Germany: solidarity to the Church of Ethiopia “It is my wish that the African Church, with her own forces, will give a substantial contribution to the reconciliation of societies in our Continent”. The archbishop of Hamburg, Msgr. Werner Thissen, director of the organization for development cooperation Misereor, conveyed this hope during the Second African Synod under way in Rome. The archbishop will be in Ethiopia on October 18 to gather first-hand information on the developments of local reconciliation efforts. The Country, inhabited by 80 million citizens from different ethnic groups, is one of the poorest in the world. Msgr. Thissen will also verify the situation of the Catholic minority, in order to contribute to democratization, conflict resolution and development. “My visit is a sign of solidarity with the local Church and with the population engaged in Misereor’s many projects to help the poor”, he claimed. The organization finances projects for agricultural development, health, and women support projects amounting to approximately 2 million euro each year. Another important activity of Misereor consists in the support to ecclesial partners in the dialogue with the governments and for the development of the control of the funds, in order to achieve an equal and sustainable development for the next generations. Switzerland: the bishops’ visit in Togo “A memorable fraternal visit”: the visit to Togo of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference that took place on September 22 till October 1st was described in these terms in a joint statement released by the Swiss and Togo bishops on October 2. The episcopacies underlined the event, the first visit to Western African bishops by another Bishops’ Conference ever. The panel exchanged information on the reality of the Church in both Countries and shared “the same pastoral concerns of the respective particular Churches” underlining the need to uncover “a new vision of charity”, implemented with reference to Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Novo Millennio Ineunte. “The Swiss bishops have seen a young Church in Togo, marked by vitality and development”, the document states. “Overcoming initial concerns, conveyed during the meeting’s preparatory stage, the two Conferences are satisfied about the meeting that took place and which highlighted the fraternal friendship and the collegiality of the encounter”, the document states, remarking that the visit “testified to the Communion of the particular Churches in the two Countries”. Austria: more courage in proclaiming the Gospel More courage is needed in proclaiming the Gospel and greater faith is needed in conveying the action of God to the world, declared Cardinal Christoph Schönborn on October 5th in Vienna, upon his return from spiritual exercises for priests, held in Ars (France). As reported by Austria’s Catholic news agency Kathpress, the President of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference said he was “impressed” by the “numerous testimonies of faith of world priests and by the reports describing how they address difficult pastoral situations”. Cardinal Schönborn mentioned the case of priests who serve simultaneously 30 small parishes that were once independent. “It’s impressive to note that, with their faith in God, these priests are not resigned despite the difficulties”. The situation of France, he added, “highlights the power of pilgrimage sites such as Lourdes”, which represent “sources of faith”. The Cardinal encouraged new missionary initiatives, and “not to focus on the numbers”. “God ensured us his closeness. It is necessary to have faith, even if the number of priests and Christians in a Country should decrease. The task of the Christians is to bring to people the message of Christ, despite supposed difficulties and discouraging developments”. The missionary initiative “History of the Apostles 2010”, due to be implemented in the archdiocese of Vienna, lies within this framework. “Evangelization takes place through the concrete encounter with others”, claimed Schönborn. “Gospel proclamation is important. But people’s hearts are not opened by us. They are opened by God”.
