RATIFICATION OF COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Renato R. Martino, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, deposited the Holy See's Instrument of Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The Treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996, and was signed by the Holy See on September 24 of the same year.

In presenting the Instrument of Ratification, Archbishop Martino reiterated the Holy See's firm conviction that "nuclear weapons are incompatible with the peace we seek for the 21st Century." He also expressed Vatican support for ending illicit traffic in small arms, and reaffirmed support for the Convention on the Total Elimination of Land Mines, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Treaty.

The apostolic nuncio repeated what was said when the Holy See signed the Treaty: "The Holy See is convinced that in the sphere of nuclear weapons, the banning of tests and of the further development of these weapons, disarmament and non-proliferation are closely linked and must be achieved as quickly as possible under effective international controls."

"The Holy See," he continued, "by this ratification, seeks to advance the genuine promotion of a culture of peace based upon the primacy of law and of respect for human life."

Archbishop Martino concluded emphasizing that "the Holy See encourages the whole International Community, which is aware of the various challenges standing in the way of nuclear disarmament, to intensify its efforts to ensure the implementation of the said Treaty."

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CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MALAWI

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was the text of a letter, written in Latin, from the Holy Father to Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, in which the Holy Father names the Cardinal as his special envoy to the celebrations of the centenary of the Catholic Church in Malawi, planned for July 28.

The Cardinal will be accompanied by Fr. Martin Mtumbuka, rector of the Minor Seminary of St. Patrick, in the diocese of Mzuzu, and Fr. John Bechtold, S.M.M., in charge of the Nantipwili Pastoral Center of the archdiocese of Blantyre.

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CARDINAL SODANO GRANTED AWARD BY PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano received, yesterday in the Vatican, a special award granted to him by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The award was presented by the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Henrietta T. de Villa.

The text of the presidential award commends Cardinal Sodano "for his zeal and dedication in the performance of his tasks as Secretary of State of the Holy See since his appointment in 1991" as well as "for his keen apostolic interest in missionary efforts throughout the world, including those being undertaken in - or proceeding from - Asia and the Philippines, contributing immensely to a more widespread acceptance of Christianity in our region."

Lastly, the award recognizes the Cardinal "for his interest in the Philippines as manifested in his personally presiding over a Te Deum ceremony on 14 March 2001, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines."

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ARCHBISHOP CORDES TO TRAVEL TO PANAMA AND PERU

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2001 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will travel to Panama from July 19 to 20, at the invitation of the episcopal conference, to participate in a meeting with the bishops and those in charge of Caritas in that country.

The objective of the meeting, a communique states, "will be a reflection on the spirit and the structure of charitable organizations, in particular to ensure and deepen the Christian roots of charitable commitment itself."

From July 21 to 22, Archbishop Cordes will travel to Peru, where he will visit the areas affected by the recent earthquake, and give the Holy Father's blessing together with a donation towards the most basic needs. In particular, he will visit the regions of Tacna and Moquega, which were most damaged by the earthquake. Meetings are also planned with the country's bishops, in particular with Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, archbishop of Lima, and with Bishop Luis Armando Bambaren Gastelumendi, president of the episcopal conference.

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PUBLIC CANONICAL ADMONITION ISSUED TO ARCHBISHOP MILINGO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the complete text of the Notification regarding Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo which was issued today by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Dated July 16, 2001, it was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect, and Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary.

"The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, after mature reflection and by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, and fulfilling its responsibility for protecting faith and morals in the life of the Church, finds itself obliged to proceed in accordance with Canon 1347, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law in order to protect the faithful from the serious harm caused by the recent behavior of the Most Reverend Emmanuel Milingo, archbishop emeritus of Lusaka.

"The said congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:

"1. noting the grave public conduct and statements where the archbishop has attempted an asserted 'matrimonial union' with the Korean Maria Sung, has adhered to the sect of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, and has failed in communion with the Successor of Peter and the College of Bishops;

"2. having verified the impossibility of communicating with Archbishop Milingo in order to invite him to reflect on the grave consequences of his conduct and actions, to make amends for the scandal given and to reform;

"3. communicates to Archbishop Milingo, in accordance with the above-mentioned Canon 1347, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law, the following public canonical admonition:

"a. to separate from Maria Sung;
"b. to sever all links with the sect, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification;
"c. to declare publicly his fidelity to the doctrine and ecclesiastical discipline of celibacy and to manifest his obedience to the Supreme Pontiff by a clear and unequivocal act.

"Should Archbishop Milingo not formally act by August 20, 2001 to fulfill what is hereby required of him, excommunication reserved to the Holy See will be imposed.

"The Church, obliged as she is to proceed to this painful action for the good of the faithful, does not cease to pray to the Lord, the Good Shepherd, for the desired return of the Archbishop to the embrace of the Church and the common Father."

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