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JANUARY 15

Pope to celebrate historic Mass in Jerusalem, says Nuncio in Israel

Rome, 15 (NE) Pope John Paul II will be the first Pontiff to celebrate Mass at the place where the Last Supper took place and where the Lord Jesus instituted the Eucharist, said the Apostolic Nuncio in Israel and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, in declarations to Vatican Radio. The Nuncio recalled that Pope Paul VI visited Holy Land in 1964, but he did not celebrate Mass at that place. "This will be an occasion to discover the gift of the Eucharist," Archbishop Sambi further stated. Regarding the problematic situation generated by the construction of a Mosque next to the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Papal Nuncio declared that no particular tensions were expected in Nazareth. "The city expects the Pope with respect, with love," he said.

March in favor of life to take place in Washington

Arlington, 15 (NE) The weekly "Catholic Herald" magazine of the Diocese of Arlington recently informed that groups of Catholics from this diocese will gather in Washington the 24th of this month for the "March for Life 2000." This march is organized in order to reject abortionist practices in the United States. Thousands of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds will converge in Washington Jan. 24 to celebrate March for Life 2000. Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington will preside over different Eucharistic celebrations in favor of life before the march.

Speaking to the Herald days before his installation as Bishop of Arlington last March, Bishop Loverde said that one of the most important challenges facing the Church locally, nationally and worldwide is the challenge to proclaim and defend the inestimable worth of every human being. In his installation homily, Bishop Loverde said "ours must be a consistent ethic of life, defending and protecting human life from its beginning at conception all the way through to its end at natural death."

CBCP to operate internet service provider for faithful to avoid immoral contents

Rome, 15 (NE) The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has found a solution to the problem of the proliferation of pornography on the internet. Many persons complain about the problems that the navigation on the internet implies, due to the great number of web sites that offer material with a high content of immorality. To face this problem, the CBCP will launch this month cbcpNet, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that assures all its users of pornography-free internet access. Available to individuals and corporate users, the project was created due to the growing concern about the growth of sites on the Internet that offer immoral contents. The aim of this initiative is to provide an alternative internet access to subscribers who wish to protect themselves and their children from pornographic sites. Internet access to other dioceses that do not have ISPs (internet service providers) in their local areas will also be provided.

Bishops request unity and hope to Venezuelan people

Caracas, 15 (NE) Upon concluding their LXXIIIth Ordinary Plenary Assembly, the Bishops in Venezuela issued a document titled: "Renew Hope and Solidarity in Christ." Facing Venezuela's current political, economic and social situation, the Bishops urged in this document to dialogue and consent among the different groups in the nation. Starting from this dialogue -they affirmed- trust will be achieved to help foster the unity of the Venezuelan people while respect for human rights will be reinforced. The Bishops expressed as well their fraternity and solidarity with those affected by the recent rains and floods, stressing that "the Venezuelan people have responded with generosity and solidarity in order to alleviate much of the human suffering. We are called to reconciliation and solidarity in the love to our brother that suffers."

Preparations for World Youth Day continue

Rome, 15 (NE) The second meeting among delegates of Youth Pastoral began this week in Rome to continue preparations for the next World Youth Day, that will gather youth from different countries in the Eternal City within the frame of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. The delegates present belong to diverse Bishops conferences and movements and Catholic organizations from all over the world.

The youth meeting, that will take place in August, is organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity, a Pontifical Council presided by Cardinal J. Francis Stafford. Regarding the event, the director of the Office for Youth of the Pontifical Council affirmed that the meeting began this week aims above all to "inform those in charge of Youth Pastoral and the Movements and Associations on the state of preparation of the World Youth Day."

"Its an encounter that seeks to exchange experiences and studies in which all will try to tune into the fundamental aspects of this day" he pointed out, affirming the importance that the next World Youth Day be "a moment of grace for each young participant, a spiritual experience of encounter with Christ."

