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JANUARY 22

Holy Father stresses indissolubility of marriage

Vatican City, 22 (NE) During his traditional meeting with members of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota for the occasion of the start of the juridical year, Pope John Paul II firmly stressed the indissoluble value of marriage, against a mentality that foments divorce and wrong visions of liberty.

During the audience, the Holy Father recalled that "the Christian spouses have received the 'gift of the sacrament', and they are called, with the grace of God, to give witness of the 'Lord's will': 'What God has united, man shall not divide', that is, the inestimable value of indissolubility of marriage."

"The Church," exclaimed the Pope, "being faithful to Christ, cannot but firmly repeat the joyful announcement of the definitive character of love within the marriage, which has its foundation and force in Christ, to all those that nowadays consider the union to a person for the entire life difficult or even impossible and to those that are taken by a culture that rejects indissolubility of marriage and openly mocks about the couple's commitment to fidelity."

The Pope also clearly stated, against incorrect points of view, that "consummated sacramental marriage can never be dissolved, not even by the authority of the Roman Pontiff." He also added that this teaching has always been supported by the doctrine of the Church and has been recalled by different Successors of Peter. It has also been "held with fidelity and heroism before great pressures of the powerful of the world".

The new Dean of the Roman Rota recalled, in his address to the Roman Pontiff, that regretfully even "couples that call themselves Catholics', face the problem of marriage with superficiality and, in occasions, with a "misunderstood conception of freedom that becomes an implicit approval of divorce as a solution to humanly adverse situations."

Cuba: Bishop's new Pastoral Letter encourages "civilization of love"

Miami, 22 (NE) On occasion of the second anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Cuba in January 1998, the Cuban Bishop's Conference made public a document urging all Cubans to a spiritual and social renewal, titled "A new heaven and a new earth." The Cuban Bishops also expressed the need of a gradual and peaceful change towards the construction of a new society.

Moderation and dialogue "guarantee pacific solutions for the construction of a new civilization of truth, justice and love" stated the Bishops. The letter of the Cuban Bishop's Conference, a document of thirteen pages, also recalled the different messages and teachings that Pope John Paul II gave as he visited the Island two years ago.

The message renewed the Church's call to obtain more freedom to exercise her mission, including the petition of greater participation in Education. The Prelates also urged Cuban Catholics to a greater commitment and practice of faith, participating at the different celebrations that the Church organizes. It also stated that emigration is no solution for the country's problems. "If you leave the country there is little we can do to solve problems. Be believe we can find solutions staying in the island."

Cardinal Rivera urges to fight religious ignorance

Mexico City, 22 (NE) Within the framework of the First Centenary of the Pontifical Crowning of Our Lady of Health, Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, denounced the great illness that is spreading among society, that is, the culture of death, through murders, abortions, perverse addictions, among other evils.

The Mexican Cardinal recalled those who are ill in the body, but also warned against greater illnesses, such as ambition and materialism. He also warned against the religious ignorance of Catholic people. "Sects need only to throw their nets. They easily catch Catholics that ignore their religion." In addition, there is the problem of idols that search to "displace faith and foreign life models that pretend the destruction of the Catholic tradition of the Mexican people," he stated.

Before this reality, and considering our own "mistakes, insecurities, mistaken apathies, condescension, and also disobediences and aggressions," the Cardinal raised a prayer and urged all the present to be coherent in their Christian life, in order to transmit the health that through the intercession of Our Lady of Health we obtain from the Lord.

Colombia: Archbishop says genetic manipulation sanctioned by new penal code

Bogota, 22 (NE) "Genetic Manipulation and the Penal Code" is the title of an article recently written by Archbishop Pedro Rubiano Saenz of Bogota, made public through the Colombian media. In his article, Archbishop Rubiano Saenz denounced some articles on genetic manipulation of the new Colombian Penal Code, which is currently under the consideration of the Presidency for its approval.

Based "on the teachings of the Church regarding the dignity of life and the human procreation, and on the principles of bio-ethics reaffirmed in the first International Treaty on this matter," the Archbishop of Bogota denounced articles 132 and 134 of the new draft. The first permits a type of manipulation in the genetic patrimony for scientific investigation and the second legalizes the fecundation of ovules with the same purpose.

