The long isolation of the Church” “

Seven ecclesiastical provinces, 52 parishes, 6 pastoral seats: just some of the statistics of the Turkish Catholic Church. It comprises some 32,000 Catholics, a tiny minority (0.05%) in comparison with the Moslem majority. Their pastoral care is entrusted to 6 bishops, 59 priests and some 130 religious. Bishop Ruggero Franceschini , vicar apostolic of Anatolia, […]

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The still outstanding "chapters"” “

The European Commission, though recognizing the great progress made by the Turkish government in the pre-membership phase, considers that a lot more still has to be done to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria and formally open membership negotiations. In particular, in the economic field the EU is asking for the removal of numerous trade barriers, the […]

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Turkey" "

Membership postponed” “

MEP of Turkish origin, elected in the lists of the German Social Democratic Party, Ozan Ceyhun is a member of the joint EP-Turkish Parliament interparliamentary Commission. SirEurope met him for an analysis of the Turkish situation after the Commission’s recommendations on enlargement which do not envisage the beginning of membership negotiations for the time being. […]

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The fears of Eastern Europe ” “

How many countries are there in Europe? Fifteen, replies a group of students. It’s an error often repeated: that of confusing the European Union with the 47 countries of the old continent. The point is made by Annelise Oeschger, describing her experience as a teacher and delegate to the Council of Europe of the international […]

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enlargement

” “Unity restored” “

Towards an enlarged Union. “Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia meet the political criteria. In view of the progress made by these countries, the Commission considers that they will have fulfilled the economic and other criteria and will be ready for membership by the beginning of 2004. The […]

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The Churches at the side of foreigners” “” “

Spain, where immigrants form 2.5% of the population (with an increase of 122% over the last few years), is unprepared to cope with this recent influx. That’s why the Church is devoting a great deal of effort to heightening people’s awareness of the issue so that they don’t perceive the phenomenon as a threat to […]

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European bishops" "

Immigrant women, a resource to be treasured” “

Some 45% of all migrants in the world are women, and the number of women who leave their own country, also alone, to ask for political asylum, to seek work in support of their family or to join their husbands, is growing. The most dramatic situation is that of the women victims of the white […]

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” “The Latin American country will be the protagonist of the missionary day of the Swiss Church: twinnings between dioceses and partnership schemes” “

To celebrate World Mission Day this year, Switzerland has chosen to give a voice to Paraguay, a Latin-American country in the grips of serious economic and social problems. The project is being run by “Missio – the Pontifical Mission Aid Society” which has marked the event by publishing a rich dossier on Paraguay, containing testimonies […]

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Switzerland:a voice to Paraguay” “

Various Catholic aid organizations, each with its own specific aims, exist in Germany. Under the name “Missio”, the Pontifical Mission-Aid Society coordinates German missionary activity. Founded in Aachen over 160 years ago, it was flanked by a similar institution founded simultaneously in Munich. The twofold structure of Missio is still maintained. Approximately half a million […]

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Germany, 5000 projects” “” “

Various Catholic aid organizations, each with its own specific aims, exist in Germany. Under the name “Missio”, the Pontifical Mission-Aid Society coordinates German missionary activity. Founded in Aachen over 160 years ago, it was flanked by a similar institution founded simultaneously in Munich. The twofold structure of Missio is still maintained. Approximately half a million […]

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