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MAY 16

Image of Virgin of Fatima on pilgrimage to China

Rome, 16 (NE) A London base association made up of overseas Chinese Catholics very devoted to Our Lady of Fatima announced that it is organizing a pilgrimage for a group of Catholics to take a statue of Our Lady of Fatima to mainland China. As Vatican Fides agency informed, the Fatima-C association, which helps to promote missionary work in China with prayers and material help, expects the pilgrimage to start out in October. The pilgrimage will be accompanied by a meter-high statue of Our Lady of Fatima dressed in white and gold and wearing a crown, which would visit several towns in mainland China. The initiative does not only aim to encourage evangelization in the country, but specially to promote devotion to the Blessed Virgin among Chinese youth. Our Lady of Fatima, informs Fides, has been known in China for many decades. Before the Communists took power, in 1949, many Christian children were called after one of the three shepherd children who saw the apparitions of the "Lady", Lucia, Jacinto or Francisco. Medals and holy pictures of Our Lady of Fatima were found everywhere and people were accustomed to making sacrifices and praying for the conversion of sinners.

Costa Rica celebrated first Social Week

San Jose, 16 (NE) The Archdiocese of San Jose, Costa Rica, hosted last week the first Social Week held in this country, which took place from the 8-12th of May, gathering participants from different countries. The event, in the frame of activities for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, discussed the theme "Family and Social Justice for the third millennium". Organized by the association John XXIII, the Archdiocese of San Jose, and the John Paul II University, the First Social Week reflected on several themes such as family rights, culture, education, and economic development.

Attending the event were Cardinals Pio Laghi, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education, who gave a conference on "The mission of family in education and culture"; Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, who spoke on "The reconciliation with familiy towards the formation of a culture of life"; and Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, who reflected on "New evangelization, family and society: challenges for the third millennium".

Also attending the Social Week in Costa Rica were German Doig Klinge, General Coordinator of the Christian Life Movement and member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, who gave a conference on "The challenges of the technological era for the person and the family"; and the Costa Rican Minister for Work, Victor Morales Mora, who reflected on the relation between work and families in today's society.

Archbishop of Medellin urges forging a culture of peace

Medellin, 16 (NE) Colombia is living a "historical moment," said Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, President of the Colombian Bishop's Conference, emphasizing that 'the event that must mark the life of our Church in Colombia, particularly in Medellin and Antioquia" is the "beatification of father Mariano de Jesus Euse."

"The Pope John Paul II," stated the Prelate, "has spoken of this beatification as a 'gift of peace for Colombia on occasion of the Jubilee year.'" Thus, he recalled, "we must pray for peace when we make our petitions to our Lord. We must also make an examination of conscience with relation to peace, to realize to what degree we have given the best of us to make it become a reality."

About building peace in Colombia, the Archbishop of Medellin stated that it must not be "just a solution of the armed conflict. It must be a way of living, so that we can talk of a true culture of peace." This "demands that we make known the terms of the social doctrine of the Church in education for peace that must begin at home and continue specially in the area of education."

"Human rights, forgiveness, solidarity and capacity of reconciliation are experiences that must be learnt from the first years," he added. The Archbishop concluded his message with an invitation to a "great prayer crusade to know the examples of Blessed Mariano de Jesus and to make those forgotten Christian and patriotic values rise again, and to get closer to the ideals of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace that he preached and lived."

Argentina: Bishops present new document on the country's situation

Buenos Aires, 16 (NE) The President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference, Estanislao Karlic, presided over the presentation of a new Episcopate document this weekend, at the end of the general assembly held during the week. The document, titled "Jesus Christ, Lord of History", was issued on Saturday. It precedes a more detailed text that will be published at the end of the month. The local press informed that it is a document of "theological content but strong social significance."

The message aims, among other things, to transmit "the truth of Christian hope to those discouraged by the multiple negative indicators that make them fear for the future of the human family and to those for whom the future causes anguish." It also calls attention to the country's "enormous situation of iniquity" that "leads to poverty and favors so many forms of violence". "Everybody, according to their possibilities and responsibilities, must cooperate to eliminate this true structures of sin," stated the Bishops.

