"Never again war", calls Pope John Paul II

Rome, 31 (NE) Pope John Paul II renewed yesterday his urgent call to peace, as he welcomed, Japan's new ambassador to the Holy See. In his address, the Pope recalled the current international situation and encouraging those "engaged in the search for peaceful solutions to these conflicts."

The Pope stated that "it is up to the international community to be permanently mobilized so that, on both regional and world levels, appropriate measures be taken to prevent potential aggressions, without these measures harming the fundamental needs of the civilian populations involved, leading them on occasion to misery and despair." He noted that "the painful vision of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" reminds us of the words of Pope Paul VI: 'Never again war!'"

The Holy Father dedicated closing remarks to the small but active Catholic community in Japan, remarking that the Church wishes to propose to young generations, "especially through the integral education given in schools and universities, an efficacious contribution to their human, spiritual, moral and civic growth that prepares them to take an active part in the life of the nation."

Holy See "surprised" by absence of mention to Christianity in project of European Constitution

Rome, 31 (NE) The Holy See expressed yesterday "surprise" by the absence of an explicit mention of Christianity in the first project of the Preamble for the European Constitution. In a statement made public by the Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, it said that "in what pertains to the first project of the Preamble, the mention of the various and important components that have acted together to form the European patrimony was noted, but the absence of an explicit mention of Christianity was noted with surprise". "As a consequence, we share the opinion of those authoritative members of the Convention who have already proposed the inclusion of this element in the successive version of the Preamble, out of respect for historical truth and for a more balanced text."

God never abandons people, stresses Pope John Paul II

Rome, 29 (NE) Pope John Paul II gathered yesterday with thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the world, during his weekly general audience. Speaking to the pilgrims present at St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about Psalm 107, "Song of Praise to God and plea for help", which was the theme of the catechesis. The Holy Father explained that Psalm 107 is the product of the fusion of two sections of Psalms 56 and 59, "that demonstrates how Israel already in the Old Testament was acting out the Word of God that had been revealed."

"Psalm 107, the result of this combination," he said, "is therefore something more than the simple union and juxtaposition of two lines. Hope and fear unite and become the substance of a new prayer in order to plant the seed of faith in difficult times, experienced by the whole community." The Holy Father recalled that the psalm begins with "a joyous hymn of praise." Because of "the Lord's loving fidelity, the people are sure they will never be abandoned by God in the abyss of nothingness and desperation."

In the second part of the psalm, he continued, "in the midst of the distress of Israel, which feels as if God is absent and distant, the voice of the oracle of the Lord that resounds in the temple is raised. In this revelation, God presents himself as arbiter and Lord of the whole earth. ... If the Lord reigns there is nothing to fear: we will not be shaken by the dark forces of destiny or chaos. There is also a greater plan which governs history even in dismal moments."

"This faith," he concluded, "sparks hope. ... This means that despite the trial and the silence, God will reveal Himself to us once again, to sustain and guide His people. Decisive help can come only from Him, not from external military alliances, that is, from armed force. And only with Him can freedom be obtained and 'great things' be accomplished."

Pope sends envoy to coordinate catholic aid in Iraq

Rome, 29 (NE) Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", begun yesterday a trip to Iraq to coordinate catholic aid in this country and express the Pope's closeness to Iraqi people. According to a communique made public yesterday by "Cor Unum", John Paul II asked Archbishop Cordes to convey his spiritual closeness to the entire Iraqi population."

During his visit, Archbishop Cordes will "verify personally the needs and conditions that permit the Catholic Church to operate in territories afflicted by war. In particular, together with the Bishops and Catholic NGOs, he will have to carry out a reasonable and coordinated plan of aid which responds to the health and food emergencies in addition to those of reconstruction."

"The Church, through its capillary presence," continues the communique, "is willing to help, as in other similar situations, in the equal distribution of humanitarian aid and in fostering social and political reconstruction."

