VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 051
DATE 12-03-2015

Summary:
- The Pope encourages the bishops of Korea and the Catholic community of
Mongolia, a "pledge of the fullness of God's Kingdom"
- Every penitent who approaches the confessional is sacred ground to be
cultivated with care and attention
- Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran to visit Cote d'Ivoire
- The Holy See reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts
- Notice

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 The Pope encourages the bishops of Korea and the Catholic community of
Mongolia, a "pledge of the fullness of God's Kingdom"
 Vatican City, 12 March 2015 (VIS) - The Pope received the bishops of the
Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea this morning, at the end of their "ad
Limina" visit. In the written discourse he prepared for the prelates,
extensive extracts of which are published below, the Holy Father refers to his
visit to the country last year during which he experienced first hand the
goodness of the Korean people who shared their joys and sorrows with him, and
affirmed that the trip remains "a lasting encouragement" to him in his
ministry to the Universal Church.
 "In the course of my visit, we had the opportunity to reflect on the life of
the Church in Korea and, in particular, on our episcopal ministry in the
service of the People of God and of society", he writes. "I wish to continue
that reflection with you today,by highlighting three aspects of my visit:
memory, youth and the mission of confirming our brothers and sisters in the
faith. I would like also to share these thoughts with the Churchin Mongolia.
Though a small community in a vast territory, it is like the mustard seed
which is the pledge of the fullness of God's Kingdom. May these reflections
encourage the continuing growth of that seed, and nourish the rich soil of the
Mongolian people's faith".
 "For me, one of the most beautiful moments of my visit to Korea was the
beatification ofthe martyrs Paul Yun Ji-chung and companions. ... Even before
their faith found full expression in the sacramental life of the Church, these
first Korean Christians not only fostered their personal relationship with
Jesus, but brought him to others, regardless of class or social standing, and
dwelt in a community of faith and charity like the first disciples of the
Lord. ... Their love of God and neighbour was fulfilled in the ultimate act of
freely laying down their lives, thereby watering with their own blood the
seedbed of the Church. That first community has left you and all of the Church
a beautiful witness of Christian living: 'their integrity in the search for
truth, their fidelity to the highest principles of the religion which they
chose to embrace, and their testimony of charity and solidarity with all'.
Their example is a school which can form us into evermore faithful Christian
witnesses by calling us to encounter, to charity and to sacrifice. The lessons
which they taught are particularly applicable in our times when, despite the
many advancements being made in technology and communication, individuals are
increasingly becoming isolated and communities weakened. How important it is,
then, that you work together with the priests, religious men and women, and
lay leaders of your dioceses, to ensure that parishes, schools and centres of
the apostolate are authentic places of encounter: encounter with the Lord who
teaches us how to love and who opens our eyes to the dignity of every person,
and encounter with one another, especially the poor, the elderly, the
forgotten in our midst".
 "My thoughts now turn to your young people who greatly desire to carry
forward the legacy of your ancestors. ... Just as the witness of the first
Christians calls us to care for one another, so our youth challenge us to hear
one another. ... When we speak with young people, they challenge us to share
the truth of Jesus Christ clearly and in a way that they can understand. They
also test the authenticity of our own faith and fidelity. Though it is Christ
we preach and not ourselves, we are called to be an example to the People of
God in order to draw people to him. ... As you reflect on the life of your
dioceses, as you formulate and revise your pastoral plans, I urge you to keep
before you the young whom you serve. See them as partners in 'building a
holier, more missionary and humble Church, a Church which loves and worships
God by seeking to serve the poor, the lonely, the infirm and the
marginalised'. Be close to them. ... This closeness will not only strengthen
the institutions and communities of the Church, but will also help you to
understand the difficulties they and their families are experiencing in their
daily lives in society. In this way, the Gospel will penetrate ever more
deeply the life of the Catholic community as well as that of society as a
whole".
 "As you prepare to return to your local Churches, as well as encouraging you
in your ministry and confirming you in your mission, I ask you, above all, to
be servants, just as Christ came to serve, and not to be served. Ours is a
life of service, freely given, for each soul entrusted to our care, without
exception. ... In this spirit of service, may you be solicitous for one
another. By your collaboration and fraternal support, you will strengthen the
Church in Korea and Mongolia and become ever more effective in proclaiming
Christ.

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 Every penitent who approaches the confessional is sacred ground to be
cultivated with care and attention
 Vatican City, 12 March 2015 (VIS) - "The Sacraments, as we know, are God's
demonstration of closeness and tenderness towards humanity; they are the
concrete way God created to move be closer to us, to embrace us, without shame
for our limits", said Pope Francis this morning as he received in audience in
the Paul VI Hall the participants in the annual Course on the Inner Forum
organised by the Apostolic Penitentiary. "Without doubt", he continued, "among
the Sacraments, it is that of Reconciliation that best shows the merciful face
of God. We must never forget, either as penitents or as confessors: there is
no sin that God cannot forgive! None! Only what is hidden from divine mercy
cannot be forgiven, like those that hide themselves from the sun cannot be
illuminated or warmed.
 Following the theme of reconciliation, Francis emphasised three demands. The
first is to live the Sacrament as a way of educating in mercy. The Pope
described Confession "not as a form of torture but rather as a liberating
encounter, full of humanity, through which we can educate in a mercy that does
not exclude, but rather includes the just commitment to make amends, as far as
possible, for the sin committed". The second is that of "allowing oneself to
be educated in what we are celebrating, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation",
as "it is possible to learn much from conversion and the repentance of our
brothers. They lead us to examine our own consciences". He then outlined the
third requirement, that of keeping one's gaze towards heaven and the
supernatural. He urged those present to remember that they are all ministers
of reconciliation "purely by the grace of God, gratuitously and out of love,
or rather, out of mercy. We are ministers of mercy thanks to God's mercy, and
we must never lose this view to the supernatural that makes us truly humble,
weloming and merciful towards every brother and sister who wishes to confess.
... Every faithful penitent who approaches the confessional is 'sacred ground'
to be cultivated with dedication, care and pastoral attention".
 The Pope concluded by encouraging those present to "make the most of this
Lenten period for personal conversion and to dedicate yourselves generously to
confessions, so that the People of God can be purified as they reach Easter,
which represents the final victory of Divine Mercy over all the evil in the
world".

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 Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran to visit Cote d'Ivoire
 Vatican City, 12 March 2015 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue today announced that Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the
dicastery, will visit Cote d'Ivoire from 13 to 17 March 2015, accompanied by
Fr. Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, secretary and Msgr. Lucio Sembrano, official.
 The aim of the visit is primarily to participate in the celebrations to
commemorate the 110th anniversary of the evangelisation of the Great North in
the diocese of Korhogo.

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