Bonn (Fides Service) - Easter is here and churches everywhere will be filled to capacity for these Christian services the most important of the year. Although many people go away for Easter they wish all the same to go to church but where can they find out about the religious services in the holiday resort? The answer has been provided by an ecumenical initiative organised jointly by the Catholic and Lutheran Churches in Germany consisting of a web site www.ostergottesdienste.de.with information on services from 24 March (Holy Thursday) to 28 March (Easter Monday).
Worshippers searching for information enter name of town or postcode, date required and church (Catholic or Protestant) and at the click of a mouse they have all the necessary information with regard to place and time as well as facilities for persons with a disability, wheelchair or hearing aid for example. “We think this service will be useful for the many people who take the opportunity at Easter to visit relations or take a short holiday” said Karsten Hennig of the German Bishops’ Conference communications office. About 12,000 parishes, Catholic and Lutheran have adhered to the initiative. A similar Internet service offered last Christmas 2004 recorded over 65,000 visitors. (MS) (Agenzia Fides 22/3/2005 - 16 righe, 207 parole)