An association dedicated to Edith Stein The “Sociedad de Pensamiento Edith Stein” (SPES) was established in Spain during the 1st international congress on philosophy (Granada, 30 June – 3 July). The society, whose founding charter was signed on that occasion, is dedicated to the figure and to the thoughts of Edith Stein, the Jewish saint who was converted to the Catholic faith and became co-patron of Europe. Mgr. Javier Martínez, Archbishop of Granada, pointed out that SPES, created with the support of the Archbishopric of Granada and of the Institute of Philosophy Edith Stein of the Archdiocese of Granada, represents “a wonderful hope for reason and, accordingly, for the human being”. SPES’ goal, explained the society’s secretary Feliciana Merino, is to “promote a deeper understanding of Edith Stein” through “cultural and educational activities”. Among the initiatives on the agenda, the publication of an online review of philosophical and phenomenological studies and the project to organise an international congress dedicated to this saint, known as Saint Benedicta of the Cross, to be held in 2011.Encyclical, “an exceptional document””An extraordinary document of the Social Doctrine of the Church” and “a real gift for everyone” with lots of suggestions in terms of “initiatives for a Christian life based on testimony and truth”. This judgement on “Caritas in Veritate” by Benedict XVI was expressed by Archbishop of Valencia Msgr. Carlos Osoro Sierra, in his letter “The Beauty of Charity in Truth”. “Charity – said the Spanish bishop – would be an empty envelope without truth; this is the risk run by our culture today: living love without truth”. “The Pope is certainly right – said the archbishop – when he says that Christianity with charity but without truth may easily be taken for a reserve of good feelings, useful for social life in common, but marginal”. And he added: “Charity is the main path of the Social Doctrine of the Church”; on the other hand, “We must think that all the commitments and the responsibilities coming from the Social Doctrine of the Church originate from charity”. The Church, he concluded, “has no technical solutions; however, it has a mission to carry out, a mission of truth for all times and circumstances in favour of society on a human scale, a society respecting human dignity and vocation”.With seamen and their families”Sea wants your love”. This is the title of the message of the Spanish Bishop promoter of the Apostolate of the Sea for the Spanish Bishops’ Conference Mgrs. Luis Quinteiro Fiuza. In a document published in view of the feast of the Blessed Virgin of the Carmel, the Patron of Sailors, which the Church celebrates July 16. The theme, chosen during the general Assembly of the Apostolate of the Sea held past April in Santa Pola (Alicante), is “particularly beautiful, since love is the most important virtue”, the document states. It’s a theologal virtue that refers directly to God. God is love and his work is Divine mercy”, the document states and recalls, “the love of God encompasses the love for the Creation. The things we love deserve being protected. This profound love of the sailors for the natural elements that nourish and support them ought to rise to the surface. This feeling prompts our commitment for the environment, its protection and improvement. Also these activities bear the refection of the light of the Gospel”. Thus, the bishop promoter of the Apostolate of the Sea pointed out, “many people work at sea where they spend many days and nights. When they return home, these people need special affection and attention”. For this reason, Msgr. Quinteiro Fiuza asks “everyone, especially the parish priests in coastal areas, to accompany sailors when they disembark and take care of their problems and needs”. The Apostolate of the Sea thus called for the establishment of “a pastoral care for the sea environment, bringing together solidarity models with sailors’ migration reality”. Furthermore, the prelate calls “society as a whole to show solidarity with sailors’ families, notably with their wives, who in the loneliness of their households must act as mothers and fathers when their husbands are away at sea for a long time”. The message underlines the importance of “being courageous witnesses of the Christian message, so that the force of evangelisation may become a stimulus for sailors to manifest their faith”. The bishop doesn’t overlook the problems afflicting the sea environment like “the juridical security of harboured boats, pirates and the fear of being assaulted and kidnapped at sea”. For this reason, the Apostolate of the Sea “wishes to convey her closeness to the families who witnessed the loss of their dear ones at sea”.
