IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Joseph Louis Andre Ouellette, emeritus of Mont-Laurier, Canada, on October 11, at the age of 88.
- Bishop Jose Prospero da Ascensao Puaty, emeritus of Lwena, Angola, on October 12, at the age of 73.
- Archbishop Hans Schwemmer, apostolic nuncio in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, on October 1, at the age of 56.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience His Beatitude Gregoire III Laham, patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, Damascus-Syria, accompanied by his entourage.

He also received the following participants in the Synod of Bishops:
- Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster, England.
- Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, O.P., of Caceres, the Philippines.
- Archbishop Thomas Meram of Urmya of the Chaldeans, bishop of Salmas of the Chaldeans, Iran.
- Archbishop Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi, India.
- Archbishop George Pell of Sydney, Australia.
- Archbishop Medardo Joseph Mazombwe of Lusaka, Zambia.
- Archbishop Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye of Blantyre, Malawi.
- Bishop Vincent Logan of Dunkeld, Scotland.
- Bishop Charles Maung Bo, S.D.B., of Pathein, Myanmar.
- Bishop Wilton Daniel Gregory of Belleville, U.S.A.
- Bishop John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
- Bishop Peter Fernando of Tuticorin, India.

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DIRECTORY ON POPULAR PIETY IN PREPARATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2001 (VIS) - Made public late yesterday was a Message from the Pope to the participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments, which was celebrated at the Vatican from September 26 to 29. The theme of the reflection was: "The relation between the liturgy and popular piety."

John Paul II notes in his Message, dated September 21, that the assembly, "in view of the preparation of a Directory, has chosen popular piety as its central theme." This piety, "which is expressed in diversified and widespread forms, when it is genuine has faith as its source and must be, therefore, valued and encouraged. In its most authentic manifestations, it is not in opposition to the centrality of Sacred Liturgy, but rather, in encouraging the faith of the people who consider it part of their inherent religious expression, favors the celebration of the sacred mysteries."

"The expressions of popular piety," he writes, "sometimes appear polluted by elements not coherent with Catholic doctrine. In such cases they should be purified with prudence and patience, through contacts with those in charge and an attentive and respectful catechesis, unless radical inconsistencies make clear and immediate measures necessary. These evaluations are carried out primarily by the diocesan bishop or the bishops of the area concerned with such forms of piety."

Then, referring to the congregation's publication since 1996 of the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal, the Book of Exorcisms, the Roman Martyrology and the Instructions on liturgical translations, the Holy Father exhorted the bishops of the congregation "to take care that liturgical translations remain faithful to the original of the respective 'typical' editions in the Latin language. A translation, in fact, does not represent an exercise in creativity, but an accurate commitment to conserving the sense of the original without changes, ommisions, or additions. Lack of observance of this criteria sometimes makes the work of revision of certain texts necessary or urgent."

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MIGRATIONS AND INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message for the 2002 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated in local churches on a date chosen by the respective episcopal conferences. The theme, "Migrants and Inter-religious Dialogue," was chosen by the Pope for this 88th world day. Dated July 25 from Castelgandolfo, it was published in Italian and English.

Following are excerpts:

"The development of modern means of transportation makes it easier for people to move from one country to another, from one continent to another. Among the consequences of this significant social phenomenon is the presence of about a hundred and fifty million immigrants spread all over the different parts of the world, ... a world where men and women of different cultures and religions are called to live shoulder to shoulder with one another."

"For this living together to develop peacefully, it is indispensable to remove the barriers of diffidence, prejudice and fear that unfortunately still exist among those who belong to the different religions. In every country, dialogue and mutual tolerance are required among those who profess the religion of the majority and those who belong to minorities, often made up of immigrants, who are followers of various religions."

"The vast and intense intertwining of migratory phenomena, which characterizes our times, multiplies the opportunities for inter-religious dialogue. Countries with ancient Christian roots as well as multi-cultural societies offer concrete opportunities for inter-religious exchange."

"Dialogue is not always easy. For Christians, however, the patient and confident pursuit of it is a commitment to be constantly carried out. ... They are always well aware that to be able to authentically dialogue with others, a clear witness of their own faith is indispensable."

