IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, SEP 18, 2003 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, archbishop emeritus of Nairobi, Kenya, on September 6 at age 80.

- Bishop Vittorio Maria Costantini, O.F.M. Conv., emeritus of Sessa Aurunca (Caserta), Italy, on September 3 at age 97.

- Archbishop Elie Farah, emeritus of Cyprus of the Maronites, Cyprus, on July 22 at age 93.
- Bishop James Edward Fitzgerald, former auxiliary of Joliet in Illinois, U.S.A., on September 11 at age 64.

- Bishop Henry Joseph Kennedy, emeritus of Armidale, Australia, on September 2 at age 88.

- Bishop Ivan Marchitych, auxiliary emeritus of Mukacheve, Ukraine, on September 7 at age 82.

- Bishop Geoffrey Francis Mayne, ordinary military emeritus of Australia, on September 14 at age 75.

- Bishop Kenneth Joseph Povish, emeritus of Lansing, U.S.A., on September 6 at age 79.

- Bishop Joao Risatti, P.I.M.E., of Macapa, Brazil on September 9 at age 60.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Aracatuba, Brazil presented by Bishop Jose Carlos Castanho de Almeida in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in audience Archbishop George Kocherry, apostolic nuncio in Ghana.

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GENERAL AUDIENCE FOCUSSES ON PAPAL TRIP TO SLOVAKIA

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, who arrived by car from Castelgandolfo for today's general audience at 10:30 in St. Peter's Square, focussed the weekly catechesis on his just-completed trip to Slovakia. He was welcomed to the sun-drenched square by 11,000 pilgrims from throughout the world, and told them that last week's apostolic trip was his third "to this noble country" where he was greeted "with great cordiality."

"Faithful to Christ and to the Church," the Pope began. "This is how Slovakia presents herself in her history. By going there in person I was able to confirm the country in its fidelity as it moves, with confidence, towards the future. With pleasure I was able to admire the economic and social development that has been realized in these years. I am certain that, when they enter the European Union, the Slovak people will know how to offer to the building of Europe their valid contribution, also on the level of values."

The Holy Father stressed that Slovakia "has a rich spiritual patrimony that, notwithstanding the harsh persecution it underwent in the past, it knew how to steadfastly preserve. An eloquent witness of this is the promising flowering of Christian life and vocations to the priesthood and religious life that can be noted today."

John Paul II then re-lived the single stages of his four-day trip to Slovakia, highlighting his visits to the cathedral of Trnava, the "beautiful and evocative Eucharistic celebrations" and, in a special way, the Mass last Sunday in Bratislava during which he beatified Bishops Vasil' Hopko and Sister Zdenka Cecilia Schelingova, "the victims of atrocious persecutions by the communist regime in the 1950s."

He recalled his visit to the agricultural region of Roznava where, he said, he told farmers "how important their contribution is in building the nation. It is necessary, however, that they remain firmly rooted in their centuries-old Christian tradition. In Roznava I was also able to greet a large community of Hungarian-speaking faithful."

"God bless you, dear Slovakia!" the Pope concluded the catechesis. "Thank you for your love for the Church and the Successor of Peter!"

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience ten prelates from the Uganda Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala of Kampala, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Kakooza.

- Bishop Matthias Ssekamaanya of Lugazi.

- Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa of Masaka, accompanied by Emeritus Bishop Adrian Kivumbi Ddungu.

- Bishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kasana-Luweero.

- Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa, coadjutor of Kiyinda-Mityana.

- Archbishop James Odongo of Tororo, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Charles Martin Wamika.

- Bishop Joseph B. Willigers, M.H.M., of Jinja.

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