During the press conference Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires noted the need to stress the search for the people's cultural, religious and ethical reserves, in order to "face a very serious crisis, and a culture that tends to homogenize and make us all identical." Archbishop Karlic emphasized the responsibility of the different groups that make up Argentinean society to face the grave crisis that affects the present society, in order to solve the different problems that afflict it.

Mexican Cardinal urges learning from the saints and martyrs

Mexico City, 16 (NE) Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iguiñez, Archbishop of Guadalajara, spoke of the approaching canonization of 27 Mexicans and stressed its significance for the Mexican people. He called it a gift of God and the Virgin to Mexico, for which the Mexican people must rejoice and give thanks to the Lord, for "saints are the signs God gives us so that we will not err in the path of our lives." He referred to the martyrdom suffered by the 25 Blessed that will be canonized on May 21 and expressed his hope that the times of religious persecution never come back. "May peace, justice and respect for human rights reign, especially respect for religious freedom, that must be practiced at all times and in all places." The Cardinal also emphasized the witness of the martyrs who died for love of Christ and to defend their religion from those who wanted to destroy it.

MAY 15

Pope John Paul II ordains 26 new priests

Vatican City, 15 (NE) "Conform your life to the mystery of Christ's cross!" called Pope John Paul II to the 26 deacons ordained priests during a Eucharist celebration held yesterday in Rome. On occasion of the world day of prayer for vocations, the Pope ordained priests from different parts of the world. "It is Christ who saves and sanctifies, and you will directly take part in His work… If you remain in Him, you will bear much fruit. Without Him, you will do nothing", the Pope told the newly ordained. During his homily, the Pope also called those to be ordained to give witness to youth with their life, so that more young people may accept the vocation to "follow Christ with equal readiness". "Blessed Mary, the model of every call to a special consecration in the Church, takes care of your vocation", the Holy Father further said. "In this moment, Christ entrusts you once again to Her, repeating to each and every one of you the words He, from the Cross, addressed to the Apostle John: 'Behold thy Mother'".

Holy Father beatifies little shepherds of Fatima

Lisbon, 15 (NE) Pope John Paul II beatified last Saturday in Fatima two of the three children shepherds who witnessed the apparition of the Blessed Virgin in 1917. Approximately half a million faithful from different parts of the world gathered at the shrine in Fatima to attend the beatification ceremony of Francisco and Jacinta Marto. Also present at the celebration was Sister Lucia dos Santos, the third witness of the Marian apparition, now 93 and a cloistered nun since 1929 in a Portuguese Carmelite convent.

During his homily, the Pope recalled the constant effort of Francisco to remain always in God's presence, as well as Jacinta's desire to completely give herself to the Lord, to comfort Him for the sins of humanity. To all those small and humble, the Pope said, the Blessed Virgin talks "with the voice and the heart of a mother. She calls them to offer themselves as victims of reparation". At the end of the ceremony, the Pope blessed with the Holy Sacrament several sick persons present and all the pilgrims gathered at the Marian shrine.

After the benediction, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, made public, on behalf of the Holy Father, a message concerning the third part of the secret of Fatima, which as the Cardinal stressed, is a call to "conversion and forgiveness". The "vision of Fatima concerns above all the war waged by atheist systems against the Church and Christians, and it describes the immense suffering endured by the witnesses to the faith in the last century of the Second Millennium. It is an interminable way of the Cross, led by the Popes of the 20th century."

"According to the interpretation of the little shepherds, which was also recently confirmed by Sister Lucia, the bishop clothed in white who prays for all the faithful is the Pope. As he makes his way with great effort toward the Cross, amid the corpses of those who are martyred - bishops, priests, men and women religious and many lay persons - he too falls to the ground, apparently dead, under a burst of gunfire."

Cardinal Sodano said that the vision was related to the 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John Paul, stressing that nevertheless the "text of this third part of the Secret must be interpreted in a symbolic key". "In order that the faithful may better receive the message of Fatima", the Cardinal finally announced, "the Pope has charged the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with making public the third part of the Secret, after preparation of an appropriate commentary."

