France, Italy

France: a reflection in view of presidential elections"We cannot content ourselves with promises". Our society must undergo a "true change, a radical renewal. More than ever today we need hope and a political leadership that will embody this hope, that will provide a clear direction, proposing coherent and fair social, economic, moral and ecological measures". In the framework of the upcoming presidential elections of April 22 (first round of voting) and May 6 (second round of voting), the bishop of Cahors, Msgr. Norbert Turini, proposed a brief reflection (the integral document available on www.eglise.catholique.fr). Recalling that voting "is the duty of all citizens". "The Church does not indicate how the vote should go", he said. However, her "mission" is "to enlighten consciences in the respect of everyone’s freedom of vote". The bishop thus referred to the document released past October by the permanent council of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF): "Elections: a vote for which society?" "By voting, individuals in a certain way express their views on what kind of society they want for themselves, for their offspring and for their Country". For the prelate "elections will take place at a time of global crisis, whose consequences are lingering on". It is a time when "our political leaders, including the highest levels of state leadership, irrespective of political allegiance, are called to address a plethora of challenges". However, "elections also constitute an opportunity for a conscience examination aimed at identifying areas that require a change in mentality. Political power, as all forms of power, has its limits, and the outcome of the elections makes no exception. We mustn’t expect more than we can give. And mostly, it should not be idealized". "The ongoing crisis – continues Msgr. Turini – has made us understand that being at the lead of a State is not enough to solve all political and social problems, nor does it fulfil our dreams of wellbeing, and material security". Indeed, the crisis is a reminder that "all citizens are co-responsible with their political leaders for the future of their Country". Ultimately, while reiterating that the bishops do not endorse political candidates, the bishop invited the faithful to stay informed on the political stand of the various parties on issues regarding beginning and end of life, the family and education. Themes regarding "the urban centre and the banlieue", the environment, economy and justice, migration, handicaps, "the European building", laicity (State-Church relations) are key-elements to make a choice with discernment. Italy: social-political formation on the increaseIn Italy there are currently 96 social and political formations (including schools). Figures register an increase over the past years "marking a growing need for guidance on the ongoing difficult situation of Italian society, its governability", and "to identify ethical benchmarks and acquire the tools to understand social and economic dynamics". The statement is contained in the first report of the Observatory of the Lanza Foundation in Padua, presented in Rome on the occasion of the conference "Educating to responsible citizenship" (March 2-3), organized by the Office for Social Affairs and Employment and by the Service for Cultural projects of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. "There is a vital need for a culture of the common good and collective social responsibility", said CEI secretary general, Msgr. Mariano Crociata, in his opening address. "In this period, social and political formation should be aimed at providing tools for knowledge and discernment, in the light of the social doctrine of the Church but from a specific perspective", namely, by extending our glance beyond the crisis "to imagine and identify the conditions leading to its overcoming", he added. According to the bishop, the purpose of school establishment "is not political formation". Rather, schools are tasked with enhancing the "individual awareness" of "all faithful". Nonetheless, he said, "they act as a breeding ground that might be unique, as those who feel motivated to serve society through political action" become aware "of the need to bring to maturity their own vocation in an ecclesial path" providing "tools of scientific knowledge and enlightened judgement of faith", enabling the just discernment for the most appropriate choices". Over half of the initiatives surveyed by the Lanza Foundation (57 out of 96) were set up less than ten years ago, "35 of which in the past five years". Schools, "the main expression of dioceses", are "often the result of cooperation with local Catholic bodies".