During his stay in Iraq Archbishop Cordes, who will be accompanied by experts in the sector of humanitarian aid, will meet with the apostolic nuncio, bishops, Catholic organizations and civil authorities. On Sunday June 1, he will celebrate Mass in the cathedral of Baghdad and the following day he will go to Mosul."

Croatia prepares to receive Pope

Rome, 29 (NE) Faithful in Croatia, a country of overwhelming catholic majority, are preparing to receive Pope John Paul II. The Pope's apostolic trip to Croatia on June 5 - 9, will be his 100th trip outside of Italy. The cities of Rijeka, Dubrovnik, Osijek and Zadar will be visited by the Holy Father in his third trip to this country.

Croatia, which the Pope visited in 1994 and 1998, has a population of 4,660,000, of which 3,772,000 are Catholic, approximately 80.9% of the total population. There are currently 27 bishops, 2,260 priests, 3,520 religious and 689 seminarians in the country.

According to the Vatican Information Service, in this Balkan nation, there are 26 primary, middle and secondary schools, and eight superior schools and universities in which more than 4,000 students are enrolled. In addition, there are 33 homes for the elderly, disabled and handicapped, 57 orphanages and 21 family counseling and Pro-life centers and 18 centers for education and social rehabilitation.

Pope emphasizes urgency of "integral formation" for the evangelizing mission

Rome, 27 (NE - eclesiales.org) It is nowadays urgent an "integral formation" for the fulfillment of the evangelizing mission. This was stressed last weekend by Pope John Paul II, in an audience to participants in the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples during which they are reflecting upon "Formation in mission territories."

The Pope affirmed that "thorough formation is necessary, capable of preparing competent and holy evangelizers who are up to the level of their mission. This implies a long and painstaking process in which every biblical, theological, philosophical and pastoral examination finds its strength in one's personal relationship with Christ "the Way, the Truth and the Life."

"The Church, especially in mission countries," he continued, "needs people who are prepared to serve the Gospel freely and generously, ready for this reason to promote the values of justice and peace, breaking every cultural, racial, tribal and ethnic barrier, able to read the 'signs of the times' and to discover 'seeds of the Word', without indulging in curtailment or relativism."

"For this," John Paul II continued, "these persons must be in the first place 'experts' and they must be 'in love' with God. ... Along with personal intimacy with Christ, it is necessary to foster constant growth in love and service of the Church." For this reason, he added, a priest, "in his spiritual life, is called to relive the love of Christ, Spouse of the Church which is His bride."

Pope calls Bulgaria "to revive" its rich patrimony of faith

Rome, (27 NE - eclesiales.org) Pope John Paul II encouraged yesterday Bulgarians to "revive the rich patrimony of faith and culture that the Church and the Bulgarian nation share". In his addressed to a delegation of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria, the Pope stressed the need to value the "miracle of the work of evangelization carried out by the two brother saints from Thessalonica, Cyril and Methodius, whose legacy stills exists and continues to be for the Slavs deeper and stronger than any other division, after eleven centuries of Christianity among them."

The Pope also recalled St. Cyril's words before his death, which were an appeal for unity in the Church. "This message of faith, so rooted in your culture and in your Church community, is and continues to be the goal which we must reach in order that Eastern and Western Christians can fully unite and together make the 'plenitude' of the universality of the Church shine better." The Bulgarian delegation came to Rome to commemorate the first anniversary of his apostolic trip to Sofia, as to inaugurate the liturgical use of Sts. Vincent and Anastatius Church near the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

CLM coordinator calls to "make the Lord present in the world"

Lima, 27 (NE - eclesiales.org) The General Coordinator of the Christian Life Movement, Eduardo Regal, pronounced two spiritual conferences directed to two associations of the CLM: Emaus and Bethany. These associations congregate adult groups of men (Emaus) and women (Bethany) who want to live a deeper commitment in their Christian life. Last Thursday, the members of the Bethany association in Lima gathered in the Pastoral Center Santa Maria of the Evangelización for the conference of the General Coordinator.

