UDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Nine prelates from the Canadian (Ontario) Conference of Catholic Bishops on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Marcel Andre J. Gervais of Ottawa.

    - Bishop Richard William Smith of Pembroke.

    - Bishop Vincent Cadieux O.M.I., of Moosonee.

    - Bishop Nicola De Angelis C.F.I.C., of Peterborough.

    - Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher of Alexandria-Cornwall, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Eugene Philippe LaRocque.

    - Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe of Sault Sainte Marie, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Harris.

    - Bishop John Stephen Pazak C.SS.R., of Saints Cyril and Methodius of Toronto of the Slovaks of Byzantine Rite.

 - Archbishop James Patrick Green, apostolic nuncio to South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho, and apostolic delegate to Botswana, accompanied by members of his family.
AL:AP/.../...                                    VIS 20060907 (140)

PUBLICATION OF A BOOK BY CARDINAL SODANO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2006 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office this morning, Msgrs. Gabriele Giordano Caccia and Pietro Parolin, respectively councillor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State and under-secretary for Relations with States of the same secretariat, presented a book by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano entitled: "Il lievito del Vangelo. La presenza della Santa Sede nella vita dei popoli" (The Leaven of the Gospel. The presence of the Holy See in the life of peoples).

  The Italian-language volume contains twelve speeches by Cardinal Sodano, who has occupied the post of secretary of State for almost 16 years, serving under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

  Msgr. Parolin highlighted how the long period of Cardinal Sodano's service to the Church has been "particularly complex and restless, bearing in mind the end of the Cold War, the two Gulf conflicts, the Balkans war and the outbreak of international terrorism following the events of September 11 2001."

  "The central importance of human beings as the main inspiration of the Holy See's diplomatic activity" is, said Msgr. Parolin, one of the cardinal's favored themes, featuring, for example, in his address to heads of State and government at the March 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, Denmark. Another of the chapters of his book dedicates great attention to the theme of "solidarity and the duty to show solidarity."

  The under-secretary for Relations with States went on to consider a further aspect emphasized by Cardinal Sodano in his book, his "considerations on the need to place ethical values at the foundation of all forms of social structure and human coexistence."

  In closing, Msgr. Parolin dwelt on Cardinal Sodano's concern for the "human factor," explaining that "it is the Lord Who guides history, but He is wont to use many 'humble servants of his vineyard' who, animated by a great love for the Church and a profound sense of service to humanity, give body and soul to the international activity of the Holy See."

  For his part, Msgr. Caccia pointed out that Cardinal Sodano's book "brings together experiences matured over time as a pastor of souls; a pastor not directly entrusted with a portion of the people of God, but with the privilege of cooperating in the care of the entire flock of the Lord, alongside the Successor of the Apostle Peter."

  Reading the text, said Msgr. Caccia, "from between the lines there emerges a desire to answer a question ... on the meaning and significance of the Holy See's presence in the life of peoples. ... In order to illustrate this mission, ... Cardinal Sodano chooses the evangelical image of leavening, ... and explains the activity of the Holy See as a presence that 'leavens,' a 'ferment' of truth, of love and of peace, a presence that discreetly, patiently and silently, acts within history and the often conflict-ridden situations of humanity. An evangelical and evangelizing presence that summons everyone belonging to the Holy See always to proclaim ... only the Gospel in all situations, using real institutions to achieve this end."

  "From the very opening pages Cardinal Sodano illustrates the pastoral mission of the Holy See, that aims 'to introduce the leavening of Christianity into the life of nations';" and stresses "the importance of the Holy See's presence in many fields of international activity 'to infuse the heart of modern society with that innovative ferment that is the Gospel of Christ'."

  Still quoting from Cardinal Sodano's work, the councillor for General Affairs said: "The Church has no other raison d'etre in the world than that of continuing the work of the Lord. She has, in fact, been well defined as Christ ... prolonged over the centuries.' This is even truer in our own times," Msgr. Cacccia concluded, "when the greatest challenges are not economic or technical, but first and foremost ethical and spiritual."
.../SODANO BOOK/CACCIA:PAROLIN                    VIS 20060907 (660)

NEED FOR MORATORIUM ON USE OF SUB-MUNITIONS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 7, 2006 (VIS) - On September 1, Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi C.S., Holy See permanent observer to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions at Geneva, addressed the 15th Session of the Group of Governmental Experts of States Parties to the CCW ("Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects"). The session was held from August 28 to September 6.

