CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Portugal: “responsibility and common sense from the EU”With reference to the recent summit in Brussels, that produced a new agreement to strengthen budget regulations of European states, the bishop of Oporto said he hopes that the meeting will deliver “results marked by utmost common sense and responsibility”. “I hope that the reasons for preserving the EU and the single currency are sufficiently strong, aimed at the common good”, Msgr. Manuel Clemente told the press. A more critical evaluation was expressed by the bishop Emeritus of Setúbal, Msgr. Manuel Martins, for whom Europe is in agonizing condition: “the cohesion of Europe’s social realms has never existed, and therefore nothing changes in the substance. An earthquake was needed to radically change the consciences of those with the greatest governing responsibilities”. For Francisco Sarsfield Cabral, expert in European economic affairs, the agreement should be considered “a positive – albeit limited – step”, marked by a “negative tone”, notably, “Germany’s refusal to increase the financial stability fund to prevent speculations to the detriment of Italy and Spain”. In particular, CISDE, the international network of Catholic development agencies, urged European leaders “to enforce a taxation system on financial transactions in euro zone countries”, in order to boost effective response to the problems linked to the ongoing economic situations. In a release to Ecclesia agency, the organism’s 16 Catholic agencies for the development of Europe and North America, which includes the Portuguese Faith and Cooperation foundation (FEC), supported with determination “the need for a stronger financial regulations and fiscal cooperation across the European Union”.Slovakia: survey on volunteeringVolunteering can bring more than just a good feeling or an experience for the future profession – reveal the results of the research pursued by the Movement of Christian Children’s Communities (MCCC) on the occasion of the European year of volunteering. 513 people of all areas of the MCCC volunteering activities were interviewed about their motivation, positive and negative aspects of their work. Meaningfulness of volunteering (71%), belief that it’s important to do something for children (54%), having fun through helping others (51%), or simply liking children (49%) were the main reasons of being involved in volunteering activities of MCCC. Motivation of gaining experiences was left far behind with only 30%, proving that “voluntary work is more about feelings of heart than a matter of reason”, say the coordinators of the research. 44% of respondents have experienced appreciation for their efforts, only 8% witnessed indifference, 4% lack of understanding and 4% problematic communication. Young volunteers of the Movement of Christian Children’s Communities have taken care of 500 children’s groups in 250 towns and villages during 2011. These days they help with preparation of the 17th edition of the Good News carolling project for Christmas. Last year 26.000 carollers visited households in all the parishes in Slovakia, collecting more than 800.000 euro for development projects in african countries.Slovenia: “three peoples” at the Alps bordersOn December 9 the Slovenian city of Ljubljana staged the meeting of the bishops of the dioceses bordering with the Alps, Gurk-Klagenfurt (Austria), Udine (Italy) and Ljubljana (Slovenia). The Metropolitan Archbishop of Ljubljana, Msgr. Anton Stres, hosted the meeting. Msgr. Andrea Bruno Mazzocato, representing the diocese of Udine, and Msgr. Alois Schwartz, representative of the diocese Gurk-Klagenfurt, attended the meeting during which, states a release issued by the Slovenian Bishops’ Conference, (www.rkc.si), the prelates underlined “the historical, cultural, and social relevance of the event” titled “Meeting of Three Peoples”, held each year since 1982 in the Marian shrine of the diocese. The purpose of the meeting is “to promote the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the Slovenian, Italian and Austrian people. From a wider perspective, in fact it is the peaceful coexistence of all the peoples of Europe”. For the bishops, “in a Europe that lies at the heart of important historical crossroads”, to meet in the Marian shrines, “under Mary’s protecting mantle, means to coexist like sisters and brothers. This is the spirit of the event conceived almost twenty years ago, during “Europe’s construction”, as described by the then bishop of Gurk-Klagenfurt, and bishop of Graz Msgr. Egon Kapellari. It is an initiative to show other peoples that three ‘families’ can coexist for over 1200 years with success in full mutual respect”.
