New Bishops in the East

This week the Pope has appointed Curia member, Mons. Csaba Ternyák, secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, as Metropolitan Archbishop of Eger in Hungary,



and Zagreb Auxiliary, Mons. Josip Mrzljak, as bishop of Varaždin in Croatia.

EEA3 in Sibiu, Romania, in September

This year in September approximately 2500 delegates from all the different churches and Christian communities in Europe will be meeting in the Romanian city of Sibiu, known by its once predominantly German-speaking population as Hermannstadt, in Siebenbürgen. They will be taking part in the Third European Ecumenical Assembly from 4th to 8th September. Since Sibiu is also Cultural Capital of Europe 2007, it will be very much in the public eye this year.

The European Ecumenical Assemblies are a joint initiative of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Roman Catholic Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). The first assembly (EEA1) took place in Basel, Switzerland, in the Pentecost octave in May 1989 and expressed the commitment of European Christians to "justice, peace and the integrity of creation". 700 delegates from every country in Europe took place in this first encounter of Christians from all over the continent since the great schism of 1054. It may well have been inspired by this assembly that the churches of Eastern Europe became instrumental in the non-violent freedom process in the Communist world resulting in the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and the tearing down of the Iron Curtain.

EEA2 was planned for Graz in Austria for the end of June 1997 on the theme of reconciliation. The assembly brought together 700 official delegates from 124 CEC member churches and the 34 bishops' conferences of the CCEE. But perhaps the most spectacular feature of the Graz meeting was that it was also attended by more than 10,000 "ordinary" Christians from all over the continent, dialoguing, praying and celebrating together for seven days.

The most important result of EEA2 was the Charta Oecumenica, signed in Strasbourg in April 2001, which forms the framework of ecumenical partnership in Europe today and has led to the EEA3 process. Unfortunately many are very sceptical about the impact of September's assembly. It would appear that several of those responsible for the organisation are wondering whether anything significant will come of it, whether there will even be a joint communiqué at the end and what if any public notice will be taken of the meeting. It may only be a coincidence but Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting the pilgrimage town of Maria Zell in Austria at the same time as the Sibiu assembly, and will no doubt attract much media attention.

At the recent preparatory conference in the Luther City of Wittenberg there was much despondency and frustration. The Evangelical Bishop of Hanover, Germany, Margot Kässmann, was herself critical of the fact that the churches have not yet been able to give a convincing signal that they are the decisive voice for justice, peace and maintaining the integrity of creation. She went on to say that is is no longer enough for Christians to meet, "what the people in Europe and the world are craving for is a Church which, while confirming its diversity and differences, jointly bears witness to Jesus Christ".

There will likely be no mutual recognition of baptism in Sibiu, no participation in each other's eucharists; the latter is not even on the agenda. What then could be achieved at all? Perhaps there will be some progress on the ecological front, perhaps in social affairs. But what should become clear is that ecumenism in Europe is still a difficult journey, with many churches fearing there will be left behind or marginalised by the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

10 Jahre Sozialwort der Kirchen in Deutschland - 4 Frauen melden sich zu Wort

Das Neue sozial denken

Zehn Jahre Sozialwort: Katholische Verbände fordern mehr Solidarität und Gerechtigkeit

Berlin/Düsseldorf/Köln. Genau zehn Jahre nach dem gemeinsamen Wort der beiden Kirchen zur wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Lage in Deutschland müssen wir, die Katholische Frauengemeinschaft Deutschlands (kfd), der Familienbund der Katholiken, der Bund der Deutschen katholischen Jugend (BDKJ) und die Katholische Arbeitnehmer-Bewegung Deutschlands (KAB) feststellen, dass das Sozialwort in Vergessenheit geraten ist. Die gesellschaftspolitischen und wirtschaftlichen Analysen und Bewertungen von 1997 fanden in den politischen Entscheidungen der vergangenen zehn Jahre keine entsprechende Berücksichtigung. Sonst gäbe es für über acht Millionen Menschen in unserem Land nicht eine belastende Lebens- bzw. Arbeitssituation.

Wir katholischen Sozialverbände müssen erkennen, dass sich Armut in Deutschland nicht nur verfestigt, sondern verbreitert und mittlerweile auch die so genannte Mittelschicht erreicht hat. Die Kinderarmut in Deutschland, die Zahl der Kinder mit geringen Bildungschancen und mit einem hohen Gesundheitsrisiko steigt kontinuierlich. Das ist ein Armutszeugnis. Familien tragen weiterhin die Hauptlasten der Reformen der letzten zehn Jahre. Jungen Menschen wird es immer schwerer gemacht, den Einstieg ins Berufs- und Arbeitsleben zu finden.

