CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Germany: Catholics and Evangelicals on the Rio+20The German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) and the Council of the German Evangelical Church (EKD) made known a joint press release on the imminent United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) Rio+20, scheduled in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June. In the document, the two German Churches made an appeal to the Federal government and MEPS to take action and foster sustainability and development in a "juridical framework" for the development of green economy. 20 years after the first climate summit in Rio, DBK and EKD stated that more actions would be necessary to face environmental and climate problems. Moreover, "the necessary change of trend in favour of sustainable development has still to be accomplished", said the Churches. In this respect, "industrialised countries are particularly responsible since they use more resources than the ones available". Finally, the document recalls responsibility of politicians as well as single individuals, with respect to sustainable development: "As Christians, we must take actions to firmly connect the principle of sustainability to social action and personal lifestyle".Belarus: Catholic-Orthodox Forum in 2014 Minsk will become the "ecumenical capital" of Europe in 2014, the website of the Roman Catholic Church of Belarus reported. The decision was made during the III Catholic-Orthodox Forum held in Lisbon on the invitation of Patriarch Filaret, metropolitan of Minsk and Sluzk and patriarchal exarch of all Belarus. "We see the choice of Minsk as the venue for this prestigious Forum, that many cities wanted to host, as an acknowledgement of the good relations between Catholics and Orthodox in Belarus at the European level, and a sign of respect towards our country", said Mons. Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, metropolitan archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev. The exact date and main topic of the IV Catholic-Orthodox Forum are yet to be confirmed.Ukraine: Euro 2012 "an occasion for meeting""I pray for countries, teams, players, fans, so that the true passion for the game and this international arena become an occasion for a good meeting, for a positive emotional relief from stress and tension", said the rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Borys Gudziak, expressing satisfaction with the atmosphere that is prevailing in Lviv during Euro 2012. "In the last few years, the city both subconsciously and consciously prepared for this event and it is very open to its residents and guests", affirms Gudziak hoping that the championship will offer people not only good matches but also a sense of closeness, true unity and joy. As he said in an interview for the Religious Information Service of Ukraine, creativity is stimulated when people from different cultures and with different mentalities meet. "Why do millions of people love sports? Because it is an easy way to explain the metaphor of human life – personal and collective competition for excellence", reflects the rector, expressing optimism in regard to the advancement of the Ukraine’s national team.Slovakia: plenary session of the Bishops’ ConferencePreparations for the celebration of the Year of Ss. Cyril and Methodius; activities of the Council for the Slovaks living abroad; and preparations for the National Youth Meeting: those are the topics planned for the 72nd plenary session of the Bishops’ Conference of Slovakia, due to take place on 18-20 June. The prelates will approve a pastoral letter on the occasion of the opening of the Year of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, and discuss the statute of the Association of Catholic Schools of Slovakia and of the Commission for Catechesis and Education of the Bishops’ Conference. Attention will also focus on the information about the pilgrimage of the merciful image of the Virgin Mary in the dioceses of the country. The program will include a meeting with the presidents of the conferences of major superiors of men and women religious in Slovakia.
