Belgium: “interpreting the signs of the times”

“Cannot you read the signs of the times?”: this question, taken from the verse of Matthew’s Gospel, is the title chosen by the bishops of Belgium for a pamphlet published in recent days with the objective – says the introduction – “not of making resounding statements, but rather of pointing out that, contrary to the […]

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ECUMENISM

Greece: “when shall we have an Easter for all Christians?”

At the beginning of the rites for the Holy Week, the president of the Greek Bishops, mgr. Francesco Papamanolis, bishop of Syros, Santorini and Crete, wishes the Greek Churches may reach “an agreement for Christians to be able to celebrate Easter all together”. “This year, we Catholics of Greece too have the joy of celebrating […]

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Bulgaria: an ecumenical conference

Coinciding with the Easter festivities that Orthodox and Catholics will celebrate together this year, an ecumenical conference organized by the two Churches was held in the Bulgarian town of Svistof, on the Danube, on 26 March. The Catholic Bishop of Nicopoli Petko Hristov, the Metropolitan of Veliko, Tarnovo Gregorio, the Mayor of Svistof Svetoslav Blagov, […]

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Switzerland: “The Night of Nights”

Jazz, rock and classical music as accompaniment of the Easter vigil: that’s the idea of the ecumenical event “Night of Nights”, now in its second year, promoted by the Catholic Church, the parishes of the Evangelical Reformed Church and the parish communities of Lucerne, in Switzerland. The “Night of Nights” is held on the night […]

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Italy: Catholics and Orthodox and Matthew’s Passion

“An eloquent means of dialogue and suggestive cultural exchange”, said Cardinal Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, in describing the concert “The Passion according to Matthew”, performed in Rome on 29 March. The concert, the work of Hilarion Alfeyev, Russian orthodox bishop of Vienna and Austria […]

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YOUTH

The dreamt job

“The ultimate reference of every human activity can only be the human person created in the image and likeness of God”; therefore “every human activity should be an occasion and place for the growth of individuals and society”, said BENEDICT XVI , in his message to the 9th International Youth Forum that the Pontifical Council […]

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WORK

Salary differentials

Eurispes – Institute of political, economic and social studies – recently published a study called “Poor worker: inflation has drained wages”. The research incorporated in the book – its editors explain – was based on data compiled by EUROSTAT and ISTAT (Italy’s National Statistical Centre). An analysis of the data furnished by Eurispes enables us […]

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FAMILY

A European pact

A “European Pact for the family” is called for by the EESC, the European Economic and Social Committee, an advisory body of the EU based in Brussels. The proposal is made in the form of an “exploratory opinion” drawn up at the request of Ursula von der Leyen, German Federal Minister for the Family. But […]

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COUNCIL OF EUROPE

A signature for the UN Convention on the disabled

Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, has urged the member states of the organization to sign the UN Convention relating to the rights of the disabled and its optional protocol, once the documents are opened to signature and ratification on 30 March. “Once it comes into force – said Hammarberg […]

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Romany art and culture “against prejudices”

The regional Romany festival “Art against prejudices” is being held in Tirana from 5 to 7 April, on the initiative of the European Commission and the Council of Europe. The meeting forms part of a programme of events promoted for the International Romany Day to be celebrated on 8 April. The festival will be animated […]

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