CHURCHES IN BRIEF
CCEE: freedom of conscience and expression The freedom of conscientious objection and of expression was the focus of the second meeting of Juridical Advisors of Bishops Conferences in Europe ongoing in Bratislava, Slovakia (march 4-6). The Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) thus explained the decision to centre this year’s meeting on these themes. “Freedom is a right, but also a responsibility, and Christians can give a specific contribution to juridical reflection, especially to the ongoing debates on human rights, along with the sharing of their commitment in the quest for the common good in Europe”. “In this moment of the history of Europe – remarked Msgr. Duarte da Cunha, CCEE Secretary General – national and international legislation are often distant from the fundamental principles embedded in Europe culture”. For this reason “the Church feels called to bring the light of the Gospel also within the regulatory framework”. Participants in the Bratislava meeting include the juridical advisors of the Bishops’ Conferences of Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, England and Wales, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine and Hungary. Belgium: another “no” to euthanasia from the bishops Firm stand of the Catholic Bishops of Belgium against the proposal to extend the law on euthanasia to people affected by dementia, who previously declared this intention in with an early declaration of will. The bishops issued a statement titled “the dignity of the human person, including those affected by dementia”, published by two major Belgian dailies, the Flemish “Standaard” and the French “La Libre Belgique”. The declaration begins with an acknowledgement: “Population ageing is a major challenge of our society just like the related increase of cases of dementia”. The bishops thus point out: “First of all, a human being, even when affected by dementia, remains an integral person until his natural death”. The bishops dispelled the idea of “autonomous” will whereby “I am the only person who can decide for my own life”, because the human person is not “an island” but rather he/she lives “in communion” and “in relationships with” others. What the Belgian episcopate is most worried about is “the climate of euthanasia we have been experiencing since 2002”. “Since the 2002 law on euthanasia – the bishops say – it is necessary to acknowledge that the drift predicted at the time has become a fact”. “We oppose this trend”, the bishops write. For us a loss of autonomy is not synonym of a loss in dignity”. “Our society must continue taking care of its most vulnerable members” since “the ethical level of a society is measured on the basis of the way in which it treats the weaker brackets”. The bishops conclude: “It’s not the door leading to euthanasia that should be opened more, but that of fraternity and solidarity”. Bosnia-Herzegovina: ahead of the Pope’s visit in Sarajevo The preparatory Committee of the Catholic Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina tasked with organizing, in agreement with the Holy See, the pastoral visit of Pope Francis in Sarajevo fixed for June 6, has been set up, the secretary general of the Bosnian Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Ivo Tomasevic, told SIR. The committee, chaired by the cardinal, archbishop of Sarajevo, Vinko Puljic, includes bishops of the dioceses of Banja Luka and Mostar, religious, nuns, priests and lay people involved in various areas of pastoral service (Catechesis, liturgy, media…). The committee is currently examining the various options of sites, the layout of the press office, the venue of the Mass that “must be sufficiently large to contain the faithful expected in large numbers, not only from Bosnia”. For the Secretary, “Pope Francis comes to bring a message of peace and reconciliation not only to Bosnia, but also to the entire region and to Europe. It will be a visit that will give new thrust to dialogue, to inter-religious and inter-ethnic dialogue in particular. Religious leaders – said Mons. Tomasevic – but also leaders in dialogue”. In the anticipation of the faithful in Bosnia there is also “a message of the Pope to the youths. In fact, many are migrating because they see no prospects here. It’s important that they stay here to build the future of Bosnia”. Portugal: religious tourism, faith and art for everyone Participating with a stand at the Tourist Board of Lisbon 2015, that ended on March 1st, the director of the national Work of the Pastoral Care of Tourism (ONPT) said that “for the Portuguese Church sharing its artistic richness represents an important challenge”. “The Church needs to make visible its most relevant goods, that in many cases are inaccessible to the majority of people”, added Father Carlos Godinho. Considering that part of the historical heritage of the Country belongs to the Church, the ONPT coordinator noted that “the doors of our religious artifacts must not be closed to the rest of the world: it is necessary to make them known so they may become an integral part of the national tourist offer”. In the 2015 edition of the Tourist Board in Lisbon of ONPT offers visitors an itinerary that includes the Cathedral of Braga and Santarém, with the respective diocesan Museums, those of Évora and Coimbra, as well as the Shrines of Fatima and Christ the King in Lisbon. Moreover, the tourists present were found also motivation for a possible visit to the Holy Land.
