Slovenia: the bishops’ concern Slovenia’s Bishops’ Conference (SBC) issued a statement expressing “Deep concern over the Government of Slovenia’s Republic’s relations with the Catholic Church”. The question regards the appointment of the new Director of the Office for Religious Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Ale Guliè. Premier Borut Pahor conferred the post on September 3rd. The bishops point out that “according to his biography”, the new director Ale Guliè is one of the founders and members of the “MC Satan’s brothers” society. Guliè’s “public statements” are equally worrying, the bishops wrote, “and so is his stand as relates to the Law on religious freedom”. “The candidate’s ideological stands as relates to faith have been clearly conveyed”, SBC remarked. The news of his appointment was received with concern also by representatives of Slovenia’s Evangelical, Orthodox and Muslim communities. The Bishops’ Conference conveyed its “bewilderment before the candidate’s appointment. Evidently, the government turned a deaf ear to Church-State hanging issues. Slovenian prelates view this as a political decision that does not consider the professional skills of the candidate. Rather, it is fuelled by government members’ anti-Church sentiments”.England: also “tween-agers” appreciate the BibleWho is the one who was shipwrecked and was put into prison more than once? How much bread and fish was needed to feed three thousand people? The “Bible’s Detective’s quiz” is aimed at providing the youth aged 11-13 with learning on Jesus and the Scriptures. The initiative was proposed by the Catholic Church of England and Wales and involves those that in Great Britain are called the “tweenagers”. The “Detective’s Bible” can be downloaded by logging on www.yfaith.co.uk. “Involving the youth in Biblical accounts can be a real challenge and the ministry for the youth mainly consists in the ability to find interesting ways of exploring the faith. It’s precisely what we’re trying to do with the Bible quiz”, said Emily Davis, coordinator of the “Yfaith Project”. “We’re pleased to see this age bracket engage in Biblical reading and discover the pillars of their faith. The quiz is an excellent tool for evangelization”. Every month the youth that complete the quiz are encouraged to take part in a competition: prizes include a Bible, a shirt and a pen. Ireland: prayers for the victims of abuse The Church of Ireland is still in deep pain for the tragic cases of sexual abuse on minors perpetrated in religious institutions across Ireland, disclosed in a government Report made public past May 20. A new report – which has not been made public yet – on cases of abuse in the area of Dublin was submitted to Ireland’s Justice Minister Dermon Ahem past July. The question deeply shattered the public opinion and the Church. Past May 25, Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, and Msgr. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, were received in private audience with the Pope and briefed him on the issue. A few days ago Archbishop Martin made known that a prayer “manual” will be drawn up for those who were victims of abuse. A strong statement of forgiveness opens the manual: “Lord, we plead forgiveness for what some of us did to your sons, threatening them fiercely in this time of need. We left them to suffer for a long time. These were not Your plans for them. We pray that You may help them. Guide us Lord, amen”. The document also contains prayer proposals. The first is addressed “to those that underwent physical, mental, emotional or sexual abuse. May the Lord grant them the tenderness and compassion they need to be healed and be in peace”. Prayers are also addressed to Christian communities: “May they take care and protect the most vulnerable brackets of our society, notably children”. The “spirit of wisdom” is called upon “to enlighten human minds and raise awareness and determination in putting an end to all acts of violence and abuse”. The publication includes a series of passages from the Gospel, psalms and litanies on healing and inner peace.
