Italy, Portugal, Germany

Italy: being Christian at a time of crisisFrom the economic crisis to the Christian victims of Islamic extremists’ attacks in Nigeria, from the permanence of a “genuine” religiosity to the Year of the Faith: these are some of the themes addressed by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, president of Italian bishops, in the prolusion of the permanent Council in Rome on January 23rd. Remembering the words of the Pope on the “crisis of the Church”, which “in the Western world is a crisis in faith”, the cardinal said: “Without mythicizing, it should honestly be acknowledged that recovering simplicity and discreteness doesn’t mean abiding to a destructured, magical faith. Rather, it is reason for a more open and less prejudiced reflection on the part of specific forms of artificial modernity. The fact that most national media ignore this phenomenon, doesn’t mean we should underestimate it or allow it to be neglected in the eyes of our beloved priests”. Thus, cardinal Bagnasco referred to the Year of the Faith called by the Pope for the universal Church, that will open on October 11 2012, until November 24 2013. As relates to the “economic crisis’, ongoing for the past four years, the CEI president recalled that it should be linked “to other related phenomena, such as the globalization of processes, migrations, demographic changes in rich countries, the darkening of national identities, along with affective and sexual nomadism”. To this regard His Eminence spoke of “unbridled capitalism” which instead of finding solutions, creates new problems, with realities defined by Cardinal Bagnasco as “supranational clots”, “powerful and ruthless, to the extent that the political realm becomes ever more weak and subservient”. In this sense, he added, “there may be the intention to emphasize political incapacities within economic processes, as if a transnational, anonymous technocracy were to prevail over the democratic forms we have experienced to date, whereby citizens’ sovereignty has been usurped by market imperiousness”.Portugal: European capitals culture and youthThe proclamation of the city of Guimarães as “European capital of culture” 2012, and that of the city of Braga as “European capital of youth” is “a unique occasion to highlight the ancient presence of the Catholic Church in the region, and a major opportunity for evangelization”, said Msgr. Pio Alves, in a statement released by the national Secretariat of the Pastoral of Culture (SNCP). The president of the Episcopal Commission for Cultural Heritage and Social Communications explained, “the level reached by art, culture and Christian traditions in Braga is already well-known”. But “even those visiting Guimarães for the first time will encounter visible signs testifying to the profound radication of our faith”. The opening of celebrations in the Cultural Capital took place on January 12 in the city’s pavilion, to the presence of the new Portuguese cardinal Msgr. Manuel Monteiro de Castro, and of the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Rino Passigato. In the framework of the numerous initiatives is was made known that at the end of 2012 Guimarães will host an important meeting of the “Pátio dos Gentios”, the new Vatican structure dedicated to dialogue with non-believers. On January 21st the program “Braga European Youth Capital” was launched. To this regard, Msgr. Jorge Ortiga made known that in order to better welcome and inform young tourists, guides and itineraries concerning the rich Christian patrimony of the region are being planned”. Furthermore, October 21st to 28, the national Secretary of Culture planned a meeting titled “Village of Religions” devoted to the reflection on the ongoing religious problems. The various events can be followed by logging on www.guimaraes2012.pt.Germany: dialogue between Catholics and ProtestantsAn ecumenical twist was called in Bochum by the president of the German Bundestag Norbert Lammert, during a debate organized by the Catholic and Protestant Churches of the Rhine city. “The fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 are opportunities for a new ecumenical movement”, said the president of the federal parliament. According to the Catholic news agency KNA, Lammert underlined that “more that the theological differences, in the ecumenical process there are organizational differences”. Moreover, “the ecclesiastic leadership cannot escape changes”. It is “worthwhile supporting” the dialogue process undertaken in Germany ensuing the scandal of abuses in the Catholic Church. But it’s not enough. “Change must spring from grassroots level, or it will not happen”. Also the former vice-president of the Bundestag Antje Vollmer, called for “a renewal starting with the grassroots”. “Although differences between Catholics and protestants remain”, he continued, “we must tear down existing walls. If the Catholic Church refuses to adopt reforms, it could be fatal to her”, Vollmer concluded.