CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Germany: card. Marx on the new evangelization”A source of force”: thus cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich and Freising, described the ancient Marian shrine of Werl, in the archdiocese of Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia. The prelate, born in this archdiocese, served as its auxiliary bishop from 1996 to 2001. He arrived in Werl on July 2 as special envoy of the Pope to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the shrine, a pilgrimage destination since 1661. During the Eucharist co-celebrated with the archbishop of Paderborn, Msgr. Hans-Josef Becker, the cardinal delved into the theme of the new evangelization of Europe, inviting to create the grounds for “a new time without evoking the past”. In this sense, Msgr. Marx referred to the Gospel, underlining that “examining and explaining each letter is not a message directed to the past, but rather a task for the future”. As relates to the shrine of Werl, the cardinal defined it a “place for innovation and departure”, underlining its “contemporary” role. “Also today there is the need for people and places that will provide a direction, that can indicate authentic hope to those in affliction”, said Msgr. Marx. “It’s up to us Christians to ensure that people do not forget the heavens and that for them shines bright the hope in the person of Jesus Christ”. Finally, archbishop Becker, expressing words of gratitude for the attention conveyed by the Pope to the shrine in Werl, said he hopes “that all pilgrims may be inserted within the large river of faith and trust and share the praise which Elisabeth makes of Mary: “Blessed be she who believed” (Luke 1:45).Hungary: 2011 census until OctoberWhile neighbouring Slovakia completed gathering the information for the Census 2011 in May this year, Hungary is to accomplish it in October, including the data about religion professed by 10,198,315 million inhabitants of the country. The Bishops’ conference of Hungary invites people to participate and not to be afraid to declare their Catholic faith officially. Prelates plan a campaign to support awareness of Hungarians about the importance of the Census and they exhort Catholics to participate actively by becoming the census commissioners. Registrations are accepted until 15 August. According to the last Census of 2001 – 54.5% of inhabitants claim to be of Catholic religion, 51.9% beeing Roman Catholics and 2.6% Greek Catholics. No religion professed was declared by 14.5% of Hungarians and more than 10% didn’t wish to answer questions regarding their faith.Ukraine: a course for seminarians on the mission”If the Church doesn’t carry out its missionary ministry, it meants that it doesn’t live in accordance with its God-given responsibilities” – with these words bishop Josyf Milian, the head of the Pastoral-Missionary Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), inaugurated a special course on missionary ministry in Lviv Spiritual Seminary. 73 seminarians from whole country gathered in recent days to be lectured by religious scientists as well as experts on migration issues. The aim of the event was to provide information and suggestions regarding systematic pastoral care of the faithful belonging to UGCC on all continents. According to Rev. Vasyl Potochniak, executive secretary of the Pastoral-Missionary Department, meeting people is always an opportunity to save souls and “missionary ministry, when viewed from the perspective of salvation, enhances one’s faith”. The Pastoral-Missionary Department of the Patriarchal Curia has been created on the base of the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC. It carries out its activities in Ukraine and abroad.Slovakia: summer camps for 5.000 childrenMore than 5,000 children from all over the Slovak Republic will spend their holidays in the summer camps prepared for them by the volunteers of the youth Salesian Association DOMKA. The project is the outcome of one-year preparation in the local centres of the Association. “These children summer camps are not only about filling leisure time. Parents use to appreciate the animators’ approach to children as well as the message underlying the activities being proposed. Through games and entertainment we want to put the accent on positive values such as friendship, generosity, patience, good manners and hope”, said the President of the Association DOMKA, Mrs. Slavka Brigantova. Most of the 1,300 volunteers are high school and university students who have been experiencing activities with children during the whole year. Most camps are already full up, but some places are still vacant in August. Further information available on: www.domka.sk.