"These two norms of the new Penal Code are not advances at a world level, but evidently setbacks that put the human being's dignity at stake. What in Colombia would be legalized is penalized even in countries that are not a model in the integral defense of the human life from its conception," Bishop Rubiano Saenz affirmed. These two articles surpass "the limits that should not be surpassed if one wants to save the dignity, the responsibility and the security of people."

Madrid's Cardinal asks to pray for conversion of terrorists after attack

Madrid, 22 (NE) Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid, expressed his deep concern yesterday for the attack perpetrated by ETA terrorists in the city of Madrid which killed Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Antonio Blanco Garcia. Cardinal Rouco invited faithful in Madrid to pray for the conversion of the terrorists. The Archbishop of Madrid, "with his auxiliary bishops and with all of the faithful of the Archdiocese of Madrid, express their deepest desolation for the vile murder committed in the attack that, once again, sows hate in the hearts and buries the hope of being able to live in peace, mainly in our city and in all of Spain," read a statement made public yesterday.

"Cardinal Rouco invites all diocesan faithful to pray to the Lord of Life so that he may grant Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Antonio Blanco Garcia eternal rest, and comfort to his widow and to his children. He also invites to pray to the Lord for the conversion of heart of the terrorists so that the dignity of human life, the most sacred of the gifts received from God, may not be trampled on."

The Spanish Bishops Conference released as well a statement condemning the attack, that "manifests, once again, a total scorn of the human life and the coexistence in peace and in freedom, so many times requested by the Spanish people, and that no reason or aim can justify." In their message, the Spanish Bishops requested to God that "He may illuminate the mind and convert the hearts of the authors of these terrible acts and of all those that support them and aid them so that the violence may cease definitively."

JANUARY 21

Holy See announces schedule of Pope's visit to Egypt

Vatican City, 21 (NE) Yesterday morning the Holy See Press Office made public the schedule of the Pope's pilgrimage to Egypt, to take place from the 24th to the 26th of February. Mount Sinai, where Moses received the revelation of God as "I am who I am", will be the first step during his pilgrimage to the places linked to the history of salvation. Only 1% of Egypt's 66 million inhabitants are Catholic, while 5% are Orthodox.

The Pope will visit El Cairo the 24th of February in the afternoon. On Friday, February 25, Pope John Paul II will celebrate a solemn Eucharist in the cathedral of Our Lady of Egypt. This day a private interview between the Holy Father and President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak is scheduled. The Pope will also meet Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Great Sheik of Al Azhar, and Shenouda III, leader of the Copt-Orthodox Christians.

On the 26th of February, last day of his pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II will visit the Orthodox monastery of Saint Catherine, placed at the Sinai. There he will celebrate a liturgy in the garden where, according to tradition, Moses saw the burning bush.

Rio de Janeiro: faithful celebrated city's Patron saint

Rio de Janeiro, 21 (NE) In a feast of joy and intense prayer, some 60 thousand faithful "cariocas" celebrated yesterday the feast of Saint Sebastian, Patron Saint of Rio de Janeiro. A procession took place downtown, heading towards the city's Cathedral, where it was welcomed by Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales. The procession carried the image of the Patron saint, which dates back to the sixteenth century, for the first time since 1966. The small wooden image was brought from Portugal in 1565, in one of the first incursions into Brazilian lands. During the procession, participants expressed their solidarity praying in front of the city's jail, as well as in front of the National Institute of Cancer. After accompanying the procession for more than 2 hours, faithful from the 239 parishes of the Archdiocese filled the cathedral to celebrate the Eucharist. Afterwards a theatrical representation of the saint's life took place, closing the event.

Cardinal Ruini: there is no higher light than the one offered by Jesus Christ

Rome, 21 (NE) Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar general of the Holy Father for the Diocese of Rome, gathered with faithful at the Italian diocese of Lodi to pay homage to St. Bassian, Patron saint and first bishop of the diocese. During his homily, Cardinal Ruini highlighted the saint's evangelizing attitude in his fight against the Arian heresy.

Recalling the celebration of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, the Cardinal stated that "we have seen and read with joy that many people recognize the fundamental importance that Jesus has had for all humanity", for "there is no higher light than that offered by Jesus Christ". Cardinal Ruini invited as well Catholics gathered to "go and communicate the faith that we have received as a gift." He insisted on the importance of incarnating faith "in today's culture and mentality".

