A daily news service

MARCH 8

Cardinal Ratzinger explains document on "Memory and Reconciliation"

Vatican City, 8 (NE) The new document of the International Theological Commission "Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past" was presented yesterday during a press conference in Rome. The document is designed as an explanation of the appeal for pardon which Pope John Paul II will make on March 12. Among those present at the press conference was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Theological International Commission, who briefed reporters on several aspects of the new document.

The Vatican Cardinal explained that the author of the document is the International Theological Commission, and therefore it is not part of the Church's magisterium. He also emphasized that "the Church of today cannot serve as a tribunal to judge the Church of the past." "But we can seek to 'do' the truth -that is, we can not deny the faults of the past- while at the same time we will not adopt a stance of false humility, and acknowledge errors which have not been demonstrated historically".

Apart from recalling some events that have marked times of ruptures in the life of the Church in the past millennium, the document highlights several issues regarding repent and moral fault. It also stresses that the Church's "request for pardon must not be understood as an expression of false humility or as a denial of her 2,000-year history, which is certainly rich in merit in the areas of charity, culture, and holiness. Instead she responds to a necessary requirement of the truth, which, in addition to the positive aspects, recognizes the human limitations and weaknesses of the various generations of Christ's disciples."

NCCB Official asks Senate to support Child Custody Protection Act

Washington, 8 (NE) Th Executive Director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB), Gail Quinn, urged the Senate last week to vote in favor of the Child Custody Protection Act, which affirms parents' right to protect their minor daughter from those who have no legal responsibility for her, and who unilaterally decide that a secret abortion is in her best interest. "The Act seeks to protect vulnerable teens by allowing parents to file suit in such cases to vindicate their fundamental rights and responsibilities regarding the care of their children," the NCCB official wrote. "In such situations, the love and support of families is crucial and needs to be encouraged. Parents should not be kept in the dark when the welfare of their children and their unborn grandchildren is at stake." "The disturbing and growing practice of boyfriends or relatives transporting teenage girls across state lines to evade states' parental involvement laws on abortion is reason enough for quick passage of the Child Custody Protection Act," Ms. Quin wrote in her letter dated March 3 to the Senate.

Spain: Archbishop urges Islam reciprocity in relationship with Catholic Church

Barcelona, 8 (NE) Cardinal Ricard Maria Carles, Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain, denounced in a recent pastoral message the lack of reciprocity in the relationship between the Church and Islam. The Archbishop explained that he doesn't oppose to the construction of a mosque in the Spanish city -as some local communication media recently misinformed-, declaring as well that "in the same way as we accept the existence of mosques here, Christians must also be able to have churches in the countries of Muslim majority." Cardinal Carles emphasized the work of the Church in the welcoming of immigrants and persons of different religions, as well as the need of Catholic parishes in places where Catholics are not majority, "for the necessary attention of faithful", "something that isn't permitted in many places now." The Catalan Archbishop stressed the importance of affirming religious freedom and demanded a "just reciprocity in those countries where the Muslim religion is followed by the majority of the population, so that Christians may also have freedom for the personal and common practice of their faith."

Paraguay: Church issues guide to encourage participation during Lent

Asuncion, 8 (NE) The Catholic Church in Paraguay made public this week a guide to help faithful in their participation of Lent. This guide, presented by the Committee for Social Pastoral of the Paraguayan Bishop's Conference, concentrates in the celebration of Lent in the framework of the celebration of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. During the press conference held at the offices of the Bishop's Conference it was explained that the guide aims to promote Lenten season as a "time of reflection and revision for the Christian faithful," leading to a "change of life, according to the Plan of God." The guide offers reflection themes to be meditated in family or among friends. It begins with an explanation for its use, following a presentation and then an explanation on how to receive plenary indulgences during the Jubilee Year. It also contains several prayers and reflections on Lent to be used by faithful. The guide brings as well a Way of the Cross and several guidelines to meditate on the Gospel readings during the Lenten Sundays.

US Bishop urges interior change to stop violence

Pittsburgh, 8 (NE) Approximately 450 persons gathered for the Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Donald W. Wuerl of Pittsburgh last week, after the shootings that took place in Wilkinsburg, leaving three dead people and two gravely injured. Bishop Wuerl exhorted to avoid violence and reflected about the passage of the Gospel of Matthew where the Lord goes beyond the law of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." The Bishop stated that the "deepest and most basic cause of violence" is "alienation from God and alienation from one another." "Love is at the heart of the change that must touch our hearts first, then overflow into our actions and, therefore, into the world we create", Bishop Wuerl said. He also raised his prayers especially to obtain "God's wisdom that proclaims sanctity, dignity and value of all human life."

