CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Germany: Msgr. Zollitsch opens the plenary assemblyThe Catholic Church cannot withdraw from the world, said Msgr. Robert Zollitsch, president of the German Bishops’ Conference, during the inaugural Mass of the bishops’ plenary meeting, celebrated the evening of February 27 in Regensburg. "Christians in this world and in this society don’t simply live. We are called to a commitment", he added. "Concretely, it consists in serving others", explained Msgr. Zollitsch, referring to the parable of the Good Samaritan and to the theme of the dialogue process inside the Church: "Diakonia: our responsibility in free society". "Christians are called to give a human face to society", the Archbishop underlined, quoting from Benedict XVI’s Encyclical "Deus Caritas est". However, Msgr. Zollitsch added, "As a pilgrim Church we don’t have a fixed homeland in this world". Instead, "we are headed towards the goal that God has assigned for us". As relates to the dialogue process inside the Church, Msgr. Zollitsch highlighted the importance of "a receptive Church" in order to find "the strength and the right words to bear personal witness to our faith". The dialogue inside the Church is a major theme addressed during the plenary meeting of German bishops. Portugal: the bishops prepare a document on EuropeIn the press conference held at the end of the monthly meeting of the permanent Council of the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP), the Secretary, Msgr. Manuel Morujão, announced that the bishops are preparing two new documents. The first is dedicated to Europe, the second to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The papers will be released during the Plenary Meeting in April. With the pastoral letter titled "Unity of Europe, a civilization project", the Portuguese Church intends to "manifest the will to be involved in the process for the solution to the ongoing economic crisis". "Europe is our home, an open Europe with global horizons", explained the Jesuit priest, for whom, at a time when European unity is being questioned, "It is necessary to step up the reasons and values that provide foundations to that common bond. The idea of Portugal outside of Europe is unconceivable". The CEP secretary added that the bishops intend to present "proposals that encompassing the constitutive values of an open and plural Europe, that cannot be identified solely with the single currency or financial problems, but which should recover dynamisms in order to meet individuals’ concrete needs". The second document will focus on the theme of the Second Vatican Council, on the occasion of its opening on October 11, with the intention of "celebrating the renewal of the Church and her placement in the world, fruit of this extraordinary assembly that brought together 2500 bishops". Msgr. Morujão made known that the elimination of two religious festivities from the civil calendar proposed by the Portuguese government continues being negotiated in the joint Committee provided for in the Concordat, whilst awaiting for the final decision by the Holy See, admitting also the possibility of delays in its implementation.Slovakia-Czech Republic: common projectsCelebration of the 1150th anniversary of arrival of St. Cyril and Methodius to the region of Great Moravia, preparation of joint session of the Bishops’ conferences of Slovakia and Czech republic, relations between Church and state, questions of new evangelization these were the topics of the meeting of the Permanent councils of both Bishops’ conferences, that took place on 23 February in Bratislava, under the guidance of their presidents cardinal Dominik Duka, archbishop of Prague, and Mons. Stanislav Zvolensky, archbishop of Bratislava. Prelates pointed to the fact that both Churches are "very close in many dimensions and traditional joint meetings bring an opportunity for mutual exchange of pastoral experiences and for discussion of common projects". Special attention was paid to preparation of the Year of St. Cyril and Methodius, with plans to publish anthology of poetry and prose on life and mission of both saints and other events on various levels of life of the society. Political and religious representatives of both countries have invited pope Benedict XVI. to visit the region and participate at celebrations. Official response from the Holy See hasn’t been received yet.
