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From: Vatican Information Service <visform@pressva-vis.va> Subject: VISEN 031209 To: VIS <visform@pressva-vis.va>
VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE

THIRTEENTH YEAR - N. 212 ENGLISH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2003

SUMMARY:

- FRENCH BISHOPS: DO NOT GIVE INTO DISCOURGEMENT - ARCHDIOCESE OF NAPLES: BEAR WITNESS TO EVANGELICAL HOPE - PROMOTING RELIGIOUS VALUES FOSTERS PEACE AND STABILITY - MESSAGE FOR THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOCOLARE MOVEMENT - MARY, MODEL AND GUIDE TO OUR ADVENT JOURNEY - SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - PARAGUAY: PROMOTE EDUCATION FOR YOUR CITIZENS - POPE GREETS SEMINARIANS FROM POLAND - NEW CARDINALS TO TAKE POSSESSION OF TITLES, DIACONATES - AUDIENCES - OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

FRENCH BISHOPS: DO NOT GIVE INTO DISCOURGEMENT

VATICAN CITY, DEC 6, 2003 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received bishops from the French provinces of Rennes and Rouen at the end of their ad limina visit. In his speech, the Pope focussed on the crisis of vocations in the regions and on the formation of seminarians.

  Referring to the first theme, the Holy Father said:  Thirty years ago, there began a gradual drop in the number of priests which has worsened in recent years. At the same time, many initiatives have been put into place in the French dioceses in order to strengthen the pastoral care of vocations, to stir up consciences in Christian communities, to speak to young people and to remind all of the responsibility of priests in the call. 

  Afterward, the Pope invited the bishops never  to give into  discouragement  and he reminded them that in their country  seminarians have a long history and a rich experience  even if the current pastoral conditions do not permit each diocese to have one seminarian for the formation of future priests, according to Canon Law.  Nevertheless, continues the Holy Father,  experience shows that a group effort is often necessary and can turn into real dynamism. 

   The seminary,  he emphasized,  must be a stable, visible and recognized institution in the diocese   even if it accepts candidates from various dioceses or is located in another diocese.  The bishop must make an effort to be present in the life of the seminary, visiting it in person or through a delegation and meeting regularly with those who provide formation and with seminarians. In this context, an agreement between French bishops could be of great utility in order to study along with seminary professors the question of the distribution of seminaries so that they are not too far away from the dioceses to which they entrust their candidates. 

  The Holy Father then spoke about the vocations of young people and affirmed that among the  many difficulties that they encounter to respond to the call  three stand out.  The first is the fear of a lifelong commitment   in a world in which instantaneous satisfaction is the norm. It is certainly an obstacle   that can be overcome only by giving them confidence in a perspective rooted in Christian hope. 

   The second difficulty concerns the proposition itself of the priestly ministry,   often devalued by public opinion   and whose perimeters are blurred, often difficult for young people to identity. Therefore, you must support the ordained ministry, giving it the place that corresponds to it in the Church in a spirit of communion that respects differences   and not in a spirit of prejudicial competition with the laity. The third difficulty   concerns the relationship of young people with the Lord. Their knowledge of Christ is often superficial and relative.  It is clear that everything that can promote   an authentic discovery of the person of Jesus and a relationship with Him   will be beneficial in order to stir up vocations. 

   Be vigilant,  he concluded,  so that the different specialized services that contribute to your close collaboration in nourishing diocesan life, the pastoral care of families and young people, catechesis, may be generously open to the vocational perspective. 

ARCHDIOCESE OF NAPLES: BEAR WITNESS TO EVANGELICAL HOPE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 6, 2003 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father received 8,000 pilgrims from the archdiocese of Naples, Italy, led by Cardinal Michele Giordano, archbishop of the city. During the meeting, the Holy Father congratulated him for the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination which he celebrated recently. Civil and religious authorities, as well as several families attended the audience.

  After recalling his pastoral visit to Naples in 1990, John Paul II said that from his different trips, he had the impression that Naples was a  city marked by difficulties and problems, but rich in interior resources and capable of the noble gestures of courage and generosity. 

