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Initials DR/V/JF/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: POPE JOHN ON SATURDAY BLESSED CANDLES WHICH WILL BE SENT TO CATHEDRALS AND SHRINES IN EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND TO OTHER CHURCHES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD.

THE TALL, PAINTED CANDLES WERE PRESENTED BY RELIGIOUS ORDERS, COLLEGES AND INSTITUTES TO MARK THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY.

POPE JOHN SAID SOME OF THE CANDLES WERE BEING SENT TO CATHEDRAL CHURCHES "IN THOSE NATIONS OF CENTRAL EUROPE WHICH, IN THE WAY WHICH CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOW" WERE CELEBRATING THE 11TH CENTENARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIOUS ON THEIR MISSION OF EVANGELISATION IN THE SLAV COUNTRIES.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THESE CANDLES ARE DESTINED FOR CATHEDRALS AND SHRINES IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, POLAND, YUGOSLAVIA, BULGARIA AND HUNGARY.

OTHER CANDLES ARE BEING SENT TO COUNTRIES WHERE THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY HAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN ESTABLISHED, ESPECIALLY IN ASIA AND THE FAR EAST, TO RECENTLY ACCREDITED AMBASSADORS TO THE HOLY SEE, AND TO CERTAIN ROME CHURCHES.