CHURCHES IN BRIEF
From the bishops in Poland an invitation to European vote Polish bishops “join the appeal of the bishops of the European Community to ensure that each citizen, in a spirit of responsibility, participate in the elections to the European Parliament”. In a statement released ahead of the upcoming vote, the prelates point out: “through our representatives who serve at the European Parliament in the spirit of John Paul II we will be able to implement those commitments that he has left us to fulfil, regarding the process leading to the unity of Europe”. The statement underlines that “by electing people that have at heart the authentic good of Europe and of Poland, we can contribute to the building of a European spiritual community based on the values which have shaped it”. The document reiterates that “Europe should not only be based on economic values” but most of all “on those spiritual values that represent the solid foundations of unity”. “The strongest basis of European unity – the bishops wrote – lies in Christianity and in its Gospel” from whence derive principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, along with the respect for human dignity, the respect for life, along with the right to religious freedom”. Portugal: the Church remembers the demographic crisis Until Sunday May 18 the national Department for Family Pastoral Care promotes the Week of Life, centred on the theme: “Generating life – Building the future”, so as to guard the faithful against the consequences of the demographic crisis and the lack of intergenerational solidarity. For the Catholic organization in Portugal the problem has become a “matter of serious concern”. Indeed, “life expectancy is higher, but many old people are abandoned to themselves, in a inhuman and unworthy state of loneliness”. Moreover, low birth rates, a growing trend for several decades, “is now exacerbated by increasing emigration of young people in the age of procreation”. In order to reverse this scenario, there is an urgent need for policies aimed at the protection of couples and of life: “It is essential to strengthen dialogue between people, in a culture of encounter and sharing, in order to enhance life in all its stages”, “states the document for the presentation of the initiative. The Catholic Church reminds us that “abortion, abandonment and euthanasia are not acceptable. Life” should be “protected with care and love”. “The Week of life is, therefore, an opportunity and a challenge for every person, group or family”. Belarus: “the family needs prayers” Belarus’ divorce rate is among the highest in the world. Figures show that one in four marriages breaks up. Msgr. Anthony Dzemyanko, bishop of Pinsk, sees the reason of this situation in “a lack of prayer” in modern families. In the framework of preparations for the Bishops’ Synod on the family that will take place in October, the prelate highlights the importance of a deeper respect for the tradition of large and solid families that have always constituted the foundation of development and growth in the Country. “Society and the Church will be as strong as the families that constitute its foundation”, underlined Dzemyanko, highlighting intergenerational relations weakened by migrations from villages to the city, that need to be renewed. The prelate encourages all family movements and institutions, along with individual families, to reflect on their “responsibilities for the future” and do their utmost to strengthen the family institution through love and service to others. Slovakia: funding for youth projects Volunteering, the integration of marginalized groups in society; networking and cooperation between community leaders are the areas of interest of the Association of the communities of Christian youth in Slovakia, that needs support in its national funding program. Thirteen programs will receive financial aid with the support of the Minister for Education. “The active cooperation of community leaders contributes to the creation of a job network of young Christians at national and regional level”, said Petronela Grajciarová, coordinator of one of the awarded project, “Lifenet”. The area of volunteering includes support in the construction and renewal of playgrounds for children, along with participation in the project “72 hours”, aimed at raising public awareness on this kind of service. “As regards the integration of groups with marginalized persons, we intend to create the most appropriate conditions for the young disabled or for those coming from socially disadvantaged families, to they may manage to overcome all barriers and may be freely involved in all the activities of Christian youth movements”, said Júlia Gyurcsicsova.
