LOCAL CHURCHES PREPARE FOR THE JUBILEE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 1999 (VIS) - A series of initiatives from local Churches for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 were presented this morning in the Holy See Press Office.

The participants at the press conference were: Cardinal Roger Etchegaray and Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, respectively president and secretary of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, Angelo Scelzo, editor of "Tertium Millennium" magazine and Luca de Mata, head of the central committee's Internet services.

Archbishop Sepe reviewed the abundant informatory material produced worldwide and dedicated to the Jubilee, including more than 1,000 publications comprising manuals, pamphlets, videos etc., more than 200 messages sent by national episcopal conferences and more than 100 pastoral programs.

Referring to Jubilee initiatives by continent, the secretary of the Central Committee indicated that in Latin America, CELAM (the Latin American Episcopal Council) is coordinating various activities with the support of a group of countries including Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Ecuador.

Archbishop Sepe went on to say that, as regards Africa, one of the most interesting initiatives is the national pilgrimage on Sunday, May 30 to the Basilica of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, which "will be a kind of synthesis for the whole continent of the three years of preparation" for the Jubilee.

There are also many activities promoted by the European Churches. The archbishop said: "In Italy more than 90 percent of the dioceses are experiencing a special moment of grace through peoples' missions, meetings etc." In Spain, the national committee has produced a large quantity of pastoral material and liturgical texts.

In Asia, "the Korean bishops have promoted a national movement called 'New Day, New Life'" which aims to achieve "a positive transformation within the national community, starting with the family, the work environment and the city."

In Australia, from June 2 to 11, an ecumenical pilgrimage will take place whose goal is "spiritual renewal and reconciliation, especially with Australian aborigines."

Thereafter, referring to charitable aspects of the Jubilee, the archbishop indicated that needy pilgrims coming from all over the world "will make up part of the diocesan or national group and assistance for them will be assured by the group itself." He added that, in Italy, "374 houses have already been made available by ecclesiastical bodies, and these will offer accommodation at reduced charges, while another 41 will offer free hospitality, giving a total of more than 26,000 beds."

Luca de Mata announced that, starting next week, Jubilee initiatives promoted by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the U.S.A. may be studied at the web site www.jubil2000.org and, within three weeks, pages concerning Uruguay, Mexico and Venezuela will also be ready.

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CENTER'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE FAITH-CULTURE DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning received 130 friends and supporters of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., and expressed his "gratitude to all who have supported its mission of advancing dialogue and mutual enrichment between the worlds of faith and culture."

In May 1996 the Pope received a group of people who had proposed and planned this center, and he blessed the cornerstone of the future building which, he said at the time, "contained a part from the area of the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican Basilica." He received a group again in 1998, recalling that the ground-breaking ceremony had taken place the previous September.

"The planning of the Center," John Paul II said today, "was inspired by the Church's firm conviction that only the mystery of Jesus Christ sheds full light on the mystery of man and can therefore provide a sure foundation for the authentic progress of the human family in justice, peace and solidarity."

"Today," he remarked, "as the Church approaches the Third Millennium of the Incarnation, I pray that the Center, with its intellectual, artistic and cultural activity, will help to bring the Church's rich tradition and experience to bear on the great human and ethical issues which are shaping the future of your society."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Domenico Umberto D'Ambrosio of Termoli-Larino as archbishop of Foggia-Rovino (area 1,326, population 197,656, Catholics 195,500, priests 175, religious 345), Italy. The archbishop-elect was born in Peschici, Italy in 1941, was ordained a priest in 1965 and a bishop in 1990. He succeeds Archbishop Giuseppe Casale, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese was accepted by the Holy Father, on having reached the age limit.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Seven prelates from the Cameroon Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Jean Pasquier O.M.I., of Ngaoundere.
- Bishop Pius Suh Awa of Buea.
- Bishop Jean-Baptiste Ama of Ebolowa-Kribi.
- Bishop Athanase Bala C.S.Sp., of Bafia.
- Bishop Andre Wouking of Bafoussam, accompanied by his auxiliary, Bishop Gabriel Simo.
- Bishop Cornelius Fontem Esua of Kumbo.

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: UNIVERSAL ESCHATOLOGY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 1999 VIS) - "Universal eschatology: Humanity on the Journey to the Father" was the theme of John Paul II's catechism during this morning's general audience in St. Peter's Square.

The Pope said that, in order to reflect on human destiny, "it is essential to refer to Exodus with its orientation towards entry into the promised land," and its revelation of God's salvific action.

The Holy Father recalled that "during the exile, the prophets foretold a new Exodus," that "God will not only bring together His scattered people, but will transform the heart of each one," and create a new alliance.

"The resurrection of Christ, His ascension and the announcement of His return have shed a new light on our final end. ... Jesus says: 'I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.'"

The Pope recalled that we do not know when the end of time will occur. For this reason, "we must patiently await the coming of the resurrected Jesus. ... Anticipation of the final event must be lived in serene hope, committing oneself in the present moment to building the kingdom which Christ will hand over to the Father at the end of time."

He concluded: "Consequently we must remain convinced that our 'commonwealth is in heaven and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.' For here we have no lasting city."

Among his greetings at the end of the audience, John Paul II particularly addressed the pilgrims from the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki, Ethiopia: "The conflict between your country and Eritrea is a cause of great sadness to me. Let us pray that peace will be promptly and permanently restored."

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