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.

"Sturmfreie Bude" in den deutschen Bistümern

Pilgerreise des Ständigen Rates der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz ins Heilige Land vom 26. Februar bis 4. März 2007

Seit Montag befinden sich die Mitglieder des Ständigen Rates der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz auf ihrer Pilgerfahrt im Heiligen Land. Zu den Stationen der siebentägigen Reise gehören Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, die heiligen Stätten am See Genezareth und Ramallah.

Die Bischöfe und Diözesanadministratoren aus den 27 deutschen Bistümern werden Gottesdienste an christlichen Wallfahrtsstätten feiern, Gespräche mit Vertretern der Ortskirchen und mit Repräsentanten aus Staat und Politik führen sowie kirchliche Einrichtungen besuchen.

Summary in English: The German dioceses are orphaned! All the bishops and administrators are on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Nuovi Vescovi in Italia

Mons. Claudio Giuliodori, nuovo Vescovo di Macerata-Tolentino-Recanati-Cingoli-Treia
Il Santo Padre ha nominato Vescovo di Macerata-Tolentino-Recanati-Cingoli-Treia il Rev.do Mons. Claudio Giuliodori, del clero dell’arcidiocesi di Ancona-Osimo, attualmente Direttore dell’Ufficio delle Comunicazioni Sociali della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana.

Il Rev.do Mons. Claudio Giuliodori è nato a Osimo, in Provincia di Ancona, il 7 gennaio 1958. Ha compiuto gli studi medi e liceali presso il Seminario Minore di Osimo e poi gli studi filosofico-teologici presso il Seminario Maggiore Regionale di Fano. Si è successivamente iscritto al Pontificio Istituto "Giovanni Paolo II" per gli studi su matrimonio e famiglia, conseguendo la licenza ed il dottorato. È stato ordinato sacerdote il 16 aprile 1983 per la Diocesi di Osimo che, dal 30 settembre 1986, è stata fusa con quella di Ancona.

Subito dopo l'ordinazione presbiterale è stato vicerettore del Seminario interdiocesano di Osimo e Vice assistente Diocesano dell'Azione Cattolica per il settore giovanile. Dal 1985 al 1988 ha esercitato il ministero, come Vicario parrocchiale, nella Parrocchia di S. Marco di Osimo. Trasferitosi a Roma ha lavorato come Aiutante di studio presso la Segretaria generale della C.E.I. (1988-1991).

Rientrato in diocesi, è stato nominato Direttore dell'Ufficio diocesano di Pastorale familiare (1991-1998) e Direttore del Consultorio familiare. Ha inoltre assunto l'insegnamento di Teologia Morale e poi l'incarico di Vice-Preside dell'Istituto Teologico Marchigiano di Ancona (1993-1998).

Nel 1994 è stato nominato Direttore del "Centro diocesano di pastorale e di spiritualità" di Colle Ameno (Ancona).

Dal 1996 è anche professore Incaricato di Teologia Pastorale presso il Pontificio Istituto "Giovanni Paolo II" per studi su matrimonio e famiglia. Nel 1998 è stato nominato Direttore dell'Ufficio Nazionale per le comunicazioni sociali della C.E.I. Dal 2002 è Cappellano di Sua Santità. Dall'ottobre 2006 è Consultore del Pontificio Consiglio delle Comunicazioni Sociali.


Mons. Domenico Mogavero, nuovo Vescovo di Mazara del Vallo
Il Papa ha nominato Vescovo di Mazara del Vallo il Rev.do Mons. Domenico Mogavero, del clero dell’arcidiocesi di Palermo, finora Sottosegretario della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana.

Il Rev.do Mons. Domenico Mogavero è nato a Castelbuono (Palermo), diocesi di Cefalù, il 31 marzo 1947. Ha compiuto gli studi nel Seminario di Cefalù e, successivamente, in quello di Palermo. Ha conseguito la Laurea in Diritto Canonico presso la Pontificia Università Lateranense. È autore di vari libri e di numerosi articoli. È stato ordinato sacerdote per l’arcidiocesi di Palermo il 12 luglio 1970.

