Bosnia-Herzegovina: preserving Christian roots The “love of our neighbour” is important “for the creation of world peace”. These were the welcoming words pronounced by the bishop of Kärnten Msgr. Carinzia Alois Schwarz, upon the arrival of a delegation from the Archdiocese of Sarajevo. The meeting, attended by His Eminence Cardinal Vinko Puljic, was held in the framework of the twinning between the dioceses of Gurk and Sarajevo. This is “primarily a twinning of the hearts and of mutual affection” Msgr. Schwarz declared. The bishop said he was “impressed” by the “testimonies of living faith” he witnessed in Sarajevo and expressed the need for diversity to be perceived “as mutual enrichment”. In fact, he continued, “only mutual knowledge and an open attitude towards people from other Countries and religious traditions can enable the development of peace in Europe”. The experience of the diocesan twinning with the archdiocese of Sarajevo, which operates in a Catholic-minority environment, proves that “forgiveness and reconciliation are dialogue’s requirements. Cardinal Puljic”, the bishop affirmed, “has undertaken an exemplary peace process” whereby Sarajevo “is now a place for hope”. On his part, His Eminence conveyed words of appreciation for the twinning. “Together we are undertaking a path which will serve as an example to others. Our wish is that it may act as a bridge of love to others”. His Eminence pointed out that “recognition and acceptance of diversity are the underlying conditions of a united Europe”. To this regard, Cardinal Puljic reaffirmed the Christian roots of the Continent which ought “to be preserved”. It’s the only way “to prevent Europe’s loss of identity”, he declared. In illustrating the activities of the Catholic Church in Sarajevo, His Eminence referred to the “many important tasks” needing to be addressed. “After a long Via Crucis experience with World War Two, after Tito’s rule and the war in Bosnia, the reconstruction of ecclesial structures is proceeding at a very slow pace”, he concluded. Germany: soccer game to help soldier-children “Aiming at goal, not at individuals”: this is the slogan chosen for the ecumenical charity campaign organized by Missio and by Mission EineWelt for ex soldier-children. This undertaking enjoys the support of the football team Schalke 04 which played a game against Hannover 96 in the Veltins-Arena. On the occasion, the stadium also promoted fund-rasing and information on projects to help soldier-children, along with a video of Brasilian football champion Pelé supporting the initiative. Already in February 2006, the event was backed up by the Schalke team supporters, enabling the collection og over 12,000 Euros. “In these two years, these funds have enabled our ecclesial partners to provide aid to 2000 former soldier-children and help them return to their normal lives”, said Father Hermann Schalück, chairman of Missio Aquisgrana and self-declared supporter of the team. In expressing their gratitude, the project partners from Liberia, the Country hit by civil war in recent years, sent pictures of the children who benefited from this initiatives, some of whom were wearing the shirts of the team. This year’s edition was aimed at helping 1,500 soldier-children to overcome the traumas related to their past experiences. “I positively view the fact that our team can help these children recover a normal life”, said Gerald Asamoah, Ghanaian Schalke midfielder. On his part, Schalück expressed his appreciation for the support and recalled that the project is intended to increase public awareness on the destiny of 250,000 soldier-children: “These children have a great dream: they want to aim at goal, not at people”. “We want to help them with the contribution of football players and supporters”. Slovenia: last day of the International Salesian Games The awarding ceremony and the passage of the official flag to Italy’s delegation, where the 2009 edition will be celebrated, marked the conclusion of the XIX International Games of Salesian youth. Msgr. Alojzij Uran, archbishop of Lubiana, celebrating the closing Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, invited young athletes to treasure their experience, and echoing the words of Saint Paul he affirmed: “Nothing is impossible to those who have faith in God”. He urged them to always face whoever might oppose their full development. “The most important victory is obtained by overcoming one’s egoism”. The most outstanding teams were Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Spain and Ukraine.
