CHURCHES IN BRIEF
France: 85th Social Week on migrations Sociologists, historians, parliamentarians, members of the Church and social workers are the protagonists of the 85th Social Weeks of France due to be held at the “Parc Floral” of Paris November 26 to 28. This year’s theme is: “Migrants, building a future together”. A strong ecumenical feature marks France’s Social Weeks. In fact, the event will be opened by the addresses of the representatives of the Christian Churches in France, namely, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, archbishop of Paris and President of the French Bishops’ Conference, Jean-Charles Tenreire, President of the Reformed Church for the Ile de France and Msgr. Gabriel de Comane, archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe. “The theme of migrations – said the president of the Social Weeks of France Jerome Vignon – is a Christian theme on which the proponents of state policies have had to admit their failed attempts at a constructive proposal. The wave of xenophobia across Europe, and the growing fears and closures affect political majority parties. The Church must speak out and encourage the political realm! We realize that we need migrants. We know they are important for our societies. Nonetheless, these are themes that don’t reach people’s hearts”. During the Week, immigrants will deliver their speeches and will take part in round tables and debates. The speakers will also address the theme of integration, “from models to reality”, and the world’s North-South relations. According to the program, they will be attending special meetings and moments of prayer animated by the Taizé fathers. Portugal: no to discriminations against the Roma In the conclusive document of the 37th national encounter on the pastoral care of the Roma, held in Beja November 19-21, the Portuguese Church denounced “the concrete actions and the evident signs of discrimination against the Roma, racial discrimination and xenophobia that make difficult the process of acceptance and integration of Gipsy communities across society”. In referring the example of the das Pedreiras di Beja neighborhood, and other similar cases across the Country, the director of the National Works for the Pastoral Care of the Roma (ONPC), father Francisco Sales Diniz, said, “widespread discriminating behavior underlines the urgent need to listen to the anxieties and problems relating to the social inclusion and exclusion of the Roma population. In the struggle against the exclusion of entire communities, the commitment and the union of all Christians must be decisive, to promote initiatives for housing, employment and education. The spiritual attention and the material support that Church and society devote to the Roma must be known and must positively influence public opinion through the modern means of communication”. “The Church – added father Diniz – has the duty to invest in the ministries of hospitality and reception, involving also parish communities, local bodies and school establishment along with volunteer organizations”. “It is to be hoped that such services are carried out by skilled staff, that will promote the presence of cultural mediators. In other European countries there are many priestly and religious vocations among the Roma population, but none in Portugal yet. This is a sign of a flaw in the pastoral commitment of the Church in our Country”, concluded the ONPC chairman, who is also the head of the Catholic Migrations Works. Belgium: the youth, 48 hours of Eucharistic adoration Fourty-eight hours of Eucharistic Adoration: it is the commitment awaiting the youth of Brussels, who for the first time, from November 26 to 28, will host “Youth 2000”, the initiative created in England by Ernest Williams and spread in the US and in several European Countries like France, Ireland, Belgium, Germany and Austria. Teachings, testimonies, sharing, Eucharistic celebrations, prayers and chants will characterize the forthcoming week-end, which, as by tradition, will have four pillars: the Eucharist, the Divine Mercy, namely the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Word of God and the Virgin Mary. The initiative is organized in close synergy with the diocesan office for Youth Pastoral Care of Brussels. The guest of this edition will be father Daniel Ange, founder of the evangelization school of Jeunesse-Lumière. Celebrations will be opened on November 26 by the archbishop of Brussels Msgr. André-Joseph Léonard. After Brussels, “Youth 2000” will be held in Nanterre in December, and in 2011 also in Lille, Lyon and Angers.