„Die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf, die bisher einseitig zu Lasten der Frauen ging, muss für Frauen und Männer gleichermaßen möglich sein“, heißt es im Sozialwort. Doch zur Verwirklichung der geschlechtsspezifischen Arbeitsteilung durch „vermehrte Beteiligung von Männern an der Haus- und Familienarbeit“ gehört auch das Bemühen, die Familienarbeit als gleichrangig neben der Erwerbsarbeit anzuerkennen. Auch das Ziel, Frauen eine eigenständige soziale Sicherung zu ermöglichen, ist noch lange nicht erreicht.

Trotz konjunktureller und saisonaler Belebung der Wirtschaft ist die Zahl der Menschen ohne Arbeit höher als vor zehn Jahren. Wir müssen erkennen, dass die Reformversuche in der Arbeitsmarktpolitik versagt und lediglich zurweiteren Spaltung der Gesellschaft beigetragen haben.

Entsolidarisierung stoppen
Die Aufforderung des Sozialwortes, sich auf allen Ebenen „für eine Zukunft in Solidarität und Gerechtigkeit“ einzusetzen, ist im letzten Jahrzehnt eher ins Gegenteil verkehrt worden. Reformen in der Gesundheits-, Familien-, Arbeitsmarkt- und Sozialpolitik haben nicht zu mehr Solidarität und Eigenverantwortung beigetragen, sondern haben zur Entsolidarisierung der Gesellschaft und zur Ausgrenzung von Arbeitslosen und Arbeitnehmern sowie ihren Familien beigetragen. Trotz politischer Initiativen, die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf zu verbessern, findet sich weiterhin strukturelle Rücksichtslosigkeit gegenüber Familien in unserer Gesellschaft.

Wir fordern von allen Verantwortlichen in Politik, Wirtschaft und Kirche die zukunftsweisenden Ansätze des Wortes von 1997 allen Planungen und Entscheidungen zugrunde zu legen und die Herausforderungen der Zeit nicht mit einem Rückzug aus der sozialen Verantwortung zu beantworten. Das Neue muss sozial gestaltet werden, um die Zukunftsfähigkeit unserer Gesellschaft zu erhalten. Neben einer gerechten Vermögensverteilung sind der Ausbau des dritten Arbeitsmarktes, die Bekämpfung der Jugendarbeitslosigkeit, die Chancengerechtigkeit zwischen Frauen und Männern, die Förderung der Familien und die Weiterentwicklung des Bildungssystems hin zu einem Instrument, das allen gesellschaftliche, soziale und berufliche Teilhabe und Teilnahme ermöglicht, gefordert. Wir fordern die Verantwortlichen in Politik, Kirche und Gesellschaft auf, ernst zu machen mit einer „Zukunft in Solidarität und Gerechtigkeit“.

22. Februar 2007
Andrea Hoffmeier - BDKJ-Bundesvorsitzende
Elisabeth Bußmann - Präsidentin Familienbund der Katholiken
Magdalena Bogner - kfd-Bundesvorsitzende
Birgit Zenker - KAB-Bundesvorsitzende

Summary in English: Ten years ago this spring the two principal German churches, Roman Catholic and Evangelical, published a joint Social Statement stressing solidarity and social justice. Four leading Catholic women, the chairpersons of the youth, women's, workers' and family associations, have written a joint letter publicly regretting that the Churches have apparently forgotten the analyses and commitments they made in the Social Statement, that 8 million Germans are still living in precarity and that poverty is increasing. They call upon those people responsible in Church and State seriously to pursue the "future in solidarity and justice" demanded at the time by the Social Statement.

European islands have new bishops

The islands of Sardinia, Italy (Diocese of Iglesias), and Madeira, Portugal (Diocese of Funchal), have new bishops as of today.

