CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Spain: pharmacists oppose the ‘morning-after’ pillThe case of a young girl who suffered a stroke after taking the morning-after pill has reopened the debate over whether Spanish pharmacists may use their conscientious objection against the distribution of this drug. The president of the Association for the Defense of the Right to Conscientious Objection, María Dolores Gómez Armenteros, addressed a letter to the presidents of the boards of pharmacists asking for their support in the defence of the right to conscientious objection against the distribution of such product. There are concerns about the fact that the pill is available in pharmacies without prescription, which led to an increase in demand, and the fact that over 30% of women who ask for it have not reached the legal age. As for the debate over the side effects of the morning-after pill on health, the president mentioned a report released by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products on 7 October 2010, which shows an increased risk of thromboembolism associated with the consumption of the product. About 4,000 pharmacists have repeatedly reported to the authorities the misleading advertising of the abortion pill, stressing that the distribution in the country – which started in September 2009, with no age restriction and no prescription required – has been authorised before the publication of the compulsory report by the Spanish Agency for Medicines.Italy: card. Bagnasco to the permanent CouncilThe prolusion delivered by CEI President Card. Angelo Bagnasco, on September 27 on the occasion of the Permanent Council of the Bishops’ Conference was largely echoed by Italian media. His Eminence’s speech tackled various themes, but his reading of the Italian political situation, described by the Cardinal as a “moral question” was given major attention. “Whoever chooses political militancy – said President Bagnasco – must be aware of the scale and the sobriety, the discipline and the honour that this involves”. “Moral responsibility – he pointed out – has an internal hierarchy that stands out by itself, regardless of the exploitation that is going on”. His Eminence went on to say that “sadly, stories are spreading fast. If these prove to be true, on different levels, they reveal styles of life that are not in line with peoples’ dignity or institutional decorum and public life”. “Licentious behaviour and improper relationships are negative in themselves and harm society, despite their popularity”, the Cardinal underlined. He then urged to “purify the air”, and “to prevent the next generations from breathing this poisonous air as they grow up”.Ireland: the Day for Life on October 2On October 2 the Irish Church celebrates the Day for Life. The theme chosen for this year is ‘A Call to Solidarity and Hope in Difficult Times’, a clear reference to the ongoing recession and the economic difficulties experienced at national level. “In difficult times such as these there is a danger that people may feel disconnected from themselves, from hope and ultimately from God. We realize that we are known by God, and we are loved by God for who we are, and not for the things we have”, said Msgr. John Fleming, bishop of Killala, in an interview posted on the bishops’ website www.catholicbishops.ie. The Day – the organizers explain – is a call for us to work for a society in which all are valued as created, loved by God, redeemed by Christ; not for their fame, or power, or what they own but for their intrinsic worth”. For the occasion Irish bishop have drawn up a pastoral letter that will be handed out in parishes on Sunday.Ukraine: one thousand years of ‘Santa Sofia’ in Kiev”Today we are standing in this cathedral not as its owners but neither as guests. We are the bearers and heirs of the Baptism of Volodymyr, and as a Church we are direct successors of the ancient Kyivan Metropoly. Yes, the Ukrainian Church suffers in its body from the wounds of disunity caused by the interference of external forces and by our own faults. But though disunited, we are not estranged from one another” – said His Excellency Bohdan Dzyurakh, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in the St. Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv, during the celebrations of its millennium last week. Talking about the problem of disunity of Christians in Ukraine, bishop Bohdan continued: “Today we are asking for forgiveness of God and of our brethren for our wrongdoings and sins, and we forgive all those who did wrong to us, voluntarily or involuntarily. We are imploring God’s blessing for our people, the gift of Divine Wisdom for our spiritual and state leaders but, foremost, we are praying for the gift of unity for all the heirs of the Baptism of St. Volodymyr the Great”, kyivan prince who officially brought Christianism to Kyivan Rus´ in 988. St. Sofia Cathedral is the world famous historical and architectural monument from the first half of the 11th century. Its name is derived from Greek word “sofia” – “wisdom”.