MARCH 7

Pope highlights model of first martyrs beatified during Holy Year

Vatican City, 7 (NE) Pope John Paul II highlighted yesterday the witness of faith given by the Blessed martyrs raised to the altars on Sunday, during an audience with pilgrims who took part in the beatification of 44 martyrs from Brazil, Belarus, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. "The first beatification of the year 2000," said the Holy Father, "takes place under the sign of martyrdom, in other words of the total giving of oneself to Christ and to the Gospel." "These martyrs have made of their life a generous answer to God's gift and are all eloquent models of Christian witness," he emphasized.

The Pope recalled first Blessed Andre, the first Vietnamese Blessed. Addressing the group of pilgrims from that country in French, the Pope praised "the model of serene faith and generous love for Christ and His Church" given by Vietnam's "Prto-martyr". He then greeted faithful coming from Thailand for the beatification of Fr. Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung, who "was completely dedicated to his priestly ministry, which he showed in his love of others, his commitment to teaching the faith, and his courageous witness in time of trial."

"For a long time the people of the Philippines… have been looking forward to the Beatification of Pedro Calungsod," the Pope then said, addressing the group of pilgrims from the Philippines. "At a young age, Blessed Pedro heard the call of Christ and never wavered in his desire to do God's will, even at the cost of his life. Let us pray that many young people will follow Blessed Pedro's example, and give themselves to the Lord in the many forms of lay apostolate or in the priesthood and religious life."

Speaking of Andre de Soveral and Ambrosio Francisco Ferro, priests, and 28 companions, Brazilian martyrs, he said: "Let us ask God that the example of faith of these first Christians, especially those families of martyrs ... may bring us to renew our commitment to a fruitful and bold evangelization at all levels of society." Lastly, speaking Polish, the Pope addressed the pilgrims who had come for the beatification of Maria Stella Adela Mardosewicz and her 10 fellow sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who were martyred in what was formerly eastern Poland, and is now Belarus.

Made public schedule for Pope's trip to Holy Land

Vatican City, 7 (NE) The Holy See Press Office made public yesterday the official program of Pope John Paul II' trip to the Holy Land, which will take place from March 20- 26. Leaving Rome on Monday, March 20, the Pope will travel first to Jordan, where he will visit Mount Nebo and the ancient monastery there which commemorates the death of Moses. In the evening, the Pope will make a courtesy visit on the King of Jordan, at the royal palace in Amman.

On Tuesday morning the Holy Father will preside Mass in Amman, and then meet with all of the Catholic bishops. Then in the afternoon he will visit Wadj Al Kharrar, the site on the Jordan River which is traditionally said to be the place where Jesus was baptized. The next day, the Pope will be in Bethlehem, where he will be formally welcomed to Palestinian territory. He will celebrate Mass in Manger Square, in front of the Nativity Basilica. In the afternoon he will meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. A visit to Deheisha refugee camp is also scheduled, as well an interreligious gathering on Thursday.

On Friday the Pope will fly north by helicopter to Galilee. His first stop will be at the Mount of the Beatitudes, where he will celebrate Mass for a group of young people. Then he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, before making a series of private visits to holy sites such as the church on the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, and the home of St. Peter in Capernaum

On Saturday, March 25, the Pontiff will again fly north into Galilee, to celebrate the feast of the Annunciation in the town of Nazareth. He will celebrate Mass there. Finally, on Sunday, the Holy Father will pray before the Western Wall of the old Temple, and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After praying the Angelus with pilgrims there, he will meet the bishops of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem before making the helicopter trip back to Tel Aviv for his return flight to Rome.

Colombia: "Letters for Peace" to begin this week

Medellin, 7 (NE) On March 8, Ash Wednesday, the "Letters for peace" program will start in Colombia, aiming to be a "time of participation for civil society to reflect and write about proposals and actions that lead to peace." The program, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Medellin, will permit any Colombian citizen to write a letter to those involved in the armed conflict, expressing their proposals to reach a culture of peace in Colombia.