La nomina è stata ufficializzata, come tradizione, contemporaneamente ad Ales e ad Iglesias

Mons. Tarcisio Pillolla, nell'Aula Magna del Seminario Vescovile, ha comunicato ufficialmente il nome del suo successore quale Vescovo di Iglesias. Si tratta di Mons. Giovanni Paolo Zedda, Vicario Foraneo e Parroco di "Santa Chiara" a San Gavino Monreale. "Giovedì 1° marzo - ha esordito il Vescovo - ho ricevuto una telefonata dal nuovo Nunzio Apostolico in Italia Mons. Giuseppe Bertello in cui mi comunicava che il Santo Padre aveva nominato Don Giovanni Paolo Zedda nuovo Vescovo di Iglesias".

Il Rev.do Giovanni Paolo Zedda è nato a Ingurtosu, diocesi di Ales-Terralba e provincia di Cagliari, l’8 settembre 1947. Ha frequentato le scuole medie ed il liceo al Seminario Diocesano di Villacidro, filosofia e teologia al Seminario Regionale di Cagliari, conseguendo la licenza in Teologia nel 1970.

È stato ordinato Sacerdote ad Arbus il 28 agosto 1971. Ha svolto gli incarichi di Insegnante di Religione nelle scuole medie-superiori da 1971 al 1992; Viceparroco a Guspuni dal 1971 al 1972; Viceparroco a S. Gavino Monreale dal 1972 al 1983; Rettore del Seminario Diocesano in Villacidro dal 1983 al 1992; Direttore del Centro Diocesano di Pastorale Vocazionale dal 1984 fino ad oggi; Parroco di Santa Barbara in Gonnosfanadiga dal 1991 al 1997. Dal 1992 è Direttore Spirituale del Seminario Diocesano; dal 1997 al 2005 è Parroco di San Sebastiano in Arbus; dal 1999 Vicario Foraneo e dal 2005 è Parroco di "Santa Chiara Vergine" a San Gavino Monreale. Ricopre l’ufficio di Docente all’Istituto di Scienze Religiose, Consultore Diocesano, Membro del Consiglio Presbiterale e di quello Pastorale.

"Già da una settimana - prosegue il Vescovo - ci sentiamo frequentemente per telefono. Mi ha riferito di essere fiducioso per il suo ministero anche se, come è ovvio, sente il peso di questa grande responsabilità. L'ho rassicurato dicendogli che tutti, sacerdoti, diaconi, religiosi, religiose e laici della Diocesi, sono brava gente".

Riguardo la comprensibile curiosità delle prossime scadenze in particolare del suo ingresso in Diocesi il Vescovo ha dichiarato di non poter dire niente di certo.

I presenti hanno salutato la nomina di Mons. Giovanni Paolo Zedda a Vescovo di Iglesias con un caloroso applauso.

Summary in English: The Italian diocese of Iglesias on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has a new bishop. Monsignor Zedda is parish priest in San Gavino Monreale, Sardinia, and is a native of the island.

CIRP felicita novo bispo do Funchal

Encontrando-me em visita à missão de Angola, ao saber hoje da nomeação de Sua Excelência Reverendíssima D. António José Cavaco Carrilho para Bispo da Diocese do Funchal quero congratular-me, em nome da Conferência dos Institutos Religiosos de Portugal (CIRP), por esta nomeação.

Aproveito a ocasião para agradecer toda a solicitude pastoral e dedicada atenção que teve para com os Religiosos e Religiosas do Porto ao longo do seu ministério como Bispo Auxiliar.

Na comunhão eclesial, D. António Carrilho pode continuar a contar com a colaboração pastoral da CIRP, em particular dos membros dos Institutos Religiosos e Sociedades de Vida Apostólica que estão na Madeira e no Porto Santo, coordenados pelo respectivo Secretariado Regional.

Invocando as bênçãos de Deus sobre o seu ministério pastoral como Bispo da Igreja local do Funchal a que vai presidir, renovo as melhores saudações amigas e fraternas.

Pe. Manuel Barbosa, Presidente da CIRP

Summary in English: The Portuguese Conference of Religious Institutes congratulates D. António Carrilho, Auxiliary Bishop in Porto, on his appointment as Bishop of Funchal.

Festival de Pâques à Chartres !

Des concerts, des spectacles, des rencontres, des découvertes et plus encore... Venez nombreux !

Pendant 3 jours, du samedi 7 au lundi 9 avril, la ville de Chartres est animée par plus de 60 concerts et spectacles! Un festival Off explosif, un grand village du Festival, avec 80 exposants, espace de rencontres et de découvertes.

