POPE DEPLORES VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM, PRAYS FOR VICTIMS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2004 (VIS) - Prior to reciting the Angelus today, the Holy Father told the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square that "during the week of spiritual exercises in the Vatican, I did not forget the painful situations existing in several African countries, in the Middle East, and above all in the Holy Land and Iraq."

"These are our brothers and sisters who are suffering from deplorable acts of violence and terrorism that can only worsen the living conditions of those dear populations. While I pray for them, and ask you for prayers, I would like once again to ask everyone to undertake the path of pardon and reconciliation."
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PRAYER, SOURCE OF LIGHT THAT TRANSFIGURES MAN

VATICAN CITY, MAR 7, 2004 (VIS) - During his Angelus reflections, the Pope focussed on today's Gospel narration of the Transfiguration, noting that "the evangelist Luke underlines that Jesus was transfigured 'while praying' on a high mountain, immersed in intimate and deep dialogue with God the Father. A dazzling light came from His person, in anticipation of the glory of the resurrection."

"Every year in preparation for Easter," said the Pope, "Lent invites us to follow Christ in the mystery of His prayer, a source of light and strength in the hour of trial. Praying, in fact, means emerging oneself with the spirit of God in an attitude of humble adherence to His will. From this confident abandonment to God comes the inner light that transfigures man, making him a witness of the Resurrection. This only happens in listening to and following Christ up to the passion and the cross. To Him therefore we must turn 'because only in Him, the Son of God, is there salvation."

John Paul II then remarked that he made this very same exhortation to the whole world 25 years ago, at the start of Lent with his first Encyclical "Redemptoris hominis." He added that finding salvation only in Christ "is a truth that is still current today."
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CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN IN MAINTAINING PEACE AND SECURITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2004 (VIS) - Made public today was a speech made on March 4 by Professor Marilyn Ann Mortone, member of the Holy See delegation to the 48th Commission on the Status of Women which is taking place March 1-12 at the United Nations in New York.

She said that "in the context of their essential role in the maintenance of peace and security of the world, women have demonstrated time after time their substantial contributions that are based on untiring concern for achieving solidarity and the common good for all humanity."

After emphasizing the indispensable role of women in all spheres of life, she indicated that "through feminine insight, women enrich the world's understanding and help to make human relations between and amongst people more honest and authentic."

When speaking about the prevention and solution of conflicts, Professor Martone affirmed that "too many women today are victims of violence and war." She recalled "the tragedy of domestic violence" and the "suffering endured by women in national and international conflicts; this includes the problem of refugee and internally displaced women who have to cope not only with their personal suffering but also with the fatigue and responsibility of taking care in such desperate situations of the children and elder members of the family."

"The time has come to condemn and sanction vigorously all sexual brutalities perpetrated against women. In this regard, the involvement of women in the management of material help and medical and psychological assistance to the victims of such violence could be of significant importance," she exclaimed.

The representative of the Holy See concluded by highlighting another form of conflict, "the widespread hedonistic and commercial culture which encourages the systematic exploitation of girls and women. The trafficking in women and children must cease. The contribution of women in the decision-making process to combat this shameful trafficking can be decisive, because they are the first victims of such crimes."
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DECLARATION ISSUED BY CATHOLIC-MUSLIM JOINT COMMITTEE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2004 (VIS) - The Joint Committee of the Permanent Committee of al-Azhar for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which held its annual meeting this year in the Vatican on February 24-25, 2004, issued a common declaration today, signed by Sheikh Fawzi al-Zafzaf, president of the Permament Committee of al-Azhar and by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the pontifical council.

It noted that "two papers were presented during the meeting on the theme 'The rejection of generalizations and the importance of self-criticism': from the Christian side by Dr Youssef Kamal El-Hage, professor at Notre Dame University of Louaizeh, Lebanon, and from the Muslim side by Sheikh Fawzi al-Zafzaf."

"The members of the committee considered and discussed the contents of the two papers. They noticed that there is agreement in the two religions, Christianity and Islam, in refusing generalization in judging people and that where sin is committed, whether by an individual or by a community, only that individual or community is to be held accountable and not others. Both religions advocate self-criticism at the individual and community level and the examination of conscience and asking pardon, a way of behaviour that may be an example to others."

The Committee appealed "to all to avoid generalizations in judging people and to allocate responsibility only to those who have committed transgressions and not to blame innocent people for the misdeeds of others. It also appealed to all to practise examination of conscience and to admit guilt whenever applicable as a way of returning to right conduct."

The declaration concluded by stating that "the aim of the Joint Committee is to universalize justice, peace and love among all."
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Six prelates from the Episcopal Conference of the Netherlands on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis, archbishop of Utrecht, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Gerard Johannes Nicolaus de Korte.

- Bishop Martinus Petrus Maria Muskens of Breda.

- Bishop Willem Jacobus Eijk of Groningen.

- Bishop Joseph Maria Punt of Haarlem, apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the Military Ordinariate for the Netherlands, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Johannes Gerardus Maria van Bursteden.

- Archbishop Jean-Claude Perisset, apostolic nuncio in Romania and Moldova.

- Archbishop Anselmo Guido Pecorari, apostolic nuncio in Rwanda, accompanied by family members.

On Saturday March 6, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Johannes Rau, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

- Archbishop Juliusz Janusz, apostolic nuncio in Hungary.

- Msgr. Bruno Forte, preacher of the Spiritual Exercises.
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