News Vatican Information Services 11/14/2006

SUMMARY:

- Dicastery Heads to Examine Question of Archbishop Milingo
- Defend the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Their Families
- Migrant Family: Theme for Day of Migrants and Refugees
- In Brief
- Other Pontifical Acts

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DICASTERY HEADS TO EXAMINE QUESTION OF ARCHBISHOP MILINGO

VATICAN CITY, NOV 14, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy See Press office released the following communique late yesterday afternoon:

"The Holy Father has called a meeting of the heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia, for Thursday, November 16, in order to examine the situation that has arisen following the disobedience of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, and to reflect upon requests for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy and requests for readmission to the priestly ministry, presented by married priests over the course of recent years. No other matters are scheduled on the order of the day."
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DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND THEIR FAMILIES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 14, 2006 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office this morning, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino and Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, presented the Pope's Message for the 93rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Day is due to be celebrated on Sunday, January 14, 2007 and has as its theme "the migrant family."

Cardinal Martino indicated how "in societies where immigration is an important phenomenon, the role of the family unit gives way to the individual and his or her capacity to be productive or successful. ... Language, which is a vehicle of communication, can also become a barrier between the first generation and subsequent generations, even within the same family. This accentuates the isolation of the members of the family unit, isolation that sometimes becomes solitude and marginalization."

"Isolation is even more marked," he continued, "among women, enclosed within the walls of the home and with few opportunities for external relations," who can sometimes even "end up as victims of human trafficking or of prostitution."

The cardinal highlighted how, alongside people who emigrate with their documents in order, "there are growing numbers who flee their homeland in the hope of a better future in the developed countries. ... Often the journey becomes a death trap," and many end up embroiled "in corruption, criminality and prostitution." In this context, the president of the pontifical council recalled the Holy Father's invitation "to ratify the legal instruments that aim to defend the rights of migrants, refugees and their families."

Referring to the final part of the Message, where the Holy Father talks of foreign students, Cardinal Martino said "it is calculated that they number more than two million, with a particularly large presence in the United States, Great Britain, France and Germany." After highlighting the "economic problems" faced by students from poor nations, and the "problems of integration into the host countries," the cardinal concluded by stressing how the Church, "apart from assistance, is called to offer moral support and Christian formation."

"The families of refugees must find a warm welcome in their host countries," said Archbishop Marchetto. "Today, however, it is painful for us to note that understanding and sympathy for refugees is diminishing," and "actions are committed that make life more difficult for those seeking asylum. ... Furthermore, the situation of internally displaced persons is, in general, even more difficult, as there is not yet any international legislation to deal with them."

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) looks after 20 million people, said the archbishop, while internally displaced persons number 24 million. "In the countries in the so-called South of the world, there are some six million refugees who have been living in special 'camps' for more than five years, often with little respect being shown for their rights. ... They are unable to work properly, or leave their 'camps' freely, because their movements are restricted." Moreover, "the food rations given them are often insufficient."

"Maintaining a family under such conditions is obviously very difficult," said the secretary of the pontifical council, pointing out how this has a negative effect on internal relationships within the family as a result of which "social structures are weakened and people lose their values, their humanity and their dignity."

Finally, the archbishop spoke of refuge families who have found asylum in other countries, and highlighted the necessity of "accompanying" them in their adaptation to their new environment, a field in which local Churches could play an important role, he said. "Such accompaniment," he concluded, "is necessary during the process of integration. It is an expression of respect for others and at the same time, enables the people assisted to change, in accordance with the real concept of integration, which is not assimilation. For us, such an approach has deep roots in Christianity and, even today, shows what the Church stands for and promotes."
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MIGRANT FAMILY: THEME FOR DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 14, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was Benedict XVI's Message for the 93rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees, due to be celebrated on Sunday, January 14, 2007. The theme of the Day is "the migrant family," and the text, published in Italian, French, English, Spanish, German and Portuguese, is dated October 18.

