BISHOP CREPALDI: SOCIAL DOCTRINE IN CHALLENGE OF LATIN AMERICA

VATICAN CITY, JUL 22, 2002 (VIS) - Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, sent a message to participants in the workshop on "Democracy and Civil Society" sponsored by the Episcopal Latin American Council (CELAM) which is taking place in Caracas, Venezuela from July 22 to 24.

"In a democratic state," writes Msgr. Crepaldi, "the participation of citizens in community life is one of the fundamental pillars and one of the greatest guarantees ... For its part, the Church, with its specific mission and competency - which distinguishes and separates it from any political system - looks for the political community in healthy cooperation, to be at the service of man and his transcendental character." Furthermore, the bishop underlines that "Christianity is obligated, as a member of political society, to cooperate with its objectives and development."

Referring later to one of the themes of the seminar, "Adaptation of the social doctrine of the Church to the present context", the bishop recalls that the "teachings of the Church, most recently of John Paul II, on human rights and freedom of association, are a beautiful treasure which we must explore more ... The social doctrine of the Church, by being a coherent doctrinal body, based on the Gospel and managed throughout the years by successive declarations by the Magisterium in response to specific social questions, is a precious and ideal instrument to indicate the correct path when responding also to bigger challenges that the current political situation in Latin America and the Caribbean present."

The secretary of Justice and Peace concludes by expressing the desire that the workshop result in "courses of action" that help "men and women of good will ... to collaborate actively in giving life to processes of authentic democracy that lead to the consolidation of more sensitive, fair and efficient governments, and to more participative civil societies that avoid the grave danger of democratic regression that threatens many in your countries at this time."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 22, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Earl Boyea, president-rector of Josephinum Pontifical College in Columbus, U.S.A., as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Detroit (area 10,106, population 4,266,651, Catholics 1,443,651, priests 781, permanent deacons 146, religious 2,333), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1951 in Pontiac, U.S.A., and was ordained a priest in 1978.

On Saturday July 20th, it was made public that the Holy Father nominated Bishop Peter Kang U-il, auxiliary of Seoul, Korea, as bishop of Cheju (1,845, population 543,323, Catholics 52,468, priests 31, religious 109), Korea.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Florencia, Colombia, presented by Bishop Fabian Marulanda Lopez, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Bishop Cristian Enrique Contreras Molina, O.M., prelate of Calama, Chile, as bishop of San Felipe (area 10,223, population 310,000, Catholics 248,000, priests 55, permanent deacons 7, religious 154), Chile.

- Erected the diocese of Chingleput (area 4,888, population 1,605,129, Catholics 130,000, priests 65, religious 645), India, with territory taken from the archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore, making it a suffragan of the same metropolitan church. He appointed Fr. Anthonisamy Neethinathan, professor and vice-rector of the Sacred Heart Seminary, as the first bishop of the new diocese. The bishop-elect was born in 1955 in Kakkanur, India and was ordained a priest in 1987.

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STATISTICS ABOUT THE CHURCH IN CANADA, GUATEMALA AND MEXICO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office published statistics about the Catholic Church in the three countries that the Holy Father will visit from July 23 to August 2: Canada, Guatemala and Mexico. The main reason for this apostolic trip is the celebration of World Youth Day and the canonization of Blesseds Pedro de San Jose de Betancur and Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.

Canada, which the Pope visited in 1984 and in 1987, has a population of 30,750,000, of which 13,453,000 are Catholics, 43.75 % of the total population. There are 137 bishops, 9,832 priests, 26,171 religious and 985 seminarians.

On the second leg of his trip, John Paul II will visit Guatemala for the third time during his pontificate. He previously visited the country in 1983 and 1996. Guatemala has 11,390,000 inhabitants. The 9,471,000 Catholics represent 83.15% of the population. There are 21 bishops, 970 priests, 2,242 religious and 967 seminarians.

The Pope will then travel to Mexico. This will be his fifth time in the country following trips in 1979, 1990, 1993 and 1999. Mexico has 97,020,000 inhabitants, with 89,664,000 Catholics who constitute 92.42% of the total population. There are 132 bishops, 14,049 priests, 30,320 religious and 12,192 seminarians.

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MESSAGE TO THE URSULINES: CHALLENGE OF INCULTURATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a message to Sister Carmela Distefano, superior general of the Congregation of the Ursuline Religious of the Holy Family on the occasion of the general chapter of the institution, dedicated to the theme: "The mission that is confronted with the charisma and eye toward the future."

The Holy Father recalls that the order, according to what their constitutions establish, wants "to expand the Kingdom of God through the apostolate of education, assistance and missionary work" and underlines that the foundress, Rosa Roccuzzo, "was inspired for her tireless service of her neighbor in the spirit of the Holy Family, striving to confront ... the typical forms of the poverty of her time: from economic and moral to poverty provoked by the lack of adequate health care."

He then exhorts the religious to be "daily witnesses to the Gospel ... capable of distinguishing themselves by intense communion and active cooperation with the Church."

"The great challenge of inculturation," he concludes, "today requires that believers announce the Good News with language and ways comprehensible to the men and women of these times. An urgent mission and vast apostolic perspectives are opening up before you ... Be willing to offer your existence for the service of the poor; cultivate a true passion for educating young people, dedicate yourself with generosity to people, especially the sick and those who are suffering. So many are still waiting to get to know Jesus and His Gospel! So many need to feel the love of God."

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