CHURCHES IN BRIEF" "
Ukraine: the churches with the citizens and the EU On December 13 a national symposium titled "Uniting Ukraine" was held in Kiev. The meeting, chaired by the first president of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, was attended by the president-in-office Viktor Yanukovich, former presidents Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko, prime minister Mykola Azarov, leader of the opposition, along with representatives of Christian Churches, including the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church (UGCC), represented by their leader Sviatoslav Shevchuk and his predecessor in office, cardinal Lubomyr Husar. His Beatitudine Sviatoslav Shevchuk – addressing Viktor Yanukovich – underlined that there cannot be a "language of arms". "Before the yearning of mutual understanding and of solving the crisis that has worsened futher, you should listen to the Ukranian people’s aspirations for European integration". "As regards the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church – the prelate added – it sides with those who want to live in a European Ukraine". The head of UGCC focused on the question of the persecution of students who take part in the EuroMaidan, including the Ukrainian Catholic University, owing to their overtly pro-European stand. "It’s necessary to put an end to this shameful practice immediately", Sviatoslav said. Patriarch Filarete, from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Patriarchate of Kiev, said that people "should not be deceived". In fact, "during the entire course of the year authorities made promises after promises to the Ukrainians on their European future, but when the time came to sign an association agreement with the EU, they failed to keep those promises". The representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Patriarchate of Moscow, Metropolitan Anthoniy of Boryspol and Brovary, said that Metropolitan Volodymyr is willing to open the doors of his home in the monastery of the Grotto of Kiev to contribute to the dialogue of the government with the opposition, so that "those holy walls may help Ukraine overcome the political crisis". Spain, children at the heart of the missions In this Christmas period, Pontifical Missionary Works – OMP – in Spain focus their attention on children with a new website on missionary childhood: www.infanciamisionera.es. The portal features information on missionary Advent, the "Sowers of stars" (thousands of children from all over Spain will announce Christmas to by-passers on behalf of the missionaries) and the Missionary Childhood Day, celebrated in Spain on January 26. "Children help children" is the theme chosen for the Day. OMP thus shows its "young" face, to explain that even children can be the protagonists of the mission. Activities, games, and news for children are available on the new website. As the holidays draw near, the Pontifical Missionary Works call upon the faithful to strengthen children’s awareness and knowledge of values such as solidarity and mutual sharing. After the Epiphany, the Pontifical Works on Missionary Childhood will be the main item of the website. Material for the campaign in preparation for the event of January 26 is also available for download. Initiatives for young Syrians in Austria for Christmas With a special Christmas campaign, Caritas and Austrian parishes will cooperate to help 10 thousand Syrian children refugees. The coordinator of Caritas support action abroad, Christoph Schweifer, presented the initiative. "When celebrating Christmas – he said – the birth of a child in the Middle-East, we must also remember those children who live there and experience a tragic situation". The situation in Syria is unsustainable with over seven million people evicted from their homes. "Half of them are children, most of whom are under 12". "There is an urgent need for shelter, blankets, clothing, heaters and fuel. And obviously of food". The Caritas campaign for Syrian children is also aimed at ensuring school attendance: afternoon lessons for the young pupils will be held with the help of Caritas Jordan. The archbishop of Vienna, cardinal Christoph Schönborn, and Caritas president Michael Landau, have written a joint letter calling for the commitment of the faithful. "We are fortunate enough to spend Christmas and the winter months in a safe Country, with our families, in a warm environment. Why not share some of our happiness by reducing the suffering of children in Syria and in neighbouring Countries?"
