LANGUAGE GROUPS MEET, DISCUSS THEME, PREPARE REPORTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 1999 (VIS) - The third session of the working groups into which the participants of the synod for Europe are divided, was held last evening from 5 to 7 p.m. The fourth session was held this morning from 9 to 12:30 and the fifth is scheduled for this afternoon.

There are nine language groups: 2 each for English and French, 1 German, 1 Spanish-Portuguese and 3 Italian. During their meetings, the participants continue discussion on the synod theme and prepare reports from their respective groups.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 1999 (VIS) - The following participants in the Synod for Europe were invited to lunch by the Holy Father:

- Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini S.J., archbishop of Milan, Italy.
- Archbishop Nikolaos Foscolos of Athens, Greece.
- Archbishop Alessandro Plotti of Pisa, Italy.
- Archbishop Ennio Antonelli, emeritus of Perugia-Citta della Pieve, Italy.
- Archbishop Nikolaos Printesis of Naxos, Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, Greece.
- Archbishop Lucian Muresan, metropolitan archbishop of Fagaras and Alba Julia, Romania.
- Bishop Alberto Ablondi of Livorno, Italy.
- Bishop Szilard Keresztes of Hajdudorog for Catholics of the Byzantine rite, Hungary.
- Bishop Wilhelm Emil Egger O.F.M. Cap., of Bolzano-Bressanone, Italy.
- Bishop Zelimir Puljic of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
- Bishop Christo Proykov, apostolic exarch for Catholics of the Byzantine-Slavic rite in Bulgaria.
- Bishop Virgil Bercea of Oradea Mare of the Romanians, Romania.
- Bishop Rimantas Norvila, auxiliary of Kaunas, Lithuania.

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MASS FOR STUDENTS AT ECCLESIAL UNIVERSITIES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 1999 (VIS) - On Friday, October 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the Vatican Basilica, a Mass will be held for the start of the academic year in the ecclesial universities. John Paul II will address rectors, professors and students of the universities and impart his Apostolic Blessing to them. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Pio Laghi, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

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THIRTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 9, 1999 (VIS) - The thirteenth general congregation of the European synod started at 9 a.m. in the Synod Hall in the presence of the Pope and 139 synod fathers. The president on duty was Cardinal Joachim Meisner. The session finished at 12:00 noon. Prior to interventions from the synod fathers a message from Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, was read.

Following are excerpts from some of this morning's speeches:

REV. VEIKKO PURMONEN OF THE FINNISH ORTHODOX CHURCH. "It is a traditional notion that Finland, as well as the Finnish Orthodox Church which is a small minority in a Protestant country, are bridge builders between East and West. It is in this spirit that our Church has been involved in the ecumenical movement. In this spirit we have also had ecumenical fellowship with the Catholic Church. It is a traditional practice in Finland that in the areas where there are no Catholic churches, Catholic services are held in Orthodox churches. Last year, 1998, the Finnish Orthodox Church had the joy of offering the meeting place - in the new Valamo Monastery - for the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Europe. ... Indeed, it is our common Christian understanding that our faith is to be expressed in worship, in liturgical life, especially in the Holy Eucharist. ... Our faith is also to be expressed in every day life, in diaconal service, in our love of God and our neighbor, during the liturgy and after it. Right faith must lead to right practice, to a truly Christian life style."

BISHOP JOHN HIND OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY, BISHOP OF GIBRALTAR, DIOCESE OF EUROPE. "The vision of the Church as communion arises both from its historic identity as the Body of Christ and from its eschatological destiny as foretaste of the kingdom of God. Past and future meet in the present where we are called to reveal what God has done and what God has promised. ... The Church should not just speak about, but should live the message of holiness, peace, justice and communion. Even the characteristics of unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity are not characteristics of the Church alone. They are essentially features of the kingdom of God. We must avoid a purely utilitarian view of ecumenism. Jesus prayed 'ut unum sint' not only 'so that the world may believe' but also 'as you, Father, and I are one'."

METROPOLITAN JEREMIAS OF FRANCE, OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE. "His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I has, in answer to an official invitation that follows the tradition of collaboration and contact between our Churches, delegated me to represent the Church of Constantinople during your work. ... I am also authorized to transmit to you the particular interest the Ecumenical Patriarch has in your Church's preparations for the celebration of the Jubilee of the Year 2000, and his intent to share with you the worry and doubt (as we) search for answers to the numerous questions that the world asks the Church today. We are all called upon to defend the only proposition of all Christians with force and conviction, accompanying this with true faith in Jesus Christ, incarnated for the salvation of man. ... It is significant that the speeches by the synod fathers constantly emphasize ecumenical Christian dialogue. This is clear proof of awareness of the need for dialogue at the highest ecclesial level, despite the numerous difficulties that Churches face in answering the needs and the call of Christ for unity."