Regal recalled the different symbols that the Marian image shows, emphasizing the lessons for a vision of eternity present in the image. "Our dear image of the Virgin - he said - gently educates us to raise our sight to the loving Plan of God. It indicates to us the horizon of Christian life, reverently leads us to increasingly live every day the vision of eternity ".

On Saturday, during the meeting with members of Emaus, Regal spoke about "the Eucharist, center of Christian life". The General Coordinator of the CLM began his talk recalling Pope John Paul II' last encyclical about the Eucharist, stressing that "the Church lives of the Eucharist". "We, children of the Church, live of the Eucharist. The Sodálite Family lives on the Eucharist, the Christian Life Movement lives of the Eucharist"

Also, he said "members of Emaus are called to an ongoing conversion", being "announcers of the Lord" and witnesses of "Eucharist as center of Christian life, helping to change hearts, to make present the mystery of Christ in the world".

Conference on Art and Architecture of the Evangelization in Peru

Lima, 27 (NE - eclesiales.org)"Art and Architecture of the Evangelization in Peru '" will be the subject of an interesting conference, that will be offered next Thursday 29 of May in the city of Lima, in the Museum Pedro de Osma. The conference, organized by Sacro Architects - an organization that groups professional architects, designers and engineers with the purpose of serving the Church- will count on the presence of Dr Pedro Gjurinovic Canevaro, president of the Patronage of Lima and Director of the Pedro de Osma Museum.

According to Sacro Architects, "the conferences will approach the subject from the historical-cultural perspective of sacred architecture, - historical patrimony of the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries-, and of their impact in the formation of Peruvian culture, reflecting on the important role played by religious architecture in the history of the Peru'".

The program of the event includes a guided visit to the Museum, words from Archbishop Salvador Piñeiro, President of the Episcopal Commission for Culture, and a presentation of Sacro. According to the organizers, the conference is supported by the ENDESA Foundation and marks the beginning of a cycle of cultural activities that aim to promote the "role of sacred architecture in the history and culture of the humanity". For more information on the conference visit www.sacro.net of write to sacro@sacro.net

Croatia inaugurates web site dedicated to Papal visit

Rome, 27 (NE - eclesiales.org) The Croatian Bishop's Conference presented last week a new site in the Internet dedicated to the next visit of Pope John Paul II. The new web site forms part of the activities of preparation for the Papal visit, to take place from June 5-9. The page, currently in Croatian and English, offers news about the activity of the Church in Croatia, the program and itinerary of the Pope's visit, as well as indications of utility for pilgrims. Also, it offers a photo gallery. During the presentation of the Web page, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak, Secretary General of the Croatian Episcopal Conference and coordinator of the Papal visit, emphasized the interest of Pope John Paul II in mass media. He also remembered the two preceding visits from the Pope to Croatia. The Web site can be visited in www.pope.hr

Pope encourages labor of Pontifical Missionary Works

Rome, 17 (NE) Pope John Paul received yesterday 150 participants in the general assembly of the Superior Council of National Directors of the Pontifical Missionary Works. In his talk to the directors, the Pope highlighted their mission of "showing the Pope's concern for all Churches" and of "promoting and sustaining missionary ardor in all the People of God," with special efforts to help the Churches most in need. He added that "one of the principal scopes of the Missionary Works is to kindle vocations 'ad gentes' and to life, in both the ancient Churches as well as the young ones."

The four Missionary Works are: the Pontifical Work of the Propagation of the Faith, the Pontifical Work of St. Peter the Apostle for the Indigenous Clergy, the Pontifical Work of the Holy Childhod and the Pontifical Missionary Union, known as PUM, its Italian acronym. In 1922 Pope Pius XI published the Motu proprio "Romanorum Pontificum" with which he bestowed the title of "pontifical" on these works.

