IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 2001 (VIS) - The following prelates have died:

- Bishop Marcel Bam'ba Gongoa, emeritus of Bondo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on September 17, 1998, at the age of 72.
- Bishop Jean Francois Motte, O.F.M., former auxiliary of Cambrai, France, on January 19, 2001, at the age of 87.
- Bishop Ivan Prasko, emeritus of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians, Australia, on January 28, 2001, at the age of 86.
- Bishop Matthew Tuan In-Min of Wanhsien, China, on January 10, 2001, at the age of 92.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Archbishop Paul Fouad Tabet, apostolic nuncio in Greece.

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ALBANIA: FIRST "AD LIMINA" VISIT SINCE END OF DICTATORSHIP

VATICAN CITY, FEB 3, 2001 (VIS) - "I am overjoyed to welcome you in this first 'ad limina' visit since Albania has recovered its place among the free and democratic nations, after the end of communist dictatorship," the Holy Father said this morning to the members of the Episcopal Conference of Albania.

"In this special circumstance," continued the Holy Father, "I wish to thank the entire Albanian Church for the witness offered in the years of persecution and to unite myself to it in praising the Lord for having been able to celebrate together, here in Rome last November 4th, the tenth anniversary of the reopening of churches and renewed visibility of your country's ecclesial life."
John Paul II affirmed furthermore that, "after the long winter of persecutions, the season of hope has begun. ... Vocations to the priestly and religious life have increased, and the major interdiocesan seminary of Scutari has been reopened."

"'To make the Church the home and the school of communion: that is the great challenge facing us in the millennium which is now beginning'," continued the Holy Father, citing the Apostolic Letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte." He went on to affirm that "this commitment must find an authoritative and sure reference in your episcopal conference. I am certain that a welcoming manner which is respectful of all charisms will lead you to value the contribution of the missionaries and religious who, coming from other nations, have chosen to serve Christ and the brethren in your land."

"To work together, in reciprocal respect, that we may all feel ourselves a part of one Church and at the service of the one cause of the Gospel: this is the right attitude for effectively developing a program for an ever more profound inculturation of the Christian message in the Albanian context."

The Pope emphasized that "preparation of the clergy and spiritual care of pastoral ministry for vocations is also of fundamental importance. ... Esteemed Brothers in the episcopate, to the formation of the clergy, religious, and workers in pastoral ministries, you add a marked attention for two other undeniable objectives of the Church of the third millennium: pastoral ministry to youth and to families. It is imperative, in effect, to prepare the young generations to build a better future in their own country, overcoming the temptation of emigration and the illusion of easy successes attainable abroad."

"It is also indispensable ... to fight against the grave evils which, unfortunately, afflict your country as well, such as abortion, prostitution, the spirit of vendetta, the exploitation of women, and violence. Do not tire of firmly raising your voice in defense of life from its conception."

"The sphere of evangelization which opens itself to your eyes is vast," the Pope exclaimed. "The amount of uncertainties could sometimes discourage you. How can such an exacting task be accomplished? How can a mature community, protagonist of the new evangelization, be built? Primarily by keeping your hearts steadfast in Christ: it is from Him that you can draw strength and light. His grace will make you strong and patient, ready to welcome the many gifts with which He fills His Church."

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MISSION OF CONSECRATED: CONTEMPLATE AND GIVE WITNESS TO CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, FEB 2, 2001 (VIS) - This evening, in St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, presided over the Eucharistic celebration for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Fifth Day of Consecrated Life.

The Pope took part in the celebration, giving the homily in the presence of the many members of Institutes of Consecrated Life who filled the Basilica.

After recalling the guidelines outlined in the Apostolic Letter "'Novo Millennio Ineunte': Contemplating the face of Christ, setting out anew from Him, and witnessing to his love," the Holy Father affirmed that "This is a contribution that you are called to give daily, above all through fidelity to your vocation as persons totally consecrated to Christ."

"Your primary commitment, therefore," the Pope continued, "must be to contemplation. ... Set out anew from Christ, center of every personal and community plan. ... And walk with Christ: this is the way of evangelical perfection, the sanctity to which every baptized person is called."

John Paul II emphasized that "only if you persevere in faithfully following Christ, will you be credible witnesses of His love. ... Christ is salvation and hope for every man! Announce Him with your existence, dedicated entirely to the Kingdom of God and the salvation of the world. Proclaim Him with uncompromising faith which, even recently, has led some of your brothers and sisters in various parts of the world to martyrdom. Be light and comfort to every person that you meet. As lit candles, burn with the love of Christ. Be consumed for Him, spreading the Gospel of His love everywhere."

At the end of the homily, the Holy Father gave thanks to God for the gift of consecrated life and imparted the blessing at the conclusion of the celebration.

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ANGELUS: HOPE IN THE NEW MILLENIUM, DAY FOR LIFE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2001 (VIS) - At today's angelus, recited from his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square where the faithful had gathered to pray, Pope John Paul reflected on the need for Christians to "walk with hope in the new millennium." He also highlighted the Day for Life being celebrated in Italy.

Quoting St. Luke's Gospel, where Jesus preached to the crowds from Simon's boat, and told Simon: "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch," the Pope said that "this invitation by the Lord is the clear expression, almost the 'motto', of my Apostolic Letter 'Novo Millennio Euente - At the Start of the New Millennium'. ... As the Successor of Peter I feel the duty to echo these words of Christ to the entire Church. May Christ, who 'is the same yesterday, today and always', inspire every ecclesial community 'to put out into the deep' and to walk with hope in the new millennium, which opens before us as a vast ocean in which to venture forth."
"Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch," said the Holy Father. "I repeat (these words) to every bishop and to each diocesan community. This is a favorable moment for a new spiritual and pastoral thrust, not a foolish aspiration, but one based on the strong and profound experience of grace, lived in the Jubilee year."

After these words, and after praying the angelus with the faithful, John Paul II recalled that "today in Italy the 23rd Day for Life is being celebrated, an appointment to sensitize people to the value of human life and the dangers which unfortunately threaten it. I willingly join the Italian bishops who chose, as the theme of their message, 'Every child is word,' to remind people that every child is a word spoken to the parents, called to welcome it and to understand it, and it is also a word to society, to which it will contribute and from which it expects help in growing up."

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