CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Ukraine: discussion on democratic valuesThe representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) Commission "Justice and Peace" met on 7 December in Lutsk to discuss "Democratic values within the society" with students of Lesya Ukrainka Eastern Europe National University (LUEENU). Emphasis was put on formation of the youth in the light of ethical values, importance of the role of Christian values in creation of a "new elite as a leading element within the society". According to the students, among special features of the political elite there should be responsibility and political culture. "Nowadays, one of the most important aspects of the research within our society concerns the political elite, which has the most significant influence on the political process, as it is a carrier of leading social and political values", explained Mykhaylo Melnyk, head of the UGCC Commission. He pointed to a future role of the youth in this regard and stressed the importance of gaining of "experience and knowledge", as well as the matter of "motivation and self-realization". "Christian values are to serve as a solid foundation both in shaping the individual and the society as a whole", added Melnyk. After the meeting with students, the working session of presidency of the Commission and rector of LUEENU, Ihor Kotsan was held. The participants discussed practical measures regarding mutual cooperation for 2013 and agreed that they will be based on the Christian formation of young students.Slovakia: military bishop for Christmas"Jesus Christ came to show us the perspectives of development of our life, to enable us to give the most valuable sense to our life, so that it can flow into eternal God´s life", with these words Mgr. Frantisek Rábek, military ordinary of the Catholic Church in Slovakia, turns to the military, police and prison chaplains and to the faithful working in the defence structures of the state. The pastoral letter was written on the occasion of the Advent time and the forthcoming Christmas, in the light of the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Ss. Cyril and Methodius to the region of Great Moravia, due to be celebrated in 2013. "We are a fruitful ground and God expects our cooperation in regard to adoption of the gift of life, impersonated and sent to us in Christ. This cooperation is called faith", writes bishop Rábek, highlighting the example of the Thessalonian brothers whose cultural, educational and missionary activities were motivated by the effort to bring Jesus and his Word to the Slavonic nations. "Let this jubilee be a challenge and an opportunity for us to show our interest in Christ, to deepen our faith and live in accordance with it", concludes the military ordinary, inviting the faithful to pray, study the teaching of the Church and meet living Christ in the Holy Sacraments.Belarus: new feast in liturgical calendarThe liturgical calendar of Belarus will contain a new item – the feast of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Hight Priest, due to be celebrated on the first Thursday after Pentecost. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Belarus decided about its national celebration on the plenary meeting on 11 December. "The new liturgical feast will be entered in the cycle of feasts and solemntities celebrated after the Easter season", explained archbishop of Minsk-Mahilyow, Mgr. Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, adding that Jesus Christ as a High Priest sacrificed himself on the cross for the sins of the world and the new feast in the Belarussian liturgical calendar will offer an opportunity for all faithful to contemplate this sacrifice more deeply.
