Spain: a prayer chain

Chefs, cloistered nuns, artists, families and children: just some of the participants in the “prayer chain” of Ávila, in the land of Saint Teresa of Jesus, promoted by the diocesan Secretariat of Vocational Ministry. “The aim of the initiative is to promote prayers for vocations in a novel way – explains Conce Martín Pérez, Dominican […]

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HOLLAND

For the family and life

The letter signed by Cardinal Simonis and sent by the Dutch bishops to the parties charged with forming the new government in Holland contains an appeal to these parties to have at heart the defence of the family and of the environment. The Christian Democrats (CDA), Social Democrats (PVDA) and the religious party “Christen Unie” […]

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ECUMENISM

England: Anglicans and Catholics oppose nuclear weapons

The decision of the British government on the renewal of the national nuclear arsenal is expected in March 2007. In view of this deadline, the English churches are exerting growing pressure against this renewal, which, according to the intention of Tony Blair, would involve a cost of some twenty billion euros, 28.5 billion euros. These […]

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Northern Ireland: Primate Eames retires

Archbishop Robin Eames, Primate of the Anglican Church of Church of Ireland”, has completed his term as Archbishop of Armagh and tendered his resignation. During a sermon marking his retirement in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Northern Ireland, he made an end-of-the-year appeal to unionists and nationalists to “capture the future” and find a peaceful way of […]

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Bulgaria, Orthodox pray for nurses in Libya

The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria asked people to pray for the release of the five Bulgarian nurses that have been sentenced to death by the Libyan Court in the last few days: “We are deeply upset at this decision of the Libyan court”, reads the release. “We hope life, God’s most […]

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Switzerland: a church “in common”

A Catholic church will be used as a place of ecumenical worship in Switzerland. It is situated close to Zurich, at Grafstal bei Kemptthal, to the south of Winterthour. According to the Swiss Catholic press agency APIC, the church of St. Joseph, the only one in the little town, will (from Saturday 6 January) be […]

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

A crucial year

The long recess for the Christmas holidays is behind us and full-time work has resumed in the offices of the EU. Next week, from 15 to 18 January, the European Parliament at Strasbourg will in particular be under the spotlight with its plenary session and the presence of EU leaders. AGREEMENT ON ALTERNATION. While the […]

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Confidence in the economy

The year’s end was characterized by stability according to the economic sentiment indicator (ESI) relating to the eurozone. According to the data of the General Directorate for Economy and Finance of the European Commission, the very slight decline of 0.2 points has enabled ESI to remain above the long-term average for the twelfth consecutive month. […]

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Inflation blocked

Eurostat, the statistics office of the European Community, has published its “rapid estimate” for December 2006, according to which inflation on an annual basis referred to the countries of the eurozone remains stable at 1.9%, showing no change over the official rate registered in November. The rapid estimate of inflation in the eurozone is calculated […]

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Unemployment, generalized fall

Good news on the front of efforts to reduce unemployment in Europe, according to the latest data published by Eurostat last week and referring to November 2006. The unemployment rate in the eurozone thus fell to 7.6%: a drop of a tenth of a percentage point over the figure for the previous month and seven […]

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