CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Slovakia: president met with diplomatic corpsApostolic nuncio of the Holy See to Slovakia, Mons. Mario Giordana, delivered an official speech on behalf of the diplomatic corps during their traditional New Year´s meeting with president Ivan Gasparovic, on 15 January in Bratislava. Mons. Giordana expressed the most sincere congratulations on the happy occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the independence of the Slovak Republic. He pointed to the fact that the year 2012 was marked by global crisis that affected lives of citizens in many countries, especially in the social, political and economic area. But at the same time, he stressed that "even if also Slovakia has been affected by these global conditions, we can say that there are some fundaments that give us hope for positive development in the future". "It is our sincere hope", continued the representative of the Holy See, "that all the good intentions will be joined in order to consolidate the fundamental values that underlie a democratic life, values such as the defense of freedom and fundamental rights of each human person". Mons. Giordana and other representatives of the diplomatic corps expressed their deep satisfaction about the "progressive and fruitful inclusion of the Republic not only in the Europe – where Slovakia is now a member fully integrated – but also at the international and global level". The speech concluded with a wish that the "creative forces of this country may come together in a joint effort to meet the challenges that sometimes are blocking the creation of the common good for all the citizens".Ukraine: prayers for "spiritual revolution"On 14 January, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Sviatoslav Shevchuk, visited Zarvanytsia to pray for Ukraine. In the Cathedral of the Mother of God of Zarvanytsia he presided over a hierarchical liturgy in concelebration with metropolitans Vasyl of Ternopil, Volodymyr of Ivano-Frankivsk, eparch Dmytro of Buchach and many priests. "We would like to ask our Heavenly Patroness to pray for our nation, which is God’s inheritance", said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. According to the Information Department of the UGCC, the hierarch expressed a wish that this year should become a time for the "revival of the faith of the Ukrainian nation" and that it should feel the "great inheritance received from its predecessors". "Baptism should become a great spiritual revolution in our lands", like at the times of St. Volodymyr, concluded head of the UGCC.Czech republic: first results of Epiphany collectionAn "Epiphany collection" which took place on 2 – 14 January in all parishes of Czech republic to raise the money for the people in difficult life situations, has its first results. One third of the collection boxes has been already opened and the outcome gives a reason to be optimistic, say the representatives of the Caritas Czech republic. So far, the amount collected is over 26 millions CZK (1 million Euro) and there are hopes that the final result will exceed the last year´s 75 million. The money will be used for the establishment of therapeutic workshops for people with mental diseases; purchase of medical equipment; support of activities of the Center for socially disadvantaged persons; or for the purchase of a vehicle for the transport of physically and mentally handicaped people. For more information: www.trikralovasbirka.cz.
