Germany: the integration process The ongoing debate on migration and Islam in Germany reached alarming levels. This is an obstacle to the integration process. It was denounced by Alois Glück, President of the Central Committee of Catholic Germans (Zdk), in an interview to Catholic press agency KNA. “Those whose actions are determined by their temper – Glück said – will only help right-wing populists”. “Migrants and Muslims who are already integrated or wish to be are placed on the same plane and criticized, without acknowledging their positive achievements, whilst negative perceptions spread, leading to believe that each Muslim is not trustworthy and ought to be viewed as a problem. The major task of integration is negatively affected by such generalized discourse”. As relates to the Church activity to this regard, Glück underlined, “Churches significantly contribute to integration through their social services”. “What counts – he added – is to openly and sincerely address problems and different positions”, and that “Muslim representatives in Germany are further committed in addressing the necessary changes and on how to create trust”. Belgium: Msgr. Léonard underlines his position on Aids “With my book I had no intention of shocking anyone. I wished to spread the principles I uphold, and show my respect for all individuals and all situations. I’m sorry that this was not understood. For this reason I want everyone to know, and especially AIDS patients and Hiv-positive people that I am close to them with respect and with love”. Thus the head of the Belgian Catholic Church, archbishop of Malines-Bruxelles Msgr. André-Joseph Léonard responds to criticism for his statements on AIDS that circulated also inside the Church. The thought of the archbishop on AIDS is contained in a book-interview published a few days ago in The Netherlands in which the archbishop defines the disease like a “sort of immanent justice” which arrives “when the profound nature of human love is mistreated”. In order to clarify his thought and respond to criticism, yesterday the archbishop called a press conference to underline that no, “AIDS is not God’s punishment for a change in sexual behaviour”. The text of the press conference was released yesterday evening by the Belgian Bishops’ Conference and from today also an audio interview is available on the website Catho.be. Msgr. Léonard rejects the claim that he intends to stigmatize HIV-positive persons. “I’m under the impression – he said – that the technical term ‘immanent justice’ was misunderstood, as if I considered the disease of AIDS as a punishment”. He adds: “I want to underline that people are not judged in the book, although considerations on certain practices are expressed. In the same page where is found the mentioned passage on AIDS it was also said that AIDS patients and HIV-positive persons must not be the object of discrimination. Indeed, these people must be received like any other person, whatever may be the origin of the disease, they must not be left to themselves. They deserve encouragement and respect”. Ireland: the bishops support the apostolic visitation Irish bishops “have welcomed the Apostolic Visitation without qualification and recognize in it an example of how the Pope wishes to support the Irish Church at a difficult time”. The spokesperson of the Irish Bishops’ Conference Martin Long, thus pointed out in a statement regarding an article in Irish newspaper “The Irish Catholic”, issued October 7. The article infers that during the meeting in Rome for preparation of the Apostolic Visit the four Irish bishops set limits to the Apostolic visitors and to the Holy See representatives as relates to the Vatican investigation, by demanding that it be confined to sexual abuse by the clergy and future formation in seminaries. In the Letter released October 13 Martin Long pointed out that the headline and report of the Irish Catholic were “seriously misleading”. He added: “The meeting in Rome last week with Senior Vatican officials, the four Apostolic Visitators and the four Irish Archbishops was positive and constructive. There was absolutely no attempt on the part of the bishops, as was suggested by your headline and article, to try to restrict the mandate of the Apostolic visitors”. In fact, the bishops have publicly pledged their full cooperation and support for the visitation, which was announced in March by Pope Benedict in his Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland. Thus wrote the Holy Father: “the Visitation, which is intended to assist the local Church on her path of renewal, will be made in cooperation with the competent offices of the Roman Curia and the Irish Episcopal Conference”.