JANUARY 14

Pope urges to greater concern for family

Vatican City, 14 (NE) Pope John Paul II thanked yesterday the people of Rome for their witness and hospitality during the first days of the Jubilee, during his meeting with members of the regional administration of Lazio and of the local and provincial administration of Rome. In his address, the Holy Father also urged to a greater defense of family.

The Pope thanked Romans for "the generous willingness with which they accepted the sacrifices and inconvenience linked with the preparations immediately prior to the Jubilee." He also emphasized the need to "recognize in the Jubilee a precious occasion of grace, as well as for civil, social an economic development. Furthermore, I trust that they will put their traditional hospitable qualities at the service of pilgrims."

Referring to the different aspects that may enrich and give new perspectives to the aims already achieved, the Pontiff urged to give a special attention to family, calling those "responsible to shun any initiative that may favor or support placing the family on an equal level with other forms of co-habitation."

The Holy Father also urged those present to make "courageous choices in the field of schooling and education… It is also important, in the field of healthcare, to combine technical progress and cost control with giving primary attention to the sick."

Cardinal Bevilacqua concerned for possible legalization of embryo stem cell research

Philadelphia, 14 (NE) Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia sent letters to federal lawmakers and the National Institutes for Health asking them not to approve guidelines that would legalize embryo stem cell research. The month dedicated to the investigation of these norms will finish the 31st of January, deadline for the Congress to intervene before the guidelines become finalized. The draft guidelines published last December by the National Institutes for Health aim to a legalization of embryo stem cell research. "These guidelines disregard the sanctity of life by sanctioning the killing of unborn human embryos to obtain stem cells for research," wrote Cardinal Bevilacqua. "This assault on life must not happen. Scientific research should be guided by a fundamental moral norm: respect for the dignity of life from conception (fertilization) to natural death," he added.

Brazilian Archdiocese organizes "Campaign for Life and Peace"

São Paulo, 14 (NE) The Archdiocese of Ribeirão Preto, located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, will soon organize a "Campaign for Life and Peace." As it was recently informed, the campaign aims to answer the increase of urban violence and the constant attacks against life in the area. To encourage the initiative, the Brazilian Archdiocese has convoked different groups to reflect and exchange opinions on themes such as family, children, teenage, woman, social movements, education, art, culture, citizenship and democracy. Work guidelines and concrete actions are expected to be developed from these meetings. The goal, as members of the Archdiocese informed, is to foster a culture of peace, with a clear option in favor of life.

Genoa: Hundreds pilgrimage to restored Marian shrine for Jubilee

Rome, 14 (NE) "Mary is a privileged path to go to Christ and renew to Him all our love," Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, Archbishop of Genoa, Italy, pointed out recently upon inaugurating the pilgrimage to the diocesan shrine of the "Madonna della Guardia". The sanctuary, elect as a Jubilee church for the Holy Year, was the place to which more than 2000 faithful pilgrimaged last week. It was in this place that more than 500 years ago the Virgin appeared to a humble shepherd.

During the ceremony, Cardinal Tettamanzi highlighted the importance of the shrine to Genovese faithful and also its opening as a Jubilee site of pilgrimage. "Man -he reminded- needs to be saved, liberated from evil. Mainly, liberated from the most anguishing evil: the absence of God." "No human feeling -he added- can bring salvation. God is not far from us. He loves us with an infinitely tender love and we have the necessity of the compassion of God in order to be new people. This is the meaning of the Jubilee."

In view of the celebration, the Marian sanctuary has been restored and prepared to receive a greater number of pilgrims. Among other initiatives, a retreat house has been prepared as well as a "Memorial room," where diverse objects have been gather to witness the history of the sanctuary from the XVth century up to our days.

Pro-Life march protests against abortion in Puerto Rico

San Juan, 14 (NE) Next Monday in San Juan of Puerto Rico, the organization Pro Life of this country will carry out a "March for Life". Carlos Sanchez, director of the institution, pointed out that after 27 years since the legalization of abortion in Puerto Rico "we believe that protesting will make the Supreme Court change its decision regarding abortion. We will request the legislature to give protection to the unborn child in the mother's womb."

