POPE RECEIVES BELGIAN BISHOPS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2003 (VIS) - Today John Paul II received bishops from Belgium at the end of their 'ad limina' visit. In his speech, he emphasized the difficulty of their ministry, but also the signs of hope for the Church in their country.

'The information that I receive about the situation of the Church in your country,' said the Pope, 'is particularly troubling to me. Real and serious concern cannot be hidden about the scarce regularity and importance of religious practice in your country which affects Sunday Mass and the sacraments, especially baptism, reconciliation and marriage. In addition, the consistent drop in the number of priests and the persistent crisis of vocations are a serious concern for you.'

'The rapid changes that you notice,' he continued, ' surely correspond to a sensitive evolution of society, characterized by great secularization which could make one think that Belgian society has turned its back on its Christian roots. Your country, in addition, has recently approved new and disturbing legislation on material relative to the fundamental dimensions of human and social life, such as birth, marriage and the family, illness and death. You have never stopped addressing these issues .. which profoundly affect the ethical dimension of human life.'

'Therefore, it is a new pastoral terrain, unsteady and difficult, where you live your mission as pastors of the Church of Christ ' In a society that loses track of its traditional points of reference and that promotes general relativism in the name of pluralism, our first duty is to introduce Christ, His Gospel of peace which sheds new light on man's destiny. ' I invite you therefore to actively continue dialogue with civil society and the Belgian people ' and to explicitly introduce the values of Christian faith and the rich experience of human beings throughout history and cultures, not in order to impose your own model but out of respect for the truth of which you are ministers in the name of Christ and respect for dialogue itself which demands that the legitimate and individual identity of each person is taken into account.'

John Paul II praised, 'the quality of pastoral collaboration' of the bishops and their priests, 'the ever-more active participation of the lay faithful in the mission of the Church' and their 'attention in educating young people. I congratulate you,' he said, 'for having clearly reaffirmed the principles of Catholic teaching and your devotion to your identity.'

'But in addition to difficulties,' the Holy Father concluded, ' ' you emphasized the signs of a possible renewal: the vigor of pilgrimages, the attraction of the silence of monasteries, the increase in the number of adult catechumens, ' the desire for a more authentic spiritual life. The hope of believers ' illuminates the life of the lay faithful. In important discussions that provoke Belgian society it is necessary that you give double testimony: testimony to the prophetic word, taking a clear position in line with the Gospel and testimony of action, of men and women committed in the good times and difficulties of daily life, in married and family life, in work and social and political responsibilities.'

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SPECIAL ENVOYS TO GUATEMALA, AUSTRALIA, ITALY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2003 (VIS) - Today in three pontifical letters, written in Latin and made public today, the Pope appoints special envoys for the following celebrations: the Second American Missionary Congress in Guatemala on November 25-30, the re-opening of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta, Australia on November 29, and the Fifth Centenary of the election of Pope Julius II in Savona, Italy on November 30.
Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, will go as a special envoy to Guatemala, accompanied by Msgrs. Giuseppe Cavallotto, rector of the Pontifical Urban University, Gustavo Rodolfo Mendoza Hernandez, chancellor of the archdiocese of Guatemala, and Fr. Damian Ac Cahuec, of the clergy of the apostolic vicariate of Peten, Guatemala.

Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, special envoy to Australia, will be accompanied by Msgr. Francisco M. Padilla, counselor of the apostolic nunciature in Australia, Fr. John Boyle, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Seven Hills in the diocese of Parramatta, and Fr. Peter Blayney, judicial vicar of the diocese of Parramatta.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, special envoy to Savona, Italy will be accompanied by Msgrs. Andrea Giusto, vicar general of the diocese of Savona-Noli and Piero Pioppo, counselor of the nunciature in service to the secretariat of State.

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ANGELUS: VARIETY OF CHARISMS TO BUILD UP GOD'S KINGDOM

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2003 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II recalled that today, last Sunday in the liturgical year, the Church celebrates the solemnity of Christ the King.

'Over the months,' explained the Pope, 'we have contemplated all His mysteries, from His birth to His ascension into heaven ' now with the apostle Paul we recognize that God's design is to 'echo in Christ all things, from the heavens and the earth'.'

'Looking at Him whom eastern liturgy calls the 'Pantocrator' or Almighty,' he continued, 'the mission of believers, who are called to cooperate in a variety of ministries and charisms, takes on great importance in building up His kingdom. In this context, I would like to place ' the Congress on Sacred Music of the Association of St. Cecilia, organized on the centenary of the Motu proprio 'Tra le sollecitudini' with which Pope St. Pius X issued an important instruction on sacred music.'

The Holy Father concluded his brief remarks by greeting participants in the congress which is taking place in Rome and expressed gratitude to 'all who put their musical talents and competency at the service of the liturgy.'


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SANTA CECILIA CONCERT IN HONOR OF THE POPE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 22, 2003 (VIS) - This afternoon in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope attended a concert of sacred music given in his honor by the Italian Association of St. Cecilia, whose feast is celebrated today, upon the centenary of the 'motu proprio' by Pope Pius X 'Tra le sollecitudini,' on sacred music.

At the end of the concert, in which various choruses sang 'The Passion according to St. Mark' by Msgr. Lorenzo Perosi, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the gift of a bell which was engraved with the biblical expression 'Cantate Domino canticum novum.'

'Your association,' said the Holy Father, 'is dedicated to St. Cecilia who is popularly known as the patron of music. This young Roman martyr invites believers to walk faithfully toward an encounter with Christ, blessing our earthly pilgrimage with the joy of song and music. May St. Cecilia accompany each and every one of you, dear brothers and sisters, from heaven, and help you to fully realize your mission in the Church.'

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MEETING OF SYNOD FOR SPECIAL ASSEMBLY ON ASIA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 24, 2003 (VIS) - The council of the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops for the Special Assembly on Asia celebrated its seventh meeting on November 18 and 19 in the main office of the general secretariat.

Under the presidency of Cardinal Jan P. Schotte, C.I.C.M., general secretary of the Synod, three cardinals, five archbishops and five bishops participated in the meeting.

According to a communique made public today, during the sessions an overview of the situation of the Church in different nations was presented. In addition, they discussed the application of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation 'Ecclesia in Asia.' Later, there was an exchange of opinions about the different experiences in local Churches. The next meeting is scheduled for November 18-19, 2004.

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