AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience five prelates from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Philip Edward Wilson of Adelaide.

- Bishop Edmund John Patrick Collins of Darwin.

- Bishop Daniel Eugene Hurley of Port Pirie.

- Archbishop John Alexius Bathersby of Brisbane.

- Bishop James Foley of Cairns.
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INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON VEGETATIVE STATE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 16, 2004 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press Office, there was the presentation of an international congress on the theme, "Life-sustaining treatments and the vegetative state: Scientific advances and ethical dilemmas," which will take place from March 17 to 20 in Rome. The congress is organized and promoted by the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) and the Pontifical Academy for Life.

The following people spoke during the press conference: Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Professor Gianluigi Gigli, president of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations and Dr. Alan Shewmon, professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Bishop Sgreccia explained that during the congress problems of an ethical and anthropological nature which affect patients in the vegetative state will be addressed. "Some say," he indicated, "that when a person loses the use of reason, he or she ceases to be a person and then there is the possibility of interrupting feeding and hydration in order to facilitate his or her death. As long as there is life in the person," he continued, "that person continues to exist in all of his or her dignity, with all of his or her soul."

Another question that will be discussed during the congress, added Bishop Sgreccia, is whether or not extreme therapeutic care can be suspended in certain situations. The problem lies in defining the methods of therapy and in deciding if the treatment is necessary until the patient's death.

The vice-president of the Academy for Life also referred to another theme to be analyzed at the congress: the principle of patient autonomy and whether or not a patient can decide to eat if he or she is in a vegetative state, as well as medical insurance for those who cannot afford it and necessary support.

Professor Gigli said that 370 people from 49 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Israel and Kazakhstan, will participate in the congress. Forty talks by scientific experts in the field are scheduled as well as 30 reports.
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UNBELIEF, RELIGIOUS INDIFFERENCE OF VITAL CONCERN TO CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2004 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today received the staff and members of the Pontifical Council for Culture at the end of their plenary assembly on the theme "The Christian Faith at the Dawn of the New Millennium and the Challenge of Unbelief and Religious Indifference." He remarked that this challenge that they have been studying "is a vital concern for the Church on all continents."

"You are mapping out," he said, "a new geography of unbelief and religious indifference throughout the world, in which you have noted a break in the process of transmitting the Christian faith and values. At the same time we see the search for meaning by our contemporaries - the desire of every man to understand the deep meaning of his existence - of which cultural phenomena are witnesses, notably in the new religious movements that are very present in South America, Africa and Asia."

The Holy Father continued: "Beyond the crisis of civilizations, of philosophical and moral relativism, it is up to the pastors and faithful to discover and delve into the basic questions and aspirations of the men and women of our time," to dialogue with them and "to propose the Gospel message and person of Christ, the Redeemer. Cultural and artistic expressions are not lacking in riches or resources for the transmission of the Christian message," but they must be known to be lived.

The Pope proposed "a new thrust in the intellectual domain" vis-a-vis the diffusion of ideologies. "It is through philosophical and catechetical formation that young people will learn how to discern the truth. A serious rational approach is a rampart against all that which refers to ideologies, leading to the desire to study ever more deeply, so that philosophy and reason become open to Christ."
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NICARAGUA: BUILD A PEACEFUL, JUST AND UNITED SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua, Armando Luna Silva, and told him that on the occasion of his visits to that country in 1983 and 1996, he could attest to the fact that "Nicaraguans are a joyful, dynamic people, with deep Christian roots and a desire for a serene future in which all are able to benefit from constant development."

The Pope emphasized that despite the "many trials" that Nicaraguans have endured - natural disasters and internal problems - "there are reasons to be open to hope for a better future. There is greater solidarity not only among allied nations but also above all among citizens, conscious of the need to participate."

"While it is certain," he continued, "that foreign aid is necessary on occasions, we must keep in mind that Nicaraguans, with the rich qualities that characterize them, must be the main protagonists and architects of the daily building up of the country, committing themselves with vigor and persistence to overcoming difficult situations, so often aggravated by extreme poverty, unemployment and the lack of proper housing."

Referring to the problem of extreme poverty, the Holy Father encouraged the efforts of the government "to confront this evil that should not be considered endemic but rather a result of a series of factors that must addressed with decision and enthusiasm, so that quality of life can be truly be improved for Nicaraguans. Such efforts, united to the international community whose aid must be administered with transparent, honest and effective management, are proposals that are necessary to construct a peaceful, just and unified society, one that truly responds to the needs of Nicaraguans and which is compatible with their traditions." John Paul II added that "there is also an important factor in this fight against poverty, the eradication of corruption which undermines the just social and political development of so many peoples."

"In order to build up a more just and fraternal society, the guidance of Catholic social doctrine and the moral teachings of the Church will be of great help. ... We cannot walk toward true social peace," he concluded, "without an order in which the freedom of individuals is ever more solid and in which confidence in public institutions is stimulated in citizens for more active collaboration and responsible participation by all for the common good."
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PRESERVE CULTURE MARKED BY CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2004 (VIS) - This afternoon in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope presided at a Marian prayer vigil with thousands of Italian students on the occasion of the Second European Day of University Students. Students from ten countries, future members of the European Union, participated in the gathering via satellite link-up.

The encounter, whose theme was, "Christ, Hope for Europe," was promoted by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), the Commission of Episcopal Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) and the office of the vicariate of Rome for university pastoral ministry.

Before John Paul II's arrival there were satellite connections with university students in cities of those countries that will be incorporated into the European Union: Prague, Nicosia, Gniezno, Vilnius, Tallinn, Riga, Bratislava, Budapest, Valletta and Ljubljana.

Later the Pope lead the Holy Rosary and afterwards he greeted those present. "This Marian vigil," he said, "has great symbolic value. And you have an important role in the building up of European unity, which is deeply rooted in the traditions and spiritual values that have shaped it, dear university students. The university is, in this sense, one of the typical environments where, over the centuries, that culture which has been marked by a Christian influence has been formed. This rich heritage of ideals should not be lost."

The Holy Father then noted that the young people in Rome were going to participate in a pilgrimage in which they would carry the cross to the church of St. Agnes in Agony, "where you will renew your profession of faith. The university students in other countries, whom I cordially greet, will join you spiritually on this pilgrimage."
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