The church of San Agustin in 'Puerta de Tierra' will be the place of concentration, where a Mass will be celebrated. People gathered for the march will afterwards pilgrim to the Capitol. The director of the Pro Life organization pointed out as well that an award will be given to those "most outstanding in the protection of unborn children." Sanchez confirmed that the battle against abortion and the culture of death in Puerto Rico had achieved that from the 43 centers of abortion that existed in 1981, today only 7 remain open.

JANUARY 13

Holy Father's trip to Holy Land officially announced

Rome, 13 (NE) The Holy See officially announced yesterday Pope John Paul II' visit to Holy Land. The trip will take place from March 20 to 26 this year. The announcement was made in the Vatican as well as in Jerusalem, Amman and Bethlehem.

The Pope wants to be present at the main places of the History of Salvation during the Jubilee year that celebrates the 2000 years of the birth of the Lord Jesus. The Pope will arrive to Jordan the 20th of March. There he will visit the monastery of Mount Nebo, located at the place where Moses saw the promised land for the fist time. He will then celebrate Mass at an outdoor stadium in the capital city of Amman.

During his pilgrimage, the Pope will preside over the celebration of the Eucharist in Bethlehem, the Cenacle (Jerusalem), the Mount of Beatitudes in Galilee, the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth and the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem), accompanied by the Members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land.

This is the second visit of a Pope to Holy Land, after Pope Paul VI' visit in 1964. The program finally includes a visit to the Western Wall of the Temple of Jerusalem and to the El Aqsa Mosque. There he will greet the religious authorities of the Judaism and Islam, respectively. The Pontiff will gather with the leaders of the Christian Churches at the Holy Land.

Pope reflects on "Mary's place on the journey to the Father"

Vatican City, 13 (NE) Yesterday, at the Paul VI Hall, numerous pilgrims met Pope John Paul II during Wednesday's general audience. During his catechesis, the Holy Father reflected on "Mary's place on the journey to the Father." The Holy Father stated that "Christ is the only Mediator between God and men. In that mediation Mary is completely at His service. She was also redeemed by Christ and intimately united to Him. She collaborates in the work of our salvation."

He also added that "therefore her role of mediation is the greatest fruit of Christ's mediation and is essentially oriented to rendering our meeting with Him more intimate and profound. Mary, model of humanity always preserved here faith and hope alive. She wishes to prompt us to look with faith and hope to the Savior sent to us by the Father."

The Pope finally said that "Mary encourages the Church and believers to always carry out the Father's will, which was made manifest in Christ. The words addressed to the servants at the miracle of Canaan also address each generation: 'Do whatever he tells you.'"

Patriarch Sabbah highlights religious character of Pope's pilgrimage

Rome, 13 (NE) The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, highlighted that Pope John Paul II's visit to Holy Land is of religious and spiritual character, as the Pontiff had already pointed out in previous opportunities. The "expectations of the Pope's trip are of spiritual, religious and humane," Patriarch Sabbah affirmed, responding to the journalists' questions.

Upon presenting the Holy Father's pilgrimage during a press conference, Patriarch Sabbah also reminded that this is the second time a Pope has ever visited Holy Land. The first Pope to do such a pilgrimage was Paul VI in 1964.

Later, in declarations to "Vatican Radio," Patriarch Sabbah pointed out that in his speeches and homilies, the Pope will stress the spiritual character of this visit. "It will not be a political voice, but a prophetic one -he explained-. An invitation to look for the truth that affects all human beings that live on this Holy Land, independently of their religious differences. It is a voice of the spirit of which many politicians are also in need." "This way the political negotiations will receive an impulse in order to apply a greater justice and truth that may lead to a true reconciliation," commented the Patriarch.

