CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Czech Republic: missionary zeal and concrete messages Eighty projects for support to 63.604 poor children in 23 dioceses in Developing Countries is the aid given by the Czech office of the Pontifical Missionary Works. Last week the Works delegates convened to take stock of the progress of the projects currently underway in Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Guyana, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Papua New Guinea, along with the challenges and the projects for the coming months. According to the national education office, financial support is divided into three main areas: assistance to children, seminarians and world missions. “For example, money is sent to the Philippines to ensure education to children from poor families, in addition to school uniforms and food. In Kenya we contribute to covering the costs of services provided by the rehabilitation centre, in particular in the field of assistance to children victims of abuse”, said a coordinator of the Pontifical Missionary Works, highlighting the need for total transparency and of concrete action in this field, stressing that the number of donors has decreased over the past six months. Future projects include a new concept of religious education and catechesis in parishes that encompass the missionary aspects, aimed at raising children’s awareness on the needs of poor people and deepen their knowledge of this problem. Ukraine: a guide to employment with migrants’ children “A basic publication for workers in the field of assistance to children of migrant workers in Ukraine to help them increase their professional skills”: it’s a short description of the psychological and pedagogical guide titled “Healing the wounds”, presented recently at the Ukrainian Catholic University, a result of the efforts of the Commission for Migrations of the Greek-Catholic Church of Ukraine. “In Western Ukraine one in five children in school-age come from migrant families. It’s a silent pain, which must be acknowledged and healed”, said Sister Khrystofora Bushtyn. According to the authors the book consists of a theoretical part with concrete advice and programs for parents, psychologists, teachers and all those who deal with the social aspects of migrants’ lives. The importance of paying attention to this theme was highlighted by Ludmila Pidlypna, director of the Regional Centre Ivano-Frankivsk for Practical Psychology and Social Care: “parents loose much more than the money they earn: which is the emotional connection with their children”, she pointed out. Sweden: the diocese defends Saint Brigid’s park Defending the city of Saint Brigid and its park: it’s the concern of the Catholic diocese of Sweden, that took action in support of the popular petition against the decision of the municipality of Vadstena – a village in the Östergötland region – to give permission to build new housing units in the premises of a century old park located in the town’s historical centre. Vadstena, with approximately seven thousand inhabitants, a tourist destination thanks to the nearby Vättern Lake and a beautiful medieval castle, is particularly dear to Catholics because it is where Saint Brigid from Sweden founded the first monastery. Each year, between the end of August and the beginning of September archbishop Anders Arborelius guides the diocesan pilgrimage in Vadstena. With this project the municipality of Vadstena intends to re-populate the historical centre of the town. However, according to the Committee that promotes the petition for the park’s preservation, “the approach and the consequences of such a choice are highly questionable”. Moreover, protected species live in the park. It’s not the first time that the Swedish Church takes action on issues linked to environmental protection. Past May, the bishops of the Swedish Church published “The Bishops’ Letter on Climate”, a theological reflection on climate change and sustainability as a “contribution to the debate in the Country”, with the proposal of concrete steps for the Swedish Church, world Churches, international and Swedish policymakers, enterprises and organizations.
