COMECE. (RE)THINKING EUROPE TO RENEW EUROPE - EUROPA NEU DENKEN, UM EUROPA ZU ERNEUERN - (RE)THINKING EUROPE POUR RENOUVELER L'EUROPE

When the sky above la Manche is clear, the UK coast can be spotted from the northern coast of France. Thirty-four kilometres separate the white cliff of Dungeness from continental Europe; a distance that after the vote on Brexit, weighs like a rock in the thoughts of those who believe in the European dream.

However, a referendum vote does not erase the historical and cultural link between the UK and the continent. If London has decided to leave the EU, it does not leave Europe. Put another way, geography cannot be erased by a referendum vote.

               This is not simply rhetorical. Even after a Brexit, people will remain European on both sides of the Channel. They will continue to be sons and daughters of principles that have fought against particular interests, hate and blind ideologies that have overshadowed Europe for centuries.

               In the UK, as in any other European country, from the largest metropolis to the most rural village, people will continue to desire peace and democracy, pluralism and equality, rule of law and human rights; and the image they will have in mind will be the yellow stars on the blue background of the European Union flag.

               Weakened by Brexit and a general Euroscepticism, the European project remains the only peace guarantee for the continent. That is why it is necessary to nourish and renew it with individual and collective efforts to put the dignity of the human person and the common good at the centre of European policies.

               The European Church and its bishops, key players in European society, are committed to this effort and intend to make their contribution - a Christian contribution based on the Church's Social Doctrine - to the future of the European project. In this context, one of the main initiatives is the organization of (Re)thinking Europe, an international and multidisciplinary forum of dialogue between Church and political leaders that will take place in the Vatican from 27 to 29 October.

               Marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome, which first embodied the idea of ​​the European Union, (Re)thinking Europe is organized in the form of a dialogue, thus emphasizing a free and respectful exchange of ideas, different experiences and opinions. Instead of a congressional approach or division of roles, (Re)thinking Europe will consist of a discussion between men and women, political actors and representatives of the Church. Indeed dialogue will be the tool to (re)think Europe, the European Union - the peace project for the continent.

Mgr Gianni Ambrosio

COMECE vice-president

 Europa neu denken, um Europa zu erneuern

  (Re)thinking Europe pour renouveler l'Europe

OIEC - LE NOUVEAU BUREAU INAUGURE' A ROME

     

         Grand fête pour l’OIEC 

 (Office international de l’Enseignement Catholique). 

                                                 

        Un nouveau bureau à Rome.

 

Le secrétaire général de l’OIEC , M. Philippe Richard à accueilli les participants à la cérémonie inaugurale des nouveaux locaux (situé in Via Aurélia, dans les bâtiments de la Congrégation des Frères Christians) : S.E. le Secrétaire de la Congrégation Catholique, Mgr. Vincenzo Zani,  et des représentants des écoles catholiques dans diverses régions du monde et des associations catholiques.

Mgr Zani a mis en évidence le grand travail que les écoles catholiques jouent dans le monde et son rôle en tant que lieu de rencontre et  l’OIEC comme « atelier pédagogique » pour assurer aux écoles catholiques de haute qualité.

L'UMEC-WUCT était représentée par le Secrétaire général qui a souhaité « bonne route » à nom du Comité exécutif de l'Union.
Sur la photo: Mme Rosa Musto, représentante du Ministère italien de l'Éducation, M. Giovanni Perrone, secrétaire général de l'UMEC-WUCT, Mgr. Vincenzo Zani, secrétaire de la Congrégation pour l'éducation catholique, M. Philippe Richard, secrétaire général de l'OIEC, M. Oscar Perez Sayago, secrétaire général de la Confédération Interaméricaine de l’Education Catholique (CIEC).