MSGR. NOEL TREANOR, SECRETARY GENERAL FOR THE COMMISSION OF THE EPISCOPATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY. "The EEC, now the European Union (EU), has proved to be the motor of European integration. The founding fathers conceive of the European project as giving shape to a community of nations that incarnate such values as peace, security, sharing resources for the improvement of living standards throughout the Community, creation of democratic institutions, rule of law and respect for minorities in their internal and external relations. ... The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) is presently working on making a contribution to the articulation of a vision statement. ... The core of its mission, carried out in cooperation with the nunciature to the EU and the numerous Catholic organizations that interface with the EU, is to read the agenda of the European Union with the eyes of faith and to offer pertinent Christian anthropological insights to those shaping the policies arising from that agenda. In accomplishing this mission on behalf of the local Churches in Europe, COMECE stresses the need for closer cooperation between its secretariat and the bishops' conferences. It recommends that episcopal conferences have among their services, a committee or Working Group for European affairs."

BISHOP AGOSTINO SUPERBO, EMERITUS OF ALTAMURA-GRAVINA-ACQUAVIVA DELLE FONTI, ASSISTANT GENERAL ECCLESIASTIC OF ITALIAN CATHOLIC ACTION. "The ministry of Peter, the pastoral patience of bishops and priests, the apostolic tenacity of the associations, the enthusiasm of the new movements and, above all, the pastoral work inaugurated by John Paul II with the World Youth Days, have brought to our communities renewed zeal in the pastoral care of youth. Of course, some difficulties and problems still remain, none of them small, but that wall of indifference has collapsed so that we can look to the future with faith. ... It is necessary that in dioceses and the parishes, alongside the movements, lay people be active, efficient, and adult in faith, and draw from the Church her very reason for existence and her charismatic power, that they operate in close union with pastors in order to serve communion and the mission of the local Church. In World Youth Days, the Holy Father also offered us an indication of the essential dimensions of Christian formation, without which such formation would betray both young people and the goal it aims to achieve: the formation of Christian adults in the faith. Making no claims to be exhaustive or scientific, I will try to briefly describe this formation: Looking at young people positively but with healthy realism; centering on Christ; focussing one's conscience; courageous love of the truth in order to overcome the fear of commitment and the dream of subjectivism; evangelical radicalism; ecclesial education; invitation to modernity; witness and mission; and service to the poor, in order to meet the face of Christ and make His love present in the homes of men."

BISHOP SAMIR MAZLOUM, APOSTOLIC VISITATOR FOR THE FAITHFUL OF THE MARONITE CHURCH OF ANTIOCH IN NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE, FROM LEBANON. "For over a century, persecutions, massacres, wars and different types of economic and social pressures have pushed millions of Christians of the Middle East to escape from their countries and take refuge elsewhere. The Christian presence has thus passed from 35 percent to 2 percent of the population in Iraq; from 30 to 10 percent in Egypt; from 40 to 12 percent in Syria; from 56 to 45 percent in Lebanon; from 30 to 0.2 percent in Turkey. And the land where Christ became man has a total of no more than a few thousand Christians. This situation must worry Europe, just as it worries the Church and especially His Holiness Pope John Paul II who is doing his utmost to stop this hemorrhage. I would like to thank the European countries that have welcomed a great number of these Christians over the past ten years, and who have guaranteed them much aid. However, these Christians are still awaiting recognition, not as individuals or as small isolated communities, but as members of the prestigious, historic Churches that have their traditions, their spiritual, theological and cultural heritage, their many saints and their thousands of martyrs. ... The Maronites in Europe turn to His Holiness Pope John Paul II; he renews their faith, and they pray to him to provide them with the means to offer their witness just as he requested during his historic visit to Lebanon."

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TWELFTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 1999 (VIS) - The twelfth congregation of the European synod began this afternoon shortly after 5 with the prayer "Pro Felici Synodi Exitu." The assembly was convened by Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, president delegate on duty. Pope John Paul and 153 synod fathers were in attendance and heard speeches from a fraternal delegate, auditors and three synod fathers. The meeting concluded at 7 p.m.

Following are excerpts from some of the speeches given this evening:

MSGR. PAVOL BRZY, PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY AT THE KOMENSKY UNIVERSITY IN BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. "Today more than ever, every parish should have a reliable and systematic pastoral mission towards families and the young people of those families. If there are no authentic Christian families, the number of Christians will continue to fall, and young Christians will be increasingly reluctant to live a life of faith, sacrifice and responsibility. The number of families willing to comply with the values of faith will decline, and the Lord's call to young people to follow Him will not have an adequate response, despite the efforts of the Church and of this synod. ... The synod's closing document should especially underline the importance, urgency and priority of an enduring parish pastoral mission directed towards the family at all levels, as this is the primary and often most decisive opportunity that ensures that Christ is truly living in His Church and that He is the hope of Europe. In order to further this important pastoral mission it would undoubtedly be appropriate to propose the convocation of a Special Synod to examine concrete experience in the pastoral mission for families."