The complete text of the English version of the Message is given below:

"On the occasion of the coming World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and looking at the Holy Family of Nazareth, icon of all families, I would like to invite you to reflect on the condition of the migrant family. The evangelist Matthew narrates that shortly after the birth of Jesus, Joseph was forced to leave for Egypt by night, taking the child and his mother with him, in order to flee the persecution of King Herod. Making a comment on this page of the Gospel, my venerable Predecessor, Servant of God Pope Pius XII, wrote in 1952: 'The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants and taking refuge in Egypt to escape the fury of an evil king, are the model, the example and the support of all emigrants and pilgrims of every age and every country, of all refugees of any condition who, compelled by persecution and need, are forced to abandon their homeland, their beloved relatives, their neighbors, their dear friends, and move to a foreign land.' In this misfortune experienced by the Family of Nazareth, obliged to take refuge in Egypt, we can catch a glimpse of the painful condition in which all migrants live, especially, refugees, exiles, evacuees, internally displaced persons, those who are persecuted. We can take a quick look at the difficulties that every migrant family lives through, the hardships and humiliations, the deprivation and fragility of millions and millions of migrants, refugees and internally displaced people. The Family of Nazareth reflects the image of God safeguarded in the heart of every human family, even if disfigured and weakened by emigration.

"The theme of the next World Day of Migrants and Refugees - the migrant family - is in continuity with those of 1980, 1986 and 1993. It intends to underline further the commitment of the Church not only in favor of the individual migrant, but also of his family, which is a place and resource of the culture of life and a factor for the integration of values. The migrant's family meets many difficulties. The distance of its members from one another and unsuccessful reunification often result in breaking the original ties. New relationships are formed and new affections arise. Some migrants forget the past and their duties, as they are subjected to the hard trial of distance and solitude. If the immigrant family is not ensured of a real possibility of inclusion and participation, it is difficult to expect its harmonious development. The International Convention for the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families, which was enforced on July 1, 2003, intends to defend men and women migrant workers and the members of their respective families. This means that the value of the family is recognized, also in the sphere of emigration, which is now a structural phenomenon of our societies. The Church encourages the ratification of the international legal instruments that aim to defend the rights of migrants, refugees and their families and, through its various institutions and associations, offers her advocacy that is becoming more and more necessary. To this end, she has opened centers where migrants are listened to, houses where they are welcomed, offices for services offered to persons and families, with other initiatives set up to respond to the growing needs in this field.

"Much is already being done for the integration of the families of immigrants, although much still remains to be done. There are real difficulties connected with some 'defense mechanisms' on the part of the first generation immigrants, which run the risk of becoming an obstacle to the greater maturity of the young people of the second generation. This is why it is necessary to provide for legislative, juridical and social intervention to facilitate such an integration. In recent times, there is an increase in the number of women who leave their countries of origin in search of better conditions of life, in view of more promising professional prospects. However, women who end up as victims of trafficking of human beings and of prostitution are not few in number. In family reunification, social workers, especially religious women, can render an appreciated service of mediation that merits our gratitude more and more.

"Regarding the integration of the families of immigrants, I feel it my duty to call your attention to the families of refugees, whose conditions seem to have gone worse in comparison with the past, also specifically regarding the reunification of family nuclei. In the camps assigned to them, in addition to logistic difficulties, and those of a personal character linked to the trauma and emotional stress caused by the tragic experiences they went through, sometimes there is also the risk of women and children being involved in sexual exploitation, as a survival mechanism. In these cases an attentive pastoral presence is necessary. Aside from giving assistance capable of healing the wounds of the heart, pastoral care should also offer the support of the Christian community, able to restore the culture of respect and have the true value of love found again. It is necessary to encourage those who are interiorly-wrecked to recover trust in themselves. Everything must also be done to guarantee the rights and dignity of the families and to assure them housing facilities according to their needs. Refugees are asked to cultivate an open and positive attitude towards their receiving society and maintain an active willingness to accept offers to participate in building together an integrated community that would be a 'common household' for all.

"Among migrants, there is a category that needs to be considered in a special way: students from other countries, who are far from home, without an adequate knowledge of the language, at times without friends and often with a scholarship that is insufficient for their needs. Their condition is even worse if they are married. Through her institutions, the Church exerts every effort to render the absence of family support for these young students less painful. It helps them integrate in the cities that receive them, by putting them in contact with families that are willing to offer them hospitality and facilitate knowing one another. As I had the opportunity to say on another occasion, helping foreign students is 'an important field of pastoral action. ... Indeed, young people who leave their own country in order to study encounter many problems and especially the risk of an identity crisis.'