Noting that May is the month of Mary and of the Rosary, he spoke of the "highly evocative missionary rosary," where each decade is a different color, calling to mind a different continent: "white for old Europe, that it may be capable of reappropriating the evangelizing strength which generated so many Churches; yellow for Asia, exploding with life and youth; green for Africa, tried by suffering, ... red for America, a greenhouse of new missionary strength and the blue decade for the continent of Oceania, which awaits a capillary spreading of the Gospel."

Association of Mary Immaculate celebrates 28th anniversary of foundation

Lima, 17 (NE) Members of the Association of Mary Immaculate (AMI) celebrated last week their 28th anniversary of foundation. The celebration took place on May 13th, day in which the Church commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin in Fatima. This association was founded by Luis Fernando Figari, on May 13, 1975, becoming the historical antecedent of the Marian Community of Reconciliation, an association for women consecrated to apostolic life, which was founded in 1991.

Today, the AMI if formed by women, some of them married. Many of the initial group that met together back in 1974, under the orientation of L.F. Figari, where present at the celebration. The AMI was founded four years after the foundation of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Society of Apostolic Life approved by the Pope in 1997, when L.F. Figari was 27 years old. Today, the AMI has members from three Latin American countries.

At the end of the Mass, Luis Fernando Figari addressed some words to the members of the AMI, exhorting them to respond with ardor to the Plan of God and to announce the Lord in their daily life. He also stressed that family was fundamental for the New Evangelization, affirming that the members of the AMI should be an example of wives and mothers of families, making their houses "cenacles of love" where their children learn in an environment of respect and freedom the foundations of the faith.

The Association of Mary Immaculate also offers a space of discernment so that new members of this feminine association can discern and discover if God calls them to a consecrated life. For those who discover their vocation to holiness through marriage the AMI offers an environment of Christian life and of apostolate.

Cardinal Sodano begins trip to Kazakhstan to commemorate Papal visit

Rome, 17 (NE) Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, began yesterday a four-day visit to Kazakhstan following an invitation by Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of the Republic, and other officials. The purpose of the trip is to commemorate the apostolic pilgrimage that the Holy Father made to Astana, the country's capital, in 2001.

As it was announced, today the cardinal secretary of State will make an official visit to the president, celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of Astana and will meet with priests, religious and other members of the capital's Catholic community. In addition, he is scheduled to visit an Orthodox church and a mosque.

On Sunday May 18 in the city of Karaganda, Cardinal Sodano will preside at a solemn Eucharistic celebration. He will also bless the first stone of the new Cathedral and will visit a seminary dedicated to "Mary Queen of the Church."

The cardinal secretary of State is scheduled to celebrate Mass in Karaganda on Monday May 19 and to meet with priests and religious who work in the diocese. Before his departure for Rome, he will visit a Greek Catholic Church and a monastery of Discalced Carmelites.

Pope encourages labor of Pontifical Missionary Works

Rome, 17 (NE) Pope John Paul received yesterday 150 participants in the general assembly of the Superior Council of National Directors of the Pontifical Missionary Works. In his talk to the directors, the Pope highlighted their mission of "showing the Pope's concern for all Churches" and of "promoting and sustaining missionary ardor in all the People of God," with special efforts to help the Churches most in need. He added that "one of the principal scopes of the Missionary Works is to kindle vocations 'ad gentes' and to life, in both the ancient Churches as well as the young ones."

The four Missionary Works are: the Pontifical Work of the Propagation of the Faith, the Pontifical Work of St. Peter the Apostle for the Indigenous Clergy, the Pontifical Work of the Holy Childhood and the Pontifical Missionary Union, known as PUM, its Italian acronym. In 1922 Pope Pius XI published the Motu proprio "Romanorum Pontificum" with which he bestowed the title of "pontifical" on these works.

Noting that May is the month of Mary and of the Rosary, he spoke of the "highly evocative missionary rosary," where each decade is a different color, calling to mind a different continent: "white for old Europe, that it may be capable of reappropriating the evangelizing strength which generated so many Churches; yellow for Asia, exploding with life and youth; green for Africa, tried by suffering, ... red for America, a greenhouse of new missionary strength and the blue decade for the continent of Oceania, which awaits a capillary spreading of the Gospel."