Laurent Voulzy, Brigitte Fossey, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Glorious, Carmenz, Théos, Pilgrim's, Camille Devillers, Laurent Grzybowski, Cardiac Move, le Choeur Gospel des Orphelins Apprentis d'Auteuil, Erwan Madec, Jean-Luc Jeener et bien d'autres encore seront au Festival de Pâques !

Un évènement original, une scène culturelle nouvelle et variée, des personnalités intéressantes, une explosion de joie dans les rues de Chartres.Un évènement original qui invite à fêter Pâques dans la rue, à dire sa Foi en rayonnant de joie au travers d'expressions culturelles.

Summary in English: The city of Chartres in France will see three days of Easter festivities from April 7th to 9th this year. From famous pop singers to Gospel choirs, with varied cultural events, encounters, etc., an explosion of joy is expected over the Easter weekend in the streets of the city.

Bagnasco è Nuovo Presidente della CEI

RINUNCIA DEL PRESIDENTE DELLA CONFERENZA EPISCOPALE ITALIANA E NOMINA DEL SUCCESSORE

Il Santo Padre ha accolto la rinuncia, per raggiunti limiti di età, presentata dall’Em.mo Card. Camillo Ruini all’incarico di Presidente della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana ed ha nominato Presidente della medesima Conferenza Episcopale Italiana S.E. Mons. Angelo Bagnasco, Arcivescovo di Genova.

Angelo Bagnasco è nato a Pontevico (BS) Diocesi di Brescia il 14 gennaio 1943, da genitori sfollati per la guerra. Il papà, Alfredo, lavorava in una fabbrica di pasticceria; la mamma, Rosa, casalinga. Ha una sorella maggiore, Anna. La famiglia è rientrata quasi subito a Genova e il figlio ha frequentato il Ginnasio ed il Liceo Classico presso il Seminario Arcivescovile di Genova. Il 29 giugno 1966 è stato ordinato sacerdote.

Si è laureato in Filosofia presso l'Università Statale di Genova nel 1979.

Vicario parrocchiale dal 1966 al 1985 nella Parrocchia di "S. Pietro e S. Teresa del Bambino Gesù" in Genova. Dal 1986 al 1995 ne è Aiuto Pastorale con compiti Diocesani.

Dal 1980 al 1998 docente di Metafisica e Ateismo contemporaneo presso la Facoltà Teologica dell'Italia Settentrionale, Sezione Parallela di Genova.

Dal 1975 al 1984 docente di italiano nel Liceo Classico del Seminario.

Dal 1980 al 1995 è Assistente Diocesano della F.U.C.I (Federazione Universitari Cattolici Italiani).

Dal 1985 al 1996 è Direttore dell'Ufficio Catechistico della Diocesi e della Liguria, nonché Delegato Regionale per la Pastorale della Scuola.

Dal 1986 al 1994 Preside e Docente dell'Istituto Superiore di Scienze Religiose di Genova, con competenza per tutta la Regione Ecclesiastica Ligure.

Dal 1990 al 1996 è Direttore dell'Ufficio "Educazione" con il compito di formazione degli insegnanti di religione.

Dal 1993 al 1996 è Direttore dell'Opera Diocesana "Apostolato Liturgico".

Dal 1995 al 1997 è Vicario Episcopale e Direttore Spirituale del Seminario Arcivescovile di Genova.

Il 3 gennaio 1998 è nominato Vescovo di Pesaro e l'11 marzo 2000 Arcivescovo Metropolita.

Dal 2001 è Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione del quotidiano "Avvenire".

Dal 2002 al 2005 è Segretario della Commissione Episcopale della C.E.I. per l'Educazione, la Scuola e l'Università.

Nel 2003, il 20 giugno, è nominato Arcivescovo Ordinario Militare per l'Italia.

Dal 2005 è Segretario della Commissione Episcopale della C.E.I. per la Cultura e le Comunicazioni Sociali.

Il 29 agosto 2006 è nominato Arcivescovo Metropolita di Genova; ha preso possesso dell'Arcidiocesi nella S. Messa celebrata nella Cattedrale di San Lorenzo il 24 settembre 2006.

Il 26 settembre 2006 è stato eletto Presidente della Conferenza Episcopale Ligure.

Summary in English: After the resignation from the post of president of the Italian bishops' Conference (CEI) of Cardinal Ruini, Vicar of Rome, for reasons of age, the Pope has now appointed the new archbishop of Genoa, the Most Reverend Angelo Bagnasco, to succeed him.