"Dear brothers and sisters, may the World Day of Migrants and Refugees become a useful occasion to build awareness, in the ecclesial community and public opinion, regarding the needs and problems, as well as the positive potentialities of migrant families. My thoughts go in a special way to those who are directly involved in the vast phenomenon of migration, and to those who expend their pastoral energy in the service of human mobility. The words of the apostle Paul, 'caritas Christi urget nos,' urge us to give ourselves preferentially to our brothers and sisters who are most in need. With these sentiments, I invoke divine assistance on each one and I affectionately impart to all a special apostolic blessing.
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IN BRIEF

CARDINAL NICHOLAS CHEONG JINSUK, METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP of Seoul, Korea, will take possession of the title of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes at Boccea, Via Santa Bernadette 23, Rome, at midday on November 19, according to a communique released today by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, HOLY SEE PERMANENT OBSERVER to the United Nations in New York delivered an address on November 13 before the 61st UN General Assembly, which is considering the question of "strengthening the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations." In his English-language speech, the archbishop affirmed the importance of "collaboration between coordinators and humanitarian agencies ... in order to formulate agreements and policies which respect the specificities and mandates of the humanitarian agencies while allowing them to continue to operate constructively within a given circumstance."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 14, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed

- Msgr. Luis Urbanc, rector of the major seminary of Tucuman, Argentina, as coadjutor bishop of Catamarca (area 68,765, population 334,000, Catholics 327,000, priests 68, permanent deacons 1, religious 59), Argentina. The bishop-elect was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1982.

- Msgr. Pedro Maria Laxague, vicar general of the archdiocese of Bahia Blanca, Argentina, as auxiliary bishop of the same diocese (area 82,624, population 708,000, Catholics 602,000, priests 95, permanent deacons 16, religious 247). The bishop-elect was born in Buenos Aires in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1989.

- Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, president of the Labor Office of the Apostolic See, as member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
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News Vatican Information Services 11/11-13/2006

SUMMARY: NOVEMBER 11 - 13

- Secularization, a Challenge for the Church in Germany
- Communicate the Tangible Contents of Christian Faith
- Program of Pope's Apostolic Trip to Turkey
- Experiencing the Greatness of Christianity
- Change Development Models and Fight against Hunger
- Respect Commitments for the Denuclearization of Korea
- In Brief
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

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SECULARIZATION, A CHALLENGE FOR THE CHURCH IN GERMANY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 2006 (VIS) - In the talk he delivered yesterday to the first group of prelates from the German Bishops' Conference, at the end of their "ad limina" visit, the Pope affirmed that the secularization of society represents "a providential challenge that must be faced with courage."

"The Federal Republic of Germany," said the Holy Father, "shares with the entire western world a situation where culture is dominated by secularization, in which God tends to disappear from the public conscience, the uniqueness of the image of Christ fades, and the values formed by ecclesial tradition lose their effectiveness."

"For this reason, no small number of people have become discouraged and resigned; attitudes that hinder the act of witnessing to the Gospel of Christ that liberates and saves." A lot of people ask themselves, he added, "whether Christianity is not perhaps, in the end, just one proposed meaning among many others? ... At the same time however, given the fragile and transitory nature of the majority of the other offers, many people come back hopefully to interrogate and examine the Christian message, and from us they expect convincing answers."

On the subject of relations with Islam, Benedict XVI told the bishops of his "respect and benevolence" for the many Muslims living in Germany. They, he added, "who remain so seriously attached to their beliefs and rites, have the right to our humble and determined witness of Jesus Christ. To make such witness credible, great efforts are required. For this reason, in areas with a large Muslim population, there must be Catholic interlocutors with the indispensable linguistic and historical-religious knowledge to make them capable of establishing a dialogue with Muslims. And it is of course clear that such dialogue requires, in the first place, a profound knowledge of their own Catholic faith."