Association of Mary Immaculate celebrates 28th anniversary of foundation

Lima, 17 (NE) Members of the Association of Mary Immaculate (AMI) celebrated last week their 28th anniversary of foundation. The celebration took place on May 13th, day in which the Church commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin in Fatima. This association was founded by Luis Fernando Figari, on May 13, 1975, becoming the historical antecedent of the Marian Community of Reconciliation, an association for women consecrated to apostolic life, which was founded in 1991.

Today, the AMI if formed by women, some of them married. Many of the initial group that met together back in 1974, under the orientation of L.F. Figari, where present at the celebration. The AMI was founded four years after the foundation of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Society of Apostolic Life approved by the Pope in 1997, when L.F. Figari was 27 years old. Today, the AMI has members from three Latin American countries.

At the end of the Mass, Luis Fernando Figari addressed some words to the members of the AMI, exhorting them to respond with ardor to the Plan of God and to announce the Lord in their daily life. He also stressed that family was fundamental for the New Evangelization, affirming that the members of the AMI should be an example of wives and mothers of families, making their houses "cenacles of love" where their children learn in an environment of respect and freedom the foundations of the faith.

The Association of Mary Immaculate also offers a space of discernment so that new members of this feminine association can discern and discover if God calls them to a consecrated life. For those who discover their vocation to holiness through marriage the AMI offers an environment of Christian life and of apostolate.

Cardinal Sodano begins trip to Kazakhstan to commemorate Papal visit

Rome, 17 (NE) Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, began yesterday a four-day visit to Kazakhstan following an invitation by Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of the Republic, and other officials. The purpose of the trip is to commemorate the apostolic pilgrimage that the Holy Father made to Astana, the country's capital, in 2001.

As it was announced, today the cardinal secretary of State will make an official visit to the president, celebrate Mass in the Cathedral of Astana and will meet with priests, religious and other members of the capital's Catholic community. In addition, he is scheduled to visit an Orthodox church and a mosque.

On Sunday May 18 in the city of Karaganda, Cardinal Sodano will preside at a solemn Eucharistic celebration. He will also bless the first stone of the new Cathedral and will visit a seminary dedicated to "Mary Queen of the Church."

The cardinal secretary of State is scheduled to celebrate Mass in Karaganda on Monday May 19 and to meet with priests and religious who work in the diocese. Before his departure for Rome, he will visit a Greek Catholic Church and a monastery of Discalced Carmelites.

Pope encourages work of catholic oriental institutes in Rome

Rome, 13 (NE) Pope John Paul II encourages yesterday the work done by catholic oriental institutions, during a meeting with the superiors, teachers, students and staff of the Pontifical colleges and communities of students of the Oriental Catholic Churches in Rome. In his address, the Pope also expressed the need for peace in Eastern countries, praying that "fair and peaceful solutions will restore harmony and good living conditions to the populations so sorely tried by tensions and unjust oppression".

Afterwards, the Holy Father highlighted the "praiseworthy activity" of the various pontifical institutions, which includes "Oriental studies, that of the liturgy proper to each ritual traditional, permanent formation at all levels, and a constant updating of pastoral experiences." The Pope noted that the College of St. Ephraim was inserted into the congregation programs this past academic year and "offers priests of diverse rites but who speak the Arab language a place suited to prayer, ecclesiastical studies and a full apostolic activity."

"In 'Orientale Lumen," affirmed the Holy Father, "I noted that it is indispensable to promote reciprocal knowledge to help reciprocal understanding and unity to grow. ... I intended to remark in particular on the knowledge of the liturgy of the Oriental Churches and the spiritual traditions of the Fathers and Doctors of the Christian East.

Finally, the Pope said that "it would also be useful to form, in institutions specializing in the East, Christian theologians, liturgists, historians and canonists able to spread, in turn, knowledge about Oriental Churches."