US Bishops publish jubilee resource guide for youth

Washington, 13 (NE) The US bishop's Secretariat of Family, Laity, Women and Youth has prepared and published "The Youth and Young Adult Jubilee Guidebook" as a "resource to help young people to prepare themselves and celebrate the Holy Year of the 2000." This publication "has been made to gather applicable material and publish them to aid young people and those who guide them." The "Guide", published in Spanish and English, includes an overview of the Jubilee year, six group sessions for youth and other six for young adults, with texts, prayers, activities and questions for group discussions. It also includes other resources that help to reflect, pray and celebrate the faith during the Church celebration of the Holy Year. This includes the Pope's prayer for the Jubilee, the Jubilee Hymn and a list of celebrations for young people in Rome during the year 2000.

Bishops in Chile request vote according to conscience for presidential elections

Santiago de Chile, 13 (NE) The Chilean Bishops Conference renewed the invitation made to people in this country in view of the next presidential elections, calling people to vote according to their conscience. By means of a communique made public this week, the Bishop's Conference stressed the importance of voting the next January 16, urging Chileans to to make "an effort of discernment in order to form a judgement in conscience concerning the programs presented to the country" by the candidates.

Recalling a similar message made public last November for the presidential elections, in which no candidate receive enough votes to win, the Bishops stressed the need to act with "complete freedom, seriously considering all that, from the perspective of the Gospel and common good, must be fulfilled for a healthy national coexistence". The message called as well to "unity, reconciliation and peace", asking people in this country "to work not for the division of the nation, but for collaboration in whatever is possible, without denying any legitimate differences".

JANUARY 12

Cardinal Rouco reminds parents responsibility to baptize their children

Madrid, 12 (NE) During his homily at the Mass that celebrated the Feast of Baptism of the Lord, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, recalled that parents have the responsibility to baptize their children. "Christian parents," he said, "very well know that they must not impede their children, born from them to this world's life, from receiving the new life of grace and the Spirit from Christ."

He also recalled that parents are the "first and main responsible people of the human and also spiritual education of their children." Addressing faithful gathered at Madrid's Cathedral, the Archbishop warned as well of the mistaken values that are uncritically transmitted to children through mass media.

"We must not forget," expressed Cardinal Rouco, "that in a society where public opinion is so aware of the value of cultural tolerance and the exercise of private and public freedom, the attempts to 'counter-evangelize' our children, our boys and girls, are no longer mere passing episodes but something usual."

Archbishop of Miami: war is no longer a solution

Miami, 12 (NE) "Most people at the end of the century have agreed that war is no longer a solution for the problems among nations," recently stated Archbishop John Favalora of Miami, during a Mass specially offered for immigrants in the archdiocese. Before the great variety of nationalities present at St. Mary's Cathedral, Archbishop Favalora emphasized the importance of making concrete the hope of peace that the new millennium brings. Following the Archbishop's homily, people offered prayers for their homelands as well as for the local community in their respective native languages, among these English, Croatian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. The Mass, began with a procession of children, followed by adults and children alike, dressed in the vibrant greens, reds and golds of African, Filipino, Chinese, Indian and other native costumes representing the diversity of peoples present in Miami.

Sao Paulo: city's anniversary to coincide with Jubilee celebration

Sao Paulo, 12 (NE) The city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, will celebrate its 446th anniversary on the 25th of January. Archbishop Claudio Hummes of Sao Paulo, archdiocese that shares the name with one of Brazil's largest and most populated cities, announced the celebration of the "Jubilee of Sao Paulo" to be held precisely that day. The main activity of this event will be a Mass presided by Archbishop Hummes. Five auxiliary bishops from this Archdiocese together with four Bishops from the other dioceses that are part of the city will be concelebrating, in a Mass that expects to gather thousands of Brazilian faithful. The aim of the "Jubilee of Sao Paulo" is to welcome the Holy Year's calling to conversion and to celebrate the city's joy for the 2000 years of the Lord's birth.

National Youth Meeting begins in Paraguay

Asuncion, 12 (NE) Hundreds of Paraguayan youth participated yesterday in the Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Saint John the Baptist, beginning the National Youth Meeting that has gathered young people from different parts of this country. During the event, participants will renew their faith in Jesus Christ and will also assume the commitment of working for a country where values such as solidarity and fraternity are present.

