Germany: residence permit to “tolerated” persons Yesterday representatives for immigration of German Catholic and Protestant Churches called for the permanent right to residence in a joint statement. Alfred Buß, President of the Commission for immigration and integration of the Evangelical German Church (EKD) and Msgr. Josef Voß, President of the Commission for immigration of the German Bishops’ Conference solicited extending residence permits for “tolerated” immigrants, i.e. those who haven’t been granted ‘refugee’ status and have been living in Germany for many years. Church representatives referred to the regulation regarding so-called “old cases” (Altfallregelung), urging “greater consideration of humanitarian aspects”. “The regulation is a step forward in the right direction”, they said. “However, until now only half of the 100,000 immigrants that in 2006 had been living in Germany for over six years as ‘tolerated’ migrants were granted a temporary residence permit”. While “only 6.500 people obtained a definitive residence permit extending beyond December 31 2009”, they remarked. Buß and Voß underlined the need “to find an adequate solution also for the over 102,000 ‘tolerated’ persons that are not envisaged in the regulation on old cases”. “Leaving these people in a state of ongoing uncertainty goes against the fundamental need to rely on secure living prospects. Immigrants integrated in Germany, whose expatriation must be out of the question, ought to be granted a working and residence permit”, Church representatives finally declared. Portugal: Week for LifeOn May 10-17 the Catholic Church in Portugal will celebrate the Week for Life. This year’s theme is: “Living with Values, Family Formation”. Following the referendum of February 2007, which legalized voluntary abortion, the Portuguese Church sought to identify the reasons for society’s ethical chasm, and proposed to adopt a realistic approach when addressing the fragile aspects of evangelisation pertaining to it. The 2007 and 2008 Weeks for Life were intended to spread evangelisation, for individual conversion and for the positive change of conscience and mentality. In continuity with the previous Weeks, the 2009 initiative adopted the message launched during the recent international meeting on “The Family, Educator of Human and Christian values”, and in the wake of Benedict XVI’s message to consider the family unit as a sanctuary of life: “a cradle of humanity and Christian life for all of its members, with positive effects upon individuals, on the Church and on society as a whole” (message for the VI° world family meeting). Hence, targeted and effective evangelization, aimed at filling the gap of ethical values in society cannot overlook the fact that the family is its major recipient and protagonist. Protecting and supporting the family, ensuring that its members are free people with rich human and evangelical values, is the most direct and effective way to ensure dignity to life, and the best service that can be rendered to society. Scotland: “no” to the hotel in front of the cathedral Cardinal Keith O’Brien, head of the Catholic Church of Scotland, is striving to stop the project of building a hotel in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, one the most important cathedrals in Scotland, dating back to 1814. His Eminence personally intervened to oppose the erection of the new building, which according to experts from the archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, led by the Cardinal, would ruin one of the most remarkable bird’s-eye-views of the cathedral. The issue was triggered by the decision of replacing the Picardy Place Square, facing the Cathedral, with a new tram circuit. Edinburgh’s town council resolved to sell part of the property to building contractors that plan to erect a hotel with cafeteria and restaurants on the site. Cardinal O’ Brien told Edinburgh’s town council officers that the new building risks spoiling celebrations for the Cathedral’s 200-year anniversary. “I hope the town council will ensure that no building will be erected in front of the Cathedral and that we will be able to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2014 with no changes within its premises”. The Cardinal’s request is endorsed by numerous personalities, notably the city’s former mayor Eric Milligan.