The Pope then proceeded to consider the question of religious education, Catholic schools and the formation of Catholic adults. "Religious education curricula," he said, "must be guided by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. ... It is of fundamental importance that the introduction into a Catholic view of the world and into the practice of the faith, as well as the integral formation of the person, are not transmitted only in the course of religion lessons," but also "through the personal witness of teachers." As for institutions and activities for the formation of adults, care must be taken, he said, "with the choice of subjects and educators, so that the central message of the faith and of the Christian way of life do not get pushed into the background."

"Faithfulness to the 'depositum fidei,' as represented in the Church's Magisterium, is the indispensable condition for serious theological research and teaching."

Turning to the subject of formation in seminaries, the Holy Father stressed the importance of the "introductory course that takes place before the beginning of studies," especially because an ever greater number of candidates to the priesthood "do not come from a traditional Catholic background. ... During this introductory year, students will be able to gain a clearer view of their vocation to the priesthood, and those in charge of priestly formation will have the chance to form an opinion of the candidates, of their human maturity and of their life of faith. On the other hand, the group dynamics of role-playing and self-awareness exercises, and other psychological experiments, are less appropriate, and can rather cause confusion and insecurity."

In closing, Pope Benedict considered "an urgent problem: the relationship between priests and faithful in accomplishing the mission of the Church." Expressing his thanks for the active collaboration of so many lay faithful who "contribute to supporting the Church," the Pope recalled that "the sermon during Mass is a duty associated with ordained ministry," and that "where there is a sufficient number of priests and deacons, the distribution of Communion is their duty."

"Only the Sacrament of Holy Orders enables its recipient to act 'in persona Christi.' This fact must be emphasized with patience and wisdom, and the necessary conclusions drawn."
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COMMUNICATE THE TANGIBLE CONTENTS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 2006 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Benedict XVI received members of the "Villa Nazareth" organization, an educational institution founded by Cardinal Domenico Tardini in 1946. Its current president is Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

Villa Nazareth is celebrating its 60th anniversary said the Holy Father, recalling how the organization "seeks to appreciate the intelligence of its pupils while respecting the freedom of the individual," and how it is "oriented towards seeing the authentic expression of Christian love in service to others. Villa Nazareth wishes to form its young people ... in a spirit of openness to dialogue, with the application of a form of reason purified in the crucible of faith. ... Faith scrutinizes the invisible and is, hence, friend to the reason that poses the essential questions that give meaning to our earthly journey."

The Holy Father then went on to refer to the "diaconate," the role played by Christian culture "in helping those who seek to discover Him Who is hidden ... in the events of everyday life." And, he continued, "it must not be forgotten that the Lord is said to be fed, to be given drink, to be clothed, welcomed and visited in all people in need. He is, then, also 'hidden' in such person and events. ... No culture can rest self-satisfied until it discovers that that it must be attentive to the real and profound needs of mankind, of all men and women."

"The contents of Jesus' revelation are tangible, and Christian-inspired intellectuals must always be ready to communicate them when speaking to people in search of solutions capable of improving existence and of responding to the disquiet that assails all human hearts. We must, above all, demonstrate the profound correlation that exists between the necessities arising from reflection on human affairs and the divine 'Logos' Who 'became flesh' and came 'to live among us.' Thus we create a fruitful convergence between the postulates of reason and the answers of Revelation. And it is from here that a light emerges to illuminate our path."
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PROGRAM OF POPE'S APOSTOLIC TRIP TO TURKEY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 2006 (VIS) - Made public today was the program of the Pope's forthcoming apostolic trip to Turkey, which is due to take place from November 28 to December 1.

At 9 a.m. on November 28, the Holy Father will depart from Rome's Fiumicino airport bound for Ankara, where he is due land at Esenboga international airport at 1 p.m. On arrival, he will visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, after which the welcome ceremony will take place. Pope Benedict will then pay a courtesy visit to the president of the republic before meeting with the vice prime minister, the president for religious affairs and the diplomatic corps.

On Wednesday, November 29, Benedict XVI is due to celebrate Mass at Ephesus. That afternoon he will travel to Istanbul where he will visit the patriarchal church of St. George and hold a private meeting with His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch.

