976 Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale

the mercy of the unrestrained will of individuáis or the oppressive totali- tarianism of public authority".1 3 In proclaiming the truths about the hu­ man person, human community and human destiny that they know from révélation and reason, Christians make an indispensable contribution to sustaining a free society, a society in which freedom nurtures genuine hu­ man development.

7. Dear Brother Bishops, as we approach the next Christian Millennium, encourage all Catholics in the United States to deepen their commitment to the Church's evangelizing mission. Lead them by your example, your con­ viction and your teaching. I pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten you and help you to inspire your people, so that the hearts of the faithful will bum more brightly with love for Christ and a desire to make him better known. Entrusting you and ali the priests, religious and laity of your dio­ cèses to Mary, Mother of the Bedeemer, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.

IV

Onitshae, volvente ritu beatificationis Dei servi Cypriani Michaelis Iwene Tansi.*

"God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself".1

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. God has given me the joy, for the second time, of coming here to Onitsha to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with you. Sixteen years ago you welcomed me to this fair land, and I experienced the warmth and fervour of a faith-fìlled people, men and women reconciled to God and eager to spread the Good News of salvation to those near and far.

Saint Paul speaks of "the new création in Christ" 2 and goes on to teli us: "God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, not holding men's faults against them, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are rec-

13 Evangelium vitae, 96.

* Die 22 Martii 1998 1 2 Cor 5:19. 2 Cf. ibid., 5:17.