Belarus: “called to holiness”

The Catholic bishops of Belarus have chosen for the year 2007 the slogan “We are all called to holiness”. Contrary to the common perception that holiness is only possible for the chosen few, and in conformity with the Pope’s teaching during the general audience of 31 January, the bishops remind the faithful that, according to […]

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COMECE

An idea without borders

The Treaty of Rome was signed in the Italian capital on 25 March 1957. It instituted the European Economic Community (Eec) and, at the same time, on the basis of a second accord, the European Community of Atomic Energy (Euratom). The Treaty came into force on 1st January 1958. Its aim was to “promote balanced […]

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FRONT PAGE

Why the celebration?

While the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome approaches, the need to form a judgement about Europe is being felt in everyone. But how it is possible to evaluate so complex a reality? If we listen to people on the street, we will hear them lamenting the demise of the old currency or abusing […]

di Miklos Szerdahelyi Hungary

COE - EP

No killing by law

“Capital punishment is a lethal form of injustice”: with this message the executive of the Council of Europe participated in the Third Congress against capital punishment, held in Paris from 1st to 3rd February. On the same occasion the current Presidency of the European Union confirmed its action “conducted in the front line throughout the […]

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BIOETHICS

Shared principles

“Creating shared principles, and trying to reconcile a high level of security with the protection of health”: these are the objectives set by the Committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament, which is working on legislation on so-called “advanced therapies”. The same Committee has approved a report produced by the […]

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Switzerland: European Cup 2008 and ecumenism

The three main Churches of Switzerland intend to present a united front during the European football championship in 2008: that’s the pledge made at a meeting between representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Federation of the Evangelical Churches and Old Catholics, in which representatives of the cities that will host the matches also participated: […]

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Germany: Churches and sport to defend Sunday

Churches and sport for the preservation of Sunday: that is the commitment made at a meeting held in Frankfurt on 1st February between the German Olympic Sporting League (DOSB), the German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) and the German Evangelical Church (EKD). “Sunday is a holiday that conduces to the well being of everyone and hence to […]

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ECUMENISM

Ukraine: Orthodox Church and reunification

Concrete steps for the reunification of the local Orthodox Church have been taken in recent days in Ukraine. The Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church dependent on the Patriarchate of Moscow declared it would like to detach itself from the control of Moscow, but to do so in a “canonical way” and form an […]

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Portugal: The “flame of life” against abortion

“The Flame of Life” is the initiative of the office for youth pastoral ministry of the diocese of Lamego (Portugal), mindful of the forthcoming referendum on abortion due to be held on 11 February. It began on 19 January with a Prayer Vigil officiated by Bishop Giacinto Botelho of Lamego. Ever since then the “flame” […]

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LOCRIDE: "EPISODI SPIACEVOLI" VERSO DUE SACERDOTI. LA DIOCESI, "SOLIDARIETÀ PIÙ PIENA"

"Siamo tutti consapevoli che solo con risposte ferme e comunitarie sia possibile crescere insieme, nella Locride, con la forza della mano di Dio che sempre ci accompagna e costantemente ci difende, specie nei momenti difficili". È quanto si legge in una nota della diocesi di Locri-Gerace diffusa oggi, nella quale si "lamenta che in questi […]

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