News

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Ignorance a Growing Problem

ROME, APRIL 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Religious ignorance, even of the most basic concepts, is on the rise according to some recent studies. In Ireland, once renowned for its Catholicity, a poll revealed that 95% of adolescents could not name the First Commandment.

The poll was carried out on a nationally representative sample of 950 people, by Lansdowne Market Research, for the Iona Institute and the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland. Information on the poll was released by the Iona Institute on April 9.

The results showed that knowledge of Christianity is highest among those over 65 and lowest among those in the 15-24 age group. For example, 77% of the over-65 group could name the authors of the four Gospels, but only 52% of those 15-24 could.

When it came to naming the three persons of the Holy Trinity, 76% of those over 65 got it right, but this dropped to 47% among those aged 15 to 24. Asked how many sacraments there are in the Catholic Church, 63% of the over-65 group correctly answered 7, but only 38% of the 15- to 24-year-olds got it right.

"Some knowledge of Christianity should be part of general knowledge because Ireland has such a deep Christian heritage," commented David Quinn, director of the Iona Institute in the April 9 press release.

"From a Church point of view, there is obviously a correlation between knowledge of the faith, and practice of the faith," he added.

The poll results sparked off a debate over what to do about religious education. John Carr of the Irish National Teachers Organization called for an overhaul of the religious education system, and the introduction of an instruction in specific faiths, reported the Irish Times newspaper April 14.

The article also reported that Brendan O'Reilly, national director of catechetics for the Church, admitted that the current religious education programs, which date back to the 1970s, are in need of review. He said they are working on a new syllabus, due to be completed in about 18 months.

According to another report also published in April, this time in England, one-third of the adult population has no contact with any church, apart from baptisms, weddings and funerals. "Churchgoing in the U.K." was published by Tearfund, an agency working in the field of relief and development. The organization works in partnership with Christian churches.

Half Christian

The report is based on a representative poll of 7,000 adults. In general the report found a split between personal belief and involvement in a church. Many Britons declare themselves Christians, and high percentages of people say they pray with some degree of regularity. Yet, this does not translate into a regular religious practice in terms of participating in a church.

Among the highlights are the following points.

-- Christianity is the predominant faith in the United Kingdom with 53% of adults claiming to be Christian. Other faiths account for 6%, and 39% claim to have no religion.

-- Figures for those who actively practice are lower, with 7.6 million, 15% of the adult population, attending church monthly. This includes 4.9 million who go weekly. If what the report terms "fringe and occasional churchgoers" -- 5 million adults -- are added, then 26% of adults in the United Kingdom go to church at least once a year.

-- On a regional level, among those who attend on at least a monthly basis Northern Ireland had the highest level of regular churchgoers, at 45% of adults. Then there is a big drop to the next-highest, Scotland, coming in at 18%. England follows, with 14% and Wales is last, with 12%.

-- In England, the city of London stands out, with 20% of the adult population being regular churchgoers.

-- Two-thirds of adults in the United Kingdom, 32.2 million people, have no connection with church at present, or with another religion. This group is evenly divided between those who have been in the past but have since left -- 16 million -- and those who have never been in their lives -- 16.2 million.

"This secular majority presents a major challenge to churches," the report comments. Of this group the study found that the great majority, 29.3 million, "are unreceptive and closed to attending church; churchgoing is simply not on their agenda."

This challenge is also set to increase over time. Older people are more likely to belong to the Christian faith. Three-fourths of those 65-74, and 82% of those over 75 are Christians, compared with an average 53%. Only one-third of those 16-34 are Christian, and for those aged under 45 the nonreligious outnumber Christians. Regular churchgoing plummets to only 10% of those 16-24.

The report did, however, reveal that there are opportunities for the churches, if only they can work out how to reach those who are open to participating. Based on the poll results, among adults who have no experience of church attendance, there are 600,000 who are open to going in future. While of the group who have left a church there is a sizable number, 2.3 million, who are also prepared to return in the future.

Faith formation

The United States also came in for a critical look at the state of religion with the publication in March of the book "Religious Literacy" by Boston University professor Stephen Prothero. In general, he says, Americans have a higher level of church attendance than in other Western countries. Nevertheless, they do not fare so well when it comes to religious knowledge.

The book cites a number of polls and other material revealing similar findings to those discovered in Ireland. Thus, while 20 million bibles a year are sold in the United States, many people are unable to name the authors of the Gospels or one of the apostles.

Similarly, they run into difficulties when asked to list at least five of the Ten Commandments. Ignorance is even more prevalent when people are asked about any of the non-Christian religions.

Prothero warns that religious illiteracy is more dangerous than other forms of ignorance, given religion's important role in culture and as a force in the world. Whether we want to understand the past, or contemporary debates ranging from bioethics to foreign policy, we need to have some knowledge of religion.

