VATICAN CITY, MAY 22, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Albania say that despite the "material and spiritual destruction" suffered under Communism, the Church in their country is alive and well, albeit in need of support.
Archbishop Angelo Massafra of Shkoder made this appeal for help on Vatican Radio this week, also giving thanks for "all the benevolence and the support" received from the Holy See. The prelates are in Rome for their five-yearly visit.
The archbishop said the Church in Albania "could need to be supported a little more at the economic level as well because we are in a negative period worldwide. Also in Albania, we live this global economic recession. We wouldn't want to be left alone, and we will say that clearly to the Holy See and the various congregations."
Archbishop Massafra said the faith of the Church in Albania is "very alive: Whoever comes to participate in our liturgies, to see our experiences of faith, leaves truly impressed by the vitality, a moving vivacity in the faith experience."
"Those who come from Europe have lost this enthusiasm," he said.
The archbishop said that he tells visitors to Albania: "Help us with your preparation, with your experience. Nevertheless, when you come here, we will transmit to you our missionary spirit, our enthusiasm, and it is truly a beautiful thing.
"It's clear that this doesn't mean we don't have difficulties, that we don't have problems, but the crosses that form part of our daily life show that there is vitality."
Faithful hearts
Among the challenges for the Church in Albania, the prelate noted "that of secularism, of the desire to get rich right away, of emigration -- external and also internal, with floating populations, with many problems also in the area of families." And he said the bishops' conference is writing a pastoral letter regarding family issues.
There is also, he affirmed, "a greater commitment in our evangelization, so that the hearts of our faithful can truly fall in love with Christ, and be in continuous conversation, as the Lord asks us."
Other challenges, Archbishop Massafra noted, refer to Catholics' commitment in society and politics -- "a serious committment, based in Christian values." He also mentioned the challenge of "relations with the Orthodox faithful and interreligious relations with our Muslim brothers."
Bishop Lucjan Avgustini of Sape added, "After everything the church in Albania has lived -- that is, the material and spiritual destruction during the time of communism -- we can say that today we have a living community of faithful.
"We have a Church that is moving forward and growing and this has been visible above all in the last 17 years. This has been accomplished as much at the spiritual level as at the education, cultural and social level."
The bishop said continuous spiritual formation is among the urgent needs, "But certainly, intellectual and social formation cannot be left aside, [an area] in which the Catholic Church in Albania has made an effort and will continue to do so."
The Church, Bishop Avgustini added, "is making a great contribution in education and in the healing of social wounds, for example, with poverty, the young, in immigration. Development and the moral progress of society are at the base of a better future, a more secure and happy future."
Albania has a population of about 3.2 million, about a half million of whom are Catholic. The Church is organized in two archdioceses and three dioceses, as well as the Byzantine apostolic administration of Southern Albania.
ZE08052202 - 2008-05-22
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-22654?l=english
Prelates: Faith in Post-Communist Albania Is Thriving
Adds Support Is Needed to Face Various Challenges
© Innovative Media, Inc.
Reprinting ZENIT's articles requires written permission from the editor.
 |
Send this to a friend |  |
Comment on this article |
 |
Printer-friendly format |  |
PDF format |
 |
Home |
