CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Germany: the Churches participate in the BerlinaleAlso this year German Churches will participate in the Berlinale, the German film festival ongoing (from February 9 to 19) in the German capital, with an international ecumenical jury chaired by evangelical pastor Angelika Obert. It’s the 21st time that the Churches participate with their own jury, called to select the best film from three movie categories. Msgr. Ulrich Neymeyr, auxiliary bishop of Mainz, is taking part on behalf of the German Catholic Church. German Church delegates underlined the theological and philosophical dimension of movie production. "For the Church, art has a central role, as it helps find the answers to questions regarding the human person", Msgr. Nyemeyr said on February 12, during the presentation of the Ecumenical Jury. "Films produce philosophy, and even theology, but with different tools, in a tangible way pertaining to visual communication", the bishop continued. "Movie productions should succeed in drawing close to real life. Films should tell us something about the world as it truly is, they must transmit a message on persons, on their conflicts, questions, fears and hopes". Petra Bahr, in charge of culture for the German Evangelical Church, highlighted the unifying force of films, especially at European level. "Movie productions contribute to cultural unity and to Europe’s identity. Here there are no abstract ideas. Movies tell stories capable of creating a common identity".Portugal: abortion, 80 thousand lives lost since 2007 According to a survey based on figures provided by the General Health Division, released by the Portuguese Life Federation (FPV), "over 80 thousand abortions have been carried out since 2007, on the decision of women, 13,500 of which were repeated more than once". Highlighting that "most women resort to pregnancy interruption as a result of a lack of true support", the president of the Catholic Association Isilda Pegado, said that "the Country should acknowledge and reflect on the terrible carnage resulting from the current legislation". The FAV representative pointed out that these figures contradict the security reasons propounded at the time by those who endorsed the decriminalization of abortion: "Experience shows that there are many complexities linked to legal abortion. Not only is it not a safe procedure. It is also increasingly being used as a contraceptive". "Abortion has become a common action, which we no longer question. This trend should be fought, since we cannot ignore that it is leading to the destruction of our society", Pegado pointed out. Eliminating human lives means destroying the social state, that can continue to exist only if society is capable of regeneration and of offering everyone dignified living conditions". At a time when the country is facing a difficult crisis, the FPV president criticised the provision providing for one month paid holidays and the payment of expenses to all women, even those in good financial situations. "Portuguese people voted in favour of decriminalization", Pegado concluded, "but they never approved subsidies and encouragement of abortion".Ukraine: year of remembrance of patriarch Josyf Slipyj56th session of the Synod of bishops of the Kyiv-Halych supreme Archbishopric of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) was held on 8-9 February, in Lviv-Briukhovychi. Its main theme was "Parish as a community of prayer". It was preceded by a brotherly meeting with Roman Catholic bishops acting in the Ukrainian territory. After the first working session of the Synod, a joint prayer was conducted to open the Year of remembrance of patriarch Josyf Slipyj, on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth. In this context, proposals for its celebration from representatives of the UGCC, state authorities and local government bodies were reviewed. The participants approved the text of the pastoral address of the Synod and decided to organize a piltrimage to Zarvanytsia in 2012 on this occasion.Slovakia: 20 years of the Christian center for the deafChristian center for the deaf in Slovakia commemorates the 20th anniversary of its establishment this year. The institution plans to celebrate it with wide range of activities. "Pastoral of the deaf is not only about catechesis for children with this handicap, we need to orientate our efforts also towards other groups like adolescents, young people who want to have family, parents who have problems with raising their deaf children, seniors", explained Frantisek Bartos, responsible for pastoral care in this area, emphasizing the need to help the handicapped find a dignified place within the Church, not just as "passive objects of charitable activities" but as people who can contribute significantly to the development of life of the Church and whole society. Among planned activities there will be a cultural evening in the Diocesan center of John Paul II in Banska Bystrica, pilgrimage to Lecce to the sanctuary of St. Philippe Smaldone – patron of the deaf-mute, and stay for families with handicapped children at a health resort.
