Germany: illegal immigration. Criticism to the EU Germany’s Bishops Conference criticized the attitude of the European Union (EU) towards illegal immigration. “The EU Commission views the fight against immigration as the centre of the Community’s migration policy”, declared on March 6 in Berlin Msgr. Josef Voß, immigration expert of the Bishops Conference. Msgr. Voß’s declaration was delivered during the annual conference on “illegality” organized by “Living illegality” Catholic Forum and by the Immigration Council, which represents scientists from all over the Country. The Conference, attended by 90 European immigration policy experts, closed on March 7. Msgr. Voß stigmatized the attitude of the EU which he defined inappropriate since “it gives a secondary role to the social rights of illegal immigrants present in Europe”. According to surveys, 8 million illegal immigrants are currently living in Europe. Msgr. Voß said he hopes that irregular immigration will be inserted in a coordinated plan of immigration policy. The bishop identified unsustainable economic and political conditions in the Countries of departure and Europe’s ever more restrictive asylum procedures as the causes of the current situation. England: the “Passion” broadcast on the BBC The BBC, Britain’s public broadcasting organization, will be broadcasting a new TV-series on the events of the Holy Week. For Catholics this an important occasion for evangelization, declared Msgr. Keith Baltrop, director of “Homes”, the evangelization agency of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales. The first episode, which cost 5.7 million euros, will be broadcast on March 16th, Palm Sunday. While the other three episodes will be broadcast during the Holy Week, and the concluding part on Easter. It’s an attempt to understand and describe the last days of Jesus based on the Gospel but proposing three different viewpoints: that of the religious authorities, of the Romans and of the Disciples. “Since it’s a TV-movie there may be elements which don’t perfectly comply with the teaching of the Church”, declared Msgr. Barltrop. “However, it’s an opportunity for evangelization. I encourage everyone to conceive of new ways to reach out to faithful and bring them closer to the Gospel and to religious services during the Holy Week”. Holland: car leasing to priests According to the website www.katholieknederland.nl, the diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden recently clinched a car purchase or replacement contract with a leasing company. Priests (30) and local pastoral workers (30) are the recipients of the agreement. The initiative benefits the extension of the diocese as well as newly ordained priests, who can count on the use of a functioning car, without being compelled to incur in debts for its purchase at the very beginning of their ordination. “In this perspective it’s a good thing. Priests’ salary isn’t very high”, declared Bas van der Hen, administrator of the diocese, “There are many kilometers to cover: approximately 30-45 thousand per year. This is way our diocese contacted Groeningen’s Nordlease. The leasing fare includes gas, insurance and maintenance expenses”. Van der Hen claimed that in this way priests will resort to a smaller amount of their own salary in using the car. Installments for pastoral workers are slightly higher, but it’s advantageous for them too. We still don’t know how many cars will be needed by the diocese. It will depend on individual requirements of new cars or their replacement. According to S. Boukema, spokesman of the Diocese, some 30 cars will be needed. Nothing is known of similar contracts drawn up with other Dutch dioceses.
