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Skriven 2005-02-01 17:15:26 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45.1)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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              The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                        Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

HOLY FATHER SENDS ARCHBISHOP CORDES TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

VATICAN CITY, JAN 29, 2005 (VIS) - Published today was a Message, dated January
22, from the Holy Father to Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the
Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," and the Pope's envoy to Southeast Asia, asking
him "to convey the assurance of my concern and my closeness in prayer to all
affected by the (tsunami) tragedy and its aftermath." The archbishop is
visiting Indonesia from January 29 to February 1 and will be in Sri Lanka from
February 2 to 4.

In his Message, John Paul II noted that "the enormous devastation and loss of
life associated with the recent earthquake and tidal wave in Southeast Asia has
been followed by a remarkable outpouring of sympathy throughout the world,
together with a massive mobilization of humanitarian aid. I am deeply grateful
for the efforts of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and numerous international
Catholic charitable agencies to contribute to the relief of the peoples struck
by this immense natural disaster."

"I pray," he wrote, "that the solidarity shown by our brothers and sisters
throughout the world will prove a source of encouragement, perseverance and
hope to everyone in the great work of rebuilding that lies ahead. I likewise
urge the followers of the different religions to work together in offering
comfort and assistance to those in need. May this catastrophe lead, by God's
grace, to a future of greater generosity, cooperation and unity in the service
of the common good on the part of individuals, peoples and nations."

"I hope," he closed, "the Christian community will be led to a deepened trust
in God's mysterious providence and an ever closer union to the Lord Jesus in
the mystery of His suffering and resurrection. Upon the civil authorities and
all engaged in the relief efforts I invoke the divine gifts of wisdom and
strength."

A communique from Cor Unum notes that the aim of the trip to Asia by Archbishop
Cordes, who will bring the Pope's Message to the devastated populations, "is to
witness in person to the closeness and solidarity of the Pope and the Church to
all those suffering from the tsunami and, at the same time, to contribute to
coordinating the multiple initiatives of Catholic agencies working in the
territory since that dramatic December 26."

The archbishop, who is accompanied by council under-secretary, Msgr. Giovanni
Dal Toso, will also meet with religious and civil authorities, as well as with
Caritas and the Catholic NGOs (non-governmental organizations) present in these
countries. He will celebrate several Masses for the repose of the souls of the
deceased victims.
MESS/ENVOY:AID:TSUNAMI VICTIMS/CORDESVIS 050131 (430)

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