Children: more space in the churchesA liturgy “on child’s scale” can and must be realized also in churches, so that children may discover the Church of God as their “home”. This was the concluding statement of a workshop organized on March 11 by the Katholische Junschar (Catholic youth), of the diocese of Linz on the issue of child liturgy. The meeting, attended by 140 people, is held each year. This was the 13th edition. Many children know churches only externally, while Parishes often omit liturgical celebrations for the children. “In some churches spaces are so restricted that children can’t even stand near the altar, so that children liturgies are often held in different areas”, remarked Maria Eichinger, Katholische Jungschar’s theological assistant who chaired the meeting., “Church grounds have a great potential which children could benefit from”. It is a question of making the most of this space. For example. “the long corridors of late-Gothic churches could be employed for processions with children”, she claimed. “Each space has a different potential. From a theological perspective, celebrations could be held anywhere: in the parish, in the church or externally. What’s important is for people to meet in the name of God. This encounter must be promoted in apposite spaces”, pointed out the liturgy expert Christoph Freilinger. Children: a conditioned wishResearch conducted on the wish to have children in Austria is inadequate. According to the director of the Austrian Institute for family research (Öif), social law expert Wolfgang Mazal, this gap must be bridged. Otherwise, he claimed, “the debate on family policies regarding birth decrease and family and work compatibility” risks being neglected. Mazal intervened on this subject in Wien on March 10th on the occasion of the presentation of the Öif survey devoted to the comparison between birth rate and the wish to have children throughout European Countries. According to Mr. Mazal, the wish to have children depends on a “series of elements”. Along with the material and structural requisites, also general social acceptance, work and family compatibility and gender role equality are equally important factors. Hence, “also family policies aimed at birth rate increase must focus on a series of measures. It’s important to extend assistance facilities, promoting the so-called ‘family nests’ and increasing adults’ involvement in child assistance”, Mazal affirmed. He said he hopes in retribution reform according to seniority, including maternity leave. “Family policies must also reconsider tax-cuts for families”, he pointed out. “A minimum fiscal deduction per child ought to be considered”. Finally, Mazal warned against a ‘unidemensional’ family policy debate, avoiding discouraging messages to the youth. Immigrants: sports wins over prejudice”Sport unites, tears down borders and prejudice”: this was the positive remark of Msgr. Michel Landau, Caritas director of the archdiocese of Wien, on the Award for sports integration, presented in Wien on March 11. The purpose of this prize is to promote the reception of immigrants in Austria. “Integration is one of sport’s major goals which involves not only sports leadership but also the many sports centers throughout the Country”, affirmed Reinhold Lopatka, State Sports Secretary. The Prize will be awarded to the best sports activities, events and projects focused on integration. The initiative is also supported by Caritas. “Caritas’ daily work testifies to the fact that integration is possible and that achieved integration is beneficial to all the parties involved”. Austria could draw advantage from it “by recognizing and using immigrants’ talents and skills as opportunities. This already happens in sport” Msgr. Landau pointed out. The award also enjoys the support of Austria’s Integrative Fund. Four prizes amounting to 3,000 euro each will be awarded in May. The jury, represented, among others, by the Caritas director, by ice-skating Olympic champion Trixi Schuba and by the President of the Federal Sport Organization Peter Wittmann, will chose among projects submitted by schools and sport associations, as well as private initiatives.