Ha svolto i seguenti uffici e ministeri: Vicario parrocchiale presso la Parrocchia dei Ss. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo a Palermo (1970-1971); Vice Rettore del Seminario arcivescovile di Palermo (1979-1983); Professore di Diritto Canonico nella Facoltà Teologica della Sicilia "S. Giovanni Evangelista" (1974-1997); Vice Preside della medesima (1984-1997); Membro del Consiglio presbiterale (1984-1997); Giudice presso il Tribunale Ecclesiastico diocesano (1985-1997); Membro del Collegio dei Consultori diocesani (1986-1997); Difensore del vincolo presso il Tribunale Ecclesiastico siculo; Vicario Giudiziale; Assistente diocesano dell’Azione Cattolica Italiana; Vice Presidente dell’Associazione Italiana dei Canonisti.

Già dal 1997 Direttore dell’Ufficio Nazionale della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana per i problemi giuridici, è dal 2001 Sottosegretario della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana.

Summary in English: The Pope has named two new bishops in Italy, both of whom are professors and come from important positions in the service of the CEI (Conferenza Episcopale Italiana). Mons. Claudio Giuliodori, the new bishop of Macerata, was the director of the Social Communications Bureau, while Mons. Domenico Mogavero was Under-Secretary of the CEI before being named bishop of Mazara del Vallo.

Das MISEREOR-Hungertuch 2007

Das Misereor-Hungertuch 2007 lädt ein, uns während der Zeit des Fastens und der Besinnung zwischen Aschermittwoch und Ostern auf die »Bergpredigt« Jesu einzulassen. Mit der Gestaltung dieser ersten Predigt Jesu beschenkt der chinesische Künstler Prof. Li Jinyuan die Betrachter mit wunderbaren Bildern, die davon erzählen, was es bedeutet, ein Jünger, eine Jüngerin Jesu zu sein.

Farben und Formen

Das Hungertuch leuchtet und erfüllt den Raum mit Licht. Kraftvolles Gelb und Orange, warmes Ocker und Rot heben sich von ernstem Schwarz und Grau ab. Ein Kreuz aus Licht, das sich nach oben zum Himmel hin immer weiter öffnet, findet sein Zentrum in Christus, der auf einem Berg, umringt von zahllosen Menschen, steht und predigt.

Feuer, Wasser, Geist
Der Geist Gottes schwebt auf ihn herab – eine Szene, die an die Taufe Jesu im Jordan erinnert. Zu Jesu Füßen brennt ein Feuer, darunter leuchtet ein roter Stempel, in den kunstvolle chinesische Schriftzeichen eingeprägt sind: »höchste güte ist wie das wasser« (Laotse, Daudedsching). Das Feuer steht für das kommende Reich Gottes, das alles neu macht und das alte verbrennt. Das Wasser, so Li Jinyuan, ist wie Christus: es ist gütig, es gibt unterschiedslos allen und nimmt nichts fort. Mit Wasser und Geist ist Jesus getauft worden, der Himmel öffnet sich, von oben und von unten bricht das Reich Gottes ein.

Selig seid ihr ...
In den vier roten Kreisen hat Li Jinyuan vier der Seligpreisungen aus dem Matthäusevangelium szenisch dargestellt (im Uhrzeigersinn von links oben): »Selig die arm sind vor Gott«, »Selig die um der Gerechtigkeit willen verfolgt werden«, »Selig die Friedensstifter« und »Selig die Trauernden«. Hier werden uns Haltungen gezeigt, die alle herausfordern, die Jesus nachfolgen wollen.

... denn euch gehört das Himmelreich
Die Rundung der Baumkrone am unteren Bildrand, gebildet aus einem Wald von kleinen Bäumen, greift das Gleichnis vom Senfkorn auf. Genauso wie das Samenkorn braucht nachhaltige Bildung Initiative, Zeit zum Wachsen, Förderung und Unterstützung, um Frucht tragen zu können. Das kleine Senfkorn ist Gleichnis für das Himmelreich, das Wirklichkeit werden kann. Das Meer wird befahren von zahlreichen Dschunken, an deren Decks sich Menschen tummeln. Sie tragen die Lehre Jesu in die Welt hinaus zu denen, die arm vor Gott sind, die nach Gerechtigkeit hungern und dürsten, zu den Barmherzigen und denen, die Frieden stiften.

