Romania-Italy: together against evil"The Catholic Church of Romania rejects and condemns together with all of you the crimes and other kinds of misdemeanours perpetrated in Italy by some of our compatriots", writes the Archbishop of Bucharest and President of the Romanian Bishops’ Conference, the Most Rev. Ioan Robu, in a letter sent on 23 February to Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, following a series of violent assaults in which Romanian citizens have been protagonists. "All the evil they have done mortifies us and fills us with indignation writes Archbishop Robu . And I am convinced that these are the feelings of all Romanians, even those who work in Italy, and who show respect for themselves and for their Italian brothers". Archbishop Robu thanks the "Catholic Church of Italy" for the "warm and brotherly welcome" it "has always held out to Romanian communities, placing at their disposal churches and facilities for appropriate pastoral care. We also know how often the Church of Italy has taken a stance in favour of immigrants in a spirit of solidarity and brotherly charity, a support that is known to everyone". "We are convinced concludes Mgr. Robu that the traditional friendship between Italians and Romanians, as also our common solidarity against all forms of evil, shall prevail and vanquish any temptation to see only the evil". The Romanian Orthodox Diocese also took action with a "Pastoral Letter" (signed by bishop Siluan Span) suggesting its communities hold "a positive attitude" in addressing the current situation. In the Letter, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese conveys feelings of "regret and sadness for the accusations launched against our community, which is being held responsible for crimes perpetrated by just a few compatriots". For two or three running Sundays the Letter will be the object of petition after which it will be sent with the collected signatures to diocesan curiae and local councils. While the open letter titled "Dear Italy", will be sent to Central Authorities. Germany: fasting from Co2"Better, differently, and less": that’s the slogan chosen by the Catholic youth association Kirchliche Jugendarbeit (KJA) and by the Union of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) of the diocese of Würzburg to invite adults and young people to join in a "fast from CO2" for Lent. "Lent is not only for Christians an occasion to change habits that may be harmful to health or to society", said the organizers in presenting the initiative in Würzburg on 19 February. "In times of climate change it is our priority also to ascertain the forms of behaviour that compromise the climate and the environment". That’s why a series of proposals and recommendations for a sustainable lifestyle are being presented on the website www.co2fasten.de. Beginning on 25 March, Ash Wednesday, texts, images and information on how to save energy, water or fuel will be published each week. On a special webpage, participants in the fast will be able to share their own ideas, recount their own experiences and remain in contact with others. Again in Würzburg, another "sustainable energy" project is being promoted: it’s the project "Solar energy for Mbinga". Those who save by participating in the fast from CO2 can pay the sum thus unspent to help finance the purchase of solar energy plant for the African diocese of Mbinga, twinned with the German diocese, to replace the highly polluting diesel generators hitherto used. Austria: "ecumenical" Lent Demonstrations in silence and fasting from the use of the car: these are just two of the initiatives for Lent, inserted in the traditional Lenten action of "Fasting from the Car", promoted by the Christian Churches in Austria and now in its fourth year. The programme starts on 25 February: a so-called "bubble of silence" is planned in Graz; its participants will include Auxiliary Bishop Franz Lackner, Evangelical Superintendent Hermann Miklas and local authorities. Environmental representative of the diocese of Graz-Seckau, Hemma Opis-Pieber, will explain the objectives of the campaign and later, between 11 and 12, concepts such as responsibility for the creation, sustainable lifestyle, protection of the environment and "gentle mobility" will be promoted in silence and with banners. At Linz, an "Auto-Verpack-Aktion" (car-packaging action) is planned for Ash Wednesday: a car will be packaged in front of the station at 10.30 to symbolise fasting from the car. Those present at the event will include Michael Rosenberger, moral theologian and delegate for the environment in the diocese, Evangelical Superintendent Gerold Lehner and the President of Catholic Action in Upper Austria, Margit Hauft. Various alternatives to the car will be promoted from 25 February to 11 April: cycles, walking, or car-pooling for commuters, with the aim of helping actively to reduce CO2 emissions and protect the climate.
