Germany: safeguarding the right to life

An appeal to safeguard human dignity and the right to life, “even in the most difficult phases of existence”, was made by the German Episcopal Conference to the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, which is preparing to pronounce on euthanasia soon. In their official communiqué issued on 20 January, the bishops insist that […]

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Belarus: after the winter of persecution” “

“The publication of a book by one of our priests who was incarcerated for several years in Soviet gulags is an important event for Belarus, both in terms of historical culture and in terms of the appeal to the intellighenzia to take the path of the dialogue between Gospel and culture urged by Pope John […]

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Bielorussia: dopo l’inverno della persecuzione” “

“La stampa del libro di un nostro sacerdote che è stato rinchiuso per diversi anni nei gulag sovietici costituisce per la Bielorussia un evento importante, sia sotto il profilo della cultura storica, sia per quanto riguarda la proposta all’ intellighenzia di muoversi sulla pista del dialogo Vangelo-cultura auspicato da Papa Giovanni Paolo II”: lo ha […]

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Germania: tutelare il diritto alla vita” “

Un invito a tutelare la dignità umana e il diritto alla vita, “anche nelle fasi più difficili dell’esistenza”, è stato rivolto dalla Conferenza episcopale tedesca all’assemblea parlamentare del Consiglio d’Europa, che si accinge a pronunciarsi sull’eutanasia. Nel comunicato diffuso il 20 gennaio, i vescovi rammentano “insistentemente che in qualsiasi fase della vita, la persona ha […]

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Slovacchia: religione cattolica a scuola” “

“Un segnale sorprendente” così il portavoce della Conferenza episcopale slovacca, don Marian Gavenda, giudica la ratifica, da parte del Parlamento, dell’accordo tra Santa Sede e Repubblica slovacca sull’istruzione cattolica. Ratifica che giunge “in un momento di forte tensione e divisione tra i partiti che potrebbe presagire ad un possibile crollo del Governo”. “Si è trattato del […]

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europe and the worLd" "

Ethics of brotherhood” “

A Europe of hope and of brotherhood, able to recognize and turn to account its own Christian roots, while keeping its doors open to other continents: that is the Europe called for by Michel Camdessus , former director of the International Monetary Fund and current president of the Semaines Sociales de France . Camdessus appealed […]

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economy and society" "

Solidarity in Agriculture” “

Continuing to consider agricultural policy as a means of feeding all European citizens; and not renouncing the traditional vocation of solidarity: these are the two principles that the European Federation of food banks wishes to impress on the European Union. “If the European Union wishes to maintain its character of solidarity, it cannot renounce providing […]

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" "culture" "

Lille and Genoa, European capitals” “

After Graz in 2003, Genoa in Italy and Lille in France have been chosen as European capitals of culture in 2004. Many cultural activities are planned in the two cities: exhibitions, concerts, theatre and dance. (For further information www.genova-2004.it and www.lille2004.com). The two local Churches have also become actively involved, by promoting a series of […]

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culture" "" "" "

Khatami in Switzerland: a council of religions? ” “” “

Representatives of the Catholic and Protestant Churches and of the Jewish community met Iranian President Mohammad Khatami in Switzerland on 20 January. Aim of the meeting: the promotion of interreligious dialogue. The Protestants also proposed the creation of a “Council of Religions” which would regularly bring together Jews, Christians and Moslems. Mohammad Khatami – says […]

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ccee-comece" "

Holy Land and European Churches” “

“The human dignity of the Palestinians must be recognized and respected, even though all Israeli soldiers see in them the face of a potential terrorist. I’ve seen the same thing in Ireland: some people in my city said that, since I was a Catholic, I could only think like a ‘terrorist’. The sadness of those […]

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