CHURCHES IN BRIEF
Romania-Holy See: “Concord and promotion of peace” “The Holy See wished to cooperate with Romania to strengthen bilateral relations and for the promotion of world harmony and peace”, declared Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State on Wednesday 18 during the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, held at the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome. The prelate highlighted that “the Church preaches the Gospel” and by doing so she “contributes to strengthening peace worldwide”. Throught he Gospel the Church announces and proclaims the freedom of the sons of God. In fact, peace can be obtained” only by protecting individual wellbeing and human dignity. Among fundamental freedoms “freedom of conscience and religion” occupies a very special place” pointed out the Secretary of State. There ensues “that in religious practice there are individual and communitarian aspects, private and public alike that are deeply inter-connected”. “The Church, as a spiritual authority – said cardinal Parolin -, claims for herself the freedom of being able to honor her obligation to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel thereby constituting herself as a society of men and women who have the right to live by the standards of the Christian faith”. Moreover, “the Church’s freedom is a fundamental principle in the relations between the Church and the legal system of civil society, contributing to the peace of society and strengthening international peace, which is, on the contrary, threatened by every breach of human Rights”. His Eminence pointed out that “the Holy See supports all efforts aimed at fighting poverty, combating injustice and furthering the improvement of living standards”. “By carrying out her global mission – concluded the Secretary of State – the Church unites people in that unity that favours harmonious human cohabitation, the unity of men and women created in God’s image and likeness”. Austria: Caritas, furthering the development of palliative treatment Dying with dignity is a commitment for society and for policymakers alike but it would cease being ensured if the current juridical position regarding the ban on assisted suicide or euthanasia were toned down. This was one of the firm points of the Symposium organized by Caritas Austria, that involved participants for the entire day of March 17 in the premises of the ancient Ankerbrotfabrik, the historical bread factory in Vienna. Michael Landau reiterated his appeal to political leaders to promote the development of palliative treatment and to increase the number of hospices nationwide. “Every citizen must have a definite, legal right to make use of the services offered by the structures for hospices and palliative care, also with mobile healthcare, outpatient and hospital services”, Landau said, highlighting the need for a joint action that would ensure funding from the Federal State, from national agencies and insurance services: “Medical and nursing care structures in Austria are good as a whole, but appropriate end-of-life support is still lacking”. Spain: Missionary youth meeting in Madrid More than one hundred youths registered for the missionary meeting of young people on the theme: “Where is your brother?” that draws inspiration from the Pope’s message for Lent. In the spiritual exercise home “Love of God” in Madrid, those in the front line of missionary activity with share their experience with the youths. The meeting will open on March 20 with a dinner and a musical performance by singer Nico Montero, recipient of the 2015 Bravo Award for music. On Saturday the young missionaries will take part in a meeting with monsignor Carlos Osoro, archbishop of Madrid, for a reflection on who are the excluded. In the evening, the visit to the Cottolengo of Father Alegre will provide an answer to the question contained in the theme, discovering the other in the religious, in the sick and in the volunteers working in this Centre. After having personally witnessed suffering and pain, on Sunday 22 the youths will meet Sister Paciencia Melgar, missionary of the Immaculate Conception, who worked many years in the Hospital Saint Joseph of Monrovia also with Br. Manuel García Viejo, the missionary who died after contracting the Ebola virus. Sister Melgar also contracted the virus, but she survived. Finally, several youths will share their missionary experience during holidays with the hope of encouraging other youths to follow in their wake. The Pontifical Missionary Works have produced a video with the testimonies of youths in past editions in which they invite their peers to take part in the meeting and in the summer missionary experience. In order to prompt the involvement of youths, the entire event will be shared on social networks with the hashtag #JóvenesyMisión.
