NORMS FROM THE INSTRUCTION FOR DIOCESAN MISSIONARY PRIESTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 12, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the entire text of the Norms which constitute the second part of the "Instruction on the Sending Abroad and Sojourn of Diocesan Priests From Mission Territories," published today by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The Instruction, dated April 25, 2001, was published in English, French, Italian and Spanish.

NORMS

First of all, as a general rule, what is sanctioned by C.I.C., can. 283 1 is reiterated: "Clerics, even if they do not have a residential office, are not to be absent from their Diocese for a considerable time, to be determined by particular law, without at least the presumed permission of their Ordinary".

The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples requires that all Bishops and diocesan Priests strictly observe the above canon, in addition to those situations indicated in article 3 of this Instruction.

A. Norms for the sending abroad of ordained priests for further studies

art. 1 - The diocesan Bishop of Mission Countries, after having ascertained the actual diocesan needs and sought the counsel of his collaborators, should choose the most able priest, after having asked his consent, to pursue further studies. He is to designate the field of study in which the priest must specialize, the Faculty in which he must enrol and the date of his definitive return.

art. 2 - Agreement is then sought in writing with the diocesan Bishop and with the proposed Institute where he has decided to send the priest, including the question of his financial support.

art. 3 - Some arrangement is then made with this Bishop concerning the pastoral work which shall be undertaken by the priest only, however, for the duration of his course and in such a fashion that it is not too burdensome so as to prevent him from completing his studies in the allotted time span, nor that he be required to assume an office or position as laid down by law.

art. 4 - The diocesan Bishop who receives a priest student from mission territories into his own Diocese should make sure that a precise agreement has been reached, as specified above, with the Bishop who is sending the priest for further studies.

art. 5 - The Bishop who is accepting priest students into his Diocese is obliged to provide spiritual assistance for them by inserting them into the diocesan pastoral plan, ensuring that they participate in the life of the Presbyterate and accompanying them with fatherly care.

art. 6 - In the eventuality of grave problems, this same Ordinary, after having discussed them with the Bishop of the said priest, must take adequate measures that may even result in the termination of permission to remain in that Diocese.

art. 7 - Any priest who, after having been warned as prescribed by law, obstinately refuses, to abide by his Bishop's decision and return to his Diocese, will be punished with an appropriate penalty as decreed by law. Before proceeding, however, the Ordinary ought to inform the overseas Bishop of his intention.

B. Norms for staying abroad to provide pastoral assistance to migrants.

art. 8 - Apart from the norms already noted, either of universal or particular law, and before appointing a priest of a mission territory as a chaplain to migrants, the two Bishops involved should come to some understanding, confirmed in a written agreement, concerning the type and duration of pastoral work required. Such a priest should be introduced into the pastoral activities of the Diocese and participate in the life of the Presbyterate.

art. 9 - In the event of numerous emigrant groups, some agreement can also be made with the respective Episcopal Conferences.

C. Norms for refugee priests who have fled from their country for grave reasons.

art. 10 - Any Bishop who welcomes a refugee priest from a mission territory into his Diocese, that is, someone who has had to leave his home for grave reasons, must consult with the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples prior to giving him a pastoral office.

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HOLY FATHER'S GIFT TO PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL OF UKRAINE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 12, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration this morning:

"The Holy Father gave Kiev's Municipal Pediatric Hospital No.2 the equipment for a children's operating room and a resuscitator for new-borns.

"With this gesture the Pope desires to show his closeness to the Ukrainian children who are sick and, in particular, to those who suffer from the consequences of the catastrophe of Chernobyl.

"The presentation of the Pope's gift took place yesterday, Monday, June 11, at 11 a.m., at Kiev's Pediatric Hospital.

"Present at the ceremony were various figures from the ecclesiastical and civic community, including members of the administration of the hospital and of the city of Kiev, along with numerous representatives of the mass media. Also participating was the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petro Sardachuk.

"Hospital directors have confirmed that the equipment is already working and that it will contribute to saving the lives of numerous sick children.

"The Pope's gift was widely noted in public opinion."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation of Bishop Daniel Joseph Mullins from the pastoral care of Menevia (area 9,716, population 611,679, Catholics 29,391, priests 58, religious 170), Wales, in conformity with canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Mark Jabale, O.S.B.

- Appointed Bishop John Clayton Nienstedt, auxiliary of Detroit, as bishop of New Ulm (area 25,535, population 280,807, Catholics 71,908, priests 61, permanent deacons 1, religious 84), U.S.A.