Der Künstler Prof. Li (Jahrgang 1945) lehrt in Chengdu/China als Professor für chinesische Malerei. Erst 1979 (nach Kulturrevolution, Gefängnis und Umerziehungslager) hat er die Malerei zu seinem Beruf gemacht. .Seine Bilder kreisen um das große Thema der Harmonie von Himmel und Erde, Göttlichem und Irdischem, Mensch und Natur.

Summary in English: For the last thirty or so years the German Lenten charity "Misereor" has been producing "Hunger cloths" which are hung in churches during the season of Lent. This goes back to an early tradition, whereby a large cloth was hung between the altar and the congregation during Lent, mostly with a small screen through which the elevated host and chalice could be seen at the consecration. Today's hunger cloths are normally hung much higher so as not to obscure the view of the altar. The cloth this year has been painted by Chinese artist Li Jinyuan and represents scenes from the Sermon on the Mount.

Philippa Gitlin is new Director of Caritas-social action

The voice of the Catholic Church on social justice and care in England and Wales has appointed a new Director. Philippa Gitlin becomes the new Director of Caritas-social action with immediate effect.

Philippa Gitlin was formerly Chief Executive of Family Service Units - a national charity providing family support services to socially excluded children and families from 1999 to May 2006 when it was taken over by the Family Welfare Association. Previously she was Director of Fundraising for five years at Depaul Trust, a national charity supporting homeless young people. Prior to her appointment as Director, Philippa was Interim Director at Caritas-social action from June 2006.

"I am delighted to have Philippa as the newly appointed Director of Caritas-social action,” says its Chair, the Right Reverend Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford. “Following the recent review of Caritas-social action, the Trustees feel that Philippa will be very able to carry forward the focus to be given to Caritas-social action, building on the foundations laid by her predecessors."

“I very much welcome Philippa's appointment,” added Terry Connor, Director of The Catholic Children’s Society (South East). “ She is an articulate advocate for Catholic care, has sound knowledge and experience of the wider voluntary sector and is fully conversant with Church structures. Caritas-social action will flourish under her leadership."

Philippa is also a trustee of the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO); Chair of Governors of Swiss Cottage School, a local authority Beacon Special Needs school in Camden, London; Member of Council of Queen’s College, London (an independent day school for girls); trustee of a St Vincent’s Family Centre in Victoria, London, and a member of the steering group of Groundbreakers, a network of women chief executives in the voluntary sector.

(Source: Catholic Communications Network England and Wales)

André 23 en Terre Sainte

Du 12 au 16 février 2007 l'archevêque de Paris, Mgr André Vingt-Trois, a conduit un pèlerinage en Terre Sainte préparé en lien avec le Service National de l’épiscopat français pour les relations avec le Judaïsme. Avec le soutien du Ministère du Tourisme d’Israël, plus de 500 personnes ont participé à ce pèlerinage-découverte, conçu dans l’esprit de la visite du Pape Jean-Paul II: parcourant la " géographie du Salut ", les pèlerins ont rencontré les diverses communautés et visité plusieurs institutions israéliennes et palestiniennes.

Voici le texte intégral de la réponse de Mgr Vingt-Trois à l'intervention du Maire de Bethléem:

Messieurs les Maires, Mes Pères,

En vous entendant, je comprends que j’ai eu raison de tenir à ce que nous venions à Bethléem. Je savais que Bethléem vit une situation particulière dans toute la Terre Sainte et que nous ne pouvions pas avoir une idée de ce que peut être un pèlerinage en Terre Sainte si nous ne passions pas par Bethléem.

Nous sommes venus avec plusieurs objectifs, - du moins avais-je, moi, plusieurs objectifs en tête, que je vais vous dire.

