CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Germany: Neher (Caritas) on end-of-life law “Dying with dignity means ensuring the possibility to die with dignity, not determining the time of death”, said on November 13 the President of Caritas Germany, Msgr. Peter Neher in a message sent to the German parliamentarians, who will open the debate on euthanasia at the Bundestag. For Neher, “the discussion must address the way in which the seriously ill and dying can be well accompanied, because what matters is finding a suitable treatment for pain, good support and good pastoral care”. For Caritas it’s the fear of suffering, the loss of control, shame for a disease, the humiliation of being a burden for others and the fear of loneliness “that lead people to put an end to their lives”. “We should take these fears very seriously and ensure a special support in this phase of life”. Other contributions from Catholic and Evangelical speakers were shared during the past days regarding the legislative process. Austria: fund-collection for poor people and single mothers St. Elizabeth of Hungary, late Landgrafin (important title of nobility of the Holy Roman Empire) of Thuringia, lived in the 13th century. Her holiness was recognized for the charitable activities and life spent in support of the poor and marginalized. To her is dedicated the annual national collection of Caritas Austria November 16, entitled “Where can they go?”: the reference is to the support of distressed families, single mothers and young abandoned homeless. 431thousand people in Austria are in deep poverty, “St. Elizabeth decided to live the message of Jesus from the roots – is written in the launch of the collection – she left safe paths to support all the poor and vulnerable in society: this strong woman can be a model for the people of our time.2 The purpose of the “Where can they go?” is the construction of safe houses and comfortable shelters. Spain: restoration works in 15 parish churches The Church of Almería and the Provincial Council will carry out restoration works of fifteen parish churches in the diocese of Almería. The news was released by the President of the Provincial Council, Gabriel Amat, and by the bishop, Monsignor Adolfo González Montes, after the signing of the collaboration agreement for the realization of works of reparation, conservation and upgrading in churches of the municipalities in the province of Almería. For eight places of worship the restoration works will be carried out by the Provincial Council, for a total cost of 90,000. The expenses of the remaining seven churches will be covered by the diocese, at a cost of 90,000 Euros. The agreement will be valid until 31 March 2015, the date by which it will be possible to carry out the works in the churches of Albanchez, Alcuidia de Monteagud, Felix, Lucainena de las Torres, Roquetas, Senés, Tabernas, Tahal, Almeria, Choir, Pechina, Pulpí, Vicar and Santa Fe. Gabriel Amat explained that the agreement was established with the aim of ensuring the conservation of the parish churches of the province of Almería thereby ensuring the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the countries in the province. In addition, the President of the Council stressed the harmonious relations between the local Church and the provincial administration. Principality of Monaco: formation of the catechists “The time when the catechistic explanation was sufficient to nourish faith is over. In our journey as catechists and messengers of the good news we should know the human person in all his dimensions. Jesus sets the example for us”. Starting from this need, the office for catechesis in the diocese of the Principality of Monaco has planned the current day of formation for catechists and accompaniers to catechumenate (November 15) on the theme “Conducting children and adults towards the encounter with Jesus, psycho-pedagogical approach”. In fact, those who accompany a path of catechesis “are a humble guide, who walks with people with a story, experiences and questions that require multiple skills, especially in our present times”, the organizers said. The formative seminar is based on a consultation conducted among diocesan coordinators of catechesis, to collect their difficulties and problems.
