Germany: the Churches and immigration” “

In a joint communiqué, the German Churches, in the person of the representative of the Council of the German Evangelic church (EKD), Stephan Reimers, and of Karl Jüsten, director of the relevant commission of the German bishops, have welcomed the approval of the new law on immigration by the Bundestag (German federal parliament). The Churches […]

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Bulgaria: Othodox Synod, "Harry Potter bad for children"” “

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has condemned Harry Potter, the fictional and cinematic character loved by millions of children throughout the world, famous because magic is at the centre of all his adventures. The question has aroused a heated debate in Bulgarian society and in the press. “The adventures of Harry Potter […]

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ecumenism" "

England: Iraq, Rowan Williams writes to Blair” “

In a letter of reproof to the prime minister Tony Blair, the archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, primate of seventy million Anglicans worldwide, accuses Tony Blair of “double standards” and maintains that the government risks losing the trust of the population due to the way in which Iraqi prisoners have been treated. “There is also […]

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croatia" "

A new beginning” “” “

Scholars from all over the continent are due to meet in Italy to discuss European religious history. That is the aim of the 26th week of reflection and discussion promoted by the Paul VI Ambrosian Foundation, which this year will review the past and present of Croatia and Slovenia, after having done the same for […]

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Turkey: Caritas on the earthquake in Agri” “

18 dead, of whom 11 children and 21 injured, thousands of homeless: that is the provisional balance-sheet of the earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale that struck the village of Dogubeyazit, in the north-east province of Agri, on the frontier with Iran, on 2 July. Though not directly involved in the relief efforts, at […]

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Austria: President Klestil commemorated” “

In a first statement on the death of Austrian President Thomas Klestil, released on 7 July, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, president of the Austrian Episcopal Conference, said he was “profoundly moved”. Cardinal Schönborn “espressly” thanked President Klestil “for his tireless service to our country”, and recalled his efforts to “maintain good relations with the Churches and […]

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Belgium: for the victims of paedophilia ” “

“Compassion and condolence” were expressed by Bishop André-Mutien Leonard of Namur (Belgium) to the family of Elisabeth Brichet, the twelve-year-old Belgian girl who disappeared in 1989, close to Namur, and whose body was found on 3 July in the grounds of the castle of Satou, in the Ardennes on the borders between Belgium and France. […]

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France: bishops in Africa ” “

A delegation of French bishops, led by the president of the Episcopal Conference Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard, is currently visiting Central Africa (from 3 to 13 July). Their journey, which will take them through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, is intended to express the solidarity of the French Church with the populations of […]

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front page" "

Land of asylum?” “

London, Berlin, Rome: what welcome do they hold out to refugees? Is Europe really a land of asylum? Despite the numerous “good practices” adopted by the three European capitals to guarantee assistance to those fleeing from their own country for grave humanitarian or political reasons, the situation does not seem excellent. “In all three cities […]

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AIUTO ALLO SVILUPPO: SANTA SEDE APPOGGIA PROPOSTA BRITANNICA, "I PAESI RICCHI SI IMPEGNINO DI PIÙ CONTRO LA POVERTÀ"

"Se gli aiuti allo sviluppo procederanno a questo ritmo nel 2015 non verranno raggiunti gli obiettivi del millennio. La mortalità infantile in Africa, ad esempio, diminuirà solo nel 2165". A lanciare l’allarme, e a farsi quindi promotore di una innovativa proposta, è il ministro del tesoro inglese Gordon Brown, che ha partecipato oggi al seminario […]

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