From Wielgus to Nycz

Here is the official Vatican announcement which put a speedy end to the embarrassing hiatus in Warsaw caused by the resignation at the very last moment of the newly appointed Archbishop, Stanisław Wielgus, after he had been leaned upon from Rome to draw the consequences from the revelation of his contacts with the Communist state security during the Soviet era:

Il Santo Padre ha nominato Arcivescovo Metropolita di Warszawa (Polonia) S.E. Mons. Kazimierz Nycz, finora Vescovo di Koszalin-Kołobrzeg

S.E. Mons. Kazimierz Nycz è nato il 1° febbraio 1950 a Stara Wieś, diocesi di Bielsko-Żywiec, ed è stato ordinato sacerdote il 20 maggio 1973 per l’arcidiocesi di Kraków. Dopo il compimento degli studi di dottorato all’Università Cattolica di Lublino, ha cominciato a lavorare nell’Ufficio per la Catechesi nella Curia Metropolitana di Kraków; dal 1981 ha collaborato nel lavoro pastorale nella parrocchia della Divina Misericordia a Skawina. Nel 1987 è stato nominato Vice-Rettore del Seminario Maggiore di Kraków.

Nominato Vescovo titolare di Villa del re e Ausiliare dell’arcidiocesi di Kraków il 14 maggio 1988, ha ricevuto la consacrazione episcopale il 4 giugno 1988.

Il 9 giugno 2004 è stato nominato Vescovo di Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. Dal 26 novembre 1999 è Presidente della Commissione della Conferenza Episcopale per l’Educazione Cattolica. Dal dicembre 2004 è Membro del Consiglio Permanente della Conferenza Episcopale Polacca.

Apparently there is a general feeling of relief and joy among the Polish hierarchy and faithful, especially Cardinal Dziwisz, the omnipresent former secretary of Pope John Paul II, now archbishop of the historically important see of Cracow, at the appointment of Bishop Nycz.

London Olympics 2012 - More Than Gold

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has joined other English Church leaders in welcoming the ‘More Than Gold’ initiative at its launch on 26th February 2007. ‘More Than Gold’ will see Churches working together to serve sport and the community in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The ‘More Than Gold’ launch at Westminster Central Hall was also attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and former Cabinet minister Lord Brian Mawhinney. Speaking at the launch, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor said: “I see the establishing of ‘More Than Gold’ as a push to the Christians of London, and across all the venues across the country where events will be held, to make a real contribution to the lives of those who will be our guests and our friends during the time of our games.”

‘More Than Gold’ will build on the experience of Churches supporting the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester in seeking to serve forthcoming major sporting events leading up to the London Games in 2012 and potentially beyond. In supporting the values of sport and the 2012 Games, ‘More Than Gold’ will focus on the four themes upon which the Olympic 2012 bid was made:

- Delivering an experience of a lifetime for athletes- Leaving a legacy for sport in Britain- Benefiting the community through regeneration- Supporting the IOC and the Olympic Movement.

In helping to fulfil these aims, Churches and Christian agencies hope to develop good relationships with the relevant authorities and ensure that, where appropriate, there will be an inter-faith dimension to their work.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus! Happy St David's Day!

If you were lucky enough to be in Wales on March the first, you would find the country in a festive mood. Every self-respecting man, woman and child would be celebrating St. David's Day in one way or another. But who was St. David, and why is he so important to the Welsh? And just how is St. David's Day celebrated in Wales today?

Well, Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.

For details of the life of Dewi, we depend mainly on his biographer, Rhigyfarch. He wrote Buchedd Dewi (the life of David) in the 11th century. Gerallt Gymro (Giraldus Cambrensis), who wrote a book about his travels through Wales in the 12th century, also gives some information about Dewi's early life. Dewi died in the sixth century, so nearly five hundred years elapsed between his death and the first manuscripts recording his life. As a result, it isn't clear how much of the history of Dewi's life is legend rather than fact.

However, both sources say, so we can be relatively certain, that Dewi was a very gentle person who lived a frugal life. It is claimed that he ate mostly bread and herbs - probably watercress, which was widely used at the time. Despite this supposedly meagre diet, it is reported that he was tall and physically strong.

Dewi is said to have been of royal lineage. His father, Sant, was the son of Ceredig, who was prince of Ceredigion, a region in South-West Wales. His mother, Non, was the daughter of a local chieftain. Legend has it that Non was also a niece of King Arthur.

