CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Religious in Europe: UCESM assembly in Albania “Religious men and women in Europe: witnesses and artisans of communion”. This is the theme of the XVI assembly of the Majors Superiors (UCESM), a European body that brings together over 300thousand religious men and women in Europe. The meeting began on March 23 in Tirana (Albania), and until March 28 some 70 delegates of 38 national conferences of the religious will discuss about ecumenism and interreligious dialogue in the light of the Albanian reality. Jesuit father Marko Ivan Rupnik delivered the opening remarks and moderated the event. “After the painful decision of cancelling the assembly that was to take place in Kiev (Ukraine) in February 2015”, states a release announcing the meeting, “the executive Committee thanks the Conference of Albania for its availability and cooperation so that this assembly may take place in Tirana”. But the theme remained the one chosen for Kiev “since its preserves its topical relevance for our reflections given the political, social and religious situation of contemporary Europe”. Other items on the agenda include ecclesial topics such as bishops’ conferences, cross-generational relations within the orders and their internationalization. Participants will meet also Muslim religious leaders in Albania as well as Prime Minister Edi Rama. A statement will be released at the end of the assembly. Germany: collection for Christians in the Holy Land For Palm Sunday on March 29, the German bishops call upon Catholic faithful to carry out a nationwide collection for Christians in the Holy Land. The proceeds from the collection will be coordinated by the German Association of the Holy Land and by the Commissioner of the Franciscans. The collection is intended to help Christian communities in the Middle-Eastern region and it will support the religious institutions in the Holy Land in their pastoral and charitable services. The bishops’ in their appeal to charity make concrete reference to the sad living conditions in Middle-Eastern Countries. The civil war in Syria and the situation in Iraq have forced many people to flee from their homes”, the bishops stated. “Desperation and fear of the future are everyday occurrences while the Christians in the Middle East are facing serious problems pertaining to the situation of being a minority group often caught in the grips of armed conflicts it is alien to. In their message the German bishops mentioned Pope Francis, who wrote to Christians in Middle East past December: “All your Church is near you and support you with great love and appreciation for your communities and your mission”. The bishops demand a generous donation that would help “Christians in their Country of origin of our faith to remain in their homes”. For information: www.heilig-land-verein.de. Portugal: youth pastoral care towards the WYD 2016 In preparation for the World Youth Day 2016, the Council for Youth Pastoral Ministry in Portugal convened last week in Fatima. Presenting the meeting, the director of the National Department (DNPJ) recalled that the theme “the pure […] Campus Misericordiae, towards Krakow 2016”, illustrates in a direct manner the hosting Country of the next WYD, which after the one in Brazil 2013, will once again take place in the European continent. “We must start our journey towards Poland, a country known as the ‘new temple’ of God’s mercy. At first sight, establishing a relationship of certain spaces with God’s presence may appear out of context, however, there are times and places that are chosen by the Divine Providence so that through it all mankind may recognize in a special manner his presence and his grace”, said Father Edoardo Novo. The programme of the initiative that involved all Catholic youth movements and all diocesan secretariats also included the definition of the program of the upcoming initiative “Fatima Youths 2015”, scheduled to take place May 2-3 on the theme: “Happy like Mary, full of grace”. “We are finalizing the details of this major event that will bring together adolescents and youths of all areas of Portugal. The personal meeting, prayer, formation and contagious joy stemming from the encounters, from the movie, musical, and theatre performances, are its characterizing aspects”, concluded father padre Novo. Among the events meant to stir the participation of Portuguese Catholic youths the DNPJ envisages also participation in European meetings of Avila (Spain) and Taizé (France), and at the IV national Days of youth pastoral ministry, scheduled for September 20-21 2015, in the Seminary of the Divine Word in Fatima.