Le premier, c’est qu’il faut que nous voyions. On sait, on a lu le journal, on a vu la télévision, on a entendu les informations. On sait qu’il y a un mur, mais il faut le voir avec ses yeux. On n’a pas besoin de beaucoup d’explications pour comprendre, quand on a vu. Nous sommes venus et nous avons vu. Et nous avons vu des deux côtés du mur. Nous avons vu ce qu’il y a de ce côté-ci du mur. Puisqu’il s’agissait pour beaucoup d’entre-nous d’un temps de découverte de la Terre Sainte et qu’un des buts de ce voyage est de nourrir le désir de revenir soi-même et d’amener d’autres personnes, il fallait connaître aussi cette partie de la Terre Sainte.

La deuxième raison, c’est que je savais qu’il y a ici des chrétiens vivants, des communautés chrétiennes vivantes, des communautés chrétiennes qui ont réalisé des choses importantes et qui continuent de réaliser des choses importantes. Il ne s’agissait pas simplement de voir la souffrance, les conséquences de la situation politique, les drames humains que vous avez évoqués, mais aussi de constater la vitalité et la force de votre peuple et de votre communauté chrétienne, et de prendre conscience que nous ne venons pas seulement pour apporter quelque chose, mais aussi pour recevoir quelque chose. Ce que nous recevons, c’est le témoignage d’une confiance dans l’avenir, d’une volonté de vivre, et de vivre dans sa terre, et de vivre dans sa famille, et de vivre dans sa tradition, et de pouvoir élever ses enfants dans cette terre, dans cette famille et dans cette tradition. Avec l’espérance que cela peut s’accomplir dans la paix et non pas dans l’extermination.

La troisième chose qui me paraissait importante, c’était de faire ce que le Pape Jean-Paul II a fait - et que vous avez rappelé tout à l’heure -, même si nous le faisons de façon très modeste, parce que nous n’avons pas de moyens exceptionnels pour le faire : remplacer pour quelques instants le mur par un pont. Par le fait que nous franchissons le mur, nous établissons un passage. Je pense que de ce côté du mur comme de l’autre côté, il y a des hommes et des femmes qui savent que l’avenir ici ne sera possible que si quelqu’un fait des ponts et arrive à trouver une solution pour que tous puissent vivre sur cette terre dans le respect de leurs droits.

C’est pour tout cela que nous sommes venus. Pour dire tout simplement que les chrétiens de France n’ignorent pas leurs frères de Terre Sainte, ni surtout de Bethléem (Le père curé a évoqué les « cartoline » qui viennent de « Francia », il a évoqué les cartes postales que les enfants envoient avec beaucoup de cœur aux habitants de Bethléem). Nous sommes venus parce que nos communautés sentent que la communion est le seul lien vivant qui peut vous aider à tenir et à progresser. Vous savez notre amitié, vous savez notre volonté d’être en relation avec vous. J’espère que toutes celles et tous ceux qui sont venus aujourd’hui sauront motiver des pèlerins à venir non seulement, comme nous le faisons aujourd’hui pour quelques heures, mais même pour une nuit et pour plusieurs nuits, puisque c’est la nuit que Bethléem parle au monde. Merci.

+André Vingt-Trois
Archevêque de Paris

Summary in English: The Archbishop of Paris, Most Rev. André Vingt-Trois, accompanied a group of 500 pilgrims on a discovery visit to the Holy Land, visiting Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. In his speech in Bethlehem, he referred to the plight of the people in the Palestinian territories, especially the Arab Christians.

P.S. I hope Archbishop Vingt-Trois will excuse my dwelling a little on his surname, which means "23". In French, Pope John XXIII is known as "Jean Vingt-Trois", so one would be excused for thinking that André Vingt-Trois was the name of a pope and not an archbishop!!

22nd World Youth Day - Palm Sunday 2007

Yes, there is a World Youth Day every year - but it isn't the massive international jamboree, like in 2005 in Cologne or next year in Sydney. Instead, it is a diocesan or national affair which always takes place on or around Palm Sunday (1st April this year).