The following day, November 30, the Holy Father will participate in the divine liturgy at the patriarchal church of St. George, where he will pronounce an address and sign a joint declaration with His Holiness Bartholomew I. The Pope will then go on to visit the museum of Santa Sophia, and the Armenian cathedral where he will meet with His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian patriarch of Istanbul.

Later the same day, he will meet the Syro-Orthodox patriarch and the chief rabbi of Turkey. That evening, he is scheduled to dine with members of the Catholic episcopal conference.

On Friday, December 1, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in Istanbul's cathedral of the Holy Spirit before travelling to the city's airport where the departure ceremony will take place. The papal plane will take off at 1.15 p.m., and is due to arrive in Rome at 2.45 p.m.
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EXPERIENCING THE GREATNESS OF CHRISTIANITY

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 2006 (VIS) - At the close of his meeting with prelates from the Conference of Swiss Bishops and heads of certain dicasteries of the Roman Curia, which took place on the afternoon of November 9, Benedict XVI pronounced an address, the text of which was made public today.

"We must nor allow our faith to be drained by too much discussion on a multiplicity of less-important details," said the Pope. "It is fundamental to highlight the greatness of our faith. ... Above all, it is important to cultivate a personal relationship with God, with the God Who showed Himself to us in Christ."

"God," he continued, "is 'Spiritus creator,' He is 'Logos,' He is reason. Because of this our faith is something that involves reason. It can be transmitted through reason and need not hide itself in the face of reason, not even the reason of our own times. ... Reason, indeed, has a heart, and so was able to renounce its own immensity and become flesh. In this and only in this, I believe, lies the ultimate and true greatness of our concept of God. We know that God is not a philosophical hypothesis, He is not something that perhaps exists, rather we know Him and He knows us. And we can know Him ever better if we maintain a dialogue with Him.

"Hence," the Holy Father added, "it is a fundamental task of pastoral care to teach others to pray and to learn to do so ourselves." In this context, he referred to the importance of "increasing the number of prayer schools, ... where personal prayer can be learned it all its dimensions."

"This intimacy with God and, hence, the experience of the presence of God is what brings us ... to experience the greatness of Christianity. It helps us to overcome all pettiness, and must be experienced and realized day by day - suffering and loving, in joy and in sadness."

Another theme to which the Holy Father turned his attention during his address to the prelates was that of ethics. "I often hear it said that people today feel nostalgia for God, spirituality and religion, and that they begin to see the Church as a possible interlocutor from which something may be received in this regard. ... However, what people find very difficult are the ethics the Church proclaims. I have long reflected upon this matter, and I see ever more clearly how, in our time, it is as if ethics have divided into two parts. Modern society is not simply ethic-less but has, so to say, 'discovered' and claimed another aspect of ethics which, in the Church's announcement over recent decades ... has not been sufficiently emphasized. This includes the great themes of peace, non-violence, justice for all, care for the poor and respect for creation.

"All this," he added, "has grown into an ethical system which has great power as a political force and, for many people, represents a substitute or surrogate for religion. In place of religion, which is seen as a metaphysical entity concerning the hereafter - perhaps even as something individualistic - these great moral themes appear to be the essential questions that confer dignity upon man."

"The other aspect of ethics, which politics not infrequently takes up in a highly controversial manner, concerns life. Part of this is the commitment to life from conception to natural death; in other words, defending life against abortion and euthanasia, against its manipulation, and against man's self-legitimization to dispose of life as he chooses. Often, people seek to justify such intervention with the apparently exalted intention of its being useful to future generations."

"The ethics of marriage and the family are part of the same context. Marriage is, so to say, becoming ever more marginalized. We know the example of certain countries where there have been legislative modifications according to which marriage is no longer defined as a bond between man and woman, but as a bond between persons. This clearly destroys the basic idea (of marriage), and society, from its very roots, becomes something completely different."

Benedict XVI went on: "The belief that sexuality, eros and marriage, as the union between a man and a woman, go together ... is becoming ever weaker. All kinds of union appear absolutely normal," and "this is presented as a kind of morality of non-discrimination and a form of freedom that is mankind's due. Thus the indissolubility of marriage has become an almost utopian idea." Moreover, although "the problem of the disturbing drop in birth rates has multiple explanations," a decisive factor is that "people have little faith in the future," and that "the family as a durable community" is considered an unattainable goal.

