Switzerland: yes to the building of minaretsThe Swiss Bishops’ Conference has rejected a popular referendum against the building of minarets. In a statement issued on 10 September, the bishops believe “it’s a political question that concerns one religion and the corporate rights of religions in general”. And they add: “Minarets, like bell towers, are a sign of the public presence of a religion”. The collection of signatures for the popular referendum “against the construction of minarets” was begun on 1st May 2007 and is aimed at inserting the clause: “The construction of minarets is prohibited” in the already existing article 72 of the Federal Constitution, which assigns responsibility for the maintenance of religious peace in Switzerland to the Confederation and to the cantons. In their statement the bishops write: “We are aware that the rights regarding freedom of religion and freedom of worship are not respected in certain countries of Islamic faith. Christians in particular suffer restrictions in their religious practice and limitations in the building of churches. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Christians who suffer harassment and persecution”. Returning to the Swiss question, the statement continues: “As Bishops and Swiss citizens we rejoice that our Constitution no longer contains articles of exception and we hope that no new ones are introduced. The blanket prohibition to build minarets would weaken efforts aimed at establishing an attitude of reciprocal acceptance in dialogue and mutual respect. Fear, also in this regard, is a bad counsellor. The construction and utilization of minarets are in any case subject to the regulations prescribed for buildings of any kind. Though recognizing the real difficulties in the cohabitation of different religions, we invite the Swiss people to reject this referendum, in conformity with the Christian values and democratic principles of our country”.Ireland: at Lourdes to pray for priestsA heartfelt appeal to pray for priests has been urged by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin. “It’s not an easy time for the archdiocese of Dublin. There are difficult challenges, there’s a real shortage of priests, and there are so many commitments to tackle”, said the Archbishop, addressing the some 2,000 pilgrims who took part in the 60th Pilgrimage of the archdiocese of Dublin to Lourdes from 7 to 11 September. The first diocesan pilgrimage took place in August 1949. In his homily during the opening Mass, Mgr. Martin said: “During these sixty years of diocesan pilgrimage, so many priests have come with the pilgrims, not as tourist guides, but as spiritual guides for their parishioners. No priest can come to Lourdes without him going away renewed and strengthened in his vocation and ministry”. The archbishop did not expressly cite, in his homily, the painful case of the sexual abuses denounced in the Ryan Report which has involved the Irish Church, and the Dublin archdiocese in particular, in recent months. But he spoke of a period that is not easy for the archdiocese and added: “I ask all of you to pray for the priests of the archdiocese of Dublin, who perform their ministry so well for their people”. “Pray for each of the priests that are here with you. Pray that the Lord may encourage us in our ministry and that the Lord may give us, starting with me as Archbishop, the necessary strength to preach the Gospel in an effective way, to become men of the Gospel and allow all our life to be inspired by the Word of God”. England: a Sunday against racism“Racism is a sin that divides us”, said the Most. Rev. Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton (England) in presenting the “Racial Justice Sunday” that Catholic parishes throughout the country will celebrate on 13 September”. This year the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) is celebrating its 25th anniversary: the bishop emphasized how much has been done by the association to “combat racism in all its forms, both inside the Church and in society. Though much progress has been made in combating racism through anti-discrimination laws – said the bishop – the reality of racism remains and the 25th anniversary of the association is an opportunity that urges us to redouble our efforts to say that racism continues to divide our society”. The special anti-racist day on 13 September has as its slogan this year “The changing face of England and Ireland” and as subtitle a saying of Jesus, “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29). A preparatory dossier sent to English dioceses points out: “No longer does anyone call himself a racist today”, and yet “in spite of our good policies and good intentions”, “prejudice and discrimination remain a reality”. The promoters of Racial Justice Sunday invite Catholics to “reflect on prejudices against Muslims, immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers”. “Racism runs deep, it works in the interests of the privileged, it assumes a variety of faces: fear of others, suspicion of foreigners, ever more restrictive controls at the frontiers”.