Born in Sicily, Saint Bassian was named Bishop of Lodi, in Lombardy (now Italy). He was held in high esteem by his friend Saint Ambrose, with whom he attended the council of Aquileia (381) and whom he assisted at his death (390). He died in the year 413.

Ecuador prepares National Youth Congress

Guayaquil, 21 (NE) At only two weeks from the World Youth Jubilee that will gather thousands of young people from all over the world in Rome, the Church in Ecuador prepares for this August a National Youth Congress, that is expected to be an important moment to encourage the commitment and witness of the youth of this country. "Young prophets of Hope and Life, committed with the new millennium" is the theme of the National Youth congress, which will also encourage a missionary attitude among the tens of thousands of young faithful that are expected to attend. This important event for the Church in Ecuador will take place in Guayaquil, from August 1 - 15. During the meeting, that will take place within the frame of World Youth Day and the celebration of the Jubilee Year, several activities and moments of reflection will be carried out to encourage the apostolate of the youth among the youth.

JANUARY 20

Pope begins series of catechesis on the contemplation of the mystery of God

Vatican City, 20 (NE) Pope John Paul II began yesterday a new series of catechesis on the contemplation of the mystery of God, aiming "to give glory to the Trinity, from whom everything in the world and in history comes and to whom everything returns". The Pope recalled this was the aim of the celebration of this Jubilee year. Speaking to the faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall for the general audience, the Pope said that "the Holy Trinity lies at the very roots of existence and of history and is present in their final culmination. It constitutes the beginning and the end of the history of salvation".

"The mystery of the Trinity," he went on, "far from being a dry and intellectual truth, is life that abides within us and sustains us. In this Jubilee year, our reflections spring from this Trinitarian life which precedes and lays the foundation for the creation." The Holy Father further explained that God "is love in His innermost life, where the Trinitarian energy is precisely the expression of the eternal love with which the Father begets the Son and both of Them mutually give Themselves in the Holy Spirit. This is love in relation to the world."

"If the eyes of our heart, illuminated by the revelation, become sufficiently pure and penetrating, they become capable of finding, within the faith, this mystery in which everything that exists has its roots and foundation," he concluded.

Miami: fund raising campaign encourages charity among faithful

Miami, 20 (NE) Aiming to raise funds to secure the future of service and educational programs in the archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Miami officially launched this week "Vision 2000: Sharing God's Gifts". Along the Jubilee Year, the campaign will encourage charity and generosity among the 1.3 million Catholics in 111 parishes in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties, aiming to raise $75 million. The money collected will be used to create endowments for several causes, including Catholic education and programs that aid the poor. As the Miami Herald reported, Archbishop John C. Favalora announced that since the effort began in a several pilot parishes last November, $28 million has been already raised, amounting to more than one-third of the goal. "We are confident that the community of faithful in South Florida will unite in this crucial drive", Archbishop Favalora stated during a recent press conference.

Arlington: Bishop Loverde renews call to fight abortion

Arlington, 20 (NE) Archbishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington renewed his call for faithful to "publicly witness to the horror of abortion and its impact on society" and "to celebrate the joy of the jubilee year as a pilgrim Church". In a recent article, the Prelate invited Catholics in the diocese to participate in the pro-life activities to be held January 22, 23, and 24.

January 22 is the 27th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision allowing the taking of the life of an unborn baby. On that day, Bishop Loverde will celebrate Mass and afterwards will preside the prayer of the rosary at a nearby abortion facility. "Let us petition our Blessed Lady, the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the United States, to intercede for us so that this slaughter of the innocent may be ended", wrote the Prelate.

Bishop Loverde also announced that St. Mary's Church in Alexandria will be the goal of a pilgrimage on January 23, "as we continue the celebration of the jubilee year at the oldest church in our diocese". Finally, on January 24, he invited faithful to "join me in a national display of witness at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. I applaud the participation of this diocese in this march over the years. I am honored to join you as we unite with peoples from across the land in a public witness for life".

