VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXII - # 090
DATE 15-05-2015

Summary:
- Francis receives the president of Romania on the 25th anniversary of the
restoration of diplomatic relations with the Holy See
- To the bishops of the Central African Republic: justice, truth and honesty in
institutional transition
- Coaches, be an example of integrity
- Canonisation of Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas and Maryam Baouardy: a sign of
hope for the men and women of the Middle East
- Audiences
- Other Pontifical Acts

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 Francis receives the president of Romania on the 25th anniversary of the
restoration of diplomatic relations with the Holy See
 Vatican City, 15 May 2015 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace
the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of Romania, Klaus
Werner Iohannis, who subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro
Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for
Relations with States.
 During the cordial discussions, which took place on the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and
Romania on 15 May 1990, the parties focused on bilateral relations
characterised
by fruitful collaboration, as well as the relations between the State
authorities and the local Catholic communities, and the healthy co-existence of
minorities.
 Attention then turned to issues regarding various regions in the world.

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 To the bishops of the Central African Republic: justice, truth and honesty in
institutional transition
 Vatican City, 15 May 2015 (VIS) - The role of the Church in the process of
national reconciliation, Christian formation and the deepening of faith at all
levels, and the defence of the family as the primary locus for learning
forgiveness and faith were the central themes of the discourse Pope Francis
handed to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of the Central African
Republic this morning, at the end of their "ad Limina" visit. "I would like you
to convey to all your people the assurance of my closeness", writes the Holy
Father. "I know of the suffering that they have experienced and continue to
experience, as well as the countless testimonies of faith and fidelity
Christians have rendered to the risen Christ on numerous occasions. I am
particularly aware of all that your communities have done to for victims of
violence and for refugees".
 "Your task is difficult, but it touches the very mystery of Jesus Christ, who
died and rose again. It is when evil and death seem to triumph that the hope of
renewal in Christ emerges. It is when hatred and violence are unleashed that we
are called upon - and find the strength through the power of the Cross and the
grace of Baptism - to respond with forgiveness and love. If, sadly, this has
not
always been the case in the recent events that you have experienced, it is a
sign that the Gospel has not yet deeply penetrated the heart of the People of
God, to the point of changing their reflexes and their behaviour. Your churches
are the result of recent evangelisation, and your primary mission is to
continue
the work recently begun. You must not be discouraged by the storm you are
passing through, but on the contrary must find, in faith and hope, a source of
renewed enthusiasm and dynamism".
 Christian formation and the deepening of faith at all levels must be the
bishops' priorities, "so that the Gospel permeates the life of the baptised,
for
the good not only of the Christian communities, but also the whole of Central
African society. ... You, brothers in the episcopate, must play an
indispensable
prophetic role during the current institutional transition, recalling and
reflecting the witness of the fundamental values of justice, truth and honesty,
which are the foundation of any renewal, promoting dialogue and peaceful
coexistence between members of different societies and ethnicities, thus
encouraging reconciliation and social cohesion, which is the key to the future.
... You are called upon to form the conscience of the faithful, and indeed
that of
all the people, as your voice is heard and respected by all. It is in this way
that you should take your rightful place in current developments, avoiding
direct involvement in political quarrels. However, by forming and encouraging
the laity so they are steadfast in their faith and solidly trained in the
social
doctrine of the Church, able to engage in political debate and to take
responsibility - their role - you are able to gradually transform society
according to the Gospel and to prepare a happy future for your people".
 The Pope also emphasises the formation of seminarians and priests, and thanks
them for their witness even in the most difficult situations, and he recalls
the
importance of consecrated persons who live close to afflicted populations and
whose devotion is praiseworthy.
 Finally, he spoke about families, "who are the first victims of violence and
who are too often destabilised or destroyed as a result of the departure of a
member, bereavement, poverty, discord and separations. I wish to express to
them
my closeness and my affection. ... Families are not only the privileged
location
for the announcement of faith, the practice of Christian virtues and the cradle
of many priestly and religious vocations, but they are also 'the best setting
for learning and applying the culture of forgiveness, peace and 
econciliation',
which your country needs. It is essential that the family be protected and
defended 'so that it may offer society the service expected of it, that of
providing men and women capable of building a social fabric of peace and
harmony'. I can therefore only encourage you to accord to the pastoral care of
marriage the attention that it deserves, and not to be discouraged by
resistance
due to cultural traditions, human weakness or the new forms of ideological
colonisation that are spreading everywhere".

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 Coaches, be an example of integrity
 Vatican City, 15 May 2015 (VIS) - Pope Francis has sent a message to Cardinal
Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, for the
international study seminar on the theme "Coaches: Educating People", organised
by the dicastery's Church and Sport section.
 "We all, in life, need educators: mature, wise and balanced people who help us
to grow in the family, in study, in work, in faith", writes the Holy Father.
"The presence of a good coach-educator is shown to be providential especially
during the years of adolescence and early youth, when the personality is
developing and in search of role models to refer to and identify with. ...In
this delicate phase of life, a coach bears a great responsibility: he often has
the privilege of spending many hours each week with the young and of having a
great influence on them in terms of their behaviour and personality. ... How
important it is, then, that a coach be an example of integrity, coherence, good
judgement, impartiality, and also joy, patience, and the capacity for
appreciation and benevolence towards all, and especially the most
disadvantaged!".
 "And how important it is for him to offer an example of faith!", he adds.
"Faith always helps us to raise our gaze towards God, and not to treat any of
our activities as absolute, including sport ... as well as to maintain the just
distance and wisdom to put into perspective both our defeats and our victories.
Faith gives us this outlook of goodness towards others which helps us overcome
the temptation of excessive rivalry and aggression, which enables us to
understand the dignity of each person, including those who are less gifted or
privileged. The coach, in this respect, may make a very valuable contribution
to
creating a climate of solidarity and inclusion in relation to marginalised
young
people or those at risk socially, finding suitable ways and methods to involve
them in sport and in the experience of socialisation. A coach with human and
spiritual balance will also know how to preserve the authentic values of sport

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