Dewi was born near Capel Non (Non's chapel) on the South-West Wales coast near the present city of Saint David's. We know a little about his early life - he was educated in a monastery called Hen Fynyw, his teacher being Paulinus, a blind monk. Dewi stayed there for some years before going forth with a party of followers on his missionary travels.

Dewi travelled far on his missionary journeys through Wales, where he established several churches. He also travelled to the south and west of England and Cornwall as well as Brittany. It is also possible that he visited Ireland. Two friends of his, Saints Padarn and Teilo, are said to have often accompanied him on his journeys, and they once went together on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to meet the Patriarch.

Dewi is sometimes known, in Welsh, as 'Dewi Ddyfrwr' (David the Water Drinker) and, indeed, water was an important part of his life - he is said to have drunk nothing else. Sometimes, as a self-imposed penance, he would stand up to his neck in a lake of cold water, reciting Scripture. Little wonder, then, that some authors have seen Dewi as an early Puritan!

He founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of the small river Alun where the cathedral city of St. David's stands today. The monastic brotherhood that Dewi founded was very strict, the brothers having to work very hard besides praying and celebrating masses. They had to get up very early in the morning for prayers and afterwards work very hard to help maintain life at the monastery, cultivating the land and even pulling the plough. Many crafts were followed - beekeeping, in particular, was very important. The monks had to keep themselves fed as well as the many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings. They also had to feed and clothe the poor and needy in their neighbourhood.

There are many stories regarding Dewi's life. It is said that he once rose a youth from death, and milestones during his life were marked by the appearance of springs of water. These events are arguably more apocryphal than factual, but are so well known to Welsh-speaking schoolchildren that it is worth mentioning them here.

Perhaps the most well-known story regarding Dewi's life is said to have taken place at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi. They were to decide whether Dewi was to be Archbishop. A great crowd gathered at the synod, and when Dewi stood up to speak, one of the congregation shouted, 'We won't be able to see or hear him'. At that instant the ground rose till everyone could see and hear Dewi. Unsurprisingly, it was decided, very shortly afterwards, that Dewi would be the Archbishop...

It is claimed that Dewi lived for over 100 years, and it is generally accepted that he died in 589. His last words to his followers were in a sermon on the previous Sunday. Rhigyfarch transcribes these as 'Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.' 'Do the little things' ('Gwnewch y pethau bychain') is today a very well-known phrase in Welsh, and has proved an inspiration to many. On a Tuesday, the first of March, in the year 589, the monastery is said to have been 'filled with angels as Christ received his soul'.

Dewi's body was buried in the grounds of his own monastery, where the Cathedral of St. David's now stands. After his death, his influence spread far and wide - first through Britain, along what was left of the Roman roads, and by sea to Cornwall and Brittany.

St David's Day, as celebrated today, dates back to 1120, when Dewi was canonised by Pope Callactus the Second, and March 1st was included in the Church calendar. After Dewi's canonisation, many pilgrimages were made to St. David's, and it was reported that two pilgrimages there equalled one to Rome, and three pilgrimages one to Jerusalem. March 1st was celebrated until the Reformation as a holy day. Many churches are dedicated to Dewi, and some to his mother Non.

St. David was, and is, a very important figure to the Welsh. Naturally, then, St. David's Day is a time of great celebration in Wales. Societies all over Wales celebrate with special meetings and events. In St. David's Hall, Cardiff, each March 1st, there will be a concert featuring a 1000-member male voice choir, specially formed for the occasion. Male voice choirs are flown to all corners of the globe on St. David's Day, to entertain Welsh communities. I have my own happy, vivid and very special memories of St. David's Day as a child, which are typical of how St. David's Day is celebrated in Welsh schools.

I should say that I was fortunate to be born into a Welsh-speaking family. My mother tongue is Welsh, and it is only when we have English-speaking visitors that any English is heard within my home. Naturally, I attended a Welsh-medium primary school, where all subjects except English are taught through the medium of Welsh.

St. David himself spoke an old form of Welsh fourteen centuries ago, and the Saint has become synonymous with keeping the language alive, and all that is good in the Welsh way of life. Welsh is one of the oldest living European languages, and although it has been oppressed for centuries, it has refused to die and is alive and growing today. The Welsh medium schools, which have largely been set up during the past four decades, have played an important part in making the language an everyday language as opposed to just an academic one.

