England and Wales: the bishops and Catholic schools” “

The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has taken a strong stance on the Catholic schools and colleges in the country, the theme at the centre of their last plenary assembly in Leeds (cf. Sir 78/2003). Archbishop Vincent Nichols, who chairs the episcopal Commission for education and training, put out a statement of the bishops […]

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Austria" "

Human dignity in first place” “

Work on the reform of the Austrian Constitution began in Vienna on 30 June. The draft of a new Federal Constitution will be completed within eighteenth months. During the last audition, held in Parliament on 21 November, the representatives of the Christian Churches read out a joint declaration: protection of minorities, inalienability of social rights, […]

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Italy" "

The parish: Church amid people’s homes” “

In an age in which “the need is emerging for the sacred and for strong bonds of affection in the context of very fragmented experiences”, the “secret” of the parish consists in “its passion to foster personal growth”, through its “relation with people, families and the fabric of the society that lives and works on […]

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Finland

” “The first shoots of a Church

Five million inhabitants in a territory as large as Italy, of whom 89% are of Lutheran Evangelic faith, 1% Russian Orthodox, 9% non-declared and the remaining 1% comprising the “other religions”, including Catholics: that is the religious situation in Finland today, the Scandinavian country furthest to the East, and bordering on Russia, with which it […]

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ecumenism" "

Hungary: consultation on the Charta Oecumenica” “

“Monitoring the ecumenical situation in Eastern Europe and identifying how the process of the Charta Oecumenica may help to tackle existing difficulties”: that’s the objective of the Consultation being held at Leanyfálu, Hungary, from 27 to 30 November, on the invitation of the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE) and the Conference of […]

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Taizé: European youth jamboree in Hamburg” “

The next European youth meeting animated by the Taizé Community will be held in Hamburg from 29 December to 2 January. A dozen Taizé brothers and some fifteen young people of various nationality have already arrived in the German city to continue the preparations for the meeting in over 200 parishes of various confessions. Six […]

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Switzerland: first youth meeting in 2004″ “

The first national meeting of Swiss youth, with the slogan “Arise!”, will be held in the arena of Bern from 5 to 6 June 2004. According to preliminary forecasts, it is expected that some 10,000 youngsters will participate. The Swiss Episcopal Conference has invited the Pope who, as the Swiss bishops themselves have reported, is […]

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monthly agenda" "

December 2003″ “” “

The main appointments of the Christian Churches, and of European institutions and organizations 1 Visit “ad Limina Apostolorum” of the French bishops of the ecclesiastical provinces of Rennes-Rouen (1-6) – 262nd ordinary assembly of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference (1-4), at St. Gallen. 2 VI Euromediterranean Ministerial Conference, as part of the six months’ Italian Presidency […]

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youth" "

We can’t do without them” “

The first “Campus of the students of Europe” was held in Orvieto from 11 to 16 November. Organized by Italy’s Ministry for Education in collaboration with the European Commission, the Campus was attended by 130 students aged 16 and 17 from 16 member states of the 25-member EU. They discussed Europe, youth policies and schools, […]

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The White Paper” “

A White Paper is a document containing recommendations for action by the European Community in a particular field. Once approved by the Council of Ministers, the document may become “a programme of action” for the Union. It’s not a bill or the text of a piece of legislation. It’s more like a “declaration of intention” […]

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