CHURCHES IN BRIEF " "
Ukraine: controversial bill off the tableThe Ukrainian Parliament did not consider the bill on discrimination in Ukraine on 14 May. Upon the request of the head of the Party of Regions faction, Oleksandr Yefremov, it was excluded from the agenda. Heads of Churches and religious organizations earlier addressed Ukrainian deputies, president Viktor Yanukovych, prime minister and other authorities with the request to do everything possible to prevent the adoption of Bill 2342 “On making alterations to certain legislative acts of Ukraine to prevent and combat discrimination in Ukraine”, in order to protect the traditional family values and institute of family. Bill 2342 introduces at the legislative level the notion of “sexual orientation” and envisages civil, administrative and criminal responsibility for various forms of discrimination. It also allows interpretation of the Church’s traditional attitude towards homosexuality as discrimination. The Christian Churches in Ukraine are concerned that the legislative changes are aimed at protecting sexual minorities to the extent that citizens who speak publically in favor of the traditional family can be prosecuted. “The Church does not accept the introduction of certain laws that would establish as a basic human right that which is against human nature and defined by God as a grave sin, in particular, laws promoting same-sex relationships by recognizing rights for marriage, declaring such relations as completely normal, fostering in the society positive attitudes toward them and imposing restrictions and penalties for criticizing immoral lifestyles”, stated the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its attitude is shared by whole All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.Slovakia: harmonization of family and work lifeA two-day international conference dedicated to the topic of harmonization of famiy and work life took place in Castá Papiernicka on 10-11 May under the patronage of Anna Záborská, member of the European Parliament and Ján Podmanický, president of the National Council Committee for Social Matters. The aim of the event was to offer proposals for development of family policy in Slovakia and prepare the outcomes for the 20th anniversary of the International Family Day declared by the United Nations. The conference is the third in a range of events on this occasion. “We can’t speak about harmonization of family and work life if we discriminate the family”, explains Anna Záborská, adding that the emphasis should be put on simplification of return of women to work, as well as on appreciation of so-called “invisible work of women, mothers at home” which should be rewarded also financially. Former president of the Statistical Office of Slovak Republic, Peter Mach, spoke about alarming demographic situation in the country and young families with children which represent economically most endangered group of inhabitants. Michal Dyttert from the Business Leaders Forum emphasized an importance of positive attitude of employers towards families, pointing to the fact that “companies should realize that satisfied employee who is given space to take care of his family properly, offers better working output”.Czech Republic: invitation to follow Christ Bishop of Hradec Králové, Mons. Jan Vokál, addressed youth of his diocese with a pastoral letter on the occasion of the forthcoming end of a school year, when many of them “think of a future direction of their life” after passing a school leaving exam. Mons. Vokál writes about crisis of marriage and family, chidren growing without love and lack of spiritual vocations, about unwilingness of people to commit and take over responsibility for their deeds. “Many people loose the sense of their lives and fall into despair”, continues the prelate, suggesting that Jesus Christ might be an answer for young people looking for direction of their life and a way to avoid uncertainty and crisis present in contemporary world. “Don’t be afraid to walk with courage against the stream, for example in a situation when you seek a partner to share your life with, and daily pray for right and responsible decision. With this courage offer whole your life to Christ and let yourselves be led towards the vocation he has prepared for you”, invites Mons. Vokál, exhorting youth to listen to the God’s will without compromises also in regard to vocation to priestly and religious life. “Also in our diocese we need courageous young men who are willing to accept this great gift. It’s even more actual these days at the end of May when it’s possible to put in a claim for priestly formation”, concludes the bishop.