"Even though society has marched publicly, has given its vow in favor of peace, and has turned off the lights in their homes protesting against violence, now another step must be taken: People will write and reflect on the ways that may lead us to peace," pointed out Archbishop Alberto Giraldo of Medellin, about the "Letters for peace" program.

The Archbishop explained that the "aim of the 'Letters for peace' program is to let the communications media know some of the most important initiatives that the common citizen has regarding the possible solutions to the armed conflict." The sending and presentation of the letters will take place during the whole Lenten season, and will have as its first aim to attain a truce for the conflict during Easter of the Jubilee Year.

Argentina: Pope names new Apostolic Nuncio

Buenos Aires, 7 (NE) Pope John Paul II named Archbishop Santos Abril y Castello of Tamada, until now Apostolic Nuncio of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as new Apostolic Nuncio for Argentina. He will substitute Archbishop Ubaldo Calabresi, who has been Nuncio in this country during the last 19 years.

Argentinean local press underlined that Archbishop Abril y Castello developed an important labor during the recent armed conflict at the Balkans. He was one of the first western representatives that entered Kosovo with the international troops and were in charge of guaranteeing the security of the Albanian Kosovar refugees. "The Catholic Church wants to become a link, a point of encounter, a bridge of brotherhood to guarantee everybody's security," stated the Archbishop on that occasion.

The New Nuncio for Argentina was born in Alfambra, province of Teruel (Spain), on September 21, 1935. He was ordained priest on March 19, 1960. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1967 and has worked in the pontifical representations of Pakistan, Turkey and in the Secretary of State of the Vatican. He was named Apostolic Nuncio in Bolivia on April 29, 1985; Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea on October 2, 1989, and Apostolic Nuncio in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on February 24, 1996.

Cardinal Medina named Papal delegate for Eucharistic Congress in Mexico

Vatican City, 7 (NE) During the first week of May, Mexico will celebrate the first great feast of faith in what will be the central event of the Great Jubilee of Year 2000. On May 5 to 7, the National Eucharistic Congress will take place in Mexico City, gathering thousands of faithful from all the country under the theme "Jesus Christ Savior of the World, Food for the New Life." Pope John Paul II has named Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as his special delegate for the event.

The first and last National Eucharistic Congress in Mexico took place in 1924, little before the beginning of the violent religious persecution that severely affected the Catholic Church in this country. This will be the first event of this type in 76 years. As the Mexican bishops stated when they announced this encounter at the end of last year, this is a "homage to Christ who is really present in the Eucharist." The Eucharistic Congress will be celebrated in the 84 ecclesiastic circumscriptions of the country. It is expected that all the parishes, numbering approximately 7,000, will participate in the congress.

MARCH 6

Pope beatifies 44 martyrs during solemn celebration in St. Peter's Square

Vatican City, 6 (NE) In what has been the first beatification ceremony of the Holy Year 2000, Pope John Paul II raised to the altars 44 martyrs. Thousands of persons from different parts of the world attended the ceremony presided yesterday by the Pope in St. Peter's Square, during which he recalled the radical witness of the Gospel given by the beatified martyrs.

Among those beatified yesterday were Maria Stella Mardosewicz and her nine companions, who were killed during nazi persecution to Catholics. Also beatified were André de Soveral y Ambrósio Francisco Ferro, who together with 28 other faithful, were murdered by Calvinists fanatics in Brazil in 1645.

The Holy Father also raised yesterday to the altars Vietnam's first blessed: Andrew, a young catechist who in the XVII century was killed when he denied to abandon his Catholic faith. Finally, Pedro Calungsod, a young Filipino martyred in 1672, was also beatified.

"Let us not be frightened by difficulties and troubles!" the Pope said during his homily. "Let us not be paralyzed by any obstacle when making daring decisions, in coherence with the Gospel", he further emphasized. Highlighting the lives of the martyrs for faithful today, the Pope stressed the presence of the Lord in the life and mission of His Church. "What can we fear if Christ is with us?", he said.

Holy Father encourages reconciliation between North and South Korea

Vatican City, 6 (NE) Pope John Paul II encouraged on Saturday peace and reconciliation between North and South Korea. During his address to South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, the Holy Father expressed his joy for the "fresh initiatives to foster inter-Korean dialogue". "Certainly" -the Pope said- "the path of reconciliation will be long and difficult. Yet despite the obstacles, you have not allowed yourselves to become discouraged in your endeavors to establish a climate of good and harmonious relations."