Cardinal Ratzinger recalls true dimension of Jubilee celebrations

Rome, 15 (NE) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, recalled recently the importance of the history of the Jubilees in the life of the Church, during a presentation of a magazine about the Jubilee of the Year 2000. During his intervention, the Vatican Cardinal noted as well the importance of "pilgrimage" as a clue concept to understand the spirit of the Jubilee.

"The pilgrimage of the Only Son of God in his descent and ascent to Heaven is at the center of history," explained the Cardinal. He also stated that in this "pilgrimage" that "has heaven and earth, eternity and history as two extremes," the "disciples of Christ are conscious that the trip is not merely spatial, but rather interior and existential."

Cardinal Ratzinger also recalled that the Jubilee of the year 1300, convoked by Pope Boniface VIII, may be considered as a "true act of foundation of our time," because it "placed Rome at the center of the religious and ritual mediation of the Christian Europe" and made it the seed of the "humanistic culture".

Also from an historic perspective, the Cardinal urged to understand the Jubilee in its interior dimension as a special call to conversion. "The great gestures of the Pope," he stated in this sense, "have the force of recalling us how central the celebration is and of avoiding reducing the Jubilee to a great euphoric feast."

Spanish Bishops pay homage to Pope John Paul II

Madrid, 15 (NE) On occasion of the pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II to Fatima and his 80th birthday, the Executive Committee of the Spanish Bishop's Conference issued a message expressing its faithfulness to the Holy Father and urging the Spanish faithful to renew their prayers for the Successor of Peter and Head of the Church. "Watching his life so full and generous in fruits of the Gospel, we want to express to the Holy Father, together with you, the feeling of admiration and gratitude that we have in our heart," says the message. The Bishops of Spain also state that the Holy Father today is a "true witness, who cannot stop talking of what he has seen and heard of." They also emphasize the effort of the Pope in order to encourage "the action of Catholics and all men and women of good will in favor of peace and justice." "We exhort you," says the message, "to live in harmony of soul with the Pastors of the Church and with him who is its visible head."

Faithful in Rio de Janeiro celebrated feast day of the Virgin of Fatima

Rio de Janeiro, 15 (NE) On Saturday May 13, the city of Rio de Janeiro celebrated the day of the Virgin of Fatima with a great feast of faith. The traditional "Afternoon with Mary," gathered once again thousands of Brazilians. This year, the feast was held with the presence of a replica of the Virgin of Fatima. A Rosary was prayed early in the afternoon, while groups of faithful carried a pilgrimage to downtown Rio, coming from different parts of the city to gather at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Cardinal Eugenio Araujo de Sales, Archbishop of Rio, received the pilgrims at the Cathedral temple, where in a solemn ceremony the image of the Virgin of Fatima was crowned. The event concluded with a Mass presided by the Brazilian Cardinal.

MAY 12

"Evangelization is the mission of every baptized", recalls Pope John Paul II

Vatican City, 12 (NE) "The other present-day challenge is to follow the path of new evangelization", told Pope John Paul II, to a group of Venezuelan faithful in pilgrimage to Rome. The Pope received the 400 faithful on a Jubilee pilgrimage in the Clementine Hall. "Evangelization", the Pope stressed to pilgrims, "is the mission of every baptized". "Everyone is called to give witness of Christ and of the Gospel", the Pope further emphasized.

Recalling his two visits to Venezuela, the Pope invited those present to "face daily life according to the spirit of the Gospel." "To radically follow Christ requires intense and constant interior growth. To this end it is necessary to assiduously cultivate prayer, to participate with as much frequency as possible in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of penance and to practice the Evangelical virtues."

The Holy Father also commented on Venezuela's current political situation, as the country prepares for presidential elections, to take place on May 28. "Evangelization will contribute to make the values of the Kingdom of God present in society, in moments when your nation is reviewing its legislative and institutional organization", the Pope said. Because of this, he added, "it is necessary that Christians make their voice heard so that the values of the Gospel remain present in your homeland, and not become relegated by any concept".

