CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Italy: “online” dioceses, the web and social networks Web 2.0, Social Network, Internet and new media: these are some of the themes addressed in a seminar titled “Online dioceses. The local churches, the internet and social networks” (Rome, November 23-24), promoted by the National Office for Social Communications of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI). The meeting is addressed to the directors of the diocesan offices for social communications, to I.T. coordinators and to all those in charge of updating websites in Italian dioceses. “With this moment of reflection – explained the director of the CEI Social Communications Office Msgr. Domenico Pompili (UCS) – we wish to continue along the path of reflection undertaken with the national conference “Digital witnesses” on the wake of the teachings given to us by Benedict XVI”. Msgr. Mariano Crociata, CEI Secretary General, delivered the opening address, followed by Msgr. Pompili, who spoke of “The heritage of digital witnesses”. Other speakers include Gianni Riotta, editor in chief, “Il Sole 24 Ore”, father Antonio Spadaro, from “La Civiltà Cattolica”, and Giovanni Silvestri, responsible of the CEI I.T. service. The president of the Bishops’ Commission for Culture and Social Communications Msgr. Claudio Giuliodori, will deliver the closing speech. UCS vice-director father Ivan Maffeis, said that the Church must “live the ‘digital continent’ assuming its language, so as to avoid remaining at the borders of the ongoing cultural process. It’s a question of helping us learn more about the reality of communication, which rather than consisting of a series of tools is a resource which develops a way of thinking, of communicating and of handling the same resources. As such, it requires critical thinking and wise approaches. Once again, for the Church it is not only a question of technical capacities, the issue in fact calls into question the ‘heart’ of the faithful, who are called to ‘give a soul’ also to this digital world”. Germany: integrating the disabled with sport Integrating the disabled through sport. It is the objective of a symposium held November 22 in Leverkusen, titled, “Sport and disabilities: the challenges of the UN Convention for the Disabled”. “The Catholic Church strongly values the spiritual support of the Olympic Games, and the Paralympics in particular”, said the director of the Office for the Pastoral Care of Sport of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) Hans-Gerd Schütt, “The integration of disabled persons must take place by means of sport. The Church does a lot to integrate people with disabilities in school environments and in associations”, Schütt said, underlining that for the first time the symposium brought together Church dignitaries, political leaders and sport coordinators, who jointly broached the theme of the UN Convention for the disabled. According to Simone Bell D’Avis, director of the Office for the Pastoral Care of the disabled of the Bishops’ Conference, the UN Convention offers a “compendium on how to practice sport without barriers. The Church ought to involve her associations and seek ways to enable disabled people to take part in sport competitions”. Also the UN special advisor for Sport to the service of Development and Peace Willi Lemke highlighted the importance of sport for integration, and pointed out that people with disabilities “are too often hindered by social barriers, prejudice and discrimination”. For this reason “it is important to promote awareness, knowledge and communication, so as to curb discrimination against the disabled”, whose rights and claims “ought to be granted further support”. Portugal: Caritas, Christmas of solidarity Christmas solidarity campaign by José Mourinho: the coach of the Real Madrid is the testimonial of the eighth edition of “10 Million Stars – a Gesture for Peace 2010”, promoted by Caritas Portugal for Christmas 2010, whose proceeds will be used to address child poverty. The project consists in a national fundraising campaign promoting the sale of candles at the symbolic price of 1 euro, to be placed on window-sills the eve of December 24. The Portuguese coach is the protagonist of the ad, which can be viewed on You-Tube: www.youtube.com/v/mGBMnycfMV0. “This Christmas join Caritas and light a candle for peace!” In presenting the event, Caritas president Eugenio Fonseca said, “according to 2008 figures, one every four European children is poor. This is unacceptable. 35% of the collected sum will be used by diocesan Caritas for national initiatives”. To follow the initiative: www.caritas.pt/site/nacional.