  Referring to his gathering with young people in St. Paul stadium on the same trip when he asked them to convey to their peers  the proclamation of evangelical hope,  the Pope said:  Proclaiming and bearing witness to the  gospel of hope  is part of the missionary mandate of every Christian community.  It is a priority that is very present in your pastoral plans which indicate the family and young people as the driving forces of diocesan apostolic activity. 

    Together for the mission : this is the motto which unites you in one effort to resound  the proclamation of Christian hope  in the city of Naples.  In order that your evangelizing activity may be effective, it is necessary that you never cease to draw from the vital water of an intense prayer life. As was emphasized in a meeting you recently celebrated, it is also necessary that parishes become  families of families,  permanent schools of faith and prayer, houses of communion and encounter, of dialogue and openness to the area. 

PROMOTING RELIGIOUS VALUES FOSTERS PEACE AND STABILITY

VATICAN CITY, DEC 6, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a speech by Msgr. Pietro Parolin, undersecretary for Relations with States, delivered during the 11th Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministries of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The sessions were celebrated on December 1-2 in Maastricht, Holland.

  In the speech, given on December 2 before 55 participants, Msgr. Parolin said that the  Holy See will continue tirelessly to say that action promoting security, peace and stability must be accompanied by the commitment to foster spiritual, moral and religious values as well. 

  After expressing great satisfaction that the OSCE has adopted a decision on tolerance and non-discrimination, the undersecretary for Relations with States said that  it is necessary to ensure appropriate formation and accurate information; the media has a significant role.  In addition, it is necessary to dedicate renewed energy to promote co-existence and mutual trust, linking them solidly to respect for religion, history, culture and the intrinsic value of every human being. 

  Msgr. Parolin indicated that the OSCE  has prepared a plan of action for the first time for gypsies,  which is especially important for their  greater integration in the societies of the participating states, offering members of these communities the same opportunities to develop the richness of their culture and their traditions. 

  Referring later to the theme of human trafficking, a problem to which the OSCE has dedicated itself in a special way, he said:  The Holy See is convinced that the plan of action and the new mechanism to combat this shameful manifestation of slavery may promote in an appropriate way closer and more intense cooperation among the agencies interested in the countries where the problem originates, travels through and  ends up. Therefore, the Holy See greatly hopes that the cited mechanism may be adopted in Maastricht. 

MESSAGE FOR THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOCOLARE MOVEMENT

VATICAN CITY, DEC 6, 2003 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a message to Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, on the 60th anniversary of its founding.

  In the document, dated December 4, the Holy Father recalls that since its foundation the members of the movement  have become apostles of dialogue, as a privileged way to promote unity: dialogue within the Church, ecumenical dialogue, inter-religious dialogue, dialogue with non-believers. 

   In these sixty years, so many rapid, disturbing social changes have marked the life of the world!  he continues.   Man has become ever more interdependent and, while pursuing passing interests, has lost, at times, his own fundamental values.  And now he risks finding himself  without a soul,  without the fundamental, unifying beginning of all of his projects and activities.  I am thinking especially about the European continent which has benefited from two-thousand years of Christian tradition.  At the beginning of a new millenium there is an urgent need for a renewed commitment on the part of believers to respond to the challenges of the  new evangelization. 

MARY, MODEL AND GUIDE TO OUR ADVENT JOURNEY

VATICAN CITY, DEC 7, 2003 (VIS) - In reflections made before reciting the Angelus from his study window overlooking St. Peter s Square, Pope John Paul today reflected on the meaning of Advent and asked Mary Immaculate, whose feast the Church celebrates tomorrow, to help us to prepare well the way of the Lord within ourselves and in the world.

  He said that  The entire liturgy of Advent echoes (St. John the Baptist), the precursor of Christ, who invites us to go out to welcome Christ Who comes to save us. We thus prepare to commemorate the birth that took place in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. We renew our faith in His glorious coming to the end of time. We thus prepare to recognize Him in our midst. He in fact visits us even in the people and events of our daily life. 

   Our model and guide,  added the Pope,  in this spiritual itinerary typical of Advent is Mary. She who is blessed much more because she believed in Christ than because she physically gave Him life. In her, preserved free from every sin and filled with grace, God found  good earth  to plant the seed of the new humanity. 