The Mass presided by Bishop Mario Melanio Medina began at 7p.m approximately. During four days, from the 11th to the 14th, different meetings will be carried out in the diverse parishes of 'Misiones' and 'Neembucu'. On Saturday 15th all the young delegations will move to Ayolas, where they will participate in a vigil, in preparation for the closing Mass to be celebrated on Sunday. 10.000 people are expected to attend the closing Eucharist, to be presided by the Papal Nuncio in Paraguay.

"The Catholic youth will be multiplication agents in order to take the good news and help the conversion of their peers during the Jubilee Year that began on December 25th", Bishop Melanio Medina said in declarations previous to the beginning of the encounter. "¡What's better than the fact that the very same youth within their juvenile world to take, illustrate and guide other youth that are outside the context and do not understand the meaning of the Jubilee!" added the Bishop.

The Youth Meeting, organized by the National Youth Pastoral, aims to celebrate the great Jubilee of the year 2000 and encourage Paraguayan youth to assume their commitment with Jesus Christ and society in view of the third millennium.

Sudanese faithful celebrate 100th anniversary since first Mass

Rome, 12 (NE) The Church in Sudan celebrated last week the centennial of their first Eucharistic celebration carried out in this region after centuries of Islamic dominance, as the Italian daily Avvenire reported. The Mass, presided by Archbishop Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Khartoum, took place in the Merik stadium of Omdurman, and counted with the participation of hundreds of Sudanese faithful.

The celebration of the centennial recalled the Mass celebrated by Bishop Maria Roveggio upon concluding the Islamic revolution. During the years 1885 to 1898, the Church in this country endured terrible persecutions that almost annulled all missionary work. Thousands of Christians were persecuted and murdered. In 1899, most part of Sudan fell into hands of Egypt and Great Britain, which permitted a new beginning to missionary activity.

At the moment, the population in this country is of approximately 34 million people, with an overwhelming Muslim majority. The number of Christians makes up 5 percent of the population. In the last years, the Church has continued going through moments of persecution and difficulty, within the frame of a bloody civil war between the country's south and north.

JANUARY 11

Pope addresses members of diplomatic corps

Vatican City, 11 (NE) Pope John Paul II received yesterday in the Sala Regia in the Vatican members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. Through the dean of the diplomatic corps, Giovanni Galassi of the Republic of San Marino, the Pope received collective greetings from all the ambassadors. During his address, the Pope offered a balance of the world's current situation. "The Vicar of Christ strongly desires to offer to the peoples whom you represent his prayerful good wishes for this Year 2000 which so many have welcomed in 'jubilation'," stated the Pope.

"The century just ended has seen remarkable advances in science which have considerably improved people's life and health. ...Information technology has made the world smaller and brought us closer to one another. ... But one question can be asked: was this century also the century of 'brotherhood'?"

Looking back, he recalled "bloody wars which have decimated millions of people and provoked massive exoduses, shameful genocides, ... the arms race, ... terrorism and ethnic conflicts." "The life sciences and biotechnology continue to find new fields of application, yet they also raise the problem of the limits imposed by the need to safeguard people's dignity, responsibility and safety".

The Pope highlighted that "the men and women of the 21st century will be called to a more developed sense of responsibility. ... This also supposes that we must renounce idols such as prosperity at any price, material wealth as the only value, science as the sole explanation of reality. ... It also supposes that God will have His rightful place in people's lives: the first place."

Archbishop Aguer emphasizes need to evangelize culture in new millennium

Buenos Aires, 11 (NE) The mission of the Church, "that celebrates the 2000th anniversary of the Lord's birth with a great jubilee, consists in spreading the truth and grace of Christ," Coadjutor Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata stated in an article recently published by a local newspaper. The Argentinean Prelate stressed as well that the evangelizing mission of the Church involves "the concrete life and witness of Christians."

Archbishop Aguer noted "three dimensions" that are "of greatest actuality" for the mission of the Church in the third millennium. The first one, he stated, is the "revitalization of Christian communities". The second one is the "evangelization of culture". "We understand culture as the totality of a people's life, its 'style': its view of the world and existence, its criteria, attitudes, ways, values and forms that configure it."