Pope names Bishop Egan as new Archbishop of New York

Vatican City, 12 (NE) Pope John Paul II appointed yesterday Bishop Edward M. Egan of Bridgeport, as the new metropolitan Archbishop of New York. Bishop Egan will succeed Cardinal O'Connor, who died last week after heading the second largest archdiocese in the United States for 16 years. The announcement was made in Washington by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Papal Nuncio in the United States, and also made public through the Holy See Press Office in the Vatican. Archbishop Egan was born on April 2, 1932, in Oak Park, Illinois. He was ordained as a priest of the Chicago archdiocese in 1957. From 1964 to 1968 he was vice-chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago. In 1972 he became a member of the Roman Rota, and continued in that assignment until 1985, when he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York. Before that, in 1983, he participated in the final revision of the new Code of Canon Law. In 1988 he was made Bishop of Bridgeport.

Brazil: Association of Catholic Doctors is created

Rio de Janeiro, 12 (NE) An association of Catholic Doctors whose main aim will be the "integration of Catholic ethical principles with medical science and ethics" was created in the Archdiocese of Rio de Janerio, Brazil, this week, with the support and blessing of Cardinal Eugenio Sales de Araujo, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro. Its aim is the evangelization of professionals in the area of health and the diffusion and promotion of the position of the Church regarding themes such as abortion. "I need courageous people," stated Cardinal Sales in his meeting with the twelve doctors that have began this association. "Nobody can be Christian today without the courage to express his faith," underlined the Cardinal, who also named a theologian priest as consultant for the body of medics. Their help will be important to promote the teachings of the Church in the medical environment.

Cardinal Law: encourage the apostolic work with youth

Boston, 12 (NE) Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, recently emphasized the importance of the event held some weeks ago in Fenway Park, where approximately 20,000 young people gathered to celebrate the faith of the Church. "What does it mean, […] that almost 20,000 young people gathered to affirm and celebrate their Catholic faith?" asked the Cardinal. "For the whole Church, Fenway should be a source of hope and encouragement for the future," he stated. "It should intensify our resolve as a Church to focus on youth ministry." He also acknowledged the "great challenges" that the present culture presents to young people in "living and witnessing to the faith," and emphasized the importance of regarding this "faith response of thousands of young Catholics" as a sign of the effort that must be put in the apostolic work with youth.

Venezuela: Bishops call for peace and responsibility before elections

Caracas, 12 (NE) The Venezuelan Bishop's Conference issued a statement with eleven points calling for peace and tranquility before the coming elections. The document presented to the press, fruit of the recent extraordinary assembly of this country's episcopate, also emphasized the work of mass media, urging to assume their responsibility of informing with the truth and generating a positive environment of confidence and peace. The statement also renewed the position of the Church regarding the elections, stating that the Church does not encourage any party, for she does not pretend to put or eliminate governments, but to take the Word of God to Venezuelans. Finally, the Bishop's Conference urged Venezuelan citizens to exercise their right to vote with conscience, not letting themselves be taken away by "irrational emotion" at the time of voting. Elections will take place the next May, 28.

MAY 11

Pope reflects on presence of the Trinity in the Resurrection

Vatican City, 11 (NE) "The glory of the Trinity in the Resurrection" was the theme of Pope John Paul II' catechesis, held yesterday in St. Peter's Square. "The Father and the Spirit are together with the Son in the supreme work of redemption", the Pope said to the 45 thousand faithful gathered for the general audience. The Holy Father stated as well that the Lord Jesus "conferred on the Church the mandate of announcing the Gospel, baptizing and teaching according to His commandments." The Holy Trinity, the Pope continued, is present in the baptismal formula: "baptize (all nations) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." "The trinitarian nature of Easter", he emphasized, "is complemented by the trinitarian aspect of the profession of faith." St. Paul recalls that "no-one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit and, whoever says this, says it 'to the glory of God the Father'."

China: Bishop ordained in explicit communion with Pope

Rome, 11 (NE) During a Eucharist celebration held this week, Mgr. Zhao Fengchang was ordained Bishop of Yanggu and apostolic administrator Linqing, in China. In the presence of 1500 Catholic faithful, the candidate was ordained in explicit communion with the Holy See, as Fides Agency reported yesterday. Mgr. Zhao Fengchang was ordained by Bishop Giuseppe Ma Xuesheng of Zhoucun assisted by Bishop Fang Xingyao of Linyi and Bishop Wang Dianduo of Heze.