  Following the Angelus prayer, the Holy Father addressed university students, Romans and those from other countries, inviting them to the Mass that will be held for students of Roman universities on Thursday, December 11 at 5 p.m. in St. Peter s Basilica.

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

VATICAN CITY, DEC 8, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, said the Pope before thousands of pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter s Square to pray the Angelus.

  The Holy Father said that  Mary, chosen to be the Mother of the Word Incarnate, is at the same time the primacy of His work of redemption. The grace of Christ, Redeemer operated in her in anticipation, preserving her from original sin and any contamination of sin. 

   Therefore,  he continued,  Mary is  full of grace,  as the angel affirms when he announces her divine motherhood. The human mind cannot pretend to understand such a great marvel and mystery. It is the faith which reveals to us that the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin is a sign of salvation for every human creature, pilgrim on the earth. It is also the faith that reminds us that Mary, in light of her unique condition, is our steadfast support in the difficult fight against sin and its consequences. 

  John Paul II invited the faithful to join him in paying homage to Our Lady this afternoon in Piazza di Spagna.  With this pilgrimage,  he said,  we enter into the 150th anniversary of that solemn act of the magisterium of the Church  when Blessed Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854 and imposed an image of Our Lady on a column in commemoration of the event.

  At 5 p.m., the Pope arrived at Piazza di Spagna in the popemobile for the traditional crowning of Our Lady.  After blessing a crown of roses which was placed at the foot of the column of Our Lady, he made some brief remarks.

   Queen of peace, pray for us!  exclaimed the Pope.  Our gaze is directed toward you in great fear, to you do we turn with ever-more insistent faith in these times marked by many uncertainties and fears for the present and future of our planet.  Together we lift our confident and sorrowful petition to you, the first fruit of humanity redeemed by Christ, finally freed from the slavery of evil and sin: hear the cry of the pain of victims of war and so many forms of violence that bloody the earth. Clear away the darkness of sorrow and worry, of hate and vengeance. Open up our minds and hearts to faith and forgiveness!"

  John Paul II asked the  Mother of mercy and hope  to give the men and women of the third millenium  the precious gift of peace: peace in our hearts and in families, in communities and among peoples; especially in those nations where fighting and death continues to occur every day.  Help every human being of every race and culture to find and embrace Jesus, who came to earth in the mystery of Christmas to give us  His  peace.  Mary, Queen of peace, give us Christ, true peace in the world! 

PARAGUAY: PROMOTE EDUCATION FOR YOUR CITIZENS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 9, 2003 (VIS) - Upon receiving the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay, Marcos Martinez Mendieta, John Paul II reaffirmed the good relations between Paraguay and the Holy See which are based on the deep Christian roots of the Paraguayan people.

  The Pope emphasized that Paraguay  is called to take an ever-more active part in the concert of nations, and in order to do so, must promote in a permanent way the greater and more adequate education of its citizens.   In this sense, he expressed the desire that improvements in the educational system allow the  integral formation of the person to be available to everyone, preparing younger generations to fully assume their responsibilities as citizens capable of being protagonists in the nation s development, while actively procuring the common good. 

  After emphasizing  education in the true moral and spiritual values and promoting an authentic cultural movement that consolidates and spread these values,  the Holy Father referred to the need to propose again  these fundamental values, such as honesty, austerity, responsibility for the common good, solidarity, spirit of sacrifice and the culture of work, capacity for dialogue and the participation of everyone at all levels, which will ensure greater development for all members of the national community. 

  John Paul II emphasized that  there are many challenges that must be confronted in order to affirm and consolidate a peaceful climate and serene coexistence among all, in which the citizens  confidence in the different institutions and public offices reigns.  These entities must consider and promote the common good at all times   because governmental activity must be above any specific or partial interests. 

  The Holy Father said that  to promote the development of everyone in all fields  it is necessary to adopt  initiatives that truly increase the quality of life for all citizens, especially in the fields of health care, housing, and work conditions which are always inspired by ethical principles that take into account equality and the necessary contribution of everyone s efforts and sacrifices. The objective is to serve Paraguayans in the specific pressing needs of today and to prevent tomorrow s problems; to fight against poverty with tenacity; to transform potential natural resources through work and responsibility; to distribute wealth more justly, reducing inequalities that generate exclusion and offend the condition of our brothers and sisters, children of the same Father and participants in the gifts that the Creator put in the hands of all men. 

