IN BRIEF
Ukraine: meeting of heads of the Christian ChurchesThere is strength in union. It was this conviction that prompted the leaders of the Christian Churches of the Ukraine to meet in the Basilian monastery in Kiev on 7 October 2008 to tackle the problems that the country and the Churches of Ukraine are having to face at the present time, and seek solutions together. The meeting was chaired by Cardinal Lubomir Husar. It was attended by the Ukrainian Minister for Health, Vasily Knyazevich, and the heads of the main Christian Churches in Ukraine, in particular those of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Kiev, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Greek-Catholic Church, Roman-Catholic Church, Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christians, Baptist Church and Lutheran Evangelical Church. Focal points of discussion were the current social and political situation in Ukraine, Church-State relations, collaboration with the authorities as regards the protection of the environment and road safety, and the importance of the ethical and moral education of children of school age. The participants decided to formulate a common strategy, in collaboration with the government authorities, for the defence of unborn children. The religious leaders further expressed their concern about the persecutions of Christians in India, and declared their solidarity “with those who suffer on account of their faith in Jesus Christ”. Croatia: tenth year of Pope Fest”Let yourself be conquered by Jesus Christ to be able to be protagonists of a really meaningful life, protagonists of a great and splendid adventure, imbued with love for God and for your fellowmen”. It was with these words that John Paul II took his leave of the youth of Croatia ten years ago, during his visit to Solin (4 October 1998), on the occasion of his apostolic journey to the country. And Croatian youth haven’t forgotten that visit of the Pope. Indeed, they commemorate it every year with a festival of religious music. It’s now in its tenth year. “Pope Fest – as the festival is called – continues, said Father Vinko Sanader, its director, because it arouses a motivation in the young and suggests a message of unity. We are all of one heart and one spirit alone, and this in fact is the aim of the festival”. Fifteen musical groups, fourteen of them from Croatia and one from Germany, performed at this year’s festival, before an audience of some 2,000 youth. Representatives of the Croatian Catholic Church, including Bishop Ante Juri?, delegate for youth ministry of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, and Vicar General Ivan ?ubeli?, as well as of the civil authorities, including the Mayor of Solin, Blaenko Boban, were present at the event. “Guided by the message of our beloved Pope John Paul II – said Boban -, our youth follow the example of his life and sing for the Glory of God, to demonstrate that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life”.Moldova: Prime Minister at Caritas centre in ChisinauOver 450 free meals per day, 160 assisted with domiciliary care, over 900 people over the age of 65 assisted through the social services: these are some of the figures that characterize the Social and Pastoral “House of Providence” Centre run by Caritas of Chisinau, founded in October 2002, thanks to the commitment of the Catholic Church of Moldova and the financial assistance of the local Churches of Western Europe. On the occasion of the Day of the Elderly, celebrated in Moldova on 1st October, Moldavian Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanîi made an official visit to the Caritas “House of Providence in Chisinau. The premier emphasized the importance of such charitable institutions, “in which the elderly may feel protected”. Mrs Greceanîi presented some food parcels to the elderly cared for in the House of Providence, and gave them her good wishes. The representatives of the home are currently in negotiations with the government authorities of the Republic of Moldova to obtain contributions for the development of social services on behalf of disadvantaged people. In May 2008 the Moldavian Minister of Justice gave the “House of Providence” run by Caritas in Chisinau the status of “public utility”.