Before the ceremony, which was attended as well by representatives of the local authorities, a message giving the Holy See's approval to the consecration was publicly announced. The celebration marked the first time that the ordaining Bishops were all in legitimate communion with the Holy See and this on the Vatican's specific request. The ordination on May 7 was completely the opposite to that on January 6, when members of the patriotic church illegitimately ordained new bishops.

The Bishops present in the ceremony held last Sunday were all in communion with the Bishop of Rome. As Fides reported, the ordination was a confirmation on the part of the Holy See and the Church in China of the need for explicit communion with Rome, to foster greater unity among all Chinese Catholics

The way in which the ordination was held marked a step away from the Patriotic Association, whose ideal is the control of the Church and its submission to the Communist Party. Another element established by the recent ordination in Shandong, said Fides agency, is the fact that the Vatican confirms the existing territorial arrangement of China's dioceses. The new Bishop was, in fact, ordained "Bishop of Yanggu and apostolic administrator of Linqing" although the Religious Affairs Bureau had put the territory under the new diocese of Liaocheng.

Eucharistic Congress must be an "encounter with the living Christ," states Archbishop Karlic

Buenos Aires, 11 (NE) Archbishop Estanislao Karlic of Parana, President of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference, emphasized the importance of the National Eucharistic Congress that will take place in the city of Cordoba in September. Celebrating a Mass to open the 79th general assembly of the Episcopate he stated: "We hope the celebration in Cordoba is an intimate encounter with the living Jesus Christ, an encounter that converts us and congregates us (…) for the generous mission that will take us to the heart of culture and the peoples that have not met and do not confess Christ the Lord."

As the International Eucharistic Congress of 1934 was for Argentineans "a transforming event, the beginning of a deeper and more committed Christian life in the whole nation," stated Archbishop Karlic, the event in Cordoba must bring "an evangelizing change that touches the roots of the person and the spirit of institutions. This change should evangelize our culture, so gravely hurt by numerous and deep wounds".

The official inaugural Mass of the 79th Plenary Assembly of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference took place in the Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan on Monday night. The celebration was presided over the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Santos Abril y Castelló, who urged the bishops present to "join forces for the pastoral benefit of our Church." He also addressed the lay people, telling them that the "search for modernity and necessary progress must not be in conflict with the meaning of life in which God, the Creator of solidary fraternity, is present."

Mexican Archbishop says Church-State relations are improving

Mexico City, 11 (NE) In recent declarations, Archbishop Emilio Berlie of Yucatan, President of the Episcopal Commission in charge of the organization of the II National Eucharistic Congress, stated that with this event recently held in the country "the Catholic Church has begun a new chapter in her relations with the State." Mexican Catholics "have proven that we can make a numerous and multitudinous event, sign of the Catholic faith in Mexico", he stated, referring to the Mass celebrated the past Saturday in the Constitution Square. Asked about the realization of another encounter of a similar magnitude, the Archbishop expressed his desire to organize a National Eucharistic Congress every four years, in consonance with the International Eucharistic Congress.

Colombia: Thousands of students march against the kidnapping of children

Cali, 11 (NE) A massive reaction against the kidnapping of children was seen last week in various Colombian localities, where thousands of students made sessions of reflection and marches of protest against this terrible form of violence. In the city of Cali, thousands of children and young students paraded in the streets. This also occurred in other cities such as Santa Fe de Bogota, Medellin, Monteria, Palmira, Sincelejo, Valledupar, Cucuta, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdo, Leticia, Ibague and Barranquilla, informed the newspaper "El Pais" of Cali. Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino of Cali expressed his support for this manifestation against violence. He stated that the gathering of signatures has begun to present to the Colombian Congress a reformation of the penalization for kidnapping of children, an evil that is increasingly a tragic reality in this country.

