Germany, Ireland, England

Germany: ecumenism and Papal visitThe process of dialogue and ecumenism, along with the upcoming visit of Benedict XVI to Germany are some of the items on the agenda of the Spring plenary meeting of German bishops, due to be held in Paderborn next March 14 to 17. The news was released in a statement by the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) on February 21. Consultations will focus on the continuation of the process of dialogue with the laity, recently launched by German bishops in order to identify appropriate solutions to the crisis caused by the sexual abuse scandal. For an entire day, the working session will focus on ecumenism, notably on the Reformed Churches, to take stock of the situation of ecumenism in Germany and the related theological debate in view of practical cooperation opportunities. To this regard the bishops will address the commemorations of the Reformation scheduled to take place in 2017. On the same day, scholars will deliver panel lectures on the future prospects of ecumenism in Germany. Finally, the bishops will address the upcoming Papal Visitation that will take place next September 22 to 25. Ireland: a document on the common goodOn February 21, a few days before the early elections of February 25, the Irish Bishops’ Conference presented the document “From Crisis to Hope: Working to achieve the Common Good”. The document drawn up by the Council for Justice and Peace addresses the quest for the common good and the Catholic commitment for the defense of life, human dignity and equality in the ongoing difficult situation at national level. In his address, Msgr. Raymond Field, Chair of the Council for Justice and Peace, recalled “the suffering of all those who are struggling to maintain a decent standard of living in these challenging economic circumstances. Poverty and social exclusion, experienced by increasing numbers of people in Ireland today, North and South, represent gross violations of human dignity”. He said, “Defense of human dignity means protecting human life from the moment of conception to its natural end; protecting our children from poverty and ensuring that they have access to all the services they require for health, ensuring that our young people are not forced to leave their home country as a result of a lack of opportunities, and strengthening and protecting family life”. Given the forthcoming election, said Msgr. Eoin Cassidy, “this is a time of political change, change which we say is taking place against the background of justifiable anger and a breakdown of trust in key societal institutions including the Church. We need to prioritize the common good, which is the only real alternative set of values to the rugged individualism”. “In publishing From Crisis to Hope”, concluded Msgr. Field, “we are seeking to ensure that the human cost of the current crisis will be given due recognition, and not be drowned in a sea of figures and statistics”.England: Feast of the Chair of St Peter, ApostleOn the occasion of February 22, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter Apostle, the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales released a statement to recall the Visitation of Benedict XVI “nearly six months ago”, inviting the faithful “to give thanks to God for those joy-filled days of grace” in their prayers for the Pope and for the bishops. “This feast celebrates how the See of St Peter is a symbol of the unity of the Church founded on the Apostle Saint Peter”, writes Msgr. Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Chair of the Department for Evangelization and Catechesis. “Peter was given a unique mission as teacher and pastor which is continued in an unbroken line to the present Pope. We are also invited to pray for our Pope and for our Bishops who teach with the authority of Christ”. The statement recalls the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, and underlines that the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “Man has the right to act in conscience and in freedom so as personally to make moral decisions”, and that “Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. The Magisterium, continues the document, “is a gift to each one of us as instituted by Jesus Christ. He conferred on St Peter and the other Apostles the authority to teach and interpret the truth of Faith. So too do his successors, the Popes and Bishops. They judge authoritatively what is in accord with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what is not”. Another key truth that the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter “invites us to reflect upon”, states Msgr. Conry in the document, “is the Church’s call to witness to our faith, to evangelise” and “proclaim confidently God’s unconditional love and mercy”. Hence the suggestion to consult the document “Everyday Evangelising”, that can be downloaded from the website www.catholicchurch.org.uk/catholic-church/home-mission, with practical information.