ASSOCIATIONS OF FAITHFUL: ECUMENICAL, INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2001 (VIS) - On June 22 and 23, in the "Aula Magna" of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, a study seminar will be held on the theme: "Associations of faithful: ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue."

The seminar is being promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

Cardinal James Francis Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, will inaugurate the seminar. Later, Bishop Rino Fisichella, auxiliary of Rome, will speak on the theme: "Questions, requirements and challenges in ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, in the light of the Church's mission in the global and multi-cultural society."

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STATISTICS ON THE CHURCH IN UKRAINE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2001 (VIS) - On the occasion of John Paul II's apostolic visit to Ukraine - his 94th trip outside Italy, due to take place from June 23 to 27 - some statistics on the Church in that country were published by the Central Statistical Office of the Church. They are from the year 2000.

Ukraine has a population of 50.1 million inhabitants of whom 5.5 million (11.08 percent) are Catholics. There are 3,676 parishes and 399 pastoral centers of other types. Bishops number 23 (as of May 16, 2001), priests 2,522, religious 1,075 and permanent deacons 14. There are 30 minor seminarians and 1,236 major seminarians.

A total of 1,267 students attend 20 Catholic centers of education, from nursery school to university level. There are also various charity and social centers belonging to the Church and/or run by priests or religious: 22 hospitals, 17 orphanages and kindergartens, 3 family consultancy and pro-life centers and 13 special education centers, as well as other institutions.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Pier Giacomo De Nicolo, apostolic nuncio in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
- Archbishop Alberto Bottari De Castello, apostolic nuncio in Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- Archbishop Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, apostolic nuncio.
- Abdelouhab Maalmi, ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, on a farewell visit.
- Svetlozar Raev, ambassador of Bulgaria, on a farewell visit.
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