laity" "

A decisive commitment” “

The European Forum of the laity 2004 (see SIR no. 51/2004) ended at Fatima on 7 July. The name of the new president of the Forum was announced during the final session. She is Maria Draijers , member of the Association of social organizations (VKMO) in Holland, who succeeds the Scottish Robert Corrins . In […]

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France: a website for the Pope at Lourdes” “

www.lourdes2004.com: that’s the address of the official site of the pilgrimage of John Paul II to Lourdes, due to take place on 14/15 August 2004 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The French Episcopal Conference has issued a statement to confirm the creation of the website, […]

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european churches" "" "

Czech Republic: European Constitution without courage” “

The satisfaction of the bishops of the Czech Republic in the recently approved European Constitutional Treaty is not wholehearted. If on the one hand they “welcome its approval as an important step towards the further integration of Europe for the safeguarding of a serene and peaceful future for the continent”, on the other they “consider […]

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france" "

The angel’s wing” “

Everyone mad about choral singing: that, according to the French Catholic daily “La Croix”, is how the French reveal themselves after the success of the film “The Choristers”. It’s a trend confirmed by the massive participation in the “Festival of Music” that took place in various venues in the country in recent days. Choirs and […]

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greece: olympics" "

Sport and prayer” “

28 sports, 37 disciplines, 10,500 athletes representing 202 nations, and 6 cities in which the competitive events will be held: just some of the numbers of the 28th Olympic Games of the modern era due to be held in Greece from 13 to 29 August. It’s an event that coincides with the European Year of […]

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comece " "

Agenda for the new Union ” “” “

Sustainable economic growth, social reforms, common foreign and security policy: these are the main challenges that the “new” European Union is called to tackle, according to the editorial in the June number of “Europe infos”, the monthly of the Commission of the episcopates of the European Community (COMECE) and the Catholic Office of Information and […]

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Spain: Parliament of Religions in Barcelona” “

The 4th World Parliament of Religions (7-14 July), held in the sanctuary of Monserrat (Barcelona), has ended. It was attended by over 400 religious leaders from all over the world. Spirituality, science, and the role of religions for peace are some of the issues discussed during the meeting. Discussion also focused on questions apparently less […]

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Germany: the "blessed holiday"” “

With the slogan “blessed holiday”, the Churches of Schleswig-Holstein will welcome tourists spending their holidays in the North German Land on 24 July. The welcome is being organized by the Catholic and Evangelic Churches, in association with ADAC-Hansa (the German automobile club for the area of Hamburg) and the tourist board for Schleswig-Holstein. The Evangelic […]

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oecuménisme" "

France: acts of deplorable hatred” “

The President of the Republic, Jacques Chirac has made a “solemn” appeal to the nation to condemn the worrying spate of acts of intolerance against Jewish and Moslem minorities. Chirac was speaking at Chambon-sur-Lignon, in the Upper Loire, on 8 July. It is a place charged with historical memories both for French Protestants and Jews, […]

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Italy: the new church of Padre Pio” “

The new church dedicated to St. Pius of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, the Capuchin friar from the Gargano proclaimed saint by John Paul II on 16 June 2002, was consecrated at San Giovanni Rotondo, in the province of Foggia, on 1st July. The architect Renzo Piano devoted ten years’ work to the design […]

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