Religion, Prothero argues, will be one of the "key identity markers," of the 21st century. In a nutshell: You need religious literacy in order to be an effective citizen.

When it comes to identifying the causes of religious illiteracy, Prothero attributes it to a variety of causes. In academic circles, the culture tends to be persistently skeptical of religion, so both textbooks and classes tend to ignore religion, thus leaving students ignorant of religion's role.

Churches too have played a part. Religious education in recent decades in many of the Christian denominations has left a lot to be desired, favoring the touchy-feely over imparting a solid knowledge of the Bible and doctrine. Parents also come in for criticism from Prothero, for not instructing their children sufficiently in religion.

One of the ways to overcome religious illiteracy, Prothero recommends, is to focus on secondary schools and colleges. Teaching religion in public schools should not be seen as breaching the Church-state divide. This teaching would be of a civic, not moral, nature, in order to ensure a basic education in Christianity and major world religions.

For those who have already finished school, then he urges them to see the attainment of religious knowledge both as a personal challenge and a civic duty. Recommendations that one can only hope will not fall on deaf ears.

Code: ZE07042329

Date: 2007-04-23

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Speaks From Pavia to the World of Culture

PAVIA, Italy, APRIL 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Every university should be made for the person, placing the individual at the center and giving worth to interpersonal relations between students and professors, Benedict XVI says.

This is what the Pope said Sunday during his meeting with students, professors and other guests in the Tersiano Courtyard of the University of Pavia.

The Holy Father explained: "All universities should safeguard their identity as centers of study 'made to man's measure,' in which students do not remain anonymous but are able to cultivate a fruitful dialogue with professors, drawing incentives for their own cultural and human development."

"It is of fundamental importance," he continued, "that the commitment to academic research remains open to the existential question of meaning in peoples lives."

The Pontiff said: "Only by valuing the person and interpersonal relations can didactic interaction become an educational relationship."

Benedict XVI offered St. Augustine as a model for the dialogue between faith and reason.

"From a life dedicated to searching for worldly success he passed to a life totally donated to Jesus Christ, the only Master and Lord," he said. "By the intercession of St. Augustine, may the University of Pavia always stand out for its special attention to individuals, for a marked community dimension in academic research, and for a fruitful dialogue between faith and culture."

Code: ZE07042309

Date: 2007-04-23

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

German Chancellor and Pontiff Exchange Letters

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has called for the Group of Eight summit to consider debt cancellation for the world's poorest and large-scale investment for fighting killer diseases such as AIDS and malaria.

The Vatican made public today the letters exchanged between Benedict XVI and Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, discussing the upcoming G8 summit to be held this June 6-8 in Heiligendamm.

The Pontiff's letter, dated Dec. 16, said, "I welcome the fact that the question of poverty, with specific reference to Africa, now appears on the agenda of the G8."

"Indeed," the Holy Father said, "it should be given the highest attention and priority, for the sake of poor and rich countries alike."

"I am confident that Germany will exercise positively the leadership role that falls to her with regard to this question of global importance that affects us all," the Pontiff wrote. "Provision must also be made for the rapid, total and unconditional cancellation of the external debt of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and of the Least Developed Countries."

Benedict XVI continued, while "measures should also be adopted to ensure that these countries do not fall once again into situations of unsustainable debt."

"Moreover, a substantial investment of resources for research and for the development of medicines to treat AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other tropical diseases is needed," explained the Pope

The Holy Father underlined that "while these challenges should be undertaken by all members of the international community, the G8 and the European Union should take the lead."

Reform partnership

Merkel's response, dated Feb. 2, said, "For me it is crucial that G8 relations with Africa move towards a reform partnership."

The German chancellor continued, "Alongside increased efforts on the part of African countries, we attach importance to greater commitment of the international communities."

"Fighting HIV/AIDS and strengthening healthcare systems are important priorities," explained Merkel. "Our aim is to change the strategies for combating HIV/AIDS so that they take special account of the situation of women and girls."

"The debt relief initiatives you mention are an important factor in fighting poverty," she added.

"The German Government is also supporting the setting up of a Debt Sustainability Framework. This is an important instrument for limiting the risk of the poorest countries to fall into excessive debt again," the chancellor said.

Merkel concluded, "After all, only if all strong players in the world shoulder their responsibility will we be able to build more justice and peace."

Code: ZE07042305

Date: 2007-04-23

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

Offers St. Augustine as Example

PAVIA, Italy, APRIL 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI reiterated again the central message of his pontificate -- God is love -- when visiting the tomb of St. Augustine.

The Pope spoke of charity on Sunday before Augustine's remains at the Basilica of St. Peter in the Golden Sky.

"Contemporary humanity needs this essential message, incarnated in Christ Jesus," the Holy Father said, concluding his trip to Pavia.

