CHURCHES IN BRIEF" "
Germany: establishing a community inside the Church Monsignor Robert Zollitsch, President of the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK), commented on the new document titled “From conflict to community”, presented a few days ago by the international Lutheran/ Catholic Commission for unity. “I greatly welcome this document”, said Msgr. Zollitsch, pointing out that “it contains reflections for the promotion of ecumenism also in Germany. We will attentively read the document and reflect on it in our talks with evangelical partners on the concrete steps that need to be undertaken in the path leading to the commemoration of the Reform in 2017.” “The title of the document he remarked raises great expectations. Through baptism we are bound to the community of the Body of Christ. Ecumenical dialogue has shown that the things that unite us are more than those that divide us. While full communion in the visible Church, understood as the objective of our ecumenical efforts, is yet to be accomplished. We intend to continue working towards this goal”, Zollitsch affirmed, reiterating the Catholic Church’s commitment to this regard, also in his capacities as DBK President. Austria: political sensitivity and asylum seekers The archbishop of Vienna, president of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, has called for greater political sensitivity in matters regarding political asylum. In an interview with Austrian Catholic news agency Kathpress, the cardinal said: “the need for laws regulating migration is clear to everyone.” However, “the Church recommends to step up awareness of” such situations. His Eminence spoke these words in the framework of the bishops’ plenary meeting in Mariazell (June 17-21). The cardinal mentioned the events occurred in the Votivkirche, occupied by immigrants of Pakistani origin. Cardinal Schönborn said: “It should be borne in mind that there are people who decide to leave their homeland because their life is at risk or because they want to improve their living conditions.” That’s what our forefathers did when they migrated to the United States. They sought better living conditions at a time when many people in our Country were experiencing hard situations”.France: a Mass for life in Strasbourg “Participation in this event makes us realize that the sky over Europe is open, reinvigorating our faith in a modern Europe, capable of breathing with the two lungs of the East and the West, thus enhancing the cultural and spiritual wealth of both traditions.” Thus commented Msgr. Aldo Giordano, permanent observer of the Holy See at the Council of Europe, upon the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration for Europe, held June 18 in the Cathedral of Strasbourg. The Mass, organized with the support of the permanent seats of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, marked the celebrations for the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius to the Great Moravia. The bishop of Strasbourg Msgr. Jean-Pierre Grallet, the Cardinal of Prague Dominik Duka and Msgr. Aldo Giordano co-celebrated the Mass. “The courage of the saints Cyril and Methodius instils courage in us all”, said the Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Duka, in his homily. The two brothers gave birth to “a new civilization”, symbolized by the Cathedral and by universities. The two pulpits “of faith, combined with intelligence and reason imbued by the divine revelation” are the distinctive traits of European culture. Switzerland: a report on the presence of sects In 2012 as many as 1696 people sought the advice of the Institute for the study on sects “InfoSekta”, with head offices in Zurich, 15% more compared to 2011, while over 34 thousand “anonymous users” accessed the website for information researchers. The findings are contained in the annual report published recently (www.infosekta.ch). 37% of those who seek the expertise of “InfoSekta” seek advice because a person near them parents, relatives, or partners – is under the influence of a sect. Only 2% of all requests are by people that are directly in touch with a cult, while 6% are ex-members. People ask for information on religious groups, while in most cases they ask for advice or help to abandon these groups. As relates to the geographic origin, on the Swiss territory 90% of requests come from the German-speaking canton. 7% regard Scientology, 6% the ICF – International Christian Fellowship, 5% Jehovah’s Witnesses, while 77% refer to other small groups. The “InfoSekta” centre is a-confessional. Its activity is funded through donations from municipal bodies and from the canton of Zurich.
