Serbia: “Justice and Peace Europe” meeting”Finding the way of dialogue and reconciliation” for the victims of the conflict in former Yugoslavia, so that their diverging “requests for justice and truth be granted”: this is the wish expressed by the final statement of the meeting of “Justice and Peace Europe”, which brought to Belgrade, from 26th to 30th September, the delegates of the 31 national committees that are members of the European body, established in 1971 to give voice to the European Churches on the fight against poverty, migration, human rights and peace. Belgrade hosted a workshop called “Healing the wounds and the memories of war: Serbia confronted by the past and present”, along with the general assembly that appointed the new president of “Justice and Peace Europe”: it is mgr. Gérard Defois, emeritus archbishop of Lille, who announced he is willing to “work at new forms of European solidarity: financial, political solidarity and cultural and spiritual openness”, to live “plurality as an asset, not as a threat”. The participants went to Pristina and Mitrovica in Kosovo, and to Vukovar in Croatia, to meet local delegates. The statement acknowledges that “the situation is extremely complicated”, with “lots of sufferings in every community we visited”. “It is not surprising – states the document – that, as at any post-war stage, a person’s version of the truth clashes with someone else’s version”. So, they state, “one of the most significant challenges for the future will be to find a way for dialogue and for the reconciliation of these different points of view”. All the victims we heard, they explain, expressed “a veritable longing for peace”, acknowledging that “reconciliation is the only way to go”. In addition, “there is a widespread will to commit oneself to and join in these processes”. There is also “the belief that what happened should not be allowed to happen ever again” and “lasting peace can only be accomplished if respect and fair justice for everyone are guaranteed”. The delegates of the 31 European Bishops Conferences also acknowledge “the contribution that the religious leaders can give to this process”. A fruitful workshop was held about this subject in Belgrade between Muslim, Orthodox and Catholic leaders. “We found that the communities of faith – states the document – can act as guides in the reconciliation process and set an example that others can follow”. The statement also mentions the importance of educating young people and ends with the promise “to keep supporting reconciliation efforts in this region”.Turkey: German bishops in pilgrimage to TarsusA delegation of 10 German bishops led by Card. Joachim Meisner left for a five-day pilgrimage to Istanbul and Tarsus on 29 September. The auxiliary bishop of Hamburg, Msgr. Hans-Jochen Jaschke, participates in the journey, too. Msgr. Hans-Jochen Jaschke is active in relation to dialogue with the Turkish Islamic Union in Germany (DITIB). “This is not a journey to get information about the situation of the Christians, it is a pilgrimage”, pointed out Meisner, stating that during the visit, “of course, one realizes how Christians live in Turkey”. “One does not want to provoke in any way”, added Msgr. Robert Zollitsch, president of German bishops. “It must be possible for the Christians to make a pilgrimage and to celebrate the Mass at the church of Tarsus, set up as museum”. “We shall be discreet”, stated Msgr. Jaschke, “but we shall clearly say that we are Catholic bishops visiting our Paul, to one of his historical places, and that we would like to make a pilgrimage to Turkey, which would willingly approach Europe”. “A centre for pilgrims in Tarsus might ease tensions on the construction of mosques in Germany, too”, affirmed Jaschke. However, he pointed out that it is necessary to be careful about a mutual attitude: “Intelligence is needed on the political side as well as in relation to Christians and Muslims – he added, – freedom of religion is not a threat for one’s country but an opportunity”. Spain: The campaign “The right to live”Over 20 thousand people adhered to the manifesto launched by “The Right To Live”, the platform promoted by HazteOir, in six days. HazteOir is an association born to express the opinions of the people on many current affairs, such as the right to live. The initiative in favour of life was also successful on the Web: in six days, 103 blogs adhered to the platform “The Right to Live” (http://derechoavivir.org/) by including their sites in the banner of the campaign. Many people also accessed the site presenting the platform “The Right to Live”: just on 26th September, for instance, there was a peak of 31,082 pages visited. Moreover, twenty-four associations for human rights adhered to the initiative. The last one communicating its support, on Sunday 28th September, was “Convivencia Civica Catalana”. In the meantime, the Independent committee of experts established by “The Right to Live” started works, which would culminate in the presentation of three reports on abortion under the juridical, bio-medical and social point of view. This workshop is made up of sixteen jurists, scientists, physicians and activists supporting women who are victims of abortion. The reports will also be submitted to the government and parliamentary groups, to let the society and legislators know the reality of abortion and its implications with due rigour. by including their sites in the banner of the campaign. Many people also accessed the site presenting the platform “The Right to Live”: just on 26th September, for instance, there was a peak of 31,082 pages visited. Moreover, twenty-four associations for human rights adhered to the initiative. The last one communicating its support, on Sunday 28th September, was “Convivencia Civica Catalana”. In the meantime, the Independent committee of experts established by “The Right to Live” started works, which would culminate in the presentation of three reports on abortion under the juridical, bio-medical and social point of view. This workshop is made up of sixteen jurists, scientists, physicians and activists supporting women who are victims of abortion. The reports will also be submitted to the government and parliamentary groups, to let the society and legislators know the reality of abortion and its implications with due rigour.
