COUNCIL MESSAGE FOR BUDDHIST FEAST OF VESAKH

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, sends a message each year to Buddhists on the occasion of their most important annual feast, Vesakh, which commemorates the principal events in the life of Buddha. In countries of the "theravada" tradition, Vesakh will be celebrated this year on May 7, whereas dates vary for countries of the "mahayana" tradition. The cardinal's 2001 message is entitled "Buddhists and Christians: Together Promoting a Culture of Dialogue."

In the Message, released in English and French, Cardinal Arinze notes that the United Nations designated 2001 as "The International Year of Dialogue between Civilizations. ... The dialogue of civilizations, the dialogue of cultures and the dialogue between religions are nothing less than human encounters whose purpose is to build up a civilization of love and peace. We are all called to promote such dialogue."

"During their long histories," the council president adds, "both Christianity and Buddhism have developed particular ways of expressing themselves in distinct cultural forms. ... Without ignoring our differences, and with utmost respect for the demands of truth, let us recognize the treasures of each other's traditions."

Citing Pope John Paul II's Message for the 2001 World Day of Peace, Cardinal Arinze said that, "in building the civilization of love, ... we need 'to overcome all ethnocentric selfishness'. This will make it possible 'to combine regard for one's own identity with understanding of others and respect for diversity'."

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FIFTH CENTENARY OF FIRST RULE OF THE TERTIARY MINORS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - On the occasion of the fifth centenary of the approval of the First Rule of the lay movement of the Tertiary Minors, by Pope Alexander VI on May 1, 1501, John Paul II sent a Message to the Tertiary Minors.

In the Message, dated May 1, the Pope emphasized that, "in the many centuries of the history of the Third Order Seculars, the approval of your Rule constitutes an interesting novelty: it had never occurred, in fact, that the Rule of a First and Third Order were composed contemporaneously by the same Founder, defining in this way, from the beginning, relations and charisms."

"The happy celebration of this fifth centenary offers you the opportunity to be privileged protagonists in the new evangelization. Do not be afraid in the face of difficulties, because the Rule points out to you the necessary means to be strong and proceed secure."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, Spain.
- Claudio Caratsch, ambassador of Switzerland on special mission to the Holy See, on a farewell visit.

On Saturday, April 28, he received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Luigi Dossena, apostolic nuncio.
- Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, apostolic nuncio.
- Teodor Baconsky, ambassador of Romania, accompanied by his wife and children, on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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GENERAL SECRETARIAT HOLDS MEETING FOR 2001 SYNOD OF BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Jan Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, presided at the 10th meeting of the Ninth Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops on April 24-25, in the offices of the General Secretariat, according to a communique released today.

Joining Cardinal Schotte were 7 cardinals, 3 archbishops, 1 bishop and 4 staff members of the Synod of Bishops. Among those in attendance were Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re and Ivan Dias, two of the three presidents delegate and Edward Egan, relator general of the October 2001 synod on the theme "The Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World."

The agenda included a study of the "Instrumentum Laboris" for the October synod, which is the 10th ordinary general assembly. The meeting's principal aim was to furnish the relator general and special secretary with useful suggestions for writing the "Relatio ante disceptationem," which will introduce the works of the synod at the start of the assembly. Among the themes contained in the "Instrumentum laboris" are: the scope of the synod, the dedication of the bishop to the particular Church, Gospel hope, communion in the ministry of the bishops, and pastoral charity as service.

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MORTAL REMAINS OF BLESSED JOHN XXIII TO BE EXPOSED JUNE 3

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration this morning:

"Sunday, June 3, solemnity of Pentecost, is also the 38th anniversary of the death of Blessed John XXIII (June 3, 1963).

"On this occasion, the mortal remains of the Blessed, arranged in a casket of bronze and crystal, will be exposed in St. Peter's Square during the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Holy Father. At the end of the celebration, the casket will be moved to St. Peter's Basilica and exposed for the veneration of the faithful, before the Altar of the Confession, for the entire afternoon.

"Following this, the casket will be permanently placed under the Altar of St. Jerome."

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