Here are some of the events taking place this year in Europe:

Belgium: 10th Palm March (Marche des Rameaux) This starts at 10.30 a..m. on 31st March 2007 at the Marian sanctuaries of Beauraing and lasts until 1st April.

France: Like in Belgium many regions have Palm Marches, e.g. the diocese of Angoulême has a march to the Abbey of Bassac. On 31st March in the Abbey there is a liturgy at 7.30 p.m. followed by a Taizé-style vigil, ending at 11.00 p.m.

Austria: On 24th March 2oo7 in St. Stephan's cathedral inVienna there is a WYD from 4.00 to 10.00 p.m.

And on 6th June in Graz there is a candlelight procession and night vigil from 3.00 p.m. until 7.00 the next morning.

Switzerland: The young Swiss catholics (at least the French-speaking ones) meet at Bulle-La Toure from 31.03. to 01.04.2007.

Germany: In Würzburg there is an event at the cathedral starting at 2.00 p.m. on 1st April.

On 31st March a "Love is in the Air" gathering will take place in the Münster in Freiburg from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

And in Paderborn there will be workshops and a liturgical celebration first at the Kaiserpfalz and then in the cathedral starting at 1.30 p.m. on Palm Sunday, 1st April.

Here is the English translation of the

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI TO THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD ON THE OCCASION OF THE 22nd WORLD YOUTH DAY, 1st APRIL 2007

“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

My dear young friends,

On the occasion of the 22nd World Youth Day that will be celebrated in the dioceses on Palm Sunday, I would like to propose for your meditation the words of Jesus: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34).

Is it possible to love?

Everybody feels the longing to love and to be loved. Yet, how difficult it is to love, and how many mistakes and failures have to be reckoned with in love! There are those who even come to doubt that love is possible. But if emotional delusions or lack of affection can cause us to think that love is utopian, an impossible dream, should we then become resigned? No! Love is possible, and the purpose of my message is to help reawaken in each one of you - you who are the future and hope of humanity-, trust in a love that is true, faithful and strong; a love that generates peace and joy; a love that binds people together and allows them to feel free in respect for one another. Let us now go on a journey together in three stages, as we embark on a “discovery” of love.

God, the source of love
The first stage concerns the source of true love. There is only one source, and that is God. Saint John makes this clear when he declares that “God is love” (1 Jn 4: 8,16). He was not simply saying that God loves us, but that the very being of God is love. Here we find ourselves before the most dazzling revelation of the source of love, the mystery of the Trinity: in God, one and triune, there is an everlasting exchange of love between the persons of the Father and the Son, and this love is not an energy or a sentiment, but it is a person; it is the Holy Spirit.

The Cross of Christ fully reveals the love of God
How is God-Love revealed to us? We have now reached the second stage of our journey. Even though the signs of divine love are already clearly present in creation, the full revelation of the intimate mystery of God came to us through the Incarnation when God himself became man. In Christ, true God and true Man, we have come to know love in all its magnitude. In fact, as I wrote in the Encyclical Deus caritas est, “the real novelty of the New Testament lies not so much in new ideas as in the figure of Christ himself, who gives flesh and blood to those conceptsCan unprecedented realism” (n. 12). The manifestation of divine love is total and perfect in the Cross where, we are told by Saint Paul, “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Rm 5:8). Therefore, each one of us can truly say: “Christ loved me and gave himself up for me” (cf Eph 5:2). Redeemed by his blood, no human life is useless or of little value, because each of us is loved personally by Him with a passionate and faithful love, a love without limits. The Cross, - for the world a folly, for many believers a scandal-, is in fact the “wisdom of God” for those who allow themselves to be touched right to the innermost depths of their being, “for God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor 1:25). Moreover, the Crucifix, which after the Resurrection would carry forever the marks of his passion, exposes the “distortions” and lies about God that underlie violence, vengeance and exclusion. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes upon himself the sins of the world and eradicates hatred from the heart of humankind. This is the true “revolution” that He brings about: love.

