France: the bishops’ appeal for farmers The bishops of Bretagne voiced their concern over the “cry of desperation” of milk producers. In a joint message released by the French Bishops’ Conference, the bishops invoke “solidarity” with the farmers and urge large distribution companies to “adequately remunerate” the farmers’ work. The Bishops of Rennes, Dol and Saint-Malo, Saint Brieuc and Tréguier, Quimper and Léon jointly signed the appeal. “Farms are undergoing acute and complex crises. We hear the cries of desperation of milk producers”, who went so far as to destroy part of their produce to attract attention to their cause. The Bishops ask whether “society can receive this call of pain”, and add: “the milk crisis occasionally has serious consequences on the families, not to mention the repercussions on other professional figures in the agricultural sector”. Hence the Bishops call everyone, primarily the Christian community, to activate solidarity actions for this bracket. “Farmers have the right to see their work acknowledged through the just remuneration of their work that will cover their families’ expenses. They have the right to aim at a profession that deserves to be better appreciated by consumers. Agricultural production – the bishops point out – has its own criteria, which ought to be acknowledged and respected”. The Bishops call upon “large distribution manufacturers” to “value the agricultural products with appropriate retributions”.Austria: Christianity’s contribution to Europe The inalienable meaning of Christianity for Europe was highlighted on September 17 in Strasbourg by Msgr. Egon Kapellari, bishop of Graz, in a speech delivered at the “Klingenthal-Symposion”, organized by the “Johann Wolfgang von Goethe” foundation in Basil, that closed September 18. Msgr. Kapellari reiterated, “Those who fail to mention Christianity’s human and cultural inspiration to Europe are denying the fundamental ongoing contribution of Christianity to the patrimony of values of European societies”. The Bishop, who is responsible for European Questions at the Austrian Bishops’ Conference added, “Churches tirelessly recall that Europe is not only an economic community. Rather, it is a community marked by cultural and spiritual values. Europe has all reasons to reiterate and reaffirm its very own Christian tradition”. In this framework, as reported by Austria’s Catholic news agency Kathpress, Msgr. Kapellari described Christianity as the “cultural guide” of Europe, although the “Jewish, ancient, Islamic and Enlightenment traditions are part and parcel of Europe’s soul”. The “inalienable” values of this culture, the bishop said, include “human dignity, solidarity and the respect for life”. Msgr. Kapellari said he hopes the EU acts as the guarantor, combating “wild and unrestrained globalization” and upholding “the unique cultural and social standards of Europe”. “The EU must step up its engagement for a social union”, he added. The bishops pointed out that solidarity cannot be restrained to Member States only, and that the EU’s “ultimate goal” ought to be “world solidarity, notably towards populations experiencing seriously tragic situations”. In order to achieve this goal, Msgr. Kapellari said, a “fundamental” contribution is to be found in the “force of Christianity” and in “the principles of the Catholic social doctrine”. Czech Republic: awaiting the Pope’s arrival There are great expectations in the Czech Republic for the apostolic visit of Benedict XVI next September 26-28. The Country is witnessing a flowering of initiatives in view of this important event. The Pontiff will visit Prague, Stará Boleslav and Brno, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Wenceslaus, Patron saint of the nation. The apostolic journey will take place upon the 20th anniversary since the fall of Communism. Initiatives promoted for the occasion include a conference on the Magisterium of Benedict XVI held on September 19 in Brno. In an interview released for the occasion to Slovakia’s Catholic television Tele Lux, the Cardinal archbishop of Prague Miloslav Vlk said: “We’re a small people, a small State in the heart of Europe and for us the visit of the Holy Father is a grace, a true blessing. We expect his visit to strengthen our faith”. His Eminence remarked, “There is an urgent need for a stronger witness of Gospel proclamation in our Country. The Christian witness must be spread throughout our society”.
