CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Justitia et pax: Laudato si’, a European perspective Facing “the problems of our times that most worries the whole of humanity” Pope Francis spoke “on behalf of everyone, but also in the name of us all”, with “modesty”, in line with his predecessors, the confreres in the episcopate and the other religious leaders, without pretending to “offer political remedies or technical solutions”. These were the words of the archbishop of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Hollerich, in his capacities as president of Justitia et Pax Europe (J&P), in a document that interprets the “long and beautiful” Encyclical Laudato si’ “from a European perspective”, highlighting various themes, first of all the link made by the Pope between the environment and justice, whereby “a valid answer to the ecological crisis can be born only if we seek the common good starting from the perspective of those excluded”, Hollerich explained, a perspective that in Europe “is not as simple as in the rest of the world”, since ours “is the richest region in the planet”. That’s why “the promotion of social justice” will continue being one of the objectives of J&P. Hollerich highlighted the threats against peace linked to the depletion of natural resources (water in particular) with an appeal to European institutions, to the EU in particular, “that is on in the process of reformulating is dated strategy for security” and “to take into serious account the growing risk of environmental wars”. Moreover, the president of Justitia et Pax encourages Europe’s institutions to “offer further resources to the green fund for climate at the UN” which supports poor countries in adapting to the consequences of climate change”. “Credible funding for climate adaptation is a key to the success of the forthcoming summit” in Paris. Hollerich highlighted the importance of “global consensus” to solve ecological crises: “the transnational feature of the economy and of the financial sector in particular” downsizes “the power of nation-states”, a reason why “despite unquestionable flaws”, the EU remains “the appropriate answer to this revolutionary change” that could bring to “new forms of global governance on environmental issues”. Switzerland: ecumenical prayer for the Country Christian organizations and Churches in Switzerland “call upon the population to join the public prayer in Bern next September 19, on the eve of the federal Fast”. Major associations and Churches have agreed to promote and set up the event that will be held at the Grosse Schanze in Bern, above the train station, for the second time since 2013. A statement by the bishops’ Conference explains: “On 19 September, the faithful of various confessions and Christian denominations will gather from all language in Switzerland on the Grosse Schanze in Bern for a common prayer. On the occasion of a special day of Prayer in Switzerland, celebrated for the past 200 years, local authorities invite Christians of all denominations to pray for the good of their Country”. With this public prayer “Christians convey their joint wish to take part in the responsibilities for the good of the Country and of its citizens”. Christians will pray “to God – in public or in silence – for the protection of their Country, its social development, politics, cultural and economic life, the preservation of the natural habitat, peace, freedom and solidarity”. Portugal: initiative “For the right to be born” With the approval of all parties, the President of the Portuguese parliament tabled for July 3rd a debate on the proposals of the Citizens’ Legislative Initiative “On the right to be born”. Following a meeting with the promoters of the projects past February 18, Assunção Esteves had promised to submit to parliamentary discussion the popular initiative calling for an amendment to the law on voluntary pregnancy interruption during his official visit in Guinea Bissau. In this way until the natural termination of the present legislature, the Portuguese Parliament will cast its vote on over 50 legislative proposals contained in the “Law in support of maternity and paternity of the right to be born”, which, according to the statements of its promoters, is aimed at “”creating concrete measures to promote family life, facilitate motherhood and responsible parenthood in the social and working environments, to support pregnant women at risk of abortion, to give dignity to the position of physicians who are conscientious objectors, and to recognize the unborn child as a member of the family. “I think that Madam the President has done very well to place the initiative on the agenda of parliamentary debate, following the normal procedure, before the end of the current legislature”, said Msgr. Manuel Clemente, patriarch of Lisbon, commenting on the news. ILC “has indeed mobilized nearly 50 thousand citizens” and is “supported by representatives from all areas of the political spectrum and religious confessions”.
