OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Thomas Msusa, S.M.M, regional superior of the Montfortan delegation in Kenya, Malawi, Congo and Uganda, as bishop of Zomba (area 3,232, population 672,114, Catholics 220,000, priests 40, religious 69), Malawi. The bishop-elect was born in 1962 in Iba, Malawi and was ordained a priest in 1996. He succeeds Bishop Allan Chamgwera, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Archbishop Ramiro Moliner Ingles, apostolic nuncio in Guatemala, as apostolic nuncio in Ethiopia and Djibouti, and as apostolic delegate in Somalia.
NER:NN/.../MSUSA:CHAMGWERA:MOLINER VIS 20040119 (110)

JOHN PAUL LAUDS CATHOLIC-LUTHERAN ECUMENICAL PROGRESS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 2004 (VIS) - An ecumenical delegation from Finland was welcomed to the Vatican this morning by Pope John Paul who told them that "once again this year I am pleased to welcome your ecumenical delegation on its visit to Rome for the feast of Saint Henrik, Patron of Finland."

"In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity," the Pope added, "I wish to express my gratitude for the ecumenical progress made between Catholics and Lutherans in the five years since the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. A promising sign of this progress on our path to full and visible unity has been the establishment of a new dialogue group between Lutherans and Catholics in Finland and Sweden. It is my hope that Lutherans and Catholics will increasingly practise a spirituality of communion, which draws on those elements of ecclesial life which they already share and which will strengthen their fellowship in prayer and in witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon all of you I cordially invoke God's abundant blessings."
AC/ECUMENICAL DELEGATION/... VIS 20040119 (180)

AT ANGELUS, POPE CALLS FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY, WORLD PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 2004 (VIS) - Before praying the noon Angelus today with the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul reflected on the traditional Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins today and ends January 25, and on the need for peace in the world.

He noted that the words of Jesus, "'I leave you my peace' are the theme of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is significant that this theme was proposed by the Churches of the Middle East where unity and peace are the most heartfelt priorities. Over the next eight days, in every part of the world, Christians of diverse denominations and traditions will gather together to pray intensely to the Lord that He will strengthen the common commitment for their full unity."

"In promising His peace, Christ assured the disciples of His support in trials. And is not the lasting division between Christians a very painful trial? This is why they feel the great need to turn to their One and Only Lord, asking that He help them overcome the temptation of discouragement along the difficult path which leads to full communion. In a world thirsting for peace, it is in fact urgent for Christian communities to announce the Gospel in a unified way. It is indispensable that they witness to the divine Love that unites them, that they be bearers of joy, hope and peace, becoming leaven for all of mankind." The Holy Father said he hoped that this week of prayer "will bear copious fruits for the cause of Christian unity."

After praying the Angelus, John Paul II expressed his wishes for "serenity and prosperity" for the "great peoples of the East" as they celebrate in coming days the lunar New Year. He also noted that today Rome is marking the Day of Catholic Schools, whose celebration is part of the diocesan pastoral ministry on the theme "Together with families, let us build a better society." And lastly, he greeted the Minim Sisters of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ as they mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of their institute.
ANG/CHRISTIAN UNITY:PEACE/... VIS 20040119 (370)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience five prelates from the Episcopal Conference of France on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Guy Thomazeau of Montpellier, with Auxiliary Bishop Claude-Joseph Azema.

- Bishop Jacques Despierre of Carcassonne.

- Bishop Robert Le Gall of Mende.

- Bishop Robert Wattebled of Nimes.

On Saturday, January 17, it was made public that the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Filiz Dincmen, ambassador of Turkey, accompanied by her husband, on her farewell visit.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
AL:AP/.../... VIS 20040119 (80)

CARDINALS NAGY AND MARTINO TO TAKE POSSESSION OF DIACONATES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 2004 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebration of the Supreme Pontiff announced today that on Sunday, January 25 Cardinals Stanislas Nagy, S.C.I., and Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, will respectively take possession of the diaconates of St. Mary of the Steps at 11:30 a.m. and of St. Francis of Paula in the Mountains at 5 p.m.
OCL/DIACONATES/NAGY:MARTINO VIS 20040119 (80)