"Everything should begin here, and from here, everything should be directed: all pastoral action, all theological theses," the Pontiff said in his homily at the celebration of vespers with priests, religious and seminarians of this northern Italian diocese.

He began by explaining: "I wanted to come here to venerate the mortal remains of St. Augustine to express both the homage of the entire Church to one of the greatest 'fathers,' and my personal devotion and recognition of him who has had such importance in my life as a theologian and a pastor, and I would say even more, as a man and a priest."

The writings of St. Augustine (354-430), bishop of Hippo and doctor of the Church, have marked the life of Joseph Ratzinger. In 1953, Father Ratzinger dedicated his doctoral thesis to the saint's teachings.

Deus caritas est

"Before the tomb of Augustine," Benedict XVI said, "I wish to again spiritually offer to the Church and to the world my first encyclical, which contains precisely this central message of the Gospel: 'Deus caritas est,' God is love."

This is "the message that St. Augustine continues repeating to the entire Church," the Pope added. "Love is the soul of the life of the Church and its pastoral action.

"Only one who lives the personal experience of love for the Lord is capable of carrying out the task of guiding and accompanying others in the path of following Christ.

"I repeat this truth to you as the Bishop of Rome; meanwhile, with an ever renewed joy, I accept this truth along with you as a Christian."

The Holy Father underlined: "To serve Christ is, above all, a question of love. The Church is not a mere organization of mutual encounters, nor is it, on the other hand, the sum of individuals who live a private religion.

"The Church is a community of persons that believe in the God of Jesus Christ and commit themselves to live in the world the commandment of love which he left us.

"It is, therefore, a community in which one is educated in love, and this education comes not despite but rather through the events of life."

Benedict XVI invited his listeners to live the Christian life, which "has charity as the bond of perfection and should be transformed into a style of moral life inspired by the Gospels, inevitably contrary to the currents of modern criteria, but which always needs to be witnessed to, in a humble, respectful and cordial way."

After his pilgrimage to Augustine's tomb, and after saying good-bye to the community of Augustinian religious there, the Pope boarded a helicopter which brought him to the Milan airport. From there, he returned to Rome.

This third pastoral visit of the Holy Father to Italy included two cities. In Vigevano, he celebrated Mass on Saturday afternoon. And in Pavia, he had a program of encounters with the public on Sunday.

Code: ZE07042308

Date: 2007-04-23

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

23.04.2007, [19:38] // UGCC // risu.org.ua

Kyiv – On 18-19 April 2007 in Kyiv, the regular 35th session of the Synod of Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Major Archiepiscopate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) was held. Sixteen bishops took part. The agenda included the second reading of the project “Statutes of the Pastoral Council,” the draft proposal of the UGCC regarding the attitude to financial property, liturgical issues, and the economic bloc.

The hierarchs were also informed about the pastoral situation in the Russian Federation, discussed the order of accepting priest-monks to the eparchial clergy, listened to reports about a visit to the graves of the apostles (ad limina Apostolorum), the military chaplaincy, and the state of construction of the patriarchal church in Kyiv.

Source:

Details

Last Updated: 19 February 2013

23.04.2007, [19:40] // UOC-KP // risu.org.ua

Kyiv – In a decree of 19 April 2007, the Hierarchal Sobor [Assembly] of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP), among others things, condemns the “re-baptism” of UOC-KP faithful who go over to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP).

Having listened to the speech of Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko), head of the UOC-KP, about the modern state of Ukrainian Orthodoxy and possible ways to overcome the existing church schism, the sobor of the UOC-KP adopted a number of decrees and confirmed its readiness for direct dialogue with the UOC-MP and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church regarding the creation of a single national Orthodox church in Ukraine. Also, the document approved by the sobor analyzes the urgency and importance of the sobor’s Historical-Canonical Declaration “Kyivan Patriarchate: The National Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” which the UOC-KP ratified and is planning to spread among the Orthodox faithful of Ukraine and have translated into the Russian language.

The text of the sobor’s decree has this to say about “re-baptism”:

“The Hierarchal Sobor of the UOC-KP has resolved…: to attract the special attention of the hierarchs of the UOC-MP to the categorical inadmissibility of the church’s [UOC-MP] practice of so-called ‘re-baptism’ of those who were baptized in the UOC-KP, and also the ‘repetition’ in the UOC-MP of other sacraments and sacred acts (ordinations, weddings, funerals, and so on), since this is banned by holy scripture, the Symbol of Faith [Nicene Creed], and the dogmas and canons of the Orthodox church; to request that the UOC-MP officially end such practice; to warn that every bishop and priest who carries out such an uncanonical practice of ‘repeating’ sacraments and sacred acts performed by the Kyivan Patriarchate commits a sin, as well as laypeople who allow such ‘repeated sacraments.’”

Source and previous related RISU news: