CHURCHES IN BRIEF
WYD Poland: final vigil in Blonia’s esplanade Blonia’s Esplanade, near the city’s historical centre, is set to be the venue of the vigil and final Mass of the 2016 WYD in Krakow, Fr Robert Tirala, executive director of the local organizing committee of Poland’s WYG told SIR. “The area extends for approximately 100 hectars – the priest explained -; larger than Copacabana in Rio. In the previous visitations by John Paul II and Benedict XVI some 2 and-a-half million people gathered there. We are planning to welcome an equal number of youths, and even more.” All 44 dioceses in the Country, parishes and facilities – gymnasiums, schools, camping’s, hostels – will be made available for this purpose along with increased transportation, especially in Krakow, that doesn’t have a metro line.” “The organization – pointed out Fr Tirala – will also be spiritual and it will involve all local churches. The formation of volunteers will be primarily pastoral and it will include competitions for the best logo, of which some proposals have already been presented, and for the hymn.” Registration for the event will be activated soon. Bulgaria: tolerance, a recognition to Caritas Caritas Bulgaria has been awarded the “Shofar” Prize by the Jewish community in recognition of its contribution to ethnic and religious tolerance in the Country. The Prize has been presented to the president of the charity, Msgr. Petko Christov, bishop of Nicopolis, during a ceremony for the “Shofar” awards, held a few days ago in the Jewish Centre of Sofia, to the presence of political authorities, intellectuals and scientists, as well as members of the Jewish community. Caritas has been selected among other five candidates in the same category that included journalists and personalities actively committed for the promotion of ethnic tolerance and support to the poor and needy persons. “We have decided to award Caritas – said Maksim Benvenisti, president of the Organization of Bulgarian Jews “Shalom” – for the help it gives to everyone, regardless of their religion or ethnic origin. We have witnessed their commitment with Syrian refugees, arrived in large numbers in Bulgaria.” “The award is a thrust to step up our commitment in support of all those in need”, Msgr. Petko Hristov told SIREurope. He added: “I hope that also local authorities will acknowledge our commitment as unfortunately cooperation in many areas of the Country is still insufficient.” Portugal: the Church and 40th anniversary of democracy Ahead of commemorations marking the 40th anniversary of the “Carnation Revolution” of April 25 1974, Msgr. Vitor Feytor Pinto, spokesperson of the Portuguese bishops at the time, recalled the “serene and negotiating” approach of the Catholic Church during the reinstatement of democracy with the fall of the fascist dictatorship installed by Antonio Salazar in 1926, continued by Marcelo Caetano. “The bishops accompanied the unfolding of events with serenity, confiding that the best solution would be found for a Country that was experiencing a major divide at national level”, said the elderly priest. The revolution broke out while Portuguese prelates were gathered in their ordinary assembly in Fatima. In a statement released at the end of that meeting the bishops conveyed “full awareness of the repercussions of the military uprising on the life of the Country, turning their prayers to God and appealing to the civic virtues of Catholics and of all men and women of good will.” The following May 4, in a pastoral note, the episcopate called upon the population to cooperate for the establishment of peace and understanding: “We share the population’s anxieties and hopes in the present time, and within our province, we pledge to contribute to the building of a social order based on justice, freedom, love and peace”, the document stated. Msgr. Pinto recalls the Church’s intervention in the transition towards democracy, “especially through Catholic laity”; and underlined the major role played by Catholic Action’s Central committee, of which he was a member: “in the hope that the regime’s fall would restore sound relations between people, so they might finally enjoy the freedom they rightly deserved.”
