OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 29, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Jose Horacio Gomez, auxiliary of Denver, U.S.A., as metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of San Antonio (area 60,013, population 1,959,950, Catholics 644,357, priests 351, permanent deacons 312, religious 1090), U.S.A. The archbishop-elect was born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1951 and was ordained a priest in 1978. He succeeds Archbishop Patrick F. Flores whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese was accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Erected the new ecclesiastical province of Galveston-Houston, U.S.A., elevating the see to metropolitan archdiocese and making the following dioceses suffragans: Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Tyler and Victoria in Texas, formerly part of the ecclesiastical province of San Antonio, U.S.A.

- Appointed Bishop Joseph Anthony Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, U.S.A., as first metropolitan archbishop of the same archdiocese (area 23,257, population 4,704,532, Catholics 1,006,425, priests 438, permanent deacons 250, religious 726).

- Elevated Bishop Daniel Nicholas Dinardo, coadjutor of Galveston-Houston, U.S.A., to the dignity of archbishop.

- Erected the diocese of Castanhal, Brazil, with territory taken from the archdiocese of Belem do Para, Brazil and the diocese of Braganca do Para, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan Church of Belem do Para.

- Appointed Bishop Carlos Verzeletti, auxiliary of Belem do Para, Brazil, as first bishop of the diocese of Castanhal (area 14,338, population 688,306, Catholics 405,000, priests 40, religious 136), Brazil.

- Appointed Bishop Jerome E. Listecki, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Chicago, U.S.A., as bishop of La Crosse (area 39,037, population 848,455, Catholics 203,341, priests 212, permanent deacons 25, religious 508), U.S.A.

- Appointed Bishop Pedro Jose Conti of Santissima Conceicao do Araguaia, Brazil, as bishop of Macapa (area 148,000, population 339,000, Catholics 279,000, priests 33, permanent deacons 13,  religious 62), Brazil.

- Appointed Bishop Robert James Carlson of Sioux Falls, U.S.A., as bishop of the diocese of Saginaw (area 18,006, population 724,142, Catholics 139,824, priests 114, permanent deacons 14, religious 138), U.S.A.
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THE POPE CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY WITH VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 29, 2004 (VIS) - At the end of today's audience, John Paul II remembered the victims of the earthquake that struck Southeast Asia on December 26  and called for solidarity with the people affected by the disaster.

  "The news coming from Asia," he said, "shows us ever more the extent of the catastrophe which particularly struck India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand."

  "The international community and many humanitarian organizations," he continued, "have come together quickly to lend help.  Numerous charitable institutions of the Church are doing the same.  In the Christmas spirit of these days, I invite all believers of good will to generously contribute to this great work of solidarity with the peoples, subject to such a harsh trial and exposed to the danger of disease.  I am by their side through my prayer and affection, especially those who are injured and homeless, while I entrust the innumerable victims who lost their life to the divine mercy."
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GO JOYFULLY TO THE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM TO BE WITH JESUS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 29, 2004 (VIS) - In the last general audience of this year, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke about contemplating the birth of Jesus in the manger.

  Before a crowd of 6,500 people, John Paul II said that "on that holy night, God spoke his definitive Word of salvation to humanity in every age and place. ... The liturgy in this period is a meditation on the mystery of the Incarnation."

  "Let us linger before the nativity scene! In this traditional representation of the nativity 'the Eternal and Omnipotent Creator' speaks to us through His Son, Lord of the universe, who became a child living among us.  Mary, his mother, is the first to receive Him and present Him to the world.  Near her, we see St. Joseph, called to act as the father and guardian of our Redeemer."

  The Pope said that the scene is completed by the angels who "proclaim glory to God and peace to mankind, and the shepherds, who represent the humble and poor.  The Magi will soon arrive from afar to adore the King of the universe."

  "The liturgy of Christmastime invites us to go joyfully to the manger in Bethlehem to meet Jesus, our Savior.  Come all ye faithful! Come and let us adore Jesus the Lord!  Let us open the doors of our hearts so that He may accompany us now and during the new year which is about to begin."

  Throughout the 26 years of his pontificate, John Paul II has met with 17.5 million people in 1,160 general audiences.  In 2004, more than 2,200,000 faithful participated in public gatherings with the Holy Father.
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POPE CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE, ENCOURAGES DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 25, 2004 (VIS) - In his traditional Christmas Message, which he read at midday today in St. Peter's Square, the Pope called for an end to all forms of violence and encouraged dialogue and reconciliation.

John Paul II said, "Let there be an end to the spread of violence in its many forms, the source of untold suffering; let there be an end to the numerous situations of unrest which risk degenerating into open conflict; let there arise a firm will to seek peaceful solutions, respectful of the legitimate aspirations of individuals and peoples."

"Babe of Bethlehem, Prophet of peace, encourage attempts to promote dialogue and reconciliation, sustain the efforts to build peace, which hesitantly, yet not without hope, are being made to bring about a more tranquil present and future for so many of our brothers and sisters in the world."

Referring to the continent of Africa, the Holy Father recalled the "tragedy of Darfur in Sudan, of the Ivory Coast and of the Great Lakes Region. With great apprehension I follow the situation in Iraq. And how can I fail to look with anxious concern, but also invincible confidence, towards that Land of which you are a son?"

"Everywhere peace is needed!" the Pope exclaimed. "You, Prince of true peace, help us to understand that the only way to build peace is to flee in horror from evil, and to pursue goodness with courage and perseverance. Men and women of good will, of every people on the earth, come confidently to the crib of the Savior! 'He who bestows the Kingdom of heaven does not take away human kingdoms'. Hasten to meet him; he comes to teach us the way of truth, peace and love."

After reading the message, the Pope, making a notable effort, wished the faithful present in St. Peter's Square and people all over the world tuned in via radio or television in 62 languages. Later he imparted the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing.
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THE CHURCH MOBILIZES TO HELP VICTIMS OF ASIAN TSUNAMIS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 28, 2004 (VIS) - This afternoon, the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" published a communique stating that the Holy Father "has approved a first installment of aid to the populations of the countries struck by the earthquake and tsunami that violently hit Southeast Asia as well as some parts of Africa."  Following is the rest of communique:
 
  "On behalf of the Holy Father, the dicastery has sent emergency aid to Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Somalia through the respective pontifical representatives.

  "In the Church, as in other parts of the world, a unanimous chorus of fraternal solidarity has risen up with concrete responses to the appeals made by the afflicted populations: the Italian Episcopal Conference has donated 3,000,000 Euro, the Caritas network has already collected the sum of more than 2,000,000 USD.  Some branches of Caritas (Austria, Netherlands, United States) have already sent experts to the region to help the various national branches of Caritas.  In addition, the Jesuit Refugee Services is helping local Churches.

  "Cor Unum, which in the Pope's name is closely following the evolution of events and the work of different Church organizations, appeals to the faithful to generously support, individually and collectively, the efforts of the respective local Churches and charitable organizations so that a rehabilitation program for the people, so harshly affected by this devastating calamity, can start up.

  "Those who would like to contribute to the Holy Father's efforts with a gesture of solidarity toward our unfortunate Asian brothers and sisters can do so by making a donation to bank account n. 603035, made out to the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, 00120, Vatican City, indicating that it is for the 'Asian emergency'."
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