FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER CELEBRATED TODAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a recurrence dating back to the fourth century that honors and celebrates the primacy and authority of St. Peter.

The word "cathedra" means seat or throne and is the root of the word cathedral, the church where a bishop has his throne and from whence he preaches. Another word for "cathedra" is "sede" (seat or see): the "see" is the place from which a bishop governs his diocese. Thus, for example, the Holy See is the see of the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Throughout its history, the Chair of St. Peter has been considered from two perspectives. The first is the chair-symbol, the symbol of Peter's primacy: In ancient times the chair or cathedra was a symbol of authority to teach. The second is the chair-object: the Chair of St. Peter, in St. Peter's Basilica, is actually a throne that Charles the Bald gave to Pope John VIII at the former's coronation as emperor on Christmas Day 875. Charles the Bald was the grandson of Emperor Charlemagne. For many years the chair was used at liturgical events by Pope John and his successors: it was ensconced in Bernini's Altar of the Chair in 1666.
A mixture of tradition, legend and belief held for many years that this was actually a double chair, parts of which dated back to the early days of Christianity and to St. Peter himself. This chair or cathedra has been studied over the centuries and the last time it was removed from its niche in the Bernini altar was a six-year period from 1968 to 1974 where studies pointed to a single chair whose oldest parts date to the sixth century. What appeared to be an outer or second chair was a covering which served both to protect the throne and to carry it in procession.

Two interesting facts stand out from this study period: the back panels of the throne, replacing early columns and arches, depicted the Labors of Hercules, and previously used ivory was also incorporated in this throne.

Every year on this feast, the monumental altar housing the Chair of Peter is illuminated by scores of candles throughout the entire day. A number of Masses are celebrated at this altar, from early morning to early evening, concluding with the mass of the Canons of St. Peter.

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COMMUNIQUE ON HONOR ACCORDED PRIEST IN REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - The following communique was released today by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls:

"President Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia has conferred the 'Order of Honor', a prestigious award from the state, upon Fr. Witold Szulczyniski, S.D.B., director of Caritas in Georgia and a collaborator of the apostolic nunciature in Tbilisi. Regarding the motivation for the honor, it was underlined that it is intended as a 'recognition of the noteworthy personal contribution to the development of relations between the Vatican and Georgia, through extensive support and aid offered to people who are socially vulnerable, to orphans and refugees, through his effective charitable activity'.

"President Schevardnadze, contrary to practice, personally conferred the award upon the Religious, thus demonstrating that he openly and publicly appreciates his work.

"A similar recognition for a Catholic priest, devoted for some time in one of the republics of the former Soviet Union to different areas of solidarity and human promotion supported by faith and Christian charity, constitutes a significant testimony of the Georgian government's esteem for the Catholic Church, a strong encouragement for Georgian Catholics and a particular sign of gratitude for the commendable activity of Fr. Szulcynski."

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GOALS, METHODS, MEANS OF RESEARCH MUST RESPECT HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2003 (VIS) - Participants in the Ninth General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life were received this morning by the Holy Father at the start of their three-day meeting in the Vatican's Old Synod Hall. The 160 participants, including Academy President Juan de Dios Vial Correa and Vice President, Bishop Elio Sgreccia, are studying the theme "Ethics of Biomedical Research in a Christian Vision."

The Pope reminded his listeners that he created the Pontifical Academy for Life "to study, form and inform about the principal problems of biomedicine and law, relative to the promotion and defense of life, above all in the direct relationship they have with Christian morality and the directives of the Magisterium of the Church."

The Pope underscored the notable advances made in scientific research and medicine, in particular in defeating epidemics, improving cures for illnesses and thus "significantly improving, in many areas of the developed world, the length and quality of life." He expressed the Church's gratitude to scientists in the field of biomedicine, saying "many times the Magisterium has asked for their help in solving delicate moral and social problems."

He then referred to Pope Paul VI's appeal to researchers and scientists in the Encyclical "Humanae Vitae" to contribute "'to the good of the family and marriage,' seeking to 'clarify more in depth the diverse conditions that favor an honest regulation of human procreation'. I make this invitation my own, underlining its permanent actuality, that becomes even more acute with the growing urgency to find 'natural' solutions to the problem of conjugal infertility."

"I renew my heartfelt appeal," John Paul II stated, "that scientific and biomedical research, while avoiding every temptation to manipulate man, be faithfully dedicated to exploring ways and resources to support human life, the cure of illnesses and solutions to the ever new problems in the biomedical field." He emphasized that "the Church respects and supports scientific research when it pursues an authentically humanistic orientation, fleeing from every form of exploitation or destruction of the human being and keeping itself free from the slavery of political and economic interests."

The Pope stressed that "not only the goals, but also the methods and means of research must always be respectful of the dignity of every human being, at whatever stage of their development and in every phase of experimentation."

He exhorted researchers to be aware of the limits, beyond which they cannot go in caring for the life, integrity and dignity of every human being. "I am convinced," he affirmed, "that no one, much less the Church, is allowed to be silent in the face of certain results or pretexts of experimentation on man." He asked Catholic institutions and universities to fully live out and live up to what the name "Catholic" represents.

The Holy Father concluded his lengthy remarks by highlighting the "growing urgency to fill the very serious and unacceptable chasm that separates the developing world from the developed world as far as the capacity to advance in biomedical research, thus benefitting health care and supporting populations afflicted by misery and disastrous epidemics ... such as AIDS."

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POPE ASKS PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND FASTING ON ASH WEDNESDAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 23, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, addressing the faithful assembled in St.Peter's Square today for the Angelus, asked Catholics worldwide to dedicate Ash Wednesday, March 5 "to prayer and fasting for the cause of peace, especially in the Middle East."

"For months," he began his reflections, "the international community has lived in great apprehension of the danger of a war that could unsettle the entire Middle East region and aggravate the tensions unfortunately already present at the start of this millennium. It is the duty of believers, whatever their religion, to proclaim that never can we be happy if one is set against the other, that the future of mankind can never be assured by terrorism and the logic of war."

The Holy Father said that "we Christians in particular are called to be sentinels of peace in the places in which we live and work. We have been asked, that is, to be vigilant so that consciences do not give in to the temptation of egoism, lies and violence."

Asking Catholics to fast and pray for peace on Ash Wednesday, he said: "We will above all implore God for the conversion of hearts and the farsightedness to make just decisions in order to resolve with adequate and pacific means the strife that hinders mankind on its journey in our times."

Pope John Paul also asked that peace be implored in marian shrines, in parishes and in families with the prayer of the Rosary. "This choir of invocations will be accompanied by fasting, an expression of penance for the hatred and violence that pollute human relations. Christians share the ancient practice of fasting with so many brothers and sisters of other religions who, by so doing, intend to rid themselves of all arrogance and to ready themselves to receive from God the greatest and most necessary gifts, including in particular that of peace."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in audience five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Romania on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Gyorgy-Miklos Jakubinyi of Alba Iulia, apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the Ordinariate for Catholics of the Armenian rite in Romania, accompanied by auxiliary Bishop Jozsef Tamas.

- Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras of the Romanians.

- Bishop Petru Gherghel of Iasi, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Aurel Perca.

On Saturday February 22, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Tony Blair, prime minister of Great Britain, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

- Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao, emeritus of Yokohama and president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

- Louis Esmel, ambassador of the Ivory Coast, on his farewell visit.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation of Bishops.

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