- Appointed Msgr. Samuel J. Aquila, of the clergy of Denver, rector of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary of the same archdiocese, as coadjutor bishop of Fargo (area 92,650, population 391,000, Catholics 98,915, priests 122, permanent deacons 32, religious 223), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in 1950, in Burbank, U.S.A., and ordained to the priesthood in 1976.

- Appointed Bishop Marc Ouellet, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, as consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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REDISCOVER RELIGIOUS IDENTITY VISITING THE CATACOMBS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 9, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received in audience the participants of the plenary reunion of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archeology, which studied the theme "The Christian Catacombs of Italy and the Holy Year: Inventory of a Pilgrimage."

The Pope recalled that for the Holy Year "you proposed facilitating the pilgrimage of the faithful and making the catacombs which are open to the public more welcoming. These two objectives were considered in the creation of alternative itineraries within the Roman catacombs of St. Callistus, St. Sebastian, Domitilla, Priscilla, and St. Agnes, in the works of illumination and of restoration done in Rome and in the other catacombs in Italian territory."

The Holy Father showed his pleasure for the commitment given to the opening of the catacombs of St. Lawrence in Verano and, "despite the difficulties and the complexity of the situation, of St. Pancrazio and of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter."

"The modern pilgrim, often disoriented and uncertain, following the itineraries of the first Christians and their actions of devotion, can be more easily led to rediscover their religious identity and to choose with renewed enthusiasm the following of Christ, as did many martyrs of the first centuries of Christianity."

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PASTORAL PRIORITIES: FAMILIES, YOUTH, SEMINARIANS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 9, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today welcomed the prelates of the Episcopal Conference of the Congo as they concluded their "ad limina" visit, and, in his talk to them in French, highlighted their priorities as pastors, saying they must dedicate ample time and energy to seminarians and to the pastoral ministries for families and youth.

Referring to the "tragic period which produced many victims and caused a great number of your fellow countrymen to go into exile as well as causing considerable material damage," he noted that "your country has undertaken important efforts to allow all Congolese to live in safety and to definitively achieve national harmony. During this time of trial you have made your voices heard in appealing for peace and reconciliation. ... Throughout these dramatic events, the attitude of the Church ... has been admirable. However, we must regret the great number of priests and religious who left the country in these troubled times."

The Pope encouraged the bishops "to pursue with ardor the Gospel that the Lord left us," adding that "the tragic experience lived by the Congolese people must inspire Catholics to resolutely look to the future and to launch courageous apostolic initiatives."

In what has become his trademark theme, John Paul highlighted the urgency "of giving evangelization a new thrust" and said this must include "a vigorous pastoral ministry for the family. ... Violence and the disbanding of families in recent years, have had serious consequences on the unity of the family cell and on respect for human dignity. Thus, it is also necessary for Christians to be ever more aware of the responsibility which weighs on them to preserve and develop the basic values of the family and Christian marriage." In fact, he added, "all of society must respect, defend and promote the dignity of every person at all moments of life and in all of life's stages."

Given the difficult circumstances in which young people live and the violence often suffered by them, said the Holy Father, bishops must be "induced to develop a youth ministry adapted to their situations and the problems they face. ... Tell the young people of the Congo that the Pope, in his heart and through prayer, is close to them and their daily cares, and asks them to never despair of life!"

He added that "the Church makes an important contribution to the human, moral and spiritual formation of young people. ...It is necessary to educate them to mutual respect among persons, among human groups and among religious communities and to favor a spirit of welcome and dialogue."

Pope John Paul expressed his "esteem" for the priests in the Congo who work in difficult situations. He observed that "the generous and unconditional attachment of priests to the person of Christ is shown in a remarkable way in the celibacy that they have freely accepted. In respecting this canonical obligation, may they live it in a joyous and transparent manner, making it a prophetic witness of the love without limits that unites them to Christ."

The Pope also encouraged the prelates to make seminaries and seminarians a high pastoral priority "so that the young people may serenely verify their vocation and receive in their country a solid human, spiritual, moral, intellectual and pastoral formation."

"To the faithful of your dioceses and to all Congolese," said the Holy Father in conclusion, "I address a special message of peace and hope. To overcome the consequences of conflicts, violence and hatred, and to reach a true reconciliation, the only path to follow together is that of fraternity and solidarity."

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