RECONCILIATION BETWEEN EAST AND WEST OF PRIMARY CONCERN

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2001 (VIS) - The pope received this morning in the Clementine Hall the participants in the international symposium promoted by the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the entering into force of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.

John Paul II recalled that the symposium emphasized "the necessity to intensify fraternal relations with other Christians and, in particular, with the Orthodox Churches. ... I hope that the journey of reconciliation between the East and the West is for you a constant and primary concern, as it is for the bishop of Rome."

The Holy Father mentioned his apostolic trips to Greece, Syria, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Armenia, and affirmed that in these he saw "fulfilled the vows of the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council, which considers the ecclesiastical and spiritual patrimony of the Eastern Churches as a good of the entire Church. Precisely to safeguard and promote the specificity of this patrimony, on October 18, 1990 I promulgated the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, which entered into force in October of the following year."

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JOHN PAUL II PROFILES THE PARISH PRIEST

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Clergy, which is meeting in the Vatican on the theme "The Priest, Pastor and Guide of the Parish Community."

In his speech to the congregation members, the Pope stressed that only an ordained priest can be appointed as a valid pastor and that parishioners may collaborate but may never take a priest's place. He also underscored the importance, in a pastor's life, of good preaching, of the vital nature of the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist and keeping holy the sabbath, of teaching the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and of not allowing canonically approved consulting bodies to go beyond their duties as consultants to a pastor.

Remarking that "the priest in persona Christi celebrates the Sacrifice of the Mass and administers the Sacraments," the Holy Father then affirmed: "For a parish to have a priest as its own pastor is of fundamental importance. The title of pastor is one specifically reserved to the priest. The Sacred Orders of priesthood represent, in fact, for (the priest) the indispensable and necessary condition to be appointed as a valid pastor. Other faithful may actively collaborate with him, even full time, but, as he has received the ministerial priesthood, they can never take his place as pastor. ... The ecclesial community absolutely needs the ministerial priesthood to have Christ Head and Pastor present in it."

John Paul II emphasized that "Christ is present in the Church in an eminent way in the Eucharist, source and culmination of ecclesial life. He is truly present in the celebration of the Mass, as well as when the consecrated bread is kept in the tabernacle."

Then, turning to the importance of keeping holy the sabbath, he quoted his 1998 Apostolic Letter "Dies Domini": "'Among the many activities of a parish, none is so vital or as community-forming as the Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and His Eucharist'. Nothing will ever take its place."

"Where there are no priests," declared the Pope, "with faith and perseverance, prayers must be offered, beseeching the Lord for numerous and holy vocations. ... It would be a fatal error to resign ourselves to the current difficulties and behave as if we must prepare the Church of tomorrow, envisioned as deprived of priests. In this way the measures adopted to remedy the current lacks would end up being, despite every good intention, seriously detrimental for the ecclesial community."

"The parish is a privileged place for the proclamation of the Word of God," said the Pope. A pastor should "have great personal familiarity with the Word of God" and should try to be as efficacious as possible in his preaching ministry.

"The collaboration of others, who are not ordained to the priesthood," he concluded, "is to be hoped for and is often necessary." However, "they must be faithful to their proper function as consultants" and care must be taken that no office or person "deprive the parish priest of his authority."

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EL SALVADOR: THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY MUST BE BUILT ON PEACE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the prelates of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador, at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit.

The Pope began his discourse speaking of peace and justice: "You well know," he said to the bishops, "that the future of the country must be built on peace, the fruit of which is justice. ... Help to build a society which favors agreement, harmony and respect for the person and for his fundamental rights. With your word, courageous and timely, and keeping in mind the needs of the common good, you must encourage everyone, beginning with those responsible for the political, administrative and judicial life of the nation, to promote better living and working conditions."

After emphasizing "the diligence, the moral force and the spirit of sacrifice of Salvadorians in the face of adversity," which was fully revealed after hurricane Mitch, and the earthquakes which struck the country this year, the Holy Father said that even though "external assistance is necessary," Salvadorians "must be the protagonists and the principle craftsmen of the reconstruction of the country."

"To give new impulse and vigor to evangelization," the Pope continued, "must be the primary objective of your pastoral work. ... The means of social communication used today must be used also to evangelize and catechize. ... I encourage you, then, to develop these means in order to place them at the service of spreading the Gospel."

