CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Germany: solidarity towards persecuted Christians A few days ago the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) presented the new document: "Solidarity towards persecuted and oppressed Christians in our times": a 16-page publication whose present issue focuses on Egypt and on the daily difficulties experienced by the Christian population, with information on the situation of religious freedom after the "Arab spring". As referred by DBK on November 29, the presentation was attended by Msgr. Ludwig Schick, president of the DBK Commission for the universal Church, the bishop of Assiut, administrator of the Copt-Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria, Kyrillos William Samaan, and Klaus Krämer, president of the organization "Missio Aachen". With this document, said Msgr. Schick, "the Church wishes to raise the awareness of ecclesial communities and of societies over those Christians in need of prayers and support as a result of persecution and yoke". The archbishop said that preoccupation for Christians in the Countries of the Arab Spring is growing worse: "It seems that Christians are not among those who drew advantage from the new freedom", he said, reiterating that "the respect of religious freedom, that touches the heart of fundamental beliefs of man, and which is based on human dignity, can’t be questioned by arbitrary decisions by the states". Bishop Kyrillos drew an overview of episodes whereby the hopes "in an era of change and democracy" have been overshadowed by events that justify, at least in part", Christians’ concerns. "Religious freedom, along with the rights of individuals, should once more gain centre stage. Love for our neighbour and hope are the arms of Christians", he said. Krämer pointed out that "over the past weeks president Morsi assured the Copt Patriarch that Christians would enjoy equal rights, along with all other citizens". With caution this could be considered a sign of progress in the right direction". "We believe that a faith lived in freedom, that recognises the dignity of persons with all the rights attached – he concluded – is a decisive element for the peaceful future of Egypt". Slovakia: a candle for unborn childrenMore than 54,000 Euro have been collected during this year’s campaign "Candle for unborn children", organized by the Forum for Life in Slovakia. Almost 470 Catholic parishes participated in the project which culminated on the day of Commemoration of All Faithful Departed, 2 November. "The money raised by the sale of 90,000 symbolic candles with the logo of the campaign will be used for the support of initiatives and projects focused on the protection of life from conception until natural death and the promotion of the family", explains Marcela Dobesová, president of the Forum for Life, a civil association gathering 43 pro-life organizations and institutions all over the country. "We would like to thank not only for the financial contribution but also for all the prayers of those who care about the lost lives of unborn children who died as a result of natural or artificial abortion", continues Dobesová, expressing hope that this campaign will inspire the whole public sphere to reflect on this topic. Belgium: person out of five is poorBelgian parishes standing to fight youth poverty. The initiative is promoted by "Action Vivre Ensemble", as association that fights social exclusion and supports projects that promote social bonding, participation and active citizenship. Supported by the Belgian bishops, every year in the run-up to Christmas, it organises a fund raising event in the parishes. This year, the fund raising event will take place on 15th and 16th December and will aim at making young people’s voice listened to, by reporting a number of alarming figures. In Belgium, 22% of young people aged 16 to 24 live on an income that is under the breadline, and one out of three is unemployed in Brussels and in the Walloon region. Those who have found a job are called the "1000-euro Generation". Another worrying fact is that 65% of young people think they are not going to live better than their parents and will have trouble finding a place in society. Education is equally unfair: on one side there are the elite schools, and on the other side there are the schools mostly attended by students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The funds raised will be given to organisations that work for young people, such as "Eft" (corporate training through work), Aft (training through work), hostels, youth groups and centres, community associations. Info: www.vivre-ensemble.be.Hungary: christian radios "on the waves of friendship""On the waves of friendship" is the title of a project run in the frame of a long-time cooperation between two Catholic media – the Szent István Radio from Hungary and the Lumen Radio from Slovakia. Representatives of both institutions met in Miskolc (Hungary) on 1 December, to discuss several topics of common interest. Participants of the meeting listened to the lecture of Iren Szabó, director of the St. Elizabeth House in Sárospatak, who introduced the project "Pilgrimage route of St. Elizabeth" finished in 2011, which connected Sárospatak and the Slovak city of Kosice. The program also included a presentation of pastoral-educational center in Kosice, Eger wine road, and missionary activities in Slovak parishes. The next meeting will take place on Palm Sunday 2013 in Banská Bystrica. The aim of the project uniting Hungary and Slovakia is to "deepen mutual knowledge of both nations and to offer up-to-date information about their lives".
