Italy: campaign against thefts from churches” “

From now on it will be more difficult to steal with impunity from churches. Thanks to an agreement between the National Office for ecclesiastical cultural properties of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) and the Command of the Carabinieri for the safeguard of the artistic heritage, more than 150,000 catalogue entries of the databank of the […]

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Germany: paedophilia, the Church will seek clarification” “

“The representation” of the “individual cases has deeply disturbed me”. “In particular, I am saddened by the suffering caused to the victims”. That’s how Cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the German Episcopal Conference and bishop of Mainz, responded in recent days to an article published in the weekly magazine “Der Spiegel” on paedophilia and priests. […]

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Switzerland: Jews and Catholics for peace” “

A joint declaration to combat terrorism and violence and progress together in the pursuit of peace: the text is the initiative of the Commission of Jewish-Catholic dialogue in Switzerland. “We are very disturbed – says the joint communiqué – by the growing number of violent terrorist attacks of recent months which have occurred just about […]

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Youth ask for "more Europe"” “

The European Youth Convention (cf. SirEurope no. 27/2002) met in Brussels from 9 to 12 July. In the course of the four days of discussion, the 210 delegates – representing the fifteen member states of the Union and the thirteen candidate countries, including Turkey – debated future EU integration in relation to the interests, concerns […]

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Thinking with a single voice ” “

The 6th plenary session of the Convention for the future of Europe (Brussels, 11 and 12 July) tackled the question of the foreign action of the EU, dedicating the first day to foreign policy in general (foreign policy and joint security, trade, cooperation in development) and the second to defence policy. Justifying the decision to […]

di Gian Andrea Garancini – Brussels" "" "

the Convention" "

What does religious freedom mean?” “

A meeting organized by the Bologna-based Catholic journal “Il Regno” on the theme “Chistianity and democracy in the future of Europe” was held at the monastery of Camaldoli (in Tuscany) from 12 to 14 July. It provided an opportunity for a debate between exponents of the European Union, theologians, representatives of civil society and members […]

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Belgium: those leaving for Toronto and those staying behind ” “

For those who were unable to depart for Toronto a special event has been planned for Tuesday 23 July in Brussels, when the young are being invited to gather in the cathedral of Saint-Michel. After a celebration in which several bishops will also participate, the young will then leave for Carlsbourg where the “national” WYD […]

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Greece: the silence of the mass media” “

“In Greece, it’s as if we were living in an island. The mass media don’t speak of this World Youth Day – explains Bishop Francesco Papamanolis of Syros, Santorini and Crete and head of the youth apostolate in Greece – but perhaps when the Pope arrives in Toronto some television channel, some news bulletin, will […]

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Croatia: difficulties in obtaining visas” “

Over 600 youth from Croatia are participating in WYD in Toronto. Organized in four groups, they may be considered the “lucky ones”, because the high cost of the travel represents a major problem for Croatia. The 600 Croatian participants will be joined by a group of young Croatian emigrants. In Toronto the youth are being […]

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17th WYD" "

From Toronto to Cologne” “

Over 6,000 German youth are present at the 17th World Youth Day (WYD) which opens in Toronto, Canada, today, with a series of meetings and events extending to 28 July (cf. SirEurope no. 26/2002). The group is accompanied by Cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the German Episcopal Conference and bishop of Mainz, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, […]

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