"This demands," added the Prelate, "the presence of Christians in all those environments where the new cultural characteristics are forged, a presence that finds its support on a robust intellectual and spiritual identity, with no inferiority complexes nor false modesties. This presence must be also welcoming, affable, open to dialogue."

The third dimension, he further said, involves the necessary "witness of charity, Christian love organically expressed in the concern for the poor, the sick, those who suffer, a special attention for the new forms of poverty and segregation."

Archbishop Aguer also expressed that, at the end of the millennium, it is necessary to acknowledge and balance the presence of Christianity in history, without "presumptions nor guilt complexes…". "In the rich fabric of human happenings," he finally said, "in the march of history with its conflicts of freedoms and passions, God writes the authentic and definitive history, the one that will be registered in the Book of Life."

Cardinal Rivera celebrates jubilee with hundreds of children

Mexico City, 11 (NE) Cardinal Norberto Rivera celebrated last weekend the Jubilee of Children with hundreds of children that gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the archdiocese. The Archbishop of Mexico presided over a Eucharistic celebration where approximately 4,000 children participated, expressing their joy and enthusiasm during the meeting. Cardinal Rivera welcomed them to the Jubilee and made an evaluation of the situation of children in Mexico and in the world. Among other themes, he mentioned the importance of children and urged society to take urgent measures for their defense. He recalled that nowadays, in many parts of the world, many children suffer or are threatened, starve and suffer misery or die due to illnesses that could easily be cured or by malnutrition. He also urged parents to have a better education to be prepared for a better care for their children.

Chile: Archdiocese of Santiago prepares for new century

Santiago, 11 (NE) Last week the Day of Pastoral Planning for the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile took place, presided over by Archbishop Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Santiago. Vicars, Episcopal delegates, Pastoral secretaries and Chiefs of departments participated at the event. The reflections and proposals were made in the frame of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, aiming to prepare the Church in the archdiocese for the new century. The conclusions of this work will enrich what has already been formulated by the Pastoral Plan for the year 2000, a document prepared together with other Church circumscriptions. "The Jubilee of the year 2000 is a time of grace, of personal and community conversion, and a new opportunity for the Church of Santiago to proclaim with joy, and new ardor, following the orientations of the Holy Father, the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the People of God," concluded the participants.

Image of Mary finishes in Nazareth pilgrimage around the world

Rome, 11 (NE) The city of Nazareth was the last stop for an image of the Blessed Virgin that has pilgrimaged around the world visiting countries all over the planet. The pilgrimage of the Marian image, encouraged by an Italian capuchin friar, began precisely in Nazareth, on March 8, 1998, during the International Women's Day, and finished last Sunday in the same city, where the Mother of God lived hundreds of years ago. The pilgrimage has taken the image through 35 countries and all the continents, gathering thousands of faithful in the frame of preparations for the Holy Year. Last December 24, for the beginning of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the image arrived to Bethlehem, and afterwards visited Jerusalem before reaching the final destination in Nazareth.

US Bishop asks parents to encourage religious vocations among children

Denver 11 (NE) Strong families give the church great seminarians, Bishop Raymond J. Boland of Kansas City - St. Joseph told Serra Club International members gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family last December. Reflecting on the Gospel narrative of the presentation of the Christ child to Simeon and Anna at the temple, Bishop Boland said that strong Catholic families are open to God's call to the lives of their children.

"In a day and an age when pleasure, wealth and greed are often the goals people seek, when a priest or religious stands in the marketplace, they are a contradiction," Bishop Boland said. "They are contradicting the prevailing culture and saying, 'There is another way,'" he said, recalling that "Christ was also a contradiction to the prevailing culture of his time by offering himself in sacrifice for the good of all".

At the end of the Mass, the Serrans honored four elementary students who won top prizes in an annual essay contest on religious vocations. Boys were asked to write on the theme of, "What I would do if I were a priest or a brother." Girls wrote on the theme, "What I would do if I were a sister."

