chURCHES IN BRIEF
KBS Plenary AssemblyPreparation for the Year of st. Cyril and Methodius 2013, marking 1150. anniversary of arrival of these two missionaries of Christianity to Great Moravia, was one of the main topics of the spring plenary assembly of the Bishop’s conference of Slovakia (Kbs) held March 28th-29th. Preparation has already started with pilgrimage of the relics of st. Cyril in all slovak dioceses. There’s also a plan to make film about the life of the two saints with contribution of slovak Ministry of culture. Bishops also discussed forthcoming World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, with estimated 2500 young people from Slovakia taking part at the event. Prelates have agreed to send an inquiry to the Congregation for the Divine Cult and the Discipline of the Sacraments regarding official spreading of liturgic devotion towards blessed sr. Zdenka Schelingová from the Congregation of sisters of mercy of the Holy Cross, martyr of faith who died as a result of cruel treatment in prison in the past century, to whole Slovakia. One of the most important parts of the programme of plenary was election of a delegate for the Synod of bishops about the new evangelization due to take part in autumn – president of the Bishop’s conference of Slovakia and archbishop of Bratislava Mons. Stanislav Zvolenský.Persecution against ChristiansDeclaration condemning persecution and violence against Christians in the world was published by the Slovak parliament last week. Catholic bishops in Slovakia welcome the initiative and issued an official statement, appreciating this open manifestation of “respect for basic human rights and solidarity with suffering Christians”. Document, signed by the vicepresident of the bishop’s conference Mons. Viliam Judák, also recalls an appeal of the Church in Slovakia towards politicians, dated 18th February 2011, regarding protection of religious freedom and need of its procurement in the state foreign policy. “We are convinced that protection of religious freedom anywhere in the world is the best way to establish peace and justice”, add slovak catholic bishops in their statement.For the Year of st. Cyril and Methodius”Lord, perserve the heritage of our fathers! Perserve their spirit, devotion, faith. Grant us persistance to witness that your Word is still present among us” – these words of the president of the Bishop’s conference of Slovakia Mons. Stanislav Zvolenský guide the pilgrimage of the relics of st. Cyril in all slovak dioceses. Catholic church has already started preparation for the celebration of 1150th anniversary of arrival of the two missionaries of Christianity to Great Moravia and the pilgrimage is one of the main events. Relics of one of the patrons of Slovakia have been preserved in the Cathedral of st. Emeramus in Nitra since 1964. The forthcoming celebration of the Holy year is an opportunity for the Church authorities to make the memory and message of the saints alive throughout whole nation and thousands of believers have been coming to churches and praying in front of the relics to deepen their own spiritual life. Inspired by the proposal of catholic bishops the president of Slovak republic Ivan Gaparoviè signed an official invitation for the pope Benedict XVI. to visit Slovakia and attend the opening celebration in 2012. The letter was presented to the Holy Father by the foreign affairs minister Mikulá Dzurinda in January this year.Czech laity on the 2011 population censusSupport self-confidence of believers who are afraid to show their faith openly because of possible negative reactions from the side of majority in society – that’s the aim of the internet page www.jsemkatolik.cz. Initiative is run in Czech republic by the group of catholic laymen wanting to present faith as “natural and reasonable” way of life. Project is a part of preparation for 2011 Census. An official questionnaire distributed to all citizens is due to be filled in and returned to state authorities by April 14th, including the information about the professed religion. Web page shows testimonies of well known and respected people mainly from cultural and social environment, talking about their view and personal experience with faith. According to results of previous 2001 Census one third of inhabitants of Czech republic claim to be Christians.
