GREAT COMMITMENT IN ORTHODOX-CATHOLIC DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2004 (VIS) - On January 27-30, 2004 in Cairo, Egypt, the first meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Churches took place.

The meeting, hosted by His Holiness Shenouda III, Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and the See of St. Mark, was presided by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and His Eminence Metropolitan Amba Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, as delegates from their respective Churches.

In their opening speeches, both Cardinal Kasper and Metropolitan Bishoy underscored the importance of the meeting which marks the beginning of new official theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches as a family.

In the first part of the meeting the many studies and activities carried out over the past thirty years were examined. Later, discussion was opened up on the following topics: unofficial consultations held between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches; official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church; official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church; the declarations made by the Catholic Church and any Orthodox Church. A paper was presented which was jointly sponsored by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in the U.S.A. on various aspects of their dialogue. The topics and discussion have demonstrated that considerable work has been done which may be useful for the future dialogue of the commission.

The 'work plan' and agenda for dialogue comprised the second part of the meeting which was dedicated to the topic of the next meeting, "Church as communion," scheduled to take place on January 25-30, 2005. Cardinal Kasper extended an invitation to have the meeting in Rome.
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AUDIENCE: MORAL INTEGRITY, JUSTICE AND SINCERITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2004 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope spoke about Psalm 14, "Who is worthy to be before the Lord?"

The Holy Father affirmed that while meditating upon this Psalm "we can envision a throng of faithful who press against the doors of the temple of Zion in order to worship. . To cross the threshold that leads to the 'tent,' or temple, on the 'sacred mount' of Zion eleven qualities are necessary." . They "constitute an ideal synthesis of the basic moral duties present in biblical law."

As opposed to other religious cultures which require "an exterior ritual pureness that includes ablutions, gestures and special clothing" in order to be received by God, the psalmist emphasizes "the purification of the conscience so that ever decision is inspired in love of justice and one's neighbor" and invites us to "combine faith and love, prayer and existential commitment, adoration and social justice."

Referring to the eleven duties that "can be the basis of a personal examination of conscience every time we prepare to confess our sins and to be admitted in communion with the Lord in the liturgical celebration," John Paul II enumerated those that "express an ethical choice: to follow the path of moral integrity, the practice of justice and perfect sincerity in speaking."

In reference to our neighbor, he said, "there are three duties: to eliminate calumny in our language, to avoid any action that could hurt our brother, to do away with insults against those who are beside us on a daily basis. Then there is the need for a clear position in the social setting: to despise evil, honor those who fear God. Finally, the last three precepts are listed which should be part of our examination of conscience: to be faithful to our word upon swearing, even when there are negative consequences for us; not to practice usury, a scourge that even in our times is an infamous reality capable of strangling the life of many people, and lastly to avoid any type of corruption in public life, another duty which we should know how to practice with vigor in our time."

John Paul II emphasized that "to follow this way of authentic moral choices means being prepared to encounter the Lord. . Those who react in the way indicated by the psalmist - concludes our prayer - 'will never vacillate'."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Cahors, France presented by Bishop Maurice Gaidon upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Angel Francisco Simon Piorno of Cajamarca, Peru as bishop of Chimbote (area 23,500, population 655,000, Catholics 570,000, priests 47, religious 114), Peru. He accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese presented by Bishop Luis Armando Bambaren Gastelumendi, S.J. upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Ivo Baldi Gaburri of Huaraz, Peru as bishop prelate of Huari (area 23, 000, population 300,000, Catholics 294,000, priests 41, religious 30), Peru.

- Appointed Bishop Antonio Santarsiero, O.S.G., prelate of Huari, Peru, as bishop of Huacho (area 14,227, population 495,000, Catholics 412,000, priests 31, religious 54), Peru.