MAY 10

With call to reconciliation, Costa Rica begins first Social Week

San Jose, 10 (NE) The Catholic Church in Costa Rica began this week the First Social Week, aiming to reflect and discuss problems in the different levels of society in the light of the Social Doctrine of the Church. During the opening ceremony, Archbishop Antonio Sozzo, Apostolic Nuncio in Costa Rica, read a message sent by Pope John Paul II, encouraging the activities of the event, to take place along this week. Also present was Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, who gave a conference on "Reconciliation with Family: towards the formation of a culture of life". Addressing participants, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo stressed among other themes the need to encourage reconciliation in families through dialogue. "Societies need a 'grammar' that may unify concepts. In this way, true social communication will be fulfilled. But before this, the human being must know who he is, and what is his duty in the world, in order to establish relationships between society and family", the Vatican Cardinal stated.

Cardinal Poupard highlights 'pressing need' to reach synthesis between culture and faith

Vatican City, 10 (NE) During a press conference held yesterday at the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, presented the Jubilee for University Teachers, scheduled for September 3-10. The main activity will take place on September 10 in Rome, when participants will attend a Mass presided by Pope John Paul II. Among the events to take place as preparatory activities, almost 50 congresses will be held organized by 80 universities throughout the world.

During his intervention, Cardinal Poupard recalled the 'pressing need' to reach a new synthesis between culture and faith, and a new humanism enlightened and promoted by the Gospel." The Jubilee Year 2000, said Cardinal Poupard, "offers a providential occasion to favor and support such a commitment."

The Cardinal also underlined how the Jubilee for University teachers would be both a religious moment and "a moment of exceptional cultural dialogue and exchange of experiences." The university "is called to become ever more a true research laboratory in which a universal and integral humanism, open to the spiritual dimension of man, is laid out and developed," the Cardinal further emphasized.

Lima: hundreds of young people participate in the "John Paul II" Marathon

Lima, 10 (NE) Hundreds of young people from different parts of the Peruvian capital, between 16 and 25 years, participated in the First "John Paul II" Marathon on Sunday. The competence, organized by the Archdiocese of Lima, began in a Square of Miraflores, and finished at the Cathedral of Lima, which is placed in the historical center of the Peruvian capital. Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima stated that the Marathon, organized in collaboration with the Peruvian Sports Institute, is part of the celebrations of the Jubilee of Youth. It is also "a way to encourage sports, which also is a very good way to promote the values that sports include, such as sacrifice and effort," he stated. On that same afternoon, Archbishop Cipriani awarded the prize to the winners. They will travel to Rome to attend World Youth in August.

Archbishop rejects threats of guerrilla against Colombian bishops

Medellin, 10 (NE) Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin, President of the Colombian Bishop's Conference, has firmly and clearly rejected the recent threats of the EPL (Popular Liberation Army) guerrilla group against the Bishops of the Colombian dioceses of Ocaña and Tibu. "Even though you have the power of weapons in your hands, I cannot acknowledge you neither the representation of the people you pretend to have in this moment, nor the authority to judge the behavior of two Bishops," was the answer of Archbishop Jaramillo to the rebels.

The Archbishop also rejected any type of violence. "With pain we have to accept," he stated, "that in the fight for the domination of the region, the different groups have originated a spiral of violence that seems to have no end. Those who think differently from one or another of the armed protagonists soon become victims without possibility of defense. Once again I raise my voice to defend life and reject the dynamics of violence."

The Prelate also recalled the effort that the Church has been realizing in favor of peace in the country. "Many are the actions and pronouncements with which we have proved that we seek not only to solve the armed conflict, but to attain a culture of peace for Colombia."

30 thousand people receive the Cross of the Evangelization in São Paulo

São Paulo, 10 (NE) The Church in São Paulo received this week the "Cross of the 500 years of the Evangelization of Brazil", which has visited the different states of the country. An image of Our Lady of Aparecida, replica of the one found in the Paraiba River in 1717, also came with the cross. Approximately 30 thousand persons representing the 261 parishes of the Archdiocese gathered early in the morning. At 3 p.m. Archbishop Claudio Hummes of São Paulo presided a Eucharist celebration, during which he thanked the Lord for the 500 years since the arrival of faith to Brazil. He also asked for peace and unity in the city. The "Cross of the 500 years of the Evangelization of Brazil", and the Image of the Virgin, will remain in São Paulo until the 1st of July, visiting different Jubilee Sanctuaries.

