Portugal: the program of the Pope’s visitThe official program of the visit of Benedict XVI to Portugal, May 11-14 2010 was presented during a press conference past Monday December 7. Accordingly, the visit will be marked by three main destinations: Lisbon, Fatima and Oporto. “It’s an official and pastoral visit”, the general coordinator of the program Msgr. Carlos Azevedo told journalists, and for this reason “the entire organization of the celebrations will take place in close cooperation with the Presidency of the Republic”. The auxiliary bishop of Lisbon expressed “the great joy of the Portuguese Church that looks forward to this event, due to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the beatification of the young shepherds Francisco and Jacinta, and with the fifth anniversary since the death of Sister Lúcia”. He added, “in every diocese celebrations will focus on a specific theme: Sanctity and Evangelisation in Lisbon; Sharing in happiness in Fatima; Church is Mission in Oporto”. Msgr. Azevedo declared, “The exceptional event demands that the Portuguese population fill the streets to extend their warm welcome to the Holy Father”. The prelate confides “the pope will leave a fundamental message in contemporary society, namely, the challenge of sanctity”. “In recalling the examples of Saint Nuno Álvares Pereira, we need the faith witness of people willing to make radical choices – concluded the CEP Secretary. “In a world of half-truths, shady tones, and unspoken words, Gospel teaching must be spread with courage and determination, conveying sanctity, and testifying to mutual sharing and charity”. The Netherlands: the bishops’ letter on the environment “The world leaders will have important responsibilities on the occasion of the next climate summit, due to open in Copenhagen next December 7. They are called to show their will to implement strong changes in order to improve the environment not only for poorer countries, but with personal involvement as a Church”. Thus declared bishop Gerard de Korte, responsible for Church and Society at the Dutch Bishops’ Conference, in a statement issued December 4. “Like it or not, we cannot escape our duty of reducing energy consumption” which is not endless “and which seriously endangers our planet and the ecosystem, the precious gifts we received from God”, the bishop continued. Change will occur with “courageous policies with a concrete impact”. “The time of non-binding declarations in support of a better environment has ended” since “the measures that can influence citizens’ lifestyle must become mandatory”. There is a need for “courageous politicians, capable of explaining why certain actions are inevitable, and who will not withdraw before the opposition of one stakeholder only”. It ensues that the rich Countries are requested to change their lifestyle. “A change in lifestyle is inevitable in Western Countries marked by high energy consumption levels. We need a human ecology that will improve our relationship with the environment, of which as citizens we claim the rights and responsibilities for ourselves and for the next generations”, De Korte pointed out.In this perspective, the role of the Churches and of religious organizations could be to promote the change in lifestyle “helping individuals and the community by setting a good example. In this framework the Church is called to operate at all levels, being active within society for environmental objectives. The Vatican sets the example by adopting measures that will make it the first State that does not depend on polluting energy sources”. Belgium: Cardinal Danneels nearing farewellAfter 30 years of service in the archdiocese of Malines-Bruxelles, Cardinal Godfried Danneels will soon be leaving his post of archbishop, having reached age limits. Farewell celebrations have been organized for the occasion presided over by the Cardinal himself in Nivelles on January 8 2010, in Brussels on the 9th and in Malines on the tenth. Each liturgy will be followed by a moment of gathering and greetings that all faithful are invited to attend. “We will miss him as the representative of Belgium’s Catholic Church. In this position he often addressed his message not only to Catholics, and it was received not only by them”. EU President Herman van Rompuy thus recalled the archbishop’s 30-year service during the presentation of the book “Confidences d’un Cardinal”, by Jan Becaus e Christian Laporte. According to Van Rompuy “that of Cardinal Danneels is a long story of love for others. He was a man of dialogue, a true statesman, in the full sense of the word State, and has always represented the voice of reason and common sense”.
