CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Churches in Europe: faiths and cultures, a seminar in Strasbourg “Building inclusive societies together: contributions to the meeting in Sarajevo on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue”. This is the title of a seminar that the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the Council of Europe is organising in Strasbourg, Monday June 8 in Strasbourg, under the patronage of the secretary general of the European body, Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland. The purpose of the Seminar – reads a statement from the Permanent Mission of the Holy See – is to offer a “contribution of ideas and reflections” for the 2015 edition of the meetings on “the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue” that will take place in Sarajevo on 8-9 September. The 8 June Seminar will be moderated by Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and will include the participation of Msgr. Paul R. Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, and Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, as keynote speakers. “The Holy See – the statement reads – attaches great importance” to the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue and to exchanges on that topic. This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it fits within the broader context of the action plan that the Council of Europe intends to implement to combat extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism. The Seminar will be an opportunity to discuss the same themes that will be addressed at the meeting in Sarajevo, namely “the need to work together to prevent radicalization and violent extremism”, freedom of expression and respect for religion, working together for the promotion of inclusive societies”. Poland: “WYD, and occasion for spiritual renewal” “The awakening of the Church in Poland is necessary, and the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow is a great opportunity”, said Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow, president of the organizing Committee WYD2016, a few days ago. “Poland needs a profound spiritual renewal”, continued the prelate, voicing his disapproval of “societal divisions” and regret over “the disappearance of neighbourhood bonds” which leads everyone to live “for themselves alone”. The cardinal underlined the need for “a major pastoral effort towards the young”, whose liturgical celebrations attendance is constantly decreasing. “In many parishes funeral services are more numerous than baptisms or marriages” cardinal Dziwisz pointed out, highlighting the urgent need for “greater openness to the laity, to the new movements and to the new communities that provide renewed thrust to Church life”. “There is also the need for stronger commitments towards people outside the Church, in search for the righteous path”, he added. His Eminence underlined that WYD2016 is expected to be the greatest public event in the history of Poland, with an estimated number of 2.5 million participants, including one million Poles. The costs of religious ceremonies, the cardinal explained, will be covered by the episcopate, while economic contribution of national authorities will consist in the coverage of expenses linked to security and infrastructures, which after the event “will be used by the local communities”. Portugal: educating ethical and religious conscience Through the national Secretariat for Christian Education (SNEC), the Portuguese Church has launched an appeal to the national population to register their children in Moral and Religious Catholic Education (EMRC), thereby contributing to the formation of a “new ethical conscience”. “Moral and religious conscience education represents an urgent challenge. The development of the values of truth, love, peace, justice and solidarity should be considered a decisive factor in personality formation of our children and adolescents”, states the document released online by the Educris website. The message of the Secretariat underlines that ethical and religious education is “a precious contribution in the adventure of growth. It consolidates the personality of generations attending primary and secondary schools, helping them build their future from the perspective of the accomplishment of personal happiness”. In fact, openness to the transcendent realm, to the quest for God as well as the understanding of the cultural dimension of the religious phenomenon is an avenue that must not be neglected. “To dream a new humanity and a better world are imperatives we are all called to share”, concludes the SNEC statement.