POPE GREETS SEMINARIANS FROM POLAND

VATICAN CITY, DEC 9, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul this morning welcomed the rector, priests, professors, religious and lay collaborators and seminarians from the major seminary of Radom, Poland, recalling his visit to the new seminary in 1991 and speaking on the historical and spiritual legacies of which the seminarians today are heirs.

  He noted that  in this year of formation you have the motto  Imitate what you will celebrate -  imitare quod tractibus . This is an invitation that each one of you seminarians, God willing, will hear during the liturgy of ordination. Usually this refers to the mysteries enclosed within the Eucharist and its celebration. In reality the deeper content of this call seems to come directly from Christ s words:  Do this in memory of Me . And  Christ s memory  is His entire earthly life, but above all, its paschal conclusion. 

  He pointed out that their pastoral service  is constituted by a diversity of actions, of which, the Council says, the Eucharist is the source and summit. Whatever your service is, the invitation to imitate its deepest meaning is always current and just. 

   Humanly speaking, this is not an easy task to fulfill,  the Holy Father added.  In your lives today, and above all in the priesthood make sure there is always time for prayer. Make every effort to prepare yourselves in the best possible way for your priestly duties through a solid study of doctrine - not only theological but also through other disciplines that will help you in your contacts with modern man - or by learning a pastoral praxis - but base this preparation on the solid foundation of prayer. 

NEW CARDINALS TO TAKE POSSESSION OF TITLES, DIACONATES

Vatican City, Dec 9, 2003 (VIS) - In coming days six cardinals will take possession of their titular or diaconate churches in Rome.

  On Saturday, December 13 at 6 p.m. Cardinal Attitlio Nicora, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, will take possession of the diaconate of St. Philip Neri in Eurasia.

  On Sunday, December 14, the following cardinals will take possession: Jean-Louis Tauran, archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church, the diaconate of St. Appolinarus alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine at 10:30 a.m.; Gabriel Zubeir Wako, metropolitan archbishop of Khartoum, Sudan, of the title of St. Athanasius on Via Tiburtina at 11 a.m.; Julian Herranz, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, the diaconate of St. Eugene at 11 a.m.; Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, the diaconate of St. John Bosco on Via Tuscolana at 11a.m.; Bernard Panafieu, metropolitan archbishop of Marseille, France, the title of St. Gregory Barbarigo alle Tre Fontane, at 11:30.am.
 /POSSESSION TITLES/     VIS 031209 (180)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 9, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Erwin Josef Ender, apostolic nuncio in Germany.

- Three prelates from Sudan on their ad limina visit:

    - Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, archbishop of Khartoum, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Adwok.

    - Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, M.C.C.I. of Juba.

  On Saturday, December 6, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Breisgua, Germany.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. AP:AL/ / VIS 031209 (90)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 9, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

 - Fr. Michael Odogwu Elue, dean of theology in the Major Seminary of Uhiele, Nigeria, as bishop of Issele-Uku (area 3,011,000, population 883,790, Catholics 275,300, priest 65, religious 100), Nigeria.  The bishop-elect was born in 1956 in Ute-Ogbeje, Nigeria and was ordained a priest in 1984.

 - Frs. Robert Brahm, head of the office for priests in the department of personnel of the diocesan curia of Trier, Germany, and Jorg Michael Peters, pastor and dean in Losheim, Germany, as auxiliary bishops of the diocese of Trier (area 12,870, population 2,300,000, Catholics 1,620,000, priests 1,184, permanent deacons 121, religious 2,918), Germany. Bishop-elect Brahm was born in 1960 in Altenkessel, Germany and was ordained a priest in 1987. Bishop-elect Peters was born in 1955 in Oberwesel, Germany and was ordained a priest in 1984.

  It was made public on Saturday, December 6 that the Holy Father appointed Fr. Augustin Traore, rector of the Major Seminary in Bamako, Mali, as the bishop of Segou (area 55,376, population 2,563,140, Catholics 12,379, priests 12, religious 26), Mali.  The bishop-elect was born in Banakouru, Mali in 1955 and was ordained a priest in 1985.

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