CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Portugal: CEP, final statementFrom May 2-5 the 177th Plenary Assembly of the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference gathered in the Shrine of Fatima. As the legislative elections of June 2011 draw near the bishops wished to highlight the importance of this civic duty: “Although democracy is more than only popular vote, the forthcoming elections bear special significance, as the constituency is called to elect the Country’s leadership in a moment of serious crisis” – states the final declaration. The Assembly focused on the relations with the Portuguese Mercy Union (UMP) and with the Union of Portuguese Houses of Mercy, in the hope that given the ongoing difficult social situation that affects also the framework of values “cooperation with diocesan bishops will be stepped up so that in a climate of ecclesial communion and spirit of service the pastoral and charitable activity of everyone will progress to the benefit and the enhancement of the national community as a whole”. The bishops presented the “Church Social Observatory”, intended to provide “an updated picture of the social situation from various angles, highlighting the needs of the population and contributing to the definition of future solutions, targets and methods of intervention, integrated and integral, of stakeholders and organizations alike”. The bishops also reflected on the proposals of the laity and of the religious for implementation in dioceses, congregations, movements and ecclesial works on the theme “Rethinking together Church Pastoral Care in Portugal”, which will be the object of further specific debate in the upcoming Pastoral Days of the Episcopate (Fatima, June 13-16 2011), to the presence of Msgr. Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. Msgr. Virgílio Antunes, in his capacities as ex director of the Shrine, ensuing the appointment of Fr Carlos Manuel Pedrosa Cabecinhas, presented to the Assembly the program “In preparation for the Centenary of the Fatima Apparitions”, available in seven languages on the website www.fatima2017.org, whose motto is: “My immaculate heart will lead you to God”. The bishops welcomed the celebration due to take place in Lisbon next May 21 and released a Pastoral Note on the beatification of Sister Maria Clara do Menino Jesus [of the Child Jesus], founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospital Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (CONFHNIC). Ukraine: Catholic Media Centre, 10th anniversary “With you and for you” is the slogan of the celebrations taken place, in the last few days, in Kiev for the tenth anniversary of the Catholic Media Centre. This media service of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Latin rite, says the director of the Centre, father Pavlo Vyshkovskyy, “means to be a tool for the announcement of the Gospel in our land, for cultural reflection on our society and a training tool for Catholic professionals. In this respect, we pay special attention to the training of young media professionals”. Mgr. Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, archbishop of Lviv and president of the Ukrainian Bishops Conference, recalled that this Centre was founded on the occasion of John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine and now “draws fresh enthusiasm and new strength from the beatification of Pope Wojtyla”. The archbishop did not fail to mention the “Christian roots of Europe that John Paul II always recalled”. Paolo Bustaffa, editor in chief of SIR Europe, which has been networking with such Centre for many years, recalled “the role played by the Catholic media in communicating the life of the European Churches and making a contribution to the European institutions to build the European common house together”. The Centre has a website, two children’s magazines, TV and radio services, several publications.Slovakia: a new web site for religious eventsFans of christian events in Slovakia can get the information about hundreds of activities of religious character in a new virtual space. Several days ago a new website www.vyveska.sk was launched with the financial and moral support of the Bishops’ conference of Slovakia. “Many times it happened that I spent hours surfing on internet, trying to get the relevant information about some event I wanted to go to. It’s my belief that with our new project it will be much easier”, says one of the project coordinators Stefan Kusnir. The website offers details on the main events of national character such as pilgrimages, prayer meetings, youth projects, concerts, theatre performances, book presentations, meetings with representatives of Catholic and other Christian churches, and has an ambition to become the main provider of the information of this type in Slovakia. The project is run by the civil association Christin and all dioceses and parishes in the country are welcome to participate with invitations to local activities. Information can be sent on: vyveska@vyveska.sk.
