Germany, Austria, Portugal

Germany: fear of tests for the selection of human life The auxiliary bishop of Augsburg, Msgr. Anton Losinger, guarded against the consequences of a prenatal trisomy testing planned by a biotechnologies company in the Country. "I share the fear of the associations for the disabled who claim that the test risks selecting human life", said Msgr. Losinger on July 6. "The test for pregnant women leads us to predict with great accuracy whether the child is affected by trisomy 21. And there is a great danger that the test may have a propulsive effect on the refusal of embryos" with trysomy 21, warned Msgr. Losinger, who is also a member of the German Ethics Council, called to convey his views on ethical questions, including euthanasia. According to the bishop, "soon it will be possible to carry out a screening of all chromosomes to the price of a pen drive, and this entails a higher risk for the life of children who are born with genetic defects". "Already today" said Msgr. Losinger, "statistics of the associations for the disabled show that some 90% of suspect cases of trisomy lead to decide on the death of the embryo". "Human embryo selection on the basis of genetic criteria violates the high commandment on the respect of human dignity", the bishop remarked, underlining that "also and especially those with genetic anomalies have the dignity and right to live".Austria: economy and values of the social doctrine The Church and the economy in High Austria share the values of Catholic social doctrine and eco-social economy. This is the key-concept that emerges in the joint document on the theme "Christian values and responsible economy as a basis for the wellbeing and social security" presented on July 9 in Linz by Msgr. Ludwig Schwarz, bishop of the diocese, by Rudolf Trainer, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and by Klaus Pöttinger, president of the Association of Industrialist Länder. The document is the outcome of a one-year and-a-half dialogue on the themes of economy and social ethics. "The first economic preoccupation is the wellbeing of individuals and the purpose of economy is to make available goods and services for individuals and society as a whole", states the five-page document, whose signatories highlight the importance of "eco-social market economy that recognizes and respects opportunities as well as ecologic and social limitations". "The family as the pillar of society" must be further acknowledged". For this purpose "special importance" must be given to work-free Sunday, "as a special moment for human encounter and social life". The document will be issued in the economic world and will be further developed at national level. In the following stages, as reiterated by the signatories, the dialogue will be continued involving also other Christian Churches.Portugal: the Church recommends realism to the Troika Speaking in Fatima on July 10 upon the conclusion of the Permanent Council, the secretary of the Portuguese Bishops’ Conference (CEP), Msgr. Manuel Morujão, affirmed that "the Troika leaders must examine the country’s situation with realism", and asked that their intervention may favour "the creation of a climate of hope". "Without faith and hope, it is impossible to determine working conditions, seriousness, and commitments, in which everyone feels involved for the resolution of the crisis", declared the spokesperson of the bishops. The next mission in Portugal of European Union and International Monetary Fund officials, scheduled for August 28, will be aimed at finding joint solutions with the government, in execution of the economic recovery program ongoing in the Country. "Whatever can benefit those who most suffer the consequences of the adopted measures will be welcomed, not only by society, but also by the Church", added Msgr. Morujão: "The bishops follow the situation with great concern and demand special attention especially to the poor and to weak people in society". The CEP secretary admitted that "support of social institutions that provide concrete help to those in difficulty is decreasing", and said he hopes that the government will define programs capable of meeting situations that have become serious: "The Troika – concluded the spokesperson of Portuguese bishops – must enable the Portuguese to start envisaging a light at the end of the tunnel".