From masks to faces” “

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, during which all the churches are engaged in various activities, a large part of which are aimed at helping modern man to rediscover the value of prayer, renunciation and sharing (for previous instalments see SirEurope 10/2005 and 12/2005 on old.agensir.it). We continue our review of the various proposals. HOLLAND: RECALL TO SOLIDARITY AND JUSTICE. “From isolation and poverty to solidarity and justice” is the title of the pastoral letter of the Dutch bishops written for Lent 2005. The letter contains a specific exhortation to the conversion of the heart and of lifestyles and reaffirms the traditional principles of Lenten practice as concrete actions of charity to the weak, the suffering, the sick and the poor. “Sobriety of life – write the bishops – is translated into a rejection of the worship of money and property” and invites us instead “to sharing and a willingness to enter into dialogue with others”. Referring to the recent tragedy that struck the countries of South-East Asia, the bishops stress that “any work of charity acquires a new meaning in the globalized world of our time”. In this regard, the letter also expresses serious misgivings about the tardiness of the Western countries in pursuing the so-called “Millenium Goals”, formulated in 2000, on the basis of which the 189 countries that signed up to them pledged to “establish structures of justice to solve the most important problems of the world by 2015”. Lent – say the Dutch bishops – can also be an occasion “to reflect on the little that has so far been done and to properly support this world campaign of solidarity”. SWITZERLAND: IN COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY LAND. In preparation for Holy Week, the Swiss bishops have made an appeal for solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land. “We are all aware – say the bishops in a statement issued today – of the dramatic situation in Israel and Palestine. The Holy Land, however, is far more extensive that this region in conflict, since it also comprises Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. In these countries Christians often give an inspiring example. Various cultures and religions live together peacefully there. It therefore seems to us important to acknowledge these realities and to support them”. In practical terms, the Swiss episcopate asks the faithful to contribute to a “generous collection” for Holy Week and encourages them “to go on pilgrimage to the holy places, in order to gain a better understanding of the Christian communities there. In this way we will help these people not only materially, but will also take upon our own shoulders a little of the burden of fear by which they are seized”, “To become pilgrims – add the bishops – is a source of hope; it recalls the presence of a living Church and bears witness to peace and reconciliation in this martyred region of the globe”. In their message to the nation, the Swiss bishops also recall that the Christians in the Holy Land are “agents of reconciliation” and “this is particularly salutary and promising, because without reconciliation there can be no real peace”. To this end the bishops appeal for prayer. “At the beginning of Lent we urge all Christians to join in prayer, “so that peace and reconciliation may be fulfilled in the Holy Land”. IRELAND: AT THE SIDE OF ETHIOPIA. A twinning with one of the poorest countries of the world, Ethiopia, characterises the Lenten actions of the Irish diocese of Kildare-Leighlin, which recently launched the campaign of solidarity “Ethiopia, help make poverty history” to relieve the needs of the Ethiopian people. The archbishop of Addis Abeba, Msgr. Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel, was also present at the launch. He recalled “the generosity shown by the Irish people on the occasion of the tsunami in South-East Asia and also on other occasions and in various parts of the world. I cannot forget – he said – the Irish response to the tragedy of famine that struck my people twenty years ago. Unfortunately this problem is still a recurrent one in Ethiopia. The problems seem insurmountable, but hope never dies”. The archbishop’s words were echoed in the address of the coordinator of the Lenten campaign, Father James Kelly, who appealed on behalf of Ethiopia for “money, prayer and material support not only during this time of Lent but throughout 2005”.