FRON1 OUR ROME CORRESPONDENT POPE Paul has been invited to Melbourne to attend the 40th International Eucharistic Congress scheduled to be held there from February 18 to 23, 1973. The invitation was made during a recent private audience granted to the Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte.
The Pope said that he would very much like to attend, but that it was too early for him to give a definite answer.
Plans for the Congress have been discussed this week between Pope Paul and Dr.
Cardinal Gilroy in hospital
CARDINAL Sir Norman Gilroy, the former Archbishop of Sydney, who was admitted to a private hospital in Sydney last week, was reported on Tuesday to be in a satisfactory condition. There was no information on the nature of his illness or when he will be released.
James R. Knox, Archbishop of Melbourne, who has been in Rome for this purpose.
The Archbishop was accompanied by Fr. Brian Walsh, Congress Executive Director, and Fr. Kevin Toomey, Director of the Pastoral Renewal Campaign — the spiritual preparation to be made during the 12 months preceding the opening of the Congress. Fr. Walsh said it was hoped to make the Renewal Campaign the first ecumenical conference to be held in Australia, and to get all other Churches to participate.
Archbishop Knox and Frs. Walsh and Toomey are meeting representatives of the Permanent Committee for Eucharistic Congress in Rome to discuss the 1973 event.
While there, Fr. Walsh will also inform world bishops assembled for the Third Synod of Bishops about the Eucharistic Congress.
He will also meet foreign correspondents and Fr. Edward Heston, the newly-appointed President of the Pontifical Commission for Social Communications.