The Holy Father also called to a special concern for the individual, stressing that "the most valuable asset of the nation is its people." "Productivity and profit cannot be the sole measure of progress; indeed development is not authentic unless it benefits individuals and the promotion of the good of the family, the nation and the world community." A failure to recognize "the existence of transcendent truth, in obedience to which man achieves his full identity", the Pope further said, "undermines the principles guaranteeing just relations between peoples and can lead to the rise of various forms of totalitarianism".

Concluding his address, the Pope encouraged the "efforts to promote social renewal and reconciliation among all the members of the Korean family." "I pray that the Korean people will safeguard those spiritual values and qualities of character which sustain freedom, dignity and truth, and provide a sure direction for the future. May the Republic of Korea prosper on the path of genuine progress and true peace."

Traditional celebration in Spain gathers thousands of young pilgrims

Madrid, 6 (NE) Thousands of young Catholics pilgrimaged this weekend to the Sanctuary of Xavier, in Navarra, Spain, during one of the most important activities of the Diocese of Pamplona-Tudela on occasion of the Holy Year. The youth pilgrimage, which encouraged the commitment of Spanish youth in Jubilee celebrations, was carried out with the motto "In Xavier, we will share the bread for the life of the world." As in previous years, the traditional "Xavierada," as the pilgrimage is called, was carried in two phases, the first one held on Saturday, while the second one will take place next Sunday. As the Vicar general of Diocesan Pastoral said in declarations to Madrid's ABC daily, the pilgrimage "is an opportunity to achieve an encounter with God, with one's self and with others," while it also supposes an interior pilgrimage. "The 'Xavieradas' are a round-trip, because from there we will return renewed, with more solidarity, more fraternal care, with a lighter baggage and more austere, so that with our impoverishment we will enrich the others," he added.

Mexican Bishops call politicians to respect human dignity

Mexico City, 6 (NE) As a result of the last Extraordinary Assembly of the Mexican Bishops' Conference (CEM), the Prelates in this country have issued a document analyzing different aspects of the social, political and economical life of Mexico. With the title "From an encounter with Jesus Christ to solidarity with everyone," the document begins recalling Mexico's Catholic identity, stressing the role of the Catholic Church during the "integration of two cultures", the Spanish and Indian, in the formation of a national identity.

In their historical analysis, the Bishops lament the division that was introduced through the "Guerra Cristera", which forced a division in the country, introducing "two loyalties that seemed to be exclusive and contradictory: to the Church and to the State."

Reflecting afterwards on Mexico's current economic situation, the Bishops expressed their concern for "a model that sustains in an explicit or implicit way the 'market' as a central dynamism of development of a country". That is "unreal, unstable and immoral," the document stated, affirming that any economic system must be guided by norms and ethical principles founded on human dignity, respecting the demands of social justice.

Finally, before today's challenges in order to be able to respond in an authentic way to the problems pointed out in the document, the Mexican Bishops stressed the important role that the Catholic Church must fulfill. Among other things, the document calls to give priority to the assistance of Catholics, urging as well to strengthen the institutional spaces of the clergy, to improve current proposals of evangelization and to develop new proposals of evangelization and catechism.

Lent must be a time of encounter with Jesus, urges Philadelphia Archbishop

Philadelphia, 6 (NE) During this Holy Year the Lenten Season "will be a time of great and unparalleled grace for the whole Church," stated Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, in his Pastoral Letter to faithful for the Lenten Season, to begin this week. The Cardinal proposed as a central theme for Lenten reflection "Celebrate Jesus Christ: Son of God and Son of Mary."

In his message to faithful, Cardinal Bevilacqua called to to have "special moments of personal encounters with Christ," which must "lead to a deeper identification with Our Lord and join our faith and good deeds in a daily answer to Christ's calling to holiness." He also emphasized the sacrament of Reconciliation and the Adoration of the Eucharist as two very important means to encounter the Lord Jesus.

"It is my hope that everyone, especially those who have been away for a long while, will take the opportunity to go to Confession during this sacred season," stated the Archbishop of Philadelphia. He also urged participation in the Eucharistic Assembly that will take place during the first days of April and which "will provide us the opportunity to reflect on Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist, as a source of strength and unity for the Catholic Church in America."

