Italy: solidarity to Premier BerlusconiThe presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference condemned the assault on Premier Silvio Berlusconi in Milan in a note issued December 13, the same day of the attack. “The violent attack against the Prime Minister was an episode of singular and abominable gravity”, states the note. “As we express our sincere closeness to Minister Berlusconi, we hope for a more serene and respectful cultural climate for our country so that the good of everyone will be realized in society and in political life”. Benedict XVI deplored the attack in a telegram to PM Silvio Berlusconi expressing his “fatherly closeness” and wishing him a “speedy recovery”. Italian Catholic Associations promptly condemned the assault. Azione Cattolica branded the “degeneration of the political debate in Italy” that “prompts the need for a profound soul-searching among the Country’s leadership, in political parties and across civil society”. “At present, the Country’s sound forces” states the AC communiqué – urge politicians to lower the tones and radically change their wordings”. ACLI President Andrea Olivero underlined the importance for “moderation and sense of responsibility”. “Opposition in the political realm can be marked by strong criticism, but words and actions must comply with the respect of individuals and institutions”.Scotland: “no” to the law on mercy killing”We encourage the disabled, the seriously ill and elderly people to voice their opposition to the new bill legalizing assisted suicide in complaints to Scottish MPs, to the press and to pro-life organizations”. Alistair Thompson, spokesperson of the pro-life organization “Care not killing alliance”, told SIR Europe that the new bill on assisted suicide, expected to be taken to the Scottish Parliament in January 2010, “risks making the terminally ill and chronic patients feel they are a burden for their families, friends, and for the health system as a whole”. “There isn’t enough protection for the risk categories such as those suffering from depression, who are in dire need of treatment, and could decide to put an end to their lives”, Thompson said. MP Margo MacDonald, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, spearheaded the campaign for the bill. She claimed her right to die if her disease should worsen. The Scottish press reported that PM Alex Salmond will enable MPs to make a conscience vote, but Thompson confides that the law won’t be backed by a majority vote. “Instead of encouraging vulnerable patients to commit assisted suicide or euthanasia, we should help these people access effective palliative treatments”.Ireland: grief for the death of fr. Roche”The death of Father Roche is a reminder of the great sacrifice made by those who are answering God’s calling to bring the Good News to the poor. I pray especially for the safety of our religious and lay missionaries who work under the threat of violence in their communities”. Cardinal Seán Brady, Primate of the Catholic Church in Ireland expressed his condolences on the death of Irish missionary Jeremiah Roche, murdered the night of December 10 by strangers who broke into his house in Kericho, 250 km from Nairobi. “The death of Father Roche was vicious and surrounded by gruesome circumstances,” His Eminence said. “It arrived as a deep shock to all those who have loved him and admired him in his parish in Kericho and in his home parish of Athea in County Limerick where the priest was expected to retire to next year after having served 40 years as a missionary priest”.England: the Pope’s visit in September?The English weekly “Tablet” reported that Benedict XVI will visit the United Kingdom September 16-19 2010 with a one-day visit to Scotland and will conclude it with the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, perhaps at the airport of Coventry. The “Tablet” is echoed by the British press that envisaged the possibility of the Pontiff’s address to British MPs in Westminster Central Hall, where, in 1535, Thomas Moore was sentenced to death for having opposed the act of supremacy of Henry VIII that triggered the schism from Rome. The Tablet also reported that a delegation of the English and Scottish Churches, formed, among others, by Msgr. Andrew Summersgill, former secretary general of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and by father Paul Conroy, Secretary General of the Scottish Church, last week had a meeting in the Vatican to discuss the details of a visit. Since that to the UK is a State and not a pastoral visit, as it was for John Paul II in 1982, a civil committee has been set up, coordinated by Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell. It’s unusual for the Pope to preside over a beatification that is usually celebrated by a Vatican official in the diocese where the candidate has died. Benedict XVI made an exception due to the strong devotion to Venerable Cardinal J.H.Newman.