FAO: Pope Francis urges action on climate change and conflict to address migration - " Introducir en el lenguaje de la cooperación internacional la categoría del amor"

Pope Francis called for governments around the world to collaborate to make migration a safer and voluntary choice, arguing that assuring food security for all requires tackling climate change and ending conflicts. He made the call at the global ceremony to mark World Food Day, held at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters. This year's theme focuses on addressing migration through investing in food security and rural development. "It is clear that wars and climatic change are a cause of hunger, so let's not present it as if hunger is an incurable disease," the pontiff said during his key note address.  He called for a total commitment to gradual and systematic disarmament, and urged a change to lifestyles, the use of resources and the production and consumption of food to protect the planet. In reference to the development of the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration - the first agreement of its kind negotiated by governments under the auspices of the UN - he said, "Managing human mobility requires a coordinated, systematic intergovernmental action in line with existing international norms, and full of love and intelligence".  "What is at stake is the credibility of the whole international system," he added.  He also said it was unfortunate that "some" countries are moving away from the Paris Agreement on climate change. ......

                                 http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1043699/icode/

 DISCURSO DEL SANTO PADRE - DISCORSO DI PAPA FRANCESCO  

 

Papa Francisco" ...   me hago a mí mismo, y también a vosotros, una pregunta: ¿Sería exagerado introducir en el lenguaje de la cooperación internacional la categoría del amor, conjugada como gratuidad, igualdad de trato, solidaridad, cultura del don, fraternidad, misericordia? Estas palabras expresan, efectivamente, el contenido práctico del término «humanitario», tan usado en la actividad internacional. Amar a los hermanos, tomando la iniciativa, sin esperar a ser correspondidos, es el principio evangélico que encuentra también expresión en muchas culturas y religiones, convirtiéndose en principio de humanidad en el lenguaje de las relaciones internacionales. Es menester que la diplomacia y las instituciones multilaterales alimenten y organicen esta capacidad de amar, porque es la vía maestra que garantiza, no sólo la seguridad alimentaria, sino la seguridad humana en su aspecto global. No podemos actuar sólo si los demás lo hacen, ni limitarnos a tener piedad, porque la piedad se limita a las ayudas de emergencia, mientras que el amor inspira la justicia y es esencial para llevar a cabo un orden social justo entre realidades distintas que aspiran al encuentro recíproco. Amar significa contribuir a que cada país aumente la producción y llegue a una autosuficiencia alimentaria. Amar se traduce en pensar en nuevos modelos de desarrollo y de consumo, y en adoptar políticas que no empeoren la situación de las poblaciones menos avanzadas o su dependencia externa. Amar significa no seguir dividiendo a la familia humana entre los que gozan de lo superfluo y los que carecen de lo necesario.... "

"....... mi pongo – e vi pongo – questa domanda: è troppo pensare di introdurre nel linguaggio della cooperazione internazionale la categoria dell’amore, declinata come gratuità, parità nel trattare, solidarietà, cultura del dono, fraternità, misericordia? In effetti, queste parole esprimono il contenuto pratico del termine “umanitario”, tanto in uso nell’attività internazionale. Amare i fratelli e farlo per primi, senza attendere di essere corrisposto: è questo un principio evangelico che trova riscontro in tante culture e religioni e diventa principio di umanità nel linguaggio delle relazioni internazionali. E’ auspicabile che la diplomazia e le Istituzioni multilaterali alimentino e organizzino questa capacità di amare, perché è la via maestra che garantisce non solo la sicurezza alimentare, ma la sicurezza umana nella sua globalità. Non possiamo operare solo se lo fanno gli altri, né limitarci ad avere pietà, perché la pietà si ferma agli aiuti di emergenza, mentre l’amore ispira la giustizia ed è essenziale per realizzare un giusto ordine sociale tra realtà diverse che vogliono correre il rischio dell’incontro reciproco. Amare vuol dire contribuire affinché ogni Paese aumenti la produzione e giunga all’autosufficienza alimentare. Amare si traduce nel pensare nuovi modelli di sviluppo e di consumo, e nell’adottare politiche che non aggravino la situazione delle popolazioni meno avanzate o la loro dipendenza esterna. Amare significa non .continuare a dividere la famiglia umana tra chi ha il superfluo e chi manca del necessario. ..... "

Romania - XII INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "TRANSYLVANIAN SCHOOL"

     

The XIIth International Symposium "Transylvanian School" took place this month at the Faculty of Greek-Catholic Theology in Oradea. The event happened from 11th to 14th of October in the town situated on Crişul Repede River and brought together guests from Romania and Europe. This year's theme was centered on the seminary anniversary, which in 2017 celebrates 225 years of existence.

Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, deliveded the opening speech on law and the person in the majestic Aula of the City Hall. The audience was made up several representatives teachers and students of the Greek-Catholic High School of Oradea. Along with them, there was the Greek Catholic bishop of Oradea, His Excellency Mgr. Virgil Bercea.

       In the following days, the conferences were organized at the Oradea Seminar. Here the lecturers and researchers from Italy, Poland, Spain, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary and Romania spoke on various themes of Church theology or history. Everything happened in the larger context of Transylvanian School, a movement of extraordinary importance for the history of the Romanians. "I am very pleased that this symposium opens in Oradea, said Bishop Virgil, a high intellectual and spiritual meeting for our teachers and students". 

       During the work, several books were launched. Among them is the book by signed Father Cristian Sabau on the search for the historical Jesus, an elaborate study that begins with R. Reimarus and concludes with Joseph Ratzinger / Benedict XVI’s ideas, a book presented by Father Alexandru Buzalic, professor at the Faculty of Theology.

   This symposium opens the wish for next year's conference, but also for the one organized by UMEC/WUCT, the World Catholic Teachers' Encounter in November, which will occur in the Oradean Seminar.

 

Il XII Simposio Internazionale "Scuola di Transilvania", organizzato dalla Facoltà di Teologia Greco-Cattolica di Oradea, si è svolto dall’11 al 14 ottobre nella città di Crişul Repede. Vi hanno partecipato docenti provenienti non solo dalla Romania, ma anche da varie parti dell’Europa. Il simposio è stato occasione per celebrare i 225 anni del Seminario di Oradea. 

La prolusione, sul tema “Il diritto e la persona”, è stata svolta dal Cardinale Francesco Coccopalmerio,  presidente del Pontificio Consiglio per i testi legislativi. La prolusione è stata seguita anche dai professori e dagli alunni del Liceo Greco-Cattolico di Oradea.Il vescovo greco-cattolico di Oradea, monsignor Virgil Bercea ha rivolto un saluto, ringraziando i partecipanti e augurando buon lavoro. ”Sono molto lieto che questo simposio si svolge in Oradea - ha dichiarato il vescovo – E’ un incontro di alto valore intelettuale e spirituale per i nostri professori e studenti".

        Nei giorni seguenti sono seguiti gli interventi, riguardanti la teologia, la storia della Chiesa e l’educazione di vari relatori e partecipanti provenienti da Italia, Polonia, Spagna, Slovacchia, Ucraina, Ungheria e Romania.

       Durante i lavori sono state presentate varie pubblicazioni. Tra questi il libro di padre Cristian Sabau sulla ricerca di Gesù storico, uno studio che parte da R. S. Reimarus e si conclude con le idee di Joseph Ratzinger / Benedetto XVI. La prestigiosa opera  é stata illustrata da padre Alexandru Buzalic, professore della Facolta di Teologia.

        Il Simposio è stata occasione per lanciare  il convegno del prossimo anno, ma anche quello che si svolgerà nel prossimo novembre, organizzato dalla UMEC/WUCT, Unione Mondiale degli Insegnanti Cattolici, che sarà ospitato dal Seminario di Oradea dal 10 al 12 novembre, sul tema “L’insegnante di fronte alle sfide dell’oggi”. I relatori proverranno dal Congo, dalle Filippine, dalla Gran Bretagna, dall’Italia e dalla Romania.

