DECLARATION ON IRANIAN DETAINEES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2000 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in a declaration today, that "a number of journalists have asked if it is true that the Holy See has taken steps in favor of the Iranian detainees of Jewish origin whose sentence from the court of appeals is imminent. On this matter, the Holy See can state:

"The Secretariat of State, both directly and indirectly, has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Iranian authorities to the case of the above-mentioned detainees.

"Furthermore, the Holy See, in keeping with the Catholic Church's position on this matter, has always hoped that the right to a fair and just trial be respected for the accused, and that their rights be guaranteed.

"Finally it will be recalled that, in the spirit of the Great Jubilee, Pope John Paul II has encouraged the leaders of nations to undertake acts of clemency in favor of prisoners."

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SEMINAR ON IMPLEMENTING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN TOURISM

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2000 (VIS) - Msgr. Pietro Monni, Holy See permanent observer to the World Tourism Organization, yesterday spoke before an international seminar that is considering the theme: "Implementing Ethical Principles in Tourism Development." The seminar was held in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 20-21.

Msgr. Monni affirmed that the seminar "reflects the willingness of everyone involved in making the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism operative, and in contributing to the diffusion of these rules of behavior valid for tourists, for host countries and for the people working in this sector."

"At this point I cannot continue without talking about a particular type of tourism, and that is pilgrimage." This, he said, "is a spiritual itinerary, the path of the faithful, the search for God." He went on to underline two points: "This search for the divine, for God, cannot be done under the guidance of people of another religion, and the pilgrim must be guaranteed full liberty in regards to entrance and to veneration in the places which are tied to his faith."

The permanent observer went on to highlight that the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, "a true synthesis of the ethical values in the tourism sector, interests all countries. The general aim is oriented towards strengthening the wholesomeness of tourism, which is the bearer of values. Among these values are respect for the environment, peaceful living together of ethnic groups and the widespread choice of a path towards peace. Tourism, reciprocal understanding and peace are inseparable realities."

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THE CHURCH IS CALLED TO PROCLAIM THE POWER OF THE CROSS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received participants in the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of the Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament, who are celebrating the second centenary of their foundation.

The Holy Father recalled that the congregation expanded first through Europe "but later moved to the Pacific, to Latin America, to Asia and Africa, up to the present day when you have a presence in more that 40 countries."

"Today, as always," he continued, "what the Church is called to proclaim before the world is the power of the Cross. ... What this requires from you is that, like Christ Himself, you allow your hearts to open in order that they be converted in the reflection of the spring of living water, the only thing that can satisfy the thirst of the human heart."

John Paul II emphasized that "only in the depths of contemplation can the Holy Spirit transform your hearts. ... Social structures can never be perfected and elevated without a true conversion of hearts. Both aspects should go together as, if the structures are changed without converting hearts, these structural changes may conceal evil but not overcome it. For this reason the mission, if it does not contemplate the Crucified Christ, is condemned to frustration."

After recalling that their founding was characterized by the fact that men and women form part of the same congregation, the Pope indicated that "this unity has not always been easy, and it is important for the governing bodies of both branches to work for an ever more mature testimony of evangelical union, solidarity and interdependence among all members of the congregation."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Eduardo Montealegre Rivas, foreign minister of Nicaragua, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, accompanied by Bishop Francsico Gil Hellin and Msgr. Francesco Di Felice, respectively secretary and under-secretary of the same pontifical council.

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PARTICIPATION IN CHRISTIAN LIFE RENDERS US SONS IN THE SON

VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2000 (VIS) - "The experience of God 'Abba' in Christ and in the Spirit" was the theme of John Paul II's catechesis during the general audience which was held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 40,000 pilgrims.

"The typically Christian way of considering God always passes through Christ. He is the Way and no one comes to the Father except by Him. ... The experience of God can never be reduced to a generic 'sense of the divine,' nor should the mediation of Christ's humanity be considered as surpassable, the greatest mystics have demonstrated this," rather it must develop "in total coherence with the Gospel."

The Holy Father continued by indicating that "Christ also bore effective witness of the Father's love. In the incredible parable of the prodigal son, Jesus presents the Father as ever awaiting for sinful man to return to His arms." He added, "Those who truly experience God's love, cannot but repeat with ever-fresh emotion the words of the First Letter of St. John: 'See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are.' In this light, we can turn to God with the tender, spontaneous and intimate invocation: 'Abba,' Father."

"Christ," he went on, "grants us the very life of God, a life that overcomes time and introduces us into the mystery of the Father, into His joy and infinite light. ... This participation in the life of Christ, that makes us 'sons and daughters in the Son,' is made possible by the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Following the audience, the Pope blessed the statue of St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Teaching Brothers, in the Vatican's Santa Marta Square. The statue is a gift from the Republic of Costa Rica.

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