DISCOURSE TO PRELATES OF CENTRAL ASIA, THE CAUCASUS, AND RUSSIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received members of the Episcopal Conferences of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Russia, at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit.

Addressing the prelates of Central Asia, the Pope exhorted them to "hold a sincere and cordial dialogue among yourselves. ... Keep your spirit open to every person of good will; with your words and your actions encourage everyone to a profitable collaboration in building up the Church in good will, industry, and peace. In facing the vastness and complexity of the harvest and the small number of workers do not lose heart."

John Paul II encouraged the bishops to support the priests and religious with prayer, "inciting them to have recourse, in prayer and the fervent celebration of the Eucharist, to the energies which spring from daily encounter with Christ."

The Holy Father went on to remind the bishops and religious of the Caucasus that the principle mission which awaits them in the field of evangelization is the "reconstruction of your respective Communities, the little flock which has run off and been scattered for a long time. ... It is necessary," he added, "to help a renewed mentality arise above all in your flock, inspired to the civilization of love, which affirms respect for every human being."

In order to meet the "vast apostolic action, the energies of the priests, consecrated, and the laity must be fully utilized. Make their formation your primary concern, in order that, drawing from the treasure of prayer and study, they are able to share the problems of man of today. ...Give particular attention to the youth, who are the future of the Church and of humanity."

Speaking in conclusion to a group of prelates of European Russia and Siberia, the Pope said: "The vast evangelizing mission which you are promoting requires primarily that you give attention to forming priests who are holy and fervent in their apostolate." It is furthermore "necessary to involve youth in the commitment to the new evangelization."

With reference to ecumenical dialogue John Paul II spoke words of encouragement, affirming that "you mustn't be discouraged in the face of difficulties and even in the face of failures in ecumenical progress, but, sustained by prayer, it is necessary to continue to advance with every effort in creating full unity among the disciples of Christ."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation of Bishop Altamiro Rossato, C.SS.R., from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Porto Alegre, Brazil, in accordance with canon 401, para. 1, of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop Dadeus Grings of the same archdiocese.

- Appointed Bishop David Dias Pimentel, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, as bishop of Sao Joao da Boa Vista (area 7,153, population 470,000, Catholics 352,000, priests 99, permanent deacons 3, religious 200), Brazil.

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: THE CHURCH AS BETHROTHED, BRIDE, MOTHER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2001 (VIS) - The theme of John Paul II's catechesis for today's general audience, held this morning in the Paul VI Hall, was: "The Church, bride of the Lamb, adorned for her husband."

John Paul II recalled that in the Book of Apocalypse St. John speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem as "'a bride adorned for her husband'. The feminine symbol portrays the face of the Church in her various aspects of betrothed, bride, and mother, thus emphasizing a dimension of love and fruitfulness."

"To be loved by Christ and to love Him with spousal love is integral to the mystery of the Church. ... The Church must let this supreme love shine through, reminding humanity - which often feels alone and abandoned in the wastelands of history - that it will never be forgotten and deprived of the warmth of divine tenderness. ... Precisely because she has been born of love, the Church pours out love."

The Holy Father further affirmed that "another fundamental dimension of the spousal nature of the Church is fruitfulness. ... Distinction and reciprocity in the human couple are a sign of the love of God not only as the basis of a vocation to communion, but also in its purpose of productive fruitfulness. ... It is thus understood how also the Church, in the Spirit which animates and unites her to Christ her Spouse, is endowed with an intimate fruitfulness, thanks to which she continually brings new children to birth in the waters of baptism and raises them up to fullness in Christ."

The heavenly Jerusalem, the Holy Father concluded, is "the final destination of the Church, which advances faithfully in its historical pilgrimage, though often feeling nearby ... the hostile and furious presence of another feminine figure, 'Babylon,' the 'great prostitute', who embodies the 'bestiality' of hatred, death, and inner sterility."

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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates have died:

- Bishop Marcel Bam'ba Gongoa, emeritus of Bondo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on September 17, 1998, at the age of 72.
- Bishop Jean Francois Motte, O.F.M., former auxiliary of Cambrai, France, on January 19, 2001, at the age of 87.
- Bishop Ivan Prasko, emeritus of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians, Australia, on January 28, 2001, at the age of 86.
- Bishop Matthew Tuan In-Min of Wanhsien, China, on January 10, 2001, at the age of 92.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Archbishop Paul Fouad Tabet, apostolic nuncio in Greece.

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