CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Poland: Caritas and Allegro, online solidarity auction To help one million children in situations of indigence: it is the purpose of the online auction promoted for the first time in Poland by the Caritas of the archdiocese of Poznan (http://www.caritaspoznan.pl/) and by the portal Allegro. The initiative “A backpack of smiles”, in the framework of the programme titled “Share your joy with others”, is a pilot project aimed at collecting funds to subsidize school material for students from poor families who will start school in September. “We have decided to promote this project” seeking “new ways to promote solidarity”, said Monsignor Stanislaw Gadecki, archbishop of Poznan, a few months ago elected President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. “Internet is an extensive reality which can bring positive effects in the communication between people”, the prelate added, convinced that “we want to make the most of it sharing joy, thanks to the Internet, in real life”. Although the bishop never participated in an online auction, he said he intends to “do so soon”. The director of the diocesan Caritas, Fr Waldemar Hanas, pointed out that the “Sharing our joy” project fulfils the invitation of Pope Francis to “seek in the streets new ways for charity” and “to go to those places that have been neglected up to now”. Slovakia: Nitra joins “Cultural journey of Ss. Cyril and Methodius”The Nitra region in Slovakia has joined the association “Cultural journey of Ss. Cyril and Methodius” initiated by the Zlín region in the Czech republic. The aim of this institution is to promote and realize a project of the European journey of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, with center in Velehrad. “It could contribute significantly to the development of cultural and pilgrimage tourism. In our country, the route will lead through Nitra, Bratislava and Trencín regions”, say the representatives of Nitra, adding that the aim of the project – apart from the scientific research – is to “strengthen the knowledge among young Europeans in the area of culture and education”. The journey should consist of three routes – from Velehrad through Devín to Nitra; from Velehrad through Trencin, Bojná and Nitra to Esztergom in Hungary; and the third route will follow the same path but will end in Kostolany pod Tríbecom. “Participation od Nitra region in this project offers a unique opportunity for us to enter the net of European routes of cultural and pilgrimage tourism”, says Lubica Libová from the Section for education, youth, sports and culture, expressing hope that it will also contribute to promotion of the region abroad. Czech republic: renewed website on service to publicThe website of the Czech Bishops’ conference “Service to the public” presents a brand new layout these days. Apart from information about charitable, educational and other projects aimed at support of common good in the society and the property composition between the State and the Catholic Church, it gradually presents a new model of Church financing in the Czech republic. “We want to make the website as clear and up-to-date as possible, not to mention the need of its graphic attractivity for the visitors”, explain the administrators of the project. In accordance with the intention to be absolutely transparent, the website offers a section “Economy models”, as well as the information about possible impacts of the property composition on municipalities, faithful and citizens in general. Special attention is paid to models of Church financing in other European countries. For more information: www.sluzbaverejnosti.cz. Luxembourg: gifts for Brazilian children or indigenous populations “When you’re in your homes, with your family and friends, prepare them a “Copo”, a cocktail with fair trade ingredients and in exchange you will ask them to make a gift to children or to indigenous populations of Brazil”. It’s the proposal of the Christian charity in Luxembourg Bridderliech Deelen which on the occasion of the World Cup proposes the solidarity initiative “a cup for all”, and collects funds for two project in particular: “Indigenous populations have a right to their own land” and to “assistance for the children in Salvador de Bahia”. Some fifty recipes of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails are available starting with the famous “strawberry” Caïpirinha and payment details for “donations that friends will have placed in the gift package” purposely made with the logo of the initiative, ongoing until July 13. To date, “the gift barometer” shows that the fund-collections has reached 50% of the needed amount. The goal is 80 thousand euro.