"May we pray that the tens of thousands attending this march representing the millions of people throughout the land make an impact on public opinion and the legislative process in order to recognize the horror that abortion inflicts upon us". "Mother Teresa told us, 'the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion.' Let us continue the process of bringing peace to our nation by our public witness at the March for Life. After all, '…we are the people of life and for life, and this is how we present ourselves to everyone'."

Pope's trip to Egypt soon to be announced, says Archbishop Re

Rome, 20 (NE) Pope John Paul II's visit to Egypt, with his visit to mount Sinai, "will be carried out and its announcement is imminent," said recently Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, as the Italian daily Avvenire reported yesterday. Commenting the Holy Father's pilgrimage to Egypt, Archbishop Re, Substitute for the Secretary of State, said that "Egyptian authorities have been accessible and open to dialogue". On January 16, the spokesman of the government of Egypt, Nabil Osman, announced that Pope John Paul II would carry out a one-day visit to the country of the Nile. The Egyptian official pointed out as possible days for the Papal pilgrimage February 25 or 26. If it were to be carried out, it would be the Pope's first visit to Egypt.

Paintings of Cuzqueñan School exhibited in Madrid

Madrid, 20 (NE) More than 50 paintings of the Cuzqueñan School will be exhibited until the 13th of February in the "Casa de America" in Madrid, Spain. The paintings, -many of them exhibited for the first time publicly- belong to personal collections as well as to several museums of Lima, Peru. The famous Cuzqueñan School of painting was developed between the second half of the XVIIth century and the XVIIIth century, constituting one of the most elevated manifestations of the synthesis between the Inca and the Spanish culture, united with the bond of faith. The Cuzqueñan painting has as its main characteristics to be painted with gold brocades, known as "brocateado"; the abundance in the use of landscape showing plants, flowers and Peruvian birds; as well as the use of fringes of flowers in order to surround the religious paintings. Some of these paintings, -painted with an evangelizing and catechizing aim- are work of the celebrated cuzqueñan artist Diego Quispe Tito and of other exponents of the Cuzqueñan School such as Basilio Santa Cruz, among others.

Papal message for World Communications Day to be presented on Monday

Vatican City, 20 (NE) Pope John Paul's Message for the 34th World Communications Day will be presented in the Holy See Press Office on Monday, January 24, at 11:30 a.m local time. The presentation of the Pope's message will be in charge of Archbishop John Foley and Bishop Pierfranco Pastore, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The theme of the message is: "Announcing Christ in the Media at the Dawn of the New Millennium." The jubilee celebrations for journalists and for those involved in the entertainment industry will also be presented that day during the press conference.

JANUARY 19

Pope opened Holy Door of St. Paul's Outside-the Walls

Rome, 19 (NE) During a solemn ceremony, Pope John Paul opened yesterday the fourth and final Holy Door of the Jubilee Year 2000 at the patriarchal basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the Walls. The Pope was assisted by the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey; and by the Orthodox Metropolitan Athanasius of Heliopolis, the representative of the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, as he pushed open the Holy Door. More than 50 representatives of other Christian churches assisted in the ceremony.

The Holy Father pointed out in his homily that us Christians "know that we are still divided brothers, but we have put ourselves with a decisive conviction on the path which leads to full unity of the Body of Christ." "Christ is the door to our salvation, which leads to reconciliation, peace and unity... The humble symbol of a door which opens bears within it an extraordinary richness of meaning: it proclaims to all that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life," he affirmed.

Finally he expressed his desire so that "in a future not to distant the Christians, finally reconciled, may walk together as a single people, obedient to the design of the Father." Following the ceremony, there was a lunch at St. Paul's Abbey for all participants. After lunch, the Holy Father spoke briefly, thanking delegates for their participation.

Holy Door of St. Paul's Basilica, the oldest

Vatican City, 19 (NE) The Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the Walls, opened yesterday in a solemn ceremony, is the oldest of the five Holy Doors placed in the Basilicas of St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Maria Maggiore, St. Paul Outside-the Walls, and St. Lorenzo Outside-the Walls. Although from the exterior its seems like a simple wooden door made, this is in fact a protection of a second door, called the Byzantine Door, made in brass. This door, made in Constantinople in the year 1070, bears several beautiful inscriptions and decorations made with silver, representing episodes from the life of Jesus, the patriarchs and the apostles. It is five meters high and 3.5 wide. This impressive work of art was part of a series of eight doors made in a similar way, with the same technique, offered as gifts from Constantinople to diverse churches of Italy.