JANUARY 10

Children from different countries baptized by Pope

Vatican City, 10 (NE) Pope John Paul II baptized yesterday 18 children from different parts of the world during a celebration held in a recently restored Sistine Chapel. 8 girls and 10 boys from Italy, Brazil, United States, Spain and Switzerland, accompanied by their parents and godparents, were baptized during the ceremony presided by the Holy Father.

"It is specially beautiful to give the sacrament of Baptism in this Sistine Chapel, where impressive works of art remind us of the prodigies of the history of salvation, from the origins of man until the Last Judgement. But it is even more meaningful to contemplate these signs of God's action in our life during the Jubilee year, totally centered in the mystery of Christ, born, dead and risen for us," stated the Pope during his homily.

During the Mass celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Pontiff urged parents and godparents "to be a support and guidance" for the recently baptized "in the path of faithfulness to Christ and the Gospel". "Be for them," he added, "examples of solid faith, deep prayer and active commitment in the life of the Church."

Holy Father emphasizes need to fulfill "baptismal commitments"

Vatican City, 10 (NE) After the ceremony where he baptized children from different nationalities, Pope John Paul II appeared at his window upon St. Peter's Square for Sunday's Angelus prayer. The Pope reminded the numerous pilgrims gathered for the occasion the celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, with which Christmas time concludes.

"Recalling the Nativity of Jesus, we have celebrated the great mystery of Redemption. We particularly concentrate on this mystery during the whole itinerary of the Jubilee. The Son of God became man so that man could be raised to the dignity of adoptive child of God," he stated. The Pope also underlined that "the feast of the Baptism of the Lord that we celebrate today urges us to live in intimate union with divine life."

"In the context of the Jubilee year," he later added, "time of grace, joy and renewal of life, the celebration of this Baptism constitutes a calling to each of us to return to the roots of the Christian vocation". "May the Virgin also help us to better fulfill our baptismal commitments during this Jubilee year, nourishing day by day the flame of faith, that was given to us at the beginning of our Christian existence," he concluded.

El Salvador: Archbishop offers mediation to end strike

San Salvador, 10 (NE) The Archbishop of San Salvador, Fernando Saenz Lacalle, renewed again his request for an urgent solution to the strikes of the Social Security Institute (ISSS) in this country. After almost two months on strike, the Archbishop called once again members of the Institute not to forget the sick people affected by their measure. "Going on a strike is an extreme measure, and should not leave essential services abandoned," said the Archbishop of San Salvador. Regarding this, he stressed that the strikers should think of those affected in order to suspend the strikes and not make a political issue out of them. "In no way should one appeal to a strike, for it is enough to see the thousands of sick people that lack their prescriptions and have nevertheless paid for the service," he added. On the other hand, he renewed the disposition of the Church in order to mediate in this issue and put an end to the problem.

Pope elected man of the year in Rumania

Rome, 10 (NE) Pope John Paul II has been chosen "man of the year" in Rumania. This was the conclusion of a recent survey, carried out by the International Rumanian Radio, the radio station of Vatican Radio in this country, among local faithful. According to the poll, that asked who had contributed the most to the progress of humanity during 1999, the Pontiff obtained the greatest number of votes. Pope John Paul II carried out in May of last year a historical apostolic pilgrimage to this country, being the first Pope to visit a country of orthodox majority after the schism in 1054.

Cardinal highlights commitment of lay people in evangelization

Mexico City, 10 (NE) In recent declarations to the press, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara, pointed that the apostolate carried out by lay people has increased in view of the challenges of the new times, as for example the propagation of sects. The "presence of these sects in our country and their propaganda -the Cardinal affirmed-, has been an incentive to awake in many Christians their conscience of belonging to the Catholic Church. I believe that the Church in Mexico has never had so much lay apostles." The Mexican Cardinal informed as well that within approximately a month, the Archdiocese will make public a decision to increase the number of priests with the faculty of absolving sins reserved to Bishops. This -he explained- will be effective during the entire Jubilee Year, so that the mercy and forgiveness of the Father may come to a greater number of men in this time of grace and conversion.

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