Ireland: “no” to extending the law on abortion The Bishops’ Conference of Northern Ireland conveyed its opposition to British MPs’ intention to extend the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. “In the coming weeks – states the communiqué by the Bishops – MPs in Westminster will debate an amendment to the Human Fertilization and the Embryology Bill that has moral implications. A number of MPs, acting against the will expressed by the majority of Northern Ireland’s population, intend to propose an amendment that would extend the law on abortion to include also this area”. “We appeal to all men of good will – the bishops declared – to reject this attempt that harms the democratic hopes of the Irish people”. “All the main political parties in Northern Ireland conveyed their opposition to abortion being legalized. We urge the parliament of Westminster to take into due account the clear stand taken by these parties that represent the firm beliefs of the population majority. We call upon MPs to vote against the amendment”. Furthermore, the bishops declared, “we call the parliament to the respect of Northern Ireland’s specific history, culture and politics while avoiding actions that might be viewed as an intrusion in carefully negotiated political balances that here represent participation and human rights”. Portugal: the Church cannot remain idle In an interview published in the special issue of the weekly magazine Agência Ecclesia, Msgr. António Couto, President of the Bishops Commission for Missions, vouched the need for a greater missionary commitment on the part of all Catholics, going beyond the pastoral commitment currently addressed to children and adolescents. Referring to the Church document “Dialogue and Proclamation”, issued May 19 1991 by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, he recalled that “dialogue ought to be cultivated on all occasions, since it brings people close to one another, creates bonds of friendship and shows that we all have beautiful and important things to give and to receive, to the light of our fraternally binding love. Proclamation calls us to concretely speak of Christ, our fundamental source of richness”. As relates to the situation of the mission of the Portuguese Church, Msgr. Couto declared, “We can no longer remain closed inside our churches, in the sacristies and parishes, idly awaiting for people to join us. We should be the ones who seek the encounter with the other, as indicated in the proclamation ad gentes , that is far from expressing merely conservational pastoral care. Discovering new horizons means opening up to what is new and different, and mostly, it entails relearning to live and proclaim the Gospel in an authentic manner”. “I am aware that most pastoral efforts of our parishes are addressed to the children” – he added -. “However, I will give an example that may help understand the distortion implied in this praiseworthy commitment: it’s as if 90% of Portuguese doctors were paediatricians, and only 10% were devoted to the care of the adult population!” “It’s important to sensitise the priests”, added Msgr. Couto. “But I personally agree with Msgr. Francesco Lambiasi, bishop of Rimini, when he states and writes, “if evangelization isn’t done by the laity it will never occur”. They are the ones who can most effectively reach to the heart of the world. In this direction, I see reasons to hope in a fruitful future”. Austria: missions and Pauline Year The Sunday devoted to Missions, celebrated October 19 throughout the world, was the occasion in Austria to recall the Pauline Year. In the Pastoral Letter issued during the Eucharistic celebrations, Austrian bishops recalled the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the “Apostle of the Peoples”. “Paul emphasized the acceptance of sacrifice that marks Christian love”, the bishops pointed out. An ever growing number of people follow his calling, and dedicate a part of their lives to serving populations living in “Southern” world countries”, states the Letter. The bishops equally drew attention upon the recipients of the offerings collected across world dioceses that are “the 1,100 poorest world dioceses, that are devoted to the bodies and souls of the poorest among the poor”. The major Eucharistic celebration of Austria’s Mission Sunday was held in Saint Steven’s Cathedral in Vienna, and was presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. As customary, the Mass was organized by faithful from Catholic communities in Southern World countries living in Vienna.