Holy Father highlights pontificate of Sylvester II, "Pope of the Year 1000"

Rome, 13 (NE) Pope John Paul II highlighted this weekend the Pontificate of Pope Sylvester II, who was Pope at the turn of the second millennium. Receiving a delegation of diocesan pilgrims who are traveled to Rome to celebrate the millennium of the death of Pope Sylvester II, who died on May 12, 1003, the Pope said that this Pontiff was "the most cultured man of his time."

"Gerbert d'Aurillac -he said- dominated his century in a singular way by his knowledge and his erudition, his moral uprightness and his spiritual sense. He was at one and the same time an intellectual and a man of action, a diplomat and a man of the Church. If today's questions are different from those he had to face, his spiritual and intellectual attitude remains a call to seek human truth, which is never opposed to the truths of faith. 'Always unite,' he used to say, 'science and faith'."

The Pope noted that Sylvester II belonged to the Benedictine Order "whose different houses contributed to fashioning Europe. Archbishop of Reims, then of Ravenna, in 999 he became the first Pope of French origin. ... In the year 1000 he created in Gniezno the first metropolitan Church in Poland, among whose suffragans was the diocese of Krakow where I was pastor."

"Gerbert contributed to the intellectual renaissance and vitality of the continent," noted the Holy Father. "His example helps us to understand that Europe can only be built if it assumes, with lucidity, its Christian roots, ... an essential dimension of its identity, having left their imprint on the cultural, artistic, juridical and philosophical production of the continent."

Man "is the primary and fundamental way for the Church", says Pope John Paul

Rome, 10 (NE) "Man is the primary route that the Church must travel in fulfilling her mission", said Pope John Paul II yesterday, addressing participants in in the international congress promoted by the Pontifical Lateran University to commemorate the 25 years of his pontificate. Speaking to the 800 participants present in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope stressed that the theme of the congress was "the ever more current theme: 'The Church in the Service of Man'"

The Holy Father highlighted that "perennial service to the 'truth' about man inspires all who are concerned that he know himself ever better and perceive, with growing awareness, the longing to meet Christ, the full realization of man. Here is a vast field of action for you who intend to contribute with missionary dynamism to selecting new paths for the evangelization of culture."

Recalling his encyclical Redemptor hominis, the Pope said that "the Church cannot abandon man, for his 'destiny', that is to say his election, calling, birth and death, salvation or perdition, is so closely and unbreakably linked with Christ. (…) this man is the primary route that the Church must travel in fulfilling her mission: he is the primary and fundamental way for the Church, the way traced out by Christ himself, the way that leads invariably through the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption".

"Christ," he declared, "is the truth that makes free all who seek Him with sincerity and perseverance. He is the truth that the Church proclaims tirelessly in different ways, spreading the one Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth and inculturating it into the various regions of the world." The Pope concluded by asking all who work in and teach at the Lateran University to do so in such a manner that their "theological, philosophical and scientific research will help contemporary man to better perceive the nostalgia for God hidden in the innermost part of every soul."

Cardinals to gather in Rome for Pope's 25th anniversary

Rome, 10 (NE) The entire college of Cardinals has been called to Rome to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul's election to the papacy on October 16. The announcement was made this week by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, during a speech at an international congress held at the Pontifical Lateran University to commemorate the Papal anniversary. Cardinal Sodano stated that "all the cardinals will come to Rome next October because it is a historic date, a date in which we all take great joy." "I am happy -he added- that the university chose the pontificate at the service of man as a central theme. This is one of the Pope's great missions: the defense of liberty, of man, of human rights and of the rights of women."

