Germany: Christians in reunited Germany "The call for freedom tore down the Berlin wall", declared Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz, referring to the circumstances that led to the fall of the Wall on November 9 1989. His Eminence spoke at the conference on "Christians in reunited Germany", held by the History Commission in Erfurt a few days ago. "The longing for freedom was a primary cause of the collapse of the DDR" His Eminence said, and guarded against theories that view the fall of the Wall as a "Protestant Revolution". In fact, “it was a large movement of citizens who fought for their own freedom", he remarked, and recalled the "important" role played by the Evangelical Church in those circumstances with the prayers for peace and non-violent resistance propaganda. "At the same time", he added, "other ecumenical initiatives like the Ecumenical assembly for justice, peace and the preservation of the Creation", held in the years 1988-89 "helped DDR citizens implement democratic rules under the protection of the Churches and voice their own claims for freedom". The issue was addressed also by Cardinal card. Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne and bishop of Berlin from 1980 to 1988 in an article published by the daily "Die Welt" past October 23. His Eminence said that the role played by the Catholic Church in the fall of the regime is "largely underestimated". "In Socialist societies the Catholic Church always fought against the surrounding environment and protested against the uniformed masses", a stand that was displayed by never taking part in public life. Meisner rejected criticisms labeling the Catholic Church as being "introverted". "Indeed, the opposite is true". "Pastoral engagement encouraged Christians to express their identity in the professional realm. Let us hope that the evidence may soon be brought to the fore". Austria: for Christians in the Middle EastA few days ago, to the presence of diocesan bishop Msgr. Ludwig Schwarz, the twentieth anniversary of Austria’s Initiative Christlicher Orient ICO- was celebrated in Linz. ICO, founded by Hans Hollenweger, is an association aimed at informing on the situation of Christians in the Middle East, granting financial support and promoting occasions for encounter with them. In the Countries of the region Christians are now a minority and are often discriminated and oppressed. During the ceremony, held at the private Catholic theology university in Linz, Msgr. Schwarz thanked the founder of ICO for his commitment and underlined that the association has been carrying out its commitment in dangerous areas of the world. In fact, upon its establishment ICO was immediately appreciated for its commitment in South-Eastern Anatolia, in Tur Abdin, where Christian communities were threatened by Curd militia and by the Turkish army. "The increasing attention devoted by our Country to Middle-Eastern Christians is also a result of Hollerweger’s pioneering commitment in the area", Msgr. Schwarz declared. Among the association’s renowned initiatives in Austria figures "A Star of Bethlehem on each Christmas tree". Some 40 thousand stars from Bethlehem in olivewood are sold during the Advent period. The proceeds of the sale provide support to Christians living in the Palestinian city. The organization provides support also to Christians in Iraq.Italy: Fr. Matteo Ricci, a bridge linking Europe to ChinaThe "extraordinary missionary adventure" of Matteo Ricci "led him to erect, for the first time in history, a bridge of true dialogue between Europe and China. This encounter deeply marked the progress of humanity and its effects are felt still today". Thus declared on October 28 Msgr. Claudio Giuliodori, bishop of MacerataTolentinoRecanatiCingoliTreia and President of the Episcopal Commission for culture and social communications speaking at the Vatican Press Room on the occasion of the presentation of the exhibition "On the ridge of history. Fr. Matteo Ricci (1552-1610) between Rome and Beijing" that opened yesterday at the Braccio di Carlo Magno Museum (ongoing until January 24 2010). The exhibition is coordinated by the Committee for the Celebrations of the IV Centenary of father Matteo Ricci in conjunction with the Vatican Museums, the General Curia of the Society of Jesus and the Pontifical Gregorian University. Msgr. Giuliodori claimed that the Jesuit priest from Macerata is to be inscribed within "one of the most remarkable historical ridges, The topical relevance of his method of dialogue and cultural integration is unequalled." In recalling the "far-seeing engagement" of Father Ricci "for the enculturation of Christianity in China", Msgr. Giuliodori expressed the wish that to the light of his testimony "may friendship with the Chinese people develop and may the bonds of communion with Catholics in this large Country grow stronger, as wished for by the Holy Father in his Letter of May 2007".
