COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN SYNOD HOLDS SECOND MEETING

VATICAN CITY, DEC 3, 2000 (VIS) - The Council of the General Secretariat for the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops met in the Vatican from November 21 to 23 under the presidency of Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, according to a communique released today.

Participants included 3 cardinals, 6 archbishops and 1 bishop representing the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Croatia, France, Great Britain and Ukraine. Four members of the synod's staff also took part in the meeting.

There was an exchange of information on the repercussions in the various local churches from the synod which was held last year on the theme "Jesus Christ, Living in His Church, Source of Hope for Europe." The communique states that "discussions, in both plenary session and two language groups, focussed on the rough draft of a study text for the post-synodal document and suggestions were offered as to how to better the language, contents, organization and unified editing, according to a coherent biblical and pastoral inspiration."

SE;COUNCIL; EUROPE;...;SCHOTTE;VIS;20001204;Word: 190;

MAY THE JUBILEE PRODUCE COURAGEOUS EVANGELICAL WITNESS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father received in audience four different groups of pilgrims. He expressed the hope that the Great Jubilee "may induce everyone to more ardent spiritual enthusiasm and to courageous evangelical witness."

The Pope asked the participants in the International Forum of Catholic Action, who are meeting in Rome, to continue to deepen "their search for God. Keep your spirits open to the great hopes and apostolic challenges of our time."

"If at times the progress of the communities in which you work should seem slow and arduous, do not be discouraged but redouble your love and your efforts so that, by the sanctity of your lives and your apostolic drive, you may render the Church's image ever more splendid."

He then greeted the participants in the seminar on debt reduction, organized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, which is underway in the Vatican. He referred to his Message addressed to them and added: "We cannot permit fatigue or inertia to weaken our commitment, when the lives of the poorest in our world are at stake."

John Paul II went on to address Cardinal Thomas Winning and the bishops, priests and seminarians of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome, which is celebrating the fourth centenary of its foundation. "During your years in Rome, in this city made holy by the blood of the martyrs and the lives of many other saintly men and women, I encourage you to follow their example by developing a deep intimacy with the Lord and becoming men of intense prayer. In your studies, seek always the truth and wisdom that will enable you to answer the fundamental questions affecting people's lives."

Finally, the Pope addressed the Sisters Servants of the Incarnation who this year are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the foundation of their institute: "Mindful of the modern relevancy of your charism, you have taken the message of the Incarnation, not only to various parts of Italy where you have long been involved in catechesis, in the formation of children and in assisting the sick and the elderly, but also to other countries, opening yourselves to a promising missionary horizon. May the Lord render fruitful your apostolic commitment."

AC;PILGRIM GROUPS;...;...;VIS;20001204;Word: 380;

PAPAL MESSAGE TO VATICAN SEMINAR ON DEBT REDUCTION

VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from Pope John Paul to Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and to the participants in the seminar organized by the council on the theme "From Debt Relief to Poverty Reduction." The seminar began yesterday and ends December 6.

The Pope expressed his gratitude to the council, which "has been in the forefront in addressing the question of the effects of the heavy burden of debt on the lives of the peoples of the poorest countries," and "to all those who were sensitive to my appeals" for the reduction of debt of the poorest countries or its outright cancellation.

Stating that "we are only stewards of the riches of creation," the Holy Father wrote: "Our increasingly globalized world requires a corresponding increase of solidarity. Debt relief is part of a broader effort to achieve changed relationships between peoples and to establish a true sense of solidarity and sharing among all the Children of God, among all people. Despite great scientific progress, the scandal of severe poverty remains extremely widespread in our world."

He asked the council "to continue to work closely with all those in the scientific and development communities, as well as with international organizations, who are striving to ensure that the spirit of cooperation, which has been generated by the Jubilee experience, will continue to develop in the future. ... Debt relief initiatives launched by the wealthier nations and the international institutions should come rapidly to full fruition."

MESS;DEBT REDUCTION;...;CON-IP;VIS;20001204;Word: 260;

TOURISM MUST RESPECT MAN AND THE ENVIRONMENT

VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in Madrid, Spain, Msgr. Pietro Monni, Holy See permanent observer to the World Tourism Organization, addressed the 20th meeting of the WTO's planning committee.

"At the dawn of the third millennium," he said, "tourism is firmly established as one of the principal economic resources at the disposal of governments, and as one of the most effective methods for favoring mutual knowledge between peoples. This process involves economic interests as well as the differing traditions and important cultures that have marked the history of peoples in a world that we now define as globalized."

Consequently, continued Msgr. Monni, international organizations must promote "effective tourism development policies." In this matter, he concluded, "it is not enough to recall that the logic of profit must never prevail, but elements must be developed that favor a lasting and sustainable tourism, one that is respectful of man and of the environment."

DELSS;TOURISM;...;MONNI;VIS;20001204;Word: 170;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy and Bishop Walter Kasper, emeritus of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

On Saturday, December 2, he received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Jozef Michalik of Przemysl of the Latins, Poland.
- Bishop Jerzy Mazur S.V.D., apostolic administrator of Eastern Siberia of the Latins.
- Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;20001204;Word: 90;