The Pope affirmed that the bishops must encourage priests, their "direct collaborators," to "be men of regular and frequent prayer" and to be close to them "in order that they see you as authentic fathers and teachers. ... Offer them the best means to continue their formation and develop the virtues necessary to their mission, to confront with serenity and courage the difficulties that can arise."

Following this, John Paul II emphasized the need to promote the practice of Sunday Mass, "because in the process of strengthening the faith, the Eucharist is the privileged moment for encounter with the living Jesus Christ."

"One of the urgent necessities of our time, as I highlighted in the Apostolic Letter 'Novo Millennio Ineunte'," the Pope continued, "is attention to the family," in the face of the "serious dangers that currently threaten it: the breakdown of the matrimonial bond, the scourge of abortion, the contraception mentality, moral corruption, infidelity and domestic violence, factors which endanger the family, the fundamental unit of society and the Church." The Holy Father expressed his hope that youth who enter into marriage and families as well would receive a good formation "in order that they overcome the pressures of a culture contrary to marriage and the familial institution."

The Holy Father concluded his discourse by exhorting the Salvadorian prelates to "intensify efforts in the formation of an adult laity, who collaborate actively in the life and mission of the Church" and to help the youth "who in their situation are more easily exposed to the dangers and seductions of easy and illusive paths. Present to them, in all of their authenticity and richness, the great ideals of the Christian life and spirituality, in order that they may learn the values and norms of conduct most adapted to confronting the challenges of the present."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences three prelates of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Eduardo Alas Alfaro of Chalatenango.
- Bishop Miguel Angel Moran Aquino of San Miguel.
- Bishop Jose Adolfo Mojica Morales of Sonsonate.

This evening he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION "ECCLESIA IN OCEANIA"

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2001 (VIS) - Published today, along with the full text of Pope John Paul's Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Oceania," was an official summary of the papal document in English, Italian and French. Following are excerpts from that summary:

"The document is, therefore, an instrument of the papal post-synodal Magisterium which sets forth in an ordered manner the fruits of the work of the special synodal assembly and provides particularly applicable pastoral teaching to assist the Church in Oceania in her work of evangelizing all ' Church members and others ' in the Pacific region."

"'Ecclesia in Oceania' is mainly composed of four chapters based on the elements in the formulation of the synod theme: 'Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania: Walking His Way, Teaching His Truth, Living His Life'. ... Through the Holy Spirit, the Father calls believers'individually and in community'to walk the way that Jesus walked, to tell all nations the truth that Jesus revealed, to live fully the life that Jesus lived and continues to share with us now' (8). The Holy Father has also chosen to introduce each chapter with Scriptural icons, indicative of Oceania and its peoples who are scattered, for the most part, on innumerable islands in a vast expanse of water and are dependent on the sea for food and travel."

"The document's brief Introduction (1-2) is Oceania's song of praise to God at the beginning of the New Christian Millennium and a proclamation of hope in Jesus Christ for the future as a result of the many gifts of peoples which the region and its peoples have received in the past through 'God's infinite goodness in Christ' (1), not the least, the Christian Faith brought by missionaries to the region."

"The Scriptural passage of Christ's call of Peter and Andrew as they were casting their nets by the sea of Galilee (cf. t 4: 18-20) introduces Chapter I, entitled 'Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania'. ... The Holy Father, therefore, insists, that 'Christ is now calling the Church to share in his mission with new energy and creativity, requiring the Church in the region to search 'appropriate ways of presenting to the peoples of Oceania today Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. What follows is a brief theological explanation of the Person of Jesus Christ, 'Shepherd, Prophet and Priest', ... the call to mission, ... the history of the faith in the region and the rich, vibrant diversity of the Peoples of Oceania. ... The Holy Father states that not to be forgotten in presenting Christ is the variety of cultures in Oceania, a fact which requires a 'careful discernment to see what is of the Gospel and what is not, what is essential and what is less so (7) and a consideration of 'the worldwide process of modernization which has effects both positive and negative'."

"Chapter II, 'Walking the Way of Jesus Christ in Oceania (10-17), begins with the Biblical passage of the call of James and John to discipleship as they were mending their nets near their father Zebedee's boat (cf. Mt 4:21-22), and treats Church 'communio', its effects and challenges in the Pacific region. ... After the explanation of the concept of Church 'communio', the chapter proceeds to illustrate the various examples of 'communio', that is, the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Oceania, the unity of the episcopal college, the unity of the local Churches and the unity of the universal Church. Quoting again Pope Paul VI on the subject, the Holy Father augurs: 'May we always find ways to support one another in our united efforts to build up the Church and to live out this communion in service and faith'. These words are given practical form in the chapter's treatment of episcopal conferences ' national and regional ' and the presence of Eastern Churches in the region."

