Belgium: the bishops on research and human dignity “Human life is sacred from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death”, and “whatever reifies the human sphere represents a regression of civilization”. The claim was reiterated by the bishops in Belgium, in a note issued upon the conclusion of the Assembly held past January 8, when the prelates jointly addressed the issue of the draft-bill “concerning the procurement and use of human material for medical purposes or scientific research”, voted past December 4 at the Chamber of representatives after the preliminary approval by the Senate. According to Belgium’s bishops, “technological progress ought to bend to human dignity”. Indeed, the second article of the provision is reason for serious concern. It describes all biological material of human origin: tissue, cells, gametes, embryos, foetuses, as well as removable substances “regardless of their transformation” as “corporeal human material”. “The fact that Belgium’s legislator defines the ‘developing human person’ as ‘corporeal human material’ available for medical research is frightening”, the prelates remarked referring to the embryo and foetus. To those who are favourably impressed by the bill the Bishops reply: “Being motivated by good intentions” does not make an act “morally acceptable”. “What is technically possible must not necessarily become morally acceptable – claimed the Bishops -. Each day science extends the limits of medicine. We ought to be satisfied, but at the same time we ought to keep our guard high”. “Technological progress must yield to an invisible barrier: human dignity”, the bishops concluded. Italy: the Bishops’ Conference for the Day of Consecrated life “The Lord intervenes in the history of mankind, calling men to His sequel. In this extraordinary manner, on the way to Damascus, Lord Jesus conquered Saul of Tarsus” (C.f. Phil. 3:12), states the message for the 13th World Day of Consecrated life (February 2 2009), issued by the Bishops’ Commission for the Clergy and Consecrated Life of Italy’s Bishops Conference. Referring to Paul’s writings, Italian Bishops declared: “In the glaring light of the encounter with Christ, the consecrated person is called to live his entire existence to the point of stating: ‘Christ lives in me’; thus surrendering to an interpersonal passionate relationship that will enable him to see only the crucified and resurrected Christ leading him to carry His stigmata”. The message underlines the value of “obedience” to the Word of God on the part of the consecrated person, who is called to be in harmony with the liturgical calendar. The message of the Bishops’ Commission for the Clergy and Consecrated Life underlines the need that “monastic and religious communities be oases that live the primacy of God in his glory and love”, expressing a “generous service to the poor, according to the charisma of the religious order”. Spain: the “Social Doctrine Bulletin” Since January, the “Bulletin of the Social Doctrine of the Church”, trimonthly of Cardinal Van Thuân International Observatory, is published also in Spain. Thus, the “Bulletin” is jointly issued in Perù (for Latin America), Italy and Spain. Along with the Observatory, which coordinates the publication and runs its Italian edition, the joint project enjoys the cooperation of the San Pablo University in Arequipa (Peru) and of Fundación Pablo VI in Madrid, promoted by the Social León Institute jointly with the Pontifical University of Salamanca campus in Madrid. The three parties are part of the “Cardinal Van Thuân International Network”, that is at the service of the Social Doctrine of the Church. The Network is promoted by the same Observatory and is chaired by bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. “The Spanish edition of the Bulletin – explained Msgr. Crepaldi, – consolidates the international dimension of the Observatory, in line with its original project”. The prelate affirmed that publishing the review in cooperation with the Fundación Pablo VI in Madrid means “sharing a cultural view, planning together and jointly facing emerging problems”. “In the future the joint Network will intervene in public debate regarding common issues while raising public awareness”, the bishop remarked. Msgr. Crepaldi said he hopes “the three institutions involved will be joined by others elsewhere in the world”. The three editions for Italy, Latin America and Spain will “present common articles and local reports at national level”, the prelate stated. “However, one same direction and editorial staff coordinates the news. It’s a unitary project and is therefore articulated and flexible”, he explained.
