Austria: the flight of Middle-Eastern Christians, “a catastrophe”An enormous “catastrophe” for the entire Middle East: this is how Church historian Dietmar Winkler describes the exodus of Christians from the region. During a conference organized by the Institute for Religions and Peace (IRF) and by the Office for world religions (KWR), held in Vienna on April 21, the Professor voiced his “concern over the situation of Christians in Iraq”. In this Country, as in other areas of the Middle-East, “Christians are crucial mediators between opposing Muslim groups”, Winkler declared. “Inter-religious dialogue in the region is partly based on the commitment of Christian faithful”, the Professor declared in an interview with Catholic News Agency Kathpress. Winkler – the only lay theologian who is a member of the Official Commission for dialogue between the Catholic and the Orthodox Church and holds the post of consultor of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity – underlined the problem of Christian “brain drain”, namely the emigration of learned Christians from the Middle East. “This flight causes a drop in intellects and professionalism”, he remarked, since “most Christians are more cultured than Muslims”. The problem is evident in the Christian-Maronite University dedicated to the Holy Spirit of Kaslik or in the University of the Jesuits of Saint Joseph in Beirut (Lebanon), “also many Muslim students would be affected if these universities were shut down”, he said. Professor Winkler tackled the situation in Turkey, whose “relationship with Christian minorities is the test bed for EU membership”. “From this viewpoint Turkey certainly has a long way to go if it wishes to draw close to Europe”, he added. While positively appraising the visit of US President Barak Obama in Turkey, the Professor revealed “ongoing unofficial relations between Turkey and Armenia, which is reason for hope”. England: Papal visit, only speculations”For the moment, indiscretions on the Pope’s visit to the United Kingdom are just speculations. If the visit were to take place it would be a great blessing for everyone”, a spokesman of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales told Sir, commenting on the news that on Monday April 27, during the Papal audience, Prince Charles will renew the invitation previously conveyed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, reported by the British press. The occasion of the trip could be the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. To this regard, Msgr. Vincent Nichols, recently appointed Archbishop of Westminster, told Catholic weekly “Universe” that the visit “would be a memorable and wonderful occasion. But the Holy See and the Pontiff still haven’t taken a decision. Many steps still need to be made”. British “Times” reported that during the audience of April 27 Benedict XVI will present Prince Charles with “the luxurious facsimile” of an appeal made to Pope Clement VII in 1530, in which the English peers requested the annulment of the marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Slovakia: in view of the apostolic visit of Benedict XVI in 2013During a recent meeting with Msgr. Mario Giordana, apostolic nuncio in Slovakia, Premier Robert Fico underlined the efforts of Slovakia’s government in view of the Pope’s visit in 2013. As reported by Catholic Austrian news agency Kathpress, the apostolic journey will take place in the 1150th year since the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Great Moravia region. The anniversary celebrations are already being planned and will be jointly organized by the State and the Church. During the meeting with the nuncio, the head of the government claimed the need “to devote oneself to themes related to mutual cooperation, which benefits the entire society”. In a press declaration issued at the end of the meeting, the two interlocutors acknowledge mutual satisfaction “over the relations between Slovakia and the Vatican”, and also over the relations “between the government of the Slovakian Republic and the Catholic Church” in the Country.