Loving our neighbour as Christ loves us
Now we have arrived at the third stage of our reflection. Christ cried out from the Cross: “I am thirsty” (Jn 19:28). This shows us his burning thirst to love and to be loved by each one of us. It is only by coming to perceive the depth and intensity of such a mystery that we can realise the need and urgency to love him as He has loved us. This also entails the commitment to even give our lives, if necessary, for our brothers and sisters sustained by love for Him. God had already said in the Old Testament: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev 19:18), but the innovation introduced by Christ is the fact that to love as he loves us means loving everyone without distinction, even our enemies, “to the end” (cf Jn 13:1).

Witnesses to the love of Christ
I would like to linger for a moment on three areas of daily life where you, my dear young friends, are particularly called to demonstrate the love of God. The first area is the Church, our spiritual family, made up of all the disciples of Christ. Mindful of his words: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35), you should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong. Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made. Do not hesitate to joyfully abstain from some of your entertainments; cheerfully accept the necessary sacrifices; testify to your faithful love for Jesus by proclaiming his Gospel, especially among young people of your age.

Preparing for the future
The second area, where you are called to express your love and grow in it, is your preparation for the future that awaits you. If you are engaged to be married, God has a project of love for your future as a couple and as a family. Therefore, it is essential that you discover it with the help of the Church, free from the common prejudice that says that Christianity with its commandments and prohibitions places obstacles to the joy of love and impedes you from fully enjoying the happiness that a man and woman seek in their reciprocal love. The love of a man and woman is at the origin of the human family and the couple formed by a man and a woman has its foundation in God’s original plan (cf Gen 2:18-25). Learning to love each other as a couple is a wonderful journey, yet it requires a demanding “apprenticeship”. The period of engagement, very necessary in order to form a couple, is a time of expectation and preparation that needs to be lived in purity of gesture and words. It allows you to mature in love, in concern and in attention for each other; it helps you to practise self-control and to develop your respect for each other. These are the characteristics of true love that does not place emphasis on seeking its own satisfaction or its own welfare. In your prayer together, ask the Lord to watch over and increase your love and to purify it of all selfishness. Do not hesitate to respond generously to the Lord’s call, for Christian matrimony is truly and wholly a vocation in the Church. Likewise, dear young men and women, be ready to say “yes” if God should call you to follow the path of ministerial priesthood or the consecrated life. Your example will be one of encouragement for many of your peers who are seeking true happiness.

Growing in love each day
The third area of commitment that comes with love is that of daily life with its multiple relationships. I am particularly referring to family, studies, work and free time. Dear young friends, cultivate your talents, not only to obtain a social position, but also to help others to “grow”. Develop your capacities, not only in order to become more “competitive” and “productive”, but to be “witnesses of charity”. In addition to your professional training, also make an effort to acquire religious knowledge that will help you to carry out your mission in a responsible way. In particular, I invite you to carefully study the social doctrine of the Church so that its principles may inspire and guide your action in the world. May the Holy Spirit make you creative in charity, persevering in your commitments, and brave in your initiatives, so that you will be able to offer your contribution to the building up of the “civilisation of love”. The horizon of love is truly boundless: it is the whole world!

“Dare to love” by following the example of the saints
My dear young friends, I want to invite you to “dare to love”. Do not desire anything less for your life than a love that is strong and beautiful and that is capable of making the whole of your existence a joyful undertaking of giving yourselves as a gift to God and your brothers and sisters, in imitation of the One who vanquished hatred and death forever through love (cf Rev 5:13). Love is the only force capable of changing the heart of the human person and of all humanity, by making fruitful the relations between men and women, between rich and poor, between cultures and civilisations. This is shown to us in the lives of the saints. They are true friends of God who channel and reflect this very first love. Try to know them better, entrust yourselves to their intercession, and strive to live as they did. I shall just mention Mother Teresa. In order to respond instantly to the cry of Jesus, “I thirst”, a cry that had touched her deeply, she began to take in the people who were dying on the streets of Calcutta in India. From that time onward, the only desire of her life was to quench the thirst of love felt by Jesus, not with words, but with concrete action by recognising his disfigured countenance thirsting for love in the faces of the poorest of the poor. Blessed Teresa put the teachings of the Lord into practice: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). The message of this humble witness of divine love has spread around the whole world.

