News Vatican Information Service 07/19/2006

SUMMARY:

- Telegram of Condolence for Indonesian Tsunami

- New Buildings for the Bambino Gesu Hospital



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TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE FOR INDONESIAN TSUNAMI

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2006 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent the following telegram of condolence, in the name of the Pope, to the ecclesial and civil authorities of Indonesia for the tsunami that hit the island of Java on Monday and left more than 500 people dead and around 300 missing:

"Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic consequences of the recent tsunami in Java, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI assures all those affected of his closeness in prayer. He commends the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, and upon their grieving families he invokes divine blessings of strength and consolation. His Holiness likewise prays for the rescue workers and all involved in providing assistance to displaced families, encouraging them to persevere in their efforts to bring relief and support."

TGR/TSUNAMI/INDONESIA:SODANO VIS 060719 (150)

NEW BUILDINGS FOR THE BAMBINO GESU HOSPITAL

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, in the presence of Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, an agreement was concluded between the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and the Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital, for the use of certain buildings and spaces currently available in the extraterritorial zone of St. Paul's.

According to a communique made public today, "the buildings and land being made available will be used by the hospital to expand and to bring together on one site a number of offices and clinics." This "will make it possible to provide better service to children in a very densely populated area of Rome.

"This solution," the communique adds, "will enable greater integration, both in terms of healthcare and of administration, of the services offered, with indubitable benefits for the young patients."

The agreement was signed by Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, and Francesco Silvano, president of the Bambino Gesu hospital. Both these Holy See institutions are located in Rome on extraterritorial land.

.../NEW SITE/BAMBINO GESU VIS 060719 (190)

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News Vatican Information Service 07/18/ 2006

SUMMARY:


- World Religious Leaders Write to the G8

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WORLD RELIGIOUS LEADERS WRITE TO THE G8


VATICAN CITY, JUL 18, 2006 (VIS) - At the close yesterday in St. Petersburg, Russia, of the summit meeting of leaders of the world's most industrialized nations (G8), a declaration from participants in a world gathering of religious leaders was also read out. Their meeting was held in Moscow, Russia, from July 3 to 5.


"Let us keep the peace that God has given us" write representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Shintoism, highlighting the need for "religion to continue to be the true and solid foundation of peace and dialogue between civilizations," and for "it never to be used as a source of division and conflict."


The declaration identifies the challenges facing humanity today, from the defense of human life in all its stages to the relationship between justice and economics, without overlooking "the scandal of poverty." The text also condemns all forms of terrorism and extremism as well as the violence that seeks justification in religion. It also deplores the activities of pseudo-religious groups and movements "which attack the freedom and wellbeing of peoples."

The world meeting of religious leaders was organized by the inter-religious council of Russia. The Catholic Church delegation was presided by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and also included Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue. In his contribution to the debate, Cardinal Poupard highlighted the necessity for religious and civil authorities throughout the world to collaborate for the good of humanity, and the need to face the challenges of globalization, while always respecting the dignity of human beings.

.../RELIGIOUS LEADERS:G8/ST. PETERSBURG VIS 060718 (290)

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Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City