St. David's Day at the primary school began with a religious service in one of the chapels or churches in Carmarthen. We went to school dressed in our Welsh costumes. The girls looked charming in a pais a betgwn - a petticoat and overcoat, made of Welsh flannel, and a tall beaver hat, worn over a frilled white bonnet. The boys wore a white shirt with a jabbot and wrist frills, a Welsh flannel waistcoat, black breeches, long woollen socks and black shoes. To complete the outfit we wore a flat beaver hat. I wore my national costume with pride until I was seven years old, and after that I had to be bribed to do so... I later wore a Welsh flannel waistcoat in honour of the great day.

The pupils marched through the town, led by the Mayor and town dignitaries. People gathered to see us marching past, and to wave us on. Little did they realise that we, the sons and daughters of Welsh Wales, almost froze to death on these mornings. After all, a white shirt was little protection against the cold winds of a March morning, despite having a woollen jumper underneath. If it rained we were doubly miserable. To add to our discomfort the churches and chapels were colder and the services long. Dewi was a strict disciplinarian: he would have been proud of us.

But we went back to school for a bowl of cawl - or leek broth: the traditional St. David's Day meal. After lunch we danced Welsh dances, sang Welsh folk songs and recited Welsh poems. The highlight of the day was the judging of the longest leek competition, but I never envied the winner because he was cheered on to 'eat some of your leek'. Again, Dewi would have approved, because as you probably remember, he was also a vegetarian.

At my secondary school, which was also a Welsh medium school, it was no longer compulsory to wear the Welsh costume on St. David's Day. But we still celebrated: we held an Eisteddfod - a competitive singing, dancing and reciting festival. This lasted all day and ended with an inter-house choir competition. And needless to say, all competitions were in the Welsh language.
Well, I hope that you now have some idea of who St. David was, and why he is so important to the Welsh. Dewi's words still ring down through the ages. So perhaps, as we go about our lives, we would be wise to remember his very last words, and to do the little things.

(Adapted from a talk given at Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union in 1994)

Streit um Bischof Mixas Kritik an der Familienpolitik der deutschen Regierung

Süddeutsche Zeitung: Bischof Mixa kritisiert Familienpolitik.
"Von der Leyen degradiert Frauen zu Gebärmaschinen"
Der katholische Bischof Mixa hat die Familienpolitik der Regierung als "kinderfeindlich“ bezeichnet. Die Reaktionen kommt sofort: Ein SPD-Politiker erinnert sich an Hexenverbrennungen, ein anderer fordert den Rücktritt des Kirchenmanns.

Der Augsburger Bischof Walter Mixa hat die Pläne von Bundesfamilienministerin Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) zum Ausbau der Kleinkindbetreuung scharf kritisiert. Sie seien „schädlich für Kinder und Familien und einseitig auf eine aktive Förderung der Erwerbstätigkeit von Müttern mit Kleinkindern fixiert“, sagte Mixa. Die Familienpolitik der Ministerin diene nicht in erster Linie dem Kindeswohl oder der Stärkung der Familie, sondern sei „vorrangig darauf ausgerichtet, junge Frauen als Arbeitskräfte-Reserve für die Industrie zu rekrutieren“. Dies sei kinderfeindlich.Die Doppelverdiener-Ehe werde von der Ministerin geradezu zum „ideologischen Fetisch“ erhoben, bemängelte der Bischof. Wer aber mit staatlicher Förderung Mütter dazu verleite, ihre Kinder bereits kurz nach der Geburt in staatliche Obhut zu geben, degradiere die Frau zur „Gebärmaschine“.

Rücktrittsforderung aus Hessen, Kritik aus Bayern
Der hessische SPD-Bundestagsabgeordnete Frank Schmidt hat Mixa wegen seiner Aussagen zum Rücktritt aufgefordert. Schmidt warf dem Bischof vor, junge Mütter zu verunglimpfen, die nach der Geburt wieder in den Beruf zurück strebten. Mixas Haltung sei von „familienpolitischer Rückständigkeit und einer frauenfeindlichen Grundhaltung“ geprägt. Er degradiere mit seinen Äußerungen die Frauen zu „Gebärmaschinen“.

