Tuesday, 28th February 2006

CUBA: Welcoming the baby Jesus: ACN report shows how the bishops’ little idea is having big results

Königstein/Ts. Thousands of people are rediscovering Christianity…and all thanks to the baby Jesus.
The mass distribution of fluorescent plastic figures of the Christ Child of 9cm is causing a resurgence of interest in Catholicism with reports that 350,000 statues were distributed across Cuba within one month. 
In what is thought to be the first official figures of their kind, a report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) shows a significant increase in the number of practising Catholics with up to 90,000 now receiving communion weekly.
The statistics were collated with help from Carmelite nuns in the capital, Havana, who bake communion wafers for most of the dioceses spread across the island.
But as churches across the country report an increase in Church attendance in the wake of the baby Jesus initiative, bishops are convinced they have captured the imagination of the people and are putting together another order for yet more of the sacred figures.
In a message to ACN, which funded the baby Jesus initiative, Archbishop Juan Garcia, who heads up mission outreach across Cuba, president of the Bishop’s Conference of the Cuban Bishop’s, wrote that the initiative was the gift of the Holy Spirit: “We beg ACN for help so that more people can enjoy Christmas with the Baby Jesus”.
“We have had many testimonies praising the figures and so just think what Christmas 2006 could be like if we could have more of them, just think what it could mean for people who want to know Jesus more deeply.”
The initiative is being perceived as a milestone for religious expression in Cuba with reports of no difficulties with the Cuban authorities, through the work of the thousands of voluntary missioners who distributed the baby Jesus figures across the island.
Many travelled up to 20km by foot, knocking on doors and inviting people to receive the little statue complete with a leaflet explaining the initiative and the importance of Jesus and the nativity.
They also took the opportunity to visit the sick and infirm and bolster community spirit.
For information about Cuba’s baby Jesus initiative or to make a donation, contact Aid to the Church in Need.

Monday, 27th February 2006

PAKISTAN: Government stands by suffering Christians

Königstein/Ts. – Sutton. Pakistan’s Catholic leader has praised the country’s Prime Minister for meeting top clergy in an act of solidarity after a series of violent attacks against Christians. Speaking after a meeting between Christian leaders and government officials, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore commended Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for publicly condemning aggressors terrorising Christians and stressed their loyalty to the country, their contribution to society and their opposition to the Prophet Mohammed cartoons.

At the meeting held last week at his home in Islamabad, the Prime Minister called for meetings between Church leaders and local and central government aimed at pre-empting the outbreak of anti-Christian violence. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Saldanha, who is President of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said the meeting had provided the faithful with “an important sign of hope.” He added: “Never before has the government acted in such a swift and decisive way. There is a real hope now that we can deal with the pressures we are facing.” The Archbishop explained that a sign of the government’s intent was Mr Aziz’s willingness to press ahead with the meeting immediately after the Feb. 19 attacks in which two schools and two churches were burned in Sukkur, south-east Pakistan.

Friday, 24th February 2006

KASAKHSTAN: New Martyrs’ Memorial unveiled 

Königstein/Ts. “The foundation of Argentina’s first ‘Farm of hope’ is a beacon of hope for alcohol and drug addicts in the country.” With these words Ulrich Kny, head of Aid to the Church in Need’s (ACN) Latin America II section, has welcomed the upcoming inauguration (Feb. 26) of a "Granja de la esperanza" in Deán Funes, in the Archdiocese of Córdoba, northern Argentina.

The expert added: "Over the past few years, in the course of globalisation, secularisation has become more and more noticeable also in Argentina. In the civil society and in the media there are increasing tendencies that undermine the moral authority of the Church as well as Christian values. This leads many young people to lose orientation in their lives. This, combined with a widespread impoverishment of the population, has contributed to a dramatic increase in alcohol and drug abuse."

Currently, there are 37 "Farms of hope” in Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, the Philippines, Germany and Russia. Frei Hans Stapel, OFM, one of the founders of the institutions, stated in 2004 during the inauguration of the first farm in Asia: “With the ‘Farms of hope’ we intent to assist patients to overcome their addiction by means of prayer, spiritual guidance, life in community and manual labour."

Thursday, 23rd February 2006

BOLIVIA: Cardinal Terrazas comments on "Evomania"

Königstein/Ts. "I believe that President Evo Morales has good intentions. But the enormous hope that so many Bolivians have placed on him might be frustrated if the promised change does not come immediately. Now there is a lot of ‘Evomania’ and ‘immediatetism’ in the country. But what Bolivia most urgently needs is authentic solidarity, not another ideology." With these words Julio Cardinal Terrazas, Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, one of Bolivia’s largest cities, has described the current political situation in his country.

