England, Belgium, France

England: the bishop writes to the "victims"On Feburary 7 Bede Walsh, who served as Catholic priest in the archdiocese of Birmingham, was convicted of 21 sexual offences against eight boys. Abuses took place in the years 1970-1990. "These are horrendous crimes, and l first want to express my deep sense of shame at what has taken place", wrote Msgr. Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham in a statement. Msgr. Longley addressed his first words to the victims – the children now become adults – of the abuses perpetrated by F. Bede Walsh. "I thank you for the courage that you have shown in giving evidence to the court in order that these crimes might be brought into the light of day. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you and the members of your families at this particular time. My door is open to you, and I am willing to meet with you, individually or with members of your families. It is right that you have the chance to tell me how the actions of Bede Walsh have affected you, and I am ready and willing to listen". The Archdiocese of Birmingham has worked closely with the police throughout this case and shall continue to do so. "I wish to make clear", the Archbishop points out, "that Bede Walsh has not been in active ministry as a Catholic priest since 2004, before any of the allegations associated with this conviction were made. Because of the seriousness of the offences committed by Bede Walsh, I will begin immediately the process of Iaicisation, which will lead to his removal from the clerical state". Recognising the damage caused to these communities, the Archbishop announced a special visit to St Giles’ Parish, Cheadle, All Souls Parish, Coventry and St John’s Parish, Banbury, where he will be available to speak with parishioners and attend "to their distress and anger". "It is important for me to say that there are today robust safeguarding policies in operation throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham and indeed the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Policies relating to safeguarding in general and child protection in particular, are systematically enforced. I invite anybody who has been affected by this case to contact the Archdiocese of Birmingham".Belgium: cold weather, the bishops thank the volunteers Msgr. Aloys Jousten, the Bishop in charge of Social action for the Belgian Church, conveyed the gratitude and admiration of Belgian bishops to all the volunteers that in this time of exceptional cold weather in Europe have provided a helping hand to the poor and vulnerable social brackets. "The bishops deeply admire the volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paoli who set up reception and support centers in the city and villages, triggering widespread solidarity. We wish to thank them for having prepared and distributed food aid, opening their doors, placing themselves at the service of others. The poor and lonely ones are amongst us. We are grateful that in addition to public services, there are also private solidarity initiatives promoted also by Christian citizens". In the release, the bishops underline the toll-free number of the Red Cross that can be dialled by the needy and by those who wish to contribute with warm clothing, sleeping-bags and food. "Those who have called us – said Kathy Stinissen, chair of the "Social Action" department of the Red Cross – experience serious difficulties". Since the beginning of February the Red Cross has been overcome by calls for help to the extent that the organization was compelled to summon a team of volunteers that work full-time in the central offices to answer all questions. Not to mention the volunteers that contribute by providing wood, coal and food to the needy.France: the Legion of Honour to card. Vingt-Trois In the halls of the Élysée Palace, on February 8 the President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy awarded the Legion of Honour medal to a dozen personalities from different wakes of life and professional environments. Amongst them figured card. André Vingt-Trois, Archbishop of Paris, president of the French Bishops’ Conference, and Mohammed Moussaoui, president of the "Conseil français du culte musulman". In his address to card. Vigt-Trois, President Sarkozy said: "You are a highly respected man of Church, who is greatly loved and appreciated by the French people, and not only in Paris. You follow the tradition of the great Archbishops of Paris who have also been active intellectuals, and have sought to provide an answer to the great questions of our times". "I am grateful – the French President concluded – for the contribution you are giving to current debates, notably those on laicity and bioethics". "Catholics have found in you a spiritual guide, that lives up to their history, the history of France", a country "with Christian roots".