MAY 9

Respect for life: priority in Latin America, states Cardinal Lopez Trujillo

San Jose, 9 (NE) "The matter of the right to and respect for life for the poorest and most innocent," is one of the present priorities for Latin America, stated Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family. In a declaration to the La Nacion newspaper in Costa Rica, the Cardinal stressed the need to forge a "culture of peace that becomes a culture for family, for life, because it is there where we find the greatest threats and challenges."

Cardinal Lopez Trujillo, who is visiting this country for the First Social Week, recalled that the theme of life has "great importance today and influences the right of peoples to be sovereign, not to be manipulated, for example, in the conditions for a radical control of population that some determined world powers want to impose."

He also commented on the phenomenon of globalization, stating that "the Pope recalls that we cannot enclose ourselves in a merely economic globalization. There are ethical values that cannot be forgotten. If we do, we would pass through moments of historical shame." He also emphasized some aspects of the Social Doctrine of the Church, stating that "we have new questions today which the Social Doctrine of the Church must answer. There was a series of fundamental answers to opposing ideological currents before. That problem is not over yet, but the advance of rich peoples that aren't solidary with poor peoples grows."

The Vatican Cardinal stated the need to know the Social Doctrine of the Church, as well as the importance of sufficiently preparing the world of leaders in social doctrine and integral humanism, "because they are well formed in technical matters, but very badly formed in true humanism."

Cardinal O'Connor buried at St. Patrick's Cathedral

New York, 9 (NE) Cardinal John O'Connor, who headed the Archdiocese of New York over the last 16 years, was buried yesterday beneath the altar in St. Patrick's Cathedral, in the crypt where the Archbishops of the archdiocese are traditionally buried. The crowd present in the Cathedral burst into applause as the Cardinal was carried into the crypt. Groups of faithful gathered as well outside the temple to pay their homage to the Archbishop.

Present during the ceremony was Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican State Secretary and Pope John Paul II' Special Envoy for the funeral. Also present was Cardinal Bernard Law, Archbishop of Boston, who recalled "the great legacy" Cardinal O'Connor left in "his constant reminder that the Church must be unambiguously pro-life". During the ceremony Cardinal Sodano read a message sent by the Holy Father, who remembered the Cardinal as "one of the great bishops and cardinals of modern times."

Also present were several important political dignitaries, among them President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, former President George Bush and his son, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the Republican presidential candidate, and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

During the last days, thousands of faithful in the New York Archdiocese have participated in the different ceremonies held in memory of the late Cardinal, who died last Wednesday after a long illness brought on by complications from cancer.

After 24 years, ancient Basilica of Guadalupe is reopened

Mexico City, 9 (NE) The ancient Basilica of Guadeloupe, that for more than 200 years kept the "tilma" where the Virgin Mary of Tepeyac left her image imprinted, was reopened to the public last week after more than 24 years. The event was celebrated with a Holy Mass presided over by Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, Prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments. The Apostolic Nuncio, Leonardo Sandri and Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, also participated in the Mass. The construction of this ancient temple began in the year 1690 and was finished 19 years later. Since then it has been restored many times, in spite of which serious structural problems have had to be solved in recent years. The gravest problem was the sinking of approximately 4 meters due to passing of time and earthquakes. Presently the restoration of paintings, reposition of pavements and some minor details are still pending.

Canada: Document urges to appreciate gift of life

Ottawa, 9 (NE) The "Catholic Organization for Life and Family," a joint project of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Knights of Columbus has recently issued a leaflet entitled "A Child Gives Life to Love and Love to Life!" that urges families to appreciate and celebrate the gift of life through the contemplation of the miracle of each and every child as a "promise of grace and blessing". "In this Jubilee of the year 2000 we celebrate the birth of a child that has been given to us: a child called Jesus… For us this is an exceptional opportunity to appreciate life and to reflect on the miracle of each child," states the document. Considering the present reality in which "many couples resist beginning a family, now that for moments life seems so uncertain," the document emphasizes the "singular responsibility" of parents to love their children and help them to become more mature. This requires the contemplation of the "mystery of the life of a child" and deep respect for him, as well as great patience and personal sacrifice.

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