Ecumenism and charity” “

Sweden takes second place (after Norway) in the world league table in terms of “Index of human development”. Its 8,955,000 inhabitants live in a huge territory one and a half times the size of Italy. It continues to represent one of the “myths” of the welfare society at the world level: Sweden’s very high level of support to its citizens, through generous social policies covering medical treatment, family allowances, unemployment benefits and state pensions, is famous throughout the world. But something is beginning to crack even in this social system. One of the most significant problems that people are beginning to debate is the continuous drop in the birth rate, which is leading to a natural decline in the population, only partially compensated by immigration (the more numerous ethnic groups present are those from the former Yugoslavia 0.9%, Iranians 0.7%, and other diversified ethnic groups 7.8%). But it is just the continuous, albeit contained, growth of immigration from countries outside the EU that has given rise, in recent times, to a series of problems of welfare policy type. A constant growth of the Moslem presence has been registered: Muslims now account for a percentage of 2.3% of religious groups. Catholics only account for 1.8% and the other religions together 9.45%: the remaining slice of the cake – the overwhelming majority of the population – consists of Protestants. Most of them are registered in the Lutheran Church (88.2%). In this context, the Catholic Church (144,000 faithful, 41 parishes, 73 diocesan priests) lives with a lifestyle that is discreet but at the same time constructive. It has succeeded in being accepted by the Protestant majority, also thanks to intensive ecumenical activity. SOLIDARITY WITH THE POPE AND THE VICTIMS OF THE tsunami. On the occasion of the Pope’s illness, for example, “Swedish Catholics spontaneously mobilized their support – explains Bishop Anders Arborelius of Stockholm – by going to mass and praying for the Pope with intense and affectionate participation”. Many of the faithful, besides, feel a particularly close bond with John Paul II, since they are Catholic immigrants from Poland. “As in many other countries – notes Maria Hasselgren, of the diocesan social communications office – many of us Catholics for reasons of age have only had John Paul II as our Pope and therefore to see him ill makes us sad”. Religious life in Sweden proceeds according to the pattern of the liturgical year. Thus, for Lent, as is the tradition, Bishop Arborelius has published a pastoral letter dedicated to the tragedy of the tsunami that involved thousands of Swedish holidaymakers. “This natural disaster – explains the bishop – has raised a series of questions in public opinion about the relation between God and suffering in the world. Swedish Caritas has launched a Lenten campaign dedicated to the theme “‘I shall not abandon you'”. No particular events are being planned for the “Special Year of the Eucharist” called by the Pope, other than a greater commitment of prayer and reflection on the eucharistic mystery, centre of the Christian life. The only special event announced is the pilgrimage on 3 September to Vadstena, where Sweden’s patron saint Birgitta (Bridget) is buried. A eucharistic procession with community adoration is planned on this occasion. 13 marCH: ecumenical celebration. The close ties with the Lutherans permits “genuine ecumenical collaboration”. The Lutheran Church of Sweden has also launched its own Lenten campaign, on the theme of charity. There is also an interconfessional project, run through the Swedish Ecumenical Council, aimed at the common support of refugees in Sweden, to help them in their bid to remain in the country and to improve their condition. This specific campaign will begin on Saturday 13 March with a common ecumenical service, in the Lutheran Cathedral of Stockholm. Bishop Arborelius – as co-chairman of the Ecumencial Council – has put his signature to the appeal that will be officially launched on that occasion. The Catholic Church, moreover, has not failed to express its own critical assessment on such hotly contested issues as refugees and the acceptance of immigrants. EUROPE AND ITS CONSTITUTION. In Sweden it is the Parliament that will be called to ratify the new European Constitution. “So there will be no need for a referendum – explains Hasselgren – even if some political parties and pressure groups have begun to ask whether it might not be useful for the population itself to have its say on the question. The Catholic Church too has been invited to make its own observations to be submitted to the Government on the question of the European Constitution”.