CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Portugal: the crisis puts democracy at risk “The current national and international situation can endanger democracy. It is becoming increasingly obvious that international politics cannot be reduced, or even less subdued, to a dark game of capitals, which would make democratic dialectics disappear”. The statement is contained in the Pastoral Letter “Hope at a time of crisis”, released by the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP), upon the conclusion of the Plenary Assembly held in Fatima, November 7-10. According to the Bishops, “we must not fall into the hands of new faceless lords”, but we must protect “a shared, participatory experience where everyone can relate to shared values and rights, which respect the truth as a prerequisite for social justice and peace”. The notice states that it is not the first time that historical changes offer a chance to gain new collective awareness and calls to delve deep into the Christian value, finding that a coexistence of “external and internal factors” have been at the source of the crisis. “Excessive financial speculations and the country’s poor economic substance have been negatively compounded. We have fed, and have been made to feed, on aspirations that have turned out to be completely unachievable”, write the Portuguese prelates, who point to the importance and respect of the ethics of production, because “only those capitals that come from work make human beings come into their own and give them top priority”.Italy: a message on the teaching of religion Helping “to find answers to the ‘questions’ of life”, educating “to a conduct inspired by ethical values”, spreading information on “Christianity in the Catholic tradition, presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a productive and fruitful encounter with other religions”. These are the objectives of the teaching of Catholic religion in Italian schools, contained in the message of the Italian Bishops’ Conference in view of the option of Catholic teaching in the school-year 2012-2013. The document was released November 15 by CEI General Secretariat. It is addressed to students and parents alike who in the next weeks will be called to decide on “the choice of availing themselves of the teaching of Catholic religion”. The message underlines that “the decision entails a great responsibility, since it provides all of you students with the opportunity to reflect on the significance of this proposal and personally decide to transform it into a resource for your formation. It also gives parents the opportunity to evaluate the educational options offered to their children”. Some 90-91% of pupils (with differences in the North – 85%, Centre -90% and South – 97%) opted for teaching of religion in Italian schools. In their message the bishops underline that “in continuity with the family and in preparation for the social and professional life, the teaching of Catholic religion is an added value that we invite you to observe with confidence, regardless of your religious belief and your cultural backgrounds”.Czech Republic: restitution of Church property Prepared law on property composition between State and Churches will establish giuridical security for everyone and create new opportunities for more effective use of the property – said archbishop of Prague and president of the Czech bishops’conference, Mons. Dominik Duka, at the meeting organized by the Union of towns and municipalities of Czech republic last week, on the topic “Impact of reforms on economy of towns and municipalities”. He thanked its representatives for longtime support and cooperation with Catholic Church. In relation to the archbishop’s speech, the president of the Union, Dan Jiranek, appreciated the government’s effort to restitute the property of the Churches confiscated by the communist regime before 1989, adding that this step “would bring a great benefit also to the municipalities”. Buildings in about 50 towns and villages in Czech republic have been subject to deterioration for decades, as a result of unclear property settlement. New law, still waiting to be approved by the Parliament, would allow another negotiations regarding the property, its renewal and further development.Germany: Caritas for social inclusion”One million stars: make hope shine for people in need, here and all over the world!”: this is the appeal made by the German Caritas, that promoted a charitable initiative in 71 cities to raise public awareness of “the state of emergency experienced by people who are socially excluded” in Germany and in the developing countries. “The most frequent cause of social exclusion is poverty, which often goes hand in hand with some physical or mental disability”, Caritas states in a release. The “One million stars” campaign, now in its fifth year, involves handing out thousands of candles, which are lit up in the squares of the German cities and is part of the initiatives that this year will be focussed on promoting a better cohabitation between disabled and non-disabled people. The German Caritas’ initiative has been joined in by the International Caritas agency as well, to promote a project for helping disabled people in Bolivia. Funds raised by them will be used to support disabled children and young people in Bolivia and to carry out social projects in Germany.