"The emphasis in the initial part of Chapter II on 'communio' logically gives way in the latter part to the subject of mission in which 'the present generation of Christians is called and sent now to accomplish a new evangelization among the peoples of Oceania ...', a mission which involves many challenges 'to reach out to those who live in unfulfilled hopes and desires, to those who are Christians in name only, and to those who have drifted away from the Church, perhaps because of painful experiences'. Above all, 'the Synod Fathers wanted to touch the hearts of young people'. ... The Holy Father concludes Chapter II with the reminder, 'to guide the process, fidelity to Christ and the authentic Tradition of the Church is required'.

"Chapter III, 'Telling the Truth of Jesus Christ in Oceania' (18-35) opens with a citation from the Gospel of Luke, 5:1-3, in which Christ uses Simon's boat to teach the crowd. Relating this image to the Church's charism to teach, the Holy Father emphasizes that the truth of 'the Gospel must be heard in Oceania ...A new evangelization is needed today so that everyone may hear, understand and believe in God's mercy destined for all people in Jesus Christ'."

"The entire group of agents of evangelization is to proclaim the truth of Christ in the particularly challenging areas in Oceania, that is, 'traditional religions and cultures and...the modern process of secularization'; 'the media of social communications'; 'catechesis, instruction and formation in the faith'; 'the work of ecumenism'; 'fundamentalist religious groups and movements' and 'interreligious dialogue'. This proclamation of truth is not only in words but in actions. The Holy Father points out, therefore, that 'the Church regards the social apostolate as an integral part of her evangelizing mission to speak a word of hope to the world; and her commitment in this regard is seen in her contribution to human development (26), her promotion of human rights (27), the defense of human life and dignity (30), social justice (28) and protection of the environment (31)'. The chapter concludes with a treatment of the Church's 'remarkable contribution' in Oceania in the fields of education (32-33), health care (34) and social services (35).

"The Biblical icon introducing Chapter IV, 'Living the Life of Jesus Christ in Oceania', is the account of the miraculous draught of fish (Lk 5:4-7), whose note of abundance aptly convokes the treatment of the Spiritual and Sacramental Life of the Church (36-52), in which 'living in Christ implies a way of life made new by the Spirit' (36). The Holy Father points out in this chapter that the Synod Fathers 'emphasized the fundamental importance for the Church in Oceania of prayer and the interior life in union with Christ ... and recognized the need to give fresh impetus and encouragement to the spiritual life of the faithful' (37)."

"'Each personal vocation is a call to share in the Church's mission; and, given the needs of the new evangelization, it is especially important now to remind lay people in the Church of their particular call' (43); to youth, praying that 'they always be drawn to the overwhelmingly attractive figure of Jesus, and stirred by the challenge of the Gospel's sublime ideals!' (44); to married couples and families, who 'will always need the concerted pastoral care of the Church' (45); to women who need to be provided with opportunities to 'offer their gifts more abundantly in service of the Church's mission' (46); and to new ecclesial movements, 'a sign of the times' (47) in the region, asked to 'work within the structures of the local Church in order to help build up the 'communio' of the Diocese in which they find themselves' (47).

"The section concludes with a treatment of the ordained ministry and the consecrated life. ... The Holy Father points out that 'the promotion of vocations is an urgent responsibility of every Catholic community'(48) and that 'each bishop is responsible for the formation of the local clergy in the context of the local culture and tradition' (48). While praising priests for 'their ongoing fidelity and commitment' (49), the Holy Father also reminded them that 'every priest needs unceasing conversion and openness to the Spirit in order to deepen his priestly commitment in fidelity to Christ' (49), particularly in priestly celibacy and the 'communio' of the 'presbyterium'. ... The Holy Father also notes that the 'permanent diaconate has been introduced in some dioceses of Oceania, where it has been well received' (50) and that 'faithful to the charisms of the consecrated life, congregations, institutes and societies of apostolic life have courageously adjusted to new circumstances, and have shown forth in new ways the light of the Gospel'(51).

"In the conclusion of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Oceania' (53), the Holy Father, recalling that Our Lady is revered in Oceania under the titles of Our Lady of Peace and Help of Christians, invokes the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church with a lengthy prayer."

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