The secret of love
Each one of us, my dear friends, has been given the possibility of reaching this same level of love, but only by having recourse to the indispensable support of divine Grace. Only the Lord’s help will allow us to keep away from resignation when faced with the enormity of the task to be undertaken. It instills in us the courage to accomplish that which is humanly inconceivable. Above all, the Eucharist is the great school of love. When we participate regularly and with devotion in Holy Mass, when we spend a sustained time of adoration in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, it is easier to understand the length, breadth, height and depth of his love that goes beyond all knowledge (cf Eph 3:17-18). By sharing the Eucharistic Bread with our brothers and sisters of the Church community, we feel compelled, like Our Lady with Elizabeth, to render “in haste” the love of Christ into generous service towards our brothers and sisters.

Towards the encounter in Sydney
On this subject, the recommendation of the apostle John is illuminating: “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth” (1 Jn 3: 18-19). Dear young people, it is in this spirit that I invite you to experience the next World Youth Day together with your bishops in your respective dioceses. This will be an important stage on the way to the meeting in Sydney where the theme will be: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). May Mary, the Mother of Christ and of the Church, help you to let that cry ring out everywhere, the cry that has changed the world: “God is love!” I am together with you all in prayer and extend to you my heartfelt blessing.

From the Vatican, 27 January 2007

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

City Mission Budapest 2007

Plans are well under way for the ICNE (International Congress for New Evangelisation) event in Budapest later this year.

ICNE is an initiative founded at the beginning of the millennium by four cardinal archbishops from European capital cities, Jean-Marie Lustiger of Paris, Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, Godfried Danneels of Brussels and Jose da Cruz Policarpo of Lisbon. Later Peter Erdö of Budapest joined the group.

The plan was and is to vitalise the Church in the urban environment, especially by organising annual congresses (called City Missions) in each of the capitals.

The first such congress was in Vienna in 2003, then Paris 2004, Lisbon 2005 and most recently Brussels 2006.

This year in Budapest, from September 16th to 22nd, there will be a number of central events (such as lectures and seminars, workshops and discussions and eucharistic and other celebrations) as well as numerous decentralised activities in the various parishes of the city.

Then, importantly, there are the evangelisation rallies, which are held on stages erected in city streets and squares, shopping centres , stations, etc.

For the city of Budapest, capital of formerly Communist-controlled Hungary, this congress will offer one of the first opportunities to reflect on the past one and a half decades of freedom and their consequences for the faith and the Church.

Thus Cardinal Erdö writes in his letter of welcome:

"In the last one and a half decades we have savoured the taste of freedom which has also brought us many disappointments and raised the issue of justice without providing an answer, that is complete justice, also for the weakest members of our society. We still wear the spiritual wounds of our people ,which have been transmitted from generation to generation and we are still looking, even today, for our ephemeral advantage, often in an absent-minded, even psychologically disturbed way. It is hard for us to find a comprehensive, optimistic outlook. We hardly feel the attraction and promise of the future. But Jesus did not invite us to be despondent."

"If we turn to Him and join in His sacrifice, laying before Him all our worries and even our collective destiny, if we drink from the cup given by Him, then our life can truly light up again."

Irish bishops speak out against alcohol abuse

In their Lenten pastoral letter Alcohol: the challenge of Moderation, the Irish Catholic bishops have broached a topic which they say is as important in the Ireland of the 21st century as it was during the Famine of the 1850s, when a massive Catholic campaign was mounted against excessive alcohol consumption.

Their concern stems in part from two recent surveys which place Ireland at the top of the list for binge drinking among 20 year-olds and also for general alcohol consumption of 15 year-olds(!) and older.

