Poland, Spain, Romania

Poland: 800 seminarians begin formation This year approximately 800 new students will undergo formation in seminaries. The figures, which are not yet definitive, as registration is still open in many colleges, was published on the occasion of the recent meeting of deans of seminaries in Lomza (September 2-4). Assembly president Wojciech Rzeszowski, commenting the figures, remarked that while the number of diocesan students has decreased, the number of youths registered in colleges linked to various congregations has increased. During the meeting dedicated to vocational discernment the debate focused on the obstacles and the difficulties that could hinder the accomplishment of a vocation. The president of the assembly pointed out that vocational discernment today requires "renewed sensitivity" since "it is necessary to adapt the formative process of candidates to the priesthood to the challenges of the modern world, to improve its effectiveness." Poland: Teschen religious buildings online An interesting online initiative by Polish artist and photographer Zbigniew Niemiec has highlighted the ecumenical feature of one of the many regions of Europe. On the small territory of the Dukedom of Teschen, with capital in Teschen (Cieszyn), in High Slesia, included within the league of the Duchy of Slesia that become independent between 1290 and 1918, are currently operative over 250 Christian worship sites. Niemiec presents their history, their architecture, along with practical information on the hours of religious functions, available on the website. The territory of the Duchy, which today comprises the areas of Poland and the Czech Republic, has a Catholic majority population but it also includes many members of Protestant Churches and other Christian communities. The website is: www.kosciolySCI.pl. Spain: appeal of the food bank in Toledo In September, when school begins, the Food Bank of Toledo, Spain, doubles its efforts to ensure basic food products to children, milk and cookies in particular. Manuel Lanza, president of Toledo’s Food Bank, pointed out that children are the most vulnerable population bracket in times of crisis, therefore efforts focus on "preventing problems that might involve child nutrition." The president of the food Bank of Toledo highlighted the importance of "contributing to the wellbeing of the young, also through nutrition, because today, more than ever before, this is an urgent issue." "This is no ordinary appeal – Lanza remarked – it is the expression of the solidarity of many people that day after day contribute to the Food Bank, but today we need more hands, more help and we ask for donations of milk and cookies, in addition to other food products, like sugar, flour, and other products fundamental for a healthy diet, to enable many families in the city of Toledo to lead a dignified life." Spain: Lugo Caritas against trafficking The diocesan Caritas of Lugo, Aliad-Ultreia and the Enriqueta Otero Association, have launched an initiative against human trafficking for sexual exploitation, with the cooperation of two stores that have offered the use of their shop windows. An actress invited by-passers to look at the window in which was showcased a sign with the words: "Thousands of women are sexually exploited in Spain." The actress thus presented the dramatic situation of women who are the victims of trafficking: "anguish, fear, impotence, desperation; remembering that also "in Lugo, there is human trafficking." The public’s reaction to the scene recited by the actress of the Palimoco Theatre, Ángela Beltrán Álvarez, was filmed by the Foundation for the development of technologies from information to communication, with the purpose of screening it during the third Day against trafficking, to be held in Lugo September 19. Romania: Orionine in the Greek Catholic diocese The Greek-Catholic diocese of the city of Oradea (Romania) was joined canonically by the local Don Orione community. The news, said Fr Flavio Peloso, General Superior of the Opera Don Orione "has an ecumenical meaning explicitly understood by Don Orione himself, who believed that the presence of Greek-Catholics in the Congregation would promote dialogue and communion also with separate Orthodox brothers." Since 1991 the religious community is active in Oradea, a city with almost 200 thousand citizens, with various initiatives such as the "Centrul Don Orione" with 410 pupils, from kindergarten to high school; the parish All Saints Church, with 4 religious of the Don Orione order who officiate liturgies and administer catechesis and charity work for a very poor neighbourhood; the Oratory, attended daily by approximately 100 youths; the Scout movement, with some 150 members; and the pastoral care of courtyards", for all those people who are not present in the other activities of the religious congregation.