Argentina prepares National Eucharistic Congress

Buenos Aires, 19 (NE) From the 8th to the 10th of September, the Church in Argentina will celebrate a National Eucharistic Congress on occasion of the Holy Year. Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference, recently met the organizers of this important Jubilee in Cordoba, where more than 60.000 participants are expected to attend the congress.

"May God permit that the great concern I see in Cordoba for the preparation and the fruits of the National Eucharistic Congress also becomes the concern of all dioceses and all Argentineans," said Archbishop Karlic. The Prelate also emphasized that with the event "we want to celebrate the truth of the mystery of Christ. Therefore the celebration is like a manifestation of this truth of Jesus Christ that will become visible, that will transmit its richness and will make people better."

The President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference also said that the Eucharistic congress will be "a great occasion to renew our faith in the mystery of Christ and the dignity of man, a special opportunity to grow in our love to God, which guarantees the love to our brethren… We must announce who man is. The mystery of Christ tells us that the mystery of man only becomes clear in the light of the mystery of Christ," he underlined.

New York: Cardinal O'Connor celebrates his 80th birthday

New York, 19 (NE) Last Sunday some 3000 persons gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral to accompany Cardinal John J. O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, who on Saturday 15th became 80 years old. "At this time, when your illness makes new demands upon your physical and spiritual resources, I pray that you will press forward, with faith and hope," Pope John Paul II said to the Cardinal, in a letter read at St. Patrick's the day after his birthday. On Saturday some 1500 persons gathered for a dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the Cardinal. The donations obtained that night for works of education and charity in the Archdiocese surpass the five million dollars, some press agencies informed. According to the spokesman of the Archbishop, Joe Zwilling, Cardinal O'Connor was "very pleased with the reception… He feels very honored."

Archbishop Cordes concludes visit to Taiwan

Rome, 19 (NE) Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" finished his visit to Taiwan, which began last January 11. During his stay, Archbishop Cordes visited several towns damaged by the earthquake that hit the island last September 21, at the region of Taichung. The Vatican Prelate also transmitted the greetings of Pope John Paul II to the 300,000 Catholics that live in Taiwan. During his stay, Archbishop Cordes received as well a Honoris Causa Doctorate from the Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei. During the ceremony, he gave a conference on inculturation. Archbishop Cordes also received a medal awarded by the Chinese government, in recognition of Cor Unum's worldwide efforts to promote human and Christian development for all as well as recognition of the work of other Catholic organizations in this field.

JANUARY 18

Holy See asks for more religious freedom in Cuba

Vatican City, 18 (NE) During his meeting with the new Cuban Chancellor, Felipe Perez Roque, Pope John Paul II renewed yesterday his hope that there be more freedomg for the Church in Cuba. In declarations to journalists after the papal audience, Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro Valls, informed that "the Holy See has expressed its desire that religious freedom be always greater, within the framework of what the Holy Father stated during his historic visit in 1998."

During his visit Perez Roque also met with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, and with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States. "The meetings provided an opportunity to evaluate the development of Church-State relations in Cuba," underlined Navarro-Valls in his declarations, stating that "the minister emphasized his government's willingness to support mutual and harmonious collaboration."

Last December, addressing the new ambassador of Cuba at the Holy See, Pope John Paul II urged the Cuban people to "open even wider the doors to Christ". "May no-one, no institution, no ideology place obstacles in the way of all men opening themselves to Christ! This is my chief desire for all citizens of the beloved nation of Cuba," the Pontiff said.

Great activity in Puerto Rico to celebrate Jubilee Year 2000

San Juan, 18 (NE) Within the framework of celebrations for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the Church in Puerto Rico has prepared different activities to celebrate the 2000 years of the birth of the Reconciler. Apart from the activities organized by each diocese -San Juan, Ponce, Arecibo, Mayaguez and Caguas-, there will be several events organized jointly. The Bishop's Conference of Puerto Rico has created a National Commission for the Year of the Great Jubilee.