"In these areas, then, our announcement comes up against a counter-belief of society, with a sort of anti-morality based on its concept of freedom as the faculty to decide autonomously without predefined guidance, as non-discrimination, and hence as the approval of all possibilities."

"But other beliefs have not disappeared. They exist, and I believe we must make every effort to bring these two parts of ethics back together, and make it clear that they are inseparably linked. ... I believe we are facing a great task: on the one hand, ensuring that Christianity does not appear as mere moralism but as a gift in which we are given a love that supports us. ... On the other hand, in this context of donated love, we must advance towards giving concrete form (to our ideas), on the foundation of the Ten Commandments which, with Christ and the Church, we must read in our own time in a new and progressive light."
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CHANGE DEVELOPMENT MODELS AND FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

VATICAN CITY, NOV 12, 2006 (VIS) - At midday today, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to pray the Angelus with the thousands of pilgrims who, despite the rain, filled St. Peter's Square below.

In remarks before the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled that today in Italy is the Day of Thanksgiving, the theme of which is: "The earth, a gift for the entire human family." In Christian families, he said, "children are taught always to thank the Lord before eating, with a brief prayer and the sign of the cross. This custom must be conserved and rediscovered, because it educates people not to take their 'daily bread' for granted but to recognize it as a gift of Providence.

"We should become accustomed to blessing the Creator for all things," the Pope added. "Jesus taught His disciples to pray by asking the heavenly Father not for 'my' but for 'our' daily bread. In this way, He wished every man and woman to feel a shared responsibility for their fellows, that no one may lack the necessities of life. The products of the earth are a gift intended by God 'for the entire human family.'

"And here we touch upon a very painful point: the dramatic problem of hunger which, though it has been tackled, even recently, at the highest institutional level, such as the United Nations and in particular the FAO, remains a very serious problem. The latest FAO annual report confirmed what the Church already well knows from the direct experience of her communities and missionaries: that over 800 million people live in a state of undernourishment, and that too many people, especially children, die of hunger."

How, the Pope asked, "can we face this situation which, though repeatedly denounced, shows no sign of improving, indeed, in some ways is getting worse? It is certainly necessary to eliminate the structural causes linked to the system of managing the world economy, which restricts the majority of the planet's resources to a minority of the population. This injustice has been stigmatized on a number of occasions by my venerated predecessors, Servants of God Paul VI and John Paul II. In order to make a significant impression, it is necessary to 'convert' the global development model. It is not only the scandal of hunger that demands as much, but also the emergence of problems associated with the environment and energy. All the same, individuals and families can and must do something to alleviate hunger in the world by adopting a style of life and consumption compatible with the safeguarding of creation," and showing "justice towards those who cultivate the land in all countries" of the world.

The Holy Father concluded by affirming that this Day of Thanksgiving "invites us, on the one hand, to give thanks to God for the fruits of agricultural labor. On the other, it encourages us to make a real commitment to defeating the scourge of hunger."
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RESPECT COMMITMENTS FOR THE DENUCLEARIZATION OF KOREA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 13, 2006 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of Kagefumi Ueno, the new ambassador of Japan to the Holy See, whom he told that "the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of your country have contributed to the growth of fundamental human values."

The spiritual dimension of society "which promotes authentic dialogue between religions and cultures," he said in his French-language address to the diplomat, "cannot but favor a shared fraternal and united journey, which alone is capable of favoring the integral development of man."

"Today more than ever," the Pope continued, "the search for peace between nations must be a priority of international relations. ... Violence can never be a just response to the problems of societies, because it destroys the dignity, the life and the freedom of the human being it claims to defend. Cultural, political and economic progress are important in order to build peace."

The Holy Father encouraged Japan "to continue decisively in its efforts to contribute to establishing a just and lasting peace in the world, especially in the Far East. In the face of the current crisis in the region, the Holy See encourages bilateral and multilateral negotiations, in the conviction that the solution must be found through peaceful means, and with respect for the commitments assumed by all sides to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula."

Pope Benedict then went on to express the hope "that the international community may continue and intensify its humanitarian aid efforts to the most vulnerable populations, especially in North Korea, so that any interruption does not bring serious consequences to the civilian population." He also underlined Japan's "generous contribution" in "helping poorer countries."