"It is therefore indispensable for each one, to whatever religion he may belong, to take into account the essential requirements of freedom of religion and of conscience, as stated so well by the Ecumenical Council Vatican II."

"I would like to express the wish that this kind of living together in solidarity may also take place in countries where the majority profess a religion different from Christianity, but where Christian immigrants live and where they unfortunately do not always enjoy a true freedom of religion and conscience."

"If, in the world of human mobility, everyone would be animated by this spirit, almost as in a forge, there will arise providential possibilities of a fruitful dialogue wherein the centrality of the person will never be denied. This is the only way to nourish the hope 'for warding off the dread specter of those wars of religion which have so often bloodied human history' and which have often forced many people to abandon their own countries."

"The parish represents the space in which a true pedagogy of meeting with people of various religious convictions and cultures can be realized. In its various expressions, the parish community can become a training ground of hospitality, a place where an exchange of experiences and gifts takes place. This cannot but foster a tranquil life together, preventing the risk of tension with immigrants who bring other religious beliefs with themselves."

"Everyday, in many parts of the world, migrants, refugees and displaced people turn to Catholic organizations and parishes in search of support, and they are welcomed irrespective of cultural or religious affiliation. The service of charity, which Christians are always called to carry out, cannot be limited to the mere distribution of humanitarian aid. ... With the gift of material bread, it is indispensable not to neglect to offer the gift of faith, especially through one's own existential witness and always with great respect for all."

"In this way, if inter-religious dialogue is one of the most significant challenges of our times, the phenomenon of migration could foster its development. ... To accomplish this mission it is necessary to let the Holy Spirit guide us."

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PRESENTATION OF POPE'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 2001 (VIS) - This morning at 11:30 in the Holy See Press Office, Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao presented the Pope's Message for the 2002 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, on the theme "Migrations and Inter-religious Dialogue." Joining the president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Ministry for Migrants and Itinerant Peoples were Fr. Angelo Negrini, an official at the council, and Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

Archbishop Hamao said that "a little more than a month after the tragic events in New York and Washington, one could ask if the theme chosen this year is not a bit risky. To speak of migrations at a time when many nations are reviewing their laws in this regard, perhaps evaluating the weight to be given to religions professed by the potential migrants and refugees, and are reinforcing measures at borders to deny terrorists the possibility to arrive on their national soil, could seem like putting salt on a wound."

He said he thought the theme, however, "is more current than ever, precisely to answer the call for peace that is on the lips and in the hearts of innocent people. ... In fact, there is need for dialogue and reciprocal tolerance within every country among those who profess the religion of the majority and those who belong to minorities, frequently made up of migrants, who follow diverse religions."

Fr. Negrini stated that "the great novelty" of the Message is "the overcoming of an 'ideological' vision of faith, of a theological dialectic to reach a dialogue seen above all as an external gift, practical and operating in charity. This problem does not occur with regards to Jews ... whom the Pope calls 'our elder brothers'. Rather it occurs more urgently with regards to Muslims, ever more numerous in industrialized countries."

"The problem with the encounter with Islam," he added, "as with all other religions, thus becomes a personal problem, a problem of being formed to be authentic Christians, not to undertake other crusades or holy wars, but to set up a sincere meeting between adult believers in the faith who are convinced that pluralism does not come from the homologation of different truths of faith, much less of preconceived notions about others' beliefs but from facing them."

Graphs depicting the worldwide migrant and refugee numbers were distributed during the press conference today. As of 1997, the last available year for statistics, there were 130 million migrants, representing 2.3 percent of the world population: 55 percent of these are in developing countries and the remaining 45 percent in highly developed countries. There are no reliable statistics about illegal immigrants.

As of 1990, the last year in which official statistics were available, the regions where the percentage of immigrants is higher in relation to the resident populace are North America 8.6 percent) Western Europe (6.1) and Oceania (18.4).

Refugees are believed to number upwards of 50 million worldwide, and most often are victims of internal exoduses such as wars and natural disasters.

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