Switzerland: the bishops’ plenary: “intolerable abuses” The plenary meeting of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference (SBK) ended June 2 in Einsieldeln. The main theme of the meeting was sexual abuse. “In the Church and also in our dioceses and community we have learned of a deep sin”, states the communique’ issued by SBK at the end of the plenary. “We are ready to renew our thought, our will and our deeds in the Spirit of Jesus, and to cooperate for the healing of the wounds”, the bishops said. The experts’ committee on “Sexual attacks in the pastoral” appointed by the Bishops’ Conference has prepared for the first time a statistical survey on the cases of abuse reported to the Swiss dioceses. Following the appeal reiterated in Spring 2010 to the victims of sexual abuse, encouraging the victims to denounce such cases to the diocesan offices, the reports have increased: while in 2009 15 cases were reported, in the period from January to May 2010 72 people were accused by 104 victims. Most of the abuses took place between 1950 and 1990, only 9 of the cases reported in 2010 refer to events that took place after 1990. “Sexual abuse in pastoral care is not tolerable”, the bishops reaffirm in the statement. “The victims must obtain justice and the perpetrators must be prosecuted also when the abuses date back to a long time ago and the perpetrators have died in the meantime. As relates to the SBK directives on abuse enforced in 2002, the bishops highlighted: “especially the measures adopted for prevention, that are effective during the formation of pastoral workers and at a later stage during pastoral service. A significant contribution is given by diocesan commissions, responsible for handling abuse cases”. During the plenary the full cooperation with the investigators was emphasized along with the need to fulfil the obligation of information on the abuse cases. England: a conference on “the beginning and end of life” Owing to the success of the 2008 conference themed “Faith in Health”, organized in Twickenham, London, a second conference titled “Beginnings and endings: caring for the whole person”, is due to take place in Liverpool next June 24-26. The Conference, addressed to healthcare and social workers, religious and lay people, is promoted by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, by the Conference of religious orders and by the “Catholic Medical Association”. Panelists include Baroness Ilora Finlay, expert in palliative medicine, the archbishop and Catholic Primate Msgr. Vincent Nichols, Kath McCourt, head of the Health, Community and Education School at Northumbria University and theologian James Hanvey. Participants can choose from over 15 workshops on topics related to health and social services. The conference will address issues such as the relationship between healthcare, social workers and patient, with special attention to the quality of care and spiritual needs.Portugal: “Festival of solidarity and peoples”Celebrating the Corpus Domini Mass in the Trindade church, the bishop of Porto, Msgr. Manuel Clemente reminded the faithful that Christ, present in the consecrated host, is the same that offered himself fully on the Cross, inviting those who drew near the communion to “follow the sequel of Jesus offering their lives to others”. “Unity and solidarity, with special care for the needy and the poor are essential prerequisites of Eucharistic and ecclesial life. This identity ought to be displayed concretely across society”, the prelate said. “Contemporary economic and financial difficult circumstances ought to be overcome according to the possibilities of each, without further weighing upon the sustenance of those in dire straits, whilst addressing their material and spiritual hunger and thirst”. From this angle, in the framework of the Mission 2010 project, the diocese of Porto has decided to celebrate Saint Anthony, St. John and St. Peter in the month of June with a wide range of initiatives which will culminate in a “Festival of Solidarity and Peoples”, due to be held on the 26-27th of June in the Palácio de Cristal gardens. The event is aimed at promoting the encounter of institutions dedicated to charity and reception of populations of different Countries. “We wish it to become an encouragement, so that the festivals dedicated to our most popular saints may represent an occasion for encounter, participation and sharing of all the positive and charitable actions aimed at a profound coexistence between individuals” the bishop of Porto declared.
