CHURCHES IN BRIEF
England: Catholic schools open to everyone Catholic schools are the best in the United Kingdom and the most prone to accept foreign students. According to findings published in two new publications of the Education department of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales strict inspections carried out in schools of Great Britain by Ofsted, 73% of Catholic High Schools are excellent or very good compared to 60% of public schools. As relates to primary schools, findings show that 74% of the Catholic primary schools are excellent or very good compared to 66% in the rest of the country. The two surveys, titled “Value Added: the Distinctive Contribution of Catholic Schools and Colleges in England” and “CESEW Digest of 2009 Census Data for Schools and Colleges”, show that Catholic education, famous and coveted across the country, is not restricted to elite groups. Although secular press has been attacking religious institutions accused of selecting students on religious grounds favoring rich families, conversely, the surveys show that the students’ composition is the same as in public schools and that Catholic institutions have a greater number of mixed classes, from the ethnic viewpoint, compared to schools in the rest of the country. “The surveys show that the taxpayers’ money is well-spent when it is channeled for Catholic-run school establishments”, claimed bishop Malcolm McMahon, president of the Education department of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Switzerland: yes to security – boosting legislation Next February 13 in a national referendum the Swiss population will vote on the draft bill entitled “Protection against armed violence”. It calls for mandatory storage of military weapons in an armory (they are currently kept in private households); a national weapons register; the ban on private possession of automatics and pump shotguns and to tighten gun license restrictions, to be released only after a close evaluation of the applicant’s eligibility. The initiative is supported by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Swiss bishops, who declared in a statement released on January 11: “The initiative steps up the freedom and security of women and children alike, and it contributes to the prevention of suicide”. For this reason, Justice and Peace underlines that “State control on the sale and possession of weapons is objectively, politically and proportionally justified” considering that “freedom and security are primary goods”. The Swiss bishops continue: “Different areas of social life enjoy a large degree of State protection. Protecting against the abuse of weapons undoubtedly falls within its responsibilities. This doesn’t only mean preventing the effective use of weapons, but also the related risks, which often entail a very heavy burden for women and children”. As relates to the restrictions proposed for sporting shooters, hunters or weapon collectors, the bishops pointed out that the measures “do not hinder their activities”. Indeed, they are “proportionate and fair, just like security checks in airports or the compulsory formation for dog-owners”. Finally, Justice and Peace underlines the importance of a “profound sense of responsibility that is not only affirmed through a mere appeal to freedom and individual responsibility, but especially by accepting limits to personal freedom for the benefit of the common good”.Belgium: the abuse Commission resumes its activityThe Lalieux Commission on sexual abuses gathered on January 10 2010 to listen to the testimony of Fr. Daniel Sonveaux, President of COREB (the Conference of the Religious of Belgium) and of Fr. Erik De Sutter, VRU President (Unie van Religieuzen van Vlaanderen). The former spoke also in his capacities as the Provincial Jesuit of the South of Belgium and of Luxembourg. 36 Father superiors out of 955 religious – 20% of whom are less than 60 years old – and 125 mother superiors out of 2300 nuns (10% of whom are less than 60 – are French-speaking. The two interrogated prelates – states a detailed report issued by the Belgian Bishops’ Conference – underlined that they were never involved in sexual abuses, that they were never censured in any way nor did they have contacts with the investigating committees set up by the Church. Father Sonveaux was heard also in his capacities as provincial of the Jesuits (215 in Belgium spread across 19 communities).
