OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Torit, Sudan presented by Bishop Paride Taban in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
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PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE TO MARK TENTH ANNIVERSARY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2004 (VIS) - The 10th General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life will be held on February 19-22, 2004 in the Vatican's New Synod Hall, according to a communique published today by the academy.

This year's meeting coincides with the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the Academy. February 19 will be entirely dedicated to the celebration of this anniversary. Three themes will be developed on that day: the activities of the Pontifical Academy for Life during its first ten years; a commemoration of the late Prof. Jerome Lejeune, first President of the Academy and a well-known geneticist; and the teachings of Pope John Paul II on human life. The day will conclude with a concert in the Paul VI Hall for choir and orchestra, directed by Maestro Marco Frisina.

Pope John Paul II instituted this academy and intends to participate in its anniversary celebrations, either by welcoming the participants in a private audience or through a Message written specifically for this occasion that he will deliver to them.

February 20 through 22 will be dedicated to the work of the General Assembly, whose theme this year is very current: "The Dignity of human procreation and reproductive technologies: anthropological and ethical aspects". This theme will be studied from an interdisciplinary viewpoint: the assisted reproductive technologies will be therefore considered in their scientific, anthropological, theological, ethical and legal aspects.

The Assembly will conclude with the release of a final communiqu‚, which will serve as a summary of the debate and of the conclusions of the meeting. The Proceedings of the meeting will be published in Italian and in English, over the following months.
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STATES MUST PROTECT THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF THE FAMILY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday on the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family during the 42nd session of the Social Development Committee. He underscored the "primordial role" of the family in society, saying it is "the first place for social integration as it constitutes the primary cell of society and its foundation."

"For the Holy See," stated the apostolic nuncio, "the family is a natural institution based on marriage - the intimate and complementary union of a man and woman - that, as such, possesses its own inalienable rights. More than just a simple juridical, sociological or economic unity, the family is a community of love and solidarity. It is for that reason that it is especially suited to realizing the integration of all its members, be they young, old or handicapped. On can therefore easily affirm that a family seen in this way could serve as a model of social integration on a broader scale."

However, noted the archbishop, today's world poses many threats to the family, in particular those situations of "the young who live in dysfunctional families, marked by conflict, inadequate parental control," drug abuse, to name but a few. "My delegation insists on the urgency of adopting family policies to meet with the current needs. In fact, my delegation is convinced that these policies constitute the ethical and concrete manner of solving crises in societies and guaranteeing a better future for democracy."

Society should help families, archbishop Migliore said. However, he added, quoting "Familiaris consortio", "society should not take from families the functions that they can just as well perform on their own or in free associations; instead it must positively favor and encourage as far as possible responsible initiative by families. . States have a responsibility to defend the 'sovereignty' of the family. . Defending the sovereignty of the family contributes to the sovereignty of nations."
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BRIGITTINES: "SPECIALISTS OF THE SPIRIT"

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2004 (VIS) - Today John Paul II received participants in the ninth General Chapter of the Order of the Holy Savior of St. Bridget, headed by Mother Tekla Famiglietti who was just confirmed as general abbess for another six-year term.

After recalling the theme of the assembly, "Going back to our roots.for a renewal of religious life," the Pope said that "all authentic renewal requires a wise recovery of the spirit of our roots in order to turn the fundamental charism into apostolic choices appropriate for the times. For this reason, faithful to the special monastic vocation that distinguishes the Brigittine family, you are concerned with emphasizing the absolute primacy that God must occupy in the life of every one of you and your communities. Above all you are called to be 'specialists of the spirit,' contemplative souls full of the fire of divine love, and constantly dedicated to prayer."

"Only if you are 'specialists of the spirit' like St. Bridget will you be able to faithfully instill in this age the charism of evangelical firmness and unity, inherited from Blessed Elizabeth Hesselblad. Through the hospitality and warm welcome that you offer in your houses, you will be able to bear witness to the merciful love of God toward human beings and the desire for unity that Christ left his disciples."

The Holy Father asked the nuns to be "tireless builders everywhere of 'the great ecumenism of holiness'. Your ecumenical activity," he concluded, "is especially appreciated because it is carried out in Northern Europe where there are few Catholics and it is important to promote dialogue with our brothers and sisters of other Christian confession."
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DOGMA OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTON MARKS 150 YEARS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 8, 2004 (VIS) - Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus today, Pope John Paul focussed on the February 11th celebration of the World Day of the Sick and the 150th anniversary this year of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

"This Wednesday, February 11, liturgical memory of Our Lady of Lourdes, we will celebrate the World Day of the Sick," said the Pope, who instituted this celebration, the first one of which took place in Lourdes on February 11, 1993. He added that "the principal events this year will take place in Lourdes where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous, calling herself 'the Immaculate Conception'. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception proclaimed by my venerated predecessor, Blessed Pius IX, whose feast day we celebrated yesterday.

"The link between Our Lady of Lourdes and the world of suffering and illness is very well known. At the shrine which grew from the grotto of Massabielle, sick people are always the protagonists and Lourdes has become, over the years, an authentic city of life and hope. How could it be otherwise? The Immaculate Conception of Mary is, in fact, the first fruit of the redemption fulfilled by Christ and the pledge of His victory over evil. That spring of water rising from the earth, from which the Virgin Mary asked Bernadette to drink, reminds us of the power of the Spirit of Christ Who completely heals man and gives him eternal life."

The Holy Father said he had named Cardinal Lozano Barragan, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, as his special envoy to the celebrations on Lourdes.

After reciting the Angelus, John Paul II greeted steel workers from Terni, Italy who, he said, "have come on a pilgrimage to call attention to the crisis in this great industrial sector. I cannot forget that it was precisely there, on March 19, 1981, that I paid my first visit to an Italian factory. Dear workers, as I said then, I appreciate your firm desire to 'defend your work and its dignity'. I am close to you in your present difficulties and I hope that an equitable solution can be found for you and your families."
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