MARCH 3

Holy Father encourages work of Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre

Vatican City, 3 (NE) Yesterday morning Pope John Paul II received in audience the members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem who have peregrinated to Rome for the celebration of their Jubilee. The Pope thanked the knights, dames and ecclesiastics that take part in the Order for their invaluable labor of "support of the Church in Holy Land and encouragement of their members in the practice of Christian life."

The Holy Father recalled to the three thousand members of the Order present in the Paul VI Hall the importance that "Christ be the center of their existence," and, "as every Christian, that they rediscover Baptism, the foundation of all Christian life." The Pope then urged them to continue with renewed fervor their efforts to protect Christians at the Holy Places.

At the end of his address, the Pope entrusted the Order to the intercession of "Our Lady Queen of Palestine." He also prayed to the Holy Family that "in each heart the certitude may shine that Christ, dead and truly risen for us, is the same yesterday, today and always."

The Equestrian Order was founded in the 10th Century, when it was created to defend those who peregrinated to the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Today its almost 20 thousand members help to support the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, apart from collaborating with numerous apostolic works in the Holy Land.

Number of pilgrims greater than expected, says Navarro-Valls

Rome, 3 (NE) The participation of pilgrims in celebrations for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 has been greater than expected, said this week Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, during the presentation of the new services offered by the press room of the Agency for the Jubilee.

"Reality has surpassed in almost 20% our expectations. The number of pilgrims has been very high," stated Navarro-Valls. He also remarked that "the Jubilee is a religious event, that, as the Pope himself has said, can be lived in every diocese. Up to now, participation has been greater than expected."

The Holy See Press Office Director commented that almost one thousand journalists are officially accredited. He also said he expected this number to reach approximately 4 thousand during other activities, such as World Youth Day. Navarro-Valls praised as well the services and utilities of the structures that have been designed by the Agency for the Jubilee to suit the needs of the press.

During the Holy Year, both the Holy See Press Office and the Press Room of the Agency for the Jubilee, together with RAI-Jubilee and Vatican Radio, are carrying an important effort to inform about the different Church celebrations and activities for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.

Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro urges respect for Christian values

Rio de Janeiro, 3 (NE) "The history of our land is deeply linked to the Catholic Church and her influence in culture, in the way our people lives," said Archbishop Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales of Rio de Janeiro, explaining the reason of the Church's call to state and municipal authorities in Brazil to "respect Christian values" during the Carnival. "Together with the shamelessness there is a lack of respect to the feelings of millions of Brazilians. The use of sacred objects and the attempts to insert them in an environment of lustful characteristics, hurt the idiosyncrasy of many Brazilians," stated the Archbishop.

Cardinal Araujo also noted that these excesses "don't constitute an isolated case during the year. They are part of the breaking apart, of the decadence of ways that afflicts our country. Not only the Carnival has the fault, but also those who promote drugs, violent dances, casino games, prostitution, the illusion of contraceptives against the lethal HIV virus, lust… Each citizen that behaves in this way, through words and attitudes, promotes the destruction of the ethical structure of society." In closing, the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro specially stressed the responsibility of "those who act cowardly in the face of a public opinion that condemns any moral restriction, under the pretext of freedom."

Rome: Cardinal Ruini launches campaign to host pilgrims during World Youth Day

Rome, 3 (NE) "Next summer Rome will be the youngest city in the world, and it is a great city because it has a warm heart. Let us open our homes to make these young people feel at home", asked Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Pope John Paul II' Vicar general for the Diocese of Rome, in a letter to faithful in the Eternal City in view of World Youth Day." More than 1.5 million copies of Cardinal Ruini's letter are being distributed these days through parishes and churches in Rome. The aim of the letter is to prepare Romans for World Youth Day, and specially to ask families to host at least 600.000 young pilgrims from different parts of the world. "Open your homes with simplicity, a few square meters for a sleeping bag, and a smile for the young pilgrims of World Youth Day," asked Cardinal Ruini in his letter, which is accompanied by a form to be filled out by families interested in hosting young people. World Youth Day takes place in Rome from August 14 to 20. It has been estimated that between one and two million young people from around the world will take part.