Speaking during a visit to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Feb. 23, the Cardinal, who is also President of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference, explained: "Evo Morales should take into account the intentions of the entire people, namely to improve the economic and social situation, to find a way out of corruption and to protect traditional values. Bolivians are not going to accept something that is contrary to their values. And the Church must continue its mission: We cannot separate ourselves from preaching the truth and charity."

Wednesday, 22nd February 2006

PARAGUAY: Bible for children to be translated into Nivaclé

Königstein/Ts. The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is preparing a translation of its Bible for children "God speaks to His children" into Nivaclé, an indigenous language spoken by some 18,000 people mainly in western Paraguay. The initiative for this new translation came from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O. M. I.), who are – since 1925 – responsible for evangelisation in the west Paraguayan "Chaco" region, where there is a strong presence of Protestant sects.

According to Mgr Lucio Alfert, O. M. I., Apostolic Vicar of Pilcomayo, poverty, shortage of employment and a lack of access to education and healthcare are major problems, especially for the region’s indigenous population. ACN’s Bible for children has been published in 148 languages, including Spanish and Guaraní, Paraguay’s official languages.

Tuesday, 21th February 2006

PAKISTAN: Archbishop calls government response to arson attacks "immediate, very strong"

Königstein/Ts. – Sutton. „At this time when tensions are running very high, we need all the support we can get from the authorities. Their response was immediate and very strong.” With these words Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha has commended government leaders for standing shoulder to shoulder with Christians after an angry mob torched two churches and ransacked Christian schools.

An inside report from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) revealed at least two people were injured Sunday, Feb. 19, when up to 2,500 people rampaged through the town of Sukkur, setting fire to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Xavier’s, a Protestant church. The schools attached to both churches were also badly damaged in Sukkur, which is about 450 kilometers north of Karachi, Pakistan’s main coastal city. Neon signs were smashed up, and shopkeepers pulled down their shutters as the mob advanced. The police reacted quickly and dispersed the crowd using tear gas.

Stressing the increased pressure on Christians in Pakistan, amid Muslim fury at the Muhammad cartoons, Archbishop Saldhana praised both government and other political leaders for condemning the attacks. The incident reportedly had been sparked by a dispute between two Christians, in which one person accused the other of desecrating the Koran. Archbishop Saldhana commented: “This was highly irresponsible of them because it was sure to lead to widespread repercussions.”

Within hours of the incident, Dr Ishratul, governor of Sindh province, which includes Sukkur, announced a series of security measures to protet the Christians and said he would cover the costs of the repairs to the churches. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a political party in Sindh representing Muslims of Indian origin, also acted fast to denounce the attacks, with its chief, Altaf Hussain, saying they were politically motivated and not inspired by Islam.

Speaking in his capacity as chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission for the Pakistani Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Saldhana said: “I welcome most warmly the words of the governor and the MQM chief.”

Monday, 20th February 2006

PERU: Newly appointed bishop asks ACN to pray for him

Königstein/Ts. “It is my desire to dedicate myself entirely to the Kingdom of God. I would like to entrust myself to your prayers and, of course, to the prayers of all friends of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN),” it reads in a message that the newly appointed Bishop of the Apostolic Prelature Ayaviri, Mgr Kay Martin Schmalhausen Panizo, S. C. V., sent to ACN Feb. 18.

Mgr Schmalhausen was born in 1964 in Lima, the Peruvian capital. In 1983, he became a member of “Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (S. C. V.)” and was ordained a priest in 1989. Since 2003 he is Chaplain and Professor of Ethics at the Catholic St. Paul’s University in Arequipa. The Apostolic Prelature of Ayaviri – considered to be one of the country’s poorest ecclesial jurisdictions – is located in the south Peruvian Andes. Almost all of its about 180,000 inhabitants are Catholics. Currently, 17 priests are serving the faithful in 30 parishes.

Friday, 17th February 2006

KAZAKHSTAN: New Martyrs’ Memorial unveiled 

Königstein/Ts./Petropavlovsk. Today, from the smallest Redemptorist contemplative Convent in Kazakhstan, Maria, one of the two sisters, joined in prayers and thanks to ACN for the continuous assistance to the Contemplative Sisters, Carmelites, Franciscan and the Greek-Catholic Servants of Our Lady Immaculate. They are united in vigils on the soil drenched with the blood of the New Martyrs, she told us.

