SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI: A CALL FOR PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 3, 1999 (VIS) - At 7 p.m. today, Solemnity of Corpus Christi, John Paul II celebrated the Eucharist on the square in front of St. John Lateran Basilica, and then presided at the traditional eucharistic procession to the basilica of St. Mary Major.

In the homily, the Pope indicated that both the Mass and the procession had a particular aim: "They seek to be a unanimous and heartfelt call for peace. ... We wish to pray together for peace, we wish to pray especially for peace in the Balkans."

He continued: "In order to have peace, which is the synthesis of all the good promised by God, it is first of all necessary not to forget past experience, but rather to treasure it. ... Looking at this century and at the millennium that draws to a close, how can we not recall the terrible trials that humanity has had to suffer? We cannot forget: On the contrary we must remember. Help us, God our Father, to draw the right lessons from our own circumstances and those of our forebears."
The Holy Father made clear that, "in giving Himself, Christ gave us peace. His peace is not the peace of the world, frequently composed of cunning and compromise, if not actually of oppression and violence. The peace of Christ is the fruit of His paschal mystery."

He said that, when the Eucharist is carried in procession, "we will walk questioning ourselves about our own personal testimony in favor of peace. In fact, it is not sufficient to talk of peace if afterwards we do not commit ourselves to cultivating peaceful sentiments in our hearts, and displaying them in our daily dealings with those who live around us. ... Our prayer is fortified this evening by the prospect of peace which seems finally to have been opened."

At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father presided at the procession that passed along Via Merulana to the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Along the route, thousands of the faithful prayed and sang, accompanying the Blessed Sacrament. A covered vehicle transported the Sacrament in a monstrance, before which the Holy Father prayed, kneeling on a prie-dieu.

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JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 3, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the declaration made this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls following the Pope's audience with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan:

"Late this morning, June 3 1999, the Holy Father received United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, accompanied by Under-Secretary Kieran Prendergast and by Elizabeth Lindenmayer, special assistant to the secretary general. Also present at the meeting were Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, Secretary for Relations with States.

"During the in-depth meeting attention was particularly given to the existing grave situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Particular consideration was given to the humanitarian drama of the Kosovar people and to the need for a negotiated solution, one that respects both history and law.

"After having recalled the role that Christians can play in respecting human rights and educating for peace, the Holy Father explained the Holy See's noted position with regard to the ongoing conflict. He underlined that the cessation of hostilities, under the auspices of the U.N., must be accompanied by a return of refugees to the Kosovo region, with the help of an international peacekeeping force accepted by all.

"Finally, His Holiness reiterated his appreciation for the role the U.N. carries out in the heart of the international community and said he hoped the United Nations would have an ever increasing role in the prevention and resolving of conflicts."

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DE FACTO UNION IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO MATRIMONY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received the participants of the 14th plenary session of the Pontifical Council for the Family who have been reflecting on the theme, "Paternity of God and Paternity in the Family."

In his speech, the Pope indicated that "in some countries it is sought to impose so-called 'de facto' unions upon society," and to "give juridical value to a desire that remains far distant from any kind of definitive union. With premises like these, how can we hope for truly responsible procreation, (one) not limited to giving life but that also includes development and education, which only the family can guarantee in all its dimensions? Formulations of this type end up endangering the sense of human parenthood, the parenthood of the family."

Forms of co-habitation between the sexes, he affirmed, do not constitute "an authentic juridical alternative to matrimony. ... So called 'de facto' unions give evidence of a more or less grave lack of mutual commitment, a paradoxical desire to maintain intact the autonomy of one's own will within an alliance that should be relational."

"When 'de facto' unions demand the right to adoption, they clearly show that they are disregarding the greater good of the child and the minimum requirements that he or she needs for satisfactory development. 'De facto' unions between homosexuals represent a deplorable distortion of what should be the communion of love and life between man and woman in a reciprocal giving (which is) open to life."

The Pope highlighted that, especially in wealthy nations, "there is a widespread phenomenon of, on the one hand, fear of parenthood and, on the other, disregard for the right of children to be conceived within a context of total human giving. ... In this way a presumed right to paternity-maternity at any cost is affirmed."

"Another characteristic of the cultural context within which we live is the tendency of many parents to renounce their role and become simply friends of their children." For this reason, he concluded, "it is necessary to underline that the education of children is a sacred charge and a joint duty of parents, both father and mother: It requires warmth, closeness, dialogue and example."

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HOLY FATHER WELCOMES GABON'S NEW AMBASSADOR

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II today received the Letters of Credence of the Gabonese Republic's new ambassador to the Holy See, Bonaventure Ndong-Edomie, and thanked him for his country's contribution "in promoting relations of harmony and solidarity among nations and among human communities in Central Africa."

"In your speech," the Pope told the diplomat, speaking French, "you underlined the importance which the Apostolic See gives to the search for peace among peoples. It is indeed especially urgent, as we approach the third millennium, to create living conditions in society which no longer allow violence to be the way chosen to resolve conflicts.

"The terrible sufferings which today are still the daily fate of so many peoples, victims of fratricidal conflicts, especially on the African continent, should stimulate leaders of nations and all people of good will to resolutely commit themselves to the search for solutions which respect human life and the right of peoples, offering the possibility of progressing towards true reconciliation."

"For a lasting social equilibrium to be established," the Holy Father continued, "it is necessary that, within each country, a State of law be reinforced, based on respect for every human person." He said that governance must "effectively be at the service of everyone," and he exhorted leaders "not to become discouraged and to seek in all circumstances, with a firm determination, the common good." Quoting the Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa," the Pope said: "To reconcile profound differences. overcome long-standing animosities and become integrated into international life demands a high degree of competence in the art of governing."
For this to occur, John Paul II affirmed, there must be "a solid civic and moral preparation of consciences, one which educates in the sense of responsibility and the recognition of each (person) in his or her difference."

The Pope then expressed his delight at "the recently concluded agreement between your country and the Holy See with the aim of facilitating the religious mission of the Catholic Church and her service to all Gabonese without distinction, in respect for the independence and autonomy of the Church and State."

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PAPAL MESSAGE ASKS FOR "COURAGE TO EMBRACE PEACE" IN BALKANS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 4, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message to Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who visited Belgrade, Yugoslavia, yesterday, on the occasion of the day of prayer for peace in the Balkans.

The text of the Message, written in English and dated June 1, follows:

"Through you I wish to express my closeness to all those gathered in spiritual union with the day of prayer that I shall be leading in Rome on June 3, to implore from Almighty God the gift of peace for all the peoples of the Balkans. For so long now too many have suffered. Countless numbers have been driven from their homes, others have been innocent victims of military action. It is my hope that all those who share some responsibility for resolving the present conflict will have the courage to embrace peace. Only justice, dialogue and reconciliation will enable this part of Europe to be - at last and always - a place where diversity does not mean confrontation but mutual enrichment. To all present I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing."

Archbishop Nguyen Van Thuan celebrated a Mass for peace in Belgrade's cathedral. Bishop Diarmuid Martin, council secretary, visited a refugee camp in Macedonia and Msgr. Giampaolo Crepaldi, under-secretary, visited refugees in Albania.

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