AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 17, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Alwi Shihab, Indonesian foreign minister. - Msgr. Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

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PRESENTATION OF THE NEW INDEX OF THE CAUSES OF SAINTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 17, 1999 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office today, Archbishops Jose Saraiva Martins and Edward Nowak, respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presented the "Index ac status causarum" (Index and Status of Causes).

Archbishop Saraiva explained that the "Index," prepared by his dicastery, is the "list of the causes for beatification and canonization, including those that have just started and are still in the diocesan phase, those that are more or less advanced and being examined by the congregation and, finally, those that have completed their 'iter' with the canonization of the Servants of God concerned." The book presented today is the 15th edition. The first was published in 1890 and the most recent in 1988; it comprises all the work undertaken by the dicastery from 1588 up to and including 1999.

Speaking of the selection of candidates for sainthood, the prefect affirmed that this "reflects the sensitivity and the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church, who is the promoter the causes." Whenever there is a serious and spontaneous rising of "a popular movement, not only of respect but also of admiration and of veneration" towards a Christian, then we must confirm whether, behind this, there truly lies "the finger of God. Verification consists in checking whether the fame of sanctity truly exists and whether it is founded on the heroic exercise of virtue (or) on popular emotion and credulity."

Archbishop Nowak pointed out that the preface of the "Index" gives information on the history and procedure of the causes of saints. In the first part, which is 402 pages long, mention is made of 1921 causes, "most of which are following their 'iter' at a speed in keeping with their complexity."

The second part, he continued, contains the list of "early 'blesseds' or 'saints', whose cults have been confirmed by the Holy See given that they pre-date 1534, in keeping with the provisions of Urban VIII (1634). ... The official recognition of their cult places them at the same level as formally declared blesseds. ... In order for them to be canonized, the heroic nature of their virtues and a miracle attributed to their intercession must be recognized. At the present time, the number of these blesseds is 1430."

Archbishop Nowak added that the third part comprises the "list of blesseds, which at present numbers 1742, going from the year 1609 to 1999." On this matter he recalled that up until now John Paul II has proclaimed 940 blesseds and 295 saints. The fourth section, concluded the archbishop, comprises "the catalogue of saints canonized from the congregation's foundation (1588) up until today, a total of 591."

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THE TRUTH ABOUT HISTORY MAKES US FREE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 17, 1999 (VIS) - Participants in the international symposium on Jan Hus - priest, preacher, theologian, reformer and Bohemian national hero - were welcomed this morning by the Holy Father who, in his speech to them, highlighted Hus' "moral courage in facing adversity and death, that has made him a figure of special significance to the Czech people."

Speaking in Czech and Italian, the Pope noted that this symposium will publish its results "so that as many people as possible will have an insight into not only a remarkable man but also an important and complex period of Christian and European history. Today, on the eve of the Great Jubilee, I feel the need to express deep regret for the cruel death inflicted on Jan Hus and for the consequent wound of conflict and division which was thus imposed on the minds and hearts of the Bohemian people."

"The writing of history," continued John Paul II, "is sometimes beset by ideological, political and economic pressures, so that the truth is obscured and history itself becomes a prisoner of the powerful. Genuinely scientific study is our best defense against such pressures and the distortions they can bring. It is true that it is very difficult to attain an absolute objective account of history. ... Yet this does not mean that we cannot offer an account of history which is in a very real sense impartial and therefore true and liberating. ... The truth which sets us free from error is also the truth which sets us free for love."

Concluding, the Pope pointed out that "at a time when many are working to create a new kind of unity in Europe, studies such as yours can help to inspire people to go beyond narrow ethnic and national confines to genuine openness and solidarity. ... It is clear then that your work is an important service not only to the historical figure of Jan Hus, but also to Christians and European society more generally. This is because, in the end, it is a service to the truth about man."

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THANKS EXPRESSED TO CHRISTMAS CONCERT ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 1999 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received the artists who will participate in the traditional "Christmas in the Vatican" concert, which will take place on Saturday, December 18, in the Paul VI Hall.

John Paul II recalled that this concert is "a cultural demonstration that aims to sensitize public opinion to the need for further places of worship and of catechesis in the diocese of Rome."

After thanking the artists for their generosity in contributing to the solution of this problem, "that is close to the heart of the Bishop of Rome," he said "parish communities urgently need their own pastoral structure, especially in the outskirts where these facilities are lacking."

"The objective to construct fifty sacred buildings before the year 2000 has, thanks to God, almost been achieved. ... The city of Rome, which is preparing to play the leading role in the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, may count on the opening of places of worship, of meeting, of catechesis and of structures for social, cultural and sporting activities. ... Thank-you for your precious contribution."

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POPE WELCOMES FIVE NEW AMBASSADORS TO THE HOLY SEE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed five new ambassadors to the Holy See during a ceremony in which they collectively presented their Letters of Credence. He addressed the new ambassadors as a group, then met personally with each one, consigning a speech which accented the particular situation in their country.

The new ambassadors are: Bjarne Bladbjerg of Denmark, Aloys Mbonayo from Burundi, Ampalavanar Selverajah of Singapore, Jacques Bihozagara from Rwanda and Tayyab Siddiqui of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

In his speech in French, he pointed out that "the approach of the new millennium is an invitation for all men," especially leaders in the economic, political and social realms, "to bring greater attention to their brothers and sisters."

"Globalization," underlined the Pope, "should not lead to a growing impoverishment of the most disadvantaged peoples, often constrained to bend to the economic rules of the rich countries. Economies should be determined by social politics on the national and international level, and not just subjected to financial factors."

"Those nations which have a long democratic and technical history, and an old economic and social vitality," he added, "have acquired knowledge and know-how. They can put these at the service of those countries which have difficulty in running the infrastructures and organizations which are indispensable to economic growth, to the needs of health and the basic needs of persons."

The Holy Father stressed that "it is also important to develop aid for countries committed to pursuing the fight against poverty and injustice, sources of numerous centers of violence and violations of human rights." A "concrete and tangible solidarity, for a better sharing of the world's riches and goods" is imperative.

Turning to another subject, Pope John Paul observed that "in this year in which we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Charter for Children, it would be good to become mobilized in order to give young people all that is necessary for their growth and to do everything possible so that they will not be subjected to violence and to work which prevents them from going to school, so that they might have a normal life for their age."

He said that young people must be "inserted into social and economic networks ... in order to make them protagonists of social life." If marginalization can be reduced, then "exacerbated forms of violence, drugs and delinquency" can be reduced or eliminated.

"It is intolerable," John Paul II said in closing remarks, "that children and young people are the objects of corrupt trade, whether this is to satisfy adults who have no morals or to feed the illegal networks of adoption or organ donations." And he lauded all persons and organizations who work to combat these scourges.

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