According to Fr Vasyl Hovera, Apostolic delegate for Greek-Catholics in Kazakhstan and Middle Asia, recently in the Karaganda region a memorial to Ukrainian Martyrs of the Gulag was unveiled. The monument, in Mamin cemetery, Dolinka village, is a symbol for many victims, mainly for blessed Oleksiy Zarytskyi, one of the 27 new Martyrs beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 27, 2001. In 1957, he was appointed a Catacomb Church bishop for Kazakhstan by late Metropolitan Josyf Slipyi, himself a prisoner in Krasnoyarsk.He died in the Dolinka prison hospital on October 30,1963.

As Redemptorist Fr Vasyl Hovera  said: “He tirelessly took care not only of Ukrainians but of Poles, Germans and Russians amid inhuman conditions.” A chapel dedicated to the new martyr Oleksiy Zarytskyi has been opened 2001, at the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Karaganda.

In Kazakhstan with its 8 million Muslims and 6 million Russian Orthodox, there also are more than 500.000 Catholics, the grand children of the persecuted Catholic Church.

In  2004, Roman and Greek Catholics in Kazakhstan have been supported by ACN with more than 227.000 Euros.

Photo by UGCC

Thursday, 16th February 2006

UKRAINE/ROME: Persecuted Church witness passed away

As Patriarch Josyf Slipyj used to say: “His life is a patient and humble way of serving Christ”.

The late Bishop Ivan Choma, rector of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Basilica of St. Sophia and the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) of St. Clement, died on February 3, 2006.

The obsequies took place at St. Sofia in Rome on Tuesday, February 7, 2006. His commemoration continues in Ukraine and abroad. 

Patriarch Lubomyr Husar accompanied his last days. He shared with him the Holy Eucharist and celebrated the first office for the deceased on Friday, February 3rd at Gemelli Hospital.

According to Archbishop Myroslav Marysyn, Bishop Ivan Choma was a friend of refugees, of thousands of seminarians, giving them a shelter and Christian education. “From 1946 on, as a young priest in Rome, he had the courage to gather a white book of testimonies coming from his homeland on the martyrdom of his native Church” he told during his sermon at the funerals.  Archbishop Myroslav Marusyn, of the Eastern Congregation, presided the solemnity and emphasized the role of the deceased in the preparation of the Millennium of Christianity of Rus- Ukraine with Pope John Paul II.
 The ceremony was full of dignity. Light and peace where sung by the choir of seminarians.
Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, as Apocrisario-Procurator of the Greek-Catholic Church at the Holy See farewelled him also in Italian in presence of high ranking Vatican representatives. Besides his numerous plights as a Procurator of the Ukrainian Catholic Church at the Holy See, as a Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Rome, a Professor of Church History he had been one of the closest friends of Patriarch Josyf Slipyj and his biograph. According to Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, everybody who knew him remembers his kindness and his humility. He was a priest, totally consecrated to God, considering reality from the perspective of eternity".
 Aid to the Church in Need contributed to the studies of many of his students with scholarships.

Monday, 13th February 2006

RUSSIA: Crisis of vocations is crisis of family, Vicar General says

Königstein/Ts. According to Mgr Andrzej Steckiewicz, Vicar General of Mother of God Archdiocese, Moscow, the current crisis of vocations in Russia “is not a question of seminaries, but a question of the family. Where there is no family, there is no vocation.” Speaking during a recent visit to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), he added: “Today, there are just about 200 Catholic priests in Russia and about the same number of religious sisters. There is still hardly a Russian citizen among the Catholic priests. Some 50 young men from all over the country are preparing for the priesthood in the St. Petersburg seminary.”

Identifying religious literature and construction aid for church buildings as matters of priority for the Catholic Church in Russia, Mgr Steckiewicz stated: “The Catholic Church has declared 2006 as a Year of the Bible. We are planning to organise exhibitions, conferences and Bible workshops in all dioceses. We also want to distribute copies of the Holy Scriptures to as many Catholic households as possible. Another problem is that many of our faithful are not given a chance to pray together in public, because there is no church or chapel. Many Catholics are still gathering for prayer in private homes and are therefore often labelled as sectarians. We are grateful for any kind of help in this respect.”

