Spain, Portugal, Belarus

Spain: the family, doctrine, and mercy Eight professors at the Commillas Pontifical University, most of whom from the Theology faculty, and one from Granada, shared their reflections on doctrine and family pastoral care in the book “The Family in the light of mercy”, published by Sal Terrae, in line with the proposals of the Bishops’ Synod of October 2014. The scholars address specific themes which in their opinion require greater reflection, such as the sacramental aspect of marriage, the theological value of non-sacramental unions, the conditions for access to communion of remarried divorcees, the rapidity of marriage annulments. The authors thereby propose a “new understanding” of family and marriage doctrine in terms that preserve the balance between heart and reflection. “This glance – the authors explain – falls within Church doctrine on marriage and the family, and incorporates mercy in a decisive way as its major factor”. The reflections of the professors focus on three aspects: first of all, the awareness that the automatic application of current doctrine without deeper discernment sometimes causes situations that “are not in line with the common sentiment, with pastoral vision and the Gospel message”. Second, the need to change the understanding of the sacrament of marriage from static to a gradual and more dynamic vision, so as to “give a greater role to the dynamic reality of individuals, along with their fragilities”. Finally, the urgent need for the Church to be perceived as the home of mercy and welcome, especially on the part of those who most need her and suffer the most. Portugal: increased child poverty Recalling the celebration of the recent International Day of the Child, the Portuguese working group coordinated by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), denounced “increased child poverty, demanding an urgent action plan in public policies”. “Children have been the most affected by the deterioration of the living conditions in our Country. This acknowledgement should prompt in-depth reflection on the tragic consequences of this situation on their own future”, states a release. According to a recent survey published by National Statistics Bureau (INE) in January 2014, “approximately 25.6% of children are at risk”. “These are very high numbers, which show that childhood in Portugal is not an easy period for many children, who live in situations of social exclusion, with no minimum condition of well-being”. Commenting on these figures, on behalf of the non-governmental organization, Father Jardim Moreira asked for the “urgent creation of a project of public intervention for the fight on poverty and social exclusion”. “The fight on child indigence should be considered a priority by political leaders”. Belarus: prospects of pro-life movements On June 6-7 the regional Institute for the Development of Education in Minsk promoted The first day was dedicated to conferences on specific themes, such as the role of pro-life movements in Belarus in the quest for solutions to social and demographic problems; the presentation of the “educational landscape for youths” on responsible couple life, parenthood and the defence of natural values; practical aspects of the societal influence on the creation and transformation of legal documents pertaining to the protection of life from the moment of conception to its natural termination; the role of the media in the protection of life. The second day the conference program envisaged a set of workshops, one of which regarding support and advice on post-abortion syndromes. Experts in pro-life issues, in cooperation with representatives of the various Christian confessions worked on the development of their position regarding measures that should be adopted to focus the attention at all levels of society on the problem of the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, and undertake a public debate on this theme, that should lead to a re-examination of current legislation.