NEW PORTUGUESE AMBASSADOR PRESENTS LETTERS OF CREDENCE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 13, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of Portugal, Pedro Jose Ribeiro de Menezes, and affirmed that on his visit to Fatima last May to beatify the shepherd children Jacinta nd Francisco, he was able to verify "how the Christian religion molds the very soul of Portugal."

The Pope recalled that the Church claims "the right to give its opinion" on laws and institutions in order to distinguish "that which is coherent with a well-formed conscience." On this subject, he highlighted that the Church in Portugal has made her voice heard on "the iniquitous law of abortion and on giving the family, in the sense of matrimonial union, the same legal status as new and completely different forms of union with which it cannot be reconciled."

The Pope said that "we must denounce - as a violation of the original assignment we received - those people who do not educate in authentic liberty, in truth and in respect for love and for family values." He added that the Church "wishes with all her strength to work for this cause within her own sphere, in full respect for the liberty of conscience."

The Pope emphasized the "broad and almost forced coexistence of the souls of various peoples who have forged the great, I would almost say universal, soul of Portugal." One result of this is the "Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries." He also emphasized "the great solidarity shown by Portugal during the bloody drama of East Timor" and during the return of Macao to China. "With like sentiments," he concluded, "your nation is living through the drama in Angola."

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