An assessment of the military and civilian operations under way (including Kosovo, Lebanon and Georgia, the latter starting today), where EU forces or forces from the member states are at work; taking stock of the European "military capabilities"; the "bond between the Europe of defence and the citizens". These are the items on the agenda […]

"Every Council is born of the Church and goes back to the Church". This was said by the Pope, as, during today’s audience, he lingered on the Council of Jerusalem – the first Council in the history of the Church – which was focussed on "the meaning that Paul and his communities gave to the […]

"Christian freedom never identifies with licentiousness or with the will to do what one likes", but "is accomplished in really serving one’s brothers, especially the most needy ones". This was said by the Pope during the catechesis for today’s audience, focussed on episodes from Saint Paul’s life: the Council of Jerusalem and the so-called "incident […]

"What happened in Orissa can be explained by social factors, that is, the rivalry between the outcaste tribe members, because some of them enjoy government concessions and others don’t – he says –. In addition, the Christians who have been educated at school are not prepared to be exploited by their masters any longer". But […]

Another Christian woman was killed yesterday in Orissa and another 300 houses were burned down, while the state authorities, following these new violent attacks, have imposed a night and day curfew in the district of Kandhamal. This brings to 60 the number of Christians who have been killed by the Hindu fundamentalists since August 23rd, […]

Cari fratelli e sorelle, il rispetto e la venerazione che Paolo ha sempre coltivato nei confronti dei Dodici non vengono meno quando egli con franchezza difende la verità del Vangelo, che non è altro se non Gesù Cristo, il Signore. Vogliamo oggi soffermarci su due episodi che dimostrano la venerazione e, nello stesso tempo, la […]

Equally worrying is what happened in Germany, where "the defence of human life at its beginning has traditionally been very strictly regulated by the laws and by the Constitution". However "since 2002 – explained Zollitsch – there has been an exception for research on embryo stem cells in the ‘Act for guarantees in defence of […]

Along with doubts concerning the latest research, such as the induced pluripotent stem cells (Ips), there are, according to Zollitsch, "more recent developments in Europe which give cause for further concerns". They include the amendment of May 2008 approved by the British Lower House "giving researchers the possibility to artificially produce human, animal and vegetal […]

(From SirEuropa correspondent in Esztrgom – Hungary) – The plenary assembly taking place in Hungary says the umpteenth ‘no’ to research on embryo stem cells. During this morning’s session, mgr. Robert Zollitsch, archbishop of Freiburg and president of the German Bishops, gave a report on bioethical issues in which he insisted that "the Catholic Church as […]

"Becoming aware of the importance, for our faith, of the relation" with Hebraism and "expressing our gratitude to the Jewish community". With these words, father Jean Dujardin, of the National Catholic Service for Relations with Hebraism, explains the reasons for celebrating the "Day of revival of interest in Hebraism", held in France on Sunday 5th […]