Redazione

On 4 April the European Commission adopted three Communications relating to EU policies and programmes in the field of external cooperation, more specifically in terms of increased public aid for development, support for trade and the effectiveness of aid for development projects. “The documents show the clear political determination of Europe, which is succeeding in […]

During a meeting held in Zagreb (Croatia) last week, as part of the “Process of cooperation for South-East Europe” – in which Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece and Moldova participate, together with the European Union – the European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs signed a joint ministerial Declaration relating to the next […]

Encouraging comments have been made this week by the European Commission regarding an analysis of the national strategic frameworks of reference presented by member states as part of the cohesion policy for the forthcoming period of programming of the Structural Funds. During a press conference in Brussels, “Making it happen, delivering cohesion policy 2007-2013”, the […]

CHRISTIAN ROOTS

Many people have at least heard the name of the great Swiss theologian von Balthasar; few, I suppose, have read his works that require a considerable cultural preparation to be understood and properly appreciated.In his genius, however, the theologian, just because he was great, was able to identify examples or metaphors (how can we fail […]

EP - CE

Two invitations to the Pope in the space of a few days: Between the end of March and the beginning of April Benedict XVI received in private audience, first, the President of the European Parliament, the German Hans-Gert Poettering, and then that of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Dutchman René van […]

The tragedy suffered on a daily basis by the Iraqi people “demands that the churches continue not only to assist and support the victims of this disastrous war, but also to speak on their behalf and to redouble intervention for peace with governments and with intergovernmental bodies”, said Pastor Samuel Kobia, WCC secretary general of […]

“In today’s postmodern society Christians must be able to work together, simply in order to be witnesses together of Christ”, declared Pastor Claude Baty, of the Union of the Free Evangelical Churches, in his acceptance speech following his election as tenth President of the FPF (Protestant Federation of France). Baty was elected to head the […]

ECUMENISM

“I won’t campaign either in favour or against the insertion of the ‘Christian roots’ in the European Constitutional Treaty. Basically it’s not this that really matters. Instead I will campaign to ensure that the churches have a precise role, on a par with that of other associations of European civil society, in contributing to the […]

BELGIUM

“Cannot you read the signs of the time?”: this is the title, taken from a verse of Matthew’s Gospel (16: 3), that was chosen by the bishops of Belgium for the booklet published on the eve of Easter, with the objective – its introduction explains – “not of spreading resounding declarations, but of pointing out […]

On 10 April, the president of the Portugal Republic issued the new law about abortion decriminalization, approved by the Parliament last 8 March. Aníbal Cavaco Silva accompanied the decision with a message to the Assembly of the Republic, in which he identified a series of aspects deserving further regulatory attention, and he exhorted the members […]