France: bishops campaign for life”Abortion isn’t an incidental episode in the life of a woman. It remains an open wound and a failure for women, couples and society”. This is the opening phrase of the statement signed by all the Bishops of IIle-de-France to protest against the pro-abortion advertisements put up in Paris’ metro and as a call to responsibility directed to its authors. The local Church especially disliked the style of the campaign, which is coloured and depicting young people; and the slogan: “sexuality, contraception, abortion”; “a right, my choice, our freedom”. The campaign appeared a week after Paris’ “pro-life” demonstration promoted by “30 ans: ca suffit” associations union. “Is it responsible to pass the message that this is progress? And worse still, promote it? Many women experience a sense of bewilderment before an unwanted pregnancy. Their desperation can’t be viewed as freedom. There are associations, which try to help these women keep their child, and counselors who stay with them while they give birth. These associations deserve our support. Instead of promoting abortion as future’s solution, it’s necessary that everyone take part in the promotion of a culture respectful of women’s life and dignity”. His Eminence Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, archbishop of Paris, in an interview with the magazine “Catholics in France”, reiterated the same concept: “Different solutions ought to be sought to help women in need. There should be places and people devoted to supporting pregnant mothers. These women should be helped to be in touch with their own life and build a project for their own future”.Belgium: towards the wydBelgium’s youth will come together next 15 March in Koekelberg’s basilica where they will experience moments of joy and prayer in the heart of the Holy Week. It’s Belgium’s WYD, which this year will be firstly celebrated in the single dioceses and then jointly . Instead of the traditional march, the youth will be involved in a number of meetings, workshops and debate sessions. The day will close with a watch in the spirit of Taizé, and will be attended also by His Eminence Cardinal Daneels.Scotland: adolescents’ abortions on the increaseHis Eminence Cardinal Keith Michael O’Brien, bishop of Saint Andrew and Edinburgh, and President of Scotland’s Bishops Conference, deplores the failure of the Country’s policies for the reduction of abortion by adolescents and individuals affected by sexual diseases. His Eminence affirmed that adopting these policies – based on easier access to contraceptives – is like “placing an ambulance wherever there’s an accident instead of educating drivers”. Pro-life associations recalled that in Scotland the abortion rate has never been this high. According to surveys, in 2006 there were 13 thousand voluntary abortions in Scotland compared to 12 thousand of the previous year. The highest abortion rate was registered among girls aged 16-19. His Eminence recently resigned from his post at Amnesty International for the association’s policy on contraceptive methods.Kosovo: “a just solution” for the CountryDuring his visit to “Aid to the Church in Need”, the archbishop of Bar (Montenegro), Msgr. Zef Gashi, claimed the need to find “a just solution” for Kosovo, or else the Country risks “exploding”. Msgr. Gashi declared that “the situation in Kosovo is such that it’s important to make a point and find a solution otherwise the Country runs the risk of an explosion which nobody will benefit from”. According to the archbishop, “it would it be right to grant Kosovo independence”. Msgr. Gashi enjoined Europe to consider this opportunity, since what’s important for the Union is to ensure stability and coexistence in the Balkan region. The bishop believes that “a population with 2 million inhabitants which underwent dramatic and traumatic experiences like death and deportation, today has the right to hope in the future”. Msgr. Gashi, who was born in Kosovo, underlined that the region has one of the youngest populations: 60% of Kosovo’s inhabitants are under 35 and many are forced to immigrate for lack of job and living opportunities.
