italian, Spanish, French, German and English.

In 1980 the World Tourism Organization (WTO) launched the celebration of an annual World Day of Tourism, and the United Nations determined that this should be celebrated every year on September 27. Prior to the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul always sent a telegram to the WTO. Last year was the first time that he sent a Message.

John Paul II writes in the 2001 Message that "the development of tourism, particularly cultural tourism, can undoubtedly benefit both visitors and host communities. ... In some places, however, mass tourism has produced a kind of sub-culture that degrades both the tourists and the host community. ... For the host communities, tourism often becomes an opportunity to sell so-called 'exotic' products: hence the phenomenon of sophisticated holiday resorts that are cut off from any real contact with the culture of the host country or that are marked by a 'superficial exoticism' ... offered to the curious who are eager for new sensations. Sadly, this unchecked desire leads at times to humiliating aberrations, such as the exploitation of women and children in an unscrupulous sex trade which is an intolerable scandal."

"Every possible measure must be taken to ensure that tourism never becomes a latter-day form of exploitation, but is instead a point of fruitful dialogue between different civilizations in which experiences are exchanged in creative ways."

The Pope states that "there is no doubt that, when properly oriented, tourism becomes an opportunity for dialogue between cultures and a valuable service to peace."

"Therefore, on this World Day of Tourism, I invite all believers to reflect on the positive and negative aspects of tourism in order to bear effective witness to their faith in this very important field of human experience."

The Holy Father writes: "Let no one succumb to the temptation of making free time a period of 'rest from values'. On the contrary, an ethic of tourism must be promoted. In this context, the World Ethical Code for Tourism merits attention. ... This document is an important step towards ensuring that tourism is seen not just as one among many economic activities, but as a privileged means for the development of individuals and peoples."

"A sound ethic of tourism influences the way tourists behave, fosters in them a spirit of solidarity, encourages them to make demands not only on themselves but also on those who organize their trip, and asks them to be agents of dialogue between cultures in order to build up a civilization of love and peace."
In concluding the Message, John Paul II affirms that "people living in tourist resorts should be guaranteed a proper involvement in planning tourist activity, so that the economic, ecological and cultural limits are clearly set out. It would also help if all the institutions of host countries aimed at ensuring that the tourist industry is increasingly at the service of persons and the community. Tourism will thus help to build solidarity among all people and enable civilizations to meet. It will contribute to understanding among individuals and nations, and it will play its part in building a peaceful future."

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JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES BISHOPS OF BENIN ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2001 (VIS) - The bishops of Benin were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning at the end of their "ad limina" visit. The Pope, recalling his meetings with them during this past week, referred to these individual talks and to the prelates' "hopes and concerns at the start of this new millennium."

In his talk to them in French, the Holy Father reiterated several themes which appear in his Apostolic Letter "Novo millennio ineunte," namely, giving a new thrust to the new evangelization, focussing on the pastoral ministries for vocations, the family and lay people, especially catechists, the importance of a spirituality of communion, the permanent formation of priests and dialogue with other religions.

The principal task of bishops, priests, religious and the laity is the new evangelization, he said. Those who are well-prepared and re-affirmed in their faith will not only be able to bring Christ to others but will be able to challenge every novelty that passes for doctrine.

"Christians of your dioceses must also be men and women of communion and unity," the Pope added, urging the bishops to program "concrete initiatives to be faithful to God's plan and to answer the deep aspirations of the world."

Then, highlighting the fact that vocations are on the increase in Benin, he told the bishops that they have "a serious responsibility to discern the human, intellectual, moral and spiritual aptitudes of candidates and to recognize the authenticity of their vocation." He told them to "be demanding about the quality of the formation they receive" and to make sure that "the formators, professors and spiritual directors are well-prepared and exemplary in their priestly life."

Pope John Paul then turned to Benin's priests and men and women religious, thanking them for their service which, "often at the price of great self-denial, has allowed the Church to be born and grow in Benin." He especially underscored the contribution of women religious in their "service to the poorest and most forsaken of society, without any distinction as to origin."

"A mature and responsible laity, aware of their responsibilities in the Church and in society" is also needed for the new evangelization, said the Pope. They must be prepared to proclaim the Gospel in all milieux of life and "must act competently in the very complex worlds of politics, social life and the economy, according to the teachings of the Church's social doctrine, proposing to their fellow citizens a vision of man and society which conforms to basic human values. I especially invite them to work tirelessly to promote respect for the inviolable dignity of every human person."

He noted that the bishops, in their quinquennial reports, had emphasized "the serious problems relative to the family, its unity and its indissolubility" and encouraged them "to pursue a vigorous ministry for the family. ... It is especially fundamental for the future to educate young people to a just hierarchy of values" and "the Christian vision of marriage must be presented in all of its greatness."

Pope John Paul closed his talk to the bishops by remarking on the importance of inter-religious dialogue. He encouraged their "efforts to favor a better mutual knowledge as well as more genuine and fraternal relations among persons and communities, especially with Muslims."

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OPENNESS TO DIALOGUE AND COHERENCE TO RELIGIOUS TRADITION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received participants in a meeting organized by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue in collaboration with the Pontifical Lateran University, in memory of "the tireless commitment to inter-religious dialogue" of Bishop Pietro Rossano, on the tenth anniversary of his death.

"Serious and authentic inter-religious dialogue must rest upon solid foundations if it is to produce the desired fruits in due time. Being open to dialogue means being coherent to the core of one's own religious tradition. This is the lesson that emerges from Bishop Rossano's life."

John Paul II recalled that "in his spiritual experience and in his service to the Holy See (as secretary of the then Secretariat for Non-Christians), Bishop Rossano's openness to others was never separated from faithfulness to the teachings of Christ. This unconditional adherence to Christ did not prevent him from communicating with exponents of other religions."

"May Bishop Rossano's example," concluded the Pope, "encourage you to intensify your efforts towards dialogue, offering everyone a clear witness of the mystery of Christ, Lord and Savior of all."

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