Der Chef der bayerischen SPD-Landesgruppe im Bundestag, Florian Pronold, erklärte, ihn erinnerten Mixas Aussagen an eine „mediale Form der Hexenverbrennung“. Pronold sagte der Nachrichtenagentur ddp: „Wer meint, dass man Frauen zuhause anketten und auf Küche und Kinder reduzieren kann, gehört nicht mehr in diese Zeit.“ Pronold warf Mixa vor, den Eindruck zu erwecken, bessere Kinderbetreuungsangebote seien ein Angriff auf die Familie. Dabei gehe es vielmehr um eine Unterstützung für Familien, in denen beide Eltern arbeiten müssten, um durchzukommen.

Mixa spricht von den "wirklichen Profis"
Mixa hatte in Augsburg gesagt, die „wirklichen Profis“ der Erziehung eines Kindes seien dessen Eltern und besonders die Mutter. Der Staat müsse sich bemühen, immer mehr Mütter für die zeitlich überwiegende oder ausschließliche häusliche Erziehung ihrer Kinder in den ersten drei Lebensjahren zu gewinnen und dies auch finanziell zu fördern.

Ideologie wie in der untergegangenen DDR
Der Bischof kritisierte ferner, dass im Familienministerium nach wie vor dieselben leitenden Mitarbeiter und Berater tätig seien wie unter Rot-Grün: „Da herrschen immer noch die alten sozialistischen Vorstellungen, die von der neuen Familienministerin jetzt mit dem Etikett ’christdemokratisch’ geadelt werden.“ Mixa sagte, die Denkmuster des Familienministeriums erinnerten in beklemmender Weise an die Ideologie der staatlichen Fremdbetreuung von Kindern in der untergegangenen DDR.

Der Spiegel: Bischof Mixa fühlt sich falsch verstanden.
Deutschland diskutiert über das "Gebärmaschinen"-Zitat von Walter Mixa - jetzt weicht der Augsburger Bischof zurück: Der Begriff sei aus dem Zusammenhang gerissen worden, sagte der Oberhirte.

Berlin - "Das Wort Gebärmaschine ist ganz eindeutig aus dem Zusammenhang meiner Stellungnahme herausgerissen", sagte Mixa in der ARD-Sendung "Sabine Christiansen". "Ich wollte damit ganz eindeutig eintreten für die Frau." Zum Beispiel sollten allein erziehende Mütter es sich erlauben können, in den ersten drei Jahren nach der Geburt zu Hause zu bleiben und nicht zu arbeiten. Dies könne man über eine Anhebung des Erziehungsgeldes erreichen. "Ich bin nicht gegen die Kinderkrippe - sonst wäre ich ja von vorgestern", sagte der Bischof.

Kritik an Becks Vergleich vom "kastrierten Kater"

Die Debatte um die Mixa-Zitate hatte Parteien und religiöse Institutionen erfasst. Zuletzt hatte SPD-Chef Kurt Beck für Furore gesorgt, weil er den Bischof mit einem kastrierten Kater verglichen hatte. Die Gruppierung "Forum Deutscher Katholiken" warf Beck nun vor, Mixa "im Stil des Stürmers" zu diffamieren.

Mit Blick auf Mixa hatte Beck einen Witz von einem Kater erzählt, der trotz seiner Kastration immer noch in der Gegend herumlaufe. "Wieso denn, der kann doch gar nicht mehr?", werde die Besitzerin gefragt, die daraufhin sagt: "Das nicht, aber er berät jetzt."

Auch andere Spitzenpolitiker von SPD und Union sowie Vertreter der beiden großen Kirchen wiesen Mixas Kritik zurück. Familienministerin von der Leyen hat unterdessen ihre Kritiker scharf in die Schranken verwiesen. "Ich finde es schon fast zynisch, wenn einige jetzt so tun, als ob ein freiwilliges Angebot für einen Kinderbetreuungsplatz ein Zwang sei, sein Kind auch dorthin zu geben", sagte von der Leyen der "Frankfurter Rundschau". In der Familienpolitik sei es bereits fünf nach zwölf. "Wir sollten nicht versuchen, die 50er Jahre wieder auferstehen zu lassen im Jahr 2010", sagte die Politikerin, die selbst Mutter von sieben Kindern ist.

Summary in English: Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg criticised the German government's plan to create 700,00 extra creche places for young children. He suggested that this provision would encourage women to abandon their young children and go out to work, thus degrading the women to "birth machines". This term led to angry protests, even among Catholic Christians, and members of the hierarchy distanced themselves from Bishop Mixa, who later claimed he had been quoted out of context.