Friday, 10th February 2006

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Bible for children published in Kiyaka

Königstein/Ts. The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has published its Bible for children "God speaks to His children" in Kiyaka, a language that belongs to the Bantu linguistic family. At the request of the Bishop of Popokabaka, Mgr Louis Nzala Kianza, 40,000 copies of the book were sent to the dioceses of Popokabaka and Kenge.

Kiyaka is the native language of about 900,000 people, more than 400,000 of them Catholics. It is spoken in the South West of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the capital Kinshasa as well as in some eastern regions of Angola. The Bible for children in Kiyaka does not only contribute to evangelisation, but also to alphabetisation since – according to the Jesuit Fathers responsible for the translation – it "is the first book to be correctly published in this language."

Thursday, 9th February 2006

ISRAEL: Christians call for solidarity as anniversary of Maghar pogrom approaches

Königstein/Ts. The Melkite Catholic community of Maghar, Lower Galilee, has called for “solidarity with the Christians in the Holy Land and especially in Maghar” as the 1^st anniversary of the pogrom against local Christians (Feb. 10. – 12., 2005) approaches. In a message sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), it reads: “To mark the occasion, the parish priest, Father Abud Maher, will organise an hour of prayer for reconciliation and forgiveness in Maghar on Feb. 10 at 5 p. m.” In addition, Fr Maher invited all his parishioners to light candles on this day and display them in the window of their homes – as a visible sign “of forgiveness and a fresh start to life in reconciliation.”

Although the mayor of Maghar discouraged the priest from organising the prayer campaign because he “could not protect those who take part in it from possible attacks,” Fr Maher was adamant that the prayer would take place “even if it costs me my life.”

Maghar is a town of 20,000 residents, 15 kilometres from the Sea of Galilee and 40 kilometres from Nazareth. Over half of the town’s population is Druze, Muslims make up 20 percent and Melkite Catholics account for 22 percent. A year ago, the outbreak of violence was sparked by a false rumour that a Christian student had posted pictures of naked Druze girls on the Internet. Subsequently, Druze youngster rioted for two days in the Christian neighbourhood, with the Israeli police failing to do anything to protect the Christians until an appeal by the Apostolic Nuncio led them to re-establish control over the village.

According to Father Maher, the violence left “seven people injured – two from gunshot wounds – and 70 stores and homes looted and burnt. The façade of the church was damaged by stone throwers, 155 cars were torched and 2,000 Christians fled to nearby villages.” In his in-depth report about the pogrom, Fr Maher added: “The well-planned attack started and lasted several days, the seeds of destruction were sown all over the Christian quarter and in their houses, deep humiliation penetrated the soul of every Christian. The images of hatred and fear will haunt our children to the end of their lives, the images of refugees running for their lives will be imprinted in our memories, the events of Maghar will be remembered forever, out of groundless hatred - an attack on the powerless and an oversight of the police.”

Up to today, none of the perpetrators has been arrested nor have the victims been granted any compensation for the inflicted damages. Marie-Ange Siebrecht, ACN’s head of the Middle East Section, stated: „It is our duty to speak out against this discrimination of Christians and we call upon all people of good will to join the Maghar parish in their prayer and efforts at reconciliation.”

Wednesday, 8th February 2006

POLAND: SVD Centre for Migrants"exceeds expectations"

Königstein/Ts. According to Father Antoni Koszorz, SVD, the Centre for Migrants in Warsaw, run by the Divine Word missionaries, “exceeds all expectations.” During a Feb. 7 visit to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the priest, who at present works for the centre, told the charity: “I am very happy with the centre’s work and development. While we expected 20 to 30 migrants to attend our events, currently an average of 150 people are doing so.”

The centre provides spiritual care as well as everyday life support for immigrants to Poland, whose number has steadily grown in recent years. Major groups of immigrants include Ukrainians and Vietnamese. The Archbishop of Warsaw-Praga, Mgr Slawoj Leszk Glódz, inaugurated the centre last year on Sept. 12.

Königstein/Ts. According to Father Antoni Koszorz, SVD, the Centre for Migrants in Warsaw, run by the Divine Word missionaries, “exceeds all expectations.” During a Feb. 7 visit to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the priest, who at present works for the centre, told the charity: “I am very happy with the centre’s work and development. While we expected 20 to 30 migrants to attend our events, currently an average of 150 people are doing so.”

The centre provides spiritual care as well as everyday life support for immigrants to Poland, whose number has steadily grown in recent years. Major groups of immigrants include Ukrainians and Vietnamese. The Archbishop of Warsaw-Praga, Mgr Slawoj Leszk Glódz, inaugurated the centre last year on Sept. 12.