US senate approves Congressional Gold Medal for Cardinal O'Connor

Washington, 3 (NE) "I am humbled and honored to have been voted to receive the Congressional Gold Medal," stated Cardinal John O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, after the US senate, by unanimous consent, passed a resolution to award the Cardinal the Congressional Gold Medal. The honor now awaits only President Clinton's signature, which will probably take place during the weekend. Meanwhile, one of his close assistants declared that the Cardinal handles his delicate health state with great strength. "He takes each day with a sense of trust in God and the commitment to continue his work," he stated. Cardinal O'Connor was praised by different members of the Senate not only for his work in favor of peace and the poor, but also for his intense effort in favor of life and the respect of Christian moral. The House voted 410-1 in February to give Cardinal O'Connor the Congressional Gold Medal, which has been awarded to 250 people, including Mother Teresa.

MARCH 2

Pope recalls pilgrimage to Egypt during general audience

Vatican City, 2 (NE) "With great joy I was able to peregrinate to Egypt last week, following the footsteps of Moses," recalled yesterday Pope John Paul II, as he addressed pilgrims gathered for the General Audience. Due to the rain the Audience was held in the Paul VI Hall. The Holy Father emphasized that the culminating moment of this extraordinary experience was the trip to Mount Sinai, "the Holy Mountain: it is holy because on it, God revealed Himself to his servant Moses, He revealed His Name."

Recalling the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses, the Pope again indicated that these commandments are written "especially on the human heart as the universal moral law, valid in every time and place." "To be faithful to God," among other things, "also means to be faithful to oneself, to our true nature and our deepest aspirations," he added.

The Pope thanked the people of Egypt for their warm welcome and hospitality. He especially recalled the "little but ardent Catholic community, which I met in the solemn celebration of Mass in El Cairo, in which all the local Churches present in Egypt participated."

In concluding, the Pope talked about his next visit to Israel, that will take place March 20 to 26. His itinerary was made known by the Holy See Press Office yesterday. "I entrust Christ the next stage of my Jubilee pilgrimage, that will be to Holy Land. I ask everybody to accompany me in prayer during the preparation, especially the spiritual preparation, of this important event," he concluded.

Italy: Symposium on studies regarding Holy Shroud to begin today

Rome, 2 (NE) A symposium to study and reflect about scientific research regarding the Holy Shroud will begin today in the city of Turin. Encouraged by the Diocesan Commission for the exhibition of the Holy Shroud, more than 40 experts will gather at the Italian city to discuss several aspects of the Sindone -considered the shroud that covered Jesus' body after his death- in the light of the latest research. Almost half of the participants are Italians, while the rest come from countries in America, Asia and Australia. Results will be given afterwards to the Archbishop of Turin, official custos of the Holy Shroud, who will be also attending. The symposium will have as main theme "The Sindone of Turin. Past, present and future."

The event that will take place until Sunday will have four main sessions, each of them focusing on crucial themes about the Shroud. The first session will discuss how did the image was printed on the shroud. During the second session, experts will focus on the stains of blood present in the Sindone, in the light of chemical and physical analysis made. A more historic point of view will be considered during the third session, to discuss the relationship between the Gospel and the shroud, as well as historical data documenting the existence of the shroud through the centuries. The last session will discuss the validity of Carbon 14 dating, considering as well later research.

Over the last years, several studies have increasingly validated the authenticity of the Holy Shroud. In 1998, a group of experts from three different countries gathered to analyze the shroud, from their different scientific disciplines, with the latest scientific equipment. These scientists concluded that there was a 2 million against 1 probability that the Shroud was authentic. And in August last year, botany professor Avinoam Danin of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem concluded that the origin of the Shroud of Turin was Jerusalem after an analysis of pollen grains and plant images on the cloth. He identified these as coming from species only found in the months of March and April in the Jerusalem region.

Pollen identified as "Gundelia tournefortii" was also found in the Sudarium of Oviedo, a 83 x 52 cm. cloth that has several blood stains and believed to be the burial face cloth of Jesus. A 1983 study showed that both the Shroud and the face cloth -the latter of which is documented from the First Century and kept in the Cathedral of Oviedo in Spain since the 8th Century- were stained with type AB blood.

Vatican dicastery encourages evangelizing commitment in Latin America

Vatican City, 2 (NE) On occasion of the celebration of the Hispanic-American Day in Spain on March 5, the Pontifical Commission for Latin America made public a message yesterday. The Hispanic-American Day will be celebrated in all the Spanish dioceses, promoted by the Spanish Bishop's Conference. The message, signed by Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves and Bishop Cipriano Calderon Polo, respectively President and Vice-president of the dicastery, recalls the discovery and evangelization of America, which "constitutes without doubt a fundamental element in evaluating the millennium which has just concluded."

