Small, dynamic and open

“It’s a Church that is admittedly small, both in geographical area and in number of inhabitants, but very dynamic and open to the world and to the universal Church”. That’s how Archbishop BERNARD BARSI of the Principality of Monaco defines his Church in an interview with SirEurope. The archbishop was speaking on the occasion of the recent plenary of the CCEE (Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe), held on Fatima from 3 to 7October, during which the archdiocese of Monaco together with the diocese of Chisinau (Moldavia) became members of the pan-European organization, which is thus enlarged to 36 members. According to the Pontifical Yearbook, there are 29,000 Catholics in the Principality of Monaco, out of 32,000 inhabitants. Archbishop Barsi further explained that the Church in Monaco “consists of six parishes, and comprises a similar number of Catholic immigrant communities”. There are 27 priests and 3 permanent deacons; 10 women religious, and 3 seminarians who are completing their studies in the diocesan seminary of Nice. There are two Catholic schools in the archdiocese, with some 1,300 pupils, and 17 lay movements and associations. FAMILY AND LAITY . “The Constitution of Monaco – explains Barsi – affirms (art. 9) that the Catholic, apostolic and Roman religion is the State religion. In our national anthem we sing: ‘we only have one religion’. However, given that religious freedom is guaranteed, the Reformed Church, the Anglican Communion, a Greek-Orthodox community and a Jewish community with its own synagogue all have a presence in Monaco”. The archbishop describes “ecumenical relations as excellent”, and “interfaith dialogue with Judaism regular and cordial”. What are the main pastoral priorities? “The year 2006-07 was dedicated to the evangelization of families today”, explains Msgr. Barsi, who will shortly publish “pastoral guidelines” on the matter. He also says he has sent “a priest to study at the John Paul II Institute of the Family in Rome (part of the Pontifical Lateran University)”. “This year 2007-08 – he continues – we will devote our attention to the formation of the laity: What hopes? What questions? I regard as commendable the work carried out by the competent diocesan service, but it succeeds in bringing together only a hundred or so Christians. How can we reach out to others?”, asks the archbishop. YOUTH AND SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH. “Catechesis for youth and adults – continues the Archbishop of Monaco – however remains a constant in our pastoral priorities. To this end I have sent another priest to Paris to train in this specific field”. “Thanks to the publication of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church – he adds -, we have had occasion to study this teaching which especially commits the laity to living the Gospel in the various social and economic realities. This has led to the setting up of three teams of Christian businessmen and managers (EDC) that hold regular meetings”. A further aspect on which the archbishop places emphasis is cooperation between “priests, religious and laity, which I never tire of encouraging”. REVIVING CONSCIENCES. What are the main difficulties you encounter in preaching the Gospel in Monaco today? “Those, I believe, of all the countries of Western Europe: loss of faith, secularization, hedonism, individualism, adoration of the new golden calf which is money…”. “To revive the Christian conscience – continues Msgr. Barsi – I published in November 2005 a pastoral letter on the urgent need for mission in our country, Take to the deep and teach the Gospel”. The Archbishop says he is deeply concerned by the wish of some members of the National Council (Parliament of Monaco) to legalise abortion in the Principality, hitherto prohibited by art. 248 of the Penal Code. “To this end – he explains – an advisory diocesan committee on bioethics has been set up. Composed of physicians, pharmacists, lawyers and intellectuals, its task is to help the archbishop and the diocesan community to inform themselves in an exhaustive and correct way on this grave issue that involves the future and the dignity of man and woman”.