- Appointed Bishop Jose Eduardo Velasquez Tarazona, coadjutor bishop of Tacna and Moquegua and apostolic administrator of Huacho, Peru, as bishop of Huaraz (area 13,818, population 350,200, Catholics 300,100, priests 60, religious 62) Peru.
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2004 PONTIFICAL YEARBOOK PRESENTED TO THE HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2004 (VIS) - This morning, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, and Archbishop Leonardi Sandri, substitute for General Affairs presented the first copy of the 2004 edition of the "Annuario Pontificio," or pontifical yearbook, to John Paul II, in the presence of those involved in its compilation and printing.

Among significant data is the creation of 30 new cardinals and 19 new episcopal sees, 1 apostolic exarchate, 1 military ordinariate and 1 apostolic prefecture. In addition, 4 metropolitan sees and 2 episcopal sees were elevated and 175 new bishops were appointed.

The statistics, based on data from 2002, indicate that there are 1,071,000,000 baptized Catholics in the world who make up 17.2% of the world population (6,212,000,000). Their distribution by continent is the following: 50% in America, 26.1% in Europe, 12.8% in Africa, 10.3% in Asia and 0.8% in Oceania. With respect to the population, the percentage of Catholics is: 62.4% in America, 40.5% in Europe, 26.8% in Oceania, 16.5% in Africa and 3% in Asia.

The number of people who dedicate themselves to pastoral activity is 4,217,572, distributed as following: 4,605 bishops, 405,058 priests (of which 267,334 are diocesan), 30,097 permanent deacons, 54,828 professed, non-priest religious, 782,932 professed female religious (of which 51,371 are contemplative), 28,766 members of secular institutes, 143,745 lay missionaries and 2,767,451 catechists.

Compared to 2001, the total number of priests remained the same (405,067 in 2001). However, upon analyzing the number of religious and diocesan priests, an increase in the number of diocesan priests is noted (from 266,448 in 2001 to 267,334 in 2002) as well as a decrease in the number of religious priests (from 138,619 to 137,724). There is an increase in the number of permanent deacons and lay missionaries (3.1% and 3.4% respectively).

The number of major seminarians is 112,982 (in 2001 there were 112,244), signaling an increase of 0.7%. There was an increase in the candidates to the priesthood in Africa (more than 5.8%) and America (more than 1.4%), while in Europe and Asia there was a slight decrease.
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THE MISSION OF RELIGIOUS IS STILL NECESSARY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2004 (VIS) - Yesterday evening thousands of members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life participated in a Eucharistic celebration presided by the Pope in the Vatican Basilica for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

The Pope blessed the candles, participated in the initial procession and, after pronouncing the homily, led the thanksgiving to God for the gift of consecrated life. Following the Mass, which was celebrated by Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Holy Father imparted his apostolic blessing.

John Paul II said that on this eighth day of Consecrated Life, "those who have forever offered their lives to Christ for the coming of the Kingdom of God are called to renew their 'yes' to the special vocation they have received. At the same time, the entire ecclesial community also rediscovers the richness of the prophetic witness of consecrated life, in the variety of its charisms and apostolic commitments."

Addressing himself to those present, the Pope highlighted the fact that Christ called them "to model themselves ever more on Him, who for love was obedient, poor and chaste. Continue to dedicate yourselves with passion to announcing and promoting his kingdom, which is necessary today as it was in the past!"

John Paul II invited the religious to renew their faithfulness to God "with the same enthusiasm and generosity as when you first pronounced your vows. Every day repeat with joy and conviction your 'yes' to the God of Love. In the intimacy of the monastery or alongside the poor and the marginalized, among the young or within ecclesial structures, in various apostolic activities or in mission lands, God wants you to remain faithful to his love and dedicated to the good of your brothers. This is the precious contribution you can offer the Church so that the Gospel of hope may reach all the men and women of our time."

At the end of his homily, the Pope called them to imitate the Virgin who "unconditionally accepted the will of God". Mary "is the primary and most exalted model for all consecrated people. Let yourselves be guided by her. Trust in her assistance with humble confidence, especially in moments of trial."
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