The memory of the evangelization of Latin America, made with a "colossal missionary effort by Spanish and Portugal," stimulates to "keep working during the third millennium with renewed vigor in the Evangelization of America, in which the Spanish people have always excelled for their generous solidarity." The message also emphasizes the orientations offered by the Post-synodal exhortation "Ecclesia in America", "a program, which intends to make America, a continent which was evangelized throughout 500 years, a continent which will now evangelize."

"The Church must center her pastoral attention and evangelizing action in the crucified and risen Christ. All the projects of the Church must start from Christ and his Gospel. Therefore, the Church in America must talk more about Jesus Christ, the human face of God and the divine face of man… This is the mission that we offer the local Churches of Spain in this important occasion, urging to a always greater openness to the Continent of Hope," concludes the message.

Chicago: radio programs to prepare faithful for Lent

Chicago, 2 (NE) Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, has begin a six-week Lenten radio series to encourage an adequate preparation for faithful in the Windy City. In it, he invites listeners "to come closer to Christ" during a 60-second radio spot that will air on eight local radio stations between February 28 through March 5. The radio message is said in English and Spanish by the Archbishop, while a local Auxiliary Bishop reads a Polish version. "The Church's season of Lent was created for the hungry and restless heart," Cardinal George said in his radio message. "I invite you to come closer to the Christ who comforts, forgives, and gives hope to our restless hearts." The Archbishop of Chicago has also urged listeners to take part in parish-based "Lenten spiritual programs" to be on air during Lent. He specially encouraged listeners to tune in to three specially produced radio series that will air during the six weeks of Lent on local English, Polish, and Spanish-language radio stations. "I strongly encourage you to listen to [these speakers] explore and explain the Gospel of Christ," Cardinal George said, stressing that the aim of these programs is to "enable us to see ourselves and the world through the eyes of faith."

New Apostolic Nuncios named for Mexico and Spain

Madrid, 2 (NE) Pope John Paul II named Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro new Apostolic Nuncio in Spain. Archbishop Monteiro, until now Apostolic Nuncio in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho, will succeed Archbishop Lajos Kada. The New Nuncio was born in the diocese of Braga, Portugal, in March 1938. He was ordained priest on July 9, 1961. In February 16, 1985 he was chosen Archbishop of Benevento. He received the Episcopal consecration that same year, on March 23.

Archbishop Monteiro began his diplomatic service for the Holy See in 1967, and served in the following Pontifical delegations: Panama, Guatemala, Vietnam, Australia, Mexico and Belgium. In 1981, he collaborated with the Secretariat of State of the Holy See during six months. He has been Apostolic Nuncio in Trinidad y Tobago, Granada, Antigua and Barbuda, between 1985 and 1990. He was nominated Apostolic Nuncio of El Salvador and Honduras on August 21, 1990. In February 1998 he became Apostolic Nuncio of South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Also made public yesterday was the naming of Archbishop Leonardo Sandri as new Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico. Archbishop Sandri will become the third Nuncio in that country after Church-State relations were officially reestablished. The former Nuncio in Venezuela was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1974, being sent to Madagascar. In 1977 he was transferred to the Vatican, and in 1989, traveled to the United States, were he was secretary to the Nuncio. Returning two years after to Rome, he was named Apostolic Nuncio for Venezuela in 1997. Archbishop Sandri has also participated as Holy See delegate before the Organization of American States (OAS), attending the general assemblies held in Paraguay in 1990 and in Santiago in 1991.

MARCH 1

Mass Media must be based on ethical and moral values, recalls Argentinean Bishop

Buenos Aires, 1 (NE) Truth must "permanently be in the horizon of anyone who assumes the commitment of communication," recently stated Bishop Jose Maria Arancedo of Mar del Plata, Argentina, in an interview for the local newspaper "Cristo Hoy". Bishop Arancedo, president of the Episcopal Commission of Social Communication, also stated that "being aware of the importance that this theme has for the Church, that has a message to proclaim," is a priority.

The Bishop stated as well that "truth needs other components, such as sense of justice, solidarity and spirit of reconciliation." The Argentinean Prelate emphasized during the interview the need to form not only those Catholics involved in the world of mass media, but also all those who work in secular environments, for mass media must be based on "ethical and moral values."

