Romania: a suitable climate

“There were 2030 Greek-Catholic churches in Romania in 1948, before the Communist oppression. Now there are only 405, including those under construction”, pointed out the Bishop of Cluj-Gherla (Kolozsvár-Szamosújvár), Florentin Crihalmenau, in addressing the conference of the Reunion of Charities of Aid to the Oriental Churches (ROACA) recently held in the Vatican. “The question of […]

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Hungary: preparing for Sibiu

The national Hungarian meeting in preparation for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) was held on 25 January at Gyula, a town close to the frontier with Romania. The Orthodox cathedral of St. Nicholas of the Romanian community hosted the ecumenical liturgies during the meeting. Representatives of the Catholic, Calvinist and Orthodox Church participated. Also […]

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Portugal: pastoral care of the sick

The Catholic Church in Portugal is preparing for its national Congress for the pastoral care of the sick, dedicated to the theme “At the service of the Person – Healing and Protecting”. Discussion will focus on the concepts of the person, the threats to life, to health and to dignity, and the responsibility of society […]

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Italy: solidarity for Guinea Conakry

“We are particularly close to the Guinean population and in particular to those most in need following the deterioration of the general situation of the country in recent times”, says the Presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, in a communiqué issued on 23 January. “In recalling the particular bond between the Italian ecclesial community and […]

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Germany: meeting on consecrated life

“Serving the Gospel together”: that’s the title of the meeting being held by the German Bishops’ Conference at Würzburg on 1st February to discuss the future of the consecrated life. Twenty-five bishops, including the President of the Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Karl Lehmann, and 120 men and women members of religious orders and secular institutes in […]

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Belgium: prayer vigils for the consecrated

“Consecrated persons are called to punctuate their day with prayer to be ready to proclaim the Gospel”. The exhortation is made by Cardinal Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Brussels, who has promoted a prayer vigil in the Cathedral for 1st February, on the eve of the World Day for Consecrated life, now in its 11th year. […]

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France: pilgrimage by boat for St. Valentine

Pilgrimages by bateau-mouche (water bus) on the Seine and dinners open to all engaged couples: just some of the events being planned by the archdiocese of Paris to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on 14 February 2007. “It’s an occasion for the Church to transmit a positive message about love – says Archbishop Vingt-Trois -; we […]

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Austria: ecumenism and Council

“We ought not to consider that ecumenism is ill, or speak of a freeze or stagnation of ecumenism”, declared Bishop Alois Kothgasser on the occasion of the recent ecumenical meeting of the Pro-Orient section of Salzburg, held during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. “A brief glance at the past is enough to grasp […]

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YOUTH

The first constructors

Youth and Europe: an important equation for the construction, and not merely political, of the Old Continent in coming to terms with the process of integration and enlargement, but also for the mission of promoting peace and freedom on the basis of growing understanding and trust between Europeans. Walls and frontiers, both material and spiritual, […]

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WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

Appeal to Europe

Many ideas and proposals were taken home by the thousands who participated in the 7th World Social Forum held in Nairobi from 20 to 25 January. It’s the first time the event was held in Africa. The World Social Forum was founded in Porto Alegre (Brazil) in 2001 to provide a talking shop for civil […]

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