Beyond old alliances ” “” “

The phenomenon of migration from the developing to the more advanced countries in Europe does not just concern the Mediterranean states in closer contact with Africa e Asia, but is also making itself felt in Scandinavia. Over the last five years the presence of immigrants in these countries has grown considerably: they come both from the neighbouring countries of eastern Europe and from strife-ridden areas like Iraq, Kurdistan, the Middle East area in general, not to mention the Philippines, the countries of South-East Asia and Africa. The problem of immigration was discussed at the recent general assembly of the Scandinavian bishops, who together form a single Bishops’ Conference (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark). URGENT PASTORAL CHALLENGES. The pastoral approach to the acceptance and care of immigrants, on the basis of the documents issued by the Pontifical Council for the pastoral care of people on the move, was one of the central themes of the spring assembly of the Scandinavian bishops, held at Nesoya, near Oslo (Norway). Although the number of foreign presences in Scandinavia is not yet so high, in absolute and percentage terms, as it is in France, Great Britain and Italy, the fact remains that the significant influxes of immigrants into the Nordic countries in recent years have created a problem not only of social integration, but even of political division: several parties have made proposals for more restrictive legislation to curb immigration, creating division in public opinion and new kinds of alliances that go beyond the traditional right-left political spectrum. The Catholic Church, which represents in general a very reduced minority in numerical terms (fluctuating between 3% and 6%), but is very much present in the ecumenical and cultural debate, has had occasion to express the values of solidarity and responsible integration that are typical of Catholic thought in terms of the sound management of globalization. Nonetheless, the Scandinavian bishops have had to recognize that this is an issue that needs a more concrete and better-organized presence, starting out from the pastoral aspect. One of the decisions taken at the spring assembly was that of setting up pastoral commissions for migration in each country, not only as a response to the recent Vatican document on the matter, but also as a practical need to be able effectively to tackle the challenges posed to society today. ECUMENISM AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE. Naturally the new social and religious situation determined by the influx of immigrants in the Scandinavian countries has also been evaluated in the light of the situation of the Catholic Church in these countries: if the basic question until a few years ago was that of getting the Church accepted by its majority sister Protestant Churches, now the ecumenical debate must recognize that the frontier has been shifted forwards and is now shared with Lutherans; for the question the Churches now have in common is how to accept immigrants from Orthodox countries (Eastern Europe), Muslims (from southern Europe and the Middle East), Christians of various denominations, animists, Taoists and those of other faiths from the more distant countries of the Pacific area. So interfaith dialogue becomes a vital necessity in the rich and evolved states of northern Europe, even in the light of the number of presences of these religions (fluctuating between 3% and 10-15% depending on case). Parishes, priests, nuns, and active laity in the Catholic field will thus be called by their respective bishops to embark on a process of deepening these questions, in the recognition that northern Europe will increasingly become a “key frontier” of the Christian message. WYD, YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST, MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY. The Scandinavian bishops also discussed other events of concern to the Nordic Churches: World Youth Day in Cologne (August 2005) and the special “Year of the Eucharist” called by John Paul II. One of the effects of this latter initiative – it was said – was the introduction in various dioceses of eucharistic processions bearing the Most Holy Sacrament, something most unusual in these latitudes. The bishops are also working on a pastoral letter on marriage and the family that will be issued as a common document in the five states, probably by the end of this year. Other questions on the agenda: the next Synod of Bishops, the third European Ecumenical Congress (Romania, 2007), the situation of the Holy Land and the hope of increasing pilgrimages to the area, the activities of COMECE and CCEE, and the Symposium of African and European bishops.