SANJA HORVAT, HEALTH-CARE WORKER AND STUDENT OF THEOLOGY AT THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. "We young people in Bosnia-Herzegovina face several big problems - too much free time, unemployment, high study fees. We need a new life of tolerance, of love. ... The biggest and most insoluble problem for young Catholics is that of returning. Very few have come back. How can we? We have no housing! We are unwanted! How can we return to a neighborhood lacking in good neighbors? There is no economic development, no jobs, no money. And in addition, we are Catholic! ... What happens to the Church if young people leave? No sacraments of baptism and marriage and no vocations. The Church is less powerful with powerful enemies knowing nothing of reconciliation and forgiveness. We, the youth who are staying, hoping and living, are still here to give witness to Christ and to the Catholic Church. We need courageous and committed priests to rebuild destroyed souls."

SR. IRINA M. BOTA O.S.B.M., PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR IN ROMANIA OF THE ORDER OF BASILIAN SISTERS AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROMANIAN CONFERENCES OF SUPERIORS MAJOR, ROMANIA. "I belong to the Church of silence, a Church that for over forty years was oppressed and for ten years has lived in a situation of tolerance. Our first concern is for the formation of sisters both young and old, but the pace is very slow, and time and patience are necessary to achieve and truly live the needs of consecrated life. We still feel the consequences of clandestiness where fear of others, even one's own family, was an obligation for survival. ... Prior to religious freedom in Romania there were 15 religious congregations. Now we are seeing a blossoming of religious life as, after the events of December 1989, more than 50 religious congregations have been come into being in Romania, apart from those not members of the FCRSM. ... Today, it is fundamental to underline the integral dimension of the individual and give priority to the spiritual dimension. Beyond the political and economic aspects, individuals have their own conscience, their own dignity, their own interior freedom; they need God, they need eternal life, they need infinite love and this cannot be given to them by salary, the civil law or the party."

PAOLA BIGNARDI, PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL CATHOLIC ACTION, ITALY. "In my address I would like to call attention to the theme of the crisis of faith that seems to affect much of Europe, both the part that claims to still believe, especially in the West, and the part which is recovering the liberty to express its faith, especially in the East. ... Awareness of this crisis of faith should not induce us into pessimistic withdrawal, rather we would like to see it as a 'favorable moment' for us, one that calls us to creativity, to renew and invent forms of Christian life. ... The lay faithful are the ones mainly called upon to contribute to this 'new' evangelization; their daily experience, their shared participation in human fortune, can make the whole Church more 'expert in humanity'. In fact, to the Church the 'christifideles laici' can offer comprehension of and participation in everyday life, as well as the need for companionship, for mercy, for love, the provocations and urgency for solidarity and universal brotherhood. They are, most of all through their humanity those who render the Church close to the men and women of today."

IRINA ILOVAISKY GIORGI-ALBERTI, EDITOR OF "LA PENSEE RUSEE," FRANCE. "I am the editor of a weekly journal published in Paris and, for some years, also in Moscow, and a Christian radio station that has been broadcasting directly from Moscow for four years. ... The evangelization of Russia is a task whose difficulty far surpasses what one could imagine. We only have to mention that the number of believers practicing their faith (for all the Christian confessions) is around 2 to 3 percent of the population. The Russian Orthodox Church did not expect the fall of communism and was not ready to respond to the questions and needs that were facing her. She is still not ready and, above all, is subject to the terrible temptation - especially in her higher ranks - of letting herself be used as an ideology to replace marxist-leninism. This leads to her isolation from the Western Christian world and even her being hostile to it, either openly or by finding some excuse. One of these excuses is the accusation of proselytism. I can testify that this does not exist. This rejection of unity, the refusal to open the doors to the brothers of the Christian West and, in the first place, to the Holy Father, is a matter of politics, not religion. Many people in Russia have asked me to request forgiveness for this. ... Above all they ask you to forgive them, not to abandon them, not to forget them; not to fall into the traps often set for you which turn you away from them."

JAN ZICHA, MEMBER OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE LAITY, CZECH REPUBLIC. "The persecution we had to face during the communist times was unquestionably very hard, but it also had a positive side effect: a purification and deepening of our faith. It sometimes seems to me that the indifference of consumerism may be in some aspects even worse than the persecution during the years of the communist dictatorship. ... Sharing our Christian lives within a network of communities helped us to survive the persecution. Later (after 1989) this sharing became a basis for youth ministry in the Czech Republic and I am convinced that it will play a fundamental role in the future as well. I cannot imagine that the situation of the Church can improve without good formation within these small basic communities."

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