Tirana (Fides Service) - "I am happy to be here among you in this 'Land of Eagles'…I voice special esteem for the people of Albania who continue to offer the whole world, this Balkan region in particular, a tangible proof of how it is possible to live in reciprocal harmony while belonging to different religions". Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, said this at the outset of his five day visit to Albania 8-12 November. His first appointment was to celebrate Mass in St Paul's Cathedral in Tirana on Friday 8 November. During the homily the Cardinal reminded those present of Pope John Paul II's "loving concern for Albania", and he thanked the "members of other Christians communions and other religions for working to ensure inter-religious harmony". Cardinal Sepe also mentioned the many Albanian Catholics who died for their faith: "Here Bishops, priests, nuns and a whole host of lay people, including the very feeble, were massacred…and this happened not centuries ago, only a few years ago…the Church in Albania rightly takes its place in the golden book of the Martyrology of the 20th century. But after the night of persecution we see now a new dawning of the faith which presses us to build a new Christian community, more solid and more firmly committed to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in charity, justice and peace". The Cardinal then thanked those engaged in pastoral service as well as the many missionaries who in these ten years of newly discovered freedom have worked for the spiritual rebirth of the local Church: "I know you have suffered hardship, diffidence and suspicion for love of the Gospel - Cardinal Sepe said and he continued - This evening I have come to give you courage and confidence. Now is the time to devote the best of your energies to building up Christian communities"; and he asked them to welcome and encourage vocations. Urging all present to "proclaim the Good News of salvation first of all to the people of Albania" and then to the rest of the world, the Cardinal recalled their famous missionary compatriot, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "a figure of whom you can be proud and whom you must imitate" said the Cardinal. See homily in Italian www.fides.org SL (Fides Service 9/11/2002)