"THE CONTRIBUTION OF RELIGIONS TO PEACE"

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 2002 (VIS) - From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday January 23 in the Vatican's new Synod Hall, a forum will take place entitled: "The contribution of religions to peace." The gathering will be presided by Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, while Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, secretary of the same council, will act as moderator.

According to a communique made public today, the forum aims to be "a moment of exchange between official representatives of the different religions who will take part in the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World, to be held in Assisi on January 24. Participants will be given the opportunity to express a brief message."

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BLESSING OF THE LAMBS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. AGNES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 2002 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, continuing an ancient tradition, this morning blessed several baby lambs whose wool will be used to make the palliums given every year to new metropolitan archbishops on June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

The blessing of the lambs, who are under one year of age, takes place on or near January 21, feast of St. Agnes for whom the traditional symbol is a lamb. This virgin-martyr died about 350 and is buried in the basilica named after her on Rome's Via Nomentana. Traditionally the lambs are raised by the Trappist Fathers of the Abbey of the Three Fountains and, when shorn, their wool is made into the palliums by the sisters of St. Cecilia.

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HOLY LAND: RESTART THE PROCESS OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 2002 (VIS) - Following the angelus, John Paul II launched a new appeal for peace in the Holy Land, in the wake of the incidents and attacks of last week:

"Once again - and with great sadness - I am compelled to mention the dramatic situation in the Holy Land where every day repeated attacks and reprisals bring a harvest of blood and death.

"This perverse logic does not lead to any solution and it is painful to note how the main players in the conflict have started down a blind alley.

"I cannot but make a heartfelt appeal to the leaders of the conflicting sides to put an end to these clashes, and to the international community not to abandon them. It is vital that together we identify the instruments that may restart the process of peace, thus enabling Israelis and Palestinians to look to the future.

"May God, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, illuminate the minds and hearts of all men and women of good will!"

John Paul II went on the express his solidarity with the victims of the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano, and requested help from the international community:

"I would also like to give an assurance of my spiritual closeness to the people affected by the fury of the Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which for some days has renewed its activity with unprecedented violence. May there be no lack of real assistance on our part to those who are suffering this great calamity."

Furthermore, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent a telegram to the bishop of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, giving an assurance of the Pope's prayers for those affected by the catastrophe, and his closeness to them.

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JOHN PAUL II EXTENDS INVITATION TO JOIN IN PRAYER FOR PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 2002 (VIS) - Before praying the angelus at midday today, the Pope spoke on the Day of Prayer for Peace, due to be held on January 24, and extended an invitation to "believers and people of good will from the whole world" to join the "pilgrimage by train" he will make to Assisi because, he said, "we are all called to build peace together."

"I would particularly like to invite religious and monastic communities, especially the enclosed orders, as well as children, the sick and the elderly to join us in prayer."

John Paul II affirmed that following the attack of September 11 and faced by the risk of fresh conflicts, "believers feel the urgent need to intensify their prayers for peace, because this is, above all, a gift from God." On this theme, he recalled that December 14, 2001, had been a day of fasting, while Thursday January 24, will be a day of prayer for peace, to be held in Assisi, Italy. "Thus," he said, "the experience of October 27, 1986, will be repeated, when, for the first time, the town of St. Francis saw representatives from the world's religions gather within its walls in order to raise to heaven a fervent appeal for peace."

After highlighting that the Day of Prayer for Peace "does not intend in any way to indulge religious syncretism," he emphasized that "men and women from different religions can not only collaborate but, indeed, must commit themselves ever more in the defence and promotion of the effective recognition of human rights, an indispensable condition for true and lasting peace. In the face of the violence that presently ravages so many regions of the world, they feel the need to demonstrate that religion is a uniting factor, thus renouncing and isolating all those who employ the name of God for ends and using methods that, in reality, offend Him."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tan of Vinh Long.
- Bishop Joseph Hoang Van Thiem of Bui Chu.
- Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tram, auxiliary of Xuan Loc.
- Msgr. Domencio Nguyen Char Hung, diocesan administrator of Hai Phong.
- Msgr. Joseph Nguyen Thai Ha, diocesan administrator of Hung Hoa.

On Saturday, January 19, he received in separate audiences:

- Four prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Pierre Tran Dinh Tu of Phu Cuong.
- Bishop Paul Bui Van Doc of My Tho.
- Bishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of Lang Son et Cao Bang.
- Bishop Pierre Nguyen Soan of Quy Nhon.
- Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, accompanied by Bishop Marc Ouellet and Msgr. Francesco Eleuterio Fortino, respectively secretary and under-secretary of the same pontifical council.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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