Adrian Podar

ACISE - Association of Catholic Institutes of Education - Annual colloquium

I am delighted to announce that the annual colloquium of the Association of Catholic Institutes of Education (ACISE) will be held in the University of Glasgow from April 4-6, 2018. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues from Higher Education institutions who share our interest in the preparation of teachers and wider educational issues from a Catholic perspective. It would be great if you could attend and, hopefully, present papers on one of the conference themes.

Here is the link with the registration details https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/education/standrewsfoundation/acise2018/

The final line-up of speakers will be confirmed in November.

NB.  There will be a conference dinner on the evening of Thursday April 5. The price of this is part of the package.

Kind regards,

Dr. Leonardo Franchi

School of Education

11 Eldon Street

Glasgow G3 6NH

Tel. (DIR) 0141 330 3433 

Book

Shared Mission: Religious Education in the Catholic Tradition

Article

The Education and Formation of Teachers in Catholic Schools: Responding to Changed Cultural Contexts

Article

Initial teacher education in the university ‘My little ship, how ill-laden you are’.

 

To see more of my publications please click here.

CHILD DIGNITY IN THE DIGITAL WORD - World Congress: - The Declaration of Rome

World Congress  October 3-6, 2017  Rome

Children and adolescents make up over a quarter of the more than 3.2 billion Internet users worldwide. This generation of over 800 million young users is in danger of becoming victims of sextortion, sexting, cyberbullying and harassment.

This global problem calls for a global solution. We need an open and thorough discussion to build awareness, and to mobilize action for a better protection of minors online.

‘Child Dignity in the Digital World’ is the first world congress of its kind that brings together key stakeholders and international leaders from all relevant areas.

This pioneering congress hosted by the Centre for Child Protection at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome has been a milestone in the international fight against digital sexual child abuse.

Congreso Mundial • del 3 a 6 de octubre de 2017 • Roma

Los niños y los adolescentes representan una cuarta parte de los más de 3.200 millones de usuarios de internet en el mundo. Esta generación con más de 800 millones de jóvenes usuarios corre el peligro de ser víctima de sextorsión, sexting, ciberacoso y acoso.

Se trata de un problema global que exige una solución global. Necesitamos un debate profundo y abierto para crear conciencia y generar acciones hacia una mejor protección de los menores en internet.

Child Dignity in the Digital World (La dignidad de los niños en el mundo digital) es el primer Congreso mundial de esta índole que reunirá a los actores clave y líderes internacionales de todos los ámbitos relacionados.

Este Congreso pionero que acoge el Centre for Child Protection en la Pontificia Universidad Gregoriana de Roma era un hito en la lucha global contra el abuso sexual infantil en el entorno digital.

Congresso mondiale • 3-6 ottobre 2017 • Roma

I bambini e gli adolescenti costituiscono un quarto dei più di 3,2 miliardi di utenti di internet nel mondo. Questa generazione di più di 800 milioni di giovani è esposta al rischio di divenire vittima di sextortion, sexting, cyberbullismo e molestie.

Questo problema mondiale richiede una soluzione globale. Abbiamo bisogno di un dialogo aperto e profondo per creare una maggiore consapevolezza e mobilitare azioni per una migliore protezione dei minori online.

‘Child Dignity in the Digital World’ (La dignità del minore nel mondo digitale) è il primo congresso globale del suo genere e raccoglierà gli stakeholder e i leader internazionali provenienti dai settori pertinenti.

Organizzato dal Centre for Child Protection presso la Pontificia Università Gregoriana (Roma), questo pionieristico congresso è stato una pietra miliare nella lotta internazionale contro l’abuso sessuale di minori in ambiente digitale.

THE DECLARATION OF ROME   - DICHIARAZIONE DI ROMA - 

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS  TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONGRESS                          ON "CHILD DIGNITY IN THE DIGITAL WORLD"

DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - IT

CHICOS ABURRIDOS. LA MOTIVACION EN LA ESCUELA

Los niños y jóvenes están “inventando” un nuevo mundo en el que la tecnología es mucho más que una herramienta, es el soporte material de nuevas producciones culturales y subjetivas.

