OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Guido Gatti, S.D.B., and Fr. Giovanni Colombo, O.M.I., as counsellors of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father received in audience four prelates from the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath of Papeete, Tahiti.

- Bishop Michel Visi of Port Vila, Vanuatu.

- Bishop Lolesio Fuahea of Wallis and Futuna.

- Bishop Guy Chevalier, SS.CC.  of Taiohae o Tefenuaenata, Marchesas Islands.
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BE GUARDIANS OF INTEGRITY OF THE FAITH, UNITY OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2004 (VIS) - This morning at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father received 130 French-, Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking bishops from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas who participated in a formation seminar promoted by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Last year, there was a similar seminar for English-speaking bishops.

  In his speech in French, the Pope expressed his joy "at the vitality of your churches.  In all cultures, they are called to show the communion of the one Church of Christ, in fidelity to the Magisterium. Your first concern is to be diligent guardians of the integrity of the faith and the unity of the Church. Called to follow Christ, strive to increase communion with the Roman Pontiff and with other bishops, especially within the same Episcopal conference and ecclesiastic province."

  "Be models," he said, "for the Christian community, drawing the strength to be servants of the Gospel from a spiritual life, an intense sacramental life and permanent formation."

  "In order to guide the faithful to true sanctity and to express Christian hope, may each one of you make St. Paul's outlook your own: 'Evangelizing is not a reason for pride but a duty that is imposed on me. Woe to me if I do not announce the Gospel!"

  After emphasizing that in a few days they will go back to their communities which are "often tried," John Paul II asked the bishops to assure their faithful that he was praying for them and for their intentions. "Tell your pastors that the Church counts on them to be witnesses with their word and their life. May Our Lady, Queen of Missions, help you in the service that has been entrusted to you."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the Military Ordinariate for the United States presented by Bishop Francis X. Roque, upon having reached the age limit.

- Accepted the resignation from the office of Auxiliary of the Military Ordinariate for the United States presented by Bishop Joseph Madera, upon having reached the age limit.

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Luziania, Brazil, presented by Bishop Agostinho Stefan Januszewicz, O.F.M. Conv., in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.  Coadjutor Bishop Afonso Fioreze, C.P.,  succeeds him.

- Appointed Msgr. Martin Vidovic, an official in the Secretariat of State, as apostolic nuncio in Belarus, raising him at the same time to the dignity of archbishop.
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GENERAL AUDIENCE: CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD, REDEEMS HUMANITY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 15, 2004 (VIS) - In today's general audience, celebrated in St. Peter's Square and attended by 10,000 people, the Pope spoke about the hymn in chapter 19 of the Book of Revelation, "The marriage of the Lamb."

  John Paul II said that in this canticle "we encounter the frequent use of the word Alleluia which means 'praise to the Lord.' … The Church on earth joins its song of thanksgiving with the voice of the just in heaven, who unceasingly contemplate the glory of God. In this way, a channel of communication is established between history and eternity."

  The canticle, he continued, "exalts the 'kingdom' of the Lord, the divine plan of the salvation of the human race. … The Book of Revelation celebrates the objective toward which history is driven through the effective work of God, despite the storms, the lacerations, and the devastations caused by evil, man and Satan."

  The Holy Father indicated that the other theme of this hymn "is typical of the Book of Revelation and its symbolism: 'The marriage of the Lamb has come and the Bride has made herself ready. … The expression 'the marriage of the Lamb has come' refers to the supreme moment of intimacy between the Creator, the creature, the joy and peace of salvation."

  During greetings at the end of the audience, the Pope recalled that today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, "who faithfully stood by the Cross of Jesus. My desire is that you may be able to find in her consolation and help to overcome all the obstacles in your daily life."
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