In his speech to the press at the launch of the pastoral letter, Bishop Eamonn Walsh said that "the Bishops’ Conference hopes to do more than encourage a debate on this national problem. Incorporated in the pastoral are some practical suggestions, such as to reduce one’s consumption of alcohol by one third and assess the difference this makes after three months and to initiate a discussion amongst friends and at home about our attitude to and use of alcohol."

"Another is a suggestion for the Season of Lent. Many people decide to observe temperance during Lent in the spirit of giving up in order to become better people. Should people decide to make giving up alcohol part of their Lenten fast and abstinence, the freedom and extra resources they experience could be channelled into helping others in need, at home and in the Third World."

The bishop then specifically pointed out that "prayer often motivates the making of such sacrifices that are turned into positive forces for good and not just arid self-denial."

Filmbespreking: 'Deliver us from evil'

Katholiek Nederland, Hilversum, 18 februari 2007 - De documentaire Deliver us from evil ('Verlos ons van het kwade') van Amy Berg verschijnt 22 februari in de Nederlandse filmhuizen.

Oliver O’Grady, still uit 'Deliver us from evil' (foto: RCV Entertainment)

De documentaire Deliver us from evil vertelt het verhaal van de veroordeelde Amerikaanse priester Oliver O’Grady en enkele van zijn tientallen slachtoffers. De film ontving een Oscarnominatie.

Documentairemaakster Amy Berg weet in iets meer dan 100 minuten je bloed op het kookpunt te brengen met dit relaas. Zij sprak met de griezelig onbewogen O’Grady, Father Ollie voor vrienden, in zijn geboorteland Ierland. Daar leeft hij na gevangenschap en therapie in ballingschap maar wel in vrijheid en redelijk goede doen. Dat kunnen de meeste van de slachtoffers niet zeggen. Hun leven en dat van hun families is verwoest.

Gaat de documentaire op zondag 25 februari een Oscar voor de beste documentaire winnen? Als dat het geval is dan zal dat vooral te danken zijn aan het politieke statement van de film. Op de kwaliteit van de film als documentaire is namelijk wel iets af te dingen.

Als er prijzen moeten worden uitgeloofd voor deze documentaire dan komen die toe aan de slachtoffers van O’Grady. Het verhaal van mijnheer en mevrouw Jyono is hartverscheurend. Als vrome en toegewijde katholieken voelden zij zich zo intens verraden door Father Ollie die hun dochter Ann verkrachtte. Als vader Jyono vertelt over het moment dat hij zich dit realiseerde schreeuwt hij het uit voor de camera: “Mijn hele wereld stortte in. Hij heeft ons leven, ons gezin verwoest. Ik weet niet waar ik heen moet met mijn woede.”

Summary in English: The documentary film "Deliver us from evil" about one of the priests involved in the paedophile sex abuse crisis in the States, is showing in Dutch cinemas. It has also been nominated for an Oscar.

El 77% de los alumnos de la escuela española eligen Religión Católica

En este curso 2006-7, el 77% del total de alumnos de la escuela española, tanto pública como privada concertada o no concertada, están recibiendo formación religiosa católica. Este porcentaje supone que 5.047.279 alumnos reciben enseñanza religiosa en España. Con relación al curso pasado la opción libre por la religión católica ha bajado 0.4 décimas.

Los indicadores porcentuales totales en cada etapa son poco significativos puesto que el descenso, con referencia al curso pasado, se reduce a unas décimas de punto con la excepción de la Ed. Infantil que permanece igual: en Primaria baja 0.8 décimas, en ESO 0.7 décimas y en Bachillerato sólo 0.2 décimas.

Hay que valorar positivamente la ralentización de la caída progresiva de la opción por la enseñanza religiosa en la escuela pública que venía siendo en los tres últimos cursos de 2 puntos cada año. Este curso ha sido de 0.8, 0.7 y 0.9 décimas en Primaria, Secundaria y Bachillerato, respectivamente.

Summary in English: 77% of all Spanish schoolchildren (over 5 million) have this year chosen to take religious education classes at school, only a minimal drop compared with last year. It would seem that the slump of recent years has levelled off.