TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF MASSACRE IN CHURCH IN PAKISTAN

VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, in the name of Pope John Paul to Archbishop Alessandro D'Errico, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan, for the victims of the massacre which took place this morning during Mass in the Christian church in Bahawalpur, Pakistan:

"His Holiness Pope John Paul II has learned with the deepest sadness about the terrible violence in a Catholic church at Bahawalpur in the diocese of Multan when a group of armed men fired on Christians gathered there in prayer. Expressing his absolute condemnation of this further tragic act of intolerance His Holiness asks Your Excellency to convey his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims whom he commends to the Lord. He expresses his prayerful closeness to all affected by this evil act and as a pledge of comfort and strength he invokes upon the entire community the blessings of Almighty God."

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POPE ASKS HELP FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES, PEACE IN HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, OCT 28, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, as he does every Sunday at noon, appeared at the window of his study which overlooks St. Peter's Square and led the faithful gathered there in the Angelus prayer.

Before praying the Angelus, the Holy Father told the pilgrims that the tenth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which had met for a month to study the ministry of the bishop, solemnly concluded with Mass yesterday morning in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Pope said he "had participated personally in the synod, enjoying the climate of communion which marked it and listening with great interest to the reflections proposed. In fact, Vatican Council II had already dedicated great space to the theme of the bishop and to his ecclesial service. But such teachings needed to be more deeply studied and opportunely adapted to changing times and situations."

He then turned his thoughts to "the month of October, during which our marian devotions have been expressed with particular intensity by reciting the rosary to beg the Lord for peace. At this moment, we entrust in a special way to Mary's maternal protection the populations of Afghanistan: may innocent lives be spared and may there be on the part of the international community timely and efficacious help for the many refugees who are exposed to hardships of every nature as inclement weather is about to arrive.
"Nor can we forget all those who continue to spread violence and death in the Holy Land, in particular in the holy places that are so dear to the Christian faith. May Mary, Queen of Peace, help everyone to lay down their arms and to undertake finally with resolve the path towards a just and lasting peace."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Stanley Roman, of the clergy of the diocese of Quilon, India, rector of St. Joseph's Pontifical Seminary Carmelgiri, Alwaye, Verapoly, as bishop of Quilon (area 1,950, population 4,462,777, Catholics 277,869, priests 90, religious 609). The bishop-elect was born in Punalur in 1941, and ordained to the priesthood in 1966. He succeeds Bishop Joseph Gabriel Fernandez, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in accordance with the age limit.

On Saturday, October 27, it was made public that the Holy Father elevated the apostolic administration of Moldova to the level of diocese, immediately subject to the Holy See, with the denomination of Chisinau and the same territorial configuration as the current apostolic administration. He appointed Bishop Antonio Cosa, apostolic administrator, as first bishop of Chisinau (area 33,700, population 4,378,000, Catholics 20,000, priests 17, permanent deacons 1, religious 37), Moldova.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 29, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Giovanni Tonucci, apostolic nuncio in Kenya; permanent observer to the United Nations Agencies for the Environment and for Human Settlement.
- Archbishop-Bishop Joan Marti Alanis of Urgell, Spain; with Coadjutor Joan Enric Vives Sicilia.
- Altan Guven, ambassador of Turkey, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
- Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, emeritus of Vercelli, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

On Saturday, October 27, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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HOLY FATHER WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FROM JAPAN

VATICAN CITY, OCT 29, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received the Letters of Credence of Mitsuhiro Nakamura, the new ambassador of Japan to the Holy See. He focussed his talk to the diplomat on the world situation, and highlighted the need for dialogue among civilizations in order to establish a just and lasting peace in the world.

The Pope pointed to the current world situation, especially "the events which have, these last weeks, threatened the great balances of the world and kept millions of people in a state of anguish." Recalling Japan's past and "the somber days of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" whose "photographic images ... still live on in the conscience of the entire international community," he highlighted "the profound and great attention to peace which marks Japanese society today."

He issued a heartfelt appeal "for a renewed and ever more intense commitment by all men of good will so that, through dialogue and collaboration, each people may have a land and each person might live in peace. Confidence among persons and peoples will cause terrorism to retreat forever, for it can in no way open the path to the recognition of a group of persons or an ideology, nor lead to a way of governing in a country or region."

John Paul II stressed that violence does not allow "the establishment of the bases of a society which is respectful of all its members; by the wounds it causes, it alienates all peaceful social life and reduces to nothing the most basic rights of persons and of peoples to peace and an integral development in solidarity."

He pointed out that "the religious, spiritual, cultural and human values which are the foundation of Japanese society and many other societies, values such as respect for creation and for life, a spirit of eagerness in work, a profound sense of solidarity, the capacity to being open to transcendence, are essential elements in building a civilization of love and peace."

Pope John Paul stated that "dialogue among civilizations is a necessary condition in establishing peace." Dialogue must be an "exchange among different peoples, cultures and religious and philosophical traditions," in respect for legitimate freedoms, "especially religious freedom so that religion will never be a pretext for acts contrary to the respect of every human being."

"The Catholic Church," he concluded, "participates actively in this dialogue ... in order to build a human community which is united and lives in solidarity." And he thanked the ambassador for "the great esteem and high reputation that the Catholic Church enjoys in Japan, especially in the realms of social assistance and education."

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