"Communication must have a root, and also a context. In a globalized world, I believe that information, communication, must give a human dimension to the situation man lives today," Bishop Arancedo further added. He also considered that communication media "have much to do with culture and its dialogue with faith." "Paul VI," he concluded, "said that one of the gravest dramas of this time is the drama of rupture between faith and daily life, between culture and Gospel. I believe that communication is a space of dialogue between faith and culture, between life and Gospel."

Archbishop of Denver: Church and society must defend matrimony

Denver, 1 (NE) Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver stated this week that preserving the status of traditional marriage as a union between a man and a woman is "a matter of cultural survival." In a column published in the Denver Rocky Mountain News, Archbishop Chaput affirmed that "if the last few decades have shown us anything, it's this: When 'traditional' marriages dissolve, the children of these marriages suffer."

"The 'tradition' in traditional marriage, after all, is not some dead habit of the past," he further wrote. "It's the voice of learned and re-learned experience. Alternative arrangements don't work." The Archbishop of Denver also recalled the important duty of the Church to support "legal efforts to define marriage as a unique relationship between one man and one woman; to protect and advance marriage's privileged status in society; and to exclude other types of relationships from sharing in that status."

The answer of today's culture to the pressures that married couples must face must not "focus on easing those pressures and reinforcing our support for marriage, not redefining it or establishing parallel structures which erode marriage by sapping its special status,'' Archbishop Chaput wrote.

Newly ordained priests bring new hope to faithful in Sierra Leone

Rome, 1 (NE) In spite of several difficulties and growing violence in Sierra Leone, three deacons were ordained this week in the Diocese of Makeni, in the rebel- controlled town of the same name. The deacons were ordained by Bishop George Biguzzi, who highlighted in his homily the great hope that these three new priests mean for the suffering people of Sierra Leone. "The ordination is a sign of reaping the blessings of the Jubilee Year for the people of Makeni," the Prelate said, stating that the Church "has not and is not abandoning the people of God." "If anything, the ordination demonstrates a blessing that our church is together again." In his appeal to all combatants Bishop Biguzzi said: "in the name of the Lord, lay down your arms." "Let us live together. Never pay back evil for evil. Do not be masters of evil but master evil with good… The people of God should learn to serve and not fight for power, wealth and fame," the Bishop emphasized. The ordination ceremony was held at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral in Makeni.

Guatemala: international Catholic fair to begin this week

Guatemala, 1 (NE) With the participation of representatives of several countries of the American continent and Spain, this Saturday 4th of March in Guatemala the XIIIth Catholic Fair 2000 will be inaugurated. This year 20 countries will participate, among them several from Central America, together with Mexico, United States, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Chile. As it was announced, visitors to the Catholic fair will be able to see exhibitions dedicated to different areas and themes related to the life of the Church. Among the exhibitions prepared for this year are those of Religious Art, Marian devotion, Apostolate, Social Work, Catholic Schools, and Pro-Life activity. The event -a spokesman affirmed- is supported by parishes, congregations, seminars, and ecclesial movements, among others. During the fair, organizers have prepared to offer help to people in need. As it was informed, medical attention will be offered at no cost, as well as large amounts of clothes, medicine and other supplies, to be sold at very low prices. The fair will close March 12.

Costa Rica: Archbishop calls to overcome rupture between faith and life

San Jose, 1 (NE) The 150th anniversary of the creation of the Diocese of San Jose, Costa Rica, created in February 28, 1850, was celebrated with great joy by Costa Rican faithful. Several activities were held during the weekend, while the main celebration was held on Monday. To celebrate the 150th anniversary, Archbishop Roman Arrieta of San Jose celebrated a Eucharist in the Metropolitan Cathedral, which was attended by the Costa Rican President together with several civil and military authorities and hundreds of faithful that filled the church.

During his homily, the Archbishop stressed that Catholics in Costa Rica must reconcile the rupture between faith and life. "I have no doubt that this is what Costa Rica needs to be able to fulfill the most intimate and noble intentions of each citizen," he explained. During the ceremony, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Sozzo, read a message in the name of Pope John Paul II, greeting the Archdiocese for its 150th anniversary. "I send a message of unity and fidelity. Continue counting with the blessing of the Virgin of the Angels," read the Pope's delegate.

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