One of the events that will take place jointly will be the National Eucharistic Congress. Bishop Ulises Casiano, President of the Bishop's Conference, informed that the congress will begin the 12th of October in Arecibo. The event will begin with an encounter of religious men and women. After this there will be a cultural meeting in Ponce. A meeting for the Laity will take place on the 14th of October in Mayagüez. The congress will conclude in San Juan, on Sunday the 15th. This day will be dedicated to family.

Bishop Iñaqui Mallona, president of the National Commission for the Year of the Great Jubilee, stated that the Jubilee 2000 represents more than large and beautiful ceremonies. For Catholics it is an opportunity of conversion. "We don't achieve anything if each believer doesn't face God and receive Christ as his Lord and Savior," he stated.

Cardinal Law recalls universal call to holiness

Boston, 18 (NE) With occasion of the "Vocation Awareness Week" Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, urged all faithful in his archdiocese to "remember that we are called to be saints" "Sanctity", the Cardinal emphasized, "is not something bestowed upon us after we have died. There are no saints in heaven who were not first saints on earth. The call to holiness is about our lives here and now." The Cardinal also recalled the central role of the Sacrament of Baptism as the source of the calling to holiness. With this sacrament, he stated, "we die to sin and death and rise to the newness of life in Christ Jesus." Cardinal Law urged to specially pray for vocations to religious life and to priesthood. He also underlined the importance to deepen into the calling God makes each Christian. "Most of the saints in Heaven, however, are undoubtedly lay men and women. They were husbands and wives, mothers and fathers," he added.

Rio: Brazilian faithful to celebrate feast of Patron Saint

Rio do Janeiro, 18 (NE) On Thursday January 20, the Archdiocese of Rio do Janeiro will celebrate the feast of "San Sebastian", patron saint of the city. The programmed activities will begin at 10 o'clock in the morning with a Mass presided by Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, Archbishop of Rio do Janeiro, in the parish of St. Sebastian. The parish keeps an image of the saint brought to Brazil in 1565, precisely for the foundation of the city. In the afternoon thousands of Catholics will accompany the procession beginning at the parish towards the Cathedral. At 5 p.m. approximately, the procession will continue its journey, this time towards the Luis de Camões Square. In this place and continuing with a tradition that is more than 210 years old, the Cultural Association of the Archdiocese will present the play "The Oratory of St. Sebastian."

Panama: Catholic journal requests ethics and culture to politicians

Panama, 18 (NE) Panama needs respectful politicians, with elegance, courtesy and true knowledge, that know how to respond and act in the exercise of politics so that they really contribute to the well-being of citizenship, pointed out recently "Catholic Panorama", a weekly publication of the Church in Panama. In its last editorial, this publication called politicians to promote, from their own parties, everything that may raise the level of discernment, capacity to answer, conduct and behavior of their members. "It is necessary, without excuses nor demagogic justifications, that those who are active in politics may be models and examples of wisdom, justice, education and culture," pointed out the magazine, stating that politicians in this country "should keep an ethical attitude at a personal level as well as with matters regarding the party and institutions they represent on behalf of their fellow party members and citizens of this country."

Mexico urges for reconciliation, says Bishop

Mexico City, 18 (NE) Bishop Onesimo Cepeda, Bishop of Ecatepec, affirmed yesterday the necessity that Mexico has of reconciliation. Bishop Cepeda, also spokesman of the Mexican Bishops' Conference, pointed out that the Holy Year is an occasion to encourage reconciliation at diverse levels. " Mexican society -he affirmed during a radio program- needs of reconciliation at all levels: social, political and national." "We are going to be important factors in the sense that we are looking for reconciliation" in this year of the Jubilee. "In a Holy year that is supposed to be a year of conversion, of requesting forgiveness and reconciliation... we shall fight to solve divisions," the Bishop affirmed. Bishop Cepeda expressed as well his concern for the way in which in some electoral campaigns "there is a manipulation of the people's hunger," inviting the next government to a better use of available resources.