"Interdependence between peoples, as it gradually develops, must be accompanied by a decided commitment to ensure that the fatal consequences of the great disparity ... between developed and developing countries do not become worse, rather that they change into authentic solidarity that stimulates the economic and growth of the poorest nations."

Finally, Benedict XVI expressed his joy for "the respect the Catholic Church enjoys in Japan," and he greeted the bishops and all the faithful, encouraging them "to live ever more firmly in the communion of faith, and to continue in their commitment in favor of peace and reconciliation between the peoples of the region, generously collaborating with their compatriots."
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IN BRIEF

THE HOLY FATHER HAS WRITTEN A MESSAGE TO BISHOP FRANCOIS Maupu of Verdun, France, to mark the 90th anniversary of the First World War battle there, which represented, the Pope writes, "a dark moment in the history of the continent," as well as "one of the symbols of reconciliation between the great European nations that were once enemies." He continues: "May our contemporaries, and in particular the younger generations, learn the lessons of history and, on the basis of the Christian roots and values that greatly contributed to giving shape to the Europe of nations and of peoples, create ties of fraternity and charity among themselves, for the good of everyone and the development of nations!"

ARCHBISHOP CELESTINO MIGLIORE, HOLY SEE PERMANENT OBSERVER to the United Nations in New York delivered an address on November 10 before the second committee of the 61st UN General Assembly, which is considering the question of the eradication of poverty. "The poor," said the archbishop in his English-language speech, "have the right to justice, decent work, adequate food, health and education, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ... However, since the poor are many times, by their very condition, excluded from society, their capacity to secure their rights is often very limited. ... The link between peace and development appears quite evident to those on the ground who must confront the constraints placed on the poor and who know, sometimes from bitter experience, that 'development is the new name for peace'."

DURING THE THIRD CONFERENCE TO EXAMINE THE "CONVENTION on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects," currently being held in Geneva, Switzerland, Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi C.S., permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and International Institutions in Geneva, delivered an address in which he stated: "This convention must remain dynamic and flexible. It would be harmful and artificial to limit it and its protocols to what has been achieved thus far. New arms are being developed and produced. It is important that reflection and negotiations keep apace of military reality in order to guarantee that these new arms respect the criteria imposed by the convention, ... and to study whether it is appropriate to negotiate with new instruments where existing agreements do not respond to the new military realities."
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 13, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop John Powathil of Changanacherry, India.

- Gilton Bazilio Chiwaula, ambassador of Malawi, on his farewell visit.

- Nine prelates from the German Bishops' Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Cardinal Friedrich Wetter archbishop of Munich and Freising, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Engelbert Siebler, Bernhard Hasslberger and Franz Dietl.

- Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Josef Grunwald and Anton Losinger.

- Bishop Wilhelm Schraml of Passau.

- Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller of Regensburg.

On Saturday, November 11, he received in separate audiences:

- Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

- Bishop Franz Kamphaus of Limburg, Germany, accompanied by auxiliary Bishop Gerhard Pieschl, on their "ad limina" visit.

- Francisco Alfredo Salazar Alvarado, ambassador of Ecuador, on his farewell visit.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 13, 2006 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Romulo Geolina Valles of Kidapawan, Philippines, as archbishop of Zamboanga (area 1,638, population 668,380, Catholics 494,601, priests 65, religious 128), Philippines. The archbishop-elect was born in Maribojoc, Philippines in 1951, he was ordained a priest in 1976, and consecrated bishop in 1997. He succeeds Archbishop Carmelo Dominator F. Morelos, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese, the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Bishop Sergio Lasam Utleg of Ilagan, Philippines, as bishop of Laoag (area 3,386, population 671,000, Catholics 450,000, priests 48, religious 79), Philippines.

- Fr. Jose Alejandro Castano Arbelaez O.A.R. pastor of "Sagrado Corazon" parish in Manizales, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Cali (area 2,504, population 2,563,177, Catholics 2,178,700, priests 304, permanent deacons 18, religious 272), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in La Ceja, Colombia in 1945 and ordained a priest in 1971.
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