OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Palm Beach, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, presented by Auxiliary Bishop Narbal da Costa Stencel, upon having reached the age limit.

RE;...;...;O'CONNELL; DA COSTA ;VIS;20020313;Word: 80;

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN TOURISM

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2002 (VIS) - Msgr. Piero Monni, Holy See permanent observer to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), will speak on March 16 in Berlin, Germany, during the 10th meeting of the task force to protect children from sexual exploitation in tourism.

According to a communique of the WTO, the present state of tourism in the world will be examined in the meeting. In addition, a strategic plan of action will be developed by the WTO task force to protect children from the sexual exploitation associated with the tourism industry. The issues already examined in the second World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children (Yokohama, Japan, December 2000) will be revisited.

The problem of pederasty and of sexual tourism will also be addressed during the presentation of a book written by Msgr. Monni, entitled "L'Archipelago della Vergogna. Turismo sessuale e Pedofilia" (The Archipelago of Shame. Sexual Tourism and Pedophilia). The permanent observer expressed his belief that "the root of this unseemly trade and of all forms of exploitation is always and everywhere the same: a deviated perception of another as an inferior being. Where there is destitution and a lack of respect for the dignity of the person, the forms of exploitation increase."

...;SEXUAL EXPLOITATION;...;GERMANY; MONNI;VIS;20020312;Word: 220;

TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL KUHARIC

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, Croatia, upon learning of the death of Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, emeritus of that same archdiocese, yesterday at the age of 82.

The Pope writes that the deceased cardinal "knew how to serve with wisdom and faithfulness the people of God who were entrusted to his pastoral care. During the time of the communist regime as well as during the recent troubled period of national history, he committed himself with all his energy to defending the liberty and the dignity of the Croatian people. ... A man completely dedicated to the cause of the Gospel, he gave a coherent testimony of Christ, tirelessly instilling confidence and courage in the faithful during the trying times to which the Croatian land has been subjected."

TGR;DEATH KUHARIC;...;BOZANIC;VIS;20020312;Word: 150;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, major archbishop of Lviv of the Ukrainians, Ukraine, accompanied by an entourage.

AP;...;...;... ;VIS;20020312;Word: 30;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop John Njue of Embu, Kenya, as coadjutor archbishop of Nyeri (area 16,529, population 1,867,606, Catholics 658,502, priests 116, religious 234), Kenya. The archbishop-elect was born in Embu in 1944, ordained a priest in 1973 and consecrated a bishop in 1986.

NEC;...;...;NJUE;VIS;20020311;Word: 50;