  "Thus far," said Archbishop Tomasi in his French-language address, "we have heard no convincing evidence from those who consider these arms [sub-munitions] to be legitimate. In any case, all arms are called legitimate before being prohibited or regulated. Was that not true of chemical, biological, incendiary and laser weapons? The fact of declaring a particular armament legitimate does not make it more acceptable or less inhuman."

  After highlighting how the Holy See considers "it vital to undertake a profound reflection on the nature and use of sub-munitions," Archbishop Tomasi pointed out that the victims of conflict "cannot wait for years of negotiations and discussions. For this reason, there must be a moratorium on the use of these arms. At the same time, the States parties to the CCW must set themselves to work."

  The permanent observer concluded his address by indicating that "the review conference being prepared must be capable of adopting a specific mandate to begin discussions and negotiations on an effective instrument to eradicate the risks associated with sub-munitions."
DELSS/SUB-MUNITIONS/GENEVA:TOMASI                VIS 20060907 (260)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 6, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Appointed Archbishop James Patrick Green, apostolic nuncio to South Africa and Namibia and apostolic delegate to Botswana, as apostolic nuncio to Lesotho.

 - Gave his assent to the canonical election carried out by the Synod of Bishops of the Coptic Catholic Church meeting on August 31, of Fr. Kamal Fahim Awad Hanna, rector of the Coptic Catholic Seminary of Maadi, Egypt, as bishop of the Curia of the patriarchal eparchy of Alexandria of the Coptic Catholics. The bishop-elect was born in Twa, Egypt, in 1961 and ordained a priest in 1988.
NN:NA/.../GREEN:HANNA                            VIS 20060906 (110)

PHILIP: GUIDE HUMAN ANXIETIES BACK TO CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, SEP 6, 2006 (VIS) - In this morning's general audience in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI continued his catechesis on the Apostles, dedicating his remarks to the figure of St. Philip. Twenty-five thousand pilgrims were present to hear him speak.

  Philip, said the Pope, "came from the same place as Peter and Andrew, Bethsaida," and "was one of the first Apostles." He showed all "the characteristics of the true witness" when, talking with Nathaniel, he not only spoke to him of Christ "but suggested he come and experience personally what was being announced."

  "The Apostle calls us to a close knowledge of Jesus," said the Pope, recalling Mark's words about Jesus appointing the twelve "primarily 'to be with Him,' in other words, to share His life and learn directly from Him, not only His behavior but, above all, exactly who He was. ... Intimacy, familiarity and habit bring us to discover the true identity of Jesus Christ. It is precisely of this that the Apostle Philip reminds us."

  On the occasion of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, it was to Philip that Jesus turned asking where they could buy bread to feed the multitudes following Him; and before the Passion, a number of Greeks approached Philip wanting to see Jesus. In both cases, the Apostle took on the role of "intermediary ... teaching us to be ever ready to welcome questions and requests, ... from wherever they may come, and to guide them towards the Lord, Who alone is capable of satisfying them fully."

  During the Last Supper it was Philip who asked the Lord to show them the Father receiving Jesus' reply, "he who has seen me has seen the Father," said Pope Benedict. And he explained: "Expressing ourselves in accordance with the paradox of the Incarnation, we could well say that God assumed a human face, that of Jesus, and so from now on, if we truly wish to know the face of God, we must do no more than contemplate the face of Jesus."

  "The goal to which our lives must tend," the Pope concluded, is "to meet Jesus as Philip met Him, seeking to see in Him the Heavenly Father. If this commitment is lacking, we would simply be turned back to ourselves, as in a mirror. ... Philip invites us to allow ourselves to be conquered by Jesus, to be with Him and to invite others to share His indispensable company."

  After the audience, the Pope greeted pilgrims in various languages, also mentioning his forthcoming apostolic trip to Germany. "I thank the Lord," he said, "for the opportunity He has given me to visit, for the first time since my election as Bishop of Rome, my homeland of Bavaria." Benedict XVI asked people to pray for his journey, and confided the visit to the Virgin Mary, that she may "obtain for the German people a springtime of renewed faith and civil progress."
AG/PHILIP/...                                    VIS 20060906 (500)