Ireland, Belgium, Albania

Ireland: “a heart-breaking story””It is a heart-breaking story. I express my deepest sympathy to Savita’s husband for the loss of his wife and their child”. These are the words that Martin Long, one of the spokesmen of the Irish Bishops Conference, said today to Sir Europe about the case of Savita Halappanavar, the Irish woman of Indian descent who died of septicaemia in the university hospital of Galway after doctors had denied her a pregnancy-interruption when she was 17 week pregnant. “Two investigations have been initiated on this case – Long added – and until they are concluded no further remarks should be made”. In Ireland, Savita’s death has rekindled controversy about the laws on abortion, which is still illegal in the country, except when the mother’s life is at risk. A position has been taken by the bishop of Killala, Jonh Flemming, who, on the pages of the “Irish Times”, recalls that the Irish Constitution acknowledges the “unborn baby’s right to life” and ensures “equal right for the mother’s life”, with the “clear intention”, therefore, to “protect and love the mother’s life and the life of her unborn child in the same way”. In this respect, the bishop points out that “Ireland, which outlaws abortion, is deemed to be one of the safest in the world for expectant mothers”. “It is something we should be proud of and it is a tribute to the excellent care provided by hospital staff, who treat both the mother and the unborn child with equal dignity and respect as people in their full right. Of course – the bishop goes on -, if the mother’s life is in danger because of some illness or other medical condition, then the medical staff wil ensure that the mother receives all the required medical attention”. The Irish pro-life movement too, through its president Ruth Cullen, expresses “heart-felt condolences to Savita Halappanavar’s husband and family”. “It is deplorable – Cullen adds – that someone may exploit the tragic death of Ms Halappanavar, when medical directives are very clear about the fact that full medical attention must be provided to expectant mothers. Saying this, we welcome the fact that an extensive investigation has been opened to find out what went wrong in this case”. And she adds: “It is vitally important to acknowledge right now that Ireland, without induced abortion, is deemed by the United Nations and by the World Health Organization to be the world leader in the protection of expectant women and is one of the safest places, like Great Britain and Holland, in which abortion is largely available”.Belgium: “Ongoing difficulties””Our country is facing major social disruption which is affecting all regions” and “has very painfully hit the Flanders over the last few days”. This was said this morning by Msgr. André-Joseph Léonard, Primate of Belgium and archbishop of Malines-Brussels, in the homily for the traditional Te Deum, officiated in the Cathedral of Saints Michel-et-Gudule on the occasion of the “Fête du Roi”. After expressing “deep sympathy with all those workers who have lost or might lose their jobs”, Msgr. Léonard mentioned the political troubles that the country is experiencing as it tries to form a new federal government. Such work could be resumed, he said, speaking of Albert II, “because of our king’s inspired wisdom”, but “problems remain”. According to the archbishop, “Christian love has a social, political and economic dimension too” on which people’s lives “largely depend”. Companies, he went on, “look for a legitimate profit”, which is vital “to their survival” and therefore “to workers’ welfare”. But when one aims at reaping “the highest profit” quickly, “carelessly getting rid of men and women who have devoted a significant part of their lives to the company’s good operation”, Msgr. Léonard warned, “the true social and economic love is violated”.Albania: final statement of the bishops’ plenary”For the Catholic Church, the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the country’s independence will be an opportunity to give thanks and pray for our home country and for all those people who have contributed to its building and development over the last 100 years”. This is written in the final release from the general assembly of the Albanian Bishops Conference (CEA), gathered in Tirana from 13th to 15th November. The bishops announced that, on Sunday 25th November, the Feast of Christ the King, every parish of the country “will celebrate a day of prayer for our home country” to commemorate the last words of the martyrs killed by communism: “Praise be to Christ the King, Long live Albania”. During their plenary assembly, the bishops also spoke of the celebration of the Year of Faith, when initiatives will be held to “bring faith back into people’s lives”. One of such initiatives is a symposium, on 27th April 2013, to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, and the visit and blessing of the families. In addition, the Albanian Bishops Conference gave its seal of approval to the new Missal translated according to the “Editio Typica II” that will be submitted to the Holy See for approval. The bishops, accompanied by the Minister of Culture, have visited the case that contains the so-called so-called Missal of Gjon Buzuku (1555), the first evidence of written Albanian language. At the end of the meeting, the prelates wrote a letter to Benedict XVI to express their gratitude and closeness and to ask for his apostolic blessing.