MESSAGE TO THE URSULINES: CHALLENGE OF INCULTURATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a message to Sister Carmela Distefano, superior general of the Congregation of the Ursuline Religious of the Holy Family on the occasion of the general chapter of the institution, dedicated to the theme: "The mission that is confronted with the charisma and eye toward the future."

The Holy Father recalls that the order, according to what their constitutions establish, wants "to expand the Kingdom of God through the apostolate of education, assistance and missionary work" and underlines that the foundress, Rosa Roccuzzo, "was inspired for her tireless service of her neighbor in the spirit of the Holy Family, striving to confront ... the typical forms of the poverty of her time: from economic and moral to poverty provoked by the lack of adequate health care."

He then exhorts the religious to be "daily witnesses to the Gospel ... capable of distinguishing themselves by intense communion and active cooperation with the Church."

"The great challenge of inculturation," he concludes, "today requires that believers announce the Good News with language and ways comprehensible to the men and women of these times. An urgent mission and vast apostolic perspectives are opening up before you ... Be willing to offer your existence for the service of the poor; cultivate a true passion for educating young people, dedicate yourself with generosity to people, especially the sick and those who are suffering. So many are still waiting to get to know Jesus and His Gospel! So many need to feel the love of God."

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GENERAL CHAPTER: ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST & ST. CATHERINE RELIGIOUS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2002 (VIS) - Today a message was made public from the Pope to Reverend Mother Maria Floriana Pasqualetto, superior general of the Congregation of the Religious of St. John the Baptist and St. Catherine of Siena who are celebrating their general chapter this month. The theme of the chapter is: "From the structure, the Institute's new vitality for the good of the Church and of society in the present and future."

John Paul II writes in the message, dated July 11, that the religious, "reflecting on the enthusiasm with which their order was founded, want to reaffirm their interior energy in order to project brave new missionary goals."

The foundress of the congregation, Medea Ghiglino Patellani, "set out to translate the great 'lesson' of the exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola into everyday life. ... Communion lived integrally and the education of young people, considering the human person in his entirety, constituted since then the center of your charisma." And he adds: "I am sure that the general chapter" will help the religious family "to take the next step, adapting natural law to the demands of our time, without betraying its substance."

The Holy Father urged the religious to take care, above all, of "communion, a central element, and at the same time, the synthesis of your charisma. The apostolic service," he concluded, "in which the glory of God shines, comes from communion really lived out."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2002 (VIS) - The following prelates have died in recent weeks:

- Bishop Roberto Pinarello de Almeida, emeritus of Jundiai, Brazil, on Jun 28 at the age of 74.
- Bishop Jozef-Maria Heuschen, emeritus of Hasselt, Belgium, on July 1 at the age of 86.
- Bishop Henri Clement Donze, emeritus of Tarbes et Lourdes, France, on June 25 at the age of 89.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Florentin Crihalmeanu, auxiliary of the eparchy of Cluj-Gherla dei Romeni (Catholics 100,000, priests 143, religious 125), Romania, as bishop of the same eparchy. He succeeds Bishop Gheorghe Gutiu whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same eparchy the Holy Father accepted in accordance with Canon 210, para. 1, of the Code of Canon Law of the Eastern Churches.

- Appointed Msgr. Paolo Schiavon, pastor of the parish of St. Gregory Barbarigo and prefect of the 24th Prefecture of Rome, as auxiliary of the diocese of Rome (area 881, population 2,667,166, Catholics 2,587,720, priests 5,867, permanent deacons 61, religious 27,432), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Terranegra of Padua, Italy in 1939 and was ordained a priest in 1964.

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SODALITIUM CHRISTIANAE VITAE: ANNIVERSARY OF CANONICAL APPROVAL

VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2002 (VIS) - At the end of the general audience yesterday, the Pope delivered a message to the founder and superior general of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, Luis Fernando Figari, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of its canonical approval as a society of apostolic life.

In the message, John Paul II encourages the members to always aspire to sanctity from their specific Christian vocation, through apostolate in different fields of activity with young people, evangelization of culture, promotion of Christian life in family and in service to the poor, needy and defenseless, privileged fields of their work."

"In addition, I wish to extend once again the invitation to the whole 'sodalite' family to live intimately united to Christ, in communion of mind and heart with the pastors of the Church, cultivating a style that combines prayer and apostolate, obtaining a solid spirituality that allows you to see God in all things and so that all things lead to God."

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