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Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                               VIS-Press releases

POPE REPLIES TO JOURNALISTS' IN-FLIGHT QUESTIONS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2007 (VIS) - During the course of his flight to Brazil
yesterday, the Holy Father held his traditional press conference for the
journalists accompanying him.

"I love Latin America very much," said the Pope expressing his joy at having
the opportunity to visit the "continent of hope." The aim of this journey, he
said, "is specifically religious: to give life in Christ and to [help people
become] disciples of Christ."

Answering a question about liberation theology, the Holy Father recalled that
"with the changing political situation, the position of liberation theology is
also radically different. It is clear that simplistic forms of millenarianism
promising immediate and real conditions of a just life were mistaken. The
question now is how the Church must be present in the struggle and the reforms
necessary to guarantee conditions of justice. It is precisely on this point
that theologians are divided."

Benedict XVI also spoke of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of San Salvador,
murdered in 1980 as he was celebrating Mass. Describing him as "a great witness
of the faith," the Pope expressed his conviction that the late archbishop
"merits beatification, although his memory must be liberated from the
ideological deformations of those who have sought to appropriate it for
political reasons."

Going on to consider the proliferation of religious sects in Latin America, the
Holy Father said "they are a sign that people thirst for God. The Church must
respond to this need with a highly concrete plan and in the awareness that,
apart from announcing the Christian message, it is important to help people
achieve just living conditions."

Replying to a question concerning the Mexican parliament, which has just
approved a law in favor of abortion, the Pope highlighted "the need for
Christian politicians to remain coherent to their principles." The Church, he
said, "announces the Gospel of life; life is a gift and not a threat."

For his part, Holy See Press office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. made it
clear that "the Mexican bishops have not excommunicated those politicians, and
neither has Benedict XVI." However, he added, "legislation in favor of abortion
is not compatible with participation in the Eucharist." Upon being asked
whether this meant that the politicians were effectively excommunicated, Fr.
Lombardi said "no, they exclude themselves from communion."

In his replies to journalists, Benedict XVI had declared that "such
excommunication is laid down in the Code, it is not arbitrary, it is simply
written in the Code of Canon Law. The death of an innocent, of an unborn child,
is inconceivable. It is not arbitrary, and the Church express appreciation for
life and for the individuality of life from the first moment of conception."
PV-BRAZIL/PRESS CONFERENCE/...VIS 070510 (460)

SUMMARY

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