A second commemorative meeting at the Lateran University will be held from October 9 to 11 on the theme, "The Desire to Know the Truth. Theology and Philosophy Five Years after 'Fides et Ratio'." The third congress will take place November 20 to 22 and is entitled "Walking in Light. Perspectives in Moral Theology Ten Years after 'Veritatis splendor'." On October 14 the university will hold a solemn academic event during which the "Karol Wojtyla" Chair will be inaugurated at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

Intense itinerary for Pope John Paul II' visit to Croatia

Rome, 10 (NE) Pope John Paul II will fulfill an intense itinerary in his next visit to Croatia, to begin June 5. The apostolic visit will mark the Popes 100th foreign apostolic trip. On Thursday, June 5 at 3:30 p.m. the Holy Father will leave Rome for Rijeka, Croatia where he will arrive at 4:45. After the welcome ceremony at the airport on the island of Krk, he is scheduled to meet the president of the Republic in the archdiocesan seminary. The following day he will travel to Dubrovnik where he will celebrate Mass and beatify Sr. Marija Petkovic.

On Saturday, June 7, the Pope is scheduled to travel to Osijek where he will celebrate Mass, followed by a private visit to the cathedral of Djakovo. On Sunday, June 8, after presiding at a Eucharistic celebration and reciting the Angelus in the Rijeka Delta, he will meet with the bishops of Croatia and, later in the afternoon, with the prime minister. On Monday, June 9, John Paul II will say Mass in private in the archdiocesan seminary of Rijeka after which he will travel by plane to Zadar where he will preside at a Liturgy of the Word. Following this he will go to the airport where there will be a farewell ceremony before he departs for Rome at 1:15 p.m.

Pope encourages work of catholic oriental institutes in Rome

Rome, 13 (NE) Pope John Paul II encourages yesterday the work done by catholic oriental institutions, during a meeting with the superiors, teachers, students and staff of the Pontifical colleges and communities of students of the Oriental Catholic Churches in Rome. In his address, the Pope also expressed the need for peace in Eastern countries, praying that "fair and peaceful solutions will restore harmony and good living conditions to the populations so sorely tried by tensions and unjust oppression".

Afterwards, the Holy Father highlighted the "praiseworthy activity" of the various pontifical institutions, which includes "Oriental studies, that of the liturgy proper to each ritual traditional, permanent formation at all levels, and a constant updating of pastoral experiences." The Pope noted that the College of St. Ephraim was inserted into the congregation programs this past academic year and "offers priests of diverse rites but who speak the Arab language a place suited to prayer, ecclesiastical studies and a full apostolic activity."

"In 'Orientale Lumen," affirmed the Holy Father, "I noted that it is indispensable to promote reciprocal knowledge to help reciprocal understanding and unity to grow. ... I intended to remark in particular on the knowledge of the liturgy of the Oriental Churches and the spiritual traditions of the Fathers and Doctors of the Christian East.

Finally, the Pope said that "it would also be useful to form, in institutions specializing in the East, Christian theologians, liturgists, historians and canonists able to spread, in turn, knowledge about Oriental Churches."

Holy Father highlights pontificate of Sylvester II, "Pope of the Year 1000"

Rome, 13 (NE) Pope John Paul II highlighted this weekend the Pontificate of Pope Sylvester II, who was Pope at the turn of the second millennium. Receiving a delegation of diocesan pilgrims who are traveled to Rome to celebrate the millennium of the death of Pope Sylvester II, who died on May 12, 1003, the Pope said that this Pontiff was "the most cultured man of his time."

"Gerbert d'Aurillac -he said- dominated his century in a singular way by his knowledge and his erudition, his moral uprightness and his spiritual sense. He was at one and the same time an intellectual and a man of action, a diplomat and a man of the Church. If today's questions are different from those he had to face, his spiritual and intellectual attitude remains a call to seek human truth, which is never opposed to the truths of faith. 'Always unite,' he used to say, 'science and faith'."

The Pope noted that Sylvester II belonged to the Benedictine Order "whose different houses contributed to fashioning Europe. Archbishop of Reims, then of Ravenna, in 999 he became the first Pope of French origin. ... In the year 1000 he created in Gniezno the first metropolitan Church in Poland, among whose suffragans was the diocese of Krakow where I was pastor."

"Gerbert contributed to the intellectual renaissance and vitality of the continent," noted the Holy Father. "His example helps us to understand that Europe can only be built if it assumes, with lucidity, its Christian roots, ... an essential dimension of its identity, having left their imprint on the cultural, artistic, juridical and philosophical production of the continent."

