DIALOGUE
Austria: Christians and Muslims for Europe In a statement released on June 26 by the Catholic news agency Kathpress the President of the Austrian Bishop’s Conference Cardinal Christoph Schönborn said that Austria must stand as an example of Muslim-Christian dialogue in Europe. The cardinal conveyed his hope on the occasion of the centenary since the adoption of the "Law on Islam" owing to the presence of Bosnian soldiers in the Austrian-Hungarian empire. For the anniversary cardinal Schönborn formulated his wishes also to the Muslim community in Austria, and notably to "all organizations and individuals committed in the promotion of constructive coexistence" since "Christians and Muslims mutually draw inspiration from and instil hope to each other". Cardinal Schönborn referred to passages from Second Vatican Council documents that refer to the freedom of religion and urged to consider Europe "a project of peace". "Christians and Muslims must jointly contribute to ensure that Europe is a continent open to culture, science, and social progress", the cardinal said, closing his address with a blessing to the Muslims in Austria. Ireland: a book on Christianity in the Country "This book is an archaeological excavation into the well of Irish Christianity. It provides a chronological rendering of the way we were to the way we are today", said Christy Kenneally, TV presenter, scriptwriter and author during the presentation of the volume "People and Places, Images and Texts" (ed. Veritas) held a few ago at St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth (Ireland). The volume is edited by Fr Brendan Leahy, Professor of Systematic Theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and the author of numerous publications, actively engaged in ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, and Salvador Ryan, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the same College, expert in late medieval and early modern popular religious belief. The book is a collection of 80 short articles written by a host of leading scholars from the worlds of history, liturgy, theology, philosophy, art history and Celtic studies. Contributors to the collection include Msgr. Hugh Connolly and Msgr. Richard Clarke, Jennifer O’Reilly, Martin McNamara. The articles, states a release from the press office of the Irish bishops "reflect on aspects of Christian tradition in Ireland from the fifth to the twenty-first century. Taking its cue from the theme of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, which took place in Ireland from the 10 17 June last, this collection places special emphasis on the relationship between Irish people and the Eucharist". "Irish Christianity continued Kenneally has not arrived. It is organic and evolving". "We, in the Irish Christian Churches have experienced a tsunami. Change that was gradual in other ages has come so quickly in ours that we hardly have time to assimilate one thing when the next thing is upon us". Info: www.veritas.ie.Taizé: the next pilgrimages of faith The Taizé community announced two appointments for the end of 2012. From November 14-18 international youth meeting will he held in Kigali, one of the destinations of the Pilgrimage of Faith on Earth begun by frère Roger. Several thousands of young people will convene from Ruanda and from other East African Countries. "The purpose of the meeting is written on the website of the community is to celebrate Christ, to go together to the fountainhead of faith and to the commitment in the Church and across society. The common prayer (with a time for meditative silence and chants), Biblical reflection, the sharing of experiences, the hosting families and the local Christian communities will be the highlights of the meeting". The program, which is already available, envisages visits and meetings with the "testimonies of hope", while the afternoon will be devoted to workshops and seminars and various themes (social issues, cultural presentations etc.) Participants aged 18 to 30 will be hosted by the families and by the local churches. The detailed program of the traditional New Year’s meeting, the 35th destination of the pilgrimage of faith, which this year will be held in Rome from December 28 2012 to January 2 2013, is already available. "Participating in Rome’s meeting means to pray, to sing and to remain silent in the city’s major basilicas; going to the sources of faith and love with youth from European countries and beyond; meeting the testimonies of the Gospel committed in responding to contemporary challenges; undertaking a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles and to the catacombs; meeting Benedict XVI and praying together for world peace and faith amongst human beings". Registrations will be possible as of September on www.taize.fr. Some Taizé brothers, along with some sisters of St. Andrew and a group of young volunteers from different Countries, will be in Rome from September 2012 to January 2013 to accompany the parishes and the religious communities in the preparations of the local program of the meeting, seeking to involve all Rome’s faithful in the meeting and host young pilgrims. During this period a center for the preparatory works will be opened in Rome. Every day a common prayer will be recited: "It will be the thread that will lead us from preparatory works to the European meeting".
