CARITAS, A WITNESS TO CHRIST'S LOVE FOR THE POOR

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Holy Father to the members of Caritas Internationalis, which is celebrating both the 50th anniversary of its foundation and its 16th general assembly. The meeting, which concludes today, began June 14 in the Vatican's Synod Hall on the theme "Reconciliation and Charity."

In the Message, dated June 2 and written in French, the Pope says he rejoices with "the members who, throughout the world, witness to the love of Christ and His Church for the poorest." He thanks Caritas for its "generous commitment," particularly during "the last four years, with your special concern for those who are living in increasingly trying situations of poverty, especially refugees and displaced persons, or wherever there is an urgent need, such as in North Korean, ... the Balkans and African nations touched by war."

He also expresses his gratitude to Caritas for echoing the appeal he made in "Tertio Millennio Adveniente" to make "the Jubilee ... an appropriate time to give thought, among other things, to reducing substantially, if not cancelling outright, the international debt which seriously threatens the future of many nations."

The Holy Father highlights the attention paid by Caritas to "reconciliation, one of the most authentic forms of charity. In a world which knows so many divisions and lacerations, among persons and human communities, I ardently hope that all of Christ's disciples ... may be artisans of peace and reconciliation so that mankind might become ever more a land of fraternity and solidarity."

"The realization of this ideal calls for a conversion of hearts and also changes, sometimes radical, in society," the Pope writes. "I invite you," he says, "to multiply your efforts for educating to justice and solidarity, founded on the Church's social doctrine."

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POPE ADDRESSES COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF MADAGASCAR

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning received Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop of Antananarivo, Madagascar, accompanied by members of the Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar, and reminisced about his trip to their country 10 years ago, especially the "fraternal encounter" with members of various Christian denominations.

"Since that time," he added, "I know that you have developed collaboration among your different communities to make more alive and true the witness of unity of the disciples of Christ in the service of their fellow countrymen. You thus make together a precious contribution to the human and spiritual development of the entire nation."

"I sincerely hope," affirmed the Pope, "that the Christians of this great island continue, with a renewed ardor, to deepen the bonds of charity and solidarity which unite them."

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PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR 20TH WORLD TOURISM DAY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul has sent a telegram to the promoters of the 20th World Tourism Day, to be held next September 27 on the theme "Tourism: protection of the world's heritage for the new millennium." In it he expressed his appreciation for "the timely subject chosen that makes it possible to reflect on the extraordinary heritage at humanity's disposal and on the need to promote political options responsibly aimed at protecting its integrity."

The telegram, released by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People in English, Spanish, French and Italian, continues: "Tourism favors people's contact with nature and with culture; it promotes valuing environmental resources and presents the beauties of creation as a heritage common to the whole human family. ... Christian tour operators' commitment must be reinforced so that ... they will foster the sense of responsibility in people for the care and correct use of this valuable and vital heritage."

Archbishop Stephen Fumio Hamao, council president, wrote in letter accompanying the telegram, that "the Church's participation in this Day is an important opportunity to make the Christian vision of tourism known and to remind the faithful about their responsibilities both as tourists and with regard to tourists." The World Tourism Organization coordinates these days.

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ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS MUST LIVE IN COMMUNION WITH PASTORS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a Message from the Pope to participants in the seminar for reflection and dialogue on "Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in the Pastoral Care of Bishops," which took place in Rome from June 16 to 19.

Nearly 100 cardinals and bishops from all continents, as well as a number of founders of movements and communities, participated in the seminar, which was promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in collaboration with the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In his Message the Holy Father talks of "today's most urgent pastoral duties," especially "giving attention to those communities which have a deeper awareness of the grace received in the sacraments of Christian initiation, from which arises the vocation to be witnesses to the Gospel." Furthermore, it is essential to form "Christian communities that may be true places of welcome for all."

After recalling the meeting of movements and communities which took place in Rome on May 30, 1998, John Paul II indicates that in the common testimony given that day, "I saw and I see the arrival of a 'new phase; that of ecclesial maturity'," which is "something of a challenge. A road to be travelled. This itinerary requires that the movements have an ever more solid communion with pastors."

"From you," he writes, addressing the bishops, "to whom falls the task of evaluating the authenticity of the charisms in order to decide their rightful application within the Church, I ask for gentle paternity and far-sighted charity towards these realities."

The Pope shows his confidence that the prelates' "attentive and cordial helpfulness ... will render your authority not only more gracious but also more demanding, your guidance more incisive and constructive and the ministry, which has been entrusted to you to evaluate the charisms, more fruitful. ... In fact, your primary duty is to open the eyes of your hearts and your minds in order to recognize the multiple forms of the Spirit within the Church, evaluate them and conduct them all to unity in truth and charity."

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THEME ANNOUNCED OF MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE 2000

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 1999 (VIS) - "Peace on Earth to the Men and Women Whom God Loves" is the title of John Paul II's Message for the 33rd World Day of Peace which will be celebrated on January 1, 2000.

"In his first Message of the year 2000," states a communique released today, "the Holy Father wants to make plain to everyone his profound conviction that peace is possible if humanity seeks and discovers God, the God of peace. God wants peace; consequently, peace is possible."

"The Great Jubilee must become a moment of intense prayer and renewed commitment to overcome war. ... Every day it becomes more urgent to find the means to avert conflict and guarantee peaceful relations between peoples."

"To have peace it is no longer enough to silence arms. Peace embraces all aspects of social life: economic development, human rights, safeguarding creation. To face up to the challenges of the modern world, there is need for new peace programs as well as structures which are adapted to the new world order. Furthermore, without the elimination of poverty, without the integral development of all peoples, peace will always remain fragile. In fact, peace is founded on the human person who is endowed with inalienable dignity and called to live with others in a society open to peaceful coexistence in diversity."

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