The Netherlands: the new edition of Catechism”The Catechism of the Catholic Church confronts other contemporary histories establishing positive dialogue on the meaning of life. At the same time, it reaffirms its valid claims”. With these words His Most Reverend Msgr. Everard de Jong, auxiliary bishop of Roermond, presented the new edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and its Compendium. The volume had previously been presented in 2005. This edition has been integrated with a guide in Flemish. The Catechism was issued for the first time in the year 2000, while world Catechism dates back to 1993. It was issued in Dutch in 1995 and in a few years it sold up to 20,000 copies. The new edition was published in 3,000 copies, whereas the Compendium was printed in 5000 copies. Compared to the previous edition, there are linguistic and conceptual differences. In fact, it presents the theoretic stand of excluding death penalty. The new 650-page volume is the fruit of 7 years of work. De Jong admits that the two books could be hard to understand by most people since “they are written with an ecclesial language and present truths which many may consider discouraging. However”, he remarked, “those who will strive to learn that language will learn that its truths don’t concern personal freedom only, since they release man from the confusion surrounding him”. According to the prelate, the answers provided by the Catechism and by the Compendium are like foundations on which life-lasting homes can be erected since they are based on the Word of Christ, that is a rock. “The Catechism and the Compendium can open our eyes and be a source of inspiration for those who want to turn this world into a better place”. De Jong affirmed that “both books contain certain truths. The truth of a God that many are still unaware of, who conveys love and compassion, and who intends to save humanity through his Son. The extension of this truth is such as to integrate the truth of all religions and of science”. Germany: a campaign for the respect of the youthReverend Msgr. Franz-Josef Bode, responsible for Pastoral Youth Care of Germany’s Bishops Conference, (Dbk), accused politics and society to neglect poverty as one of the causes of youth crime. “In the case of young criminals, harsher legislation is immediately asked for”, Msgr. Bode declared in Berlin in the past few days during an event organized by Germany’s Caritas to present a new campaign for the respect of the youth and in favor of equal job opportunities. “The tragic situations which often are triggering factors of youth crime are only marginally mentioned”, Msgr. Bode claimed. As relates to poverty, “society tends to minimize it”. The Monsignor acknowledged public opinion’s sensitivity towards child poverty. “However”, he pointed out, “if a hungry five-year-old child develops into an angry fifteen-year old, he is no longer viewed within the framework of social policies. In this case, policies based on order enforcement are strongly demanded”. On the contrary, he underlined, “youth crime is often the result of poverty”. The President of Caritas Peter Neher, who presented the campaign, explained that this initiative is dedicated to those young people who were the victims of violence and abuse since they were children. “We intend to arise public-awareness and respect for those young people who skip school, become drop-outs and can’t find a job. Germany can’t afford to leave this youth without future prospects”, Neher declared. England: the Church in defense of the gypsies The Catholic Church of England and Wales has been experiencing a clash with British Ministers and with the High Court due to its defense of two-hundred “Irish Travellers”, according to the name given to gypsies of Irish origin. The government intends to evict them from the strip of land where they are living, in Essex. Bishop Malcolm McMahon, from the diocese of Brentwood, which is located in the premises where the gypsies live, declared that those who infringe the law should not be justified. However, the gypsies have good reasons to stay and the “Basildon District Council” is wrong in its decision of evicting them. “When a group of people have been living in the same area for ten years like in this case, and has problems concerning children’s education, healthcare and employment, there are good reasons for local authorities to grant them permission to stay”, the bishop declared. The community is quartered in Crays Hill, near Basildon and owns a strip of land in Dale Farm. However, local authorities didnìt grant them permission to build on the grounds of their own property. The local parish priest, father John Glynn, blessed a chapel and a social centre set up with government subsidies which has classes for children and provides health care services. “There are Catholics of Irish origin in Dale Farm”, claimed Father Glynn, “many local residents strongly oppose their presence here. I tried to mediate trying to be as balanced as possible. Things are gradually getting better”.
