CCEE, Germany, Italy

CCEE: final statement on the meeting in VilniusThe New Evangelization “in this time especially marked by secularization”, the theme of religious freedom, the problem of European population ageing, the communication on the life of the Church “in times of crisis”: these were some of the topics addressed by the General Secretaries and Spokespersons of Europe’s Bishops’ Conferences in Vilnius, Lithuania, in the meetings promoted by CCEE (June 16 to 21). The two separate meetings – states the final release issued by CCEE – were attended by a total of 60 participants representing 30 Bishops’ Conferences of the continent. As relates to the theme of religious freedom, the General Secretaries said: “This is a fundamental human right founded on the dignity of the human person. The Church and Europe must do everything possible to ensure that this right is respected around the world as it should be in Europe”. The prelates highlighted the “demographic crisis” across the continent “with serious consequences for the welfare and social security systems”. The Spokespersons and media officers focused on the Pope´s visit to Scotland, England and Wales and on the activities of the Catholic agency SIR Europe, which is at the service of the churches and information in Europe.Germany: Catholics and Evangelicals against the PIDIn an appeal released on June 22 the archbishop of Munich Card. Reinhard Marx and the Evangelical Bishop of Bavaria Johannes Friedrich reiterated their “no” to the “differentiated protection of life”. The document is addressed to Bundestag MPs that are called to decide on the adoption of Pre-implantation genetic Diagnosis (PID). “Even if specific conditions for the PID were set, it wouldn’t alter the fact that human life would be selected according to specific features”, warn the religious representatives of the two Churches. Cardinal Marx and Bishop Friedrich say they understand “the wish to have a healthy child”. However, “the decision on the PID has an impact on our society’s approach to human life”. The “right to live cannot be denied to anyone”. According to the two Church members, accepting PID “would mean to consider worthy of protection only healthy people without disabilities”. The two Church representatives underlined that the adoption of the PID “is equal to considering worthy of protection only healthy and not disabled people” with consequences “also on terminal patients who are unable to perceive, think or are not self-conscious”. Finally, Cardinal Marx and Bishop Friedrich, pointed out, this “causes suffering in people affected by the diseases or disabilities that the PID aims at preventing” as “they would be treated as if their life is not worth living”.Italy: a CEI conference on adults and faithAdults as the “recipients” and “the actors of education and communication” and “the conditions to make them aware of this positive form of protagonism”. This was the “heart” of the event, as highlighted by Fr Guido Benzi, director of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) national Catechetic Office in the opening address of the national conference of the directors of Diocesan Catechetical Offices themed: “Adults as faith witnesses, yearning to transmit hope. Responsibility and formation of the Christian community” (Pesaro, June 20-23). The conference, a step leading towards the national Eucharistic Congress of Ancona (September 3-11) was held with the contribution of the national Council and Commission for Adult Catechesis. It was attended by 263 registered participants: directors and coordinators of diocesan catechetic Offices that include priests, lay people, and catechists from 127 dioceses. The theme of the formation of adults was addressed by all participants to the light of the Pastoral Guidelines for the decade “Educating to the good life of the Gospel”, presented by Msgr. Marcello Semeraro, bishop of Albano, president of the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith, Proclamation and Catechesis, who pointed out that the formation of adults is a “pastoral need”, which requires “an integral, articulated and shared pastoral plan”.