Redazione

An Orthodox-Protestant consultation on “Ecclesiology as basis for friendship between the Churches” was held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete (Greece) from 28 November to 1 December. The meeting – promoted by the Conference of the Churches of Europe (KEK) – brought together 20 theologians (10 Protestant and 10 Orthodox) from various European countries. The […]

ecumenism" "

“Europaica” is born! Published by the Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European institutions in Brussels, the bulletin contains news and reports in both English and French. “The main aim of this bulletin – says the Patriarchate in a press release – is to publicize the activity of the Representation and the role […]

The relics of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus have been in Iraq since 20 November. They will remain there for five weeks, during which they will traverse the whole country, from Bassora in the deep south to Mosul in the north, and passing through Baghdad. The girl saint will celebrate Christmas in Iraq this […]

France

Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris and member of the Académie Française, who has made no secret of his Jewish origins, has recently published a book called “La Promesse ” (The Promise), in which he reviews the close relations between Christianity and Judaism. “It is inconceivable – writes the cardinal – that the Church should claim […]

“Respect for the historical truth demands that the particular influence exerted by Christianity in defining the cultural and spiritual profile of the peoples of Europe be recognized”: so declares the “Subiaco Charter”, drawn up by the “Life and Family” Foundation in Subiaco (near Rome), the site of two important Benedictine monasteries, San Benedetto and Santa […]

Spain

The first meeting of the “Convention of Christians on Europe” will take place at Barcelona from 6 to 8 December with the objective of contributing to the discussion of the European Convention and the intergovernmental Conference that will follow it up. The convention will focus on the process of participation and on such questions as […]

Agreement between Nicolas Sarkozy and David Blunkett, respectively Interior Ministers for France and Britain, was reached on Monday, 2 December. It provides for the final closing down of the holding centre at Sangatte (France) on 30 December. The centre was established by the Red Cross close to the entrance to the Eurotunnel in 1999, as […]

immigrants

A further two tragedies have occurred in Italy’s coastal waters in recent days: scores of immigrant victims in search of hope. Even more dramatically relevant in this light seems the Pope’s message for the 89th World Migrant and Refugee Day, published on 2 December: “The persons particularly in need – recalls the Pope – include […]

Malta’s entry into the EU is welcomed, so long as it does not have “any negative effect on the heritage of Christian values of our people”. That’s the recommendation of the Maltese bishops who have devoted a document to the question, as well as a pastoral letter with the title “The Maltese heritage of Christian […]

“It’s easy to say what Cypriots’ hopes for the forthcoming Copenhagen summit are: that of being accepted in Europe”. That’s how Father Umberto Barato, Latin patriarchal vicar of Cyprus, sums up the island’s hopes in the imminent Council meeting that will decide on EU enlargement. “Of the 10 nations that are about to join the […]