JANUARY 17

Pope to open Holy Door of St. Paul's Basilica on Tuesday

Vatican City, 17 (NE) Pope John Paul II gathered yesterday with groups of pilgrims at St. Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer. From his window overlooking St. Peter's Square, the Pope recalled that on January 18 will take place the opening of the Holy Door at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica. Addressing pilgrims before the prayer, the Pope prayed for God's help to achieve unity among Christians. "Only with God's help is it possible to reach unity," said the Pontiff, who also explained some details of the ceremony. The Holy Father recalled that the theme for the week of prayer for unity is part of St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians (1,3): "Blessed be the Lord… who has blessed us… in Christ." The Pontiff entrusted the ecumenical dialogue to the intercession of Mary, so that they may be "attitudes and expressions of true reconciliation and fraternal love."

Youth from Cuba to pilgrim to Rome for World Youth Day

Vatican City, 17 (NE) Young people from all parts of the world will gather in Rome in order to participate in August of this year in the XV World Youth Day. On Saturday, Pope John Paul II received people in charge of the youth pastoral from different Bishop's conferences, movements and Church communities. During the audience, the Pope expressed his confidence in youth. "The Pope loves you very much, counts with you and expects you for the great feast of faith that we will celebrate together," stated the Pontiff.

Young people, later added the Pope as he addressed the participants of the second international meeting of preparation for World Youth Day, must "be the forgers of a new evangelization, constructors of the civilization of love. They must take the Gospel to the first century of the new millennium." He also urged them to "profess together faith at the beginning of the third millennium."

Hundreds of thousands of young people from the five continents are expected to pilgrim to Rome. World Youth Day will be one of the greatest events during the Holy Year. The meeting will take place at Tor Vergata, in the outskirts of the city. The important participation of fifty young people from Cuba is specially expected. This will be the greatest delegation from this country that will participate at a World Youth Day.

Egyptian government announces visit of Holy Father for February

Rome, 17 (NE) The government's spokesman in Egypt, Nabil Osman, announced that Pope John Paul II will make a one day visit to Egypt. The Holy See has not made an official statement about the trip yet, but the Egyptian spokesman stated that it will take place the 25th or 26th of February. This would be the first visit of a Pope to Egypt. The Pope's pilgrimage, according to the spokesman, would have as special aim the visit to Mount Sinai, where God revealed his Ten Commandments to Moses. This occurred as he guided the people of Israel to the Promised Land. The Holy Father, who had expressed his wish to accomplish this Jubilee pilgrimage in a letter written last June, stated that the Decalogue given to Moses at the Sinai, "expressed the basic contents of the universal moral law that is written in the heart of each man."

Multitudinous pilgrimage to Basilica of Guadalupe

Mexico City, 17 (NE) Thousands of colored balloons, songs to the Virgin and prayers filled the streets near to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico last Saturday. Through these streets about 15 thousand people from more than 1,200 parishes of the Archdiocese of Mexico walked towards the most visited Marian shrine in the world.

The Annual Pilgrimage of the Archdiocese of Mexico began at 9: 30 in the morning and ended an hour and a half later, while the bells of the shrine tolled announcing the arrival of faithful. Moments later Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, presided over the Eucharistic celebration to close the Marian event.

In his homily, the Mexican Cardinal exhorted to meditate on the importance that Blessed Mary, Mother of God, has for the Church, mainly in this Jubilee year that marks an intense time of evangelization. He also announced the creation of the "Center of Studies and Investigation on Blessed Juan Diego," where studies will be made on his life and actions.

Youth commits with reconciliation and solidarity in Paraguay

Asuncion, 17 (NE) Thousands of Paraguayan youth assisted yesterday to the Mass which closed the National Youth Meeting, that during the last week gathered Catholic youth from this country. The Mass was presided by the Apostolic Nuncio in Paraguay, Antonio Lucibello, who also read a message of Pope John Paul II and of Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, to participants. "Paraguay cannot go back," Archbishop Lucibello said during his homily, exhorting the youth to be the main participants in "the revolution of love."

The young participants also delivered a message to the country, as one of the first fruits of the event. In their message, they manifested themselves as called to "to announce the Good News of Reconciliation and Solidarity, to commit to live their values and to build a different Paraguay". The Mass took place in Ayolas, a town located 250 miles south of Asuncion, near the border with Argentina.

The event was carried out in 20 parishes of the departments of Misiones and Neembucu since Tuesday 11th of January. During this time the youth carried out diverse works of charity, visiting sick people and helping the most needful. Moments of prayer and reflection during the event aimed to renew the commitment of Paraguayan youth with the new evangelization.

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