Luxembourg: the bishops on the euthanasiaIn a press release issued yesterday, the Church of Luxembourg expressed its view on euthanasia following the unanimously approval by the Parliament of the draft bill on palliative care and on the assistance to terminally ill patients. “The church welcomes this unequivocal achievement and expresses the hope that the new instruments will be quickly implemented for the good of patients. In addition, by offering palliative care and assistance, euthanasia can be reasonably limited.” At this regard, “the Church deplores the fact that the draft bill introducing euthanasia and assisted suicide has been approved by majority for the second time.” The Church “points out that the fundamental task of the State and of every citizen is to take the commitment to protect life” and “recalls that not everything that is authorised by law is morally acceptable. Clarity and moral strength are more than ever necessary,” said the bishops announcing the introduction of the Week of Life in 2009. “The coming into force of the two laws on end-of-life requires a high moral responsibility from all the people who are concerned: patients, medical and nursing staff and relatives. Every sign in favour of life is a sign of hope.France: no Christmas Mass on TF1French TF1 television network decided to suppress the Christmas Midnight Mass celebrated by the Pope; a “sign of superficiality” that reflects “a lack of attention for the sensitivity, the culture and the religious tradition of a large part of the country”, declared Federico Lombardi, Vatican Press-room spokesperson, in an interview with ‘I.Media’ news agency. “A large number of world countries broadcast this religious celebration in the awareness that a large audience view Christmas as an important religious event that involves the community of believers”. TF1 has been regularly broadcasting the Mass of the Vigil celebrated by the Pope in Saint Peter’s Basilica. This year, the network planned to replace this religious event followed by 1,5 million viewers with a show and a concert by French singer Michel Sardou that dates back to 2005. Whereas France 2, in compliance with its obligations as public network, will broadcast the Vigil Mass live from the Cathedral of Evry (Essonne) as customary. The Mass celebrated by Benedict XVI will be broadcast by Catholic network KTO. Ukraine: Card. Husar on Christian Unity December 9 to 13, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, head of the Ukranian Greek-Catholic Church, took part in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. The main purpose of the meeting is to draw a balance of the world activities aimed at promoting Christian unity. In an interview with the information department of his Church, Cardinal Husar said: “The Catholic Church, since the times of Vatican II, did its utmost to promote mutual understanding between Christians in view of finally achieving unity”. During the plenary assembly in the Vatican, participants addressed the importance that faithful ascribe to ecumenical dialogue. “A lot is said in the different sectors as relates to ecumenism. However, most people fail to understand the purpose of the dialogue. Jesus Christ clearly stated that we must be united in the Lord. Hence, this is His will. And the ecumenical movement in the life of the Church is not expendable. Rather, it is crucial. The Church ought to be united, and be one”. Ireland: “a difficult Christmas for many” For many, this Christmas will be a difficult time, due to the economic downturn. “In the past months, many have already lost their jobs, while primary health and education services are at risk and the weaker population brackets are most likely to suffer”. Thus, there is an urgent need “to recover faith and hope in the future”, stated the Catholic and the Anglican Bishops of Clogher (Ireland), Michael Jackson and Joseph Duffy in their joint Christmas wishes to their congregations. “In our fragmented society it’s extremely important to preserve the bond linking personal fulfilment and action for an inclusive community” the two Bishops declared in the message. This applies especially in the case of Christians to whom “the Word made Flesh is at the basis of every action”. Therefore, the bishops declared, “without religious roots there is no hope in the future, and no righteous understanding of human dignity”.
