However, child abuse is a much bigger issue outside the church. In my view, the modern absence of religion in the lives of many people is not so much due to the abuse as to the growth over the years of “superficial” lifestyles. People are more interested in consumption, material thoughts, excessive individualism and the fun culture. It’s too easy to just take it out on the church. But that also hurts those people who are sincere about living a moral life and, for example, following the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount in their everyday lives. RICHARD TISSOT, USA Religion is not a path to God; faith and love are. Losing one’s faith over a human’s bid for power over another is the true crime here. BEULAH DALE FISCHER, GREAT BRITAIN I am pleased that finally everyone is reacting to an event that we’ve suppressed for so long. I am a Catholic and have always had a good experience with the church. Now I see that I was just lucky. The 100th Congress of the Swiss Abroad – Lucerne set for a historic celebration Lucerne is getting ready to host the Congress of the Swiss Abroad from 11 to 13 July 2024. This, the 100th staging of the event, will go down as an extraordinary milestone in the storied history of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad. The 100th Congress is sure to be an unforgettable event in Lucerne. “Together across borders” is the slogan of this year’s event, drilling down in particular on the theme of Swiss emigration. The Congress will not only examine why and how people emigrate from Switzerland, but also consider the attachment that expatriates feel to Switzerland and to family who still live there. It will also discuss technological advances in information provision and the opportunities they provide for the “Fifth Switzerland”. It was no coincidence that the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, SwissCommunity, chose the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL Luzern) as the venue for its 100th Congress. KKL Luzern is more than just a building – it is an iconic cultural hub marrying contemporary architecture and Swiss tradition. It was designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel, whose work embodies the innovative spirit and cosmopolitan values that characterise Switzerland. Brief schedule: Friday, 12 July, promises to be an extraordinary day, featuring an address from a federal government representative as well as speeches by other high-calibre speakers. It will be a time for enriching reunions and conversation among old friends. Alpine horns will reverberate on Saturday, 13 July, the day of the traditional Congress excursion. This year’s destination is the Square of the Swiss Abroad in Brunnen (canton of Schwyz). Various surprises await as we celebrate the 100th staging of the Congress at this poignant landmark.Sign up for the event and read more about the schedule, the city of Lucerne and the venue KKL Luzern by scanning the QR code or visiting our website at revue.link/congress24. MAYA ROBERT-NICOUD, SWISSCOMMUNITY EUGENIO WETTER NAVARRO, SANTIAGO, CHILE I suspect and hope that the Swiss Catholic Church has dismissed all the priests who sexually abused children and reported them to the authorities and that they are now in prison like any other criminal deserves. If this is not the case, the Swiss government should act. ADNANE BEN CHAABANE, TUNIS, TUNISIA Two points stand out to me. First, there is the source of this information. I am even more shocked to learn that these findings came from combing through the archives. That means people knew what was happening and saw fit to document it without sounding the alarm. That makes it three times as bad. The second point is about how human instinct is always the same. Whether within or outside the church, whatever the religion, it isn’t that different to animal instinct. ANTON MOOS, KHON KAEN, THAILAND I am particularly unimpressed by the light tone of the editorial on this subject. I can say from personal experience, even though I have not suffered abuse myself, that suggestive behaviour by a priest harms religious feeling. Granted, abuse exists in all religious communities. I think perversion and instinctual aberrations can never be eliminated. Catholic priests, who are supposed to represent faith and morality, have sexually abused minors: this fact – incidentally disclosed by the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland itself – has shocked many “Swiss Review” readers. Read some of their responses below. Discussion SwissCommunity Photo: Urs Wyss, Lucerne Tourism 30 Swiss Review / March 2024 / No.2
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