Tuesday, 7th February 2006

BURKINA FASO:  Dynamic Church with numerous vocations

Königstein/Ts. “The Church here is dynamic: There are converts from traditional religions and numerous vocations to the priesthood as well as to the religious life. Also, the Church’s influence on the public life is considerable, due to Catholic schools in the first place.” With these words Mgr Jean Baptiste Somé, Bishop of Diébougou, south west Burkina Faso, described the situation of the Catholic Church in his country when he recently visited Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Regarding his own diocese, Bishop Somé explained: “Currently, about 130 priests are serving the faithful, while some 40 young men are preparing for the priesthood. There are several female missionary congregations working in Diébougou.” The diocese has some 750,000 inhabitants, about 110,000 of them Catholics. Mgr Somé stressed the need to “integrate the Gospel message” into the local culture: “We need translations of religious literature into local languages and the formation of local catechists, priests and religious must be improved. Catholic radio stations which can reach the remotest areas are also of utmost importance.”

Monday, 6th February 2006

RUSSIA: Growing interest in Biblical studies

Königstein/Ts. According to Dr Alexei E. Bodrov, rector of the Moscow-based St. Andrew’s Biblical Theological College, “the interest in Biblical studies is growing in Russia.” During a recent visit to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bodrov explained that the college, established in 1991, “is promoting ecumenical dialogue on an academic level, by organising an exchange of views among students, teachers and experts” from different Christian denominations.

He added: “In Russia, for instance, we do not have much information about Catholicism. So, by publishing key works of Catholic theological literature, including books by Hans Urs von Balthasar and Walter Cardinal Kasper, we are working for a better understanding.” Concluding his remarks, Bodrov thanked ACN for the “very good cooperation” and the support his institute received from the charity, especially for the Theological Summer Courses.

Friday, 3rd February 2006

URUGUAY: Environment „hostile to vocations,“ bishop says

Königstein/Ts. “There are always seeds. The problem, however, is that they are just tiny plants in a desert. Without special support they cannot grow. The general environment is hostile to a vocation that requires unreserved dedication and a lifelong commitment.” With these words Mgr Luis del Castillo Estrada, S. J., Bishop of Melo, described the difficult vocational situation in Uruguay, South America’s most secularised country.

The prelate, who spoke during a recent visit to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), stressed the need to improve the spiritual counselling for candidates to the priesthood and added: “Currently, three young men from my diocese are preparing for the priesthood.” Mgr also mentioned the difficult financial situation of his diocese which “cannot maintain itself” without help from outside. “There are some larger companies in Melo diocese, but their owners live in Punta del Este, or even in Sao Paulo. By establishing the foundation ‘Roberto Cáceres” – named after a former bishop – I will encourage them to support our diocese.”

Thursday, 2nd February 2006

CROATIA:  Church feels force of secularisation, archbishop says

Königstein/Ts. “With anti-Church tendencies in the media and ex-communist politicians in control of local and regional government authorities, we feel the full force of secularisation,” said Mgr Ivan Devcic, Archbishop of Rijeka, when he visited the international headquarters of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) earlier this week. The prelate, whose archdiocese is located in northern Croatia, near the Mediterranean coast, went on to explain: “With the Zagreb government, currently dominated by more conservative parties, the relations are correct and without tensions. We are, however, not happy with everything.”

As major concerns, Archbishop Devcic listed the restitution of Church property, which “is going slowly,” the failure of all democratically elected Croatian governments to change the liberal legislation on abortion, which “dates back to the times of communist rule,” and the intended introduction of sexual education into the curricula of state-run schools. “The content of sex ed does not seem likely to reflect Church teaching. One cannot impose liberal education in such matters on an overwhelmingly Catholic majority of students,” the archbishop stated.

Asked about priorities for his archdiocese, Mgr Devcic said: “Since World War II, only two churches in Rijeka were newly built, while the number of the city’s inhabitants has almost tripled, from some 50,000 to about 144,000 as of today. So, construction aid is urgently needed. Another point is our Family Apostolate that must be enhanced because the family is the nucleus of pastoral work. Also, government support for the family is not sufficient and Croatia’s demographic situation is very bad.”

Rijeka archdiocese has about 267,000 inhabitants, some 214,000 of whom Catholics. Currently, about 100 priests are serving the faithful, while 18 young men from the archdiocese are preparing for the priesthood.

 

Wednesday, 1st February 2006