Italy: towards the 46th Social Week The “Preparatory Document” of the 46th Social Week of Italian Catholics, due to be held in Reggio Calabria, October 14-17 2010, titled “Catholics in Italy today. An Agenda of hope for the future of the Country” was presented in Rome on May 10. “Italy must return to grow” was the slogan of the preparatory meeting, marked by a series of encounters held across the country (more than one-hundred involved the organizing Committee, along with meetings held at the level of dioceses, associations, and with the involvement of Church and civil organizations). The “Agenda” is designed to delve into “concrete themes and specific proposals”, pointed out Msgr. Arrigo Miglio, bishop of Ivrea and President of the Scientific organizing committee. At the basis of the process lies the interest for the common good. “This theme – Msgr. Miglio explained – has its roots in the Social Week, dedicated to the common good”. “The interest expressed on that circumstance – he added – led us to want to continue the reflection, and go beyond the general principles”. The document presents five guidelines for the “Agenda”, which correspond to an equal number of “major resources” present in the Country: “To undertake” (in our country there still is a reservoir of employment and enterprise”), “To educate” (referring to those adults “who fulfil their natural vocation to personal growth whilst involving youth and children in their educational path”), “to promote the inclusion of the new arrivals” (“Italy has returned to be an immigration Country” and it cannot be ignored that this phenomenon “enriches Italy under many different aspects”), “to foster social mobility” (by eliminating the obstacles to the “full development” of the youth), “to complete institutional transition” (recalling the new “thrust to participation” and the “repeated attempts at political innovation”). For each theme the document proposes a set of questions (a total of 12) along with paths for reflection. The introduction addresses the social-economic crisis, which, according to the authors, can be exited by adopting a “courageous and innovative use of the new assets and opportunities produced by globalization”. Indeed, the document states, “renouncing the possibilities offered by a global economy (and finance) is a luxury that only few can afford”.Belgium: the model of Saint DamianIt is “necessary and urgent” to confer upon priests their “right place and recognize their irreplaceable sacramental character. A broad and serious vocations ministry is needed, which must place great significance to the holiness of priests, on attention to the presence of the first signs of vocations in youth and on assiduous and trusting prayer, according to Jesus’ recommendation”, said Pope Benedict XVI, during his address to the bishops of Belgium on May 8 upon the conclusion of their ‘ad limina’ visit. The Pope recalled the holy ministry of Saint Damian de Veuster, “the apostle of the lepers”, whose figure “speaks of the conscience of the Belgians”. “In this priestly year, his exemplary ministry and missionary commitment should be proposed especially to the religious and priests”. At a moment when the Catholic Church has been “put to trial by sin”, the Holy Father said it should be remembered “that only Christ can calm every storm”, conveying “courage and strength” to “live a holy life in full fidelity to their ministry, to their consecration to God and to Christian witness”. The first task of the “suffering Church” is to address the abuse scandal with “transparency and humility”, in a “strongly secularised Country”, said the archbishop of Malines-Bruxelles Msgr. André-Joseph Léonard, President of the Beligian Bishops’ Conference. “Firstly by engaging in an open and constructive dialogue with public authorities, with the other Christian and religious confessions and with civil society as a whole. Then by providing a testimony of solidarity with the weaker brackets in our societies, in this period marked by strong economic crisis. Thus, by undertaking formation within excellent Catholic universities, not sufficiently attended” and finally, by “entertaining a franc and courageous relationship with the media”. However, Msgr- Léonard pointed out, “our priority is evangelisation and the heightening of our faith”. The Belgian Church unfortunately suffers from a scarcity of vocations; for this reason the archbishop underlined the important commitment of “many lay faithful” in the catechesis, social action, movements, whilst bearing in mind that “their first mission is to disseminate the yeast of the Gospel across society”, with commitment in the political and professional spheres. As relates to the reality of consecrated life, which “is reason for major concern”, the prelate said that a “set of measures” will be adopted “aimed at bettering the places of formation by enabling attendance by large numbers of seminarians whilst providing excellent training and communicating to the world of the youth”.
