AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience six prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Midwestern and Northern Regions II) on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Roberto Gomes Guimaraes of Campos.

- Bishop Eugene Lambert Adrian Rixen of Goias.
- Bishop Pedro Jose Conti of Santissima Conceicao do Araguaia.

- Bishop Luigi Ferrando of Braganca do Para.

- Bishop Geraldo Vieira Gusmao of Porto Nacional.

- Bishop Joao Wilk, O.F.M., of Formosa.

On Saturday February 1, the Holy Father received in audience four prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Midwestern and Northern Regions II) on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Joao Risatti, P.I.M.E., of Macapa.

- Bishop Agostinho Stefan Januszewicz, O.F.M. Conv., of Luziania.

- Bishop Jose Foralosso, S.D.B., of Maraba.

- Bishop Joao Jose Burke, O.F.M., of Miracema do Tocantins.

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DELEGATION FROM ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF SERBIA IN ROME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2003 (VIS) - A delegation from the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Serbia starts a six-day visit to the Vatican today. Members include His Eminence Amfilohije, metropolitan of Crna Gora and Primorje, Bishop Irinej of Backa, Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac-Valjevo, Fr. Vladan Perisic, dean of the theology faculty and Archimandrite Andrej Cilerdzic, secretary of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Belgrade. The delegation is staying at the Vatican's St. Martha Residence, as guests of the Holy See.

Members will meet with officials of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Secretariat of State, and officials of other dicasteries of the Roman Curia. Also on the agenda are talks with the vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the rectors of the Pontifical Gregorian University and Pontifical Salesian Athenaeum and the director of Vatican Radio. They will be received by Pope John Paul on Thursday, February 6.

According to the communique published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity that announced this visit, the delegates will be welcomed by Cardinal Kasper at a dinner on February 4. Also in attendance will be a number of cardinals and other officials of the Holy See, including Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs, and the prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches.

The visit will start with a prayer in St. Peter's Basilica. Ensuing days will include a meeting with Cardinal Jorge Mejia, librarian of Holy Roman Church, and visits to the Roman basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Clement, the Colosseum, Aventine Hill, and the Abbey of the Three Fountains. Vespers will be celebrated at St. Mary's in Trastevere. The delegation will participate in the liturgical celebration on February 7 that will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, at St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Sant'Egidio community.

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CARDINAL KASPER TO RECEIVE HONORIS CAUSA DOCTORATE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2003 (VIS) - Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, today is being awarded an "honoris causa" doctorate in theology by the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

According to a communique published by the pontifical council, "the motivation of the doctorate - according to the university rector - refers to several aspects of the theological research and writings by Cardinal Kasper" and praises "a theological development that faces questions of truth on the basis of a genuine opening to the spirit of the times."

Cardinal Kasper will deliver a homily during a liturgical celebration in St. Peter's Church, which will be presided over by Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Malines-Brussels and grand chancellor of the university.

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HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR FEBRUARY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 31, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general prayer intention for February is: "That all Christians, sensitive to the distressing condition of the peoples who are still suffering from hunger and thirst, may be moved to greater solidarity towards their brothers."

His mission intention is: "That the Church in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, while remaining open to dialogue with the followers of the other religions may remain faithful to its own exacting evangelizing mission."

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CHURCHES ESTABLISH JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 31, 2003 - A communique was published this afternoon, stating that "Catholic and Oriental Orthodox representatives, delegated by their Churches as members of the Preparatory Committee for the Catholic Church-Oriental Orthodox Churches International Joint Commission for Dialogue, met January 27-29 under the chairmanship of Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Amba Bishoy of Damiette of the Coptic Orthodox Church."

"The meeting was held in Rome at the offices of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in response to a letter from Cardinal Kasper, dated September 10, 2002 and addressed to all the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, inviting them to engage in an official dialogue with the Catholic Church. The Oriental Orthodox Churches are comprised of: Coptic Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of all Armenians), Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of Cilicia), Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and Eritrean Orthodox Church.

"In his opening address, Cardinal Kasper welcomed the participants by saying. 'I greatly appreciate your willingness to take part in this meeting, which hopefully may become a new and promising step in our journey towards full communion'. Referring to the work accomplished in the past, he stated: 'This meeting is not the first, nor will it be the last along the path of our ecumenical venture. Much has been achieved in previous years, and still more remains to be done in the years to come'."

"The Preparatory Committee officially established the rules of membership of the Catholic Church-Oriental Orthodox Churches International Joint Commission for Dialogue and set up the work plan, agenda, membership, procedures, methodologies and timetable for the Joint Commission. The first meeting of this Joint Commission is foreseen for the end of January 2004."

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