AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Four prelates of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Bishop Augustine Cheong Myong-jo of Pusan.
- Bishop Vincent Ri Pyung-ho of Chonju (Jeon Ju).
- Bishop James Kim Ji-seok of Wonju.
- Bishop John Chang-yik of Ch'unch'on.
- Brother Roger, prior of Taize.
- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, with Bishop Enzo Dieci, auxiliary of Rome for the northern pastoral sector, Fr. Paolo Corsi, pastor of the parish of San Domenico di Guzman, and a parish vicar.

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BOOK ON PAPAL TOMBS AND FUNERAL MONUMENTS TO BE PRESENTED

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - A press conference will be held on Tuesday, March 27, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, for the presentation of the book: "The Tombs and Funeral Monuments of the Popes in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican."

Participating in the conference will be the book's author, Cardinal Virgilio Noe, president of the Fabric of St. Peter's; Dr. Claudio Strinati, superintendent of the artistic and historical patrimony of Rome; and Dr. Vittorio Casale, professor of the History of Art Criticism at University III, Rome.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. John A. Boissonneau, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Toronto, Canada, former rector of St. Augustine's Seminary of Toronto, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Toronto (area 13,000, population 5,215,000, Catholics 1,798,000, priests 888, permanent deacons 114, religious 1,398). The bishop-elect was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1949, and ordained to the priesthood in 1972.

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FEMININE HOLINESS IS INDISPENSABLE TO LIFE OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message to the 600 delegates who participated in the March 17-21 general assembly of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations in Rome on the theme "The Prophetic Mission of Women." The Message to the Union, which was founded in 1910, was written in English and was dated March 7.

The Pope told the delegates that their assembly is an "opportunity to thank God for all that being a woman signifies in the divine plan, and to ask His help in overcoming the many obstacles which still hinder full recognition of the dignity and mission of women in society and within the ecclesial community."

He observed that "the journey travelled in the course of the past century has been remarkable. In many countries today women enjoy freedom of movement, of decision and of self-expression, a freedom which they have achieved with clear mindedness and courage. They express their characteristic 'genius' in many spheres. In today's world there exists a growing awareness of the need to affirm women's dignity. This is no abstract principle for it involves a concerted effort at every level to oppose vigorously 'all practices that offend woman's freedom or femininity ... so-called 'sexual tourism', trafficking in young girls, mass sterilization and, in general, every form of violence'."

The Holy Father spoke of impediments still faced by women in a prevailing culture "which spreads and imposes models of life that are contrary to women's deeper nature." And he underscored "the serious aberrations" which arise from "individual selfishness" and from "a mentality which stresses each individual's rights to such an extent that respect for the rights of others is weakened." He urged the women "to provide increasing material and moral support to women in difficulty, victims of poverty and violence."

"Feminine holiness, to which each of you is called, is indispensable to the life of the Church. ... The world and the Church need your specific commitment" and your ability to transmit "the genuine sense of the faith and apply it to all life's circumstances. ... The Church's presence and action in the new millennium passes by way of woman's capacity to receive and keep God's word."

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POPE TELLS PRESBYTERIANS THEIR VISIT IS "A CAUSE FOR JOY"

VATICAN CITY, MAR 22, 2001 (VIS) - A delegation from the Presbyterian Church in the United States was welcomed this morning by the Holy Father, who told them that their visit "is indeed a cause for joy."

He noted that their visit "takes place following the year-long celebration of the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation and at the dawn of the Third Christian Millennium. The participation of so many Churches and Ecclesial Communities in a number of the Jubilee events testifies to our common thanksgiving for the great outpouring of grace which accompanied the Lord's first coming. It confirms our commitment to work for full Christian unity as we await His return in glory."

"Despite the significant steps taken in recent decades towards the goal of visible unity, we must acknowledge that ... 'there is still a long way to go'," Pope John Paul added, quoting "Novo Millennio Ineunte." He wished the members of the delegation a fruitful visit, saying "may your stay, and your conversations with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, bear abundant fruit for the ecumenical tasks ahead."

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