Man "is the primary and fundamental way for the Church", says Pope John Paul

Rome, 10 (NE) "Man is the primary route that the Church must travel in fulfilling her mission", said Pope John Paul II yesterday, addressing participants in in the international congress promoted by the Pontifical Lateran University to commemorate the 25 years of his pontificate. Speaking to the 800 participants present in the Paul VI Hall, the Pope stressed that the theme of the congress was "the ever more current theme: 'The Church in the Service of Man'"

The Holy Father highlighted that "perennial service to the 'truth' about man inspires all who are concerned that he know himself ever better and perceive, with growing awareness, the longing to meet Christ, the full realization of man. Here is a vast field of action for you who intend to contribute with missionary dynamism to selecting new paths for the evangelization of culture."

Recalling his encyclical Redemptor hominis, the Pope said that "the Church cannot abandon man, for his 'destiny', that is to say his election, calling, birth and death, salvation or perdition, is so closely and unbreakably linked with Christ. (…) this man is the primary route that the Church must travel in fulfilling her mission: he is the primary and fundamental way for the Church, the way traced out by Christ himself, the way that leads invariably through the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption".

"Christ," he declared, "is the truth that makes free all who seek Him with sincerity and perseverance. He is the truth that the Church proclaims tirelessly in different ways, spreading the one Gospel of salvation to the ends of the earth and inculturating it into the various regions of the world." The Pope concluded by asking all who work in and teach at the Lateran University to do so in such a manner that their "theological, philosophical and scientific research will help contemporary man to better perceive the nostalgia for God hidden in the innermost part of every soul."

Cardinals to gather in Rome for Pope's 25th anniversary

Rome, 10 (NE) The entire college of Cardinals has been called to Rome to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul's election to the papacy on October 16. The announcement was made this week by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, during a speech at an international congress held at the Pontifical Lateran University to commemorate the Papal anniversary. Cardinal Sodano stated that "all the cardinals will come to Rome next October because it is a historic date, a date in which we all take great joy." "I am happy -he added- that the university chose the pontificate at the service of man as a central theme. This is one of the Pope's great missions: the defense of liberty, of man, of human rights and of the rights of women."

A second commemorative meeting at the Lateran University will be held from October 9 to 11 on the theme, "The Desire to Know the Truth. Theology and Philosophy Five Years after 'Fides et Ratio'." The third congress will take place November 20 to 22 and is entitled "Walking in Light. Perspectives in Moral Theology Ten Years after 'Veritatis splendor'." On October 14 the university will hold a solemn academic event during which the "Karol Wojtyla" Chair will be inaugurated at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

Intense itinerary for Pope John Paul II' visit to Croatia

Rome, 10 (NE) Pope John Paul II will fulfill an intense itinerary in his next visit to Croatia, to begin June 5. The apostolic visit will mark the Popes 100th foreign apostolic trip. On Thursday, June 5 at 3:30 p.m. the Holy Father will leave Rome for Rijeka, Croatia where he will arrive at 4:45. After the welcome ceremony at the airport on the island of Krk, he is scheduled to meet the president of the Republic in the archdiocesan seminary. The following day he will travel to Dubrovnik where he will celebrate Mass and beatify Sr. Marija Petkovic.

On Saturday, June 7, the Pope is scheduled to travel to Osijek where he will celebrate Mass, followed by a private visit to the cathedral of Djakovo. On Sunday, June 8, after presiding at a Eucharistic celebration and reciting the Angelus in the Rijeka Delta, he will meet with the bishops of Croatia and, later in the afternoon, with the prime minister. On Monday, June 9, John Paul II will say Mass in private in the archdiocesan seminary of Rijeka after which he will travel by plane to Zadar where he will preside at a Liturgy of the Word. Following this he will go to the airport where there will be a farewell ceremony before he departs for Rome at 1:15 p.m.

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