Ireland: card. Ouellet at the Eucharistic Congress
Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for the Bishops, Pontifical Legate to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, scheduled to take place in Dublin from June 10th to 17th. Card. Seán Brady, archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland welcomed the news: “It is yet another indication of the Holy Father’s care and concern for the Catholic Church in Ireland at this time”, he said. The theme of the Eucharistic Congress is: “The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another”. The programme consists of prayer, Eucharist, workshops, discussion groups, catechesis and testimonies and cultural events. It is expected to involve 25,000 pilgrims participating in over 150 workshops; including 12,000 pilgrims from the five continents; and 80,000 participants at the Statio Orbis – the official title for the final Mass of the Congress, which will take place on 17 June in Croke Park. (See www.iec2012.ie and call 00 353 1 2349900). The Papal Legate is the special envoy of Pope Benedict XVI. The Papal Legate will be present throughout the Congress and his principal public roles will include presiding at the opening Mass on Sunday 10 June at the RDS and the Statio Orbis (concluding Mass) in Croke Park on Sunday 17 June next. Cardinal Ouellet will also formally open and deliver the keynote address at the International Theology Symposium, which takes place at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from 6 June until 9 June. In a release, the Irish Bishops’ Conference point out that Cardinal Ouellet led the penitential liturgy during the Towards Healing Conference on sexual abuse in the Church , held in Rome February last.

Belgium: hackers attack Catho.be
The server of Catho.be and the information website “InfoCatho.be” were hit by a serious hacker attack on Thursday April 5 at 10.00 a.m. “For this reason – states a communiqué – the editorial offices of “Catholic Media” could not transmit the daily news nor send the regular newsletter of Catholbel to its subscribers”. The editorial office of “InfoCatho.be” affirms: “The attack has been perfectly organized. Files of other websites were loaded on the server while other files were either changed or eliminated. As a result of the cyber attack, our technical services supplier has made our security policy stronger and is yet unable to share all contents of the websites. Investigators found that the attack originates from Belgium and have identified the hackers’ tools and attack techniques”. The editorial office of “Medias Catholiques” has informed the cyber crime unit and will soon file a report. “This is probably the worst hacker attack on the websites InfoCatho.be and Catho.be. The editorial offices of Catholic Media believe that it’s not a coincidence that the cyber attack took place on Holy Thursday, the beginning of Easter. Catholic media are concerned that freedom of expression may be at risk”.

France: celebration for the victims of Toulouse
Seven lit candles stand before the altar in remembrance of the seven people killed by the homicidal and fundamentalist fury of a young Algerian in Toulouse and Montauban. The victims were remembered during a commemorative celebration in the cathedral, attended also by representatives of the city’s Muslim and Jewish communities. Upon receiving them in the cathedral archbishop Robert le Gall conveyed his disappointment for those calling for the elimination of religions from social life, since historical events have always inspired the most ferocious tragedies. Instead, the archbishop recalled “the message of love and peace that all true prophets have transmitted through history”. He added: “Together today we reaffirm that authentic religion should not be confused with homicidal fanaticism. Together, in a society that seeks the reasons to hope and to love, we want to join our efforts to build a civilization of love”.

Saudi Arabia: peace message for Easter
“Do not forget us: many of us, in our region, are experiencing the darkness of suffering. These days, while we celebrate the death and the resurrection of the Lord, are a unique opportunity to pray with us and for us and for peace in the entire region thus showing your solidarity”. From Abu Dhabi, the Swiss Capuchin, Msgr. Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar for Southern Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen), sent an Easter message to Catholic faithful in Switzerland. “In the Middle East many people live in the midst of expectations and delusions. Christians in particular, but not only them! In some countries of the region, violence and conflict are unfortunately a daily event. Some signs are those of a war. Nonetheless, people look forward to justice and peace, although both appear to be very distant. It is therefore all the more important to look up to the Jesus who died on the cross, who paid with His life the revolt against hatred and marginalization”. “If you hear violence and hatred, don’t stop listening to His voice, the voice of love and forgiveness. Despite all the suffering, we confide that hatred and suffering will not have the last word. Jesus Christ entrusts us with this mission”.