NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      MEXICO CITY (CWNews.com) -- The bishops of Mexico will gather for their 65th annual meeting next week, to be organized on the theme: "The Church as sign and sacrament of reconciliation." According to sources in the bishops' conference, the meeting will focus on the peace process in Chiapas, efforts to help the victims of hurricane-related flooding, and preparations for the forthcoming visit of Pope John Paul II.

      Briefing journalists on preparations for the papal trip-- which is scheduled for January 22- 26 of next year-- the Mexican bishops said that they are now preparing a thorough analysis of the country's economic, political, social, and cultural conditions, to be presented to the Holy Father on his arrival. The press briefing was led by the papal nuncio in Mexico, Archbishop Justo Mullor, along with Cardinal Norberto Rivera of Mexico City.