CHURCHES IN BRIEF " "
Nordic Countries: the family, a congress in Denmark The next Synod on the Family was the main theme of the Assembly of bishops of Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Scandinavia, Denmark and Iceland), held last week in Essen (Germany). The news was released in a statement issued at the end of the meeting. “While the dioceses are completing the questionnaire sent by the Secretariat of the Synod”, the bishops highlight “the difficulties experienced in the transmission of faith also for practising families”. As for remarried divorcees “it is suggested that part of the solution could lie in simplifying the procedures for marriage annulments”. The bishops underlined: “If more radical changes were introduced for admission to the Eucharist, this should occur according to strictly objective criteria”. For the Nordic Countries a highlight of the pastoral service for families is the Congress scheduled to take place in Denmark on May 1-3 2015. Father Patrick Daly, Secretary General of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) addressed the situation of the EU. In their statement the bishops also refer to the “accusations against the diocese of Oslo” on irregularities in the registers of members of the diocese: “Sincere and honest shepherd of his Church” is the bishop Bernt Eidsivg who will “cooperate with authorities to help clarify this issue”. Portugal: Caritas, fund collection for the crisis Caritas Portugal has launched the initiative of a national public offering aimed at collecting funds that will enable a “response to the ongoing social-economic crisis”. According to the statement released by the Catholic association, the dioceses in the country have received “a huge amount of requests that exceed their financial possibilities”. In the document, president Eugénio Fonseca recalled that “the sharing of goods is a form of co-responsibility and solidarity with all those who have unfortunately been touched more deeply and directly by the effects, still evident, of the dire economic downturn under way for the past six years”. The purpose of the appeal, directed to all those in sound economic conditions, conveyed through the motto “in a sole heart, a sole human family” is to contribute, each according to their own means, with an offering “thereby uniting their hearts to that of Caritas”. “The solidarity of Portuguese people has always been remarkable. We confide that also this year it will help us strengthen the energies to pursue the path leading to the creation of a fairer and fraternal society,” the document goes on. In 2014, the initiative, proposed in streets and malls across the Country, led to the collection of 328 thousand euro. Poland: success for “A pencil for Africa” The humanitarian Foundation “Redemptoris Missio”, operating in Poznan, Poland, made known that it collected three tons of various school items for young students in Africa. Over one thousand schools, parishes, kindergartens, enterprises and associations across the Country took part in the collection. “I must say that we didn’t expect a similar response to our initiative”, said Justyna Janiec-Palczewska, vice-president of the Foundation, who added: “In our offices there is almost no more space to store the packages that are arriving, before sending them out to the recipients”. The initiative “A pencil for Africa” envisages, in addition to donations, also the possibility of providing financial contributions for the needy. The Foundation was set up in 1992 by professors of the medical University Karol Marcinkowski in Poznan, “in order to provide professional support to Polish missionaries working in the poorest Countries in the world”. “Redemptoris Missio” is addressed to various benefactors and organizes vocational training for doctors and nurses leaving for tropical Countries or areas with difficulties in the healthcare sectors. Czech Republic: the competition “A journey of two brothers” “A journey of two brothers” is the title of an artistic competition for children aged 3-11, ongoing until May 2015, as part of the traditional Days of People of Good Will in Velehrad. The inauguration of an exhibition of the best works will take place on June 4. “The competition draws inspiration from the adventurous life of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the region of Great Moravia, a journey that became an indelible part of the culture of our nation. In 2013 we celebrated the 1150th anniversary of their arrival in our lands while this year we will celebrate the 1200th anniversary of the birth of Methodius”, said the organizers of the competition, who conveyed the hope that the project may attract the interest of youths. A panel of judges comprising professional artists will evaluate the works of art. For further information: www.velehrad.eu.