El uso del celular los ha llevado a idear una nueva escritura, los espacios donde se encuentran a compartir con sus pares los han llevado a concebir nuevas formas de lazo y de vínculos, los tiempos apresurados y furtivos de acercamientos afectivos los han llevado a imaginar nuevas relaciones y nuevas palabras para designarlas.

La Televisión y la red Internet los han llevado a construir nuevos modos de lectura donde imagen, sonido y escritura tienen una pregnancia estética que rompe con la lógica lineal del razonamiento adulto.  Yesto no es sólo brecha generacional, que la hubo siempre. 

Tenemos que poder comprender esta transformación como un acontecimiento que implica, diría Arendt, una ruptura histórica donde ya el pasado no tiene modo de ser recuperado en su formato original, sino re-construido en un nuevo formato, virtual, donde el relato ya no se anuda secuencialmente, sino que es desvastado todo el tiempo por el acontecimiento que sorprende.

Es así que hoy necesitamos recurrir a otros modos de relatos porque, después de que aquel grupo de adolescentes produciendo lo que llamamos “un acto de violencia sin sujeto”, ingresará a una escuela con armas y matara a mansalva, después de aquel acontecimiento ya no podemos contar (ni pensar)

de la misma manera el relato de la educación y sus instituciones. 

Ya nues tr as pr ácticas no s on las mis mas . La es cuela ha dejado de s er un lugar seguro, ya no puede ser homologado a un segundo hogar. Tampoco es ya el templo del saber. Porque esto que irrumpió en la historia no es un acontecimiento del pensamiento sino una experiencia histórica. Estamos en presencia de lo que Corea y Duschatzky designan como “destitución simbólica de la escuela”. 

La destitución simbólica de la escuela hace alusión a que la “ficción” que ésta construyó mediante la cual eran interpelados los sujetos dejó de tener poder performativo. (…) La eficacia simbólica de un discurso se mide en su potencia de producción de subjetividad, es decir, en su capacidad de constituir a un sujeto alrededor de un conjunto de normas y valores que son los que rigen la vida social. (…) 

CHICOS ABURRIDOS

http://www.sfogliami.it/flip.asp?sc=evir88fkikzgkc0ljhper7i9ltklav86&ID=156328

VkdL: Leben Gläubige länger und gesünder?

Eine neue Studie, die an der amerikanischen Vanderbilt-University (Tennessee) mit 5.500 Erwachsenen durchgeführt wurde, sorgte jüngst für Aufregung: Prof. Marino Bruce untersuchte mít seinem Team 10 biologische Stress-Marker und bildete Kategorien nach sozialem Status, Krankenversicherung und auch nach der Haltung zu Gott und Kirche. 

     Dabei stellte sich heraus, dass offenbar religiöse Menschen weniger Stress haben und länger leben. Die Religiosität ist nicht an einen bestimmten Glauben gebunden. Was den entscheidenden Unterschied macht, ist wohl die soziale Unterstützung in der Gemeinschaft, das Vertrauen, Teil von etwas Größerem zu sein — das alles wirkt positiv auf das Immunsystem.          

       Die Anthropologin Tanya Marie Luhrmann von der Stanford-University erklärt damit auch die Wirkung des „Placebo-Effekts“: Glaube und Vertrauen helfen. Es gibt aber auch Kritiker: Der Psychiater Manfred Lütz hält nichts vom neuen Trend der „Gesundheit als Religion“: „Wir sind doch nicht Christen, weil wir gesund sein wollen.“ 

       Für den VkdL ist dieses Ergebnis nicht überraschend. Gläubige Menschen können gelassener und mit Vertrauen durchs Leben gehen. Sie wissen, dass sie gehalten sind und nicht tiefer fallen können als in die Hand Gottes. 

VkdL-Info Nr. 6 / 2017